Thirteen Things I have to do while Writing 1.)I buy airheads (ya know, those taffy-like things?) and suck on them. 2.)I cannot write while music is playing, if it has lyrics. Cause I'm the idiot who has to sing along, and before you know it, the lyrics have somehow ended up on my page. 3.)I have a tendency to stop the flow and try to analyze. I forget that I can always come back and fix it, that to have the skeleton of the story will allow me to go back and perform literary surgery. 4.)Faith in myself....this is a hard one, took me a while to get there. 5.)I have to have my slipper shoes on. 6.)Then I have to take them off, leaving them lay below the chair. 7.)I have to sit indian-style in the chair. I'm very short, although my legs touch the ground, it's still very uncomfortable for the backs of my legs. 8.)I have to have Hershey's for when my airhead supply runs out. 9.)Something to drink, used to be Pepsi, but lately I've been getting sick whenever I drink it, so now it's Sprite or Kool-aid or those Capri-Sun's that I buy (supposedly) for my son...hehehehehe 10.)Everyone is going to hate this one, but I have to take a smoke break....hey, let's not discriminate here, ok?? LOL, I only smoke a few a day and it's always when I'm writing. (excuses, excuses, is what you're thinking, huh??) I take a pen and notebook outside with me when I've hit a dead end and I fuel back up. 11.)I have to have comfy pants on, I just simply can't write in jeans. Tried it, hated it. 12.)Inspiration in my head. A particular image or picture there of what I'm trying to write about. 13.)Lastly, I have to pinch myself. There's no way I have the chance to actually pursue writing...is there?? I know I'm dreaming. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. YOLANDA SFETSOS 2.) LARISSA IONE 3.) MIDNIGHT MOON CAFE 4.) LD FERRIS

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Terrified of The Zoo

Zoos depress me. The cages, the small enclosures, all of it. I realize that if it weren't for the zoos these creatures probably wouldn't have anywhere to go or not be here at all, but still. Seeing a tiger pace back and forth gets to me. Broken spirits is what it is.

On the good side of things, I went to Lone Elk Park this weekend with my family. Lone Elk is over 500 acres of free roaming land for elk, bison and other animals. The best thing, is just before you get to the park opening, there is a spread of buildings, surrounded by waterfalls, picnic areas that don't encroach on the nature around them and BIRDS, birds of prey, specifically. My favorite are the owls. This place is the THE WORLD BIRD SANCTUARY.

It was a great day. Filled with wonderful sightings and the inevitable tick findings on our persons, lol. To me, this signaled Spring, the birth of great things, the beginning of a cycle that never ends. The thing I like about this place is that they only put the birds in cages when they have to and none of them look unhappy. They all look content as can be. Not trying to fly off, running into the mesh of the cages. The pic above is of an eagle, a shame he was in a cage, but he was the only one, the others were on super-long tethers in fenced in areas. They were able to lift off and fly, it was beautiful.

Some pics...

Hell-Hounds

These are the hell hounds I share my daily life with. Kane is the big white one, the medium sized fluffy thing sleeping on the legos table is Gus and the itty bitty one is Trixie - a.k.a Trix the Mix. Kane saved me once, but I'll save that story for later, gotta get back to my Innocent Evil MS.

What I'm listening to today.....

Evanesence is all I'm listening to today. I'm getting a new book ready for subs and this song especially fits the mood. Not to mention the I just love this group, lol...go ahead, jam a little!!

Launch of Twilight Muse!

I'm excited to announce the launch of my new blog, Twilight Muse. At Twilight muse I will be featuring authors and their excerpts, new release, contest information, interviews and more! It's just another little way to get all the great author's a little more publicity!

Since I began my own writing journey, I have been floored by how much talent is out there. It's really given me the drive to pursue my writing. It's inspired me. So I wanted a place where I could honor that, this inexplicable bond between writers, especially romance writers, lol.

