C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

AtoZ Blogging Challenge. This Hop is Formidable.

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The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out

If you’ve been visiting me for the past five days, you know what this AtoZ Blogging Challenge post is going to be about. It’s time for the letter F to step up to the plate. I have a splendid F word I really like, and, no, it’s not that ubiquitous OTHER F-word-although after yesterday and a small computer glitch I was sorely tempted. Who needs the computer to start burping during the AtoZ?

Today’s word is a brilliant one with the power to evoke a strong emotion-in this case, fear.

Formidable

www.phocabulary.com
The IRS agent smiled, but his demeanor was still formidable. 
BTW, are you aware there are only 9 days before APRIL 15?  Sorry for the formidable reminder.

This formidable post is brought to you by a whole gang of formidable bloggers :
The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in. 

AtoZ Blogging Challenge: This is E Day!

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The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out

Ecstatic. . .

 From the Greek ekstatikos, “characterized by intense emotions.” As I’m ecstatic to be on E, but I’d be more ecstatic to be on Z. How are you doing so far? Did you plan ahead? Did you do a theme? Are you going to make it to Z? Will you be ecstatic if you do? Want to visit more ECSTATIC PEEPS?

*All of this ecstasy brought to you by:
The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in. 

AtoZ Blogging Challenge: How Many More Letters Do We Have?

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The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out

Demented. . .

as in I think I was demented when I signed on for this challenge a second year in a row, but now that I’m here, let’s do the job. 
www.ffonts.net
Take a look at this font: Ariel-Demented. I get a bit demented just looking at it. And that means, I’m dementare, deprived of my mind. Yes. But I’m in good company. Anybody know Crazy Jane in DC Comics?

I think part of my dementia is book-related. I’m trying to write, trying edit, and then trying to push Sliding on the Edge-That reminds me, my protagonist in that book is a little demented at times.  If you’d like a signed copy, my goodreads giveaway is on until the 5th. Now I hope you’ll visit bloggers who are also in this amazing marathon.




The others in the wonderfully Demented group with me can be found HERE. 
The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in. 

AtoZ Blogging Challenge, The Brainchild of Arlee Bird

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The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out

Repeated for new readers: As a writer, my real tools are the words in my language. Fortunately, English has a ton-with more being added everyday. You can see where this is going, right? My favorite words from AtoZ. Okay, stop the sniggering. I’m not as creative as some, so give me a break, take a look and add your favorite word in your comment. I can always use more words.

Curvaceous

I only have to write that word and Marilyn Monroe pops into my mind. 
www.fanpop.com
Do you have a C word that you’re particularly fond of throwing into your sentences?
Any that immediately bring a picture to your mind?
Curtsy doesn’t do much for me, so don’t add that one, okay? 
*All these curves brought to you by:
The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in. Meet others who are as nutty as I am. They’re wonderful!

AND DON’T FORGET THIS, LIKE I DID! IT’S THE FIRST WEDNESDAY AND TIME TO SUPPORT THOSE OF US (NOT ME OF COURSE) WHO ARE INSECURE WRITERS. 
CHECKA THIS OUT!

AtoZ Blogging Challenge or Am I Nuts?

By 41 Comments

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out

As a writer, my real tools are the words in my language. Fortunately, English has a ton-with more being added everyday. You can see where this is going, right? My favorite words from AtoZ. Okay, stop the sniggering. I’m not as creative as some, so give me a break, take a look and add your favorite word in your comment. I can always use more words.

Bodacious

Do you remember the line David Keith had in an Officer and a Gentleman? I loved that line because it used bodacious and “ta ta’s” in the same sentence.
Brought to you by:
The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in. 

AtoZ Blogging Challenge or How I Spent My Spring Vacation

By 46 Comments

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out
Last week I gave everyone a hint about my THEME this year. 
Here it is:
I’m long and short and carry loads far bigger than most things my size.

I twist tongues, delight people who see me, and reveal so much about the inner life.

When I’m in good company I’m exciting, but when I’m not, I soon lose my sparkle.
I have a very large family and a long history.
What am I?

ANS: Words . . . and here’s my first word of the month.

Avuncular

Portrait of an Old Man with a Boy, Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1490, Musee du Louvre, Paris.
This has a wonderful sound that kind of pats you on the head. That’s exactly what you want the reader to feel-a pat on the head-a kindly uncle you can rely on for his understanding. 
My agent excuses my writing sins with an avuncular, “Writers will be writers.” Thanks agent with a heart.
Now you know where the word “uncle” comes from!
What’s an A word you like to feel on your tongue and use in your prose? Oh, and if you’ve got a  moment this week, hope you’ll click onto my link (see right margin) and enter to win a signed copy of one of my books. I’m doing some spring cleaning!

*Brought to you by:

The Madlab Post (Nicole Ayers)
Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)
Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)
Life is Good (Tina Downey)
Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)
Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)
The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)
The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)
Leave it to Livia (Livia Peterson)
No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)
Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)
Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)

We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.  Join in.