Melani Blazer

Oh This is New!!!

May 8th, 2008

Just got a notification that Cerridwen Press that they have added a nifty new button on the side bar to further help you find the kind of books you’re looking for. Already you can search by genre, author or Title/Series.
YOUNG ADULT INTEREST. These are books that have younger protagonists (for the most part) and the content would be appealing to late teen/early twenty age groups of readers. I know those books are out there, and frankly, I know myself and lots of my friends were already reading “adult” books when we were teens, for various reasons, such as they were available, the teen books weren’t all that interesting or hard to find, or we’d gone through those and were in need of other reading material…

Anyway, I’m super pleased and proud to tell you that my Cerridwen Press release, Brand Name Dates, fits this category! It’s a fun book and one I really, really love.

Brand Name Dates is available in e-book AND print. Hope you can check it out–and maybe even suggest it to a younger reader!

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Thursday Thirteen–getaway style!

August 30th, 2007

First off, huge apologies for falling off the face of the earth last week. Had weather related damage to the house… and no power. Couldn’t visit other blogs…

Thirteen Things about Melani

So, say the girls and I decided to get together for a writing weekend at some mystical, remote log cabin. It supposed to be a weeked of work–and fun. We’ve got goals to meet, but you just KNOW putting online friends together in person will result in some hilarious hijinx. Here’s 13 items I’d DEFINITELY be packing!

1) tazer. Titanium. Encrusted with Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires. Packs a serious get-your-ass-writing-punch. First I can’t get Emma OR Shan to get their arses in gear and do this TT. How the heck are they gonna even make it TO the cabin, much less get any writing done? Jaci’s exempt. She hasn’t been told about this impromptu vacation… yet.

2) The matching DMMCOT (Don’t Make Me Come Over There) t-shirt Emma bought several of us some years ago. Dr. Suess. Says it all.

3) My gun. Someone’s gotta ward off all the creepy crazies that are just waiting to attack innocent romance writers when they venture into the wild.

4) Gummi bears, Bottle caps, sweettarts and a case (at least) of pepsi. Nutrition is a must.

5) laptop. That’d be a good idea, right?

6) Copy of each my friend’s books so I can get them to sign them for me.

7) Camera. Thousand words X 24. Who wants to bet there’ll be some writing weekend psuedo mastercard commercials roaming the web after we get done, eh?

8) Flat screwdriver. I am DYING to remove Emma’s delete key from her keyboard.

9) Gas can, box of matches and marshmallows. You know those rejection letters? Bonfire, baby!

10) Deck of cards. One can only work so much.

11) Modem and wireless router. See #10. Besides, I can’t write without being connected, if you know what I mean. It’s a ….hangup. Must…be…in…touch. And I know the others will be too busy packing Captain Morgan and Diet Dew to remember the important stuff like internet connection. *sigh*

12) Cell phone. You know I’ll sneak a love you, no love you more, no miss you, no miss you more phone call to my husband.

13) Tyvek, Goats, chicken feet, pens, bookmarks, valium, music, bull whip, and all those other things collected from years of IM’ing with these chicas.

What would you pack in your suitcase?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Thursday Thirteen

August 23rd, 2007

Thirteen Things about Melani

Why books are better than a movie… or TV or video game.

Where to start? These are in no particular order or importance… and are simply my opinions.

1) Versitility. You can take a book in the car (if you’re not driving ) on a plane, train, doctor’s office, to the bathroom (c’mon, you KNOW you’ve done it) to bed, the tub, etc. Movies? Even a portable DVD player isn’t as versitile.

2) Face it, you get more with a book. Even a book you can read in less than two hours, you get more than the content of a movie. You get inner thoughts, more detail, even more action. I can’t say there’s ever been a case where the movie was better than the book (that I’ve seen).

3) Price. $2.95 (small ebook) to what? $16.99ish for a large trade paperback? Movie: $19.99 for DVD or if you’re GOING to a theature, it’s $7 per person, ONE VIEWING. It’s a better deal.

4) Cast your own characters. Ever saw a movie after reading a book and say Oh GOD no, that’s not what I pictured *name* to look like? Even when people post a picture of what they think the character should look like (couldn’t find the example I wanted, but I’ve seen it done on blogs/websites) I often create a different image in my head. On the flipside, sometimes I won’t see an otherwise good movie because I don’t like the actors in it. Or won’t appreciate the story line because of an actor.

5) Intimacy- You don’t have to share your experience, unless you want to.

6) Fantasy- I never can get into a movie the way I do a book. A book seems to surround you and tease all your senses and you can become invested in the characters in a way I can’t do with a movie–I guess because I’m constantly reminded I’m only watching.

7) You don’t have to fight anyone for the TV or argue over which movie you want to see. If one book doesn’t work for you, there’s several more a bookshelf (or library or book store) away.

8) Per Shannon: You can’t throw your TV against the wall if the movie sucks.

9) Ebooks. Read on the computer, on a handheld device. Storage is incredible for those. No need for huge bookshelves (tho they’ll always be nice….

