Reading, Writing and Running on Canada's East Coast...

I'm at a loss today for a journal entry - the only thing on mind these days is running, especially with the half marathon coming up, but even I get bored with that one-track recording so I can imagine you guys do, too!

I considered a reading post - afterall, this is 'Reading, Writing and Running on Canada's East Coast'. But I haven't been reading. No, sorry, that's not true. I have been reading - books about running! Yep, the song plays again. I have quite a few books lined up once I get over my obsession with running books - Wolf Hall by Hilery Mantel, The Dinner by Herman Koch, and Maeve Binchy's last novel: A Week in Winter. I also have a non-fiction book called The Gin and Tonic Gardener (by Janice Wells), which I'm looking forward to 'digging' into!! Maybe once I get this race over and done with!

There's no use doing a writing post - not writing. But I think my new habit to cultivate will be writing. Nothing huge - I'll follow the same guidelines I did to start my running habit - short time frame and the mindset of 'streaking'! With my running (I know, I'm going there), I'm marking my days on my calendar with a red marker. At a quick glance I can see how many days I've continued with the streak. And because I'm a little over the top, I also have a stack of pennies (poor pennies, no longer wanted or needed in Canada I felt they needed some loving) - 25 - that I count with (like an abacus - as an aside, have you ever seen someone skilled at using the abacus? Amazing). I have 4 days to prepare for my new habit.

So, reading, writing, running - East Coast! I've been doing some searching on line for my brother and sister-in-law who are coming for a visit at the end of next month (so excited). I live in an amazing place. They're going to go up to New Brunswick to take in the Hopewell Rocks Park (I blogged about it long, long ago - go HERE if you're interested in seeing the pictures and learning about this wonderful place where, when the tide is out, you can walk on the ocean floor and 6 hours later, Kayak among the rocks far above where you had just been walking - the difference between low tide and high tide: 0 ft to 40 ft). They're also going out Digby Neck to whale watch with this fabulous package - http://www.brierisland.com/ I'll take some time off work and do some day trips with them - including a trip into Halifax!

There, I managed to cover all my bases and not talk exclusively about running - yay! Happy Thursday, Everyone :)

Inspiration - Books...

Piggy-backing on yesterday's post where we were talking all things books, I thought I'd go looking for some words of wisdom on that very subject. I had a hard time narrowing it down - hope you enjoy!

No two persons ever read the same book.   ~ Edmond Wilson

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. ~ Vera Nazarian

Books are ships which pass through the vast seas of time. ~ Francis Bacon

Life transforming ideas have always come to me through books. ~ Oliver Wendall Holmes

Books are the windows through which the soul looks out. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. ~ Jorge Luis Borges

Books may well be the only true magic. ~ Alice Hoffman

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? ~ Henry Ward Beecher (Which is why I stay away from bookstores ;)

 

 

 

 

 

An Informal Poll About Books...

I love books! I love to read! But back in the day when we made the decision to simplify our life and leave the high-paying, high-stress work world, the way we spent money had to change and my book buying habits had to change. As did my love of purchasing magazines every month, but that's another topic.

Now, with my love of writing, my dream of seeing my name in print, I'm at a crossroads. I know how hard writers work, how much of their blood, sweat and tears go into each and every book. I know that once they see that dream of being published become a reality, then it's about numbers, reviews and book sales. I want to support those writers. Hell, if I ever get published, I want someone to support me! But our chosen lifestyle, one I'm not willing to give up, is at odds with my desire to buy books.

Oops, got off there on a different path. I wanted to say that I am a Library Girl. And a Trader Girl (book swapping is key to my reading habit). I've also discovered some fabulous on-line reads:

Silver James has a new work up HERE - a spoof on paranormal romance
The Wild Okies are offering up serial stories HERE (they have done 4, with another one on tap)
Mills and Boon has a selection on online reads HERE
And then there's WATTPAD, where authors like Margaret Atwood are contributing serialized stories

As I try to figure out my writing world, I want to know from you - do you purchase most of your books? Are you a Library Girl (Guy)? Trader Girl (Guy)? Do free online books interest you? And my last question, if you would be so kind, do you have an e-reader?

Thanks,

Inspiration - JB Lynn...

I am so pleased to welcome JB Lynn to the blog today. As you know from my Friday post, Whatcha Reading, I read and loved JB's Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman. Quirky characters, laugh out loud moments and a plot that keeps you turning the pages - my kind of book! So it's no surprise that I asked JB to join us for an interview on Inspiration Wednesday.

Have you been writing long, JB? Was writing a part of your life as a teenager or did you come to it later in life?

I’ve been writing forever. Okay, maybe not "forever" but pretty darn close. When I was in second and third grade and the teacher gave an assignment to draw something, I’d ask for permission to write something instead. Hence my drawing skills are sadly lacking. 

Well, thank goodness you didn't pursue the drawing! Can you give us your 'call' story? I find call stories so inspirational.

