Still Crazy After All These Holidays

I almost forgot to add the last surprise to the Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway! But since today is the last day of December, not to mention the decade, I have just enough time to squeeze in one more gift.

I was going to throw in one of my wonderful writing books, because a. I have quite a few writing books and b. I never quite get around to reading my writing books. So, it seemed like a good idea to foist off one on you. Um, give to you. Whatever.

BUT, then I received an email saying that From the Asylum was shutting its doors, and that made me kinda sad. And not just because the story I'd had accepted for an upcoming anthology wouldn't be published. I really liked the FTA webzine; the stories were speculative and often twisted. And the stories chosen for the anthologies were more of the same. That's why I was so excited when my story "Language Barrier" was selected for one of the earlier anthologies, Loving the Undead, An Anthology of Romance, Sort Of...

And then whammo! It hit me that I should give away one of my copies of Loving the Undead! Send one of my very first published and favoritest stories out to you with love and sort of happy, sort of creepy, wishes!

Ah, I'm feeling much better. And you're going to feel pretty good yourself if you win the Cathy C.'s Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway package! I don't even remember what all I've squeezed into that package. But I'm thinking it's a lot of good writing stuff to start the New Year!

(Leave a comment here or on any December post if you want your name thrown into Santa's hat for a chance to win the Giveaway. Then come back in a day or two...well, let's be honest. I've got A LOT of football to watch. So, just keep checking back to see who wins. I promise I won't forget that!)

What Not to Do Wednesday Looks at New Year's Resolutions

Dear Grasshopper,

It's that time of year again when one must pick oneself up by the chocolate-smeared reindeer slippers and give some thought to resolutions. What's more, grasshopper, one must put those thoughts into something more than your holiday-befuddled brain. What one must do, I'm afraid, is write the goals and whatnot on paper. Or at least a sticky note. And write your resolutions with some sort of, um, resoluteness. And don't leave out the particulars. Here's what I mean:

DON'T say "I'll become a better writer this year." (Well, of course you can say that. But it will help tremendously if you actually do something.)

DON'T say "I'll write the Great American Novel this year." (Trust me when I tell you that a goal such as that doesn't work. Unless you're a Great American who happens to be a Great Writer.)

DON'T say "I'm going to make $20,000 as a writer this year." (And for heaven's sake, don't say something like that around someone else, like, just to throw a "for instance" out there, the Beneficent Mr. Hall. Some people, like for instance, the Beneficent Mr. Hall, may think you have a business plan. However, if you have a monetary goal, one of those business plan thingies would come in mighty handy.)

I could go on, grasshopper, but I think you can see where this whole resolution thing is going. Besides, I've got my own very specific, scathingly brilliant goals to think up. (And write down.)

What Not to Do Wednesday on Waiting

Remember when you were a wee, little kid and the wait for Santa was a sweets-fueled, hand-wringing, will-I-get-a-Barbie-with-long-hair-instead-of-that-short-ugly-bob torture?

Or maybe that was just me. The point is, grasshopper, the wait seemed to last forever. Now that I'm ever so much older, the holidays zoom by with alarming rapidity. Then, snap! They're gone.

But here's a way to make your holidays last all year long: Give yourself a writing gift, something you need to get your writing to take off in 2010! Is it a specialized course? A conference? A membership to an organization, professional service or market list? An office chair, a techno-gizmo, a promise to put butt-in-chair every day? You've been wishing for something all year long...don't wait any longer, grasshopper. Because snap! Just like that, time passes.

And what if all you have to show for it is the Barbie with the short bob? (But I'm over that now, grasshopper. Ho, ho, ho from the Hall of Fame!)

One for Me, One for You

So I was out there in shopping land, buying stocking stuffers for the Junior Halls (translation: really cheap but kinda fun) when what to my wandering eye should appear but a little mouse pad, with a doggie so dear!

Not just any mouse pad, mind you. A mouse pad with a calendar! And puppies! How brilliant is that? I can jot a writing reminder or two on the calendar and get a little "Awww" pick-me-up at the same time. That's why I picked one up for me. And then I thought Hey! I'll add one of these totally awesome mouse pads to the Hall Holiday Giveaway! Because, you know, it was in the clearance stocking stuffer bin (translation: really, really cheap but kinda fun).

My mouse is still getting used to the pad. And I may end up not being able to use it for its intended function (my mouse is circa 1999 and a tad persnickety). But that's beside the point. The idea is brilliant!

P.S. Perhaps I should ask Santa for a new mouse? I mean, that mouse is filthy, smeared and spotted with the sweat and tears of Cathy C. Hall's labors. Or I could just clean it (translation: get up off my chair, get the spray stuff, and wipe the mouse down. Yeah. Like that's gonna happen).

