tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25773648544079001382024-02-18T22:35:08.832-08:00Belinda McBrideDeclare Your Belindapendence!Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-70318760433824909502022-02-20T22:15:00.000-08:002022-02-20T22:15:14.922-08:00Picking Myself Up....<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><i>Pick yourself up,</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><i>Dust yourself off</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><i>And start over again....</i></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Those are the famous lyrics from the great Nat "King" Cole song about persistence. That literally came to mind a few minutes ago. I was reading a FB post where someone asked a writing question, and in my mind, I had the answer. And it occurred to me that slowly, I'm coming back to the writing life. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I never formally quit, but the stress of losing a family member, </span></span><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">then the failing of my mother's health--then Covid...well, I stopped writing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Not only that, but I stopped reaching out to friends. I stopped doing things I love. I stopped doing things I need to do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I stopped living. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Last fall, my physician gave me a paper to fill out without telling me what it was. Turns out, it was a screening for depression and boy, did I pass with flying colors! Meaning I was way far down in the toxic dump of depression. I don't keep it secret that I have bi-polar disorder, but I've always managed it through behavioral therapy, as medications have adverse effects on me. And honestly, when I get manic, I'm very productive, albeit very annoying and arrogant. And the mania generally pushes me into migraine headaches, so its self-limiting. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Depression? Generally, I don't know its happening till I'm up to my neck. My house isn't just a mess--its broken. Honest. My back door fell off and try as I might, I couldn't repair it. So we rigged a brilliant quilted doorway that lets the dogs out at night, but keeps the worst of the cold out. Yes, I could have called a handy man, but that would have required cleaning my house. *sigh*</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then there's a the chronic pain issue. Learning to live with that taxes me to my limits. It's also the reason I'm not under my sink this very moment, fixing the pipes. It's an invisible disability (till I fall down spontaneously) and even my family doesn't quite comprehend how bad it is. My sister tells me I'm lazy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As you see, depression isn't just depressing, its toxic. Its illogical and dangerous. I tried to dig myself out. I tried to ignore it, pretend its not happening. But I'm tired, I'm sad and I'm ashamed. And it's been going on for years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So about that screening? Well, I was again referred to behavioral therapy and this time, it's just annoying. But I'm trying. And part of trying is not letting myself drown under the obligations and repairs and self-denial, but setting aside time to reconnect with my writing, explore more visual arts and even--watch TV. OMG. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If I've fallen out of touch with you, I'm sorry. I've had nothing positive to say, and I can't stand sharing the bad stuff. You might have sent me email that I missed. I wasn't ignoring it. I forgot to pay my bill. Missed a book release party. My series came to an abrupt stop? I lost my sense of direction. I lost my words. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I'm rebuilding. The industry has changed and I haven't changed with it. There are new trends in fiction, I'm still back in the books I was working on when I started slipping. I did a little ghostwriting, which got words flowing, and really challenged my problem solving skills. (OMG. Those outlines!!!) I wrote a western last year. Now I'm re-editing the Uncommon books and the Bacchi. Which is giving me ideas. And a new name...more on that later. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I'm not back, not 100%, but I'm not gone like I was. I'll be honest, I'm still struggling with depression, and with it, guilt and doubt. But there's a beam of light in my tunnel. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The photo below is a dog named Cinnamon Bear. In this photo, he's probably 11 or 12. A couple years before this was taken, Cinnamon had a seizure from a medication. As he was seizing, he slammed his head on concrete, causing a brain injury. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The vet told his owner he'd never recover. She didn't believe him. She looked into Cinnamon's eyes and he told her he wanted to live, so she and the dog began a long journey of teaching him to walk again, to eat and poop without assistance. He recovered, but it took over a year of persistence I took this photo when I was visiting my friend one winter. It actually wasn't a shot of him, but two other dogs, and Cinnamon was in the background of the shot. It was a bit of a miracle when I spotted him in the photo, far up on a hillside, running for the sheer joy of it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There's a lesson to be learned here, and I'll keep coming back and looking at Cinnamon, just so I don't forget. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Programme, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRmrfIN5PT9PMpxNRV1tvXtnbgKOd49zwzat2smAaaS6FaBYElP6BhIduewLDhbelb5Zki5V2wN5DN_haQe1gub8ZTNrjxw0YySrpvwj7FWFkHk4Vs1oQZVdNj6zfKgf6FvVwjeLIBoh7lScicksYe4NpNHYiFzuDRJ_E-HBQFLseb9Fx26-7v2rxe9w=s720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRmrfIN5PT9PMpxNRV1tvXtnbgKOd49zwzat2smAaaS6FaBYElP6BhIduewLDhbelb5Zki5V2wN5DN_haQe1gub8ZTNrjxw0YySrpvwj7FWFkHk4Vs1oQZVdNj6zfKgf6FvVwjeLIBoh7lScicksYe4NpNHYiFzuDRJ_E-HBQFLseb9Fx26-7v2rxe9w=s320" width="244" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-65768025521566464542020-03-19T18:35:00.000-07:002020-03-19T18:42:33.336-07:00From Deep in the Quarantine Cave!Hello all!<br />
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It's been way, wayyyy too long since I've been here on my blog! I always have good intentions, but not very good follow through. But since I'm home for the foreseeable future, it seemed like a good idea to fire up the blog again.<br />
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As you can see from the title of the blog, I'm self-quarantining from the Coronavirus largely due to the risks this illness would post to the health of my mother, who is 86 years old and while she's in great health, she fare well if she caught it. We're adapting. Mostly my sister goes out and does the shopping, etc, because she works at Wal Mart. She's an official sanitizer, that person you've been seeing in all the stores who walked around with a spray bottle and rags, making sure the surfaces are bug-free for a few seconds.<br />
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Life hasn't changed too much for me, but the few changes there have been are profound. Of course, I'm staying at home now. No dog shows, to trips to the self-grooming parlor. No movies. (dammit!) And my oldest daughter got trapped in the US when Salvador closed its borders, so she's staying at her sister's house. Ironically, I can't see my daughters, or my grandsons because my youngest is a dental hygienist, which is the career that's at top risk for contracting/carrying the Coronavirus.<br />
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BOOO!<br />
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Now to business.<br />
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I'm slowly re-releasing all my titles from Loose Id, Changeling and Dreamspinner to self-publishing formats. If you're looking for something to read, several titles are on Kindle Unlimited. I'll be posting the third Imperative book, (Saving You) An Uncommon Whore and Belle Starr very soon, as they're all covered. I'm working on a few new titles, but I've learned not to share too much since I kinda bounce around between works. Rest assured, I'll share when I'm ready!<br />
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AND I'm going to start sharing a whole bunch of Amazon Author pages where you can find more KU books of all genres. So if you have a subscription, this is a great way to take advantage of it! So many authors shared that I'll be doing it in chunks.<br />
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I'll also be sharing it in my newsletter.<br />
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You do subscribe to my newsletter, don't you? If not, just head on over to my website (www.belindamcbride.com) and sign up using the form there.<br />
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For now, take a deep breath, pick up the phone and chat with a friend, stream a movie--and wash your hands!<br />
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BTW, I have soap for sale...lots of Nag Champa hemp soap. It's groovy.<br />
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For now, Happy Tails!<br />
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-83813775929766044252019-05-28T18:32:00.000-07:002019-05-28T18:32:34.596-07:00An Uncommonly Beautiful Cover...Coming Soon! This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of my Space Opera novel An Uncommon Whore. Can you believe its been that long?<br />
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When the book first released, I was stunned and humbled by the gorgeous cover art by PL Nunn. And so grateful she continued with the series during that run.<br />
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When Loose Id closed its doors last year, Dreamspinner Press stepped up and contracted Uncommon 1, 2, 3 and The Bacchi. As part of the re-release of the series, I added about 22,000 words to An Uncommon Whore, expanding the story quite a lot. Over the years, there were elements I really wished I'd written about and finally got the chance!<br />
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As part of the re-release, we decided the cover art, though it was iconic, was in need of an update. It was a hard decision to make, but it was time to move on.<br />
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Later this week, I'll be debuting the new cover of An Uncommon Whore. While I was in New Orleans at Book Lover's Con, I got to see it, and boy howdy...they did an awesome job! It's true to the character and the sensual feel of the original, but its fresh and unique to this release.<br />
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Stand by, folks, I'll announce the reveal in the next day or two!<br />
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<br />Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-61257880198484405282018-04-16T11:19:00.001-07:002018-04-16T11:19:05.474-07:00Cover Reveal, Coming Soon!On May 1st, I'll be launching the re-release of Belinda Classics, starting with the Imperative Series!<br />
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Stand by for information about the cover reveal for Imperative: Missing You...this was my first book ever released. :)<br />
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Missing You is a MMF, Interracial Menage set in futuristic California. Its a bit sweet, spicy, sad and heartwarming. I wrote it from a birthstone prompt (mine is aquamarine) and got the basic idea when a guy friend complained that there weren't many romances with bisexual men.<br />
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So I wrote it for him, and his girlfriend (now wife) who's name is also a gemstone. But I won't say which one. LOL!<br />
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Look for the cover reveal in my newsletter, on my Patreon and my Facebook author page.<br />
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You can sign up for my newsletter here: <a href="http://www.belindamcbride.com/">www.belindamcbride.com</a><br />
My author page is here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Belinda-McBride-49209583129/">https://www.facebook.com/Belinda-McBride-49209583129/</a><br />
And you can follow my Patreon here: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/BelindaMcBride">https://www.patreon.com/BelindaMcBride</a><br />
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Have a great week, and Happy Tails!<br />
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BelindaBelinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-50426598902757288602017-11-23T01:31:00.001-08:002017-11-23T01:31:23.501-08:00Happy Thanksgiving! <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="4jinc" data-offset-key="5qo6j-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="5qo6j-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! Regardless of where you are, who you are with or what hardships you are facing, take a moment to find that one thing in life that shines, and send a little prayer of thanks to the Universe.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dphc6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm thinking of my mother's classic BMW touring car. It was a 2002 Tii model and only a handful were imported to the US. She drove that car for well over 20 years. When she and my father divorced, she got it in the settlement and my father was furious. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dphc6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually, we were rear-ended by a truck and while the damage wasn't that bad, the insurance company totaled it. Cretins. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4c0kq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">A physical therapist at the clinic Mom went to was familiar with the car knew just what a gem it was. Mom wrangled with the insurance company to sell it to him rather than scrap it, and Bryan spent a couple years restoring it. Finally, we got to see the Beemer. He'd changed it from the ugly stock orange to gleaming white and had rebuilt it top to bottom. It was his pride and joy. I wish I have a photo of what it looks like now. </span></div>
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Losing that car was brutal. Mom and I had divorced our respective husbands within months of each other and we'd marshaled our forces to raise my baby girls and get back on our feet. Neither of us saw any alimony and in my case, no child support either. The car was once repossessed and we scrambled to bail it out. The engine blew, we paid to repair it. It was our symbol of winning. Surviving. Even though we scrounged change from the couch cushions to buy milk, Mom still had that car. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But life is about change. We lost the Beemer. But when we saw that car restored, Mom knew she'd made the right decision about letting it go. It was a burden we didn't realize we were carrying. Not only financial, but emotional. </span></div>
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Both my girls came home from the hospital in that car. I can still remember the their car seats in the back, and scrubbing dried milk and pulverized cereal out of the leather cushions. We'd take the little ones to Taco Bell and eat cheap tacos while sitting by the Sacramento River. It took us from one end of the state to the other, camping, on road trips and vacations. When I was little, I rode in it while my brother drove, tearing down the highway at over 100mph while I hung on, terrified and exhilarated. </div>
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I remember how nasty my father was about that car. (he picked the orange color) He wanted that car and my mother got it.</div>
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When the car was gone, the memories stayed, but the burden lifted. </div>
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Life is about change. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. We have to be brave enough to accept change when it comes and humble enough to recognize that sometimes something painful is necessary, and even beneficial. I will always miss that car, and I'll always be thankful that so much of my life revolved around it. And I'm very grateful to know that its the pride and joy of someone who appreciates it. </div>
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But at the end of the day, its a car. Just a car. </div>
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I still have my mother, my sister and my children. I have a grandson and another grand baby on the way. That is what I'm truly thankful for. </div>
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Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and if you're not in the US, take a moment to think on something that gives you joy, and send your thanks out to the Universe. :) </div>
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Love, </div>
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Belinda</div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-21465661822844132502017-10-10T22:09:00.000-07:002017-10-10T22:09:18.343-07:00Pets in Space! New Anthology!<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">The Pets Are Back!</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">"Hot sexy heroes, heroines who know how to take care of themselves,</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">and the pets who bring them together.”</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;"><b>Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2</b>, featuring twelve of today’s</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">leading Science Fiction Romance authors, brings you a dozen original</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">stories written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">of Valdier by SE Smith to RITA Award-winning author, Susan Grant’s</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Star Series world, to journeying back to Luda where Grim is King, for</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">stories that will take you out of this world! Join New York Times, USA</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">TODAY, and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith, M.K. Eidem, Susan Grant,</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Michelle Howard, Cara Bristol, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones,</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Laurie A. Green, Sabine Priestley, Jessica E. Subject, Carol Van</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Natta, and Alexis Glynn Latner as they share action-packed SFR stories</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">and help out Hero-Dogs.org [</span><a href="http://hero-dogs.org/" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: #0186ba; font-family: monospace; outline: none; text-shadow: none !important;" target="_blank">1</a><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">], a charity that supports our veterans!</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">The contributing authors are dedicated to supporting US Veterans, and</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">have committed to donating 10% of the first month’s profits to</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Hero-Dogs.org [</span><a href="http://hero-dogs.org/" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: #0186ba; font-family: monospace; outline: none; text-shadow: none !important;" target="_blank">1</a><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">], an organization that raises and trains service dogs</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">life and restore independence.</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 is available from these</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;">retailers:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace;"><b>Amazon—</b></span></h3>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Romance-Pets-Space-2-ebook/dp/B073W5WQBH">https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Romance-Pets-Space-2-ebook/dp/B073W5WQBH</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Barnes and Noble—</span></h3>
