I always reckon I learned more teaching writing and grammar to high school freshmen than I taught them. First thing I did was put the "weakness list" on the board. Here are a few of the biggies.
1. Get with the program regarding your and you're. It's not "your welcome." It is your car, your book, your iPad. It's you're welcome. Think: you ARE.
2. Watch its and it's. It's means: it is. So...the baby bird fell from it's nest...is wrong, because you wouldn't say "the baby bird fell from IT IS nest."
3. If you have to write all right, at least spell it right. It is NOT alright. Never, ever.
4. And think about already and all ready. I'm already finished with the report that isn't due until January. The students are all ready to take the test.
Wow, these take me back LOL. But thing is, these little errors appear more than I wish in contest entries I judge and in crit group. Just saying....
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
First Lines Friday
"Rachel woke up just this side of a bad dream. Heart pounding, sheets strangling, she reached for something that wasn’t there. Someone.
Nick. Dead sixteen months."
latest wip, Hearts Crossing Series, yet untitled
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Some Reviews for Faithful Danger
"I truly enjoyed this book and will have to keep my eyes open for future books by this author. Although it was my first inspirational, it was far from the last. If you enjoy good, sweet, inspirational romance stories, I recommend this book. I think you will love it." Long and Short Reviews
"Filled with incredible suspense, this quick read is perfect for mystery lovers. It’s a thrilling ride as you follow Caffey and Rhee, and the ending hits you with a jaw droping twise. Definitely worthy of 4 stars. Highly recommended!" The Romance Reviews
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesdays with Tanya: Emotion
I'm starting a new thing: a microburst every Tuesdays with stuff that's helped me as a writer.
Emotion. It's not humor or stuff that gets a reader laughing. It's the tug on the heart. In my Marrying Minda, it's little Neddie looking up at Minda with his blueberry eyes and asking the mail-order bride if she's his new mama.
In Little Women, my ultimate favorite, it's when Beth dies. Anybody who knows me knows that Louisa May Alcott does it all for me. This author has influenced me probably more than any other. The first time I read Little Women when I was eight years old, of course I cried when Beth died. But...I knew it was gonna happen. She was delicate and frail, tons of foreshadowing. It's in her book Jack and Jill, chapter 20, when the kids' pal Ed Devlin dies, that has the power to hitch my breath all these years later.
For an emotion fix, I'm reading the book again now. Got it free on the ipad. Last night I read Chapter 20 again and had to turn off the gizmo, let the emotions of grief, goodness, and peace simmer. These feelings hopefully will help me get my current deadline wip in shape.
Emotion. It's not humor or stuff that gets a reader laughing. It's the tug on the heart. In my Marrying Minda, it's little Neddie looking up at Minda with his blueberry eyes and asking the mail-order bride if she's his new mama.
In Little Women, my ultimate favorite, it's when Beth dies. Anybody who knows me knows that Louisa May Alcott does it all for me. This author has influenced me probably more than any other. The first time I read Little Women when I was eight years old, of course I cried when Beth died. But...I knew it was gonna happen. She was delicate and frail, tons of foreshadowing. It's in her book Jack and Jill, chapter 20, when the kids' pal Ed Devlin dies, that has the power to hitch my breath all these years later.
For an emotion fix, I'm reading the book again now. Got it free on the ipad. Last night I read Chapter 20 again and had to turn off the gizmo, let the emotions of grief, goodness, and peace simmer. These feelings hopefully will help me get my current deadline wip in shape.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
QUICKIES QUIZ...leave a response. I'll be drawing a name if anybody does...
 |
| Available Amazon and White Rose Publishing |
Satin or Lace? LACE.
Cowboy or CEO: COWBOY (come on! I write westerns)
Thunder or Lightning? LIGHTNING.
Dark eyes or Light eyes? DARK.
The sound of a heartbeat or a crackling fire? HEARTBEAT.
Sleeping bag or Bed? BED.
Dinner or Movie? DINNER.
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE (in particular, Cafe Francais or McDonald's iced, regular flavor)
Chiseled jaw line or Chiseled abs? CHISELED JAW LINE.
Holding hands or Holding his attention? HOLDING HIS ATTENTION. (been doin' it for 37 years!)
Red or Black? BLACK.
Rain or Sunshine? SUNSHINE.
Red wine or white? RED
Thanksgiving or Christmas: THANKSGIVING (because Christmas is still coming and I miss it so much when it's gone.)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Just for Fun....
Harlequin Novel, Updated.... 2011 Version
He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room.
Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone.
He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.
"Just relax."
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat.
I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure. When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage.
And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.
Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine to my panties.
Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not used to taking 'No' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say . . . ..
"Okay ma'am, you can board your flight now." !
He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room.
Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone.
He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.
"Just relax."
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat.
I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure. When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage.
And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.
Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine to my panties.
Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not used to taking 'No' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say . . . ..
"Okay ma'am, you can board your flight now." !
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