Monday, August 5, 2013

It's page posting time!



Heartlandians, you know the drill. Please leave a comment with your total new page count. Also leave your total heavily edited page count.

bonus for the month--what part did William Shatner play on Howdy Doody?

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

July Heat and Page Counts Meet

The heat of summer. What a perfect time to stay inside and write. 
And this week is the time to report all those newly written pages...whether heat inspired or not.

In the comments, leave your total number of newly written pages, your total of heavily edited pages, and your name if you post anonymously. 

If you have an unreported, charm worthy event, comment with that as well!

your guru thanks you! 

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Huckleberry Summer by Avery Cove



Huckleberry Summer by Avery Cove
Hot sun rays scorched every item of clothing Sam wore and the heat burned where it touched his skin. He swiped again at the sweat that rolled down his face as some trickled into his eyes. He blinked and squeezed his eyelids hoping to lessen the sting. He couldn’t take much more of this heat. He looked down the fence row where more bobbed wire needed tightening. Rip, his dog, sniffed the ground and chased the brown grasshoppers popping up from the grass not far from him.

Two steps down the fence row, he reached out and grabbed the wire gaging how much slack he needed to take up. A shrill scream echoed across the hills and valley. Sam jerked back his hand, his glove still hung on the barb. He bit back a cuss word and shook his hand. Blood ran across his fingers.

Another scream—fear jolted him from his pain. “Rip—load up!” After the second try at the ignition switch, the truck fired and Sam forced it into reverse. It bumped and rocked traveling as fast as it would go through the field. Rip barked as the truck climbed the hill. The screams sounded like they came from the back side of the old Duncan place. Charging over the last bump, he topped the hill and slid the truck to a standstill next to the fence. Standing in the middle of the saddest excuse for a garden stood a woman wielding a hoe. A blond ponytail bounced with every move.

Sam pushed open the door and jumped, Rip behind him.

“Hey!”

She stood frozen to one spot. He grabbed the top of the fence and jump over it as Rip crawled underneath, ready for the chase. He bounded for the lady.

“Hey—lady!” Sam hollered, again. “You hurt—snake bit?”

She glanced up as the mutt loped through the grass heading her way. Winded Sam reached the edge of the garden. Facing him stood that woman—the one stranded on the side of the road—all culture and no country. Sam sucked in a hot breath. His new neighbor. Scrutinizing the terror in her eyes, he watched as she shuddered and scanned the ground and plants near her feet.

Now she glared at him. Ponytail no longer bobbed, but the most exquisite green eyes he could not have dreamed up flashed sheer annoyance. “What?”

Sam hesitated. “I said—are you hurt?”

She scowled recognizing the truck. “No. Do I look hurt?”

“Wasn’t that you who let out those bloodcurdling screams?”

She pulled in a deep breath, her shapely bosom evident in her pink cotton sundress. “I saw a snake!”

She had the grace to stare back toward the ground as her face reddened.

“God save me from silly females!” Sam yanked the remaining glove off his good hand and looked down at the blood spreading across his fingers on his other one. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the arm of his t-shirt. “Woman—if you are afraid of everything that crawls in these hills, you’d better pack up and head back to whatever city you came from!”

Smarting from his accusations, she twisted her head back in his direction. “How dare you!” You drive across My property and shout at me for no reason. I did not ask or need to be rescued! What time-warp century did you come from?”

Abashed, he frowned. His dog was now at her feet, wagging his tail and looking up at her adoringly.
“Point taken.” His sweat and blood stung his hand.

“Come on Rip.” Slinging the dripping blood from his injured fingers, Sam turned and marched back to his vehicle with Rip at his heels. Sam tipped his head at the woman, offered up his juvenile behavior by stomping on the gas pedal. He spun his truck around, almost grazing her fence, then bounced across the ruts as he tore down the hill. 

“Oooh!” She kicked a dirt clod with the toe of her sandal. The hard soil did not budge. A cry of pain escaped her lips. She threw down the hoe, grabbed her throbbing big toe, lost her balance, and then fell squarely on her butt. “Ouch!” A small vapor of dust completed her humiliation. Why couldn’t I have a kindly old man for a neighbor—not a blue-eyed jackass!




