On this Fourth...

have a wonderful Independence Day celebration!

Let freedom ring.

Bing-o!

Have you seen the new Bing.com TV commercials? They are fresh and funny, and I laugh every time I see one telling me how information overload is making me crazy. Bing is a "decision" engine, Microsoft says; not a search engine.

If you research online as often as I do [almost daily], then you might wanna give Bing a try. Now, Mr. Google is my loyal boyfriend, so I'm gonna be hard to win over, but like they say about married folks ogling others, "It doesn't hurt to look." :) Bing has a nice uncluttered format and a gorgeous new photograph featured daily. I enjoyed my quick tour and liked the way the link sketches would open up to view without having to actually go to the URLs listed.

Like I said, I'm a one man (or search engine) woman. USA Today has an interesting article on the merits of Google vs. Bing if you want to read more.

Wednesday Writings - Janeology Author Interview, Haiku Winner & Book Giveaways

Before we get into the fantastic interview with Karen Harrington (known to many as the Scobberlotcher) about her book JANEOLOGY, I'll announce the Haiku Hoopla winners. Yep, it was too hard to pick just one again. Everybody who entered, pat yourself on the back for a fine job!

Irish Gumbo's haiku stuck to the true form with its seasonal element, and created a nice crisp picture:

Falling rain, breeze blows,

her soft breathing on my cheek,

heart swelling, love blooms

Stacy Post's uses the theme of summer heat. It made me smile since we're all by necessity "air-conditioned" here in the Gulf area:

Lilies in sunshine

barely sway in the hot wind,

I'm air-conditioned.

Congrats, you two. Please send me your address so I can get your fantabulous prizes in the mail. :)

~~~

Interview with author Karen Harrington:

According to publisher Kunati, JANEOLOGY is "a legal thriller ripped from the headlines." You can read more about this fascinating book and watch the trailer at Kunati's site.

Karen Harrington is a Texas native whose writing has received honors from the Hemingway Short Story Festival, the Texas Film Institute Screenplay Contest and the Writers’ Digest National Script Contest. She authored and published There’s a Dog in the Doorway, a children’s book created expressly for the Dr. Laura Schlessinger Foundation’s “My Stuff Bags.” My Stuff bags go to children in need who must leave their home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. She lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.

GW: I was hooked in the prologue, and that's rare.

KH: Thank you! I love hearing that.

GW: Loved the opening MC male voice and it was totally convincing. There were no feminine word choices or traces to be found. I thought, now this is a woman who has spent a great deal of time in the company of strong men.

KH: Thanks for saying that! For some reason unknown to me, most of my protagonists are male and I’m most comfortable writing in that voice. I did, however, have a terrific editor at Kunati who did work with me on polishing the estrogen out of certain sentences.

GW: I thought JANEOLOGY gave a fascinating mix of belief systems for readers to ponder -- paranormal to faith-based. You pulled it off and created a happy marriage of two seemingly opposite ideologies. This made me wonder, like physical strands of DNA, can two belief systems reside happily in a person. And if so, are those elements subject to the same nurture/nature forces within a person?

KH: I do think the mind can hold two seemingly opposite beliefs at once. Though I have not personally had an experience with a clairvoyant, nor do I believe there are true psychics behind every sign that advertises one, I do believe that the Bible is/was filled with prophecy. So it wasn’t a stretch for me to conceive that there might still be people in modern times who are still possessed with those same gifts. As a Christian, I felt the need to be careful about how I drew the character of Mariah, the clairvoyant in Janeology, which is why she is so entrenched in knowing the passages in Exodus about the sins of the fathers visiting future generations.

All that said, the character and talents of Mariah was really a literary device to allow the reader to travel into the past.

GW: Why do you write?

KH: I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing or drawing. Now that I’ve been doing it so long, I get in a funk if days go by and I haven’t written something so I suppose that is one reason I write. But like most creative people, I most enjoy creating a new story, seeing where it will go and what will happen.

GW: How did your plot and characters develop? (Organically, or did you do an outline first?)

KH: The process for JANEOLOGY was unlike any other piece I’ve worked on because it was two separate story ideas that just decided overnight (without consulting me) to get together and become one. I was writing one story about a man who is afraid of his wife after she has a mental breakdown, comes home and finds a cryptic scary message written out with Scrabble letters and knows she’s been in the house. This story was the result of a Stephen King website prompt that suggested thinking up a common conflict and then flip-flopping the genders or races. I thought about a man stalking his ex, then I switched sexes. At the same time, I had another idea brewing about writing about a character from the perspective of her genealogy. I had loosely plotted out both story ideas. The genealogy story plan was easy because I used the pedigree chart for my own family to sketch out dates, times and locations for fictional characters.

GW: What's your writing routine like?

KH: My routine is only a routine in that it’s dictated by when my girls are at home. If they are out of school, I write at night. But when they are in school, I write from about ten in the morning until two.

GW: Have you sought agent representation?

KH: Yes, but I don’t yet have an agent and would really love to gain representation soon. (If you are an agent reading this, well, my you are very good-looking!) We’ll see if that helps. Seriously, my goal is to get an agent and I’m working hard right now to do research, query and contact agents. I once worked as an intern for a Dallas literary agent and I know how hard they work and how dedicated they are to helping get good books out there. I have a lot of respect for them and realize that getting one is a bit like conception – everything has to line up just right and it won’t work if one or both parties just aren’t in the mood.

GW: What's next for you in the writing arena?

KH: I’m in that writer’s vortex where I’m still promoting JANEOLOGY, trying to sell the next book, PRODIGAL SON, and writing a new book that features Jane’s daughter, Sarah, as she comes of age one summer. It’s a weird place to be in because your creative energies are so divided between being in that pitching/marketing mode and the storytelling mode. Sometimes I forget which story I’m supposed to be talking about. That’s a good problem though!

Since I always like to participate in National Novel Writing Month each November (which I highly recommend to all writers) I hope to sketch out an outline for a new novel that I can work on. I have an idea about writing how an adulterous affair impacts a marriage and alternate the chapters between the entire love triangle.

GW: Any regrets with JANEOLOGY?

KH: No way! I’m still thrilled to have an ISBN. Of course, there are flaws in the book that I will probably continue to edit in my head for the rest of my life, but I am still so excited that I even have a book.

GW: Tell us something juicy or strange I didn't ask about in connection with being an author, the book, your publisher or whatever.

KH: One of the more interesting things that has happened since the book came out is that I receive emails from strangers who demand to know the full resolution of the book. And I mean DEMAND! It’s funny because this is something I would never have expected, but I completely understand. After all, I’m a reader, too, and I often have questions about what I read. But I’ve always subscribed to the belief that the writer does half the job of storytelling and the reader does the other half so I like the effect an ambiguous conclusion can have on the reader. Life is untidy and I like fiction that doesn’t wrap everything up in a neat box.

**Thanks, Karen! Readers, if you're looking for a different and fascinating summer book, check out JANEOLOGY. You won't regret it.

