Deb Logan Writes

So Long, Farewell, Come See My Other Site!

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:04:00 +0000

Wow! It's been a busy few days.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting my agent in person to discuss my writing goals. One of the issues we chatted about was my split personality. After due consideration, we decided to pull all of my work under one name: Debbie Mumford.

To that end, I will not be updating this site.

Please join me at Debbie Mumford's Flights of Fantasy or my Flights of Fantasy blog.

You can also receive quarterly updates on my news via email by joining my no-chat newsletter list.

Thank you for your support. I look forward to getting to know you as Debbie Mumford!

Puzzler Friday - Color!

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:36:00 +0000

I've had a hectic week. My computer died and I had to replace my hard drive. Unfortunately, the old one was fried, so there was no data to be retrieved *sigh*

Fortunately, I have an external back-up, which while it was a few days old, was still a life saver. The moral of the story? Back up frequently and completely!

In celebration of having my computer back in my hot little hands, here's a dose of dazzling color to stimulate your senses.

Enjoy!

Tuesday Cuteness - Bliss

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Stuff You Wish You'd Known...

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:42:00 +0000

You know how you’re always wishing someone would tell you the secret to success in publishing? Well, hop on over to Deadline Dames and read Devon Monk’s letter to her younger writer-self, Dreaming by the Tracks. As always, she’s got a lot of wisdom to share.

Thanks, Devon. You’re an inspiration to me, and while I’m walking my own path, I’m studying yours. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Puzzler Friday - Wanna Play Catch?

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Dude! Who Left the Heater On?

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:23:00 +0000

My part of the world is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave. It was 105 yesterday, and today the mercury is supposed to go even higher. Here. In the Pacific Northwest. Where a REALLY hot day is usually in the low 90s.

Excuse me while I wilt.

My muse is fanning herself and I’m hiding in the darkest, coolest corner I can find. Since my brain is fried mush, I’m going to treat you to a display of critters who ENJOY the heat.

Meet my weyr of dragons:

Click on the image to see them up close and personal *lol*

Stay cool. Stay hydrated. And stay happy!

Tuesday Cuteness - Post Weekend of Solitude

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Everyone in my household was gone over the weekend, leaving me alone in a quiet house with a bullmastiff, two German shepherds, and two cats. So what did I do with my Weekend of Solitude? I wrote like a mad-woman, of course! [Insert maniacal cackle]

All that concentrated writing has left me feeling a bit like this little guys...all tuckered out!

Enjoy your Tuesday...and STAY COOL!

Puzzler Friday - Staying Cool With Style

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:52:00 +0000

We're enjoying a brief cool-down before a week of blazing heat. In prep for possibly record-breaking high temperatures, here's a blast of cool.

Enjoy!

Don't forget...times are in comments!

Writerly Round-Up: Revision

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:32:00 +0000

I've been cruising the blog-o-sphere for tips on revision. After all, one can never have too many tools in the toolbox when a challenging rewrite comes your way.

Here are a few of the articles I've gleaned:

Devon Monk posted a great list of revision questions over at Deadline Dames.

On her blog, Ilona Andrews posted a series of critiques / suggested revisions for opening scenes. Interesting stuff.

Agent Nathan Bransford has also posted a Revision Checklist. Always good to look at the process through an agent's eyes *lol*

And on the other side of the professional fence, Editor Unleashed provides 5 Evergreen Editing Tips.

For an in-depth look at revision from a multi-published author, try Holly Lisle's How To Revise A Novel.

Finally, no round-up of revision techniques would be complete without my all-time favorite: Holly Lisle's One-Pass Manuscript Revision. LOVE that article.

Well, that's it for Revision Round-Up. If you've found other tools in other posts, please tell me about them in the comments. As I said at the beginning, you can never have too many tools in reserve.

Tuesday Cuteness - Baby, It's HOT Outside!

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:10:00 +0000

I admit it, I've been spoiled by the mild weather here in the Pacific Northwest. I mean, I grew up in Oklahoma where our current 90 degree temperatures wouldn't so much as raise an eyebrow. BUT this isn't Oklahoma. This is southwest Washington and even at the height of summer, temperatures rarely reach the high 90s in this part of the world...and this week we're expecting to reach above 100 degrees *shakes head*

So...in an effort to think cool thoughts, I give you a "white" Tuesday Cuteness:

Enjoy! And be cool...

Harry Potter - with SPOILERS

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:49:00 +0000

DH and I saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince today. All in all, I enjoyed the movie. The photography was fabulous, the music excellent, and except for a few miscues between Harry & Ginny (not enough obvious attraction), the acting was beautiful. I guess my main beef is with the screen writing, but books being what books are, and film being what film is, I'll rarely be completely happy with a beloved novel's cinematic transformation.

Mainly, I felt cheated by the climactic scene. Dumbledore NEEDED to paralyze Harry to keep him from intervening in the events on the tower. As filmed, Harry simply seemed weak and indecisive. I also felt cheated by the lack of the battle for Hogwarts. Important things happened in that battle and I'm afraid their absence means that important things will be left out of the final movie as well *sigh* I can deal with no funeral, but I NEEDED the paralysis and the battle.

I was also frustrated by the screen writer adding scenes that WEREN'T in the book when so many important scenes that WERE in the book were cut or collapsed.

BUT even with said beefs, I enjoyed the film and will happily buy the DVD to view again and again.

Big YA Book Signing in NYC - 7/25

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Saturday, July 25, 2009
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Books Of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY

NINE authors will be at Books of Wonder in New York City on Saturday, July 25th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Stop by and buy a book or nine and say hello!

