AGF INTERVIEW WITH NOVELIST DONNA FLEISHER-Part I

Part 1 of a three part interview runs today with novelist Donna Fleisher on www.agreaterfreedom.com that I did. She's a great person and the interview is one of the most inspiring (and funny...later) I've ever done. You won't be sorry for reading it! Visit Donna's website too! www.donnafleisher.com Next month I'll be posting a writing-related interview with Donna on my blog and I'll put a notice out as well.

Squirrel (Cheryl Wyatt)

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE BY MARGARET DALEY

What I love about this book:

This is one of the books in Margaret's "The Ladies of Sweetwater Lake" series, published by Steeple Hill in their Love Inspired line.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE by Margaret Daley www.margaretdaley.com
ISBN 0-373-87355-7

Margaret weaves an intriguing story that starts tugging at your emotions from page one and doesn't stop until the last where she gives a wonderfully satisfying ending. I thought this book was unique in how she used married characters instead of unmarried characters who get together during the course of the story.

If you love children you will love this book.

If you love romance, you'll love this book.

If you want to see a beautiful portrayal of the sanctity of marriage held by two people longing to make their marriage work you'll love this book.

You can purchase it any day now from Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, possibly Sam's club, or visit your local Christian bookstore or Barnes and Noble or anywhere you shop for books. If they don't have it, ask the clerk to order it for you. You'll need the ISBN 0-373-87355-7.

Another way to get the book is visit Margaret's site (link above) or go to www.steeplehill.com, and navigate around the eHarlequin site until you find the buy link. If you don't want to miss the Steeple Hill collections, you can have them conveniently delivered to your home each month for the price of a pizza. It's well worth it.

Squirrel

OMINOUS CODE WINS 1ST PLACE IN JASMINE!!!

Finally! The book that nearly drove me mad with rewriting. And rewriting. And rewriting. The characters refused to obey the plot that I set out before them and therefore I tried to kill them off numerous times but they refused to die. They kept coming back to life and kept coming back to life. The hero is shaping up but the heroine needs a good old scorpion in her sleeping bag or something. But anyway...rewriting PAYS OFF!!!!!

So I'll try to sum up my contest finals and wins:

MANUSCRIPT CONTEST PLACEMENT

AMBIENT BETRAYAL 2004 Where the Magic Begins First!
OMINOUS CODE 2005 Jasmine First!
COVENANT SEAL 2005 Noble Theme First!
CODE YELLOW 2005 Heart of the Rockies Second
(Covenant SEAL) 2005 TARA Second
(Ambient Betrayal) 2005 Touched by Love Finalist

I know there's more but I can't find my sheet right now.

Thank you God, for the gift...and the gumption to write.

Thanks to contest judges and coordinators everywhere. My mss are better because of your service to the writing community.

Love, Squirrel

WRITING CONTESTS-PART 2

Contests for unpublished authors*

and links in no specific order except what pops in my head.

These are ones that have Inspirational category as of 2005 and 2006

Winter Rose Contest-Yellow Rose RWA chapter
hHeart of the Rockies-Colorado Romance Writers

Daphne De Maure
Genesis Contest formerly Noble Theme-American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)

Touched by Love
TARA formerly First Impressions
The Susanna
The Rebecca Contest www.leranm.com
Barclay Sterling
Jasmine
Golden Heart
Ticket to Write
Beacon

The Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America's "Happily Ever After" Contest * pubbed may enter in a category other than the genre they're pubbed in.

Contests with non-inspirational categories, or I'm not certain if they have one:

The Laurie-Smokey Mountain Romance Writers

The Perfect Pitch

Grand Beginnings-Northwest Indiana Romance Writers

Fab 5

Golden Acorn-Charter Oak Romance Writers

American Title


Realizing the Dream-Desert Rose RWA

Laurie Contest - Smoky Mountain Romance Writers www.smrw.org
FAB 5 Unpublished Sponsored by Wisconsin Romance Writers www.eclectics.com/WisRWA
Gateway to the Rest
Hook, Line and Sinker
Great Expectations Contest-North Texas RWA www.NTRWA.com
Marlene Marlene Washington Romance Writers www.wrwdc.com
Sharp Synopsis-San Francisco Area RWA http://www.sfarwa.com/contests/sharpcontest.asp/lsharp

Linda Howard Award of Excellence-Southern Magic Chapter http://www.southernmagic.org/lhcontest.html

