Sweet Sorrows

 Alas, the time has come.

To give up this blog.

To move onto other uses for my time.

The sad fact is few people read blogs anymore- people have progressed to Instagram and TikTok. This blog is a dinosaur. And while I loved writing it, there are better uses of my time. Being in a graduate writing program takes a LOT of time. I'm currently in two classes and each one demands at least 15 hours a week (only more with me because I'm paranoid about being out of school and want to make sure I have done everything possible to complete my assignments). Plus, I have so many writing projects:

    1. Finish book I started writing.

    2. Write book which will become my thesis.

    3. Find an editor to help polish the other books I've written which have kind of languished.

    4. Independently publish my novels (traditional takes too long, it's a draining process where I have no control over any aspect, and there are fewer publishing houses for hundreds of thousands of writers).

    5. Create a new website and social media platform (which means I have to learn more of that stuff).

To those who've stuck around, thanks. I'll post when I have my new website up. I'm hoping to recapture those who've left and draw in new readers. For now, I'm leaving this blog site up. Just one other announcement: I'll be here! Come out and say hello! I'm so excited about getting back to normal! 

I'm hoping to hear about another festival in Bucks County, PA. If I'm accepted, I'll post those details here, on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. 

So thanks for the memories... Being seeing you around, kid. 

Char

Before It's Too Late...

 Yep, it's crazy time with the first term of grad school coming to a close, but I wanted to take the time to 

1- Thank my friend, Darlene Beck Jacobson 

for featuring many wonderful books on her blog, including mine. 

2. And tell you to get over there and browse and buy! Go here and leave a nice comment too, okay? 

All these authors work so hard and the pandemic has hit us- no in-person events, which we love because we get to greet and meet book lovers and fans. 

3. Ask you to please leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon. Most of us depend on reader reviews, we don't have a publicity person. 

4. And have yourself a nice holiday. Look for news of forthcoming events here, on Kidlit Authors Club on Facebook and Twitter, on the Smack Dab in the Middle Blog and on the individual authors' pages. 

Happy Holidays! 

Char

Day 2 million and..? Who Knows How Long...

No more insults.

The boys are officially tired of the poetic insults on the fridge game. After... how many days? in #StayHome. I can't blame them. The game might have been more fun if there were more variety. Whoever selected the words clearly was NOT a writer- there were few adjectives, NO adverbs (I don't care what anybody says, adverbs are essential), and no pronouns. Verbs and nouns were seriously limited. I could have added some words, making them out of the fridge magnets from the dentist, the appliance repair guy, the old school numbers one, etc. But I think the time has come for something new.

As this isolation drags on (I'm not questioning the need for it, only lamenting how long), a lot of us are realizing that you can only read so many books, only write so many words (my butt gets tired from sitting so long), only watch so much TV. For some people, this is wonderful (my introvert friends are living la vida loca). But even though I'm not a wild party gal, I'm beginning to feel the strain. This means I need to find different ways to spend the time. Every day, I try to complete something on a list that I constantly update. Today I have two things already accomplished: I've posted on the Kidlit Authors Club social media, thanking library workers, and I'm writing this blog. Before I start on going over where I can possibly submit manuscripts while my agent isn't feeling well, I'm going to make the bed, put away the dishes, and then go outside for a bit. I'm sure I can find a few weeds to pull, clean up the sticks all over the yard, etc. I find I feel less restless, less anxious, if I break up the monotony and do a variety of things. We all need coping mechanisms and finding new ones as the others lose their luster.

I hope this post finds you well and safe. And boy is there going to be one big fat celebration (I foresee a pool party, ice cream from my favorite place, Polar Cub, and LOTS of pina coladas around the pool bar with friends and family) when this is over.

Till then, be seeing you- via Zoom, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, from across the street, etc.

Char

Writing in the Time of Pandemic

We're all trying to deal with this pandemic and a new 'normal'. I've heard people "keep a journal" of our experiences as we are living this crisis. A decade or two into the future, people will either reminisce or want to learn about it.

I'm not a good journal keeper. Inconsistency is my biggest flaw because I get distracted by life, projects, seasons, family, etc. And then, there are days where there is nothing that I want to convey, nothing that is interesting. Kind of like always posting on Instagram. I'm scrolling past pics of food,  flowers, family pets, etc. because there are so many (and yes, I'm guilty of posting them, although not to a great extent). After a while, it becomes tedious. I want something fresh.

