IWSG

Well today is the first Wednesday of October already!  I can't believe it.  That means it is time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.

I don't want to be a big downer, but I have felt quite insecure these past few weeks...months.  I don't even really know why, other than it seems like my life just keeps getting crazier and crazier and I hardly have time to sleep let alone sit down to write something decent.

But sometimes I wonder what I bring.  Do I have anything unique to say that hasn't already been said by a million other writers?  I'm not sure. I'd like to use my love of writing for something good, to inspire or help others.  But how?  I feel like I don't know enough.

Yesterday, I was reading a book by Karen Armstrong about Buddha.  It said that every day on his search for enlightenment, he would sit and direct the feeling of love to every corner of the Earth, sowing the seeds of friendship to every single living thing, even his enemies.

I thought that was wonderful.  Maybe sending love and support is enough.  Maybe one comment I make can help someone's day be a little brighter.  And the IWSG is such a great way for all of us to send even just a little love and support all around the globe.  Thanks Alex for creating a platform for us to help each other!

So here is my little bit of love that I'm sending to all of you! (I'm closing my eyes and concentrating so I can get it to each and every one of you!)  I hope your week is full of good thoughts.

Have a great day!!!

Kathy :)

CassaStorm is out!

I wasn't creative enough to come up with a unique question for Alex, but I do want to say a few words of my own about him.  

Even though I've never met him in person, I feel like I've known Alex for years.  I first "met" him three years ago during the A-Z Challenge.  I was nervous about being a new blogger but Alex commented on every one of my posts about a minute after I had posted. It was so encouraging.  I felt like I was really part of something.  
I made it through my first A-Z excited about the possibilities of blogging, but I figured someone with as many followers as Alex wouldn't continue to read my posts after the challenge was finished.  I was wrong.  
Three years later he still comments on almost every post I write.  WOW!     

He continues to inspire many new and old bloggers with his comments,  frequent blogfests and IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group).  
Alex has a unique capacity to bring people together.  

Thanks Alex for all that you do for us!  I hope the launch of the third book in the Cassa series is a huge success!!

Kathy :)

Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” 
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002

Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

Book Trailer html -

IWSG

It's time for the IWSG again!  Share your joys, insecurities, and accomplishments as a writer.  If you'd like to join us, head on over to Alex Cavanaugh's blog to sign up.  Then go visit as many other people on the list as you can and leave a comment; your encouraging words might help them achieve their next goal.  

This month, I'm reflecting on my growth over this past year as a writer.  

Last year I decided to put my other projects on hold and write a YA fantasy novel.  I'd never attempted writing something so big before and I wasn't sure I could actually finish it.  Most of my previous writing had focused on picture books or magazine articles.  

The first thing I had to do was commit to a regular writing time.  I decided the best time was before the kids wake up in the morning, when it's still quiet and I'm most refreshed.  If I get up at 5:30, I can squeeze in about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  I don't make it that early all the time but at least I get some writing in everyday before the craziness begins.

The second step was to read more in my chosen genre.  I realized I hadn't read a YA fantasy in a long time.  So I made many trips to the library and I grabbed all the books I could find (and actually read them).                 

Then I just wrote, even if what I was writing I didn't like. I kept writing.  Some days I felt like I was dragging myself and my characters through a swamp of literary garbage.  But I kept writing.  And finally, I got to the end!    

Now I'm on to editing; attempting to wash away the muddy language and webs of unnecessary adverbs that crept in like spiders.  I'm adding new scenes and taking out pointless ones.  I added a prologue then I decided to begin the story in an entirely different place so I'm working on a new chapter 1.  I feel good about all of these changes and I can see the story becoming what I want it to be.     

Maybe it won't ever end up on anyone else's shelf or in their Kindle but I feel like I've come a long way.  And I want to thank all of you for supporting me on this great journey.  

Have a great week! And don't forget to check out all the other participants here. 

Kathy :)

Happy Halloween

First of all I hope all my East coast buddies are safe from Sandy's wrath.

On a happier note....I passed my skating test!!!  I was exhausted after my third element but somehow I was able to pull off the last 3!  Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to go for it (especially my wonderful kids and husband!)  I have just one more to go now.  :)

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Now on to the Scare Fest, hosted by Budd at Sci-Fi Media.  I saw this last minute over at Ninja Captain Alex's blog and thought I would join in on the spooky fun.  The object is to talk about a scary book, scary movie, scary story or make up your own scary story in honor of Halloween.

Watching a scary movie is never my desire, I've only watched them because someone else really wanted me to see them.  The images they create stick with me and creep me out for weeks!  That being said I have seen  a number of spooky films.  I think the one that stuck with me the longest was The Shining.  Creepy images continued to flash before my closed eyes for a long time after seeing that one!

In books Edgar Allan Poe stories always creeped me out.  I still remember one where a guy had put someone in a brick wall.

In real life, one night my mom and I were driving back home really late from a skating practice.  A fog blanketed the road.  All of a sudden a patch of the fog swirled up and took on the form of a person.  It seemed to pass our car and look at us.  It was there only for a second, but my mom and I both looked at each other, like "did you see that?"  I think she sped home the rest of the way.          

Yikes now that I've thoroughly freaked myself out in my dark house by thinking of all this Halloween spookiness I better stop and turn on some happy show tunes or something!

Have a Happy Halloween!

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I also wanted to congratulate the lovely Talli Roland who was interviewed on British TV Tuesday.  Yay Talli!  Hope it airs soon.  Stop by her blog and give her some love.


Kathy :)