So, if you've got a minute, head on over and check it out. I have video trailer and excerpts up that are just too awesome!

And, quick note...if you want your info posted on Twilight Muse, please feel free to contact me!

Too Cute!

Courtesy of MsTags.com

Innocent Evil Excerpt

This is an excerpt from one of my works in progress. Feel free to post your comments and critique!

Prologue

There are a lot of ways a soul can be stained. Abuse, neglect, and mistreatment are a few. Any one of these can turn good into evil, twisting and bending it into an unrecognizable feature. After all, everything is good in the beginning. Nobody and nothing starts out that way, climbing out of the womb with malice on their minds. Out of all things dangerous, nothing is more so when the righteous are driven down the path to insanity, barely clinging to the side of them that once spoke to angels. Screaming at the injustice, they flee, with a tail of fleet-footed retribution wagging steadily behind them. Indeed, there is a thin line between good and evil. For only when two wrongs make a right, can a tormented soul live with themselves.

Being innocent can only take someone so far. Once that point of no return has been reached, they must step freely over it, giving their pure and golden hearts to the dank and putrid darkness. Yes, good can overcome evil, it most often does. But, what happens when the good that is triumphing is also, concerning some elements, evil itself?

Chapter 1

Alessa McFee stepped from the void, licking her lips as she did so. The darkness that fell from her body revealed a slender, petite frame adorned with a soldier’s muscles. Curls that mirrored the ebony she had slipped from fell to rest against the small of her back. Flexing her right fist, she brought it to her mouth, uncurling her fingers. She would test the wind to find her prey. Slowly, she licked the tip of her slim index finger, displaying it in front of her pale features to gauge the breeze. East. Turning towards the current, she sniffed the air with her head tilted to one side. The scent of moss, from the lake nearby and freshly bailed hay filled her nostrils. Picking the scents apart, she honed in on her target. The stench of evil, the fragrance she had been tracking for three hours now through the woods.

Aggravated that a mere human could avoid her reckoning for so long, she clenched her teeth, causing her lips to curl and reveal two sharp teeth. Following, she cursed the human. Thinking of the others she had taken out, she quickly followed, her boots crunching on the worn path that led to the farm she had found him on. It was so familiar, this scene. It made her eyes sting and her throat constrict.

The panic she had kept at bay by hunting evil for so long was threatening to consume her. Images dashed in and out of her mind, making her shake her head to clear them. Arrogant demons clothed in a human’s body, feeding on the pain inflicted on an innocent. Every scream they tore from the throats of women and children echoing their pleas, forever there, forever embedded in Alessa’s own rage.

This disease, this human capability, pitiless and quick to condemn, was becoming an epidemic. She would be the cure. She would be there when the last one fell, writhing in agony as every nasty thing they had ever done came back upon them tenfold.

My Meez

I found "Meez" while browsing an author's MySpace page....I had so much fun with it! I have a witch heralding a big sword under a full moon on my MySpace page now =)

Some Family Pics

Blog Changes

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I'm changing the blog around....so if it looks a little off kilter, that's why ;)

My Love

Before I start this post I do want to say that it is personal. But, I'm a writer and if I don't get personal every once in a while, I lose touch, lol. I'm not going to pay attention to my writing skills right now either, nor the spelling. I'm just here to let it spill out, I'll come back later and edit, rofl. And for some reason I can't sleep, been tossing and turning, thinking of my love. Yes, that's him up there with my son. Isn't he the hunkiest, most rugged mountain man you've ever seen??...hehehehe...he's going to kill me if he ever reads this!

Well, our story is a great one, but has dealt us a few hardships along the way. We met in a bar, yes, I know.....not the best place to meet guys, lol. That night I hadn't gone out to meet guys, though, because you see, it was maybe my third time going out after my son was born. Keep in mind, by this time my son was already one. I had a newborn baby, a $645 mortgage, a car payment and being a waitress really didn't put me in the mood to be on my feet for not just the whole day, but night too. I didn't feel like dancing, which was one of my fav things to do. Somehow, my best friend in all the world, pulled me out that night.

