Top 5 Phone Messages Sandy Has Left For Friends
Or…The Dragon suggests how to get DNA from members of Duran Duran…

Get to know your fantasy author, Sandy Lender, a little better! It states in my bio that I’ve been obsessed with the rock group Duran Duran since about 1984. This is true. Here are some phone messages I’ve left for friends to illustrate the point.


5. What are you doing… (This is a frequent message followed by a specific date and the instructions to return the call immediately. The receiver of the call usually hyperventilates because it means Sandy is inviting the individual to a Duran Duran-related event on the specific date left in the message.)

4. Guess where I am! (Depending on the level of excitement and the pitch of Sandy’s voice, this usually involves a Duran Duran event.)

3. We are about to meet the band! (This is always enunciated very clearly and usually means Sandy is with Jennine or Christine—or both—and the universe is shuddering in a way that causes an earthquake in the eastern hemisphere while Sandy and her accomplice(s) stand outside a VIP room door where various members of Duran Duran await certain chaos.)

2. John Taylor gave me the flu. (Sandy said this one with entirely too much joy before puking.)

1. I have John Taylor’s DNA inside me! (This is an honest-to-God message that doesn’t imply what you think it does—it merely means Sandy got the rock star’s barely used water bottle after a concert and, of course, drank from it.)

Do you leave strange messages for your friends? Whether it’s stalker-related or not, there are probably funky traditions you all have. Share!

"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Duran Duran, fantasy author, DNA, John Taylor

Does it Matter Who Follows You?
Or…The Dragon recommends careful online social networking

As many of you know, I completed a month-long online book tour in June. During that tour, I garnered a lot of attention at Twitter for the first ever Tweeterview with my good author friend Jamieson Wolf. During the week leading up to the Tweeterview, which you can read in its entirety at a special blog site, and in the weeks after, I found a plethora of twitterers lining up to follow me. That’s fantastic! More followers means more friends in the cyber world. It also means more flow of information and more folks to announce the release of Choices Meant for Kings to.

Some of those twitterers were not the type I want following me. Now, some marketers would look at that statement and think I’m insane. A follower is a follower is a follower, right? I don’t think so. Anyone looking at my profile and seeing that twitterers with names including “boobs” or “nasty” or “hire my body” or other less-clean examples would start to wonder just what kind of content I was providing to attract such clientele.

I don’t provide content that would attract such clientele. Nor do I wish to provide such content.

So when a twitterer with a questionable name links to me, I check into the situation to see if I should block that person from following me. If the name (or profile photo) is only marginably questionable, I’ll take a quick peek at his or her profile to give him or her the benefit of the doubt. A quick judgment call later and I either block or move on. It takes something eye-catching or downright intriguing to get me to follow back because, frankly, I have no time in my life. You have to offer some pretty interesting-to-me content for me to follow you on twitter. (or be a real-life friend or member of Duran Duran)
“Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”
Tags: twitter, follow, Duran Duran, Choices Meant for Kings, Jamieson Wolf, tweeterview

Who is Sandy Lender?
Or…The Dragon welcomes new folks to the insanity of a fantasy author’s blog

From June 1 to July 3 I’m “doing” an online book tour. Regular visitors know I’ve done two of these in the past. Remember that two-month stretch in the summer of 2007? Eegads. When What Choices We Made was released back in November, I did a much more sensible two-week online tour, but spent the second week of the tour in a hospital room that had no Internet access. (To be honest, I was so out of it that my posts would have been pretty pathetic that week anyway.)

This month things are different! I’m totally healthy and champing at the bit to do some extra promotion for Choices Meant for Gods, my fabulous fantasy novel available from ArcheBooks Publishing, at Amazon.com, at Barnes & Noble, or anywhere fine and fabulous fantasy is sold.

Considering I’m promoting the whole month as “Sandy’s guest starring at everyone else’s blogs,” I decided to post my tour stops here at Today the Dragon Wins (above) and leave this blog mostly dormant for the duration. But that leaves visitors a little “wanting,” right? Hence this explanatory post and “unofficial” bio.

I’m Sandy Lender, fantasy author and magazine editor. The magazine editing is the day job that pays the bills. As surprising as this is going to sound, writing isn’t my whole life. I spend Saturday mornings protecting sea turtles. I live in Southwest Florida where I serve in the Turtle Time non-profit group helping track and protect these lovely creatures. Pictures from the section of beach I patrol speckle this blog and Nigel’s.

I’m also obsessed with Duran Duran. You’ll find me at their July 11 show in California with my friends Christine and Jennine. Pictures of me with the hhhhhot John Taylor on different occasions appear on my MySpace page.

