Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
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The Gift

9/15/2023

 
Hello, dear blog friends.

In just a few hours, I head north to Alaska with my three sisters. The four of us have talked about this journey for months, and finally, we're packed, ready, and super excited. The weather forecast is for rain every day and temps in the 40s. For this desert gal, that's a bit chilly--and wet. BUT we're equipped with hooded coats and sweaters, so we'll be fine. 

The purpose of our trip is to get to know each other better as adults. We've lived in different parts of the country, and though we've visited each other at funerals and weddings, we've not spent quality time together since we were kids. This is a reunion of the heart.  

Before I say goodbye, I've something to share. 

Earlier this year, the eight women writers in Story Empire embarked on a journey together. We decided to write a series in which each novella included three common threads: (1) the small fictional town of Harbor Pointe in northern California, (2) its prominent lighthouse, and (3) one or more members of the Hawthorne family. We chose our genre and the timeframe. As a consequence, each story is unique and a standalone. 

The first book of the series, The Price of Atonement by Mae Clair, takes place in the 1880s. It will be released on September 26th, and it is available for presale now.

My book, The Gift, is the second in the series, and it staggers the 1940s and 50s. It, too, is available for preorder and will be released on October 17th.
​
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BLURB for The Gift 

In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.

At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her. Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup. A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.

In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her new-born baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope. After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.

Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end? 
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The Gift is a Christmas story involving three families. Because of this fact, I've hidden gifts under the tree for three readers who can identify the inspiration behind my story. When I return, I'll post some hints. Let's make it fun.❤️
​
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Stay warm, stay safe, and we'll meet again in two weeks!

Drift with the currents . . .

9/12/2023

33 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,

On this beautiful early fall day, writer Colleen Chesebro presents us with another great poetry prompt. She invites us to use the photo below (taken by Terri Webster Schrandt) as our inspiration. Terri explains:
​“I took this photo two summers ago. My neighbor invited me to go kayaking with her and her daughter and granddaughter. I took the pic of Sarah and Melia as they paddled in front of me along the Little Spokane River. I used a filter to give it an idyllic look.”
My response is a simple Tanka (5-7-5-7-7 syllables). I hope you enjoy it. 
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Have a wonderful week, and let's all drift with the currents -- at least in our dreams. ❤️
33 Comments

Deep In The Forest . . .

9/11/2023

50 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

Today I'm delighted to welcome author D. L. Finn to help celebrate her New Release:
Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms.

Most of you know Denise well. Through her imaginative stories, we've traveled with her - into the forest and the ocean. She lives in the Sierra foothills of Northern California with her husband, dogs, and cats. Surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedar trees, it's no wonder Denise's books often include forest magic. When I asked her about this, she explained that, "Nature is where I feel most at peace. It’s why it shows up often in my poetry and fiction."

One of Denise's favorite expressions is embrace your inner child, and she takes this directive seriously. Besides hikes into the woods or dives into the sea, Denise often travels through the mountains and the countryside on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Her husband is always nearby on his cycle. Denise claims that the wind through her hair gives her life. Beautiful image, right?


Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms, Book Two of Just Her Poetry, takes readers into Denise's magical world. My copy arrives today, and I'm looking forward to savoring each poem in the collection. Maybe you'd like to join me?

As a special treat,
Denise offers a Giveaway. She writes, "To celebrate my latest release, I will randomly choose a winner from the comment section for one $5 Amazon Gift Card." 😊

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BLURB:

Embark on a captivating journey with D. L. Finn as she guides you through the intricate
landscapes of free verse and symbolic poetry. Hike with her through the magical forest, feel the
wind on your face riding on the back of a Harley, or bask on the warm Hawaiian shores. Her
search for life’s magic invites the reader to traverse through the four seasons in part one.
Emotions, observations, and stories weave through part two’s texture. Whether the words explore a sunset, healing, or magic, each poem flows through moments where poetry blooms.


​EXCERPTS:
From Fall

I feel moon's soft pull
the loving beams beckon me
to dance under stars
guided by the autumn gleam
on a carpet of red & gold

From Musings from the Back of a Harley

Memories

Clustered in the granite wall
Yellow and purple flowers thrived,
Tugging at my childhood memories,
Of a room so once decorated.
When purple gently soothed.
And yellow's cheerful brilliance.
Both offered hopeful innocence.
Wind caressed those sweet times,
Until happiness is released.

A rumble through my past.
Accented in a sparkling green comfort
Beneath the always watchful azure sky.
My inner child soars on the back of a Harley.

From Poetry Stories and Some Truth: Told through haibuns

Magic Pages

The magical gift sits next to my bed. Dressed in black leather, it holds the ideas of generations. I
gently open the promise of endless entertainment in the two hundred and thirty pages. I can
barely contain my joy with so many words that offer knowledge, insight, thrills, adventure,
heartbreak, or laughter. It may take more than one lifetime to explore. Yet, it's never full and always welcomes new editions onto its electronic shelves—even the bad ones. It is my paradise.

add to my Kindle
with the best of intentions…
to read every word


BOOK TRAILER: 

D.L. Finn Links:

Twitter/X      Bookbub      Facebook      Instagram      Pinterest     

D.L. Finn blog      Amazon Page      YouTube

BOOKS

In the Tree's Shadow: Short Stories
A Voice in the Silence: Paranormal Romantic Thriller
Just Her Poetry: Free Verse Poems
The Destination: Historical Fiction

Angel & Evildwel Series
This Last Chance
The Button
This Second Chance
CHILDREN BOOKS
Tree Fairies
Elizabeth's War
Things on a Tree
An Unusual Island
Dolphin's Cave
AMAZON UNIVERSAL ORDER LINK
50 Comments

Travelers with Good Intent

9/5/2023

44 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends!

Today poet Colleen Chesebro provides a new challenge. We are invited to create a syllabic poem using synonyms for quiet and seek. Provocative, right?  

I've chosen to write two tanka. My words include peace, reverence, journey, travelers, pursue, guide, shepherd . . . hmm, it looks like I connect with seek. But don't we all? 

I hope you enjoy the poem, but more importantly, I hope your journey is especially kind to you today. Have a wonderful week! 😊
​
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44 Comments

Basking In Sunlight

9/1/2023

30 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends! 

I hope you've had a grand week. It's been a busy one for me, a bit of a blur. But today I pause and share a photo prompt from poet Colleen Chesebro. She invites all interested writers to create a syllabic Ekphrastic poem inspired by French artist Berthe Morisot. The oil painting is entitled, Eugene Manet on the Isle of Wight, and it is featured below.

My poem is a simple Tanka (syllables 5-7-5-7-7). I hope you enjoy it. 
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Have a fantastic weekend, dear friends. In my area, we're expecting more storms, laced with hot gusts of desert winds. The monsoon often surprises us in August and September. Seeing today's prompt brought me back into Spring. It seems so long ago, doesn't it? 

Be well, and let's enjoy the surprises. 😊
30 Comments

To Breathe - A Classic Etheree

8/22/2023

43 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,​

I've been absent for the week, but I'm back home and looking forward to visiting your blogs.

This week Colleen Chesebro has a new prompt for those interested in writing poems. She asks that we use at least one of the seasonal words or phrases that she has listed on her site. I've included the following in my poem: summer groves, cumulous clouds, sundresses, and bare feet. And looking at the canva photo, I'd love to be walking there bare footed right now, wouldn't you?

My poem is a "Classic Etheree" of ten lines with a syllable count of 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. I've entitled it, To Breathe. I hope you enjoy it.

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Have a wonderful week, dear friends. Breathe deeply and soak in life. I'll meet you on your site. ❤️
43 Comments

Travels and Reflections...

8/19/2023

20 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

I've missed reading your posts this past week, because I've been away. I'll try to catch up - that's a promise. In the meanwhile here's a peek at where I've been - Carlsbad Beach in Southern California. I've been visiting with family and friends, and also sightseeing a bit.

