Hurry over to PJ's Blog. Critter is going someplace new!

PJ's blog is calling for all those who would like Critter to come visit them. Go see PJ and leave her a comment for a chance for Critter to come visit you! Critter has all sorts of great offers so far. People want to take him to Castles, Space Needles, Mylie Cyris concerts, airplane rides, woodland hikes, and costco! This is one luck critter!

Don't forget to check out critters creator and artistic genius extrodinaire, Ian Sands.

Critter Update and some great reading

Critter is having some great fun in Texas. He even got to cozy up next to a copy of Catching Fire before I did. Check out PJ Hoover's blog to see what Critter is up to. Also, it looks like Critter will start looking for a new place to visit this Wednesday, so be sure to visit PJ's blog for a chance to have Critter come visit you.

Please take note that on my side bar I'm going to follow Critter's blog locations as he travels.

I was so jealous of Critter and his elbow rubbings with Catching Fire, that I had to go out and get my own copy. And let me tell you, it's a fabulous sequal to The Hunger Games. If you haven't read it yet, you should.

I've been on a great reading kick. Some other good book's I've read are:
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
~ it's a charming book and way better than the movie

Dreadlocks by Neal Shusterman
~ a dark fusion of Goldie Locks and the 3 bears and Greek Mythology. Sounds strange? yes. But Neal makes it work. A very clever and enjoyable read. Also a short, easy read.

When You Reach me by Rebecca Stead
This is a sci-fi book, but it doesn't feel like it until the end. I think this time-travel book, in the tradition of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle, will touch lovers of all genre's, not just sci-fi fans. This is also a short and easy read.

Currently, I'm reading Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey, the sequel to Skin Hunger. I just started it today. It's a thick book, and may take me longer to read, but I'm already hooked!

Hope you had a great Labor Day! Happy Reading!

Critter's first visit in Blogland will be with . . . . .

Critter is very excited. He's packed his bag and is ready for his Blogland adventure.

All the entries are in my handy-dandy tupperware bowl of winningness and Critter is about to milk his pants from the the excitement. (If you haven't noticed, this critter is part cow.)

And the first person Critter will come to visit is . . . . .

PJ HOOVER!!!!

YaY PJ! Critter will be able to enjoy Texas w/o the fear of too much perspiration. :0)

But don't worry folks. There are 14 more places that Critter will get to visit, so you still have 14 more chances to win a visit by following him on his journey I will post links to the places that Critter is going so you'll be able to have another chance on the other blogs. PJ's blog is PJhoover.blogspot.com. Check out her blog and watch for Critter to show up! :0)

Critter's Adventure in Blogland starts with YOU!

OK. It's time to unleash my desire to bring interactive art to Blogland. I have acquired one of Ian Sands famous Critters and the Critter is ready to go on his Blogland adventure. This is how it will work. I must add that this lightweight foam Critter is an actual piece of art. It is a miniature version of what you might see at Ian's exhibits or on his Etsy shop

1) Those who want to participate can leave a comment in the comments section to have a chance to have Critter come to visit you. You may also increase your number of entries by following my blog, mentioning this contest on your blog, twitter, Facebook or any other social networking place. You may also gain another entry by commenting about the kind of adventure that Critter may have if he comes to visit you.

2) This Wed. I will draw the name of the lucky person who gets to have Critter come for a visit. I will get your mailing address from you and will send Critter to your house.

3) When you get Critter in the mail, write your name and City location.




4) Now you get to Send Critter someplace else. Host a contest for Critter on your blog and then send Critter to the winner from your blog. (the critter is made of a light weight foam board, so it should not be too expensive to mail.)

5) I will track Critter's location so we can see where he has been and where he will be going.


There are 16 name spaces on Critter. My name is on the #1 spot. So, Critter gets to go to 15 other places. The last person will send Critter back to me. This is a trial run. If people like it, maybe we can do it again some other time.

So. Are you in? Please make sure that you are willing to keep Critter going on his adventure if you sign up for this. If you don't follow through, you'll break Critter's heart (and ruin the fun for the rest of us.)

On your mark, get set . . . . leave a comment! Be sure to tell me in the comments if you mention this contest anywhere else so that I can put and extra entry in the bowl for each extra thing that you do.

The Lost Critter Project

photo borrowed from the Ian's Blog

If you're in Downtown Apex NC this week, you can hunt for critters made by artist, Ian Sands and his crew of High school Students. Yes, this art teach actually inspires kids to volunteer for projects over the summer. (you can read the article by clicking here.)

They made 500 foam board critters, each hidden around town and carrying instructions regarding which Downtown business the critter should be returned. When returned, the founder is rewarded with a sucker, a kit-kat or various other treats. This is an interactive public art project intended to promote local business.

Isn't that the most creative and fun thing you've ever heard of?!?

Anyway, since Ian is a friend and Critique buddy of mine, I have an idea to bring this interactive art to our blogs. I have to work out the details, but keep your eyes peeled. I'm thinking of calling it "Critter Around the World" or "Critter's Adventure in Blogland" or something like that. (much akin to a Flat Stanley kind of thing) I would need you blog owners to participate, or it wouldn't be any good.

Details to come. . . .

Random title and plot generators

OK, here's a couple things for fun. Who knows, you might even get something good out of it.

First is the random title generator. When I tried it there were some rediculous titles (obviously) but there were actually a few that I liked too. One was "Waves in the Ashes" If you go to the link, let me know what good titles came up for you.

Here's the link to the Random Title Generator

The random plot generator is hillarious. I'd be surprised if you get a really good idea out of this one, but who knows, perhaps this could be good for a creative writing exercise or just something to get your creative juices flowing.

Here's the link to the Random Plot Generator

Enjoy! :0)

A peek into an editor's day

Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. But you know how things get sometimes. Busy, busy, busy. The kids are back in school, which means I'm actually able to be more productive which means less computer/blogging time.

However, I came across a great blog that is maintained by seven Children's book professionals. The latest post is about what goes on in a editor's day. Don't we all wonder why it take so long for them to get back to us? Don't we wonder why a submission or a query must be perfect and why it must stand out from all the other submissions? Read this and you'll understand much better. Wow! I got tired just reading it.

http://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com/2009/08/day-in-life-of-editor.html

I've also added this blog to my side bar. FYI :0)

Have a great day!