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<br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-romance-mk-eidem/1126974793?ean=2940158587139">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-romance-mk-eidem/1126974793?ean=2940158587139</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">iBooks—</span></h3>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/embrace-the-romance/id1248937950?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/embrace-the-romance/id1248937950?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Kobo—</span></h3>
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/embrace-the-romance-pets-in-space-2">https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/embrace-the-romance-pets-in-space-2</a><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><h3>
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Google Play —</span></h3>
<span style="color: #0186ba; font-family: monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/S_E_Smith_Embrace_the_Romance_Pets_in_Space_2?id=Jp8rDwAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details/S_E_Smith_Embrace_the_Romance_Pets_in_Space_2?id=Jp8rDwAAQBAJ</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Hero Dogs: </span><a href="http://www.hero-dogs.org/">http://www.hero-dogs.org/</a></h3>
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Hashtags: Please use #PetsInSpace in your social media so we can join</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">in the discussion!</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">***</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">As a vet, the daughter of a vet, and the mom of an active duty service</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">member, Susan enjoys writing stories about those who serve. Her</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">contributions to last year’s Pets in Space 1 and this year’s</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Embrace the Romance, Pets in Space 2 are so special she wrote them in</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">support of a project she feels very strongly about, Hero-Dogs. Her</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">story in Pets in Space 1 tackled the difficult topic of how the</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">struggles of PTSD affect not only the vet but the people around them.</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">This year, her contribution is lighter in tone but still focuses on</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">those serving in the military and the sacrifices they make. Just as</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">they did in 2016, the authors of Pets in Space 2 will donate 10% of</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">the first month’s sales to Hero Dogs, which places services dogs</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">with vets free of charge.</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">Links:</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">------</span><br style="-webkit-box-shadow: none !important; background-color: #f6f6f6; box-shadow: none !important; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; text-shadow: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: green; font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px;">[1] </span><a href="http://hero-dogs.org/">http://Hero-Dogs.org</a>Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-57833958796124764452017-04-09T08:00:00.000-07:002017-04-09T08:00:04.967-07:00Reasons to be Cheerful, Part Two<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8hsma" data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Food is fuel. Food is nutrition. Food is medicine. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Food is not love or acceptance or a drug. It doesn't soothe loneliness or stress or depression. It can become a crutch or a habit or a compulsion. The best way I deal with it is to become analytical (which admittedly drives people crazy when I do that.) But when I approach food as a tool, as something necessary, I can separate myself from obsessive behavior. I have to teach myself again and again to be mindful in what I eat, and to eat when hungry. Right now, I'd love some popcorn, but my stomach is full. So I'm sipping on green tea instead. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="96iqm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the best eating programs are just common sense. I was once put on a diabetic diet and I've never felt so much natural energy in my life! Spark People is an online tool where you can track your daily calories, and it also analyzes your nutrition. For free. Its got a great community and a lot of support. I'll be heading back there soon. Weight Watchers teaches portion sizes and accountability. These are tools you can use, and there are more out there. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="35pkt-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not a nutritionist, but I worked with a slew of them for five years when I was with Public Health. My daughter is a chef who specializes in medical diets and my other daughter is a dental hygienist, and had to study nutrition for her degree. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="35pkt-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Here's some of what I learned from my experience, and from their expertise:</span></div>
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<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't skimp on protein. If you remove protein from your diet, your body will rob from your muscles. </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't cut out grains unless you are intolerant. Without the B vitamins and omegas that whole grains provide, you are robbing your brain. </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't fall into that "Fruits and Vegetables are just sugar" trap. They are higher in carbs, but they are complex carbohydrates. Go easy on juice, as its doesn't have the fiber that is necessary to slow digestion. </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do fill your plate with color. Seek out vegetable proteins to take the place of animal proteins. On another note, fruits, vegetables and fiber are your best weapons in the fight against certain cancers. Use them. </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't go on starvation programs, extended fasts, detox programs or fad diets. (I remember in the '70s, my sister used to go on crash diets. Ugh.) And for God's sake, don't try to put yourself into a state of ketosis. I don't care what Atkins said, its not safe for most people. </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drink water. Keep hydrated. Your skin, kidneys, liver and digestive tract are your detox system. Treat them well. Water is your friend. And fiber...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Avoid "white" foods: processed sugars, flour, bread, pasta. Look for whole grain, unprocessed alternatives. Generally, white foods are processed and are simple carbs. Whole grain, unprocessed foods are complex carbs. I suspect when people lose weight by going gluten free, its largely because </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">they are cutting out simple carbs.</span></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do indulge. There's no harm in treating yourself...in moderation. I love pizza. I can eat one slice as a meal. When I was seriously losing, I allowed myself two Hershey's Kisses a day. Unfortunately, two turned into four, then eight, then a dozen...LOL! </span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're going for a real lifestyle change, cut or reduce one unnecessary item at a time. For me, I totally eliminated soda and alcohol. I had about an ounce of Coke the other day and that was enough. Likewise, I'll have one drink at an event...maybe four a year. At this point, I'll be halving the sugar I put in my tea and getting a grip on my candy compulsions. Sugar is my devil and must be wrangled back under control.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't hurry. The optimum amount of weight you should lose...for </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "san francisco" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">permanent loss, is one to two and a half pounds per week. Sometimes you might lose nothing. Sometimes you might drop quite a lot. Bodies are weird that way.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be realistic in your expectations. Calm down. Meditate. Journal your feelings. By the time I lost about 40 pounds, my </span><span style="font-family: "san francisco" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">appearance changed so drastically that I went through a true emotional crisis. I couldn't look into a mirror because I didn't know myself. I reached out to others who'd lost a lot of weight and found that wasn't unusual. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "san francisco" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take care of yourself. Love yourself and accept yourself, even as you are making changes.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "san francisco" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exercise. Ugh. Yes. It helps. Take three ten minute walks a day, or whatever gets you to that thirty minutes. FYI, I have a gym membership I've never used. LOL! But someday I will! </span></span></span></li>
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<span data-offset-key="1ie4q-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">There's a reason nutritions and dietitians study "food science." Its complicated and is rooted in chemistry. They are the experts. I used to have a doctor that urged me to live on apples and cheese sticks. Really. If you're having problems or need expert advice, try to find a practice that will refer you to a nutritionist. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eb3pm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes you can get away with a short term diet plan, but unless you alter your lifestyle, that ten or fifteen pounds will come back. For me, and for so many people, losing, and then managing weight is a total lifestyle overhaul. Don't fall prey to depression or despair. Earlier today, I was literally down on my back, thinking about how my world sucked. Then I found those old pants. And they gave me a reason to be cheerful. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eb3pm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Me in my happy place (Bath, UK) and at my happiest weight. Take note, that wasn't when I was at my thinnest, just my most comfortable. </span></div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-42689970330632435352017-04-08T23:05:00.000-07:002017-04-08T23:40:31.444-07:00Reasons to be Cheerful, Part One<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8hsma" data-offset-key="56hc8-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'San Francisco', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="56hc8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So I'm going to share a soul-searching, very personal experience. When this photo was taken, (about 4 years ago) I knew I was overweight, but I honestly didn't realize HOW overweight I'd gotten. This came onto my timeline and I literally dropped my jaw. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6f914-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">At that time, I'd developed a severe problem in my foot, and then for the first time ever, I was turned away from donating platelets because my BP was too high. I have a genetic disposition to gastric ulcers, and those were kicking in again. I was crippled with sciatica and horrid back pain. One day I was driving and had to pull over because I was dizzy. My blood pressure had spiked dramatically. That's when I became acutely aware of my mortality. I hadn't been to the doctor in years, had no clue how much I weighed, and didn't even own a scale.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6f914-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I have people who depend on me. I have children and now I have a grandson. I have my DOGS for goodness sake! I have a good life and so many more stories to tell. According to my physician, I was morbidly obese and every pound was stealing my life...and my quality of life. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6kg7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I lost weight, about 85 pounds. Maybe more. I didn't want to be thin, just normal and healthy. It wasn't easy but when you're afraid for your life, you get things done. The foot got better, ulcer issues faded, back mostly got better, all my bloodwork was great...and so on. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="73jbq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">But last spring, I started gaining again. Slowly, but surely. Then November happened and as Zam says, I began to eat my liberal outrage. LOL! I've been feeling pretty blue because I still don't own a scale, but I've gone up a size...maybe two. And I've had to buy some new clothes. Which didn't make me happy. Being unhappy taps into my love affair with Lindor Truffles...and my guilt...and more chocolate...</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="at7ni-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My foot started hurting again. And my back. And my stomach. My clothes don't fit. So I ordered my protein powder again and I'm trying to gently make peace with my chocolate cravings. No real progress yet, but its never easy. Still, I feel like I'm starting all over at the beginning. OMG. So much weight to lose again.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2hc11-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Tonight, I was cleaning and found a pair of pants I wore before I lost weight. I held them up and they swallowed me. They were enormous and I felt so...so much better. I'm not even close to where I was. So yes, I gained, but not as much as I thought. I still have to go to the doctor soon, get weighed in and face that number, but it won't be near what it was at the time this photo was taken. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So here's the deal. If you're trying to lose weight, reduce BP, reduce pain ,whatever, so much is involved in nutrition. Don't do anything faddish or extreme. Focus on what actually goes into your body. Try to understand food, what works for you and what doesn't. Learn about portion size. Experiment. I love milk, but I can't tolerate it, so I get my calcium elsewhere. I've always hated avocados, now I'm becoming more accepting of them. Maybe kinda liking them...</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, food is pleasurable. For some people like me, there's a deep psychological component to eating. I have compulsions that are rooted in OCD behavior. Its my manifestation of addictive behavior, and frankly, I'm the lucky one in my family. Everyone else is addicted to drugs, alcohol or tobacco. But the difference is, one of my siblings spent a year in rehab getting off opiates. Now that she's clean, its not a problem because they aren't part of her daily life. Food...well, we need it to stay alive. Its in our faces every. single. day.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c229c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Tune in tomorrow for Part Two. Getting back under control. </b></i></span></div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-88288632404492255112017-03-15T14:14:00.001-07:002017-03-15T14:14:20.711-07:00Positives and NegativesI know a lot of us were hit hard by the election and went into tailspin. I saw anxiety, sleeplessness and despair in my friends. Like some, my anxiety eating went into overdrive, so much of the weight I worked so hard to lose has returned. I"m not a substance abuser, but members of my family are and that's spiked.<br />
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This sounds extreme, but let's face it. This wasn't a normal election or a normal outcome. And ironically, the people I've seen who have emotionally snapped were on the winning side, which tells me they're also afraid, but suppressing that fear and anxiety even more.<br />
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Here's a good tip on how to cope: its called Negative Writing. Twice a day, write your innermost feelings and thoughts. Do it in detail and really did deep. My biggest fear at the moment? I'm facing a lot of pain related to a long ago injury...an assault, to be honest. And in spite of the hours in therapy, I still harbor a lot of the residue of that event. I'm still angry, and now that my hips and back and foot are giving me more trouble every day, the more angry and afraid I become. And then I hurt even more. I do my best to hide it, to not limp, to walk even when my foot or my hip is screaming and to power through headaches till I'm physically ill. My whole body hurts so much I was just getting ready to go get screened for Fibro, which my sister has.<br />
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I think positive thoughts, I do my guided meditations about fields of daisies and white fluffy clouds, and my positivity becomes sour and another source of anxiety.<br />
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The other night, I was driving home and listening to a book review/interview on NPR. The guest was a wildlife expert, who'd been horrifically injured on the job and left with chronic pain. The book they were reviewing and discussing was Back in Control by Dr. David Hanscomb. The core of the method the guess used was a practice of Expressive/Negative writing and mindfulness. I was intrigued, so I went to the website.<br />
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<a href="http://www.backincontrol.com/the-4-stages/">http://www.backincontrol.com/the-4-stages/</a></div>
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After reading about Expressive Writing, I started writing "Letters to Pain." And I let it all come out. I write about the pain and the fear, the guilt and the gloom and doom. I do it before bed, and when I'm finished, I tear the letter into tiny bits and throw it away. The first night I did this, I slept like a rock and when I woke, I felt calmer, refreshed and my pain was receding. But partway through the day, I crashed and fell asleep on the sofa... with the TV on and the dogs and KJ doing their thing. When I woke up, I felt less groggy and nasty than I generally feel after a nap. That night, I started working on sanding the wood floors in my living room. That's a task I'd put off for a couple years. I worked an hour and quit. Not much progress, but damn, a little every evening is getting it done.<br />
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Every day is a little better. My anxiety level is backing off. My binge eating is easier to resist. I'm doing tasks I dreaded and my mood is lighter. And yes, the pain...its about 50% down. I'm stunned.<br />
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Give it a try, I think you might be surprised. And it costs nothing. Here's another article by Dr. David Hanscomb:<br />
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<a href="https://www.rewireme.com/happiness/dangers-positive-thinking/">https://www.rewireme.com/happiness/dangers-positive-thinking/</a></div>
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<br />Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-25333551215065142412017-03-05T08:53:00.003-08:002017-03-05T08:54:17.787-08:00State of the Belinda Hey all, its been awhile!
