No Excuses!

For those of you who have met my dog and think she's pretty great, I have to concede that the dog in this vid is infinitely more amazing. There are parts where I seriously wonder if it's a human in a dog suit. Never mind that it is proportionately impossible, but I have never, EVER seen a dog this happy to dance. She clearly loves it just as much as my dog loves catching a frisbee.

Enjoy!

Anyone Got a Whip?

I need some help staying on task. I'm writing, all right, but I'm not writing what I should be writing. Kay'sVille is so close to done. In fact, I have to cut about 40 pages of content to get to word count, but my brain just isn't there. It's in YA Fantasy land. It's outplaying with Hex and my other muses (in the story that's going to win an award of some sort on September 18th. YAY!!!).

That's the thing about muses. You can't always dictate which ones are going to want to talk to you and when. And sometimes muses get sick of you. Well, not of you, in this case. Me. Is it fashion week somewhere, because Kay is MIA.

Two weeks. That's what I've got... two weeks of a bored dog staring at me in bafflement as to why I sit in the same spot...

All. Day. Long.

So close to done, but I need a kick in the pants. Any whip crackers out there?

Writing, Writing, Writing...

So, I'm trying to be productive. I really am, even though it's hard to feel productive when you sit in the same seat all day--which really isn't a chair, but a trunk you've been using as a chair because you gave your other real chair away when you moved and it didn't fit in your new space.

Yeah, I totally need a chair. One of those ergonomic ones. That would rock!

Anyway, Kay'sVille is due in 4 weeks and I want to have my YA fantasy book finished in 2 weeks.

Yes, you heard right. YA Fantasy, which may seem a strange departure away from LDS mystery, but it truly is my passion. I think I technically fall into what is becoming the "New Adult" category, but in about 2 weeks I will unveil this project you as I launch my campaign to get an agent before the end of September.

Yes, again you heard right. *channels Veruca Salt* "I want an agent, and I want one now!" And I'm totally going to need your help in convincing said agent that I'm the author they've been praying for every time they open an email. Because, let's face it, agents out there want to find rock star authors, so that just means it's time for me to rock out, right?

That's what I'm working on this week: become future agent's fantasy author.

Oh, and write Kay'sVille... and finish the seriously awesome YA book I'm currently calling "The Few" (although title suggestions are TOTALLY welcome).

Now you're up to date on my life.

Back to writing... on a trunk. :)

Both Bizarre & Impressive

So... based on this vid, it isn't lack of athleticism that leaves India out of the winner's circle at the Olympics in gymnastics. It's... well... I contend that it very well may be something I've just decided to call the "Flinch Factor." Totally impressive routines, though:

Is it just me, or do they look like crocodiles and constrictors on that thing? I'm pretty sure that second guy could choke out any living thing in record time... just sayin'.

Review from Jennie Hansen

Quoted from Meridian Magazine

Rhea Jensen isn't your typical twenty-something Mormon young woman. She's into skydiving, racecar driving, and mountain climbing. She's also a private investigator with a shed full of investigative tools, not all of which are quite legal. Her methods skirt pretty close to the line as well and raise a few questions of conscience in this recent convert's mind. Stalk Lake City is the second volume in the Rhea Jensen Series by Sheralyn Pratt.

Rhea, pronounced Ray, joined the Church at the end of volume one, without a lot of knowledge about the Church, but a conviction that what the missionaries taught her is true. Besides she made a bargain with God when her life was on the line that if she got out of that mess alive she'd be baptized and Rhea always keeps her word. Feeling certain her lifestyle and her job aren't compatible with her new religion and to be closer to a certain young man, she moves to Utah. But when an intriguing case falls in her lap with a little help from her best friend in L.A. she can't resist the challenge.

Someone is stalking the pretty red-haired news anchor at a local television station. There are plenty of suspects, including a motorcycle riding boxer the woman has been dating, the station manager, and a odd assortment of co-workers, and Rhea chases down their secrets one by one.

Rhea is quite sure she's in love with the young man who first introduced her to Salt Lake, but there's a neighbor who shares her love for living dangerously and she can't stop thinking about him or turning to him when her workaholic boyfriend isn't available.

The action is fast and dangerous, the language gritty, and though Rhea is firmly committed to the gospel, she's not sure she'll ever fit in or get the answers she seeks concerning the strange new culture she finds herself in.

