Emily March Fans discussion
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KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "I have a question for everyone. What draws you to buy a book? or at least read the back to see if you want to read it? I am also curious about what everyones favorite genre is."Jina,..."
Dear KK,
That's a perfect answer and just exactly what I was hoping you would say. Not the answer so much as the way you elaborated and told the how and why you read what you read. I have never been able to stomach the "evil" in books or movies. Sometimes the news is even hard to watch. I took a lot of English classes and writing classes and we were assigned various books across all genres. There was a book assigned that every other word was vulgar and the dialog between the characters was twisted, abusive and cuss word after cuss word. I had a hard time finishing it. In book discussion I said that if the curse words were taken out of the 190 page book there woukd only be about 30 pages. I know curse words and slang is a part of our culture now but I am more impressed with a book that avoids most of that language. I dont mean to sound like a prude but my grandma used to say that when you read a book, any book, you learn from it and a piece of it stays with you. I think thats true because when I've read a scarey or sad book before bed I find I want the light on or am more sensitive in my evening prayer.
What English classes, or college classes are recommended if a person wants to be more proficient and get more experience in reading and writing?
Sincerely Yours,
Jina Gibbs
Paula and Jina, I so agree with you both. I have read books (with really great stories) where a sexual encounter has gone on for a couple of chapters or more. This is ridiculous and I wind up totally skipping over half the book because it is unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the story. What happened to the hint or suggestion of intimacy or even a very intimate encounter that leaves the majority to your imagination. A couple of pages should be more than adequate. And cursing is also unnecessary for a good story. These are both shown in the Eternity Springs series, great books without the explicit and extended sex scenes and bad language.
Jina - Taking a writing class of any kind is helpful, and so many schools now offer online solutions that are wonderful for busy women with demanding lives. I don't think you need to dig so deep into grammar that you can diagram a sentence, but anything that helps you understand the parts of speech, the use of tense, and the important role of the right punctuation will help you. The benefit of a writing class is that you learn to be concise. Of course, I know how to do it, but somehow I always end up saying more than I intend to! I use the Chicago Manual of Style as a reference book when I proofread and edit, but honestly, something like Writing for Dummies would have worked just fine!! And...a good blogging platform will have a built-in spelling and grammar checker. If writing is a dream of yours, I know you can make it happen.
KK wrote: "Paula and Jina, I so agree with you both. I have read books (with really great stories) where a sexual encounter has gone on for a couple of chapters or more. This is ridiculous and I wind up total..."
KK, I have really come to appreciate the value of sensitivity in conveying sexuality in a story - so that it adds to, rather than detracts from, the reading experience. Although I have promoted erotica books on my website - I have several friends who write in that genre - I'm going to be censoring my posts much more closely in the future. I arrived at that decision in the past week, and I already feel better as a person because of it.
KK, I have really come to appreciate the value of sensitivity in conveying sexuality in a story - so that it adds to, rather than detracts from, the reading experience. Although I have promoted erotica books on my website - I have several friends who write in that genre - I'm going to be censoring my posts much more closely in the future. I arrived at that decision in the past week, and I already feel better as a person because of it.
Paula wrote: "Jina - Taking a writing class of any kind is helpful, and so many schools now offer online solutions that are wonderful for busy women with demanding lives. I don't think you need to dig so deep in..."Dear Paula,
I have always wanted to write, ever since I was a little girl and one of my mom's aunts passed away and as they(my mom is one of 10 siblings) were going through her things, they ran across journals and letters and such. Some were written by my great aunt Joanne others were ones she received. I remember being impressed by the penmanship and the way they wrote. There was an elegance and beauty about it that I wished I had. It seemed like it was so "proper" and interesting. I can't really describe it adequately. I have been asked and told to write a few times over the past 20+ years. My daughter's cardiologist has asked me to write my daughters' stories about what happened to them and their heart condition, how it came about, her progress and effect on the family for the case study about their conditions for East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. I have some of it wrote but I am stuck. When I try to write about the day Heather collapsed of sudden cardiac death at the age of 15 and I had to do CPR on her for 12 minutes until the EMTs got there and used the defibrillator to shock her back and the following 18 days of her coma, I end up crying and nothing I put on paper sounds right. I talked to an author I admire about it and Mr Strout said that it may be too soon, or since it's so emotionally charged I might have to have someone help walk me through it. He was so kind and told me that when the story is supposed to be told, it will be. That maybe Im not ready to officially tell it. I would love to tell her story. I think it might save other teenagers lives if it gets told. Two months ago there was a boy playing basketball that dropped from sudden cardiac death, no one knew CPR there and he is more severely damaged than Heather. He is wheelchair bound, gets fed by gtube and on a ventilator. It's so sad. I want to educate people the importance of warning signs and knowing CPR and basic first aid. Anyway, thanks for all your advice. It truly and sincerely helps.
