tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80583045720774745162024-02-06T20:15:57.370-06:00Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit of TexasAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-65388217581901814972016-03-09T15:51:00.001-06:002016-10-20T14:25:50.092-05:00ALL MY HOPES AND DREAMS--rerelease Western Historical Romance <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gx1CPNL40zFxg2ZlyA5Te9-bfiE8ekIjleXbUfWYX7r15F1EfJSjTHXXorPMEq61zOsrubw_N5un3n-ZyBq9T7sdwUyCzqhmkYwrfBgdLe8SY5Thxm06Q8pG3KoFzpjUBsBR63KGPqw/s1600/All+My+Hopes+and+Dreams+CYeary+Web+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gx1CPNL40zFxg2ZlyA5Te9-bfiE8ekIjleXbUfWYX7r15F1EfJSjTHXXorPMEq61zOsrubw_N5un3n-ZyBq9T7sdwUyCzqhmkYwrfBgdLe8SY5Thxm06Q8pG3KoFzpjUBsBR63KGPqw/s320/All+My+Hopes+and+Dreams+CYeary+Web+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ALL MY HOPES AND DREAMS</span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genre: Western Historical Romance</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author: Celia Yeary</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BLURB:</span></i></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">To escape an arranged marriage, beautiful,
proper Cynthia Harrington from East Texas impulsively marries Ricardo Romero, a
striking, sensual Spaniard who ranches on the far western edge of the Texas
frontier. Innocently, she steps into a hotbed of anger, rivalry, and strong
wills. As she struggles to gain a foothold in the hostile household and foreign
ranch community, she finds that her biggest challenge is to make her husband
love her.</span></b></div>
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Ricardo creates his own problems by marrying
an outsider, angering his mother, father, and his jealous ex-lady friend. Then,
the Texas Rangers arrive looking for a killer, and Cynthia saves Ricardo’s
mother in a confrontation with the wanted man. Ricardo realizes that his
delicate bride has more grit and spunk than he thought, and his greatest trial
becomes a race to pursue his own wife and persuade her to stay with him.</span></b></div>
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<b>EXCERPT:</b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While he
waited in the parlor, Ricardo thought through his plan once more. Was this the
right thing to do? His schedule was to leave for home in three days. Would that
be enough time? He paced back and forth in front of the large front window,
hoping Mr. Harrington would not come home. All he needed to do was convince
Cynthia to marry him, and he believed he could.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard her
approach and spun on his heels. There she was, pale but beautiful, sad but
strong.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cynthia?”</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What are you doing here?” She cocked her head to one side. She looked
like she’d been crying sometime during the previous hours.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will you
sit here beside me?” He swept his arm toward the love seat.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She sat and
he joined her. “Cynthia, I have news. And I have a proposition. Will you hear
me out?”</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning
slightly toward him, she leaned forward in curiosity. “What do you want,
Ricardo?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I want to
ask you to marry me. Three days from now, if you will.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She gasped
and pulled back. “What?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I ask for
your hand in marriage.” He studied her light blue eyes, so wide with surprise.
She had not turned from him yet. “The marriage proposal you received yesterday
will be retracted soon, before the afternoon is over, I’m certain. So, I ask
you to marry me instead, but not a month from now—in three days.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why three
days?” she asked. “And how do you know Harris will retract his proposal?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He almost
laughed. She asked why so soon, not why on earth he would ask in the first
place.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Believe me;
Harris Newton does not want to marry you.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He will
retract his proposal because you were out on the road with me all night.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, then,
why should I marry you in three days?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This was a
good sign, a good sign, indeed. “Because I’m going home, and I want you to go
with me—as my bride. Will you, Cynthia? Will you marry me?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She was
speechless, but she did not reject him out of hand. After some moments of heavy
silence, she asked. “Where exactly do you live?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He breathed
a sigh of relief. “West of San Antonio, on a very large ranch.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why were
you here in Nacogdoches? I’ve often wondered.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“To buy
blooded mares to add to our herd.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Our. Who
else?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My father.
He and I ranch together on property that has been in his family for
generations. He and my mother live there, but it’s a very large house, and an
enormous operation. It takes all of us and many <i>vaqueros</i> to keep things
going. My father is aging, so I am mostly in charge.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“A ranch? I
know nothing of ranching or the West. I would like to live in a city. But you
live…”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not <i>far</i>
from San Antonio,” he hastened to say. “But it is far enough away that we only
go twice a year for a holiday.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She lowered
her head and looked at her hands. “I don’t know. That seems far out of my realm
of expertise. I’m not certain I could do that.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Answer
this, Cynthia. Would you rather live here until your father finds another
husband for you, or would you rather make your own decision? I’m giving you a
choice.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">At that
moment, they heard heavy, hurried footsteps on the porch. Both knew it was the
master of the house. Ricardo gathered Cynthia into his arms. He turned her just
so, placed his lips on her soft, feminine ones, and kissed her with all the
passion he could muster. For good measure, he moved his hand to one breast.
Instead of fighting, she responded as though she hadn’t heard her father.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cynthia
Louise Harrington! What the devil are you up to?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ricardo and
Cynthia pulled back, but they did not jerk apart. Instead, they gazed into each
other’s eyes and parted slowly. Without caring if the man was in the room or
not, Ricardo placed his palm on her cheek, and kissed her on the other, ever so
sweetly and gently. Before he let her go, he whispered, “Will you marry me?”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She nodded
and whispered in return, “Yes, I will marry you.”</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.3in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Telegram:</i></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.3in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To: Rafaelo Romero. Double R Ranch. Rico Springs,
Texas</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">From: Ricardo Romero</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Arriving
home Stop Twenty mares Stop One stallion Stop One bride Stop </span></i></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b><em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Hopes-Dreams-Celia-Yeary-ebook/dp/B01ADR72ZK/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457544618&sr=1-10&keywords=celia+yeary"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">http://www.amazon.com/All-Hopes-Dreams-Celia-Yeary-ebook/dp/B01ADR72ZK/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457544618&sr=1-10&keywords=celia+yeary</span></a>
</span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas</span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;">Amazon: </span></b></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Blog</i></a></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></em></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-21963539992120850392016-02-15T19:43:00.000-06:002016-02-15T19:43:39.112-06:00The Perfect Excerpt<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHnkqLs52ocN0BBL9olUxjYOaaJZu4D8O5JDMsDyFLpf5Q9873QrJwhyphenhyphenBoIW1B2bHujXJC_3A4N5wcMx31w7_HAEEsMynBZM_MZEcWrtTUhpKdgBhdpfHVFfFLcNwPQZaBeOH6UMH2-A/s1600/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHnkqLs52ocN0BBL9olUxjYOaaJZu4D8O5JDMsDyFLpf5Q9873QrJwhyphenhyphenBoIW1B2bHujXJC_3A4N5wcMx31w7_HAEEsMynBZM_MZEcWrtTUhpKdgBhdpfHVFfFLcNwPQZaBeOH6UMH2-A/s320/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excerpts—we love them, don’t we? There’s no better way to sample an author’s writing style than to read an excerpt. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to post the perfect excerpt. Many writers have their own methods, from very long, to very short, somewhere in-between, at times concise, and at others, rambling.In truth, most excerpts are too long, and some are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much </i>too long.What is the best method of selecting a sample of your writing? How can you entice a reader to read your full excerpt?</span><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b> </b></i></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>Choose one that contains dialogue or action, not just narrative, and keep it short and simple</b>. </i></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Consider the short story. The guidelines are: limit to a specific time, place, event, interaction, or character’s evolution. It is, in fact, a mini-novel, complete with a beginning, middle, and an ending, i.e.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> an abbreviated novel. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The same is true for The Perfect Excerpt.</span><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b> </b></i></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>Attention span is the amount of time a person can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted</b></i></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuous involvement without any lapse at all is as short as eight seconds. The average adult who is engaged in an interesting activity or topic will remain focused for twenty seconds. People are also capable of longer periods up to two and a half hours when they are doing something enjoyable or motivating, such as watching a movie.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>Researchers have found that the modern adult’s attention span shortens as time goes on</b></i></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. The phenomenon of instant gratification in our technological world deters the attention span even more.Now consider the <i>Excerpt.</i> The guidelines are perhaps the same as those for a short story: one idea, one interaction, in one short time frame, wrapped up with a beginning, middle, and an ending, <u>approximately three hundred words—a mini-short story with a hook at the end.</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Here’s a test for you. How many words are in this article to this point? (310) How long did it take to read it? (Average adult-one minute.)</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">EXAMPLE EXCERPT: From a short story titled "Starr Bright," featured in the anthology <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cowboy Cravings. '</i></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Conrad and Starr.'</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Starr laughed low in her throat. "Oh, I don't think I'll need a man to make the decision for me. I know all about stallions, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">studs</i>, as you say. However, I have asked Mr. Taylor, here, to accompany and advise me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Conrad remained silent. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You did? You asked me to advise you? </i>He wanted to laugh, but in truth, he was enormously pleased. With no expression, he nodded slightly to her. "Be glad to help." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was that tiny smile again, the one that was teasing, while at the same time a little sarcastic. Truth be known, he'd probably crawl through the burning fires of hell to get to her.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">SECOND EXAMPLE: From “All My Hopes and Dreams”</span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After several minutes, Cynthia was decidedly uncomfortable. Not only were the clothes chafing her skin, she needed to relieve herself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. Romero?” she called.Silence.She cleared her throat as loudly as she could, but asked in a normal voice, “Oh, Mr. Romero. Are you awake?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lazily, he rolled his head on the trunk of the tree toward her. One side of his mouth quirked up, and to Cynthia, it certainly appeared to be a smirk. She ground her teeth but asked as mannerly as she could, “I require your assistance, Mr. Romero.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He moved his head to the original position and closed his eyes once again.Cynthia was furious, and she rarely lost her temper. Why ever be angry when she had her way all the time? After contemplating her problem, she rolled to the side, placed her hands on the ground, and managed to get to her knees. After struggling with the wet clothes, she was finally able to stand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a huff, she strode as fast as she could in her hampered condition and reached his side. She lifted one almost bare foot, but before she could kick his leg, he caught her ankle, quick as a timber rattler. Unbalanced, she fell once more—the third time today—but this time she had a softer landing. Ricardo had grabbed her skirts and pulled her forward so that she fell over him.Her arms flailed about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">up</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let me go</i>. Don’t touch me, you…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you scoundrel</i>.”She stilled when she noticed he had his hands in the air, as if he surrendered. Even with the cheroot clamped in his teeth, he still managed to grin around it. One deep dimple appeared in one cheek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her stomach dropped.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">THIRD EXAMPLE: From Rodeo Man-- A Contemporary Romance Novella with PBRJV.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cody turned to her, shaking his head. “Not a good spot for your bedroll. Not good at all.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why not?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I saw mice droppings over here when I arrived.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mice?</i>” she squeaked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah, I guess they come out over here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Noooo,” she said with her hands on her cheeks. “Is that the truth?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Seems likely to me. That’s why I sleep back over there.” He motioned with his head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then, where am I going to sleep?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cody looked behind her, and said, “Whoa! One just popped his little head out that hole.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Goosebumps popped up on Marla’s arms and down her back. In one motion, she squealed, “Eeek!” sounding just like one of the mice again, turned, and slammed into Cody. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stood his ground while she literally climbed up his body, grasping his shirt, wrapping her legs around his hips, and moving on up to clasp her arms around his neck. After only a few moments, she noticed he hadn’t moved, except to lock his arms around her bottom and boost her a little higher. Leaning back, she looked into his face. He grinned like a Cheshire cat, or the one that got the cream, not unlike the roguish grin she’d seen earlier.The man was dangerous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll get down now,” she said, pursing her lips and looking away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well…you’re gonna have to let go of my neck.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When she did, he kept her escape in check by allowing her to slide down his body, unhurried, holding her close. When she stood toe-to-toe with him, she make the biggest mistake of her life. She looked up into his eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You sure are a little thing,” he whispered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">petite.”</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re short and compact,” he said low and sexy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m…will you stop it?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Haven’t done anything, yet.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She raised one eyebrow in challenge. “Well?”</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;">********</span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;">Amazon: </span></b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</span></a></span></i><i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></i></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">My Website</span></i></a></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">My Blog</span></i></span></b></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A WWI era love story
set North Texas</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mr.
Reynolds? Would you say grace?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Guy
remained frozen, as terrified as he had been at times when he ran for his life,
his rifle cocked and ready, through bombings and gunfire and thick, black,
greasy smoke. He sat there, his heart pounding, his head bursting with the
sound of weapons and explosions, visibly shaking and looking at the cake,
seeing instead, blood, and men’s intestines spilling out, and hearing unearthly
groans and screams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hell
couldn’t be much worse, he thought. But he looked up and sought her beautiful
blue eyes, the color of the sky in France when the smoke cleared and the sun
shone on the destruction of war that men inflicted on one another. God help
him, he thought he would cry. No, he thought, with steely determination, I’ll
not let her see my weakness and pain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,
ma’am. Let’s bow our heads.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">~~*~~*~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Blue-Mountains-Celia-Yeary-ebook/dp/B011J6ZGJ8/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437308093&sr=1-2&keywords=celia+yeary
</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Blog</i></a></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></i><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://tinyurl.com/of4fha </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-87542980610328767902015-08-26T08:38:00.003-05:002015-08-26T08:38:36.623-05:00Win or Lose...It's All About the Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More than once, I've become involved in
a discussion about the rewards we authors expect for publishing a book. Most
people probably would say, "It's the money, stupid!" But is it?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure, I want a good royalty check, but
is that all there is?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Often, I've heard, or been told, or read
that some authors really write for the pleasure of the process and the
excitement of having a story put in ebook and/or print. These authors often add
they really don't care about making money. Any money.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Really?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For several years, I was involved with a
bridge club. A bridge player is expected to know the rules, when to bid, when
to pass, and to understand a good hand from a bad hand. Now this club was not
cutthroat, as some bridge groups might be, but all of us wanted to win. I know
I did not relish winning the "low" pot...that of pennies we members
threw in when we "went down." In other words, we threw in pennies
when we lost a hand. At the end of the session, the one player with the lowest
overall score took home the "low pot,"...the pennies. I hated that,
but I took home my share of the low pot over the years. The high pot? I
rejoiced and did a little dance if I took home the big win.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what spurred me on to win the big
pot? The $1.25 I might take home? Was it the money? A dollar twenty-five? No,
it was the pleasurable feeling I had knowing I'd played well and had the best
score and... I stayed in the game. The $1.25 only solidified that fact.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let's turn to golf. I learned at age 40,
and that's not a good age to begin golf. However, I fell head over heels in love
with golf. I took very few lessons, for I am a self-learner and figured out the
game on my own through videos and books. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Listen. I could win, too.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesdays, the day the Women's Golf
Association members played at our country club, I won my share of having the
lowest score of the day. If I lost, I still went home happy, because winning
isn't the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">entire</i> point.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mainly, I stayed in the game.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, I'd study why I lost. Was it my long
game? My short game? My putting? Over time, I learned how I could win more by playing
a good short game--I was never a long hitter.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a mini-tournament that I might
win, I'd hear, "Well, you came out here to win, didn't you?"</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This sounded like an insult to me. My
response became, "Why would I come out here to lose?"</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">See? It's all about keeping score--staying
in the game to compare my score with my opponent--or my score with my last
score.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the money solidifies the fact that I
won--even if the amount was very small.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I learned valuable lessons playing golf.
