A Write Good Weekend

Okay, who doesn't have a good weekend when they don't have to attend school on Friday? Anyways, I got a lot done on my free day.
1. I got my first round of editing done on Just One of the Guys!
2. I went to a nice dinner with my family and some old friends.
3. I raided Barnes & Noble for some fresh reading material.

And Saturday was pretty great too! I went to a young writers' conference hosted at a local high school. It wasn't a huge, super organized event, but it was fun and it was nice. There were two local authors there who hosted the classes that the high school kids attended.

I learned a lot about writing warm-ups and rediscovered the key points to building a character. Dabbled in some poetry and some short, high-detail snippets. So I'm going to take some time and share the highlight activities with you.

Writing warm-up ideas:

1. Go through the classified ads. Look for cases where someone is posting an ad to find someone they met briefly. What details do they offer? Now try and create your own. How many unique details can you pinpoint to locate this person or item?
2. Read some thematic poetry. (We used a collection of muse poems.) What types of information and/or emotions are most common between each piece? Write your own and try to incorporate as many of those key elements as possible.
3. Divide your paper into two columns that run halfway down the page. Head one column: Famous People and the other Verb+ing Nouns. (Verb+ing Nouns are phrases such as: running with scissors, walking to a church, jousting with a samurai, etc.) Be as crazy and wacky as possible. Let nothing limit what you put in the lists. For example, Mickey Mouse counts as a famous person. Now, at the bottom of your page, start playing around with names and phrases. Write a paragraph or a short story using as many listed items as possible, or just focus on one person or action. What can you come up with?

Key points to character building:

1. Credibility. What makes your character reliable? What experiences have they had that make their actions believable? You can't have a rich guy from Boston show up in Texas and start talking in an authentic southern twang. Unless you have a really good reason for why. Maybe Mr. Boston got amnesia or was kidnapped at a young age. But remember, if you have to work too hard to justify something, then your reader isn't going to buy it- you've just lost your audience.
2. Purpose. Why is your character doing what he/she is? What drives them? Batman is a great example. Why does Bruce Wayne stalk the night as a superhero? Because his parents were murdered in a back alley robbery. He wants justice. In order to identify with a character, a reader must know what motivates the character. An air of mystery is fine- in the beginning. If a character's actions aren't justified, the reader will grow confused. If we didn't know why rich Mr. Wayne acted as Batman, we might put it down to playing god, arrogance, or boredom.
3. Complexity. What makes your character human? How is it possible to relate to your character? Superman and Harry Potter both work well here. Superman may not be a human, but he is human: there are times when he has to choose between his girl and the world. Harry Potter is the Chosen One, but he is still a typical teen: he has to go to school, deal with bullies, and has family issues. Mistakes and bad decisions are what make a character real. No one is absolutely perfect in real life- your character is no exception.

So what do you think? Try out some of the exercises and see what they do for you. Is your character credible, motivated, and complex?

Teen Seen Has Been Hijacked!

Everybody, duck and cover!

Gus has come down from Cynthia's Attic and taken over Teen Seen! And she's not leaving until people start reading! Go there now to find out what you can do to help the Quake authors regain their blog! Quick, Ms. Cunningham needs her character!

To get your own copy of Gus's first adventure, click here or go to Amazon.
To get a copy of Gus's most recent escapade, Curse of the Bayou, go to Quake or Amazon.

Please- we need your help!

Furry Friday

Thanks for visiting this most recent Furry Friday! This week features Alan's Maine coon cat, Artemis!

Age: 14 weeks

Gender: Female

Length: 8 inches, not including the tail- Artemis will keep growing until she is close to 5 years old!

Height: 6 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 2 lbs.

Origins: For Christmas, Alan was told that he could choose a kitten from one of the litters at the local animal shelter. As he walked by Artemis's enclosure, she reached out, snagged his jeans, and refused to let go. He has been hers ever since. Her name is a by-product of Alan being required to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology for his English class. Her coloring and attitude put him in mind of the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt.

Favorite Game(s): Artemis loves to wrestle and teeth on Alan. She is also fond of chasing the fish-shaped laser pointer he bought for her. Recently, Artemis has discovered her power of intimidation- and enjoys employing it against Tolkien whenever he comes for a visit. She is very proud of her canine mind-control powers.

More info: Artemis is an indoor-only cat, but whenever Alan is home they are attached at the hip. It often seems that Artemis is just a very small puppy the way she trails after her person. While she is suspicious of strangers, she will warm to them if they are patient and friendly to Alan.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Alan's fluffy companion. Next week, prepare to meet Matt's animal counter-part!

