Sometimes the best part of a party is the thank you

yes the writing got smudged cause we learned ice cubes are slippery the hard way.

How to know if you've "made it" as a writer

Jenny Milchman's blog has the answer to "How do you know when you've made it" via Steve Ulfelder.

Inesh Putri (Miss Bali) was crowned Miss World Indonesia 2012 on April 28, 2012 - She will represent Indonesia in Miss World 2012 Pageant

Road to Miss World 2012

Inesh Putri was crowned Miss World Indonesia 2012 on April 28, 2012. She will represent Indonesia in Miss World 2012 Pageant to be held in China this August.

The first and second runner-ups

Special thanks and credits to RCTI

The power and the value of literature

One day you might be 37 years old, sitting in a Laundromat and remember a scene from a book, a stanza from a poem, a line from a play that will grab you by the throat, whisper in your ear, massage your shoulders and it will make you feel more alive than you have ever felt- connected and strong and devastated and engaged with everything in a way that takes your breath away- at the exact same moment everyone else at the Laundromat is watching their towels spin in the dryer. Or checking their Twitter accounts.



You of all people understand that you read great literature, not because it’s going to be on the test, or that your intimate knowledge of A Tale of Two Cities is going to get you into a great college. You understand that your intimacy with and the comfort and excitement you take in great literature is going to be on the invisible test you take when you fall in love, choose a job, have a child, take risks, fail, succeed: live.

This is a short excerpt from a gorgeous glorious piece called "Preaching to the Choir" on the value of fiction and writing by Arlaina Tibensky.  Her novel AND THEN THINGS FALL APART (repped by the Amazing Suzie Townsend) is on sale now.

Vanessa Williams is the new Miss Sierra Leone 2012 - She will represent Sierra Leone in Miss World 2012 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia on August 18, 2012

Road to Miss World 2012

Vanessa Williams is the new Miss Sierra Leone 2012. She was officially presented by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Victoria Saidu Kamara on February 28, 2012.

Williams will represent Sierra Leone in Miss World 2012 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia on August 18. Vanessa, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities is establishing vital projects for combating obstetric fistula and maternal mortality which is among the issues of health that are a concern to the country.

Special thanks and credits to beautypageantnews.com & the Times of Beauty.

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Friday Night at the Question Emporium

When should an author bring up disabilities and health issues that could affect their editing, schedule in the process? Maybe it's me. I feel like I am lying, if I pretend my health is perfect. I am mostly blind, and other health issues do slow me down. At what point in the query, acceptance process should I bring up my issues with an agent? I am able to work around them (sometimes slowly), and I don't want to bother an agent who doesn't want to deal with them. How can I recognize these?

You don't mention it in the query process.  It's not about the book, and it's not a writing credential. You don't need to mention it at all as far as I'm concerned. If you feel like you need to be very upfront, you'd mention it when an agent calls to offer representation.

And any agent who rejects you simply cause you're not the Roadrunner is an idiot. You may quote that to them.

Writing well is a long game.  If you're physically slow, chances are your brain isn't.  More than half of a good novel is thinking about it. Thinking deeply takes time.

Editing schedules are entirely discretionary.  If you need more time for things, you just get it put in the contract.

You have a sense of what your time line will be like. Several of my clients have been surprised by unexpected babies, illness, death and disability.  We work around those too.

Quit worrying about why you won't succeed. Start planning for how to make sure you do.

I know this is late but better than never, right?

Some of you may be looking for a class on writing novels.
Classes can be a good way to get a set of objective eyes on your work.

Here's one taught by two writers I respect a lot: Jenny Milchman and Butch Edgerton.

There are several options for how to participate so even if you're thinking "I can't do this right now" take a look and see if any of the options might work.

How cool is this!

One of the great advantages of electronic publishing is the ease of post-publication editing.  Oops, a typo? Oops, a dangling modifier? Oops, a fact that isn't?  And best of all, Elle Lothorien's idea: oops, I want a different ending.

Read all about Elle's amazing idea here in USA Today!

And yes, I'm one of the howling chorus who is desperate for a sequel to Frog Prince.

Happy Pub Day, Liz Norris!

