Promotion

This is Dewey, my grand-dog. Yes, after growing up in a family surrounded by golden retrievers, my son married a girl who was into pug-love... and now they have a pug, a soon-to-be adopted baby and another baby due to be born in June.

I always semi-apologize when I tell people my son has a pug. *

Dewey is cute, but pugs are not my favorite breed. For one, they have breathing problems. Secondly, they inevitably get stocky when they're older, and resemble Winston Churchill--all you have to do is stick a cigar in their mouth, and it's uncanny. Third, they always look unhappy.

Goldens, on the other hand, always look happy.

My daughter-in-law never stops trying to get me to switch sides. She'd love nothing more than to hear me say that I'm going to adopt a pug (never gonna happen)... that I love pugs more than golden retrievers (totally not true)... that I adore everything about pugs (nope, but I do admit I love watching them scamper around. They are fast little--well, since this is a PG site, I'll just say they're really fast.)

I recently signed up to do something scary (for me) to work on my self-promotion skills.  Many writers I know do it well--Linda O'Connell, Margo Dill, Cathy Hall, Lisa Ricard Claro and Pat Wahler. They don't beat their readers over the head in their bragging (and they all have lots to brag about), they let their readers into their lives, and they share their writing advice and resources with generosity.

What scares Sioux? Sioux, who has gone skydiving three times. Sioux, who has played basketball while riding a donkey. Sioux, who drove to the Grand Canyon in an estrogen-filled van with five other females.

If you're curious, check out my recent post on WOW.

* For those who love pugs, please don't leave a mountain of comments, pointing out their charm, their wonderful characteristics. Every dog breed has its fans. I'm just not a fan of pugs.

Books, Blood and Book Blurb # 80

       Tomorrow I will be participating in an indie author event at Spencer Road Branch Library in St. Charles. Several writing friends will also be there, including Donna Volkenannt, Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller and Pat Wahler. Maybe Marcia Gaye? Probably others I'm forgetting to mention...

      If you live in the area, drop by. It's from 10-2. There will be refreshments, along with over 100 authors eager to talk about (and sell) their books...

      So, you might be busy tomorrow, but you're looking for something to do on Tuesday evening, something that involves blood? How about giving a pint? St. James the Greater School (1360 Tamm Avenue) is having a blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 3-6:30. Of course, after a blood donation, you need to eat something. There are several wonderful restaurants right on Tamm, as you head back up the few blocks to Oakland... Seamus McDaniels, Felix's and Nora's (which has snagged national acclaim for its sandwiches). And at Seamus and Felix's, I know you can drink a pint (or two). I will be there at my school, working with a couple of my 8th graders, along with donating blood.


     And now onto back-of-the-book blurb business...
        
         Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. Is it a how-to book on making hand puppets? Is it sci-fi... birds and hands have mated, resulting in new creatures? You decide.

         Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book. 

          Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. She moved to Florida, and is too busy to host a weekly book blurb. Her first romance novel, Love Built to Last, just came out as an audio book. Her newest project? A B & B & B--a bed and breakfast and barkery. Lisa is constructing a bed and breakfast out of her piles of rejection letters (you can't be as successful as Lisa without getting lots of rejection), and off to the side of the bed and breakfast will be a bakery for dogs (and cats). Fortunately, she has offered her St. Louis writing friends a free stay whenever they head to Florida.

          Thanks, Lisa.

         
          Okay, back to book blurb stuff.
     

          Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

        Here's the book cover, along with my blurb: 

Et Tu, Toucan?

Bernie had his own business. He did puppet shows at kids’ birthday parties. He entertained at cocktail events, when rich folks need a little diversion before a symphony concert started tuning up.

But recently, disturbing things are happening.

Bernie’s hand puppets--intricately painted onto his hands along with onto the hands of his assistants--have turned on him. It’s strange, but the hand puppets have grown backbones of their own.

They talk back. And what they say is not very nice.

“Hey Buddy. You really slopped the paint on at the end of my tail. What a slob you’ve become.” (This was stage-whispered during a preschool party.)

“Hey, Jerk. Your knuckles are way too hairy to pull off this snake puppet. Have you ever thought of shaving? I mean, really.”

Will Bernie be able to give those hand puppets a slap on the wrist? Or, will they completely take over? (148 words)

And for those who want to work ahead, here is the photo for this next week:

Spending the Night With Linda O'Connell

         Linda O'Connell recently spoke as part of a panel for the St. Louis Publishers Association's September meeting. 

