Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 99

Naval Terms

How many books have you read that contained words that originated with sailors? Probably as many as the number or characters that had a past related to the sea. There are entire series dedicated to men in uniform, so many readers have encountered one. But use of the words that came from the sea aren't necessarily restricted to romance writers. A term might creep into the ships that sail amongst the stars. And don't forget ships that transverse the oceans of fantasy worlds.In honor of Fleet Week, a tip to writers. A word or two (don't use the entire dictionary) can add a hint of authenticity to a work.The U.S. Navy has compiled multiple glossaries of naval slang that has worked its way into common English. Whether you want to bamboozle or use "know the ropes" in its original meaning (which wasn't complimentary), check out naval slang. 
 

Till next time ~ Helen

You're Never Too Little to Be A Matchmaker

Congratulations to Judy Griffith Gill on the release of the second book in her sweet romance series, The Little Matchmakers. A Teaser for Gypsy Magic follows. And if you missed the first book in the series, a blurb on A Father For Philip is here also. Judy writes Romance, from Sweet, to Sensuous, to downright Sexy, from Futuristic to Contemporary to Fantasy. Judy can be found on the web at judyggill.com.

Gypsy Magic  
Available at: Amazon Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Lovely model, Gypsy Gaynor, is stranded after a photo shoot when the helicopter that dropped her off on a deserted island with only a floor-length mink cape, a red bikini, and a silk scarf crashes.

Injured and unconscious, Gypsy finally awakens to find a sweet little boy named Kevin tugging at her toes and calling her Mother. He takes her home to the cabin he occupies with his taciturn father, artist Lance Saunders who tells her they are all stuck there for the next month until his friends return to pick him up.

Gypsy can do nothing to save herself, but she soon sees a serious problem between father and son and, with nothing else to occupy her time, sets out to learn the reason Kevin’s afraid of his daddy, and why Lance believes there’s nothing he can do about it. Within days, she realizes she’s having a wonderful time with six-year-old Kevin, as well as developing an interest in Lance, though he warned her at the outset not to do so.

Lance, for his part, finds Gypsy annoying, outspoken, interfering and incredibly tempting, mink cape, red bikini and all, however much he tries to hide that from her and from himself. As she sets out to “fix” the problem between him and his son, he discovers her methods work—sometimes—but that even the failures do nothing to stop the determined Gypsy from plying her magic and making him want things he’s better off without, things he knows he doesn’t deserve.

Will the love in Gypsy’s warm heart be enough to heal the emotional injuries life has dealt both father and son? Upon their return to civilization, it appears not… Until Little Matchmaker Kevin takes matters into his own hands and goes off on an adventurous, potentially dangerous solo search for Gypsy.



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A Father For Philip 
  Available At: Amazon Barnes and Noble

Blurb: Eleanor's son, Philip needs a father. When his "imaginary" playmate, Jeff, turns out to be David Jefferson the husband who went missing from Eleanor's life before her son was born, can she accept him back? She knows she still loves him, but why won't he tell her why he stayed away for seven years?

There is much to contend with--apparent lies, questions about who deceived whom and why. All this must be resolved before Philip finally has a father.

Dishing Secrets with Susan Whitfield

Stopped by to visit with multi-genre author Susan Whitfield who writes the Logan Hunter Mystery series. During our virtual visit I disclosed a few thoughts on the writing process and how much of myself appears in my characters. To see the answers, go to http://susanwhitfield.blogspot.com/2014/05/helen-henderson.html.

Till next time ~ Helen

Uncovered at the Ranch

Love Covers? Love to see how artists interpret a story?


Then stop by the Ranch and visit with Calisa Rhose. Each month she features romance covers. The month of May are:

 Scarlet Revenge By Ann McGinnis (Romantic Suspense)A Game of Chance by Lauren Linwood (western historical romance);  Highlander’s Captive by Joanne Wadsworth (Historical Highlander Romance); Midwinter Masquerade By Romy Gemmell (Genre: Historical Romance); A Very Scandalous Holiday by Nancy Fraser (Historical Romance Anthology); Worst Week Ever - A Long Road to Love Book One by Liza O’Connor (Humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance)A World Apart By Cd Brennan (Contemporary Romance) Upon A Midnight Clear  - When Christmas Magic Turns to Murder by (Romance)

For those who like science fiction and fantasy, the cover by Fantasia Frog Designs for my fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone, was showcased. In the science fiction area, check out the cover by Agent E2: Aidan, Book 2 – The D.I.R.E. Agency Series By Joni Hahn.


