Category: Uncategorized

WHY NOT ME?

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

I firmly believe that many of us fall into two categories: the dreamers and the doers.

The dreamers are people who have fantastic ideas. In business, the dreamers may sit in power positions in marketing departments, coming up with fabulously creative ventures while their less senior workers implement them. While these dreamers may thrive in the business world, the implementation of their personal dreams may come up short.

I know a few of these people. On a weekly or monthly basis they will, gleam in their eye, enthusiastically detail their newest idea. As I listen, generally I think the ideas are fantastic. But it never fails that when I follow up with the person on where they stand with the implementation of these ideas, they give me that look my Jack Russell terrier gives me when I try to talk to her.

                                                       

Then, there are the doers. These are the people who come up with an idea and actually follow through on it. Doers want more than anything for the idea to come to fruition. And they want to get good at it. They spend months, even years researching the idea – trying, failing, picking back up and trying again. Doers are unstoppable. You can try to get in their way, but it doesn’t matter. They’ll just hop right over you and keep on moving forward.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my dreamer friends. They are usually wildly creative people and are fun to be around and absorb energy from…when they’re “on.” But doers need each other. Doers will not laugh at your idea or make catty comments about your efforts. Because we know it’s not at all easy being a doer. It takes loads of discipline. We fall, constantly, but we always pick ourselves up and keep going. We are dogs with bones. We are on missions.

One note for the doers, and you know who you are, don’t let the dreamers get you down. They don’t understand us. They shoot us slightly condescending grins when we talk about our passions – all but dying to give us a, “Yeah, right,” when we talk about our dreams. It’s because they don’t understand the sacrifice of follow through which sucks up every moment of your free time. And if I do study, research, and keep going and redoing and redoing however many times it takes, then why can’t I achieve my goal, no matter how lofty it is. Why can’t I open a restaurant, or run a marathon, or become a best-selling author. Why not me?

Dreamers…keep on dreaming.

Doers…make it happen.

IS IT REALLY COOL TO BE A NERD NOW?

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Miriam Webster’s definition of the word NERD: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially: one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits.

It seems everywhere I turn, I am affronted with a word-NERD. Against my better judgment, I braved Old Navy on the tax-free weekend prior to the first week of school (other than this, I swear I’m a total sane person), and all the young cute workers were dressed as extreme nerds. In Target yesterday, in the teenage girls section (don’t judge, a really cool denim shirt caught my eye from the outer aisle) I spotted a t-shirt that had the word NERD huge across the chest in big block letters.

At a class on metadata, keywords & back matter at the RWA convention in Atlanta this summer, the instructor asked for a show of hands of a certain kind of nerd and half the room threw their arms in the air. Now, mind you, none of these girls looked anything close to nerdy. They were highly attractive, impeccably dressed ladies.

I see people owning up to nerdiness all the time who in no way shape or form resemble the nerd stereotype. Somehow, it would seem that nerd is the new cool. Now this paradigm shift is one I’ll happily jump on board with. I would (and have) referred to myself as an Excel nerd. I absolutely love spreadsheets. My dream job (other than writing of course) would have me in front on an Excel spreadsheet for nine hours a day calculating numbers, using new formulas, and consolidating data from other sources. (I’m all giddy just thinking about it). For the ones unaware of its benefit, let me tell you – an excel spreadsheet can help you organize, calculate and analyze huge data of sales figures, taxes, and commissions within seconds. All you need is just a few formulas to get it done. In case, you are wondering where to learn all these formulas, you can consider taking excel training classes in Denver or wherever you reside. However, as I plug numbers into formulas, I like to think that I’m not doing so in an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept manner.

So why are we suddenly referring to our passions and strengths as nerdiness? Is it a self-effacing way of bragging about what we’re good at?

But my real question is what does this new nerd popularity mean for middle and high school kids? If a 14 year old boy loves math and Dungeons and Dragons, is he suddenly cool now? Sure, he might get an amazing high school graduation announcement (like the ones from Jostens or similar companies) due to his high academic potential, which could really give him a boost for his future. However, does he still have to deal with the same social pressures that have been around since pre-nerd popularity? When I was in high school “a while back” I’ll tell it to you straight-it was in no way shape or form cool to be a nerd.

So what is high school like for today’s students? Are true nerds owning up to their pocket protector, taped glasses heritage, rising up and taking back the campus Revenge of the Nerds style? Or are nerds being robbed of their own social class as the cool kids steal their namesake? Or are they all holding hands in a Kumbaya fest, swaying side-by-side in peaceful demonstration?

