Getting Rid of Clutter. Sort of...

You may know that my daughter is home again. She finished her schooling and decided to return to the North East while she does some soul-searching and job hunting. I'm so happy to have her home. I'm not so happy about the three years worth of stuff she brought home. Almost every room in our house is cluttered again. So we decided to start weeding out some of her things and make her a little money at the same time. Ebay to the rescue!

If you've ever sold anything on Ebay, you probably know how time-consuming the whole process can be. I try to list 3-5 items every evening. You must take photos and enter as much information you feel is relevant to the prospective bidder, set a price, weigh and measure the item in an appropriate shipping envelope or box and then wait for millions of people to stumble across your item. 

Since I'm such an obsessive type of person, I find myself frequently checking my Ebay listings for watchers and bidders. At least it keeps me from stalking my e-mail for manuscript acceptance notifications. Unfortunately, with all the Ebaying going on, I haven't submitted many manuscripts. But, (famous last words here), once the clutter is more manageable maybe I'll be more productive. Maybe.

The thing is--I've been finding these awesome books on Ebay, just calling out my name. Like this children's book I picked up for $5.00.

 This book belonged to a little girl named Deborah. It was printed in 1908 and cost 50 cents!

 Look at the beautiful illustrations!

And this set of books for $9.99 was a steal!

This book belonged to Edna in 1896!

This one belonged to Gerald. He received the book as a prize in 1926. 

And my favorite--also belonged to Edna in 1901. Look at that cover!

I love that children wrote their names in these books. I like to imagine that they held them in their little hands and were transported to new lands as they read the stories. 

I think of them as 'Rescue Books.' Some people rescue dogs and cats, I like to rescue old books. They're thick and heavy, and some of them are falling apart, but they smell GLORIOUS! 

What's that you say? I'm supposed to be getting rid of stuff, not acquiring more? Yes, yes. I'm limiting myself. Well, I'm trying to anyway. Besides, I have a whole shelf in my bookcase that hold those books quite nicely. So, if they have a place, they aren't clutter. Right?

Do you buy or sell on Ebay? What do you like to 'Rescue?'

Character Interview--John Jeffers of Captain's Point by Charlotte Kent

I have a treat for you today: an interview with a character from the CAPTAIN'S POINT series by Charlotte Kent. Sit back, relax, and get to know John Jeffers. 

Talented musician and composer, accomplished adventurer and internationally known author John Jeffers has taken time out from his busy schedule in his new home of Captain’s Point, Maryland and granted us a rare interview. With 11 literary novels under his belt, as well as his Anderson detective series stories, we want to know how he’s spending his time these days and what’s next for him.

Q: Mr. Jeffers, tell us about this new chapter of your life that’s unfolding in your new hometown.

A: First of all, I’d like to say thank you for this opportunity to update my readers. Ever since I came to live in Captain’s Point after my Uncle Ivan’s death, I have never been more content. Spending my life here with my beautiful bride Susan and stepson Daniel brings me the kind of joy few even dream of attaining. My days are filled with fun family activities, time spent with true friends, writing and enjoying my musical pursuits as a member of the Captain’s Point Chamber Orchestra. That’s not to say that I don’t have a few additional irons in the fire.

Q: Your readers are familiar with your Anderson detective series, will you be completing another novel soon?

A: I won’t give anything away before my publisher knows about it, but I can safely say that my readers will not be disappointed as all my series are alive and well. Stay tuned.

Q: We’re aware of your most recent concert appearance debuting your newest composition with the String Flings. Do you have any other concert appearances planned for the near future?

A: I can’t rule anything out. Music as well as writing is about inspiration, and life here in Captain’s Point provides constant inspiration as I appreciate all the gifts I’ve been given.

Q: Rumor has it now you’ve established your residency in Captain’s Point, you have political aspirations?

A: I won’t confirm or deny any rumors. The world will have to wait and see, or should I say read and see. If and when I decide to do something, I give it my all, body and soul, whether writing a book or composing a piece of music.

Q: Can you give us a hint of what we can look forward to from the pen of John Jeffers?

A: With the majestic Atlantic Ocean at my doorstep and the unconditional love and support of my wife and son, the sky’s the limit for me.

Charlotte Kent is the pseudonym used by Annie Acorn and Juliette Hill when writing their collaborative contemporary romantic/women’s fiction/family saga series Captain’s Point Stories.

