Month: July 2015

Blogging · Guest posts · nonfiction · postaday · writing

Guest Post by Author Holly Kerr ~~ Invaded by the Kids

JackieP10 Comments

Hello, People!

Today I have another guest post. This one is by author and blogger Holly Kerr. Holly writes contemporary women’s fiction/chick-lit/romance.

Holly is also the mother of three kids. So I asked her to write about how she manages to find the time to write. With three kids I know she has to be one busy woman. I find it hard to find time to write and I don’t have any kids.

So please let’s give a big hello to Holly.

 

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Invaded by the Kids

I can see the end of the pier and then suddenly Benjy is driving right over it, and then we’re flying through the air – (excerpt from The Secret Life of Charlotte Dodd, by Holly Kerr, to be published fall 2015)

“Mom!”

“What are we doing today?”

“Can I have a snack?”

My hand reaches out tentatively. His jacket is open and I smooth his tie flat over his firm torso, stepping even closer as I touch the knot against his throat…

“She won’t let me watch my show!”

“It’s my turn on the computer!”

“It’s too hot to go to the park!”

All writers understand the frustration of being yanked away from a moment where everything is working in your book; characters are amazing you with their dialogue, action is gripping, love scenes are intense…

The timer for the dryer goes off. The doorbell rings. Your email pops up (is it your agent/editor?)

The kids need your attention.

These can be wonderful ways to procrastinate or they can be constant annoyances, depending on how your writing is going at that particular time. For me, my reaction also depends on what I’m writing. If it’s an action scene, or dialogue that I need to get on paper, distractions can be tough. And don’t get me started when I’m writing a love scene! As well as writing women’s fiction/chick-lit under my own name, I also write erotic romance under the pen name Anna Ellis.

Any idea how scary it is trying to write a sex scene while looking over your shoulder to make sure your kids don’t pop up behind you unawares?

I’m a writer who has the good fortune to work full-time doing something I love. I also have three wonderful kids who are home for the summer holidays with me. At times, I don’t think that the two things are mutually compatible.

Just so you don’t think I’m a totally neglectful mother, my children are 13,12 and 9. They are perfectly capable of feeding (for the most part) and amusing themselves and each other. They have friends nearby to play with and lots of activities in the house during the time when I’m working. And it’s not all day; I know there’s no chance of an eight-hour workday, or even a three hour one while they’re home.

Most people would be cheering about that – the summer off to spend with your kids. And I enjoy it as well but I’m a writer. And only writers will understand – I need to write. There are characters developing in my head as we speak; scenes unfolding, ideas, inspirations…they don’t stop.

“What’s wrong, Mommy? You’re quiet.”

“My head is in my book, sweetie. I need to figure out how to end this chapter.”

So what do I do? The two loves of my life (actually 4 loves, since I have 3 kids; 5 if you factor in my hubby) seem to be at war with each other, both demanding equal time and energy. My creativity level is on over-drive; doing my best to get a good chunk of my book finished by the end of the summer and find new and exciting ways to entertain the troops. I know it will be an amazing summer, but I’m tired already from thinking about it.

My plan to maximize my writing time while my kids are home this summer:

  1. Wake up early. This isn’t difficult because I’m an early bird, and usually at my most creative in the morning.
  2. Teach my kids about grammar and sentence structure by asking them to edit pages of my work-in- progress.
  3. Setting office hours for myself and teach the kids to respect when I’m working.
  4. Share creative time with everyone. When I’m writing, so are they, or drawing, colouring, etc
  5. Distribute the household chores, ask for help to lessen the time wasted on silly things like vacuuming and laundry

That’s what I have so far. I know this won’t be easy; yesterday I already had a tug of war between finishing the last-minutes edit on my new book and getting dinner started, but that’s a common occurrence.

What about you? What are you main distractions? Any suggestions that I can use?

 

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Holly Kerr has managed to write three books when her kids were in school, Unexpecting, Coming Home and Absinthe Doesn’t Make the Heart Grow Fonder. Her fourth novel, chick-lit/spy thriller The Secret Life of Charlotte Dodd will be out this year. Her latest book writing as Anna Ellis is available July 31.

Visit her at hollykerr.ca or annaellisauthor.wordpress.com

www.facebook.com/HollyKerrAuthor, www.facebook.com/AnnaEllisauthor

 

 

Thank you, Holly, for guest posting. I really appreciate it. 🙂

 

 

 

 

Blogging · Guest posts · nonfiction · postaday · writing

Guest Post by Mandy Eve Barnett ~~ Creating Believable Characters

JackieP10 Comments

Hello, People!