Friday, June 21, 2013

Gaming Challenge--Dead Man's Law by Mariah Ambersan

From Dead Man's Law, a wip by Mariah Ambersan
            “My son?” Erebos’s smug words slid out of the dark and over Sam, mocking him. That oily voice plucked at Sam’s senses like a maestro playing a poisoned harp. The sound alone taunted everything inside him to fury until every sensation sang in hate. “Such a magnificent son, so full of great and terrible promise.” The voice cooed from behind his ear, cooling the nape of his neck. A claw ran across the breadth of his shoulders. Sam felt like a stud at auction. Any second people would start shouting out prices. That infuriated him, more so than the fact he’d been chained to the foot her statue, like some misbehaved dog waiting for its mistress to come home.
Sam snapped his elbow back at the voice, praying to connect. He wanted nothing more in that moment than to feel bone breaking under his blow. Instead the chain rattled merrily stopping him. “Of course you’re mine. Everything you are in this existence is because of me.” The voice drifted around him.
            Oh yeah, and didn't he know it, and never in a thousand years would Sam ever forgive him. Erebos was the one who killed Haven and Seth. The one behind all of this, the one responsible for the hell Sam was in. It made his blood seethe.
 Sam turned towards the voice and hissed venomously. “I’ll rip everything you have built down. Every heartbeat and every breath I have in me will be just to destroy you.”  The silence filled with righteous intent. Sam wouldn't simply kill him he would obliterate everything about all of them. No more innocent people would die.
The dark quieted until all Sam could hear was his own harsh breathing. The vampire had gone still. Like a shark in a night time ocean Sam had no idea where the killer in the dark would strike next, and it could be from literally anywhere.
“Do you mean the heart that beats, pulsing from my blood and the newborn breath that you gasped when you woke in the dark four days ago?  The ones that dwell there still, full from the night air and my power? Is that the beat and breath you’re talking about? The ones I gave you?”
Invisible fingers caught his chin and held Sam’s face in a vise. Sam held his ground, refusing to be cowed or back down. Although he couldn't see him in the dark he knew Erebos stood right in front of him and Sam wanted him to see all the hate he felt.
The touch turned gentle.
Sam blinked.
Cold fingers cupped his cheek. Sam fought not to jerk his head away from the disconcerting touch. The sudden switch unsettled him but he wasn't about to give the vampire the satisfaction of seeing him flinch.
My blood and my breath gave you life, my words gave you a name. You are more mine than any mortal man who you knew before.”
Blue bloomed in the darkness before his eyes as the vampire let himself be seen. Darkness parted in swirls giving way to the diaphanous light all vampires had. Erebos stood nose to nose with Sam, his dark eyes were so stark against the glow they looked like bullet holes in an electric ghost.  
Sam couldn't look away if he’d tried.
“I am your father.”
Erebos slid his hand to the back of Sam’s neck and leaned down until their foreheads touched.
“Thanatos you are my son. Don’t you remember me?”
The words wormed their way into his soul and twisted to take root.
            My Son.
            I am your father.
            Remember me.
            Something blurred in Sam’s mind. Another dark eyed man with a bright smile faded at the edges of his conscience.
            Who was that? He seemed important somehow. The energy surging though him faltered and Sam’s body sagged, dizziness sent the world spinning on a cockeyed axis. The blue god in front of him held him tenderly while Sam reeled.
            Father? Did dad always glow?
