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!
A SWEET, CLEAN READING EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY AUTHOR MORGAN MANDEL
Monday, May 03, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Reunited with My Facebook Profile
I'm on vacation using my friend's computer and thought I'd check to see if my Profile Page on Facebook was working for me, as it had been out for over a day.
I got some security questions to answer and then, wonder of wonders, I was reunited with my Profile Page!
Thank goodness, because I was really missing seeing it. The one on my iphone isn't nearly as good as the full version.
Has anyone else ever had such a problem where their Profile Page disappears?
I got some security questions to answer and then, wonder of wonders, I was reunited with my Profile Page!
Thank goodness, because I was really missing seeing it. The one on my iphone isn't nearly as good as the full version.
Has anyone else ever had such a problem where their Profile Page disappears?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Lost in Space
Last night I went to click on my Profile Page at Facebook, http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel and all I got was the timer symbol. My Home Page was still intact, plus I could click to my Groups, Book Place and Sixty and Savvy. I sent a help message to Facebook and am awaiting their reply.
What I didn't know was if anyone else could see my page. So, I sent out a message from my Home Page to the effect, can anyone see me?
Turns out people can see me, but I'm invisible to myself. (g) I've been assured by others that this has happened to them and magically the Profile Page will reappear.
In the meantime, if I get really lonesome for my Profile Page at Facebook, wonder of wonders, I can still bring it up on my Iphone! I guess this is just another vagary of social networking I'll have to put up with.
Has anyone else been Lost in Space for a while?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Annoying Blog at Acme
I've got an annoying blog going over at Acme for my Wednesday offering. Come on over to http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ and offer your input.
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
PS - No, that's not me on the left. I thought it was a funny looking photo from Istock.com.
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
PS - No, that's not me on the left. I thought it was a funny looking photo from Istock.com.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Please Welcome My Guest and Good Friend, Debra St. John - Romance Writer
I'm very happy to host my good buddy, Debra St. John, here today at Double M, as she tours the cyber world promoting her sweet and spicy romance, "Wild Wedding Weekend."
And now, here's Debra -
Morgan, thanks so much for having me back at Double M! I’ve been ‘touring’ the web promoting my latest release “Wild Wedding Weekend”, and it’s a privilege to be here for one of the stops. Today’s visit is special because Morgan is not only a fellow author, but a dear friend as well.
Over the past few months I’ve had several projects going on: promotion for WWW, edits on my upcoming release “This Can’t Be Love”, and trying to make progress on a new manuscript. With all of that going on, I’ve had to make sure I stay on track and on top of everything, so along the way I’ve set some goals as to what I’d like to accomplish.
As a writer, setting goals is an important part of the process. Without them, at least for me, not a lot happens. I tend to use two different types of goals. What I like to call informal and formal. An informal goal is one I have in the back of my mind that ‘someday’ I’d like to get around to. Someday could be today, tomorrow, or next year. These are nice because they give me a direction to head in, but being fairly open-ended, don’t really provide an impetus to get going.
What works better for me are those formal goals: ones I’ve written down. Somehow putting them in writing makes me more accountable. Plus it’s fun to check off or cross each goal out after I’ve accomplished it! For my formal goals I like to follow an acronym I picked up: S.M.A.R.T. I’ve seen several variations of this acronym used, but these are the phrases that work best for me.
SMART goals are:
Specific – Not I’ll write some pages today, but I’ll write at least ten pages today.
Measurable – Checking the page count at the bottom of my word processing screen will let me know if I’ve reached my goal.
Action-Oriented – Getting those pages done means I’ve actively put my fingers to the keyboard and put some words on the screen.
Realistic – I didn’t say I was going to write 100 pages today. Ten is much more manageable for me. And, I said ‘at least’, so I can go further if I’m inspired.
Timed – I want to get those pages done today, not whenever.
So, in a nutshell, my SMART goal for today is to write at least five pages. (Since it’s a work day and time is a bit scarce, I’ve adjusted my example of ten pages to make it a bit more realistic.) I’ll check back in at the end of the day and let you know how I did!
Now, how about you? What’s your SMART goal for the day?
Here's an Amazon link, in case you feel the urge to buy Debra's book.
