Write Writing Written

"Where Hearts Prosper" by Suzanne V. Reese


Suzanne is the aunt of my BFF from high school.  Though I met her YEARS ago when I was in high school, we became better acquainted over lunch.  I was enamored that I sat next to someone who would have her fist book published soon. I monopolized her and her time as I peppered her with questions about her book and the process of becoming published.  And I promised I would read her book. 
Where Hearts Prosper is a book about love, family and secrets. Carmen Anderson has spent her most of her life running away from a hurtful memories and the place she thought would rejected her. Now she is a single mother career woman and her teenage daughter who is starting to act out. In an impulsive moment, Carmen decides to move back to her little hometown and its wholesome values. But is she running away again? In Prosper, Carmen's daughter, Paige, finds family and friends and learns to serve and love others.  And Carmen finds she didn't need t…

"A well composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter any other way" Caroline Gordon (1895-1981)

Where did the phobia of 13 come from? And do some still believe in it?
 Ancient Persians believed the twelve constellations in the Zodiac controlled the months of the year, and each ruled the earth for a thousand years at the end of which the sky and earth collapsed in chaos. Therefore, the thirteenth is identified with chaos and the reason Persian leave their houses to avoid bad luck on the thirteenth day...(Wikipedia)
Apparently, some people tried to stop superstitions all together. A dinner was club was formed called, "The Thirteen Club".  On Friday the 13th at 8:13 13 people met in the 13th room.   They walked under a ladder to get to the room and sat among piles of spilled salt.  No one died.
Many tall buildings do not have floors numbered '13'.  It's not like the builders were counting and said, "Who put this 13th floor in? Don't they teach you anything in school?" "We can work through this.  Let's just pretend this floor never happened a…

Tristi tagged me to find the 6th photo in my 6th folder.  Let's see what it is:
While at our a family reunion my daughter took pictures of little butterflies.  Now I tag you, dear blog reader.  What will you find?

This year I made a few goals in regards to writing.  I went to the local library, plugged in my laptop and turned on my iPod.  I had decided my goal for January would be to finish tweaking my LDS YA story. I was excited as I had edited a major character and was going to move things around in the story. I hoped it would give my main characters a chance to prove they could change. I opened documents and looked at the various drafts of this story.  I could not find the one I had started revising in December.  I was getting really frustrated!  I spent or wasted a good 30 minutes of writing time searching for a document that wasn't there.  
The light finally grew bright as I realized I had the oppurtuntiy to try this story from a different angle.  Yes, it would take more writing time, but the story would be clearer. I took a deep, happy breath and plunged in. I was on my way! I patted my laptop with affection.  From my last post you can see my writing BFF is sick. I have become so attach…

"When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics. will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 'Free at Last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'"

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A few rules about computer usage from the local junior high that we should incorporate into our own personal lives: Do not move the computer until you have completely shutdown Windows and powered the computer off. (Makes sense)
Do not write or draw on the laptop screen, even with a finger or an eraser. (Again, makes sense. But not to toddlers.)
No game playing unless authorized! (get your writing done first!)
Handle the laptop like a baby. Carry with two hands at all times. (so carrying the laptop under my arm like books is a no-no? I'll do better!)
And lastly! Do not wear a robe while transporting the laptop to another room!A look at my laptop screen will let you know how important rule#5 is:

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Have you ever been dumped by your boyfriend for your sister? Have you ever made 3 bad wishes? Have you had to serve ungratious princes or nervous dwarves while trying to evade the WSM (wicked stepmother)?

Then run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore/library and take home My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison. This book will speak to you! Our troubled heroine is not having a good month either. After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, Savannah wants to find a prince. Heard the adage, "be careful what you wish for?" Savannah has lived this saying thanks to her 'fair' godmother, Chrissy, who is doing 'fair' on her godmother test. She sends Savannah to the Middle ages to find her prince. Only now she is dirty, bullied and has no running water. Oh, and the prince isn't charming.

After Savannah finally pulls her fair godmother away from shopping, Chrissy sends her to a different house in the Middle Ages.…

"Far better it is to dare might things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure. Than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."Theodore Roosevelt

Arabella by Georgette Heyer
When the librarian handed me a worn, red book with no dust jacket, I smirked.  I judged the book by its lack of cover and decided I wouldn't like the story. I am glad to say I was wrong!  
Arabella is the oldest and most beautiful daughter of a Yorkshire clergyman.  Her mama sends her to London to make a suitable match (hopefully wealthy).  On the way, Arabella's borrowed coach breaks down and she is thrust into the acquaintance of Mr. Beaumaris.   Mr. Beaumaris is the most watched man in London.  He can set a new fashion by the way he wears his cravat.  He can also make or break any young lady in society with a nod of his head. Arabella overhears Mr. Beaumaris (or Nonpareil, as he is known in London circles) arrogant speech of the lowly and announces she is an heiress! Mr. Beaumaris decides Arabella will be the most sought after lady in London and what ensues between his mischievousness and her trying to hide her lack of fortune is a delightful story. Wha…

For my friend, Shauna.  
Can you guess the book from the following quote??
"I am excessively diverted"

Christmas Rose by Robyn Buttars3 stars
The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes by Deborah Pace Rowley5
Christmas Every Day by Willeam Dean Howells 3
Christmas Oranges Retold by Linda Bethers 5
Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest by Dan Farr 4
The Bridge by Larry Barkdull4
What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood4
The Christmas Conversation Piece by Bret Nicholaus5 (We read questions every night at dinner from the book.)
Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene4
A Merry Little Christmas Winning stories from Covenant's contest 1996 2
Queen of Christmas by Mary Engelbreit4
Dumby's Happy Holiday by Julie Andrews Edwards 3
An Angel's Promise by Donald P. Mangum & Brenton G. Yorgason2
The Christmas Letters by Lee Smith 2


'Christmas Sweater', 'Santa's Secret', and 'Brown Bag Christmas' are still on my list to read.