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Sweethearts Of The West: MAY 10, 1889: WHEN EAST MET WEST: By Guest Lynn Hubbard I have always had a fascination with trains. So it was quite easy to choose what aspect of the West to write about....
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Guest Post by Author M J Holmes: Seeking the Zen of the Golden Word
Hi MJ and welcome to my humble abode.
My blog is BYOB. Bring your own book. ;-)
MJ shares his view on the wacky world of writing. Be sure to check out his book at the bottom and share your favorite drink in the comments!
Seeking the Zen of the Golden Word
“You can write a
million words of s***, before you write one word of gold.”
I don’t know the origin of this quote exactly, but I heard it from a traditionally published author. Three years ago, my first book was only in planning stages with a few pages of the manuscript written. I was taking a break tooling around Myspace when I saw Mr. Dolley’s page.
He was kind enough to answer my
email asking which way to publish was better: traditionally, or by “Vanity
Press”. He cited the merits of both,
however, he suggested in the time I spend waiting for answers I should keep
writing. I even titled my weblog page “A
Million Words of $#!t” to keep me in mind of the issue.
So it’s about 3-4 years later, and
here’s me with one book published, book #2 a fifth of the way finished, and a
handful of blog entries to my credit.
That, and doing a guest blog – my first – appreciative of the writing
space I’m graciously allowed. Which
gives me pause for thought: did I ever figure out what my Golden Word was?
What is word 1,000,001? Is it golden by status or is this some sort
of riddle dropped on me that I have to figure out if I want to consider myself
a good author? Are there other authors
in the world that share this Golden Word or do they have their own?
I see it as more of a question one
meditates upon concerning whether or not it’s such a good idea to pick up the
pen. It’s the kind of question that
isn’t answered by thinking, but rather by doing.
I’m not satisfied with calling 3
years of somewhat steady writing (by very loose standards of averaging) my
million words of s***. I don’t factor in
several spotty phases of writing where I thought a good idea should find its
way to the page, but never gave it much thought to write a story around it
(yet). I don’t include social forums
I’ve posted complete twaddle on for the fact that to me it equals striking up a
conversation comprised of small talk with a total stranger. So what shall I count as my million words –
or my Golden Word?
It’s a Zen question for me more
profound than: “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” The answer to that one is, of course, completely pointless. It’s so, because a clap is the desired sound
traditionally made from a hand striking another hand to achieve a report. You look like a complete moron to others
waving one hand around trying to hear something.
I suppose the first thing to
consider is what fundamental need clapping with one hand satisfies. I then compare that need with the pursuit of
authorship. You need two hands to create
a clap, just as readers need authors to keep writing.
To achieve authorship we write like
mad until our hands cramp, heads hurt, and fingers callous attempting to fill
several dozen pages with something worthwhile for others to read. We go back over our writing several times to
figure out what we did wrong and try to correct every aggravating mistake. Sometimes, we do such a job that all we have
left is a handful of pages we’re satisfied with while the rest of the manuscript
sits on the recycling pile. We’re then
forced to go write more material that still pertains to the work just to flesh
it out to avoid writing nothing more than a short story.
If we’re inclined, we’ll throw
money at someone who’ll professionally sieve the lot for the good stuff before
handing back roughly the same thing.
Back to the desk to write some more and repeat the cycle. Correct the errors, pick out the bits we like,
and then write some more and that’s just to get the first draft of the manuscript
finished. Don’t get me started on other
aggravations like correcting plot holes, culling out anything and everything
ending with –ly, or changing from one
kind of quotation mark to another…passive voice…show, don’t tell…strike head
soundly against closest wall…
Even after the manuscript is
finished we look to publishing avenues that work for us. Do we go traditional or do we make it quick
and augment the MS to fit the requirements of Print-On-Demand? Do we accept the fact we’ll probably see enough
rejection notices to paper the office walls from floor to ceiling (unless we’re
writing well in a genre that’s the height of fiction fashion at the time)? Do we resort to writing for the readers
instead of ourselves?
Finally, we’ve made our work available
to the public at a price we find is the acceptable norm. We sit and wait for sales not gained from
only friends and family. We scour
library and internet resources pertaining to methods that help sell books.
Some gauge the future of their work
by the numbers. They believe that great
sales ranks or other contrived figures will keep them from languishing in
obscurity. More will spend half their
day – like me – attempting to find the quickest/cheapest ways to advertise so
those contrived numbers shrink to acceptable visibility in the Top
Whatever. Others will blindly follow
every bit of “advice” given about how not to kill your sales and in the process
learn what a good idea that wasn’t.
Please, for the love of all that’s
good in this world, do not get me started on seeking out reviews. That in
itself is an entire blog not worth writing for all the fear it would instill in
the hearts of new authors. The trouble
there is finding people who’ll take the time to tell you what they think. May your personal god(s) help you if you find
the ones who tell you before they’ve
thought at all.
