THIEVIN MEMES! HE HE HE

Pssst! I snitched the meme Camy stole from Danica...

Shhhh! LOL!

1. What is your occupation? Full time writer and RN (That's Real Nerd in case you were wondering. Though my license is still active, I'm taking a leave from nursing at the moment.)

2. What color are your socks right now? Tan and I only have one on since my other foot looks like the Terminator. I'm wearing an Air Cast because I have a broken foot/ankle.

3. What are you listening to right now? My crotchety air conditioner which doesn't seem to be cooling me down. I'm sweating. Bleck!

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Hubby ran to the border for Taco Bell.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Learned at age 12 but not lately. I detained an ambulance the last time I tried. Just ask my sister Lisa to tell you the (terrible and funny!) story.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Fuschia. Is there a fuschia?

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My hubby....from the other room! LOL! We're bad. Hey...gimme a break. I have a broken leg and didn't feel like crutching across the other side of the house to ask him something.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I love the persons I stole this from.

9. Favorite drink? English Breakfast tea with milk (whole). OH MY! I CAN STEAL THIS ANSWER TOO! I LOVE sweet English Breakfast Tea...but boiled milk. Got hooked on that in India.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Cricket! Have to practically leave the country to do so though. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE CRICKET IN THE U.S.?! I'm pouting over that.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Not me. But recently I was lamenting the fact that I hadn't had a hair cut or highlight since my wreck because I can't drive. So my sister-in-law Tammy came to my rescue. Dragged me to the car, hauled me to the mall and made a hair appointment for me! I'm thankful for friends and women who understand the vanity of three bad hair months in a row.

12. Pets? Just got a brand-new dog named Cricket!!! And still have three guineas named S'more, Suger Bug and....dang...can't remember the last one's name! Shhh! Don't tell my kids. I think it's name is fudge. Oh man....am I ever in trouble here...

13. Favorite food? Melted cheese and Ribeye steak...just not together. LOL!

14. Last movie you watched? Can't recall the name but it was about a silly old man and a big veggie eating rabbit who terrorized a town. No I'm not kidding.

15. Favorite Day of the year? Valentines' Day since I'm a romance writer and it's also my birthday.

16. What do you do to vent anger? ROFL! I had to laugh at Camy's answer because my answer is identical...call Camy or Robin or my sister Lisa.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? My motercycle and my gun.

18. What is your favorite season? Spring

19. Hugs or kisses? Kisses from hubby and my family's hugs

20. Cherry or blueberry? Cherry dip from Dairy Queen.

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? Please be kind and spare me....I get 200 e-mails a day....not Spam.

22. What are you reading? JANET DEAN'S DEBUT HISTORICAL!!!!! Courting Miss Adelaide from Steeple Hill Historical!

23. What is on the floor of your closet? Clothes and shoes and probably a colony of dust bunnies have settled there since I haven't been able to vacuum in there or clean it out in three months.

24. Favorite smells? Hubby's cologne, meat grilling on charcoal, fresh-cut grass and newborn babies after a Johnson's bath, and my granny Nellie's coffee-gravy porkchops cooking. Grandma Veda's breakfast. Mom's Enchilada pie and barbequed spareribs.

25. Who inspires you? God and my mom and my grandmother Veda and my grandmother Nellie. My faithful blog readers and book fans, and all the wonderfully gifted women in my life. Brenda Stritzel, Marcie Scheumaker, Renee Morgan, Lisa Davis, Danica favorite Mcdonald, Pammer James, Camy Tang, Carmen Kretcji, Amanda Paull, Jennifer Darling, Jesse Sayer, Terri Kessinger, Mia Davidson, Tammy Wyatt, Michelle Patula, Becca Dalton, Melissa Purdy, Debbie Roberts, Cheryl Rose, Casheena Stephens, Val Tao, Aimee Williams and her mom and sister. Alma, Terrilynn, Jolina, Aunt Linda and Aunt Anna and this list could go on forever...

Also, Corrie Ten Boom, Mother Teresa, Jackie Pullinger To, and other great women of faith and who stood up for the helpless.

