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How To Pull Off the Perfect Crime

Tired of getting all your criminal how-to tips from heist movies? Well, look no further, my friend! I’ve got you covered. Follow this simple series of steps, and you too can become an infamous master criminal the likes of which the world has never seen.

How To Pull Off the Perfect Crime

  1. Spend years plotting the perfect crime. Obsess over every detail, cover your walls in newspaper clippings and hastily-scribbled notes on napkins–the works. It is literally impossible to overthink this. The perfect crime cannot be rushed!
  2. Today’s the day! But before you start your crime spree, you should definitely stock up on snacks. If things go south and you need to make a quick getaway, you’ll want nourishment for the road. So, head to your local convenience store and pick out some tasty foodstuffs.
  3. As you approach the counter, remember that you’re a master criminal the likes of which the world has never seen. You shouldn’t have to pay for a few bags of potato chips! Turn around and walk right out of that store without paying.
  4. The cashier is telling you to pay for the chips, or they’ll blow your head off with a shotgun. Ignore them. You’re a master criminal, and crime doesn’t pay.
  5. Flinch and duck when the cashier pulls out a shotgun and attempts to blow your head off.
  6. Do a graceful 180 degree spin and throw the chips at the cashier. While they’re perplexed by bags of potato chips flying at their face, dive over the counter and initiate a desperate grapple for possession of the shotgun.
  7. Successfully acquire the shotgun. You now have a loaded weapon, your face is caught on security cameras, and the cashier is cowering at your feet. It’s okay. You can still salvage this mess. I believe in you.
  8. Take the cashier hostage. Use some zipties to bind their hands, and throw them in the backseat of your getaway vehicle. Looks like you’re making your getaway a bit sooner than you’d expected. Don’t forget to grab some more chips before you leave, though. You earned them.
  9. Drive off down the highway, ignoring the whimpering cashier in the backseat. Whatever you do, do not speed. As far as you know, the cops aren’t on your tail yet. If you just drive the speed limit and keep a low profile–
  10. I told you not to speed! I know you’re in a hurry, but come on. Now you’ve got a cop car right behind you, flashing its lights and blaring its siren. You can’t pull over–you have a tied up cashier in the backseat. What are you going to do now, genius?
  11. Apparently you’ve decided to engage in a high-speed car chase. In a beat-up old car, on a half tank of gas, on a two-lane highway in the middle of nowhere. Where exactly are you planning on going? There aren’t any alleys you can hide in, or clever turns you can make to lose the cops. It’s literally a straight road. And there’s an eighteen-wheeler up ahead slowing down traffic. I know surrender doesn’t sound like a great option, but it’s starting to look like it might be your only–
  12. I stand corrected. Clearly, the best move here is to zoom out into oncoming traffic to pass the eighteen-wheeler. The cashier in the backseat is now screaming. Judging by the smell, they’ve also wet their pants. Or was that you? Either way, you should really consider cracking a window.
  13. Okay, so you’ve managed to put some distance between you and the cop thanks to some truly impressive reckless driving. You need to get off the highway. Right. Now.
  14. Take the next exit and zoom down the main street of a small fishing village on the coast. This is good. Villages mean multiple streets, which means you’ll at least have a chance of losing the cops. Turn down that alley there and–
  15. Or you could just keep rampaging down the main street. Sure. Whatever makes you happy. You should really consider turning, though, because I’m pretty sure the street ends up ahead and turns into a dock, and the last time I checked, this car isn’t amphibi–
  16. SPLOOSH.
  17. Goddammit.
  18. I really hope you know how to swim.

 

Unrelated media of the day:

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Writing Prompt Wednesday: Zodiac Fun

So I was at the library today working on my “teenagers killing each other in space” story, and I ran across a book about astrology and writing. As in, how to use astrology to improve your writing. I think. I haven’t read it yet. The important thing is it’s filled with hundreds of absolutely phenomenal writing prompts, and I’ve decided to share one of them with you today.

So, without further ado, here is today’s writing prompt (inspired by my star sign, Sagittarius):

How is your character like a horse?

Yes, you read that right. That is an actual writing prompt. And now, because I’m in a silly mood, I shall attempt to answer it using my dear protagonist Eris Miller, space-adventuring heroine of the Imminent Danger series. Hold on to your horses …

Much like a horse, Eris is a four-limbed mammal born of a male and female of the same species–unlike a mule, which is of course the result of a horse and a donkey (in Spanish, “el burro” [often mistaken with “el burrito”, a traditional Mexican tortilla dish]) falling in love and emulating their avian and anthophila brethren in their time-honored mating tradition. Also similar to a horse, Eris has proportionally more hair on her head than the rest of her body, can move at different speeds (although speed names differ [walk, jog, run vs. walk, trot, gallop]), and communicates via emitting sound waves from her vocal cords. She has little interest in eating oats and hay, although she has been known to enjoy a sugar cube or two on occasion.