Like all aspiring novelists, I couldn’t wait to get "THE CALL". It took me a couple years and over 100 queries. I revised for an editor three times, but he ultimately passed. I revised for a couple of agents. I finally landed an agent….but got no call, instead I got an email that said, "You've done a terrific job of revising this. I'd very much like to take it on." It was rather anticlimatic, lol.
Then the agent couldn’t sell the book and she didn’t have any interest in repping CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN, so we parted ways.

So I set about querying again. I got an invitation to Revise and Resubmit from Carina Press. I revised the book yet again and finally got THE CALL from the Editor in Chief (at least I think that’s her title). Since she tweets when she is making her acquisition calls, it wasn’t too much of a surprise…more like overwhelming relief at that point.

I’ve since landed another agent, the lovely Victoria Marini. Again the offer came via email, but she was all sorts of gushily excited which made me feel better. When I sold CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN to Avon, Victoria informed me via email, so no CALL there.

Ah, the joys of modern life - technology making 'The Call' a totally different animal! But still The Call!!

My characters seem to come at me for no rhyme or reason - there they are, fully formed and with a black moment I need to write to and 'solve'. Did Maggie, Patrick, Paul, God and the other fabulous characters of Confessions of a Neurotic Hitwoman find you - or did you go looking for them?

I had to go looking for them. I first wondered why there are never any stories on the news about hitwomen and then I got to thinking about why someone would become a paid assassin. I developed Maggie from there. She actually has a pretty good reason for agreeing to kill someone. Everyone else was developed to sort of highlight different aspects of Maggie’s personality.

And of your cast of characters, which would you want to go out to dinner with and why?

Hmmmm if I wasn’t happily married I’d say Patrick, but since I am, I’ll go with Armani, Maggie’s best work friend. She semi-psychic, ballsy, loyal, and she makes me laugh. BUT I would not share any food with her (have you seen her disgusting food combos??) and there’d be no Karaoke.

I love Armani - and can't wait to see how she develops in the next book, Further Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman.

My byline is Reading, Writing and Running (on Canada's East Coast) so I have to ask - Do you have a top ten list when it comes to books? If so, would you share maybe a couple of the titles with us?

The Top 10 that come to mind (probably because I’ve read them all multiple times):

Where the Wild Things Are -- Sendack
Horse of Two Colors -- Balch
To Kill a Mocking Bird -- Lee
Thank You for Smoking -- Buckley
Kiss the Girls -- Patterson
The Spellman series by Lisa Lutz
IT -- King
Room – Donoghue
The Non-Runners Marathon Guide for Women -- Dais
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook -- Maass

I loved Room, by Emma Donoghue! And you already know how thrilled I am that you suggested The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women. Which leads us perfectly into the next question. You're a runner and I know that you started training for a half marathon while waiting for word on a manuscript submission. You've obviously got the bug - what's the best thing about running?

Okay, let me make something clear. Even though I’ve completed three half-marathons, I HATE running. The best thing is being finished. BUT it does have a couple of redeeming qualities. It’s a great stress reliever and as you tick off the miles you do have a sense of accomplishment. But seriously, I hate it. On the other hand my husband who took it up eighteen months ago and is way faster than me LOVES it.

See, I knew there was a reason why I felt a connection, JB - that and the fact you're a Pisces!

And since this is Inspiration Wednesday, I have to ask - what inspires you, JB?

People who try new things. People who leap out of their comfort zone. People who have enthusiasm and passion….even if I don’t share those passions (or in the case of those who rock climb or sky dive, people I think are out of their ever-loving minds). People who persevere. People who learn. People who grow. People who are willing to try. People who are willing to fail spectacularly.

And coffee….coffee is definitely inspirational. J

CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN

Maggie Lee is not your average hitwoman. For one thing, she's never killed anyone. For another, after hitting her head in the car accident that killed her sister, her new best friend is a talking lizard—a picky eater, obsessed with Wheel of Fortune, that only Maggie can hear.

Maggie, who can barely take care of herself, is desperate to help her injured and orphaned niece get the best medical care possible, so she reluctantly accepts a mobster's lucrative job offer: major cash to kill his monstrous son-in-law.

Paired with Patrick Mulligan, a charming murder mentor (who happens to moonlight as a police detective), Maggie stumbles down her new career path, contending with self-doubt, three meddling aunts, a semi-psychic friend predicting her doom, and a day job she hates. Oh, and let's not forget about Paul Kowalski, the sexy beat cop who could throw her ass in jail if he finds out what she's up to.

Training has never been so complicated! And, this time, Maggie has to get the job done. Because if she doesn't . . . she's the mob's next target.

FURTHER CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN

Take three wacky aunts,
two talking animals,
one nervous bride,
and an upcoming hit,
and you've got the follow-up
to JB Lynn's wickedly funny
Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman

Knocking off a drug kingpin was the last thing on Maggie Lee's to-do list, but when a tragic accident leaves her beloved niece orphaned and in the hospital, Maggie will go to desperate lengths to land the money needed for her care.

But the drug kingpin is the least of her worries. Maggie's aunts are driving her crazy, her best friend's turned into a bridezilla…and a knock on the head has given Maggie Dr. Dolittle abilities—she can talk to animals. Unfortunately, they talk back.