In fact, its been so long that I actually got locked out of my blog...yikes! LOL! But here I am, rolling on into 2017.<br />
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The big news? Well, the big news is that there's no news. Which is disturbing, but not too unexpected, right? Last year at this time, I was sweating because I was being unproductive, feeling guilty, feeling frantic. I was working on books that simply weren't ready to go into the queue because they're not Belinda McBride books, but Bel Branigan books. (More on that later) I should be working on the sequels to Tenth Muse and the fourth Uncommon, and DESTINY. Poor girl, she's been through the wringer and I'm on the third incarnation of her story.
But I hit that rock bottom for writers, landed on my feet and realized that even though I wasn't making money anymore, I'm still creative and still have so many stories to tell. There's just some healing to finish.<br />
<br />
As probably everyone knows, my mother had a period of illness that lasted about 3 years. For most of that time, she had a surgery almost every 6 months, requiring a lot of my time and emotional energy to deal with her recoveries. At one point, she broke her hip, walked on it for several weeks before we realized how bad it was. So another surgery and 6 weeks in the hospital.
The worst was the year of the hallucinations. My. God. I think that's really what broke me, not only emotionally, but physically. Mom shifted in and out of lucidity on a random basis. Sometimes there were children playing in the room with her, other times she had ants under her skin. I spent a year sleeping in the living room so I could prevent Mom from going outside to "play."<br />
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To cut this all short, I'm not one of those people who can channel my pain and put it into my writing. Instead, I sleep poorly, eat my angst and my body starts hurting. I get chronic migraines and digestive problems. I am a caregiver for a disabled niece, that's a full time gig itself. I'm isolated, only seeing friends on rare occasions. My exercise comes when I can slip out to go shopping and then I make a few rounds of the store. My social life is online.<br />
<br />
This kind of thing damages the psyche. It damages the body. It damages the very heart and soul, and while everything is as stable as I can hope now, I feel as though I've lost my voice.
Not my writer's voice, but my ability to put words on paper in a coherent fashion. And this isn't the first time its happened to me. Its a bad place to land.
I'm not in that dark place anymore, but my healing process is slow. I know, because this isn't the first time.<br />
<br />
I try meditation, self-hypnosis apps, brainstorming, rest, isolation...whatever it takes. And really, it just takes time and eventually something stimulates my writer's brain and here it all comes.<br />
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I think I"m there. Thank God.<br />
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In February, I committed to two multi-author projects. I then panicked, but remembered back when I was writing a couple novellas a month. And last week, I decided to start a brand new project from scratch. And I returned to doing research on a historical.
In two days, I've written 6ooo words. Not too shabby.<br />
<br />
What have I learned from this? Mainly, don't stop writing. Even though I may not be creating, the skills get rusty when they go unused. I've been journaling this year, which is helpful. I've been drafting ideas. Writing letters to the editor which I never send. Putting words to paper is imperative, even if its not creative. Keep writing, even if its a nasty reply on a Yahoo article that you end up deleting!<br />
<br />
So, what's open on my computer? Here's a sampling. I don't have any particular priorities for these:<br />
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<b>Herma</b>: the sequel to Tenth Muse. Its Hermaphroditus and Erik. A m/m urban fantasy romance.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Destiny</b>. You probably already know about this. :) The final Doms of Dark Haven linked book will go into my Truckee Wolves world.<br />
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<b>Uncommon</b> 4 is in development. But things are getting real for the guys. And Deirdre is getting real too.<br />
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<b>Mankiller</b>: a 3 book historical series with a paranormal edge. This is the one I'm researching.<br />
<b>Crest of a Knave</b>: another historical, about a French emigre in post Revolutionary London.<br />
<br />
Re-releases: Three more <b>Black Planet</b> books will be revised for release this year, plus (possibly) one more to wind up the loose ends.
<b>Devil's Advocate, Black Wolf, Siberian Husky</b> - I want to play with these, I'm going to revise them and move the series to Edinburgh. I totally love this universe and want to write a little more.<br />
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What's set to the side for now?<br />
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<b>Arcada </b>(Sorry!) I will return to it, I just don't have any burning ideas<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Belle Starr</b>: same situation as above, though I may do a Cali Polis novella<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Artifacts</b>: same as above, this is a short series I want to write for Tess. (Prince of Faith)<br />
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<b>Death Speaks</b>: You've never heard of this, so don't worry about it. LOL!
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<br />
And what's this Bel Branigan thing all about? I decided its time to split off into another pen name. Its not secret, but several of the books above (Mankiller, Crest, Death Speaks) aren't romance, and not erotic, so they're really going to a different market. That's all. :)<br />
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So watch this space, sign up for my newsletter, I'll keep writing, try to improve my sleeping and eating habits and take back my voice.<br />
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For now, Happy Tails!<br />
<br />
Love you all!<br />
<br />
BelindaBelinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-43010803775070844272016-11-17T16:31:00.000-08:002016-11-17T16:31:30.778-08:00Audiobook Giveaway! Hey there!<br />
<br />
I managed to get my hands on an audiobook copy of ZA Maxfield's "Rhapsody For Piano and Ghost" and I'm going to give it away! <br />
<br />
If you haven't yet read it, Rhapsody is classic Zam, whimsical, uplifting and incredibly touching. If you're new to ZA Maxfield, I encourage you to enter, or even just go buy the book. :)<br />
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It’s Topper Meets Emma!<br /><br />Fitz Gaffney finally has some breathing
room. His mother's out of town, his piano coaches have backed off, and
he's spending his time in a music conservatory where he only has to be
adequate for an entire year before all his responsibilities come
crashing back in again. Along with his new free time comes the
realization that he's lonely, but his first attempt to make new friends
goes horribly awry.<br /><br />Fitz's new - but possibly imaginary -
friends, Evan and Serge, want to help him find happiness. His
used-to-be-step-brother Ari Scheffield wants to help him gain confidence
and a little much-needed cool. His housekeeper Marguerite wants to keep
fowl in the back yard for butchering because duck confit is expensive
and she has pillows to re-stuff. And his possible new boyfriend Garrett
wants to prove he didn't mean for their first date to end with Fitz
lying unconscious in a dumpster.<br /><br />All Fitz wants is someone to
care about him, but suddenly there seems to be a glut. How's a shy guy
to know what's real when he's confronted by crazy ghosts, a
less-than-truthful boyfriend, and relatives with hidden motives in
Rhapsody for Piano and Ghost.<br />
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Buy:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-Piano-Ghost-Z-Maxfield-ebook/dp/B01CAQ9S36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317142&sr=8-1&keywords=Rhapsody+for+piano+and+ghost" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-Piano-Ghost-Z-Maxfield-ebook/dp/B01CAQ9S36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317142&sr=8-1&keywords=Rhapsody+for+piano+and+ghost</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-Piano-Ghost-Z-Maxfield-ebook/dp/B01CAQ9S36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317142&sr=8-1&keywords=Rhapsody+for+piano+and+ghost" target="_blank"> </a><br />
<br />
<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Chttps://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-Piano-Ghost-Z-Maxfield-ebook/dp/B01CAQ9S36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317142&sr=8-1&keywords=Rhapsody+for+piano+and+ghost%3E" target="_blank"><https: dp="" hapsody-piano-ghost-z-maxfield-ebook="" ref="sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317142&sr=8-1&keywords=Rhapsody+for+piano+and+ghost" www.amazon.com=""> </https:></a><br />
<br />
Visit Zam at: <a href="http://www.zamaxfield.com/" target="_blank">http://www.zamaxfield.com/ </a><br />
<br />
And at her Facebook Page:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorZ.A.Maxfield/?fref=ts" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/AuthorZ.A.Maxfield/?fref=ts</a>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf86e4e11/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="cf86e4e11" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_nckhfecz">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-17696506652968988352016-11-12T08:39:00.001-08:002016-11-12T08:39:42.415-08:00Moving On...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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mso-para-margin-left:0in;
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mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
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font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Grieve</i> as long as you need to,
because even in a normal year, an election is stressful. This wasn't a normal
year and there is far more at risk for many of us. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you feel better,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Fight</i>. Choose a battle and stick
with it. I'm doing "Flash Drives," which are focused fund raisers
that take place in a short period of time. (let me know if you have ten dollars
a month to spare for a good cause) Join an online group that shares your
interests, and go meet them. Go to meetings. Vote. Run for school board, city
counsel, class president or Congress. Look at the 2018 vacancies in your state.
Find your candidate and support them. Volunteer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Laugh</i>. Political satire was born for
a reason. It shines a light on dark places and it makes the unthinkable somewhat more tolerable.
If you have a great meme, comic or story, share it. Watch a movie. Go see a
comedian. Watch screaming goat videos. Imagine the goats wearing red hats...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Live</i>. Go outside and take a walk.
While the press was busy salivating about how Secretary Clinton was sobbing and
melting down, she was actually taking a walk in the woods with her husband and dogs. It was probably her first moment of normalcy in many months. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Turn off the news. Turn on some music and dance. Meet a friend for Taco Tuesday
or coffee. Listen while your friend vents. Share how you feel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smile at strangers. Make something. Creation
is good for the soul. I crochet when I don’t want to think. I make soap when I
am thinking too much. I fire up the embroidery machine when nothing else works. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you must go on social media, stay away from the comments. If you must vent, find like-minded people to do so with. This is a tool for survival, not for the sake of etiquette. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Love.</i> I know many of us have family
and friends who voted for the other side. And in this particular case, it hurts more than usual. To used someone else's phrase, its like living with a boyfriend who secretly hates you.
