Eve Gaal's Blog, page 26

Top Ten Ways to Get Un-friended on Facebook

 It took something like Facebook to show us that some of our friends simply don’t have a sense of humor. Have you ever been un-friended?
I have and it hurts. First of all, I visit Facebook to: 1. Communicate with friends 2. Talk about writing 3. Entertainment purposes only. There are a myriad of other places available to find pain and agony. If someone is spewing hatred, violence or anything that turns my stomach, I don’t necessarily un-friend but I might block that kind of post from my news-feed.  Anyway, here are my lighthearted suggestions for things you should steer clear of on FB.And admittedly, I'm guilty of a few....
Top Ten Ways to Get Un-friended on Facebook- or as Dirty Harry would say, "A man's got to know his limitations." 1.       Be honest about politics.2.       Be honest about religion.3.       Over promote your novel.4.       Promote your friend’s books.5.       Share one too many dog videos.6.       “Like” the embarrassing family photo.7.       Admit you eat things with Gluten.8.       Be critical of everything and have a low tolerance for the opinion of others.9.       Spell like a caveman.10.   Use profanity freely. (There are kids on FB.)

Are you on Facebook? Did anyone un-friend you? Did I miss anything? 

Breaking News! It's Spring!!

It’s spring and the Earth lined up with the sun and the moon just to tell us about it.
It’s spring and the ice floes are melting, except in Brooklyn.
It’s spring and Easter is around the corner reminding me to forgive scumbags and liars.
It’s spring and morning glories are popping out of the ground—angel-wing shaped leaves reach for the sun.
It’s spring and that means the excuse called winter is chimney ash. Sober green rivers have returned to blue and clouds dissipate as I sit to write.


Where will this season take us? 

Reading and Reviewing: Something for Everyone!

When not writing or chasing chihuahuas around the backyard, I'm usually reading. Here are the best from the last few months. Check out all my reviews on Amazon.com



Hocus Pocus  by Kurt Vonnegut
32 used & new from $2.83 Creative Satire! Vonnegut has created a fictional satire comparing a prison riot to Vietnam. His main character, Gene Hartke narrates the story with flashbacks fromhis life as soldier and teacher. With small political jabs but deep introspectionabout weapons, bombs and ruling the Universe, even a nod to Tralfamadore,his fictional planet from Slaughterhouse Five. The book asks brave questions byusing humor to instill humility. Who’s in charge? Who ordered you to follow protocoland would you follow those orders if it meant everyone would die? 
BLACK DIAMOND
 (McLean Twins Book 1)
by Jennifer Loiske When Innocence Meets Evil I usually shy away from books about witches and demons but Jennifer Loiske’s book pulled me into her pages, gripping my attention with carefully constructed  descriptions and a fascinating plot. Move over J.K. Rowling, there’s a new wizard in town and it might be this author and her book about Shannon  and her dad. If sleep is important to you, I suggest you don’t read this  before falling asleep because you’ll keep turning pages, wanting to find out what happens next. Fortunately, it’s well written, easy to read and there are magical spells throughout, making sure you’ll enjoy every haunting word!  
GOOD QUEEN BETH
by Alan Hardy Daring Spoils of War!
Here’s a book of dark satire combining 50 Shades with theHunger Games in one supercharged mutiny that will surpriseeven those who've seen everything. But first, can you handle real, provocative language that begins in the street and ends up on a sleazy bed?Did I think the author is a misogynist? Yes--but I also think he has great outfitdescriptions and lurid sex scenes culminating on a blood-gorged battlefieldfilled with murder and mayhem. This book about Royals is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended. Fortunately, you’ll know right up front whether you'll want to continue. Sorry for using a pun, but Hardy doesn't beat around the bush and he’ll dare you to decide right up front. Are you voyeuristic enough toturn the pages and find out what happens to Beth and Mandy? Will Jason everget it... well, you know...up...or does HE want to be Queen? Was everythingSandy’s fault or was she just a pawn in a giant game of chess? More importantly,what about the delusional Prince Farts, his out of touch mother the Queen andthat disgusting character the King? Will they have to resort to cleaning up theirown messes? Will basic animal instinct bring down the throne or will a checkmate ensue, proving that power and authority need to rule? Though well written, I'm sad this book exists and I’m sad that Camelot was fantasy. Maybe I’ll watch a reality show now....

