OFF TO SEE THE.....

Wizard, the wonderful wizard of...

Wait. No. Going to RWA in Reno. So if I don't post for a week, I didn't get electrocuted on a power line...dratted squirrels.

C U all in a week. I'll tell you allllll about it when I get back.

In the meantime, you can send me thousands of emails to check when I get back.

Ugh. I'll dread checkign those. My inbox scares me. I have to get prayer for the trauma maybe...

LOL!

I'm sure I'll do a lot of goofy things to contribute to my blush and cringe. Hopefully not at my editor appt though. Yikes. An entire ten minutes to make a complete fool of myself.

Later,

Squirrel

SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER FOR AUGUST

Integrate each of these words and phrases into a scene. I'm looking for high action here and maybe a dash of humor thrown in.

Bite (bitten, bit okay too)
Squad car
Gucci
"Drop the bag!"
Handcuffs
Storefront
Trailer
Dark
"I can't find my poodle!"
Sidewalk
Jerk
Shriek
Chase
Flailed
Pantyhose
Wig
Off duty officer
Spoiled Heiress
Fancy Restaraunt (Name it)
Kiss
Blush
------
To enter: Write a 500 word scene following the prompt directions then paste your story in the body of an email (no attachments please) and send it to me at Cheryl @ CherylWyatt dot com (no spaces, replace "dot" with ".")
Please be sure to put "August Prompt Contest" in the subject line.

Thanks to all who entered July's prompt. Every entry was outstanding and I had a very difficult time choosing the winner.

HAPPY WRITING!!!

Contest will end August 25th, winner notified by August 30th.

Congrats to July's winner SAM!!!

SQUIRREL

CONFERENCE PREPERATION WOES

BLUSH AND CRINGE

I got lighty up shoes on clearance (Wal-mart or K-mart maybe?) for 4 dollars. They look like a little glass slipper (plastic) and the heels light up when you step. I thought they'd be perfect for the awards ceremonies.

Then I went to the store to look for a pair of those undies that squish your belly in. All I could find was a pair the color of murky mudpuddle water. We're not talking black lace or white satin here. So of course I flung them at the beginning of my line of items so the cashier would ring them in first in case anybody came behind me and saw the hideous (and gigantic) things. The evil woman let everything else pass by first and wouldn't you know it...two good-looking guys and three people I know came to that line behind me. So then she holds them WAAAY up, turns them around for the world to see, says, "Can't find a tag." Calls for a manager to do a price check so now there are like fifteen people in line behind me because it's late and we're the only lane open and Evil Cashier is STILL holding those murky tan-brown girdle panties up. Manager's busy so of course it took forever for me to be able to flee the wretched scene. M-barrassing!

SO then I get home, wash them and try them on......

Ugh. Have you ever tried to stuff an elephant into a rubber band that is oh, say TEN sizes too small? So then after sweating to death, jumping up and down six hundred times and using a pair of vice grips to tug them on...realized I'd never be able to get them off to go to the bathroom. Not only that, but they were cutting off the circulation in both of my legs and you can clearly see the line even with my skirt on where they're attempting to severe your legs at the top of your thigh. So much for the girdle-grannypanties. Six bucks and I had to go through the embarrassment of calling dh to come cut them off with his razor knife, all the while he's snickering and asking me, "WHAT were those. . .those. . .THINGS?" and looking at them as if they'd been dipped in Anthrax.

Oh well. I guess it's back to the old sit ups. Or in my case. . .sit up.

I keep telling my size 1 neices, "Don't be anorexic, but don't let yourselves get to be a blimp either because this is the sort of trauma you have to deal with." LOL! Squirrel

Better hurry up and get well soon...looks like they're bringing your suppository!!! 

CONDOLENCES, LONDON

My prayers go out to London, and specifically those affected by this tragedy. Father, I ask that you bring those responsible to their knees voluntarily or otherwise. Break the power of evil and terror in our world today so that our children may live in peace and not fear. We look to You. Set your hand against your enemy and thwart the plans of terrorists before tragedy strikes. You can do this, Father we have no doubt. We cry out for the children who've lost parents, for parents who've lost little ones. Please give them a strong sense of your presence and comfort. Help them look to you for healing for their hearts and land.

Please go forth, Father as a man of war and settle this once and for all for your glory and for goodness to break forth in the world. Give our leader wisdom, as well as other leaders who love you and follow you. For those who go against you, Father I pray you bring confusion and chaos on their mind to the point they cannot function. Disable the enemy, Lord. Be glorified and magnified in the hearts of your creation. We love you and trust you. You are our help in time of need. You are our strong tower. Let those hurting in London run to the refuge of love under the protection of your merciful wings.
==========================
The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him. Psalms 37:40 NIV Bible
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Your enemies will be clothed in shame and the tents of the wicked will be no more. Job 8:22 NIV
==========================
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. Deuteronomy 28:7 NIV
==========================
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4
==========================
With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies. Psalm 60:12
==========================
...To rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear. Lk1:74
==========================
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in truimph on my enemies. Psalm 118:7 NIV
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BORROWED PRAYERS
Go up and pray those scriptures. God's word is His will and He always answers prayers that are according to His will.


