It's March 1st and it's colder today than it's been all February. The sky spits snow or large fat flakes fall lazily to the ground just outside my house. The stark contrast of brownish gray bark on bare trees reminds me of black and white photographs of nature from coffee table picture books.
As snow continues to fall, a light film of white ice crystals blanket trunks and limbs reminding me of my own need to burrow under warm covers this time of year. This need to be cocooned, drinking hot coffee or hot cocoa transports me to a safe place when I should be writing.
But enough procrastinating and on with my blog. I'm working on a self-imposed deadline, but needed to take a break to recharge my creative thoughts. So what brought me here today?
The need to put pen to paper and crank out stories has been a constant companion since I was eleven years old. The stories have always held some of the same elements; mystery and romance. So I thought I'd talk about mystery today and then later romance.
We all love a good mystery. Not just in books or movies, but mysteries in and of themselves are like puzzles. They need to be solved. The mystery of where I left something or did I complete a set goal or more and more lately did I get everything on my list.
Mysteries worm their way into our subconscious and beg to be solved. So as a writer I like to take ordinary ideas, things or settings and blow them out of proportion so I can solve them.
Now I've read many mysteries and I've loved them all, but not all mysteries are the same. For my style of writing I take it slow and lay out clues like breadcrumbs in order for the reader to find their way home. Any writer does that, but while I'm leaving those obvious breadcrumbs, I add a few other clues. Not so many that the reader latches on to that person as the criminal or mastermind, but enough to leave doubt. Then I add a slight of hand and the ending isn't what the reader expects. I'm doing that now in my full length novel, Unfinished Business.
For other author's there are so many twists that a snake wrapped around a limb several times over wouldn't be able to unravel. I like reading those types of mysteries, but find them too dark and deep for mystery, romance. I mean who wants to read a chapter where the bad guy fantasizes about stabbing their victime fifteen times and the next chapter has the two main characters entwined, with their hands on each other's good bits. You might call into question my sanity. (You may be doing that already, but you know I'm not that far gone yet, right?)
So how do I lay out clues that capture the readers' attention? By taking lessons form anglers; bait, tease, hook, catch.
Bait: Give the audience what they want. A fish likes minnows, worms or those little flies. The reader isn't much different. My first chapter baits the reader. I get them in by telling the tale of the protagonist. Usually the scene is self introspection. That introspection sets the background of what's already happened and then tells why they are where they are now. What problem got them there.
I tease the reader with information that is pertinent to the mystery. For instance in Unfinished Business, the main characters have a past, but are linked again later as co-heirs of an estate. I tease the reader with instances of their time together, show that they've been apart and just when the female lead is comfortable on her own, BAM! He waltzes back into her life.
Next I hook the reader in by giving leaving breadcrumbs. Obvious clues to who's doing what. I have several characters in mind for the bad guy. In Unfinished Business he's smooth, suave and sophisticated. He's nice and well liked; a little too much. He's interested in the female lead, but that wouldn't be the only character. The main male character is interested, she's had a fling with two brothers, she has a cousin and this guy snooping around not to mention names mentioned in passing. So now I've got the reader hooked on deciphering which guy and what those guys have done to make them the criminal.
Finally, I've caught the reader with well planned episodes of violence. Not too harsh. Anything big against the female protagonist will turn the reader off. But like the small sounds at night that get our attention until our hearts are pounding with blood roaring in our ears so that it makes it difficult to hear the small sounds and we're lulled into false hope when suddenly the loud bang has us jumping up and turning on all the lights in the house to see where the problems coming from; thus I do the same thing to hook the reader in until they can't wait to finish the story.
So, I've given a few tidbits, but you're wondering how. Develop a strong storyline. This will evolve. While I began one story where the character is a thief and in her youth stole a necklace from the main male character. I changed the plot from their meeting when she returned the necklace, to him seeking her out for a reason. Now the story is much better.