Today we have Mandy Eve Barnett guest posting. She will be talking about Creating believable characters in our stories.

Mandy is a published author of children’s and adult books, so she knows her stuff. Please give her a warm welcome as only my readers can do.

 

 

Creating Believable Characters

Without characters our stories would have no real impact on our readers. We write to engage and intrigue them and hopefully make our protagonist the character our reader cares about. If your experience is anything like mine, there is usually one, or possibly two characters, that make their presence known in no uncertain terms. They want the starring role in our narrative. These characters are usually more defined in our minds and are ‘easier’ to relate to, whether because of a personality trait or because they are more fun to write. When creating the protagonist and antagonist in our stories, we give each opposing views and/or values. This is the basis of the conflict that carries our readers along their journey. Each character, whether major or minor, needs to have flaws and redeeming features, motivations, expectations, loyalties and deterrents.

 

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This leaves us with the problem of developing our supporting characters with as much attention to detail as the main antagonist and protagonist. When creating characters we must remember to ensure that each character acts and responds true to their given personality. Character profiles are a good way of ‘getting to know’ our characters, this can be achieved mainly by utilizing character’s names, personality traits, appearance and their motivations. A name is a vital part of creating a mental image of our character for readers. The right name can give them a quick visualization of our character’s age, ethnicity, gender, and even location, and if we are writing a period piece, even the era. For example, if I say the girl was called Britney, you would probably picture a young girl because of the association with Britney Spears. However, if a female character were called Edith or Edna, you would imagine someone born several decades ago. So you see a name is not just a name.

Just as a burly man would be called something like Butch as opposed to Shirley, unless of course you are going to tell the story of his struggle throughout childhood to overcome the name.  There are plenty of web sites available, which list the most common names for each decade and locations around the world.  These are great resources for writers, who require particular names for period stories or want to stay true to a certain decade.

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The use of a nickname will also give your character an identity, be it an unkind one given by a bully or one of respect or fear for the bully. You would expect Big Al to be just that, a large person; however, Little Mikey would be the exact opposite. Nicknames, or sobriquet’s can work very well in defining an ethnicity as well but care must be taken not to offend a person of color. Obviously there are certain words that were in common usage decades ago that are not politically correct now, so we need to be diligent in their use.

We should also consider giving our characters a conscience. Will the hero question his actions if they are extreme to his morals? Does the villain have a deep-seated angst? What motivates them? Some flawed characters can be difficult to write on occasion as they are far removed from our own personality (well I certainly hope so!) but with care we can accomplish a believable character. This is where research comes in and the reason writers search engine history can be a little frightening at times! One of my current WIP – The Giving Thief, required me to investigate how a body could desiccate! It was fascinating to research although rather gruesome at times.

What character trait was your most challenging?

 

 

 

Thank you, Mandy, for a very interesting article and for guest posting on my blog. I appreciate it.

You can find Mandy on her blog Mandy Eve Barnett’s Official Blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging · Fiction · postaday · writing

Flashback Friday

JackieP8 Comments

Hello, people!

Here we are again, another Friday, another start to a weekend. I sure hope it’s a great one for you!

This is a short story I did in September of 2012, it’s a bit dramatic, but that must have been how I felt that day. I don’t really remember…or I plead the fifth.  😉

Hope you enjoy it.

 

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The Dancer Who Didn’t Want to be a Dancer

 

Dani could feel the sweat dripping down every inch of her body. She was so tired but knew she couldn’t stop. Didn’t dare stop. Her body screamed at her until Dani had no choice. Exhausted she dropped down to the floor in a puddle of limp muscles. Her breathing was labored, she had been practicing for two hours straight. No breaks, and she just couldn’t do another minute.

“Get up!” she heard a voice yell. “Get up this instant Dani!”

She raised her head and glanced at her least favorite relative. Dani came from five generations of dancers. Her family were world renown, the most famous dancing troupe in the world. And Dani hated it. She loved dancing, but she hated dancing too. The endless training, the constant traveling, the different towns, and cities. Faceless audiences that always demanded more. Down through the generations dancing had been a way of life for her family. They married other dancers, had babies that grew up to be great dancers. Their whole world was dancing, practicing and routines. She hated it all.

“Dani! You will never be a great dancer if you don’t continue practicing.”

