tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541276546991373812024-03-12T22:54:55.553-05:00Cozy Mysteries and Other Madness with Jackie KingAuthor of the Grace Cassidy cozy mystery series.Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-41295395614162698842014-11-10T13:50:00.002-06:002014-11-10T13:50:45.629-06:00Is It Okay to Break Writing Rules?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF4Ee6sd1KQ/VF0nn3ApgjI/AAAAAAAABP8/epW4spj2GsQ/s1600/Jackie%2BKing%2BAustin%2B2014-straw%2Bhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF4Ee6sd1KQ/VF0nn3ApgjI/AAAAAAAABP8/epW4spj2GsQ/s1600/Jackie%2BKing%2BAustin%2B2014-straw%2Bhat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie--obeying the rules</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">by Jackie King</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">I try to be a
good citizen and rule-breaking goes against my nature. However, the older I
become, the less sure I am that writing rules and regulations</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><i style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">shouldn’t</i><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;"> be broken...sometimes.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">Learn the rules before you break one.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">When I write something contrary to general writing rules, my first impulse is to delete the scene. This is because another writer once said that it was <b>wrong</b>. Lately, however, I've paused over the delete button, now aware that I might be making an error. I've learned to hesitate before making something disappear from my screen forever. I've become cautious about pushing that delete button. I leave the words for the moment and make the judgment later during editing. (Unless you’re
on deadline, when you do whatever is necessary to finish on time.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">When I wake up with a scene in my head that breaks all of the rules and my old writing teacher’s voice shouts inside my head, “YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” I do it anyway.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ezYS3sTl0/VF0n9z1P0JI/AAAAAAAABQE/VHjDYf8DAVA/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ezYS3sTl0/VF0n9z1P0JI/AAAAAAAABQE/VHjDYf8DAVA/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't do what?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I key in whatever words fill my mind, and try to put my heart on the paper. If this
sounds messy, it’s because it is. Very. And hard. And exhausting. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">I’ve mentioned
to other writers how exhausted I am after writing. Most agree. The average
person, husbands, wives, etc., don’t get this, and there’s no reason they
should, unless they also write.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One rule you <i>should</i> follow:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back when I
taught fiction classes I told my beginning students to commit themselves to
writing 30 minutes a day. The important thing was to write every day, I assured
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Several hands
always went up. “But, I love writing and want to write for hours and hours,”
students would say and most of the class would agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Just make sure
you clock 30 minutes. It’s harder than you think,” would be my answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The next week at
roll call, I’d ask, “Did you write every day?” Few could answer, “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No one knows how
hard it is to put your heart’s blood on paper except those who write every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In each class
there would always be one or two who ‘got’ what I was saying. Those were the
students who became selling authors. You just have to stay with it. You have to
plod through the days you wonder what on earth ever made you think that you
could write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But sometimes…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Usually I follow
the rules. Today I may break one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My Grace Cassidy
Mysteries:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9FG1tUbxhHI/VF0orXudanI/AAAAAAAABQM/lRJgSgqPNCM/s1600/Inconvenient%2BCorpse-front%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9FG1tUbxhHI/VF0orXudanI/AAAAAAAABQM/lRJgSgqPNCM/s1600/Inconvenient%2BCorpse-front%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#1 in series</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwz-3ZYDU4k/VF0ovqGypWI/AAAAAAAABQU/45PHT9f2Q7E/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwz-3ZYDU4k/VF0ovqGypWI/AAAAAAAABQU/45PHT9f2Q7E/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">#2 in series</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.jacqking.com/">www.jacqking.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No. 3 in series is now a work-in-progress</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Working title: THE CORPSE AND THE GEEZER BRIGADE</span></div>
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Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-51214240761259737302014-10-21T11:31:00.000-05:002014-10-21T11:31:49.062-05:00A Weird Kind of Storyboarding<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">by Jackie King<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHo6PixkkII/VEaHo-L0CKI/AAAAAAAABOY/9eJKGs9IxGI/s1600/Oct%2B2014-Austin-Me%2Band%2BSadie--crop%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHo6PixkkII/VEaHo-L0CKI/AAAAAAAABOY/9eJKGs9IxGI/s1600/Oct%2B2014-Austin-Me%2Band%2BSadie--crop%2B2.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The amount of time it took me to write
my second Grace Cassidy mystery, THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR, was
downright embarrassing. To avoid this on my third in the series, I researched</span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">storyboarding
and plotting. Then I told anyone who would listen that I would block out each
and every scene before I typed one word in my third Grace Cassidy mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/o5rljqo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Book 2 in the Grace Cassidy Series" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBo6KxTtI-A/VEaIC8E5klI/AAAAAAAABOg/J2vmPJ_EMbc/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2nd Grace Cassidy Mystery</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I lied!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry about that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My intentions, as always, were pristine.
(And, yes. I do know the name of the road that’s lined with good intentions. My
mother explained all of that to me when I was 13.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But in my own defense, is it my fault
that the headlights of my brain only show me a tiny stretch of the road ahead?
(You can blame God, if you like, since he created me. But first you should know
that He and I have already agreed that He’s always going to be right, no matter
how good of an argument I manage to offer.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I began my storyboard for my 3<sup>rd</sup>
Grace Cassidy mystery in good faith. I bought a bulletin board at Walmart for
ten bucks, came home with my purchase and marked it into four sections with
masking tape. Feeling very self-righteous and completely sure of my success in
this project, I started making plot points on index cards, as I’d always done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/mfgwbjn" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfylbyDkIP0/VEaImHw4o3I/AAAAAAAABOo/tek3hbggCAI/s1600/Inconvenient%2BCorpse-front%2Bcover.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1st Grace Cassidy Mystery</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This grew old in a hurry. My fingers
started to cramp. (I am an old girl, after all.) Then it occurred to me that I
could type much faster than I could write in longhand. So I finished my notes
on Word. Then I changed the margins so I could cut each note in an index card
size. These I pinned to the board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first section was filled when
suddenly the characters came to life and started talking inside my head. The
problem was, they said what they wanted to say, not what I had planned. And
since I’m sort of a wishy-washy person, I didn’t argue with them, but just
followed blindly. (For some weird reason there seems to be a sort of magic
connection between my fingers and the story. I’d be a real bust at dictating).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m still convinced that storyboarding
is the right way to go and might save me a year of rewrites. Therefore my
storyboard for my 3rd Grace Cassidy mystery is still in progress. However, my
method evolved. (Some writers work with files and some work with piles. I’m a
pile person.) I now pin the plot progress on my board as I go. I’m a gal who
must write as she goes. I start with a premise, knowing only who has murder in
their hearts, and why and who. The rest I learn as I write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could be a strict plotter, but
it seems I can't. I have to write "by the seat of my pants."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh well, it worked for the pilots in the
1920's maybe it will work for me too.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-41155853871563643182014-09-13T00:00:00.000-05:002014-09-13T07:53:45.206-05:00Linda Trout Talks About Writing Romantic Suspense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDQV4mzesws/VBOM_akORNI/AAAAAAAABMc/el05GS6NCLQ/s1600/Linda%2BTrout%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDQV4mzesws/VBOM_akORNI/AAAAAAAABMc/el05GS6NCLQ/s1600/Linda%2BTrout%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Jackie for having me on Cozy Mysteries and Other
Madness. I feel right at home among mystery writers since I also have an
infinity for killing off people. On paper at least. {wink} When some of my
friends and former co-workers read my first book, <b>Grave Secrets</b>, they couldn't believe I’d written it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grave-Secrets-Linda-Trout-ebook/dp/B008RZNHE6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1410612516&sr=8-11&keywords=grave+secrets" target="_blank"><img alt=" First Book by Linda Trout" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOKDvnRZfGk/VBONGi1I8xI/AAAAAAAABMk/IlumsQByvPA/s1600/GraveSecrets_w6819_680.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where did that come from, they’d ask. You’re so sweet and
nice so how did you think of such a dark character? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Um….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think everyone who writes mysteries knows there’s a bit of
a dark side to all of us. It’s a matter of tapping into it, then transferring
that to paper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love putting my hero and heroine through their paces;
throwing them into dangerous places, then proceed to make it worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hope-Alaska-Linda-Trout-ebook/dp/B00MT6XAM8" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc732TIm19qzHqTRo2vo3sGdnjVA-8TZdplP0lc8Ycf7KdTNGct5ED6Wk_nvHs0BBBWRIsbhcNzl9UEqKTUDucaj7dR7wRVtvo1SRE5Mtw8ga4ERGoVjG7OrmJxvQ26q20DW9AB4uPvBD/s1600/LastHopeAlaska_w8258_300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Hope-Alaska-Linda-Trout-ebook/dp/B00MT6XAM8" target="_blank">Romantic Suspense Novel</a></span></td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">In </span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Last Hope Alaska</b><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">,
my latest release from The Wild Rose Press, I’ve done exactly that. I keep
throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them. Oh, wait. I think I even
threw the metaphorical sink at them in the end. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: large; text-align: center;">J</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">But being the romantic that I am, they had to
have their Happy Ever After, even if they are a bit banged up. I suppose that’s
why I write romance as opposed to straight mystery, that HEA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily Redfern's ex-fiancé learned to kill on the back
streets of New York. Now, she is his target. Broke, exhausted, and a step
ahead of the man she once loved, she clings to one last hope: the wilds of
Alaska. The quiet safety of her hide-a-way becomes addictive as she grows
to care for the man who offers her refuge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Released from prison after a wrongful conviction, native
Alaskan Sam Tarkington is determined to regain his business, repair his
reputation, and rebuild his life. But when he meets a desperate and
vulnerable woman, guarding secrets of her own, she tugs at his heart. She's a
distraction he can't afford. Sam must choose Emily or achieving his dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Like Emily's life, the peacefulness of the wilderness is an
illusion as danger lurks in the distance. Does Sam hold the key to her
survival or will her past cost them everything?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you again for having me, Jackie. I’ve enjoyed visiting.