Winter Rose-Yellow Rose RWA http://www.yellowroserwa.com
Merritt -San Antonio Romance Authors http://www.sararwa.com/merritt/2006_rules.htm

Heart of the Rockies-Colorado Romance Writers http://www.coloradoromancewriters.org/hor.html
The Laurie-Smokey Mountain Romance Writers http://www.smrw.org/contests/laurie/laurie.htm
The Laurie-Smokey Mountain Romance Writers http://www.smrw.org/contests/laurie/laurie.htm
The Rebecca -Land of Enchantment Romance Authors http://www.leranm.com/
Grand Beginnings -Northwest Indiana Romance Writers http://www.nwinrwa.org/Contest.html .
Golden Acorn -Charter Oak Romance Writers http://www.charteroakromancewriters.org
Dixie First Chapter-Magnolia State Romance Writers http://bellsouthpwp2.net/r/8/r81999/entryfm06.htm .
Fire & Ice Contest -Chicago-North Romance Writers http://www.chicagonorthrwa.org/contest.htm .
Enter Laughing Contest -Grand Rapids Region RWA http://www.grrrwa.org/contest.html
Where The Magic Begins-Romance Writers Ink
Lone Star
Romancing the Novel
TARA
Jasmine
Faith Hope and Love-RWA-Touched By Love

MINI-CRASH-COURSE ON WRITING CONTESTS-PART 1

I skitter around Steeple Hill's message boards www.steeplehill.com where we've been discussing writing contests. The next week or so I'm going to be posting information about contests that I'm aware of. Later I'll do a more comprehensive list of contests that do not have Inspirational categories. Besides this blog, there are places you can obtain a more comprehensive and ongoing list of upcoming contests.

You can join contest alert...a yahoo group that will send alerts to you about contests.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ContestAlert/ or email ContestAlert@yahoogroups.com

You an join RWA (Romance Writers of America) and order their RWR or Romance Writers Report which lists information about contests.

www.rwanational.org

Once a member of RWA you can join a wonderful RWA chapter called Faith, Hope and Love

http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/

If you sign up for the FHL newsletter, Susan Alverson does a listing of upcoming contests with Inspirational categories in that newsletter which comes out every other month.

Another place to look for contests is to google search different RWA chapters to see what their annual contest is. I'll try to help you with that by listing some contests that I am familiar with. I've been a contest entrant, I've been a contest judge, and I've been a contest coordinator so I've been on every side. So if you have specific questions you may email me at anavim4him @yahoo.com and I'll be happy to help.


Squirrel

THOSE LITTLE RED RINGS

I have a BIG pet peeve about those little tiny rings from the milk cartons. If you don't pull them off then they sometimes fall in your cup...which grosses me out because I can't be sure eveyone who's fingers open the milk have washed their hands so now all the little germs that were on the ring are now floating around in the milk that I refuse to drink. So I poured the milk in the sink and the offending ring decides to take a suicide plunge down my garbage disposal...causing it to gargle louder as the tiny little ring is shred to bits and pieces. So anyway, I don't really have a point here except I needed a place to vent and rant about those little red, or blue, or pink depending on whether you use whole, 2% or skim milk. There's also 1%.

What are your pet peeves? C'mon...there has to be something. That way I don't look totally compulsive here.

Squirrel

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

This year was just to listen more than I talk. So basically to be more "others" focused than on myself...especially when it comes to my children.

Did you make a resolution? If so, what was it? I'd like to hear about it.

Squirrel

BLUSH AND CRINGE

If you're going to gripe.....don't wear a name tag. That works both ways. Snicker. As some of you know I've been struggling with chronic pain for two years now. There is not one single second where I don't hurt in my hip and leg area among other places which will remain unnamed. So anyway, this week they found the problem...they think. Severe hip dysplasia with a torn labrum...which is the soft tissue/cartlidge ring that cushions the hip joint. They found this on MRI but the diagnosis will be confirmed with an arthroscopy soon. Anyway, the receptionist at one of the doctor's offices I went to was, has been RUDE, RUDE, RUDE to me every time I've called or went in. So anyway the last time I blew up at her. "What is your name?" I demanded, intent on writing a letter of complaint. I feel all proud of myself because I stood up for myself...(people I've been really patient and understanding and gracious through this entire process..I'm telling you this woman has no business working with the public. She has no phone manners or people skills. She's downright hateful.) So I leave there and look down to where I saw her smirking....

