Tuesday's Inspiration based on a quote by E. L. Doctorow #MFRWauthor #inspiration

While reading Bird by Bird, I came across this quote by E. L. Doctorow that struck me as a great thought on the process of writing. "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights but you can make the whole trip that way."

Often when I start a story, I have a good idea of how the story will begin and I know where I want to go. What I don't know is how I will get to that point. Sometimes the destination will change a bit but I will arrive where I'm going somehow. Just finished writing the last chapter of a fantasy novel I'm working on. The end bothered me for weeks and I had an end or two blocked out. Then it hit me. This is the third in a series of four stories. First there needs to be a vague threat at the endof this one. Not really a loose end but a hint that there will be more.

The second thing that struck me was the ending I'd written was to put it bluntly "blah." What it needed was some action and there were places for it. So as I wrote the final chapter I could see only paragraph by paragraph where the story had to go. My headlights were pretty dim but they brought me to the ending that made me smile.

How about you? When you're writing a story, do you see every scene as clear as day or do you move along slowly using those headlights to reach your destination?

Meandering on Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor #poetry #aging

Meander 1 - Poem

                                               A Trip to The Morgue

Night is black, dark, quiet.
Silence hovers in your room.
You're dead and I must
Take your body to the morgue
But first I must touch flesh
That breathed with life, pain
Just moments agi.
I never knew you vital.
Only sick, gaunt, yellowed
Dying flesh.
And so I hesitate,
There should be one you loved
To close your marble eyes
And gently shroud your body
In the crinkled paper bag.
Someone you loved should walk with you
Along the halls so dim.
But I'm the nurse.
My duty calls
And so i do those things.
When you're on the stretcher.
A mound and not a man.
The halls are gray
Little eye lights
Vast shadows without end.
We reach the morgue
And I lift you onto the metal tray.
The room is cold
And so am I.

Meander 2 - Anesthesia and old people does not mix. Surgery is necessary to maintain a life but the anesthesia removed brain cells and causes blocks in memory. I wish there was another way to perform surgery.

Meander 3 - Finally came to the end of a draft of Wizards. Wasn't sure I would make it. Not that it stalled since I sort of knew the ending but the ending was blah. So I tore it apart and rearranged the scenes. This story will end with a bang not the whimper that was in the original part of the last two chapters.

Sunday, My books - The Amber Chronicles #MFRWauthor #fantasy #romance

1. 

The Amber Chronicles
Available at http://store.payloadz.com/details/2390726-ebooks-romance-the-amber-chronicles.html, This is a BoGo sale, buy one get one free, Amber Chronicles, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-amber-chronicles-janet-lane-walters/1120344683?ean=2940152056655, https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-amber-chronicles, https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theamberchronicles-1857667-143.html

Amber Chronicles Collection: Emme, a witch and the heir to the throne of the world called Amber is banished from her home to find love. She believes she can command a man to love her but this does not work. Angry at being told no by the crown prince of Rivand she casts a spell on the Riva family. Every hundred years when the moon is full at the summer solstice she will call the crown prince. If he refuses to cede his love to her he will enter the amber orb and vanish. Four times she fails and the princes find adventure on other worlds. One turns an enchanted amber dragon into a princess. The second is imprisoned in an amber tower and must select a bride. The third must free the heroine from an amber cage. Emme slowly learns her lesson and returns to spend her childhood with the fourth prince. Hoping knowing each other will help. She has fallen in love with the crown prince and enters the amber orb in his place. Can Emme who is Cast in Amber be freed and gain the love she has sought for all those years?

Reviews:
FOUR STARS! The witch's curse of zapping princes into an amber orb is one of my favorites. This story is the fate of the very first prince. It reads much like a fairy tale, where at least one moral is to be learned. An enchanting fantasy. **** Detra Fitchhis was a fun book to write and there is a fairy tale aspect to each of the stories included.

Janet Lane Walters does it again.

By Kat Taylor on March 8, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition

JLW has written another winner. Her talent for world building has made her a favorite in the fantasy field. Strong characters draw you in and don't let go until the last page. 

