Genevive Chamblee's Blog, page 50

The Myths of How to Reduce Word Count in Novels

I found myself in the position of needing to reduce word count on a story I have nicknamed, The Beast. No, it doesn’t have any werewolves or ginormous Jurassic Park type animals in it, and no that isn’t the real name of it, either. I nicknamed it that, because of its size.

I know what some of you might be thinking. Because I’m a pantster, this is classic of how a story can get away from the author without an outline. But that isn’t the case at all. When the I first started writing this story, I pretty much had it sorted in my head what would happen. And I wrote the first draft that way. However, after reading over it, I realized that my ending wasn’t satisfactory. That was because what I had perceived as the end in my head was actually a climatic pointed that needed a resolution. In other words, it was the middle. As I worked out the “new” end, I opened up a plot hole. Truthfully, it wasn’t a hole but more of a dent. I needed to explain a genealogy. Well, that took a bit of time, but I wasn’t worried. I knew once I got it on paper, I could pare it down later. As I read further, I bumped into another dent, which needed explanation. I got that one done as well.

I read over what I had and decided that one of my main characters had no depth and no redeeming qualities. She was there serving her purpose, but I feared readers wouldn’t relate to her. Maybe she was fine, but I didn’t like her. That meant revising her scenes to give her more emotional growth and substance. Then, I decided I wanted to change elements of my male protagonist. I could go on, but these little things that improved the core story began to add up. However, this is all part of a first draft and no need for alarm.

But then, something unrelated happened. I set aside my beast to work on other projects that had upcoming deadlines. One of the most important things a writer can do is learn from others as well as learning from self. The feedback I received from one my other projects opened my eyes that the same issue was embedded in my beast. Working out that kink is what really inflated my word count. And btw, because of how I write, it wouldn’t have been a problem I would have foreseen even if I had written an outline. Basically, the issue stemmed from expertise. There were elements in my story that I took for granted that everyone knew. However, these were regional elements that were baffling to outsiders and required explanation.

The bottom line, my story landed at a massive 158,000+ words. I know, I tend to be longwinded anyway, but even for me, that was colossal. So, then began the process of reducing the word count. Initially, I did what I consider to be standard edits, but that didn’t pare down my manuscript nearly enough. As many writers do, I turned to the internet for suggestion and tips and was met with many methods that do not work as well claimed or has hidden pitfalls.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not saying these methods do not work. However, they did not work well for me.

Adverbs are the antichrist; kill them all. There are writers that claim adverts weaken language. To me, this is like mowing down the flowerbed while cutting the lawn. I’m from the south, and southerners use colorful language. Often adverbs cause a sentence to take on a different meaning. While many adverbs can be removed because they add nothing to the sentence, sometimes removing them can take away from the tone/voice of the narrator.  The argument is to use stronger verbs. That works, but sometimes, changing verbs requires adding more words or restructuring sentences. At times, this may increase instead of reducing word count. It may also vanilla-rize your writing and have it sounds like everyone else. Stories weighed with adverbs will be a slow read. The key is to use appropriate adverbs in moderation.
Reducing a specific number of words per page. This sounded awesome but translated into a dud for me. This had all the makings of a real solution, and I’m sure for many this worked well. For me, the problem arose of the unevenness of pages. For example, I needed to delete at least ten words per page. This was based on the assumption that the word count per page would be about 250. However, I had pages with much fewer words–some of thirty words or less. Deleting a sentence of dialogue would have the character talking to himself. And that would be okay if my character was schizophrenic. I should note that at the point I attempted this tip, I previously had edited for redundancies, verb usage, and adverbs/adjectives. A lot of the fat had been trimmed from the sentences. Therefore, I had pages with very few words remaining that could be cut without taking away vital content.
Don’t fear killing your baby/darling. Do fear this, and fear this greatly. Your manuscript is something that you have invested a lot of time and energy. It’s not something you should take likely in ripping apart. Edits are supposed to be productive and not willy-nilly slashing for the sake of doing so. True, some authors are too close to their work to be objective and believe that every word is greatness. That’s the opposite extreme. What an author should seek is to meaningfully reduce word count without sacrificing the integrity of the story. Follow your gut. If something feels vital and necessary, it probably is. It’s your story. Just because someone suggests you cut a scene does not mean you should. Perhaps, it needs to be moved or rewritten or another scene deleted. I had two readers give me generic advice to delete a paragraph of backstory. While this works for many, when I did so, it destroyed my story. I was accused of being too close to my work. (Laughable for a person who has cut—and is still cutting—over 45,000 words from her story.) The problem was the backstory they suggested be deleted held very important information that could go no other place in the story. It couldn’t occur in a flashback and had to occur by a specific character in a certain place in the story timeline. Removing this paragraph was a huge mistake. However, by deleting it, it allowed me to see the correction that needed to be made, which was moving the paragraph forward a bit and adding more information to it. I know I said the goal was to reduce word count. However, by adding to this paragraph, it allowed me to condense other paragraphs and combined scenes. This, in turn, allowed me to reduce my count by several hundred words.
Get rid of dialogue tags. This tip actually works well IF there are only two characters in a scene or if the voices of characters are distinct enough for readers to determine who is speaking. Otherwise, stripping dialogue tags can leave readers confused. What I found to work better is to use an action tag instead. That way I can move my character as need and get rid of the dialogue tag without confusing the reader. Dialogue tags can quickly run up a word count. If they can be eliminated, do so. However, be certain that who is speaking remains clear.
Allowing someone else to cut the words. Oh boy! Sometimes, it’s necessary for a fresh pair of eyes, especially doing the editing process. Anyone considering self-publishing will need to hire a professional editor. Traditional publishers edit in-house. If it is a minimal amount of words that need to be cut, having someone else do it isn’t much of an issue. However, when it comes to large quantities, there’s two reason writers should think twice. First, it can change the voice of your story. Word choice often speaks volumes about the author. For example, “Tie the boat up over yonder across the river” can be simplified to “Tie the boat across the river”. Same thing … kinda. The second states a concise directive. The first, give the directive but also reveals traits about the character. Depending on what the author is trying to convey determines how the sentence should be edited. An outside source may cut without regard to the author’s voice. The second reason—and this is important—is cost. Editing cost money. The more words in a manuscript, the more editing is likely to cost. Sending my beast off at 158k could cost close to five thousand big one. Spending some time to spare it down to 90k and my editing cost can reduce almost $2,500. Not only that, if an editor is spending to narrow down the size, other issues in the manuscript may get overlooked. Therefore, it is beneficial for writers to get their manuscript as clean as possible before sending to editing. There still will be plenty of corrections for editors to make.  #IWSG

