Another Great Year at Penned Con

ChrisPenned Con

Penned Con was amazing. I loved meeting all the people I interact with online. I met a bunch of new readers, writers, and bloggers. Plus I was able to reconnect with friends from past conferences. Two days was not enough time to catch up with everyone. Living an hour away from the conference meant I drove home each night, which … Read More

Make Me Laugh Wednesday-Writing Humor

Chrishumor

It’s Make Me Laugh Wednesday: the writing humor edition. As a writer you go through many phases of doubt and insecurity when you’re trying to put the multidimensional world in your head down on paper. It’s never quite as vivid as you want it to be. You just hope the readers fill in the gaps.  Fanning the Flames is up … Read More

Things I learned at Penned Con

ChrisPenned Con

I’m coming off the high of attending Penned Con in St Louis.  There were books and authors and readers and bloggers as far as the eye could see. It was awesome. Plus I finally met some of my online friends in person. Tackle hugs and awkward selfies ensued. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet all of my FB friends, but there’s … Read More

My Internal Monologue as I Pack for #Utopia2016

Chrishumor, UtopIA

MUST PACK ALL THE THINGS! Wait…all the things won’t fit in this suitcase. Maybe I don’t need all the things. *Puts back shoes and pants and tops. Maybe I just need these things. *Attempts to cram lesser amount of things into suitcase. Dang it. Things still don’t fit. Grabs bigger bag. Things fit. There is extra room. Must take more things. … Read More

UTOPIA Conference 2016: Advice for newbies

ChrisFor Writers, Readers, Uncategorized, UtopIA, YA

So, I’m super-excited/mildly panicked about attending the UTOPIA Conference in Nashville June 22-26. I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with my reader/writer/blogger friends that I’ve met over the last three years. I’m nervous because like most bookish people, I’m an introvert. How does an introvert survive a hotel teaming with hundreds of book-loving people who tend to favor tackle hugs? Allow … Read More

Off to Las Vegas

ChrisFor Writers, humor, Readers

I’m off to Las Vegas for a conference with my publisher. Most writers are introverts, meaning we are comfortable with smaller groups and quieter surroundings. Las Vegas is huge and loud and full of people so I may require a glass of wine while I’m there to deal with all the commotion, but I am looking forward to talking in … Read More

Make Me Laugh Wednesday: Introvert Edition

ChrisPenned Con, UtopIA, writers conference

Most writers are introverts. Which means that we count down the days until conferences like UtopIA and Penned Con with a sense of excitement tinged with stress. We know there will be so many people we want to spend time with and we can’t wait to see them. Tackle hugs are planned. We also know there will be so many … Read More

Christmas Gifts for Readers & Writers

ChrisPenned Con, Readers, Uncategorized, UtopIA, YA

In the market for some cool gifts for the Readers and Writers on your Christmas list? Check out these unusual items. Laser Projection Virtual Keyboard Aqua Notes Waterproof Notepad Custom Penguin Books Pillow Case Thumb Thing Book Page Holder Soap for Writer’s Block What are you hoping that Santa brings you?

Penned Con Report

ChrisReaders, Uncategorized, writers conference, YA

I attended Penned Con in St louis this past week. It was a conference for readers, writers, and bloggers with a special teen day thrown in at the beginning. This was the second time I’ve had a table at a conference. The first was at UtopYA in June. This time around I knew to bring bookstands and a brightly colored scarf … Read More

UtopYA2015 is Almost Here

ChrisFor Writers, Readers, Uncategorized, UtopYA, writers conference, YA

 What is UtopYA?  According to the the official webpage it is: An uplifting, collaborative and educational conference for those who love supernatural and contemporary young adult and new adult fiction! Panels filled with writers and experts in the publishing and entertainment industries will share with established and aspiring authors and screenwriters their tips to improve craft and advance careers, as well as FUN panels … Read More

What the hell, Supernatural?

Chrishome, Uncategorized

Warning: *Spoiler alert and authorly rant ahead. Charlie cannot be dead. Not. Dead. She was supposed to have her own spinoff. She could have teamed up with Sheriff Jody Mills and her formerly vampiric adopted daughter and Castiel’s daughter to create a kick-ass all-girl hunting quartet. I get that Dean needed to have a reason to be a rage-monster to … Read More

Naming Characters

ChrisFor Writers, home, Readers, UtopYA

When you create a character, you spend a lot of time coming up with the perfect name. It has to hint at their character and their appearance and not remind readers of a famous character they know from another book. That last part is easier said than done. You decide to name your character Dezirae. It’s unusual, not too trendy, and … Read More

Using Pinterest to Organize Your Online Social Media

ChrisFor Writers, home

Did you know you can make a private board on Pinterest? You can. And you can use this board to organize your online presence. This article is aimed at writers, but can apply to anyone hoping to organize their online media.   Create private board on Pinterest. Add a Pin it button to your browser bar. Pin items that represent … Read More

Do you tsu?

Chrishome

About a month ago, a new social media site cropped up all over Facebook called tsu (pronounced Sue). It seems to be a lot like Facebook. You can friend or follow people. You can customize the opening screen with banners and text. Here’s a screenshot of what the site looks like.                     … Read More

Gifts For Writers and Readers

Chrishome

Looking for a fun Christmas gift for the writers and readers in your life? Check these out. What would you like Santa to leave under your tree?               http://www.amazon.com/Late-for-the-Sky-5514870/dp/B000HET4YC/ref=sr_1_1?tag=wwwnovelexper-20&ie=UTF8&qid=1417783031&sr=8-1&keywords=bookopoly                     http://goo.gl/92gqrnhttp://thesockmonster.com/index.php/all/shop-by-brand/socksmith/bookwormss.html                     This antique typewriter has … Read More