Blush. Cringe. I still had a sticker from my children's room at church that had "My name is (my name)" and at the top it had, "You must return this form in order to pick up your child."

ROFL. I nearly suffocated laughing in the car because in reality I really did throw a tantrum of epic proportions in the office. Pain will alter your personality people...so for all of you who've thought about me what I've thought about this woman...forgive me. I know I've been a witch with a capital B sometimes.

The sticker was just too much...but I guess you had to be there.

Cheryl

MORE REVAMPING

Okay,

In order to streamline my blog, this will now be a writing-related blog only. When I'm freed up time wise I may start a different blog with other stuff on it, like pics from India, etc. etc.

Thanks for being patient as I revamp!

Squirrel

RESTRUCTURING

My writing time. With the new year I've decided to revamp my time and writing commitments therefore I am going to put the Novel in 90 Days thing off until next year. By that time I will also have a better handle on the craft of fiction myself. Apologies to everyone who was looking forward to doing this with me. Thanks for supporting my blog with your faithful readership.

Squirrel

INTERVIEW WITH DEBUT AUTHOR MARILYNN GRIFFITH

1. Where and what were you doing the moment you got THE CALL?

I was...writing! LOL I got an email from my agent actually. I read it a few times and then wrote back to ask if he was sure...

2. Who was the first person you told or called and why?

I called my husband, but his cell was out of range, so I called my good friend Gail Hayes, a nonfiction author. She'd encouraged me a week before when I'd had one of my I'm-never-going-to-be-published breakdowns.

3. What has been your favorite book to write and why?

Wow, that's hard. I really have enjoyed them all. I'd have to say my first book, which didn't sell. I think some of that is the first novel process though. "

4. What has been your hardest book to write and why?

Now, that's easy. The hardest book for me to write was JADE, the second book in my Shades of Style series with Revell. The main character is Chinese and I really wanted to do a good job portraying her. My editor loved it and I laughed and cried while writing it, so I'm hoping readers will enjoy it.


5. If you could put MADE OF HONOR in the hands of any one famous, who would that be and why?

Hmmm...What a journalist you are! Let me think... Mary Mary. Definitely. I guess that's sort of cheating because they're not one person. I'd give it to them because my daughters and I did a dance from their praise troupe to "Shackles" while I was editing Made of Honor and that song was always in my head. The song is also the heart of what Made of Honor is about.


6. What scene from MADE OF HONOR was the most absolute fun to write? Why?

Oh my! That would have to be when Dana's bridesmaid dress explodes and she end up being carried to the car by someone she's been avoiding for a long time. I was cracking up while I was typing. I'd say that the passover dinner later in the book is a tie with that scene.


7. What was the hardest scene? Why?

Some of the hardest scenes to write in Made of Honor were the interactions between Dana and her friend, Rochelle. These two women really grew on me during the book and when they struggled with their friendship, I struggled with them.


8. What advice would you give to someone out there listening who might be discouraged in their writing journey?

If you can quit writing, DO. If you can't quit, WRITE. This business isn't easy, but everyone has a story to tell. Find your story and the voice to tell it in. Live, love, laugh and read as much as you can. Pace yourself but be persistent. Find your rhythm and play it to THE END.

9. What would you consider to be the content of the perfect reader fan letter of MADE OF HONOR?


Dear Marilynn,

Thank you so much for writing MADE OF HONOR. It was funny, honest and uplifting and I read it at a really hard time in my life. I'm falling in love with Jesus again and I know He loves me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thanks for reminding me.

Sincerely,
Perfect Reader

10. You've contracted more than one book, can you tell us how that came about?

Sure! That first book that I told you about was soundly rejected but two publishers expressed interest in seeing something else. My agent and I proposed a series to both and to our shock, each of them were contracted! I sold first to Revell with my Shades of Style series about four women working together at a fashion design firm in New York. The first book, Pink, releases February 2006. I was elated about the first sale, but very connected to the chick lit project as well so we pitched and sold that too. MADE OF HONOR is first in the Sassy Sistahood series and just happened to come out first though it was contracted second. Wild, huh?

11. Has your writing life changed since you've signed contracts? If so, how so?

Deadlines. I always had my own personal timetables, but finishing a book and having to turn around and do it again is wonderfully difficult. It's wonderful because this is what I prayed for and I love it, but difficult because sometimes my brain is tired and doesn't want to come out and play. Then I have to start making deals with myself...and God. LOL


12. What advice would you give to authors on the verge of selling that would prepare them for life after The Call?

Have some experienced author friends to bounce things off of. There are so many things that happen after the sale that can be confusing: the editing process, covers, marketing, etc. Most of all, I'd tell them to stay on pace and keep writing. It's easy to let promotion, glee and general what-do-I-now disease paralyze you. Most of all, I'd advise to READ YOUR CONTRACTS. Even after you've signed, it's important to read and re-read your contracts with both your agent and your publisher. You're a businessperson now.


13. What about as far as being able to handle the transition from writing for ourselves to now writing for a house under the direction of a publisher?

Whoa. This one isn't easy. It's easy to take the check, but harder to comprehend that you've SOLD your book. Yes, they loved it enough to buy it, but there will be edits and some of them might be major. The first time, this can come as a big surprise. Expect it and be surprised if there aren't many changes.


14. You are an avid blogger. Do you feel that plays an important role in your novel writing? How so?

Oh boy. Blogging. What can I say? I've slowed down a bit lately because things are moving fast with these releases but I don't think blogging is important to my voice and my creative self. It's good to have an unedited space. Of course, there are sometimes where there are only so many words to go around and I"m just silent. Once a book is done or if I'm really losing it, I usually blog like a crazy woman. My friends in the blogosphere help me through life's ups and downs and cheer for me when great stuff happens too.


15. What would you suggest readers take to their reading spot when they settle down to read MADE OF HONOR?

Bring a nice vanilla candle if you have one around, some tea if you have it and a pen to underline the funny parts.


16. What do you think it was about this story (other than your fab and magnificent voice) that caused the editors to sit up and take notice?

The grace of God? Honestly, I can't say. There are so many great writers out there, both published and unpublished. Someone just has to like what you do. That's what happened with Revell, even though they didn't sign my first book, my editor enjoyed it. Same thing at Steeple Hill. It's sort of like shopping. Somewhere there's a fit. Somewhere there's somebody who gets it.


17. If Oprah featured MADE OF HONOR in her book club, what would you want her to tell the world about it?

Dana Rose pledges to say "I won't" the next time she's asked to be in a wedding. Her weak will has turned her closet into cemetery for satin gowns from periwinkle to Pepto pink. After ten stints as bridesmaid, Dana thinks she's seen it all. Then she's fired, forced to turn her hobby into a business and faced with her prodigal brother, back-stabbing sis and Mr. Practically Perfect, the ex who not only married someone else, but opened the business of her dreams—across the street. There's that Maid of Honor thing too… And this time she can't say no. Will wedding #11 show Dana what's she's really made of?


18. Who was your target audience with MADE OF HONOR?

Hmmm... Me? LOL I try to write books that I'd enjoy and that I could give to all of my friends, who happen to be a very diverse bunch. A women who loves life, loves the Lord and loves her girlfriends will enjoy MADE OF HONOR.

19. When does your next book come out? And where can readers not familiar with CBA purchase it?

My next book, PINK (Revell), comes out in February 2006. And never fear, no acronyms or secret codes are necessary to get it. LOL Pink will be available wherever books are sold. (And if it they don't have it, ask for it!)

20. Any parting thoughts?

Thank you, Cheryl. I can't wait to return the favor for your first release. Thanks everyone for being here. Please visit me at http://www.marilynngriffith.com/ and tell me what you think of Made of Honor. Bye!

BLUSH AND CRINGE

Took my little munchkins Christmas shopping with me for daddy's present this week. Just so happened I had to pick up some feminine hygiene items while we were there. I turned away for no more than a few minutes and all three of the little critters had taken them out of the packages, peeled the strips off, and stuck them all over the kart. It wouldn't have been so bad except that they were those huge overnight ones so they looked barricaded in a moving fortress of miniature pillows....and yes, EVERYONE was staring and of course snickering at my expense.

Squirrel

TAGGED!!!!!

I've been tagged, which means I get to talk about myself. YAY. ROFL. Okay seriously, I'm really shy but here goes. I think I'm supposed to be telling you 15 personal and writing preference facts about myself. I'll try to write things I'll bet you all didn't know.

1. I got my first motercycle when I was five years old. It was a Honda 50 but I prefer Harleys.
2. I could shoot the "o" out of a coke can with my pellet gun from halfway across 5 acres before I was 8. That was a Daisy BB gun but I prefer semiautomatics. :-)
3. I have batted around the idea of writing a MOM lit. Don't ask me to explain what that is because I don't quite have a handle on it myself.
4. I lived in New Mexico near an Indian reservation, an ice cave, and a dead volcanoe for 16 years. I prefer to be close to family.
5. I love to read action/adventure, romantic suspense, and just plain good love stories, even historicals. I read both secular and Christian writers. I love to write military stories and I've never been in the military.
6. One thing I hate is stories and movies that do not have a happy ending. Life is hard enough and many people read to escape. Therefore I will ALWAYS write happy endings into my story. I can't control life but I can control the lives of my characters. Usually. :-)
7. I was the best archery and chess club student in high school. I put a tiny slice of me into every book I write.
8. I am seriously addicted to books.
9. My husband fully supports my habit, although he says he's NOT building one more bookshelf in the house.
10. I am now grieving over which books I will have to give up to make room for more.
11. I'm a certified practical joker but prefer NOT to have jokes played on me which is a moot preference since I live with The Master Joker himself---Mr. Billy.
12. I am helping to open a library in a small town here where I live. I prefer to sit and read the books instead of sand the shelves and stack the books. LOL!
13. I have a huge heart for orphans and usually have them in my books somehow.
14. I love my children more than anything.
15. I want them, and my entire family to know God more than anything. That's my biggest prayer.

I tag Gretchen, Syndi, Robin, Sandy, and Christa.

Squirl

Sensational Structural Editor

Here's another link and info for an excellent structural editor.
--------------

Hi! My name is Camy Tang, and I have a critique service called The Story Sensei.A novel's structure is like a button-down shirt. It can bemis-buttoned so that the story elements aren't quite in the rightplaces or emphasized enough, making the manuscript disjointed.I also know that writers are DIRT POOR (I'm one of them), and manycan't afford to hire a freelance editor to go through their entiremanuscript (which costs anywhere from $300 to $3000) and identifystructural flaws.I offer a cheaper, specialized alternative.For only $40, I will do a high-level structural critique of your storyusing a 2-page single-spaced synopsis and a chapter-by-chaptersynopsis. I'll look for things like:• Good pacing, strong sense of movement• Setting as a character• Unique story premise• Voice• Clear story arc--beginning, middle, end• Inciting Incident• External goals• Internal goals• Obstacles/conflict• Epiphany/sacrifice• Black Moment• Flaws• Unique/original characters• Secondary characters--goals, depth, contribute to the storyYou can find more information on my website, including testimoniesfrom writers who have benefited from my services:http://www.camytang.com/sensei.htmlThanks! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me.Camy

GREAT CRITIQUE SERVICE

Here's information on Robin Miller's Critique Boutique
------------------------------------
Have you got a work in progress you need polished before entering a contest?

Do you have a work in progress you’d like some feedback on?

Do you have a completed manuscript you need “tweaked” before submitting it to an editor?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, Critique Boutique can help you! We specialize in fiction manuscript critique services. Our fees are modestly set, based on word count, NOT page count. Get as much, or as little of your manuscript critiqued, according to YOUR needs.

Elements covered in a critique include:

Beginning “hook”
POV issues
Plot points
Settings
Narrative/Dialogue
Characterization
Flow
Active/Passive
Showing/Telling
Tension/Pacing

Need a quick critique? No problem…Critique Boutique offers a 36-hour turnaround option.

Bring the experience of Critique Boutique to YOUR manuscript! An experienced critique-er, contest finalist, RWA PRO, judge for various RWA contests, judge for published book contests can critique YOUR manuscript!

Fees: To offer the lowest-price for the highest quality critique, Critique Boutique has flat rate charges.

Contact us for mailing address, or for additional information at rcproductionsinc@sbcglobal.net

DECEMBER'S PROMPT

I already posted this once but it appears lost in cyber space and I just now noticed it wasn't here. So here it is again.

SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER FOR DECEMBER

RULES: Write a 500 word scene using at least 5 of the following words.

Mud
Paws
Dog
Puddle
Rain
Umbrella
Dress
Lady
Business owner
Awning
Dinner
Apology
Flowers
Candy
Phone Number
Spiffy

Entry deadline is Dec 20th and winner will be notified by Dec. 25th.