Once in a mini-tournament, we played one-on-one. My opponent was a big woman,
tall and younger and more athletic. She was bound to beat me in the ground.
However, remember I had a very good short game, so after playing 18 holes, we
were tied. This meant we had to play Sudden Death--play until one of us won a
hole. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hole #1--tied.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hole #2-tied.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hole #3.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My opponent had become annoyed and short
tempered, knowing she was the better player overall. Me? Not me. I am not short
tempered.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We teed off on #3, a short Par 3. She
landed on the green, but on the upside--she had to putt downhill. I landed just
short of the green. I could chip or putt uphill to the hole.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She putted and the ball rolled downhill
past the hole and off the green. She stomped her foot and cursed out loud and
threw her club. Uh-oh.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I chose to putt off the green and landed
about one foot from the hole. Long story short, she became so angry with me,
she yelled. I stood there, watching her, and thought: "I have just won
this match." She let her emotions take control. Bad move.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure, I one-putted, she three putted,
and yes, I won. She would not speak to me.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did I win for the pretty little trophy I
got? No. I won for the score. I had a better score.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A trophy? Cash? Those do help, but no. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The score. The game.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had played the game better than she had.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the years, I'd have books that sold
very well, but some that did not sell well at all. I'd study the small royalty
check and say to myself, "Well, this doesn't matter, because I don't care
about the money."</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Really, Celia?</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One day I realized I did care about the
money. Why? It represented a score...staying in the game and trying harder next
time. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We might not play just to win or beat an
opponent--we most likely play to test our own game.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That's what you do in golf. Test your
game against others.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You might have deduced I have a bit of a
Killer Instinct. I never had in my entire life, but when I turned forty,
somehow my attitude about many things changed. Mainly, I wanted something new,
something fun and exciting.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Slowly, I came to realize I do have a Mini-Killer
Instinct.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To keep score, of course. Maybe play
well and collect a little cash, too. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mainly, though, to stay in the game.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a side note. Authors don't talk
about or speak of the money they make. It's a form of bragging, and we were
taught as children that it's rude and uncouth--at least I was. I see this is
one of our best attributes as authors.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But we check rankings on Amazon, don't
we? We count the number of books we sold and possibly share that with a good
friend, don't we? I see nothing wrong with this. It's the same as posting golf
scores on a board for the world to see.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Probably, it's to assure ourselves we're
still good enough to play the game.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~*~~</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas</span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Blog</i></a></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a></span></em></b></span> </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-24831121262883583962015-08-12T16:19:00.001-05:002015-08-12T16:19:09.299-05:00CLEAN WRITING<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbdGrHWEorDicoxjL1Ml7djHwqfHJNQmZzEDUQ166_ia09kTfutQQokGNoKyAt02vmsWbQQYTa00bu077HYvOyqv7ZfnOj_XgL_kDg6BUtkq-DF4lg3bSVlDoeMJOKMdz1a3GndQTEus/s1600/words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbdGrHWEorDicoxjL1Ml7djHwqfHJNQmZzEDUQ166_ia09kTfutQQokGNoKyAt02vmsWbQQYTa00bu077HYvOyqv7ZfnOj_XgL_kDg6BUtkq-DF4lg3bSVlDoeMJOKMdz1a3GndQTEus/s1600/words.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>CLEAN WRITING. No,
not what you're thinking. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>This kind: <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Writing science research papers taught me the process
of clean writing—manuscripts free of too many useless words. Useless words in a
science paper are considered descriptive, emotional, and repetitive.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Science papers? "Just the facts, ma'am." <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>As a result, my first fiction manuscript was a
failure. The editor told me my writing sounded like a textbook--every sentence
perfect with a key idea followed by sentences of facts to support that
important discovery. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>That sort of hurt, but the statement opened a
floodgate of words that's still gushing. I could use <em>adjectives! And adverbs!
And descriptions!</em> But also…too many useless words and phrases. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Still, I absolutely love to embellish sentences with
adjectives, adverbs, and well…a long list of writing errors. If I remove the
useless words in the previous sentence, I think it reads like a textbook. Where
is that fine line?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>AVOID USELESS WORDS: We consider good writing concise,
vigorous, and active. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, as a
machine should contain no extra parts. Fine idea. But an automobile is a
machine. The first cars were little more than a buggy with an engine attached.
They were unattractive and uncomfortable. The automobiles today contain endless
useless parts, but we buy them because of those extra appealing parts. <em>We want
those</em>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I do agree, though, certain useless words or phrases
need to go.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"there
is no doubt but that" should be <u>"no doubt" or
"doubtless"</u> <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"this is
a subject that" should be <u>"this subject"<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"the
reason why is that" should be <u>"because"<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"owing
to the fact that" should be <u>"since" or "because"<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"he is
a man who" should be <u>"he"<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>AVOID USE OF QUALIFIERS: A qualifier is a word or a
word group that limits the meaning of another word or word group. The worst
offenders are <u>rather, very, little, and pretty. <o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>"I should do pretty well on the
exam, for I am a rather brilliant student, but if I make very many mistakes,
I'll try to do a little better."<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>AVOID LOOSE SENTENCES: A loose sentence is one
consisting of two clauses, the second introduced by a conjunction or relative.
Too many loose sentences in one paragraph will sound mechanical and singsong..as
noted here:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>"The last concert of the season was given last
night, and the hall was filled to capacity. Jane Doe was the soloist, and John
Smith accompanied her on the piano. She proved to be quite capable, while he
performed admirably. The concert series has been successful, and the committee
was gratified. The committee will plan for next year's programs, and they will
offer an equally attractive program."</u> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Blech!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I could name an author who writes exactly this way, but that would not be nice. And...<em>you are not that person</em>. This person would not be reading my blog post....</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>The compound sentence is the framework of writing when
used wisely and sparingly.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A kind editor—in so many words--told me: "You
begin too many sentences with <u>well, now, so, or why</u>. In some cases,
these words are acceptable, especially when included in dialogue. Southern
people talk this way, but in written narration, use sparingly.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>This made sense to me, because when I talk with a
friend—on-line or face to face—those little words pop up all the time--like
this example:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>"What did
she say when you said her hair was orange?"<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Well</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, first she stared. Then her eyes
sort of bugged out, and before I knew it, why,
she started bawling."<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>"Oh, my goodness. Now, here's what you should have said, darlin'. You just do not want to make her any
madder."<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>"So,
what should I have said?"</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~~*~~<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>And so, well, I need to bring this post to a halt. I
need to make a little lunch, because the fact is that my husband is mowing this
morning, and he'll be starving. There's no doubt, though, that he won't say an
unkind word to me if lunch if just a little late.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>(If you can edit this paragraph, you will receive an
A+)<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>What annoys you in a novel?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>What mistakes do you commonly make?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit
'o Texas<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;">Amazon: </span></em><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><span style="font-style: normal;"><strong>My Website</strong></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: normal;"><strong>My Blog</strong></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: normal;"><strong>Sweethearts
of the West-Blog</strong></span></a></span></em><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><span style="font-style: normal;"><strong>My Facebook Page</strong></span></a><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-77404268433007035652015-08-05T14:46:00.001-05:002015-08-05T14:46:04.201-05:00DOG DAYS OF SUMMER--They Work For Me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYonwMVzuqsD-niC9p8f4WXD68pEUcNtUJ0pKhHkY_G5gT0I1hX3gQptkPPaeaJDfgXKNXOV-Q9vZG7SHbW3i7Ec0JAeOOBF8V8EWJHprx12A-XmOhmPq-i-o0MwtFsWxiToDVWdGlX8/s1600/DOGAD33OR2L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYonwMVzuqsD-niC9p8f4WXD68pEUcNtUJ0pKhHkY_G5gT0I1hX3gQptkPPaeaJDfgXKNXOV-Q9vZG7SHbW3i7Ec0JAeOOBF8V8EWJHprx12A-XmOhmPq-i-o0MwtFsWxiToDVWdGlX8/s1600/DOGAD33OR2L.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Dog Days were
popularly believed to be an evil time when "the Sea boiled, the Wine
turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to
man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies." The
last word is also written as it sounds: frenzies.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Sound familiar? I believe we truly are in
the Dog Days of Summer.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Actually,
the term</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> refers to the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the
heavens.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">To the Greeks and Romans, the “dog
days” occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun.
They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that
could bring fever, or even catastrophe.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I was born during this time, a Virgo, an
August baby, and my mother told me many times how hot it was the day I was
born, decades ago, in a house with no air conditioning (what was that,
anyway?), no running water, and one light bulb in each room. You might say we
were poor, but really we weren't. We just lived as everyone else did in the
small North Texas farming community back then.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>And so, I can identify with the Dog Days of
Summer on a first-hand basis.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I have learned I can make this time work
for me. The summer months have become a time of respite, a time to shift gears
and work on a different level, a different playing field--or do nothing. During
these hot days, my usual responsibilities have been dismissed for the summer,
just as they were when I taught high schools students.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Since I live in retirement now, I have no
job or anything professional I must do. All groups I belong to are suspended
for the summer. In each one, I do hold a position, a post, or a volunteer spot
of various sorts. My book club even suspends meetings once a month, giving us
time to read some of the selected books for the coming year. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>While you might think I'd be languishing
like those people centuries ago when this quote was written, I have found a
burst of energy I am directing to writing--more than usual.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
finished a manuscript I've been fiddling with for over two years. Finally, The
End came, I sent it to my publisher--<em><span style="color: blue;">Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery</span></em>--, and
very quickly had a gorgeous cover, the manuscript edited and re-edited, and now
it's finally born and living on Amazon as well as a few other sites. At this
moment, I'm waiting for a box of prints to be delivered to my doorstep.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-Db38gUlXVzIuHXCaj8UMjuBpXo2YA-dEH_u6Z1DWGBth3mB9im7OVWjXLTfESY3Q_jDgP3CtpF39dQ6m8Qwo0PF4TWFTMHjDkDZ7P6kMaer91ihkdmrxHMDVZ7S6a0Sq8mqMeXjVSc/s1600/BeyondtheBlueMountains_CeliaYeary-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-Db38gUlXVzIuHXCaj8UMjuBpXo2YA-dEH_u6Z1DWGBth3mB9im7OVWjXLTfESY3Q_jDgP3CtpF39dQ6m8Qwo0PF4TWFTMHjDkDZ7P6kMaer91ihkdmrxHMDVZ7S6a0Sq8mqMeXjVSc/s320/BeyondtheBlueMountains_CeliaYeary-medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Title: BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Link at Amazon: <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/pfoh7pg">http://tinyurl.com/pfoh7pg</a><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
summer project is writing a short story I hope <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Prairie</em> </span><em><span style="color: #cc0000;">Rose </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Publications</span></em></span>
will take for one of their new imprints: Sundown Press. Title of the anthology:
Memories from Maple Street. I think this is a stroke of genius from the owners
of PRP. I must have a submission ready before the deadline, and keep my fingers
crossed they will like it.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
project that's fun is sorting through a big box of old photos, looking for
those I call Vintage, and scanning them. My husband scans them for me. Here's
one example: <span style="color: blue;">Our wedding--December 1958</span>. So far, the folder holds about 25
photos, and we're not finished yet. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
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<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_f4K0CexYSYgdhxw9KaroJsH5-ePJCMPfHhC0pPVFmP8CMHOwH45U9VvZFqFNL-RZEwMpCULnkWOm4krK-gOXvW8jQ-bEAz8knYHwEoFus8BO9htgJ8CnGJQ20kdWVh4qgBUIDGO0FEM/s1600/Wedding+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_f4K0CexYSYgdhxw9KaroJsH5-ePJCMPfHhC0pPVFmP8CMHOwH45U9VvZFqFNL-RZEwMpCULnkWOm4krK-gOXvW8jQ-bEAz8knYHwEoFus8BO9htgJ8CnGJQ20kdWVh4qgBUIDGO0FEM/s320/Wedding+011.jpg" width="220" /></a></strong></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>The heat, the long days, the sameness of
the weeks do not bother me during July and August. I'm happy to remain at home
in my air conditioning, only going out when I wish, going only where I want.