Saturday's Blurbs feature Books by Fiona McGier #MFRWauthor #romance #paranormal

Note that if readers want to purchase my books from my publisher, they can get 50% off by using the coupon code of: 61NF17DV2LEX

1-Prophecy of the Undead

Keisha is a neurobiology researcher determined to discover the secret to intelligence to save humanity from itself.  What she learns leads her to realize a bigger threat comes from beyond the stars.  Yuri is a Russian vampire whose long-dead feelings respond to the scientist whose brain he admires but whose curves he can't resist.  Will his love reach the places in her heart that she has ignored for so long?  And can they defeat the prophecy of the undead to find happiness sharing eternity?

http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615727988

2-Mayan Prophecy Fulfilled (the short sequel to finish the story)As a gifted child she was given to the state by her Chinese parents, leading to a harsh life.  Her un-dead existence has been worse.  When other vampires urge her not to further the destruction of humans, they bring a blue-skinned alien Visitor. She never expected to discover her own humanity in the arms of an alien; he never expected to fall in love.  Can their passion bridge the gap between their races?  And can they join forces to face the return of the Mayan aliens and save humanity? 
http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615728480

3- For The Love of His Life (Minnesota Romance, Book 1)When a famous action star needs to clean-up for a major role that even he doubts he can deliver, the director sends him up to a resort owned by his grandmother in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of upper Minnesota, to learn to commune with nature.  His guide is Veronica, the director's cousin, a tall, athletic woman who has the relaxed, sensible nature of someone who knows herself well.  Raul's initial clumsy attempt to seduce her makes her laugh...so he calls her fat.  Is there any hope that their relationship will progress beyond its rocky start? Will the local woman he grows to love believe someone who "lies for a living"?  And can Raul overcome his partying nature to discover what is really important in life?

Note: one reviewer said this was "the best book of the year" when it was published.

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615729210

4- Only One Man Will Do  (Minnesota Romance, Book 2)

Tough-as-nails businesswoman by day, Alexandra is a biker queen by night. She's never been satisfied with just one man, enjoying all of the men she "hand-picked" for her gang.  When a large Russian man inserts himself into her life, she follows her instincts to some explosive sex.  Ex-KGB agent Dmitri has been wandering across the US for years. When the woman he's sent to deliver an ultimatum to turns out to be his favorite fantasy come true, he decides to try to convince her that he can be all the man she needs.  But he's not willing to share her with her gang, and she's not willing to give up other men.  When two of her bikers are killed, Dmitri is the main suspect.  How far is he willing to go to keep her to himself?  And has she really fallen in love for the first time ever...with a murderer?

Note: A steamy read!  It takes a lot of sex to keep a biker queen happy.

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781629290812

5-Her Last Resort  (Minnesota Romance, Book 3)

The heroine and the hero are both in their 50s. She's retired after 30 years with the CIA, he's ex-KGB.  Her daughter from a failed marriage wants to have a relationship with her, so she agrees to spend a week in a cabin at a resort owned by the ex-KBG man. It's the tale of two love stories, because love can happen at any age, but also the love between a mother and child is a powerful love story also. The only problem is that someone is trying to kill the heroine, and she's never asked for help from anyone before.

http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781629292366

Note: The Reyes Family Romances tell the stories of the adventures in love experienced by the members (and friends) of a large Hispanic family.  There are 6 books in the series, and one is a free download:

6- Prescription For Love (Reyes Romance # 4)

Enrique, the oldest of the Reyes sons, was named after his father’s father, creating a special bond between them.  While in medical school, Enrique accompanied Abuelo back to his hometown in Mexico. Now Enrique is the doctor there, enjoying his practice and his adopted town.  The only thing he is missing is a wife.  Enrique wants an equal: a strong, independent woman whom he can woo into sharing her life with him.  When Tanora Doyle, a bi-racial research biologist arrives in town, he is intrigued.  But will the baggage she carries keep them apart?  Or can Enrique cure whatever ails her, and solve his problem as well?

http://www.smashwords.com/b/18367

Friday - Fiona McGier - Talking about Heroes, Heroines and Villains #MFRWauthor

1. Do you write a single genre or do your fingers flow over the keys creating tales in many forms?

I usually write contemporary erotic romance, because those are the kinds of stories I like to obsess over, when I'm waiting in line somewhere, when I"m driving in-between jobs, when I'm in the shower, etc.  My heroines are busy, but not as busy as me!

