As you read this, I will be 30,000 feet in the air on my way to Texas to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. I am super excited. We haven't spent the holidays together in a very long time. But I hate flying. I am not one of those that enjoy it. Flying is boring. It's uncomfortable. I attract the crazy. I always get the person who wants to talk non-stop next me. I am not the chit chat type, so what are you supposed to say to someone you never met when they proceed to tell you their whole life story? And did I mention the TSA? Hmm...that's a whole conversation in itself.

So this time, I am determined to block all around me. I have two new books that I have been waiting to start reading. This trip will be the perfect occasion.

The first book is Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard. There have been numerous amounts of rec's for this book. All touting amazing reviews. After reading the jacket and some rec's from people in the know, I am definitely convinced to read and learn all about the Professor. 

A Christmas Cracker is a small cardboard cylinder, covered with decorative paper that holds candy or a party favor and pops when a paper strip is pulled at one or both ends.

We know that there are a lot of writers in the fandom and we know that more than a few of you probably have plot bunnies floating around that either you don't have time to write yourself or just don't think you can write the story. Well the Twigirls have a gift for you this Christmas, give us your plot bunny and we will find somebody to write it for you.

The bigger question is, what will your Christmas Cracker contain?

November 11th - November 23rd ~ Accepting Cracker submissions

November 24th&25th ~ Distribute crackers to authors

November 26th ~ December 25th ~  Accepting Story Submissions

December 28th ~ Reveal cracker requester/writer on www.twigirlsnextdoor.com

For more info: Chtistmas Cracker Exchange

You can follow on Twitter: @twigirlsnxtdoor

Jennifer is the author of The Light Series, and she's constantly on the top of all kinds of lists on GoodReads AND, her first book, Seers of Light might even have some silver screen interests! According to her blog, nothing is concrete yet but there are some feelers out. How cool is that? Jen has roots in the Twilight fandom, and we love to support and promote our fellow fandom friends whenever we can. You'll definitely want in on this drawing!

Ilsa J. Bick 

The myth of Persephone is one of the oldest of all Greek myths. Her story is a personification of some of the most universal concepts about life and death. This is exactly why I chose the picture as the banner for "The Girl" on my rec. Life and Death. Fallen and Vampire. Bella and Edward. It just made perfect sense to me. And after reading the interview, you will understand why as well.

Dolly3078 is an amazing writer. The Girl had me at the prologue. The summary seemed the typical Darkward, master/slave story. But to my surprise and utter joy, it wasn't. I love a Darkward, my favorite Edward. He is a vampire after all. Dolly3078 took a typical storyline and made it her own. I was completely floored by her story and my stalking tendencies went in to full swing. I soon discovered Dolly3078 wasn't much of a tweeter and had no blog. Her FF profile was very minimal as well. So like the stalker I am, I PM'd her. Now, I didn't want to scare her off, I really wanted to talk to her. Her story was so fascinating I needed to know who she was and where her ideas come from. Needless to say, I didn't scare her off and she was willing to entertain all my questions. She is even following me on twitter now so I can stalk her comfortably!

Dolly3078 is a lovely person and her creativity is just awe inspiring. I hang on her every word and am so thrilled she has allowed me this interview. She is truly an undiscovered gem in the world of Fandom and I am positive you will all agree.

So enough of my foaming at the mouth, without further ado, my conversation with Dolly3078 -

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I had read a few stories in my teen years on a different site about WWE characters (my secret teenage love was watching wrestling with my dad!!) and they inspired me. I wrote my own about Kane, called Masked, which I published on Fan Fiction. I didn't do anything else for a long time, but then I was inspired by Twilight :-)

I'm quite confident about what I like and what I don't like. I have a very varied taste in reading and I share with friends and family what I love, so no, I'm not in the closet!

My husband is amazingly supportive of my writing. He thinks I should send some of my original work off to publishers. Without him I probably wouldn't have published anything because I have always been very shy of showing anyone anything that I have written. I never believed I was good enough. But with his encouragement, I published a few stories on FanFiction and was amazed at the response. So if you enjoy my stories, thank my husband for giving me the confidence to post.

No.

I have always loved writing; I used to spend every break time and evening when I was a kid writing. It's a passion; I can't not write. An idea comes and I have to get it down on paper or it niggles away. Fanfiction started when I was inspired by the Kane storyline on WWE and I wrote Masked, a story I am still very proud of, even if it doesn't have quite the number of reviews of the Twilight stories. When I watched Twilight, I loved the characters and one day this image came into my head of a girl in a tattered dress with her best friend needing a job and The Club was born. It could have been written with original characters, but somehow I saw Jacob and Bella sitting there and it wasn't much of a leap to bring in Edward. The Girl started with the image of a boy running through the woods and apples. Again, it could so easily be an original story, but I have borrowed Stefanie's wonderful characters to pad out my ideas. And it's great being able to see what people think of my stories, so fanfiction is a great way in.