Taking care of pets also takes some of my time. I have a beautiful sun conure named Petri (after the baby pterodactyl in The Land Before Time) and a gorgeous new Timneh African Grey named Mouse (because she squeaks). I also have a 21-year-old turtle and a pancake tortoise whose age escapes me right now.

My reading interests include fantasy, of course, but start with Charlotte Bronte. I consider her a genius when it comes to dialogue and suspense. I can’t open one of her books to “check something” without getting pulled in. She captures me because she’s a master of literature. Her sisters are equally talented, but there’s something about Charlotte that appeals to me in a way I can’t explain in a simple “section” of a blog post.

I like to have green plants around me and I’m happiest when I sit among the birds and the plants with some chocolate cookies for me, crackers for the birds, and my laptop for a writing session. Of course, birds like to have attention on themselves, not the laptop…

If you’d like more information about me (although I’m not sure what else is interesting), I’ve got web pages all over the Internet. Brief list below. I encourage you to follow me on Twitter for infrequent but usually insane updates on bizarre stuff that happens to me. All of these links take you away from this page, so you’ll have to hit the “back” button to come back to the list. (Because it’s that fabulous of a list!) Personally, I recommend the Twitter and DragonDiscussions links for joining non-spam stuff. Then, OF COURSE, I recommend the first three links so you can order my books. Bwuahahahahaha.

http://tinyurl.com/CMFGamazon
http://tinyurl.com/WCWMamazon
ArcheBooks Publishing (discount at the publisher’s site)
http://twitter.com/sandylender
FiledBy (where you can see my trailers)
Ning
Dragon Discussions (where you can join the group)
Author Island
Good Reads
Red Room
Shelfari
AuthorsDen
Suspense Magazine
LinkedIn
BookTour
MySpace
http://tinyurl.com/WCWMvideo (please leave a nice comment for the producer!)
http://tinyurl.com/CMFKvideo (please leave a nice comment for the producer!)
http://tinyurl.com/Dragonvideo (please leave a nice comment for the producer!)

I know that’s a lot of crap to fling at you all at once, but, in a nutshell, that’s Fantasy Author Sandy Lender. Thank you for stopping in at Today the Dragon Wins, and thank you for reading all this. There’s more, as you can see by the extensive archive list at left. Enjoy your visit!

“Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”
Tags: fantasy author, Sandy Lender, online book tour, Duran Duran, sea turtle, Charlotte Bronte

Top 10 Things I Miss From the '80s
Or...The Dragon admits insanity now

I'll go ahead and tell you this was prompted by listening to Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits of the '80s. If you've read this blog before, you know I'm a wee bit obsessed with the musician. And if you know me, you know that I long for the days when musicians remembered the all-important saxophone solo. Oh, yes. So let's begin.

The Top 10 Things Sandy Misses From the '80s
10. Believe it or not, marching band practice makes the list -- I do believe this is where I not only heard the "no pain, no gain" and "reach down inside and give a little more" phrases, but LEARNED them; I now apply them to my life somewhat daily (jeepers)
9. Leg warmers (I know...I live in Florida...but we've been having cold fronts lately)
8. Having someone else pay all the bills (I was a teen)
7. Ronald Reagan's optimism, sense of humor, leadership, smile, attitude, etc.
6. Playing Nertz on a somewhat regular basis with the gang
5. The gang
4. Duran Duran releasing albums on a somewhat regular basis
3. Playing my violin with actual skill so that it didn't suck and frighten small children
2. Going to grandmothers' houses where there was nothing "deep" or "heavy" expected of you
1. The saxophone solo

See, many bands employed the sax solo (including Duran Duran -- Andy Hamilton, I miss you) and the lovely Barry Manilow has included it in his rendition of George Michael's Careless Whisper on his new album. Oh, man, does it sound good. It certainly takes me back. Now, of course, I have to break out the Wham and George Michael collection and breeze through that over the next week...

But the point is, those are the pieces that I used to write to. The early incarnations of Amanda Chariss and Nigel and Hrazon started their adventures and started telling the story that became the Choices trilogy that ArcheBooks is publishing for me (slowly but surely) back in the '80s when I was listening to those songs that Barry is reminding me of with his new album. It makes me want to work on the prequel this evening. :)

So while I'm typing away, why don't you all weigh in with your memories. Anything you miss from the past? Anything you wish you could have back for a day or two?

