Winners and Other Random-ish Stuff

Hi all! I'm back in town and now feeling so behind in all my writing and blogging things. Guess what I remembered? I had a contest. It ended last Friday and I've been very slow in drawing the winner.

Here's my confession: I almost forgot that little detail. Yes, my bad. The thing is, Easter crept up on me, and with it, spring break. And then we took that little trip I told ya'll about (got those pictures and will share later) and now I'm back and trying to play catch-up. No worries. Other than lots of laundry, I'll get it all done.

First thing's first, though. I have winners to announce. Then on to a quick spotlight, and some other fun info I want to share.

So winner number one, get's to choose a watch:

The Graef Family (entered on Heather Gardener's Fire and Ice blog)

Yay! Clapclapclapclapclap. Cheer. Congratulations.

Winner number two gets to choose between an autographed copy of Wings, a copy of the Darwin Awards, or an autographed copy of Recovering Charles:

Damsel in Dis Dress (entered on Tristi Pinkston's blog)

Yay! cheercheercheerclapclapclapclap! Congratulations on winning.

Winner number three gets to choose between a $25 gift certificate to the Restaurant Morelia in Murray, UT or $25 worth of vinyl lettering by Whaddayawannasay Vinyl Lettering:

L.T. Elliott (for an entry on Ali Cross's blog)

Yayayayayayay! Cheer cheer cheer clapclapclapclap! Congratulations, L.T.!


And just to keep things interesting, L.T. has an option to choose a visit with my critique group. If she chooses something else, the option will fall to Damsel should she want it.

All of you need to email me your snail mail address with your choice of prize by Monday, April 12th at 5:00 pm. Or new winners will be picked. Congratulations everyone!

Okay, moving on. While I was otherwise occupied, I neglected to mention that April is autism awareness month, and because of that, my good friend, Danyelle is hosting a really awesome giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of her book, (dis)Abilities in the Gospel. Check this out!

April is Autism Awareness Month. 

Specifically, April 2nd  is World Autism Awareness Day! 

"Be Aware. Be Understanding."

This is my very favorite quote. Autism awareness is so important to me, to other parents, and to individuals with autism. I have met so many other parents who have struggled with their kids at a park or store and received comments from those passing by about their child's lack of manners or the parent's lack of discipline. While these comments can be thought of as rude, really they are a result of 1) not being aware of the full situation, and 2) not being kind and understanding.

Even though there's a lot of publicity about autism these days, I often meet people who don't really understand what autism is. Well, guess what? I'm a parent of child with autism and I still don't understand what autism is! Autism just isn't that simple. There's no easy definition or description because it effects each individual differently. You can't just look at someone and say, "Hey, he has autism." If you don't interact with someone who has autism on a daily basis, you will most likely miss any cues that might make you think of autism.

So how can you help if it's not easy to tell if someone has autism? Just be a good community member.The key making parents and individuals with autism feel comfortable - no matter the circumstances - is to be kind and understanding. 

Do you remember that rule your parents taught you about - if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all? Live it.

If you encounter a situation where a parent and child are struggling & the groceries go flying or an adult is having a difficult time expressing what he's trying to find in a store and you feel comfortable helping, then do it.  The help could be as simple as picking up the groceries, walking beside the parent to the car, then putting the groceries in the trunk. Something so simple can make a huge impact on a weary parent, whether their child has autism, another disability, or is just a tired kid throwing a tantrum. Do you see how just being a good member of the community can help anyone and make your town a happier place to live? The difference is really just your attitude and being kind.

I challenge you today to make a change, to be more aware of those around you, and to reach out & share a simple act of kindness with just one person. Then do it again tomorrow. Make it a goal each and every day.

Share the Love

Not only is this Autism Awareness Month, but my book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, just became available to pre-order! My co-author (Lynn Parsons) and I thought it was divine that our book - which is meant to help families and church leaders teach the gospels to individuals with mental disabilities (including autism) - is beginning it's promotions during such a relevant event. You can learn more about our book here.

To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, my co-author and I are hosting a give away each week.

List of Prizes –

Week 1 – $10 Gift Card to the Autism Speaks store

Week 2 – An autographed copy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Will be mailed when released in June.

Week 3 – 8x10 Autism Awareness Art Print

Week 4 – An autographed copy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Will be mailed when released in June.


This week's give away is a $10 Gift Card to Autism Speaks' store.

Entry Rules:

All entries must be received by noon on April 9th. The winner will be drawn (via random.org) and announced that afternoon. You can enter on both Danyelle's blog & Lynn's blog. All entries will be combined together and a winner drawn each week. You do not need to leave a separate comment for each entry. Just let us know what you did & we’ll add the entry points to our spreadsheet. If you enter via Facebook or Twitter, you must friend us to see your statuses. Also, if your blog is private, we need to either be invited to view your blog or that post won’t be eligible for an entry. Although you are still welcome to blog about the contest and our book! 

How to Enter:


1 entry each - Facebook and/or Tweet about the pre-order w/ link to Valor pre-order link. Please include the Twitter hashtag #DAG.

1 entry each – Facebook and/or Tweet this contest w/ link to Danyelle's post. Please include the Twitter hashtag #DAG.


Danyelle on FB
QOTC on FB

Danyelle on Twitter


Lynn on FB
Lynn on Twitter

2 entries each – Blog about Autism Awareness Month & the book order w/ links to our author websites and the Valor pre-order link. Include the contest information w/ a link to this post for an extra 2 entries.

