tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74291842535273769562024-03-13T17:20:08.088-07:00Belief SuspendersIt's Mythbusters for Writers!Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-71418464081645345522013-12-19T16:49:00.001-08:002013-12-19T16:49:18.795-08:00Winners!Congrats to our winners! Kendra and Emily Bullock! Yay!
*happy dance*
I know I only had 9 entries. But I appreciate every single one. Thanks people who entered. Next time I'll try to have an even bigger prize! So everyone will want to win. :)
Can the winners please send me their addresses so I can get them their prize? Thank you!
To everyone else: Thanks anyways, and good luck in the giveaway for my book! (you automatically entered it by entering this giveaway.)
Keep your pants on!Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-90369625145673226282013-12-04T12:41:00.000-08:002013-12-04T12:52:51.754-08:00Giveaway Time!So guess what guys? It's my release month! Yay!!!<br />
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And how shall I celebrate? In the nerdiest manner possible, of course. I'm giving away something super amazing my husband designed for me. And now I want to share with all of you. This may seem small, but it takes a lot of time to make, so I'm sure you'll appreciate that. Maybe...<br />
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You should anyways! Also, if you don't know what this prize is all about, you should totally look into Doctor Who. It's a great show.<br />
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Oh yes, the prize:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbR5Jh9yFy4B_YZKDkRDAhQPp0IDj2wOt3wWe7mHbU15cCuOB1D2PdwPVisEirSq9Ln6ZKhsCn2wT-J79vU9LqqVXh8gUAEti5M0MGqtDaFZ4gAbEMd9_cMuoz3JOaj_lev931y12n0hJ/s1600/DoctorWho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbR5Jh9yFy4B_YZKDkRDAhQPp0IDj2wOt3wWe7mHbU15cCuOB1D2PdwPVisEirSq9Ln6ZKhsCn2wT-J79vU9LqqVXh8gUAEti5M0MGqtDaFZ4gAbEMd9_cMuoz3JOaj_lev931y12n0hJ/s1600/DoctorWho.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ta Da! It's Doctor Who's name in Gallifreyan! Kitchenaid not included. You can win either a large or a small sticker to put wherever your heart desires. Also it looks super cool. So pass it on! Sign up! Win!<br />
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Oh what do you need to do to win? Just this:<br />
<a id="rc-6bdb932" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6bdb932/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
As always, keep your pants on. Maybe I need that advice more than most right now. I'm so psyched guys! It's almost time!Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-87879392932705243922013-11-14T22:11:00.001-08:002013-11-14T22:11:32.735-08:00Did you hear? (Giveaway!)Why yes. Yes, I am getting published.<br />
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WHOO HOO!<br />
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Sorry, but you all know you would do the same thing right? Right?<br />
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Maybe it's just me. Nah, you're all a bunch of liars.<br />
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But in the name of Friday Freebies Nostalgia, I get to announce my own giveaway! If you sign up to be notified when my book comes out, then you get automatically entered to win a free copy. No joke. No spam. Just one notification of something really cool. My book. Coming out! You don't even have to buy it, though I would love you forever if you did!<br />
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So here's the cheese. Okay, it's a link but still. <a href="http://www.immortalinkpublishing.com/books.php?id=25" target="_blank">CHEESE!</a><br />
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Also, I'll do my own cover reveal:<br />
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TA DA!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrkw-eBCDRd0JruxPwAaIbE5znd_5nRizHn7ZbZD_XFmiVyCxzNcs5Z3hBWtp-g9s5qrnPD7xumOfiZrc4-jOvPeC3caPSGBzeFWtlMz9pWY1VKqTRm9JEm9e6iB9xPph39JKetQUepXN/s1600/impendingdemise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrkw-eBCDRd0JruxPwAaIbE5znd_5nRizHn7ZbZD_XFmiVyCxzNcs5Z3hBWtp-g9s5qrnPD7xumOfiZrc4-jOvPeC3caPSGBzeFWtlMz9pWY1VKqTRm9JEm9e6iB9xPph39JKetQUepXN/s320/impendingdemise.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And, did I mention the very best part? If I get enough sign ups,, then I get to give away TEN copies. TEN! With my goal of 100 sign-ups, that's a one in ten chance! Come one, them's good odds. Better than most. So come on down! PLEEEASE! Pretty please?<br />
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Anyways, I love you all! Keep your pants on.<br />
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P.S. Comment below if you miss the videos and want them back!<br />
Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-39677918030527429872013-01-25T21:08:00.002-08:002013-01-25T21:08:50.810-08:00The Secret You Don't Want to Keep (Part 2)<h3>
Events of July 4, 2012</h3>
<div>
Remember please, though I may use a narrative style, these events DID happen. I did my best to report conversations as they happened. If I couldn't remember the exact words, I didn't use quotation marks. I am not embellishing for story's sake. This is as accurate as I can possibly be. Because anything else would not be fair to my neighbors or to you all. Even if it may seem cliche at times, this is how it happened.</div>
<h4>
The Preliminary Fun</h4>
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Tracy: I say fun because the day was fun. Absolutely on of the best Fourths I've had in quite some time. This only served to contrast more with what would come.</div>
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Cool breezes drifting through the trees, not a cloud in the sky, and the laughter of children running through Andrew's "Kid Wash."</div>
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"It's a perfect day for fireworks," my father-in-law said. And he couldn't have been more right. This was honest to bob, sure enough, no exaggeration, the perfect day. Even with my bulging belly and intolerance to heat, I had only compliments on the weather. The smell of barbeque and hot potato salad (a specialty of my husband's from his time in Germany) lifted the mood.</div>
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With plump and rejoicing stomachs, we started the sparkler festivities. The kids ignored my pathetic attempts to impress by bending the metal sparklers and twirling them. They thought spinning their arms worked as well as any silly old mom/aunt trick.</div>
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My husband was far more successful with his crazy tank antics. I'll leave that description to him, but as a wife, I shook my head and sighed in relief that his little fires and battles yielded no injuries.</div>
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<b>Early Warnings Ignored</b><br />
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Only two homes top our driveway, ours and our neighbor, "S." (I desire to respect his privacy as I know he valued it.) Other houses surround the area closely, but we each have five acres, which provides a little buffer and results in most of our interactions being with "S" in neighborly matters.<br />
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Mild curiosity at most attended the approach of "S" to our patio. His high spirits were shared by the group, everyone was enjoying the day. He held a sack of goodies, so I trotted over to join the men. I'm an inquisitive person after all. The more I can witness, the better I can write. Or so I figure.<br />
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With pride and manly fun, "S" displayed his prizes: grapefruit sized mortars with arm-length fuses and a rocket.<br />
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Note: Mortars is another term for aerial fireworks.<br />
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These were professional grade too. My husband, his brother Will, and my father-in-law conspired in the shop talk. He was there to ask permission (can't scare the kiddos) as much as to share his excitement with others. We did not hesitate to give it. I was intrigued by the large explosives' ability to be connected together to start a chain reaction. The boys wanted to know how he planned to light them off. Typical men.<br />
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His plan: weld a 3/4" thick steel tube to a launching pad of sorts. He'd set up on the field on the far side of his house. We'd get a great view, but he'd be away from others.<br />
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"I'm only going to light them off if I feel safe," he insisted many times over. We agreed, and my husband and his brother offered to help. They had no shortage of welding and engineering experience. "S" refused. "No offense, but I don't want the liability of you two." Bless that man.<br />
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<b>The Final Show Begins</b><br />
