“Psst….Here’s My Life Story!” #MFRWAuthors #29

One day I was minding my own business, in that dreamless area between sleep and consciousness, when I became aware of a rather angry gentleman expressing his unhappiness with our current economy, the government, his current circumstances, and how he planned to make a statement.  Then he repeated it.

The third time I repeated his story, I got up and wrote it down……and he ‘left’.  So now I have this angry, three page mantra….now what do I do?

Take it to my writer’s group and see if anyone else can make sense of it.

One guy piped up, “Oh , I sooo see zombies in the next scene!”

Ummmmm….I’m neither a horror writer, nor do I write zombies!  I put it away.

Flash-forward a year or two, when I’m sucked into Season #2 of The Walking Dead.  After a couple of episodes, I remembered that Angry Man story, and it has evolved into a twisted saga that I’m still trying to make sense of!

Status:  Unfinished

A few months ago, I was sitting in church, and for whatever reason, looked up at Fr. Dave, who had a strange expression on his face.  The thought popped into my head, “What if a pastor/priest could see the auras of his congregants, and could tell who was pious and who was not?”

Suddenly, a little boy decided to enter my head and tell me how it all began!

Status:  Unfinished

More recently, a vendor’s attitude at the Indianapolis Christmas Toy and Hobby Show upset me so much, I decided to make him the focus of a short story, in which I’d hurt him slowly and painfully.  What evolved turned out to be the 3rd story in my time-travel trilogy, where an interesting twist to ‘Uncle Charles’ is revealed.

Status:  Complete, but now have to finish the SECOND story in that saga!

My point is, inspiration hits anywhere.  People watching, dreams, wondering ‘what if’.

And yes, I hear voices in my head.  Not the sadistic kind, just the ones who want me to write down their life stories!

What About You?

I’m off to my 35th Class Reunion this weekend!  Where, coincidentally, classmates tossed ideas to me at the 25th, and ‘Class Reunion’ was born four months later.  Also at the 30th, a classmate came up and suggested not only a character name, but a title.  Six months later, ‘Kira’s Slice of Pizza’ was born.  Wonder if anyone will have plot suggestions after they’ve been into the alcohol this time?

I also plan to visit the 4-H fair on Sunday:)

Have a great weekend!

“My Name Is Amy, Keri, Gretchen, Tammy, Courtney…” #MFRWAuthors #28

“Hello, my name is Amy, which is my author’s favorite name.  I also tell a fictionalized story of the author’s tumultuous 8 years she was in love with a man in the AF.”

“Hi, I’m Keri, and I represent the author’s love of the Indy 500 and also her relationship with three men in her past.”

“Greetings!  My name is Gretchen and my story is the fictionalized version of showing how a strong woman can get sucked into the trap of emotional abuse.”

“Hello, my name is Tammy and my story was inspired by a man my author met at baseball practice and ‘what if’ she was single instead of Very Married?”

“Hi, I’m Courtney, and several of the experiences I relate at the country club actually happened to my author.”

Get the picture?  There are several aspects of ‘me’ in nearly everything I write.  When we as authors put a little bit of ourselves in the story, it helps the reader relate better to the main characters…..at least that’s the way I see it.  When I’m reading a book, I like to imagine myself as the main character, or at least A character in the book.

So  my initial response to the question of putting oneself in our books was, ‘Doesn’t everyone?’

To see if everyone shares my view, or to express your own, go here.

I actually have an ‘off’ weekend!  I plan to veg out on the couch with my cross-stitch and do absolutely NOTHING this weekend.  Trying to finish great-grandson Phoenix’s baby quilt (he turns 1 on Sunday), and while I won’t have it finished by then, I’m hoping to get it finished by his mommy’s 18th birthday next month!

Want to see some hilarious pics of InConJunction Convention?  Keep scrolling!

The Scooby Gang aka The Shake Ups entertained us all weekend:)

 

The ‘Fun Police’ posted various flyers around!  I’ve posted a few more, so keep scrolling!

 

Me, in a full corset.  I look so skinny!

(Next pic):Me, in the under corset:  I look like a bar wench, lol!  Not sure why I can’t post this under the pic….

Don’t you find these funny?

 

LOVE this final one!!!

Dress For Success! #MFRWAuthors #27

This week’s post is going to be short and sweet, concerning the topic of dressing up.  Is it a chore?  Is it a pleasure?

These days, it’s a pleasure, since I’ve spent the past twenty-eight years in jeans, leggings, and T-shirts.  I used to only get dressed up on Sundays or holidays.  But now, I get to make myself look pretty when I have a signing, or attending a Con.

Since I’ve got this damn heel spur, I can’t wear pretty shoes, but I decided I’m starting a new trend:  Wearing nice jeggings/capris (depending on the temperature!) with a nice top, makeup, and tennis shoes.  I wasn’t able to wear my nice riding boots last winter, due to the ankle brace, but now that I have my new orthotics, I might be able to slip them into my boots next winter!  So no sandals for me this summer.

If we’re talking ‘dressing up’ meaning Cosplaying, the only time I do this is at Halloween, but I’ve considered adding a Fae outfit to my wardrobe, since my Time Travel story will be out sometime next year.  What kind of outfit is unknown at this time.  I do enjoy taking pictures of everyone else’s costumes!  My fear is showing up and being the only one dressed as a character.  Last year, I’d planned to dress as Daenarys Targarian, but by the time of the costume party, my energy was zapped.  So maybe next year?

What about You?

Orthotic Update:

They are here, as mentioned above, but I can only wear them for an hour or so at a time, until my arches get used to them.  I’m up to 90 minutes; hopefully next week I’ll be able to wear them for half a shift.  I go back to the ortho dr at the end of August, but for now, I’m not limping and pain is at a TWO, compared to the Level 7 when I limped into be fitted!

I’m off to the InConJunction Convention in Indianapolis this weekend!  Last year was my 1st time, and was thrilled to sell 8 books.  I have my own table this year (last year was with my publisher, meaning I could only sell my one book at that table, but a fellow author had space on her table for my others!), so hoping to do as well, if not better!

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and Happy 25th Birthday to my daughter Sara!  (July 3rd)

“Would You Be Willing To….” #MFRWAuthors #26

Before 2009:

“You’re doing WHAT?  Oh, that’s cool.”

“How’s the writing going?  Oh, wow….you’ve got THREE finished?  When will you get your advance?”

“Molly, we love the excerpts you’re posting….have you thought of submitting to the smaller presses, and trying to get into e-books?

“You’ve submitted?  AWESOME!  Keep us posted!”

After 2009:

“Hey, your 1st book is LIVE on Amazon!  That’s amazing!  Whoo hoo!”

“Mol, did you know All She Ever Wanted is currently sitting at #3 on the Best Seller List over at ARE?”

“You’re published?  Oh that’s so cool….I’ve always wanted to write a book…..how do I get started?

After 2013:

“You’ve got TWELVE books published?  I’m so glad I met you; I wrote my 1st book a few months ago and don’t know what to do with it.  Can you recommend a good editor and publisher?”

“Molly, would you be willing to come to our writer’s group and share your experience with us?  How you got started, any advice you can give to those of us starting out?”

After 2018:

*blinks*  “Did you say 25?  OMG…..and you don’t mind if I EMAIL you, or PM you on FB?  That’s AWESOME!”

“Would you be willing to look at my 1st chapter and let me know what you think?”

“What was the name of your editor and cover artist?  How much do they charge?”

“You mean you’re willing to HELP ME?  So if I tell you I think I’m ready to publish, I can come to your writing group and you’ll help me with formatting, cover art, and editing?  That’s so cool!

“What about marketing?  Oh….you can help me do that too?  Fantastic!”

In other words, becoming published has finally made me credible.  It’s no longer just a ‘cool hobby’ (unless, of course, you’re talking to my immediate family….they still call it a ‘waste of time and money’, but that’s only because I haven’t hit the NYT Best Seller list or getting that $10K advance!), or just something I ‘do’.

When I meet potential writers, I’m peppered with questions about how to find editors, cover artists, publishers, or even how to publish through KDP (create space was sooooo much easier!).