Finding Something Friday on Writing-World.com, The Muffin, and Me

I found the holiday edition of my free newsletter from Writing-World.com in my inbox this week. And that means I found "Santa Baby for Writers" by yours truly!

I do so wish I could share Santa Baby with you (the song, not my SB, the Beneficent Mr. Hall) but it's only available in the newsletter. I can give you the sweet link to Writing-World here so that you can dash away and sign up. Then, you'll get the latest newsletter, full of all things from the world of writing, including Cathy C. Hall's cool Yule song for writers. Absolutely free!

And after you sign up for Writing-World, dash away over to the WOW! Women on Writing's blog, the Muffin, to see who went on and on for Friday's Speak Out guest blogger. The topic's "After Nano: Rewrites Can Be (Sorta) Fun." Off you go to The Muffin-

Okay, I admit that wasn't much of a surprise. But it's not like today's post was titled "Writing-World, the Muffin and Yul Brynner."You knew I'd be coming up sooner or later. Or more or less.

Turns out, it's more. 'Cause I've been a very busy little elf the last few days, making over the Cathy C. Hall website. Nothing too drastic; Gladys the Goose is still there, doing her thing. And I hope I've made my thing more about humor writing, and less about "waterfowl writing." Not that there's anything wrong with that.

It's just that all I want for Christmas is...well, Santa Baby's heard that song before.

Fame, Fortune, and the Annual Dad Dilemma

Folks often ask (and by often, I mean once, possibly twice), "Say, Cathy C. Hall, what do you do with all that Fame and Fortune?"

Well, Fame is fleet. Or is it fleeting? The point is, it's not that easy to hold onto. But Fortune you can actually grab and throw around the dance floor! Fortune comes in pretty handy around the holidays, when I attempt to show the Beneficent Mr. Hall just how much he is appreciated . Nothing says "Please don't make me get a job where I'd have to wear actual clothes/ Merry Christmas!" than a swell gift under the tree. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to find a swell gift for Mr. Hall. You can find out why if you read "The Annual Dad Dilemma" from this month's Modern Senior Living.

So, that leaves a bit of Fortune left for me to share with friends like you in the Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway! Today I'm adding a record coaster just like the one I use for my cuppa. Um, when I can find my coaster. Anyway, if you look closely, you can see that this coaster is, in fact, an actual record (Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" to be exact). I love that song. And I'm kinda fond of Kenny, too. But I'm giving away "The Gambler" 'cause it's such a great story song. And I'm all about writing here at the Hall of Fame.

So, don't forget to comment to get your name thrown in Santa's hat for the Giveaway at the end of the month! Remember, any comment on any post in December will get your name included. And more than one comment will get your name included more than once. Why, you could be as famous as Cathy C. Hall around here. And win a merry fortune, too!

I Saw Neil Gaiman Autographing Books

(Sung to the tune of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus")

I saw Gaiman autographing books,
Way up from the balcony so high.

He didn't see me creep,
Up to the rail to peek.

I took this picture even though my butt was fast asleep!

'Cause I saw Gaiman autographing books,
And knew I wouldn't make it till the end.

What a treat it would have been
If Neil had only seen
Me and autographed my book last night!

(P.S. I bought an already-autographed book.)

(P.P.S. If you ever get the chance to see and actually hear Mr. Gaiman, you should go. He is quite the entertaining chap. But get there early. 'Cause those young twenty-somethings are happy to stand in line for hours and wait for hours for his autograph. I mean, I really like Neil Gaiman. But I was in the midnight-signing crowd, and a world-famous author may not have been in a "What have we here? Cathy-on-a-Stick?" jolly mood at 12:08 in the morning.)

(P.P.S.S. Thanks to Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia, for winning the competition so I could see the entertaining Neil Gaiman. Support your local indie bookstore!)

(P.P.P.S.S. Yes, I know it's dark and kinda blurry and that could be anybody. But it's neilhimself. I was in the balcony, fer cryin' out loud.)

Finding Something Friday: Christmas Blog Bling and Oh, Yeah! The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

So, I was chatting away with a buddy the other day who said, "People who read your blog have no clue how you get at Christmas." I think he meant it in a nice way.

The thing is, I get a little Christmas crazy, throwing lights around anything that doesn't move. But Sally the Crazy Dog has been festively bedecked on several occasions, so that's probably not one hundred percent true. Anyway, I thought my friend made an excellent point. It was time to haul out the blog holly. But how? Ah, where there's a Cathy C. Kringle will, there's a way. Specifically, a gel clingy way! I splattered those thingies all around my monitor and wheee! Christmas at the Hall of Fame!