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Top 10, Barry Manilow, Duran Duran, '80s, Choices trilogy, memories, leg warmers, saxophone

Exploring the Pen Name
It's Another Pseudonym Birthday Person...
(During the month of June, here at Today the Dragon Wins we explore the use of pseudonyms. Don't forget to participate in the discussion in the comment field to enter the contest for a copy of the eBook versions of Choices Meant for Gods and Apparitions. Details were posted June 1.)

Today I must pause in our guest posting to honor another birthday boy. This is the 48th birthday of John Taylor, the bass guitarist for Duran Duran. Anyone who's even heard my name must know I'm an obsessed fan. Notice the enormous cheesy grin on my face in the picture above. Yes, put me in between John Taylor and Nick Rhodes and I suddenly become "giddy with joy". That was just a month ago...and I've not quite recovered yet.

What does this have to do with our pen name discussion here at The Dragon? Why, guess what Mr. Taylor uses! Now, to be very truthful, he just uses a portion of his name, not his full birth name, so perhaps calling that a pseudonym isn't totally accurate. You decide. But I think he chose wisely given his profession.

Any Duranies out there want to weigh in on the debate? Which sounds better for a bass player rockin' out in the '80s, '90s and today: Nigel Taylor or John Taylor? Oh, yes, and everyone who has any familiarity with my fantasy trilogy just did a double-take.

Let me post the disclaimer here: Choices Meant for Gods is entirely a work of fiction. The NAMES, characters, places, and incidents depicted therein are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual event or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Having said that, I should explain that Joshua Nigel Taiman of the Choices fantasy trilogy encompasses many characteristics of not just a celebrity rock star, but of a certain Mr. Edward Rochester of Jane Eyre fame, and of himself. Nigel is Nigel...not anyone else. If you'd like to be the judge of that, you can pick up a copy of the novel anywhere fine books are sold (you probably have to order it by now) or on Amazon. You can get the electronic version for less than $4 at my publisher's site.

But John Taylor is celebrating a birthday under his pen name today, so I'd like to use this blog to say "Happy Birthday from one of your many crazed and adoring fans!"

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: John Taylor, Duran Duran, birthday, Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester, pseudonym, pen name, Nigel, dragon

Exploring the Pen Name
With a Post About Nicholas James Bates

(During the month of June, here at Today the Dragon Wins we explore the use of pseudonyms. Don't forget to participate in the discussion in the comment field to enter the contest for a copy of the eBook version of Choices Meant for Gods. Details were posted June 1.)

He's the Synthesist for Duran Duran

You may know him as Nick Rhodes, but that's his pseudonym. That's the moniker he uses as the controller in the legendary rock band Duran Duran. Tomorrow, June 8, he celebrates his 46th birthday. I have utmost respect and admiration for this gentleman not only because he helped John Taylor form Duran Duran, not only because he has impeccable style and taste, not only because he exudes a calm, rational manner amid a raucous, fun-loving group of guys (and industry), not only because he must have the highest IQ in rock-n-roll, not only because he smiled and spoke kindly to me while I prattled mindlessly thanking him for the gift in the VIP totes when I met him in Orlando last month, but also because he was kind and friendly and gave his time to my best friend when she met him in St. Louis during the Astronaut tour, and again the next day in Kansas City. (She has adored him for about a quarter of a century, you see.)

It's not many rock stars who can take day after day and night after night of fans bombarding them with shrieks and what-have-you; but when Christine approached him (very calmly, I might add), Nick Rhodes was a perfectly patient and kindly gentleman. She's got it on instant recall in her head. You can ask her for any detail and she can replay it for you.

Now. For those of you who have read Choices Meant for Gods, no, General Nicolas Lont is NOT based on Nick Rhodes. Please note that the book is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents depicted therein are either products of my imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Having said that, anyone looking for a character who might have been "influenced by" Nick Rhodes should revisit the god Parrin Aeschere.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: pseudonym, Nick Rhodes, Nicolas James Bates, Duran Duran, Choices Meant for Gods

Sandy Lender Meets Duran Duran in Orlando
Or...The Dragon wonders what this hit of meeting-the-muse will do

Last time I met John Taylor, I drove back from Atlanta, sat down at the computer, and, two weeks later, had a 70,000+ word paranormal Christmas romance novel. I've played with it since then to up the word count and my publisher wants to wait to release it until the Choices fantasy trilogy is all out, but, just thinking about that writing binge makes me go...hmmm...what's gonna happen this time?

You see, I met the whole band Sunday night in Orlando before they took the stage for their Red Carpet Massacre show. (They rocked the house, by the way. My lungs still ache from all the screaming and singing along.) Jennine flew down from Kansas City to "gift" this experience for my early birthday present. I drove up to meet her in Orlando and we stood in line to get our VIP tickets. No big deal. We weren't expecting to win the randomly selected Meet-n-Greet opp. Good Lord, what are the chances? Well, turns out chances were pretty good.