You may contact and/or follow the authors at:
charlottekentromances@gmail.com
@CharlotteKent20

http://www.annieacornpublishing.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlottekentcaptainspointseries

And Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7053190.Charlotte_Kent

Books, Stories and Box Set in our Captain’s Point Stories Series:

A Clue for Adrianna http://amzn.to/ZqYJz9

A Man for Susan http://amzn.to/16ecUfI

Love’s Journey http://amzn.to/18T4JWa

Love’s Surprise http://amzn.to/1wY5qMg

A Christmas Kiss http://amzn.to/15fzIQc

A Valentine Surprise  http://amzn.to/1ezPVBx 

Captain’s Point Stories Box Set http://amzn.to/JgLvnc 

Titles also available in the UK and on Barnes and Noble, Kobo and iTunes.

Nothing To Say

If you have nothing to say. You should blog about it. ~ Hugh Macleod

I haven't written a blog post in almost two months. I know you'll think I'm going to tell you I've been busy, but the truth is I've had nothing to say.

It's the Summer. I have a few friends that LOVE the Summer. They love the sun and warm weather. For me, the Summer is draining. I hate the heat, and now that I'm older, I can't stand the sun. I know the sun is important for life. The sun is good for my vegetable plants, and I know sunshine is full of vitamins, but unless I'm in a Caribbean resort with a swim-up pool bar that serves frozen Pina Coladas and Margaritas, I can't sit in the sun for longer than 5 minutes. Then again, pool bars are usually shaded.

Summer is usually very busy in the automotive repair business. College kids are home from school, families go on vacation and they all want to make sure their vehicles are safe. Lots of work means longer hours. I don't get home until almost 7pm.

I don't live near a beach. We don't have a pool anymore because by the time we get home, nobody feels like cleaning it or maintaining it. My home, my car and my business office are air-conditioned. I go outside to water my vegetables after 7pm, when the sun isn't as hot. I turn into a vampire in the Summer.

After cooking dinner, cleaning up the kitchen and then doing paperwork that I couldn't complete at work, I'm fried. I spend some time checking Facebook and e-mails, but I'm too tired to do anything else.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of Summer. Thankfully, it's almost over. I'm looking forward to the Fall. I'm always more productive in the Fall. Well, we'll see...

How is Summer treating you?

Contrary Cats--Author Interview--Sean Cleary

So there I was, minding my own business, playing Candy Crush on Facebook fleshing out the plot in my current work-in-progress, when I received a message from another of my co-writers on Contrary Cats. I was overjoyed to hear from him. Apparently, there are other people besides myself who hardly ever read the 'Other' message folder. Without further ado, here is another interview!

Sean Cleary is a science nerd, who was lucky to be taught programming by undergraduates at MIT while still in high school. He received a BSEE from Northeastern U in Boston, studied programming (Computer Science) at Wichita State U, and several Los Angeles Colleges, and received a BSCS from West Coast U in LA. Sean has had 20+ years of combining Electrical Engineering and Programming in Firmware and test stand creation.Sean began playing D&D 6 months after the first books were published and introduced the game to Wichita KS.

1. How long have you been a writer?

I started to write several years ago, maybe 2007. My first story was a dragon based story for my eldest. It had prophesy vs prophesy and thus it died. But it was fun. Contrary Cats contains my first published work, and when I get paid I will be a paid published writer. That is a goal point. 

2. What is your favorite genre to write and/or read.

SF/F. But I have read romance, mystery, engineering technical books, and others. I enjoy reading Mystic and self help also.
I love filking, (Filk is science fiction and fantasy folk style songs as well as anything sung by a filk singer). SCA, (SCA is the Society for Creative Anachronisms, the people trying to bring back the middle ages as they should have been. You are in one of their kingdoms and likely do not know it). role play games, and the furries. 
I have sung Kipling's poems, as well as Martha Keller, and Robert Service. 
My favorite living writers are Pratchett, Bujold, MCA Hogarth, Eric Flint.


3. Where did you get the idea for your story, Empathy Day?

I have forgotten, but I can reconstruct a bit--There is a group of people that like anthropomorphic animals. This group is called the Furries. Within that group there are many different sub interests. There is a subgroup of animals eating animals. That is called 'vore. This story is in reaction to some of the assumptions of that subgroup. 

I have a teacher/reader, Pat. She was an middle school English teacher, she has retired. She was helping me learn to write. And she toned down the gore. 

So the first idea was that the dog would be eaten by the cat. The suicide beam came slightly later. I think most of the story came in one session, with the next 30+ revisions via Pat and me corresponding. 