Algebra or Algeblah?

No, this is not a request for a spell-check. Those of you reading this are reading this at a time when I am either:
a. studying for my Algebra 2 test today,
b. taking the test while glaring at my calculator, or
c. recovering from the horrors of said test.

The Lolcat sez- I mean says- it all. Granted, Algebra is preferable to Geometry's painful proofs, but really. When am I ever going to need to know how to reduce a square root discriminate in a quadratic function while using imaginary numbers? See? It's a whole different language! And really, imaginary numbers? Hello- imaginary means that they don't exist- why do I need to know how to use them in equations? Humph! Math.... Sam agrees with me- Why does she need to know about quadratics, and parabolas, and imaginary numbers when all she wants to do is cook? Alex is of a different opinion- he loves solving numerical puzzles. The geek.

Not that I'm bitter or anything, because based on what I want to do (other than be a fabulously famous author) I might need to know that x is equal to negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a! All you math geeks out there should be able to follow- for those of you not yet in Algebra, it's the quadratic formula and it can be sung to "Pop Goes the Weasel." And then it gets stuck in your head... LOL

However, math does come in handy and quadratics are mostly fun-they actually make loops on the graph! Sorry, me and Sam are so ADD. Anyways, its only when you start tossing in weird stuff like the axis of symmetry and imaginary numbers that things start to get more annoying than alluring.

So have fun, study hard, and wish me luck on my test! And don't forget to come on over tomorrow and meet Alan's furry pal!

Who's Who Wednesday

Welcome to Triple W Numero 3! Get ready for the low-down on Alan Mackes!

Age: 15 1/2 (only 1 month younger than Sam)

Description: Alan has short, curly brown hair and slightly dorky wire-frame glasses. His height is right around equal to Sam's, slightly short for a boy, but not by much. Alan's standard street clothes are a regular t-shirt and a pair of almost-but-not-quite beat up jeans. His worn-out sneakers and Letterman's jacket complete the look.

Driving Status: Alan can drive, just not legally. He's been to lazy to take the permit test and catches a lot of grief for it.

Favorite Class(es): Woodshop and Band- where he practices his woodshop talents on the lockers, equipment, etc.

Instrument: Trumpet. He shares a band locker with Sam and her piccolo and flute. Although sharing may not be the best word... the locker makes a convenient 2nd closet...

After-School Activities: Marching band, marching band, and marching band repair. If marching season's over, then he's always helping the other school groups build things for various events. (Think stage sets, props, pep rally displays, etc.)

Hobbies: Alan is always building or fixing something- or planning how/when to fix something. When he isn't marching on the field, he's usually on the sidelines fixing the drum major's podium, the golf cart, the trailer, the sound system, whatever. Lego bricks have always been of a build-able and collectible interest to Alan. He is also a major sci-fi and fantasy nerd. Star Wars trivia and vampire fascination practically ooze from his pores.

Weekend Stuff: If Alan isn't busy with band or the rest of the crew, he's probably watching re-runs on the Sci-Fi channel. Or weird history shows on History Channel. Or Mythbusters on Discovery. Or... Well, the list is endless. Alan usally has some sort of mechanical project going on in the middle of the backyard or is assembling some weird little gadget on the dining room table... Hang on, Sam wants to say something- "Seriously. If Alan didn't know the rest of the gang, he'd never leave that house but for school and the hardware store! He's just techno-crazy. And to hear him go on about Darth Vader..."

Thank you, Sam for that errm- nice message. Check back next week to meet Matt and don't forget to stop by on Friday to meet Alan's fuzzbomb companion!

Marching Orders...

No, it's not what you think. It's just that time of year again when my band directors are busy finalizing the music arrangements for our new marching show in the fall. This year has consisted of a battle between classical sixteenth-note craziness Henry V and amazingly cool theme songs in Video Game Suite. Hmm... not much of a choice says the high school students. There is a choice! shouts the band director. That much classical isn't very march-able says the second-tier band staff. Needless, to say, I'm very much in favor of the Video Game Suite.

You see, it isn't just Atari "beeps" and Pong "bloops". It's music. Good, solid music that is feasible for a marching field. (20 beat-long 16th and 32nd note runs are not!) First movement is the Halo Theme (from "Halo Suite") by Marty O'Donnell. Second movement is from Civilization IV: Coronation and Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin. And all of this is wrapped up by the epically awesome Kingdom Hearts by Yoko Shimanura. The whole she-bang is arranged by Ralph Ford. And it sends chills up and down my spine whenever I hear it. I just know this is the piece for my band. Problem is, the piece is almost 3 minutes too long for the limited time we have on the field.

