Jacqueline Howett's Blog

Jacqueline Howett interviews Annalisa Crawford.

2012-02-15T05:20:00.002-08:00

Click on book to Buy. $2.99 Amazon/Kindle USA

I’m happy to announce we have Guest author Annalisa Crawford of Cat & The Dreamer here today.

Now on with the interview.

Q. Where do you come from?

I was born in Plymouth, so I grew up spending my weekends playing near to the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from. It's one of my favourite places; I love the feeling of being surrounded by history. I now live just across the boarder into Cornwall.

Q. What made you write this book?

There was a spate of people in the UK dying as a result of suicide pacts, and I wondered what would drive people to enter into something like that. Then, I wondered what if you tried but failed. I already had a character in mind who didn't want to live in the real world, she hid in fantasy, and I knew that something terrible had happened. The two ideas fused together.

Q. Which authors have had a significant influence on your writing?

Suzannah Dunn, who's much more well-known for her historical novels, started her career by writing stories similar in tone to what I was writing at the time. Her first book was a novella and her second was around 55,000 words. I'm drawn to shorter books, because I struggle to write anything past 60,000 words, and finding these books convinced me I wasn't wasting my time entirely. Apart from her, I love Margaret Atwood, Chuck Palahnuick and Daphne du Maurier's short stories.

Q. Do you like to listen to any music while you write?

Yes. I listen to Absolute Radio because they have a no-repeat policy, which means you're not constantly hearing the same Top 5 songs. If not radio, then CDs - sometimes, to get into the right mood with a particular MS, I'll just have the same CD on repeat. Some songs have actually inspired stories. I've mentioned before, on my blog, how False Alarm by Cherry Ghost inspired a story I'm currently polishing for submission.

Q. What do you think of the changing world of electronic books?

For my novellas, which I know would have a hard time finding a print publisher, it's fantastic. I still love books, but I think the two can live side-by-side very happily. There are so many opportunities for writers, at the moment - it'll be interesting to see how it develops.

Q. Do you have any other books you can talk about that you’re writing?

The story I mentioned earlier is part of a collection of three novellas, all set around the same town, similar to my own town but with some creative alterations. The town is haunted on quite a dramatic scale. There's another suicide, a murder, a bad psychic, and it includes my all-time favourite character - very sexy, charismatic guy with long hair and dreamy eyes!

Q. If there were three books you could only take to a desert island what would they be?

Pride and Prejudice, which is my all time favourite book.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Q. What advice do you have to offer other aspiring authors out there?

Purely on the creative side - because I'm still learning the publishing side - listen, observe, be interested in people, enjoy the stories you're telling. And, don't write what you think you ought to write, write what you HAVE to write.

Thank you Annalisa for visiting with us today.

Thank you for having me.

Q. How can readers find you and follow your progress?

Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-and-the-Dreamer-ebook/dp/B0078TEAPW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329213444&sr=8-2

Amazon Kindle USA: http://www.amazon.com/Cat-and-the-Dreamer-ebook/dp/B0078TEAPW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329213481&sr=8-4

Barnes & Noble. Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cat-and-the-dreamer-annalisa-crawford/1108820300?ean=2940013928473&itm=1&usri=annalisa+crawford

Vagabondage Press (for other formats):

http://vagabondagebookscom.ipage.com/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=47

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13485879-cat-and-the-dreamer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Annalisa-Crawford-Writer/360130197335708

Other E-mail: annalisacrawford.writer@gmail.com

Blog - Wake up, eat, write, sleep annalisacrawford.blogspot.com

Book description:

As a teenager, Julia survived a suicide pact, while her best friend Rachel died. Julia’s only escape from her guilt, and her mother’s over-protection, is her imagination. When Adam arrives in the office, Julia’s world takes a startling turn as she realises reality can be much more fun than fantasy. Finally she has someone who can help her make the most of her life. But can she allow herself to be truly happy?

Here is a free excerpt from the novel of Annalisa Crawford, Cat & The Dreamer:

Today is Rachel’s birthday. Born 29 November 1981: a bundle of joy, no doubt, for her doting parents, who wrapped her up in a fluffy, pink blanket and brought her home in time for Christmas. Fifteen years later, on that very day — on this very date – she was buried; right here, right where I am standing now. Buried under years of untended grass and weeds, neglected since her parents divorced and moved; wrenched apart, torn away. The gravestone, once gleaming white marble in the shape of an angel, is weathered with green moss and dirty rain; some of the lettering is starting to wear away.

I hate that angel. I hate the way she smiles benevolently, the way she stands proud above the other graves, observing the rest of the cemetery with her smug, gloating face: Yes, I’m dead as well, but I am still better than you.

I throw the bouquet of pink roses at the base of the statue without much regard for presentation and kneel for my annual prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for saving me. But, the more I say it, the more I think I should be admonishing Him for His failure to let me die as well.

I stand; I sigh. I stare for a while because I cannot muster the enthusiasm to leave. I’m only going home; there’s nothing much for me there, except my mother waiting to dish up dinner and my father muttering to himself about some news item that’s offended him today. I’ve tuned out his latest rant. Single mothers, gay marriages, the unemployed loafing around as though they have the right to sponge off his taxes: he has opinions on everything, and no one listens anymore.

When I walk through the front door, my parents are lying dead in the hallway. There are blood stains along the carpet, trailing out from the living room. I stare at the scene for a moment, trying to take in all the information. All I can truly think is, I’m an orphan. In the living room, the furniture has been turned over, the cushions slashed open; the drawers have been pulled out of the dresser, the contents strewn across the floor. Nothing obvious is missing; the thieves — for there must have been more than one to attack both parents at once — were looking for something specific. It seems as though my father’s secret life as a spy has been compromised.

When I walk through the front door, my mother is humming along to Radio 2 in the kitchen as she pulls plates down from the cupboard and rummages through the drawers for cutlery; my father is sitting at the table reading the paper and ignoring the fact that he could be helping.

“Julia? Is that you?”

One day it would be so nice to walk into the house and to be alone. I consider not answering; I consider turning around silently and running back down the path. “Yes,” I answer obediently.

“You’re late.”

I peer into the kitchen. “I didn’t go to work today, remember?”

“That bloody grave again,” Dad mumbles from behind the Telegraph. “Can’t be good for you. Can it, Mags?” He leans back in his chair and raises his voice, as though Mum is in another room. “It can’t be good for the girl, going off to that bloody cemetery all the time. It’s best forgotten, that’s what I say.”

“It’s not all the time. You know it’s not all the time. I don’t know about Mum, but I’m getting bored with hearing what you think.”

“Don’t talk to your father like that.”

“Like what?” I drop my handbag to the floor and kick it into the corner. I slump into my chair and wait for a plate to appear in front of me. I am suddenly a fifteen-year-old girl again being chastised for some perceived transgression. I visibly shrink three inches to inhabit that gangly awkward body. My head swarms with all the years I have not yet lived.

We eat in silence, because it’s usually best and usually the way all meals end up. I collect the plates, wash them, and put them away. I wipe the sides, make coffee, and hide away in my room. It is half-past six and my day has come to an end. No friends to meet for a drink, no evening yoga class, no date.

I change into my pyjamas and curl up to watch a James Stewart DVD. Mostly I stare up at the ceiling. I’ve watched The Philadelphia Story so many times that I know exactly what will happen in this scene and the next. I deliver Katherine Hepburn’s lines alongside her, but then I’m bored and give up.

The moon shines brightly, casting silvery shadows around the room when I turn the light out at half-past eight. There’s a whole world of people out there who haven’t even eaten dinner yet. They’ve returned from work, sat down with a glass of wine with their husbands and wives, or taken their kids to the cinema as a treat for getting good grades. They’ve considered cooking, then decided to eat out at their favourite restaurant, because these people that I’ve created have favourite restaurants. My parents have one restaurant that they use for birthdays and anniversaries; the rest of the time, Mum cooks meat-and-veg because Dad won’t consider eating anything else.

Every night I fall asleep with the curtains open, and every morning they are closed. Mum comes in and tidies around me late at night as though I’m not even there; she folds my clothes; she stacks books that I’ve left open with the pages face down because I couldn’t find a bookmark, the spines twisted and cracking. I’ve asked her not to, but she ignores me. And if I mention it a second time, she reminds me that this is her house and she is allowed to go wherever she likes, and I should remember that.

“This is really your life?” you ask, appearing in front of me and peering around the room in disdain. “This is really what you do every night, every single week? Just sit here and vegetate?”

“Yes, this is what I do.” I can confront you because you aren’t real right now. “What did you expect? Extreme sports? An evening job as a lap-dancer?”

You shrug sadly. “Perhaps it’s unfair of me to judge you. Why can’t we be different and still get along?”

Ah, Cat, why are you so understanding in my dreams and so ghastly the rest of the time?

That’s you: you’re called Cat for this little romp. Because that’s how I think of you, like a cunning and calculating cat. You are tall or short, always slim, brunette or blonde or red; you are always perfectly dressed, whether smart, casual, bohemian or sporty. You have friends who always agree with you because they know the consequences if they do not.

You’ve been following me for years, assuming various disguises. You were the PE teacher who singled me out in front of the entire class because I couldn’t hit the baseball. You were the girls behind the make-up counter who ridiculed me when I tried to buy my first eye-shadow, aged seventeen. And you were the bloke at my first job who sent me a Valentine’s card and then told everyone I was frigid when I ignored it.

I know it’s you, because you cannot conceal your spirit, your eyes betray you every time. Whenever I meet you in yet another incarnation, you always impart that identical, brief but unmistakable, echo of recognition.

Yay! Re-reading and writing with no distractions!

2012-02-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Seriously guys, a writer must write!

I can only smile:) For the time has come to allow myself to get some re-reading and writing done, on various 'other' works.

***

And I leave you all on a special note, The Greek Seaman is now in the hands of an excellent proofreader, T.J. Proofs, who comes highly recommended.

Here's the link to TJ's Blog.

http://manuscriptproofing.blogspot.com/

More news about all this, coming soon!

If you need me, just e-mail!

I wish all you authors lots of luck doing the same, bringing about that balance with not being online so much, when you really should be writing. How you might achieve this however, I feel is quite a different and unique growth experience for each of us on our journey. Anyways, one thing's for sure, the internet will always be there!

Although I'm still learning the social internet, it almost feels like I've reached some sort of graduation. It's as if one has to keep feeding the beast of curiosity a certain appertite, until with time it is diminished to a degree. After my extensive online presence, I now hope to add all that I've learned to my own work. So here's a little thank you to all the encouraging e-mails I have recieved, and the posts and comments from my blogger, twitter and facebook friends, for being so helpful in my own amazing process.

Jacqueline

Donald Wells- Sex Poems For Virgins, reviewed by Jacqueline Howett

2012-01-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

Click book
Free for Kindle prime members.
.

Donald Wells, captures so bravely the human quest-for the meaning of life.

Donald Wells', whimsical tone in these varied works titled; `Sex Poems For Virgins' (A compilation of unique poetry,) was a refreshing read that kept me hooked. I felt like a spectator on a soul journey throughout the different stages of a man's life.

I enjoyed his unique style. He questions existence with such raw emotion in the simple pleasures of life from adolescence and beyond. It's not all light-hearted and whimsical as you read toward the end segments of the book. His writings change some-what and become more metaphysical in style. The latter years of growth bring a deeper search of the self, with how people change on the subject of sex, love, life, death, having, loosing, confusion; as well as all the natural ailments that can happen to a man in a course of a life. However, it left me feeling encouraged all the same by the essence of love. This is a man who bares a beautiful soul- I felt I could relate with.

Also, the segments on marriage are to be envied. I felt I had come to know the author better in the way he'd managed to capture so bravely the human quest for the meaning of life. There are many passages and segments in this book I feel I will want to keep close, re-read and reflect upon. I look forward to reading more from this author and highly recommend this read. Don't let the title fool you. By the end of the read you might understand why he chose it.

To buy: AMAZON

Donald Wells has written many novels, shorts and poems. Recently he has been writing another series to 'The Ocean Beach Island Series.'

Book Description:
SEX POEMS FOR VIRGINS is a collection of poems written by Donald Wells in rhyme. They are sometimes humorous, often unique and frequently thought provoking.

Proofreaders/Copyeditors wanted.