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We chattered with excitement about the prospect of "real" fireworks with the rest of our gathered family as the sky grew darker, until the show began. Our vantage point on the hill and the open land provided ample opportunities to view the neighborhoods' below bombastic celebrations. Aerials are sold in a nearby town, but still illegal in ours. No one bothers to enforce it though. I shudder now to think of our discussion on the matter.<br />
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We're safer here with them than the old neighborhoods with their cedar roofs, we told each other. Besides, the police were probably enjoying the show as much as the rest of us. We even joined "S" in starting our sprinklers up to keep the large lawns a bit safer from fire.<br />
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My husband and his brother started their antics again, this time with a collection of fountains they lit off in sequence. We oohed and aahed appropriately, but took a break to visit another neighbor lighting off his own, small aerials. How beautiful they looked up close, how inspiring and impressive to view them from ground level as they exploded overhead. I held my sweet husbands hand in delight at each one.<br />
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"What a perfect Fourth of July," my sister-in-law commented on our return to the patio and the fountain extravaganza. "I don't think anything could ruin this day." We all nodded and uttered our concurrences.<br />
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The men took up their display and as their grand finale came to a close..Boom! The explosion rattled our chairs a little as "S" first mortar exploded with perfect timing. We applauded his unintended timing and generosity. What a show. What night. More, we cried. Do it again, "S"! Oh look at the smoke cloud it leaves, someone noted.<br />
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Out of our own pittance to the pyromania gods, we awaited "S's" next offering. His wife, "C" drove up in their mule, a higher-powered golf cart-like vehicle, then took off back to the far side of their house, out of sight.<br />
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<b>Joy Turns to Terror</b><br />
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The crowd's impatience grew as a few minutes passed. We discussed possible set up time or the wife's appearance indicating a possible problem. Five or ten minutes after the first explosion, we heard another report. The show was back on! But no great display of light followed.<br />
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Smoke rose up behind our neighbor's house but too low to be right.<br />
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"We should check it out," Will suggested. "Make sure nothing is wrong."<br />
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He ran first, then my husband. I paused for an instant. I'm pregnant. Not very helpful.<br />
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"But I know first-aid," I told myself, and then took off after them. We heard the screaming before we arrived. The shrill cries of anguish and fear.<br />
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"Call 911! Help! Someone help!" a woman shouted. I turned back to the family on the patio and restated her request to call and added the address they would need, then kept running. A bit confused I saw neighbors on a nearby balcony and shouted up at them to know where to go. Shouted to the screaming woman that 911 was being called, help was on the way. Will arrived first, my husband not twenty seconds behind him, and then slow me. Two others had arrived as well, but I couldn't identify them in the dark. But it couldn't have been more than a minute since the explosion. A minute for all those conversations. All that thought and worry.<br />
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I rushed to "C" as I saw her first, but then looked for "S." He was on the ground, motionless. His body hunched over, looking so small for his normal size. I checked him. Lying in his gore, I knew he was beyond any help I could offer. No CPR would fix this man. I couldn't even attempt it with so much damage to his chest. Even his bloody face seemed to say, this is beyond you. So I returned to his wife and started my orders. I knew the voice I would need. Confident, calm, commanding. She needed help, and I could not be ignored by those who might think I was guessing at the right actions. I'd heard of that before.<br />
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She was in shock. Her body shook, her skin was pale and too cold, and she was as hysterical as I'd never seen before. This was not a frantic screaming girl hysterical. This was delirium. I called for a blanket. Instructed them that her legs needed raised and her head should be supported off the wet grass. Will took her head in his lap, and I will forever respect that man for his comfort. I don't know who got the blanket for me, but I wrapped her up in it and we talked as we waited for the ambulance. I couldn't practically keep her legs up, and gave up on it when she mentioned the explosion had gotten her on the leg.<br />
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The order of our conversation eludes me now. I can tell you what she said, how she sounded, but those details are gone. She cried out for her husband. Cried for his baby (a grandchild) who was only two. They were supposed to go see him tomorrow. What was she going to do now? What would she do without him? Oh a dream, it had to be a dream. It was just a horrible dream.<br />
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I managed to learn a little. She'd been standing 10-15 feet away near the mule during the explosion. Even from that distance it had burned her leg and knocked her down. I checked the burn, but had nothing to offer her where we were. Her pants now sported a 3-inch black burn, but nothing like the damage to her husband. I left it for the paramedics. The shock was more important to treat.<br />
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I heard my father-in-law talking to the dispatcher. He checked for a pulse. "No ma'am. That's not going to do anything." Later, I learned he meant CPR. I agreed fully. But wished my patient didn't have to hear it.<br />
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She clutched my hand to her chest and I stroked her hair and face, trying to keep her from looking. She did not need to see what I saw. Let her remember her husband as he was, not like this. She'd have enough trauma as it was, enough bad memories. And more than that, I wanted to protect her. She was my charge. A neighbor, someone she knew, brought another blanket, muttering we needed to keep her warm. But I knew that. Still, this woman provided a familiar face and more comfort than I thought I could give. I rose to leave her with a friend, but she clutched my hand tighter still and I stayed. How could I do otherwise?<br />
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<b>"Help" Arrives</b><br />
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I heard the sirens and told "C" that help was on the way. So many people get lost trying to find our driveway. I couldn't allow that delay. They could so easily just drive on by.<br />
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"Someone needs to go down and get them!" I told my father-in-law. "The ambulance is going to get lost." I saw someone, I wasn't sure who, run down the hill and the paramedics joined us on the grass. They strode over to us, gear in hand, and knelt by "C." Myself and a few others pointed out "S" saying he was the main victim. One of the three paramedics checked his pulse, shook his head to the others, and offered a brief comment to the effect of "we're not going to change anything there."<br />
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My turn was over. I told them what I knew of what had happened, the things I had done for "C" and what I knew of her injuries (like the burn on her leg and the shock). They brought over the gurney next and we finally thought over the practical matters. Will asked if the other neighbor could go with her to the hospital, and though she was in her bathrobe, she agreed. Then "C" mentioned her phone. We searched the grass and at last found it underneath her.<br />
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"Who can we call?" I asked. She stumbled through people and babbled on about her family until she gave us a last name, and then picked her brother as they wheeled her away. Will took over that terrible phone call, and I turned to cry in my husband's arms. He held me tightly and asked if I would be all right. I reassured him, I would but I did need to cry for a moment. That's all I could allow myself.<br />
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By now the police had arrived and talked to us and Will ran to close up their house. We retold them the story I've just told you but in less detail starting at the smoke and knowing something was wrong.<br />
