tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12088495272925165902024-03-12T19:34:23.377-07:00Melanie SchulzAuthor of Alternative FictionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.comBlogger577125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-35879168211716849942018-08-27T09:53:00.001-07:002018-08-27T09:53:30.679-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those who are interested--I've started a new blog on www.melanieschulz.com where I will be posting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That blog will go beyond just my life as an author. Hope to see all of you there!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-25604255375218082762018-06-29T05:33:00.000-07:002018-06-29T05:33:04.210-07:00Let's Talk: School Shootings. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-71485235628389201432018-04-04T04:11:00.001-07:002018-04-04T04:11:29.766-07:00IWSG: April 2018
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome. It’s the first Wednesday of the month,
making it IWSG time. A special thanks goes out to Alex J. Cavanaugh and
co-hosts for putting this on, I know it can’t be easy. If you’re new here, or
don’t know what it’s about, this is a blogging world version of a writer’s
group, where we talk about (vent over) all the insecurities this whole writing
thing brings out. And it does, in each of us. Where else do you lay yourself
out there so vulnerably? I can’t think of anything. Most people who read my
work are surprised I wrote it. People who know me best would assume I’d write
sappy historical romances, or middle-grade pioneer sagas. Nope. I write dark young
adult. And I couldn’t imagine writing anything different. What I cant get is
that they can’t see me in my writing; because I’m there, in every line. Maybe
they don’t know me as well as I thought, or maybe I don’t present myself the
way I think I do. I don’t know which is more frightening. So I guess that’s my
insecurity for today—have I been true to myself, not only in the written word,
but in my life? Something to think about. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Okay, I promised a big announcement, and here it is.
I’ve been talking about Ubooks for a while (You, know, that new book format I
invented?) Well, now I’ve developed a reading program using that format to
teach kiddos how to read in a whole new, fun way. I’ve set it up so it will be
free—commercial only—and so far it’s gotten some really positive feedback.
Check it out for yourselves at <a href="http://www.setbooksfree.org/">www.setbooksfree.org</a>
Please share this with anyone you know who has kids in the 3-8 year age range,
or those wanting to teach their kids to read. As far as publication goes, we’re
looking for picture books to publish into the fall. They have to be really,
really good. If you have one, feel free to submit to: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com</a>.
Also, we’re planning on having a second site for young adults who are learning
to read/struggling with reading, which will go live in September. We’re looking
for short stories, flash fiction for that. Again, it has to be really, really good.
I don’t care what genre, just good writing. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Send it to the same email. That’s enough for
me for now. Have a great week everyone. </span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-78074134219180677242018-03-20T11:10:00.001-07:002018-03-20T11:10:32.058-07:00Grouchy Little House Release<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Black and White has just released a new story: Grouchy Little House, by Marcella Kearns, artwork by Jessica Gadra, and original musical score by Nathan Moran. Here are the links: Enjoy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the Narrated version: </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Look for a really big announcement the beginning of April (I'm so excited about this one!!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-62135399886162968682018-03-06T17:36:00.002-08:002018-03-06T17:36:43.607-08:00IWSG: March 2018
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s IWSG time again. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts
for putting this on. When it comes to insecurity, I have a big one: Marketing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There’s not much more in the world that makes my stomach
churn than marketing. I hate it. I know hate’s a strong word, but it’s true. I
HATE marketing. I long for the days when writers lived in shacks and slipped their
manuscripts into random mailboxes. It’s not that I’m shy. I’m not. I’m actually
very social. It’s that I hate talking up my work. I think it should speak for
itself. I know I’m a good writer—but that doesn’t mean I need to or should have
to tell people that. It wasn’t until recently that I attempted to market at
all. Those of you who follow this blog can attest to that—my posts are random
at best. But I’ve finally decided I have to, no matter how much I hate it.
