G Is For Grammar! #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

Usually once a year I decide I need to upgrade or learn something new about the craft of writing. This time it stemmed from a freak-out over punctuation. Gawd, the English language with its they’re, their, and there, proving it has the zaniest spelling system ever invented. It requires a quirky understanding of past and present tense, among many other eccentricities.

We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox should be oxen, not oxes.

Then one fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,

Yet the plural of moose should never be meese,

You may find a lone mouse or a whole nest of mice,

But the plural of house is houses, not hice.

Part of a Poem Attributed to Anonymous

It’s important to have reference resources at your fingertips to fight the good fight.

“I’m exhausted. I spent all morning putting in a comma and all afternoon taking it out” Oscar Wilde

It was time brush up on some skills.

F Is For Fire! #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The A to Z April Blogging Challenge

We’ve all got that something in us. That passion. That FIRE. To do what we have to do. What we are compelled to do. We dream about it. Fantasize about it. Read books about it. Watch others do it. We have all kinds of excuses for not getting down to it. Why it’s not possible, or not happening. But really it’s fear of failure holding us back.

One of my favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In the story, a shepherd boy named Santiago sets out on a quest inspired by his dreams. He learns many lessons along the way which lead him to understand it’s more about his actions, the risks he takes, and what he learns along the way than about the endgame.

“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” Paulo Coelho

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Paulo Coelho

It’s up to me. No one else can travel the path, take the steps, walk the walk for me. The journey is about the steps you take, literally and figuratively. And that’s what life is about – feeding the fire within you.

E is for Elflock #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Meaning: Tangled hair, as if matted by elves.

Origin: 1590s

As in: Jeez, Karyn, look at the state of those elflocks — brush STAT!

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. On account of all the food, chocolate, and wine from the Easter celebrations yesterday. And also because I love owls.

C Is For Curiosity #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Curiosity isn’t just for kids! And forget about it killing the cat. It’s imperative for writers, and many others I suspect. Curiosity fosters imagination which encourages inspiration. This helps when we’re creating plot lines, characters, and dialogue, etc.

Recently a family member commented on the fact that I notice things she never would. Probably not true. Probably we notice different things. She’s very interested in facts and amassing them and somehow manages to retain them, where as I have no interest in retaining that stuff. But what makes people tick? Oh, yeah. What makes people do the things they do? People and their choices fascinate me. Do I take note of what they do when they think no one is watching, you bet. I pay attention to the way people speak, react, or reply. In line. At the doctor’s office. At the beach. Well, you get the idea.

Being curious and exploring means we’e engaged, living in the moment, and making connections. It’s about exploring the world around us. So embrace your curiosity. Have conversations, read books, watch films, take a walk, ask questions, take a class, try a new hobby. Try a new recipe, a new look, a DIY project.

Have fun! How do you embrace your curiosity?

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. – E.E. Cumming

B Is For Bed #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is lots of fun!

We bought a new bed. Something we desperately needed. Oh my gosh, it’s ridiculous. And huge. I’m pretty sure you can see it from street-level and we’re on the second floor. I almost need a stool to get into the thing. My husband is confused by the amount of pillows needed to make it look perfect. And was even more confused when I said I needed to buy more. He’s not sure where we’re going to put them all at night. He’s got a point. There’s not a lot of room leftover in our bedroom.

I’m normally a very practical person when it comes to purchases, especially big ones. We both are. This bed is not so practical. But it is gorgeous. And I LOVE it.

A therapist my daughter once had (there have been many) said her own husband was of the belief you should be prepared to spend money on three things: beds, shoes, and tires. Makes sense, no? BTW, my daughter also got a new bed. But I’ll save that story for the G post on Guilt.

Another thing I spend money on: BOOKS! Another wonderful B word. Currently reading Deep by Kylie Scott. Will be reading The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty for book club.

Till tomorrow! What do you spend money on?

Baton Blog Hop

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Karyn Good

I’ve been invited to the Baton Blog Hop by JB Lynn, who writes laugh-out-loud suspense and mysteries, along with goosebump-raising thrillers. Sounds good, eh? The extra great news is she usually has a contest running and now is no different so check out her Contest Page and enter to win!

Time to answer a few questions!

1) What am I working on?

I’m working on my second Aspen Lake novel. Life is small town Aspen Lake is heating up again, on the streets and between the sheets. Kate Logan, boutique owner, is fighting to get her life back on track. Seth Stone, starving artist and carpenter, is leaving reality behind to start again. But when a extremist religious group move to Aspen Lake and make it their mission to shut down the annual Gothic Revival Festival Kate is organizing, trouble brings them together.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I guess it differs because it’s my voice telling the story. Hopefully, what you’ll find is everyday men and women who don’t have all the answers and are looking to find their place in the world. Along the way they find their happily-ever-after. Also, Aspen Lake is a small town in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Not many of those around, LOL.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I write romantic suspense because that’s what I love to read. I love torturing my characters. I love strong male leads, and smart female heroines. But I also love a good villain. I not sure what that says about me…

4) How does your writing process work?

Gosh, it’s all over the place. I fit it in when I can, but I try to write everyday. Therefore, I write in chunks. My writing groups holds three or four writing challenges a year. I love those and writing long side and being inspired by writers I admire.

Passing the baton.

Meet Elizabeth Lang, who I have privilege of knowing! Elizabeth is a science fiction and fantasy writer and author of The Empire series. Lucky you, you can check out some free stories and other things here.

Happy Reading Everyone!