Monday, August 13, 2012

News and Notes


Happy Monday! 

Hope you had a good weekend. The weather was lovely here in north central Kentucky. It was breezy with highs in the 70's, a fall preview, I'm thinking.

It's been a toasty summer, so the reprieve was welcome. How has the weather been in your neck of the woods?

Here are a few announcements to start the week:

Congratulations to Rhonda Schrock, winner of The Gifted by Ann Gabhart!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see Ann last week. It was a fun interview; Ann discussed the book cover process, among other things, so if you missed it, click here for details.

Before I knew Rhonda Schrock won the giveaway, I was going to mention that she has her spiffy new website up and running. It's very nice, and I am excited as she takes this next step in her writing journey. She's relocated her blog there too, so if you enjoy her witty and insightful posts, hop on over!  Click here to check it out. 

Got a short story? Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards is accepting entries. Grand Prize is $2500 and a trip to the WD conference in New York City. Deadline is September 14, 2012. Visit their site for details.

Don't forget, September brings more goodies here at Write Now, including a visit with authors Cathy Gohlke, Sarah Sundin, and Alex Cavanaugh. Lots happening through the fall - giveaways, guest posts, interviews, and more. Hope you can join me! :)

I've several projects that are calling my name so I am taking a blog break. See you on August 27.

What's on your plate for the balance of the month?


Happy writing,
Karen 

Photo Credit: Zinnias in Karen Lange's garden taken with her super cheesy little digital camera. She's hoping to get a non super cheesy camera soon. :)

47 comments :

  1. This has by far been the hottest summer for us too. I feel like the A/C has been on for a majority of it!

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  2. Thanks for the reminder about the WD story contest. It's always on my list to consider, though I've never entered.

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  3. Hopefully that last guest doesn't suck!
    Wish we were in the 70's here.
    Enjoy you break.

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  4. Enjoy your Break Karen!
    My weekend ended with the closing page of "The Coral Island" by R.M Ballantyne :)

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  5. Nice post--thanks for the links!

    I'm in the midst of edits--phew!

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  6. We've enjoyed cooler temperatures here as well.

    Congrats to Rhonda for winning Ann's book and for her beautiful new website!

    Hope you have a great break, Karen!

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  7. Have a great two weeks break! Send some breeze our way, please.

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  8. I hope you have a great break!

    I'm finishing edits this week, and back on track with my new story next week!

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  9. We are well into a late monsoon, and ever since I arrived here in Rajasthan, it's been raining heavily every evening! Pleasant days and nights! But it could mean a colder winter this year!

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  10. Jennifer,
    My family lives not far from you and they've been saying the same thing. So this is what makes the fall feel so nice.

    Carol,
    You are welcome! If you enter, let us know how you make out. :)

    Alex,
    I have a strong feeling that they will all do very well! No worries. :)

    Yeesi,
    Thank you! Sounds like you had a good weekend. :)

    Laura,
    You are welcome! Best wishes with the edits!

    Sarah,
    The weather has been such a relief, hasn't it? Isn't Rhonda's site nice?

    Diane,
    Thanks so much! Getting a big fan out to send the air our way!

    Cindy,
    Thank you! Hoping to get a lot done. :) Wishing you the best with your stories!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  11. Joy,
    Hope you get out to enjoy the days when they are nice. It's good to see you. :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  12. Sweltering in Florida! But we've had some good rains. :-) Enjoy your break!

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  13. Thanks for the contest link and have a good, productive blog break. :)

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  14. Yes, it has been a hot summer but now it has cooled down a little bit where I live.

    I'm looking forward to the Alex Cavanaugh post...he's pretty inspirational.

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  15. Its still warm our way Karen but I will be welcoming Fall when it arrives here in Lancaster with open arms! Richard

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  16. Jessica,
    Yes, I can imagine the heat there, oh my. Maybe the rain offers a little relief sometimes? Hope so!

    Linda,
    You are welcome. If you enter, let us know if you win, okay? :)

    Livia,
    I am always thankful when it cools down, not a fan of summer heat. :) I'm looking forward to Alex's post too!

    Richard,
    I'm with you - fall is going to be wonderful! Can't wait!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  17. For a "super cheesy digital camera," it did a great job!

    Congrats to Rhonda. I visited her site last week. Impressive.

    The weather here is comfortable, but thunderstorms are rolling in tomorrow.

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  18. Thanks Karen for highlighting Rhonda's website!
    I admire you for taking blog breaks. I still feel bad sometimes for only writing once or twice a week and not reading enough other blogs... but as you say... there are projects calling our names. I have a book coming out in the USA and one in Holland, lots of editing and proof reading to be done, designing covers, writing blurbs and so on...
    I hope your break will be fruitful and inspiring.
    Thank you Karen for every blog your write!

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  19. Congrats to Rhonda!

    In London we've had a very rainy summer - it's only beginning to brighten up now!

