C is for Cereal

The first US cereal was invented in 1863 by James C. Jackson. “Granula” (not granola) was deemed inconvenient since the bran needed to be soaked overnight before it was tender enough to consume.
Later, John H. Kellogg tried the same process with boiled wheat, and then rolled the product out creating wheat flakes.
Breakfast cereal was born.



       
I LOVE cereal with either soy milk or skim milk. My favorites? I could go on and on, but I'll only share five to spare you.

Doesn't the Cracklin' Oat Bran look like cat food? It's yummy, though, with a cinnamon/oatmeal taste.

Do you like cereal? What are your favorites?

For other A to Z Challenge blogs go here.     

B is for Beta Readers

Beta readers (or critique partners) are invaluable, and not only for their “editing skills” but also for something that I’m fortunate to have gained with my betas . . . friendship. We email, text, and talk on the phone. Sometimes, it's about writing. Other times, it's about family and life outside the writing world. 

But as for the "beta-ing" part of beta readers....here’s my list I’ve what I try to help with when I beta

and what my betas help with when reading my manuscripts:  

spelling

grammar
plot
dialogue
characters
flow
voice
word choice
word usage
continuity
ideas


The beauty of having more than one beta to read your work is that what one may not see, another may catch, and vice-versa. In essence, betas are a set of fresh eyes and ideas.
Also, beta reading is a perfect opportunity to give encouragement, advice, support, and to cheer each other on when we may feel like throwing our WIP in the pond. :D

I have three wonderful betas.

Two have been with me through this craziness for a couple years,

and one I recently started swapping material with.

I wouldn't trade these amazing people for the world.

I heart my beta readers and am honored to call them friends. :D

 

      Have you joined the Blogging from A to Z Challenge yet?!

                                   
                                    Check it out here!

A is for American Horror Story and Adam Levine

  
The A to Z Challenge is off and running! If you don't know what that is, you can take a look here.

The 1st season of American Horror Story centered around the Harmon family, who moved into a restored mansion only to discover that it's haunted.

Anyone who dies on the property becomes "stuck" there as a ghost. They can choose to haunt or help.

Jessica Lange did a fabulous job as Constance, the nosy neighbor who used to live in the haunted house many years ago. In fact, two of her deceased sons hang out there, and she likes to visit them from time to time.

The house also likes to play on the temptations of others. For instance, Moira, the housekeeper that comes with the house is really a ghost.... if you're a lustful person, you see a beautiful young woman scantly dressed. If you're the opposite, you see Moira for what she really is... an old woman trying to free herself from the prison that she's been stuck in for too long.

It's a horror-drama filled with suspense. And it keeps you guessing every week.


Season 2 of American Horror Story is in the works and is in final negotiations to have my celeb crush on the show.

 

  

Adam Levine, the frontman for Maroon 5 and a coach on the reality show, The Voice, is slotted to play one half of a couple known only as 'The Lovers"

which is perfect for him. And for me. *sigh*

One of my favorite shows starring my celeb crush??? Yes, please!

            You can check out other blogs in the challenge here.

        Have you joined the Blogging from A to Z Challenge yet?!

The Versatile Blogger Award & A-Z Challenge

Thanks so much to Gossip Girl for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award! You can check out her witty and fun blog here.

Part of the award is to list 7 random facts about yourself.

1. I'm addicted to Smarties candy.

2. I'm usually late, no matter how much I plan ahead.

3. I collect postcards. My favorite is from Ireland.

4. I played piano and alto saxophone in junior high and high school. I had trouble reading music so I had to play by ear,

which was a struggle in itself. 

5. I dislike cake... unless it's carrot cake.

6. Even though I graduated cum laude from college, I'm a total dingbat. Not even joking.


7. Maroon 5 = my fave band. Yeah, it's not a "random" fact, but it's a random pic I chose, so that counts, right? :D




I didn't tag anyone, because as others have stated, this has been going around bloggerville. I don't want to upset anyone by retagging them. So, if you haven't received this award, let me know in the comments, and I'll give you the Versatile Blogger Award and list your blog on here for others to check out your 7 fun facts!

Thanks again to Gossip Girl for giving me the award. Go check out her awesome blog!

              AND if you haven't signed up for the A - Z Challenge, you should.
                                      Check it out and sign up! It's going to be fun!!!

The Lucky 7 MEME

Thanks to Candy Lynn Fite for choosing me as one of the Lucky 7. She rocks so go check out her blog here.

Now for the rules for Lucky 7 Meme:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS. (Or a fave book)
2. Go to line 7.
3. Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written.
4. Tag 7 authors.
5. Let them know.