My book is available everywhere eBooks are sold and the print version is also
available. I’d love to hear from your readers and can be reached on my website:
<a href="http://lindatrout.com/">http://LindaTrout.com</a> or Like me on
Facebook at <a href="http://facebook.com/LindaTroutAuthor/">http://facebook.com/LindaTroutAuthor/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">TWRP: <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ptbzymx">http://tinyurl.com/ptbzymx</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lox33e9" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/lox33e9</a><br />
B&N: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/pvjncn5" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/pvjncn5</a><br />
Kobo: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/qbe7o2m" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/qbe7o2m</a><br />
iBooks: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/oz5dk5l" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/oz5dk5l</a></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-16982716700936783022014-09-04T15:05:00.001-05:002014-09-04T15:05:42.915-05:00September Is Blog Tour Month!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">September
is blog tour month celebrating my second Grace Cassidy Mystery THE CORPSE WHO
WALKED IN THE DOOR. Since I’m determined to get book 3 out ASAP, I asked the
Partners in Crime Blog Tour group to help with this. They’re wonderful! There
are plenty times for readers to sign up for a chance to win a copy of THE
CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR. So follow the tour, leave a comment or sign up
as directed, and maybe it will be you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the%20corpse%20who%20walked%20in%20the%20door&sprefix=the+corpse+who%2Cdigital-text%2C256" target="_blank"><img alt=" Book 2-Grace Cassidy Mystery" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu2wLHweCxc/VAjDzQ4A1rI/AAAAAAAABK8/pEhsqA9GdhY/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
first give-away on Words by Webb, will be open for the next 15 days! Other opportunities will be given on most of the participating blogsites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inconvenient-Corpse-Grace-Cassidy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B003SE7L2U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409860992&sr=1-2&keywords=the+corpse+who+walked+in+the+door" target="_blank"><img alt=" Book one--The Grace Cassidy Mysteries" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYpkDZ2Q34Q/VAjFONTvcEI/AAAAAAAABLE/GshP48mOH-g/s1600/Inconvenient%2BCorpse-front%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Book one: THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE IS ALSO AVAILABLE: Both on Kindle at Amazon.com. $3.99 each</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=7951708" target="_blank" title="Linked to: jodiwebb.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/02 Interview @ Words by Webb</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006529" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://jodiwebb.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/03 Review & Giveaway @ Words by
Webb</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006532" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/04 Guest Post @ Writers and Authors</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006536" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.mmbearcupoftea.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/05 Review & Giveaway @ Marys Cup of
Tea</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006537" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/08 Review @ WV Stitcher</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=7954831" target="_blank" title="Linked to: dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/09 Revew & Giveaway @ Deal Sharing
Aunt</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8048415" target="_blank" title="Linked to: undercoverbookreviews.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/10 Review & Showcase @ Undercover
Book Reviews</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">8. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006538" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.brookeblogs.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/10 Review @ Brooke Blogs</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">9. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006540" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.cncbooks.com/blog"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/11 Review @ Buried Under Books</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">10. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8063893" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.omnimysterynews.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/12 Interview @ Omnimystery News</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">11. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006541" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/16 Review @ 3 Partners in Shopping,
Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">12. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006543" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/17 Review @ Hezzi-Ds Books and Cooks</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">13. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=7950194" target="_blank" title="Linked to: gabina49@wordpress.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/18 Review @ just reviews</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">14. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006546" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/20 Showcase @ A Blue Million Books</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">15. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006549" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/22 Guest Post @ Mochas, Mysteries and
Meows</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">16. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8157937" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://thereadingfrenzy.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/23 Showcase @ The Reading Frenzy</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">17. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006550" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://www.xmasdolly.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/24 Showcase @ X-Mas Dolly</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">18. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006552" target="_blank" title="Linked to: www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/25 Review & Giveaway @ Thoughts in
Progress</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">19. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8006554" target="_blank" title="Linked to: http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/26 Showcase @ Books Books and More
Books</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">20. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=8061411" target="_blank" title="Linked to: mydevotionalthoughts.net"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">9/29 Review @ My Devotional Thoughts</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
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</tbody></table>
Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-40319091240122637582014-09-02T15:25:00.001-05:002014-09-03T14:18:18.056-05:00What Is Going on with Me!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Killer
Nashville August 2014<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">by
Jackie King</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Killer
Nashville rocks! I highly recommend this mystery con for mystery writers or for
any writer who needs an excuse for a fun trip. The conference was scheduled
over the weekend, August 22 through 24. T.D. Hart, my traveling buddy, aka
Jennifer Adolph, and I left on the Wednesday, August 20. We went early to
attend the Sister’s in Crime workshop on Thursday afternoon, which was titled:
DOING TIME WITH SinC: GREAT BEGINNINGS. We brought the beginning of our current
WIP, up to 200 words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKDlZAqBd1c/VAYgkUkjZ-I/AAAAAAAABKI/VIYF6x6_Q5U/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/" target="_blank">Hank Phillippi Ryan with T.D. Hart (Jennifer Adolph)</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">The
presenters were Laura DiSilverio, (president of SinC), Catriona McPherson,
Cathy Pickens and Hank Phillipi Ryan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
president read our copy, which felt a bit like taking your clothes off in
public and letting everyone critique your body. In other words, it took
courage. But wow! Did we ever get some great tips. As soon as I came home I
immediately rewrote my beginning. What I learned was well worth the cost of an
extra night at the Omni Hotel (First 5-star hotel I’ve ever stayed in.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jacqking.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoLa1hAWecA/VAYgefw6cNI/AAAAAAAABKA/3z8fFckBkOI/s1600/KILLER%2BCOZIES%2BPANEL%2BAT%2BKILLER%2BNASHVILLE2.jpg" height="176" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.jacqking.com/" target="_blank">Killer Cozy Panel</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
was on the KILLER COZY panel at 10:00 on Friday morning. Panelists: Jennie
Bentley/Jenna Bennet, Kay Elam (panel leader), Caroline Fardig and Nancy Parra.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.killernashville.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYb511d8w-A/VAYhovIjQkI/AAAAAAAABKg/JCIw9-ER05I/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.killernashville.com/" target="_blank">MWA Party-Killer Nashville 2014</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_23?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+inconvenient+corpse&sprefix=the+inconvenient+corpse%2Cnull%2C243" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9rRC-sH9xc/VAYgtZatq_I/AAAAAAAABKQ/GweYRiJIKuU/s1600/Inconvenient%2BCorpse-front%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_23?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+inconvenient+corpse&sprefix=the+inconvenient+corpse%2Cnull%2C243" target="_blank">Book one in Grace Cassidy Series</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_10?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+corpse+who+walked+in+the+door&sprefix=the+corpse%2Cdigital-text%2C173&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Athe+corpse+who+walked+in+the+door" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2je-b8MUZpU/VAYgzrhLePI/AAAAAAAABKY/X51EVbuguas/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_10?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+corpse+who+walked+in+the+door&sprefix=the+corpse%2Cdigital-text%2C173&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Athe+corpse+who+walked+in+the+door" target="_blank">Book Two of the Grace Cassidy Series</a><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">REVIEW AND GIVE AWAY FOR "THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR"</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://jodiwebb.com/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO ENTER</a></span></span></div>
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Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-51654859999388543452014-06-25T11:29:00.003-05:002014-06-25T11:29:29.321-05:00Desperately Seeking Discipline<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">by Jackie King<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The most successful authors I know all
share one trait. Self-discipline. Discipline is more essential for a writer
than creativity. Discipline is to be desired above either talent or creativity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FfYemiBDZI/U6r3sk9yowI/AAAAAAAABGY/in7JrGeXs7M/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-FrontCover300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FfYemiBDZI/U6r3sk9yowI/AAAAAAAABGY/in7JrGeXs7M/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-FrontCover300dpi.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/o5rljqo" target="_blank">Finally! Book two of my Inn-Keeping Series</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A disciplined individual, who decides to
write, can learn fiction and nonfiction techniques and master the craft. She/he
can learn basic plot types and can use these tools to practice creating
stories. Creativity can’t be taught, but a clever person could learn character
development, basic plot formation and then learn to apply these techniques to produce
an entertaining story. And then another entertaining story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A creative individual, who writes only when
she/he feels inspired, will be lucky to finish even one book, much less enough
work to form a career. Inspiration is a fickle work tool. And many editors and
publishers tend to agree with me. Mine is included in that group. Regardless of
the talent involved, before a work can be edited and published, it first must
be completed. That’s where discipline comes in handy. And, oh, how I wish that
quality was <i>my</i> long suit. But alas,
it is not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So each day I must strive to put my
behind in the chair that sits in front of the computer, my fingers on the keys,
and coax pouting characters to come out and play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZR15qB9iMc/U6r4ShRmBOI/AAAAAAAABGg/6AK1SBG_k4w/s1600/Inconvenient+Corpse-front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZR15qB9iMc/U6r4ShRmBOI/AAAAAAAABGg/6AK1SBG_k4w/s1600/Inconvenient+Corpse-front+cover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inconvenient-Corpse-Grace-Cassidy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B003SE7L2U/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0M8SATZTJ2F2W9E9E09J" target="_blank">The first book in my Inn-Sitter Series</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">These characters, like cats that have
been left behind while the family vacations, are angry and refuse to
acknowledge my presence. To be honest, I don’t blame them, and must continue
paying penance until I am forgiven. Let’s hope that is soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-8986096217555979702014-05-21T09:52:00.001-05:002014-05-21T09:52:09.215-05:00THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR<span style="font-size: large;">I wish my dear friend, Peggy Moss Fielding could be here to celebrate this day with me. But she passed to a new life on May 20, 2014. I miss her terribly. But she would expect me to press on and keep writing, so that's what I'm doing.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My publisher has verified that my new Grace Cassidy mystery THE CORPSE
WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR, will be ready to purchase online by May 30. The
trade-paperback will be available later in June.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sllbxI1_9gA/U3y9RGtSctI/AAAAAAAABC8/jbBUSG4hBGA/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sllbxI1_9gA/U3y9RGtSctI/AAAAAAAABC8/jbBUSG4hBGA/s1600/TheCorpseWhoWalkedintheDoor-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Available in ebook on May 30, 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
book, second in the series, moves a bit slower than the first, but the stakes
are higher. Grace fears her son Brand is getting too involved with the ditzy
housemaid, Sandy Walker, and she’s not ready to be a grandma.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
heroine longs for a quiet, orderly life. She yearns for time to become acquainted
with the woman she really is, not the cardboard caricature of her former self.