            Sam stared into the dark eyes fighting to place what was wrong. Yeah he did, but it’s wrong somehow. His gaze dropped to the Blue God’s chest. The glow was always there and it was a different color.
            A niggle of memory shimmered like a fish in dark water. A glimpse of brilliant gold on black. That’s right it’s gold not blue. The memory solidified into a shield glowing in the setting sun.
            A badge?
            His dad’s badge on his uniform!
             The ghostly man of his memory erupted into full glorious color. His father stood leaning against the Challenger. He’d come home from work and he’d turned to smile at Sam just as the sun set. The light had caught his shield and his dad’s badge looked like his heart was on fire against the black police uniform. It was Sam’s best memory of him.
            Sam’s stare locked onto the one across from him.
Indescribable anger arced through Sam’s mind swallowing what remained of his rationality whole.
 He’s trying to hypnotize me into forgetting my father.
Rage unlike anything he’d ever known exploded through him. It pounded his heart and sent all the muscles in his body surging. Snarling, Sam lunged at Erebos. The sharp rasping ring of metal scraping against the marble behind him barely registered in his heated brain.
“You’re not my father you sick prick!”  Sam reached the end of his chain, the sudden loss of slack jerked his attack short.  The heavy iron cut into his wrists, and still he fought forward. He knew he couldn't break the iron holding him there, but that didn't stop him from trying.
The blue winked out and the void rushed in all around him again.
In the dark behind him the smug voice chuckled. “Such a pity we were so close to bonding too. I’d rather you came to me Thanatos, but I understand. Just like I understand change can be difficult and parents have to be firm with wayward children.”  The chain on his left wrist dipped slightly. “Well, I suppose we’ll have to do things the hard way then.”  It was all the warning he got. The chain shot backwards through the rings in the statues base.
Sam’s arm nearly popped from their socket from the force and he flew across the room like a kite in a tornado.
Sam cracked his head against the marble and crashed his teeth together. Blood gushed in his mouth bittersweetly. Must have bit my tongue. Owww. He ran his tongue across his teeth, a flap caught and tugged painfully. Yep nashed it good. Although it did kind of feel nice. A traitorous moan rumbled past his clenched teeth.
Sam’s eyes shot open.
No! His heart screamed at his fading mind.
What he needed to bring him back to himself wasn't there. The hurt that should have shocked him slipped away, edging into ecstasy instead. His ethereal thoughts circled the horrible truth in vanishing motes that became harder and harder to focus on through the giddiness swirling around his head.  The sun had set and Nyx’s hold over him had returned. He was out of time. There was no way he could fight Erebos and Nyx at the same time. She’d be here any minute.
The pain swam in euphoric waves that rolled his eyes up into his skull.
She’s getting closer.
Sam screwed his eyes shut, vainly trying to block out the feeling.  His last threads of sanity thrashed for anything to save itself from the sinking darkness.
“Tell you what. Let’s wager for it, Dad. Let’s play a game, if I win you unchain me and I go free for the night. If you win.” Sam spat blood on the floor and took a deep breath. “Well then you win. I’ll come willingly.”  Nausea twisted Sam’s gut to say those words.
Suddenly the vampire was there again, his evil firefly light filling the space before the statue in sickening shades of blue. The smirk on his face unmistakable. He had the vampires undivided attention.
“What kind of wager?”

