Vampire council

Feeling utterly awful today (after renovations cleaning should come with a warning sign) - so this cheered me up.

Collegehumour

Enjoy!

~yia~

Best laid plans...

Whenever I make plans, it never goes according to them....

- starting next assignment

- working on goals

- study clean up 

has not happened. Sad face - though have been doing clean up after renovations - lovely stuff like wiping the dust off walls, cupboards etc. Oh fun, oh fun, oh fun. (You got that was sarcastic right?) Problem is that my fibromyalgia is playing up - that means my muscles are aching and my right arm especially feels like it's going to sleep. So hence clean up has to be in spurts, otherwise I'm down for the count.

I did visit my chiro and pilates this week and my chiro did say I would hate him the following day - he was right. My joints ached and so did my muscles. I hadn't been that 'stuck' for awhile. 

I've been lucky to have caught up with some friends and Master 5 this week. Though the poor mite has a cold. 

I did see New Moon and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The director did a good job of keeping it true to the book's feel (well as much as you can when a book is in 1st person). The FX were done well on the whole and I got taken away with the story. I loved the depiction of Bella's depression and the months passing by. Really shows depression and the dark hole a person is in. It was very very effective.

 

I know there are critics of the books and the movies, but really for me I think getting teenage girls to read has to be a good thing. Even if they don't agree with the choice. Stephenie Meyer has made it cool to read for that demographic as JK Rowling did for a younger audience. And that to me is fantastic.

My next reward book will be Breaking Dawn. Yes, behind the times, but it had to wait its turn like every other book does :)) Yes, I've heard bits and pieces about it but mostly I have been trying to block my ears and go 'la la la', so I don't ruin it completely.

I just finished The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie - absolute gold. Loved it. So have ordered the next two books in the Devil Riders series. I loved the depth of the characters, the humour of Gabe, the seriousness of Callie and her coming out of her shell. 

Oh and I finished watching season 1 of Bones....now to get Season 2 after I watch Season 2 of The Tudors.

OK gotta get back to dusting...there's windows to tackle. My life is SUCH an adventure!!

~yia~

Survey & past week

When I went to clicked the link for the survey re Eleni-fest, it showed up as closed. Have no idea why. Wonderful world of technology - probably the operator (ie me) did something. 


So it is working again - the link is on the right hand sidebar. And I've got it here also. So if you tried and the surveyl was closed, and you are willing, can you please have a look. 


Ta.


So what have I been doing:


- studying (another assignment bites the dust)
- a little bit of writing
- some final polishing of HD
- organising and posting out Eleni-fest prizes
- SARA meeting - fabulous Elizabeth Rolls had a terrific Show Don't Tell presentation on Prince Caspian (book and movie)
- Trying to catch up with people




What is in store for the coming week:


- Booticonline - branding and history sessions
- catching up with friends
- going to go watch New Moon
- start next assignment for my course (7 assignments to go by end April - shudder)
- set some goals for coming few months
- and start massive clean up of study... notice I said start because it's going take me much longer than a week to get this space into shape.
- oh and sleep :))) (hoping)




Less is more?

Have been less on Twitter as I'm trying to catch up with things that have fallen behind. I've caught up with all my group emails (I think), so yay there. But I'm also spending less time blog reading as well. So I may skim, but I don't necessarily comment. Just depends on how tired I am and the time I have. 

Basically what the conference and Eleni-fest has reinforced is that to make it as a writer, you need to write, write, write. So simple, yet easily to be distracted from it. So I need to concentrate on that aspect as well as the social networking side. Balance. Gosh that seems to be flashing in all parts of my life right now - balance, Eleni, balance. OK Universe...maybe this time it will sink in ;))

Wow, I thought my brain wouldn't come up with anything for a post and lookey here...who would have thunk the words actually make some sort of sense (hoping anyway!)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

~yia~ 

Hiatus

Have needed a break from blogging - had abit of a flare up in the CFS symptoms especially since I was trying to do abit last week - still.


So there has been less of me in the blog-o-sphere and the twitter-verse.


We're still renovating and that takes some out of you because nothing is in it's place for half the house.


I'm looking forward to the release of Clash of the Titans. Since Greek mythology has been a big part of my influence, love to see it. The ad looks good. Love the guitar track. It's on Youtube. Enjoy!! 







Rocking right? 


~yia~

Blogging from the iPhone

Thanks to Elove for mentioning apps on iPhone that you can use blogger instead of trying via safari. Another way to eat up time! Though it means I can blog on the run when I want to. Still it's tiring for my hand. But rock on!

Oh forgot to show you my picture of my writing buddy's book on display.





