Thanks also to everyone who either participated in BAM, or watched patiently from the sidelines throughout May.
I enlisted my husband and son’s help in pulling names of winners out of a hat. (Er, bowl.)
Congratulations to the three winners, and I will be contacting you ASAP to arrange delivery of your prizes!
Decide if you want the little yellow guy or the little blue guy of these two keychains.
ART:
(Kelly Fineman)
OUTINGS:
(Kathleen of All the World’s a Stage)
PEOPLE:
(3rd grade teacher)
Oh, and I almost forgot that I was giving away one of my ARCs, so I had to go to an online random number generator, because I had already thrown away the paper nametags. (I don’t have enough ARCs to give one to each winner – I’m sorry!) The winner of an ARC of FLASH BURNOUT is ... Kelly Fineman! Hope you like it, Kelly.
- Mood:
accomplished
Good morning! Happy June 1st.
I don’t know about you guys, but I had a lot of fun with Blogging Alternatives in May.
However, in a cruel twist of irony, I seem to have blogged even more than usual in my efforts to encourage people to do things other than blogging.
Bahahaha!
So I will probably be pretty scarce around LJ the next couple of months, except for posting Authorial Intrusion interviews. I need to settle back into a more structured writing schedule, and I will be holing up in the Revision Cave once I get notes from my editor for book 2.
In other words, BIC instead of BAM.
I’ve listed below the BAM participants, to the best of my knowledge. If you don’t see your name, and you did participate, please let me know within the next few days (and tell me which category – ART, OUTINGS, or PEOPLE). It’s quite possible you were BAMming and posting proof all month long, and I just missed it, due to my spotty blog-reading.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
annewriter, I know you took went offline during May – did you BAM? On June 5, I will fire up the random number generator, and choose the winners. (Chocolates! Fun stuff! Books! Maybe my ARC!)
ART
1.
sookie06 (garden art, bracelet)2.
susanwrites (garden art)3.
soniag (fancy collage)4.
sarazarr (taking up music again)5.
meganfrazer (cake-baking)6.
sruble (aside from her regular art, she’s taking a comics class)7.
3rdgradeteacher (who never blogs, but provided photographic proof of more BAMming in one month than I could have managed in six months … and I don’t have a baby and a toddler)8.
kellyrfinemanOUTINGS
1. Kathleen (of All the World’s A Stage) (Northwest FolkFest)
2.
newport2newport (many outings!)3.
kellyrfineman (ditto)4.
anywherebeyond (5.
fabulousfrock (wide-ranging travels)6.
soniag (England)7. Jolie (of Cuppa Jolie) (various Real Life)
8.
meganfrazer (hiking, trapeze-ing)9.
3rdgradeteacher 10. Laini Taylor (went all over the place in May)
11.
jbknowles (Medieval Fair)12.
sookie06PEOPLE
1.
3rdgradeteacher2.
meganfrazer3.
kellyrfineman4.
kimkasch5.
juliakarr6.
marybethkelsey7.
annewriterI went on one final May outing yesterday morning:
( Read more... )
Even if you didn’t BAM, I hope you had fun in May.
Let’s meet back here next year for more blogging alternatives. Heck, if BEDA becomes an annual event, you will need to relax with BAM.
- Mood: accomplished
Happy Tuesday! I’m back from the dentist after much numbing and drilling and molding. Now the rest of my week off work can be pain-free, I hope.
How’s BAM going for everyone? (Er, anyone? Bueller?)
I know
newport2newport has been on many outings, wearing her Nancy Drew hat, and kellyrfineman has been gallivanting, and sookie06 and susanwrites made garden art, andanywherebeyond actually left her house TWICE in May (no, it’s true! I have photographic proof! But I know from personal experience that having body parts surgically removed is no fun, and I doubt Saundra would stop to sterilize instruments and stuff, she would just rip out my viscera, so I’m not going to post the photo) and soniag made a gorgeous character collage AND is on a big outing in ENGLAND right now! and Jolie (of http://cuppajolie.blogspot.com/) had Real Life plans for May, and
lots of writer friends went to the Western Washington SCBWI in May (so jellus!!) and … and …
Who else?