Monday, June 10, 2013

Gaming Challenge--Daughter of the Dragon by Connie Crow

Daughter of the Dragon
by Connie Crow

            Leonid Chaikov rubbed a clammy hand across his mouth and tugged on his great, grey beard. His cards wouldn't change, no matter how long he stared. He crushed them together and glanced around the tiny mountain shack. The bare studs of the interior offered no encouragement. The raw planks and barren cabin looked as bleak as his poker hand. He thumbed them open. No luck. Still the same stinkin' cards "Two pair. Two lousy pair."
            "Come on, Chaikov. I ain't got all day. You gonna see my hand or not?" The voice from across the table grated in his ears. Turning to face the voice, he stared into merciless, beady eyes, glinting across the table. How had he ever allowed himself to get into a card game with Hargrave and Armitage? Sun Lee would have his hide if he lost their mine to the card shark and his 'go-fer'.
            "Shut up, Hargrave. It's my mine I'm putting on the table."
            The hint of a smile snaked across Hargrave's angular face. He leaned back, tipping his chair onto its back legs. "That it is, Chaikov, that it is. You take all the time you want, 'cause when we get done, it's all gonna be mine."
            Hargrave's face set into its ever-present sneer. He jerked upright. The chair hit the floor with a resounding thud. Chaikov jumped at the sound, then settled into his own rickety seat. An unintelligible grunt escaped his lips. The cards, made thick by too many sweaty fingers from too many poker games, refused to budge. He held them toward the flickering lamplight and shook his head. No matter what he did, all he could see was two pair, with a Jack kicker. A shudder shook the big man's frame-- a shudder out of place on this stifling August night. Oh well, he couldn't cover his marker in the pot now. It was all or nothing at this point.
            He smoothed the precious paper lying on the table. Picking up the pencil stub beside him, he scrawled his name on the front, endorsing the deed. Caressing it gently between his fingers, he finally stretched out his hand and deposited the document atop the pile of coins in the table's center. He brushed the other documents lying by the coins.  " I'll call. I'm putting the deed to the mine down. And I'll see your hand."
            Chaikov glared across the table, keeping his hand firmly on the two papers.
            Hargrave's smile widened. "I'll be glad to show it to you. Read 'em and weep, Chaikov."
Hargrave stood up, spreading his cards on the worn tabletop. "Three pretty Queens lined up beside a pair of Jacks. A full house, Chaikov."
            He leaned forward, pressing his palms of the table. Eye-to-eye, his hissed, "Show me better, if you got it."
            Chaikov's shoulders sagged. He pulled his hand back and turned his cards face up. "You got me beat. My two pair won't take that." His heart sank. He'd lost it--lost the Golden Dragon Mine. Sun Lee would never forgive him--and she was such a good daughter. Since her mother's death, she'd loaded dirt and worked with him like a trouper. What could he say to her? He buried his face in his hands.
            A strangled sound, coming from the third player in this unholy card game caught his attention. He glanced at Armitage, who'd been in the game at the beginning. Seeing Armitage's face, he looked back at the cards. "What's wrong with you, Rat Face? You look like you just seen a ghost?"
            "Oh, nothing, nothing at all!"
            Hargrave threw Armitage a withering glance. "Nothing's wrong, Chaikov. You just lost a mine, that's all. I'll be takin' my winnings."
            Chaikov's huge arm stopped Hargrave's sweep of the table "Just a minute." His hand shot out, scooping up Armitage's cards. "I want to see these."
            Hargrave tried in vain to stop him. "You can't do that."
            Chaikov held the third hand in his huge fist and shook it slowly in Hargrave's face. "I just did." He spread the cards on the table between the other two hands. A pair of jacks peaked out of Armitage's hand. An icy chill settled over the three men. Chaikov stood, towering over the others. He glared at the winner. "It's your deck, Hargrave. Since when does a poker deck have five Jacks?"
            "Ah, I. . ." Hargrave searched for words, his eye murderous thunderclouds, threatening to drown Armitage for his mistake.
            "Never mind." Chaikov reached for the pieces of paper. "I'll be takin' the deeds."
            Hargrave swung toward him "No!"
            Chaikov's hand dropped to his gun. "Yes, I will."  He was too slow. As his hand touched holster leather, he felt a searing pain in his chest, and instant before he heard the crack of a derringer. It was the last sound he ever heard. He clutched at his chest, trying to stop the pain exploding inside, trying to cover the hole exposing his lung. He couldn't breathe. Darkness eroded his vision, leaving him only a glimpse of the deeds on the table. With a dying gasp, he lunged toward the shadow.


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Gaming--Time to report in

just one of the possibilities for our new logo!


It's time again, my dearest ones,
to post pages wrote since last we met.
New work in progress counts I need,
as well, edits of words already set.

So leave a comment down below
whether pages one, or an octet,
report those written words right now
and to your team be an asset!

The guru waits, hands clasped tight,
ignoring now the game croquette.
To add the numbers once again,
she does not want to act the soubrette*

Do comment now,
lest you forget,
for well you know
if not--a threat.

Play it loud upon the musette,
write it in the local gazette
no wait, only here, you bet
will page counts I accept.
After all--'tis kismet.

~ * ~

Got that? Comment below with your newly written page count and/or your heavily edited page counts. If you post anonymously, please leave your name in the post. I'm not a mind reader, you know. :)

*do you know what this word means--without looking it up? Let me know in the comments.









Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Gaming Challenge--Winter of Dreams by Cheryl St. John

Winter of Dreams novella in Colorado Courtship by Cheryl St. John 


Tessa joined them, carrying a tray loaded with a teapot and three cups. “Time for refreshment, don’t you agree?”

