tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64430749685941881772024-03-12T19:56:24.737-06:00My Friends Call Me Katerandom thoughts from a woman obsessed with readingSabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-14814935354043155282019-02-13T13:12:00.001-07:002019-02-13T13:12:43.132-07:00Latest Reads and Other Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I know, I know... it's been a few years (4+ actually). Just so you know... I'll never be up to speed on current reads and my reviews, well, they will always be me just writing about books in a random way. This has always been and will always be a random thoughts blog in the fullest sense.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqMjQayBUPiIl9Kpv7g2HR4bY-p-knvgm9YvaD8LVxjDrrH7NdpWKIDTFgz0Ud4ENIYGzlNm6px21RcuJwVMcf6QlV3rrUqIv9rotAEiVJFM7KcUA2kIOfOYfdMw-RRzdZevGMV2x2iNp/s1600/35430011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqMjQayBUPiIl9Kpv7g2HR4bY-p-knvgm9YvaD8LVxjDrrH7NdpWKIDTFgz0Ud4ENIYGzlNm6px21RcuJwVMcf6QlV3rrUqIv9rotAEiVJFM7KcUA2kIOfOYfdMw-RRzdZevGMV2x2iNp/s200/35430011.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
I started the year reading November Road by Lou Berney. This was such an entertaining read even without the ending I had hoped for. You know me and my sappy, happy endings. The book reminded me of childhood days road tripping it to North Dakota to see our uncle during the summers. Though our road trips usually took a detour off the beaten path for spankings with twigs found on the side of the road by our step-mother Freda. Trust me, if I had known about Frank Guidry when I was six I would have summoned him up a time or two to save us. Speaking of Frank... Frank Guidry, the ever loyal lieutenant to New Orleans' mob boss Carlos Marcello. Carlos Marcello... every time I read that name I thought of Oscar Martello. *eyes glaze over* I'm sorry. Where were we? Oh, yes. Frank Guidry, the ever loyal lieutenant to mob boss Carlos. Frank is way too loyal if you ask me. He reminds me of me when I became too trusting and complicit with my medical care and out of total laziness I was just doing whatever the doctor told me to do until I almost died. Not that Frank's lazy... he's anything but. It's just, one too many errands later and now Frank's just another loose end in a world full of wasted lives. With a new take on the JFK assassination, November Road has plenty of suspense, love, murder, more murder, and wisdom. My favorite line in the book was given by Leo, personal assistant to the charismatically crazy Ed Zingel. When Frank inquires about how making decisions should come easy when you know the knack to a happy life, Leo replies, "With every decision we create a new future. We destroy all other futures." Clearly Frank took that to heart in the final pages of this book. Frank may have been just another wasted life on the run from Carlos in the beginning pages of this novel, but by the end... his life was everything but wasted.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48wT_Evnnwj5ob2YO6_fHdQdXaJGVkgkDfESBq0nWLyzQ8UD0cPDEZNvDY6M3ASThgexEmpBW6bk9vlvnddoeuJnnyMa-vgVX-aBKzs8_gPGKQTj04xc4qXHH6eSnXWjDGDmQZ5Cs37Qq/s1600/35211925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48wT_Evnnwj5ob2YO6_fHdQdXaJGVkgkDfESBq0nWLyzQ8UD0cPDEZNvDY6M3ASThgexEmpBW6bk9vlvnddoeuJnnyMa-vgVX-aBKzs8_gPGKQTj04xc4qXHH6eSnXWjDGDmQZ5Cs37Qq/s200/35211925.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
I found myself silently screaming while reading this book. It is all of our current political nightmares captured in 340 pages with the added bonus of a happy ending. When Remy Stanton inserts himself as hero in an armed robbery, he finds himself thrust into the public spotlight and intentionally the new face of a ruthless business man's run for President of the United States. Secrets, secrets, and a little bit of love keep the novel moving quickly. Seriously realistic and brilliantly written, this novel gave me a glimmer of hope.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xSM8ERmunE5RWfjo2Dxudf3K8v-V4YkhDOdKQUKFb9Xvn4ytEjM3yJo0vsYxpLGTPaXxhVZR6GA7h47lOhrN0v0nsBUeuHMD-BlML3OM2Uk1iDqcw4nsrbbLSheSutaUwmO8RDlPpgum/s1600/30763901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xSM8ERmunE5RWfjo2Dxudf3K8v-V4YkhDOdKQUKFb9Xvn4ytEjM3yJo0vsYxpLGTPaXxhVZR6GA7h47lOhrN0v0nsBUeuHMD-BlML3OM2Uk1iDqcw4nsrbbLSheSutaUwmO8RDlPpgum/s200/30763901.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
I didn't smile once while reading this book. It was that good. Seriously. I mean, this was a depressing look inside rural back country living where all roads lead to nothing but bad decisions, unemployment, misplaced hope, miserable memories, and insanity. All of the characters are broken. All. Of. Them. The Weight of this World is everything I would have expected from a novel by David Joy. The despair... hauntingly beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> ~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXfzmUlBZGwMD9iCpCy_20AeOj9-h6cPY0r70_fhazfDYbCaQJzd5mPVlRafi_1B7vXhyE5JVyzvTTGD9tGETc4GElpQO3vwAON3_ZRaCAgOvBXzRmm1-N1r47TUNkkqTTni2KNVkwmBO/s1600/36689497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXfzmUlBZGwMD9iCpCy_20AeOj9-h6cPY0r70_fhazfDYbCaQJzd5mPVlRafi_1B7vXhyE5JVyzvTTGD9tGETc4GElpQO3vwAON3_ZRaCAgOvBXzRmm1-N1r47TUNkkqTTni2KNVkwmBO/s200/36689497.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
The Upper Hand by Johnny Shaw is a seriously fun read with lots of laughter and witty comments. After the death of their mother, a dysfunctional family reunites with a long lost relative and together they plot to steal millions from the televangelist that inherited their inheritance. Bonding over family secrets and stories of buried treasures, the Ucker kids create their own definition of family and pull off a heist their parents would be proud of. Or, at least, their father would be.<br />
<br />
I'm a lover of church hymns so I was curious to hear the tune for the hymn sung at Bertha Ucker's funeral found on page 41. I know, I know... seems kind of bizarre, but this is the second book by Shaw that I've found myself googling a hymn after reading. I've attached the hymn, well, the versions I could find online, below. The words were written by S. Trevor Francis and the music is by John E. Gaul. Tune: Columbus.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=+I+am+waiting+for+the+dawning++lyrics&view=detail&mid=35BBCC6D53AB0A44C48435BBCC6D53AB0A44C484&FORM=VIRE" target="_blank">I Am Waiting for the Dawning</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=+I+am+waiting+for+the+dawning++lyrics&&view=detail&mid=0B41A00845F51A89FFD70B41A00845F51A89FFD7&&FORM=VRDGAR" target="_blank">I Am Waiting for the Dawning Piano</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/a/m/w/iamwaitg.htm" target="_blank">I Am Waiting for the Dawning Piano/Information</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u><b>Audio Books</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gi-ePZGGl9n2RFhvvJ-UjASL65gUIt5zRzSs1wbyxmxUMeF51p0b95tXdieua36VCEWCciirRYLbRtI3cBDnzqiuMSmijTmGduv8Brv8l2O0HZVev6zDRUN6l1GztQl8K2nKrUIFWH3V/s1600/31423133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gi-ePZGGl9n2RFhvvJ-UjASL65gUIt5zRzSs1wbyxmxUMeF51p0b95tXdieua36VCEWCciirRYLbRtI3cBDnzqiuMSmijTmGduv8Brv8l2O0HZVev6zDRUN6l1GztQl8K2nKrUIFWH3V/s200/31423133.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq4CjwtzGPWooZOynzwX_9Wy3abfMKz_ZbcslHSMF-bTP-ZOkgVwdQ6i4KIzLp6F7ImFZEpTKezynV0eA54-oeMPGL1caS0bczVrfPJjwmEQv9T3U0tMne77yfOdrqd9xzAGS1rcCHRMJ/s1600/29868604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq4CjwtzGPWooZOynzwX_9Wy3abfMKz_ZbcslHSMF-bTP-ZOkgVwdQ6i4KIzLp6F7ImFZEpTKezynV0eA54-oeMPGL1caS0bczVrfPJjwmEQv9T3U0tMne77yfOdrqd9xzAGS1rcCHRMJ/s200/29868604.jpg" width="132" /></a>If you have a couple hours to spare I highly recommend this inspirational book by Admiral William H. McRaven. Make Your Bed is really good. Seriously... listen to it.<br />
<br />
<br />
And if you're willing to take a completely different path with your listening, I would also recommend My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her love of history and her heritage are so infectious you'll find yourself jotting down names of historical figures mentioned so you can learn more about them. The bonus of this book in audio is you get to listen to Ginsburg read her own opinions as well as listen to recorded lectures and speaking assignments. It really is fascinating and I can't suggest this book enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Podcast</u></b><br />
I'm currently listening to <a href="https://thecoldpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Cold - The Susan Powell Case Files</a><br />
<br />
<br />Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-47746723184675280002014-11-04T10:49:00.000-07:002014-11-04T10:49:01.036-07:00I Have No Idea What The Title of The Book Is...So...<br />
<br />
I've spent the last 17 months recovering from some complications with Lupus. A minor problem turned out to be major, and then my doctor didn't really know what to do and made some errors in my treatment plan. I almost died... twice in a two month period. So I did what most people would have done. I divorced my doctor of 14+ years and moved on.<br />
<br />
Of course moving on came with its own set of complications. All fixable, though. I've been on a weekly dose of Methotrexate for just over a year now. Probably not the best drug in the world, but my options are limited. And I'll take what they give me to live, right? I take my poison on Saturday night and rest and recover on Sunday. And I'm doing incredibly well. This is the first time I've been pain free in 16 years. I feel great. I've taken up biking. Me... on a bike. It really is a beautiful thing! The only ongoing issue I've been having since I've started the medicine has been the headaches.<br />
<br />
Yeah, the headaches.<br />
<br />
They start early in the morning and continue through the day. And they've interfered with my reading. A lot! I think I've read, maybe, three books from cover to cover since last May. One book I read twice. It took me so long to get through Big Maria by Johnny Shaw the first time, that I decided to read it again. For the record, I found it just as hysterical the second time around. And I'm still devastated over the burros, Johnny. Just devastated... *sigh*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hDAhHExiOxmWgkUfNzInaD3eU3UX3rlTouP0l-ZBsfzTuyGPrv82Ja_NkyeW1pXk7QN4TEBUu4QxawgXyvI4MPbM-Twud4vAR47ZaxY93RKk9ne_7pLSqMN5ahaNde1q99lyQufoU7Ra/s1600/burro-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hDAhHExiOxmWgkUfNzInaD3eU3UX3rlTouP0l-ZBsfzTuyGPrv82Ja_NkyeW1pXk7QN4TEBUu4QxawgXyvI4MPbM-Twud4vAR47ZaxY93RKk9ne_7pLSqMN5ahaNde1q99lyQufoU7Ra/s1600/burro-010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Itching to get back into reviewing I took up listening to audio books. Not an easy thing to do, by the way. At least it hasn't been easy for me. I started with some books that were on sale... Hey now, don't laugh. I didn't know if listening to books would be something I'd like, and I didn't want to shell out a bunch of money to audio books I would never listen to.<br />
<br />
So I started with a legal thriller written by some guy named Adam Mitzner. It wasn't a bad book. I actually liked it. My only complaint was the use of the word ejaculated during what would have been a rather pleasant love scene.<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Adam- I don't care what your editor said about the use of the word ejaculated. please refrain from using the word in any future love scenes. Love, Me!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Maybe you didn't notice the problem... up there in the previous paragraph about the book I <strike>read</strike> listened to. I didn't realize the problem, either, until I sat down at lunch to tell a friend about the book. As I sat there telling her all about this book and how much I liked this author and hated the word ejaculated, she asked me what the title of the book was.<br />
<br />
"I have no idea what the title of the book is..."<br />
<br />
Not sure how I missed the title... but it seems to be happening with all the books I'm listening to. I'm assuming this issue will resolve itself over time. Maybe. *takes mental note to write down title of all future audio books* This girl that could memorize page numbers and paragraphs to reference later in reviews is finding herself jotting down minutes and section numbers with notations on what she's trying to remember. I'm also struggling with the voice of the reader... I find myself starting the book over after the first hour because that's how long it takes me to get used to the voice.<br />
<br />
Hmmm... to avoid this problem Dan O'Shea should be the master narrator for all audio books. Just for me... please.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. I'm listening to books now and reading when I can. And even though reviewing might take me longer to do... I just wanted you to know that I'm trying.<br />
<br />
Sabrina<br />
<br />Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-42958888713253583572013-05-31T20:37:00.000-06:002013-05-31T20:37:18.145-06:00Gavage by Chuck Wendig<span style="color: #999999;"><i>One day, when Chuck is super duper famous and one of the elite in Hollywood with a series on every major network in every country far and wide, I will be able to tell all my neighbor kids about the time I shared the backseat of a Mercedes with Chuck... while bonding over carsickness. I even brought him gifts for the occasion. And it was spectacular! Here's a picture of our time together... after the carsickness wore off. </i></span><i style="color: #999999;">Thanks for being my guest today, Chuck. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8lE4VeQhmjlUopFODMXoegTZIz6Rtbu8kWOwhOkk188xiglkWGEqad6Ab4JAJfLLSqPXqh8VDi1d-ZDvNoKmbSdfkNp4YIJ8I4FKfdAzcIAFKAqz7KGGXi6VkBqf6VEWrxKfu4snHvoI/s1600/525886_3428038057593_1314710091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8lE4VeQhmjlUopFODMXoegTZIz6Rtbu8kWOwhOkk188xiglkWGEqad6Ab4JAJfLLSqPXqh8VDi1d-ZDvNoKmbSdfkNp4YIJ8I4FKfdAzcIAFKAqz7KGGXi6VkBqf6VEWrxKfu4snHvoI/s200/525886_3428038057593_1314710091_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Gavage </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m kind of a foodie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I figure, life is short. Might as
well eat well – and not just an “eat for pleasure” kind of a thing but also an
“eat for maximum health” thing. See, food is dirty. Its industry is largely
corrupt. <i>Organic</i> used to mean something but then lobbying
moved the goalposts. Monsanto wants to stick seeds in your farm-dirt that you
can’t reproduce from year to year and hey who cares if the stuff is becoming
pest-resistant and bred with pesticides in ‘em. Here in Pennyslvania we have
fights between Big Dairy and Little Dairy—the little guys won the right a few
years ago to sell raw milk long as it’s tested and regulated, and the Big Guys
tried suing the Little Folks just for saying that the milk is hormone-free, and
now the Big Guys are back with a new governor trying to push Little Dairy back
out of the picture again by making their organic raw milk illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Food is full of scary people doing
scary things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And those scary things often result
in what’s on our plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, let’s talk about foie gras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Foie gras is the liver of a duck or
goose—particularly a liver that has been fattened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m not a fan of liver, really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I love me some foie gras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s like eating some kind of magical
meat butter. It’s unctuous and creamy and has a tinge of sweetness to it. It’s
an amazing food. It sounds strange and off-putting. It’s not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, in some states, you can’t
eat the stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because it’s illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here’s why: opponents say that it’s
cruel. The act of creating foie gras requires <i>gavage</i>, or the
force-feeding of ducks and geese, and that sounds pretty horrible.