No wonder she bored her husband Charlie. She always did everything he expected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
that was all in the past. Now she’s surprising and delighting herself with this
new persona. Being a woman is a lot more interesting than being a perfect-lady.
But life interferes with her plans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
boss-from-hell, Wilbur Wimberly’s identical twin, thought to be long dead,
shows up at the family reunion. Her son is accused of attempted murder, and
later of rape. Her cat Trouble finds a dead body in the bathroom of her room.
And ex-husband Charlie wants to come back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All
of this and Police Sergeant Sam Harper, who wants to move their friendship to a
relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once
again, Grace has her hand’s full.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-68461227693885567522014-05-12T00:00:00.000-05:002014-05-12T09:50:11.378-05:00I've Been Gone, but I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Friends TD Hart and Rhenna Morgan at OWFI Conference. The fun begins. ;)" class="_46-i img" height="168" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/s128x128/1897800_10152381796102456_1398579148703258885_n.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; left: -22px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; top: 0px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Baton Blog Hop <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">T.D.
Hart, a critique buddy who writes cutting edge thrillers, tapped me for what
she calls a Baton Blog Hop: basically a game of tag for writers. The idea is to
answer four questions about your writing, then tag another author to do the
same. But first you need to know about her blogsite, <a href="http://tdhart.blogspot.com/">http://tdhart.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">T.D. Hart Mysteries and Thrillers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because Darkness Makes the Light More Beautiful</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is a
must-read, especially if you love thrillers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">TD Hart is currently finishing revisions on a Noir Mystery about a
San Diego homicide detective who investigates the murder of a rock star she had
a crush on as a teenager. Seventeen years ago my character's sister disappeared
from a crowded beach, and the singer's voice was literally ringing through her
speakers the moment she realized her sister was gone. The working title is LIFE
FOR A LIFE. Does that sound good or what? I can hardly wait for this novel to
be published.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now for the questions that I’m supposed to answer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What am I working on?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My current work-in-progress, a novella, has
the working title DANGER VISITS THE GOLDEN DRILLER. I’m writing this story for <i>Smart</i> <i>Women</i> <i>Writers</i>, an ultra-cool
group of first rate writers. I‘m editing the draft now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
tough decision facing me is which <i>mystery
</i>should I write next? Characters from two different plots are vying for my attention.
One is Grace Cassidy, my evolving character from her own series. My family
brainstormed with me on Thanksgiving day with this plot idea, and the working
title is THE DISAPPERING CORPSE. The story will be set in Tulsa, Oklahoma and
I’m very excited about the plot twists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
competing protagonist hasn’t told me her name yet. She’s pitching her story
idea, and it’s a good one. Needless to say, she’s fast becoming my Best Pretend
Friend. (I fear that Grace is getting a little tired of me. Perhaps we’ve been
spending too much time together and we both need a break.) Of course, I could
introduce this new person in THE DISAPPEARING CORPSE and let her spin off into her
own series, sans Grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
third possibility is working on both of these novels at the same time. I’ve
never done this, and would love to hear from other writers who have. Give me
the pluses and the pitfalls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How does my work differ from others in its genre?</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">My books are
different from other cozies because I wrote them. This sounds like a
smart-alecky answer, but I don’t mean it that way. When a writer finds her/his authentic
voice, that work is unique from any other. I write from the heart (some call it
from the gut), as much as is humanly possible. I try to tell the absolute truth
as I see it. Even though the story is made up, I try to put myself in the skin
of each view-point character. I let my lead character, Grace Cassidy, evolve
with the series. She is a middle-aged woman whose lifestyle ended abruptly. Her
determination to rebuild herself from ashes, is something that many women face during
their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">And then, of course, all
of those corpses keep showing up.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why do I write what I do?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">I write the kind of
book that I enjoy reading. Agatha Christie is my all-time favorite author and role-model.
Because of the great pleasure her mysteries gave me, I write cozies. I include
women’s problems in my mysteries, because I was blessed to strong women in my life.
These real-life heroines never gave up, no matter what fell into their path.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How does my writing process work?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">First I turn on my
computer and bring up Word. That’s the only constant in my routine. I’ve
searched for that magic button, but the only magic I’ve received was a yellow
button from a book doctor named Robyn Conley. She handed each person in her
class a button and said: “Put your butt on the seat, your fingers on the keys,
and type. I lost that yellow button (so typical of me), but I have remembered
her words.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, that's it. I'm going to tag two of my writer buddies!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bob Avey, who writes about a tough police detective with a soft underbelly. He will post next Monday, May 19 on his blog, which is attached to his website.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://bobavey.com/images/stories/bookcovers/footprintsofadancer-new-ebook.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://httpbobavey.com/" target="_blank">http:bobavey.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The other writer is Linda Trout, who looks like a fashion model and writes take-your-breath-away thrillers. All of this with a touch of romance.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<ul>
<li class="widget widget_image" id="image-3"><div style="overflow: hidden;">
<a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=4928" sl-processed="1"><img class="aligncenter" height="300" src="http://www.morethanareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/trout-200x300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ltrout.wordpress.com/">http://ltrout.wordpress.com/</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do yourself a huge favor and check out these two writers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackie</span></div>
Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-589910946425764802013-04-02T00:00:00.000-05:002013-04-02T00:00:05.172-05:00The Birthing of NO ESCAPE: The Sweetwater Tragedy <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jean Henry Mead's new historical
novel, NO ESCAPE, is ready for downloading now! Today, the author tells how this book came about. Read her
riveting account of "Cattle Kate's" courage. If you love mysteries, history and
strong women, this is the book for you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHxa_T7V4h4/UVM7e2Vr3-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/pPO_A_F_Zuo/s1600/000_Untitled+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHxa_T7V4h4/UVM7e2Vr3-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/pPO_A_F_Zuo/s320/000_Untitled+(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean Henry Mead</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">No Escape, the Sweetwater Tragedy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">By Jean Henry Mead<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I was researching a Wyoming centennial history book during the
mid-1980s, by reading old microfilmed newspapers dating from 1888. During that
time I read about a young woman named Ellen Watson, who had been hanged by cattlemen
along with homesteader James Averell. The cattlemen who hanged them claimed
that the pair had been operating a rural bawdy house and taking cattle for Ellen’s
services.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">After her death, the hangmen labeled Ellen “Cattle Kate” and
vilified her by claiming that she was not only a prostitute but a cattle
rustler. The Cattlemen’s Association, headquartered in Cheyenne, controlled a
local newspaper and reports of the hangings were published worldwide, resulting
in considerable condemnation that a woman had been hanged, despite the
cattlemen’s claims.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I was curious when I read the 1889 newspaper reports, when the
murders took place, and decided to write a novel about them, someday. A number
of authors had written about the hangings from the cattlemen’s point of view,
and films have been produced, portraying Ellen as a pistol packing outlaw. But
that didn’t jibe with news reports from the <i>Casper Weekly Mail</i>, which
published James Averell’s “letters to the editor,” complaining that greedy
cattlemen were gobbling up all of Sweetwater Valley, so they could graze their
cattle on government land, without paying for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I researched the story intermittently over the years but pieces of
the puzzle were missing until George W. Hufsmith was commissioned to write an
opera based on the hangings. He was hooked on the story and spent the next 20
years interviewing residents of Sweetwater Valley, Wyoming, who had knowledge
of what had actually happened. Thanks to Hufsmith’s nonfiction book, I was able
to </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">write
my novel. I dedicated the book to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I didn’t want to end the novel with the
Averells’ deaths so I included a young, single woman homesteader in the plot to
tell the majority of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
my research I discovered that some 200,000 single women tried their hands at