I love it when I meet writers/authors in all stages of their careers.  I pick the brains of successful ones, offer suggestions to new ones with their 1st book, and encourage those who have barely finished Chapter One.

How Has Publishing Changed Your Life?

I’ve got a busy Saturday ahead, meeting my parents at the Beef House in Covington, in order to celebrate 3 birthdays, then off to a class reunion.  Sunday, I can sleep and laze around the house before returning home on Monday.  Have a great weekend and see you back here next week!

How Dreams Change #MFRWAuthors #25

Remember play-acting Wedding Day?  You and your friends would take turns wearing an old lacy bedspread complete with a pillowcase, or even a lacy doily ‘veil’, and walk down the ‘aisle’ to a poster of your pre-teen idol (at first, mine was Leif Garret, then Shaun Cassidy, before I settled on a young Han Solo, Harrison Ford!).  Then after you said ‘I do’ and blow kisses at your new ‘husband’, turned around, whip off the veil and say, ‘Who’s next?’

From the time I got my first boyfriend at the tender age of twelve, I dreamed of my future wedding.  In my church, with a packed audience, wearing THE Dress, ballet slippers, and walking down the aisle on my father’s arm to the man of my dreams (again, this part changed over the years, ha ha!).  We’d smile through our vows, then dance the night away at a reception held at a local hotel, complete with DJ, champagne fountain, good food, and of course, plenty of cake, both white and chocolate.  Thirty-five years ago, NO ONE had a chocolate wedding cake.  I was going to break tradition and have both white and chocolate layers in my dream wedding cake….the one with no less than seven tiers!

Then it was off to my dream honeymoon destination, Disney World!

Needless to say, I didn’t get my dream wedding.  My church, yes, but not a packed house, and our reception was at my parents’ house, with plenty of good food, and surrounded by friends and family.  I did break tradition with the cake, but we had a modest 5-layer one.  No honeymoon at Disney, but a night in an expensive hotel, courtesy of my parents, since it was May, and my new hubby had to be at work on Monday.  We’d take a nice honeymoon later.

Fast-forward fourteen years:  My parents decided to take the kids and I to Disney, so I went on my delayed honeymoon without him, ha ha!

My oldest son is getting married next year, and it’s going to be Harry Potter-themed.  I’m looking forward to dancing the night away with my BFF (provided this damn heel spur can be removed next winter, and I’m pain-free!), so I can live vicariously through their celebration.  No word on what they plan for the honeymoon, since he will have just graduated college and will be looking for a job in his field, while continuing his education.

Daughter has stated she’s probably never going to get married, and if she does, it would probably just be a trip to the courthouse.  She’s not girly, but my granddaughter is, so maybe in twenty years we’ll be planning HERS?

Would I get married again if something were to happen to my spouse?  I’ve thought of it over the years, and would like a trip to Vegas.  Wouldn’t it be fun to be married by an Elvis Impersonator?  If that’s really a thing….

What About You?

Saturday, I’ll be at our local PrideFest….I had reservations about being a vendor last year, but several of my karaoke buddies who are members of the LGBTQ community thanked me supporting them, and I sold four books, plus generated interest:)  On Sunday, I’ll be at the Corning Irish Festival, where my sales have increased every year I’ve been back.  Looking forward to seeing the Celtica Fae musical group again!

Update On The Daughter:

Living arrangements didn’t work out; my stepdaughter knew my daughter had orientation at noon, but had an appointment which took longer than expected, so wasn’t home to watch my granddaughter for her.  Daughter had to call to explain child care had fallen through, so she was sorry; thanked the supervisor for the interest in her, but would have to turn down the opportunity.  She and the granddaughter moved back home yesterday.  Long story short, my daughter was sold a pipe dream, living arrangements-wise, so it’s not her fault.  Kudos to her for not being dragged into the drama!

 

Plant Hospice Worker #MFRWAuthors #24

A few weeks ago, I saw the perfect meme on FB…..it says ‘instead of a green or black thumb, mine’s more of a ‘gray’ one….I help plants go to their final resting place!’

I’ll do you one better…..I’m a Plant Hospice Worker…..I’ll stay with your plant until it dies.