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"Can we move over there?" they asked mid conversation. They'd just been told that the whole area needed to be cleared because pieces of "S" where scattered around. I wasn't surprised after what I'd seen, but my stomach wasn't too pleased at the prospect of what might be on my clothes. I held tightly to Andrew's hand as my anchor to the real world. To what I knew still existed and lived. They got each of our names, birthdays, and phone numbers down. Then they explained what would happen. They needed to shut down the area and treat it like a crime scene even though obviously it was an accident. So we didn't need to help move the mule or need to stay any more. If they wanted any more information, they would call. The rest of the story is largely my husband's, and I will let him tell it when he and if he has the time/emotional strength.<br />
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<b>Aftermath</b><br />
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I wrote this a while ago. Write after part 1 actually. But my husband hasn't had the time to sit down and write his part. We had a baby. We're moving. Lots going on. But looking back, the memories still bring an upswing of sadness. I can hardly think about it without picturing "S."<br />
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His wife, "C" and I reconnected at the funeral and now we are friends. She is a spectacularly strong woman. But we both agree we can't even look at fireworks right now. It's a bit too much still. I skipped the New Year's Eve shows. But I don't want this even to go to waste. It has brought me a new friend and I hope it will bring you all some help with whatever story you want to tell. It certainly has changed how I write certain scenes.<br />
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Ask me questions. Please. I have the time to answer those. I promise. I won't disappear from that. I'll see about my husband's side of the story, but I want you to at least have something. I miss you guys. I miss my vlogs. I hope after the move I can start again.<br />
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Thank you for reading.</div>
Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-31409872632689463022012-07-10T17:01:00.000-07:002012-07-10T17:02:52.358-07:00The Secret You Don't Want to Keep (Part 1)I have to credit my husband with the title of this post, and the idea for it. He's brilliant like that.<br />
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I started this blog not to disprove or poke fun at mistakes in stories. I want to help writers. This was the best I could think of: to test out various things and see if they work, and if they did or didn't, to help others learn more about it. Someone described it as doing the research for you. I love doing it. I've been all pregnant and whatnot so the videos are on haitus, but the desire hasn't diminished. I want to help. Also, it's fun to entertain you all with my antics.<br />
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But this post series is different.<br />
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Yes, I want you to learn, but there is no entertainment to be found here. I am deeply pained to have learned what I'm about to share. Others are suffering because of this even now. But I want some good to come of it, and I want to talk about it.<br />
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On July 4, 2012 my neighbor died when a mortar malfunctioned. My husband, his brother, and I were the first on the scene. This family's pain is very real, so please know I do not treat this subject lightly. I'm not looking for page views or to exploit what happened. I do this to help you and to heal. My husband has agreed to offer another perspective on the matter as everyone really does react differently. Also, he can be quite eloquent (see the title of this post).<br />
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All I ask is that you learn. If you have questions, please, please ask them. It helps us to talk about it and to know we're doing some good. We want to share what this is like, and what better way than to spread it to authors?<br />
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My husband and I are going to do the next post together. We'll describe the events of that night, taking turns to describe our thoughts on it. Then we'll do a final wrap up post, perhaps one each (I'm not sure) on the after-effect it has had on us and maybe more if you have questions that need a full post. If you want to ask questions now to make sure we answer them, please do.<br />
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Thank you for reading. Keep your pants on.Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-82543162204003930642012-01-21T20:52:00.000-08:002012-01-21T20:57:41.204-08:00Which would you read?Since I haven't actually read any of these books and I can't afford to right now, I'm wondering which of the following you all would read. Leave a comment, and let me know your favorites.<div><br /></div><div>These are courtesy of Meredith Barnes' blog.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 22px; "><ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.4; list-style-type: disc; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; "><li style="padding-top: 0.25em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; "><a href="http://amzn.to/z0A2H8">Deborah Camp</a> (A mix of contemporary and Old West Historical romances...over 40 coming in the near future, but here is a list of 10 or so available now)</li><li style="padding-top: 0.25em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; "><a href="http://amzn.to/y4Sf4Y">Lorena Dureau</a> (Historical Romance: American Colonial South and West. Very Sexy)</li><li style="padding-top: 0.25em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; "><a href="http://amzn.to/ySgabD">Dan Streib</a> (thrillers with a James-Bond-meets-Anderson-Cooper main character)</li><li style="padding-top: 0.25em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ">Barbara Keesling (her too-hot-to-blog nonfiction is <a href="http://amzn.to/yQstFI">here</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/A62Vrf">here</a>, and <a href="http://amzn.to/AChssr">here</a>)</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>In other news, I'm expecting my second child! So I've put my more dangerous stunts on hold until what I'm going to call "Season 2." In the meantime, are there any pregnancy related tropes or just safe in general ones you'd like to see? Something I can do while I get fatter. Leave comments about those ideas as well!</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, keep your pants on!</div></span></div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-84083099105602640602011-10-05T18:02:00.000-07:002011-10-05T18:11:25.846-07:00Since I've been gone...Dude, where did I go? Where did my time go? I still want to do these. Promise. I just got a new camera even so I can! But I also got really busy. To help explain why and where I've been, I asked my friend A.M. Supringer at <a href="http://innerowlet.blogspot.com">Inner Owlet</a> to write up my excuse. She's great with words (and she writes stories for free).<div><br /></div><div>So without further ado, JUMPING DAY (or as I'm going to call it: my excuse note).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It isn’t the sky that bothers me, or the endless freedom it provides – it’s the possibility of falling. My son should never have to face that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">When I first realized that his wings were sprouting, like buds on a rose bush, I could have sheared them and crippled him then. That would have been kinder than allowing him to jump from a cloud, arms spread, intuition and hope the only things keeping him aloft. But I couldn’t. I let them grow, feathers forming perfectly.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My son is perfect.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">His ten-year-old body gleams with health as he darts around the clouds, jumping from one dense blob to the next. Muscles pump in his arms and bunch in his legs, but it’s his laugh that proves how vital he is. His joy can’t be contained – even I cannot suppress a smile as his grin lights up the sky.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But today is his Jumping Day, his leap of faith. And it is now, as I stand on the precipice of his chosen cloud, waves dancing beneath me, that I regret.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I ache with remorse.