Once the satisfaction has set in we
finally have our works polished as much as possible and in the public view; we have to start thinking about the NEXT
project. I’m guessing it would be at
this point in my work that I’d ask myself, “Is this where I look completely
mental swatting at invisible flies? Will
anyone read what I’ve written? Is this worth
all that effort each time I want to write a book, with or without the aid of a
Publishing House?”
Yes!
I am either completely mental
talking to myself like that or I can look back on it all and find the good in
what I was doing all along. Seeing both
sides of the issue brought me to the conclusion of finding my first Golden Word:
Diligence.
Despite
every disheartening or negative response, every unkind pursuit against the SPA
community in part or whole, writer’s block, data loss, revision after revision
after revision…
The
diligent writers command their pen and do what they must to succeed. They continue to write even though they are
confronted with doubts and uncertainties.
They look past bad reviews, and voting wars. They couldn’t give the southern end of a northbound
rat about who thinks whatever about them.
They don’t have time to; they’ve got a self-appointed deadline to
meet. I for one don’t even have time to
care about deadlines.
I learned I
have to ignore false labels like nuisance, liar, cheat, fraud, and other
adjectives too unsavory to mention. I
learned I must respond to insults, snarks, and What-you-should-have-done-isms
with politeness I surprise myself that I am capable. I understand I’ll be exposed to the kind of
emotional sapping that would normally make me wonder why it is I continue.
The truth is I am writing for
myself. If I write how others say they
think I should I’ll be cheated of the pleasure and the stories I want to
share. I would be cheated of the kind of
fun being completely mental provides.
In
retrospect, my million words is the embodiment of all the work I’ve created to
reach that crazy enlightenment where I can sum the entire experience in one word. Like a cross-referenced database in the
depths of my consciousness, I can see that word for what it represents to
me. It is the sum of my writing so
far. I’ve marred the surface and proved
its worth to be pure and invaluable.
However,
whether I reach this ink-soaked Zen alone or with others, we all know that a
little bit of gold will only get us so far or buy us so much. I’ve completed too much to not continue
slogging through the process, finish writing the next book, write another blog,
and seek the Zen of the (Next) Golden Word…
…because
I’d be f***ing insane if I stopped
now. :-)
-M-
§
Book Blurb:
M.J. Holmes sets the stage and narrates the travels of strangely assorted characters in their pursuits to save the post-cataclysmic world of Bu’Kre’Knunkt. Based on a plot written for a Role-Playing Game, in Act 1; Book 1, Holmes lays the foundation of the Scorched Reality Project: Gamma Series, and creates an enigmatic flashback of events.
He begins by introducing the Council of Control (“The 5”) – a shadow government of sorts – as they oversee events. Their watchful eyes follow the pursuits of “The Two”: A Necromancer and a mysteriously disguised Narrator who relates to him the tale of The Dhuras Protectorate.
Quested by Divine Intervention to locate and destroy the source of a threatening instability, “The Otherworlders” begin their trek having neither any knowledge of the world they’ve been transported to nor idea what they should do next. Thrust into one peril after another they struggle to adapt and survive; becoming bounty hunters, exterminators, and conscripts of the city religion on their way to entitlement as a Protectorate. An item found in their questing is identified by a benefactor to be part of an ancient weapon, thus providing them their first concrete lead of the Quest to follow since their arrival.
The Author looks to draw in his readers the same way he draws in players of his Role-Playing Game: characters with individuality, a setting with substance, and a story that leaves the reader wondering what will happen next.
He begins by introducing the Council of Control (“The 5”) – a shadow government of sorts – as they oversee events. Their watchful eyes follow the pursuits of “The Two”: A Necromancer and a mysteriously disguised Narrator who relates to him the tale of The Dhuras Protectorate.
Quested by Divine Intervention to locate and destroy the source of a threatening instability, “The Otherworlders” begin their trek having neither any knowledge of the world they’ve been transported to nor idea what they should do next. Thrust into one peril after another they struggle to adapt and survive; becoming bounty hunters, exterminators, and conscripts of the city religion on their way to entitlement as a Protectorate. An item found in their questing is identified by a benefactor to be part of an ancient weapon, thus providing them their first concrete lead of the Quest to follow since their arrival.
The Author looks to draw in his readers the same way he draws in players of his Role-Playing Game: characters with individuality, a setting with substance, and a story that leaves the reader wondering what will happen next.
Buy Links:
For Nook: http://www.
Book & Blog Site:
Thank you for taking an interest!
-MJ Holmes-
§
Monday, April 30, 2012
Mother's Day Book Blast April 30-May 6
Mother's Day Book Blast
Happy Mother's Day!
