Blog Archives
Have you laughed today?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m talking about a giggle, a titter, a chuckle, a belly laugh, any sort of laughter will do.
Dear Hubby and I are fortunate because we always have laughter. He has a wonderful dry sense of humor that sneaks up on you, pulls out a baseball bat, and whacks you in the head. It’s fast and seldom painless. Think groaningly bad, but hysterically funny puns and jokes. You begin to giggle. Then you find it difficult to stop because your brain keeps hitting replay.
Everyone needs a good giggle occasionally. Like when you were a child and got into a fit of giggles that nothing, not even threats from exasperated parents could stop. These incidents usually happen during dinners. Siblings or other members of the family (yes, dear cousins you have done this too) usually egg the giggles on. In my case, DH keeps me going once he gets me started. He gets a kick out of me clutching my aching sides and laughing myself weak.
The pups are also good for a few daily laughs. Eventually one of them manages to make us chuckle with one stunt or another. Today Gavin dug out his favorite toy, a rubber ball that looks like basket weave. He bugged DH to throw it for him several times. Patty sat on the couch to observe this ritual. Finally, she decided to join in on the fun and the game of fetch became a tug of war between the two dogs. SHE thought it was fun. Gavin was not pleased but with us telling him he was ‘such a good boy for sharing’, he behaved admirably.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
More snow, it’s going to be a long winter
Posted by doggonedmysteries
When I woke up today, we already had a few inches of snow on the ground. Since then it’s been steadily falling. Sure, it looks pretty but only if you don’t have to shovel it. At least with the full moon tonight it’ll be bright enough for me to go outside and clean off both our vehicles. What am I waiting for? I’m waiting for it to slow down somewhat maybe even stop.
Our sidewalk shoveling angel came by late this afternoon. This time I caught a glimpse of the person and it is exactly whom I thought it was. I’m going to have to figure out a way to thank him.
The pups like this snow. Unlike the last storm where it was all ice coated, hard, and slick, this time it’s soft, fluffy, and fun for them. Patty galloped around the yard. Gavin wanted me to toss a few snowballs for him. Short romps for them though their coats are too short for them to stay out there long. Once back in the house they were content to share the couch and laze out for several hours. Both Dear Hubby and I did the same in our chairs. It was the ideal sort of day to do nothing.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Weaving the fabric of a novel
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today I printed out my book, all 200+ pages. Now I can go through it, edit, make notes, and find continuity problems, double check plot points. I can do it anywhere instead of at my desk and my bedroom floor seems to be an ideal place. This also lets me lay out the printed pages and (by using colored sticky notes and paper clips) visualize where the book’s strengths and weaknesses are.
Why am I doing this? I have reached the dreaded sagging middle. The spot in the book where you know you must up the ante, raise the stakes, gracefully weave the threads, and make sure you aren’t boring your reader to death.
I have the ending written. I have a basic outline. What I need is to work all my threads together into a tight weave and join that to the ending in a seamless bond. That’s not as easy as one would think. I may have to clip a few threads, tug them out, and possibly work a new thread or two into the story.
This does sound like weaving fabric doesn’t it?
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Beads and bedlam don’t play well together
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I wanted to sit down, listen to my French course, and work on a necklace for which I had an idea. I needed to get my mind off my book for a little while and relax. It didn’t happen. When I pulled out my boxes of beads Gavin started shaking his head repeatedly. This is not a good sign since he’s subject to a chronic ear infection.
Gavin’s ear was bothering him again so I spent some time cleaning it out and babying him. Poor dog hates having his ears cleaned but with a few cookies to aid me, I got the job done. Tomorrow we’re making an appointment to take him to the vet. He hates going there so this should be fun-NOT!
Once I settled Gavin down, I started to get out my beading board. Then I looked at the clock, realized that Dear Hubby was hours late returning home from his pain management appointment, and began to worry. Trying to call him on his cell phone didn’t help since all I got was a busy signal.
Then DH arrived home, he hadn’t made his appointment, instead he’d been in a minor fender bender and sat for over two hours waiting for the police to arrive. Don’t worry he’s fine and his truck only had some paint transfer on it.
It’s no surprise that at this point the whole idea of working on a new necklace design escaped me.
Posted in Beads, hobbies, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
“I want my kidney back.”
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A New York man donated a kidney to his wife in 2001 and now he wants it back. This is all part of a bitter divorce. He says he wants the kidney or 1.5 million dollars. He’s a doctor he’s not poor. He’ll survive, has plenty of money, and the ability to make tons more. It seems to me it’s simply spite and greed on his part.
Granted, if what he claims is true, that she had an affair and then filed for divorce in 2005, the man has a right to be pissed. But there’s pissed and then there’s crazy pissed. This to me is crazy pissed.
Is a donated kidney something one normally lists among one’s assets in a divorce procedure? (I don’t think so!) Are body parts a marital asset? (If so, then will all those husbands who paid for boob jobs, face lifts, tummy, and butt tucks before their divorces sprint to court for refunds?)
Another thing, can you picture a judge ordering her to give the kidney back? Not gonna happen.
On the other hand, if it should occur, what surgeon in his/her right mind would do the surgery?
Posted in Misc, My blog, Uncategorized
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Taking a French course for fun and a conference
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Salut all! Last year I met Marie and Pierre at a writer’s conference. They are a charming French couple who are a lot of fun. Upon meeting them, I dug around in my brain and dragged out some of my junior high school French. (We’re talking about a long, long time back.) I don’t remember much, but some I’ve never forgotten. Marie was delighted that I knew what I did. We quickly became friends.
