tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46283360989927353182024-03-13T07:51:00.046-04:00All Things AudryFeel-Good Posts
and Fascinating Guest Authors Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-15050016756839389042019-11-12T07:00:00.000-05:002019-11-12T07:00:01.540-05:00Women Friendships - a Guest Post by Barbara Barth<i>Welcome author, Barbara Barth, with a heartwarming post about the power of women friendships.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">F</span>ind your tribe and love them hard is a favorite saying. My tribe has always been creative women and dog lovers and I’ve been lucky over the years that my tribe has grown in many directions, with friendships staying strong. When my husband was alive, I had my antiquing buddies. We did shows together and set up booths in the same antique shops. We hung out mostly during the day since we had husbands at home at night. Hobby antique dealer and retired Federal employee, I was in heaven doing what I loved with girlfriends.<br />
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When that changed for me, I didn’t have any single friends, and since I don’t have children or family in town, the days and months ahead could have been bleak. My married girlfriends rallied around me, made sure I got out during the day, and some spent their evenings with me, as we ate out and went to movies.<br />
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One night that might have set the pace for all that followed, I was supposed to go see the new Sex In The City movie with two friends (one married, one living with her man) but I was in a funk curled up on the couch, ready to cancel. Ten minutes before they were picking me up, one called. “Be ready. We’ve got wine.”<br />
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I didn’t get a chance to say no, she hung up quickly. I jumped up, brushed my teeth, put on some lip-gloss, and walked out my front door just as they pulled into my driveway. We smuggled small bottles of wine into the theater in our purses, giggling like silly teens. The night became magical because my friends didn’t give me a chance to stay at my own pity party.<br />
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It’s been eleven years since I lost my husband and I’ve worked hard to make new friends while keeping the old ones close. To use the term “work” talking about friendships may seem odd, but my life is different than most of the women I know. I have no huge distractions, like grown children or grandkids, my dogs are my family. Many of my old friends are now full of family at home again, babysitting, taking care of aging parents, some doing it all and still working. I’m a free agent, my big worry is finding the proper pet sitter.<br />
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My friends are my family and I try to keep up with all of them, phone calls foremost, but dinners out still a favorite way to get together. Most times I’m the one calling to see who is free, because I’m free too much! My writing keeps me busy, and recently I’ve started painting again. As much as I love my creative life, I’m too much of a social being to stay quiet for too long.<br />
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My new tribe came as a huge surprise. After my move in 2017 from Metro-Atlanta to my Victorian cottage an hour away, I discovered the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts in Monroe, Georgia. A fabulous art center that has become a huge part of my life bringing me on the Board of Directors with all my writing events. New friends that feel like we’ve known each other forever.<br />
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I’ve been lucky that all my gal pals have been fun, crazy, talented, nurturing, and caring. We encourage each other to become our best selves. I’ve learned to live my life as a single woman and enjoy it fully thanks to the support and friendships of the women I meet along my journey.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author: Barbara Barth</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6fdJEZY50A/XcAyXv96wpI/AAAAAAAAVKI/KBXc1HtUjQ4a7AG0Gj7t0hulmI-gfijogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/33960593_10214117940761405_6953251005081321472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="473" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6fdJEZY50A/XcAyXv96wpI/AAAAAAAAVKI/KBXc1HtUjQ4a7AG0Gj7t0hulmI-gfijogCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/33960593_10214117940761405_6953251005081321472_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, dog hoarder, bedazzled by life. Widowed ten years ago, Barth writes about finding a creative path back to happiness. Her recent move to a 1906 historic cottage brought many surprises, including discovering the Monroe–Walton Center for the Arts where she started the monthly Walton Writers group and is on the MWCA Board as Literary Arts Chair. Barth is a contributor to Walton Living Magazine and a former blogger for The Balancing Act, Lifetime Television’s morning show for women. Currently she lives with six dogs, rescue dogs that rescued her.<br />
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Visit her website at https:<a href="http://www.barbarabarthwriter.com/" target="_blank">//www.barbarabarthwriter.com</a>/, follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/writerwithdogs" target="_blank">@writerwithdogs</a>, and follow her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Barth/e/B0049M0IXO" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Book Summary: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBNHXZG/?tag=wowwomenonwri-20" target="_blank">The Unfaithful Widow</a></span></div>
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Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness. Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between. Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.<br />
