Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Whats Its Like To Be A PDMI Author, (With Pictures)

I just realized that some of the pictures got broken somehow... until I fix them, you can find them here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/virginialorijennings/sets/72157649031383555/



This past weekend was awesome! I am proud to be an author with the epic PDMI Publishing LLC!


Cyndi, Tc, Nessa, Jack
I met the owners, Tc and Nessa Mckinney, in person (finally!) this past weekend. (center two in photo) They had traveled from Alabama to attend the Second Annual "Novel" Wine Tasting Arts and Literary Festival. Our Marketing Director and fellow author Greta King had also traveled up here for the festival.





Cyndi Jack, Me, Tc, Greta (Nessa's behind camera)





They try their hardest to make all of their authors feel like family! Friday evening Greta treated us to bowling and pizza. (BEST Pizza ever!!) Later we sat out on the porch in our PJ's and laughed and joked till the wee hours of the morning.
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Me Bowling





 Saturday we got down to business and sold some books at the festival! We tag teamed taking  pictures when someone would come up to one of our tables. We even helped sell eachother's books.

 
Me-before changing into my costume, setting up my tables
Me with Miss South Carolina- MAN she is tall!



PS- Check it out! Rivi's Costume is DONE!!! I'll be taking my kids trick or treat in it as well as wearing it to sci fi conventions! ;)











Jack and Cyndi








Besides my books, I had brought some brain teaser games for my table that many people really enjoyed. A few stopped by for almost an hour- one girl ALMOST beat the hardest puzzle! Later her mom came over to try the puzzle and even bought a copy of Wiggle Worm's Shape Adventures ;)







This is me, visiting C.D. Bonner's booth
before he packed his stuff for the day



As the sun went down we helped eachother pack up our stuff and take down the tents. 


Then we went over to join all the other authors at the after party. I won't give you a blow by blow because "What happens at the after party STAYS at the after party." But, no one said anything about not sharing the evidence!




I havn't the foggiest what I was laughing at here

Had to catch a picture with my good friend C.D. Bonner
Before today I had only ever talked with him online
 and in Where Writers And Authors Meet lol
Jack- doing one of his impressions lol















This event is scheduled to be part of the book tour for the release of Visionary From The Stars and The Alien Mind

Facebook covers3 copy

Friday, October 17, 2014

Rivi's Outfit- Almost Done!

Rivi's outfit- almost done!
WHEW! The sleeves are finally done! OH MY GOSH were they nerve wracking! They are by no means perfect, but its cosplay.

This will look so much better when it is ironed (there is NOT a seam running down the middle front, I promise) and when all the trim pieces are added on.

I'm debating on whether I should reveal the finished project online or whether I should make everyone wait to see it at the Novel Wine Tasting Arts and Literary Festival next Saturday. All those in favor of seeing it here on the blog as soon as I am finished- well... you better say so in the comments!

Some more good news this week. My publisher has given me clearance to start the book release tour again, Come on over to my friend Ali Lewis' blog on Monday to play a game for an extra entry into the Raffle!!

So to kick this tour off... How about a raffle!!!


You've probably noticed there is only one prize for right now- well, that's where you come in my dear friends. Get your friends to enter!

And- if you have something you would like to donate to the Raffle in exchange for a link of your choice to be added to the entry options feel free to head on over to the form on my book tour page and let me know! Your link could be to your facebook page- or maybe you'd just like some more comments on your blog! Would you like to pledge to help host me during my tour? You can pick your choices on that form as well!

At any rate, I really appreciate everyone's support! Remember... leave me a comment if you'd like to see the finished outfit before everyone else does!!


Also- if you'd really like to help- you could even share this photo!
Copy this link into the place where you upload your facebook cover if you'd like to help me get the word out by participating in the banner blast!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15374693530_e1970b95b7_o.png


Facebook covers3 copy

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Seclusion- Five Sentence Fiction

The Island On The River by Larisa Koshkina
Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, this week I have picked my own picture and word to challenge myself with.

The challenge word for this one is Seclusion. Use the word and the picture as inspiration and write your own 5 sentence fiction. If you write it on your own blog I would LOVE to see it- or you could share it in the comments if you don't blog. I’d LOVE to see yours! Leave me the link to your 5 Sentence Fiction blog post in the comments!