Sincerely Yours,
Jina Gibbs
Hi, Jina -- One of the books I have on my writing desk is a book of stories about nurses and their patients. Many of them are anecdotes from my own career, but I also want to solicit contributions of funny, poignant, or otherwise meaningful stories that other nurses would like to share - to the extent that the privacy and confidentiality of every patient or staff member involved is protected and assured.
When the time comes, if you need support, I am happy to take your words and walk you through the sticking points. My cousin died many years ago after a fall on the school playground, when no one on the staff knew how to simply open her airway so she could breathe while she was unconscious, and having been a pediatric nurse, I've always been adamant about CPR training. I was an instructor for many years and we required that every parent who took a new baby home was trained in basic CPR.
You might also want to consider what philanthropic clubs or agencies might be interested in raising money or donating automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) to schools and gymnasiums in your area, because nearly all sudden cardiac deaths are due to arrhythmias that can be reversed with quick intervention. Perhaps your daughter's cardiologist knows how that works in your area.
Anyway - I'm here if you need help with editing or formatting...when the time is right.
When the time comes, if you need support, I am happy to take your words and walk you through the sticking points. My cousin died many years ago after a fall on the school playground, when no one on the staff knew how to simply open her airway so she could breathe while she was unconscious, and having been a pediatric nurse, I've always been adamant about CPR training. I was an instructor for many years and we required that every parent who took a new baby home was trained in basic CPR.
You might also want to consider what philanthropic clubs or agencies might be interested in raising money or donating automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) to schools and gymnasiums in your area, because nearly all sudden cardiac deaths are due to arrhythmias that can be reversed with quick intervention. Perhaps your daughter's cardiologist knows how that works in your area.
Anyway - I'm here if you need help with editing or formatting...when the time is right.
KK wrote: "Paula wrote: "What's everyone reading this weekend? Nightingale Way? Reflection Point? Something else? I'm reading a book I've been asked to review - and I hope to write a bit as well...who's havin..."How you coming so far on Virgin River?
Downloaded. I'm so far under this week and it's only Tuesday! My Mac is protected by two firewalls and STILL I got a piece of malware that moved in and set up shop, re-set my browser, set itself as my home page...and locked up my anti-virus program. I had to sit on the phone with a tech for hours this morning. I think the little gremlin is finally gone. But after working 14 hours yesterday - and having the kids next door party like it was 1999 until 4:00 a.m., I was wound tight as a spring most of the day. LOL. (I believe their parents are out of town.)
Nightingale Way seemed to simply fly by and now we are up to Reflection Point, where Georgia peach meets the lawman. If you've already read it, head on over to the discussion folder and let's start chatting! If you haven't read it yet...start it when you can and jump in any time! The official start date is tomorrow, which means that on Thursday we'll have a NEW giveaway and a winner from the current one.
TIME FLIES. I will start Nightingale Way hopefully Sunday. Have to get things done for the students to learn next week plus house duties. I am catching up on the discussion.I used to read a lot more military action books but in recent years have decided that I want my books to have happy endings. I still read some of them but much more selective.
Mostly now I read authors that I like but still try new authors.
Hope you are all having a good weekend and enjoying Emily's books as well as others.
Time certainly flies! I can't keep up from one day to the next! You will love Nightingale Way! Take your time & enjoy it!
Paula wrote: "KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "I have a question for everyone. What draws you to buy a book? or at least read the back to see if you want to read it? I am also curious about what everyones favorite genre ..."I read what catches my eye with a cover , a favorite author or a new author suggested by others who read similar books, history non-fiction and fiction andsometimes books that I just find by browsing.
Melinda wrote: "Paula wrote: "KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "I have a question for everyone. What draws you to buy a book? or at least read the back to see if you want to read it? I am also curious about what everyones f..."
