Lisa’s Lair wins a Versatile Blogger Award

Lisa's Blog Uncategorized 38 Comments

Hi everyone –

Remember the days when I posted a blog every single Sunday night? Rain or shine I had a new short story up to share…

Those were the days! Writing new stories every week and trying to include crazy writing prompt things like a Persian Caftan, moonshine, and a giant sized Hawaiian pizza. Remember the Komodo dragon week? Good times… *sigh*

Now that I’ve been busy with editing Night Walker and Night Demon and doing interviews and guest blogs for Across the Veil, my own blog has gotten a little sporadic. But just when I thought my blog was feeling like a broken promise, Kerri over at The Book Boost blogtossed a blog award my way! LOL

Maybe my blog isn’t sporadic afterall… It’s Versatile!!! J

Isn’t it pretty? –à

So here are the rules to accept the award…. (And in the name of Versatility, I’m going to add a prize!!! One lucky commenter is going to win a copy of Across the Veil!!!)

To accept the award, I must complete this list:

1) Share 7 things about myself
2) Pass this award on to 7 other bloggers;
3) Notify the recipients (Please don’t feel like you have to play! This is all in fun!); and
4) Link the blogger who gave this award (Done, see above!).

Okay 7 things about myself…

  1. After working hard for years chasing after my dream of being a published author, knowing that I’m so close to my dream is exciting and terrifying all at once. I’ve never wanted anything so badly and at the same time felt so scared of screwing it all up! My hopes vacillate daily between my heart and the moon! I wish I could tell you I’m happy dancing and confident every day, but I’ve been honest with all of you about this journey from day one so I won’t start sugar coating it now.

     

  2. In spite of the terror and anxiety, this has been an awesome experience!!! My editors, KL & Heather, from Entangled Publishing have been fabulous to work with, and seeing my name on the amazing Night Walker
    cover makes every single minute of the publishing journey worth it!

 

3) I have a signed Rocky movie poster hanging right over my writing desk because of the tagline… His entire life was a million-to-one shot. My favorite quote from the Rocky movies is from the last one, Rocky Balboa… “it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” Rocky taught me that you don’t always have to win to be a champion. You just have to go the distance.

4) I’m also a singer. I’ve performed with San Diego Opera, San Diego Lyric Opera and a few other local theaters. If you’re curious, I have song samples up on my site… http://lisaslair.com/MusicPage.html

5) I’m a Disney freak who has collected WAY too many Disney pins… Yikes!!! My favorite Disney character is the Evil Queen from Snow White, favorite Disney movie is Beauty & the Beast, and my favorite ride at Disneyland is the Haunted Mansion. My proudest Disney moment was on the Disney cruise ship. Panda & I were a team for a Disney trivia game show and she & I kicked butt and won a gold Disney medal. *waving my Disney geek flag high*

6) I cried when I heard Pavarotti died. I never met him, and I never got the chance to see him sing live, but I can listen to him singing Nessum Dorma and feel like I’m hearing love itself. I’ve never heard another voice like his. One of my favorite quotes came from Luciano… “People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference.” — Luciano Pavarotti

7) I was lucky to meet Ray Bradbury and he gave me the best writing advice I’ve ever received. I asked what he recommended to improve my writing. I expected him to tell me about a book on writing. (He’s even written a couple!) But he looked me in the eyes with a grin and said, “You write a new short story every week for a year.” At the end of the year you’ll have ideas to last a lifetime. His challenge took my writing and my commitment to writing and publishing to another level.

Shew! I hope that wasn’t too boring! LOL

Now to pass on the Versatile Blogger award…. (In no particular order)

Linda Wisdom – http://linda-wisdom.blogspot.com/ Linda has been publishing romance novels for 30 years (which makes her extremely versatile!), and she is one of the coolest, most fun authors I know! Definitely check out her blog and her Hexy witch & demon series…

Lynn Rush – http://lynnrush.wordpress.com/ Lynn is a great lady who manages to blog everyday!!! *boggle* Not only that, but her blogs are usually fun! Debating, movie clips, meeting up and coming writers, etc. Majorly versatile!!!