Stop by http://calisarhose.com/2014/05/05/calisa-rhose-presents-uncover-monday-calisa-rhose-presents-uncover-monday-may/and check out the covers by a variety of talented artists.
Till Next Time ~ Helen

Historical Tidbit - Loyalty in Fur and Feather

[image error] Depending on your age and experience, age and experience, the doughboy of World War I or the jungle fatigues of Vietnam have been replaced by the desert camouflage of the Middle East. In this post for Armed Forced Week, although it is still in keeping with the military values of honor, duty and loyalty, and has a historical perspective, the focus is not on two-legged soldiers but ones with fur or feathers.

Perhaps the most well-known dog from the era is RIN TIN TIN® (September 1918 – August 10, 1932), a male German Shepherd Dog rescued from a World War I battlefield by an American soldier, Lee Duncan. Duncan trained Rin Tin Tin and obtained silent film work for the dog. Rin Tin Tin went on to appear in 26 films. It is interesting to note that in 1929, Rin Tin Tim received the most votes for the first Academy Award for Best Actor, but the Academy determined that a human should win. He does have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The legacy of Rin Tin Tin might have begun in WWI, but continues today as the television program, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, has once again returned to the airways. More on this famous German Shepherd can be found at the Rin Tin Tin Museum http://www.rintintinmuseum.com/ and books such as Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend.

While Rin Tin Tin may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way. Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. When Conroy's unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. According to Ann Bausum in Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I's Bravest Dog , by the time Stubby encountered Conroy's commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute.

The tradition of military dogs did not end with WWI. War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism by Michael G. Lemish looks at unsung canine heroes from World War I to the present. Terriers, shepherds, beagles, collies, huskies, and Dobermans are only a few of the breeds that have pulled sleds, searched caves and bunkers, and even parachuted into combat. Lemish has collected true stories and rare photographs that reflect the strong bonds that have formed between war dogs and their masters as they worked together in dangerous situations.


While dogs may be the most well-known military animal, they are not the only animals who have worked with or accompanied soldiers into battle. In Soldiers in Fur and Feathers The Animals that Served in World War I - Allied Forces, Susan Bulanda, reveals fascinating true stories of the heroic animals that assisted the Allied Forces during World War I-stories that have, for the most part, been forgotten. As we approach the 100th anniversary of WWI, this book will help preserve the role of the animals that served. Who were they, why were they used, how were they selected, how did they serve, and what became of them? Soldiers in Fur and Feathers answers those questions.

From the last mounted cavalry charge of the U.S. Army to the 36,000 homing pigeons deployed overseas, service animals made a significant impact on military operations during World War II. Through 157 photographs from the National World War II Museum collection, Loyal Forces: The American Animals of World War II by Toni M. Kiser and Lindsey F. Barnes, captures the heroism, hard work, and innate skills of innumerable animals that aided the troops as they fought to protect, transport, communicate, and sustain morale.
 
During this period of time to honor those in military service, remember "Freedom isn't Free." Thank a veteran or a man or woman in active service. There are many ways to do so and organizations worthy of support. However, even a simple nod and smile to someone wearing a cap signifying service can communicate your appreciation.

Working military dogs can also be supported. One way is through the K9 Sgt. Denny Project. Their efforts have expanded from sending material to deployed working dogs and their handlers, to include supporting injured warriors suffering from PTS and TBI injuries by pairing the warriors up with a service dog that enables the soldier to return to society and become productive and most of all to move their lives forward.  Information on how to contribute can be found at http://runwithdennis.org/k9-sgt-denny-project/. 
Whether you write historical fiction or contemporary, don't forget the four-footed or feathered companions. And service animals are not restricted to those on land or even the Earth as evidenced by the dolphins that inhabited the world of Pern created by Anne Mccaffrey. In my own fantasy novels, battle-trained stallions take to the field with their chosen-riders.

To all who have served or are serving, thank you for your service.

Till Next Time ~Helen



RIN TIN TIN® is a registered trademark of Belleair Trading International LLC

XPost - 5 Tips to Avoid total Disaster

[image error] When I advise new writers (and sometimes experienced ones) I like to use information from practical experience and not necessarily what is in the latest books. And I am trying to follow through with the philosophy when I am cross-posting (or commenting on) articles. Even within a sub-genre, writers are such a diverse group that what works for one, either as a writing process or marketing, is an absolute torture or flop for another.