2012-01-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

How do you choose the perfect proofreader/copyeditor?

Recently my concerns have been with my own search for a really good proofreader/copyeditor. I have been looking at the best sellers on Amazon, some by top publishers. Well, immediately I now look at their one and two star review section of the book. I’ve noticed on quite a few, how so many of these reviews were given for bad grammar, and yet, they remain to be top best sellers. Now this is interesting, as well as comforting... And I can only wish I had all this kind of information say, about a year ago!

Then there are proofreader/copyeditors I have searched out with "author testimonials" who have books up on Amazon, but one or two of these books edited were given one or two stars for bad grammar. Should one still gamble with that editor? After all, some of their other books they edited don’t have any mention of poor grammar. Should you still use them, and hope your book isn’t the one that gets the poor editing? What do you think?

This isn't a post about editing yourself a zillion times, although that helps. This is a post about choosing outside editing help.

Are copy editors/proof readers really an individual experience that’s so very different for everyone?

Some of you might not want to part with your proofreader/copyeditor. You might be happy with yours, and so, intend to keep them very busy with editing your own books only. She or he has enough clients, you might think. Believe me, that too I can understand:) I mean, who needs an overworked, tired proofreader, which now raises futher questions, if you see what I mean.

But how do you decide on a good one? Do you think it’s a matter of paying the right price, or is that neither here, nor there?

Have prices in general become more reasonable since e-books? How much have you paid on a word count/page?

These are some baffling, important questions for authors. You will also need in the process of working with a copyeditor, a certain kind of trust and lots of patience. And with all that is said and done, maybe one shouldn't worry so much about finding that ultimate perfectionist. You know, in some of those Arabic rugs, there is a tiny pair of scissors woven into the pattern of the rug, to show man's human imperfection. (It goes something like that- anyway.)

Well, I'm hoping to narrow my own search down to one or two. Do you have a great copyeditor/proofreader you would like to recommend, who also has many books up on Amazon from various authors? If you like, you can list it here in the comment section, or e-mail me privately. jacquelinehowett@yahoo.com subject line: copyeditor/proofreader.

If the same copyeditor/proofreader comes up often enough with a really good track record, that might be interesting.

Good Luck to all of you on that same road, and happy blog hopping!

Jacqueline.

This is a blog hop

Insecure Writer's Support Group monthly posting, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The first Wednesday of every month is when it happens and there are a whole bunch of bloggers who participate. Anyone can join, so feel free to add your name to the list, or just hop around and read the different posts.

Happy New Year every-one!

2012-01-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

Love and Peace to you all- throughout 2012

Jacqueline

Merry Xmas- everyone!

2011-12-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

See you guys in the New year!

Jacqueline.

Digital art created by Jacqueline Howett

Insecure Writers Support Group: I'm still pondering deep POV.

2011-12-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Really, this is not being lazy about posting something new, it's where I'm at for a time in my head, pondering deeply, deep-POV. I also thought, due to so many authors lately seem to have become interested again in this subject- as I am, I decided to make this 'a repost' for the group. After all, this is no simple matter. This stuff takes a while to sink in. So the more versions we have to understand this- the better!

Is your published novel a good example of deep POV? If so, you just might make a sale today from a curious author/reader when you leave a comment here today. You have got to admit, it does make for a good sales pitch!

Thanks guys! Happy Blog hopping- I'll be seeing you around!

Pondering - deep POV.

So, today I'm giving out reminders to some great links to these deep POV examples and their meanings, by showcasing two authors who both have novels out this month -who use deep POV in their novels.

Before re-editing some of my 'other' novels, I hope by then, some of these 'deep POV' examples rubs off on me. For now, I'm still soaking it up, pondering deeply. It will be a good thing to grasp completely, and know where to use it, and add them before my final umpteenth draft.

For the most part it's really to just become more aware when and where I'm doing this- already. As for the first draft, I will just write away, as usual, any -old how. Although I hear it isn't neccesary to add 'deep POV' often, one should know when and where to use it. Using 'deep POV' in one's novel is to make your characters stand out just a little more for the reader, so they fall in love with them more, or at least come to know them better, as one practices the art of show and don't tell.

Here are few links with some great examples that I've checked out today, for those writers who are just finding out what it all means, or for those who feel they need this reminder to brush up their present, or next novel. You might want to book mark it, as you might want to refer to it at times.

*****

Pamela S. Meyers expresses deep POV in a few, good, simple examples at seriouslywrite. Her latest novel titled, THYME FOR LOVE was just out this November 2011.

http://www.amazon.com/Thyme-Love-Pamela-S-Meyers/dp/1602903026/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322687584&sr=1-2

How Deep POV Helped Me Achieve Publication by Pamela S. Meyers http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-deep-pov-helped-me-achieve.html

Click on link below, for the long version review by Angie Arndt from her blog; joy on the back roads. I quote a line here from her review.

Pamela S. Meyers’ use of deep point-of-view and descriptive techniques drew me into the book and didn’t let me go.

http://joyonthebackroads.blogspot.com/2011/11/thyme-for-sweet-read-review-of-thyme.html#comment-form

As well as being good reads, to read these mentioned authors books, might proove to be good examples to understanding deep POV,

Camy Tang has a great link on deep POV. She has written a series on this subject. It's an old link, but very 'now', and worth checking it out to book mark it.

http://storysensei.blogspot.com/2005/11/deep-point-of-view.html

http://storysensei.blogspot.com/2008/01/deep-point-of-view-part-one.html

Camy Tang also has her latest novel out today 2011, titled, Protection For Hire. To read up on her book excerpt launch, snip bits, and other buyers links, click here at her site called Camy's Loft:
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/2011/11/protection-for-hire-releases-today.html?showComment=1322770782316#c7030644023218504055

Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Protection-Hire-Novel-Camy-Tang/dp/031032033X

My inspiration for this blog came from The writers alley.

(Inspirational Tips right up your alley.)

They also have some really great helpful comments and links on this very subject, and they are really a nice bunch to hook up with.

What is Your Novel Missing? Deep POV

http://thewritersalleys.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-is-your-novel-missing-deep-pov.html

I have Cindy R. Wilson to thank for this blog, and for igniting my flame to write it actually. She is also an aspiring author, She is one of the contributers at The writers Alley. It was through her other blog at blogspot I found The Writers Alley. Cindy has a wonderful blog that is very helpful for writers in their novel process, from the Anatomy of a scene, to plotting your novel, and much more. So do check out her side bar on her blog. I hope you find it helpful in your novel process.

http://cindyrwilson.blogspot.com/

Cindy is a very interesting lady. Check out this link where she was interviewed on all the many books she has written.
http://romancewritersonthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/meet-writer-cindy-r-wilson/

Feel free to mention your own novel, or someone else's novel, or another blog in the comments section, if you think it is a good example of deep POV.

Good luck to you all! No doubt, before long, all this deep POV, will sink in...

Jacqueline

***

Previous blog post comments on this subject:

Thank you so much for the mention, Jacqueline! You're right, deep POV really sucks the reader in and can be very effective for mysteries, thrillers, romances, etc. I need to go back through my work-in-progress and take the point of view deeper, too. Thanks again and good luck with your writing!

Angie Arndt

http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/

Jacqueline, it was great to hear from you and thanks so much for the shout out. I love when we writers can help each other out. Deep POV used to be a challenging concept for me, and I'm still learning. I get to put it to use with my WIP pretty soon once I start editing it. Can't wait! I hope you have a great week!

Cindy R Wilson

http://cindyrwilson.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for mentioning both my book and my articles, Jacqueline! Camy

Camy Tang

http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

I LOVE writing in Deep POV. To me, it's as close as 1st person. I've got a handout on my blog, and will be doing a class in February at Savvy Authors if anyone's interested. Terry

Terry's Place

Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

Although I don't always do it, I also love writing deep POV. Thanks for the examples and links.

Lynda R Young.

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

Deep POV is great; I really enjoy it. Thanks for the book suggestions on it!

Talli Rolland.

http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

Hello! Thanks for the links, I'll have to go and check them out.

Michelle Dennis Evans.

http://michelledevans.blogspot.com/

hey! now i've got me some reading to do *grin*... thanks for the links. and your visit and comment. much appreciated!

Shadow.

http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/

I've never heard of 'deep pov,' before. Perhaps I simply call it something else, like multi-dimensional characterization. Nancy

Nancy R. Williams.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858

TO READ MORE COMMENTS SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST!

***

To join the group of Insecure Writers Support Group, head over to Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog. or just hop on here below:

Happy blog hopping!

What I use to look like in my teens and twenties.

2011-11-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

I was going through old photos, and was taken back by this collage of me in my mid-teens and twenties. Oh -what memories and stories some of them do tell!

It's funny looking back at old photos. I'm now fifty seven. While taking a good look at my aging process, and these so called more mellow years that I have now reached, I often wonder who she is- or was. I'm not going to go deep into it today, but I thought I would share! The one thing that hasn't changed since those days for me- is my weight. I'm still a petite little thing!

Some people ask me, what the best years were. I often thought my vibrant teens and twenties, where seemingly one hasn't a care in the world. Do I have any regrets? Gee, that's a tough question- really! Growing up is no easy pie. Although it was innocent and so very frightening at times, I'm amazed how bold my behaviour was in my teens. And yet, on the other hand, I was so introverted and shy. And that part no one seems to believe. Well, I most certainly did it my way. But, I have to say, I would have done things differently. Many of you- I know, wouldn't change a thing. Wisdom tells me, not to have regrets. So, I try to change my perspective, and turn it around- in order to think every age should be viewed as a blessing. This I can only say now, as I realize how time is so very fleeting.

Do you have old pictures of yourself that you can hardly relate with anymore? What was it that surfaced for you from various passages of your own life? Or how much of it did you manage to write into short stories or books?

I hope to catch up on some reading. Later, I hope to take a walk to the beach. It's such a fine day

here in Florida. Low 80's is heaven! It will be this way- all week!

What-ever you're doing, try to enjoy some small moments in the Now! Even if it's just cooking or cleaning. After-all, that's all we have!

Spiced Coffee Break and Great Sightings.

2011-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

It's the last day to get Jessica Bell's soundtrack "Melody Hill: On the other side." for free with a purchase of her book String Bridge. Please be sure to email her your receipt: jessica.carmen.bell(at)gmail.com

Connect with Jessica:String Bridge: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jessica_bell

Website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/

Blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell

Publisher: http://www.luckypress.com/

Product Description:
Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage--and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits...

"Jessica Bell's STRING BRIDGE strummed the fret of my veins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page, yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones of heavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy--just as with any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with Bell's narrative." ~Kathryn Magendie, author of Sweetie, Tender Graces and Secret Graces, Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal

"Poet and musician Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and the difficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout, seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure that allows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her world begins to unravel ... String Bridge is a powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just a hint of magic." ~Magdalena Ball, author of Repulsion Thrust and Sleep Before Evening

"Author, Jessica Bell paints a claustrophobic vision of life where domesticity becomes a ever-diminishing prison cell. With gripping prose and terse dialogue, 'String Bridge' is a powerful debut novel from a very talented writer." ~Talli Roland, bestselling author of The Hating Game and Watching Willow Watts

About the Author

Jessica Bell grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s. She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for HarperCollins, Hellenic American Union, Cengage Learning, Pearson Education, Education First, Signature Manuscripts. Jessica Bell has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found on her website. Additionally, she has written various English textbook materials and is also a singer/songwriter/guitarist. Ms. Bell's experience as an Australian living in Greece has greatly influenced her writing.

String Bridge purchase links:

eBook:
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

Paperback:
Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Barnes & Noble

Soundtrack:
iTunes ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

To see a list of other online stores where you can purchase
Melody Hill: On the Other Side, please go to: AWAL

Have a great weekend

Jacqueline

Where does your burning fire of inspiration come from?

2011-10-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Do you think it has its season?

Some of my best moments writing are done with such discipline. Taking a nice walk is as important as part of the writers routine, and looking back they click as being some of my very best memories. I remember I use to carry salami sticks and bread in my pocket, and hike up a mountain or to a good stretch of beach, or loose myself in the trees or bike somewhere far to take in breath-taking scenery. Looking back, it’s what being a writer is really all about-mostly, when submerged into solitude as its process. I would return home hungry and look forward to eating before starting another session. And yes, cooking can also help in the process. Just the homely smells of food, especially on a cold day makes you want to create that safe cocoon about yourself. For some of you, I know its music.