Yes, we have a winner

First there were 410
Then 404
Then 96
Then 38
Then 9

Now there's 1.

The winner of the Liz Norris Pay It Forward Debut novel contest is finalist #3 C.A. Marshall.

When reached at her home Miss Marshall was unable to form coherent sentences for a moment so her dog took over the interview responsibilities:

Q:  How was the wait time during the finals?
A: RUFF!

Q: What would it be like to get the Love Is Epic tattoo?
A: RUFF!

Q: What do you think it will be like to get your work read by agents at Backspace?
A: RUFF!


Miss Marshall then regained her powers of speech and was glad to accept, and will be able to come to Backspace.

We congratulate her for a wonderful entry, salute all the other entrants, and retire to our private bar for a celebratory drink!

So, if we can't pick a winner...

should we say the first one to get that Love is Epic image  as a tattoo will be the winner?

Tell me what you think in the comments column of this blog post.



(More info on EpicReads Facebook page )

Finalist #9

Rounding out the list of finalist at nine is Bob Mangeot!

Tell us about your book:
A historian lured to Brussels finds a waiting criminal network convinced he's a dangerous vigilante. When his daughter follows, he must pull off the part.


Why do you want to attend Backspace?
I don’t like or even love to write. I live for it. The Backspace experience will help my game match my writing.



Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
With a Shark, no. Chummed up as lunch for a shark, yes. For the record, I'm mostly gristle.



West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
When you’re a Shark, you’re a Shark all the way. Every time I think I’m out, they keep dragging me back in…



If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Queequeg (Moby-Dick). A harpoon-wielding cannibal philosopher prince in a top hat? Best. Character. Ever. It shook me when he went down with the Pequod.



Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
One? It may sound unoriginal, but Catch-22 for its humor and drama blended into powerful fiction. I read it like the blown-away MTV commercial guy.



What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
A tornado hit where I used to work. On my birthday. While co-workers presented me with cake. You learn a lot about foot speed.



When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
No-brainer: another new voice contest. If they'd have me, dedicated time to MWA, local writing groups and young writers trading experience for editing help.

Finalist #8

Our eighth finalist is Britni Patterson!




Tell us about your book:
Private detectives Mercy, genius paraplegic, and Justice, her twin sister, risk their lives to snare both a Machiavellian murderess and a panicky killer.


Why do you want to attend Backspace?
Because everyone who’s anyone is going, and the best way to be someone is to meet everyone. So says everyone who’s someone.




Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
Only if there’s not enough raw fish to go around. Then someone’s getting bitten.




West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Sharks. I have no sympathy or support for a group (Jets) that assault a woman. (Anita, Act 2)




If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Stevie Fletcher from Lost Boys, by Orson Scott Card. Because then I could read the book again without crying for three days straight afterwards.



Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
Yes, many.
Dorothy Sayer’s Gaudy Night.
Ray Bradbury’s The October Country.
Rex Stout’s The Doorbell Rang.
Jeffery Deaver’s The Bone Collector.
Terry Pratchett’s Night Watch.



What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
A flying Mexican dove through my bedroom window. It’s strange to be grateful you were only raped. But I am.





When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
Annually sponsor memberships to Mystery Writers of America. I’ll also be generous to ignorance, kind to trepidation, and forgiving of cluelessness, in memoriam of myself.

We're having a helluva time picking the winner

Then we read this post over at Gary Corby's blog.

We'd really have to be nuttier than we are right now contest-level-insane to do that.  Right?

Finalist #7

Our seventh finalist is Brooke Younker!


Tell us about your book:
A car accident. Amnesia. Hydrophobia. Fighting skills. Eleven star tattoos. No identity, no explanation, until Stephanie finds a secret training compound in the Minnesota woods.

Why do you want to attend Backspace?
I've never been to New York or a writer's conference, so why not go big?


Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
Depends on whether I'm the 'lunch.'

West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Sharks all the way.

If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Manchee (The Knife of Never Letting Go) because he wasn't just a dog, his 'Noise' showed he had very real, human emotions.


Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go (well, really, the entire Chaos Walking Trilogy).


What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
When my brother flipped over a fence, burst his spleen, and had emergency surgery to remove it.