Another suggestion is to make notes for a future book. Nope, not doing it. There will be millions of other writers all across the globe with that same idea. If people think there are too many vampire books, in the next few years the market will be saturated with pandemic books. Already there are books hitting the market, via self-publishing. Besides not wanting to jump into that overcrowded boat, since I'm living it, I don't want to read about it. I'm not into 'issue' books; I find the angst boring, or overdone. I understand some people are very anxious over certain subjects and this pandemic is enough to give anyone an anxiety attack, depression, or other mental and emotional problems. I'm not disparaging them or the issues because in my family, we have members who must deal every day with them. I just don't want to read about them. Nor do I want to write about them. (This blog is the most I've written about the Covid-19 pandemic, and honestly, I think the next time I write about it is when we are finally free to move about.) There are, and will be, many stories about it so no one needs to hear/read mine. It's a story I don't care to tell.

But writing in general is hard during this time. I can't say I've ever really suffered from writer's block. Sure, I get stumped on a plot point occasionally, but usually within a day or two, as I'm doing mindless work like weeding, cleaning, or swimming, I can figure out a solution to my problem. Only this time it's different; I have a new manuscript started, but I couldn't find the 'groove.' It's a light-hearted romance, but I couldn't get 'in the mood' to write about love and happy things during such a grim time. There are a lot of writers, from what I read or see on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and just plain chat, that are having the same problem. And if the muse is hiding, unwilling to be found, I don't think you can force it.

The solution for me is to work on older manuscripts; revise ones that were thrown in a drawer, those that didn't get far with agents/editors, those that my critique group is red-penciling. Reading a whole novel pulls me in; I don't have to plan out the plot, or create characters, or set up resolution. All I have to do is read with a critical eye to see where I can improve, even if it ends up being a complete overhaul, because at least the framework is there. So far, I've revised three manuscripts. I have the first book I ever wrote, an adult horror, that is next. These were revisions I meant to do; I was going to do them all last summer, but... life. Then came retirement for my husband, and a vacation, then BAM! Covid-19. In this lockdown, there are fewer distractions: no bell practice, no setting up the church flowers, no trustee meetings, no concert practice, no going out for pizza, no visiting family. I didn't realize how much time I spent on these activities- nor how much I'd miss them. By throwing myself into revisions, my muse is peeking her head out. Last night I wrote almost 200 words. Not much when some people are cranking out 3,000 or more, but this is not a competition. I am getting things done that are important to me. There is no prize, other than self satisfaction, for writing the most words, or doing the most decluttering, or painting the most rooms. I'm not in it to win it.

So as this drags on, I hope to get that novel written and the other revised. Be kind to yourself if you don't accomplish everything, or even anything, on your To Do list, because surviving without emotional or mental harm, besides the obvious physical, is the goal. Be good to yourself, be compassionate of others, and avoid the crazies who think that because death rates seem to be leveling off or dropping, that they can congregate in large groups, or not wear their mask, or refuse to stay home.

Praying for better days...

Char

Go! And DON'T Come Back!

Last post of the year, looking back and forward, blah, blah. You know the drill. Here's my list of things and people that should stay in 2019 and never 'grace' us with their presence:

Photo courtesy of cottonbro, Pexels

1. Anything Kardashian. Seriously, we've ALL had enough. If you're going to law school Kim, hit the books and stay off TV and out of the media. And find something for the rest of your family to do.

2. Every. Single. Politician. We're tired (I'm speaking for a lot of people) of your bickering, backstabbing, lying, self-serving non-representation. All of you, out the door! We want fresh, new, unsoiled, eager representation (who won't bring half their family in to make money off ties with US gov). Clear both sides of the aisle.

3. Antonio Brown. You can't keep your hands to yourself or your mouth shut. (Disclosure: I am a very dedicated Patriots fan and he would have been great, but... ethics apply.) And, take all those other dirty players (and coaches, managers, etc., and I don't care if they are future Hall of Famers) with you. It's time the NFL cleaned house. There should be absolutely no room for players with assault and other criminal records. If they're cleared in court, fine. Until then, out! You are seriously angering female fans.

4. Twitter trolls. You know who you are. A person makes an observation, and you want to be angry, and butt hurt, so you jump all over them because your opinion is different. It's narcissistic and what I've read but can't remember the term, darn it, is the abuser blaming the victim. Hey, I think there are some real whacko opinions out there, but they are opinions and protected under the Constitution. Ok, you don't agree, you may even be horrified (I've been) but make your point and move on (unless there is a clear danger, like someone making a threat- different story). If you have to smear them, and continually harangue them, you need therapy. And another hobby.