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It would have been easy to clip the wispy down feathers from him, but now it’s too late. He is not the sweet cherub I had once thought to prune. My wings flex, revealing my nerves to the many eyes that flicker to catch the movement. Only my son and I have such bright wings, such vibrant colors. I don’t doubt that others expect me to cry, to mourn if the worst happens. Many children die on their Jumping Day, others never recover from the fall. My own wings are distinct, but useless. The clouds are my prison now, and I look at my child and fear only the worst: that my weakness passed to him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But my fear does not fill him. It is with a bright, full, toothy grin that he looks at me, his excitement energizing the air, and leaps. His small body spirals downward and I am helpless. I cannot catch him…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But I don’t need to.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Faster than any child I’ve ever seen, he adapts. His glorious wings fling outward with a majestic power I will never personally know. His bright plumage glints in the sunlight. Cheers fill the air. He is flying, a child no longer. My baby no longer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Even though remorse and sorrow had weighted me moments earlier, a stronger feeling rushes through me now. A feeling I’d had countless times since his birth. A feeling I will never grow tired of.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Pride.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lovely, right? She made me an angel! Or something like one. And for that I'll always think she's a little nuts. Heh. But I appreciate people not unfollowing me in the meantime. You guys are the awesomest! I will strongly imply that new episodes are coming soon. And if you want my real excuses, I do have them. And they're good. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you want more </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fake</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> artistic ones, let me know! Or if you want to write some for me, I will accept those as well.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anyways, thanks for the patience. <3 </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Keep your pants on!</span></span></p></span> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-66880068456142186572011-09-16T03:11:00.000-07:002011-09-16T03:11:00.291-07:00Friday Freebies 9I'm really bummed. It was my birthday yesterday, and a bunch of stuff was stolen from my car. Important things too. So I found a bunch of giveaways, but I did not have as many as I like to have. There are even some probably that I read about this week that I missed. Can you guys forgive me? It's my birthday, and I'm inviting you to my pity party. Who doesn't like someone begging for pity? Oh...wait...heh. Okay, who can forgive a girl begging for pity? Some of you! Maybe all? We hope so. Anyways, the contests.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://yaconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/09/launch-celebration-win-crit-from-agent.html">Win Books or Agent Prizes</a> : This new blog is celebrating by offering prizes from agents and some cool books. All my favorite things.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://readywritego.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-arcs-of-crossed-ally-condie.html?showComment=1316060227850#c929084473714582322">Free Books</a> : My lovely friend Cherie is giving away a couple books. I do like free books.</div><div><br /></div><div>Author Spotlight : My last post (thus the lack of link) has a chance to get spotlighted on my blog. Not a big thing, but with so few comments on my blog entries your chances are high.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, well I'd keep my pants on but someone stole them...you guys do it for me. Good luck in all you're working on, because your good news would cheer me up. Do you have any for me?</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-35129268422122527062011-09-13T21:58:00.000-07:002011-09-13T22:35:24.857-07:00Automatically Awesome Author (with prizes :O )<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Why is this author automatically awesome? Because he's on my blog of course. I've offered as a consolation prize in my blog contest: an author spotlight. Yay!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">So first we have a bit about our special guest: TIM CODY</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFWYwHIGqei-aSPttdQaZD6z_uhyp-2koOd2dgvSdZxEhZ2UHC8vphPWXjeZJ-0OL99RdDuKR_cvhaWmgOQO4TCo8tDTfyiXxHQetuLgw7TeOd3RWtdVsWckAOkaNFqYKLgaNR18E6qi6/s320/Tim+Cody+Image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652082669232630546" /></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Tim Cody:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hopelessly optimistic; bright and sunny coating with a dark and twisted interior.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A lot of writers claim that they aren't “typical writer-types,” but Tim Cody has yet to meet a fellow writer as into the nerd trifecta as himself. Video games, anime, and comic books are as much his passions as writing, and as such he uprooted his life in 2009, moving from Delaware to Seattle, Washington to pursue a day job in the video game industry.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">After working at the likes of Nintendo, Microsoft Games Studios, and Sucker Punch Productions, he considers himself to be one of the very few, if not the only, optimists in the video game industry. He firmly believes that if you work hard a</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">nd truly attack your dreams head-on, you may eventually achieve some of them—hopefully some of the better ones, too.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Many don't suspect that such a sunny disposition would be capable of weaving tales so wicked they infect and warp kind souls' dreams for weeks on end. The tragic, heartbreaking protagonists and the terrifying, twisted demons that roam the pages of his books betray his outward appearance, often catching readers off guard. But soon they all learn the truth: Lurking just beneath the friendly smile and lighthearted humor is a truly surreal and twisted carnival of visceral and fear-inducing images sure to rob your nights of many winks.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The first installment of his young adult supernatural horror series, Crimson Soul, was published in April 2011. He is currently working feverishly on its sequel and would very much like for you to read it. :)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Next up, we have a bit about what Tim's writing and other projects.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Every writer needs their muse. Mine happens to be a PlayStation 3 named Sebastian Mk.II.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I haven't encountered many writers as willing as myself to admit that a primary source of inspiration for their writing comes from video games. Perhaps it's a belief that video games aren't for serious storytelling, or perhaps there just aren't too</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">many serious writers who are also serious about video games.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">However, a bulk of my inspiration for writing horror does indeed come from horror video games—as opposed to other horror books, or films. Games such as Silent Hill, Siren: Blood Curse, Fatal Frame, they're terrifying video games that tell amazing stories. They get horror right, they know their themes: The fear of isolation, abandonment, the sense of absolute panic you experience when something normal is suddenly weird—there's so much in them to inspire a writer, especially of horror. Incorporating these classic and ever-important themes into my own writing in a way that is fresh and exciting is always a good time.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Video games may be easy for a lot of writers to overlook since they're not exactly a “traditional” medium, but the stories they weave rival that of any novel. The deep lore of the sleepy town of Silent Hill, the often heartbreaking yet awe-inspiring war story of Valkyria Chronicles—interactive storytelling at its absolute best; a great, largely untapped source of inspiration.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There's something peculiar about responding to fear by moving toward it instead of away, and something special to be said about those who can elicit such a reaction. I'll never forget the sense of fear inspired by those key scare moments in my favorite games. Standing in a bathroom in Silent Hill and watching the walls bleed and decay all around me; the eerie feeling of absolute discomfort that was a result of watching a woman staked to a sacrificial altar as children sung a creepy nursery rhyme. It's that moment for which horror writers strive. For that moment</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">when someone says “This is terrifying and going to give me nightmares, but I have to know what happens next.”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">These moments, when the audience is captivated and uncomfortable, disgusted yet they can't look away despite the fact they have complete control, this is what I strive for in my writing—to lure the reader willingly ever deeper down a dark and twisted road, inhabited by that which we fear most.