Decided isn’t actually the right word. I’m being pushed into it. God has had
just about enough of my waffling and has drawn a line in the sand. I am to obey
or else (I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> don’t want to know
what the or else is). He’s led me this far, I guess it’s time to dive in. Pray
for me. </span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-12464652686879506242018-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:002018-02-06T10:15:54.398-08:00IWSG: February 2018<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Wednesday of the Month" height="159" id="Image9_img" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZoF_JIX2n8/UkSiAJPl6zI/AAAAAAAAAYI/hA0KlE-Az-s/s186/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="186" /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome. It's the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this thing on. When I was thinking about what to post, a conversation came to mind that I had with one of my illustrators. I asked the question. THE QUESTION. Are you willing to speak before a group? She very nicely, but firmly said, "No". I thought I understood. Who likes to speak in front of other people? But it turns out I was wrong, she didn't mean that, at least not ONLY that. She followed her no with a very insightful thought--isn't it better this way? I considered it, and I must say, I have to agree. Isn't it better that we as artists maintain some sense of mystery? Would we be so looked-up-to if the general public knew that we're not only like everyone else, in some ways we're a little worse? Not worst in a bad way, but in a socially-awkward kind of way. Would that young eight-year-old look bright-eyed up at you when your skirt was tucked in your underpants? Probably not. Would that teenager care about a word you wrote if they knew exactly how much of a dork you were? Again, no. Today I'm going to do a reading in my son's classroom. And he's howling the whole way to school. He knows how much of a dork I am. He knows I'll (probably) embarrass him. I told him not to worry. I've checked my skirt. It's officially panty-free. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-83393919731592298062018-01-17T06:14:00.001-08:002018-01-17T06:17:34.254-08:001/17/18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AYqkbWxBlnQ/Wl9Z5EkaolI/AAAAAAAABIg/VxLXnrVwnMcx-Uu0VxEAP5anot4Kjy4rACLcBGAs/s1600/1-17-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AYqkbWxBlnQ/Wl9Z5EkaolI/AAAAAAAABIg/VxLXnrVwnMcx-Uu0VxEAP5anot4Kjy4rACLcBGAs/s640/1-17-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-36498604282715151602018-01-10T09:25:00.002-08:002018-01-10T09:25:32.000-08:001/10/18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TtYlUP71s0/WlZL8uxBp4I/AAAAAAAABH4/YGQsFfYo9KMU45VqbJh_QT19KfWWGJnrACLcBGAs/s1600/I%2Bdon%2527t%2Bbelieve%2Bin%2Bcoincidences.%2BOr%2BKarma.%2BOr%2BLuck..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TtYlUP71s0/WlZL8uxBp4I/AAAAAAAABH4/YGQsFfYo9KMU45VqbJh_QT19KfWWGJnrACLcBGAs/s640/I%2Bdon%2527t%2Bbelieve%2Bin%2Bcoincidences.%2BOr%2BKarma.%2BOr%2BLuck..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feel free to share. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Mel</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">*Photo is used with permission by Canva. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-91171250356989493602017-12-29T05:36:00.001-08:002017-12-29T05:36:44.689-08:00Saying Good-bye to 2017: 12/29/17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPJOH_WLusY/WkZEnDasCLI/AAAAAAAABHY/9cVD9-d_DAc9mp7SQR9cZteoyrBbcVwDQCLcBGAs/s1600/letter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPJOH_WLusY/WkZEnDasCLI/AAAAAAAABHY/9cVD9-d_DAc9mp7SQR9cZteoyrBbcVwDQCLcBGAs/s640/letter.png" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-34795934431896578512017-12-06T02:55:00.000-08:002017-12-06T02:57:40.133-08:00IWSG--12/6/17<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome. It’s the first Wednesday of the month,
making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this
on. For those of you who don’t know, IWSG stands for Insecure Writer’s Support
Group—a monthly online gathering for posting about this crazy thing called
writing. Please join us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">For me it’s a weird time of year—just coming off the
hectic schedule of NaNo, where for the first time ever I failed to meet the
50,000 word count—turns out it’s not a good idea to go away for a week when you’re
supposed to be pushing out almost 2,000 words per day. Now it’s December, where
I’m crazy busy for a whole different reason. Christmas is coming and I’m hosting
this year and my husband and I thought now would be a good time to gut out our
whole kitchen. Maybe a part of me really does like the time crunch. Hopefully
this turns out better than NaNo. I’ve got seventeen people expecting a meal
from that kitchen in a less than a month. Right now there’s no working faucet
and just drywall on the walls. Pray for me. Seriously. Right now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Anyhow…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been a
psychiatric nurse for years and one of the groups I lead over and over is on
relaxation—closing your eyes and deep breathing, counting to ten, that sort of
stuff. It’s funny how you forget to apply what you teach to yourself, at least
I do. So this month I’m going to deep breath. I’m going to count to ten. I’m
going to finish the book I started for NaNo, even if it takes me three months
to do it instead of one. I’m going to enjoy my Christmas gathering, which will
probably end with all of us washing the dishes in the bathroom sink. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Until then--</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Mel</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-73536572260255262032017-11-28T04:41:00.000-08:002017-11-28T04:41:45.909-08:0011-28-17<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We have a farm. Did I ever
mention that? It’s small. Really, I shouldn’t even call it a farm, but I’d been
told once that as soon as you have animals of the hoofed variety you get
upgraded to that. My husband and I met on a farm and it’s been in our blood
ever since. Even when we were in a microscopic apartment in the city, we wanted
to have one, me more than him, probably. Almost three years ago that dream came
true. We were living in the house that was supposed to be our starter home.
Sixteen years later and we hadn’t moved on. We were doing the best we could
there. We had chickens, a small orchard, and a garden. I’d thought it was
enough. Until someone literally knocked on our door and wanted to buy the place
and we started to think that maybe, just maybe we could finally get the land we’d
dreamed of. We looked and looked and were just about to settle for living in a
microscopic apartment again, this time with three kids, when we found it. Our
farm. It’s a little over six acres with a creek running through. You’d drive
right by it and not know it was there, and I did, literally, hundreds of times.
It’s tucked behind a row of houses so it’s very private. We moved in three
years ago on December fourth. Even though it was winter, the first thing we did
was to plant a few trees that would be the start of a new, bigger, orchard. I
can still see the neighbor’s faces as we were out there in the cold, digging.
Or when we pulled in with the chicken tractor in tow. They’ve gotten used to us
by now, though, which is good, because we are literally right behind them. We
have an orchard here, and a garden, a berry patch and some nut trees. In the
Spring we get a couple of pigs that occupy the freezer all winter. We have
chickens, both meat and egg layers. And the sheep. We have four, all East
Fresian Dairy sheep. You haven’t lived until you’ve have sheep milk yogurt—it’s
like eating custard, it’s so rich. Some mornings I go out to do chores,
grumbling about how I can’t believe I have to do this and other mornings I go
out to do chores thinking I can’t believe I get to do this. Most times the only
difference is my attitude. How about you—ever lived a dream you’ve spent your
whole life praying for? </span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-36634052407069278142017-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:002017-11-24T00:00:01.571-08:0011/24/17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyTBcci-w4Y/WhcgW9witvI/AAAAAAAABG8/JBw-sWGP8tIyTZh1xolakY-V4CoXD-7gQCLcBGAs/s1600/Writing%2Blesson%2BNumber%2BFive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyTBcci-w4Y/WhcgW9witvI/AAAAAAAABG8/JBw-sWGP8tIyTZh1xolakY-V4CoXD-7gQCLcBGAs/s640/Writing%2Blesson%2BNumber%2BFive.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-74002191149726320972017-11-21T07:01:00.003-08:002017-11-21T07:01:55.512-08:0011/21/17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0T9zESHJzw/WhQ_uJMu5gI/AAAAAAAABGc/9ddEdr14rqkL30HbxIsOnGDTeLRpPrudACLcBGAs/s1600/1121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0T9zESHJzw/WhQ_uJMu5gI/AAAAAAAABGc/9ddEdr14rqkL30HbxIsOnGDTeLRpPrudACLcBGAs/s640/1121.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-15852443166914467142017-11-10T05:59:00.000-08:002017-11-10T05:59:17.515-08:00Writing Lesson Number Four: Don't Force It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGXJoHBbW2A/WgWwd2NQ0YI/AAAAAAAABGA/DKcTeJBmKZgQd7xFlhN79-9UctV6hMpKwCLcBGAs/s1600/1110post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGXJoHBbW2A/WgWwd2NQ0YI/AAAAAAAABGA/DKcTeJBmKZgQd7xFlhN79-9UctV6hMpKwCLcBGAs/s640/1110post.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-67437747369691849432017-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:002017-11-07T08:21:38.948-08:00Birthday Reviews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FK0kmI-PvM/WgHdMWH_adI/AAAAAAAABFk/vjKxHboX9C4Igw5f61mt8l8C-A22wwyZwCLcBGAs/s1600/117post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FK0kmI-PvM/WgHdMWH_adI/AAAAAAAABFk/vjKxHboX9C4Igw5f61mt8l8C-A22wwyZwCLcBGAs/s640/117post.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-38191145081532178602017-11-01T06:48:00.001-07:002017-11-01T06:48:53.834-07:00IWSG: November 2017, Writing Lesson Number Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asGyqdZyi_I/WfnPsnQlOJI/AAAAAAAABFE/ecxXdsOIQSUUImzzC-Eog1GVKbUT1ilUQCLcBGAs/s1600/writing%2Blesson%2Bnumber%2Bthree%2Bmiddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asGyqdZyi_I/WfnPsnQlOJI/AAAAAAAABFE/ecxXdsOIQSUUImzzC-Eog1GVKbUT1ilUQCLcBGAs/s640/writing%2Blesson%2Bnumber%2Bthree%2Bmiddle.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-34640558374447818122017-10-30T10:31:00.003-07:002017-10-30T10:31:53.149-07:00Halloween 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-43428839292503167842017-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:002017-10-27T08:01:15.526-07:00Five Year Goal Review: October 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Last Friday of the Month" height="132" id="Image15_img" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOBvZjaLNwI/UkSfWdTNkLI/AAAAAAAAAXA/p-vNmeAR7NA/s186/Do%2BYou%2BHave%2BGoals%2BButton.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="186" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome. Some time