So we recover from THAT news, call multiple friends to alert them that the earth is about to shift on its axis, and proceed to meet our destiny.

Let me just tell you, the members of Duran Duran operate on what we fans call "Duran Time," which is time minus half an hour or so. This means we weren't surprised to wait...and wait...and wait. It just made the eventual meet-n-greet that much more exciting. I made Jennine practice what she'd say to Simon because, well, let's just say we've been fans for a LONG time and this would prove nerve-wracking. What I found refreshing is that the folks in line around us were just as bubbly and excited as we were and didn't find it at all "odd" that we were practicing our lines. Of course, when one finds oneself in front of Simon LeBon, one does forget one's practiced lines. I nudged her. It was fine.

I spoke to John Taylor intelligently. Thanked him for the gift in our VIP package (a red leather journal) because it's the perfect gift for a writer. He actually seemed intrigued that I was a writer, for a brief flickering moment, and then the moment was over and he had to move on down the line to the next fan. Sigh. I finally got to meet Roger Taylor, who has lovely eyes and a fantastic voice.

When it came time for our photo opp, my brain snapped. Jennine zeroed in on Simon (good girl), and since I couldn't stand "within" John Taylor, I didn't know quite what to do. He and Nick were so close to each other that I didn't think I could squeeze between them politely, so I aimed for the end of the row, which would NOT be next to my idol (supreme sadness). John stopped me (supreme joy). He teased, "we don't allow any girls on the end." So he motioned me in between him and Nick (which, by the way, just in case anyone had any doubt, is a FABULOUS place to be) and I boldly wrapped my arm around his shoulders. When the fan club gets the pictures to us, I'll post it here. I'm sure I look like a start-struck moron, but, hey, I'll look deliriously happy.

I was.

So Jennine had to fly back home to K.C., where I'll see her at ConQuesT39 next weekend, actually, and I had to drive back to Naples. Sigh. We met some really neat folks in line and I hope they check in here at the blog so we don't lose touch. It was great to share the experience with you guys, and I'm glad you got to meet the band, too!

And, in case there was any doubt on this point, John was adorable. I am inspired. I think I'll write a paranormal romance novel...
Bwuahahahahaha.
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Duran Duran, Choices trilogy, John Taylor, Sandy Lender, dragon

Inspiration at Goodyear
Or...it happened again

So I posted yesterday that, yes, I can be inspired even sitting in the lobby at Goodyear, and, in fact, the first three chapters of my fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods were edited and the next few scenes written while I sat there waiting for new tires. Lo and behold...

I got in my car to go to turtle patrol this morning and this pretty red light flashed at me from the dash. It didn't just flash. It clicked on and stayed there, shining vividly red for quite some time. After a while, I began to worry. I mean, this car has 173,890 miles on it. (The person I'm still trying to divorce took the valuable car when he fled the state last summer.) So when I finished turtle patrol (no new nests in my zones, doggonit!), I took my trusty little sedan to my friend who works at Goodyear. Yes, the service manager at Goodyear is one of my connections at LinkedIn. (If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'.) Now, the warning light was for coolant, so this wasn't a huge concern, but I had to replace the fan in that car once before, and my fear was that the fan had a problem again. It's always good to "know somebody" when you have an aging vehicle. I solved today's problem for under $100 and now will drive the four hours up to Orlando (oh, yes, this was a wee bit stressful) where Jennine is sitting by the pool waiting for me to begin our Duran weekend. The boys play tomorrow night and this is my birthday present. It's one month early, and that's totally cool with me. I need a Duran Duran break. And the tidbit of stress-inspiration this morning got the writing-adrenaline pumping for the pool-side scribble-fest later this afternoon.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Duran Duran, Choices Meant for Gods

The Dragon Got Out
Or...adventures outside the comfort zone in Collier County

As a writer, do you ever do something that's outside your comfort zone? Here's your chance to put it in your journal (or share it in the comment field). I'm pleased with my decision to step outside the "everyday" and visit new friends Tuesday evening.

Deborah in the north end of Naples is married to a gentleman named Joe, who purchased a car from a friend of mine. There's the sole connection. Well, as all authors know, you never let a chance to promote your "authorness" go by, so these folks somehow learned that I have an epic fantasy novel called Choices Meant for Gods out there available to purchase for Christmas presents. (Market market market...) Deborah bought a couple copies for her daughters and invited my friend and me to dinner so we could hang out and I could sign the books. How cool is that? So we went up there for dinner Tuesday and now we have new friends.

