This week, I'm doing something fun. When you get to the end of this episode... YOU get to suggest options for Jack to choose from, and I'll pick the one that I like the best. I know you're creative--so go ahead. Wow me!

Jack & Tollers, Episode 7, will be posted next week. I'm taking a break because:

1. I've had a rougher week, health-wise, and just need some time to recover my physical stamina. (You'd be surprised how physical writing can be!)
2. It's also been busy. Summer. You know.
3. I HAVE A NEW NIECE! Stories just don't seem as interesting as babies right now.

In the meantime, check out this fun Q&A I did earlier this week:

Sunshine Blogger Challenge - 11 Questions Answered

The Sunshine Blogger Challenge is a "get to know the author" challenge that asks 11 questions of the blog author. Then the answering author tags other authors with 11 of his/her own questions. For this challenge, I'm answering the 11 questions posed by speculative fiction author Bethany Jennings of The Simmering Mind.

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you want to play, answer my 11 questions at the bottom of this post and comment with a link to your post. (Or just answer in the comments. That works too.) I'd love to read your responses!

Ever since Donkey-Hero tossed his long blond hair and started making jibes about the deficient physical appearance of the others in the Festival of Heroes, he's been the snooty background character that tweaks Jack's nerves. Now, he's about to be... Jack's partner in the Second Trial.

Confession: It's been a busy week for me. Also, I have a chronic illness and in the midst of the busyness it decided, "Let's throw a hissy fit and render her incapable of even thinking!" Of course, I conquered valiantly in the end, with humor and wit, as an author should, but the point remains that Jack & Tollers Episode 6 is not yet here.

But it will be. Oh, it will be.

Today, if possible, and tomorrow (Saturday the 16th) if not.

​And it will be epic.

If you are on my e-mail list, you will get pictures and a chatty email about my week and my writerly adventures (it's hilarious, I assure you). And, of course, you'll get the link to the new J&T. If you're not on the list and think you'd like to be, click here:

Having survived the destruction of their home, Miss Peregrine's children from 1940 seek an ymbryne who can change their beloved headmistress back into her human form. Every day that slips away, she loses more of her human self into her peregrine self, and her power to protect the children remains crippled.

​Each step of the way, the children find themselves more deeply endangered by the Hollowgast who hunt them, and the blank-eyed wights who aid the Hollows. Jacob is the only one who can see the Hollows--but his peculiarity is far more powerful than he realizes.

This week, Jack faces the third and final part of the First Trial. Should he attempt to rescue someone from the Sirens' island, or should he sail on by? When things go horribly wrong, will his wit be enough to save not only himself but his teammates?

If you're enjoying Jack and Tollers, spread the word! Find one or two friends who you think will enjoy a quirky adventure and let them know. It's fun, free, and fantasy, so why not?

My blood runs with the DNA of nine ancestors from the Mayflower, several more who fired their rifles during the Revolutionary War, and many others who engaged in the defense of their freedom in various ways. Even centuries later, I am still enjoying the fruits of their many sacrifices. The story that they began I now have a responsibility to continue.
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Even in fiction, that battle cry for freedom still emerges. That desire of the soul to follow truth without infringement by another echoes through our stories. Today, I'm going to share ten quotes about freedom from science fiction and fantasy.

Last week, Elizabeth asked: "What do you think of a dog showing up and Jack expects it to be able to herd the sheep, but the dog is definitely NOT of the sheepherding variety?"

I loved it! There were so many ways that I could take that idea (which most of the other voters seemed to like the best of the options) and it took a while for me to decide how, exactly, I wanted to implement it. I wanted to do something that no one had suggested or thought of yet (including me), but still keep the humorous undertone. And then I thought of...

​Well, you'll see.