ago I signed up to be part of the brainchild of Misha Gericke: the Five Year Project.
She created it with the idea that if you have goal and work towards it,
visiting it each month, having that accountability, that that goal might just
become a reality; given enough time. Five years-worth of time. I’m all for
goals, so I signed up a little over two years ago. Initially, my goal was to
have the novel I was working on at the time, The Newstead Project, become a
bestseller. And while that goal is still on my list, it didn’t feel big enough,
broad enough. Crazy, right? Like having a bestseller isn’t enough. But for me
it wasn’t. I’ve been to bookstores. I’ve seen Amazon. There are many more than
many books out there that have been bestsellers. And saying bestseller
signifies money. It’s never been about money for me. I’m a pretty content
person. I don’t need any more than I already have. What it has been about is
influence. In so many ways this culture breaks my heart on a daily basis. A
little background on why I say that. I’m a psychiatric nurse, meaning I work
with people who have just tried to kill themselves. And if that wasn’t heart-wrenching
enough, I also do ultrasounds at a clinic for people thinking about abortion,
trying to show them there’s a better way. In both cases I weep with them. I
love them. I want so much more for them than what they’ve been given. They,
each of them, are the heartbeat behind my characters, my stories. Their cries
are my cries. I want for them what they want; rich, full lives full of love and
hope. And while I believe I’m making a difference on a small scale with what I
do day-to-day, I know there are people out there I’ll never meet who are just
as broken as those girls who come into the clinic, as that kid who just slashed
his wrist. I want to love them, too. And so Black and White was born. It’s a
publishing company created by my husband and myself. It started as such a small
thing, and in a lot of ways it’s still small. It’s nowhere near the world-class
publishing company that has become my new five year goal. At this point it’s
just a seed, a dream. A goal. Over the past year or so others have joined us in
this dream. We now have seven authors (including myself), three illustrators, and
a composer. We have sole rights to produce patent-pending Ubooks :</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1xHUVBVTctg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1xHUVBVTctg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">We’ve won awards
for two of our publications: Jellyfish Jones, which one Children’s Book of the
Year from Author’s Circle.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O1_JQaZ-G4Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1_JQaZ-G4Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And The Newstead
Project, Novel of Excellence, Paranormal, also from Author’s Circle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Just seeds. Just a
dream. Just the sort of thing that changes the world.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBc/6lG8-Y2cg34IjoEVpa-kuEL41cj4gH3DwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBc/6lG8-Y2cg34IjoEVpa-kuEL41cj4gH3DwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBc/6lG8-Y2cg34IjoEVpa-kuEL41cj4gH3DwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/sisters.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBc/6lG8-Y2cg34IjoEVpa-kuEL41cj4gH3DwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Want to join us? You
can. Right now we’re accepting submissions for short stories of all genres for
Ubook publication. Also, beginning on Halloween we’re opening for submissions
for Sisters Grimm—a fairytale anthology to be released Halloween 2018. I’m
really excited about this one. Jessica Gadra is illustrating each story, which will
be amazing. You definitely want to get in on this one. Trust me. Find out more </span><a href="http://www.blackandwhitepublishingco.com/sisters-grimm.html"><span style="color: black;">here. </span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Or support us by
reading our stories. All of them are free. Find them </span><a href="http://www.setbooksfree.org/"><span style="color: black;">here. </span></a><span style="color: black;">And if you love them, share them.