When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
Help my writer friends (two of whom have just started writing novels) in any way I can.

We pause for a moment

To recognize what should be the photo of the year

Macon Phillips, of the Executive Office of the President, tweeted this striking image of President Obama seated in the bus where Rosa Parks initiated her quest for civil rights.

Finalist #6

Our sixth finalist is Alicia Gregoire


 Tell us about your book:
A fifteen-year-old's too awesome past skyrockets her into a reluctant high school celebrity until the truth of where she's been is revealed.

Why do you want to attend Backspace?
After hearing nothing but fantastic stories about Backspace, I can't think of a better place to learn and network.

Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
No I'm not. Unless it's Mega Shark.

West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Sharks. Not only did their dance numbers have more flair, but I loved Anita's pluck.

If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Nick Andros from THE STAND. Had he survived the explosion, the story would've continued on the same way.

Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
There's two! For voice, SLOPPY FIRSTS by Megan McCafferty. For worldbuilding, the DARK TOWER series by Stephen King.

What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Touching eyeballs. I was convinced mine would be next in the bowl of them. They immediately pulled me from the third grade haunted house shrieking.

When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
I'd mentor the next generation of writers by working with local libraries to create free novel writing programs for teens.

Finalist #5

 Our fifth finalist is Lee Kelly


Tell us about your book:
MANHATTAN SAVAGES is about two sisters, prisoners of the war camp once called Manhattan, who attempt to escape after discovering devastating secrets about the island.




Why do you want to attend Backspace?
I can’t imagine a better weekend than one filled with three days of writing, critiquing and listening to professionals talk about the craft.




Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
I’d be honored to eat lunch with a Shark! The closest I’ve come is swimming with one in Hawaii. Seriously, I would be beyond thrilled.


West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
I have to go with Sharks – I tend to root for the new kids in town. Plus, I kind of had a crush on Bernardo.



If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Ned Stark (Game of Thrones): it would save an honorable man, dethrone an imposter and prevent a war.





Is there a book that makes you think “If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy.”
If I must pick one, it would be “The Phantom Tollbooth” – I read it 25 years ago, and it’s still my measuring stick for excellence.



What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Dealing with a serious family illness while billing a 350-hour month at a law firm. It was a terrible time.



When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
I’d love to work with young kids that aspire to write, maybe through a foundation (in a dream of dreams) or on a smaller scale.

Finalist #4

The fourth finalist is Laura Hughes:

1. Tell us about your book:
A sorcerer is bent on wiping out shapeshifters, particularly dragons. The FBI's shifters are running out of time to stop him before he kills again.



2. Why do you want to attend Backspace?
Why wouldn't I? It's an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and share with writers, agents, and publishers. It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.


3. Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
Not afraid of the Shark, just wary I'd be served a bucket of chum. If you call it "sushi" I'll probably be okay with it.


4. West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Since I'm a Pasty White Girl, I'm stuck with the Jets. I wouldn't want to fight the Sharks, either. Can't we all just get along?



5. If you could save the life of any one fictional character, who would it be and why?
Lucy Westernra, in Dracula. Poor silly girl. No one noticed she was succumbing to the monster until it was too late to save her.



6. Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I'd die happy."
Perfume, by Patrick Suskind. It's creepy, haunting, and original. I read it in one sitting fifteen years ago, and I've been slightly squicked ever since.


7. What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Hurricane Andrew. Please don't make me talk about it. I'd need a lot more than 25 words to convey the horror and anguish of it.



8.When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
I wouldn't ask my agent to read 410 manuscripts for a contest! *wink, wink* I would help other writers navigate the shark-infested waters, though.**

**for the record, the contest was MY idea, not Liz's. 

Finalist #3

Our third finalist is C.A. Marshall


Tell us about your book:
A teen girl movie stunt double meets Indiana Jones in a steampunk island of Atlantis. Plus kissing.

Why do you want to attend Backspace?
My nearest bookstore is over an hour away. Getting to meet my twitter friends would be amazing. I'd love to find an agent match too!

Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
[Insert cliche 'depends if I'm on the menu or not,' but] generally, no. And I'd totally dispute page number placement in a manuscript.

