Nancy LaRonda Johnson's Blog, page 16

What's in a Name?

So much is!
Even the most stable and assured people are a little put off when their names are spelled or pronounced wrong. You may tell yourself it doesn't matter, but inside you realize it does. Even though I hadn't been called by my first name, Nancy, since graduating from high school, with trying to get my name and writing known, I want it all spelled out and exclaimed: Nancy LaRonda Johnson! thank you very much. 
A name isn't just how someone is identified, it is a telling of who they are. Many names have a backstory to them. If not named after someone the parents knew or a relative, they could have named the child after someone they admired. Or they could have just liked the sound of a rare name - as I did the main character's name in my first book, Alezea (pronounced 'aw leh zeh ah'); or a biblical name, as the main character in the sequel, Michtam (pronounced 'mik tam'), for which I like the meaning, precious as stamped gold.
My first name, Nancy, came from the nurse during my birth; LaRonda was from the doctor: Ronald, and my mom scrambled the letters and added an 'a' at the end. Johnson is from my dad. :)
It's a sad thing when people give their children names that are not worthy to be a name for someone, and which may even have negative connotations. Working in the legal field, it was not too surprising to me to see someone with the name "Dude" within the legal system, and it wasn't a cultural name that happened to sound like the English word. 
A name should be something to be proud of. Even if you don't necessarily fancy your given name, it shouldn't be an embarrassment or a name of something without value. Which reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Where The Heart Is, with Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. Natalie's character attempts to give her daughter a mighty and worthy name, and calls her "Americus". Well, it did have more meaning than her best friend Ashley's kids names, which were names of snack foods. 
My name, indeed, will have its most value when it is called out by God, and I hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Does your or your kids' names have a special meaning or backstory to them?

Please visit these other A-Z Challenge blogs:
Writing Like Crazy
Lots of Crochet Stitches
QRSTUV
Domestic Evolution
Tesseract

Merry Monday to You!

Yep, it's Monday! Let us rejoice that we have made it to another work week, for it is a week the Lord has made.

Mondays are good because they start you off with how well you'll reach your goals for the week. This week's goals for me are:

1.  Write Biblical discussions for two flash fiction stories for my WIP Salted With Fire, and figure out what the discussion will be for one story in particular. It's kinda tricky because the story is from the point of view of an animal, but it can be done.

2.  Keep up with this amazing A-Z Challenge blog hop posts.

3.  Visit blogs that I've gotten behind on while ill, including new ones I'm visiting based on the list, and my assigned blog list for being one of Spunky's Soldiers.

4. And the easiest goal of all: Thank everyone for the get well wishes and prayers! They put smiles on my face, and I'm sure they worked, as I am MUCH better. THANK YOU!!!



Enjoy these Merry Moon pictures I took in Greece several years ago. May you be hypnotized by their beauty and mystique. 

L is for feeling Lowly + Save-a-Word

I guess feeling exhausted for the last couple of days was a precursor to the Lowly germ bugs invading my system. After a good, but early work morning, a gradual progression began: the headache came again, then soar throat, then feeling achy.

I'd been free of getting ill all autumn and winter. In fact, it's been quite a while since I'd gotten sick. Luckily yesterday I was able to leave work early, take some Nyquil and get some sleep. Unfortunately, after gobbling up vitamin C since Thursday morning, I've been overcome by the Lowly bugs nonetheless. Guess they started making their stealthy march to overtake my immune system before I realized it. Those sneaky little devils!

Such a busy weekend scheduled too. No matter what, I'm going to meet with my critique partner, even if I have to cancel everything else!

Either way, I hope the headaches fade enough so that I can catch up on reading you guys' posts this weekend.



For Save-a-Word Saturday rules, click here.

The theme:
Lace socks
My word:
Limacine - (adj.) sluglike

My writing:

Despite all efforts and past successes in combatting the onslaught of bacterial infections, today LaRonda resigned. And she had planned to wear her new lace socks today. Instead, she hung out the white flag and with limacine motions, trudged her way into bed and covered her head under thick blankets into soothing darkness.