But do writers really need to be alone? It’s amazing how we can be so sociable in this new tech age of blogs, twitter and face-book. Some I hear need the noise and hectic combustion of people about them. I’ve heard some sit in busy train stations or airports to pick up that energy to write something down. Sometimes one can thrive on chaos. Mostly for me I’m inspired immersed in the solitude of nature. I have been known to take sporadic moments off to my car to write in my note-books, during a break at work. Some I’m sure have switched their computer screens from office work to their word story they were working on. Sometimes it might be star-bucks or a library for a change for some, or just to get away from the noise that is at home with family by transforming one noise for another. Other times it’s just a simple balance requirement, a new perspective that one needs to reach first.

Writers are also sensitive. I have been convinced at times I shouldn’t write, when I need to concentrate on certain realities that need my immediate attention about me. Things that should be top priority, before my writing, like survival. But when nothing is moving in me- nothing gets done. And then out of the blue one’s writing appears again, saying, ‘I’m top priority, not the other stuff in reality I’m worried about.’

My fears take over and nervousness runs through me, and I’m filled with anxiety and I’m probably watching another re-run by now of the Kardasians, or it’s another cooking show, or the home buyer’s channel. Living on the edge, trying to fight- not to write, is hell. I tell myself, that there is no time for the writer right now. I must do these other things first, but the other things continue to hide. I make no lee-way with them, but now the writer is allowed TIME?

Either way, I seem to be in a dilemma, so, If I’m allowed to write suddenly- then I write, and voila, I feel happy again. That strange feeling in my gut has gone, and I can say at this point, what ever comes, I will deal with it when it shows up. All which seems to need another kind of inspiration to address those other matters now placed on the back burner again. Quite a writers process, eh?

Other times I could just be sitting quietly on the house porch with my coffee, where no note-pad is necessary and walk back inside the house to jot down notes. This has been my way mostly these days since social internet took over. But it’s the very alone moments I seem to remember mostly where I thrive in writing, when I capture the sky in a certain way, or light passing through a forest- that brings that feeling of being so alive, or reflections in the water. Feeling the chill or a warm sun and the walk home satisfied, knowing I had written so many words that morning. I would then take a substantial lunch before the next session of writing began. If I was really immersed in the writing process, I would take another short evening walk and get a third session in before the day was out, and then start all over again the next day.

But really, where does inspiration come from? And does it also have its seasons? Do you think evolution has a play in it? I have known those long periods with writing absolutely nothing too. Waiting for inspiration sometimes it’s dark and deep, or it can make you feel hopeless and drive you nuts. It can feel you have stewed forever, while learning to grow another inch or two before any inspiration returned. Maybe we need to know that other side of the coin to get inspiration. Sometimes it feels like a complete letting go is required. How many weeks or months or years elapsed for you without writing? Did you ever give up thinking you would ever write again, or even want to? What was it that hindered you?

Was it just your basic survival in these economic times? Does inspiration take faith?

To quote some passages from the bible.

A cool inspirational link that is relevant: http://bible.org/seriespage/diem-count-social-security

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:27 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Then out of the blue, a little angel sprinkles inspiration dust all over you?

Suddenly you are actually writing words down again in a rush of excitement, that you can’t get them down fast enough. Did it make you suddenly feel so alive? How did that happen for you?

From whence it comes and whence it goes- I do not know, but did you ever thank that wondrous presence called inspiration after? Who and what is inspiration to you?

Jacqueline Howett

Here's a book recommendation guys! Rock The Casbah By Robin Wright.

2011-10-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Given to reflections on the Arab world, this was a book I had seen around for a while, but it wasn't until it really came to my attention while watching T.V. and Charlie Rose was interviewing the author Robin Wright on her book "Rock The Casbah," that I felt compelled to recommend it. And I think we have Charlie Rose to thank for bringing out the best in this author with all that is hope and light. She relates so well to what's going on in the Arab world, and I can say, I feel it has a wonderful refreshing view point- so spot on. She certainly has her finger on the pulse of the Arab world. She also speaks in simple terms that makes it all so easily understood, where others have failed to give such clarity in their feed back. I believe her book is a great stepping stone towards a clearer understanding, and it just might bring a more open re pore with the Arab world. There are so many nuggets to digest, like, "how it will take the Arabs a while as yet to arrive, and when they do, they will do it their way."

To quote here a sentence from her book,

Two of the men were smoking hubbly-bubbly water pipes, "The jihadis have lost their appeal," reflected Khaled Al Maeena, the editor of the Arab news.

"Every mother in Saudi Arabia or any other Gulf country wants her son or daughter to carry a laptop rather than a rifle or a dagger," he said. "The appeal of death and destruction doesn't carry much significance anymore because the jihadis have failed to provide anything constructive."
The transformation did not happen suddenly.

To read more from the above excerpt, click here to read it on Amazon or download a free sample.
http://www.amazon.com/Rock-the-Casbah-ebook/dp/B004INH9U4#reader_B004INH9U4

Why do we need to understand?
We need to feel comforted by the positive side to an extent- don't we? With this kind of understanding many might consider taking off their own army boots now. And who better to explain this, than Robin Wright- once you get to know her. Yes, many like myself are just beginning to play catch-up.

http://www.iranian.com/main/2011/oct/need-understand

To know more about Robin or follow her links, please click on the wikipedia link below, or simply click on the guest/view link she had with Charlie Rose on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Wright_(author)

http://www.charlierose.com/guest/view/77

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Jacqueline Howett

Sorry, for not being around much lately!

2011-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here on the beach, you'll see plenty of mail boxes painted this way! (C) Photo by jacqueline Howett

My computer has been running real slow, and hasn't allowed me to comment much on your blogs. I hope to sort it out soon! It has however, given me time to do other things for a change, and to reflect on every day things that have been neglected so long. I am kind of enjoying this new phase with not being online so much. Well, whatever you're doing, have a great weekend!

Jacqueline.

I could sure do with some comments at Amazon or Smashwords from those who enjoy my poetry!

2011-08-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

My poetry E-book Amorphous Angelic is free at Smashwords this week in most formats.Grab a copy while you can- Enjoy!

Here's the link to my free E-book:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38047

I've decided to keep my poetry free for the rest of the week. I know many of you have enjoyed my poetry, and for those of you who do enjoy my poems, I hope you can take the time to leave a comment of my book, now that it is free, and give it your star rating at Amazon, in hope to balance things out with the present 5 graffiti comments I can't seem to rid of for the moment, that occured from my mishap in March.

I can't unpublish the book due to it being published in soft cover prior, and someone has taken upon themselves to try and sell copies for $99 dollars on my site. Ridiculous that Amazon allows it! However, I do hope to solve this soon with Amazon, but its a process.

Meanwhile, some real comments and stars will help the ratings of my poetry book. Thanks guys! J.H.

Here's the amazon link for comments: http://www.amazon.com/Amorphous-Angelic-Selected-Poems-ebook/dp/B004I43TCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1294336711&sr=1-1www.

P.S.

If you like, you can also leave a comment at Smashwords.

Really, I appreciate the time you put into this!

Ebook Description

Amorphous Angelic, selected poems by Jacqueline Howett are metaphysical poems of wisdom, death, rebirth, the inner workings of the souls journey. Love, inspiration, wonder, visions, hope, faith &, connecting to the higher self. They speak of the sad & strange, and elevating out of darkness to reveal the mystery of life. Written in England, before Howett moved to America.

THERE I SEEK YOU ALONG YOUR WAY

There I seek you along your way,

A troubled heart, no longer say,

You did your best in those dread times,

And now you rest in heavens chimes,

Gone has the wind of yesteryear,

Far in the echoes that you seer,

Another hand awaits your love,

Through passing clouds appears a dove,

With a message from above.

A NEW LIFE BLOOMS IN HEAVENS LIGHT

A new life blooms in heavens light,

Across horizons, love takes flight,

Eternal brightness, loves kindness,

Your heart moves amongst the righteous,

New songs you sing and act the part,

With divine presence in your heart,

With all nobleman, kings and queens,

Shine your presence in their esteem,

Heavens powers your life redeems.

A CLEAR PURE WAY YOUR SOUL NOW TREAD

A clear pure way your soul now tread,

A guiding star your heart has wed,

Your find another in God’s state,

Have ‘faith’ along the road that waits,

Heaven opens to you her gates,

Where ‘hope’ and ‘faith’ meet now your fate,

This is a new life for your sake,

To you God gives,

For man to take.

NOW LOVE HAS BLOOMED IN HEAVENS LIGHT

Now love has bloomed in heavens light,

Happiness prevails, future flight,

Know and reap spiritual delights,

Mortal men that praise in your sight,

Immortal blessings amidst flesh,

Spirits hold power with life and death,

To hold Gods love is your request,

Rise to a higher consciousness.

HOLD FAITH WITH SOULS AMIDST THE VASTNESS

Hold faith with souls amidst the vastness,

Waiting to be comforted through being,

A movement contemplates human kindness,

Bringing Gods powerful plans to rejoice,

With the bliss of heaven who comforts,

Stars explode to bring ripples of news to human ears,

And the universe delights.

Have a nice week!

Jacqueline.

After hearing about the London riots, this poem came to mind,

2011-08-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

Metamorphosis,
Shafts of light,
Discerning the light of truth,
Man's higher self,
Delicately evolving,
Slips out of reach,
Yet in man's hope and faith,
There's a glimpse,
Of our maker's wondrous treasure of light,
Smiling at it's certainty,
Amidst the darkness, decay, destruction and struggle.

Metamorphosis was published in the first edition of The Taj Mahal Review (Anthology).

Being a London girl at heart, the riots in London sure makes me think- what is really going on in the whole world. I remember so many of these places that are now getting hit. It's just too sad, and for the moment overwhelming, but not all is to be viewed so negatively. If you visit Talli Roland's blog, she's showing a positive, magical and romantic side to London while celibrating her anniversary. Here's the link. It will also cheer you up.

http://talliroland.blogspot.com/2011/08/london-love.html

Stay safe. Have a nice cuppa tea! I love Earl gray tea, Breakfast tea and orange pekoe with a dash of milk and honey.

For those of you who still want to see the latest gore on the London riots, here's the link to the newspaper, The Telegraph. Some of the comments to the post are very interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8690693/London-riots-20000-calls-to-police-on-worst-night.html

From my desk. Writers Beware! A little reminder about the Jodi Reamer agent hoax from Writers House.

2011-08-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Some of you self published authors may be getting a hoax e-mail about possible representation from the agent Jodi Reamer. If you do get one, please double check the e-mail, and then it's best to just call Writers House to reconfirm. This may also change to other agents and companies, and their e-mails composed differently, depending who the target is, so be on the alert!

Yes, it's silly stuff.

Have a great week everyone, and the very best to you all in your writing careers!

For more updates on this matter, check out the link here, I think Victoria Strauss covers it all, so I'll end it here.

Thanks also, to all those writers who have alerted me.

Jacqueline Howett

The Cruelest Hoax. by Victoria Strauss for Writers beware.

http://www.sfwa.org/2011/07/the-cruelest-hoax/#more-17133

Publisher Lunch: Writers House has learned...

http://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2011/07/people-12/

Jacqueline Howett interviews guest author Louise Wise

2011-07-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce we have author Louise Wise as our guest here today.

e-book is only $2 from Amazon. Click on book to buy.

Q. Where do you come from? I come from Northampton in England, the same place where the late Princess Diana lived.

Q. What made you write this book? I love reading chick lit. Funny things naturally happen in life, and I wanted to enforce that. Life is funny, and I enjoy writing about people rather than the actual romance.

Q. Which authors have had a significant influence on your writing? Melissa Nathan. She was the first chick lit author I read and I absolutely fell in love with the style. I have read all of her books, sadly she died in 2006 with cancer (she was only 36!!). Through her writing she has shown me that life is funny and delightful as well as scary and heart-breaking.

Q. Do you like to listen to any music while you write? I like background noise, and because it can get a little solitary tapping away on the keyboard I like to hear another human voice in the background as well as music, so I listen to the radio. Radio 2 with Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright are my favourites.

