Interview with a 5 year old Diva

Interview with a 5 year old Diva

This was fun. I grabbed this from Nice Mommy-Evil Editor's Blog (a great new find). Ask your kid the questions and write them down exactly how they respond.

1. What is something mommy/daddy always says to you?

Mom: No, but just sometimes

Dad: Good job (the dad's always get the credit :)

2. What makes mommy/daddy happy?

Mom: Me, when i listen to you

Dad: you (ahhhhhhh!)

3. What makes mommy/daddy sad?

Mom: when Gray hits you (my 18 month is going through a stage. hitting and everything is mine, no or stop

Dad: when Connor passed away (my hubby's dog dies last April :(

4. How do mommy/daddy do to make you laugh?

Mom: when you make your eyes big at me

Dad: when he tickles me

5. What were mommy/daddy like when they were little?

Mom: funny, but you still are.

Dad: a boy

6. How old are your mommy/daddy?

Mom: 37 (she gave a year back - thx honey :)

Dad: same as you. what are you again?

7. How tall are your mommy/daddy?

Mom: taller than me

Dad: taller than everyone!

8. What is your favorite thing to do?

cartwheels and running

9. What do mommy/daddy do when you’re not around?

Mom: work on computer

Dad: play with Gray (again, dad's get all the credit)

10. If mommy/daddy become famous, what will it be for?

Mom: skating (I have no idea where this came from. Scary!)

Dad: singing (Trust me, there is NO chance of this!)

11. What are mommy/daddy really good at?

Mom: scaring us and yelling when you're mad (so what - I am a scary yeller??)

Dad: chasing us

12. What are mommy/daddy not very good at?

Mom: cooking pizzas (she's right except I'm not good at cooking ANYTHING)

Dad: hiding

13. What do mommy/daddy do for their jobs?

Mom: type

Dad: go to work and bring home the bacon (you can see who's daughter she is :)

14. What is mommy/daddy’s favorite food?

Mom: salad (yeah right, I wish!)

Dad: what you made last night (I think it was burnt - I mean- baked potatoes??)

15. What makes you proud of mommy/daddy?

Mom: when you play the game where you place your face through the card. You are really good at that game. (she's talking about the new game - what am i? it's fun!)

Dad: he fixes things

16. If mommy/daddy were a cartoon character, what would they be?

Mom; Cinderella

Dad: Kung Fu Panda (my hubby is so smiling right now)

17. What do you do with mommy/daddy?

Mom: play games

Dad: i ride my bicycle and my daddy walks next to me

18. How are you and mommy/daddy the same?

Mom: we have long hair

Dad: we have same color hair (huh?)

19. How are you and mommy/daddy different?

Mom: our voice doesn't sound the same

Dad: he has short hair and I don't

20. How do you know mommy/daddy love you?

Mom: cuz you hug me - all the time (hopefully this makes up for my skill at yelling ;)

Dad: he tells you

22. Where is mommy’s/daddy's favorite place to go?

Mom: to see Tito and Tata's house (this is my brother and his wife. I would say the bookstore or the beach)

Dad: the park

23. Who is your favorite person in the whole world?

Tata's new baby (my new niece - she's a week old...whom she's never met :)

24. What is one thing you would change about mommy/daddy?

Mom: make your hair short

Dad: make him a girl like me

25. What do you like about Gray?

That he's my little brother

26. What don't you like about Gray?

That he hits me (do you see a pattern?)

27. What do you want to be when you grow up?

a doctor for kids (YES!)

28. why do you think writers should market their books?

so people wil buy them (she really said this :) It was not a plant.

29. lastly, what are your favorite books?

yours (confession - i almost cried. too bad she's not an agent :)

DONT FORGET: Monday, we have Laini Taylor, author of Blackbringer :)

Day 4: EZ Web sites/One Word Only

Creating EZ Web Sites

Ok so lets dive into building a web site as your first step to an online presence. I personally think Godaddy is the easiest to use. As marketing person, if a small business comes to me with limited funds and wants to manage their own content but have someone set it up, I always go to Godaddy first. Some people may disagree, but this is my experience.

Godaddy now has a feature called WebSite Tonight. It provides templates for you to choose from - probably about 100. And it allows you to enter content in a window that is similar to blogger windows or Word. You can get a 5 page web site for under 20$ a month.