homesteading: some successful, some not.</span></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Escape-Sweetwater-Tragedy-ebook/dp/B00BSG9F1U/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1364409636&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=NO+escape+by+jean+henry+mead" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l8tb8h2uju0/UVM8l5ljDPI/AAAAAAAAAvk/htZNASRBxJc/s320/000_Untitled(1)+(1).jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks Jean, for the background to your new and exciting novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And thanks to our readers for dropping by.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackie King</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-87696820020112849712012-10-22T18:18:00.001-05:002012-10-22T18:18:10.937-05:00GHOSTS FROM MY PAST<p>By Jackie King <p>I was about four when my older cousins started scaring me with ghost stories. These were told in the bright sunshine, but at night I had to creep up creaking stairs to get to my bedroom at Grandma’s house. These monsters lurked along the way to terrify me. I can still remember the dread and the sick empty feeling in my belly. <p><b>The Good Old Days</b> <p><b></b> <p>Grandchildren weren’t pampered in those days, at least not by my grandma. She married at 14 so I doubt she ever had a childhood, at least not as we think of it these days. I realize now that she wasn’t a cruel woman, just one who had endured hardships, and in her declining years had received me on her doorstep while my mother trained to be a teacher. She did the best she could. <p><b>The Million Mile Stairs</b> <p><b></b> <p>There was no electricity to illuminate the steep stairs, so I was given a lighted candle and told to blow it out after I was in bed. <p><i>But what waited at the top?</i> <p>Was it the murdered man looking for his golden arm? Would he chop off my head with his ax when he learned I didn’t have it, as he had with two dozen other children? <p>And the candle was sputtering. <p>Terrified of having no light, I’d put one foot in front of the other, knowing that I had no other choice. And finally I’d reach the landing. The soft glow of the candle lighted only a small circle, and each step into the blackness seemed almost certain death. <p>Finally, I reached my bed, set the candle on an orange-crate used for a bedside table and climbed in. It was summertime and hot, but I still pulled the dusty smelling bedspread over me. After a quick puff to blow out the candle the room was black as a witch’s hat. The counterpane (as Grandma called it) was the only protection between me and the evil ghost. I’d lie stiff as a board until I finally fell asleep. <p>The next morning when my cousins came to visit, I’d beg them for another ghost story. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ys_4Idaha6c/UIXUL5nPT9I/AAAAAAAAAis/vnuxgz--_9s/s1600-h/FH%252520Bump%252520in%252520Night%252520Cover%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FH Bump in Night Cover" border="0" alt="FH Bump in Night Cover" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OH4jiAMT_1g/UIXUMd3x1iI/AAAAAAAAAi0/zw1ZSCFn9UU/FH%252520Bump%252520in%252520Night%252520Cover_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a> <p align="center"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foxy-Hens-Bump-Night-ebook/dp/B004IARVBY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350947295&sr=8-2&keywords=Foxy+hens+go+bump+in+the+night" target="_blank">My one and only ghost story.</a></strong></p> Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-30220146599813304392012-09-06T13:40:00.004-05:002012-09-06T13:40:57.704-05:00MARILYN MEREDITH'S MYSTERY CHARACTERS<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Want to be a Character in a Mystery? Well, read on! <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today
Marilyn Meredith,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> author of over thirty published novels, including the
award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series has a contest that gives you such a chance! And as a bonus, she’s also going to share her
secrets of naming characters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But first I’d like to mention her latest
mystery, <b><i>Raging Water </i></b>from Mundania Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTAuTQ_y88Y/UEjrtwY69-I/AAAAAAAAAdY/6ZWzhNQ5wQ4/s1600/Raging+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTAuTQ_y88Y/UEjrtwY69-I/AAAAAAAAAdY/6ZWzhNQ5wQ4/s320/Raging+Water.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Raging
Water</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Deputy
Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is
complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes
are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding
many—including the murderer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Contest</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: The person who
leaves comments on the most blogs will have his/her name used for a character
in my next book—can choose if you want it in a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery or
a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meredith also writes as F. M.
Meredith, and her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Bells</i></b>, the fourth from
Oak Tree Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAjHtLGSqwg/UEjstXQ2vMI/AAAAAAAAAdo/TVKis7qT9HU/s1600/No+Bells+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAjHtLGSqwg/UEjstXQ2vMI/AAAAAAAAAdo/TVKis7qT9HU/s320/No+Bells+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marilyn has taught for Writers Digest
School for ten years and serves as a judge in several writing contests. Marilyn
is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of
America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at
</span><a href="http://fictionforyou.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://fictionforyou.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and follow her blog at </span><a href="http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marilyn borrows a lot from where she
lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding
area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">NAMING
YOUR CHARACTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By Marilyn
Meredith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrEe-p35vi4/UEjr_TAKAeI/AAAAAAAAAdg/Yt5kwuwOGsU/s1600/me+at+Ridgecrest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrEe-p35vi4/UEjr_TAKAeI/AAAAAAAAAdg/Yt5kwuwOGsU/s320/me+at+Ridgecrest.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">For
me, this is one of the most important aspects of the creation of your
characters. The name should in some way fit the character’s personality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">An
example: If you have a strong, muscular hero you wouldn’t want to give him a
weak sounding name like Lauren or Percy. You may know some body-builder types
with those names, but for your book pick a name that will evoke the sense of
the character for the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Make
sure that the characters in your book don’t all have names that begin with the
same letter, rhyme, or all the same number of syllables. You never want to
confuse your characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
you are writing a fantasy or sci-fi and your making up names, be sure they are
able to be pronounced easily. If the reader can’t say the name in his/her mind,
they’ll have trouble remembering who each person is. I’ve been reading books by
Scandanavian authors and I’ve had a hard time keeping track of who is who
because of the names that I can’t pronounce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Having
said what I did about made-up names, don’t give everyone simple names like
Mary, John, Bill, Joe, Jane. If a name is a bit unusual, the reader will have
an easier time remembering it. Of course there are exceptions—Jack Reacher for
instance. Jack is a strong name even though it’s simple—but the character is
mainly known as Reacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I first started submitting my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, I had an agent tell
me Tempe was too unusual of a name and to come up with something else.
Obviously, I didn’t follow her advice. Tempe Crabtree was my
great-grandmother’s name and I thought it worked for as a Native American.
Another prominent Indian character in this series is Nick Two John. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Though
some young mothers are using old-fashioned names for their children, others are
making up names. One of my granddaughters used syllables from her mother’s and
mother-in-law’s first names for an original name for her baby. You might even
try that if you can’t come up with the exact name you want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
you are writing an historical novel, be sure to check and see if the names you
want were in use during that time period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Where
to find names? The Internet has a wealth of names. You can find names from any
country and popular baby names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
I like to do is keep graduation programs and use the names I find there—of
course I mix up first and last names. Other writers I know use names they’ve
found in obituaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Keep
track of what you’ve named your minor characters so that you don’t give them a
different name later on in the book. (Yes, I’ve done that.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
hope this has will be helpful to you when you start naming the characters that
you’ve created. And readers, perhaps this has given you some insight into how
difficult the author’s task is when it comes to naming their creations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Good luck to everyone who enters Marilyn's contest. And a big thank-you to Marilyn for visiting today.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
Jacke</span><br />Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-88885548531076926362012-04-20T10:52:00.001-05:002012-04-20T11:31:23.865-05:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Today it’s my pleasure to present F.M. Meredith, also known
as <st1:personname w:st="on">Marilyn Meredith</st1:personname>, who is the
author of over thirty published novels. Her latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D.
crime series, from Oak Tree Press, is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Bells</i></b>. Rocky Bluff P.D. is a
fictional beach community between <st1:city w:st="on">Ventura</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:city></st1:place> and F. M.
once lived in a similar beach area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
F. M. (Marilyn) is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of <st1:personname w:st="on">Sisters in Crime</st1:personname>, Mystery Writers of America, and
serves as the program chair for the Public Safety Writers of America’s writing
conference. She’s been an instructor at many writing conferences. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9czeCLZL-e8/T5GFoZGvCHI/AAAAAAAAAW4/STyP-YubJeU/s1600/Hanford+Book+Fest+2010-fm+meredith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9czeCLZL-e8/T5GFoZGvCHI/AAAAAAAAAW4/STyP-YubJeU/s320/Hanford+Book+Fest+2010-fm+meredith.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F.M. Meredith and Husband Hap at Hanford Bookfest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tips on Picking Character Names<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
By F.M. Meredith<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I wrote <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Final Respects</i></b> I had no idea it
would be the first in a long-running crime series. My goal for that book was to
write something that showed what happened during a police officer’s job
affected the family, and what was going on with the family affected the job. I
also wanted to show that the officers and detectives worked on more than one
case at a time. Of course once I was done, I knew I had to find out more about
these characters who had become so real to me and I’ve continued with that same
goal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Because when I wrote that first book, I didn’t know nearly
as much as I do now, I picked names that I liked for each character—which is
okay, but I didn’t pay attention to other rules that I’ve learned along the
way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Unlike some writing rules, these were easy to understand and
made sense. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For the main characters, pick names that don’t begin with
the same first letter. I goofed right off the bat with this one. One of my
ongoing characters is Doug Milligan and as time goes on, he becomes a detective
and partners with Frank Marshall. So now I’m stuck with Detectives Milligan and
Marshall—which could become confusing to some readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When picking names, you want them to fit the characters.