You might remember a poem I wrote a while back. This beach inspired the tanka. I'm sharing it with you again, because it's a reminder of life's mercy.
​
blue skies calm the soul
pounding waves silence worries
warm sand lures sleep
day or night, sun or moonshine
the beach pulses with magic


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I hope you've had a wonderful week. Hubby and I returned early from our travels because of Hilary. We went through an intense electrical storm in Arizona, but after an hour of driving in blinding rain, we emerged into sunlight. May you be as fortunate. 🌞

​Gwen


20 Comments

Pronghorn Majesty: A Tanka Tuesday Poem

8/10/2023

42 Comments

 
Hello dear friends,

This week Colleen Chesebro invites us to write a syllabic poem using a collective noun for a  gathering of a chosen animal. I've selected the pronghorn, because I see them every day. 

I live in the higher elevations of Arizona, just north of Prescott. It's an area of grassy plains and wild pronghorn. Herds of these magnificent animals grace the countryside. Though much like an antelope, they are not related to them. Rather, their closest relative is the giraffe. And since they run at speeds up to 60 miles an hour, only the cheetah can out pace them. 

My poem is a simple tanka, syllables of 5-7-5-7-7. I hope you enjoy it.  
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If you've never seen a pronghorn, you might like to open this link to the National Wildlife Federation's post about these beautiful animals. 

Have a wonderful rest of your week, hopefully with cool breezes.🌞
42 Comments

Announcing: The Harbor Pointe Series

8/8/2023

27 Comments

 
Hello blog friends, I've some wonderful news to share.

Earlier this year, the eight women writers in Story Empire embarked on a journey together. We were tasked with writing a series in which each book included three common threads: (1) the small fictional town of Harbor Pointe in northern California, (2) its prominent lighthouse, and (3) one or more members of the Hawthorne family. We could choose our genre and the timeframe.

Over the ensuing months, we chatted and exchanged ideas. Then last week the eight of us shared our stories. Below are the books. Beautiful, aren't they? ​
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The books are sequenced by year, but they are also stand-alone. Mae Clair's The Price of Atonement is the first one in the series because her story takes place in the 1800s. My book, The Gift, is next in line, and it is focused on the 1950s.  

Please take a moment to watch this brief trailer. Only a few minutes long, it offers an invaluable overview and may answer some of your questions.

All eight books are available now for presale. The Amazon links are listed below, just in case you'd like to take the leap. 

​We're excited, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating this group achievement. 

​

PURCHASE LINKS:
​
The Price of Atonement by Mae Clair
Release Date - September 26, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Gift by Gwen M. Plano
Release Date - October 17, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Destination by D. L. Finn
Release Date - October 31, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Seas of Time by D. Wallace Peach
Release Date - November 14, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes
Release Date - November 28, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

A Fathomless Affair by Staci Troilo
Release Date - December 5, 2023
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

A Death at The Inn by Joan Hall
Release Date - January 2, 2024
Preorder:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Room at the End by Harmony Kent
Release Date - January 9, 2024
Preorder:
Universal Link
Amazon US
Amazon UK


​Have a wonderful rest of your week. I wish you cool breezes during this prolonged hot spell. For those of you living in areas of drought (like me), I also hope for rain. 🌞 
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27 Comments

Sally Cronin's Gift

8/4/2023

24 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,
​
Today I awakened with a marvelous gift. Writer Sally Cronin featured my book, Redemption​, on her website. Do you know Sally? If not, take a virtual leap to the United Kingdom to meet one of the most generous, gracious people on this planet - and to top it off, she's an amazing writer. Below are some of her books.  
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Here's her post on Redemption. Enjoy! 
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Have a wonderful day, dear friends, hopefully one with cool breezes. ❤️
24 Comments

A #TankaTuesday poem - The Waltz

8/1/2023

35 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,

I've another poem to share, and I've entitled it The Waltz. Colleen Chesebro invited interested poets to create a poem using the synonyms for these two words: Flow and Wave. We were instructed not to use the prompt words themselves - just the synonyms.

