Chicki Brown's Blog, page 47
April 16, 2012
Spring ... time for a change
All right, I confess. I've been struggling with this blog, and until today I haven't an answer for what to do about it. But this morning, my author friend, Tonya Kappes, wrote a splendid entry .
Her post got me thinking about the things I do that result in putting unnecessary pressure on myself. One of those things is the idea that I have to always post something educational or informative for writers. There are already hundreds of blog that do an incredible job with that, for example, WG2E , Let's Get Digital , Publetariat , and The Passive Voice .
This month many bloggers joined the Alphabet Blog. When I first received the invitations, I had considered participating then changed my mind, because I knew writing an entry every day would be too much for me with my already crazy schedule. Now I have reconsidered.
The concept of the Alphabet Blog is to write an entry using a topic that begins with a different consecutive letter. So, I've decided to join the parade albeit sixteen days late. LOL! Considering how easily I succumb to pressure, I won't put these entries on any type of schedule. Let's just say, with the exception of previously scheduled guest blogs, I'll start with "A" and whenever I post again, the next entry will be on a topic that starts with "B."
I'll just leave it at that.
April 5, 2012
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March 30, 2012
Fun Friday
A dear friend sent this to me, and I loved it so much I just had to post it!
***
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
***
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
March 25, 2012
Sample Sunday
Today I'm sharing another excerpt from my story,
You Make Me Feel Brand New
, that's part of the WG2E anthology. The first excerpt is below on Sunday, February 19th.
Anxious to share what had happened with Mac, the next night Jan waited for Verna outside the restaurant for our regular Friday dinner. Of her three friends, she and Verna were the closest. They shared everything, and Jan could always count on her to be honest. Since the restaurant wouldn't seat incomplete parties, they had to wait for Kathy and Noreen. She and Verna squeezed into a corner of the crowded lobby.
"I need to tell you something before the others get here."
Verna folded her arms across her ample chest. "Sure. What's up?"
"Tell me what you think about this. Last night I cooked for a dinner party for Mac Sinclair, one of Ron's associates. He stayed right there in the kitchen with me the whole time. At first I thought he just wanted to see how I fixed everything. You know how some people want to make sure you don't poison them. We talked a bit, but most of the time he sat there watching me."
"So? What's wrong with that?" Verna asked with a curious frown.
"I caught him staring at my legs, and realized he wasn't hanging around to pick up cooking tips. It made me a nervous wreck."
"So did he say anything out of line?"
"No, not out of line, but he invited me to the party. He said it would be good for business because the guests are rich, big name athletes."
Verna raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"I don't think he wanted it to be all business. He said he'd be the only one with no date."
Verna laughed. "Don't say the word like it's so offensive."
"What?" Jan whispered, hoping nobody in the lobby had overheard. "Why are you laughing?"
"So is he a leper or something?"
"Lord, no! He's the finest man I've seen in a long time. That's what's got me so –"
"I think flustered is the word you're looking for?"
"Yes. No. Oh, I don't know. Verna, He's only in his early thirties. Why would he be interested in me?"
"You underestimate yourself, Jan. I'll bet he thinks you're his age. Did you refuse?"
"I haven't been out with a man other than Robert in twenty-five years. I wouldn't even know how to act."
For twenty-five years Jan been in a marriage that died a slow and painful death. Although Robert was a decent man and a good provider who'd remained faithful, he'd been emotionally distant. Nurturing the intimate side of their marriage was unimportant to him, and he proved it regularly by forgetting her birthday, their anniversary and even Mother's Day. Whenever she voiced her disappointment, he would stuff cash into a card thinking it would pacify her. He rarely took her out. Romance after the wedding had been pointless to him.
Kathy and Noreen came in the door looking as distinctive and night and day. Kathy always wore something Afrocentric with her head wrapped in colorful fabric, while Noreen looked every bit the Vogue model. Verna waved to get their attention. Once the hostess had seated them, Verna announced, "Jan has something she needs to share. Go ahead, girl."
Jan gave her the evil eye.
"What's up?" Noreen asked. "Come on, spit it out."
"Okay. Just promise me you won't laugh." She told the entire story but didn't mention Mac's age then waited for their reactions.
"What does he look like?" Noreen asked. "And how much money does he make?" The resident expert on single life, she'd never been married and delighted in being unattached.
Kathy shot her a disgusted glare. "When are women in our community going to understand those aren't the two most important issues in life?"
Noreen rolled her eyes. "They should be. Only a fool wants a broke, ugly man."
When they finally stopped laughing, Jan answered. "He's very good looking, and a body that could boil water, and works as a sports management agent."
"So what's the problem?" Noreen asked.
Verna answered her question. "He's only about thirty-five, Noreen."
Noreen's face lit up. "Aw, sookie sookie now! You know how I feel about those young tender morsels. "There's nothing better than waking up next to a healthy, robust, young brother."
Kathy pinched the bridge of her nose as if she'd suddenly developed a migraine. Noreen's preoccupation with sex irritated her. "For God's sake, Noreen. Can't we ever have a conversation without you stepping into the gutter?"
"Honestly, I'm afraid," Jan confessed. "I haven't been with anyone except Robert since I was twenty-one. Singleland has changed a lot since then. I'm way out of my league here."
The mood at the table instantly changed. Verna reached across and took her hand. These were the times her friends were at their best.
"Honey, you just have to step out there. Once you take the first step, it won't be so scary. He sounds decent. It wouldn't hurt to see him once. The dinner party would be a safe place to get to know him, since other people will be there."
"So you don't think there's anything wrong with seeing a man so much younger than I am?"
"That's the new Hollywood trend. Besides, you'll need someone strong around to fan you when you start having hot flashes." Noreen ran her fingers through her expensive weaved hair and laughed.
"What time is the dinner party supposed to start?" Verna asked, checking her watch.
"He said around eight."
"So call him, girl," Noreen urged. "It's just after seven now."
The idea sent Jan's stomach into a double flip. "What would I say?"
"Just ask him if he got a date. If he says no, tell him you'd like to join him, if it's okay."
"So what if he says he asked someone else? Then I'll feel like an idiot."
Kathy, the quietest and most serious one, never spoke frivolously. Jan valued her opinion. "Say something pleasant like, "Good. I hope everything goes well."
"Take my word for it," Noreen reassured her. "If he had someone, he would've asked her before last night. Call him."
They prodded her on until Jan rose from the table and took her cell phone into the ladies room. After she took a few deep breaths, she dialed and waited for him to pick up.
"Sinclair." His husky tone sent a shiver up her spine.
"Hi, Mac. It's Jan Davis. I'm not pulling you away from your guests, am I?"
"No one's here yet. I hope you're calling to say you're coming tonight."
Jan exhaled a silent sigh of relief. "Yes. I'd like to join you, if you still want me to come."
"How soon can you get here?" The expectancy in his voice relieved her, and sent a spark of excitement through her at the prospect.
"I'm over near Lenox Mall. I can be there in about twenty minutes."
"What's your favorite wine?"
"I don't drink, but a sparkling water with lemon will do just fine."
"I'll meet you at the door with a glass."
"Okay. I have to say goodbye to my girlfriends, and then I'll be leaving."
"Ring the downstairs bell when you get here, and I'll buzz you in."
"Well?" Verna asked with her palms raised in curiosity as Jan approached the table.
"He said he'll be waiting for me at the door. Pray for me, ladies." Jan grabbed her purse and left the restaurant with her stomach flipping like she was riding the Goliath coaster at Six Flags.
Available on Kindle: http://amzn.to/xrX3Nj Nook: http://bit.ly/xzfJkC & Smashwords http://bit.ly/zShmg1 for $2.99
Anxious to share what had happened with Mac, the next night Jan waited for Verna outside the restaurant for our regular Friday dinner. Of her three friends, she and Verna were the closest. They shared everything, and Jan could always count on her to be honest. Since the restaurant wouldn't seat incomplete parties, they had to wait for Kathy and Noreen. She and Verna squeezed into a corner of the crowded lobby.
"I need to tell you something before the others get here."
Verna folded her arms across her ample chest. "Sure. What's up?"
"Tell me what you think about this. Last night I cooked for a dinner party for Mac Sinclair, one of Ron's associates. He stayed right there in the kitchen with me the whole time. At first I thought he just wanted to see how I fixed everything. You know how some people want to make sure you don't poison them. We talked a bit, but most of the time he sat there watching me."
"So? What's wrong with that?" Verna asked with a curious frown.
"I caught him staring at my legs, and realized he wasn't hanging around to pick up cooking tips. It made me a nervous wreck."
"So did he say anything out of line?"
"No, not out of line, but he invited me to the party. He said it would be good for business because the guests are rich, big name athletes."
Verna raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"I don't think he wanted it to be all business. He said he'd be the only one with no date."
Verna laughed. "Don't say the word like it's so offensive."
"What?" Jan whispered, hoping nobody in the lobby had overheard. "Why are you laughing?"
"So is he a leper or something?"
"Lord, no! He's the finest man I've seen in a long time. That's what's got me so –"
"I think flustered is the word you're looking for?"
"Yes. No. Oh, I don't know. Verna, He's only in his early thirties. Why would he be interested in me?"
"You underestimate yourself, Jan. I'll bet he thinks you're his age. Did you refuse?"
"I haven't been out with a man other than Robert in twenty-five years. I wouldn't even know how to act."
For twenty-five years Jan been in a marriage that died a slow and painful death. Although Robert was a decent man and a good provider who'd remained faithful, he'd been emotionally distant. Nurturing the intimate side of their marriage was unimportant to him, and he proved it regularly by forgetting her birthday, their anniversary and even Mother's Day. Whenever she voiced her disappointment, he would stuff cash into a card thinking it would pacify her. He rarely took her out. Romance after the wedding had been pointless to him.
Kathy and Noreen came in the door looking as distinctive and night and day. Kathy always wore something Afrocentric with her head wrapped in colorful fabric, while Noreen looked every bit the Vogue model. Verna waved to get their attention. Once the hostess had seated them, Verna announced, "Jan has something she needs to share. Go ahead, girl."
Jan gave her the evil eye.
"What's up?" Noreen asked. "Come on, spit it out."
"Okay. Just promise me you won't laugh." She told the entire story but didn't mention Mac's age then waited for their reactions.
"What does he look like?" Noreen asked. "And how much money does he make?" The resident expert on single life, she'd never been married and delighted in being unattached.
Kathy shot her a disgusted glare. "When are women in our community going to understand those aren't the two most important issues in life?"
Noreen rolled her eyes. "They should be. Only a fool wants a broke, ugly man."
When they finally stopped laughing, Jan answered. "He's very good looking, and a body that could boil water, and works as a sports management agent."
"So what's the problem?" Noreen asked.
Verna answered her question. "He's only about thirty-five, Noreen."
Noreen's face lit up. "Aw, sookie sookie now! You know how I feel about those young tender morsels. "There's nothing better than waking up next to a healthy, robust, young brother."
Kathy pinched the bridge of her nose as if she'd suddenly developed a migraine. Noreen's preoccupation with sex irritated her. "For God's sake, Noreen. Can't we ever have a conversation without you stepping into the gutter?"
"Honestly, I'm afraid," Jan confessed. "I haven't been with anyone except Robert since I was twenty-one. Singleland has changed a lot since then. I'm way out of my league here."
The mood at the table instantly changed. Verna reached across and took her hand. These were the times her friends were at their best.
"Honey, you just have to step out there. Once you take the first step, it won't be so scary. He sounds decent. It wouldn't hurt to see him once. The dinner party would be a safe place to get to know him, since other people will be there."
"So you don't think there's anything wrong with seeing a man so much younger than I am?"
"That's the new Hollywood trend. Besides, you'll need someone strong around to fan you when you start having hot flashes." Noreen ran her fingers through her expensive weaved hair and laughed.
"What time is the dinner party supposed to start?" Verna asked, checking her watch.
"He said around eight."
"So call him, girl," Noreen urged. "It's just after seven now."
The idea sent Jan's stomach into a double flip. "What would I say?"
"Just ask him if he got a date. If he says no, tell him you'd like to join him, if it's okay."
"So what if he says he asked someone else? Then I'll feel like an idiot."
Kathy, the quietest and most serious one, never spoke frivolously. Jan valued her opinion. "Say something pleasant like, "Good. I hope everything goes well."
"Take my word for it," Noreen reassured her. "If he had someone, he would've asked her before last night. Call him."
They prodded her on until Jan rose from the table and took her cell phone into the ladies room. After she took a few deep breaths, she dialed and waited for him to pick up.
"Sinclair." His husky tone sent a shiver up her spine.
"Hi, Mac. It's Jan Davis. I'm not pulling you away from your guests, am I?"
"No one's here yet. I hope you're calling to say you're coming tonight."
Jan exhaled a silent sigh of relief. "Yes. I'd like to join you, if you still want me to come."
"How soon can you get here?" The expectancy in his voice relieved her, and sent a spark of excitement through her at the prospect.
"I'm over near Lenox Mall. I can be there in about twenty minutes."
"What's your favorite wine?"
"I don't drink, but a sparkling water with lemon will do just fine."
"I'll meet you at the door with a glass."
"Okay. I have to say goodbye to my girlfriends, and then I'll be leaving."
"Ring the downstairs bell when you get here, and I'll buzz you in."
"Well?" Verna asked with her palms raised in curiosity as Jan approached the table.
"He said he'll be waiting for me at the door. Pray for me, ladies." Jan grabbed her purse and left the restaurant with her stomach flipping like she was riding the Goliath coaster at Six Flags.
Available on Kindle: http://amzn.to/xrX3Nj Nook: http://bit.ly/xzfJkC & Smashwords http://bit.ly/zShmg1 for $2.99
March 21, 2012
On the Road Again ...
This has been a busy month! In addition to being my birthday month, I am doing interviews/features in several places:
Romancing the Book - this feature posted on March 8 - http://bit.ly/yEsLvj
RG2E - posted Sunday, March 18 - http://bit.ly/AvlJ7K
Third Sunday Blog - posted Sunday, March 18 - http://bit.ly/xifo8J
Dizzy C's Book Blog - talking about my new work in progress today - http://bit.ly/GCTYOg
WG2E - Friday, March 23rd - http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com/
March 9, 2012
Fun Friday????
My critsister, Zee Monodee inspired me to write this entry. Today she talks about the progress she is (or isn't) making on her current project.
On January 27th, I posted about beginning a new work in progress. I was so excited and couldn't wait to get started. But something happened on the way to "Once upon a time" ...
Family obligations have created a major distraction. I won't go into detail here, because I don't want to sound as if I'm placing blame. Stuff happens. We all know that. Yet, how does an author prevent the stuff from screwing with their creativity?
On President's Day, I finally bought a laptop. For the past few years, other than my desktop PC, my writing has been done on an AlphaSmart word processor, which is wonderful for text input.
[image error]
(New model) (my Alphie that I got for $60 from eBay)
Unfortunately, I spend as much time or more in the editing/revision phase as I do when actually writing. You can't edit on an AlphaSmart. That meant, in the past, when I had to edit my manuscripts, I was chained to my PC. Buying the laptop has eliminated this issue, only the lovely laptop has Windows 7 and Word 2010. My PC has Vista and Word 2003, and the adjustment has been aggravating, to say the least. I've spent more time trying to figure out the simple things I could do automatically in the old version of Word. Another distraction.
All that being said, I'm only three chapters into Ain't Too Proud to Beg . Disappointing progress for more than a month's worth of work. At least my outline is expanding as ideas come to me about what's going to happen to Vaughn and Trenyce, and I've found some more pictures of Vaughn (Darren Sharper) that express his personality perfectly.
This is how I envision Trenyce and her daughter, Nala. I chose Beverly Bond, the founder of Black Girls Rock
and this little punkin. Look at that face. It's enough to melt the hardest heart.
Well, it's a gray, rainy day here in Atlanta, and I've already gone through the 106 messages in my inbox this morning, checked my Facebook messages, and have chosen to skip Twitter completely. Maybe I'll get Chapter Three finished today ...
On January 27th, I posted about beginning a new work in progress. I was so excited and couldn't wait to get started. But something happened on the way to "Once upon a time" ...
Family obligations have created a major distraction. I won't go into detail here, because I don't want to sound as if I'm placing blame. Stuff happens. We all know that. Yet, how does an author prevent the stuff from screwing with their creativity?
On President's Day, I finally bought a laptop. For the past few years, other than my desktop PC, my writing has been done on an AlphaSmart word processor, which is wonderful for text input.
[image error](New model) (my Alphie that I got for $60 from eBay)
Unfortunately, I spend as much time or more in the editing/revision phase as I do when actually writing. You can't edit on an AlphaSmart. That meant, in the past, when I had to edit my manuscripts, I was chained to my PC. Buying the laptop has eliminated this issue, only the lovely laptop has Windows 7 and Word 2010. My PC has Vista and Word 2003, and the adjustment has been aggravating, to say the least. I've spent more time trying to figure out the simple things I could do automatically in the old version of Word. Another distraction.
All that being said, I'm only three chapters into Ain't Too Proud to Beg . Disappointing progress for more than a month's worth of work. At least my outline is expanding as ideas come to me about what's going to happen to Vaughn and Trenyce, and I've found some more pictures of Vaughn (Darren Sharper) that express his personality perfectly.
This is how I envision Trenyce and her daughter, Nala. I chose Beverly Bond, the founder of Black Girls Rock
and this little punkin. Look at that face. It's enough to melt the hardest heart.
Well, it's a gray, rainy day here in Atlanta, and I've already gone through the 106 messages in my inbox this morning, checked my Facebook messages, and have chosen to skip Twitter completely. Maybe I'll get Chapter Three finished today ...
March 7, 2012
Writer Wednesday - Author Spotlight
Today I am pleased and proud to introduce you to my friend and former writer's group member, Jacqueline Holness.
Jackie and I have known each other for almost ten years, and I'm so excited to bring you her debut release. I'll let her tell you about it.
After the Altar Call: The Sisters' Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God , which has been ranked as an Amazon Best Seller, is a fresh, real and relevant how-to manual for black Christian women who desire to move past the "church speak" and into an intimate relationship with their Creator. What makes this book unique from other "relationship with God" books is that this book is written from a black perspective and spans a variety of issues typically not included in one book – from being thrice-married to leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses.
As a seasoned journalist, I have interviewed black women from diverse backgrounds to discover what having a personal relationship with God is truly about – beyond the initial "come to Jesus" moment typically associated with the altar call experience. I give readers a rare, personal look into the lives of these women, identify the precepts these women used to develop a personal relationship with God given their life experiences, and create a plan for readers to craft their own relationship with the Father.
The book is comprised of interviews with 24 remarkable women with compelling stories such the "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd, Valorie Burton, life coach, author and co-host on the Emmy award- winning show "Aspiring Women" and the former co-host of the national daily television program, "The Potter's Touch" with Bishop T.D. Jakes; and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the first woman elected to Episcopal office in over 200 years of A.M.E. history.
I have also interviewed many notable Christian fiction authors such as Dwan Abrams, who also founded Nevaeh Publishing LLC; Tiffany Warren, who also started the Faith & Fiction Retreat; and LaTonya Mason Summers, who is also a licensed, professional counselor and the founding executive director of LifeSkills Counseling & Consulting.
Bio - Jacqueline J. Holness is a seasoned journalist with 15 years of professional experience writing and working for an assortment of newspapers, magazines, websites and other publications. Currently, she is a correspondent for Courthouse News Service , an online, national news service for attorneys. She is responsible for writing about new litigation filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia as well as four metro Atlanta court systems. Prior to working for Courthouse News Service , Jacqueline worked primarily as an education reporter for the News Daily newspaper covering the Clayton County Public School System, the fifth largest school system in Georgia. Aside from covering the education beat, she frequently wrote in-depth feature pieces and columns in which she explored her faith and other issues. She also worked as a reporter for the Clayton Neighbor newspaper where she covered several beats including education and county and city governments.
Through her business, Selah Communications, Jacqueline has also written for several publications, websites and organizations. Her articles have appeared in UPSCALE magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle newspaper, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine and Atlanta Home Improvement magazine. Her work has also appeared on Citysearch.com and the New Georgia Encyclopedia website. In addition, she has written for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. After the Altar Call: The Sisters' Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God , published by Nevaeh Publishing, is her first book
My website - afterthealtarcall.com
Buy link - http://amzn.to/yDAb9z
Jackie and I have known each other for almost ten years, and I'm so excited to bring you her debut release. I'll let her tell you about it.
After the Altar Call: The Sisters' Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God , which has been ranked as an Amazon Best Seller, is a fresh, real and relevant how-to manual for black Christian women who desire to move past the "church speak" and into an intimate relationship with their Creator. What makes this book unique from other "relationship with God" books is that this book is written from a black perspective and spans a variety of issues typically not included in one book – from being thrice-married to leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses.
As a seasoned journalist, I have interviewed black women from diverse backgrounds to discover what having a personal relationship with God is truly about – beyond the initial "come to Jesus" moment typically associated with the altar call experience. I give readers a rare, personal look into the lives of these women, identify the precepts these women used to develop a personal relationship with God given their life experiences, and create a plan for readers to craft their own relationship with the Father.
The book is comprised of interviews with 24 remarkable women with compelling stories such the "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd, Valorie Burton, life coach, author and co-host on the Emmy award- winning show "Aspiring Women" and the former co-host of the national daily television program, "The Potter's Touch" with Bishop T.D. Jakes; and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the first woman elected to Episcopal office in over 200 years of A.M.E. history.
I have also interviewed many notable Christian fiction authors such as Dwan Abrams, who also founded Nevaeh Publishing LLC; Tiffany Warren, who also started the Faith & Fiction Retreat; and LaTonya Mason Summers, who is also a licensed, professional counselor and the founding executive director of LifeSkills Counseling & Consulting.
Bio - Jacqueline J. Holness is a seasoned journalist with 15 years of professional experience writing and working for an assortment of newspapers, magazines, websites and other publications. Currently, she is a correspondent for Courthouse News Service , an online, national news service for attorneys. She is responsible for writing about new litigation filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia as well as four metro Atlanta court systems. Prior to working for Courthouse News Service , Jacqueline worked primarily as an education reporter for the News Daily newspaper covering the Clayton County Public School System, the fifth largest school system in Georgia. Aside from covering the education beat, she frequently wrote in-depth feature pieces and columns in which she explored her faith and other issues. She also worked as a reporter for the Clayton Neighbor newspaper where she covered several beats including education and county and city governments.
Through her business, Selah Communications, Jacqueline has also written for several publications, websites and organizations. Her articles have appeared in UPSCALE magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle newspaper, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine and Atlanta Home Improvement magazine. Her work has also appeared on Citysearch.com and the New Georgia Encyclopedia website. In addition, she has written for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. After the Altar Call: The Sisters' Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God , published by Nevaeh Publishing, is her first book
My website - afterthealtarcall.com
Buy link - http://amzn.to/yDAb9z
March 2, 2012
Fun Friday!
In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, I thought I would just post some of his quotes.
"A person's a person, no matter how small."
"Adults are obsolete children."
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere."
"Fun is good."
"How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?"
"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant."
"I start drawing, and eventually the characters involve themselves in a situation. Then in the end, I go back and try to cut out most of the preachments."
Happy birthday, Theodor Seuss Geisel, one of my earliest favorite authors!
February 25, 2012
Silly Saturday - An Alternate Reality
I should have posted this yesterday, but ...
Continuing from my last Fun Friday post, I am confessing my current television weakness - reality shows.
The T.O. Show
has become one of my faves, and since I've never been a football fan, I started watching without any preconceived notions. What I love about it is how transparent Terrell is. He's really a nice person who suffers from diarrhea of the mouth. He developed a big mouth as a defense mechanism during his very stormy childhood, and unfortunately, it ruined his career as an adult. But Terrell Owens is a survivor, and a very good-looking one. 
He's trying his hand at business and has dipped his toe into the acting world. I can't wait to see what he is going to do next.
I didn't know LaLa Vasquez when she was a VJ on MTV, but I am fascinated by her life as Mrs. Carmelo Anthony on
LaLa's Full Court Life
.
[image error]
The "First Lady of the NBA" seems to be highly motivated and has her hands in several different projects. She is definitely no Kim Kardashian.
Tia and Tamera was another of my must-watch shows thisl season. The twins have been on television since they were little, and it's great to see how they've grown into successful married women. The thing I love about this show is the dynamic between the sisters. I hope it returns next season.
Okay, now I must make the big confession and admit to my absolute can't miss realityshow – The Real Housewives of Atlanta .
[image error]
This show pulls me in for several reasons. First of all, it's the only one of the Housewives franchise to feature black women. I know there's a lot of black money in Atlanta, more than any major city in the US, but these aren't the folks I hang with!
I love seeing real black people with money. Granted, they're not Trump/Hilton rich, but I get a kick out of seeing where they shop and eat, places that are right here in the metropolitan Atlanta area yet I've never even heard of most them. A couple of weeks ago, I had to smile when a couple of them had lunch at Wahoo, a restaurant where my son-in-law used to work as the sous chef and my family has eaten a few times.
I've come to the conclusion that I am living vicariously through these spoiled, pampered, self-centered sisters, and I don't mind living in an alternate reality a few hours a week …
Continuing from my last Fun Friday post, I am confessing my current television weakness - reality shows.
The T.O. Show
has become one of my faves, and since I've never been a football fan, I started watching without any preconceived notions. What I love about it is how transparent Terrell is. He's really a nice person who suffers from diarrhea of the mouth. He developed a big mouth as a defense mechanism during his very stormy childhood, and unfortunately, it ruined his career as an adult. But Terrell Owens is a survivor, and a very good-looking one. He's trying his hand at business and has dipped his toe into the acting world. I can't wait to see what he is going to do next.
I didn't know LaLa Vasquez when she was a VJ on MTV, but I am fascinated by her life as Mrs. Carmelo Anthony on
LaLa's Full Court Life
.
[image error]
The "First Lady of the NBA" seems to be highly motivated and has her hands in several different projects. She is definitely no Kim Kardashian. Tia and Tamera was another of my must-watch shows thisl season. The twins have been on television since they were little, and it's great to see how they've grown into successful married women. The thing I love about this show is the dynamic between the sisters. I hope it returns next season.
Okay, now I must make the big confession and admit to my absolute can't miss realityshow – The Real Housewives of Atlanta .
[image error]
This show pulls me in for several reasons. First of all, it's the only one of the Housewives franchise to feature black women. I know there's a lot of black money in Atlanta, more than any major city in the US, but these aren't the folks I hang with!
I love seeing real black people with money. Granted, they're not Trump/Hilton rich, but I get a kick out of seeing where they shop and eat, places that are right here in the metropolitan Atlanta area yet I've never even heard of most them. A couple of weeks ago, I had to smile when a couple of them had lunch at Wahoo, a restaurant where my son-in-law used to work as the sous chef and my family has eaten a few times.
I've come to the conclusion that I am living vicariously through these spoiled, pampered, self-centered sisters, and I don't mind living in an alternate reality a few hours a week …
February 19, 2012
Sample Sunday
Today I thought I'd share an excerpt from my novelette,
You Make Me Feel Brand New
, from the new WG2E Anthology.
Chapter One
Who do you think you're kidding? Jan Davis mumbled as she threw her car into gear and headed for GA400. You can't possibly be considering this? He's practically a boy, for crying out loud. "He's not that young," she protested out loud, as if someone were actually sitting in the front seat. "A lot of women are involved with younger men these days. If he's interested in me, why shouldn't I?"
Because you'll look foolish, that's why. Act your age and don't embarrass yourself, the voice warned.
She slammed another fifty cents into the greedy gaping mouth of the tollbooth, annoyed at having to feed the DOT's legalized slot machine.
"Mmm, it was a nice thought anyway," Jan answered her invisible accuser.
The rest of the way home down I-75, she reflected on the events of the evening. From the moment she'd tied on her apron, Mac Sinclair's piercing dark eyes followed her. At first she thought he simply wanted to see how she prepared the food, but when she caught his gaze trained on her legs and not her hands, she knew he wasn't merely admiring her culinary skill. The thought that this young man, blessed with classic good looks and a Hershey's Kiss chocolate complexion, found her attractive made her nervous and clumsy. He sat and studied her while she tried to keep her hands from shaking as she chopped onions and peppers for the sauce. Uneasy under his scrutiny, she decided to fill the silence with small talk.
"How long have you been living here, Mac?"
"A little over six months." He stroked his smooth, clean-shaven face.
"So, what do you think of Atlanta?"
"Love it. I'd come here on business several times, so when my company offered me a promotion working in their Buckhead office, I left L.A. and made Atlanta my home." He took the last sip of his Red Bull energy drink and flashed a devastating grin.
My God, he's fine! And he smells so good. Concentrate on what you're doing, Jan. Don't chop off any fingers. Calm down and try to keep from sounding like an idiot.
Jan moved to the stove, sautéed the vegetables and continued the conversation. "What kind of work did you say you do?"
"Sports management. I work with professional athletes negotiating their contracts and endorsement deals, setting up media interviews, arranging for etiquette training, bailing them out of jail. That kind of thing."
"Sounds interesting," she said, admiring his smile. With such a lean, muscular body, he could easily be mistaken for an athlete himself.
"It's a nice way to make a living. Plus some great perks come with the job – season tickets, private party invitations, you know."
"No. I don't. I wish I did."
"So, how did you get to be a personal chef, Ms. Davis?"
"Please, call me Jan," she said without looking up from stirring the food. "I've always loved to cook as a hobby. One day I read about a woman who'd left her accounting job to become a personal chef. It struck me as something I'd love doing, so I got my certification and started taking clients on the side. Once I saved up enough money to advertise, I placed a few ads in local papers, and things just took off. It got to the point where I couldn't work days and also handle my clients. Eventually, I resigned from my job and started cooking full time."
"Pretty ambitious. How does your husband feel about it?"
He would've hated the idea. He wanted a housewife, always ready and willing to feed his boring clients. It never crossed his mind to take them out sometimes. No, it had to be a gigantic home-cooked meal so they could see he married the black Rachel Ray. "I'm not married. I got divorced a year ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, sounding quite sincere.
"I'm not." Jan gazed at him, bit her lip and turned away. Maybe that was a too forward.
"Okay." He rested his chin on his hand, a bemused smile on his full sensual mouth. His lips begged to be kissed. A primitive warning sounded in her brain. To get her mind off his mouth, she asked, "Do you have someone to serve tomorrow night?"
"No. I figured I'd make it buffet style and let everyone serve themselves. It's not a formal dinner, just a couple of my clients, a few potential ones and their dates. I guess we could go out, but I want the night to be unhurried and relaxed." He paused for a second and smiled again as he popped open another Red Bull. "I appreciate you doing this. You come highly recommended. Ron Scott mentioned you one day at lunch, and suggested I call you."
"He's my best friend's husband, so it wasn't exactly a professional reference."
"Well, he told me you could throw down in the kitchen. That was enough to convince me."
"Thanks. I appreciate your confidence."
His gaze followed her every move as she maneuvered around his spacious, modern kitchen.
"Would you like to join us tomorrow night?"
Shocked by his offer, she stammered, "I – oh – I couldn't."
"Why not? Then I could introduce you as my personal chef. It would be good for your business. Most of these guys are loaded."
"That's nice of you, Mac, but I think it's better if I just leave you some of my cards."
"Okay, but meeting people in person always makes a better impression. I think you'd enjoy yourself. Besides, I like your company."
She wiped her sweaty palms on the sides of her skirt. His invitation sounded more personal than business. Romantic attention was as foreign to her as ancient Carthaginian cuisine. This handsome man was the complete opposite of Robert's paunchy middle-aged colleagues. Mac appeared to be at least ten years her junior, and he lived in a gorgeous body.
With the meat, pasta and vegetable dishes done, she started on dessert. They made small talk about everything from religion to Atlanta traffic. Mac didn't extend the invitation again until she had cleaned up and repacked her utensils.
"I wish you'd think twice about joining us. I'll be the only one without a date, and I'm the host. We should be getting started around eight o'clock." He wrote a check, placed it in her hand and held it a bit longer than necessary. Strangely she had no desire to pull away. This is definitely more personal than business. "Thank you, Mac, but I make it a policy to keep my business and personal lives separate."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He licked his bottom lip and never took his gaze from her eyes.
"Let me know how everything went. I'd better get going now."
"All right. I understand. It was a pleasure, Jan Davis. Hope I'll see you again soon." He watched her walk all the way down the hallway to the elevator.
Once he closed the door to his apartment, she dragged in a long breath. I need to talk to somebody about this.
Available on Kindle: http://amzn.to/xrX3Nj Nook http://bit.ly/xcE28E & Smashwords http://bit.ly/zShmg1 for $2.99
Chapter One
Who do you think you're kidding? Jan Davis mumbled as she threw her car into gear and headed for GA400. You can't possibly be considering this? He's practically a boy, for crying out loud. "He's not that young," she protested out loud, as if someone were actually sitting in the front seat. "A lot of women are involved with younger men these days. If he's interested in me, why shouldn't I?"
Because you'll look foolish, that's why. Act your age and don't embarrass yourself, the voice warned.
She slammed another fifty cents into the greedy gaping mouth of the tollbooth, annoyed at having to feed the DOT's legalized slot machine.
"Mmm, it was a nice thought anyway," Jan answered her invisible accuser.
The rest of the way home down I-75, she reflected on the events of the evening. From the moment she'd tied on her apron, Mac Sinclair's piercing dark eyes followed her. At first she thought he simply wanted to see how she prepared the food, but when she caught his gaze trained on her legs and not her hands, she knew he wasn't merely admiring her culinary skill. The thought that this young man, blessed with classic good looks and a Hershey's Kiss chocolate complexion, found her attractive made her nervous and clumsy. He sat and studied her while she tried to keep her hands from shaking as she chopped onions and peppers for the sauce. Uneasy under his scrutiny, she decided to fill the silence with small talk.
"How long have you been living here, Mac?"
"A little over six months." He stroked his smooth, clean-shaven face.
"So, what do you think of Atlanta?"
"Love it. I'd come here on business several times, so when my company offered me a promotion working in their Buckhead office, I left L.A. and made Atlanta my home." He took the last sip of his Red Bull energy drink and flashed a devastating grin.
My God, he's fine! And he smells so good. Concentrate on what you're doing, Jan. Don't chop off any fingers. Calm down and try to keep from sounding like an idiot.
Jan moved to the stove, sautéed the vegetables and continued the conversation. "What kind of work did you say you do?"
"Sports management. I work with professional athletes negotiating their contracts and endorsement deals, setting up media interviews, arranging for etiquette training, bailing them out of jail. That kind of thing."
"Sounds interesting," she said, admiring his smile. With such a lean, muscular body, he could easily be mistaken for an athlete himself.
"It's a nice way to make a living. Plus some great perks come with the job – season tickets, private party invitations, you know."
"No. I don't. I wish I did."
"So, how did you get to be a personal chef, Ms. Davis?"
"Please, call me Jan," she said without looking up from stirring the food. "I've always loved to cook as a hobby. One day I read about a woman who'd left her accounting job to become a personal chef. It struck me as something I'd love doing, so I got my certification and started taking clients on the side. Once I saved up enough money to advertise, I placed a few ads in local papers, and things just took off. It got to the point where I couldn't work days and also handle my clients. Eventually, I resigned from my job and started cooking full time."
"Pretty ambitious. How does your husband feel about it?"
He would've hated the idea. He wanted a housewife, always ready and willing to feed his boring clients. It never crossed his mind to take them out sometimes. No, it had to be a gigantic home-cooked meal so they could see he married the black Rachel Ray. "I'm not married. I got divorced a year ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, sounding quite sincere.
"I'm not." Jan gazed at him, bit her lip and turned away. Maybe that was a too forward.
"Okay." He rested his chin on his hand, a bemused smile on his full sensual mouth. His lips begged to be kissed. A primitive warning sounded in her brain. To get her mind off his mouth, she asked, "Do you have someone to serve tomorrow night?"
"No. I figured I'd make it buffet style and let everyone serve themselves. It's not a formal dinner, just a couple of my clients, a few potential ones and their dates. I guess we could go out, but I want the night to be unhurried and relaxed." He paused for a second and smiled again as he popped open another Red Bull. "I appreciate you doing this. You come highly recommended. Ron Scott mentioned you one day at lunch, and suggested I call you."
"He's my best friend's husband, so it wasn't exactly a professional reference."
"Well, he told me you could throw down in the kitchen. That was enough to convince me."
"Thanks. I appreciate your confidence."
His gaze followed her every move as she maneuvered around his spacious, modern kitchen.
"Would you like to join us tomorrow night?"
Shocked by his offer, she stammered, "I – oh – I couldn't."
"Why not? Then I could introduce you as my personal chef. It would be good for your business. Most of these guys are loaded."
"That's nice of you, Mac, but I think it's better if I just leave you some of my cards."
"Okay, but meeting people in person always makes a better impression. I think you'd enjoy yourself. Besides, I like your company."
She wiped her sweaty palms on the sides of her skirt. His invitation sounded more personal than business. Romantic attention was as foreign to her as ancient Carthaginian cuisine. This handsome man was the complete opposite of Robert's paunchy middle-aged colleagues. Mac appeared to be at least ten years her junior, and he lived in a gorgeous body.
With the meat, pasta and vegetable dishes done, she started on dessert. They made small talk about everything from religion to Atlanta traffic. Mac didn't extend the invitation again until she had cleaned up and repacked her utensils.
"I wish you'd think twice about joining us. I'll be the only one without a date, and I'm the host. We should be getting started around eight o'clock." He wrote a check, placed it in her hand and held it a bit longer than necessary. Strangely she had no desire to pull away. This is definitely more personal than business. "Thank you, Mac, but I make it a policy to keep my business and personal lives separate."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He licked his bottom lip and never took his gaze from her eyes.
"Let me know how everything went. I'd better get going now."
"All right. I understand. It was a pleasure, Jan Davis. Hope I'll see you again soon." He watched her walk all the way down the hallway to the elevator.
Once he closed the door to his apartment, she dragged in a long breath. I need to talk to somebody about this.
Available on Kindle: http://amzn.to/xrX3Nj Nook http://bit.ly/xcE28E & Smashwords http://bit.ly/zShmg1 for $2.99