26. What are you afraid of? Loss

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese

28. Favorite car? ANYTHING NASCAR!!!

29. Favorite cat breed? Siamese

30. Number of keys on your key ring? I haven't driven in three months so I have no idea where my keys are. Car's totaled anyway.

31. How many years at your current job? 20 years nursing...nearly 10 years writing.

32. Favorite day of the week? date nights with hubby and church day and family nights with the kids and Thursday small group and Saturday prayer group...okay I guess that about covers it. LOL!

33. How many states have you lived in? Let's see...California's 1, New Mexico's 2, Oklahoma's 3, Illinois is 4, Panic is 5, Confusion is 6, Physical Duress is 7 and Boredom is 8. LOL!

34. Do you think you're funny? No, but other people do. Which I guess is better than thinking I am and other people don't. LOL!

35. New Year's resolution? To lose weight. Right. I'll just keep that cause it's Camy's answer. I have gone UP a size since my wreck and I'm totally depressed about it. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TO LOSE WEIGHT!

36. Favorite vacation? Cruise with sister. Disney with the fam and to India orphanages, leper colonies and widow Dalit communities. Vacations with family growing up to see extended family members. Trips to Oklahoma and California from new Mexico. Could have done without the gigantic Arkansas mosquitos though.

37. Dream Vacation? Cruises with family and hubby alone to Hawaii

Hilarious movie scene about a writer

Photos ©2003 Sony Pictures.

I must have missed this movie when it came out...partly because I didn't watch TV for three years prior to selling my first novel. Hey, writing time had to come from somewhere. I mean, since I wasn't about to take time away from my family, something else had to give.

Which leads me to the point of this post. Last night, hubby and I watched "Something's Gotta Give" (Sony Pictures-2003) starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves, as well as a host of others.

Now before you rush out and rent or buy this movie, I must warn you there are a couple of gratuitous (and gross!) scenes in it. But, if you are a writer and can stomach those parts (or hit fast forward) there is something in this movie that you can identify (and laugh!) with.

There is a scene when the rich, former womanizing old guy (played by Jack Nicholson) breaks up with the famous screenwriting herione (played by Diane Keaton).

The funniest part was, right after he breaks up with her...the writing of her newest play just starts pouring out of her. Only it's hilarious because she'll wail...then write....then toss her head back and cry hysterically some more...then giggle maniacally and write. THIS SCENE IS HILARIOUS IF YOU ARE A WRITER OF ANY KIND!

You'd have to see it to know what I mean. My description doesn't give it justice. But if you've ever strained and labored over any kind of written work...you will appreciate (and crack up at!) this scene.

Cheryl Wyatt...NOT condoning the gross, gratuitous parts. Just endorsing the funny, writerly aspect of this several-years-old movie.

Blush and Cringe-The P word...or is it N?

A child I was around this week walked up to me, holding a baby doll. She says, "I know why moms have pimples."

"You do?" I said.

"Yes," she said and shoved the baby under her shirt hem. "To feed their babies."

I'll let you figure that out on your own. I'm pretty sure she has her words a little mixed up and the one she wanted needed to start with an "N".

LOLOLOL!

Cheryl

Prompt Reminder

Hey my writer-readers....

Just a friendly reminder:

A few more days left to enter this month's prompt.

Scroll back to the beginning of the month for July's prompt.

Cheryl Wyatt

Psych Saturday-CAT CHRONICLES

Here's the part where I'm supposed to say, "Welcome to Psych Saturday!" Then I bring you the latest news from Refuge...the fictional setting for Cheryl Wyatt's Wings of Refuge Series with Steeple Hill.

BUT, here's the deal....

I'm ticked. Royally, hissingly, hair-raisingly, claws-out-to-the-max ticked.

Celia TRIED to get a dog. A DOG!


Why, that's like your husband trying to come home with a creature from Saturn at breakfast who would love to gobble your children by lunch.

Worse, he acted all sweet UNTIL she turned her back. Then he says, "It's my way or the highway, cat. I'm the boss here now."

HSSSSS!!!!!!! Spat! Spat! Spat! (That's Christian kitty cussing in case you didn't know.)