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My saucy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://amzn.to/2DV5btz.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

How To Voodoo…Not

More times than not, when I’m speaking about Creole, Cajun, or Louisiana lifestyle/culture, I eventually hear an association with voodoo and strange happenings. And while, yes, it is true that there is a certain degree of bizarreness surrounding some aspects of bayou country, it’s probably much less than most people think. It also provides a limited and stereotypic view into the Creole culture. The goal/mission of Creole Bayou is to provide useful and accurate information about Creole history, culture, heritage, language, etc.

I must make a disclaimer before continuing. Honestly, I never thought I’d write this post. As an author, many of you know that I often use voodoo or the occult as reoccurring subplots or themes in my stories (e.g., “Oasis Haze” in Mysterious Hearts-Holiday Heartwarmers Anthology and “Under the Magnolia Tree” in Haunted Hearts-Holiday Heartwarmers Anthology). For this reason, I have done research in this area. That, however, does not make me an expert on the subject, and I do not claim to be. I also am not an advocate of any sort and will attempt to deliver the information objectively. While discussing the research I’d discovered with a woman (not a native of or residing in Louisiana), she immediately dismissed it and said she would continue to believe one hundred percent in what the media has presented about the subject to the masses regardless of any data presented that indicated the contrary. She insisted that the pop culture view of voodoo is the gospel truth. In no way do I seek to change anyone’s personal beliefs or opinions nor do I claim to make judgments religions of any kind. The purpose of this post is not a conversion but to present what history states about voodoo. (BTW, it would be silly of me to attempt to convert anyone to voodoo when it’s not a religion I practice or intend on practicing. However, if I continue to use it as a theme in my writing, I need to be accurate in my portrayal of it, if for no other reason than to be respectful.) Furthermore, voodoo is practiced in multiple areas of the world. This post will focus on voodoo in the U.S., specifically, how its practice in Louisiana.

The best place to start is to answer the question: what is voodoo? Voodoo is a syncretic (the combining of different forms of beliefs or practices) religion that teaches the existence of a supreme being referred to as Bondye, the worshipping of multiple spirits, a universal energy, and the ability to leave the body during spirit possessions. It is mainly an oral tradition and lacks a primary prayer, holy text, or rituals. The people who practice voodoo are called “vodouists” which roughly means “servants of spirits”.

Bondye steams from the French term bon dieu, which means “good god”. Bondye is an uninvolved and unknowable creator god who cannot be communicated with directly. Bondye is also the main/superior god. Bondye is over all people and spirits. The spirits are called Ioa, and each spirit is responsible for a specific part/domain of life. They act as the “middleman” between Bondye and people. Spirit possession (temporarily displacing the host soul or medium while Ioa takes control of the body) is desired as it allows one to connect with the spirit world and are used to communicate with god (Bondye). Say possession to me, and I automatically think of heads spinning in 360 degrees and the projectile vomiting of green soup and am running for the hills. You’d find me hidden somewhere and not venturing out. Contrarily, voodoo believes that possessions are (generally but not always) a good thing.

So, what is voodoo’s ties with Roman Catholicism? In 1685, the practice of all African religions by slaves were forbidden, and slave owners were mandated to endocrine their slaves in the Catholic religion with eight days of their arrival. The Catholic Church, in turn, viewed slavery as a vehicle for converting slaves to Christianity. However, many slaves continued to practice voodoo in secret, and the two religions (voodoo and Catholicism) became blended for them. Voodoo spirits became associated with Catholic saints and elements of Catholic rituals/practices (e.g., hymns) are used in voodoo ceremonies.

Contrary to popular belief, zombies, pin-stabbed voodoo dolls, and animal sacrifices have very minuscule associates with the voodoo religion. These stereotypes were formed out of fear by Christians who did not understand voodoo and later were popularized by people seeking to exploit the religion for monetary gains. Face it, zombies and ghosts have well-established buyer markets. There are books, trinkets, tours, movies, books, clothing, relics, and the list goes continues. It is very easy for people unfamiliar with voodoo to assume these are strong elements (or the only elements) involved if these things are the primary aspects being presented by the media and/or local specialty shops. Now, this isn’t to say that zombies, dolls, and animal sacrifices aren’t included in voodoo or not some practitioners do not make it the focal point. However, originally, that is not how it began.

For example, a zombie was thought to be someone who the soul had left the body and only the mindless shell of the person was left behind. This might have occurred to a punishment as one of the spirits (usually an evil one) for the person not living a dutiful life or the soul not returning to the body to allow for a relief from pain or healing from illness. One legion indicates that this occurred so that the zombies would work as slaves on sugar and tobacco plantations without complaint (because zombies were said to be mindless) and need for much rest (because they were merely human form without feelings). This definition of a zombie differs greatly from the popularized version of a subhuman eating other humans brains.

Another example would be animal sacrifice. For many, this may sound cruel and violent. I for one as an animal lover wouldn’t be able to participate or view anything like that. However, a look at history indicates that voodoo is not the only religion that practices/practiced animal sacrifice. This is/was not a practice unique/exclusive to voodoo. Historically, animal sacrifices can be found in Hinduism, Islam, and Paganism/Mithraism, Judaism, and even Christianity. It takes no further looking than the Bible to see mention of animals being sacrificed. In Hebrews 9:22 it states “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. Mentions of animal sacrifices can be found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Isaiah, and Genesis. Many of the aforementioned religions no longer practice this ritual. But for many, it is often overlooked that the sacrificing of animal is restricted to voodoo.

Not all Creoles believe or practice voodoo. I would go as far as to say that the majority do not, but I do not have any empirical evidence that I can site to support that claim. That is not to say that this evidence does not exist. I just don’t have it. It is documented that a large population of Creoles are Catholic, as is much of the population of Louisiana. Catholics do not practice voodoo. Voodoo and Catholicism are not the same. Voodoo did not stem from Catholicism, and Catholicism did not originate from voodoo. Louisiana is not the only state in the U.S. where voodoo is practiced.