Force-feeding is something we do to prisoners and torture victims. Opponents
paint a picture of us shoving food into duck maws as they struggle to escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two things, though:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First, if you’ve ever actually <i>seen</i> gavage,
the animals like it. If they’re raised on a humane farm, they’ll run <i>to</i> the
act of gavage, not away from it. Ducks aren’t like people. They don’t savor
their food. They just want it in their belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second, if you’ve ever paid attention
to the way meat is actually produced in this country, it’s rife with acts a
thousand times more disgusting than gavage: mutant chickens with three wings
and tumors whose corpses end up getting fed to cows or pigs (called “chicken litter”),
and pigs are held in cramped containers that during their whole lives never
lets them turn around 180 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gavage is a distraction. Opponents
fight it and then go home and eat a chicken breast from a headless chicken
force-grown into an adult chicken in less than half the time it would normally
take. A chicken pumped with water, hormones, and antibiotics. A chicken that
never saw the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ah, but! Gavage represented for me a
really interesting fictional opportunity—here’s this thing that’s illegal and
prized as a delicacy and ironically kept from the people who are willing to pay
to keep it ethical. And I wondered, could that open the act up to <i>unethical</i> practices?
Could people’s inability to eat foie gras lead them to black market foie gras?
Are there crime seeds in forbidden food?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And so, the story of “Gavage” was
born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hope you check out the collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hope you like it!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Chuck is the author of the published novels: <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blackbirds, Mockingbird, Double Dead, Bait Dog, </strong>and <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dinocalypse Now</strong>. He also the author of the soon-to-be-published novels: <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Blue Blazes, The Cormorant, Heartland Books 1/2/3, Beyond Dinocalypse, Dinocalypse Forever, Harum Scarum, </strong>and <strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gods & Monsters: Unclean Spirits</strong>.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: small;">Much of his writing advice has been collected in various writing- and storytelling-related e-books.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>He currently lives in the forests of Pennsyltucky with wife, two dogs, and newborn son.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>He is likely drunk and untrustworthy.</i></span></div>
</div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-84841064173032578162013-05-31T14:29:00.000-06:002013-05-31T14:29:38.458-06:00SIMON SEZ SAYS READ “FEEDING KATE” by Johnny Shaw<span style="color: #999999;"><i>If I could encourage any writer to start a kid detective series it would be Johnny Shaw. I found myself grinning and giggling so much while reading about this hard-boiled, fedora-wearing kid detective, Simon Sez, that I finally had to leave my work desk and finish the story in the stairwell just so people would leave me alone and let me read in peace. Let's just say that if Simon Sez had been around in my younger days I would have been offering him bites of my cookies every day of the week... and, no, that's not a euphemism. I'm thrilled that <b>Simon Sez in the Snickerdoodle Kerfuffle</b> debuts in <b>FEEDING KATE</b>, and I really, really, really, really, really hope to read more detective adventures featuring this truly lovable character. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simon Sez in The Snickerdoodle Kerfuffle</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m not one of those
writers that always wanted to be a writer. I didn’t write my first short story
at 5 or a picaresque novella at 8 or a trilogy of novels known as “the puberty
cycle” at 12. I don’t really remember what I wanted to be. Probably some bastard
combination of super-hero, architect, and farmer (Superarchifarmer?). The idea
of putting stories down on paper didn’t occur to me until college and even then
it was as a screenwriter (and as screenwriting falls somewhere between bumper
stickers and greeting cards in terms of literary merit, I’m not even sure that
counts).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And while I wasn’t a
writer as a kid, I was a voracious reader. I may have grown up on a farm in the
middle of the desert, but that house was filled with books. Not a bookcase
against the wall in the den, but overflowing with books. I’m talking tonnage.
When I packed the books up after my Pop passed away, there were over 10,000
volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And a big part of my early
reading other than comic books was mystery series books: Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew
(yes, boys read Nancy Drew), Encyclopedia Brown, and The Three
Investigators. This was, of course,
before I graduated to Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs, another
teenager converted by the awesome power of Frank Frazetta. It took me a while to get back to reading
mysteries, but I never forgot a lot of those childhood bookventures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I sat down to write
a story for FEEDING KATE, I knew that food had to be an integral part of the
story. The first idea that jumped in my head was stolen cookies. Don’t ask me why. Maybe I was hungry. Not too
hard-boiled, to be sure. I mean, I have a reputation to uphold (or so I sadly
tell myself). Stolen cookies? It sounded like an Encyclopedia Brown story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But Encyclopedia Brown
was too Sherlocky. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew were the Poirot and Marple of
the teen mystery set. And while the Three Investigators had some edge (their
hideout was in a junkyard!), they used their brains too much to be considered badass.
Where was Li’l Phil Marlowe or Sammy Spade? Where was the kid who was willing
to ask the hard questions, play rough with the boys and rougher with the dames,
and at the end of the day, have the grass stains to prove it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That’s how the hard-boiled
kid detective Simon Sez came to be. At eleven, he’s got ten good reasons you
shouldn’t mess with him. His fingers when they’re in fists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">FEEDING KATE inspired
me. I enjoyed the hell out of writing the story, and I’m considering writing
more stories with Simon. We’ll see. I did see the titles “The Boy Who Was Not It”
and “The Dill Pickle Stickler” written in the margins of some notes. That might
be enough to get me started. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But for now, the only
place to read “Simon Sez in The Snickerdoodle Kerfuffle” is in the pages of
FEEDING KATE. Simon Sez says buy it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -9pt 0.0001pt 0in;">
</div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Johnny Shaw is the author of the
novels DOVE SEASON and BIG MARIA. His work has also appeared in Thuglit, Crime
Factory, Plots with Guns, and various anthologies.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>He is the creator and editor of the online fiction publication<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.bloodandtacos.com/" target="_blank" title="Blood & Tacos"><span style="color: #1155cc;">BLOOD
& TACOS</span></a>, a loving homage to men’s adventure paperbacks of the
1970′s & 1980′s.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>You can find him online at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.johnnyshawauthor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.johnnyshawauthor.com</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or
follow him on Twitter @BloodAndTacos</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><b>Feeding
Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology</b> is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit
the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of
America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span>
</span></div>
<br />Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-58482891601644346302013-05-30T10:15:00.000-06:002013-05-30T10:18:08.684-06:00Just Part of the Job by Holly West<span style="color: #999999;"><i>I'm super happy to have the beautiful Holly West as my guest today. The two of us met on Twitter and then met in real life while attending Bouchercon in St. Louis, and I've since had the pleasure of seeing her several times in LA while attending Noir at the Bar (N@B). She's an amazing writer with several of her short stories being published online and in anthologies, and is currently awaiting the release of the her first novel <a href="http://hollywest.com/diary-of-bedlam">Diary of Bedlam</a> (working title) in 2014 from Carina Press. I know that she loves a good home improvement project and that she has a great eye for design, but what I didn't know until recently is that she's an accomplished jewelry designer. Man, the things you learn when you're stalking your friends online. *wink wink* Holly is a wonderful person... she's full of life and adventure, kind words, warm hugs, and a smile that can brighten the darkest of days. I'm thankful to have her as a friend.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><i>Aaaannd - after reading her guest post today I think we need to plan a Girl's Trip to Disneyland... we can be Mouseketeers together, Holly! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Just Part of the Job</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There haven’t been many of them, but
of all the short stories I've written, my contribution to FEEDING KATE is my
favorite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JUST PART OF THE JOB is about a
troubled young celebrity named Kate Partridge whose penchant for drugs and
alcohol has caught up to her. A tabloid favorite, she’s on probation and can’t
get work because the industry she grew up in is fed up with her hijinks. On her
way home from a night of heavy partying, she hits a bicyclist on Malibu Canyon.
Will she stick around to help him and take the heat or will she run?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whew, boy. You don’t know the half
of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The culture of the entertainment
industry is pervasive in Los Angeles. Speaking of troubled starlets, the
jewelry store where Lindsay Lohan allegedly stole a necklace is located two blocks
from my house. It’s not uncommon to happen upon random film shoots and now and
then we get notices that filming will be happening on our street. For ten years
I lived in the same condo building as a very famous singer/songwriter and my
trainer at the gym is an actress. One of our neighbors is a middling reality
show producer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My dog goes to the same veterinarian
as Leonard Nimoy’s and Rick Springfield’s pets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could go on and on but remember,
it’s not as if I’m involved in the “business.” I’m just an average Josephine
trying to get her write on. That’s what I mean when I say that celebrity
culture is pervasive here—it’s all around you even when you’re completely
unconnected to it and not really searching for it. That said, I love a good
celebrity sighting (Rick Springfield in the vet’s waiting room? I actually
swooned). And obviously, I can drop names with the best of them. I visit
TMZ.com regularly, but I draw the line at buying tabloids—somehow reading
celebrity gossip online seems less shameful than reading <i>People</i>
magazine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps shameful is too harsh a
word. But I use it because there is a vileness to the celebrity gossip
industry; the hounding paparazzi coupled with the antics of attention-starved
publicity whores makes for a symbiotic yet toxic combination. My participation,
even if it’s only clicking on a link or two, makes me complicit in it. Still, I
can’t look away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I suppose I’ve always had a
fascination with celebrity. My grandma had a regularly replenished pile of
movie magazines handed down from her sister and every time I’d go to visit, I’d
pour over them, mesmerized by the celebrities of the 1970s. Elizabeth Taylor
stands out the most for me; back then, the tabloids documented her every move,
from who she was sleeping with to how much weight she had gained or lost. By
age eight I had all of her husbands memorized (well, the ones she’d had up to
that point, at least).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a kid, I wanted to <i>be</i> a
celebrity. I was obsessed with becoming a Mouseketeer, and I absolutely
convinced myself that I had what it took to be a star. I even devised a plan to
get to LA to audition. I was bitterly disappointed when my parents informed me
it was never gonna happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It seemed natural, then, that my
protagonist in JUST PART OF THE JOB be a former ‘tween star who’d grown up with
all the entitlements, ass-kissing, and scrutiny that such celebrity brings.
These, coupled with her excessive drug and alcohol use, makes for a rather
distorted take on both reality and morality and leads to what I think is a pretty
damned good conclusion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holly West’s short fiction appears
in several anthologies and her debut historical mystery will be published by
Carina Press in February 2014. She lives, reads, and writes in Los Angeles,
California with her husband, Mick, and dog, Stella. You can find more information about Holly at <a href="http://hollywest.com/">HollyWest.com</a>.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span>Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-81980641066213951622013-05-29T10:34:00.001-06:002013-05-29T12:37:45.094-06:00The Rewards by Steve Weddle<i><span style="color: #999999;">What can I say about Steve Weddle? Steve is this all-around good guy that seems to have a knack for helping people. He's kind and witty, yet serious enough when he's kidding around to not know if he's really kidding around or not. Intimidatingly kind? Anyway, he's also one hell of a writer. If I had to describe his writing in one word I'd probably use the word... *thinks super hard* musically hypnotic? Okay, that's two words. But you get the idea. There is music in the words he's writing... or at least you can feel the emotional pulls and pushes of his characters in each story that he tells (and if I had a musical degree I'd compare this to a symphony or something, but I don't so... I won't). I'm talking about the emotional pull you get when you're reading about the hard-core mobster that tugs at your heart one minute while he's professing his duty to protect children, and then holding your chest and squeezing your eyes shut the next minute as said mobster takes a baseball bat to a child predator with such realism that you find yourself wiping away blood spatter from your face. And, yes, I'm assuming this has happened to all of us... you know, read something so real that you just knew you were actually there witnessing it?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #999999;">Steve writes like that.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #999999;">All the time. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #999999;">And this "musically hypnotic" writing can be found in the story he was kind enough to contribute to the Feeding Kate anthology. <b>The Rewards</b> is an incredibly realistic and hypnotic tale of a family gathering with one too many awkward moments. Moments I think we can all relate to... cringe-worthy even. In fact, it's almost like he's pulled a memory from my brain and shared it with the world. So weird.</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iIsAu-TCHF9i4zmjW7UQnnrT1P075qeI7DXhKXKNdTiIeNPImDspJMETj2Gya8hDRTdOZkyPobw6N6-1PvT6x_3BzSrKQT2NIBy0FhN_2vjnrv3cggWBOgZIlOaGSxbywO4BYZmCZBmO/s1600/217298927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iIsAu-TCHF9i4zmjW7UQnnrT1P075qeI7DXhKXKNdTiIeNPImDspJMETj2Gya8hDRTdOZkyPobw6N6-1PvT6x_3BzSrKQT2NIBy0FhN_2vjnrv3cggWBOgZIlOaGSxbywO4BYZmCZBmO/s200/217298927.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #999999;">Steve pulling memories from my brain...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rewards</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When my wife said we’d been invited to meet some
family and visit the DC zoo, I had no idea how costly a night it would become.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We live close enough to DC that we can toodle in for
a day trip to the zoo or the Smithsonians and then toodle our way back home
after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her family connections were staying over in
Bethesda, so they thought we all might want to stay in the same hotel, enjoy
the pool the night before, have dinner close by. Sounded great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The hotel has an indoor pool, which is kinda fancy.
