Eve Gaal's Blog, page 11

Love and My Fear of Cooking

My people show how much they love you by serving massive amounts of food. Then, if you don’t eat several portions, they feel that you don’t love them back. It’s a common disorder and painfully difficult to navigate. Let’s say I invite family from far away. If we’re not going to a restaurant and the kitchen is available, they will make themselves at home and prepare some delicious comfort food. Gigantic vats of the stuff. During the meal they’ll keep checking my eyes to make sure I love their creation. If I try and act cool, they will ask, “Do you like it?”
“Of course, of course. It’s delicious,” I answer, knowing how hard it is to make a great dinner. Plus, they came from far away and deep inside, I know, I should have cooked. Of course, I thankfully slurp up every morsel of the meal, mainly because I’m pretty easy to please, but subconsciously, I’m looking for a good reason to overeat. How can I argue with home-cooked and mouthwatering? Forgetting my doctor’s warnings about portion control, I inhale every fattening, delicious calorie. I take seconds to prove my love.
The reason I didn’t cook is, I’m not sure they’d like it. I guess it’s called experience. Everyone has varied tastes these days. Honey and nut allergies, milk sensitivities, etc. Few things can be as unsettling as rumors about how your fancy dinner caused a family member to go into anaphylactic shock. Ever since, I have cooking trepidation—there’s really a phobia—Mageirocophobia. (The fear of cooking). Fortunately, it’s not a severe case and I don’t need treatment. When it comes to love, I’m not a quitter.
The younger relations wash sugar-free and fat-free down with copious amounts of craft beer. Moments later, they begin a lecture about a new workout, while smoking. The older ones prefer bland over spicy. Teenage girls are in a vegan phase, which is a good thing but this usually lasts until they taste a brew-house burger. The boys like barbecue, but they haven’t yet studied carcinogens in school.
There's also the internet educational system. It’s enough to make you choke. Suddenly, everyone is a chef. Do I used grass-fed meat and range-free chickens? No, I use what looks  best at the supermarket and just like grandma, I rinse everything. Still, the dinner conversation can turn ugly. I must be out of touch or cruel if I don’t watch those movie documentaries about the truth behind our food. Don’t I know about the unethical treatment of animals? The crowded chicken coops? The thrashed wheat? 
Salad ingredients seem to be controversial too. Especially the dressing. Too sweet—too cheesy—too oily—too tart. Some don't like arugula, others hate cilantro. There's a romaine lettuce recall. Have I heard about it? Yup, I'm not serving it, am I? Help. And why do people pick fruit out of their salad?  I’m back to casseroles. They seem safe enough and contain a fair amount of vegetables.
PicJumbo picture by Viktor HanacekAnd don’t get me started talking about dessert. Let’s say, I spent hours baking, frosting and decorating something amazing.But instead of appreciation, tell me why I'm being quizzed about ingredients? Did I use flour? Did I use sugar? If I pull something ready made from the freezer, “does it have artificial ingredients? Food coloring?” They look at me as if I want to poison their children. “Yes, it has sugar. It’s called dessert.”
But sadly, I’m back at that casserole. I still worry when placing the big dish in the center of the table. After all, I put my heart into it.Speaking of hearts, it's aflutter. I search their eyes while perspiration breaks from my temples. If they don’t immediately look impressed, I’m all worried they won’t like it. If they don’t take seconds, my day might be ruined. Scooping almost full plates of food into the garbage pail, makes me want to cry.
You see, it’s a vicious cycle, fighting a nation of fast food.  But a cycle of love. Someday, as my family DNA dissipates into the ether, there will be other, worse issues than this one. I imagine my future descendants screaming at each other about carbs, gluten and the Keto diet, which is also called the Caveman diet. The cycle has progressed to the point that the Stone Age has returned. Clubs have been replaced with modern weapons and hunting for the exact taste, the perfect morsel of food to satiate immediate desire, is only one freeway ramp away. And love.....Humans will have to find new ways to express their feelings. 
As for my house, there’s this persistent issue connecting food with love. The slow cooker is simmering and the aroma is floating throughout the house. My husband is a great cook and whether I like his masterful concoction or not, I’ll be taking seconds. Good excuse, huh?

One Piece At a Time!

