tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84667978362255204302024-03-11T00:46:42.466-07:00Elise FallsonElise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comBlogger333125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-37116233372040903912017-08-17T02:19:00.001-07:002017-08-17T02:35:12.123-07:00How Writing is a lot like Hiking<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />I did it.<br /><br />I survived all seven days.<br /><br /> Last week, I hiked the GR20 north in Corsica and it was by far one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. But I'm not going to lie, it was physically grueling, especially on my knees as well as emotionally taxing. <br /><br />But, it was worth every single -<br /><br />blister, <br />bead of sweat, <br />swollen ankle, <br />sore leg, <br />chapped lips, <br />swollen knee,<br />scraped shin,<br />sore back,<br />and sleepless night. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithyc02y74S7jQZnTsdvDufaIXCWWYEq1EqySYAW04js6NCiXjGdpJ-0V379ZcTtHdrt5ujyrqGguDORRijZaJwdwKUcH5w-KfXNS5SsUUEUPlxZ5B3PwIj7c4gbXJyMkmKokP9E_AhFcN/s1600/20170810_074108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithyc02y74S7jQZnTsdvDufaIXCWWYEq1EqySYAW04js6NCiXjGdpJ-0V379ZcTtHdrt5ujyrqGguDORRijZaJwdwKUcH5w-KfXNS5SsUUEUPlxZ5B3PwIj7c4gbXJyMkmKokP9E_AhFcN/s400/20170810_074108.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The landscape was breathless of course, but the best part of the trek by far, was sharing it with some of the most wonderful, kindhearted, generous, and inspiring individuals I’ve met in a long time. We were a group of thirteen hikers from all over France, and every single person was amazing in their own light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /> During the hike I realized how similar writing can be to hiking. Standing at the base of a huge jagged granite mountain, it seemed impossible to ever reach the top. From where we stood, all the way at the bottom, we couldn't see the path to take, it all seemed so far from reach. But, we put one foot in front of the other, focused on one step at a time, and little by little we started to ascend. We didn't focus on the top, instead we simply focused on the few inches in front of our feet, making sure not to stumble, or trip, and alerted those behind us if there was an unstable rock, or outgrown root in the way. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /> Eventually, we got into a rhythm that was almost meditative. I started to forget the little things, the weight of my 17 lb pack on my back, the blisters on my feet, my sweat-soaked t-shirt, the person behind me, the person in front of me, I simply focused on securing the next step...and then the next..... until eventually, something amazing happened. I looked up and there we were, all of us at the very top of the mountain I once thought impossible to climb. <br /><br /><br /> It's an amazing feeling and I'm so glad I made it through. It was important for me that my children, my daughter and son, see their mother doing something other than cooking, cleaning, and driving them around town. I needed them to see their mom, a woman, have a dream, plan for it, and succeed.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br /> There is no grater satisfaction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In short, writing a book is hard, and sometimes it seems impossible. But, we want to write, we plan for it, and we take it one step at a time, one chapter at a time, one page at a time, one word at a time, until eventually, something amazing happens.... the book is done.<br /><br /> Anyway, I'll let my pictures tell the rest, I'll simply add that it was an incredible journey and I'm already planning the next. And, I'll never forget our guide, Agnès, she was terrific and a wealth of knowledge and I wish everyone many happy trails for the years to come.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px;"><br /></span>Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-83535269360196254892017-07-29T11:40:00.001-07:002017-07-29T11:40:03.789-07:00Hiking The Blues Away And Hope My Knee Doesn't Crap Out<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok, so this is really going to happen….. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the next couple of days, I’ll be going off to hike in the northern mountains of Corsica. The hike is part of a much longer trail called the GR20. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone though… not exactly anyway. It’ll all depend on my knee. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Rewind to six months ago…. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I sign up for a week long trail hike in Corsica. Probably (most likely) my version of a mid-life crisis (thinking I should have bought the sports car…ha!) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, end of April rolls around and I tear my ACL in my left knee in an Ultimate game. I was so upset thinking I’d have to abandon my Corsica hike, but…. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Two months later, my orthopedic surgeons tells me my ACL is only partly torn and when I asked him about possibly doing the GR20 north, he shrugs his shoulders and says, why not? It’d all depend on my physical therapy and recovery…. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">So, fast forward to </span><span style="font-size: large;">today,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and here I am packing my bag. I never canceled my trip and I've decided to risk doing the hike. I may only last a couple of days, or maybe I'll last longer …. nothing is certain at this point. Hell, I may not come back at all…. </span>I know, I have a penchant for the melodramatic, can’t help it, it’s the writer in me, ;)<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Should I have postponed my hike until next year? </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Probably. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">But you know what? Next year isn’t promised. Hell, tomorrow isn’t either. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So why do this at all? Well, I believe experiences make us happy or at least happier. I’ve seen what years of boredom and sitting in front of the tv day in and day out does to people. Heck, I bet most of us know or knew someone like that and they typically end up being paranoid, lonely, grouchy individuals and it rarely ends well for them. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But going out and doing new things, traveling, meeting new people, experiencing the 'awe effect', that’s what energizes us and changes us in positive ways. When you think about it, experience adds to the total sum of who we are as individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And as I get older, I find myself looking at life as just a handful of hours given to us at birth. Some of us have lots of hours to spend, while some very few, and others are given only mere seconds. And when you start to look at your life in terms of hours spent, you find yourself wanting to spend less of your time on the trivial and the material, and more time with people and experiences that bring you fulfillment and ultimately that crazy dash of happiness. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I read an article that talked about how we are more likely to connect with people we meet on vacations, or parties, or other shared events, than we are with those who just bought the same exact car or iphone…. experience vs material. Makes sense.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And remember, experience makes us better writers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, from now I’m going to spend more of my hours doing positive things, being around positive people, and hope my knee doesn’t buckle at 8,500 feet. ;P</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy Trails All !!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">TLDR: Going on a hike, go do stuff, don’t be a dick.</span></span></div>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-91289333188276916712017-02-01T12:37:00.000-08:002017-02-01T12:37:18.201-08:00IWSG<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite all my best efforts.... this past January was a bust for me and yet, a lot happened. Why just this past week my reading glasses broke in half, the clutch in my car gave out, got a 1300€ estimate to get it fixed, and my grandmother passed away. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it's only Wednesday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow, I go to a funeral and in a few days it'll be my birthday. *le grand sigh</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAjOM0Mxbjoub66vzZawrZaWsklLSFkGN3cjZtl60a0cHma15TtcCecb9s-ztmflFWd_0csb3T56Z3ASpGQHHmntJ41RgmNiZCbhHyX3NmUM4YOPbhVY_NoPYV4CIDBjeIesmJ959zt32/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAjOM0Mxbjoub66vzZawrZaWsklLSFkGN3cjZtl60a0cHma15TtcCecb9s-ztmflFWd_0csb3T56Z3ASpGQHHmntJ41RgmNiZCbhHyX3NmUM4YOPbhVY_NoPYV4CIDBjeIesmJ959zt32/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last month I was hoping that this post would be full of great progress and stuff.... but...... nope. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No dice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've
been hearing people say lately that in times of great difficulty, get
creative. I love this idea and I wish I could get creative, but I just
can't seem to get it together. Here's hoping February is a little easier
on me that January. </span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, guess who needs a ton of chocolate and a tub of alcohol but can't because she's still on her this-isn't-working diet? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me!! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gH6RhDOU0ZUxB8f2EIQfsMwGegg-VQjqw2CT0JXL1wvWQ9Ao_vcDJx1hpGPXcVsE3DPncKgRC6vueaoiuVanYp03vxVC7ddSK7kkReM02cfO9vrI6Z4sQCxneCqoDGlmSEep2qK7tY5n/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gH6RhDOU0ZUxB8f2EIQfsMwGegg-VQjqw2CT0JXL1wvWQ9Ao_vcDJx1hpGPXcVsE3DPncKgRC6vueaoiuVanYp03vxVC7ddSK7kkReM02cfO9vrI6Z4sQCxneCqoDGlmSEep2qK7tY5n/s200/b.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In any event, I hope your past month rocked the house and I'll leave you with my current sentiment: <span style="font-size: small;">*takes a sip of imaginary champagne</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"In a world that seems to be going backwards, look to those moving forward. May we help them, support them, move with them--be them." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">--me :) </span></span></div>
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-14875105770735315702017-01-11T02:26:00.000-08:002017-01-11T02:28:41.981-08:00Blurb Writing Rage<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't written a back cover blurb in a long time, and now I remember why. It's like trying to thread chunky yarn through a tiny sewing needle. You know theoretically how <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it's done,</span> you've even seen other people do it, but no matter how many times you <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rewrite the damn thing</span>, it all just sucks, your fingers are bleeding, the yarn is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">knots,</span></span> and<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> now you've got</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">writing rage</span>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blurb writing rage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blurb rage.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blubrage.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">R<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ubage.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rubbish</span>.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hate yar<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n. </span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone get me some <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">scissors</span>. ;) </span></span>Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-65118693336756730442017-01-05T06:11:00.000-08:002017-01-05T06:11:16.558-08:00My Belated IWSG, Wonder Woman, Resolutions, and Congratulations Post <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">security getting you down?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There'<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s only one answer to that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">I’m a day late
for my IWSG post, and I apologize. Got back from the holidays, which I spent
most of it sick in bed, but I’m now, finally, feeling better. This is the
second year in a row I’ve spent the holidays with the flu. I think this is my
body telling me I’m allergic to holiday cheer. Makes sense. :P</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Anyway, I’d
like to take this moment to congratulate the winners of the IWSG Anthology
contest, BRAVO!! But also congratulate everyone who submitted and who is part
of the IWSG Anthology book. It’s not always easy putting ourselves out there so
bravo to all of you as well. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">January
marks the beginning of a new year (duh) and this year I’d like to do something
different. In the past I’ve kinda turned my nose to the idea of making a New Years
resolution, because lets face it, most of them fizzle out by spring and you end
up feeling like crap by the end of the year because, you didn’t accomplish what
you set out to do…. But now, I’m thinking that might not be the best way to
look at it, because for those who do make new years resolutions, at least, for
a few days, weeks, months, they’re setting goals, and doing their best to
achieve them, which is far better than not setting any goals at all. So, I’m
ignoring my grumpy-ass self, and have decided to make a new years resolution ….