Voodoo is far more complex than what has been presented in this blog. Anyone interested should research the subject further. What if any myths about Creoles and voodoo did this post support or destroy for you. I’d love to hear your views.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My sensual short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://amzn.to/2DV5btz.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

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How to Jazz Up a Funeral: Creole and Cajun Funerals

From the classic beignets to the scrumptious étouffée, Creole and Cajun foods are so good you could die after one spoonful. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. However, if that were to happen in New Orleans you may find yourself having a Creole and/or Cajun funeral, aka a jazz funeral. Because face it, shipping a body across state lines or even to another city is expensive. And each state has different regulations regarding the preparation of bodies. In one instance, I was told that a body had to be embalmed in the state that the person died in order to be shipped to a different state (which makes sense) but then re-embalmed once in the destination state. I’d never heard of someone being embalmed twice, and quite frankly, it sounded like a money-making racket to me, which is why I now understand the decision of families to cremate instead of transferring their loved ones remains. But that’s an entirely different topic.

Jazz funerals are inspired by the combining the African funeral traditions of the Dahomeans of Benin and the Yoruba of Nigeria, West Africa. To assure that a proper burial would be performed at the funeral, the secret societies of the Dahomeans and Yoruba people gathered resources to form what many have labeled an early form of insurance. Jazz funerals are also heavily influenced by early twentieth century African American Protestant and Catholic churches, black brass bands, and the Haitian Voodoo idea of celebrating after death to please the spirits who protect the dead.

The music and dancing of the jazz funeral were intended to both help the deceased find their way to heaven and to celebrate the final release from the bounds of earthly life. The funeral begins with the first or mainline making “loud lamentations” while a jazz band is performing mournful jazz tunes. When the Saints Come Marching In, Nearer My God to Thee, and Just a Closer Walk with Thee. The first or mainline is composed of the family, musicians, funeral directors, and friends of the deceased, and they march with the coffin, which was often carried by a horse-drawn hearse, from the deceased’s home to the grave while the band performed a mournful When the Saints Come Marching In, Nearer My God to Thee, and Just a Closer Walk with Thee. The sad music will continue until the deceased is fully buried and when the main line is leaving the burial site.

After leaving the burial site, the jazz band will begin transitioning from the somber music to upbeat by adding a little swing to the songs. This was a way of alerting the mourners that the mood was about to change. Soon the band will perform upbeat and wild music with tambourines and drums as a form of celebration that the deceased is in a better place.  At this point, a second line joins the main. The second line is composed of random individuals from the streets of New Orleans who just so happen to bypass the procession and wish to join the party. The second line will dance and sing behind the first line with the jazz band. The music and dancing were both a form of theory for the mourners and a form of celebration of a life well lived. The march will continue until they arrive at the location of their reception. And the conclusion of the funeral, a big ole pot of red beans and rice is served.

Author Interview – Dawn Taylor

Today stopping by the bayou comes another great author interview. This time from Dawn Taylor. If you haven’t read her work, you really should.

Where is your favorite place to write? My favorite place to write is my home office, although my best ideas come right before I fall asleep.
Out of the protagonists you’ve written about so far, which one do you feel you relate to the most? In my short story, “The Double Nickel Tour,” I can relate to my protagonist, Carol. By taking the chance to overcome her fears, she discovers a new life is waiting for her. I am not a risk taker, so writing about the nervousness of her first international flight was relatively easy to do.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned writing your current book? My debut novel is “Something’s Not Right with Lucy.” The main character is seven-year-old Lucy. As I saw the world through a child’s eyes, I realized how many things adults don’t explain to children and her confusion attempting to sort things out for herself.
How long on average does it take you to write a book? I have written a non-fiction book and a fiction book. Each took about two years. Both required extensive research, plus the writing and editing phases.
What is your favorite childhood book? My favorite childhood book was “Charlotte’s Web.” My fourth grade teacher read a chapter a day to the class and I anxiously waited to find out how it ended.
What is the oddest topic/subject you have ever googled for research for a book? The oddest topic I have researched was how long it takes a drowned kitten to float. Not the most pleasant topic, but I want my stories to be realistic.
How do you select the names of your characters? Naming characters has always been easy for me. I just imagine the character and a name pops out. I actually give it very little thought.
What is your writing Kryptonite? My writing Kryptonite would be noise. I must have complete silence to write.
Lighting round. Pick one.


Morpheus or Dionysus? Dionysus
Gâteau De Sirop or Beignets? Beignets
Turbodog or Andygator? Turbogod
Shrimp or Gator? Shrimp,
House of Blues or Hard Rock Café? Hard Rock Cafe
DC or Marvel? Marvel


How can readers discover more about you and you work? Readers can discover me at  dawnmtaylor.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authordawntaylor/, and on Amazon at amazon.com/author/dawnmtaylor.com.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feels free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered from iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My steamy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://bit.ly/2C5GlLa.

Don’t have much time for reading or in a hurry? Check out my microfic, “Country Club Charades” in Fake For You at https://www.hottreepublishing.com/fla....

Also, my paranormal romance short story “Under the Magnolia Tree” in Haunted Hearts (Holiday Heartwarmers 4th vol.) is available for purchase. It can be read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Find it on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2DV5btz.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

The Business of Writing

Writing is a hard business on so many levels. Often, I wonder why anyone would bother. It’s also very baffling.

“I hate reading.” I hear so many people, especially the young, say this, and my eyes practically roll from my head. I want to scream, “Do what?” First, there was a time in history that not everyone could read or allowed to learn to read. For many decades, the poor, women, and people of color were not given the privilege of an education or reading. By not reading, so many opportunities were lost. A person who can’t read easily can be taken advantage of in business or legal matters. Signing a legal document without knowing what it says is dangerous. Furthermore, in the past, some groups were tortured or killed for attempting to learn to read. People protested and petitioned to be able to receive an education including reading. Some parts of the world, people are still denied the right to learn to read. But for some who have been afforded the opportunity through the blood, sweat, and tears of others, they willingly turn their back on it.