I have to explain something first. I'm a country girl, through and through. I grew up on the rocky banks of the Meramec and the muddy ones of the Mississipi (sp?). I have been around horses and every critter imaginable since I can remember. I like my men rough, preferably with a cowboy hat, lol. This particular establishment was littered with rude twenty year old boys who thought it was funny to grab my ass. Seriously, this generation of men need a swift kick in the arse. Anyhoo, I'm not having a good time at all, fuming a bit, when I turn and see a cowboy hat floating above the crowd, about a head taller than everyone else.

Did I mention that I was blind-stinkin drunk? Oh, yes, well, I must have forgot.....I went up to him, tapped him on what I thought was his shoulder, but ended up being his side. I struck up a conversation. For the first time in my life I was bold, but not too forthright, secretive but very clear. I felt very powerful talking to this man. We exchanged numbers and began to talk for five hours at a time on the phone. He took me to dinner for our first date, was the first time I was ever really "picked up" in my entire life, it was all very surreal. He didn't kiss me that night.

This was the clencher. This was how I knew I'd never get over him. When he called to ask me out for a second time he asked, "Where would you guys like to go?". I said "you guys"??...what do you mean? He said, "You and your son." Yes, I almost fainted. For a single mother, this was great, but also very frightening. I had been alone since I was 3 months pregnant, I wasn't sure I wanted something to enter our lives that could just as easily walk right back out. But, I went for it.

Long story short, a year after that second date, we moved in together. It was beautiful. I had a man that loved me, we had animals galore on the most beautiful 62 acres I had ever seen. My son breathed in the fresh, clean air that whipped through the valley. He explored and drove his little John Deere Tractor all over the place.

Humans and their darn capacity to screw stuff up! That's exactly what we did, we screwed up. Neither one of us knows when or how, but we both know it was surely a team effort. We're working it out, dating exclusively with plans in the future to move back in together. But, I still wiggle my fingers, expecting that symbol of his love for me to be there, the ring he picked himself, the ring that was exactly what I would've picked had I been there.

I still lay there at night, my head swimming with love and desire for him, hoping that the awful ugliness of resentment stays at bay. I know this is what is best, and truth be told, I'm happy with where we are right now. That doesn't stop me from grieving the past. That doesn't stop me from wondering "Am I doing the right thing?". That doesn't stop my son from asking, "Can we see him soon?". It doesn't stop me from feeling like I let my son down, that I welcomed tragedy into his life.

I love this man, but it took leaving to understand our relationship better. It took leaving to understand myself. In my heart, I know that he is the man that I will forever be tangled up in. The only man that after 4 years can still make me want more with just one touch. I know it wouldn't change in 20 years, this man's hold on me, or vice versa. I'm learning the ultimate life lesson here. If it's meant to be, it will be. So, I'm living my life, pursuing my dreams and glad that even if I don't have a warm body in bed next to me at night, I have a best friend whom I know will always be there, if not in the flesh, over the phone.

Thank you for listening to me ramble, sorry about the length of this post!!! I might try and get some sleep. Beautiful Dreams to you!

VAMPIRE OF VENICE BEACH ~ Review

My review for Vampire of Venice Beach, by Jennifer Colt is now up at ROMANCE JUNKIES! It was my pleasure reviewing this book. It was hilarious and exciting! This is my first offical review for Romance Junkies and I'm so excited! Stop on by and check it out!

Flu Bug...uh oh...

Yesterday I was completely bummed when I had to ditch on the celebration over at Lavender Isis. I was having a blast in the chat, winning some prizes, then all of a sudden I hear crying and my son calling for me from the other room. He had puked all over the place. Curdled milk and digested Lucky Charms, it was a perfect way to start the day. He had felt fine earlier in the morning at his Tae Kwon Do Tournament, so it kinda blind-sided us a bit. The worst is now I'm not feeling too hot.....

