Jamie DeBree's Blog, page 22
July 8, 2013
On Dog Vaccines, Weeds, & The Weekly List...
I took today off from the day job, originally to take Mica-dog in
for his rabies vaccination. It's a decision I've been struggling with
for a lot of reasons - he has bad allergies that we're just finally
getting a handle on, and he was given the one-year rabies shot last
summer, which is the exact same thing as the three-year shot (google it -
it's pretty common knowledge anymore, so I don't know why *anyone*
would do the 1-yr shot), which means vaccinating him now will be
over-vaccinating, for sure. Add to that the fact that a lot of the
health problems we've been working on "fixing" for him in the 10 months
since we adopted him are commonly associated with reactions to the
rabies vaccine specifically, and you have a very nervous owner when the
shot comes due again.
Yes, rabies is a very serious, untreatable disease in dogs, and
very hard to treat disease in humans. I get that. And I'm all for
vaccinations in puppies - the risk of disease outweighs the risk of side
effects at that point. But legally requiring a booster shot that may
not be in the best interest of the adult animal just totally rubs me the
wrong way. Especially since studies have been done overseas that prove
the shot is effective for at least 5, and maybe 7 years. At the very
least, the legal requirement should be changed to allow 5 years between
shots, and exemptions for animals who react to it (some states have that
- our county doesn't).
Yes, we will be getting Mica the booster for rabies because I don't
want him to be impounded or euthanized without due process if the
"worst case scenario" happens (and that's what the law will require).
But I'm going to wait until our vet can order in the mercury-free
version of the vaccine...it's still risky with his issues, but it's less
toxic than the normal shot. Neither of my dogs get any of the other
vaccines any longer - they were vaccinated young, and they're house
dogs. The risks of over-vaccinating aren't worth it for their exposure
level and age. It would be fantastic if the labs would work on creating
safer vaccines...for both dogs and humans, but I doubt that will
happen.
In any case, I already had the day off, so I decided to keep it.
And here I sit on the couch, having a nice, quiet morning with the back
door propped open so the dogs can come and go in the back yard at will.
Can't think of a much better way to start the week, really.
As for my weekend...it was really lazy. I should have been outside
working in the gardens, but it seems like it's either hot or raining
here anymore...there's rarely a middle ground where it's comfortable to
be out. Seriously annoying, and with all the rain, the weeds are
flourishing, dang it. Honestly. I love beautiful gardens and growing
things, but this just feels like an exercise in futility. There's a
reason I tend to prefer fall and winter to summer. I'm hoping this week
we'll have some decent weather in the evenings so I can get out there
and work. If not for the nicer-looking gardens, at least for the good
calorie burn.
So what's on "The List" for this week? Pretty standard fare, really. A lot of writing, and a little of everything else:
- 3 serial installments
- Finish whichever draft I can get finished
- More cover art (I need three more covers soon)
- Edits to a short story releasing later this month
- Catch up with BSB accounting
- Start a crochet gift project
- Catch up with some projects I'm behind on at the day job
- Plan out which drafts to start once these are finished
That's pretty much it, really. It'll be a good week, I think. Here's to finishing more stories!
Enjoy
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July 5, 2013
Serial Story: English Breakfast, Part 11
This story is presented weekly in draft format.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 |
English Breakfast, Part 11
Patrick stared at the information he’d gotten back from the phone look-up. The number Karen had called from was registered to Charles Industries, a leading tech company recently in the news due to employees disappearing. It made sense - the journalist must have been researching the company.
Opening the schematics he’d photographed, he logged into the city planning records database and pulled up the blueprints for the address that the phone number had supposedly come from. They matched almost exactly, except it looked like a couple of walls might have been moved. It was labeled “Psych Lab”, and while it seemed stupid that the women would be held directly at one of CI’s buildings, it was all he had to go on.
His phone rang. Kane’s number popped up on the ID, and Patrick answered.
“Got anything?”
“Looks like Karen called from the Charles Industries psych lab. I was just about to head over there. I’ll send you the address.”
“Good - I’ll meet you there.” Kane disconnected the call and Patrick sent the address and a copy of the blueprints to Kane’s phone on his way out the door. He just hoped they wouldn’t be too late.
Daylight was creeping in by the time Patrick reached the lab. He parked a block away and crouched behind some bushes against a tall, chain link fence with a pair of binoculars to see what he was up against. Several guards patrolled the perimeter of the building, and there was a large digital lock on the closest door.
Getting in was not going to be easy.
He turned at the sound of scuffling shoes behind him, hand on the butt of his gun. Kane nodded, joining him in the hiding spot.
“What do we have?” Kane asked as Patrick handed the binoculars to him.
“Five outside, digital keypad and card swiper. I’m not sure how we’re going to get in yet - but the guards have key cards.”
“Looks like we don’t have to get in,” Kane observed. Patrick looked back at the compound in time to see two hooded female figures being led out the door.
“That must be them...” Patrick scanned ahead in the direction they were walking, and pointed. “There’s a car. We can hit them once they leave the compound.”
Kane nodded. “If they leave, anyway.” He handed the binoculars back. “I’ll block the road, you shoot the tires. Let’s wait until they’re half a mile away though - there’s nothing out there, and thier security guys will be delayed responding. Ready?”
Patrick nodded, watching as the women were shoved into the waiting sedan. “Let’s do it.” He jogged back to the SUV and got in, watching Kane drive past before he started toward the main road. He hung back until he saw the sedan go past, and then eased in behind, keeping his distance until he saw Kane shoot in front, clipping the sedan’s hood and turning the car sideways.
Patrick gunned the engine and held his glock out the window, aiming low on the back tire as he pulled the trigger. There was an audible pop as the tire blew, and another as the front tire went. Skidding to a stop, he got out, using his door as a shield as Kane did the same on the other side.
“Come out with your hands up!” Kane yelled. For a long moment, nothing happened. Patrick held his breath, knowing everything could go south in seconds.
Then two shots rang out from inside the car.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 |
English Breakfast, Part 11
Patrick stared at the information he’d gotten back from the phone look-up. The number Karen had called from was registered to Charles Industries, a leading tech company recently in the news due to employees disappearing. It made sense - the journalist must have been researching the company.
Opening the schematics he’d photographed, he logged into the city planning records database and pulled up the blueprints for the address that the phone number had supposedly come from. They matched almost exactly, except it looked like a couple of walls might have been moved. It was labeled “Psych Lab”, and while it seemed stupid that the women would be held directly at one of CI’s buildings, it was all he had to go on.
His phone rang. Kane’s number popped up on the ID, and Patrick answered.
“Got anything?”
“Looks like Karen called from the Charles Industries psych lab. I was just about to head over there. I’ll send you the address.”
“Good - I’ll meet you there.” Kane disconnected the call and Patrick sent the address and a copy of the blueprints to Kane’s phone on his way out the door. He just hoped they wouldn’t be too late.
Daylight was creeping in by the time Patrick reached the lab. He parked a block away and crouched behind some bushes against a tall, chain link fence with a pair of binoculars to see what he was up against. Several guards patrolled the perimeter of the building, and there was a large digital lock on the closest door.
Getting in was not going to be easy.
He turned at the sound of scuffling shoes behind him, hand on the butt of his gun. Kane nodded, joining him in the hiding spot.
“What do we have?” Kane asked as Patrick handed the binoculars to him.
“Five outside, digital keypad and card swiper. I’m not sure how we’re going to get in yet - but the guards have key cards.”