She set the tray on a nearby table and served them. 
 
Ben Charles watched Violet’s demeanor change, and recognized she was uncomfortable with the role reversal. “We don’t want to push ourselves on you, Violet,” he said in a gentle tone.

Her dark gaze moved to his, and he read her uncertainty.

“Perhaps if you think of Sunday as a family day, and remember we want you as part of our family, you’ll be more comfortable.”

A flicker of pain crossed her features, but she quickly hid it. “I’ll try.”

The afternoon sun streaming through the front windows enhanced the color of her eyes, which always appeared so dark. In this light they were a rich deep mahogany, flecked with gold and green. The last thing he wanted to do was crowd her and scare her off. Apparently she had no one else, and everyone needed a family. His might be small, but he and Tessa had a lot to offer.

“We have a new player to draw into our games?” his sister said as she settled beside Violet. The last word had ended on a higher note, indicating her question.

“I was hoping to make a good impression this first weekend,” he replied with good humor. “Not send her packing.”

“What games are you referring to?” Violet asked.

Tessa got up and took one of the game boards from the wall.

“I thought those were colorful lithographs,” Violet said with surprise.

“They’re game boards,” Tessa replied. “This one is my favorite.

The game she referred to was Round the World with Nellie Bly. Tessa had loved to play this one since she was a child. “She’s read Nellie Bly’s book a dozen times,” Ben Charles told Violet.

“Have you read it?” Tessa asked, her expression animated.

“Indeed I have,” Violet answered. “I was twelve when she made headlines. My father and I followed her column in the New York World from the moment she left Jersey City, through the Mediterranean, across the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean, to Japan, all the way until she arrived in New York City. It was the most exciting adventure a girl could imagine.”

The pleasure on Tessa’s face was worth a hundred Sunday afternoons of playing her game. “I was too young then to remember,” she said. “But I read the newspaper accounts in the archives at the library.”
Their conversation convinced Ben Charles once and for all that God had answered his prayers and sent Violet. Emotion spread throughout his chest, like a comforting emollient for a previously aching heart. Thank You, Lord. Your mercies are indeed new every morning.

“How do you play?” Violet asked.

From a cabinet, Tessa gathered the spinner and worn wooden tokens and explained the simple forward and backward movement in the spiral of spaces. “This isn’t Ben Charles’s favorite game, but he indulges me.”

Violet met his eyes, her appreciation and compassion obvious. She gave him a tentative smile that changed the warmth in his chest to something else. Something hotter and more surprising.
Something that didn’t resemble appreciation in the least.

“What is your favorite game?” she asked.

“I don’t mind a competitive game of croquet,” he replied. “Weather permitting.”

“I keep telling him there is a parlor croquet set in Mr. Levine’s shop.”

He grimaced. “If it must be a board game, then I prefer Carrom.”

“You fling little disks across the board into pockets.” Tessa wrinkled her nose the same way she had since she was five and pointed to one of the larger boards on the wall. “Did your family play games at home?”

“Only checkers,” Violet answered.

“Maybe we could read Around the World in Seventy-Two Days together,” Tessa suggested.

Violet didn’t blink an eye. “I would enjoy that.”

Ben Charles believed she meant it.

Violet joined the play with enthusiasm, and the two young women pointed put the details of the book at each space on the board. His sister’s animation and smile gave him immense satisfaction. The game lasted a couple of hours, until he got hungry. “I’m going to go get us a tray of ham and cheese and bread.”

“I can do that,” Violet spoke up.

“It’s your day off,” he reminded her. “We’re used to fending for ourselves on Sunday evenings. We can pop corn over the fire later.”

It was obvious their routine and customs were new to Violet. He and his sister spent a lot of time alienated from others, but perhaps even in their seclusion they’d been more like a family than anything Violet had experienced.

They shared a simple meal, and later ate popcorn. Tessa played a few pieces on the pianoforte. When she’d finished she said to Violet, “I had a nice time. Thanks for joining the game.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Tessa kissed Ben Charles’s cheek. “Thank you, too. And don’t say it was your pleasure.”

