Day: December 6, 2015

Random Observation

As a writer, I observe what is going on around me. Live and the people in it are always interesting. And I’m nosy.

One of my favorite places to observe people is in line to checkout at the supermarket. I like to snoop into what the people ahead of me and behind me are purchasing. I try to imagine what they’re planning to cook; if they’re having company for dinner; if they have children or grandchildren. Do they live alone? Are they on a diet?

A few weeks ago, I was behind a man and a woman, my age, maybe a little younger. No meat for them. Whole grain bread. Lots of fresh veggies–squashes, hearty greens, and so on. What little processed food on the conveyor came straight from the natural food section.

And a box of women’s laxative. Generic store brand.

Guess all those fresh veggies needed some help.

Are FitBits the Next Step Toward Dystopia?

I first read (and re-read multiple times) This Perfect Day by Ira Levin in the mid 1970s.
A few weeks ago, while listening to my co-workers go on and on about their Fit Bits, something pinged in my brain. I came home and dug out my battered paperback copy of the book. Read the opening scene. And was chilled.

  • “Losing is the same as winning.”
  • “What’s important is having fun and getting exercise, right?”
  • “But you can’t take off your bracelet.”

Something in my brain exploded.

The deeper into the story I read, the more the book felt like prophesy instead of fiction.

  • Every moment of our lives planned for us, with one free hour a day.
  • Children not expected to use their imaginations and entertain themselves, but having too many activities and being bored when they’re not scheduled for something.
  • Being medicated into happiness
  • Wearing a bracelet to ID ourselves and so Uni-Comp can track the wearer’s movements 24/7

Are Fit-Bits a step in that direction?

WIP Wednesday: Doreen Alsen

Welcome Doreen Alsen to Work-In-Progress Wednesday! May is National Date Your Mate Month. Can you share either the funniest moment of your dating your husband or the most romantic?

DA:  Eberhard, a.k.a. Mr. Doreen is an avid sailor. On one of our first dates he took me sailing. Now, even though I grew up on the beach, I’d never sailed on a boat bigger than a Sunfish, so it was a brand new experience to go sailing on Cayuga Lake in the spring. It was a total rush and I loved it. But when it came to getting back into the harbor, the outboard motor failed and we had to sail into the utility dock. It was totally too windy but what did I know? So he made me sit on the foredeck and put my feet out to break the collision with the dock. I stuck my feet out ready to cushion the blow  when we rammed right into the dock, nearly crippling me. Like, total ouchiness. Mr. Doreen had no clue. He yelled out “Good job!”  I married him anyway and we’ve had many more hair-raising sailing adventures.
 
MJ: LOL! If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?
 
DA: I come to writing as a singer, with a background in opera and musical theater. I’d be throwing myself at that if I didn’t write.
 
MJ: Other than writing, what would be your dream job? Why?
 
DA: I’d like to own a restaurant. I started waiting on table when I was fourteen and I loved being in that whole milieu, especially meeting all these new people all the time. I grew up in Provincetown, MA and it was all tourists all the time – all these people from all over the world. It was so cool.
 
MJ: Describe your ideal/dream writing space.
 
DA: A screened in porch looking out at Provincetown Harbor. No phones. No music, since being a musician, I can’t listen uncritically.
 
MJ: What do you love most about your WIP hero?
 
DA: Tim was nearly killed by ISIS. Even though he wants to hide away and let life pass him by, he really can’t disengage totally. And he’s a sailor. He might just take the heroine sailing on a date that ends somewhat like what happened to my date with Mr. Doreen
 
MJ: What do you least like about your WIP heroine?
 
DA: was a horrible person in A Taste of Hope, my most recent release from the Wild Rose Press. She’s had to apologize for a lot. She’s lost her dream and she doesn’t deal with it well. She doesn’t see that she’s worthy of love given what she’s done in the past.
 
MJ: What genre is your current WIP?
 
DA: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
 
MJ: How did you come up with your hero and heroine’s names?
 
DA: Tim was a secondary character in my first book, Mike’s Best Bet. I never intended for him to have a book, but he ended up in Lobster Cove, ME, which is a fictional town in Maine invented by the Wild Rose Press. Tim spent summers there. Angelique started out as the hero’s sister in A Taste of Hope. I never intended for her to have a book either, but the two of them demanded their HEA.
 
MJ: How did you choose the setting for your current WIP?
 
