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Books Cubed : Roll-A-Prompt Writing Journals

Good Adventures,


Writers, is your imagination stuck? Tired of staring at a blank page? Looking for a new way into your stories? You’re in luck! Roll-A-Prompt Writing Journals, which I co-authored are the topic today. Sets of elements plus the roll of a dice = more than 6000 writing prompts per book.6 in all. 5 genres, plus a mashup. Three authors have bravely joined us today. They’ll each roll for a prompt from the same set of elements and then write while Lisa and I chat about the books. At the end, you’ll get to hear what they came up with.

And you can join in the fun. Below, I’ve included the set of elements we used. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
Melissa & Lisa

Links:

Roll-A-Prompt books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Banczak/e/B01N7UG4ZW/
(On other retailers soon)

http://www.cryscain.com

Kayla’s mailing list: (get a free romance story) https://www.kayladawnthomas.com/

Terri’s Sunny McBain series: https://www.amazon.com/Terri-M-Collica/e/B00OUE3URW/

Today’s set of elements. Grab a six sided dice and play along:

Character
Roll 1 number
Even = MC is alone
Odd = Roll again for a companion

  1. Birthday party clown

  2. Tree trimmer

  3. Ambassador

  4. Fishmonger

  5. Gatekeeper in purgatory

  6. Romance novel writer
I

F the MC is alone, add an object
Roll 1 Number


  1. Hard boiled egg

  2. Cowbell

  3. Mirror

  4. Stuffed hedgehog

  5. Oxygen tank

  6. Nose-ring

Scenario
Roll 1 number

  1. Called for jury duty

  2. Abandoned cart at the supermarket

  3. Screams echo through the ship

  4. Lost in a passageway

  5. Unmanned horse and buggy

  6. Dog is found in a tree house 


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Books Cubed: Romantic Suspense with Lori Flynn

Good Adventures,

Last week, I thought I’d be turning in a new manuscript, How to Square Your Grouper, to my editor by this past Monday but…..I realized I’m not quite done messing with June. The manuscript is getting closer every day and I know it will go to Lisa sometime in the next ten or so days.

On Books Cubed this week, I’m chatting with suspense author Lori Flynn about her new book, I love You to Pieces plus book recommendations.

Links:

Lori FLynn Absolute Recall: https://books2read.com/u/meB88Y

Lori Flynn I love You to Pieces https://books2read.com/u/mKxPPZ

The Unknown Devil by Tom Fowler https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Ferguson-Private-Investigator-Mystery-ebook/dp/B078XNWCWC/

Bed, Breakfast, and Bones by Carolyn L. Dean https://www.amazon.com/BED-BREAKFAST-BONES-Ravenwood-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01JBFLIKK/

~~~

What do I write? Thanks for asking. Get the free prequel to my June Nash Misadventure series and find to why a monkey was wearing June’s bra.https://books2read.com/u/3npXnKOr dive right in and get the full length novel, How to Sex Your Snake. A pool of blood, a missing body, a famous brother accused of murder. June Nash has the worst luck.https://books2read.com/u/bxvJYqThat’s it for this week.

Go read a good book,

Melissa

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Books Cubed: Ep 14 NSFW PIs & Ghosts chs 2 & 3

Good Adventures

This week on Books Cubed, I’m reading chs 2 & 3 from a work in progress, tentatively titled, Four Bullets & a Ghost. If you missed chapter 1 check it out here. Let me know what you think, drop some words in the comments below. 

Links: 

Rather listen to the podcast version of the show? You’ll find it here. 

~~~

What else do I write? Thanks for asking. Get the free prequel to my June Nash Misadventure series and find out why a monkey was wearing June’s bra. 

Or dive right in and get the full length novel, How to Sex Your Snake

Need to interview someone and want some great questions? Check out John Fox’s 50 Brilliant Original Questions to Ask an Author.

I’ll see you next time! Go read a good book,

Melissa

ps. Some of these are affiliate links to help support my never ending grocery habit.

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Ballroom Dancing Werewolves

This week on my Vlog and podcast Books Cubed, I’m chatting with Urban Fantasy writer Lori Drake about her Grave Wolves series. When the werewolves aren’t fighting supernatural forces, they’re ballroom dancing. It’s too much fun. Have a listen.