10) Convenience: have a book-can read it anytime. Need to grab the phone, slip in a bookmark. In the car at the drive thru? Get a few paragraphs read. Movies? forget it. TV–gotta hassle with Tivo, if you have it. DVD? good luck finding your place again and you’ll have to rededicate yourself to sitting on the sofa. Books are anytime.

11) Content: Get to a sex scene? What if kids are in the room? Flip off tv, pause that DVD. Not with a book. Wear your secret smile and keep on reading!

12) You can make your own soundtrack: Ipod + books = heavenly getaway.

13) Thanks to Jaci for this one: It’s not insulting to fall asleep in the middle of a book.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

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Quickie Thursday Thirteen

April 26th, 2007

I’ll come back after works and add the code…maybe…

I worked til after bedtime last night to finish rough draft of my synopsis. That’s my story and I”m sticking to it.

It’s RT Convention week. I went to St. Louis 2 years ago and had a lot of fun. Here’s 13 things I loved about it, and am sorry I’m missing now:

1) Meeting up with my friends.

2) Meeting new authors and/or putting a face to a name I’d seen online

3) Free books

4) a break from routine, ala vacation in a hotel and everything (can you tell I don’t get out much?)

5) conversation with people who understand

6) getting to be “Melani Blazer” (that’s not who I am all day, so it’s kind of a moment of enjoying a split personality )

7) buying new clothes in preparation

8) wearing clothes you wouldn’t be caught dead in back home

9) free food (the fruit/pastry breakfast tables were the most divine!)

10) did I mention free books. I got LOTS of books!

11) oh, and I got a few of my favorite friends (authors) to SIGN their books

12) hearing industry news/gossip in person

13) meeting booksellers and reviewers and thanking them in person for selling/reviewing my books.

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Thursday Thirteen #17

March 29th, 2007

Thirteen Things about Melani

Things I love about writing romance

1) Research…the kind you need for erotic romance (Thank God I have a husband with a sense of adventure)

2) Discipline- this is self explanatory, but it does take a lot of discipline to finish a book.

3) Education- writing is a business and there’s a ton to learn that you can apply to “real life”

4) Friendships- there’s nothing that can compare to the friendship of the women who share my goals and understand the ups and downs of this business.

5) Education–same name, different concept–I love learning about things I only have an inkling about but want to use in a book. Old fables, new places, historical facts. Sometimes I get caught up “researching” (not the kind in #1) and forget to make notes to write.

6) Shallow one here–it’s a good excuse to look up hunky pics of hot guys as inspiration.

7) another shallow one- I don’t complain that I get to cash a check, now and then. But I still would write if I wasn’t published. It’s part of who I am.

8) There’s a sense of satisfaction when I finish a book, even a chapter or a tough scene. I love setting a goal, and making that goal.

9) I get to kill characters to take out aggression. I also get to allow characters grow, fall in love and find a happily ever after.

10) I’ve learned to have really thick skin and learn from my mistakes. It’s not always easy to take a bad review or a tough critique, but I’ve learned to try to step back and be objective (and take emotions out of the factor—sooo not an easy thing to do), and have been able to recognize my voice, learn my weaknesses AND my strengths, know when to look for help and when to force myself to work through a problem. So many things there can apply in real life.

11) Don’t kid yourself, it’s a realllllly awesome way to live out fantasies–and I don’t necessarily mean sexual ones–I can live in another era, in another country or have powers that are beyond belief.

12) I have an excuse to be online. On the other hand, I’ve learned to manage my time–tho’ I’m definitely no pro at it.

13) I love having an excuse for anything stupid, silly or weird that I do or want to do. I can be “researching” a book or trying to see things from a characters point of view. Basically, being an author is (or shall I say can be, so as not to offend the sane writers out there) just a front for insanity.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

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Thursday Thirteen 15

February 22nd, 2007

Thirteen Things about Melani

Thirteen songs on my ipod. Finishin up tax prep for accountant visit tomorrow and then I’m gonna mass write tonight. Got a good feeling about a few scenes and wanna take advantage. So I”m gonna fire up the ipod while the hubby watches a DVD.

1) Shine, Collective Soul

2) Who wants to live forever, Queen

3) Ruff’n Ready, Trace Adkins

4) Back in Black, ACDC

5) When A Man loves a woman, Bryan Adams

6) Dragula, Rob Zombie

7) Closing Time, Green Day

8) California Girls, David Lee Roth

9) Tall, Cool One, Robert Plant

10) Need you Tonight, INXS

11) Every Breath you Take, Police

12) Joyride, Roxette

13) Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd

What are you listening to?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

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Thursday Thirteen #12

February 1st, 2007

Thirteen Things about Melani

Thirteen Procrastination stops… some are mine, some links are courtesy of my daughter.