A KILLER in the Midst? + Celebrate the Small Things

Since elementary school, I've had an imagination that at times took on a dark, psychological edge. Those types of movies and books do put a smile on my face. I'm not talking about just gore or horror, but something with characters that are deep and menacing, yet something more, and who have an interesting history and reason behind their way of life.

So, it was no surprise to me that my first novel had to deal with a serial killer. But as I began to live in line with my faith, I wanted to make sure there was even more to evil than just evil itself. That's when the Christian theme of my first book really began to develop. 
I've never been one to think that God wants everyone to write the same "happy Christian" books, because then so much of life would not be represented. Whatever topic I choose to write about, I want at least one of the characters to give life to their daily relationship with God. 
My sequel to Anticipation to the Penitent is called Anticipating Dawn, and is much, much different than the first. So far, there is no killing. It's about a relative of the serial killer in my first book who attempts to give the families of the killer's victims some peace, but instead causes great distress. There's also a subplot about the relative's best friend who is a gay Christian. 
Now, I'm starting to wish that maybe there could be a KILLER in the midst of the story. I had never considered it before, but I think I'm kind of seeing it as a puzzle to try and fit into the story. It would change the dynamic of the book in some sinister and sneaky way. 
I think I like that idea. :]
For VikLit's Celebrate the Small Things, there is much about this past week to celebrate:
1. A great work week that allowed me to enjoy the wonderful weather.
2. For the first time, I was voted having the best "Table Discussion" speech in my Toast Master's International group. Table Discussions are impromptu 1-2 minute speeches given from questions provided by the Toast Master.
3. I submitted my application for a promotion at work. Who knows what will come of it, but I'm glad I got the application in, and have a panel interview on the 23rd. (I accept prayers and well wishers!)
4. The success and enjoyment of the A-Z Challenge.

5. And the success and enjoyment of my Most Amazing Giveaway. All gifts have been awarded!
Don't forget to celebrate the small things!
Other A-Z blogs to visit:
Nebraska Family Times
The Peasants Revolt
Refractions and Reflections
Gladiator's Pen

JUST Take a Deep Breath . . . and Write

This is the tenth post in this April challenge, and it's getting to the point where the end of the month seems so long, long away! I long for another Sunday just to take a break.

Then I remember when I had, what I thought at the time, was a stellar blogging idea - to have daily writing prompts. As you can imagine, that didn't last, though the intent was good - to keep the creative brain in full functioning gear with quick (50-300 word) writing prompts. Unfortunately, I was thinking more in lines of a creative writing site, not a blog.

With that past idea in mind, I have to remember that I can do this challenge. I JUST need to take a deep breath . . .

[picture from blog.teenlife.com]
and write! Surely some days won't be as interesting as others (like today, I figure), while others will be more inspired (like day H).

Today, I am going to JUST take that deep breath, because I am soooo exhausted that I didn't even make it to church last night. And hopefully tomorrow I will be back to my normal, creative self and write!

I, Eye or Aye? + The Remaining Giveaway Winners

Ingenious? At times. Infallible? Not even close. Inaccurate, i.e., wrong? Not too often, but it happens. :)


Don't you hate it when sometimes your brain in thought works faster than your brain can work in choosing the right word? Okay, I don't think I've ever written I for eye, or even aye instead of eye. But just as I was typing this, my fingers started typing the word write instead of "right" word.









Everyone knows the craziness of the English language, how fun yet frustrating it is. So, I thought I'd do a little experiment with homonyms and mistyping, and write using the wrong word, while getting in a just a wee bit of complaining. Here it goes:



How horrible it is win ewe put out sew much in formation a bout an upcoming occurrence and real eyes ewe got it wrong! All of you're family, co-workers, Facebook friends, were tolled too bee in front of the, lets say TV, at a certain thyme and our to, lets say watch an enter view of ewe, thin learn that it wasn't shown! How terribly embarrassing! Now, tomorrow aye half to show up two work and fill like I'm eating hum bowl pi because people sat en front of there TVs too watch a show they never wood half were it naught four me. 
Next thyme, wheel they even lis in two me, oar wheel it bee like The Boy Who Cried Wolf and eye we'll never bee believed again? 
Sew, its true. My debut TV enter view didn't heir last knight, all tho they did introduce my book and tale of the up-coming book signing. Hopefully next weak it wheel bee on. Wheel sea! 