Another issue is the quality of writing. Oh, this is such a hot spot. No one I know has ever been born with the innate ability to write flawless, grammatically correct manuscripts. It is learned. One bias I have experience is a prejudice that native English-speaking authors are biased, elitist, and insensitive to non-native English speakers/writers. I’ll only speak for myself when I say I do hold high expectations in the books I write and read. I’m not perfect in my grammar. For one thing, I speak the regional dialect, and oh, there’s a lot that’s not grammatically correct about that. However, I was taught—and taught is the operative word—not to write as I speak. I spent years in school learning grammar, and I’m still no expert. Far from it! I must have editors and proofers and readers and computer programs to help. And even with all of that, my work still isn’t perfect at times.  It’s my job as a writer to deliver a quality product to readers. That’s not hate or bias or elitism. It’s my job.

What other profession is there where some who enter it believe it is acceptable to deliver subpar goods? What surgeon thinks it’s acceptable to perform surgery without training properly? Just because someone is a “native” speaker/writer of any language does not automatically qualify that person to publish a book. The proper channels and steps still must occur. Editing still must occur. Proofing still must occur. There are no shortcuts or passes. “Native English speakers/writers” have the same issues as “non-native English speakers/writers”. The only difference is the degree. But even that isn’t a clean division of “native” verse “non-native” English speakers/writers. When I was school enrolled in English class, some students excelled while others didn’t. The grading system was from A (superior) to F (failure). Some students made As. Others made Fs. Then, there were others that fell in the range in the middle. It was obvious then that each student possessed strengths and weaknesses. Did that make one student smarter than other? Debatable. Did it mean some students were “better” or more “superior” to others? Perhaps in classwork but definitely not a people. All men (and women) are created equal. But that doesn’t mean one person may not be better in some aspect of life than another. And that goes for writing. Some people are stronger writers than others. However, that does not mean that a person can’t learn or improve his/her writing skills. And because a person has the ability to improve writing ability, that also means a reader should not have to lower standards and accept poorly written books.

Another assumption hard to swallow is that “anybody” can write. This is true in the same way that anyone can be a firefighter, engineer, physician, or Olympian. Yes, anyone can do it provided he/she trains hard at the craft. It is a matter of one deciding that writing is a profession one wants to pursue. But there is a lot of learning and a lot more than putting words on paper or in an electronic word document. One of the first hurdles, of course, is to complete a manuscript. However, assuming that has been done, a writer has to decide on what type of author he/she wishes to be—traditionally published, self-published, or hybrid. If traditionally published, one has to go through the query process or seek an agent. This may take several months or years to gain a publisher’s or agent’s interest. From there, it may take an additional year to see the work come to print. Few traditional publishers give huge advances to beginning authors these days.

Being self -published is no easy shortcut. These authors must be jack and master of all trades. Self-published authors are responsible for all of their editing, cover art, promoting/marketing, printing/formatting, accounting/bookkeeping, corresponding, and selling. These authors are responsible for all these costs upfront. Some vendors still view self-published books with a stigma and will not carry them in brick and mortar stores. Slowly, that is changing. However, the assumption is that self-published books are poorly written. This goes back to the issue of some writers taking shortcuts to publishing with the desire to have any work published regardless of the quality.

I had to misfortunate of having the wrong version of a story published. Somehow between the editing and e-book upload, the unedited version was used. Since I wasn’t the person who uploaded, I had no idea of the mistake until much later. Seeing the errors in print was painful. It did not represent my best work, and it troubled me to be judged by that one hiccup. The correct version was later uploaded, but I can’t imagine a writer not desiring to have their best work available to the public.

Accidents like these can damage reputations and hurt future sales as well as tarnish the overall self-publishing industry. Many people do not differentiate between self-publishing and vanity publishing, which are by no means the same thing.

Some people are fortunate enough to have their writing be successful enough to support themselves. In this category of writers, I’m including screenplay writers, journalists, speech writers, researchers, and clinical evaluators. This list isn’t exclusive. When a global view of a career in writing is taken, many people are successful. However, the narrower view of persons supporting themselves from writing fiction and nonfiction books, fewer people are able to make a living with writing. One reason is due to a crowded and saturated market. Thousands of books go onto the market each day. Great stories are buried in the pile and go unnoticed both online and in stationary bookstores.

These issues are just a few that make writing difficult. Many times, writers are under credit for the amount of time and effort they invest in their craft. Television makes it look so simple at times by portraying a lone writer posed in front of a computer sipping a hot beverage while daydreaming of stories. Stories have structure and story arcs. They require character development and sometimes worldbuilding. Many hours of research go into a story to bring an element of realism. Scenes must flow and have a logical order. Everything must be created from the imagination. Watching a two-hour movie may not be viewed as tedious. That’s because someone already has worked out the costume design, lighting, script, stunts, camera angles, the hiring of actors, etc. In other words, viewers are witnessing the final product and not the behind-the-scenes. The same principles hold true for a book. Numerous hours and months have gone into creating the final product that may take several hours to read. Therefore, it is hurtful for a professional writer to be told his/her writing is a hobby or pastime or requires little effort or skill.

The only reason I can conclude that writers write is that it is a passion that burns deep. It completes them to tell the stories they have burning inside. Many writers will measure success not in the number of books sold or money acquired but in completing a work and bringing enjoyment to others. #IWSG

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feels free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered from iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My steamy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://bit.ly/2C5GlLa.

Also, my paranormal romance short story “Under the Magnolia Tree” in Haunted Hearts (Holiday Heartwarmers 4th vol.) is available for purchase. It can be read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Find it on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2Ab706S.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

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Insecure Writer’s Support Group

How to Understand Creole Culture: The Cane River

Anyone interested in learning about Creole history and culture quickly will hear mention of the Cane River. That is because so much of Creole heritage is rooted in this area. It is so rich in history that it is impossible to cover it acceptably a single blog post. One could go on for days about all of the well-known families that and how they helped shape the culture and/or society of Louisiana.