How much better could this be?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I can't say I like the name put to these
long summer days, but I only pay attention to my own business. Oh, I'm not a
hermit. I love to have coffee, and talk with friends, and hang around the
library, and shop a little here, a little there.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>September will arrive soon enough,
and...Bang!...it all starts up once again.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>This, too, I love. Newness, beginnings,
reconnections.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Can't wait for September.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~~*~~How do you pass the time of The Dog Days of
Summer?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><strong>Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<strong>
</strong><strong><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>My Website</strong></i></a><o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<strong>
</strong><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>My
Blog</strong></i></a><o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<strong>
</strong><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>Sweethearts of the West-Blog</strong></i></a></span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<strong>
</strong><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>My Facebook Page</strong></i></a><strong> </strong></span></em><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-9101843684899875612015-02-12T09:29:00.002-06:002015-02-12T09:29:30.770-06:00WISH FOR THE MOON--Texas love story--1901
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;">MINI-EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;">WISH
FOR THE MOON-A turn-of-the century love story.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, y’all,” she said in a sweet
sounding voice, sort of like water gurgling and sliding over smooth rocks, that
swooshing, humming sound a person never gets tired of. “What are you doing
here? I’ve never seen you around here before. Are you from over to Granbury? Or
maybe Mineral Wells or Dublin?”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Uh-uh. I’m from nowhere,” he said
without grinning or anything. “I’m just a wanderer.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
~*~*~*~<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nook Link: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wish-for-the-moon-celia-yeary/1104178133?ean=2940149980390" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wish-for-the-moon-celia-yeary/1104178133?ean=2940149980390</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiAc4QQAr1gHI92GNjhYDkM1iRHG3ulBs6K6mht2Wpi0fVzStlYbdCmasKISwuc6w8-8eJF8toX77F_4NQPyeRdKUCfKurrqJH1rEaqcJB7ecXkpoSvxy6MASozhzoeD98ekb572mdkE/s1600/Wish_for_the_Moon_CYeary_3+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiAc4QQAr1gHI92GNjhYDkM1iRHG3ulBs6K6mht2Wpi0fVzStlYbdCmasKISwuc6w8-8eJF8toX77F_4NQPyeRdKUCfKurrqJH1rEaqcJB7ecXkpoSvxy6MASozhzoeD98ekb572mdkE/s1600/Wish_for_the_Moon_CYeary_3+Web.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Amazon Link: <a href="http://amzn.com/B00SM09DSK" target="_blank">http://amzn.com/B00SM09DSK</a> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14pt;">~~*~~<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas<o:p></o:p></span></b></em><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></em><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></em><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Blog</i></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></em><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></em><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-61555514408952985482014-11-19T09:29:00.001-06:002017-12-20T15:17:40.852-06:00ARE YOU YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY?<strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQG81Pph8fnZQv5yUm9knUbw4TyUs1CFvY-h1IpmgtdniEBIZxtb5wF3CcMQBtXpNDhQ1U85cwZBCAJl_zeIKjnEgpINXAhZhpraZoqfoVwoUn8BH0WqdXEJZzVAlQr84y1Ue-l1i5rc/s1600/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQG81Pph8fnZQv5yUm9knUbw4TyUs1CFvY-h1IpmgtdniEBIZxtb5wF3CcMQBtXpNDhQ1U85cwZBCAJl_zeIKjnEgpINXAhZhpraZoqfoVwoUn8BH0WqdXEJZzVAlQr84y1Ue-l1i5rc/s1600/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Stop
and think—do you sabotage your own success?</em> This can happen on many levels,
most of them subconscious, but all are self-destructive. How do I know this? I’ve
done so many things to make myself fail or at least feel like a failure, I
can’t even count them. We can’t address all the ways we writers/artists/creators knock ourselves
down, but we can discuss a few. You might be able to add to this list.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>What is Your Passion?</em> Mine is writing. I write novels, short novels, short stories, and blogs. Your passion may be writing, as well, but any creative activity counts: painting, photography, quilting, making doll houses, cooking gourmet meals, singing, dancing, playing an instrument--the list is long. Maybe you're like one of my talented friends who writes literary novels, but she also paints and is a wonderful photographer, too. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Is
Your Attitude Positive or Negative?</em> Ever hear the saying: “Can’t never could do
anything.” I do admit I often say, “Well, I just can’t do that.” Maybe the
statement is in response to rewriting a story that seriously needs an overhaul;
to a ten-day blog tour; to spice up a manuscript; to take a workshop that I
really need. Instead, be the Little Engine That Could and tell yourself, “I
think I can.” Doesn’t that sound much better than “I can’t?” <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>If you are a writer</em>, i<em>s
Your Book The Best It Can Be?</em> Does it have reader appeal? Pretend you’re
someone else reading your book. (I pretend I’m a lady I know on-line who is rather hard
to please—will she like my book?) Does it have urgency, intensity, and enough
drama to capture a reader’s heart? Does your own book interest YOU? Remember
these principles, and you may just write a Best Seller.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Do
You Treat Yourself As Well As You Treat Other Writers?</em> Now, this is simple. If
you have a writer friend who is faltering, what do you do? Don’t you try to
bolster her confidence, telling her that she is competent, that she is as good
a writer as anyone else, and that you have confidence in her? Then, why not
tell yourself these things? Then act that way.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Do
You Play At Writing Instead Of Taking It Seriously?</em> By serious, I don’t mean
act that way. The one thing you DON’T want to do is lose the joy of writing.
Why write if it makes you miserable? Remember how excited you were when you
first realized you were a storyteller, and you wanted more than anything to
succeed? We need some level of obsession to take ourselves seriously and make
others believe it, too. If writing is your dream, then make it happen. Write!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>If you don't write, apply any of these bits of advice to your own particular talent.</em></strong></span><br />
<strong><em>If you'd like to try writing--by all means, sit down at the computer or grab a notebook and pen, and write!</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Until next time--</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><strong>Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Amazon: </span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>My Blog</strong></i></a><o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>Sweethearts of the West-Blog</strong></i></a></span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>My Facebook Page</strong></i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong></span></span></em><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-55101644185699333142014-10-15T14:46:00.000-05:002017-04-18T13:46:35.448-05:00START Where the STO-ry Be-Gins<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW8fYnwvHsaiW8gXCqoSXP_7xZGouEFyrMjqt95Ez2M0iWdYIfIyf_tbNhSF35vYfJu9j7xo4-XHgXAGzG-yqt6imRP86Fqrv9JGP0ZfKb0gTYyxihqMP8VOPlY4bS8iOAOjYnJJ1wLU/s1600/Snoopyuntitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW8fYnwvHsaiW8gXCqoSXP_7xZGouEFyrMjqt95Ez2M0iWdYIfIyf_tbNhSF35vYfJu9j7xo4-XHgXAGzG-yqt6imRP86Fqrv9JGP0ZfKb0gTYyxihqMP8VOPlY4bS8iOAOjYnJJ1wLU/s1600/Snoopyuntitled.png" /></a></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">HOW
to get a-WAY with MUR-der</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: black;">No, this post isn't about writing murder mysteries. It's about great beginnings that "start where the story begins."</span></strong></span><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong>
<strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This recent TV series starring Viola Davis
(The Help) opened to a roaring beginning. The way she says the title, "HOW
to get a-WAY with MUR-der," might be the most clever way to open a series ever.
I read that the producers and Viola worked a long while to get the cadence and
the emphasis just right. And, wow, did they ever. I listen for that before
every episode.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>What grabs your attention when you
choose a book? It's been argued that the cover is most important, or the blurb
alone determines whether you read it or not, or perhaps the first line, the
first paragraph, or the first chapter.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Or if the book starts "Where the Story Begins."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Beginnings. That's what it's all
about--how to make a reader choose your book. For this little exercise, I have
chosen first lines from ten books written by author friends or acquaintances.
In other words, this list does not contain, "It was the best of times, it
was..." Or with the weather. You get the picture.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Want to take this poll? Read the ten
lines and choose three you like best, or those you think would make you buy the
book. Rank your three choices <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>using
the letters</u>...and tell me in a comment. If you want to take the time, tell
me why your first choice caught your attention.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>List them in order of best first in your
comment. Ready?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">A</span>-The front door slammed shut, silencing Lizzy's
eighteenth birthday celebration.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">B-"</span>He has walled us in alive! Our own lord has
abandoned us!"<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">C</span>-Gideon entered his sister's crowded SoHo gallery
in Manhattan and glanced at his watch.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">D</span>-"Reese, if you weren't dead, I swear I'd kill
you!"<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">E</span>-Her swift fingers rushed over the keys like a
flood of water tumbling over a dam.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">F</span>-"Sorry you got shot, Cole. Damn, this is
gonna mess up all our plans."<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">G-</span>Dallas McClintock sprawled on the ground, three
rifle barrels pointed at his chest.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">H-</span>'...but other women my age have a lover.'<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">I</span>-"Don't kill me! Please!"<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">J</span>-Absorbed in her thoughts about Mark, the man who
jilted her on what was to be her wedding day, she almost drove past the baby
grand piano sitting out in the front yard of a little cottage.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~</strong></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~*~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><strong>Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>Amazon: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</strong></a><strong>
</strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><strong>My
Blog</strong></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><strong>Sweethearts of the West-Blog</strong></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<strong>
</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><strong>My Facebook Page</strong></a><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-34424257058163286812014-08-24T14:34:00.000-05:002014-08-24T14:34:55.363-05:00WHEN FAVORITE AUTHORS CHANGE GENRES<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8swZHEMN2HMxmvEFa1stYfCgBnP9f_4NWo_z4suft6CIXh4hUoCShQhmRiEeSp-58CaL0CNw8CJV1t_7gM_lC2bHNZDdijuxwzDBANaIyTpiuQcdN8OEcXkCXMNyVswI-Ctj04jKJ410/s1600/romanceuntitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8swZHEMN2HMxmvEFa1stYfCgBnP9f_4NWo_z4suft6CIXh4hUoCShQhmRiEeSp-58CaL0CNw8CJV1t_7gM_lC2bHNZDdijuxwzDBANaIyTpiuQcdN8OEcXkCXMNyVswI-Ctj04jKJ410/s1600/romanceuntitled.png" height="91" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Has it happened to you? You've
repeatedly fallen in love while reading the wonderful romance novels by your
favorite author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without warning, she
decides to switch from western romance to...gasp...contemporary romantic suspense.
<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>My world hasn't been the same since.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Another favorite romance author switched
to suspense, and in the process actually denied ever having written a romance
novel.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Notice I am not using names, but these
are real authors.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>However, now that I am on the writing
side of the aisle, I understand the desire to write something different.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>As of now, I do write western romance
and contemporary romance which is much more like women's fiction.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Note One:</span> My internet sales have always
leaned heavily toward western romance. This category is how I make my money.
(Notice I did not say "fortune.")<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Note Two</span>: I have written a few
contemporary romances/women's fiction which are not big internet sellers, but the prints were well received here at home. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>My fan base here in town is a wonderful
faithful group, and they will read anything I write. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>If I publish a Western Historical
Romance, they'll buy it and make very nice comments, and ask when will I have
the next book available.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>If I publish a Contemporary
Romance/Women's Fiction, they'll buy it, too, and still give me compliments and
ask the same question.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Now, here's the interesting part. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Recently, I took a poll from my reader
friends.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>"Do you prefer Western Historical
Romance, or do you prefer Contemporary Romance which is closer to Women's
Fiction than pure romance?"<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>More replied they liked the
contemporary/women's fiction for a particular reason.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Want to know what that reason ? They
feel as though they're reading about "real people."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>And they like that.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>So do I. I've enjoyed writing all the
western romances, long and short, but after a while I almost feel as though I'm
writing "by the book," or "by a specified outline."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I've also enjoyed writing the
contemporary novels, because I feel "freer." My story doesn't need
the "Boy meets Girl; Boy loses Girl; Boy gets girl" specifics.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Although these always have love stories,
they are not the focus of the story. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Am I making sense?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Here is one example:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Making the Turn:</span></em> 39 year old Sara
Daniels loses her luxurious lifestyle in Dallas overnight. To survive, she must
go home to Del Rey, Texas and move in with her mother in the old farm house
where she was born and grew up. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Sara is the main character and how she
will redefine herself.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Her mother, Dorothy, is cantankerous and
argumentative which confuses Sara.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Her college-age daughter, Laney, moves
in for part of the summer because her mother no longer has the big house in
Dallas where Laney grew up.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>The story revolves around Sara and her
relationship with her mother, her daughter, and the handsome physicist who is
occupying a nearby farm house with his motherless young boy.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>(I have the rights back to this novel
and it has been filed in my computer over a year. I will re-write a little and
rename it "Return to Del Rey."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>The novels I've loved to write are my
"Texas" romance books:<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<em><strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Texas Blue<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<em><strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Texas Promise<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<em><strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Texas True<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<em><strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Texas Dreamer<o:p></o:p></strong></span></em><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A little danger, some adventure, and of
course, a romance. These somewhat follow characters from two families who
helped settle Texas. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>As difficult as it is to say, I've
decided these four novels will be all of the "Texas" books.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Time to begin something new.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>But what? Time will tell. So far, I've
been fortunate that an idea appeared in some fashion that led me on to my
next story.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Oh, never fear. I'll never give up
Western Romance.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-21978700003163038642014-07-26T14:29:00.000-05:002014-07-26T14:29:14.675-05:00DOG DAYS OF SUMMER--They work for me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rpUwrSLidRTz0n6jmt2HDV-cWoA8jpaQnt83JNY0TvZWEOz3QThkqnfLz2Ul9QyRktRFJldEEfVFny4dIs4c0mPglFhwPoiV-qpiTl8Ttn79leVyXTfDTfBp_r4yBkyeooplMDPphTU/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rpUwrSLidRTz0n6jmt2HDV-cWoA8jpaQnt83JNY0TvZWEOz3QThkqnfLz2Ul9QyRktRFJldEEfVFny4dIs4c0mPglFhwPoiV-qpiTl8Ttn79leVyXTfDTfBp_r4yBkyeooplMDPphTU/s1600/beach.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong><em>Dog Days were
popularly believed to be an evil time when "the Sea boiled, the Wine
turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to
man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies." The
last word is also written as it sounds: frenzies.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Sound familiar? I believe we truly are
in the Dog Days of Summer.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I was born during this time, a Virgo, an
August baby, and my mother told me many times how hot it was the day I was
born, decades ago, in a house with no air conditioning (what was that,
anyway?), no running water, and one light bulb in each room. You might say we
were poor, but really we weren't. We just lived as everyone else did in the
small North Texas farming community back then.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>And so, I can identify with the Dog Days
of Summer on a first-hand basis.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I have learned I can make this time work
for me. The summer months have become a time of respite, a time to shift gears
and work on a different level, a different playing field--or do nothing. During
these hot days, my usual responsibilities have been dismissed for the summer,
just as they were when I taught high schools students.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Since I'm happily retired now, I have
no job or anything professional I must do. All groups I belong to are suspended
for the summer. In each one, I do hold a position, a post, or a volunteer spot
of various sorts. My book club even suspends meetings once a month, giving us
time to read some of the selected books for the coming year. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>While you might think I'd be languishing
like those people centuries ago when this quote was written, I have instead found a
burst of energy that I am directing to writing--more than usual.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A. I pulled a manuscript from Archives titled <span style="color: blue;">Whisper on the Wind,</span>
dusted it off, re-read and re-edited it, and sent it to a publisher.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSyApYr0gLY1F1YjeeMlsQUvVW7V9W5E_FeqANkXxkCwe9NFRrmS5GAms_nvfxeyPQiq9JM-E_Kl9JIDl8lsE70Dd7lnG9Ln1K1AtHux3QA_aoqhDJsI0XT9L8i2W22L71H0MtMWoBNs/s1600/Cowboy+Cravings+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSyApYr0gLY1F1YjeeMlsQUvVW7V9W5E_FeqANkXxkCwe9NFRrmS5GAms_nvfxeyPQiq9JM-E_Kl9JIDl8lsE70Dd7lnG9Ln1K1AtHux3QA_aoqhDJsI0XT9L8i2W22L71H0MtMWoBNs/s1600/Cowboy+Cravings+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSyApYr0gLY1F1YjeeMlsQUvVW7V9W5E_FeqANkXxkCwe9NFRrmS5GAms_nvfxeyPQiq9JM-E_Kl9JIDl8lsE70Dd7lnG9Ln1K1AtHux3QA_aoqhDJsI0XT9L8i2W22L71H0MtMWoBNs/s1600/Cowboy+Cravings+Web.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>B. I wrote a short story for Prairie
Rose Publications to add to one of their summer anthologies: Cowboy Cravings.