Gordon Butler has appeared in several books now, but when I first created him I
had no idea how important he would become. The message here, perhaps, is
consider each character important when you are thinking up their names.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Where on earth do I find names to choose from? Some authors
say they use the obituary columns. Others go online and search names for
babies. And of course, the Internet is also the perfect place to find ethnic
names. What I like to do best is save graduation and play programs and pick
names from them. Of course mixing up first and last names.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If you’re writing a historical piece, be sure and pick names
that fit the period. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One of the names of a main character in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Bells</i></b> is the real name
of someone I know, Benay Weiss. Yes that’s her first and last name—of course
she’s nothing like the character I named her after. I ran a contest in another
blog tour for whoever commented on the most blogs would have a character named
after him or her. Benay’s daughter entered the contest for her mom and won. I’m
anxious to hear what she thinks about the book and her namesake. And by the
way, I love the name.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You can read more about Benay in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Bells.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Bells</i></b> Blurb:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Officer Gordon Butler has finally found the love he’s been
seeking for a long time, but there’s one big problem, she’s the major suspect
in a murder case.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBTFYhx538/T5GGC1bjycI/AAAAAAAAAXA/6rivnxrXFiY/s1600/No+Bells+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IBTFYhx538/T5GGC1bjycI/AAAAAAAAAXA/6rivnxrXFiY/s320/No+Bells+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Visit F.M. at <a href="http://fictionforyou.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://fictionforyou.com</span></a>
and her blog at <a href="http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CONTEST NOTE FROM
F.M.: The person who comments on the most blogs on my tour will win three books
in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No
Sanctuary, An Axe to Grind, </i></b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Angel Lost. </i></b>Be sure and leave your
email too, so I can contact you in the event you are the winner. <o:p></o:p></div>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-47504433164041607382012-01-28T11:21:00.000-06:002012-01-28T11:21:45.435-06:00FREE BOOK DOWNLOAD FROM KINDLE--TODAY ONLY!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Readers! Today my publisher is offering FREE on Amazon Kindle my (one and only) nonfiction book, DEVOTED TO COOKING. (Usually $2.99 ) Today (January 28, 2012) it's <span style="font-size: x-large;">FREE!</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B003UNLC24/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link"><img alt="Devoted to Cooking: Inspiration for the Aspiring Chef in Everyone" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5104UTatOBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-49,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Cooking-Inspiration-Aspiring-ebook/dp/B003UNLC24/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327769275&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Cooking-Inspiration-Aspiring-ebook/dp/B003UNLC24/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327769275&sr=1-1</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Not a mystery, but true and written straight from my heart. In my writing, I always tell the truth as I see it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">DEVOTED TO COOKING is a sharing of family stories and individual lives and of cooking food needed to get through each day, whether happy, tragic or just mundane. Everyone deserves a proper serving of both love and food; all it takes is a little determination, a bit of planning, and regular prayer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The book is written with Jennifer Sohl, chef and caterer, who happens to be my youngest daughter. Her passion is cooking and mine is writing, so we combined our talents for this book.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Jennifer shares hard-learned secrets of creative artistlry in cooking that will delight families and mystify friends. She tells how to organize your time so your family can eat home-cooked meals. She has collected and mastered quick and easy-to-prepare recipes necessary to balance the family budget and at the same time to provide tasty, healthy and attractive meals for her family.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">She also tells how she started her business on a shoe string, and gives helpful advice and encouragement for anyone interested in striking out your own.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I share my life's path through divorce, death of a beloved son, and single living.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Today's impossible schedules with overworked parents, harried children, and fast-food eaten on the run, are flaws of our technological society. Although some meals-on-the run can't be avoided, you can learn to prepare and serve beautiful, tasty and simple meals for yourself and/or your family. A new demension of love and devotion is added to life when families eat together with everyone present and with the television turned off.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I hope you each enjoy your free e-book copy of DEVOTED TO COOKING. Available January 28, 2012 FREE on Amazon Kindle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Jackie</span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-80670014012781505102012-01-19T19:38:00.000-06:002012-01-19T19:38:47.527-06:00MY THOUGHTS ON SUE GRAFTON'S LATEST MYSTERY<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I just finished reading Sue Grafton’s V IS FOR VENGEANCE and enjoyed it very much. In fact, I couldn’t put this book down. It haunted me like a box of See’s Chocolates! I couldn’t think of anything else until I’d consumed each juicy morsel. Of all her latest books I liked this one the best. I’ve read articles where Grafton said she didn’t plot her books, but this one must have been an exception.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was definitely plotted, not written by the seat of her pants.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0399157867/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link"><img alt="V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone Mystery)" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41srMt69EYL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/734osb7">http://tinyurl.com/734osb7</a></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the chapters were written in first person with Kinsey Millhone telling the story, which is this author’s usual style. The book started with a chapter that, once upon a time, would have been called a prologue. Of course, that’s not done much anymore. Some readers dislike prologues, so writers solve the problem by calling whatever starts the book, chapter one. Or in this case, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the book was a flashback, and in less expert hands this might have been confusing and not worked. But in Grafton’s talented hands this technique just added to the suspense and was excellent. I loved this book, and I can’t say that about all of Grafton’s novels, even though I’m a huge fan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Readers, if you have read V IS FOR VENGEANCE, let me know your thoughts. If you don’t agree with me, that’s fine. Just tell why.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs to all,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-87363172510336957802012-01-16T22:42:00.000-06:002012-01-16T22:42:06.160-06:00THANK GOD I ONLY HAVE TWO EYES!<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I’ve just spent the last few days remembering my first detached retina in 2008. It was a harrowing experience, but the awfulness of the experience soon faded from my consciousness. Then just before Christmas 2011, my right eye developed symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It wouldn’t dare! I thought, but just to be on the safe side I went back to my retina specialist as soon as his office opened after the holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“You have another detached retina,” he said. “Do you have someone here to drive you home? We’ll repair it now, just like we did before.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Well, of course I didn’t have a driver. That would have been admitting that I might really have a problem. So once again I had to call a daughter to come and chauffeur me home. And once again I got fussed at for not telling my daughters that I was having a problem. (I think that’s why grandparents and teens get along so well; we’re both always in trouble with the same parents.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I’d forgotten about the foot-long (or so it seemed) hypodermic needle, the frozen face afterwards and the deep eye pain. But soon I remembered it all. And once again I lived through it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My writing was interrupted for a while as were other pleasant routines of my life, but finally I was nearing the end. I’m even almost finished with my steroid drops. Once again I have my sight restored and am feeling grateful. This time because I only have TWO eyes!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hugs to all my reader and writer friends,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-30743731907186029542012-01-15T18:53:00.018-06:002012-01-15T18:59:56.388-06:00DETACHED RETINAS COUNT AS OTHER MADNESS-PART 4<span style="font-size: large;">(Continuing from yesterday's blog about my first trip back to the doctor...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The nurse seemed unmoved by the fact that I couldn’t see squat. Then the doctor came in and finished his examination and said to continue “positioning.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“But I still can’t see anything,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“As you heal your vision will improve,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">This time he gave me permission to stay home alone. In order to make this work, Jennifer became my chauffeur and Susan my maid. It was comforting to be in my own house, but my usual entertainments of reading and writing could only be done in “the position.” Not being “Rubber Woman,” I spent most of my time listening to the cooking channel; white noise to quiet my ever-racing mind and imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Days passed slowly. Boredom was broken only by Susan’s daily visits to tidy my kitchen, empty trash, sort through and read me my mail, and other such mundane tasks that we hardly notice in normal times. But suddenly, every small detail of life became a challenge. My big event of the day was showering and shampooing. (What a relief to be able to stand tall once again, even with one eye tightly shut against water and shower gel.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I adopted my friend Peggy Fielding’s method of life; the one she calls “The Swiss-Cheese Method:” one small task at a time. Then I would reposition. Peggy called me and talked for brief periods, knowing that every act of life was complicated by my enforced awkward position.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">And those eye drops! The never ending eye drops with a schedule so complicated that Susan charted my times with spaces to check off when completed. What a Godsend to have a private licensed Occupational Therapist at my beck and call.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life without reading and or writing is like a life without sunshine. What do people do who don’t read? What seemed to me like my Technicolor life turned into Black and White. The only advantage was plenty of time to meditate and pray.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Small victories filled my life. Obvious day by day improvement encouraged me to believe that I might eventually recover. On frequent trips to the doctor my eye was checked and progress tracked. I lived for the nurse’s smile and her encouraging, “That’s better.” Especially after it became harder for me to tell if there was improvement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">A big step was the day I was told I could drive, “When I felt like it.” But in order not to trouble my grown daughters, I promised to wait a few more days. (I once was a mother with two daughters, now I’m a daughter with two mothers. How lucky can one woman be?)<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the thought of driving seemed intimidating. I longed for the freedom driving permitted, but doubts troubled me. What if I banged up my new car—that shiny red sedan with the new-car smell I so loved? Although I’ve never received any traffic violations, I feared if I got one now, my girls might “ground” me, fearing for my safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally I decided to venture to the grocery store for bananas and a bottle of milk. I felt as excited and nervous as a 16-year-old with a brand new license. You’ve seen these folks creeping along and driving other drivers insane? That would have been me on that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Almost as quickly as I went blinded, my life was restored. I could read for my own entertainment in addition to handling my own housework and mail. My driving fears quieted, and I once again had wheels. But most important of all, to me at least, I could write.