“Looks like we don’t have to get in,” Kane observed. Patrick looked back at the compound in time to see two hooded female figures being led out the door.
“That must be them...” Patrick scanned ahead in the direction they were walking, and pointed. “There’s a car. We can hit them once they leave the compound.”
Kane nodded. “If they leave, anyway.” He handed the binoculars back. “I’ll block the road, you shoot the tires. Let’s wait until they’re half a mile away though - there’s nothing out there, and thier security guys will be delayed responding. Ready?”
Patrick nodded, watching as the women were shoved into the waiting sedan. “Let’s do it.” He jogged back to the SUV and got in, watching Kane drive past before he started toward the main road. He hung back until he saw the sedan go past, and then eased in behind, keeping his distance until he saw Kane shoot in front, clipping the sedan’s hood and turning the car sideways.
Patrick gunned the engine and held his glock out the window, aiming low on the back tire as he pulled the trigger. There was an audible pop as the tire blew, and another as the front tire went. Skidding to a stop, he got out, using his door as a shield as Kane did the same on the other side.
“Come out with your hands up!” Kane yelled. For a long moment, nothing happened. Patrick held his breath, knowing everything could go south in seconds.
Then two shots rang out from inside the car.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
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will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
July 4, 2013
Serial Holiday Shorts: Mr. Mysterious - Independance Day
Mr.
Mysterious is one branch of a three-pronged holiday short series by
myself and two of my alter-egos. We follow three women through the year,
each with a different goal that may be achieved in ways they can't even
fathom just yet. This is Laura's story. You can read the first part here. All stories are posted in draft form. The combined, edited version will be released in December 2013.
***Warning - if you are under 18 yrs old, or easily offended by graphic material,
do not read further.***
Valentine's Day | St. Patrick's Day | Easter | Memorial Day |
Taking Control
The Saloon was filling up fast with cowboy and girl wannabes and the occasional loner who looked like he might actually work the land for a living. It was early, but Laura had needed to get out of the house before she drove herself crazy with worry. Melanie and Jodi had both agreed without any argument.
She wondered if her own anxiousness was as obvious as that of her friends. Making a concentrated effort not to check the clock or ask the barmaid to change to a news channel, she eyed the women sitting across from her, each seemingly lost in her own thoughts for the moment.
Melanie checked her watch for the five millionth time, and then look up at the closest television to their table. Jodi seemed antsy too, fingering the high collar on her sleeveless white turtleneck after she’d torn her last napkin to shreds.
It had been a long day, waiting for any news at all. David hadn’t been in touch at all since Memorial Day, and she assumed that if nothing bad happened by midnight, it would be because of him.
And if something did happen, he was probably dead.
She took another sip of her drink, hoping no one noticed the shake in hand. Only a few more hours to go, but she knew that even if he’d been successful, it wouldn’t mean he could get away, or even contact her.
Was it worth it? Could she do this much longer - not knowing whether he was alive or dead, or even where he was? Would this be her life if she let this so-called relationship continue?
“You ladies look like you could use another round. Allow me?”
She looked up and there he was, standing beside her with a trio of roses in red, white and blue in one hand and a hesitant smile on his face. She slid off the bar stool and wrapped her arms around his waist, so many emotions warring inside as he hugged her close that she couldn’t really make sense of them all. Relief and happiness won out for the moment, and she gladly returned the quick kiss he placed on her lips.
“I wasn’t sure what to think,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Or if you--”
He held a finger to her lips, glancing quickly over her head, and then back down at her.
“Later, okay?” He kissed her again. “Can I buy you that drink now, or would you rather have dinner?”
“I think dinner would be a good start,” Melanie piped up from the table. “I don’t think you deserve it though.”
Laura turned to frown at her friend. “That was rude, even for you, Mel.”
“I have to agree with her, Laura,” Jodie said. “Your man here doesn’t seem to be interested in anything more than a booty call every six weeks or so. You really gonna put up with that?”
Laura gaped at her friends. “So Melanie, when’s the last time you went out with the same guy twice, huh? And Jody, have you seen Ty since Memorial Day?” She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips as she waited.
“No, she hasn’t.” another male voice said. They all turned to see Ty approaching the table, a stern look on his face. He took Jodie’s hand and helped her off the bar stool, lacing his fingers through her own. “It’s something we need to discuss. Now. Are you ready to go?”
Jodie nodded, briefly chewing on her lower lip. “Yeah, I am,” she said as Ty started to lead her away. “Have fun, Laura. You too, Melanie. I’ll call later.”
Laura turned to Melanie and raised an eyebrow. Melanie held both hands up in mock surrender.
“If you wanna be some guy’s holidays-only girl, go right ahead. I’m gonna go find a Mr. Right-Now to amuse myself with, and I’ll talk to you later.” She slid off her seat and melded into the crowd, leaving Laura and David alone.
“Well that went well,” David said as she turned back to him with a sigh. “Not exactly how I’d expected, but your friends are right. We need to talk. Can I buy you that dinner?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows, trying to hide the nerves that were making her tremble inwardly.
“That depends - are you breaking up with me?”
He shrugged, running his free hand through his hair. “I think we should discuss all of our options. Even the ones that suck. Can we agree on that, and see where it goes from there?”
Laura hated that what he said made sense. She didn’t want logical right now, even though she’d been having the same doubts not long before. Right now she wanted passion, a declaration of love, something that would culminate in a night of amazing sex that would bind their souls together forever. And everything would magically work itself out after that. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and beg him to stay with her, no matter what. To reassure her that no matter what, they’d find a way to be together.
Instead, she nodded, blinking back the moisture in her eyes and slinging her purse over one shoulder. He held out the roses and she took them, raising them briefly to her nose. He offered his arm with the hint of a smile and she took it, squashing that little voice that told her she should prepare to have her heart broken.
He drove her to the restaurant in silence. It was a small, out-of-the way Italian joint with high-backed round booths, red plush seats and white linens lit by candlelight on every table. The maitre d’ seated them in a secluded corner and assured them the waitress would be by shortly.
Once the water glasses were filled, wine was poured and orders were given, Laura looked up to find David watching her.
“What do we do now?” she asked, dropping her gaze to her hands. “I don’t know what to do...”
He shifted, and she looked back up to see his elbows on the table, fingers laced together and a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I don’t really know either. It’s nearly impossible to have long-term relationships in my kind of work. That’s why most of us are single. That’s the job.”
Laura nodded, processing his words. “And you love it, right?”
“It’s my life. I feel like I’m doing something important, and that means a lot to me.”
The waitress delivered their meals, and they ate, or tried to. After the substantial leftovers were boxed up to go, they ordered coffee.
Laura sipped at the strong brew, setting the cup down gently on a saucer.
“So you don’t know anyone in your line of work who has managed to make a relationship work long-term? No one?”
David shrugged. “Steven managed, I guess, but his wife works with us too. And Dale has an on-off thing with his girl. She sees whoever she wants, and when he’s in town, he calls. They keep it casual - that’s how it works.” He pinned her with that hard stare she’d seen when those goons were breaking into her house.
“I get the feeling that casual isn’t going to work for you. But you need to know that serious just won’t work for me, not with this job. I thought maybe what we had would be enough, but it just isn’t, is it?”
Laura slowly shook her head. “I don’t want to lose you, David. But I don’t think I can handle not knowing where you are for weeks - maybe even months - or whether you’re okay or not. I’ve been so worried ever since you went off to stop those terrorists, worried that you wouldn’t come back, worried that you’d be killed, worried that you wouldn’t be able to stop the bad guys. It’s...not healthy to worry so much, damn it! And I shouldn’t have to, either.”
David closed his eyes, ran a hand through that gloriously thick hair and sighed before looking at her again.
“So are we breaking up?” He moved closer, reaching for her. “I know it’s probably for the best, but Laura, I--”
She took his hand, thinking about her life. About how she’d been so bored with everything until he came along. How he made her feel when they were together, or even just when they chatted online.
Could she really give all that up?
Coming to a decision she knew she’d probably regret, she shook her head.
“I don’t want to lose you, David. I can’t.” She looked into his eyes, saw relief and affection reflecting back. This was going to be the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she was ready. Fireworks went off in the distance, the bright colors exploding as she glanced out the window as if to underscore the importance of the moment.
Sliding a hand behind his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. He tasted like wine and coffee and danger. Pulling back just far enough to meet his gaze, she smiled.
“Tell me where I sign up to become an agent.”
###
Join us for the next installment of Laura's story right here on Labor Day - September 2, 2013.
Curious about what Melanie and Jodi were up to while Laura was meeting
Mysterious? Check in on Melanie at AlexWesthaven.com (horror), and Jodi at TrinityMarlow.com (erotic romance) - both installments will be posted later today. Thanks for reading! Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Mysterious is one branch of a three-pronged holiday short series by
myself and two of my alter-egos. We follow three women through the year,
each with a different goal that may be achieved in ways they can't even
fathom just yet. This is Laura's story. You can read the first part here. All stories are posted in draft form. The combined, edited version will be released in December 2013.
***Warning - if you are under 18 yrs old, or easily offended by graphic material,
do not read further.***
Valentine's Day | St. Patrick's Day | Easter | Memorial Day |
Taking Control
The Saloon was filling up fast with cowboy and girl wannabes and the occasional loner who looked like he might actually work the land for a living. It was early, but Laura had needed to get out of the house before she drove herself crazy with worry. Melanie and Jodi had both agreed without any argument.
She wondered if her own anxiousness was as obvious as that of her friends. Making a concentrated effort not to check the clock or ask the barmaid to change to a news channel, she eyed the women sitting across from her, each seemingly lost in her own thoughts for the moment.
Melanie checked her watch for the five millionth time, and then look up at the closest television to their table. Jodi seemed antsy too, fingering the high collar on her sleeveless white turtleneck after she’d torn her last napkin to shreds.
It had been a long day, waiting for any news at all. David hadn’t been in touch at all since Memorial Day, and she assumed that if nothing bad happened by midnight, it would be because of him.
And if something did happen, he was probably dead.
She took another sip of her drink, hoping no one noticed the shake in hand. Only a few more hours to go, but she knew that even if he’d been successful, it wouldn’t mean he could get away, or even contact her.
Was it worth it? Could she do this much longer - not knowing whether he was alive or dead, or even where he was? Would this be her life if she let this so-called relationship continue?
“You ladies look like you could use another round. Allow me?”
She looked up and there he was, standing beside her with a trio of roses in red, white and blue in one hand and a hesitant smile on his face. She slid off the bar stool and wrapped her arms around his waist, so many emotions warring inside as he hugged her close that she couldn’t really make sense of them all. Relief and happiness won out for the moment, and she gladly returned the quick kiss he placed on her lips.
“I wasn’t sure what to think,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Or if you--”
He held a finger to her lips, glancing quickly over her head, and then back down at her.
“Later, okay?” He kissed her again. “Can I buy you that drink now, or would you rather have dinner?”
“I think dinner would be a good start,” Melanie piped up from the table. “I don’t think you deserve it though.”
Laura turned to frown at her friend. “That was rude, even for you, Mel.”
“I have to agree with her, Laura,” Jodie said. “Your man here doesn’t seem to be interested in anything more than a booty call every six weeks or so. You really gonna put up with that?”
Laura gaped at her friends. “So Melanie, when’s the last time you went out with the same guy twice, huh? And Jody, have you seen Ty since Memorial Day?” She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips as she waited.
“No, she hasn’t.” another male voice said. They all turned to see Ty approaching the table, a stern look on his face. He took Jodie’s hand and helped her off the bar stool, lacing his fingers through her own. “It’s something we need to discuss. Now. Are you ready to go?”
Jodie nodded, briefly chewing on her lower lip. “Yeah, I am,” she said as Ty started to lead her away. “Have fun, Laura. You too, Melanie. I’ll call later.”
Laura turned to Melanie and raised an eyebrow. Melanie held both hands up in mock surrender.
“If you wanna be some guy’s holidays-only girl, go right ahead. I’m gonna go find a Mr. Right-Now to amuse myself with, and I’ll talk to you later.” She slid off her seat and melded into the crowd, leaving Laura and David alone.
“Well that went well,” David said as she turned back to him with a sigh. “Not exactly how I’d expected, but your friends are right. We need to talk. Can I buy you that dinner?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows, trying to hide the nerves that were making her tremble inwardly.
“That depends - are you breaking up with me?”
He shrugged, running his free hand through his hair. “I think we should discuss all of our options. Even the ones that suck. Can we agree on that, and see where it goes from there?”
Laura hated that what he said made sense. She didn’t want logical right now, even though she’d been having the same doubts not long before. Right now she wanted passion, a declaration of love, something that would culminate in a night of amazing sex that would bind their souls together forever. And everything would magically work itself out after that. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and beg him to stay with her, no matter what. To reassure her that no matter what, they’d find a way to be together.
Instead, she nodded, blinking back the moisture in her eyes and slinging her purse over one shoulder. He held out the roses and she took them, raising them briefly to her nose. He offered his arm with the hint of a smile and she took it, squashing that little voice that told her she should prepare to have her heart broken.
He drove her to the restaurant in silence. It was a small, out-of-the way Italian joint with high-backed round booths, red plush seats and white linens lit by candlelight on every table. The maitre d’ seated them in a secluded corner and assured them the waitress would be by shortly.
Once the water glasses were filled, wine was poured and orders were given, Laura looked up to find David watching her.
“What do we do now?” she asked, dropping her gaze to her hands. “I don’t know what to do...”
He shifted, and she looked back up to see his elbows on the table, fingers laced together and a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I don’t really know either. It’s nearly impossible to have long-term relationships in my kind of work. That’s why most of us are single. That’s the job.”
Laura nodded, processing his words. “And you love it, right?”
“It’s my life. I feel like I’m doing something important, and that means a lot to me.”
The waitress delivered their meals, and they ate, or tried to. After the substantial leftovers were boxed up to go, they ordered coffee.
Laura sipped at the strong brew, setting the cup down gently on a saucer.
“So you don’t know anyone in your line of work who has managed to make a relationship work long-term? No one?”
David shrugged. “Steven managed, I guess, but his wife works with us too. And Dale has an on-off thing with his girl. She sees whoever she wants, and when he’s in town, he calls. They keep it casual - that’s how it works.” He pinned her with that hard stare she’d seen when those goons were breaking into her house.
“I get the feeling that casual isn’t going to work for you. But you need to know that serious just won’t work for me, not with this job. I thought maybe what we had would be enough, but it just isn’t, is it?”
Laura slowly shook her head. “I don’t want to lose you, David. But I don’t think I can handle not knowing where you are for weeks - maybe even months - or whether you’re okay or not. I’ve been so worried ever since you went off to stop those terrorists, worried that you wouldn’t come back, worried that you’d be killed, worried that you wouldn’t be able to stop the bad guys. It’s...not healthy to worry so much, damn it! And I shouldn’t have to, either.”
