Don't forget that I'll be giving away a special Heartbreaker Prize Package for Valentine's Day and the only way to enter this contest is by commenting on the blog.
Each person who comments on the blog today through Valentine's Day will be entered into the prize drawing! Included in the prize will be a copy of one of my books, some candy, and some other great items! Don't miss your chance to win!
Deadline is 12:01 a.m. on February 14th! I'll announce the winner on Valentine's Day!
Good luck!
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Time's running out...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
King vs. Meyer
In a story that made me chuckle to myself, the master of horror Stephen King is quoted as saying, "...Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good." Oh, way to go Mr. King! Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel. I've never been an avid King reader, however; I have lots of respect for the man as an author and I have to agree with him on this one. King has never struck me as being particularly catty and so, I believe his remarks are simply born of frustration with a colleague.
I'm not at all impressed by Meyer and frankly, I don't see what the big deal is about Twilight. I can't bring myself to pick up one of her books after the incident with her leaked manuscript several months back. I just don't support authors who forget that they are writing for their readers and not for their own egos. Once you forget about your audience, you don't deserve to have one.
Along these lines, I have to ask the other aspiring authors out there, "Do you think your writing will suffer after you make it big?" It happens to the best of us. We get a little bit of popularity and it goes straight to our heads. Do you believe that you would be adversely affected by becoming a successful author? Tell me what you think.
For all those who comment on this post, I'll be entering you into a drawing to win a copy of A Little Bit of Murder, my book of short mysteries!
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Should anyone have fourteen children?
I was reading the news story about the woman in Los Angeles who recently gave birth to octuplets. I'm in total agreement with several of those who commented on her situation by saying that the act was both "disgusting and selfish." I'm wondering who advised her that this was a good idea and why? I'm also wondering who will be paying for the births of these children and how much of L.A. taxpayers' money will go toward healthcare and living expenses for this family.
According to the news story on Yahoo!, the woman who gave birth is single and lives with her mother. She has a degree, but it wasn't clear whether or not she is actually working or if she intends to now that she has fourteen children to take care of. I'm not saying that the single parenting aspect is a bad idea; I'm simply concerned because I know how hard it is to take care of one child when you're married. I can't imagine having so many as a single parent. Hell, I can't imagine having so many children at all.
You have to wonder at her motivation for electing to have fourteen children through in vitro fertilization. Does this woman really love children or is she looking for her fifteen minutes of fame? There are families out there for whom this type of assisted reproduction makes perfect sense and who would begrudge them the opportunity of having a family if they are willing to go through the process and see it through? But this woman seems to have abused her right to reproduce as well as taking advantage of some loophole in the healthcare system which failed to protect these fourteen children from the psychological, emotional, physical and social ramifications of this woman's gluttonous behavior.
Why are these procedures permitted and in some cases, even encouraged by health care providers when the parent in question is clearly operating out of some motive other than simply wanting to be a mother? Sure, we wouldn't want to say that parents are limited to having one or two children, but shouldn't there be a line somewhere?
Until next time...
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Read an excerpt from my upcoming novel for free!
Another blurb from Keeping the Faith is now posted at The Rona Shively Stories website! Check it out today!
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A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse
