The holiday collection is up at Red Adept Reviews!

A while back, Lynn at Red Adept Reviews made an offer for writers to submit holiday stories for review, and I decided to take a chance on it. Oh, I'm glad I did! I think I got a very good review from the site, and I couldn't be more pleased.

It's a funny thing to be a new writer. You need a vast amount of courage to put yourself out there, and to have people potentially say mean things about your Precious. It can be hard especially for those of us who are naturally introverted (oh stop it, you know I'm really very shy) to do it.

So when you get good reviews, it can validate your feelings about your work. I actually agree with what the reviewer wrote, even about some of the weak points of the collection, so I have a warm fuzzy feeling this morning. I know the bad reviews are going to come, because you can't please every reader, but to start off on a high note was a very nice thing.

Pop on over to the site and check out the review, and don't forget to look around at some of their other stuff. You might just find something you like.

I hope your Solstice was bright, and you are looking forward to Santa Claus. Until next time, Gentle Readers, stay merry and save me some fruitcake.

My collection is up on a short story blog.

Alain Gomez has been putting up short stories/collections on her blog, and Monday was my turn.

So, go check it out:

http://shortstorysymposium.blogspot.com/2011/12/visit-from-st-nick-by-sheila-guthrie.html

Of course, I missed posting about it earlier, due to a bitchin' migraine that's made looking at a computer screen for very long a less-than-pleasant experience. Not to mention how far behind I am in, well, everything.  

Don't forget to read the previous posts while you're there, you might just find a great read or two, or several.

I'm also going to be on the Red Adept Review blog on the 23rd. I'm a bit nervous about being reviewed--that old self-confidence thing, you know. I hope I don't get panned. Gee, now I've made myself more nervous! aaaarrrggghhh

Both of these events are part of me getting myself out into the promotion part of writing. I need to get my work noticed, which will help sales, and getting reviews will help my writing. It's tough to put yourself out there, but it must be done, or I might as well keep my stories on the hard drive.

So, shameless self-plug completed, I'll leave you for now, Gentle Readers. Take care and jingle on.

I've been a bad blogger again!

As much as it may seem as if I've fallen down an abandoned well, I'm actually still above ground. I hear that sigh of relief! Well, it better be a sigh of relief. snort

It's just been a crazy busy few weeks, what with writing and doing the craft business, and the usual mom stuff. I even went to the grocery store today. I know. I'm awesome that way. Or hungry. But still awesome.

I'm making progress on the novel, just not as fast as I'd like. Or as fast as I should be doing, since once I put my butt in the chair and start typing, as I can get that old word count up pretty good. I did 4,000 words in about three hours Saturday.

Now I just have to motivate myself to do that every day. arrgh

Any old way, I'm chugging along. If I snap a whip at myself, the book will be done and out by Christmas. Of course, there's still no cover, but I have a fairly good idea, if I can find the image I want to use.

Until next time, Gentle Readers, watch out for rampaging reindeer.