David closed his eyes, ran a hand through that gloriously thick hair and sighed before looking at her again.
“So are we breaking up?” He moved closer, reaching for her. “I know it’s probably for the best, but Laura, I--”
She took his hand, thinking about her life. About how she’d been so bored with everything until he came along. How he made her feel when they were together, or even just when they chatted online.
Could she really give all that up?
Coming to a decision she knew she’d probably regret, she shook her head.
“I don’t want to lose you, David. I can’t.” She looked into his eyes, saw relief and affection reflecting back. This was going to be the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she was ready. Fireworks went off in the distance, the bright colors exploding as she glanced out the window as if to underscore the importance of the moment.
Sliding a hand behind his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. He tasted like wine and coffee and danger. Pulling back just far enough to meet his gaze, she smiled.
“Tell me where I sign up to become an agent.”
###
Join us for the next installment of Laura's story right here on Labor Day - September 2, 2013.
Curious about what Melanie and Jodi were up to while Laura was meeting
Mysterious? Check in on Melanie at AlexWesthaven.com (horror), and Jodi at TrinityMarlow.com (erotic romance) - both installments will be posted later today. Thanks for reading! Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Suspense/Thriller
| Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
July 3, 2013
Talkin' Books: Beach Reading, Humorous Suspense & Comic Book Art
Books Finished:
Beta Draft
Books In Progress:
Rough Country by John Sanford
Here Comes the Bride by Theresa Ragan
Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes Yardley
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #12
Morbius #6
Alrighty then. Another week, and more books, though not as many as
I'd have liked. But hey, I've been writing up a storm and late into the
night, which tends to cut into reading time. Saturday night we watched
movies until after midnight. Beautiful thing about books...they're
always waiting for whenever you can get back to them.
I've been downloading quite a few free books lately - which used to
really bug me, but if they author's going to give them away
(practically shoving them at us, considering all the posts I see on
Twitter and Facebook), who am I to deny them the pleasure of one more
download for no reimbursement, right? Okay, yes, I know...enough with
the snark, given a lot of my books are free this month too. Exposure is
good. I'll quit whining.
*Anyway*, Here Comes the Bride was, I
think, either free or discounted when I got it. The reviews said it was
light and fluffy and flowed well, which is exactly what I wanted.
Sometimes you just really don't want to work at reading a book, you
know? So far, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The characters, not so much.
Which is as it should be. It's a romance, so they'll get there HEA
eventually. I'm not worried.
If I had a beach to read on, this
would be the perfect book. As it is, it's making my lunch hours go by
all too fast...
I started Rough Country after listening
to my husband laugh his way through the thing. It's a suspense novel,
but good grief, you'd thing it was stand up comedy with some of the
chuckling and outright laughter I heard, and who wouldn't get curious
about that? In any case, I'm now having great fun meeting Virgil Flowers
for the first time...I'm actually loving it. Hastings had a book sale
recently, and hubby bought a bunch of the discounted Prey novels by
Sanford too. So we might be reading him for awhile...although hubby's
currently laughing his way through another Stephanie Plum novel. They
are pretty amusing.
Superior Spiderman #12 was...well, right
in the middle of a battle I don't really care about. So mildly
interesting, but it's dragging on - two issues now, and going for a
third. Honestly, it's kind of boring me, so I'll be happy when it's
done.
And Morbius #6 took an odd turn, with a
weird appearance by Spiderman and artwork that seems..."not as good" as
the first 5 issues. Dang it. This is kind of one of those transitional
issues in a serial story that leaves me kind of going, "huh?", so I'll
anxiously await the next one where hopefully we'll find out exactly
what the heck is going on...
Did you see the news? Comixology
offers online digital comic book subscriptions now! Which is totally
awesome, not that I've been reading digital comics, but in theory, I
love the idea. I think I'm going to pick one and subscribe, just to see
how it works. I subscribed to Asimov's Science Fiction magazine
for my tablet last week, and while I have some issues with how they
deal with older...um...issues, I think it's going to be a great way to
read magazines without the storage issues. And I can always buy a hard
copy of an issue if there are stories I want to keep. So we'll see.
I think that's it for this week. Happy Reading...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Beta Draft
Books In Progress:
Rough Country by John Sanford
Here Comes the Bride by Theresa Ragan
Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes Yardley
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #12
Morbius #6
Alrighty then. Another week, and more books, though not as many as
I'd have liked. But hey, I've been writing up a storm and late into the
night, which tends to cut into reading time. Saturday night we watched
movies until after midnight. Beautiful thing about books...they're
always waiting for whenever you can get back to them.
I've been downloading quite a few free books lately - which used to
really bug me, but if they author's going to give them away
(practically shoving them at us, considering all the posts I see on
Twitter and Facebook), who am I to deny them the pleasure of one more
download for no reimbursement, right? Okay, yes, I know...enough with
the snark, given a lot of my books are free this month too. Exposure is
good. I'll quit whining.
*Anyway*, Here Comes the Bride was, I
think, either free or discounted when I got it. The reviews said it was
light and fluffy and flowed well, which is exactly what I wanted.
Sometimes you just really don't want to work at reading a book, you
know? So far, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The characters, not so much.
Which is as it should be. It's a romance, so they'll get there HEA
eventually. I'm not worried.
If I had a beach to read on, this would be the perfect book. As it is, it's making my lunch hours go by
all too fast...
I started Rough Country after listening
to my husband laugh his way through the thing. It's a suspense novel,
but good grief, you'd thing it was stand up comedy with some of the
chuckling and outright laughter I heard, and who wouldn't get curious
about that? In any case, I'm now having great fun meeting Virgil Flowers
for the first time...I'm actually loving it. Hastings had a book sale
recently, and hubby bought a bunch of the discounted Prey novels by
Sanford too. So we might be reading him for awhile...although hubby's
currently laughing his way through another Stephanie Plum novel. They
are pretty amusing.
Superior Spiderman #12 was...well, right
in the middle of a battle I don't really care about. So mildly
interesting, but it's dragging on - two issues now, and going for a
third. Honestly, it's kind of boring me, so I'll be happy when it's
done.
And Morbius #6 took an odd turn, with a
weird appearance by Spiderman and artwork that seems..."not as good" as
the first 5 issues. Dang it. This is kind of one of those transitional
issues in a serial story that leaves me kind of going, "huh?", so I'll
anxiously await the next one where hopefully we'll find out exactly
what the heck is going on...
Did you see the news? Comixology
offers online digital comic book subscriptions now! Which is totally
awesome, not that I've been reading digital comics, but in theory, I
love the idea. I think I'm going to pick one and subscribe, just to see
how it works. I subscribed to Asimov's Science Fiction magazine
for my tablet last week, and while I have some issues with how they
deal with older...um...issues, I think it's going to be a great way to
read magazines without the storage issues. And I can always buy a hard
copy of an issue if there are stories I want to keep. So we'll see.
I think that's it for this week. Happy Reading...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
July 1, 2013
On Noise, Bachelor's Buttons & Hand-Me-Down Clothes...
I have a pretty low tolerance level for noise. Yes, I love a good
concert now and then. And I watch more than my fair share of TV and
movies. I even listen to music in the shower. But I can't sleep with
fans running or other "white noise", and I'm not one to have the TV on
just "for background noise". My laptop sound is kept off by default - I
only turn it on if I want to watch a video. At work, too much
noise/activity around my desk can derail me for an entire day.