Q. What do you think of the changing world of electronic books? Fantastic from all points of view, I think. The unknown writer can get his or her work read, the reader can pick up next to nothing books and the environment is cleaned up! Who invented them? Got to have been a woman!

Q. Do you have any other books you can talk about that you’re writing? My first book, Eden, is a romance/science-fiction book which is out on Amazon and Smashwords at the moment. I enjoyed writing that – I just let my imagination run riot! The book I’m working on now has the working title Miss Anthrope. It’s a chick lit with the theme depression. I know, it sounds odd writing a fun book about depression, but my character has problems that she doesn’t know she has. She dreams about them, and wakes up and promptly forgets them. It’s her minds way of protecting her, but sub-consciously she knows something is up and thus is depressed. In her words about her friends: “I feel like a normal person stuck in a chick lit novel.” Everyone/thing around her is light-hearted, fun-filled and happy and she’s grouchy, bitchy and money-pinching. I love her!

Q. If there were three books you could only take to a desert island what would they be? Tolsoy’s War and Peace – after I read it I could burn it for fuel. I’m boringly practical like that.

Wilderness Survival by Gregory Davenport – for obvious reasons.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella – seriously impressed by this book.

Q. What advice do you have to offer other aspiring authors out there?

Know the difference between an editor and a proofreader.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to say about yourself and your work? My work is branding myself as a comedy writer. I never realised that; I thought becoming a writer was all about thinking up stories and putting them down on paper, and that’s it. So, what I’d like to say is that writing is only half the battle. Branding, networking and marketing is the other half. And I speak for the traditionally published as well as indies.

Thank you Louise for visiting with us today.

Q. How can readers find you and follow your progress?

Amazon British Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Louise-Wise/e/B003FW6RKM/ American Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Louise-Wise/e/B003FW6RKM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=louise+wise&sprefix=louise+wise

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=louise+wise

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546054093

Goodreads. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2995331.Louise_Wise

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/louise_wise

Email: louisewise3@ntlworld.com

Blog: http://louisewise.blogspot.com/

Here is a free excerpt from the novel of Louise Wise, A Proper Charlie.

Excerpt:

Charlie watched as he fell back onto her settee, and then straddled his lap. Oh my God! What was she doing! She was having an out-of-body-experience, she thought. Only she wasn’t dead. She was alive. Very much so. She wriggled against him wonderingly and excitement flared in her body as his own rose to her teasing.

His lips parted on a groan, and his Cadbury eyes blazed. She was rocking on Ben Middleton’s lap like she was in a third-rate porn movie. Rocking on the man of her dreams’ hardening lap.

A criminal’s lap.

She had recognised him the instant he pulled up beside her in the Audi. The hair curling around the ears, the way he held the angle of his head, the slight slip-up on the stupid Scottish accent. Oh, yes, here at her disposal was Ben Middleton. And boy, was she going to see justice done!

But then he kissed her.

She felt her body relax like she had been steeling herself against this passion but had now given up. His tongue entered her mouth, and when she met it with her own she knew she was lost. The kiss was explosive and volatile, and suddenly she was lying on the settee and he was on top. His hands were in her hair, as his tongue explored the moist softness of her mouth.

She wasn’t setting him up in a honey-trap, he wasn’t an abductor or even Ben Middleton. She wasn’t a pretend prostitute, a journalist or Charlotte Wallis. They weren’t even people anymore. They’d melted and fused in a tangle of passionate chaos.

She felt his hand mould around her breast; her jacket was open at the front revealing the plain white T-shirt. He pulled it up, clumsy and impatient in his desire, and this power she had over him drove her wild! Her flimsy bra was no barrier as her breast came alive under his inquisitive fingers. She moaned and arched towards him. That she’d hate herself afterwards; that he’d hate her didn’t seem to figure in her enflamed, glazed mind.

Their unchecked passion was frightening. And all at once, he was on the floor and she on top, mouths still together, hands pulling at one another’s clothes.

The telephone rang.

Charlie froze. Then all her senses came flooding back. She scrambled up, and ignoring the phone patted her jacket pockets for the knife.

‘What’s the matter?’ Ben croaked, he didn’t appear to hear the phone. He looked as soppy as she felt. He held out a hand to her. ‘Come back.’

‘Condom,’ she said, and forced a smile. She felt sick. Sick with that she’d lost control so easily. He’s a criminal, she reminded herself. He abducted Sally Readman.

She pointed the knife at him. ‘I’m armed.’

‘Charlie…?’ Ben lowered his hand. He stared from the knife to her. ‘Is this a joke?’

Charlie’s chin trembled and tears spilled from her eyes. ‘I’m deadly serious.’

Ben sat up. ‘And I’m deadly confused. One minute we were… and the next you’re holding a knife to my face.’

‘It’s a lock-knife, and it isn’t in your face.’ She moved forward and bent slightly so she was at his level. ‘This is at your face.’

Ben flinched, and Charlie swallowed. She tried to stop her tears from falling and her chin from wobbling, but she couldn’t. She rubbed her nose and almost stabbed herself in the eye.

The phone stopped ringing and the answer machine kicked in. ‘Hi, Lottie, it’s Andy. Just to say, I forgive you and I’ll be home by Friday. Get the beers in, eh? Bye darlin’.’

They both stared at the phone, then Ben scrambled up and grabbed her hand around the knife. Charlie brought up her knee like all girls are taught.

‘Ben Middleton,’ she said as Ben sank to the floor once again with an anguished cry of pain. She held the knife out warningly towards him. ‘I didn’t listen to the rumours about you. I believed your innocence,’ she swallowed on some emotion, ‘b-believed you. God, how stupid. I e-even felt sorry for you!’

Ben stared up at her from where he knelt; his face still contorted in pain.

‘You s-seemed sad a-and haunted by something. Now I know what it was…’ her voice broke and her tears fell freely. ‘Guilt!’

‘I don’t under –’ he began. His expression was changing to bewilderment. He began to stand.

‘No!’ she shouted. She moved towards the phone. ‘Stay where you are. I’m making a citizen’s arrest!’

Ben’s confusion was swapped with shock. ‘You can’t think I had anything to do with the abductions? Charlie, I was cleared! It was a misunderstanding, that’s all!’

Slowing standing, Ben held out his hands in a gesture of innocence. ‘OK, I know how this looks, but I don’t normally pick up prostitutes. The only reason I did this time was because I knew it was you.’

She glared at him and he coloured.

‘That didn’t come out right.’

‘Sure didn’t.’ She looked away to reach for the telephone and Ben moved in, quickly grabbing the wrist that was holding the knife. Charlie yelled angrily and brought her knee up again, but this time he was ready, catching her leg between his own.

Poetry excerpts from Amorphous Angelic, Selected Poems by Jacqueline Howett

2011-07-13T06:46:00.000-07:00

My Poetry E-book is free this weekend from Smashwords. Grab a copy while you can!

THERE I SEEK YOU ALONG YOUR WAY

There I seek you along your way,

A troubled heart, no longer say,

You did your best in those dread times,

And now you rest in heavens chimes,

Gone has the wind of yesteryear,

Far in the echoes that you seer,

Another hand awaits your love,

Through passing clouds appears a dove,

With a message from above.

A NEW LIFE BLOOMS IN HEAVENS LIGHT

A new life blooms in heavens light,

Across horizons, love takes flight,

Eternal brightness, loves kindness,

Your heart moves amongst the righteous,

New songs you sing and act the part,

With divine presence in your heart,

With all nobleman, kings and queens,

Shine your presence in their esteem,

Heavens powers your life redeems.

A CLEAR PURE WAY YOUR SOUL NOW TREAD

A clear pure way your soul now tread,

A guiding star your heart has wed,

Your find another in God’s state,

Have ‘faith’ along the road that waits,

Heaven opens to you her gates,

Where ‘hope’ and ‘faith’ meet now your fate,

This is a new life for your sake,

To you God gives,

For man to take.

NOW LOVE HAS BLOOMED IN HEAVENS LIGHT

Now love has bloomed in heavens light,

Happiness prevails, future flight,

Know and reap spiritual delights,

Mortal men that praise in your sight,

Immortal blessings amidst flesh,

Spirits hold power with life and death,

To hold Gods love is your request,

Rise to a higher consciousness.

HOLD FAITH WITH SOULS AMIDST THE VASTNESS

Hold faith with souls amidst the vastness,

Waiting to be comforted through being,

A movement contemplates human kindness,

Bringing Gods powerful plans to rejoice,

With the bliss of heaven who comforts,

Stars explode to bring ripples of news to human ears,

And the universe delights.

$99. cents for a very limited time only at Amazon.

Added note: Saturday 13th August. This E-book is free at Smashwords this weekend in most formats.

Here's the link:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38047

I hope some of you can review my book and give it your star rating at Amazon, to balance things out with the present 5 graffiti comments I can't seem to rid of for the moment. I can't unpublish the book, due to it being published in soft cover prior. However, I do hope to solve this soon. Thanks guys! J.H.

Ebook Description

Thanks for visiting. Jacqueline.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

2011-07-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

It's not only rock 'n' roll! It's rock wisdom.

All You Need is Love:
And 99 Other Life Lessons From Classic Rock Songs.

I love this book, All you need is love by Pete Fornatale and Bill Ayres, and give it 5 stars. There are so many little gems inside. I use it as a daily mantra by flipping through the pages and opening to just one page, find a nugget of wisdom for the day just for me from the message it gives. Try it, the feedback it gives really works like magic with this book. I find myself re-reading so many of them. It's deep, cleverly written and inspiring. You also re-learn a lot about the history of classic rock and musicians in a very light manner. You can make this kind of book a friend. Its also the perfect gift for someone special. Although first published in 2000, it reads as a timeless master-piece for your library shelf. Sure hope to see an e-book in the future. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Need-Love-Lessons/dp/0684845296/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

Product Description

It's Not Only Rock 'N' Roll! It's Rock Wisdom It's the insights and messages that come to us from 100 of our favorite rock songs. Love and marriage, family, friendships, self-esteem, spirituality, and community are just some of the themes explored in these healing and uplifting meditations, based on four decades of classic rock by artists like the Beatles, James Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, the Beach Boys, and dozens more. You'll also find background information on the songs and artists, as well as suggestions for applying these nuggets of rock wisdom to your everyday life. All You Need Is Love is a visit to our past and a companion for our present and future.

About the Author

Pete Fornatale is an award-winning broadcaster who has been a fixture on the New York City radio scene for the past forty years. The author of Simon and Garfunkel's Bookends, he can currently be heard on in the New York area on WFUV radio's Mixed Bag.

Also just to read up on both these guys via google is quite an experience.

Another book that came out in 2010 just by Pete Fornatale was titled, Back to the garden. The story of Woodstock and how it changed a generation. This I haven't read as yet.

Here's the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Garden-Woodstock-Changed-Generation/dp/1416591206/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Here's the link to Pete Fornatale's websites: http://www.petefornatale.com/

http://www.mixedbagradio.com/AboutUs.htm

http://www.mixedbagradio.com/

Anyone for Wimbledon Tennis? More Nostalgia and childhood by Jacqueline Howett

2011-06-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Wimbledon tennis, the famous windmill, and top left was the pub in Wimbledon village - my local Sunday teen Pub where we sit on the green drinking cider.

The windmill on Wimbledon common and tea house.
Nr golf course and Queens-mere pond.

Whenever Wimbledon tennis is on the T.V. it always brings nostalgia to me, but also reminds me of the passing years. I'm now fifty seven. It was in Wimbledon, a suburb of London where I was brought up as a child. I could hear the audience from the tennis courts clapping from my home whenever a tennis game was on. I was blessed to be living in this better part of London suburbia, I might add. It was much like a Hollywood of its day with its mansions and movie stars, and actors like Sean Connery- James Bond. Its tennis courts, parks, trees and commons, the windmill and famously named Queens’s- mere pond, and Kings- mere pond. The fashionable elite Sunday walkers or horse-riders who could well afford to stable a horse in Wimbledon village, or play cricket, crocket or golf. There was also the prim and proper eccentricity of village life that still holds today a certain style to reserved fashion, high tea and timeless pubs. And all this is just fifteen minutes from the heart of London.