My story? Titled: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Starr Bright</span>. </i>This
was fun, a little different from my usual fare. Still a Western Romance, it's a
complete story in 13,000 words.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/kqjuqa7"><strong>http://tinyurl.com/kqjuqa7</strong></a><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>C. I wrote out short synopses for three
short stories that will be a series titled <span style="color: blue;">TRINITY HILL BRIDES</span>, about Mail
Order Brides in the 1880 small town in the Central Texas Hill Country. <o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Book I: Kathleen--The Make-Believe
Bride, is 26,000 words <u>complete.</u><o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Book II: Lorelei--The Left-Over Bride,
has around 6,000 words so far. I know the plot, so the writing goes faster. <o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>Book III: Vague plot is outlined, names
not chosen. The bride will abandon her intended husband for a mysterious man.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJ1Vq_RIeE7N59vitqMXvJr5tN6CWlJLNSTapoXBNKj8ktEykVheSboUzag5Bd0FY5qHs_IKkaQtgYqXu92yQaAshFNy2siwS5MSFNOb0HBXFr_ECKNAzV-p5JnQh0I7ua0zJKo9930/s1600/CY_Texas+Blue_LS-blog.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJ1Vq_RIeE7N59vitqMXvJr5tN6CWlJLNSTapoXBNKj8ktEykVheSboUzag5Bd0FY5qHs_IKkaQtgYqXu92yQaAshFNy2siwS5MSFNOb0HBXFr_ECKNAzV-p5JnQh0I7ua0zJKo9930/s1600/CY_Texas+Blue_LS-blog.jpeg.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>D. I have a re-release this summer titled
<span style="color: blue;">TEXAS BLUE</span>, the first of the "Texas Books" back in 2007 which is available once more with a beautiful new cover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ngujhhg"><strong>http://tinyurl.com/ngujhhg</strong></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW3poI4EB0NXUM1i35VrlwmCwwleBef8-8TrtTGUzVNjcC96Ywws5_20E29vaY_W6I5h-oug4N79DC5VH9KJyREiqtLyxnn4JjABu4G_pt71Rz9IQP4TUNNJZwBcg8Cw7WbPKiN35e3s/s1600/Texas+Dreamer_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW3poI4EB0NXUM1i35VrlwmCwwleBef8-8TrtTGUzVNjcC96Ywws5_20E29vaY_W6I5h-oug4N79DC5VH9KJyREiqtLyxnn4JjABu4G_pt71Rz9IQP4TUNNJZwBcg8Cw7WbPKiN35e3s/s1600/Texas+Dreamer_medium.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>E. I have promoted my summer release
titled <span style="color: blue;">TEXAS </span><span style="color: blue;">DREAMER,</span> my tenth novel length story, and the last...yes, the last "Texas"
book. Time to begin something new. I love Texas Dreamer, though, and I'm happy
it turned out so well.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/qdwxyw2"><strong>http://tinyurl.com/qdwxyw2</strong></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>The heat, the long days, the sameness of
the weeks do not bother me during July and August. I'm happy to remain at home
in my air conditioning, only going out when I wish, going only where I want.
How much better could this be?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>I can't say I like the name put to these
long summer days, but I only pay attention to my own business. Oh, I'm not a
hermit. I love to have coffee, and talk with friends, and hang around the
library, and shop a little here, a little there.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>September will arrive soon enough,
and...Bang!...it all starts up once again.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>This, too, I love. Newness, beginnings,
reconnections.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Can't wait for September.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><strong></strong></o:p></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwULuKlxR0P5QWJHPJIO6YPTgy7mWXJQ35viK7OyfrYLPZ9rhXd2tkVRWl3woPvS37FCt5rKj9etFHF_iOEYpzJoZGxpugG410RdEgR9nhi0cXFHjROmVcElmhBTL_mZsryA-D4c9fm78/s1600/bannerfans_4212428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwULuKlxR0P5QWJHPJIO6YPTgy7mWXJQ35viK7OyfrYLPZ9rhXd2tkVRWl3woPvS37FCt5rKj9etFHF_iOEYpzJoZGxpugG410RdEgR9nhi0cXFHjROmVcElmhBTL_mZsryA-D4c9fm78/s1600/bannerfans_4212428.jpg" height="39" width="320" /></strong></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLclBOus1ELvUwVf7gdxJZZW8zjqSh7NksXyK5CF2axOfuLRwcXwYhQEonwKeygue5XQN9SKfWPm_F7DFQk53boiUJ9RYXbzY6dEcCoYtCFjqtUh8sIeEspxmW5tbGzw_KkdoUcIcfzAk/s1600/books.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLclBOus1ELvUwVf7gdxJZZW8zjqSh7NksXyK5CF2axOfuLRwcXwYhQEonwKeygue5XQN9SKfWPm_F7DFQk53boiUJ9RYXbzY6dEcCoYtCFjqtUh8sIeEspxmW5tbGzw_KkdoUcIcfzAk/s1600/books.png" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"It was a dark and stormy night…" </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No, no,
never begin a story with the weather. The reader will skip ahead and look for
action or characters, or heaven forbid, close the book. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, let's see. "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I was falling, falling…</i>and then I woke up." </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nope, I remember,
now, NEVER open a book with a dream--or an alarm clock or phone ringing. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What about something really funny? For example,
"Nearing the counter with a full tray, her foot slipped on spilled…."
Uh, oh. That's on the list of no-no's, too. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Such a lists exist, in fact. The admonitions may
vary slightly, but editors are programmed to stop reading a submission after
the first sentence or first paragraph if she/he sees these red flags. The
nineteenth-century Gothic novels opened with long brooding descriptions of the
weather, or a monologue recounting the entire genealogy of the family in the
story, enough to make one's eyes glaze over. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In today's world, the reader wants and deserves
action, the inciting incident, the reason for the story, and he wants it right
away. In some manner, the opening sentence or first paragraph or first chapter
must give the reader what he wants--"What is this novel about?" </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grabbing the attention of an editor you'd like to
impress or a reader you'd like to keep is an art form all its own. Books galore
sit on shelves or can be found on-line that help the budding author or the
experienced one who wants a refresher course learn a bit more about a good
beginning.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are the beginning lines from six different
novels.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. The truth had long been settling on Jonathan
Gray, sneaking into his resisting corners, but it had finally resounded in the
deepest part of him. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Fulfillment: LaVyrle
Spencer</i>) </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'd known
all day something was about to go down, something life-changing and entirely
new. ( <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Montana Creeds: Dylan: Linda Lael Miller</i>)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister
Bernadette Ignatius and Tom Kelly sat in the back seat of a black cab, driving
from Dublin's airport through the city. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
Matters Most: Luanne Rice)</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. It was well known around
Russellville, Alabama, that Tommy Lee Gentry drove like a rebellious teenager,
drank like a parolee fresh out, and whored like a lumberjack at the first
spring thaw. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hellion: LaVyrle
Spencer)</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.When Ella Brown woke up that morning,
she didn't expect it to be a momentous day. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rainwater: Sandra Brown</i>)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6. A sharp clip-clop of iron-shod hoofs
deadened and died away, and clouds of yellow dust drifted from under the
cottonwoods and out over the sage. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Riders
of the Purple Sage: Zane Grey)</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These opening lines come from
Best-Selling authors. Do we need to pay closer attention to the novels we read?
Go to a bookstore, find a shelf of best-sellers in romance, and open several to
study the first page. Just read the first line.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Make a list of the kind of hooks that interest you
in a book. Your list may be the same as mine.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Attention-getting</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Exciting</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.Pulls me into the story</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Straight forward</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Brief and punchy</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Rouses curiosity</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Emotionally charged</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8. A declarative sentence</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A beginning sentence need not be earth-shattering and memorable--such as "It was the best of times, etc."--but it should be strong enough to elicit some response from the reader.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The worst openings are paragraphs and pages of descriptions, telling the reader what she/he will read. This is a common mistake with new authors--trust me, I know--I was one. I had to adjust my style and stop trying to describe the people, the surroundings, the landscape, the...you get the picture. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hooking your reader is not easy, but
with a little self-study, you can improve your chances with editors and nail
that contract. With your next or current WIP, try writing five opening
sentences and ask fellow authors or your critique partners help you select one.
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you self-publish, try out your
opening line with a few readers and learn their reaction. </span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks for visiting my blog.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtB02jzDLz4N96WTcG1qSSio6I0FdVjc7bUcK1yYwkpoizF8A0oLUaqeOMtLviNTGYPbMI-a1qmYjlYTGmB1rCjPtXoU3uzchfwGY5EyNqDR8mkTuvAGmo91pIrUi7Y8WcFkJ3gsD6jU/s1600/bannerfans_5008448+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtB02jzDLz4N96WTcG1qSSio6I0FdVjc7bUcK1yYwkpoizF8A0oLUaqeOMtLviNTGYPbMI-a1qmYjlYTGmB1rCjPtXoU3uzchfwGY5EyNqDR8mkTuvAGmo91pIrUi7Y8WcFkJ3gsD6jU/s1600/bannerfans_5008448+(1).jpg" height="41" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-74284335640875132632014-05-16T16:22:00.000-05:002014-05-16T16:22:58.563-05:00What Makes a Book "Good"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TWpmGLwVr3n_sWDJe9IQRIPSoJWQMXvce5E5Tw4FYy9ZQSwg2kGyCjdd61xQR61Y27WNKwdxnc909y7GdOOQFkPb0MCkAB17UkWhrOSzvfdkRhonNkHMCwsZJM7Iz5IgkymdqGZX-Zo/s1600/140px-Herkulaneischer_Meister_002b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TWpmGLwVr3n_sWDJe9IQRIPSoJWQMXvce5E5Tw4FYy9ZQSwg2kGyCjdd61xQR61Y27WNKwdxnc909y7GdOOQFkPb0MCkAB17UkWhrOSzvfdkRhonNkHMCwsZJM7Iz5IgkymdqGZX-Zo/s1600/140px-Herkulaneischer_Meister_002b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
many times have you finished a book, closed it, and said, "That was a good
book."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why
did you say that? In what way was the book "good?"</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
questions stem from a group discussion in a friend's living room this past
week. This is a monthly book club that has been in existence about 40 years.
I've only been a member about 25 of those years, and intermittent at best. This
particular discussion made me think and re-think my ideas about "a good
book."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
novel was about the wife of a real person in American history. Since it's
fiction, we had a difficult time separating truth from fiction, and especially
since we didn't know the full truth of the man's life in the public eye.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More
than one member said, "I didn't like the book."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"It
was depressing and he really was a cruel person."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> All
right. But what about the story and how it was written? The member maintained
her stance--"I didn't like the characters."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A
few others agreed, and a couple said he was horrible to treat his wife the way
he did.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
thought it was a "good book" and I was not the only one.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
story fascinated me, whether it was truthful or not. Even though it was
depressing, I still maintain it was a good book.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
author is young, but she wrote a very good story. The book is published by one
of the big publishers, hardback, etc., great cover, and not so long that it
tired me to finish.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So,
what does make a book <i>good</i>? Here are a few ideas:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
book is Good...</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
it has a satisfying ending--not particularly happy.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
the hero is a good man and does the right thing in the end.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
I can't put it down.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
I learned something new.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
the story is compelling.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
I don't take anything personally.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
it has nothing offensive, or at least very little.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--If
there's an element of mystery that surprises me.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">None
of these ideas stand alone. We might make several statements to support our
belief.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I've
read novels with titles such as: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cutting
for Stone; Germs, Guns, and Steel--the Downfall of Human Societies; Voices from
the Dust Bowl Years; </i>and came away saying, these were good books.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I've
read romance novellas that were only 100 pages with titles such as <i>The Cowboy and the Scarlet Woman</i>, (I made that up, but you get the idea) and came away saying, this was
a good book.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On
the flip side, here's a list that makes me say, "This was not a good
book."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Poor
passive writing--even if the plot might be good.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Far
too much narrative, page after page after page, that does not allow me to use
my imagination. (I just finished one like this and wouldn't review it because
it was so bad.)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--No
emotion, flat dry drivel for conversations.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Characters,
both male and female, who were TSTL. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Stiff
dialogue with the characters doing nothing as real people might when they talk.
He said, she said.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Written
in short choppy sentences.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--Written
in long sentences with multiple ideas in one.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What element of a book makes it <i>good</i> in your opinion. What in particular do you
look for? What just makes you grind your teeth in frustration?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Want
to know the title of the book?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Aviator's Wife. The story of
Anne Morrow Lindberg.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By Melanie Benjamin</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks
for visiting.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas</span></b></em></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-4470016162488466492014-04-21T14:32:00.000-05:002014-04-21T14:32:47.011-05:00IS YOUR WORLD A CIRCUS?<b>By Celia Yeary</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you’re
like most writers with families, day jobs, or other community duties, you might
think you qualify to join the circus. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First, there
are three rings in a circus, and while you might prefer to think you’re the
ringmaster, you might instead be a performer in one of those rings. RINGMASTERS
stand in one place, don’t they? They crack the whip, announce the next event,
all the while dressed to the teeth in a fabulous outfit complete with top hat
and tall black boots. Nary a hair out of place, or a smudge of jelly on his red
coat, or a harried look upon his face mars his perfection. No, we are
definitely not the ringmaster. You might as well admit some invisible puppet
master is behind the scenes directing the hours in your day.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Circuses
have JUGGLERS. Yep, I bet you just said, “That’s me! I juggle so many things in
the course of a day. I breathlessly stay on my toes, hoping I don’t drop the
ball, or miss a cue, or confuse one thing for another and make a mess of
everything. Yes, that’s me—I’m a Juggler.”</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Circuses
have HIGH WIRE PERFORMERS. You say, “That more closely resembles me going
through my day—walking a fine line, meeting deadlines, carpooling the kids,
making doctors’ appointments on time, taking my turn at the Food Bank, or
making my word count for the week. That’s me—I’m a High Wire Performer.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Circuses
have performers—sometimes animals, sometimes humans—who jump through hoops.
