C. Lee McKenzie's Blog, page 20
March 11, 2020
There’s Always Time for a Little Romance
WELCOME ELIZABETH SECKMAN AND HER NEWEST ROMANCE!
Here’s what Elizabeth has in store for you!
Hayden Matthews isn’t looking for love—she’s trying to get as far from it as possible. She’s already wasted eight years in a failed marriage and is ready for a good life. A peaceful life. One where she can raise her daughter to be strong, independent, and happy. But to make that happen, she must fix her own life first.
Cam Vorelli has loved Hayden since he was in grade school. Always in the friend-zone, he stood on the sidelines, his heart breaking, as she said I do to the wrong man. A man he knew didn’t deserve her, who could never love her as he did. But what could he say? She was marrying into his family. Cam would never break a holy vow much less be disloyal to his kin.
Until he sees the bruises on Hayden. Abuse is a game changer.
Leaving a husband like Tag, who has a hot temper, a badge, and a gun is tricky. When Hayden calls Cam for help, she isn’t trying to lure him into any romantic webs. She needs someone she can trust and knowing her soon-to-be ex fears his former NFL cousin is a bonus.
When Cam comes to her rescue, he isn’t doing it to win her love. He does it because it’s the right thing to do. But if she starts to feel the same for him…couldn’t it be fate?
Elizabeth is a multi-published author of books for people who are believers in happily-ever- after, true love, and stories with a bit of fun and twists with their plots. The mother of four young men, she tackles laundry daily and is the keeper of the kitchen. She lives along the shores of the Ohio River in West Virginia, but dreams daily of the beach.
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March 10, 2020
March 5, 2020
Welcome Tara Tyler and Her Beast World!
Taking Back Beast World, Phase 2. Disney/Pixar’s Onward comes out Mar 6 with a setting eerily close to BEAST WORLD. It’s time to speak out again–in a positive way!
Lee knows how to get into the minds of teens and produces some great YA! So happy to be here at her place today!
THE PROBLEM WITH BULLIES
by Tara Tyler
It’s hard to be a teenager, no matter when, no matter who. I started my Beast World series to inspire kids to read with antics and adventures they could relate to, but also to inspire them to have more confidence in themselves. I sign my books with some of these encouraging phrases, positive messages hidden in my stories:
Stand up for yourself!
Don’t let others say you can’t
You’re stronger than you think you are
Never give up!
As a teacher (and mom) I see and hear teens hurt and in trouble all too often. Many teens act and sound tough, but inside their self-esteem is fragile as paper. Words can rip them to shreds, crumple them, or poke holes in them. But words can also fold them into soaring airplanes or beautiful origami. Words are powerful , and teens figure out ways to use them to their own advantage. Some hurtful, some helpful.
BROKEN BRANCH FALLS, Beast World #1
Bullies have been around forever. They’re the villains seeking power and control over those they deem weaker or different. The hurtful words of Bullies give pain to others to make themselves feel better, but only for a brief time. Bullies themselves are broken inside, using what they have–cutting wit, money, strength–against their victims. The rush they feel is shadowed by guilt, adding to their own problems. Their behavior is a signal they need help.
Victims also need help. Not only are they dealing with the growing pains of puberty and trying to “fit in,” chosen victims usually have especially low self-esteem for a variety of reasons. And most won’t fight back, making them easy targets for bullies.
So what can we do?
If we could encourage victims to have more confidence, and counsel the bullies to find other outlets for their aggression, the world would be a better place! Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
“Say something” is big right now, but not many teens want to risk being labeled a tattle-tale. It takes great courage to speak up for a victim and rise against a bully. Teens hide their problems from adults making it hard for us to identify who needs help. And just saying “stand up to them” or “ignore them” isn’t a solution.
There will always be bullies and victims. It’s the kids “in the middle” we need to encourage to step up. Kids listen to other kids–peer pressure! Motivating them to use this power for good by building each other up and treating others with respect is our job.
We need more leaders and good examples.
We need more compassionate hearts.
