I Can’t Go Back, but My HEART Goes On

mermaids, ,

With my 44th birthday rearing its ugly, wrinkled head tomorrow, I’ve recently realized that life moves on. Or it just really, really changes.

Case in point:

I’ve attended two HEART concerts in my lifetime. Once when I was a freshman in college, and the other a couple of weeks ago. HEART sang many of the same songs, but, WOW, my experience was very different.

When I went the first time, I was young and independent, the world at my feet. I went with one of my best friends-turned-very-briefly-boyfriend, John. We were several rows back from the stage, and I was so close I could see Nancy and Ann Wilson’s makeup as they crooned away about barracudas and a magic man. The smell of pot floated through the air behind me, and we watched in disappointment when other people drank their beers. We weren’t old enough yet. We were just wee babies at eighteen.

After listening to the concert and dancing and singing, we made our uneventful way home. I saved my ticket stub for years, and I always looked back with fondness and a touch of excitement to that concert.

Take the remote and fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. HEART. Still crooning about barracudas and a magic man, but add some Led Zeppelin tunes in there, and you have a slightly different concert. But, it wasn’t the songs or the artists that made the experience so different. Nope.

I went with my family. Yes. That’s right. I took my five kids (ages 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13) plus a neighborhood friend of my kids’ to a Heart concert. My husband was there too, along with another couple and their daughter. We got upgraded from lawn seats into the pavilion, which should have made any sane person happy. But, I’m not sane. I’m a mom of five hellions. And they can’t be contained in seats! They need to run wild and free.

Before the concert started, we noticed other people venturing out to the lawn, leaving their upgraded prison seats. So we followed. I didn’t have to continue telling my son to stop kicking the back of the seats. My other son was literally rolling down the hill, over and over and OVER again. The kids were screaming and dancing to Barracuda—which was the only song they really knew.

I became nostalgic, listening to the familiar songs, so I sent John a message that I was thinking of him and our first concert experience. Being the great friend that he remained through the years, he sent me back a message. I was all sappy and thinking about my youth when my youngest, who was asleep on the blanket beside me, bolted upright and proceeded to puke on me.

The nostalgia went away, replaced with some disgust at cleaning up vomit. Even though I was now old enough (way past legal drinking age) to enjoy my margarita in a tall plastic guitar-shaped cup, my buzz was gone. My youngest ruined my fuzzy, sappy buzz.

Later, my husband said to my daughter: “Don’t worry about it. Many people have puked at their first concert. Congratulations!  You’re one of them.”

The adults all laughed at that.

Then Shannon said with a firm nod and all the wisdom of her seven years: “Yeah. They probably had too much popcorn, too.”

Ahhh. You can’t go back. And, really, I wouldn’t want to. Well, not for too long…☺

Happy Birthday to Me!

Giveaway, Kerri Carpenter, , , , , ,

I’m in a great mood this week. I leave for my annual vacation on Friday. Plus, my birthday is next week. (I’m actually not excited about turning another year older but let’s all ignore that, shall we?)

I’ve been a very sparkly busy bee packing all the books I want to take to the beach with me this year. Since this post is all about me – because, you know, I’m the one writing it – I thought I would take this opportunity to give you all a short history of my beach reading interests. Continue reading →

RWA Nationals Road Trip: Are You Prepared for Awesomeness!

Denny S. Bryce, mermaids, Motivation, Writing, , , , ,

Denny's MermaidsI’m taking off for Atlanta this weekend to attend the RWA National Conference and I’m super excited. I’m going to spend a week with 2,000 other romance writers – sounds like heaven, right? In a hotel with an entire floor/lobby dedicated to mingling (okay, there is a really big bar at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis), and I guarantee I will be informed, inspired, surprised and exhausted within 30 minutes of checking in. And no, I’m not trying to make anyone who is not going jealous – but I’m excited and want to share.

Speaking of sharing, I volunteered (two years in a row:) to serve as the official Waterworld Mermaid reporter blogging LIVE daily from Hot-Lanta! But expect some of the other Mermaids to pop in, too. A bunch of us will be in town, and will either post here or on our own blogs – so stay tuned.