SOMEBODY FEEL SORRY FOR ME....PUH-LEEZ. And worse! The thing has (ewe!) fleas!!!

Sigh.

I need tuna.....slinks away....lots-n-lots of tuna......


Psych the slinky

PERSPECTIVE

THIS CAME FROM SOMEONE IN MY LOCAL WRITERS' GROUP. NO IDEA WHO ORIGINALLY WROTE IT BUT I WISH IT HAD BEEN ME. LOL!

ENJOY!

CHERYL WYATT AKA SQUIRREL


It's all in the way you look at it.....
1) NUDITY

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt !"

2) OPINIONS

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."

3) KETCHUP

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone.

"Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."

4) MORE NUDITY

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"

5) POLICE # 1

While taking a routine vandalism report at an
elementary school, I was interrupted by a little
girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at
my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?"
"Yes," I answered and continued writing the report. "My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?" "Yes, that's right," I told her. "Well, then," she said as she extended her foot toward me, "would you please tie my shoe?"

6) POLICE # 2

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked. "It sure is," I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked
at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"

7) ELDERLY

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"

8) DRESS-UP

A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit." "And why not, darling?" "You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning. "

9) DEATH

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said:

"Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goes."

10) SCHOOL

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!"



11) BIBLE

A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear

BLUSH & CRINGE-BYOP

Okay I haven't done one of these in a long time simply due to deadlines. But believe me, I could write a Blush & Cringe five days a week because I do something to embarrass myself nearly every day.

Anyway, this one isn't really about me but about my church. We were going to host a retreat before next weekend. So during announcements, the pastor briefly mentioned some last minute instructions regarding what to bring to the retreat, which were going to be held at some remote cabins.

A bunch of new people happened to walk in at the moment he said, "And also, you might want to consider bringing your own pot."

The people just stopped and gave him the strangest look. But, they bravely continued their trek in.

I mean, yeah, we have a very laid-back church. So laid back it's horizontal in fact. But, the pastor encouraging illicit drugs from the pulpit? Not a chance. LOL.

He meant COFFEE pots because, while the kitchenettes have coffee makers in them, no pots for some reason.

Cheryl Wyatt

THE MOST INSPIRING THING YOU WILL EVER READ

Some of you know I took over a column for Faith, Hope and Love---the online Inspirational Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Kristy Dykes used to do this column and I tell you, I never feel like I can do the column justice. Trying to follow in Kristy's footsteps is a challenge. She was one of the most glowing, funny, encouraging people you could ever meet. She brightened everything she put her hands to. And every life she merged with.

If you want to be encouraged, visit the blog she used to maintain. Her husband Milton posted for Kristy after she was unable. But I promise you, if you take time to read back through the posts, starting as far back as you want, but certainly beginning right before Kristy's diagnosis...it is THE most inspiring things you'll ever read. Ever.

Here is the link.

Christian Love Stories Blog


Please lift the family up in your prayers.

Cheryl Wyatt

Camy's Class--addendum

Hey, this is for those of you who receive my blogs via Feedblitz a day late. Camy's class is Wednesday, July 23, which, for you Feedblitz subscribers is TODAY rather than tomorrow. It runs a week and you won't want to miss it.

Five bucks is a STELLAR deal for an online class of this caliber.

I just signed up and hope to see some of you there.

http://storysensei.blogspot.com/2008/07/story-sensei-synopsis-online-class.html

Cheryl

Join me for Camy Tang's Synopsis Class

Hey all, I wanted to post this yesterday, but was on the road all day after a sound gig at Ignite in Chicago with my hubba-hubba-hubby. So, sorry I didn't get this up before.

My good friend, partner in crime and excellent structural editor aka Fabu author Camy Tang will be hosting a synopsis class TOMORROW.

Since it takes me longer to write my synopsis than the story, I'll definitely be there and hope you will consider joining me.

There is a nomimal fee of only $5.00...a killer deal of you know the caliber of teacher is and the level of knowlege she has about writing craft and industry standards.

Here's the link:

Story Sensei Online Synopsis Class Info

Hope to see you there!

Cheryl

Another Great Industry Blog-Bill Brohaugh

I unearthed another industry treasure this weekend: Bill Brohaugh's Blog. Yep.