DA: Worth A Thousand Words is set in Lobster Cove, ME as part of a multi-author series invented by the Wild Rose Press. My January release Working My Way Back to You is also set in Lobster Cove.
 
MJ: Please share the 1st five to ten sentences of Worth a Thousand Words.
            “I now pronounce you man and wife! You may now kiss your bride.”
            Tim Baldwin watched his best friend, Jeff Myers, wrap his arms around his brand, spankin’ new wife, Beth, a lip lock worthy of the record books.
            Jeff and Beth deserved all the happiness in the world. After years apart, they finally found each other. Tim knew better than anyone how much Jeff suffered after Beth had disappeared. His buddy deserved his happily ever after.
            As for himself, Tim thought, not so much.
MJ: The title of Doreen’s current release is A Taste of Hope (Book 4 of At The End Zone), which can be purchased from the Wild Rose Press website or Amazon.
Doreen, how can readers stay current with your writing?
DA: I have a website and a blog. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
MJ: Thanks again for joining me today, and good luck!
 

WIP Wednesday: Ryan Jo Summers

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It’s Work-In-Progress Wednesday, and my guest today is Ryan Jo Summers

Welcome, Ryan Jo!

MJ: What are your top three dream destinations and why?

RJS:  Ireland, because I’ve been there a few times and it’s lovely. I want to see more of it. And my dad lives there. Alaska because it seems so beautiful, cooler then where I live and the wildlife. Italy because of the canals and food.

MJ: Name one thing most people don’t know about you.

RJS: I was born with no sense of smell, still that way. Also, I am ambidextrous.

MJ: What is your secret talent?

RJS:  Two– I draw cartoons, usually with dry humor captions. And most of my cats have started out as totally wild and unapproachable. Now they lay on my belly and purr like kittens. It just takes time and patience to sooth a savage beast.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

RJS:  Painting and drawing. I do the cartoons to give voice to my frustrations in life. Hence the dry humor and sarcasm. I love to paint ceramics, on canvas, on plain paper if need be. Objects d’ art that inspire me and remind me of places or things that mean something special. I also write poetry, not for publication, but to work through hard spots in life.

MJ: Other than writing, what would be your dream job?

RJS: I miss being a veterinary technician, and I miss working around animals, usually the homeless ones, working to get them good homes. If I could do anything without real life concerns, I’d return to maybe a shelter director or something in the animal welfare field again. Now, if I were really dreaming, a storm chaser sounds pretty good too.

MJ: Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

RJS: Water bottle.
MJ: If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be and why?

RJS:  Someone who is out on the water all day, in an exciting way. I miss being on the water and would love to magically be transported into the shoes of someone who is lucky enough to spend every day doing something they love out on the water.

MJ: What do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight to work?

RJS: Coffee to start, loaded with milk and sugar. Check emails and social media. Then breakfast is normally eggs, (love eggs) a meat (bacon, sausage, etc..) and hash browns. I share the eggs and hash browns with my bird, Taz. He’s had so many eggs by now, I am surprised he hasn’t lain an egg himself. If I am running late, cereal is perfectly fine. Shared with Taz of course. Then shower, clean up the house a bit and off to work with more coffee. I can usually get between 5 to 8 hours in before it’s time for the day job.

MJ: Describe your ideal/dream writing space

RJS: I dream of a spacious room, with lots of windows for natural daylight and numerous plants. A tiled floor because it remains cooler then carpeting. Dolphin blue walls because a soft blue-gray is soothing and encourages the creativity that comes with being relaxed and comfortable. Framed pictures of all my book covers lining the walls. I have one now, soon to be more, but we can dream of multiple covers, right? A desk large enough to hold everything I need in all the nooks and crannies. And a couple dogs, preferably collies, to lay at my feet again. Probably another large fish aquarium to stare at when I need to rest my eyes from the computer screen and take that mental break we sometimes need.

MJ: That sounds lovely! Are you a plotter or a pantser?

RJS: Both. I plot initially, testing the story for strength and building characters, setting, conflict, etc… the major highlights. Then once I have a direction and key points, it’s a lot of fly by the seat of my pants. I have been known to write myself into a corner, then I have to stop and reevaluate where I was going and how to get out of the corner.

MJ: Do you believe in writer’s block?

