Monday, August 10, 2009
Dream Dream Dream Dreaammm
Hopefully, next summer I maybe going to Savannah with the kids (and the youngest's Brownie Troop). It's another dream to go back there. Love Savannah, with all the Spanish Moss and Tybee Island.
Now, if I can just get back to Niagara Falls, a few of my dream destinations will be achieved. I'd still love to go to the Bahamas and Scotland.
Where do you dream of going?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
To every thing there is a season
LOL I just finished three stories back to back. Fun stories that I enjoyed writing. But I'm feeling a little...needing of a break. A refilling of the well as it were. I plan to write a few fun things. Read. Bascially refill myself.
I know it won't last long. Characters are already talking. I have a sequel to write to one of the three stories. Not to mention other tales are lurking around my head. I have a story I'd really like to patch up and submit.
But for now, I'm going to enjoy this season.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
Inspiring
It's a poem I remember to this day. What inspires you?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Joie de vivre
My youngest was tall enough to ride another coaster. She's hoping to be tall enough by the end of summer to ride the last two coasters there. We rode two of the ones she can ride multiple times and one once.
The oldest rode her first coaster and was so proud of herself.
It reminds me how much joy children find in just living. As an adult, I sometimes get so wrapped up in the job, in the routine, etc that I forget how much joy there can be in living. I forget to stomp in puddles. To stop and smell a pretty flower. To pat the cat. To rub the dog's belly. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
I hate having to be reminded (and not just my kids remind me) but I love it when I am. It helps to take pleasure in the simple things.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
Glitch or not, it's troubling
It has definitely ignited the online world.
Every September/October, I try to do a lot of postings on Banned Books Week. It's a cause I believe in strongly.
One of the things that has been pointed out on numerous blogs is the incongruity of the appliance of the adult policy (which may or may not be Amazon's policy, they now say, "glitch" in response to why the books have been desearch engined and deranked).
Violent books such as the Dexter series and others weren't affected. Now, I enjoy the Dexter series both in book and on TV. But there's a lot of murder and mayhem happening in these books. Is sex really that much more objectionable than violence? The books that were affected, are they really more offensive than a serial killer torturing his victims?
Not to me.
And therein lies the problem of censorship. Everyone has things they find offensive. Where do we draw the line? My line is here. Your line is over there. Her line is way over there. Whose line do we take?
I sincerely hope that this Amazon thing is a glitch and they get it fixed posthaste. But I also hope that people will continue to talk about censorhip and book banning and realize that it does still happen. And it's no more objectionable when done by Amazon than it is when done at a public library or a school library.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
Heroes
Last season was ehhhhh. I didn't get into it as much as I did the first season.
They have been trying to come back the second part of this season.
The reason it worked for me and why it's starting to again is because of characters. Strong characterization can suck me in anytime.
I've seen characters take on new life. I've seen characters who could have been totally unsympathetic become, if not heroic, interesting to watch. Dexter anyone? Sylar from Heroes? Heck, Clooney's original character from ER was a drunk.
A lot of that is the actor who portrays them.
As authors we don't have that advantage of actors to bring our characters to life. But we can do that. With writing. Quirks. Characteristics. Actions that speak more than words. Careful consideration. Fabulous dialogue. All those things can make the character pop from the page.
An author's toolbox is full. And here's hoping I use it on this next story. I hope to stretch myself.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New release and new cover goodness

