Ghostly Interlude Video

I took a class on using Canva after learning about making videos on Lumen5.com and bam! Figured out how to get my cover on the video.

So… I edited the original. Not too bad. Then I created one for Ghostly Interlude.

I had some issues with that video, though. Frankly, it was too long. I used the blurb as is and realized that just wasn’t cutting it. It took my feeble brain to figure out that the blurb used for the My Sunny Vampire video is only the middle section, not the whole dang thing. D’oh! So I tightened it up and this is what I came up with. What do you think?

Hey, am I getting to be a pro at this stuff or what?

If it’s the “or what,” I don’t think I want to know.

Ghostly Interlude is SUPER close to being released, though. I’ve printed it out and will read it aloud before giving it to Hubby to format. Which means, I need to come up with an actual release DATE (with Hubby’s suggestion) so I can get pre-orders out there.

So... Any plans for the weekend? Hubby and I are attending a travel something-or-other that AAA is holding in Columbus. We’re going with our Columbus friends, then going out to dinner after. Should be fun. And wet. Yep, supposed to rain. On top of all this snow. I foresee a mess ahead.

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Lumen5.com

First off, I have to say… Damn, Steelers! Of course, I always thought they’d been super lucky with some of their wins. Guess their luck finally ran out. Looks like it’ll be another year I won’t care about the Super Bowl. Boo.

Now on to Lumen5.com.

A friend from my RWA chapter recommended this site to make videos. And it’s free (as long as you don’t mind it's not HD and that their name & logo shows at the end, and I don’t). You can base it on a blog post (or other URL) or add your own verbiage/blurb/whatnot. So I thought I’d play around with it. Here’s the video I came up with based on the blurb to My Sunny Vampire:

Hopefully it plays (I wasn't able to verify that in preview mode). I thought it turned out pretty neat, even though I don’t show my cover or website (I could have uploaded a picture I created showing my cover (from someplace like Canva), but I didn’t realize that until after I made this). I can easily see myself getting lost in making videos. Like I need another distraction. But it’s something to check out if you’re looking for a free, simple video.

I mean, it must be simple. I was able to figure it out! Haha!

So… Is your team still in the playoffs, or have you turned to hockey (or basketball, I guess that’s going on, too) now? And what do you think of Lumen5? Does it look like something you might play around with?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Video and Pictures from my Cruise

Apparently nothing can be easy. I plugged in my iPhone to my computer and couldn't see it anywhere (no D drive, no nothing). I even made sure to open the phone (because I have made THAT mistake before). So I unplugged the device and plugged it back in (you know, like rebooting the system--isn't that was all the computer techs say to do?). That's when I saw the little notification pop up saying to click here to see what to do with the device. I must have missed it the first time and when that notification disappears, forget about finding it again! So frustrating.

Ahhh, but then I get frustrated easily with electronics. They don't always like me so much.

Anyway, here's the video I promised of the tide coming in (Nassau, Bahamas). Afterward, I realized I didn't have to go to all the trouble of putting it on YouTube. I probably could have just uploaded it from my computer. I'll try to remember that the next time I film something. Of course, by then it'll probably change again. Ain't that always the case?

Here are some pictures I took. If you click on the photo, it should enlarge.

This sign cracked me up!

 This was our ship (taken at Freeport, Bahamas)

Took a panoramic view of Paradise Island (Nassau, Bahamas) from our ship. That is Atlantis off to the right.

Normal view, with Atlantis off to the right.

While on Paradise Island, we stopped for some ice cream. This isn't the FIRST time we've visited this particular store, either. Found it two years ago. Glad it was still there!

Football Update:

• High School: We made it to the game in plenty of time and promptly froze our faces off (temps dropped into the 30s and it was windy!). But it was worth it. Wayne easily won (55-10). We play in the Region 3 finals next week, back in London, OH. Whoo hoo!
• College: OSU Buckeyes were awesome again. And my USC Trojans even helped by beating the #4 team (yay!!). With Clemson (#2) and that team up north (#3) also losing, OSU moved up to #2! Yay!!!
• NFL: Rams won! But the Steelers lost. Gah! I just want to kick them. Stupid errors (penalties). Stupid plays. They could have won that game, but they were STUPID!

So… Do you like the beach? If so, do you have a favorite? When I lived 5 miles from the beach (growing up in Southern California), I didn’t visit so much. Now that I’m miles and miles away, I wish I were closer. Guess it just makes me appreciate it more when I do get to visit.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Video!!