Flesh out the characters in outlines and synopses. Give them back stories. Back stories are not used in your book. I gave one main male character a setting of coming from Ireland. He has 6 brother's and sisters; all twins except him. His mother's been married three times, 2 husbands are dead and she's living with the 3rd. So I know my characters.
Develop plausible situations that bring about disaster. In Unfinished Business one of the reasons the two main characters can't get together is because her parents left half of their estate to an outsider. He's returned only because the estate is being bombarded by sabotage. They suspect one another, as well as others. I won't give away more, but do make sure the situations you put your characters in are sound with hints of being blown out of proportion.
Dialogue and conflict between characters are the backbone of the story. In a mystery give a little to gain a lot. Eek out not only clues, but the thoughts of the characters. In real life you may think of every little thing before doing something so you won't be surprised or blindsided. Writing a mystery means you need both. Writing romance mystery means my main female character is only going to tell her counterpart a fraction of the reason things are the way they are. He has to pull it out of her, little by little and vice versa.
Supporting cast. Main characters don't live alone. Just like man can't live on just bread and water, satisfyingly, so your characters can't either. Give supporting characters that offer insight. Even the bad guy can give a little insight. Thus throwing the reader and main characters off his/her trail.
Finally, make it the right length. Too long is just boring. Too short leaves the reader frustrated. This goes back to the beginning using outlines and synopses to help develop the story.
Happy Writing.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'm Just Sayin'
I've officially joined the group. You know. The group that has senior parents. Let me say I love my father, and I am blessed to still have him with us. I've mentioned it before, but will repeat it here. Mother passed away four years ago this month.
So, yes. I'm glad Dad is still here. But I'm just sayin' people of his generation and just a little younger should not have electronic devices. Now if it was my mother, there would have been no problems. She was just as handy with computers and cell phones as me and my son. But some (men) should not own a computer or cell phone.
Why men? My husband comes to mind, but we're not talking about him today. It's my dad who worries and calmly panics over these things. Yes, he stay's calm, no hurry, but if you knew him you'd know that when it comes to electronic devices that calm is a false front and any problem with them calls for quiet panic.
First let me give you some information on my dad. He's handy with tools. He can do electrical work, he's great at plumbing, and can fix an air conditioner, refrigerator and ceiling fans. He works on the pump motor for his pool and the salt water filter as well. He can repair many problems on his car, well he could before computers were installed.
See where I'm going with this. Dad is a handy guy. Mr. Fix it if you want to give him a title. He's the one we call when we need work done on most problems around the house. My husband, the carpenter, who builds houses for a living won't even tackle things my dad does for us.
But give dad a cell phone or a computer; and don't even get me started on the Kindle problems I've encountered this past year, dad just cannot figure out how to find and fix the problems. The simplest thing and he's on the phone with me or my son telling us the device isn't working. He's also that way with the remote control to his TV, stereo or satellite dish, but we'll save that for another day.
So when my son gave his grandfather a new cell phone for Christmas a lot of thought went into it. I take the blame here and now. I called my son after I'd received 10 dropped calls from my father early in December. Dad was in a well populated area where his old cell phone should not have had problems. But that day (not the first time this has happened) the phone would not keep a call. I must say his cell phone was over 10 years old and needed to be retired.
We knew the new phone had to be similar to the old one. You know the flip type with just the number keys and the few function bars above them. Dad does not text, take pictures or browse the internet with his phone. He calls people and talks to them. What a novel idea using a phone for its purpose. Sorry I got carried away for a minute. Not harping at dad, but the need for people to text one another instead of, oh let's say call them or talk to them face to face. Texting in my opinion is a waste of time.
Anyway, I'll get back to my dad's story now. It took my son weeks to find just the right phone. He had to pay a fortune for it because dad already had his own contract and there was no need to purchase one, just the phone. It was similar to the old phone, but it is a lot more advanced in technology and is military grade. That means he can stomp on it, drop it from a plane or in the water and it will still work. Not sure why dad needed those features, but one never knows these day.
