5 More Days Till Christmas!

With 5 days left before the special day arrives, from now until the day before is classified as "last minute shopping"! Don't wait until the day before though because all the great gifts are sure to be picked over. Remember, the best gift of all is the one that keeps on giving--books can be read over and over again. And they can be shared amongst friends to boot!

If you haven't started already, you need to decorate your home to show how festive you are esp. if you're having guests over lol. Don't forget your tree. As you see, this one was decorated in blue and silver. Oh by the way, Go Cowboys! They won again last night lol.

But anyway, just remember be safe and be friendly. This time of year even though it is stressful, you're suppose to be jolly lol. Yeah, I know its hard when there's bills piling up, no jobs, and very little to be thankful for. But seriously, you have each other and you have your health. So please enjoy what you have and don't worry about what you don't. With the new year coming, you can begin working on what you don't have but for now just be happy. I love you all!! Merry Christmas!!!


Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Authors - enter to win 100 free post cards from U-Printing.com!

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Visit the posting link (above) to my interview blog to learn more and enter!

Thank you for the wonderful welcome, Amber!

Just wanted to pop in real quick like and thank you Amber for the very nice welcome! I'm glad to be here. Guess we'll find out now who's really more long-winded (LOL).

While here, I guess I should let everyone know that I've written a Christian Inspirational Trilogy series, so Amber and I do not write in exactly the same genre. However, I'm moving on now to mysteries and suspense, which are actually my favorite to read and have been for years.

I'm working on the first of 5 novels, though I'm not sure yet if they'll wind up being a series or not. Writing a series, especially as a new author at the time, was a wee bit overwhelming. Though I love a challenge, I'll be the first to admit that last one was the most difficult. however, it wound up being the best of the three, or so I'm told (blogs are a wonderful place to brag, by the way - grin)

So I will try to pop in occasionally and help Amber keep everyone updated on we're up to and I guess I'll start this first post off with a little q & a thing. Feel free to comment and ask me questions and I'll be happy to answer as best I can.

Thank you so much for inviting me to join you here, Amber. I think it'll be a blast! Okay folks, you got me! Yes, I'm an old fogie. I guess I should've said it'll be AWESOME!

Anywho, will be back soon to check on Amber and see what kinds of questions I'll have to try to weasel my way thru.

Blessings!

Cindy

A New Author Here

As you can see a new author has been added to this blog. Cindy is a full time author like I am. She has more experience than I do though so please help me welcome her to this blog! She has her own blogs as well and she asked me to contribute to them so now there's more chances to see what I have to say lol. Please follow us so you don't miss a single word.

And don't forget, you can still sign up for my newsletter. And if that's not enough for you, Cindy has one as well! She is beginning to have a new way to share her newsletter so sign up with both of ours to see how we're sharing our special news with our readers!

Welcome, Cindy!

Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Hello Again!

Starting in January, I will be doing something different in my newsletters! Besides my normal interview with a new author, I will be sharing members in spotlight between Mind's Eye and Writing 4 All on Ning. If you haven't checked out these two sites, please do so. They are very addictive lol.

I enjoy making friends and helping others with writing so please stop by and let's learn together lol.

The great thing about learning is that you get to improve your writing which makes it better for your stories and getting published. If you haven't been published yet, don't panic because it will happen. You just have to keep trying! Remember dreams really do come true!

Another thing that will be happening is that I will be blogging with other writers too! So keep an eye on this blog and others if you want to see what we're blogging about! Its all about having fun and making new friends!


Happy Holidays!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

The Holidays

Well, its that time again! Yep, Christmas is quickly approaching us! Just a few weeks before the day comes! Have you gotten ready for it yet? I hope you have!

Speaking of Christmas, my latest issue has been added to my website so if you enjoy reading, take a look at that. On this page http://www.argrosjean.com/newsletters.html you will find all of my newsletters. There are 12 total. Next year, I will be starting all over again with Jan and when that happens, I will replace this year's issues with those so read them while you have the chance. And don't forget, you're welcome to sign up at any time. From my homepage or the events page is the sign up box. I never pass out your information. When you do sign up, the newsletters come straight to your email!

Ok, back to the holidays lol. This tree was from a couple years ago but its still my favorite lol. Yes, its the color of our favorite team which is the Dallas Cowboys! Blue is also my favorite color and silver does look good with it which are both colors from our wedding!

