"Well, Hello There! Mind If I Drop In?" #MFRW Authors #21

'Childhood Memory'....wow.....so many, which one to choose?
-Going To Florida to see grandparents and Disney World (Click here)
-Bribing my dad to take me to see Star Wars 28 times the year it came out (I'll recap it next month on my other blog)
-Practicing my flirting skills on two older boys I met on the beach in Florida (July 1979)
-Spending two weeks in Colorado with friends, and ending up with my 1st official boyfriend (June 1978)
-Getting my 1st kiss (on the cheek!) at age 12 (August 1978)

But the one I'll share happened the summer I was fourteen.

We'd gone to Cyprus Gardens in Florida, and enjoyed seeing the water-skiing show.  However, during the finale of the show, something went horribly, horribly wrong.

After the Pyramid skiers completed their pyramid and skied past us, the guy in the hang glider suddenly hovered above us in the main viewing section.  Thinking it was part of the act, we waved and smiled at him....then suddenly he and the glider entered the stands and crashed a few seats above us.  We ducked, then my mom, a registered nurse, jumped up to help those who were injured.  No one was seriously hurt; simply scrapes and bruises, but it was definitely a memorable end to that show!

Two hours later, we returned to see how the show was supposed to end, and this time the boat with the hang glider went the OTHER way around the lake.  The only hiccup at that show was the 'barefoot water skier' didn't have his feet properly placed, and the gag was ruined.  We'd seen that bit already (the real one was skiing around the back side of the lake), but anyone new to the show didn't get a fair shot of the humor.

We also toured the Ringling Brothers Museum in Sarasota that year, though I longed to visit Circus World.

Want to read about other authors childhood memories?  Go here.

I'm heading up to Indianapolis for the 101st running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, plus setting up at the opening day of our local Farmer's Market on Saturday, before driving north.  I'll catch up on everyone's blogs on Monday:)  Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Book vs Movie #MFRW Authors #20

What are my favorite movie versions of books?

-Gone With The Wind (I actually saw this before I read the book!)

-Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone (I was prepared to sleep through it, then LAUGHED during the entire movie!  THEN decided to read the books)

-The Devil Wears Prada (bought the book in an airport kiosk during a layover and was thrilled when it was made into a movie!)

-The Notebook (if I want a good cry, all I have to do is watch it.  Same with Toy Story 3.)

That's all I can come up with at the moment.

Which ones I can't stand?
-My Sister's Keeper (it changed the ending.  I was NOT happy!)

-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  (they couldn't keep in all of  the good parts of the book.  IMHO, of course....)

To see more lists, go here.

Writer's Guide To Creating A Hero-Revised #MFRW Authors #19

First of all, a confession:  I have shamelessly stolen my own post from 2009 on this topic, but have updated it slightly:)  

Physical Requirements:
-6 feet tall or more
-Expressive eyes; color not important
-Kissable lips
-Broad shoulders
-Light sprinkling of chest hair (or none)
-Lean muscles; no Mr. Universe wannabees
-8-10" cock (or at least have a 'massive' erection)

Character/Personality Traits:
-Must be flawed, either by past hurt or misunderstanding/lapse in judgement
-Kind, but staunch defender of values
-Reliable/resourceful
-Willing to do Whatever It Takes to keep chosen female in his life
-Carry a never-ending supply of condoms
-Must be a committment-phobe before meeting said female (in some books, anyway!)
-Occupation: Doesn't matter.
-Oh yeah; must be SINGLE! Don't want any cheaters here...then he gets downgraded to the 'slimy ex-prick' status.

Sprinkle in hair color, eye color, a chance encounter with female, and heart-stopping, instant connection, along with mind-blowing sex and you've accomplished your goal: An erotic romance hero.

Some authors build their stories around heroes with money, be it any high-powered career. Others go for Public Service. Some go for the blue collar man. They all have the above characteristics and fall head over heels in love with the woman (or man!) of their choice. Yes, M/M is hot right now, as is M/M/F or M/F/M. 

Some heroes are wolf/bear/dragon shifters; others vampires.  Right now, I happen to be writing aliens, fairies, and ghosts.  But they all pretty much follow the same above formula. 

So what works for you?  Or would you add anything else to this list?  

To see other authors' ideas on The Ideal Hero, click here.

If you happen to be in the Evansville area next Monday, stop by B&N on Green River Rd and say hi to myself and the rest of the River City Writers, plus grab a copy of Crossroads and have it signed by all of us:)

Laughter Is The Best Medicine #MFRW Authors #18

Welcome back!  I apologize in being lax about commenting on others posts; I attended an event last week and spent Friday and Saturday in La Grange, KY.  It turned out to be a non-event, due to severe storms hitting the area, but I did meet one fan, who, it turned out, had read Class Reunion!  And I didn't even have to bribe  coerce pitch it to her beforehand:)

I then left on Sunday and am spending the week with my parents.  The downside is limited internet, since my dad and I vy for bandwidth.  I've been uploading videos (which have been taking 3-4 hours) and Dad was concerned about the slow internet, so he shut off the modem this morning, while I was the process of uploading another one!  Yeah, Dad didn't understand how 2 computers being used at the same time would slow it down...

But I digress.  This week's topic is laughter.  What sends me into peals of laughter?  I'll give you a hint:

That's right, my granddaughter Alexandria.  She's 4 years old and has a huge imagination:)  

I also find the comic strips Bloom County and Baby Blues hilarious!

What are some things which make you laugh?  Go here to find out others.