Sylvia Shults's Blog, page 77
January 26, 2017
Words of Wisdom
“Writing for him who knows it is better than all other professions. It pleases more than bread and beer, more than clothing and ointment. It is worth more than an inheritance in Egypt, than a tomb in the West.” — from The Instructions of Dua-Khety, Egypt, Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BC)
January 22, 2017
Busy, busy!
My goodness, this past week has just flown by! I kept myself busy, as I always do.
On Monday, I had a lovely chat with Matt Jesso, of Paracave Radio. You can listen to it here .
The very next day, I talked with Tony at Authors First Radio. This is a program out of Ohio, and this was a pleasure because I was speaking to an audience of just readers, not necessarily paranormally-oriented folks. It was a change-up for me, but it was good to do. You can listen here .
And on Friday, I was overjoyed to talk with some of my favorite people in the ghost hunting world, Nick Sarlo and Liz Nygard of Shadow Hunters. We had a blast catching up, and things were made even better for me by the knowledge that other Shadow Hunter friends of mine were listening in on the live show. Renowned investigator Ursula Bielski even stopped by in the comments. We were chatting about bucket list places to visit, and we got onto the subject of haunted Chicago museums. Ursula confirmed for me that people do get EVPs in German when visiting the U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry. I shared the story of the screaming mummy at the Field Museum — one of my favorites ever since I first heard about it as a kid from my dad — and Ursula went me one better … well, two better, I suppose. She said that people at the museum after-hours have seen the Lions of Tsavo stalking the hallways. And someone who was spending the night at the museum, sleeping very near a stuffed wolf, awoke during the night … to find that the wolf was gone. Now I wanna go on an overnight with Ursula and the Shadow Hunters at the museum soooooo bad!
There was more behind-the-scenes stuff happening too, things that you’ll find out about later. I recorded an episode of Lights Out with another wonderful guest, and did some work on the next book. You’ll find out all about it soon. Have a great week!
January 15, 2017
New Year, New Stuff!
Okay, okay, I know this post is coming a little late to the party. We’re three weeks into the New Year, so why am I blathering about New Year stuff? Well, back before I had pets and was actually able to have a Christmas tree in the house, it would stay up until Martin Luther King Day. So you could argue that I’m actually a day early on this.
But I’m not in an arguing mood! I’m in a celebrating mood! Which is why I’m tying this (tenuously, I’ll admit) to New Year’s!
There’s a whole bunch of wonderfulness in store for fans of Lights Out, and for people who dig my writing in general. Take a peek at what’s coming up:
— For folks in the Peoria/Pekin area, 44 Years in Darkness and other books can now be found at even more local bookstores! These include Maurie’s in Pekin, I Know You Like a Book in Peoria Heights, and Lit. on Fire in Peoria. And of course you can find them at Barnes & Noble in Peoria. They had sold out of the massive order they got in October, but they have re-ordered, so the books are back on the shelves.
— I’m really thrilled, and so very grateful, to tell you that I have found a narrator for the audiobook version of 44 Years in Darkness. Sarah Baker has a magnificent reading voice that I believe will bring Rhoda’s story to brilliant life. I’ve gotten to hear the first chapter of the book, and I can’t wait to hear the rest. There are going to be parts where Sarah has ME in tears! I’ll let you all know just as soon as the audiobook is available through Crossroad Press. Together, we’ll bring Rhoda Derry’s story to an even wider audience.
— Very soon, I’ll have another announcement to make regarding Lights Out. I’m going to save that for another post, as this one is getting a bit long. But it will be worth the suspense!
— After a short break from writing (mostly spent doing promotion, but it WAS a break), I am back at the writing desk, working on a book that will be released in November 2017. More on that as we get closer. You guys are gonna love it!
Look, we’re all sort of holding our collective breath, waiting to see what 2017 has in store for all of us. All we can do is keep on living our lives — and part of that, for me, means bringing you all the very best true ghost stories I can. Thank you all so much for your support and your friendship in 2016; it means everything to me.
Let’s go wrestle 2017 into the ground and rub dirt in its hair!
January 10, 2017
Engrish, Anyone?
I made a trip into Peoria last night, and stopped at the Asian market for tea and noodles, mostly. I also like wandering the store to see if anything else catches my fancy. (I avoid the freezer section, though. In an Asian market, if you stare too long into the freezer … the freezer stares back into you. Thanks, Kafka.)
I did also spring for some wheat germ powder — not only because I enjoy a sprinkle of it on my oatmeal and in my morning smoothie, but also because I just could not resist the fractured English I found on the cheerful yellow package.