My story lines are usually born of an idea that springs up in my head; usually a picture of something happening, or the sound of a voice speaking. Sometimes they come from a dream or a picture. I have a gorgeous picture of Hades and Persephone which inspired me to write the novel of their lives together. I haven't published that one as yet, but I might one day ;-).

I started engaging with Fanfic through a website which has since closed down which had a beautiful Kane story on it. It was called Aria's Mountain and was outstanding and will always remain my favourite. I know it isn't Twilight, but hey, I'm a girl with varied tastes :-). There are so many excellent Twilight stories on FanFiction. I must admit I prefer the ones that give me something to think about, rather than the ones that are just about sex lol, but I think every story has its place and its audience.

You know the saying "She could sleep pegged on a washing line"? I could write literally anywhere! All I need is paper and a pen or a PC/laptop and I'm away. I tend to write on my laptop at the moment, generally sat in the living room of my cottage in front of the open fire, but anywhere will do. I become immersed in what I'm writing and don't tend to get easily distracted.

I tend to write in my free time. I have a very demanding job and so it tends to be evenings at home, as work is not an appropriate place to write in, break times or not.

I make time to write. It is something I love to do and if you are a writer, you write.

I do both. I usually know exactly what will happen in a story beginning to end and I will do an outline, but if I'm honest some stories write themselves and the ideas I had in Ch 1 might change by Ch 10! For example, with The Girl, I knew that Edward would appear as a total (add your own expletive lol) but actually was the victim of a very damaged childhood. I wanted to portray how it feels for a victim to go through the stages of coming to terms with what has happened to them. I hope that in The Girl, people see Bella hope Edward transform from a bitter and angry man into someone who can show he cares, without the need for violence. I do think if you are going to publish on FanFiction it is a good idea to have a very clear idea of what will happen beginning to end in your story as it is very frustrating as a reader when writers just give up on a story because they don't know what will happen next themselves.

It all depends who tells the story in my head I guess. For The Club and Blood of my Blood it was always going to be Bella. But for The Girl, I think the third person narrative has added another dimension to the characters, as we get to see how Bella, Edward and even Richard or other secondary characters feel about what is happening. And it has also meant that throughout the story there are many clues about what is about to happen... if people read closely enough to pick them up.

As I said before, I usually have an idea of how a story will begin and end and I do tend to write out a basic outline. This helps me to avoid writer's block. I also tend to draft a lot, which means stories are written in full before I begin editing and publishing. If I do have serious writer's block, I do some reading of my own, look at inspiring pictures, watch a bit of TV/films etc. Sometimes just having a break from what you are writing can be enough to help. If the ideas simply won't flow, I'll move onto a new project, as perhaps the one I'm struggling with isn't a good enough idea?

If you have it in you to write, then write. Every piece of writing has worth and someone will appreciate it. Keep a notebook handy for ideas; I'm forever jotting things down though latterly more on the memo pad of my Blackberry. And good luck!

I had a book called Joseph or Arimathea published a few years back and have had numerous poems and stories published in magazines and newspapers. I would love to have my work published, but I am a bit shy of sending work off if I'm honest. My husband will probably work on that as he really believes in me.

How do you handle negative reviews/blog postings?

This was something I had never experienced until the same reviewer posted two very strange and aggressive reviews. I say strange because they mentioned events/characters that were not in the story and aggressive because of the language used in them. While I use swear words in my stories, they are used as part of the text and to add to the story. I really feel that if you are reviewing someone else's work, describing their characters as mother ******* or wh***s is a little harsh. I contacted the reviewer, as I do every reviewer, and pointed out that the characters they had mentioned were not in the story at all and that the language used to describe characters that were in the story did not really fit with the story I was telling. I don't mind reviews that ask a question or challenge something I have written, but I reserve the right to defend my work and my characters. With this particular reviewer, I was amazed by the support from other reviewers, who contacted me personally to say that they had seen that person's reviews and failed to understand her point of view. That made me feel a lot better as it is very hard not to take poisonous reviews to heart, though as my husband pointed out, it was two reviews out of several hundred and possibly the result of jealousy that so many others liked my work. For others who have experienced unkind reviews, I would say always defend your work; no one is paying to read it and they have no right to give it unwarranted criticism. If people don't like they don't have to read. And always look back on the reviews of people that have enjoyed your writing, because I would bet there are more positive reviewers than negative ones out there.

Just a massive thank you for all the kind reviews and the questions people ask that help to shape my writing even more. I read every single review and always try to respond to them. I also appreciate all the people who add my stories as a favourite. That means a lot too. I will continue to write as long as people continue to enjoy my stories. So THANK YOU!