First let me say as a marketing business owner - I always think you can do greater things with a company like mine. But if you don't have the money - and web sites can cost anywhere from 1,000 - 6,000, Godaddy is a good place for you to start on your own. If you do want to invest, you can call me - I offer 30% off to authors :) (shameless plug huh?)

First Steps:

1) Buy your author domain. I suggest your name unless you have a huge series like Stepahnie Meyer . Even then I would suggest a name domain and a series domain. For example: Since I am doing a knitting mystery I may use shellijohannes.com as y author but since my knitting series is called "Knit me baby one more time" I may also get Knitme.com. You can search and buy your domains right on Godaddy.

2) Hosting and a web site tonight feature - Go daddy will host your web site for you. ON the web site tonight account - you will need to choose from 5 pages, 20 pages or unlimited. I would do unlimited just because it is only a few dollars more a month and you will have no constraints as to your page numbers.

3) Take the tutorials Godaddy offers to learn the basics. They also have a Help line that is very good. They have great customer service and will help you over the phone. You will feel better about playing around if you do this.

4) Choose your design template - you can look through each one and see how it is structured. This is where a graphic designer can come in handy - because they can manipulate the files to be more "you specific". The templates are pretty constraining in color, buttons, look, etc.

5) Main topics to cover include: Do not have more than 6 or 7 main pages - menu items. Home, Books (you can separate into mg/ya and PB if you do both), Author Bio, Blog (and link to your blog), Resources, Other pages could include - Events/Media Kit/Ect - whatever you need now. If you are pre-published - I would link to your favorite authors/resources

4) Don't be afraid to mess up. You can always fix it. After any change - you don't have to publish it to the web. Just preview it. Work in preview mode until you feel good enough to launch your site.

===========================

One Word Only

This will be hard for us MG/YA authors but give it a try.:) USING ONLY ONE WORD. Not as easy as you might think!

• Where is your cell phone? Purse
• Describe your significant other? Amazing
• Hair color? Brown
• Your mother? Giving
• Your father? A. Funny
• Your favorite thing? Family
• Your dream last night? Driving
• Your favorite drink? Martini
• Your dream/goal? Published
• What room are you in? Office
• Your hobby? Reading
• Your fear? Failure
• Where do want to be in 6 Yrs? Healthy
• Where were you last night? Home
• Something that you aren't? Patient
• Muffins Flavor? Blueberry
• Wish list item? Computer
• What are you wearing? Jeans
• Your pets? Dog
• Friends? Blessing
• Your life? Content
• Your mood? Persistent
• Missing someone? Beth
• Drinking? A. Coffee
• Something you're not wearing? Jewelry
• Your favorite store? Target
• Your favorite color? Green
• When is the last time you cried? Rejection
• Favorite place to eat? Mexican
• Favorite place to be at right now? Beach

Pass it On - tagged and awarded

Marketing Tip-Blogcasting
Try blogcasting - You can go to Blog Talk Radio and start your own radio show! Just sign up and dial in…the site does the rest. No special speakers, microphones or software needed. All you need of course is your cell phone.


Pass it On

I got tagged

The rules are as follows: link to the person who gave you the award; write down six things that make you happy; post the rules; tag six others and let them know you have done it; tell the person who tagged you when your entry is up.

First - I was tagged by Chandler Craig last week. So I owe her. Here goes:

1) My kids. Kinda cliched and on some days - I might cross them off this list :) But they make me smile and make me light. I tend to get intense so they lighten me up. My little girl because she makes me enjoy little things. She says she wants to be a bug scientist (my hubby trys to get her to say Entomologist. She makes me stop to study ants , ladybugs, earthworms, cicadas, spiders you name it (BTW I hate bugs). My little boy because he just makes me laugh. He is the silliest little guy. Typical Taurus - loves to be on stage and entertain. They both make me want to be a better person and Mom. I love my kids. Kinda wish I could have more but I've been cut-off. (Wait, can hubby's do that? Mine did :)

2) Writing - Well I have to say this one right? Especially if a potential agent or editor are lurking. Seriously, if someone told me today that I would NEVER get published, I would still write my heart out. (I'd just be pissy doing it :). My brain is way to intense to keep all my crazy thoughts jammed in there. An ex-boy used to say my brain scared him. He said it was like the Grand Canyon. (Stay with me) Beautiful, deep, scary and a mystery all at the same time. Something you want to look at it but while you standing on the edge - you are afraid you will fall in. Ha I used to think that was hilarious :) Writing is like cleaning out my closet. You always find something new, unexpected, scary, gross, and amazing. I love it and even when I say I'm taking a day off - I still find myself blogging or writing notes about my writing.