Does your reading choices reflect your writing choices?

No, I usually read sci-fi when I'm reading fiction, because I like to dream about the future. Otherwise I'm reading non-fiction stuff like cultural anthropology (LOVE Desmond Morris!) or psychology books, trying to understand more about how/why people act the way they do. I think it helps me to create more believable people.

Are there genres you wouldn’t attempt?

I don't care for historical fiction of any kind. I also don't like westerns.  And due to me faither being  from Glasgow, I don't think of Highlanders as sexy!  The accent doesn't say to me, "Hello, hot man in a kilt with nothing on under it."  The accent says to me, "Hi Dad."  Definitely NOT a turn-on! 

2. Heroes, Heroines, Villains. Which are your favorite to write?

Heroes, most definitely.  If I'm not in love with the hero, there's no story.  Whenever I re-read any of my books, I fall in love all over again.  Sigh...

3. Heroes. How do you find them? Do pictures, real life or plain imagination create the man you want every reader to love? Do they come before the plot or after you have the idea for the story?

Sometimes it's a picture I see, maybe in a magazine or on-line.  Sometimes it's a sexy man who walks by, or who captures my attention in public somewhere.  Like I said, I fall in love with the hero first.  Then the story creates itself around him.  I have to design a woman worthy of him, and he has to be worthy of her also...not just good-looking. I've written heroes of many skin colors and nationalities, but I'm partial to any kind of tall, dark and handsome.

4. Heroines. How do you find them? Do pictures, real life or imagination create the woman you want the reader to root for? Do they appear before the plot or after you have the idea for the story?

After I imagine a hero, I imagine a woman for him.  Then I start to mull over the details of their romance.  Once in a while I dream the entire plot line.  Yes!  That has happened to me with 2 of my books.  One I started, then got writer's block.  I put it away.  Weeks later, I dreamed that a man was telling me that I was having trouble writing because I was, "Giving the heroine the wrong hero."  Then he smiled, showing vampire fangs.  I told him that I don't write paranormal, since it's been so over-done.  He reminded me that I was working the Mayan prediction of the end of time into the story, and that I should research the Mayans.  I woke up the next morning and did just that.  Guess what?  They were heavy into blood-letting for religious and other ceremonies.  Why?  No one knows.  But if they were vampires...(Prophecy of the Undead.)

5. Villains or villainesses or an antagonist, since they don’t always have to be the bad guy or girl. They can be a person opposed to the hero’s or heroine’s obtaining their goal. How do you choose one? How do you make them human?

I don't think anyone thinks of themselves as a villain.  They believe they're doing the right thing and just misunderstood.  Even the worst person has supporters, at least in his/her own mind.  I think that's the trick to creating believable villains.

6. What is your latest release? Who is the hero, heroine and or the villain?

Her Last Resort.  The heroine is in her mid-fifties, a retired CIA agent.  But someone isn't letting her re-learn how to sleep with both eyes shut.  Someone keeps sending young men to try to kill her.  She has no "kill" license anymore, and wants to be left in peace.  Her daughter wants her to spend a couple of weeks up in a resort cabin in northern Minnesota, since she hasn't had much contact with her kids since her divorce back when they were very young. 

The hero is the resort owner, an ex-KGB agent, now a respectable US citizen.  When he witnesses an attack, he offers to help her, but she's not used to relying on anyone else.  The villain is the person who is sending the killers.

7. What are you working on now?

I have at least 4 books I'm currently thinking through the plots and ideas for.  One is 2/3 written, one is 1/2 written, and the others exist only in my mind...for now.

