Writerly Rhews

In the crazy hubbub of life, sometimes writing time gets wonky. Deek and I have been going, going, going of late, and our writing has suffered. I've been working on Molly and Ryder...well...for a long time. But for this iteration of their story, I started a year ago. WUT? Apparently. Eep!

And I'd only gotten to about 25,000 words. To be fair, I opened my freelance editing and design business, started working for another small press, and maintained all my BookFish duties. So, as much as my characters have been clawing to get out of my brain, they've been rather stuck.

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But I got a little free time this week after I wrapped up a bunch of big projects, and guess what? 

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I DOUBLED by word count in just a few days. The ideas, which had been start/stop and piecemeal, just started flowing. And flowing. And flowing. I'm almost done with the rough draft of this story that's dogged me for a long time. AND, it's *finally* right. I've written and rewritten it, and it's never been quite there. But now it is. How did that happen?!?

Anyway, this is how I feel about all that...

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Meanwhile, Deek is working through the first round of I-finished-my-rough-draft edits on The Extractor. We pitched the idea to some folks at Cape Fear Comic Con, and he got a *huge* amount of interest. So, he's pushing hard to get his first round of self-editing done quickly so he can do his second round of self-edits, get it me, then send it to Anya, and then start submitting to agents!!

I am SO proud of my hubby! This story is unique, and his writer voice is unlike any I've ever read. That's a pretty stellar combination!

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For those waiting to hear news on Restore To Me, my historical fiction, you can wait impatiently with me. LOL! Nothing moves quickly in the writing world, but I've got some agent and publisher interest. So...we wait.

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In non-writer related news, please keep my MeMa in your thoughts and prayers. Today would have been her 63rd wedding anniversary with PaPa. It's also the first PaPa-less first, one of many we'll experience as we navigate the first year of this strange world without him.

As much as I miss him, I know she misses him exponentially more. Smile down bright on your lovely bride today, PaPa. We miss you and love you always!

Their 50th Wedding Anniversary

In world news, Deek and I got to witness the eclipse. I know I've seen one before in my lifetime (I've had to, right?). I even remember making one of the pinhole boxes in school, but I can't remember actually seeing the eclipse. So, this time Deek and I made sure we did! It was AMAZING!

I played Juliet in high school and performed her again in college--AND I voluntarily took a ridonk amount of Shakespeare classes in college--so naturally some lines from the great bard's Romeo and Juliet popped into my head...

"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, 

Who is already sick and pale with grief, 

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. 

Be not her maid, since she is envious; 

Her vestal livery is but sick and green 

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off."

There is a Shakespeare line for almost any moment. ;) 

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Until next time, read, write, and live out loud!!

Cape Fear Comic Con

Since moving back to the South, Deek and I have been getting involved in the comiccon circuits, and we're having a total blast. We've met some really amazing people and had a great time interacting with fellow sci-fi/fantasy nerds!

To round out this year's series, you can find us at:

Crystal Coast Con

September 23, 2017

 (Tasha Yar from Star Trek will be there--SQUEAL!)

Jacksonville Comic Con

November 4, 2017

**We may be in one more in October, but we're still working out the details.**

For 2018, we're already signed up to participate in IllogiCon again! Can't wait!

January 12-14, 2018

But this past weekend, we had the pleasure of attending Cape Fear Comic Con! We met two of the coordinators-- Papa Stro and Dave Atwell -- at last year's Crystal Coast Con, and we were stoked when they invited us to Cape Fear Comic Con!

We had a long drive, but we arrived early and got all set up.

Note Deek's new banner! Awesome, huh? (#AnitaisAmazing)

Lawd, my hubby is a hottie!

We were a little tired but ready to have fun!

Nothing a little coffee couldn't help! ;)

Thanks to Java Dog Coffee House for the great coffee and adorbs sticker!

Some pre-festivities Snapchatting

Eastern Exotics Wildlife Foundation had the booth behind us.

Have I mentioned I'm terrified of snakes?

Gus, who came with us, watched the huge snake with fear and trembling (as did his Mama).

We saw some awesome cosplay costumes!

This lovely lady was "the final frontier." She had lights and the Enterprise in her hair! 

TOO COOL!

Riddle me this / Riddle me that / Who's afraid / Of the big, black bat?

Obviously, Batman Forever is my favorite because...lifelong crush on Val Kilmer. ;)

George Farmer sat beside us, and he kindly drew Deek and me as Khal Drogo and Khalessi from Game of Thrones. I could *not* have been more pleased with the result!!

If you're in the area, we'd love to see you at the next comiccon! We love going to them and meeting so many fun, wonderful people!!

 Until next time, geek on!

I leave you with...more Snapchat pics. ;) 

PS. If you're a writer and need some help with your first chapter (or first couple of chapters), contact me! I'm a professional editor, and I'm on the acquisitions team at two presses. The first five people to sign up get a special deal! ;) http://www.erinrhewbooks.com/editing-and-design.html

Raleigh SuperCon Recap

Deek and I had the distinct pleasure of being guests at the Raleigh's first SuperCon, and boy did we have a BLAST!! Join me in this pictorial review of our time there!