Late at night, I love it when the house is perfectly still (okay,
there's always a low electronic hum going somewhere, but overall it's
silent) - it's absolutely perfect for writing (or reading, or both). Our
house is nice in that it blocks out most of the noises from the
neighbor's kids (not all unfortunately), but somehow the sound of lawn
mowers and other engines still manage to penetrate. It annoys me, even
though I know it shouldn't.
In any case, while I like watching fireworks well enough, I really
hate all the noise (and firecrackers put me in a special kind of bad
mood - I abhor those things). If we could have the visual without the
noise, I'd be one happy camper. And so would the dogs. Alas, Thursday is
Independence Day here in the states - the day we officially declared
independence from Great Britain some 200 years ago (not really, but the
day we celebrate it, anyways). And what better way to celebrate war than
with "bombs bursting in air", right? Like I said, love the visual,
would really, really prefer not to deal with the noise. So would my
dogs.
My noise aversion could be due to the first 10 yrs of my life spent
in government housing - an apartment complex of many buildings, each
containing four units on the top floor, and four on the bottom. We were
on the top floor, and we were kids. So we were constantly being reminded
not to run, not to slam doors, and not to yell. Basically, to be quiet.
I have to tell you, it doesn't matter how quiet you are, people living
below you will nearly always perceive you as the bane of their existence
(interesting, considering I always thought all of our neighbors were
noisy).
One of the people who lived below us though became one of my mom's
best friends. Her name was Faith, and she had two kids - one mentally
disabled and epileptic who requires 24 hour care (so she couldn't work).
She was ex-military, smoked like a chimney, and was a stickler for
following the rules, but she was always nice to us, and spent a lot of
time making the gardens in front of our building look nice. She planted a
lot of different flowers, but my favorite as a child were Bachelor's
Buttons - and she's the one who taught me what they were and let me help
plant the seeds.
She babysat us on occasion, and was forever passing along bags of
hand-me-down clothing from her own kids and other people she
knew...always very much appreciated since we couldn't afford new clothes
often. She was smart, had a very dry sense of humor, and always looked
on the bright side of things (which I dare say took some work given her
situation). It was a long time before she was able to move out of the
apartments, but my mom kept in close contact all those years, and they
shared a long friendship of the type that's often hard to come by.
Recently Faith was teaching my mother how to crochet rugs from old
sheets & t-shirts.
Faith died late last week, and though I didn't really know her at
all any more, I'm reminded of all she did for us when we were little,
and everything she was to my mom throughout the years. She may not have
had much, but what she did and who she was made a big impact in our
lives.
I do believe I'll put some Bachelor's Buttons in the garden...
What else is on the list for this week? Let's see:
- Write three serial scenes
- Send a finished short to the editor
- Finish the last holiday short to post Thurs.
- Work on finishing a couple more covers
- Keep the dogs from going too nutty on Thursday
- Workout x3 (weeding!)
- More laundry catch-up
- Work on some business-y projects I have going
I think that's probably plenty. Oh! And on Thursday, all of my books will be free for downloading from the BSB store - just use code FREE2013 at checkout. Thursday only. If you're a Smashwords shopper, there's a promotion
going through the month of July and many of my books are either free or
discounted there as well. So if you're running low on cash due to
summer vacations, and/or reading material, stop by one or both sales
this week - it doesn't get better than that!
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
concert now and then. And I watch more than my fair share of TV and
movies. I even listen to music in the shower. But I can't sleep with
fans running or other "white noise", and I'm not one to have the TV on
just "for background noise". My laptop sound is kept off by default - I
only turn it on if I want to watch a video. At work, too much
noise/activity around my desk can derail me for an entire day.
Late at night, I love it when the house is perfectly still (okay,
there's always a low electronic hum going somewhere, but overall it's
silent) - it's absolutely perfect for writing (or reading, or both). Our
house is nice in that it blocks out most of the noises from the
neighbor's kids (not all unfortunately), but somehow the sound of lawn
mowers and other engines still manage to penetrate. It annoys me, even
though I know it shouldn't.
In any case, while I like watching fireworks well enough, I really
hate all the noise (and firecrackers put me in a special kind of bad
mood - I abhor those things). If we could have the visual without the
noise, I'd be one happy camper. And so would the dogs. Alas, Thursday is
Independence Day here in the states - the day we officially declared
independence from Great Britain some 200 years ago (not really, but the
day we celebrate it, anyways). And what better way to celebrate war than
with "bombs bursting in air", right? Like I said, love the visual,
would really, really prefer not to deal with the noise. So would my
dogs.
My noise aversion could be due to the first 10 yrs of my life spent
in government housing - an apartment complex of many buildings, each
containing four units on the top floor, and four on the bottom. We were
on the top floor, and we were kids. So we were constantly being reminded
not to run, not to slam doors, and not to yell. Basically, to be quiet.
I have to tell you, it doesn't matter how quiet you are, people living
below you will nearly always perceive you as the bane of their existence
(interesting, considering I always thought all of our neighbors were
noisy).
One of the people who lived below us though became one of my mom's
best friends. Her name was Faith, and she had two kids - one mentally
disabled and epileptic who requires 24 hour care (so she couldn't work).
She was ex-military, smoked like a chimney, and was a stickler for
following the rules, but she was always nice to us, and spent a lot of
time making the gardens in front of our building look nice. She planted a
lot of different flowers, but my favorite as a child were Bachelor's
Buttons - and she's the one who taught me what they were and let me help
plant the seeds.
She babysat us on occasion, and was forever passing along bags of
hand-me-down clothing from her own kids and other people she
knew...always very much appreciated since we couldn't afford new clothes
often. She was smart, had a very dry sense of humor, and always looked
on the bright side of things (which I dare say took some work given her
situation). It was a long time before she was able to move out of the
apartments, but my mom kept in close contact all those years, and they
shared a long friendship of the type that's often hard to come by.
Recently Faith was teaching my mother how to crochet rugs from old
sheets & t-shirts.
Faith died late last week, and though I didn't really know her at
all any more, I'm reminded of all she did for us when we were little,
and everything she was to my mom throughout the years. She may not have
had much, but what she did and who she was made a big impact in our
lives.
I do believe I'll put some Bachelor's Buttons in the garden...
What else is on the list for this week? Let's see:
- Write three serial scenes
- Send a finished short to the editor
- Finish the last holiday short to post Thurs.
- Work on finishing a couple more covers
- Keep the dogs from going too nutty on Thursday
- Workout x3 (weeding!)
- More laundry catch-up
- Work on some business-y projects I have going
I think that's probably plenty. Oh! And on Thursday, all of my books will be free for downloading from the BSB store - just use code FREE2013 at checkout. Thursday only. If you're a Smashwords shopper, there's a promotion
going through the month of July and many of my books are either free or
discounted there as well. So if you're running low on cash due to
summer vacations, and/or reading material, stop by one or both sales
this week - it doesn't get better than that!
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
June 28, 2013
Serial Story: English Breakfast, Part 10
This story is presented weekly in draft format.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 |
English Breakfast, Part 10
Karen gingerly unplugged the handset of the phone from the cord as she crouched beneath the old metal desk. The land line would start beeping soon, and she didn’t want to draw attention to her position on the off chance whoever was coming wouldn’t notice the cord hanging off the desk.
There was another metallic click, and another, but the door didn’t open. Curiosity getting the better of her, she slowly peeked around the edge of the desk at the window in the door across the room.
She nearly gasped as she saw the woman from the other room standing on the other side, turning the door knob at intervals with her other hand braced against the glass.