Throat hurts, nose is running and I've had a killer headache ALL day. My body aches, you know that feeling you get, where your skin hurts?? Well, it hurts just to have my clothes rubbing on my skin right now. This is a big huge bummer. I was going to start on another manuscript today and I just can't do it. I hate these nasty little bugs that just creep in from nowhere. I think I might write something about little flubugs who attack a city and have all the citizens cowering in fear....lol.

Grand Opening!

Today is the grand opening of LAVENDER ISIS PRESS! We're having an all day chat, complete with prizes and lots of cool stuff! Come on over and get in on the action in the forum, check out the bookstore! Hope to see you there! =)

Winner of the St. Patrick's Day Contest!

Congratulations to LARISSA IONE, the winner of the free banner! I might have a really cool participatory prize for all you other contestants! Give me a few days and I'm gonna see what I can come up with! Happy St. Patty's Day, Everyone!

Promo ~ FREE Button!

In honor of Promotional Free For All Day at LIP, I've got a special deal going on, only for members of the Lavender Isis forum and the Oasis Group! What can I say? This bunch is special! All week long from March 16, 2007 until March 23, 2007........if you buy an animated banner from my site, you will receive a matching 125x125 animated button absolutely FREE!!!! Stop on by and have a look see!

**Reminders ~ You have to be a member of the forum or the Oasis, promo ends March 23, 2007, Free button with purchase of animated banner**

So, head on over to LAVENDER ISIS PRESS! If you're not already a member, sign up! See ya there ;)

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things that My Dream Man Would Never Do 1.) He would never wear loafers. 2.) He would never forget to say "bless you". 3.) He would never wear those gay looking shirts that are really tight. 4.) He would never abuse an animal. 5.) He would never call me "Melissa". 6.) He would never ask me to turn out the light. 7.) He would never call me crazy, he'd be crazy with me. 8.) He would never put down my dreams. 9.) He would never downplay the struggles of single mother-hood. 10.) He would never put his wants in front of mine. 11.) He would never tell me I'm "silly", he'd sing along with me in the grocery store. 12.) He would never turn down the radio whilst I'm in the middle of a serious boogie session. 13.) He would never laugh at my stories. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Manuscript Sent!

I just finished a manuscript that was requested by SAMHAIN PUBLISHING! I can't believe it! I've been working my butt into the ground to get it done and to be completely honest, it's the first novella-length work I've ever finished!! Yippee for me! (crossing every appendage) It was hard, though. Especially when it turned into something completely different than what I had planned.

Promotional Free For All!

Listen up, everybody! Tomorrow LAVENDER ISIS PRESS is having a Promotional Free For All! Go on over and post your promotions for your books, new releases, contests and blogs at the forum and at their group, The Oasis! This is a big event they're holding to get ready for their grand opening on Saturday, March 17, 2007! I hope you all can make it, this is a great way to reach more people!

Manuscript Requests!!!

OMG!!! Two publishing houses have just requested manuscripts for the work I've sent them! This is amazing! I didn't think that it could get any better, boy was I wrong! Wow....I just had to stop by and gush for a minute! I guess now would be the time to get my brain creating and my fingers to the keyboard for some major work! Okay, I have to get moving, if I'm going to send the manuscripts in, I shouldn't be wasting any time! Have a beautiful day, everyone!