I adore April Martinez. She's such a fantastic artist.
I'm really excited about I HEART THAT CITY: Body Shots, which is a part of a multi-author series and released yesterday from Loose Id.
Blurb:
Joe and Daphne go to I Heart That City every Thursday night to celebrate being together one more week. They almost lost their marriage and themselves to a former lover, who only wanted Daphne.
When Amos sees the happy couple, he knows he must capture them on film. Only he really wants to capture them for himself. Inviting them to let him take pictures only makes his longing more intense. And he's not the only one feeling the sexual spark. Joe and Daphne find themselves attracted to the man who seems to find both of them desirable.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday the 13th
My kidlets realized that this Friday is Friday the 13th. They both went "Ahhhhhh! It's unlucky."
Now it started me thinking. Where does this come from?
Neither of them is old enough to know or have seen the horror movie of the same name.
I will say, I'm a superstitious person. I knock on wood, think things come in threes, blah blah. The hubby laughs at me.
But I can't remember ever having bad luck on a Friday the 13th or being particularly upset about it coming.
I started researching Friday the 13th to see if I could find the origin of the thinking and there is some dissension as to when the idea started that it's bad luck and also why. Some says it's a recent thing. Others credit the arrest of the Knights Templar on a Friday the 13th. Others say oral tradition had 12 as complete, while 13 was irregular, and Friday was bad luck. So blend the two, and you have the start of a superstition. Others credit the Norse.
Honestly, I've had more bad luck on Valentine's Day than any other day *blinks*I can think of. Someone is usually sick (stomach flu on year, ear infections one year and more) or gets terribly hurt (the youngest kidlet fractured both wrists on Feb 14th when she was 4).
What do you all think of Friday the 13th? Myth or reality? Why? And do you have another bad luck day?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/
Monday, January 12, 2009
Life goes on
But it never happens like that.
Life goes on and the cycle must keep turning. Homework must get done. Critters must be fed. Kids must get bussed to and fro. Dinner must be fixed.
And writing must go on.
That's a hard one. Because it's hard to sit down and do what you do every day while your mind is somewhere else.
Yes, life comes at you fast. And it's all in how you react.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
Why do I do it?
At Halloween, I was doing some decorating inside. My oldest asked, “How come you do the inside? No one is ever going to see it.”
Well, I deck out the inside at Christmas, too, as much as the outside. And so far, we aren’t having any huge family gatherings here.
So why do I do it? Why do I transform the inside of my house into a “winter wonderland” as my oldest termed it?
For me.
I do it for myself. Because I love seeing things all decorated. I love the traditions that come along with it.
When we decorate our Christmas tree, it’s like a trip down memory lane. There are ornaments from past years that the kids have made. There are ornaments that the hubby and I made together when we were first married and had little money. There are ornaments to honor the critters, kids, and marriage coming into our lives. Ornaments people have given to us through the years. And ones that the hubby and I brought into the marriage.
It’s the same with the rest of the house. There’s the Nativity Set that the hubby gave to me one Christmas. There’s my Christmas town that I set up on top of the entertainment center. There are house that I’ve acquired from various places, including a toy shop that was the hubby’s and a reindeer barn that I place Rudolph near. There’s the little tiny Santa that I place on our sculpture of the Currituck lighthouse. There are all my Christmas Snoopys. Candles.
I’m a sentimental sap and I love getting out the Christmas stuff to walk through memories.
I also just really find everything so beautiful.
I love this time of the year! For me, it is the most wonderful time of the year.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Hero's Journey
I tend to think of the hero, and by the way, when talking about the Hero's Journey, we're talking simply the protagonist, not specifically male, as going on a quest with this template. But she showed it applied to books without some quest as well. Like a romance. She said in a romance, you can have one character drive the book and another as its heart.
Which of course made me think about my own books. And how to apply this to what I write. I already do that in a lot of ways. I always think about my story as a journey. My character(s) tend to change throughout the novel. Not just romantically but usually the inner workings in some manner as well. I think I'm going to go back and revise an old story and really put this framework to the test. After I've done it (and don't hold your breath...I'm a deadline LOL for another story), I'll come back and report how it went.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Sixth Cursed Halloween