Dani winced at the loud voice in her ear. Her Great Aunt Claudia nudged her with her cane. It was a bit more forceful than necessary. But Dani has always known Great Aunt Claudia disliked her. She never knew why, but it had been proven to be true in the past.

“I cannot go another second, Madame,” Dani told  her. “My body refuses to do it.”

“Don’t be a stupid child. It is not your body that is weak, it is your mind. Now get up and continue with the practice,” scolded Great Aunt Claudia.

Sighing, Dani pushed herself up to stand.  She knew her Great Aunt would not leave her in peace, so once again Dani would dance.  Even though her body ached and her feet were bleeding she would continue with the practice she hated so much.

One day I will leave this,  I will run away and become what and who I want to be.  I  will be ME!  Thought Dani as she pushed through the pain and danced in front of the mirrored wall, with the critical eyes of Great Aunt Claudia following her.

“Again Dani! Do it again but with more grace!” yelled out Great Aunt Claudia. “You are moving like a clumsy elephant! Pick those feet up! Jump higher!”

Dani could hear the thumping of Madame’s cane as it hit the floor behind her. She always referred to her Great Aunt as Madame, like the other students. She had never felt close to her Great Aunt even though she was brought up by her. Madame taught dance to young men and women, because Madame could not dance herself. When she was nineteen she fell down a flight of cement steps and broke her back.  That was forty years ago since then she has had to walk with a cane and was never able to dance again. So she taught.

Having generations of dancers behind her, Dani knew Madame was a great teacher, very sought after. But Madame was always tougher on Dani.

“I swear you can not be Edward’s child. Edward was a fantastic dancer. The best in the family. Even that woman he married was a passable dancer,” commented Madame. “I often wonder if that woman did not cheat on Edward and have some other man’s baby. For you are nothing compared to Edward.”

Dani swallowed her hurt. This was not a new dialog with Madame. Dani had heard it many times before.  Madame never liked her mother and it was well-known in the family that Edward had always been Madame’s favorite person. Dani remembered her parents as loving parents, to her and to each other. She was ten years old when they died in a terrible car accident.  Dani’s parents and an older cousin named Amelia was in the car when it was hit by a truck.  They all died instantly. Amelia was another one of Madame’s favorites. Something else Dani was never allowed to forget.

“Why did Amelia have to die too!”  Madame cried. “Such a talent  that girl was. So beautiful and graceful. She was born to dance just like Edward. To die at the young age of fifteen was too cruel.”

Dani stopped dancing and watched Madame work herself up remembering that tragic accident. She wiped her face of sweat and waited for what she knew was coming next.

“Why was it not you in that car? Why were you left behind and Amelia wasn’t?” Madame asked. “I will tell you why! It is because you were a sickly child, and your mother did not want to take care of you. So she left you with your nanny and took Amelia and my Edward for that fateful drive.”

Dani remembered that day also. She had caught a terrible cold a few days before the accident. They were supposed to go Christmas shopping, but she had been too sick to go. So her parents and Amelia  went without her. They never returned.

“It just wasn’t fair to take such talented and loved people and leave me with you,” Madame cruelly stated.

That was all Dani could listen to. She had heard the same things spew out of Madame’s mouth for years. The hateful words that stung so sharp. Dani had always tried to be what Madame wanted, but it was never enough. She could never be her father or her cousin Amelia. And she was reminded of that fact in every possible way. She had twelve years of being told this again and again. It gave her nightmares at night. It echoed in her heart every single day.  She was tired of hearing it. She might not be a great dancer, but she didn’t want to be either! She had never wanted to be.

Dani wanted to be an artist, a painter. Every moment she could she painted her beautiful pictures. That was the only time she felt at peace. She loved the feel of a paintbrush in her hand, the colors flowing over canvas. Watching those colors become something beautiful, full of life.

Dani had enough. She could not listen to another hateful word. She ran to the door and opened it.  As she ran down the hall and out the building she could still hear her Great Aunt’s words in her head.

“You should have died that day! You and that woman who gave birth to you! Not my beautiful Edward and Amelia! YOU!”

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging · Guest posts · nonfiction · postaday · writing

Guest Post by Seumas Gallacher ~~ Why Author Seumas Gallacher has a blog….

JackieP15 Comments

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I ‘met’ Seumas in Blogville several months ago. He’s a delightful man with a great sense of humor.