Sorry to drag you along on my walks, but it seems walking gives me hints for writing. Clues to the universal order or disarray of things. Walking makes me question nature and makes me think about the status quo. I walk—therefore—I am. Deep, huh? It’s supposed to say think and it was said by philosopher Rene Descartes. In fact, he said it in Latin: Cogito ergo sum. And walking, which is supposed to make me healthy, at least lets me philosophize.
So, here’s the scoop: Crossing the road one morning, I found a puzzle piece directly in the middle of the road. I racked my mind. What could this mean? My inference radar thought of many different scenarios. Have you ever put together a puzzle and found there’s one last piece missing? So frustrating. I’ve been there.
But what message was the galaxy sending me? Was there something missing from my life? For days  I tried searching for answers. I tried being introspective. Mindful. I hugged my husband. I read and review books. I give, I volunteer. I assist when necessary.  I looked at my improved diet and my relationship with God. Wow, there’s always room for improvement, but after days of reflection, I still couldn’t pin it down.
So, I took myself out of the picture and then it hit me. The day. The piece. I was looking at it all wrong.
I found this puzzle piece the week of June 12, 2018. The day of a famous summit in Singapore. A meeting about disarmament of nuclear weapons.
The universe communicated with a tangible form of an important word.  Without spell check but maybe using autocorrect, this solitary puzzle piece appeared before me. Maybe the rest of the pieces are on other streets, all over the globe, sending a strong international message.Say it. Say piece.PEACELet’s not lose an important piece of our puzzling world.

My Neighborhood Walk

A few weeks ago, I posted about unusual coincidences related to seeing things clearly. On my daily two-mile walk through our neighborhood, I found eye drops, bottled tears and reading glasses on three different occasions. One of the funnier comments received on my blog, suggested the neighborhood might not be as tidy as I may have thought. Since I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, I figured I’d post some pictures of our walk and let my followers see firsthand.  (We also have a homeowner’s association that comes down on anyone wanting to be sloppy.)
Walking inspires me in so many ways.  This may not look steep but it's a huffing and
 puffing grade on the way home.
When it's chilly I jog down hill.I see things I’ve never seen, almost every time. I meet neighbors, breathe fresh air and notice patterns in nature. I frequently see lizards, rabbits and squirrels. From our home, we can walk to a  grocery store, hair salon, dentist and dangerously delicious places such as: donut shops, pizza parlors, taco or burger joints  and gourmet restaurants serving local wine and craft beers. (Walking is a wonderful way to drink without driving. But I have heard that texting and walking can be hazardous, so be careful.)
Walking has many benefits, most importantly, exercise.  Did I mention flowering trees, blossoming hedges, daffodils, tulips, lilies and roses? Climbing vines, clematis and bougainvillea? This is the best time of year for observing the colors of nature and if you're  a photographer, grab that camera and zoom in, before the heat of summer takes some of the pizzazz away. (If you are allergic to pollen there are many over the counter allergy medications that can help you cope.)  Learn If you're a writer, stop imagining the rose petals and how they curve around each other when you can see them with your eyes.  The clouds, the weather, the chill in the air. Later, your prose and poetry will benefit from the experience. 
The point is to put down the tablet, computer game and maybe your Smart phone and forget about technology for part of an hour. It will recharge your cells, your thoughts will sharpen and the ideas might flow. Try it and observe. Justify the walk. What did you see that you haven't seen before? What made the walk unique? 
Take your dog. Did I mention our pups Pinky and Fiona enjoy walking too? In fact, they LOVE it.  
Oh, and we live about five miles from a large body of water called Lake Elsinore, thus explaining the cute visitor in the photo below.
                                         It's a glorious time of year for walking.                                                I hope you can get outside soon. 
Right on our street!  
Have I inspired you to take a walk?

The Oldest Book in the World

“The gold in one’s heart is far more precious than the gold in one’s purse.” --Confucius
While doing research on fortune cookies, good luck and fate for my upcoming novel, I came across some interesting tidbits about the I Ching. First, I learned it’s the most influential book in China. Most families have a copy of the revered book of wisdom because they feel it brings them good health and prosperity.
The I Ching, also called “The Book of Changes”can be traced back as far as 7,000 B.C. when a sage by the name of Fuxi (please don’t try pronouncing his name if you’re in an office full of people.) had many lessons to share about fishing, hunting and marriage. He began to use mystic symbols that represented positive and negative situations with long and short bars called yang and yin. He devised something called a Pa Kua which later evolved into a group of 64, six-line figures called Hexagrams. The most fascinating part of all of this is two-fold: Not only is the I Ching the oldest book in the world, but the binary system using those ancient hexagrams is the basis of modern electronic computing.  



Oracle bones predate recorded history
After carving a story, they would put it into the fire.
The cracks were the messages from the past.
(Wikipedia-Creative Commons)
While I wish I understood the numerical breakdown and the practical applications that even attracted famous minds, such as the Swiss psychologist C. G. Jung and Swedish physicist Niels Bohr, I am in awe of the collective opinions of experts who admit the predictions seem divine and above human understanding.
In my humble opinion, the mathematical sequences and patterns are repetitive, in the same way, that history repeats itself. Do you think we can find our own luck by studying our past?
“The answer you seek is within you, but it may be hard to find.” --Confucius

Affirmations

 Affirmations by Eve Gaal
Dance like the butterfly you are. You have been released. Free of the binding chrysalis, you are no longer captive. Even the sluggish old caterpillar memories are flitting away.


Maybe you’re a bumblebee with a field of flowers spread in front of you like carpet from the hills to the sea. All you have to do is select a petal for landing. The bee has to make these decisions alone. It can’t blame anyone if there isn’t enough pollen or the hive is too far away. They study the colors, scents and watch for intruders. They take important things into consideration before making a choice. The opportunities are endless. Where will you go?

Pour Wite-out over the bad parts of your life story. From today forward, you can start a fresh new chapter brimming with hope. In fact, imagine filling a printer with blank sheets of white paper.  Add some color to your story and watch the pages swirl with energy, displaying a happier you.



Clocks, timers and alarms are great for getting us somewhere else. Focus on where you are now.


YOU ARE HERE!!😊

A Tasty Serving of Amazing Authors!

 Three Dog Night for background music




When it comes to reading, I enjoy a little variety. After all, isn't it the spice of life?Though I've never been to Spain, I understand they eat dinner with small, tantalizing appetizer-type plates called tapas. A little plate of olives, another of cheese and a plate of cold-cuts or fish, alongside a basket of bread, a plate of marinated peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes, with a serving of chilled Sangria. In other words, a little something for everyone. Yummy. 
That's what I love about The Diamond Valley Writer's Guild. No, I'm not talking about their cooking, although that might be good too. I'm talking about the amazing variety of creative books they write. Books available not just to members, but to the general public through Amazon! Yes, you too can share in the feast of their labor by clicking under the book covers below. Taste this, my friends--these are my first selections--from this talented group. Hope my little reviews will have you salivating and asking these authors to hurry up and write some more! Buen Gusto!

KameleonaJudith FabrisKameleona is a well-written and sensitive book about island life on Molokai. You will feel and smell the flowers and taste the fresh Ono. The author will pull you into a forest reserve for a hunting trip or back to an idyllic beach on the other side of the island. On Sunday’s you’ll go to church, because that’s what the residents of Kaunakakai do. They bury the old and baptize the new. Most of all they love each other and they also love living in paradise.
Hawaiian culture, quilting, wood carving, fishing and family lore are infused into what amounts to an exciting story. Beginning with Jack Metzger, throwing a man off a cliff; not just any man, but the new Pastor of the Good News Church. There are shady characters like Joe Obregon, Frank Soriano and tough as nails Charlene Harper whose lives intersect with excellent characters such as Malia, Leilani and Keanu. There’s also George Kapule the Chief of Police. George is no slouch when it comes to solving crimes and keeping the peace. He listens to the war stories carried in on tropical breezes and follows every lead. He’s also friends with Paul Kanga, the Pastor at the Good News Church.
But wait a minute, the Pastor? Is it a mystery or a story of redemption? Read Kameleona to find all the answers. It’s truly an enjoyable and sensational story in a magnificent setting.
Key Largo Blues
 Lynne M. SpreenThere’s a bit of dialogue that sums up this novel: “When does a person ever get old enough to have everything figured out? “
“Never, I hope.” Karen wiped her eyes. Because then where’s the magic?”
Lynne Spreen’s book will take you on a magical journey from South Florida, into Georgia up to North Dakota and even to Spain. Her main character Karen Grace is searching for balance. In other words, Karen wants to be successful at her new business but she wants love too. Plus she has new rules. Can it happen? Hard to say-- Frieda might say that “Life is to be lived.” Good advice, especially for someone young like the other character Jessie, who happens to be tangled into domestic abuse with her boyfriend Lenny.
Spreen is one of the coolest writers I’ve seen for a long time. She has characters that use I Pods, develop Apps and take Segway tours. Instead of pouring a Chardonnay or glass of white wine, she merely writes, “a crisp cold white.” Though romantic and filled with juicy love scenes, the writing is hip and memorable. It’s today’s feelings not some old-fashioned panting, slowly working around a bunch of petticoats and a bustier. His eyes weren’t just blue but “blue like some alpine lake.”
Will Karen Grace find the balance she’s looking for, or is she “probably a cranky old woman with Chihuahuas”? Read Key Largo Blues and find out that Frieda was right all along.
The Turnaround
Karen RobertsonIf you enjoy books that grab your heart and take you on a journey, you’ll enjoy The Turnaround by Karen Robertson. Armchair travel, as in reading a good book, is one of my favorite ways to go, and this excellent story doesn’t disappoint. The colorful characters like Leroy and Pete made me smile while others, such as Jerry and Madeline made me mad. The well written descriptions of sights, sounds and even the odors, made me feel that I too was there, suffering along with the main character Grace, who seems to have fallen into a destructive whirlpool during a bus trip to Vegas. The exciting plot builds tension, testing Grace up to the very last page. Meanwhile Phil--Grace’s husband--has to make some choices—some big enough to change his life forever. Will he pay the ransom or has it already been paid? Climb aboard the The Turnaround bus and find out!
The Butterfly I SeeSuzanne Y. Saunders
As a lifetime student of human behavior, I’m always interested in stories that discuss relationships. Why do people choose to be friends or partners? This Young Adult novel explores the relationships between artistic best friends Amanda and Kristin and how they interact with the male characters Brandon, Matt and Charlie. The Butterfly I See is like a thesis on teenage development. The author covers social networking, body language, psychology, role-playing, facing harsh realities and letting go. Woven into an entertaining story, the author describes abstract art, symmetry, jealousy and intuitive thinking all while making excellent points about the creative process. And in a genius move, Suzanne Saunders makes the reader want answers, resolutions and closure, only making us realize, we might need to grow up.

The Water JarGeorge L. GurneyLast night, I sat down to read a few poems from a book called The Water Jar and while it wasn’t at all what I expected, I have to admit, I couldn’t put it down. The first story reminded me of one of the Letters written by Paul, in the New Testament. The scholarly, well-researched writing mimics the tone and voice of characters that once lived in ancient Jerusalem and Bethany. Eleazar is a young man who carries water in a large jug. He grows up to be a monk, but first there are important lessons to learn from Yeshua the Nazarene.
All the stories seem to have a faith-based connection weaving through the words, as well as a good deal of research. In Brave New World, the author delves into technology, touching on important issues related to the future of war.
My favorite story, called Knights before Christmas, brings together two pilots, during WWI; one British, and the other German. While shot and hanging in a precarious situation, they both communicate and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. I especially loved the quote from his grandmother that Leftenant Brian Goode recalled, about snow covering evil at Christmas, to keep Christ from being offended. I don’t want to ruin the plot by giving more away, but it’s an enjoyable read.
Interspersed with these incredible tales are a few poems. My favorite one is titled, Elsinore Oak, and as my eyes moved down the page, I could almost imagine those vaqueros, driving the cattle through the stifling hot valley. A place that today...could use a hefty Water Jar.The Road to Machu PicchuArch FontMany years before Columbus sailed towards the New World, the Incan’s built the city of Machu Picchu. After one hundred years, the inhabitants disappeared, leaving mysterious ruins behind. While all of this is intriguing to the main character, Jerry, it also makes for a breathtaking setting for this novel, which consists of a fascinating journey. Imagine traveling vicariously to temples hidden deep within humid jungles to see sacred shrines used for ancient rituals. But wait, this is a romantic comedy sprinkled with travel warnings, tips and even advice about how to handle high elevations, hangovers and motion sickness. It’s a travel book with several threads, connected by real love.
For many reasons, but especially because she loves him, Jerry’s wife gives him a ticket for a cruise to Peru. Meanwhile, his wife’s friend, Rhonda marries Karl the avocado farmer and they unknowingly buy tickets for the same cruise. (Though an enjoyable stand alone novel, it should be noted, that this talented author has another book, a sort of prequel to this one titled: Wrath of Rhonda, which paves a tropical forest path to this read. )
Follow the frustrating pratfalls and one-liners associated with Jerry’s friend Max. Marvel at the author’s clever characterizations of George, Brenda and Inga. George is Karl’s attorney. Brenda is a private investigator from Temecula. (Oh dear, maybe I’ve said too much.) The character development is so thorough that you’ll think you know these people; or at least you’ve seen them in the vegetable section of the supermarket, hemming and hawing above green bananas. The tour guides Buck and Fletch are unique to each other and even the pet parrot, Basil has a distinct personality. The language is colorful and the locations are teetering on a cliff exciting. Read Road to Machu Picchu and if the leaf-cutter ants, scorpions and snakes don’t get you, you might die laughing.


