(The) Writing Life--Things Writers Should Stop Doing

Hi and Happy New Years's Eve.

Tonight I'd like to share an excellent blog post for writers of all kinds. Here is the link to it:

CLICK HERE

Writing (About) Life Today...The Memphis Belle

So. What have I been doing besides getting all sleep-deprived? Christmas preparations, of course. I absolutely had to do the last bit of Christmas shopping today despite the brain fog and the kind of eyes that go with only having had an hour or two of sleep. One of my coworkers used to describe that particular sensation as eyes that feel like "two holes burnt in a blanket." That's what it feels like, all right.

Anyway, I did the last of the shopping for presents with all the expected suffering, but before I did all that, I had some fun. I know it's supposed to be the other way around, but sometimes a body needs desert first.  In this case, it was an historical outing. The Memphis Belle is here getting some re-restoration and repairs done, and she was supposed to fly away back to wherever home is at noon. So, camera in hand, I went to see her before she left.

And here she is, sassy as ever:

I remember when the movie came out in the early 1990s and the critics opined that the actors in it were too young to play a WW II  B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew. The irony here is that these actors were all older than the actual crew members were when they were flying their bombing missions over Germany.

It was cold out there at the airport, very windy, and I had that "burnt blanket" thing going on with the eyes. But I'm very glad I went. History is my thing. I've never done a World War II book, but  who knows? 

I might.

New Release Available...

THE LAST ENTRY

Three Award-Winning Short Stories

from my "Literary Writing Days."

"The Last Entry"

An "English" woman must bring devastating news to the Amish man she has loved all her life.

"Daughters of the Sea"

A young girl encounters the most notorious woman she will ever know.

"The Opera Ain't Over Till the Fat Lady Sings."

A daughter struggles to understand her free-spirited artist mother and her many love affairs.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Christmas in the Foyer and...

Christmas in the foyer...

(The DH made the stained glass lampshade)

and...a pumpkin pie. (DH is still waiting for it to cool)

What the Writer Saw...

(And this was a double-take.)


I saw a...

Man. A portly man. With a white beard and white hair. Wearing khaki cargo shorts, a sweater, and off-white, wool-looking knee socks with very sturdy shoes.  And a tam o'shanter. (A what?) One of these:

He was sitting on a bench. In Walmart. Reading. What may have been an eBook reader.  (I really was trying not to stare. Or bring out my cell phone and try to learn to take pictures with it then and there.)

So who do you think he could be, this man who seemed to be more in costume than is de rigueur even for the Walmart Superstore?

 Could it be Santa MacClaus, checking his list for who's been naughty and who's been nice?

Who else would sit in Walmart foot traffic, trying to read and looking like the Kris Kringle fresh from the Royal Troon links? 

Whatever the answer, it made my shopping trip. Haven't had one that interesting--especially in Walmart--in a LONG time.

Happy Thanksgiving...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Brahma

My sister, on her way here to visit, made her husband turn around so she could take this photo. I think I can understand why. When is the last time you saw a giant Brahma bull dressed up like Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer--with Santa Claus riding on his back?

I know. But I guess it beats the meat aisle at Walmart.

Merry Christmas. (sigh)

The Empire Hotel

Come take a photo tour of the historic Empire Hotel. The 1855 section had a "walk on" part in at least one of my historicals, i.e., THE BRIDE FAIR. I keep hoping somebody will step up and save it. I thought for a while it would actually happen--an honest to goodness restoration. But then that fell to the wayside in the wake of the Wall Street shenanigans.

Click here to see the interior.

Rainbow-sharing...

An unexpected pleasure on a trip to the F&M Bank yesterday. This was taken from the bank parking lot--the trees are gorgeous, aren't they?

On the left, through the trees, is a house I often when to with my dad when I was a little girl. The man who lived there and my dad were both "dog men." ("Dog men" have a lot to talk about.)

