Random thoughts ... now in list form!

Here's some random stuff I've learned over the last few days.

1. I stopped at the store to buy a few things, including a bag of carrots. I told the young male cashier they were for the deer. Noting his frown I told him, "You know, the deer that pull Santa's sleigh. I have cookies for Santa but no carrots for the deer." He then tells me that he's from the city (around here that means NYC) and they didn't have any deer. I was too stunned to enlighten or correct him.

2. My niece doesn't know how to sew. Not even to fix a small hole in a piece of clothing. It's not a terrible thing. Just something we forgot to pass down to her.

3. When talking about going to a wake, my college-aged nephew says that his generation 'doesn't do that'. I know his parents taught him more respect than that. I know his parents taught him that its the right thing to do. When did a whole generation decide that it's okay to skip out on being a decent human being?

4. My son and I were talking with a bunch of young guys that we know and when we parted ways I told my son to shake each of their hands 'like a man'. One of the guys asked me what I meant by that.

5. While out shopping for the Christmas holidays we saw a bunch of regular folks being terrible people. Not just rude or pushy but reckless drivers and others with poor judgement and dangerous attitudes. I asked my husband if he thought those same people would act that way while shopping at Easter or Mother's Day. Why its okay to be horrible and get away with it at Christmas?

6. Free books do not equal good books.

7. Cats want to play with Legos just as much as my son does.

8. Slippers are awesome.

9. The world keeps on revolving if I don't send out Christmas cards.

10. My book ain't gonna write itself. I checked.


Have a safe and happy New Year!

Happy ** Merry ** Joyous ** Greetings

If you know me, you know I'm not very politically correct.

I'm also not stupid enough to think that everyone celebrates the same thing at the same time for the same reasons.

So, whatever you may celebrate, I hope you have a great time.

I hope you're with your family and friends.

I hope you're eating really good food.

I hope you're drinking something special.

I hope you get something good but give something even better.

Talk to you next week!

***

Don't forget to send anyone looking for great books to the Pay It Forward Book List!

A funny thing happened on my way to a review site....

First, let me say thanks to those of you who stopped by and said a nice word on Monday. I hope I didn't come across sounding too depressing but your words of encouragement did make me feel better so maybe I was more down in the dumps than I thought I was.

Today...today is much better. Thanks.

***

On that same note, I'd like to share a little story.

I read a great book the other day.

Recently, I've read so many crappy ones that this one seriously stood out as well done and I really enjoyed it. I wrote a short & sweet review, put one up on Amazon and one on Goodreads. 

I took a moment to check out the other comments on Goodreads about the book. Most were kind and favorable. Then there was this huge nasty-ass review. 

I get it, I do, we're all entitled to our opinion.

If you spent money on a book, feel free to review it. But, come on, do you have to rip it to shreds cause you didn't like it?

Do you have to write a review almost as long as the book, with gifs and extra punctuation, telling everyone every little detail of the story you thought didn't work? 

I guess that just makes certain people feel better about themselves.

The time and energy it must have taken them to write all that hate, perhaps they could have used that time and energy more wisely.

Hate is just hate. There's nothing pretty about it.

But, here's the thing. There's that little 'like' button on each review. This same angry ranter had a lot of 'likes' where as the five star reviews didn't have any 'likes'.

So, I think it's up to us to make sure when we are on Goodreads or Amazon or any other review site, that if we enjoy a good book, to not only take a moment to tell people by writing a review (which can be short & sweet) (not sure why the current trend is for everyone to write a book report) but to also hit a few 'likes' on other people's reviews.

Story over. Thanks for listening.

***

Hey! Have you given me a title to add to the PIF Book List yet? No? Well, head on over HERE!

While you're at it, send a friend to check out the list! Maybe they will find something new for themselves or to give as a gift!

Just keep swimming...

I had a whole post ranting about my crazy life written a few minutes ago but I deleted it.

Sometimes, I feel like that's all I ever write about on the blog.

Instead, I'll just say, it's Monday.

As long as we're still breathing we can keep moving forward.

***

It's National Chocolate-covered Anything Day.

You know what to do.

Anyone suffering from paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia?

Happy Friday the 13th, Peeps!

Hope I didn't scare anyone off with my post title!

What the hell am I talking about, you ask?

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13 but paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.

No, really.

Personally, 13 is my lucky number. I like it cause no one else does, cause it's the underdog, cause like me, it's different.

Friday the 13th is just awesome cause it's, well, Friday. :)

So, I'll leave you with a little Friday the 13th humor. Have a great weekend!

Updated PIF Book List - Funny airplane mechanics. :)

The The Pay It Forward Book List has been updated! Have you been by lately? Feel free to add your own titles by leaving them in the comments.