Guess you can tell I enjoyed reading, rather devouring these, and I hope you will too. 

Breaking News From Pinky and Fiona

WILDOMAR--We woke up early today, from a magnitude 4.5 earthquake, and are dog-tired. Daddy woke up five minutes before the shaking began. Go figure, maybe he has ESP. We were up like lightening and glad to go outside.  Like most of our species, we enjoy routine, not some bizarre bed movements before five o’clock in the morning. It was dark and cool outside. In fact, mommy rock and rolled back inside to get her coat during an aftershock.
Later, someone said that even National geographic photographers who have camped out for days, tracking certain types of wildlife, have rarely witnessed such serene moments as the two of us cuties napping by an open window. Mom didn’t even use a tranquilizer gun or any sedatives.
Sadly, we’re missing out on fabulous barking opportunities. The little girl with the toy car, the man with the fluffy white dog and that blonde lady with the Pitbull. Sheesh, if only. Yawn. And that mailman with the noisy truck can come inside and dance a fandango for all we care. Bring on Fed-Ex and UPS, we promise to be nice. Today.
Yup, today’s a great day for resting. No chewing our toys or licking toes. No sniffing in the trash or running around like a race horse at a Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale. Can you imagine our tireless parents took us for a two-mile walk? After that, they left us in charge of home-land security but we had to catch up on our ZZZs.  Yes, that sounds shameless, but they do have a backup alarm system, and it’s not like we’re ever going to be fired. 
That’s all I have. How about you Fiona? Fiona? Wake up!

Follow Up About Seeing Things Clearly

This is a follow-up story to a post I wrote in January about the Sterile Eye drops or bottle of tears I saw on a walk with my pooch. Click here if you want to see the original post: Amazing Grace Post From January
Last week, while out and about with the same dog, on a different street, I bent down with the plastic bag to pick up Pinky’s business. Next to her doody, was a small bottle buried in the soil. I pulled up the cap and saw it was an old, empty bottle of Clear Eyes by Visine for redness, irritation and burning eyes. Strange, that this neighborhood has all these eye issues, I thought. Or perhaps, it’s still part of a message from beyond. The first bottle made me think I need to see clearer and the second makes me think I need to focus. Part Three:
But then today, I found this:
Broken eye glasses. Both sides were in the gutter about two feet apart.

What do you think?
1. See clearer 2. Focus. 3. Read the fine print.
 Am I being told to wash my eyes out and take another look at something? I’d say three times and the message should be clear. Or is it?
That's us on our daily walk.You can see Pinky's paw.
Both sides of the glasses can be seen in this picture.
Strange huh?

Creating Memorable Characters

Inventing Characters

First, we hear characters:
Some of my early childhood memories involved piglets, and toes. Remember, ‘This little piggy went to market and this little piggy stayed home? This little piggy had roast beef and this little piggy had none? Finally, this little piggy cried wee, wee, wee all the way home.”
Then there were the three pigs who lived in a straw house, that was blown down by the huffing and puffing wolf. I loved that story but can’t remember if they even had names. I always thought it was a Grimm fairy tale, but after searching for the author’s name, there appears to be a dispute. Seems understandable, since it is a story that has survived the oral tradition of the ages. Who wrote it down first?Shy at first, this one approached me a minute later.












Second, we see characters in movies and on television:
There was Porky Pig. He hung out with Bugs Bunny in the cartoons. So cute.  

