Raise the Flag

Raise the Flag
The Beckoning Flag
Over a many people diverse
Whose countries have conditions worse
Looking to our shining shores of sand
Full of hope and a plan

Raise the flag
The Freedom Flag
Over foreign lands
Given aid by comforting hands
In the hopes of reaching across the sea
And giving help that will let them be free

Raise the flag
The Welcoming flag
For the troops who have fought
Some with lives, our freedom bought
Whose willingness their time they share
To bring others out of despair

Place the flag
The Grief-Stricken Flag
Over a closed casket of a hero fallen
A life cut short, a life stolen
Taken in the prime
To ensure your freedom and mine

Do Not Fear

I got this excerpt from Procrastinating Writers Blog.

Fear of Writing What You Really Want to Write
Do you ever feel like you’re writing, but you’re not really writing what you want to be writing? Do you ever feel like you’re holding back and not really letting your true voice speak through your writing? Do you keep your writing hidden from the world?

Well, then you may be one of those writers I mentioned. The ones who allow fear to censor them.

Still don’t know if you’re one of those writers?

Here are more examples:

• You would love to write a hard-core crime novel, but think that only men can write books like that.
• You secretly write romance novels and never show them to anyone. You know your family would go nuts if they found out you were writing “smut.”
• You’d love to tell the story of your workplace—only really exaggerated and with a twist—but if anyone from work read it, you might have to quit your job.
• You have a pretty bad potty mouth. In real life. But in your writing, you always speak sweetly and professionally.
• Your confess-all memoir would definitely be a bestseller. But you can’t publish it ‘til everyone you know is dead.

I think you get the idea…

Tomorrow, help in overcoming fear.

Love This Picture-Have a Great Weekend

Does this picture remind you of a story or book?
Maybe it's a world in your book...

Need a New Bibliochase?

BIBLIOCHAISE HOME: measures in centimetres: 102 x 86 x 74,5 measures in inches: 40,16 w x33,86 l x29,33 h La Bibliochaise Home is water varnished in white, black or aubergine, also available in others colors upon request. Cotton cushions with removable covers in a wide range of colours. Contains 5 metres of books.
mod. Home Click on the wood or the cushion to choose the ideal mix.
BIBLIOCHAISE +: measures in centimetres: 102 x 86 x 74,5 measures in inches: 40,16 w x33,86 l x29,33 h La Bibliochaise + is veneered in oak tinted wengé or tinted black, with a wax finish and leather cushions with removable covers in a wide range of colours. Contains 5 metres of books.
	from nobodyandco.it

Summer Time Contests

Summer seems to bring out the bloggin' contests! Here are a few for you to check out:

Sharon Whitney Messenger is giving away THE BODY FINDER, signed. Check it here.

From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors is having a contest to celebrate their new blog. (25 authors will be contributing to the blog.) Win nine, signed books! Click here for more.

New blog tour starting at LDS Women's Book Review. AWAKENING AVERY. Check it out here.

Erin Downing is giving away a copy of KISS IT on her blog, here.

A Good Addiction has quite a few contest links on her blog. Plus tons of author interviews.

Fire and Ice has a TON of contests going on. Hop on over there and check them ALL out:
Mermaid Lego, Hex Hall necklace, Jane Austen Pendant, Marina Necklace, Etsy Shop Giveaway, Scones & Sensibility

Kerry Taylor is offering a signed copy of her book, BRANDED.

ALSO! Here is the link from Stephenie Meyer herself for her latest book, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner FOR FREE!

20 Questions Part 2

Here are the next 10 questions from this post.
I know you've been sitting by the computer, updating your browser every hour, anxiously awaiting my answers.
Wait no longer, dear reader!

Here they are:
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Don't chew on tinfoil.
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
Tinfoil.
13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or…?
Doesn't Armani make denim pants now?
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Me, Myself and Irene. Wait. I don't know Irene.
15. Time travel: where, when and why?
Back to late 70's to make myself NOT wear polyester. I think that is where the allergy began.
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or…?
This is no laughing matter because chocolate does matter.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
Country anywhere. With a herd of brown cows so my kids can have all the chocolate milk they want.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
I didn't vote for you.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
My Oscar acceptance speech. Or a padded room. Whichever is more attractive at the time.

Drabble Contest

Goddess of the Corn is hosting a 'drabble' contest. What is a drabble? Click here and find out!
Then I dare you to write one!
Post your drabble in the comments along with your email by June 12th and you can win a book.

Your choices:
Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright OR
Missing signed by Rhonda Hinrichsen OR
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

UPDATE

Here is my drabble:

My lungs burn as I run through the darkened forest.

I hear my pursuer behind me. The trees are flying past. I sharpen my vision to avoid hitting one.
The darkness is lifting slightly and I can see my goal; home. Safety is within my grasp.
I glance over my shoulder. In my giddiness to escape, his disappearance went unnoticed.
I put in one last burst of speed when I spy the fence.
Suddenly, he’s there.

He nips my heel. I go down.
“Stop!” I shout as he tries to lick me to death. He wags his tail in joy.