West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
I've not seen the movie (I haven't seen Star Wars/Star Trek/Die Hard either) but can I be on team swishy dresses?

If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Sirius Black, hands down.

Is there a book that makes you think, "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
Something with the heart of Austen, fandom of Rowling, and prolificness (and humor!) of Pratchett. But I'd die happy with just one of those.

What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through? 
I was eleven when my mom died and I didn't know if other family would take me in. Being young and unwanted is the worst.

When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward? 
I'd sponsor author/reader couch-to-5k programs and puppy adoptions. :)

Finalist #2

Finalist #2 is Carla Harker


Tell us about your book:
A smuggler accused of treason must discover who set her up before the government hunts her down. What she learns could shatter the country.


Why do you want to attend Backspace?
I've heard it's one of the best writing conferences in the world. And also, I'd get to meet a certain shark-like agent.


Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
Utterly terrified, of course. Wait, did you mean the ocean-going kind?
No, not really.


 West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
I confess I've never seen West Side Story.


 If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Lester Burnham from American Beauty. His character growth was uplifting, and his death was all the sadder because of it.


Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
No. I've read plenty of better written books, but I can only write my way.


What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Real danger: finding out the driver of the car I was in was drunk. Not real danger: rappelling down a 300' sinkhole in Belize.


When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
I would actually like to do something similar to this, assuming I have an agent crazy nice enough to help.

Janine Marie Tugonon was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2012 (Binibining Pilipinas 2012) on April 15, 2012

The 49th edition of Binibining Pilipinas was held on April 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines. Thirty candidates competed for the three titles, and the winners were:

Janine Marie Tugonon

- Janine Marie Tugonon, Miss Universe Philippines 2012 – she will compete in Miss Universe 2012, in December. She is 22 years old, 1.73 m-tall, and hails from Bicolana. Janine participated in this same pageant last year and was the 1st runner-up;

Nicole Schmitz

- Nicole Schmitz, Binibining Pilipinas – International - she will compete in Miss International 2012, in China.

Katrina Jayne Dimaranan

- Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, Binibining Pilipinas – Tourism – she will compete in Miss Tourism Queen International 2012, on September 28, in China;

Elaine Kay Moll

The 1st runner-up, expected to represent the Philippines in Miss Supranational 2012, is Elaine Kay Moll, and the 2nd runner-up is Annalie Forbes.


Special thanks and credits to GlobalBeuties

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Finalist #1

Our first finalist is Maureen McCabe.

 Tell us about your book:
Aurie Robinson has never had a family.  Molly Danvers has always wanted one.  Together, despite overwhelming differences, they try to make one.

Why do you want to attend Backspace:
To participate and learn from the Agent-Author seminars and to meet Ms. Reid (and the other great agents).


Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark:
As long as the Shark wasn't having me for lunch, then no, I think it would be a great experience.


West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Sharks, because while they're both cool, the Sharks don't have to work at it.


If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Jay Gatsby, because maybe, just maybe, there are second acts in American lives and he deserved one.


Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I'd die happy?"
To Kill a Mockingbird, because it is one of the rare books that changed people's hearts and minds and lives.


What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Getting robbed at gunpoint making the night deposit drop for the store I used to work for.
 

When you're published, what will you do to Pay it Forward?
Set up a contest where the winner would get a grant to enable them to take a year off from work to finish a novel.

Update #16

Three five six seven eight nine finalists.

You'll meet them all, starting Sunday at 9am.

If you're not a finalist, you were tenth. Trust me.

The Liz Norris Pay It Forward Contest judges

Blog Reader Sue J captured the judges at the end of the contest!

Judge Frankie is ready for some TLC!

Blog reader Callie H caught the judges looking at my email inbox!

Blog reader Laura H found a judge ready for a vacation!

Blog reader Bethany M got the judges deciding the winner!

Blog reader Jane L found several judges "confurring"

Blog reader Jennifer B caught one judge making sure the votes were correct!

Blog reader Heather D caught a judge burying his head in the sand!

Blog reader Kat caught the judges "contemplating"

Blog reader Susan S wonders "Can we really trust these Demon Judges from Transylvania????"

 Blog reader Sara catches judges "negotiating" one of the Liz Norris finalists.

