tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43064394483677519402024-03-12T20:10:43.150-07:00Cinderella After MidnightIs it possible to live happily ever after when you're a woman over 40?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-40452881294799349562015-03-01T11:48:00.001-08:002015-03-01T11:48:17.739-08:00For The Love Of Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've seen two movies recently that have made me wonder about my love affair with the cinema vs. my love affair with books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first movie I remember going to see in a theatre was one of the "Pink Panther" sequels. I'm not sure which one, but I remember being dazzled by the camera work. I think it took place in the south of France, which looked as glamorous as I'm sure it must be. It was a caper -- which is my favorite kind of movie. And Peter Sellers made me laugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I fell in love with the written word at a much younger age, and so books must be considered my first love. Laura Ingalls Wilder took me to the banks of Plum Creek, Agatha Christie took me to an English Country manor in Torquay and I never wanted to go home.Both of these authors have had their works successfully transferred onto film and television. In some cases, I've enjoyed their stories as they were told on television and film even better than I ever enjoyed their books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I find it intriguing that two books I was really looking forward to seeing adapting as movies, "Fifty Shades Of Grey" and "The Fault In Our Stars" fell so short in their big screen adaptations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It wasn't just that the emotion I felt while I was reading the books wasn't on the screen. It was that all the little itty bitty details that were so important in my mind when I was reading the book weren't there. And that's what put me in the story and kept there and made me continue to turn the page. It was the worldbuilding that is done in books -- that is often taken for granted in film and television because it becomes part of the background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For example, in "Fifty Shades," Christian gives Ana first edition books by Thomas Hardy. In the movie, the focus of the gift is that the books cost $14,000. (I'm not sure they mention the title of the books in the movie -- but it was Tess of D'Urbervilles.) In the book, it's not the cost of the books that are as important as the quote that he sends with the books. It is a warning of what temptations lay ahead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In "The Fault in Our Stars" the old Swingset of Tears where Gus charms Hazel Grace in seen on screen but lacks all of the romance it had in the book. It's just a swingset. It's small and useless, and not as important as it seemed in the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These were key elements for me in the stories. Why weren't they given enough reverence in the movies? Personally I don't think it's</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> fault of the filmmakers in either case, but rather the fact that the camera just can't do these kind of things justice. They become objects in front of the lens, rather than story beats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm certain that the best and brightest screenwriters were selected to adapt both of these books into screenplays. I can't fault the writers. I'm sure they attempted to grab the essence of the book and put it into the screenplay, so what went wrong?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it just because I'm pre-disposed to love books more than movies? What is it about the written word that completely enthralls and enchants me. Is it words or is it my imagination?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't have an answer just yet, but it's a question I want to continue to explore. </span><br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-9321183515222760332015-02-23T14:15:00.000-08:002015-02-23T14:15:51.322-08:00All The Pretty Young Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oscar season was once my favorite time of year. Things change. Now I hardly know the nomineeds. I haven't seen the films. Not sure I care who wins. Not emotionally invested. The Academy seems very white, very old and very male to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/oscars-2015-best-worst-red-carpet-gallery-1.2124946" target="_blank">watch the gowns</a> go by on the red carpet. You know, I like fashion. Fashion just doesn't like me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so it was a bit of a surprise to me when wome stirred up controversy on the red carpet last night. First there was this little bit of a move in the right direction. Thank you <a href="http://time.com/3718008/oscars-2015-askhermore-reese-witherspoon/" target="_blank">#askhermore and Reese Witherspoon. </a>Nice to know these talented actresses are more than just coat hangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then poor Patricia Arquette. She attempted <a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/patricia-arquette-comments-oscars-2015-controversy-1201439814/" target="_blank">to make a move in the right direction</a>. She had J. Lo and Meryl Streep signed on to her cause and then she made a few slips of the tongue in the press room after collecting her prize. Does make her cause null and void? I hope not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's an intriguing time to be alive.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-4927335144064985672015-02-03T11:30:00.004-08:002015-02-03T11:31:12.871-08:00The Fat Lady Hasn't Sung Yet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i08x457OVog/VNEh1-rzlkI/AAAAAAAABug/zDrZVz86aB8/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i08x457OVog/VNEh1-rzlkI/AAAAAAAABug/zDrZVz86aB8/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't begin to tell you what a thrill it was to wake up this morning to hear Harper Lee was going to publish a new book this summer. And the star of the new book is Scout. Please clear my schedule. I don't have time for that now. I'm reading. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/books/harper-lee-author-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird-is-to-publish-a-new-novel.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Read all about it!</a></span><br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-57702562614720917182015-01-03T16:23:00.003-08:002015-01-03T16:23:34.392-08:00A New Year's Resolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtghRIq06KU/VKiF85Gb4EI/AAAAAAAABq4/PoVisbmG7Sg/s1600/Neil%2BGaiman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtghRIq06KU/VKiF85Gb4EI/AAAAAAAABq4/PoVisbmG7Sg/s1600/Neil%2BGaiman.png" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am always a little reluctant to make a new year's resolution. Especially about things like exercise and diet. It seems those only ever last a week or two. And what's the point? Changing your exercise and diet plans are a committment to a new lifestyle, not a resolution. A resolution is like a declaration. An annoucement of an intention. I like to make my resolutions simple. I usually choose one word and attempt to live by it for as long as I can. And when I stray from it -- I remind myself, this was the year of "insert inspirational word here."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The year I began dating my husband, my word was "bliss". I'm not sure what that means about our relationship, but I do remember many things about the beginning of our relationship that were filled with great joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 was a year filled with ups and downs. I triumphed in many writing contests. I failed in many more. I was rejected by many agents and editors. I was asked to submit to a couple of others. I made baby steps in my career, but I am far from satisfied with my progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">December was a big downer. If 2014 started out with fireworks, it ended with a flicker in the dark. I have struggled. I have complained. I have been unable to find my way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And after much searching, I have found my word. It is not the word I was expecting. It is not the word of an optimist. Or maybe it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2015, my word is "fearless." Let's see what that might bring. </span><br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-13258567862213840672014-12-18T09:47:00.003-08:002014-12-18T09:47:54.414-08:00Winter Romance<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love songs about winter romance. I grew up in Michigan, and I now live in southern California so I know only too well how different life is when there's snow on the ground. It can be very romantic to wake up to new fallen snow on the ground. The long rays of a winter sun makes the snow glisten and sparkle like diamonds. At night, falling snow makes the world seem quiet and still, enveloping you in a world of white. It's magical. And just the memory of snow on green pine boughs is enough to make me squeal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's no wonder there's just one song about walking in a 'Winter Wonderland.' There are other songs that make me feel even more romantic about winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night" is at the top of my list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dean Martin is next I love a crooner. Especially when he's singing about winter romance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Colbie Callait perfectly captures the spirt of a winter romance in Mistletoe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John Denver captures my feelings about winter in "Alpenglow."</span><br />