And here's the really scathingly brilliant part of this decoration idea: It's not only transparent but also trans-web! So, it's also Christmas at Cathy-on-a-Stick! And Finders and Keepers! And even that lousy email in my Inbox! I felt downright jolly about that rejection.

And here's something for you to feel jolly about, especially if you wrote a novel last month. The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award has been announced for next year and they'll be awarding two prizes! So, if you wrote a general fiction OR a Young Adult novel, you have a chance to win big bucks and a publishing contract! Read the detailed rules here and start polishing up that scathingly brilliant manuscript!

AND, I found another writing goodie for the Christmas Hall of Fame Giveaway! Check out this one-of-a-kind, promotional tote from Pennypress and Dell Magazines. You'll be the only writer, walking around, stylin' with your crossword tote. If you win. So add a comment and it'll go in Santa's hat.

Bet you can guess the 14 letter expression I'm thinking of here at the festive Hall of Fame!

Writing Snacks For Everyone!

You're a hungry writer, right? So grab your favorite treat and a cuppa tea and give Writing Snacks a look-see. It's a new site created by a couple of children's writers, and it's packed with tasty writing stuff.

But just because Dana Konop and Melissa Thomas-Dubois write for children doesn't mean that the information is just for children's writers. Oh, no, my hungry-for-writing-tips friends. You'll find delicious treats about grammar, writing craft, and even blogging.

Those blogging tips and such might come from a guest writer. A guest writer you might recognize. Okay, it's me. I've never been very good with subtlety. But I do have a few good thoughts about blogging. So gobble up those tips and tidbits right here.

Yummy stuff, right? (But save room for all the rest at Writing Snacks!)

Wait a sec! Don't forget to leave a comment! All month long, every comment for any post puts your name in Santa's hat for the Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway! Now, don't go putting 18 comments on one post or I shall have to hogtie you with a string of broken Christmas lights. Don't think I won't go outside and grab one off the bushes.

Happy Holiday Giveaway from the Cathy C. Hall of Fame

Christmas may come but once a year, but all you folks who visit the Hall of Fame come around all year long. And I truly appreciate your comments and good wishes. What, I said to myself, can I do for all these fine friends of mine during this wondrous holiday season?

"Writing goodies for everyone!" I shrieked. But then I stepped away from the chocolate-covered coffee beans and thought, um. Maybe not everyone.

"Writing goodies for one lucky someone!" I (still) shrieked.

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." ---C.S. Lewis

That's one of my very favorite quotes. I almost always have a cup of tea nearby when I'm writing these lovely blog posts. So, I've fetched the special teas I purchased at a "Taste of Britain" store. I'll include these four teas in the writing goodies holiday giveaway. Even though I've never had China White Mint Tea.

That's how much y'all mean to me. But you can't get the goodies if you don't leave a comment sometime during the month. Maybe some of you blogflowers will step up and say hello, hmmm?
Any comment, anytime during the month, on any post here at the Hall of Fame, and your name goes into the Holiday Giveaway hat for each comment.

Who knows what else I'll add? No, seriously. Anybody know what else I should add? (And I shall disregard any of those responses along the lines of elephants, surf boards, or wine cellars...though to be sure, those are all things every writer needs!)

Oh, and Happy Holidays from me to you!

Finding Something Friday: An Advent Story in my Inbox (Courtesy of Cup of Comfort)

One of my Facebook buddies sent me a message today about my story, "Advent in the Hall House" being in the Cup of Comfort Newsletter, which just happened to be in my Inbox today!

Technically, "Advent in the Hall House" can be found in A Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer, which you can find in your local bookstore or at the Cup of Comfort website. It's not just me who thinks this book might make a swell Christmas gift.

The Beneficent Mr. Hall said, "I'd buy it, even if I didn't have to!" And Sally the Crazy dog said, "Marf, too!" Now, you can't get a better endorsement that that, can you?

Go ahead and read my story by zipping over here. But don't be surprised if you're hankering to read the rest of the stories in a Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer. And have yourself some merry little Christmas Spirit.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday: These Boots Were Made for Platform Building

Yep, those are Cathy C. Hall's boots. And when I wear those boots, I'm about 6 feet tall, towering over the less tall (is that more politically correct?) folk out there.

If you're a writer, and you want to get published, you're going to need a platform. You're going to need to write something scathingly brilliant, of course. But it's also wise to get to work, towering over all the would-be published writers, with a scathingly brilliant platform. But how, you ask?

First, read my article "Platform Building 101" that was published in the Institute of Children's Literature newsletter a few weeks back. Then, get yourself a pair of seriously platform-kicking shoes so that when you walk in a room, people look up and say, "Hey, who's that tall woman with the spinach stuck in her teeth?" It works for me.