Actually, I’ve made a whole page of resolutions (I figured the more I make, the
greater the chance I accomplish at least one or two by the end of the year! Ha,
see I’m using the ole noodle….:P )</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">One of my
New Years resolutions is to set monthly writing goals. And I’m starting today.
My goals for January are to one, post regularly to my blog and two, find a home
for my short story. Last year, I wrote a short for an anthology that never made
it off the ground, so instead of sitting on it, I’m going to see if I can get
it published some where online, find a home for it, if you will. That means, I’m
actually going to have to <i>submit</i> my story! EEEEEKKKKK!!! *paper bag, deep
breath. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">We’ll see
what kind of progress I can make by February. *crossing fingers and toes</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Ok, that’s I
for me today. Hope every one had a great holiday and a wonderful New Year and
congratulations again for all you winners of the IWSG contest!!!!!! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"> ******************</span></span></span><br />
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-19867122710007318342016-12-23T06:34:00.000-08:002016-12-23T06:34:17.379-08:00Screw The Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the start of November I felt like.....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, about a week later, things kinda came crashing down......</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kF74Yddn1jkMVOsGCJKMV8xDJtndih6GochsW1X6ICHi3161yEjVTJPzn92t5GXG9KUH3VSmqEhs9NFAC1iz5P4uHXyAw8TIIR315a3rMjrPpMq7VbuDQnn9U-9kHXPe3jIrmtik77J8/s1600/Rr2rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kF74Yddn1jkMVOsGCJKMV8xDJtndih6GochsW1X6ICHi3161yEjVTJPzn92t5GXG9KUH3VSmqEhs9NFAC1iz5P4uHXyAw8TIIR315a3rMjrPpMq7VbuDQnn9U-9kHXPe3jIrmtik77J8/s640/Rr2rr.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But like everything else, when life gets you down, there's only one thing we can do. Get back up, and just keep going. Keep trying.... bla, bla, bla.....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Screw that. I'm getting drunk for the holidays.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you all have a great end of the year, and a fantastic new one filled with happiness, health, and peace..... and most of all, free from pianos and trains. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers! ;)</span></span><br />
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-35537344321025011592016-11-07T04:57:00.001-08:002016-11-07T04:57:35.762-08:00The Challenges of NaNoWriMo and Dieting at the Same Time<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because participating in <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> isn't <strike>crazy AF</strike> challenging enough, I've decided in addition, to go back on my restrictive sugar diet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How's it going you ask?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, let's see......</span></span><br />
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-44186338156198260402016-10-19T01:25:00.000-07:002016-10-19T01:25:04.327-07:00French filmmaker Luc Besson Has an Important Message: Sometimes it's Best to Throw Your Writing in the Garbage<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently read an article on <a href="http://io9.gizmodo.com/valerian-is-the-movie-that-luc-besson-has-waited-his-wh-1787894351?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow" target="_blank">iO9</a> that talked about Luc Besson's newest passion project, a movie he has waited his whole life to make, and it's scheduled to come out next summer: V<em>alerian and The City of a Thousand Planets. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> </em><br /> One of the reasons he has waited so long to make this film, is because the technology he needed to bring the movie to life, wasn't ready. He said it wasn't until the movie Avatar was released, that he realize he could begin working on <i>Valerian</i>. He also mentioned that James Cameron was very open about the making of Avatar and invited Luc to the set during production, which I think is pretty cool. But that's beside the point. The point I'm trying to make is this-- when Luc Besson watched Avatar his reaction wasn't what you'd expect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a quote from the <a href="http://io9.gizmodo.com/valerian-is-the-movie-that-luc-besson-has-waited-his-wh-1787894351?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow" target="_blank">article</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “When I [Luc Besson] saw Avatar for the first time, I took the script for Valerian and I threw it into the garbage and I started again,” he said. “Literally, I was depressed. I was happy for the film and him, because I like [Cameron] a lot, but totally depressed. Threw it away. Wait for a month. And then say, ‘Okay, start again.’ So I start again. And I’m happy because it’s better. I was right to throw it away." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is an important reminder that no matter how attached we are to our stories, successful writers know when it's time to let it go and <b>they're not afraid to start over</b>. No matter how painful or depressing, Luc Besson didn't give up. He had a dream. He was patient. He was inspired. Then he rewrote the whole damn thing. And from what fans have said after seeing the first footage from this movie at the San Diego Comic-Con, <i>Valerian</i> sounds very promising. But what's more important is that Luc himself is happier with the new script. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As writers, we sometimes need that same courage, that same drive to do what's necessary to produce the very best. And sometimes that means throwing it all out and starting over. </span></div>
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-50720528306701300432016-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:002016-10-05T12:00:42.655-07:00IWSG: Getting my Writing Time Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This week marks the end of our B&B season. I've waved good bye to our last clients, locked the doors, and let out a big sigh. I'm always a bit sad when the season ends, no more meeting and chatting with interesting people. No more getting up at 6:30am to bring them breakfast, no more washing tons of towels and bed sheets. No more ironing duvet covers, pillow covers, and fitted sheets.... or waiting tirelessly for clients to arrive who are almost always late and never call ahead ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, did I say sad?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I meant.... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and maybe a bit of.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But what this really means is that I'll be doing a lot more of this >>>></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">WRITING and PLOTTING and BLOGGING, OH MY!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I hope you all manage to find the time to write, sometimes it comes in waves, for me that means high tide every 6 months. The trick is, making the best of the time you do get for writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Happy writing everyone and see you all soon on the blogosphere!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you to everyone in the IWSG. I'm posting away from home and have limited internet connection, but I'll be visiting everyone when I get back tomorrow! </span><br />
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-6306606632244327782016-09-07T00:18:00.002-07:002016-09-07T00:18:48.660-07:00Finished Not Perfect<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I posted this on facebook a few days ago but I thought it'd be perfect for today's IWSG post. It's a short video focused more on art and drawing, but the underlying message can be applied to writing, heck to just about anything in life worth doing. If you want to succeed, you have to stick it out to the end, cross the finish line, complete your project. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And here's the kicker... it doesn't have to be perfect. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's repeat that again.... <i>It doesn't have to be perfect.</i> That part comes later. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, for those of you like me who stress over the imperfections to the point we never really get anywhere, here's a wet slap in the face. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finished, not Perfect. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy and happy IWSG day!</span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lRtV-ugIT0k" width="560"></iframe>Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-87090842464715247972016-08-03T15:18:00.003-07:002016-08-03T15:36:04.972-07:00Why I'm not Writing<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't written anything for, well, more than I'd like to admit. I could list a bunch of excuses, work, kids, etc,. But the real reason is this:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ick</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time I try to write, Ick ( manifestation of my Inner Critic) hops onto the keyboard with open jaws and nips at my fingertips and laughs at my pathetic contribution to the written word. And let me tell you, it hurts typing with this little bastard snapping away at each word, phrase, paragraph, page or idea. Writing this post was particular painful and required several band-aids. I may have passed out once or twice from blood loss......</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, Ick has been bullying me for too long now and frankly, I've had enough. So, instead of avoiding Ick, or pretending he doesn't exist, I've decided to make peace with him, embrace him, and take him with me on vacation. Ick shall travel with me for a few weeks and he will either become my best writing buddy, or get smashed somewhere between Paris and Florence. ;)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've shut off comments because I can't visit today, but I do thank you for stopping by, wish I could do the same but I'm a terrible blogger during the summer. However, things should get easier for me when our B&B season closes, end of September. So until then, I wish you all a safe, productive, and inspiring summer whether you're on vacation or not. And if you happen to have an Ick like me who doesn't want to play nice or go on vacation, then try kicking it in the teeth. ;)</span></span><br />