My first thought was the ocean. Watching the movement of the sea is mesmerizing. I could spend hours at the water's edge. But after considering this possibility for a poem, I thought of a second. Have you ever observed lovers waltzing across the dance floor? It is hypnotic, and the gestures are similar to the ocean.  

My poem is a simple haiku with several synonyms incorporated. I hope you enjoy it and hope even more that you'll find time to dance a little - if only across the kitchen floor. 
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Have a wonderful week with great weather and plenty of time to dream. ❤️
35 Comments

A Simple Life Bridge. . .#TankaTuesday

7/25/2023

37 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

It's #TankaTuesday and author Colleen Chesebro invites us to write an Exphrastic poem, using as inspiration, the 1816 painting by John Constable, entitled Wivenhoe Park, Essex. 

My tanka poem reflects on a small bridge that links the university grounds with the pastoral fields. When I saw the painting, my attention went immediately to that simple structure.

If I were a student at the University of Essex (the building in the background), I would surely cross that bridge. How about you? Do you find it enticing as well? 

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I hope you have a wonderful week, replete with long walks in nature. All the best to you! 💚 

37 Comments

The Eagle and Our Pilgrimage

7/21/2023

28 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

​I've another poem to share. It's an unusual one, a special challenge from Colleen Chesebro. In her own words, master poet Colleen explains: 

This week's challenge is to write an Imayo poem. Your subject must be about a bird. The imayo is composed of four 12-syllable lines. Each line is divided into a 7-syllable and 5-syllable section, with a hard pause in between. 

I've a special love for eagles, so my Imayo focuses on this magnificent bird. I hope you enjoy it.
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Have a wonderful weekend - hopefully with cool breezes and soft sunshine. 🌞
28 Comments

Beach Magic . . . a #TankaTuesday poem

7/11/2023

45 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

It's Tanka Tuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has another prompt for us. Her friend and photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, provided a photo for the prompt and explained, "This photo is a filtered version of a lifeguard station and red patrol vehicle at Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA." 

Colleen asks that participants use the photo as  inspiration but concentrate on imagery. 

My poem is a tanka. Having run along the San Diego beaches as a child, I loved creating this poem. It brought back lots of memories and all the associated sensations. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have a favorite beach, could you share? Mine is probably the beautiful coastline of Carlsbad, CA, but quite honestly, I've loved every beach I've visited. ❤️

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Have a wonderful week, dear friends. 
45 Comments

Swaying Elegantly - A #TankaTuesday Poem

7/6/2023

31 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,

Author Colleen Chesebro offers an unusual prompt for this week's Tanka Tuesday. I think you'll enjoy trying this one. As a first step, she invites us to find out what type of tree we're aligned with, according to Celtic Tree Astrology. Who knew there was such a thing, right? Once we know our tree, we're to write a syllabic poem and include it. You can find your tree sign here.

According to Celtic Tree Astrology, I'm a Hazel tree. To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a Hazel tree, but I love its hanging fruit. I've read the description, and it does sound a bit like me. So who am I to question the methodology. 😊

Colleen is brilliant in keeping folks interested in writing syllabic poems. Even novices like me enjoy the exercise of writing and the pleasure of conveying a truth through verse. Maybe you'd like to try too.  
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Wishing you cool breezes during these very warm days... 

​All the best to you,  Gwen
31 Comments

#TankaTuesday -- On Airplane Wings . . .

6/28/2023

39 Comments

 
Hello blog friends, 

It's Tanka Tuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has a new prompt. This week's challenge is synonyms only. And participants must choose synonyms for these two words CLOSE and OPEN. 

On summery days, I enjoy hearing the laughter of children, and often these little ones run with arms outstretched. I bet you can remember doing the same. 

My poem is a simple Tanka, which tries to capture some of the child-energy that captivates us all. I hope you enjoy it. 
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This was fun to craft. Did you notice my synonyms? 😊

Have a great week, dear friends. Maybe you can sneak in a couple airplane trips around the yard. 
39 Comments

A special roadmap. . .

6/19/2023

26 Comments

 
Hello, dear blog friends!