It's just another day in the life of this neurotic hitwoman…

THE HITWOMAN GETS LUCKY

A novella about the further misadventures of Maggie Lee and the rest of the cast of zany characters from CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN:

 Maggie Lee’s a lot of things:

The daughter of a mom in a mental institution and a dad serving time;

The niece of three meddling aunts;

The aunt (and now legal guardian) of her beloved niece, Katie;

The friend of a snarky lizard, a dyslexic Doberman, and a semi-psychic co-worker;

A contract killer.

But one thing she'd never thought she'd be is a thief.

That's about to change as she heads to the casinos of Atlantic City to

help her sexy murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan, steal something from a professional thief.

Maggie's never been lucky in love or money. Will this gamble pay off or will she lose her shirt, her heart or even her life?

 

AUTHOR BIO – JB Lynn

Besides being a writer, JB Lynn is a compulsive reader, a runner (of sorts), an enthusiastic cook (who doesn't get the appeal of the Food Network), and someone who has an irresistible urge to eavesdrop at all times.

JB has a great love of her husband, dogs, coffee, purple ink, spiral notebooks, running gear, hot showers, and '80s music. Given enough time, all of these things will eventually show up in her books.

Website: www.jblynn.com

Follow JB on:

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jb_lynn_author

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jb.lynn.14

Thanks so much for joining us today, JB! If anyone out there has a question for JB, just post it in the comment section. To end, here's a inspirational quote from JB herself:

Focus your energy on what you really, truly, down-deep-in-your-soul WANT. Not what society wants, or your family, or your friends, but what YOU want. Not what common knowledge says can be done, but what your wildest dreams can imagine. ~ JB Lynn

 

　

Whatcha Reading?

As mentioned yesterday, I devoured the non-fiction running book, The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women, recently. In fact, there's been a flurry of reading over the past week and a half. I did a library run with one of the books being the Wheat Belly everyone and her farmer are talking about. I also borrowed a Bob Harper (one of The Biggest Loser's trainers - I 'heart' Bob) book - The Skinny Rules.

You would think there's a theme here!

First, Wheat Belly (because it's so popular, I only had a week's loan period). Now the author had me enthralled from the first page with the premise that wheat, as we know it, has changed over the course of the last 50 years dues to genetic modification. I could buy into that. I almost started cleaning out the kitchen and pantry, ridding our lives of all things wheat. But when the advice to also eliminate or reduce foods such as oatmeal, bulgar, potatoes (including sweet), legumes (beans and lentils) and rice (even brown) came along, my inner nutritionist balked. I think Wheat Belly is just a modern day twist on The Atkin's Diet (protein, protein, protein). It got a pass!

Then, Bob's The Skinny Rules. A no-nonsense approach to 'getting thin'. I do not need to lose a bunch of weight - a reduction in 5 - 10 pounds would do very nicely thank you. But I read this anyway - and loved it. He offers up 15 simple rules to integrate into your daily eating habits - very common sense rules, but sometimes common sense eludes us when we are stuck! The second and third parts of the book are meal plans (for 4 weeks - to jump start your weight loss) and recipes. I skimmed through that part. Since finishing his book, I've added those rules that apply to me (I don't drink soda, so no need to incorporate that one, I can't remember the last time I had white bread - probably the last time I had a fast food burger and that was 3 months ago, and I never add sugar or sweeteners to my food) and have lost a pound. This one gets a stamp of approval!

I also borrowed a novel by a local author - I may talk about that when I finish. On the non-library front, I recently finished JB Lynn's Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman. I wasn't sure when I started the book - worried that I would not be able to relate to the main character who becomes a hitwoman for the mob in order to pay for her niece's very expensive medical expenses. But I liked Maggie right from the beginning. In fact, I liked all the characters in the book. JB pens a tight, humorous and believable story of what a woman will do for family! And I loved the juxtaposition of the mobster's family dynamics. Did I mention humorous? Lynn's voice (Maggie) is brilliant. And her inclusion of the talking lizard (yes, a talking lizard that only Maggie can hear and who becomes her willing sidekick) is fabulous (I believe God, short for Godzilla, is my second favorite character). If you like Janet Evanovich, you'll love JB Lynn! This one gets a big stamp of approval!

BTW - a heads-up - I've asked JB to guest blog on Wednesday (yes, liked the book that much). Watch for our interview coming up next week!

OK, your turn - Whatcha Reading?

Running Reno...

I'm still hacking and sniffling - and not running! This results in a very poor looking training schedule and some serious self-talk about what I'm going to do in just over 8 weeks. That's all the time left before the Bluenose Marathon! My longest run has been 12 miles (I've done two of them) - the marathon is 26.2 miles! Yes, I'm playing the Blame Game - the illness, the weather (note to self: never train for a marathon over the winter when you know you're never going to run in cold, snow or ice). But the reality is that I (me, myself - no one to blame) fell off the training wagon!

