Back From The Dead And So Much Missed News

I am so sorry I was gone the entire week. So much personal craziness and sickness, I can't even begin to discuss it all. Needless to say, I missed ALOT and I am going to make up for it today. I hope that my fellow American followers had an amazing Independence Day. I had a blast. Yours truly got to cruise the highway in 2013 white Dodge Challenger. A real beauty and I let the ponies run on those straightaways let me tell you. Check it out!

During my absenteeism here in the blogosphere, my awesome friend Tina over at Life Is Good tapped me for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award. How cool is that? Thank you so much, Tina. It has been a great joy to reconnect with you this year. You are incredible and inspirational.

Let me pass this great gift onto some wonderful sister bloggers:

Gwen Gardner, brilliant YA author
Robyn Engel at Life By Chocolate, my sister friend and amazing poet
Deniz Bevan at The Girdle of Melian, gifted fantasy and romance writer
PK Hrezo, wonderful writer and friend
Ella at Ella's Edge, friend and incredible positive energy force
KC Kendricks at Between the Keys magnificent writer, friend and fellow car lover
MJ Fifield at My Pet Blog epic writer, sports fan and fellow Whedonite
Susan Gourley Kelly at Susan Says super writer, friend and teacher
Mencara Mitchell, new friend and fierce writer

As if that were not incredible news enough, my amazing friend and cheerleader, Mina over at Some Dark Romantic also tapped me for an award, the Inspirational Liebster. Thank you so much Mina, sorry I am so late getting to this. Stop by her blog and say hello, she's a helluva woman and I adore her.  I'll have to do a proper post later as I want to do a proper acceptance.

Hanging my head in shame, I also missed the Insecure Writers Support Group. Sorry, Captain Ninja Alex and my fellow IWSG'ers. Here's an abbreviated post for that. Please check out my fellow members here.

As a writer, while it is important to kill our darlings, cut unnecessary words, scenes, dialogue, etc., it is also important to remain true to our stories and ourselves as authors. Never let anyone alter your voice or that of your characters. Edits should enhance a story, make it better, not change the course of your story, alter your characters to any great degree or change your voice as an author. It's important for first time published authors to know that a good editor makes your story better, he or she does not review your work or try to make huge changes. And never be afraid to ask for an explanation. It is your story.

Speaking of missing. I also missed the Blog Blitz for Brandon Ax at Writer's Storm. Go say hi.

If you love a horror, you should also check out the incredible super post by Craig Edwards of Let's Get Out of Here and Maynard Morrissey of Horror Movie Diary on  the horror classics I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know Know What You Did Last Summer. These guys are terrific.

On the subject of terrific, the supercool Jeffrey Beesler drops by on Thursday to tell us all about Optical Osmosis, his incredible new story.

So what has been going on with everyone? I feel like I've been out a million years.

It's Friday!!!!

I am so psyched, my peeps. I just received news that Nathan's Angel is the #5 bestseller for October at Amber Allure. Drinks all around!!! Who cares if it's not 5 o'clock yet? It's so completely freakin' awesome to have my story and the word bestseller together in perfect harmony. What's that Lionel Richie song? "Oh what a feeling, when we're dancing on the ceiling..." I am so blown away and considering the story has only been out for 2 weeks? Wowzers! Thank you all so very, very much for the support. You rock!!

On to some more awesomeness, my You Should Know Friday. Today, I want to spotlight a wonderful blogger friend that I just adore, Ella from Ella's Edge . I just love her. Ella is a poet, an artist and all around creative genius. She always has the most interesting posts and opens up your mind with her unique blend of art and writing. She always leaves upbeat, quirky comments that make me smile and give me a lift when I really need it. Visiting Ella's site is like going to a favorite place and giving your spirit a lift. You should all get to know her.

See the Movember button at the top of my side bar? Jamie aka Mithril Wisdom is growing a stache for a good cause. He's helping to raise funds to fight prostate cancer. So click on there and check it out. Go Jamie and go Jamie's 'stache!

Well, that's it for today. A short sweet post to see you all into the weekend. Do you all have big plans? I want to try and hit the theater since this is I did not get there last weekend, either. Harold and Kumar are back, Yay!! Those two crack me the hell up. I'm also having dinner with friends and of course, there's the Bears-Lions game. Yes, I am a football junkie. I even play fantasy football. I can see the eye rolls and sad head shakes out there. :) I wish you all a stellar weekend.