Friday, February 14, 2014

Friday Five for February 14th, 2014




1. Happy Valentine's Day! And it's Friday! Yippee! You have a few hours still to enter to win books from 21 authors in this great giveaway. I'm giving away a digital copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection. Don't miss out on this chance to treat yourself.

2. As another treat, an interview with my handsome dragonslayer, Xan (from 1303 - THE DRAGONSLAYER) was reposted on Cover Girls yesterday. Go on over for a laugh and some eye candy!

3. I managed to get through critiquing 3 short stories this week. I'm getting nitpickier as I grow as a writer. Am I more so with myself? I think so, but I know I'm still biased at times. Thankfully I have such wonderful CPs and betas to help me. I also made the halfway point on my second draft with my #2 WIP. (#1 WIP is with CPs and betas right now.) I might be able to keep on track with my goals and finish the third draft of #2 by the end of the month.

4. I cut up a ton of strawberries for my son's preschool class today. They're having a little Valentine's Day party. He's not quite so excited about today. More often he asks if he's four yet. He knows he turns four in April, and he really wants to be four!

5. I have my local critique group meeting tomorrow. I sent in my first chapter from #2 WIP. I do wonder what they'll think of my superheroes. That's the only plan I have for the weekend. What about you?

145 comments:

  1. Weekend plans involve staying in and writing!

    I hope you have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like you've had a busy week! Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day! Good luck for your "critique" meeting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Valentine's Blitz! So fun to (virtually) meet another geek-mom writer. And best of luck with those critiques!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy V Day Christine! Thanks for being an awesome writer and such a supportive blogger. Enjoy your writing group and strawberries....I'm so hungry for strawberries! (((HUGS)))

    ReplyDelete
  6. You've been busy! I'm working all weekend (and digging out from yet another snowstorm). Happy Valentine's Blitz!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tell him four will come soon enough.
    Happy Valentine's AND Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your critique group is going to LOVE your chapter!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY....and...HAPPY BLITZ DAY!

    Enjoy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. BTW...Viklit is being BLITZED today as well, in case you want to drop by. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Valentines Day and Blitz Day.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Valentine Blitz Day!

    I'm hoping for a nice, productive writing weekend. Hope yours is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Valentine's and Happy Blitz Day, Christine! I hope you have a great meeting with your group tomorrow. Loved Xan's interview - it's always good to see shirtless Xan pop up. :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Valentines and Blitz Day for you. Sounds like you are on a writing roll, plus all with a almost 4 year old. Wow. Have a great weekend

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're being blitzed! I wanted to know, also, where your blog header came from--it looks super-cool.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy Blitz Day!

    The more we grow as writers, the more we see mistakes. Hopefully we do see them in our own work.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm teaching a friend's writing group how to write queries this weekend. And that's pretty much all I've got going.

    Happy Blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy Blog Blitz Day & Happy Valentine's Day!
    Enjoy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day, Christine!

    From Zan Marie, who is blown away that you have a hero named Xan. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello, Christine! That's so cute about your son. My niece just turned four in December, and she was the same way. I don't know what she thought would happen when she turned four, but it must not have been that great because the day after her birthday she couldn't wait to turn five. LoL! Just wait until they're our age and want time to go backwards instead of forwards, hahaha.

    Happy Valentine's Blitz Day!!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Valentines Day to you, and happy blitz day too :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Aw your poor son, having to suffer Valentine's at his age. I wonder how many girlfriends he'll have be the end of the party? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Busy lady! Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ooh, you have a handsome dragonslayer. I want one! LOL Wishing you a Happy Blitz Day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy Valentine's Day :D I hope you enjoy your weekend :) I've got a gymnastics meet to go to and edits to work on so it'll be busy for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. My niece's school cancelled today, so their party was cancelled, too. So glad your son will get to have his.

    Happy writing!

    Oh...and, Hello from the Blitz!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Happy Valentine's Day oh and it's blitz day too. You lucky thing you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! I'm totally floored. Thank you, everyone. What a treat! I'm blushing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day.
    Good luck with your critique as well

    ReplyDelete
  29. Finding good betas and a good crit group is such a hard thing. I'm super lucky like you and have the best of both. Hope the kids enjoy all those strawberries!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy Valentine's Day & Blitz Day all-in-one. I like the premise for your 13th Floor Series. Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  31. SO much goodness!
    Happy V Day!
    I'll check out that awesome giveaway!
    And, XAN!

    BAZINGA!

    You've been blitzed!