 

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He is also the author of several crime-thriller books that are hugely popular. Seumas is very helpful to other authors and want-to-be authors, if you have questions,  he’ll most likely have an answer.

 

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Please, make welcome my new bloggy friend Seumas Gallacher.

 

 

…why this ol’ Jurassic Scots Scribbler has a Blog…

…one of the perennial ‘chestnuts’ asked by newbie Authors, is whether or not they should maintain a Blog… in my not-so-’umble opinion I think it’s paramount for any writer in the modern publishing age to have his/her own Blog… producing yer literary masterpieces is one thing… but it’s only a part of yer ‘business of writing’… presence on the SOSYAL NETWURKS helps in the thrust to ‘build the platform’ of followers, and broadens readership…

in any business, good, strong, personal relationships are part and parcel of doing well in whatever field yeez may be in, and it’s no different in yer writing business… the novels and books are the place to have yer ‘Author’s Voice’ identified… the Blog is where yeez develop yer ‘Author’s Brand’… the personalised stuff which people like to connect with so well… my crime fiction is hard-boiled narrative… as an offset to that, the Blog is lighter-veined, hopefully entertaining, sum’times educational… and I focus on ‘sharing’ with fellow quill-scrapers…

support others and they’ll support back… it’s a fundamental desire most of us have… to belong… to be a member of the great, global, wunnerful writers’ diaspora… I also involve myself in Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pocket, Google+, Pinterest… and the beauty of it all?… each time I write a Blog Post, it automatically gets shared across all these channels… the reach is phenomenal…

this is not meant as a commercial ‘plug’, but what the heck, I published a while back on Amazon Kindle a wee guide to the few SOSYAL MEDYA links I use, SELF-PUBLISHING STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL SALES, which yeez can take a squint at on the sample page at Amazon… see if it might be of some help to yeez… and like my pal, Jackie here, I encourage Guest Posts galore on my page…come and join us… see yeez later… LUV YEEZ!…

 

 

 

Thank you so much for guest posting on my humble blog Seumas! I truly appreciate it. 

Please, look into Seumas’s book on self-publishing…. the links are below. 

Amazon links for

SELF-PUBLISHING STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL SALES

UK: http://amzn.to/Qq2c3y

US: http://amzn.to/1lt6bcv

Aus : amzn.to/1DSbNFN

Can : amzn.to/1GYAyAV

Blog : seumasgallacher.com

Twitter : @seumasgallacher

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/seumasgallacher

Email : seumasgallacher@yahoo.com

Blogging

A Shoutout For Guest Posts

JackieP

Still asking for help! 🙂

Life, Love & Strength

I’m still looking for a few more guest posts, so I thought I would post this again.

If anyone is interested please contact me! Thank you to all who have already volunteered, you are wonderful! I’ll be in contact with you sometime this week to let you know when your post goes live. 

Hello, People!

Guest Posts

As you can deduce from my post title I am asking for guests posts on my blog. I’ve only done this once before in the three years since I’ve been here.

So, what do you say? Anyone want to do a guest post and help me out?

You are probably wondering why I am asking for people to guest post. It’s really quite simple. I don’t have time right now to post regular, or as regular as I would wish. I’m in the middle of edits for two stories I want to publish within the next…

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Blogging · Fiction · Flash Back Friday · Humor · postaday · stories · writing

Flashback Friday

JackieP11 Comments

Hello, people!

I hope the start of your weekend is fantastic! I’m taking a small break from my edits to bring you this flash from the past.

Here’s a short story I wrote way back in October of 2012. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

 

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

Yeah, I’m borrowing the title from Snoopy.  He said I could. We’re  close friends. Snoopy borrowed it from Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton, and now there is a contest every year called

The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest

The contest uses the infamous phrase to showcase the worst extremes of this “purple prose”. It only uses one sentence, where I  thought it would be fun to write a story with that title. I kind of doubt it will be scary, but in honor of Halloween,  one of my favorite holidays, I thought I would borrow the phrase and see what happens.

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I was home alone with my little dog Sam. The wind was howling through the trees, it almost sounded like moaning. Of course, that was just my imagination. Usually, storms don’t bother me. In fact, I love them. But this one seemed different. There was a feeling in the air, it was heavy, like a smelly wet blanket covering the whole house. We had lost the electricity an hour ago. But I had plenty of candles lit. I hate the dark, things happen in the dark that doesn’t happen in the light.