On Christmas day, dad opened his gift and was excited. He then promptly handed it to my son who spent the morning putting the old SIM card into the new phone and making sure his number and contacts transferred. They transferred without any problem. He's had the phone for three weeks now and suddenly it's acting up. Now acting up to him is nothing to us.
For example one of his problems is that he has to hit the phone, you know the green phone button twice to actually make a call. Well for us, or me anyway I'd either ignore this minor problem or go into the phone, complete a search and see where to change settings. I suspect that when he opens it, the phone is ready to dial and then hit the green button. I believe by pushing the green button he's deactivating it. Dad doesn't know this nor would he understand the first time I explained it. To dad, this is a major deal and the entire phone needs to be reprogrammed.
Next his contact list with tons of numbers on it disappeared. You would not believe how many people he talks to on a daily basis on that cell phone. There are neighbors that just call. He has old friends from work that just want to see how he's doing. He has women friends, not that kind; they're women friends who are married to his old buddies from work who call just to make sure he's doing okay living alone. Not like he hasn't been living by himself for the past 4 years, but then maybe at their age they're really calling to make sure he's not ill or still living. I'm just sayin'.
Back to my story. So he said his phone contact list was gone. In fact it was just hidden in phone land when he tried to make a call that he couldn't remember the number for. While he didn't say it; when he was on the phone with me asking me to look at the contraption and fix it for him, I could hear his thoughts loud and clear. "I have the numbers programmed into the phone, so I don't have to remember them in my head."
I calmly told him I'd fix it so he could call his buddies, or my sister or my son when he needed. He told me he'd be by in a few hours and I went back to my writing. When the time came for him to get here. I waited. Now mind you, I'd already closed my Word document, so he couldn't see what I was writing. Yes, I keep it a secret that I write erotica, smut, sex. That's just between me, my husband and my readers. Well my son knows, but he doesn't read my work. Thank goodness. That would mean years of therapy for both of us, but that's another story.
So I'm waiting for dad to come by. After about fifteen minutes of me waiting I'm beginning to wonder where he is. He's never late. In fact he's usually fifteen minutes early. When I'm thinking he's gotten into a mess with the new fridge, he had to buy one. He couldn't fix the dead compressor. He calls.
His earlier panicking was all for nothing. He turned the phone off and back on and his list magically appeared. . . . You can't see me now, or the other day when this happened, but it goes something like this.
On my end, silence. My eyes blink a few times and I wait for the explanation.
Dad: Not sure what happened, but after I turned the phone off and back on the list's back.
Me: silence and more blinking. I clear my throat and say something lame like, "It just reprogrammed itself."
Dad: Well I guess I'll go now. If it happens again I'll let you know.
Me: blinking, blinking and more blinking, another pause. "Okay dad, luv ya."
I'm just sayin
So, yes. I'm glad Dad is still here. But I'm just sayin' people of his generation and just a little younger should not have electronic devices. Now if it was my mother, there would have been no problems. She was just as handy with computers and cell phones as me and my son. But some (men) should not own a computer or cell phone.
Why men? My husband comes to mind, but we're not talking about him today. It's my dad who worries and calmly panics over these things. Yes, he stay's calm, no hurry, but if you knew him you'd know that when it comes to electronic devices that calm is a false front and any problem with them calls for quiet panic.
First let me give you some information on my dad. He's handy with tools. He can do electrical work, he's great at plumbing, and can fix an air conditioner, refrigerator and ceiling fans. He works on the pump motor for his pool and the salt water filter as well. He can repair many problems on his car, well he could before computers were installed.
See where I'm going with this. Dad is a handy guy. Mr. Fix it if you want to give him a title. He's the one we call when we need work done on most problems around the house. My husband, the carpenter, who builds houses for a living won't even tackle things my dad does for us.
But give dad a cell phone or a computer; and don't even get me started on the Kindle problems I've encountered this past year, dad just cannot figure out how to find and fix the problems. The simplest thing and he's on the phone with me or my son telling us the device isn't working. He's also that way with the remote control to his TV, stereo or satellite dish, but we'll save that for another day.