I will get back on that wagon, though! The marathon was a big event, but it wasn't the focus of my year - that focus is to run 50K in September to celebrate turning 50. And dammit, that's going to happen. After a book suggestion by JB Lynn (thanks, JB), I ordered The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais - I was looking for some inspiration. I found it in spades. The book is hilarious - and written by a non-runner (a woman who hates running - and even after her marathon, continues to hate running - my kind of runner). After devouring the book like a woman who hasn't had fast food for 3 months and is presented with a buffet of burgers, fries, onion rings and fried chicken, I have renewed my vow to run that 50K!

And the race in a little over 8 weeks? I'll take that down to a half (13.1 miles) and collect my bling, t-shirt and enjoy the free food afterward. I will also take away the lesson learned - I do not like running races! I believe it's community fun runs from now on. Because looking back at my training journal, I was actually enjoying (I know!) my earlier training runs when there was no pressure about the upcoming race. No pressure to figure out what kind of nutrition to take with me on the long runs. And no pressure with the amount of time it was taking me to run those distances.

Am I disappointed, you may ask? I was - but somethings in life are just too trivial to risk falling off the fast food wagon. I think I was more worried about what others would say (my usual worry) - but they're not the ones running (or not running in my case over the past couple of weeks). And they're not the ones staring at me when I look in the Turkey Neck App-ed Mirror every morning. They say that running teaches you lessons - I certainly am learning lots (bonus - even without the running) - lessons in admitting my limitations and lessons in asking myself if this (insert anything for this) is what I really, really want (or is it one of those 'kinda wants' - or worse, one of those 'someone else wants'). I'm also learning to be more gentle with myself.

So the running renovation is done. I have a lovely new training schedule and a bevy of non-winter months to look forward to!

Freedom to Read...

What a great discussion on yesterday's blogpost about where we read - thanks to everyone who commented and those that sent an e-mail to share (a big hello to my readers who subscribe to my blogpost by e-mail - I love getting your comments/thoughts afterward :)

Thanks to Karyn for bringing this to my attention (I really need to get out of my office more often), this is Freedom to Read Week in Canada! Freedom to Read? That sounds so idiotic - so oxymoronic! Why would we not have the freedom to read? Why would the powers that be ("They") determine which books (or magazines) we are allowed to read? Do we live in a dictatorship or a democracy?

Reading, to me, is an escape - a journey into another life, another way of thinking. As a voracious learner, I've used books to expand my knowledge or to spark an inquiry, which then leads to searching and discovering new and wonderful things. As a teacher, I used books for that same purpose - and as a window into humanity that teaches compassion and understanding. Books are the diving boards into pools of mental, emotional and spiritual growth!

We had a discussion a couple days ago about reading romance, mystery, thrillers - what would life be like if those options were taken away? Our escape from our everyday life, our little bit of stress-free mental relaxation right before we hit the pillow or as soon as we awake or standing at the stove while the soup simmers before supper? I know I would have a huge gaping hole in my daily life. A part of me would be missing.

Books are not the problem with today's society. Instead of determining which books are potentially harmful to the general population (and who is it that does that - do you get a job to read books day after day and if it contains one of the items on an inventory, you slam it shut and declare a 'winner'?), THEY need to spend their time focusing on the big issues. Let us read our books!!!!

I have to post this video (it has subtitles, but believe me when I say it's worth it) - it cracks me up everytime - it's somewhat book related. Weigh in on the subject of banned books, freedom to read in the comments - and check out Karyn's blog today, she's got an awesome post on those children's books that fall into that category of "ooh, bad for our kids"!

Why Read (your genre of choice)?

With yesterday being Valentine's Day, one of the trending hashtags on Twitter (look at me with the 'trending hashtags' knowledge) was #WhyReadRomance - started, I believe, by Deidre Knight of the Knight Agencies (my apologies if it was someone else - I got onto the trend late). And what a discussion ensued - lots of people read romance (THE biggest selling genre out there) and lots of people had an opinion. I added my two cents worth (which, in Canada, doesn't count anymore because they've discontinued the penny - there's a strange rounding system, which makes my two cents worth nothing).

#WhyReadRomance - Why NOT?
#WhyReadRomance - What else would go with eating bon bons while draped in a feather boa?

But, seriously, why do I read romance? I think it has a lot to do with the guaranteed happy endings - no surprise at the end of the book that makes me want to hurl said book against the wall. And, I happen to love the excitement of a love blossoming. I'm married and although I get a thrill every time The Husband walks into the room (yes, still), some of those earlier emotions of anticipation (will he see me, does he like me) and the 'falling' are gone. That first look. That first touch. That first kiss. All sigh-worthy and the reason I go back to romance (and write them) over and over again.

Valentine's is over for another year, so let's open it up. We all don't read romance (although I will state for the record that you can find a romance in almost every book you pick up, it's just not classified as a romance). I don't exclusively read romance. Recently, I've been reminded of my love for psychological thrillers. So #WhyReadThrillers? I'd have to say the adrenaline rush. I also read mysteries, literary books, chick lit, historical (Wolf Hall is up next on the nightstand) - my tastes are very eclectic. OK, confession time - I don't read fantasy, I maybe should give it a go.

So the question today is why do you read what you read?

Whatcha Reading?