Sign up for my Newsletter and enter for a chance to win a
$10 Amazon Gift Card
Mother’s Day to me is a day for celebration. Not for myself,
but for all the wonderful women in my life, past and present. I am very
fortunate to still have my own mother. My Grandma Hubbard passed away four
years ago, yet I still miss her.
Mother’s Day is not about gifts and flowers and cards, it’s
about family, and friends; spending time with them while they are on this
earth. Why wait for a holiday to tell someone you love them, take them
shopping, or go out for dinner?
I lost my Aunt Susie when she was 47. We were very close. My
favorite memories are going to the movies together. She was very ill, and had
many bad days before she passed. However, it is the good days that I remember.
Please leave a comment, if you are missing someone today.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
I've never really thought about dog food until my Hannah became sick.
I've never really thought about dog food until my Hannah became sick. Read Hannah's story and enter below to win some healthy treats for your dog.
I rescued Hannah and her brother Wyatt over four years ago. At her check up in April 2011 she was in perfect health. She came in one day from playing in the yard and I noticed her ears were raw. I assumed she got into a scrape with some critter and took her to the vet. Several rounds of antibiotics, steriods and Vet visits and they finally were on the path to healing. They changed her dog food to a healthier variety, to help her immune system. She still was dropping weight very quickly, she lost 2-3 pounds in a couple of months and her ears were again raw and inflamed. Back to the vet for more tests and medication. Her labs were off a bit so they started her on a liver supplement as well. A recheck in a month and she had started breathing hard. Around December we finally did an xray and found a Mass in her Chest cavity. We were sent to a specialist who did an ultrasound. They wanted to do a biopsy but were unable to get a sample. They treated her for pnemonia and we home with a sackful of meds. My life consisted of giving her medicine, driving to to Vets and holding Hannah. They were finally able to do a biopsy and the results highly suggested lymphoma. By this time, Hannah was so debilitated all she could do was gasp for breath. So I made my decision and let her go. 1-17-2012
Below is a short note I wrote:
It was not by God’s choice, but my own which sorrows me deeply. After seeing her deteriorate as the cancer takes her breath, it is the only kind thing I can do.
Yes, there are specialists, and more tests and more drugs. And I went that path for a while, until that path looked dark and gloomy as well.
But Hannah does not deserve darkness.
She deserves joy and light, so I tearfully make my decision to do what is best for her, which is the hardest path for me.
Rest in Peace Hannah my sweet girl. Rest in peace.
What should you feed your dog? Whats in your dog treats? All dog owners have to face these questions sooner or later. Dogs are omnivores. They'll eat anything (including things that, to us, shouldn't be edible). The good thing about Plato Pet Treats, say, your favorite pair of slippers—is how they can contribute to your dog's health.
Thinker Treats -
They use only the best all-natural and organic ingredients that will assist in your pets nutritional needs, without any artifcial preservatives, meat by-products or meals. This truly makes THINKERS the smart treat for your pet, with a taste that'll have their tail wagging every time they see the bag.
Original Plato Pet Treats
They come in three flavors - Salmon, Chicken, and Duck
New! Farmers MarketTreats, with Pro-Biotics!
Farmers Market treats are all-natural, made from ingredients grown right here in the good ole US of A, and as fresh as if you'd hand-picked them yourself at the local farmers market. No mystery meats. No meal or meat by-products. No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or GMO's (short for—shudder—genetically modified organisms). So next time your dog does one of his favorite tricks, reward him with one of theirs: New Farmers Market pet treats.
 |
| My son Michael and Hannah |
I rescued Hannah and her brother Wyatt over four years ago. At her check up in April 2011 she was in perfect health. She came in one day from playing in the yard and I noticed her ears were raw. I assumed she got into a scrape with some critter and took her to the vet. Several rounds of antibiotics, steriods and Vet visits and they finally were on the path to healing. They changed her dog food to a healthier variety, to help her immune system. She still was dropping weight very quickly, she lost 2-3 pounds in a couple of months and her ears were again raw and inflamed. Back to the vet for more tests and medication. Her labs were off a bit so they started her on a liver supplement as well. A recheck in a month and she had started breathing hard. Around December we finally did an xray and found a Mass in her Chest cavity. We were sent to a specialist who did an ultrasound. They wanted to do a biopsy but were unable to get a sample. They treated her for pnemonia and we home with a sackful of meds. My life consisted of giving her medicine, driving to to Vets and holding Hannah. They were finally able to do a biopsy and the results highly suggested lymphoma. By this time, Hannah was so debilitated all she could do was gasp for breath. So I made my decision and let her go. 1-17-2012
Below is a short note I wrote:
The Path Towards the Light by Lynn Hubbard
My dog died today.It was not by God’s choice, but my own which sorrows me deeply. After seeing her deteriorate as the cancer takes her breath, it is the only kind thing I can do.
