I'm so happy. I've finally got one book on Amazon. It has taken me a while, and some struggle to get it ready, and to learn how to upload it.
'Hooked' is a short romance.
I am in the process of editing and re-writing on other in preparation of e-publishing it.
If I'm lucky this will be ready to go sometime in 2012.
I will now have to learn how to make a website, and how to market it. Also, am looking into how much it will cost me to have a few of Hooked printed in book form.
I hope Hooked will be well received by the female audience.
Thank you God!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Indy Digs In - snippet
"Indy, come quick!"
Indy sprang from her chair, slapped a broad-brimmed, straw hat over her brunette head and ran from the tent. The bright sunlight was momentarily blinding and she snatched her forgotten sunshades from a shirt pocket. Once her eyes had adjusted, she ran after her assistant, Lilly, who was slipping and sliding down the shallow, sandy embankment. Indy followed with more caution and managed to make it to the bottom without falling on her rump. She skidded to a stop next to Lilly who was now crouched next to an object jutting from the red earth.
"Look, look," Lilly said, voice high with excitement and a finger pointing.
"Yes, I see," Indy replied more calmly.
"What do you think it is?"
"Well, it looks like a bone."
Lily turned a dirt-smudged face up and said, "I know it looks like a bone, Indy, but what kind?"
Indy studied her assistant while she considered how to answer. She was sure that Lilly's blue eyes, hidden behind her own shades, were probably rolling toward her hairline with impatience.
"Don't suppose we'll know until we dig it up," Indy replied.
Indy heard Lilly's exasperated sigh as she rocked back on the heels of her desert boots. "How soon can we begin?" Lilly asked as she rose to her full five-foot-five height, which was about two inches shorter than Indy. She pushed at the bill of her Texas Longhorn ball cap, her blond pony-tail swinging out the back. She brushed the red Arizona dirt from her shapely tanned legs. Her cut-off jeans and gray tank top were covered with the fine, red dust. She brushed absently at them while she waited for Indy to answer.
Indy understood Lilly's excitement and impatience. Lilly Cavanagh was a student from the University of Texas-Dallas working toward her Doctorate in Paleontology. This was her first find, even though they had been digging in the remote area between Kayenta, Arizona and Monument Valley, Utah for close to a month.
Kayenta, located twenty-five miles south of Monument Mountain, was a small town boasting a little over 5100 residence. It is part of the Navajo Nation, which meant they had had to get special permission and permits in order to dig. Although small, the town offered several restaurants, hotels, and even a movie theater. When weather turned hazardous, or when the team needed a break from sleeping in tents or needed a bath, they went into town for a meal and a bed.
"Let's get some of the crew over here to rope off this area first," Indy said.
Lilly's face lit up as if she'd just received a surprise birthday present. "I'll get em," she offered as she sped off, her boots tossing back a spray of red dirt. "Hey, Drew," she yelled to the young man sitting on the ground several yards away.
Drew Simpson raised his head and pushed his battered cowboy hat away from his eyes, which also wore sunshades to protect them from the harsh sun. "What?"
"Come see what I found."
"Now?" he asked irritably.
"Yes. And, Dr. Indy said to bring some of the men to help rope off the area," Lilly said, dancing from foot to foot.
Drew Simpson, another first-year student, rose to brush the dirt from his long legs. He was of medium height with a stocky build, sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. His khaki shorts were splotched with red, his once white T-shirt almost pink with Arizona dirt, and his tan cowboy hat wore a fine layer of the red dust. He took a swig of water from his canteen before saying, "be right there."
Lilly smiled, turned and dashed back to where Indy was now on her hands and knees brushing at the mysterious bone with a small paint brush. Lilly fell to her knees next to Indy and leaned close.
"It looks like it is a very large bone, doesn't it, Dr. Indy?"
"Mmmm."
"Think it could be a T-Rex?"
"Mmmm."
"Or maybe it's a new species," Lilly said.
"Mmmm."
Indy was so absorbed in brushing away the dirt in slow, careful strokes that she didn't mind Lilly's constant chatter. Her mind was busy going over the many possibilities of their potential discovery she almost didn't notice when the crew arrived and started driving stakes and rolling out the rope. She stopped and sat back, running the back of her hand across her wet brow. She glanced at her watch and found that it was already pushing toward noon. She stood.
