The Campaign

I did something I normally don't do. I joined a blogfest. It was L'Aussie who talked me into it. I tend to shy away from these organized blogging events because they take a great deal of time. Since I've yet to discover how to make more time, I have to be cautious with what little I do have.

But 'The Campaign' looked different. This is Rachael Harrie's brainchild. Not only is it well-organized, but she divided it into genres--which was sheer brilliance. It gave me a chance to meet new people from my specific interests.

See my nifty little badge?

I was supposed to introduce myself and post my badge over the weekend, but Greg came home after a 3-week absence and friends were visiting too. I've been more offline than on since Friday.

So here I am, late to my own party.

For those of you who don't know me. I am the author of three novels: Touch Of Fire, Apocalypse Rising, True Believers, one novella, The Devil To Pay, and another one on the way.

Career: I write primarily paranormal/fantasy, but I have been known to dabble in science fiction in an epic way. True Believers is SF and was well received in 2010. In a past life I was also a graphic designer and art director.

On the personal front: Dogs love me. (It must be the cookies.) Currently, we share our home with St. Tank and (the infamous) Iko. My husband, Greg--visits, due to the fact we live 300 miles apart. We hope to remedy that in another year.

We live on six acres in north Texas where we raise chickens, (and someday) goats. Every year I put in a large garden. If I'm not fighting off scorpions, coyotes, and snakes, life is good.

That's me in a nutshell. I hope you like this blog, and I hope you'll come back. I have a lot of loyal followers and friends and we have the BEST comments here, so don't be shy. We're all just folks here.

Welcome to fellow Campaigners and new followers! I'm looking forward to meeting you and will be stopping by this week. Don't be surprised if my regular followers follow you back to your blog when you comment. We are a very interactive bunch over here.

So let's open it up to everyone. What's new in your life? If you were in the path of Hurricane Irene, how did you fare?

Comments

Angelina Rain said…
I'm glad to see you joined. I did too! I had a lot of people from my genre groups come in and say hi to me. I haven't had time to do that myself yet, but that will be this weeks project.

Which genre groups did you join?
August 29, 2011 at 8:02 AM
Sarah Ahiers said…
ugh. I would be a nervous wreck if i lived in a place where venemous things could hurt my dogs.
Also, Yay goats! I hope you get some soon, since you know i live vicariously through you until we can get our own place with space
August 29, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Unknown said…
Have you had enough rain for a garden this year? Texas has been brutal this summer...

I've done platform building of Rachel's in the past and don't regret it for a minute!

Fellow dog lover and Texan,

EJ
August 29, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: This is a tough time for me because Greg is here. I see him so rarely that I put off everything while he's here. But I'll be catching up with everyone by the end of the week for sure.

I'm in the paranormal and fantasy groups. I wanted to add SF, but I thought this might be enough for me.

Sarah: My boys are bigger than your guys so I'm not as worried of them meeting a coyote, but I worry about the snakes and scorpions.

EJ: We got a little rain this morning. And there's a chance we'll get more at the end of the week. I'm giddy at the prospect. I'm looking forward to the Campaign blogfest. It looks like it'll be a lot of fun.
August 29, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Unknown said…
I like learning about fellow bloggers. It's so sad that your husband lives so far away. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us with the campaign and blogfest.
August 29, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Rula Sinara said…
I don't miss TX rattlers!

I already voted on the cover...good luck! It's beautiful.
August 29, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Heather said…
The Campaign is taking a lot of time...more time than I have as well; I hope I can hang on and complete what I've started...I don't like to be a QUITTER but I've been reading blogs and commenting since 8:30a PST and it's now almost 10a...I'm not even halfway done!

Sheesh!

I hope to visit often...I enjoyed your post!
August 29, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Anonymous said…
I jumped on the bandwagon too but in different groups. I'll see you around the campaign :) It should be fun!
August 29, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Angela Brown said…
YAY!! I joined the campaign as well. I noticed your profile when I was getting signed up. So glad you joined. I'm not yet sure how I'm going to get this all worked out but I am very excited about this and ready to take this on with a smile. So great to meet other new writers and established writers as well.
August 29, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Sand Castles and Snow Forts said…
I'm a new follower from the campaign. Love your blog and look forward to reading more. Have a fabulous day.... off to say hello to others in our group.
August 29, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Clarissa: I'm afraid I won't know how to act when he decides to live with me full time again.