This series is fun and more like a hard-boiled detective genre than is usually found in LDS mystery/suspense novels. Though there's a touch of romance in the novel, it's not the main story, and it's quite clear Rhea isn't really looking for "happily ever after" just yet. There are references to the Church and even one very nice answer to a question that bothers some converts, especially women, but the book is far from preachy and decidedly irreverent in places. Pratt's characters never actually curse and they don't use phony euphemisms either, yet there's a grittiness that may bother some readers. Rhea is a well-developed character and she does grow in self-awareness throughout the book, but other characters are only developed as far as necessary for their role in the story. That's alright because the hard-boiled detective novel is always long on action and mystery with the plot being more important than secondary characters. This plot is satisfyingly complex and it was fun to follow the twists and turns to a satisfying conclusion.

Sheralyn Pratt lives in Salt Lake City and has tried her hand at a number of things. She has been a karate instructor and a private investigator. She's also heavily involved in the publishing industry.

* * *

STALK LAKE CITY by Sheralyn Pratt, published by Bonneville Books, paperback, 214 pages, $14.99

Why I'm Never Asked to Babysit...

The reasons I'm never asked to babysit may not be many, but I understand why I'm not chosen. After all, the last time I was given guardianship over a group of children, half of them ended up on a school roof because I was teaching them to do this:



Most parents don't need much more of a reason to choose someone else to watch their child while they're away...

How to Make a Bump Key?

Did you notice in book 2 that Rhea uses a bump key to get into a secured apartment building without a moment's pause? Wondering how easily she could get into your home?

Check out this vid:

Videos Like This Warm My Heart

Yes. They warm my heart because I love that the characters I see so clearly in my head come to life in other people's minds when they read my stories. Maybe that's a bit narcissistic, but if I don't like this video, who will?

It's always fun to see how people cast the characters in my books, and this vid gives you a look as to what Kayla pictures as she reads. Do you agree with her casting?

"Stalk" Lake Scavenger Hunt Winners Announced :)

It took 18 minutes for the team representing the Springville Museum of Art to clinch the $1,000 donation.

Wow. That's all I can say, other than a BIG thanks to all her participated. I wish you ALL could have won...

For those of you who missed it, here's a look at the two teams that walked away with donations: Springville Museum of Art ($1,000 Grand Prize) and the Utah Refugee Coalition ($100 Barnes & Noble "Spirit Award")

We always like it when the governor drops by. He stopped in to congratulate the Springville Museum of Art on their win. (Note: Please ignore the riffraff in the foreground ;))

Meet the team with the most spirit: The Utah Refugee Coalition. And if this piture looks more "portait" than "spirit," please keep scrolling down.

The team that grabbed a $1,000 donation after a week of prepping and 18 minutes of executing.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

See press release below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2010

“STALK” LAKE SCAVENGER HUNT AWARDS $1,000 DONATION
The Springville Museum of Art Uses Knowledge of Salt Lake City to Win $1,000 Donation from Sponsors

Salt Lake City, Utah—Eighteen minutes after seven teams embarked on the “Stalk” Lake Scavenger Hunt Saturday, the team representing the Springville Museum of Art crossed the finish line to claim a $1,000 donation. In those eighteen minutes, one designated team member ran 2.3 miles while others completed a scavenger hunt to gather 10 clues stationed at local businesses which were needed to win.

“It doesn’t surprise me that a team from Springville would win a scavenger hunt,” joked Governor Gary Herbert at the finish line as he congratulated Jessica Weiss, the Museum’s team captain. “Don’t all the best scavengers come from Springville?” The comment was an affectionate reference to his wife, a Springville native, who has a knack of finding treasures wherever she goes.

The speed with which the museum completed all the tasks shocked organizers and participants alike. At 9:05 AM, team captains were given a list with 10 clues that led to clue cards needed to claim the donation at the finish line. At 9:23 AM, it was all over. The rules were simple: one team member had to run 2.3 miles and cross the finish line with all 10 clue cards. How the runner got the cards was entirely up to the team captain—who was encouraged to be resourceful and proactive.

This no-holds-barred approach to the hunt was inspired by Rhea Jensen, the fictional protagonist of the book “Welcome to Stalk Lake City,” written by event organizer, Sheralyn Pratt. Rhea Jensen is a private investigator obsessed with fitness, who earns large paychecks by solving difficult cases quickly and thinking outside the box. Weiss, took that approach to heart in her preparations.

“First thing I did was recruit a marine to be my runner,” says Weiss. “My next recruit was a Salt Lake friend who doesn’t own a car and walks everywhere in Salt Lake. She was my ‘ringer.’ Then, for the entire week leading up to the event, I made lists of businesses I thought might have the clue cards during the scavenger hunt and positioned team members there the morning of the race. None of them were right, but once I had the clues in hand, I was able to redirect my team to the right locations. We had three of the clue cards in hand in the first two minutes, thanks to two Salt Lake teens who read about the event in the paper and decided to get up early on a Saturday for a good cause.”

