Wreader Fun

I've created a website for my writing career which has necessitated the need to split this blog into two: one for writing and one for family. This blog is now incorporated into the new website. (I'm working on the tabs to convert weebly to blogger.) To celebrate my new website and re-defined blogs, I'm giving away a prize package. The rules are listed at the top of the right column of this blog. Where it says, 'this site' that means my whole new website . Check my WELCOME PRIZE GIVEAWAY post for a photo of the prize and a list of contents. Hope you enjoy your visit. :)

I'm over at Inkwell Inspirations talking about growing sprouts in my kitchen. If you've never grown this healthy, attractive protein, then come on over and see how easy it is. Here's a photo of a small, spicy selection I grew in my kitchen this past week. I started on Monday and this is what the sprouts looked like by yesterday (Sunday). I'll be picking 3 names out of the people who comment on my sprouting post at the Inkwell and each will win one tablespoon of sprouting seeds as detailed in the post, to see if they like this type of gardening. Ability to send in mail will be dependent upon winner's location in accordance with local postal and customs regulations. Contest ends Thursday, March 3rd at midight.

Don't forget to leave a comment on My Daily Dolphin Walk post before Sunday midnight to get in on the drawing for the autographed Victoria Dahl book. I'm blogging about all the free promotional items available in the Goody Room at RWA Orlando today at Prairie Chicks. I have lots of photos to give you ideas of how you can promote yourself and your book. While I was at the RWA conference, Nelson and JJ were touring the Disney parks. In this photo, JJ is standing on a San Francisco street at Disney Hollywood Studios. Can you guess where reality ends and fiction starts? :D

It's July 1st and as promised, I've drawn a name from all those who commented or played my 'dynamite contest' game over the last week here and on my eHarlequin blog. And the winner of Jillian Hart's book is... ChristaR Congratulations, Christa. Keep an eye out for my email. Thanks to everyone else for playing along. Have a great holiday weekend. :)

Just a couple more days to get in the drawing for a brand new copy of Jillian Hart's Love Inspired The Soldier's Holiday Vow . Check my June 22nd blog  for complete instructions. So far, 3 people have played the game so they each get their name thrown into the hat twice: - Carol's answers are in the comment section of the June 22 blog - Christa and Tammy have entered on my eHarlequin blog Also on my eHarlequin blog is FakeFrenchie who commented but didn't play the game so she gets her name in only once. There's still time to enter, but don't wait too long. I'll make the drawing on July 1st. :)

I'm back from my annual writing retreat at St. Peter's College and feeling great! I got so much done while at the monastery and want to share my joyful feelings, so I'm giving away a new copy of Jillian Hart's Love Inspired The Soldier's Holiday Vow . Yes, the book was released in Dec 2009 but the one I'm giving away has never been read. I want to make this a fun contest which involves both writers and readers. Last week, my son and I had a bit of excitement when we found what we thought was 100 sticks of dynamite on the side of the road. Well, it wasn't dynamite but an empty U.S. fireworks container . The thing is, it could have been a dangerous situation. One of the readers of my blog over at eHarlequin mentioned something about possible terrorists planning a raid at the G8/G20 summit in Toronto. My theory is that it was left as part of an exercise by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Training Academy which is in Regina, close to where I found the i...

This is the last day to enter the Prairie Chicks Anniversary contest. If you'd like to enter your name, just go to the Chicks blog and leave a comment. Starting Dec 20th, we've given you 7 days of seasonal stories and 7 days of recipes. Every day you enter gives you a chance at winning. So, as the Christmas holidays are waning, if you're trying to procrastinate taking down the tree, spend some time with the Chicks. The winner will receive a prize from each of the 7 Chicks contributing. Good luck. Anita.

Prairie Chicks Write Romance is having a Christmas Contest! On Jan 1st, the Prairie Chicks will celebrate their one year of blogging anniversary and we'd like to thank our readers by holding a contest. Visit  Prairie Chicks Write Romance any time between Dec 20 - Jan 2nd and leave a comment. The more you visit and comment, the more chances you have to win. For the prize, each of the 7 regular Chicks will send the winner an appreciation gift. Don't forget to leave your email address using (dot) and (at) so the web spammers don't get it. For a special treat, all this week the Chicks will be posting seasonal stories followed by seasonal recipes next week. Here's a photo of my stocking. My mom made it from felt approx 50 yrs ago and I used it regularly until 2008. I now display it to preserve it.

Kate Bridges, a Harlequin Historical author and winner of numerous awards, is guest blogging at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today . She usually uses Alaska or the Yukon for her settings. Kate is also a screenwriter and her post shows how this technique can enchance your novel writing. If you have time to go over and post a comment or question today, you may win a copy of Kate's upcoming November release - Alaskan Renegade . Kate's questions are: Have you ever tried screenwriting? Do you prefer seeing a movie or novel open chronologically in time, or does it matter? Here's a blurb on Alaskan Renegade : When the Skagway town nurse, Victoria Windhaven, sets off on a dangerous medical journey across the Alaskan wilderness, she’s forced to ride with a man from her past - bodyguard Brant MacQuaid. Five years ago in St. Louis, Brant left her sister standing at the altar and Victoria has never forgiven him. They’re accompanied on the trip by a young medical student who has a crus...

What? I haven't blogged for a week? Ah - it's because I've been working on Emma's story. I've also been sick with a sore throat and hacking cough. For a couple days there it felt like my head would split every time I coughed. Not conducive to quality writing. Now that it's too cold to work in the sunroom I've had t o move my cave into the renovated garage we've christened the rec centre. Here's a photo of my new cave in the back corner behind the furnace (on the right) but it's only temporary until we can get the carpet down. Then I'll move to the other side of the room and set up shop. I shut the furnace off at night and put it back on the next day. Because it's all one big room, it heats up in about 15 mins flat. But that's with the temps hovering around freezing. I suppose it'll take longer as the temp drops. Since today is Thursday, I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance. My post today is my agent appt in Denver...

It's finally here! Brenda Novak is at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today, April 30th and she's giving away a tote full of her books and a $25 gift certificate for her online auction to one lucky person who leaves a comment any time until midnight tonight. I'm sorry, but comments left here WILL NOT COUNT toward Brenda's giveaway. So, head on over to the Prairie Chicks blog and leave a comment where Brenda can see it/you. Tomorrow, on May 1st, Brenda Novak's month long auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research starts and this year it appears it may surpass expectations. The online auction is run like eBay and it's really simple to sign up for and receive a bidding number. Since Brenda Novak, the auction's creator, is a New York Times best selling author, a lot of the items have to do with books and writers. In fact, there are a couple hundred books up for grabs and all sorts of adventures like lunch with famous writers. There are also everyday items lik...