It wasn’t raining, not yet anyway. But the wind was blowing and the trees outside were hitting the side of the house. A steady bang, bang, bang. It was driving me crazy. I made a mental note to have the trees next to the house trimmed… soon.

The thunder could be heard rumbling over the wind. Every now and then the lightning would light up the house. Because of that and the candles, there were odd shadows flickering on the walls and ceilings. It would be a great night for Halloween. But that holiday was still a few weeks away.

I sat on the couch with Sam as close to my side as he could get. I liked the company, even if it was in the shape of a small dog. At least we had each other, and I wasn’t completely alone. I felt foolish. A grown woman afraid of the dark, but I couldn’t help myself. It was just that kind of night.

I heard a soft creak, like a footstep when the wind and thunder were silent for a few seconds.  It sounded like it was in the house! Sam and I just froze for a second, I felt the poor little guy shiver in fright. I have to admit it scared me too!

I gathered my courage together, picked up one of the candles and decided to take a look around the house. Yeah, stupid I know. I mean, in all the scary movies one sees, the girl always goes looking around the dark house on her own and meets up with the boogie man!

This wasn’t a movie. I would rather meet up with the boogie man on my terms then sit on the couch and await my doom. So off we went to search the house. Sam was close on my heels, I guess he wasn’t willing to be alone either.

We did a quick survey of the main floor and saw nothing unusual. So I decided to take a look upstairs. I slowly started to climb the stairs as the candle flickered at each step. I tried to listen to anything beyond the wind but heard nothing strange.

So step by slow step I continued upwards. We got to the landing and I stopped to give another listen. Nothing. I took a step forward and immediately heard a creak and I knew it wasn’t me that made it.

I decided to keep moving forward. I had to find out if someone else was in the house with me. It was either that or go hide somewhere and wait for the boogie man to find me! Neither option was the greatest. So taking my courage in hand once more I continued forward. I slowly walked down the hall. The first room I came to was the bathroom. Taking a quick look inside I knew no one was there, and yes, I looked in the shower too!

Poor little Sam was with me every step of the way. I made myself a promise that I would give Sam some extra special dog cookies once we were over this night! He deserved them for keeping me company on this scary night.

Taking a deep breath, I continued to the next room. My bedroom door was closed like usual.  I grabbed the door handle and slowly turned it. As I opened the bedroom door I heard it give a small screech, I never noticed that it needed oiling until now.

As I opened the door all the way and stepped inside the wind picked up in force and pushed the outside tree against the side of the house. The bang that followed made my heart jump and my hand holding the candle shake.

I walked into the room and took a quick look around as Sam stayed in the doorway.  I saw nothing out of the ordinary and even got enough courage to throw the closet door open and take a look. Nothing. Whew!

My heart slowed down just a bit and I left to check the last room. An extra bedroom. That door too is usually closed, but I noticed soon enough that it was open a crack. My heart started to beat fast once more.  I stood just outside the door wondering if I shouldn’t just turn and run. I took a deep silent breath as I put my hand against the door to push it open.

I gave it a slow push and took a quick look. I didn’t see anything so I took a step inside…then all hell broke loose!

There was an awful howl as two gray and white bodies streaked past me out the door. Sam gave a loud bark and took after them. Sam was yapping excitedly as I ran into the hallway just in time to see my two devil cats running hell-bent down the hall with Sam nipping at their tails!

Both cats raced toward the stairs and when the first one hit the curve before the stairs the second one almost ran him over. As their paws scrambled for footing they bounded down the stairs with the now brave Sam close on their butts!

I started running after Sam as fast as I could without putting out my candle. I heard a loud crash downstairs and wondered what piece of furniture was a victim of their flight.  Then I heard yapping and hissing and thought I better get down there quick!

Managing to get down the stairs without tripping in my haste, I entered the living room just as the lights came back on.

I stood in the middle of the room and surveyed the damage. I blew out my candle and yelled at Sam to hush! He had the two devil cats Notwen and Pouncer cornered on top of the TV stand. I just had to laugh. One, because I felt so relieved that there wasn’t a boogie man in the house! Two, because Sam was so much smaller than either cat and he acted so proud that he got them hissing and cornered!

It took me a few minutes to get the animals calmed. Afterward, I just sat on my couch and laughed at myself. But, after that day, I make sure I always have plenty of candles in every room in the house. You know, just in case.