Ok...so it's not thursday, lol

Thirteen Things about YOUR NAME 1. People used to call me "Messy" or "Sissy Missy". 2. I loathed the name in elementary school. 3. I was the ONLY Missy or Melissa in elementary school. 4. When I got to High School, there were about 200 other Melissa's. 5. My middle name, Sue, comes from my mom's memories of feeding the pigs on the farm she was raised on..."Sueeeee, Sueeeeee, piggy piggies." ROFL, she said that was her favorite time of the day, go figure! 6. My name is Greek 7. Melissa means "Honey Bee" 8 Growing up, all of my family and friends called me Missy Sue, especially my mom (unless I was in trouble). 9. If I heard Melissa Sue, I knew I was in BIG trouble. 10. To this day if someone calls me Melissa, I cringe, expecting to be reprimanded, lol. 11. Hanson (my last name) is really my apopted father's name. 12. I was born as Melissa Sue Lehman. 13. My favorite thing to be called isn't Missy Sue or Melissa, it's Mommy. =) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Makeover Complete

Pop on over to MY SITE to see my new look! I'm really happy with the results! The webset just kind of fell in place and it's given my site the atmosphere that I wanted! Sassy, magical and beautiful all at the same time!

Aphrodite's Apples

If I were to win the lottery tomorrow, it still wouldn't make my week any better. I have just received official news that I am accepted as a cover artist for APHRODITE'S APPLES, a wonderful publishing house! I'm ecstatic beyond belief. I feel like running out and howling at the moon (I already jumped up and down, screamed and danced a jig). Thank you, powers that be! First I was accepted as a reviewer for Romance Junkies, then I was accepted as a designer for LAVENDER ISIS PRESS, now this! Thank you to everyone at these wonderful establishments, you've finally given me a place and niche! If you'll excuse me, I think I might go faint.

New Look

Watch closely.....the blog and my site are getting a complete makeover! I am in the process of making a new webset for my site which will feature some of my 3D creations! The whole look will be very different from what is currently up, so stay tuned!

March Contest

I am holding a contest! Here's the deal ~ All you have to do is leave me a comment to this post answering this question.....What are the first two words that come to mind when you hear the word "Irish"? The winner will recieve a FREE animated banner. If you are a published author, I can use your cover art for a book you are promoting, or I can use my own art, 3D or otherwise. Good deal, huh? The deadline for the contest is, you guessed it, March 17, 2007. St. Patrick's Day! I'm anticipating everyone's response! Good Luck...oh, and here's a little hint, I'm Irish.....hehehehehe, so be kind, lol.

Launch of my Art Blog!

Okay, so I was looking around my blog the other day and realized it was becoming over loaded with all my graphic stuff. So, I decided to open another blog dedicated solely to my cover and graphic art. Especially now that I'm actually working as one (Yippee for me!) with much love and thanks to Rae and Melissa at LAVENDER ISIS PRESS! I will still from time to time post a cover here and there on this blog (especially if I want your opinion, lol). Come over and visit sometime ~ MY ART BLOG

My New 3D Creations!

I have got yet another creation addiction! First it was my PSP (and still is), now I have a new 3D Program! I am loving it! I find it astonishing how much you can do and how far technology is. This program is amazing and truly has endless possibilities! The fairy you see here was my second creation. What do you think?

Cover Art Addiction

Holy smokes in a ten gallon rust bucket, I am addicted! I can not stop creating things, rofl. I am having so much fun designing "imaginary" covers.....do you like this latest one? It's simple, yet elegant, lol.

Template...ggrrrrrr...

I can not for the life of me figure out how to change this stinkin' template. I fear it might be because I'm using this new blogger instead of the old one...so, hang in there with me folks, right now we're a peach color, we might be orange in a few minutes....hehehehehe.

Goodbye Buck

A friend's dog passed away this morning. He was my little "shitkicker", lol. I called him that because he loved to run around and tease the horses, kicking up horse poop as he sped by. He is the little black and white one next to my massive dog. This picture shows them resting after their favorite activity, rolling around in the mud in the muddy pasture. They were such good friends. We're all going to miss him. Goodbye, my little shitkicker, I'll miss you.