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first day I put in a serious day of writing, I felt exhausted. So I realized that, like everything else, I’d have to work toward my ultimate goal a bit slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last milestone was being able to exercise on my treadmill. The doctor wouldn’t release me for this until about two and a half weeks had passed. Again I began very slowly and for shorter lengths of time. But the important thing was:<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had my life back!</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">To be continued tomorrow…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">My best wishes and healthy reading eyes to one and all,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-21978208197242127622012-01-14T23:13:00.000-06:002012-01-14T23:13:21.365-06:00The Sad Tale of My Detached RetinaTHE NEEDLE FROM HELL IS STUCK INTO MY EYE! <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After learning that the local anesthetic to be used would be the same as used to earlier remove a cataract from my other eye—a procedure I was put under general anesthetic to accomplish when I was conveniently at the hospital—I prepared myself mentally to face exceptional pain. Not an easy task for a self-admitted coward.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But my life was centered around writing and around reading, and good vision was essential to preserve my quality of life as I now knew it. I was willing to endure any type of torture in order to be able to see. Still I was scared. I longed to be someone else for the next couple of hours—to transport myself into a character drawn from my imagination whose circumstances I could control by changing the plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I took a deep breath then I called a close friend to ask for prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After the surgery was completed the doctor asked me how I was doing. I was so relieved to have everything over I generously said, “I’ve been through worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He laughed. “I love having women for patients, after childbirth nothing seems overwhelmingly painful to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’d have gone through much more pain in order to save my sight,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">During surgery my youngest daughter, Jennifer had arrived. Her facial expression warned me that she was wrestling with both worry and annoyance. I prepared myself for being scolded, but worry must have won out because she spoke in a carefully controlled tone of voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I know you like to be independent, but I want you to promise that the next time you have an emergency, you’ll call me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry, sweetie,” I said. “But I know how busy you are. I just thought I could manage on my own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Garrett gave me a preliminary shot, much like that the dentist gives before drilling a tooth. He even made the same shaking motion, saying he’d learned that technique from his own dentist. Next came a needle I thought looked long enough to reach my belt buckle. I closed my eyes and reminded myself that nothing lasted forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This shot, which would numb the entire half of my face, taking until the next day to completely wear off, was unpleasant and uncomfortable. But I’ve endured worse—even in the dentist’s chair. The eye was prepared with more drops as time was allowed for the numbing to set in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The doctor used a freezing technique to repair my retina, and then he inserted an air bubble to hold everything in place. But in order for the bubble to be in the correct spot, I was instructed that for the next two weeks I had to “position” myself for most of the time. At night I had to sleep on my side, my face turned downward. My neck hurt just thinking about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He pulled a chair next to me, bent at the waist, rested his chin in the palm of his hand with his elbow in the palm of his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Like this,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I mimicked his position until he was satisfied that I understood. I was told to go home and do this for an hour, and then to position myself in sleep mode and stay there the rest of the evening. I was so exhausted I wasn’t sure I could walk to the car, and any kind of a prone position sounded good to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The next morning daughter Jennifer took me to the doctor bright and early. The nurse removed my eye patch. I was excited but apprehensive, because I knew there was a chance this procedure wouldn’t work. Also, I’d been told that this easier approach was instantly successful. So I expected to be able to see pretty much as usual when the bandage came off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fear washed through me when I opened my eye. Instead of a black nothingness, I now had a blurry gray nothingness. I assumed the surgery had been unsuccessful and I steeled myself to hear the results.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">To Be Continued…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">See you tomorrow,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jackie</span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-63063404021098228792012-01-13T17:36:00.000-06:002012-01-13T17:36:54.834-06:00MY SAD STORY ABOUT TWO DETACHED RETINAS-Second InstallmentGood Grief! I've been recouping from eye surgery (obviously, considering these posts) and trying to continue writing my newest Grace Cassidy mystery THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR, and my on going saga about going blind slipped my mind. My apologies to one and all. Now. Here is what happened next with my first detached retina.<br />
<br />
April 21, 2008 was on a Monday. The “Foxy Hens,” as we call ourselves when promoting our anthologies with the same name, was speaking at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Our audience, pension fund investors from 18 states, was one of the most receptive we’d ever spoken to. The Oklahoma group running their conference had treated us as if we were royalty. We had been showered with gifts, charming conversation and an excellent meal. People from all over the country had taken our pictures as if we were Rock Stars and they were Paparazzi.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Oklahoma group that hosted the event had bought 125 copies of STATEHOOD FOXY HENS AND MURDER MOST FOWL, our anthology written for the State Centennial. We had autographed copies until our fingers grew numb. (The dream of every writer I know.) Each of us felt as if we were walking on air.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I gathered up the trove of gifts bestowed on me and started out of the large banquet hall with the other women. Suddenly my left eye felt as if I had been dazzled by the sun or by bright headlights at night.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But there was no bright light.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I blinked because that’s what I always do when such a things occurs. But my vision didn’t clear as it usually does. All of this was done on automatic pilot. My mind was still occupied with the happy buzz that occurs after a signing that goes especially well. I blinked again and the distortion didn’t clear.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My mind was now fully focused on the sight in my left eye. The dazzled sensation was quickly followed by a black curve at the bottom right part of my left eye. As if I were wearing plastic rimmed glasses that were askew and the frames were blocking my vision. Except I wore light-weight glasses with no frames on the bottom. A fission of fear shivered through me.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">By the time we reached the car I was almost completely blind in one eye. Except for a tiny sliver at the top left hand of the eye it was as if a heavy black velvet curtain had been taped over that eye.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I was so scared I couldn’t think, so I made all of the wrong decisions. I told no one. I didn’t call either of my two daughters who live close to me in Tulsa. I sat in almost mute silence all the way home. My run of good luck seemed to have ended.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A terrifying self-diagnoses sprang to mind. I must have had a stroke in that eye. I knew this couldn’t be treated successfully, so I planned what to do. (Learn Braille at my age?)<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To complicate the situation and stress (as if I needed that), I had just bought a new car. Something I only do about ever 10 years. I listened to the hum of tires on the Turner Turnpike with a background of cheery conversation between my companions.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Would I have to sell my car?<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Thoughts of an engineer at the company where I’d worked for twenty plus years came to mind. This successful man not only drove, he worked long hours over intricate specs. His one-eyed vision never seemed to bother him. I also thought of a master plumber I’d just had to repair a leak in my house foundation. He also seemed to live a satisfying and successful life.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But could I?<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’d bought the brand new car because it has been pock-marked by one of our Oklahoma hail storms. The price was considerably discounted and a guarantee had been given that the dents could be corrected without repainting. I was assured that the car would still have original paint.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The problem was, I’d agreed to drive the car across town to the dealership for repair on when I got back into town that afternoon. A free rental car had already been reserved for me to use.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For some reason that is totally unclear to me now, I felt compelled to carry through on the agreement. When Paula dropped me off at my car, I loaded my suitcase and other bits and pieces into my car and headed out. I still hadn’t told anyone I had gone blind in one eye.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It was true that I could safely drive with one eye and I delivered my car and picked up a rental. Then I drove home. I had decided to wait until the next morning and contact my ophthalmologist as soon as his office opened. I considered driving to the emergency room (which would have been the right thing to do) but figured they would simply examine me, send me home with the advice that I should call my doctor in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ve had experience with emergency rooms.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The next morning I arose early, showered and dressed. By this time it was about 8:30 and I called the doctor’s office. His clerk listened to my problem, conferred with someone and told me to come in and be prepared to wait. I skipped breakfast and applying makeup and once again drove myself across town. The waiting room was packed. I waited two and a half hours before being shown into an examining room.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The nurse added the necessary drops and tested the eye. Her silence seemed ominous. I considered pressing her for information, but knew she would be unable to share what she was thinking. Then she left me alone.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The knot of fear in my throat grew bigger as I waited for the doctor. I fully expected to hear that I had lost half of my vision permanently. Finally he bustled in with his usual efficiency and carefully checked my eye, having me look up, down, left and right.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“You have quite a problem, here,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hearing the obvious made me want to let go of my Irish temper, but my generation of women was carefully trained by Emily Post mothers.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yes,” was my clever comeback.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“You have a detached retina and I’ll have to send you to someone else to get this fixed, I don’t do this kind of surgery.”<o:p></o:p></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Fixed?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> The problem could be fixed? Relief washed through me like warm oil and my limbs grew weak with relief. In that moment I realized that “fixed” was the most beautiful word in the English language.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(TO BE CONTINUED...) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I promise to finish this post as promised!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Loved all the FB answers from others who had suffered detached retinas and other problems. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hugs to All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Jackie</span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-73073255071058640062012-01-06T12:48:00.008-06:002012-01-06T13:08:45.650-06:00A SECOND DETACHED RETINA AND JANUARY TO BOOT!<span style="font-size: large;">“Thank God I only have two eyes,” I said to daughter Jennifer, co-author of my one and only nonfiction book, DEVOTED TO COOKING. Jennifer laughed, knowing it was a joke, but neither of us was feeling very merry. She was driving me home from having surgery on my left eye for a detached retina. This was my second time to have such a problem, and like most unfortunate happenings the timing was extremely inconvenient.