As I’ve written in a previous post and is the running theme of Creole Bayou, I sincerely believe it is important for all people (not just persons of Creole heritage) to know and embrace their culture and heritage. By doing so, gives one a deeper understanding self and others and helps different cultures to communicate and get along with each other. Many of the world’s problems boil down to lack of communication and people not understanding each other. A lack of understanding can lead to frustration, nontolerance, impatience, and resentment. Sometimes, it is easy to fall into the mindset that everyone thinks, lives, and acts (or should do these things) exactly as we do. I know I find myself asking, “Why would someone do something like that?” Well, the answer to that question could be that it is a social norm in their culture.

I remember moving to a different area where I felt like that proverbial fish out of water flopping around on the beach. The local believe system was vastly different to the one that I had grown up in. Many in the area had not encountered someone like me, and I was told all strange things about myself that I didn’t know existed. They informed me of these things as facts; yet, they were clueless and had formulated the basis of their beliefs from what they had heard from others. When I informed them that they were misinformed, they argued me to the ground that I was the one wrong. Really? One woman in her fifties constantly started her conversations with me like a bad script of The Waterboy, “My daddy said…” Well, honey, your daddy is wrong. Likely, he heard it from someone who heard it from someone who heard it from someone who heard it wrong or made it up. For people like that, there is no changing their minds or perceptions. However, there is a certain gratification in proving people wrong or having them stop speechless when they realize their preconceptions are riddled with holes the size of Pluto.

With all that being said, here are a couple of facts that gives a general, thumbnail overview. Not all the facts listed are without controversy or undisputed.

Cane River (Rivière aux Cannes) Facts

Is a historical hub for Creole de couleu culture
Located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase
Formed from a portion of the Red River
Is 32 miles long
Is 250 feet in width
Has a surface area of fewer than 1,000 acres
Is an excellent place to fish for largemouth bass (especially in October)
Anyone wanting to use a powerboat on the Cane River is required to take a boat safety course. This course is offered through the Cane River Waterway Commission and is offered online. http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating/courses
Was populated by various Native American Indian tribes (e.g., Adaes, Doustioni, Natchitoches Caddo, and Yatasi Caddo)
Was part of the Red River channel until the river changed course, leaving the Cane River as an oxbow
The territory was governed by Catholic monarchies. It remains the predominant religion in the area.
Despite French and Spanish legal bans on racial mixing, during the American colonial era (1492-1763), it was common practice and culturally acceptable for plantation owners and farmers to enter into lengthy relationships with enslaved Africans and American Indians. The offspring of these relationships frequently were granted freedom (“gens de couleur libres“-or “free people of color”). This helped to form an influential class of people who blended aspects of African, Indian, Spanish, French, and American cultures. The descendants of these free people of color in the Cane River region became known as Cane River Creoles.
Some free Creoles of color (and yes, there is among some a separation of White Creole and Creoles of color) owned large plantations and slaves.
During the antebellum period (the period before the civil war and after the War of 1812, however, some historians expand the antebellum period to include the years from 1789 when the U.S. Constitution was adopted to the beginning of the Civil War), Louisiana’s free people of color experienced a moderately high level of acceptance and prosperity. This lasted until approximately until the years approaching the American Civil War when people of color became less accepted by white society. After the abolition of slavery, many whites viewed freed slaves and free people of color as inferior and as competitors for jobs. Due to the discrimination the postbellum South against Creoles, many were led to leave the south to seek better lives in areas more accepting to people of color or in areas that did not know them and they were able to “pass” in their new communities. Their exodus from their southern roots deprived their native communities of talents.
In the nineteenth century, the “one-drop rule” was enacted. This rule defined Black Americans as anyone having even “one drop” of African blood. This meant Creoles of Color were categorized as black without any recognition of their cultural identities or heritages. This declaration created conflict and controversy on multiple levels and continues to be an issue/debate today. It has led some “light” colored Creole to believe that persons of darker complexions are not Creole. Conversely, it had led some people to believe that Creoles of a lighter complexion are avoiding or denying their African heritage. However, the Creole culture is about genotype and not phenotype. Keep in mind also that the word Creole is used in multiple ways to described multiple classes of people. Some of my older blogs cover the term Creole and how it is applied in greater detail.
Is home to the Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church, Cane River Creole National Historical Park (which includes the plantations of Melrose and Oakland ), the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District, and the Cane River National Heritage Area.
Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church is named after the patron saint of Augustine Metoyer. The church was built by free people of color, using their own money. Two paintings one of the patron saints Saint Augustine and the other of Saint Louis were placed in the church in honor of the two family members who were responsible for completing the building of the church. However, the painting of Saint Louis was either lost or destroyed, and only the painting of Saint Augustine remains.
The Melrose Plantation contained large pecan orchards. Pecans from these orchards can be purchased/ordered from the Cane River Pecan Company in New Iberia, Louisiana (1-800-692-3109)
The Melrose Plantation was home to Clementine Hunter (1886-1987), one of Louisiana’s most famous folk artist.
Cane River boat tours with guides are available for visitors and tourist.
When Americans and Protestants arrived in the area, they settled in the uplands away from the area Creoles. They brought with them new religion, government, and language. However, the Creole culture remained a dominant influence in the local society.
In 2001, Lalita Tademy wrote a novel about four generations living along the Cane River. This novel blends fact and fiction about her female ancestors. The title of the book is, of course, Cane River, and it was chosen as an Oprah Winfred’s Book Club selection.
SIDE NOTE: A common and acceptable practice in Louisiana was for white men (both married and unmarried) to acquire black/women of color paramours. These relationships were often longstanding. According to some (but by far not all) historians, free women of color desired to be the mistresses of white men because it improved their status and security as well as their children’s status and security. Dozens of these women in the late eighteenth century acquired valuable property through their relationships with their white partners or fathers and this property was later passed down to their children.

For more in-depth information, visit https://www.canerivernha.org and https://www.louisianatravel.com/articles/cane-river-national-heritage-area.

Breakfast in the Bayou (Creole)

Creole Breakfast

For me, blogging is interesting because I often do not know where I’m going to go with it until I sit down to write it. For many writers, they outline and plot which sounds either lovely or like torture. I’m a panster, so for me, it is the latter. This morning was no different. I was pondering what to write when the phone rang and my bestie asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was pondering my blog over breakfast, and he asked what I was having. I told him and omelet like the ones my grandmother used to make. I began to reminisce about the family breakfasts my grandmother would cook for my nephew, nieces, and myself when we were all in grade school.