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  20. Susan,
    It turned out okay, didn't it? I just took some quick shots and was pleased with the results. :)

    Marja,
    Thank you so much for your kind words! You are a blessing! As you say, always things to do. We are writers, after all, and that should come first. :)

    Talli,
    I wondered if the weather had warmed up any during the Olympics. So are things more quiet around town? :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  21. Goodness gracious. I'm so honored to not only win that book (you know I devour books), but to have that very kind mention! Thank you, my friend. Someday, you must come and sit across from me at the table in all those pictures, and we'll talk life in real time.

    I mean it.

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  22. Your blog is always so full of wonderful things. Thanks, Karen. Have a great break.

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  23. I am enjoying the final days of summer before taking L. back to school. The mornings have gotten cooler which only makes me yearn for fall. Enjoy your break!

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  24. Congrats to Rhonda.
    It's been a tad chilly here in Oz. Send me some of your heat!

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  25. Rhonda,
    Well, your website is so nice I just had to share! :) Congrats to you all the way around. Si ting across the table? Yes, I'm in.

    Joylene,
    Thanks for your sweet words; I appreciate them. :)

    Sally,
    I know, these cool mornings have been so refreshing! Have been enjoying walks at the park.

    Lynda,
    I think it is supposed to be warmer today, so will send some your way!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  26. Things are much more inspiring when one isn't so caught up in all that perspiring!

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  27. a lot of people are busy with their summer projects! For me it's the usual round of revisions. hope you're enjoying your break :)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  28. Thanks for this roundup, Karen =) Enjoy your break! I'm hoping to gain some momentum with my novel revisions this month.

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  29. Annie,
    Yes, I think so! Well said. I will remember that! :)

    Nutschell,
    Wishing you the best with your revisions! Thanks a bunch!

    Ruth,
    You are welcome! Hope there's something here you can use. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  30. Congratulations to Rhonda - she won a book over at my site just a few weeks ago! Lots of reading for the fall months ahead! Also love her new website.

    Looking forward to the good things coming up on your blog. Enjoy your break! God bless~

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  31. Congratulations to Rhonda. Thank you for highlighting her new website, I think it's fabulous.

    Thank you for reminding us about the WD writing contest.

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  32. Sounds like you have wonderful plans ahead, including your break! I'm back after a short, and somewhat unplanned break . . .and my plans are a bit mushy for the next month . . . other than polishing Champion in the Darkness, soaking up the last bits of summer, and prepping for the school year.

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  33. You always have so many exciting things to check up on.

    I would like to thank you for faithfully visiting my blog and for your helpful comments.

    It's always possible that I may "get back into writing." If that happens, I know that your blog will be an eve better source of help. Thanks so much.

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  34. Maria,
    That's right - I forgot about her winning the book at your place! Well, we''ll keep her supplied with books, anyhow! Thanks a bunch!

    Cecelia,
    I know, her site is great, isn't it? It's such a lovely spot to visit. :)

    Tyrean,
    Yes, school has started here already, and some some homeschoolers have begun as well. Wishing you a great school year!

    Nancy,
    Thank you, you are so sweet! I always enjoy my stops at your blog, and am loving those pics you share of your granddaughter. What a little cutie!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  36. Hi Karen, I will check out the Writer's Digest site. The story contest sounds good.

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  37. Beautiful flowers, Karen! Hope you are really enjoying your summer. :)

    I am trying to tie up loose ends, because I feel like August is 'the calm before the storm'. It will be a super busy fall, and so I'm trying to relax and get odds and ends completed as I know there will not be time for them in a month!

    Angela

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  38. Hi Karen! I love that you are busy, but organized... I need to take some lessons from you!!

    It's finally "normal" here in St.Louis and we're all a bit giddy. :)

    I'm waiting for the chaos to settle after getting 3 kids off to college!

    Bless you!!

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  39. nice post thanks for sharing...

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  40. Rachna,
    Yes, let me know if you enter, okay? Wishing you well with it! :)

    Angela,
    Thank you! Hope your summer is going well too. Loose ends - seems like there are always some floating around, doesn't it? :)

    Cheryl,
    Wow, three kids in college! Now that's keep a mom busy. Hope you all have a good year. :)

    My Diary,
    Nice to meet you! Thanks for coming by!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  41. Congrats to Rhonda!

    Sounds like you'll have a lot of goodies for us come September. I look forward to it.

    Enjoy the glorious weather. It has been mild out my way, too...

    Smooches,
    Janette

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  42. Such pretty zinnias in your garden, Karen. Best of luck with your writing projects.

    Blessings,
    Jean

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  43. It has been a HOT summer. Congrats to Rhonda!

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  44. Janette,
    September should be hopping! I've some surprises for later this fall too. :)

    Jean,
    Thank you! I love to plant zinnias for cutting and to give away. Thanks a bunch!

    Nutschell,
    Yes, it has been warm. Much nicer here now, hopefully your way too. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  45. I am looking forward to those author visits. Thanks for the links :-)

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  46. Diane,
    I am too! It's a great lineup and I am excited. :) Hope you can join us!

    RR,
    Thanks a bunch! Hope you find something useful. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!