5. Amazon screwing authors. Indie authors receive pennies for their books. Jeff Bezos, you have your billions (or is it trillions now? oops, forgot about the divorce...back to billions). Either way, your stranglehold on authors and the monies they don't get from Kindle Unlimited is cruel and soooo not fair. There should be no 'returning' an ebook after people have read it. A few pages to peruse, but if they buy it, they pay for it- no give backs. And the same thing goes for you, Audible. No returning audio books and then making the author pay. Seriously, I have some very bad words on my tongue...

6. Reality shows. Hint: they are scripted and therefore, that's false advertising. I'm glad Snookie and crew are gone, but take the housewives, the sister wives, and everything else fake back to oblivion.

7. Excess and unrecyclable plastics. Some things need to be plastic, like medical devices and car parts. But we don't need plastic straws every time we get a drink (what, are you 2?). Manufacturers, please don't wrap instruction booklets in plastic. It's ridiculous the amount of plastics used for silly things. Maybe plastics should be constrained (as much as possible, I understand chemicals and situations may call for something different) to only those which can be recycled. Lego bricks- why can't they be made from recycled plastics? And other toys? How about bricks which could be used for building houses? All public benches? We might be able to save trees if we can substitute recycled plastic products. It would be great if a brilliant scientist somewhere created a microbe that eats the stuff (I've heard rumors, is it a reality? If so, let's get on this and clear out landfills and the oceans...).

8. 'Designer' animals. With so many animals in shelters, waiting to be euthanized, I can't look at those designer dogs, which cost hundreds, if not thousands, and not think less of its owners as a person.

9. Idiotic prison systems. What good does it do anyone when prisoners are locked up with nothing to do? Let prisons run animal shelters. Teach prisoners how to train service animals. Just think of all the therapy and service animals that could come from overcrowded shelters and go to people in need of them. Prisoners would be busy performing a desperately needed service, and we all know animals reduce stress levels. Training a single dog could save thousands of dollars for people who need one, plus giving prisoners a real chance at a form of restitution. Think about it!

10.  I'm looking at you, Big Pharma. There is no justifiable or ethical reason why these companies get to charge Americans hundreds of dollars for insulin and other medications when Europeans get the same drug for pennies on the dollar. We are funding research, but don't gouge us! Same price for everyone. And shame on you- you have blood on your hands.

11. Those stupid Progressive, Geico, and Liberty Mutual commercials (to name a few). You've done them to death. We're sick of them. Goodbye Flo, Jaime, gecko, emu, etc.

12. Any more remakes of Spiderman, Batman, Superman, etc. Hollywood, there are mega tons of books out there- and don't forget the Indies- when you search for a new project. Not another Star is Born, or Tarzan, or even Dracula. I'm not saying don't do any movies based on those characters, or any which include the characters, but STOP remaking the original plot over and over and over.... If you're hard up, check out some books from the library. Talk to people. See what's a new trend.


Well, that's my list for now. More will come to mind as we wind down the last dregs of 2019. May 2020 be kinder to all of us- people, animals, Earth, and Fate.

See ya on the flip side....

Char

And The Word Is...

It seems everyone is choosing a word that will be their key word for the year. I've seen lots of excellent choices. Mine will be:

BREATHE 

Before I respond to a troll on Twitter of other social media, I'm going to breathe- and slow down that impulse reaction.

Before I panic over a manuscript rejection, I'm going to breathe- and acknowledge it wasn't for this particular editor, and look at who's next on the list.

Before I despair over someone's unkind opinion of me, I'm going to breathe- and ask myself if their opinion is important in the scheme of my life.

Before I get upset over something that didn't go my way, I'm going to breathe- and remind myself of all the blessings that I've been given.

Before I give up on something that's important to me, I'm going to breathe- and remember that nothing worth doing will be easy and to give it another shot.

Before I say yes to an activity someone wants to me lead/join/do, I'm going to breathe- and see if it's what I want. 

Picture courtesy of Wendy Hero, Pexels.

So if I don't answer a question as soon as it's asked, or jump to sign up to volunteer, or respond to something, just wait for me to finish breathing...

Char

Just a Little Peek...

While I wait for Evolution Revolution: Simple Plans to debut, I'm going to tease you a bit. Here's one of the inside pics, created by my fabulous illustrator, Cathy Thole-Daniels:

The main character, Jack the gray squirrel, is learning quite a bit from his human friend Collin. (I'm not going to tell you what, but it's pretty amazing. Sorry, you'll have to buy the book or ask your library to get a copy.) If you've wandered around Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, you've seen stories about animals doing some amazing 'human' things: unlocking doors, dancing to music, skateboarding. This makes me smile because maybe this book will move from fiction to non-fiction. 