From elementary school, I grew to love the world of books and go to the library after school. It was also my haven for peace and quiet as my parents didn’t get along, and soon separated. They divorced towards the middle years of my secondary school from Mayfield comprehensive high school for girls on West Hill, Putney. I was also the games captain, and so I was often down at the track running in Wimbledon Park.

me as a small child.

As a child I loved to listen to the children story hour on the radio. The radio show started out the same; ‘Are you sitting comfortably?” I lay with my belly on the carpet, and with my elbows on the floor holding my face. ‘Yes,’ I would say out loud with a delightful smile. Then the radio announcer would say, “Then we shall begin.” I held on to every word like a treasure. I loved reading stories to my little brother, and my mother promted me to read to him more as she couldn't read very well in English. Before long, I started writing poetry, short stories and kept a diary. I wasn’t the greatest speller, but I was fair. I sometimes wonder if it had anything to do with being taught Greek at such an early age, then French at school. My English teacher told me I had great ideas but had to pay more attention to my grammar. I was also quite a dreamer, looking out the window up at the trees and sky. ‘Pay attention Jacqueline,’ I heard a lot. But I was listening; I was just a deep thinker and processed my information differently. My Art on the other hand always graded me with A+.

My (latent) mother who passed away in 1996 was Greek, and she worked in fashion all her life in the heart of London. She spoke to us in Greek at home. My father, an English countryman had met my mother in Greece in the R.A.F. A fervent Artist and wood craftsman who took on various jobs, mostly in sales in those early years. Eventually he remarried and returned to the English countryside, near Cambridge with his English bride. However, if my mother and father never had much in common they both loved ballroom dancing. And looking back on the happier times as a child, travelling to Greece each year for our summer holidays to visit my Greek Grandma and relatives in the world of olives, grapes, and siesta days of swimming, and doing as we pleased- many counted me at school to be so lucky.

My fathers side, on the other hand, was more like having an English Grandma like the Queen Mother in her English rose garden. Funny, she really did look like the Queen Mother. Cups of tea and petite four sandwiches, clotted cream and jam scones were held with your little pinky in the air, and to preferably say ‘no thank you’ to a second helping. And we were never to talk at the table, ‘little children should be seen and not heard.’ It was always at the back of our minds- act proper. Quite often I was talkative and sent to my room with no supper for saying something derogative. I didn’t care for food much as a child, only puddings which my mother sneaked into me. You know that song from Pink Floyd, ‘you can’t have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat? Well my meat was always thrown under the table. It was also the Beatles era and George Harrison’s first wife lived across the way from my English Granny.

My father left home when I was twelve. At fifteen I told everyone I was going to leave home as soon as I was of age, and that I intended to also write my autobiography. When I completed my comprehensive education I left school and went to work, and tried to help my mother in making ends meet like my older brother and sister, so I worked as a typist for a time. My mother didn’t care too much for my art and writing notions. She told me, in reality I had to work and make money first. It was also not easy for my mother to deal with me without my father around. Continued education was not an option living at home. I needed my father and I blamed my mother for her Greek ways that made him leave. She had dealt with prejurdism quietly from the English, let alone my father, and then her own children.

My father when he lost his temper would call her a Greek peasant, and then we as children found it so easy to emulate my father and hurt her that way too. I remember playing in my room as a very small child with friends, and I'd step outside into the kitchen and tell my mother, ‘when you come in my room with snacks, don’t you dare talk in Greek and embarrass me in front of my friends. You must talk in English.' Being Greek or an Italian was as taboo as being black. I was only half English and it made me feel like an outsider at times.

As I grew up, I vaguely remember signs in windows in town, ‘No rents to blacks.’ It disturbed my social outlook. Don’t get me wrong, I of all people encouraged having black friends, and I did. I even inherited more black dollies in my doll collection than I had white dollies, given to me by the only half black family across the street. I believe I knew there had to be a reason I had black dollies in my push cart, and I knew my little friends noticed as much too. (By the way, the girl that gave the black dolls to me, I heard threw herself off a thirteenth floor condominium building later as a teen, when her brother died of an over dose of drugs).

Then at my first year in secondary school, when I was about eleven or so, I remember there was a black girl in my class no one ever spoke to. I on the other hand was very popular, so one day I walked into class and put my arm around Ruth, the black girl, so the whole class would witness this, and I talked and joked with her, and told her not to be so shy. Then each day I walk into class saying, hi Ruth. She would smile and be so happy, and I could see her cheeks flush and tell her so. What followed was a shower of hi Ruth, hi Ruth from the whole class each day, and suddenly everyone was her friend. I felt proud of myself for breaking the ice.

My Mother was on occasion maliciously told by a few English to go back home to her own country, then one day she dyed her hair blond and everyone thought she was French. She laughed and played along when it suited her. For some reason the French were a permissible race, maybe due to their air of suave fair or that certain manner when they spoke with such intellectualism, or maybe it was French bread and their cheese, caviar, champagne and high fashion, or maybe it was their fine Artists. Whatever, it certainly helped along in my mother’s understanding with how to fit into society with her own method for survival as a single working mother- way back in those days.

At sixteen I decided to join a ballet that was advertised travelling Europe. That was the beginning of my own life. By eighteen I was married to my Greek Seaman and travelling the seven seas so to speak, I even tried to become a Morse code operator on ships just to be a little closer to my husband. At Morse code school in London, they asked me at my interview if I was a women’s Lib. I asked them, what has women’s Lib got to do with being a Morse code operator? They replied, “Well we just don’t have any women before serving in that position.” It set off alarms in my head to the days of the suffragettes I heard about in school. They threw themselves under the horses and killed themselves at the Darby races in order for Women’s rights. I distinctly remember every hair on my body rising when the teacher told this story. And somehow I knew what being a woman was coming to feel like as I ventured out alone. It seemed to fit into the same category as being black, just for being a woman.

What I looked like just after
my divorce- in my early twenties.

My first novel, ‘The Greek Seaman’ was written much from my experience. My husband died early of a heart attack, much to the effects of his experience at sea, and many others said my divorcing him during his break down years and the loss of our child that was still-birth probably added to it. But his life was lived in paranoia that someone was always trying to kill him after our experience at sea together, and he was in and out of mental hospitals and given electric shocks to try and forget. I was told he died uttering my name on his last breath- even though we had long since been divorced.

What followed were the Arab Oil years I had entered back in London, when Arabs were still uneducated, but were now allowed into Oxford, Eaton and Cambridge for a price. I travelled Europe living in Paris, Greece and London. Once the Arabs were educated the loose money stopped, and everyone turned around and it was the beginning of the computer era five years later. And I as a writer, I went off to buy a computer for my spelling and grammar, for my pen wrote and wrote my way out of London’s high society, as did my paint brush, creating Art which now turned to Abstract from realism.

During those years, whenever my Mother visited me my head was always under a pile of books, writing or painting and has been my life ever since.

North Wales, UK.

Engrossed in my cocoon of creativity for many years, I now began to feel subconsciously a calling towards the working world, but I continued to shy away as I felt it to be too much to balance that reality, so I took off from London to a small cottage on a mountain top in North Wales to write for several years more from my savings from the property that I had acquired and sold in London. I could see the castle from my house. It was spectacular at night.

In 1988, I came to America. For a long period in my life I had husbands and boyfriends that allowed me to write and paint, but a great part of me felt left out. The world again was changing fast. I in my cocooned world took on the shape much like living in a bubble. The world of workers was a far cry from my own. I knew nothing of landing into basic reality, yet I was highly intellectually opinionated.

As the years passed writing and painting, the world changed more, and an edge entered my life. It felt almost like a cliff I had to throw myself off was placed in front of me in order to enter the human race had happened when my mother died in 1996. I reached out to the world by placing more and more of my Art into exhibit.

Being a stuck up brat/snob for so many years was not easy to shed. I was shy in public, and too much of a deep thinker. Yet, in the process the lady of letters was young enough still to be tattooed up so to speak, and could make it by herself in the world. The world was changing fast and I was propelled to catch up, and with my dreading change I was kicking and fighting much of the way. But it was mostly still only through the Art world.

I could feel a definite intense force was merging very slowly to bring my change about, but for some reason I had to let go of Shakespeare in the process, when I moved into a relationship with a man for six years who had grown up children. But then my memory to reciting all the classics went. Yet, I believe his children were somehow my mentors or guides towards my own independence and survival as they tackled their own first jobs. Being they were the children of this present era, I felt I learnt from them how to make a living in the main stream of the real world.

It was at forty nine, fifty; I had finally arrived into the working world, and I left my present abode in Maine and headed off to Florida alone, and with very little money I was ready to go to work.

In 2002, I took on a job at first as a live in Caregiver to save for a car and apartment, and my books and art went in storage. With my not really knowing how to pump gas by myself and frightful of driving any long distances, I took my first plunge into my working life for Ms Work. Ironic don’t you think? Am I kidding? No, her name really was Ms Work. Well, I realized right then, how there was much more to this world than I could ever fathom, and it was only in my maturity that I understood it in this new light.

I was the happiest girl on the planet. I had finally arrived into the mix of the working world. A late bloomer, but I had arrived. I was now being prepared to deal with whatever choices and challenges came my way independently. And as the years passed with these Granny’s, who I learnt so much from, my balancing a check book became clearer. I knew exactly where I wanted to be- on the beach writing my books and painting. I was now paying rent to my own place like I had just turned twenty one. And, oh- how I began living life all over again.

During this time, I began to do only twelve hour shift work earning me more money, and I began another novel- my third novel. (Somewhat of a funny book, I might add). I wrote the notes down in my client’s garages or in my car. My car, an old 1994 mercury cougar was paid for from my own hard work and I still have it. It must be the only car on the road left with no polish. My writing life has been the most difficult thing to do, yet is still rewarding to climb. My being put to work was the most glorious thing to me in the beginning. Now years into it, I am relatively tamed, and I can say like most workers, it sucks, but a nice kind of- it sucks.

Oh yes, I have indeed arrived into this new era. So, as I deal now with further editing, my own reality show begins in my maturity. I’ve come a long way. Tired, you know it, but my mustard seed of faith is strong. I indeed did it my way and no doubt I shall survive.

And as you see, there are small subconscious things I have carried with me from childhood. Did I want to see a black president? You bet. And yes, a long time coming…. The women’s issues- well, maybe in time the abuse will stop. But one thing’s for sure, this generation is certainly not making it too easy for a man to emulate his forefathers. Women of today are here to break the mode. And, if I could have my mother back today, things would have been different. I viewed her world growing up with such bias eyes. She was a brave and a very extraordinary woman of her time, just as so many women were.

Queens-mere pond, on Wimbledon common was a regular walk for me.

At the end of the path is a grave-yard, and behind the cemetry railings there, my mother is now buried.

I have been writing Paranormal and didn't know it.

2011-06-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Of late, I have been re-reading through my second and third novel in progress, and have noticed as if for the first time a strong Paranormal element runs through them. The thing is, I am now debating if I should cut these scenes out completely, at least from my second novel.

- Hmm, so much to think about as the second book is more about discovering this power as part of growth amidst fear, where as in my third novel it reveals the awareness of having and knowing this power, and recognising the power in others with a certain amount of wisdom, so the paranormal seems to be what makes the third book.

I was telling everyone how i was writing about the interaction of angels in human affairs, that enter the body of every day people in the process of one's circumstances, or life story, as well as the opposite- with demons in the human form that creep in and out, let alone various playful muses. For me, its never been ghosts or vampires. Mine is more an interaction, or rather to the understanding or awareness of our psychic world as humans. I didn't really notice until now, that I was actually able to brand my third novel Paranormal or Paranormal romance, until I began reading various novels in the Paranormal genre. Some Paranormal novels are so out there, or highly exagerated that I didn't want to be among this catogory, but when there is a psychological element- it changes everything.

I must say, it has actually helped in understanding my own process. Its interesting how sometimes it takes a while for the penny to drop about one's own work, and what one is writing or has experienced through life. And for that reason alone, it is why its so important to read from a broad spectrum of writers and genres. Sometimes you have to put your work away for a long while, to know what it is you have written all those years. Anyway, it's nice to have had this finally pointed out to me. Dah! - However, I shall be sure to get a second opinion. Then again, some times it really is about a state of maturing, not only as an author, but as a soul in order to understand the paranormal state.