4. What are you working on now?

It is another reaction to the Vore crowd. But it started out as a way to mourn a couple of people. I learned of their deaths in Feb 2013. And wrote a drippingly sad short story. And when I got done, what I knew about the story at the bottom did not match the top. And I wanted some hope. So I rewrote it. It is now over the 50K limit and so is a novel. I am still getting editorial comments from Pat. We are still improving it. 
Core: One BFF must kill the other in a population Lottery based dystopia. I am forbidding myself to directly make puns or to blatantly use Catholic ideas in a religion that is pantheonic. I still have fun.  

Sean doesn't have a website yet, but I'll be sure to keep you posted when he gets one set up.

_______________________________________________________

Would you like a copy of Contrary Cats? 

You can purchase one here:

Lulu

Amazon

Time Flies---An Update

It's hard to believe, but it has been a full month since I've written a blog post. I couldn't think of anything to write about. I had nothing to say. I know, I know, you're probably all wondering how a chatterbox like myself could keep quiet for so long.

I've seen a few blog posts, such as Miss Snark's "When Words Run Dry" and also an article in Writer's Magazine about Blogger's Block. I have to wonder if a strange planetary alignment, some tidal phenomenon, or the warmer weather had an effect on some of us.

I've been more inside myself lately, unable to articulate my feelings and thoughts. All of my thoughts have been jumbled inside my head. In any case, even though I have been quiet, I haven't been idle. When my mind is working overtime and ready to rupture and implode, I look for ways to release some of that pent up disquiet.

I spent a lot of hours watching BBC movies and television shows on Netflix because it helped drown out the questioning and analytic voices in my head. I'm a fan girl for anything British.

I got a little bit crafty and made some fairy houses to tuck into the landscaping around our home. Aren't they cute?

(Pay no attention to the piles of stuff in my spare room...) A friend of mine found this chair on the street. For FREE!!! I've never seen a chair like this before, have you? With some shampoo and a little furniture polish, it will be good as new.

I finished reading A CLASH OF KINGS.

And started reading THE TWO LIVES OF ERROL FLYNN. (which I just noticed has one 1-star review. I haven't given up on it yet.)

I spent some quality time with Caleb. 

I started planning out my friend's daughter's Halloween costume. (No. It's not a fairy princess costume.)

We took a four-day road trip from NJ to Florida. And back again.

And of course we stopped in Pennsylvania at hubby's favorite place.

I even submitted a short story when I got home. 

I HAVE been busy. I guess I needed to wait until I had enough photos to make a semi-interesting blog post. 

What have you all been up to?

SHOW & SHARE--A Workspace and a New Release!

SHOW & SHARE is where writers can share photos and news. This feature has its own tab at the top of the page to make it easy to find again and again. 
Have something to share? E-mail me at deestan62 @ gmail . com, with 'Show & Share' in the subject, and I'll be sure to post it for you. 

This week's SHOW & SHARE is a double feature! 

Andrea Buginsky sent me this photo of her workspace:

I'm jealous--Andrea's space is so organized!

Visit her website to see what she creates there, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter!

_______________________________

Mikki Sadil wants everyone to know about the release of her new Tween novel:

When the new girl comes to town, nothing in AJ's life is safe from disaster...not even cheerleading and chocolate.

Visit The Word Painter and learn more about Mikki and her work.  

Fun Facts--HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark. He was an only child. His father, also named Hans, introduced him to literature by reading Arabian Nights. 

Andersen moved to Copenhagen at the age of 14, hoping to get work as an actor. He was accepted at the Royal Danish Theatre as a soprano, but when his voice changed, he began writing.

King Frederick VI took a personal interest in 17-year-old Hans and paid for part of his education. He published his first story in 1822. He wrote more than 160 fairy tales, many of which began as folktales told to him as a child.

His birthday is celebrated as International Children's Book Day.

Hans Christian Andersen and The Ugly Duckling. Central Park, New York

Hans traveled extensively. In England, he met Charles Dickens and they became friends. Ten years later, he returned to England to visit again. After overstaying his welcome on a five-week visit to the Dickens home, Andersen's letters to Dickens went unanswered.

Danny Kaye as Andersen in the 1952 Film. This was one of my favorite movies when I was a child.

The Danish Government paid him an annual stipend and considered him a national treasure.

Hans Christian Andersen. City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Andersen often fell in love with unattainable women and in later years was attracted to nonreciprocating men. He never married.

The Little Mermaid. Langelinje Pier in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In 1872, he fell out of his bed and never recovered from his injuries. He died on August 4th, 1875.