We need more positive messages in a negative world.
We need more heroes!
Thanks for listening.
What book(s) would you recommend that encourage teen confidence?
What advice would you give to a victim of bullying?
Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over the US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her husband and one boy left in the nest. She has two novel series, Pop Travel (sci-fi detective thrillers) and Beast World (fantasy adventures), plus her UnPrincess novella series where the maidens save themselves. She’s a commended blogger, contributed to several anthologies, and to fit in all these projects, she economizes her time, aka the Lazy Housewife—someday she might write a book on that… Make every day an adventure!
How to find:
website: Tara Tyler Talks
twitter: @taratylertalks
facebook: Tara Tyler –
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Instagram: taratylertalks
newsletter: tara tyler news
March 4, 2020
Why is March Mad?
From what I can find, March Madness was coined in the mid-1900s. Supposedly, people started behaving oddly. Could it have been the windy conditions that stirred everybody up and jiggled their gizzards? Maybe it was the erratic weather in general after the cold silence of winter when everything came out of “hibernation.” Then, of course, there are those hares that develop peculiar antics during their March mating season. “Mad as a March hare” is a British simile that first appeared in the 1500s.
Because Not Guilty has a lot about the sport of basketball, I ran into another use for March Madness while I was doing research. It’s during March and early April that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments are held. It’s an exciting, wild time for basketball, and March Madness seems to capture the mood.
Join Us Now
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
March 4 question – Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Lisa Buie-Collard, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!
I’m skipping the question this month because the answer is no. And also because I’ve posted in the IWSG site today, so isn’t that enough writing for one morning? Also, I have a special guest who has a short story coming out in the next IWSG anthology. If you haven’t met Bish Denham, you must because she’s awesome, so here she is.
Welcome, Bish!
Thank you, Lee, for having me on your blog!
You had an interesting life as a young girl growing up on a beautiful island. Can you tell a bit about how those early years have made you the writer/person you are today?
I think one thing that has made me the writer/person I am today (aside from having extraordinary parents and a fabulous older sister) is that I had a very long childhood. I was carefree and innocent much longer than most kids. This long childhood was packed with imaginary games with my best friend and all kinds of wonderful, mysterious magic. Even as a teen, I was quite naïve compared to my peers. I was shy and introverted. An observer. Perhaps growing up on the ocean and living with the ever-changing nature of its being, instilled in me a sense, “That everything changes and that’s okay.” Growing up in the Virgin Islands definitely had a profound affect on my life, one that I’m am ever so humble and grateful to have had. Has a consequence, most of my stories have a Caribbean color and flavor.
What in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
How about that at the age of 21 I went from the tiny Virgin Islands to Los Angeles? Yup. Talk about culture shock. Though I only lived and worked there nine or ten months, I packed in more experience than any naïve person should. But I don’t regret a thing.
Everyone has fears. Some of us have phobias. Can you share what frightens you most?
I used to be terribly afraid of spiders. I think I was near phobic about them. But I desensitized myself by handling daddy longlegs when I was in my 30s. Now I love spiders. However, if I do see a poisonous one, like a black widow I will kill it. Other than that I’ve always been kind of fearless and curious, which I think goes along with being so naïve. I didn’t know to be afraid of things or people. Now, of course, I’m much more cautious. As I’m getting older, I do think about death and dying more than I did. I think I’m more concerned about the dying than actual death. Like anyone, I don’t want to suffer. I don’t want to be in pain. I don’t want to be a burden to people when my time comes.
What motivated you to enter the anthology contest?
Two things motivated me. One: it was for middle graders, those fabulous tweeners who are still open to magic while just beginning to realize the world is a lot more different than they thought. Two: the theme, Voyages. The Blind Ship has been sitting in my files for many long years waiting to find a home. I tried peddling it around when I first wrote it, but no one was interested, perhaps because the subject matter is rather dark. So, when I saw the theme I knew immediately I had to give The Blind Ship a go. I pulled it out, dusted it off, added a few things, tweaked it and, holding my breath, pushed the send button.