So what is Paranormal? Here is a link I found online that explains this briefly.
http://www.milwaukeeparanormal.com/What-IS-Paranormal.html

Also see: What is Paranormal romance. Written by various paranormal writers.

Paranormal romance -wikipedia

Seeing that I'm talking so much about paranormal, here is a free e-book available for a very limited time by Debra L Martin and David W. Small on Amazon. Grab a copy while you can.

Abraham "Ham" Jones, a cripple, and Zia Slate, a tomboy with an attitude, find themselves unlikely partners in this post-apocalyptic tale of survival. It is decades later since the world blew itself apart. Life is harsh, gangs rule the streets, the system cops keep the peace anyway they can. Being a kid in this world isn't easy, being a cripple is about the worst sentence handed down. Being a girl with no protection is only slightly better.

Ham and Zia's lives are irrevocably changed when they meet a mysterious old man bearing gifts - a cane for Ham and a knife for Zia. But, nothing is as it seems. Everyone wants something and no good deed goes unpunished. Forced into a desperate encounter, they must fight for their lives when it's discovered they now have possession of two of the legendary memory weapons, the very weapons that ultimately destroyed the world.

Note: I have taken The Greek Seaman down from Amazon and Smashwords.

To all those awaiting for the new release of The Greek Seaman, by a second Editor, I'm sorry you have had to wait so long. I hope to have the grammar re-checked soon- when funds allow. As of today, I have taken The Greek Seaman down from Amazon and Smashwords, and posted this also in the side-bar.

I noticed The Indie Spotlight posted up my interview finally on June 12th with The Greek Seaman novel. However, I gave them this interview way back in March. There is an alternative excerpt from THE GREEK SEAMAN I noticed posted over there, if you want to see a little more into the novel while at sea click on the link. Anyways, I have decided to also place their logo up in my sidebar.

Lunch on the beach is still fun to do, but the weather is crazy hot right now here in Florida. 95 degrees and humid, so it's not pleasant outside, but there is outside cooling fans that help.

Have a great week.

Jacqueline.

Just chilling and enjoying life.

2011-06-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Howett is the author of The Greek Seaman. A seafaring novel, on Kindle and Smashwords.

Hi Folks,

I haven't been online for a while, but Life's been good lately here in Florida. I've been hanging out on the beach more, and catching up on swimming and toning up. And it feels good to actually throw a real book into my beach bag. The water is so clear, but you have to dodge the occasional baby three foot sand-shark, stingray, jelly fish and quite a good size crab. Yes, it is the season- as well as Hurricane season, and well, were hoping it will be another quiet year, but we have to be ready to run with a bag and the clothes on our back and get out of dodge. That niggling little feeling at the back of our minds is the price we pay for living down here.

Working on various projects, and taking life one day at a time.

Later.

Enjoy life!

Jacqueline

In retrospect- A public announcement!

2011-05-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Howett is the author of The Greek Seaman. A seafaring novel, on Kindle Amazon and Smashwords.

In retrospect- my public announcement!

I would like to say, I am so sorry, really, that you all had to hear me swear in public online. I usually don’t like swearing. So here you have it, my viral apology. My public acting out was a mistake. And I don’t want to be seen as a trend setter, or as I’m hearing lately, it’s now the fashionable in thing for writers to do, to drop the F- bomb.

Time to get your facts right- read on!

The issue was never about a bad review, it was about a format matter, but for some reason got blown out of perspective. And then the reviewer tweeting our conversation; well, rightly so, made me feel I was being attacked. Now go and blog about that!

And looking back, where were all the lovely people online offering to help in a friendly manner with a few spelling and grammar mistake's.

Since then and then, I’m sure, many of you are wondering, so, I’m going to put this up for you to gather what you will from it, and then I’m moving on from this subject. There are a few things I need to say first, concerning my mishap with Big Al, and what propelled in that moment in time. But really, it was all a misunderstanding on both our parts, I would say. And yes, I was wet behind the ears as a newbie writer who was just learning the tech world of blogging and FB. Twitter, well, I hadn’t got that far yet. Any ways, I am a slow e-mail kind of girl, and have been accustomed to conversing with everyone I deal with politely via e-mail. I would also like to say, I know am not the greatest at grammar.

There was however, one e-mail that Al, the reviewer from BooksandPals sent me, that came before all this was viewed on the blog. Now remember, I am still thinking his been reading from the wrong format script, and I sent him an e-mail to remove the review until he read the correct format version. Al replied to my e-mail saying:

“I have given my review, and I’m not going to take it down. Move on to your next novel.”

And then I thought, “What’s he talking about, move on to my next novel, what about this novel?”

I e-mailed back, “but I intend to promote The Greek Seaman.”

And yes, I did feel like a chick that had just hatched. He was talking apples, and I was talking oranges.

Any ways, I got no replies thereafter from Al. I felt he left me hanging, when I really needed more feedback about the format. Is that it? I thought; move on to my next novel? Now if he said, correct your grammar or spelling to TGS, or get another copy editor to look at it, that would have been acceptable, and if it remained via e-mail (private), that would have been the end to it. And I would have said, maybe, my thank you for his output. But without more feedback from Al, I was confused by the three reviews that had just come in, where two reviewers had said it was well written. I had spent over a thousand dollars on proof reading and copy editing The Greek Seaman. Al telling me to move on to my next novel didn’t help at all. It sent me over the edge. I didn’t care about the two stars, really, well maybe some, but it wasn’t about stars at that time, it became these two pointers.

In my mind, I felt he had read the wrong format copy, due to his review mentioning the word click a few times, and well that is what set me off. You see, I had some previous issues on formats, meaning, I had to correct the click- to next page issue in the ebook on Amazon kindle, and Smashwords. Well, I fixed it, and sent out another copy of the free e-book the very next day, while it was on a free e-book promo and re-announced it. (I was also undergoing some various major pressures, while this was all going on you should all consider for what its worth.) On top of this, his telling me now to move on to my next novel.

So, I’m still wet behind the ears. Just because I had a blog up and joined FB for a few months doesn’t mean I know it all, I’m still a newbie writer learning the ropes online.

Al, I came to realize, was a newbie reviewer, but who was use to lots of open attention via an Amazon forum which is not my scene, due to my reserved manner. And he likes operating via twitter etc., I don’t. And so now I came to realize after reading some other reviews on his blog, he had given some author five stars in spite of the grammar and spelling mistakes that he had presumed were corrected since. Again I was wet behind the ears about the ARC copy in publishing. So now I’m thinking, how does he know the author corrected the grammar, do they talk via twitter? So I’m thinking his talking to some authors he reviews via twitter. His not talking to authors like me via e-mail, I’m living in the stone-age Tec world. Well that pushed another button. I imagined all these little pups around his feet begging for twitter attention.(Please, don’t take any of it personally).

Should Reviewers be allowed to twitter authors they review? It appears the line has been crossed on both sides.

"Can we go e-mail please with all this?" I said.
I guess that's a no...

what happened next was at the blog, and you all read that, but what sent me ballistic was the fact Al the reviewer, decided to throw up snippets of my book online, without my permission. When I asked to go e-mail with our talk, he said, “well lets see what the rest of the world thinks of your book shall we, and let them decide about your grammar shall we?” So he hits the tweet button, or loudspeaker button for the whole world to hear. I already told him previously to go e-mail with our conversation. I’m a private person. Oh –no! He just hit another button in me. Reviewers are not suppose to behave this way.

So, I’m thinking, Al, thrives and feels comfortable in the lime
-light of forums. He is forgetting this is now blog land, which he has just started up on. As a reviewer, he can’t expect any author is going to appreciate that move. When he hit the loudspeaker, saying, ‘lets see what the world thinks of your writing, shall we?’ and then tweets the world, he has no right to do that, none what so ever!. Oh- yes, that was my going ballistic moment. --- Yes, so what followed…?

A month later: Wisdom, I would like to say, I’m not a hater of anyone, as I love people too much. My God forgives me, so I forgive my haters. It doesn’t matter if they don’t feel that way; I at least, in my forgiving, am set free.

I just heard of another author who got a bad review in the Times, he said he would hate the reviewer until he dies. He is only giving the reviewer ‘power’ over him, and that kind of hate might even give him cancer, if he doesn’t let that go.

After the swearing, that was intended only at Al, at the time; (so, sorry, if anyone was in the line of that,) I left the blog. I have only returned a visit over there, just a few days ago to look around.

And so, through it all, we have come to learn since, of various other authors who have had some similar mishaps. Some I hear, have appeared worse than mine.

Apparently, one well known writer, doesn’t allow anyone to re-edit her work. Spelling mistakes, and her grammar, have become part of her own uniqueness now, so I read. The way she wishes to express herself, is not to be changed, and is written so in the contract. How much of this is still true today, I don’t know, but I can sure understand it. At the other end of the spectrum, there was another author who decided to give up his career with writing, as reviewers at Amazon kept attacking his characters in all his books.

Another author this April just exploded with loads of F- bombs. In some cases it might even sound refreshing to hear writers rant about their frustrations with what is really going on in publishing and self publishing, but getting the word across with the f- bomb, I don’t know. But I must admit, I would probably now read this authors books, now she has been pointed out to me. Her issue was more based on not getting any Amazon reviews I think, after readers buying her books. And I must admit, all authors would like their readers to take a little time to do that! It was also about the pressure of working fourteen hours a day promoting online her books without getting the sales she expected, when she’s killing herself over it. And so, she’s going to keep all her many books more like a hobby, from here forth. Sometimes there’s just so much tedious blogging going on, that real issues have to come to the surface maybe about what’s really going on.

Should writers be able to answer back?

Through all this viral stuff, I had a International radio station who wanted me on- to debate, and one other who wanted to interview me on this concept, how writers have every right to speak up and defend their work, and another with how writers should stick up for writers, and not reviewers, where so many might be sucking up to them, in hope to get a better review when its their turn. Well, anyway- this is the latest stuff.

I have also come to learn, you don’t need to request a review from a reviewer. You can slowly acquire them from Facebook, with just readers, just as I was doing before I met Al. Hopefully, some of the readers who bought my book and liked it, since I went viral, will also post a comment at Amazon at some point, saying how they enjoyed the book, in spite of the negative trolls and graffiti over there. That I would really appreciate.

Questions

I have been asked by various reporters, was this a set up? A. No, not by be, but it may well have been from planet 27.

Q. Are bad reviews, good reviews?

A. Hmm, well my sales went up, and I continue to sell more each day. I was #68 for a short period on Amazon UK, under the category of popular women’s fiction until the graffiti reviews started showing up, then it slipped out of sight again, but sales continue, in spite of the 100 negative 1 star trolls. And that’s why I haven’t taken my book down yet. (Why Amazon doesn’t take the graffiti down, is another story which you can Google,) but there are people out there who actually do this for an hour a day religiously, who go over to Amazon to give out one stars and a bad review. Some are also getting paid to do it, as well as give out five stars to some others. In fact, I hear there’s a very good income to be earned just doing this. And well, in this economy everyone’s game. I never knew any of this stuff until all this happened to me, but apparently it’s been going on since the early ninety’s.

There will be many more authors in the future, who have just got on the merry go round, who will have no knowledge of all this stuff, just like me, no matter how loud you shout it out online. Writers are usually (authors) living a hermit type life style, and when just arriving online, they are not looking for that kind of info. Maybe there’s another author who is ready to explode. And not everyone is a twitter or FB or blogger. Newcomers will enter wet into the arena behind the ears, just like I was, especially if you write in a hermit type of life style as I do, and then suddenly being active online can be nothing but pressure. And well, it is relatively new, all of this online e-Book stuff for everyone. So much is still experimental.

Anyway, as you all know, since my name and book, The Greek Seaman went viral, (I didn’t even know what going viral meant). I have received offers from national/international radio shows and offers to speak where movie stars and Nobel- prize authors are heard, and had numerous other interview offers, and a publishing offer. It got major International press coverage such as the Guardian, Forbes, and various others picked it up, let alone the various author blogs, such as Nathan’s blog, etc., then it became blog meat for everyone else on the planet, which amazingly enough continues to make various kind of blog meat like its some new art form one has discovered, or a new way of thinking all about it. I’ve even had video skits made up from it. Let alone that special category of loonies and spotty kindergarten lot I call the laughing hyenas. (Sorry, nothing personal). Now I have a file for bad people, and another file for nice people. My blog stats at one point, really peaked with everyone looking in to see what was going on, or be said next.

