C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter V To Celebrate

By

The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .

All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.

One visitor (one each week) can win: 
Week 3) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 4) a $10 gift certificate from Amazon
 (If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY

1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.
Mystery Blogger V’s 2013 theme: “I’m posting on my favorite villains and/or settings. . .”

V is for VILLAIN

“And I’ve been pushing them at you all week. What makes a good villain? We’ve seen they need purpose,sympathetic credibility, and to believe they’re doing the right thing. Add in some troubled backgrounds to explain their villainy, and of course, throw in a side of charisma to keep them intriguing.

From what I’ve gathered from your comments, readers and movie-goers LOVE to HATE great villains. And I’m no different. Many of my favorite characters ARE villains. They’re so much fun to live vicariously through.

Speaking of villainous V characters, here’s one of my faves:

                                        photo credit fanpop.com




Hint: This blogger has silent letter in the last name. 

Who is it?

SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:

Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good

Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs

Jeremy @ Being Retro

Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post

M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Thanks VIKLIT
V for Victory. 

I only have 4 letters to go and then I can forget how to spell anything for a while. 

  • I’ve loved doing this. 
  • I’ve been exhausted doing this. 
  • I celebrate doing this.

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter U

By

The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014

Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge 

All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.

One visitors (one each week) can win: 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5, almost) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas


(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY

1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.

Mystery Blogger U’s 2013 theme: “Unified Theory of Writing”

U is for a Unified Theory of Writing

“It’s important to know that no matter how obvious and sensible a piece of writing advice might be, there are always going to be circumstances when it won’t hold true. Or when there are other, equally as effective ways to tell the story. . .An unmitigated disaster in the hands of one writer may be an unqualified success in the hands of another.”

Who is it?  This blogger has some moods, but regardless of those moods always informs the readers.

SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:

Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good

Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs

Jeremy @ Being Retro

Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post

M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter T

By

The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .

All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.

Now we’re at the last week + for winners.


Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5, almost) A signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!) 


BY

1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

Take a Break

Mystery Blogger T’s 2013 theme: “Writing your first novel.”

T is for Take a Break.

“Once you get to the end of your first draft, you’ll fall into one of two camps.

The “OMG THIS IS AWESOME WRITING!!!” Perky Writers and

The “HOLY SHIT THIS SUCKS” Emo Writers.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be on an island in the middle. And friendly with campers on both sides. Actually, I think this situation is by far more preferable to either of the above camps.Come chill out away from the terrible over-confidence or the negativity. How? By taking a break. Catch up on t.v. Write something else. Paint. Take that non-writing holiday you sort of planned.”

I took this advice.

Who is it? This blogger has bravely committed to a five year project.

SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:

Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good

Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs

Jeremy @ Being Retro

Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post

M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter S

By


The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.
Okay we’re down to the last two weeks, well week+. 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5, almost) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas 

BY
1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.

Mystery Blogger S’s 2013 theme: All about science. 

S is for “Seismologists and Scientist Convicted of Manslaugher.” 

Seismology is a branch of earth science that studies earthquakes. It’s a relatively new field due to the fact scientists have only been capable of truly measuring the entire scope of earthquakes for around 100 years, though different societies have had their methods of detecting shifts in the ground for far longer that that-the first seismograph was built in 132 CE in China.”

fWho is it? HINT: This blogger is soars high as an eagle.

SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter R

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The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 
2013 
A to Z Challenge .
WINNER WEEK THREE
TA DA

 LEXA, THAT EGYPTIAN PRINCESS TALLIED UP A SCORE OF 14!
GARY, THE ALPHABARK HERO, EQUALLED THAT SCORE. 
SO NOW ABOUT THE CAT. . .
SHE’S HIGH ON CATNIP AND UNABLE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS IN TIME TO MEET TOMORROW’S DEADLINE. 
So. . .It’s a tie.


email me and the ebook of Sliding on the Edge is yours.
http://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/contact.html
Week Three Answers: 
M: Tyrean
N: River Fairchild aka Laura Eno
P:  Bish Denham
Q: Elizabeth Seckman

Now for Week Four: All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.

One visitor each week) can win: 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas

(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY
1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER. However, we’re asking that no more Catnip be sent this week. (See above.)
 Research
Mystery Blogger R’s 2013 theme: “My A-Z theme is linkage. Every day (at 7:00 a.m. EST), I’m going to list three helpful industry links per letter, and then I’ll ask for suggestions in the comments—that way, we can pool our resources!”

R is for Research:
All Experts - This is a fantastic place to find a “real life” expert for your toughest questions. Just be sure to check out their credentials.
TV Tropes - This site reminds me of the awesome DPK. Tropes galore!
Lydia Kang’s Medical Mondays & Redwood’s Medical Edge - Both have a great collection of medical facts for fiction.

Who is it? HINT: This blogger is a savvy Indie author.

SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter Q

By

I’m taking a couple of days to dye Easter eggs for 4 kids. Bake a cake and buy a hat. So I’ll be slow getting around to everyone until Monday. Enjoy your weekend. Happy Easter.



The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.
One visitors each week) can win: 
Week 3) an ebook of Sliding On The Edge 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas

(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY
1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.
Mystery Blogger Q’s 2013 theme: “The Encyclopedia, Social Media, and Me!!”
Q is for Quidditch

I learned all kinds of things from this blogger on Q Day.
“1. This prosperous country is a tiny peninsula jutting out from the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by a monarchy, currently Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is in power. (Qatar)
2. The name of the tragic bell ringer in Victor Hugo’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” (Quasimodo)
3. The largest of the Canadian provinces? (Quebec)
4. The broomstick riding game of “Harry Potter.” (Quidditch)
5. In American football, he’s the guy throwing the ball. (quarterback)
Bonus: No more talking, no more fun- what kind of meeting has begun? (Quaker)”
Who was it? HINT: This blogger dreams a lot.
SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter P & Those Small Things That Hop

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I’m taking a couple of days to dye Easter eggs for 4 kids. Bake a cake and buy a hat. So I’ll be slow getting around to everyone until Monday. Enjoy your weekend. Happy Easter.

