I took the big plunge into vanity, vanity license plates that is. When it came time to renew my plates, I did it online, which by the way was awesomely easy. (Yeah, I did just use an "ly" word here, but you know how they say you have to know the rule to break it. Well, I know the rule and I chose to break it cause that is pretty much how I talk.) Now back to my vanity plate.

When you renew online, there's a place where you can click to personalize your license plate. On an impulse, I clicked it and decided to see if a few things were available. I tried stuff like "WilliamsFamily", but of course that was way too long, so I tried "Williams" and also Willsfam", but both were still too long. ADOT only allows seven characters. Then I got thinking about having a plate with something to do with my writing on it. "Author" was taken and so was "Writer". I didn't like the idea of using either one of them with some random number, so I moved on.

My middle grade fantasy, Thundertail's Tales, has occupied the main recesses of my mind for the past three years so I tried "Sparkin" the name of the dragon that takes the young hero on some pretty wild adventures. It could be a good marketing tactic.

Voila, it was available. I thought long and hard --at least for one minute that is --about any possible connections to something unsavory or untoward, but figured the worst thing "Sparkin" could be linked to was going into a dark closet and chomping down on wintergreen lifesavers to make them flash and spark when I was younger. Sparkin was also used on dates by the same couples that ran off into the woods to snipe hunt. Not me of course, but I did witness some pretty slobbery kissing going on do to sparkin and snipe hunting, but that is fodder for another blog or story.

It took about four weeks for my new license plates to arrive. When they did, I felt like a kid on Christmas. I opened the yellow packing envelope and gazed down lovingly, yup another "ly". It was almost like seeing my book in print as I admired the Arizona sunset behind the big capital letters S P A R K I N. Almost like seeing the name in lights.

My sweet husband was delighted for me and promptly replaced my old plate. ADOT sent me two of the same plate so I put the second one in my writing place where I can admire it and dream of how maybe someday I will be driving around in my mommy-mobile-mini-van and someone will point at my license plate and say . . . "Hey, that's the name of the dragon in the book I'm reading."

Here's hoping that dreams come true.

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THUNDERTAIL'S TALES: THE LEGEND now flying free outside of my computer files! Three copies are now in existence and are in the hands of the Beta Readers --readers that will catch any typos and glitches. Once they are back in my hands, I will use them to finish polishing it, then Thundertail flies to New York and California. Easy flights for dragons. Pretty tickled around here. Stay tuned for the next update.

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This post is by the author of the book about me, the humble yet noble Sparkin of the Stoneloch Dragon Clan. She has some exciting news about what is happening to my story.


What's a query letter you say? It's a letter that is meant to convince an editor that your story is the greatest story ever told and that they absolutley have to have it even more than chocolate. A query letter is your proposal of sorts, your calling card, you're desperate plea to "PICK ME! PICK ME!" without sounding the least bit whiny or desperate.

I have been flying on Sparkin's back over Arizona for three years now and yet found the query letter about as much work. Wait a minute, hold the phone, and your horses or whatever it is you hold. I actually found the book an absolute delight to write. I love the characters, even the sinister ones and many times had to be called back to this planet to fix dinner, and attend to the worldy needs of my wonderful family. The query letter was more of a tear out your hair exercise that lasted through several months of research and 42 different versions, one to please each query letter expert. I studied the blurbs on the back of a gazillion books, and finally had an epiphany. Why not do the exercise outlined by one of my most favorite agents that I was blessed to have attended her presentation last April at the LDStorymakers Writers Conference?

So after the "why did it take you so long to figure it out," moment, I finally hit upon what the heart of this book is about and what makes it unique --yes Sparkin, I know it's really you that makes it unique. I realized it is a story of youth learning that they can do hard things, and learning that it is okay to be yourself even if you are different than others.

As Sparkin would say, "It is ever so sweet" to have it complete.

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Enter any that interest you or all if your heart desires.
EMAIL YOUR ANWERS TO:  http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/
YOU MUST INCUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, and email, along with your brilliant ANSWER
You can send in an entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:
(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to [email protected]. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.
(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, Day 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, Day 2, etc).
(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST
(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.
All winners will be “drawn” by WWW.RANDOM.ORG.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd-July 9th to read the names of the winners.

June 1
SPONSOR: Donna Hatch
PRIZE: Queen in Exile, (fantasy romance), autographed by author
QUESTION: The princess must rely upon her magic to save whom? (Hint: Look under “Bookshelf” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER: Amber Nielson, Vermont, USA
ANSWER:  Herself & her people from death & tyranny.