Just finished a psychological thriller called Into the Darkest Corner, by Elizabeth Haynes. It certainly kept me on the edge of my seat - one of those that you know what's going to happen, it's just a matter of time before it does and, the big question as you turn page after page, is WHEN!

The premise is not that original - abused woman of crazed, controlling egomaniac has survived (unlike his last one) and lives a life of fear awaiting his release from jail and eventual return to her life. What is original is that the woman has developed some serious OCD from the trauma. What is original is that the OCD takes on a psychological edge over and above the nasty boyfriend. I was checking doors and windows with her - it made my nerves fray, the reality of the compulsions that vivid. What is original is the dual stories told - both in first person by the woman - her life before, meeting and falling in love and then the sickness that relationship becomes, and her present story, the checking and the fear she lives with every.minute.of.every.day.

It's been a long time since I've read a psychological thriller (my favorite author was Faye Kellerman) and I must say I missed that heart-pounding, page-turning adrenaline rush. This is Haynes first book - and it was conceived during NaNoWriMo!! My bar is always the question: Would I read more from this author? And the answer is yes.

Now, I'm so excited to open a new book - I've discovered (thanks to an author website - re: social media) that Ariana Franklin's* The Mistress of the Art of Death (which I talk about HERE) has three other books in the series. Yes, the medieval Italian coroner is about to be called into action again - can't wait!! So, next up on the nightstand is The Serpent's Tale.

What are you reading?

*It was sad to read, via website, that Ms Franklin has passed away.

Book Club and Chocolate...

...go hand in hand, right? I hosted book club here on Saturday afternoon, we were a full house, which doesn't happen very often. It was great to see everyone and get caught up - not only in books, but also in each other's lives. And since I was hosting, I was serving. And what's better than talking books with good friends? Talking books with good friends while eating something chocolatey (oh, and drinking a good glass of red wine, of course).

So I found this recipe (must be recipe week here on The Journal) for Chocolate Bread with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Icing. Had.To.Make.It. It's a quick bread, so it came together very quickly (ha). My only issue was that I overbaked it, so it was a little dry (but the cream cheese icing helped with that).

On a side note, The Husband is the Official Bowl Licker in this family - so when I was done pouring the batter into the loaf pan, I went looking for him, bowl in hand. He was on his spin bike doing his exercise. I shrugged my shoulders and turned to go, only to be stopped with a "No" and a waggle of his fingers. Yes, the man licked the bowl clean while continuing to ride his exercise bike. I took pictures, but I know he'd definitely not want me to share them.

As for book club, we had a lively discussion - the theme for the meeting was to read something someone other than a book club member had recommended to you. I shared, enthusiastically, my read: The Mistress of the Art of Death (go HERE for my enthusiastic blogpost about this book and a huge thank you to Mary R. for the recommendation and borrow). I also got the names of a couple of books that I will definitely be reading in the future.

And now I share the recipe for Chocolate Bread with Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Icing (original recipe HERE):

3/4 c packed brown sugar
1 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
3/4 c white sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
3/4 c plain yogurt (original called for buttermilk - I thinned my yogurt a bit with milk)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce (original called for vegetable oil)
1 1/3 c dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixer bowl, whisk to remove any lumps (my answer to a sieve).
In separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Add wet to dry and combine until just mixed (don't over mix). Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes (this is where I overbaked it - should have checked at the 1 hour mark) - or until toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove and let cool on wire rack. Ice when completely cooled.

5 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1/3 c icing (powdered) sugar

Combine fully, then ice away. I cut the slices and then iced them on the cut side so there would be more icing/slice. The loaf and the icing are not overly sweet - and the loaf on it's own is heavenly (if you don't want to indulge in a cream cheese icing).

Enjoy!

So, whatcha reading?

Thursday's This, That and Books...

A little housekeeping for the This section of the post. I've added (and deleted) a few blogs on the righthand sidebar for those interested. Additions in the writing section include Kristen Lamb's blog - a great resource for those interested in social media and branding. In the book section, I've added two new book review blogs (books i done read and Hey, Lady, Whatcha Readin'?). I've been looking for some more book review blogs and these two look interesting! In the cooking section, The Wednesday Chef has been included - fabulous writing and recipes (thanks to Janet P. for the recommendation). As I continue to clean house here on the Journal, watch for other changes in the blog sidebar.

In the That portion of the post, I have to tell you that I purchased Scrivener! And I haven't used it, yet! But I have watched a ton of tutorial videos and read some really interesting articles on the software program. It's impressive - with its corkboards, sub-folders, templates, scratchpad, research folder, index cards. OK, it's also really intimidating with its corkboards, sub-folders, templates...you get the idea! I'm a pantser - I open up a word document and I type. Dancing with the Bodyguard was written in a linear, scene-by-scene way, so I wondered if Scrivener would actually serve me well. I Googled it (pantsers using Scrivener). I found this: http://howtowritefast.blogspot.ca/2012/07/guest-post-write-faster-with-scrivener.html and, for the first time since purchasing the software, became excited by the prospects of the program. That article lead me to Gwen Hernandez' blog, The Edited Life - check out both of these links if you have or are thinking of picking up Scrivener for your writing! (I'll talk more about Scrivener at a later date).