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Print Length: 374 pages<br />
Genre: Memoir<br />
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, LLC<br />
ASIN: B07YBNHXZG<br />
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The Unfaithful widow Ten Years Later is available in print and as an ebook at<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBNHXZG/?tag=wowwomenonwri-20" target="_blank"> Amazon.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span><span style="font-size: large;">e sure to follow Barbara Barth as she continues her book tour:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRbnsNVqjMo/XcgiQgOBmQI/AAAAAAAAVLs/eCy90rSVP_M57mpA8AxQjla_Vgf-qaVegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TheUnfaithfulWidowTenYearsLater-BlogTourbanner%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRbnsNVqjMo/XcgiQgOBmQI/AAAAAAAAVLs/eCy90rSVP_M57mpA8AxQjla_Vgf-qaVegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/TheUnfaithfulWidowTenYearsLater-BlogTourbanner%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 13th @ Words from the Heart</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by Linda's blog and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about publishing anthologies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNHpglDDFHUFsoztzWfMWbMBpmJ1pw" href="https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://contemplativeed.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 14th @ Thoughts in Progress</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Mason's blog today and you can read Barbara's guest post about starting a writing group. Don't miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNHFN0tWHg0bFZiKZWgEPWc8uwfnOQ" href="https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://masoncanyon.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 15th @ The World of My Imagination</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Nicole's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNGo7F_5IBZy1nJ1AuhnZYyceVhuPA" href="http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>theworldofmyimagination.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 16th @ Lori Duff Writes</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by Lori's blog today where you can read her interview with Barbara Barth and read her review of Barbara's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNFGs1wgjy3zP9wfc41WR0Ayf0y0MQ" href="https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.loriduffwrites.<wbr></wbr>com/blog/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 16th @ Jill Sheets Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Jill's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's guest post about self-publishing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://jillsheets.blogspot.com./&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNFjbX2HZ6FiW-6RwQshz5TVvAET1w" href="https://jillsheets.blogspot.com./" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://jillsheets.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com.</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 17th @ A Storybook World</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Be sure to stop by Deirdra's blog today and check out her spotlight of the book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later</i> and enter to win a copy of the book!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.astorybookworld.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNG-ltUeoY8cGaEh7SSAFHHzMZicjg" href="http://www.astorybookworld.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://www.astorybookworld.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 18th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Be sure you visit Bev's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post about starting over at 70. You won't want to miss this!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNEjT4mpAI_EUVFVKCVMeKKWj-C0XQ" href="http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://beverleyabaird.<wbr></wbr>wordpress.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 19th @ Look to the Western Sky</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Be sure to visit Margo's blog and read her interview with author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://margoldill.com/blog&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNGtPPLHxUBIrPdAAqJVvdoQxB5DwA" href="https://margoldill.com/blog" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://margoldill.com/blog</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 20th @ Anthony Avina's Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Make sure you visit Anthony's blog today and read Barbara Barth's guest post about publishing anthologies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327083000&usg=AFQjCNEdkWa4OKbRRrg6aMVnEMDATY3fhQ" href="http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>authoranthonyavinablog.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 21st @ Cassandra's Writing World</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by Cassandra's blog today and read her review of <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. </i>You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNF0vjW4HhKUe__8rwkAJF7Yu2dgiw" href="https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://cassandra-<wbr></wbr>mywritingworld.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 22nd @ Karen Brown Tyson's Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Join us at Karen Brown Tyson's blog where you can read a guest post about self-publishing by author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.karenbrowntyson.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNGvMhIn6kDqtE-gqStB2SOKkdxVwQ" href="http://www.karenbrowntyson.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://www.karenbrowntyson.