Monday Madness = Jen Daiker

Today I'm featuring blogger, Jen Daiker! If you haven't visited her blog, Unedited, you should. This is what Jen had to say about herself:

1. Chocolate chip cookies are my kryptonite. It can make a cloud day sunny, put a smile on my face, I love them.

2. I have unhealthy obsession I like to call, trash TV. Bravo being my favorite, The Real Housewives is delicious, the drama is something I just can't get enough of.

3. I have vivid dreams, normally pertaining to serial killers. It is where most of my current works derive from, The Collector & The Travelers.

4. I can't stand licking fingers, it's like my nails on the chalkboard. I eat pizza, chicken wings, cheetos and never lick my fingers. I've also asked that my husband not do that and he is so sweet and refrains as much as possible.

5. When I'm chilly, excited, in a really good mood I'll do a little 'JEN' dance. I'll also rub my hands together really fast... it's silly and weird but it's fun.

Well it seems to me, Jen has a bit of a dual nature. She has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies, but won't lick her fingers. She does an adorable happy dance, but dreams of serial killers... What type of creature is both lovable and mischievous?

A PIXIE that's what! Those adorable, lovable little trouble makers... So, Jen - do you have any extra pixie dust to share with the rest of us?

Monday Madness - Jamie Manning

Please give a warm welcome to fellow writer Jamie Manning, who blogs at Writers Write, Right? Go check him out, I'll wait. Okay, back? Now look at what Jamie had to say about himself:

So, a little about me. Hmmm...awkward! Well, I'm 33 years old, soon to be 34 (in a month) and up until about a year ago, I've never really thought about trying to write a book. I mean, I thought about it when I was younger - I even tried it a couple times - but no /serious/ thoughts...until I read Twilight (I love any and all things vampire).
Now I know what most people are going to say. Twilight?! What?! But that book really turned me on to the writing world again. It isn't the greatest piece of fiction, but it lit a fire under me!
Since then, I've discovered this wonderful world of blogging and I haven't looked back. I've enjoyed discovering blogs and authors and tips on the craft of writing, all of which have given me some much-needed self-confidence (I honestly didn't have much before).
I'm a HUGE animal lover...if I had a dime for all the turtles I've helped cross the road I'd be rich! I have 3 awesome dogs that are the most important things in my life. No matter my day, I know they're anxiously waiting for me to get home so they can jump in my arms and lick my face and that knowledge brightens my mood every time.
I don't have children, but I do have a slew of nieces and nephews that I adore and don't get to see often enough. I'm a confessed TV junkie (seriously. I watch many many hours a week!) and movie nerd (horror movies, of course, are my favorite) who gives up waaay too much of my precious free time to mindless entertainment.

The term "accident-prone" had to have been created for me. When it comes to freaky, out-of-the ordinary accidents, I've had them all. I've been knocked unconscious after falling from a garbage truck, dragged across a highway by a car, driven my car through a bedroom wall... yeah. Weird.
But I've survived it all, and I'm hoping it's so I can share the stories in my head with the world! (cue cheesy music).

Hmm. Let's see. Jamie clearly has a suppressed death wish. I mean, he's not only frighteningly accident prone, and has had more real life adventures than most heros in a book, he's also drawn to vampires. He loves animals, and kids. And he's just a plain ole nice guy! It comes right through the computer. So what is he?

An Elf.

Hear me out. Elves (light elves of course) are good, peace loving folk, who adore nature (thus the animal/kid love). They are easily led astray (thus the vampire attraction), and are prone to adventure. So is it true, Jamie? Are you one of the "Fair Folk?"

Monday Madness - Jemi Fraser!

Before we begin I have to thank all of you who helped in the fight against breast cancer! The winner of a book and critique is BEKAH! And the choice of book or critique goes to SLUSHPILE SLUT! God I love that name. Congrats to both of you.

Today's Monday Madness features the incomparable Jemi Fraser!! Jemi is one of those awesome bloggers that everyone should know. She's fun, kind, and never fails to be a friend. Here's what she said about herself:

I'm a mom of 2 young adults, wife, Canadian daughter of Scottish immigrants. I'm a teacher and overly obsessed with my job. I've taught all kinds of kids at all kinds of grade levels, including kids with extreme social and behavioural needs. I'm the only sci fi/fantasy lover in my family - always have been. I'm the only dreamer in a family of practical folks. I'm a total sap with movies and books - get way too emotionally involved with them and with my friends and kids at school. :) I'm an animal lover and tree hugger and an eternal optimist. I'm calm unless my kids are threatened. I'm not a fan of conflict - I'm always the mediator and the peace maker. I've been writing for myself on and off for years, but only seriously for a couple. I love happy endings and have a hard time keeping my characters in trouble. Phew!