So when my son gave his grandfather a new cell phone for Christmas a lot of thought went into it. I take the blame here and now. I called my son after I'd received 10 dropped calls from my father early in December. Dad was in a well populated area where his old cell phone should not have had problems. But that day (not the first time this has happened) the phone would not keep a call. I must say his cell phone was over 10 years old and needed to be retired.
We knew the new phone had to be similar to the old one. You know the flip type with just the number keys and the few function bars above them. Dad does not text, take pictures or browse the internet with his phone. He calls people and talks to them. What a novel idea using a phone for its purpose. Sorry I got carried away for a minute. Not harping at dad, but the need for people to text one another instead of, oh let's say call them or talk to them face to face. Texting in my opinion is a waste of time.
Anyway, I'll get back to my dad's story now. It took my son weeks to find just the right phone. He had to pay a fortune for it because dad already had his own contract and there was no need to purchase one, just the phone. It was similar to the old phone, but it is a lot more advanced in technology and is military grade. That means he can stomp on it, drop it from a plane or in the water and it will still work. Not sure why dad needed those features, but one never knows these day.
On Christmas day, dad opened his gift and was excited. He then promptly handed it to my son who spent the morning putting the old SIM card into the new phone and making sure his number and contacts transferred. They transferred without any problem. He's had the phone for three weeks now and suddenly it's acting up. Now acting up to him is nothing to us.
For example one of his problems is that he has to hit the phone, you know the green phone button twice to actually make a call. Well for us, or me anyway I'd either ignore this minor problem or go into the phone, complete a search and see where to change settings. I suspect that when he opens it, the phone is ready to dial and then hit the green button. I believe by pushing the green button he's deactivating it. Dad doesn't know this nor would he understand the first time I explained it. To dad, this is a major deal and the entire phone needs to be reprogrammed.
Next his contact list with tons of numbers on it disappeared. You would not believe how many people he talks to on a daily basis on that cell phone. There are neighbors that just call. He has old friends from work that just want to see how he's doing. He has women friends, not that kind; they're women friends who are married to his old buddies from work who call just to make sure he's doing okay living alone. Not like he hasn't been living by himself for the past 4 years, but then maybe at their age they're really calling to make sure he's not ill or still living. I'm just sayin'.
Back to my story. So he said his phone contact list was gone. In fact it was just hidden in phone land when he tried to make a call that he couldn't remember the number for. While he didn't say it; when he was on the phone with me asking me to look at the contraption and fix it for him, I could hear his thoughts loud and clear. "I have the numbers programmed into the phone, so I don't have to remember them in my head."
I calmly told him I'd fix it so he could call his buddies, or my sister or my son when he needed. He told me he'd be by in a few hours and I went back to my writing. When the time came for him to get here. I waited. Now mind you, I'd already closed my Word document, so he couldn't see what I was writing. Yes, I keep it a secret that I write erotica, smut, sex. That's just between me, my husband and my readers. Well my son knows, but he doesn't read my work. Thank goodness. That would mean years of therapy for both of us, but that's another story.
So I'm waiting for dad to come by. After about fifteen minutes of me waiting I'm beginning to wonder where he is. He's never late. In fact he's usually fifteen minutes early. When I'm thinking he's gotten into a mess with the new fridge, he had to buy one. He couldn't fix the dead compressor. He calls.
His earlier panicking was all for nothing. He turned the phone off and back on and his list magically appeared. . . . You can't see me now, or the other day when this happened, but it goes something like this.
On my end, silence. My eyes blink a few times and I wait for the explanation.
Dad: Not sure what happened, but after I turned the phone off and back on the list's back.
Me: silence and more blinking. I clear my throat and say something lame like, "It just reprogrammed itself."
Dad: Well I guess I'll go now. If it happens again I'll let you know.
Me: blinking, blinking and more blinking, another pause. "Okay dad, luv ya."
I'm just sayin
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Deviating from the Norm
Okay, I know this blog is about writing, my writing in fact; and to be honest all about me and what I'm doing, giving updates and going off the deep end about things in general. However, today I've taken that left turn at Albuquerque and guess what Bug bunny? I found The Alabama Crimson Tide!