But I said ROAD TRIP in the headline  – so yeah, I’m getting from here to there by jumping in my car and taking off on Saturday! Joining me is my long-time friend, writer, poet, singer Xio Axelrod, who will be attending her first RWA National Conference.

We plan to make stops in North Carolina (visiting my mom) and Savannah, GA (because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA and I haven’t been there in 10 years), with our arrival in Atlanta set for Monday.imgres-1

If you’re traveling to RWA Nationals let us know if you’re packed:) – so I can be jealous – and if by chance, you too, are doing the ROAD TRIP thing. If you aren’t attending Nationals in 2013 – what would you like to read in the Waterworld Mermaids’ daily blog post? Although, if I’m reporting, you’re going to have to deal with my FRANTIC schedule (will share more about my first year as a PRO and a finalist in two contests, both to be announced in Atlanta!).

You may have noticed that every now and then throughout this post, I’ve felt like shouting (ie, the CAPS sprinkled throughout), but I am excited so a little shouting is a good thing, RIGHT!

mwiOBO0RRcIXCkbU64QuTcQCOUNTDOWN TO ATLANTA! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Casting the Slye Temp Heroes + Dianna Love Giveaway!

Carlene Love Flores, ,

Hi fishy friends! (UPDATE-Dianna Love has graciously offered to give away a copy of Last Chance to Run!  Just comment before 10pm ET to be entered!)

Mermaid CarleneHow is everyone doing today?  I hope you are all well and enjoying warm, bounteous waters.   This is my fifth summer living on the east coast and the first time I’ve decided to knuckle up and brave the heat, humidity and thunderstorms by staying put rather than travelling home to San Diego, California.  While I’m proud of the many things being a west coaster has made me–laid back, able to dip into Valley Girl talk in the blink of an eye (Just ask Kerri-Mermaid), and SME (Subject Matter Expert) on rolled tacos, I know the one thing that is a major downfall.  I’m a WEATHER WIMP!  Because of this, many of the activities I’ve planned for myself and the kiddo are going to see all the super hero movies and staying inside writing with the AC while my son watches professional wrestling.  I know it’s not the best summer plan and as soon as we learn to catch our breaths, we’ll venture out more and more.  Until that time, I’ve actually discovered a pretty cool side effect of frequenting AMC theaters and WWE.  I’ve got a ton of heroes to place as the visual stars of all the testosterone flavored romance novels I’m reading this summer.

Have you heard of Dianna Love’s Slye Temp series?  It’s extremely romantic and extremely suspenseful and stock-full of hunky heroes.  I just finished the first in the series, Last Chance to RunLast Chance to Run.  I’ve already cast the Man of Steel, Henry Cavill, as the book’s hero, Zane.  Sorry Dianna if that is not at all who you intended when you wrote this fantastic book but in my mind, Henry fills those boots right up!  I haven’t quite decided who to cast as the second book’s hero, Josh from Nowhere Safe, but I’m thinking someone fearless yet tender.  Perhaps the current WWE champ, John Cena.  Oh, but for the third, I’m set.  The absolute perfect incarnation of Ryder from Honeymoon to Die For is hands down, the man twelve-year-old boys and their moms alike who happen to watch a little too much WWE Raw is the Apex Predator aka The Viper aka Randy Orton.  Love. him.  And thanks to my boy, I’ve even learned Randy’s theme song by heart from when he takes the ring.  I may even adopt it as my own theme song as a writer…”I Hear Voices in my Head.”

So have the summer blockbuster cinema heroes inspired you as you read and visualize your steamy romances?  What are you reading this summer and who would you cast as your favorite book heroes?  Channing, Brad, Jamie, Henry?  Oh, and if you need any info on the WWE guys, I’m your girl 🙂

Happy 4th of July tomorrow friends!

Fishy kisses,

Carlene Mermaid

 

 

That IS the Question

Alethea Kontis

Alethea Mermaid

There is one question that every creative freelancer dreads.

It is not: “Where do you get your ideas?” (Some of us actually have a quite a good time making up stuff for that one.)

No, the question we all dread is the one our friend/family member asks as soon as we pick up the phone:

“Are you at work or at home?”