It's #TankaTuesday, but I'm on my way to NYC and do not have today's prompt. Because of that, I've created a tanka related to my trip and to a treasure we all share. You'll see it below.

I spent about thirty years in the greater NYC area, teaching and working in college administration. My kids grew up there and established life-long friendships. As years passed, they moved back into the area and embarked on something new. 

My three sons established a restaurant chain, Calexico, and they've courageously weathered the trials of entrepreneurship. The pandemic hit them hard, but they're still standing. For sure, I'll be eating some great Mexican food on this trip.

My daughter is busy with her boys in Connecticut. She has a great love of the arts and grew up on her toes. She and her sons will be joining in the family gatherings. How exciting is that! 

I hope you have a great week. When I return next Wednesday, I'll try to find you on your blogs. Catching up is always hard to do, but I'll give it my best. 

I hope you stay well and laugh much. ❤️  
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26 Comments

On Eagle Wings

6/13/2023

45 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

It's #TankaTuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has a new prompt. Today she asks that participants use the photo on the right (by Terri Webster Schrandt) as inspiration. 

Years back I traveled with my children to Alaska. Totems such as this were everywhere visible, and we soon discovered why.

In Seward, we took a small-boat cruise into the Kenai Fjords where we saw glaciers and mountainsides covered in eagles. It was breathtaking and forever memorial.

We watched as eagles soared, dove into the chilly waters, and returned to their nests with fish. I was struck by both their beauty and their freedom. 

In my tanka, I try to capture that freedom. Unhampered by worries, these majestic birds glide through the air as though it were their personal playground. Oh, to be so free! 

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I hope you have a wonderful week. Soar freely, dear friends. 😊
45 Comments

A Tanka Tuesday poem: Granddad Memories

6/7/2023

32 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

This week, poet Colleen Chesebro has a unique #TankaTuesday prompt. She invites all those who are interested to choose a color and compose a syllabic poem. Participants must include one color trait from her list in their poem. 

I've chosen the color orange and the associated traits are: success, uplifting, thoughtfulness, adaptability, joy, and intellect. My selected trait is uplifting. 
  

My poem is titled Granddad Memories. I hope you enjoy it. 
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Have a wonderful week! ❤️
32 Comments

A Special Guest - Author Dan Antion

6/6/2023

42 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

I have a treat for you today. ​Author and blogger Dan Antion joins us to share a bit about himself and his post-retirement avocation -- writing.

Dan grew up in the Pittsburg, PA area. He and his family now live in Connecticut, but his stories often include scenes from his early formative Pennsylvania years.  

Prior to writing for the masses, Dan had a long career in technology as a systems developer. In his own words, "I made my living creating what wasn’t included by the architects and builders."

In addition to writing, Dan enjoys other creative endeavors: photography, making furniture, building cabinetry, and working in and around his house. He often shares these great loves on his blog.

Let's see what Dan has to say about writing. I sent him six questions, and his responses are below. His explanations and shares found a place in my heart, and I suspect the same will be true for you. Enjoy!  


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You’ve published three books in five months. That’s an amazing feat. How did you manage that?

I wrote the books over a period of almost two and a half years. When it became clear that I was writing a series, instead of the one book I had planned, several authors advised me to hold off publishing any of them until I had three complete drafts. That proved to be good advice, since changes occurred across the timeline. The book I was planning to write, The Evil You Choose, is the second book in the series. On the advice of friends, I decided to write the backstory, and a stubborn character prompted me to write the third book.


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What inspired you to write this series?
​

When I was growing up, I had several friends who were misunderstood. Today, they might be recognized as “special needs” children, but that distinction didn’t exist. They were picked on and bullied by their classmates and often ignored by their teachers, except for Sunday School teachers. Some of them died, either from drugs or by suicide, before graduating high school.

I always wanted to create a story for them, and I wanted to recognize those Sunday School teachers. I thought about how little we know about each other while we’re growing up, and how little even today’s teachers know about their students. I wanted the story to make people think, "what if..."