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMGBY_j0vIU/TwdGXOzbeXI/AAAAAAAAAVs/9_R5zUKBBJA/s1600/DevotedToCookingFrontCover%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMGBY_j0vIU/TwdGXOzbeXI/AAAAAAAAAVs/9_R5zUKBBJA/s320/DevotedToCookingFrontCover%255B1%255D.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Cooking-Inspiration-Aspiring-ebook/dp/B003UNLC24/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325874055&sr=1-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Cooking-Inspiration-Aspiring-ebook/dp/B003UNLC24/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325874055&sr=1-1</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Eve, 2011, it seemed as if a curl had fallen over my eye. Without thinking I tried to brush this nonexistent curl aside, and nothing changed. My heart sank. It wouldn’t dare, I thought! Three days later the doctor performed emergency surgery and I knew from experience that I was in for a hard two weeks. This was my second trip around the block for a detached retina. The first time was even more traumatic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly Blind—April 2008<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">On one of the best days of my life I went suddenly blind in my left eye. That glorious April day morphed into being one of the scariest days of my life. Along with the other two authors of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Statehood Foxy Hens</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and Murder Most Fowl, </i>I was about to travel back to Tulsa from Oklahoma City. We had just finished a successful speaking engagement at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. But the glow disappeared when an invisible curtain that could have been made of 4-inch black velvet suddenly blocked almost all sight in my left eye. Only a sliver of light was visible in the upper left-hand corner of half of my world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLVUdo3GXEw/TwdGp2iLO9I/AAAAAAAAAV0/t24wgOS-9gY/s1600/FoxyStatehoodHens_Frontcover%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLVUdo3GXEw/TwdGp2iLO9I/AAAAAAAAAV0/t24wgOS-9gY/s320/FoxyStatehoodHens_Frontcover%255B1%255D.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foxy-Statehood-Hens-Murder-ebook/dp/B004HYHCYC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325874166&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Foxy-Statehood-Hens-Murder-ebook/dp/B004HYHCYC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325874166&sr=1-1</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terror blitzed my brain and my reasoning powers froze. My mostly-healthy body had failed! Visions of tapping along with a white cane and learning Braille flitted through my writer’s imagination. I was so scared I couldn’t even speak. I felt unable to communicate my dilemma with my co-authors and friends, Peggy Fielding and Paula Watkins Alfred. I</span><span style="font-size: large;">f I voiced what had happened it would be real. So I retreated into the comfort of denial.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euwpfRPRfN4/TwdDj8prb7I/AAAAAAAAAVg/qDE_Ii4Kdn4/s1600/3foxyhens_300dpi%255B1%255D.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euwpfRPRfN4/TwdDj8prb7I/AAAAAAAAAVg/qDE_Ii4Kdn4/s400/3foxyhens_300dpi%255B1%255D.jpg.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Paula Alfred, Peggy Fielding, Jackie King</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’re really quiet,” Paula said, flashing me one of her dynamite smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">For a sensible person, this would have been the time to share the unthinkable thing that had happened. But I couldn’t. Making such a shocking declaration aloud would mean that it was true. So I hedged.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m a private person,” I said a bit woodenly. I knew my smile was tight and no doubt phony, but the trauma seemed to seal my lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“She’s a Pisces,” Peggy Fielding said from the back seat. “A dreamer, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gratitude swept over me. Thank God I wouldn’t have to talk much on the way home. Little did my friends know that my dream was actually a nightmare.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">(TO BE CONTINUED...)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">If any of you have suffered a detached retina or other eye problems, I'd love to hear about them. Readers and writers need their sight!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-77841141616707591852011-12-23T20:19:00.000-06:002011-12-23T20:19:13.158-06:00THE MOST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0sisiLFiHk/TvU0np7FuEI/AAAAAAAAAU4/A5pZjItNJUM/s1600/King-Sohl+%2526+book+cover+model+at+book+signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0sisiLFiHk/TvU0np7FuEI/AAAAAAAAAU4/A5pZjItNJUM/s320/King-Sohl+%2526+book+cover+model+at+book+signing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The following story was told me by June Butts, and made tears come to my eyes. Picture a very poor family in the 1950's in South Texas, down on their luck, but filled with love and courage. June is speaking:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Daddy sat on the floor and gathered us eleven kids around him in a circle. I remember that he had tears in his eyes, so I knew what he was going to tell us was really important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">“Santa can’t come to visit you this year at Christmas,” Daddy said. “But he said to tell you that he could come in the spring. He promised you that.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Times had been hard since Daddy had been hurt on the job and us kids were really looking forward to getting something special from Santa. But now Daddy was saying that a few reindeer had gone lame and Santa was rescheduling delivering some children’s toys until springtime. We all felt real bad about that, but we knew that it wasn’t our Daddy’s fault.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Then on Christmas Eve, Daddy stuck his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out a single bill. “I have one dollar left,” he said to Mama. “I’m going down to the dime-store to get something for these kids.” Then he left the house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">A dollar seemed like a lot back then, but I knew that it couldn’t buy presents for so many kids. I also knew that my daddy could do about anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">When Daddy came home he had bought a package of jacks. He gathered us kids around him on the floor, and played jacks with us for most of that night. And that was the best Christmas we ever had.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">June’s story made my eyes sting with tears, and I blinked them away. I pictured this sweet man, sitting with his children around him, celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus with an inexpensive package of jacks. How appropriate, I thought. Jesus came from a humble and hardworking family. Our Lord was born in a lowly manger. A thrill of joy filled my heart at a poor man offering all he had to his family on that special night. His offering must have pleased our Savior. June’s Daddy gave everything he had—his last dollar, his time, and most of all his loving heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And for your palate:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Heavenly Coconut-Meringue Kisses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Contributed by Nadine Cravello<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">3 egg whites<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">¼ teaspoon cream of tartar<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">3 tablespoons sugar or Splenda<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">½ teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">3 tablespoons shredded coconut.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Heat oven to 275 degrees (slow oven). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Beat 3 Egg whites with ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually beat in 3 Tablespoon of sugar or Splenda a little at a time. Continue beating until stiff. Fold in ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Gradually fold in 3 tablespoons of shredded Coconut. Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Bake until delicately brown (about 30 minutes). Cool gradually away from drafts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy with your family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Published in DEVOTED TO COOKING by Jacqueline King and Jennifer Sohl. Publisher: Devoted Books an imprint of AWOC.COM Publishing. 2008<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-50260111496612093732011-12-22T16:05:00.000-06:002011-12-22T16:05:53.194-06:00MUSINGS OF A LATE BLOOMING WRITER<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally I’m living my dream<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">A writer never retires and that’s a good thing for me since I was old enough to die when I started. Re-started would be more accurate. After beginning to write early in my life I got sidetracked by circumstances. I went away to college at 16, was married at 18 (my brain hadn’t even stopped growing) and then raised three children. In other words, stuff happened. But the time is now and I’m learning to live in the present moment. That happens as you age and begin to feel your own mortality. So on this post; I’m talking about today, December 22, 2011.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I (re)started writing at age 49, and since I had neither husband nor trust fund, I counted beans for a living and wrote at night and on weekends. That’s what most writers do. I loved those days made rich by writing, reading and hanging around with other scribes when time allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The wonderful thing is that one eventually retires from their day job, and that’s when I became a full-time writer. I had listened to a lot of talk about getting prepared for retirement so I didn’t go into some kind of a funk (aka depression). No need for me or any writer to worry about that particular problem. My job had served me well, but I’d long been counting the years, months and days until I could finally say:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank God it’s Monday!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s hard to believe that my favorite day is now Monday. (Will those of you who are still paying their dues forgive me? Your time will come, I promise.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago, my new (dream) schedule started like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Rise at 7:00 a.m. and put on makeup. Reason for bothering with makeup? To signal my auto-pilot self that I had NOT retired, I’d just gone into business for myself. Then I took a walk through the neighborhood and worked at my computer until noon. (Coffee and breakfast fitted in somewhere, depending on the day. You’ve seen my picture so you know that I don’t skip meals. And coffee is essential, not only for my sanity but for the (mental) health of anyone near me.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">About five years into my dream life I gave up putting on makeup except for special occasions. That Pavlov’s dog thing had kicked in and I automatically walked to my computer each morning. I had learned that there just wasn’t enough time for small stuff. I had (finally) come to understand the importance of living in the present. I’d learned that not all good things are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expedient</i>. (That’s a King James’ Bible sort of word.) So now, with the limited energy of an old gal, my ‘primetime’ has become shorter. I write in the morning and then again after meals. These are the times when my energy level is highest. In between writing and short rest periods, I do such things as load my dish washer, pick up messy stuff around my house, and call a few friends. I usually read in the evenings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I love my writer’s life! Back when I came home to write after working a 10-hour day, I loved that, too. When I had the energy to spend long hours at my computer as a younger full-time writer, I loved that even more. But writing today is best of all. Even my rest periods are spent writing; I mull over plot problems and character motivation. Then after I get my second (or third) wind, I hit the keyboard again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is never perfect. Everyone gets their share of tragedy, illness, and cranky grocery clerks. But for this writer, LIFE ROCKS!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1AHpq6bdi8/TvOooHSxFYI/AAAAAAAAAUE/oIVb6PF_wjk/s1600/Carolyn+Hart%252C+Jackie+King+and+Judy+Rosser-Bcon-2011-St+Louis+++L+to+R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1AHpq6bdi8/TvOooHSxFYI/AAAAAAAAAUE/oIVb6PF_wjk/s320/Carolyn+Hart%252C+Jackie+King+and+Judy+Rosser-Bcon-2011-St+Louis+++L+to+R.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carolyn Hart, Jackie King, Judy Rosser at 2011 Bouchercon</span><br />
<br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell me about your dreams and how you're working to make them come true! I want to hear.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs to all,</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie</span></div></td></tr>