The two-story white structure on the right is a small apartment house behind the two-story stone house that used to be Dr. Oliver's medical office. (Had to go there more times than I like to remember.) The big stone house is still there, but I'm not sure what, if anything occupies it.

On the far, far right--completely out of the frame--is the house that belonged to a woman who lost both her sons in WW II. I believe her name was Mrs. Holshouser. Even though she's long gone, I always feel sad when I see it. Not so much at that particular moment, though. Rainbows help with things like that.

And this concludes my Rainbow Connection for this time...

Clocks and Me...

I've been tinkering with the anniversary clocks--two of them, both of which chime like clockwork, but mostly not the right number for the hour it happens to be. For example, one chimes twice when it's 10 AM and not at all when it's 10 PM. The other one is just as numerically challenged, although both of them do just fine if it happens to be 12 noon or midnight. It's been that way for years. Suffice it to say, if you want to know what time it is at my house, do NOT count the chiming.

Anyway, as I said, I've been tinkering, not because I intended to do something about the mismatched chimes, but because I had to reset them AGAIN thanks to that Fall Back/Spring Forward nonsense. (No, I don't like Daylight Savings Time. The only time I liked it was when I was 10 and NC didn't participate in the practice, so all the television programs came on an hour early. I got to see all kinds of  programs I'd never seen before and I LIKED it.)

But I digress. I finally got around to resetting the anniversary clocks, only to find one had stopped running altogether. New batteries should have taken care of that, but didn't, so I tinkered. And fiddled. And tinkered. I got the thing running again, but it wasn't chiming. And then it was chiming, and not only was it chiming, it was chiming the right number. And somehow so is the other one, the one I didn't tinker with except to run the hands forward until it was an hour earlier.

Imagine that. Clocks chiming ten when it's ten and two when it's two. It's nice. I like it.

It makes me happy.

Till next time...

Mt. Pilot...

Apparently State Park personnel tried to burn down Pilot Mountain. (Mount Pilot of Andy Griffith Show fame, that would be.) It was one of those "prescribed burn" things. I heard someone comment that people and the media were just "overreacting." I once stayed with a very nice Pilot Mountain woman when I was a member of a classmate's wedding. This was the view from her front door--without the flames, of course. If she still lives there, and not being a total idiot, I imagine she's been "overreacting" quite a bit.

My Heroes...

Giving my humble thanks to veterans everywhere, and especially to "my" veterans, many of whom who are no longer here:

Richard

Daddy

"Moose"

Frankie

Genaro

"Pop"

Raymond

Floyd (who didn't come home from the war)

Brantley

Dean

Gary

Randy

Steve

Sally

and all the men from my childhood who answered the call when their country needed them. I was a little girl who grew up surrounded by heroes who did their duty, and I am all the better for it.

It's The Truth...

IF YOU TELL ME YOUR GHOST STORY, I'LL TELL YOU MINE...

Halloween is nigh, so I was thinking. Have you ever had a ghostly encounter? I think I have and I'm going to tell you about it.

Once upon a time, I was a young nurse working night duty on a surgical unit at the local hospital. The unit was a T-shaped wing in the "old" part of the hospital which had been built in the 1930s. Everything about it was "old," the decor, the terrazzo flooring, the call lights. Those worked by depressing a button on the end of a cord until it clicked and stayed in. To turn it off, you clicked again and released it so that it popped out.

On the annex part of the "T," which led to the "new" part of the hospital, there was a small, no amenities room. By that I mean, no bathroom, no closet, and just big enough for one bed, the bedside tables and a chair. It was usually a kind of "overflow" room for late night admissions, but for several weeks it had been a "dying room" for a woman with a terminal illness. She was in a great deal of pain, and her call light would come on often during the night. "Pain management" was an oxymoron then--perhaps it still is--but at that time pain medication was ordered at rigid, tightly controlled intervals and never given early, which was the reason her call light came on so often. She was locked into the Job-like suffering of "How long?"

