L.M. Fields's Blog, page 4
July 1, 2013
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
Footprints in the Snow
Flash Fiction by: LM Fields
She took great care with us; she always did. It wasn’t until that fateful day when the dark clouds rolled in with winter’s first kiss, turning the rain into biting, white blankets, suffocating her pretty little flowers, that death came knocking. We should have been all but forgotten, just as she had been by her family many years ago, but the angels were there. We saw them, we always did. They were there, plus one, that day. She left her body, left her chair, and carried our wrought iron home outside where she set it in the crunching snow to rest. She opened the rusty door and smiled. The others flew away, but I didn’t. I stayed with her– stayed and watched until she faded like her footprints in the snow.
Filed under: TASTY BITES
June 30, 2013
DRAWN TO BODY ART
I may be a writer full time, but I’m still an artist, and with a secret love for tattoos. I have never liked the permanency of tattoos, or the needle used to etch them into the body, hence why I’ve never gone to a tattoo parlor. Tattoos are another wonderful form of self expression showing our character; like wearing our heart on our sleeve for those who have a heart to wear, but if someone must use a needle and puncture me over and over again in order to bring my heart out then forget it! Well, no more. God made Henna and I recently discovered its magic.
My husband and I just returned from Key West where on the streets they had all kinds of Henna Tattoo parlors. I got excited every time we passed one and couldn’t help but stop. For the first time in my life I did the deed. I got a tattoo! I’m still sporting my cool mermaid that’s wrapping her tail down my ankle. It’s been over 2 weeks now and she’s still good as new. I have never liked colored tats so the deep black is perfect, but what will I do when my mermaid fades away to nothing? I’m hooked. I can’t help but wonder why more people aren’t? You get the same, fantastic details, complete with shading, if you have a talented enough artist, without all the pain or permanency! Why pay to have a tattoo you might grow to hate? What if you grow out of it, or what happens when you get old and the tattoo starts to sag? What if you get a horrible artist? You’re still stuck!
There are so many bad tattoos out there that people thought were cool and realized later how horrid they were but they are stuck with them. Not true for Henna tattoos. They stay for about a month. Try it on for size and if you like it, Henna it all over again for another month. Or, maybe try a different one to change with the seasons, your mood, or to go with the special event your going to! How cool is that? You can change your tat like you change your clothing! The ideas are endless. Me? I’m considering drawing a very special holy symbol I created for the fourth book in my Dark Seeds series that I’m writing on now. Marketing is a beautiful thing. Another thing to consider, if you are really sold on getting a permanent tattoo, is to get your design done in Henna first by the artist you are considering. If that artist does a good job, and if after wearing the tattoo for a month you find you still love it, then go back and have that same artist go back over it, turning it into a permanent tattoo! Every person takes their car for a test drive before buying it, shouldn’t you do the same for something you have to live with for the rest of your life?
I ordered my own Henna Kit yesterday. The same used by professionals in those parlors on the beach. When I’m not writing, this artist has no choice but to doodle. I do believe I’ve found my once a month hobby!
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
June 26, 2013
BOOKSTORES & INDIE AUTHORS
I’m not going to claim to be able to tell the future, if I could I certainly wouldn’t be here typing this blog, I’d be buying a lottery ticket. What would you do if every cell in your body kept telling you that in the not so distant future Indie Authors would see their self-published novels on the shelves of their local book stores? Would you laugh it off and go about your day? I’m here to tell you that I believe this is the wave to come. If Barnes and Noble, the only big, go-to-book-store left standing wants to survive, that’s exactly what they must do. People will always love to hold a book between their hands, and owning two copies of the same book, one digital and one print, is not unheard of for there are pros and cons for each that can never be ignored.
The future is self-publishing. Agents, editors, and writers everywhere know it. It is the money maker of the future though it came yesterday. Someday, all the snobbery and clipping of Indie-Author wings will stop; most likely, the day big companies see how much money they are losing by ignoring the talented gems to be found out there of those who are flying solo. This message is for the courageous hearts, and their supportive readers who love their stories. You writers who have a story yearning to be told; do what you love, love what you do, but most of all, do it well. Be polished and show that you can produce excellence! Weave words of worth that are worthy to be read by everyone. Don’t let anyone ever clip your wings! You can make your dreams come true as long as you remain true to yourself. So set yourself to soar and always remain free, the rest will come in time. To our readers, you have the power to demand our books show up on those shelves, so let your voice be heard by ordering our books in your stores in person and ask for Indie Author signings! We’d love to show up for you!