Some of you know I also participate in an interactive author blog called Seekerville. I know, I know...I've been cheating on you with another blog. But, my faithful readers, I hope you're partaking in both.

We had an exciting event Saturday in Seekerville. Not an earthquake. Not a bird. Not a plane, but Bill Brohaugh dropped by and commented on our blog!!! My post to be exact. My head is so big today, my husband will have to poke a pin in my temple and pop it to get me out the door.

Anywho, because Tina Russo (OUTSTANDING contest diva, author and all around great gal) recommended Bill's Write Tight book, I'm gonna order extra copies and probably give them away here and on Seekerville. Stay tuned for that. If you're attending my Late Night Chat with Steeple Hill editor Emily Rodmell and fellow author Dana Mentick at the Minneapolis ACFW conference in September, I will probably give a couple away there too.

In the meantime, check out
Bill's Blog Page. If his book is anything like his blog, it'll be a keeper. I have a feeling it's bent toward creative non-fiction--which I love.

If you're an aspiring author, or a reader in need of a daily dose of laughter, you'll want to bookmark Unfortunate English. Amazing discovery.

Link to order Bill Brohaugh's books.

To view the original Seeker post click here.

Scroll down sixty-something comments there to see Bill's excellent advice on seeking and destroying pet words.

Ironically, I spent all day Saturday conducting a search-and-destroy mission of the word "though." Camy Tang picked up on my overuse of that word when she shredded...errr...critted one of the books I'm about to turn in to my editor. Seems I have a pet phrase or a pet word that I get stuck on for each book I write. And it's never the same word or phrase. LOL!

BTW, she's about to hold an online synopsis class. Details and link to follow Monday. In the meantime, check out Bill's blog and fork over the dough to snag his book, Write Tight. In addition to being an author, he has been an editor for Writer's Digest and other popular publications.

Cheryl Wyatt

Psych Saturday-CAT CHRONICLES

*
*
*

Hello again folks.

Here's the latest, greatest Refuge News:

The Drop Zone officially belongs to Pararescuer Joel. Yep. It's located on the edge of town AND on the outskirts of a (fictional) military base. The PJs are going to use it for military training purposes on some days as well as it being for civilan skydiving the other days.

Celia ACTUALLY jumped from a plane. I won't tell you what all she said on the way down but apparently, Amber was waiting at the bottom with a video camera and a bar of soap.

She's not sure she'll do it again. I'm sure Manny will talk her into it. Javier is actively recruiting buddies to join him in the Air Force boot camp after he gets out of school. He's been bringing the guys and their parents to check out the Pararescue recruitment video.

Cheryl Wyatt (this blog owner) said to tell you she's been blogging sparse because she's finishing up two contracted novels...one of which she sent through The Shredder (her crit partners...LOL) this week.

In the meantime...she has me proofreading. See me up there? Hardy-har-har.

Want to (Seriously) learn more about Pararescue?

Check out this link, or simply Google "Pararescue":


Pararescue dot com

That's all he wrote for today....

Psych

Amber Miller's PROMISES, PROMISES Blog Tour-Interview!

Today we welcome Amber Miller with her debut novel, Promises, Promises! I am excited for Amber to be here as she is also my Web maintenance guru for www.CherylWyatt.com and we also shared the May ACFW BookClub spotlight together. We had a blast discussing our books.

So....without further ado, here's an exclusive interview with Amber:


1. If your heroine from Promises, Promises were to write a blurb about you, the author of her story, what would she say?

Wow, what a great question! My first inclination is something like this: "Get me away from this mad woman. I was forced to endure a great deal of pain and agony, and there were times when I feared I might not survive the trials. At the very moment when I believed things were improving....she would bring another calamity into my life. However, I must admit that through it all, I learned some very valuable lessons that helped me deal with my pain. She seemed to know me and understand my hurts. And who could find any reason to protest the ultimate conclusion where I found love and happiness and yes, even forgiveness? Very well. I suppose I shall confess. This woman is not the evil persona I at first believed her to be."

