Just another way to goof off!

I've written before about how I like to make graphics. I think they're fun, and usually I do them to either celebrate a National Day of ... or to plug my own or somebody else's books. For instance: Today is National "Talk LIke A Pirate" Day, and I made a graphic for it for the Cozy Chicks.

I've made them for my friends, too.

And, of course, I've made them for myself.

My question to you is ... does seeing these kinds of graphics influence you? Would you be interested in any of the books because of the graphics. I sure hope the answer is yes, but even if it's no, I'll probably still make them because it's fun.

I can't draw. Mr. L laughs hysterically at my attempts, but that's because he CAN draw, and paint, and make funny cartoons, and makes exquisite maps. My creative gifts just don't fit into that category. But, I can put together a graphic using different elements. How many elements do you think there are in the Telenia graphic above? Would it surprise you to know there are 8 different things going on?

the title
Meet Wren.
Never Underestimate the power of a woman with a loom.
the book cover
the photo of the witch.
the Tales of Telenia logo
my website URL
the black background

I find it fun to put all these elements together. And so I'll ask the question again: do these types of graphics influence you?

And here's a bonus graphic just because it amuses me. (Coming October 15th.)

Who knew there were so many Dollar Tree Haul Videos

I must be doing something REALLY wrong when it comes to my book trailer videos and uploading them to Youtube. After two years, the one for A Crafty Killing has EIGHT views. Book Clubbed has over 400, but most of them have less than 100.

One of my readers makes videos of her Dollar Tree hauls, which is how I got started watching them. There are literally HUNDREDS of Dollar Tree Haul videos out there and some of them get THOUSANDS of views. I didn't know this until I subscribed to one Lady's channel because she had a cooking video. (I LOVE cooking videos and watch a lot of them -- usually when I'm supposed to be writing.)

I try to get in and out of the Dollar Tree as fast as possible (because you can drop money like crazy for stuff you really don't need.) I mostly buy padded envelopes, cheaters, and batteries. When my Mum was alive, I'd buy her Ginger Snaps (if they had them--they go FAST. But then Wegmans started carrying them again, so now I can easily get MY ginger snap fix.)

So, what do you think the fascination is with the Dollar Tree?

P.S. If you want to see the Crafty Killing video (which Ellery Adams and I made together) click this link.

Everyone deserves a present every so often

My friend Judy once told me, “Always let your mother buy you a present when she wants to – because one day she will be gone.” I wish I’d followed her advice a little more closely. But last week I decided to use a little of the money my mother left me (so far I hadn’t touched a penny) to buy myself a used Alphasmart keyboard.

These were developed to help kids learn to type, but were mostly used by writers. I used to have an Alphasmart but lost the cord to download and don’t know what happened to it. The new-to-me Alphasmart arrived over the weekend and it sure didn’t look used to me, despite the fact it’s probably six years old. (They don’t make them anymore.)

It’s just a keyboard. No Internet. Just to test it out, I wrote 900 words on a short story in about 20 minutes. (It doesn’t hurt if you already know what you want to write. Wish that would happen more often.)

Have you treated yourself to anything lately?