She’s coming to this year’s conference. I decided to surprise her by dusting off and brushing up my French. The other day I bought a Learn to speak French course. I’ve completely surprised myself with all that I am remembering.
When I see Marie and Pierre in May I hope to be able to stumble along and at least give them a few laughs.
The next step is to have her teach me a few words that one will never find in a French course. I have my priorities you know. One has to be able to cuss people out and done in French, it sounds much nicer. Rather reminds me of this definition of diplomacy: “The ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they actually look forward to the trip.”
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing, Writing conferences
Downloading updates for my new Word program
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I feel as though I’ve been online forever today. It never fails with Microsoft; you have to spend hours downloading security files and fixes when you put in a new program. They send their programs off to the market before they have them working properly and leave it to the consumer to update them. Gee, thanks Bill.
If I didn’t like using Microsoft Word, so much I wouldn’t buy a newer program. The program is so friggin’ expensive I couldn’t possibly buy the newest one on the market. Office Depot ran a sale on Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 this week and I bought it. I would’ve rather bought just Microsoft Word but that was way out of my price range- nearly three times the price. Go figure.
Now you know these weren’t sitting on the shelf all this time. You’d think that since it is 2009, all the updates and fixes would’ve been in the 2007 programs when they sent them to market this year. Hell no. Why in the world would they make things easier for the consumer?
Anyway, you’ll have to excuse me. I have about 5 more updates to download…
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
New keyboard makes a huge difference
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I knew my old keyboard was getting bad. When is it time to get a new keyboard?
When you have to pound the keys almost as hard as you would on an old manual typewriter, it’s time for a new keyboard. When you hit a key and it stutters on the letter, it’s time for a new keyboard. When you have to pound some keys to make them work, it’s time for a new keyboard. When your husband, who is watching TV with the volume cranked up, complains that your typing is so loud it is annoying him, it’s time for a new keyboard.
If by the end of a night of writing your hands feel bruised, it’s time for a new keyboard. If your writerly friends make fun of it, it’s time for a new keyboard. When your friendly neighborhood computer geek looks at yours and says, “Wow, that’s a real antique!” It’s time to go buy a new keyboard.
This one is from a friend of mine: When the keys begin to fly off and land on the floor like rats deserting a sinking ship, you know you need a new keyboard.
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Bottom Line books scam part 2
Posted by doggonedmysteries
On December 12, 2008 I posted about Bottom Line Books’ attempt to defraud my mother-in-law. My statistics show there have been a great number of people reading it daily. This leads me to believe that at least twice that number of people have had the same experience.
If you are reading this because you are in the same boat, I must explain that Dear Hubby never talked to Bottom Line Books because they’d already sent the bill to collection. He called the collection agency and explained the situation. (She never ordered, received, and didn’t want any books.) They were very helpful in resolving the issue.
At present, we are in the process of filing a dispute for two more illegal transactions we found. It seems that both Betterman/Betterwoman and American Leisure helped themselves to my mother-in-law’s checking account. I looked online and couldn’t find out anything about Betterman/Betterwoman other than they sell vitamins that she doesn’t take, want, and didn’t order. However, there are a vast number of complaints against American Leisure.
Of course, we’ve changed her account and alerted her bank about these illegal withdrawals and they’ve red flagged any new transactions on that card number.
*See my earlier post Bottom line books scam
**See also Painvanish another scam and Painvanish problem settled
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Scams, Writer, Writing
It’s cold tonight
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Poor Gavin was fussing in his crate so I went to see what the problem was. He was trying to roll up in a little fake sheepskin I had in there. When I realized what the problem was I trotted down to the cellar and retrieved a much larger, thicker blanket. Right now, he’s happily rolling himself up in it and it sounds like a herd of elephants is loose in my kitchen.
Normally our house is warm but when the temperature dips down to a mere twenty degrees, the kitchen becomes quite chilly. I had been running a small electric heater in there to keep the chill off, but after I got the last bill from the electric company I figured Gavin would be happier with a nice blanket he can bury himself in, this is something he’s done since he was a puppy.
I’m sure at some time tomorrow, when Patty inspects Gavin’s crate she’ll be quite put off that HE got a big, fluffy blanket. Miss Patty will never freeze her crate is nice and cozy because hers is next to a radiator in the living room.
These two love their crates and when they decide it’s time for bed, they expect us to drop the towel over the door to block out our lights. No, my dogs aren’t spoiled-yeah right.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
In Loving memory
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Mom with birthday roses 2005
Beloved Mother and friend.
There aren’t enough words or ways to say I love you and miss you.
W. R. W.
7/30/1915 –1/1/2007
Posted in In memory of..., My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Ten seconds to hook a reader
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yes, it’s true. That is the approximate length of the time that it takes for someone to decide whether to purchase your book or not.
Did the above title hook you into reading more of this? Did it make you pause?
What does a person look at in those ten seconds? I will read the blurb on the back and look at the opening line. If I like that, I’ll read the first paragraph. Get me that far, make me want to read more, and I’ll most likely purchase the book.
Are you now thinking of your novel’s opening line, first sentence, and first paragraph?
Do they need punching up? What are you waiting for? Go do it.
**I have a page set aside for comments on my books. Let me know, do they hook you or not?**
If you want ideas on how to hook your readers, many books are available that will help. I’ve listed a couple below.
Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages. A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile published by Simon and Shuster in 2000. I suggest that if you haven’t read it or added it to your writing library, go forth, and do so.
Hallie Ephron’s Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel, how to knock ’em DEAD with style. Not just for mystery writers this book is great for all fiction writers.
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, books, Books on writing, Coffee, Craft of writing, Fiction, Hooking your readers, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writer's guides, Writing
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