So there we have it! Writing prompt success. If you would care to compare your character to a horse (or any animal, for that matter) please feel free to do so in your own post, or in the comments below.

And now I shall be off, so I can go stirrup more trouble …

 

Totally related media of the day:

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How To Count To Ten

Today we’re tackling a tough topic, one that has caused a lot of people a lot of grief. Many are under the assumption that basic counting skills are something everyone has mastered. They are wrong. For every person out there who has successfully counted the fingers on their hands, there’s another person who spends hours staring at a calculator before bursting into heart-wrenching tears. This is not a joke. This is a serious issue plaguing millions–nay, dozens–of people on this planet. And today, I’m here to provide the answer.

If you’re ever in a situation where you need to count to ten and can’t remember how, just follow these simple instructions:

How To Count To Ten

  1. Start at one.
  2. Add one and one together. That gives you two.
  3. Add another one. One plus one plus two plus one is five.
  4. Wait a minute …
  5. Okay, forget that. We’re on step five now. Let’s start from here. Five.
  6. Six.
  7. I’m pretty sure it starts with an S. Or maybe a Z. Zeven?
  8. I forget this next one. It’s like a sideways infinity symbol. Or a not-so-jolly snowman who was robbed of his hat, eyes, nose, mouth, and arms.
  9. I know there’s a four in here somewhere …
  10. F**k it.

So there you go! A simple and foolproof way to count to ten. Never again will first-graders laugh mockingly at you for your inferior counting skills. The world is your oyster, my friend! Fish it out of the ocean of potential, crack it open, and dig out that lustrous pearl of limitless possibility!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

Since it’s Halloween tomorrow …

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Cover Reveal — Nightlight Tales by Anthony Renfro

13 tales of terror.

13 tales that will have you reaching for the nightlight before you go to bed tonight.

Nightlight Tales - High Resolution

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Excerpt from Need to Feed:

The house appeared to be silent, but he thought he heard something, something low and almost inaudible coming from one of the bedrooms.

It was a sucking sound, like something feasting.

He made his way towards that sound, boots clicking on the uneven hard wood floor, spurs jingling, hoping he wasn’t right, but pretty sure he was.

He stopped at the door that led into the Master Bedroom, and listened again. Sure enough, the sound he was hearing was coming from this room. He held the holy water vial up, and popped the lid off with his thumb. He aimed his gun forward, and slipped into the room.

The first person he saw was Bob, lying on his back on the floor, and on top of him was a Vampire, fangs sunk into the man’s neck, sucking him dry. The Vampire was so engrossed in his feast that he didn’t hear the sheriff move in behind him.

While this Vampire fed on Bob, the sheriff looked across the room, and sure enough Linda was lying on her back with another Vampire on top of her, fangs sunk into her neck.

The sheriff was surprised to see these two out so late, because night weakened them considerably; it didn’t hurt them or stop them, but it was sunlight that truly gave them strength.

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Get it here:

US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015D715VW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B015D715VW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B015D715VW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B015D715VW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Nightlight-Tales-Collection-Horror-Stories/dp/1517355818/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

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How To Re-Watch Your Favorite TV Show

Friday is How To day, and today we’re tackling the topic of re-watching favorite TV shows!

Now, you might say this is the sort of topic that doesn’t require a How To. And you’d be right. Unfortunately for you, I’m the one writing this post, so I have all the power! AHAHAHAHA!

Right. It’s been a weird day. Moving on.

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How To Re-Watch Your Favorite TV Show