One night, when I came on duty, I was advised that the woman had died during the day, that the room had been cleaned, repainted and was ready for another admission. As the night progressed, I happened to look down the annex hallway just when a room light over a door came on. It was the "dying room." I walked down the hall and went inside. No one was there. I wasn't afraid. No goosebumps or raised hair or anything like that. Nothing on my mind but addressing the problem at hand. I picked up the call light, clicked the button to release it and thus turn it off, and left the room.

It wasn't until I was halfway back down the hallway that I realized that the call light button had been pushed "in" -- which is the only way it could be turned on. The button was IN. A well-used, antiquated call light could get to the point where the button would pop "out" and thus not stay on without the patient having to hold it, but they never popped "in." I knew there was no one else in the room. I knew no one had been in the room because I saw the light come on, and I went immediately to check on it. There was only one way in or out and no one could have left without me seeing them.

So I was puzzled. VERY puzzled, and I thought well, maybe there's a short. Maybe the button had gotten pushed in when the room was cleaned and never released because a short made it go off so no one realized it. In any event, I didn't have time to worry about it. I had a whole unit with rooms full of post-surgical people I could actually see.

But twice more during the night, the light came on. Twice more I went into the room, found the button pushed"in," and I turned it off. I must say, by the third time, the goosebumps were there.

How did the light thing happen? I didn't know then and I don't know now. I only know that it did.

Book Bulletin...

The new release will be a Love Inspired Historical, titled AN UNEXPECTED WIFE.  The release date is July 2013.... 

Manuscript Approved...

This is me, happy, happy, happy! (Yes, I know it's "This is I."  Somehow correct grammar doesn't go with a dancing dog.)

More info as I get it.

A Walk At The Lake Park...

I thought you'd like to go for a walk with me. This is the wooded part of the park. The other part is more "industrial-looking"--paved oval walking track around the lake with chain link fencing. And ducks. 

This is the beginning of the walk. I can hear assorted birdsong -- and a crow:

The trail winds deeper into the woods...

Something eye-catching to look at...

Keep walking...

This is the dark and shadowy, Red Riding Hood-slash-Hansel and Gretel part...

A blue flower (Look hard)....

A fork in the trail...

The "industrial-looking part of the park where a duck in nesting (far right) and her drake keeps watch--when he's awake...

The water feature. A branch (brook?) runs all the way through the wooded part of the park...

This concludes our exercise for the day. I hope you enjoyed it. Come back and walk again any time.

What the Writer Saw...

Writers see things--unless they're deep in a plot. In which case, they don't see anything.

That aside, today I'm encouraging you to see things, too.  Pay attention when you're out and about. There are all kinds of things going on. Some of them will even make you feel better, if you let it.



So what did I see?


A truck driver eating his lunch. He was in his big rig in the K-Mart parking lot. The window was rolled down despite the heat of the day. And while he was feeding himself, he was feeding the birds. It was...sweet.

Squirrels, At Least 20; Cheryl, 2.

Several weeks ago the squirrels stole all the tomatoes off my tomato plants. And I mean ALL the tomatoes. Who knew squirrels ate tomatoes? I didn't. They even carted off the neighbor's tomatoes, too, while they were at it.

So I gave up on that project -- these are the same squirrels that eat all the pecans off the pecan trees every fall, so I knew what I was dealing with. But look what the tomato plants did without me. TWO tomatoes. (These are heirloom tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes don't do "round.") There are a few more deep in the foliage. I hoping to harvest those, too, if the squirrels don't catch on.

I just wanted you to see them.

Guess who had a home grown tomato sandwich today?

(Two very fresh slices of white bread, two or more slices of peeled, garden fresh tomato, Hellman's or Duke's mayonnaise, black pepper to taste, a pinch of sugar.)