Gryffon Master: Curse of the Lich King
 (Crystal Sword Chronicles Book 1)

Authors:
Schuldt, Freed,
Shaughnessy, Lemon and White
 A Fabulous Yarn
This is the most unusual fairy tale I've had the fortune of reading.  First of all, it combines myths and “stories dating back to  the beginnings of recorded history.” Secondly, this remarkable book was written or was magically woven, by several authors, into a smooth, well-executed and exciting tale. Like a tapestry worthy of a royal palace, you’ll marvel at the colors, the creative characters and the sprinkling of darkness twisting around the edges and expected in a fabulous yarn. Ragnar is a man who worships Odin and dreams of Valhalla. Ahmad is  from a desert near Damascus. Once they land in this ‘far distant’ mystical  land full of flying griffons, a frost giant, evil dragons, giant spiders, dwarves and a talking lizard called Calyptro, they get separated and have to keep dodging obstacles of terror around every bend. There seems to be a curse upon both of them but the gryffon  called Rostok, a giant scarab and a crystal sword are working  with all their new-found friends like a wireless system designated to help them escape the Lich King. Will the rugged man from the North and the slim man from the desert make it home? Read this exhilarating book and find out.   
A Suitcase Mystery
by Ned Stevens Big Screen-Style Excitement!
 If you like excitement, mystery and adventure you’ll find all that here and more. If you enjoy intrigue, espionage, blackmail and murder splashed with something along the lines of the new film--The Imitation Game-- you’ll love reading A Suitcase Mystery. The story begins in Latvia with two suitcases and a missing diary. The war's over but the country is still in turmoil and Ben is only an innocent boy. The diary is extremely important to the Russians and they want it back. Spring ahead to the U.S. where a veterinarian is dead and detective Dokes wants to find out what happened. Of course the FBI is involved andthe story swirls deeper and deeper into more plot twisting action than a six-foot pole dancer auditioning for the circus. Can Ben and his mother run from their past? Meanwhile, agents Sawyer, Books and John Holt areall over the place trying to solve everything but you’ll keep reading just to find out what happens with Berg, his fur business and what aboutthat diary? Why did the limo get hit? Will they be able to decipherwhat they need and what happens when they do?
Love Poems: Listen to your heart...
by Estella Eliot Amazing Collection
It's raining and it's too chilly to write, so I picked a great day to read  these tender poems of the heart. Sitting next to my fireplace, classical  music plays on the stereo and our Christmas tree twinkles, while my  small dogs burrow under this decidedly California-esque, cotton blanket.  Some of the author's poems rhyme and others sound like creative ad copy  for a chocolate factory. Some are simple as in 'don't leave me' and others  are complex. She has experienced love like the pebbles on the beach or  the clouds intertwining. Great alliteration, metaphors and talent, went  into this collection. I'm so glad to have spent this afternoon enjoying these poems.
One of my favorites is The Poetry Cocktail but all of them warmed my heart.

Rhyming Children's Stories,
 Poems and More: 2nd series
by Peter and Pattimari Sheets Cacciolfi  Beautiful Stories and Poems

Funny and sweet words from the heart. I especially enjoyedthe poem Morning News. This is a book you can pick up andread out loud when you want to make someone smile.

Most Recent Amazon Purchase: Dry Bones by Carole MordenAny of these titles sound good to you? Have you read some of them?Do you buy books from Amazon? 

49 Shades of Gray

What do you think of when you hear about shades of gray?
Will the color gray always remind us of the famous, erotic book?

Is that called conditioning? Branding? Being brainwashed? Even though I haven't read it, the sound of that title distracts mefrom years of newsprint memories,smudged sleeves  and discussions about ink saturation percentages. Late night press room dilemmas, deadline dramas and a limited spectrum, all based on black  and white.
[image error] (News photos were not printed in color until the late 80's.)
Right before a storm, this is my idea of at least 49 shades. DecemberCan we return to innocence?  January
Or is it too late?
February

Modern Day Haiku

There are those who writeThere are those who understand There are those who read.



Do you hear the wind?Take a moment to listen.It’s a lovely sound.
  Can you imagine?Her book is a bestseller!Hard to imagine.

Do you read eBooks?What books do you like reading?Well good books of course.

[image error]

Look me in the eye.Please put down your mobile phone,Can we have a chat?