Well, this one's a given. Jemi is an ANGEL. What else could she be???

Monday Madness - Lydia Kang!

First of all, a very important contest!! The whole point is to help out with a good cause. My friend is doing the Susan G. Komen walk for Breast Cancer Research and she has a goal to meet! So here's the deal, I'll give away:

First Prize: Your choice of one of any of the books I've reviewed/interviewed/guest posted on this blog including the upcoming The Replacement. AND a ten page manuscript critique.

Second Prize: Either a book (see above) OR a critique - your choice!

All you have to do is comment with an entry total. 1 for commenting. 1 for Tweeting. 2 for blogging about it. AND OF COURSE 1 for each $1 you donate to my friend. Just click the link on my sidebar (where it says clicky clicky) to donate. Entries open to US residents only though - sorry guys!! The contest is open until Sunday November 14th at noon EST. I'll announce the winners next Monday!! Please help us out in supporting this incredible cause!!

NOW to Monday Madness:

Lydia Kang is not only a sweet and amazing blogging buddy, she's also an actual doctor! One of my favorite posts of the week is reading Lydia's answers to medical questions for writers on her blog. It's fascinating! And who doesn't have a character with some medical issue or another?

This is what Lydia has to say about herself:

I'm the mother of three kids who exercised my parental muscle (you must read this!) to get my son addicted to Harry Potter. I work part time as an internal medicine doc, and am an unabashed geek about sciencey stuff.

I can cook a fantastic spaghetti puttanesca, knit, crochet, garden, draw, play piano, and used to be in a feminist a capella group in college. No, I won't sing those songs for you, because my family will go into hiding from embarrassment. I grew up in Maryland but spent most of my adult life in New York City until I moved to Omaha five years ago. And now...I'm a happy midwestern Asian gal. Go figure!

Writing is my therapy. I love writing poetry, creative non-fiction (usually related to patient care) and YA fiction. Within YA fiction, I love to read just about anything but horror (I'm a scaredy-cat) and outside of YA, I read just about anything but non-fiction (because I fall asleep) and horror (because it wakes me back up, but not in a good way).

I love my blogging writing community. They rock!

Now obviously Lydia is not just a "jack" of all trades. She's a master of all trades. And what kind of creature can do everything? One that took a special concoction laboriously constructed in the lair of a MAD SCIENTIST, that's who. At least that's my suspicion. Super smart, super everything. There you have it folks. Lucky for us though, I don't think Lydia is the kind of Mad Scientist that tries to destroy the world - just make it better.

Monday Madness - Bekah

Today I'm featuring a sweet writer with a great blog - Bekah! I asked Bekah to share some things about herself so that we might figure out what kind of paranormal creature she really is, and here is what she said:

A few things about me...
Let's go with the boring first. I am married, have a Great Dane, Moose, and a runt named Butters. I ride dirtbikes in the desert, well, sometimes, but I am slow. I watercolor, which I am thinking of putting on my blog as another one of "what you don't know about me" things. I am also going back to college to get my English degree. I was an ultrasonographer, BUT I dislocated my shoulder and whammy, had to have a wicked surgery.

One of my novels is women's fiction set in the 1950s- no sci fi, no fantasy. My MG book is a touch of Sci Fi and fantasy, which is the novel that was on Adventures in Chilren's Pub. My next MG, which I am doing for Nano, will probably be along same lines of light touches of both.

Weird factoids: I like humor. I like funny movies. My favorite movie is Gone with the Wind, because I always wanted to look like Vivein Leigh. I don't take myself too seriously. I am pretty forgetful; ask my hubby- I left my groceries in the car for a couple hours. It's my migraine meds, which give me the most vivid, bizar-o dreams. I LOVE most sugary things, especially chocolate and ice cream. I HATE coffee, but sometimes I will drink a frap.

Personally, I don't think any of that is boring. Now, I started thinking... Bekah dislocated her shoulder that bad doing an ultrasound? I don't know much about ultrasonography, but I'm thinking it really happened while she was wielding a sword and fighting monsters to defend mankind. She admits she's forgetful, what if she's really turning into a super-kick-butt-heroine and doesn't remember those periods of time? Perhaps that's where those "bizar-o dreams" are coming from. They actually happened!