I do not post or publish these stories anywhere, and author retains all rights to it.

Winner will receive their choice of one new fiction release out of several choices offered.

Last month's winner was Sherry P. with her entry In the Garden.

Good luck and get to writing!

Squirrel

BLUSH AND CRINGE

Since I haven't done one of these in awhile, here's one.

My hubby and I try to have a date night once a week. We usually talk over dinner and then catch a movie.

Movie theatres are.....well....dark.

And I'm......well....blind with my glasses on, certifiably so without them.

After dinner we get to the theatre. We stand in line for tickets. So far all is good and well. No catastrophies as of yet.

We buy tickets and walk inside the lobby at which time I veer left to the restroom, and he veers to the theatre showing the previews of the movie we purchased tickets for.

Problem is, I neither remembered the name of the movie, or which theatre he went in. Okay, there are about eight to choose from. So I start out, blind as a cave bat, sneaking into each room, tiptoeing (although I have no idea why) down dark aisles looking for my husband. Okay, the man is pretty easy to spot. I just look for the guy with shoulder length hair who looks like a mop when you hold him upside down. Thin fellow, thick, shoulder length hair. You can see what I mean if you check back in the RWA picture archives.

Anyway, I checked EVERY theatre and he wasn't there. So now my suspense writer's mind is roiling around ideas of The Case of the Missing Husband. Logic tells me he probably went to use the restroom. So my writer's mind told me to stake all the men's restroom entrances out. I did. For quite awhile. You know, in case he's already downloading the chili he ate at the restaraunt thirty minutes prior to accompanying me to the crime scene.

Okay so I have no evidence of a crime other than figuring out how I'm going to file a missing person's report when the missing person has the only car keys that will get me to the police station after the movie is over. Or I could turn myself in for entertaining thoughts of husband torture and homicidal ideations in case he snuck off with someone of my gender who didn't happen to be me. Then I have a Eureka moment. He's a business owner. He probably got paged via voicemail from one of his guys out working evening shift. So I go back and ask the ticket lady if she remembers what movie we paid for. After casting me a look that would have been funny had I not had an MIA husband. I go to the movie she said, and of course that movie has two theatres. Luckily she remembered which theatre she'd directed us to. I go there thinking he'd show up. Eventually.

The beginning of the movie starts and I'm getting a little worried. I pivot in my seat to find the path of least resistance, meaning which door was closest, since I was obviously going to have to call the police. I stand up and look across the theatre, and what do I find.

Blush. Cringe.

I don't know how many times I walked past him. Yes Mophead sat there laughing at me each and every time I inched back in the theatre looking more panicked each time. No he did not get up and come sit by me when he saw me sitting perilously and anxiously alone. He was too busy laughing his Mophead off, quite entertained to see just how long it would take me to figure out he was right across the aisle.

Our first date was a blind date. Snicker. No, really. He didn't tell me where we were going. He'd made me an eye appointment and told me I wasn't leaving without a pair of glasses.

I think we're about due for another one of those blind dates. Sigh. Getting old sucks pond water as my good SAYSF friend would say.

Squirrel

MY MEDIA RANT

Okay,

So I escaped the delete button, fearlessly fought the comma police, jumped over my keyboard with a single bound just to come back from the braindead state I was in and rant.

I'll make this writing related. Somehow.

Do you peel your curtains aside, look out your window and think that's all there is of the world?

Of course you don't. You know there's more to it than what you can see through that four by four piece of square glass. Or whatever size windows grace your home.

Do you see a tree from your window? A child playing across the street? A car driving by? Birds lining the power line in the top right corner? Acorns in the yard? (yum!)

What objects do you see?

Do you believe what you see is the complete, unbiased, undiluted, undistorted, whole and complete truth?

Okay, so that's a loaded question.

I'm tired and probably not coming across very coherent since it is the buttcrack of dawn here. My point? Just because you only see one tree and three acorns doesn't mean those are the only trees or acorns in the world. There are a million yards sorta like yours with houses with different views from their windows.

Think of the TV as a window. Think of the news as the small piece of the world that you can see.

I do not for the life of me understand why intelligent people believe everything they hear on the radio, or what they see on the TV news, or read online or in newspapers.