<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-54997522275522269192016-05-07T11:01:00.000-07:002016-08-03T14:29:31.507-07:00My Bittersweet Reveal: The Thing That Turned Me - An Anthology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By now I'm sure many of you have seen and heard of this awesome anthology scheduled to be released by the end this month: <i>The Thing That Turned Me</i>. It's an anthology put together by the very talented and super sweet Randi Lee, who blogs over at <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.fr/">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.fr</a> and <a href="http://www.randileewrites.com/">www.randileewrites.com</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This reveal is especially exciting for me because out of all the wonderful authors contributing to this book, guess who gets to be one of them?! Me! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But....<i>but</i>.... you wouldn't know it if you looked it up on Goodreads. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>What? Tell me it isn't so!!!!</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know, crazy. Let me explain.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqBdVYn697bJ07tqvz9wlRxYh-lJDrwte4i2qcqe-Xddv8eVWw2o0kTlD3vvdCtVqLazlw9tKR8sukWE9o1QMYxhi6mChvgc1BL__C9l2Y8-79R6h0MdvGScFdYv-j8T_hxHsXf9Dn4yE/s1600/poster6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqBdVYn697bJ07tqvz9wlRxYh-lJDrwte4i2qcqe-Xddv8eVWw2o0kTlD3vvdCtVqLazlw9tKR8sukWE9o1QMYxhi6mChvgc1BL__C9l2Y8-79R6h0MdvGScFdYv-j8T_hxHsXf9Dn4yE/s320/poster6.jpg" width="320" /></a>I got on-board early with this anthology, had my story written and accepted, and even though I'm listed on the <i>contributors list</i> on Randi's <a href="http://www.randileewrites.com/randileeblog/2016/3/28/the-thing-that-turned-me-anthology-official-contributors-list" target="_blank">website</a>, I'm not listed as a contributing author on the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29773235-the-thing-that-turned-me?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> anthology page. When I noticed the omission about a month ago, I contacted Randi about it who in turn, contacted the folks at Gr. I know she's done her best to get it fixed but to this day, my name still doesn't appear as one of the authors of the book. And to be honest, it's really starting to bug me. <span style="font-size: small;">*shakes fist at Gr</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*</span> </span>Goodreads gets a lot of traffic, and having your name on a banner or badge just isn't the same as being listed as an author on Goodreads, hence the bittersweet reveal. I know it'll get fixed--eventually, but it kinda sucked out some of the excitement I had for this reveal. C'est la vie, and I'll just have to pour myself another glass of wine. ;) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(UPDATE: I j<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ust checked GR today <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">/</span>3/16,</span> and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">my name is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">finally listed! Thank you to whoever got that fixed<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. :) )</span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrcwWiYqHer9r2BiDHU7Idie96-Je_09Y9hYbJy8qgOYRUa11WP-7dBj41ZnZ_qQSvdQKjim0U0JZUaDkahcY8_hyphenhyphen2XmsQ72mFnnmnqGqkFyDu7HrpvzVdMya6ReGL79vxaX64jvZRlMN/s1600/poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrcwWiYqHer9r2BiDHU7Idie96-Je_09Y9hYbJy8qgOYRUa11WP-7dBj41ZnZ_qQSvdQKjim0U0JZUaDkahcY8_hyphenhyphen2XmsQ72mFnnmnqGqkFyDu7HrpvzVdMya6ReGL79vxaX64jvZRlMN/s320/poster.jpg" width="320" /></a>Anyway, until things get fixed, I'll just have keep admiring this awesome cover, designed by the very talented <a href="http://harperjameson.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Harper L. Jameson</a>. And you know what's extra cool about the cover? The hourglass. I didn't see the cover until well after my story was finished and accepted for the anthology, that's important because in my story there's a whole section where I talk about hourglasses. Here's a little excerpt from my story, <i><span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Deadly Encounters</span></span></i>:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*******</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Time Dealer </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b><br />The old man twitches his nose. The smell hits him first and every time, it makes his mouth water. Desperation. The taste of sweet, uninhibited, mouth watering desperation. But, it’s the sound of the unusual fabric skirting the worn wooden slats in the floor that makes his ageless eyes turn up. “Huh.” The old man leans back in his chair and wipes his bottom lip with a gnarled thumb. He is surrounded by countless hourglasses of all types, sizes, and colors. They hang in suspension from floor to ceiling in a room that has no end. Some hourglasses are large and ornate while others are small and modest, but no two are alike. The only thing they have in common is that they’re all running out of time. “So, the God among mortals has finally graced me with his presence. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” </span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_4n-j fsl">Below is the trailer, blurb and complete list of amazing authors and titles of <i>The Thing That Turned Me</i>, taken from the facebook page:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_4n-j fsl">Cover Reveal: May 1, 2016<br /> Book Release: May 31, 2016<br /> <br />
A diverse group of authors, bloggers, speakers and editors has come
together to bring you a unique collection of writings: “The Thing that
Turned Me,” an anthology revolving around the people, places and things
in our lives that ‘turn’ us, or cause us to change in some way.<br /> <br />
A patchwork quilt of talent collaborates on this new and exciting
project, inviting a singular synergy to the anthology that will leave
you turning pages without delay. Works within the anthology range from
Science Fiction and Fantasy to Creative Non-Fiction, and beyond. Poetry
blends with prose in this variegated ensemble of stories, poems and
essays.<br /> <br /> “The Thing That Turned Me” will be<span class="text_exposed_show"> available for paperback and ebook purchase on May 31, 2016.<br /> <br /> S. Katherine Anthony (hold)<br /> Imani Allen “Rehema”<br /> Michelle Athy “The Disappearance of Miss Mary Dawkins”<br /> Madalyn Beck “Hard to Love”<br /> Diane Carlisle “The Window”<br /> Alex J. Cavanaugh “CassaDawn”<br /> Crystal Collier “The Shadow King’s Pet”<br /> Cathrina Constantine “Rising Star~Falling Heart”<br /> Michael Di Gesu “Through Shades of Gray”<br /> Tonja Drecker “A Glowworm”<br /> Deanie Humphrys-Dunne “The Journey”<br /> Sherry Ellis “Finding My Voice”<br /> Elise Fallson “Deadly Encounters”<br /> Heather M. Gardner “Before We Break”<br /> Samantha Redstreake Geary “Don’t be Koi”<br /> Misha Gerrick “Ryan”<br /> Krystal Hillsman “To the Last Love of My Life”<br /> Celeste Holloway “Shadows Falling on Rainbows”<br /> Harper L. Jameson “The Blanket”<br /> Randi Lee “Off the Horse”<br /> Terrance Dwayne Mack “When I Went Crazy”<br /> K.D. Martin “Invariant”<br /> Tyrean Martinson “Letting Go: A Siren Song”<br /> Melissa Maygrove “Malice”<br /> Nana Prah “Finding the Light”<br /> Christine Rains “George and the Dragon”<br /> Melanie Schulz “The Reader”<br /> Elizabeth Seckman “Shifting Sands”<br /> Tara Tyler “The Day Dave Broke the Internet”<br /> Michelle Wallace “Shades of Deception”<br /> L. Diane Wolfe “Revelation”<br /> Roland Yeomans “Wednesday’s Child”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that's i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t for me today<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to everyone who has taken part in putting this anthology together, it's exciting and I can't wait for release day<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. A<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">thank <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">YOU</span> all for stopping in. I know I haven't been around much this year blogging wi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">se, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it's been a difficult year for me in many ways<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, just</span> know I'll <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">get through it one way or another<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">--</span>I </span>miss visiting you <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">all terrib<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ly! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hope everyone is well-- HUGS!