I became Zen silent of course, and at times became a spectator to myself, watching the show unfold. It wasn’t all serious, there were some amusing moments. Human beings after all, are a wonderful intriguing study. There were moments there I thought sheer politics. And yes, I do like philosophy and psychology. It even had some catalyst momentum. And then there are times I am trying to understand-what is all this- really about?

Just some of the notes I have been receiving, I thought I would share here, without naming anyone, and to show amidst it all, how love reigns above all.

o I would like to read your book

I am totally happy that there are people who believe in their work and capabilities. I hate the word "Professionalism". For me it’s never the world deciding what is correct and what is awful! They will criticize people talking contrary views about laws of gravity but some day they might say Gravity has failed.

With this word "Professionalism" they try to protect these less creative and rule-followers.

Best of luck !!

I agree with you Jacqueline! I loved your book, I think you should pursue legal action immediately.

· "I just read your review post and I'm so sorry you were baited into that. I haven't read your book yet but I intend to. Keep writing! Find the calm in the storm. I have also had to write during incredibly stressful experiences. Know that other people support your creative endeavors. The internet is seedy. Ignore as much of it as you can."

I have just read that blog thing that’s being passed around about your book.... and all the anal twats that were commenting on the thread and you telling everyone to 'F o'.... well ya know girl I think Good for you but i would of been alot more explicit... and I will be reading your book.... next time 'F O YOU CTS' would be more appropriate.... and trust me I don’t swear that often ! people with nothing to do with their time, bored half wits :))

o im guessing

You were punk'd as they say by The Regretsy Site .. Well now that you know who it was, I hope it helps to realize you were just one of many that she does this to .. Im not sure what you can do about it ,, but maybe you do .. good luck ! : )

o Let it pass

Jacqueline,
I don't know you, but I saw all the internet drama. Let it pass. People love to see someone go down and will gather like wolves. Keep your chin up and move on.

o people

Hi Jacqueline - I notice that we just "became friends" on facebook yesterday. I was watching the brouhaha on the internet about the Big Al review, and I just wanted to send you some hugs and sympathy.

Please don't let this get you down! People can be so thoughtless.

· "Love your writing!"

o Read the book, loved it. I found your story and the style you told it in beautiful, no, that's too light a word. The Greek Seaman was breathtaking. As a fellow
writer, I find you inspiring. Don't listen to Al or any of the people
giving you crap on the books and pals page, you're great. Keep telling
your stories.

· I find writing and sharing the most difficult thing to do!

o IMPORTANT

Dearest Jacqueline Howett,

I just read your review on BigAl and the bashing that followed.

I just wanted to say that if I was in your situation and had to read all that in the space of a few hours.. I would've felt cornered and defensive too ( not to mention pissed off!!).
I hope you have put the comments behind you and found a sense of contenment in the book that you put so much effort into.

I also want to say that I wish you a prosperous writing future and hope that you don't let the comments of others diminish your obvious passion.

As for your response to the review and subsequent comments. I wish someone who has such a precious talent as you do, handled it with a little more dignity... I don't believe the critic disliked your book.

Then again.. I can't really say much not having been in your shoes at that moment.. maybe you were just having a crappy day.

I'm aware that you didn't call upon my opinion.. just thought I should just let you know that I believe you are talented and should carry forth with the integrity that I'm sure shines through in your writing.

A. I really appreciate your note. There was actually more to it. There was in fact a beginning, that nobody got wind of that set the tone, which I won't go into here today.

As for the crappy day, yes, I had migraines, earaches and toothaches, but that’s really no excuse. But most of all its working under so much pressure while living in crazy and stressful circumstances.

What made me the most angry was the fact that those criticising you posted comments that were littered with typos - the irony! And actually, the examples given by the reviewer were pretty poor. The first was perfectly fine. The second was missing a full stop and the letter 'd' but that hardly made it difficult to read for any literate person, in my opinion.

Hi Jacqueline,

In my humble opinion this whole mess started when the reviewer wasn't specific about his problems with your text. Perhaps he was used to sweeping statements, assuming others would know what he's talking about and perhaps there isn't enough room in a review to do anything but?!

So let me be specific:
1st on page 13 #11: A participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence must refer to the grammatical subject. (...and there are variations).

Might I recommend re-reviewing Strunk and White, The Elements of Style (and/or others). Specifically page 13. Note #11. (about participial phrases). This is something we all trip over because IMO we pound out a sentence which is pretty clear (but irritates agents, editors, and in this case, a reviewer). I'm always on the look out for these errors in my writing (after being bashed upside my head a few too many times).
"Don and Katy watched hypnotically Gino place more coffees out at another table with supreme balance."

Using S&W agents, editors, and reviewers read that Gina has supreme balance. So, here, I think you can say you did nothing wrong regarding that S&W rule. The reviewer is probably looking at the table having supreme balance, because "another table with supreme balance" has no commas, parenthesis, or em dashes. This thing about commas, is also in S&W page two about parenthetical phrases. Well, I'm reviewing all this now (because I was trying to help you (not that you need help, but don't we all rely on each other) and it's blowing my mind. Commas are swimming up stream and every which way. I'm now worried about a submission I handed in for a contest.

Also, this thing about participials is often referred to as dangling participals and can occur in other parts of the sentence. Yuk. I have to stop now, lest I take the rest of the day to read through S&W again when I should really be writing my next scene. It's always a struggle for me.

Anyway, I wish you luck with your novels.

p.s. "She carried her stocky build carefully back down the stairs." I think the reviewer was referring to the placement of adverbs closer to the verb, but I don't have the time to quote a source here. I like the adverb where it is, because it is more dramatic where you put it, but what do I know. Sometimes I question myself and it's times like this when I know my friends at the critique group will never let me down.

Jacquiline,

I just visited your blog, and I really liked your graphic artwork. The plots for your novels show a real flair as well.

I mostly just wanted to wish you well in your creative efforts.

Dear Jacqueline,

I have been hearing about your book "The Greek Seaman" on different places on the internet this week, and as always with the internet (I look at comments on news stories and despair at the cruelty shown to victims - e.g. to a mother whose child died - she deserved it, wasn't a good mum leaving the child for two minutes, etc, etc ) much of it is unpleasant by people just wanting to dig in the boot for no reason other than they can. This distresses me very much - dear Jacqueline, I hope you will rise above it, return to your blog as if nothing had happened and carry on with your head held high as before.
As regards your book - I bought a copy. In the long run - well, even if it doesn't seem so now, remember the maxim: any publicity is good publicity. For instance, I wouldn't have heard of you or your book otherwise.

In your biography you state you have a Greek mother and have travelled widely - obviously why you were so well qualified to write the book you have written. Yes, I noticed the occassional odd sentence construction that tells me you are used to other languages - obviously probably Greek! - and I thought it added to the delight of the story - because yes, I was able to read and enjoy the story fully - and did so. It was full of great observation and sensitivity and I loved Katy. Please continue your writing, and be proud of your great book.

Best Wishes

PS. And I love your artwork shown on your blog too - you are obviously a very creative person (often said to be highly strung . . . ;-)

All I can say is, keep your chin up and keep writing your books. You can't change people's minds with comments, but you can win them over with fiction. Keep at it, don't give up. Forget that Al guy and his review. Ignore the negativity, because it will only hurt you if you dwell on it.

I hope this is one of many letters of encouragement you receive. Don't even bother reading the non-encouraging ones!

BTW, I'll be buying your book this afternoon! :)

Sending you a hug

Dear Ms. Howett. I often read Nathan Bransford's blogs and heard about the nasty people attacking your book. I am as yet an unpublished writer, but I will get there. Don't let their insensitivity get to you. You wrote a story. It was your creation and sometimes, people would rather tear down what is created instead of just enjoying.

I haven't had the chance to read your book, but I will as soon as I actually have a moment to myself.

Good luck and keep writing.

hi miss jacqueline!

im thinking you could maybe need a hug so im sending you a big one.

HUG!!!

http://forums.poets.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=21444

Since then and then, I think we have all learnt a great deal.

I did find it interesting in some other e-mails I received, how many came out of the wood work to gather power unto themselves, or took the opportunity to sell themselves and their own wares. It made me realize how it must be for those with true fame. How they do not know who their true friends are. It most certainly gives you a new perspective on things, at least on how to carry yourself. One must be cautious in their dealings, more so, online. With that said, I do believe I have also met some amazing, true, and loving people through all of this, and from all levels of society. And I do think that it is a very important factor that must be portrayed. You know, when things are bad, there are some real nice people too, that show up in ones life.

Well gossip surely makes the world turn.

What the face of the internet can be like. What are the rules of the internet showing us? Rules, maybe there are none. Pressured to excel by those around us however, I think is a big one. Only time will tell what the internet now entwined with Twitter and Facebook and linked now on your blog will become, but what did you conclude from all this? Or what do you think should change in the future of the internet? Yes, maybe it’s too early to tell, but that was an interesting glimpse.

Yes, I have been wet behind the ears. I chose blogging thinking it was a slower and quieter pace. Well, this experience just goes to show, how wrong I am, the intercom speaker button can be pressed at any time on our tortoise, slow paced blogs to Twitter and who knows, viral. And for me, that was some fast training.

So as I say, If I left it as it was, I thought I might be setting up some kind of trend for the future of the internet, and I didn’t want to be a part of that. So, I thought it necessary to apologize for my swearing and reacting so, here on my blog. And I finally answered back this week, Hugh Muir's Diary, at The Guardian, concerning my regret.

However, with some Googling, I found out that this new F- bomb trend is probably already here. We can however, all do our part in some small way, to see love reigns, above all.

Now to clear up the editing issue

Yes, my novel TGS was given an outside edit, all except the first three chapters which I admit, I did myself when they became an add on I put in later, so that the book would be closer to 60,000 words. I was thinking I would need another big wad of money again to send it out. Its only recently that I have heard I can have a novel edited quite cheaply.

I have been living in some diverse circumstances, and I felt I was pressured to get the book published by those around me, saying it was good enough. I wish I didn’t feel that kind of pressure at the time concerning the first three or four chapters. I wished I never listened. Having financial problems, where other immediate bills have to be paid first wasn’t helping. So I couldn’t afford another copy editor at that time, and I still can’t. So, another copy edit will have to wait. But I shall try to do what I can to clean some small commas here and there. The truth is, copy editors don’t always catch it either, and who can afford two or three of those in this economy on one script? Writers- our lives, really! Any way, the first few reviewers I had from Facebook who read my book, thought it was well written, so I’m not too bothered. Well, it looks like I have arrived on the world stage, saying it as it is. Never thought I would have to be blogging this now. Maybe I should have taken the money from one of these radio offers. As for the publishing offer, I let it pass after considering the contract.

By the way, when I’m blogging, I can be lazy about language. I have seen it even in my books, but I admit I’m pressured-lazy, if it’s just one or two, or five or so items. I basically write my blog in first draft as I go along. Everyone does it. When I read a comma here and there, or bad spelling in some ones work, I e-mail them very privately, but often it doesn’t bother my reading experience of what some ones trying to convey, unless I think it might be extremely noticeable to others. And it isn’t going to knock down drastically my star rating of a book either.

Who needs to hear in the blog comment section, that they forgot to place a comma here and there? It’s more to do with what you're saying when it comes to blogs, and I have visited many blogs with errors, so please, accept it as part of the territory here, as no big deal. But if you want to prod me about it, I might just get in the mood to clean some things up a bit, if you say it nicely.

PS. I also wanted to clear up, that Maggie Howlett who left a review at Amazon, is not related to me. She bought my book after a face book promo, saying it was a good read, and money well spent, which was at $2.99 at the time. Now this other Daniel Howett, maybe is related, I really don’t know; I have never met them. Maybe I have a nephew out there.

So what happens now? We’ll see.

I would pull the book maybe to rid of the troll/graffiti at Amazon, but its still getting sales. People who are buying my book, and enjoy the book, I would hope they will still visit Amazon, rate me appropriately, and leave a comment. Who knows, maybe they will eventually outweigh the negative ones who have never read my book that have left comments. Many however, seem to want to stay anonymous at this time.