8. How can people find you?

Best place is my website: http://www.fionamcgier.com.  I have pages for all of my books, and buy links along with excerpts.  And a free short story I wrote for a flash fiction contest.  There is a contact form, for anyone who would like to be on my mailing list.  I only send out notices when I have a book coming out, new cover art, or anything book-related to report.  No spam.  I get enough of that!  Want some of mine? (grin.)

I also blog on the 16th of every month at: http://www.sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com

This month I'll be blogging about kissing

Thursday - My Heroes, Heroines and Villains from Lines of Fire #MFRWauthor #fantasyromance #action

Lines of Fire

The Heroine - Kalia

Kalia watched the stranger walk to an empty table. The few moments when their gazes had meshed filled her with a need she couldn’t express. Who was he? The lines of fire on his skin glowed. During the short time she’d felt a connection she wanted to explore, yet she was afraid. He was a Defender, a man who dueled with sword and knife. Just like her father. Did the stranger also revel in causing death? She couldn’t live with such a man. Was he the one chosen as her bondmate?

Her hands tightened. Why would the Swordmaster not choose a man she could gladly accept? Though she had mastered the knife and sword skills, she had refused to join a patrol and be forced to duel.

She wanted to explore the tricks she had discovered. Stopping a wound from bleeding, drawing blood away from or to an area of the body where it was needed and how once she had changed a clot to flowing blood, saving a man’s life. Her mother had warned her not to tell her father how she used the lines of fire. Only Lasara had known and had also succeeded in halting the flow of blood.

“Dreaming of Ingathering Day?”

With a start her head jerked up to meet Petan’s leering stare. His knowing smile raised an anger and fear she dare not express.

“No.” She turned to her brother. “Walk me back to the Women’s Quarter.” Her tolerance for another moment in Petan’s company flew like birds migrating in the autumn.

“I’ll do the honors,” Petan said.

Kalia stared at Robec. The thought of being alone with Petan roiled her stomach. Would her brother agree?

“Not today.” Robec rose. “Being alone with my sister would compromise her. I’ll see her back. Meet me in the salle. Must practice in case I’m challenged tomorrow.”

The burly man ran a finger along Kalia’s arm. “Won’t be long before we’re together.”

Her skin prickled. She stared at the lines of fire on her arm. They had faded just like her mothers appeared after a visit to the Swordmaster’s suite. Petan’s words chilled her. She watched him swagger away.

Robec rose. “Why were you in a trance earlier?”

“That man.” She pointed. “Who is he?”

Robec grasped her arm. “He isn’t anyone you want to know.”

“Why not?”

“Our father dislikes him. Tried to get him banished on several occasions but couldn’t prove he’d done anything wrong.”

“Why?”

“Does the Swordmaster need a reason? I’m afraid it’s my fault. During our training days, he was the best with sword and knife. Father didn’t like me to be second so he set Petan and me against him.”

Kalia whirled to face him. “Not fair. I don’t like Petan. There’s something wrong with his lines of fire.”

Robec grasped her shoulders. “Those aren’t to be mentioned where someone might hear. Seeing other people’s lines is forbidden. Didn’t Mother warn you?”

“She did but you and I both see them. Petan’s are almost black. I know he’s your friend, but open your eyes.”

“Kalia, put your dislike aside.”

“What do you know?” Her throat tightened and she could barely choke out the words.

He stared at the ground. “Father has promised you to Petan as his third mate.”

Her legs buckled. She pressed her hands against the table for support. “I’ll refuse.”

“Can you? Father will force you. He has his plans for us. When I’m the next Swordmaster, Petan will be my Right Hand. Lasara’s bondmate will be my Left.”

Kalia pushed away from the table. “And you’re happy with the plans?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

She rubbed her arms. “What you’ve been promised goes against tradition. I found some forgotten records from the early days. The best dueler among the Defenders is to be the next leader. Instead of a duel where Father allows you to win, you should have a real challenge. Petan should be banished. He’s already killed two bondmates.” Though angry her voice barely rose above a whisper.