"All right. Finish roping the area, plant a flag on this spot, then take a lunch break and drink plenty of water," Indy hollered to few men working with Drew. Most of the men were local Indians from the Navajo community. It was one of the conditions for getting the permit to dig. She was still learning who was who, so couldn't always remember their names. She knew they were brothers and the larger man, Wynono, pronounced wi-no-no, was the oldest since his name meant, first born son. His brother, shorter and stockier, was called, Wapi.
She glanced at Lilly. "I'm going back to my tent and document our findings. After our break I want to get some photos before we go much further."
She turned toward her tent, but tossed a glance over her shoulder, "Good work, Lilly."
Lilly beamed.
Indy sprang from her chair, slapped a broad-brimmed, straw hat over her brunette head and ran from the tent. The bright sunlight was momentarily blinding and she snatched her forgotten sunshades from a shirt pocket. Once her eyes had adjusted, she ran after her assistant, Lilly, who was slipping and sliding down the shallow, sandy embankment. Indy followed with more caution and managed to make it to the bottom without falling on her rump. She skidded to a stop next to Lilly who was now crouched next to an object jutting from the red earth.
"Look, look," Lilly said, voice high with excitement and a finger pointing.
"Yes, I see," Indy replied more calmly.
"What do you think it is?"
"Well, it looks like a bone."
Lily turned a dirt-smudged face up and said, "I know it looks like a bone, Indy, but what kind?"
Indy studied her assistant while she considered how to answer. She was sure that Lilly's blue eyes, hidden behind her own shades, were probably rolling toward her hairline with impatience.
"Don't suppose we'll know until we dig it up," Indy replied.
Indy heard Lilly's exasperated sigh as she rocked back on the heels of her desert boots. "How soon can we begin?" Lilly asked as she rose to her full five-foot-five height, which was about two inches shorter than Indy. She pushed at the bill of her Texas Longhorn ball cap, her blond pony-tail swinging out the back. She brushed the red Arizona dirt from her shapely tanned legs. Her cut-off jeans and gray tank top were covered with the fine, red dust. She brushed absently at them while she waited for Indy to answer.
Indy understood Lilly's excitement and impatience. Lilly Cavanagh was a student from the University of Texas-Dallas working toward her Doctorate in Paleontology. This was her first find, even though they had been digging in the remote area between Kayenta, Arizona and Monument Valley, Utah for close to a month.
Kayenta, located twenty-five miles south of Monument Mountain, was a small town boasting a little over 5100 residence. It is part of the Navajo Nation, which meant they had had to get special permission and permits in order to dig. Although small, the town offered several restaurants, hotels, and even a movie theater. When weather turned hazardous, or when the team needed a break from sleeping in tents or needed a bath, they went into town for a meal and a bed.
"Let's get some of the crew over here to rope off this area first," Indy said.
Lilly's face lit up as if she'd just received a surprise birthday present. "I'll get em," she offered as she sped off, her boots tossing back a spray of red dirt. "Hey, Drew," she yelled to the young man sitting on the ground several yards away.
Drew Simpson raised his head and pushed his battered cowboy hat away from his eyes, which also wore sunshades to protect them from the harsh sun. "What?"
"Come see what I found."
"Now?" he asked irritably.
"Yes. And, Dr. Indy said to bring some of the men to help rope off the area," Lilly said, dancing from foot to foot.
Drew Simpson, another first-year student, rose to brush the dirt from his long legs. He was of medium height with a stocky build, sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. His khaki shorts were splotched with red, his once white T-shirt almost pink with Arizona dirt, and his tan cowboy hat wore a fine layer of the red dust. He took a swig of water from his canteen before saying, "be right there."
Lilly smiled, turned and dashed back to where Indy was now on her hands and knees brushing at the mysterious bone with a small paint brush. Lilly fell to her knees next to Indy and leaned close.
"It looks like it is a very large bone, doesn't it, Dr. Indy?"
"Mmmm."
"Think it could be a T-Rex?"
"Mmmm."
"Or maybe it's a new species," Lilly said.
"Mmmm."
Indy was so absorbed in brushing away the dirt in slow, careful strokes that she didn't mind Lilly's constant chatter. Her mind was busy going over the many possibilities of their potential discovery she almost didn't notice when the crew arrived and started driving stakes and rolling out the rope. She stopped and sat back, running the back of her hand across her wet brow. She glanced at her watch and found that it was already pushing toward noon. She stood.