Karen scrambled from her hiding place, briefly wondering if it was a trap before she jogged across the room. The woman’s eyes met hers and genuine fear flared in them just before she turned and ran away from the door.
Yanking it open, Karen realized there was no where to go. Another short hall ended abruptly with two doors in the middle, and the other woman braced herself against the far wall, eyes darting anxiously about as she looked for some miraculous avenue of escape.
“I’m here to help,” Karen said, holding out both of her hands so the woman could see they were empty. Though her beaten and bruised face should be a good indicator of the truth.
“I’m a prisoner too, and we need to get out of here. Do you understand?” She remembered the drugged, almost lifeless form she’d seen being tortured, and her gaze went immediately to the woman’s arms. She frowned.
They were devoid of any kind of marks or bruises whatsoever.
“Who are you?” the woman asked, her voice shaky. “How did you know I was here?”
“I’m with...well, I was with Kane Security. A friend of yours hired them to find you, and they asked me for help. The guys who kidnapped me just happened to be the guys who kidnapped you, and here we are.” She stepped closer, pointing to one of the woman’s arms. “I watched them cut you through the window. You were drugged. Why don’t you have marks?”
The woman looked down, holding her arms out and turning them this way and that. “I don’t know, but when they were questioning me, there was a man in the other room. He was making cuts on another man’s arm, and the other guy looked drugged. I was confused myself when I woke up after thier threats and I wasn’t hurt.”
She looked up. “My name is Heather, by the way. Heather Charles.”
Pieces started clicking together in Karen’s head, vague bits of information she’d heard in passing. Something that had been in the news recently...
“Charles. As in Charles Industries, currently under investigation for a series of employee disappearances?”
Heather nodded. “The very same. It’s my brother’s company, and I have evidence that he doesn’t want getting out. Apparently someone in the company is worried - and rightly so. I was just finishing up an article to blow everything open when I was taken. It’s way bigger than a few employee deaths.”
Karen nodded, struggling to process the new information. She forced herself to focus - they could go over this later, but first, they needed to get free.
“I don’t suppose you know the way out of here,” she asked, glancing at the doors to her right. “There’s just another hall that looks like this one on the other side of the office, and the interrogation room that I was in.”
Heather shook her head. “They had something over my head. I couldn’t see a thing.” She frowned. “Why would they leave us here alone? That doesn’t make any sense.”
The hair on the back of Karen’s neck stood up, and she looked up, checking the corners. A small red dot stared back at her to the left of the office doorway.
Of course.
“They didn’t,” she said, her stomach flipping with the realization they’d both been played.
Enjoy
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 |
English Breakfast, Part 10
Karen gingerly unplugged the handset of the phone from the cord as she crouched beneath the old metal desk. The land line would start beeping soon, and she didn’t want to draw attention to her position on the off chance whoever was coming wouldn’t notice the cord hanging off the desk.
There was another metallic click, and another, but the door didn’t open. Curiosity getting the better of her, she slowly peeked around the edge of the desk at the window in the door across the room.
She nearly gasped as she saw the woman from the other room standing on the other side, turning the door knob at intervals with her other hand braced against the glass.
Karen scrambled from her hiding place, briefly wondering if it was a trap before she jogged across the room. The woman’s eyes met hers and genuine fear flared in them just before she turned and ran away from the door.
Yanking it open, Karen realized there was no where to go. Another short hall ended abruptly with two doors in the middle, and the other woman braced herself against the far wall, eyes darting anxiously about as she looked for some miraculous avenue of escape.
“I’m here to help,” Karen said, holding out both of her hands so the woman could see they were empty. Though her beaten and bruised face should be a good indicator of the truth.
“I’m a prisoner too, and we need to get out of here. Do you understand?” She remembered the drugged, almost lifeless form she’d seen being tortured, and her gaze went immediately to the woman’s arms. She frowned.
They were devoid of any kind of marks or bruises whatsoever.
“Who are you?” the woman asked, her voice shaky. “How did you know I was here?”
“I’m with...well, I was with Kane Security. A friend of yours hired them to find you, and they asked me for help. The guys who kidnapped me just happened to be the guys who kidnapped you, and here we are.” She stepped closer, pointing to one of the woman’s arms. “I watched them cut you through the window. You were drugged. Why don’t you have marks?”
The woman looked down, holding her arms out and turning them this way and that. “I don’t know, but when they were questioning me, there was a man in the other room. He was making cuts on another man’s arm, and the other guy looked drugged. I was confused myself when I woke up after thier threats and I wasn’t hurt.”
She looked up. “My name is Heather, by the way. Heather Charles.”
Pieces started clicking together in Karen’s head, vague bits of information she’d heard in passing. Something that had been in the news recently...
“Charles. As in Charles Industries, currently under investigation for a series of employee disappearances?”
Heather nodded. “The very same. It’s my brother’s company, and I have evidence that he doesn’t want getting out. Apparently someone in the company is worried - and rightly so. I was just finishing up an article to blow everything open when I was taken. It’s way bigger than a few employee deaths.”
Karen nodded, struggling to process the new information. She forced herself to focus - they could go over this later, but first, they needed to get free.
“I don’t suppose you know the way out of here,” she asked, glancing at the doors to her right. “There’s just another hall that looks like this one on the other side of the office, and the interrogation room that I was in.”
Heather shook her head. “They had something over my head. I couldn’t see a thing.” She frowned. “Why would they leave us here alone? That doesn’t make any sense.”
The hair on the back of Karen’s neck stood up, and she looked up, checking the corners. A small red dot stared back at her to the left of the office doorway.
Of course.
“They didn’t,” she said, her stomach flipping with the realization they’d both been played.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
June 26, 2013
Talkin' Books: Short stories, rakes, bookworms, & superior-men.
Books Finished:
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Books In Progress:
Beta read (historical vampire romance)
Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes Yardley
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #11
Superman Unchained #1
Not much reading going on this week...partially due to my inability
to find anything I really wanted to read, and partially because I'm in
the middle of beta reading, which requires more thought and attention
than a "normal" read. I did read a couple more short stories in Beautiful Sorrows ...and
of course they're wonderful. I'm using that as my lunch time reading
for the moment. Mercedes is working on an audio book of her collection,
and I dare say it will be truly fabulous to hear these stories read in
her own voice and style.
A Week to be Wicked was fun, as are all
Dare's books. Who doesn't love a good historical romance here and there,
right? Especially when it involves the good, bookish girl and the
consummate rake who is trying desperately *not* to be the rake that our
bookwormish heroine needs him to be. Good times (for me, not for them,
until the end...)!
Superior Spiderman #11 was...better than
10, I think. The character is still fascinating, though I miss Parker's
input. Still, there's that push-pull of all Parker's past experiences
that come into play with the Doc's transition, and honestly, I think
he's as discombobulated about that as the readers. Which is a roundabout
kudos to the writers, who are clearly doing a great job with the whole
emotional distress thing. I have issue #12 at home now, just waiting to
be read...
I've had a bit of a hard time getting into any DC comics, but I wanted to check out the new Superman series, Superman Unchained ,
so I picked up the first issue. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I
enjoyed it, honestly. The artwork was really cool (especially the
fold-out poster - I'm considering a second copy just so I can hang one
up), but the storyline was really intriguing as well. I think I'll be
following this one, for a little while at least.