This is not something I typically do, unless it's Duran Duran-related. I can't count the number of Duran Duran concerts or parties I've been to where I've stayed over with a gaggle of new girlfriends that I met...oh...that evening. But the Duran Duran fan community is an odd sorority of people who all pretty much accept each other just the way we show up and want to hear each other's odd stories...all night.

So how many of you authors have stepped outside the comfort zone as of late and want to share? Going over to dinner with mere acquaintances who become friends? Going to rock concerts in other cities and staying with a group of people you don't know? Or something saner than that second example. ;)

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, Collier County, Duran Duran, comfort zone, dragon

DURANIES UNITE!

Or...I'm putting together a killer contest for Duranies only

If you're a Duran Duran fan, you should have already read the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods by fantasy author Sandy Lender because...well...because it's laced with stuff you're going to love. And you true Duranies will understand the significance of everything in the photo here, too. Anyway, the photo is courtesy of Diane and it has yours truly in New York...being silly, of course.

So watch this spot for the contest announcement this weekend. And read the book again. If you don't already own Choices Meant for Gods, eegads, get thee to Amazon and correct the situation! Visit http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=dp_return_2/002-3163519-8684042?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books to order your copy. But put a little hustle on it because they're down to five copies (again). Don't fret a lot - they've ordered more, but if you want to get yours in time to deal with this oh-so-clever Duranie contest...you know...

Woo-hoo!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, Duran Duran

Writers Guide
Some More Duran Duran Inspiration Today
Or…another of The Dragon's favorite Duran lyrics

Because you can just never get enough Duran Duran, I'm posting the following coo-el Duran Duran lyric, just to inspire all ya'll writers visiting The Dragon today. This is a great lyric from Mr. LeBon et al. At the show in New York in June, this was the "rare" song the fans voted for the band to play. I burst into tears when they struck the first note. You see, Lonely in Your Nightmare is the song John Taylor played right after announcing to the fans gathered at the convention out in L.A. that fateful night so long ago that he was going to pursue his solo career apart from Duran for a while. God, that hurt. So it's one of those songs that takes a little emotional support to get through if you're really listening to the words…

I think this song is the theme song for Book III of the Choices Meant for Gods trilogy and I just didn't realize it until I started typing out the words for this post. How interesting.

Lonely in Your Nightmare
By Duran Duran

Even on the darkest night when empty promise means empty hand
And soldiers coming home like shadows turning red
When the lights of hope are fading quickly then look to me
I'll be your homing angel I'll be in your head.

Because you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
and there's heat beneath your winter let me in

I see the delta traces living lonely out on the limb.
And a passing glimmer warm beneath your skin
Please tread gently on the ground when all around you earth turns to fire.
Only get a second chance when danger's on the wind.

Because you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in
and it's silent on your stone field let me in

Must be lucky weather when you find the kind of wind that you need
C'mon show me all the light and shade that made your name
I know you've got it in your head I've seen that look before
You've built your refuge turns you captive all the same.

Because you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
and it's barren in your garden let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in

Because it's silent in your stone field let me in
and you're lonely in your nightmare let me in
Because you've waited through your ice age let me in

Because you're so lonely in your nightmare let me in
and it's cold out on your stone range let me in
Because there's heat beneath your winter let me in


"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Duran Duran, Lonely in Your Nightmare, Choices Meant for Gods, dragon

My Surreal Moment of the Weekend
Or…freakin' out The Dragon

I attended a Florida Writer's Association regional meeting yesterday afternoon. This really nice gal from Prague, who now lives in the Naples area, came in and sat down next to me. I introduced myself and, lo and behold, she knew my name. Wow. Where had she heard of me? Don't know, but it was in connection with my book.

Go figure.

So she bought a copy at one point during the meeting and made the comment that she'd start reading it that night. Danger, Will Robinson! Of course I forewarned her that people who read Choices Meant for Gods in the evening lose sleep because they can't stop reading to go to bed. She said the greatest thing next. She said she doesn't sleep so well anyway and tends to just stare at the ceiling listening to Duran Duran.

Shut the front door.

Needless to say, I have a new friend in Southwest Florida.

She's an illustrator, and as soon as I find out what her website is, I'll plaster it all over all my blogs and online groups, etc., so everyone I know can see her stuff. I'm truly impressed. And, believe me, I've seen A TON of illustrators and graphic artists in my day. (Come on, I've been running magazines for how long now? Think of the CVs and portfolios that have crossed my desks.) Anyway, I really want this gal to do a portrait of Nigel and Chariss, so I'm going to start saving stray cash and get a quote from her. We'll see what we come up with, eh?