Another thought would be: "Amber Miller is a true lady who knows the meaning of the word friendship and devotion. When we first became acquainted, I found myself at a rather lonely place, believing I had nothing left in the world and no one who cared. I even thought my God had forsaken me, leaving me to wallow in my misery and grief. But Amber brought a saving grace to my life. She helped me see that God was right by my side the entire time, and she remained with me as well, despite my rather ostentatious behavior and acrimonious treatment of others. In addition, she introduced me to Gustaf, the man whose faith I witnessed every day, and the one who showed me the love of our Heavenly Father in a way that no one else could. Yes, I certainly owe my life to Amber. I am indeed fortunate that she remained with me for that time when I needed her most."

2. Do you come up with your characters or your plot first and why?

I meet my characters first, then I throw them into a plot situation and see how they handle it. For me and my writing, it's all about relating to the characters. The plot is merely what progresses the story. It's the characters who breathe life into the story and help you love it or hate it. I love to read books where I can relate to the characters' dilemmas and reactions and experiences. When I can't, the book doesn't strike a chord and it usually ends up getting given to someone else.

3. What online resources (Web sites, etc) do you most often use for your historicals?

Some of my favorites are www.merriam-webster.com to give me the original use of a word in popular speech; www.etymonline.com to give me origins of phrases; http://milieux.com/costume/costume1.html#history to give me resources on period costume descriptions; and www.americandialect.org to provide me with the resources to check accurate speech patterns and styles. There are many others I might use for any given book, but those are the top ones I generally open quite often.

4. What other historical resources do you use to authenticate your research?

I usually contact the historical society in the city or state where my book(s) is set. They provide a wealth of material that is amazing, and if you tell them you're an author writing about the history of that area, they have always been eager and willing to get me anything I need and answer any questions I have. I love historical societies and those who work in them. If I'm able, I also visit the setting in person and draw sketches of the place or pick up a map for street references. If I can't do that, I try to find someone who does live there and send my parts to them where I reference the town or place, so they can critique and send back any necessary corrections.

5. If you could travel back in time to any historical period, what would that be and why?

I'd love to live in the Old West, where men were men and a man's word was his bond, and those who attempted to undermine authority were shot or hung or put in their place. Folks had to EARN what they got and didn't expect it to be given to them or to be given special treatment. Women were strong too, but they loved a man who respected them and treated them like ladies. Throw out the women's lib, measly-men attacks and the socialists form of living. Get back to working for a living and providing for yourself, not expecting someone else to do it for you.

*blushes* Can you see this is a 'hot' topic for me? :)

6. How can readers keep up with you and your releases? Do you have a newsletter they can join? How would they go about doing that?

You can come visit my web site to learn the latest. I have a blog posted on the main page that is kept up to date several times a week, and you can subscribe to it receive email alerts when I make a post. That’s the best way to keep up with me and everything I’m doing or where I’m headed next. I don't have a newsletter yet, but I'm working on it for 2009. We'll see where it goes. For now, subscribe to my blog to know when I put up a new post.



I always love to hear from visitors to my site and especially readers of my books or my writing in any form. Feel free to drop me a line through the contact form on my site. I respond within 48 hours unless I’m out of town and without an internet connection.


7. What are you working on now, and when is your next book out?

I just submitted my 4th book to my editor on July 15th, so I’m feeling pretty good about now. Next, I’ll be polishing my 2 full-length historical novels to be submitted to 2 editors and 2 agents. I also have a contemporary full-length out with an editor under consideration. Then, in late August, I’ll start on my 5th contracted book, which is the 2nd in the current series of Michigan Brides. The 1st is the one I just submitted.

Are you confused yet? :)


**Thank you, Cheryl, my fellow debut-tante, for hosting me and my books on your blog. It's been so much fun riding this new author wave with you and swapping out spotlights and features. And of course, I love having you for a web site client. Readers, make sure you check out her site. I didn't do the design, but I've done some design work on it and it's such a peaceful and refreshing site.

You're welcome! I enjoyed sharing the ACFW Bookclub slot with you, my friend!