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-47127299180822185742016-04-06T14:58:00.006-07:002016-04-06T14:58:57.133-07:00IWSG: This is the time when I go a little looney-toons <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After being closed for winter, our B&B has reopened for spring and summer. This is a good thing but also a mega time-suck, of the black hole variety. I try to get some writing done, but it's really hard and I'm finding myself giving into my old demons that have me writing well into the night, which is very, very <i>bad</i>. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9whMr_poW5Dj456S6UJZYUwBzzyF4CMvvQVWuV4_iVu3h_LGZwbytm1e-fHCJ5RJqWQpQ9z745F0IdLVJLzTgaX2UjBYNVtx0Oz6SNLvzeDVhetxBwMJ52u9DEkCUNKAUMG7pWtzEKgY/s1600/ahhhhhh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9whMr_poW5Dj456S6UJZYUwBzzyF4CMvvQVWuV4_iVu3h_LGZwbytm1e-fHCJ5RJqWQpQ9z745F0IdLVJLzTgaX2UjBYNVtx0Oz6SNLvzeDVhetxBwMJ52u9DEkCUNKAUMG7pWtzEKgY/s320/ahhhhhh.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plus, I'm backed up with the laundry, the house is a disaster <span style="font-size: small;">(though that's not much different than normal)</span>, the kids are on vacation, and this is my living room... it's been like this for like the last 4 days. And to be honest it'll probably stay like that for another 6. weeks. *hangs head in shame.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-size: large;">o I'm stuck pondering the following: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How in the figure-skating Hell am I to find time to write? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TELL ME HOW!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't even have time to put some colors on! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The life of a disorganized, frazzle-brained writer is so ....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh look. Dinner is ready.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy IWSG day and A-Zing to all participating, I miss you all....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">gotta go for now!!!!</span></span></div>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-41609891698685922902016-02-03T04:46:00.000-08:002016-02-03T04:46:59.864-08:00IWSG: Sometimes All You Need Is BIC HOK and a Cat<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr8xWb2UdeoQeFVpHC9gRWy-BlIXabNIzL9V0yfqzDf9BEhWDuyqJofRn78xG5MZPDuavoP0GGR2eU-KpuLSne7WFQsedEIxbASjUat6r9FDH_7f9htr8Rub1Iqrsn9_LNiOF_dvYkweZ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr8xWb2UdeoQeFVpHC9gRWy-BlIXabNIzL9V0yfqzDf9BEhWDuyqJofRn78xG5MZPDuavoP0GGR2eU-KpuLSne7WFQsedEIxbASjUat6r9FDH_7f9htr8Rub1Iqrsn9_LNiOF_dvYkweZ/s200/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><span>Developed by author and blogger <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, IWSG is a bloghop for writers by writers. To find out more about the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">IWSG monthly bloghop</a> or the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">IWSG website</a>, click the links. And many thanks to Alex and the </span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw">courageous,</span> torch sword wielding ninja co-hosts this month<span style="font-family: "times","times new roman",serif;"></span>!</span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c8yl4A4BvCzEXw7FbcyqBcHjif4MfoOIZ_AdLGd-36ZBU3_xFiSNCmWmSStt_QxMfgGiMRCGkuvLyBdwZx3C17dYGDlgSujWEmvQOEhz213FrN4vF-stJ8ZllyW30Bk5WXAv9XVIHQ0R/s1600/IMG_6614r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c8yl4A4BvCzEXw7FbcyqBcHjif4MfoOIZ_AdLGd-36ZBU3_xFiSNCmWmSStt_QxMfgGiMRCGkuvLyBdwZx3C17dYGDlgSujWEmvQOEhz213FrN4vF-stJ8ZllyW30Bk5WXAv9XVIHQ0R/s400/IMG_6614r.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, I just can't stand it an<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ymore<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span></span></span></span> I've been trying nap here for almost an hour, but all I can hear is you, mumbling, growling, and barking at your computer. Apparently, you're not satisfied with whatever it is you're typing. Shall I take a look at it? I don't mind. Especially if it can help you write <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">without int<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e</span>rrupting my beauty cat nap<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQZabs37QoPidDabA6WA9Sc7hdhcXtMRODwl51dj2YTSa-O1R7r4WiZV97hktAQrvrGLZNww3Ge8fgJ08Y2KVyEsElkhy3hg4ZUs2Vo4NDfAI7J_mtMxg-lEAm3Vnjkv76EcWv_wWqs6/s1600/IMG_6611r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQZabs37QoPidDabA6WA9Sc7hdhcXtMRODwl51dj2YTSa-O1R7r4WiZV97hktAQrvrGLZNww3Ge8fgJ08Y2KVyEsElkhy3hg4ZUs2Vo4NDfAI7J_mtMxg-lEAm3Vnjkv76EcWv_wWqs6/s400/IMG_6611r.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh. Wow. This does need a bit of work. Excuse me while I cough up a fur ball. This is positively horrendous. Go put on another pot of coffee, this <strike>may</strike> will take a while. Trust me. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7FXNcRr2tKtr18rpRyAh3fx082WNGTpB7G9tzvIPQNl8Md36L11Lkpj2gi5eY0u5ar6wvi5E2hDEALSSPlSWPrZEAkelJl_QJVrpl11YMIp7JlqbSpkW69kgXlIOEYJJ6pBGqaDZAjDA/s1600/IMG_6604r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7FXNcRr2tKtr18rpRyAh3fx082WNGTpB7G9tzvIPQNl8Md36L11Lkpj2gi5eY0u5ar6wvi5E2hDEALSSPlSWPrZEAkelJl_QJVrpl11YMIp7JlqbSpkW69kgXlIOEYJJ6pBGqaDZAjDA/s400/IMG_6604r.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">T</span>here. I fixed it. Your character now has motive, is well rounded, and doesn't sound like a drooling pooch. My fee is payable in fancy butt-flavored cat food. You can pay me immediately. All that editing has made me hungry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Le meow.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQZabs37QoPidDabA6WA9Sc7hdhcXtMRODwl51dj2YTSa-O1R7r4WiZV97hktAQrvrGLZNww3Ge8fgJ08Y2KVyEsElkhy3hg4ZUs2Vo4NDfAI7J_mtMxg-lEAm3Vnjkv76EcWv_wWqs6/s1600/IMG_6611r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQZabs37QoPidDabA6WA9Sc7hdhcXtMRODwl51dj2YTSa-O1R7r4WiZV97hktAQrvrGLZNww3Ge8fgJ08Y2KVyEsElkhy3hg4ZUs2Vo4NDfAI7J_mtMxg-lEAm3Vnjkv76EcWv_wWqs6/s1600/IMG_6611r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had a breakthrough yesterday and all I needed was some good old fashioned </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>BIC HOK (butt-in-chair, hands-on-keyboard</i>) time. It feels like I've written over a hundred different variations of this book, but today, I finally have a reasonable outline of the story. It's the best feeling when you've been working on a problem for a while, and all of a sudden, it comes together. I know I still have a super long way to go, but the end feels much more attainable. I can't tell you how excited I am about getting the scenes written down. Hope none of you are stuck on a problem, but if you are, remember sometimes all it takes is some BIC HOK and a smart alec cat</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(cat optional)</span>. </span></span></span><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, let fun part begin!!!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">:D </span></span></div>
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-62487560389832988692016-01-26T00:08:00.002-08:002016-01-26T00:08:47.389-08:00Bad Things Come in 3s : The Daily (sorta) Journal of an Injured Knee - Day 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Well, it's
been 2 weeks and <i>most</i> of the swelling in the left knee has gone down. There's
still a puffy area on the right side of the knee that doesn't seem to want to
leave. I still can't bend my knee completely, but I went to practice last
night, did a few sprints and for the most part it was ok. I just can't drive my
left knee up very high when I run, which leaves me with this lopsided gate, but
at least it doesn't hurt too much. Most of my bruising has now faded, and
thankfully, no new ones have popped up. So I'm guessing another week before I'm
100% and that'll be just in time for the championships. Plus, we had planned a short ski trip right after the tournament during our winter break. Hopefully I'll be ok for that as well, and I also hope the ski stations will get some snow by then. I was outside
in a t-shirt on Sunday it was so warm. It felt like late spring, the complete opposite to what's been blanketing the east coast in the States. It's been so warm here, daffodils and
other flowers are blooming. </span>The weather is crazy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, thank you all for stopping by and checking up on me and my knee. I think I've taken enough pictures of my knee caps to last me and everyone else a lifetime, lol! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week everyone and be safe!!! </span></span></div>
Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-64673786664519222872016-01-18T01:54:00.000-08:002016-01-25T23:24:39.598-08:00Bad Things Come in 3s : The Daily (sorta) Journal of an Injured Knee - Day 3-6<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't get a chance to post over the weekend because I had fourteen people come over for lunch on Sunday. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Thankfully my knee held up but it reminded me all day (with a dull ache), that things are still not 100%. Walking around in heels probably didn't help either. Today, I'll be <span class="dbox-bold" data-syllable="con·va·lesced, "> </span><span class="dbox-bold" data-syllable="con·va·lesc·ing."><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">convalescing </span></span>in my slippers and drinking tea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, here's what my knee (or should I say 'leg') has been doing these past few days...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 4: The big itch. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zWZ8izgk0yZWxPxgFq_H4e7Mdrjiruj9FF3bqFFKys3VEcRPvBF94WguVWjX0TFQCMiIvDlzpvlxLtOd5_xE84g7Kn53K7_Wa1eI1U-nYG8wcknOhGdIccABoHah7ZLxQUXSDwOw_5rM/s1600/IMG_6653r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zWZ8izgk0yZWxPxgFq_H4e7Mdrjiruj9FF3bqFFKys3VEcRPvBF94WguVWjX0TFQCMiIvDlzpvlxLtOd5_xE84g7Kn53K7_Wa1eI1U-nYG8wcknOhGdIccABoHah7ZLxQUXSDwOw_5rM/s320/IMG_6653r.jpg" width="320" /></a>My leg has been itching me all day and not in the '<i>pass the ointment I have a weird rash</i>' kind of way. The muscles itch/ache. It's not easy to explain, but I just have this need to stretch my leg muscles and to lock my knee out and run. But I don't of course because, duh, it hurts when I do. But still, despite the pain, I itch to stretch out the muscles. *sigh*</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh and yes, that is my cat Oska, inspecting my toes.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Stop that. That tickles!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">^..^ </span></span> "Meow." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What do you mean my feet stink?!" *shoo--*</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">^..^ </span></span>*Hisss* </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">:P</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 5: Down you go.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw8NNE3B9LccZXF3Tdi938FRv9jcZ5kRh4XjHY5AF1O4lpAQWI0wyfUAqw2DGy20o_XbgGFQUrb5GDIvi-jypLNGWYBTWYOtFrXo1XqFCm7mb4770YCxqVUQ7yOoJAN9e5YG3dKnr3n1e/s1600/IMG_6657r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw8NNE3B9LccZXF3Tdi938FRv9jcZ5kRh4XjHY5AF1O4lpAQWI0wyfUAqw2DGy20o_XbgGFQUrb5GDIvi-jypLNGWYBTWYOtFrXo1XqFCm7mb4770YCxqVUQ7yOoJAN9e5YG3dKnr3n1e/s320/IMG_6657r.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, it looks like I'm at the green / yellow stage (yeah!) around my knee. Hopefully that means things are almost fixed in there. As for the swelling, it's gone down a lot more too. However, I'm getting some funky dark colors appearing all the way down the inside of my leg. My initial injury was to the side of the knee, but the contusion extends much further. I guess when I got hit, I must have broken enough blood vessels to extravasate ;) blood all the way down my leg. The leg still itches but a little less than yesterday. On the plus side, I can go up the stairs just about normally now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 6: What the hell is this?!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAsp9jzREugOGmTgGWl963OGmQSZinJdqCEotJ9-QybCo7V1SkcNloP2EUR9ukHJ0lO6WLE_bFxLlK7JLoB7p-3LhdhnWmYmKkm9D2f2mwgjcrp0Gcbaaos42KxcCYutvXTFb3aZhQNOu/s1600/IMG_6656r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAsp9jzREugOGmTgGWl963OGmQSZinJdqCEotJ9-QybCo7V1SkcNloP2EUR9ukHJ0lO6WLE_bFxLlK7JLoB7p-3LhdhnWmYmKkm9D2f2mwgjcrp0Gcbaaos42KxcCYutvXTFb3aZhQNOu/s320/IMG_6656r.jpg" width="296" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I've got new bruises popping up on the <i>top</i> of my leg down my shins. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What the hell? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When did this happen? I was on my feet all day yesterday and I wonder if that has anything to do with the arrival with these new guests? *sigh*</span></span></div>
Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-60248017269424496482016-01-15T05:38:00.000-08:002016-01-15T05:38:01.941-08:00Bad Things Come in 3s : The Daily Journal of an Injured Knee - Day 3<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 3: The turning point...turning purple!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoanniv6cDbUY7Rv_jmYWtzlxYNXGOqwPcbQvlnvUNlyL7UcoVl3gm0NCtqMZuSYGPb_7dF0rTEDwppOuxHCBh3GNBKzUsVpyCjMcjklGZVirNWnLPQMTu0sYt5_zqHZryO65wUb9c8SHY/s1600/IMG_6633r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoanniv6cDbUY7Rv_jmYWtzlxYNXGOqwPcbQvlnvUNlyL7UcoVl3gm0NCtqMZuSYGPb_7dF0rTEDwppOuxHCBh3GNBKzUsVpyCjMcjklGZVirNWnLPQMTu0sYt5_zqHZryO65wUb9c8SHY/s320/IMG_6633r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three seems to be the magic number. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The swelling has gone down some and I can finally bend my knee to about 90°, which makes getting dressed in the mornings less of a circus act. Thumbs up. It also makes getting in and out of the car a lot easier. Double thumbs up! The only thing that still makes my teeth mash however, are the stairs, especially going down.... I still have a bit more healing to do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the exciting thing is I'm finally getting some discoloration coming up to the surface, notably dark purples and blues. OOOooooo. Exciting stuff I tell ya. All that got me thinking about bruises and contusions in general. Like, what's going on in there and why does it change colors? I know the gist of it, but I wanted to find out in more detail. So, I went to our good friend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruise" target="_blank">Wikipedia who explains bruises as:</a></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"A bruise (layman's term), also called a contusion (medical term), is a type of hematoma of tissue in which capillaries and sometimes venules are damaged by trauma, allowing blood to seep, hemorrhage, or extravasate into the surrounding interstitial tissues. Not blanching on pressure, bruises can involve capillaries at the level of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, or bone."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well ok then.... I hope I didn't bruise the bone, that sounds really bad.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But what about the changes in color, what's up with that? So, I dug around a bit more (on the internet, not my knee) and found this interesting (and most importantly, short) video on the <a href="http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/why-do-bruises-change-color" target="_blank">IFLScience</a> website that explains why bruises change color. And according to the video, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">my white blood cells are separating the heloglobin into heme and globin which gives it the purpleish-blue color. Cool stuff indeed. I'm looking forward to the biliverdin or as I like to call it, the green stage.... :D </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So if you're curious like me, have a go at the video, and Happy Friday everyone! </span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3x1yhVEDkNw" width="560"></iframe> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>You guys ever have a really bad contusion that changed colors like this? Remember how long it took to heal?</i></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-33452859963638481612016-01-14T05:12:00.001-08:002016-01-14T05:14:09.764-08:00Bad Things Come in 3s : The Daily Journal of an Injured Knee - Day 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">This is Day 2 of my injured knee. </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yaaaawwnnnn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">I was hoping for something more exciting to
show you guys, but the only thing to report is that my
knee is still swollen, still hot, and is still a blotchy redish brown color. Apparently, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">all the cool stuff is happening on the inside. </span></span></span>However, there has been a noticeable decrease in pain (thankfully), especially when I walk. I've up-graded from
hobbling around to walking like a pirate with a pegleg. Try getting your
pants on in the morning with a pegleg. Let me tell you, it's a challenge. You
know what else is a challenge? Getting in and out of the car. I manage, but it
takes a Herculean effort and about as much grace as a brontosaurus. Reminds me of when I was pregnant with my son.... </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Anyway, I've also remarked a few more bruises that I hadn't noticed before. In
addition to busting my knee, I apparently also bruised my right side along my
rib cage, the bridge of my nose, the tip of my right ear and my left arm
between my wrist and elbow. (-_-) </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">On a more positive note, I now have a new
found respect for my chunky thunder thighs. I've always been a bit self conscious
of my legs, especially from the knees up. My thighs are, and have always been,
stocky and muscly. Instead of a thigh gap, I have thigh flaps. But, I think the
added muscle around my knee helped protect the joint from a lot more damage. Things could have been much worse had I had skinny little legs. So, from now on
I've decided to give my chunky muscly legs a break and show them a bit more love and appreciation. :) </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">That's it for today, I (and probably you) should get back
to writing.... ;) XOXO </span></span></span></div>
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<![endif]--> Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-50110234892328877112016-01-13T02:42:00.003-08:002016-01-13T02:46:50.290-08:00Bad Things Come in Threes : The Daily Journal of an Injured Knee<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Monday, I talked
a bit about the string of bad luck that’s been shadowing me since November when
my computer died, followed by December when my dishwasher broke down just before the holidays. And, some
of you warned me that bad things come in threes so I'd best watch out. Well guess
what? The very next day, I injured my knee during Ultimate practice. During a
game, my teammate and I both went for the disc, didn’t see each other, and we
collided in spectacular form. I took a wrist to the face and his knee
slammed into the side of my knee and we both hit the ground. It hurt like a
b****. He was fine, but I got the wind knocked out of me, and within minutes my
left knee started to swell. !%ù*!!&###!!!</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">The drive
back home after practice, sucked. It’s the only time I’ve ever wished my car
was an automatic; I cringed every time I had to push down on the clutch….