“You don’t know that’s what happened.”

“And you don’t know if what he reported was true. There were no witnesses.”

Kalia ran from the refectory and dashed down the hall. Robec’s friend was a leech just like Father. Petan had sucked vitality from her lines. He had done the same to the two women chosen as his mates. Though the first had died after falling into an icy stream and the other had been killed during a duel, Kalia knew he had been the killer. But there was no proof.

“Kalia, wait.” Robec called.

She continued her frantic race through the winding corridors of the central area of the Hall until the door of the Women’s Quarters appeared. She opened the heavy oak door leaving her brother behind. She wouldn’t listen to his attempt to make his friend’s case.

She dashed across the large lounge and nearly collided with her mother. The older woman wore the clothes she donned when she went to meet her bondmate. Her lines of fire showed health and vitality but when she returned they would be drained.

“Daughter, what’s wrong?”

Kalia grasped her mother’s arm. “Don’t go. This time he might kill you.”

“Roban called for me. My honor is to serve him. He seeks another son should Robec fail. What troubles you? Did you quarrel with your brother?”

Kalia shook her head. “Father intends to bond me to Petan.”

Her mother backed away. “He mentioned he had chosen a mate for you. He said the man would be a power among the Defenders. Why are you angry? Your brother trusts this young man.”

“He shouldn’t.” Kalia grimaced. “I don’t like him.”

“How can your father be wrong?  He’s clever at choosing those who are heart bound.”

“This time he failed. Years ago Father ordered Robec to become Petan’s friend. That was before they entered training. Who is Petan? No one knows where he was born.”

“Does that matter? He has shown skill with the sword and knife.”

“Don’t you worry about me? Petan killed two bondmates.”

“Rumors spread by men jealous of the favor this young man has found with your father.” She reached into her pocket. “Since you are to be bonded, this is for you.” She drew out a glittering bracelet.

“Where did you get this? I’ve never seen another like it.”

“My dearest friend passed it to me before she entered the abyss. Her bondmate was your father’s best friend. He fled to the rebels and broke their bond. Your father brought the news to her and offered comfort. She turned away and only spoke to her young children. They were sent to be fostered. There had been a third child who was stolen by his father.”

Kalia felt the weight of the bracelet with its links of silver, gold, electrum and copper. She had read of bracelets of other metals in the ancient records but they had been just made from a single metal.

“It’s beautiful.” She kissed her mother’s cheek and prayed the older woman wouldn’t be drained to death during her stay with the Swordmaster.

She watched her mother walk to the door. Robec had remained outside. Kalia wondered why her mother stayed in these quarters. Many bonded woman whose mates didn’t go on patrol lived with their mates.

A thought occurred. If her mother remained with the Swordmaster she would die. If I am bonded to Petan, so will I. She darted into her sleeping chamber and threw herself on the bed. What am I going to do?

The special knock announced her younger sister. Lasara didn’t wait for an invitation. She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you excited? In three days you will choose your first bondmate.”

Kalia wiped her eyes on the blanket. “Excited, no. Scared, yes. I intend to refuse the man Father has chosen for me.”

“Why?”

Kalia sat up. “Would you bond with Petan?”

Lasara’s eyes widened. “Ugh. Why does Father get to choose?”

“Some plan of his to make sure Robec follows him.”

“What will you do if he tries to force a duel?”

“Saddle my bihorn and ride away.”

Lasara’s shoulders slumped. “Won’t you be afraid? You’ve never been away from the Hall except during the training exercises.”

“I will be frightened. Better scared than bonded to a man with tainted lines.”

“Where will you go?”

Since she had no real plans she shrugged. “Just away from here.”

Lasara stayed for a bit longer. After she left Kalia found the pack she’d used just once when she trained. She’d refused to be part of a patrol and only bonded women were sent with their mates to tour the sectors. She sat on the bed and tried to plan an escape.