Now, if you're not going to be at a writer's meeting with me anytime soon to get your copy of Choices Meant for Gods, you can still get a copy of your own by going to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders and begging them to order it in (I doubt it's sitting on the shelf, but you never know!). Or you can make things really easy on yourself and jog over to Amazon and order a copy at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=dp_return_1/104-9089752-5140754?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1175821346&sr=8-1. My publisher's site also has an endless supply at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Florida Writers Association, Duran Duran, Nigel and Chariss, Southwest Florida

Writer's Guide
Where are you finding inspiration?

(And this is post #400 at The Dragon, so I'd say we're inspired around here!)

I bought some more purple pens and an Orlando Bloom notebook and, pow, I've penned four blog articles in under two hours. Well…this one isn't complete yet…so we're at three and the beginning of #4. So purple pens and Orlando Bloom are inspiring to me. (By the way, just in case I need to point this out, Orlando inspires more than blog entries…the lad is hot. He can rescue me from orcs or pirates any day of the week.)

Now! The subject of this Writer's Guide. Inspiration. It's a favored topic of mine because I hear writers say, "oh, I'll get back to that when I get inspired," all the time. And it confuses me. "What?" I think. "When you get inspired? Aren't you inspired being awake? Weren't you inspired by your dreams last night?" (Keep a notebook and at least two pens by your bed—always.) Aren't we all inspired by the music in elevators? By the funky birds that waddle or strut in front of our cars? By pictures of John Taylor?

Oh! True story! I drove to Atlanta to see Mr. Taylor back in December and wrote a 70,000-word paranormal romance novel in two weeks when I returned. People…that is what I call being inspired by your muse.

Don't let time constraints restrain your inspiration. When I'm driving and I get inspired, I just jot down bits and pieces of sentences at stop lights (or, if traffic is moving slowly enough, while we're moving) by propping a notebook up on the steering wheel. When I'm at the grocery store, standing in line, pow, out comes the little purse-sized notepad and the other people standing there like zombies wasting those precious moments of life that they'll wish they had back when they're dying in a hospital bed 10, 20, 30 years from now get to watch me scribbling like a fiend, listening to the muse whispering in my ear…

And that right there explains why I let everything inspire me. I am the genetic dumping ground for my family tree. If it's a disease in my family, I'm going to get it. I've already had Bell's Palsy, a history of migraine that no one should have to live through, some bizarre time when I kept getting eye infections because my tear ducts weren't working properly (no longer have problems with my freaking tear ducts), and other issues that I'm not going to list publicly, and I'm only 37 years old. Thirty-seven. Whiskey tango foxtrot, right? So, I figure, chances are good I'm not making it much past 40 or 50 years…if I keep the razor blades out of my hands that long, thank you Emily Dickenson, for the inspiration (although I think she drank poison, didn't she?).

The way I see it…I have a lot of stories to get out of my soul and not a lot of time to do it. And none of us are promised tomorrow. Woah. Now if THAT doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.

So get crackin', Writers! And give some inspiration back. There's a comment field here. Let's see what inspires you. Rainbows (saw a beautiful one spanning the Gulf of Mexico when I went out for sea turtle patrol Saturday morning), sea shells (picked up some more of the kind I'm using for "Malachi's dragon scales" in marketing and promotion efforts on Choices Meant for Gods Saturday morning, after sea turtle patrol), movies (don't have time to watch those myself, but some of all ya'll might), a fabulous bottle of wine (and I don't mean to imply anything there), a great song (anything by Duran Duran, except Lonely in Your Nightmare, makes me happy; that one makes me cry), etc. Lay it on us! Tell us what inspires you to scribble like a fiend!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, writer's guide, inspiration, Orlando Bloom, John Taylor, Duran Duran, Bell's Palsy, migraine, Gulf of Mexico, sea turtle, dragon

Writers Guide
Some New Duran Duran Inspiration Today
Or…another of The Dragon's favorite Duran lyrics

Because I'm pretty much obsessed with Duran Duran (and I wanted an excuse to look at this picture again) and the boys just did a fantastic job at the Concert for Diana, I wanted to post the following coo-el Duran Duran lyric, just to inspire all ya'll writers visiting The Dragon today. This is my favorite Duran song (well, the Monster Mix makes it my fave).