This question drives insane both artists and authors alike. Anyone who works from home can empathize. There seem to be no boundaries when a person works from home. It’s HOME. If you are at home, then clearly you are available to go to the store or pick the kids or go for a walk or lend me your chainsaw or look this up on Google or just chat for 3 hours. Right?!?

I mean, it’s not like your boss is going to fire you.

My sister, Soteria Kontis, is a professional jewelry designer. She owns a shop with a storefront in Charleston, South Carolina called Dixie Dunbar Studio. The storefront is her retail showroom. Where she makes the jewelry–where all the gems and tools and machines are located–is her home office studio.

When she is asked, “Are you at work or are you at home?” her answer is usually, “I am working, I’m just not in the store today.” If anyone wants to borrow a cup of sugar, they are welcome to do so before 10am or after 5pm.

The previous owner of the store, the eponymous Dixie Dunbar, used to own a private jewelry studio in an undisclosed location. “It was a brilliant move,” says Soteria. “I just can’t afford that.”

I asked my good friend Greg Hall, aka The Funky Werepig, about this same issue, and his response was similarly passionate.

When asked, “Are you at work or at home?” Greg likes to answer, “Yes.”

When the person follows up with, “Do you have time to talk?” Greg replies, “Business or Personal? Because if it’s personal, I have to move to a different chair.”

Greg has many good friends who like to call and “shoot the shit.” It frustrates him to no end. “I just want to say, dude, I have a nine-year-old who gets this concept. Why can’t you?”

And so I pose this same question to all of you out there splashing in the Mermaid Lagoon today. Go on, give it your best, most clever shot.

“Are you at home, or are you at work?”

How would YOU answer?

Avery Flynn Climbs the Vine to Tell Us About Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies

Avery Flynn, Dana Rodgers, Giveaway, Interview, mermaids, , , ,

AFlynnHeadshot2Mermaids, friends, and romance readers galore… I have convinced the fabulous Avery Flynn to tell us a little about herself and dish on her latest release, Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies, a zombie-apocalyptic romance published by Lyrical Press.

Don’t forget, Avery is doing a Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the release of Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies, so read on for the details on how to enter to win those great prizes are below.

Hello, lagoon! 🙂

Welcome Avery! Can you please tell us a little about yourself?

Let’s see … I drink a lot of coffee. I have an unfortunate addiction to Oreo cookies. I’m a bit of a loud mouth. Stop laughing, there are people in the world who talk more than me. … There just aren’t many of them.

When you were five years old what did you want to be when you grew up?

I have never wanted to be anything other than a writer. OK, I may have wanted to be Wonder Woman, but I got over that. Mostly.

How long have you been writing and do you recall what originally sparked your interest?

I got my first typewriter before I could even spell and I used to write gibberish stories about my stuffed animals. I have no idea what sparked my first story, but I’ve always loved reading or being read to

What is your favorite part of the writing process and what is your least favorite?

That depends on the day. If everything is flowing, I LOVE everything about writing. It is all unicorns and rainbows. On the days when nothing but crap is coming out of my fingers (ewwww, now isn’t that a pretty visual?), I despise everything about writing

What was the inspiration behind your most recent story, Jax and the Beanstalk?

I was on the way home after a July 4 BBQ at Kimberly Kincaid’s house. That means I was well fed and a little tipsy – don’t worry, the Fab Mr. Flynn was driving. I knew I wanted to write a twisted fairytale involving zombies and Jack and the Beanstalk seemed like the perfect candidate.

What was your favorite chapter (or scene) to write and why?

The scene where Jax and Veronica have sex on the magic carpet was pretty fun. I mean come on, how do you top that?

What has been the toughest criticism you’ve received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Criticism? No one criticizes authors. 🙂 I think I’ve blocked out the worst, but my own aunt did give me a three on Goodreads once. But we’re not really a hold-your-punches kind of family, so I’m OK with it. The best compliment? Really, anytime someone enjoys something I’ve written, it’s the best compliment.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

Reading. Shopping. Eating. Spending the day in yoga pants with a bottle of wine. Wait, did I type that last bit out loud? 🙂

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done to research for a book?