The only things left to wonder is not if this will happen but when will Indie Authors finally be represented on equal ground with the other, traditionally published authors? The day that happens will be an exciting one indeed! And I should add that I believe it will be given guidelines as it should because there is plenty of bad writing out there, self and traditionally published! I say it’s time to let the people decide what is good. That’s what freedom is all about, so let it get back to work!
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
June 13, 2013
DARK SEEDS FOR SALE!
If you’ve been waiting for hell to freeze over, you’ve waited too long. The Dark Seeds novellas are a SciFi-Horror series seasoned with Steampunk for flavor and the first novella in the series, Crows Hill, is only 99 cents for a limited time! Catch a Crow today while supplies last!
This post apocalyptic story is set in our future Newmerica, year 2031. The powerful Illuminati have only a few stages left before they fulfill their New World Order agenda and have their rewritten Book of Revelations realized into the darkness they desire for all. But when four unlikely characters from forgotten bloodlines emerge, they stir up a spirit of courage and a hunger for freedom once more.
Can they face their demons, come together, and wake a sleeping force in time enough to save the soul of humanity, or has the darkness already spread too far and wide that it has snuffed the light out forever?
Be prepared to be entertained when you read the Dark Seeds by LM Fields, or just be prepared. Either way, it will feed your need!
Filed under: NEWS FLASH, SPOT LIGHTS
June 12, 2013
CATCH A CROW SALE!
CATCH A CROW SALE!
The countdown begins! At any given moment, within the next twelve hours, an unknown number of Crows are expected to escape the asylum! Don’t miss your chance! Grab one of your very own to feed your need at Amazon for only .99 cents before they all fly away!
Read Crows Hill, the first novella in the Dark Seeds series by LM Fields, and be prepared to be entertained, or just be prepared.
Filed under: NEWS FLASH, SPOT LIGHTS
May 31, 2013
NO POLITICAL COLORS
For those who are curious, there are people out there who do not believe in painting themselves one political party color or another. I grew up in a liberal household that thankfully taught me good moral values however my parents did not practice what they preached. One of their famous lines I might add.
I also got to experience my friend’s home and her very republican family, their life, and see what is was like with them. I thought it was better, at first. I became an adult and learned the truth about this extreme coin I was conditioned on, where hypocrisy was as common as apple pie for both sides (parties).
Deception, lying, political correctness, no matter how you want to dress it, you can not change the truth. Truth is a painful reality we must wake up to. I’ve been to both sides and I’ve survived the extremes. I made my choice and embrace truth, balance, freedom, and God.
The day a human being stands up for the people with the courage and intelligence to set him or herself apart from the politicians to do what is right for all the right reasons is the day we will finally see the balance our nation’s foundation was meant to stand upon. It’s time to wake up America and take a side… you can choose from the list given to you or check off the one that is not listed at all. Truth will always be there, waiting, as plain as the nose on your face, all you have to do is want to see it.
God bless America and those who love all she stands for.
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
May 27, 2013
3D GLASSES REQUIRED
So everyone has worn them, those funky looking glasses you have to wear so you don’t get your eyes in a twist for the latest 3D movies. They look nothing like what I remember when I was a kid; paper frames with plastic lenses, one side red, the other side blue. Now, at least you look quasi cool while you reach out to touch or block stuff that isn’t there. But what will we be wearing when we reach the 4rth dimension?
You scratching you head yet? Earlier this year my doctor put me on a new seizure control medicine, and like all meds, it came with a book of side of effects. These days, if death isn’t one of the effects then it has my attention. Anyway, it said nothing about my eyesight so you can imagine my surprise when I started seeing things in HD. Honestly, that’s the best way to describe it. It took me by surprise at first but now that I’m used to it, I sort of like it. What can I say? I’m an artist and a writer… what’s not to like about seeing everything intensified? But nothing prepared me for what started happening a few days ago.
I thought it was just clever advertising. I’m a graphic designer so I understand how attention to letter arrangement, coloring, and form can be smart marketing if done right, but the unusual effects were glaring at me from more than one book and from books that had nothing in common. Something was up. The book titles seemed to be coming off my computer screen! I have a beautiful, well loved Mac, but my sweet apple can’t do 3D. I decided my eyes were tired and I stepped away for awhile.
The next day came and I didn’t give my computer ordeal a second thought. Later that day my husband and I went to the local book store. (Yea, I do love books.) I was reading various titles, been doing so for maybe an hour when one book started to shift. The letters shimmered at first then seemed to pull away from the surface of the book. Only certain words on the spine started floating, coming out towards me then stopped a few inches out… it was as if I were wearing 3D glasses. I couldn’t stop starring. It didn’t matter what position I stood from, they moved with me, popping out as if to say, “Pick me!” So I did! I pulled the book out and inspected the spine and ran my fingers across its surface and found it was smooth as could be.