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">If you're down with the nerd trifecta, writer or non, or if you just want to check out a writer who tweets at least one random thought a day, feel free to drop me a line at @Tim_Cody. You can also help to expand by burgeoning ego by visiting my</span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ1vxfCen45O28n1kfqpYECltYrskSNKzChnVzUU3Hn3cguvB1GSyI5XYcruJk3g7f7RUH0SDKGCp2v3lZi5iMBf2pjlkqvWvxgFdPyK8GqjzPWpzwCmglik0zPZlTa2aWrlG9KvI6quh/s320/Crimson+Soul+by+Tim+Cody.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652082988627304706" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> blog, </span></span><a href="http://www.tim-cody.blogspot.com/"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#0032DC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">www.tim-cody.blogspot.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. Thanks for tuning in, everyone, and remember: Stay scared!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Crimson Soul, by Tim Cody (also available via Barnes and Noble and Smashwords): http://www.amazon.com/-</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">/e/B005ETT36E</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Just to wrap it up, I asked my new pal Tim (he doesn't know we're pals yet, but we are.) what kind of suspenders he would have and what he thinks that says about himself. So here's where the prizes come in. I'll tell you what kind of suspenders he picked, and you tell me what that says about him. Whoever gets either a) the closest to his answer or b) the most creative, gets their own author spotlight. Hopefully, that's awesome enough for you guys to come up with something really great. So what did Tim answer?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My suspenders would be made out of taffy."</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay guys, have at it. What does taffy suspenders say about Mr. Cody?</span></span></span></p><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-52133201313829234602011-09-09T03:37:00.000-07:002011-09-09T03:37:00.138-07:00Friday Freebies 8<div>Books, books, books. Gotta love free books. And I've found some for you. Lots of em. Good luck my pantslings. Ugh, no, that's a bad name for you all. How about my B.S-err no. Just no. I'll think of something. In the mean time, I hope you win (but not enough to give you my books if I do! MINE!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://chickloveslit.com/bethkephar">GIFT CARDS, BOOKS, ETC</a>. : She's got a lot of prizes. And a rafflecopter widget! So she must be cool.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/">TWO BOOK GIVEAWAYS</a> : I want The GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS sooooo bad. So you can enter the other one. Or give me your copy if you win! :D</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/09/post-where-i-give-something-away.html">MORE BOOKS</a> : I dunno which books you get, but free books are always awesome. Plus, I'm biased towards this contest (this is the blog that got me a full request. <3 )</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://nisaswineford.blogspot.com/2011/09/nook-color-giveaway.html">NOOK COLOR</a> : Okay...I want this for my birthday. Also books to put on it. All good.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://grippedintobooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/1000-followers-giveaway.html">1000 FOLLOWERS</a> : Am I jealous? Yes, yes I am.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ya-aholic.com/2011/08/600-follower-giveaway-international.html">600 FOLLOWERS</a> : Still jealous. Though, I do love you guys who do follow me. Can you increase by a factor of ten somehow?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNWYXdXdzQzRm5YY01DejA4Nzl0YXc6MQ">SHATTER ME</a> : I dunno why, but I'm susceptible to advertising. I think this book will be good. So winning it would also be good, and I like good. So...umm...good!</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, your pants should stay on people. I'm looking at you pants-less guy.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-43990222680345005282011-09-07T18:04:00.000-07:002011-09-07T18:26:39.025-07:00Episode 4: Breathing Underwater<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zQ142NOrgwA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>SUMMARY OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone's pounding on the door. They probably heard the fire alarm. I grab my burned cards and dive out the window. </div><div><br /></div><div>I seem to have forgotten this bar is on a boat. SPLASH! Oh well, I can hide in the water. I grab a reed and dive down. If the movies have told me anything, this should be super easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>MY HYPOTHESIS</div><div><br /></div><div>I figured the hardest part would be being deep enough to be hidden and not be seen. I never imagined breathing would be the biggest pain in the butt. (The straws aren't long enough to cause suffocation at least.)</div><div><br /></div><div>ACTUAL OUTCOME</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, as I said. Breathing was a huge pain in the butt. Figuring out how deep I was and how deep I could go was a pain in the butt. Staying under was a pain in the butt. Basically, my butt was sore!</div><div><br /></div><div>CONCLUSION OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>I dive under and try to breath through my reed, but water keeps going up my nose. I start to panic and breathing becomes harder and harder. Great, now I'm panicked and I have a crappy hair cut. Could this day get any worse?</div><div><br /></div><div>DETAILS</div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever I went under, I got water up my nose. So the best way to breath was to bend the straw and start breathing through it BEFORE I went under. The other issue was how visible I was. Seriously, I needed some real reeds to hide.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, I got a little panicky with so little air, focusing on so much, and trying to stay underwater. Normally I have no problem sitting underwater, even when holding my breath. This time I did. I'm ashamed. But at least my little bro was there, so he showed me up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep your pants on guys! </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. My bro is AVAILABLE ladies.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-1190035241516586932011-09-02T14:11:00.000-07:002011-09-10T15:22:44.010-07:00Friday Freebies 7Well, I think my first contest was a big success! Thanks to everyone who participated. We're going to have TWO author spotlights coming up. So look forward to those (squeal in girlish delight if you're into that sort of thing; I know I am.)<div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I've been away and mostly without Internet, so I haven't found as many freebies for you this week. And I'm late. Can you forgive me? Please?</div><div><br /></div><div>I did find the following:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/2011/09/500-follower-appreciation-celebration.html">HUGE PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY</a> : They're giving away a ton of books, crits, and other goodies. With owls on them! Awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.fortheloveofcontemporary.blogspot.com/">A NEW YA BLOG</a> : And they're giving away stuff. This is YA Contemporary only (though they still love us other YA writers. They just aim the blog at contemp. stuff.)</div><div><br /></div><div>On the plus side, both of those giveaways should be big enough to make up for my slacking. Right? RIGHT?</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-7760958645215035732011-08-28T13:46:00.000-07:002011-08-28T13:58:02.968-07:00Sunday Shorts: Camping StatisticsI'm not even home yet, but I've got Internet back. So what do I do? Come post on my blog. Do you guys feel the love? You should.
<br />
<br />Today's Sunday Short is some statistics from my week-long trip. We were up in the wilds of PNW. So for all you alls with outdoor trips or camping in your novels, here are some interesting tidbits. Unless otherwise specified, these are all my specific stats not the whole groups.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ANIMALS SEEN</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By me: </span>4 deer, 1 moose, 50 bajillion chipmunks, 3 stray dogs (from nearby camp sites)
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By our group (including my sightings): </span>5 dear, 1 moose, 1 cougar, 1 black bear, 500 bajillion chipmunks, 3 stray dogs, 1 packrat
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ANIMALS CAUGHT
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By me:</span></span> 12<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>fish (all eatable size, only 5 of the tasty species though, and only 3 were actually set aside for the eating)<span style="font-weight: bold;">.