I've seen this election shatter at least one marriage and many families bitterly
divided, because we are gay or ethnic or female or simply believe differently. That chasm seems impossible
to cross. I understand. But don't forsake the love because time....time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Forgive</i>. Probably the hardest thing
to do right now. Last night, I got into a heated confrontation with a real life
friend. Our mutual friend was in on the discussion. She’s the mildest, most
peaceful California Earth Mother you’ll meet. She suddenly unleashed on him, in fury. Unexpected fury. Her reason was her own and it was compelling
and when the conversation ended, our gentleman friend was on the outside of our circle. He’s probably hurt, we’re all hurt but I’ll see him soon and I will
forgive him and I hope he forgives me. K is still hurt and dealing
with the painful memories she shared. In time, they’ll forgive one another. We all will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Listen.</i> I take it back, I think for me, its harder to listen to my friends who supported the opponent. I don't want to hear them rationalize dangerously irresponsible rhetoric. I don't want them to justify their candidates horrific and permissive behavior. I don't want to hear them explain away racism and misogyny and gross inexperience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elizabeth Warren said many, if not most people voted for him not *because* of the bigotry, but *in spite* of the bigotry. What was so important to them that they'd overlook the unacceptable elements of the candidate? So far, my friends have been on the defensive, preferring to attack the other candidate rather than honestly explain why they voted for theirs. But there's an answer. Of course there is. They lost their job, worry about their industry. They hate that a Sikh family just bought the business down the street. It offends them that a woman is wearing a headscarf in the grocery store. The head of their department is African American, and far younger. They see violence on TV. They listen to the talking heads. They see flagrant lies presented as facts in Internet memes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They're frightened. Their position on the social pole is slipping. They're earning less. They're obsolete. They're frightened and outraged that the law doesn't allow them to deny service, when the sign on their door says, "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone..." They are terrified that Clinton or Obama or some as yet unnamed liberal is going to come for their guns, in spite of the fact that it has yet to happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Stand up</i>. Wear a safety pin. Be there for
someone else when they are afraid or being threatened. Be brave. Be someones safe place. Volunteer in the community. Connect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like I said, this election wasn’t
normal.The way we react to it cannot be normal either. For many, "getting over it" isn't an option. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please be safe. Sleep. Stay hydrated. Take care of yourself. Talk to me if you need to, I am here. </span></div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-73014295793229809702016-10-03T23:55:00.001-07:002016-10-03T23:55:56.729-07:00An Early Storm<div data-contents="true">
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bq933-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bq933-0-0"><span data-text="true">I went to a dogshow in Carson City, NV this weekend. Its about a 4 hour drive from home, and mostly through Lassen National Forest and high desert. Its a really beautiful drive, but Ero and Iris didn't appreciate all the twists and turns, and finally even the Dramamine failed and we had to pull over so they could get past being sick. :( </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="478gm-0-0"><span data-text="true">The show itself had its share of drama, with a "bad" judge on Saturday...seriously bad. Several of us reported her to the AKC rep and I've honestly never done that before. Sunday's judge was lovely, but favored bigger, more athletic looking dogs than my two. And that's fine. :) It was a good fun day. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f8gug-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I left Carson City, it was windy but I wasn't worried because the weather report for Lassen said 42-48 degrees and partly cloudy with clear roads. Well, we hit high winds all the way to Susanville. Then rain. Then sleet. Then snow...all moving in a horizontal direction. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cfi-0-0"><span data-text="true">Since its early in the season I wasn't carrying chains, nor did I have cold weather gear in case I got stuck, so when it started piling up on the road it got tense. Thankfully, the dogs slept through it: Ero in the back seat and Iris next to me in the front. And really, it was incredibly beautiful, being up in the mountains with the snow coming down. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="hid9-0-0"><span data-text="true">Nevertheless, I'll be avoiding the mountains until I have chains. Maybe even snow tires! Because we're praying for snow this year. :) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="hid9-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="hid9-0-0"><span data-text="true">I didn't get a chance to take photos, the following pictures were taken by my friend who (unknown to us both) was traveling just a few miles in my wake. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="hid9-0-0"><span data-text="true"> West of Susanville</span></span></div>
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Its getting deep!</div>
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<span data-offset-key="hid9-0-0"><span data-text="true">The storm is starting to clear</span></span></div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-27936026663116500022016-05-01T19:19:00.001-07:002016-05-01T19:19:48.041-07:00Sunday Musings: How Much Should I Tell You?The other day, I stumbled across a review on Amazon for one of my books. It was a one...maybe two star review on a book I tend to be rather proud of, so I went and took a look. Well, the reviewer had noted a glitch in the continuity. A big one. One I was aware of, my publisher was aware of, and we'd made the educated decision to leave in place. In the book "An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall, I reversed the names of Griffin's daughters. Did you notice? A few people did, but not many were terribly offended by it.<br />
<br />
This reader was very offended. <br />
<br />
The actual error wasn't made in When I Fall, but in An Uncommon Whore. During the final review of the book, I read over Maya and Lauren's very brief scene and realized that for personal reasons, I couldn't name Griffin's little dark-haired, scarred daughter Lauren. So I changed the names in the final draft, not knowing they'd already sent the book in for formatting.<br />
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When the switch was found in WIF, it was early in the life of the book. We could pull it, switch the names back to the version I believed unacceptable and just go forward. Or...leave the inconsistency in place, since An Uncommon Whore had already been out for a long time. I knew I'd catch some flack but decided to leave the names as I intended to move forward with them. Lauren is the blonde, Maya the brunette. That is in the series bible.<br />
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The other issue this reader had is a more tricky one, and in series books, it tends to crop up. In this case, she questioned why Griffin (and Maya) never got their eyes and scars fixed. Since there were almost miraculous advancements in medicine, and the seemingly mystical Vash healers, why would I dump my world-building and not have them healed?<br />
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That's where the author has to balance what we share on the page with what's in our head. Every character has extreme character development before I start writing. Most of that information never makes it to the page. For example, Belle in Belle Starr is an alcoholic. When she winds up in a bar, that's a very dangerous place for her to be. <br />
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Here's another conundrum: Generally I don't tell people too much about what's in store, but for this reader, I did share a few details. Griffin's Eye is a dangling plot line I planned to pick up in Book 4. Its not a major plot line, but it's there.<br />
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So now you know. ;)<br />
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While I write in fantasy worlds, I try to keep at least one foot in reality. And I try to keep true to a character's psychological make-up and the limits of<i> their</i> world. In this case, Griffin's eye is in his Goal, Motivation and Conflict chart. At this point in the story, there's no real external force on Griffin to change his looks. Helios loves him without question. Even with the patch, the scars and the missing testicle, Griffin Hawke is beautiful in his way. The Somians always get the hots for him. His kids love him as he is. Maya, in particular, relates to him since her scars mirror his. At this point, Griffin doesn't care. So there's no internal motivation to fix it. <br />
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But this goes deeper.<br />
<br />
During the seven years of searching for Helios, Griffin was working as a mercenary. Every penny he earned went home, to Neo Domus, where the citizens were literally living in the dirt. They were in crisis mode, and he'd have been terribly out of character to give an iota of care to his eye. He had a co-pilot, and in a pinch, Griffin can land or dock a ship. So the eye wasn't an issue.<br />
<br />
How about later? During When I Fall, when he was so badly injured? The Vash healers performed miracles...why not heal his eye and testicle?<br />
<br />
Now we get down to world building. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Vash are organic healers. Its in their DNA. They use psychic abilities to spiritually *enter* a patient's body, to map their nerves, their veins and muscles, on a cellular level. They can coax damaged tissue to heal. In Prince of Faith, they literally save Caius from brain trauma. Within their own species, their skills are almost unlimited. BUT they cannot fix what is no longer there. They could probably smooth scars, but they cannot regenerate missing body parts. They are not omnipotent. They have limits.<br />
<br />
There must be limits. No one can be all-powerful. The Vash are powerful in that way, but they are poor fighters, rotten strategists, too kind and they are nocturnal...they burn easily and can't see in bright light. And they can't manifest a body part, no matter how amazing they are. <br />
<br />
What about cloning? Or robotics? Well, there's a very good chance that the cloned eye would be non-functional. It would be a massive undertaking with a lot of related pain just for the sake of vanity. Griffin is not vain. Maya is too young for that sort of reconstruction, so its not relevant for this story.<br />
<br />
While writing When I Fall, I felt that every single primary character
in the book was suffering PTSD. In Griffin's case, he was finally in a
safe, stable environment, and suddenly, he was re-living the horror of
the Landaun attack. He'd been widowed, saw the public torture (and
presumed execution) of his best friend and forced to witness the torture
of his daughters. His own pain was a side-note in the psychic agony he
suffered. What was vital in that book was his journey toward acceptance of the tragedy of his life, and faith in Helios and his future. During When I Fall, his missing eye was irrelevant.<br />
<br />
No, that's not true. Like many of us, we cling to our scars and our mementos of pain. He looks in the mirror and he never forgets what was done to him. When he looks at his daughter, he can't forget what happened to her. Those scars are his sigil. To him, they shout: Never Again! Never Forget! Yet at some point, Griffin will have to let that go. He will have to address Maya's scar someday. <br />
<br />
And that, my friend, is Maya's story.<br />
<br />
I can explain these things in the comfort of time elapsed, but the review would have stung if I'd read it earlier. It shows me that I did not do an adequate job of showing why Griffin's eye wasn't important in the story. I wasn't clear in my world building. I should have looked at An Uncommon Whore more closely on the release day. Those are my errors and we all make errors. Hopefully, I will learn from this one, and not assume that every reader is going to read my mind and know why a story element wasn't expanded on or addressed.<br />
<br />
And those are my musings for today. :) Hope you have a great weekend! If you're curious about When I Fall, you can pick up a copy here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Fall-Uncommon-Whore-Book-ebook/dp/B005UREUJU">http://www.amazon.com/When-Fall-Uncommon-Whore-Book-ebook/dp/B005UREUJU</a><br />
<br />
And its on SALE!<br />
<br />
Happy Tails!<br />
<br />
Belinda <br />
<br />
<br />Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-11350785411757296962016-04-05T11:41:00.002-07:002016-04-05T11:41:55.445-07:00There Are Gods Among Us! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-X7QMzroTFZ4VUVfgDOn9dQEQ1yUcO_DFQ7Mj0c7pnu3pq2cWMGZEQJG3LWi0vVgn05Wt2EKovFkqBXW7Rn9Ar87bVMKrSW19MSAv1_44Lmgut5S8er8eJBjjVFPsAgZqgAbpuGieU_EC/s1600/thetenthmuse_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-X7QMzroTFZ4VUVfgDOn9dQEQ1yUcO_DFQ7Mj0c7pnu3pq2cWMGZEQJG3LWi0vVgn05Wt2EKovFkqBXW7Rn9Ar87bVMKrSW19MSAv1_44Lmgut5S8er8eJBjjVFPsAgZqgAbpuGieU_EC/s320/thetenthmuse_800.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Tenth Muse is now available to pre-order at Pride Publishing! You can order both the e-book and the paperback early, right here:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.pride-publishing.com/author/belinda-mcbride">https://www.pride-publishing.com/author/belinda-mcbride</a><br />
<br />
The Aphrodite Project is a brand new series at a brand new (to me) publisher! This series is a contemporary fantasy, where we follow the adventures of young Greek gods and Aphrodite's attempts to keep them from exposing the existence of the Pantheon to unsuspecting humans. This first case is all about her own son, Eros:<br />
<br />
BLURB:<br />
<br />
<em>In a wicked game, the God of Love falls to his own arrow, and a gentle scholar learns how dangerous knowledge can be.</em><br />
Aphrodite has had it.<br />
It was bad enough that her son Eros walked a fashion show in drag,
but did he really have to show the entire world his wings? Desperate to
rein in the impulsive young god, she recruits the scholarly muse Rees to
lure him back to Olympus until the scandal dies down.<br />
After hundreds of years, Eros has finally located the reincarnation
of his former love, Psyche. The only way to her heart is through fame,
so the God of Love plans a daring campaign to win her back. Yet the
closer he gets to Psyche, the more he’s drawn to a geeky young professor
who came crashing into his life.<br />
Eros drags Rees into his wicked world of high fashion and risqué
parties, only to expose him to danger from an unexpected source. When
Rees’ secrets come out, they threaten to destroy Eros’ love for him. Yet
when Rees is kidnapped, Eros is forced to turn to the woman who set
this catastrophe in motion—his mother, Aphrodite.<br />
<em>Reader Advisory: This book contains some scenes of
kidnapping/captivity and graphic scenes of death and violence. This book
also contains references to/discussions of rape.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
EXCERPT: <br />
<br />
“Oh, Eros…you fucking little son of a satyr…you’d better not—oh…ohhhh—”<br />
Rees staggered back from the anachronistic machine on his studio
workbench and pressed the heels of his hands over his eyes. He was
firmly caught between swearing and laughing hysterically. Because what
he’d just witnessed on the computer… He was grateful to be alone. It was
bad. Very bad.<br />
<em>When Zeus finds out about this, lightning bolts will fly.</em><br />
He shook his head in resignation and returned to the laptop his
sister had brought him. He wasn’t sure what powered the thing, or by
what magic it connected with the human world, but he’d fallen in love
with the device on first sight.<br />
But now he was cursing the screen. Because he didn’t want to witness
Eros’ mind-bending, skull-crushing, cross-dressing misadventure. Still,
he bit a knuckle, leaned closer to the monitor and almost stopped
breathing. Rees had never met Eros in person, but was familiar enough
with his image to know that the man moving down a long stage wearing
nothing but women’s underwear was the darling son of Aphrodite, who just
happened to be Rees’ mother’s closest friend.<br />
It was like a train wreck, as the humans would say, and Rees couldn’t look away.<br />
Eros sauntered, his body wrapped in a complex black corset, his
privates barely hidden behind a filmy triangle of black silk. His
muscular ass was bare and pale as that of a marble statue.<br />
“Eros, I don’t know where in hell you’re hiding your balls, because
they must be big as a Minotaur’s.” Rees felt heat in his face and knew
he was blushing.<br />
The camera cut tight to the god’s beautiful face. He looked wicked
and sexy under a glistening mask of elaborate makeup. Bolts of silver
and blue slashed across his face and down his neck. His long blond hair
defied gravity, standing in a wild halo around his head.<br />
His legs were buckled into black leather boots that rose to his thighs.<br />
And he was wearing a bra.<br />
Rees groaned again, chagrin mingling with reluctant arousal.<br />
The air crackled with power as Rees’ sister entered the room. He didn’t turn to look at her, still mesmerized by the computer.<br />
“By Hades’ whiskers…is that Eros?”<br />
Rees nodded. “Yes. I think this is happening now.”<br />
“Rees, that’s the Dark Angel’s live telecast. It’s one of the biggest
fashion shows in the world!” Like his other eight sisters, Calliope
spent most of her life walking among humans, whispering inspiration in
the ears of artists, writers and musicians. She was frighteningly
familiar with human culture.<br />
“Do you suppose he hijacked that outfit from one of the girls?
Because I know damned well that there’s never been a male Angel before.”
She leaned down, looking closer at the screen.<br />
As if in answer to her question, the camera panned back, showing a
stunned audience and a parade of beauties who looked angry, resentful
and outraged. In the audience, one particularly lovely woman was
laughing helplessly.<br />
“That’s Rosalinda, she’s one of the top models in the world. It’s nice to see her laughing.”<br />
He kept an eye on the screen as he spoke to his sister. “Calliope,
how likely is Ares to find out about this? Unless I’m way off, Eros is
using his own wings. He’s just charmed the color to black.”<br />
“Gods.” Calliope went sober. “When Ares gets hold of his son, he’ll make the maenads look like Orpheus’ maiden aunts.”<br />
At the mention of the ill-fated god, Rees went breathless. He felt
slightly sick. The brutal death of Orpheus was now a legend, one made
resonant in its horror. The maenads were bad enough, but frighteningly,
Ares was worse.<br />
“Ares.” Rees shook his head. “He comes here sometimes, badgering warriors into rebirth. I’ve kicked him out more than once.”<br />
“I don’t envy you.” Calliope gave a delicate shudder. “When he holds a grudge, he holds it close to his heart.”<br />
On the screen, the shots faded to a scrolling list accompanied by
music. Putting Ares from his mind, Rees studied the names, committing
them to memory. Calliope reached around and closed the lid of the
machine, and he glared at her. With a final glance at the computer, he
followed her to the balcony that looked out over the streets below and
leaned forward, resting on his elbows.<br />
Strains of music rose on the sweet air, gently competing with the
song of myriad birds as they flitted from tree to tree. Laughter echoed
as the residents of the Elysian Fields wandered, serene in their eternal
peace. There was no rebirth for Rees’ people, no more sadness and pain.