Your story in the anthology is based on history. Tell us about that history and why you chose to write about it. Will you give us a snippet of The Blind Ship?
I chose to write about the story of twelve-year-old Jacques B. Romaigne because I think it’s important. His journey on the slave ship Le Rodeur, comes directly from his journals. I have fictionalized some things like conversations, his stay in Bonny, and his and his mother’s attitude toward slavery. However, some of the journal entries I use in the story are his. Jacques was returning to the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean after visiting family in France. The ship stopped at Bonny on the coast of Africa where they picked up slaves before continuing on. The slaves brought with them a highly contagious eye disease that, at worst could cause permanent blindness. Except for one crew member, everyone on the ship—including Jacques—contracted the disease. It’s what happened to the slaves, the crew, and to the ship that makes this story so dark and unbelievable. News of what happened spread around the world. Abolitionists in France read Jacques deposition in Parliament in a bid to abolish slavery and John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the anti-slavery poem “The Blind Ships” based on Jacques story.
Excerpt:
At last we are on our way, He wrote a few days later. Le Rôdeur is 200 tons and we now have on board 160 Negro slaves.
Jacques reread his words. He had already commented on the fair weather carrying him toward the Caribbean. He tried not to think about what lay in the close dank, dark quarters of the hold. It was enough that he could hear their muffled moans and cries through the decking.
He took up his quill and continued writing.
I know you will miss me while you tarry in France, but father needs me on the plantation. Besides, I long to see the green hills of Guadeloupe and the blue waters of the bays. Take heart, Mother, soon you will follow and we will be together once again.
At dinner a few days later, M. Gagne and Captain Boucher spoke of shipboard issues. Jacques, as a paying passenger, ate with the men. They talked over his head, as if he wasn’t there.
“The slaves have brought ophthalmia on board with them,” said M. Gagne.
“Ophthalmia?” asked Jacques. “What is that?”
“An eye disease that causes blindness.” said M. Gagne. “At worst the blindness is permanent. Most often, if treated properly, vision will return, though in some cases one’s sight will be impaired.”
“How bad?” asked Captain Boucher.
“It is spreading at a frightful rate. There are already more than I can manage.”
Thank you so much for this, Bish. Here’s to a great launch.
Release date – May 5, 2020
Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99
Juvenile Fiction – Historical / Action & Adventure / Fantasy & Magic
Dancing Lemur Press/Freedom Fox Press
Quote of the Month:
February 19, 2020
It’s February WEP Time
FCA, 1,062 Words
The lamplighter coaxes the gaslight to life, and its soft glow pushes back the night. I watch from a distance as waiters ready the tables and customers arrive. Once the cafe bustles with laughter and conversation, I step out of the shadows and onto the terrace.
The regular customers are in their places sipping aperitifs when I pass through, rippling the air and disturbing pungent trails of cigar smoke. On the way toward my favorite table near the cafe entrance, some of the men glance at me, but these are only brief eye contacts. They sense I don’t belong here. I can tell from the way they pull back at my passing. The women, their hair piled high in the fashion, criticize me with side glances. I touch my own hair, a self-conscience reflex. I’ve tried for their elegance, but it’s not so simple to mimic them, even though I’ve worked hard to do it.
The waiter knows me now. He’s at least welcoming and I detect a warm sympathy in his eyes as if recognizing broken hearts is part of his cafe duty. I’m enchanted by the way he drapes his small white towel over his arm, bows slightly, and then greets me with a melodious, “Bon Soir, Mademoiselle. L’habituel?”
He doesn’t look sour at hearing my badly accented French when I tell him, “Yes, the same.” My French vocabulary and syntax are university perfect, but I can’t conceal the rhythm of my native Dutch. That’s why I never speak to anyone except this waiter while I’m here. The curled lips of annoyance ruin the moment. I came to enjoy a sip of fine Cognac, this golden mood of Arles captured long ago by one of my most famous countrymen.