3) Breathing (this is an important one). I've learned to appreciate my body after this ear thing. I don't take care of it enough. Something I am trying to be better about. When you see how intricate everything is and how it all runs together, it makes you think before you put cheese dip or MMs in your mouth. (oops). Yoga here i come!

4) Getting a mani/pedi done! This just makes me feel like myself again. After doing the mommy thing all week, trying to get in some work, take care of house and bills. To get my cheap little mani/pedi for 30$ at Angel Nails makes me smile.

5) My bed and pillows - I love to sleep. Hate to wake up. I don't mind BEING awake, I just hate WAKING up. My mind is creative even when I am sleeping. I have some crazy dreams - sometimes I even figure out plots in my dream. (Sad huh?) BTW, did you know if we don't sleep, we can go crazy! It hormonally changes your emotions. Here's an interesting article

6) So many thing make me happy. I'll add in peace, puppies, flowers, kids, hubby, butterflies, owls, stars, cardinals, the moon, fairies, my dog(s), my family, friends, being silly, skipping. Just to name a few more.

I'm tagging:

Holly Cupala - Brimstone soup
Robin Mellom (one of the Disco Mermaids - check out her new blog!)
Lisa Nowak (the Tao of Webfoot
Corey Schwartz - Thing 1 and Thing 2
Kate and Sarah Francis - PlotThis
Jill Wheeler


Fabulous Blog AWard

Blog Award

Lindsey Leavitt awarded me a Blog Award yesterday.
Here are the rules to receiving this award:You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post.You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

1) Cheese Dip & Peanut MMs - Is this 1 or 2? Any cheese dip really. But my favorite is Las Paz 6-cheese dip (My sincere condolences to those of you who don't have one in your town. The chocolate (Peanut MMs) are a must-have when writing intense scene. Sincere apologies to my body. It's my only vice!

2) Writing with coffee- Is this 1 or 2? (I'd be weird if I didn't say writing right?) Let me be more specific drinking Harrod's Christmas Coffee with hazelnut cream. OR should I say cream with a little coffee). Unfortunately I only get Harrod's from my hubby's parents when they ship it from the UK at Christmas. :( So Harrod's if you by chance are an avid reader, plug plug, got any samples you'd like to send?

3) My Target Shoe/Slippers. Suede slippers you can wear as shoes that are lined with something soft. Oh yeah they still look like slippers but they have tread. Comfy for running kids to school, getting gas, being in backyard, waking up in morning, walking on hard wood floors (socks are too slippery). Also cool b/c they LOOK like Ughs but are only 19.99$. I actually have a pink pair of Ughs but they are not as comfy - go figure. Gotta go - I hear "what not to wear" calling. Heck - Ill take the 5 grand any day. (but do I have to give up my slippers?

4) My hubby's white Hanes t-shirts - I love to sleep in these (Sorry honey). I mean if Victoria secret would make a sexy top and bottom using Hanes cotton. I'd be all on it!!! Until then, its the T. Not only is the cotton softer than others, it's the perfect thickness. Not to shear but not too heavy. My hubby has broken them in perfectly. Plus they kinda smell like him :) Hanes is you are listening - Ill take a lifetime supply.

5) Hubby's Crinkles. Don't know why but I love the crinkles around my hubby's eyes. Maybe because I know they have a story. He is a happy person - me? I kinda swing from happy to sad to frustrated to quiet to intense and back again - all within about a minute. He is usually just happy. Positive. His laugh lines are always there. And I love them :)

So here are 5 my awards: (I dont know if they will have time to respond though, they may be blogging :)

Elizabeth Dulemba

Laini Taylor

Nathan Bransford

Shrinking Violet Promotions

Christy Raedeke

ahhhh a glimpse into my terrifying brain :)

Somebody Stop Me, I'm Smokin' :)

5 Marketing Tips For Bloggers

1. Post regularly. If it’s a news oriented blog, 3-5 times per day. If it’s an authoritative blog, 3-5 times per week, but each post must be unique and high value.
2. Use social networking services, forums and discussion threads to connect with other bloggers. If they like your stuff, they will link to you.
3. Request feedback or reviews of your blog in relevant forums, discussion threads. If you have a resourceful post that will help others, point to it.
4. Build out your online networks through services such as MyBlogLog, Twitter and Facebook and leverage them to promote particularly useful content on your blog.
5. Always respond to comments on your blog and when you detect a mention of your blog on another blog, thank that blogger in the comments of the post.