My Library Presentation and Book Signing

In case you missed my presentation at the local library:
 After I said my introduction and thanked the Friends of the Library for inviting me to speak, I read a short poem I wrote on New Year's Day. At the end of my monologue, I read Chapter 49 from Penniless Hearts which was followed by a question and answer session where people asked me many interesting questions. It went well because I ended up signing quite a few books!Anyway, hoping to inspire other writers, this is what I said:
 "I’m sure many of you are voracious readers and some of you are also writers—perhaps published authors--who know a lot more than I do. That being said, I’m still thrilled to be here and willing to share what I know.
Today I’ll speak about three things: Voice*Validation and*Following Your Heart".
Voice:
"Have you ever watched the program the Voice on television?
The four famous judges are listening to potential stars who are putting their reputation and talent on the line in front of the world. If they don’t like what they hear, they don’t select the contestant for further shows. What it usually boils down to is style or voice. If the singer sounds exactly like (enter famous singer's name here)they may like her/him but what they are looking for is something unique. They want the talent of  (famous singer from previous sentence,)but...different. If you've ever listened to Karaoke or sang some yourself, you know there are people who can mimic other singers and sound almost exactly like the star who made the song famous. Real talent is something that shines beyond normal expectations. 
Will someone want to keep reading or will it put them to sleep?  I polish up my spelling and grammar and I also go through each sentence to portray my personal voice. Sometimes it’s a happy voice or a silly voice, a grumpy voice or an angry voice. How do I make the reader feel? Funny author, Carl Hiaasen says “The greatest sin for a writer is to be boring."
Though we might want to be Shakespeare, the best thing to be is to be yourself. Find your unique voice and readers will search out your words."
Validation:"Early validation is the best. If you know a youngster who enjoys writing, please encourage her and support her choices. Tell her to read because it’s the most important part of writing. I know many writers who don’t want to read—they only want to write. Can you imagine? Take the kids/grand-kids to the library on a regular basis and don’t forget about all the wonderful summer programs this library offers.  In high school, I received some early validation from the yearbook committee and when I selected my college internship, I wrote for my employee newsletter which also gave me validation. Then in the early eighties, I finally landed a job as a columnist for a newspaper in Newport Beach. Much much later, I finally published poems and stories. I found readers who enjoyed my writing, thus giving me the validation and confidence I needed to continue this journey.
Should you need validation there are many many online writing groups and also Meetup Groups. (They usually meet at a Starbucks) (Go to Meetup.com and get support from other writers in your area.) My favorite online groups are Writer’s Mayhem on Facebook, Pnp Authors and even Linked-in has hundreds of professional sounding writing groups. While living in the desert, I was also a member of the Palm Springs Writer’s Guild and attended several critique groups there. 
Most important: Write and keep writing. Write stories with plots and submit them to magazines or anthologies and then write again. Every day. Short stories can be a key to your future success because they are like small novels encapsulated in less than 3000 words. Write poetry, Write humor. Write what you know. Start a blog to help build a platform of followers who will immediately tell you what they think.   Keep a journal or a diary. Host a literary party or join a critique group. Your friends will be supportive and hopefully offer you great constructive critiques. 
Following Your Heart: 
Ask yourself why you want to write. If you are a true artist, you won’t be able to stop yourself from writing anyway. It comes naturally and there’s not much anyone else can do about it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dreams. Attend a workshop or go to a Writer’s conference where you can meet agents who will tell you if they are excited about your work! They might also suggest changes or tell you to scrap your idea and start with something fresh. Always remember that it is your work and your heart on the line and though we are all sensitive, you have to be prepared for a little pain along the journey.
There are loads of publishers looking for your literary input. I have had many short pieces published with small publishers and they promote  books but expect the writers to promote as well. After one of my first stories was published, I was miraculously featured on the cover of the local paper. They don’t have large budgets but want to share the royalties with the authors. Writer’s Market is a good reference for finding the name and addresses of these publishers. There are hundreds of them and they are constantly looking for emerging talent.
Self-Publishing  has evolved and grown into a very reputable form of publishing.  I chose self-publishing for my novel Penniless Hearts because I wanted complete control over the story. After spending twenty-five years in the newspaper business, it was a story I had to tell. The story is about communication and how the lack of it can cause dire, albeit humorous or even surprising consequences. 
Self-publishing consists of getting an editor for your manuscript and hiring a cover designer too. If you are good with computers then you won’t have any trouble formatting your own book and creating your own covers. Personally, I’m not that computer savvy and needed help with everything. It was an enjoyable process and I’m still enjoying the fruits of my labor by getting praise and some very flattering reviews.  
In conclusion, I want to remind you that the main focus of all writing is the reader.  What you really want are readers. If you have a large group of friends and family then you already have potential readers lined up where you need them.
When I’m not writing, then I’m probably reading. I read everything I can get my hands on. I read and review or make comments and ask questions. I try to interact with authors and listen to their advice. There's a lot to learn and I'm still learning. Reading can make every day a magical odyssey or a dreamy adventure. It’s a wonderful journey full of plot twists and turns that can make us cry, giggle and laugh-out-loud enough to wake our spouse. Thanks for having me visit your group. Hope we can meet again and I look forward to reading your published words!"
I'm so sorry you couldn't make it.Well? Did I inspire you? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I send you a kiss.One memorable kissThat you can feel in your heart.No spittle, No germs,No embarrassing breath—NoLipstick stains,Jealously,Fighting,Slamming doors,Or drama of any kind. [image error]  Just the faint whisperOf heated air Passing your cheek-Lingering long enoughTo mingle in your scent.My gift between Consenting adults.One solitary kissThat doesn’t lead to more.No lusting,Nothing sexy....
Like a misplaced hairTickling your faceOr a soft tissueWiping a tear. One solitary kiss.My little presentFor you to accept- To remember whenThe calendar pagesFall like autumn leaves-To unveil when times are hard-To savor when you’re alone.
I send you a kiss.
Did you get it?