I know I’m missing someone. Let me know if you’ve been BAM-ing, because you! may! win! prizes! including Moonstruck chocolates, a cute keychain, a Winter Court or Summer Court wristband (courtesy of Melissa Marr), and books! (Some of the books up for grabs are: GRACELING by Kristin Cashore, CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson, RADIANT DARKNESS by fellow Portlander Emily Whitman, FRAGILE ETERNITY by Melissa Marr, FINGERSMITH by Sarah Waters, and however many more I need to jettison to make room for more books.)
Let’s talk about ART, since so many writers seem intimidated by the idea of making visual art.
I used to feel leery (what a funny juxtaposition of e’s and l’s) of venturing away from the safety zone of words and into visual art, but then I had en epiphany:
You can play with it.
( Do not be afraid of the ARTiosity below the cut )
- Mood:
hungry
Hoisted self from chair to meet RL friends for breakfast at Industrial Cafe in NW Portland.
Rumor has it they make the best biscuits and gravy in town.
You know what?
They do.
So today earns me points in the PEOPLE category of BAM ... and I may even make some ART, too.
ART post coming soon!
But it's a beautiful sunny day here, and I have a weird desire to go sit outside and ... read.
Not pull weeds or attempt to "work on" the yard. Just luxuriate in a good book. (I'm reading a friend's MS, and also Sarah Cross's DULL BOY. Love both!)
Biscuits and gravy below the cut, so people who are averse to sausage don't have to see it on their friends-page over and over. And let's be honest: biscuits and gravy - while delicious! - is not the prettiest of foods.
( Read more... )
Edited to add:
Holy crap! Went outside to read peacefully.
Neighbor fired up weed whacker.
*heartshock*
Edited to add part 2:
OMG!
Now two boys playing Guitar Hero in next room.
Universe does not want me to quietly read.
- Mood:
full
Howzit goin’?
I’m in a good mood, because a) it’s my sister’s birthday - happy birthday, Peepee! and b) BAM is going well. My plan to spend more time in my Real Life instead of my Laptoppy Life is actually succeeding!
I went to the Portland Art Museum Sunday to see an exhibit that is making only one US appearance … in Portland!
It’s French Painting in the Time of Madame de Pompadour.* There were lots of pink cheeks and dimpled bottoms and nipples peeping coyly out of dresses. Lots of angels and cherubs and cupids.
But it wasn’t all rococo madness. There was one artist – Fragonard – who painted a dark scene of washerwomen in which the most lovely yellow spot of color, strategically placed in the center of the canvas, is the actually the upturned bottom of a laundress. Sly 18th century dog! You can see it here.
I took a (non-flash) photo of this painting by Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre, “The Abduction of Europa.” I had forgotten the myth of Europa – that’s the one in which Zeus turns himself into a tame bull to entice her onto his back. (Oh Zeus, you crazy, fickle, shape-shifting menace!) Then he plunges into the sea with her, and carries her to Crete, where she becomes Queen.
It looks like Zeus had some help from a giant fish and a merman.
After the visit to the museum, I
So it was a successful day of OUTINGS and ART.
I’m adding another prize to the contest giveaway – these cute little Debo keychains, which are part of a limited edition series of “Making sure you always have a working pen within reach” superheroes. INORITE?! So cute and helpful! I bought enough to let each of my three winners pick which one they want.
There’s something very satisfying about juxtaposing this crazy, colorful Japanimation-looking toy with the very French classical painting above.
So here are the rules of the contest again, briefly:
1) Do some RL stuff during the month of May that you would not normally do, because you’re busy hanging out in cyberspace.
2) Take a picture of said RL stuff, as proof that you got up from your chair, left the orbit of your Interwebz, and did it. With some kind of time stamp or sign that tells me you did it in May 2009.