Maybe you are really a PERFORMER WHO JUMPS THROUGH HOOPS. You re-write an
entire chapter at the request of an editor, you try to remember your husband’s
instructions on taking the car to the repair shop, or you forgot the one dozen
cupcakes for your child’s school the next day, so you stay up until midnight to
complete the task, or…fill in the blanks.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are a
busy people, aren’t we? Circuses are supposed to be fun. Children squeal with
laughter, parents smile when they see their son or daughter clap with delight,
and the entire audience applauds every feat.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hmm,
something’s missing here. Fun? Are we having fun yet? Yes, I suppose we are,
although some days might make us want to shut our bedroom door, crawl under the
covers, and sleep the day away. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Personally,
I’ve never cared for circuses, and my children didn’t either. Somehow, it all
seemed more like work, and at times, a little cruel, and too controlled. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, I prefer
to see my life, especially my writing life, as an ADVENTURE. Sure, I sometimes
walk that high wire to make a deadline; or I juggle three things at once in
order to get my blog written, my 1000 words for the week, and my most recent
edits finished; or I jump through hoops to please my editor, my publisher, my
husband, my readers, and hopefully, somewhere along the way…myself.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But I won't quit writing until it ceases to be fun. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas</span></em></b></div>
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<b><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></em></b></div>
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<b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></em></b></div>
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<b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Blog</i></a></span></em></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><em><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></b><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-54431668296829508312014-04-13T16:28:00.000-05:002014-04-13T16:28:45.274-05:00WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> For
this discussion, let's say we can omit our kids, our grandkids, our home, our
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Any
one of these listed items can be fulfilling and important, but unless you're a
highly acclaimed chef, cooking is not a passion. Sure, some of us love to cook,
but I'd bet we're not passionate about making dinner every night.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbuyfjiBdEJmYlV1CDSVUhs9UCZQXFRZxV2qQC1NQmjm2uYDXpSi2j0kuUmLMA-RvxV2PF4Zw3kUJ60AKFkC-PolA0MENOaWUWEk4HMw0UFb7tRIRjdIPbKMBdkLO2HBVlKcKlTGvAk/s1600/200px-Joan_of_arc_miniature_graded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbuyfjiBdEJmYlV1CDSVUhs9UCZQXFRZxV2qQC1NQmjm2uYDXpSi2j0kuUmLMA-RvxV2PF4Zw3kUJ60AKFkC-PolA0MENOaWUWEk4HMw0UFb7tRIRjdIPbKMBdkLO2HBVlKcKlTGvAk/s1600/200px-Joan_of_arc_miniature_graded.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b>JOAN OF ARC</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Definition
of Passionate:</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Showing
or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief."</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
could add more to this, but it's enough for a beginning.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When
I thought about people who "had a passion," these famous
people came to mind: Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, the Defenders
of the Alamo, Oprah, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But
these people probably didn't mentally choose their<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>place in history--it evolved, and each one
became more passionate as time went on.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
thought of athletes who trained an entire lifetime for one gold medal; one who
studied and sought a way to be the first to climb Mr. Everest; one who decided
to run a race even though his legs were gone; and maybe one who thought to
create a gadget we call a computer. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidJbDpmb4QDVGfpX83hvW_3sy5ZP5zSWxwvBIIR5v6KT5fONJYau2C-FLgPcmq_G33c7X8cnF7pz3Th9_FyYIb61hHimJ8HIbDSDL2cQlmh5H5VP6UQXKRs1RFNDXz931V6PAWWd5tVw/s1600/250px-Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidJbDpmb4QDVGfpX83hvW_3sy5ZP5zSWxwvBIIR5v6KT5fONJYau2C-FLgPcmq_G33c7X8cnF7pz3Th9_FyYIb61hHimJ8HIbDSDL2cQlmh5H5VP6UQXKRs1RFNDXz931V6PAWWd5tVw/s1600/250px-Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So,
far, I feel rather inadequate and insignificant. Maybe you do, too. However,
anyone can be passionate about something. It doesn't have to be huge or
earth-shattering.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
would warn a person to be careful about choosing a passion--or allowing a
passion to choose you--some passions can eventually put you in the poor house;
or some may make you feel as though you're going crazy; or some may isolate you
from your friends and the world.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Rvu6mXeznRi0YeilrJE0H89-NDC7DmaCQxg7_DB0TidDaBzBMzW2BOnkIggOph0N_LaK8-VIiZQaTOyypeWNmDifBLRUZD11nptYbKxeQEQj7rwwT3bFLOjy1_kQJp8SlKOdEbQNyU/s1600/220px-Amelia_earhart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Rvu6mXeznRi0YeilrJE0H89-NDC7DmaCQxg7_DB0TidDaBzBMzW2BOnkIggOph0N_LaK8-VIiZQaTOyypeWNmDifBLRUZD11nptYbKxeQEQj7rwwT3bFLOjy1_kQJp8SlKOdEbQNyU/s1600/220px-Amelia_earhart.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b>AMELIA EARHART</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now,
big question: What is your passion? Don't tell me you don't have one, because
we all do.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When
you discern the label of your passion, answer these questions:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.
Did you ever consider this a passion?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.
Is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passionate</i> the same as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obsessed</i>?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.
Is it easy or difficult?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.
Is it fun?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.
Can you shut out the world to carry out your passion?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.
If someone demanded it of you, could you give it up?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hard,
isn't it?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~For
me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writing novels and short stories is a
hobby, a craft, because I do it in my spare time. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~I
loved to play golf, but again, that was a game and something to do in my spare
time.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~We
traveled quite a bit many places, but that was an adventure, something fun and
interesting.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm not sure I have a real passion, although I do care very much
about certain things.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-9Gwj7KNnkBMYNpvUJgkGoNqzY5Y8DpfpSXcIedH1qWsvxysApCx_HiDvgWXdaJ8G1qSCgCpZt9Ft77CYjRd-rLZv4fLp7k0Y-FMEjSUzwvTfwxIkRGcec8X5X1ca8a-itGw7JEqExQ/s1600/curie.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-9Gwj7KNnkBMYNpvUJgkGoNqzY5Y8DpfpSXcIedH1qWsvxysApCx_HiDvgWXdaJ8G1qSCgCpZt9Ft77CYjRd-rLZv4fLp7k0Y-FMEjSUzwvTfwxIkRGcec8X5X1ca8a-itGw7JEqExQ/s1600/curie.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">MARIE CURIE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If
you comment and tell me yours, I'll tell you mine.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks
so much for taking time to read my blog.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas</span></b></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i></b><em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Blog</i></a></span></b></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-25928678870153268242014-04-03T08:23:00.001-05:002014-04-03T08:23:34.168-05:00Our Insensitive/Too Sensitive World <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbUJpU7qqcxgNYMffUVlWNiwjfqan4FIu1vTsQQHmnd36RcSyW6Qjks38IJUiLR-MU6lgrqnnf0rPIWcQJj80N8YVvRzZXdtQSouyZVtOYDle85GiJ1X0MHQkzXa9OP6PSCZjtlEFzwU/s1600/pouting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbUJpU7qqcxgNYMffUVlWNiwjfqan4FIu1vTsQQHmnd36RcSyW6Qjks38IJUiLR-MU6lgrqnnf0rPIWcQJj80N8YVvRzZXdtQSouyZVtOYDle85GiJ1X0MHQkzXa9OP6PSCZjtlEFzwU/s1600/pouting.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People
seem to be offended very easily these days, usually about something that
doesn't even make sense or matter. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
on the other hand, people are sometimes too insensitive to others.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
the way home from a road trip, we stopped at a McDonald's to have one of those
dollar sundaes. We sat next to a wall where I could "people
watch."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearby, we watched a young
woman in some kind of uniform that resembled scrubs talking intently across the
table to a young boy--maybe ten years old. He wore khaki pants, belt, and a polo
shirt that appeared to be a school uniform. The child kept his head down, as
though he didn't want to look at the woman. She talked, he sat still and
listened, but never looked up.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After a few minutes, she stood and walked toward
the door, leaving the child in the booth. I thought the woman appeared a little
angry, but not really--just intense. Then the boy slid out of the booth, stood
up, but still looked down. From his pocket, he removed a gadget that looked
like a short metal rod.</span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
he pulled on it, extending it out to about three feet long. It had a white tip.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
he looked up, and we saw his sightless eyes. The woman stood by the door, and
talked him toward her, very quietly. He used the cane to guide himself, making sure nothing
was in his path. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
were a little stunned. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two
young men stood hear the counter, obviously workmen on some crew, waiting for
their orders. They watched just as we did. One sort of snickered, but the other
one looked at his friend and solemnly shook his head.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
sensitive young man; one insensitive.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And
then there're the overly-sensitive among us. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
fact, we take great pains in our present society not to offend anyone or any
group. Well, this becomes incredibly cumbersome, in my opinion.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
I analyze the "too sensitive" syndrome, I realize the real problem is
misunderstanding of others. If there's something in particular that we don't
like or makes us uncomfortable, then we'd like to have that changed to suit our
own agenda. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
take it personally.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
our children were in school, they would have some sort of problem that they
wanted to relate to me in detail. I listened as any good mom would do, but then
asked what he/she intended to do about it. The answer usually was, "Mom!
Can't <i>you </i>do something?" Each of them wanted me to change someone or some
situation so they'd feel happy again, no longer uncomfortable, and no longer
sensitive to a predicament. </span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
best thing we taught our children was to learn to cope in their environment. We
cannot change everything--but we can learn to cope and move along.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
little blind boy was learning to cope with his environment.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
insensitive young man was learning that his friend didn't like his attitude.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
the sensitive young man looked, inwardly sympathized, but moved on.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Live
and let live; you cannot control others."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
does all my rambling mean?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to be criticized.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to be wrong.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to be on the losing side.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like a bad review.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to appear uninformed.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to be reprimanded.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like anyone telling us what to do.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like to get out of our comfort zone.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like rejections.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~We
don't like changes.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm
still learning about the coping vs. the active changing. I face this often with
my writing, my publishers, my editors, my...whatever. Do I cope and let them
run the show? Am I being too sensitive to push for a change? </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Am I too
aggressive trying to make things go my way?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
wonder if I try hard enough sometimes to understand the other side. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
admit...I'm not very good at it. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shouldn't
the other side try, too?</span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i></b><i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Blog</i></a></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></i><i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-62999998120116915052014-03-24T19:46:00.001-05:002014-03-24T19:46:56.289-05:00DO WE COMPLAIN TOO MUCH?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4erNOcwRYSMorpTfTrnAh5iIIK9gXS8gNKuzD_4BStrRBnLUq1L0DRe7b31L2R8tDV18SGxUE67GSoXH-dgsiDTuJdIKAwTLxBBXfugbVzjRxd0rJ1AhZ6gF1nFwRJEq9lRDZgq29_XI/s1600/fist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4erNOcwRYSMorpTfTrnAh5iIIK9gXS8gNKuzD_4BStrRBnLUq1L0DRe7b31L2R8tDV18SGxUE67GSoXH-dgsiDTuJdIKAwTLxBBXfugbVzjRxd0rJ1AhZ6gF1nFwRJEq9lRDZgq29_XI/s1600/fist.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JUST
WHAT IS COMPLAINING, ANYWAY?</span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
call it "griping," because that's the word my mother used.
"Celie Ann, stop your griping and make your bed. It's not going to make
itself."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
be fair and also to defend myself, I most often complain when hunger strikes
me. Maybe I have low blood sugar or something, but if I'm hungry, don't push
me. All my friends know this."Uh-oh, feed her so she'll shut up."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
a general rule, I'm not a complainer...much. Most of the time I do it out of
boredom or to make conversation or some other inane reason.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<div style="color: blue;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">IS
COMPLAINING A CREATIVE ACT?</span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
learned that complaining, though, is not all bad. It can actually be a Creative
Act. The more you complain, the more you summon your creative
energies to attract something to complain about. Maybe the complaints
seem fully justified, but realize that whenever you complain, you set yourself
up <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for more of the same. Just
remember the part about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"complaining is a creative act", and you might find yourself
writing a novel. Hmmm.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Complaining is the act of reinforcing what you
don’t want. Is this bad? I think not. Perhaps it's therapeutic.</span></b><br />
<div style="color: blue;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> IS
COMPLAINING ADDICTIVE?</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
warning: Complaining is also addictive. The more you do it, the more it becomes
an ingrained habit, making it more difficult to stop.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
people complain too much about their own lives. This is a trap that gives this
person a constant source of something to complain about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Bad luck follows me; Life is too
difficult; Why can't I get a break?" The complainer may tell you
their reality is causing their complaints, but it’s more accurate to say their
reality is reflecting their complaints.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"If
you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to
do something about it." ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, <i>The College Blue
Book</i></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">DO I COMPLAIN?</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes,
but after analyzing myself, I believe I complain about trivial events that
really have nothing to do with me. When I fully realized this, I honestly trid
to keep my mouth closed and push the ugly thoughts away.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have a neighbor who refuses to mow his property, so that the tall dead grass is
a permanent fixture. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>say something about
that every time we pass the house. It has nothing to do with my life, it just
annoys me. So, why do I persist in complaining about it? The time has come for
me to ignore it.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bad
parkers really make me complain. You who know me understand I sort of go
ballistic over a vehicle parked diagonally in a straight-in space, a driver in
front of me who sits at a green light because he/she is on the phone or texting,
or someone who throws litter out a car window. I really don't think I can stop
complaining about these....sorry.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: blue;">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
your characters complain?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: blue;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
you dislike characters in a novel who complain?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hmm, I don't know. I suppose it depends
on what the person is complaining about.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I try very hard not to be a chronic
complainer...but sometimes..I must or I'll throw a fit.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><i><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Blog</i></a></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></i><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-22562207109087503702014-03-19T15:45:00.002-05:002014-03-19T15:45:29.829-05:00I DARE YOU<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED-feMSeJJExfaHZFG78UQHJcgq7nEFjQv7tuu3_GDkArvAtQzuczrSCUmm4d-YKPKxFtJsZzw88DyBTt4BGUVWUF76yEHOvltgHYVhKlJXbNvsn68AJA6v2gKVARQwvmQ9K_cg_Mw5Y/s1600/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED-feMSeJJExfaHZFG78UQHJcgq7nEFjQv7tuu3_GDkArvAtQzuczrSCUmm4d-YKPKxFtJsZzw88DyBTt4BGUVWUF76yEHOvltgHYVhKlJXbNvsn68AJA6v2gKVARQwvmQ9K_cg_Mw5Y/s1600/bannerfans_5007998.jpg" height="55" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>How many times in your life have you
heard this taunt? My family moved about every six months when I was a child.
For several years, we were transient, moving from one oil field to the next,
living in very odd places. This meant I changed friends and acquaintances with
every move. I was always "the new girl," until we finally settled in
one town and stayed.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As
the new girl, I had to test the waters, so to speak, waiting and wondering if
someone would ask me to play. I wasn't a tomboy, really, but I would take a
chance here and there to try something new in order to win friends. Often, a
girl or boy would "dare" me.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
first grade, no one would seesaw with me, but I stayed close to the seesaws,
hoping someone would ask. A boy stepped up and said, "I can walk up one
end of the seesaw and all the way down the other side. Want to see?" Of
course, I did. I nodded and he demonstrated the daring feat. As he neared the
center, he paused, held his arms straight out, and ran down the other side as
his weight lowered the seesaw. Then he dared me to try it.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay.