Blessings,

Squirrel

SERIOUS WITHDRAWALS...

From eharlequin boards yesterday. Their new site's up today! Check it out at www.eharlequin.com click discussions, then Steeple Hill boards to see the main place I "hang out" online.

Squirrel

WRITING TIP FROM LENA NELSON DOOLEY

I'm blessed to be in a wonderful critique group filled with outstanding writers, one of whom is multi-published author Lena Nelson Dooley www.LenaNelsonDooley.com
who writes for Barbour and Heartsong Presents. This tip of hers has helped me tons. She says to use your character's proper name every third or fourth pronoun because it personalizes them to the reader more. I think it truly does. Example:

She'd promised herself she'd never come here. Yet here she stood on the edge of the water, trying to make sense of it all. Was this the spot where he met death in the water? Or was it closer to the bridge where the current was swifter? She stepped off sandy banks until her enemy kissed her feet in rhythmic motion. She scanned the deceptive calm, the aqua blue and stepped further out. She let the waves wash over her feet, gently lapping as hot tears flowed down the planes of her face. He's not out there. Peace engulfed her. Sobs wretched forth as she dropped to her hands and knees, liquid grief mingled with the salty sea water. . .the water which pulled her husband from her arms one year ago today. 365 days of torment washed away in His powerful presence. Anger for never having found a body rolled off her heart like the waves off sand. Cleansing joy flooded her.

"He's not in the water." She turned her eyes to Heaven, finally resolved with his fate. . .and her tattered faith. "He's in the clouds, with You."

======
Stella had promised herself she'd never come here. Yet here she stood on the edge of the water, trying to make sense of it all. Was this the spot where he met death in the water? Or was it closer to the bridge where the current was swifter? Stella stepped off sandy banks until her enemy kissed her feet in rhythmic motion. She scanned the deceptive calm, the aqua blue and stepped further out. She let the waves wash over her feet, gently lapping as hot tears flowed down the planes of her face. Stan's not out there. Peace engulfed her. Sobs wretched forth as Stella dropped to her hands and knees, liquid grief mingled with the salty sea water. . .the water which pulled Stella's husband from her arms one year ago today. 365 days of torment washed away in His powerful presence. Anger for never having found Stan's body rolled off her heart like the waves off sand. Cleansing joy flooded her.

"He's not in the water." Stella turned her eyes to Heaven, finally resolved with his fate. . .and her tattered faith. "He's in the clouds, with You."
==========
Okay that was a bit rough, because I typed it really fast and no doubt it has POV violations but you get the jist.
============
Blessings,

Squirrel

I FINALED IN NOBLE THEME!!!

Congrats to all finalists!!!! For those of you who did not final...big hugs and prayers, and I know EXACTLY how you feel right now.

Blessings,

Cheryl

CONGRATULATIONS TRAFFIC JAM WINNERS!!

Heather Tipton
Michelle Rodgers
Laura Hilton

Have made it through the traffic jam!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are still two prizes left.

Pamela James is in the runnng with 35 points at post # 385
Jeanie Smith Cash is in the running with 20 posts at # 385

Keep going girls!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have until Oct. 1, 2005

Squirl

WRITING TIP

When you're going through line edits, do a word search for these words because *most* of the time they can be deleted without changing the meaning of the sentence. This tightens your writing and cuts down on wordiness.

Just
That
Kind of
Always
Seemed

===========================================
BLUSH AND CRINGE
Once at a family reunion, my sister-in-law came up behind her husband's father, thinking he was her husband. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his back, bringing her mouth close to his ear and saying, "Hey, Honey. Whutcha doin?" in one of those deep, throaty voices. . .then jerked away, morbidly embarrassed when the man turned around and was NOT her husband but her father-in-law.

Shew! It's nice be able to tell on somebody else's goofs for a change!
=============================================
VERSE:
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 NIV Bible
=============================================
BORROWED PRAYERS:
God, thank you that you hear us. Help us to know if we have done something (or neglected to do something) that could hinder You from hearing our prayers.
=============================================
Blessings, Squirrel

PRESIDENT AND LAURA BUSH

I just want to say how thankful I am that the leader of our country has a close relationship with God. His faith is evident and I wish he could be president for the next ten terms. God bless the USA and I pray the USA blesses You.

I'm saying this one day early: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA AND TO FREEDOM.

I pray for the service men and women and for their families. God, protect them, help them win this war and come home soon to their families.

WRITING UPDATE:
I'm preparing for two writing conferences. You have to sum up your story in one to four sentences so that's what I've been working on. Preparing my things for that. Got my business cards (that I designed myself) last week. Can I just say THEY ROCK!!!!!!!

I love them. There's a soldier on the front with weapon aimed at camera. The caption says, "Aiming for Excellence."

I'm getting to know my characters more. The comments for the TARA were extremely helpful.

Have a safe 4th of July.

Blessings,

Squirrel