3) Post it on your blog, or email me the photo, if you can’t post photos on your blog. (lkmadigan [at] gmail {dot} com)
At the end of May, I will pick winners in the categories of ART, OUTINGS, and PEOPLE.
You get rewarded for getting out of your rut!
Prizes will include books, Moonstruck chocolates, a pen guardian superhero, and maybe even an ARC of my book. (OMG, I just went to the Moonstruck site, and their home page made me drool. Literally. Saliva just flooded my mouth.)
Let’s see, what else?
*bounces*
(Maybe too much coffee this morning?)
I think that's all for now. Okay, I'm going.
Happy Tuesday, friends!
Edited to add: If you want a copy of my ARC, and you don't want to do BAM, you can bid on it at the auction for Bridget Zinn .
* When I was trying to explain to my son who Madame de Pompadour was, I found myself saying, “Remember that Doctor Who episode about Madame de Pompadour?” “No.” “Remember? The Girl in the Fireplace?” “No.” “Remember? There were those freaky robots with the white wigs?” “No.” (Doctor Who gets up to some bizarre plotlines, doesn’t it?) After my pop culture reference, I did try to describe her in a more historically accurate way. :-)
- Mood: cheerful
English friends K & K arrived Saturday night for a quick visit on their whirlwind trip through the western United States. They loved Death Valley so much they stayed an extra day – so we only got them for two nights. Ah well. This is their second trip to America, and they are smitten. We will see them again.
I, unlike the British, am wide awake.
Drinking strong tea at five p.m. was civilized and lovely, but … hi. It’s after eleven now, and I’m nowhere near sleep.
So let’s talk about BAM!
In case you didn’t see my last entry, I’m running a contest during the month of May that should occasionally take you away from your laptop or computer. Gasp! For details, here’s the entry: BAM.
We talked about ART last time, so now let’s cover OUTINGS and PEOPLE.
I don’t know about you, but I get in ruts.
Do you know I haven’t been to the Portland Art Museum in over ten years? I’ve somehow managed to find time to go to Sock Dreams, but the last time I went to the art museum, it was to see the visiting Chinese soldiers exhibit. And (sheepish) I’ve never actually gone just to see the the permanent collection. I’m embarrassed.
So I’m going to go see the current exhibit, French Painting in the Age of Madame de Pompadour. I can’t wait! I may even check out the permanent collection. :-)
You don’t have to go someplace on your outing that requires an admission price.
Look for a Little League game in your neighborhood. They’re so fun, and they offer such great people-watching opportunities (always a bonus for writers).
Notice how the each kid has his own ritual when he comes up to bat. One might swing his bat around in a circle exactly three times before settling into his stance. Another might plant his feet firmly, then rock back and forth on his hips while he waits for the pitch. Another takes his place in the box, lifting right foot-left foot, right foot-left foot, right foot-left foot before going still to wait for the pitch.
Now watch the pitcher. If he has a bad inning, you might see him walk stoically off the field, then bend over his gear bag to get his batting helmet, tears wetting his cheeks, before he brushes them away and joins his teammates.
And the dads!
Wow.
I guarantee you there will be at least father who has too much at stake in his kid’s game. He won’t be able to keep from rolling his eyes or clenching his fists when his kid strikes out. Or he will feel compelled to shout something instructional to his kid after a ball gets by him in the field.
Good stuff.
There are plenty of options out there for FREE excursions. Explore! Let me know what you find.
Okay, third category: PEOPLE.
For heaven’s sake, why people?
:-D
I don’t think I need to explain the importance of people in real life.
If you’re lucky enough to still have your grandparents, take a few minutes to write them a letter. Or an email, if they’re hip to that! If they live nearby, stop by to see them.
All of my grandparents are gone, but I miss my neighbor, who moved to a nursing home before winter.
I’m going to call her, and see if she wants to come for a visit.
Night, all.
P.S. No one guessed my mis-quoted song in the previous BAM title. It was LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out," a great song that was given new life in Robin Benway's AUDREY, WAIT!
- Mood:
awake
(Points for knowing which song I’m mis-quoting.)