I wish I had done something crazy to research a book. Maybe I can work skydiving into a book. I’d need to research that. Of course, I’d have to hogtie the Fab Mr. Flynn to a chair or he’d tackle me before I got out the door.

Please share five random things about yourself.  

  1.   I love shoes, but spend most of my time barefoot.
  2.   I love to eat, but hate to cook.
  3.   I love men who are smart, funny and hot … hello, the Fab Mr. Flynn.
  4.   No one makes me laugh harder than my kids.
  5.   I would rather chew off my own arm than shop with my mother.

 

Thanks so much for letting me hang out with you today, Dana!

No, thank you Avery for taking a break from your crazy, busy schedule to keep us up to date on your latest release. But let’s not let the fun end now.

9781616504717

Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies by Avery Flynn

“I loved this story.” – -Darynda Jones, NY Times Bestselling Author

“4 stars. Snappy, smart, thoroughly romantic.” – RT Book Reviews

“This is Jack and the Beanstalk smexified, zombified and all grown up.” – Elisabeth Staab, Bestselling Author

 

The treasure hunter… Veronica Kwon is determined to be the only person in control of her destiny. After surviving a broken engagement and turning her back on her wealthy manipulative father, she’s started a treasure hunting company and is ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

The ex-fiance… Jax Taylor is a Southern charmer with enough sex appeal to melt the polar ice caps. He disappeared three months before their wedding and swore he’d never cross paths with Veronica again.

The magic beanstalk… Brought together again by their dying mentor, who has found three enchanted beans, Veronica and Jax agree to an uneasy partnership. Together they’ll climb a magic beanstalk to the cloud kingdom, but will their destiny be the riches they so desire, the passion they thought dead…or will the undead get them first? 

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip. Find out more about Avery on her website, follow her on Twitter, like her on her Facebook page or friend her on her Facebook profile. Also, if you figure out how to send Oreos through the Internet, she’ll be your best friend for life.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a JAX AND THE BEANSTALK ZOMBIES prize pack (including a Shaun of the Dead DVD, zombie hunting license and more) from Avery Flynn and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Dear Mr. Abercrombie and Fitch CEO

mermaids

It’s not horribly often I’m spurred to write open letters, but about a month ago, I felt the urge.  This isn’t isn’t writing related, other than the fact that it’s written.  Have fun.

Dear Mr. Jeffries,

Bravo. Bravo. Bravo. I can’t tell you how happy I was to read about your company’s decision to only target pretty and popular kids. I’m writing to you because I want more details about this strategic program and to promise that, as a mother, I will do everything to make sure you succeed.

 To that end, I have questions and recommendations. For example, how will you operationalize and implement this strategy? If your leadership team has not yet created specific policies and procedures for cool kids, let me offer suggestions.  First, provide a specific rubric for coolness and attractiveness. This should include aesthetics such as preferable facial and body characteristics.  Even better, assign a prescriptive rating scale of more or less desirable traits. The great thing is that it won’t be a heavy lift.  Great policies are already in existence. Although they were developed in the late 1930s and implemented in the early 1940s, it doesn’t mean they can’t be modernized for the 21st century. Once those specifics are laid out, you should go a step further. Those individuals who don’t achieve at least a passing rating of coolness or attractiveness should not be allowed to make purchases in your store. After all, you don’t want ugly or uncool kid branding your merchandise. It simply won’t do. So you need to train your staff to refuse service to anyone who does rank on the rating scale.  Again, your leadership team doesn’t have to go far when developing exclusionary strategies. If they Google “the history of the Civil Rights Movement,” there will be a plethora of ideas. By the way, while you’re at it, I suggest reaching out to the folks at Victoria Secret. I hear they are doing excellent work in the field of sexualizing young girls.  You guys should join forces.

 By now you must be asking yourself how I plan to do my part by ensuring that my six-year-old daughter is in her best prime when you publish pre-requisites for shopping in your store. At this point, I must confess that she may currently be involved in some activities that are not cool. She takes art, swimming and language lessons. In addition, and this is where I am most ashamed, she is enrolled in religious school. It pains me to say that there, she is taught about modesty, respect, values, charity and the characteristics of a good person. Everything you and I are against. But don’t worry, I have a secret plan. You know how they say, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer? Well, I want to make sure that when you come out with your guidelines, I will be armed and ready to dismiss and dispel all those values she currently learning. I will take her out of piano classes, art and swimming. And I will definitely dissuade her from pursuing chess because that doesn’t seem like a cool pursuit.