------------

Tour Book title: Promises, Promises
Publisher: Barbour/Heartsong Presents
Release date: February 2008 through Heartsong Presents; July 2008 to bookstores and online retailers
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Delaware Brides, book 1
ISBN: 9781597899390
Ordering link: www.ambermiller.com/books.html

Second Title: Quills & Promises
Publisher: Barbour/Heartsong Presents
Release date: July 2008
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Delaware Brides, book 2
ISBN: 9781602600492
Ordering link: www.ambermiller.com/books.html

NOTE: Quills & Promises is book two and released this month.

Read more about her at her web site: www.ambermiller.com.


Next stops on Tiff's tour:
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Shirley Connolly (July month-long feature) - http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com

July 7 - Margaret Daley (bio) http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
July 7 - Dawn Kinzer at From Dawn til Dusk, Musings of a Night Owl http://dawnkinzer.blogspot.com
July 8 - Donna Moore at Write by Faith http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com
July 8 - Kim Woodhouse at God's Grace, Love & Forgiveness http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com
July 9 - Margaret Daley (interview) http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
July 9 - Amy Riley at The Friendly Book Nook http://thefriendlybooknook.com
July 10 - Jenny Blake at Come Meet AusJenny http://ausjenny.blogspot.com
July 11 - Rose McCauley http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com
July 11 - Shauna Sturge at The Coffee Stop http://shaunasturge.blogspot.com; Long and Short Reviews http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com
July 12 - Carolyn Strawder at Quiet Time with Carolyn http://www.quiettimewithcarolyn.com/Serenity
July 14-19 - CAN! blog spotlight http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing
July 14 - Martha Rogers at Martha Writes http://marthasbooks.blogspot.com
July 15 - Leslie Sowell at A Little Bit of Sunlight http://www.footprintsinthesand.us/blog
July 16 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 16 - Novel Journey / Novel Reviews http://noveljourney.blogspot.com / http://novelreviews.blogspot.com
July 17 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 17 - Eileen Astels at A Christian Romance Writer's Journey http://eileenastels.blogspot.com
July 17 - Cheryl Wyatt at Squirrel's Treehouse http://scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
July 18 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 18 - Cara Putman at Cara's Musings http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
July 18 - Tyora Moody at CB Reviews http://www.faithwebbin.net/cbreviews
July 19 - Stacy Johnson at Vader's Mom http://jeffstacyandvader.blogspot.com
July 21 - Camy Tang at Camy's Loft http://camytang.blogspot.com
July 21 - Jennifer AlLee at Musings on This, That & The Other Thing - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
July 21 - Trish Perry (interview) at Reading, Writing and the Stuff In-Between http://www.trishperry.com
July 22 - Cindy Woodsmall at the Plain Talk Blog http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/category/plain-talk/
July 23 - Delia Latham at The Melody Within (review/interview) http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
July 24 - Margaret Chind at Creative Madness http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com
July 25 - Delia Latham at The Melody Within (guest blogger) http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
July 25 - Christa Allan at Fictionary http://cballan.wordpress.com
July 26 - Paula Moldenhauer at Grace Reign http://gracereign.blogspot.com

CRICKIES AND GUINEAS--WHOOPS!

Okay, this can be placed in the Blush and Cringe section I suppose.


So, we've been thinking about a dog for a couple of years. Wanted a Yorkie and a family member of a family member needed to find one a home. Cricket aka Crickie was already potty trained, kennel trained, and obeys most commands. Very smart (and cute!) dog. Tiny thing.

But, he's got big-man syndrome. We brought him home and....he tried to go after the neighbor's huge lab-ish-Rottweiler looking dog. Hilarious since Cricket is like the size of that lab's nose!

So anyway, we have three guinea pigs. When the dog saw them, he jumped on top of the cage and tried to start opening it with his paws. He was very aggressive about it. I told my husband, "Ah, look sweetie! Cricket wants to play with the guineas."

My husband gave me a "you ARE one of those ditsy kind of blondes after all, aren't you?" and proceeds to lock the guinea cage and say, "You know what terriers were trained to do, right?"

Eyes wide, I say, "Uh.....noo-oo."

"Eat rodents."