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Are you in the mood for winter romance now? It's time to snuggle up in front of the fire, pour a glass of wine and relax with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celebrate-Me-Home-Sarah-Vance-Tompkins-ebook/dp/B00QRC1CBQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418924830&sr=1-1&keywords=celebrate+me+home+in+books" target="_blank">good boo</a>k.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-2477673780382416652014-12-09T17:16:00.001-08:002014-12-09T17:16:08.920-08:00Christmas is the time to say 'I love you'....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When career-focused Shelby
Martin returns to her small hometown in northern Michigan, she's counting the
days until she returns to the city, but when she finds steamy comfort in the
arms of former NHL bad boy Ethan Bardenhagen, will</span> Shelby have to choose
between her career and true love? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-54330955156700880262014-11-19T21:55:00.000-08:002014-11-19T21:55:06.313-08:0020 Things I Am Grateful For This Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1nA7_q_jE/VG2B5XRRBJI/AAAAAAAABlc/MmqYRFpBOpk/s1600/thanksgiving-day-background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1nA7_q_jE/VG2B5XRRBJI/AAAAAAAABlc/MmqYRFpBOpk/s1600/thanksgiving-day-background.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. My precious husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Being able to pursue my passion for writing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. My mother's health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Joey is alive and well and enjoying his low-carb,
high-protein diet of unending Friskies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. It is the beginning of Academy Award movie season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Friends I can count on to pick me up when I'm down and
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Pansies in the garden. Their little "faces"
always bring a smile to mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. Sleepytime tea and Milano peppermint stick cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9. A new outdoor ice skating rink with lights strung above
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10. An extended family far and wide to think about and worry about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11. NHL hockey is back and better than ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12. Christmas music on my iPod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">13. Colder weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">14. Sharing the joy of seeing the world through children's
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">15. The "new house" smell of cleaning chemicals
the housekeepers leave behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">16. A fire in the fireplace and a candle on the hearth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">17. Time with the kids and the grand doggies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">18. Downloading new recipes for Thanksgiving sides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">19. Organizing the new closet for better use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">20. Hope for a better future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-49286687119864734072014-11-13T10:43:00.001-08:002014-11-13T10:45:47.831-08:00Write A Novel In A Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUGJVpq6Z10/VGT7qP2RI9I/AAAAAAAABk4/mOxHdTAx43k/s1600/L1140871%2B(1280x960).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUGJVpq6Z10/VGT7qP2RI9I/AAAAAAAABk4/mOxHdTAx43k/s400/L1140871%2B(1280x960).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's this thing. It's ca-razy. It's called National Novel Writing Month. <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/dashboard" target="_blank">NANOWRMO.org </a>for short. And it happens every year during the month of November. Here's the one-line pitch: you write 1,667 words a day for 30 days and in the end you have 50,000 words of what could be a first draft of a novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NANOWRIMO started on the west coast. And even though it's called "National", it has gone international. You can see writers in the UK, India, and Australia, all cranking out words on the chart on the NANOWRIMO home page.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whoever picked November to be the month to write an entire novel had to be a young dude. No middle-aged chick would pick the month in which you are going to have as many people as possible over to your house to eat a turkey dinner with multiple sides. It's not realistic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, If I had been given the choice, I would've picked a month with 31 days. That way we could've spread the word count around a little. And let's face it, January is a slow month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the third time I've attempted to play the NANOWRIMO game. Last year, I quit after 30,000 words. That is the closest I've ever come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year I've joined a group of writers at Savvy Authors to work together toward our goal. We spend a part of every day cheering each other on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then there's my manuscript. I'm not sure the 50,000 words I'm putting down on the page will make any sense. They certainly aren't in the right order.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also wonder if I will have to rewrite an extra time because I wrote the original so fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">None of this really matters. I'm just stalling before I start working on today's words.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-16739420500889594452014-10-26T17:44:00.001-07:002014-10-26T17:44:28.664-07:00Most Precious Cat Ever<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j25hfAXRQ3g/VE2SURO500I/AAAAAAAABj8/xcqgdaO05xU/s1600/IMG_3336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j25hfAXRQ3g/VE2SURO500I/AAAAAAAABj8/xcqgdaO05xU/s1600/IMG_3336.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first started dating my husband, he told me he had the best cat ever. I was a bit offended because at the time I was completely besotted by my own calico cat. Shortly after that I fell in love with Joey. It's hard not to love Joey. He's a big love bug. He talks all the time. He's a good snuggler. He stares at you adoringly. He chirps at birds and squirrels. He is the perfect cat. The best cat ever as far as I'm concerned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so it was very upsetting when I realized this summer that he was not himself. He had just turned 14 and he was drinking a lot of water. At first I tried to tell myself it was because it was so hot, but I knew we had to take him to the vet and I also had a good idea what his diagnosis was going to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Joey is diabetic. It happens in elderly cats. I was surprised to learn that unlike humans and dogs, with treatment, cats can go into remission. I threw myself into Joey's treatment plan. I went down the grocery store with the multipage list of "low carb, high protein" foods he was allowed to eat. (He's basically on the Atkins Plan. He can't have carbs. So he's completely off kibble. It makes it hard for him to gain weight.) I learned how to prick his ear to draw blood and check his blood glucose. I learned how to give him injections. I cried when I had to draw blood every hour for 12 hours. Through it all -- all of the things that I've done to him -- Joey has not wavered in his devotion to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By now, one of our girl cats would be plotting my death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The vet gave us her personal cell phone number and asked us to text us updates. She told us that she had one cat that went into remission after two weeks! I was hopeful that if I was an enthusiastic as possible this would happen for Joe -- but it has not. He's had good days and bad days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we first started texting BG updates to the vet, she would respond right away -- "That's great news!" "Wow!" But after a bit, she stopped responding immediately. Or a few hours later, we'd get a "Thanks for the update." My hubby gets upset by these delayed responses. When he doesn't get what he thinks is a proper or immediate response -- he wants to text "Are you on a date?" and "Hey! I'm waiting here." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So far, I've kept him from doing this, but I don't know how much longer he will be able to resist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All that matters to me is Joey. He is, after all, the best cat ever. Everyone knows that.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-44581411498795567482014-10-05T22:04:00.001-07:002014-10-06T12:33:17.428-07:00Meet My Characters: The Fairy Godmother's Rulebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ1v8d8T3SM/VDIpEYmJxjI/AAAAAAAABgw/LI1iEAvqR_8/s1600/fairy%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ1v8d8T3SM/VDIpEYmJxjI/AAAAAAAABgw/LI1iEAvqR_8/s1600/fairy%2Bsign.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been tagged by the lovely <a href="http://www.vsmorgan.com/1/post/2014/09/character-blog.html" target="_blank">VS Morgan</a> to join a group of talented writers in the <b>Meet the Character Blog Hop</b>. I am pleased to introduce you to Nathan Nolan, the hero from <i>The Fairy Godmother's Rulebook.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>About The Fairy Godmother's Rulebook</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A modern day fairy godmother's first assignment is to create the perfect Happily Ever After ending for her stepsister. What could possibly go wrong?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKgqJnjxzm4/VDIpK1SUmKI/AAAAAAAABg4/8hISKF1Cmg8/s1600/andrew-garfield-profile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKgqJnjxzm4/VDIpK1SUmKI/AAAAAAAABg4/8hISKF1Cmg8/s1600/andrew-garfield-profile.png" height="320" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Who is Nathan Nolan?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan Nolan has been lauded in the media as the Steve Jobs of hotels. He sold his first travel app when he was 20 for a sum of money in the millions. He tapped into the zeitgeist of what the modern business traveler wanted in luxury accommodations. He doesn't believe in anything that isn't on the bottom line of a Profit & Loss Statement. Tall, dark and handsome, he may not look like a computer geek now that he's all grown up, but he’s still a skinny-necked thirteen year-old who most girls overlooked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where does The Fairy Godmother's Rulebook take place?</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story is set in Los Arboledas, a sleepy little town along the central coast of California where happily ever after seems to happen every day. Three hours north of Los Angeles, it's an easy weekend getaway for movie stars, newlyweds and hopeless romantics. You only had to drive into town under the purple canopy of the jacaranda trees on Main Street to feel the tingle of something extraordinary. The locals won't talk about what happens in Los Arboledas. They'll change the subject if asked directly, but you know they've heard the rumors, and they all have stories to tell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What Nathan doesn't want you to know?</b></span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's a billionaire, but he doesn't want to rest on his laurels. He's constantly working to build his business. He believes purchasing the magical Los Arboledas Inn will provide the Nolan Group with a luxury spa </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where their high-end business clients can go to relax and unwind. A concept he </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">doesn't believe in. He doesn't know how to relax and unwind.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What Nathan wants:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He wants to monetize the magical atmosphere of Los Arboledas.</span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What Nathan needs:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He needs to learn to believe in the magic of fairy godmothers and fairy tales.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "What I'm about to tell you is not something I usually have to point out to most people, Aviana," he said. "I'm twenty-eight years old. I have regular features and I'm over six feet tall. And I'm a billionaire. With a big "B."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Bragging isn't an attractive look for you." I was lying. I would find him attractive if he was speaking in gibberish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Maybe not, but it's the truth," he said. "And I want to be completely honest with you because I want you to be completely honest with me." Nathan had me backed up against the garden wall and was quickly closing the space between us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> His face was this-close to mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "The size of my bank account is usually a big turn on for women. Of all ages. I don't have any problems getting dates. Ever."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I know that. It's just that…" I started to explain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Nathan he cut me off. "So you don't have to do your matchmaker thing for me. Got it?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Got it," I said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Promise?" He asked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Promise," I wanted to taste him. He smelled so good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Do you? Because I'm only saying this once because I want to be perfectly clear. I want you." My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't contain a gasp and I couldn't maintain eye contact with him. He lifted my chin so that his green eyes were looking directly into mine. "I want you, Aviana. Not your stepsister, your best friend or your stepmother. You." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">####</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next week the talented <a href="http://www.kadywinter.com/category/myblog/" target="_blank">Kady Winter </a>will be hosting the <b>Meet My Characters Blog Hop</b>. </span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kady's journey into writing began with adapting a passion project screenplay of hers, which became RUN, the centerpiece of her Young Adult historical fantasy series, THE POTEET CHRONICLES. These stories are set in southeast Missouri from the early years of European settlement though the Civil War. She's currently working on the prequel to RUN, as well as a New Adult series set at a grand hotel resort during and just after World War I. When she's not lost in research,Kady enjoys the Olivia Pope diet (popcorn and red wine) while binging on the awesome array of TV series out there nowadays.</span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kady will be introducing <b>Abby Stafford</b>, the 18-year-old heroine of <b>RUN</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-91392405147268454122014-10-01T10:16:00.001-07:002014-10-01T10:25:07.068-07:00Mama Said There'd Be Days Like These<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnp5I2KBViY/VCw2BRQjJGI/AAAAAAAABf0/_JuVdDg6sks/s1600/TEASER-ONLY-ONE-USE-Amal-George-Clooney-People-Front-Cover-Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnp5I2KBViY/VCw2BRQjJGI/AAAAAAAABf0/_JuVdDg6sks/s1600/TEASER-ONLY-ONE-USE-Amal-George-Clooney-People-Front-Cover-Main.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you remember when your mom told you to do good at school and keep your legs crossed and all of your dreams will come true?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay. So maybe those weren't the exact words your mom used, but I was told that good things only come to good girls. And I believed it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I waited, and waited, and waited for my dreams to come true. Now and then I got tired of waiting and I went to the dark side and did some things that I'd rather forget in order to take a short cut to my goal of happily ever after.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And just so we are clear, I know now there are no short cuts to happily ever after.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But over the last few years, it does seem like the bad girls were winning. And why shouldn't they? Not only are they crossing the finish line on the road to happily ever after before you, they're having way more fun than you are on the journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's really no stigma to being a bad girl anymore. And maybe that's a good thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For heaven's sake, Kim Kardashian made a sex tape and the next thing you know she's having one (no, make that two) multi-million dollar weddings at castles overlooking the sea. And it turns out Hollywood actresses aren't reading books or studying algebra in their free time. No. They're taking nude selfies. How do I know, their nudies keep getting leaked onto the internet. We've all seen them. And it turns out this kind of invasion of privacy doesn't ruin their careers...it makes them more famous and gets them more jobs and magazine covers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fame and fortune have been replaced by Infamy and Internet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then along comes Amal Alamuddin. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An international human rights attorney who is licensed to practice law in two different countries -- London and New York City. She speaks eight languages. Wears designer clothes. Listens to music on her iPhone. And didn't succomb to the allure of a "starter marriage" in her twenties because s</span><a href="http://www.people.com/article/amal-alamuddin-was-looking-for-mr-perfect" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">he was holding out for Mr. Perfect</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And along comes Mr. Perfect. George Clooney...(sigh) They don't make 'em any more perfect. I know this to be true because I've studied his photos very, very closely. He's also witty, bright, politically savvy, and a classic Hollywood hunk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">George Clooney has been at the top of my list FOR-EVAH. I think he's the bees' knees. And over the weekend when he and Amal got married, I was nothing less than over the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think this headline got it right: <a href="http://www.thebusinesswomanmedia.com/amal-alamuddin-marries-actor/" target="_blank">Internationally Accalimed Barrister Marries Actor</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seriously. George is lucky to have her. It's exactly as my mom always told me. Keep your nose in your books and your legs crossed and Prince Charming will find you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, the good girl wins the heart of the handsome movie star. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the bad girl...she ended up with Kanye West. Good luck with that...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let this be a lesson to all girls who are still waiting for their happily ever after.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-74223259708239793952014-09-22T09:46:00.002-07:002014-09-25T08:26:33.572-07:00I'm A Lover, Not A Fighter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YG2q6Z7LsE8/VCBST2lf7fI/AAAAAAAABfQ/dn3uli0aMew/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YG2q6Z7LsE8/VCBST2lf7fI/AAAAAAAABfQ/dn3uli0aMew/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not a complainer. Like my guru Tim Gunn is always saying, "I make it work."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a quiet book nerd who could go an entire day without speaking to anyone other than my husband or my cats and feel just fine. I don't like to rock the boat. I don't want to draw attention to myself, or be the life of the party.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So you can imagine what it took to make me use the following phrases in public last Thursday night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Phrase Number One: "This is some bullshit."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Phrase Number Two: "This sucks ass."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used them in rapid-fire succession while we were checking into the over-priced and under-decorated Delano Hotel in Las Vegas. We had planned three nights at Mandalay Bay, but when my husband got an email that we could upgrade to the snazzier-than-thou Delano for a very minimal fee, he took the opportunity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On arrival, we were greeted by a lone valet. He was unable to find a bellman, any bellman to help us with our bags. There were however around twenty people dressed all in black (security) huddled around the front door. No one opened the door to help me as I struggled with my bags. Inside I found a rave going on. And I couldn't find the check-in desk. I was directed to go back outside. My husband and I spent the next fifteen minutes in the company of a UK businessman wandering around the parking garage looking for the hotel entrance. We finally found our way to the secret check-in desk location. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I asked to see a manager, I was directed to a gum-snapping, grooving to the music young woman two computers over. She was obviously not the manager. When my husband asked to see the manager, he was directed to a man who said he would "comp us something." We were never compensated in any way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went to the room. It was small and decorated in a cold, minimalist way that only a Cold War Russian could appreciate. We went back down stairs to get a drink and were told we couldn't get one without a wristband. Where do we get a wristband? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dunno."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back to the front desk. Here's your wristband. And here's a whole lotta attitude to go with it. This is where the two above phrases come in. Insert here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We left the next morning before checkout time and escaped to the comforts of the gorgeous Mandalay Bay hotel where we were treated like royalty. I took names of the staff who were kind. I plan on writing a note.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were badly treated. I tweeted about it. No response. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been searching the internet for a place to send my comments about the crappy hotel and the crappy treatment we received as well as the nice hotel and the nice treatment we received. Funnily enough, there are no email addresses listed online for either hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So if you know how I can get in touch with the manager of the Delano Hotel in Las Vegas, please let me know. In the mean time, I'm telling my tale online.</span><br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-48246389314287277902014-09-08T12:40:00.001-07:002014-09-08T14:41:41.242-07:00An Unmarketable Skill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1mx74D4i0/VA4Fmc1uirI/AAAAAAAABdc/gHDx7AXvkt0/s1600/petoskey-stone-on-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1mx74D4i0/VA4Fmc1uirI/AAAAAAAABdc/gHDx7AXvkt0/s1600/petoskey-stone-on-beach.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My memories of growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan
include long summer days in and around the water. I had a summer friend –
someone I only saw during a few weeks of overlapping vacation every year –
she and I were matched by our grandmothers and spent every sunny day we could on
the beach. Our activities were the same from the time we met when we were in fourth grade until we graduated
from college. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The days were long in northern Michigan. The sun didn't set
until well after 10pm. I remember having freckles across my nose like brown
sugar and scabs on my knees like strawberries. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other than sunning ourselves and bobbing around in the water, our
favorite occupation was hunting for Petoskey stones. These speckled stones are
actually fossils made from coral in a sea that covered North America when
dinosaurs roamed the earth. I can't remember a time when I went to the beach
and didn't look for Petoskey stones. It is like second nature to be look down for speckled gray rocks while walking in the waves. It's an instinct that I
don't remember anyone ever teaching me – I just knew when I had one in my
sight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We got to be so good at collecting rocks that at one point
we opened up a rock business outside the post office. We were eight years old. I think we sold ten for a
dollar. We made a killing selling stones to all of our grandparents' friends.
And throughout our twenties when we were struggling to find our way in the
world we often comforted each other with the thought that we could go back into
business again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been twenty years since I hunted for Petoskey stones
on the shores of Lake Michigan. I returned with my new family last week. The water in the lake was as cold as I remembered, but within minutes it was the perfect temperature
as it washed over my sandy feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was able to find Petoskey stones quickly and easily. I was surprised to find out that it wasn't as easy for non-native Michiganders. There were so many pretenders mixed in amongst the stones in the waves. I was thrilled to discover I had a special skill. I can identify a Petoskey rock at three paces. Huzzah! We all went home with non-Petosky treasures. I've a couple of blue stones on my desk, as well as a white one with what I think is the pattern of a dancing horse on it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a blissful day. The sun was high above in a blue sky. The
seagulls cried and the waves gently tossed small stones and sand in their wake.
I could smell whitefish being smoked in the harbor and I knew as the sun got
lower in the sky I would soon be around a table of my beloved family
members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything was the same as when I was young, but I took it all for granted then. Now that I'm not there every day, I know what a treasure hunting for Petoskey stones truly is. It it
is my little piece of heaven here on earth. If only my Petoskey hunting skills
were something that I could put on my resume.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it's finally time to open the rock shop. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-35012361870577639722014-08-20T12:12:00.000-07:002014-08-20T12:13:05.891-07:00These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbefSFNdbi8/U_TyyP1UzNI/AAAAAAAABcI/3wYxTx_mNBE/s1600/Candy-Corn-Candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbefSFNdbi8/U_TyyP1UzNI/AAAAAAAABcI/3wYxTx_mNBE/s1600/Candy-Corn-Candles.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's the end of summer and the news has been so dark recently. It's been hard to turn on the television. I am the kind of person who wakes up most days and looks forward to what the day might bring, but I have been feeling a little defeated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so it seems like the perfect time to make a list of all that's right in the world, all the things I love in the world, and all the little things that make my day bright.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Waking up next to the Handsomest Man Alive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Laughing together over the absolute nastiest joke I've ever heard. (No I won't repeat it. )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Hearing Joey chirping at the birds on the backyard feeder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. My big brown leather writing chair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Watching Joey, Gracie, and Roxy sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Sending texts to and from Sara.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Getting phone calls from my relatives to plan upcoming get togethers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. Knowing that candy corn season is right around the corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9. & chocolate chip cookies. Anytime. Any place. Anywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10. Having a home-grown Caprese Salad for dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11. Re-reading classic romance novels from my youth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12. Looking forward to spending a week in my favorite place on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">13. Boxy, grey T-shirts. (A girl can never have too many.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">14. My lighted make-up mirror (Yes, I show some wear. But it could be worse. Way worse.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">15. Knowing my mom has a full and active social life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">16. Putzing around in the kitchen with a new recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">17. Hearing the kids outside playing after school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">18. Rocking out in my car to Pink. Blow me (one last kiss)...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">19. FB pics of my sorority sister's children at the same age when I met their parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">20. Blue skies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I challenge you to make a list as well of 20 things that make you thankful. It will make your life ever so much sweeter.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-20302884188892003822014-08-13T08:09:00.000-07:002014-08-13T08:09:16.274-07:00Get Me Off This Rollercoaster!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZLwQsBEvKA/U-t_fVJ5KtI/AAAAAAAABbg/gw7XCQ9QxMc/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZLwQsBEvKA/U-t_fVJ5KtI/AAAAAAAABbg/gw7XCQ9QxMc/s1600/lavender.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I'm reading a romance novel,
the dark night of the soul is one of my favorite parts of the story. I want it
to get really bleak. I want the hero to be chained to the walls in the bowels
of a blackened dungeon. I want the heroine to be trapped in the tallest tower
with no way out. I want all hope to be lost. I want all these things knowing
that I can count on a happily ever after ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet in my real life when I'm
writing a romance, I try to avoid dark night of the soul moments at all costs.
I don't want to buy a ticket to ride that rollercoaster. I plot and plan to put
my own characters on that rollercoaster every time I begin a new story, and please
keep your hands inside the ride at all times, but I want my reality to be
rollercoaster-free. I want my life to be a gentle boat ride like "It's A
Small World" at Disneyland, only without the annoying earworm of a song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I'm on the gentle boat ride
portion of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my life, my writing is smooth
sailing. In fact it's a little like a sunset cocktail cruise. Only there's no
sunset and no cocktails --unless it's after five o'clock somewhere. I can crank
out words like a machine. But let's face it, the gentle boat ride is the
shortest ride at the amusement park of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No matter how hard I try to avoid
it, I end up buying a ticket and getting on life's rollercoaster. It's
inevitable. Sure, it's all fun and games and Instagram selfies going up the
hill, but the minute I'm going down at a fast rate of speed, my writing goes
into complete upheaval. My word count slows down to a halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the first sign of strife, or a change in
my schedule causes me to have a hard time even sitting down in the same room as
my computer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the last few weeks, I have been
screaming on the downhill slope of life's rollercoaster. It wasn't one big
catastrophe that put me on this ride, it was a series of little events that
didn't seem to matter much until suddenly I'm on the rollercoaster dropping
sixteen stories at what feels like the speed of light. My stomach drops out and
I'm scared to death because I know I can't count on a happily ever after ending
in real life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was dropping fast on the downhill
slope when I realized that just as I could slip into a story someone else had
written when my reality was too much to bear, I could also slip away into a
story of my own. Why not? Either way, I was using my imagination to comfort and
protect me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My word count increased overnight. Instead
of avoiding my computer, I was looking to it for comfort. Yes, at first I had a
hard time maintaining my concentration for a long period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it took me more time to leave the upset
of my reality behind and be able to slip into my story. Eventually I managed to
get into it and write. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm determined to get back on the
cocktail cruise, no matter what ride I'm on. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-9242378630073956652014-08-13T08:06:00.003-07:002014-08-13T08:06:43.883-07:00Woot woo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Galv9em5nPs/U-t-1zYdc1I/AAAAAAAABbY/TNef-sZxK7k/s1600/Sarah%2BVance%2BTomkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Galv9em5nPs/U-t-1zYdc1I/AAAAAAAABbY/TNef-sZxK7k/s1600/Sarah%2BVance%2BTomkins.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Am so thrilled about this!</span></div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-30322364841120543152014-07-28T08:05:00.001-07:002014-07-28T15:13:48.237-07:00#My Writing Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwCeQkzbqkY/U9Zmq92iDMI/AAAAAAAABZk/kEetEtBlHUE/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwCeQkzbqkY/U9Zmq92iDMI/AAAAAAAABZk/kEetEtBlHUE/s1600/lavender.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lovely and talented Morgan Richter tagged me on The
Writing Process Blog Tour! We met when we were both working as temps on the
Paramount lot in Hollywood. We were practically neighbors, living across
Olympic Blvd. from one another. We were frequent guests at each other parties
until Morgan moved to New York City and I moved to the burbs. <a href="http://preppiesoftheapocalypse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I love her blog, you should make it one of your bookmarks.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now on to the questions at hand:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) What am I working on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My focus this week is on a New Adult Paranormal novel I've been
working on for a year. After having written it once, twice, three times a lady…
with way-more-than-I-care-to-admit different edited versions, I decided to
rewrite the entire thing this past spring. Now, I am editing and polishing the
new manuscript!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a hint as to what it is about--the story stemmed from a
couple of questions about standard fairytales and Happily Ever After endings: Why
doesn't the Fairy Godmother save Prince Charming for herself? Are there any
rules for being a Fairy Godmother? What if, just once, the Fairy Godmother fell
in love with Prince Charming? What would happen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) How does my work differ from others in its genre?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My work is really just a New Adult novel. It's the
paranormal bits that make it different from other manuscripts in the genre. My
main character would object strongly to being the main character in a
Paranormal novel. She has deluded herself into thinking she's just an average
twenty-five year-old SoCal chick with a slow metabolism, terrible eyesight, and
a tendency to splurge on designer handbags. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she's not. She's a fairy by birth and a
fairy godmother by trade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) Why do I write what I write?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I write because I am a fan of storytelling and the allure of
getting to use my own imagination to create a story that other people might
enjoy is just too powerful for me to ignore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) How does my writing process work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It involves a lot of staring at walls and my husband yelling
at me over and over that I'm not listening to him. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I'm not, but I don't like to be accused of it. Makes me
seem insensitive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's just that the little voices in my
head are louder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each manuscript is different but here is how I've been most
successful recently:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Feed cats, make tea. (In that order lest I be killed.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Put on writing clothes (torn, unattractive, loose fitting)
from the bag that I was too embarrassed to give to Goodwill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Put my butt in the big leather chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Here's the tricky part – avoid all social media and
emails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Write at least 2,500 words or else you can't leave the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Only after daily goal is met, answer emails and use social
media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Use leftover creative energy to edit other projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. Rewrite WIP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9. Edit WIP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10. Feel triumphant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11. Feel worthless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12. Feel completely spent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12. Repeat 1-12 above when the sun rises again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I am passing the pen to <a href="http://www.mariapowers.com/" target="_blank">the fabulous Miss Maria Powers</a>,
a dear friend and writer from the Los Angeles Romance Authors writing group! I look forward to
reading about her writing process!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-47929964668939444842014-07-07T16:20:00.003-07:002014-07-14T17:10:41.177-07:00Under Drone Attack<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL981q7XWy0/U7sriKsvyPI/AAAAAAAABXk/MV1LUXe0YTw/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL981q7XWy0/U7sriKsvyPI/AAAAAAAABXk/MV1LUXe0YTw/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We moved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just like that. Two weeks ago we were happily tucked into our little condo on the edges of a park where we fed the birds and our cats chirped happily at them out the window. Then we found a place to live. Called the movers. Stuffed the cats in carriers and drove a half mile down the street to a new house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At first my biggest problem was what to put where. Then it became where are the cats. They had all new hiding places and had become even more diligent about hiding due to the fact that they were mad that we had moved at all. Cats are territorial. They don't like change. They're even worse than me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've spent all the time in the new house running around making sure the house was secure. That the cats couldn't get out and no one that I didn't know couldn't get in. In between, I've been unpacking boxes and packing boxes. It seems like a never ending story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lasst night after our fifth trip to Lowe's in as many days, we were bringing a load of miscellaneous stuff to the new house from the old house when we were called over for introductions and merrymaking with the new neighbors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a jolly good time. New people are interesting. They have all new points of view. The nice old lady who lives across the street from us is of the opposite political persuasion from The HMA and I, and not knowing any better she attempted to persuade him to see the world from her point of view. This was not going to happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I was standing there in the middle of the street wondering how he was going to sweet talk his way out of this dilemma, a man (with what my imagination believes was a heavy Russian accent) appeared and started pointing into the sky above our house and yelling, "What is that? There in the sky?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We all looked up at the roof above the house that we had just moved all of our most prized possessions into -- and there it was. A lighted object hovering above our back yard. It darted side to side and up and down. If I didn't know better, I would say that ET had landed in my backyard and was going to be hiding out in my closet with the cats. It reappeared twice. My husband identified it as a drone. And while I had heard that Amazon was going to start same-day deliveries via drones and someone else was thinking of using it to deliver pizzas -- I honestly never believed that a drone would be flying over my backyard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet, it happened. We have a microwave that cooks frozen food in less than three minutes. We have wireless phones. We have a trash can that opens with a wave a of a hand. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So when you get our change of address card next week, don't be surprised that we signed it "with love from The Jetsons." That is if we're still here. If we haven't been kidnapped by aliens...Or Jeff Bezos.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-1887839174679166732014-06-21T11:22:00.001-07:002014-06-21T11:34:12.169-07:00Beat Up In A Back Alley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxwi6EWvj5w/U6XLzaue4CI/AAAAAAAABWc/ntypztP8iaA/s1600/IS99xkg2kyk5fp1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxwi6EWvj5w/U6XLzaue4CI/AAAAAAAABWc/ntypztP8iaA/s1600/IS99xkg2kyk5fp1000000000.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was little, I lived in a neighborhood with alleys. Not right behind our house, but in the general vicinity. Behind our house, the alley had been reclaimed and our yard backed up to the yard of our neighbors. They had a little dog, and we had a little dog, and the two little dogs would run along the fence next to each other for countless hours of doggie pleasure while we leaned over the back fence and gossiped. The houses across our street had an alley behind them. And the street beyond that had an alley behind the houses. When I was a kid, these alleys were cool. That's where the garbage trucks came through to pick up the trash. In some cases, that's where the garage was. (No one had a garage that was attached to the house. Way too plush!) The alleys were the shortcuts we took when we were on our way somewhere fun in the neighborhood on a long hot summer day. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those were the days when your mom told you to be back to the house by sunset -- which was like ten o'clock at night. You didn't have to tell anyone where you were for hours. No texting, no cell phoning. Ah, bliss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been probably thirty years since I lived in a neighborhood with an alley. But we live in a condo with a garage alley. The front of the condos all face the street and the rear of the condos are where the attached garages are located. It creates kind of a garage alley. It's where our trash is picked up. There's a constant stream of traffic. Neighbors coming and going. A few people even use this space for kickball and barbecuing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, I've been participating in another traditional activity of alley life -- getting my ass kicked. This week, I got into two different rumbles with two different neighbors. The first was with a mean-looking junkyard dog of a tow truck driver who had completely blocked access to the alley. I had groceries in the car, and so I asked politely how long he was going to take to load what I could only guess was a motorcycle he was repossessing onto his truck. He looked at me -- shot daggers at me -- and refused to answer. Three times, I asked! Three times, he gave me the look of death but refused to utter one word. The guy who was my actual neighbor was supervising the pick up. He also said nothing (three times!) and went into the garage and closed the door ASAP. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day, we backed out of our garage to find a girl in an SUV parked in the middle of the alley in order to have a flirt with the young man who lives at the end of the street. He spends a great deal of time in his garage fixing up his car, and always waves amiably to the HMA when he goes by in his loud American muscle car. But this time things were different. We suggested the girl in the SUV pull to the side of the alley. The young man suggested we drive around her. Loudly! So I made our suggestions again -- with some swear words thrown in for good measure. That's right, I'm one of those saucy old women who cusses like a sailor. Snarling ensued. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think I would've been so upset, if I didn't have the earlier altercation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe it's not the people. Maybe alleys are bad. Maybe it's best to go back to a time when all the alleys were reclaimed, and all you did with the neighbors who lived behind you was hang over your back fence and have a good chat while a couple of dogs capered around your feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Those were the good ole days.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-7347861275656040662014-06-06T10:18:00.001-07:002014-06-06T10:40:31.916-07:00Pa Ingalls: Hipster Sex Symbol<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJsltGad70w/U5H3c1mvQ1I/AAAAAAAABVM/UmHlWIzf4mU/s1600/wilder_parents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJsltGad70w/U5H3c1mvQ1I/AAAAAAAABVM/UmHlWIzf4mU/s1600/wilder_parents.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has come to my attention that there is a new hipster trend that makes me realize I am officially old and out of touch with what is 'cool'. I was okay with the tattoos, but I didn't want one. I was a little intrigued by the ombre hair dying trend, but it seemed in opposition to covering my grey hairs. High-waisted jeans? Been there, done that. But I just don't understand the new obsession with beards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not talking about neatly groomed facial hair. (It should be noted that The HMA sports facial hair. It makes him even more handsomer.) What I'm talking about is the trend that has men growing facial hair that makes them look like Pa Ingalls. (See above photo with the missus. Pa's on the left.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've always thought that Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top was a fine guitarist and singer/songwriter, but sex symbol? Not. Turns out he was way a head of the trend, because now every hot young man I see is sporting an out of control beard that makes him look like he's living in a little house on the prairie. Beards are better. Right? If it's on <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/23-reasons-bearded-men-are-better">BuzzFeed,</a> it must be true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I am a die-hard hockey fan. It is playoff beard season. Now is when you can see physical evidence of who is a grizzled veteran, and who is a 'barely a few whiskers on his chiny-chin-chin' rookie. I respect the playoff beard, but this non-playoff beard trend is something else altogether. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was at the Romantic Times Convention in New Orleans last month, there were a half dozen cover models floating around in the lobby bar on any given day. One of them was built like a body builder -- with long, flowing whiskers dribbling down his chest. I found myself enamored of him. Was I repulsed or attracted? I couldn't decide. It did remind me that it had been a long time since I had read any Tolstoy. Maybe I should give "War & Peace" another chance.</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-9766464991935718182014-04-29T10:57:00.002-07:002014-04-29T11:04:02.560-07:00In Praise of Geek Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NidHbOPOmYg/U1_n-uAy8HI/AAAAAAAABSo/5VWgZVkEpz8/s1600/Amy4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NidHbOPOmYg/U1_n-uAy8HI/AAAAAAAABSo/5VWgZVkEpz8/s1600/Amy4.jpeg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I cannot begin to tell you how much of my life I wasted
trying to look like I was "cool". I think it is enough to say that
looking back on it now, it was too much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wasn't born to be cool. My parents didn't care about
keeping up with the Joneses or the latest fashion trends. They were into their
families and each other. They had old fashioned hobbies that involved buying
antiques, sailing old boats and reading. Pop culture wasn't on their radar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I struggled to be cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can remember begging my mom to buy me earth shoes because they were
"cool" and the guy at the store talked her out of letting me have a
pair and I got a facsimile of earth shoes. I wanted a clear plastic tote for
school that could be purchased at Kmart. I got a boat tote from LL Bean. It was
always close, but not quite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It mattered so much to me that I wasn't one of the cool
kids. Ever. And I honestly believed that I would grow out of my awkward years
and become a cool kid as an adult. A "cool kid" late bloomer, as it were. Oh but I was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once a geek, always a geek. I only wish it hadn't taken me
so long to embrace it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a geek. A nerd. A freak. Insert [your name here] for someone who doesn't blend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like figure skating. I like reading books. I
like gardening and I like cats. I have more in common with Amy Farrah Fowler
than Amy Poehler. I have had more bad hair days than good. I have had zits so big that I gave them names. I have walked out of
public restrooms with my skirt tucked into my pantyhose. I have commuted 25
miles from home to job with the buckle of my trench coat dragging on the
freeway. None of these things will ever make you a nominee for the cool kids
club.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So if you can't join them, you have to form your own club. I only wonder why I waited so friggin' long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am now accepting new membership applications for the geek
girls club. You'll know if you qualify.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-51848426999494671602014-04-07T14:56:00.003-07:002014-04-07T14:57:42.931-07:00Nancy Drew Grows Up<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/279XFCGl8Do" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not watching a lot of television these days. I find that it interferes with the stories that I'm trying to tell. I do watch "Big Bang Theory" and "Modern Family" reruns. They never fail to make me laugh. My husband and I have a few shows that we watch together -- "The Voice", "Good Wife", and "True Detective". And then we each have a few guilty pleasures that we tape and watch alone. One of my guilty pleasures is Masterpiece Theatre, or even better, Masterpiece Mystery. Ah, Heaven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used to get up at five o'clock in the morning to watch fifteen minutes or so of these all by myself. They were so delicious. Most weeks, I don't get to watch them until Saturday mornings when I sneak downstairs and watch them. It's like being a kid again when I used to watch Saturday morning cartoons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Currently, Masterpiece Theatre is the second season of "Mr. Selfridge" starring Jeremy Piven. I haven't been able to get into the show and I don't have any use for Jeremy Piven. ( I doubt he'd have any use for me, if he knew me.) That has left me without any guilty pleasures to enjoy. Until someone Tweeted last week about a show that was about four grown up Nancy Drews set in London.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are they kidding me? Nancy Drew. London. 1950s. What's not to like?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I Googled it as fast as I could. I discovered a show called <a href="http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week2/bletchley-circle#.U0MeMF7zda8">"Bletchley Circle"</a> about a group of women who met during World War II at <a href="http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/">Bletchley Park</a>, the famous coding and cyphering center. The show takes place ten years after the war when this group of extraordinary women are leading ordinary lives, until one of them decides to solve a mystery that the police can't. Fabulousness ensues!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To add to my extreme joy I have learned that there will be a second season of "Bletchley Circle" coming soon. Yahoo! How much do I love this? And when I went to follow the show's official Twitter feed today, I knew it was the show for me. The Twitter feed handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/ladynerds">@ladynerds</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bravo!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-23412365120637536602014-03-18T09:08:00.003-07:002014-03-18T09:08:26.384-07:00Can I Have Sex With Ryan Gosling If I'm Married To George Clooney?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fEP4qc3tsY/UyhvS4Me1KI/AAAAAAAABP0/92PdT37R9J8/s3200/Ryan+George.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fEP4qc3tsY/UyhvS4Me1KI/AAAAAAAABP0/92PdT37R9J8/s3200/Ryan+George.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's say, just for the sake of discussion, that I'm married
to George Clooney. It's true, I am an optimist, but it could happen, and my current
husband knows that George Clooney is at the top of my laminated list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, as long as we're doing magical thinking, let's make
this more interesting -- let's say YOU are married to George Clooney. We are
all now very jealous because he's kind, movie star-handsome and most of all –
super-supportive of your writing career. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, one dark and stormy night Ryan Gosling shows up on your
doorstep. He whispers wickedly sweet nothings in your ear, flashes his six-pack
abs, and begs you for one delicious night of passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't think anyone would be critical if you succumbed to
the seductive prowess of Mr. Gosling. Your friends and writing buddies would probably
encourage you to go for it. They'd even offer to periodically text you with
helpful and encouraging tidbits of advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sure, there would be a few who would say you are betraying
Mr. Clooney, but you could say they are just jealous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the other hand, if we return to the original scenario,
and I was married to Mr. Clooney and was being seduced by Mr. Gosling, my BFF
would call me on my game. "Hey, you crazy commitment-phobe," she'd
say, "It's time to get back to the real world and finish what you've
started. " <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You see, she knows the truth. She knows how hard it is to
write and rewrite a manuscript to completion. It takes courage. It takes
commitment. It takes focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which brings us to my current situation – I am in the
process of rewriting my rewrite of my work-in-progress, which, for our purposes
here, we shall call "Mr. Clooney." I love the protagonist, who has
developed into such a strong and intriguing character. Her love interest has also
surprised me throughout the story, and if I manage to stick to my current
writing schedule, I will finish the rewrite in the next three weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Huzzah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However… now, with the finish line clearly in sight, I've
had a sudden burst of creative inspiration. It's a brilliant idea for a new
book. I love the protagonist. She is amazing, and fresh and new. I call this
idea "Mr. Gosling."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not surprisingly, "Mr. Clooney" is starting to
feel like a stale, longterm relationship. I know every sigh my heroine makes, every
under-his-breath utterance by the hero, every plot twist, and every dark moment
by heart. But "Mr. Gosling" is fresh and new. I get goose bumps when
I think of another new plot twists and scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have made a commitment to the telling the stories of the
characters I've created in "Mr. Clooney." And while a break from
rewriting and reworking could be restorative, it might also allow me to avoid
crossing the finish line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a lesson in courage and commitment for me as a writer
not to abandon this project. I just hope I have what it takes to remain
faithful to Mr. Clooney. It may be the only long-term relationship he ever has.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you currently involved in a similar love triangle? I
welcome your tips and suggestions.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-70157214414805991002014-03-11T16:44:00.000-07:002014-03-11T16:44:18.466-07:00A Novel Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4rVOb5EjEQ/Ux-fZuFSWzI/AAAAAAAABPI/4U5bp7ZYVjs/s1600/Outlander_Cast_Claire_420x560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4rVOb5EjEQ/Ux-fZuFSWzI/AAAAAAAABPI/4U5bp7ZYVjs/s1600/Outlander_Cast_Claire_420x560.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I went to film school I always wanted to write a screenplay with a female protagonist. Why would I write anything else? Unfortunately, I was always told that scripts with female leads were "not easy to sell.' You needed to write something that was "high concept" or an "action-film" or maybe something that was based on a comic book. That was the sure-fire winner in Hollywood. After a few years, I decided to turn to my first love: romance novels. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the heart of most romance novels you could almost always find a woman. Strong, vulnerable and in search of a good man. Of course, romance novels have changed since I was thirteen. Telling part of the story from the POV of the male hero is a must. And it is with great delight that romance novels have now started to feature the romance of same-sex characters. Romance writers have progressed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't it intriguing that meanwhile over in Hollywood, where mining for a "new and original" idea means scouring the Young Adult shelves in Barnes & Noble, very little has changed. In fact, if anything, things have gotten even worse. It's sad when the winner of the Best Actress Oscar refers to movies with female leads as <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/oscars-cate-blanchett-puts-hollywood-notice-continued-sexism/">niche films. </a>And t<a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-women-film-report-20140311,0,3746893.story#axzz2vg7ZaXO5">he number of women working in front and behind the camera is shrinking</a> instead of growing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is wrong with Hollywood? Can it be fixed?</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306439448367751940.post-81268683686166550862014-03-04T11:16:00.000-08:002014-03-04T11:16:32.267-08:00A Bit Unexpected<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bA0rqa4DdsU/UxYmIUMcfdI/AAAAAAAABN0/Nfbul5Yv9oc/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bA0rqa4DdsU/UxYmIUMcfdI/AAAAAAAABN0/Nfbul5Yv9oc/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="224" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wasn't exactly thrilled about watching the Oscars this
year. I didn't have a horse in the race. I hadn't seen many of the films that
had been nominated. I wasn't enthusiastic about seeing many of them – the
subject matter was either very intriguing but too emotionally upsetting at this
time in my life (12 Years A Slave) or had absolutely no appeal for me (Wolf Of
Wall Street). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do like to watch the red carpet dance. I know absolutely
nothing about fashion, and the longer that I'm out of the day-to-day grind of
the work force, the less style I seem to have. As a stay at home writer, my
clothes only have to pass the sniff test. Comfort is key. Style is not even a
consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was appalled at how bad the coverage was of the red carpet.
Every network had a team of D-listers dressed up in bad prom dresses commenting
on what the stars were wearing. I saw more of these chicks lined up in a row
with iPads on their laps than I did of the stars. WTH? Who thought this was a
good idea? I just want to see stars dressed up in pretty clothes. I don't even
care 'who' they are wearing. Just put them in the clothes and parade them past
the camera dripping in jewels and clean hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'll enjoy some shrimp cocktail and a nice red wine on my sofa. That to
me is what the Oscars is all about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so this year, the bit that was unexpected for me was how
much fun the actual telecast was. Yes, it is an endurance marathon rather than
a well-designed sprint. But I want to see the guys below the line troop up on
the stage and collect their awards. I want to see the people who win for best
short feature and animation thank their kids. And most of all, I want to hear
Idina Menzel sing "Let It Go" and watch Pink turn into a superstar
with her version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Bravo! Talent,
pure, simple and unadulterated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And while we are waiting for the next announcement of
something big, why not a pizza and a #Selfie? That's what we're doing at home. It is all part of what the Oscars are about.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually enjoyed watching
the Oscars. I felt good afterwards. Maybe I'll continue to make the effort to
go see movies despite all the other distractions on my time.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800021173003923168noreply@blogger.com0