Quote I Love: A Writer is a Writer Because…

Posted on December 30, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I Love …

Here’s a quote for anyone who’s going after a dream. Who’s putting a buttload of energy and time and sweat into their passion. Who’s having setbacks and moments of doubt. Who has everything and everyone around them saying they should give up, but you don’t want to. Junot Díaz was right where you are. He almost gave up. But he persevered. He pulled out his old, crappy manuscript, and kept writing. And then he won the Pulitzer Prize.

“In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.”

Junot Díaz
Pulitzer Prize Winner for 2008
From his article titled: Battling my way to a Pulitzer Prize novel

No matter what your dream, I hope you have the strength and determination to stick with it. I believe if you work hard enough, most goals are achievable. Unfortunately, some people just have a longer road to travel. It is those people who really know what it means to accomplish something. And I hope when that moment comes for you, you know how to have a party and celebrate!

Best of luck to you all!
Sloan Parker

Video I Love: A Kiss

Posted on December 28, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I Love …

This weekend I finished making changes from the line edits for my debut novel, More. I’m excited and the story is on my mind a lot again, so I thought I would share a video today that reminds me of the more intimate moments in More. The guy with the wandering mouth reminds me of Matthew. He doesn’t really look exactly how I picture Matthew, but something about the way he kisses reminds me of him.

This is a beautiful, erotic kiss. I will warn you it’s steamy, but it is only an intense kiss (okay, a bit more) and the clothes stay on (well, on but pushed up a bit). Anyway, it’s one great video from YouTube. Take a look…

(embedded video)

You like?

Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

For the Love of: Andy Hallett

Posted on December 24, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else) that I’ve seen or read about recently. So here is this week’s For the Love of …

Earlier this week, AfterElton.com posted a list of stars who passed away in 2009, and I wanted to take a moment to remember one of these talented actors: Andy Hallett.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a big Buffy and Angel fan. Andy Hallett was one of the cast regulars from Angel.

Andy played Lorne, a Deathwok clan demon from another dimension, for four seasons. A talented man lost too young. Read his bio here and check out what AfterElton.com had to say about Andy and his work:

“In March, Andy Hallet passed away at 33 of heart failure. While not a familiar face, we all knew his work as the flamboyant, telepathic demon on Angel. No one seemed to question Lorne’s sexual orientation as a Liberace-inspired lounge singer on the show, preferring to crush on Andrew. But there was something comforting about how Lorne was his own biggest fan. He seemed to give you a sense that the right way to go through life was by celebrating yourself. For the confidence and fun he brought to the show, his passing leaves us wondering what else he could have achieved.” — Ed Kennedy at AfterElton.com

I always think the best way to honor a celebrity is to celebrate his life through his work. So I think I’ll put in a DVD this weekend and watch a little Angel. Join me?

Visit AfterElton.com to see more stars lost in 2009.

Sloan Parker

Quote I Love: Be Who You Are

Posted on December 23, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I Love …

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Attributed to Dr. Seuss
American Writer and Cartoonist

Words to live by, don’t you think?

Hope you have a great day,
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

Video I Love: The 12 Gays of Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2009 by SloanParker

Thanks to Devon Rhodes for sharing this 12 Gays of Christmas video. Love it!

And no…I don’t have proof they’re all gay, but that’s a lot of coordinating kicking. They’re either gay or extremely comfortable with their bodies and themselves, which is cool for any het or bi guy.

Check out the Solid Gold dance moves. (Remember that show?) We used to call that the “fan away the fart” dance when I was a kid.

(embedded video below)

Hope you enjoyed it. Have a happy holiday season!!

Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

Quote I Love: Mark Twain on Your Ambitions

Posted on December 16, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I Love …

Saw this great quote on Twitter thanks to author Alan Chin.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Mark Twain
Author

I think this is an important statement for all to remember. I hate when I see someone established in his/her career belittle the efforts of those just starting out. Or when someone who has never tried something, criticizes those who dare to try. I know critical reviews are important, but sometimes the difference between a critical discussion of someone’s work and a rude attack is a fine line to walk. My thinking is, if you can’t do it with tact and dignity (for both yourself and the other person), than it might be best not to say anything at all.