Let me explain. I am a college football nut. Every October; yes I know college football begins in September, but I don't watch anything new until after I've returned from my last beach vacation in October. So every Saturday and Thursday and the occasional Friday or Monday beginning in October my eyes are glued to ESPN, CBS, ABC and NBC watching college football.
I think it may have something to do with seeing guys in skin tight knee pants, but I am certain it is all that muscle, stamina and skill showing who can take the most beating and still come out a winner.
Let me say here and now I don't wish anyone to ever get hurt. But let's face it, football depends on taking down the guy with the ball; and I love watching a three hundred pound defensive player (of the team I'm rooting for, of course) take out the passer or receiver. I believe it is the beast in me that I keep hidden from society that enjoys the *choreographed violence of the sport. (*by choreographed I don't mean staged, but following the set of rules of the game).
So today, I celebrate with all other BAMA and SEC fans throughout the U.S.
Congratulations to the players, coaches and University of Alabama; their students, alumni and fans on another great season and victory.
ROLL TIDE!!!!
Let me explain. I am a college football nut. Every October; yes I know college football begins in September, but I don't watch anything new until after I've returned from my last beach vacation in October. So every Saturday and Thursday and the occasional Friday or Monday beginning in October my eyes are glued to ESPN, CBS, ABC and NBC watching college football.
I think it may have something to do with seeing guys in skin tight knee pants, but I am certain it is all that muscle, stamina and skill showing who can take the most beating and still come out a winner.
Let me say here and now I don't wish anyone to ever get hurt. But let's face it, football depends on taking down the guy with the ball; and I love watching a three hundred pound defensive player (of the team I'm rooting for, of course) take out the passer or receiver. I believe it is the beast in me that I keep hidden from society that enjoys the *choreographed violence of the sport. (*by choreographed I don't mean staged, but following the set of rules of the game).
So today, I celebrate with all other BAMA and SEC fans throughout the U.S.
Congratulations to the players, coaches and University of Alabama; their students, alumni and fans on another great season and victory.
ROLL TIDE!!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year, New You?
Happy New Year everyone. Now that the rush of holiday parties, gifts, family and tons of food has settled in the pit of your gut is over we can all get back to doing what we love best, WRITING!
If you're like me the holidays with family goes overboard. It was bad when my mother was alive. (Please don't take that the wrong way. I would be happy if she was still alive only if she was cancer free, so I am certainly not saying I am glad she's gone). But when she was alive, we began planning Christmas at Thanksgiving. An entire month was dedicated to planning the menu for Christmas dinner. Now that she's gone and I'm in charge, well somewhat. My father holds on to all the things my mother used to do with an iron fist. But I refuse to think of Christmas dinner until the week before the day arrives.
Anyway, as I was saying we still go overboard, and with my husband's family and then Christmas after Christmas with his daughters and their 8 children; yes my husband has 8 grandchildren. (Truly, I'm not old enough yet to be a grandmother). So Christmas usually isn't over until the 30th of December and just in time for New Year's Eve and New Year's day.
Yes, we have 2 family get together's. 1 on New Year's Eve where we all converge at my uncle's with his 6 children, their spouses, children and grandchildren plus my aunt and us, which makes a grand total of 65 in one large room, laughing, loving and eating.
Our festivities will culminate this evening with dinner at my dad's house, along with his sister and brother eating Hoppin' John, Mexican cornbread, sweet potatoes, ham and cole slaw.
I hope you see the pattern here, and I'm sure your holidays also are centered around food and family. Yes, food is the operative word here. My holidays remind me of Mickey's Christmas Carol; the ghost of Christmas present surrounded by so much food it would feed a small country. And, I've gained a few pounds back, (I do not look like the ghost of Christmas present I assure you); no more than 5 pounds have returned and all on my hips.
