Sharp Words

Ann Aguirre tagged me to blog 7 random facts about myself on Thursday. I’m just getting around to it now. Better late than never, right?

1. I know the place of purchase and price of every article of clothing I own, no matter how long ago I got it. If I bought it on sale, I can also tell you the original price and how much I saved.

2. I love fabric. I am, in fact, a fabric whore, known to wander the aisles of fabric stores across Los Angeles admiring the color and weave of wares I rarely purchase. Bonus: every story I’ve ever written contains at least one fairly detailed description of fabric–the material, the color, the weave, the pattern or the dye-process.
3. I am just under six feet tall.
4. The reason I use a lot of exclamation points in my blog posts and comments? I really talk that way. Really!
5. I love false/created spaces. Las Vegas, Disneyland, miniature golf courses, malls built to look like 19th century European or American towns, odd little houses around LA that look like hobbit houses or castles or pagodas.
6. I’m fascinated with trains. From 19th Century steam engines, to 20th century trollies, to Angel’s Flight (Los Angeles’s late, and much missed funicular rail line) to subways to light rail. Trains are cool.
7. I am almost unbeatable at “Connect 4″

Okay, now I have to tag 7 people. I tag Sarai, Isabelle Santiago, Carolyn Jean, Grammar Geek Laurie, Kate Rothwell, Sherry Thomas and December Quinn

Everybody loves presents. Here’s a list of presents from authors to readers–free reads!

1. Update: December 26, 2007 through January 1, 2008: Free Harlequin eBooks! You can download one book a day.
2. Paperback Writer’s 2006 Free eBook Challenge
   This here is a big, mama-jama list o’ free fiction. Lynn Viehl (she of the Stardoc & Darkyn novels) challenged her blog readers to write original free stories for their readers. Also, check out the sidebar for links to Viehl’s outstanding freebies.
3. be delicious by Annie Dean (Ann Aguirre)
   Friends to lovers. Short. Sweet. Hot. There are actually four free stories on this page. I haven’t read them all yet–but only because I’m pacing myself. ;o)
4. Meeting in Darkness by Imogen Howson
   Clicking around on the Drollerie Press site, I came across the cover of Ms. Howson’s forthcoming YA novel, Frayed Tapestry. It is a thing of beauty. And the hook is cracktastically hookalicious. That book’s on my list. Meeting in Darkness was Howson’s contribution to the Romance Divas Free eBook Challenge. It’s short, sweet, and I adore her writing style. Also, her freebie, Helen is available at Drollerie Press.
5. One Night Stand by Dionne Galace
   What happens when they stay for breakfast? (Good gory fun. This story is not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach.)
6. The Serial
   No, this isn’t shameless self-promotion. Okay. It’s not just shameless self promotion. It’s a Watch This Space announcement. Tumperkin’s two-part short story, the Ring, is on it, and, come January, there will be something new.

All right. That’s it, y’all. It is time for me to go forth and shop. (Yes, I know it’s Christmas Eve). Here’s hoping your Christmas is full of peace, love, and many, many good reads.

P.S. This list is by no means complete. Mostly, it’s what I could think of off the top of my head. If you have recommendations for good free reads, please post them in the comments.

Or, how I went totally OCD on my 70 Days of Sweat Word Count Tracking Sheet. Observe:

My OCD 70 Days of Sweat Tracking Sheet has the following features:

• Allows tracking of multiple Works in Progress
• Provides word count totals for each WIP by 70 Days of Sweat check-in date.
• Provides Total Word Count as a sum of all WIP word counts for each 70 Days of Sweat check-in date
• Provides total word count for each WIP (see below)
• Provides total word count for 70 Days of Sweat (see below)

  

• Contains snazzy If/Then statements to ensure it only displays totals when new words have been added.
• Color-coded by week in soothing pastel shades.

Concerned coworkers, friends and family have suggested that I might be a little too “into” spreadsheets. Perhaps they’re right. But just wait until you see the PowerPoint show I’m working on… ;oP

The Rest Falls Away, by Colleen Gleeson
I give up, I give in. I’ve seen a bunch of good reviews for this book, and the comparisons to Buffy intrigue me. What better book to read while I’m baking on the beach than a book about vampire slayers.

God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
I am loving those clips of Hitchens on Fox News making the talking heads look like idiots. Oh, [Insert deity or scientific principle of your choice here], why can’t there be a droll drunken Brit on Fox News every day?

Our First Revolution by Michael Barone
Comparing the American Revolution to the Glorious Revolution?! Squee! Yes, I am a huge history geek. I saw this guy on the Daily Show and I’ve been all hot and bothered about the book ever since.

Not Quite A Lady by Loretta Chase
From history to historicals. I must admit that I am less than thrilled by the premise of this book (I hear it contains a secret baby) but I adore Loretta Chase to the point that I will actually be sad if she writes another Meh book. The sad truth of my fickle favor is that I hold authors whose writing I like and admire to a much higher standard than authors whose writing style I don’t much care for.

Dark Thirst (Anthology)
I read an excerpt from Monica Jackson’s story in this book on her site, and ever since I’ve been wondering how it ends. Donna Hill always does good work, too. I’m not so hot about Omar Tyree, but I welcome the opportunity to change my opinion.