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 23rd @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Bev's blog again and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNHncYBUyf_rrJ9U8An5NCnhZxXPrw" href="http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://beverleyabaird.<wbr></wbr>wordpress.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 24th @ Choices</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Be sure to stop by Madeline's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post that will be talking about women friendships.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://madelinesharples.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNFLlM-p2rvxNj_dbhb50SAmXMArZQ" href="http://madelinesharples.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://madelinesharples.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 25th @ Wild Woman Writer</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Anne's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's blog guest post about starting over at 70.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNERRdfgRnfdGjxh8BKdPKIGeNeCCg" href="https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://wildwomanwriter2018.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 26th @ Life Like A Galaxy Girl</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by Alanna's blog today and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's memoir <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNFMtICEcVcsez1QNKHv1Z8S2--1gw" href="http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Lisa's blog today and you can read her interview with author Barbara Barth and find out more about this incredible author!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNEVu8rX4q9_a3XnAAxiX_HWPChHNg" href="http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>lisahaseltonsreviewsandintervi<wbr></wbr>ews.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 28th @ Bibliotica</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by Melissa's blog and make sure you read Barbara Barth's guest post about grief over the years and finding happiness again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bibliotica.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNGFdNE3l8HKuj7AvXA0oc4N8EZ4HA" href="https://www.bibliotica.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.bibliotica.com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 29th @ Stranded in Chaos</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Sara's blog and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://strandupdate.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNFuqtQleGJDZ5WRwmIkc1IKVh9ekg" href="https://strandupdate.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://strandupdate.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">November 30th @ Anthony Avina's Blog</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Anthony's blog again and read his review of Barbara Barth's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNH-cQkPmha2JjDQ1gM261DCrQKYqA" href="http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>authoranthonyavinablog.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">December 1st @ Words from the Heart</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Visit Linda's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book <i>The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNGshzJ-InjkPUBDHaIDNnAkWZCQDQ" href="https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://contemplativeed.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">December 2nd @ Women's Writing Circle</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Stop by the blog Women's Writing Circle and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about adopting dogs while all her friends are having grandkids. Don't miss this one!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.susanweidener.com/&source=gmail&ust=1572609327084000&usg=AFQjCNGc2sG3VU1UVwQSMeq5mnzeeIyD0w" href="http://www.susanweidener.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">http://www.susanweidener.com/</a></span></div>
Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-36172079406387541362019-09-12T10:58:00.000-04:002019-09-12T10:58:18.807-04:00Now I'm Free, Freelancing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Friends! It's been a while. Nice to see you again!<br />
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While I'm not planning to resume blogging weekly, I wanted to sit back with a cup of coffee and catch up with you. So, go grab your own cup/mug/glass! I'll wait. Got it? Yay!<br />
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So, yep yep, as you can see from the title I'm striking out and breaking free, as in freelancing. <a href="https://www.audryfryer.com/copywriting" target="_blank">Audry Fryer, Professional Freelance Writer</a> at your service! More about that further down. Now, when we last chatted, I had shared a post about moving away from blogging and onto other adventures.<br />
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<i>So what have you been up to? You ask.</i><br />
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Well, two things and then a third thing. I know, that tells you nothing. Ok, here goes. First, I made a brief yet wonderful return to teaching young children. So, picture me leading a rocking rendition of "Baby Shark. Do-do-Do-do-do!" Plus I spent one afternoon a week teaching a creative writing course to older elementary through middle school age students. It was such a rewarding experience in so many ways.<br />
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<i>Sounds fun! And you had time for a second thing?</i><br />
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Sure did! The teaching gig wasn't every day. And much to my sad heart, the director of the school discontinued the program. But as for the second thing cooking on my back burner - I've been writing like I've never written before! I can't wait to share with you my latest novel. It's a historical romance and it's based on love letters and that's all I'm able to tell you right now. Other than I really, really can't wait to share it with you. Fingers crossed the wait ends soon!<br />