    Have a great day!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sounds like an awesome Valentine's Day. Wishing you the best in accomplishing everything on your list.
    Fun having your blog as the first on the BLITZ.

    SilviaWrites

    ReplyDelete
  33. Strawberries and Superheroes? I'm definitely going to camp at your house! Happy Blitz Day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi there! Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Blitz! Best wishes for your continued success!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Kids want to grow up so fast, don't they? As a mom of six children, I can testify, it's true!
    Happy Valentines day and Happy Blits day!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day! it's so cute that your son can't wait to be four! Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Being a picky writer is absolutely the best. And getting three stories of any length critiqued is excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  38. HAPPY BLITZ DAY! Sounds like you have a lot of fun things going on. Enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Happy Blitz Day! Thanks for being so supportive of other authors. You rock!

    Hope your son has fun at his Valentine's Day party!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Growing as a writer is pretty great isn't it? Makes you so much more effective in your Critique group, and of course your work. Have a great weekend

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sound like a nice balanced week.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you (and Happy Blitz!)

    I plan to eat a lot of great food this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Happy Heart day and Blitz! You are doing fabulously well-bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Awww! I miss pre-school & grade school Valentines parties. My "little guy"---who's now 16 and several inches taller than me is going to be on stage tonight in his first high school play! So that's my big weekend plan.

    And happy Blitz Day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Aw, how cute. Love that pre-school age.
    A big Happy <3 Day to you! And HAPPY BLITZ DAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Good luck with your WIPs and critique group. I've had a hard time finding a local group I like. Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Well, you've been busy lol have a great time at the critique group meeting tomorrow and have a wonderful Valentine's Day, Christine ;)

    Also...happy Blitz Day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Happy Valentine's Day AND Blitz Day, Christine! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  48. happy blitz day, and valentine's! fun blog! My plans for the weekend are to finish up some chocolate from my parents and write! :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. My son turns five in April, and he keeps asking if it's his birthday yet, so I know what that's like.

    Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sounds like a busy week - but a nice writing week-end.

    Happy Valentine's Day #Blitz

    ReplyDelete
  51. #3.
    I think we all go through phases in writing and critiquing. Sometimes we'll pick nits and sometimes we'll let things go that we like, even if they're flawed.

    It's the circle of life or uh, something like that, I suppose. :)

    --Nick

    ReplyDelete
  52. Happy blitz day and valentines day sweetheart!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Happy Blitz! And Happy Valentine's Day! Off to follow you around the web :-)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Mmm, strawberries. I remember wanting to be older. A day used to take forever.

    Yay on your progress. I'm working on a short story this weekend and getting my class together for a workshop I'm teaching in April.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Happy Valentine's Day!

    I plan to stay home and relax for most of the weekend. I need some sleep! :)

    Enjoy your blitz!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I think there's a part of me that really wants to be four too. :) Precious times.

    It's difficult not being biased when it comes to critiquing, but I think one's awareness of it is beneficial in that it tempers criticism with tact, if not wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Happy Valentines Day and Happy Blitz Day

    ReplyDelete
  58. Happy Valentines Blitz Day!!

    I love your Friday Five! I have not posted here often, but I always read it!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Congrats on how much you've gotten done lately! Man, I really feel like I should be doing more with my time!

    ReplyDelete
  60. If only my problem with critiquing was that I wasn't nit-picky... *sigh* Christine, I'm headed over for some eye candy. Happy Valentines day, and hope you enjoy the blitz! You are loved. =)

    ReplyDelete
  61. I hope you got to EAT some of those strawberries! Happy Blitz! Oh, and I'm a new follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'll be eating way too much this weekend, but I can revert back to my normal ways next week. Happy Blitz day and bet of luck on your WIP's.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thanks for the giveaway suggestion!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Your son is such a sweetie. Four will be here before he knows it. : ) Strawberries are one of my favorites. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family and HAPPY BLITZ DAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Happy blitz day! (Oh, and Valentine's Day.)

    I hope your critique group has lots of great comments for you on your WIP.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Happy blitz day! (Oh, and Valentine's Day.)

    I hope your critique group has lots of great comments for you on your WIP.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Happy blitz day! (Oh, and Valentine's Day.)

    I hope your critique group has lots of great comments for you on your WIP.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Happy Valen-Blitz day. My weekend will consist of editing my current WIP and eating the chocolates my lovely husband gave me today.

    Have a great weekend!

    RB

    ReplyDelete
  69. Happy Valen-Blitz day. My weekend will consist of editing my current WIP and eating the chocolates my lovely husband gave me today.

