My Love of the X-Men

I could kick myself for waiting so long to see this movie but between family, work, and writing I just hadn’t had the chance. But today I watched X-Men First Class and I freaking loved it! James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender were excellent. Then there was Kevin Bacon as the bad guy. Totally shocked me. And I wouldn’t be lying if I didn’t say the small cameo by Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, didn’t surprise me.

Now this could just be me and my love for M/M romances but I was hoping that Charles and Erik would end up together. Crazy right? That would never happen in a high budgeted film. But still they would have made an awesome couple. I mean realistically Hollywood and the general world at large need to get over the dislike of m/m or f/f relationships on the silver screen. I would have to image the gays of the world are sick of seeing nothing but straight people themed movies.

Even without a torrid love affair between Charles and Erik the movie still rocked. I never read the comic books so I often wondered how it all began. I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it to all. I’m a sci-fi geek so this was right up my alley.

Titles and Character Names

People often laugh at me when I say I'm not very creative. Which is funny since I write. What I’m not creative about is character names and book titles. I found it frustrating. Before I write a story I sit down and come up with character names and descriptions. The part that takes the longest is coming up with the characters names. I usually Google baby names and read through lists of names until one jumps out at me. But the name has to fit the character I thought up in my head, so this can really be time consuming. To me the name has to be believable to the character and the story. It all has to jive together.

Now when it comes to a title that makes me sweat. It has to be catchy yet pertain to the story. One of the first things readers notice is the flipping title so it needs to be able to stick with them. A good cover is also helpful. Writing a story is like building the perfect house. You have to lay a sturdy foundation; plot, characters, conflict, and resolve. Then build up from those main supporting beams. All of these factors are why it takes me awhile to write a story. In my mind the story has to be something I enjoy and find believable because if I don’t believe in it how do I expect the readers too? As the writer you have to take the readers on a journey through the world you created and at the end you hope they enjoyed the ride. If not they give you a shitty review.

The current story I just submitted, still waiting to hear back on, I had to change a main characters name. I had to do this because I another more well-known author just had a book come out with the exact same title I had for my book. Made me laugh at first but then I was like, OH SHIT! I had to think of name that fit this character that I had been calling by another name for months. Had I been thinking clearly I would have changed the title as well. So if this publishing house takes it I most definitely will have to change the title.

All writers have their own method on how they come up with character names, title, and story ideas.  You have to do what works best for you. And for me I have to feel like I know my characters, so I bring them to life, only in my own mind, but nevertheless to life. I always worry when I tell my husband the characters keep talking in my head and won’t shut up, that he thinks I might be going crazy. He usually just nods at me and smiles. I love that he gets me.

Well I’m off to watch my favorite show Once Upon a Time. I just love this show and it doesn’t hurt that it has a gorgeous cast. One of my favs is the sheriff. He’s just so handsome and has a sexy accent. What’s not to love? The man sure can take a photograph too!

Giveaway Winners: SBBG5

The link below takes you to the page with the winners on it. This was an awesome giveaway. A lot of stuff was up for grabs. That's my kind of contest. Even if you don't like my work there was different authors offering up some great books.

http://readingromances.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/giveaway-winners-sbbg5/

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

I'm trying really hard to make Sunday my blog day. At least I'm trying to. Between family, work, and writing shit gets pushed aside or I just plane forget, which happens quite often. I'm only human.

Well my show wasn't on tonight, Once a Upon a Time. That sucked. So I watched Fridays Supernatural. So good and an awesome cliff hanger ending. I hate that crap but gets the viewers coming back every week. It never ceases to amaze me how they can come up with story line after story line for that show. Impressive.

I've come to terms that promoting my book is kind of hard and just not fun for me. On this journey I discovered there are a ton of groups you can join and through these groups you promote your work, post excerpts, and just chat with other writers and readers. Now in theory this sounds like fun and easy work, but it ain't. This is just my opinion but they seem kind of clicky. Granted I'm a new writer and a lot of these people have been writing for years but I just don’t know when to jump into the chat. And when I do sometimes no one answers back. Makes it hard for us newbies to get involved and meet new people. But it is the nature of the beast promoting is. I'm doing my best to get my name out there, but like me, people have their favorite authors that they follow and it’s hard to gain your own audience. Just got to keep trying.