It wasn't as easy as you would think to get the wrong words in! How hard was it for you to read and understand it all the way through?

And now... 
...for the real fun stuff - the winners of the Amazon gift cards and gag gifts from my Most Amazing Giveaway.

Two $10 Amazon gift cards (Winners were randomly drawn from those who expressed an interest to enter the giveaway) The winners are:

1. The Queen, Sheena-Kay Graham
2. The Father Dragon himself, Al Diaz

    (Emails were sent to you yesterday regarding my eBook. Please let me know you received the email so I'll know I have your correct email to send you the gift card. I'd like to send them by Friday.)

Two gag gifts. The randomly selected winners are:

1. Suzanne Furness
2. Tyrean Martinson

    Not true "gag" gifts, they are something that I think you'll enjoy!
    (Please send me an address to nlarondajohnson-author@yahoo.com where I can mail you your gift.)

*** Emails for the download of the eBook version of Anticipation of the Penitent were mailed out to the winners yesterday. If you did not receive it, please let me know. To see if you're on the list of winners, you can check here.

Half Pint

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Half pint was a term of endearment my dad used for me. I always loved that. As the youngest in a family of eight, I often felt left out, specifically from my five siblings. But running out to my dad and being called half pint made me feel important and special. Even when he called me worm, because I squiggled around a lot, I knew I could do nothing wrong in his eyes.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZc9KD3xhLI..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZc9KD3xhLI..." width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">(My family from way back. </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">That's me sitting in my daddy's lap. Even I have to laugh at that pony tail!)</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><br />Thinking back on it, I wonder if there were reasons for the term half pint other than being the youngest and smallest. (I won't mention the cutest! But I was ornery sometimes, even back then.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVgfT9_8Cv4..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVgfT9_8Cv4..." width="150" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Me being ornery)</span><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN..." width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>There was Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie who had that nickname as well. I did love me some Little House. (And some of those episodes are still quite good.)<br /><div><br /><br /><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonanzleimage..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonanzleimage..." width="156" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Of course there's the half pint of liquor. Well, I'm sure my father drank, but I never saw him drink more than a beer or two while enjoying his cigar. (This was way back when. My parents divorced when I was ten.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN..." width="163" /></a>There's a half pint of milk. I don't think he considered that small carton we drank everyday at school - the ones that would at times be so difficult to open!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Half pint has so many connotations. But I don't care about them. I only care to remember running into my dad's arms when he returned home from work and lifted me up smiling and saying in his quiet, teasing voice, "Hey, half pint!"<br /><br />I truly don't remember much else after that moment, but that was enough to sear into my heart wonderful, indelible images of my father, who past away at such a young age in 1991 of congestive heart failure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WMpXvcuy_0U..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WMpXvcuy_0U..." width="185" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gxOgvEjr-Q..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gxOgvEjr-Q..." width="194" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(My dad with his sister, whom I'd only met once years ago.)</span><br /><br />As a Spunky Soldier, I ask that you please visit these other A-Z sites:<br /><a href="http://www.skybear.co.uk/" target="_blank">Skybear</a><br /><a href="http://herlifeisasoundtrack.blogspot...." target="_blank">My Life is a Soundtrack</a><br /><a href="http://walnutsnpears.com/" target="_blank">Walnuts n Pears</a><br /><a href="http://themusicalwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Music and Lyrics</a><br /><a href="http://croninandhanrahan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Patience, Persistence, and Perspiration</a><br /><br /></div></div></div>

Getting It Done

Yes, it's tax season...

and after last year when I had to pay out for the first time more than $25, I was hesitating doing my taxes this year! Okay, I was being cheap and wanted to hold on to the thought that maybe I'd adjusted my withholdings over last year enough that I wouldn't have to pay anything and not get much back.

I've learned from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University that it's best to hold on to as much of your mullah as you can instead of having the government handling it for you throughout the year, and to adjust your W-4s in a way that you get little or nothing back. In 2011, I did poorly at trying to figure out what would be too much withholdings and had to shell out quite a bit to Uncle Sam in 2012.