I’m still writing more than reading (yay!), which was hard this past week. Here’s what I read:

Oct 18: “Immortal” by J. R. Ward, the sixth and final book in the Fallen Angels series, a paranormal romance. Blurb from book: The Creator invented the game, and the stakes are nothing less than the fate of both the quick and the dead: seven souls, seven crossroads—each an opportunity for salvation or damnation. Coming into this sixth round, reluctant savior Jim Heron has compromised himself, his body, and his soul, and even still, he’s on the verge of losing everything… And that includes Sissy, the innocent he freed from Hell. Jim’s determined to protect her—but this makes her a weakness the demon Devina can exploit. With Sissy once again in danger, and Jim torn between the game and the woman he’s sworn to defend, evil’s ready to play dirty and finally claim Jim for her own. As the war comes into its final chapters, humanity’s savior is prepared to do anything it takes to win—and that includes embarking on a suicide mission into the very darkest shadows of Purgatory. True love is Jim’s only hope for survival—and victory. Bit can a man with no heart and no soul be saved by something he doesn’t believe in? As this series progressed, each book got better. This last one definitely the best. You know, it’s hard to read something slow when all you want to do is read it! Devina, as evil as one can be, cracked me up with her OCD. I never liked a villain more. While this series ended, I get the feeling some of these characters will continue on in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (yay!). I look forward to that next book. Spring, I believe. I’m ready!

Now for a bonus VIDEO! Saw this and just had to share. That's my high school! And you know what? It really hasn't changed all that much.

The funny thing is, at the beginning of the video, where the band is playing, I'm thinking, "I haven't heard that song in ages. What is it?" Well, DUH! It was our fight song! Yeah, I really AM getting old.

(I also just learned that Katy Perry went to my high school. How did I not know this? Hmmm...)

So... What have you discovered recently that flabbergasted you?

Happy reading!

Stacy

Geschlechtsverkehr

Want to know what that word means? Watch this funny video.

Did you see what word it is? Have to say, this video cracks me up every time. Mainly because Victoria, the heroine in Blind Temptation, is from Germany. I don't imagine her speaking like the fellow in the video, though. And she tends to only speak the language when she swears.

Can you tell I was at a loss of what to blog about? Hope this will give you a chuckle anyway.

So... What foreign language did you take in school? I took Spanish, but then I lived in Santa Barbara and was curious what the meaning of many of the street names were! I lived near the street Camino Campana, which I discovered means Bell Street. When you look at the map, the street looks like half of a bell. I thought that was pretty cool.

Have a great day!

Stacy

Dragon*Con Pictures

While attending Monday's Being Human panel at Dragon*Con (and these actors attended a panel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, too!), I knew by then to make sure to have my camera ready on video because this foursome was liable to do ANYTHING.

Now, whether or not I get these videos to actually WORK on this site, that's another issue altogether!

The first video, Sam Huntington (Josh), Sam Witwer (Aiden), Meaghan Rath (Sally), and Kristen Hager (Nora) are demonstrating the irritating way SyFy shows these pop-up ads while the show is in progress. Sam W. is the "pop up ad" in this demonstration.

In this next video, Sam W. talked about how one director was very serious (even though he'd been known to direct comedies), so Sam showed what he did one day. And let me tell you, what he did isn't any different than what these four did on every single panel. They are truly unpredictable!

As for actual pictures I took at Dragon*Con, I only took pictures of celebrity panels. I just found it was easier that way. My pictures of the costumes never turned out all that great anyway. Remember, click on the photo and it should enlarge.

My first panel of the con was, naturally, Karl Urban!



Karl Urban panel. My seat wasn't tooooo bad.

On my first Being Human panel (which I think was on Saturday), Jesse Rath came out impersonating his sister, Meaghan Rath (he also played her brother on the show).



Jesse Rath (pretending to be Meaghan Rath), Sam Witwer,
Sam Huntington, and Kristen Hager

The real Meaghan came out (tied up and gagged) and they had to "guess" who the real Meaghan Rath was. I wish I had video'd this, because it really was funny. Fake punches were thrown and Jesse was "knocked" unconscious, where he collapsed on the floor and remained that way for the rest of the panel!



Meaghan Rath, Sam Witwer, Jesse Rath,
Sam Huntington, & Kristen Hager

I made it to one of the Arrow panels. Katie Cassidy is all the way on the right. My daughter actually got up the nerve to ask her a question. Basically, if her stint with Jared and Jensen on Supernatural prepared her for Stephen (Amell) and John (Barroman) on Arrow, and which duo was funnier (because John is a wild creature, too). She said that J&J were always trying to get her to crack up while she was filming her lines. She couldn't answer who was funnier, though. I think they're all a little crazy!