I'm immediately drawn to book covers. I'm a highly visual person so if I'm intrigued by a cover I will stop and either pick it up to read a bit (the bookstore approach), or click on it and check out the synopsis and preview (eBooks). There are authors who could write books without covers at all and I'd still buy their books without even blinking. Like Melinda said, I also rely on suggestions from friends. As a blogger-reviewer, I rarely have time to browse because I won't live long enough to read the books I've squirreled away or the ones I get sent to review.
Social media research shows that people really haven't changed when it comes to buying habits. Word of Mouth is still the most powerful way to sell ANYTHING, including books. That's why authors appreciate endorsements and reviews so much.
I'm immediately drawn to book covers. I'm a highly visual person so if I'm intrigued by a cover I will stop and either pick it up to read a bit (the bookstore approach), or click on it and check out the synopsis and preview (eBooks). There are authors who could write books without covers at all and I'd still buy their books without even blinking. Like Melinda said, I also rely on suggestions from friends. As a blogger-reviewer, I rarely have time to browse because I won't live long enough to read the books I've squirreled away or the ones I get sent to review.
Social media research shows that people really haven't changed when it comes to buying habits. Word of Mouth is still the most powerful way to sell ANYTHING, including books. That's why authors appreciate endorsements and reviews so much.
Hello, everyone...just a quick note about the weekend. My husband of 25 years decided to sweep me away overnight tomorrow - we will be leaving early in the morning and coming back in the early evening on Sunday. I will be without wifi for extended periods of time. This is probably the motivation behind his decision...so forgive me if I'm not as responsive as usual. I will catch up as soon as possible. And in the meantime, please keep the conversation going! I love all of your ideas and can't wait to read them.
Enjoy Paula. How fun and romantic to be swept away for the weekend.
Jina wrote: "KK wrote: "Paula wrote: "What's everyone reading this weekend? Nightingale Way? Reflection Point? Something else? I'm reading a book I've been asked to review - and I hope to write a bit as well......"Jina, I sent a message through your Goodreads account, did you get it? I have completed the second book in the Virgin River series and really enjoyed them. I am waiting for the third book to come available at my library so I can download it but may breakdown and buy it. I get stuck on a series and can't wait to read the next one. This can be a lesson in patience, it us not like I don't have plenty to read.
Melinda wrote: "TIME FLIES. I will start Nightingale Way hopefully Sunday. Have to get things done for the students to learn next week plus house duties. I am catching up on the discussion.I used to read a lot m..."
Melinda, I definitely know what you mean. I have listened to two books this week that I hated the endings on. I really cannot stand a bad, sad ending right now. I want everyone happy when the story stops. One book left me very sad and mad at stupid, ignorant people. The other left me disappointed in the women in the book, disliking the men in the book and just blah!
I'm reading an ARC by an author I love and it's dragged me through every possible emotion, but I've loved it. Yes, I got so mad I nearly threw my iPad a couple of times. But I also know it has a HEA - and like you ladies, I can't be left with an ending that tears me apart - most of the time. There are two exceptions to that, two books I will never forget. They are tough to read, but so worth it if you can do it. They are:
Seventh Wonder, by Renae Kelleigh - if you lived through the Vietnam War era, this one will make you experience it as you never did before.
and
Before I Go, by Colleen Oakley. I highly recommend them but you WILL need something funny to follow.
Laters, ladies!
Seventh Wonder, by Renae Kelleigh - if you lived through the Vietnam War era, this one will make you experience it as you never did before.
and
Before I Go, by Colleen Oakley. I highly recommend them but you WILL need something funny to follow.
Laters, ladies!
KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "KK wrote: "Paula wrote: "What's everyone reading this weekend? Nightingale Way? Reflection Point? Something else? I'm reading a book I've been asked to review - and I hope to write a b..."I loved the Virgin River series. Robyn Carr also has a Thunder Bay series.
Lola wrote: "KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "KK wrote: "Paula wrote: "What's everyone reading this weekend? Nightingale Way? Reflection Point? Something else? I'm reading a book I've been asked to review - and I hope t..."I will put that on my to read list. Thanks for the recommendation.