        There were three editors/publishers who also spoke. Linda is a prolific writer and has edited anthologies. She's a generous critique partner. Here is what she shared with the audience:

• She admitted, right off the bat, she did not have the same kind of MFA as some of the other panelists. Her MFA stands for "Mighty Fine Attitude."  (I suspect the "A" stands for a different word, a thee-letter word, since I've heard her husband talk about what attracted him to Linda, but I can't be sure...) 

• It's important to write to express, not to impress. Instead of saying "feminine hygiene products," why not just say "tampons"?

• Rejection's more about them (the editor) than you (the writer). It's either a case of "They don't appreciate your work" or "Your work doesn't meet their needs." 

• Linda doesn't keep an Excel spreadsheet of her submissions. Instead, she handwrites what she submits on a calendar. If it's been a week a few days (or in the case of uber-prolific Linda) an hour since she last sent off something, she'll get busy and polish up a piece to submit it. 

                  If you were part of a panel, what advice would you share?

Birth Certificates, Books, Viggo and Back-of-the-Book Blurb #71

         Something incredible is going to happen on January 2, 2018. I'm going to get my birth certificate.

        Oh, I know most of you are saying, "Big deal. Doesn't Sioux already have her birth certificate?"

        Well, yes I do, but I've never gotten my original birth certificate. I've never seen it. Never got to hold it.

         But on January 2, 2018 adoptees born after 1940 in Missouri will be presented their original birth certificate. This is happening because a bill was proposed and it battled its way into becoming a law. It will have my birth mother's name on it. (I know that information.) Perhaps it will include my biological father's name. (I'm clueless when it comes to that tidbit. I'm also not too hopeful.)

         I will sooo be there, with bells on...

         On August 29 (a little closer to today than January 2) Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Kind (of) America goes on sale. I'm proud of my story "My Ferguson" that appears in this collection because 1) it's about a community I taught in for 17 years and 2) I get to thumb my nose (at the end of the story) at someone who made a very incorrect comment about Ferguson. (Secret Service: I'll be waiting for your arrival.)

      My writing critique friend Linda O'Connell also has a story in the same anthology.

       And now onto book blurb stuff. This one came so easy. I saw the photo and immediately knew what I was going to write about. It usually doesn't go that way. Usually I choose a picture that I have no inspiration about, so I can avoid working on my manuscript even longer stretch a little as a writer.

 Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. Is it a nonfiction piece? Is it a guide for nudists? You decide.

         Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book. 

          Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. She moved to Florida, and is too busy to host a weekly book blurb, so you're all stuck with me. What is she busy doing? Here's what I found when trolling around on the 'net...

 

   
According to an article I read on the internet, Lisa Ricard Claro is working on ghostwriting Viggo Mortensen's biography. (Whoops. Since you're ghostwriting it, Lisa, perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned your name?) Apparently Lisa has a pond in her backyard and while the two of them were working on this book, Viggo decided to cool off with a dip. What a lucky lady Lisa is.

Swoon. Oh. Okay, back to book blurb stuff.
       

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

Mrs. T  Didn’t Pity the Fools

She was tired of it. Fed up. Finally, after 27 years of putting up with it, she decided, ‘Enough is enough.’

Surfing the internet, Mrs. T came up with a plan… and the next day she executed it.

“Mrs. T, my mom wants you to call her. Today. She wants to know why I’m getting a D in language arts. She’s really ticked off at you.”

‘Your mother wants to know why you’re not honor roll material? I want to know why you refuse to put a single word down on paper, day after day…’

Without saying a word, Mrs. T walked over to Brittney, her hand striking fast as a snake, a silver flash hinting at the horror that was happening.

It took a week, and more than thirty students, but finally word got around: Mrs. T loves statement jewelry pieces… (142 words)



What kind of writing success do you want to toot your horn about? And for those who are thinking about playing along, here is the photo for next week:

A Super Pig... and Back-of-the-Book Blurb # 67

      Recently I saw the movie Okja. Was it one of my all-time favorites, ranking up there with Hidalgo and Widow of Saint Pierre and Chocolat and Love Actually and Doctor Zhivago?

     Well, no.

     But I did enjoy it.