    Have a great weekend!

    RB

    ReplyDelete
  70. So glad I found this blog - I'll be checking back! Happy Valentine's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Happy Valentine's Day and Blog Blitz Day!

    I'm celebrating my anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Good luck with your goals!
    Happy Blog Blitz :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. Happy Blitz Day! I know the feeling of getting more nitpicky as one develops as a writer.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Happy Blitz Day! Hope you have a lovely weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Happy Valentine's Day, happy Friday, and happy Blog Blitz day! Yum, strawberries!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Hi, Christine,

    Looks like you've got a lot of things on your plate today.

    I understand all about kids who can't wait to be a little bit older.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Happy Valentine's Day and Blitz Day! Kick back and enjoy some chocolate and a good romance novel / movie :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. Happy blitz day! And strawberries - yum!
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
    x

    ReplyDelete
  80. Happy Blitz Day. (Such a great concept.)

    I've become more critical of stories since I started writing, too. I have to turn off that part of my brain when I read for pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Happy Valentines Blutz Day! You rock, today and everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Happy Valentines day and happy blitz day! We got my girls each a white rose and chocolates. Kids don't usually celebrate vday in France- considered an adult holiday here but I think it's cute and wish they got to experience valentines day card exchanges like I did as a kid. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Happy Valentine's Day! I hope your son ended up liking the strawberries even if he's not quite four yet.

    My guys are getting strawberries too with chocolate fondue, but mine are older (52,19, and 17) and they think it's wonderful.

    Happy Blog Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Happy Blitz Day, Christine! And A Valentine's Blitz Day ... that doesn't happen very often! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  85. Happy Word Love on Valentine's day (and your BLITZ day!) My son didn't really get into Valentine's day until later. He is 12 now and is always excited to bring chocolate milk to class... but he has expanded and now is bringing Doritos as well.

    I have found myself being nitpickier, too, but I know for myself those can be the most useful critiques. I usually just offer it anyway and say, "I am curious about.... " rather than, "you need to change this to that" and blahdy blah.

    You are my first ever Blitz Blog Comment... how fun for this newbie to be commenting you!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Happy Valentines and Happy Blitz Day!

    Sending lots of love. :)

    anna @ Deeply Shallow

    Sign up for the #atozreveal now!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Sounds like you've had a wonderfully productive week!
    Happy Valentine's Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Happy Valentine's/Blitz Day!!! Tonight hubs is taking me out and tomorrow I'm attending a writer's conference in my area :-) Pleasure to meet you here today . . . I'm a fellow YA writer <3

    ReplyDelete
  89. Good luck with the second draft of your WIP! Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day and enjoy being blog Blitzed as well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  90. Happy Valentine's day!

    And happy Blog Blitz too!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Happy Blitz-Valentine's Day! Nice to see you again.
    I remember almost four...it was...ten years ago, and my oldest is almost 17...time flies.
    I'm a geek mom, too, and love Jeopardy.
    Your writing plans are so...organized. I just got my post for today (I try to M-W-F) just about 30 minutes ago. Sigh.

    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
    http://www.facebook.com/TinaLifeIsGood

    ReplyDelete
  92. Busy day! Tell your son it'll go by faster when he's older. :)

    You've been blitzed!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Valentine's Day AND Blitz Day???? You are loved!!!

    ReplyDelete
  94. To be fair, who doesn't want to be four????

    Happy blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Critique groups are great support.
    Happy Blitz day!
    charmaineclancy.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. Hey, Christine!

    Happy Valentine's and BLITZ!

    Sounds like you're having a fun day and gearing up for a very interesting weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Happy Valentine's Day. I wonder if the day will come for your son when he stops looking forward to being a year older. I don't know when it happened to me, but it was decades ago. Happy Blitz Day.

    ReplyDelete
  98. The strawberries sound good. Have a great valentines day. I love the line underneath your blog title, BTW.

    ReplyDelete
  99. The strawberries sound good. Have a great valentines day. I love the line underneath your blog title, BTW.

    ReplyDelete
  100. You've been blitzed :)

    It's crazy how writing makes you so much more critical, right? Scoping out your giveaway now.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Sounds like you've been super busy. Me? My hubby and I plan to stretch out Valentine's Day for the whole darned weekend. He's taking a nap right now, so I had time to pop onto the computer long enough to wish you a HAPPY BLITZ DAY! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Sounds like you have a wonderful weekend plan that involves writing but isn't all booked up. Enjoy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  103. Good luck with your critique group & happy Blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  104. Happy Blitz Day and Happy Valentine's Day!!! :D Best of luck with your critiques!