The waiter sets my drink in front of me and I inhale its rich aroma. As I lift the Cognac to my lips, a man steps across the cobblestone street and heads my direction. I take in a sharp breath. Lars. How has he followed me? I didn’t think it possible, but he’s striding my way, an anachronism in his jeans and T-shirt. His wiry body, his determined expression plucking at old memories I’ve struggled to tuck into the past.
Without asking my permission, Lars takes the chair across from me. “You can explain this, I suppose?”
That’s Lars. So direct. No preamble. “I can explain it no more than you can.” I sip from my glass suddenly needing fortification. “How did you get here?”
“By watching and doing what you did. Staring at the picture.” He glances around, uneasy. “I assume you felt the pull of it until stepping through was unavoidable.”
“Yes. That’s how it is.”
He settles his stare on me again as if he’s finally taking in the way I look. “Is this a cape?” He reaches his hand toward me, but I duck out of reach. “And your hair. What have you done to it?”
“That’s none of your business.” I speak lower, but my voice has sharp edges that were honed by my bitter breakup with Lars last year. He made it clear that marriage and children were off the table. And when I was quite honest and told him that marriage and children were what I needed to make my life complete, he left our bed without a word. The next day he took back his ring. We continue to work as archivists together, but the rancor never lessens between us. “There’s no crime in my being here. I’ve finished my work. The museum’s closed. I’m on my own time, if I’m not mistaken, so I can dress any way I wish.”
The couple at the nearest table whisper to each other and point at Lars. “You’d do better to try to fit in,” I tell him.
He smiles. “You’re right, of course. And anyway I like your period look.” He leans across the table and his breath brushes my cheek. Too close. “There’s nothing wrong in admiring the art, but invading it…that’s unnatural.”
“And your arrival isn’t?”
He ignores my question. Another of his traits. “And I’m sure this isn’t the first time,” he says.
I push slightly back in my chair and look out across the cafe terrace, sad that Lars has found me, sad he’s stolen this pleasure from me. Hasn’t he stolen enough from me already?
It troubles me that I’m not the only one who can come to this cafe. It was so special—my reward after a day of looking at beauty from the outside. I could for a short time slip inside and be at one with a great creation. I could rub against the soul of the artist himself. His loneliness a comfort for my own.
“Well,” Lars says. “Am I right? You’ve come before?”
“Yes. I come often. I’d stay if I could.” I hold my cell phone so no one can see it and check the time. I have only a few more minutes before I have to leave.
In my early visits, I discovered I had a precise ten minutes to live in this world that Van Gogh conjured onto the canvass. Staying longer agitated the cafe customers, and even the waiter grew restless. The starry night turned threatening. “Leave,” it commanded. “You don’t belong here.”
“Sophia.”
Lars says my name in that soft way he used to and puts his hand on mine. “I followed you because I was curious, but now that I’m here, I know I followed you for a different reason. I’ve been thinking about us, about how I miss being with you.” He glances at our hands. “Like this.”
The warmth of his touch brings back other moments we’ve had together, and I can’t pull away.
The waiter hovers at our table, the bill in hand. “Le addition, Mademoiselle.” He glances at Lars. “Aimer, ce n’est pas se regarder l’un l’autre, c’est regarder ensemble dans la même direction.” With a subtle nod in my direction, he leaves.
Since his French extends only to simple phrases, Lars looks to me for a translation.
“It’s from The Little Prince.”Love does not consist in looking at each other, but rather in, together, looking in the same direction.”
I slip my hand free from Lars, and mouthing “Merci” to the waiter, leave a generous tip before stepping onto the cobblestones.
February 5, 2020
I Love February!
Join Us Now
Happy First Wednesday Again!
It’s the month of hearts and flowers, so you have to love it! Hope you have a lot of love and a lot of happiness for all of these 29 days–those remaining anyway.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?
Be sure to stop in and say hi to the co-hosts for the February 5
Lee Lowery, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jennifer Hawes, Cathrina Constantine, and Tyrean Martinson!