RJS: Not in the sense some people use it as an excuse for not writing. I have writer’s block, so I’m going to lark around for weeks or months until it goes away. That’s not writer’s block, that’s not being serious about being a writer. I believe we can get off track and a bit lost. Like I said earlier, I can write myself into corners and need to stop. For hours. Maybe a day at the most. We can, I know from personal experience, combat writer’s block by developing the discipline to show up every day and make an honest attempt to put words down on paper. Two words, two hundred, two thousand, it’s the effort that counted. Do they have to be sterling quality? Nope. Just the effort will break the block and we can now move forward. Writing is like any other creative endeavor, in that it takes a discipline and desire to just show up and try. Okay, I’ll get off my soap box now.

MJ: Name 3 things on your desk right now

RJS: My cat, Kryshnah. Sometimes it’s a cat or two or three. Often times it’s my macaw, Taz, helping out. So usually an animal of some sort. A blown glass egg paperweight my ex-father-in-law gave me years ago. It’s a lovely piece of glass, with bubbles and rainbow strings inside that reflect the light so well. He and I remained quite close despite the fact his son and I divorced a decade ago. I lost him earlier this year and the paperweight helps keep his memory alive. Two ceramics I’ve painted years ago, one a horse and one a Native American vase. A few pictures of pets I want to remember, some cats, a dog and a horse.

MJ: Would you consider self-publishing?

RJS:  Yes, I would. I have a non-fiction inspirational novella I have had poor luck submitting for traditional publication. The rejections are encouraging but not accepting. So I know it has some value, but I am at a loss what to do with it. I have seriously considered having some beta readers take it, revise what might need altering and then self publish it myself. It will most likely be my only non-fiction work, at least as far as I plan now.

MJ: Synopses: love them or hate them?

RJS: Oh, hate them. I have a terrible time explaining what the book is about, whether it’s writing it down in a condensed query or synopsis or talking to someone in person. How much do you say to build interest without giving the whole story away or making someone bored? I struggle with finding that balance. I always second guess myself on synopses– should I mention that scene or not?

MJ: Now it’s time for the lightning round. Addams Family or The Munsters?

RJS:  Addams Family. I liked Cousin It. When my hair was long, I could do a good impersonation of Cousin It by draping my hair over my face, letting it hang to my chest, and placing my glasses over top the hair. A hat was a bonus. It was a quick, easy and cheap Halloween costume. Plus the other characters were interesting, like Lurch.

MJ: Cinco de Mayo or St Patrick’s Day?

RJS: St Patrick’s Day, simply because of my links to Ireland. I don’t do anything really to celebrate it, no wearing of the green or dying one of my pets green. No special food or traditions. But I reflect on my time spent in Ireland and the stories I have heard of the many saints they treasure and a few statues I’ve seen of Saint Patrick.

MJ: Last movie you saw in a theatre

RJS: War Horse, back I think in 2009 or 2010. What a splendid movie. I cried at several scenes, even though I knew a lot of it was Hollywood magic. But I also know the true accounts of how horses were used and treated during the wars when they played an integral role. Dogs as well in many wars, and they still do. So I watched it from an entertainment point of view, just going to the movies, and from the factual and historical point of view.

MJ: Paper or e-books?

RJS: Paper. I love feel, especially of old books. I don’t even own a Kindle or Nook or e-reader devise. Very traditional.

MJ: Introvert or Extrovert?

RJS: Both. Mostly introvert. I am shy and quiet by nature. However, in the right setting, with the right people, I can come out of my shell and be extremely extroverted and outgoing. Not the norm, but it does happen.

MJ: Favorite Ethnic Food
RJS: Italian, I love the pastas and cheeses and herbs, with very little spice. Other than that, I am pretty much a meat-and-potatoes person or seafood of any type. Not a lot of variety or adventure for my palate.

MJ: Now for the fun part. Will you share the first sentences of your current Work In Progress?

RJS: This is from Part One and Part Two of a three part trilogy under one cover. It is the story of three high spirited and independent sisters, River, Storm and Raine, who find love in a small North Carolina coastal town. The entire volume is called ‘Winds of Destiny’.

RIVER’S JOURNEY:

            The old man was dying. He knew it without the solemn stares coming from the doctor and the nurses. Before he parted, he had one more bit of unfinished business left, one he should have attended to a long time ago. Looking now into the worried faces of his two friends and neighbors of the last thirty-two years, he smiled grimly. It was time.

“Call my son,” he requested simply, the underlying urgency belying his simple wish.