Participating Authors:

Lauren Barnholdt, author of Two-Way Street, The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney, Four Truths and Lie, and others

Sarah Cross, author of Dull Boy

Erin Dionne, author of Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies

Heather Duffy-Stone, author of This is What I Want to Tell you

Mandy Hubbard, author of Prada and Prejudice

Julie Linker, author of Crowned, Disenchanted Princess

Sarah MacLean, author of The Season

Mari Mancusi, author of Boys that Bite, Girls that Growl, Stake That!, Gamer Girl and others

Michelle Zink, author of Prophecy of the Sisters

And Rhonda Stapleton (STUPID CUPID, December '09, Simon Pulse), will be there, creating mayhem and taking embarrassing pictures.

-------------------

Sounds like a great day! Which I could be there. Be sure to tell me if you go!

Puzzler Friday - Misty Mountains

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Something a little different this week...

Because I've always loved JRR Tolkien's "Misty Mountains"

My time's in comments. How did you do?

Tuesday Cuteness - Order

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:28:00 +0000

For those of you who have your ducks in a row...

TELL ME YOUR SECRET! *sigh* Getting MY ducks in a row is more like herding cats *lol*

Happy Tuesday, everybuggy.

Puzzler Friday - In Praise of Kayaks

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Another sport that's big in my part of the world is kayaking. Whether it's on a lake, a river, or the ocean, kayaking is a super cool way to combine beauty, solitude, and good old-fashioned exercise!

You know the drill...times are in the comment section, so be sure to sign in and fess up!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tuesday Cuteness for a Hot July Day

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:39:00 +0000

Here's something cool for a hot summer day. Appetizer, anyone?

Makes you glad not to be a penguin, doesn't it?

Happy Tuesday!

Writing Round-Up

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:36:00 +0000

I've run across some excellent articles on writing-related subjects in the last few days. I hope you'll find them interesting.

First up, check out Jim VanPelt's post on Teaching Plot to Young Adults. I like his premise (and not just for kids):

When I teach plot to kids I center on the definition that a story is a significant event or events that happen to someone. I like this starting point because I can stress the key words, "significant," and "event." The first word means that the events have to matter to some one, and the second means that something has to happen.

Next, let me direct your attention to J. Steven York's article, A Series of Unfortunate Events--Is Not A Story.

No, this is not a rant about about Lemony Snicket. It's suggested by a number of posts I've seen from professional writers on various private lists lately. They're talking about something that happens to every writer at one point or another.

This one may take a bit of getting into, but Setpoint by Lynn Viehl is worth the read.

I really got a handle on my work as a professional writer when I pursued what people in HVAC would call my personal writing setpoint.

And finally, let's finish up with a visit to the Deadline Dames, where Dame Lili tells us, This Is No Bloodless Art.

So much of writing is going where the fear is. Fear is power, and a lot of writers don’t want to go there.

I don't know about you, dear reader, but I've enjoyed an entire workshop on writing in just these four posts. Lots to chew on here. Happy ruminating!

Puzzler Friday for the 4th of July

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:01:00 +0000

Enjoy a safe and happy 4th of July!!

As always, my time is in comments. Be sure to leave a comment and tell me yours!

Tuesday Cuteness for the End of June

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Wow! How did it get to be the very last day of June already?

Hold on a sec while I check my cuteness files.

Ahhh…the very thing!

Splashy Summer Fun!

Happy Tuesday, everyone.

Puzzle Friday - Coastal Waves

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Our anniversary is this weekend, so DH and I are off to the coast for a day of sun and sand. The sand is a sure thing. The sun, not so much *LOL* One of the hazards of living in the Pacific Northwest...you never know when the sun will decide to break through the clouds. That's why they call them "sun breaks" around here *g*

At any rate, in honor of our day at the coast, here's an ocean puzzle for you. Look for my time in comments, and be sure to tell me how you did!

Tuesday Cuteness for a Hot Summer Day

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:17:00 +0000

This looks like a fine way to cool off at the pool...

Happy Tuesday, one and all!

IWOFA Summer Breeze Contest

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:41:00 +0000

June 21 - June 30, 2009

Get ready to surf the summer reading waves for amazing prizes!

IWOFA is sponsoring a "2009 Summer Breeze" Contest. You can surf cool YA waters and search for hot prizes!

Good Luck!! And enjoy the ride.

Puzzler Friday - Bird Feeder

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:29:00 +0000

We're trying to attract hummingbirds into our yard this year. I saw one of the little flying jewels early in the season and immediately put out my feeder. Unfortunately, I haven't witnessed any return visits *sigh*

I have high hopes, though!

So...in honor of attracting colorful birds into backyard gardens, today's puzzle features a bird feeder. Enjoy!

My time will be in comments. Can you beat it?

Tuesday Cuteness - Squirrels

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Continuing with my squirrel theme, here's a little guy who looks like he's just asking for a massage...

Oh! That does sound good. Where's my massage therapist daughter when I need her? *LOL*

And a reminder...most of these Tuesday Cuteness photos are pictures that have arrived in my email unasked for...If anyone knows the photographer, speak up! I'm delighted to give credit where it is due.

Puzzler Friday - In Praise of Koi

debloganwrites@gmail.com (Deb Logan) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:14:00 +0000

I'm on my way this afternoon to pick up some new koi for my pond. I'm very excited about the new additions and wanted to share to fun with you. Unfortunately, I didn't find a koi puzzle *sigh*

Hope you enjoy this pond puzzle instead.

Be sure to leave your time in comments. I love seeing how you fared!