Thursday, March 27, 2014

Fun Friday: Epic Fail

Haha.  You get to hear about our (or our character's) most embarrassing moments.  Want to read more?
Find other embarrassing moments at YA Storytellers.

What is mine?

Let me think....

Okay.  Got one.  One of my most embarrassing moments is when I was at the store with a friend and her kids.  Her oldest daughter was standing behind me while I looked through movies.  There was something I wanted her to see, so I reached behind me to grab her shoulder.  It didn't feel right.  I turned around and... I was touching some dude's butt.  I almost died.  It was so hilarious though, because he acted as if he didn't notice, and he walked away.  LOL

Want an embarrassing moment from the life of one of my characters?

This is hard.  I can think of a lot of things, but nothing really embarrassing.  If I had to pick something, I would have to say in Bait when Bay-Lee is getting her flirt-on with Nick, and Gavin walks in, catching her sitting on the other guy's lap.

What are your embarrassing stories?  Or your favorite embarrassing moment from a book?

Thursday, March 20, 2014

OFFICIAL NAME CHANGE

Because two other people are using K.C. Blake, I contacted Harlequin and asked if I could start using my original name without the fear of being sued.  I signed a contract years ago saying the name Kasi Blake was only to be used in connection with that publishing company.  Turns out they don't care.  So, I am making it official.

The name on my books, blog, Twitter, etc. from now on is.......(drum roll please)......


free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com

I'm not going to change everything all at once.  It's going to take a while, and I don't want to lose any readers along the way.  So far, I have changed three books on Amazon.

Don't worry.  Nothing else is changing.  Just the name.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Things You Should Know About Pen Names

As you may or may not know, another writer is using my name now on her book.  This is unsettling enough, but the book in question seems to be soft-porn while I am trying to build a reputation as someone who writes clean books.  So what do I do?  Haven't figured that out yet.

Things you need to be aware of when choosing a name:

1.  Anyone Can Use It:  Another writer can come along and use your name on their books.  Yes, it is allowed.  But if you try to use a name like JK Rowling, you will be in deep trouble.

2.  Don't Use Initials:  This is something I wish I'd known.  If you use initials, people may not be able to find you depending on if they use periods and spaces.  Think about it.  When I use K.C. Blake I can find myself on Goodreads, but if I delete the space like K.C. Blake, it thinks I am talking about a different person entirely.  And when someone else comes along and does this: KC Blake without periods or spaces, the program doesn't recognize it as a name already in use.  Say no to initials for your own peace of mind.

3.  Don't Use Regular Names and Spellings:  Because the name Blake is ordinary and K.C. is used a lot, people tell me (now after it is too late) that I shouldn't have used this name.  I should have used Kasi (like I use to with Harlequin).  Yeah.  So now I know.

Did I forget anything?  If I did, let me know.  Pen names are important.  Even if it is your real name, think before you use initials.  Or consider a different spelling if it is too common.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Best Shows on Television 2014

As a writer, I NEED to watch television for inspiration, entertainment, and relaxation.  My writer brain is always working, even when relaxing, and sometimes I think this show could be better if...

Here are the list of my favorites.  See if you agree, and add your own to the comment section.

1.  SUPERNATURAL:  Okay, this is by FAR the best show ever.  The characters are so well fleshed out that you know what they are going to say or do before it happens.  Supernatural fanatics know Dean is always going to want pie when he sends Sam into a store or diner.  We know what the word GANK means. We know that Dean acts tough, but longs for a normal life with the picket fence and kids. Although he'll never admit it.  We know Sam longs to go to college, get married, put down roots. We know what an angel in a trench coat looks like.  I am such a fan of the show that I can recite almost every line from every show.  Is it an obsession?  Is it a sickness?  :)  If it is, I don't want a cure.


2.  Once Upon A Time:  I hated this one at first. I mean, please, a cricket walking and talking. Give me a break.  But I gave it another chance and love it.  To me, the villains are far more interesting than the heroes.  Prince Charming and Snow White are often boring (in my opinion), but Rumplestiltskin?  The guy is kind of hot... with all that power.  Wow.  And speaking of hot, there is Hook.  On the female side you've got Regina, the evil witch from almost every fairy tale.  Seems she's had her hand in everything. Love it that she grows apples in her yard.

3.  Big Bang Theory:  When I need a good laugh, this is where I go.  Sheldon is probably the funniest character I've ever seen.  Lucky him that he doesn't live with me.  I might have to kill him. lol

4.  Revolution: An interesting premise here.  The electricity goes out and doesn't come back on.  Okay, I would not be able to handle this.  One hour without my laptop, television, and stereo is enough to make me nuts.  One of the creators of this show is Eric Kripke, creator of Supernatural, so you know I'm going to love it.  It's not as good as watching Sam and Dean, but it is definitely worth watching.

5.  Resurrection:  To round out my top five is a new show.  Just saw it last night and wow.  That's all I can think of to say.  If you haven't seen it, you are missing something epic. While watching, I kept wondering if this is a science fiction show,  drama, or something creepier.  During the first episode, a little boy comes home to his parents thirty-two years after his death.

What do you think of my top shows?

What are yours?

Thursday, March 6, 2014

FEATURE FOLLOW

Increase Blog Followers

This week's question: WHAT are your favorite back list books going back five to ten years?

My answer:

1. The Outsiders: This book is a classic and it was the first YA book I fell in love with.  I still have a copy, and I've probably read it more times than any other book in my collection.

2.  City of Bones: This is definitely going to become a classic as far as I'm concerned.  I've read it a few times and plan to read it again someday.  Jace is such a smartass, but he has a vulnerable side that keeps you from hating him, and Clary is spunky.

3.  Harry Potter:  This book is one of my all-time favorites.  The world-building is incredible.  No one can outdo Rowling on that front, and how she keeps all those characters straight, I'll never know.

4.  Twilight:  I know there are a lot of haters out there, but this book got a lot of people reading and writing.  How can that be bad?

Anyway, if you want to join Follow Friday, go to this link:
http://www.parajunkee.com/2014/03/06/feature-follow-191-get-your-followers-on/
and follow the instructions.  :)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

WARRIOR Coming Soon


This is the #3 book in the Order of the Spirit Realm Series.  I am finishing it up this week.  Then the excruciating process of rewrites, revisions, and editing begins.  What I really need are Beta Readers.

What qualifies you to be a beta reader?  You need to love books, be able to tell me what you like, dislike, and what doesn't work in my books.  It's also important that you've read the first two books, Bait and Hunter.  If anyone is interested, email me or leave a comment with your email.

You can find my email on the Q&A page.