Somebody Stop Me, I'm Smokin' :)

• Please come see my interview over at Chandler Craig fabulous blog, Fumbling with Fiction.

• Also I got my first blog award from the wonderful Lindsey Leavitt at I Blog Therefore I Am.

(sniff sniff)

So since I definitely I am not up for an Oscar this year, here I go....

I'd think to thank Lindsey for the award and let her know that if I had not met her and hung out this past Oct - I may not have pushed forward with my writing. She inspired me to get back on my blog and have hope that moms like me can be published authors. Thanks Lindsey, this story is really true - I am not just saying it because you gave me an award (BTW - you owe me some change on that bribe - I mean donation - I sent you. :)

I'd like to thank the 3 people who follow me :) Or at least admit to. Sometimes it's hard admitting to total insanity but you 3 people aren't afraid to stick your necks out for what you believe in. This award is for you (Oh sorry - you cant have it - but you can admire it :) If others are thinking of joining, I'll try and tap into your ego...your competitive nature...and say something I know most of you cannot refuse. I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! (can you see why I write for kids - oi!)

Id like to thank my first boyfriend for making me so crazy and codependent (we'll call him anonymous but he knows who he is....My IP address #%&$*^$#% ) . If it was not for him, I wouldn't have quit my first job making 25,000 a year, left Atlanta, moved to Auburn and pay 20,000 a year for out of state tuition to study MARKETING. Without your spell, I would not have had to knowledge to start this blog.

Id like to thank my hubby and my mom for being my first readers in the beginning and for the countless other things you do for me on a daily basis. (fist bumps to you! and a woot woot!)

I'd like to thank all 1,000 visitors I've had just since Nov. I would list all your IP addresses (since that is how I know - "oh its IPXXXXX from UK again! great!" I am sure you found me by accident but at least 1/2 of you come back regularly :) If you told me who you were - I'd visit you too but I can't so I won't. *SIGH* (unless you add a comment and stop lurking/blog stalking me ;)

I'd like to thank Brad Pitt for....oh sorry Brad, I forgot I promised not to tell anyone about THAT night - my apologies. (Hey do any of you think this will drive up my blog hits from Google?. He is most Googled person right now. Hmmmm I'll let you know if it worked.)

I'd like to thank in advance all the fabulous agents, authors, editors that have been gracious enough to do my new marketing interviews. I have had a great response and am already booked through Spring. I may have to start it 2 times a week - Somebody Stop Me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with a peon like me :) (and I am not brown-nosing....OK I am but I'm sure you all know you are too fabulous to need it - oops there I go again)

I would like to thank Jessica DeHart (and my critique group) for always helping me believe in my passion and future as a writer. Without her, I may not be still pushing forward through this very difficult, ego-busting, tearful, hopeful, joyous, frustrating, passionate, friend-making, and rewarding process called Writing. She also has a great heart so here's a plug for her charity work, A Brilliant Life - check it out. She is always looking for donations :)

So if I had a theme song for the day or my life was a musical.....this would be my song. Enjoy!

Broken Resolutions and Revolving Excuses

Note: I will start Marketing tips again after the first of the year. I'm on vacation! :)

Every year, I make a list of New Year's Resolutions.

Resolutions I plan on keeping.

Resolutions I usually end up breaking (within the first 30-60 days.)

This year, I decided to make a list of all the resolutions I've broken in the past just to own up. Of course, these will all roll-over automatically.

1. Loose the rest (10 lbs) of my "baby weight" (I don't care what anyone says. It's baby weight at least until your little one is 13. Mine is 18 months so I have some time)

2. Stop eating Peanut MMs (What can I say, I'm nuts for them)

3. Work out more. (Should not be too hard. I figure - 1 is more than 0)

4. Get an Agent and get published. (I'm trying! Guess there is no where to go but up, right?)

5. Make money (Unfortunately, kinda dependent on #4.)

6. Make more time for writing. (what can I say, I am a sucker for my kids, my hubby, my T.V., and reading. Ugh)

7. Go Green (Maybe the word is "Greener". I'm a light lime already but I'm aiming for more a darker shade - maybe evergreen.)

