A-fictionally-yours

*********

Observations

Maria sat in the booth of the hotel’s lounge, nursing her drink and checking her phone for email every few seconds.  She was on another business trip, sitting in another hotel bar, and drinking yet another watered-down gin and tonic.  This was her life, five days a week on the road.  She’d been locked in the same routine for ten years now, never really having an incentive to change.

Most of the time, Maria barely noticed other patrons from the bars, but tonight was different.  The whole room seemed to take on a new life when a certain woman walked in.  Maria noticed her immediately.  She wore a dark blue business suit, tight skirt, and four-inch black pumps. Her flaming red hair was done-up in a French-twist. Wisps of hair had escaped and were hanging seductively over her face.  She was stunning and Maria felt things stir inside of her that had been dead a very long time.

The redhead walked with self-confidence and attitude, seeming to know that she would catch everyone’s eye wherever she went.  She certainly had caught Maria’s undivided attention.  “She could make my night so much more interesting,” thought Maria.  Smiling to spite herself, Maria gulped her drink, and immediately got up and walked over to the bar to order another.  The woman was seated at the bar, her long legs crossed in such a fashion that couldn’t help but draw an appreciative eye. 

“Another gin and tonic, please,” said Maria.  She unobtrusively looked over at the woman and nodded hello.

The woman smiled and said, “Hello.  You probably should order a double.  They water the drinks down here.”  The woman smiled and shifted her position to indicate she would welcome conversation.

Maria sat down on the stool beside her and said, “Thanks. I’ll do that. I need the buzz. Been a long week.  Are you here on business?”

The woman said, “No I’m meeting my husband.  Or rather my ex-husband as of today.  We’re going to celebrate our divorce.  Is that weird?”  The woman laughed, and Maria was fixated on her full lips and bright teeth. Then she extended her perfectly manicured hand to Maria and said “My name is Susan, by the way.  Nice to meet you.”

So Susan was freshly divorced and probably not looking for new adventures at this juncture in her life.  Too bad.  Maria would just have to enjoy this woman’s charming company for a little while and then go back to her gin and tonic, and her email.  

“I’m Maria,” she offered, and took Susan’s hand gently, probably holding on a little too long.  However, Susan didn’t pull her hand away, but rather smiled and looked at Maria with unmistaken curiosity.

“Hi Maria.  Are you married?”

“No.  I think I may be allergic to marriage.  Besides that, I’m gay and it’s not legal, so that gives me an out,” said Maria.  She let out a nervous laugh and thought it really didn’t sound like her at all.  Why was she trying so hard to impress this woman?  Was she a glutton for punishment? 

Susan’s right eyebrow rose in the most alluring manner as Maria's infatuation increased.  She really was breathtaking.  How could her husband ever have consented to divorce?

Susan didn’t skip a beat. “Well you’re not as safe as you may think. Gay marriage is right around the corner, you know.  And as gorgeous as you are, women will be lining up!”  Having delivered the compliment, Susan reached over and put a hand on Maria’s shoulder.

Tiny bursts of pleasure rocked through Maria’s body, even though the show of affection was obviously only a token offering of friendship.  Whatever it was, Maria felt it and wanted more.

Maria smiled at Susan. “Thanks.  I hope I live long enough to see such a day!  But in the meantime, I’m not looking.  Too much baggage and pain.  Being in love takes a lot out of me.”

“I hear ya!” said Susan, and then she downed her drink. Her phone chirped and she picked it up to check a new text message. 

“Well it looks like my brand new ex is not gonna show tonight.  He obviously can’t wait to start his new life."  This didn't seem to bother her that much as she looked over at Maria.  "Can I buy you another drink?”  She waved the bartender over.

“I’d like that,” said Maria. She said a silent thank you to Susan's ex.

“And let’s get a booth.  What the hell.  I’m ready to start my new life too!” exclaimed Susan.

Maria smiled as she followed her voluptuous new friend over to the booth in the corner.  The night was still young and she had a new spark of energy.  

Susan looked up at her and suggested, “Scoot in over here by me. No need to sit way over there.”

Maria sat down next to Susan.  She put her phone in her purse and took a drink.  Emails could wait.

 *********

I don't even know what I don't know

This week I reached another one of my “come to Jesus” or “shut up and suck it up” moments.  It was a moment of discovery and a lesson in humility.  It was hard to swallow, a gag-reflex, if you will.  Not to be confused with the standard lesbian affliction.  But that’s another subject. 