That was a simpler time then. Now, many families grab breakfast on the go, and often, that doesn’t consist more than a cup of coffee and granola bar or a bowl of cereal. For many, a sit-down breakfast is a luxury, despite how health professionals and physicians stress its importance. It seems in this fast-paced world, the little things are becoming less and less. That’s when I realized how rare it is that I actually take the time to make omelets. This gave me inspiration for today’s blog—to post a traditional Creole breakfast dish. (And y’all thought I was just rambling for no good reason.)

¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cloves garlic (diced)
½ cup red bell pepper (diced)
½ cup green bell pepper (diced)
¼ cup green onion (diced)
¼ cup yellow onion (diced)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1½ cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
2 cups milk
6 eggs
3 cups andouille sausage (chopped)
6 cups French bread (cubed)


Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl beat eggs, salt, red pepper, paprika, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.
Spray a medium-size baking dish with a nonstick cooking or baking spray. Set aside.
In a large skill, heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, green onion, and yellow onion until soft.
Add sausage and cook until begins to brown lightly.
Using one half of the bread cubes, line bottom of the dish with the bread cubes. Layer half of the sausage and vegetable mixture and the cheeses atop the bread cubes. Then, add another layer of bread, followed by another layer of the andouille and vegetable mixture and the cheeses.
Pour the egg, milk, and spice mixture over the layered ingredients in the baking dish. Allow to sit for approximately ten minutes.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My steamy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://amzn.to/2DV5btz.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2GP3Buw) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

Author Interview – Jan Maher

It is always a splendid thing to have visitors here in the bayou, but it is thrilling to have some as talented as Jan Maher drop in for an interview. Jan is Jan Maher is the author of Heaven, Indiana and Earth As It Is.  She has written several plays and is a senior scholar at the Institute for Ethics in Public Life, SUNY Plattsburgh. She holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies: Theater, Education, and Neuroscience. She most recently taught interdisciplinary seminars, education-related courses, and documentary studies at Burlington College at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Furthermore, she is currently a senior scholar at the Institute for Ethics in Public Life, State University of New York at Plattburgh.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I always write first in longhand, in my journals. As a daily, or nearly daily ritual, I write in coffee houses. If I’m really in an intense phase of writing, I might begin in one place for morning coffee, write till I’m momentarily tapped out, move to a second place for lunch and write more till the flow stops, then move to a third place for the afternoon. Usually, though, it’s just one coffee house for two hours. A seasonal ritual is to take a long-distance train (usually round-trip Albany, NY to Seattle, WA and back) and regard the time on Amtrak as a writing retreat. Sometimes I’m already working on a particular project, other times I use overheard snippets of conversation in the observation car as writing prompts for new stories or poems.

Which of your characters would most likely be a member of the Phunny Phorty Fellows? Why did you pick this character?

Definitely Jacque. She’s a minor character, but the most likely to want to be in costume in public. She’s from Dallas originally and lives in Chicago when we meet her in my novel, Earth As It Is. Of the small band of cross-dressers who meet for tea, cookies, and conversation on the near north side of Chicago in the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, Jacque is also the one who feels a need and makes a decision to transition to female in the 60s. Her willingness to flirt in a Chicago gay club with a man who turns out to be a gay basher distinguishes her from her friends (including my main character) who are far more focused on blending in than on standing out.

How old were you when you wrote your first story? What was it about?

My ready answer is that I wrote before I could read. My mother was a commercial artist and she had beautiful handwriting. I was fascinated that her marks on paper were both elegant and meaningful to others. I would have been around 3 or 4 when I filled several pages with loops and swirls in imitation of her cursive and asked her to read the story to me, explaining that though I could write, I couldn’t yet read. It turns out the story she read to me was about a little girl who was sent to reform school because she never cleaned her room when her mother asked her to! I complained, of course, about the content. She told me if I didn’t like the story I’d have to learn how to read as well as write. So I did, though not till a couple of years later. And after that, when I was sent to my room to clean it, I would instead hide behind the bed and read books.

(Thinking about it now, for the first time it occurs to me that this primed me for receptivity to Toni Morrison’s comment that if there’s a book that you want to read and it hasn’t been written yet, you must write it. I’ve loved that idea ever since I first heard it decades ago.)

In sixth grade, we had an assignment to write a poem. I played clarinet at the time, and I remember only the first line of the poem I wrote. “Mozart, why do you torture me?”

If you could bring one of your characters to life, who would it be?

This is a fascinating question. At first, I thought it would be difficult to answer, but very quickly I settled on Helen Breck. Helen is a woman who lives her life in fear that her secrets will be revealed and ruin her. I would like to tell her it’s all right. That history will move on and the things she felt and did will be understood and forgiven.

What was your favorite childhood book?

This is a toss-up between three answers: The Black Stallion by Walter Farley, Heidi by Joanna Spyri, and just about any Nancy Drew mystery. I always wanted, and never had, a horse. I read every book about horses in the Fort Wayne, Indiana public library, but The Black Stallion was the first. As I remember it, the appeal was the close relationship between the boy and the horse. Heidi I loved because I loved to think about living on a mountaintop, living simply and self-sufficiently, living in tune with nature. Nancy Drew was always solving mysteries which generally involved getting into trouble and back out again. I vaguely remember one in which she infiltrates a Klan gathering and figures out who the villain is by looking at shoes. I have no idea if my memory is accurate on this.

Do you have any writing mentors? If so, who are they?

Though I never had the opportunity to work with her in person, I consider Carol M. Bly to have been a mentor. I discovered her book, The Passionate, Accurate Story, in a Chicago used bookstore about the same time that I’d begun to turn my attention from playwriting to fiction, and found it to be amazingly perceptive and useful. Shortly after, I met her online in a writers’ board on AOL, back in the mid-90s when AOL was the only game in town and there were special discussion boards similar to today’s Facebook groups. One was called “Integrity and Art in Fiction” and Carol was a regular poster there. This led to an online and email friendship that lasted until her death in 2007. I still have the note she wrote me after I sent her a copy of my first novel.

How important is it that you portray diversity in your characters?