~~~

I stumbled into a real interesting blog the other night by a writer lady named K. If you wanna take a chance on winning another interesting sounding book, hop on over and leave her a comment here.

~~~

Patricia Neely-Dorsey has asked me to announce her book of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia -- A Life in Poems. You can learn more about Patricia and her work at her website.

~~~

Last, but certainly anything but least, Amy Sue Nathan is also hosting a book giveaway at her new blog Suburban Kvetch. Go say hey and register to win!

Garden Goodness

Today's recipe is a great one for summer. It's light, refreshing and the three veggies used can easily be found at local markets.

Hope you enjoy the yummy goodness of this salad and/or side dish I serve often in these loooooong hot months.

Marinated Veggie Medley

2 Vine ripe Creole tomatoes

1 Large cucumber

1 Medium Vidalia or red onion

1/2 Cup Robusto Italian dressing

Sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder to taste

Clean vegetables and dice small. Put into serving bowl and add a thick layer of dressing. Season to your preference. Refrigerate, stirring once every few hours until ready to serve as is, or over lettuce leaves for a nice salad.

~~~~~

Haiku Hooplah winner announced tomorrow!

Haiku Hoopla!

Yeah, it's that time again! Write a haiku and post in comments for a chance to win a prize that will probably consist of grits, coffee, cobbler mix and/or pralines.

Or just leave a comment on what you think about poetry if you don't want to enter the Haiku Hoopla! You've got til midnight tonight. Feel free to pass the word around too. *wink*

And if ya missed the post yesterday on how you can have a better blog and accrue some blog love, scroll down and browse at your leisure.

Have a great week!


*Image from Photobucket.com

With a Cherry on Top? [Better Blogging]

Please, please, please...pretty please with a cherry, whipped cream and nuts on top~~~

Would ya add your address to your blog profile?

Several times over the last couple of days, I've wanted to email someone who left a comment to tell them something personal, or ask a question, or just chat outside the blog's public forum. But guess what? I couldn't because there was no email address listed on the email that notified me of their comment on one of my posts.

I promise, it's not hard to do. Look, if I can do it, anybody can! You'll also be increasing your online presence and promoting blog love throughout the Blogland community. This is all you gotta do:

• Sign on at your blog
• Click "View My Complete Profile"
• Several options are listed such as Photo, Edit Profile and Contact. Click Contact, then Email.
• ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HERE, Save, and voila!

In just a few seconds you have made yourself accessible to others whose blogs you leave comments on. You can email back and forth with them. And who knows, maybe an agent or editor will be impressed with how savvy you are AND how easy it is to reach you!

Welcome to the blogging forefront. You shall no longer be lumped with all those other anonymous unreachable noreply-comment@blogger.com people!

Now, I don't wanna push it since we've talked about this several times already...but while you're in there tinkering around with your blog settings and preferences, wontcha consider taking off that annoying little Word Verification function? I promise you, since I started this blog back in September, I've had exactly two spam comments...and all I had to do was go in and delete them with the little trashcan icon. *poof* they were dust.

Add your email and lose the Word Verification thingy and your bloggy friends will be eternally grateful. You might even get more comments, followers and/or traffic. Don't believe me? Just ask Debbie at Suburb Sanity and Vodka Mom at I Need A Martini Mom. Their blogs are so busy, ya gotta take a number to get in and comment. LOL

Now, go spread the word. And since it's Sunday, do something nice for somebody! (o:l>

Weekend Plans?