Lola wrote: "KK wrote: "Jina wrote: "KK wrote: "Paula wrote: "What's everyone reading this weekend? Nightingale Way? Reflection Point? Something else? I'm reading a book I've been asked to review - and I hope t..."I enjoy Robyn Carr's two series. Since one author can not write fast enough we have to read several. I had to re start Nightingale Way because I did not finish before it get crazy with the start of classes. Will finish tomorrow and hope to start the next book as well. Hope you are all having a good weekend. We hope Paula is having a good time. Her hubby is thoughtful for whisking her away.
Lola I have read a lot of Robyn Carr's books. I read all of the Virgin River series and now she has another series she began based near Virgin River. She is great like Emily March!
Hello again! I'm finally back in the land of wi-fi. I have to say that we had a wonderful time this weekend - great food, great wine, and more than one fit of hysterical laughter. It was good for the soul. And now back to work...
This is how I feel after a party weekend: https://www.facebook.com/paula.radell...
This is how I feel after a party weekend: https://www.facebook.com/paula.radell...
Hi Paula, that was funny. Glad to hear you had a good weekend!
Jennie wrote: "Hi Paula, that was funny. Glad to hear you had a good weekend!" Thanks, Jennie - I hope yours was great, too!
I spent most of the weekend without water because of a pipe bursting but it was ok. All good now!
Jennie wrote: "I spent most of the weekend without water because of a pipe bursting but it was ok. All good now! " Ouch! Glad it's fixed now, Jennie!
Club members --- Please excuse my being MIA today!! I spent the day feeling like a cave-woman...when workers cut a fiber-optic cable about 90 miles south of us; killing ALL cell phone coverage and internet service to our home here in the boonies and everywhere in between. Even our land line didn't work. I couldn't even send a smoke signal - we have a burn ban here. Talk about frantic???
Fortunately, I had no excuse not to work on my book, so I did. And the instant my husband got home, the internet came back. So I felt compelled to come on here and apologize for not responding earlier. If there was any doubt we could do without cell phones or internet service and be just fine -- trust me. Being off the grid stinks!!!
Fortunately, I had no excuse not to work on my book, so I did. And the instant my husband got home, the internet came back. So I felt compelled to come on here and apologize for not responding earlier. If there was any doubt we could do without cell phones or internet service and be just fine -- trust me. Being off the grid stinks!!!
Glad your back Paula! Being without phone and internet for even a few hours makes me realize how much I depend on it to stay in touch so glad you have it back!
Today has been SO much better...my cell phone started working again this morning, and the internet has been nice and polite to me all day. I just fell so far behind in my work that the quiet Friday I planned is not exactly working out so well. As they say, we make plans, God laughs!
Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone! I'm in and out this weekend - not traveling at all - I've done enough of that until we go to Virginia in November (actually I'll be there when Heartsong Cottage comes out, and I'll get to read it uninterrupted!). I also did something fairly miraculous today ... I made lasagne from a recipe I've had since 1978. It's so old I typed it out on a word processor and printed it on a dot matrix printer! But it's a family tradition - usually NOT on a holiday weekend - usually when it's cold and damp outside. But my husband had a craving for it. He gave me two uninterrupted writing hours today, and I rewarded him with lasagne. Do you think behavioral conditioning works on men? Because I have a lot left to write if this book is coming out before the holidays!!
This may be the way you can get your book finished. Make his fave dishes to eat for time alone writing. lol. What sacrifice we have to make just for time alone.....
Oh yum!my man made Lasagna last Saturday! It isa rarity we have it lol
Of course it's always better the second day so I will bargain again tomorrow.
Hi everyone! I hope you had a fun weekend with family & friends and that all is well. We are having some utility work in our neighborhood this morning and our internet service is offline for awhile, maybe more repairs after the damage last week. I'm using my cell phone but it's not great for Goodreads. I will hop online when the trucks leave! In the meantime I guess I'll have to read more of Miracle Road. Loving it!!! ❤️. Pop in and tell us ONE GOOD THING that happened this weekend..,let's start the day off right!
I went to the bacon festival this weekend! Who doesn't love bacon! I bought chocolate covered bacon! Yum! It was a good time!
We planted watermelon seeds earlier this year and finally enjoyed the delicious fruit. This melon was HUGE and ended up weighing 29 pounds!