But am I going to make that silly New Year's resolution to slim down. (I lost fifty pounds last year, all between May and September, and didn't need a resolution to do it). The answer is no. I don't need some diet guru telling me how to change myself to become a new me.
Frankly, I like who I am. I finally have a published book. Thanks for those who've purchased it, and please note I am revising it. As an independent author I write and edit my own work. I don't have a network of friends who help me edit my book. Mainly because no one knows I write erotica. And I like it that way. Please know I am striving in the latest version to remove all errors. Thanks in advance for your patience.
Sorry, I digressed. Let me get back on track. If you believe a new you is needed in your life in this New Year then go for it, but let me just say that for all my venting about spending every waking hour with my family since Thanksgiving, I am blessed to still have them. Do I want them around all the time, NO.
But my family, the things we share are what shapes me. So to think about shedding that part of my life to become a new person is out of the question. With that being said, I guess I am going to make a resolution after all.
My New Year's resolution is to continue being me; to stay focused on my writing using life experiences, my network of friends and family to continue to shape me and my writing. If I lose the last fifty pounds I want to this year, then great. If not, I'll press on to be the woman I've been working towards all my life. I don't plan to give that up just because outside forces think I can be better, or the best I've ever been by changing this and that in my life.
They don't know me, so some expert does not get to decide what's right for me. Keep in mind they don't know you when you're trying to do it their way.
My New Year thought to you is be true to yourself, whatever that may be. Go for your dreams your way.
God Bless.
If you're like me the holidays with family goes overboard. It was bad when my mother was alive. (Please don't take that the wrong way. I would be happy if she was still alive only if she was cancer free, so I am certainly not saying I am glad she's gone). But when she was alive, we began planning Christmas at Thanksgiving. An entire month was dedicated to planning the menu for Christmas dinner. Now that she's gone and I'm in charge, well somewhat. My father holds on to all the things my mother used to do with an iron fist. But I refuse to think of Christmas dinner until the week before the day arrives.
Anyway, as I was saying we still go overboard, and with my husband's family and then Christmas after Christmas with his daughters and their 8 children; yes my husband has 8 grandchildren. (Truly, I'm not old enough yet to be a grandmother). So Christmas usually isn't over until the 30th of December and just in time for New Year's Eve and New Year's day.
Yes, we have 2 family get together's. 1 on New Year's Eve where we all converge at my uncle's with his 6 children, their spouses, children and grandchildren plus my aunt and us, which makes a grand total of 65 in one large room, laughing, loving and eating.
Our festivities will culminate this evening with dinner at my dad's house, along with his sister and brother eating Hoppin' John, Mexican cornbread, sweet potatoes, ham and cole slaw.
I hope you see the pattern here, and I'm sure your holidays also are centered around food and family. Yes, food is the operative word here. My holidays remind me of Mickey's Christmas Carol; the ghost of Christmas present surrounded by so much food it would feed a small country. And, I've gained a few pounds back, (I do not look like the ghost of Christmas present I assure you); no more than 5 pounds have returned and all on my hips.
But am I going to make that silly New Year's resolution to slim down. (I lost fifty pounds last year, all between May and September, and didn't need a resolution to do it). The answer is no. I don't need some diet guru telling me how to change myself to become a new me.
Frankly, I like who I am. I finally have a published book. Thanks for those who've purchased it, and please note I am revising it. As an independent author I write and edit my own work. I don't have a network of friends who help me edit my book. Mainly because no one knows I write erotica. And I like it that way. Please know I am striving in the latest version to remove all errors. Thanks in advance for your patience.
Sorry, I digressed. Let me get back on track. If you believe a new you is needed in your life in this New Year then go for it, but let me just say that for all my venting about spending every waking hour with my family since Thanksgiving, I am blessed to still have them. Do I want them around all the time, NO.
But my family, the things we share are what shapes me. So to think about shedding that part of my life to become a new person is out of the question. With that being said, I guess I am going to make a resolution after all.