Strange things are happening...

Don't miss Jack's continuing story.

Char

How Do You Support An Author?

"I like them on Facebook."
"I follow them on Twitter."

This is not enough.

Authors are struggling to make it. The sheer numbers of books being published makes it almost impossible for any author who isn't JK Rowling or Stephen King to get noticed. We're here! We matter!

How can you help?

Easy, peasey... and it won't cost you anything more than time.

1. Yes, like/follow/interact with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. (I think I missed a few). They like to hear from people who enjoy their books and unlike Kanye West, we don't disappear. Plus, by interacting with us, you make us visible to more people who might want to give our books a try. And who knows, you might just strike up a great friendship (but don't stalk, that's creepy and not the objective).

2. Even if you don't read our books, check them off on Goodreads as "To Be Read" (unless you've already read them). With growing numbers of people doing this, it gets us more notice. Kind of like that whole "6 Degrees of Separation" with someone connected to someone, connected to someone (makes me wonder if I have a connection with Anne Rice, Stephen King, Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, and other famous people who might read/mention my books....)

3. Leave a review! You don't have to love or even like our books, we understand (better than the cast of Suicide Squad who're pushing to have negative reviews pulled) that what we write isn't for everyone. Hey, I've shelved about 10 books this year already because I didn't like them. All we ask is that you fairly state why the book didn't meet your expectations; don't get personal, no foul language because that makes it personal, and don't b.s. (we can tell when you haven't read the book because all the details are wrong). An honest review, even if not stellar, helps people understand our books.

4. Want the book but have no money? Check it out at your local library. They've bought a legal copy so you get to read the book for free, the author gets a royalty so they can eat and make more books, and EVERYONE is happy.

5. Don't patronize pirate sites. There is absolutely NO JUSTIFICATION for going to these illegal, thieving, low-down, corrupt, immoral, amoral, scum-of-the-earth sites. If you want the book but can't afford it, see above- LIBRARIES. By going to pirate sites, you cheat the author. Then we'll have to give up writing because we're not making any money, publishers see this and won't offer more contracts, so we have to get jobs at Starbucks. Do you want that on your conscience that because you can cheat us and did, that you have destroyed a career, a dream, a LIFE?? Think about it (because Karma certainly will...) If you go there, we can't be friends.

6. Recommend us! Sitting at the beach with gal pals? Hanging at a friend's BBQ? Sitting next to a person on the train who's reading something similar? Please! mention our books. Like I said, we're struggling. We need help. Famous authors (see above and you know the rest) don't need you to gush about them; everybody already knows their names and publishers spend millions on ad campaigns. Mid-list authors get a few pages of 'suggestions' on how to promote our book from an over-worked publicist (if we're lucky).

7. While not for everyone, if you like an author and want to help, ask them if you can do something to publicize their books. Some authors are blessed enough to have 'street teams' which is one or more fans who help get the word out about their fave authors. (Bueller? Beuller? If you're interested, you know where to reach me...) This can be anything from talking about them, featuring them on a FB page or blog, finding out events where the author could apply to appear, to organizing a signing. There is so much work to making a book a success; if you only knew. It's not all 'show up and sign a gazillion books, garnering a lot of money.

8.

It is... finished.

Yay! I'm done! My NaNoWriMo novel is finished. Now before you get green faced, let me explain that this is a middle grade novel, which means that 50,000 words is a tad long. Yes, there are MG books that are that long-and longer, but this one won't be. That doesn't mean there won't be more words to add--there will be as I fine tune my research (questions always pop up about tiny details that you need to have answered). And as I revise, I'll find sections that need more description or clarification.

And before you think thoughts of me being an over-achiever because I finished well before time (this is such a crazy month- WHO picked November? Wouldn't the doldrums of January have been better? Or the emptiness of February? The isolation of March?) Let me tell you that my novel currently stands at 28,741 words.

Don't scream that I'm cheating- I've worked on a short story (which adds another 4,272 words to my  count because hey, it's writing and I had to get it in under deadline and I'm counting it), kept up (pretty much) with my blog posts, and dabbled in a few other things that didn't contribute to my word count. (I didn't add Facebook or Twitter chatter, emails, or texts, even if writing related either.) All that might total up to 50,000.