We are all on different journeys. We all have different ambitions and goals. And we all have a lot to learn. We just have different things to learn. I know I have a lot of room to grow. As a person. As a daughter. As a partner. As a writer. Learning and growing is part of the fun in living. It would be pretty boring if we were all the same.

Best of luck to each and every one of you in your chosen pursuits!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Sloan

Video I Love: Love of Men – A Gay Montage

Posted on December 14, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I Love …

Today I have some lovely romance eye candy. It’s a montage of several love stories from TV and the movie Shelter. The boys included are:

Kevin & Scotty from Brothers and Sisters
Luke & Noah from As the World Turns
Zach & Shawn from Shelter
Kyle & Eric from General Hospital: Night Shift
Darren & Todd from Grey’s Anatomy – episode titled “The Becoming”

I must admit, I haven’t watched all of these yet, but this beautiful montage has me putting them on my list.

(embedded video below)

Nice, huh? Anyone watch any of these shows? All of them?

I’ve been following the story of Luke and Noah on As the World Turns to show my support of gay stories on US daytime TV. It was recently announced that the show has been canceled. I might have to check out One Life to Live. Anyone watch Oliver and Kyle? Maybe I can catch up on YouTube.

Thanks for taking a look.
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

For the Love of: Stolen Book Returned After 60 Years

Posted on December 11, 2009 by SloanParker

I’m loving this article about a library book returned sixty some years after it was taken off a shelf without being checked out. Talk about guilt and undoing past transgressions!

The 707-page biography of Napoleon Bonaparte was “stolen” 1n 1949 from a library in Toledo, Ohio.

Jump to the present. The patron wrote a letter stating, “Carrying guilt for 60 years is a terrible thing,” and mailed the note along with the book from California to Ohio. The patron also said, “I removed this book from your stacks in 1949 and did not check it out. I apologize. It’s an excellent book and in good condition.” — Quoted from: ToledoBlade.com

I think this is kinda cool. Granted, the person returned the book anonymously, but really, it’s a rare person who would return it at all. Most people would have tossed it out years ago. It’s not like late fees were stacking up anywhere. The library didn’t even know who had it. You have to respect someone who tries to fix their mistakes as best as they can. Especially sixty years later.

So what’s the longest you’ve ever had a library book? And did you return it?

Mine was probably over a year. And yes, I returned it. My mom was the librarian, so…no late fees! Yay!

Hope you have a great day!

Sloan Parker
New free fiction available at:
www.sloanparker.com

Quote I love: What Ellen DeGeneres Knows

Posted on December 9, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I Love …

I recently read this comment from Ellen in her list titled: What Ellen DeGeneres Knows for Sure (She Thinks)

“I know for sure I would never change any of the hard times I went through in my life. Because it was in those times that I grew the most and gained the most perspective.

It’s our challenges and obstacles that give us layers of depth and make us interesting. Are they fun when they happen? No. But they are what make us unique. And that’s what I know for sure…I think.”

Ellen DeGeneres

This really is a hard thing to accept when you’re in the middle of a crisis or painful time in your life, but I know I wouldn’t trade most of those moments if it meant my life wouldn’t be what it is now — if I wouldn’t be who I am now. I love where I am. I love where I’m going. I love the family I’ve built.

That said, there are people I miss, losses I’d do almost anything to change. Logically, I know I can’t undo any of those things, so in a way, I look at them from a distance (now that time has passed), and I accept them. Those moments have made me stronger, have helped me become who I am. I hope they have given me strength to handle any of the painful moments to come. We all have them. They can’t be avoided. I like what Ellen said about how they “give us layers of depth and make us interesting.” I hope that’s true for me.

Here’s hoping all of you have many, many good days ahead. And when you do have a challenging day, that it passes by quickly and you are stronger for it.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sloan Parker

Video I love: Baby and Father in the Crib together!

Posted on December 7, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I Love …

Nothing about writing or erotic romances this week, but this one was just too good not to share. How cute is this dad? I think my female side is really showing because my uterus may have just skipped a beat.

(embedded video below)

Baby and Father in the Crib together! @ Yahoo! Video

So what did you think? Comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Sloan Parker
Free fiction available at:
www.sloanparker.com