Anyway, the next day I went to my doctor. He did a series of tests on my leg
and knee and luckily, it looks worse than it actually is. There’s no damage to
the knee joint and none of the major ligaments around the knee
seem damaged. I’ve basically suffered a deep muscle contusion and have to
rest my knee for at least 2 weeks. So if things go well, I should be back to practice in
time for the Regional Championship in mid-February. Phew. </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">In the
mean time, I figured it’d be fun to<strike></strike> document the changes in my
knee as it goes through the healing process. I love experiments and I’m totally looking forward to seeing it change funky colors as the swelling goes down. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Here is my
knee on Day 1: It doubled in size. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">It's hard to tell from this angle, but the injured knee is the light brownish one on the right (your right). It looks like the swelling swallowed my knee cap. My good knee is the one on the left of the picture that actually looks like a knee cap with a few old scars in the center. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs_ZHG5zaqwKkYuy4j9-FuhoKMB_1Pt9ZgW3g9HFBuayQEz6zQkIOZfzUaAoba-VqrCbGDBwKq6fbkG5yNceqg7kDe8p6HDGhyphenhyphenh1pIM4gWprq_9P5ziPyCa8wMHkfpKFKM_xgOhwkBQct/s1600/IMG_6623rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs_ZHG5zaqwKkYuy4j9-FuhoKMB_1Pt9ZgW3g9HFBuayQEz6zQkIOZfzUaAoba-VqrCbGDBwKq6fbkG5yNceqg7kDe8p6HDGhyphenhyphenh1pIM4gWprq_9P5ziPyCa8wMHkfpKFKM_xgOhwkBQct/s320/IMG_6623rr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC8wTjXyjKBmjSkG9ItwPuEAWentHuiWtWM4DlOridoKD9EjQeAayF0FVXkhfV-0nMyvdpYpnryFPxI1PGXqtVX-7dcKYet1D4jZ4SdLNWdZabefwcW8_9eMeBUhkE6FVL1-SdvlHOK3-/s400/IMG_6624r.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"> Here is another shot from my perspective. You can see the swelling better on the left and the red spot where I got hit. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fun times y'all. Fun times.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">As you can see from the pictures, my knee
looks like it’s 9 months pregnant. I don’t walk, I hobble. Going up and down
stairs is complicated as I can bend my knee only slightly. The skin over the injured
area is shiny and smooth due to the swelling and it’s hot to the touch. It
feels like my knee has a temperature. I wish I had one of those fish tank thermometer
strips to see how hot it really is. There isn’t too much color around the knee, some
redness a some light brown discoloration, but nothing overly interesting. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">By the end of the day, my lower back was
aching because I’ve had to shift my weight to my good leg. The throbbing in my
knee also made it difficult to fall asleep so I took a couple of pain killers. Thank
you Advil PM.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So there
you have it, my string of bad luck is officially OVER! YOU HEAR ME! I’m done,
got my three bad things so now life can you please leave me the hell alone?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Thanks for stopping in everyone. I'll do my best to visit you all when I can. I'll be back
tomorrow for another day in the life of an injured knee. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">In the mean time, be good and be safe! :D</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-50436962998124450012016-01-11T02:10:00.000-08:002016-01-11T02:10:14.103-08:00Passive Aggressive Texting With Jimmy Kimmel, K?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Hello!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">I'm back! First off, I'd
like to wish everyone a <b>peaceful</b> and <b>splendid</b> 2016 and I hope the
holidays were good to all of you. I spent the holidays with family and things
went generally well. Except, for the dishwasher crapping out on us a week
before family arriving for the holidays. The estimates for repairs were comparable
to the cost of a new machine (Insert slew of curse words HERE). As you
can imagine, buying a new dishwasher was not on my Christmas list. Nor was the computer we had to buy the month prior when the old one gave up the ghost. Apparently, was not on
the 'good list' last year. So, in my attempts to start off the New Year on a positive note, I went to see Star Wars episode VII with my kids on Jan 1. I won't give
away any spoilers, only that we enjoyed the hell out of the movie and look
forward to seeing it again. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Anyway, the following is a
clip of Jimmy Kimmel explaining passive aggressive texting. It's pretty funny
and I thought I'd pass it along for a bit of comic relief. </span></span></span>When speaking face to face,
we often use tone of voice, body language, and/or facial expressions as cues to
identify passive aggressive speech or things like sarcasm. For example, the
famous huff, hand on hip, followed by the eye-roll. In writing, sarcasm and
passive aggressive subtext are more difficult to express simply because
the visual cues we rely on have to be written in. Easier said than
done. However, if you properly flesh out your characters before hand, chances are your readers will automatically pick up on dialogue cast with sarcastic notes. And, a good sarcastic character is always a fun read. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the clip and have an awesome week. :) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/07TinrpKG6o" width="560"></iframe>Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-83805734308305578182015-12-02T15:04:00.000-08:002015-12-02T15:06:27.381-08:00IWSG<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr8xWb2UdeoQeFVpHC9gRWy-BlIXabNIzL9V0yfqzDf9BEhWDuyqJofRn78xG5MZPDuavoP0GGR2eU-KpuLSne7WFQsedEIxbASjUat6r9FDH_7f9htr8Rub1Iqrsn9_LNiOF_dvYkweZ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr8xWb2UdeoQeFVpHC9gRWy-BlIXabNIzL9V0yfqzDf9BEhWDuyqJofRn78xG5MZPDuavoP0GGR2eU-KpuLSne7WFQsedEIxbASjUat6r9FDH_7f9htr8Rub1Iqrsn9_LNiOF_dvYkweZ/s200/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Developed by author and blogger <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, IWSG is a bloghop for writers by writers. To find out more about the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">IWSG monthly bloghop</a> or the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">IWSG website</a>, click the links. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Alex and the co-hosts this month <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">y<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ou all are awesome</span></span>!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Last night my mother and I
went to a Jazz show. On stage was a 6 piece band and a vocalist who transported
us back 80 years….. to a cocktail lounge bar with wooden bar stools and worn
velvet lounge chairs. Smoke hangs low in the air and people are drinking, and
smoking, and dancing. Men are dressed in suits and hats, and women in fur, it’s
the 1930s and the band is playing Duke Ellington. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Music really does move
people, physically and emotionally and during the entire performance I could
not help but dance a little in my seat. My feet tapped, my head bobbed, and my
hands clapped. I smiled the entire time. After each song, there was a roaring applause. It was an outstanding performance. And yet, something was strange…almost
everyone around me managed to sit still the entire time, as if they were
watching a tragedy. I kept wondering how in the world anyone could listen to such
great music and not move, even a little, to the beat. Sure Jazz isn’t everyone’s
cup of tea, but you wouldn’t buy tickets to a Jazz performance if it wasn’t. I
started thinking it must be a cultural thing. The French tend to be quiet and reserved
in public, and now I’m thinking I must have been so annoying to the people seated
to the back of me, lol! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Anyway, just like with
music, people will respond differently to your writing. They’re going to love
it or hate it for different reasons, and that’s ok. What’s important is you
keep writing, keep typing away to that tune in your head, get your words onto
the stage and into the spotlight because that’s how we improve, that’s how we
move forward. And, when it comes down to it, that’s what we need, to share our stories
with the crowd. </span></span></span></div>
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Go on, I dare you to listen and not at least, tap your feet. ;) <br />
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<br />Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-78045592054194491602015-11-12T04:24:00.000-08:002015-11-12T04:53:12.043-08:00REVIVAL blog tour, PICTURES and COMPUTER DEATH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bonjour everyone and welcome! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Did you know I love pictures? Well, I do. I love taking pictures and I love sharing them. I love color pictures, and I love black and white pictures. I love pictures in frames, in blogs, and in books <span style="font-size: small;">(the more the better)</span>. I love thought-provoking pictures, and I love pictures I can rub my crayons all over. In short, a picture really is worth a thousand words <span style="font-size: small;">(can my next ms be just pictures</span>?) and to prove my point, below is a picture I took a couple weeks ago......</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TSrm0fCH7_lww0ebWD2imil2qbaPDPLh9m4um-ycMIg9x3jOXP2X-1V2wkLgVVm-nxhONyGRhs8tfg-_ryUIiOvo-UQIooIno-jwyH9mZ9Z43jztl8shl2nGDtcm-_Lhmok9KgxiCqos/s1600/IMG_6106r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TSrm0fCH7_lww0ebWD2imil2qbaPDPLh9m4um-ycMIg9x3jOXP2X-1V2wkLgVVm-nxhONyGRhs8tfg-_ryUIiOvo-UQIooIno-jwyH9mZ9Z43jztl8shl2nGDtcm-_Lhmok9KgxiCqos/s320/IMG_6106r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">And a few days ago, I took this beauty....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOhGqxHmIPus9yB8-OLRWqnEkE95ZJ8tom0Gl8YOxA92G5QmLqtcfDxj7zmqFUucI-OZAKfMKrK2eM7Of_noKVvp6-hewAq4W324-HSXsdpvf2dQKOjE8SOTYUryHp9WculpEgeI5F7LI/s1600/IMG_6110r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOhGqxHmIPus9yB8-OLRWqnEkE95ZJ8tom0Gl8YOxA92G5QmLqtcfDxj7zmqFUucI-OZAKfMKrK2eM7Of_noKVvp6-hewAq4W324-HSXsdpvf2dQKOjE8SOTYUryHp9WculpEgeI5F7LI/s400/IMG_6110r.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What exactly do you mean metal box when you say, <br />