So, what's on your drawing board for the weekend? I'm planning on resting, enjoying quiet time, working on the manuscript, reading and tweaking some poetry. Then there'll be some much deserved naps and bouts of loafing around.

Hope whatever it is you're craving, you get a bunch of it!


Thanks for all your good thoughts about our drought-y sizzling heat here. Would you believe we finally got some rain today? [Never underestimate the power of Blogland!]

Dorothy, I'm Melting!

I don't ever remember going this long in summer without rain. We're in week three now. *pant* The only folks enjoying this scorching heat spell and drought here in Baton Rouge are the A/C repair people.

So...how do you keep cool when temperatures rise? And for you writerly types, is summer conducive to working at your craft?

Like Dorothy, may you be surrounded by faithful friends, escape dangerous situations unscathed, and always find the home of your heart. Happy weekend!

We are the Champions...of the Worrrrld!

LSU

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!

Throw Me Somethin', Mista!

See me down in the bottom right corner of the photo, begging the Krewe members for some Mardi Gras beads?

Okay, it's not really me...but I am soliciting writing resources from y'all today, so if you know of a cool blog or website full of good nuggets, how 'bout throwin' 'em into a comment for the rest of us revelers?

As always, 'preciate ya, and have a great Wednesday. Would love to hear an update on your WIP progress too!

*Photo from kreweofbacchus.org

Peach Cobbler (& Writing Recipe)

I love this time of year when the fresh local produce is ripe and priced nicely. We can enjoy all the great tastes, smells and sights of another year of homegrown goodness.

Today's recipe for peach cobbler is a combination of my grandmother's method plus some quick and easy shortcuts. (Right up my alley!) Hope you enjoy.

Peach Cobbler

9 medium peaches (peeled & sliced)
1 pkg. Louisiana Fish Fry Cobbler Mix (yeah, you read that right!) or whatever your local brand
favorite is
1/2 Cup water
1 Tbsp. sugar

Wash, peel and slice peaches. Reserve peelings. Prepare cobbler mix according to package directions and let sit. Into a small pot over medium high temperature, put water and sugar. Stir and simmer for a few minutes. Squeeze peelings to extract juice, then put them into pot. Cook until juice thickens a bit. Smash the peelings to bottom of pot. Remove from heat and cool.

Melt butter in baking dish, or use cast iron pot if you have one. Pour in cobbler mix, leaving a bit in the bowl for garnishing. Strain juice from peelings over sliced peaches, then pour all over cobbler mix. Top with remaining cobbler mix. Cook according to pkg. directions. Great with vanilla ice cream!

For you writerly types, here are a few reminders brought about by today's recipe:

• Don't forget to use the senses when describing scenes, people and things in your work.
• Clean up the kitchen! (Edit, revise, edit, revise...)
• Local flavor in your setting and character building makes for tasty reading.
• Look for ways to squeeze the goodness from a scene, chapter, stanza or description.
• Some parts of the "fruit" are not meant to go into the "cobbler." It's better to throw them out than to ruin your WIP.
• Taste and adjust seasoning/ingredients as you go. The best "cooks" (writers) are those who can take a recipe, tweak it and make it their own.
• Always follow directions unless you're a master chef.
• Share your cobblers with others. They may suggest ways to make it even better!
• Feed your readers well, but leave 'em wanting more.

Dr. Phil Says I'm What? (And Why I'm Twitching)

A little fun personality quiz of 10 questions at PsychCentral, supposedly first developed by Dr. Phil, for your Monday brain food. I scored a 45, so that puts me between Dr. Phil and Oprah. LOL.

The Lively Center of Attention: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

So, what's your personality type?

...and some writerly scoopage here at BookEnds Literary Agency's blog that might make you Twitch too. (Guess I gotta finally learn to Tweet. *sigh*)

*Photo from Photobucket.com