Ciara Knight – http://www.ciaraknight.com/ Ciara has a great blog full of good news and much more! So versatile it’ll knock your socks off! J (Plus she let me do a guest blog about Love! LOL)

The Peeps on the Entangled Publishing Blog – http://www.entangledpublishingblog.com/ Entangled has put together a beautiful blog page that’s full of interviews with Publishers, Writers, Publicists and more. If you’re looking for information on publishing, marketing, writing, etc. This is the versatile blog for you! LOL

DJ Myke – http://www.myspace.com/jmichaeltodd/blog/ When I first started blogging just over 3 years ago, DJ Myke on MySpace was one of the first bloggers I met. He’s a huge poetry and music lover and an all-around great guy! His blogs are always different with poetry, videos, and stories. HE’s definitely worth meeting! J

Elen Grey – http://elengrey.com/ I love Elen’s blog! You never know what you’ll find there! (And she finds some amazing videos for my Friday Happy Dance of JOY every week lemme tell ya!!!) She’s all kinds of versatile!

Blogophilia – http://www.myspace.com/blogophilia/blog/ Last, but certainly not least, Blogophilia is a blog group full of fabulous people. We started together on MySpace, but since MySpace started imploding, we all scattered. Marvin the Martian runs the group and keeps us together on facebook. If you’re looking for a great weekly blogging group with handy writing prompts, give Blogophilia a try. You can find Marvin on facebook here.

Thanks for helping me accept the Versatile Blogger award! J

As a thank you gift, one commenter will receive a free copy of Across the Veil!!! If you want an extra entry, pop over to my site and join my newsletter… http://LisasLair.com

Thanks again for stopping by!

Lisa J

(For Marvin we had “Between my heart and the Moon”, I also included a caftan and a broken promise, as well as moonshine & a Hawaiian Pizza!!! YAY!!! J )

38 Comments

  1. sue May 20, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Hey – you met Ray Bradbury !!! in writing class we saw a video of his – he starting writing on a typewrite – which I cannot, absolutely cannot, imagine doing anymore and he wrote his first book in something like 9 hours. It was an amazing inerview – you are fortunate to meet him
    Yea for you !! you are doing so well !!!

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:12 am

      Hey Sue!!! *waving*

      I did meet Ray Bradbury and shake his hand and ask him about writing… He really impacted my writing in a huge way!

      He actually wrote Farenheit 451 in the basement on teh Los Angeles Library paying .10 an hour to rent a typewriter! LOL Can you imagine??? Yikes!!! 🙂

      Thanks for the good wishes Sue!!! I’m definitely excited about the future… (and terrified! LOL)

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  2. Lynn Rush May 20, 2011 at 6:24 am

    Thanks, Lisa!! And when I read your bit about Rocky I smiled. “Rocky taught me that you don’t always have to win to be a champion. You just have to go the distance.”

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:13 am

      Hi Lynn!

      I’m glad it made you smile!!! 🙂 I think sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in having to “win”, and when you go the distance and fight so hard for something, you’re already a champion, right? 🙂

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! I love your blogs!!! 🙂

      Lisa

  3. Elen May 20, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Thank you, Lisa! I’m honored. That you are a Disney geek doesn’t surprise me. My favorite Disney character is Thumper! Cheers.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:19 am

      Hi Elen –

      You’re welcome!!! You deserve the recognition!!! I love the variety of blog posts and the colorful site… It’s always fun to visit! 🙂

      And I love that your favorite character is Thumper!!! LOL He was awfully cute being all twitterpated… 🙂

      Lisa

  4. Cori May 20, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Thank you for sharing so many interesting stories from your life! Your quote from Rocky really spoke to me today. What a great blog! 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:21 am

      Hi Cori –

      You’re welcome!!! 🙂 I’m so glad you thought the stories were interesting!!! LOL I always worry it’s boring… 🙂