Very. That takes a lot of different forms, depending on which of my writing projects is considered. In my play, Most Dangerous Women, for example, the words and songs of close to 80 women are included, and they comprise a wide range of nationalities, ethnicities, and ages, as well as a range of historical eras. In my novel, Earth As It Is, the focus is mostly on gender diversity. My main character identifies as a heterosexual and is a cross-dresser. That character’s friends include other heterosexual cross-dressers as well as one, Jacque (mentioned above), who will eventually transition m to f. In Heaven, Indiana, the characters in my small, fictional town are dealing with the legacy of slavery times even when they don’t realize it. Indiana is a state with a complex and contradictory history with regard to race, having been one of the free border states pre-and during the Civil War and home to a large anti-slavery population and extensive Underground Railroad system; then becoming a state completely dominated by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. That mix of influences is something I was very much aware of growing up in Indiana during the 1950s and is still in evidence today in the culture and politics of the state. That legacy impacts my characters’ lives in a variety of ways.

In another sense, I would say that I’m interested in always portraying the diversity within an individual character. Sometimes that includes gender or racial diversity within a single character, but I also think of it in terms of a complexity of inner life.

How do you measure your growth as a writer?

Hmm … I guess that goes back to what I just said about complexity. I think my writing when I first began tended toward more simplistic characters and situations. There was little or no moral ambiguity. Good guys were good guys and bad guys were bad. I was young enough to think I knew what the world needed and brash enough to think I had at least some of the answers. The older I get, the more it’s the questions that multiple, not the answers. I would measure my growth, then, by measuring my ability to feel empathy for and create empathy for a wider range of characters and my ability to create stories that leave readers or audience members in a place where they are encouraged to think more openly and broadly than they did before they read my book(s) or saw my play(s).

      9. Lightning round: Pick One

Rex or Zulu? Zulu
Pecan Pie or Lemon Icebox Pie? Pecan Pie
Okra or tomatoes? Tomatoes but I’m going to try to give okra a chance in 2018
SEC or ACC? Do I dare admit I’m not a football fan?
Dixieland or Swamp Rock? Swamp Rock
Muses High Heels or Krewe of Carrollton Shrimp Boots? Krewe of Carrollton Shrimp Boots, definitely!

10. How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Website   www.janmaher.com
Blog   http://members.authorsguild.net/jcmaher/newsletter.htm
Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/JanMaherWriter/
Twitter   Jan Maher @JanCMaher
Linked in   Jan Maher novelist, writer, curriculum consultant
Amazon Author Page    https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Maher/e/B001HOHVKK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Goodreads    https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Jan+Maher

It has been a true pleasure to have had this opportunity to interview Jan, and I thank her for sparing the time.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feels free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered from iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Don’t have much time for reading or in a hurry? Check out my microfic, “Country Club Charades” in Fake For You at https://www.hottreepublishing.com/fla... that also was released this week.

My steamy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://bit.ly/2C5GlLa.

Also, my paranormal romance short story “Under the Magnolia Tree” in Haunted Hearts (Holiday Heartwarmers 4th vol.) is available for purchase. It can be read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Find it on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2Ab706S.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

The Pirates Are Here

Happy Sunday!

Today’s a very special day. On February 7, 2018, Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 was released. I was fortunate enough to have my short story, “Cargo” featured in it. “Cargo” is a story about modern day, environmentalist pirates. Jasper is the sexy captain of the Fauna, which he sails with Ian, his brother and head engineer, and Gage, his cousin and navigator, along with the rest of his crew. The trio have been pirating the seas since their teens.

They are the commissioned Robin Hoods of the seas who rob the rich and well, keep it for themselves. But their intentions to do good is there. (What’s that saying about the pavement on the road to hell?) They attack only ships known to be harming or upsetting marine life. Their latest hire is to relieve the Sea Lily of her cargo. However, their latest commission takes them in an unexpected direction.

“Cargo” is just one of eighteen fabulous stories in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3, and today’s post comes as part of a Blog Tour. This steamy anthology will burn your hands and is sure to keep you warm at night.

I decided to write this story because I wanted to stretch my writing wings and explore. But I also wanted something a bit different from a traditional pirate story.

Five Fun Pirate Facts

Most people are familiar with pirate ships flying a skull and crossbones flag. Many people may not know that this flag has a name: Jolly Roger. Some say the name comes from a mistranslation from the French term “joli rouge”, which means pretty read. During war, ships that would not be merciful and kill all captives flew a red flag or the joli rouge.
In the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Captain Jack Sparrow loved his rum. This wasn’t too far from history. Grog was one of the preferred drinks of pirates. It consisted of water, lemon juice, sugar, and yes … rum.
The black eye patches weren’t always due to having a missing eye. Some theories believed that pirates wore such patches to help focus when looking through the nautical handheld telescope (also called a spyglass) or to keep his vision adjusted to the darkness below deck.
Pirates wore gold earrings to improve their vision, grant them good health, and ward off evil spirits. In today’s society, that seems farfetched. However, centuries ago, many pirates believed that piercing the skin with precious metals would bring them good fortune or health.
Many people have heard the phrase of running like their hair was on fire. Not many people would actually take a lighter to their hair, but Blackbeard did. Well, not the hair on his head, but his beard. Often before taking a ship, he would weave hemp through his beard and set it ablaze. He’d also dress in solid black. Can you imagine the sight he must have been? Most thought he was the devil and surrendered right away.

