ROOTS

I saw this book at the store this past year. My initial reaction was there’s no way I’m going to buy it. I saw the movie years ago when it was first shown on TV, and it rocked my world. One that has never been prejudice, I was sickened by how blacks were treated.

ROOTS, has been deeply rooted in me all these years.

Over the next months the cover of the book flashed through my mind. I was fearful of the feelings the book would bring up. I hated the injustice done to others just because of the color of their skin.

I believe that if I was born in those days, my life would have ended early. I have no doubt that I would have been one to step up and speak out for the indecency of it all. There’s just no way I could have stood back and watched someone being treated the way they were.

So I'm challenging myself to read the book and refresh my mind of what others have to endure just because they are “different”. To be reminded, as a Christian, I need to continue to show love to all of Gods children. To show through my words and actions that it’s not okay to treat others any other way then the way Jesus would…period!

A NEW AUTHOR, AND A GREAT STORY

Just started this book late last night and I'm really enjoying it. I met this author while in Wyoming, and purchased several of her books. I've finally gotten around to starting it (I have so many books awaiting me on my bookshelf.). I know she’s a small press author but let me say what little I’ve read so far, is amazing. It’s very well writing with some great lines. I’m only a few chapters in and already drawn into the story in a way I don’t want to put it down. But life waits, and as does my own writing, so as usually I’ll slip in a few pages here and there, between eating and when I slip into bed, tonight.

Can’t wait to get back to it.

A NEW NAME FOR AN OLD STORY

I’d just turned off my bedside light for the night after reading for about an hour. The story I’m currently working on, Hearts Crossing started to run though my mind. One thought led to another, and before I knew it I was thinking about the book I currently have completed and should be submitting.

I have always been one that has been able to easily give title to what I write, whether that is a non-fiction article, short story or full length novel. The title usually comes to me relatively quickly and with satisfaction in believing it’s a good match/fit.

Reasons unknown to me, my second novel didn’t come as quickly or with the confidence they usually do. My first thought was, 24 Hours, but soon turned into 24 Days to 24 Hours. I even toyed with, 24/24.

As I often do, I look the title I’m currently thinking of up on Amazon, curious if any other books out there have the same title. And there was. So once again, not really happy with the title, 24 then became The Bet.

The Bet stuck for almost four years, though it never really did appeal to me. As I lay awake in my bed that particular story came to mind and out of the blue a title popped into my head! I hadn’t even been thinking about re-titling it, just that I needed to submit it, and wasn’t keen on the title.

The new title hit me like a Mack truck, as the saying goes. Quite an experience when one is lying down. The minute it popped into my head, I knew it was perfect. I immediately wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget it and then happily rolled over and went to sleep with a smile on my face.

The next morning with my tiny piece of paper in hand, and the words, Don’t Walk Away, written on it, I sat down at my computer to search Amazon for the title. No other books popped up with the exact title, though what did was another called, Don’t Walk Away, Yet.

What really blew me away was the book, Don’t Walk Away, Yet, is an inspirational book, which I write, though that one is non-fiction. Another God thing. It was written by a woman name, Kim. And if that wasn’t enough, the book was published in 2005, the same year I started writing my story now titled, Don’t walk Away!

The whole thing had God, written all over it. Just another hint from above to get going and get that story submitted! This will certainly be an experience I’ll never forget…especially if this book ends up being published.

AN AUTHOR REVIEWS MY REVIEW

I just love it when an author reads my review and responds to it. I know first hand what work is put into a novel, so when one is done so well I make it a point to let the author know how much I enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, there are those out there writing reviews that aren’t so mindful of others feelings. They don’t seem to have any qualms about bashing someone’s writing. I just have to wonder if they've ever attempted to write a novel of their own.

Personally, one of my mottos is: You reap what you sow, so sow well.

Can’t wait for the continuation of Michael and Leesie’s story, and so thankful there’ll be one.

Here's what Angela Morrison had to say about my review on, Taken by Storm.

Angela Morrison says:
Hey Kim! I LOVE this review. Thank you, thank you. I've got two more books planned for Michael and Leesie. Not sure when book 2, UNBROKEN CONNECTION will be out, but it's coming. Watch my website for a sneak preview. All best, Angela

A BOOK REVIEW, TAKEN BY STORM

I'll STILL GIVE IT FIVE STARS

As I was looking for my twelve-year-old at the library, I walked by the teen section. There, sitting on top of one of the selves was a book that captured my eye, "Taken By Storm". I admit it, I'm a romance fanatic. Love to read a good romance, and not necessarily the mushy kind. Actually that's not really my preference in reading or writing.

I took the book from the metal cradle holding it and flipped it over. Not much there to give me any real hint of what it was about. Inside, there was a better synopsis.

Now I'm intrigued.

I leave the teen section with book in hand as I seek out my daughter. Mind you this is the first book I can remember, other then non-fiction, that I've personally checked out from a library in so many years I can't even remember the last time I had. I love books, and would rather own them. But the book was there and beckoned me to read it...now.

I took the book home but first needed to finish the book I was currently reading, Isolation, by Travis Thrasher. A great book by the way. You should also check out his amazing love stories. I had flipped through the pages of Taken By Storm, several times, and was actually thinking of returning it. There were Chatspot Logs, Dive Logs and poems, all amongst what you would normally see between the pages of a fictional romance. I'm so not a poems person.