     You might enjoy doing something silly. Or writing something a bit lighter. If a child's book titled Battle Bunny intrigues you, go here and check out my post at the Muffin.

    And if you'd like to read about how they made the movie Okja, go here.

    Without further ado, here is this week's book blurb's guidelines:

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. Is it a nonfiction piece? Is it a romance between a chef and all things pork? You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book. 

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. She moved to Florida and with the piles of money she's made from her novels. Lisa's unpacking the last of her boxes and is doing her best to keep her address a top secret when it comes to Linda O'Connell. (Linda looooves the beach.)

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

   

The Unmaking of a Meat-Eater

She’d seen the movie Okja. With disgust, she’d watched the latest hot dog eating contest. Helen even reread the scary parts of Charlotte’s Web.

And she’d survived all that.

What finally drove her over the edge was a Hawaiian luau party. When Helen saw that roasted piglet getting plated, she lost it. All over her lei.

She also lost her love of any kind of meat. “I’ll never make another animal suffer because of me,” she swore. “The flesh of an animal will never again pass my lips, nor will leather shoes cover my toes.”

Helen’s husband Leroy tried to lure her back to the carnivorous side. Bacon-wrapped figs. Slow-cooked ribs, waved under her nose. He tried to tempt her with bagels topped with a schmear and some lox.

Will Helen remain a vegetarian? Or will she drag Leroy to the kale burger side of town? (146 words)

And for Val and Pat and anyone else who'd like to play along, here is the photo for next week:

What have you done playful or silly lately? Stressed-out minds want to know...

Old News, New Stories and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday #56

Forgive me bloggers, because I've slacked. 

It's been a week since my last post.

Oh, I could whine about why, like

• I procrastinated finishing my future daughter-in-law's Christmas stockings (a bridal shower gift) until the last minute.
• I procrastinated working on my students' mid-quarter reports until Monday.
• Monday evening, I planned on working on my mid-quarters once The Voice was over. Unfortunately, I fell asleep watching The Voice on Monday, long before the last battle round ended, which meant I'd have to finish the school work on Tuesday.

That--my procrastination--is old news.

As far as the new stories, I went to a Listen to Your Mother cast meet-and-greet last night. Each of the writer-performers got up and introduced themselves. Each woman told a little about what their story was about, along with what their first record album was, what their three favorite movies are, what their first concert was, and the most important question: salty or sweet.

There's a rehearsal tomorrow, so if I don't slack next week, perhaps I'll share some great phrases or snippets from the stories. So far, I know that there's a story about someone who had "the meanest mother" and a story about motherhood that began by fostering a child. One of the women could be a stand-up comedian--she's that funny just when she's talking off-the-cuff.

The afternoon St. Louis show is almost sold out, so if you want a ticket for that one, you'd best get it soon. For tickets, go here.

And now, onto book blurb stuff.

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A book on the history of statues? A how-to book from Bob Ross? He turned over in his grave over some recent paintings, and now--risen from the dead--has turned to sculpting. You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original creator of this writing challenge. However, she's been busy for the last few years. Currently, along with all the books she juggling in their pre-published state, she's also preparing to move--to the beach--which means she and her hubby are going to have to go into the witness protection program, otherwise Linda O'Connell will hunt them down and became a squatter* in their spare bedroom. (By "squatter," I don't mean Linda will squat down because of a too-full bladder, I mean she will move in and won't move out until the police come for her... she loves the beach that much.)

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover, along with my blurb:

   

photo by pixabay

Rufus the Crabman

Rufus Leaking loved the beach and wading in the water along the shore. He spent hours exploring the shells and the sand.

One summer, he snuck a hermit crab into the family station wagon. Rufus yearned for a pet, and Herman seemed like the perfect one. The little boy dreamed of the fun he’d have with the tiny creature. They’d watch Spongebob and Finding Nemo together. They’d listen to old Herman’s Hermits records. They’d have crabwalk races in his room.

Somewhere between Sarasota, Florida and Provo, Utah a horrible stench filled the car.

It seemed Herman had scuttled his way to the big beach in the sky.

Later, Rufus invented a tank that would keep a crab alive on a cross-country trip. With his product, there’d be “No more dead Hermans.”  Hopefully Mr. Wonderful will like his business plan… because Rufus and Herman #17 are scheduled to make their pitch. (150 words)

So, I have the same questions for you:

1) What's your three favorite movies?