Talk about a challenging book to write! I had to transform Deidre from a cranky, man hater into falling in love. I had to give her a hero worthy of her. I think Brad fits the bill, but only time will tell.
Blurb:
On Halloween night, Brad settles down to repot his Bonsai tree. After an argument with his girlfriend, he needs someone to talk to. He's not expecting the tree to talk back.
Surprise! Deidre's cursed inside his bonsai tree. She's been curled up watching him for years. This conversation's the first she's had in centuries.
Brad tries to set her free, but at the end of the night, he loses the ability to hear the woman with the sexy brogue. He vows he'll do what it takes to get her out, wanting to know the woman behind the voice. He even has erotic dreams about the woman she might be, for the five long years he searches for the saving spell.
Deidre hates men. All of them. Or does she? Brad's such an earnest hunk, so determined to do right by her. Maybe they have some redeeming qualities - like a sexy, muscular chest.
On the sixth Halloween, a woman from Brad's life turns Deidre's life upside down. Literally. That's not a good thing for a potted tree. Now she's getting a choice: a life with Brad without her magic or back to the trees, but she can work her curses and take her revenge. What will she choose this sixth cursed Halloween?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Monday, October 13, 2008
Inspiration
I attended the James River Writer's Conference this past weekend. I had a good time and really enjoyed the speakers. I learned a bit and stared considering my career and what I want to do over the next year.
David Balducci was Friday's speaker. He's really funny and an inspiration. Sent his book, Absolute Power to six agents. Six agents wanted it. I couldn't help but think...all I need is one. One will do fine! LOL. But I digress. I enjoyed listening to his stories. He had one about being on a train LOL and discussing poisoning. I'm going to have to find that book.
Adriana Trigiani was Saturday's speaker. I could have listened to her, too for several more hours. She's a very funny, gregarious woman. And very giving. When she was being told it was over, she kept saying, "I don't feel like I've done enough." Her advice, "Finish the damn book!" She said you can do anything once you finish.
I enjoyed seeing several of the agents in action. And several speakers. The panel on first page critiques for Fiction was interesting. The seminar on Romance was so much fun. I definitely feel inspired to start the "next thing."
Amazing how a few days with other writers refills the well.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany Of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Life comes at you fast
That's sort of the way it is around here. I blink and it's into next month. I yawn and it's the next year. I can't believe we are over half way done with 2008. Almost over 3/4's done.
I made some resolutions back in January. To be kinder to me. To do things for me. And I think I'm doing pretty well on those. I've done a massage to reward myself for writing. I'm going to volunteer at the SPCA.
I had another resolution to fulfill. Start querying agents. That one I really need to work on this fall. The book is finished, though it needs some cleanup.
It's time to get busy!
How's everyone else doing on their resolutions for the year?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Monday, August 11, 2008
Voice Check
I was already reading Tempted by Megan Hart (finally!) and got the Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen from the library.
The words Gerritsen uses come together in short sentences and paragraphs. It makes for a quick, fast paced voice. All words are used to ratchet up the suspense. To make you keep reading at a frenetic pace. It draws you into the world with its suddenness. With the complexity.
Hart's prose is...the only way I have to describe it is lush. Each word choice flings the senses into abandon. Hart's writing is beautiful and elegant, yet not overly wordy. I'm also drawn into Hart's world but it's a more laid back, sensual affair than Gerritsen's.
Reading them both definitely gave me a lesson in what voice is. Two very distinct voices that do different things for me, yet I love them both.
Now if I could only figure out what exactly my voice is...
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Law's Deliverance is out!

We are so excited! Law's Deliverance released from Loose Id. Law and Larissa are both pretty special *Grins* and we're excited to have them go live.
To read an excerpt.
The blurb: Law's been urged to get a sex slave by many before he weds the "right" woman of royalty, but he's never thought about actually doing it. Until he sees Larissa sashay across the stage. She's angry, spunky, and beautiful. Before he knows what he's doing, he's bid on her. And won her.
Larissa's not happy to be won. She's not a sex slave and has no intention of doing what Law or anyone else wants. She soon comes to learn she's been bought by the Prince of Bergogia. Only being royalty has him in as many chains as a slave. With luck, a little hot, heady sex will win him over, and he'll let her go.
Larissa's plan backfires, and Law's more interested than ever. And so is she. But Law can't keep her forever on the side and she can't be his bride. Will Larissa be Law's downfall or his deliverance?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.melanylogen.com
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A hot summer release

After getting knocked out by his prey, the would-be vampire hunter, Leif comes to...tied up and at the sexy vampire's mercy. His wannabe slayer days are over. Now he's got no choice but to team up with Amaretto and catch the rogue vampire terrorizing his city.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Reading tastes
My daughters are 7 and 9. One discovered reading in 2nd grade and began inhaling books. And I do mean inhale. The other has discovered reading this summer and as she says, "Reading's pretty cool."
But I already see they are going to have very different tastes.
The oldest had read the Fudge books by Judy Blume so I thought nothing of getting her Blubber from the library. She wouldn't read it. Wouldn't crack open the cover. She said, "I mostly like fantasy and mysteries." Which is true. She's read all the Harry Potter series, all the Secrets of Droon to date, is three books away from finishing Animorphs, read all the Nancy Drew books in her school library, etc, etc. I could go on and on about the serieses she reads.
The youngest has discovered Mr. Putter and Tabby. She LOVES those books. She's also reading Amelia Bedelia, Froggy, and Dr. Seuss. Animals and humor seem to be her reading of choice. It will be interesting to see if that changes. But I have hopes maybe she'll enjoy The Black Stallion and Misty of Chincoteague.
As for me, I do have genres I prefer but I read outside of them, too. I read a lot of paranormal and erotic romance. But I read animal books out the whazoo when I was a kid, still do, and read a lot of mysteries. Stephen King, thrillers, and romance rounded out my teen years. I think I have a fairly ecletic mixed bag of what I like to read and always did.
I was just wondering if everyone preferred certain genres like my daughters or was more ecletic like me. Did your tastes change with age? What genres do you read in?
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Voting Continues and an interview
Interview with Allie Boniface.
Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Veterans 2: Nothing to Lose available in print & TRS Round 3 voting open

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/