I slowly walked up one side almost to the center, but my leather-soled white
high-tops were slick, causing my feet to slide backwards. I fell forward and my
mouth landed on one of the big iron bolts that held the seesaw to the iron rail.
The fall split my bottom lip, and I fell off, also scraping my knees because I
wore a dress. Now blood poured from my lip and my knees. A teacher came running
and took me inside to call my mother. A doctor put stitches in my lip and the
flesh below. I still have a scar there.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But I
took the dare.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>In
another town, a neighbor boy dared me to stand on the edge of the cesspool
covered with a loose piece of tin. I did, holding my nose from the stench. My
mother came slamming out the back door and yelled at me. She called me to the
house and told me a story of a little boy falling into a cesspool and drowning.
Sure, that scared me silly…but I had taken the dare.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>Another
boy invited me to his house to play. (I most often played with boys, I guess.)
In his room, he told me he had scary comic books in a box under his bed and
asked if I wanted to see them. I said, no, I didn't want to read anything
scary. But…he dared me. We spent the afternoon reading scary comic books. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>As an
adult, at age forty, a friend taught me to play golf. She was a firecracker.
Often, I'd want to "lay up" when I approached a water hazard, but
she'd always say, "I dare you to go for it." Oh, of course, I did.
Most often I failed but at least I tried. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>You'd
think I learned my lesson over my lifetime of taking dares. But no…I still try
new things, sometimes on my own, sometimes at the urging of a friend. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Decades
ago, my best friend urged me to play hooky and drive to Dallas to see Bruce
Springsteen in his "Born in the USA" world tour. I took the dare and
we went…and we were the teachers!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>In
2004, I had to stay in a recliner much of each day because of a couple of
medical problems. Bored to death, I complained I had nothing to do. My husband
placed an old used laptop in my lap and said, "Well, write
something."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>I
took the dare and wrote an entire novel, and I'd never written anything in my
life. Now, I have a ten novels, six novellas, several anthologies, and I'm still writing.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
case you think I'd try anything, don't. I do have limits. I said no when urged
to try a cigarette; I said no to boys who wanted to go too far; and I said no
climbing the town water tower.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>However,
taking a chance…or a dare…on something you'd really like to do can be a good
thing. Suppose you, as an author, would like to try writing, oh, a space opera
romance instead of the sweet girl-next-door romances you prefer, but you don't
know where to begin or if you'd be successful. Or perhaps you'd really like to
enter one of the most prestigious contests around, but fear a dreadfully low
critique.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>I
believe most authors are risk-takers. Otherwise, we wouldn't send our most
beloved manuscripts to strangers, hoping they'll love it. We wouldn't take the
chance on a bad review by sending our published novel to the best reviewer we
know.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe all authors should write something very different once in a while.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe readers should read something very different once in a while. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Go
ahead. Try something different. I dare you.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Celia Yeary</i></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Note: My newest release is TEXAS DREAMER, my 4th "Texas book," another Western Romance novel. See top of blog, right corner. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Sony, and iTunes store. Thank you.</i></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Greetings! In celebration of <span style="color: red;">"Read an eBook Week,"</span> I am participating in a Free eBook and Discounted eBook give-away during this week. </span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">~~*~~READ an E-BOOK WEEK! March 2-8~~*~~</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FREE on
the Smashwords Site</span></u></b></div>
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and coupon code</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Use Coupon Code</span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> RW100</span></b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">during checkout]</span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Click on
the book title to go to the applicable Smashwords page.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P1o5laNehlRlAFDAkGvCl0IkIUzXYKJ-Mn0XGd13Cd020Bok21PRCS6mmRCbg6_EMVlUK7RuITUNmm4ZFSiXtni3jbulLKjcCOavil3cO13ecqgWWOPcZEW3jGcfK2uuyLl957P4B9E/s1600/TheStarsAtNigh_CeliaYeary_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P1o5laNehlRlAFDAkGvCl0IkIUzXYKJ-Mn0XGd13Cd020Bok21PRCS6mmRCbg6_EMVlUK7RuITUNmm4ZFSiXtni3jbulLKjcCOavil3cO13ecqgWWOPcZEW3jGcfK2uuyLl957P4B9E/s1600/TheStarsAtNigh_CeliaYeary_medium.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/354165" target="_blank">The Stars at
Night</a> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">New
Yorker Kate Norwood meets Jesse McCoy on her trip to Texas with her young
nephew. She learns her plan to leave Nicky with his grandmother -- Jesse’s
mother -- is hopeless, and faced with the improbable prospect of rearing the
boy herself, she turns to Jesse for help. Kate and Jesse bond easily, but
problems arise which may drive them apart and leave the child with the wrong
person. With hearts full of love and hope, they work together find the answers
they need.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*</span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">50% Off on Smashwords Site</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use link and coupon code</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Use coupon code<b> </b></span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">REW50</span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">during checkout]</span><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlNkhHuFunD_Y1_etl0uGq-UUDJIBvGwxsgFTZCNBqxazJrs2wPqtnbVRoccd9zwqakaaUYmMQXdFpzh_urS6P8ps0NGO7uU9ctyl1PRnPWrXYujrS6wjadgxNidlJwhw5ork3TN95hs/s1600/CY_Texas+Promise-MM-Lulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlNkhHuFunD_Y1_etl0uGq-UUDJIBvGwxsgFTZCNBqxazJrs2wPqtnbVRoccd9zwqakaaUYmMQXdFpzh_urS6P8ps0NGO7uU9ctyl1PRnPWrXYujrS6wjadgxNidlJwhw5ork3TN95hs/s1600/CY_Texas+Promise-MM-Lulu.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/220745" target="_blank">Texas Promise</a></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
two years, Jo Cameron King’s life as a widow abruptly ends when her husband
returns home to Austin. Unable to understand her angry and bitter husband, she
accepts a call to travel to the New Mexico Territory to meet her dying birth
father whom she knows nothing about. Her plan to escape her husband goes awry
when he demands to travel with her.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dalton
King, believing lies his Texas Ranger partner tells him about Jo, seethes with
hatred toward his wife. Now he must protect Jo from his partner’s twisted mind,
while sorting out the truth. Jo’s bravery and loyalty convince him she’s
innocent. But can they regain the love and respect they once shared?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Celia Yeary-Romance...and a
little bit 'o Texas</span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Amazon: </span></b></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary</a>
</span></i><em><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://celiayeary.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Website</i></a></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Blog</i></a></span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweethearts of the West-Blog</i></a></span></b></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Facebook Page</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></em><span style="color: #7f007f; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-57578032229385468942014-02-26T11:40:00.000-06:002014-02-26T11:40:59.790-06:00First Chapter of TEXAS DREAMER<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSlAGrZuHO46f2rZNohA2DKa6E2Xt_05emz7ZoiJn94UN_Wg1zO3yw6YZCk_A6SmENKDfNbsrkm4HvBpKQU0GvY2RmVvST5u9toCW_0svMA8lFdfRD8Kz_jfAYTk6Fz0E_fEdoPy63N0/s1600/Texas+Dreamer+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSlAGrZuHO46f2rZNohA2DKa6E2Xt_05emz7ZoiJn94UN_Wg1zO3yw6YZCk_A6SmENKDfNbsrkm4HvBpKQU0GvY2RmVvST5u9toCW_0svMA8lFdfRD8Kz_jfAYTk6Fz0E_fEdoPy63N0/s1600/Texas+Dreamer+Final.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BLURB:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Texas Dreamer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Celia Yeary</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lee King is a dreamer. When he realizes
he was born under a lucky star, he reached for the jackpot and won. But winning
a big prize isn't the same as keeping it safe from interlopers and greedy
fortune hunters--including women. When oilman Tex McDougal crosses his path,
Lee believes he has found the perfect man to help him. His daughter, Emilie
McDougal, while not a buxom beauty, impresses him with her intelligence, her
courage, and her selflessness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could he strike a financial bargain with
her? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One that would suit them both?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Emilie McDougal has no family except her
father, and she has followed in his footsteps from age one. When Lee King
enters their lives, she begins to dream--for the first time in her life. She
only wants one thing from Lee, one tiny thing that would make her life
complete. Would he agree to her counter-bargain?</span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Texas Dreamer</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By
Celia Yeary</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter One</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The huge sign
splashed across the top of a multi-story brick building in downtown Houston
read "King Oil<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looks like big
brother did it right.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
King walked through the enormous double glass doors in the foyer of the
building. On the wall to the right, a sign behind glass listed the names of
businesses, their respective floors, and office numbers. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King Oil-Fourth Floor. Dalton King-400. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Obviously,
his older brother occupied offices in the entire top floor. Unimpressed, he
punched the button for the electric elevator. The door slid open with a clang
and after a slight hesitation, he stepped in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Floor,
sir?" The operator stood to the side as if at attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
grinned at the man in the red uniform trimmed in gold braid and wore the round
red hat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Top."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Mr.
King's offices?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"That's
right."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Very
good, sir. Now, if you will just step to the rear, we'll be off."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
Lee had never been in an elevator, he held his breath while the car moved,
leaving his stomach behind. The weightless feeling almost made him gasp. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now, that's impressive.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
he stepped off, Lee glanced right, then left. Polished mahogany lined the
corridor walls both ways, and crystal wall sconces burned softly, illuminating
the hall with a soft glow. Dalton's office was to the right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
pushed the ornately carved door open and stepped in to luxurious surroundings
fit for a king. The thought caused him to smile. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'd
like to speak with Dalton King," he announced to the receptionist behind
the curved desk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Your
name, sir?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Lee
King."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leading
him across the open area, she opened a door and motioned for Lee to step in.
"A gentleman to see you, Mr. King."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Send
him in." The voice sounded unconcerned, slightly bored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
entered and walked close to the desk where Dalton bent his head over a stack of
papers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Sorry
to interrupt your work."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
King jerked his head up and glared. Glancing toward the door, he motioned to
his secretary to leave. Pushing back his chair and standing, Dalton said,
"I thought you'd be someone I was expecting. Now, that you've barged in
here...wait a minute. You're...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lee</i>."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
one hand stuffed deep into a pocket, Lee<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>rocked back on the heels of his worn, dusty boots and pushed his hat
back a notch with one thumb. "And hello to you, too, big brother. Been a
long time."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
saying a word, Dalton rounded the corner of his desk, approached, and threw his
arms around Lee's shoulders. After a serious bear hug which Lee did not return,
Dalton pounded him on the back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lee</i>. I can't believe it's you. Did you
know we thought probably you'd died somewhere out there in the west and we'd
never know? I can't believe this. What've you been doing all these years? Where
did you go?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Here
and there."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
almost succumbed to the exuberance of his brother. The situation was awkward.
He remembered the last time he'd seen his brother. They had been but young
boys, rough-housing in the yard, around the corral, and down by the pond. Being
older and bigger, Dalton always won, even though Lee fought as hard as he
could.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Welcome,
Lee. I'm so glad to see you. Have a seat."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
studied his brother's face. The man had an open and welcoming attitude, but Lee
was uncomfortable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
never thought I'd be looking you up, but here I am, sitting across from you in
your big fancy office. I don't need anything in a material way, Dalton, just so
you know. But I could use a little advice from the biggest oil man in the
state. That's all. No family stuff,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just
business."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
frowned slightly, maybe somewhat bewildered. "All right, then. No<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pressure. Even though I'd sure like...forget
it. What do you want, Lee?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
watched his brother's face go from friendly and inviting to cool and impassive.
He'd bet the expression had helped Dalton move people out of his way so he
could move on up and out. In a rough business like Texas oil, a man better have
a tough skin. His brother was an attorney, too, and that demeanor probably gave
him an extra edge during negotiations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Probably, it's
best this way.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'm
in a bit of a quandary, not trouble, just a problem that's hard to figure out.
No matter who you are, brother or not, I would have come to you. Not for help,
but just some man-to-man advice. I'll pay you for your time."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
leaned back in his plush leather chair and linked his fingers across his
stomach. "No need. Let's hear it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
have a ranch northwest of Fort Worth, not far from the Red River. At first, I
had a good size cattle ranch, and then I acquired another, doubling my acreage.
It's big, because there's a huge amount of empty space out there. Now, some
east coast oil people are coming down wanting to drill on my land. I've been
lucky enough to get this far, but when it comes to dealing with the big oil
guys, I feel like I'm being sucked under. You, though, I heard, have had great
success holding them off."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
nodded. "I can say, yes, I have had dealings with them. They were a
monopoly over in the east, but the courts broke that up into many smaller
companies, though all are still big. Here, we make our own rules, if we can.
The problem is to keep our prices low enough to not be undercut and still make
a good profit. I take it you don't want to be taken over by these fellows.
Well, neither do I. And I've fought them, tooth and nail, and succeeded. But
they are ever present, and the bigger they get, the cheaper they can sell
oil."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. He leaned forward a bit.
"Here's what I need. I don't particularly like the oil business from what
I've seen and heard, but when there's money to be made I don't mind getting my
hands a little dirty. But bigger guys coming over from the east and almost threatening
me really makes my blood boil. I've made it this far without help, but it's
hard to keep the interlopers away."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
raised an eyebrow. "Just how big are you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Calmly,
Lee said, "Big."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
a word, Dalton shoved his chair back, stood and walked to the window. Stuffing
his hands in his pockets, he stood straight with his back rigid while he stared
at something on the street. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What was he
seeing? Or thinking?</i> Lee felt a little uneasy as he watched his brother. He
didn't like a man turning his back on him, but this was important enough to
stay quiet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
his answer was a little curt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
stood also and walked to the window. Looking out, he said, "Nice view.
This city sure is big and busy."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning
only his head, Dalton looked Lee in the eye. Lee knew that look, not only from
his childhood, but from other men he'd had dealings with. To him, it said
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just who do you think you
are?"</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
surprisingly, Dalton placed his hand on Lee's shoulder. "Let's go have
some dinner. It's almost twelve and I've been up since four. I bet a nickel
you're hungry, too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
thinking, Lee chuckled. "You know me so well."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No.