Cue the sympathy…

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The Dark Side Half – one of my favorite Disney runs thanks to the cool photos

Thirty something days now to the next marathon. (I’m too tired to look it up) This will be my second and quite possibly the last. The training is killing me. After doing 18 miles, I just don’t want to get up off the couch and go write. (we interval train 30-30s) This weekend is a bit easier. Just a 12er. Then next weekend is 20. In between, it’s 6 or 8 every other day. Ahhhh.

As long as my husband is addicted to Disney races my world will involved sneakers and toe socks.

Off to write. I really do have a new June Nash book coming out soon. Ish. I’ll have more updates on that in the new year. Until then, party hardy and Write on,

Melissa

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Books Cubed: Ep 7 Audio Book Narrator Rosie Zwaduk

Good Adventures,

This week on Books Cubed I’m chatting with Rosie Zwaduk, the audio book narrator who brings to life the characters in my novel, How to Sex Your Snake. 

Rather listen to the podcast version? You’ll find it here or on sites like itunes, spotify, and stitcher. 

Links:

Check out Rosie’s husband’s radio show, Night Al. Thursdays, 11-1am Arizona time. 

Early Grave – Grant Wolves Book 1 by Lori Drake

~~~

What do I write? Thanks for asking. Get the free prequel to my June Nash Misadventure series and find out why a monkey was wearing June’s bra. 

Or dive right in and get the full length novel, How to Sex Your Snake

Need to interview someone and want some great questions? Check out John Fox’s 50 Brilliant Original Questions to Ask an Author.

I’ll see you next time! Go read a good book,

Melissa

ps. Some of these are affiliate links to help support my never ending grocery habit

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Books and Margaritas

Good Adventures everybody!

I’ve been hard at work on my next book, due out by the end of the year. (I keep saying late fall with crossed fingers) So, to help make my life easier, I thought I’d start a new project. Oh, naughty frozen margarita drinks and the ideas they give me. Here’s ep 1 of my vlog, Books Cubed: Reads, Reviews, & Rants. As you’ll find out, I forgot my own title in the intro! This week, I read from my new book. Next week, I’ve got a fun interview with author Carrie Jo Howe.

mikes frozen margarita

 

New episodes will be up on Thursdays. Have a listen. Subscribe. Leave a comment on youtube, or here. Buy the other book so I can afford more margaritas. Have a lovely day and write on,

Melissa

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“A monkey stole my bra”

I wrote this as I waited for Herman’s Hermits to start. (Epcot Garden Rocks Series) This month has been crazy and fast. Took mom to Key West for her birthday. Got photos with the clothing optional bar sign at Garden of Eden but we were too scared to climb the stairs. (Been there done that was terrified much) Caught up on sleep. I’ve been working on a new June Nash novel and indulged in too many 10 hr writing days. Did some West World binging. Great show. Watch it!

While you wait for the new June novel, I have a free micro misadventure. June is trapped in Costa Rica and nature is not her friend. Get it free on Amazon or Kobo. Tell a friend and leave reviews! Every time you do June smiles at a random Dewzer. And it helps me get up in the morning and write more.

bungle_cover_6

That’s it for now. Stay cool (the heat sucks today) and Write On,

Melissa

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Crocodile hunting

Have a cow

Last week, we hit the Everglades National Park on our way back from Key West. No, that’s not a deformed Croc. It’s a manatee (aka sea cow) drinking fresh water that was dripping from a drainage pipe into the gulf. (Yes, I’m still working my way through video shot wrong.)

There’s a lot to do and see in the park but I had only one objective. Find a Croc. Best place was supposed to be Flamingo Marina. (There was a computer issue so we lucked into a free day in the park – normally a 25 dollar fee per carload good for 7 days)

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The 30 miles drive beyond the main gate takes you through some prime critter viewing. We moved a tiny tortoise (not sure what kind but he had a round bumpy shell) off the road, watched a pancake toirtose waddle away in a hurry when we stopped, because he was in the middle of the road, and got out of the car to investigate two hit snakes. Another car came sailing along from the opposite direction and we were glad we’d moved the tortoise.

If you go, do not forget the bug spray! I still have welts from the biting flies. Thankfully, some other Croc hunters shared their deep woods off.

 

And on your left…more water

IMG_0458We thought about taking a tour. But I’m cheap and it was something like 35 bucks. I figured we’d look from shore this trip and maybe take a tour next time if we struck out.

Turns out it was manatee breeding season and the sea cows were very excited. And everywhere. Crocs were my priority but I found myself squealing with delight every time I saw a pudgy nose poke up out of the water. We spotted a dozen, along with two dolphins. Most were by themselves, but we did see a pod of five just before they dropped back below the surface. One of the other tourists let me look through his mega lens for a closeup. It was nice but I can’t imagine carrying around a giant camera anymore. (I’m sure my husband is happy those days are long gone too. I was always looking through the lens)