I think we have our answer, folks. Bekah really has an alter-ego, a SUPERHERO that comes out when she doesn't know it! Wow! Well, considering that, getting a book published should be no big deal, right?

Monday Madness - Leslie Rose

Today's Monday Madness features my friend and critique partner Leslie Rose.

Now if you read Leslie's bio, you will see that she has great credentials. She has a Masters in Design from UCLA, and taught there for many years. She now teaches upper elementary kids and writes YA.

What you don't see in her bio is her personality which, and I can say this from firsthand knowledge, is bigger than King Kong. She's not only open, friendly, approachable, and kind. She's FUNNY, energetic, outgoing, and crazy (but in a good way).

And this translates to her writing. Which is incredible. I have no doubt that she will find representation and publication. You can have all the credentials in the world, but be unable to write like that.

Leslie keeps me fresh. She keeps me thinking on my toes. And I love her for it.

So what is she?? Well, lets see.. The ability to go between teacher, friend, and writer while all the time being both hysterical, supportive, and intellectual?

She's a Shape-Shifter! Well, either that or an alien. But I'm going with Shape-Shifter here. It just sounds better.

Now, go forth and clicky-clicky the link. Leslie's just started a writing blog and she needs your support. I promise she's worth following.

Monday Madness: L.J. Boldyrev

Today's Monday madness features an amazing writer, blogger and all around person - L.J. Boldyrev.

This is what L.J. had to say about herself:

I'm a YA writer, lover of motorcycles, elephants, Elvis Presley, and really
big dogs. Also extraordinarily bad at math. My short fiction, PARALLEL, was
published in the UK by Rebel Books. It can be found in REBEL MOON: An
Anthology of Supernatural Tales and purchased via the publishers website,
amazon, and a number of other online retailers. I'm working on (a few) YA
Paranormal novels.

I'm also a co-author of the Sisters in Scribe blog, and a contributing
author to the Tangled Fiction blog! Yay!

If you want something interesting or strange, I grew up on 500 acres with 13
horses and a Timber Wolf for a pet. I wear a crapload of turquoise jewelry
and I was given the name Dancing Horse by a Native American Shaman at a
Pow-Wow when I was about 14 and I helped my mother build a sweat lodge in
the field behind our house when I was 12.

Now that's a bio!!! That's what I'm talking about. L.J. opened up and now I know what she really is.

Lets look at the facts: She's obviously taken with Native American tradition, being given the name Dancing Horse by a Shaman, and wearing turquoise jewelry. She loves nature and communicates with Animals, she even had a wolf for a pet.

She's a Kachina!

What is a Kachina? According to Monstropedia, a Kachina is a Native American deity that represents life and personifies nature. The Kachina is called upon to bestow many things including power and long life. They are also entertainers.

Well there you have it. Not your average paranormal creature. But then again, there's nothing average about L.J. Don't ask me about the Elvis thing though. Maybe Kachinas gravitate toward royalty!

Monday Madness: Stina Lindenblatt

Well it has certainly been a while since I've done a regular Monday Madness post. There are so many great bloggers out there!! The main problem - as I've stated before - is that you don't necessarily have quite enough information for me to go on when I'm digging around your blogs and bios. Soooo, here's what I'm thinking, because anything is worth a try once or twice, right?

I'm going to select someone (and please feel free to comment if you are interested or would like to see a certain someone featured), and email you. Then if you send me a list of five clues, I will post them and let you know what I think that means you really are. As in vampire, ghost, fairy, etc. Then we'll see if all of the rest of you agree with my assessment. Sound good? Great!

In the meantime, I'd like to feature Stina Lindenblatt!! Stina is an awesome blogger, whose Friday Links are something I can never wait to check out. But she also blogs about photography. How to get just the right shot, which is something I know I can use a little help with. Have you seen some of her photos? They're incredible! But the coolest thing is that I can always see how her photography advice can be applied to writing. Not that she pushes that, in fact more often than not she doesn't even mention it, just lets us make the connection. According to her bio, she is also a mother and a lover of chocolate and exercise.

So what does all this tell me about Stina? It tells me that she's capable of seeing something special in the ordinary. She can take a ray of light and make a picture in which a child looks like an angel from above.

She's clearly a Magician.

Not the David Copperfield kind. But the kind of ancient wielder of magic, able to divine the impossible from the ordinary. And I don't know about you, but I think all writers should strive for that!