      And I’m glad to hear Rocky made a difference in your day… That movie series has really impacted my life and Sylvester Stallone’s story behind his journey to get the Rocky movie made always inspires me!!! He never gave up…

      Thanks for reading and commenting Cori!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  5. Brinda May 20, 2011 at 9:39 am

    I’m also a Disney fan. I especially love Disney World (the happiest place on earth) so much that I’ve visited five times. Don’t tell anyone, but I went twice without a child in tow.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Hey Brinda! *waving*

      I love that you went to Disney World without kids!!! LOL

      I have an annual pass and Ken & I go up to Disneyland with and without kids… It’s fun to not have to race to every wild ride every once in a while! LOL

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! It’s great to see you…

      Lisa 🙂

  6. Amber Keller May 20, 2011 at 9:40 am

    Congratulations on your blog award! Display it proudly. I also signed up for your Savvy class that starts on Monday. I’m looking forward to it! I’ve been writing short stories like a madwoman for many months now and have submitted lots. I hope to gain more insight into the process. It’s always good to learn something new! 🙂

    And with that, I’m off to pop over an sign up for your newsletter… I will bring you an apple on Monday! 😉

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Hi Amber! *waving*

      Oh yay! Glad to hear you’ve been writing short stories!!! We’ll find lots of places to submit them and qork on submittal letters and crafting a story toward anthology guidelines… Lots of fun stuff! 🙂

      (Hopefully you’ll learn something new! *fingers crossed* )

      Thanks for signing up for the newletter too!!! I should have the first one out next week I hope!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Great to see you…

      Lisa 🙂

  7. Linda Thomas-Sundstrom May 20, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Great idea… spread the word. BLOG ON! It’s always nice to read personal notes about the authors we like. And –
    DISNEY ROCKS! I’m going to Disneyland next week…

    Linda

    www. lindathomas-sundstrom. com

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:35 am

      Hi Linda!!! *waving*

      I agree! 🙂 It’s fun to spread blog awards around and learn about people we chat with online…

      Have fun up at Disneyland!!! We’re going up on Friday June 3rd for the opening of the new Star Tours and Little Mermaid!!! Can’t wait!!! 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!! You rock!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  8. David II May 20, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Congratulations, Lisa. You do scream Versatility! A well deserved recognition… I’m glad to have met you and Myke, and our Martian friend. Lots of fun and creativity, and affection. Once again, great work. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 10:37 am

      Hi David!!! *waving*

      Thanks for the versatility vote! LOL I’m very glad we met too!!! Blogophilia has brought together a really great group of people!!!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting too!!!

      Have a great weekend…

      Lisa 🙂

  9. Louisa Bacio May 20, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    I’ve met and seen Placido Domingo sing. My cousin is an opera singer. Unfortunately, not Pavarotti.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 8:30 pm

      Oh Placido is fabulous too!!! Did he seem like a nice guy or a diva? 🙂

      Congratulations to your cousin… Opera is a very competitive tough business! Shew!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Louisa!!! 🙂

      Lisa

  10. Marvin Martian May 20, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    8 points Earthling! 🙂 Congrats on the award and thank you for the plug! 🙂 (sorry you don’t get extra points for mentioning us! )

    1. Lisa Kessler May 20, 2011 at 11:25 pm

      Thank you Marvin!!! 🙂 And I was happy to share our great blogging group!!! Thanks for the points and all the support over the years!!!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  11. Gabriella Hewitt May 21, 2011 at 1:11 am

    Loved reading about all the special experiences that make you simply YOU! ( : Congratulations on the book deal and the blog award. You deserve them. And, you picked a nice and versatile group of people to pass the award along to.

    Cheers!