"All right. Finish roping the area, plant a flag on this spot, then take a lunch break and drink plenty of water," Indy hollered to few men working with Drew. Most of the men were local Indians from the Navajo community. It was one of the conditions for getting the permit to dig. She was still learning who was who, so couldn't always remember their names. She knew they were brothers and the larger man, Wynono, pronounced wi-no-no, was the oldest since his name meant, first born son. His brother, shorter and stockier, was called, Wapi.
She glanced at Lilly. "I'm going back to my tent and document our findings. After our break I want to get some photos before we go much further."
She turned toward her tent, but tossed a glance over her shoulder, "Good work, Lilly."
Lilly beamed.
Latest Update
Again, I've fallen behind on posting.
I've been busy of course, but also tweaking one of my finished stories with hopes of getting it e-published. I've also worked on a short story I want to enter into the contest again this year.
Plus, I have another story in the works with the working title "Indy Digs In" which may change over time. For instance one story I have finished which was originally Darn Hormones has been changed to Hooked. This is the one I hope to get e-published. I just need some help with the process. Will post a snippet here.
Indy Digs In is about a woman Indiana Jones except her name is India and she is a paleontologist digging in the red dirt of northern Arizona.
My Janie & Aleck stories, which were my very first stories are still on the back burner. I've learned a lot since then so I will be doing some re-writing on them. Gail Warnings is also on a low simmer while Indy burns in my brain.
I know no one reads these but hopefully I'll be able to see my own progress.
I've been busy of course, but also tweaking one of my finished stories with hopes of getting it e-published. I've also worked on a short story I want to enter into the contest again this year.
Plus, I have another story in the works with the working title "Indy Digs In" which may change over time. For instance one story I have finished which was originally Darn Hormones has been changed to Hooked. This is the one I hope to get e-published. I just need some help with the process. Will post a snippet here.
Indy Digs In is about a woman Indiana Jones except her name is India and she is a paleontologist digging in the red dirt of northern Arizona.
My Janie & Aleck stories, which were my very first stories are still on the back burner. I've learned a lot since then so I will be doing some re-writing on them. Gail Warnings is also on a low simmer while Indy burns in my brain.
I know no one reads these but hopefully I'll be able to see my own progress.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The latest
WOW! Didn't realize it has been so long since my last post.
Been doing a little writing and some reading. When a new book comes out by Janet Evanovich or Nora Roberts I have to take a break and read them. Also, have been sampling some of the stories by our club (Life Journeys Writers Club) members or by a guest speaker.
I have made the decision to not seek an agent just yet. I have purchased a few books on writing. Hoping to get some guidance on areas that I may fall short in. Plus, I will continue to work on the many stories I have in the works. Practice makes perfect. I have found that having the book edited helps even when it hurts.
I am also exploring the option of putting a book or two online as an ebook. Thus another reason to focus on improving my writing.
I have one book with the working title of "Unknown Destinations" edited. It's a story about Sarah Cummings (aka Bunny) who has special powers she calls "vibes." As an abused child, now grown, she has put that gift to work helping abused children. It needs a lot of re-write but I have discovered that I really don't want to write those types of stories. I prefer light-hearted stories with humor. I find I've a number of stories dealing with elderly characters. I will concentrate on those until exhausted. I do have one romance done (Darn Hormones) and the Janie/Aleck stories (which still need editing and some rewrites), which I will eventually finish and put on ebooks.
That's it for now. Hopefully, there is someone out there in WWW land that happens upon my blog and actually reads it.
Been doing a little writing and some reading. When a new book comes out by Janet Evanovich or Nora Roberts I have to take a break and read them. Also, have been sampling some of the stories by our club (Life Journeys Writers Club) members or by a guest speaker.
I have made the decision to not seek an agent just yet. I have purchased a few books on writing. Hoping to get some guidance on areas that I may fall short in. Plus, I will continue to work on the many stories I have in the works. Practice makes perfect. I have found that having the book edited helps even when it hurts.
I am also exploring the option of putting a book or two online as an ebook. Thus another reason to focus on improving my writing.
I have one book with the working title of "Unknown Destinations" edited. It's a story about Sarah Cummings (aka Bunny) who has special powers she calls "vibes." As an abused child, now grown, she has put that gift to work helping abused children. It needs a lot of re-write but I have discovered that I really don't want to write those types of stories. I prefer light-hearted stories with humor. I find I've a number of stories dealing with elderly characters. I will concentrate on those until exhausted. I do have one romance done (Darn Hormones) and the Janie/Aleck stories (which still need editing and some rewrites), which I will eventually finish and put on ebooks.
That's it for now. Hopefully, there is someone out there in WWW land that happens upon my blog and actually reads it.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Update before New Year
Haven't done any writing lately. Have been slightly bummed at not winning any of the many awards in the writing contest. Keep reminding myself that it's all about telling the story. Have resolved to get back to writing.
Am debating about reading more on writing - plots, etc. - and going back to my finished novel Crazy Daisy and doing major editing on it. I have learned a lot since writing that. But at least it is finished, just needs major tweaking.
Once the holidays are over I will decide what to do. Will consult with my editor to get her advice.
The major issue is getting an agent. And query letters. They're both hard.
Til 2011, Happy New Year to anyone who stops by.
Am debating about reading more on writing - plots, etc. - and going back to my finished novel Crazy Daisy and doing major editing on it. I have learned a lot since writing that. But at least it is finished, just needs major tweaking.
Once the holidays are over I will decide what to do. Will consult with my editor to get her advice.
The major issue is getting an agent. And query letters. They're both hard.
Til 2011, Happy New Year to anyone who stops by.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Gail Warning
“Will you lay down a card, you old cow?”
“Shut up, you sow,” Mabel replied as she extracted a three of clubs and placed it on the pile. She then stuck out her tongue at her partner and childhood friend, Gail.
“Nan? Nan, dear it’s your turn,” Mabel gave Nan a gentle nudge on the arm.
A soft snort issued from Nan as she lifted her chin from her chest and her eyes blinked open. Those pale gray eyes darted to Mabel, then Gail, before coming to rest on her partner, Edna. Edna gave her an annoyed look as her eyes darted from the cards in Nan’s hands to the cards on the table. Nan’s eyes followed. She snatched up the three of clubs and discarded a seven of clubs. This set Edna off.
“Damn it, Nan, please stop napping when you’re suppose to be playing Canasta. I have sevens laying in front of me.”
“I don’t know why you girls have to play cards at one o’clock when you know I like to take my nap at that time,” Nan replied in a croaky voice.
“Nan, we have played Canasta at one o’clock for years; ever since the four of us became widows. In the beginning, you didn’t need a nap at one o’clock,” Edna offered with a hint of irritation.
Nan grunted as Gail chose a card from the deck.
“You know, I’ve been watching that handsome fellow who lives two houses down from me,” Mabel commented.
“You old cougar. You wouldn’t know what to do with him if you caught him,” Gail huffed.
Edna snorted.
“Well, if I was a wee bit younger, I’d make a move on him, but that’s not what I mean,” Mabel said.
“Well, what do you mean?” Gail asked as she tossed a four of spades onto the discard pile.
Edna snatched it up and with a giggle placed four fours on the table in front of her.
Mabel grumbled and said, “I’m seeing some funny things going on at that house.”
Gail’s attention focused on her Canasta partner. “What funny things?”
“Lots of coming and going. A strange man showed up yesterday.”
“What’s so unusual about that?” Edna asked.
“Well, he’s the third strange man I’ve seen going in that house in the last week.”
“It’s your play, you old witch,” Gail said.
Mabel looked at the cards in her hand, then at the discard pile. She picked up the ten that Edna had discarded and laid out three tens on the table. She tossed a four onto the pile.
Edna moaned and shot a look at Nan, who was once again napping. “If that hussy keeps falling asleep, I’m going to put a hex on her.”
“Now, now, Edna, you know you are not allowed to use magic on your friends,” Mabel replied.
Nan snorted softly in her sleep as if she’d acknowledged Mabel’s wisdom.
Gail peered over her reading glasses at her childhood friend. She thought that Mabel dyed her hair too much. The brassy red only washed out her already pale skin. And, she was forever forgetting to touch up the gray roots.
“Why do you think there’s something going on just because you’ve seen three strange men coming and going?” Gail asked. “Besides, your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, so maybe they only looked different.”
“My eyesight isn’t all that bad, you old goat. Stop referring to my age, too. Just because I recently turned seventy-eight doesn’t make me too old to know the difference if I see different men going into that house,” Mabel finished with a huff.
Nan snorted again and lifted her chin from her chest. “What?” she asked.
Her three friends stared at her for a second and then howled with laughter.
“Shut up, you sow,” Mabel replied as she extracted a three of clubs and placed it on the pile. She then stuck out her tongue at her partner and childhood friend, Gail.
“Nan? Nan, dear it’s your turn,” Mabel gave Nan a gentle nudge on the arm.
A soft snort issued from Nan as she lifted her chin from her chest and her eyes blinked open. Those pale gray eyes darted to Mabel, then Gail, before coming to rest on her partner, Edna. Edna gave her an annoyed look as her eyes darted from the cards in Nan’s hands to the cards on the table. Nan’s eyes followed. She snatched up the three of clubs and discarded a seven of clubs. This set Edna off.
“Damn it, Nan, please stop napping when you’re suppose to be playing Canasta. I have sevens laying in front of me.”
“I don’t know why you girls have to play cards at one o’clock when you know I like to take my nap at that time,” Nan replied in a croaky voice.
“Nan, we have played Canasta at one o’clock for years; ever since the four of us became widows. In the beginning, you didn’t need a nap at one o’clock,” Edna offered with a hint of irritation.
Nan grunted as Gail chose a card from the deck.
“You know, I’ve been watching that handsome fellow who lives two houses down from me,” Mabel commented.
“You old cougar. You wouldn’t know what to do with him if you caught him,” Gail huffed.
Edna snorted.
“Well, if I was a wee bit younger, I’d make a move on him, but that’s not what I mean,” Mabel said.
“Well, what do you mean?” Gail asked as she tossed a four of spades onto the discard pile.
Edna snatched it up and with a giggle placed four fours on the table in front of her.
Mabel grumbled and said, “I’m seeing some funny things going on at that house.”
Gail’s attention focused on her Canasta partner. “What funny things?”
“Lots of coming and going. A strange man showed up yesterday.”
“What’s so unusual about that?” Edna asked.
“Well, he’s the third strange man I’ve seen going in that house in the last week.”
“It’s your play, you old witch,” Gail said.
Mabel looked at the cards in her hand, then at the discard pile. She picked up the ten that Edna had discarded and laid out three tens on the table. She tossed a four onto the pile.
Edna moaned and shot a look at Nan, who was once again napping. “If that hussy keeps falling asleep, I’m going to put a hex on her.”
“Now, now, Edna, you know you are not allowed to use magic on your friends,” Mabel replied.
Nan snorted softly in her sleep as if she’d acknowledged Mabel’s wisdom.
Gail peered over her reading glasses at her childhood friend. She thought that Mabel dyed her hair too much. The brassy red only washed out her already pale skin. And, she was forever forgetting to touch up the gray roots.
“Why do you think there’s something going on just because you’ve seen three strange men coming and going?” Gail asked. “Besides, your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, so maybe they only looked different.”
“My eyesight isn’t all that bad, you old goat. Stop referring to my age, too. Just because I recently turned seventy-eight doesn’t make me too old to know the difference if I see different men going into that house,” Mabel finished with a huff.
Nan snorted again and lifted her chin from her chest. “What?” she asked.
Her three friends stared at her for a second and then howled with laughter.
Update
Well, I finally finished editing, for like the fourth time, the one story I started back in 2008. I have told myself that is the very last edit I am doing on it. After all, I'll have to pay a professional editor to give it an edit before I can submit it to a Lit Agency - when I find one to take my stories.
Now, I can get back to creating more. As soon as I was finished with the editing, I came up with another story. I will post a snippet here after this post.
Good news, I've entered a writing contest. It's a short story - I have a hard time writing short stories LOL - 5,000 words or less. I did manage to get one idea (A Christmas Story) I had started to just under 5,000. I've submitted it but the winners won't be picked until December. Ugh! What a long time to wait. They will award 3 winners and 7 honorable mentions. I pray I am at least one among the many. If so, I'll have a chance of getting picked up by an agent. That will make that part much easier.
That's it for now. Back to writing.
Now, I can get back to creating more. As soon as I was finished with the editing, I came up with another story. I will post a snippet here after this post.
Good news, I've entered a writing contest. It's a short story - I have a hard time writing short stories LOL - 5,000 words or less. I did manage to get one idea (A Christmas Story) I had started to just under 5,000. I've submitted it but the winners won't be picked until December. Ugh! What a long time to wait. They will award 3 winners and 7 honorable mentions. I pray I am at least one among the many. If so, I'll have a chance of getting picked up by an agent. That will make that part much easier.
That's it for now. Back to writing.
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