“It’s my pleasure to see you happy.”

She briefly pressed her cheek to his. I’m going upstairs to read before bed. Good night.”

Once she was gone, Violet stood and leaned over to gather their dishes on the tray. Without standing, Ben Charles extended his hand and placed it on her wrist. “I’ll do that.”

She looked at his hand, but he didn’t remove it.

He should have.

She was new to their household. He intended for theirs to be a strictly working relationship, but he felt a constant need to assure her she was part of their family. He had no business changing their agreement or making her uncomfortable by letting new feelings get in the way.

She’d only been here a few days.

In those brief moments while her gaze moved from his hand to his face, he went over all the reasons why he needed to keep his distance.

But everything about Violet appealed to him and made him feel protective. He told himself he held only a brotherly concern, like that he felt for Tessa, but the lie didn’t convince him.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Gaming Challenge--Makin' History by *lizzie starr

From the erotic romance Makin' History, by *lizzie starr (WIP)


There had to be something she could do to distract herself, before she came just thinking about Micah’s touch. They passed a farmstead. Two horses stood by a worn wooden fence. “Zip, zip.”
     Micah jerked his head toward her. “What?”
     “Oh, just remembered a game we played in the car when I was a kid. When you see a horse, you say ‘zip’. At the end of the trip, whoever had the most zips won.”
     “What did you win?”
     She chuckled. “Bragging rights was about it. I didn’t win too often, my dad had an uncanny knack of seeing the horses.”
     “Sounds like fun. I challenge you to a game of... zip?”
     Maybe this would help clear her mind. Dilyn nodded. “Challenge accepted.” She pointed “Zip. That’s three for me.”
     “Three? But you zipped the first two horses before I even knew about the game.”
     “Well...”
     He laughed, the deep, joyous sound settled comfortably around her heart. Then he gave her a calculating look. “Okay, I’ll let you have your three horses. If...”
     “If?”
     “If you accept a wager on the outcome.”
     A wager? Was he a gambler? Was that why he didn’t seem to have a permanent job? She hesitated then asked, “A wager?”
     Micah nodded. He’d thrown her a curve ball and he liked seeing her unsure of his motivations. Keeping her on edge would make the night that much better. If he could last that long. He was ready to burst with the need to f### her. He blinked and amended his thought. F### was too crass for her, despite their first time together. No, from now on, no matter how wild or uninhibited their romps might become, he’d only ever be making love to her. With her. He blinked again.
     “Micah? What do you mean by a wager?”
     “Whoever has the highest count of zips when we pull up in front of Alice’s house, gets to choose our... activities... for the evening.”
     A spark lit her eyes before she looked out the window. “Even if it’s just watching television.”
     He doubted either of them would choose such a boring, innocent pastime, but if that’s what she wanted. “Even if it’s only watching television.  However, I have to warn you, while Alice has satellite, the old place, where I usually bunk, only has rabbit ears. On a good night I can get two stations.”
     She laughed. “I’ll take my chances. The bet’s on.” She pointed again. “Two more zips. That makes five to zero.”
     Micah enjoyed watching her scan the rolling sandhills, searching for horses. And there were plenty. This was good land for raising horses. He gave an occasional ‘zip’ just to keep the game interesting but let her stay eight or nine ahead of him.
     “You’re not trying very hard.”
     “Zip,” he called, nodding toward a distant hill.
     “I don’t see any horses.”
     “It was running over the hill. Disappeared right after I called it.”
     Dilyn crossed her arms. “Uh huh. I tried that, too, when I was a kid. My dad didn’t buy it either.”
     “No, really--”
     “I’m feeling generous, so I’ll let you have that one. Just this once.” She punched his arm softly. “Don’t try it again, buster.”
     They were only a couple of miles from the road to Turquoise Creek Ranch, he had no need to count imaginary horses. “Nope. I’ll only count horses we both can see. Cross my heart.”
     He eased the car onto a gravel road and glanced at Dilyn from the corner of his eye. She watched the land from her side of the car. Good.
     He slowed before the final hill. The houses and main buildings were nestled between two rolling banks of hills. And near the barn, his brother-in-law kept--
     “Zip, zip, zip, zip, zip...” He continued zipping until he’d counted all twenty horses scattered across the narrow pasture.
     He turned a triumphant grin to Dilyn. She sat, mouth open, switching her gaze between the horse studded green and his face. “You...you cheated.”
     He shrugged. “Since this is family land, you should have guessed I’d know where the horses are kept.”
     “But...but--”
     He stopped her complaints with a kiss. She sighed into his mouth and cupped his cheek. He danced his tongue with hers then slowly withdrew and leaned back. “I win. I get to choose tonight’s activities.”
     A dreamy smile accompanied her nod. “You won.”
     Boy, had he ever.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Shall We Play A Game?