Paula wrote: "Hi everyone! I hope you had a fun weekend with family & friends and that all is well. We are having some utility work in our neighborhood this morning and our internet service is offline for awhile..."Hello All,
Sadly we are slaves to todays technology. My grandfather had said that some famous person, (I forget who he was referring to, I may google it later) said that technology will be human beings demise. I suppose because we come to rely on it and take it for granted that it will be available, that if or when our infastructure ever collapses we wont know how to cope. My grandfather never let his kids use calculators and made them learn shorthand and morse code. Anyway, I am glad you are online and the internet is behaving for you.
The good things about my weekend were, my husband and I went for a ride along the coast on our motorcycle with some friends. The kids were healthy this weekend. I talked to my sister Joni who is expecting her second child in 6 weeks if all goes as planned. She is doing well. I got some paperwork done and got my bushel basket of socks folded FINALLY! I DISLIKE folding socks! Can't someone invent disposable socks and stop the madness??? Anyhoo, back to work for me while I'm making progress. Take care all.
Sincerely Yours,
Jina
Jina, if anyone deserves a great, fun, healthy weekend it was you!!! So happy to hear about it. And your grandfather had a point. More than once this morning I've wanted to wander down the hill to the cable guys and question their competence. LOL.
Wow, Bernadette - I bet it's going to be amazing! We have tiny sweet tomatoes making their way onto our salad tonight.
Jennie...I have heard that chocolate covered bacon is to die for. It's like the perfect sweet and salty vice. ;-)
Hi Paula! Yes! Chocolate covered bacon is wonderful! lol. For those who love bacon and chocolate you need to try it. It was something I had to try at least once. I wasn't disappointed. I'm glad you had a good weekend. Sounds like you are getting an extra day unexpectedly, that's always nice! Keeping my fingers crossed for tonight, I have a major job interview at 7 tonight. I am interviewing for a doctors office and meeting all doctors tonight. Wish me luck and say a prayer please. I need this job. I've been out of work for 9 months now. Have a great afternoon!
Jennie, I will certainly be thinking of you. What an odd coincidence - I've just interviewed for an office administrator job at an OB-GYN clinic with three sites...interviews are nerve-wracking!!! Please let me know how it goes. I've been self employed for 19 months and going back to a regular job feels a bit - unusual - after all this time. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be - and I know you will be great. Good luck!!
Jina wrote: "Paula wrote: "Hi everyone! I hope you had a fun weekend with family & friends and that all is well. We are having some utility work in our neighborhood this morning and our internet service is offl..."Jina, i beleive it was albert eistein
Brandi wrote: "Jina wrote: "Paula wrote: "Hi everyone! I hope you had a fun weekend with family & friends and that all is well. We are having some utility work in our neighborhood this morning and our internet se..."
Which just happens to remind me of a quote in Miracle Road that goes something like this: "You're 'just a jock' like Albert Einstein is 'just a scientist'!" Who said it, and to whom, ladies! It's one of my favorites.
Which just happens to remind me of a quote in Miracle Road that goes something like this: "You're 'just a jock' like Albert Einstein is 'just a scientist'!" Who said it, and to whom, ladies! It's one of my favorites.
This weekend, the phone was quiet so i was able to get things done without a lot of interruptions. I also was able to read most of Miracle Road. The other thing was I did not have to go anywhere so I stayed home this weekend. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
Jennie wrote: "Hi Paula! Yes! Chocolate covered bacon is wonderful! lol. For those who love bacon and chocolate you need to try it. It was something I had to try at least once. I wasn't disappointed. I'm glad you..."I will have to try this. this is the first that I have heard of chocolate covered bacon. Thanks for the suggesting.
Jina,..."
I can relate to what you're saying, KK. I used to be a huge fan of thrillers, but I read two of them back to back that scared me so badly that I lost my taste for that much suspense - and the unspeakable, violent descriptions were so explicit I still get the shudders when I think about those stories.
I am also tired of authors who are reaching down really low for shock value in terms of sex. A sexual relationship is a beautiful thing, but characters matter, and a story has to offer so much more than a string of "let's try having them do it on top of the stereo...!".
My tastes have changed remarkably over the years, and I've become much more selective about what I read, which is why I give so many high ratings on my reviews. I really need to feel good as I read and after I read, which is one thing that all of my favorite authors have in common ... they know how to weave a believable story that inspires their readers and leaves them satisfied (while also wanting another book)!