Margo Kelly's Blog, page 31
August 5, 2015
#IWSG: Patience is a Daily Struggle!
The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group! For more information visit: www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
What is my current doubt or concern? ... Oh. My. I struggle with patience on a daily basis. And I don't even mean patience with other people. I mean patience with the process. Specifically, right now, the waiting. While I'm SO THANKFUL that I have the opportunity to be traditionally published ... the cogs and wheels of that machine can be very slow sometimes. So ... I must take a deep breath.
And while I wait (not patiently) I remind myself that it is my job to write.
Because I am a writer. Not a waiter. ;)
What about you?
Are you a patient person?
August 4, 2015
Book Reviews: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Cinder by Marissa MeyerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED this book.
The writing is excellent! The character development is excellent! The plotting (throughout the series) is excellent!
My only pet peeve with series is that I wish each book had a stand-alone plot. I enjoy series, because I love getting to know the characters and following them from book to book. But lately in the book world, a lot of series end on cliff hangers or simply an unfinished plot line.
However, I loved this book so much, I did not even care that the story wasn't finished on the last page of the book. I simply picked up the next book in the series and kept reading.
So ... you might as well buy them all. I did.
Scarlet by Marissa MeyerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
At first, I was sad when book two did not pick up immediately with Cinder, but I quickly fell in love with Scarlet and Wolf. I have trouble keeping track of a lot of characters, but Marissa Meyer does a great job of reminding the reader of what's going on when the point of view shifts to a different character. I immediately started book three when I finished this one. There is violence, but there's no sex or foul language. Readers of most any age would enjoy this series, especially if you enjoy a retelling of Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. :) Oh, that pesky wolf.
Cress by Marissa MeyerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
And guess what? Even after book three ... I am totally and completely in love with this series and this author. Marissa Meyer has done an excellent job developing the plot and characters. The plot continues from book to book, and story questions remain unanswered at the end of each book. I would highly recommend these books to anyone and everyone.
View all my reviews
August 2, 2015
Snapshots from Camping
My brother and his family joined us for an afternoon.
Playing in the river is always fun. ;)
We enjoyed a perfect fire on a perfect night.
The next day, my husband's brother & wife joined us.
We ate very well.
My sister-in-law had a birthday, and so we made her cake in the Dutch oven!
We enjoyed beautiful weather and a wonderful time.July 14, 2015
Going Off-Grid
I am so addicted to the Internet! However, I absolutely love going camping, and when we go camping, we retreat to the boonies. We dig our own latrine, we let the dogs run free, and we stick our toes in the river. It's awesome. It's beautiful. It's calming. And when we return to civilization, my phone goes nuts downloading all of the messages, emails, and updates I've *missed* during our vacation.
What about you? Do you ever unplug from the grid and go off-line for a while?
Have a great day ... I'm heading for the hills.
What about you? Do you ever unplug from the grid and go off-line for a while?
Have a great day ... I'm heading for the hills.
July 8, 2015
Contranyms
contranym (noun) = a word with two opposite meanings
http://www.natalieseredaphotography.com/2038529-on-language
According to Daily Writing Tips -
The English language includes an interesting category of words and phrases called contranyms (also spelled contronyms, or referred to as autoantonyms) — terms that, depending on context, can have opposite or contradictory meanings. When you use these words, be sure the context clearly identifies which meaning is intended:
Aught: All, or nothing
Bill: Payment, or invoice for payment
Bolt: To secure, or to flee
Buckle: To connect, or to collapse
Clip: To fasten, or to detach
Custom: A common practice, or a special treatment
Dust: To add fine particles, or to remove them
Enjoin: To impose, or to prohibit
Finished: Completed, or destroyed
Fix: To repair, or to castrate
Garnish: To furnish (food preparation), or to take away (wages)
Handicap: An advantage provided to ensure equality, or a disadvantage that prevents equal achievement
Hold up: To support, or to impede
Left: Remained, or departed
Model: An exemplar, or a copy
Overlook: To supervise, or to neglect
Put out: Extinguish, or generate
Quantum: Significantly large, or a minuscule part
Quiddity: Essence, or a trifling point of contention
Refrain: To desist from doing something, or to repeat
Rock: An immobile mass of stone or figuratively similar phenomenon, or a shaking or unsettling movement or action
Sanction: To approve, or to boycott
Sanguine: Confidently cheerful, or bloodthirsty
Screen: To present, or to conceal
Strike: Hit, or miss in an attempt to hit
Throw out: To dispose of, or to present for consideration
Trim: To decorate, or to remove excess from
Trip: A journey, or a stumble
Variety: Particular type, or many types
Wear: To endure, or to deteriorate
For more great contranyms, visit: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/75-contronyms-words-with-contradictory-meanings/
http://www.natalieseredaphotography.com/2038529-on-languageAccording to Daily Writing Tips -
The English language includes an interesting category of words and phrases called contranyms (also spelled contronyms, or referred to as autoantonyms) — terms that, depending on context, can have opposite or contradictory meanings. When you use these words, be sure the context clearly identifies which meaning is intended:
Aught: All, or nothing
Bill: Payment, or invoice for payment
Bolt: To secure, or to flee
Buckle: To connect, or to collapse
Clip: To fasten, or to detach
Custom: A common practice, or a special treatment
Dust: To add fine particles, or to remove them
Enjoin: To impose, or to prohibit
Finished: Completed, or destroyed
Fix: To repair, or to castrate
Garnish: To furnish (food preparation), or to take away (wages)
Handicap: An advantage provided to ensure equality, or a disadvantage that prevents equal achievement
Hold up: To support, or to impede
Left: Remained, or departed
Model: An exemplar, or a copy
Overlook: To supervise, or to neglect
Put out: Extinguish, or generate
Quantum: Significantly large, or a minuscule part
Quiddity: Essence, or a trifling point of contention
Refrain: To desist from doing something, or to repeat
Rock: An immobile mass of stone or figuratively similar phenomenon, or a shaking or unsettling movement or action
Sanction: To approve, or to boycott
Sanguine: Confidently cheerful, or bloodthirsty
Screen: To present, or to conceal
Strike: Hit, or miss in an attempt to hit
Throw out: To dispose of, or to present for consideration
Trim: To decorate, or to remove excess from
Trip: A journey, or a stumble
Variety: Particular type, or many types
Wear: To endure, or to deteriorate
For more great contranyms, visit: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/75-contronyms-words-with-contradictory-meanings/
July 1, 2015
#IWSG: Helpful #Writing Resources
Sometimes, a post written by another writer can provide the inspiration or motivation you might need to push yourself to the next level ... or to simply write the next word in your current project. Below are a few posts that I've recently found inspiring. I hope they help you, too.
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group! If you've not heard of the group before ... click on the link below the picture and check out the fantastic resources and support this group has to offer.
Here are some additional links to posts that I've enjoyed recently:
Do you ever get distracted by a "shiny new idea" before you've finished the hard work on your project in progress? If so, here's a great post for you: http://writerunboxed.com/2015/06/24/resisting-the-lure-of-the-shiny-new-idea/#more-37781
Do you struggle to show the emotions of your characters (without over-using clenched stomachs and gritted teeth)? Here's a great lesson on the topic of emotions: http://www.livewritethrive.com/2015/06/24/how-fiction-writers-can-show-emotions-in-their-characters-in-effective-ways/
Do you have trouble deciding what point of view to utilize in your story telling? Check out this post: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/02/first-through-third.html
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group! If you've not heard of the group before ... click on the link below the picture and check out the fantastic resources and support this group has to offer.Here are some additional links to posts that I've enjoyed recently:
Do you ever get distracted by a "shiny new idea" before you've finished the hard work on your project in progress? If so, here's a great post for you: http://writerunboxed.com/2015/06/24/resisting-the-lure-of-the-shiny-new-idea/#more-37781
Do you struggle to show the emotions of your characters (without over-using clenched stomachs and gritted teeth)? Here's a great lesson on the topic of emotions: http://www.livewritethrive.com/2015/06/24/how-fiction-writers-can-show-emotions-in-their-characters-in-effective-ways/
Do you have trouble deciding what point of view to utilize in your story telling? Check out this post: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/02/first-through-third.html
June 25, 2015
Character Development Chart
When #writing - do you struggle to develop your #characters? Here's a simple chart to help you map out the arcs for each of the characters in your story.
For additional help developing your characters, check out these previous posts on the topic:
22 Character Questions
Cutting Secondary Characters
Character Development
Character Development Part II
Character Development Part III
Character Development Part IV
For additional help developing your characters, check out these previous posts on the topic:
22 Character Questions
Cutting Secondary Characters
Character Development
Character Development Part II
Character Development Part III
Character Development Part IV
June 13, 2015
If Women Want Rights
Do you agree or disagree with this quote from Harriet Beecher Stowe?
June 10, 2015
3 Proven #Health Benefits of #Honey
It’s important to note that while honey is natural substance and considered safe for consumption, it should never be given to a child under one year old. Infants have not yet developed the immunities necessary to defend against the spores of the botulism bacteria that are found in soil and can sometimes make their way into honey. (1)
“The medicinal importance of honey has been documented in the world's oldest medical literatures, and since the ancient times, it has been known to possess antimicrobial property as well as wound-healing activity.” The first written reference to this sweet, thick fluid produced by bees was on a Sumerian tablet, dating back to 2100 BC. The writing mentioned that honey was used as a drug and an ointment. Around 350 BC, Aristotle discussed different types of honeys, referring to pale honey as being “good as a salve for sore eyes and wounds.” (2)
I’m always on the lookout for natural remedies to physical ailments, and I’m excited to share with you what I’ve learned about honey. Now, keep in mind, there are a lot of anecdotes, misnomers, and bits of folklore out there floating around on the internet about honey. Some are true. Some are not. Today, I will share with you a few proven health benefits.