Yes, there are specialists, and more tests and more drugs. And I went that path for a while, until that path looked dark and gloomy as well.
But Hannah does not deserve darkness.
She deserves joy and light, so I tearfully make my decision to do what is best for her, which is the hardest path for me.
Rest in Peace Hannah my sweet girl. Rest in peace.
What should you feed your dog? Whats in your dog treats? All dog owners have to face these questions sooner or later. Dogs are omnivores. They'll eat anything (including things that, to us, shouldn't be edible). The good thing about Plato Pet Treats, say, your favorite pair of slippers—is how they can contribute to your dog's health.
Thinker Treats -
They use only the best all-natural and organic ingredients that will assist in your pets nutritional needs, without any artifcial preservatives, meat by-products or meals. This truly makes THINKERS the smart treat for your pet, with a taste that'll have their tail wagging every time they see the bag.Original Plato Pet Treats
They come in three flavors - Salmon, Chicken, and Duck
- Natural ingredients, fortified with antioxidant vitamins, and zinc
- No artificial colors, flavors, synthetic preservatives, or GMO's (genetically modified organisms)
- Naturally preserved.
- Antioxidant vitamins E and C
- No meat by-products or meals
New! Farmers MarketTreats, with Pro-Biotics!
Farmers Market treats are all-natural, made from ingredients grown right here in the good ole US of A, and as fresh as if you'd hand-picked them yourself at the local farmers market. No mystery meats. No meal or meat by-products. No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or GMO's (short for—shudder—genetically modified organisms). So next time your dog does one of his favorite tricks, reward him with one of theirs: New Farmers Market pet treats.
Find a Store or buy them online!
Want to treat your dog and win $100 Worth of Pet Treats from Plato Pet Treats? Fill out the form below to enter to win! Brought to you by Blog It Forward a Rafflecopter giveawayChief Tatokainyanka,Engraved in History
I was visiting the Titanic exhibit with my friend Cindy Smith, when we came upon a display of currency. It is amazing to me that any artifacts are around 100 years later much less “paper” money.
The array of bills was unbelievable. In 1912, any state chartered bank could issue paper money and Titanic carried a wide assortment.
Some of the items predated the civil war. I guess it was
Yankee money, since Confederate
funds were then defunct.
Cindy is a true cowgirl, and the one that caught her eye was
a five dollar Silver
certificate with an Indian head on the front. I was intrigued as well and
decided to look it up.
These certificates were issued in 1899, to replace silver
coins. I guess they were a bit lighter to carry around. The central figure is
Tatokainyanka who was a Sioux Chief. Since Chief Tatokainyanka is kinda hard to
say, he was called Chief Onepapa.
 |
| Original Photo |
He is famous for signing the “Treaty of Fort Laramie” in 1868. He traveled to Washington, DC to meet President Andrew Johnson where his picture was taken.
 |
| Redesigned Head Dress |
The engraver for the bill drew in a Pawnee head dress instead, to better fit the space. Unfortunately, this is the only US paper money where an Indian is the focal point. The Bills today can go for hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the condition. Of course the ones from Titanic, are priceless.
If you have a buck, you can pick up one of the new Native American Coins from the US Mint.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Welcome Spring
Welcome Spring
There are many signs that spring is here. Bees, pollen, cherry
blossoms and dandelions.
I drove thru my neighborhood the other day admiring all the well-manicured
lawns. Then I came upon one full of yellow dandelions.
It reminded me of my old house. I am not the best gardener,
I’m not the outdoorsy type, I’d rather be inside reading a book or writing one.
So my lawn was neglected. I was bustling my son Nicholas out of the house one
day, and was shocked to see how over grown my yard had become. It was full of
dandelions, they seemed to have sprung up overnight.
As I was pondering if they would just disappear with a good
mowing, I heard a gasp from my son.
“Mom, look at the yard. It’s beautiful!”
So I did look again, and he was right. It was beautiful. The
bright yellow blossoms, contrasting against the green of the grass. I remember picking handfuls of them for bouquets
as a child, I had just forgotten somehow. Needless to say, the blossoms stayed
as long as they wanted.
It seems like growing up, you miss out on a lot. Like seeing
the simple beauty in one of God’s creations. There is beauty all around us,
sometimes we just forget to look.
If you would like to read more from Lynn, please visit: my website, my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or sign up for my Newsletter!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Win Coffee!
Coffee
is an integral part of my life. I didn’t really
start drinking coffee until I turned 30. Now I practically need an IV. I love
the wide assortment of flavored creamers. Yummy!
So
when I was offered a chance to share this wonderful prize…COFFEE!!!
I jumped on
it. Just go thru the Rafflecoppter below to enter.
Good Luck, I’m off to grab a
cup!
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