I’d planned on skipping the question this month, but something called WEP popped up with a theme called The Cafe Terrace, and the badge just happened to have one of my favorite Van Gogh paintings. So guess what? I wrote a story and I’ll put it up for the next Write it. Edit it. Publish It. The story’s not long because the word limit is 1,000 words, but I finished it. So why do this? I have a lot going on–as do most writers–so why write a piece of flash fiction and publish it? First, it’s fun. Second, it’s a challenge to write to a theme. Third, if I’m going to continue to be a writer, I need for people to know me. This is another way for that to happen. And did mention it’s fun?
Donna McDine gave me a lot of space on her blog in January. She INTERVIEWED me and she REVIEWED Not Guilty. Hope you’ll stop in and visit her space. She’s a super author who never stints on supporting others who are trying to show off their books.
On the home front, I’m launching a house remodeling project, not because I want to, but because if I don’t, things like my deck and my roof won’t be my deck or my roof much longer. Long delayed maintenance is in order. Of course, while I’m at it I may as well upgrade just a few items.
Does that sound familiar to people who own houses?
I think the term domino effect might apply. Then there’s also that movie, The Money Pit, to remind me of what I might be in for. So with great dread and apprehension (are those the same?) I’ve hired an architect, lined up possible contractors, and ordered more checks from the bank.
Quote of the Month: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it.” Jack London
January 8, 2020
The First IWSG Post for 2020
When I read a book, I often wonder if there’s a mini story tucked into the main one. And the reason for my curiosity is that I’ve been guilty of sneaking in some personal allusions in my books. I know I’m not alone. Even one of my writer friends included me as a character in her last book. Lee was a flower seller–a small cameo role–but a role nonetheless. She said it was her way of saying an additional thanks for my support. I loved it.
In Not Guilty, I wrote in a dog named Buddy. Buddy was a real dog. He had his own website with tales of his adventures and his favorite human, Mike. I was so sad when Buddy died. I felt as if he and Mike were good friends of mine. I asked Mike if he would mind if I paid my own tribute to his beloved Canine Couch Potato, and he not only didn’t mind, he loved the idea. Here’s the way I thought of Buddy.
From Not Guilty: By nature, Buddy was a people-loving retriever-mix who had come to him by some unknown chain of dog owners. He had a long history of being in and out of the pound. Their first day at the beach together, Devon found out why. Buddy hated water. He even hated wet sand under his paws. It took a lot of convincing to get Buddy on the sand that first day. Then they’d no sooner settled on the blanket when Buddy let out a yelp and hightailed it back to the asphalt. His leash whipped behind. People jumped out of the frantic dog’s way. Devon didn’t catch him until they’d run the length of Sugar Cove. Over the next few years, Buddy finally agreed to walk on the dry sand, but he never became the beach buddy Devon had imagined. And Frisbees could sail overhead all day without a single blink. He was a failed retriever, but he wasn’t a failed friend.
Now moving on to the matters of the First Wednesday on the Second Wednesday. Here’s #IWSG!
THE BIG NEWS IS WE’RE ONCE AGAIN IN TOP 100 WEBSITES FOR WRITERS! CHECK OUT THE LIST ON THE WRITE LIFE.
This month’s optional question – What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?
The co-hosts for today’s posting of the IWSG are T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!
A news article kicked off my writing journey–at least the one that led me to publishing my first book. The 
article reported that a high percentage of students on three Ivy League campuses admitted to some sort of self-abuse. I wanted to know what would cause a young, intelligent, and–to all appearances–successful person to cut or otherwise harm themselves. When I found out, I wrote Sliding on the Edge. This book was supposed to be my writing career– end of stories, but the publisher asked me for my next one, which I didn’t have, but I side-stepped that little problem and said I’d get back to them. I did, with The Princess of Las Pulgas. By then it was too late to stop, so I didn’t. I’m nine published books into this with three waiting on my C drive and one out to a publisher who asked for a full. I’ve promised to stop soon, but then I did that twelve books ago.
