American Idol Results - That's Just Wrong

I was wrong about Jacob being the one sent home this week. But Casey? Come on. I don't know that I would give him first place, but I would at least send Jacob and even Haley home first. How am I going to break the news to my daughter?

A to Z Challenge Blogfest - W is for WIP (Work In Progress)

I have many, MANY works in progress. That's one of the drawbacks of ADD. It's great for creativity, but tough for sticking to one thing. But currently I'm using an index card outline system that allows me to jump back and forth from one WIP to another, as the ideas come. So what am I working on?

My main project is "Faithful," an action suspense involving Old Faithful, a cult leader, and lots of explosives. This one has been fun to research. I've got a nephew-in-law who is a physics professor and knows all about which explosives have the effect I need. It makes for some interesting conversations at family gatherings. Another friend is a jet mechanic and was nice enough to answer some questions I had about how to disable a private jet. He did wonder what in the world I was up to.

Currently my secondary project is "I Speak Geek," a humorous YA. I got the idea for this one after attending a writer's conference that was mainly aimed at science fiction/fantasy writers. Most of the attendees there spoke a different language, or at least a different dialect, that I did. (Not to say that science fiction/fantasy writers are all geeks, but a disproportionate number of them seem to have a better understanding of computers than I do.) So I started wondering, what if someone had grown up in a very intellectual family and understood all the vocabulary and inside jokes, and then could act as a "translator" between geeks and everyone else at school. All I need is a good plot.

So that's what I'm spending (most of) my writing time on currently. I'll post status updates again soon.

American Idol - Carol King Week

Carole King is one of the most prolific songwriters of her time. In over 100 hits she has written or co-written, there should be something for everyone. In fact, I thought all six contestants found the right song for their voices and styles, and even the three duets turned out okay.

First up, Jacob Lusk sang "Oh No Not My Baby." I don't remember hearing this song before, but Jacob did a great job with it. And that plaid suit and bright yellow shirt did more for him than the satin and velvet suits he's been wearing. And he danced! It was a fun performance.

Lauren Alaina sang "Where You Lead." It was interesting to watch her push herself even more. She was worried that if she went for the big notes she would miss one, and she did. But it just showed how well she could do if she took a chance.

Scotty McCreery showed a more emotional side than he has before, and a higher range, with "You've Got A Friend." It's like, "Hey, Scotty's a sensitive guy." He even held the microphone in a less dorky way.

James Durbin sang "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." He sang the first lines acapella and proved (again) he has a really beautiful voice. And backstage after his performance he said that the performance was dedicated to his wife. Awww! Have I said how much I like this guy?

Casey Abrams turned the American Idol stage into a jazz club with "Hi Dee Ho." It was a very entertaining performance, but I thought it was more a platform to spotlight the backup musicians than a showcase for Casey's voice.

Haley Reinhart sang "Beautiful," another song I'm not familiar with. It seemed to be a great song for Haley's voice. But it was a little boring. Nice, but boring.

Tomorrow night, I think Haley is going home.

Steven Tyler's comments were a little boring tonight, too.

A to Z Challenge Blogfest - V is for Vacuity

According to Webster's, vacuity is:

1. Emptiness.

2. An empty space.

3. Emptiness of mind.

That seems to describe the state of both my mind and blog at the moment. But at least we have all learned a new vocabulary word today. Ah, but come back tomorrow, when we will discuss my WIP.

A to Z Challenge Blogfest - U is for Unplugged

No blog today. I am being unstructured. It's nice for a change.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

A to Z Challenge Blogfest - T is for The Third

I just read a really great book, one worthy of telling everyone about. It's called "The Third" by Abel Keogh. Here's the blurb from his website:

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third—and therefore illegal—child, he’s forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom’s choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

Abel Keogh offers a stark and haunting look at a not-so-distant future in this chilling new novel. Crossing lines between good and evil, freedom and oppression, and political and environmental responsibility, The Third is a gut-wrenching tale of intense loyalty and unconditional love."


I had heard about "The Third" from other friends, and I went over to Keogh's website to check it out. I like the dystopian genre, and it sounded interesting, so I read the first chapter, which is available free on the website. I was hooked immediately. The main character, Ransom Lawe, is a flawed everyman. There is not much remarkable about him, other than his above-average height. Honestly, the guy gets his butt kicked fairly regularly by the bad guy. But as soon as he goes to the aid of a stranger when everyone else just watches, he becomes the hero you root for. You have to keep reading, just to see if everything will be okay, because the possibility that everything might not be okay is so strong. "The Third" is a view of what might happen if people allow their government to take away too many basic freedoms in the name of the common good. I was riveted until the end. I hope there will be a sequel, because I really want to know what happens next for Ransom and his family.

So, seriously, if you want a really good book to read, click on the link above, go to Abel Keogh's website, and order "The Third." It's available in both hard copy and e-book format.