IWSG: Burnt Bridges - and New Road Construction

Aloha,

 

As a serial non-commenter, I know I've burnt many bridges over the last few months - to where I am sure some bloggers consider me quite the arse(onist!)

 
I can’t change the past, or make someone follow me, but I can apologize to those who feels slighted at my lack of return-commentness.

I am sorry and humbly ask for your forgiveness.

 

Of course, anyone who doesn’t read me anymore won't see this – the irony, the irony! – but I can, at least ease my guilt with this "I am not wordy!" selfie post via the Insecure Writers Support Group.

(And, a huge thanks to Alex for founding IWSG – and for stressing me out every first Wednesday of the month :)

Truthfully, I didn’t feel I had anything to say the last few months.

I had no words of advice.

In addition, I definitely had no “rah rah” to offer.

I won’t waste time on excuses, but realized several weeks ago that I had given up on myself, which makes me a little sad.

(I am, however, a lot happy that I realized this now – and not in twenty years.)

Like many others, I have a lot of baggage inside me, but it was getting so bad that I started to charge myself $25 every time I jumped in the minivan.

But see, I want to contribute to IWSG and say, “Yes, I Write Some Great posts.”

I can’t repair the burnt bridges (that’s a two-way road), but I can repair my side.

So, today is a good day.

Today is a write day.

Yes!

I am a Writer.

HEAR ME…

 

...stub my toe...

 

(Oww!)

 Have a great week everyone and hug a writer, why don't you :)
 

I'm Co-Hosting IWSG & You Watched "Look Up" yet?

Aloha,

Many people may think the rest of this sentence is an oxymoron, but I'm co-hosting the Insecure Writers Support Group today.

 (I am, of course, the current holder and multi-year winner of the CROW award, [Comments Rarely-Obtuse Writer] but I'm delighted to assist Alex, the founder of IWSG, and his ongoing mission to give back and pay it forward.

My co-hosts today are Joylene Nowell Butler, Elsie and Lisa Buie-Collard, and together we are your honorary Cavanaugh Clones-for-a-day.

Getting the chance to wear a prototype IWSG uniform was a surprise, too!

Opening the box, the garb was instantly dubbed "The Cloniform."

(I was nearly rendered unconscious as I battled against the glare of the 100% polyester, '80s era McDonalds-style shirt and pants.)

However, wearing the Cloniform (complete with its big Rush*Really*Rocks logo above the heart) got me to the [twilight] zone as I prepared to zap around the blogisfear and interact with long-timers and newbies alike.

By the way, Alex, my uniform was a bit tight around the waist and the "HELLO, My Name is ________ badge fell off, but I stapled it back on.

(The blood above my formerly coconut-bra-ensconced chest slowed - eventually - to a slow dripping, but I don't know what to do with the Cloniform... I may have destroyed its aesthetic appeal...)

Anyway, before I zip to my zooming, guess what? I don't have any new insecurities.

Cue 19-second video:

PS: If you want some bonus positive thoughts flowing your way, check out this video below.

Since its release, two weeks ago, about 20 million people have watched this five-minute clip. If you haven't seen it yet, I hope you can take a moment to hear a special poem - and catch a unique message.

I am 100 percent secure in saying this - if you do watch, it will make you at least think about powering down on social media...

Happy IWSG Day to everyone... and don't forget to look up :)

Well played, A-Zers, well played...& Father Dragon, too!

Aloha,

Just wanted to give a HUGE Congrats to everyone who completed the A-Z Challenge yesterday.

[coughs and puts on the oul' Dublin accent]

"C'mere to me now. All I can say is that I tink youse are all a few pennies short of a shilling and a bunch of lunatics, but fair play to youse all the same.

There is no way - you couldn't PAY me - to do what you mad ones have all gone and just done.

So, like I said, fair balls to youse and go on, relax now for a few days.

Youse have earned it - and the coveted A-Z Survivor badge.

Wear it high and hang it proud :)"

[Ends Dublin accent.]

PS: if anyone hasn't seen Alex starring in Part One of the "Lord of the Clones: The Showdown," you can see Father Dragon's very creative storyboard - AND Video !!! - here.