I don’t have a teenager (yet) so I really would love these answers from those of you who do. Comment here, if you will, or message me if you don’t want to publicly admit your nerd knowledge. Start a dialogue. This enquiring mind wants to know. Now get back to work you blog-reading nerd.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ARCHETYPE?

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Welcome to the first stop on the Where in the World Is Archetype? blog tour!

Location: Brentwood, Tennessee.

There has been a tremendous amount of buzz about M.D. Waters’ science fiction thriller Archetype which is set to release on February 6th, 2014 from Dutton Adult. And because I know people *ahem* I received the honor and privilege of getting a first crack at this absorbing read.

About the book:

Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories, showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . .

The first novel in a two-part series, Archetype heralds the arrival of a truly memorable character—and the talented author who created her.

                                         

There’s so much I want to tell about this book, but I don’t want to ruin a single delectable page of it. But what I can tell you, is that YOU. WILL. LOVE. IT!

You say you’re not a typical science fiction fan? Neither am I. But I am a fan of great books, which is most definitely what we have here. There’s intrigue, action, romance, and a plot so full of twists and turns you’ll have to hold on to your chair as you navigate your way through it.

And the writing…oh the writing. Ms. Waters’ style is one of relaxed elegance—sophisticated and poised, but somehow still relatable and down-to-earth. And Emma, our heroine, tugs at your heart as she makes her way through a strange and unfamiliar world. You want her to win, so bad, but like her, you can’t imagine how!

More than any other book I have read, I can see a major motion picture playing out in my head as I read these scenes. (God, please let there be a movie!) It’s fast-paced taking off right from the beginning and holding you captive chapter by engrossing chapter.

I had the privilege of having dinner with Ms. Waters at the RWA Nationals in Atlanta this summer, and I assure you she is as lovely as her writing is fantastic. Don’t you love it when that happens?

I can’t wait to introduce this novel to my book club because I’m DYING to talk about it! But until then, I will bide my time and impatiently count down the days until its February 6th release.

P.S. Did I mention there’s a sequel set to release next summer? Eek! 

                                

Follow M.D. Waters:

Blog
Facebook Page
Twitter
Goodreads


Available for preorder through Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Next week’s stop on the Where in the World is Archetype? blog tour will be blogger Jodi L. Henry.

Thank you to Charissa Weaks, who is hosting this tour! Charissa is a brilliant writer, editor, and all-around precious person, by the way, and I highly suggest you subscribe to her blog and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

The Where in the World is Archetype tour will run as long as we have bloggers to spread the word. Anyone interested in participating should contact Charissa Weaks at cweaksblog at gmail dot com.

Want to join in? It’s simple. Here are the rules:

1. Possess your own blog and be willing to do a post about the book.

2. Read within the allotted timeframe of 2 weeks and mail to next recipient.

3. Take a pic of you and the book and post on your site.

4. Write a little note to Charissa inside the cover since this is her ARC

The Horror of the Photo Shoot

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Ever had a photo shoot done? What’s the big deal? You sit down in front of a camera while a photographer or his assistant scurry around making sure the lighting around you is perfect, fluffing about, snapping photos when the time is right. You, as the subject, only have to sit there and smile pretty for the camera. Easy enough, right?

But then it becomes your turn under the lights. Suddenly this photographer who seemed harmless enough a couple of hours ago is scrutinizing you for optimum photo excellence—because to him or her, it’s not just about satisfying you, the client, but it’s about their work. They know these photos will be used, and if they turn out disastrous due to your little facial quirks or misguided attempts at “sass” they don’t want their name anywhere near them.

You realize this only by reading the look of horror on the photographer’s face. Change of plans. You decide on a new approach. You think to yourself, I want to look cute and mischievous in my photo, so you tilt your head slightly down, raise an eyebrow and lift your lips into a naughty little grin. But as you notice the photographer trying to keep the smile from brimming across his lips you realize that it’s possible you may not be achieving the desired effect.

You ask nicely, “May I see the photos so far?”

The photographer, steps back and presents the camera to you, keeping hold of the advance forward button, as he doesn’t want your goofy ass touching his expensive equipment. You scooch by with a smile to see your beautiful, professional photos, only to discover that the special lighting and the clearer-than-the-naked-eye resolution of his umpteen thousand dollar camera is revealing not only every single wrinkle, frown & laugh line, jiggly skin (come on, you know what I’m talking about), clogged pore, pimple, age spot and flyaway hair that you had no idea even existed. 

And that cute and quirky, mischievous pose? Unless you’re under the age of six, let’s get real.

Thank God my nightmare is over, and the shoot produced one lone picture out of about a hundred that has been deemed “acceptable.” (I use this term extremely loosely.) And that final polished, retouched photo will not resemble anything close to the mess presented to me on the index screens, as my photographer is also my friend, and he knows that I know where he lives. 