Her strategy worked and Weiss has big plans for the $1,000 donation. It will be used to fund a project creating an interactive educational experience for visitors and students at the Springville Museum of Art, which is internationally recognized for its excellence.

In addition to the Grand Prize, sponsor Barnes & Noble awarded a “Spirit Award” to the Utah Refugee Coalition, for having the largest team and also finishing in second place—gathering and completing the course even after they heard that the winner had been announced, before throwing the gauntlet down for a re-match next year.

All participants were awarded sponsor coupons as a thank you for their involvement and as a thank you for all the good they do. All will receive a free Thai massage from Whole Body Connection, $8.88 off any LOTUS purchase, and a voucher for a free voice lesson from AFM Vocal Studios. Other sponsors include Barnes & Noble, Cedar Fort, CDI Media, The Score, Alexander’s, and Welcome to Stalk Lake City.

##

The exact clues teams were provided are below:

WELCOME TO “STALK” LAKE CITY:
WHERE THE NON-PROFIT THAT KNOWS SLC THE BEST, WALKS AWAY WITH $1,000!

#1- Welcome to Stalk Lake City clue:
In the first 5 chapters of Welcome to Stalk Lake City, Rhea and Kay eat in this Salt Lake café.

#2- Barnes & Noble clue:
Barnes & Noble serves Starbuck’s coffee, but this local coffee spot makes reference to predominant local religion and sets up at the Farmer’s Market in Pioneer Park each week. Find their booth and grab the clue card they’re holding for you.

#3- CDI Media clue:
You would find CDI Media’s products in this indie store of vinyls, CDs, and DVDs opened its doors in Salt Lake City on July 22, 2006. One might say, this store’s music is so good that it’s on Broadway.

#4- Whole Body Connection clue:
If you’re craving a Flake or Crunchy, and nothing but Ben Shaw’s Dandelion & Burdock will do, then you need to stop by this Salt Lake specialty store.

#5- AFM Vocal Studio clue:
If you want to take a picture in front of the Joseph Smith sphinx or view other works by Thomas Child, you’ll need to go here.

#6- Find & Rent clue:
Graffiti as art: Mac & Retna were brought to town to create this 40-foot mural of the Virgin Mary.

#7- The Score clue:
Graffiti as political speech: After 30 years, this Salt Lake business was forced to shut its doors during the recession, but covered their building with angry graffiti before relinquishing it. To rent this recently vacated location, please call 801-355-0600.

#8- LOTUS clue:
In the “Official” Salt Lake Tour de Bread Pudding, this local restaurant that opened its doors in 1989 currently leads. #stalklake

#9- Alexander’s Print Advantage clue:
The best ginger cookies in Utah are baked in Logan and served at the Salt Lake Farmer’s Market in Salt Lake City. Find their booth and ask for the clue card they have for you! #stalklake

#10- Cedar Fort clue:
The best cinnamon donuts in Salt Lake City can be bought here. #stalklake

BEST OF LUCK!!!

Ready to Roll, Teams?

Two hours until the "Stalk" Lake City Scavenger hunt begins!

I'm hoping all teams followed advice and has an online team member. You'll need a team member like that for a few of the clues. And don't forget Twitter! Three out of ten clue locations are revealed plain as day there, if you find the right hashtag to search.

Best of Luck!!!

It Feels a Little Like Christmas...

I'm making my list and checking it twice. I'm also making little packets of bookmarks for team members who are competing in tomorrow's "Stalk" Lake City Scavenger Hunt. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm having fun :)

In 12 hours, it will be over and the winner declared. Totally weird!!

For those of you who are savvy and checking up on me, I will give you a look at the clue cards you are picking up tomorrow. In the spirit of a book release, the clue cards are bookmarks.

And the first team to collect all 10 and reach the finish line, claims this:

Too fun! Who will win? In 12 hours we'll know, but the thing I love the most about this race is that it doesn't matter. All the non-profits are deserving and will do great things with their donation.

Best of luck to all... and I hope to see some of you at the Gateway signing from 12:00-2:00 pm! Oh, and for those of you who came and got the massage coupon, the number to call to schedule is 801-913-1423. You won't regret it!

Casting Call

So it's no secret that I think Rhea could rock a movie screen. The right story, the right stunts, and oh the fun we could have! So when Kayla emailed me this today, I was excited to see how a reader envisioned Rhea Jensen. These are her four top choices to play Rhea.

Thoughts? Do you agree? :)

And thanks for making the vid, Kayla! Total fun!