    1. Lisa Kessler May 21, 2011 at 6:37 pm

      Awww thank you!!! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the blog!!! 🙂

      THanks so much for stopping by and commenting…

      Lisa 🙂

  12. Michelle K May 21, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Congrats on your blog award. I love Disney and Pavarotti! You well deserve the award and I enjoy reading your works.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 21, 2011 at 6:37 pm

      You have great taste Michelle!!! LOL 🙂

      THanks for stopping by and commenting!!! It’s great to see you…

      Lisa

  13. Irene Melgoza May 21, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    Congrats on the blog award, Lisa! : ) But I am sure that’s minor to all of your greater accomplishments. You’re a published author!!! Must feel great.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 21, 2011 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks Irene!!! 🙂 I still don’t feel like published author just yet, but when August comes around and I have a book in my hand… Look out world!!! 🙂

      Very exciting… (And scary! LOL)

      Thanks for commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  14. Another Government Employee May 22, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Congrats on the award. If nothing else, producing a new piece each week strengthens the writing muscles.

    1. Lisa Kessler May 22, 2011 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Christopher! *waving*

      Writing a new story every week definitely strengthened my writing muscles like crazy! LOL

      I miss it now that I’m doing so much editing… 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  15. DJ Myke May 22, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    You took me by surprise with what you said about Pavarotti. He was truly one of a kind. He got me listening to foreign language music, which I still do.

    This one time, Carter sent me a voice mail of him singing part of Nessun Dorma. He really nailed it. That was a great surprise.

    Thanks for the personal shout out to my DJ Myke site, and to our Blogophilia site, as well. Glad things are going well for you. Tell the family Myke says hello. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler May 22, 2011 at 11:57 pm

      Hi DJ Myke! *waving*

      You didn’t know about my love for Pavarotti? 🙂 I agree with you he was one of a kind. I doubt we’ll see another voice like that in our lifetime…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!! 🙂 And it was my pleasure to give you a shout out!!! I’m so glad we met writing MySpace blogs….

      *HUGS*

      Lisa

  16. Dahlia May 22, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    Hey dollface 😉

    How you feel about Pavarotti is how I feel about Andrea Bocelli. *sighs* His voice makes me melt. I am waaay overdue for a visit to Disneyland, I haven’t been there since the mid-80s – I’ve never even seen Toon Town. But my favorite ride was Pirates of the Caribbean, yarrr! lol! I’ll be sure to let you know when I make it back down there 😉

    Congrats on your award – you rock 😀 (((hugs)))

    1. Lisa Kessler May 23, 2011 at 12:03 am

      Hee! Hi Dahlia!!! *waving*

      Oh Andrea Bocelli has a wonderful voice too! 🙂

      You haven’t been to Disneyland since the 80’s???? *FAINT* We should totally meet up there sometime!!! That would be a blast… 🙂

      Thanks for the congrats! Can’t want for August to get here so you can check out Night Walker… Finally! LOL

      Thanks for commenting!!!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  17. Eccentricity May 23, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Hi there, it’s me Eccentricity–I know I’ve taken a blogging hiatus until just now, plus I’ve been wandering various sites so I’ll understand if you don’t remember me, but I remember you. 😉

    I’m so glad your dream of being published is coming true! Congrats!

    1. Lisa Kessler May 23, 2011 at 3:06 pm

      Hi there!!! *waving*

      Of course I remember you from MySpace!!! Great to see you here!!! 🙂

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!!! And thanks for the good wishes on my book!!! I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands!!! 🙂

      Lisa

  18. Ciara Knight May 26, 2011 at 9:56 am

    Thanks, Lisa! Your post on Love rocked. 🙂 So many great things happening for you. Congratulations!!

    1. Lisa Kessler May 26, 2011 at 10:04 am

      Thanks Ciara!!! 🙂 It’s very exciting and scary all at once… LOL

      You’ve got lots of good things coming up too!!! And I do love your blog…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  19. mybookaddiction June 20, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    I’m waving my Disney geek flag with you haha, I love Disney!!! And my favourite movie is also Beauty and the beast. It’s always nice to see other Disney fans out there haha

    1. Lisa Kessler June 20, 2011 at 2:09 pm

      Ha! YAY!!!!! No reason we can’t love dark vampire paranormals and also love Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, right??? LOL

      We’re just well-rounded…. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂
      *waving her Disney geek flag high*