<br />
<br />By my husband:</span> 5 (1 eatable size and type, which we kept.)<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />
<br />By the kids: </span>47 fish (none eatable size or type.)<span style="font-weight: bold;">
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<br /></span>By the way, this is my second year fishing. My husband has been doing it forever and loves it. He wasn't too happy with these statistics.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
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<br />INJURIES
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<br />Serious Injuries: </span>None!<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />
<br />Bruises:</span> I counted 27 bruises on my legs alone.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Ouch!<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />
<br />Mosquito Bites: </span>4<span style="font-weight: bold;">
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<br /></span>That should be enough for now. But I basically had an awesome time, yet I'm so glad to be back!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Hope you guys had a great week without me.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-29612804134502231252011-08-24T00:01:00.000-07:002011-08-24T00:01:00.055-07:00Guest Post: The Bloomin' List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The lovely Michelle over at </span><a href="http://greenwoman.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Green Woman </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> has offered to fill in while I'm on vacation. You can see a post from me over on her blog. I talk about something other than helpful writing details (LOVE!) I asked Michelle, who is a great gardening expert to help us with what flowers bloom when, so we can get those details right in our books. (P.S. Tansy is my favorite.) Without further ado...</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tracy has asked me to give you all a list of the bloom times of plants. Well, this is a complicated subject! Because plants have very specific needs, and those needs are met by nature at different times depending upon the climate, soil, etc. But I have done my best! All bloom times are APPROXIMATE. Every region has variations in climate that affect the bloom times. So, if you're looking at a specific bioregion, check with the state's extension agency, employ a search engine, or contact a local gardening group. It's not hard to find this information and get your details right, writers.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Obviously this list is not comprehensive. Flowers come in endless varieties. I decided to stick with fairly common plants suited to fairly temperate climates, since that's what I know best.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Also, I've included for each plant whether it grows in the sun or shade. This is VERY IMPORTANT. If you have your heroine harvest Lavender in the forest, I will be angry with you. Just so you know.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Winter:</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hellebores (usually February) (sun to part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Purple Deadnettle (January-February) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Snow drops (January-February) (part shade to shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Spring:</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Apple Tree (April-May)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bleeding Heart (Late Spring) (part shade to shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Camellia (February-March) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chives (March-May) (sun to part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Clover (Begins in Spring, goes throughout the summer.) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Columbine (late Spring) (shade to part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Comfrey (mid to late Spring) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Crocus (early Spring) (sun to part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Daffodil (early Spring) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hawthorn Tree (May) (sun to part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plum (tree) (March-April)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rosemary (sometimes as early as February in mild climates, but usually April or May) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tulips (early to mid spring) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wild Violets (early spring: Sometimes as early as late February) (shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Summer:</span></b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Black Eyed Susan's (late summer--August-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Borage (begins in late spring and continues putting on blooms throughout the summer) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Calendula (June-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chicory (July-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cornflowers/Bachelor Buttons (June-July) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Daisies (june-july) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Echinacea (late summer--July-August) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Iris (May-June) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lavender (late June-late July) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peonies (May-June) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Poppies, California (start in late Spring, bloom throughout the summer. In warmer climates they bloom as early as February.) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Poppies, Oriental (May-June) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Queen Anne's Lace (late summer--July-August, into September sometimes. (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Roses (late May-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sunflowers (July-August) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yarrow (sometimes even starts in late May, blooms throughout summer) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fall:</span></b></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Asters (late August-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chrysanthemums/Mums (Late August-throughout the fall) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Crocus (there is a fall-blooming variety) (sun-part shade)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dahlia's (August-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Goldenrod (August-September) (sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tansy (late summer-fall) (sun-part sun)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Did I leave off a plant that you're dying to know about? Feel free to ask! I'll try to answer questions to the best of my ability. And never forget, search engines are your friend. A tiny bit of research can save you from making your readers swear at you for getting your plant stuff wrong. </span></p></span></div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-23742162142325615072011-08-19T19:29:00.000-07:002011-08-20T08:57:17.579-07:00Gone Filmin'Instead of fishing (though I will be doing that too) I'm going filming! It's time for my yearly family vacation up at a lake. Should be awesome (dirt biking, jet skiing, boating, wakeboarding, <3). But I'm also going to be doing a lot of filming while I have the chance in some real "wilderness."<div>
<br /></div><div>Should be fun. If you have any last minute suggestions, comment and I can try them out too. I will still be able to check my e-mail until Sunday. I will not be deserting you completely though! I have an awesome guest post (that will be super helpful too!) that I'm going to have automatically post on Wednesday. So check back then!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Finally, it's the last day of the contest. Rafflecopter will select a winner for me. So even though I won't be posting about the winner, it will show up who won on the widget after the contest ends. It will also give me your e-mail (or so they say) so I can contact you about your prizes. Don't worry about that. Just celebrate and start thinking about what you want!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'll miss you guys, but the filming festival I'll be on will make it WAY easier to not have problems like last time. Keep your pants on while I'm gone!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>EDIT: Thanks for making me a liar Rafflecopter. It won't announce the winner. I decided to do a consolation prize for every 50 entries (so we had about 150 so three consolation prizes). So here it is:</div><div>
<br /></div><div>FIRST PLACE:</div><div>LAURA (lmlong)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>CONSOLATION PRIZE WINNERS:</div><div>BETH MACKINNEY</div><div>TIM McCAUGHAN (Tim Cody)</div><div>FAITH</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Laura, please start thinking about what scenes (PG rated) you would like us to film. I have 65 followers now, so your film will be 6.5 minutes. (Fair right?)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Beth, Tim, and Faith, as in the rules, consolation prizes are as follows: a chapter critique, a nifty <a href="http://tingyi.deviantart.com">drawing</a>, OR an Author Spotlight. Please pick one or maybe think of something else you'd like. I'm open to suggestions.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-85353492799174356802011-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:002011-08-11T20:16:29.968-07:00Friday Freebies 6Hey guys, be sure to enter MY contest. Who wouldn't want a film version of their novel? (even if it is just a scene done by a bunch of community theater actors).<div>
<br /></div><div>Elsewhere on the great big Internets, you can find:</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://lisa-laura.blogspot.com/2011/08/bookanistas-epic-fail-and-giveaway.html">Epic Fail</a> (again): I mention this a second time, because I really want this book. I don't know why. I'm such a girl.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://katyupperman.com/2011/08/11/the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-a-giveaway/#comment-1953">Another Book Giveaway</a> : These are the easiest things to find, btw. So if you go look, you'll have lots of opportunities for free books.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.SoarWithReading.com/Default.aspx">Help Libraries</a> : Oh and get a free trip to Atlantis (in the Bahamas). Not bad. Not bad at all. But libraries are more important.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/">Secret Agent Contest</a> : Miss Snark has announced her contest will be on Monday. Pay attention because the contest is only open at certain times to the first 25 people! So be fast and be ready!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>See you guys on the flip side!</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-60009469550616566972011-08-10T09:01:00.000-07:002011-08-10T09:05:59.758-07:00Minor SetbackSorry for the lack of new episode today. It will be late because I had to switch around the order of some episodes. The one that was supposed to be this week will need more time. So I'll try to quickly throw something together if I can. I might not be able to with family things going on today.<div>