Angela quietly set her bag in the center before climbing gingerly into the small boat being rocked by the gentle lapping waves of the river. Crouching low in the boat she kept and eye out for the river patrols while carefully rowing toward the portal island. The boat bottom ground into the island's shore and Angela spared one last glance at the sky decorated with its colorful haze before running into the woods. The aurora was almost over after which the portal wouldn't work for months. She was leaving behind all she knew, heading once more toward anonymity; her friends had deserted her, anonymity was her only friend now.

This is my way of hashing out a concept for The Sword Of The White Knight... I hope you enjoyed it.

I'd love to hear from you- please don't hesitate to comment!



Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The Poisoned Dagger- Five Sentence Fiction

Five Sentence Fiction - Potions -photo by Lillie McFerrin
This week's five sentence fiction IS directly from Lillie McFerrin's blog.

The challenge word for this one is Potions. Use the word and the picture as inspiration and write your own 5 sentence fiction. If you write it on your own blog I would LOVE to see it- or you could share it in the comments if you don't blog. I’d LOVE to see yours! Leave me the link to your 5 Sentence Fiction blog post in the comments!



Angela woke up in a strange bed, the smell of lavender and other various herbs surrounded her in a calming atmosphere just as every part of her body remembered that it wanted nothing more than to run from the pain that had taken over her body. She remembered Alexander's look of concern and then the cold indifference that swept across his face when she was forced to reveal her true identity to Grissom and his troops. She remembered the searing pain as Grissom's icy dagger had found its mark, and the burning as the poison leached from the blade into her blood.

She didn't know if Alexander would forgive her for hiding her identity from him, and that, she realized, would hurt her more than this poison ever would.

"I have to leave, its not safe for any of you while I am still here," Angela protested weakly while a lady firmly held her down with one hand and cauterized her wound with a fire blade.


This is a scene was inspired by my work in progress with The Sword Of The White Knight- this scene may not make it in but I figured I would share it anyhow.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Life Finds A Way- Five Sentence Fiction

Green Plant On The Iron Fence by George Hodan
 I'm getting back to doing some more 5 Sentence Fiction. Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, occasionally I find my own picture and am hit with inspiration to make it into a post on my own.

This is an older post from before my old website bit the dust. The challenge word for this one is Visitors. Use the word and the picture as inspiration and write your own 5 sentence fiction. If you write it on your own blog I would LOVE to see it- or you could share it in the comments if you don't blog. I’d LOVE to see yours! Leave me the link to your 5 Sentence Fiction blog post in the comments!

It had been a while since she’d been back to the place she once called home. Solemnly she stared at the deserted town where the herboviromenters could no longer coax plant life to grow; her people had all moved on. The Aruk had destroyed the very fabric of life on this planet; without plants, the Aunantet could no longer draw their energy from the life growing around them. Thinking about the lives, the traditions, and the way of life now lost brought tears to her eyes, and all because the Aruk couldn’t be satisfied. 

Pausing at the gate of what was once her Eni’s garden she was given a reason to smile again, hope had feebly woven its way up through the gate into the sunlight.

(Brought to you out of the future of The Alien Mind’s story line- this sequel has not yet been completed. Does that make me a Futurity Histographer? Ankh would be proud lol.)



Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping
 

Rivi's Cosplay Outfit Update 3

Rivi's outfit in the making
Its finally finished! The outer coat is finally finished- Rivi says its called an Akruv. All I know is that the trim was a beast to put on straight! It needs to be ironed, but I'll do all that once the whole project is done.

Next up is the inner piece that looks essentially like a dress, long sleeves on a one piece long dress. Nope, Rivi's shaking her head at me.

"It's actually called an Akrut."

"So the boy's clothes are the same?"

"Yep, except they are light and dark green."

Here's what I have so far on the 'Akrut'...

DSCF3069DSCF3068


I've finished the back and shoulder seams... the side seams are pinned and ready for sewing. There's no sleeves and the collar isn't finished, but check back later if you'd like and I'll keep you posted. ;)

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Rivi's Pain- Five Sentence Fiction


Monsoon rains
Image by Coconino National Forest on Flickr
   I'm getting back to doing some more 5 Sentence Fiction. Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, occasionally I find my own picture and am hit with inspiration.

This week I found this picture on Flickr and am challenging you with the word Fog. Use the word and the picture as inspiration and write your own 5 sentence fiction. If you write it on your own blog I would LOVE to see it- or you could share it in the comments if you don't blog.