HOW TO HELP YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

Salisbury Post 8/26/12

The #1 spot--that would be me. :)))

Love Inspired Historical Authors

If you have a moment, would you come and "Like" the LOVE INSPIRED HISTORICAL Authors page?

HERE IS THE LINK

Salisbury Post 8/19/12

That would be me in the #3 slot...

"Like" Me, Maybe?

COME "LIKE" ME ON MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE...

(Here's the link.)

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE: 1 OF 5 RECOMMENDED READS...

The Soldier's Wife

is

1 of 5 Recommended Reads

on

KOBO

today.

Here's the KOBO Link

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE...

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE

NOW AVAILABLE 

PRINT AND ALL E-BOOK DIGITAL FORMATS

Click here to go to amazon.com

FREE: JULY 19 AND 20. PROMISE ME A RAINBOW

TODAY IS THE DAY. (AND TOMORROW)

JULY 19 AND 20

THE DIGITAL VERSION OF 

PROMISE ME A RAINBOW

IS 

FREE IN THE KINDLE STORE.

HERE'S THE LINK:

http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Me-A-Rainbow-ebook/dp/B007Y8QADC/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1342707523&sr=1-8&keywords=cheryl+reavis

KINDLE BOOK FREE (For Two Days)

Do you have a Kindle?  If so, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, a RITA finalist, will be free in the amazon.com Kindle store July 19 and 20.


Here is the URL:


http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Me-A-Rainbow-ebook/dp/B007Y8QADC/ref=sr_1_16?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1335745016&sr=1-16

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE--AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

I need music when I write. Hearing this song, the late Doc Watson's a capella version of "Pretty Saro," let me "see" the story as if it were a movie or better yet, a drama production done by PBS. 

Whenever I heard it, "Jack Murphy" became real. I could see him, exhausted and making his way on horseback over the rough Blue Ridge Mountains. I knew he was more alone now than he had ever been. He had left behind his "orphan family" and the faithless girl he was going to marry. He was in danger, on the run, and despite all that, he was searching for the woman he'd promised to find--"The Soldier's Wife." 




If you'd like to hear the song, HERE IS THE LINK:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHnGXDNqQjE


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

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE by Cheryl Reavis

http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Wife-Inspired-Historical-ebook/dp/B00835W3Q8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1335227069&sr=1-1

Happy Fourth of July!

The flag is out, but it isn't "flying." No breeze. None. We had a little rain the other night, so the grass-- what's left of it after triple digit temps--has perked up a little. The peace plant on the right belongs to the wrens--which is why it's droopy. They don't like for you to water their babies.

I've been thinking of a parade I went to when I was little, part of the Fourth of July celebration in the nearby town of Faith and known to us locals as the Faith Fourth. This is also the celebration the first George Bush came to visit when he was in office--after his people swooped in and staged the town so it would be more in tune with their idea of what a Fourth of July celebration was supposed to look like. (Lots of bunting and strategically placed bales of hay, as I recall. And empty carnival rides eerily running.) But I digress. The WW II vets were going to march in the parade, all those who could still fit in their uniforms, and march they did. They happened to stop very near where I was standing to execute their resurrected military drilling skill, and they were wonderful. Seeing all of them in their different uniforms--I think it was the first time I understood the concept of everyone doing their part when the country needed it.

"Sim-Sational-Book" Review for PROMISE ME A RAINBOW

LINK TO THE REVIEW

The Princess Bride--Sort Of.

"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." 

Yesterday, I saw an intense little boy, who was actually playing outside, suddenly lift the long, narrow stick he was carrying assume a fencing position. The above quote was the first thing that popped into my head as we drove by. DH gave me one of those "husband looks" because a) he's never seen PRINCESS BRIDE and b) I apparently said it out loud.