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<i>Totally can't wait! And now for the third thing. I bet I can guess ...</i><br />
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If you chose Freelance Writer for a thousand and answered, "What is Audry Fryer doing now?" Correct! So far, I've set up shop on my <a href="https://www.audryfryer.com/copywriting" target="_blank">website</a>, created this cute little logo and put together a clever profile on <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013f76dd93d9796515" target="_blank">Upwork</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/audry-fryer-7679752b/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. Plus, I've read so many, many articles on how to get started and find clients.<br />
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Now, I'm singing, "Hello, is it me you're looking for?" And I'm hoping someone in need of excellent writing will respond, "I can see it in your skills. I can see it in your profile. You're writing is all I wanted, and my business needs your help. 'Cause you know just what to say. And you know just what to write. And I want to tell you so much, I'll hire you."<br />
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<i>Good luck with that! If I know someone, how do they contact you?</i><br />
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Go to <a href="http://audryfryer.com/">audryfryer.com</a> and under <a href="https://www.audryfryer.com/copywriting" target="_blank">WRITER for HIRE</a>, there's a nifty contact form that goes straight to my email. Easy-peasy!<br />
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<i>Fantastic! Before I go, how's your family doing? I used to love reading about the kids.</i><br />
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Aw, thanks for asking! We're all doing well and getting big. Since July, we're a house of teenagers now. And each one of them needs me to drive them somewhere at sometime for something! We had a fun summer and even met Forrest Gump in Savannah, GA while on our vacation.<br />
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We'll have to catch up like this sometime soon! Maybe when I have an exciting announcement. Until then, I hope all is well with you!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hugs and love,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Audry</span></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-70458653539008397282016-06-28T05:00:00.000-04:002016-06-28T05:00:24.412-04:003 Things I Did to Write My Memoir, Guest Post by Dorit Sasson …<i>At age nineteen, Dorit Sasson, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was trying to make the status quo work as a college student―until she realized that if she didn’t distance herself from her neurotic, worrywart of a mother, she would become just like her.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>elcome Dorit Sasson, author of Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces, with a guest post on the three important steps she took to become unstuck from uncertainty and find the inspiration to finish her memoir. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3 Things I Did to Write My Memoir, Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces</span></b></div>
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The genre of memoir writing is exploding. Writers are jumping at the opportunity to tell their life story and want to cash in on what may be the next blockbuster. However, writing one's life story is not as easy as it looks and writing my memoir on serving in the Israel Defense Forces required getting unstuck from the inner critics and self-doubt.<br />
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When starting my memoir, I experienced quite a bit of "highs" and "lows." Often I questioned my motivations and asked myself, "who's going to be so interested in reading my story and why?" The inner critic got in the way so much that I had to take it for a nice long walk. But to reach the finish line, I had to increase my productivity so I could stay “unstuck” and creative.<br />
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1. I joined a supportive writing group that specializes in memoir writing. I cannot begin to tell you how important a writing group is for the development of any writer but incredibly important for a writer who's feeling vulnerable and lonely while writing past events that tear him/her up. A good writer's group will support you through the "lows" and applaud you through the "highs." Having a good writer's group provides weekly check-ins and accountability with a writing buddy. Also, a writer's group can also provide direction and guidance as you're discovering the best way to tell your story.<br />
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2. I blogged about my memoir. Now I know what you might be thinking. How the heck am I going to blog my memoir when I'm struggling to just write the thing? Just for the record, some memoir writers starting out may not feel comfortable blogging because they aren't ready to share parts of their story with a larger audience, (blogging requires an outer voice) and that's alright.<br />
Contrary to what some memoirists may think, there's no shame in blogging about your memoir let alone writing it. As Brene Brown states, "owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light."<br />
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As a blogger, you'll have the chance to develop more self-confidence in reaching out to your target online reader. Plus, blogging is great for building a following for promoting your book.<br />