Rula: Thank you. I'm not fond of snakes in general. Just recently a little kid got bit by a rattler at his school's playground. We have to remember they were here first.

Heather: Don't let it overwhelm you. No one is going to be mad if you miss a few posts. The goal (I think) is to meet new people--some who will end up long-time friends.

Raelyn: I'm looking forward to this, just to meet some new folks.

Angela: I feel like a virgin--this is totally unlike me.

Sand Castles: Nice to meet you, Vanessa! I'll stop by in a bit.
August 29, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Charlie said…
Hi Maria,

I hadn't heard about this fest, but wanted to stop by and say hi. I've been nutty busy lately and not around the blogosphere as much.

I didn't know you'd been a graphic designer, but is shows in the cover for The Devil To Pay. Looking forward to the next novella!
August 29, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Jackie said…
Glad you got a bit of the wet stuff Maria, we did too last week and it was wonderful for a whole day with clouds and rain and cooler weather.


Enjoy Greg's visit it will be over before it starts!

Neat campaign, have fun!
August 29, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Charlie: My internet life comes to a virtual standstill when Greg is home.
Ref: graphic designer
Yup. 30+ years in front of a drawing board.

***
Jackie: This blogfest is brand new to me so I'm looking forward to it.

Ref: rain
It was so nice this morning. There's talk that we'll have more later this week. Can't wait.
August 29, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Dru said…
Cool about the blogfest.

I'm glad that the city prepared us for Hurricane Irene. We'll be much better prepared for future storms.
August 29, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Dru: Glad that's over, Dru. All storms should be taken seriously. I've been in 'minor' storms that did more damage than hurricanes. You just never know.
August 29, 2011 at 8:16 PM
LD Masterson said…
I saw this Campaign and thought it would be fun to do but decided I can't invest the time right now. I'll enjoy it through you instead.
August 29, 2011 at 8:52 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I was on the fence, but I decided it was time to expand my horizons and meet some new people.
August 29, 2011 at 9:20 PM
Trisha said…
This Campaign thing is going to be great!! I was in on the Crusade last time, and had a ball.
August 29, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Misty Moncur said…
Hi Maria! Stopping by from the campaign. Your blog looks great! Can't wait to dive in and read it!
August 30, 2011 at 3:28 AM
Anonymous said…
It's nice to meet you! I joined the Adult Fiction All Genres group among many others. I've never done anything like this before, so I'm looking forward to the journey with you and everyone else we meet along the way! I write a combination of short stories, poems, the occasional creative essay, and I'm working on two separate novels as well. I may have to check out the novels you've written. =)
August 30, 2011 at 8:10 PM
Enid Wilson said…
Oh, do we have to introduce ourselves? I've joined in late and the post is not yet up. But hi from Sydney.

Every Savage Can Reproduce
August 31, 2011 at 5:37 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Trisha: I'm feeling a little lost as I read along, but I'm willing to give it my best shot.

Quidforquill: Love that name! We'll learn along the way together, okay? I think this will be fun.

Enid: I don't think the instructions said that specifically, but it makes sense since I've had so many new people drop by.
August 31, 2011 at 7:04 AM
F.E. Sewell said…
Hi Maria! Looking forward to seeing you around and getting to know you! Oh, and loved the post about the homestead! I think I'm going to enjoy your blog :)
September 1, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Maria Zannini said…
FE: I didn't realize I hadn't answered you yet. Sorry! I went to your blog but I couldn't find any way to leave a comment. But I do have you on my Reader so I'll be able to read your posts. It's nice to meet you!

I was a graphic artist for many years until I turned to writing.
September 1, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Jessica Peter said…
Hi Maria, nice to "meet" you. I'm a fellow member of the Dystopian/Post-Apoc campaigner group, and glad to get rolling!
September 2, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Susan Oloier said…
Welcome and nice to meet you. I liked your post on the Chicago food. Now I am craving a gyro.
September 3, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian campaigner dropping in to say hi. I already enjoyed your posts about food and homesteading. And now I'm hungry.

See you around.
September 3, 2011 at 10:04 PM
K.T. Hanna said…
Hi there Maria :D I'm dropping by. I'm in your Dystopian group for the campaign and look forward to getting to know you.
Thank you for stopping by my blog :D
Looking forward to campaigning with you!
September 4, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Maria Zannini said…
@Jessica
@Susan
@Sam
@KT

I'm slowly making my rounds to everyone. Nice of you to pop in!
September 4, 2011 at 9:03 PM
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