Book Cover Tips & Tricks

B.E. Sanderson invited me to her blog, The Unpublished Writers' Guide to Survival to talk about the things that roll through my brain when designing book covers.

Whether you design your own or hire out, it's good to have a base understanding on why things work the way they do. Pop over and say hi. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Then do yourself a favor and put BE Sanderson's blog on your reading list. She's had a lot of interesting guests sharing their experiences and expertise on her blog. It's a great resource!

***

I'm a little under the weather this week. Nothing serious. Just a sore throat. I have to brace myself for Nana's sudden bursts of energy, but yesterday she was good and everybody seemed to understand that Mom wasn't feeling so well. ...most of the time.


Nana contemplating evil on poor Tank

So I'm taking it easy for a couple of days--reading blog posts and catching up on Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, I posted about a serious run-in I had with a snake over the weekend. I think the comments were as funny as the post. 

I don't mention this often but if you'd like to friend me on Facebook, please do. I'm always glad to meet new people.

Okay, off to read blogs. I hope you'll do the same. Meet me over at BE Sanderson's.

What's on your plate this week? Do you have dogs that contemplate evil? Right after this picture was taken, Nana pounced on poor Tank.

It did not end well for Nana...

Comments

B.E. Sanderson said…
Thanks for the awesome guest post, Maria. So sorry you're not feeling well today, though.

How did I not already friend you on FB? Sheesh. Some days I'm not quite sure where my head is.
Maria Zannini said…
BE: I know! I thought you were already on my friends list.

At least we rectified that. All is well with the world now. ;)
Mark K said…
Hope Nana was too 'upset' by the outcome with Tank? As for the snake encounter, I'm now curious, but have dropped my Facebook account due to privacy issues and the 'spyware' that keeps tracks on you and your activities whilst on FB.

Appreciate you stopping by today :)
Jennifer Shirk said…
Feel better!

I plan on writing and hitting the beach with the hubby this week (he's taking some time off)
Maria Zannini said…
Mark: Tank doesn't hurt a fly, but he can be very intimidating even for an old dog.

Re: snake
The short version is that I accidentally picked up an empty sack of feed--only it wasn't empty. Much heart-thumping ensued as i walked snake and sack an acre away to dump him elsewhere.
Maria Zannini said…
Jennifer: heh...you forgot the hot tub.

Makes me wish I had one.
Stacy McKitrick said…
I read about your snake encounter and laughed out loud. I so felt your anxiety!

Never had more than one dog at a time, but did have a dog and cat many years ago. The cat was ALWAYS teasing the poor dog, and it sure was fun to watch.
Hope you're feeling better. Going over to hear about book covers.
Jess Schira said…
Nana sounds an awful lot like a certain Cougar dog I know. He doesn't understand that his playmate is nine, and too old to play some games.
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: You laughed?! It was all I could to walk that snake somewhere else.
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: I'm trying to stay on top of this sore throat. If I'm not aggressive with it, I end up losing the battle every time.
Maria Zannini said…
Jess: There's a reason for the old saying: Let sleeping dogs lie.

LOL. Tank is elderly but he still puts on a good show. Nana is still a puppy.

I'll bet your Cougar dog learned the same lesson. :)
Sarah Ahiers said…
Hah! Poor Tank and Nana.
I'm just getting over another cold. Not fun. Hopefully your bug will pass quickly
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: It was my fault for not washing my hands when I came home from shopping Saturday.

I try to stay away from people affected with the plague, but I'm not always successful. :)
Stacy McKitrick said…
I laughed because I would have done the same thing - freaked out! So, basically, I was laughing at myself. Honest!! :)
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: Oh, okay. We'll all laugh together--then run like crazy if that snake had gotten loose.
I think mine are always contemplating sleep. I love it when they're sitting in "power save mode", just staring into space, right before they lay down to nap.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: Power save mode! I love it!

We call Tank solar-powered because when the sun goes down, he's ready for bed.
Jenny Schwartz said…
Hope you feel better soon, Maria. Sore throats in summer ought to be banned!
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: Thanks. It's more annoying than anything else.

Hope you're doing all right. The last I read, you were still in your writing cave.

Angelina Rain said…
Hope you feel better.

Great pick, adorable fur-baby! :-)

Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: I wanted a nice photo op of Nana and Tank, but the little monster was being squirmy and then she saw Tank sleeping so peacefully and I could see the evil in her eyes. I snapped the picture just before she pounced.
Mike Keyton said…
I hope you're feeling better, Maria. I think you're wise to indulge in what I call 'festering'. Sometimes you just get stale (that's the general 'you' not you in particular :) and then it's good to let go for a time. Me in Sweden and reading some books - just finished and enjoyed 'Speaks the Nightbird' by Robert McCammon. Next week back in the saddle. At least I don't have a Nana or Tank to distract me :)
Angela Brown said…
How's that sore throat? Hope you're doing better.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: That's a long time for you not to be writing. But time off for good behavior is a good thing.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: Throat is better. I probably need to watch it a few more days but I don't feel as tired anymore.

Thanks for checking on me. :)
LD Masterson said…
Poor Tank. Little sisters can be just a pain.

Feel better.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Tank let her know she crossed the line. :)

Anonymous said…
Beastie Girl pounces on the wee beasties all the time...it usually ends in her favor and she licks their faces clean so a win for me too, LOL.

Hope you feel better soon!!
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: We had some friend's kids over when Iko was a (big) puppy. I never heard so many giggles and squeals. I thought they'd be afraid but they pounced on him as much as him on them.