My advice—keep snapping away with your smart phones. This high quality nonsense is for the birds.

Stay tuned…

WANTED: Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Lose Ten Pounds

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Everyone I know or come into contact with perpetually wants to lose ten pounds. I’ll think I’ve finally met someone who looks perfectly thin then inevitably they’ll mention how they’ve recently gained ten pounds and are looking to take it off.

What is up with this God-forsaken ten pounds? Why do we all have it? I’ve never not had it, even at my thinnest teenage best. Just under 5’11 and a whopping 140 pounds, I wanted to weigh 130. Thought I was huge. Could have grabbed “handfuls” of the extra ten pounds on my belly to prove it to you.

So if you are someone who is happy with your weight as you are, I would love to scoop you up into my arms (as I’d likely be able to do that with ease if you don’t want to lose ten pounds) and whisk you away to a science lab to be studied under a microscope. But I will settle for a response to this blog.

Please, tell us, what’s it like to be you? Do you fret over every piece of food that enters your mouth? Or do you eat sensible, reasonable meals and are you okay with that? Do those meals make you full or do you want to gnaw off your own fingers thirty minutes later? Do you breakdown and eat a family-size bag of dark chocolate peanut m&m’s that you keep hidden so nobody else in the family can get to them? (Me? Nooo, never. Just an example…really.)

Share with us what it’s like to wake up every morning and not eye the evil scale. Do you splurge? And what does that look like? Would you consider a binge a bagel on a Sunday morning? (Seriously, I once heard a celebrity name a bagel when asked what her biggest binge food was. I consider that health food.) Or do you have so little interest in food that you just eat when necessary to fill the hunger void? (I once heard this from a perfectly shaped and ripped gay man…of course.)

Share with us. Enquiring minds want to know.

Gotta run. I hear rustling in my secret drawer…

5 Incredible Bands You Aren’t Listening To

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

My first official blog-and if you know me, you know it’s only appropriate that it be about my other passion…music.

If you haven’t already, take a look at these five bands that I can’t get enough of. Several of them owe us new albums, which I am waiting for with bated breath, but they’ve all still got great material out there that most of you have never heard. So that’s new, to you, right?

Enjoy!

The Arctic Monkeys

Okay, you may be listening to them. But if you aren’t, boy, are you in for a special treat. Creepy, cool, quirky, eerie, playful, and above all, one of the most unique sounds to ever ooze through your speakers. 

Check out “R U Mine?”, a lone single released last fall to keep us longing for their next studio album, which is hopefully forthcoming (please, please please).

R U Mine?


Kasabian

When I listen to the Alternative radio station on Spotify, it seems like every time I think I like that song, who is that? it inevitably is Kasabian. This is groove music. It’s impossible to listen to them without bobbing from side-to-side.  Tom Meighan’s vocals are powerful, like his heart is pushing them up through his vocal chords. He seems to want us to feel the music like he does. I’m on board, Tom!

Check out “Days Are Forgotten” from their 2011 release VELOCIRAPTOR!

Days Are Forgotten


The Duke Spirit

While many female fronted bands can sound interchangeable (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Sounds, The Joy Formidable, Metric-which by the way, are all bands I enjoy), there is no mistaking the sound of The Duke Spirit. I’ll classify them as epic rock.  I have no idea if that’s a real term, but that is the one that comes to mind when I hear the larger than life, full, fat sound of The Duke Spirit. It’s rock.  It rocks. 

Try “Procession” from their 2010 release BRUISER until they decide to grace us with a new album. But my favorite tracks are actually from their 2008 release NEPTUNE.

Lassoo (from NEPTUNE)


Civil Twilight

I’ve often referred to them as my favorite “newer” band. Originally from South Africa, the guys now call Nashville home.    The band has a sound that is reminiscent of early U2 (think WAR and BOY), but with a more chilled out vibe. I usually prefer harder rock, but I get lost in the passion of this band’s heartfelt lyrics and the soothing sound of Steven McKellar’s sincere vocals.

Try “Fire Escape” from their 2012 release HOLY WEATHER, although it will confuse the hell out of you based on my above description. Can’t help it, I love that song. But for the real Civil Twilight experience, try “Letters from the Sky” from their 2009 self-titled release.

Fire Escape  Letters from the Sky


Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

You wanna rock? Turn ’em on. They are different, interesting, but somehow soothingly familiar. When I am graced with one of their tunes on Spotify radio, I want to stop working and kick back with a cigarette and a smile, and I don’t even smoke.

Try “Let the Day Begin” (a remake of the original song by The Call in 1989) from their 2013 release SPECTER AT THE FEAST.

Let the Day Begin