Lee Wins and I Have Souvenirs!

The DH and I were over at Mt Prospect Village Green for the American Idol finale. We were hoping and it happened - the local guy, Lee DeWyze won!

When I get involved with anything, I like to get little souvenirs and stuff to stoke my enthusiasm and also as keepsakes, like when I bought the keychain saying I Brake For Garage Sales, or when I bought all the Bingo paraphernalia - the carrying case, the dabbers, at one time electronic chips and a special magnet wand to scoop them up, not to mention the little trinkets to arrange near the cards for good luck.

 

So, it was no exception at the celebration. Beforehand, I had my friend, Deb, pick up a Vote 4 Lee tee shirt, which I wore to the occasion. I came home with another tee shirt saying Mt Prospect's own American Idol, Lee DeWyze, plus a wristband that says I voted for Lee, plus a balloon that says BE LEE VE. I took lots of photos also. It was a really fun night.

What about you? Are you into getting all the little extras to remember an occasion or to reinforce your enjoyment of a hobby?

Ask the Editor Free For All on Tuesday

Ask the Editor Free for All Tuesday - May 4 - at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/

If you have a question, get on over there and ask an Editor in the comment section, and you'll get an answer.

Hint for Authors who want promo - The Blood-Red Pencil has 771 followers!

Ning is going premium - Facebook, here we come

I heard Thursday that Ning networks are going premium only, meaning network creators have to ante up to keep their networks. This is one network creator who will be bowing out. No way will I be coerced to pay. Can't afford it and don't intend to collect dues from my members. Too much of a hassle.

So, I've started two groups at Facebook, one called Book Place, for the Book Place Ning members, but all book lovers are welcome to join.

The other is Sixty and Savvy, for the Sixty and Savvy Ning members, and all who are near or over 60 or curious about what it's like. We'll share memorabilia, memories, tips, and more. 

I invite you to come on over and join us. Just go to the Search box at Facebook and type in one or both of the group names.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Who Gets Aries Rising?

I'm happy to announce the winner of Bonnie Hearn Hill's Aries Rising is:


                      MARGAY ROBERGE !!!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated with your comments, and thanks to Bonnie Hearn Hill for being my guest and generously providing her book as a prize.

I'll be offering more giveaways here from time to time.

Also, check out http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ .
March 26 marks the 3 year birthday of our group blog. We will be doing giveaways there on more than one day to celebrate.

Lastly, Have you ever looked for one thing and found another? Tell us about it at my blog post below.

Thanks
Morgan

When and Where to Prune

Wednesday evening I was watching a show called Chicago Tonight on WTTW in Chicago. Phil Ponce interviewed an expert from the Chicago Botanical Garden.

One of the topics was it's not too early to prune. Right now, you can look for spots dead or damaged from winter and cut them off.

That said, she also mentioned you need to know your plants and bushes. With some of them, it's better to wait until they've fully flowered before pruning them, or else you may cut off where the flowers were going to bloom.

Of course, the topic reminded me of editing. I have the terrible habit of editing too closely when I'm writing my manuscript. I should be eliminating the obvious mistakes, then going on to the finish line. Then I can go back and remove or rearrange what doesn't work. When it's all done and I believe I've done my best, I'll hand it over to a professional editor, like Helen Ginger, who did a great job editing my romantic suspense, Killer Career. 

Anyway, for now, I'll keep reminding myself to forge ahead. Let's see if it works.

What about you? Do you know when and where to prune?

Small Press Author Does Indie

Hi Gang,
I'm over at Celia Yeary's blog today telling about my experience publishing Killer Career - Small Press Author Does Indie - Come on over and give your take as well at
http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/2010/02/morgan-mandel-indie-and-traditional.html

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Dick Francis Is Gone

I was going to post something about Valentine's Day, but then I heard the news that one of my favorite mystery writers had died. I first read a Dick Francis' mystery many years ago from the high school library. I immediately searched for more of them. As soon as one came out, I had to read it.

