UPDATE: The winner is…Elysian Fields!
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This puzzle represents the two things I love most about summer!

Solve the puzzle, and then tell me what you love most about summer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Amy Dudley!
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Because I’m on a deadline, I’m keeping my head down for the next few days. So, today’s post is simple. Solve the puzzle, tell me what he’s thinking, and you’re entered to win a FREE download from my backlist. Have fun!

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
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So, I have to share something really funny and exciting!

If you’ve been following me online for any time at all, you know I’ve shared about my different hobbies now and then. I mean, I make jewelry and I do mixed media art. I’m not particularly spectacular at any of it, but I do make some wearable shit, some cool refurbished boxes, and some art you can hang in the bathroom.

Anyway, I belong to a local art guild with some really, really accomplished artists who make me feel like a newbie/no-nothing (not them, they’re really nice) when I see what they can produce. Some of them make their living as artists.

So, our little town is holding a festival this fall, and it’s being billed as an “Arts Festival” with artists from all over the region being invited. The artists’ work has to be “juried”, meaning experts look at samples of your work and decide whether you’re good enough to be a part of the event.

I thought why not try. I’ve never gone through the process. I might learn something. I submitted in two categories: Jewelry and Painting.  I figured maybe I’d get through on jewelry because I’ve been doing it longer, and I do have samples of more intricate stuff—wire-wrapping, leather, etc. Anyway, I got an email the other day. I was accepted for…PAINTING.

First, I laughed hysterically. Then I told me daughter, and her eyes got wide. “Mom, you have to start painting now!” Because, you know, I don’t have a lot of goodish pieces to offer.

But now, you know what I’ll be doing this summer during my free time (when I’m not writing books!!!).

The puzzle below is a picture of one of the pieces that got me approved. Have fun with the puzzle. Then share a little story about something that caught you by surprise—a blue-ribbon at the fair, a compliment on a piece of furniture you refurbed—anything like that. You’ll be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Rita!
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Puzzle-Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me what’s about to happen here! Have fun!

Ending Soon!

1. Cratered Weekend? (Puzzle-Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. FREE Read! See what happens when Beauty meets Beast! — Last day to claim your copy! Everyone gets a FREE book!
3. Tell Me a Story (Contest) — Win a $5 Amazon gift card!
4. Short Story Anthologies (Contest–3 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!

UPDATE: The winner is…Carol Cox!
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I bought this little brainstorming tool years ago at some writers’ conference. “Story Cubes” is (that looks wrong, but I promise it’s not) a brainstorming game. You roll the dice and whatever pictures appear face up are the ones you use to riff off a story.

Here’s the roll…

Do any of these symbols tell you anything? You can pick some or use all of them. Tell me a story, or just a glimmer of an idea, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!  

UPDATE: The winner is…Margaret!
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The one year we’ve really needed a break and Mother Nature is being a huge asshole. We’ve been good for fifteen months, staying cooped up and being creative about our “adventuring”. All we asked for was a little pool time on Memorial Day Weekend…

For one, spring came really, really late. Usually, our pool becomes swimmable sometime in April—sometimes as early as mid-month. This year? Here we are, a day away from Memorial Day, which is always roasting hot, and we’re looking at more 75-degree weather—the coldest it’s been this time of year in fifty freaking years. So, yeah. Not happy. Wearing long-freaking-sleeves. Staring at a pool I’ve only braved twice so far this pool season.

So, last night we cuddled up on sofas and watched The Curse of La Llorona. Not the greatest horror movie, but enough jumpy-outtie stuff we giggled a lot. Hope your weekend is wonderful! Today’s puzzle is a photo of the youngest member of our family taken a few years ago. Enjoy!

Puzzle-Contest

For a chance to win a download of your choice from my backlist of books, tell me what you’re doing this weekend!

UPDATE: The winner is…Jeanine Lesperance!
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Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me where they are and what’s their story!