Moderator, Not sure, Caity Lotz, David Nikl, Manu Bennett,
Paul Blackthorne, and Katie Cassidy

You can see my seats were a little better (except for being behind that bald-headed guy) on Monday's Being Human panel than they were on Saturday (although those seats were pretty darn good, too). By Monday, they all looked a little worse for wear, though. I'm just glad they stayed (since a lot of celebrities don't stay through Monday). It's sad that the series has ended. I doubt they'll return to Dragon*Con. They really were fun to watch.



Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath, Sam Witwer,
and Kristen Hager

Those are my pictures. I would have had pictures of Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden if I had been able to get into that panel. I stood in line for over an hour, but the room filled up before I got there (I was sooooo close, too!!!). It was the only panel those two were on, which made it disappointing. I didn't even bother to try and see Jeri Ryan. There really was tooooo many people there and not enough repeat panels, so of course the lines started early and grew long!

My daughter helped pimp my books while at Dragon*Con (she carried around  my postcards and handed them out). There used to be a table with freebie stuff on it, but of course, it wasn't there this year (figures!), but I managed to place some postcards in the Urban Fantasy room and in the Westin lobby. Have no idea if anyone took any, though.

So... Did the videos work for you? Or had I wasted my time getting them posted? Because let me tell you, it took a long while since I had to upgrade my software then upload the videos to You Tube before I could post them here--whew!

Have yourself a great weekend. Football is BACK and Hockey isn't too far away! Yay!!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Videos of Footy!

Hey! I finally figured out how to post the videos I took of the footy games. But before I get to them, here’s what I read during the last week:

Oct 23: “Animal Attraction” by Lori Foster, Maisey Yates, Heidi Betts, and Jules Bennett. This is a romance anthology. Blurb on back: Four of today’s most popular romance authors introduce four sizzling new tales of finding love unexpectedly--with a little help from man’s best friend. Normally, when I get an anthology, I’m happy to find one or two I really like. Well, color me surprised! I loved ALL of these stories! Guess I’m just a sucker for love and animals. I gave this 5 stars on Goodreads.

A short list this week, but then I’m reading a honkin’ big book now (and loving every minute of it, too). If it weren’t for my writing, I would have finished it long before now, that’s for sure!

Anyways, on with my videos. I’ve never used my camera in this capacity before, so don’t judge, please. At least you don’t have to suffer long (if you wish to suffer at all, that is). Both videos are under a minute.

This first one features the Sacramento Lady Suns (in yellow/orange - my daughter is back by the goals, wearing black shorts, if you can see her at all!).

This next one features the Columbus Jackaroos (in white shirts), winners of Division II. I think you'll notice a difference of play.

 

 

If anything, you can get a feel for what the game is about. And that clock doesn’t stop for anything (except for a major injury).

 

Still keeping up with those links from Lyrical Press's blog, Celebrate Paranormal Month. Don't want you to think I forgot (just in case, you know?).
Oct 29: http://lyricalpress.com/2013/10/29/celebrate-paranormal-month-renita-pizzitolas-dream/

So, does your city have a footy team? If you don’t know, you can find out here: https://usafl.com/findateam.
 

Happy reading!

 

Stacy



My WIP and Ringtones

While waiting in line for BREAKING DAWN, I talked about my current WIP with my daughter (yeah, big surprise there – I'll talk about it to anyone who'll listen). I needed some help with a ringtone.

My hero assigns ringtones to everyone he knows, and for those he doesn't, Who Are You by The Who will play. As I wrote a recent scene, I realized he needed a song for the heroine (of which I put a marker [ENTER SONG APPROPRIATE FOR BRIDGET] to let me know to do some research).

I didn't need the information right away (and I would have eventually searched my iPod and other sources once the book was complete), but since my daughter and I were just sitting there waiting in line, I thought she might have an idea of what kind of song my hero would use. And boy, did she.

I don't know how she knew of this song. It's not exactly a popular song (doesn't even show up on the group's best sellers CD), and it took me awhile to find it on the Internet. But Poison's She's My Cherry Pie is PERFECT. Of course, it seems to have been also done by Warrant (a group I've never heard of) and I found their video on YouTube.

I realized I now have to have my hero love cherry pie. It would only be fitting, right?