I’ve been quiet for a while as far as blogging or any type of writing goes. While I have been dedicating some of my time to genealogy and home improvement projects, as well as life in general, there have been serious moments of reflection about my writing.
Rebecca, the protagonist from my first two short stories, “That’s Just the Way It Is” and “Return to Texas” has become very vocal (to me, at least) about the fact that her story is not complete and asked me to please allow her to finish it. All too ready to put aside the novel I’ve been working on for a few years, probably because I know it needs the dreaded major revision, I have agreed.
The new short story will be called, “Last Breath.” Parts of it are written, and I am in the process of doing the cover. Although I dislike boxing myself in, I will say that it should be available by May. While writing this story, I am doing more historical research about the time period of this piece (1884-1891 in Texas) and the impact it has on the storyline.
In addition, I have decided to do a novelette where I will be expanding these three stories, and including some historical influences especially the Civil War. Much more will be revealed about Rebecca’s early life in Philadelphia before she and her parents moved to Texas right before the War. At this point, I haven’t decided whether this additional project will be completed before or after my novel.
While it’s nice to see your words in print, it must be even nicer to hold them in your hands, which aside from the noise from Becky, is motivating me to put these stories into a “real” book. Perhaps I could even stretch it out to a novella. I’ll probably let her decide.
I welcome any comments or ideas, especially from those of you who have read my first two stories. For my fellow writers, how’s your writing life going? What’s new? What’s flowing, or not? It’s time to make a little noise on this blog!
I am so happy to finally say that “Return to Texas” was published on Amazon yesterday. This is a stand-alone sequel to the first story, “That’s Just the Way it Is,” giving just enough backstory so that you can enjoy it even if you didn’t read the first one.
It came in at around 6500 words, about four thousand more than the first. It is written in first person past and covers a two-year period of time unlike the first that shared moments in time that spanned a twenty-year period. Looking back, I probably should have aimed for a novella rather than these non-traditional (in terms of format) short stories, but I felt more comfortable doing smaller projects first. They have taught me a lot, and I do believe I am a better writer now.
I hope that some of you will read and enjoy it. Please let me know how you like it. As always, reviews are deeply appreciated, especially on the Amazon site where they help the story to reach a wider audience and become more successful.
There are many mini-milestones in a writer’s journey. Marion Marchetto was kind enough to move me along to the next one when she recently asked me for an interview. Many thanks, Marion.
My first short story, “That’s Just the Way It Is,” has now been published on Amazon.com as a e-book. It should also be available in some countries other than the United States. This is a mini-milestone in my writing career, one that I’m pleased to have reached. Thanks so very much to all of you who have been supporting and encouraging me for the past 20 months, which is when this journey first began.
It is a 3800-word story of love, violence and clash of values with a spiritual twist. It begins:
“It comes to me now in flashes—pieces of memories from a past lifetime that creep into my consciousness. I see myself staring at a weathered barn through a kitchen window. Calico curtains blow wildly in the dry, dusty wind, dancing to the familiar hum of cows mooing in the distance. Warm air whips across my face, entering the house like a welcomed visitor on an unbearably hot Texas day in the 1870’s. I’m Becky, married with four children, to a man I both love and hate.”
A Writer’s Journey has recently been nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award by Meg Travels. I am very pleased to receive this recognition. It’s good to know that others appreciate the thoughts, words and pictures that are so much a part of me. Sharing yourself on a blog can leave you feeling vulnerable, and these awards are a nice way of saying that someone else values those things that have meaning in your life.
These blogger awards are not only about appreciation and sharing; they are ways to grow an online community, interacting with others who share common threads. In today’s world many of us have a genuine desire just to connect outside of our immediate environment. Perhaps we always did; the technology just wasn’t available until recently.
The requirements for the Beautiful Blogger Award are:
Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
Thank the person who nominated you and create a link back to their blog.
Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award.
Thank you, Meg, for this award. I encourage others to visit Meg Travels especially if you enjoy traveling adventures and photos. She posts many wonderful photos of her journeys. I especially enjoy her photos of Italy, which I’m sure does not come as a surprise to anyone who knows of my love for Italy.
Here are the bloggers I’d like to nominate for the Beautiful Blogger Award:
I’ve nominated your blogs because I have found meaning in them, and I want to encourage others to take a look. You don’t have do anything if you don’t accept awards or if you’ve already received this award.
I recently was delighted to receive a message that my blog had been honored with a nomination for the Liebster Award from Sharla Shults @Catnipoflife . Sharla is an educator who writes poetry that shares beautiful thoughts and reflections about life. Please check out some of her inspirational writing at Catnipoflife. Many thanks to you, Sharla, for this award.
The following information about the Liebster Award is copied from Catnipoflife :
What is the Liebster Award?
“The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.”
There are certain rules one has to follow:
If you are tagged/nominated, you have to post 11 facts about yourself.
Then you answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you & make 11 questions for the people you are going to tag.
Tag 11 more Bloggers.
Tell the people you tagged that you did.
No tagging back.
The person you tag must have less than 200 followers.
11 Facts About Me
I’ve traveled through 49 out of the 50 United States.
My favorite singer is Anna Tatangelo of Italy.
King Edward I of England is my 22nd great-grandfather.
I am an “only” child.
I never ate chocolate until the age of four, but I’ve been making up for it ever since.
I love the ocean, mountains and woods; it’s where I feel closest to God and the universe.
My favorite place in the world is Isola Bella, an island in Lake Maggiore, near Stressa, Italy.
My favorite pet was the family dog, Wally, a Maltese, who despite numerous medical problems lived to be 13 years old.
I collect cobalt blue glass.
I’m a perfectionist, although, fortunately for myself and others, not quite as much as when I was younger.
One of the best experiences in my life was a sunset cruise in the Bahamas on a ship with tall sails.
Answers to Catnipoflife’s Questions
1] ‘Checkered blue n white’ or ‘black’?
If I’m wearing it, ‘black’; otherwise, ‘checkered blue ‘n white’ such as for curtains, small checks, preferably.
2] Curtains or no curtains?
Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, interior shutters, mixed with curtains
3] Hardcover, paperback or ebooks?
I purchase a lot of ebooks as they save space and money, but I still like the feel and appearance of a hardcover book.
4] What’s your ambiance while writing?
Nothing fancy at this point – silence in my office at my desktop, or in the living room with my laptop and the low voices from the TV in the background. Glances out the windows to the trees outside from both places inspire me. I love to write in nature, by the Delaware River or on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean but don’t often have the opportunity.
5] Do you plan to publish a novel?
Yes, at least one. I never thought I would do it because I enjoy shorter pieces, but since I have found myself in the midst of writing one now, I will complete and publish it, one way or another!
6] Do you like to make a gift for your loved one or do you rather buy?
I like to make gifts and have done so in the past, but I no longer have the time.
7] Which is the most beautiful color according to you?
Blue, all shades, but especially cobalt blue.
8] What’s your mantra in life?
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3
9] Have you ever thought of becoming a soldier in your life?
No, but I have the utmost respect for the military.