<br /></div><div>But, please check out the contest, and remember you can enter it daily. You get entries for each thing you do.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-72734101872997946162011-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:002011-08-05T00:01:07.918-07:00Friday Freebies 5: In which, I have my own contest<div>Firstly, I'm going to be having my OWN contest. Yup! I'm having a contest.</div><div><br /></div><div>What can you win? We'll film a scene from your novel and post in on the blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now wait, you ask, why would I want that? I'll tell you my observant friend. First of all, if your book is published you'll have free and fun promotions (or a book trailer). Or it can help you see how your dialog reads on screen. Or it could just be a lot of fun to make me act like a doofus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, so you're thinking to yourself, why would I spread the word on this? Shouldn't I just keep this secret so I have a better chance of winning? Well sure, you could. But the more people who find out about this the better the prize will be! I'll lengthen it! Plus, even if you don't win, everyone gets to see me (and possibly a cast of my friends, family, and thespian buddies) be dorks for you. (Outside of the usual stuff.)</div><div><br /></div><div>But what if I don't write or have something you can act out? Then pick your favorite book or scene from a book or even just make up a scenario for us to act out. (Like do werewolves and vampires really hate each other.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Stop talking already and tell me how to enter! (You're saying this not me.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, okay, it's pretty simple. You just fill out the rafflecopter form below. You can get bonus points for tweeting about it daily. (I provide text but if you want to use the hashtag and link and make up your own words, you can.) I'm also open to new ways to get points (I can edit the widget with those at any point without losing your entries).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Myriad Pro', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; color: rgb(66, 70, 73); "><pre id="rafl-widget-code" style="font-family: Monaco, Consolas, 'Bitstream Vera Sans Mono', monospace; font-size: 0.75em; width: 360px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: auto; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(174, 179, 179); border-right-color: rgb(174, 179, 179); border-bottom-color: rgb(174, 179, 179); border-left-color: rgb(174, 179, 179); line-height: 1.5em; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.078125) 0px 4px 6px inset, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.636719) 0px 1px 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><script id="rafl-script" type="text/javascript"> RafflecopterSettings = { raffleID: 'NmJkYjkzODAyOGEzZDhhMzU5MTNlNWQ0OGJmNmM3OjE=' };</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.rafflecopter.com/static/js/widget/rafl-widget.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js">You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.</noscript></pre></span></div><div><br /></div>And as always, other people have stuff their giving away. Books, contests, if its going on I'll try to find it for you. Well at least five. I can't find everything! Gosh, stop being so demanding.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.camarshall.com/2011/08/claire-lazebniks-into-past-win-copy-of.html">Epic Fail</a> : Win a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Or not. I can win it too. I'm cool with that.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://annerileybooks.com/2011/07/summer-bookfest-giveaway-week-8-arc-of-the-poisoned-house-the-hambledown-dream-born-to-be-a-dragon/comment-page-1/#comment-11220">3 books </a>: More for your time investment. Can't beat that, right?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://free-editing-for-writers.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-giveaway.html">Pick Your Prize</a> : As always, the lovely Rebecca Hamilton has fabulous prizes for you (and free editing).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://blackbirdinmywindow.blogspot.com/2011/08/summer-writing-contest.html">500 words contest</a> : Gotta love chance for books or agent feedback!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/08/huge-micro-synopsis-contest-with-agent.html">Mini-Synopsis Contest</a> : Not a pitch, but a short synopsis. Interesting. Very interesting. Will you enter? Can you manage it?</div><div><br /></div><div>See you guys next week!</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-83231546800644593042011-07-29T01:00:00.000-07:002011-07-30T19:36:37.392-07:00Friday Freebies 4This time seems to be lots of books you can win. But those are great, because you don't have to be a writer to enjoy a free novel.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.carolinavaldezmiller.com/2011/07/review-of-girl-of-fire-and-thorns-and.html">Two Chances</a> to <a href="http://www.carolinavaldezmiller.com/2011/07/review-of-eleventh-plague-and-4-arcs-4.html">Win Free Books</a> : It seems Ms. Miller there gets a lot of free books to give away. Am I jealous? Yes, I am.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://free-editing-for-writers.blogspot.com/2011/07/news-about-me-and-another-contest-of.html">Free Editing</a> : InkMuse does fabulous critiques, and every week (or sometimes every other week) she gives them away for free. How are you not signed up for this already?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://novelteenagers.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-50-followers.html">Partial Critique</a> : It's mostly for teen writers, but those of us past that stage in our lives can enter as well. 50 pages critique. Not bad. Not bad at all.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://alexandrashostak.blogspot.com/2011/07/epic-arc-giveaway-8-arcs.html">8 Books</a> : Don't forget this chance to win 8 books!</div><div><br /></div><div>So four contests in all, and that is not even including contests that don't run on a Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck though! I hope one of us wins.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-26325575384707454012011-07-27T10:05:00.000-07:002011-07-27T10:32:08.798-07:00Episode 3: Burning Documents<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t2IWL-mJu3o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>SUMMARY OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>Great, now my hair is a real mess. I need a hair dresser fast. I think I have a card somewhere in my bag. I push aside the receipts and knick-knacks I've collected. It's no good. I can't find anything in here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I pour out the contents of my purse onto the counter, papers goes everywhere. A business card floats right onto the scented candle. The lit scented candle. Oh bother. What if it gets burned? I think I have some chemicals in my purse that I can use to read what was written on the card! But I'll need to save it in time...</div><div><br /></div><div>MY HYPOTHESIS</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't really have one this time. I just had the two scenarios I was interested in learning about. I suppose I thought the paper would just burn right up and you couldn't save anything really. But I really did want the Sherlock Holmes stuff (salvaging an already burned paper) to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>ACTUAL OUTCOME</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, I was wrong on both counts.</div><div><br /></div><div>CONCLUSION OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>The burned paper disintegrated in my hand. There was no recovering it. At least it was just a small corner. I can easily read the card. Phew. Now to just get out of here.</div><div><br /></div><div>DETAILS</div><div><br /></div><div>The first thing I tried was throwing the paper in the fire to see if I could leap in and save it in time. I could. Only the corner was burned. That could make an interesting scene if that corner had the final location of the treasure or the name of the heir to the fortune! Otherwise, it won't cause much trouble.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also threw a stack into the pile and left it. The pages burned from the bottom up. The ones that got left for a long time were burned on the top and bottom, but the middle pages were just burned on the edges. They were still quite readable. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for the super sleuth attempts? Well I burned the edge of the paper and left it to burn. That was the how they did it in the last Super Sleuth movie I saw. It just burned out quickly when I set it down. When I held it up to let it burn, it crinkled in a lovely way. I'm a pyromaniac like that I suppose.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for saving what was on the paper? It's highly unlikely to happen as the pages are so delicate they fall apart when touched or moved too quickly. A very trained specialist might be able to salvage what was on there, but he would have to be careful. Just be aware of that in your scenes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Final detail: the ashes would blow away or rise up in the smoke, so don't expect to find much left over if the papers were left in the fire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks as always for reading. Sorry to be a little late this week. Youtube was being silly about uploading the video.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. The video was edited by my assistant/husband "The Drudge," which is why the style is so different this time. He's so talented.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-84451199081475421792011-07-24T14:15:00.000-07:002011-07-24T15:06:56.993-07:00Sunday Shorts: Stalking 101Okay, let me start off with my legal warning: the tests in this blog are for fictional use only. Please don't stalk people or spy on them. Thank you.