Did you BEDA?
(Blog Every Day in April?)
If you did, wow! Congratulations! You must be exhausted.
I did not BEDA, although judging from the amount of time I spent BIC, staring at my laptop, you’d think I was extremely focused on my next novel.
Uh, no.
I’ve been gazing, inert and engrossed, at the screen of my laptop because that’s where so many of my friends live. And when I’m not tweeting, updating my status, reading blogs, commenting, and emailing, I’m watching instant movies on Netflix (“Let the Right One In” – creepy), DVDs of Supernatural (hot brothers) or My So-Called Life (YA genius).
Sometimes … I’m even writing.
But I remember when I used to do other stuff besides stare into my laptop.
I miss doing stuff.
And one thing is clear: I’ve become addicted to your society … that’s right: YOU. My far-flung friends in Arizona and Oklahoma and New Zealand and Finland!
But it’s time for me to fight the inertia! I’m going haul my
I think I’m even ready for BAM.
(Blogging Alternatives in May.)
I’ve felt a backlash coming on for a couple of months.
For the month of May, I’m going to try to spend more time in my Real Life than my online life.
Want to join me? It’s only for ONE MONTH.
Oh! You know what? Let’s have a contest!
Here are the rules, which I am
1) Do some RL stuff during the month of May that you would not normally do, because you’re busy hanging out in cyberspace.
2) Take a picture of said RL stuff, as proof that you got up from your chair, left the orbit of your Interwebz, and did it. With some kind of time stamp or sign that tells me you did it in May 2009.
3) Post it on your blog, or email me the photo, if you can’t post photos on your blog. (lkmadigan [at] gmail {dot} com)
4) I will enter your name into a contest for, uh, something cool.
5) There will probably be more rules. I'll let you know.
I can’t promise you monkeys or blogging buddies, as the lovely Maureen Johnson did for her BEDA challenge, but I will come up with goodies.
I’m a big fan of Moonstruck Chocolates, so there will most certainly by some of those included. And probably books. The book population in my house is starting to get out of control, so it’s time to give some away.
Oh! Maybe I’ll even have my ARCs (!!!) by the end of May. I could give one of those away. And … I don’t know. I’ll think of some fun stuff. Hey! Maybe I’ll have more than one winner! Let’s say THREE. I will award three prizes! Yes. I love the number three. Maybe there should be categories. Yes ! Categories! Maybe: ART, OUTINGS, and PEOPLE.
Why ART?
I was talking about artsy craftsy projects with
soniag recently. I have this theory that people should step outside their creative boxes sometimes … for example, if you’re a writer, you should do something visual, like draw or paint or heck, even color! My theory is that the Wordy Brain Cells (sorry to be so technical) live right next door to the Visual Brain Cells (the VBCs). If you stimulate the VBCs by painting or sculpting or making some kind of ART, you will tickle the whole Creative Cortex (yes, that’s the correct terminology), which in turn brushes up against the Wordy Brain Cells, causing Expansion of Ideas.
I used to love to make stepping stones – I haven’t done one in a couple of years. Maybe my BAM project will be a new stepping stone. Or maybe I will make a mosaic flower pot.
Here's one of my hard-working stones:
(Here are some others I made. Oh, and one I helped my son make for a Father's Day present.)
This entry is getting long, so we’ll talk about OUTINGS and PEOPLE another time.
“But Lisa,” you say, “I don’t have time for this folderol.* You may be staring hypnotized into your laptop, but I am actually writing!”
To which I say, “Yay! Keep going! If you’re in the zone, DO NOT LEAVE IT.”
In fact, you can join
lisa_schroeder, whose motto for May is: ANOBIMWI (Almost No Blogging in May, Write Instead). I’m still going to tweet and blog and such. Come on, I’m not crazy.
But I’m going to spend more time tickling the VBCs and hoping they make the fiction flow better.
And if no one enters my contest ... that's okay, too. More chocolate for me.
* First time I’ve used the word ‘folderol’ in my blog.
- Mood:
determined