Your help is appreciated more than you know. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Until next time--</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-60325759975704377312017-10-24T07:39:00.002-07:002017-10-24T07:40:41.123-07:00Authenticity vs. Filters: Writing Lesson Two<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">I’m not into selfies. I’m just not. I’m
more of a be in the moment type of girl, and from what I’ve seen selfies have kept a lot of people from that. I know it has in my house. Now, I’m not
naming names, but I have a certain eleven year old daughter who’s constantly
taking them. And that’s fine, normal even, from what she tells me. What isn’t are
the filters. Have you seen those things? My perfectly beautiful daughter takes
a picture, hits a few buttons and bam—she’s got flawlessly glowing skin,
perfect make-up and shining eyes. She even has flowers in her hair. It’s completely
fake. And she doesn’t need it; like I said, she’s lovely. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntuGm_OKYXQ/We9OV_fYhxI/AAAAAAAABCw/hcP5LucC0pElPiFC9ORW2qFlnqfxrffiwCLcBGAs/s1600/pimple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="324" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntuGm_OKYXQ/We9OV_fYhxI/AAAAAAAABCw/hcP5LucC0pElPiFC9ORW2qFlnqfxrffiwCLcBGAs/s200/pimple.jpg" width="158" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Those of you who’ve read this blog for
any amount of time know I value authenticity above almost everything. We’re all
insecure about something. We all have issues. What’s the point in pretending we
have it all together when none of us do? Any one of us can get that filter and
make ourselves look that fabulous. But what happens when we’re out in public
without the cameras and people really see us for who we are, giant pimples and
all? No thank you. I’d rather you knew the real me right from the start. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">I think that desire for authenticity
is why I write the way I do. My characters are real to me. They have flaws,
real ones, ones I don’t mind displaying to the world. They make mistakes and
suffer the consequences for those mistakes. I hate books where the characters
are beautiful and perfect—with flawlessly glowing skin, perfect make-up and
shining eyes. Completely fake. Completely filtered. Who wants to be around someone
like that? Because that’s what you’re doing when you’re reading a book—you’re spending
time in that world, with those people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">With all that in mind, the writing
lesson for today is this: How to develop authentic characters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">For me, it's watching people. Real
people. Truly see them without any filters. I always keep a journal nearby and
jot down things people say, expressions on their faces, positions of their
bodies. What are they feeling, and how is that displayed? How are they
interacting with each other? This has been especially beneficial when I’m in an
environment I’m not used to. I worked in a jail once, mainly for this exercise.
It worked. Marcus (one of the characters from the Newstead books) has so much more depth than he would’ve
had otherwise. Now, I’m not recommending that to everyone, but there has to be
someplace you can go that’s out of your element and watch people, pen and paper
in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget Facebook. Where can you
go to get the inspiration you need to make your characters real to you and to
me?</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-72379856087834772362017-10-20T08:26:00.002-07:002017-10-20T08:27:18.439-07:00A Lesson in Writing: Part One<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">A few weeks ago, I started a Meet-up
group. It was kind-of a random thing and kind-of not. I used to host a monthly writing night through
SCBWI, but stopped a year or so back when time and life got in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too bad, really. Writing can be so
solitary; it was refreshing to have that time to share with like-minded
people. The kick in the pants came when
my daughter transferred to a local college. She went to every group she could,
trying to find “her people”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
inspired. Who are<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> my</i> people? My
thoughts went to that quiet group. Those were my people. I needed to find them
again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">As I said in the beginning, I went to
Meet-up and registered my group: Writing in Black and White and waited as the
numbers slowly began to climb. My people! They needed me as much as I needed
them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">I started planning our first
gathering. My last writing night was held at the local Panera, but I’ve changed
a bit since then, become a bit quirkier, I guess. I decided to have the new
location be at a steampunk coffee shop down by the canal: Steamworks. It’s perfect.