Honey is a:
1) Relief for the Common Cold
2) Anti-inflammatory Agent
3) Skin Care Treatment – everything from acne to chronic wounds
Honey is a Relief for the Common Cold My dear sweet grandmother was the first to introduce me to the benefits of honey. If she ever heard me cough or sneeze, she’d make me a concoction of vinegar and honey. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, mixed together with warm water. It tasted awful, but it worked. When I complained of the taste, she said I could just have the honey if I preferred, because it would still soothe my throat and ease my cough.
My grandmother was right, and modern research proves it. Multiple studies, one of which was conducted at Penn State college of Medicine, have shown that honey works better than a cough suppressant called dextromethorphan and an antihistamine called diphenhydramine. (1) & (3)
Doctor Ariane Cometa says honey eases coughing, fights infections, and calms inflamed membranes. (1)
Honey is an Anti-inflammatory Agent A few months ago, when a massage therapist saw my inflamed toe joint, she told me to start taking a tablespoon of raw organic honey every day. She said it had anti-inflammatory properties. I doubted her advice. So I researched it, and I found plenty of support for her claims. As a result, I started a daily regimen of honey and the swelling in the joint went down within a week.
Multiple medical trials have been conducted using honey as an anti-inflammatory agent. More than 85% of patients who had keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) reported improvement. A significant reduction in the bleeding sites of gingivitis patients was reported in another study. And 66% of patients with dyspepsia (inflammation of the stomach) became symptom free after three months and another 16% had their symptoms relieved. (4)Tahereh Eteraf-Oskouei at the Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, states, “Drugs for treating inflammation have serious limitations: corticosteroids suppress tissue growth and suppress the immune response, and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are harmful to cells, especially in the stomach. But honey has an anti-inflammatory action free from adverse side effects.” (5)
Additionally, honey’s anti-inflammatory properties help calm eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis prone skin. Apply raw honey to area and let sit for about 15 minutes then rinse off. (5) & (6)
Honey is a Skin Care Treatment – Everything from Acne to Chronic Wounds "Honey’s antibacterial properties make it an excellent cleanser for acne. Rub some on the affected area and let sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse off." (6)
There are many varieties of honey, but typically the darker the color the better its antibacterial properties. (1)There’s even a specific type of honey made in New Zealand, called Manuka honey that is known worldwide for its exceptional healing properties. (1) & (2) According to US News Report, your doctor can even get you a prescription for a wound dressing infused with this honey. (3) Wound care specialist, Dr. Frank Bongiorno, said, “It is Manuka honey's pH content, which leans toward acidic, that helps the healing process.” (1)
According to an article in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine: The antibacterial activity, moist wound condition, and high viscosity of honey offer an effective treatment for infected wounds. This ancient remedy "has recently been ‘rediscovered’ by the medical profession, particularly where conventional modern therapeutic agents fail." Furthermore, "Manuka honey has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) making this honey a promising functional food for the treatment of wounds ... burns, skin ulcers, and ... skin grafts." (2)
In conclusion, this post is not meant to serve as a formal research paper. It is meant to share information. The health benefits of honey are extensive, and I’ve only listed a few of the proven benefits with you here today.
Honey is a relief for the common cold, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a skin care treatment–everything from acne to chronic wounds.
What do you think? Do you use honey for more than just sweetening your tea?
Sources:
(1) WebMD
(2) Asian Pacific Journal Tropical Biomedicine
(3) US News
(4) "The Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Honey" by Professor Peter Molan
(5) Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
(6) Organic Skin Care
“The medicinal importance of honey has been documented in the world's oldest medical literatures, and since the ancient times, it has been known to possess antimicrobial property as well as wound-healing activity.” The first written reference to this sweet, thick fluid produced by bees was on a Sumerian tablet, dating back to 2100 BC. The writing mentioned that honey was used as a drug and an ointment. Around 350 BC, Aristotle discussed different types of honeys, referring to pale honey as being “good as a salve for sore eyes and wounds.” (2)
I’m always on the lookout for natural remedies to physical ailments, and I’m excited to share with you what I’ve learned about honey. Now, keep in mind, there are a lot of anecdotes, misnomers, and bits of folklore out there floating around on the internet about honey. Some are true. Some are not. Today, I will share with you a few proven health benefits.