Fate's Second Chance has had one review and it was great. Got 5 Hearts from MM Good Book Reviews. It definitely put a smile on my face. Link to review below.

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/fates-second-chance-by-a-j-jarrett/

In other news, this bitch got a new laptop! Sony finally agreed my Vaio was unfixable and agreed to give us a full refund. I'm now the proud owner of a new hp laptop.

 Well writing calls. Happy reading!

My New Favorite Show

I don’t watch a lot of television but the shows I do watch I absolutely just love and a loyal watcher of those shows every week. Currently my favorite show is abc's Once Upon a Time. I love the whole idea of fairy tale characters being held captive in a small town unbeknownst to them. The little boy Henry is the only one aware of everything that has happened and he seeks out his birth mother to help him save his town. Too sweet. I find it funny that Henry's adoptive mom is the evil witch. The actress who plays the evil queen is owning that part. She's very attractive but her actions and personality make you hate her. Bravo to her I really believe her part.

           

This is one show I hope that doesn’t get canceled. However I wonder how they will be able to carry this show into further seasons. I hope us viewers get the chance to see!

On my writing front, I just sent out a submission to a different publisher. Every time I send one out my stomach sits in knots until I hear something back. Extremely frustrating. My only concern with this latest submission is that it is a paranormal story. Vampires, shifters of all kinds, and witches. The main difference in my story is that it’s due to witches why there are vampires and shifters in the world. Hell have no fury like a scorned witch. It’s different but is it enough to catch people’s attention? I find it entertaining but that's just me, of course I’m a little partial since I wrote it. It’s a story that can be carried on into a series with several different aspects of the paranormal world told. I hope it gets accepted and I get the chance to bring that alternative world to life. 

White Chicken Chili

Well the weather here in the good old Midwest is cold and wet. I just pray its not a snow filled winter like the last one. I mean honestly my kids were home more than not. When I was in school we didn't get out for shit.

Tonight was my daughters music program at school. It was patriotic themed. Very cute but a little to long for my taste. I no that sounds mean and heartless but when you have a sick kid at home and two restless little boys sitting like two ticking time bombs at your feet ready to go off in any minute, can cause a bit of a panic.

My choice for the title is because that is what I made for dinner. I found this recipe online about a year ago, cant remember the website I got it from, I googled it for heaven's sakes. My point is that its a simple quick dinner to prepare and make.

All you need is: Chicken ( I buy a rotisserie chicken and just remove the meat to put in the chili)
                        3- 16oz Cans of Northern Beans
                        3- 14.5oz Cans of Chicken Broth
                        1- 4.5 oz Can of Chopped Green chili
                        1- 12oz Can of Shoe-peg Corn
                        1 Tb. of Cumin
                        1 Tb. of Oregano
                        1/2 Tsp. of Cayenne Pepper

Combine and let cook on low heat for about 4-5 hours. (This is what I do anyways.)
I serve with Sour Dough bread because that's what my family likes.

On the writing front I just finished a manuscript for a paranormal romance. I no, everyone is writing a paranormal story, but I love paranormal stories. Real life gets a bit boring sometimes and I personally like to step out of the norm when I read. I'm reading through and tweaking it to make sure its perfect for submission. Only question now is who to submit it to. I no who I want to submit it to but I'm going to stay mum about that until I'm 100% for sure.                  

My Love for Candy

Trick or treating with the kids this year was fun. The weather held so that means we weren’t rained on. Always a plus. We actually stayed in our own neighborhood this year and trick or treated to our fellow neighbors. I must say as I looked through my kids candy they really cleaned up. The location of where you trick or treat definitely shows in the candy the kids bring home.

We live in a newer housing addition with a tab bit larger homes. My hubby always hated taking the kids around our hood because of all the walking and hills. Well I love to run and walk so this year we hung around the Hills of River Meadows where we live, I no classy name for a neighborhood. I feel so debonair just saying it. LOL!!!

By talking about where we live, I hope I don’t come off as a snob, because I’m not, but I am a candy snob. I like to think other people are just as picky about their candy as I am. I'm a fan of M&M's, Snickers, Milky Way (regular or dark), and the list goes on. However, I must say my all time favorite candy bar is Bar None and wouldn’t you know it they don’t make those any more. So depressing. To think my kids will never know that particular chocolaty goodness.

The pic is of my youngest son and me. He was so proud of his dinosaur costume.