My husband would probably say laptop, kindle, Blackberry.... But the truth is I couldn't live without my husband. He is the love of my life and means more than anything else.

I live in a beautiful village in the North West of England.

I am still finishing the editing and publishing of The Girl, but I have a vague idea bouncing around for the story I might do once that is finished. I would love to do a Christmas special for each of the stories I have finished and published, Masked, The Club and The Girl, if people would like to read a couple of one-shots that is. Have to let me know ;-)

When I was growing up I was the eternal daydreamer, hence all the stories I used to write (and still do!). My mum always called me Dolly Daydream and so Dolly seemed a good name to go with for a pen name.

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Read The Girl and watch for more from Dolly3078. Her mind and creativity is a fascinating place to be.

My choice of banner for The Girl

In September, six-year-old Aloshua went into respiratory distress and was rushed to Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, his family found out that Aloshua has pseudomonas aeruginosa in his lungs. Pseudomonas is a common bacteria found in a variety of environments that can cause serious disease in humans and animals alike. For severely ill children like Aloshua, the disease can be fatal if not properly treated.

Romance/Hurt/Comfort  WIP  Rated: M

"I will die, but I am your destiny. I am your destiny." And she got to her feet and mutely followed him back to the tiny cottage he lived in with his mother, under the watchful eye of his step father. His mother agreed to take her in, as long as they kept her hidden from her husband, who was no great lover of children, as the boy had found out to his cost. But looking at the waif, the boy's mother knew she would not live long and when the boy said,

"She is my destiny."

The Girl will have you turning and wondering at each chapter as the author reveals bits and pieces of both Bella's and Edward's history and what brought them to this point. Edward struggles to understand their destiny and more importantly, accept it. You will be gobsmacked what Bella is when finally revealed. Yes,"what" Bella is. It is key to the understanding of the story.

Dolly3078 takes the typical Darkward, master/slave, vampire/human storyline and turns it in to something completely different and magical. And though the characters are SM's, the plot is completely original, completely Dolly3078. The writing is masterful and you will be sitting on edge waiting for the next update. And thank goodness the updates are practically daily. I don't think I could wait not knowing what is going to happen next.

The plot, mystery, and creativity have me completely hooked. My new obsession.

Join me on this journey in to the magical. Worlds of wild light and onyx darkness. Edward and Bella. Hades and Persephone. Life and Death.

* And join me tomorrow for an interview with the talented Dolly3078 as she tells us who she is and how she comes up with her very original storylines.

Dolly3078 - FF Profile 
On Twitter - @Dolly3078

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is required by the body to use glucose, the simple sugar that most foods are broken down into by our digestive system. Without insulin, the body starves to death.

Summary: Years ago, Alice had a vision: Edward would find a mate at Christmas. After decades of trying to dissuade his meddling family by bringing home the vilest girls he can find, Edward happens upon a bitter old woman & awakens to what could've been.

May and His December is from my oldie but goodie collection. Written back in 2010 for the Twilight Gift Exchange on Live Journal. And like all good things that you never want to end, you really don't see much from Oxymoronic8 anymore. That makes me a little sad, her stories really are very good and May and His December is no exception. But her stories remain on her FF profile for us to still enjoy.

And like any good one shot, the potential to continue to a multi chapter fic, May and His December possess those qualities. The story starts relatively typical with the storyline of Edward's mate and how Alice envisions their meeting. That's where this delightful story ends. Edward seeing the scenario of draining his beloved in the meadow, decides to the leave the family. He returns 10 years later having never met his "mate". Alice and Esme still pursue the fact that she is out there and Edward needs to find her. Edward growing tired of the badgering decides to pay his family back for the years of badgering and every Christmas brings home his "mate", an assortment of less than savory women shocking and disgusting his family. He does this in the hope that they will give up and leave him alone.

The story takes quite the humorous turn with the meeting of Bella Newton at the Twilight Meadow home for the elderly. Oxymoronic8 delivers a plot that really has you on your toes first with her cutting sarcastic lines as well as where the story is going. It is not until the very end you understand all the nuances thrown at you through out.

I found the story completely hysterical with an underlying tone of sadness. Truly a great story and definitely worth your time. 

Two lines from the story that clinched the deal for me:

Her introductory words are raspy and droll: "Kid, if you can spring me from this hellhole, there's a Twinkie from my secret stash with your name on it."

Oxymoronic8 FF Profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Printing_Paws

 

Book Lovers Inc's first annual Holiday Reading Challenge!

The BLI Holiday Reading Challenge will start on November 10 and will end on December 31.