Yup the talented Tracey O'Hara. Who also let be aware of Dead Set - a UK mini-series on SBS. Zombies with Big Brother - gory! And those zombies can move. All right that's it from me. Stay cool to the Aussies hit by the heat wave. Doesn't the weather know it's only November?

~yia~

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Life after Eleni-fest

You know it is weird - I am so used to blogging about Eleni-fest - updates, upcoming special guests, special guests, announcing prizes - that now blogging about anything else seems very very strange.

And yes there is life after Eleni-fest (technically it's over but I'm still in the process of organising prizes to be sent out).

I did a little bit of studying but the last couple of days I have watched some DVDs - the BBC version of Sense & Sensiblity, and some episodes of season 1 of Bones. 

Oh and I watched the Scream Awards on SciFiTV. A pity the didn't show all the nominations and winners. What a freaky stage and the fans were dressed up in a horror/fantasy/sci-fi garb. Loved that the award is a spike (well it's sponsored by Spike TV).

It was great to see BSG get a nod for it's 5 years on our screens. And Stan Lee, The Man in comics, being honored. 

I finished reading Keri Arthur's Beneath A Rising Moon, so since she is my author of the moment, I will read the second Ripple Creek series before reading Riley 7. 

I met up with the Bootcampers (online) Saturday for BooticOnline tutorials. It's a great idea that we have a couple of these every week (40 mins each) in November. That way if one of us can't get to a weekend, we don't miss out on everything.

I spent Friday catching up with Master 5. Saw him at swimming and then spent the afternoon and evening catching up. He loves art and it's so cool to sit side by side while colouring in or drawing. It's so therapeutic. Oh and he put on me one of those Hot Wheels tattoos for kids. A Mustang, thank you very much. 

I got my EeePC to work again (yes forgetting your password = bad). So now I can do some typing if I feel like it in another room. Which I did in the wee hours of the morning - WORDS came out - 362 of them on a story. Typing on the EeePC is different and it's been since June since I last properly used it, so my fingers are hitting wrong keys and I have to cut my nails because it increases my inaccuracy. (Yeah, not like I am the most accurate typist but I'm not tooo bad - one great skill I learned at high school - touch typing).

So what do I have planned this week?

• Well I have a massage today - you know the ones that hurt - yep those ones
• I am going to Diana Gabaldon's Author Talk in the Adelaide Hills! (yay - Cross Stitch is one of my favourite books).
• It's both my parent's birthday.
• Study and finish off my MYOB module
• Post off some Eleni-fest prizes
• And finally get into some writing.....yay!

What am I concentrating on?

Well, when I blogged over at the fabulous Sandie Hudson's blog, the majority of commenters wanted me to work on DreamTamer, my paranormal romance. It's one that I have worked on in two Junes in a row, with not much in between having concentrated on Healer's Destiny so much.

So writing is that. I'm also just doing the final read through of Healer's Destiny. You know no glaring typos, errors that type of thing. This is a slow process for me so writing would be a good motivator. But I've decided to also work on the second draft of my novelette/novella, Gateway to Hell, another paranormal romance. 

And I want to start submitting to agents but may leave this for December.

So that's me right now...it's just past midnight and I'm trying to decide if I should write, read or go get some sleep. Decisions, decisions :)

~yia~

PS - Oh don't forget if you want to give feedback on my Eleni-fest activities you can do so on the blog on the right-hand side bar.

Eleni-fest: wrap up!

Yes Eleni-fest is over......

With 53 blog posts, 20 special guests, 6 blog visits, 124 commenters, 1036 comments, 15 updates, 37 prize winners, and topics ranging from grants to getting back to writing, it sure has been one hell of a month. 

I'm exhausted but exhilarated by it all.

 

I've met some new people via cyberspace, which is fantastic. I truly hope that this fest was fun for everyone.

So a big thank you to everyone involved - special guests, hostesses, commenters, readers, those who tweeted, email participants.... you all rock! 

Without you all Eleni-fest wouldn't have been much of a fest at all.

So what did I learn or get reaffirmed with this experience:

• RWAus members rock!
• Support from everyone was phenomenal!
• Those who organise these type of events are mad or giddy or both. Seriously, I felt some days I was just laying down the tracks as the train just came over the horizon. So my hat off to anyone who does this for a long duration.
• I love being a writer.
• I love the blogging world & the fact that people from around the world joined in on the fun was fantastic (thanks).
• Remember to plan, plan, plan....ahead of time, preferably *wink*
• Know thyself...seriously, learn what you are capable of - set realistic goals and targets.
• A joy learning about our authors more.
• Don't do this again....or really this comes down to plan, plan, plan and Know Thyself. 

So it seems that Eleni-fest all worked out. Thanks for visiting and I hope you continue to read my posts, though I don't think I can top having those lovely guests on.