"Your computer was unable to start."</td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just look at these pictures, they hold so much emotion, frustration, and betrayal. We see the battle between <strike>man</strike> woman and machine. There are lives and files at stake... These images personify the dying of the light and the motherboard. It is death and rebirth and then death again. It is a portrait as I curse, cry, yell, and curse some more. In these pictures I see a desperate soul trying to reformat (twice) a piece of crap computer. Ultimately, it was all for nothing. <br /><br />NOTHING I TELL YOU! <br /><br />The metal box died five days ago. <br /><br />This is my first post from my new computer which runs on Windows 8 <span style="font-size: small;">(which sucks, seriously what is so complicated about opening docx files? Windows 7 can do it!) .</span> Looking back, I should have thrown the metal box of cookies and crippled rams over a bridge, at least it would have been therapeutic. But enough about me and my pictures, you should see the pictures in Mark's book REVIVAL! <br /><span style="font-size: small;">(I'm a black belt in transitioning can't you tell?)</span><br /><br />But seriously, I'm excited to be part of Mark's blog tour for REVIVAL and today he's going to talk about the many pictures that were included in the memoir and how they were chosen. So check it out, and don't forget to sign up for the rafflecopter at the end to win a bunch of prizes!<br /><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Take it away, Mark! ----->>>>></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /> Aloha,<br /><br />Nearing the middle of the Tour for my new book, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revival-Donald-Braswell/dp/1942428626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445810366&sr=8-1&keywords=REVIVAL+Donald+braswell"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">REVIVAL – The Donald Braswell Story</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">, we find ourselves in France where Elise is so kind to let me parlais about pictures in a memoir—and how do you choose a final set?<br /><br /> When I first suggested to Donald that adding pictures to the memoir would bring so much more to the story, he was immediately on board, but he soon emailed me with the same question: How do I choose?<br /><br />I checked my battered copy of What To Expect When You is Memoir-ing, but when that offered little (except to get enough sleep before launch day), I asked Donald to send fifty pics that basically covered the timeframe of the memoir (early ‘20s to late ‘40s.)<br /><br />I went through the multitude of emails, and because of age and technology (anyone remember how a scanned 4x6 Kodak can appear?) it wasn’t hard to whittle the first round down to a final selection.<br /><br />Donald sent rough cutlines for each “finalist,” and now REVIVAL ended up with about thirty pictures sprinkled throughout its 236 pages (thanks to our publisher, </span><a href="http://www.pen-l.com/Revival.html"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pen-L Publishing</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">.)<br /><br /> (When I read a section, and then saw the corresponding picture, it really drove home how a picture really does tell a thousand words. Just as well… with thirty pictures, gosh, I’d still be writing :)<br /><br /> Has a picture ever helped or hindered your writing?<br /><br />###</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Merci buckets, Elise. You rock, as does the Eifel Tower at night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I’m
stopping by </span><a href="http://mjfifield.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">MJ Fifield</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
on Friday, and she’s curious about the challenges involved in
memoir writing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strong>REVIVAL - THE DONALD BRASWELL STORY by Mark Koopmans</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahrbF86H1-tuNppd-SympO5gdT2M-Qija4RrVflwM6PrPOnVJiJP8lc7nomvi2cgVFq5geKmmaz69Mx7AEd0zgb9xl05wtEo5cAybHdufng1zFlttyAxz3E9wltDnJ_j_7euaPJEvatSy/s1600/REVIVAL+-+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahrbF86H1-tuNppd-SympO5gdT2M-Qija4RrVflwM6PrPOnVJiJP8lc7nomvi2cgVFq5geKmmaz69Mx7AEd0zgb9xl05wtEo5cAybHdufng1zFlttyAxz3E9wltDnJ_j_7euaPJEvatSy/s320/REVIVAL+-+Front+Cover.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>BOOK INFORMATION</u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-99590ae7-d7c8-c77f-6380-db40309ae1c0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Title</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: REVIVAL</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - The Donald Braswell Story</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Subtitle</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How a Tenor Lost his Voice, but Found his Calling</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Author</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Mark Koopmans</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Category</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Non-fiction</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Genres</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Memoir, Biography, Inspirational</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Publisher</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span></span></span><a href="http://www.pen-l.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pen-L Publishing</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Length</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 65,000 words</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Release Date</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: November 03, 2015</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tour:</b> Every week<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">day in November</span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Five years removed from his 1990 Juilliard graduation, Donald Braswell is set to be “the next Pavarotti.” Braswell’s successful career ends, however, not with a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall, but alone, lying in a dirty ditch.<br /><br />Following the hit-and-run accident that steals his voice and future, the “Texas Tenor” struggles with depression and despair—until the night his daughter, Aria, is born. Understanding this new and immediate life change, Braswell fights to relearn how to speak, sing—and share this gift of second chances with others. <br /><br /><br />Working as a plasterer, a car salesman, and many jobs in-between, it takes thirteen years—and a musical miracle—for Braswell to battle back and sing on a professional stage. His dreams and ambitions collide with a tired and angry crowd when he auditions for America’s Got Talent. For his family, his faith and his entire future, can the Rocky Balboa of the operatic world find the courage and strength to win just one more fight? </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revival-Donald-III-Braswell/dp/1942428626/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445449177&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Revival+donald+brasell" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Amazon</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nook</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">iTunes</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Kobo</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiuZYSth2o2hpu8RRbyBdwOdrHmZGq4-ZB1w03D0nwT459jEaqNmuDYszlWNkZ6dZvNqoOnQ1oJ1CFaIIjTF1IteYhVlEOqmGL4_bIteaf8LMLPhVLR0iHVAWzQljfelglJ6MCaf5y91U/s1600/REVIVAL+-+Braswell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiuZYSth2o2hpu8RRbyBdwOdrHmZGq4-ZB1w03D0nwT459jEaqNmuDYszlWNkZ6dZvNqoOnQ1oJ1CFaIIjTF1IteYhVlEOqmGL4_bIteaf8LMLPhVLR0iHVAWzQljfelglJ6MCaf5y91U/s200/REVIVAL+-+Braswell.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b>SINGER BIOGRAPHY:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Donald Braswell II </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is an American actor, classical crossover tenor and composer. Braswell was on a fast </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">track to become an internationally acclaimed opera singer when he suffered a car accident in 1995</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that made him unable to speak for almost two years. After that, he lived a quiet life outside of the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">spotlight until his appearance on the 2008 season of America’s Got Talent where he was a Top 5 </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">finalist, which gave him another chance at a career in entertainment. Since then, he has entertained </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">audiences both internationally as well as shore to shore in the United States in concerts, television </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">appearances, inspirational speaking and radio. He boasts an international fan club with fans from over </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">25 countries.<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Braswell has reentered the world of music by singing in concerts starting with the Symphony of the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hills in Kerrville, Texas in June 2009. He performs a variety of musical genres ranging from pure</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">classical repertoire to soul to mainstream pop. He engages people of many cultures by singing in</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">various languages outside of English, including Spanish, Italian, Neapolitan, French and Russian. His</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">concerts are generally multilingual, and he has performed pieces that are themselves in more than one</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">language. Some of these include: Mario Frangoulis bilingual version of “Nights in White Satin” (Italian</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">title “Notte di luce”), originally by The Moody Blues; “The Prayer”; and Andrea Bocelli’s “Vivere”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(English title “Dare to Live”). His other non-English repertoire includes Aqustin Lara’s “Rosa” (Spanish),</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mario Frangoulis’s “Vincerò, perderò” (Italian) and the Neapolitan standard “O sole mio”.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some of his many compositions can be heard on his recent album </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "italic"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We Fall and We Rise Again.</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Donald is a testament to the powers of the human spirit in difficult times and he inspires all who come <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">to know him. <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Find him at <span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">donaldbraswell.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ufWP2tLLjR3vz2ykDBo7v90bp0DY6RT76M4imTZt6lN5XWKrln_zrvzVKw-PAeUCUurWXUaKko64dyy8kDBg0vykljr5LBiw5mRqC8fVVtWTfd8y2Lw1c6lKW3G20gnhwwSSBpnQbBOX/s1600/REVIVAL+-+Koopmans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ufWP2tLLjR3vz2ykDBo7v90bp0DY6RT76M4imTZt6lN5XWKrln_zrvzVKw-PAeUCUurWXUaKko64dyy8kDBg0vykljr5LBiw5mRqC8fVVtWTfd8y2Lw1c6lKW3G20gnhwwSSBpnQbBOX/s200/REVIVAL+-+Koopmans.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong></strong><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mark Koopmans </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is originally from Ireland. After working in Holland, Spain, France and England, he won </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">his U.S. “Green Card” in 1994, and is an American by choice since 2003. Koopmans began his writing </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">career with a feature for a regional magazine in California. Since then, he’s worked as a staff writer for </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">newspapers in Florida and Texas. Koopmans is also a proficient blogger and is working on his next book, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a novel. Koopmans lives in Virginia and is a married, stay-at-home dad to three active boys under the <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">age of nine. He writes at night.