Thursday, April 28, 2011

How Bad do You Want this Tuxedo?

Earlier this week I took my son to Tuxedo Junction to rent his prom attire. This particular mannequin disturbed me... is it a representation of what the groom looks like after the wedding? Or does the rental cost an arm, a leg, and half a head? You be the judge...


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A New Voice for the Aflac Duck

I don't generally care about corporate mascots, but this time, it's different. Maybe it's because the duck is so cute. Maybe it's because he's always so earnest. Whatever the reason, I'm pretty happy that the duck's got a new voice.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Interview & Book Giveaway with Author Missy Tippens

It's my pleasure to welcome Love Inspired author Missy Tippens to the blog! Pull up a chair, grab a cool, refreshing beverage, and let's chat with Missy...

Q: Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  Yes, I’m a plotter! I write pages of brainstorming notes, fill out quite a few charts, use index cards (actual paper ones but also some within a computer program), and use other computer programs to help like The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson.

Q:  Do you treat yourself to something special when a project is completed?
A:  I usually do. It’s such a relief to send off a manuscript. I always feel like celebrating. I sometimes go for a pedicure or go shopping. Other times I’ll take my family out to eat because they’re usually sick of frozen pizza by that time! :)

Q;  What’s your favorite part of the writing business? What’s your least favorite?
A:  Favorite: It’s a tie between working in my pajamas and the wonderful reader letters. :)
Least favorite: The fact that nothing is guaranteed and that a lot about the process is out of my control. I’m a control freak, so it’s hard to let go and trust God for the rest.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  The amount of work that goes into the whole process—revisions before selling, art fact sheets, revisions after selling, several rounds of edits, promoting, website maintenance, blogs, signings, learning about contracts. Also, I’ve learned how much work editors do! They’re amazing.

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A:  I’d probably still be teaching. A couple of years ago, I was an adjunct at the local technical college. I really loved doing that.

Q:  What does your family think about your crazy career?
A:  They love it. They’re proud of me and get excited with each sale and each release. My husband is reading my recent release right now to see how different it is from the first draft he read. My children even helped me with my last book signing. Of course, I rewarded them with an i-Tunes card, so I imagine they’ll help again! :)

Q:  What’s the one far out sci-fi technology you’d most like to see become a household item?
A:  I saw this really cool technology using photovoltaic glass by Corning. I can’t even begin to describe it! You just need to watch this You Tube video. :)
http://bit.ly/ejStPY

Thanks for having me on your blog, Jen! I’ve had fun.

I’d love to give away a copy of A Family for Faith today! Please leave a comment to be entered. I’d love to hear what far out technology you’d most like in your house.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Missy Tippens is a pastor’s wife and mom of three who lives near Atlanta. After ten years of pursuing her dream, she made her first sale of a full-length novel to Love Inspired in 2007. She still pinches herself to see if it really happened! Her novels have been finalists in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Contest, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Bookseller's Best Award. Her most recent release from Love Inspired is A Family for Faith. The next, A House Full of Hope, will be out in February 2012.

You can find Missy at http://www.missytippens.com/.


ABOUT THE BOOK – A Family for Faith
When Faith Hagin sees widower cop Gabe Reynolds every day in her coffee shop, she can’t help but feel for the struggling single dad. She’s raised a teenager of her own—and sadly, knows what not to do. But thanks to his matchmaking preteen daughter, Chelsea, the whole town’s praying for Gabe to find a wife!

Even though Faith thinks she’s content being just friends, spending time with him and Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone’s prayers.


WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of A Family for Faith, just leave a comment on this blog (and answer Missy's question for fun!) I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, April 29th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Just for Fun: New Lady Gaga Parody from Weird Al

I confess... I follow Weird Al on Twitter. Today, he put a link up to his blog with the story of this song. Apparently, Al was told by Gaga's manager that she did not approve of the song, so he wouldn't use it on his new album. But then he heard back from the manager with an apology. Seems he rejected the song without letting Gaga hear it, and when she did, she loved it. So now Al gets to use it on his new album.

Thought you might enjoy hearing it. (BTW, as of this posting, he still hadn't updated the disclaimer at the beginning of the video, but he added a comment saying she's given her approval.)

Have fun!


Sunday, April 17, 2011

On The Road Again...

The blogging road, that is.

Actually, I'm back to blogging because I just got off another road... The Mother Road. That's the name of my next book. It doesn't come out until April of next year, but it had to be turned in by April first of this year. Needless to say, it took up a great deal of my time over the last month.

I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. Thanks for coming back after my long absence. Now I've got a question for you... When it comes to fiction, what's your favorite thing to read? Is there a certain genre you can't get enough of? Is there one you're sick of? Is there a topic you really want to read about but can't find? Please share!