2) What was the first record/8-track tape/cassette tape/CD you bought?

3) What was your first concert?

4) Salty or sweet?

And just for Val, here's the photo for next week:

photo by pixabay

A Phone Call, an Audition and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday #49

This week I had an incredible encounter on the phone.

For months (literally) I have been emailing and calling a man who works at the National Museum of African American History in D.C. His grandfather typed up a 10-page first person document of a bit of our history that we've swept under the rug for almost a century. I've seen the cover page on the internet:  its yellowed pages and faded ink taunt me.

This man's voicemail box quickly filled up; I could no longer leave a message. My emails remained unanswered.

Yesterday I called during my prep period, figuring it would be another bit of momentary frustration. Miracle of miracles, he answered.

We spoke. Since he has donated his grandfather's document to the museum, there are several of his colleagues who would love access to it. He said he would check with the curator, he suggested some books, and I was left encouraged... and hopeful.

And the audition? I got an email this week--I am one of the 30 writers chosen to audition for the Listen to Your Mother St. Louis Show. Three of my writing critique partners--Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller and Kim Lehnhoff--also made the cut. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all four of us make it.

And now, onto book blurb fun...

Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A time travel tale, where a fun-loving group of hooligans try to reenact Thelma and Louise's trip? A how-to book explaining how to refold travel maps?  You decide.

Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.

Lisa Ricard Claro was the original brain behind this project. She's got her own editing business. She's gotten a multi-novel publishing deal... and now that those three books are out, she's working on more. Check out her site. You'll enjoy her posts and you'll learn something.

Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.

Here's the book cover and the blurb:

photo by pixabay

Back in Time… Into the Darkness

Because of technology, amazing things now happened.

The iphone 27 has time-traveling capabilities. With a swift swipe, the camera captures what the person--or the scene--looked like decades ago.

A couple wants to remember what they looked like on their wedding day fifty years ago? Just aim the phone their way, and there the bride and groom would be, their unwrinkled faces smiling in the screen.

A family wants to recall what their family neighborhood looked like when they moved in ten years ago? An easy feat with the new phone.

The police are even using them to recreate--with 100% accuracy--a crime scene. There’s no need for security cameras now. Just make the correct time setting, point and shoot… and they can see who did the shooting.

But now the phone’s being used for sinister purposes… it’s being used to do heinous things. And there seems to be no stopping it... (150 words)

And for those writers who like to work ahead and toil on their reviews (like you, Val), here is the photo (from Pixabay) for next week:

Why I Hate Mary Karr and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 25

       A couple of evenings ago I saw Mary Karr's talk on memoir. I was seated surrounded by Lynn Obermoeller, Linda O'Connell, along with Marcia and Jim Gaye.

      I'll post about her talk on Tuesday. Every thing about the night was wonderful. Karr was full of great advice on how to get published. ("Learn to write well.") She was full of confessions. (Sometimes she felt like eating Ho-Hos all day, and was Catholic "but probably not the Pope's favorite Catholic.") She was full of family tidbits. (Her mother was amazed when Karr got an advance for her memoir The Liar's Club. "You mean you get to keep that money? Even if the book doesn't sell?")

     However, as I watched her stride across the room, owning it, in her size 2 white pants and sky-high sandals, wearing her wrinkle-free face, a deep hatred started rumbling around in my heart.

     And when I heard she was 61, I declared my hatred for her--to her face. (She of course thanked me when she heard why I hated her.)

      On Tuesday I'll post more about Mary Karr... and now onto Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday (I know. It's now Saturday, but we were in a car dealership all afternoon and evening and during the day I was at work 'cause, you know, I retired and then went back to work and my knee is really bothering me and if I don't stop this whining I'm gonna have to serve some crackers and some decent cheese to you and Velveeta doesn't count.)

• Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book.
• You choose the genre. A mystery? A coffeetable book full of strange dog photos? A historical piece? You decide.
• Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Lisa Ricard Claro is the original brains behind this writing exercise. Her third romance book just came out in July (Love to Win) so right now she's booked solid, doing book signings in Europe (mostly in France) as she does double duty--she's selling her novels and constantly on the look-out for Johnny Depp. Or Juliet Binoche. Or Maurice Chavalier statues.
• Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. 
• Link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. You don't have to buy him a drink or anything. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is.
• Check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.
• And most importantly, have fun. This is supposed to be enjoyable.