Are you using both those eyes? 

Lots of Vultures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason, wandering through them on the shoreline wasn’t as creepy as seeing them hanging out in this tree. It kinda felt like they were planning something.

As we were heading back to the car, full of regret for not spilling the 35 bucks for the boat tour, I spotted a little Croc in the water next to the sea wall. Success! He was maybe 5 feet, with all of him visible as he floated in the water. Unfortunately, I scared him by jumping around shouting Croc. He sunk from sight before I could get a photo.

Stinker.

Next time, I think I’m going to bite the bullet and spend the cash on the tour. Boats cover a lot more territory than I can on foot. Plus, the folks on that boat seemed to be having fun.

Next time, I’ve got more photos and video from the new Pandora rides at Disneyworld.

Until then, Write On,

Melissa

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Free Summer Reads plus Crappy Video

(As usual, I suck at cell phone videos)

Yesterday, I wrote about our recent trip down to Key West. New book research, mojitos and the Hemingway 5K. You can read about that last part here. (and see more videos shot the wrong way)

We weren’t on the island for long, but I did have time to get in some last minute research on the new book in my June Nash MisAdventure series, followed by a meet up with my editor Lisa. And yeah, I hope to remember to turn my blasted cell phone sideways the next time I try to take video…. 

 

Free books and Previews

Work is progressing nicely on the next June Nash MisAdventure. More fun with Morgan, Cyrano, Dewzers and of course June and her bad decisions. I think it should be ready late fall/early winter. I’ll update that as things come together. In the meantime, how about a few free books for your summer reading lists?

Lose Yourself in Free Books

I’m excited to be a part of this very cool promo.  230 books and previews in 13 genres! You’ll find my first book in the June Nash MisAdventure series in the humor section. You’ve got 6 more days to get it for free, so don’t wait.

Until next time, Good Adventures (as June’s brother Dewey would say) and Write On,

Melissa

P.S.

If you download any of the books, stop back by and leave a note in the comments. What did you get?

 

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Disneyworld’s Pandora

img_0045
What is up with my cheeks? I look like I’ve just come from dental surgery

We finally had a chance to run up to Disneyworld to check out the new Pandora land in Animal Kingdom. The word amazing doesn’t do it justice. It’s a huge area, with winding paths, bizarre vegetation, tiny banshees to buy and perch on your shoulder and platforms with performers playing odd looking instruments. Though that could have just been the shadows.

I saw Avatar so long ago, that I can’t tell you if Disney has recreated that world accurately. I just know this place was fun.

Especially at night. If you have to leave before dark, you’ll miss what Pandora is really about.

 

Intense black light in your face color!

PhotoPass_Visiting_AK_403065478300

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When you arrive at Animal Kingdom, head for Tiffins (Stop and make a reservation. Fantastic food, a patio overlooking the water and very cool art covered walls inside) and then continue over the bridge and follow the path to reach Pandora. There are two new rides, a lazy river ride featuring very nifty animation that makes you think you’re watching the movie unfold just off in the distance…(which I didn’t quite get on video, sorry)

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If I remember correctly, that blue patch in the middle was a video screen

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…and my new favorite Disney ride, Flight of Passage.

As you wait in line, you wind through the interior of a mountain decorated by the natives of Pandora. Eventually, you make it to a research center. (Was there a research center in the movie? I can’t remember why they were wandering around Pandora) The details are worth the time in line. (We were so busy looking at things in the research facility that I forgot to take photos) I’m not sure how much fast pass skips over but do yourself a favor and go through the line at least once.

Once you get to the actual ride, you’re ushered into a long narrow room where you straddle what looks like a motorcycle, pop on goggles and stare at a wall, inches from your face. Once the ride starts, the wall melts into the world of Pandora and all your senses are involved as you ride your banshee over, through and around the lush landscape. I swear I could even smell the other banshees. Wait. It had been like 2089 degrees that day and I was in a little, narrow room with 8 or so people, so there’s probably no smell-o-vision. Still. It’s worth the wait.

I’ll get better photos on my next visit. (maybe next week) Till then, Write One,

Melissa