Oh, crud. So our guineas were terrorized for a couple days by an itty dog who thinks he's big. But the pigs no longer flinch or run in their house for asylum. In fact, they squeak at him like, "Pssst! Hey....go sneak in the fridge and get us some carrots, would ya?"

The dog on the other hand probably sees them not as pets but as a very well-balanced meal. After all, we named the guineas after various food. In fact, when the dog walked in and saw a cage full of over sized rats....he probably thought, "Yeah bay-be! The mother load!"

I'll let you know how this pans out in the coming months....

Okay....where'd everybody go? No one's commenting this week...tell me what your favorite pet is, or has been, or one you'd love to have in why. Come on y'all....humor me. LOL!


Cheryl aka Squirrel

ACFW CONFERENCE BLOG

Hello!

Welcome to my wing of the ACFW conference tour. Here is a link to the conference page:

I can't wait to see you in Minneapolis, and meet some of you for the first time! Be sure and come up to introduce yourselves.

I'm going to take this opportunity to share some conference experiences I've had (some REALLY EMBARRASSING and funny). That will hopefully ease your jitters, especially if you are a first time conference goer.

My first conference, I went with my own agenda. I felt I had to fill every minute with activity. And by the second day, I was SO tired and had sensory overload. Brain felt like a soppy sponge that couldn't hold another drop of water.

So I recommend you leave time for rest. Yes, I know how much money you're spending to go. I also know you can purchase the CD afterward if you happen to miss a workshop. Hit the gym. Take a nap. Lounge by the pool. Sit in the lobby and talk to people, especially someone from ACFW that you don't already know.

Don't know anyone? Join the club. Seriously, look around and ask the Lord to highlight someone who's feeling just as out of sorts as you. No matter how brave we look on the outside, many ACFWrs are terrified and anxious on the inside. Some have never met published authors before, or editors, agents or other industry professionals.

Speaking of....it's easy for us to get stars in our eyes. But remember, they're people too. They need naps. Rest. Downtime. Respect that if you approach an agent or editor and they seem scattered or tired or rushed. Like you, they're human. BUT, they came there for you. They're looking for new talent. So don't be afraid to talk to them if you see one. They don't have sharper teeth than the rest of us. Honest, even if you don't have a book to pitch, ask them about their hobbies or what kind of books they love to read during their downtime. You might find things you have in common. And the pressure will be off of both of you the moment they realize you're not trying to pitch. More often than not, the conversation will veer toward your writing, but let them take that lead. No matter what their level of interest in your work, thank them for their input.

Bring business cards and a One Sheet. But....never, I repeat, never put your room key in the same neck pouch slot as your business cards. I accidentally (PROMISE!) handed a MALE AND VERY MARRIED industry professional my room key at the end of a pitch session rather than my business card and didn't figure it out until much later. He'd figured it was a mistake and turned in my key to the desk, thank goodness. I didn't want to come out of my room for DAYS after that. But, it's something to laugh about now.

Speaking of coming out of rooms...every year I hear of conference goers who are so terrified to be in a crowd or so nervous, they cancel their appointments and stay in their rooms and don't come out the entire conference. I've heard of people throwing up in the bathroom before their pitches. If this is you, you're not alone. But don't waste your money or the opportunities by letting fear get the best of you. Head to the prayer room or pull someone aside and ask them to pray for you. I am always willing to pray for anyone at the conference and in fact that is the main way I volunteer.

Speaking of volonteering...DO IT! :-) Anyone can volunteer, even first timers. It is a great way to meet people and form friendships. Fine someplace to help. Or be on the lookout for someone who looks on the fringes or lonely. Pull them into your group if you are "known" at ACFW. Be sensitive to others and especially to first timers.

Leave God room to work. Don't fill your schedule up too much. Go trusting that God has His agenda for you and be obedient and receptive to that. His agenda is much better than ours. Ask and trust Him to set up divine appointments for you.

Go expecting to come back spiritually refreshed. If you've never been to an ACFW conference, boy are you in for a treat. God has great things in store for you. He knows the sacrifices of time and money and time away from your families that many of you are making to be able to go. But He will honor that.

Lastly, I'd like to offer some of the best conference advice I've ever received:

Go praying like breathing.