When I was a kid, we went to a family reunion (some distant family relations)
in a Holidome. It was a Holiday Inn, but in a dome. They had indoor pools. And
shuffleboard. At which, I must say, I showed considerable sports prowess, as
you might expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Bethesda, my wife’s cousin had made reservations
for us at the restaurant in the hotel. Which is fine. I didn’t know whether it
was Denny’s, as this wasn’t the LaQuinta, but I figured it would be fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d never eaten at a Morton’s Steakhouse before. I’m
more a Western Sizzler kind of guy. Actually, I’m more of a Bonzana fan, but I
haven’t seen one of those in a while. Big baked potato and an iceberg salad.
Jello cubes in a too-small bowl. An overcooked piece of beef I’d misordered.
Ah, Bonanza.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We got to Morton’s and headed for our table. Only,
it wasn’t a table. It was a room. The room I describe in the FEEDING KATE story
I wrote, “The Rewards.” While much of the story – the in-laws, the psychic
assaults, the baby problem – was fictionalized, the setting was pulled from our
Morton’s visit fairly whole cloth, as it were. Even the desertion of the women
as the check arrived was real-ish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That setting helped me find the story for “The
Rewards,” that terrible awkwardness in the face of family stress, that
subterranean conflict cracking through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have never paid so much money for future poo-poo
in my life. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll never have to again.
But I could, without the difficulty faced by the poor guy in my story. If I
were a better man, I could tell that the next day I dedicated myself to funding
a food bank for the hungry. I didn’t. Instead, the positive that followed is
that I spent the entire day at the zoo and never once complained about how
expensive their $7 hamburgers were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Steve Weddle grew up
on the Louisiana/Arkansas line, holds an MFA in</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background: white;">creative writing from Louisiana
State University, and currently works</span></span> <span style="background: white;">for a newspaper group. He lives with his family in Virginia. His novel COUNTRY HARDBALL will be published by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TyrusBooks">Tyrus Books</a> in November 2013. The book is set for simultaneous release as hardback, paperback, ebook, and audio book.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-76631067672756189052013-05-27T10:01:00.000-06:002013-05-27T10:06:07.854-06:00Kamikaze Death Burgers at the Ghost Town Cafe by Thomas Pluck<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Calibri;"><i>I couldn't help but smile the entire time I read Kamikaze Death Burgers at the Ghost Town Cafe by Thomas Pluck because it was just what I had expected from his character Jay Desmarteaux, and because it also introduced a character we had both talked about in the past, Kate. Well, that and the fact that these two meet up in a cafe sharing the same love of cheeseburgers didn't hurt. And the flirtatious fry sharing was pretty fun to read, too. And did I tell you that Kate gets to wear leather? Well, she does. AND she carries a dagger. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Kate, Pluckster. She's awesome... and she'd make a great side-kick every now and again for Jay. *wink wink*</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Calibri;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sabrina is one of the most
supportive and inspirational people I know. I've written two stories that came
about after chatting with her. The first was a challenge to write an opening
line on Twitter. That turned into "Shogun Honey," about a samurai who
gets mixed up in a battle between a priest and yakuza. The next time, we talked
about favorite characters, and somehow "Kate" became a woman on a
motorbike with a penchant for leather and knives.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that was the seed that grew
into "Kamikaze Death Burgers at the Ghost Town Cafe," for the Feeding
Kate anthology.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jay Desmarteaux is a recurring
character of mine who has appeared in "Gumbo Weather" in Needle
Magazine, "The Rock Ridge Ringer," in Hills of Fire: Bare-Knuckle
Yarns of Appalachia, and will appear in my novel BURY THE HATCHET. He is an
ex-con who spent a quarter century in prison taking the fall for the murder of
a brutal high school bully. In some ways he is older than his forty years, and
in other ways, he is a lot younger. He had 25 years to hit the weight pile, box
in the ring, study in the library, spin gears in the auto shop, and chum it up
with lifer outlaws, made men, gangbangers and street thieves. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But we know none of this when we
meet him in the story. He is just a man driving a rare hand-built '57 Cadillac
Brougham, who witnesses a tragic accident on the highway and becomes embroiled
in a gang war between bikers and truckers in the Utah desert. The biker element
came from a story a man told me in a diner, about why he had an Iron Cross. He
had rescued a Hell's Angel from a bad spill and the biker gave him his cross as
a thank you, so if he ever needed help from an Angel, he could ask. I never
found out if he ever had to cash that chip in, but the story stuck with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so did the image of Kate that
Sabrina and I had come up with. Jay is good at playing both sides against the
middle, but I wanted him to meet his match. And he is more than matched with
Kate, who became one of my favorite characters. Someone bound by law and
principle, but with a wild heart that yearned to be free. Just as Jay is
shackled to his young mistakes and fierce desire for elusive justice, he needed
a foil. And that was Kate. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Sabrina being from Utah, I
had to set it there. I have only driven through the state on a trip to Burning
Man 15 years ago, but the desolate and stunning red desert backdrop cried out
for a highway chase. That reminded me of DUEL and the Mad Max films, and it all
came from there (that and my time working at the docks, driving my Mini Cooper
among the tractor trailers). I remembered a small diner in the town of Echo
that we stopped in. It still exists, and the "cafe" is based on my
memories there. They don't serve a "Kamikaze Death Burger" but they
make good breakfast and cheeseburgers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe there is no food more
American than the cheeseburger. The idea of Jay rolling through the desert in
an iconic Cadillac in search of burgers and justice to be done made him into a
Don Quixote cowboy strutting out of American myth, to me. He was spinning his
wheels, no pun intended, until Kate came along and smacked him upside the head,
and gave him something to fight for.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jay's like me, in that way. I'm
not happy unless I am working toward something. Once I get there, I need
another quest. Even if it's just to try the Kamikaze Death Burger at the Ghost
Town cafe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Thomas Pluck writes unflinching
fiction with heart. His work has appeared in Big Pulp, The Utne Reader, Needle:
A Magazine of Noir, Blood & Tacos, Burnt Bridge, PANK Magazine,
McSweeney's, The Morning News, Beat to a Pulp, and numerous anthologies. He is
the editor of Protectors: Stories to Benefit PROTECT. You can find him on the
web at http://www.thomaspluck.com and on Twitter as @tommysalami</em></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>His novel BLADE OF DISHONOR, an
action thriller spanning World War 2 to the present, will appear in 2013 from
Beat to a Pulp press.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><br /></em></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-7042365280165210292013-05-25T09:57:00.000-06:002013-05-25T09:57:06.427-06:00Addictions by Neliza Drew<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><i><span style="color: #999999;">Neliza Drew has a pretty good knack for telling stories. Her ability to create interesting characters clearly comes from the wide range of people she's been able to associate with throughout her life, and the people she tells you about in her blog post are the kind that I love to read about. In fact, the world needs more characters like Davis, Neliza. So, you know... get on it! I have to say that my only disappointment with Neliza's short story in the Feeding Kate anthology is that it was just that; a short story. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><i><span style="color: #999999;"> </span> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">Addictions</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">The story that ended up in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feeding Kate</i> had been in the works, in
fits and starts, for months before the crazy idea to do anthology happened on
Twitter one morning. At the time, it was more a collection of notes, snippets
of dialogue, the sorts of things “writers” build stories out of and I collect
in notebooks like a word-hoarder. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing
the anthology pushed me to actually pretend to be a writer and assemble the
word piles into something resembling order. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Laura Benedict was gracious enough
to offer her editing support and without her input the thing never would've come together. It would have never found enough structure to call itself a
story. She is fantastic and I won’t let anyone tell me differently.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">As for the content, the characters,
the snippets that eventually found themselves mashed together and forced to
play nice? It grew out of characters I’d met and characters I’d built out of
random traits and behaviors. It’s always all about characters for me. Rarely
does an event or plot come to mind so much as these fully-formed, or close to
it, people appear in my head and demand to be acknowledged. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">This time, one of the main “people”
was a drug dealer who was a combination of a former neighbor’s pot connection
from years ago – a guy who sold just enough to buy a canoe – and the vegan
speaker who used to do presentations at my school. Merged, this guy I’d never
met (only heard about) and this guy I’d seen, but never really talked to became
the pot-and-pill dealer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Davis, on the other hand, has been
living in my head so long, she’s like her own person – which can be hard to
explain to non-creatives. “Oh, no, there’s an imaginary person who lives in my
head. No, I don’t need medication. I’m fine.” Yeah, right. See, I've written
several longer “stories” about Davis, but none of them have escaped my
computer. Maybe one day. I like her. Well, I like her as long as she lives in
my head. If she were real, we’d probably never cross paths and if we did we’d
have nothing to say to one another. She’s dangerous and kinetic. I’m a lazy
bookworm who lacks coordination. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Her boss, Tom, grew out of a
private investigator I met years ago during my brief stint as a receptionist
for a bi-polar attorney. Tom’s inspiration was near retirement and used to hang
out in the spare office the attorney couldn't seem to fill with anyone else
because of his emotional outbursts and emotional abuse. I asked him one day why
he hung out in there. He told me he’d been a cop before he retired and he’d
already heard it all. It was cheaper than renting an office and it was close to
most of his clients, who were all other attorneys. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Come to think about it, Davis was a
little inspired by a former stripper who’d been the lawyer’s secretary for a
couple of years. She told me one day, after he’d called her a lazy stupid slut,
that she’d heard worse and every time she threatened to quit, he offered her a
raise. By the time I started there, she was making enough to put one whole
check a month into savings and had nearly paid off her condo. “As soon as it’s
paid off, I’m out of here.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Other than that, she had very
little in common with Davis, whose past is largely a product of having spent
nearly a decade listening to kids in “juvie” tell me about their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her attitude comes from a place of having been
a survivor in a landscape where everyone else was, too, to some extent or
another. It’s a fatalism combined with a resourcefulness and stubbornness that
expects to go down, but won’t do it without a fight, and probably a long, nasty
one. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">And by now, I think this post is
almost as long as the story and probably not as interesting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">There are, however, much better
stories in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feeding Kate</i> and if you
haven’t already picked up a copy, you should do so. Not only does it benefit a
great cause, but it’s a good way to meet Thomas Pluck’s former-convict, Jay,
who I hope you’ll be seeing again. Johnny Shaw’s tale is damn funny yet
heartfelt. Stephen Blackmoore’s is the sort of gonzo L.A. story I think we've all come to expect out of him. And Holly West makes being a good employee seem
like the creepiest thing ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">NELIZA DREW h</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">as worked with crazy lawyers, crazy boat captains, crazy advertisers, and crazy students. She </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">lives in Florida with her husband and furry minions (okay, they’re cats). When not writing for the dust bunnies in her desk drawer, she’s a delinquent wrangler, awkward martial artist, and infrequent blogger (</span><a href="http://nelizadrew.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">nelizadrew.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;">She eats a lot of tofu, but makes up for it with booze and swearing.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span>Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-58493633821091479122013-05-23T13:36:00.001-06:002013-05-23T13:38:39.256-06:00The Jaws of Life by Laura K. Curtis<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #999999;"><i>I'm super happy to have Laura K. Curtis on the blog today. Not only is she the light of my life... *giggles* she's the tweeter behind the beginning of the Feeding Kate campaign, and a woman I'd love to spend a week walking the streets of New York City with. Her story, The Jaws of Life, found in the Feeding Kate anthology, has firefighter Kate reminiscing about her first extrication, solving crossword puzzles with an elderly Mr. Simmons in her free time, and redefining what it means to save a life. Laura's post today gives us a small look inside the world of firefighting; the men, the women... the heroes.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIeKaGY2IcD5uPtilHOXY20B0Y0vpKEzKlnkUT7PxetokVANOMhtEPVqpnDSVcTLn_2CNK2TtYPR15-Y1M_yFY7u1RBRGg8jrFotZ5bLnt8DPAeTPHDJor_JhcYCridp04UuDU_L86Yom/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIeKaGY2IcD5uPtilHOXY20B0Y0vpKEzKlnkUT7PxetokVANOMhtEPVqpnDSVcTLn_2CNK2TtYPR15-Y1M_yFY7u1RBRGg8jrFotZ5bLnt8DPAeTPHDJor_JhcYCridp04UuDU_L86Yom/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a>When we first started talking about creating
Feeding Kate, and my tweet stream was full of talk of jaws, my husband had just
been through extrication classes with the local fire department. So naturally,
all I could think of was the Jaws of Life (officially known as a Hurst
extrication tool). He loves to take classes which is good, because it means
that over the years he’s acquired a useful set of skills with the FD. And I am
super-glad I don’t have to do it, since the last one he took—pump ops—was all
math…and math is definitely not my strong suit!</div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
<br /></div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
The Fire Department is a big part of my life. Not
only is my husband an engineer and driver for his company, he’s their
commissioner as well. And then there’s the fact that I’m treasurer of the
Women’s Auxiliary. Which, if you knew me at all, might just make you laugh
yourself sick. </div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
<br /></div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
Fire departments are all different. In fact, fire <i>companies</i> are all different. In my
smallish town, we have four companies: two engine companies, a hook and ladder,
and what we refer to as “fire police.” Each of those houses has its own
character. People happy in one would likely be miserable in another. And our
town’s whole department—while set up similarly to the nearby towns’—is still
unique.</div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
<br /></div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
Some fire departments in the US—mostly in the big,
crowded, urban areas—are full-time, paid departments. Some have members who get
paid by the call they make. Some have officers and drivers who get paid by the
call. But the fact is that the majority of this country’s firefighters are
volunteers. Men and women who train for hours and risk their lives for no financial
reward. It’s easy to idolize that. It’s a really big deal. But I have a kind of
cognitive dissonance when it comes to the FD. I see how heroic it is that these
guys (because our town has no female firefighters) do what they do, but I also
see the underside: the frat boy aspects and the occasional drunken antics.</div>
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE56mH_x9HQ42h6o1pYaBRbGU7_lmBqO5kUc2Raq5vjAPp_XNRG8RqY166KuZWa6vFqmm44nm4wvmSMP2WwaiKsLSdNPMOtapXk9IP5WaQK-Lc2Hyq7n55BuxaqZahyphenhyphenbYaPXSRBJV7niC/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE56mH_x9HQ42h6o1pYaBRbGU7_lmBqO5kUc2Raq5vjAPp_XNRG8RqY166KuZWa6vFqmm44nm4wvmSMP2WwaiKsLSdNPMOtapXk9IP5WaQK-Lc2Hyq7n55BuxaqZahyphenhyphenbYaPXSRBJV7niC/s320/download+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="NormalDoubleSpaced">
Anyway, I tried to put some of <i>all</i> of that into “The Jaws of Life.” Both the heroic and the
not-so-heroic. I hope you enjoy it.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6443074968594188177" name="_GoBack"></a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Laura K. Curtis has always done everything backwards. As a child, she was extremely serious, so now that she's chronologically an adult, she feels perfectly justified in acting the fool. She started teaching at age fifteen, then decided to go back to school herself at thirty. And she wrote her first book in first grade. It was released in (notebook) paperback to rave reviews and she's been trying to achieve the same level of acclaim ever since. She lives in Westchester County, NY with her husband and a pack of wild Irish Terriers, which has taught her how easily love can coexist with the desire to kill. Her first novel will be out in November, 2013, from Penguin. </i></span><a href="http://www.laurakcurtis.com/blog/">http://www.laurakcurtis.com/blog/</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-37039204692979538782013-05-21T14:31:00.002-06:002013-05-21T14:31:46.598-06:00Why Blackbirds Don't Eat Wax Fruit by Dan O'Shea<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Cambria;"><i>I'm super thrilled to have Dan on the blog today. Not only is Dan an incredible writer, he also has the voice of an... angel. Okay, maybe not an angel angel, but he definitely has a voice that can make your ear tickle with delight. He's the man behind the voice of bad-boy character Oscar Martello, and soon to be the voice behind the audio version of his novel <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Penance-Introducing-Detective-John-Lynch/dp/1909223131/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369066713&sr=8-1&keywords=penance">PENANCE</a></b>.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Cambria;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Cambria;"><i>FEEDING KATE opens with his short story WAX FRUIT, and Dan's post today shares the back story behind the story of Hilary Martin's depressing paranormal-like gift, heartbreaking loss, and sweet revenge. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">Why Blackbirds Don't Eat Wax Fruit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">So my story for Feeding Kate… yeah, kinda plagiarized that.