My CP's have been so patient with me as I've been trying to work out a kink in my WIP. It wouldn't be fair of me to share something that they haven't read yet. So, I'm using my last MS for this instead of my current MS.

This is from Breathe For Me, my YA Sci-fi. Hadley is my MC who's in a love triangle with Donovan and Gage. In this scene, she's at fault for trying to enter the woods, which is forbidden. Gage takes the blame, and well.... here it is.

            “Rules are there for a reason, Gage.” Dr. Ramsey glanced at his watch. “I’d like to see you in my office in ten minutes to discuss your punishment.”

            I stood there, stunned that Gage took the blame. He wasn’t anywhere near the forest when I’d tried to escape. No way was I going to let him get into trouble for me.

            “Dr. Ramsey,” I said, moving forward. “It’s my fault.”

            Donovan matched my steps and slid his fingers down my forearm. He wrapped his hand around mine and squeezed, causing me to become immobile. My mind screamed, but my mouth didn’t. Damn him, and his halting power.

            “How is Gage going into the woods your fault, Hadley?” Dr. Ramsey furrowed his brow.

            “What she’s trying to say is, well, we have a date, and she was running behind.” Gage stepped in front of me, blocking my view. “You know how girls can be.” He laughed.

            What? I couldn’t wait to show these stupid boys how girls can be—when I give them both a punch right in the jaw.

Please take the opportunity to visit these 7 fellow writers on the Lucky 7 trail!

Lex @ Going from Nobody to Somebody

Danielle @ Entertaining Interests

Jeremy @ Geeky Tendencies 

Jenny @ In Somnis Veritas

Laura @ My Baffling Brain

Mark @ Aloha! Mark Koopmans says hi from HI

Sarah @ Sarah Ahiers Writes

My 1st blog award!

I'd like to thank Entertaining Interests for giving me the Liebster Blog Award! It's given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers and to help more bloggers find their blog.

                                   Be sure to check out Dani's blog @ Entertaining Interests!

The rules for accepting the award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Nominate up to 5 others for the Liebster Award. (I chose 6)
3. Let said bloggers know via comment on their blog.
4. Post the award on your blog.
5. Consider signing up for the A - Z Challenge. It's a great way to find new and interesting blogs. I'm #475.                  
                        

My choices to receive the Liebster Blog Award...

Cyn @ whispers, lies and dreams of everyday life

K. Turley @ Groundwire

Bethany @ BR Myers 

Cate @ Going from Nobody to Somebody

Jessica @ Berry Creative

Sara @ Cutest Landing

Be sure to check out the 6 above winners of the Liebster Blog Award.

Many thanks again to Dani @ Entertaining Interests for my award!!! And if you like zombies, check out her blog for the low down on all things zombie related. I <3 zombies!!!

The Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest!

Sarah Ahiers, Vic Caswell, and Emily White are hosting Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest! This is super fun!
List up to 7 people that you crushed on as a teen. I chose 5.
Then go view other blogs to see who they chose.

My crushes now are different than they were as a teen, with the exception of Johnny Depp. I will always heart him. Well, Adam Levine comes first, but then Johnny.

But since we aren't talking about my NOW crushes, I will list my crushes as a TEEN.

What's a teenage heartthrob to me?
*Their faces plastered my wall as a teen.
*Their TV shows I'd watch religiously. There wasn't this wonderful thing called DVR or Tivo back then so I'd have to watch it at the time stated or be out of luck and prayed a rerun was in the near future. When VHS came out, I had to bribe my brothers to NOT mess with the recorded time.
*Their movies I'd stand in long lines to see. Then go back and watch the movie again and again.
*Their music I'd listen to and never get sick of it.

 My list of 5 teenage hearthrobs...


                                                           Johnny Depp




I fell for him when 21 Jump Street graced my television.
And he's grown more beautiful with age. I'll always heart Johnny Depp.




                                                   Andrew McCarthy
                                                   

He was my favorite from the bratpack. I loved him in Pretty In Pink and St. Elmo's Fire....his romantic side came across the screen effortlessly.





                                          John Stamos

Blackie from General Hospital and Jessie from Full House. He made me laugh and cry on a weekly basis.
Oh, and he could sing. *sigh*



                                                          Rick Springfield    



A rockstar, plus another General Hospital Alum.
I own his earlier vinyls. Yes, vinyls.
I had more posters of him over the others, from age 13 - until I left for college.





                                      Patrick Dempsey

Can't Buy Me Love was when I first saw Mr. Dempsey and loved his charm that shines through the screen to this day.

Who were your heartthrobs when you were a teenager?

Go check out the other blogs in this blog hop.