***

Still trying to get some reading/writing/editing completed this week. It's not a lost cause quite yet.

 

Here's some airline humor to keep us all smiling.

Airplane Problems

After every flight, pilots fill out a form, called a gripe sheet which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. 

Pilot: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. Engineers: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
Pilot: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. Engineers: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
Pilot: Something loose in cockpit. Engineers: Something tightened in cockpit.
Pilot: Dead bugs on windshield. Engineers: Live bugs on back-order.
Pilot: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. Engineers: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
Pilot: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. Engineers: Evidence removed.
Pilot: DME volume unbelievably loud. Engineers: DME volume set to more believable level.
Pilot: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. Engineers: That's what friction locks are for.
Pilot: IFF inoperative in OFF mode. Engineers: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
Pilot: Suspected crack in windshield. Engineers: Suspect you're right.
Pilot: Number 3 engine missing. Engineers: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
Pilot: Aircraft handles funny. Engineers: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
Pilot: Target radar hums. Engineers: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
Pilot: Mouse in cockpit. Engineers: Cat installed.
Pilot: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. Engineers: Took hammer away from midget.

Writing (and reading) is fundamental.

Howdy, Campers!

 

My goal this week is to reread my WIP and get right back on the super-duper writing wagon when I'm done.

 

It's a lofty goal, I know, but one I hopefully can get behind and stay behind on my behind.

 

So, I thought I'd send a little humor your way.

 

Don't forget to check out The Pay It Forward Book List! Feel free to add your own titles by leaving them in the comments.

 

Hello and welcome to the mental health hotline.

• If you are an obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.
• If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
• If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5, and 6.
• If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want; stay on the line while we trace your call.
• If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transfered to the mother ship.
• If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.
• If you are a manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press, no one will answer.
• If you are dyslexic, press 984764132184.
• If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line.
• If you have amnesia, press 8 and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, and your mother's maiden name.
• If you have bi-polar disorder, please leave a message after the beep, or before the beep. Or after the beep. Or before the beep. Please wait for the beep.
• If you have short term memory loss, press 9. If you have short term memory loss, press 9. If you have short term memory loss, press 9. If you have short term memory loss, press 9.
• If you have low self esteem, please hang up. All our operators are far too busy to talk to you. 

The PIF Book List is bursting at the seams!!!

What wonderful people you are!

I asked for book suggestions and you guys came through like gangbusters!

The list is huge and growing! I added a few more titles just this morning.

What list?

The Pay It Forward Book List!

Use the link (above) or the new TAB (above) to get to the ultimate book list that was started in my last blog post.

You can put your suggestions in the comments and I will add them to the post.

Spread the word! If you know someone who needs book titles for their new ereader or their shopping list, send them this way!

Thank you!

You guys ROCK!

***

This was floating around FB yesterday.

#IWSG - The PIF Book List! Let's Pay It Forward!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group created by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect

with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. 

Co-hosts for December IWSG: Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler and Elsie is Writing!

Note that the first posting in 2014 will be on January 8, NOT on New Year's Day.

***

I'm not fond of this time of year. The ending. The reflecting. The decorating. Just too much stress and expense for one day.

But...gift giving can be fun.

I'm guessing some of our family and/or friends may get new e-readers for the holidays.

They're gonna need recommendations for new books, right?

Who better to help them out than us?

SO...

I'm going to start a list below of great books and I'd like you guys to post at least one recommendation in the comments.

I will continue to add your suggestions to The PIF Book List (Pay It Forward Book List) as they come in.

Feel free to send authors & bloggers here to add more titles to this list or readers to help them pick out awesome books for their new toys.

Let's Pay It Forward to our favorite authors!

***

The PIF Book List

1. CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

2. The Mistaken by Nancy S. Thompson

3. Pop Travel by Tara Tyler

4. The 13th Floor Series by Christine Rains

5. The Emotion Thesaurus, The Positive Trait Thesaurus, The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

6. That Fatal Kiss by Mina Lobo.

7. Zinfandelity by Tracey Sorel.

8. How to publish and promote your book now! by L. Diane Wolfe.

9. Strength by Carrie Butler.

10. The Backworlds series by M Pax.

***

11. The Bohlingaringding Christmas Ring by Pat Hatt. Alex J. Cavanaugh.

12. Any books of Jessica Bell. Karen Walker.

13. Neverlove by Angela Brown, Givin' Up the Ghost by Gwen Gardner and any one of Susan Oloier's books. J.L. Campbell.

14. Polar Night by Julie Flanders.
Christine's Odyssey by Joy L. Campbell.
In Name Only by Carol Kilgore. Michelle Wallace.