8. Make more friends. (Hopefully Blogger Buddies count?)

9. Saving Money (Impossible without #4 unless I stay out of bookstores and Target! )

10. Have more patience. (I'm getting impatient with this one.)

11. Keep in touch with Friends (Golly, I hope Facebook and Twitter count?)

12. Go to more Writers Conferences (Sigh! Again dependant on #4 and #5, all whilst ignoring #9)

13. Give back to other writers. (Does a Marketing blog count?)

More to Come.....

A Writers Wish List for the Holidays

What do writers want for the holidays?

I am here to give you the inside scoop:

• A new computer (one that is guaranteed not to crash, resistent to kids sticky fingers and spills, that weighs less than 5 lbs and folds up into a business card size.)
• Sharpies (Preferably red. Lots and lots of Red!)


• Reams and reams and reams of Recycled Paper. (If only paper would grow on trees. Oh yeah it does - crumbs!)


• More time - let me be more specific - more time for writing (not cleaning, watching TV, cooking, running errands, etc)


• Personalized, "we love you" rejection letters


• Offer of representation! (from an agent who can't live without me or my books!)


• A multi-book contract ( A 33 book deal would be ideal)


• Books! (Lots and lots of books)


• Ideas for YA books (please keep them commercial yet literary, balancing character-driven with plot-driven, with authentic character voice)


• Black Printer ink


• A sony reader or Kindle


• Money or a Money tree would be better (anything would help at this point)


• Optimism


• Cable Tv cancellation


• The ability to freeze time


• One of those cool, rare "agent mind-readers" (I think the Agent is sold seperately. But I would prefer the one that comes with a Agent.)


• A love-my-book potion designed specifically for Editors


• A glimpse into the future of publishing


• Fingers that run on auto-pilot


• Typing lessons


• A butt cushion (I need one that does 2 things: protects my butt from flattening AND is comfy)


• Hope - a life-time supply please


• Fat Free Peanut MMs (do they make those?


• Did I say Money?
• My own Personal muse


• A critique group that agents and publishes books


• Stop asking - "are you published yet?" (Trust me - I will tell you!)


• A secret hideaway office where kids are not allowed


• An introduction to Oprah or Ellen


• Free travel and hotel


• A brain hook-up to "everything you need to know in writing a book in a day"


• More blogger and Facebook friends


• To get published!

If anyone needs my address, please ask :)

Also, check out InkyGirls cartoons for Writers. They are Funny!

Who are you - Christmas Edition

Marketing Tip of The Day: Virtual School Visits

Try doing a Virtual School Visit/Signing. This is a creative way to reach a lot of kids, cut down on travel costs, and be cool. My friend and brilliant illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba blogged about her first Virtual School Visits on Dec 4. Not only does she tell you how it went but she tells you in detail how to make it happen. Check it out!

Who Are You? Christmas Edition

SPECIAL NOTE to all my friends of other beautiful traditions/religions: Please the special things at the holidays, so I can learn about your favorite time of year!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "getting to know your blogger friends".

Would love to see all your answers:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift Bags
2. Real tree or Artificial tree? Real!
3. When do you put up the tree? First weekend in Dec
4. When do you take the tree down? Before the 12 days after Christmas are over
5. Eggnog or Hot Cocoa? Hot Cocoa spiked with a little somethin' somethin'
6. Turkey or Ham? Turkey
7. Grinch or Charlie Brown? Grinch (prefer Jim Carrey's version now - hilarious)
8. Favorite gift received as a child? EZ Bake Oven or Holly Hobbie (am I showing my age yet?)
9. Christmas cards? I prefer to do Happy New Year cards. Easier after holiday rush.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Year without a Santa Claus (Mr Heat Miser and Mr Snow Miser)
11. Pumpkin or Pecan Pie? Pecan. OK ALL!
12. White lights or colored lights? tends to be white outside, colored in (don't ask me why)
13. Favorite tradition? The PJ Elf who rings the doorbell and drops off magic Xmas PJs to kids letting them know Santa is in the area and it is time for bed.
14. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay Home
16. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Materialism
17. Favorite ornament theme or color? my Laini Ladies Ornaments! Thanks Laini!
18. Eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? During the day about 4pm.
19. Spend it with your family or Inlaws? My family. Inlaws are in UK :(
20. What is Christmas about to you? Celebrating another blessed year with family and friends

Happy Holidays!