So begins the next phase of writerly page count competition...

And to start off, it's time to report pages. In the comments section, let the guru know how many new pages you've written since the last time you reported. If you've been editing, state the total number of pages with heavy edits as well. Blogs, queries, synopsis, wip, those all count!

While you're leaving your page count in the comments section, let us know what your favorite game was when you were young.

Let the games begin!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The End of the Skating Spectacular--Happy or Sad?

Our Heartlandian Skating Spectacular comes to an end April 13th. The guru will count up the scores and determine the placements of our fabulous writing teams.

To do that, she needs your reports for pages written since the last time you reported. Leave a comment with the number of fresh, new pages. If you've been editing, let us know the number of heavily edited pages as well. Don't forget to leave your name!

AND... I'm sure Mary would love some company in the Exhibition! Go HERE, read the instructions and participate! Make sure to take a look at the exhibitions and leave a little applause. We all need encouragement.

The guru is so looking forward to lots of skating 'pages'!


Saturday, March 30, 2013

Skating Spectacular Exhibition!

The crowning event of most skating competition is the exhibition. Skaters throw off the nerves of competing and often show the audience another side of their skating personality. How much fun is that?

However, with the RAH Skating Spectacular, the exhibition comes before the awards ceremony, giving each team the opportunity to earn more points toward their total score. It doesn't matter how well you've 'skated' during this event, your writing can participate in this exhibition.

And how do we do that?

It's really quite simple. Each exhibition consists of seven sentences from your current work in progress. It doesn't matter where in the work the sentences appear--but they should appear together :) No explanation of the excerpt...just post the sentences. Dialog, narrative, it doesn't matter.



Post your sentences in the comments section below using the following format...
Title
by
Sentences

Each exhibition will add 7 points to your team's totals.

Now, show us what you've got!!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Reporting

Hi lizzie,  I've been writing memoir essays; life's little stories at my great nieces' request. I've written ten new pages again this month.

I've also been reading. I finished Mary Connealy's new book, Out of Control. Loved it. Her settings of the old west are great. I also love strong heroes ( with flaws) and even stronger heroines. This newest book even has a hint of Paradise Lost, with secret valleys and prehistoric fish. It's a page turner for sure.

Connie Crow

Monday, March 4, 2013

Page reporting time!

It's page reporting time for all Heartlandians!

So, in the comments section leave your name, the number of new pages you've written since the last time you reported, and/or the total number of heavily edited pages.

Don't forget--read a book that has some connection, however small, to figure skating and give us a short review. Earn points for your team!

The warm up period is over. Time to get on the ice and report!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Well, another month has zipped by. I've written 10 pages this month.Not on my current WIP, but essays on several subjects for my "memoirs".  But they're still fresh, new pages.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

RAH Skating Spectacular!

Nationals are over, and our skating champions are getting ready for worlds. Here in the HWG/RAH world, Heartlandians are deep into our own Skating Spectacular.

It's time, my dears, to report pages. So in the comments section, please give your total of newly written pages (manuscript, query, synopsis, original blog posts). If you've been doing substantial edits, post the total number of those pages separately from new pages. Count pages done since January 1, 2013.

If you post anonymously, please be sure to leave your name in the comments. And, I thank you.

Remember the first challenge, too. Read a book that has some connection to skating. Once you give a short review of the book on the loop (and be nice to the author--post a review online), your team will be credited with the read.

Okay, Heartlandians. The warm up period is over. It's your turn on the ice. Report!