 All in all, I applaud you for your honesty and bravery.  I promise to do my part in helping you pursue this goal. My only concern is that I hope you are sincerely dedicated to this mission and that it’s not a silly ploy for attention.  If you and I join forces, we can browbeat all those chest thumping parents who have been giving you flack and we can find a solution for coolness.   A final solution.

Sincerely,

A most devoted Abercrombie and Fitch mom

 

My Quirky Inspiration

Loni Lynne, mermaids, Motivation

Sometimes I am amazed by how entertaining and fascinating my family can be. They are a constant source of amusement and even give me ideas for stories that don’t necessarily make sense–but are fun!

One of those inspirations I want to celebrate today. My youngest. 

She is unique in many ways which makes her stand out in a crowd.  She never had a lack of friends in school because of her sense of humor, openness and diversity. Her creativity shown in her writing but mainly her art projects. She’s a ‘gamer’ from “Womb to Tomb” as a sign on her bedroom door reads. She even lets me watch her play some of her RPG (role playing games) with her. Her commentary is uniquely her and can have me in stitches while she’s playing. A few years ago she taught me (a non-gamer) how to play Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls. She’s a fan of Dr. Who and Mystery Science Theater–she’s more of a tomboy at times then I could imagine. But when she dresses up for Prom/Graduation her true feminine beauty shines through.

What’s even more amazing is the special relationship between her and our oldest daughter. The two of them are each other’s best friends, which no mother could be prouder to have. Not all siblings are that close growing up. They feed off of each others wild energy, quoting movies, gifs, humorous YouTube videos that only they understand.

It was a mixed blessing the day she turned 18 a few months back. I knew I couldn’t stop it from happening and I hope I’ve prepared her for the role she will have to take on now–but I don’t want her to lose the wonderful, quirky personality in order to fit into a mold of societies making. She’s always been her own person with strong morals and ideals that I know will make the world a better place.

I was honored recently to share a special day with her. The day my book, Wanted: One Ghost was released was her graduation day. I had prepared for it, making all the preparations I could for my release in advance because I wanted to share her special day with her.  Watching her walk across the stage to receive her diploma, wearing her cap and gown and Arts and Communication Academy ropes…I cheered, I cried and I knew that she had made it and would be all right.

To you, Sweetie Pie-Pookie! I love you!

Guy Day: Firefighter Marcus Swims with the Mermaids!

Carlene Love Flores, Guy Day, Writing, , ,

Someone call 9-1-Fun because we have got a hot one in the lagoon today!  He’s taken ladies, (sorry) but I haven’t laughed this hard or sighed this much in a long time.  Please give your warmest welcome to Marcus, Oklahoma son, Firefighter, and our resident Mer-man for the day!

Marcus

 

Carlene: Hi Marcus!  Thank you so much for hanging out with us today!  Let’s get right to it!  Please tell us about your decision to become a firefighter and how long you’ve been doing it.

Marcus: Looking back when I was growing up I found myself looking at what was considered to my dad as work yet he never once spoke bad about it. Visiting him at the fire station and seeing the guys act as a family did when at home together was interesting to me for I had friends’ parents complaining of their own work and coworkers. I’m not so sure I chose to be a firefighter; instead the profession chose me. I can’t imagine me doing anything else. I’ve been serving the OCFD (Oklahoma City Fire Department) for seven and one half years and like my dad I can’t recall talking bad about it.

Carlene:  What is something you’ve done and never ever want to do again?

Marcus: Many times people ask how we do what we do and see what we see. I can only answer that from personal experiences. The example is when a call came in to
check the welfare of an individual. Upon arrival it was noted the individual was deceased. This is when the police would normally release us but the funeral home that was servicing the family couldn’t get the body out without help.  Minor detail is that this individual hadn’t been seen for 2 weeks…I’m sure you can fill in the details. We helped remove the deceased and finally were released by the police. During the removal process, as with any horrific scene, I put myself in a sort of emotionless state of mind, however, I could go the rest of my career without assisting in that again.