My banner. Eeeee!!

Day 1

I watched them drive the Ghostbuster car into the event hall!

We gots our badges, all official like!

Deek and I are set up and ready to meet people and talk books!

Drivers, start your engines!

Thumbs up, PaPa! 

We were missing you, but you were there with us in spirit!

Right away, Deek spotted an amazing IronMan!

Captain Hobbes!!!

Check out the series features this adorable cat here!

Erh-ma-gawd! JON SNOW! 

King of the North!!!

(Yes, Deek and I wore matching shirts. We're adorkable!)

Storm Trooper.

These folks had an interesting pairing of Star Wars and Disney.

Princess Vadar and Price Eric Boba Fett

Day 2

I took my very own "Where's Waldo" photo!!

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Could she be any more adorable?!?

Deek's hanging with the Ghostbusters!

This lovely lady *brought* my books in for me to sign. I was so flattered!!!

Got to see a *real* Ghostbuster!!

OMG! OMG! <flails>

This Trekkie girl laid eyes on DATA!

That night, we attended a cosplay contest.

Is the the cutest thing ever or what?!?

This guy took home the grand prize.

Optimus Prime!

He was as tall as the stage!!

Day 3

Note the amount of coffee on our table for Day 3. LOL!

It happened to be the premier night of Game of Thrones Season 7, and Snapchat had an *awesome* whitewalkers filter!!

I accidentally Snapchatted myself, but it ended up looking pretty awesome. LOL!

Khal Drogo, Khal Drogo! <flails>

Deek *really* found Waldo! LOL!

Deek is a huge Stephen King fan, so he *had* to get his picture taken with Carrie!

Ba-haha! I love clever nerds!!

This guy was amazing! He said his goal was to make people smile. 

Mission accomplished!

We loved this father/son duo!

I SOLD OUT OF THE PROPHECY!!!!

We had the pleasure of sitting beside Leah Ward.

Check her out! She's super nice!

We also sat beside Susan and Clay Griffin (another husband and wife writing team), 

whom we'd met at Illogicon. 

Great to see them again! :)

If you didn't make it out to Raleigh SuperCon this year, I totally encourage you to come next year. It was a class act event!!

Catch Us At Other Cons

Deek and I are beyond stoked to be guest at other cons this year. We always have fun, and we always meet the best people!

You can find us at:

Cape Fear Comic Con -- August 12, 2017

Crystal Coast Con -- September 23, 2017

IllogiCon -- January 12-14, 2018

Guardian's Touch Release, Guest Post, and Giveaway by LA Dragoni

I'm stoked to have LA Dragoni on the blog again. She's a Pacific Northwesterner, and though I'm only adopted by the side of the country, I still hold a special place in my heart for it and the people there.

Pacific Ocean

Guest Post by LA Dragoni

And they lived happily ever after.

Fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella lead you to believe that once the evil queen is banished the rest of life is a breeze.

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you go out to your car on Monday morning only to find the battery dead, the washing machine breaks the night before a big presentation, you stop at Walmart to pick up insulin for your diabetic dog and when you come back out to the car you have a flat tire…

You get my point. Hard to be happy during a week like that.

Perhaps you’ve read of those couples that die natural deaths within 24 hours of each other after 60 years of marriage. Or the couple that renews their wedding vows on their 50^th wedding anniversary. Or maybe you follow Erin and Deek!

Happily ever after is real, but with unexpected medical bills, or late nights at the office, or a failed business that sucks your savings dry…is it possible? How do you last that fifty plus years when life keeps throwing challenges at you?

Try adding cruel ghosts to the agenda. Ghosts who want freedom from the void they’re bound to. And the only way they can gain that freedom is through the one you love. Could you, your partner, and your happily ever after withstand that?

But this is a celebration! A celebration of a book release. Yay! So let’s talk about happier things. In Guardian’s Touch, Tamara surprises Dex with a weekend getaway to show him how much he means to her. 

In your comment, share a getaway you’ve particularly loved – or one that’s on your bucket list. Then be sure to claim all the entries you qualify for in the rafflecopter for your chance to win swag. 

GUARDIAN’S TOUCH by LA Dragoni

Life has returned to normal for Tamara and Dex after helping a horde of ghosts cross over. Their brush with the afterlife affirmed one thing: happily ever after is real.

When odd pranks around the farm escalate to destruction, Tamara fears mischievous teenagers are vandalizing the neighborhood. Then Dex starts to act out of character. Meanness slips into his usually playful disposition. One day he even ridicules a co-worker publicly. Tamara watches helplessly as he seems to lose the ability to control his own actions. When Dex’s abnormal anger turns violent—toward Tamara—their happily ever after is threatened. Desperate to help Dex and herself, she sends out a silent prayer for help.

She didn’t expect Cal to come to her aid.

Available now on Amazon in print and for Kindle.

Final week!
http://amzn.to/1G7ZpC4

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA simply considers it her job to divine their story and share it with you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries throughout the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.com

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