I don't know you at all, but by damn, you're my brother and I won't let you
down and I won't let you go."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
swallowed hard. His throat closed up. Couldn't say a word. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What's wrong
with me?</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*
* * * *</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
walked with long strides, just as Dalton did, along the sidewalks in front of
one large building after another. Some approached ten stories, while most were
two or three stories. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ralston's Dry
Goods. Bethany's Breakfast and Lunch. Warren Office Building. Gentlemen's
Emporium of Fine Clothing. Jack's Coffee Shop.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After
three blocks, Dalton stopped in front of an eating establishment called
"Dunstan Bar and Grill."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
asked, "This all right with you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
shrugged. He didn't care where he ate. Although the place looked a little
upscale, nothing bothered him. If the owners didn't like his dirty boots and
rumpled clothes, he'd take his business elsewhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His
brother pushed open the heavy door, stepped to the side, and motioned Lee to
enter the small foyer. They walked up three steps and Dalton pushed open one of
a double set of doors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"After
you. Let me see about a table."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While
he waited, Lee looked around at the crowded place. The interior was dimly lit,
quiet, even though the patrons talked. White cloths covered the tables, and
brown leather covered the high-backed chairs. The diners appeared to be mostly
businessmen, with a few well-dressed women here and there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
returned and stood quietly, holding his hat down by his side. Lee removed his,
too, and smoothed back his thick, black unruly hair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Right
this way, Mr. King," the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>head
waiter said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
they sat, a man and a young woman stood from their table and instead of passing
by, stopped. The man, older by a couple of decades than the young woman,
greeted Dalton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"How're
things out at the ranch, King?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
stood once again and shook hands. "Fine, just fine, Roscoe. Jo's in charge
when I'm in town. I'd like to introduce my brother, Lee King, a rancher from
North Texas. Lee, this is Roscoe Moore, one of the movers and shakers here in
Houston.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
stood and shook hands. "Glad to meet you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Same
here. This is my daughter, Caroline."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
almost wished he'd had a shave and haircut and wore clean clothes. Caroline was
a beauty, a dark-haired gorgeous young woman dressed in the latest style, if he
knew anything about fashion. She smiled at him in a way he'd bet she'd used on
more than one man. He nodded a greeting, since she didn't hold out her hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
a soft, low voice, she said, "Happy to meet you, Mr. King."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
one nod, Lee answered, "Likewise."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well,"
said Mr. Moore, "we best be moving along. I have appointments this
afternoon, and my darling daughter has an engagement as well." He turned
to her. "Don't you, my dear?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yes,
Father, but only a short meeting. Then I'll be free."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
four stood immobile for a few seconds, and Lee wondered what was going on. The
two visitors did not move away quickly, and Dalton stood very still as though
he waited on Mr. Moore. Finally, the man spoke again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Dalton,
will you and your lovely wife attend the ball tomorrow night?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
plan on going, since I'll be in town, but Jo wanted to stay out on the ranch
with the children. We have others who look after them, but she takes her duty
as a mother very seriously. Otherwise, she'd be here with bells on."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr.
Moore nodded his head. "I can understand that. Mrs. Moore and I only have
Caroline, here, and she's not around as much as we'd like."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Caroline
closed her eyes briefly, but opened them and smiled brightly. "Father.
Really. I'm very pleased to accompany you to the ball." She turned to
Dalton. "Mother has some sort of cold or flu and needs to rest. That's why
I'm with Father."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"You
live in San Antonio, don't you?" Dalton asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Not
anymore. Mother is not well, and Father wants my help in the business. So, I've
recently moved to Houston."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Sounds
good. Well, Mr. Moore, I don't want to keep you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
older man nodded. "We'll be going. Mr. King? Will we see you also at the
ball with your brother?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee
thought for a second and glanced at Dalton. "Why not? I have nothing
better to do tomorrow night."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well,
then, we'll look for you both."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
they left, Dalton and Lee sat once more. The waiter came by and they ordered a
small steak with browned potatoes and a salad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
they ate, Dalton quizzed his brother. Lee didn't mind. After all, he needed
information, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Exactly
how do you need my help?" Dalton cut his steak as he talked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"As
I said earlier, I need guidance with decisions about someone drilling on my
land. How do I know if I have oil or not? If so, how do I hand over parts of my
land to someone in hopes of finding oil? What do I get out of it, and how much
control can I keep?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dalton
wiped his mouth and took a sip of coffee. "Whoa, there. Too many questions
to answer at once, although you do have the right ones. Let's tackle the
possibility of oil first. You don't want to allow anyone, not an individual or
a big corporation, to come onto your property and start poking around. First,
you need a good man to tell you if you have a possibility for oil."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"And
where do I find such a man?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Right
here in Houston. Tex McDougal."</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-13084264040055571332014-02-20T16:25:00.001-06:002014-02-20T16:25:37.656-06:00Get Out of Your Comfort Zone! Or Not.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8M4KEyCXBSDnCIAXrIyAlrLeSL4FF0U_SEE8gQZ_vuELkA30JbvlhWH0utkN2LgvYbk2iPTdm4yivKoIkvUh0-3Oizm-zS-DGD50NRwCLHlkszDUi-or1SgIw2djAXkOtNydvKQX73w/s1600/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8M4KEyCXBSDnCIAXrIyAlrLeSL4FF0U_SEE8gQZ_vuELkA30JbvlhWH0utkN2LgvYbk2iPTdm4yivKoIkvUh0-3Oizm-zS-DGD50NRwCLHlkszDUi-or1SgIw2djAXkOtNydvKQX73w/s1600/box.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
of us are risk-takers, while others prefer to stay relatively safe in our
Comfort Zone. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Why disturb a perfectly good comfort level if we don't need to? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
are the advantages of staying in a known comfort zone? Are there disadvantages?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember
cliques when you were a teenager? I was a member of one, although none of us
consciously entered into this comfortable friendship with others much like
ourselves. It somehow evolved over a period of a few years during junior high
and high school.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
didn't mean each of us didn't have other friends outside the circle--all of us
did. Still, those friends were similar to those in the clique.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
comfort zone is a behavioral state within which a person operates in an
anxiety-neutral condition. In this neutral zone, the person delivers a steady
level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
risk--free zone can create an unfounded sense of security. If the person steps
outside this zone--or box--, she must experiment with new and different behaviors. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
stepping out, then the person will need to learn new and different responses to
the behaviors.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
my adult years, I have moved in and out of different zones, some of which
became uncomfortable and stressful. Those that made me angry, unhappy, or
fearful caused me to back off eventually.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe
we're all programmed a certain way and cannot change.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Or
maybe we can change if we choose something that won't completely destroy us.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can
we step out of our usual comfort zone and still experience positive feedback?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm
betting those of us who write struggle with this quite often.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
comfort zone is writing historical western romances. This is the area in which
I've earned the most success in sales and reviews.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
I also have written a few contemporary novels that had nothing to do with
cowboys or horses. I had to step out of my comfort zone to do this. Each of the
four contemporary novels was very different from the others. But the stories
came to me so strongly, I forged ahead and wrote them. All are good stories--I
say that, a few reviewers say that, and my local readers say that. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
still, I never felt comfortable writing the contemporary novels with
contemporary characters.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
me, that's about as far out of my comfort zone as I can get.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Characters are in the same category. I so
admire an author who can step way out of her comfort zone and write about a
unique character. One writes about a blind hero; another writes about a
disabled veteran; another writes about mentally ill hero; another tells the
story of characters with special mental gifts; and still another writes about
superhuman characters.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Could
I do this? Not yet. I admit it, I can't go to any extreme yet, but maybe one
day I will step out of my comfort zone and find that unique character and story.
</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Celia Yeary</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Romance...and a little bit of Texas</span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-35526803287147337722014-01-20T10:37:00.000-06:002014-01-20T10:37:14.991-06:00HOW DETERMINED ARE YOU?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A person is born "determined"
or not. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe. I don't think I was born with a
strong will or a strong desire or a strong determination to do anything in
particular. As life went on, though, I can see that the strong determination to
do something did pop up on occasion. Otherwise, you might call me a
"floater," one who goes along with the flow unless something stops
me...or speeds me up.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a public school student, I floated. I
liked good grades, but goodness me, I did not go out of my way to make them.
Courses were mainly easy with no huge obstacles to learn a subject.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I married, and it has turned out really
well. But I did not set out to marry--it just came along, and I lucked out and
got a really good man.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Babies just happened, too. My desire to
be a mother was nil, but when did get pregnant, I very soon turned out to be a
pretty good mother.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mother bought a piano for me and my
sisters, but I was the only one who enjoyed the lessons. But was I determined
to be excellent or outstanding? Or did I ever have a great desire to be a
pianist? No. The piano was there, I took lessons, and I loved it so much I
practiced and played all the time, to the irritation of my sisters who wished
I'd "quit banging on that piano." I didn't call it banging--I was
playing and having the time of my life. It was fun.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During the Sixties, though, I became
restless, probably because the nation had become restless. Young men were
burning their draft cards, and women were burning their bras and going to
college. My bra wasn't big enough to make much of a flame, but a sudden urge to
go to college burned in my chest. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The problem was that we had two
pre-school children. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Without relating the boring details, I
did enroll, put our kids with a baby-sitter, and my husband worked two jobs so
I could do this. (He already had been in the Army and had also earned two
university degrees.)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Working for a degree beginning at age 27
became The Holy Grail. I had to have that degree, no matter what happened, and
believe me, with two young children, plenty did.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During those years, I worked so hard and
lost so much sleep, I literally became sick. I lost weight--way too
much--trying to be the best mommy I could be and the best wife, too.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HyqoyPWR669d9Fl1ANVaTgmxM6UMKFKeXUoTg-4RkHKMdwJGbU-Tn1nS0zzj-zZJ5AheC7z4XJJLvzQ7oRWmAMS3MVP2gtAnLly1S8voUFySwhhoy6Pps7YoJcOrGMP7pSgH1yqI3ZE/s1600/physics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HyqoyPWR669d9Fl1ANVaTgmxM6UMKFKeXUoTg-4RkHKMdwJGbU-Tn1nS0zzj-zZJ5AheC7z4XJJLvzQ7oRWmAMS3MVP2gtAnLly1S8voUFySwhhoy6Pps7YoJcOrGMP7pSgH1yqI3ZE/s1600/physics.png" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But my main story is the Year of Physics.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Physics? Me? Heavens, how in the world
could I get through something so difficult?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During those years, education majors with
science as a teaching field at Texas Tech were thrown in with physics and
mathematics majors. Some of these young men aspired to go to the moon! This was
not fair, but I either had to pass or lose my degree. I could not graduate
without physics.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On the first lecture day, I climbed the
steps in the huge lecture hall and found an empty seat about one-fourth the way
up. As it happened, I sat next to a young pretty blond co-ed. We became
acquainted. She was an education major, too, and both of us had science as a
teaching field.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In walks the young professor,
swaggering, head up, swinging his arms, and threw his book bag on the table down
in front.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Really, he grinned and rubbed his hands,
he was so arrogant and confident.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Ladies and gentlemen," he
began. "Today you will either learn what I teach and remain in the class,
or you will not understand, leave the hall, go to admin, and drop this
class."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I shook and almost cried, but I'm not a
cry-baby, so I waited.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He began and drew so many figures and
problems on the board I got dizzy. I tried to take notes, but there was no way,
because he talked and drew so fast.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After forty-five minutes, he stopped and
said.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Now if you understood, remain. If
you did not, I invite you to leave now."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At least one third of the class left.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The young lady beside me grabbed my arm.
"I didn't understand," she wailed to me. "Did you?"</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I told her, "No, I did not understand
one thing."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Are you going to drop?"</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"No, I have to have this course,
and if you do, too, then stay with me."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That girl and I got through physics. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A young man told me something
he'd heard:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"For the labs, write thick reports
with hand-drawn illustrations--in ink--you'll get an automatic A, and those
grades will be averaged with the lecture exams."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Determined? Oh, yes. But the labs just
stumped us. There was always some apparatus on each table we were to
manipulate. We had the outcome--we knew what was to happen in the end, so I
told this girl--let's work backwards, and we can write the equation and formula
backwards, then turn it around. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Voila!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSB_O99o_TuBjFg6VfoW_kf2qnzVC6jYt9SBWKOV4qZh-JyW-NlTqo6Ltoq5ySZ8P95Kt9PpMi0tvKJn4iWa8rFZ2h2Zm4xCCkiva9B_vZwY_a4UiZahEuJrVpCERVJkyes_d3rv3ulg/s1600/succeed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSB_O99o_TuBjFg6VfoW_kf2qnzVC6jYt9SBWKOV4qZh-JyW-NlTqo6Ltoq5ySZ8P95Kt9PpMi0tvKJn4iWa8rFZ2h2Zm4xCCkiva9B_vZwY_a4UiZahEuJrVpCERVJkyes_d3rv3ulg/s1600/succeed.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don't ask me details, but that's what we
did. Also, my written lab reports were about fifteen notebook sheets of paper,
complete with drawings and labeled illustrations I found in a physics book in the library. And with no errors. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I passed with a C and a B to go with all
my other grades--A's. And that C and B meant the world to me.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To this day, though, I don't know much
about physics.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of you know I'm now talking about
writing. Truthfully, I did not set out to become an author. I only wrote
stories for fun. After four completed manuscripts, I discovered electronic
publishers that did not want authors with agents, and I could submit
electronically. No paper submissions.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, I became determined to get a
contract, but I did not go about the process willy-nilly.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, in my newly found determination,
I made a list of about ten new electronic romance publishers I found the the RWA magazine.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At first, I didn't care what their
requirements were, I was interested in MY requirements:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Nice covers without naked bodies</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~A website that was inviting and easy to read</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~A publisher that offered prints</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~And an open invitation to submit, with
an exact list of the requirements </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I chose five publishers for my first
submissions. One was The Wild Rose Press. I was offered a contract within three
weeks.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The rest is history.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But my determination now? I still have a
high level. Yes, I'm still just as determined as ever to write a good story,
submit it, get a contract, and have one more book published.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of all the things I learned to do later
in life--learning to play golf and bridge--becoming an author with multiple
books is at the very top of my favorites list.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm as determined now as before, and I
will not stop until I become bored...or something else stops me.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many things in life just ordinarily
happen, don't they?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But how many things happen completely
out of the blue, things so weird and different you wonder how you could
succeed?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm certain many of you out there can
identify. I'd love to hear your story.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Celia Yeary</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Romance...and a little bit of Texas</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-40724906377866578752013-12-28T16:46:00.001-06:002013-12-28T16:46:14.164-06:00THINGS I LEARNED IN 2013<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K6bKV00sMccyzM3aLTribQRMEoN9jcKHr2i_BTKOQrziALxw4-pfsL7YhnYJtCwlyhynpEjmydTo5G9APZ2S1fi9EuectywaC917nGOdo3n8zhjHQgXbje4Z8zOa1rvDsXCM_8JabyQ/s1600/2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K6bKV00sMccyzM3aLTribQRMEoN9jcKHr2i_BTKOQrziALxw4-pfsL7YhnYJtCwlyhynpEjmydTo5G9APZ2S1fi9EuectywaC917nGOdo3n8zhjHQgXbje4Z8zOa1rvDsXCM_8JabyQ/s1600/2013.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Have you heard the phrase, "He's
forgotten more than you'll every know." Usually this term is in reference
to an elderly person who has always been intelligent but has begun to lose some
memory.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Well, I think to stay ahead in the
memory and intelligence game, one must continually learn. What we learn doesn't
seem to be important--anything will do.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">In this vein, then, what did I learn in
the year of 2013?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">1. First</span>, I learned that true friendship
weathers storms of all kinds. I have categories of friends, and I suspect
everyone does. Good friends are to be cherished, because when you lose one,
it's like losing a family member. The adage is true, that "God gave us
Friends to Make Up For Some of Our Family."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">2. Second</span>, I learned that good health is
our most valued gift from God. Ask me about any medical problem, and I bet I
can tell you something about it. How do I know so much? Google will tell me
anything in this world I need or want to know. Since I'm always interested in
medical issues, I have learned how to research, read, and comprehend just about
anything medically. Some think I'm a little weird about this, but think about
how much I've learned.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">3. Third</span>, I learned that humans as a
whole have good hearts. Show me the most caustic, hateful, rude, irreverent
person, and I believe somewhere, somehow, something will make tears come to
that person's eyes. We're all wired to be at least somewhat sensitive to
others. (This belief does NOT include Charles Manson, chronic child molesters,
Kim Jung Il, or Bashar al-Assad." <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">4. Fourth</span>, I learned that our world is
in a big messy battle. I don't think I recall a year in which so many countries
are in extreme turmoil to the point of collapse since WWII. And I believe I
learned every one of these battles is based on a particular religious belief.