So, today we were trying to figure out which measures (units of music) to cut from the music without comprimising the integrity of the arrangement itself. You can listen to a professional recording of the whole arrangement here. Tell me what you think. What you like, what you don't. It's pretty much a shoe-in for the show, but I'd like to know your opinion, since the whole point is to entertain the audience. (Please remember, we high-schoolers are far from being pros, will be marching on a field, and have only 7-7.5 minutes. So give a lil' grace.)

And tomorrow, don't forget to look out for Alan's Triple W interview!

Furry Friday!

Welcome back to Furry Friday. Today we will travel to Colby Ryan's bedroom to meet his not-so-furry companion Firecracker

Age: 1 year

Gender: Male

Length: 2 1/2 inches

Weight: ??? how do you weigh a fish?

Origins: Firecracker the fish is of humble origins... Colby picked him out at the local pet store after heavy negotiations with his mother. (Seems Mrs. Ryans isn't too fond of pet mess.) Luckily, Colby convinced his mother that fish just don't make a mess.

Favorite Game(s): None. He's a fish.

Habits: Firecracker has a habit of flaring out his tail in warning whenever Colby's door opens, someone taps the glass, or Tolkien gets too nosy. As Colby is fond of saying, he makes an excellent silent alarm system.

Thank you for tuning in to our second Furry Friday. Next week, meet Alan's beastly buddy. And don't forget the next Who's Who Wednesday, featuring Alan himself!

Who's Who Wednesday

It's that special time again! Welcome to the 2nd Triple W! This week will feature a closer look at Colby Ryans.

Age: 16

Description: Colby's short, curly black hair tops a brown head and equally brown eyes. He's never seen without his basic black-and-white Chuck Taylor's. Colby may not dress fancy, but he dresses conciously. With all of his clothes meticulously spotless, he may be mistaken as slick. However, his charm quickly corrects any misconceptions. He's fun, flirty, and loyal. He's always laughing- and is ALWAYS keeping an eye on any guy not in the gang that comes anywhere close to Sam.

Driving Status: Restricted license with extra parental limitations...

Favorite Class(es): P.E. and Band- by far the most interesting thing on the schedule!

Instrument: marches on the battery as a snare drum, plays all over the percussion section in concert band

After-School Activities: Marching band. Colby has a job at the local ice cream shop whenever he doesn't have practice. Until marching season is over, Colby won't be receiving much of a paycheck. However, the gang takes shameful advantage of Colby's employee discount by choosing the shop as a favorite pre-practice hang-out. Whenever a school dance comes around, you can count on Colby helping out with the decisions. (No one is going to mess up his chances for a girlfriend.)

Hobbies: Colby loves to turn any surface available into the surface of a drum, including his friends' heads. He enjoys testing his skills in multi-player shooting games such as Halo.
Also, if flirting with every hot girl in orbit counts as a hobby, Colby is definitely at the top of his game. Nearly every moment between classes sees Colby hanging out by some girl's locker, chatting up a storm. Sam considers this embarrasing, but the rest of the gang sees it as blackmail fodder.

Weekend Stuff: Colby usually spends his weekend mornings working and/or practicing for band. The afternoons and evenings are dedicated to his friends and his date. (Sadly, there hasn't been a steady girlfriend...) The movies and the mall are preferred hang-outs. They are far away from work, provide plenty of chics, and there is plenty of visual (cinema/arcade) entertainment. Weekends are the escape from school!

Weekend in Review...

Okay, I promised an interview- and I give you (drumroll please) an INTERVIEW! Featuring not one, not two, but all five members of the gang! Sam, Colby, Matt, Alan, and Alex. Yes, all of them!

The topic: last weekend's antics...



1. So, you guys keep yourselves busy on the weekends, did you go anywhere?
Alan: We went to the movies... Saturday, right? (looks at Alex)
Alex: Yeah, dude. Saturday.
Sam: Colby brought his date. Was it the girl from California or the one from North Carolina this time? (mocking glare to Colby)
Colby: Hey! Be nice. They're both hot. And it was the NC chic. The Cali one, is well....
Matt: Hot. But too expensive. She bled Colby dry the last time he took her out.
Sam: Oh. Forgot about that. No wonder I'm always paying for Colby's popcorn.