Oh I have a little poll that you can do on the side panel of my blog...and I'll probably put it up on my website too....or you can link to it below:

Eleni-fest was....(answers)

For a more in-depth survey, please go here.

Again, it was a pleasure hosting Eleni-fest and thanks to Arts SA for the opportunity to go to the conference & also to promote the project.

~yia~

PS - well amazing what planning can do, I had this blog all organised and just had to put in the figures...see what I mean about planning, planing, planning ;))

Eleni-fest: final announcement of winners

OK, well this is the final round of winners of prizes.

Rachel Bailey - Claiming His Brought Bride - Serena; Christina Phillips (Thanks Rachel for adding a second prize)

Denise Rossetti - backtitle copy - Mitz

Paula Roe - backtitle copy - Mel Teshco

Loretta Brabant - mini-pack - Kym

Christina Phillips - choice from Rosettes - Tracey O'Hara

and on Sandie Hudson's blog - stationery pack - Anita Joy

Congratulations everyone. I hope you enjoy your prizes

Now for some more surprise prizes....

The supporter prizes (ie those who most  commented on my blog & entered the competitions) (not including the posts were a person was a guest).

First prizes win an Eleni Konstantine mug.

Joder

Christina Phillips

The runner up supporter prizes - 

sword letter openers (very sharp, the lady selling them to me nicked herself. I metho-d the hell out them afterwards)

Mel Teshco

Nicky

RK Charron

Oh wait, there's more supporter prizes.

Chocolate & candle wax melt to - Sandie Hudson

Candle Wax melts to

Elove

Linda Henderson

Kylie Griffin

Sue BT

Mitz

And finally some large bookmarks (rack cards)

Mariska

Sharon Archer

Suzilove

Nikki Logan

Alison F

Thank you for such wonderful support over Eleni-fest!

I really wish I could have given a prize to every commenter and entrant into the competitions. Unfortunately I can't. 

Despite that, I hope you enjoyed Eleni-fest. I'll do a wrap up shortly....

Oh I have been fighting a headache the last few days, so sorry I am slow with getting prizes out. They are being organised.

Well they will be organised....

~yia~

Eleni-fest: update on winners...

 

So now it's time to announce the winner of:


Website competitions


Heart & Craft - winner of book:   Alison Franklin  


Because this was hard competition, they get a little extra - a sword letter opener
Also because this competition was really hard, I held a secondary prize (bookmark, fridge-magnet, notebook) and the runner up is: Misty LaBean


Night's Cold Kiss - the winner is: Sussan Marz (who also gets a sword letter opener)
Runner up is - Lou Lou Offszanka (bookmark & fridge magnet)


Spreading the Word - thank you everyone for doing this. As well as the trade book cover, the winner gets a pen, fridge magnet, and bookmark (rack card). Winner is: Anna Hackett
Runner up was Shelley Munro (notebook & postcard)


Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer (donated by Trish Morey) - Linda Henderson




SARA website - Emily (elove)


Eleni's Taverna 
Anna Jacobs Freedom's Land - Jenn J McLeod
Elizabeth Rolls Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride - Alison 
Nikki Logan's Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss - Jenn J McLeod
Topic of the Week - SA Proud - RK Charron
Trish Morey's The Best Love Stories of 2009 -  Becca J Heath




Surprise prize for those who supported me on Twitter.
1st prize: @elove_ly (Emily) who gets a wizard pen, fridge magnet and rack card (bookmark)
2nd prize: @ericahayes (Erica Hayes) who gets a notebook.

Hope you all enjoy!! Thanks for joining Eleni-fest!

My best laid plans for yesterday were foiled - wind down happening very very slowly. So in that spirit, I'm off for a nap!

~yia~

Eleni-fest: the end is here...sort of

The end is here or should I say near:

While I have no more guests and am not posting on any more blogs as part of Eleni-fest, comments are still open for the following:


Rachel Bailey - Claiming His Brought Bride - 2nd Nov
Denise Rossetti - a backlist title - 2nd Nov
Paula Roe - a backlist title - 3rd Nov
Loretta Brabant - mini-pack - 3rd Nov
Christina Phillips - choice of either Foretaste of Forever OR Touch of the Demon - 5th Nov
Sandie Hudson's blog where I have been trying to decide which story I should do next - stationery pack - 4th Nov

The finishing line is in sight. The flag ready to be whirled around. So please comment for your chance to win.




I will be announcing the winners of the website competitions soon.


And once all the prizes are chosen, I'll do a blog post on this celebration of Eleni-fest.



Thank you to everyone for making Eleni-fest a blast.


I'm a little pooped.....first a nap, actually more like a comatose sleep, and then going to go watch Being Human as a treat. Tomorrow I go grab Bones series 1 from the library! huzzah...

~yia~