When I finished the book I'd been reading, I hesitated to start this one. My daughter wouldn't allow that. She made a big deal about, "When are you going to read that, mom?" So I picked it up and started to read. And as I read, I quickly found I couldn't put it down. As I was looking for my twelve-year-old at the library, I walked by the teen section. There, sitting on top of one of the selves was a book that captured my eye, "Taken By Storm". I admit it, I'm a romance fanatic. Love to read a good romance, and not necessarily the mushy, kind. Actually that's not really my preference in reading or writing.

The writing was amazing. The story was amazing. I loved the whole idea of the story, two young people who desperately need someone, and how their paths cross and intertwine. The message of need, love, grief, beliefs and one finding their self is emotionally wonderful.

Needless to say, I loved the story of Michael and Leesie. I loved how Michael went from being a full-of-himself teen male, to one that learned to respect a woman's wishes and beliefs. I loved how Leesie was so rooted in her beliefs and though she swayed at times, stuck to them...at least most of them.

The reason for titling this review, "I'll still give it five stars", is because I did not like the ending. In fact, I was upset when reading it. The last section before the poem wasn't too bad, though not what I'd expected but the ending poem through me off. Remember, I'm not a poem person. I didn't get it, though most of the pomes in the book were actually pretty good...I got them. Maybe I just didn't want to believe how the author chose to end it.

Although the story ended as maybe it should have, and I do see the point in ending it the way it did, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I WANTED them to... Okay, I won't say it, ruining it for those that haven't yet read it. Oh how I would love to see a second book continuing their story.

Needless to say, I will be looking for the next book by this author. Being a write myself, I'm once again feeling nudged to one day write YA.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT WRITING - ENTRY #1

I thought it was about time I officially started sharing what I've learned about writing.

In all the reading I’ve done over the years there’s one thing that has really stands out. You can have a wonderful, amazing storyline…but if it’s not written well, you’ve just lost your reader. If the reader is determined to finishes it, they most likely will walk away thinking, what a waste of storyline. Or maybe not even recognize the great storyline through all the bad writing.

Not that it’s a good thing to have a well written story, yet a lame storyline. That too can kill a story but at least then it’s ones own preference. After all, writing’s subjective. After reading the story, you may feel as though the story didn’t quite do it for you. Maybe it was the action or lack of, or maybe just not a subject you cared to read about. Whichever it is, at least if it was well written, there’s a good chance you won’t write off the write (no pun intended) as one to avoid in the future.

The best of books though, are those that have all the qualities met for a good novel. Those are the ones you can’t put down and the minute you finish the last page, has you running to the computer to email the author. You just have to let them know how much their book impacted you. And trust me, they deserve to know.

So writers beware…aspiring and best selling…don’t be/get sloppy. Always put your best work out there.

FOR ALL YOU RAT LOVERS...HA, HA, HA

If there’s one thing I learned about being a rat owner for years, it's that not everyone shares our love of rats. We waited three weeks for these cute little girls to be old enough to take home from the pet store.

As you may have read in my previous blog entry, my oldest daughter adopted two male rats from a pet store, Ralphie and Dumbo. Our first experienced with male rats. So far they are great, but I later found out that there is one particular trait that is not so desirable. Hopefully we won't regret our decision for the opposite sex.

My youngest daughters have been waiting for female rats to be ready to take home for three weeks. They were so happy when we got the call, telling us they were old enough to be adopted. We immediately went to see them. And of course we then took them home.

Their names are Cinnamon and Starlight. What do you expect, their “mothers’ are only six and eight. The rats my girls had before were fondly named, of course complete with middle names, Cupcake Coffee and DQ Dairy Queen. How’s that for pet names!

Ah, doesn’t DQ stand for Dairy Queen?!?!?

BILLY GRAHAM'S PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

HOW TRUE THIS IS!

Truth...from a man the media has never been able to throw dirt on...amazing!!
he has certainly hit the "world" on the head!!!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

HEARTS CROSSING ON THE MOVE

The story I’m writing for the contest, Hearts Crossing is coming along slowly but surely. With summer here, and kids out of school, about all I can do are two pages a day…if I’m lucky. It’s so hard when I hear of other authors accomplishing thousands of words a day. Yet it also gives me a kick to at least meet my measly two page a day, goal.

The due date is the end of September, with a 20,000 to 25,000 word count. As of today I’m at, 14,500 words. My other two novels are over the 100,000 word mark, so this has been a new challenge. A challenge to write a short story. A challenge to start with a ready-made synopsis. A challenge to meet a deadline. Something I’ll unfortunately…or is that fortunately…one day have to grow accustom too.

It’s been fun getting to know my characters as the story unfolds. They just had their first kiss! How exciting! Next, I’ll be reveling something to set them back. Something that will leave both characters wondering how this sudden and intense attraction can possible continue.

So at the end of the day, if I don’t win the contest I will have at least have walked away with a few things, like having met a deadline to name one. I will also be well on my way to completing another novel. I have no intentions of letting this story slip away. I fully intend to add to it, and submit it elsewhere if I don’t win.

The road to getting published can be a long and merciless one, but one that I fully intend to conquer.