 

 

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Blogging · Guest posts · Mi Vida Loca · nonfiction · postaday · writing

A Shoutout For Guest Posts

JackieP27 Comments

I’m still looking for a few more guest posts, so I thought I would post this again.

If anyone is interested please contact me! Thank you to all who have already volunteered, you are wonderful! I’ll be in contact with you sometime this week to let you know when your post goes live. 

 

 

Hello, People!

Guest Posts

As you can deduce from my post title I am asking for guests posts on my blog. I’ve only done this once before in the three years since I’ve been here.

So, what do you say? Anyone want to do a guest post and help me out?

You are probably wondering why I am asking for people to guest post. It’s really quite simple. I don’t have time right now to post regular, or as regular as I would wish. I’m in the middle of edits for two stories I want to publish within the next few months. I’m also working with a great friend on book covers for these stories.

I’m a little busy. Ah, hell, I’m a lot busy! So come on and help me out! Please?

What am I looking for in a guest post? Anything really. All of you are great bloggers with wonderful ideas. I would be honored if anyone of you did a guest post.

Some of you already have my email. If you want to guest and don’t already have my email, contact me at jlroeder (at) MAIL  (dot) com, (It’s my maiden name, too lazy to change it). Funny, dramatic, personal, fiction, non-fiction, DIY projects, recipes. I’ll take it all!

Come one, come all!

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A big, huge, ginormous thank you if you are willing to guest post!

Hit me with your best shot!

Don’t be shy!

HEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!!!

Blog challenge · Blogging · Fiction · postaday · writing

Alternate Story Ending Challenge

JackieP18 Comments

This post is in response to a small Writing Challenge from my blog buddy Frank over at A Frank Angle. 

Frank has written his first fiction story. It was quite good too. Way to go Frank! Now he has issued a challenge for other bloggers to write alternate endings to his story.

Frank has issued a challenge to develop a new ending: a) after “The music ends” and b) in 75 words or less.

My contribution is in bold after Franks very nice story. Hope you enjoy. If you would like to participate, please head on over to Franks! Thanks!

 

On The Floor

The music starts – its tempo and rhythms define the dance. He approaches her table, and extends an inviting hand. She accepts. They take to the floor. He offers a hand and a frame. Again, she accepts, but looks away while in hold as if to say, “I’ll dance – but I’m not interested.”

They move to the music’s sharp, fiery rhythms that are intertwined with sensuality. Their eyes continue gazing in opposite directions to avoid a visual connection – yet, their bodies touch.

They dance – they move – sometimes slow – sometimes fast – but always sharp and to rhythm.

He rolls her out – they flick in unison. He tugs to rolls her back into his arms. She shrugs him off by returning to hold with her head turned away. Their steps continue.

He steps back – a lunge – a corté. She steps forward and raises her leg against his, and slowly moves it downward as a caress. He notices – she’s got his attention. As he returns her to upright, their eyes connect through a glimpse – yet each looks away.

The pace seeming hastens. The musical beat remains steady. Their moves remain sharp. Their eyes are starting to communicate to the other through glances.

She leans her body into him and her head is no longer facing away. They lock their eyes for the first time, and her eyes and face speak to him when. She places her head on his chest.

The normally sharp fans are now slow and smooth – yet still to the music’s rhythm. As she turns, his right hand slides naturally along her sleek frame. He notices the curvature of her hips. His head is not as high as he looks toward her with hopes of connecting again.

To him, her face displays desire. Her eyes are closed, but only she knows why. They are now in another place. To him, they are in the midst of passion. To her, she is the seductress who has succumbed to his fantasy.

He responds to the music’s fire with 8 fast steps down the floor. He rolls out as before, but on her return, she is close – and her right hand slowly caresses his face. The music ends.

He holds her close. Slowly their bodies separate till a few inches of cool air circulates between them. Her hand falls to her side as she opens her eyes and stares into his. The passion of the dance lingers between them, throbbing. 

Two strangers in the night, their hearts beating fast, their breaths shallow. She takes one last deep breath and turns and walks away.

He watches her with yearning stirring in his blood. Who is this goddess who matched her steps so effortlessly with his? He may never know as she disappears into the crowd.

 

 

Blogging · Humor · Mi Vida Loca · nonfiction · postaday · writing

Help!! I’m Editing and I Can’t Get Out!

JackieP27 Comments

Hello, people!

