Guess what?

I started book 4! I know that this will make my test readers that have been patiently waiting for it very happy. I did not write much, just 2 paragraphs, but it is a start.

1 month tomorrow. And pictures, pictures, pictures!

Since Fated came out 1 month ago tomorrow, I have already had 1 book signing, an article in the paper, and a possible radio interview, I thought that it was time to get some pictures taken that I can use for publicity and events. What an adventure (as my friends on Facebook can attest to)!

I had my husband take some nice pictures, that turned out well. Since neither he nor I are professional photographers, though, we didn't realize that the background was too dark, and my dark hair and dark shirt blended too much for me to crop myself out of the pictures without looking like I cropped myself out of the pictures. So, we re-shot them against a lighter background, with several different outfits, and I got some more good shots. I wasn't, however, able to duplicate my favorite pose from the first batch.

I spent some time tonight trying to work with that original picture that I liked from the first batch to see if I could get myself out of it and onto a lighter background. I do believe that I have succeeded! But, that leaves me with several very good images to choose from. I have put them on my Facebook and asked for opinions. I plan on using the ones that are the most popular with my friends. I really appreciate all of those that helped me to choose.

As for Fated, I keep spreading word about it, and it seems to keep generating interest in whomever I speak to about it. I hope that means that in another month it has grown even more in popularity with the word of mouth from myself, my test readers, and those of the public that have read it. Don't forget that Guardian is due to be released in February!

Another small taste of Fated. Enjoy!

            He went into the house and promptly made his way to the living room, where he went straight over to the T.V. and turned off the power.

            “Hey! I was watching that!” Brody yelled.

            “Well, you can go back to watching it when your homework is done.”  Kellen said, as he dumped his armful of wood into the holder by the fireplace. “You know that Mom will be upset if you don’t have that done by the time that she gets home.”

            Brody couldn’t argue with that, because he did know that their mother would be upset. However, he didn’t give in easily. He hadn’t liked the bossiness in Kellen’s tone.

            “But this is my favorite show.” He tried again.

            The look on Kellen’s face assured Brody of what was coming next. “And it will still be your favorite show when you catch it in reruns,” was all that Kellen said.

            “Sometimes, Kellen, you can be such a pain in the as--”

            “Don’t say it! I wouldn’t want to have to tell Mom that I heard you cussing.” Kellen interrupted.

            Since both of them took great pains not to upset their mother, Brody finished his sentence with a quick, “asp!”  The brothers looked at each other for a second and then burst into laughter.

            “Dude, that doesn’t make any sense,” Kellen said, shaking his head.

            “I know, but I had to finish it somehow.” Brody answered with a smile, before sitting down at the table to start on his homework.

            Kellen shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the hook just inside the door.  He sat down at the bench by the door and took off his boots. Then he washed his hands and made his way over to the freezer to figure out something to make for supper. He knew that his mother would most likely eat at the diner, so he would have to scrounge up something for him and his brother.  He found some hamburger, threw it in the microwave to defrost, then headed over to the cupboard. He checked it out, and found what he was looking for.

            “Skillet meal boxed dinner…just add hamburger to the cheese and macaroni. You interested bro?”  He turned to ask Brody. Since they both knew that skillet meals pretty much pushed the limit of Kellen’s cooking ability, Brody just wrinkled his nose.

            “Do I have a choice? I swear, Kellen, you could burn water!”

            Kellen chuckled, fully knowing the extent of his culinary skills, which left a lot to be desired; but then, Brody wasn’t any better.

Word is getting around. And Book 3 is on the move!

More and more people are finding out about Fated and are passing on how much they like it. If this keeps up, then I might actually have a following when Guardian is released. I am grateful to all of those that are helping to spread the good word about it. I can't thank you enough, especially my very loyal test readers. Let's continue to keep the word of mouth going!

Book 3 stalled for a time but has now begun to make the rounds of the test readers. Tonight it made it into the hands of another one. I can't wait to get more reaction from more test readers! Yay, test readers!

FYI

My book is available at Dover Public Library as well. So you can go there and check it out. I donated a copy to the Phila Library also, but I have not found it to be available in their system yet.

What an AWESOME night!!!!!

I had a great time tonight at my first meeting of the Writer's Guild! A group that I wish I would have known about sooner. I hope that my schedule permits me to go back again sometime. I really like the President, she is so nice. I met some other, equally nice, people there tonight as well. I hope to contact them about doing a book signing there sometime soon. They like the meetings to be education, informative, and fun. I certainly had fun tonight.

I talked to a lady about possibly going on a radio show. ME!? On a radio show!!???? I think that I have now entered The Twilight Zone. This is so far from where I ever saw myself going in my life! I am so blessed! I am just going to buckle my seat belt and hold on for this ride, because I can never tell where it is going to take me! LOL. Now I just need to get those pictures done that take off a couple of chins . . .

Things I learned at my book signing

It was an awesome night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a small, but intimate, group. It was made up mostly of my loyal test readers. Some things I learned from my test readers are . . .