<div><br /></div><div>I've been watching movies and whatnot for ideas lately, and some can be episodes but others (like the black eye) work best here in Sunday Shorts. I was viewing a certain former-spy thriller, and he looks through his scope at people in a building. He's got such a great view he can pick out who is in the room, and how tired they look. Wow!</div><div><br /></div><div>But would that really work?</div><div><br /></div><div>So I got out my stalker-goggles (aka binoculars) and went peeping. The things I do for you guys.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used empty houses under construction and my own house to test this. I looked through my window into someone else's window (matching lighting sources so to speak), and I looked from outside into my own windows. I did my tests in the morning, afternoon, and at night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what I learned:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>If the sun is up, and the window is closed, you can't see a darn thing unless its right next to the window (like curtains, but not a person standing there).</li><li>If the sun is down, you can see everything.</li><li>If the window is open, you can see fairly well but not brilliantly.</li></ul><div>Lesson here? Lighting is everything. If the lighting outside (aka the sun) is brighter than the lighting inside, you can't see what's inside. Even when I stood in the shade or looked at a shaded part of the house, the windows still had a glare that made it impossible to see much. But at night, I had no problems at all making out every detail.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I felt super creepy doing this, even knowing the houses were empty.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you characters need to spy on someone, unless they have super awesome polarized spy gear, they better do their spying at night, or on a very dark and cloudy day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading guys! Let me know if you have any ideas for things I can test in a video or just in a write-up here on the blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep your pants on!</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-50434422252072415072011-07-22T01:00:00.000-07:002011-07-22T01:00:03.803-07:00Friday Freebies 3Fridays are a good day to find free things. So I'll post some for you. You get five this time instead of the usual four.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.writeoncon.com/">Win $1000!!!</a> : Yup, you could win $1000 and a chance to send your full MS to an agent. Just submit your first 500 words. Easy right?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://chanellegray.blogspot.com/2011/07/pitch-contest-with-victoria-marini.html">2-Sentence Pitch</a> : I seem to find a lot of these. But go ahead and enter because Victoria Marini is an awesome agent. And no I'm not just sucking up because she has my MS. (It would be but she doesn't read my blog.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.yasimon.ca/2011/07/win-trip-to-nyc-and-shadow-editor.html">Teen Writer?</a> : If you're a teen you could enter this one! Ages 14-18 could win a trip to NYC to hang with an editor. Sweet right?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.camarshall.com/2011/07/editor-cassandras-summer-free-edit.html">Free Edits</a> : CA Marshall will edit queries. Contest ends today though, so better hurry.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.carolinavaldezmiller.com/2011/07/review-of-girl-of-fire-and-thorns-and.html">Books Giveaway</a> : I love free books. Someday I want to actually get some.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks again guys. New Episode on Wednesday. Keep your eyes out for that and your pants on.</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-39278045279838896022011-07-20T13:17:00.000-07:002011-07-20T13:20:46.222-07:00Zombunny and Aydan<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>New episode in one week. But for today I have a contest entry to win a cute little zombunny doll. To win I have to make something cute and evil. Can be a drawing or a short story or anything. (Remember I told you about this on Friday.)<div><br /></div><div>So now I present ZOMBUNNY AND AYDAN</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 625px; height: 800px;" src="http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k56/PenguinChats/ZombunnyandAydan.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div><div style="text-align: left;">If I get nominated, would you all vote for me? <a href="http://greenwoman.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/give-me-your-cute-evil-longing-to-eat-brains/">Vote Here!</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-56463252354220771422011-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:002011-07-15T00:01:02.101-07:00Friday Freebies 2Another Friday, another list of all new freebies. Yup, they just keep coming.<div><br /></div><div>Rafflecopter is still going by the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>You might also like:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://brenleedrake.blogspot.com/2011/06/four-teens-judge-your-story-with-three.html">Teen Judges</a> : Get free editing from an agent intern based on the Teen Judges top picks.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://free-editing-for-writers.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-for-all-first-25-entrants-get-one.html">FREE EDITS</a> : InkMuse has many contests all with fabulous free edits! I've won once already and it was definitely worth it. She still has that $50 book up for grabs.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/07/agent-contest-with-vickie-motter.html">Pitch to Vicki Motter</a> : 50 max entries. Only a few slots left. But you could get your ms before an agent. Worth it!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://greenwoman.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/give-me-your-cute-evil-longing-to-eat-brains/">Cute Evil</a> : Win a stuffed zombie bunny with your cute evil story/picture/whatever.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were also a bunch of contests that opened and closed in between Fridays so I couldn't announce them. So keep your eyes open and your pants on!</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7429184253527376956.post-88103545791745300002011-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:002011-07-13T09:00:07.679-07:00Episode 2: Dagger Hair Cut<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/orjZ6L3306M?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>SUMMARY OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>My face is no longer bleeding, but my dignity has not fared so well. I stare at myself in the mirror, noticing my long scraggly hair. Perhaps I am a bit unkempt, but sloven? His accusations sting like my new knife.</div><div>That's right! I do have a new knife. I can show him now. I'll just clean up my appearance a bit. When I go back out, he'll see. They'll all see!</div><div>I clutch my dagger, grab ahold of my long hair, and steady myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what's next? Do I have fabulous new do or will this only make things worse like the whole bottle breaking incident?</div><div><br /></div><div>MY HYPOTHESIS</div><div><br /></div><div>I was certain it was going to hurt and pull my hair. I had braided it just to be sure there would be no direct pull on my scalp but just the same. My plan was to do it as quickly as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>ACTUAL OUTCOME</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, as you can see for yourself it didn't quite work out as planned. I can't see it in the video, but my hair does not look super awesome. It kind of does until you get to the part that is shorter than the rest. That's what I get for braiding it. But the salon artist mentioned she'd seen the same results from cutting a ponytail off. So its not really the braids fault.</div><div><br /></div><div>CONCLUSION OF SCENE</div><div><br /></div><div>I attempt a swift sweeping cut, but nothing happens. </div><div>"Great." I roll my eyes at my luck and start sawing away.</div><div>It does work. Eventually. But now my hair is even worse than before. I shake it out. THe ends aren't even and there's a section in the back that's shorter than the rest.</div><div>I toss down the detached braid. "Fidgets."</div><div>I'll just have to think of another bright idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>DETAILS</div><div><br /></div><div>Firstly, it did not hurt. At all. I really had no problems with pain even on the first cut when I tried to do it just like the movies. The knife just slid off the hair and I had no pulling on my scalp at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, obviously it does not work like in the movies. I had to cut and saw at my hair to get through it all. It was a brand new knife that we even honed just to be sure it was the best we could get. But as sharp as it was, the hair needed more work. This is partly because hair is about the same as aluminum in strength. You read that correctly. Hair=aluminum. When they match in thickness they are about the same. Think about breaking a hair and tearing a piece of aluminum foil. Its about the same. Hair is tough stuff in the end. Especially when grouped together like that in a ponytail or braid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thirdly, I did not get a cute haircut from my braid cut off attempt. It was mostly okay until you got to that one short part. Which was just going to be inevitable no matter how much time I'd spent making sure I braided it evenly and smoothed out all the hairs. Nothing beats a good ole pair of scissors and a bit more time. </div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, I bet if I had taken the hair in smaller sections and cut it similarly to a normal stylist's method, then it wouldn't be too bad. But that wasn't what we were looking at. This was about the one slice hair style. And it doesn't work. (Don't worry though, it looks pretty good now that I've been to a real salon.)</div><div><br /></div><div>In case you're curious, my hair was roughly 22-24 inches long. I cut off about 9-10 inches with the knife (depending on the spot). The hair stylist cut off an additional two inches to make it all even. So my hair is about 10-12 inches now. (I layered it). I also still have the hair. It's a little weird.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, it was a fun one to do. I appreciate my parents for letting me film in their lovely backyard. Please leave comments (like suggestions for other things I can do) and I'll post another episode in two weeks (Hint: It's about super sleuths and treasure hunting).</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep your pants on!</div>Tracy N. Jorgensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14900562574693952219noreply@blogger.com11