The Hero - Alric

“I told them to head out and you would catch up.”

She wore no bracelet. A groan rumbled from his gut. Bracelets meant the bonding between mates stood. Since she had removed hers, that meant he’d been twice rejected. Once more and he would be banished from the Defenders. He opened the clasp on the brass one he wore.

“Seems you won’t be returning with me.”

She stared at the ground. “I never wanted to be a Defender. I wanted to exchange bracelets with my childhood sweetheart. He’s here and wears no bracelet.”

With his thumbs, Alric tilted her head to see her expression. Though her decision was right for her, sadness shrouded his thoughts. “I wish you happiness.” He dropped the bracelet she had clasped on his wrist during the bonding ceremony into her hand. “Here’s your price.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want you to pay the fine. I never tried to see if our bond could last.”

“Neither did I.”

“You could have forced me to unite with you.”

Alric grimaced. “I wasn’t raised to grab what I wasn’t offered.”

“What will you do?” she asked.

“The patrol has finished the rounds of the southern sector of Investia. The Day of Ingathering for the returning patrols is just weeks away. I’ll ride to the Defenders Hall and choose another mate.”

“I wish you luck.”

Alric walked away. He touched the bracelet hidden beneath his shirt. His father had given him the unique piece just before his death. Perhaps this time he would find his heart bound mate.

The Villain - Petan

When her father called, Kalia stepped inside and paused before the desk. “I have something to say.”

The Swordmaster’s mouth curved into a smile. His eyes remained cold as bits of green glass. “I’m sure you’ve heard what will happen tomorrow. Secrets are few in the Hall. As you suspect, Petan will claim you as his mate.”

Kalia stared at her father. She dare not cave to his demands. “I heard but I didn’t believe you would do this to me. I will refuse.” A shudder shook her body. She forced the words past her tight throat muscles a second time. “I will refuse.”

He rose and pressed his hands against the mahogany desk top. “You will do as I command. You are my daughter. Your bondmate will stand as your brothers’ Right Hand when he takes my place as leader.”

Kalia quieted her desire to attack her father. She needed to remain calm. “Find another mate for Petan. He has killed his last two mates. Will you see me become the third?”

With a quickness she hadn’t expected he moved around the desk. “Those foolish young women refused to give him what he needs. You are stronger and were bred to do this, just as your mother was.”

So he knew of Petan’s tainted lines. Kalia drew a deep breath. Her fisted hands hung at her sides. “I will refuse. That is my right. I’ve read the archived records. From the first days when our people came to this land, mates were to be freely chosen.” She backed toward the door.

“You will obey.” He stalked toward her.

“I would rather die by the sword.”

She didn’t expect his reaction. Like a striking snake his hand lashed out. The blow landed on her face hard enough to send her back until she collided with the door.

“Do not defy me.” He fisted his hands. “I will beat you senseless but you will accept Petan. Go to your chamber and prepare for tomorrow. Do you understand?”

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Writing Chapter 1 #MFRWauthor #amwriting

I'm not sure about you but for me starting the first chapter takes a long time.  There are so many things to consider making sure they're there. There's that first line designed to lure the reader into the world you've created, the world of today, yesterday or tomorrow or an invented world. Let's look at some things that need to be included in the first chapter. There are a number.

The first thing to consider is the triggering moment. This had little to do with the characters goals and motivations. This is usually something happening outside the character that triggers a change. Looking at the story I'm working on right now. The decision by the chief wizard to have a competition for a council seat between two young men, one his son and one an adoptee. This decision effects the heroine since she is to be given as the reward to the young man who wins. This sets off the story and needs to be in the first chapter. Maybe not in the opening scene but before the chapter ends. This sets off a number of situations for all the main characters of the story including an ancient hibernating dragon.

Then comes the setting for the story. Where does the action take place? The story could take place mainly in the city, the country, a foreign world but the reader needs to get a sense of the where. In the story I'm working on there are several settings but the opening scene takes place in the strongholdof the wizards and the hareem where all the women live. Other places to be visited in the story are touched upon in the story giving the reader a taste of the where so when the scene takes place, they can visualize without an entire lengthy explanation of the where.