Muriel and Cordell Gallagher exchanged uneasy glances. It was Muriel who spoke first, clearing her throat. “And what of River?” she asked, reaching for Cordell’s hand.

“Call for her too. Nothing changes for her, but I need to discuss some things.” He blew out a shaky breath. “Then call for Calder.”

“As you wish, Frank,” Cordell promised, lifting an eyebrow. “If you are sure.”

“I’m sure.” Looking across the room at an abstract painting of reds and yellows, he murmured, musing aloud, “It will be hard to tell where this will lead.”

STORM’S WARNING:

             She knew they were following her, the two guys about fifty feet behind her. And she just bet she knew why they were on her now. She had not noticed them during her flight, but they most certainly were following her.

She needed to ditch them, and quick. She had worked too hard to gather this data, just to let two goons like them take it from her. If they thought she was just going to hand it over to them like a lollypop to bullies on the playground, they were in for a surprise.

What she needed was a distraction, a way to throw them off her backside, slip off to her gate and safely make the last leg of her journey. Once she made it home, she would be safe, along with her important data.

Now, as for the diversion, Storm looked around the groups and clusters of people as she slowly made her way to gate B-6. Suddenly a smile split her lips. Perfect, he would do nicely. Reaching into her carry-on bag, she approached the man as he exited the restroom and moved to the drinking fountain.

Touching his shoulder, she whispered, “Play along with me, there’s twenty bucks in it for you,” Flinging herself against the wall by the fountain, she took him along, pressing her lips to his.

And from a YA/NA novel, FLASHES OF LIGHTNING:

     Her name was Tabitha McGowan. Soon she would be turning seventeen. Looking in the mirror, waiting by the front door, she reflected on her reflection. Average without being boring. Or worse, mousey like some of the girls at school were. Compared to mousey, she supposed average was okay. Although gorgeous would have been nice. Like the cheerleaders. Like her sister.

     But had she always been like this? Even now, hovering on the edge between teenager and young woman, she had a sense there had been something more. Something else. She just didn’t know what. It was like getting two-thirds through a movie and having to walk out, not knowing the rest of story. Or maybe it was more like walking into a movie already two-thirds into the action, she decided. Either way, there was something missing. So she felt about her life, it had a big piece missing.

MJ: Wow! You’ve been one busy author! I understand you have a book coming out in September, Shimmers of Stardust.

shimmers of stardust

MJ: Gorgeous cover! How will people know to find this release?

RJS: I’ll have it all over social media.

Website-www.ryanjosummers.com

Blog-http:summersrye.wordpress.com

Facebook-https:www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Jo-Summers-author-page/312875648810797

Twitter-ryanjosummers@ryanjosummers

Amazon Author Page-https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ACOBJ90 

Goodreads-https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6604705.Ryan_Jo_Summers 

MJ: Well, good luck, and thanks for stopping by!


					

		
		
			





			
				



	
	

					
My Summer of the Living Beatles, Pt 1: RINGO STARR
			


	


				

					

		
				

			
Ringo Starr.


I’d seen Ringo one other time, over twenty years ago, and his concert was more like a variety show. It wasn’t just Ringo, but a lot of other rock n’ roll stars. Some things don’t change. The only difference this year was we took the Chromos with us so they could say they’d seen at least one former Beatle live, in concert. Oh, and the All Starrs were different.


The venue was a nearby casino, so getting there in a timely manner was relatively simple.


We had pretty good seats–kind of high up, but straight on to the stage. And we could definitely see the musicians.


And what an All-Starr line up! Besides Ringo, there was Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey), and Todd Rundgren (successful solo career).  The high point of the concert (for me) was Richard Page doing “Kyrie,” which is one of the few songs of the 1980s I not only tolerate, but love. Whoever would have thought I would actually get to hear Richard Page perform it live?


The concert would have been better with more songs and less jamming. X-Chromo & Y-Chromo both said: “There didn’t need to be a guitar solo after every number.” And they were correct. That has always been one of the sources of my indifference to Santana and several other bands. I am not into the jamming. While I like music, I am a word woman.


Other high points included audience participation in “Yellow Submarine” and, at the very end, “Give Peace a Chance.”


The low point. Unanimous vote in my house, Ringo’s “Anthem”, from his latest album.


Here’s a link for the complete set list.


Overall, I’d give the concert 3 of 4 Starrs.