MONDAY MADNESS and CONTEST WINNER

I have an announcement. Ahem. This coming Thursday, August 19th, I have a special guest blog just for you from the fabulous LISA DESROCHERS, author of the soon to be released PERSONAL DEMONS. And for those of you who didn't win this time, guess what?? I have another incredible contest to be announced then, courtesy of Lisa!

Soooo... who was lucky enough to snag a signed copy of BOTH Linger and Shiver? How about I make you wait while I tell you the winner for MOST CREATIVE ENTRANT is.

D L HAMMONS

D L got an extra 25 entries for being the most creative. Well, if his story is true, he at least has a very interesting life. Which also makes him the perfect candidate for today's Monday Madness.

DL has been high on life. He reached his "cruising altitude" and then decided to pursue his career in writing. Now he considers "cruising altitude" to be his goal.

So, what do we know about D L? He's had some bad luck (read his entry for this contest), but he's always optimistic and looking ahead. He likes to fly. I'm going to take this literally, of course. He's a dad - which was probably my most important clue. He's a

SUPERHERO!

So, D L, up, up and away! Use those secret powers of yours and you'll be published in no time.

OH YEAH and you wanted to know who won..

MARGO BERENDSEN!!! You won! CONGRATULATIONS!

Monday Madness Rachel Vail

Don't forget to enter my amazing CONTEST..

Yes, it's true that Rachel Vail is known for humorous, touching, realistic stories. Though her book GORGEOUS, the middle book in her Avery Sisters Trilogy, includes a deal with what may or may not be the devil (which sounds suspiciously paranormal to me).

Either way, after having the opportunity to meet Rachel at the SCBWI LA conference I realized that she is the perfect candidate for Monday Madness. Her true nature became so clear when I realized all of the varied roles she plays in life. See, my theory is that Rachel Vail is in fact a

SHAPE SHIFTER

Why? How can any one human be so many amazing things at once? The proof was in her character workshop on Sunday. See, Rachel is able to get so far into her characters' heads that she pretty much becomes them. From their walk to their deepest inner desires, she doesn't quit until the book she's writing accurately reflects this very real person she's created.

I think the trickiest part of what she does must be changing back into herself and leaving the other characters behind. Rachel - you forgot to tell us how to do that!! Seriously though, she is amazing and I can't wait to put some of her advice to use in my writing.

Monday Madness - Alexandra Shostak

First of all - I won a couple of awards! Yeah me! Lacey on the Sisters in Scribe blog passed me the From Me To You award. And Creepy Query Girl (who despite all attempts to prove otherwise seems far from creepy) let me choose so I picked a Blogger Buddy Award. I have no clue what the rules involved are. Probably list a bunch of stuff about me, which I've done enough in the past. I'm an open book though so if you have any burning questions feel free to post them in the comments. And how's this for tricky? I pass Lacey's award to Creepy Query Girl and Creepy's award to Lacey! So there. NOW on to the blog..

Alexandra Shostak is a new find of mine. She's a writer of dark fantasy for adults and YA. Now, as you all know what I normally do on Monday Madness is decide what type of supernatural being someone is.

Well, at first I thought Alexandra was a siren. I mean according to her bio she is a music lover. But, after I saw her latest contest I changed my mind. You see she - among other fabulous prizes - is offering an ARC of Clockwork Angel. HELLO! It's like she knows me personally and likes all the same things. A kindred spirit. Which leads me to believe she may actually be

MY FAIRY GODMOTHER!

So, Alexandra... can you do your bibbity bobbity boo thing and get me a publishing contract?

Either way - you should all give her a visit and enter her fabulous contest. On the other hand, if you don't it increases my odds of winning...

Monday Madness In Review OR The Hall of Madness

Jemi Fraser has been nice enough to pass me the Versatile Blogger award and since I'm supposed to pass it to 15 others I thought it would be the perfect time to do a little review...

It occurs to me that I have a few new followers over the last, oh, month or so. Therefore I thought it might be nice to introduce everyone around. At least to those people I've already featured on my blog. So I present to you Monday Madness in Review. A compilation of some AWESOME writers that I've featured here on my blog, complete with links to their blogs AND links back so you can see just how I arrived at my wonderful deductions. And all of these lovely writers also receive the Versatile Blogger award! Sound good? Then lets begin!

