You've GOT to see this!

Welcome, CassaStar!



Our Alex is holding a fantabulous contest--hurry, it ends August 8th!

Do Your Books Change You?

They do me.

My characters are so alive, I can feel them stirring behind my thoughts. It breaks my heart because that's the only place they will ever exist.

Imagine the euphoria of having them so real, that they exist in everyone's heart who reads their story? Even better--if Hollywood contracts with you? You see them walking, breathing, talking--on screen.

Does JK Rowling get the satisfaction of having them come to life when she watches her loves dance across the screen? Maybe in some bitter, sweet way.

I've been thinking, breathing, eating--sleeping--Rock Star. I've never really cared for metal bands until this story came knocking on my back door.

I've never listened so carefully to lyrics, rythms, beats, voices--nor have I cared to image how they look onstage while performing.

Everything has changed now. I can imagine what they are doing--on and off stage. I think of Morgan--my MC--every time a metal rock band is singing on the radio. I even ask my hubby to leave it on that radio station so I can listen to them. He knows what I'm up to, too.

It used to be that he was the only one that liked that kinda music.

I wonder if this is a passing thing, or if it will become a part of me because of my novel . . .

I love Kip's stage presence in this video, "Madalaine". (I couldn't post it here, unfortunately) *Sigh* Notice the super high kicks, the way he slides from side to side, almost on his knees? That's how I picture Moggie doing his thing onstage while he sings. ;)

How about this:



I Luuuuuuuuuv their bandynamics--how they smile, put their heads together and sing their parts. They're having fun, here, right? That's how MezzTup is when they perform.

I found that I like Steelheart the best. Listen to Miljenko Matijevic's voice as he sings "I'll Never Let You Go". *Swoon* I love his voice and that's how I imagine Moggie's vocal range. And sound.




I find that I don't mind hearing those rock bands blasting away like I used to once upon a time. My hubby really appreciates that fact, since he's always LOVED that music.

How fitting this quote is by C C DeVille: "When you are still dreaming, you haven't written your book, so everything is open and the sky is the limit and whatever you can think can become a possibility."

How have your stories changed you?

(photo of Michael Praed)

In Honor of all Pioneers

This post is in h0nor of those who have suffered, endured and died for their cause. It is also in commemoration for the pioneers who settled Utah July 24, 1847.

It would be foolish for me to say that not every believer in his/her own setting of religion had not suffered some kind of persecution.

Christ and His followers: Crucifixion of Christ. *The twelve apostles were martyred.

Joan of Arc: (1412) She followed the visions from God, directing her to reclaim her homeland from English domination. She was captured, sold to the English, tried by an ecclesiastical court, and burned at the stake. She was only nineteen years old!

Martin Luther: (1483) He was appalled to see that church officials felt they could escape purgatory by grand purchases in the name of God. He translated the bible from Latin into the language the people used, so that they could study on their own. He was excommunicated by the pope and condemned as an outlaw by the emperor.

John Knox: (1505)Lost his old faith when he studied the church fathers' (Jerome and Augustine) teachings of the ancient faith. He was considered a heretic and was made prisoner of the French and condemned to the galleys as a slave chained to an oar.

Joseph Smith, Jr.: (1805) Believed that the original church established of Christ in its entirety had been lost and refused to join any religion. He was imprisoned, tarred and feathered, and chased from his home.

Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw nations and many others: (1831)"Native Americans suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation while en route to their destinations, and many died, including 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee." (quote found here) I would have to say because of the lands the settlers wanted, not respecting the current residences as deserving human beings. Again, because of their beliefs.

Even though the Declaration of Independence granted freedom of religion in the States, it didn't end persecution of those who desired to follow their own hearts.

Just as the believers I mentioned above, the members of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints suffered. Their homes burnt. Many murdered. Scriptures desecrated.

They were driven city to city until they fled far into the west, settling into what we know as the State of Utah.

Many died along the way, burying their children in the cruel wild. Many arrived orphans, too.
Though they endured their own Trail of Tears, they finally were able to root and grow, free to follow their beliefs.

I truly admire any and all who can stand for justice, honor and freedom.

What has your journey been like to fight oppression of those regarding your beliefs?

*updated information

(photo found here)

First Sighting Contest

Okay, now that I got your attention--it's NOT what you think.

It's even better . . .

Kathi Oram Peterson is holding a race, if you will. What kind? Well for the first five people who 1) Find The Stone Traveler in a book store, 2) Take a picture of YOU standing by the book on the store shelf, and 3) email (kathiorampeterson[at]yahoo[dot]com) the picture to her, she has a prize for you!!! (For more details, go here)

Behind curtain number 1:















Behind curtain number 2:




First runner-up gets first pick and so on down the line.










So






What are you waiting for? Go hunt it down and be the first one! ;)

(Look for my review on her fantabulous book September 29th!)

Change Blogfest Begins! :D

Our dearest friend, Sangu Mandanna, is in the process of settling into her new home (yippee!). Boxes. Dishes wrapped in newspaper. Clothes in plastic bags. Trucks. A new yard. A lovely house to play in!

In her honor, I would LOVE to hold a blogfest August 6th--Let's throw her a housewarming party!

The theme is about change. Any kind of change. How did your character endure change? Did she crash and burn? Did he laugh and walk into the sunset? What kind of conflict was involved?

It could be an epiphany kinda change. A moving-away kinda change. A dealing-with-death kinda change. Any and all.

Just sign below and let the fun begin! :)