And here's here website: http://www.debrastjohnromance.com/
Please leave a comment below to welcome Debra here to Double M.
And now, here's Debra -
Morgan, thanks so much for having me back at Double M! I’ve been ‘touring’ the web promoting my latest release “Wild Wedding Weekend”, and it’s a privilege to be here for one of the stops. Today’s visit is special because Morgan is not only a fellow author, but a dear friend as well.
Over the past few months I’ve had several projects going on: promotion for WWW, edits on my upcoming release “This Can’t Be Love”, and trying to make progress on a new manuscript. With all of that going on, I’ve had to make sure I stay on track and on top of everything, so along the way I’ve set some goals as to what I’d like to accomplish.
As a writer, setting goals is an important part of the process. Without them, at least for me, not a lot happens. I tend to use two different types of goals. What I like to call informal and formal. An informal goal is one I have in the back of my mind that ‘someday’ I’d like to get around to. Someday could be today, tomorrow, or next year. These are nice because they give me a direction to head in, but being fairly open-ended, don’t really provide an impetus to get going.
What works better for me are those formal goals: ones I’ve written down. Somehow putting them in writing makes me more accountable. Plus it’s fun to check off or cross each goal out after I’ve accomplished it! For my formal goals I like to follow an acronym I picked up: S.M.A.R.T. I’ve seen several variations of this acronym used, but these are the phrases that work best for me.
SMART goals are:
Specific – Not I’ll write some pages today, but I’ll write at least ten pages today.
Measurable – Checking the page count at the bottom of my word processing screen will let me know if I’ve reached my goal.
Action-Oriented – Getting those pages done means I’ve actively put my fingers to the keyboard and put some words on the screen.
Realistic – I didn’t say I was going to write 100 pages today. Ten is much more manageable for me. And, I said ‘at least’, so I can go further if I’m inspired.
Timed – I want to get those pages done today, not whenever.
So, in a nutshell, my SMART goal for today is to write at least five pages. (Since it’s a work day and time is a bit scarce, I’ve adjusted my example of ten pages to make it a bit more realistic.) I’ll check back in at the end of the day and let you know how I did!
Now, how about you? What’s your SMART goal for the day?
Here's an Amazon link, in case you feel the urge to buy Debra's book.
And here's here website: http://www.debrastjohnromance.com/
Please leave a comment below to welcome Debra here to Double M.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Facebook and Conference
Things have to settle down soon, but in the meantime I'm torn between getting more established on Facebook and getting ready for Spring Fling Conference this weekend.
I've finally gotten my 25 quota for fans for my Fan Page, so now I can shorten the url. I'll have to figure out what to use for that. My regular Facebook Page is pretty simple: http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Should I call it http://facebook.com/morganmandel.fanpage? I'll have to think about it.
Now, for the conference. I've finally figured out what to wear and what to pitch. I'm kind of, but not completely ready, hoping it won't rain to hard trying to get there, and determined to have a good time anyway!
I'll let you know what happens on both Facebook and the Conference.
Morgan
I've finally gotten my 25 quota for fans for my Fan Page, so now I can shorten the url. I'll have to figure out what to use for that. My regular Facebook Page is pretty simple: http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Should I call it http://facebook.com/morganmandel.fanpage? I'll have to think about it.
Now, for the conference. I've finally figured out what to wear and what to pitch. I'm kind of, but not completely ready, hoping it won't rain to hard trying to get there, and determined to have a good time anyway!
I'll let you know what happens on both Facebook and the Conference.
Morgan
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Up in Smoke
How does that saying go about the best laid plans of mice and men?
Find out this Wednesday at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ how my book signing at Cover to Cover for Saturday, May 8 has gone up in smoke.
Find out this Wednesday at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ how my book signing at Cover to Cover for Saturday, May 8 has gone up in smoke.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Facebook, here we come
If you haven't already, please friend me at http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Also, I'd appreciate your fanning me at Facebook also by doing a search for Morgan Mandel - Author and Social Networking Addict
I'm not through yet - Also please consider joining the Group, Book Place on Facebook
and if you qualify or want to confess to it, also Sixty and Savvy
These two groups are replacing my groups at Ning which will be phased out as soon as premium pricing kicks in.