Yodeling. Or Patsy Cline and Me--And Roy

I've been thinking I'd like to learn to yodel. Because I watched a YouTube video of Patsy Cline singing "Lovesick Blues" yesterday. I'm not much of a country music fan, but if I decided to become one, it would be because of Patsy Cline. She was one of a kind. I don't really understand the  "Everybody Look/Sound Alike-ness" of the genre now. It seems to me that it's all about the song itself and not the singing style of the singer. It's the song that's the hit, and any of a number of blondes in heavy eye makeup could have brought it. ANYWAY, that Patsy Cline could yodel. So could Roy Rogers--you may recall I have a certain admiration for Roy Rogers. So maybe I want to yodel. It's not too late, is it?


Click here to hear Patsy sing "Lovesick Blues."

Blogging today on the Belle Bridge Books blog. Come read me...



HERE IS THE LINK:

You Are Invited To Visit The Author Page...

For the latest book and writing news--and writer angst--come visit me on my Cheryl Reavis Author page on Facebook, and do please comment and/or "Like" while you're there....

HERE IS THE LINK

Cupcake's Book Cupboard Reviews PROMISE ME A RAINBOW

Nice review for PROMISE ME A RAINBOW...

CLICK HERE

Just Janga: Tuesday Review: Promise Me a Rainbow

BELOW IS THE LINK FOR A NICE REVIEW FOR PROMISE ME A RAINBOW:

Just Janga: Tuesday Review: Promise Me a Rainbow: Promise Me a Rainbow (Reissue of original published in1990) By Cheryl Reavis Publisher: Bell Bridge Books Release Date: May ...

KINDLE BOOK: THE SOLDIER'S WIFE

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE is now available for pre-ordering

 in the Kindle format.

To pre-order or to read an excerpt:

HERE IS THE LINK

POSTAL WORKERS' FOOD DRIVE

DON'T FORGET THE POSTAL WORKERS' FOOD DRIVE IS TODAY (May 12). Put a can or two out for your mailperson to collect....

FREE FOR FIVE DAYS--A Vintage Romance

The Kindle version of one of my vintage, "Cinda Richards" Second Chance At Love romances, FIRE UNDER HEAVEN, will be available (as written)--FREE--on amazon.com May 10-15.


HERE IS THE LINK




I hope you'll check it out...

ANOTHER BACKLIST BOOK AVAILABLE...

The Kindle Version of

PROMISE ME A RAINBOW

IS 

NOW AVAILABLE FOR

PRE-ORDERING  ON

 amazon.com.

HERE IS THE LINK:

NEW RELEASE: THE SOLDIER'S WIFE

This is the cover for my new LOVE INSPIRED HISTORICAL, Release Date, August 2012

It's now available for pre-ordering in print format on amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com

This is the amazon.com link                                                   


This is the Barnes & Noble link 

BLACKBERRY WINTER Re-Release

BLACKBERRY WINTER IS BEING RE-RELEASED DIGITALLY ON MAY 15. 

This makes me very happy. Very. I like this book (she said modestly), and it's always a thrill when a book you loved writing gets a second chance.

The Kindle version is up on amazon for pre-ordering, as is the Nook version on the Barnes & Noble site.

HERE IS THE KINDLE  LINK                    HERE IS THE BARNES & NOBLE LINK

BLACKBERRY WINTER was an RWA RITA finalist the year it was published, and if you haven't read it, I earnestly hope you will...

(Oh, and here's something nobody -- well, practically nobody-- knows: Two of the characters in THE SOLDIER'S WIFE, my upcoming August 2012 release for Love Inspired Historicals, are the ancestors of two of the characters in BLACKBERRY WINTER.)

THE OLDER WOMAN Re-Released Digitally--Again.

THE OLDER WOMAN -- which was previously re-released digitally as part of a "Blogger Bundle" -- is being released again all by itself in Kindle, Nook, etc. formats in the middle of April. This is one of my Ft. Bragg books, and you can pre-order now, if you would like.

THIS IS THE KINDLE LINK                       THIS IS THE NOOK LINK