My New Year's resolution is to continue being me; to stay focused on my writing using life experiences, my network of friends and family to continue to shape me and my writing. If I lose the last fifty pounds I want to this year, then great. If not, I'll press on to be the woman I've been working towards all my life. I don't plan to give that up just because outside forces think I can be better, or the best I've ever been by changing this and that in my life.
They don't know me, so some expert does not get to decide what's right for me. Keep in mind they don't know you when you're trying to do it their way.
My New Year thought to you is be true to yourself, whatever that may be. Go for your dreams your way.
God Bless.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Merry Christmas
Here's my Christmas wish to everyone. May God bless you and your family this time of year. It may be difficult because of the loss of a loved one (I've lost several close family members), but remember the good times and the heartache will lessen.
I want to wish all our soldiers a Merry Christmas. I know their sacrifice is more than we can imagine. I also know their families are making sacrifices as well. Children not being with parent, spouses taking care of things at home alone, while soldiers are away.
I pray for safety of our soldiers fighting and working out of the U.S., and for your families here at home.
Thank you and your family for your sacrifices.
God bless you.
Military Poem,
by Marine Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt
(original and revised verses)
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, I strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. marine.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like this one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent so still,
and we both shivered from the cold evening's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a Good night."
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you in 2013. Look for my next novel early next year.
I want to wish all our soldiers a Merry Christmas. I know their sacrifice is more than we can imagine. I also know their families are making sacrifices as well. Children not being with parent, spouses taking care of things at home alone, while soldiers are away.
I pray for safety of our soldiers fighting and working out of the U.S., and for your families here at home.
Thank you and your family for your sacrifices.
God bless you.
Military Poem,
by Marine Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt
(original and revised verses)
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, I strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. marine.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like this one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent so still,
and we both shivered from the cold evening's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a Good night."
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you in 2013. Look for my next novel early next year.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Being an Indie: Curse or Blessing?
Being and independent publisher as well as a writer has its ups and downs. I write my stories, edit them, publish them on places like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. using Smashwords or Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) then market myself. For instance I spend at least 2 days a week promoting my books on places like facebook; check out my facebook page Siera Stone and you'll see what I'm talking about. But don't stop there. If you'll view some of my friends pages you'll see how they also promote themselves.
By marketing myself that leaves me just 2 days writing. Sometimes I get 3 days, but that depends on the amount of time I've already spent on the earlier 2 days. It's hard to change hats. If I have a great idea and it is a day I've decided to work on marketing then I jot down those ideas in my notebook and work on them later that day or the next day.
As an aside, it doesn't help that my husband no longer works. So if you have distractions like that get an office. Oh I have an office, but it is full of research, books, printer, magazines, etc. that there is no place for me. So the office needs to be big or if you can get your husband a man cave. (Here I'm playing on your sympathy to purchase my books). If it's working then I won't apologize.
So is publishing my books as an independent writer the best way to go? For my first book it was. I'm sure that some erotic romance publisher like Ellora's Cave or Samhain might have looked at it, but the plot of Christmas in July didn't fit their categories.
Christmas in July was meant to be a witty fantasy and nothing more. Sure the main character Julie Monroe is in a long term relationship and that relationship is in jeopardy due to not getting her Christmas present from Santa. But all in all it was intended to give Julie a chance to be a naughty girl, and get Santa in the sack and back on his nice list. Yes we all have fantasies and one of Julie's was to boink the big guy. She has a thing for long white beards and a hairy chest. Sorry I'm getting off my point.
But the story I'm working on now, working titles are The Merger or 3rd Times the Charm is intended to be sent to Decadent Publishing. I'm writing it to fit into one of their most popular series 1Night Stand. Go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble or other publishing companies and type in the words 1 Night Stand. You'll find titles from different authors all using that same premise. See a previous blog for some editing I did on my new book.
Yes, I'm using this series to get my foot into the door of a publishing house.While Decadent is a publishing house for erotic romance, it has some of the qualities of Indie's. Decadent's requirements would be that of my own if I was self-publishing this book. It must be tight and the copy clean. They don't have agents, Per Se that holds your hand, works with you to edit the story to the publisher's liking.
