Destiny Booze's Blog: The Smiling Pains of Novelist Destiny Booze, page 31
July 29, 2009
Why I told my son it's okay that people lie.
Recently, my son started paying attention to commercials. ALL of them. He's six now. I guess he just doesn't want to miss anything. Very seriously, he told me that we need such and such cleaning products and such and such shampoos and such and such for our health. He explained why we need these things. According to him, he was sure of this because he saw it on TV.
Meanwhile, I'm left wondering how to explain to my son that it's okay that people lie on TV. He needed to know because he thought he had it all figured out. Poor little man just didn't understand the dynamics of television just yet.
So, I told him that you can't believe everything you see and hear on TV, especially from commercials.
He momentarily looked confused. "But, mom, that's lying," he said.
Right. Yep, I knew he was exactly right, but that answer didn't sit well with me. It's more like exaggerating, I tried to reason.
What's exaggerating, he wanted to know. I gave the best explanation I had. Then, he said, "Isn't that still a lie?"
Well...yes. Okay, I was stumped for a moment. I nodded.
"So, why is it okay for people to lie on TV?" he asked.
I couldn't answer that one. I let the subject drop. It shouldn't be okay. But, it is. We allow it every day. How can I explain that? It's wrong. It happens anyway. That's just a part of life.
I hated not having the answer for him. I hated the answers I gave. Did I really try to convince my son that it's okay when people lie on TV, but not any other time? I hate that circumstances have put me in the situation where I had to give an answer I don't believe in.
But...There again, that's just life.
Meanwhile, I'm left wondering how to explain to my son that it's okay that people lie on TV. He needed to know because he thought he had it all figured out. Poor little man just didn't understand the dynamics of television just yet.
So, I told him that you can't believe everything you see and hear on TV, especially from commercials.
He momentarily looked confused. "But, mom, that's lying," he said.
Right. Yep, I knew he was exactly right, but that answer didn't sit well with me. It's more like exaggerating, I tried to reason.
What's exaggerating, he wanted to know. I gave the best explanation I had. Then, he said, "Isn't that still a lie?"
Well...yes. Okay, I was stumped for a moment. I nodded.
"So, why is it okay for people to lie on TV?" he asked.
I couldn't answer that one. I let the subject drop. It shouldn't be okay. But, it is. We allow it every day. How can I explain that? It's wrong. It happens anyway. That's just a part of life.
I hated not having the answer for him. I hated the answers I gave. Did I really try to convince my son that it's okay when people lie on TV, but not any other time? I hate that circumstances have put me in the situation where I had to give an answer I don't believe in.
But...There again, that's just life.
July 28, 2009
The Necessity of Choices
"The tragedy about time is that it cannot be resurrected." - Phillip McGraw
Sometimes I wonder why I'm always choosing between things in my life. Do you ever feel that way?
I don't want to choose between one thing or another. I want both. Hell, I want it all!
The problem is time. It is simply impossible to have enough of it to give myself 100% to the multiple aspects of my life. Family...Friends...Work...Play...God... I just don't have the time, and that is so frustrating.
This summer, my son and I have had so much fun. We've crammed each day full of activities like camping, swimming, hiking, riding bikes, bible school...and on and on.
Now, do you want to know how much work I've gotten done? Yep, you guessed it. Not much. Not much at all.
Do you want to know how many friends we've hung out with? Not many. How about family cookouts? Not near as many as we would have liked, or near as many as we received invitations for.
Or, making me feel even guiltier, how many Sundays have we made it to church? I'm too embarrassed to answer.
The quote at the top is so true. We have to be so very careful with our time. The only answer is to prioritize. And yet, I still manage to feel guilty for the things I leave out. Time is just too precious to waste. Let's use it wisely!
Summer will be over before you know it. Don't miss out on some fun!
Sometimes I wonder why I'm always choosing between things in my life. Do you ever feel that way?
I don't want to choose between one thing or another. I want both. Hell, I want it all!
The problem is time. It is simply impossible to have enough of it to give myself 100% to the multiple aspects of my life. Family...Friends...Work...Play...God... I just don't have the time, and that is so frustrating.
This summer, my son and I have had so much fun. We've crammed each day full of activities like camping, swimming, hiking, riding bikes, bible school...and on and on.
Now, do you want to know how much work I've gotten done? Yep, you guessed it. Not much. Not much at all.
Do you want to know how many friends we've hung out with? Not many. How about family cookouts? Not near as many as we would have liked, or near as many as we received invitations for.