Go with a heart to serve others.

And I'd add to that:

Give God's agenda more attention than your own.

Okay now, so let me turn the tables, what is the best conference advice you've heard?

Come on folks...talk away!

Cheryl Wyatt

Snip! Snip!

Blogging here in Seekerville tomorrow about how to bring word count down without stripping threads when you're over your word count parameters.


Drop by and say hey if you get a moment.


Cheryl Wyatt

Psych Saturday-CAT CHRONICLES

Welcome to our weekly reporting of the goings-on in Refuge...the town that claims to live up to its name. And being one of Refuge's residents (albeit a furry one) I can vouch for that being true.

This week's updates:

FRONT PAGE NEWS:
Manny took Javier to visit an Air Force recruiter. He came home with enlistment papers. Amber took Celia to visit a doctor. She came home with Valium.

SPORTS SECTION:
Yawn. Nothing to report here. Except I think maybe Enrique is thinking about joining the Refuge Community Church's softball team. Hey, whatever keeps the kid comin' to church, right?

FROM THE DROPZONE
Manny is back in action! He has gone on two missions and performed six training exercises since his hip surgery following a crash. Word has it he never jumps without a hook knife and a double reserve chute. I didn't even know they made those. He must have had it special made.

Manny and Joel and the rest of the PJ team (Chance Garrison, Vince Reardon, Brockton Drake, Ben Dillinger and Nolan Briggs) took Javier and his new best friend Enrique tandem jumping!

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Refuge Firefighters had to get a cat out of a tree...not that big a deal except that it was a BOBCAT.

Also on Haven Street, Refuge city workers cut down a 200 year old tree that was as big around as Amber's Yellow Mustang...yes, the one she drove into the local Bed and Breakfast last year. The B and B owner reportedly named a street after Amber and her mishap. Mustang Lane. Half the town showed up to watch the tree come down. How's that fur small town excitement?

Oh, one more thing...d'ju know cats are better gamers than dogs? Seriously, put a cat and a dog together side by side. Scratch your fingers back and forth on the carpet in front of both of them...and see which one has the better eye-paw coordination. Cat'll get-cher fingers every time.

So, uh, yeah, Javier, Bradley and Enrique have been teaching me how to use the controllers and stuff... Vid games are da bomb dudes....and dudettes.

Smirks and slinks off to nibble on some svelte tuna...


That's all this week from the CAT CHRONICLES. Tune in next week for the latest Refuge News from your fuzzy neighborhood reporter aka Psychoticat.

Visit Debut Love Inspired Historical Author Janet Dean on Running with Quills

Hey all, my good friend and fellow Seeker Sister, Love Inspired author and all around great gal Janet Dean is blogging at Running with Quills today.

I have read Janet's work prepublished and she is an OUTSTANDING author. I can't wait for the rest of the world to know it too.

Her Love Inspired Historical release Courting Miss Adelaide releases SOON! You can preorder it now on any online bookseller.

In the meantime, please drop by the Running with Quills blog and leave a comment. She's talking about pursuing dreams and dreams coming true. You will enjoy her insightful, interactive post, and Running with Quills is a FABU blog that you won't want to miss.

Running with Quills

Hope to see you there!

Cheryl Wyatt

Cat Chronicals-Psych Saturday

PSYCH HERE: Obviously a human came up with this. Psych.




Toilet Cleaning Instructions:



1. Put seat and lid of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to
the
water in the bowl.



2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the

bathroom.



3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid.

You may need to stand on the lid.





4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises

that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.





5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash'
and
'rinse'.





6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there
are
no people between the bathroom and the front door.





7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can and quickly lift the seat
and
lid.





8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom,
and
run outside where he will dry himself off.





9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.


Sincerely,

The Dog

July 2008 Prompt Contest

July Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “July Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!

July Prompt Words
1. Crime
2. Scene
3. Seen
4. Seer
5. Sear
6. Print
7. Flag
8. Wound
9. Meditate
10. Patriot

July Scene Starter Sentences:
“That’s a very dangerous thing to assume.”
“Same M.O.?”
“They recovered it.”