Here's the deal. I don't think there's such a thing as unbiased reporting. Even in polls. Most of those are biased. If you ask eight Democrats can't stand Fox news, and I'm venturing to guess most Republicans don't care for CNN. For the most part.

Just because something's in print doesn't mean it's completely true. Take for example reports of Bush's declining popularity. Okay, do the poll putter onners think the American people are just dense or what? Unless every single person in the United States took part in that poll, IT IS NOT ACCURATE. Did you participate in it? I didn't. No one asked me. How many people did they ask? Study polls to find out. Educate yourself as to how this poll reporting thing works. Someone could easily skew poll results then report it as the dog's honest tooth. For example: if you ask 100 Democrats their opinion of Bush, the results are probably not going to be in Bush's favor like it would tend to be if you asked 100 Republicans their opinion of Bush. See what I mean? I have no political agenda with this post other than getting a pent up rant out of my system regarding liberal media who continue to slam their leader, which borders on treason by the way.

We're in a war. We should support our troops instead of usurping our leader's authority in the eyes of the troops who are over there fighting so we can write, and speak, and report what we want. Freedom has a price. Please don't vomit words on those families of soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and for me. President Bush is not the enemy. Terrorism, and the evil who controls it is.

Okay, so it was a little political and a little biased. I'm done now. Hopefully it's out of my system until next Veteran's Day.

Pray, really Pray for our troops, not just read the bumper stickers and smile when you drive by.

Since I promised to make this writing-related, I urge you to write a one page article of news gibberish. Go ahead. Make something up and send it to your friends by email. Don't make it so outrageous that they won't believe you. Just say something that could possibly happen but really hasn't. It doesn't have to be something bad. Tell them you won a CD player off the radio or something and I'll bet they'll ask you, "What station?" or "What kinda CD player?"

Okay, stirring up your creativity, and a little bit of political dust while I'm at it. Since the focus of this site is mostly on my writing life, you probably won't have to hear this from me again, unless of course I starte a seperate blog for my political rants and you happen to trip over it. LOL! I don't hate the media as in the people. I just hate selfish ambition that defames the sacrifice and the valor and the courage and the faith that built this country. That's all. In fact, I'm a journalism student as we speak. How do you like them apples?

Squirrel---tired and feathered. Going to sleep since I WAS actually up ALL night editing manuscripts. Can you imagine what my word count would have been had I typed this much on my novel? LOL! Oy! My dear husband is taking care of the house stuff for me today. Sigh. Good man. Good night world. Watch your windows.

GOLDEN HEART CONTEST

I. Am. Drowing. In. Edits.

Blub.

Blub.

Blubblub.

Blub.

See the bubbles?

Urg.

Bile blee blight black blunst bly blain blurks ablin.
(Ya hafta say it aloud to get the full effect people. Take two. :-)

Bly,

Squablirrel.

blub.

VOTED THE WORST MOVIE OF 2005

Jarhead.

By my standards anyway. My husband and I cut rated R movies out of our diet years ago, but we made an exception since I write military romance.

After the flick was over, we (and most of the audience) sat there going, "What. Was. The. Point?"

Obviously this was an anti-war movie. It had absolutely nothing to do with honor or victory or the incredible sacrifice and stellar performance of our military during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. It had everything to do with a producer's personal agenda in my opinion.

This disgusts me since I personally know soldiers who served. One was a male nurse named Mark. I saw what it took for him to leave his civilian career, and his family. I saw the health problems he dealt with upon returning.

And you know what? I think he'd do it again in a heartbeat for freedom.

If you want to waste eight bucks on a really sucky movie....don't bother. It's not worth spending 8 cents on. I can sum up the plot right here and save you some money and aggravation:

Two soldiers come home pouting because they didn't:
1. Get to know anyone during the war. (*Know* in the Biblical sense)
2. Didn't get to kill anyone.

Okay to be fair and unbiased in my reporting, there was one itty bitty five second part in the movie that was touching and I hate to tell you but it was when they held a fellow soldier down and actually branded him and he cried. I did like that part and felt it was poignant that the other guys accepted him despite the fact that they found out he was getting kicked out upon returning back because he'd been in trouble with the law before. It reminded me of the whole, "Love covers a multitude of sin," thing.

On a different note,

Here are some sites I recommend which I feel honor the men and women who serve:

http://www.agreaterfreedom.com

http://www.freedomalliance.org/


Squirrel