Tuesday's Inspiration - Thoughts on A Bit From Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott #MFRWauthor

"It's a matter of persistence, faith and hard work," This little bit sums a great part of being an author. Having this displayed above the computer might be a good idea for those time when you're wishing for those words to come or when you hit a spot where you're not sure you can work yourself out of that spot you've placed your characters in and you can't see the way out.

Persistence is doing what you want to do every day, The sun is out but you haven't reached your word goal of the day. Do you allow yourself to take off and hope the words will be there tomorrow? You could but the words may or may not appear. Set your goal for something you can easily obtain. Surpassing your goal will give you a boost.

Faith is believing in yourself. Do you sit and think I can do this or do those doubts creep in. I can't do this may soon become I won't do this.  Instead of thinking, Maybe someday I'll sell a story, it's taking away the maybe and the someday. I will sell a story. Taking the iffy thoughts and making them positive is a good way to think. So have a bit of faith in yourself.

Hard work - Writing isn't digging ditches or any other physical kind of job. Writing is hard work. Mentally hard work. It's also the kind of hard work that makes you master all those elements of what makes a story. This has happened to me. Someone says "You're writer. I wish I could just sit and put words on paper. Such an easy job." Not necessarily so. All you can do is shrug. You'll never convince anyone that what you do is hard work.

So you add persistence and faith to the hard work and you will sell a story.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor #Poem #writing

Meander 1 - This week's poem is a trip into childhood memories

Call The Kids For Dinner, Dear

Summer sidewalks shimmer heat.
The men come home from the mills.
Black lunch boxes - thermoses rattle
Against the empty sides.
Dinner's cooking - smells in the air
Cabbage, spaghetti, meatloar, noodles.
Call the kids for dinner, dear.

My father, bald, hawk beaked
Walks to the wooden porch.
Tee shirt, scooped nexk
Pittsburgy gray
Beats his chest in a Tarzan cry
Calling his kids for dinner.

Why does he have to yortle so?
Flushed, red, and not from sun
I slink to the backyard door
So no one knows he's my old man.

Meader 2 - A complaint - Why do men never listen when they come to do some work on the house. The basement was flooded si I needed the drain snaked out. I took them to the basement and shwoed them the drain. "This is the one where there's always a problem." I left them to work. They said they couldn't get through the one I showed them but they did another drain. "It's fine now." Their assessment so I paid them. The next day the basement was still flooded. They had to come back and clear the drain I first pointed out. Fortunately they didn't charge but left with warnings.

Meander 3 - Writing is going well. Typing not so good. I must pick up the pace there since I'll soon have another draft done. I really want to finish this story but it's rather complicated. I have to make sure all the pieces fit. Wizards will be finished before the end of the year. That's the goal.

My Book Sunday - A Marriage Takes Two #MFRWauthor #Medical #romance

1. 

A Marriage Takes Two, https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-marriage-takes-two-janet-lane-walters/1122509453?ean=2940152087734, https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/567742, 
https://www.overdrive.com/media/2352125/a-marriage-takes-two

latisha kennington rated it 5 of 5 stars

” This is medieval.” That’s Carrie’s response to the reading of her grandfather’s will. The money will allow her to provide for her ill mother and give her the chance to give up one of her full time jobs as a nurse. The money won’t be hers until she marries. This creates a dilemma. She has no time for dating and doesn’t know who would marry her until she thinks of her former best friend, Tony. But can she ask him? Two months later time is running out and she decides to take the plunge.

Three years ago, Tony and his wife divorced. Last year he obtained custody or their child. When Carrie asks him to marry her he decides since this won’t be a real marriage, he can accept. Years ago, he loved Carrie but never said anything to her. Now burned, he doesn’t believe in love. To help her uncomplicate her life he agrees.

Can Tony and Carrie get past the reason for the marriage and find love and make a home for his son?