The book was ordinary as could be except for the color blue used those few words that popped out. Nothing more. No photoshop FX, no embossing, nothing. I know all the tricks and none were used. I put the book back and the spine started to shift again until my husband showed up and then it went flat and looked like every other title on that shelf… uninteresting.
All this strangeness got me thinking. You don’t have to believe in other dimensions. They’ll exist whether you believe or not. On the assumption there’s a fourth, I wondered what it might look like. Since we are already grounded and see in the 3rd dimension, might we need special glasses to see into the 4rth? And if so, what would happen? I think these past two days answered that question. The 4rth dimension would warp or curve our perception of time and therefore the space that is around us. Things that aren’t supposed to move or have multiple layers suddenly would have duplicates of itself and we would see them all at the same time and in new, exciting ways.
No matter if this is a side effect of medicine or perhaps a glich in the world around us that I just so happened to tune into its frequency, or for those who will like to think the easy term “she’s crazy”, it really doesn’t matter, does it? I like to look at this as a “what if” learning experience instead. An exciting moment into the possibilities of what could be. Isn’t that why we love our movies, our books, and games so much? Leaving reality to play in the sand box like children, a time when we were free to be creative and dream because we knew anything was possible. I never forgot about that little girl, she’s still in me and very much alive. She keeps me young and I love her wonder and curious heart.
“Don’t be afraid to explore the possibilities of life and see just where your creative mind might take you!” LM Fields
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
May 23, 2013
AN ANGEL BY MY SIDE
I love our dog, Angel. She is a long-haired Weimerainer and the sweetest girl with a fierce love for me and my husband… the house… and the entire neighborhood we live in. I think everyone knows it, her bark is that loud, but that’s not the only quirk she has that makes up her personality; she has this funny habit where she’ll refuse to eat unless I’m eating. Since I’m eating less, she’s now eating less. Likewise, as much as she would love to be out playing and exercising, she hates to do it alone just like me. Getting the picture here?
I have seizures, so I’m not too comfortable with the idea of taking either one of us for a walk until I’ve gone at least a year without a seizure first, but since I’ve started using my treadmill, Angel gets out her many “ducks” and starts throwing them around, chasing them, and having fun time while I exercise for 20 minutes. It’s great! I cuss out Jillian Michaels as she increases the incline but tells me I can do it, and Angel makes her ducks quack for mercy.
It’s been 3 weeks now and not only have I noticed a skinnier, prettier Angel running around our home, but my scale finally moved beyond a few pounds! In total, I have lost 9 pounds since I last saw my doctor 6 weeks ago. That’s got to account for something. I think we’re both happy! Now, please excuse me, I have an appointment with Jillian. I am a writer after all, I could use some more practice on my colorful metaphors. Keep walking towards your goals!
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
May 18, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW: STAR TREK
Attention all Geekers out there! You gotta go see the Star Trek movie. Finally, a movie to enjoy! It had story, special fx, one-liners that you could laugh at not moan over, and for some of the predictability, it was a blast to see coming because of all the wait a seconds that hit you between the eyes right after. This movie is a feel good entertainer. For everyone responsible for making it, thank you! You should take a bow and be proud of yourself! Thank God, there’s talent out there, and you were happy to feed it to us. Only problem, we’re gonna want more so hope you’re ready to keep cooking. Go see Into Darkness! It’s a 5-star gourmet popcorn movie you’re sure to love. LM Fields
Filed under: SPOT LIGHTS
May 17, 2013
CONSTRUCTION AHEAD
It’s easy to want to quit.
I can easily think of a million reasons to keep going when it comes to doing the hard things in life for others. From dealing with the emotional issues, to making sure things for our family get done so we have what we need, but doing the same thing for my health, for myself? That’s where I have always slacked in coming up with the same reasoning.
Just last night I grappled with this. Is the pain after the workout really worth it? I hardly got any sleep. I hurt all over, and in turn, kept my husband up all night. I felt bad and by 3 am, I finally got up and took several Motrin. Was it worth it? If standing on the scale told me I lost 20 lbs overnight I’d be screaming HELL YEAH IT’S WORTH IT! But that’s not reality.
Truth is, anything good in life does take time and it’s never an easy road to travel. There will be pits, rocks, and mud puddles, but every now and then there will be flowers, there will be birds singing if we pay attention, and if we’re patient, there’s a rainbow waiting for us at our destination. I can’t get there fast enough and I pray I don’t run out of fuel on the way. Anything good in life is worth the pains we must go through to get there and the rewards, they last forever.
“Whatever your personal goal may be, keep going until you see it through to its beautiful finish.” LM Fields
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