Also, I have decided at some point, to bring a new edition out of The Greek Seaman, that will give further details to Don and Katy's story at the end. And yes, it will indeed be given another grammar, and a copy edit, to satisfy others. This will be announced in time.

What a challenge I have ahead of me. It will take courage, that's for sure! Catcha- all later. My best to you all.

Thank you to all of you who have been buying my novel, The Greek Seaman, and have enjoyed it.

Jacqueline

P.S. Note: As of 06/28/11 I have decided to remove The Greek Seaman novel from Amazon and Smashwords for a second editor to take a look at it, just as soon as funds permit. Thanks for your patience.

From my desk

2011-04-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Howett is the author of The Greek Seaman. A seafaring novel, on Kindle and Smashwords. Based on a true story.

A big thank you for all your kind, thoughtful, and encouraging e-mails, and private FB notes to me. And thank you to those who are buying my books. I really appreciate it. I hope to get back when I can to some of you soon, and to thank you personally.

A Happy Easter to you all!

Jacqueline Howett.

The swimming season has just begun.

The water is perfect right now for swimming in. If I'm lucky, during the week I hope to spend at least an hour on the beach under my umbrella, just laying back and listening to the waves. If I leave it to late in the day, it starts to get so hot and then I don't bother going. I must admit, the mornings and early part of the afternoon is when I'm usually so occupied.

....Later.

P.S

For a short time only, all of my books will be priced at $0.99 cents.

Christa Polkinhorn -Love of a Stonemason reviewed by Jacqueline Howett.

2011-03-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

I give it 5 Stars. Love of a Stonemason by Christa Polkinhorn is a wonderful book, I highly recommend. Being a bit of a traveler and artist myself, I could really relate to the world of culture, which I really found enjoyably described, and a refreshing change. I especially liked how the heroine's thoughts were conveyed through her brushstrokes on canvass as an artist, giving the story depth. The Stonemason, the artist meets, known for his tombstone's, is also semi famous, creating shiny sculptures that are placed in the nearby towns. You then enter the world of two very different artists in their habitat, going to events and places together and the story of their love unfolds, but in such a realistic way. It's the honesty and the growth of the relationship that really makes this book, and leaves you wanting more. You are so hooked watching them develop. Also, the author managed to bring my expectations of the places visited, so alive. I felt I was really there. This is a well written captivating story that keeps you curiously entertained until the very end.

I hope some of you will think about putting this book on your To-read list, or at least download a sample to check out later, if you're not buying today. Thanks.

Product Description

The talented young painter, Karla Bocelli, is all too familiar with loss. When she was five years old, her mother died in a car crash in the south of Switzerland. Her Peruvian father lives at the other end of the world, and a year ago, her aunt and guardian passed away. Now, at age twenty-four, Karla almost gets hit by a speeding car. As if this wasn’t fateful enough, Andreas, the driver, turns out to be a sculptor and carver of tombstones. In spite of his profession, Andreas is anything but morbid. Quick-tempered and intense, he exudes a rough-and-tumble energy. After a tumultuous start of their relationship, Karla comes to see in Andreas the "rock in her life," the perfect antidote to her fears of abandonment and bouts of depression. Andreas, however, wrestles with his own ghosts: an alcoholic father who abused him as a child and his own fits of anger. Together, the two artists must confront the demons that haunt them.

Love of a Stonemason is a story about the struggle of two artists with their past, their family, their creativity, and their love for each other. Told from the point of view of Karla, it depicts the world through her painter’s sensibility. It takes the reader on a journey full of sights, smells, tastes, and sounds from the south of Switzerland to Italy and the Peruvian Andes.

About the Author

Christa Polkinhorn, originally from Switzerland, lives and works as writer and translator in Santa Monica, California. She divides her time between the United States and Switzerland and has strong ties to both countries. Her poems have appeared in various poetry magazines. She is the author of Path of Fire, a collection of poems published by Finishing Line Press. Love of a Stonemason is her first novel.

Amazon Buy or download a free sample to your Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Love-of-a-Stonemason-ebook/dp/B003JH84V8/ref=cm_cmu_up_add_glance

Christa Polkinghorn's Blog: http://christa-polkinhorn.blogspot.com/

Art interval by Jacqueline Howett

2011-03-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Howett is the author of The Greek Seaman. A seafaring novel, on KIndle, the Nook and Sony ereaders and PC's.

Welcome to my little art display, while I carry on editing for a bit longer, my second novel, Cass.

completed giant panels. oil on canvass 12 feet by 6 feet. Some panels larger!

I use to stretch canvass and create giant sized panels in my bathing suit, then jump in the pool after!

All images on sight are copyright and cannot be used without permission.

Thanks for stopping by, Jacqueline

50% off until Sunday only for The Greek Seaman novel

2011-03-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

A fiction story based on the authors own true life story in her teens. Down load to your Kindle, or Nook, or Sony Ereader, PC, or other gadget with the free Apps on site.
Thought you would like to know, The Greek Seaman novel is 50% off at Smashwords all this week. You might want to get a copy of this while you can, as the price has gone up to a fixed price of $4.99 after the 12th March. To get 50% off use code: RAE50 at check out. You'll see it on site. Enjoy the voyage! Please feel free to leave a review or comment once you have read it either at Smashwords or at Amazon. Thanks. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21046

Links at Amazon is showing $3.99 during the promo.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSILSW/ref=s9_simh_se_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-no-results-center-1&pf_rd_r=1KWFVWFTYKVA0B1C6WXP&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1263465782&pf_rd_i=B003XF22PU%20

http://www.amazon.com/The-Greek-Seaman-ebook/dp/B003XF22PU USA
REVIEW The Greek Seaman- UK Amazon - 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this read. It is light and easy to read but not lacking in entertainment and interest. I paricularly enjoyed being made a part of the story (or the feeling that I was) and also how discriptively it is written so that you can see the places and feel like you have visited them, which I find very important in a book. A good all round read! Very well written.

Amazon link UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Greek-Seaman/dp/B003ZSILSW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299882205&sr=1-1

Description to The Greek Seaman novel. A true story, based on the authors own life in her teens.
What is an eighteen year old newly wed doing traveling on a massive merchant ship anyways? Hadn’t she gone to Greece on tour in a ballet as a dancer? These are questions, Katy asks herself while traveling the high seas with Don her chief officer. However, little do they know a smuggling ring is also on board for this ride, on a blue diamond exchange and when explosions and threats to sink the ship also happen, they must try to save themselves.

Have a great week eBook buying and reading - Jacqueline Howett

PS Hoping to make more comments on blogs to everyone and do some editing with my energy today, so excuse the repost.

50% off Amorphous Angelic, Selected Poems during Smashwords Promotion eBook week through 6th-12th March

2011-03-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

Poetry lovers, Also the price of my poetry eBook will go up to $4.95 after the 12th March, so you might want to get a copy now while you can at 50% off over at Smashwords. They have all formats there for you to download, such as the Nook and Kindle or to your PC and other gadgets. If you prefer a signed copy at $12, contact me by e-mail or drop me a note: I'll arrange to have a signed copy sent to you by post.

To buy the eBook From Smashwords Use the code RAE50 at checkout

for 50% off . You will see it on site.

Here's the Smashwords link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38047

Amorphous Angelic, selected poems by Jacqueline Howett are Metaphysical poems of wisdom, death, rebirth, and the inner workings of the souls journey. They are also 35 selected poems of love, inspiration, wonder, visions, hope, faith and connecting to the higher self as well as with the sad & strange, to elevating out of darkness to reveal the mystery of life that cover an important time factor in the poets life between 1980-1985, and have remained her most memorable as they become the last link with old England before her moving to America.

Written in a timeless language that everyone can relate with at the core of their souls. They also reveal a hint of old England in the poets evolving.

Review from Amazon- USA 5 stars

Just got done reading and re-reading the of poems. I loved so many of them and they held special meaning with me. My favorities are "How Many butterflies Can You Be" and "Until I Rest In Jesus". P.S. After reading this book it gave so much more meaning and appreciation for the author and person as I just finished her book "The Greek Seaman".

For those of you who just prefer to buy from Amazon, here's the link for the USA:
http://www.amazon.com/Amorphous-Angelic-Selected-Poems-ebook/dp/B004I43TCU

heres the Amazon link in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amorphous-Angelic-Selected-Poems/dp/B004I43TCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299882637&sr=1-1

Thankyou everyone who purchased a copy. Please feel free to write a review or a comment. I hope they bring you many years of enjoyment.

Jacqueline Howett

JUST EAT YOUR FISH

2011-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Jacqueline Howett is the author of The Greek Seaman. A seafaring novel, on KIndle and Nook.

A little reminder why eating fish is good for you.

Fish really is the cure all food, Its in the fatty Omega 3 fish gives you.

Fish it seems is the answer to a healthy brain and body. Fish also supposedly rids of split border line personality, mood swings and harbors against anger or depression, migraine headaches and is good for your eyes and memory. You can also loose weight regardless of its fatty Omega- 3, and is good for the heart, helps prevent breast cancer apparently and menstrual cramps, lowers blood pressure and raises good cholesterol. If there’s a bunch of pills on the market you could not afford, or you simply reject taking any kind of drugs, fresh fish or fish oil capsules is the answer, and is probably the only gel capsule your need on your shelf. Now go-- get that tin of salmon and make yourself a sandwich, instead of your usual burger. (Read up also about Omega- 3 and diabetics).

I would love to hear from anyone who is trying this stuff without an angle to it, who might like to share it on this site. Simply E-mail me, and I’ll post it some time. We all need to be reminded of the goodness of fish, and continually promote its awareness from generation to generation. Fish is a food substance so many of us seem not to eat in this fast food, fast pace world. And for the skeptics, I suggest fish until one can prove otherwise. Oh yes, and as I understand we need plenty of it in a week, twice a week or more is good, so stack up on lots of tins of salmon and any other fish. However, fresh fish like King salmon. Herring and Mackerel for grilling, baking or boiling is far better. (When buying fresh fish, eyes of the fish should be bulging out and clear and under the gills should be a healthy pinkish). Salmon is mostly mentioned due to having the highest content of the fatty Omega –3 goodness, and only has 15 percent of fat really, which is still less than your burger and some poultry. So what’s in your sandwich today? Isn’t it nice to know your eating a food that really IS good for you?

The fish cure to all this….
Bipolar disorder
Depression
ADD and ADHD
Postpartum depression
Migraine headaches
Schizophrenia
Lower triglycerides
Reduce blood pressure
Raise good cholesterol
Reduce insulin resistance
Better memory
Brain food.
good for heart
decrease your appertite

As suppliments go :Flax seed if you can't take fish oil capsules, but fresh fish really is the best.

A quick fish soup recipe

chicken stock

cut up small 2 carrots
1 small onion
2 celery sticks
2 potatoes
cook veges until tender

add oregano
dash of olive oil
parsley
pepper
squeeze of lemon
dash of hot sauce if required

cook 20 mins or half hour

add cod or haddock fresh or frozen out fish one or two pieces half way through.

If desired add tomato sauce

or for creamy white texture, omit tomato and add cream or milk and just a snib of butter.

optional herbs rosemary and thyme

Enjoy.

Micro Fiction 100 words

2011-02-27T06:01:00.000-08:00

The next take was published in Alien skin magazine before it transformed. On the rare occasion I write in this genre. Micro Fiction is a nice way to explain a lot in a condensed form. Have you written any micro fiction of a 100 words you would like to share? drop me an e-mail and I'll post it up on my blog sometime. If not, hope you enjoyed the read, and have a great day.

The Next Take
Micro Fiction
By Jacqueline Howett ©2010

My former lives, melted into a puddle of mercury.
In the next take, came magic.
I went with the flow. I merged comfortably into the new era with pierced body parts and tattoos. But I still tremble, knowing it took black holes of time to my rebirth.
I was crawling around on all fours for a time in my living room, separating myself from my sticky embryo. I became a wild nymph like cave creature, who had entered up through the earth where the sky greeted me as one. I spoke in tongues in the process of being born anew, in my developing metamorphosis, wiping the sticky slime from my eyes.
I touched my new form in the mirror. I was pleased.
As I evolved, I started wearing jeans lower on the hips.
A happiness came I had never known. With my first real freedom, I merged into your world.