Now, onto the Books! Well, one book, really! I'm almost done reading Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. The story is set in medieval times (love me some medieval darkness) and the main character is a woman doctor from Salerno, Italy! She is, basically, a coroner! What a twist! And the story takes place in England, where women midwives are considered witches! The story is a murder mystery - a serial killer hunting and murdering children (already some of you may be saying 'not for me', but you know my penchant for dark). There are nuns, monks, Jews, a tax collector, Crusaders and a large, smelly dog! Seriously loving this book - the writing is very good and the story is woven such that I am still not sure who the killer is. There's a twist that I didn't see coming and I'm at the part where I'm not sure I want to continue, but I must - Ms. Franklin has removed characters I've grown attached to (brave writer), but instead of being angry with that turn of events, I am intrigued - wanting more - agreeable to the fact that those characters had to go for the sake of the story. Yep, loving this book.

Question of the day: What do you think of authors who 'get rid' of major characters in the book?

One Year Ago: AM Routine
Three Years Ago: Snow Day

I am Not Talking Christmas...

Holy crap - half an hour and I still am sitting staring at a blank screen! I considered something Christmas-y, but there's still over a week before the big holiday and I don't want to rush the season (that's right, I still don't have my tree up - this weekend - I am not one of those people who decorate Nov. 1st - waves to my sister-in-law). I considered a recipe, but that would have been Christmas-y and, well, see the above explanation.

Movies! Just spent five minutes watching the morning news show's film critic, Richard Crouse, review The Hobbit. Anyone planning on going? I must admit that I will likely wait until it comes out on DVD. I will also admit that The Hobbit was my favorite J.R.R. Tolkien book - The Lord of the Rings just couldn't hold a candle to the first book, in my opinion. But, that being said, I did enjoy the film trilogy, so am looking forward to seeing the prequel.

It's Friday! That's always a good thing! Not much planned for the weekend - a run, of course, and perhaps some writing. The frenzied month of November has obviously ended and, after finishing Dancing with the Bodyguard, I've not done any writing. Liar! (ha, watched The Princess Bride last weekend - I love Carol Kane's character as she tells her husband Max that he's a liar - "Have fun storming the castle" - classic!). OK, yes, liar - I did write the annual Christmas Letter. Now it's up to The Husband to print it off and then I'll most likely stuff envelopes and get the Christmas cards in the mail before Christmas (wow)!!

I said I wasn't going to talk Christmas and, yet, there it is! Weekend plans - a run, the Christmas tree will go up  (and eggnog will be drunk - tradition), and some writing - I have to start the next book before the characters, who are being very loud and obnoxious, wander off in disappointment and despair. And I have to finish a critique for a very good friend ;)

What's your weekend shaping up to be? Any big plans? I asked about The Hobbit, but Les Miserables comes out this weekend, too, anyone going to see that? Ah, Hugh Jackman! Whatever your plans, have a great one and we'll see you back here on Monday :)

Non-NaNo Post...

Well, another day, another 1667 words ahead of me! I'd love to NOT talk about it, but since that seems to be my life focus right now (that and keeping up with my running schedule, which I am - yay, me), I don't have much else to talk about.

I could talk about the glorious weather we're having on Canada's East Coast right now. Yesterday we hit a high of 17 degrees (Celsius), with very little wind and full blown sunshine. So nice to see the sunshine - we've been cloudy and grey for the past couple of weeks, and with the time change I found I had the lights on in the house from 2 o'clock on! A little depressing! But yesterday was fabulous. And today is supposed to be just as nice - I will relish my run, maybe even put on my running capris instead of the full-blown sweatpants, and I will need my visor to keep the sun from my eyes. Let's not look toward tomorrow because they're calling for rain and more grey sky!

There's food - I can always talk about food. Although with all the writing (or sitting at my desk thinking about writing), I haven't done a lot of cooking. I bought 2 Bite Brownies for the write-in Janice and I did on Saturday (fun afternoon) and am still enjoying them (eating two right now - I mean, 2 Bite Brownies...one can not be satisfied by only two bites, it takes at least four, which equals two ;) I did come home to steak and potatoes - The Husband had everything ready and his potatoes were the twice stuffed kind (I'm getting a theme here - twice stuffed, two bite). He did them on our new BBQ (The Big Green Egg) - the skins were crispy, just like potato skins you'd get in a restaurant, and the filling was hot and gooey with cheese, sour cream and green onions. There were leftovers, so I ate them for breakfast yesterday. Yummy...see, I can always talk about food.

Excuse me while I try to shove a 2 Bite Brownie in my mouth whole, which would then render them 1 Bite Brownies and with the above mathematical equation, I could legitimately have four!