Is There Something I Should Know
By Duran Duran

Please please tell me now.
I made a break I run out yesterday,
I tried to find my mountain hideaway,
Maybe next year, maybe no go
I know you're watching me every minute of the day, yeah.
I've seen the signs and the looks and the pictures,
They give your game away, yeah.
There's a dream that strings the road with broken glass for us to hold,
And I cut so far before I had to say:
Please, please tell me now is there something I should know,
Is there something I should say,
That would make you love my way?
Do you feel the same 'cause you don't let it show? Oh
People stare and cross the road from me,
And jungle drums they all clear the way for me.
Can you read my mind, can you see in the snow?
And fiery demons all dance when you walk through that door.
Don't say you're easy on me,
You're about as easy as a nuclear war.
There's a dream that strings the road with broken glass for us to hold,
And I cut so far before I had to say:
Please, please tell me now is there something I should know,
Is there something I should say,
That would make you love my way?
Do you feel the same 'cause you don't let it show?


"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Duran Duran, Concert for Diana, Is There Something I Should Know, dragon

Givin' Props
Or...The Dragon is late with the thank-yous for last week's Choices Meant for Gods Online Book Tour

I'd like to remind all you visitors to Today the Dragon Wins that Fantasy Author Sandy Lender is still on tour (yay!) and you can still "meet" me all over the internet. It's been a wild and crazy ride so far with multiple stops on various days and author chats on some nights and a constant presence for the month of June at http://www.bloggingauthors.com/ (which reminds me that I have to send my professional reviews over to the lovely and wonderfully patient Nancy Hendrickson to be posted at BloggingAuthors). I'd like to remind you all of the folks who were so kind as to offer me time and space on their sites last week.

Monday, June 11, I appeared at http://www.charleneleatherman.blogspot.com/ for an interview
Tuesday, June 12, I appeared at http://blog.myspace.com/raven_bower for an interview where we had a fabulous follow-up conversation of questions with folks, so if you want to go back and check that archive, I highly recommend it
Wednesday, June 13, I appeared at Dorothy Thompson's http://www.pumpupyouronlinebookpromotion.blogspot.com/ with a guest blog post
Thursday, June 14, I appeared at both http://www.spiritualvisitations.blogspot.com/ and http://paranormalityuniverse.blogspot.com/ with guest blog posts.

Friday, I took a break because I was traveling to New York to stalk John Taylor. Oh, wait, should I admit to that in a public forum? Nigel (my muse) is here waiting his turn to use the computer for his blog over at http://sandylender.blogspot.com/ (Nigel Presents Sandy Lender) and he thinks it's perfectly legal because I didn't leave any evidence...

Anyway, my goal with this post is to thank these wonderful hosts for the time they took and the effort they made to help promote the new epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. I pushed a couple copies while I was in New York and signed a few more (Duranies rock on, by the way), and I encourage all ya'll reading the blog today to get your copy at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders, or hop over to Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3163519-8684042?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181832464&sr=8-1 to get it with free shipping.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy author, fantasy novel, dragon, author chat, online book tour, Nigel Presents Sandy Lender, Today the Dragon Wins

Ultimate Writing Inspiration
Or...today is John Taylor's birthday

Back on June 20, 1960, Nigel John Taylor came screaming into the world. And God said, "It is good."

All forms of inspiration then began in earnest. Writing, drawing, painting, photography, music, everything that requires inspiration or a muse or creative thought...it's a go because this incredible man is in the world. How else do you think I got through Choices Meant for Gods? (Oh, and you can still get your copy of my debut novel at http://www.amazon.com/ or my publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/ under fantasy authors.)

And that's what I've got to say about that. :)

Happy birthday to John Taylor, the bass guitarist for Duran Duran!
Can I get an amen?


"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: John Taylor, Duran Duran

Writers Guide
Some Duran Duran Inspiration Today
Or…one of The Dragon's favorite Duran lyrics

Because I'm going to the fan-club-members-only concert ON MY BIRTHDAY in New York City this weekend, I wanted to post the following amazing, fabulous and coo-el Duran Duran lyric, just to inspire all ya'll writers visiting The Dragon today.

Palomino
By Duran Duran

She lays on the wall
Watching the strangers drift away
Mid-day's ore—thick
With the sun of Arabia
She surrenders her voices
They gather, on the wind
Talking, chanting, breathing
Into her body…yesterday
Awakened beside
The scent of burnt sugar—on the skin
Painting eyes—thick
With the colour she brings in
Oh, and sure and strong
When the lightning tumbles down
Don't you frown
Everything will be
In time for this evening
If there's secrets
She has to be pardoned to
Everyone one of them
If there's heaven
She gets to the heart
And you'll know…
Why she says
When I run out of blue
Help me rise instead
Then I will run to you
Why she says
When I run out of blue
Give me rain instead
Now let me run…(let me run)
If there's secrets
She has to be pardoned to
Every one of them
If there's heaven
She gets to the heart
And you'll know…
Why she says
When I run out of blue
Help me rise instead
Then I will run to you

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."