15. Maguire's Corner by Heather M. Gardner
C.H. Admirand's Apple Grove Series. Tracey Lyons. (Thank you, Tracey!)

16.The Vanished Knight by Misha Gerrick
Fireseed One by Catherine Stine
The Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo. Christine Rains. (Thanks for the mention, Christine!)

17. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. CD Coffelt.

18. Secrets of the Ash Tree by Siv Ottem. Mary Aalgaard.

19. Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie, Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay, and My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares. Samantha Geary Jones.

20. The Treasures of Carmelidrium and The Magic of Windlier Woods by N.R. Williams. N.R. Williams.

21. Use this LINK to read M.J. Joachim's recommended reading list.

22. Wilder Mage by CD Coffelt. Charity Bradford.

23. Polar Night by Julie Flanders, Anticipation of the Penitent by Nancy LaRonda Johnson.

24. Angelfall by Susan Ee. Patricia Lynne.

25. Embrace and Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer, Divine Temptation by Nicki Elson,
Streamline by Jennifer Lane. Cherie Colyer.

26. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Kinetic by S.K. Anthony. S.K. Anthony.

27.Little Acorn's Big Fall by CandiLynn Fite. MollyMom103.

28. The Kinetic by S.K. Anthony, Overcoming Adversity: the Anthology for Andrew edited by Nick Wilford, The Mindjack Trilogy and Indie Author Survival Guide by Susan Kaye Quinn, Books by Cherie Reich, M Pax or Milo James Fowler. Champion in the Darkness and Dragonfold and Other Adventures by Tyrean Martinson. Tyrean Martinson.

29. Wilder Mage by C.D. Coffelt, Finding Meara by Lara Schiffbauer. Lexa Cain.

30. Daddy's Christmas Angel and A Rainbow for Christmas by Mary Montague Sikes. Mary Montague Sikes.

31.By Moonlight series by Nancy Gideon. Diane Burton.

32. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. David List.

33. Standup Guys by John DeBellis. Pat Hatt.

34. Adversarius, a fantasy by M.L. Chesley and books by Francine Howarth. N.R. Williams.


35. The Compass Master by Helena Soister, anything by Stacy Gail, Talli Roland and Jade Jamison. Hart Johnson.

36. Soul Cutter by Lexa Cain and The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Kim Lajevardi.

37. From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler, (Never) Again by Theresa Paolo. Debra McKellan.

38. The Landers Saga by Karen Nilsen, Boom by Jim Brown, Brainrush by Richard Bard. Lisa.

39.Kinshield Legacy series by K.C. May, books by Talli Roland. Mel Chesley.

40. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke. Toinette Thomas.

41. Slipstream by Michael Offutt. Jay Noel.

42. Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway. Heather M. Gardner.

43. Moonless by Crystal Collier. Crystal Collier.

44. Bristol boyz Stomp- Doreen McGettigan.
Doreen McGettigan.

45.Break from You by Rebecca Green Gasper, Distraction by J.L. Campbell, Black Hellebore by Nicole Zoltack, The Ghosts of Aquinnah by Julie Flanders. Susan Oloier.

46. Warrior Muse by CD Coffelt. Tara Tyler.

47. Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. by PK Hrezo, Removed by SJ Pajonas. PK Hrezo. 

48. NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid. Carrie Butler.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks for the shout-out, Heather! :)

I would add NEANDERTHAL SEEKS HUMAN by Penny Reid.

You and me ... we're in this together now....

It's Monday.

Some of us are recovering from a long, and hopefully happy, Thanksgiving weekend.

Some of us are recovering from some sort of surprise, jaw-dropping, episode of The Walking Dead. (I heard, I don't watch).

Some of us are saddened by the stupid unnecessary accidental death of Paul Walker. Stupid.

Some of us are just hoping to make it through this next month intact and of sound mind instead of crazed, bah-humbug lunatics with tinsel in our hair and spent shotgun shells at our feet leaving behind a path of death and destruction so horrific our poor brains can't comprehend it.

Yeah.

Breathe.

***

If you are interested in possibly winning some cool prizes, like an ebook copy of Maguire's Corner, then check out the Authors Take Over Giveaway Extravaganza on their FACEBOOK page OR on their Rafflecopter page HERE.

***

Don't forget the Insecure Writer's Support Group post is due this Wednesday, December 4, 2013! Mr. Alex J. Cavanaugh has asked me, and a few other awesome bloggers, to help co-host this month!

Make sure to check out the IWSG FACEBOOK page and WEBSITE for all kinds of help like, writing and marketing tips to encouragement and support.

***

***

Awesome song to get us through the day!