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3. I learned the importance of writing scenes for memoir writing. Essentially, a memoir is a collection of "scenes" that when put together, tell a larger story along with themes. Showing what happens to a character is important for grounding the reader. Scenes in memoir thrive on the dialogue of the inner and outer narrator which helps ground defining moments.<br />
When we read a scene that balances all these elements, we connect to a character’s journey that will ultimately lead to transformation.<br />
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With the first draft of my memoir, I couldn't help myself and dove into scene after scene but with the help of a writing coach, it became clearer to me that my inner narrator's thoughts and feelings needed to be expressed in order to balance what was happening to me at the time. It was up to me to decide how vulnerable (or not) I really wanted my character to be.<br />
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There are literary agents out there who snub memoir writing and some have even gone so far as to say that memoir is "ME-Moir." Please do NOT buy into this cynical and very ridiculous point of view. People want to read memoir for story's sake. They want to read a story of transformation - the hero's journey. And yes, they want to read your memoir. We need to recognize the value of stories and create a safe, sacred and creative space for those who do want to give voice to their stories. The ripple will cast itself over for future generations to come.<br />
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Based on my own writing and learning, a good memoir is about sharing and resonance, as well as showing vulnerability and breaking the barriers. And there's nothing wrong or self-centered about that.<br />
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<i>Thank you Dorit for your honest and uplifting guest post and thank you to Crystal J. Casavant-Otto and </i><i><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">WOW! Women On Writing</a> for providing this stop on Dorit Sasson's blog tour. For more info and tour dates, click <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author:</b></span><br />
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Dorit Sasson writes for a wide range of print and online publications, including The Huffington Post and The Writer, and speaks at conferences, libraries, and community centers. She is the author of the a featured chapter in Pebbles in the Pond: Transforming the World One Person at a Time, the latest installment of that best-selling series, and. She is the host of the global radio show "Giving Voice to Your Courageous Story." She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two children.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Book Summary:</b></span><br />
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At age nineteen, Dorit Sasson, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was trying to make the status quo work as a college student―until she realized that if she didn’t distance herself from her neurotic, worrywart of a mother, she would become just like her.<br />
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Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces is Sasson’s story of how she dropped out of college and volunteered for the Israel Defense Forces in an effort to change her life―and how, in stepping out of her comfort zone and into a war zone, she discovered courage and faith she didn’t know she was capable of.<br />
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Paperback: 337 pages<br />
Genre: Memoir<br />Publisher: She Writes Press (June 14, 2016)<br />ISBN-10: 1631520350<br />ISBN-13: 978-1631520358<br /><br />Amazon Link: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Soldier-Service-Sacrifice-Defense/dp/1631520350/?tag=wowwomenonwri-20">click here</a><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i>For more information about Blog Hostess, Audry Fryer,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i>please visit <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a></i></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-12224804277816080752016-04-29T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-29T07:00:07.337-04:00I'm done using ADULT as a verb even though I don't want to ADULT today!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="I can't adult today tumbler: " height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d9/80/c1/d980c14e74e9ad08c5af019b01bf6765.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="208" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brutally-honest-coffee-mugs_us_5667343ae4b079b2819076b2" target="_blank">From Huffpost: 21 Brutally Honest Coffee Mugs That Nail Your Morning Struggle</a></td></tr>
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<i>This whole adult thing.</i> Ugh. Right? Waking up early. Being responsible. Putting the wrong lunch in the wrong kid's lunch bag. Wishing your laundry would fold itself and the lottery fairy would pay all your bills and you didn't have to be in three places with three different kids at the exact same time. I can't <span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">adult today! </span></span></b></span><br />
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(There, I said it. I thought I could refrain, but no. As offensive as it is to my grammatically correct mind, I'm jumping on the bandwagon using adult as a verb and I like it!)<br />
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How about you? Done with adulting too?</div>
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I kind of want to <i>young-adult</i> it today, though. You know, that magical time when you could drink and thought you had responsibilities but really they paled in comparison with what you just took care of before 9am this morning? </div>