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Also, I'd appreciate your fanning me at Facebook also by doing a search for Morgan Mandel - Author and Social Networking Addict
I'm not through yet - Also please consider joining the Group, Book Place on Facebook
and if you qualify or want to confess to it, also Sixty and Savvy
These two groups are replacing my groups at Ning which will be phased out as soon as premium pricing kicks in.
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Friday, April 16, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Academy of Country Music Awards
ACM awards are Sunday night on CBS at 7:00pm Central, 8:00 pm Eastern. I can hardly wait! It promises to be a great show. They always are.
Who will win Entertainer of the Year? I'll have a hard time deciding, since I love them all. Here are the ones up for the award:
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith or the Zac Brown Band?
You can vote and make a difference at http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php
Now I'm going over to the living room to watch the ACM Top New Artists Show on GAC.
http://www.gactv.com/gac/shows_spl/episode/0,3038,GAC_26200_68517,00.html
Who will win Entertainer of the Year? I'll have a hard time deciding, since I love them all. Here are the ones up for the award:
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith or the Zac Brown Band?
You can vote and make a difference at http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php
Now I'm going over to the living room to watch the ACM Top New Artists Show on GAC.
http://www.gactv.com/gac/shows_spl/episode/0,3038,GAC_26200_68517,00.html
Monday, April 12, 2010
Check out Word Play, a new Monthly Feature at Blood-Red Pencil
Come on over and play Word Play Tuesday at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/
New and easy to do.
Thanks,
Morgan
New and easy to do.
Thanks,
Morgan
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Book Signing Weekend
Saturday, I'm over at Barnes & Noble - DePaul Center, State and Jackson, Chicago, from 12-3 to sign Killer Career. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello.
Sunday, I'll be at the Fiction Fair at the Deerfield Public Library, where I'll bring copies of my three books with me for signing. I'm happy to note that many familiar names are on the list. Maybe you know some of them also.
Here's the speaking schedule for Sunday:
1:30 Debra St. John
1:45 Alex Matthews
2:00 Bob Krukowski (“Lloyd Frankland”)
2:15 Margot Justes
2:30 Michael Black
2:45 Michael Bellito
3:00 Gail Lukasik
3:15 Jim Proebstle
3:30 Tim Broderick
3:45 Linda Mickey
4:00 Morgan Mandel
4:15 Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hope to see you at one of the events!
Morgan
Sunday, I'll be at the Fiction Fair at the Deerfield Public Library, where I'll bring copies of my three books with me for signing. I'm happy to note that many familiar names are on the list. Maybe you know some of them also.
Here's the speaking schedule for Sunday:
1:30 Debra St. John
1:45 Alex Matthews
2:00 Bob Krukowski (“Lloyd Frankland”)
2:15 Margot Justes
2:30 Michael Black
2:45 Michael Bellito
3:00 Gail Lukasik
3:15 Jim Proebstle
3:30 Tim Broderick
3:45 Linda Mickey
4:00 Morgan Mandel
4:15 Libby Fischer Hellmann
Hope to see you at one of the events!
Morgan
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Spring 2010 Mysterical-E Online Magazine Author Snapshot of Morgan Mandel
I was trying to figure out what to write about next when I received an email from Chris Verstraete. I had responded to an interview request a while back to appear in the Mysterical-E Online Magazine, and she mentioned the finished product just hit the Internet.
So now, I'm happy to refer you to the Spring Mysterical-E online magazine issue where I'm featured in the Author Snapshot. Chris Verstraete did a fantastic job setting it all up and asking great questions for me to answer.
So, please hop on over and take a look. The magazine is very eye-catching.
http://mystericale.com/index.php?issue=current_issue&body=file&file=author_snapshot.htm
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
So now, I'm happy to refer you to the Spring Mysterical-E online magazine issue where I'm featured in the Author Snapshot. Chris Verstraete did a fantastic job setting it all up and asking great questions for me to answer.
So, please hop on over and take a look. The magazine is very eye-catching.
http://mystericale.com/index.php?issue=current_issue&body=file&file=author_snapshot.htm
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Monday, April 05, 2010
Busy Three Days
It's a busy first three days this week, as I hop around the Internet.
