Author Christine d’Abo

My good friend Amy was kind enough to Roar! me the other day. I’m touched that so many people seem to be enjoying my writing. Not only because it reinforces my desire to write when I’m having a down day, but it’s flattering to know that people are taking a measure of enjoyment out of something that’s come from deep inside me.

Part of this award has me giving three reasons why I keep a book. Well, if you saw my bookshelf you’d see I love my books. But I have a special shelf for those books I re-read.

CHARACTER GROWTH

There is something about watching a character change and grow throughout the course of a book or series of books. They don’t have to be big changes either–in fact the more subtle the change, the more powerful the end result. I tie the emotional journey of the character with this. The more they suffer, the more I love it!

CONFLICT

I  have to have a strong conflict in the story if I’m going to keep it. Again, this doesn’t mean explosions on every page (though I tend to do that myself!), but rather that deep emotional conflict that seems to tear a character apart. The end result is them becoming a stronger person.

SEXUAL ATTRACTION

 Oh I loves me the sexual tension. The heated looks that aren’t acted upon. The shivers and sighs after a close encounter. I can forgive many, many things if the sexual tension is strong.

Now its my turn to award this to three other writers!

Colleen Gleason. I’m a total fan girl of Colleen’s, but it’s for all of the reasons listed above. The world she’s build for her vampire stories, the sexual tension between Victoria and Max, and Victoria and Sebastian….whoa Nelly! I can reread her books any day!

Kelley Armstrong. Not only is Kelley a kind, generous lady, she’s one hell of a writer. I “discovered” her when she came and did a talk at one of our chapter meetings. Since then, she’s joined us and we have the advantage of her wisdom. The otherworld books are must reads!

Margaret Moore. If you don’t read Margaret’s blog, you are missing out. If you don’t read Margaret’s books…you’re REALLY missing out. I love the emotional depth of her characters, and how her heroines work within the confines of their worlds, but come across as strong, independant women. And I’d take any one of her heroes home with me. Like now!

Who are some of the writers on your keeper shelf?

I hate it when this happens. This song has been stuck in my head for two days now. ARAHAAGGGGGG!!

LOL Anyone who knows me in person, what do you think? I hate to admit it, but this really sounds like me!!

What Christine Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you… especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You’re a strong person. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It’s easy to get you excited… which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don’t stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don’t always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don’t have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You’re most comfortable when you’re far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

I’m sorry I didn’t post sooner today. It was insane at work and I didn’t manage to get up early enough to get a post in before I left. Needless to say, I haven’t done much in the way of writing. I’m actually off to do some now.

Apparently I’ve been double tagged (Michelle and Maureen both got me ) and since I’m still numb from the crazy day I had at work today, this is a perfect post for me! So here we go…

Seven Random Facts About Me.

1. I’ve never been further west in North America than London Ontario.

2. I can drink at least two cups of coffee and then go to bed and get a good night’s sleep.

3. When I was six I spilled a cup of hot coffee all over my chest trying to “help” the grown ups. Ended up in a body dressing for three months.

4. I have serious OCD when it comes to my email. Serious OCD…

5. I’m the oldest of myself and my sister. We are pretty much night and day in personalities.

6. If you’d asked me what I’d wanted to be when I was a kid (age 7-15), I would have told you movie director. Writer would have been second.

7. I like wine. Red wine. LOTS of red wine…

I now have to tag seven people…I think most everyone has been tagged at this point, but I’ll try Red, Amy, Wylie, Vixen, Karen E, Kelly, and Julia.

So a few weeks ago I went to the TRW Christmas party and I took a few pictures. I promised to post the one of all the TRW bloggers who happened to be there. Now, we are missing Maureen and Margaret, but here is most of us.

From left to right back row: Amy Ruttan, Me , Savannah Chase

From left to right front row: Wylie Kinson,  Bonnie Staring, Leah Braemel

Aren’t we cute!

I’m guest blogging over at Shelley Munro’s blog today. You get to find out all about the craziness I call, “Getting ready for Christmas”!

I’m giving away a copy of Chasing Phoenix to one lucky commentor, so come say hi!