We met for the first time last night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">I was surrounded by great coffee and new/old
friends. My people. We talked, we wrote, and while I was doing that, I thought
of this blog. A lot of times I don’t write anything because I truly don’t think
I have anything to say. You’re busy. You don’t want to read my rambling
thoughts. But then last night as I sat next to an illustrator who wants to turn
writer, and I taught her the very beginnings: how to get inspired, I realized I
do have something to say, something worth reading. So, that’s what I’m going to
do here on the Fridays after those meetings: I’m going to review the lessons
taught and the lessons learned from the night before. So grab a cup of coffee
and join me. I could always use more of “my people”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">First, this lovely woman had a blank notebook
and a pencil that she was staring at while the rest of us plunked away at a
fast pace on our computers. You could
see the anxiety on her face, growing by the second. I pulled out my phone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“My inspiration comes from lots of
places,” I said, “But I’m a visual person. I’m guessing, as an artist, so are
you.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">She nodded, relief on her face. She wasn’t
looking at the blank paper anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">I scrolled through my pictures,
showing her the *one that inspired Rachel, one of the main characters from my
series. “See,” I said. “See how that woman looks scared, how she’s pulling her
shirt in, how she’s trying to cover herself as best she can?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">The woman nodded. She saw. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“And look how she’s in a hurry, almost
running to get away. What do you think she’s thinking? What do you think she’s
feeling?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“She’s scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded. “Now show me some pictures that
inspire you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">She got out her phone and scrolled
down. Within five minutes she was looking at a picture of an old building,
wondering who worked there, what they did, and how life would have been like in
those days. Within five minutes her paper wasn’t blank anymore. She was
scribbling, writing as fast as she could. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">What inspires you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s look at some pictures, and as
you do, ask yourself questions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lBtpgkEuU0/WeoPGlzbtOI/AAAAAAAABCA/QrtEBM7MEBUNIpsKCvo2trAfMEjCALb-gCLcBGAs/s1600/house%2Bwith%2Bbug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="803" height="237" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lBtpgkEuU0/WeoPGlzbtOI/AAAAAAAABCA/QrtEBM7MEBUNIpsKCvo2trAfMEjCALb-gCLcBGAs/s320/house%2Bwith%2Bbug.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p><span style="color: black;">Who lives here? Who owns that car? What are they like? Are they poor/rich? What are their dreams? Have they lived there their whole life? Are they just waiting to move out? Is that why they bought that old Bug--and tried to fix it up with spare parts they found? What is their story? I want to hear it, don't you?</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCh-QWUD7n4/WeoQbVnu5OI/AAAAAAAABCM/MbhGw4pKY8sNnTQDPTkrX5PZo8WYSbVrwCLcBGAs/s1600/boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCh-QWUD7n4/WeoQbVnu5OI/AAAAAAAABCM/MbhGw4pKY8sNnTQDPTkrX5PZo8WYSbVrwCLcBGAs/s320/boy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>How about him? Is he running away--or is he just out for a walk? How old is he? Is he an only child? Who are his friends? Why is he alone? Does he want to be? Is he lonely? Is he lost? Tell me about him. Help me to know him. Help me to love him. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>One last one: </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdeKkHGhYwY/WeoR6YN9qUI/AAAAAAAABCU/1JEeECMEIEYY1JS8HwLaIdd7kJpuSaiDACLcBGAs/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdeKkHGhYwY/WeoR6YN9qUI/AAAAAAAABCU/1JEeECMEIEYY1JS8HwLaIdd7kJpuSaiDACLcBGAs/s320/love.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>Who are they? Did they just meet, or have they known each other forever? Did they grow up next-door and only recently realize that what they've been looking for all along is right there? Are they afraid to reach out again, to let themselves try, just one last time?</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>See how protective he looks? She how he's looking at her--and how she's looking at him? To them, in that moment, there's no one else in the world. She in him and him in her. Do you feel that? Because that's what this exercise has been about: feelings. Drawing them out, writing them down. People, all of us, are feeling creatures. We want people to make us want to give a damn. We want something to love, to fight for. As a writer, it is up to you to give that to them and you can't until you feel it first in yourself. Try it. Your future readers will thank you for it. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>Until next time--</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8OHekcTo/Vs2yS-aD_eI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tClJEhtsEkEubBrP4rpYicDB_G_2ETKHACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mellogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8OHekcTo/Vs2yS-aD_eI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tClJEhtsEkEubBrP4rpYicDB_G_2ETKHACPcBGAYYCw/s200/mellogo.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p>All pictures on this post have been obtained from Canva. Try them--highly recommended. </o:p><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">*An American