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Which of the characters do you identify with the most? Why?
​

Zach and Billy share attributes and experiences from my childhood, and from friends and family I knew as a child. I identify more with Zach, in that my father managed a bowling alley (he didn’t own it; he worked for the Post Office). Billy is a composite character, drawn from my childhood, many other people and some attributes that just worked for the story.

Zach’s adult career wasn’t mine, but it is one I understand well. Many of the family dynamics are drawn from my life. John Amstead is much like my dad, including his compassion for kids like Billy. He hired a lot of them as pin boys, and he helped them become better adults. He always had time for them.


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​What surprised you about publishing books?
​

There were so many things. First, I was surprised by how much research was involved in writing fiction. Then I was shocked by how much work was involved after the books were finished. I always thought writing a book would be the hard part. A more positive surprise is the degree to which people were willing to help me, and the acceptance in the community, which has been humbling and heartwarming. I follow many authors, and the Story Empire blog you write for, and I have been amazed at how much these authors are willing to share about the process and help with answering questions and again with promotion.


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​You’ve another book coming out soon. I can't wait to see the cover. Could you give us a synopsis of the story?
​

The next book introduces a few new characters. One, Rachael Todd is a recent journalism graduate who found work at a small newspaper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is given some old stories to investigate, including several that chronicled the experiences of the characters in the second and third books. As the reporter digs into the stories, she uncovers a group of people who are working against her as she searches for the truth. Redemption, a topic you are familiar with, is a recurring theme, as is the notion mentioned in all the books in the series, that good and evil are not binary concepts—they exist on a spectrum.

I wasn’t planning another book in the series, but several readers told me they wanted to know more about what happened to certain people. Two of my good friends even suggested that they wanted to know more about a particular character. I’m hoping the book serves the dual purpose of bringing closure to the Dreamer’s Alliance Series and is a starting point for a periodic series of mysteries surrounding the reporter.


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Your blog is immensely popular, and I’m one of your fans. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I love telling stories, and I love sharing photos of ordinary things. The fact that I can do both in one place is amazing to me. As much as I enjoy being able to do those two things, the part I enjoy the most is the amazing community. There are days when I feel my post pales in comparison to the discussion going on in the comments. I’ve met so many wonderful people and I consider them to be friends.


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CONTACT LINKS

          Amazon     Bookbub     Goodreads     Website


BOOK TRAILERS 

          Knuckleheads     The Evil You Choose     When Evil Chooses You

42 Comments

Spirit Animals and Poetry

5/30/2023

46 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,

It's #TankaTuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has a very different prompt for us today. She invites us to find our spirit animal by taking this quiz. After doing so, we're instructed to craft a syllabic poem with some of the identified traits.

It turns out that my spirit animal, according to this quiz, is a bear. At first I was surprised but upon reflection, it fit. I was a single mom with four kids for many years. And I spent my career in higher education, overseeing all things related to student behavior. I was the "mom" who sat bedside to sick or hurt kids, until the real mom arrived. And the "mom" who interfaced with the police, town officials, FBI, and more. Looking back, I have no idea how I managed as I did. But, I think bear fits me. 😊 

Maybe you'd like to share your spirit animal? If you're like me, the quiz will open an unexpected door - to an animal friend you've known all along. 
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Have a wonderful week! 
46 Comments

VERA DAY has a NEW RELEASE!

5/25/2023

34 Comments

 
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​Hello blog friends,

I'm super excited to announce a new release by Vera Day. When Did We Lose Sylvia? is the first cozy mystery  of the Tulip, Texas, cozy mystery trilogy. The tiny town of Tulip is based on Vera's real-life town, which she playfully says is more like a stop sign at an intersection.
 
In her own words, Vera explains:

     I live in the most darling area south of Eastland, Texas. The craftsman-style  houses, the wildflowers, the chickens and cows, plus friendly neighbors (and one HUGE red bull) give a sense of being grounded. There are literary-poetic folks here, humorous folks, too, and a feed-n-seed that acts as a community watering hole. My favorite house is a pink house off Main Street, and you bet it makes an appearance in When Did We Lose Sylvia? 
     I wrote horror under the name Priscilla Bettis for several years but felt a Divine nudge to transition to Christian fiction. So, can a former horror author make the transition to cozy mysteries? I hope readers give my new book a chance and see.