Blogger Templates By Caz

This has got to be the coolest free template site I've ever found! Not too mention she is an astounding artist! Her templates are amazing....and she gives them away for free?? This woman is an angel! Visit her blog, Blogger Templates By Caz, and remember that if you download any of the templates, leave links intact!!! Personally, I'm going to be polluting my page with her link, because I just find her generousity refreshing. I will be switching my template over to one of her's in a minute.......hope you like it!

OMG.....I'm gonna faint!

Well, I actually already did (kind of), lol. I will now be creating cover art for LAVENDER ISIS PRESS! Holy smokes in a rust bucket, I can't believe it! This is such an awesome opportunity for me! It's a wonderful pub house, too! They even have an e-zine that they accept articles for! You should go check it out! Man, am I ever gonna rock some covers! (dancing a jig) YeeHaw! Thank you Melissa and Rachel, you've now officially made me a cover artist! *Muyah*

First Reviews for RJ

I'm so excited! I just began reading my first two review books for Romance Junkies! I don't want to give too much away, just wanted to let you know that reviews are in the works! There are so many great writers out there and I feel so honored to be able to review their books! I will let you know later which books and when the reviews will be up!

For all of those who love vintage!

I am a commercial user of some vintage graphics as well. I plan on adding some vintage banners to the site later today. These graphics would be good for all those of you who write historical romance! Hope you can take a peek!

Offering Design Services

I love to create graphics. It's become an addiction alongside my writing. I am now offering my design services on my website. I have some basic prices set -

For static buttons or plugs, using Author's cover art - $3.00

For Static banners using Author's cover art - $5.00

For Animated banners or buttons (3-4 layers), using Author's cover art - $8.00

For cover art - email for a quote.

I've been amazed at the impact of link swapping and plugboard advertising. At first I didn't think it would make that much of a difference, but after I began plugging away and displaying my link wherever possible, there was a significant difference in the traffic to my site. It grew overnight practically. Especially when you have catchy, unique graphics, it grabs people. So, if you have any questions about my graphics, please feel free to EMAIL ME.

P.S. You can find examples of my graphics on my site. I made the webset, the cover art for my books and the banners on the Cover Art page.

Bayou Summons

Check out My Website for an excerpt from Bayou Summons, a steamy new story about a necromancer (speaks with the dead) and a warlock. It's getting steamy in the swamp! hehehehe

Zuzu's Petals Contest

I found a great contest going on at Twilight Fantasies Publications. It's based on the concept from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Write a story about a hero or heroine that doesn't really want to live anymore, than show them changing their minds throughout the story. I wrote an 8K word count story called "Summer Stormkeeper". I've yet again got my fingers crossed about this, they're offering some wonderful prizes for all the winners (including a two year contract). So, if you're a writer, skip on over there and check it out!

Another Cover...lol

Yes, here I go again! I love this cover though, because of the farmhouse and it ties in so well with the story. It doesn't matter too much seeing as how this won't be the official cover anyway, just to promote it until it's published. And if it ever gets published and you ever get to read it, you'll understand why there are wings on the moon, hidden meanings....... a-ha! Gotta love em!

The Original Geek in the Pink

Which one is better? Randy, one of the judges suggested that Chris sang it better than Jason. You tell me. Leave a comment with your opinion, who knows I might just send a prize to the first person who responds ;)

Geek in the Pink

I usually don't watch American Idol, but I caught this episode and I have to tell you, I love this guy! It could also have something to do with the fact that I'm usually the geek in the pink.....hehehehehe....hope you dance along a little in your chair! I know I will be =) Time to boogie!

Romance Junkies!

I am absolutely ecstatic to announce that I was accepted on board as a reviewer for Romance Junkies! I am out of my mind with excitement and can not wait to dive right in! I'll be able to not only read romance, but write about what I read! WhoooHooo....life just keeps getting better and better =)Take a moment and visit, maybe join the group. I joined the group before I got accepted on board and loved every minute of it! Wonderful site, it's a must, I'm telling you! I'll see ya there ;)~