The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.
One visitors each week) can win: 
Week 3) an ebook of Sliding On The Edge 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
Week 5) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas

 (If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY
1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.
P is for Petroglyphs

Mystery Blogger P’s 2013 theme: “St. John’s Island paradise”
“No one knows what these carvings mean and there are different theories as to who carved them. But most likely it was the Taino Indians well over 1000 years ago. Located in a ghut on the Reef Bay Trail, they are carved into the hard volcanic rock above a small pool where there is usually water year round. You can read more about them HERE.” 

Who was it? HINT: Not on your life. This is too easy to guess already.
SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

THANKS VIKLIT

SAY AHHHH! THEN CELEBRATE THE BABY LOPS! 

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter O

By


The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.
One visitor each week) can win: 
Week 3)an ebook of Sliding On The Edge 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas
Week 5) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas 
(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY

1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.
O is for Occult

Mystery Blogger O’s 2013 theme: “Vocabulary facts from A to Z.”
 Occult

“oc·cult [əˈkəlt] n. Occult practices or techniques: a student of the occult. v. To conceal or cause to disappear from view. adj. Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.

Synonyms: n: supernatural, v: eclipse, adj: mystic, orphic, mysterious, mystical, secret

Etymology: adj: 1530s, “secret, not divulged,” from Middle French occulte and directly from Latin occultus “hidden, concealed, secret,” past participle of occulere “cover over, conceal,” from ob “over” (see ob-) + a verb related to celare “to hide,” from PIE root *kel- “to hide” (see cell). Meaning “not apprehended by the mind, beyond the range of understanding” is from 1540s. The association with the supernatural sciences (magic, alchemy, astrology, etc.) dates from 1630s.

Isn’t that one interesting? To be perfectly honest, I had no idea it could also be a verb.”

Me either! So I learned something from this post. 

Who was it? HINT: A classic, ultimate, exemplary blogger.
SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter N

By


The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday.
One visitor each week) can win: 
Week 3)an ebook of Sliding On The Edge 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 

Week 5) a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas

(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)

BY

1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 

TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER.

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/cats/images/16121794/title/beautiful-cat-wallpaper

Mystery Blogger N’s 2013 theme: “. . .cats with an occasional tea thrown in”
This quote was one I’d never heard, but loved when the blogger posted N is for  Narcissistic Cats last year.
Mystery Blogger N. “Cats are the ultimate narcissists. You can tell this by all the time they spend on personal grooming. Dogs aren’t like this. A dog’s idea of personal grooming is to roll in a dead fish.” – James Gorman

Who was it? 

HINT: Sometimes you have to struggle to survive when you sip tea with this blogger. Oh and this blogger made a huge change this year.
SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian

A to Z Blog Challenge: The Letter M

By


The Write Game’s Theme 
AtoZ Blog Challenge
2014
Stuff I Learned or Laughed at from Bloggers in the 2013 A to Z Challenge .
All you gots to do is identify the Mystery Blogger each day. I’ll give you hints when I can. I’ll post the answers and the winner each Monday. 
One visitor each week) can win: 
Week 3) an ebook of Sliding On The Edge 
Week 4) an ebook of The Princess of Las Pulgas 

Week 5) Signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas

(If you already have one of the prizes, I’ll figure something else out!)
BY
1) identifying the most bloggers correctly=2 points.  
2) leaving witty comments=1 point or more depending on glibness
3) adding to the information and making it more valuable=2 points 
TIES WILL BE BROKEN BY MY CAT. SHE’S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.UNLESS CATNIP IS INVOLVED, THEN SHE GOES WITH THE BEST SUPPLIER. 


ALISHA





Mystery Blogger M’s 2013 theme: “My A to Z theme is fencing and swordplay, focusing mainly on fencing terminology, but with a few favorite movie fencing moments thrown into the mix too.”

M is for Moulinet: a whirling cut, executed from the wrist or elbow.
“Ok, when I re-read this term (remember it’s been a number of years since I fenced), I got really excited. I thought, hey, that’s the move that I injured myself with! I know, it’s a strange thing to get excited about, but I decided to research the term more fully because of that “personal” connection. 
After doing a great deal of searching, and reading, I decided that actually the move that I injured myself with couldn’t be a moulinet. Moulinets start with a whirling cut that exposes the arm and elbow to the opponent. Most modern saber fencers would take a quick cut at the exposed arm and elbow and get a point before the fancy whirling move finished. However, small moulinet type moves are still used, executed from the wrist and fingers. 
Basically all that big circling stuff we see in movies is the stuff that makes most fencers say, “I could have hit them five times by the time they got their blade around!”
I couldn’t find a good saber fencing video of a moulinet, so I searched around and found this one from a two handed long-sword coach. This video is long, but it shows both the move, and the determination of dedicated practice. And remember, he’s going practice speed, so he’s probably not going full out.” 

I’d never heard of this term before. Have you?
Here’s the video if you have time. 

Who was it? HINT: Sorry out of hints today.
SIGN UP or VISIT the others who are on this AtoZ Challenge and check out the HOSTS:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim’s Writing Tips
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian