C.E. Grundler's Blog, page 22
December 25, 2010
It's time for the traditional December 25th Jersey/Texas Barbeque!
The barbequed whole chicken, racks of spare ribs, the coleslaw and cowboy beans, the cornbread, they're all just about done !
Strange how traditions evolve. For years my family did the usual holiday thing; my mom would spend days baking and cooking leading up to the usual feast. Her mother did it before her, and her mother before her and so on leading all the way through generations. It was as it had always been and would always be… until one year. Neither mom or I were feeling good as that fateful day approached, and Christmas Eve arrived with no preparation whatsoever. And as the family gathered, someone suggested that maybe 'Texas' might be open. Texas was this wonderful little roadhouse/dive that served some of the most wonderful chicken and ribs, and you could order take-out. Needless to say as we ate chicken and ribs off paper plates, we all enjoyed that Christmas more than so many years before and from that point on a tradition was born. Sadly Texas Take-out has since closed, though the menu has lived on in our home as the annual feast.
Happy Holidays!
December 21, 2010
The state I'm in…
… is still Jersey… and one of perpetual motion. So much to do, so little time! I haven't been around this neck of the interwebs as much lately as I've been posting over on Write On The Water (WOW). My status over there is being upgraded from guest to permanent resident, so I'll be occupying multiple addresses in the coming year. Not to worry though, while I'll be posting much of my boater/writer reflections on WOW, this blog will continue, returning to its roots of 'what are we fixing this week' boat repairs, random musings, and some very exciting announcements like the one you'll see in the coming week. Stay tuned!
December 10, 2010
Be our guest…
Yes, I have been watching too much Disney lately, but I'm also posting to let everyone know I'm posting elsewhere today. I've been invited as a guest blogger over at Write On The Water, a wonderful site of boaters who happen to be writers as well. In other words, my kind of people! Take a moment and check out their site, there's a fantastic collection of writers and books.
December 2, 2010
No rest for the weary…
Life's been hectic these last few weeks and I haven't had much chance to post here. It's all too complicated to go into in detail; I can sum it up by saying things are moving in a good direction and I'm looking forward to where I'm headed. Each month that I've had Last Exit In New Jersey available as an ebook my sales and earnings have continued to rise, and I'm excited by the prospect of all those new ereaders the holidays will bring. I'm also thrilled by the reviews I continue to receive, including the most recent one from Ash Arceneaux at Fangirltastic, who said, among other things: "I am so happy to be able to say Grundler and her book are shining examples of what self-published books should look, read, and behave like," and "I can honestly say it's one of the best books I've read in a long, long time." Her take on my characters made me smile and her review really caught the essence of the story. Read the entire review…
Aside from that, I'm still a bit swamped but in a good way. Sadly it's interfering with work I'd like to be doing on the boat, but it's just a matter of time until I can (hopefully) get back on course.
November 13, 2010
Typos…
YIKES!
Among the glowing reviews of Last Exit In New Jersey, one very kind reader informed me he'd encountered a "distracting swarm of missing or unnecessary duplicated words." He still had wonderful things to say about the book as a whole, stating "This is memorable genre fiction, a crime mystery ennobled by a love story between a homicidal heroine and a suicidal hero," and more, but that the typos marred the reading experience.
I was surprised and a bit stunned, in truth. I'd been over this book with a fine tooth comb countless times and truly thought all was well, though I now suspect it was a case of rereading so many times that my mind filled in the sentences. But anything that derails a reader's train of thought breaks the mood, so I was truly grateful this reader had brought this to my attention so I could correct it.
I knew now that re-reading it myself, silently or aloud, clearly wasn't enough. I needed help! The first thing I did was go onto the writer's forums. I needed a proof-reader and I needed one fast! I knew there were recommended ones out there, but I'd also heard stories of people paying proof-readers who miss as much as they catch. A few writers mentioned a method they use with great success: using the Kindle's text-to-speech function and letting IT read aloud. I decided to give it a test, and it wasn't long before I'd discovered the first of the errant words. And then more, and yet more. In fact, far more than I care to admit. With that smooth, faintly electronic voice reading steadily along every error stood out and waved. I made it my highest priority to track each and every word down, as well as enlisting two volunteer proof-readers, though in the end it was the Kindle and a set of noise-cancelling headphones that caught the most words as well as a few missing periods.
I've since uploaded the newly revised version and checked the samples. But for any readers out there who have a typo-marred edition, (or *shudder* discover ANY typos, missing or duplicate words,) send me the flawed phrase and I will send you a new copy ASAP.
November 4, 2010
EXCITED!!!
That sums up my current mood, one I expect to continue throughout the day as I annoy the crap out of people who will be wondering why I'm grinning ear to ear. But here it is… a FIVE STAR REVIEW from Red Adept Reviews!
Anyone familiar with Red Adept's blog knows she does not give stars out lightly. She's known for her honesty and her hard-hitting reviews. I consider a 5 star review from her as a great honor and reading her impression of my book makes me happy beyond words.
(So who out there knows the reference in today's post title?)
November 1, 2010
Typos…
YIKES!
Among the glowing reviews I've been receiving for Last Exit In New Jersey, one very kind reader informed me he'd encountered a "distracting swarm of missing or unnecessary duplicated words." He still had wonderful things to say about the book as a whole, stating "This is memorable genre fiction, a crime mystery ennobled by a love story between a homicidal heroine and a suicidal hero," and more, but that the typos marred the reading experience.
I was surprised and a bit stunned, in truth. I'd been over this book with a fine tooth comb countless times and truly thought all was well, though I now suspect it was a case of rereading so many times that my mind filled in the sentences. But anything that derails a reader's train of thought breaks the mood, so I was truly grateful this reader had brought this to my attention so I could correct it.
I knew now that re-reading it myself, silently or aloud, clearly wasn't enough. I needed help! The first thing I did was go onto the writer's forums. I needed a proof-reader and I needed one fast! I knew there were recommended ones out there, but I'd also heard stories of people paying proof-readers who miss as much as they catch. A few writers mentioned a method they use with great success: using the Kindle's text-to-speech function and letting IT read aloud. I decided to give it a test, and it wasn't long before I'd discovered the first of the errant words. And then more, and yet more. In fact, far more than I care to admit. With that smooth, faintly electronic voice reading steadily along every error stood out and waved. I made it my highest priority to track each and every word down, as well as enlisting two volunteer proof-readers, though in the end it was the Kindle and a set of noise-cancelling headphones that caught the most words as well as a few missing periods.
I've since uploaded the newly revised version and checked the samples. But for any readers out there who have a typo-marred edition, (or *shudder* discover ANY typos, missing or duplicate words,) send me the flawed phrase and I will send you a new copy ASAP.
October 29, 2010
A Duct Tape Kindle Cover…
Duct tape is a versatile and useful substance. Both in real life and throughout Last Exit In New Jersey I and my characters have put it to use for a variety of purposes, from temporary repairs to leaky hoses, (garden and engine) to mending torn jeans, canvas, holding interior parts in place on POS cars and trucks, removing cat fur from clothing, repairing book bindings and making book-covers, keeping assorted things and people properly restrained. Oh, yeah, and even occasionally sealing duct work. There was an old joke around the boatyard that all you needed for most repairs were two things: duct tape and a BFH. (For those unfamiliar with the term, a BFH is a 'Big F#cking Hammer.) The theory was simple: If it wouldn't move, hit it with the BFH. If it wouldn't stay put, use some duct tape… or hit it with the BFH, depending on what 'it' was.
Everything you need to make a duct tape kindle cover
I'd like to add to that list of uses creating a duct tape Kindle cover. It's not for me; actually, a friend asked if I'd make her one. I'm taking a moment out from a much bigger and far more complicated project on the boat (which doesn't involve duct tape; posts to follow,) to do this. And while I can attest that making a duct tape Kindle cover is not a difficult process, I figured I'd add it to the list of DIY kindle covers I've featured on my blog as one more option.
Step 1: These poly file folders are still an excellent starting point, as Command Strips hold to them superbly but let you remove the Kindle at any time. Cut the folder to a size that will easily cover your Kindle. You can use scissors, though I prefer cutting with a straight edge and razor on a cutting board. This folder has holes in it for clipping inside a binder, so I placed some tape on the inside to cover them and keep the tape adhesive from sticking to the Kindle once tape is added to the outside.
Step 2: Lay the folder flat on the cutting board and begin taping. I told you it's not complicated. If the tape goes down crooked you can pull it up and straighten it. Lay the tape beyond the edges, which will make it easier to lay each row neatly, then simply trim the excess with a razor or scissors.
Cutting the duct tape
Step 3: While duct tape has a silvery charm all its own I've come to appreciate an even better substance… Gorilla tape. Think of it as duct tape on steroids. While duct tape will eventually wear and break down when exposed to sun and rain, Gorilla tape is weatherproof, stickier, tougher and all around amazing. I've actually used Gorilla tape to wrap dock-lines as chafe gear before hurricanes, and found it still holding strong a year later. On this cover I've chosen to trim the edges with some Gorilla tape both for added toughness and style. To lay it straight a few discreet guide marks are a great help; once Gorilla tape goes down you won't find it willing to move so you want to get it right the first time. Now, just attach your Kindle with some Command Strips and you're good to go!
duct tape kindle cover - complete
There you have it. A duct tape Kindle cover. Stylish, simple and cheap. What more could you want?
Note: In the first photo, my Kindle is pictured in another of my DIY covers. For more alternate DIY cover instructions, you can look here and here.
I'll take 'Odd Place Names' for $400…
"Meaning 2-shelled, the name of this New Jersey town goes back to its oyster industry days"
What is Bivalve?
A kind reader emailed me the other day; he'd recently finished my book and was amused when my main character's home town was in fact the answer to a question on the October 25th episode of Jeopardy. Once a bustling center of commerce, Bivalve exists today as a virtual ghost town, beautiful and serene as nature has gradually reclaimed much of the marshy shoreline. It was the ideal setting for the start of Last Exit In New Jersey, perfect not only geographically but also as just the sort of place Hazel Moran would proudly call home, which says something both for Bivalve and for Hazel. Bivalve is so utterly Jersey while being removed from all that is Jersey… while still being in New Jersey. I've often remarked that I plan to retire to Bivalve; one day I'm heading the boat down to Bivalve and I'm not coming back!
Anyhow, there you have it. Read a non-socially redeeming mystery thriller about some nice and not so nice folks from New Jersey, you may just learn some fascinating facts, including ones that could ultimately win you money on a nationally televised game show!