In that vein, I'm forwarding a guest post from the LiveWriteThrive blog by copywriter, editor, and educator Jessica Millis. As you can see from just the bio line, she comes with experience from various sides of the table, and what is perhaps the most important one--she is also a reader. Although I disagree with the statement that, "Most novels in the online and offline market today are garbage," (mainly it is the word "Most" I object to,) her tips may not turn a bad novel into a best seller, but they are points to consider, especially for those with a novel inside them (that is still there after ten or twenty years.) [image error] What I liked most is that she didn't start off with the usual advice of "Write what you know." Her first tip to avoiding a total disaster as a novelist, "Don’t Spend Forever Gathering Material," is often all too accurate. One of the points I consistently make when I lecture authors on research is once you have a base, start writing. You don't need to know everything about every era (or even one) before you begin to put words down on paper. If your character ends up visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and you had him originally going to London, when you come to a slow spot (aka writers block) dig up the basics for the placeholders you've left in the prose, research a unique detail or two, then continue on.
For the rest of Millis's tips, go to http://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/04/21/5-tips-to-avoiding-total-disaster-as-a-novelist/.


What is your favorite tip to avoid disaster?

Till Next Time ~ Helen

XPost - Trademark and Writers, Using Tissue or a Brand Name?

Recently in several of the writers' forums I frequent, there were conversations regarding trademark and brands. Do we use tissue or a name brand? When can we reference a character from a movie or book?

Written by a published author (and trademark attorney), a post at the Romance University, http://romanceuniversity.org/2014/04/28/trademark-and-the-author-with-mindy-klasky/,  explains considerations on using a trademarked item, how to determine if a brand is so protected, and other tips for writers on the issue.

~Till next time. Helen

Author Or Secretary - Which are You?

As authors, no matter whether we are independently published, small press or large, we perform many functions, and one of the largest is administration.  In celebration of that fact, a few notes about National Administrative Professional Day.


Administrative Professionals' Day (also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day) began with Mary Barrett, president of the National Secretaries Association, now called IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals), and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation. They served on a council addressing a national shortage of skilled office workers. The account executives at Young & Rubicam originated the idea for a National Secretaries Week.


From the first observation in North America in 1952, the practice of rewarding those who keep an office running, has spread across the globe.  In Australia, it is celebrated on the first Friday in May, and in North America, on the Wednesday of the last full week of April.


While authors are executives, in many ways, they are their own administrative assistants. The International Association of Administrative Professionals defines administrative professionals as “individuals who are responsible for administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an office-related environment and who are dedicated to furthering their personal and professional growth in their chosen profession. We create a story, then instead of handing it off to an assistant to type in, scribe the stories. In executive mode we go to appointments or follow schedules that were made by us in administration mode. So in celebration of the holiday that recognizes support staff,  for the roles that you fulfill in your own business, treat yourself to a dinner or buy that trinket that caught your eye. Or for a longer lasting gift, sign up for a conference or attend a professional development seminar.


Holidays, whether mainstream or obscure, can also serve as a basis for a storyline.  While more common ones may be Valentine's Day, Christmas and New Year, even  less well-known ones such as  Administrative Professional Day  can be incorporated into a story. If writing contemporary romances, a twist would be for the executive to be a woman and the gifts given to her male assistant. Or set a scene in a future time when such traditions were outlawed only to be resurrected or the acknowledgment was to an artificial intelligence rather than a person.


More information on Administrative Professionals' Week  can be found on the IAAP website.

 Till next time ~ Helen

XPost - Organizing Your Writing Life

As authors we live split lives. We are more than just writers, today we are publishers, marketing and public relations people, and editors in addition to the creative side. What kinds of things do authors need to keep on their calendars? How can they stay organized and on top of things? There are two basic types of info to track on a calendar -- personal and professional.

Learn more at: What to Keep on Your Calendar by Kayelle Allen at MFRWorg

Chocolate, wine and a good read

Among the items produced in Monmouth County are handmade glass, honey, cosmetics, flags, beer, chocolate and tea. These and others will be on display and available for purchase at the “Made in Monmouth” event.

Saturday, April 12 10 AM to 4 PM
the MAC at Monmouth University
Free admission to the public. 

Who knows who what will be the breakout item this spring? Come to Monmouth University and find out. I will be there with my fiction and non-fiction, and if the fates allow, two new novels in paperback.  Till next time ~ Helen