Danyelle's Author Website
Lynn's Author Website

3 entries – Sign up for our mailing list (snail mail address) & email newsletter. We will only send stuff to you via snail mail if we have a signing coming to your area. The email newsletters vary, but do not come out more than once per week. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of the two of us. Email Danyelle at QueenOfTheClan@gmail.com  and email Lynn at ldparsons60@gmail.com

5 entries – Pre-order your copy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Click here to pre-order.



Thank you for helping us promote autism awareness and our book. Remember my challenge to each of you and good luck with the give away!

Click here for more information and to enter. Good luck!

Over the Top Bloggy Award

Last week was a little trying for me. I don’t really know why, a bunch of small things added together with some not-so-small ones and by the end, I was ready to run away and start a new life in another country. Well, okay, maybe not an entirely new life. Still, sometimes I feel that way, you know?

And then my friend Ronda awarded me with the “Over The Top” blogger award, and the fact that she would think of me, and her reasons behind giving me the award made my week. I am one lucky lady to have such supportive and wonderful friends like Ronda, and our larger Authors Incognito group, as well as my other writing groups and all the extended support I get every day from each of them. Also, I have some amazing and wonderful friends who are not writers, and who love me no matter what.

Thanks to a combination of those people, this week has been wonderful, and so much better than last week. Hooray for awesome friends. Thanks, Ronda, for the award. And now, I’ll try to do justice to your fun questions.

1. Where is your cell phone? Right next to me on my bed (since that’s where I’m sitting right now.)

2. Your hair? Clean, just past my chin, auburn this month, flat because it’s almost bedtime.


3. My mother? Um, what about her? She’s my mother.


4. Your father? Same deal. Neither of them live very far away, so I see them regularly.


5. Favorite food? Snow crab. And really, I’m not very picky.


6. Your dream last night? Can I plea the fifth on this one? No? Let’s just say it involved me, my friend Jen, Las Vegas, shopping, lightening and some seriously amazing thunder. Oh, and probably a bestselling novel—or I could be inserting that in mentally, not sure. Don’t remember much else, sorry.

7. Favorite drink? Dr. Pepper rocks!


8. Your dream/goal? You already know this answer—my novel on the New York Times Bestseller List. Duh!


9. What room are you in? My bedroom.


10. Your hobby? Besides writing? Reading, listening to music, driving around in my car, shopping, traveling, hanging with my family.


11. Your fear? Something happening to my husband or kids.


12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? A bestselling author living on a tropical island.


13. Where were you last night? In Las Vegas.


14. Something you aren't. Fake, a liar, perfect.


15. Muffins? Yes please. I like all except ones with walnuts in them.


16. Wish list item? Trip to Hawaii. Macbook Air, new carpet, living room chairs.


17. Where did you grow up? Everywhere. =) Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Utah.


18. Last thing you did? Caught up on three days worth of email.


19. What are you wearing? Pajamas.


20. Your TV? On. Watching “The Breakup”.


21. Your pet? Two golden retrievers, Tika and Dixie.


22. Your friends? THE BEST!


23. Your life? Is now complete. =) Full, awesome.


24. Your mood? Calm, content, happy.

25. Missing someone? Always.


26. Vehicle? 2004 Ford Mustang convertible. Red.


27. Something you're not wearing? Jewelry. (Are ya shocked? Yeah, well, I don’t wear it to bed.)


28. Your favorite store? That is a loaded question. Depends on what I’m shopping for, and the purpose for which I need it. Express maybe? Victoria’s Secret? Dillards? Really, I have to choose just one?

29. Your favorite color? Depends on my mood. Usually green or purple. Or pink. Or blue.


30. When was the last time you laughed? A few minutes ago. I laugh regularly.

31. Last time you cried? Last week, I think.


32. Your best friend? Besides Gary and my kids, Jennifer, Tiffany, Raylene, Lori, Mitzi, and Tova.


33. One place that I go over and over? The schools. Drive to school, pick up from school, drive to school, pick up from school. It’s a never-ending cycle. Same thing with the grocery store. Can’t figure out why…


34. One person who e-mails me regularly? My writing groups—SuperEdits, AuthorsIncognito, NovelThoughts, ANWA—my cousin Kellie, my coauthor Cindy…wow, do you really want this list? It’s pretty long.

35. Favorite place to eat? Mexico, a cruise ship, the beach, the mountains. (No one said it has to be a restaurant.)


Now for the five I've tagged to receive this award:



1. Rachelle: For always being there when I need encouragement or a good edit. Also, for her ability to continue on when most other people would give up, and seeing the forest for the trees. You are a constant example to me.

2. Danyelle: For patience and strength, and a deep and abiding ability to encourage others and be a good friend. Even as she collected rejection after rejection, she always rejoiced with others when they found success, and continues to do so every day.


3. Josh Perkey: Who watches out for others, gives excellent input, and is generally an all around great guy/editor. I’m so lucky to have him for a friend.


4. Darvell Hunt: Who is the head and heart behind Authors Incognito, and who has toiled and labored at his writing as long or longer than anyone else I know. Success is headed his way very soon.

5.Tristi Pinkston: For always saying it like it is with class and panache. The Storymakers wouldn’t be the same without her, and neither would Authors Incognito.

Since I was limited to five people, there are others I didn’t tag. Cindy Beck was tagged by both Karlene Browning and Ronda Hinrichson, and Connie Hall is dealing with a lot of things and I’m not sure she’s up to answering all these questions. But she definitely deserves an honorable mention for her sweet generosity, kind heart, and stalwart strength.

Thanks again, Ronda. And good luck with the release of your book, Missing.


Hey, you five, if you answer this tag, let me know. I really want to read your answers. Thanks. Until next time, write on.

Nichole