  1. Figure out what your favorite TV show is. If you can’t choose just one, there’s an easy solution. Grab a bunch of your friends and have them line up and write the name of a TV show you like on their shirt. From there, grab a paintball gun and let loose. The first person to break ranks and attack you is the winner!
  2. Acquire said show. DVD, Netflix, borrow it from the library, whatever. Just make sure you don’t pirate it. As that anti-piracy ad from the early 2000s famously said, “You wouldn’t download a car!” Except that anyone in their right mind would definitely download a car if they could, because you’d be stupid not to. So forget that ad. Just try to get your hands on the show without getting arrested. I believe in you!
  3. Create a distraction-free viewing space. This one is tricky. You’re going to be binge-watching this shizzle for at least a full two days, maybe three, so you need to make sure no one and no thing has the potential to interrupt you. If you live alone, perfect. If you have pets, regretfully inform them that everyone has to grow up and take care of themselves sometime, and that day is today. They might whine at first, but eventually they’ll thank you for the gift of adulthood and responsibility you’ve bestowed upon them. If you have roommates, dispose of them. The manner of disposal is up to you. If they’re being particularly difficult to remove, I know a guy.
  4. Plan out your food consumption. Remember, this is a multi-day event, and just stocking up your fridge with groceries isn’t going to cut it. You don’t have time to cook, dammit! You’ve got TV to watch! Instead of stockpiling groceries, stockpile delivery fliers. And don’t forget: you are contractually obligated to leave the show running while you race to answer the door and pay the delivery guy/gal. Pausing is a sign of weakness.
  5. Start watching. Remember, no pausing. You’re allowed to do other things while watching, like play Candy Crush on your phone, or two-monitor it up and check your email on the second screen, but don’t you dare turn off that show for anything less than a zombie outbreak. Even then, zombies are surprisingly polite, and will almost definitely hold off on eating you until you’ve had a chance to finish your marathon if you ask nicely.
  6. Do NOT re-watch the pilot once you’ve finished your marathon. This is a rookie mistake. You finish the last episode, you lie back, and your heart is so full of emotion and heartbreak that you think, “Hey, I know the perfect way to end this marathon–I’ll re-watch the pilot!” It seems like the perfect solution–you can hold off leaving the show’s magical world for at least another 42 minutes, not to mention you get to see the fun juxtaposition of first episode vs. last. IT IS A TRAP. Watching the pilot leads to watching the next episode. And then the next after that. Soon enough, it’s a week later, you’re halfway through your third re-watching, you’ve lost your job, your significant other has left you for an attractive panini artisan, and your landlord is knocking on the door to make sure you haven’t died and been eaten by cats.
  7. Wait 14-16 months, and do it all over again. The time gap is necessary to help you forget how royally you screwed up your life during your previous marathon.

Hehehe. I laugh, but honestly, binge-watching TV shows is one of life’s small pleasures. My current show of choice is Avatar: The Last Airbender / Legend of Korra. Don’t worry, I haven’t assassinated my roommates or been eaten by cats. Yet. I’m only halfway through, so there’s still time.

Unrelated media of the day:

I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this before, but since we’re all freaking out over the newest Star Wars trailer …

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Monday Musings — My first job interview in 5 years!

I am pleased to announce that today I successfully had my first job interview in 5 years!

I won’t jinx it by revealing what job I’m applying for, but let’s just say I’m really excited about it, and it would let me do some real good in the community if I end up getting it. Not to mention — money! Being a starving author is tons of fun, of course, but money is nice too.

For anyone wondering how the heck I got away with not interviewing for anything in 5 years, the story is as follows. In 2010, I graduated from university and interviewed for a job teaching English in South Korea. Failed the first interview, nailed the second one, and spent the next year in the land of the morning calm (as opposed to the land of the mourning clam, which is just a depressing place to visit). When I got back, no interviews necessary because I went back to the eLearning job I’d been doing throughout part of university. Did that until this past winter, when the oil prices plummeted and all my projects got cancelled. Thus, here I am today, five years later!

Anyhoo, I was so excited about getting through the interview without saying anything too silly that I rewarded myself with pad thai and a chocolate ganache tart for lunch. I also stopped on the way home to vote (Canadian election day!), which was shockingly well-organized. Which is a good thing, I guess, but I’m so used to government events being poorly organized that I was honestly taken aback at how efficient everything was. The only hiccup occurred when some foolish person decided to park their truck directly behind me (there was also a car in front of me, thank you weird parking lot layout), so I ended up doing a really awkward 34-point turn to escape.

In writing news, Chasing Nonconformity has sold a grand total of 26 Kindle copies! Which is nowhere near getting me onto the bestseller list, but I’m proud of myself, dammit. Thanks so much to everyone who’s grabbed a copy!

That’s all for today. Have a kick-a$$ week, and try not to let the autumn chill get you down!

 

Unrelated media of the day:

This feel-good song tells the story of a young man who buys a moped and goes downtown to show it off and pick up chicks.

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10 Statements – Michelle Proulx

Karen was kind enough to highlight me over on her blog for a special “10 Statements” segment! Check it out 🙂

Karen's avatarMy train of thoughts on...