Never Say Never!

I said never again...but maybe I was kidding. Maybe I just can’t say no to Arlee but every year when the A to Z Challenge comes up—I sign up like some sort of drug-induced sheep. Or maybe more like a sow before she’s recycled into breakfast bacon, because I’m totally committed and looking forward to a month of hyper-fast blogging.
The theme I've chosen is HOME and I don’t mean home improvement and recipes, although it would be fun trying to put some meat on these intangible bones. In other words, I’d love to give you something concrete you could use but most of the posts will be about that feeling of home. I’ll be blogging about the smells, laughter and love that make a house a home—simple and pure—just random thoughts and poems from my heart.  Hope to see you every week, but in April, I hope you can visit me every day! (Also, if you have a blog don't forget to sign up and tell me your theme.)

Meanwhile, in case you missed my post about the Super Bowl on Linked-in, here’s a link: It's just a reminder to NEVER give up!Super

A Valentine Offer!

Do you feel romance in the air? Is cupid following you around trying to get you to commit to a relationship for a change? Are candy ads blinding you with guilt? Are dreamy lingerie ads making you lose your focus? Is your spouse filling your in-basket with catalogs or advertisements for jewelry? Are you getting hot under the collar and uncomfortable thinking about the upcoming pressure of...  VALENTINE’S DAY?
FEAR NO MORE!!
I’m riding to the rescue with my pen! That’s right, your friend Eve Gaal, the hostess of Intangible Hearts and owner of Desert Rocks Creative Writing, will fashion a short letter, poem, wedding vow or proposal for you and email it directly to you by the 10th of February. You’ll still have four days to copy it into a Hallmark card and even time to send it through the mail!
As the published author of romantic, funny, inspirational and even slightly naughty poems, it came to my attention that I could help everyone with this difficult holiday.
My romantic poems & stories have appeared in:
"Goose River Anthology"
"My Funny Valentine"
"Kidnapped Writer"
"Front Page Kiss"
“Poets in Motion” “The Way the Light Slants”
Open Doors-Fractured Fairy Tales-"Mirror, Mirror"
"PnP Authors Short Stories and Poems"
and my novel, "Penniless Hearts.(These are all available on Amazon by clicking here: Click
In other words, this will not be a rushed, superficial little poem as in: ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, take me to bed you crazy old fool.’ No, this poem will have a personal touch that resonates with the receiver, perhaps even bringing tears to their eyes. All you have to do is write me a short email giving me a few facts. For example: How long have you been in love? What color eyes? Why is it hard being apart? Do you want me to write with a serious, humorous, sensuous or spiritual tone? Love is complicated and your input and those facts will help create a wonderful poem for your beloved.
Normally, as I’m a busy freelance writer, I charge $100 for short poems of approximately 100 words. You however, are in dire need of my supreme services and you are also following my blog, so therefore your short poem will be less than half price! $100/ Now: $39.99
Longer poems will be extra but not much more! Once I begin writing about love, it’s hard to stop and I enjoy doing it. Also, I will notcharge extra for revisions and intend on making you so thrilled with this special, meaningful gift that you’ll want more poems in the future! Let me help you during these heartfelt times and write to me today at evegaal@gmail(dot)com. (Payable through Paypal and hurry because the calendar is moving quickly to your special day. Offer expires 2/12/15)

Two Poetry Anthologies to Lighten Your Day!

  Magical angels, leftover holiday pixies and supreme luck helped conspire to put a few of my poems into two amazing anthologies this month!
The first one: The Way the Light Slants
My poem Mourning is a somber reflection about wood and Perfect is about that serene country setting on a swing that might have taken a few minutes, hours, maybe even days to appear flawless.
All the poems in The Way the Light Slants evoke the picture on the cover of the book. Talk about a picture pulling you into the story and so many different ways of looking at the same thing. This is truly a miraculous compilation of feelings and I’m thrilled to be a small part of it. If you’d like to order a copy click here: Click
The second anthology is titledPoets in Motion

The publisher sent me a proof of this book before it went to print and I have to say it’s so full of emotion; I had to grab a tissue. This book contains several of my poems including one I wrote on New Year’s Day about our surprise snowfall. Inspirational, heartfelt poems fill this wonderful volume from the Pnp Author’s Group where members voted on the best poem and the winner was David East. If you like creativity and a unique perspective, you’ll love Poets in Motion. Order it by going here:Click
By the way, don't you think these romantic poetry anthologies would make great gifts for Valentine's Day?