“THE GREAT GENUINE TASTE! Eating is a simple action to human beings. But choosing something to eat becomes a hardest subject for modern people. Not only sale products to customers, but also provide delicious foods to people. Rich in flavors, delicate natural foods expands the outstanding target of new generation for this world. A perfectly balanced of combining delicious and nutritious. We take it for granted that strictly select each raw material and control quality for every single time. Preservatives, pesticide and artificial elements should stay away from kitchens. We concern what you care. We care what you haven’t aware. Take it, enjoy the best moment of lovely world. Be a chief at home easily and freely.”
Isn’t that just wonderful? It’s so earnest — and there are no misspellings! Fractured English, sure, but hey, they spelled everything right. And it’s just so, so, … they really really want you to enjoy this stuff. “We concern what you care. We care what you haven’t aware.” I don’t even know what they’re trying to say, but gosh, they’re so sincere about it! And I adore the delirious enthusiasm of the last lines: “Take it, enjoy the best moment of lovely world. Be a chief at home easily and freely.”
Easily and freely. Isn’t that something for which we all should strive?
January 7, 2017
So There’s Nothing Wrong With It, Really…
At the library, we have 3 by 5 cards in each of the CD and DVD cases, for people to write on if something is wrong with the disc. This lets us know if we need to clean the disc, or replace it. Sometimes, though, people are … unclear on the concept of what is meant by “please tell us if there’s anything wrong with this disc”.
I found the following note written on the card tucked into the case of River of No Return, starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe:
“Not as good as I was expecting. R. Mitchum played it as if he had a chip on his shoulder the whole time no matter who he was talking to. He was new at acting at the time I suppose. MM was OK as you can see.
“Disk is v. good.”
Ummm … glad you enjoyed it?
January 5, 2017
Ewwww…
One of my jobs at the library is to process the magazines as they come in. Oprah Magazine (the July-August 2016 issue) had a recipe in it that apparently came from a new cookbook.
The recipe? “Vietnamese PB&J”.
Now what would you expect to find between two slices of bread, with that descriptor? No no, don’t even strain your brain. I’ll tell you. The Vietnamese PB&J consists of chunky peanut butter, mint jelly, and 1/4 cup cucumber salad. On bread.
PBJ = WTF???
The recipe goes on to say merrily: “Save the rest of the salad for a second sandwich. Because you will definitely want another.” Ha ha ha nope, I don’t think so. Plus? This so-called cucumber salad involves fish sauce, which, eww.
It’s all there in the title, really: the book from which this recipe was taken is A Super-Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches, by Tyler Kord. Can’t judge a book by it’s title? Oh reaaaallly…
I showed the recipe to a friend of mine, who pointed out, “At least they’re honest about it.” Then she quoted the perfect line from Jurassic Park:
“You were so busy asking if you could, you didn’t stop to think if you should.”
So how about you? Are there any food combinations you find abominable? Or that you find awesome but other people find abominable? Let me know in the comments!
January 2, 2017
Mother
A while ago, my friends Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross mentioned something on their WordPress blog about their book MOTHER, which is an awesome read if you’re into at least a Stephen King level of weirdness (or higher). I posted a response letting them know that I have an aloe plant that I’ve named Claire, in honor of their story. Claire (the plant) has her name because she is descended from an aloe plant named Mother. (If you’re lost, read the book. All is explained.)
I visited the apartment where Mother lives over Christmas, and took a picture.
She is a formidable beast, isn’t she? Now go read MOTHER, by Thorne and Cross.
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January 1, 2017
Lights Out #33: Ophelia Julien
Welcome to another episode of Lights Out, your virtual campfire! Join me for a conversation with YA fiction author Ophelia Julien. We’ll hear stories of growing up in a haunted house, and we’ll learn why you shouldn’t ask an architect to take too close a look at the floor plan of your home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J8AfXE9RNg
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December 31, 2016
December 30, 2016
Christmas Spirits?
A ghostly Christmas visit? Read and decide for yourself! Thanks for sharing this, Autistsix!
A few days before Christmas I was wrapping presents late at night. The children were all asleep and behind a closed door, my husband had stepped into the front room. I saw a grey shadow unmoving in front of the closed door. I knew it was a man although I cannot describe any features. I was completely unafraid and after watching for less than a minute I looked down to put down the gift I was in the middle of wrapping. In that moment my husband came in and the shadow was no longer there.
On Christmas afternoon I was putting some presents on the shelf next to my bed. Someone was clearly sitting on the other side of the bed. Pillows pushed up against the wall, her back against the pillows & her legs on the bed, not flat but relaxed. She appeared to be reading or at least looking…
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