Elissa Cruz is a Shape Shifter

Tahereh Mafi is a Ghost (oh yes, she's admitted it)

Anna Staniszewski is a Fairy

Julie Musil is a Werewolf

Kathy McCullough is a Pixie

Christi Goddard is a Witch

Heather McCorkle is a Werewolf

Leah Cypess is a Shape Shifter

C. Lee McKenzie is a Hobbit

Martina Boone is a Vampire

Beverley BevenFlorez is a Mermaid

Simon Larter is a Demon

Elizabeth Mueller is an Angel

Lindsey Brooks is a Witch

Veronica Roth is an Empath

Whew! I think that was everyone SO FAR! Fifteen AMAZING authors, some published, some on their way. If you are conspicuously missing or have someone you wish to nominate for my Hall of Madness please let me know in the comments.

Oh yeah. I'm also supposed to tell you seven things about myself. So lets see..

1. I hate cleaning.

2. I have a parrot.

3. I love chocolate. A little too much. but...

4. Not in coffee. Unless it's white chocolate. I like creamy coffee drinks.

5. I'm a red head.

6. I've mentioned this before,I used to be an actress. But, did you know I wrote one of the shows we performed at Old Tucson Studios?

7. I LOVE meeting all kinds of writers online (I think I might have an official addiction to Twitter, come follow me if you don't already @lisagailgreen)

Monday Madness: Veronica Roth

VERONICA ROTH

What is she anyway?? She's a very cool blogger. I know that. So check her out. She's a writer. According to her bio she's also "a Christian. And a graduate of Northwestern University. And a Chicago-suburb resident. And a nerd. And a tea enthusiast. And..."

AND WHAT???

Well, I guess that's my job. So, I did a little digging. One post I particularly liked a couple of weeks back on her blog was a recommendation for the book SHIVER which is what prompted me to read it. (It had been sitting on my desk waiting). In that post she also mentioned how she cries. A lot. After finishing a good book or even a movie because she's so sad that it is over. She went on to describe how she connected with the characters in the book. She's obviously very sensitive. So naturally, I started thinking Deanna Troy from Star Trek: The Next Generation. YES I AM ONE OF THOSE NERDS SO GET OVER IT!

Ahem. Therefore I say Veronica is an EMPATH. She feels others' emotions. We could all take a lesson in that.

So, Veronica - what happens when you walk into a room full of writers? Yikes!

Monday Madness, Who is Lindsey Brooks?? And I've Been Tagged!

FIRST, ahem, I have been tagged by Julie Musil to participate in ME IN THREES. So here goes:

Three names I go by:

Lisa

Mommy

That Crazy Lady (well at least I suspect this last one)

Three jobs I've had:

Actress

Registrar

MOMMY

Three places I've lived:

Michigan

Arizona

California

Three places I've been:

Hawaii

Duluth, MN

Hawaii (WHAT??? It's my favorite place.)

Three favorite movies:

Little Shop of Horrors (Musical version)

The Princess Bride

How to Train Your Dragon

Three favorite books:

HARRY POTTER

GOING BOVINE

HUNGER GAMES

Three places I'd love to visit:

Israel

Italy

HAWAII!!! he he he

Three favorite hobbies:

Writing

Reading

Laughing

Three things I'm looking forward to:

SCBWI LA

Hearing back about my submissions

Mockingjay

Now three following bloggers that I don't know enough about:

Becca Rogers

Josin McQuein

Vicki

TAG YOUR IT!!

NOW, today's guinea pig - er, I mean subject - eh, well, you know what I'm trying to say, right? Anyhow, today I decided to feature

Lindsey Brooks!

Lindsey is a tough nut to crack. Her bio is short and sweet and to the point. She says she is a "Teacher by day, Mommy by night, and Writer whenever I can squeeze it in. My own cast of characters: Me, Handsome Hubby, Tootsie Roll (7), and Curly Jones (3)" I had an idea spark in the back of my mind when I saw this statement. I mean, how in the world does she manage to "squeeze in writing?" Not to mention blogging.

Then I looked to the left. There was the answer. If you go to her blog you will see it too. See the striped socks? Remind you of anything? That's right. Wizard of Oz. Didn't the WITCH where those? Well, you know, different color and all. But still...

So I got to thinking. Couldn't one use witchcraft to squeeze in some more time in the day? Plus, not all witches are evil and ugly. I mean Hermione certainly wasn't. So, I think I might have figured this out.

So tell us, Lindsey - If your blog is called "Dangerous with a Pen," is the pen really wand?

Remember to stop by on Thursday to see the results of the contest I ran last week. I'll be interviewing a Nymph and a Satyr! Again - if you have a question you would like me to pose throw it in the comments section and I might just use it and link to your blog!