Order Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 Ebook

Kindle| Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Table of Contents

The Treasure of Devil’s Crag by Lisa Fox – Two rival pirate captains…one treasure…the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up between them

Rough Seas by Alicia Aringdale – A British commander finds himself at the mercy of a roguish pirate who asks him for the one thing he shouldn’t give—his heart

Captive Desire by January George – A modern-day pirate boards a yacht seeking revenge and captures a runaway bride who tempts him in ways he’s never experienced

Stealing the Crimson Witch by Downey Greene – Crash landing on an 18th-century pirate ship, a 21st-century thief experiences déjà vu as he steals the greatest treasure of all—the pirate queen

The Corsair’s Tempest by C. Marie Bowen – A French corsair, cursed with immortality, stands in open mutiny after rescuing his greatest treasure—the woman he’s bound to love for eternity, a Spanish siren unaware of their infinite bond

Cargo by Genevive Chamblee – An environmentalist-pirate, contracted to heist high-priced art from a merchant vessel, is deceived into stealing a human trafficking ship with a captive who exposes his dark desires

Prophesies by Augustina Van Hoven – Following a tempting lead, a space pirate hunts down an alien ship only to find the cargo is a beautiful seer whose gifts promise to satisfy more than his lust for gold

A Lady’s Bargain by Alyssa Drake – A pirate captain gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to a beautiful hostage’s proposition to make her a ruined woman

Plunder by Jayce Ellis – A hardened mercenary contracted to kill the heir-apparent of an international corporation, hesitates due to his attraction, then joins with the heir to investigate who wants him dead

Commanding Neptune’s Mistress by M. Marie – A pirate surrenders control to her handsome quartermaster for just one night of pleasure

My Pirate Love by Joyce Palmer – Barely dressed as a chambermaid, a sexually-deprived military wife attends a costume party where she finds herself shamefully aroused by the hungry gaze of a Jack Sparrow look-alike

Captain’s Cabin by Moxie Marcus – When the captain of a merchant ship is captured by a pirate queen, he quickly discovers she’s fully in charge of the sexy negotiations

Perinacht by Lana Sloan – When a spice merchant’s son is captured by the pirate who killed his beloved, his need for vengeance is overtaken by an unexpected desire for his captor

An Adventure for Burgess by Lizzie Ashworth – As a sleek sloop noses into Seraphine Bay, a tourist resolves to discover if the man at the helm is the pirate of her dreams

Lust in Space by T.D. Rudolph – A roguish space criminal teams up with a fearless vamp to steal a cache of titanium—from the dark side of the moon

To Kiss a Pirate by Tricia Schneider – Searching for treasure on a lush Caribbean island, a woman disguising herself as a cabin boy is confronted by her sexy and suspicious pirate captain

Bountiful Skies by Winter Blair – The captain of an airship and her lover prepare to be boarded by a pirate who isn’t human, hoping he’ll give them mercy…and pleasure

Full Fathom Five by Rhidian Brenig Jones – A pirate captain, forced to give a disgraced young surgeon a berth, discovers a rich treasure in the other man’s arm

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2GP3Buw) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

Quarterly Goals (Mar.-June)

When I set my quarterly goals, I realized that I kind of shorted myself a month because I listed the timeframe to be from December to February. Actually, I had started on my goals prior to making them public. Originally, many were annual goals that I had made as part of my New Years Resolution to be done by December 31. Revamping them into quarterly goals worked a smidgen to my advantage because I didn’t meet those goals by the end of the year. So, how did I do this quarter? Well, let’s evaluate.

Finalize my marketing plan for both Out of the Penalty Box and Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors (This qualifies as 1A and 1B).
Sales goals for Out of the Penalty Box and Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors.
Work on my website. More than anyone knows. This has been a constant. Check
Repair my newsletter/mailing list page. Finally. I don’t know how I found the issue all by my lonesome, but I did and it is working. Yeah me! Now, drop by and sign up at http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb .
Maintain my weekly blog. Not only done but super done. Over the top done. The bayou has been “krunk” with posts. Stop and catch up on them if you haven’t already. There are lots of fun reads.
Write daily. I’m going to cheat and give myself a pass. I think this was overambitious to be every single day, or at the very least, not operantly defined. I did write daily—just not always on stories, which is how in my mind I intended. With blogging, work, writer’s block, etc., there are times working on a story isn’t possible. Then, there are some days one just needs a break—a regular day off (RDO). Okay, I’ll accept the fail here and modify it for next quarter.
Completing all my WiPs. Here’s another place where I shot myself in the foot. I said to finish all WiPs, but I didn’t take into account that I would start new WiPs. In order to meet those deadlines, I was forced to put aside some of my WiPs in progress. However, I’ll take this failure as a positive because I’ve been very productive in getting the important projects done. I challenged myself and achieved more this year in previous years. So, while this is a fail in the stated goal, it is an overall success.
Edit the “beast”. This is a squeak by pass. I did edit it but not as much as I wanted or needed. It remains my “beast” and will be seen again on my next goal list.
Create a marketing plan for my “beast”. This didn’t make sense to complete when the “breast” isn’t in final form.
Learn about creating a book trailer. Very little. Not as much as I intended to learn. But I do know a little more than I did before. There’s room for improvement. This is a very weak yes.
Host a giveaway. Sadly, this is a fail. Due to technical issues, this did not become a reality. But it will.
Research publishing options for my fantasy stories. Over the year, I have written several fantasy stories that at present have no home. I’ve been toying with the idea of complaining them into an anthology. Since I have never self-published, I need to research this more. I have learned a lot, but not enough. This is a pass, but I can’t mark it as completed.
Give my WiP a name. Check
– 20. Personal goals. Five out of the seven were met

OVERALL: I met 14 of the 20 set goals. Not too shabby if I say so myself.

New Goals (March to June)

For this quarter, I will have fewer goals. That’s because some of the goals are extensive and hefty. They will require more time and effort than some of my last quarter goals.

Work on my website. This is back on the list, and honestly, I don’t think it will ever come off. Creole Bayou continues to be a work in progress.
Maintain my weekly blog
Write weekly (modified goal from last quarter)
Host a giveaway
Edit the “beast”
Edit the “beast’s cousin: mega beast” Yes, I do have another novel that is massive and in desperate need of trimming, hedging, cutting, bulldozing, you name it. It’s larger than my “beast”. Actually, this one is older too, having been set aside for other projects and two computer crashes.
Participate in a writing challenge
Write at least one short story
Be active on social media
Personal Goals (#10 – #18)

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feels free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

My new book, Out of the Penalty Box, a fiction romance is now available for at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered from iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

My steamy short story “Cargo” in Pirates: Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #3 is available for purchase. Find it at http://bit.ly/2C5GlLa.

Also, my paranormal romance short story “Under the Magnolia Tree” in Haunted Hearts (Holiday Heartwarmers 4th vol.) is available for purchase. It can be read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Find it on Amazon at http://amzn.to/2Ab706S.

Copies of all my books are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on  http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb  and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word and bayou fun.

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Insecure Writers’ Support Group