Girl in Italy by Ruth Orkin<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-80334741775986624872017-10-17T07:19:00.001-07:002017-10-18T13:51:44.844-07:00Sisters Grimm Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Hello everyone! I'd like to make an announcement:</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBY/QNpsqyh5AKIjTycHIZW33hv2l4CFhbYvQCLcBGAs/s1600/sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdFT0QCdKk8/WeYQ0Gw5daI/AAAAAAAABBY/QNpsqyh5AKIjTycHIZW33hv2l4CFhbYvQCLcBGAs/s320/sisters.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We are taking submissions for a fairy tale anthology, Sisters Grimm, beginning on Halloween 2017 until New Year's Eve 2017. Accepted submissions are requested to be between 250-1000 words. We are looking for dark fairy tales. Think Brothers Grimm. To be true to the title, we are accepting submissions from females only for this anthology. Each accepted piece will feature original artwork by Jessica Gadra and an original musical score by Nathan Moran. Due to the unique nature of Ubooks, each story, while part of the anthology, will stand on their own. Have a breakaway hit? You alone will reap the reward. Send completed tales to: </span><a href="mailto:submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com" target=""><span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com</span></a> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I can't wait to read your tales!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-77461312010569087872017-09-06T05:47:00.000-07:002017-09-06T05:47:10.343-07:00IWSG: September 2017<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="First Wednesday of the Month" height="159" id="Image9_img" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZoF_JIX2n8/UkSiAJPl6zI/AAAAAAAAAYI/hA0KlE-Az-s/s186/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="186" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">It’s the first Wednesday
of the month, making it IWSG time. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for
putting this on. It’s a great spot to shout your insecurities to the world. To
realize you’re not alone. I’ve been part of this group for years now, so it
feels like I’ve pretty much laid it all out there. But some insecurities just don’t
seem to go away. Like the fear of rejection. I haven’t submitted anything to an
agent/press for a long time, so I thought I was over this one, or removed from
it, anyway. But then I got a stinger. A few weeks ago I submitted an application
to participate in a conference as a publisher. It’s the first time I’ve done it
from the other side of the table. After some time I received a rejection. The
same dull pounding came back. A rejection? Why? Because our publishing company
is too small, too new, and frankly too out there. And then I remembered why I
left the traditional publishing world in the first place. Too cookie-cutterish.
Now I know that sounds like sour grapes, and maybe part of it is. But part of
it’s not. I kinda like being too out there. How about you?</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-26725541602197174162017-08-25T05:49:00.002-07:002017-08-25T05:49:20.954-07:00Five Year Goal Review: August 2017<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Last Friday of the Month" height="132" id="Image15_img" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOBvZjaLNwI/UkSfWdTNkLI/AAAAAAAAAXA/p-vNmeAR7NA/s186/Do%2BYou%2BHave%2BGoals%2BButton.jpg" width="186" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">It’s here again: The last Friday of
the month. Which makes it time to review some goals. For those of you who are
new to this site or don’t know, I particiapate in Misha Gerrick blog challenge: Five Year
Goals. I tend to need accountability when I commit to something, and this
offers me that. Thanks to Misha for putting this on each month. If you’d like to
join us you can. Here’s the </span><a href="https://sylmion.blogspot.com/p/do-you-have-goal.html">link</a><o:p>.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">My goal is to run a world-class
publishing company. I’m a little over two years into this thing and so far it’s
going good. We’ve just added another illustrator to the mix: Jessica Gadra. You
can check out her work at:</span> <a href="http://www.jessicagadra.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.jessicagadra.com</span></a><span style="color: black;">
. She is amazing. She specializes in pen and ink with watercolor fairytales and
that’s what she’ll be doing for us. Her first project will be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gift </i>by Liz Daniels. Look for it in
January. And while I’m excited about that, I’m even more excited about another
opportunity that having her on the team has created. A long time now I’ve wanted
to do a fairytale book. I’m not talking the happy, sweet kind, no think Brother’s
Grimm. Dark. I’ve written a few myself but it never felt like enough. And I didn’t
have any cool illustrations… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">Drum roll please…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "copperplate gothic light" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">Beginning October 31, 2017—Halloween—Black
and White will begin accepting submissions for a Ubook fairytale anthology to
be released the following Halloween: Sister’s Grimm. We’d like the stories to
be true to those roots: gritty, dark fairytales—but like all good fairytales
there has to be a moral at the end. The tales should be between 250 and 1,000
words. And the authors need to be women. Sorry guys, have to stay true to the
title. Each selected story will have an original musical score by Nathan Moran
and original illustrations by Jessica Gadra. This is going to be awesome! For those
selected, a contract will be offered, which includes payment of 25% gross of
all revenue received. (And the cool thing about Ubooks is that each story is a separate
video, so if yours is popular, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>get
all that revenue. It’s not divided among all the authors of the anthology.)