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9368c6a21" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9368c6a21/" id="rcwidget_exncntaw" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: x-large;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">● </span><strong>GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">● <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b>1ST PLACE PRIZE: </b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">● <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b>2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: </b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">● <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b>5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: </b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Signed copies of Donald Braswell CDs<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">● <span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "bold"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><b>8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: </b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-70166417381047458602015-10-07T01:51:00.000-07:002015-10-07T01:51:33.104-07:00IWSG: POV and Tense <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Developed by author and blogger <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, IWSG is a bloghop for writers by writers. To find out more about the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">IWSG monthly bloghop</a> or the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">IWSG website</a>, click the links. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Alex and the co-hosts this month for another great hop!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After 6
months running a B&B, our season is finally closed until next year. Let me
tell you how F-ing happy I was to see the last of our clients leave at the end
of September. Not to complain, too much… but running a B&B was so much work that by the end, I was physically and mentally exhausted. Spent. There were however, a few interestings aspects about the B&B that I’d love to talk to you about,
but this is IWSG and now that I’m back, I’ve hit the ground running and
writing--the only way to hit the ground in my opinion. So let’s get on with it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My
insecurities this month are two fold. The first, stems from being out of touch
with all you guys and the writing blogosphere. In short, I have no clue
what's going on anymore. If you came out with a book or book cover this summer,
I missed it. If there were bloghops, I missed them. If you had any kind of
awesome sauce news to share, I’m so sorry, but yeah, I missed that too. That’s
what sucks when you’re gone for a few months. But, I’m hoping to elbow my way
back into the asylum if there’s still room. Is my bunk bed still available? ;) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other
thing that’s been making me bite my fingers is an anthology. Recently, I was asked
to contribute to an anthology that’s due to come out sometime in the beginning
of next year. The theme is turning points. I’m not going to talk much about the
details because I’m not sure it’s time, but that’s not the problem. Here’s what’s
giving me a hard time. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">POV and tense. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From the beginning, I’ve been struggling on
what POV to use and for some reason, I started writing in third person present tense which isn’t common in fiction writing. Plus, I rarely write presence tense, it’s
not easy to pull off, and I suck at it. I’m much more mainstream with my
narrative and usually write in first person
or third person past tense. Anyway, I’m worried that I’m heading out into deep
waters, writing in a tense I don’t have much experience in, and of course
worried I’m going to muck it all up. The thing is, the more I read my story,
the more I like it. Usually, when I start a new project I’m all super excited
about it and love it to death, that is until I get to the editing and rewriting phase, to which I start doubting myself and then I end up hating everything I’ve written. Sound
familiar? Well with this project, I started with a slow burn, a glimmer of an
idea and slowly started writing. I’m still uncertain where to take it, but the
more I keep going, the more I like it. I’m having a hard time remembering when
I’ve ever felt like this over a writing project. So as you can see, my first
week back and I already have a bunch of stuff to figure out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, I
hope everyone had a fun and productive summer. Enjoy the bloghop, I know I sure
will and I can’t wait to see what you all are writing about. And, if you all
have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-4275460642689943922015-08-05T15:32:00.000-07:002015-08-05T15:33:09.702-07:00IWSG<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: start;">Developed by author and blogger </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/" style="text-align: start;">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, <span style="text-align: start;"> IWSG is a bloghop for writers by writers. </span><span style="text-align: start;">To find out more about the </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" style="text-align: start;">IWSG monthly bloghop</a><span style="text-align: start;"> or the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="text-align: left;">IWSG website</a><span style="text-align: left;">, click the links. Thank you Alex and the co-hosts this month for another great hop!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So the other day I came across this video by science communicator/philosopher, Jason Silva. In this particular clip, he talks about the creative process and mentions something I hit on in my last IWSG post, which is getting out of our way to move forward, or as Silva calls it, entering "no mind." I wish I could tap into these flow states whenever I wanted to write without my inner critic getting in the way. But, I can't right now. I'm still swamped with work until end of September and with the kids on vacation....well my 'flow state' is a 'no show state.' However, I did get in a few hours of writing today, so there's that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, I know everyone is busy so I'll make this short and just leave you with the video </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I hope it works) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">for you to watch if you like. It's short. Like me. :P <br /><br />So until next time, have a good one and just go with the flow... :)</span><br />
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<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/jasonlsilva/videos/1596393227291623/">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jasonlsilva/videos/1596393227291623/">Art As An Escape</a><br />
THIS is the only thing getting in your way.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jasonlsilva">Jason Silva</a> on Thursday, July 16, 2015</blockquote>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-21082133911923474372015-07-01T14:46:00.000-07:002015-07-01T14:46:30.964-07:00IWSG: Just Get Out The Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group bloghop. It's a day where writers/bloggers reach out and post their fears and doubts about their writing, but also share their triumphs, no matter how big or small.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So some of you may already know I started a B&B a few months ago. Lately, I've been drawing parallels between running a B&B and writing. Here's what I've gotten so far:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. No matter how hard I try to be perfect or make everything look perfect, there will always be that one negitive person who will never be happy and who cannot help but critisize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In other words, you can never please everyone, no matter how hard you try. However, you can reach a point where you can please the majority, and that's good enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Sometimes it only takes one positive comment to change your crappy day into a good day. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I remember one day in particular, I was feeling extra crappy and had to force a smile across my face when the new guests arrived. They turned out to be the nicest people, and speaking with them for just a few minutes was all it took to turn my mood around. But the best, was when a guest left a hand written thank you note in the room after they left. That was awesome, kinda like getting fan mail. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In other words, never underestimate the power of a positive comment or a kind word. You never know how much those words mean to someone or how badly they need to hear it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Recommendations / Reviews are so important. Authors know how important reviews are to book sales, well this is the same thing. Several of our guests have been nice enough to leave positive reviews on a B&B website about our room. The reviews are only a few sentences long, and yet they carry a lot of weight in the eyes of potential clients looking to book a room. As a result, we're booked for most of the summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I think about this list, it's easy to see that many of the insecurities I have about my writing creep up in my work with the B&B, which begs the question....what if... what if it's not my writing that's the problem.... what if the problem is me? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, duh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course I'm my biggest obstacle with my bemoaning insecurities. I really need to get out of my own way sometimes. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, that's it for me today. If you haven't already noticed, my blogging schedule has slowed to a crawl since I started the B&B. Sorry! But I'll be back on a more regular schedule in September when we close our activity for the fall/winter season. Thanks for stopping in, I wish you the very best in your writing endeavors and for crying out loud, get out of your own damn way and just write! :) <i style="color: #073763;"> </i></span></div>
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<i>Thank you, <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/">Alex Cavanaugh</a> for another great bloghop. And a big thank you to all the awesome co-hosts this month! </i><i><div style="display: inline !important;">
<i>To find out more about the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.fr/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">IWSG monthly bloghop</a> or the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">IWSG website</a>, click the links.</i></div>
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Elise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com23