Y is for...Youtube

Y is for...Youtube!

While I am not a Youtuber, I do occasionally post videos on there and watch videos on there. If you do not know what a Youtuber is, here is the definition according to Oxford Dictionary online.

Youtuber: A frequent user of the video-sharing website YouTube, especially someone who produces and appears in videos on the site.

They even have "concerts" of Youtubers and they are quite popular with the youth of this day and age. So...here's a book trailer for my Between the Bleeding Willows (Book 1 of Demon Hunters series) created by Stolen Glances and uploaded to Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBICLCIVERw

And here is one of my favorite Youtube videos (cursing in the video, so no little ones please):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCfdzvwJYXY


And for those with little ones, Youtube has some videos, such as the one I listed that are not good for children to watch. BUT, they have created Kidstube, which is a safer alternative.

X is for...Xanax

X is for...Xanax

Ok, there is a shortage of cool X words to choose from so I went with Xanax. I used to be a pharmacist so I know a bit about the med that is often prescribed for anxiety.

What you may NOT know is that many people have stayed on this med long term and developed a tolerance and addiction to it. When they take Xanax they "feel normal". When they don't take it, they feel anxious and everything feels harder. But soon they find 1 pill is not enough to get the same effect so they up the dose to 1 1/2 pills. And so on and so forth.

Xanax is a controlled substance with abuse potential. It is meant to be used for a short period of time, such as, for an airplane trip, or after a loved one has passed away. If you or someone you know has anxiety and has been on Xanax for longer than 2 weeks, they should speak with their doctor about beginning talk therapy with a counselor and switching to an antidepressant/anti-anxiety that is not controlled and can be used long-term, such as Lexapro.

W is for...Wishes!

W is for ...Wishes 

Congratulations! You have just inherited this gorgeous decanter, and inside this glass vessel is a genie waiting to grant you three wishes.

Here are the rules:

1. You may not wish for more wishes or endless amounts of money

2. You may not wish harm on another person, place, or thing

3. No wishing for anyone to fall in love with you

Here are my wishes:

1. Cure VEDS

2. Cure Cancer

3. Have enough money to enjoy life and not ever have to worry about finances

What 3 wishes do you wish for?

V is for...Vampire

V is for...Vampire

The vampires I am referring to are the ones found in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I was not a big paranormal reader. Wait...correction...I was not much of a reader at all. My sister-in-law came over and handed me the first book and said, "Read this. You'll like it." 

I replied, "I don't read, I don't have time for it." 

She simply said, "Just give it a try."

So it sat on my counter for a long while. Then one day, I opened it and read the first chapter. It was okay, though I didn't feel much for Bella, the girl moving to Forks to live with her dad. I kept going and by the end of the 2nd chapter I was hooked. I enjoyed the writing, the banter between the characters, the vivid descriptions...and I read the entire book and the rest of the series. Stephanie Meyer's Twilight made me discover a love for reading.

Regardless of whether or not the movie was good or you liked the book, for me, it was a game changer. I found many other authors that I enjoyed reading and now have bookshelves full of wonderful stories. And on top of all of that, if it wasn't for finding a love of reading, I may have never discovered my love of writing.

U is for...UTOPiACON

U is for ...UTOPiACON!!!

This June I will be joining many fellow authors, bloggers, and readers at a special conference in Nashville, TN called UTOPiACON. I've never attended a writer's conference before and I am excited for the new experience. I have been to several book signings at libraries but I feel this will be a completely different experience. I will be signing books and meeting avid readers both Thursday and Friday during the CON. Here is more information on the event for anyone interested in coming out to join the fun. (This info is from the UTOPiACON.com website.

UTOPiA is not a place. It is a mindset. It is the trail you blaze, the risks you take, the friends you make, the stories you share, the victories you celebrate, the love you give, the dreams you lead.

#FightForYourWrite

There will be over 125 authors there signing as well as several workshops and speakers.

Publishers Weekly dubbed Utopia Con “the conference with heart”, and as we continue to grow, we try and maintain that sense of encouragement and unity among the audience.

WHO IS UTOPIACON FOR?

• Established writers of the contemporary and supernatural genres** from middle grade to adult literature categories looking to get an edge on the market with the latest in publishing developments and marketing strategies, as well as a unique opportunity to engage with the readers who love them and support their work.

• Aspiring writers of the genres** who want to write and successfully launch their very first book that’s been making their hearts soar and hands tremble with excitement and nervousness. Utopia Con will introduce them to the publishing paths available to them, the multitude of vendors out there ready to serve them and give them the support network they need to get through the struggles and celebrate the milestones with them.

• Book bloggers and booktubers with a strong focus on contemporary and supernatural genres**. This includes the successful bloggers who are helping shape the new publishing and lit landscape, as well as those who are considering becoming book bloggers. We get to the root of book tours, how to professionally blog and how to support the community.

• Fans and avid readers of the massively popular stories included in these categories and genres** who want to meet and hang out with their favorite authors on a level playing field rather than get herded through a mass signing.

• Film, internet and television writers of the categories and genres**. This is their chance to see the books of today that will be on the big and little screens tomorrow.

• Industry experts, including, but not limited to producers, photographers, editors, publishers, models, publicists, designers and more who benefit from working with the aforementioned writers.

** “Supernatural” is the term used for our purposes, but please note that our definition extends to fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi, gothic, steampunk, paranormal romance & more.

UTOPiA Con is going to be held at:

Millenium Maxwell House 

2025 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228

Hotel Phone: (615) 259-4343

JUNE 22 - JUNE 26, 2016

T is for...Tardy

T is for ...Tardy

Van Halen Graffiti

This piece of graffiti (or street art) is from Van Halen's Hot for Teacher song on their 1984 album. Great song. But honestly, the night got away from me and I fell asleep before posting. After getting kids to bed, husband and I settled in for a tv night (the first in a month...we both have been outrageously busy and needed some time together). So we put on the 3rd season of Hemlock Grove (Netflix series). It's a pretty good series. The first series was very well done, the second was a bit too far stretched, but the 3rd is getting good. It's a bit of a trippy paranormal story starring a werewolf gypsy and vampire (upir).  Happy Weekend everyone!

Hemlock Grove cast

Roman (Upir)

S is for...Secret.

S is for...Secret.

I'll share one of mine...

Zentangle feather

I have 8 tattoos on my body. The first was a red star, outlined in black on my hip that I got when I was 21yo. I also have waves on my lower back for my zodiac Aquarius sign, a 1" thick black band around my left forearm, a zentangle feather on my other forearm, a blue crescent on my ankle, and my kids' names and zodiac symbols  on my right upper arm. Each has a special meaning to me.

Tat I'd love to get next!