Yum. OK, I could talk books. Just finished reading Philippa Gregory's A Respectable Trade (she of the book The Other Boleyn Girl). I really enjoyed it - all about the slave trade in Britain and one man's quest to move up the gentry ladder. Gregory doesn't stick to one POV per scene (rules - urgh) and I loved it. Knowing what they were all thinking in one scene? Love it. I wrote Lady Bells like that - then edited it like crazy when someone told me that each scene had to have a main character's POV! Did I scoff at rules? Anyway, the story (A Respectable Trade) takes place near the time of abolition of the slave trade in Britain and Wilberforce is mentioned many, many times (he's the man who fought in parliament to have the slave trade ended). I think that's why I enjoyed the book so much, one of my favorite movies is Amazing Grace - the story of William Wilberforce's life.

So, look - I didn't talk about writing...specifically NaNoWriMo - so refreshing. But I will leave a quote for those continuing on in the struggle (don't worry, so am I):

I haven’t had trouble with writer’s block. I think it’s because my process involves writing very badly. My first drafts are filled with lurching, clichéd writing, outright flailing around. Writing that doesn’t have a good voice or any voice. But then there will be good moments. It seems writer’s block is often a dislike of writing badly and waiting for writing better to happen. ~Jennifer Egan

Weather, food, books - what say you, People of Blogland? Or tell us how NaNoWriMo is going - we're very sympathetic and good listeners!

Inspiration - Alannah Lynne...

As I said yesterday, a full circle...three years ago today I ran my first Inspirational Wednesday post with thanks to Alannah Lynne for the idea (as she did a once-a-week motivational quote on her blog) and now, she's here (inspirational once again). Welcome, Alannah!!!

Janet – Thanks so much for letting me spend some time with you and your readers. I miss you terribly, and wish we got to visit more often!

Gone Fishing!

Once a year, if everything goes as planned, I get to say these magical words: My family has gone fishing!

It’s an annual tradition with the men in my mother-in-law’s family. They gather at the marina in a small South Carolina town, load their gear onto boats, and head off to an uninhabited barrier island. It sounds dreadful to me, but it’s heaven to them… all twenty-five to thirty of them, ranging in age from seventy to sixteen.

This year is the 31st Annual Roundup, and it’s something they look forward to all year long. My son couldn’t wait until his 16th birthday, so he could finally participate in this rite of passage.
But what the men don’t know, is that their wives/mothers also count down the days to Roundup, and probably with more eager anticipation than the men.

I love my family, but every wife and mother will tell you there are few things in life as precious as having the house to themselves.

My quiet time is going to be spent writing. I’m 2 months behind on one story and have had to push another story’s release back indefinitely. I need the quiet. I need the space and time to think and get back onto the writing track, and this alone time is going to be my ticket.

One of my FB friends said she would sleep as late as possible, eat Oreos for breakfast, then stay up as late as she wanted reading. Another friend recently spent her alone time catching up on some of her favorite new fall episodes.

What about you? If you had forty-eight hours alone, how would you spend the time?


Alannah believes there’s nothing more magical than finding the other half of your soul, experiencing fiery passion, and knowing you’ve found happily-ever-after.
She loves going to work each day (in sweats and a T-shirt) and writing about hot heroes and feisty heroines who torment each other in the most delicious ways before finding their happily-ever-afters.
She lives in the coastal region of North Carolina with her husband, who also happens to be her best friend and biggest fan. They have two sons, a dog, a cat and an outrageous number of ducks and geese that inhabit the pond on their farm. She loves chatting and making new friends, so visit her on the web at www.alannahlynne.com/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authoralannahlynne

Alannah has two books - SAVIN' ME and LAST CALL. A copy of LAST CALL will be given away to one lucky reader who leaves a comment...and SAVIN' ME, um, is free!!!

SAVIN’ ME is free at All Romance Ebook and Kobo - here are the links for it:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-savin039me-964582-340.html
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Savin-Me/book-0uddSWL_ZEa1n2_gSc9gSg/page1.html?s=8sECtghjP0CSu2AqGBj_hA&r=2





LAST CALL can be found at all the usual places:
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Call-Heat-Wave-ebook/dp/B009KEXBC6
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-call-alannah-lynne/1113105916?ean=2940015526622
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lastcall-964768-149.html
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Last-Call/book-LGu2Kxl4BUCD__DH97x5Fg/page1.html?s=THMgc0GOFEaR_cHvHXa_Pw&r=3

Carnivalesque: 50 Shades....

It's the talk of the town - Fifty Shades of Grey - the new book on the shelf that's generating a lot of buzz! We're all gathering at Joanne's place today to talk about erotica writing: Considering the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, would you consider writing erotica? If yes, just how hot (or kinky) would you go? The usual gang (Jana Richards, Hayley Lavik, Karyn Good, Joanne Brothwell and myself) are all weighing in. I hope you pop over and check out this week's Carnivalesque: The Travelling Blog Show - with today's topic, it could get hot!!

And since we're talking - have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? Do you plan to read the book? And what are you reading right now? I just finished The Book Thief - loved it!!! Am finishing up a book my friend Brenda recommended called for Younger Next Year Women (some really great advice to staying young and healthy well into your 60s, 70s and beyond). And my friend Ginny has passed on Pillars of the Earth, which I haven't read yet and am looking forward to diving into (can you believe I haven't read that yet?).