2. You guys are in a year-long band program, did you have practice?
Matt: (relieved) Thankfully, no.
Colby: We only have Saturday practice once a month during the off-season.
Sam: But we still have practice twice a week after school.
Alex & Alan: (simultaneously) Love band, hate practice.

3. Did you guys do anything other than go to the movies?
Sam: The guys did some serious gaming at Alan's house. I practiced when they took their nacho breaks.
Alan: Don't feel bad. One day, you might live longer than 20 seconds on Super Smash Brothers Brawl.
Colby: Not likely. (sees Sam's face- holds up hands) But you make a mean nacho platter!
Alex: I wouldn't get her mad. After all, she's the chef-in-training.
Matt: Yeah. I have a feeling she's handy with the poisons... (grins at Sam)
Sam: Shut up. (glares at Alex and Matt) You're just sore because I beat you in Mario Kart- twice!

4. What was the worst thing you had to deal with yesterday (Monday)?
Colby: German quiz! Completely forgot how to talk about my school schedule.
Sam: Algebra II homework. Forgot I had any... (glances at Alex with a sheepish expression)
Alex: Yeah, you're welcome, Sam. Me, I had to prove that I had memorized a musical passage.
Matt: (groans) English test. I hate essay questions- they take too long.
Alan: Spanish. Couldn't translate a paragraph.

Okay, that's it for today. Don't forget about Who's Who Wednesday! Tomorrow will feature a more in-depth look at Colby.

Teen Literacy!

Yes, I know this is my second post today... However, read on and you'll see why I'm so excited!

Some of you may have noticed the Readergirlz Blog on my sidebar.... I am pleased to announce that they are doing a HUGE drive to promote teen literacy in a campaign that will last until April 16th. They even put together a trailer! Go to YouTube or their blog to watch it now... I would paste it in here, but my computer is arguing with me. >=(

Anyways, the drive is all about putting books in the hands of hospitalized teens. So check out the links and support a great cause! Everyone can get involved and raise awareness. Go to Readergirlz to learn how you can help!

Mondays- Not My Friends

Love polar bears- hate Mondays. Sigh. Today marks the end of my weekend freedom and the return to my dungeon of a school. Ha ha, see that's funny- we call our football "stadium" The Dungeon.

I get to leave my nice warm, well-lit home that holds my laptop for the temperature-challenged, dim hallways filled with textbooks. But I'm supposed to stay positive:

* I get to try and finish my robot for engineering- hopefully it will work and not pull itself apart!
* I will test the acidity of household substances (like soda) in my physical science class.
* I will enjoy 3 free cookies. Hurrah! (See Saturday's post to learn more)

Okay, so I'm obviously not feeling super excited. The good news is several of my band friends will be back from their All-State trip and they should help keep me awake and amused. Yawn. I'm already falling asleep. Who knows, maybe I might have some fun taking notes... Which reminds me, Spanish quiz! Tuna = atun, chicken = pollo, beef = carne, corn = maize, etc. Easy peasy.

I'm not the only who feels this way about Mondays. Sam and her friends all bemoan the end of each weekend- preferring DVD's to textbooks. Who can blame them? Weekends are packed with late nights, TV, video games, soda, and free time. School- not usually so exciting.

Once I get Sam out of bed, I'll get some notes together for you about her weekend's antics. Check back tomorrow to find out what she and the boys got themselves into this time!

Yesterday's News

Some of you may have heard my mom (Regan Black) tweeting about it. Others may have gone to her blog and seen her post about it. Now, I'm going to talk about it.

I received the
Sophomore Knight of the Month
February 2009 Award

That's right. I was recommended for this monthly award by my Algebra II teacher based on my grades, behavior, attitude, and other stuff. The award is given to 1 member of each graduating class. My sophomore class contains 474 students. (Brag moment: I'm ranked 5th! Although there are 2 other 5ths that I am aware of...)

Anyways, I got to leave my engineering class (Ugh, my partner and I need as much time as we can get to finish our robot- more on that in the next week or so...) and go to the library for a complimentary breakfast. Yay for blueberry bagels! Mom, Dad, and my brother were all there to my surprise and their sly grins. Still can't believe I let Mom put one over on me...

Okay, up above I have posted pictures of the trophy that my principal gave me. Very nice if I say so myself. They gave me a Knight Pride- Knight of the Month t-shirt. Right size and everything!