June 2
SPONSOR: Laurie Lewis
PRIZE: Awakening Avery (women's fiction), autographed copy
QUESTION: Avery's signal that she isn't handling her husband's death very well comes to her when she tosses what into what? (Hint: Look under “books &reviews, then click on the cover to Awakening Avery and read the first chapter)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.laurielclewis.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:  Barbara Stilwell
ANSWER: The remote into the TV

June 3
SPONSOR: E.A. West
PRIZE: Riley's Mission (PDF: romantic suspense)
QUESTION: Where does Jade sit after she sees Aziz Khadoul? (Hint: Click on “Books” tab, then on “excerpt” link for Riley’s Mission)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://eawest.mcphitty.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:  Judy Cox, Louisiana, USA
ANSWER: An empty wheel chair

June 4
SPONSOR: Jenna Dawlish
PRIZE: Sprig of Thyme (Victorian romance), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the name of the hero in Jenna's first novel Love Engineered? (Check out “The Library” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.jennadawlish.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER: Ginny Romney Arizona, USA
ANSWER: Charles Lucas

June 5
SPONSOR: Rachael Renee Anderson
PRIZE: Divinely Designed (contempo

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Christmas day, I pushed the send button, and Thundertail left the Superstition Mountains to visit the editor. It was tough to let him go, but also very liberating for us both.  Now the faeries are settling in around the house, whispering their story into my ears.  Writing is so much fun. Fly high Thundertail!

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Sparkin just finished besting the Grand Master. It was pretty iffy for awhile.  He is on his final journey out the door and into the world.  I wish you well my friend!

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November 20th, 2009.  Thundertail hid in Cindy's bag and made a surprise visit at Highland Park Elementary.  Cindy was visiting with the students and reading her book, "Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today," when the big fellow stuck his head out. A ripple of excitement greeted the friendly dragon.  Thundertail just may decide to visit school children more often. He found them quite delectable, I mean quite delightful.

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Sparkin in in a holding pattern, gliding high over the Superstition Mountains right now. My great editor is unable to get to him until after the Holidays. I just hope a zephyr doesn't blow him away!

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I left in a hurry today to help my son's school class sell boo grams during lunch time.  I love, I mean absolutely LOVE to be with the children. There is so much energy and smiles everywhere.  Children are so real.  There was only one problem today.  I left home in the middle of revising the climax to Thundertail.  Sparkin was flying like a zig zagging bat to out run the Gatekeepers of Shadows. He, Chase, Cheif and three Warrior Fairies were literally flying for their lives!  Can you even imagine how heartless I felt leaving them all up in the air with the Gatekeepers and the Shibber Goyls closing in on them.  Okay, I'm home now, so hold on Sparkin.  Here I come!

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Hi all my dragon loving friends! The Arizona dragons, which is where Sparkin lives are getting twitchy. They have been waiting for near 350 years to step into the human world once again. Are you ready for them? I sure am. Keep your eye on the sky!

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by Cindy R. Williams

I did it! I just wrote the two magic words I have been waiting to write for just shy of three, YES THREE YEARS! What two words am I talking about? Thanks for asking. They are, "THE END".

I sat on my love seat in my bedroom with my computer on my lap when I wrote those two incredible words. I looked around my room at the bazillion dragons and fairies smiling down on me.

I leaned back on the sofa in shock wondering what a writer is supposed to do at this monumental juncture in the journey of their first 170,000 word novel.

"Wishing You Were Here" by Chicago was playing on my favorite writing TV music channel. I love Chicago and thought how great it was that I finished with their music playing.

Good things seem to happen that coincide with Chicago.

In fact, I owe my marriage to Chicago. My husband and I met buying tickets to attend their concert at BYU.

Now if you're asking in the back of your mind, "What is she doing writing a 170,000 word novel? Middle Grade fanatasies should only be around 60-70,000 words." Let me explain.

The idea for Thundertail came way back in November of 2007 as a bed time story to my then six year old Chase McKay. Yes, the same Chase McKay that inspired the children's book. I felt it was the right time to learn how to take my stories to the next level and get them written down.

This led to meeting a woman that would change my life, Dr. Pamela Goodfellow. She recently relocated from Seattle, where she taught Creative Writing at the University of Seattle. She also owns Goodfellow Publishing Services. She was offering classes through Gilbert Parks and Recreation. I felt that I could afford this, and one night a week away from the family would not destroy them so I signed up.

Now, almost three years later, I have completed all nine college writing courses and graduated from Dr. Goodfellow's program. My first published book, Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today, has been named a finalist in the Arizona Glyph Awards. I have several other awards from short stories, essays, and first chapters contest. And now, finally, I have finished Book One of the four book series of Thundertail.

Thundertail was originally going to be three books, but I split the first book in half so instead of 170,000 words, it is now around 80,000 words. Yeah, I know, still a bit long and my editor will probably make me tighten it some. Also,with a few revisions the remaining 90,000 words will become Book Two of the series.

When I finished the last chapter, I realized that it brought the closure needed, loose ends tied up, a hook for the next book and that I really, really was done. I just looked at my computer dumbfounded, then had to mentally nudge myself to type the official words, "The End".

I called my good friend and writing buddy, Melinda, and shared my news. She was delighted and of course this calls for a QT (Quick Trip - soda) or DQ (Dairy Queen - Blizzard) run to celebrate. Then I called my husband. Sorry sweetie, no offense. I think the idea of celebrating with ice cream tempted me.