Honey is a:
1) Relief for the Common Cold
2) Anti-inflammatory Agent
3) Skin Care Treatment – everything from acne to chronic wounds
Honey is a Relief for the Common Cold My dear sweet grandmother was the first to introduce me to the benefits of honey. If she ever heard me cough or sneeze, she’d make me a concoction of vinegar and honey. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, mixed together with warm water. It tasted awful, but it worked. When I complained of the taste, she said I could just have the honey if I preferred, because it would still soothe my throat and ease my cough.
My grandmother was right, and modern research proves it. Multiple studies, one of which was conducted at Penn State college of Medicine, have shown that honey works better than a cough suppressant called dextromethorphan and an antihistamine called diphenhydramine. (1) & (3)
Doctor Ariane Cometa says honey eases coughing, fights infections, and calms inflamed membranes. (1)
Honey is an Anti-inflammatory Agent A few months ago, when a massage therapist saw my inflamed toe joint, she told me to start taking a tablespoon of raw organic honey every day. She said it had anti-inflammatory properties. I doubted her advice. So I researched it, and I found plenty of support for her claims. As a result, I started a daily regimen of honey and the swelling in the joint went down within a week.
Multiple medical trials have been conducted using honey as an anti-inflammatory agent. More than 85% of patients who had keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) reported improvement. A significant reduction in the bleeding sites of gingivitis patients was reported in another study. And 66% of patients with dyspepsia (inflammation of the stomach) became symptom free after three months and another 16% had their symptoms relieved. (4)Tahereh Eteraf-Oskouei at the Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, states, “Drugs for treating inflammation have serious limitations: corticosteroids suppress tissue growth and suppress the immune response, and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are harmful to cells, especially in the stomach. But honey has an anti-inflammatory action free from adverse side effects.” (5)
Additionally, honey’s anti-inflammatory properties help calm eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis prone skin. Apply raw honey to area and let sit for about 15 minutes then rinse off. (5) & (6)
Honey is a Skin Care Treatment – Everything from Acne to Chronic Wounds "Honey’s antibacterial properties make it an excellent cleanser for acne. Rub some on the affected area and let sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse off." (6)
There are many varieties of honey, but typically the darker the color the better its antibacterial properties. (1)There’s even a specific type of honey made in New Zealand, called Manuka honey that is known worldwide for its exceptional healing properties. (1) & (2) According to US News Report, your doctor can even get you a prescription for a wound dressing infused with this honey. (3) Wound care specialist, Dr. Frank Bongiorno, said, “It is Manuka honey's pH content, which leans toward acidic, that helps the healing process.” (1)
According to an article in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine: The antibacterial activity, moist wound condition, and high viscosity of honey offer an effective treatment for infected wounds. This ancient remedy "has recently been ‘rediscovered’ by the medical profession, particularly where conventional modern therapeutic agents fail." Furthermore, "Manuka honey has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) making this honey a promising functional food for the treatment of wounds ... burns, skin ulcers, and ... skin grafts." (2)
In conclusion, this post is not meant to serve as a formal research paper. It is meant to share information. The health benefits of honey are extensive, and I’ve only listed a few of the proven benefits with you here today.
Honey is a relief for the common cold, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a skin care treatment–everything from acne to chronic wounds.
What do you think? Do you use honey for more than just sweetening your tea?
Sources:
(1) WebMD
(2) Asian Pacific Journal Tropical Biomedicine
(3) US News
(4) "The Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Honey" by Professor Peter Molan
(5) Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
(6) Organic Skin Care
June 1, 2015
#AmWritingChallenge
Here's a fun Photo Challenge for June (for Instagram, Twitter or Facebook):
I'm going to participate in a Twitter (and sometimes FB) Challenge called #AmWritingChallenge.
Each day, I will post an image following a calendar of ideas (see schedule below). For example, June 1st will be "From Where I Write" and will feature the view from my writing area, or what's around me. I'll encourage my fellow author friends and their readers to participate on as many of the days they can with the hashtag #AmWritingChallenge. I hope you will join us and share a bit about what being an author looks like!
If you're up for it, I'd love for you to join me in the June Challenge posting as many times as you can throughout the month.
view from where I write
I'm going to participate in a Twitter (and sometimes FB) Challenge called #AmWritingChallenge.
Each day, I will post an image following a calendar of ideas (see schedule below). For example, June 1st will be "From Where I Write" and will feature the view from my writing area, or what's around me. I'll encourage my fellow author friends and their readers to participate on as many of the days they can with the hashtag #AmWritingChallenge. I hope you will join us and share a bit about what being an author looks like!
If you're up for it, I'd love for you to join me in the June Challenge posting as many times as you can throughout the month.
view from where I write