"Dirty Dancing" at its finest!!!

Lord of the Clones: The Showdown... coming Tuesday :)

Aloha,

It. Is. Time... to share the news!!

Al Diaz's Lord of the Clones: The Showdown goes LIVE this Tuesday, April 29.

Fr. Dragon and his band of dwarves have worked *really* hard this month to make the two-minute Video (storyboard panels are soooo Part Two).

Here's the amazing teaser banner... please feel free to pull and post if you can (much obliged for your help, y'all :)

The Showdown is the final installment in Father Dragon's awesome Lord of the Clones series, starring me as Lord Baldernot and some guy called Alex, better know as the Writin' Dude in Black Jammies.

If you've missed Part One, find it here:

Part One

and Part Two is here.

Part Two

Use the comments section to vote for your favorite, and Fr. Dragon will be ably assisted by guest judge Jeff Hargert. (It is rumored that Jezebel's Punch will be available after the voting boots walk off the stage :)

Thanks, as always, to Al for sharing his time and his talents and to Alex for not rolling his eyes too much at my wonderful, funny digs I send his way :)

Al is such a masterful artist and I am forever grateful to be a bald part of this fun series.

Set your smart phone alarms and see you Tuesday... I can't wait to see if my sassy dance moves will take down the Ninja ninny :)

Part 2: Lord of the Clones (written/created by Al Diaz)

Aloha,

For those following the ongoing saga, Father Dragon’s “Lord of the Clones” Part Two goes live today.

 

 

Written and created by Al Diaz, Lord of the Clones is an original comic strip "starring" me as Lord Baldernot and Alex J. Cavanaugh as The Dude in the Black Jammies.

The artwork is truly amazing and worthy of a comparison to anything Marvel releases.
If you missed the earlier fun, here is Part One.

 From Al:

The Lord of the Clones, Part 2.

“The Dragon Cave is getting hot, and they haven’t started singing yet.

Lord Baldernot is out to pick up a fight with Ninja Cloner, and his persuasion methods never fail.

A steaming confrontation awaits all and all will be revealed: Monday the 17th.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.”

*THANKS* Al, and to read Part Two, click HERE.

 

Lord of the Clones: Part TWO.... This Monday :)

Aloha,

I’m super excited to share the news that Father Dragon’s “Lord of the Clones” Part Two will go live this Monday, Feb. 17.

 

 

If you missed the fun first time around, click here to see LOTC Part One, an amazing Comic Strip written and created by Al Diaz.

 From Al:

The Lord of the Clones, Part 2.

Starring Alex J. Cavanaugh and Mark Koopmans

“The Dragon Cave is getting hot, and they haven’t started singing yet.

Lord Baldernot is out to pick up a fight with Ninja Cloner, and his persuasion methods never fail.

A steaming confrontation awaits all and all will be revealed: Monday the 17th.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.”

 

I have no doubt this is going to be as awesome as Part One! (Thanks again, Al :)

By the way, the Dude in the Black Jammies needs to take a chill pill and accept that Lord Baldernot and his Shine will never be darkened by clones.

Never!

Hmm, you know what... My gauntlet, I need my gauntlet! Fetch me my gauntlet, Sally!

(Lord B… Hi, this is Hairy. I still haven’t met Sally, but there’s a bigger problem. We can’t find the official gauntlet…you already dropped it somewhere, I believe.)

But I need my gauntlet… What are my options?

(Whispers….)

Really? I am Lord of all Balderville, and this is what you offer me?

(Shrugs shoulders… )

 Several minutes pass… as Lord B tries not to wig out in frustration.

 

OK, give me the replacement gauntlets.

 

(There you go, O Shiny One.)

Now, hear me, Dude in the Black Jammies. Hear me and fear me. Fear Lord Baldernot as I throw down these soft, blue knitted mittens.

Bring. It. On.

 

The REVEAL: Coconut Bra and Grass Skirt...

Aloha,

Several weeks ago, El Capitan Alejandro de los Cavanaughs participated in Jamie Ayres' "18 Truths" blog hop where players offered three scenarios.

Two truths, one lie - and readers had to guess correctly.

