Amazon Studios is open

Yesterday's news broke wide open about Amazon Studios! They're in partnership with Warner Brothers! So for all you screen writers out there--go check them out. 

Health issues in week 3 of NaNoWriMo caused me to drop out, for good reason, but I did manage to end the month with 32,300 words. I think at this point in my life, I'm going to pass the torch on to the younger, less encumbered. 

Christmas is around the corner and I hope all who wished for a Kindle, gets one! I know Steve and I enjoy ours immensely. I've had mine for almost a year and can't believe how steady my TBR (to be read) stack has grown. And believe me, I read constantly. It's also been through the Kindle that I've come across some really wonderful authors that wouldn't have gotten the exposure they so richly deserve otherwise. 

The weather is finally cooling for Winter, here in the Houston area. Of course, nothing like up North, but for me, I love cold weather so our bundle-up 35 degree nights and 50 degrees days are what I've anxiously waited for and now I'M TICKLED PINK!  What do I want for Christmas? A warm flannel nightgown!!! 

Our little pecan tree dropped its leaves, and the pecans...and what didn't drop, the squirrels devoured. The wee orange tree is bursting with fruit this year. They should be ready for picking sometime in January. They are the sweetest oranges we've ever eaten! 

Hope your weekend is filled with pleasant surprises and enticing treats--

Happy Trails,
Cherri

Halo and Holly, reviewed by: Diana L. Driver

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Halo and Holly

 Now that Thanksgiving is over, I'm filled with thoughts of Christmas which includes Christmas stories. Halo and Holly is a short story by mystery writer Cherri Galbiati. It is one of the best and sweetest Christmas stories ever written. Available on Kindle and Kindle for pc it's a real treat and guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.


The story is centered around two Great Pyrenees, who are as sweet as can be - when they're asleep and playfully wrecking havoc when awake. Halo and Holly is a wonderful story, written from the heart by a writer who knows how to lift any one's spirits. Halo and Holly is destined to be become a Christmas classic that can be enjoyed by the whole family.


Give yourself a treat this Christmas. Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy this humorous short story. Halo and Holly is guaranteed to put anyone in the Holiday spirit!!


Halo and Holly by Cherri Galbiati is available on Kindle and Kindle for PC - just click on the above link for easy download.  

I wish to thank Diana L. Driver for this wonderful review! She's the author of NINTH LORD OF THE NIGHT  and THE MAYA, PEOPLE OF THE MAIZE.

Discombobulated Muse!

Nate (D. Nathan Hilliard) and I had a really good session for our Writers' Night Out. Much was discussed currently about our works in progress. Funny how we found out that we both literally write by the seat of our britches, stringing one scene together after another. Sort of like watching a movie streaming in your mind (with all the characters talking right-out-loud and all-lol).  

Nate told me about a scene he's working on about his "dog people" and what their emblem is--can you feel my hands tightening around your throat, Nate?????? It got to me! 

My muse has been whispering about story lines for future books constantly lately and is doing a pretty good job of distracting my train of thought on the novel I'm currently in the middle of. (the first half has already been edited--just needs another set of eyes to find the logic bombs) She keeps shooting these fantastic ideas at me for future work and, I've gotta tell you, they're pretty dang good. Now, if only I could hush her till I've finished this one! Sweet little thing is quite discombobulated--just like me! 

This flu crud has sucked just about all the energy from my body for this day, so I'm going to say good night and wish everyone --

Happy Writing,
Cherri

Striving For Balance

Since my husband's been away in L.A., I set some goals. Split between writing like crazy and catching up on the always climbing TBR stack. Well, I've succeeded in both, making sure that the writing has priority. But the outcome on the reading front has been pretty impressive also! 

Just finished Vicki Tyley's "Sleight Malice" and must say it captivated my attention from the first sentence to the end. WAY TO GO VICKI!! Good story, really good! The ending surprised me -- which didn't follow the standard rules of formula, but did, if you think really hard about it. I loved the twists, the characters (Desley's quirks and good hearted reasoning will endear this woman to your very core)--so strong, and the elements of plot. 

D. Nathan Hilliard has done it again and recently (very recent) uploaded "Shades: Wind and Dark Waters" which I wanted to put the pic up, but for some strange reason won't let me copy it. The cover is dynamite though! I'll talk to Nate later today and find out why it won't let me grab the cover and once we figure it out, I'll post it on my blog.


In the meantime, I'm rolling in Becky McAllen's world. She's exciting, filled with life, and is going to make some really tough decisions -- especially when she finds a young woman hanging upside-down from a tree, bled out, just like fresh-shot deer. 

May your day be bright and cheery,
Cherri

 

The Changes In A Writing Career

If anyone had ever told me back in 2006, that by 2010, the publishing industry would be turned on its axis, I wouldn't have believed them. 

As a writer, I held onto my beliefs that going through a traditional publisher was the only way to go. No exceptions. Then in January 2010, I began to notice a trickle of changes outside my small world, cracking those inhibited beliefs wide open. I stood back and listened...and watched. Time swirled around me as I paid close attention, and read everything I could regarding the swift tides crashing in the publishing world, changing right along with it. And no one persuaded me, I'm quite capable of forming my own opinions, which I did.

My goals now are different than when I started out in 2006. Matter of fact, I'm embracing the knowledge that there isn't any restraints over me anymore. What I'm alluding to is that now I can write anything I want, and have it up on Kindle as soon as I feel it's ready for publication. And I get to have the final say.

It isn't a matter of disrespecting any publisher, small or large, for that choice is up to the individual author...it all has to do with the fact that I've changed. I changed in a good way and for the first time in my life, I understand what it feels like to walk without unwarranted guilt. No one will make me feel guilty for the choices I make in my writing career ever again. 

Growing older and added wisdom might have something to do with going Indie. But, for sure, I know my writing will be stronger. 

For the heart of a writer can't not write!

Cherri