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So, while I wasn't adulting and slurping down some wine (which now that I think about it sounds very much like being an adult) - I mean, sipping on some Kool Aid, I started thinking about this blog or the verb form of it, blogging. And, I discovered something interesting. I don't feel like blogging anymore. Blog, bog, blah-og. It was fun for a while, but let's be honest, I'm not in danger of going viral. Trust me. I tried the whole viral thing and it wasn't pleasant. Plus, my blog posts didn't get a lot of attention either. </div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Mermaids.</span> And, might I say, <span style="color: #45818e; font-family: inherit;"><b>mermaiding</b></span> - defined as living one's life as a mermaid. No, not me. I get terrible swim ear even if I look at the water. But that's the theme of my next novel - mermaiding. <i>Which isn't getting written because I'm blogging and worrying about blogging and now you see the problem!</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not my last post, but close</span>. This post is probably not the last one ever, but it's darn close to it. You'll know it's my last post ever because I'm going to name the post "The Last Post Ever" and then you'll know for sure. If you're one of my tens of loyal readers, (Hi Mom!), thank you for your readership! If you're super sad, you can start a hashtag #savetheblog or #AudrySayItIsn'tSo or #SnapOutOfItAndBlogAlready! Otherwise, it's #I'mDoneAdultingLet'sBeMermaids for me. I'll be the one lounging on the beach with a margarita.</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Done with adulting? Me, too! </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Run away with me to</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a> and let's escape into a great read. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">A free first chapter will magically, instantly appear in your inbox just for signing up for my </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">I-hardly-get-around-to-doing-it Newsletter. Fun! YOLO! </span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-80332440382084212492016-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T11:28:17.820-04:00She said what?!? An interview with my Editor<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet my fabulous editor of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A" target="_blank">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</a>, KM Krick!</span><br />
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Today I interview her and ask difficult, thought provoking, deeply philosophical questions. Ha! Not so much! But this interview is perfect for anyone considering hiring an editor or even becoming one. If you're looking for an editor, KM Krick (also known as Kathy) is affordable, thorough and best of all, personable.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ The Interview ~</i></span></div>
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Me: Welcome Kathy to All Things Audry! I'm so happy to be interviewing you today!<br />
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K M Krick: Thank you! It's a pleasure to be here. I don't usually do interviews, so I'm a little nervous about those deeply philosophical questions.<br />
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Me: Ha! Nothing to worry about here. Let's start with an easy question. How did you decide you wanted to be an editor? Give us your background.<br />
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K M Krick: Ok, I can answer this one easily! I began my editing career in 2012 as a proofreader. I proofread for a few authors before I edited my first published story in November 2012. With the love I had for proofreading and helping to fix an author’s baby, I became a freelance editor. Ironically, I wasn’t much of a reader prior to proofreading. I hadn’t read a book in many years. In fact, the first book I finally read after so many years was Fifty Shades of Grey. That’s where it all began for me.<br />
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Me: Oh, well, Fifty Shades of Grey seemed to turn a lot of people on, ahem, to reading! So, is it safe to assume romance is the genre you prefer to edit?<br />
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K M Krick: Romance is definitely my favorite genre to edit. Simply, I love the HEA.<br />
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Me: So, now, prepare yourself for that deeply philosophical question. What's the best and conversely, the worst part of the job?<br />
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K M Krick: The best part of being an editor is definitely meeting so many new people. I have formed many lifelong friendships with a lot of my authors. The worst part of the job would have to be a “nightmare” edit. I’m sure every editor has had one. It’s the edit that is so full of revisions, you just want to pull your hair out.<br />
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Me: What are you working on right now? Could you recommend any authors/books worth checking out?<br />
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K M Krick: I’m currently working on a few stories right now. I would love to recommend every author I have had the fortunate privilege to edit for. So I don’t leave anyone out, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathy+Krick" target="_blank">search my name on Amazon</a> and you will see all these wonderful authors.<br />
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Me: I did a search (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathy+Krick" target="_blank">click here</a>) and for anyone who loves romance, you have quite a selection for finding your next read! Okay, last question! As my editor - who I must say did a fantastic job, I was thrilled when you expressed how much you enjoyed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A" target="_blank">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</a>. So, I know I'm tooting my own horn here, but could you share what you liked about the novel?<br />