Blog reader Mara Rae caught a judge avoiding work!

Blog reader Hannah found a judge trying to escape a la Sister Bertrille

Blog Reader S.E. finds a judge "recharging" her iPaw

This is not a judge. This is the just one of the 404 entrants waiting for news.***

Did you get a picture of the contest judges too?
Send it to me by email as a jpg attachment with "JUDGES" in the subject line and I'll post it. (ONE jpg per person please!) 

*** my work here is done!

The ultimate vampire trap

Here's a contest that should draw some entertaining entries: design the ultimate vampire trap!

Gene Ambaum, half of the brilliance at Unshelved (what, you don't subscribe?? FIE on you!!)  is running a contest to win all five of the David Wellington books including 32 FANGS the final in the five book series.

Go here to enter.

Normally I'd post a jpg of the book cover but honest to dog it scared me so much I didn't.

My new sales strategy!

Gleaned from the incoming mail today, this brilliant new sales strategy.  Why I didn't think of this before I do not know!

To whom it might concern: my name is REDACTED and i wrote a REDACTED. I would like to use your publishing house, but first i would like to receive a copy of your contractual agreement, for my review and consideration. If you are so kind to send me one via email, i will be deeply grateful. 

I'll have to tweak it a little of course:

To whom it might concern:
Dear Keith Kahla,

my name is Janet Reid and i wrote I represent a 216,000 word novel in verse about sword-wielding poodles who vacation in Paris I would like to use your publishing house, but first i would like to receive a copy of your contractual agreement, for my review and consideration.

If you are so kind to send me one via email, i will be deeply sort of grateful.

truly yours, something

passez une bonne week-end

de rien

chapeau tip to Joelle Anthony, whose second novel

The Right and The Real comes out on 4/24/12!
and the ever-amazing Robin Ruinsky!

Update #15: fisticuffs ensued

At last report, we'd gone two rounds and gotten the pool down to 38. After a refreshing five minute break the judges were herded back to the reading cages and told to get serious about choosing finalists.

The sound of wailing and gnashing was heard throughout the land.

Eyeglasses wore out. Eyeballs too.

The Keeper of the Timetable urged everyone on:

Work resumed.
Horsetrading began
There were Threats.
There was Conniving.
Actual Begging.
A lot of Pleading. (Also, the Alot, pleading)
More threats.
More conniving.

Fisticuffs ensued.

The constabulary arrived.

Combatants were sorted,  summonses written , and order restored. Sort of.  There was grudging agreement.


16 remain.

There will be one more round before the finalists are announced this weekend. If the judges can stay out of the hoosegow. And the bar. And perhaps each others faces.

Caine's arcade

(hat tip to Editor Awesome for alerting me to this)

When I talk about voice, this is what I mean

I subscribe to several book club email lists through the Brooklyn Public Library.  (Your library probably has these too-click on "join book clubs" to find out.)

The emails from Suzanne at DearReader.com are a treasure trove of books I don't hear about in other places: not front-list books that are getting a big push from publishers near pub date.

Today's email was not only about an interesting book, it provides an excellent example of voice in non-fiction.  It's by Amy Stewart.

Fighting over Food Scraps: Worms vs. Chickens


Before we got chickens, the worms had a very easy life. They lived in a nice comfortable bin on the porch outside my kitchen door, and tasty food rained down upon them a couple times a day.


In the morning, they'd get spent coffee grounds and maybe an eggshell or the crusts of a piece of toast. Later in the afternoon, they might get a banana peel or an apple core. And at night, there were usually some vegetable trimmings or a little leftover pasta or rice.


It's no wonder worms follow humans wherever we go: we are their personal chefs.


I know a woman who started eating more mangoes and melons just because I told her that worms were partial to the rinds. I made her promise that she was actually eating the fruit and only giving them the scraps. "They eat trash," I said. "You understand that,right? You don't have to actually buy food for them!"


But this is the kind of affection that earthworms inspire. They are clean, quiet, hardworking pets, eager to please and happy to produce something of value--rich earthworm castings, the ultimate plant food--in exchange for a good meal. And I was happy to provide for them--until I got chickens. Suddenly, the worms had competition.