You don't have to use the traditional colors when decorating for Christmas. Design is something I know about. I watch a lot of HGTV lol. Interior design was something I thought about getting into for a while so I did study it and still am because its a hobby of mine. This is the time of year when you can be creative! Go with something that reflects you. It will feel more like home that way!

Are you a single guy but your family wants you to get into the season? That's fine. You can make it work just as easily as the women can! Even if you're decorating your tree with miniature tools. If that's you, go for it. If you love sports as much as my man does, you'll have fun decorating your tree with sports stuff! Anything works, seriously. Just be as creative as you want. If you don't want a tree, there's other ways to make your home festive. Decorate the table, the walls, or anywhere else you'd like. In any color!


Merry Christmas!!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

An Update to Share!

Yes, I have gone blond again lol. That's my first update!

Another update is that my first round of edits is almost complete with my new publisher! I'm very excited about this!

I have joined another online site where there's a section all about me and my work. Its been placed there so people may ask me questions about my writing and future books. Please pay it a visit. Here's the link!

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com


In March 2010, I will be having a writing seminar! It will be held on this site as well! The direct link will be placed here as well as other places when the time comes so please keep an eye out for that! If you ever wanted to write a novel but didn't know where to start or what to write about, this is the seminar for you! I will be discussing it in an upcoming newsletter so keep an eye out for that as well! Remember, my issues come out on the first of every month!


Don't forget about my other books; Cursed Blood, Stolen Identity, and Spawn of the Curse! You can get them online. Amazon is the most popular. Thank you!!!!


Happy Holidays!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

http://www.argrosjean.com

The Blood-Red Pencil

The Blood-Red Pencil


Writers were asked to submit questions to the editor and my question was selected with a few others! Check out this blog to see the answer to my question--What is the best way to send manuscripts--email or snail mail?


Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Friends Forever

True friends remain great friends through hardship and good times. Sometimes they don't see eye-to-eye on some things but they don't let those disagreements break their bonds. They grow together, taking their knowledge and passing it on to others.

I made this video for my friends. This isn't all of them as I have too many to fill this video. Of course, I will make more as time allows. I just wanted to share this with others. Please come check out Mind's Eye and see why I care about these people so much!!!!!



Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Please Help

Pictured here is a little fund raiser for heat for families for this winter. It is actually located on the homepage for Mind's Eye.

The fund raiser is called "Hope for The Holidays" and its to help bring heat to families' homes for the winter. We hope to make a difference in people's lives by keeping them warm this year.

We're not asking you to join Mind's Eye although that is welcomed. We're just asking for a little modest donation (even if its just $1--more is better though).

Right now, we have just a little over $300 but that isn't enough for one family. Please, have a heart and give something of yourself to someone truly in need.

Here's the link to Mind's Eye. You will find the donation area on the homepage on the right.
http://minds-eye.ning.com We do accept Paypal or any major credit card and we will not share your information with anyone for any reason. In fact, we won't even see your information, except your name unless you want it confidential lol.


I would like to thank you for anything you may help with. God bless you!!!!!!




Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Happy Halloween!

Enjoy your Halloween everyone!






















Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Pet Peeves

I know everyone has something that they just hate about how things work in life. For me, its no exception. I really hate it when people talk on their cell phones while driving. Most of the time, they don't pay attention to what's important--the road. I've come close to getting into accidents because the other driver was on the phone. Thank God, I was paying attention.

Another pet peeve is when you tell someone something in trust and that person takes that information to someone who has to gossip, knowing that this person gossips. Its like this person is asking for the information given to them in trust to be spread around to who knows who.

Normally, I am a person who can get along with anyone, for any reason. I'm easily pleased because I care about people. Sometimes, that does get me into trouble lol because I open up to the wrong people. I've helped people who stab me in the back for no apparent reasons. For some it was something simple like 10$ for gas, which one person turned around and got a free ride and took that money and played pool with it. For some, it was giving an extra plate of food because he or she was hungry, or letting them use the shower because their water wasn't turned on. That's another pet peeve.

People who take advantage is a really big pet peeve of mine. No, I'm not a taxi driver. No, I'm not a cigarette store that allows credit. No, I'm not a bank with a free withdrawal. No, I'm not a grocery store. And it does go on.

I know saying "no" can be a problem in the beginning because you can't tell who's going to stab you in the back, and who's going to begin taking advantage. It's a live and learn kind of thing. But it does drive me nuts at times. You can't turn everyone away because of one or two people although it does make it easier. I'm not that kind of person lol. I do know when to say no though, at times. People I don't know for example, aren't getting very far with me because I simply don't know them. Yeah, I can give someone a little helping hand if I don't know them but it really depends on the need and if I have it.