I’m serious; the only thing I’ve successfully kept alive is a cactus, or a philodendron.

Even my Joseph’s Coat (something my grandmother gave me….’fool-proof’, she said….’just keep it in water’)….didn’t survive curious kittens.

Okay, so that last one wasn’t my fault.

But yeah, I once killed a thistle by exclaiming, ‘Look at that beautiful purple flower!”  Two weeks later, it was so dry, it crumbled to the touch.

So yeah, if you want healthy plants, don’t ask me to weed or even LOOK at your garden!

I’m surprised the Lawn and Garden area at my store survived me working in that area for two weeks…..though quite a few plants were on the discount rack the second week!

What about you?

The women of Catered Romance have been interviewed!  Want to know more about them?  Come over to Dawn’s Reading Nook!

Family Update:

My 2nd chick is leaving the nest!  Daughter received a job offer in Indianapolis at FedEx, and orientation begins next week.  She and the granddaughter will be packing up and leaving on Sunday, and staying with family until she is able to afford her own place.  Not making any plans to enroll her in school just yet; she wants to assess the situation and see how things go.  A might very well end up living with us again next year, in order to give her the smaller class situation she needs, so pray for us?  Thanks!

In other news, I will be at Celebrate Main in Washington, In on Saturday, and right now, we’re PRAYING the rain holds off until after the event.  Last week, at our local Spring On Main, the rain left right before set up time and we had a lovely evening with lots of people downtown!  N and I sold equal amounts of books, and the temp was fantastic!!

Catching Up #MFRWAuthors #22 and #23

Last week apparently got away from me.  Holidays will do that to you!  I picked a good week to slough off, since both last week’s topic and this week’s were pretty much short answer, ha ha!

22) Gifts I always wanted, but NEVER got:

For years, I always circled ‘Talking Tessie’, the ventriloquist dummy.  Can we just say Thank God for unanswered prayers?  And for wise parents who don’t kowtow to their child’s every whim?

But the main present I wanted at age 12 was to go to the Shaun Cassidy concert…..on Palm Sunday.  Mom said, “No, it was a Family Day.”  BUT…..when we arrived at my grandparents’ house, who was MIA?  My cousin…..SHE was at the concert!!!  I was so mad, I think I fumed for three days.

Now he’s touring again…on the East coast!  I’d dearly love to go see him…..

Gifts I seldom got:

Books, books, records/tapes, more books….or at least MONEY for more books, ha ha….nowadays it’s Amazon gift cards or B&N gift cards.

 

23) True love:  Does it exist? 

One word:  YES!

My ‘benchmark’ was 3 months.  If 6 months, a year, or even twenty, have passed by, and the sight of my favorite man can still turn me to mush, then yes, true love exists.

If only I’d married him…..

To see what others have to say on this subject, go here.

Job Update:

I’ve been offered a M-F position, so I no longer have to worry about asking off for my weekend events through the summer and fall!  I’m guaranteed 30 hours a week, so sweet!  The problem now, is finding time to WRITE.  I may have to cut down on sleeping…..currently, I sleep 8-9 hours a night, and even squeeze in the occasional nap.  Not sure if it’s the bone spur and being in constant pain, but my custom orthotics arrive hopefully this week, and I’m hoping I can cut back on my painkillers.

In other news, Catered Romance released, and I’ve already sold six online and three in person:)  My next event is tomorrow night, so hoping to do well.  See you next week!

Just Call Me Sneezy #MFRWAuthors #21

I sneeze all year long, particularly in the fall.  Ragweed and Goldenrod are NOT my friends.

Neither is freshly cut grass, dust, or pollenating trees in the spring.

How do I deal with it?  Muscinex has become my best friend, since it cuts down on the sinus drainage.  I also probably should have bought stock in Puffs or Kleenex as soon as I was old enough, since my family goes through at least six boxes (or more!) a month.

I’m also highly sensitive to Benadryl.  The little pink and white capsules are fine (but hard to find anymore), but if I take one of the pink TABLETS, I’m guaranteed an hour or so nap within twenty minutes.  Same with non-drowsy (HA!) Sudafed.  Yes, psuedephrine knocks me OUT!