Backyard hens do take a little more care than worms--I can't leave them unattended when I go away on vacation, and their shelter is a little more complicated than the worms'--but I must admit that they are infinitely more rewarding.


My Buff Orpington, Ladybird, is as pleasant and affectionate as a cat, happy to settle down in my lap when I sit outside. And, like the worms, they produce something useful: eggs. The manure is a welcome addition to the compost pile, too.


But now I have this dilemma. Who gets the kitchen scraps? The chickens go crazy for crusts of bread, bits of strawberry, and apple cores. Their delight is so much more obvious than that of the worms, too. They rush up to me, hopping around and squawking in hopes of getting the first bite. The worms might be happy to have a treat, but they certainly don't know how to show it.


So the compromise--if it could be called that--is to give the chickens whatever they want and to let the worms have the rest. The birds don't care about coffee grounds and they are strangely uninterested in lettuce. They don't know what to do with a banana peel. So the worms continue to enjoy those treats, while the chickens get the rest. And they each continue to return the favor by turning those scraps into food for the soil, and food for me. If only my cat would do the same!

This is a stellar example of voice: it's distinctive, and fun. It makes you want to read more. It makes you think of the author as a friend. It's got energy and zest.


This is fun without being flippant, informative without being pedantic, humorous without being silly.  It makes me want to read all Amy Stewart's books (and it's no surprise they're published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; their catalog will have you clicking "order order order" till your finger -- or your bank -- breaks.)

Compelling voice is tricky in a novel; it's VERY tricky in non-fiction where you must color within the lines of creativity.


What non-fiction books would you use as examples of voice?

Update #15

Update #14: If you make it to the final round

We might ask each of the writers who are selected for the final round to answer these questions:


EACH ANSWER HAS TO BE 25 words or less.

Tell us about your book:

Why do you want to attend Backspace?

Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?

West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?

If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
(thanks to blog reader FeakySnucker for this one)

Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
(stolen from a Jeff Somers blog post)

What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?  
(thanks to blog reader NotAWarriorPrincess for this one)

When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?  
(thanks to blog reader Charley for this one)


The second round is done. The third round has begun. The judges can be heard plaintively mewling in the wee hours of the morning. Discerning eavesdroppers have heard "but this is GOOD, how can we cut it?" accompanied by sobbing.

If you'd like to take a stab at guessing how many entries remain in round 3, the comment column is at your disposal.

Moving and shaking on GoodReads!

Yowza!


Have you ordered your copy yet?

Abide With Me by Ian Ayris

Abide With Me by Ian Ayris is an extraordinary novel and it's 99cents on Kindle right now.

And I'm not the only person who thinks so, either!

Melanie Vicente was crowned Miss World Portugal (Miss República Portuguesa) 2012 and will represent her country in Miss World 2012

Road to Miss World 2012



Melanie Vicente was crowned Miss World Portugal (Miss República Portuguesa) 2012 and will represent her country in Miss World 2012, in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China. She is 21 years old, 1.70 m-tall and a student of Nuclear Medicine.


Special thanks and credits to Miss República Portuguesa / Isidro de Brito & GlobalBeauties

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Miss World 2012 Contestant - MISS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WORLD 2012 - Jenny Blanco's Photos & Profile/Biography

Birth Name: Jenny Claribel Blanco de Garrido
Birth Date: 1985(age 26)
Birth Place: Santo Domingo
Occupation: TV Host
Height: 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Measurements: 35-24-37
Hair color: Black
Eye color:
Title(s): Miss World Dominican Republic 2012 / Miss Mundo Dominicana 2012
Major Competition(s): Miss World Dominican Republic 2012 (Winner), Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2009 (Top 12), Miss World 2012


BIOGRAPHY:

Jenny Claribel Blanco (born 1985) is a Dominican beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Dominican Republic 2012 at the Gran Arena del Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros during the Dominican Republic Fashion Week. Jenny Blanco will represent her country in the 2012 Miss World pageant on August 18, in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China.


INTERVIEW:

Information to be posted

PHOTO GALLERY:



Special thanks to Wikipedia & www.pinoyexchange.com/ & www.missworld.com & livewireworld.blogspot.com

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/
and all sources for the information and pictures)