The purposed of National Novel Writing Month is to write that novel--which I have done so I have achieved the goal. This is an historical fiction and I see it as a two year project. More research,  revisions, and writing are required before I even breathe a word to my agent. Last year's NaNo project, Lethal Dose, is currently making submission rounds, and a middle grade project I finished just prior to starting NaNoWriMo 2014 is with a critique group. I have a lot of work to do.

But that's another facet of NaNoWriMo; to get you used to writing/working consistently. No one does the same amount every day, but to write everyday (okay, I slacked off when I was sick, but there were days I wrote double the guideline of 1,700 words), I have achieved this.

So I'm calling this a win: novel drafted and finished, wrote almost every day.

How is your NaNo journey going?

Char

I'll NEVER READ THAT!

Strange title and post for a voracious reader and an author, isn't it?

We all have our favorite genres, and even some not-so-favorites that we occasionally read. However, there are some lines that I cannot cross. Maybe that makes me narrow-minded, but there is nothing you can say to convince me to read certain books:

- computer tech manuals, although I think I need the "Social Media For Dummies" one. (Does it even exist?) I can do basic Twitter, blogspot, Facebook, and now I'm adding Pinterest, but I'm still confused and juvenile on these sites. I have to get more desperate before I'll pick up a tech manual (that's what I have sons for).

-books where I know people will suffer and die. Sorry, I can't watch or read "The Fault In Our Stars" because I know it's heartbreaking. If I read a book and there's a sudden death, like Dumbledore near the end of the Harry Potter series, I can deal--I must so I can finish reading. But to pick up a book, no matter how beautifully written, knowing that is going to wrench my heart? (especially when the subject matter hits too close to home or is one of my biggest fears?) Nope, can't do it.

-any book that involves the abuse, torture, or killing of children. I'm a mother of three and after reading The Lovely Bones, although it was handled in an excellent manner--NO. It will give me nightmares and I don't read to be upset to that degree.

-anything political. No matter how good the journalist, everything is skewed. We can't help it, we're imperfect people and our own agendas come into play. Plus, I believe there is no more objectivity in reporting now. Just watch any news show. Everyone is biased.

-black magic, satanic, or similar stuff. Yes, I'm a Christian, but I read plenty of fiction that deals with these subjects and I can disassociate my beliefs from the story. But books about this stuff in real life? NO- it freaks the hell out of me. I believe in evil, and that it exists both in our world and in people. I don't want to invite it into my life.

-literary essays. I find the language pretentious, dull, and frankly, I had enough of it in college. Who cares if there's another viewpoint that says Shakespeare stole all his work from another? They're all dead, can't change that, and it's only opinion.

-management, corporate life, and such. I bailed out of the corporate world. For good.

-books that are an insult to someone else, to justice, to peace. No way will I read OJ Simpson's book because he was trying to make money off a horrendous event--at the expense of the Brown and Goldberg families. (Makes me even more convinced of his guilt if he could do that.) I won't read anything that denigrates women, my country, authors, religion, and anything else I hold close to my heart. Constructive criticism is one thing, pure malice is another.

-anything that is so boring I can't get past the first few chapters. I don't care if it's a huge bestseller and people tell me "it gets better." There are too many great books out there I want to read and wasting my time on a dense book is something I won't do.

I think that's a pretty extensive list of 'won't read.' There are other categories that I limit how much I read of them, like autobiographies. The person has to interest me (self-aggrandizing people are tedious), even if I find them abhorrent, like Adolf Hitler or Charles Manson. I'm curious about what makes them who they were, but I can only take so much. Another category is the legal thriller. After a while, they seem to blend, but I like a good one now and then.

Is there something YOU won't read? Not even if everyone else is reading it? Not even if someone dragged you over hot coals? Tell me about it.

Char

That's Hot! No, I Mean Cool. Or Is It Bad?

In generic terms, they all mean good. They're slang, of course, but they've come to be accepted in general English use.

The problem with slang is that it's ever evolving. (I'm still not sure what 'phat' means...). The other day someone on Twitter asked, "Is 'badassery' a word?" I replied she should check out the Oxford English Dictionary, the bible of the English language.

Yep, badassery is a word.

She was thrilled because now she is justified in using the word (wonder if it'll make the copyeditor's cuts...) and it's obviously recognized enough that people should know the meaning. This is one of the few which I think is self explanatory. 'Phat' is not.

Slang- love it or hate it, it's unavoidable.

'Fo' shizzle.'

Char