Jo Robinson's Blog, page 67

Frog Tosser

I’ve just discovered that one of my neighbours is lobbing the dead frogs that he fishes out of his pond over the wall. I went to unlock the gate for my cleaning lady this morning, and there they were. Something went SPLOT under my foot, and when I looked down – well. Four leathery, expired amphibians in a little pile, and the rather flatter one that I stood on. Fortunately for the neighbours they’d already left for work, because squishing a dead frog first thing in the morning did not make me a very happy bunny at all.

My cleaning lady then spotted their cleaning lady, so she headed over and politely suggested that their gardener be asked to stop hoiking little green corpses into my driveway. Turns out that they don’t have a gardener, which means that my neighbour HIMSELF is responsible for tossing the toads! I don’t personally know the couple next door, but I’m pretty certain I’ve heard that he’s a lawyer. You’d think that a lawyer would know better than to chuck little decomposing bodies into an innocent scribblers yard exactly where she’s most likely to stand on them, considering she has a bad habit of not looking where she walks. The sod.

Unfortunately, my weekly gardener had already disposed of the evidence by the time enough steam was coming out of my ears to send me out to throw them back over. I’m not sure what to do yet. Heading over to discuss the matter sounds a little embarrassing to me, and I don’t like embarrassing people no matter how toolish they behave. I’ve considered putting the word out in the domestic workers underground that I’m looking for a couple of hundred dead frogs. It would make the memory of that squishing, crunching sound under my foot this morning a lot less blurgh if I could return the favour a hundredfold, but I wouldn’t want to be the actual cause of death of any frog in case anyone got overenthusiastic to deliver. So.

The fuming has knocked me right off my epic editing throne, and now all I can think of is flattened frog faces. Still. I think there could be a story here somewhere. In the meantime I’ll spend a little time Googling grand revenges. He’s not going to get away with it.

Image Credit: Candid Frog Free Stock Photo

No More Progress Reports, Cataclysm Is Live!!!

Originally posted on Have We Had Help?:

Well folks, I’m happy to inform you that you can now buy your Kindle copy of my novella – Cataclysm via the Amazon outlet nearest to you.

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Chris Graham, aka The storyreading Ape is the first to add his very generous five star review on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia:-

5.0 out of 5 stars Read and ponder! 3 Nov 2014


ByChris Graham aka The Story Reading Ape

I was lucky enough to be a Beta Reader of this book prior to publishing and can tell you that it is not JUST a ‘science fiction / time travel / action / thriller / romance with a difference’ story that will grip you from the start and keep you gripped throughout.It will also make you wonder if there might be an element of truth behind the premise of the fiction.


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Thank you so much Chris. I…

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Free Holiday Promotional Opportunity for Authors (Read Tuesday Sale)

Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog..... An Author Promotions Enterprise!:

Authors:

Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a free opportunity to promote your books for the holidays?

Readers:

Wouldn’t it be great to find a huge holiday book sale?

Well, there is. It’s called Read Tuesday.

It’s like Black Friday, but for books.

In 2014, Read Tuesday falls on Tuesday, December 9.

Mark your calendars.

What do you have to do?

Very little:

Authors:

Sign your book up for Read Tuesday at http://readtuesday.com. Click the authors page to learn more.

Readers :

Visit http://readtuesday.com on Tuesday, December 9. Browse the catalog of books on December 9, which will include links to Kindle pages at Amazon with amazing sale prices as well as Smashwords discount codes.

Gift-givers:

Send books for the holidays. You can gift an e-book, purchase CreateSpace paperbacks with discount codes, or give a paperback as a gift from Amazon and keep…

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Calling all Children’s Authors

Originally posted on Year 'Round Thanksgiving Project:

I have a project in mind for our Early Childhood Initiative we are involved with at work. But I need your help.

I want to do YouTube videos of me reading books for young children. But the copyright laws are funny things and don’t permit me to do that unless they are public domain or I seek out and get permission from each author. The purpose of this project is to add the videos to our website (which is still under construction, but will be childrenreadytolearn.com). We are interested in promoting reading and reading with your own children. But sometimes parents need a little help. Plus, we have a reading mascot (Blossom the Book Butterfly) whose costume I would be wearing in the video.

By allowing me permission to use your book to read to children through video, your book would be promoted with a link – and if it…

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One Late Bloomer’s Journey to Publishing

Originally posted on Lit World Interviews:

Two and half years ago, I was walking on a treadmill at the gym and a memory came to me of how I’d always wanted to write a book.