Carlene:  What is something you’d do all the time if you could?

Marcus:  Firefighters have the opportunity to stress release each in their own ways. Some go to the lake every day off. Some go do the night life scene. Mine is a bit closer to home. I like collecting movies but more importantly I like watching them. I have no favorites cause I watch a movie for how the movie makes me feel. If I need a feel good movie I may watch Rudy or to get pumped up why not the classic Top Gun!

firefighter

Carlene:  Aw, Top Gun!  We knew you belonged here in the pond with us!  But now let’s talk about what scares you and then what is something that might scare others but you feel pretty confident dealing with?

Marcus:  Fear creeps in to every firefighter just not the same fear for each. Some do fear fire (yes…we don’t want to get burned either). Some are scared of dogs that are on scene. My fear so far isn’t anything specific to the job. I can handle the fire, the dogs, and the gun shots that go off while on calls in bad neighborhoods.  I’m ok with the car wrecks that people die in for I know I did all I could to help.  My fear is kissing my wife and boy goodbye in the morning and unable to kiss them hello the next morning.

Carlene:  Thank you for sharing that with us, Marcus.  Very touching.  Now let’s get into fireman fashion.  Is wearing a suit and tie something you look forward to or does it give you the heebie geebies?

Marcus:  People wonder why the fire fighters wear uniforms when we have to put our bunker clothes on half the time. We are proud to be who we are and want to present
ourselves as how we see ourselves. That being said, if the fire department wanted to dress as a used car salesman (no offense if one is reading…you guys do where your ties quite nice) I’m sure we might have to mutiny!

Carlene:  We know a thing or two about mutiny which is why we haven’t invited any of those pesky old pirates to Guy Day.  Now tell us, how much does your gear weigh or better yet, “Wearing my fireman’s gear is like wearing a (blank) on your back”.  (elephant, refrigerator, full grown German Shepard?)

Marcus:  Next time there is an emergency and you see a fire fighter running around in his full bunker gear, with scba on his back, and a tool in his hand and he doesn’t stop and answer your question about what is going on, then here is where I tell you why. No, we are not pricks on scene. Nope we don’t have permission to answer questions in most cases. Once again, no we are not deaf because of the sirens. Answer time! Imagine that a ten year old wants a piggy back ride for two house lengths. Once you get there you realize that the 10 year old forgot his shoes so you run back with him still on your back. There are the shoes, YAYYYY, but while we’re here let’s carry the basketball that he wants and don’t forget the rollerblades he wants later. So off you go two houses down. Woohoo…made it. Now it’s time to rollerblade while playing basketball all while piggy backing a ten year old. That, my friends, is how a fire fighter feels with all his gear on keeping in mind after all the running around getting tools, hoses, and equipment in place he still has a fire to put out or a car to cut open. We don’t answer cause we probably don’t have the ability to!

Marcus

Carlene:  Okay, last one.  Out of these actual romance titles involving a firefighter, please give me your reaction: (example, “made me laugh”, “had me worried”, “I might actually read that”, etc.)

Marcus: Smokin’ Hot Nights – “Has someone been reading my diary?”

Too Hot to Handle – “Going to be a hit when made into Cinemax late night series!”

Firefighter Under the Mistletoe – “I’d buy it as a stocking stuffer for the wife.”

Carlene:  Oh my goodness, loved these!  Marcus, you are truly one brave man and the Mermaids and our readers appreciate all you do.  Thanks for swimming with us today and sharing your perspective.  Show of hands and fins, who wants to dive into a firefighter romance novel right now or better yet, Write One?  Fishy Kisses everyone!Mermaid Carlene

Can Plotters Be Made, Not Born?

mermaids

pintipAre you a plotter or a pantser?

If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard this question at some point. It’s a matter of writing method and preference. The question may even get at the way you think or perceive the world. But at its heart is the assumption that there is an answer. You’re either one. Or the other. Or a little of both.

So my question to you is: can you shift from one to the other? Or do you think there’s something intrinsic to a person that makes you lean a certain way?

Continue reading →