So again, is self-publishing a curse or a blessing? I believe a little of both.
Next week I'll expand on this introduction of being an Indie.
By marketing myself that leaves me just 2 days writing. Sometimes I get 3 days, but that depends on the amount of time I've already spent on the earlier 2 days. It's hard to change hats. If I have a great idea and it is a day I've decided to work on marketing then I jot down those ideas in my notebook and work on them later that day or the next day.
As an aside, it doesn't help that my husband no longer works. So if you have distractions like that get an office. Oh I have an office, but it is full of research, books, printer, magazines, etc. that there is no place for me. So the office needs to be big or if you can get your husband a man cave. (Here I'm playing on your sympathy to purchase my books). If it's working then I won't apologize.
So is publishing my books as an independent writer the best way to go? For my first book it was. I'm sure that some erotic romance publisher like Ellora's Cave or Samhain might have looked at it, but the plot of Christmas in July didn't fit their categories.
Christmas in July was meant to be a witty fantasy and nothing more. Sure the main character Julie Monroe is in a long term relationship and that relationship is in jeopardy due to not getting her Christmas present from Santa. But all in all it was intended to give Julie a chance to be a naughty girl, and get Santa in the sack and back on his nice list. Yes we all have fantasies and one of Julie's was to boink the big guy. She has a thing for long white beards and a hairy chest. Sorry I'm getting off my point.
But the story I'm working on now, working titles are The Merger or 3rd Times the Charm is intended to be sent to Decadent Publishing. I'm writing it to fit into one of their most popular series 1Night Stand. Go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble or other publishing companies and type in the words 1 Night Stand. You'll find titles from different authors all using that same premise. See a previous blog for some editing I did on my new book.
Yes, I'm using this series to get my foot into the door of a publishing house.While Decadent is a publishing house for erotic romance, it has some of the qualities of Indie's. Decadent's requirements would be that of my own if I was self-publishing this book. It must be tight and the copy clean. They don't have agents, Per Se that holds your hand, works with you to edit the story to the publisher's liking.
So again, is self-publishing a curse or a blessing? I believe a little of both.
Next week I'll expand on this introduction of being an Indie.
Friday, November 9, 2012
What could be better?
What could be better than a trip that includes imbibing? (You know the S word and chocolate come to mind, but traveling and drinking is 3rd on the list).
I just reconnected with a friend of mine and her lens on Squidoo about America's history on Whiskey making is fascinating.
Below is a peek. Check out the entire lens at www.squidoo.com/whiskeytrail
.
Whiskey's origins mainly came from Scotland. One can tell they are drinking American whiskey or Scottish whiskey just by the spelling. But just like bourbons and whiskies the Scottish whiskey has a distinct flavor all its own. This lens is dedicated to the American heritage of those immigrants that settled into the USA and brought their whiskey making skills with them.
While prohibition may have curbed the whiskey industry for a short time, it is up and running strong. It is a part of American history, the history of those who immigrated into this country at its birth and during its foundling years. Therefore this tribute is not just to the alcohol industry, but to a bit of Americana.
George Washington, our first president, has ties to the roots of making American whiskey. Others who held to developing us into a nation also were a part of this history, but not as prominent as the 1st president.
The Trail runs through 5 states and can be a an exciting road trip or several weekend getaways for the history and travel enthusiast.
I just reconnected with a friend of mine and her lens on Squidoo about America's history on Whiskey making is fascinating.
Below is a peek. Check out the entire lens at www.squidoo.com/whiskeytrail
.
While prohibition may have curbed the whiskey industry for a short time, it is up and running strong. It is a part of American history, the history of those who immigrated into this country at its birth and during its foundling years. Therefore this tribute is not just to the alcohol industry, but to a bit of Americana.
George Washington, our first president, has ties to the roots of making American whiskey. Others who held to developing us into a nation also were a part of this history, but not as prominent as the 1st president.
The Trail runs through 5 states and can be a an exciting road trip or several weekend getaways for the history and travel enthusiast.
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