"Don't Worry. Be Happy" Week One

I’m sure most of you remember the peppy song that told the world “Don’t worry. Be happy.” Many of us thought it was corny the first time we heard it, but still grasped the underlying significance. Well, it’s time to start blasting it over the radio stations once again. In this economy, it is easy to drown in a pool of negative thoughts. Giving into depression isn’t going to help you, your family, or your creative energy – unless you’re writing about people in a state of depression.

Instead, let’s grasp onto every happy moment we can. One happy thought will lead to another and then to another. Before you know it, you’ll be smiling and others will smile back at you. It really works. I wish I could remember what I was thinking about, but I know I was smiling on my way into the grocery store and when I looked up a handsome man was smiling back at me. Okay, I probably blushed, but it was worth it. LOL

So smile! The holidays are about peace and joy. Let’s start spreading it!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting what I am doing to stay happy. I hope you’ll let us know what you are doing.


This past week I:

*Spent the holiday with family and friends. I made sure I treasured every second.

*Rented a funny movie – Get Smart is playing on the television at this very moment. I saw it in a theater and laughed throughout most of the movie. Steve Carell has a talent for making films both men and women enjoy. I love the Chuck Norris with a BB gun line.

*Bought a calendar that makes me feel good. Last year, I was drawn to the pictures in “Forces of Nature,” This year, I was in Barnes and Noble when “Jets,” put out by Silver Lining, called to me. I know that must seem strange to you, but I’m an Air Force brat. For as long as I can remember, every time I’ve heard jets overhead, I’ve had to stop what I was doing and watch them fly. January has a picture of a cool looking Stealth. (Okay, my age is showing.)

*Looked into the faces of happy children. I teach at a Title I school, so we are able to give the students free breakfast in the classroom. Every day, I tell each child “Good morning,” and hand over their spork/napkin package. This past week (before Thanksgiving break), I waited for them to make eye contact, so it was even more personal. They smile and melt your heart. I love starting the day, knowing I gave each child individual attention. Tell the child in your life (if one have one) that you love him/her and make sure they are looking you in the eyes when you say it.

*Received another angel for my Christmas tree. Okay, I didn’t have control over receiving it, but I have admired its beauty several times since. Find something in your home that makes you feel good whenever you glance at it and make a point of doing so every day.

*Watched several sunsets. There is so much beauty in nature. Every day, I admire the cloud formations in the sky, and when I’m home, I lean against the back porch railing and gaze upon the spectacular colors in the AZ sky at sunset. There is a spot between two apartment buildings across the street where I can see the colors just beyond the silhouette of palm trees. I also love storms. Not too long ago, I stood on the porch in my socks, while drinking coffee, and watched the hail hit the cement floor all around me. It was the closest thing to snow I had seen in years. An hour earlier, I had seen a hummingbird flying close to a woodpecker in the pine tree six feet away. I hope it was a woodpecker, if not it was a psycho bird hitting its head against the trunk of the tree. “Why did I eat that worm? Why did I eat that worm?”

Now I am going to make myself feel really good by eating a slice of pumpkin pie.
What are you going to do to feel good? Keep it clean. (Unless I kinow you, then you can whisper it to me at the Valley of the Sun party. LOL)

Tina LaVon

How Do You Like Your Turkey?

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I got to thinking of some strange Thanksgivings I've had over the years. Since my life is pretty tame, I suspected that there were others out there that had stranger things happen, particularly when in came to frozen turkeys. Well, below are a couple of bizarre frozen turkey stories. Hope I'm able to garner a chuckle or two.

Don't swing your frozen turkey around in the grocery store! You may get in more trouble than you bargained for.

A California woman is suing for injuries she suffered when she was hit by a frozen turkey.
According to a lawsuit, the plaintiff was in the checkout lane at a grocery store in Medford two days before Thanksgiving—when she was struck by a 20-pound turkey.

A stocker at the store was trying to pass the turkey from one checkout lane to another. The stocker is being sued as being negligent in:

(a) In swinging the turkey about in an area where shoppers and others were present;
(b) In failing to look around before and during swinging the turkey;
(c) In failing to control his movements; and
(d) In failing to exercise caution while swinging the turkey."


The plaintiff is seeking $3,200 for medical expenses and an undetermined sum for pain and suffering.

Just make sure you watch out for swinging turkey in your local grocery store!

Don't ever try microwaving a frozen turkey while on the lam.

A Canadian fugitive who was on the lam for two years for murder was captured in New Mexico during a burglary when he attempted to cook a frozen turkey in an office microwave oven. Aparently he undercooked the turkey to where he was physcially sick. When he went to the restroom, he accidentally locked the door behind him and could not get out before the police arrived.

Just how badly do you want that last turkey for the dinner table?

Two women at a grocery store in South Wales grabbed for the last turkey at a store and got into a tussle with only one being the winner. Later in the parking lot, the woman who lost out on the turkey yelled at the older woman that she hoped she burnt the bird. The other woman didn't take kindly to her shouting and attacked the shopper, going as far as tearing out clumps of her hair.

Hmmm... I think I'll take ham instead.

Class: Happy Hookers! Engaging the Reader from Start to Finish

Class: Happy Hookers!: Engaging the Reader from Start to Finish
Instructor: Terry Spear
Dates: December 1-31, 2008

Registration Deadline: December 1, 2008
Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others
Registration Form: http://heartsthroughhistory.com/classreg.htm
FMI: HHRW Campus Coordinator: classes@heartsthroughhistory.com

Class Description:

Slow starts and sleepy endings to scenes and chapters can ruin a
manuscript's chance of being published. Conversely, solid hooks can
make the sale -- as workshop intructor Terry Spear, with six
publishers currently hooked for six manuscripts, demonstrates.
Setting such practical matters aside, what author wouldn't be
thrilled to hear someone say, "I couldn't put the book down"? Strong
hooks are a vital ingredient in strong writing. In this online class,
which features lectures, discussion, practical exercises, and
handouts, she'll teach students how to captivate readers with great
openings, scene hooks, chapter cliff hangers, and intriguing back
cover blurbs. Participants will master the hook in all its
environments, from the query letter through the novel.

Bio:

Terry Spear currently has six publishers hooked for six manuscripts.
Visit her at www.terryspear.

com.

Format: Course is conducted via Yahoo Groups email with lessons and
Q&A

And the winner is....

The winner for Jordan's book is Karin. Please contact Kim at kwatters 21 at hotmail.com (no spaces) to collect your prize. Thanks.

An Attitude of Gratitude

"Be in an Attitude of Gratitude."


One of the reasons I like to watch The Secret DVD is it reminds me of the power of positive thinking. It also reminds me to be thankful for what I have every day, not just when the fourth Thursday of November rolls around. (I haven't really decided what I want my future to look like yet, so the rest of its message will need to wait.)

During these difficult times, we need to remember we do have a lot to be thankful for. It doesn't matter what's on the table or under the tree, but who is sharing the day with you.

It's time to get that pen out and start jotting down all of the reasons you know you are blessed.

I'll start.

I am thankful:
*I have wonderful friends and family who love and encourage me. I can't even begin to explain how much they mean to me.
*My daughter is graduating college this school year. (I am so proud of her. Choosing not to remarry while I raised her was the right decision for us.)
*I have a classroom full of angelic children who brighten my workday.
*God has shown his presence in my life repeatedly.
*I have reconnected with old friends who enrich my life, and I hope more of them find me this next year.
*I am happier than I have ever been.
*Instead of suffering from "The Empty Nest Syndrome," I've found myself again. (The woman hidden beneath the writer, teacher, mother…)
*Extra weight I held onto like a shield is falling off with minimal effort.
*I recognize that I'm entering a new chapter of my life - one full of miracles and exciting possibilities. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I asked my blogging partners what they were thankful for.

I caught Kim Watters between her many duties. It was short and sweet, but says it all:
“I'm thankful for my family and friends.”

Carol Webb is also thankful for the many blessings in her life:
“I'm truly grateful for my two daughters who are turning into wonderful, warm, and caring young women. I'm deeply honored to be their mother. They have given me such a different perspective on life compared to if I'd been without children. My friends add another deep layer to my life. They've been there through the tears and laughter, listened and given advise when I needed it and they've done it all because they cared. I can only hope to return the favor.
I have a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, far more than many on this earth and for that I am deeply humble.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with abundance.”

Kathryne Kennedy had this to say:

"I have many blessings I'm thankful for, including a wonderful family and the support of so many friends (the ladies of this blog foremost). I'm grateful for having found such a supportive publisher for my writing, a place where I feel a part of a family with an editor who cares about me as a person. I'm thankful for every letter I get from my readers. In many ways, my writing has helped me get through a difficult year of personal health issues for me and my family. So most of all, I thank God for the gift of my imagination."

Now it's your turn.
What are you thankful for?



Have an awesome Thanksgiving holiday!
Tina LaVon

Interview with Jordan Summers

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Jordan Summers. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Red. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Red is a near-future, post-apocalyptic fairytale based loosely on Little Red Riding Hood.

Red is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

It’s the heroine’s nickname in the book. It doesn’t come from her hair color. It comes from how much blood she spills on the job.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

It’s what I like to read and watch in movies. Seemed rather natural given my love of monsters or creatures that people consider monsters.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The idea for the book came from one question. What if Little Red Riding Hood and the Big, Bad Wolf turned out to be the same person?

What are your favorite fantasy research books, and why?

My book of angels, book of demons, encyclopedia of vampires and werewolves, and a crypto-zoology book. I like them because they have a lot of good information about the mythology behind various creatures. I also read things like the mating habits of wolves and lions, etc. It helps when creating beings that are more animalistic than the average human.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I actually really liked my lab created vampire, Raphael Vega. He’s got a quirky sense of humor.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and world affect your character development?

I actually ‘hear’ a character first in my head. Sometimes I know who’s talking, while other times it takes days to figure it out. Once I have enough dialogue written down, then I may go back and do character sheets. I do find interviews helpful, when I’m stuck in a story section. That said, I do them a little differently. Instead of asking interview questions, I ask specific characters to tell me the story from start to finish. (ie what happened?) It helps that it’s in their point of view because everyone sees things differently. Information I might not have had pops up during these types of interviews.

Well, the world you develop affects every character inhabiting it. Not necessarily their development, but certainly their actions. In my case, the dead world that Red lives on is harsh. Food is scarce, so the wild animals who managed to survive will hunt anything. That includes people. You can’t survive long without supplies. There are communal bathing areas in most cities, so modesty doesn’t really exist. Most people have been genetically modified in the womb to withstand the higher radiation levels from sunlight. There are certain things in my Dead World books that are simply a way of life and my characters accept them as such.

How do you go about building your world? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

I build my world through characterization. The characters ALWAYS come first in my books. I don’t use props like maps, charts, or drawings. The world blooms around my characters, not the other way around.

For example: Red began speaking to me first. When I met her, I knew she was scared. Something had woken her from a deep sleep. I didn’t realize the book was set in the near-future until she reached over to her steel nightstand and grabbed a laser pistol. At that point, I interrupted her and asked where she was located. Turns out she was inside an officer’s dorm room at the International Police Tactical Team headquarters. Could’ve knocked me over with a feather. *g*

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Several. The authors who got me interested in writing are Virginia Henley, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Johanna Lindsey. I loved their early work. Still do. I was also inspired by Lynn Viehl, Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Christine Warren, Lori Foster, Simon Green, John Scalzi, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, and Kelley Armstrong.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Bookseller mailings are by far the most successful promotional tool in my opinion. I bought Pat Rouse’s list and sent advanced reader copies to several booksellers. I also sent out bookmarks. I’ve been surprised at the response I have received via email from them.

What do we have to look forward next?

The second book in the Dead World trilogy, SCARLET will be released in June 09. It will be followed by CRIMSON in November 09. The third and final book wraps up the love story that started in RED.

Thanks, Jordan Summers!

To celebrate her book release, Jordan is offering a free ebook of Atlantean’s Quest: The Arrival to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio:

Jordan Summers finished her first book in 2002 and immediately entered the ‘Daphne Du Maurier’ contest. The novel finaled in the single title mystery/suspense category and later was a finalist in the ‘Finally a Bride’ contest. She wrote her second book, Atlantean’s Quest: The Arrival that same year and sold it to Ellora’s Cave in October 2002. She’s written nine books for Ellora’s Cave and has enjoyed success with her Atlantean’s Quest Series and her Phantom Warriors’ series.

Missing the thrill of writing contests, Jordan entered the 2003 Lori Foster/ Kensington Brava contest and won the Reader’s Choice. The win led to a multi-book contract from Kensington Publishing. She also won the 2005 Harlequin Blaze published author contest. Her Blaze book, OFF LIMITS came out in March 2008. Jordan went on to land a three-book deal with Tor in October of 2006. RED is the first book in her new trilogy and was released November 4, 2008. It will be followed by SCARLET in June 2009 and CRIMSON in November 2009.

Check out author’s website at www.jordansummers.com . Buy Red at http://www.amazon.com/Red-Jordan-Summers/dp/0765359146/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227141187&sr=1-1.

2nd Annual Southeast Regional Library Author Panel

Kim Watters is speaking at Desert Dreams Romance Writer's of America's 2nd Annual Southeast Regional Library Author Panel. Come by and say hi.
Date:
November 22, 20081-4 PM
Place:
Southeast Regional Library775 N Greenfield Rd Gilbert, AZ 85234602-652-3000 Website Panels at 1 PM and 2:30 PM with book signings immediately following.
Featured authors:
Kim Watters, CC Harrison, Eden Robins, Calista Fox, Annette Mahon, Erin Quinn, Rox Denny Fox, Cathy McDavid, Linda Style, Pamela Tracy