1. Bebo. The kidlet says it’s like Myspace, but a lot less populated.

2. Neopets. Cyberpets are great. No litter boxes to clean. Plus there’s games there.

3. Amazon. Shopping. For Books. Need I say more?

4. Jaci Burton’s Paradise: A great yahoo group

5. Pogo: games, games, games…. oh, the games….

6. Ebay– for the basic reasons, and because where else can you window shop for incredibly off the wall things. Like zillion carat diamonds and rare memorabilia (and cool cars)

7. myspace: profile browzing, adding, posting graphics, there goes an hour.. or two!

8. Snarkywood, just for laughs

9. Youtube–it’s amazing what you find there….

10. Radioblogclub: Music? got it!

11. The Honda Element Site– I know I listed this once before, but I still find myself clicking that link and exploring the world. I don’t own one… I’ve got a Jeep

12. Quizilla: the daughter said it’s fun to do with friends. There’s some really bizarre stuff out there.

13. IMBD- Second to books is movies… check em all out here!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Posted by melaniblazer | Comments (7)

Thursday Thirteen a day late and html code short

January 26th, 2007

Yesterday, my computer blocked me (or maybe my muse did have breakfast with Shan’s) and I couldn’t get into about 85% of the blogs, including my own. So no Thursday Thirteen.

It’s been crazy around here this week with the house stuff we’ve started. So here’s the stuff we’ve got to accomplish this weekend.

1) Help the husband outline and research a 1000 word argumentative essay.

2) Type in said essay, correcting as much grammar and spelling as possible.

3) balance the checkbook and figure out exactly what’s left of our remodeling budget

4) pay some bills *whimper*

5) find painting supplies in the basement **found some of these in my office. Huh, guess I never put them away after painting the kidlets room

6) move all the furniture in the living room, cover it with tarp and attempt to paint the living room ceiling **all pictures down, trim removed, tables and TV cleared off and incidentals outta here. Everything else just gets pushed inward.

7) did I mention it’s textured? Yes, this needed 2 spots, it’s a damn textured ceiling. I’d rather cut off my pinky than paint a textured ceiling…

8) keep four curious cats out of paint (egads)

9) do the kidlets laundry. and ours.

10) I’m sure the normal chores like dishes and cooking aren’t going to go away, are they?

11) work at “real job” for 3 hrs Sat morning

12) clean up mess from painting

13) take three sleeping pills and get up Monday morning wondering wtf happened to my weekend…

But, since the above sounds whiny (I shudder to think of it) we’ll accomplish it all with a lot of laughs, a few aches and pains (like when I’m writing checks) and I’ll be soooooo glad when it’s done and my house looks better.

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Thursday Thirteen #10

January 18th, 2007

Thirteen Things about Melani

Thirteen of my favorite cars. Inspired by the nearly week long television broadcast of the Barrett-Jackson car auction on Speed TV. I am so getting no writing done this week. Argh!

(these are in no order)

1. 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

2. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Stingray

3. 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 (cuz we have one )

4. 1970 Pontiac Transam Ram Air with 455HD

5. 1969 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Ram Air package

6. 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo V8

7. 1969 Pontiac Trans Am

8. 2005 Mini Cooper S

9. 2006 Chevrolet Z06 Corvette

10. 1955 Chevrolet Hardtop

11. 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

12. 1969 Yenko Camaro

13. 1977 Pontiac Transam (Black with the Bird—think Smokey and the Bandit)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Posted by melaniblazer | Comments (17)

I missed it. O.M.G. Thursday Thirteen…. it’s only 7pm, I can do it!

January 11th, 2007

I did, I missed it.
And since I’m totally online just taking a break (and eating the crumb apple cheesecake pie the DH got from Baker’s Square) I’m not even gonna go get the header and all that…

Here’s thirteen things I’ve forgotten to do…lately:

1) Today’s Thursday Thirteen

2) Take my vitamin (runs to the bedroom and gets it out of my pants pocket, where I shoved it this morning on my way out the door….late as ever)

3) Put a check in my purse (downsized, now my check book doesn’t fit…. go figure…and thank god for ATM cards)

4) Call in Hubby’s prescription

5) forget to pick up hubby’s prescription

6) order books, Dangit dangit dangit (pulls out postit notes)

7) post on a couple of sites I wanted to when promo-ing SeXTC

8) Take my pen out of my pocket (twice this week) and brought it home with me from work. *I’m not trying to steal, honest!*

9) write down a password for a new forum I joined and had to do the email confirm thingy to get a new one.

10) Call my grandma (must do that tomorrow too, jots note in corner of rapidly filling post it note)

11) Call mortgage company about refinancing since the variable rate just jumped and made my house payment increase

12) Pull out my box of photos and find the picture of one of my friends’ wedding. (They’ve been asking to see them since before Christmas)

13) I forget. I’m sure there were ALOT of things. I’m not that old, really. When does one starting to see the signs of dementia setting in, anyway?

Posted by melaniblazer | Comments (2)

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Oh This is New!!!

Thursday Thirteen–getaway style!

Thursday Thirteen

Quickie Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen #17

Thursday Thirteen 15

Thursday Thirteen #12

Thursday Thirteen a day late and html code short

Thursday Thirteen #10

I missed it. O.M.G. Thursday Thirteen…. it’s only 7pm, I can do it!

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