I also got enough food coupons that I may not have to pay full price for a meal for at least a month! Free cookies, a free doughnut, and free pizza from different clubs across school. Five dollars off a meal at the mall. A buy 1, get 1 free Sonic Burger coupon. A discount card for Sonic including two 2-for1 Sonic Burgers, a 2-for-1 Extra Long Chili Cheese Coney, a 2-for-1 Shake, a 2-for-1 Sundae, two 99 cent Large Drinks, a 99 cent mozzerella sticks, and others.

Woo-hoo! Discount food! And they wonder at the obesity rates...

The whole thing was a wonderful start to my Friday and my weekend. So, how was your Friday and how is your weekend?

Furry Friday!

It's time to introduce another weekly feature: Furry Friday! Once a week you will have the chance to meet the pets owned by the characters from Just One of the Guys. Today's feature: Tolkien, Sam's German Shepherd.

Age: 2 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 25 in. at the shoulders

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Sam received Tolkien as a puppy from her father on her 13th birthday. Tolkien came from Germany with nineteen other dogs to be trained as a police canine unit. However, when it became apparent early on that Tolkien suffered from mild asthma, he was retired from the program. Mr. Lansey was given Tolkien by a friend on the local police force.

Favorite Game(s): Tolkien never grows tired of tug-of-war with a rope, stick, rawhide, shirt, etc. He also enjoys playing fetch with his vast collection of tennis balls in various states of destruction. Tolkien has been known to compose entire symphonies by attacking his assortment of squeaky toys.

Habits: Tolkien and Sam have been inseparable since they were "introduced" two years ago. Tolkien goes everywhere with Sam-aside from school, shopping centers, and band functions- an invitation to Sam is an invitation to Tolkien as well. He has a particular fondness for finding the largest stick in the vicinity and dragging it with him to Sam's destination.

Next week we'll visit the creature Colby keeps stashed in his room!

Vampire Lovers and History Buffs...

Anyone with a fondness for medieval, obscure, or vampiric history should enjoy this article. I'm certainly fond of forensic history...

Most people know that the Black Death was a source of great concern throughout the Middle Ages. (Yes, I am aware that this is a vast understatement.) The plague swept across Europe, decimating the population and killing entire villages. Now for the fun part...
Please, if CSI makes you nauseous, do not read the rest of the article. It's about to get good- I mean, gross...

Recently, archaeologist Matteo Borrini excavated a mass grave on Lazzaretto Nuovo Island in Venice, Italy. The bodies uncovered in the excavation were from the 1576 plague. Well, at the time of the burial, 1576, not all of the bodies were believed to be human.

To the left is a photo of a woman's skull; the object shoved into her jaw is a brick. The Italian village where this woman died believed that the disease was spread by "vampires" that chose to snack on their shrouds once they were buried. So, to prevent this nasy habit, grave-diggers would place bricks into the mouths of dead humans suspected of being "other." This misconception is believed to have stemmed from the fact that when a person dies, blood is expelled from the mouth, causing any shroud to sink in and tear against said person's teeth.

Overall, people were desperate for anything that might stop the ravages of the plague. Borrini claims that his find may be the earliest attempt at a vampire exorcism. However, this has been disputed by Peer Moore-Jansen who says that he has found similar skeletons in Poland.

Hmmm. So the idea of vampirism really is part of the global culture... Cool!

For more on vampires go to these links-
Ancient Italian- NewScientist article and AOL News article
Modern Teen- Fang Place blog

Who's Who Wednesday

I am proud to announce the debut of a new weekly feature: Who's Who Wednesday. Each Triple W post will introduce a character from my new short, Just One of the Guys. Today's star is none other than the heroine herself: Samantha (Sam) Elisabeth Lansey!

Age: 15 1/2

Description: Sam's height is at the short end of average. Her long auburn hair is usually whipped into a braided ponytail and her iPod never leaves her hip. Sam has bright green eyes that are usually looking through contacts. Her regular clothing ensemble includes jeans, a t-shirt, an over-sized hoodie, and a pair of Converse sneakers. While not a physical characteristic, it must be said that "one of the guys" is always lurking in the shadows, prepared to jump in at the best, or worst, moment.

Driving Status: Learner's Permit + driving class (16 comes around and the restricted is hers!)

Favorite Class(es): Culinary Arts class and Band. It's all about the band!

Instrument: flute and piccolo. Sam marches with her piccolo, but she usually plays flute during the concert season.

