Elise Fallson and "Ologies" - Challenge Participant Feature

Today I welcome the lovely Elise Fallson to share her theme for the Challenge. And it was very unique. And informative! Careful, you might learn something…

What made you chose _ologies as your theme?

My theme last year was Entomology and since is went pretty well, I decided to look for another _ology theme. Trouble was I couldn’t decide on just one. There were many fascinating and odd _ologies to choose from that I decided to highlight them all. Well, not really all of them, but just the ones I found interesting or quirky. Then, when I found a list of _ologies from A-Z online I thought to myself, “Jack pot!”

Which one was your favorite?

That's a hard question to answer because I liked so many for different reasons. For example, D for Dactylology comes to mind because ASL (American Sign Language) interests me and when I stumbled upon songs interpreted using ASL, I was glued to the screen. I can't tell you how many times I've watched those videos, they always impress me. H for Hoplology is another one I enjoyed because I've been a fan of the fighting arts for many years and found the video of the longsword technique simply awesome. Then there's R for Rumpology and that was just butt-loads of LOLs to write. And I have to admit, I did enjoy I for Ichnology, but only because I masterfully managed to slide in a music video of Jensen Ackles doing Eye of the Tiger. Grrrrr  ==swoon==

I'm sorry, did you ask for just one? ;)

You kicked off the Challenge with the science of stupidity – agnoiology. Just so no one ends up studying us, what’s it all about?

Unfortunately, I feel the human race will always be under the microscope when it comes to studying stupidity.  Agnoiology however, centers on the study of culturally induced ignorance mainly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading data. I guess it just boils down to one group of people wanting to control another group by keeping then intellectually inferior. The dumbing down of the masses isn't a new strategy, but it does allow government to maintain control over the masses.

You HAVE to describe rumpology for us!

Ahhh, finally. I couldn't bare waiting a second longer to reach the bottom of this post!  Rumpology, sometimes referred to as "Bottom Reading," is fortune telling by reading people's butts. A 'rump reading' is performed by a rumpologist who examines crevices, dimples, warts, moles, and folds of a person's buttocks in much the same way a chirologist would read the palm of the hand. And to add some much needed creditability, astrologer Jackie Stallone (actor Sylvester Stallone's mother) states that rumpology is known to have been practiced in ancient times by the Babylonians, Indians, Ancient Greeks, and Romans (hard evidence proving this theory pending). You think Sylvester get free readings from his mom?  

You struggled with J but finally found Japanology and stated you find Japan fascinating. What are some of the things you’d like to see if you visited? (And you should visit – I lived there as a kid and it’s an amazing place.)

I'm glad I found J for Japanology because I've always held a fascination for Japanese culture, food, art, tradition, and really the Far East in general fascinates me. If I were to visit Japan there is so much I'd want to see that I could fill up an entire post, but off the top of my head I'd want to . . .

• Go to Hiroshima's memorial park.
• Visit Osaka and Kyoto mainly for the history and to visit the temples and shrines. 
• Visit Tokyo, go shopping in Akihabara, get drunk in a Karaoke Bar, ride the bullet train. (: 
• Climb Mount Fuji.
• Visit Tokyo National Museum, Hakone Open-Air Museum, Adachi Museum . . .
• Visit a samurai district.
• See the forging of a true katana sword.
• Eat in a real sushi restaurant where the food comes to you on a conveyor-belt.
• Eat ramen soup in Fukuoka.
• Go to a sumo tournament.
• See the cherry blossoms in March/April . . .

     Anyone want to take me to Japan???? 

Yogurtology isn’t really a field of study – what is it?

I had a hard time finding a y_ology word but luckily (thank you internet) I came across this: Yogurtology, a chain store that sells frozen yogurt and ice cream. I've never came across one, but if I ever did, I'd probably wander in for some frozen yogurt.

Any meltdowns or freak-outs during the Challenge? 

YES, during my Q post for quinology. I only had prewritten posts up to Q, so when my Q post went live, I started to freak out. Luckily, I had a butt-load to talk about the next day for R. (;

If you participate in the Challenge next year, do you have any themes in mind? 

I'm not sure if I'll participate next year but that hasn't stopped me from bouncing around some ideas. I may have a few things brewing but, mum's the word. (; 

Thanks for having me over today Alex, it was fun revisiting some of these old posts. (=

Elise, thank you for enlightening us!!

Co-host Ninja Captain Alex is the author of CassaStar and CassaFire and his blog can be found HERE

Stephen Tremp

Road Trip 2013: Let's gather for Another Pit Stop!

Hellooo? Is there anybody out there? Is anyone still on the road visiting A-Z participants from April 2013? I'm calling another pit stop, so pull your virtual car into a spot here, and let's catch up.