Many of you know about this contest, and we’ve announced the amazing winners, but here’s the cover and a synopsis to give everyone a better idea of what’s coming May 5.
Voyagers: The Third Ghost
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Journey into the past…
Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?
Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!
Release date – May 5, 2020
Juvenile Fiction: Historical (JUV016000) / Action & Adventure (JUV001000) / Fantasy & Magic (JUV037000)
Print 9781939844729 / EBook 9781939844736
I’d like to give a shout out to another anthology that features some of my writer friends. I’ve known Janet Gurtler since I first started publishing books and Cheryl Rainfield is another wonderful writer and human being I’ve had a long online relationship with. I read this book last year and loved reviewing it.
You Too? by Janet Gurtler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This collection of short stories reveals a sad truth about our society where young women are still objectified, and in some cases, abused. Each story is different, but there are underlying themes that run though many of them. “It’s the woman’s fault” is one, guilt is another, and shame. Some made me cry, some made me angry, but all of them made me aware.
Quote of the Month: “The trouble with writing fiction is that it has to make sense, whereas real life doesn’t.” Iain M. Banks Scottish Sci-Fi-Fi author.
December 11, 2019
Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.
At four in the morning in a place called the Sahara, I pulled myself from bed and walked out of my camp into the starriest and most silent night of my life. I expected to meet several other travelers, but all of their camps were dark. I was sure they must have gone ahead. So I followed the carpeted trail to where we were to meet the camel drivers. The camels were there. The drivers were there. I was the one estranjero.
And so I went out across the soft, sandy breasts of the Sahara, the lone traveler from the other side of earth. It was Omar, his camel, and me—a strange company come together in this twinkling of starlight.
There are two things about this trek that were exquisite—the sense of unlimited space and silence.
The only sounds I could hear were my own breath, the soft crunch of the camel’s hooves into the sand and nothing more until…Anubis.
He came at a run from out of the dark. Ahead. Around. Behind. Unbridled canine joy. A Berber dog not to be left out of this new day soon to come.
Getting on and off a camel is not something you do without some thought, but mine was smallish, and we agreed to a gentle rise and descent which suited him and me perfectly. While he nestled in the cool night sand, I trekked up to the top of the next dune and waited with Anubis for the sun god to arrive. And when he did, I held him in my hand, so grateful for his coming even if he dimmed the stars.
I was only there for a few hours, but those hours are millennia in my mind. I stood looking out over an ancient sea and into an infinite sky while Anubis laid his paw across my leg and we stared into the distance together.
On our trek back to camp, I looked over my shoulder. Our footprints—Omar’s, the camel’s, Anubis’s and mine had all crisscrossed this place, but the sand was already shifting in the stir of morning desert air. Soon those footprints would be gone and our brief time together would be erased, not even a hint of this remarkable experience would remain…except for here.
FCA
December 4, 2019
December’s First Wednesday & Holiday Treats
The last post of 2019 is rather nostalgic for me. So much has happened in these 365 days–some wonderful, some not so wonderful. This is my first full year living alone, and there were times when I thought, “Nope! Can’t do this.” And then, I did.
Traveling helped. I revisited Athens, and had my own Odyessy around the Greek Islands. Morocco was next, and I learned so much about this fascinating part of the world.
Kindle Cover
Not Guilty, my fifth contemporary/realistic novel was published. I didn’t think I was going to make it, actually. The acceptance from the publisher came about a week before I left for Morocco, and I didn’t have a clue how I was going be on the road and get ready to launch a book. Fortunately, I was smart enough to know I couldn’t do it alone and hired MC Book Tours. They did a great job, and the launch went off without a hitch.
The book’s out to good REVIEWS, of course, I could use more, but that’s a given. I wish readers understood how important reviewing really is these days. Some do, but many do not!.
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And now to the Wednesday business! Be sure to check us out on Twitter. Remember the next Twitter Pitch is JANUARY 15! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSGPit.