I realized two things the other day at the comic shop. One, I can
finally say I have a "pull list", which means I have a list of comics I
buy regularly. Normally one would give this list to the comic shop and
they'd pull your comics as they come in, setting them aside for you to
pick up, or to mail to you each month. I haven't done that, but I feel
less like a neophyte knowing that I've settled into reading a regular
list of titles, silly as that may sound.
And two, I need to keep track of which comics I have. LOL For the
second time in two weeks, I bought an issue I'd previously bought - so
now I have double copies of two comic books. They're too expensive to
keep doing that, so I really need to actually write out (well, type out)
my list, and keep it updated so I can avoid that little problem. I have
several comic-tracking apps, so I'll use one of those to keep my list
updated better.
Not much else going on this week - I need to finish that beta read
and get it back to the author, and then find another book to get
interested in. Luckily, there's no shortage of options in that
department...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Books In Progress:
Beta read (historical vampire romance)
Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes Yardley
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #11
Superman Unchained #1
Not much reading going on this week...partially due to my inability
to find anything I really wanted to read, and partially because I'm in
the middle of beta reading, which requires more thought and attention
than a "normal" read. I did read a couple more short stories in Beautiful Sorrows ...and
of course they're wonderful. I'm using that as my lunch time reading
for the moment. Mercedes is working on an audio book of her collection,
and I dare say it will be truly fabulous to hear these stories read in
her own voice and style.
A Week to be Wicked was fun, as are all
Dare's books. Who doesn't love a good historical romance here and there,
right? Especially when it involves the good, bookish girl and the
consummate rake who is trying desperately *not* to be the rake that our
bookwormish heroine needs him to be. Good times (for me, not for them,
until the end...)!
Superior Spiderman #11 was...better than
10, I think. The character is still fascinating, though I miss Parker's
input. Still, there's that push-pull of all Parker's past experiences
that come into play with the Doc's transition, and honestly, I think
he's as discombobulated about that as the readers. Which is a roundabout
kudos to the writers, who are clearly doing a great job with the whole
emotional distress thing. I have issue #12 at home now, just waiting to
be read...
I've had a bit of a hard time getting into any DC comics, but I wanted to check out the new Superman series, Superman Unchained ,
so I picked up the first issue. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I
enjoyed it, honestly. The artwork was really cool (especially the
fold-out poster - I'm considering a second copy just so I can hang one
up), but the storyline was really intriguing as well. I think I'll be
following this one, for a little while at least.
I realized two things the other day at the comic shop. One, I can
finally say I have a "pull list", which means I have a list of comics I
buy regularly. Normally one would give this list to the comic shop and
they'd pull your comics as they come in, setting them aside for you to
pick up, or to mail to you each month. I haven't done that, but I feel
less like a neophyte knowing that I've settled into reading a regular
list of titles, silly as that may sound.
And two, I need to keep track of which comics I have. LOL For the
second time in two weeks, I bought an issue I'd previously bought - so
now I have double copies of two comic books. They're too expensive to
keep doing that, so I really need to actually write out (well, type out)
my list, and keep it updated so I can avoid that little problem. I have
several comic-tracking apps, so I'll use one of those to keep my list
updated better.
Not much else going on this week - I need to finish that beta read
and get it back to the author, and then find another book to get
interested in. Luckily, there's no shortage of options in that
department...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
June 24, 2013
On Roses, Mind Mapping & Miscellany...
I hate rain, but my roses are loving the super-wet spring. Even roses I thought were dead made a strong comeback this year, much to my delight. Who doesn't love the sight of a gorgeous rose blooming in the garden? Simply magical, really.
It's funny how often I have to be completely and utterly frustrated before I find the right solution to a problem. Even if I *know* what the solution is, it takes that sense of urgency in my brain to make me actually start using something that normally makes my life easier in some way. I'm not sure why that is, but when I finally reach that breaking point, it generally results in something really cool.
Enter my discovery of an ages-old tool for organizing thoughts & brainstorming ideas: mind-mapping.
I've been struggling with the latest Fantasy Ranch story. I'm a "pantser", which means when I start writing, I don't have a plan, or an outline, or much of anything aside from a couple of characters and a setting. I do generally have a vague idea of what might happen, but nothing concrete. Normally, everything works out as I'm writing, and the things that don't are minor and easily changed in revisions.
Not so with this particular draft (and I have a couple others challenging me at the moment too). When I realized that I'll have to do major revisions this time just to make the story work, I knew I needed to do something drastic to get a hold of the story.
Normally I'm not a very visually driven person...when there are words to be had, I'd rather read than look at pictures (with the exception of artwork - I love art in all forms). But a story, even though it feels linear, rarely actually is. There are always at least two perspectives, so at least two stories running in parallel. That makes a more visual approach to organizing it logical. I started playing with some mind-mapping tools, and it wasn't long before I finally understood where the story was going, and more importantly, why, which gives me what I need to figure out what revisions I have to make.
It's pretty awesome, really.
I've decided to start mapping every story as I write it, to help me keep track of little details like character names & traits, but also bigger plot details as they develop. I'm hoping that doing so will keep me from issues like the one I've had with THHG, letting me see a few steps ahead, and when I can't, giving me the tools to figure out "what happens next".
I'm using SimpleMind on my laptop - I doubt I'll use the android app, because it requires a network connection to work and I need to be able to access my maps offline. Instead, I'll export from SimpleMind to pdf, and with my tablet I can make notes directly on the pdf to add to the map after I get home if need be.
If I want to map by hand, I have MindBoard for my tablet - which works with my stylus (will also work with your finger) to make handwritten maps...and I've found that pretty useful & fun at times.
Other than that, I spent the last week noodling some cover art ideas, weeding, planning not to have a party, writing, beta reading, crocheting, and working, of course. A pretty normal week, really. Which is good. I like normal.
This week, I need to put a few things into high gear. I have stories nearly done, stories that need to be done, and a host of other things to work on that I'd really like to have off my plate. Here's the list:
- Four serial scenes (one of which should finish a story)- Two cover art mock-ups- Finish a beta read I'm in the middle of- Catch up on accounting- Walk or weed 3x this week- Keep working on the tank top I started crocheting- Teach myself how to knit- 1 load of laundry daily (catching up)
I think that's about all my list can handle this week...might even be pushing it, but we'll see. Aim high, and see what happens, I say...
Enjoy
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It's funny how often I have to be completely and utterly frustrated before I find the right solution to a problem. Even if I *know* what the solution is, it takes that sense of urgency in my brain to make me actually start using something that normally makes my life easier in some way. I'm not sure why that is, but when I finally reach that breaking point, it generally results in something really cool.
Enter my discovery of an ages-old tool for organizing thoughts & brainstorming ideas: mind-mapping.
I've been struggling with the latest Fantasy Ranch story. I'm a "pantser", which means when I start writing, I don't have a plan, or an outline, or much of anything aside from a couple of characters and a setting. I do generally have a vague idea of what might happen, but nothing concrete. Normally, everything works out as I'm writing, and the things that don't are minor and easily changed in revisions.
Not so with this particular draft (and I have a couple others challenging me at the moment too). When I realized that I'll have to do major revisions this time just to make the story work, I knew I needed to do something drastic to get a hold of the story.
Normally I'm not a very visually driven person...when there are words to be had, I'd rather read than look at pictures (with the exception of artwork - I love art in all forms). But a story, even though it feels linear, rarely actually is. There are always at least two perspectives, so at least two stories running in parallel. That makes a more visual approach to organizing it logical. I started playing with some mind-mapping tools, and it wasn't long before I finally understood where the story was going, and more importantly, why, which gives me what I need to figure out what revisions I have to make.
