Mountain Men in the Wild

I just read a book that impacted me in more than one way. Keep in mind that I'm a fiction addict and rarely read non-fiction not related to my day job (i.e. Medical.)

However, once I began Wild-Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, I couldn't stop reading. I felt everything she felt, met and liked other hikers, was ready to knock-out a couple of hunters. I will never look at hiking, back-packing and food in the same way.

At the same time I admired the writing and was wrapped up in making it to the end of the trail, engrossed in nature along the way, I marveled at the structure as Cheryl wove in all the things that brought her to the trail. If you ever want to write a memoir, read this one as she takes one pivotal event in her life and links everything to it.

I not only learned about nature and the PCT as well as dealing with loss, anger and grief, but learned more about writing a riveting memoir than I ever have. 

If you haven't read this, go to  http://www.amazon.com/Found-Pacific-Crest-Trail-ebook/dp/B005IQZB14/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340832886&sr=1-1&keywords=wild  Beleive me, you'll be glad you did.

Interview Etc.

I'm a dunce as a blogger since I keep running out of time to blog. Promise to get better. Saw my grand daughter as a mouse in Cinderella, too cute. She makes a great mouse, is also a good actor, singer, dancer. Gotta love grand kids.

Jasper the poodle almost had a heart attack today when a sudden thunderstorm dumped rain on him. He was totally wet, pissed-off and freaked out. Poor baby.

Tonight I have an interview on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Whats-Hot-In-Romance/
You can also sign in and join in the chat. Come on down and join me.

When Worlds Collide

I heard about the most horrific thing on the BBC news. It was about the albinos in Africa who are being slaughtered because albinos supposedly bring good luck. 40 of them murdered and mutilated just this year. Why? Because a witch doctor said a potion containing Albino skin or other albino pieces, brings riches and good fortune. That leads random groups to go out, find an albino, attack him with knives and take away parts. Obviously, the good fortune did not extend to the albinos.

However, it did give me a good idea for "Dead Fairies" and the murderer's motivation. No, there is not a witch doctor in it. But the idea clarified some characterization for me.(That sounds sick and I don't mean disrespect to any families who lost loved ones.)

Then I read some writing tips from Jim Butcher and he made a lot of sense. See, it's never to late to learn, even for someone my advanced age. I love it when a book comes together and a theme occurs. The story is getting much darker, which is what I wanted.

Anyone else out there had any aha moments lately?

How Can You Tell?

How can you tell that your adult daughter and her two children have moved home?

Let me tell you.

1. Instead of fine bath oils in pretty containers on the edge of my tub, I have a bobble head kitty, a bobble head puppy, five pretty ponies, a tiny comb, a tiny brush and no tangles shampoo.

2. No fine wine and shrimp in my fridge, with two kids I have Capri Sun, OJ, Water and Gatorade.

3. The artful arrangement of small framed photos on my table in the living room. No more. Replaced by Crayons, markers, a journal, light Pen, Hannah Montana books, Tinkerbell coloring page, Goofy painting and more.

4. The Irish harp in the corner---Electric guitar.

5. Oh, and the butter container has a hole in the lid, cleverly shaped like a guitar pick.

6. No car in the garage, one houseful of furniture and a little girl's bicycle.

7. Horror films? Replaced by Hannah Montana and the Jonas brothers.

8. Office/ art studio, now the room of a fifteen year old boy, full of girl friend's pics. Pretty little girl.

Now, I love the kids and my daughter. It's wonderful to have grand kid time since they've been living in Houston. Just a culture shock to suddenly be using twice as much water, double the groceries, hungry football player in the house, nine year old girl too.

Life is more exciting, not a bad thing. both kids are a joy and my daughter tries to take care of me and cooked me dinner-way cool. Fun times ahead, high school football, girlfriends, boyfriends all that goes with it.

Weekends, Taxes, and other fun stuff.

It's been a weekend for panic. Got a letter from Social Security that said my check was going to be about $1500 less than usual. Of course I received it on Friday, too late to call anyone and find out what that was about. Then, I get the taxes done and yes, I owe, the house that should have helped this year didn't because the money I took out of retirement for the down payment, put the income up too high to receive the 1st home incentive and the taxes taken out of that money wasn't enough. Life in the way as usual. I also had spent a lot when I got a supply of my books to have for a writer's conference. Oh well.

The Social Security issue was taken care of. I'm stuck with the taxes but my splint is off my hand so I can get back to writing soon, finish the WIP, Changeling. Not by conference but at least begin making progress again.

To E or not to E

e-books that is.

I saw an interesting story regarding music, how CD's are being pushed out of business by music downloads and music stores are closing.

Teen-agers are buying vinyl records. Why? Is the sound better?

No. Its the visceral reaction of people to the ephemeral nature of the digital age.

Don't you love that sentence. It means people want something they can feel touch and smell.

I have ebooks out there, all my published novels are e-books. Soon to be in print, YAY. I'm not knocking e-publishing. I love my Kindle and take it everywhere with me. But, I buy my favorite books in print and hang on to my favorites. When I die, my family will have a fit about the number of print books cluttering my house.

Book lovers want to hold the books in their hands. I really don't think all print book stores will go out of business, and if they did, people would order real books from Amazon,buy them in used book stores.

I put my name into Amazon today, the fiction isn't there yet but my nonfiction is. Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover, Chicken Soup for the Nurses, Sacred Fire. Too cool. Now how cool will it be to see the fiction there also.

What do you like best? E-books or print? Why and why not?