They’d learned all they needed from their earthly lives and had chosen
to drink the water of memory. They chose Paradise.<br />
Everything was perfect here. Except when Ares came around to muck it all up.<br />
Calliope tilted her head, peering at a handsome man below. “Is that Archilochus the Poet?”<br />
“It is. I was pleased, though puzzled, that he opted to remain here.”<br />
His sister laughed merrily. “Given that irreverent poem about
abandoning his shield, I’m sure he still has Spartans after his head.”
Her smile was slow to fade. Clearly she had a fondness for the poet.<br />
“He does tend to stir strong emotion…even here.”<br />
“That’s your kind way of saying that he pisses people off.” She squeezed his arm gently.<br />
If there were reincarnated Spartans after Archilochus, he’d be fairly
safe here, though he’d eventually become bored. Warriors and
adventurers rarely chose the Elysian Fields. Hercules, Achilles and
Jason had all chosen Hades and rebirth. Men and women of passion
returned to their rocky human lives, leading Rees to one conclusion—life
in Paradise was dull. He had no doubt Archilochus would eventually
petition Hades for rebirth.<br />
Rees looked down at the residents of heaven and had an epiphany—he
did not belong in the Elysian Fields. Those men and women had struggled
and fought for their peace. In all his existence, Rees had faced no
decision more difficult than what shade of blue to paint the sky or
which turn of phrase most perfectly described the serene beauty of
Athena.<br />
And he didn’t particularly like Athena.<br />
He sighed heavily. What to do? He’d once approached his aunt
Aphrodite about working on Earth with the hunters she employed. That
hadn’t gone well. Aphrodite had politely considered his request then
moved on to visit his mother, leaving Rees feeling rather silly. When
she had men like Zagerus the Shadow working for her, what need had she
for a second-rate muse?<br />
Rees was an ornament. He was lovely to look at, gifted at
entertaining and always said the right words at the right time. His
skill with the sword and bow were flawless, though he’d never seen
battle. His strategic abilities were legendary…in the chess circles. He
knew nothing of the other world, yet he ached to learn, to prove
himself.<br />
“Brother?”<br />
Barely hearing his sister, he turned and stared behind him, into the rooms where he lived his endless life.<br />
His studio was a vast, airy space peopled with exquisite statuary and
colored with paintings and frescoes. Walls were lined with books
ranging from truly ancient scrolls to the latest literary offerings from
Earth. A large set of double doors opened into a small amphitheater
where he lectured.<br />
One wall held his most cherished possessions—a collection of ancient
lutes, many too ancient and fragile to play. Not that he’d ever tried.
When he held the lute, his usually skilled hands went numb and stupid.<br />
“Rees?”<br />
“Calliope.” He took her hands in his and leaned in to kiss her soft
cheek. Like all his sisters, she was beautiful. Exquisite. After all,
the Muses were the inspiration for some of the greatest minds ever to
have lived. Their faces graced paintings by great masters, their forms
were immortalized in marble. Words describing their beauty danced
through the years in verse and song.<br />
He led her to a low chaise, and with a wave of his hand, a tall glass
of wine appeared, its surface beaded with chill water. She took the
glass and sipped, pleasure brightening her face. They sat quietly, for
they’d existed so long in harmony that the siblings simply enjoyed each
other’s company. He gazed at her in appreciation, taking in the soft
golden curls nestling around her face and neck and the gentle brown eyes
that were the mirror image of his own.<br />
Those eyes were sad.<br />
<br />
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<br />Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-13496925916873025372016-02-06T08:48:00.002-08:002016-02-06T08:51:56.513-08:00First Friday in February<div data-contents="true">
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="5lt71-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5lt71-0-0"><span data-text="true">I had an adventure last night, but I lost Internet and couldn't share as it was happening. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="5blt4-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5blt4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="8m8po-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8m8po-0-0"><span data-text="true">First, my sister likes to fry food and will put pans of grease in the oven (!! I know!!) till the oil cools. Which is a fire hazard, so I generally take them out and discard the grease. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2ijo7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="2ijo7-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0"><span data-text="true">Last night, I poured the grease into a container and washed the pan, forgetting to seal the container and take it to the trash. And yes, Levi and Pai Mei had a bacon fat snack. Since Levi is prone to Negritudes and they're both old, I was up worrying about them and their gurgling bellies.(so far, so good) </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0">
</div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0"><span data-text="true"> About eleven o clock I heard all sorts of banging and crashing at the neighbor's house. We live on acreage so I couldn't see what was happening, but I did notice flashlights in the darkness...and then fire near my fenceline. Fire that accelerated very fast. So I hustled my sick dogs back in the house, grabbed a flashlight and marched out there in my pajamas and sweatshirt.</span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0">
</div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="duh0b-0-0"><span data-text="true"> Oh...BTW...they also have a grow out there. So my courageous move was a little stupid. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="8pk57-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8pk57-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="f0ug7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="f0ug7-0-0"><span data-text="true">I got to the fence and there are about ten young people...maybe high school seniors, and they've dumped a truckload of pallets at the back of their property and were building a massive bonfire. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="20sv7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="20sv7-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="afpuk-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="afpuk-0-0"><span data-text="true">I told them that I was NOT happy about bonfires near my brushy property in the middle of the nigh and made them swear they had a hose. (I doubt they did) Then I marched back to the house and texted a friend with Cal Fire to see if it's legal to have a bonfire in February. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="e7qna-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="e7qna-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="8v61r-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8v61r-0-0"><span data-text="true">As it turns out, it is and since they were polite and not noisy, I opted not to call the sheriff. Today I will report them for burning treated wood, which is illegal. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="3rrgb-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3rrgb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="92v7i-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="92v7i-0-0"><span data-text="true">So yes, up till the wee hours, checking on the fire and walking sick Siberians. </span></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="fbpia-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="fbpia-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="ek9as-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ek9as-0-0"><span data-text="true">Who are now fine. </span></span></div>
</div>
Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-56757754745470992342015-12-14T09:58:00.000-08:002015-12-14T10:08:22.667-08:00Be the Amazing Person You AreOne of the things about dog showing is that a lot of travel is involved. Usually travel with a vehicle full of dogs. (well...yeah!) Once or twice a year we hear about a judge or a handler or an exhibitor who had a heart attack while driving. Sometimes there's a wreck or some other catastrophe. But really, considering the vans full of dogs, the number of catastrophes is really pretty minimal. So when something happens, it hits us all hard.<br />
<br />
In September, a pro handler I know was in a tragic accident. He wasn't traveling for a show, only he and his wife were in the car. His wife was killed and he was paralyzed, with only slight movement remaining in his hands.<br />
<br />
He'll never be able to pursue his passion again. And believe me, handlers who are as successful and he, and who make it their life do so out of passion for dogs.
He didn't get to say goodbye to his wife, and he can't hold his grandchildren. He's now in rehab and in the photos his family shares, he's smiling. He's off the respirator and is now setting goals. He doesn't want to be a burden to his friends and family. He wants to go places. (there's a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/ynbyjym4" target="_blank">Go Fund Me</a> for a van for his family to transport him)<br />
<br />
He wants to go to a coffee shop and order his own coffee, and he wants to go to dog shows again.
There's footage of him with his new service dog...not a Golden Retriever (his breed) but a quiet, calm Saluki who is learning to negotiate the electric wheelchair with her new owner. He's posting on Facebook. He's moving forward into a new reality.
My guess is we'll see him again in the ring, if not handling from his chair, then as a judge, and most certainly as a mentor to many. He'll be smiling because he's truly that kind of man.<br />
<br />
Life tosses some truly awful stuff our way sometimes. I stress about writer's block and low sales and my messy house. I want to slam my computer shut every time I read of some new idiocy in the online world. But this year, Mom is still aging, but she's not hallucinating or in the ER constantly. My daughters are doing well and living good lives. While my day job keeps me tied to the house, I can write and create as I wish.
Right now, I'm in a warm, quiet living room with five dogs sleeping soundly and all is good in my world.<br />
<br />
It's not perfect and not what I envisioned it would be. I didn't think my life's journey would make me a caregiver instead of a history teacher. I also didn't believe I'd be a writer. Or have some of the amazing friends I have, or that I'd go to Hong Kong for a movie premiere or see the start of the Iditarod from inside the chute. Live can surprise you that way.<br />
<br />
Learn what's important in life. Turn off the TV and close the computer. Talk to a stranger. Listen to the world around you. If someone needs help and you can do something, however small, give them a hand. Get out of your head and set aside the shit that's occupying your brain.<br />
<br />
Today, amaze yourself.<br />
Then tomorrow, do it again.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-50114509128121448442015-12-02T11:53:00.000-08:002015-12-02T11:57:28.193-08:00Queer Sci Fi Holiday Blog Hop<em><a href="http://www.queerscifi.com" target="_blank">QueerSciFi</a> is running our first ever holiday blog hop. Our members will be sharing a number of our great holiday-themed titles on their blogs - it's a great way to find speculative-fiction themed LGBT holiday books! We've included buy links for each of the books below - books are listed in alphabetical order by title. Happy Holidays!</em>
<hr />
<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/candleinthedark.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-570" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/candleinthedark.jpg" alt="candleinthedark" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Candle in the Dark Anthology</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Various
<strong>Price:</strong> $5.00 eBook / $10.00 Paperback
<strong>Summary:</strong> In almost all traditions, winter has been a time to huddle around the fire and be thankful for those the fire is shared with. The holidays grew out of a need to celebrate that time, from Christmas to Chanukah to Solstice. The longest night of the year has always held some special mystery, and we’re proud to present you with several stories of how those mysteries bear fruit. In the first story, Patrick receives a mysterious invitation to dine at the most exclusive restaurant for men. His server, Gio, encourages him to Savor the experience...
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://squareup.com/market/inkstained-succcubus" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Candle-Dark-Anthology-Gabriel-Belthir/dp/1503370887/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-candleinthedark-1782099-166.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/christmascactusforthegeneral.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-571" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/christmascactusforthegeneral.jpg" alt="christmascactusforthegeneral" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>A Christmas Cactus for the General</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Angel Martinez
<strong>Price:</strong> $3.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> Exiled to Earth for perhaps the worst failure in Irasolan history, General Teer must assimilate or die. Earth is too warm, too wet, too foreign, but he does the best he can even though human males are loud, childish louts whom he can't imitate successfully. When a grieving seaplane pilot strikes up a strange and uneasy friendship with him, he finds he may have been too quick to judge human males. They are strange to look at, but perhaps not as unbearable as he thought.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/store/p72/A_Christmas_Cactus_for_the_General.html" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cactus-General-IMP-Universe-ebook/dp/B00QXTNF4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446058785&sr=8-1&keywords=christmas+cactus+for+the+general" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-achristmascactusforthegeneral-1693185-149.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/christmas-cactus-for-general/id952595275?mt=11" target="_blank">APPLE</a> | <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-christmas-cactus-for-the-general-1" target="_blank">KOBO</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/darkestmidnightindecember.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-576" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/darkestmidnightindecember.jpg" alt="darkestmidnightindecember" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>The Darkest Midnight in December</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Jana Denardo
<strong>Price:</strong> $3.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> The year is 1930, and something is hunting infants and young couples in Economy Village, PA. When a local priest begins to suspect a demon may be the culprit, the sheriff calls in a team of Soldiers of the Sun. Caleb, Agni, Temple, and Li specialize in demon hunting, but they can’t rule out an old religious sect as the true culprit. Prejudice, distraught parents, and angry townspeople don’t make the team’s job any easier. And if something goes wrong, their own their own, because by the time their backup arrives, it will be too late.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2951&cPath=55_202" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Midnight-December-Soldiers-Book-ebook/dp/B0087FB932/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <strong><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thedarkestmidnightindecember-804514-143.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS</a></strong></strong></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fruitcakes.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-561" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fruitcakes.jpg" alt="Fruitcakes" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Fruitcakes</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Renee George
<strong>Price:</strong> $1.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> Losing your boyfriend because you see monsters...not good. Getting locked up in the local mental hospital because you accused your boss of being an actual ogre…also not good. Falling for your crazy roommate, who thinks he’s one of Santa's elves…so not good! Or is it? Come along for a sexy ride as Donner and Bran try to escape the locked ward before Christmas Eve so Bran doesn't lose the only job important to him. USA Today Bestselling author Renee George pens a laugh-out-loud MM Fairytale Christmas…Nuts included!
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015YFGZZE" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fruitcakes-renee-george/1008359758?ean=9781625179548" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fruitcakes/id1044848021?mt=11" target="_blank">APPLE</a> | <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/fruitcakes-1" target="_blank">KOBO</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/holidaylights.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-577" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/holidaylights.jpg" alt="holidaylights" width="230" height="164" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Holiday Lights</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Jana Denardo
<strong>Price:</strong> Free
<strong>Summary:</strong> Aaron asks Rhys for some help with putting up the tree and finalizing their holiday plans, even though he knows Rhys will have something to say about all of Aaron's geeky ornaments. Rhys puts his own special touches on the holiday decorating as only a fae could.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/159469.html " target="_blank">LIVE JOURNAL</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ilyaandthewolf.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-574" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ilyaandthewolf.jpg" alt="ilyaandthewolf" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Ilya and the Wolf</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Rory Ni Coileain
<strong>Price:</strong> $1.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> Ilya, the youngest son of a Moscow oligarch, is so deep in the closet he’d find Narnia if that weren’t a decadent Western story. On Christmas Eve, his brothers lure him into the forest, intending to murder him and erase the shame he inflicts on their family by existing. However, the attempt is interrupted by Volyk, a wolf who carries the blood of the ancient oboroten’ —shapeshifters. Ilya never imagined a Christmas gift like the handsome wolf, but accepting what Volyk offers will have consequences that change both of their lives forever.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5832" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ilya-Wolf-Rory-Ni-Coileain-ebook/dp/B00QEUP9XS/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ilya-and-the-wolf-rory-ni-coileain/1120837780?ean=2940149986545" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lionshero.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-572" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lionshero.jpg" alt="Lion's Hero" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Lion's Hero</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Alexis Woods
<strong>Price:</strong> $.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> Eight nights to fall in love.
Ari has a mission: meet and fall in love with a man chosen for him by God. The catch: he only has eight nights to complete it—the eight nights of Chanukah
Gabriel has a test of faith. Reaching out to a young man, he finds himself confronted with the unbelievable. Believe, and the Festival of Lights may herald a miracle.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lions-Hero-Alexis-Woods-ebook/dp/B00PSOC91Q/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lion039shero-1689583-149.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lions-hero-alexis-woods/1120799365?ean=2940046412802" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a></strong></p>
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<span style="color: #962727;"><strong><a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lovingblitz.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-581" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lovingblitz.jpg" alt="lovingblitz" width="250" height="375" /></a>Loving Blitz </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Charlie Cochet
<strong>Price:</strong> $3.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> From North Pole City to Winter Wonderland, preparations are underway after a royal announcement sweeps everyone into a frenzy of festivity. At the heart of the celebration are the city’s most beloved elf pilots, the Rein Dears. Once the Big Flight is behind them, the pilots prepare for the royal event. Assigned a special task of finding an Elska rose, Cupid and Blitzen are unaware of how their friendship is about to change forever.
Yet not all that glitters is gold. The sweet, angelic Cupid hides a dark secret, one that threatens to destroy his Rein Dear status, his friends, and the elf who’s captured his heart. It’s up to Blitzen to help Cupid see the light in the darkness and show him that together they can mend broken hearts.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7095" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/themagicofchristmas.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-562" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/themagicofchristmas.jpg" alt="The Magic of Christmas" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>The Magic of Christmas</strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Pelaam
<strong>Price:</strong> $2.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> Jared joins his four best friends on an early Christmas holiday in a beautiful winter wonderland. He's been in love with the talented and extroverted Casey for years, but lacked the courage to say anything. Casey loves Jared, but despite his gregarious exterior, inside lurks someone shy and insecure and so he's never spoken up. Both men are about to experience real Christmas magic.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=PTHEMAGC" target="_blank">MLR BOOKS</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Christmas-Pelaam-ebook/dp/B00QPE4T3Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446092724&sr=8-2&keywords=the+magic+of+christmas+pelaam" target="_blank">AMAZON</a>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/nicolas.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-584" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/nicolas.jpg" alt="nicolas" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Nicolas </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Dianne Hartsock
<strong>Price:</strong> $6.99 eBook / $14.99 Paperback
<strong>Summary:</strong> Betrayed by a lover, Jamie rents an isolated cabin on Lake Huron, wanting only to be left alone. Instead, he is pulled from his solitary existence as an artist and tumbles headlong into the legend of Saint Nicolas. As a young man, Nicolas accidentally killed a man intent on murdering three children, only to have the man's malicious spirit rise up against him. Fleeing through the centuries from the Krampus, the evil troll-like creature that dogs his steps, Nico finds refuge with the young artist who takes him into his home and bed. But Jamie has questions. Who is Nicolas, and why does the Krampus want to destroy him?
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7209" target="_blank">PUBLISHER EBOOK</a> | <a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7210" target="_blank">PUBLISHER PAPERBACK</a></strong></p>
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<span style="color: #962727;"><strong>No One to Greet the Season </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Elizabeth Barrette
<strong>Price:</strong> Free (poem)
<strong>Summary:</strong> Victor Frankenstein and Igor have a queerplatonic relationship and a constructed son. Igor's deformed back causes him more trouble in cold weather, which makes Christmas more of a challenge. Victor helps him through it. Gothic fluff, holiday hurt/comfort.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com/3035795.html" target="_blank">LIVE JOURNAL</a></strong></p>
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<span style="color: #962727;"><strong><a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/scrudgeandbarley.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-580" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/scrudgeandbarley.jpg" alt="scrudgeandbarley" width="250" height="375" /></a>Scrudge & Barley, Inc </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> John Inman
<strong>Price:</strong> $6.99 eBook / $14.99 Paperback
<strong>Summary:</strong> A classic tale takes off in sexy new directions! Poor Mr. Dickens must be twirling in his grave. When E.B. Scrudge, putz extraordinaire and all-around numbnuts, is visited by his dead ex on Christmas Eve, he can’t imagine how his life could sink any lower. But the three ghostly spirits that come along after are even worse! Good lord, a dyke, a drag queen, and rounding out the trio, a big, hunky bear with nipple rings and a butt plug! What’s next? What’s next is a good deal of soul-searching and some hard lessons learned with a dash of redemption thrown in for good measure.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7154" target="_blank">PUBLISHER EBOOK</a> | <a href="https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7155" target="_blank">PUBLISHER PAPERBACK</a>
<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-scrudgebarleyinc-1928417-145.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/silversteel.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-575" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/silversteel.jpg" alt="silversteel" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Silver/Steel </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Belinda McBride
<strong>Price:</strong> $6.99 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> When dream hunter Dylan Ryve spots a beautiful shapeshifter raising hell in a bar, he knows he wants the wild young man. But Travis Feris is more to Dylan than a few hot minutes outside in the snow; he's the assassin's ticket into the magical town of Arcada. He didn't plan to rescue the kid, but when he found the shifter being attacked, the opportunity to play hero was too good to pass up. Through the solitude of a long winter night, Dylan walks in Travis's fevered dreams, learning about Arcada and the pack, and showing the shifter the man he'd been so very long ago.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Steel-Arcada-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00AI0LWMW/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-silversteel-1011205-340.html" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/spindriftgifts.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-578" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/spindriftgifts.jpg" alt="Spindrift Gifts" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Spindrift Gifts </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Aidee Ladnier
<strong>Price:</strong> $3.99
<strong>Summary:</strong> Scars and a tattoo may be the only physical reminders from his years as a slave, but when Jimenez suffers a setback in his medical treatment, the only option is a therapy that will wipe away his all memories of the past including his time with Teo. Teo, torn between supporting his lover's decisions and the good intentions of his family, sets out to teach Jimenez about Spindrift Gifts and how memories are celebrated on Celos even when they are painful. Can Teo and Jimenez weather the storm to find their happily-ever-after on Celos?
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="LINK" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-spindriftgifts-1935924-340.html?referrer=55390bcb913c1" target="_blank">ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS</a></strong></p>
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<a href="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/temptedfromtheoak.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-573" src="http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/temptedfromtheoak.jpg" alt="temptedfromtheoak" width="250" height="375" /></a><span style="color: #962727;"><strong>Tempted from the Oak </strong></span>
<strong>Author:</strong> Rory Ni Coileain
<strong>Price:</strong> $5.60 eBook
<strong>Summary:</strong> With his blue eyes and heart-melting smile, Gavin could have been made-to-order to entice Tearlach, a lonely tree spirit. But the human is the one who’s been enticed—stolen from snow-buried Minneapolis to the Scottish Highlands by Tearlach’s darag, the ancient oak tree of which he is the living spirit. Tearlach is trapped within the darag by the terrible memory of his own death—hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago, but as recent to him as his last heartbeat. And if desire for the handsome human fails to tempt him out, spirit and oak are both doomed.
<strong>Buy Links:</strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.ellorascave.com/product/tempted-from-the-oak/" target="_blank">PUBLISHER</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tempted-Oak-Rory-Ni-Coileain-ebook/dp/B00J8N6SY2/" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tempted-from-the-oak-rory-ni-coileain/1118974688?ean=9781419990861" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a></strong></p>
<hr /><a href="https://queerscifi.com/"></a>Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-22651850839499102472015-11-13T23:46:00.003-08:002015-11-13T23:54:17.622-08:00Je Suis Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzhpGTY-KL3_WMbwjxPwp3TtudEfMNJk8-HqrAB8bvtTF3ucIX3s_thPgRMNdQq1-28zXuVSFz3NxYC-kdUvzUBJhmJ2yFhWmIPB23aWYXYFXmhwfAl7Iteun_50-tXBSImrpOrNMwqJ5/s1600/12241395_10207879658086289_7542605502862812321_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzhpGTY-KL3_WMbwjxPwp3TtudEfMNJk8-HqrAB8bvtTF3ucIX3s_thPgRMNdQq1-28zXuVSFz3NxYC-kdUvzUBJhmJ2yFhWmIPB23aWYXYFXmhwfAl7Iteun_50-tXBSImrpOrNMwqJ5/s320/12241395_10207879658086289_7542605502862812321_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cbdin-0-0"><span data-text="true">The object of terrorism is to strike fear into the hearts of the people, and to sow discord among our leaders. The objective is to cripple the populace and in turn, damage the economy, and the very culture. In years past, it was the last chance weapon of the powerless, but has now devolved to become a tool of the unhinged. Today's technology serves to put catastrophic power into the hands of a few individuals. Whether they are building pressure cooker bombs, shooting crowds in movie theatres or bombing a government building, they have the same objective: to inflict maximum damage and to demoralize on a large scale. The only way to defeat the purpose of these faceless people is to not bow down to the fear they seek to sow. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="28e2t-0-0"><span data-text="true">In the winter of 2002, I got on a plane and flew to JFK with my dog Logan. We were going to the Westminster Kennel Club Dogshow. When I flew, the plane was nearly empty. When we landed, portions of the airport seemed abandoned. I remember that my mother was horrified that I'd take such a risk, and my friend Kazu just shook his head when I explained that I refused to be afraid. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d0atr-0-0"><span data-text="true">Walking through Manhattan with my dog, I could see pain and despair in the eyes of New Yorkers. They made eye contact with strangers, and even the most strident store-keepers were subdued. More than one person took the opportunity to pet and cuddle Logan, who was a licensed therapy dog. At the show, one woman sat with him and melted into tears, her face buried in his neck. After a good, hard cry, she got up, wiped her eyes and left without a word. She was courageous in her grief. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d0atr-0-0"><span data-text="true">We visited Ground Zero, and in spite of the crowds filing in to pay their respects, the site was deafeningly silent. It was one of the more powerful places I've ever been in my life. </span></span></div>
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<div class="_209g _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">I was raised in a Mormon family and there's been a lot of talk about this being the Last Days. I do not believe that. I do not believe in fate and I do not believe in living without hope. I do not believe in letting fear rule my life. After all, simply being born brings myriad hazards with it. Every time we take a step out our doors, we run all sorts of risks. And if we let fear have its way, they've won. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">We live in frightening times, and I don't know what the answers are. I do know that our world leaders are failing on a monumental basis. I know that a radical change will have to come over the world of the future. More violence? Hunting down and killing terrorist leaders? My initial thought was that its time to resurrect Madame Guillotine and Iron Masks. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">But no. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">Perhaps we should be force feeding IS members anti-psychotic drugs and broadcast episodes of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood into their households. Heck, medical marijuana might be the answer. I don't know. I don't know. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">But look up at the image at the beginning of the article. She's the symbol of the French Revolution, which might have been one of the single most bloody, horrific episodes in history, but from that revolution, American revolutionaries drew inspiration. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">When we needed them, the French were there for us. Now we are there for them. This is not the time for fear. This is not the time for politics. In fact, I wish all the candidates and talking heads would just go crawl into their respective holes and shut their mouths. But they won't. They'll politicize the event and try to gain traction and sow fear in order to rise in the polls. Which in its way is a form of terrorism. But I digress.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="2cjqr-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am Paris. And tonight, my heart aches </span></span></span></span><br />
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-55841295933500498542015-10-24T01:41:00.000-07:002015-10-24T01:54:32.010-07:00So Let's Talk Inspirational--The Great Alone Review(Oh no, not another Lance Mackey post...)<br />
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There's been a lot of discussion about what makes a book or movie or song "Inspirational." To me, it has little to do with religion, but more with the uplifting nature of the work. I recently saw the award winning film <i>The Great Alone</i>, which is about the life of musher Lance Mackey. It's billed as a sports documentary, but is so, so much more. <br />
<br />
This movie totally hits the mark for defining Inspirational. Lance was born to a legendary racing family in Alaska. After his parents split, he became mired in substance abuse by the age of nine. That's right...nine. He pulled himself from that hole, straightened out his life and decided to follow the family tradition of sled racing and eventually entered the Iditarod.<br />
<br />
And then the cancer came.<br />
<br />
The story of his life is inspirational. Lance entered the race again, while he was still being treated for throat cancer. He scratched when the contents of his feeding tube kept freezing. Yes, he ran 500 miles of a thousand mile race while on a feeding tube. <br />
<br />
Eventually, he went on to win the Iditarod. Then he won it again. And again. And again. <br />
He also won the Yukon Quest 4 times, garnering awards for the excellent care of his animals and for having the most valuable team on the trail. He was given the title of "World's Toughest Athlete." Its unlikely that some of his accomplishments will ever be repeated.<br />
<br />
He's battered, scarred and torn apart from the cancer and the subsequent treatment. He lost his salivary glands and eventually his teeth. His voice is gravelly. The bones in his jaw eroded. He had a finger amputated because of unrelenting nerve pain. His eyes are often reddened from the medical marijuana he uses to ease his pain. He can't use that when he races. But he still races.<br />
<br />
He can't raise his arm over his head, because it might put enough stress on his jugular to tear the artery.<br />
<br />
He has Reynaud's Syndrome, which causes his extremities to lose circulation and freeze easily.<br />
<br />
And he's never given up. Never quit. When someone tells him he can't do something, Lance says, "Watch. This." <br />
In all the years he's run those major races, he's never had a major corporate sponsor. He's funded by small businesses, friends and fans. <br />
<br />
And the driving force in his life is the well being of his dogs. You wonder why I idolize this guy? <br />
There's a reason that "Superman Wears Lance Mackey Pajamas."<br />
<br />
This movie is what inspirational storytelling is all about. There's no mention of God or religion in this film, just a man, a second chance and a love of nature, mushing and his dogs. This is a man who's faced impossible challenges again and again, and prevailed. Lance is perfectly imperfect. He screws up, falls down and gets back on his feet. He knows the meaning of <i>his</i> life. How many of us can say the same?<br />
<br />
The Great Alone is a tour de force directed by Greg Kohs. It's shot in a remote, hostile environment. The cinematography is exquisite. The soundtrack is gripping and ethereal. The story-telling is seamless. This is a story about a man, a race, his family and his dogs. In Lance's words: <i>Watch this. </i><br />
<br />
The Great Alone is currently on the festival circuit, and will go into general release in 2016. See their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatalone/info?tab=overview" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> for screenings and guest appearances by Lance, his dog Amp and various guests. <br />
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Official Trailer: The Great Alone</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4itoaTozjg" target="_blank">Livestrong Video: Lance</a></div>
Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-29064318126736725532015-09-16T15:43:00.001-07:002015-09-16T15:48:06.528-07:00Belindapendence: Be The Change You Want to SeeAll right, Belindapendence time. This is for authors. You may not like it. <br />
<br />
Tough titties.<br />
<br />
Stuff happens. People do things/say things/write things we don't like, so we all clutch our virtual pearls and write scathing comments and reviews, and then vent our spleen on Facebook. <br />
So what did you actually accomplish other than to dump a shitload of negativity on the world?<br />
<br />
Probably not much.<br />
<br />
We all get tired of mansplaining. Of being belittled for daring to write science fiction without a cock to dip into the inkstand. Of authors who behave badly or use horrible judgement in what they write.<br />
<br />
I'm not saying you shouldn't bitch and vent. Its just not necessary to belabor the issue and then abandon it for the next issue that pushes your button.<br />
<br />
Did you know that being angry all the time is bad for your health?<br />
<br />
Anyhow. Flip that anger. Work it. Use it. Make it productive. <i>Then let it the fuck go and move on.</i><br />
<br />
The RITAs are coming. We all know about the shocking event that transpired last year. Well, that was last year. Water under the Pultney Bridge. (Yes, I'm in Bath.) Now take a moment to consider what you can do to prevent it from happening again.<br />
<br />
<b><i>ENTER</i></b><br />
<br />
If you have a great book that qualifies as inspirational...even if its not mainstream Christian, enter it. Yes, it might feel like a throw away, but it isn't. The existing judges need to be exposed to diversity. The genre needs to be redefined. Give them your gay, interracial Taoist love story. <br />
<br />
<b><i>JUDGE </i></b><br />
<br />
If you enter a book you have to also serve as a judge, so when it comes time to pick and choose the genre you'll judge, say yes to all. And judge fairly. <br />
<br />
<b><i>PARTICIPATE</i></b><br />
<br />
Are you a PAN member? Go sign up to judge. They need you. Sign-ups happen on September 22. Volunteer to judge all categories. <b>That</b> book was preaching to the choir. We must make that choir much, much larger. <br />
<br />
Make 2016 the year of action and diversity. Do something. Talk about books you love. Nominate them for Hugos or whatever is applicable. Judge. Vote. Be actively engaged in the process. When someone tiffs you off, (especially when its something as silly as a Go Fund Me campaign), shrug it off and move forward. <br />
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Declare your independence from the ugly, trolly side of our community, because we<i> are</i> a community. Lets try to make it better by acting and not reacting. Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-8681303295098763362015-09-14T16:18:00.003-07:002015-09-14T16:18:54.099-07:00From the Archives: Finding the Me in the ManuscriptThis was originally posted waaaay back in 2009 and first posted at Long and Short Reviews:<br />
<br />
<b>The Writer’s voice </b><br /><br /> * <i>“I’m so unhappy with my editor. I’m afraid she’s taking away my voice in this piece.”</i><br /> * <i>“I don’t want to submit my story. It’s a part of me. What if they don’t understand my voice?”</i><br /> * <i>“My voice will be lost if I worry about the mechanics of writing.”</i><br /> *+ <i>“Your writer’s voice is so distinct.”</i><br /><br /> <br /><br /> Huh?<br /><br />
These are comments I’ve heard on and off over the past
couple of years, and frankly, this concept of voice still puzzles me a
bit. What is it? Our style? Our accent? At a writer’s forum I attended
recently, several writers worried about their voices. To be honest,
that’s really the last thing I think about when I write...if I think
about it at all. <br /><br /> Okay, I do believe that every
writer has a distinct voice. I don’t think we can escape it. To me, it’s
a little like how where you live affects how you speak. Frankly, I’ve
always believed that I speak in unaccented American…you know, like the
news anchors? But as I’ve traveled around, people in different areas of
the US have mentioned my accent.<br /><br /> I’m from Northern
California. Not the Bay Area, but north of the Sacramento Valley, and
oddly enough, I’ve come to realize that we do have a regional accent.
You know the actor Sam Elliot? He’s got that silky, sexy drawl that we
love to hear in the beer commercials. He’s from Texas, right? The South?
Nope. He was raised in the Sacramento Valley. My brother’s accent is
exactly the same. <br /><br /> In fact, my oldest daughter works
on a private yacht with an international crew. She’s the chef, and has
been known to launch into the occasional verbal tirade when she’s alone
in the galley. She says the Kiwis like to come in and listen to her
tantrums because of her “redneck accent.” <br /><br /> So what
does this have to do with your voice as a writer? Well, it’s there. You
can’t really escape it, unless you’re spending a lot of time with
technical or academic writing. If an editor wants you to clean up the
grammar of your narrative, she’s not asking you to stifle your voice,
she wants you to do your job and write properly. As a general rule, your
editor will respect your writing and her advice will make your story
better without robbing you of your voice. <br /><br /> There are
times when I feel that my voice has become stiff and uninspired. I’m not
talking about writer’s block. That’s when nothing comes at all.
Sometimes I feel like the words are coming out by force, like maybe I’m
not the one writing at all. <br /><br /> Perhaps there is stress
in the household or I’m simply disconnected from the story that I’m
trying to tell. Or maybe I’ve just finished a project and have turned to
another, and haven’t captured the new personalities that I’m working
with. When that happens, I have a few tricks to loosen up my mind and
free that elusive voice. <br /><br /> * I have conversations
in character. Okay, that might seem a bit weird. I used to act so
walking around verbalizing is something I did to learn lines. If you
can’t open your mouth and let your character speak, do it in your head.
Go sit in a comfy chair, or lie down on the sofa and ask your characters
what’s going on. Visualize the scenario they are in, and watch their
actions and reactions to each other. Know your characters! I prefer to
worry about the voices of my characters rather than my voice as a
writer.<br /><br /> * Listen to music. Music digs into our
brains on various levels. You know how a song gets stuck in your head?
Music is a great tool for learning, as well as for setting mood. Try
listening to the Beatles or Chopin or Barry White. Listen to the mood of
the music. Many authors have soundtracks for stories. <i>Belle Starr</i> was written to the music from the Japanese Anime <i>Cowboy Bebop</i>. It’s a wild, fierce jazz number by a band called Tank. I think that single song really shaped the entire story.<br /><br />
* Read poetry. Find a writer that works for you. It
might be Bob Dylan or John Donne. Poetry is the height of language and
has an inherent flow and meter. You’ll expand your vocabulary and I’ve
found my narrative moves better when I’ve taken a poetry break. Right
now I’m reading <i>Silky Thefts</i> by Michael Jennings.<br /><br />
* Sing. Dance. That’s taking the music and poetry and moving it
to another level. You’re integrating your body into the rhythm of the
music and getting your circulation moving.<br /><br /> * Just
tell the story. Frankly, that’s a pretty good avenue to take. So it
might be stiff and ugly, but if you sit down and hammer out the story,
you’ve got the framework finished. That’s the hard part. When you’re
feeling more inspired, go back and fluff it up. Indulge in your
creativity and play with your characters. Have fun. It’s easier to do
when you have the roadmap instead of the roadblock.<br /><br /> <br /><br />
Writing is certainly a creative art, but it’s also a craft…a
discipline. If you approach it as a job that needs to be done, you will
learn to work through the rough times. Your voice is there because it’s
the part of the story that is inherently you. If you belabor the idea of
your ‘voice’ your writing will become self-aware. It’s like watching an
actor on stage who is aware of the fact that they are acting. Don’t act
the role, be the role! In writing, don’t worry about your voice or it
will become just another character on your page. <br /><br /> So
when you sit in front of that blank page with your list of things to
worry about, strike “Voice” off that list. It’s there if you let it come
out. And no one can take it away. Not even your editor. Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-7752366859210788242015-08-23T20:24:00.002-07:002015-08-23T20:24:35.620-07:00When Voters Vote and Judges Judge - Part Two: Let Us Pray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I find myself fresh out of humor on this topic. OK, I know its been ground into the dirt over on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, on forums, Facebook and Amazon.<br />
<br />
But as usual, I have something to say.<br />
<br />
Growing up, my best friend's life was disrupted when her grandmother moved in with the family. Because her parents both worked, caring for the elderly woman fell on her shoulders (bear in mind, we were about ten years old) and eventually, her grandmother's sister moved in as well. They were Babcha (Grandma) and Chucha Manya. (Aunt)<br />
<br />
Babcha was soft and round and tall. She had a temper, but got over it quickly. She loved to teach me naughty words in Polish. Chucha was thin, quiet and often dressed in black. Even as an elderly woman, she was beautiful and so very sweet. <br />
<br />
One day we were cleaning their little apartment and my friend put a book into a drawer at the bedside table. She found something else and brought it to me. It was a card, it had a photo of Babcha as a young woman. All the writing was in German, but we were able to make out her name, numbers and the word "Auschwitz."<br />
<br />
Marta knew what that was. I didn't.<br />
<br />
"I saw a tattoo on her arm but she won't talk about it. Its the same number on the card." My friend was very distressed and my education in horror began at that moment. You see, my father is a white supremacist. (never mind that he's largely Native American.) He's a holocaust denier. And that day, I saw incontrovertible proof that it was real and it happened. I went to the library and looked at books.<br />
<br />
I looked up Auschwitz.<br />
<br />
And that's when I stopped loving my father. Because even when he couldn't deny anymore, he said it was <i>necessary.</i> <br />
<br />
Babcha and Chucha weren't Jewish, they were Polish Catholics. During their time in Auschwitz, they endured brutal treatment, starvation, rape, illness, and in Chucha's case, surgical experimentation.<br />
<br />
They sterilized her without anesthesia.<br />
<br />
So when I read about Kate Breslin's book "For Such a Time" making the finals in the RWA RITA awards, I was floored.<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard about it, its an Inspirational Romance in which a half Jewish concentration camp prisoner is rescued by the camp's commandant, who makes her his secretary, falls in love with her and they both convert to Christianity. And they lived happily ever after.<br />
<br />
I have not read the book. I don't want to. I don't want the author and publisher to have my money. To get a grip on my revulsion with the topic, I tried to imagine what Babcha and Chucha might feel about this. And you know what? I have something to say to the author:<br />
<br />
<i>Kate Breslin, if real live concentration camp survivors like my friend's grandma and auntie heard about this book, they'd come at you with drawn blades. And if you don't understand why, then you lack normal empathy and I can only pity you. </i><br />
<br />
So how the fuck did this travesty make it to the finals of the romance genre's most prestigious awards?<br />
<br />
Well, its my fault. And its your fault.<br />
<br />
As I noted in my post about the Hugos, the fans voted this year and they knocked a toxic trainload of rabid canines off the rails. But here in romance land, we didn't see this coming. But we let it happen.<br />
<br />
Its not the fault of RWA so leave them to the side. Oddly, its not the fault of the author and her supporters, because weird as it is, they are true believers. And true believers of any religion or philosophy lack the empathy to see the other side. <br />
<br />
In romance, we tend to consider the Inspirational category as being Christian. Well, that's wrong. Inspirational should encompass all creeds as well as non-sectarian works with spiritual elements. I may not embrace religion, but I view myself as spiritual. I think it reflects in my writing, particularly in my m/m science fiction book <i>The Prince of Faith</i>. But you know, I would never consider entering that in the Inspirational category. All that sweaty man-sex would peel the skin off the judge's faces. How could a gay romance possibly have inspirational elements? Granted, mine is erotic, but even a sweet m/m romance wouldn't fly in that category. <br />
<br />
And there we have the problem in a nutshell. The Inspy world is an insular one. When I got my ballot to judge, I asked not to judge Inspirational or YA. I don't like them. I would never consider entering my work into that category. My guess is, the vast majority of RITA judges do the same thing. Thus, Kate Breslin wrote a book that was offensive to most sane humans, except for the people who think and believe as she does.<br />
<br />
<i>And those are the people who judge that category of romance. </i><br />
<br />
Let that sink in and remember what George R. R. Martin <a href="http://belindam.blogspot.com/2015/08/when-voters-vote-and-judges-judge-part.html?zx=2bf17b4a7269e51d" target="_blank">said in my other post. </a><br />
<br />
If just three moderately open-minded judges had agreed to judge Inspirational, this might not have happened. Because how can this book have a satisfying ending? How does one redeem a war criminal, who will probably stand trial at Nuremberg and be hanged? If just 3 judges had looked at that book with even a grain of empathy and historical vision, it would have been disqualified.<br />
<br />
How can a novel about Jewish woman and a Nazi officer play out as anything but the echo of a tasteless porn plot? This "hero" has the blood of innocents on his hands. Jesus might have died for our sins, but damn. There's gotta be a limit. There's still a worldly price to pay. This guy would have stood trial at Nuremberg and have been hanged. Or imprisoned for life. This is not romance. He is not a bad boy or an anti-hero or a tortured soul. He's a war criminal.<br />
<br />
And having them both convert to Christianity to make it all good? Fuck. Fuckity fuckfuckfuck.<br />
<br />
NO. <br />
<br />
Back to King George:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i>People have to nominate</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People have to vote</i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People have to talk about and share what they
love</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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IIn the case of the RITAs, and other juried awards, judges have to judge. Authors have to enter. And readers must get behind the books they are passionate about. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Authors: Do you have a book with non-Christian inspirational, spiritual elements? I know it seems like a a waste of entry fees, but if your non-conforming romance feels like it qualifies, enter it in the Inspirational category. That is your right. And you know what? I think its our obligation.</div>
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Judges: When you get your application to judge, <b>do not</b> refuse any category, even if you hate it. Because we are the control group. We are the ones who keep this kind of shit from happening. </div>
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Readers: Read. Talk. Review fairly. Don't go on Amazon or Goodreads and review a book you haven't read. That's opinion and there are other forums for opinion. If you want to review it, read it. Use your blog, your Facebook page or reader groups. Don't bully. That makes the offending author a martyr. If you feel strongly about something, tell the author. If its offensive, tell the publisher. You are the heartbeat of the industry. Yours is the voice with the power.</div>
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Judge.</div>
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We the readers, judges and authors are the only ones who can prevent this from happening again. Don't just blow hot air in the comments of a blog post, make a list of what you can do. If you qualify, apply to judge. If its a fan competition, nominate. Vote. If you are an author and you think your work is special, enter. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We are not powerless. We are not without a voice. Use it and use it well. </div>
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<br /></div>
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J</div>
Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-23942236500152359992015-08-23T19:02:00.000-07:002015-08-23T20:32:20.705-07:00When Voters Vote and Judges Judge. Part One: You Made the Puppy Cry!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGpcF54gjYEKAKENEvtA66GQvDc37b99p7YgJ0ofRvCSMBHH1AvZv0s0SARLit8ZjvYP_sCvrvdq3IQJ7OC_JppTsyjwhf85S1j-xnlUZct89aOP-74Ffqqau48KiPuSxVxEGkfkxzIEy/s1600/saad+puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGpcF54gjYEKAKENEvtA66GQvDc37b99p7YgJ0ofRvCSMBHH1AvZv0s0SARLit8ZjvYP_sCvrvdq3IQJ7OC_JppTsyjwhf85S1j-xnlUZct89aOP-74Ffqqau48KiPuSxVxEGkfkxzIEy/s1600/saad+puppy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So evidently a bunch of like-minded “guys” (who knows, there
might be a female or two in there) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>didn’t
like the way the Hugo Awards were getting so literary, PC and boring and
decided to make a change. Well, that itself isn’t bad. But what they did was to
create a slate, not much different from that of a political party. They listed their
candidates, pushed their agenda, and crowned themselves with a treacly, cutesy
name that insults lovable canines everywhere. Then some other like-minded, but
more extreme individuals who are kinda creepy in that “never made it out of
Grandma’s basement” kinda way got in the act and built on that platform. And lo
and behold, they found a foothold out there in fanboy land. I’m not going into
the whole nasty business. If you haven’t heard of it, just Google it. Or better
yet, visit Chuck Wendig’s <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2015/08/23/the-obligatory-hugo-awards-recap-post/" target="_blank">Terrible Minds</a> blog. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Next thing you know, the Hugo nominations close and when the
finals are announced, several of the categories were stacked with their
candidates. And the Hugos were declared dead. Ruined. *le sigh…*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyhow…</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Public outrage ensues. It’s all that anyone talks about…at
least until the Nazi romance makes it to the RITA finals. More on that later. But
yes, they’re talking about this on Facebook and Twitter and in countless forums
everywhere. And the more people are pissed, the more get swept up in the
community outrage. In spite of the fury, no one managed to get behind alternate
nominees, other than in the novel section. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Membership in the World Science Fiction Society balloons.
When World Con convenes in August, they have record high attendance and voting
numbers swelled. As always, controversy is good for business. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s where it gets very interesting. And this is what I
observed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fans at this event are a tribe. For the first couple
days I was there, it felt like a closed tribe, and I couldn’t find a way in. (especially
since I’m a total social cripple.) But I was patient, put myself out of my
comfort zone and just wandered around and listened. On Friday, I got pulled
into two conversations about the Puppies controversy and speculation about how
the voting would turn out. One of the men I spoke with was particularly
baffled. He has been part of this fandom all his teen and adult life and he
just didn’t understand the malice. He was broken-hearted.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over at the costume
display, clusters of fans were quietly circulating, informing the uninformed. A
young man nervously approached me and handed me a cheap plastic kazoo. On it
was printed, “The Hugos Matter.” He told me, “This is important.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yes, they really do matter. And I could tell it took all
his courage to walk up to this strange woman and say something that might be
controversial. I wanted to hug him.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took notes at the award ceremony. Several luminaries
weighed in on the situation. (I’m sorry, I didn’t get names, but you should be
able to view the podcast.) It was like the elephant in the room. The groups who
shall not be named. Once George RR Martin said the word “puppies” it loosened
the rest of the panel up. No one choked and died. Vox Day didn’t suddenly
manifest there on the screen. They discussed changing rules and the long term
implications the controversy might have. They talked about what might happen at
the evening’s ceremony. (They were spot on.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are salient points the guests made during
interviews:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>To campaign for a Hugo is an empty victory. (In
this case, it was a Phyrric Victory)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>It’s fine to get behind a book or artist or
other candidate, but do it because you love their work, not because you want to
block everyone else.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Hugo Awards are the will of the fans.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Hugo finalists should be raised in prestige
simply by being on that final list. Make this your reading list for the year. </li>
<li>Don't write for the award. Never write for the award. Write for the joy and to write the best damned story you can. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From George R. R. Martin: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People have to nominate</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People have to vote</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People have to talk about and share what they
love</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The 2017 World Con will be held in Helsinki,
Finland! (they beat out DC, Montreal and Osaka, Japan) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Hugo ballot lists the five nominees in the category, and
in addition, has a selection where the member can vote that no award shall be
given. In the entire history of the Hugo awards, this option has been the voter’s
selection a total of five times. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, the voters withheld the award from five
categories, thus shutting out the slate of finalists supported by the puppies.
Yes, some other candidates were shut out too, and that’s sad. But in the novella
category, all five of the finalists were from Castalia Press. (Seriously…is no
one else writing novellas?) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the hosts
read those results, they said, “And the voters have decided no award will be
given in that category.” And every time, the audience cheered. There were a few
“boos…” but David Gerrold quickly shut them down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two major wins went to translated works. In spite of the
dearth of women nominated, they were actually well represented in the wins. In
spite of all the efforts to hijack the awards, it wound up being truly diverse
indeed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I actually did my homework for these awards. I read the
entries and voted for my favorites. Some of my picks won, some didn’t. I won’t
hide the fact that I voted to withhold on several categories, and so did the
majority of the voters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve heard it said that passive aggression won the night and
I strongly disagree. To withhold the award is an active vote. And I’ve heard it
was a wash. In what way? I’m sad for the few finalists caught up in those
categories, but at least three nominees had the wisdom to withdraw their names
from the vote, presumably because they were backed by the petulant pooches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good for them. I’d have done the same thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Hugos are not a judged, juried contest. Its winners are
decided by the fans. The voters. And that’s us. And if you care, pay for your
membership, join the conversation, nominate and vote. We live in an anti-PC
world where Americans are falling in line behind an ugly, bombastic, arrogant
businessman. We are being told it’s not okay to be “other.” To be brown or
female or to embrace alternate sexuality or gender or faith is wrong. We’re
told its bad and our fault if we are poor. We are told that teachers are vile
and greedy and that billionaires have our best interests at heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are encouraged not to think…just to listen
to sound bites. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world of science
fiction is better than that. We are about ideas. Hope. The journey to becoming
one people, in spite of….or perhaps because of our diversity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m tired. I don’t know if I want to write about Nazis right
now. Maybe later. *sigh…* </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I have something to say about that, too. Part Two is on
its way. And yes, in a strange way, it relates to all this. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fmLDyHUAjSZ3N5LRIeNSQy3mHHvDGeEsaYm75FYQqSqrHOFqznDBcj_rsYgxiVwTGt7aopwK2en0zQtB1P4PCDxFeIML8dh15SykF9dopHnGXHB4FG_DOLbXixJ5628simQ04TRBFKnp/s1600/sad-puppy-600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fmLDyHUAjSZ3N5LRIeNSQy3mHHvDGeEsaYm75FYQqSqrHOFqznDBcj_rsYgxiVwTGt7aopwK2en0zQtB1P4PCDxFeIML8dh15SykF9dopHnGXHB4FG_DOLbXixJ5628simQ04TRBFKnp/s320/sad-puppy-600x450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577364854407900138.post-77584328416123752612015-07-14T09:47:00.000-07:002015-07-14T09:47:36.339-07:00Eva's Alive and the Bad Angels Are On The Way!All good things must come to an end, and the Doms of Dark Haven anthologies are now out of print. (though you can probably find print copies out there still.) But if you happen to be a Truckee Wolves fan, this is an opportunity for you!<br />
<br />
Loose Id has taken my novellas from the collections, given them new cover art and a much more affordable cover price! Educating Evangeline has just been re-released as EVANGELINE OF DARK HAVEN! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtrfBsNaiYVsJTnFPmXJmGt-jr1ZjVqyAq04NNnUPSICIFV5dLusErZW69yd0Et2OeWUQYgi-fyNmNLGZW9DGu3oJvKvglHP_OIvdM3tGX6Zk8TceuecblaL2tYrcpFhZb8GFLUcn_WpK/s1600/BM_EvangelineofDarkHaven_coverin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtrfBsNaiYVsJTnFPmXJmGt-jr1ZjVqyAq04NNnUPSICIFV5dLusErZW69yd0Et2OeWUQYgi-fyNmNLGZW9DGu3oJvKvglHP_OIvdM3tGX6Zk8TceuecblaL2tYrcpFhZb8GFLUcn_WpK/s320/BM_EvangelineofDarkHaven_coverin.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.loose-id.com/evangeline-of-dark-haven-a-truckee-wolves-story.html" target="_blank">http://www.loose-id.com/evangeline-of-dark-haven-a-truckee-wolves-story.html </a><br />
<br />
Evangeline is a m/f BDSM romance about wolf shifters in a frightening alternate reality. Its part of the ongoing Truckee Wolves series, which includes Toxic and the soon to be re-released Holly of Dark Haven. And yes, I will soon finish Destiny of Dark Haven, which will complete the Dark Haven trilogy within the Truckee series. (Don't worry, Chase, Sage and a couple others have stories coming too!) I will update the blog when Eva is released at Amazon and other outlets.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
BAD ANGELS: FALLING is now up for pre-sale at Totally Bound's new PRIDE imprint! If you're a long time reader of my books, you'll recognize this series from several years ago. Its about a fallen angel named Orion Hunter, a ghillie dubh named Rex and a mysterious succubus named Anahita. The series is m/m/f menage. Falling will be quickly followed by BURN and HEAVEN. I plan three more stories set in the Bad Angels world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZoOdW06cT2m2J4wzuUnJXh5srzBSh8RufLO2yT1c22sP9qmhdJxaw7JpbmmZMKRUqOnOCz0twqByXCTSjXCvXG6FF6DDjuzdPNNtx2zPKKsWOoi8R3JkYHKqICAU-ocuzHQWXXirrvvL/s1600/falling_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZoOdW06cT2m2J4wzuUnJXh5srzBSh8RufLO2yT1c22sP9qmhdJxaw7JpbmmZMKRUqOnOCz0twqByXCTSjXCvXG6FF6DDjuzdPNNtx2zPKKsWOoi8R3JkYHKqICAU-ocuzHQWXXirrvvL/s320/falling_800.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/falling" target="_blank">PRE-ORDER FALLING!</a></div>
Belinda M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07660503911251781943noreply@blogger.com1