Looking over Alex's three options here, it was an Absolute. No. Brainer.

I guessed incorrectly.

Of course.

I have no hair, and now apparently, I have no brains.


But, dang nab it!!!

(Gnashes teeth)

I was *so* sure that I nailed the right answer that I said (via comments and in a moment of Kona coffee-inspired bravado) that I would, if proved wrong, take and post a picture of me wearing a grass skirt...


Here then is the reveal of the grass skirt.

The coconut bra is a freebie, 'cos if I'm having my picture taken wearing this horrendous attire, I may as well go down in flames - if not in style.

 

 

 

But, Mark... when will the picture be taken? When will it be posted??

 

That my friends is the 64,000 bitcoin question... and I am gathering the much-needed Dutch courage (and hoping to find an empty beach....)

 

Watch this space... and all will - sadly - be revealed :)

 

 

PS.... is it just me, or does the grass skirt have a smirk on its face?



Father Dragon's Lord of the Clones - The Challenge

Aloha,

If you haven't had the chance to see Father Dragon's amazing new Musical, Lord of the Clones - The Challenge, you really should stop on by.

Our friend, Al Diaz, put some serious time and effort and it absolutely shows in the sheen of my baldness :)

Part 1 is up now, and the link is here.


From Father Dragon:

"The Cave's changed. I hear it in the kitchen. I taste it in the mead. I smell it in the air. The Dwarves are dragonless and bored. We shall go out and make some trouble."  Tassin, leader of the DCS.

Starring:

Ninja Cloner 
Alex J. Cavanaugh

Lord Baldernot (He Who Must Not Be Shaved)
Mark Koopmans

Lord Baldernot's Hair Knitters
Tassin, father of Sessin; Sessin, son of Tassin; Pancholin, grandson of Manolin and Milin, son of Carmelita

Special appearance of S.A.M. the Ninja Muse

Written by S.A.M and the DCS.
Produced and Directed by: the DCS.

***The Lord of the Clones, the Musical, is brought to you by Father Dragon (it's his cave) and his amazing and MOST creative dwarves (that's us!). Actors will be paid in gummy bears, except the clones. Dwarves have Ninja Insurance with unlimited Ninja Responsibility. That's in case we have to pay S.A.M a ransom to let Alex go at the end of the show. Legal claims, it's all S.A.M.'s fault. Take her!

###

Thanks, Father Dragon and all I can say is the Dude in the Black Jammies is goin' down!!!

 

IWSG: I lost my Pantser. Should I Skirt on a Schedule?

Aloha,

Did you know? The first Wednesday of the month has been trademarked as a time to share with the Insecure Writers Support Group.

Led by Alex CASSAnaugh, the Ninja Captain is ably supported this month by CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan and Michelle Wallace.

This month, I’m insecure about my male pattern baldness.

Dang, wrong email…. Hang on a mo, bro... oh here we go…

I’m worried that I’m losing readers because I have no set schedule. But, do I need a schedule?

Although a little confused, I'm planning to roll out the schedule listed below, which would begin the first Monday of 2034. (This gives me time to iron out any font, layout or spell-check issues.)

In the meantime, I’d really like your input.

Is the schedule too hot, or too hard to follow?

Too cold, or too soft to the etouch?

And, has anyone seen Baby Bear?

WEEK ONE:

MONDAY: OPEN (for cover reveals, bloghops, etc.)

WEDNESDAY: ISWG (what?)



A Beach

 

FRIDAY: Happening in Hawaii (Things to do/places to go while visiting O’ahu.)

 

 

 

WEEK TWO:

MONDAY: OPEN

            WEDNESDAY: Mark’s Musings (who only knows what will pop out of my mouth – but it will be terribly serious.)

The Southernmost point of the U.S. (on the Big Island)

 

FRIDAY: Friday Fotos (Pictures of the islands – and its people)

WEEK THREE:

MONDAY: OPEN



Ear-warmers: Secret way to use a Boppy #102

 

WEDNESDAY: Writer’s Wednesday (I’ll share my depth of knowledge (will be a short series)

FRIDAY: You Know You’re A Parent When… (My ongoing series as a stay-at-home dad to three mini-marks)

WEEK FOUR:

MONDAY: OPEN

            WEDNESDAY: Book Review

FRIDAY: Do You Have Goals Bloghop (this ongoing series is the brainchild of Misha Gericke.)