We can fight many enemies, but we cannot fight other religions and win. It's
just not going to happen.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fifth</span>, I re-learned:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a time for
everything,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and a season for every activity under the heavens:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>a time to be born and a
time to die,</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">a
time to plant and a time to uproot,</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>a
time to kill and a time to heal,</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span class="text">a time to tear down
and a time to build,<sup> </sup></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="text"><strong>a time to weep and a time to laugh,</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span class="text">a time to mourn and a
time to dance,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><strong>a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="text">a time to embrace and
a time to refrain from embracing,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><strong>a time to search and a time to give up,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="text">a time to keep and a
time to throw away,<sup> </sup></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><strong>a time to tear and a time to mend,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="text">a time to be silent
and a time to speak,<sup> </sup></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></strong><br />
<span class="text"><strong>a time to love and a time to hate,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span class="text">a time for war and a
time for peace</span><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">6.
Sixth</span>, from Ecclesiastes 3 (see #5), I learned that "Everything You Need
To Know You Can Learn From This Chapter of the Bible." To me, it's the
wisest, the most comprehensible, and the most common sense advice I really
need.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seventh</span>, I learned not how much I know, but how much I <em>don't</em> know. And
this list is endless. If I don't wake up every morning and find something good
in the day to learn, then I have wasted an entire precious day of my life.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~*~Don't do that. Yes, at times we have
more to do in a day than we can complete, but count your blessings for that.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~*~We needn't be a driving force all day
every day, but sometimes take the advice to find "a time to dance."<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~*~Now, I sound like a preacher, and I'm
far from that, I assure you. <o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"> 8. Eighth, </span><span style="color: black;">my </span>last and final thing I learned: Don't do something because you feel
obligated. Been there, done that. The activity really gets you nowhere. I don't
mean throw your obligations aside, such as refuse to cook dinner ever again,
but if you are involved in anything that seems like a chore, a burden, or a big
waste of time...then you have my permission: DON'T DO IT.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>AND
WITH THAT, MY FRIENDS,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>HAPPY
NEW YEAR</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>CeliaYeary</strong></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><strong><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">Romance...and a little bit of Texas</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-22642070367950637342013-12-20T15:51:00.000-06:002013-12-20T15:51:23.307-06:00CHRISTMASTIME IN TEXAS<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruVZ2c0ZyUy3pwbQV5hrM2k31hdMbrFyVwG1u6kJ_aqRKFOPQHDxEafYBVL8jzC8nJcN60d6wkUyUQuXnaqT8a40GquXpRpaJVVH-Lu4MoJopAeH0wzIoFHYrZ_9Fv5J-QCELvCTDGqA/s1600/cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruVZ2c0ZyUy3pwbQV5hrM2k31hdMbrFyVwG1u6kJ_aqRKFOPQHDxEafYBVL8jzC8nJcN60d6wkUyUQuXnaqT8a40GquXpRpaJVVH-Lu4MoJopAeH0wzIoFHYrZ_9Fv5J-QCELvCTDGqA/s1600/cherries.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><span style="color: red;">"Chocolate Covered Cherries"<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today in Walgreens, while waiting for a
prescription, my husband and I strolled toward a row of chairs to wait.
Dividing the row in half sat a table filled with bright red boxes of
"Chocolate Covered Cherries"--A gift for a loved one. Chocolate
Covered Cherries? Remember those? The chocolate was good, but not spectacular,
and when you bit into one, the cherry juice ran out. Oh, the cherry is good,
too, but all in all...it's a messy experience. Still, I remembered a boy in 8th
grade who gave me a box of Chocolate Covered Cherries, and my husband said he
recalled buying a box for his mother one year he was in high school. Good,
messy, or not...they do bring back sweet memories.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtfXH_K6ugOaIxyLGmbnnIIt_wsWdvc3JgC7i4OeHB24BRJNwvCzf8BRd_NmWeOFqUowjzxkxpICDYb56-XmGWQUnZb2BL0eIaOU1QJnA7Opt9E08mVdnCWlnslopZoTgUZYEWyhyphenhyphen5SY/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtfXH_K6ugOaIxyLGmbnnIIt_wsWdvc3JgC7i4OeHB24BRJNwvCzf8BRd_NmWeOFqUowjzxkxpICDYb56-XmGWQUnZb2BL0eIaOU1QJnA7Opt9E08mVdnCWlnslopZoTgUZYEWyhyphenhyphen5SY/s320/tree.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">"The Perfect Decoration"<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do families still decorate their
Christmas tree with silvery icicles? This decoration is the most fun, the most
controversial, and the most baffling of all. Grab a bunch and throw them on the
tree? Or take painstaking care in separating them one by one and placing them
exactly where you want? My younger sister like to throw bunches. I preferred
placing single ones carefully in specific rows. We ended up with a
half-and-half tree. Her side--covered in messy clumps--in my opinion--and my
side? Covered in beautiful single strands perfectly placed.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQg7u40h8VU677-eIOTi4HZI_8RmuzncyI1kcq6xELj6O5obAJoKgVurwbfVB5I3shGUUjiZ9bl7PeRNvhNBhR4RQRpZJt4MjfU3HlEvx53luwaOVno99N_bS3344x0bW0yaAk6XyPng/s1600/game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQg7u40h8VU677-eIOTi4HZI_8RmuzncyI1kcq6xELj6O5obAJoKgVurwbfVB5I3shGUUjiZ9bl7PeRNvhNBhR4RQRpZJt4MjfU3HlEvx53luwaOVno99N_bS3344x0bW0yaAk6XyPng/s1600/game.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">"Trivial Pursuit"</span> <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When children become teenagers, Christmas
morning doesn't hold the thrill and excitement as when they were young. Our
little family preferred Christmas in our own home, so the four of us had
leisurely Christmas Days. When our daughter was a junior and our son was a
freshman, Christmas morning was cold and wet. My husband built up the fire, and
we sat on the floor in front of it to open presents. <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I'd bought a Trivial Pursuit game for
our son. When he unwrapped it, he cleared a space on the rug and set up the
game. "Want to play, Mom?" He asked his sister, too, and his dad. But
Dad doesn't play games. So the three of us sat in our pajamas and began to
play. After an hour or so, I suggested breakfast--my special Christmas
breakfast of sausage patties and pecan waffles. "Uh-uh," they said, "let's
just eat Pop-Tarts so we can keep playing." We did. At noon, same thing.
"Let's just snack on crackers and cheese or something." The game we
had going was hot and tense.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At twelve, I called time out so we could
all dress and brush our teeth. Then, right back to the game. By four in the
afternoon, I had a horrible thought. I'd forgotten to thaw my turkey and bake
cornbread for the stuffing and make fruit salad! We could not have our
traditional dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But the kids said, "We don't really
like all that stuff anyway. Why don't we just have nachos?"<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the remaining years we had children
at home, this was our pattern. Even when they came home for Christmas, nachos
were always ready.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">P.S. Our ninth grade son won every game.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">~*~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing really matters at all on
Christmas, except that we love each other and give whatever gift we have. <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is, after all, the birthday of the
Christ Child, and He brought all we need.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: red;">I wish you all a happy Christmas season,
</span></em></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: red;">the Birthday of the King, and love and happiness among us all.</span></em> <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Celia Yeary<o:p></o:p></strong></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">omance...and a little bit of Texas<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8058304572077474516.post-24594512154013482462013-12-15T16:56:00.000-06:002013-12-15T16:56:16.642-06:00A Christmas Scene in WISH FOR THE MOON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYDevSiYMTnjQdNo0OiDlMB6gr108ts_z-D5ev73KKlSRd4mQAODlucgfKvmcS6UIeP1hW2PALLWKGZ3kn4Be47lYv0ERDUN6OL6emyIIp9bXAzfIzlyo_C2VAdFmEX4SQlYJxsz6KYs/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYDevSiYMTnjQdNo0OiDlMB6gr108ts_z-D5ev73KKlSRd4mQAODlucgfKvmcS6UIeP1hW2PALLWKGZ3kn4Be47lYv0ERDUN6OL6emyIIp9bXAzfIzlyo_C2VAdFmEX4SQlYJxsz6KYs/s1600/tree.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em>
<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">WISH FOR THE MOON-a 1901 North Texas coming of age story about sixteen year old Annie McGinnis.</span></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Excerpt--Christmas</span></em></strong><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The year was 1902, and Annie McGinnis,
the youngest child of the family, now at seventeen finds herself the lady of
the house--the home she grew up in. The position is not one she wants, but
Annie has a very strong sense of duty and responsibility, and in this
case...taking care not only of the household chores, but seeing after her
widowed father, Grover, and Old Blind Jarrel, a neighbor man they took in. Her
brothers, Kyle and Clifford have married and moved away.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Max Landry, the man Annie fell in love
with after saving him from the hangman's noose, has moved on, too...or so she
thinks.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Christmas time nears, and Annie goes to
town to sell her pecans, eggs, and jars of jelly. She hopes to earn enough
money to buy a gift for her father and Jerral. She also hopes she has enough to
buy a bar a lavender soap for herself.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>She finds a tiny cedar tree and uses it
for a Christmas tree. She places it on the end of the kitchen table, decorated
with strings of juniper berries and bows made of bits of colored cloth and old
lace. On each side, she places a candle.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>~*~*~*~</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>WISH FOR THE MOON--99cents for the Kindle--(regular price $5.49)-Through December 31</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-Uiz08-yJU2k1bVpEfkWh_sdcmgZwhjAvCJylN6E7juVXEg_c34yB6ngxKKP-rkFCKPcyKLWk6DqHP42Y981F63THCNh7jse_dUbqQtlK8vF6I70lwrUgMbJT9G0QqRzdDpPV3Pi_Gc/s1600/Wish+For+The+Moon-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-Uiz08-yJU2k1bVpEfkWh_sdcmgZwhjAvCJylN6E7juVXEg_c34yB6ngxKKP-rkFCKPcyKLWk6DqHP42Y981F63THCNh7jse_dUbqQtlK8vF6I70lwrUgMbJT9G0QqRzdDpPV3Pi_Gc/s320/Wish+For+The+Moon-1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>On Christmas Day, Annie placed her
offerings in front of the tree. She sat two candles, one on either side, and
lit them.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>“Jerral,” she said, “give me your hand,
and you can see the tree.” She helped guide his hand, so he could feel each
part, and the gifts underneath. Carefully, she guided his hand to feel the
candlesticks, and waved his hand over the flames so he would know they burned. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>After breakfast, Annie told Grover to
stay at the table so he and Jerral could open their presents. Grover, though,
took Jerral to the bedroom first, and when they returned, each held a gift,
wrapped in white paper with red string.</strong><br />
<strong>Jerral loved his suspenders, and
exclaimed over them, how he liked the thick, woven texture, and the feel of the
smooth metal clasps. She helped fasten them to his pants and adjusted them to
the right length on his bony shoulders. “Oh, you look so fine, Jerral. These
were just made for you.” </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>He asked if he could kiss Annie’s cheek, and she
happily let him. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Grover said little about his new
blue-striped shirt, but he held it in his lap and stroked the soft fabric for a
long time.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Finally, he told her the other two
gifts were for her—one from him and one from Jerral. Jerral gave her the only
thing he had—his family Bible. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Jerral said, “I can’t read it, Annie,
and I don’t have any kin. You’re as close to a daughter as I’ll ever have. I
want you to have it.”</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Annie cried and hugged him around his
neck and kissed his cheek. “Oh, thank you, Jerral. I’ll treasure it and add it
to my bookshelf where I have the other books. And guess what? I’ve baked you a
vanilla-raisin meringue cream pie!”</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Grover gave her a small box of
chocolates from the drugstore. They were in a gold colored box with a fancy seal
on the top. The label read, “Golden’s Chocolates, Made in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city></st1:place>.” Each one had a different
center—vanilla fondue, strawberry and lemon creams, nuts, coconut, and caramel.
Tears ran down her face. Never in her life had she received such a grand present.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>“Thank you so much, Papa. I will savor
each one, and the box will look so pretty on my dresser. If I ever get a
necklace, I’ll keep it in the gold box.”</strong><br />
<br />
“<strong>Annie,” he said gruffly. “I’m sorry I
missed your birthday. I just plumb forgot. Helen would have my hide if she knew
I didn’t remember our baby’s birthday.”</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Annie laughed and cried some more, and
soon, all three choked up.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Christmas had come, after all.</strong><br />
<strong>~*~*~*~</strong><br />
<strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em><span style="color: blue;">At the dawn of the Twentieth Century,
sixteen-year-old Annie McGinnis wishes for a chance to see more of the world,
since all she’s ever known is the family farm in North Texas. A mysterious
visitor arrives who will change not only her life, but her family’s as well. To
save Max Landry from a bogus charge, she follows him and the Texas Rangers back
to the coal-mining town one county over where a murder occurred. The short
journey sets Annie on a path of discovery—new horizons, an inner strength, and
quite possibly…love.</span></em></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u><strong>Buy Link on Amazon for Kindle:<o:p></o:p></strong></u><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Moon-Celia-Yeary/dp/1466452382/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324864096&sr=1-8">http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Moon-Celia-Yeary/dp/1466452382/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324864096&sr=1-8</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">Celia Yeary<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">Romance...and a little bit of Texas<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><strong><em> </em></strong></div>
</span><o:p></o:p> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com8