Still working on my NaNo this weekend. I have to do some editing first though…I’ll keep you posted.

Hello my friends. I’m taking a break from TT this week so I can focus on a few other things. First off, I’m going to try and push through to the end of my novella. I managed to write another 2000 words on it yesterday, which brings me to with in 5000 words of being finished. I’m hoping between today and tomorrow I’ll be able to finish it off.

That said, I don’t want to leave you with nothing…so I present you with THIS LINK!!! You must all watch the video for this - you’ll laugh your heads off. Tell me what you think and if you played the game that follows. Don’t forget to comment and I’ll come visit your site.

I’ve been a bad blogger for meme’s the last little while. I’ve missed a bunch and I’m going to try and go back to get them done. Julia just tagged me with this 100 question meme. Because I’m brain dead at the moment, I thought I’d go for it. If you want to play along, grab the questions and let me know you’re doing it!

1. Slept naked? A few times…
2. Taken a shower with someone? A few times…
3. Kissed a member of the same sex? Yes, but it was a cheek thing.
4. Driven a car? I love to drive, and do it everyday.
5. Stolen anything? I “borrowed” a notepad from work once.
6. Been in love? Of course, and I still am. My husband is the love of my life. We’ve been together for eighteen years, and married for eleven.
7. Been dumped? Only once, my one boyfriend before I met my husband.
8. Stole money from a family member? Nope.
9. Gotten in a car with people you just met? Yes, but she became a good friend of the family, so it’s all good.
10. Been in a fist fight? No, I’m more of a passive aggressive person. J
11. Snuck out of your/someone’s house? Nope.
12. Had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back? Yes, I don’t know why Gerard Butler won’t return my calls.
13. Been arrested? Not yet…
14. Hugged a stranger? Sure! I’m a firm believe in random hugs and acts of kindness.
15. Met up with a member of the opposite sex somewhere?  Sure, I’d met my husband places all the time. J
16. Left your house without telling your parents? Nope, I wouldn’t do that to them.
17. Had a crush on your neighbour? No, my neighbours were usually older…way older…and women…
18. Ditched school to do something more fun? Are my parents reading this?? Yes, I did. J
19. Slept in a bed with a member of the opposite sex? Of course, but only with my husband.
20. Lost a friend in a shop? No, but I think I’ve been ditched a few times.
21. Been on a plane? Yes. I’ve flown from Toronto to London, UK and back and from Halifax to Toronto.
22. Been to an island? Yes, I’ve been to St. Thomas, St. John and Tortola BVI. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
23. Slept in until 3? Ah those were the days. Back before I had children I had a few sleep ins like that.
24. Miss someone right now? My parents.
25. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? Yes, and this is more fun to do with my girls.
26. Made a snow angel? Every winter. J
27. Played dress up? Every Halloween
28. Cheated while playing a game? Not since I was a little kid.
29. Been lonely? I’m lonely whenever I have to travel by myself.
30. Kissed more than 4 people in one night? Nope.
31. Touched a snake? Yes and it was much softer than I was expecting.
32. Ran a red light? Nope.
33. Been suspended from school? Lord no, I was pretty vanilla in school.
34. Had detention? Nope.
35. Been in a car accident? Yes, three. I was driving once and a passenger twice. I was rear-ended twice, once two weeks after buying my first car and once on my way to my wedding rehearsal. The other accident my husband and I hit some black ice and spun into a ditch. We weren’t hurt but our SUV was toast.
36. Used a fake id? Didn’t need to. I looked twenty-five when I was seventeen.
37. Crawled through a window? Nope.
38. Been lost? I’m directionally challenged. But funny enough give me a map and I can give great directions to a driver. My husband and I work well together.
39. Been to the opposite side of the country? Nope. The furthest west I’ve been in

My good friend Wylie has honoured me with the Thoughtful Blogger Award. I’m both flattered and humbled to accept such an offering from such a wonderful blogger.

Now the fun part! I get to pass it along. There are so many wonderful people out there, but I’d like to honour Julia, Angela, Margaret, and the ladies of the Midnight Moon Cafe!