But this time I did good. I'd gotten the taxes done last night and I'll be getting some back. Before adding on my charitable contributions, I would have owed about $17. After adding it on, I'll be getting back over $1000. I'd like to get less than that back, but I don't know if I want to fuss around with my W-4s anymore. We'll see.

Getting it Done....

What else do we writers have to say we're getting done? Well the obvious...

our manuscripts!

And I'm slowly getting my second, what I'm calling my in-between book, of short stories and poetry done. I'm excited to be meeting the new critique partner next Saturday and pray NOTHING gets in our way.


And then there's marketing to get done....


I did a TV interview at the bookstore where my first book signing will take place, and it airs locally Tuesday! (Nail biting! Will my shifty eyes be too noticeable??)

Kudos to me, but there's so much more that could be done and should be done. It seems that the writer's job never really GETS done. No, instead, it's our feat to always be Getting It Done.

Winners of Anticipation of the Penitent

I am so happy to announce the winners of the eBook version of my book, Anticipation of the Penitent:
Sheena-Kay Graham S.K. AnthonySuzanne FurnessSarah ChafinAl DiazMedeia SharifMichelle – Writer-in-TransitJuliet BondTyrean MartinsonTamara Anstice Potts - Creative TherapyMichael Di GesuKristen Dyrr

If I have missed anyone, I'm so sorry. Just send me a note.
In case you have forgotten what it’s all about, here’s the short pitch for Anticipation of the Penitent:
When Alezea is trapped by the Devil, she bears him a son and knows her life will never be her own. She is the mother of Thomas, a man reared by Satan to be a killer of life’s most innocent – little girls. After she finds a way out, Alezea will risk her very soul to free Thomas from his father. The fight to save her son will either redeem her or destroy her forever. Rachel knows Thomas’ history, yet she believes her presence can transform him. Her belief in Thomas might send her further into the Devil’s realm or provide an opening for God’s miracles in both of their lives.
***The winners of the $10 Amazon gift cards and gag gifts will be announced this week, after I've made sure no one is missed for the random drawings. All winnings will be sent out by Friday, April 12, 2013.
Thank you everyone who expressed your desire to enter this Most Amazing Giveaway!

You Wanna Be A Funambulist?

Another two-fer! The A to Z Challenge plus Save-a-Word Saturday bloghops. Click on each links to learn more about them. 
This week's theme for Save-a-Word is Footsteps and my word is Funambulist. (Nice how that worked with today's challenge letter, eh?) To see if you can figure out the meaning from the writing, the definition is at the bottom. 
And here's my writing (which is longer than normal because of the A-Z Challenge):
“Have you ever been trained as a funambulist?”
“Well, not really.”
I caught the interviewer blanch, and added, “It came natural.” I shifted in my seat, then straightened up, remembering that this was an interview. “I came from a long line of funambulists. A very long line.”

“Still, there is quite a liability issue.”
“Think of it this way, would you need to ask a frog whether it had been trained to hop onto a lily pad?” He smirked and was about to say something. To prevent him, I continued, “Or a bumble bee what training he had to gather pollen? Believe me, it’s similar. My first steps were made on a rope stretched out on the floor. It’s all videotaped.” I then gave him the name - my family stage name. 
“And why don’t you work with your family? Why go to a competitor.” 
Now I smirked, unable to stifle a small chuckle. “My family has no real competitors.”
Thankfully, he wasn’t offended, knowing the truth of my statement. To answer his question, I said, “My family doesn’t understand me. They don’t see why I want this to be not only my career, but my enjoyment as well. They are, in essence, the opposite of gypsies and don’t feel work and fun should mix. They’ve always said that our profession was a spelling misnomer.”
The interviewer then jumped up, stuck out his hand and said jovially, “Welcome aboard, Claude. You are our new funambulist and can start after you meet the family. As you may know, we gypsies have a large family. And you can familiarize yourself with our tent and setup.”
"No need. But thank you," I said shaking his hand robustly.
"Oh yeah, you're a natural!"
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Funambulist: (fyoo-nam-byuh-list) (noun) a tightrope walker