Or, making me feel even guiltier, how many Sundays have we made it to church? I'm too embarrassed to answer.
The quote at the top is so true. We have to be so very careful with our time. The only answer is to prioritize. And yet, I still manage to feel guilty for the things I leave out. Time is just too precious to waste. Let's use it wisely!
Summer will be over before you know it. Don't miss out on some fun!
July 23, 2009
More reviews of Altered Beginnings!
Comment/review = This was an action packed romance novel. I loved the interaction
of the characters. I am looking forward to the next book.
–Nancy M. Ingraham
Comment/review = The book keep me wanting to come back for more. It was very
hard to put down. very exciting and excellent to read. The author is great. I hope to
see more of her books
–Teresa21
Comment/review = What a book. This is a 220 some page book that was pacted with information, drama, romance, etc. It only took me a couple of days of reading and that is with interruptions. The writer doesnt give you a lot of unnecessary information. She makes all the necessary information available in short and sweet words. The characters and traits were right on the mark. For a short book there was a jam pack excitement and thriller.
–smd_569
Comment/review = This was really a fantastic book. Others that I have shared the book with just can't say enough good things. One friend bought the book to take on vacation for a "beach read" but couldn't wait after she read the first page and read the whole book before even leaving for vacation...said she just couldn't put the book down. Good work Destiny.
–Becky Booze
of the characters. I am looking forward to the next book.
–Nancy M. Ingraham
Comment/review = The book keep me wanting to come back for more. It was very
hard to put down. very exciting and excellent to read. The author is great. I hope to
see more of her books
–Teresa21
Comment/review = What a book. This is a 220 some page book that was pacted with information, drama, romance, etc. It only took me a couple of days of reading and that is with interruptions. The writer doesnt give you a lot of unnecessary information. She makes all the necessary information available in short and sweet words. The characters and traits were right on the mark. For a short book there was a jam pack excitement and thriller.
–smd_569
Comment/review = This was really a fantastic book. Others that I have shared the book with just can't say enough good things. One friend bought the book to take on vacation for a "beach read" but couldn't wait after she read the first page and read the whole book before even leaving for vacation...said she just couldn't put the book down. Good work Destiny.
–Becky Booze
July 20, 2009
Motivational Monday - A Chain Reaction of Kindness
I read such a great story in the newspaper yesterday. In the drive-thru of a local coffee shop, a woman decided to pay for a cup of coffee for the person behind her. How nice, right?
Well, then, the greatest thing happened. That customer decided to do the same for the car behind them. Then, the next person did it, and on and on. It's still going on...12 days later! How awesome is that! That lady began a chain reaction of kindness.
Reading that story made me want to do something nice for someone else. How about you? What can we do today for someone else? Maybe the chain will continue...
Well, then, the greatest thing happened. That customer decided to do the same for the car behind them. Then, the next person did it, and on and on. It's still going on...12 days later! How awesome is that! That lady began a chain reaction of kindness.
Reading that story made me want to do something nice for someone else. How about you? What can we do today for someone else? Maybe the chain will continue...
July 18, 2009
Married for 7 years, Going on 100
My husband and I recently had an anniversary to celebrate. We've been married for seven years, but neither he nor I see it as a big milestone. Why would we? We plan to be together for the rest of our lives. Seven isn't a big number in the scheme of things.
Reflecting back on those years, I can remember some really low times and some really high times and many times that aren't very memorable. There is so much we have been through together. My son is six years old, so we weren't married long before we brought a baby into the equation. That addition to the family at such an early part of our marriage potentially could have caused us a great deal of stress, I suppose. After all, my son was not a happy infant, but my husband and I grew stronger because of it. The three of us have grown closer together.
I wouldn't call my husband a romantic man. He doesn't tell me out loud that he loves me very often. He doesn't see much value in gifts for any given holiday or just as a way to say he loves me. He doesn't plan any extravagant outings, or surprise me with a date now and again. He's a simple, old-fashioned country man that believes in God and family.
What my husband does do is give me something of himself every single day. His first priority when he comes home is to spend time with me and my son. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me how his day went while we were apart. He notices little things like if I have a headache or if I seem overwhelmed. He offers to help whenever he sees me growing frustrated.
What my husband and I have is a bond, a partnership that I believe in with all of my heart. It's the kind that will last forever...til death do us part.
Reflecting back on those years, I can remember some really low times and some really high times and many times that aren't very memorable. There is so much we have been through together. My son is six years old, so we weren't married long before we brought a baby into the equation. That addition to the family at such an early part of our marriage potentially could have caused us a great deal of stress, I suppose. After all, my son was not a happy infant, but my husband and I grew stronger because of it. The three of us have grown closer together.
I wouldn't call my husband a romantic man. He doesn't tell me out loud that he loves me very often. He doesn't see much value in gifts for any given holiday or just as a way to say he loves me. He doesn't plan any extravagant outings, or surprise me with a date now and again. He's a simple, old-fashioned country man that believes in God and family.
What my husband does do is give me something of himself every single day. His first priority when he comes home is to spend time with me and my son. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me how his day went while we were apart. He notices little things like if I have a headache or if I seem overwhelmed. He offers to help whenever he sees me growing frustrated.
What my husband and I have is a bond, a partnership that I believe in with all of my heart. It's the kind that will last forever...til death do us part.
July 17, 2009
Love for the history books
Love for the history books
My granddaddy was always a silent and intimidating man. He was hard and tough. He worked as a truck driver for an oil company. He was tall and strong. He always had a cigarette in his hand. He could seem pretty scary to a little girl. I remember staying very quiet in his presence.
Still, I could tell he had a soft spot for me. He never said so. It was just something I understood by the way he always made sure that I was taken care of. We ate Rocky Road ice cream together and watched MacGyver in the evenings.
Often, he drank alcohol. Sometimes, it would loosen his mouth. He talked about being lonely. One time he told me that I reminded him of his late wife. At the time, I didn’t understand. He spoke of a woman I had never met, a woman that died way before I was even born.
My mom had to explain to me that my granddaddy used to be a different person. He used to be the church deacon and the choir director. Back then, he was married to the love of his life.
When my grandmother died, granddaddy changed. He became the man I never understood growing up – a hardened man with a soft heart that was once the greatest man I never got a chance to know.
I wonder what he must have been like when my grandmother was alive - an honorable and honest man, a man in love. Her death broke him in ways I will never understand.
That love story must have been one for the history books, an epic story, a once in a lifetime kind of love. I wish he had told it to me when he was alive. I would have enjoyed hearing it.
Ah...I sigh just thinking about it. What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic at heart!
My granddaddy was always a silent and intimidating man. He was hard and tough. He worked as a truck driver for an oil company. He was tall and strong. He always had a cigarette in his hand. He could seem pretty scary to a little girl. I remember staying very quiet in his presence.
Still, I could tell he had a soft spot for me. He never said so. It was just something I understood by the way he always made sure that I was taken care of. We ate Rocky Road ice cream together and watched MacGyver in the evenings.
Often, he drank alcohol. Sometimes, it would loosen his mouth. He talked about being lonely. One time he told me that I reminded him of his late wife. At the time, I didn’t understand. He spoke of a woman I had never met, a woman that died way before I was even born.
My mom had to explain to me that my granddaddy used to be a different person. He used to be the church deacon and the choir director. Back then, he was married to the love of his life.
When my grandmother died, granddaddy changed. He became the man I never understood growing up – a hardened man with a soft heart that was once the greatest man I never got a chance to know.
I wonder what he must have been like when my grandmother was alive - an honorable and honest man, a man in love. Her death broke him in ways I will never understand.
That love story must have been one for the history books, an epic story, a once in a lifetime kind of love. I wish he had told it to me when he was alive. I would have enjoyed hearing it.
Ah...I sigh just thinking about it. What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic at heart!
July 16, 2009
Predetermined Endings - Released September 7, 2009!
Predetermined Endings, the sequel to Altered Beginnings and book 2 in my Outer Banks Suspense Series will be released September 7th!
Here's a blurb:
Predetermined Endings
By Destiny Booze
Angelica Chappell’s story makes huge headlines. Only a few months ago, she released a new pharmaceutical drug called Krytonix that effectively slows the spread of cancer cells. She has no idea her story will attract the attention of a serial killer. Suddenly, she is a target whether she realizes it or not. This killer is interested in more than her life. He wants her reputation, too. His first mission is to sabotage Krytonix.
William Pierce worked undercover for the FBI for five years to bring down a ruthless mobster that he ultimately is forced to kill. Two months passes by since that assignment. Still, William saw things he couldn’t talk about. He did things he couldn’t talk about. He believes his soul is damned. Returning to “normal” everyday life isn’t an option. He isn’t the same man he used to be. He refuses to return to FBI headquarters. He becomes a rogue agent with an agenda.
These two characters literally collide when Pierce's agenda leads him to Chappell. It will take both of them to keep Angelica alive and to figure out who is trying to kill her. William soon finds himself developing feelings for Angelica. Too bad for her killer, William worked as a trained killer for the mob. Will he find her killer and hand him over to the legal system to see that justice is served or will he search and destroy?
Here's a blurb:
Predetermined Endings
By Destiny Booze
Angelica Chappell’s story makes huge headlines. Only a few months ago, she released a new pharmaceutical drug called Krytonix that effectively slows the spread of cancer cells. She has no idea her story will attract the attention of a serial killer. Suddenly, she is a target whether she realizes it or not. This killer is interested in more than her life. He wants her reputation, too. His first mission is to sabotage Krytonix.
William Pierce worked undercover for the FBI for five years to bring down a ruthless mobster that he ultimately is forced to kill. Two months passes by since that assignment. Still, William saw things he couldn’t talk about. He did things he couldn’t talk about. He believes his soul is damned. Returning to “normal” everyday life isn’t an option. He isn’t the same man he used to be. He refuses to return to FBI headquarters. He becomes a rogue agent with an agenda.
These two characters literally collide when Pierce's agenda leads him to Chappell. It will take both of them to keep Angelica alive and to figure out who is trying to kill her. William soon finds himself developing feelings for Angelica. Too bad for her killer, William worked as a trained killer for the mob. Will he find her killer and hand him over to the legal system to see that justice is served or will he search and destroy?
July 15, 2009
Altered Beginnings Gets 4 Cups from CTR!
ALTERED BEGINNINGS
DESTINY BOOZE
ISBN 978-0-9787738-9-2
May 2009
Whimsical Press
www.whimsicalpublications.com
Paperback
$12.95
220 Pages
Suspense/Romance
Rating: 4 Cups
Leigh left her foster home and never looked back until she received an invitation to her best friend’s college graduation party. It is not until she attends the party that Leigh learns she is infamous for her disappearance, earning scorn from her step-brother and most of the town.
Jason is a reporter and feels there is a story about the beautiful woman who re-appeared and shocked the town. Soon though, he learns that not only is Leigh an interesting story, but she is in danger from a drug dealer and the police.
In the horrific world of child abuse, drug dealing, and small town "good ole boy“ politics, Leigh doesn't know who, if anyone, she can count on. While she feels for Jason, he may the biggest threat around her.
Leigh is fascinating, and Jason is intriguing as the intrepid journalist. The friendship she has with her brother and former best friend give the tale a warmth that the extremely serious mystery needs. The drugs, prostitution, and violence can be harsh, but the players' concern for others keeps the story encouraging. The dialogue is well done, and relatively clean for a book dealing with violence. While the bad guy is known early, the reasons are worth waiting for. Leigh's interaction with the villain and the police require a logic jump, but this is a very interesting book. The dual love stories added to the book and were a perfect platform for changing loyalties. The sequel is set up well, without being flagrant. I look forward to reading it when it comes out.
Anya
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
This review came from http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
DESTINY BOOZE
ISBN 978-0-9787738-9-2
May 2009
Whimsical Press
www.whimsicalpublications.com
Paperback
$12.95
220 Pages
Suspense/Romance
Rating: 4 Cups
Leigh left her foster home and never looked back until she received an invitation to her best friend’s college graduation party. It is not until she attends the party that Leigh learns she is infamous for her disappearance, earning scorn from her step-brother and most of the town.
Jason is a reporter and feels there is a story about the beautiful woman who re-appeared and shocked the town. Soon though, he learns that not only is Leigh an interesting story, but she is in danger from a drug dealer and the police.
In the horrific world of child abuse, drug dealing, and small town "good ole boy“ politics, Leigh doesn't know who, if anyone, she can count on. While she feels for Jason, he may the biggest threat around her.
Leigh is fascinating, and Jason is intriguing as the intrepid journalist. The friendship she has with her brother and former best friend give the tale a warmth that the extremely serious mystery needs. The drugs, prostitution, and violence can be harsh, but the players' concern for others keeps the story encouraging. The dialogue is well done, and relatively clean for a book dealing with violence. While the bad guy is known early, the reasons are worth waiting for. Leigh's interaction with the villain and the police require a logic jump, but this is a very interesting book. The dual love stories added to the book and were a perfect platform for changing loyalties. The sequel is set up well, without being flagrant. I look forward to reading it when it comes out.