Today I speak to “an author’s first edit”.  Yes, that sobering moment when the editor of your very first soon-to-be-published work tells you that you actually made some grammatical and punctuation errors.

What the Fuck?

You mean I’m not perfect?  Oh my gosh, was I ever embarrassed.  I had heard of this first, most clarifying and peel back my skin and suck out my heart revealing moment, but hadn’t realized the impact it would have on the pristine image I held of myself. 

I was taken aback.

I was jolted into reality.

Had stupidity always been my middle name or had I only recently acquired this distinction when I decided to be a serious writer?

All those thoughts of self-doubt and fantasies of fingers around editor’s throat  realization that I wasn’t being  “all that” after all….well they flooded my brain and what was left of the few brain cells I possessed just disintegrated into a virtual Grammar 101 abyss. 

Whew.  It just about did me in.

But here’s the thing.

Once the waters parted, and the dark clouds circling my head dissipated, I actually heard my editor.  I didn’t just listen.  I heard what she was saying.

Even a gifted golden goddess of gab, goofiness and the written word, such as myself, needs a little direction now and then.  Being the stubborn, control freak that I am, this was a real breakthrough for me. 

And my editor’s still alive.   That’s a plus.

So bring it, Karla.  Give it to me straight (another really tough direction for me).  Let me have it. 

Because I know you love me and you want my Stuff to Shine.

Now I’m going to do some research on “modifiers”.  Apparently I mixed some up or misplaced some or some kinda shit.  I have forgotten way more than I remember about grammar.  Thank gosh for my editor! 

My advice?  And you know you want some, don’t you?   My advice is to listen to your editor.  She’s got skills, people, and you can reap the benefits of her knowledge.  So shut up and take it like a woman.

Now go out there and have yourself a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! 

*******

And while you’re at it, take a minute to remember and reflect on those Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors who have served and are still serving you and our great country.  And if you are or have been one of those military personnel?  Thank you for your Service!

Image from Google Images

One for the Books

Sometimes I get all excited.  But then sometimes I get downright giddy.  Today, I’m excited and giddy all at the same time.  And why?  Because one of my favorite people is “in the house”.  Karla Telega, my bloggy buddy for almost two years now, is a woman of many talents:  blogger, author, humorist, CFO of her own company, and all-around nice person.  And you know what else?  She’s here to make an announcement!  And it involves yours truly, so listen up people. This is going to be good! 

 And now, please join me in welcoming the lovely Karla..

 One for the Books

My thanks to Terri for inviting me to introduce a relative newcomer on the Indie/Small Press Publishing scene. I’m co-founder and part owner of Escrit Lit, LLC, and its premier imprint, Adoro Books.

Let me share a few realities about publishing. Seventeen new books are published each hour in the U.S. alone. That’s 408 books per day. If you’re thinking about an indie/small press publisher to give you that extra push to get your book noticed, you should know that most new indie publishers close their doors within six months of incorporation.

I know of a small press that was recently caught stealing art from the web to use on its cover designs. The company had been pumping out books by the dozens for unsuspecting authors. Can you imagine the legal nightmare?!

Indie publishing has very little regulation, and business models are as innovative and varied as you can imagine. If you strip away all the window-dressing, the question is still, “Where is the money?” Is the publisher asking you, the author for money, or is he paying you? You know that a publisher who is paying the author has a vested interest in the success of the book. He doesn’t get paid till the author gets paid.

So far, in our first year Adoro has only published seven new titles. That might seem rather uninspiring, but it’s all part of the company’s business plan. Unlike book mills, that crank out more books than they could possibly ever market, Adoro is committed to turning out a quality product and getting it into the readers’ hands. We’re excited to announce that our current project is Terri’s own novella, Sara’s Sleep.

Those of you who have been following Terri’s blog know what an outstanding storyteller she is. We’d like to invite you to an online launch party for Sara’s Sleep on July 1. Watch for details here, or you can go to Terri’s author page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TerriSonoda and show her some “like” love over there. I’m personally thrilled that Terri has put her faith in Adoro Books to help others discover her amazing writing.

You can learn more about Adoro Books at our website    http://adorobooks.com/

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Karla, thank you for gracing my place with your guest posting, for considering my work publish-worthy, and for being my friend.  

Please visit Karla over at her blog titled “Telega Tales and Tart Cookies” and check out her awesome and hilarious book, Box of Rocks.

Images courtesy of Karla Telega

Eva's Got a New Book!

Many of you may know of the very entertaining blogger Eva Gallant from Wrestling With Retirement.  But?   How many of you know that she has published several eBooks?   Well she has and I’m dedicating this blog post to singing her praises.

***

Eva’s newest book, Welcome to Singles’ Night, is her best yet, in my humble opinion.  This book is a helluva romp that takes the reader through fun, romance, excitement and yes, even one-niters. It left me with a feeling that I was part of it all and also triggered some fond memories of my long ago party life. Young adults to old whippersnappers will enjoy this read.

The action takes place in a bottle club called ‘Country Connections’ where anything can happen on Singles Night and usually does.  The singles frequent the establishment for various reasons from seeking a life partner to just finding a one-night stand.  Sandy, Liz and Ginger become regulars looking for fun and sometimes flirting with danger.  They meet and interact with a variety of men from different backgrounds and with different intentions, and not all honorable.   This book is a fun and exciting romp from beginning to end.

***

Eva Gallant’s Biography: Eva Gallant is a Maine native, a retiree, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. She was a teacher in public schools for 17 years, and spent most of the rest of her career in banking and finance.

Writing has always been a part of her life, whether freelancing for small town newspapers, or writing for her personal enjoyment. The latter led her to blogging. She started her blog Wrestling With Retirement in 2009 and has posted nearly every day since the first post.

 ***

Eva has five books published on Kindle: The Blogger's Fictionary, Hospitalized and Heartstruck, Assorted Verse and Worse, Welcome to Singles' Night,  and The Best of Wrestling With Retirement. She is working on more books, hoping to add to her book shelf selection. Some of her writing is in the humorous vein, although she also enjoys writing fiction.

Click here to view more information about Eva Gallant’s books and purchase copies on Amazon.

***

Thank you, Eva, for providing daily entertaining reading over at Wrestling With Retirement and for sharing your humor and fiction for us to enjoy!  

Everyone hurry on over to visit Eva at her place and also grab your copy of her latest book, Welcome to Singles’ Night.   You can thank me later.  Or now.   I’m flexible that way.

Welcome to my place Pamela Hutchins!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting a fabulous woman who is about as busy as any woman could ever get.  Pamela is an attorney, Mom, wife, writer, author, Indie publisher, and the list goes on and on.  She’s also one of the sweetest ladies on the blogosphere.  I’ve know Pamela for almost two years now…as long as I’ve been blogging.  We’ve been bloggy buddies.  She’s helped me with important research for my studies and been a friend I could lean on, even though I’ve never met her. 

Today she’s going to talk about Indie publishing, something I will be venturing into in the near future.  She’s also just published five new books and busy writing more.  Whew!  Makes me tired just thinking about it all.

Ok, Pamela take it away!

**** 

Is the Indie journey for you as a writer?

 Let me 'fess up, here: I'm one of those indie authors. You know the kind: writers who pursued traditional publication but didn't get picked to dance with Prince Charming at the ball. I became a writer at the wrong time with the wrong material. I came on the scene post digital publishing boom with not a single word about sparkly vampires or boy-wizards. Um, I write witty women's mysteries/thrillers and my nonfiction follows a similar bent. Sheesh, what was I thinking, right?

I tried to find an agent for a few years, and I had a lot of gratifying interest, but I didn't land one. Yet every book I wrote won the writing competitions I entered them in: novels, short stories, and nonfiction. My writing was praised up one side and down the other, for all the good it did me. I didn't seem like a "sure thing" to agents.

I got it. I didn't like it, but I got it.

I had a choice, though. I could change what I wrote, or I could take control of my destiny and sell MY stories to MY readers. I could go indie.

Ooooooo, indie, that's a sexy, dangerous word. Used to be, it was the height of vanity to eschew tradition in publishing, mainly because only someone seriously vain would spend the kind of money it took to produce and line their garage with their own books. Books that had failed, from a writer that had failed. If they hadn't failed, the books would line the shelves of stores instead, and some big publishing company would fete the author. Self-publishing wasn't a serious business choice, back then.

I suspected I had an audience, though. If I was still spent my own hoarded pennies buying adventurous women's fiction and nonfiction on similar topics, and if my online (blog) readers did the same, then it stood to reason there were more of us out there. This is where the publishing revolution caters to the reader: if the agents aren't signing people like me, and publishers aren't publishing books like mine, then how is someone who loves to read these kinds of books to get satisfaction?

Well, duh, through independent digital publishing. If one is brave or foolish enough to try such a thing.

The stench of vanity and failure still lingers in the air when writers talk about indie or self-publishing, but it's smelling better by the second. Smart, talented writers realize they have choices, valid business choices. Sleep-deprived, wild-eyed artists of the written word know they can immortalize their words, without undue cost. And, yes, crappy writers who should really pull their fingers away from the keys have figured this out, too. Any of us, all of us, have a choice. We can make no money from our writing because no one else will publish it, or we can make no money from our writing because we publish it ourselves. :-) With option b, we realize our dreams. And we could make some money. Who knows? I'm a risktaker, so this appeals to me.

So I chose. I self-published. I went rogue. I released five nonfiction books in May 2012 under the imprint SkipJack Publishing (which also puts out an indie publishing blog), a publishing co-op company my husband and I own. After four years of writing incessantly I now realize I am just beginning my journey. I'm in the starting gate with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I'm chomping at the bit. Anything is possible And I couldn't be more excited and energized about it.

****

Pamela Fagan Hutchins writes. And writes and writes and writes. She lives with her husband and the two youngest of their five children in Houston, TX. She is the author of five seriously funny and helpful books, Hot Flashes And Half Ironmans, How To Screw Up Your Kids, Love Gone Viral , Puppalicious and Beyond, and The Clark Kent Chronicles, and she can't wait to publish her novels, starting in November 2012.

 ****

Thank you so much, Pamela!  Be sure to check out Pamela's blog, Pamela Fagan Hutchins, Author.  Pamela is offering a Giveaway of one of her new books, Puppalicious and Beyond, with this posting. 

!!! WE HAVE A WINNER !!! If you’d like to enter the drawing, all you need to do is leave a comment letting me know you’d like to be included. The drawing will be held on May 23rd.   That’s it.  And, in the meantime, you could hop over to Pamela’s Face Book page and give it a big LIKE.  Go ahead.  It’s virtually painless!  And while you're at it?  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

!!! WE HAVE A WINNER !!!

 First of all, MY APOLOGIES for being a day late in the Giveaway Drawing.  In my defense, I have actually landed a few job interviews and been scurrying to and fro and fro and to….um, to try and get myself employed.  Time will tell.

But, back to the Drawing.  So this is how I did it.  I took everyone’s name and assigned a number and put them through a random number selector.

And the Winner is…..

Wild Child Mama!

Please email me at tsonoda148@gmail.com and I will supply you with the details.

Congrats to Wild Child Mama and thanks to everyone one who entered!  And thank you Pamela for offering the Giveaway.  Everyone have an AWEsome Thursday!

So long Sara, for now

I'm sorry and I'm pleased.

I'm sorry to report that I have removed all traces of Sara's Sleep from my Blog.

I'm Happy to announce, however, that Sara's Sleep will return soon.

Where?

Well, Sara's Sleep will soon be available on eBooks.  Details forthcoming.

Suffice to say that....

I am one excited old broad.

I know you wish me and Sara well and I hope you will march all your friends over to purchase a copy of Sara's Sleep when it comes out.

There will be free drawings and other cool stuff like that as well.

Gosh, did I say I'm excited!

I am fucking stoked is what I am!

Oh, what do you know..........it's WINE Thirty!

Mega Bloggers forget us small fries

Are you one of those successful, mega bloggers who have dozens (or hundreds) of followers and commenters?  Do you have guest bloggers knocking down your door?  Do you have sponsors and constant invitations to provide sponsored content on your valuable space? 

And.

Did you get there from hard work?  Did you visit hundreds of other blogs and leave your thoughts and subscribe even when you didn’t have enough time in the day to think? 

Well.

Then my message is for you.

I am not a mega-blogger as everyone knows who ventures to my site on occasion.  God knows I’ve tried and just haven’t been successful.  

I’m not making excuses and I’m not apologizing.

I’m not a mommy or grand mommy blogger.  I don’t have a serious illness that I know of, unless you count chronic unemployment-itis.  I haven’t had a horrible thing happen in my life.  Oh wait, I have, but I don’t want to build a blog around it.   I don’t have money to hire someone to make my site pretty, and what you see is what you get.

I'm not dissing those who do, either.

That being said.

I have a list of a few dozen bloggers that I adore and I frequent as often as is possible.  Some of you are Mega-Bloggers and you know who you are.  Some of you visit my blog maybe once a month if I’m lucky.  I’m always happy to have you, but I’m not blind and I've been doing this for almost two years now.  Some of you are actually IRL friends and you still can’t take a minute out of your busy schedule to acknowledge my work. 

It is work you know, my writing.  I am a serious fiction writer, and will continue to write. 

I’m just not sure that being in this blogging business and trying to support so many people who don’t have the time to support me is really the wise thing to do.

I would like to say that I don’t care if you visit, but I do.  I would like to say it doesn’t matter if you don’t support me, I will always support you.  Up until now that has been the case. 

However.

I’m spending a lot of time supporting people who probably don’t give me a second thought.

If you no longer want or need my support, please email me.  Use the Contact Tab on my site and let me know.  I will not be upset. 

But let’s get real, shall we?   I love you all, but if you don’t need my help, I can direct it towards others like myself who really need the support and will reciprocate, at least occasionally.

Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but I’m busy too.  I spend hours each day trying to get work and the other hours studying for my Masters.  These things are important to me.

Enough said.  Have a good week. 

Much love coming from…

Terri’s Little Corner

Blog Bash - It Took Me 57 Years

Today I’m linking up with Ado of the Momalog and Alison at Momma Wants This for the big Blog Bash.  We are supposed to link up our favorite post ever.   I’m usually all about the fiction, but my favorite post ever was written last year, and brought me over 225 comments and the Freshly Pressed Award from Wordpress.  I was beside myself with glee.  I am posting said article below, sans the comments.  If you’ve read it, please enjoy once again.  I believe the message is timeless, and I’m not just bragging.  It was written from my core, and you can’t get more honest, raw or personal than that.  If you haven’t read it, I hope you will keep an open mind and heart and let me know what you think.  Thanks Ado and Alison for this opportunity!

It Took Me 57 Years

Artistic expressionism.  Drive.  Passion.  I get it.  I finally get it after 57 years and 9 months.  And I’m one of the lucky ones.  Many people go their whole lives without getting it.   Many people go through their entire lives in robotic motion, sans emotion, taking up space…wasting precious time.  I don’t want that to be me.  That will not be me!

I saw a beautiful human being rendered a crying, hopeless, helpless mess on a reality show this week.  The show was called, “So You Think You Can Dance”.  The man was so engulfed in his dancing that he failed to connect with his audience and, unfortunately, came to this realization mid-performance.   The poor soul ended up in a pitiful crying-heap, mid-stage, with not one understanding or compassionate comment offered to soothe his pain.   He simply gave too much of himself and we, the viewing audience, were ill-equipped to accept this raw and disturbing emotion, and consequently did not know how to respond.   What a shame!

This set me to wondering how often this behavior triggers negative/confused/hurtful response from people in everyday life…to those just trying to share their passion, to express their feelings in the one way they’ve discovered does it for them, whether it be dancing, writing, acting, art, poetry, sculpting, singing, mothering, loving or speaking...by those who want to open their minds but haven’t quite grasped the means by which to do so.   How do we all come together?   How do we all understand one another?   I just wish I had the answer.  I can only ask the questions, and hope I open some minds and lubricate the thought-processing mechanisms that are our brains.

Fifty Seven years is a long time to walk this earth and not have a passion, not have a voice, but somehow I managed it.  Fifty Seven will forever be my very favorite age because at 57, I discovered writing.  I discovered my voice.   For those of you who do not have a passion, you will not comprehend my journey, and I would strongly and desperately advise you to find that passion.   For those of you who know how it feels to write something that moves you to tears…those of you who know how a poem represents your sadness, in a way nothing else can….those of you who know how drawing a picture of the clouds viewed from your bedroom window completes you and helps you sleep at night…don’t waste your discovery, your passion!  Use it to fulfill you.  Use it to make your life sweeter.  You’ll never use it up, as long as you keep using it.   It dries up when you quit.  Funny how that works.

Tonight I write from my heart, and to my friends with love.  Don’t worry about me because I’ve found my voice, my passion, and my life is so much sweeter because of it.  If you haven’t found that passion, look for it.  Find it and embrace it.  You won’t believe how much fuller your life will be when you find your voice.

Much love from a happy 57 year old writer/mother/grandmother/sketcher/humorist/lover/friend/daughter/human. 

Please feel free to leave your thoughts on my thoughts.      

 

 Image from Google Images