Hundreds of us set out in May for a road trip around the world. Some headed for the fast lane and kept on trucking. Some took the back-roads and meandered. Some of us have run out of gas, some have had our cars breakdown, and some have been called home for pressing family matters.

However far you made it, no matter what number of blogs you visited, I still want to thank you for participating. I know it's meant a lot to many bloggers who for whatever reason didn't get a lot of visits during the Challenge. THANK YOU for persevering, however far you came.

It's not over though! You can still visit for as long as you like. The big list is still clickable, as is the Reflections list. How about making just one visit now? You know how exciting it is to get someone new at your place! Give someone that thrill.

As for me and my trip, I've converted to “Sunday Drives”. I take some time on my down-time-day-of-rest to hit a few more Reflections posts. I promised to read them all and I will. I'm concentrating there, and will return to the “big” list after that.

May your road be smooth, may you hit all the green lights, and don't forget to enjoy the scenery!

~Tina

Konstanz Silverbow: Cover Reveal ~ Only Half Alive

Good morning! Today I'm excited to help out a great friend reveal the cover to her first novel, to be published in a month.

Title: Only Half Alive
Author: Konstanz Silverbow
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 9-27-13

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Lady Amber, who is hosting the cover reveal! 
And a very HUGE THANK YOU to Stephanie at Steph's Cover Design for the gorgeous cover! 

Synopsis:

The world's darkest creature, will be their brightest hope.

While darkness haunts her, she craves the light. Christina is a demon, but she doesn't want to be. She is willing to sacrifice everything to change it. Only one person stands in her way, and he will stop at nothing to keep her the way she is.

The greatest battle of light vs dark threatens every living creature, a battle that could destroy all. And the demon in love will only have one chance to save everyone.


~ Add the book to your Goodreads shelf -

Konstanz Silverbow has always been a dreamer . . . but not a writer. Being an author was something she was dragged into. But since that day, she hasn't stopped. It has become more than a hobby, it is a passion. 

During the day Konstanz works, making jewelry, playing the violin, collecting dragons, and learning all she can about medieval weapons. But at night she creates made up worlds and places where those dragons come to life and the weapons are used in battle."

Young adult fantasy, paranormal with a dash of romance author, Konstanz Silverbow; Proud Creator of magical worlds, fictional creatures, ideal super heroes and sarcasm since 2007!

AuthorPage- facebook

Twitter - https://twitter.com/konstanzs

Blog- “No Thought 2 Small”

Yes, her name is familiar to you! She was a co-host for the 2012 and 2013 April Blogging from A-Z Challenges! Please pay her a visit, and be sure to pick up her book when it comes out!

Best of luck, K.!

~Tina

From a Blog to a Book--Pam Williams's A to Z Publishing Experience

     

     

    

   

        In my previous post I wondered about A to Z participants who actually put their Challenge posts into publication.  Today we hear from one of those who did.  Here is a success story from Pamela D Williams.

From a Blog to a Book

How can accepting the April A to Z blogging challenge lead to a book publishing offer? For me it was like a bird following breadcrumbs—I took one inspired step at a time!

I started my blog, 2 Encourage, on Valentine’s Day 2011. I had no idea what I was really getting into—besides joining two writer friends, Dawn and Brianna, who also started blogs around that time. In March, the three of us decided to participate in Arlee Bird’s April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

During that challenge, God led me to write short meditations. I loved it! Every day I mulled over what I wanted to write and then pushed “publish”. I discovered many of my posts spoke to the hearts of writers.

The Challenge was an amazing experience—all the wonderful comments and blog posts! I made so many friends in the blogosphere that I have kept in contact with since that time.

About 18 months later, I felt God nudging me to use my A to Z Blogging Challenge posts as the basis for a book. In very little time A to Z Devotions for Writers took shape.

My heart’s desire in writing A to Z Devotions for Writers is to encourage those who want their writing to stir the faith of others. Each entry offers pertinent scripture readings, a meditation focused on various aspects of the writing life, a short relevant prayer and a “block” busting writing application. My hope is that A to Z Devotions for Writers  will not only drive pen to paper but will also illuminate how writers can apply God’s truths to their writing.

And to think that this project came about as a direct result of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. That is just plain cool—no doubt about it. Thanks, Arlee, for following the leading of your heart and starting the A to Z. Can’t wait for 2014’s Challenge!

           Thanks Pam!   

            Be sure to check out Pam's blog 2 Encourage for information about her book and upcoming book tour.   For more information about the book A to Z Devotions for Writers or to purchase the book you can follow the link below.

Where to buy A TO Z DEVOTIONS FOR WRITERS

• CrossLink
• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble

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• How Many Books Have Resulted from the A to Z Challenge?