Here is the photo and my lame-o blurb:

One Strange Dog

         Fo-Fo was one strange dog. He was a golden retriever and yet he was aloof. Unlike every other golden, he didn't have human contact too high on his priority list. Fo-Fo was content to spend most of his life waiting... waiting to be a missile.

        This golden boy wasn't made to do anything that took any smarts but he was designed to fly across fields after a ball, a stick, a disc—anything that could be thrown. Fo-Fo lived for racing like a missile in frequent games of fetch.

         But then Fo-Fo's family starts spotting a stranger—often seen walking in front of the house or sometimes just standing in front of their house, seemingly lost in thought.

And then one afternoon, Fo-Fo disappeared. The gate was still closed. No holes were dug under the fence... and the stranger was gone as well.

        Where did Fo-Fo go? (145 words)

        And dig in... Here is the photo for next week:

NaNoWriMoCrocIt

       Linda O'Connell came up with the winning name. Her prize?  A vial of James Patterson's toe jam (certified, for certain). Lucky, lucky Linda.

     Her creative name is a nod to my favorite brand of shoes (only the ones that can be hosed off. Those fancy, frou-frou fleece-lined Crocs are an ugly smear on haut couture). It's also a nod to Miami Vice, an incredibly inane television show that so many of us watched--so many decades ago.

      I've decided to do NaNoWriMo this year, but since I am not starting from scratch and since there is no way in not-heaven I will add 50,000 more words to what I have so far, I needed a name. Maverick...Rebel... (which is what I was last year)...NaNoWriMoDoDo (that was another of my favorites).

      Renee Roberson told me to eat all the mashed potatoes I want. She also suggested I do NaNo, set a goal and broadcast it so I can't weasel out of it deftly sidestep it. 


     Okay. Pass the potatoes, and take a gander at my goal--15,000 words during the month of November. I figure that word count is better than a trickle of ink... and without the prod and prompting of NaNoWriMo, a pathetic trickle might be all I get.

     That's around 500 words a day. I'm hoping that's do-able.

                              "The Proclaimers" singing "500 Miles."
                              It's from one of my favorite movies--
                              "Benny and Joon."


       

Never Too Late

        Enough cheesecake, chocolate-covered pretzels, fruit, wine and cheese and crackers to feed an army...People crammed into a bookstore like they were thirteen-year olds waiting for Justin Bieber to relieve himself in an alley...Two editors-extraordinaire and one bookstore owner (along with her "bartender" husband)...A hundred or so of readers and writers...Put all of those together and you come up with a winning combination.   


     A book launch for two collections, Not Your Mother's Book...On Family and Not Your Mother's Book...On Being a Mom was held this week, hosted by Robin Theiss at her shop, Stl Books. Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell, after completing months and months (and years) of editing work, were finally able to let their breath out and celebrate.


     One of the writers who was part of the celebration was Verna Simms. Verna's 93, still kickin' as an author, and just recently had a novel published. She was having such a good time at the book signing, she had to be taken out in handcuffs convinced it was getting late before she agreed to head home.


     So, if you're assuming you're too old to write a book, think of Verna. If you're figuring you don't have a chance of getting published, think of Verna. If you're sure you're past your prime, think of Verna...
    
      And reach out towards your goals.

Book Signing--Story Mining

      This Tuesday there is going to be a book signing in Kirkwood. Lots of local St. Louis area writers will be there. The two editors extraordinaire--Linda O'Connell and Dianna Graveman--will be there as well. There will be refreshments, chats with the writers, and pony rides...


(Okay, perhaps I'm mixing this event up with a different event. Don't count on the pony ride part.)




      There will also be readings from several authors. I will be sharing my story about my son and his tattoos.

      "Tat Boy" (I sometimes thought this would be a great nickname for him) is today being honored at a "White Coat" ceremony. He's been accepted into the Doctor of Osteopathy program in Kirksville, Missouri and will eventually be a D.O. (An incredible D.O.--Dr. Fred Duhart--delivered my babies and did the same thing for another one of the WWWPs...Small world, huh?)


      So, come to Kirkwood on Tuesday and be prepared to buy some books, toast Tat Boy today in Kirksville, and be assured: I've been able to mine many stories from my son's experiences, but the excavation process has not come to an end. I'm sure I will get much more fodder as his schooling continues...