Santa's Helper: read 1-3 holiday themed books
Serial Mistletoe-er: read 4-6 holiday themed books
Candy Cane-aholic: read 7 or more holiday themed books 

This is a challenge I can get on board with. With the holidays upon us and all the running around we do, it's nice to just sit and be. And what better way to escape the daily grind? Reading. It has always been my escape.

So I've signed up as a Santa's Helper. And to help us all along in the challenge. Book Lover's has a huge list posted on their site of holiday themed reads.

I am going for Susi, the Geeky Lover rec's -

I suppose you can tell where my heart and soul are for the holidays!

 

Summary: A disillusioned cheerleader jumps off a cliff into the churning water below and gets more than she bargained for when she's saved by the man who's been waiting in the wings. Popularity doesn't always equal happiness.

Congratulations to the winners of the PHASES OF LIFE  Contest!

 Honorable Mentions 

Santa Paws Drive is dedicated to helping shelter animals have a happy holiday season! These furry friends are often overlooked during the holidays, and it is our goal to make sure they get the love, attention and gifts that other pets are lucky enough to get. Please help us bring some joy today!

Now in our third year, Santa Paws Drive is the first "virtual toy drive" for pets! Donate either cash or gifts (the choice is yours!) and the Santa Paws elves will divide up the goodies and money and send them off to six shelters across the world! Our goal is $900 plus oodles of toys and treats for each shelter!       

Summary: This is Edwards "missing time" from New Moon starts as he runs away and ends in Italy.

Oh mrskebab you saucy little thing! Imagine my surprise when I started reading Italian Moon and it was T rated! That was a surprise and not what I expected. But that's what happens when you assume your online bantering with a writer will transcend in to their stories. And so true for many I find.You could know someone in the world of Twitter, make assumptions based on tweets thinking they write certain genre's and emotions based on personalities you get to know. Only to find that is not the case. The mark of a true writer.

When I started reading Italian Moon, I wasn't sure what to expect. The rating threw me because I knew there would be no canoodling. And what's a FF story with no canoodling? I will tell you. A very well written, fully developed plot that will keep you coming back just to find out where the story is going.

New Moon is my least favorite of the Twilight Saga. I normally shy away from stories with the "NM plot" because I just did not go for the storyline at all. Probably because there was no Edward through the majority and definitely no Edward POV. Let alone Bella's continued wallowing without any real clarity. And even in the end when Edward returns, SM left us short with his POV. It just was not clear, leaving me with many doubts. I am not the type of reader that accepts the "trust me" or "it's just fiction" or even worse, "there is a reason". I need my POV's clear. I need my plots to make sense. Without that, my ADD kicks in, and I am out.

Italian Moon starts right after the infamous woods scene in New Moon. The story is written in Edward's POV as well as the affect on the rest of the Cullen's. And though the story is only 5 chapters in, you really get a sense of why Edward left, why he ran from the love of his existence and what it does to him.

mrskebab stays true to canon as she delves in to the thought process of Edward. You do get a feel for what led him to his decision and the torment he puts himself through. I am believing every word written and it makes sense to me, more so than the explanation New Moon gave us.

According to the summary, we will be taken all the way to Italy where Edward finally winds up. I am really looking forward to that and the journey this story will bring us on. Funny, I find I enjoy and understand the FF writers version of events better than the actual story. mrskebab gives you that in Italian Moon. You will understand Edward's mindset and the POV is beautifully clarified.

Italian Moon is definitely a story to check out and because only 5 chapters so far, your right at the beginning and it won't take long to catch up!

"I suddenly shivered, the realisation of what I had done hit me… I had left Bella for good. I felt weak, for the first time ever, I actually felt dead."

Where to find mrskebab:

Romance/Hurt/Comfort - BxE  One Shot  Rated: T

I love one shots that are packed with sorrow, angst, and romance. Probably because multi chapters crush my heart where as a one shot, easier to deal with the pain in small doses. And sometimes you even get a HEA, though not always.

Lulabelle98 gives us all that in her one shot she wrote for "Write That Tune". One Last Drop just broke my heart. It was filled with such sorrow and loss that I had to jump to the end to see how it ended. Yes, I cheated, but I had to. Every word I read hurt, but yet felt there was still hope. A true sign of angst. The hope that there will be an outcome of a HEA or at least an understanding.

The story begins with Edward sitting in a bar drowning his sorrow with drink, definitely not a good sign. And Bella home waiting for him, despondent in bed. What drove these two to this point, well, you'll just have to read to find out. But I can tell you, it was a great storyline and a one shot I could see continued in to a multi chapter story. And that is just the best, when you know the story could continue.

Lulabelle98 has a way of weaving words that bring you in to her stories. You completely feel the loss and pain of the storyline. This is also the same writer who is bringing us A Long Walk Home, another story that hurts my heart, but so very good.

Excerpt: