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Friday, June 20, 2014

Love Always . . . Short Story #2 Collection

Earlier today I uploaded my Love Always . . . Short Story #2 Collection. If you need some noontime reading material, a short story should fit right in. Instead of dinner and a show, it's lunch and a quick read that'll take you away from your job, if just for a while.

This is my fourteenth book, among my various fiction and nonfiction offerings. I'm working on getting out more full-length novels. That is my biggest goal this year and for those to follow.

Looking forward to the first day of summer. Hope you enjoy yours too.


"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
Books that Build Character(s)



What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.  You give him the possibility of a whole new life. Christopher Morley
The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. Dan Zadra

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Four Parts to Successful Sex

I'm reading Larry Brooks's Story Engineering book and came across a great quote. And, yes, while I appreciate what he's trying to teach us authors as to writing successful books, I'm more interested in how this applies to the actual art of lovemaking.

So here's a quote worth hearing and then implementing in its entirety and in its presented sequence to make your real life and your fantasy worlds all the better:
It’s [the four parts of a successful story are] like great sex. There’s anticipation, followed by foreplay, followed by, well, you know, then there’s the finale, also known both inside and outside of this analogy as the climax. One without the others doesn’t work so well. [Emphasis added.]
Hmm. This explains so much.

Here's a link for those wishing to check out this book for themselves: http://www.amazon.com/Story-Engineering-Larry-Brooks-ebook/dp/B004J35J8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403182297&sr=8-1&keywords=Larry+Brooks.

Enjoy!

  
"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
Books that Build Character(s)



What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.  You give him the possibility of a whole new life. Christopher Morley
The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. Dan Zadra

Monday, June 16, 2014

Catch Me, A Novella

I just uploaded my thirteenth book onto Amazon earlier this evening. Of course it is not yet live, but I'm jazzed nonetheless.

Here's a preview of how the romance between Stephanie and Alexander begins in this novella:

“That’s the eleventh guy you’ve enticed in fewer minutes. So are you going for an all-time record per Guinness of how many guys you can hit on or vice versa?” said the snarky, amused male who semistraddled her.
Frowning, she pushed him off, her three-inch heels swishing her away, finding another easy target. “Buy me a drink, cutie?” she asked, her fingers already on her prey’s tie as she watched a pleased smile formed on the newest guy’s lips.
“Darling, I lost you for a moment,” said Snarky, handing her the drink she had left at the bar. His eyes danced with laughter as Cutie slinked away.
Remember, no matter what else you accomplish, always do something for yourself each day. Otherwise that feeling of martyrdom sets in.



"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
Books that Build Character(s)


What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.  You give him the possibility of a whole new life. Christopher Morley
The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. Dan Zadra

Monday, June 9, 2014

Comparing Microloans to Online Venues for Indie Authors

Thought this was a great article and had to share. Read on about how those microloans to help someone start a business is akin to how the free online venuesAmazon's KDP, Barnes & Noble's PubIt!, Kobo's Writing Life and Smashwords, to name fourhave done the same for us indie authors. Here's the link: http://johnwalterswriter.com/2014/06/08/microfinance-and-indie-writers/.

Many thanks to KDP, PubIt!, Writing Life and Smashwords for giving me this wonderful opportunity to follow my dream and for the opportunity to be paid a fair royalty for my stories.



"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
Books that Build Character(s)



What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.  You give him the possibility of a whole new life. Christopher Morley
The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. Dan Zadra

Thursday, June 5, 2014

I've Learned That . . .

A friend sent this to me today, a wonderful uncredited prose poem which closely resembles Maya Angelou's quote on Goodreads but differs therefrom, as you will see, with the addition of a timeline of ages for each line. Will greatly miss Maya's presence among us, so I share these words of hers.

I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night."
 Age 5

I've learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.
 Age 7

I've learned that, when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.
 Age 9

I've learned that, just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again.
 Age 12

I've learned that, if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.
 Age 14

I've learned that, although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
 Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
 Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
 Age 26

I've learned that, wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there.
 Age 29

I've learned that, if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
 Age 30

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
 Age 42

I've learned that you can make someone's day by simply sending them a little note.
 Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
 Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
 Age 47

I've learned that, no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
 Age 48

I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
 Age 49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
 Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.
 Age 51

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine-cabinet full of pills.
 Age 52

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they are gone from your life.
 Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
 Age 58

I've learned that, if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage.
 Age 61

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
 Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
 Age 64

I've learned that, if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
 Age 65

I've learned that, whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.
 Age 66

I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
 Age 72

I've learned that, even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
 Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
 Age 90

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
 Age 92

~~

And what I've learned is that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.



"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
Books that Build Character(s)


What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.  You give him the possibility of a whole new life. Christopher Morley
The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. Dan Zadra