End Of Year Clearance - All Junk Must Go...

Well, we're in the final stretch!

The bottom of the ninth, two outs, full count.

We have finally reached it.

The end is in sight.

The final days of 2013.

Time to get ready for the new!

If you've not done so already. It's time for you to clear the junk out of your life. Be it people or things.

Before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st it ALL has to GO!!!

Time to rid yourself of clothes you're no longer going to wear. Appliances/gadgets you're no longer using. Broken items in your house. All those old plastic bags from the grocery store.

Time to rid yourself of old mindsets. Old goals. Past failures. Bad behaviors. Stinkin' Thinkin'

Time to rid yourself of certain types of people:

Negative people--The ones always telling you it's never going to work out. You can't do it. You can't have it. It's not possible.

Gossips--People who talk about you behind your back. Not supportive. Envious. Jealous.

Liars--No further explanation needed.

Reporters--These types of people may be found on Facebook. They never say anything to you, but read all your posts & gossip about them. Steal your pictures and send them to other people in order to gossip.

Takers--These types of people take, take & take some more. Leaving you physically & emotionally drained.

THROW IT ALLLL OUT!!! IT ALLLL HAS TO GO!!! SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR!!!

Regards, Be Blessed, Sincerely, Best Wishes, Buh-Bye, Tootles, Yours Truly, Take Care, & May The Force Be With You!

xoxoxo

Beth

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I just wanted to give you all a Christmas wish!

I pray you all have a great time gathering with family & friends.

I also pray that you remember the real meaning of Christmas.

It's not how much money you spend on toys that the kids will only play with for a few hours before pushing them aside. The expensive jewerly, clothes, electronic devices that some may have gone into debt to get.

Remember, the real meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!

To you that have lost loved ones and you enter into this time with heavy hearts. I send out Love & Hugs to you and pray the peace of God covers you like a warm embrace!

Merry Christmas!

xoxox

~Beth~

Year End Crunch... Make It Happen!

Well, it's the final month of the year. How are you doing with your goals? Have you completed them all?

I'm behind schedule. Darn my lofty goals! I'm trying to finish another manuscript and have a rough draft of the next by December 31st.

Oh, me, oh, my!

This year has flown by. Not sure if it's because I'm getting older or what...but time sure seems to pass quickly.

So back to those goals? It's now crunch time. Time to focus, focus, FOCUS!!! If not, you'll have to put them on next years calendar. We don't want that to happen. You want new stuff for the new year. Not any old cling-on items from the previous year!

 (and that would be cling-on and not Klingon)

What goals did you have written down in January? Pull out that list (dust it off) and read through it. Did you get any of them completed? If so, CELEBRATE!

If not. The next step is to put a plan together. Something you can stick with each day.

Who's with me? Time to press through and get er' done!

Time to make it happen!

For The Love Of Fruitcake...

Random post...

Fruitcake -  \ˈfrüt-ˌkāk\  a very sweet cake that contains nuts, fruits, and spices.

Blech! Yuck! Phooey!

It's the wee hours of the morning (4:15AM) and I'm working on a manuscript. Suddenly, I have a random thought about fruitcake.

Why? I'm not sure because I HATE fruitcake. It's one of those items that's been consistently on my Top Ten Most Hated/Despised things.

It's been said that only two things will survive a nuclear explosion--cockroaches & Twinkies. However, I'd like to add fruitcake to that list.

Thinking back over my life. I've not tasted fruitcake since I was a child, and yet just the mere mention of it brings back the full flavors to my memory. That sweet cake, gooey nuts and the worst part were those gummy/chewy pieces of dried fruit & candied candy? or were those pieces of fruit?

Beth's Top Ten Least Favorite Foods
10. Beets
9. Steamed Okra
8. Sardines
7. Calamari
6. Kidney Beans
5. Tofu
4. Candy Corn (not really considered food, but I still don't like it)
3. Catfish
2. Creamed Chipped Beef On Toast
1. FRUIT CAKE!

I've not checked the fruitcake polls lately. Someone is eating those things. My mother is a fan of them, but I seriously believe she is the only person that I know.

Do you eat fruitcake? Are you still hoarding the one you received as a Christmas gift last year? Are you re-gifting them to your co-workers during the White Elephant gift exchange?

We can take our own poll below...

Are you a fan of fruitcake?

Grape Bubblegum Anniversary & EPIC eBook Award Finalist...

Saturday, Oct 19, 2013 marks the 1 year anniversary of my very first published book -- Grape Bubblegum  AND today I received word that it is one of the finalists in the EPIC's eBook competition! The winners will be announced during the annual conference in San Antonio, TX March 2014

YAY!! WOO HOO!! HAPPY DANCE!!

 

So, as part of the celebration I thought I'd repost the birth of a story from last year :)

Today is the day that I've been waiting for since June 2005. **tosses confetti into the air** That was the month I started writing my first book GRAPE BUBBLEGUM!

I've always wanted to write a book, but kept putting it off. Finally, one day while my daughter was home on one of her college breaks, she convinced me to just sit down and write and that's what I did. That day while eating a sandwich in my car at Schlotzky's Deli I grabbed a napkin and a red pen (it was the only one available in my car) I saw a young teen in my mind, crying in front of a mirror.  I started scribbling...

 
It's been through several revisions and at one point, even placed in the 'never-to-see-the-light-of-day-folder' But it's here!

I'm so excited to share GRAPE  BUBBLEGUM with you!

When hair dye goes wrong, falsies escape during pep rallies, and friends turn to the dark side, Beatrice's 8th-grade year can only be saved by grape bubblegum kisses.
13-year-old Beatrice Peppercorn's heart's desires are to finish her final year in middle school, win the heart of her cutie pie crush and take home the trophy for the spelling competition. Simple, right? Not when Beatrice's arch nemesis gets in her way and a new kid arrives--turning her world upside down.

 

Purchase Links:

Musa Publishing

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Writer Website

Author Interview--Clara Bowman-Jahn

Hello All, Today, I'd like to introduce to you--Author Clara Bowman-Jahn

About: 

Clara Bowman-Jahn worked as a registered nurse for thirty two years finally trading that job for her true love, writing. Clara’s short stories have been published in two anthologies,”Campainer Challenges 2011,” and “The ‘I’ Word.” She is also the author of “Annie’s Special Day” a children’s picture book.

When Clara is not writing, she does volunteer work for a local elementary school and her church. She also likes taking long walks with her husband, blogging, and reading books. She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Pennwriters, Bethesda Writer’s Center and Round Hill Writer’s Group. She lives in rural Loudoun County, Virginia with her brilliant husband, and two cats. She is the proud mother of two wonderful grown sons and a grandmother to a delightful grandson.

What are you working on now? 

A longer project than picture books, a book length project.  

What process in writing is hardest for you? 

Marketing.

What process in writing is the most enjoyable for you? 

Just writing is most enjoyable. Free writing without care of typos or grammar. The first draft is always the most fun. 

Are you pantser or a plotter?  

In this recent project I will definitely outline. The panster is taking time off.

How did you come up with your storyline, or what inspired you to write Annie's Special Day?   

I was sick in bed early in the morning listening to the birds wake up and I wanted to have a character listen to it. To hear it so to speak. So there came my idea. 

When is your favorite time to write? 

Early in the morning before my husband gets up.

What is your favorite snack while writing? 

It takes both hands to type or write my journal so I don't eat but do drink sodas. My most favorite is Zero cherry coke. Yummy.

Buy Links:   

eTreasures Publishing (Print)

eTreasures Publishing (ebook)

Amazon

Contact:

website
blog

facebook 

twitter

Never Stop Trying...

The temptation to quit 

will be greatest 

just before 

you are about to succeed.

9/11

Today prayers are going up everywhere in remembrance of the 9/11 attack. The police officers, firemen, military, medics,  people who became hero's that day and we'll never hear their name mentioned. Thank you!

My heart is heavy for the victim's family, the people who are forever scarred from the attack. Although I didn't know anyone personally that was killed or injured, my heart goes out to them. I will never forget that day. An ordinary day. I went to work, got my coffee, started my day. Then my co-worker comes in and says "Did you hear what happened?" I turned on the radio, started reading the reports on the internet and watching the new reports in disbelief. As I sat watching the news reporter telling of the events, in the background the 2nd plane hit.

It was a surreal moment...this isn't happening?

The building I worked in closed down for the day. People were in a panic. I remember so many people running around in fear, the feeling of sadness as I walked to my car and began driving home. I worked near the DFW airport and it was an eerie feeling as I drove past the airport and saw no planes coming or going. Even the sky seemed to have a strange orange tint to it. No on was speeding on the hwy, but had a dazed look on their faces.

I got home and watched the news and cried. I remember praying for the President, NYC, and all the people involved in rescue.

I will never forget that day nor will I ever forget how the United States pulled together  and supported each other. It didn't matter the race, creed, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or health condition. Everyone pulled together.

I won't watch any of the memorials on TV replaying the images/video's of that day. They're still fresh in my mind and I'm sure they'll remain that way.

Praying for the nation.

Author Interview--Cher Green

Hello All, Today, I'd like to introduce to you--Author Cher Green!

About:

Cher Green writes in many genres, spanning from horror to romance. Her work has appeared in various magazines and anthologies. She has also authored two paranormal romance novellas, Escape to Love and Seduced by Darkness, and a children’s book, The Sacrifice.

What are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on a paranormal novel. A woman discovers she has the ability to communicate with spirits, an ability she's had since childhood, but has pushed to the darkest corners of her mind. Her newly discovered ability comes with a task, one which could save the world, or destroy it if she fails.

What process in writing is hardest for you?

Honestly, the hardest part is getting the time into the project. I have a full-time day job and many other interests other than writing. I do my best to allow time for every aspect but sometimes it can be overwhelming.

What process in writing is the most enjoyable for you? 
I really enjoy the whole process, but if I had to choose one it would be the first draft. Watching the creation grow is the most exciting thing about writing for me.

Are you panster or a plotter?

I'm a little of both, but the first draft is usually in panster mode. After that's complete, I usually turn to plotting to work out any bugs.

How did you come up with your storyline, or what inspired you to write The Sacrifice?

I was in a writing group, and we worked on a new prompt each month. For this story, the prompt was a fairy tale. During these type of exercises, I don't worry about the results, I focus mainly on letting go and allowing my muse to take the lead. Some of my best stories have come from little exercises such as prompts, whether it's within a group or a personal writing session. I didn't  think much about this little tale, but eventually I went back and expanded on it. It took quite a while to find a home for it. I originally sent it out as a short story to numerous magazines. A children's book hadn't crossed my mind until it was suggest by one of the editors at eTreasures. 

When is your favorite time to write?

I don't have a certain time I write, although I'm sure it would be helpful, if it were possible. My days are never the same, so it's hard to set up a working schedule. I write whenever I can fit it in. My only condition is it has to be quiet. I'm able to block out distractions if necessary with classical music, but I still find it slightly distracting. Perfect silence is my best time to write.

What is your favorite snack while writing?

Peanut M&Ms

Buy Links:

eTreasures Publishing

Contact:

Website 
Blog
Twitter 
Facebook

Thanks for visiting, Cher!!!

Author Interview--J.D. Pooker

Today, I would like to introduce to you--Author J.D. Pooker

A fellow author with eTreasures Publishing :)

About:

J.D. Pooker lives in wonderful Wyoming with her husband and two sons, along with a black lab named Ryder and a sweet kitty named Alia. J.D. likes to spend time with her family and go camping, fishing, and snowmobiling.

My sons are the inspiration for writing children's stories. I want to encourage them to be readers and show them how powerful and exciting the imagination can be.  I want them to see that countless worlds exist, and all it takes to get there is a good book.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a nonfiction project about zombies.  I have always been fascinated with the creatures, and I’ve been wanting to write about them for a while, but I could never figure out what I wanted to say.  After watching World War Z, I figured it out. 

What process in writing is hardest for you?

Promotion.  I don’t have any time.  Between working a full-time job and taking care of a family, I have very little time to talk about my books like I want to

What process in writing is the most enjoyable for you?

I know a lot of people hate editing, but I really enjoy it.  Partly because I freelance edit, but also because when you get to that stage, the hard part is over.  The story is on the page, it just needs to be tweaked.  It’s a great feeling to know it’s one step closer to being finished.

Are you pantser or a plotter?            

Pantser, although some plotting takes place in my head before I sit down at the computer to type.  The most exciting part, though, it seeing where my characters take me.  After all, it’s their story, I’m just typing it for them.

How did you come up with your storyline, or what inspired you to write The Ifs?

I had a dream about catching a small man in a jar and feeding it spaghetti.  When I woke up, the idea stuck with me.  My boys were pretty young at the time, but I wanted to write an adventure story for them, so I expanded the dream and imagined how my kids would react to the situation.

When is your favorite time to write?

Again, I have very limited time to write, so I squeeze it in whenever I can.  My favorite time to write would be all day every day, but that doesn’t happen.

What is your favorite snack while writing?

I don’t usually snack while I’m writing.  I have to keep my hands free to type.  But I usually have a glass of ice water near me.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Little Devil Books

Also check out:

There's a Monster in Mommy's Tummy

Mr. Chocolate and the Magic Js