Well, not exactly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Let’s back up. You’ve read Chuck Wendig’s Blackbirds, right?
And Mockingbird?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Well if you ain’t, you
oughta.) See Miriam Black, the protagonist of those books, she’s got this
problem. If she touches you, she sees where and how and when you’re gonna die.
Which, if you get to thinking about it, would kinda suck.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Thing is, I read Blackbirds and, as much as I loved it,
something kept eating at me. Miriam’s reaction to her “gift” was to hit the
road, become a drifter. On one level, I get it. She avoids any permanent
attachments, so those folks she does touch, well, maybe it hurts less to know
all the depressing details of their final breaths if they stay strangers. And
besides, sometimes she finds ways to cash in on her knowledge.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Problem is, that’s exactly the opposite of how I’d react.
I’d never leave home again, never touch anybody again if I could help it. I’d become
a cross between Howard Hughes and Emily Dickenson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a matter of personal temperament.
Chuck seems a tab extroverted, seems like the sorta guy who’d happily wander
the streets pantsless starting random, obscenity-laced conversations with everyone
who passes. I’m half way to being Howard Hughes as it is. And not the rich
genius part either. The never-leaving-the-hotel, don’t-have-much-use-for-people
part.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Which gave me this problem. I had Chuck’s kick-ass
death-touching premise rattling around my head, but I had this entirely antithetical
take on it, which left me with a story-telling itch I really wanted to scratch.
So I dropped the Chuckster a line, asked if he’d mind if I riffed in his
sandbox. Chuck graciously gave his permission, and Wax Fruit was the result.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Hilary Martin, my protagonist, seems about as far removed
from Miriam Black as she can get. Instead of Miriam’s hellish dysfunctional
upbringing, Hilary was raised in a relatively loving home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she’s a genius. OK, she’s got her issues,
suffers her tragedies, but she’s got a lot going for her that Miriam doesn't
Funny thing though, the story ends up in a place where it just might have if it
had featured Miriam. I can almost hear Ms. Black giving out a dark chuckle and
saying “Thought you could hide from death bitch? And you think you’re the smart
one.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Anyway, hope you like the story. Hope you like the whole
collection, ‘cause it’s pretty fucking hot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Just like the chick who inspired it</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Cambria;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dan O'Shea is
the author of PENANCE and the short fiction collection OLD SCHOOL along with
the forthcoming novel MAMMON. Dan is represented by Stacia Decker at
the Donald Maass Literary Agency. You can find him on the web at <a href="http://www.authordanoshea.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.authordanoshea.com</span></a>.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span></div>
<br />
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-29163381950554175162013-05-17T10:59:00.000-06:002013-05-17T11:19:09.602-06:00Alien Cupcakes, Gorillas, and why Magicians Beat Whistleblowers by Clare Toohey<span style="color: #999999;">This is quite the interesting post from Clare... I think I've learned more about her personality reading her story "That's a Sweet Invasion, Craig" and preparing this blog post than I have ever learned during our face-to-face conversations at Bouchercon. Believe it or not, I don't think I'd mind bowing down to a "telepathic cupcake as our imperial leader." Especially if said cupcake leader didn't place a ban on eating cupcakes in general. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px;">Alien Cupcakes, Gorillas, and why Magicians Beat Whistleblowers </span><a href="http://myfriendscallmekate.blogspot.com/2013/05/alien-cupcakes-gorillas-and-why.html" style="color: white; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;">wh</a><br />
<a href="http://myfriendscallmekate.blogspot.com/2013/05/alien-cupcakes-gorillas-and-why.html" style="color: white; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;">y Magicians Beat </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SzBM7MgYf2uCah7-TfplNfUPNhs49girTGOvyntKtZ_R8mldarO-7-PI_iw2y8a9hf9YESLnuRMIk4K3J4hX7xB-GRocx7UHtU-F5LIOvqA8ZezGE8LyZURj4cIrHy6jv7PTT_XxmRub/s1600/Cupcake-Dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SzBM7MgYf2uCah7-TfplNfUPNhs49girTGOvyntKtZ_R8mldarO-7-PI_iw2y8a9hf9YESLnuRMIk4K3J4hX7xB-GRocx7UHtU-F5LIOvqA8ZezGE8LyZURj4cIrHy6jv7PTT_XxmRub/s320/Cupcake-Dream.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="Cupcake-Dream.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2pt;margin-top:0;
width:196pt;height:261.35pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\sogden\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Cupcake-Dream"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->My
story for the <i>Feeding Kate</i> anthology
was called “That’s a Sweet Invasion, Craig” and features a telepathic alien
cupcake appearing here as an advance scout for his persecuted people, or cakes,
whatever. Since the fiction collection was to benefit Sabrina’s ability to nosh
her favorite goodies, including a cupcake was pretty obvious, but once I got
the extraterrestrial notion combined with it in my head, I couldn’t shake loose.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I admit to enjoying lore of the strange and unexplained, and
so does my character Gracie, a misanthropic young oddball to whom appears the frosted
E.T. In one part of the story, she recaps the “UFO flap” over the skies of
Washington D.C. during late July of 1952. That’s real-live history, and thousands
of witnesses, FAA radar returns, citizen and Coast Guard sightings up and down
the eastern seaboard, and journalistic coverage exist. Here’s a Wikipedia page
with background info and more about the official decision to “debunk” in order
to calm public anxiety.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Washington,_D.C._UFO_incident">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Washington,_D.C._UFO_incident</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthVk3kd4P54PTrUmmvGu-Unm0Liul-uJBlCsoyFiWKyiGevFDRaNVAkTPEQIqnZ7l_Y-j-9nStk3rp3DZMCCuV5eSTE-A7DtBVwSAVIi-YMzPqZJDwsSPq4d1gPWOSNQ9CNHsda_6ApeR/s1600/Saucers-1952-DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthVk3kd4P54PTrUmmvGu-Unm0Liul-uJBlCsoyFiWKyiGevFDRaNVAkTPEQIqnZ7l_Y-j-9nStk3rp3DZMCCuV5eSTE-A7DtBVwSAVIi-YMzPqZJDwsSPq4d1gPWOSNQ9CNHsda_6ApeR/s320/Saucers-1952-DC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="Saucers-1952-DC.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2pt;
margin-top:.3pt;width:268pt;height:222pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\sogden\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Saucers-1952-DC"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->It
shouldn’t be personally threatening or damaging to admit things exist we can’t
explain, should it? Science is a process by which we can expand and refine our
understanding. We, not to mention the world and universe, are filled with
as-yet inexplicable wonders, like yawning as one example. (Did you just yawn
reading that? Do you know why?) But this circumstance only makes for open issues,
not insults to reason and civilization.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what about the particular subject of difficult-to-categorize
aerial oddities gets people so roiled, so ready to pigeonhole questioners as
members of the Tinfoil Hat Brigade, local order #WTF? Well, on this bit, I do
have a theory. In the following popular video, viewers are asked to count the number
of basketball passes made by one team’s players. While doing that, about half
of the viewers will miss seeing something important, and the psychologist who
designed the attention-grabbing experiment explains why: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/D_m_9N_3u7o/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/D_m_9N_3u7o&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/D_m_9N_3u7o&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we have a limited amount of processing power to decode
the world around us into comprehensible pieces, it matters what you’re mentally
up for at any given time. If I’m running late to a nerve-wracking appointment, hearing
about traffic snarls ahead, then realizing I just forgot something and
calculating whether I have time to retrieve it, I won’t see the Invisible Gorilla.
Not even if he’s handing out free ice cream. Extraneous things that try to siphon
my attention—even a wave hello from a dear friend I didn’t expect to see—are
more liable to earn scowls than smiles unless I can force myself from one
mental groove and into another. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8fz5n3bY2JPciC2NYTSQ_Wq-DHqzkGNEgapoFOZH08aOkXQfVDh5hJBwagBGQIT_RYTD2_cs0hyphenhyphen7SHv4SnLo-G5beJyfAoyDHNbj9IIfHu2kggYbCQkJjRfW3AcALKta8-SaI-PtQpSn/s1600/Saucers-Salem-1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8fz5n3bY2JPciC2NYTSQ_Wq-DHqzkGNEgapoFOZH08aOkXQfVDh5hJBwagBGQIT_RYTD2_cs0hyphenhyphen7SHv4SnLo-G5beJyfAoyDHNbj9IIfHu2kggYbCQkJjRfW3AcALKta8-SaI-PtQpSn/s320/Saucers-Salem-1952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="Saucers-Salem-1952.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2pt;
margin-top:.05pt;width:250pt;height:202pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\sogden\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Saucers-Salem-1952"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Now,
consider that there are several well-established think tanks concerned with
developing public guidelines for what they call extraterrestrial “Post
Detection Policy.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-detection_policy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-detection_policy</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not arguing that these organizations assume
extraterrestrials exist. In fact, they assert there’s no empirical evidence for
that conclusion at all. What I <i>am</i>
asserting is that there are deep-pocketed people who’ve spent considerable
effort to figure out how to handle what would be the Big Daddy of Suddenly
Visible Gorilla problems, should it ever occur. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other people speculate that whatever may be perceived in UFO
encounters (and there are <i>many</i> types
and classes), it’s existed side-by-side with humans for millennia. They base
this notion on ancient myth and representations, from cave art to Renaissance
paintings, and the way those dovetail with modern reports of incidents. We
didn’t used to know about microorganisms. Just seeing them via microscopy
didn’t make them any more inherently dangerous, but new awareness did make some
people extremely nervous, even to the point of risking the development of
superbugs through overuse of antibiotics and antibacterials. And maybe the way
the modern media typically handle stories—that is, with BIG, SCARY OMGs—has
something to do with that. I’m not on the side of the Presumed Gorilla Hiders,
if such exist, but I can see where the manner of introduction matters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQly4tGhg78zYYoULZ15wEyBSq-UV3BVKaZ-4sQVnIn6x7_LBGmCspYYbGsomwk5JhjzY5hTr34eA1SL4r-6jXGKYz0kxGQNprgTmsntbKG99Xp1wblhartddtWiK3b6WVZJ64-J5Q5Nhc/s1600/Saucers-DC-Sky-Ghosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQly4tGhg78zYYoULZ15wEyBSq-UV3BVKaZ-4sQVnIn6x7_LBGmCspYYbGsomwk5JhjzY5hTr34eA1SL4r-6jXGKYz0kxGQNprgTmsntbKG99Xp1wblhartddtWiK3b6WVZJ64-J5Q5Nhc/s320/Saucers-DC-Sky-Ghosts.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you buy a ticket to a spectacular magic show, you’re hoping
to be fooled in a dazzling and entertaining way. In fact, you’d feel angry and
ripped off if they <i>didn’t</i> succeed in
deceiving you. But part of the fun of being fooled is your certainty that is
isn’t really supernatural at all. Today’s best magicians know a lot about
psychology, physiology, neurology, and the way people are both hard-wired and
culturally acclimated to respond, so they’re experts in hiding the gorilla. And
when you settle into your seat to enjoy their fictions (or, dare I suggest, even
ones on the page), you’re inviting the Invisible Gorilla trick to happen to you.