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Michelle Proulx was born on the market moon of Vega Minor where she spent her formative years reading, writing, and gambling at illegal underground jsgarn fighting rings. While en route to Alpha Centauri, Michelle crash-landed her space yacht on the planet Earth. She now lives in Canada, and divides her time between observing the local fauna and repairing her star ship.

Find me…

My website/blog — https://michelleproulx.com/
My personal motto:

“If you’re not having fun, you’re not really living.”

10 statements
  1. A typical work day begins with… frying up bacon and eggs for my “healthy” breakfast. Following that, I’ll either write or edit my current work in progress. Sometimes I’ll slack off and watch a TV show, which quickly turns into three or four TV shows, and then suddenly it’s lunch time! I really need to get a…

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Chasing Nonconformity RELEASE DAY!!!

That’s right, my friends! Today is the release day for Book #2 of the Imminent Danger series — Chasing Nonconformity!

I’ve been writing this book since 2010, and hyping it up since 2013, and finally — FINALLY! — it’s published. Feel free to start freaking out. I know I am. It’s done! Woooooooooo!

So Chasing Nonconformity basically picks up right after Imminent Danger ended. We once again follow Eris on her awesome outer space adventures as she flies around the galaxy with Varrin, Miguri, and Grashk, and tries not to get abducted or shot or killed. Which happens to her a lot. Like, a lot.

All the details about the book are below. If you want to help out with the release and share the book link, that would be absolutely awesome. If you do end up reading the book, please consider leaving a review (because reviews are the lifeblood of a self-published author, they determine the success or failure of a self-published book, yada yada yada). And if you’d like to get your hands on a signed print copy of the book, shoot me an email (michellishelli@gmail.com) and let me know. It’ll be $10/book + shipping.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s stuck by me during this incredibly long writing/editing/publishing process. I know it took literally forever, but I wanted to make the sequel as close to perfect as it could get. And I think you’ll really enjoy the results of my efforts.

So click the link below, share it if you feel the urge, and above all, stay awesome!!!

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Click here to buy Chasing Nonconformity!

Click here (use the Look Inside feature) to check out the first few chapters.

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Still reeling from accidentally marrying an exiled alien prince named Varrin, and from almost getting her head blown off by a six-armed lizard man with anger management issues, seventeen-year-old Eris Miller is ready for a vacation. But Varrin is desperate to rescue his beloved spaceship, the Nonconformity, from the clutches of the galactic government, so her vacation will just have to wait.

While Eris and Varrin chase after the stolen ship, they’re unaware that trouble is brewing on the other side of the galaxy. The villainous Emperor of Rakor has assembled a task force, led by the commander of the deadly Skin Slicers, to hunt Varrin down.

With enemies closing in and the Nonconformity slipping further and further from their grasp, Eris must ask herself: how much is she willing to sacrifice to ensure her happily ever after?

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Final Proof Copy of Chasing Nonconformity has arrived!

After years of waiting, the physical proof copy of Chasing Nonconformity has finally arrived in my hands! And let me tell you, holding your book in full printed, glossy-covered glory … there’s no feeling like it in the world. Today rocks.

But you don’t care about that. You care about the publication date! So I will spend the next 2-3 days giving CN a final read through (looking for any little errors that slipped through the cracks). Then … well, I hit publish and the book goes live! So we’re looking at a release date within the next week or so. I’ll post when that date gets cemented, but I’m thinking Friday, October 9th would make a pretty nice release date, don’t you?

I’m so freaking excited right now. I can’t even. I CAN’T EVEN.

Right. So that’s all the news that’s fit to e-print. Check out the grainy, out-of-focus pictures of the proof copy below, and stay awesome!

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Five FREE Tools To Help Self-Published Authors Succeed.

Five really useful tools for self-publishers — especially the URL shortener!

Nicola McDonagh's avatarNikki McDonagh - author and photographer

It is hard being an author, whether self-published or traditionally, getting your manuscript/book looking good, free of grammatical/typo errors and noticed when it is published, is very difficult. So the more tools at your disposal that can help you do that is surely a good thing.

I have recently discovered a few neat little devices that can help to make those jobs easier.

1: Scrivener – The first and truly brilliant, especially if you are considering self-publishing, is this word processing and book formatting tool – You can download it for a Free trial to see if it is for you.

Don’t take my word for it, though – the self-publishing legend that is Joanna Penn (you can learn more about Joanna and her books to help self-published authors here:http://www.thecreativepenn.com/) has a blog about the value of using Scrivener. http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/02/04/scrivener/

scrivener

I’m sure most of you have…

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