Rivi's breath caught in her throat, a scream being stifled by the overwhelming horror she saw all around her. As the Aunantet fled their planet, every living plant and being that was touched by the fog shriveled and died. 

"I don't know what the Aruk did to your friend, Rivi, but he is no longer his old self, we have to leave him!"

"I can't," Rivi replied, "I know he's still in there, I can feel that much."

Rivi put up her electrostatic shield and centered her sights on the one her heart called to.



I hope you enjoyed this- this piece is a work in progress from the sequel to The Alien Mind. It may not make it into the second book, but my muse finds it helpful to get these scraps of scenes written down until I get to that point in the story.

*In my last post I told you that the overcoat that I am making for Rivi's outfit was ready for trim. Well, It's done now and I'm beginning work on the main piece of the outfit. The overcoat was quite a bit of work all by itself! Whew! Check back later and I will post some pictures here on my blog!

In more news- the brand new edition of The Alien Mind is soon to be re-released by PDMI Publishing LLC. and their imprint Rara Avis. It is freshly edited, brand new formatting, as well as illustrations by Matt Ostrum and myself.

The book tour for both the second edition of Visionary From The Stars as well as The Alien Mind begins on the 13th. If you would like to help me spread the word please click on the book tour page and let me know!



Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping
 

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Making Rivi's Costume For Cosplay 2


Rivi's Costume- Collar Troubles


The last time I blogged about the making of Rivi's costume I mentioned that I couldn't seem to get the inner collar pinned in properly in order to stitch it down. Every time I tried it ended up too short in some places or bunched up in others. I finally figured out a trick!

DSCF3062
See those boxes there? Yup,
Still stuff to unpack from the
move lol.
I nabbed one of my minions to help! My youngest is 3... my eldest is taller, and a girl so she might have worked better, but the older two were both at school. So I called my youngest over and prayed he would stay still enough not to step on the hem.

He did, and I actually got the collar pinned in! It looked perfect! (and I had to nab a picture of him trying to figure it out.)
So I threw it through the sewing machine and even though it looked straight and lined up with the pins the inner collar and the outer shoulder seams are not lined up. The good news... no one will see the inner collar and it looked fine turned right side out so I left it just the way it was.

DSCF3064
*facepalm* yup those are my toes and
my youngest's flip flop lol :P
I've hemmed the shoulders and cut up the crease in the center front. Now all I need to do is hem the sleeves, hem the front opening, and the bottom and then add the trim!

Want to see what it looks like when I'm done with this first part? Stay tuned! I'll keep you updated!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Speculation About Blog Readers


Blog Readers- Who Are You & What Do You Like


networked blogs
Networked Blogs


Hey I might be a blogger... But I'm a reader too. I read a LOT of blogs. Today I'm posting to introduce to you Networkedblogs.com . I've been blogging and reading blogs for years. The number one thing that irritates me the most is when I am FORCED to sign into some social login thingy in order to leave a comment. It takes time- and what if I don't have any of their social sites? Well then dear blog owner, snooze you lose! This is why you will see that I have removed the google friend connect feature from my blog as well as google comments. It FORCED my readers to have a google sign in. LAME!

Along with that came the problem of considering how I would show and collect followers now. Sure- you could sign up with my feedburner option and have my blog sent to your device or e-mail. However, there is just one problem with that. I'M a blog reader and I dislike digging through my e-mail to find blog posts by my friends- and I also do not have a device that I would like to read all these blogs on.

In walks Networked Blogs! I LOVE this site. You can sign up for free. ANY blog that has networked blots enabled can be found through searching networked blogs or you can click on their networked blogs widget on their site to follow their blog. Whats so great about this? ALL the blogs that you follow appear on a dashboard so you never miss what any of your bloggers are posting! Its like facebook for blogs- but more organized!

See the green left and right arrows at the top right hand corner of the picture above? Those allow the blogs to slide sideways to show me the rest of the blogs on my list!

So if you read a ton of blogs- consider signing up for this website and telling your friends who blog to add their blogs too!

Never stop speculating about real world stuff- you might just figure out an answer to your problems!

* Did you know that making comments on a blog actually helps support that blog by increasing its google ranking? Maybe you didn't. But thats ok because I'm not here to bug you about all that. BUT- If you are a blogger and have added networked blogs to your site- drop me a link in your comment to this post and I will check your blog out!