Is the Election Driving You Crazy too?

I don't know about you, but this election is driving me insane.

I can't recall when I got so hung up over the media attacking this and that one, and I hate that it is pulling negative feelings out of me. I found myself caught up in moments where I made comments on other peoples posts, then I posts news articles, and then regretted my choice of words. This is not good. When this happens, it's time for me to take a step back, and put my focus elsewhere.

I'm normally pretty calm, collected, and not too verbal (most of the time), so I think what I'm going to do for right now is stay off of FB and Twitter for the next few weeks. I don't like getting this stressed over politics. I just want a better country like everyone else.

I'm almost done with my novella, Mixed Magic, so I'll bury myself in that until I"m done, and I'll see you after the election is over. 

Now go vote!

p.s. Here is a picture I based my character, Rayne Morgeaux on, she is in the first witch book, but her story is actually the 2nd book, Bare Bones. (the picture is Kate Beckinsale with blonde hair.)

Happy reading everyone,
Dawn 

 

Placed Twice in The Dixie Kane Writers Contest...Woot!

Congrats to all the winners!

The Southern Louisiana Chapter of the Romance Writers of America is proud to announce the winners in the 2012 7^th Annual Dixie Kane Memorial Contest

Romantic Suspense

First Place

In Shadows by Jaimie Bergeron

Second Place

Dream Wishes by Lynette Vinet

Third Place

Diamonds Most Deadly by Christina L. Huber

Honorable Mention

Villa de la Luna by C. J. Parker

 

Single Title Contemporary

First Place

A Place Called Grace by Frances D. Roberts

Second Place

Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark

Third Place

Pearls by Dawn Chartier

Honorable Mention

Secrets in the Snow by Jerol Anderson

 

Novel With Strong Romantic Elements

First Place (tie)

Eli Caine, Thief by Bonnie Rehage and Quadroon by L. Mad Hildebrandt

Second Place

Kegan, Prince of the Gills by Heather Lynn Gibson

Third Place (tie)

Duel of Destiny by Lynette Vinet and Preservation by Carrie Christie

Honorable Mention

Everything to Gain by Kate James

 

Historical

First Place

Guarding Kate by Lynette Vinet

Second Place (tie)

Love Moves Mountains by Patricia Warner and Into the Grey by Bobbi Groover

Third Place

A Touch of Grace by Regina Jeffers

Honorable Mention

The First Wives' Club by Regina Jeffers

Paranormal

First Place

Last Woman Standing by Michele Mills

Second Place

Shift Happens: A Carus Novel by JC McKenzie

Third Place

Fire Dancer by C. J. Parker

Honorable Mention

Buried Magic by Dawn Chartier

 

Grand Prize: ($50 Cash Prize) Highest Overall Score in all Categories

Last Woman Standing by Michele Mills

Movie Review: Taken 2 - Liam Neeson

You had me at "Taken"...then lost me at "Taken 2."

While I don't normally review movies, this one just screams "review me." And I think it's because it's earned over 50mil. to date, and I can't figure that out. (some books are like that too.  You scratch your head and can't figure out why the heck its sold millions of copies, but you are still happy for the author, at least I am. :-)  (this is not really a review, more like WTH?)

My two daughters wanted to do movie night, and suggested Taken 2, because Taken (first movie) was really good, so this one should be too, right? Wrong.

We make the 8pm movie, and had to sit in the very front row because all the seats were taken. (no pun intended here.)  I couldn't handle my neck looking up at the big arse screen so we decided to go back to the ticket counter and beg for the next showing instead.   I should've known this was a bad omen.

From the very beginning of the movie to the very end, you knew exactly what was going to happen.  There were no surprises.  There were no thrills.  There really wasn't any suspense either. The acting was so-so. (Sorry, Liam.)

While I love Liam, and his sexy accent, it just didn't feel like he was into his character.
The scenes were unrealistic (more than usual) and I kept thinking in my head. "Are you serious?" and "Did he just say that?"  Really?

I'm not even sure if the writers were the same from Taken #1, but if they are, they must've been rushed into getting out another script. I hope they learned a hard lesson. 

Don't rush. Get it right.

And that writing friends can apply to all of us, including myself.  We often want our books out there NOW, and so we self-publish or accept contracts that are horrible. Well, before you self-publish please make sure you have at least 3 readers who are great at grammar (my critique buddies will tell you I suck at comma's), plot, characters, & overall story arc.  If you don't get help like this, you'll end up putting out a not-so-polished book (or movie like Taken 2), and no one will buy the next one. 

And if you accept the first contract that comes along without asking your friends in the publishing biz, then you might get stuck with the publisher from hell for a long time or forever. (Check out Savvy Authors.com they have loads of info) And remember, don't rush a good thing.  Get it right.

I hope the next movie I see Liam in, he's much more into his character, and that his movie is not just a 50 mil. hit, but it's good movie too. :-)

So what is Taken 2 about you ask...Well, it's basically about an Ex-CIA agent protecting his family from bad guys out for revenge. 

However, just like good and bad books, we all have different taste. You might love Taken 2. You might think its the best movie ever.  I hope you do if you spend your money to see it. :-) 

And on the upside. I enjoyed being with my kiddo's, and I enjoyed eating popcorn mixed with plain (no peanuts) M&M's.  (if you haven't tried it, don't knock it.) LOL.

Have a wonderful day,
Dawn Chartier