(When there’s a WEEK FIVE, one shall wing it.)

Thanks for taking the moment to review and share your thoughts via the comments – and, oh… if anyone has an idea or a suggestion, I have a box for that, too :)

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh: It's Time...

Aloha,

I'm super excited to be a part of "our" Alex's latest book launch, and as such, each person on his Linky List had an opportunity to ask him a question.

Here's mine:

With the success of the CASSA series, do you plan a Botox regimen to retain your youthful looks ahead of your 50th Birthday?

He said:

You ask that as if I needed it!

Fortunately I still look young and easily pass for someone in my thirties.

And I still have all my hair!*

Of course, it’s a bit grey now…

*Editor's Note: Whatever, dude. Don't make me mad, man :)

########

CassaStorm By Alex J Cavanaugh

OHHH! Look what's in my grubby, little hands :)

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind. Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy.

And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…



“CassaStorm is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

"Cavanaugh makes world building on the galactic scale look easy. The stakes affect the entire known universe and yet Cavanaugh makes it intensely personal for our hero. The final installment of this series will break your heart and put it back together." - Charity Bradford, science fantasy author of The Magic Wakes


$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002

eBook ISBN 9781939844019 $4.99

EBook available in all formats Find CassaStorm: Barnes and Noble -

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002 Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm Goodreads -

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm Book trailer -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years.

A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games.

Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, Alex lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website (as if you need it:) http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

"GaryFest" is *THIS* Monday & I see you, IWSG post

Aloha,

Before I begin with the insecurity of my writerly lack of security and posit on my latest WIP deposit, I wanted to remind you, dear friends, the Anti-Bloghop that is “GaryFest” kicks off this coming Monday.

Full details are totally here, like.

The last I looked, we were only nine hundred and fifty-one away from 1,000 who have signed up via the Linky List - so come on down and join the fun :)

In other awesome sauce news…

It’s time to once again think before you write the acronym for Insecure Writers Support Group.

In case you don't know, IWSG was founded by a non-mandolin-playing dude called Alex (and funded, in 400 parts by his new start-up, “Clones ‘R’ Us”)

IWSG is a place where discovering a writer friend in the fetal position next to a overflowing trashcan of crumpled white printer paper is considered OK, and where weeping of grown men with shiny bald heads is encouraged.

All this happens only because of the wonder that is the Fellowship of IWSG.

 

 

You don’t need a precious ring or even remove a huge, old sword from an older rock to participate, but when you do, you *will* leave stronger than before you posted.

Of that I promise you :)

(Now, where's the darn box of Kleenex...)

###

This month, as I bury myself in WIP#2, I’m going with a simple insecurity:

I rarely ask questions at the bottom of my posts.

Is that bad?

I understand asking a question is a way to entice commenters to bite at your hook, but I grew up* (subject to change at author-reader discussion and discretion) as a beat reporter who was supposed to WOW! the reader and leave ‘em with a zinger of a thought.

And, if I got "THE QUOTE" to end the article, that was like finding two jars of Trader Joe's Cookie Butter on the shelf :)

So, what do you think?

Do you ask questions at the bottom of the post – or leave ‘em with a zinger of a thought/quote?

New Bloggers! Don't Quit - Keep Writing - Followers Ahead!

Aloha,

All this week, I tried valiantly – but unsuccessfully – to personally respond to the 171 comments stemming from my recent D-Day post.

I ground to a halt and my mindset shifted gears when Lily Eva Blake replied to my comments and said she was “honored” that I stopped by to comment on her “baby blog.”

While I appreciated her very kind words, it shouldn’t be an honor to receive a comment and a new blog is only a Alex J. Cavanaugh-type blog in waiting.

My point is that I am no one special and there no magic tricks to the (perceived) success of my blog, so anyone starting off needs not to feel worry, but excitement.

I wrote my first post on 9/11/11 – but only because I’d been struggling to find a topic to write about.