Have a great Thursday, People of Blogland :)

Carnivalesque - The Book You Couldn't Finish...

...we all have them - those books everyone raves about and you know you're supposed to love, but there's just something! Something that stops you from reading to the very end. That's what we're talking on Carnivalesque: The Travelling Blog Show today - What is the one book you wanted to love but couldn’t finish or couldn’t like?

We're hanging out at Karyn Good's place - come on over and read which books Karyn, Jana Richards, Hayley Lavik, Joanne Brothwell and I couldn't finish. Then, in the comment section, add yours to the list (if you have one) - or maybe weigh in on those we couldn't finish, convince us to go back and give it another try.

See you there :)

Inspiration - Karyn Good (and Giveaway)...

I'm so excited to welcome Karyn Good to The Journal today. I've known Karyn for a while, she was a part of my first writing group, Saskatchewan Romance Writers, and a founding member of Prairie Chicks Write Romance. After reading her work, I knew it would be just a matter of time before she was published - her voice is fabulous. Her very first novel, Backlash, will be released June 1st. I'm thrilled to help her promote the first of many (and incredibly humbled by her kind words - thanks, Karyn)!!

I’m thrilled to be here at Janet’s blog talking about my June 1st release, Backlash. I think it’s entirely fitting to start off my blog tour here.  Janet has been instrumental in making Backlash a marketable possibility. Her very gracious offer to read a very early, and thoroughly awful, draft of what was then called Common Ground kicked started my writing journey. She must have been thoroughly sick of it by the time she was done critiquing various drafts. Thank you, my friend. I couldn’t have done it without you!

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Since dropping in and visiting Janet’s Journal always seems like a welcoming and warm visit with friends I thought I would blog about the dynamics of small towns. I find small towns fascinating, despite the fact that I couldn’t wait to leave my own at the oh-so knowledgeable age of seventeen. I moved on to find greener pastures, which in my case meant a slightly larger town. Yep, that’s my adventurous spirit shining bright.

I think the thing that’s fascinating about small towns is the sense that they are a world unto themselves. That they are small and big at the same time. Small because they take up less geographical space and have far fewer inhabitants. Big because that small space can be host to any number of dividing conflicts and struggles. There’s the sense that small town values are somehow different from the ones held by city dwellers. That residents help each other out. There’s that famous unlocked door policy. The sense of greater safety. The promise of a simpler life style. Everyone knows your name and your business. Myths or reality?

I suppose it depends. I personally think anyone who chooses to live in the rural part of anywhere deserves a medal.  I couldn’t do it. Rural dwellers are survivors. People who by necessity have to think outside the box and discover creative solutions to combat the decline of small town North America. In reality, schools are closing, hospitals are disappearing, grain elevators, those proud prairie castles of each small town, are dinosaur cousins of a newer, more efficient grain processing system. Despite this decline, they find a way. And often it’s a collective effort. An all for one and one for all mentality.

That’s the romantic notion of a small town that enthralls people. In my fictional town of Aspen Lake everyone is just looking for a way to make a living and raise their family in a location they consider the greatest place on earth. And what did I do with this notion of paradise? I turned it on its ear. Nothing is that simple. Or easy.  Aspen Lake may be an idyllic and popular resort town, but one of its residents is a boy who is by turns neglected and abused by a broken father. He’s invisible in a place where everybody is supposed to know everyone else’s business. A criminal gang invades the town destroying the heroine’s sense of security. Life here is anything but unassuming for the returning hero who wants nothing more than to get the hell back out as soon as the ink is dry on an another transfer.

So along with the rolling hills and groves of Aspen trees in my fictional setting of Aspen Lake you’ll also find murder and mayhem. Hopefully Backlash, a romantic suspense, will be a roller coaster ride of emotion and action. To celebrate its release I’m giving away a free short story to all commenters. Waiting for Mason is a story that came to me after hearing the beautiful, haunting story of how the Qu’Appelle Valley in southern Saskatchewan got its name. Just leave your email in the comment section and tell me your favorite fictional small town setting. Remember to use dots or spaces to stump the spamming cyber trolls.

 

You can find me here:

http://karyngood.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karyn-Good/168409826555843

https://twitter.com/#!/karyngood

Backlash by Karyn Good

What he’s sworn to protect, she’s willing to sacrifice to save those she loves...

When dedicated teacher Lily Wheeler interrupts a vicious gang attack on one of her students, she vows it won’t happen again. But her rash interference puts her in the path of a cold-blooded killer and the constable tracking him—a man she has little reason to trust, but can never forget.

Constable Chase Porter returned to Aspen Lake to see justice done, not renew old acquaintances. But when he rescues the woman he once loved from a volatile situation, he realizes his feelings for Lily haven’t lessened over the years.

Now, the dangerous killer Chase has sworn to capture has Lily in his sights. Can Chase and Lilly learn to trust each other again before it’s too late—or will old insecurities jeopardize their future?

You can find BACKLASH in both print and ebook coming June 1st at:

My Publisher, The Wild Rose Press

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4883

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Backlash-Karyn-Good/dp/1612171559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338240173&sr=8-1