My sweet husband has been editing for me. He has a great eye for content flow, grammar, punctuation, spelling and typos. Lucky me, I know. Actually, if you knew my husband, you would realize I am one of the luckiest ladies to have ever lived on this or any planet.

When I called my sweetie, I read the last twenty sentences or so to him, then waited to see if he understood what it meant. He let out a huge burst of laughter and said, "You did it! You finished the book!" We laughed and I beamed so bright I am sure he could see it even through the phone.

After I hung up, I jumped up and down and ran around the upstairs of my house doing the "I finished the book" jig. I didn't know how to do this jig before now. It is something that comes from deep inside and just flows out every muscle. I'm sure I looked quite goofy, probably like someone who snorts jello, but I don't mind. No one was home but the cats, dogs, fish, and the hamster and what do they care? In fact I am feeling another jig coming on. So this is "The End" of this blog. Oh . . . this feels so good! I can't believe I am saying this, but this is even better than chocolate!!!!!!!!

Also posted on ANWA Founder and Friends and Dragons Dreamer

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Sparkin is trapped in a dungeon. The Gatekeepers of Shadows have him in a metal cage. It is common knowledge that magic doesn't work on iron, and naturally the cage is made of iron. Sparkin is in a heap of trouble.

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NO WAY!!! The dogs were barking late last night so I quietly opened the balcony door and stepped out to see what was up. I saw a small black shadow like thing about the size of an eight year old hunched down and running, yes running, along the top of the back wall of the house behind me. (Behind our back fence is an 18 SRP Easement, then the neighbors fence.)

Chills sped up and down my spine. I squinted my eyes and leaned over the edge of the balcony trying to try to get a better look, and the thing continued scurrying along the wall until it was out of site under the overhanging branches of a tree.

It was way larger than a black cat, and didn't have the grace of a cat. It was way to small for one of the many lizards I see daily on the fences. I really don't think it could have been a person because it was scrambling too fast and was all hunched down. It would have to have been a child, and what child is out at about 2:00 in the morning.

I surmise it was a goblin. Anyone else have a guess?

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Sparkin just flew through cyberspace and is going to appear in print. I'm not sure who is more excited. The only worry is if his wings will fit on the page.

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Kastle is sad tonight, and so alone. She has gone for a fly about which always cheers her up. Gilding in the breeze brings so much peace like floating on shimmering clouds. Seeing the world from the sky gives a completely different perspective and soon, all is not lost. A change of scenery often helps the heart through tough times.

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Dragon scales. Some say that dragon's skin is leathery, others say it is a much like a snakes. I know it is a bit of both. The scales are real scales, but they differ in size. The largest, along the back, can lift up to allow air in to keep the dragon cool. The smaller ones can do the same, but they are not only smaller, but thinner, and can snap quite easily.

One of the wisest of all dragons, Ancient Birkwood lost an ear in a battle with a knight in shining armor, a dragon slayer no less. There were quite a few scales on that ear, some big, some small. The dragon slayer was a member of the Gatekeepers of Shadows, and he created talismans out of the scales. This was a bad thing, because any part of a dragon, any little bit or piece has great magic. So now the bad dudes have something of value from the dragons. The only good thing is that they are not the smartest earthlings on the planet, so they have yet to figure out all the magic the scales can do.

You can read more about these dragons in the Book Tab on cindyrwilliams.com. Thundertail is the book, and you will see it out and about in the near future.

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I was thinking about dragon ears today. Are they soft and leathery, or are they covered with scales. The more I thought about it, the more I realized they are actually both. They have a soft leather like skin as a framework, but the are also covered with scales---scales that are much smaller than the others covering the rest of their bodies.

I also know they are very keen of hearing. Delightfully so. This skill is very useful and thought to be magic, but it isn't.

Take this situation that happened today. I was voicing my concerns about dragon ears aloud, in the privacy of my writing love seat in my very own bedroom, when a gaggle, flock, gang, herd, swarm, school, . . . of dragons flew by and overheard me through closed windows. That is how I received the answer about their ears.

However, now I have another question. What is the term for a group of dragons flying together? Oh, I shouldn't have read this out loud unless I really wanted the answer. They are called a clan. Thank you Sparkin, my fine dragon friend, now go home to bed in your Lair. It is late!

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by Cindy R. Williams, the author and dreamer.

It is time to work on the editing and final put together to send Thundertail on his way. I find I freeze up because of fear. Is it fear of failure or fear of success? Hmm . . . I will have to examine this a little closer. I see 42 dragons, 16 fairies, a turtle, a Wild Thing, my Cindy Doll, a BYU bear, a pink poodle music box, an octopus, and Nessy, the Loch Ness Monster, all quietly watching me. They seem to be waiting for me to finish, urging me on, with patience and acceptance in their grins. Pressure from the magic world along with the human world. Alrighty then, it is time to sink or swim.

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Dragons are real. If you don't believe, please go to another site. This magical place is for believers only. Long story short, a large clan now lives in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. They came here around 350 years ago to escape the dragon slayers in Europe. More later

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Several more dragons visited in hopes that their story can come forward sooner than later. They have been hated and hunted for far too long.

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