DUE TO NEW YEAR’S DAY FALLING ON A WEDNESDAY, WE WILL BE POSTING JANUARY 8 RATHER THAN JANUARY 1!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. The co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG areTonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson!
Remember, the question is optional!
December 4 question – Let’s play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?
I have three more stories that I would like to see published. One is with my agent, one is sitting on my C-Drive while I decide how to manage it, and one is in draft form and out to a beta reader. If these books make their way into the world, I’m thinking it’s time to take more hikes, do more traveling, and maybe attend to all of those chores I’ve put off while laying down one word after another.
Now’s the time for those Holiday Treats–the winners of the anthology contest. Here they are! Congratulations to all of them! The stories are awesome.
The Third Ghost – Yvonne Ventresca http://yvonneventresca.com/blog.html
A World of Trouble – Rebecca M. Douglass https://www.ninjalibrarian.com
Winter Days – Katharina Gerlach https://www.katharinagerlach.com
Feathered Fire – Roland Clarke https://rolandclarke.com/
The Ghosts of Pompeii – Sherry Ellis http://www.sherryellis.org/
The Blind Ship – Bish Denham http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Return to Cahokia – L.T. Ward
Dare Double Dare – Louise M. Barbour https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Simon Grey and the Yamamba – Charles Kowalski https://charleskowalski.com/
The Orchard – Beth Anderson Schuck https://twitter.com/schuck_beth
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On my Email Connect this month, I’m giving away three signed copies of Sign of the Green Dragon and digital copies of Bouhaki, a bit of feline Christmas escape. Merry Christmas. If you don’t celebrate that holiday, then Happy Hanukkah or Yule or Pancha Ganapati or Bodhi Day.
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Did you sign up for WEP? There’s still time, and this theme is ripe for some very special posts.
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One more bit of great news is from J.Q. Rose. Her latest book is non-fiction, and it’s a perfect gift for someone thinking of writing memoir. Your Words, Your Life Story will help you spark and share your memories.
And if you’d like to jump into this Advent Calendar Event for Writers, do it here. Some great gifts await!
Quote of the Month:
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” T. S. Eliot
November 6, 2019
Thanksgiving IWSG Wednesday
If not, you were in the minority! I think the writers I know decided that if the Democrats could have twenty plus candidates for president, the writing community would enter into competition with them. And they did. Here are three. I’ve read and reviewed two; the third is on my TBR list.
MY REVIEW
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
TBR LIST
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
And then there’s one called Not Guilty, which I’m guilty of writing. No one else can take credit or blame for the prose, but there are a lot of bloggers and readers who can take credit for helping me send this book into the world. I thank every one of you who read, reviewed, and encouraged me along the way.
http://www.cleemckenziebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Not_Guilty_Launch_289521946_720x720_F30.mp4
AMAZON. EVERNIGHT. SMASHWORDS. KOBO. NOOK. APPLE
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And now for the November Question.
Remember, the question is optional!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever googled in researching a story?
The awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting of the IWSG are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie! (That’s me!) Please stop by all the others to say hello and see if they answered this question.
If I tell you the truth I may be arrested. In fact, I had to go incognito to google this information, hoping my search wouldn’t be stored and used against me in a trial. That’s when I decided I should write about something else. Okay, I’ll say it, I’m a real coward when it comes to prison time. I’d unravel in a trial of my peers. So I’ll tell you my next to strangest google experience, and leave to guess my strangest. In fact, I’ll give you three searches done almost consecutively, and you can guess what was going on in my life that day. It was an interesting one.
Do NCB agents make arrests?
What kinds of cosmetic covers are available for prosthetic legs?
Where’s the closest place to buy dry ice?
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Today on my Email Connect I’m sharing some rule changes I discovered on Amazon. If you review, you might want to check these out.
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IWSG News
Don’t Forget to Pitch!
Winners will be announced in the #IWSG December first Wednesday post.
Quote of the Month: “Winning isn’t getting ahead of others, it is getting ahead of yourself.” Anonymous