As you can tell by the post title I am deep into the editing mode for my stories ‘The Canine Caper’ and ‘A Case of Deceit’. (formally ‘The Man in the Fedora’ and ‘The ABC’s of Death’)

Call me crazy.  I’m editing both almost at the same time. Plus, a friend and I are working on a new book cover for the Canine Caper. I just wasn’t happy with the one I showed you guys a few days ago. Yeah, I’ve been busy.

Those are my reasons for not being around much lately. Thank you to J for checking up on me yesterday when she couldn’t find me around the blog world. Thanks for caring J!

So, to prove I am alive and kicking I decided to do a post on the editing phase of things. It’s going to be an easy post. Just quotes from other people on editing. Yeah, I’m just that busy (or lazy) 😉

I don’t mind the editing part. I like seeing my stories grow stronger and better with each pass. For me, the hard part is stopping! I mean, where do you stop? How many times do you go over the same story and finally say…enough? That part right there is the hardest part.

If anyone out there has a foolproof way of doing this editing gig, let me know. Now I know a lot of you would say, hire an editor! I would, but I can’t as I’m broke. So it falls to me to kill my darlings myself.

 

 

 

 

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Blogging · Mi Vida Loca · nonfiction · postaday

A Restless Mind and a Book Cover Reveal

JackieP48 Comments

Do you ever get nights where you can’t sleep because your mind won’t turn off? That’s been me lately.

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Last night I tossed and turned and couldn’t quiet my mind. I wasn’t upset about anything. I have so many things going on around me that my mind had a hard time shutting down. I was going through each and every piece of information like a chaotic picture book.

The pages flipped and flopped and nothing would settle enough for me to grab onto.

I laid there and as the pages of my restless mind threw pictures at me I tried to quiet myself. I closed my eyes and thought…things will get done. They always do. I’m only one woman, but I have always managed to get what I needed done, done.

Mostly I’m worried about my books that I’m working on. Well, technically one is a short story. I’m deep into edits for them both. My short story ‘The Canine Caper’ is in the hands of my wonderful beta readers.

The next one is novel length, ‘A Case of Deceit’. I’m doing first draft edits on it now. Plus, I’m trying to learn Gimp (a free software for image manipulation). I’m trying to learn how to make my own book covers. This is not easy, folks. I have super respect for anyone who does this.

I have a tentative book cover for ‘The Canine Caper’. I didn’t do the work, I outsourced it on Fiverr.com because that’s all I can afford. I thought she did a pretty good job. This is what she came up with.

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The dog is spot on. Just like Tee in the stories as I saw him in my mind. The woman, I’m not so sure about as Dee. What do you think? I really need your input.

With all this restlessness comes the doubts. You know the type…

Am I good enough?

Can I really write something that people want to read?

I hate when the doubts start creeping in. I’m working so hard to make this writing dream come true. I don’t give up easily. I can’t give up.

So I lay in bed at night and fight the demons in my mind. Sometimes I win, sometimes they win and sometimes it’s a draw because I fall into an exhausted sleep in the middle of the fight.

I keep fighting. The day I’m published is the day I win this skirmish. Then onto the next.

 

 

How do you settle your mind when it’s all over the place? What do you think about the book cover? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging · Flash Back Friday · poetry · postaday

Flashback Friday

JackieP13 Comments

Hello, People!

It’s been pretty warm here in my part of Alberta, Canada. Hot and dry. Plus, lots of grass fires surrounding us. Makes for a not so pleasant time outdoors, I can tell you. We had Canada Day on the first of July and I know the US is having their Independence Day celebrations this weekend. Happy fourth of July you guys!

Just please, be careful out there if you are traveling, camping or shooting off fireworks. We don’t want anyone hurt or worse. Also, if you have pets, please keep them safe and secure as this is a very frightening time for them with all the loud noises.

So, because it’s so warm and dry here I thought I would bring back a poem I wrote a few years ago. It remains one of my most popular poems as far as views go. Hope you enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend no matter where you are at!

 

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Rain Flowers

Spring brings soft rain
winter ends its pain
flowers in glorious color
stand tall and reign

New green grass grows
rain never slows
it’s refreshing drink is savored
only a matter of time I know

Soon color to the land will come
flowers, shrubs, gardens, so awesome
Windows opened wide, no longer
will I be sunk in winter’s boredom

I rejoice in rain clouds in the skies
as birds compete on current highs
Leaves show green on the trees
as if they’ve been brushed with dyes

So let it rain, let it pour all day
I will no longer be winters prey
Gray and gloomy it might be
soon rain flowers will gently sway