It's pretty awesome, really.
I've decided to start mapping every story as I write it, to help me keep track of little details like character names & traits, but also bigger plot details as they develop. I'm hoping that doing so will keep me from issues like the one I've had with THHG, letting me see a few steps ahead, and when I can't, giving me the tools to figure out "what happens next".
I'm using SimpleMind on my laptop - I doubt I'll use the android app, because it requires a network connection to work and I need to be able to access my maps offline. Instead, I'll export from SimpleMind to pdf, and with my tablet I can make notes directly on the pdf to add to the map after I get home if need be.
If I want to map by hand, I have MindBoard for my tablet - which works with my stylus (will also work with your finger) to make handwritten maps...and I've found that pretty useful & fun at times.
Other than that, I spent the last week noodling some cover art ideas, weeding, planning not to have a party, writing, beta reading, crocheting, and working, of course. A pretty normal week, really. Which is good. I like normal.
This week, I need to put a few things into high gear. I have stories nearly done, stories that need to be done, and a host of other things to work on that I'd really like to have off my plate. Here's the list:
- Four serial scenes (one of which should finish a story)- Two cover art mock-ups- Finish a beta read I'm in the middle of- Catch up on accounting- Walk or weed 3x this week- Keep working on the tank top I started crocheting- Teach myself how to knit- 1 load of laundry daily (catching up)
I think that's about all my list can handle this week...might even be pushing it, but we'll see. Aim high, and see what happens, I say...
Enjoy
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Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
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June 21, 2013
Awilda Winner!
Congratulations to Carol Ward, winner of a free copy of Awilda, by Edward Medina! Thanks for playing, Carol! 
Your copy is on it's way...
Your copy is on it's way...
Serial Story: English Breakfast, Part 9
This story is presented weekly in draft format.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 |
English Breakfast, Part 9
Patrick stood at the front of a dark SUV with Kane, trying to ignore the river stench that blew his way each time the breeze blew across the water. The bridge was quiet this early in the morning, though traffic sounds and the occasional horn could still be heard from the city proper. Nothing was ever completely still in the city.
He checked his watch and looked around. The kidnappers were late, but that was to be expected. It was an obvious power play, and he figured it would be another ten minutes before they showed.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Kane, along with his keys and wallet.
“You know as well as I do that they could just shoot me right away. If that happens, Karen gets everything, okay?”
Kane’s brow crinkled, but he took the items. “You’re wearing your vest, right? And you know our sniper is in place to provide cover...”
Patrick tapped his chest. “Sure, but a head shot would make more sense if they just wanted to get rid of me, right?”
Kane dipped his head in acknowledgement and tucked the items in his jacket pocket. A set of headlights crossed the bridge and turned onto the gravel road where they waited, but didn’t stop. Ten minutes later, another car approached, but didn’t stop.
Looking at his watch, Kane rubbed his head and sighed.
“They aren’t coming - we’ve been suckered.” He held a finger to his earpiece, triggering the mic to speak with his team.
“The meet is a bust. Get back to the office ASAP and report.”
Patrick got in the vehicle with Kane, who threw the car into drive and peeled out, flipping the switch to turn on the flashing yellow security lights on top. It was evident when they got closer to home base why they’d been lured away.
Kane Security headquarters was on fire. Tall orange flames reached high and popped, the whole building engulfed in flames.
Patrick and Kane got out and Kane grabbed a nearby firefighter to get more information. Patrick moved as close as he could, staring at what looked to be a total loss.
A firefighter in full gear came trudging out of the smoke, bumping Patrick’s arm hard as he slid past. Frowning, Patrick turned to the side, expecting someone else standing close to explain the proximity, but he was the only one in the immediate area. Patting down his pockets, he remembered giving his phone to Kane.
The phone with the pictures from the usb drive on it.
Kane was still talking to the firefighter, and Patrick walked over, careful to appear calm.
“Still got my phone?” he asked quietly. Kane nodded, handing over his items without missing a beat.
A missed call from an unknown number blinked at him, and he tapped the screen to listen to the message, but it was quiet. He was just about to erase it when Karen’s voice whispered in his ear.
“Trace me.”
The call disconnected abruptly and he turned back to Kane, tapping the man on the shoulder.
“We need a phone trace, right now.” Several other law enforcement officials had gathered, along with more of their own team. It didn’t seem prudent to explain in a crowd, not knowing who was listening.
Kane met his stare, held it for a moment and then nodded. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and tossed them to Patrick.
“We’ll meet you there when we can. Watch your back.”
Patrick jogged down the block and got in his own car, pulling away from the curb slowly to avoid suspicion. The backup location wasn’t far, and would have all the equipment he needed. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.Enjoy
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 |
English Breakfast, Part 9
Patrick stood at the front of a dark SUV with Kane, trying to ignore the river stench that blew his way each time the breeze blew across the water. The bridge was quiet this early in the morning, though traffic sounds and the occasional horn could still be heard from the city proper. Nothing was ever completely still in the city.
He checked his watch and looked around. The kidnappers were late, but that was to be expected. It was an obvious power play, and he figured it would be another ten minutes before they showed.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Kane, along with his keys and wallet.
“You know as well as I do that they could just shoot me right away. If that happens, Karen gets everything, okay?”
Kane’s brow crinkled, but he took the items. “You’re wearing your vest, right? And you know our sniper is in place to provide cover...”
Patrick tapped his chest. “Sure, but a head shot would make more sense if they just wanted to get rid of me, right?”
Kane dipped his head in acknowledgement and tucked the items in his jacket pocket. A set of headlights crossed the bridge and turned onto the gravel road where they waited, but didn’t stop. Ten minutes later, another car approached, but didn’t stop.
Looking at his watch, Kane rubbed his head and sighed.
“They aren’t coming - we’ve been suckered.” He held a finger to his earpiece, triggering the mic to speak with his team.
“The meet is a bust. Get back to the office ASAP and report.”
Patrick got in the vehicle with Kane, who threw the car into drive and peeled out, flipping the switch to turn on the flashing yellow security lights on top. It was evident when they got closer to home base why they’d been lured away.
Kane Security headquarters was on fire. Tall orange flames reached high and popped, the whole building engulfed in flames.
Patrick and Kane got out and Kane grabbed a nearby firefighter to get more information. Patrick moved as close as he could, staring at what looked to be a total loss.
A firefighter in full gear came trudging out of the smoke, bumping Patrick’s arm hard as he slid past. Frowning, Patrick turned to the side, expecting someone else standing close to explain the proximity, but he was the only one in the immediate area. Patting down his pockets, he remembered giving his phone to Kane.
The phone with the pictures from the usb drive on it.
Kane was still talking to the firefighter, and Patrick walked over, careful to appear calm.
“Still got my phone?” he asked quietly. Kane nodded, handing over his items without missing a beat.
A missed call from an unknown number blinked at him, and he tapped the screen to listen to the message, but it was quiet. He was just about to erase it when Karen’s voice whispered in his ear.
“Trace me.”
The call disconnected abruptly and he turned back to Kane, tapping the man on the shoulder.
“We need a phone trace, right now.” Several other law enforcement officials had gathered, along with more of their own team. It didn’t seem prudent to explain in a crowd, not knowing who was listening.
Kane met his stare, held it for a moment and then nodded. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and tossed them to Patrick.
“We’ll meet you there when we can. Watch your back.”
Patrick jogged down the block and got in his own car, pulling away from the curb slowly to avoid suspicion. The backup location wasn’t far, and would have all the equipment he needed. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
