Are You a Tiger Writer or Reader? Take the Test.

I just finished reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom. And yes, I know the book came out last year. It took me this long to get around to it. I was really amazed, to read comments about the book, only to find that so many of the people commenting hadn’t read the book. They were commenting based on an article or book or comment someone else had made. Personally, I thought the book was great. Chua’s parenting techniques were interesting to say the least. Of course, it caused me to evaluate my own parenting skills.

But what about me as a reader and as a writer? What about you? For readers, here are a few questions to think about.

How many hours do you spend reading a day? How many books do you read a year? Reading or sex? Reading or food? Reading or sleep? Do you sneak read (in the bathroom, at work, during lectures, etc.)? Have you ever burned food because you started reading and forgot you were also cooking? Any all nighters? What about all dayers? Have you ever called in sick to work because you couldn’t put a book you were reading down? Do you read and walk the dog at the same time? Do you read while driving (this might qualify also as sneak reading because you are supposed to be focused on driving)? Do you read even while people are talking to you?

For writers…How many hours do you spend writing a day? How many hours or words do you write a year? Writing or sex? Writing or food? Writing or sleep? Do you sneak write (in the bathroom, at work, during lectures, etc.)? Any all nighters? What about all dayers? Have you ever called in sick to work because you wanted to stay home and write? Do you come up with excuses to family events because you want to stay home and write or do you just say you can’t go because you have to write? Do you have a set schedule or daily writing requirement, no excuses? Do you skip playdates (i.e. lunches and dinners with friends) because you want to write?

What do you think? Are you a Tiger Reader or Writer or just a kitten?

 

 

 

Howling Rail ( Mystery, Werewolves, & Murder) is Featured on AskDavid!!!

Howling Rail is featured on AskDavid.com here.

It’s still only $1.99, exclusively on Amazon or free through the Amazon lending program.

Howling Rail – the story you want to read now…

 

They thought the Underground Railroad was their passage to a new life.

They thought it was an opportunity to live as free men and women.

They were wrong.

The woods they traveled through held a different fate for them, one they never would have imagined or wanted.

Something howled around them as they made their way through. If they survived, they might be free, but they would never be women or men again.

Borrow This Book For Free…Right Now Through Amazon Prime!

If you are a member of Amazon’s Prime program, you can borrow Howling Rail right now and at no cost to you. What do you have to lose if you wait…well, it won’t be available exclusively on Amazon forever. But what do you get if you borrow it now…right now.

Werewolves on the underground railroad. Villians among the runaway slaves. A murderer who kills in a way you’d never imagine. A list of characters, all with hidden motives and agendas. Romance. Vengeance. Suspense. A story you want to read.

They thought the Underground Railroad was their passage to a new life.

They thought it was an opportunity to live as free men and women.

They were wrong.

The woods they traveled through held a different fate for them, one they never would have imagined or wanted.

Something howled around them as they made their way through. If they survived, they might be free, but they would never be women or men again.

Borrow It Now For Free: Amazon Prime

 

Short Shorts For The Summer…I Look Good In Them

I’m over forty. I don’t wear short shorts. If I did, maybe I could look as cute as Amerie.

Courtesy of GlamourNerd.Com/Cover of Elle Magazine

So instead I’ll focus on publishing a few short stories I’ve been working on: Game of Strings and Riding Canada. Both are completed, finished, done. A third…Birdfall, an interesting piece, is not coming together as fast. I’m totally stuck. It’s taking me hours to complete one page. I’m about half-way done, and it’s been a week. I want to scream, and I already know how the thing is supposed to end. And then there’s Torch & Burn. Yeah…the title and opening sound interesting, right?

When the police finally caught up to Phillip Delia Simpson, he’d been on the run for eighty-two days, started fifty-one fires, and caused eight explosions in six states. He’d also set two records in the Guinness Book of World Records and killed twelve people. Those twelve people now wanted their revenge.

Well, I think so, and I’d like to go back to it. That being said, I may have to kick Birdfall to the curb for just a bit.