How about the clever pig, Babe? He corralled the sheep better than the dogs.
Third, we readabout characters:
Trying to tell me something at the local dairy.Wilbur is a ‘Terrific Pig” according to Charlotte, in E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web.
Are you a fan of the more recent Peppa the Pig?
How about Piglet?
Remember the intelligent Squealer from George Orwell’s Animal Farm who becomes the supervisor on the farm? After all, “All Animals Are Equal / But Some Are More Equal Than Others." I'm not sure if this mama is pregnant or out of shape. 
Last, we create our own characters:
As writers, we can make characters do, or say, anything we want them to do or say. It is a power unlike any other. First, we make up their personality. We usually start with the hero, which is the main character, also called a protagonist. Then, we create supporting characters and minor characters. We also create an antagonist, or the bad guy. Usually, the antagonist makes the protagonist look good.
When creating characters, we might ask ourselves some of these questions:
Are they cuter than newborn pigs?
How do they look? Are they ugly on the inside and the outside?
 Are they mysterious and if so, what made them that way?
 Is there some sort of psychological problem that’s going to bubble to the surface? Are they annoying? Do they have unusual peccadilloes or bizarre fetishes?
 Are they sweet, gentle and impressionable?
Should we get rid of them half way through the book? How should we get rid of them?
Will they be slaughtered? Will they leave a legacy?
Do they have character flaws?
What are the obstacles they must face? Will they triumph when faced with adversity?
How do we name them?  Someone once suggested phone books, but no one uses those anymore. I prefer making names up as I go along, and the baby naming sites on the internet.
(Here's a tip I've never used, but want to someday: At the end of foreign made films, the credits go on and on with fascinating names. Combining the first name from one, with the last name of another, could make a great character name.)
Acting?
It’s a lot of fun, and best if you can pretend to be each character as you write. Wear a cowboy hat while writing a Western, or  something sexy while working on your romance novel. Maybe oink a little when writing anthropomorphic farm scenes. You think I’m kidding, but reading your dialogue out loud makes it sound realistic. And if you’ve ever acted in local theater, or in high school plays, your method acting can come in handy. Whether it’s a children’s book or science fiction, your characters need to have emotions to keep  readers interested.
Let’s Meet!
This upcoming Saturday morning, 9:30-11:30, this little piggy, meaning me, will be part of a panel discussion at the Hemet Library, which of course is located in Hemet, California. Here's a link. We’ll be discussing tips on crafting compelling characters.  I hope to see you there.

Have any tips for creating great characters? 

30 Tongue in Cheek Phases of Writing a Book

 Phases of Writing a BookWarning: Not every writer goes through all these stages. I’ve survived most of them, but I’m only at number 21. If I don't focus, it's easy to be derailed. Anyway, if you tend to have martyr tendencies, you can power through this list too! Good luck. Oh, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
I'm in a jolly phase, because I see the light.
1.       Excitement( short-lived)2.       Research--May result in  pain near frontal lobe3.       Doubt—Sugar surges--donut cravings.4.       Extraordinary dog walking. Fetch? Of course.5.       Anger.Tissues and tears phase6.       Depression/Overthinking7.       Burning of sage8.       Critique group jitters9.       Bargaining/Negotiating with God10.   The Shakes (Possibly from massive amounts of coffee)11.   More research and napping12.   Grammar check shock13.   Mystic chanting and mumbling of prayers14.   Worry. Nail biting-hair loss15.   Editing/proofing

Small notes to remind me where I left off.

16.   Obsessive house cleaning or moving furniture around-Tub scrubbing17.   Shopping for rope or shoes18.   Gambling/Alcohol/Drugs19.   Laundry/Compulsive vacuuming/ironing20.   Gardening/Manic weed pulling21.   Pin light at end of tunnel jollies 22.   Distribution concerns/Extra food intake23.   Loves me—Loves me not—Beta readers24.   Gaming, crocheting or redecorating as a distraction25.   Marketing worries/ Fasting-diet-copious amounts of water26.   More editing. Arguments with self, editor and characters27.   Acceptance-Hope. Blog updating28.   Final Draft/ Removing was and exclamation points!29.   The query letter and Fifty shaded, mysterious steps to publishing30.   The Cover reveal party. Hooray!



-Signed, your exhausted friend, Eve