I've just begun reading When Did We Lose Sylvia, and I'm mesmerized by Vera's writing. Bravo, Vera!  


SYNOPSIS:
​​Southern humor, faith, and murder intersect in the tiny town of Tulip, Texas.
 
Betty Bell is a famous poet, or at least a local celebrity, in the tiny town of Tulip, Texas. Gossip runs amok when a Goth teenager, Sylvia Smith, and her elderly grandfather arrive. Even worse, they’ve moved into the creepy, old Sanchez place on the outskirts of town.
 
Betty volunteers to teach a summer poetry class to restless Tulip teens. Soon, the kids are expressing themselves in stellar stanzas and heart-rending rhymes. But what was supposed to be a summer of ministering to the teens becomes a season of sleuthing when one of Betty’s students, the spooky Sylvia, goes missing.
 
When Sylvia turns up dead, suspicions point to Sylvia’s reclusive grandfather. Deputy Miller is a good man and excellent investigator, but after a second death shakes the small town, Betty is convinced the deputy is after the wrong suspect. Betty, her left-brained husband Larry, and her quirky friend Flora must use haunting haikus, couplet clues, and lots of prayer to track down the real killer.
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AUTHOR BIO:
Vera Day is an avid reader and a joyful writer. After decades coasting along as a lukewarm
Christian, and after a few more years of writing in a secular genre under a different pen name, she experienced a series of events that can only be described as epiphanic… in the God sense, not the light bulb sense, though that also applies.
 
Now Vera Day writes in a new genre, the faith-inspired cozy mystery.
 
Vera lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members. Her
neighbor is a cow, but as far as neighbors go, Daisy is a good ’un!
 
When Did We Lose Sylvia? is Vera’s first cozy mystery novel.
 
Vera is a member of the The Well Read Fish Christian fiction book review team.
Connect with Vera: https://twitter.com/VeraDayAuthor
​
34 Comments

FANTASY - - An Acrostic Poem

5/23/2023

40 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

I've a new poem to share. This week Colleen Chesebro challenged followers to stretch a bit and write an Acrostic poem. I had never heard of this form before reading Colleen's post. Just in case it is new to you as well, Colleen explained that Acrostic poems are ones in which a word is spelled out vertically, and each letter becomes the first letter of each line.

She instructed us to choose one of these words: magical, charm, specter, fantasy, conjure, unicorn, imagination, oracle or malevolence. I decided to go with FANTASY. Additionally, she asked that we use a syllable count of 8, 9, or 10 syllables per line. 

My poem has 7 lines, and each line has 9 syllables.

​Whew! I did it, and I hope you like it. 



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Have a great day, my friends. 😊
40 Comments

Spring's Celebration . . .

5/16/2023

42 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

The high desert of Arizona is abloom and even the weeds are celebrating. This past weekend, I worked in the garden a bit and then enjoyed handfuls of fresh strawberries. It was a delight.

Today master poet Colleen Chesebro invites followers to write a syllabic poem with synonyms of WORK and PLAY. My contribution relates to my strawberry patch and uses opposites of rainfall/sunshine and buried/released -- both capturing work and play. I hope you like the tanka.  
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Have a wonderful week and enjoy Spring's celebration! ❤️
42 Comments

Shades of hope. . .

5/10/2023

41 Comments

 
Hello blog friends,

I've another poem to share. Writer Colleen Chesebro posted a beautiful spring photo by Terri Webster Schrandt for her Tanka Tuesday prompt. She's invited us to follow our inspiration with a poem. 

My response is a simple tanka (5-7-5-7-7). I hope you enjoy it.

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If you'd like to participate in Colleen's weekly challenge, click here to be linked to her website. You'll find lots of helpful resources and meet some great poet friends. 

I hope spring shines brightly in your area. Be well and laugh often. ❤️
41 Comments
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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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