1. I use it and because WAY too often in my books. I will have to watch that with the last 4 books. LOL. I told them that this might delay the writing process, though, so that I can search for alternatives. Their reply was that they would live with the it's and because's then. LOL. I thought you might say that!
2. That my test readers who have only read as far as book 2 are really anxious to read book 3, so I might have to get another copy printed out to get that moving through the test readers.
3. That the test readers that have read up to book 3 are really anxious for me to start book 4. LOL. We'll see what we can do about that at semester break.

There go my nerves!

As my first book signing and discussion get closer (Tomorrow! ACK!), I find that I also get more nervous. I know that this is normal, especially with someone who has done very little public speaking, like myself. I am going to type out my notes tonight because I know that if I don't, my brain will freeze tomorrow night and the only thing that my audience will hear are squeaks as I TRY to think of something, anything, to say. LOL. I most certainly don't want that! That is why it is safer for me to bring notes, at least then I can read them. Oh Gosh! What if I forget how to read?!LOL

I've been promoted!

http://www.tuscbargainhunter.com/article/20111010/NEWS/710109985?sectioncat=tbh


Here is the article promoting my book and book signing.

Book Signing Event!

http://www.doverlibrary.org/content/meet-author-addy-mason

Here is the link to my first book signing. I hope you all can come.

Happy (late) anniversary Fated! Also, baked goods!

Things have been so crazy for me this week because of my youngest being sick, scheduling my first interview, answering the questions for that, volunteering on my oldest son's field trip, school work, and a whole host of other things, that I didn't remember to post yesterday about it being the 1st anniversary of when I began writing Fated. Now look, it has now been released and I am doing my first book signing for it in a little less then 2 weeks! What a crazy turn my life has taken!

If you're local, my boss has graciously agreed to let me put a few books in one of her businesses, The Shops at the Olde House Inn. There is also an open house for a new bakery (Flat Top Bakery) that is going on there today from 9am-12pm! With samples! So check it out at 233 Fair Ave. I might see you there. I heard their pepperoni rolls are really good. Yum, can't wait to try them!

Here is a taste of Fated . . . enjoy!

He then showed her how to cast and they took their positions sitting on the bank of the pond, just holding the fishing poles. She wondered if this was really all that there was to it. If so, then she had been right to say that it wasn’t interesting. She thought that she actually might have more fun working in the simulated gardens trying to get a simulation to take off, which was something that she had never thought that she would enjoy at all. But, she supposed that if she looked at it from the standpoint of her being able to spend time with the one that she loved, in a peaceful setting, and get to see him doing something that he enjoyed. It wasn’t so bad after all.

            After they had sat there for a time she felt the pole in her hands jerk downward. It happened once, twice, then nothing. Kellen was on his knees beside her urging her to reel in her line. He figured that one of the fish had decided to take her worm without hooking itself and he wanted to check. Following his directions, she reeled it in and, sure enough, the worm was gone. Kellen handed her his pole to watch for him while he turned his back for some more bait.

            Nari just sat there and stared into the water, holding Kellen’s pole and waiting for him to get the bait put onto hers. All of a sudden, she caught a flicker of movement underneath the water. She didn’t really pay it any attention at first because she thought that it was likely the fish that had taken her bait coming back for seconds. It wasn’t until she realized that the movement almost looked as if it were waving that she paid closer attention. As she peered into the water, her whole body leapt in shock and she barely managed to hold back her gasp of shock. There, just below the water, clearly visible, was a small blonde haired water nymph waving hello at her. With her other hand she was holding Nari’s lost worm. She must have taken it off of Nari’s hook in order to get her attention.

            Nari took a swift glance at Kellen to be sure that he was still turned around. She figured that he was since the water nymph wouldn’t have shown herself if a mortal were able to see her.

Nari had forgotten that since there were no bodies of water on the higher vibration plane where the Immortals lived, only aqueducts that served as the Immortals only source of water that the water nymphs had been allowed to remain on the Earth. The condition to this was that they remain hidden from the humans. This had been accomplished by an enchantment that any human eye that beheld them would, instead, see something other than the nymph and that they would forever be unable to prove that they had seen anything. The last she had heard, any human that accidentally encountered a water nymph would believe that they were facing a monster.

She had heard of a case that had been going on for years where the enchantment caused the human to see the water nymph in the form of a dinosaur-like creature whenever she was unexpectedly seen. She had even been given a nick name by the humans of “Nessie” the Loch Ness monster. Even though she tried hard not to be seen, it did happen. To this day, it had still never been proven that “Nessie” really existed.

            Nari smiled and waved back at the water nymph and, fearing that Kellen would turn around any second, quickly waved her away. The water nymph smiled and then abruptly disappeared and Nari figured that Kellen must be turning back towards her.

I'm THRILLED!

I'm thrilled with the response that Fated has gotten so far. I really appreciate all the support from my family, and friends, both local and out- of- state. I hope that you all like it. I am fairly certain that you will, though, since I had such a diverse group of test readers and all did.

I'm also grateful to those who have posted the link to my book on their own facebook pages. You don't know how much that means to me! Thanks for helping me to spread the word!

I hope to see you all whenever I start my round of book signings. I will keep you posted as to when they will be.