Ok, there's more pet peeves but I don't want to make this too long that no one's going to read it lol. What are your pet peeves? Care to share?



Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Cold, Cold Weather

The weather man says we're below our normal for this time of year and I tend to agree. Today it was cooold. I'm not ready for this lol. I have been getting a few things here and there for winter, but I'm not happy with my wardrobe yet. I hate cold weather, with a passion. It's bad enough that I get cold easily lol, now the weather is changing and I'm cold all the time.

You know my feet are so cold that I can actually cool a can of pop, and that's during the summer lol. Seriously, they are that cold. I guess I just have thin blood. If my top half is warm, I'm usually good. So I layer it on when I can. I keep socks on, unless I'm taking a shower or changing them and the shoes stay on most of the day as well. That usuaslly helps lol. Then I have my normal clothing which consists of jeans and my shirt plus a sweater over that (you know the button down kind or one with a zipper lol). And if I'm still cold, I have a small blanket handy to wrap around my body. I've been seen going outside with that blanket wrapped around me like a dress lol. Yeah, I've done that a time or two. Hey if it keeps you warm, why not lol.

Ok, hopefully this cold weather now doesn't mean a really bad cold winter. We had a cool summer this year already so I really don't want to have more cold, freezing, days this winter. If we do, I need more clothes lol. I need some thicker clothes lol. Ok, enough complaining about the weather. I hope you're where its warm, people. All nestled inside keeping cozy! Or its summer in your parts of the woods lol.

See you all again soon!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

http://www.argrosjean.com/

Real Life Stuff...

Ok, it doesn't look like the economy has changed. Jobs are still limited. The ones that are still around are between laying people off or shortening hours. Bills are getting higher and piling up by truck loads. It really makes you wish you lived in a time when things were simple.

You kept warm by a fireplace which you built with your own hands. Your house is small with just a few room inside and built by the whole family working together pouring love into each pounding of the nail. Food is homegrown. If you didn't need something, you went without any cares because you have everything you need anyway. Reading books pass the time in which you use laterns radiate light. Children play with homemade toys but don't complain because they don't know any better. Baseball is a cherished event spent during the summers with the family and friends. Walking is more than enough to get around because places aren't far when you need to go somewhere. And on a good day, you take your time because the soft breeze whistling through the trees is enjoyable. Clothes are sewn by hand and fit comfortably....

It does sound like Little House on the Prairy, don't it lol. But is true, life back then was nothing like it is now. Yes, they didn't have the great things we have today which is why we pay the price we do. Sometimes I do wish I could live back then and then I remember a few things...

I can't live without Internet lol. So that's a bad idea. Being without a computer wouldn't do me any good either. And I really need a phone lol. So I better stay here in the now and keep up with the hassles of life so I'm able to keep the things I have and hope I can afford more. We just have to learn something. Our lives may appear different now than it was back then but we really aren't and we don't have to be. We have our friends and family and we can still help each other like they did so many years ago. So if you're able to lend a helping hand to those who need it, please do. If you own a business and know people need jobs, let them work. Even if it isn't long, let them work. If you have a house that's empty, let someone who needs a home stay there. Be a friend!


Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com

Moon's Eye Magazine

Ok, here's some information about the magazine I will be working for. Its from Mind's Eye and this site is all about art, whether in the written form or in the form of artwork, and does include cooking, singing, and so on. The magazine is professional and displays those works of art.

We have open submissions with a deadline of Nov. 15, 2009. This is the first edition so its special for us! If you're interested in seeing your name in print alongside your own work, please send your work to mindseyemag@gmail.com

Here's the guidelines:
Your name, address, email and word count should be on the top right corner of first page. The story should be double-spaced with .25" indent and 1" margins. Short stories should not pass 7,000 words and novel excerpts no longer than 10,000 words in any genre. Poems need to be under 100 lines. If you are sending a poem, tell us how many lines it is instead of word count.

Art includes sketching, painting, sculptures, etc.

Send as attachment. You're also welcome to include a short bio and/or brief explanation to art or story being used. If you have a website, include that as well.

__________________________________________________
And since this is a real magazine, done in a professional manner, if you own a business and would like help advertising, please email me and I will get you in touch with the propper people on this matter. Thank you!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean
http://www.argrosjean.com
amber_grosjean@hotmail.com