Tags: Duran Duran, dragon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK RHODES!

Or...the Duranies rejoice

Events move too quickly in our lives. I thought I had a Grammar Guide all ready to post for you guys today to follow the Writer's Guide from yesterday. No dice. You have to wait. But the waiting makes it all that much better when you get it next week, right? Instead, allow me to take a moment to bask in my obsession: Today is Nick Rhodes's birthday, which means friends of mine (did you Duranies catch that) will be calling each other throughout the day to wish each other well and to obsess over our trip to New York to see the band next weekend. All I can say is...ack. For those of you not obsessed to distraction with Duran Duran, it may be a bizarre day for you. Radio stations will receive odd requests from high-pitch-voiced ladies acting half their age, groupies will appear at clubs tonight requesting Duran songs from DJs who have probably forgotten that Girls on Film has a fabulously danceable beat, people will have stray conversations about Arcadia, and TNT and Spike might show A View to a Kill. It'll be great. (Side story: at the last Duran weekend I attended up in Orlando, I walked up to the DJ at this bar/restaurant and requested Duran. He said, in this innocent questioning voice, "Duran Duran?" Realizing this young man didn't have what I wanted, I responded, "yeah, both of them.")

Now, back to what you came here for: the Choices Meant for Gods Online Book Tour takes you to my publisher's blog today. You can catch me at http://archeblog.blogspot.com and see what intriguing things we have to say.

And while you're there, you can order your copy of the epic fantasy novel with all its dragons and wizards and sorcerers, oh my! There's a discount at the publisher's site, doncha know! But I'd like to see all you Southwest Florida residents come out to my book signing at Barnes & Noble tomorrow! Yes, I'll be live and in person at the B&N at the Waterside Shops at Tamiami and 41 from 2 to 4 Saturday, June 9, where you can get your copy of Choices Meant for Gods signed by Fantasy Author Sandy Lender and you can enter a contest to win a replica of Jorin Taiman's training sword (way cool, let me tell you). I hope to see you there.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy author, fantasy novel, Duran Duran, online book tour, archebooks publishing, Nick Rhodes, dragons, wizards, sorcerers

Today the Dragon Talks
Or...join Sandy Lender at Marcus Williford's author chat tonight

Today the online book tour takes an interesting twist! Instead of an interview with a host, I'll have a chat with YOU! Yes, visitors, you can talk directly...well...type directly with me tonight, 9 eastern time, at http://willifordblog.com. Go over and register prior to 9 so you're set to go at start time, though, because we're only on for an hour (or a little longer). Marcus is a wonderful host: Nigel and I have participated in his live author chats before. There's no spamming done after you register (for free) to participate in these chats. I've invited my publisher to join us so maybe we'll get some pearls of wisdom from that arena as well...

I can guarantee you we'll talk about the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, the fantasy author Sandy Lender, online book tours, writing when your muse won't let you sleep for several nights in a row, inspiration through Duran Duran, and who knows what else!

I look forward to spending some time with you this evening, my friends. And tomorrow, we'll be at Marilyn Morris's Sabbath's Room at www.sabbathsroom.blogspot.com.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy author, fantasy novel, muse, Duran Duran, Marcus Williford, online book tours

We Celebrate an Influential Birthday at The Dragon Today
Or...one of my Duran boys gets another year older

It's no secret that I'm a huge Duran Duran fan. Titles and lyrics from Duran Duran songs influence some scenery and imagery in Choices Meant for Gods. After 23 years, it can't be helped. I think I've mentioned on this blog, and I know I've mentioned in interviews, that the Arcadia album, So Red the Rose, in particular, was a source of inspiration. (Ummm...the name of the Taiman estate is Hleo-Arcana...come on.) Anyway, it will come as no surprise then, that today I am in ultra-celebration mode over Roger Fabulous-Arms Taylor, the drummer for Duran Duran. It is his birthday, and I'd like to send out all those happy wishes to him. No, he won't see this, but, hey, some of his fans will. Some of them are calling me today, because, as all of you crazed Duranies know, it's what we do...

Have a great Thursday, everyone. And listen to some Duran tunes. I highly recommend the Rio album for a spring-almost-summer day like today (remember, I'm in Florida). I would also recommend the Liberty album, but Roger didn't play on that one, so, you know...

Happy Birthday, Roger, and thank you for the good imagery! (Honey, it is so good to have you back in the band...)

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Roger Taylor, Duran Duran, Duranies, Rio, Liberty