And on the 10^th anniversary of the worst attacks on our soil, I knew I felt passionate enough to share my feelings.

I wrote, rewrote, edited, sat on it, rewrote it and sat back with a satisfied sigh.

I garnered one comment – from my pastor.

Point: I didn’t know what to write about – and I still don’t sometimes – just look at my labels, but the point is to be just YOU.

It cracks me up no end to see all the different direction I have gone with this blog and that’s fine.

MY point is your online “voice” has to be the same as your real voice. As in real life, we all have a unique voice, so have a conversation with us – don’t share your thesis.

These days, my “writing” blog seems to be much more about Parenting and Patriotism than Prose and Parenthesis, and again that’s OK. It’s working for me.

PS. And, be patient – pay your dues.

I’ve been blogging nearly three years and have just recently finished WIP#1.

I have no agent and my book isn’t published – but boy what a wonderful internship I’ve had here in what I jokingly call the Blogisfear.

So, comment on other blogs, promote a cover reveal, enter a bloghop or tweet a new release. Keep doing things like this, and we will find you ;)

Finally, never, EVER give up.

IF writing is your dream – don’t quit – there is no age limit to being a published author.

Remember… Failure is not an option – it’s a choice.

Can anyone add to what I’ve mentioned and share any other tips with new bloggers?

Co-hosting IWSG: My "Issue"? New Beginnings & Bad Baseball :)

Aloha,

 

 

Before I begin… an official, zeal-filled SHOUT OUT to all the wonderful (and I’m sure happy-that-it’s-over) A-Zers who completed the Challenge…and then realized late last night that IWSG was today!

(It’s not my fault… Blame it on Murphy’s Law or Cavanaugh’s Calendar :)

Speaking of Alex, I have the pleasure of helping with this month’s IWSG alongside Lynda R. Young and Rachna Chhabria.

Personally, I look forward to catching up with the many Bloggers who’ve generously commented on my blog these last few weeks while I took a needed editing hiatus.

My writing Insecurity this month stems from the beautiful ballyhoohaa that is Baseball (although if you are, like me, a *rabid* fan of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, there is little to be happy this week, month or year!)

Take Monday night – (please, I don’t want it back!!)

I watched and/or listened to six-and-a-half hours of ball until the Angels lost the game in the bottom of the 19^th inning.

(However, I spent a couple of you-can’t-buy-this-for-money hours with my five-year-old son as we watched innings #9-16. So, it wasn’t all bad. I take away some great family memories that I will treasure forever... once I stop crying like a gurl.)

Which made me think.

Here I am, about to begin WIP #2 (starting July 1, I officially remove the cellophane from my seven remaining brain cells.)

Which is all well and good, but what am I going to write about?

Am I nuts for even trying?

Where do I begin?

Seriously.

I have hundreds of scraps of paper running around my ideas folder, (which reminds me of a red-bricked, soot-covered ye Olde English orphanage, only I call it The Wordage.)

The Wordage is a place of security for all scraps, such as multi-colored Post-its, beverage squares, McDonalds’s napkins, small yellow pads, folded-in-half printer paper, legal size yellow pads, and even a printed copy of a Smart phone picture depicting a note scribbled on a fuzzy palm (mine, not a tree.)

All the scraps belong to several dozen ideas that float around The Wordage.

Some are older than others, and a few are hardier than the rest, but nothing stands out more than this one, cheeky little idea that keeps coming back for more.

Using a random filing system, I’ve codenamed the idea “Oliver.”

(Quite unique, I’m sure you’ll agreeJ)

 But…

·         Will the Angels ever win again? (They lost again Tuesday, sob...)

·         Will the Oliver idea bear fruit – or will there be a twist?

·         Should my ideas be even allowed to roam the streets alone?

Who knows?

It is, however, going to be so much fun to find out.

Finally, on behalf of Linda, Rachna, Alex Cavanaugh and Art Bell, thanks for joining us for another edition of Coast-to-Coast AM, er, sorry, I mean Insecure Writers Support Group (where you are never wrong as long as you write.)

This is not Alex J. Cavanaugh