    ReplyDelete
  105. Happy Valnetine's Day and blitz day too!

    ReplyDelete
  106. Sounds like you had a productive week. I spent the first part of mine in the hospital and feel kinda uninspired. I am part of the blog blitz.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Happy blitz Valentine's day to you an happy almost-birthday to your son! I also have an almost 4 year old:) geek moms unite:)

    ReplyDelete
  108. Happy Valentine's Day AND happy blitz day!!

    That's so cute that your son can't wait to be 4. :)

    ReplyDelete
  109. Interview with the dragonslayer? Now that's one I've got to go see! Have a great valentines day!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Nice post~~Happy Blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Happy Valentine's Day! And Happy Blitz Day! I hope it's been a fabulous day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  112. I don't get by here often enough, personal, I don't get out much anywhere anymore. Trying to do better. You always have something interesting to say and are always so busk, busy, busy. I do not know how you keep up.

    Have a great Valentines Day and enjoy being blitzed.

    ReplyDelete
  113. I've got some nice plans for my night. Apparently, it involves watching Journey play a concert on TV... that non-Steve Perry singer they have is pretty amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  114. Happy Valentines Day, Christine,
    Hope you get great reviews. God bless, Maria

    ReplyDelete
  115. Happy Valentines Day and Happy Blitz Day

    ReplyDelete
  116. Happy Blitz Day...and Valentine's! I absolutely love the dark purpleness of your site. It rocks!

    So great to meet you. Be happy!

    ReplyDelete
  117. Happy Valentine's Day and blitz day! Sounds like you are on a role with writing and editing. Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  118. Happy Blitz Day and Val Day Christine. When he's four, he'll be ready to be five. Boys, so cute and demanding.

    ReplyDelete
  119. We're on blizzard watch this weekend, so I'm keeping plans to a minimum: writing, writing, and writing.

    Happy Valentine Blitz Day!

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
  120. Critiquing taught me so much about the whys of writing rules. Am I as critical of my writing? mmm, yah, and sometimes too much and it bogged me down. I had to reteach myself to just let go and write and not worry about being perfect the first draft.

    What a great idea for a preschool party--strawberries. And isn't it funny how certain years are important to our kids? I remember with mine, he wanted to be 10. *Shrugs. Have no idea why he chose that particular year--several years before he got there--but he was thrilled when he turned 10, lol!

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

    ReplyDelete
  121. Sounds like you have been really busy Christine! Good for you and Happy Blitz Day!

    ReplyDelete
  122. You're making awesome progress so huge congrats:) Before you know it, you'll have a handful of new books being launched:) Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Blitz Day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  124. Happy Valentines day and Blitz day, a twofer.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Sounds like you've been very busy! I look forward to checking out your books. Hope you enjoyed being blitzed!

    Happy Writing!
    Anne :)

    ReplyDelete
  126. Finally getting around to saying Happy Blitz Day! :D I hope you had a fun one :)

    I really need to join a local critique group. I know of one but I just find it hard to make myself do things on "school nights" when they have their meetings.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Way cool to be making progress on all your goals. I do believe a writer does grow by critiquing others. and of course getting experience with writing and publishing helps you be a better critiquer.

    Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  128. Love strawberries! Happy Valentine and Blitz day!

    ReplyDelete
  129. Happy Blitz!

    I have to agree with your son - birthdays are much more important than Valentine Days. Even if they're also Blitz Days.

    ReplyDelete
  130. Happy Blitz! Strawberries and critiquing--what a great way to celebrate Valentines!

    ReplyDelete
  131. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  132. That does sound like a busy week!

    Enjoy your blog blitz

    ReplyDelete
  133. I hope your critique meeting is fun(I wish I could go to one w/real live people in front of me!) Also, Happy Blitz! Sorry I'm late...

    ReplyDelete
  134. Happy Valentine/ Blitz day ;) better late than never

    ReplyDelete
  135. Happy Valentines Day, Raine. I've had an offline weekend, which is why I'm late to the Blitz. Wishing you all the best with your crit group and your new book!

    ReplyDelete
  136. I spent a weekend at the beach with my family so I'm late to the Blitz party. I wish you much success with your book! Happy Belated Blitz!

    ReplyDelete
  137. I like the Friday Five idea. You are one busy woman. Sorry I missed the blitz last week. Personal matters trumped everything else.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Hi Christine - you were blitzed weren't you ... how wonderful on Valentine's Day too ..

    Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.