Submissions will close on 12/31/18-New Year’s Eve. Email your tales to:</span> <a href="mailto:Submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com"><span style="color: blue;">Submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "copperplate gothic light" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">I can’t wait to read what
you’ve written!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8OHekcTo/Vs2yS-aD_eI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tClJEhtsEkEubBrP4rpYicDB_G_2ETKHACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mellogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RN8OHekcTo/Vs2yS-aD_eI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tClJEhtsEkEubBrP4rpYicDB_G_2ETKHACPcBGAYYCw/s200/mellogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-47943037702211397702017-07-28T12:47:00.001-07:002017-07-28T12:47:41.253-07:00Goal Review: July 2017<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Last Friday of the Month" height="132" id="Image15_img" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOBvZjaLNwI/UkSfWdTNkLI/AAAAAAAAAXA/p-vNmeAR7NA/s186/Do%2BYou%2BHave%2BGoals%2BButton.jpg" width="186" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
Five Year Goal review time. Thanks to Misha Gericke for putting this on each month. If you don’t
know, this is a group of motivated people who have gone out on a limb and
spoken a dream to the world. And review it each month, again, for all
to see. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;">My dream is to have a world-class publishing
company. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel very ridiculous saying
that. Who makes their dream that big? I guess I do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How it’s going: Good. Right now I’m waist
deep in a project that I’m super excited about. I’m turning my first novel, The
Newstead Project, into a Ubook. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the
process, that doesn’t sound like anything special. Ubooks are incredibly
labor intensive, so this project of mine is going on a year in the making.
There are 12,544 frames in this book, each one hand made. 120 chapters, each
one timed and spaced and set to music by yours truly. The goal is to have it
completed on September 3, exactly seven years from the day I started writing
it; which leaves me a little over a month to pull this thing off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think I can do it? Here’s hoping. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you in August with an update,</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1208849527292516590.post-88310184027001571682017-06-07T03:16:00.000-07:002017-06-07T03:16:09.576-07:00IWSG: June 2017<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="First Wednesday of the Month" height="159" id="Image9_img" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZoF_JIX2n8/UkSiAJPl6zI/AAAAAAAAAYI/hA0KlE-Az-s/s186/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="186" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome. It’s IWSG
time again. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on each
month. If you’d like to join us, you can sign up </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: black;">here.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The insecurity I’m
focusing on this month isn’t so much about good things or bad things, it’s more
about yes vs. no. I used to be so good at only saying yes to things I really
wanted to do. That mentality freed up so much time. But now I’m in a strange
place. There are so many good things to say yes to. Yes to kid's summer soccer
camp, because of course they’ll want to do that, right? And yes to swimming
lessons--heaven forbid they drown—and yes to another animal (or two)—they’re so
cute—who could say no? And yes, yes, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And now my life is
too full to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">This happens every
once in a while to me and I have to sit down and wipe the slate clean and start
over, which is hard. It would’ve been easier to say “No” in the first place.
How do you tell someone you changed your mind about that adorable lamb they’re
holding onto for you? Okay, maybe I’ll get the lamb. But then something else
has to go. Do you see my dilemma? How do you choose between so many “good”
things?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Help!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.com1