I invite you to check out these blogs -
Monday - The Unfinished House - http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/
Tuesday - The very popular Ask the Editor Feature at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/
Wednesday - Speaking Engagements - Social Networking - http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
Thursday, I'll be back here again. Topic to be discovered yet in my brain. (g)
Morgan
I invite you to check out these blogs -
Monday - The Unfinished House - http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/
Tuesday - The very popular Ask the Editor Feature at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/
Wednesday - Speaking Engagements - Social Networking - http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
Thursday, I'll be back here again. Topic to be discovered yet in my brain. (g)
Morgan
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Our Little Rascal is On Facebook
I've been away from here for a bit posting to my group blogs, and also setting up Facebook pages for Rascal. If any of you are on Facebook, I'd appreciate your friending me, if you haven't already at http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel.
Also, if you do a search for Our Little Rascal, you'll find a regular page and a fan page for her. Take your pick or choose both.
Thanks,
Morgan
Also, if you do a search for Our Little Rascal, you'll find a regular page and a fan page for her. Take your pick or choose both.
Thanks,
Morgan
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
My baby isn't perfect
Okay, I knew it probably wasn't, but since I'm it's mother I still hoped it was. I brought in my first 20 pages of Forever Young to be critiqued at our meeting Monday night.
The result is now I see areas I can make better. I've discovered new ways I can go with my story. Finding these things out before my manuscript goes to an editor is a good thing. So, for the rest of the night, actually maybe 45 minutes, I spent looking over the comments on the written critiques.I'll be going over them more tonight.I'm excited about trying out the changes and making the story stronger.
What about you? Do you rely only on your own judgment, or do you let your baby be examined by others? Do you pay attention if someone says it's not perfect?
The result is now I see areas I can make better. I've discovered new ways I can go with my story. Finding these things out before my manuscript goes to an editor is a good thing. So, for the rest of the night, actually maybe 45 minutes, I spent looking over the comments on the written critiques.I'll be going over them more tonight.I'm excited about trying out the changes and making the story stronger.
What about you? Do you rely only on your own judgment, or do you let your baby be examined by others? Do you pay attention if someone says it's not perfect?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Happy 101 Award
Thank you, Helen Ginger, for awarding me the Happy 101 Award. Now that it's a bit more sunny out and we're expecting a warmer temperatures later this week, I am feeling in a happy mood. Spring weather looks like it's arriving.
One of the requirements for accepting this award is to post 10 things that make me happy and then to pass it along to 5 other bloggers.
Marilyn Brant
L. Diane Wolfe
Lillie Ammann
Mary Welk
PS I have some other awards that I received earlier, was going to pass them on, but never got around to it. That's why I decided to do this one right away, so I wouldn't get lazy. I hope to get to the others soon.
By the way,
Do any of the things I mentioned also make you happy?
One of the requirements for accepting this award is to post 10 things that make me happy and then to pass it along to 5 other bloggers.
1. My family, including my husband, my brothers and their families.
2. My dog, Rascal - I can't resist trying to make her happy also. She's too cute to resist. I'm afraid I spoil her a bit.
3. My Chicago-North RWA friends - I love hanging out with them at the meetings, also learning from them.
4. Connecting with my online friends - I enjoy sharing my thoughts and reading theirs.
5. Getting comments on my blogs - Comments show that people are coming over, also they give me more ideas I wouldn't have thought of on my own. I like to make new friends by visiting blogs from people who comment on mine.
6. Autographing my books - I feel like a real author when I get to sign books for readers.
7. Finishing writing a manuscript - It's wonderful when I can say my book is ready for the world.8. Eating foods like pizza, ice cream, gyros.
9. Playing slots at the casino. When I win, I feel happier, but I still am happy playing when I lose.
10. Shopping. Finding purses and costume jewelry I like, finding clothes that fit, shoes that fit.
And now to pass on the award. There are so many great bloggers. This time I pick:
Christine VerstraeteMarilyn Brant
L. Diane Wolfe
Lillie Ammann
Mary Welk
PS I have some other awards that I received earlier, was going to pass them on, but never got around to it. That's why I decided to do this one right away, so I wouldn't get lazy. I hope to get to the others soon.
By the way,
Do any of the things I mentioned also make you happy?
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