I never tired of his characters, many of whom were ex-jockeys like himself. They had an admirable sang froid manner of dealing with whatever life handed out and rising above the evil and/or pain. Here's a link to an article about Dick Francis:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/7236708/Dick-Francis-dies-aged-89.html

I note that his son, Felix, plans to carry on writing novels. It will be interesting to see how well he does without his Dad's collaboration. Felix has some very large shoes to fill, figuratively speaking. Having been a jockey, I doubt if Dick Francis had very large feet. He may have been small physically, but his stature in the mystery community was great.

Though I never met Dick Francis, I'll miss him.

Tummy Tuck Anyone?

I've still got until Feb 26 to learn all I can from the 30 days of free lessons from Lynda.com , which Adobe offered when I purchased Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Today, I stumbled upon a neat one that does virtual tummy tucks. They show a man with a hefty belly. After a few magic software adjustments, he's looking mighty lean.

Hmm, maybe I'll get out some of my photos and see about a tummy tuck here and there. It's a painless operation. All it takes is some brain strain and a few clicks here and there.

Would you also like to be a patient? Who knows, maybe I could get a whole waiting room going. I promise not to charge as much as a regular plastic surgeon. (G)

Morgan

Please Visit - It's There Somewhere

I'd appreciate your visiting my guest post at Kaye Barley's blog. The topic is It's There Somewhere. Some of you may relate to this one -
http://meanderingsandmuses.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-there-somewhere-by-morgan-mandel.html

If you missed it, you can still come over to comment about whether or not to include politics on blogs at
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/2010/02/political-views-by-morgan-mandel.html

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Never Too Old To Learn New Tricks

I bought Adobe Elements 7 over a year ago, but only learned a few basics. Then, I discovered I needed Adobe Photoshop CS4 to really get things done.

Well, I get 30 days of free videos to learn all this Adobe stuff. Over the weekend, I spent many hours listening to the videos and taking notes. Now, the trick is to apply what I learned so far, before I forget.

Tonight I worked on removing blemishes and whitening teeth. The teeth one is hard, because I don't have a steady hand. Even with the minus tool for erasing, I'm still not very good at it. The remove blemish one I had more luck with.

Also, I had fun doing the panorama one. I did one of Rascal in the snow I may use for a book cover or illustration some day.

What about you? Have you played with Adobe? Or, maybe you've been learning something else lately. What is it?

Describe Your Work In Progress

Right now I've got two works in progress. One's a children's lesson book about my deaf dog, Rascal. The other is a thriller on aging targeted for the Boomer generation.

What about you? Tell us briefly about your work or works in progress in the comment section.

Thanks,

Morgan

Writers Reading

Just want to mention my contribution to the Writers Reading series at Un:Bound is up now. Yes, authors do read, believe it or not. At least this one does.

Please come on over  to see my books. Learn when, where and what I read at http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2010/01/writers-reading-morgan-mandel.html

Tell us what you read and where, while you're at it.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Library Displays - See Make Mine Mystery Monday

Have you tried a library display? If you want to see mine, come on over to Make Mine Mystery on Monday.

Thanks,
Morgan

Enjoying My End Cap

Wow! I've got an end cap going at Waldenbooks! It doesn't happen often, but I'm enjoying the sight while it lasts. It's one of those rare thrills in my life as an author. I treasure every one of them.

The reason for the end cap is I'm doing a KILLER CAREER Book Signing at Waldenbooks, 500 W. Madison (Ogilvie Transportation Center) in Chicago on Friday, from 12 - 2, or longer, if supply lasts.

Hope to see a few of you there.

New Review for Killer Career

I'm happy to report a new review for Killer Career, this time from Lucille P. Robinson, from Sassy Brit's Gang at


http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2009/11/killer-career-morgan-mandel-choice-one.html



Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Share Your Review Snippets, Everyone

PLEASE SHARE YOUR REVIEW SNIPPETS -

Rules are:
Use the comment section.
Only one per person.
Snippet must only be one sentence or it will be deleted.
You must include the reviewer and/or url of the review site, depending on your reviewer's instructions.
It must have been approved for sharing by the reviewer. I take no responsibility for any unapproved quotes.
You may include the name of only one book and only one buy link.
You may include your name and either one website or one blogspot.
No pictures.