After-School Activities: Sam's afternoons are usually devoted to marching rehearsal, but beforehand she always walks to the nearest fast-food joint with the rest of the group. On the rare occasions that she doesn't have practice, Sam can usually be found putting extra hours in at the school's culinary building. It's early in the year, so things may change depending on what life throws Sam's way.

Hobbies: Sam is always cooking! Whether she's mixing up snacks and treats for the gang, helping the parentals out with dinner, or preparing potluck type foods for band trips Sam is always tuned into her music and up to her elbows in flour. She also loves to create playlists for herself and her friends from her dad's vast collection of CD's and the newest hits on the internet.

Weekend Stuff: Sam's weekends belong to Colby, Matt, Alan, and Alex. Running around the neighborhood, spending hours at the movie theatre, crashing at each other's houses... You name it, Sam's either doing it or is planning to get to it. That is, if there isn't a band competition or a family friend coming to visit...

I certainly hoped you enjoyed meeting Sam today! Prepare to meet Colby, a flirtatious goof like no other next Triple W!

More E-Books!

I am so excited about this week that I just can't stop talking about it! And to think- I never thought that I would be so excited about electronic books! I love the idea of libraries and being able to walk by a shelf lined with my favorite titles. It's nice to be able to pick up one of my favorite reads and then go curl up on the couch with it (and a cat!).
To justify my change in heart:

1. E-Books are a great way to try something new. Like Regan Black and Norm Cowie said yesterday: ebooks are a wonderful way to sample new authors and new genres. I have personally fallen into the habit of stealing my mom's (Regan's) palm when she is busy typing her own stories on the computer. After reading J.R. Turner's D.F.F. story, I was stunned. I had never successfully finished a horror novel in my life- much less one as ghostly as this! But I loved it! When it was digital and convenient, it was so much easier to convince myself I should try it.
2. E-Books are cheaper- amazingly so! E-Books usually run cheaper because publishers do not have to pay for materials. They don't have to schedule print runs, pay for paper, or fill a warehouse. Also, no one (not the consumer, the book store, or the publisher) has to pay for shipping. The book instantly downloads to your computer or e-reader and you can take it and go. You don't have to pay for gas to drive to and from the book store or resist buying that yummy mocha cappuccino advertised in the coffee shop next door.
3. Just One of the Guys will be an E-Book! That's right, Sam and the guys are only to be find through digital publishing. Get 'em on your computer, your Kindle, your Sony-Reader, or whatever.... just download them. Keep an eye out, because this short will be available soon!

In the meantime, check out the other Quake authors (and their e-books) at their various blogs and web pages.
Teen Seen: home to all the Quake authors

Here are just a few specific links. Teen Seen has a full listing!
Fang Place: humorous posts by Mr. Norm Cowie
Thrills, Chills and Romance: see J.R. Turner in action
Regan's Realm: find out what Regan and the rest of the Pixie crew are up to
Sunshine: check out the latest installment in Sam Morton's take on the world
Serendipitous Times: learn what weird news has caught Jackie's attention today

Messed-Up Monday

For those of you who may not have noticed, we sprung our clocks forward on Sunday for Daylight Savings Time. That means that I lost an hour of sleep over my weekend and so allowed myself to sleep late for an extra hour. I love playing catch-up =)

Funnily enough, several of my classmates were still adjusting to this loss of an hour... today. Monday. As in, a day after the world sprung forward and skipped an hour. A couple even came to school an hour late. Exactly 1 hour late. LOL.

So, in my pursuit of timeliness, I looked up clocks on Google images. Look at this crazy beauty! It's a clock- made of numbers! And its expensive, running for 59 pounds sterling. But it comes with free shipping for those of you with easy access to British currency.

Have fun and stay on time. Remember to spring all of your clocks one hour forward. Be prepared to adjust...

For another random post, see Jacquelyn Sylvan's blog: Serendipitous Times. Today's subject? Humorous epitaphs.

Check it out!

Welcome to my new blog, Sam's Space!

I just went live today in celebration of my upcoming release of Just One of the Guys. It's a new short story e-book published through Echelon Press's Quake division. The tale stars Sam (short for Samantha) and her all-male friends: Matt, Colby, Alan, Alex, and the rest. The troubles the group gets itself into.... Well, I won't spoil it for you!

It's "Read an E-Book Week" through March 14 and Echelon has a great line-up of online reads. For fantasy, mystery, suspense, and all the rest, go to Echelon Press and get ready to download a great read!
You can learn more about Quake, its authors, and "Read an E-Book Week" at the following locations: Quake Publishing, Teen Seen, and The Life of a Publisher.