Sometimes, when doing outdoor events, my nose simply itches uncontrollably.  Most annoying when I’m trying to talk to people and I have to keep rubbing one side of my nose, or even reaching for a tissue.  I get flashbacks to my elementary days, when I was teased unmercilessly for my constant runny nose, and the not-so-nice names I was called.

Allergies haven’t been so bad since I’ve moved into town.  When we lived in the country, I would get secondary sinus infections every March.  Trust me, if I’m voluntarily putting ice on my forehead to kill the pain, there’s a problem festering inside my sinuses!  Fortunately, I was blessed with a doctor who listened to me, and would call in a prescription, instead of requiring me to make an appointment.  He’d seen me enough times over the years to know what was going on.

I get the occasional ‘itchy, watery eyes’, but either Benadryl, eye drops, or even saline eye wash helps.  I had this so badly back in 1997, I was bathing my eyes in saline every few hours.  But after a weekend trip to Vancouver, BC, I was ‘cured’.  Was that coincidental?  Or did the pollen count ‘magically’ go down the day I returned?  Who knows?

How Do You Deal With It?

I’m off to the Indy 500 on Sunday!  Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend and I’ll see you back here next week!

“Dear Diary…. #MFRWAuthors #20

I’ve kept a diary/journal since the tender age of eleven, and blogging since 2007.  Has it helped or hurt my writing?  Hard to say.

Some would say that I at least write something every day.  I used to think it helped my creativity, but lately I’m wondering if it’s just another way to procrastinate.

I’ve been keeping an online journal of my job, and after I finish, I just want to get off the computer and go do something else.  I’ve been on the job now for two months, and this is the first time I’ve not written this blog until Wednesday night.  I’ve just been too tired.  I’ve not written anything new since February, but then again, the last time I worked a day job, the words poured out of me a few months later.  I’m hoping the same thing happens again soon.

Join the conversation here. 

It’s going to be beautiful in my neck of the woods this weekend…..mid-upper 80s!  I’m off Friday and Sunday, so hope to get caught up on posts, as well as work on a crazy idea that hit me for Book #5 of The Chosen.  More on this as it gets ‘fleshed out’.  

I’ve also made an appointment for my right ankle; the pain is worse, and the compression socks help, but now the pain is traveling up my calf and to the inside of the ankle.  Plus, some nights it THROBS so badly I can barely stand it.  Might have to go the cortisone shot round.

FINAL CHANCE!  Catered Romance releases next week, so pre-order your kindle copy for only $.99 until May 23rd!  Print version will also be available next week:)

Plantzer Checking In… #MFRWAuthors #19

I’ve expressed this term before.  ‘Plantzer’ is because I do a little of both plotting and pantsing.

Plotting:

I can start with a brief idea of what issue my main character is going to face. such as Kitty, who wants to go back in time and see if things would work out between herself and her HS sweetheart.  She returns to when he kissed her, and instead of freaking out, she accepts it, and ends up changing their timeline.  Next decision:  Should she return to the college she graduated from (after all, she already knows the material and hey, might raise her GPA!), or go to the local college, in order to stay close to her new B/F?

Here’s where the Pantsing comes into play.  I just let Kitty take over and dictate the rest.  If I get stuck again, I read over what I’ve written and decide whether or not a visit from Uncle Charles is due, in order to ‘check in’ with his young charge, and see if she’s happy or not with her new outcome.  Hopefully by now, the story is flowing, and new ideas will spark as I get closer to the end.

Make sense?

What’s your take on this subject?

Wishing all Moms, Mother-figures, Honorary Moms, etc, a Happy Mother’s Day weekend!  I have to work, so I’ve informed the family they are taking me to a late lunch/early dinner on Sunday during my hour break.  Love McAllister’s Broccoli-Cheese soup and Ham and Cheese Toastie!

I’ll be spending 8 hours in Lawn and Garden, and since I’ve worked there three times in the past two months, I’ve decided I’m ‘horticulturely-challenged’.  Here’s hoping it’s not too busy; I’ll have help; AND maybe my boss will put me back in Lumber?