And that welcoming attitude of delight may make all the difference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When unanticipated situations or truths pop into people’s
conscious awareness, perhaps even things that were always present but
disregarded or minimized, words come up like “horror” and “nightmare” and
“trauma.” Think about the confirmation of an awful family secret everyone
suspected. The unpleasantness is frequently compounded with utter “shock” that
such an unexpected, and therefore unwelcome, thing could have disrupted the
predictable rhythms of life. It’s always just an ordinary day until it isn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think vampires may have the right idea about needing to be
invited in. Look how popular the bloodsucking murderers have become in the
cultural consciousness while cattle mutilations and crop circles remain,
despite a lot more forensic evidence of their existence, relegated to wackadoos
on the fringe. I say forget about trying to push any topic people don’t ask to
hear. If they’re not primed, any revelation is pointless and may even be
counterproductive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Eleanor
Roosevelt said: “The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other
form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in
fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself.” Want
to expose something uncomfortable, even awful, and have people thank you, as
opposed to pulling out the pitchforks? Tell them first it’s all a lie then make
them buy a ticket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cupcake image from </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/green%20aliens?language=tr_TR">http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/green%20aliens?language=tr_TR</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">UFO images from </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://ufocasebook.com/">http://ufocasebook.com/</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">BIO: Despite </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Clare Toohey</span></strong></i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>’s background in art and music, she gives store-bought greeting cards
and plays the ukulele poorly. As a writer, she aspires to genre hack-dom, and
as a fan, she appreciates the trashy and inventive. She’s the site editor and
manager of CriminalElement.com, Tweeting <a href="https://twitter.com/Clare2e" target="_blank">@clare2e</a> and blogging more foolishness at <a href="http://www.womenofmystery.net/" target="_blank">WomenofMystery.net</a>
P.S. Go Red Sox!</i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #6a6083; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Lupus Foundation of America</strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">.</span>Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-55289537744937150532013-05-16T10:19:00.000-06:002013-05-16T10:19:19.102-06:00Cakewalk by Chad Eagleton<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em><span style="color: #666666;">I know Chad from twitter. It's funny how friendships are made, isn't it? On twitter we grow to know people without really "knowing" them and find ourselves offering words of encouragement on a bad day; medical advice to each other when another in the group is diagnosed with new ailments; our time and our talents, not to mention our money, when others are in need... this list could go on and on. But this, this is how I know Chad. We've offered each other words of encouragement and vented to each other over frustrating medical news, and both of us, no, I'm sure a lot of us, believe that this is how the world should work... all the time, every single day. And for the most part, especially on twitter, the world does work this way. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #666666;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #666666;">Our tweet time might be limited, Chad, but I'm thankful I've found you among the chatter. *tweet tweet*</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #666666;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cakewalk by Chad Eagleton</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
I wrote “Cakewalk,” my story in the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feeding
Kate</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> anthology, I was revising a section of my Shane Stevens bio, re-writing
the chapter on the forgotten crime writer’s fourth novel. In </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rat Pack</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">, we accompany four
African-American youths on their hunt for the big score during a single New
York City night. It’s a slim book, but as sharp as a shiv and twice as deadly.
The power of Steven’s only novella comes from his masterful use of perspective.
Every encounter between pack and victim(s) or pack and victimizer(s) is marked
by misconceptions and misperceptions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
that’s so often the problem isn’t? So much of the things we do, the things we
allow, and the things that get us into trouble comes down to the difference between
what’s true and what we think/want to be true. Not only is it a life truism,
but, if you can pull it off well, it helps with characterization. And character
is king. Character hides the worst plotting and gives the best its resonance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
“Cakewalk,” a stripper and her security work a private party being thrown for a
man newly released from prison. When two youths with a grudge against the party
boy raid the shindig, violence ensues. That alone is enough for a certain type
of crime story. All the beats are hit: stripper—check, ex-con—check, guns—check,
violence—check, a good dose of profanity—check. But I don’t want to write that
kind of story. I want to deal with what really leads to moments of trouble and awfulness.
I want to know those people—know more than the stripper’s breast size and what
model weapons the boys from Bed-Stuy are carrying into Bensonhurst. Anything
less, I think is a disservice to the reader, to our art, and to our fellow
human beings. Sure I want my work to be entertaining, but if I’m not dealing
with something, with people, what’s the point? I could just show you a picture
of the scab on my elbow from when I skinned it cleaning the gutters and say,
“Nasty, huh?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now,
here’s the point of this whole thing. When I learned about Sabrina’s jaw
trouble and the surgery she needed that, of course, insurance wouldn’t cover, I
knew I wanted to help. I’ve probably talked to Sabrina less than any of you
reading this post. Sure, when we have spoken, she’s always been nice and, in
fact, I challenge you to find a nicer person in the crime community, but nice
isn’t it. To me, the whole purpose of our society is to work together, to look
out for each other, to provide things—security, comfort, and care—that would be
impossible to provide on our own. If society did not function this way, if we
weren’t all on this ride together, we’d still be saber-toothed tiger
food—assuming our species ever made it out of the caves. The problem is that we
forget that. The problem is we forget our connection to people. The problem is
we get caught up in...What? Yes, that’s right, confusing what’s true and what
we think/want to be true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hopefully,
someday we’ll all grok that and there will never have to be another benefit
anthology for anyone or anything. Until then, I’m glad to help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You
should too.</span><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Chad Eagleton</strong> is a two time Watery Grave Invitational finalist. His story “Ghostman on Third” was nominated for the Spinetingler Award. His fiction is available in print and e-book, as well as online at such sites as A Twist of Noir, Bad Things, The Pulp Pusher, Beat To A Pulp, Darkness Before the Dawn, and Shotgun Honey.</em>Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-49562427725648217392013-05-09T10:12:00.000-06:002013-05-09T10:12:12.175-06:00Going Back to "The Well" by Chris F. Holm<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em>The very first item I purchased for my Kindle was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pounds-Eight-Horror-Suspense-ebook/dp/B0047742P6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1368113970&sr=8-3&keywords=Chris+f+holm"><strong>8 Pounds: Eight Tales of Crime, Horror and</strong> <strong>Suspense</strong></a> by Chris F. Holm, and boy howdy did it deliver! Since then I've devoured all things written by Chris including the available books in his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Harvest-Collector-Chris-Holm/dp/085766218X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368114611&sr=8-2&keywords=chris+f+holm"><strong>Collector</strong></a> novels, and his latest short story collection <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Letters-Stories-Murder-ebook/dp/B00BC9I5T6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1368114611&sr=8-5&keywords=chris+f+holm"><strong>Dead Letters: Stories of Murder and Mayhem</strong></a>. His story <strong>The Well,</strong> found in the Feeding Kate Anthology is beyond creepy creepy... which is exactly why I love it so. Many thanks for lending this little gem of a story to the Feeding Kate antho, Chris. It's perfect... just like you! </em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #666666;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Going Back to "The Well"</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a funny thing, being asked to write a blog post
about an 800-odd word short story. If I’m not careful, my post will wind up
longer than the tale itself.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Well,” which centers on a particularly scrappy
little girl who has the misfortune of falling down the titular aperture, has
the dubious distinction of being one of the creepiest things I’ve ever written.
In fact, it’s one of two stories (the other being “A Better Life”) that
disturbed me so much as I was writing them, I had to ask my wife if they were
too distasteful to submit. She said no, and either she was right or you people
are way more twisted than I give you credit for, because most folks who’ve read
my short fiction cite one or the other as their favorites. And when I gave
Laura her choice of stories for FEEDING KATE, she picked “The Well” in no time
flat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not sure what kind of lesson I should take from
that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The idea for “The Well” hit me all at once – and
when it did, it wanted out. That’s rare for me; typically, I have to let a
story percolate a while before it decides it’s time for me to write it.
Unfortunately, I was at work at the time, so over lunch I sent myself a crazy,
stream-of-consciousness e-mail, getting as much of the idea and imagery down as
I could.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But when I sat down at the computer that weekend to
flesh it out (if those who’ve read it will pardon the pun), something wasn’t
right. The more detail I added to the story, the less I liked it. It became too
explicit – too graphic. I don't mind pushing boundaries every now and again,
but I think that when it comes to writing horror, restraint is a virtue, and I didn't
want to cross a line as a writer that I wouldn't be willing to cross as a
reader. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s when I went back to that initial e-mail. When
I reread it, I was struck by something -- my notes had what my attempts to
flesh it out had lacked. Subtlety. Ambiguity. Restraint. There was no explicit
violence or anything overtly objectionable. Just a pervasive, eerie mood that,
either in spite of its brevity or because of it, still managed to creep me out.
So I decided to try polishing up my notes rather than starting from scratch,
and not long after, I had my first (and to this day, only) work of flash
fiction. 800-odd words did what 5,000 couldn't. If only my novels would write
so easy…</span><br />
<br />
Chris F. Holm was born in Syracuse, New York, the grandson of a cop who
passed along his passion for crime fiction. His work has appeared in such
publications as Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery
Magazine, Needle: A Magazine of Noir, and THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES
2011. He’s been an Anthony Award nominee, a Derringer Award finalist, and a
Spinetingler Award winner. His Collector novels,<a href="http://angryrobotbooks.com/our-authors/chris-f-holm/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #009bc0;">
published by Angry Robot books</span></a>, recast the battle between heaven and hell as
Golden Era crime pulp. He lives on the coast of Maine with <a href="http://www.mainesuspect.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #009bc0;">his lovely wife</span></a>
and a noisy, noisy cat.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444;">. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span>
</span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Lupus Foundation of America</span></strong></span></a><span style="color: #1f497d;">. </span></span></span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-38471976087828869832013-05-07T11:59:00.000-06:002013-05-07T12:55:28.090-06:00A Hungry Soul by Ellie Anderson<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><em>I'm thrilled to have Ellie Anderson (L.E. Anderson or Leah to me) visiting the blog today to share her experience writing <strong>A Hungry Soul</strong> for the Feeding Kate anthology. Ellie is the author of Ante Mortem, the short story that we ran at My Friends Call Me Kate last year. She's an incredible writer, a wonderful friend, and I'm always delighted when some of her personal experiences find a way into her writing. She's a lover of books, good food, and ghosts... and she's an inspiration to many. I started this book blog at her insistence, btw.</em></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><em><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>A Hungry</strong> <strong>Soul</strong> is a story of love... okay, maybe not the love love that comes to mind when you think of love between married people, but there is definitely a love for cheeseburgers, ribs, and label making, along with an incredibly skillful use of a knife. And I <strong>love</strong> it all! <strong>A Hungry Soul</strong> is exactly what I'd expect from my friend, Ellie... or L.E. Anderson... can't I just call you Leah? *wink wink* </span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><em>Don't forget... I'm giving away two prints copies of <strong>Feeding Kate</strong> at the end of the month. If you want a shot at winning a copy all you have to do is leave a comment during the month of May. </em></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em></em></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A Hungry Soul</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Feeding Kate</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give several different writers two simple words and have each one author a short story that springs from this seemingly simple phrase.</span></em><span style="color: #674ea7; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m new to the world of writing (well…truly, I’ve written
most of my life but not for other’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>eyes, except my teachers and professors) and was so happy to have the
opportunity to be included in this project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was even more excited when I learned that it would benefit the Lupus
foundation and my favorite blogger, Sabrina Ogden.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always loved writing exercises of this nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give a group of people one central idea and
see what sort of depravity, innocence, mayhem or mystery emerges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Hungry Soul, </i>was born instantaneously upon hearing the theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared so effortlessly that I was
certain something was amiss and I feared it would be the same idea everyone
else had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was terrified when it came
time to submit it, fearing that it would appear as if I had no
imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never did budge from my
first idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried, I really did, to take
it beyond inception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But alas, it remained
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely the other writers, I
pondered, many of whom are well-seasoned and published authors, would have
developed more sophisticated storylines than I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would the others laugh at my work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would they wonder why I had been included in
the line-up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The questions still ping
around my head, but I carried on and went forth bravely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best stories start in the middle of the action and
that’s how mine usually unfold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
they flash back and forth through time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t know why that has become my M.O., but it works for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Hungry Soul </i>starts with a back story, Kate’s, and then moves into an
understated sort of madness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those that
know me well know that much of the first portion is based on my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unwittingly, this story became a source of
soul-purging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While much of Kate’s anger
stems from my psyche, please be assured that she is not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is, most certainly, her own person. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Biggest lesson learned from this experience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone will like my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second lesson learned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>When the final draft
had been accepted, I was nauseated, and although I didn’t read it again until I
actually had the book in my hands, months later, I was still cringing over it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cracked the spine and it opened up to my
story and scanned the words for what must have been the hundredth time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words seemed foreign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I really written this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could that be?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Given the chance, I would do everything different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I learned more than I had hoped for and I
am honored to be included amongst some of the best writers I have ever read!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ellie Anderson</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(aka for L.E. Anderson, my real name)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third lesson
learned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just use my own name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>L.E. Anderson (<b><u>L</u></b>eah <b><u>E</u></b>ubanks
Anderson) is a paralegal for the Criminal Division of the Salt Lake County
District Attorney in Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah in
1986 with a B.A. in English. She lives in Utah with her teenage son, two
beagles and two cats of unknown origin. She loves to ghost hunt, write
ghost stories, research near-death experiences and collect Victorian funeral
antiques. Her first novel, Ante Mortem (a Della Couldock
paranormal mystery), is scheduled to be released as an e-book on June 1, 2013
and the second in the series, Momento Mori, is scheduled for October 1,
2013. Leah’s family has accepted her unconventional interests with
guarded curiosity, immense love and unending support. Her friends just
think she’s weird.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Feeding
Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate"><span style="color: #444444;">Amazon</span></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444;">.
All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the</span> </span><a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">Lupus Foundation of America</span></a>.
</span></span></o:p></span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-1536257450888539812013-05-06T14:44:00.001-06:002013-05-06T15:58:36.842-06:00Lupus and Light Bulbs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmFqSmY3ksFHAR8_3SFmIVfV5NdB2scLU5bWfMijGtgJHryuNMQiY1kVGX2xAJFxgUXKdCN4EudPm_v8qYyo8wd28seR-yiDODLE9npqbhIQBNmkb0rp2Qnl1QzgtCAesdb8g-KT0eba5/s1600/thCA9O43BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmFqSmY3ksFHAR8_3SFmIVfV5NdB2scLU5bWfMijGtgJHryuNMQiY1kVGX2xAJFxgUXKdCN4EudPm_v8qYyo8wd28seR-yiDODLE9npqbhIQBNmkb0rp2Qnl1QzgtCAesdb8g-KT0eba5/s320/thCA9O43BC.jpg" width="320" /></a>What the heck do light bulbs have to do with lupus? A lot, actually.</div>
<br />
One of the symptoms I have from lupus is photosensitivity. How long I can be in the sun varies from year to year, but the average time for me should be no longer than an hour. Well, I do better if I keep it to 30 minutes at a time. I burn easily, obviously... just look at my pale skin! But too much sun isn't just about the burn, it's about triggering other adverse reactions to lupus such as fever, pleurisy, and even kidney disease. For the most part staying out of the sun is an easy thing to do. So you can imagine my surprise a few years ago when my photosensitivity went indoors...<br />
<br />
Shortly after our office moved into our current location at 111 East Broadway I started going home every night with a sunburn. I'd recover in my sleep only to have it return by the end of business each evening. By Friday I was ill and feverish and begging to cancel all plans for the weekend just so I could rest. It was truly exhausting, and I probably wouldn't have given it much thought, or even made the connection with my lupus, had I not developed a rash on my arm by the end of each week. <br />
<br />
Determined to find out what was triggering my photosensitivity, a quick search on the LFA website gave me this information.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: #20124d;">If
you have lupus, chances are you’re familiar with photosensitivity, or abnormal
sensitivity to light. Between 40 and 70 percent of people with systemic lupus
find their disease is made worse by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, and the
lesions of cutaneous lupus are highly photosensitive. The sun is the major
source of ultraviolet light, but UV rays also come from indoor lighting, like
energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Since the Energy Independence
and Security Act was enacted in December 2007 -- requiring that all light bulbs
in the United States use 30 percent less energy by 2012 and 70 percent less by
2020 -- these bulbs have become a hot trend</span></em>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><span style="color: #20124d;">Two
types of ultraviolet rays cause photosensitive reactions: type A, commonly
known as UVA, which has longer-term effects on aging, and type B, or UVB, which
causes sunburns. Richard D. Sontheimer, M.D. (formerly vice chairman of the
Department of Dermatology at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, now
professor of dermatology at University of Utah Health Sciences Center),
conducted a recent study on both types of bulbs and found that the highest
amount of UVA leaks from old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs, though they
give off very little UVB. The fluorescent bulbs, unfortunately, release both
types. His recommendation? Shielded compact fluorescents, which are covered
during manufacturing to prevent leaks of either type.</span></em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em></em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What? I'm allergic to light bulbs too? Yeppers. They had just replaced all the fluorescent bulbs with the newly rated ones when I started developing my sunburns. Well, a little knowledge goes a long way, and an easy solution for work was having some of the bulbs removed from around my cubicle.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, If I could just get them to turn off the lights at church...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For more information about lupus please visit the LFA website at <a href="http://www.lupus.org/">www.lupus.org</a>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s1600/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s320/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-8868224815966764162013-05-02T13:53:00.000-06:002013-05-02T13:53:53.443-06:00A Heroine for the Ages Meets a Bizarre Loner by Linda Rodriguez<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;">I first read <strong>Rivka's Place</strong> by Linda Rodriguez a few weeks before Feeding Kate went to print. I was inspired by the story, and the characters, especially Rivka's willingness to treat all of the people within her neighborhood, and those she employs, as her own children. She's a protector... and I can only hope to be as strong as her some day.</span> I'm thrilled to have Linda with us today to tell us a little more about her story and the amazing characters she's created. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A Heroine for the Ages Meets a Bizarre Loner</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When a group of writers decided on Twitter to put together
an anthology to benefit our friend Sabrina and the Lupus Foundation, I was in
on it from the start. After all, I love Sabrina, and I deal with lupus every
day myself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The two main characters in my story, “Rivka’s Place,” could
hardly be more different. They are a true odd couple of disparate ages and
experiences and yet with great respect for one another and love. I’m a big
believer in courage and in love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One, Rivka, is an elderly Holocaust survivor, a woman who
refuses to be bullied as her shop’s neighborhood becomes more and more
dangerous and insists on helping everyone around her. The other, C.J., came of
age many decades after World War II by killing two men as his father had
trained him to do, only to learn that everything he’d been taught was a lie, a
man who wants nothing more than to be left alone in peace to do his work, read,
and hide from his memories and those who hunt him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where did this bizarre partnership of Rivka and C.J. come
from?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I gave Rivka a background similar to that of a well-known
Kansas City woman, who had escaped from the death camps of Nazi Germany twice
as a child and had indeed insisted on continuing to run her bakery in a
deteriorating neighborhood, feeding many who couldn’t afford to buy her goods.
She’s dead now, and Rivka looks and sounds nothing like her. Rivka came out of
the folds of my brain, but her background owes a debt to this remarkable real
woman I never met. I have always found her story inspiring. As I have found the
stories of so many who live with lupus an inspiration.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my knowledge, however, there is no one anywhere remotely
like C.J. He sprang full-blown into my mind and demanded to be written. I have
often wondered what would happen with a young person who’d grown up in one of
these cults or cult-like families, indoctrinated in fear of civilization and
government, trained to defend the family against that “dangerous” government,
if that young person later learned that everything he or she had been taught
was a lie. C.J., I suspect, arose from these idle wonderings.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bringing the two of them together left me in a quandary when
I first tried to write this story. Where could it go? How could it end? I
didn’t want to lose either of these people I had come to value as I created
them, but I didn’t see any way that this could end well. These two characters
were on a collision course with tragedy. Eventually, I wrote the ending scene
through tears. Yet in some ways it is a happy ending because each person is true
to her and his inner self.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you like to read of characters who make difficult
choices? Are there people</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> you’ve known or just heard
about who has inspired you with their courage or their love?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Linda Rodriguez’s second Skeet Bannion novel, Every Broken Trust(St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books), will be published May 7. Her first Skeet novel, Every Last Secret, won the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, was selected by Las Comadres National Book Club, and was a Barnes & Noble mystery pick. For her books of poetry, Skin Hunger(Scapegoat Press) and Heart’s Migration(Tia Chucha Press), Rodriguez received the Midwest Voices & Visions Award, Elvira Cordero Cisneros Award, Thorpe Menn Award, finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award, KCArtsFund Inspiration Award, and Ragdale and Macondo fellowships. She spends too much time on Twitter as @rodriguez_linda and on Facebook at </em></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LindaRodriguezWrites" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>LindaRodriguezWrites</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>. She blogs about writers, writing, and the absurdities of everyday life at </em></span><a href="http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>http://lindarodriguezwrites.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology is available from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367516013&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate">Amazon</a>. All proceeds from Feeding Kate benefit the <a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html">Lupus Foundation of America</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s1600/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s320/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-9342266459872475192013-05-01T14:47:00.001-06:002013-05-01T14:47:20.284-06:00Feeding Kate: A Crime Fiction Anthology <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2om8DKlrzY7fKqL3k3cDgZ0qtGRyc9Lqa4qiBTTsnU3p2_i9j_btsWI1HLTmfDYLQ6S36JS7bA8CRyLKqf1YLuEpriHVXSV2bvk0JZx-yfI37K3eQVXFGU4krSNVMZcemmW15rKdocG2/s1600/14775_4849026897060_976950203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2om8DKlrzY7fKqL3k3cDgZ0qtGRyc9Lqa4qiBTTsnU3p2_i9j_btsWI1HLTmfDYLQ6S36JS7bA8CRyLKqf1YLuEpriHVXSV2bvk0JZx-yfI37K3eQVXFGU4krSNVMZcemmW15rKdocG2/s320/14775_4849026897060_976950203_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>After injuring my jaw eating a sandwich and griping on twitter about my inability to scarf down my favorite food... cupcakes, some friends started a twitter conversation that turned into something I never could have imagined. This wonderful group of people came together and wrote some incredibly crafted stories for an anthology that would allow dozens of people to help raise funds for medical treatment that my insurance wouldn't cover. *shakes head* I don't know. I hold this book in my hand and tears start to flow. It really isn't something I can discuss with people without crying over. So with that, I'll just say that after I finish up my physical therapy, all of those involved in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367441132&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate"><em>Feeding Kate</em></a> fundraising will see a good portion of their contributions being sent to the Lupus Foundation of America. The LFA is a worthy cause and is very close to my heart, and I'm happy knowing that all proceeds from future sales of Feeding Kate will be donated to help fund lupus research.</div>
<br />
I was diagnosed with Lupus on May 1, 2000 and today I'm celebrating thirteen years with this disease. Hmmm, I think I deserve a cupcake! Maybe even two!<br />
<br />
So what is Lupus? Lupus is a mysterious disease that strikes without warning, has no known cause, carries a range of symptoms, and to be honest, can destroy any part of the body whenever it pretty much feels like it. It's known as a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect
various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. There is no cure for lupus; only treatment. <br />
<br />
With May being Lupus Awareness Month I thought it would be a perfect time to spotlight the <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367441132&sr=8-1&keywords=feeding+kate">Feeding Kate</a></em> anthology as well as point out some interesting facts about Lupus. I will also be sharing guest posts from various contributors from the anthology and sharing my thoughts on some of the stories in Feeding Kate. Oh yeah, I have two copies of Feeding Kate to give away, so please leave comments during the month of May. Both winners will be announced on May 31, 2013.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Kate-Fiction-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6UMGSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367440634&sr=8-1&keywords=Feeding+kate">Feeding Kate is available on Amazon.</a><br />
<br />
To learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America please visit <a href="http://www.lupus.org/">www.lupus.org</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s1600/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H7A3RmccoB5iSztWAo7IZFVGbcMnMOTXnDg9xOf-1DDTYLlqLcQiMNUagpCPU-MLk_0J8wkb6gEH_VzgwvqJIb-0dWXiWyL003fdW7_gbRrRPLUC_W7undUpzz-2NJBWchsR0ARpeota/s320/501747Lupus_Research_Awareness.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-68269036754010815982013-04-23T15:36:00.000-06:002013-04-23T15:41:42.641-06:00Scarlet- A New Musical by Michelle Horgen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr17NC7pKPkN7z7Ce1UiswMF70MhVoUguVvlzHHq3Dm0_pacJ3Qk2WIuq_vaSaeFlqhGLG8mNRloimDncPnxsCa9deD_kaxGPhrQpgF0zNxkphvN52IQpzuSVXovG7A0ac1vMt7grKUsVy/s400/photo-main.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My talented friend, Michelle Horgen, has spent the last few months writing a musical! I'm obviously very proud of her. She's been playing the piano since she was a little girl, and my guess is she's been singing even longer. Not to mention she writes some of the most beautiful music I've had the privilege to hear. We've been friends since high school- and will be <span style="font-size: large;">forever</span>. Michelle was riding with me when I had my very first car accident, and she was standing beside me when I graduated from high school. So, of course, it's important to me to be able to stand beside her as she pushes forwarded with her Kickstarter fundraiser for her musical, <span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Scarlet</strong></span>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The campaign is just over the 50% mark and they could really use a push to help them reach their goal of $25,000 in the next few days. As many of you know, even the smallest contribution can help. So, I invite you to check out the <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1027788798/bring-the-story-of-forbidden-love-to-life-thru-a-n"><span style="font-size: large;">Kickstarter fundraiser</span></a>, and if you think it's something you'd like to support... please, contribute. You can find updated information on the Kickstarter site. And, as always, any support is truly appreciated. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nGRfLu9c5I&feature=youtu.be">Here</a> is an additional video clip with an excerpt of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nGRfLu9c5I&feature=youtu.be">Comfort Ye</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvIXcGfwTdvPQtfH-rUjOtrq1soEUuS3iGfF0vAZfBszvgMxTJLv8HWOirAehrPWiVtY2pynGMHIQX6rFi7sK7hgpP-6LlBJ6hmxRDjiSPYa0Y6vTQuyj54YNIpOjRt78i7tywLwGEysZ/s1600/my_headshot_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvIXcGfwTdvPQtfH-rUjOtrq1soEUuS3iGfF0vAZfBszvgMxTJLv8HWOirAehrPWiVtY2pynGMHIQX6rFi7sK7hgpP-6LlBJ6hmxRDjiSPYa0Y6vTQuyj54YNIpOjRt78i7tywLwGEysZ/s1600/my_headshot_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvIXcGfwTdvPQtfH-rUjOtrq1soEUuS3iGfF0vAZfBszvgMxTJLv8HWOirAehrPWiVtY2pynGMHIQX6rFi7sK7hgpP-6LlBJ6hmxRDjiSPYa0Y6vTQuyj54YNIpOjRt78i7tywLwGEysZ/s200/my_headshot_medium.jpg" width="200" /></a><em>I graduated from Portland State University with a BA in vocal performance, later followed by a MEd in music education and a MM in conducting. I have played piano since I was five, and have performed, accompanied and arranged professionally for the past 20 yrs. I have taught high school for 15 yrs, as well as a handful of college courses, during which time I have directed/music directed more than 30 musicals and plays. My husband Garen is a professional trumpeter and conductor so music permeates our lives 24-7. Our Saint Bernard Clara and German Shepherd Bollo are our spoiled furry children. I can't resist a good (bad) pun, and I drink too much diet coke. </em><a href="http://www.scarlettheforbiddenstory.com/">www.scarlettheforbiddenstory.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-72217376898769938792013-03-19T09:23:00.000-06:002013-03-19T09:23:47.266-06:00My First Literary Love by Laura Benedict<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cormac, Forever.</span><br />
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>If I were to be totally honest with
myself--which I almost never am--I would tell you that my first literary crush
was on Somerset Maugham. I was in my mid-twenties when I discovered his work,
and considered it literature of the highest order. His novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of Human Bondage</i>, written in 1915,
follows the life of an aimless, privileged Englishman name Philip Carey who
gets emotionally involved with a nasty waitress named Mildred. Mildred abuses
him shamelessly, runs off and gets pregnant by some cad, then returns to abuse
him some more. There’s a happy ending after 500-some pages, but it’s definitely
not happy for Mildred. Fabulous story, compelling prose.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
Maugham was an Old World gentleman and
bon vivant. I always imagined he and P.G. Wodehouse were at school together. In
an autobiography, he advised young writers to put their first novel in a drawer
and leave it there, as he did. I followed his advice and have never regretted
it.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
Sadly, Mr. Maugham was quickly booted
off my heart’s literary pedestal for another older man, one far less elegant
than Mr. Maugham, when my (then) husband-to-be gave me a book called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blood Meridian</i>.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
Reader, I was enraptured! Was it by the
horrifying scene of murdered babies hanging from a tree? Starving, skeletal horses?
Maybe the treachery and innumerable scalpings throughout? (Did you know the <a href="http://www.essortment.com/history-indian-european-scalping-21193.html"><span style="color: #000099;">Dutch brought the tradition of scalping enemies to the
New World as an accounting measure</span></a>?) Or, perhaps I was simply drawn
to the alien images of the Wild West. No John Wayne movie could ever happen in
McCarthy’s world. It’s a world so intensely masculine and gorgeous and fraught
with danger, that I sometimes realize I’ve been holding my breath as I read.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
I quote (I’m using quotation marks to
indicate I’m quoting from the novel--McCarthy is, of course, way too economical
with his efforts to bother with trivialities like punctuation):</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
“Spectre horsemen, pale with dust,
anonymous in the crenellated heat. Above all else they appeared wholly at
venture, primal, provisional, devoid of order. Like beings provoked out of the
absolute rock and set nameless and at no remove from their own loomings to
wander ravenous and doomed and mute as gorgons shambling the brutal wastes of
Gondwanaland in a time before nomenclature was and each was all.”</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
Primal, indeed. I want to roll naked
through that prose like a miser might through a mound of thousand dollar bills.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
As a new writer, I was overcome by the
authority of his voice. My own was weak and kittenish and inconsistent. Every
one of McCarthy’s words feels intentional. Imagine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writing without compromise, without giving a
damn that some jealous critic might feel the want of a comma.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
I went back and read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outer Dark</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child of God</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Orchard
Keeper</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suttree</i>, his earliest
novels. Because they’re mostly set in Appalachia, I felt a kinship with the
landscape. To add to the aura of romance, I heard that McCarthy lived in a
motel somewhere in Tennessee. Until this writing I never wanted to track down
the motel rumor, lest I discover it to be untrue. But I found out it was
true--according to the <a href="http://www.cormacmccarthy.com/biography/"><span style="color: #000099;">Cormac McCarthy Society website</span></a>, he lived in a
Knoxville hotel in 1981.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
I confess I temporarily dumped my
literary hero over his Border Trilogy. I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All The Pretty Horses</i>, but was skittish because it was a huge
bestseller. I found it...thin. Someday I’ll read all three books. Maybe when
I’m old(er).</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
McCarthy won me back with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Country for Old Men</i>, one of the best
crime novels I’ve ever read. The razor-sharp precision of his prose in both
that novel and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Road</i> leave me
breathless all over again. Though, when he won the Pulitzer Prize for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Road</i>, I refused to watch the
momentous Oprah interview. What if my idol really did have feet of clay? It was
his work I loved. And his photograph. I adored that weathered, ruggedly
handsome face. Perhaps I’ve been burned too many times by actors who seem noble
on the screen, then open their mouths in interviews to reveal they are dumb as
rocks. I prefer to revel in fantasy, thank you.</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;">
I think I’ve maybe wandered out of crush
territory and into true love. And how funny that it was my husband who
introduced Mr. McCarthy to me. Long-term relationships really are the best,
don’t you think?</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laura
Benedict’s latest novel is Devil’s Oven, a Gothic thriller set in Appalachia.
Its cover is black and orange and mysterious, just like the cover of her
husband’s 1988 copy of Blood Meridian. You can find out more about her and her
work at </i><a href="http://www.laurabenedict.com/"><span style="color: #000099;">www.laurabenedict.com</span></a>
.<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-53778240095251876312013-03-15T08:14:00.000-06:002013-03-15T08:22:57.113-06:00Why Do I Keep Going Back? A Guest Post by R. Thomas Brown<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s been about six months since <i>Hill Country</i> was released by Snubnose Press. I’ve been thrilled, worried, elated, excited and weirded out by the experience. While not blowing up the literary world, it’s done better than I expected, and it’s still a bit strange to think of all the people I’ve never met who are reading my work. It was, and is, in all, a nice experience of being an author.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But, being an author of something is static. It’s out there, and it will never change. Sales may increase, they may die, and good, bad, or no reviews may come in. Regardless, it’s done. Being a writer goes on forever. It’s just a matter of doing it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, and choosing what to write.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I never intended <i>Hill Country</i> to start a series. Still, the book I just finished, currently called <i>Reckoning</i> is on submission at the moment. It's right back in Comal Creek, TX. Filled with some of the same places, people, and mix of small town cohesion and budding class struggles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The story is completely different. Smaller and focused on the price a group of friends pay for a huge mistake in their past. But the place felt right again. I felt at home with the setting and the pace of the world the characters inhabit. So comfortable, in fact, that I’ve just started another story set in the town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How many will I end up writing is something I don’t know. I don’t have any ideas for tales in the town after the current work in progress, but if I do, I know that I’ll be able to sink back into the place, pull up a chair at The Pit and throw some more bad circumstances at people that I really do like deep down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em>An excerpt of Reckoning by R. Thomas Brown-</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Nightmares had become a fact of life for Erik. Ever present and always the same. Most of the time they didn’t even disturb his sleep. But when life got tough, they always seemed to ratchet up the disturbance. Give him a little extra dig when things were bad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Remind him of what he did. How much worse that was than anything he was going through. With Freddy’s turn for the crazy and obsession with that damned place, they’d come on strong. He took to drinking to get some rest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">That usually meant Freddy coming in and out wouldn’t bother him. But with Doug breathing down his neck for the past two days, and Erik’s concern about the less than savory activities of the deadbeat, even the drink was leaving him with fitful sleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">That night, he woke up to the sound of the door slamming. He worked his jaw, tired from clinching his teeth through the horrid memory that filled his thoughts. He rolled on his side and looked toward the clock. Even squinting, he couldn’t make out the numbers. Not long enough since his homemade sleeping aid of rum and more rum.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He sat slowly, and hung his feet over the edge of the bed. “Freddy!” His own voice hurt his head. He exhaled a long breath and took a slow one in. He rose to his feet. Squinted. Tried using just the left eye. “Nope, still drunk.” He took short steps. More shuffles, really. Belches and vurps rose from his gut as he navigated his way down the hall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Images from his nightmare kept flashing back. The woman screaming. The men ignoring his pleading. He shook his head to push the thoughts out. He realized the stupidity of that as he fell to the ground. He crawled the rest of the way. Pulled himself up when he reached Freddy’s door. Knocked as hard as he could.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Freddy, what the hell is going on?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Erik blinked, still trying to convince his body that he was awake. A few shakes of the head didn’t accomplish much more than a headache and a dizzy feeling. He hit the door again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> “Freddy!” Still nothing. Erik pushed the door open. Freddy was either gone or drunk. “Freddy, what the hell is going on?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">No answer. Erik looked at the bed. Couldn’t focus. He walked over to it. Empty. He patted the sheets. Nothing. “Freddy!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Wasn’t the first time Freddy had taken off in the middle of the night, but he’d been at home for the past couple. Erik figured Doug had said something to him and it kept him in line for a bit. Erik had hoped for an easy time until Doug had a better answer. Seemed that wasn’t to be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He managed his way down the stairs. Fell down the last three. “Shit.” He rubbed his back, trying to massage out the pain. No lights were on. Door was closed. He steadied himself and opened the front door. “Freddy!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">No answer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">His vision began to clear. He didn’t see anyone. He realized that if Freddy had slammed the door, he’d be gone by now. Erik walked over to the garage and opened the pad. Stared at the glowing keys that each blurred at the edges.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He pressed the code with slow deliberate fingers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">As it opened, he tapped his foot. Leaned down to peek inside. “Shit, Freddy.” The motorcycle was gone. He wished he’d remembered to hide the keys. “Where the hell did you go in the middle of the night?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He had no idea where Freddy was, but a good idea where he hoped he wouldn’t be. Still, he was going to look for him. He slipped back in the house, feeling steady now on his feet. He mixed an instant coffee to keep him up and reached for his keys.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BIO: <span class="il">R</span>. <span class="il">Thomas</span> <span class="il">Brown</span>
writes crime fiction set in Texas. His novel, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Hill Country</span>, from Snubnose Press is currently available. You
can find his thoughts on fiction, and other matters, as well as information on
his short fiction and upcoming novels at <a href="http://rthomasbrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">rthomasbrown.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.3in;">
</div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-77365797612196918652013-03-14T08:27:00.000-06:002013-03-14T08:27:49.583-06:00Hill Country by R. Thomas Brown<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yosRLNV8XK1EzN63tCUvXzuxup_NbqO_5TNbuAu4Zzo7dpScNi2WgPyftT1UtwKAKZo7tXtm0_oia3EFFZIP9f6n9xSIbt5m0jA0FWFcndg3Oo94Di5ogKBBVvZpMRfjpoJxKDV9E7Qf/s1600/13493779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yosRLNV8XK1EzN63tCUvXzuxup_NbqO_5TNbuAu4Zzo7dpScNi2WgPyftT1UtwKAKZo7tXtm0_oia3EFFZIP9f6n9xSIbt5m0jA0FWFcndg3Oo94Di5ogKBBVvZpMRfjpoJxKDV9E7Qf/s320/13493779.jpg" width="200" /></a>
I think we’ve all had a time in our lives when we were under
the silly impression that we were untouchable… better, faster, stronger,
meaner. Maybe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back in college I had this 6ft Jamaican track star for a
roommate. She was solid muscle. Solid. Her name was… I’ll just call her
Gretchen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Gretchen had a temper;
always knowing just what buttons to push to make you snap. But the trick with
Gretchen, though, was keeping your cool. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, who am I fooling? You never kept your cool with Gretchen
because you never knew what the heck Gretchen was going to do. She was
difficult and mean and she could knock you on your ass with one push if she
wanted to.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that’s what she did to me, anyway. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You see, a couple of weeks after Gretchen moved out of the
apartment she returned and procured all of the pots and pans and baking dishes
from the kitchen. The only person home at the time was a new roommate napping
on the couch, unaware of Gretchen’s thieving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we were only made aware of the
missing items when we tried to make dinner and found that we had no pots to
boil water in… or cookies sheets to bake cookies on. Tragic!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We might not have seen Gretchen take the pots and pans, but
I knew she did. And even after people told me to leave it be I couldn’t let it
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, knowing my neighbor was headed
to work in a few minutes and knowing that she worked with Gretchen, I asked her
to tell Gretchen to bring the pots and pans back because she had taken some
items that didn’t belong to her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, I may have said something about filing a police
report, but my memory somehow escapes me… </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What I do remember is Gretchen kicking in our apartment
door, pulling me by the hair and smashing my head into the television screen
just before dragging me by my flailing arms across the carpet on my knees.
There was yelling. And I may or may not have said a few swear words. Eventually
someone called the police and Gretchen, the smart little thief she was, left
shortly after the sirens could be heard in the distance… leaving me a dazed,
confused, bloody, and blubbering mess. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know, there’s really nothing like the police showing up at
your place to collect evidence and take photos of your beat-down to make you
feel like a real loser. Or, for Gabriel Hill in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hill Country</b> by R. Thomas Brown, there’s really nothing more
troubling than the police coming by to take photos of the dead pedophile on your
porch… especially when he's the guy you just got your butt kicked
by at the local bar in town.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now a convenient murder suspect, Gabe quickly finds himself
an unwilling participant in the quest for some supposed treasure that his brother
Mike had his hands on. But unfortunately for Gabe, Mike is dead, and
left in his place are a half dozen or so lively characters that are willing to
do whatever it takes to get the one thing they all feel is rightfully theirs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You would think being confronted with bizarre, sacrificial killings
in the woods; threats to get out of town; his brother’s murder; a beautifully
dangerous and seductive woman that pops up out of nowhere; a home invasion; a
couple of psychopaths that kill for fun; and the incredibly annoying Mr.
Greenstreet, that Gabe would have left town while he still had the chance. Not
likely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Cause like me, Gabe Hill is
stubbornly smart, and he’s definitely not one to back down from a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But unlike my fight with Gretchen and
those stupid pots and pans, Gabe’s unpredictable fight with lost relationships
and madmen shows that he’s better, faster, stronger and meaner than all of them
combined… even if he does shed a tear or two in the end.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I found <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hill Country</b>
by R. Thomas Brown to be a wonderful read and quite different from his other
work that I’ve read. While <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Merciless
Pact</b> seemed tinged with darkness with a side of nightmares, <strong>Hill Country</strong>
seemed to be, well, tinged with darkness with a side of fun… as much fun as
greed and murder will allow, at least. In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hill
Country</b> the characters are suspiciously shady, the dialogue catchy, and the
setting so perfectly written that it had me reminiscing of my stroll down the
River Walk in San Antonio a couple years back. And it also reminded me of my
fight with Gretchen…</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah, Gretchen’s body might not have landed on my front
porch after our little fight, but I did catch her picking up trash on the side
of the road in her bright orange, community service outfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
*giggles* I wonder if she still has those pots and pans…</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>BIO: <span class="il">R</span>. <span class="il">Thomas</span> <span class="il">Brown</span>
writes crime fiction set in Texas. His novel, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Hill Country</span>, from Snubnose Press is currently available. You
can find his thoughts on fiction, and other matters, as well as information on
his short fiction and upcoming novels at </strong><a href="http://rthomasbrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">rthomasbrown.blogspot.com</span></strong></a>.</span></i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Hill Country is available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hill-Country-R-Thomas-Brown/dp/147003638X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363205091&sr=8-3&keywords=hill+country">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hill-country-r-brown/1109700224?ean=2940014603546">Barnes & Noble.</a></span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-17042218347066140862013-03-11T09:25:00.000-06:002013-03-11T09:25:11.383-06:00My First Literary Love by Dan O'Shea<span style="font-family: inherit;">My First Literary Love: Amazon Adventure by Willard Price</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess you should remember the first time. Even if it was
just awkward adolescent fumbling, fumbling, then a boundary broached that had
been long defended – what was it for her, the point of no return? That her
breasts were exposed finally, or that her panties where now linked garters and
her mysterious flower bloomed open and witnessed in the dim glow of the distant
streetlight that fogged through the sweat-tinted windows of your car? The no’s had
stopped. The hands that used to push you away, used to grab your wrists to deny
your touch at those last sacred places, they now were grabbing something else,
coaxing it, pulling it forward, the surrender complete.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You should have known
that surrender was different, the surrender of a friend, the granting of a
privilege, of a sacred trust, but you had fought that hormonal war so long,
were so close finally to victory, that you pressed your suit like a blitzkrieg
that roared past any nicety of foreplay, and she bit her lip the whole time,
fought the pain the whole time, whispering “It’s OK, It’s OK” in your ear while
she held you, as if she better understood your own unfamiliar demons, knew
intuitively the price of her own surrender and still you thrust away, telling
yourself that her gasps, her tortured rigidity, that they were the erotic fruit
of your prowess, that they stemmed from her pleasure and not her pain, knowing
the whole time that you should slow down, should back up, you should begin
again as her ally and not her conqueror, but Nirvana was too close, the perfume
of that longed for fantastical Elysium scenting the air in her musk, and so you
believed your own lies long enough to make those last thrusts, and exploded as
much in shame as in pleasure, with her holding you still, with her still saying
“It’s OK, It’s OK” trying to make you believe that you had not betrayed her,
that you had not crushed that fragile gift that she had so tremulously offered,
that you had not despoiled with greed and lust and selfish appetite not only
her moment, but your own, a moment that neither of you could have back, that could
have been a shared wonder, but that now, for her, would always be an wound of
regret and that for you would always be a thoughtless and brutal sin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should remember that. You should remember
your first time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What’s that Sabrina? Not THAT first time. Sorry. My bad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer camp, southern Wisconsin, July, 1967.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That break they made you take in the
afternoon, an hour in your bunk, the stream of activities – of fishing or
canoeing or archery or shooting – broken long enough to let you remember that
you were still a boy, just eight. That you were countless miles from home, away,
your family, from all familiar things, That, as fun as camp was, as capable as
you had already become with the mask of machismo, you were still just a kid who
missed your mom, who didn’t get a letter from home today, who wanted very much
to cry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But you had the book. Amazon Adventure by Willard Price. A
story with other kids, other adventures, rendered so truly, so perfectly to
your eight-year-old brain that this rectangle of cardboard and paper
anesthetized the pain of homesickness entirely, transformed that dreaded break
that had made you prey to your fears into a treasured hour, a refuge in each
day, where you could be away from not only your fears but from the stress of
being friends with these small, sometimes savage strangers, where you were god
of your own universe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Where you learned that books were magic, a balm, another
plane, a realm apart and to which you could transport yourself anytime you
liked, and to which you would now always partly belonged.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That was my first time, Sabrina. Not crime fiction, I guess.
That came later. But that was my first love, and if I had it here today, I
would open myself to it entirely in renewed surrender. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<em>Dan O'Shea is a Chicago-based crime writer. His debut novel, PENANCE, will be published by Exhibit A on April 30. You can preorder now or snap up his short fiction collection OLD SCHOOL from Snubnose Press if you're looking for a taste. Dan would be handsome for an older gent if he could just stop breaking his nose.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-48884194372537035752013-01-17T20:52:00.001-07:002013-01-17T20:52:39.863-07:00A Feeding Kate Anthology Update<span id="goog_1009992955"></span>So as many of you already know the Feeding Kate anthology is in the mail and currently landing on doorsteps across the globe. Here's a picture if you haven't seen a final copy yet...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2om8DKlrzY7fKqL3k3cDgZ0qtGRyc9Lqa4qiBTTsnU3p2_i9j_btsWI1HLTmfDYLQ6S36JS7bA8CRyLKqf1YLuEpriHVXSV2bvk0JZx-yfI37K3eQVXFGU4krSNVMZcemmW15rKdocG2/s1600/14775_4849026897060_976950203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2om8DKlrzY7fKqL3k3cDgZ0qtGRyc9Lqa4qiBTTsnU3p2_i9j_btsWI1HLTmfDYLQ6S36JS7bA8CRyLKqf1YLuEpriHVXSV2bvk0JZx-yfI37K3eQVXFGU4krSNVMZcemmW15rKdocG2/s320/14775_4849026897060_976950203_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Awwww... so pretty. Many thanks to all the contributors and to Laura Benedict, Laura K. Curtis, Neliza Drew and Clare Toohey for all the time you've put into making this anthology available. And many, many thanks to all the people that supported the charity and donated money to help with medicals bill. Please know that any money not used for my jaw will be distributed to the <a href="http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html">Lupus Foundation of America.</a><br />
<br />
As for the jaw... I was originally scheduled for surgery on November 16th, but after researching my surgeon and getting anxious at his willingness to agree to surgery without any x-rays or even an MRI, I decided, with the support of my spouse and friends, to seek another opinion.<br />
<br />
I met with my new surgeon at the end of October, had an MRI in November... had the results by the end of the month and new before December that surgery would not be in my future. The MRI revealed the damage that was done during the botched surgery in 1999. It looks like that surgeon removed cartilage, muscle and the entire jaw disc on the right side of my face. They have no explanation as to why he would do that, and it doesn't matter now, anyway. It can't be fixed, that much we know. <br />
<br />
But the problem that I'm having is with the left side. The MRI showed a displaced jaw disc and severe scar tissue build up from the previous surgeries. They suspect the problem I'm having isn't so much with the disc being out of position, but with the scar tissue that is breaking up and getting lodged inside the joint... causing cracking, creaking, grinding, and popping noises, preventing me from chewing for extended periods of time. Although surgery is possible on this side, it isn't a viable option since this would be the 4th procedure... increasing my risk of nerve damage, and not even guaranteeing the disc would stay in place because of the damage to the right side.<br />
<br />
The surgeon and I agree that the best course of action for my lovely face is jaw splint therapy. What? What's that? Jaw splint therapy is actually a really good option for people with TMJ problems. I've been given a jaw splint to wear... some people wear them 24 hours a day, having them adjusted periodically, and over time the splint helps push the dislocated disc into place. For me, they've decided to have me wear a splint only at night... mostly to prevent problems with grinding my teeth in my sleep. The splint will help keep me from putting too much pressure on the joint at night, and in conjunction with physical therapy to break up the scar tissue I should be able to fully regain motion in my jaw... keeping it in working order for many years to come.<br />
<br />
Of course keeping my jaw healthy will require sacrifices by me... I've been instructed to stop eating chocolate covered almonds. He also wanted to eliminate my bacon cheeseburger habit, but when I promised him I'd smash them down really good and only take small bites... he relented. Chocolate covered cinnamon bears are off the list too. This surgeon is killing me. He really is.<br />
<br />
So far things are going well. I started my splint therapy last week and I've already noticed a huge difference in the way my jaw feels and moves. I had to turn the splint back in for repairs already... apparently I grind my teeth in my sleep more than they realized. I bit a hole in it by the third night. The repair job didn't hold, though. I cracked the repaired piece off in my sleep, swallowing it and scraping my throat up trying to get it out. They've since decided to make me a new one. =) I'll be starting physical therapy next month... with the same physical therapist that helped me recover from my car accident in 1998. I can't wait for them to see how well I can walk these days... no more "baby steps" for me.<br />
<br />
And I've only hit one snag, maybe two, so far. My insurance paid their portion of the MRI, but have denied the bill for the radiologist that read the results. *rolls eyes* And of course the dental is fighting the cost of the splint... letters are being written and history is being collected... blah blah blah. My goal is to have them pay as much as possible. We'll see how that goes.<br />
<br />
Oh, and for kicks and giggles... here's a photo of the piece of resin (plastic thing) I swallowed. It's the size of my thumb nail with sharp, jagged edges. So lovely... these things only happen to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9rPNbJ6iXqTeVK6X_iiC6sLEX103tFtCtn9p-OKQCX9_c8MB_xZcYpXogJpEqSQES63y0HG43jx-eAJoN255D7IhYsEwDIVSJ-3JC6RcorhpsnWU1GpUWLphER3EsZIo7DQnhImhC93U/s1600/22646586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9rPNbJ6iXqTeVK6X_iiC6sLEX103tFtCtn9p-OKQCX9_c8MB_xZcYpXogJpEqSQES63y0HG43jx-eAJoN255D7IhYsEwDIVSJ-3JC6RcorhpsnWU1GpUWLphER3EsZIo7DQnhImhC93U/s400/22646586.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And, again... thank you all so much for the contributions and the support. I'll be forever thankful.<br />
<br />
Sabrina.Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-10380871185222548672013-01-14T08:15:00.000-07:002013-01-14T08:15:35.493-07:00My First Literary Love by Paige Shelton<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m pretty sure I have never read one other thing I thought
was as romantic as when Almanzo Wilder drove a horse drawn sleigh over the
frozen winter <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Dakota</st1:place></st1:state>
prairie to gather Laura Ingalls so she could spend the weekends with her
family. Sigh.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I probably read THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS, the eighth book in the Laura Ingalls
Wilder series, when I was eight or nine, and it is my favorite of the “Little
House” books. The courtship of Laura and Almanzo was the perfect first romance
for my little girl self.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
When Laura Ingalls began teaching – at the age of fifteen I should add (she
lied and said she was sixteen but that’s another story) – she took a position
in a one-room schoolhouse that was a long way from her family’s DeSmet, South
Dakota home. The couple she lived with proved to be a challenge – the woman was
mentally unstable and there were moments when Laura felt her life was in
danger. Laura eventually enjoyed teaching but she was never happy or
comfortable in that house. Every Friday during the long winter, Almanzo braved
the cold, the bitter prairie wind, and the dangerous icy plains just so Laura
could be with her own family in DeSmet, and then he’d take her back on Sundays.
I didn’t think that love could ever be better expressed. I fell hard. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
About five years ago I took a Laura Ingalls Wilder trip and
visited many of her homes. My last stop was at the home where Laura and Almanzo
lived most of their lives together in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mansfield</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Missouri</st1:state></st1:place>. There are some amazing
things to see in that house – a portrait of their daughter Rose, Laura’s pa’s
fiddle, Laura’s china, jars still containing some of Almanzo’s medications, and
so much more. But my favorite part of the house, of the trip in fact, was a
space that was probably about five feet by about ten feet. It was a nook off
the front and dining rooms. It had its own short walls. Inside that nook was
Laura’s library. Shelves full of books filled the space, and I could imagine
Laura venturing inside, finding a book, and then making her way to the window
seat at the front of the house where she used to sit and read. As I listened to
the tour guide explain that Almanzo had built this library for Laura because
she loved books so much, my heart, of course, swooned a little more, and I knew
that both Laura and I had picked the right guy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The best thing about literary crushes is that they are able
to live on forever and be visited again and again simply by opening a book. It
was great to meet Almanzo Wilder when I did, and I’m so glad that he was my
“first.” </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
Thank you, Sabrina! <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443074968594188177.post-61038885176111187702013-01-01T11:59:00.000-07:002013-01-11T10:44:23.806-07:00Happy New Year<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>** So the winner of the awesome bag of books never came forward. *sadness* I've sent him emails to the only email I could find... one belonging to a blog that hasn't had any activity since 2008. So with that, I've gone ahead and chosen another winner... Mr. Todd Robinson please send me your address. You can either DM me on Twitter or email it to me. And as soon as you contact me I'll get those books in the mail. Again, many thanks for participating. Enjoy the books, sir.</strong></em></span><br />
<i style="color: #544b40; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b></b></i><br />
<i style="color: #544b40; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b>*This contest is closed. The winner is James. James, please contact me via email and send me your address. Congratulations! And thank you all for participating! </b></i><br />
<br />
I spent my Christmas on Twitter gifting away some of my favorite reads of 2012. I gifted <i><b>Blackbirds</b></i> and <i><b>Mockingbird </b></i> by Chuck Wendig, <b><i>City of the Lost</i> </b>by Stephen Blackmoore, the latest copy of <b><i>Needle: A Magazine of Noir</i></b>, two copies of <b><i>Frank Sinatra in a Blender</i></b> by Matthew J. McBride, and <b><i>Dead Harvest</i></b> and <b><i>The Wrong Goodbye</i></b> by Chris F. Holm.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And since I spent Christmas gifting away some of my favorite reads, it makes perfect sense to spend the first day of 2013 gifting away a bag full of books. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, wait. What does this bag contain, you ask?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFUCWEvJWoBcrFpaC2NvFy0D4KmVAIrJnWC62zmJmNQ_r2w6dvsJg7ihmfkOVUpH1IjxeUUx8vrZ_1K7fzKwUU9cOpF7ziLkXKtiVL1qTyTcUqNIHzkhc5YIQgisHibidGaF3SPGcGCpY/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFUCWEvJWoBcrFpaC2NvFy0D4KmVAIrJnWC62zmJmNQ_r2w6dvsJg7ihmfkOVUpH1IjxeUUx8vrZ_1K7fzKwUU9cOpF7ziLkXKtiVL1qTyTcUqNIHzkhc5YIQgisHibidGaF3SPGcGCpY/s200/download+(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
City of the Lost by Stephen Blackmoore</div>
<div>
Dare Me by Megan Abbott</div>
<div>
This Dark Earth by John Hornor Jacobs</div>
<div>
Frank Sinatra in a Blender by Matthew J. McBride</div>
<div>
Last Call For the Living by Peter Farris</div>
<div>
the latest Needle: A Magazine of Noir </div>
<div>
and</div>
<div>
SHOTGUN HONEY: BOTH BARRELS</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And, remember... even if you've read all these great books and don't think you may need them, you're wrong. Just think of how many birthday gifts you'll have on hand for this year. Plus, if you can't use the books you can always use the lovely Shotgun Honey bag for your gym clothes... or something like that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go on, now. What are you waiting for?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #544b40; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><i><b>To be entered to win just leave a comment below. (US/Canada mailing addresses only. Sorry.) The contest will run through midnight MST on January 4th, at which time a winner will be selected via Random.org from all comments left.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Sabrina E. Ogdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192829855024267562noreply@blogger.com14