And exactly what kind of name is Phillip Delia Simpson anyway. In my mind, at least, it’s the name of a person who likes to start fires. Delia…sort of says something, right? Maybe that’s why he starts fires.

Well you can say you read it first here. I’m putting on short shorts for the summer…I mean putting short stories on Amazon. So be on the lookout.

Unbelievable – 100 Free Kindle Books Today

Including Howling Rail. Go to here to see the full list. It includes children’s books, mysteries, thrillers, humor, and even travel.

They thought the Underground Railroad was their passage to a new life.

They thought it was an opportunity to live as free men and women.

They were wrong.

The woods they traveled through held a different fate for them, one they never would have imagined or wanted.

Something howled around them as they made their way through. If they survived, they might be free, but they would never be women or men again.

Available Exclusively At Amazon For Free Today And Tomorrow

Massive Friday The 13th Sale

Howling Rail will be part of a massive sale on Friday, April 13th…a free sale, that is. Multiple genres will be available for you to download. More details on Thursday.

Available Exclusively At Amazon

On A Short Leash

The short stories keep coming and won’t stop. I feel like if the ideas are there, however short they may be, I should let them out. Therefore, here’s a list of the short stuff.

Riding Canada – finished. Publish date: April 2012. Not a favorite. Has a cover.

Game of Strings – finished. Publish date: April 2012. A favorite. No cover yet.

Birdfall – incomplete. Expected publish date: April 2012. A favorite. No cover yet.

Torch and Burn – incomplete. Expected publish date: May 2012. Preliminary cover idea.

The Magician – incomplete. Might not ever see the light of day. Not sure if I like it.

Complications – incomplete. Semi-autobiographical. Therefore, should not see the light of day.

See. I’m all over the place. And, I added a picture. Click on photography to check it out.

 

Riding Canada…And The Cover Looks Like

What if the life you thought was yours wasn’t? What if the trip you thought you were taking wasn’t a trip at all? What if it was all…wrong?

Riding Canada is a short story about a husband and wife running away to Canada during the Vietnam war. At least they think they are. But things aren’t always what they seem.

 

File this short story under literary dark fiction.

Anticipated Release Date: April 30, 2012

 

 

The Chase

A Reckoning In Belvoir is a novel full of superstition, psychological suspense, and of course, murder. It’s set during the Civil War on a family farm in North Carolina, where a serial killer lures his victims into the woods near the Tar River…but why?

The killer’s identity is something of a question. Maybe not, though…if you believe in ghosts. Are ghosts real or are they figments of our imagination, our unconscious mind playing on the conscious. The Chase is the first of my upcoming series of videos…people talking about their experiences with ghosts.

Purchase A Reckoning In Belvoir here.

The Mill River Recluse versus The Hunger Games

Guess which one I’m reading. Here’s a hint.

I’m reading one book, and my ten year old daughter just finished reading the other one. That’s right. She devoured The Hunger Games. She’d borrowed it from one of her classmates at school. When she asked me if I knew what it was about, I said yes and proceeded to tell her…to which she replied, “you don’t even know what it’s about.” Take it from me. You had to hear the tone that accompanied the delivery.

A girl…I knew that.

A fight to the death…Yea, I knew that too.

Bows and arrows…Ok, so I forgot to mention that I knew that.

Took her sister’s place…well no, I didn’t know that.

So, I’ll probably put The Hunger Games on the list. Honestly, it’ll probably be the next read. Until then, I’ll be reading The Mill River Recluse.

You, however, may want to try Howling Rail. It’s available exclusively on Amazon.

 

Howling Rail: Available Exclusively at Amazon.com

HOWLING RAIL

They thought the Underground Railroad was their passage to a new life.

They thought it was an opportunity to live as free men and women.

They were wrong.

The woods they traveled through held a different fate for them, one they never would have imagined or wanted.

Something howled around them as they made their way through. If they survived, they might be free, but they would never be women or men again.