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

Why I Hate Shopping For Dresses

ChrisUtopIA

Today I have decided to rant about one of my least favorite things: dress shopping. There are women who wear dresses all the time and look wonderful. I am not one of those women. Whenever I put on a dress, I look like a fire-hydrant: short, blocky, you get the idea. I can wear pants, capris, jeans and feel good about … Read More

Puppy Pallooza 2016

ChrisUtopIA

Like most authors, I have a day job. Luckily, I’m a speech therapist for a school district which means I am off work for the next ten weeks. Woo Hoo! What will I do with this gift of time? Write, write, write, and spend time with my family and my dogs. My husband and I call summer Puppy Pallooza because we … 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

Happy Valentine’s Day

ChrisParanormal Young Adult, Penned Con, Uncategorized, UtopIA

What does Valentine’s day mean to you? I think it’s a day to eat chocolate and celebrate the people you care about. Speaking of people you care about, I can’t wait to share Bryn’s next adventure in Trial By Fire with you. Until then, here are some dragon necklaces I am contemplating purchasing for a giveaway. Which one is your favorite?  

Make Me Laugh Wednesday: Can You Relate?

ChrisMade Me Laugh, Penned Con, UtopIA

Happy Hump Day. I hope you’re having a good week. Time for Make Me Laugh Wednesday: Can You Relate posts. There are common things in life that everyone can relate to. Recently I discovered posts on Pinterest labeled relatable posts. Feel free to comment and let me know if you can relate to the humor in these posts.

Trial By Fire

ChrisDragons, Penned Con, UtopIA, YA

I’m about halfway through copy edits for Trial By Fire. Copy edits are the last chance an author has to change a word or rearrange a sentence.  This means that I am talking out loud to see how dialogue sounds and calling my husband in from the other room to ask which word sounds better. He gives his opinion, smiles and … Read More

Words of Wisdom

ChrisPenned Con, UtopIA, YA

I thought I’d share some words of wisdom which made me smile. Sometimes it’s all about how you look at the situation. For more like this, check out my Pinterest Board Wise Words.

Happy New Year!

ChrisPenned Con, UtopIA, YA

Happy New Year! What are your plans, hopes, and dreams for this year? Notice I didn’t use the word Resolution. Resolution seems to imply that you  must accomplish a task or you’ve failed. It’s too much pressure. The new year is supposed to be a time for making a fresh start. Not a time to freak out about all the stuff … Read More

Trial By Fire : Release Date

ChrisDragons, Penned Con, UtopIA, young adult

I have a release date for Trial By Fire. And yes, release dates have been known to change, but as of today Trial By Fire is scheduled to come out April 4, 2016. The book title is up on Goodreads. If you want to add it to your Want-to-Read list just click this link: Trial By Fire  (Go on, click it. I’ll … Read More

Happy Holidays Snow Globe

ChrisPenned Con, UtopIA, YA

Happy Holidays!  I love snow globes. I wanted to share this amazing 3D snow globe animation featuring a year in the life of a Christmas Tree: created by www.smoothe.com 

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?

The Ugly Christmas Sweater

ChrisMade Me Laugh, UtopIA, young adult

Do you participate in the Ugly Christmas Sweater trend? While I’ve never been to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, I can appreciate the delightful extremism of some Christmas sweaters from years gone by. Here are some examples of the best of the worst. And yes, these are real sweaters that someone bought once upon a time in the 80’s and 90’s. … Read More