Example:

"Killer Career is a walk on the wild side as Morgan Mandel pours forth a compelling story of deception and intrigue." - George Thompson - http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/killer_career_by_morgan_mandel
Killer Career - http://digital-bookshop.com/
Morgan Mandel - http://www.morganmandel.com/

OKAY, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN ---

Please Tune In to Blog Talk Radio Across-the-Pond Saturday, 11am EST - I'm the Guest

I'm excited to be a guest on Saturday, Oct 24, at "A Book and a Chat" with Barry Eva, a fellow author from across the pond.

If you care to listen in, it's a half hour show starting at 11:00 a.m. EST, which is 10:00 Central time (my Illinois time).

You can find the show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

A call in question or even a hello would be appreciated at 347-237-5398.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Killer Career Released at Amazon

It's August, which means Killer Career has been released at Amazon.com. Here's the link for anyone who wants to get a copy.

If you haven't heard, Killer Career is about a lawyer whose career change could be a killer when her mentor, a NY Times Bestselling Author, does more than write about murders. As for her bestfriend, who is also her law partner, does he mean more to her than she thought? Will he let her go without a fight? To save herself and him, she must face her worst fear: claustrophobia.

Getting back to my Sunday post about the dog days of August, that shot of Rascal appears on every cover of Killer Career, only not as large, since she's the mascot of Choice One Publishing Co.

Happy August!
Morgan Mandel

What's Cooking? Who's Cooking?

I'll be cooking Christmas dinner this year. Two of my brothers and their families will be over. The brothers are vegeterians, but not the wives and offspring, who are no longer kids.

I've had a request from one sister-in-law for ox tails. Since I've never fixed them in my life, my husband who is partial to them, has volunteered to cook some up.

I'll be baking a corn souffle, which is the standard dish I supply when asked to bring something. It's easy to make and hard to mess up. I'll also do two green bean dishes, one with tomatoes and fresh onions, the other standard green bean casserole everyone makes with the mushroom soup and the crunchy onions on top.

Other side dishes will include sweet potatoes , baked potatoes, a big salad with croutons, cottage cheese, also, green olives and black olives for those who prefer garnishments. I'm thinking a leg of lamb also for the non vegetarians, with currant jelly on top for flavor.

To drink, probably apple juice, pop and coffee.

After dinner, we'll drive a mile to my younger brother's family's house, where my sister-in-law will serve desert after feeding her side of the family. I'm not sure if we'll exchange presents there or at our house, but since it's grab bag, if we bring the presents with, it won't be too difficult.

What are your plans for Christmas? Are you cooking or are you let off the hook this time? If you are preparing the meal, what's on your menu? Would you like to share?
Your plans, not your food.

SWEET ADDICTION By Morgan Mandel

Rascal's DoggySpace Profile Shot

I've got a sweet addiction, but it's not about sugar. It started innocently enough. I was over at Bentley's Corner Barkery with my husband and Rascal talking to Lisa, the co-owner, when she asked me if I'd joined DoggySpace. I'd heard of it, but had never signed up.

Saturday night, I had a few extra minutes after scooping water from the basement, so I put up a profile for Rascal, using a photo taken in the van on the last trip to Wisconsin. It was easy for Rascal to make friends. In 24 hours she already had 142.

Along with the profile shots, each member gets a journal spot, like a blog spot. Also, comment sections. They can give away virtual presents like frisbees or bones to each other.

I started reading some of the posts and they were fascinating. One was upsetting, about people who left dogs tied in their yards when they evacuated the hurricane area. Then there was a dog who suffered from separation anxiety and needed medication because the owner-husband had to go out-of-town for one day.

I'm finding it difficult to tear myself away. The dogs are so precious and the blogs so engrossing.

In a way I'm wasting time there, but not exactly. Most members of Doggyspace use the dog's point of view in their posts, as if the dogs were writing them. So, I'm getting great lessons in going deep into doggy point of view which will stand me in good stead as I continue on with my children's book about Rascal.

If you have a dog and would like to make virtual friends with Rascal, her profile page at Doggy Space is http://www.doggyspace.com/profile/15418.

Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com
http://mysteryturtles.blogspot.com