Anya
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
This review came from http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
July 14, 2009
On Book Trailers, From an Amateur
Making a book trailer:
After creating my very first book trailer without any experience in making any sort of video at all, I can tell you that it is possible for anyone willing to put the time into it. Here’s exactly what I did.
1. I did some research by watching other book trailers and seeing what other authors did. I noted what I liked about each trailer, and particularly what I didn’t like. By googling book trailers, I discovered that I needed to make sure that I selected royalty-free pictures and royalty-free music.
2. I began started with one basic idea I wanted to get across about my book. Immediately, I realized that it needed to be mostly visual, so I didn’t want to add in a lot of text. What I did type in needed to be very short, concise and add a punch to the theme of my project. (For Altered Beginnings, my theme was simple. Suspenseful with a lot of action…just like the book.)
3. My next step was to become acquainted with Windows Movie Maker. It came installed on my computer. Like most windows programs, it is fairly user friendly, and I figured it out pretty quickly.
4. When I was ready to give it a go, I spend hours finding pictures that I wanted to use. Most of the pictures I used were ones I owned or from my computer’s clip art. There are websites where royalty-free pictures are available for purchase to use for projects such as this.
5. It took a lot of pictures to get my project to look like I wanted it to. Step 4 was by far the most time consuming.
6. Last but not least, I searched for music until I found exactly what I was looking for.
7. I signed up for an account at www.youtube.com, uploaded my video, and the rest is history.
8. Done!
Here’s the final outcome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzmQsH...
What do you think? I thought it wasn’t too shabby for an amateur. I’m proud of myself.
The biggest advice I can offer is that you really have to remember that a book trailer is a very short and visual sales pitch. Make it short, sweet and irresistible!
After creating my very first book trailer without any experience in making any sort of video at all, I can tell you that it is possible for anyone willing to put the time into it. Here’s exactly what I did.
1. I did some research by watching other book trailers and seeing what other authors did. I noted what I liked about each trailer, and particularly what I didn’t like. By googling book trailers, I discovered that I needed to make sure that I selected royalty-free pictures and royalty-free music.
2. I began started with one basic idea I wanted to get across about my book. Immediately, I realized that it needed to be mostly visual, so I didn’t want to add in a lot of text. What I did type in needed to be very short, concise and add a punch to the theme of my project. (For Altered Beginnings, my theme was simple. Suspenseful with a lot of action…just like the book.)
3. My next step was to become acquainted with Windows Movie Maker. It came installed on my computer. Like most windows programs, it is fairly user friendly, and I figured it out pretty quickly.
4. When I was ready to give it a go, I spend hours finding pictures that I wanted to use. Most of the pictures I used were ones I owned or from my computer’s clip art. There are websites where royalty-free pictures are available for purchase to use for projects such as this.
5. It took a lot of pictures to get my project to look like I wanted it to. Step 4 was by far the most time consuming.
6. Last but not least, I searched for music until I found exactly what I was looking for.
7. I signed up for an account at www.youtube.com, uploaded my video, and the rest is history.
8. Done!
Here’s the final outcome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzmQsH...
What do you think? I thought it wasn’t too shabby for an amateur. I’m proud of myself.
The biggest advice I can offer is that you really have to remember that a book trailer is a very short and visual sales pitch. Make it short, sweet and irresistible!
July 11, 2009
Man in the Glass, or Woman
Man in the Glass
-Author Unknown
When you get what you want in your struggle for
self and the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
and see what THAT man has to say
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass
Some people may think you're a straight shootin'
chum and call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
if you can't look him in the eye
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
for he's with you clear up to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous test
if the man in the glass is your friend
You may fool the world down the path of life
and get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches and
tears if you've cheated the man in the glass.
-Author Unknown
When you get what you want in your struggle for
self and the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
and see what THAT man has to say
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass
Some people may think you're a straight shootin'
chum and call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
if you can't look him in the eye
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
for he's with you clear up to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous test
if the man in the glass is your friend
You may fool the world down the path of life
and get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches and
tears if you've cheated the man in the glass.
The Smiling Pains of Novelist Destiny Booze
A blog about life, faith, family and writing. "I want to change the world through inspiration, hope and a positive attitude - one smile at a time! I want to live my life in a way others will follow. I
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