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-76540554623895051892011-12-15T13:38:00.004-06:002011-12-16T07:44:47.253-06:00Jackie King Shares<span style="font-size: large;">MY THREE RULES FOR WRITING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Which I borrowed From the Best Writers on Earth</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rule 1: Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated. Books are written one word at a time, one sentence at a time, and one paragraph at a time. Each day remind yourself that all you have to do is write one sentence, and then one more, and then one more…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rule 2: Give yourself permission to write a bad first draft. This removes the fear of failure. You can’t fail because it’s okay to write sucky pages. What’s hard is putting your heart on paper. Don’t listen to your internal monitor that says, “You can’t even spell.” (Like that makes any difference? Many successful writers can’t. That’s why God made dictionaries.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rule 3: Write every day. Determine to write even in chaos or tragedy, because life is seldom perfect. No matter how busy you are, you have a right to some time of your own; learn to recognize and grasp these moments. Keep either index cards or a notebook close at all times. (I prefer index cards and always carry some in my purse, pocket and car.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqlav-pzU7g/TupI__5ZrBI/AAAAAAAAAS8/byy9qgMBK1I/s1600/Peg+and+I+at+TNW+signing+June+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqlav-pzU7g/TupI__5ZrBI/AAAAAAAAAS8/byy9qgMBK1I/s320/Peg+and+I+at+TNW+signing+June+2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peggy Fielding and me at outdoor signing in June. Too hot for boas!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Modern men and women spend a huge amount of time standing in lines, waiting at the doctor’s office, or the dentist or hairdresser, or for a child at private lessons or activities. Apprehend these moments to make character sketches, brainstorm writing ideas, or write a scene or part of a scene. It’s possible to write a scene in 20 minutes. I know one author who wrote her second book waiting at the airport for her next plane.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Get a large collapsible file to keep all of your notes, character sketches, newspaper clippings, etc., together. Writing time shouldn’t be wasted searching for lost notes. Keep that file somewhere handy and drop each scrap of paper or index card into it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Writing a book doesn’t always happen in an organized way. Writers are creative folk and there are different ways to begin. Many things can trigger a germ of an idea from which a novel can develop: an overheard snatch of conversation; a newspaper or magazine article; a scene flashing through your mind unexpectedly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trust yourself and follow your intuition while you’re writing. This brings out that precious quality called “voice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Discipline is primary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Talent is secondary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luck is nice, but a lack of luck can be overcome by persistence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use your experiences plus your imagination.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE is one thing I imagined first and then wrote down:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inconvenient-Corpse-Cassidy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B003SE7L2U%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJBDF5XQBATGDX4VQ%26tag%3Dspea06-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB003SE7L2U"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwrFQuiVjmc/TcFwQiFzVCI/AAAAAAAAADI/hQpgLv8VYig/s320/Inconvenient+Corpse-front+cover.jpg" width="206" />I first imagined these feet!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs to all,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-1406740209856166622011-12-11T19:04:00.002-06:002011-12-11T19:08:08.745-06:00OBSOLETE THINGS: CHRISTMAS CARDS AND ME<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I signed, hand-addressed, licked/ sealed and stamped 65 Christmas cards with this picture of me and my grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPYThWA_rFo/TuVSm0FCSgI/AAAAAAAAASg/_HSZpk75ck0/s1600/Jennifer-camera-1+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPYThWA_rFo/TuVSm0FCSgI/AAAAAAAAASg/_HSZpk75ck0/s320/Jennifer-camera-1+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that no one sends cards anymore except a few of us diehards. It would be very dense of me not to know, because folks tell me this on a regular basis. Often someone I’ve sent a card to.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">“I got your card, but I don’t send any, so you won't get one from me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I’d already figured that out, since none had arrived in the mail, but saying that would be rude. And besides, I like this person, a lot, or I wouldn’t have sent the card.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s okay,” I say, “I just send cards because I enjoy it. I don’t expect one in return.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I said this to a darling but outspoken cousin last year. She didn’t seem to agree with me about not expecting a card back.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yes you do,” she said, “and that’s why I’m calling you…instead of sending a card.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Gotta love my cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I should have explained to her, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that sending Christmas cards has been a tradition for me since I was a child. My mother was a teacher in a small town. Usually a different one each year because, although she was a very good teacher, she had the unfortunate habit of telling parents the truth about their child.) She always recruited me to help. I was the stamp-sticker and the envelope licker. This started back when I was very young and postage stamps were 3 cents each. And that was a lot for a teacher to pay. Cards and stamps were a major Christmas expense for Mother. Back then you could actually buy something for a penny.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I still send cards because I enjoy sending cards to the people I like. And if you’re a recipient, don’t worry because you didn’t send one to me. I absolve you of your guilt! I love Christmas and all it stands for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-19555096030925593792011-12-10T00:00:00.029-06:002011-12-10T00:00:05.781-06:00ANNOUNCING WINNERS OF FREE BOOK DRAWING!<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">For 2 weeks I’ve kept a list of the names of readers who have left comments during our MURDER WE WRITE WINTER BLOG TOUR. These were written each day on the small pieces of paper that I recycled from old-draft copies of my work-in-progress. (THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m huge on recycling, having developed the habit way before it became trendy. My mother was a single parent school teacher with 3 kids, and we used old bread wrappers (waxed paper back then) to wrap our sandwiches for school sack lunches. But I digress…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">On our 14 days of posts, I told you that the names were going into my black fedora. And so they did. But this morning, small squares of folded papers were spilling out of that hat onto my dining room table. So I had to switch every name to the biggest basket I own.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><div align="left"> </div><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCIUuMnIQy8/TuJVLqi2uRI/AAAAAAAAASU/SCS92kcDoM0/s1600/fedora++hat+drawing+for+tour+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCIUuMnIQy8/TuJVLqi2uRI/AAAAAAAAASU/SCS92kcDoM0/s320/fedora++hat+drawing+for+tour+005.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<div align="left"> </div><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Fedora Runneth Over</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">This basket was handmade by a weaver in the Upper East region of Ghana, West Africa called Bolgatanga. These lovely and practical works of art are marketed by Bolga Baskets International, and are often the sole income for these families. If you love beautiful things, or need a special Christmas gift, check them out: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;"><o:p><a href="http://www.africanbaskets.biz/">http://www.africanbaskets.biz/</a></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">But back to my winners!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I said I was going to give away two books, one copy of THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE and one copy of FOXY STATEHOOD HENS AND MURDER MOST FOWL!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">But.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In the spirit of Christmas I’m doubling that number. Here are the winners:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">INCONVENIENT CORPSE, Carol-Lynn Rossel and Lynn Somerville.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">FOXY STATEHOOD HENS AND MURDER MOST FOWL: Silvia Dickey Smith and Caroline Clemmons.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Congratulations to these winners. Would each of you contact me personally by email </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="mailto:jacqking6@gmail.com">jacqking6@gmail.com</a> and send me your mailing addresses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large;">And a huge THANK YOU to each person who left a comment. I hope your holidays are wonderful.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugs to all,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackie<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654127654699137381.post-42607859501213600662011-12-09T00:00:00.004-06:002011-12-09T00:00:09.893-06:00MURDER WE WRITE BLOG TOUR ENDS<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you get jetlag from a bus tour? That idea seems weird to me, but my head is spinning from the 14-Day MURDER WE WRITE BLOG TOUR that ended yesterday. Each day we played musical-blogs and moved from one Mystery Writer’s site to another. It was wild, but I’m declaring it a success because when we climbed off the bus no one was bleeding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earl Staggs was driving, by the way, and that guy knows how to take a curve. These Texans all use a heavy foot, and we really booked it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never dreamed that I’d take a 2-week trip with 14 other people, much less 14 writers. As I’ve said before, writers are a little different kind of cat. We can’t help it. Something in our DNA tells us that we must record what we see. We’re compelled to write down all sorts of things in the way <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> see them. Each member of our Team could take the same basic plot, and using our own characters, we would each spin a different story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s what brings magic into writing. And into reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%;">Here’s the whole bunch, along with their blog addresses:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ~~~~~~~</span></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tour Guest authors on Cozy Mysteries and Other Madness:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nov. 25 – Timothy Hallinan<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://www.timothyhallinan.com/blog/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.timothyhallinan.com/blog/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 26 – M. M. Gornell<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 27 – Wendy Gager<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://www.wsgager.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.wsgager.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 28 – Alice Duncan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://aliceduncanblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://aliceduncanblog.blogspot.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">29 – John M. Daniel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://johnmdaniel.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://johnmdaniel.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov. 30 – Pat Browning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://pbrowning.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://pbrowning.blogspot.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 1 – Ron Benrey<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://blog.benrey.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://blog.benrey.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 2 – Beth Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://www.bethanderson-hotclue.com/blog"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.bethanderson-hotclue.com/blog</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 3 – Anne K. Albert<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 4 – Earl Staggs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 5 – Jinx Schwartz<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://www.jinxschwartz.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.jinxschwartz.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dec. 6 – Mike Orenduff<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://thepotthief.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://thepotthief.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 7 – Marilyn Meredith<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dec. 8 – Jean Henry Mead<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blog url: <a href="http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://murderousmusings.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://murderousmusings.blogspot.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Jackie Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276062715832103428noreply@blogger.com8