I’ve been very busy for the past thirty or so years, so I suppose calling myself a late bloomer is appropriate. On this particular night, however, I felt something come over me as if I was possessed. I’m not sure what triggered it or whether the thought came from somewhere internally or I saw or heard something that brought it to the surface. All I knew was I had a story to tell. I didn’t know it then but apparently, I had many stories to tell. Here I am three published stories later with no end in sight—thank goodness.

Here’s how it all started.

In February of 2012, my life was a lot different than it is right now. My son…

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Living NaNoWriMo and the writer’s life

Originally posted on Lit World Interviews:

Surviving Living NaNoWriMo

 

I am thrilled and excited, vicariously, that is, by NaNoWriMo. Time does not permit my participation and thus prompted my thinking of time and what the participants of NaNoRiMo will be going through, which led to this post.

This is what I figure, this is a month of creating, not just the novel you are writing, but habits which will inform your writing life. So why not start as if you intend to continue.

 1        Fuel up

Let’s begin with an obvious and necessary element. Remember to eat and eat healthy. I know from personal experience, the excitement of jumping into a project first thing in the morning and before I know it, it’s way past lunch time, starving, grumpy (yep, that’s me) and less than productive.

So, take time to eat – it provides fuel to the creative mind of yours.

 

2         …

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My Real Life Fairy Tale continued

Originally posted on gillswriting:

What of the kids of Good Hope?

How do they fit in the fairy story of life? They are the innocent victims of the poverty dragon that is for sure but what of the day to life of the kids who come to Good Hope eager to soak up and absorb every ounce of the limited education we can offer. They are the daily happy ending. Their commitment, effort, love for each other and their families and overwhelming ability to smile in the face of daily adversity is what it is all about for me.

Take Philip, great kid, studying hard. Sometimes the English we teach does not come easily for him but he tries and tries until he gets it. Monday of this week saw me institute a surprise test for Class A based on past standard seven finishing primary school exams. We covered one comprehension exercise based on…

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The Sunday Show – W.C.Barnes – Wildlife and Landscape Photographer – Vancouver Island Part Two

jorobinson176:

Sally’s Sunday Show is up with some amazing photos!

Originally posted on Smorgasbord - Variety is the spice of life:

Last week we met the Eagles that live around Tofino on Vancouver Island and who have formed a bond with Wayne Barnes as he spends his days and some nights photographing the stunning scenery and wildlife of the area.

Tofino is definitely on my ‘must see’ list and apart from the incredible scenery there is also a botanical gardens that must be a riot of colour in the spring and summer months.

This week a slightly longer interview but I wanted you to not just see the images but the story behind them.  I suggest that you do not try photographing bears but Wayne’s account of his technique will give you a feel for how much time and effort is involved in achieving just one shot.  Also, how long would you be prepared to wait to get that perfect shot?  16 years?  Perhaps not but that is how long it…

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‘The EVENT’ – A short tale by Chris Graham (aka The Story Reading Ape)

Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog..... An Author Promotions Enterprise!:

So much sweat is pouring off me anyone would think I was made only of liquid, but I can’t help it, it’s the effect that the impending event always has on me.

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Ever since I decided to take this path, fear has accompanied me, becoming my constant, and oft-times, only companion.

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Why hadn’t I listened to those who had told me NOT to go this way, it would lead me to a ‘Hell on Earth’, it would drive me insane sometimes, many times, maybe even ALL the time.

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But I was too stubborn to heed them, what did THEY know about this path, THEY had not taken it themselves.

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It’s TIME!

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It’s ALIVE!

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Now the whole world can see what I’ve done!

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I can’t bear to look.

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What will the world think of me now?

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What will…

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Size Matters by Sally G Cronin

jorobinson176:

Find out why Size Matters today with my wonderful friend – author, Sally Cronin.

Originally posted on Feed My Reads South Africa:

Today’s featured author is without a doubt the most humble person I have ever met, given all that she has accomplished, and prefers to promote and support the work of others over her own. She has been, and is, involved with radio, television, and publishing as well as being a very well respected author. The book I’ve chosen to feature today is Size Matters, but please do have a look at more in her own words here, whether you need help with publishing or would simply like to connect with this most talented and approachable lady.

Sally Georgina Cronin’s passions run very deep. Particularly in relation to healthy eating and the amazing way the body converts lovely fresh produce into fuel and protective chemicals that keep us fit and alive.

Having weighed 330 lbs (150 kilos) at age 42 and been told that getting to 45 was a bit…

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