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K M Krick: Aww, I’m blushing. Thank you for the very nice compliment. I love being your editor. My biggest fan, Sheri Wasik, sent you to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to her. Yes, I loved <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A" target="_blank">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</a>. What I really liked about the story is how you intertwined the stories of two best friends who couldn’t be more different than each other. Your storytelling was so spot-on that it made me want to skip to the end of the story to find out how it ended. I was glued to every word.<br />
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Me: Aww, now I'm blushing! And, yes, I'm ever so grateful for our shared hair stylist extraordinaire, Sheri Wasik, for making this literary connection between us! Thank you so much for taking the time between edits to do this interview. So appreciated!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Want to connect with K M Krick? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go to her </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/km.krick.3?fref=ts" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and say hi!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.2px;">Are you a fun, witty woman who likes to read fun, witty books? Let's get together and chat! See you at </span><a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #333399; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.audryfryer.com </a></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-86687476030165326462016-04-05T05:00:00.000-04:002016-04-05T14:13:04.755-04:00Ever leap outside your comfort zone?<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Ready?</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-small;">One,</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">two,</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> three</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> ... </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">leap!</span><br />
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The thing about taking that figurative leap is that you may expect to stick the landing, but usually you don't. Sound familiar?<br />
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If you follow this blog, you'll see lots of hype over the recent re-release of the first novel I wrote, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A" target="_blank">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</a>. In it, main characters, Bethany and Olivia dare to go outside their comfort zones with mixed results and plenty of page-turning drama. While it makes for entertaining reading, I can relate to their stress in real life as well. Every time I put something I created out there, I cringe inside. This voice, I call Felicia (why? see below), likes to warn me that I may look like a fool, that people will be rolling their eyes behind my back and how much better it would be if I just binge watched shows on Netflix like everyone else in the world is apparently doing.<br />
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Side story, totally related - Once someone dared me to do a front flip off a real diving board. Let's just say I learned first hand about a back flop and it wasn't pretty. I'm talking it looked like a giant hand slapped me. I mean, I had Olympic form in the air. You know, right until, the water was directly beneath me. Then, I smacked onto the surface where I swear I floated for a few seconds before sinking slowly into the depths.<br />
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Anyway, my recent re-release was a fun leap through the air. As for the landing, well, let's just say, I'm overwhelmingly thankful for the support of my family and friends and leave it at that. Since I was feeling back flopped in regards to the bestseller lists I went on an internet search for some virtual pampering.<br />
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Here's what I found - It's really all about the leap. The landing is unpredictable. The most important thing is what you're doing is worth taking that leap over and over again. While I never wanted to join the dive team (especially at middle age -yikes), my writing is worth taking this leap over and over again. Do I wish to land on a major book deal? Yes, but that's not the point. It's all about the feeling in the air. How do I know such sage advice? I learned it from two ladies who know a thing or two about leaping and landings, Elizabeth Gilbert of "Eat Pray Love" fame plus author of the recently released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond-ebook/dp/B00S52M350/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1459877629&sr=1-1&keywords=big+magic+elizabeth+gilbert" target="_blank">Big Magic</a> and Dr. Brene Brown, expert on vulnerability, being brave and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rising-Strong-Bren%C3%A9-Brown-ebook/dp/B00P5557G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1459877720&sr=1-1&keywords=rising+strong+brene+brown" target="_blank">Rising Strong</a>.<br />
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Here's the podcast which inspired this post:<br />
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As for that little voice I call Felicia that begs me to encase my comfort zone around me like bubble wrap, I tell her,"Bye, Felicia," just like this movie clip that's been getting a cult following:<br />
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What about you? Do you have a story about leaping outside your comfort zone? I'd love to hear about it in the comments! Or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>! Let's start a discussion ...<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Are you a fun, witty woman who likes to read fun, witty books? Let's get together and chat! See you at <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">www.audryfryer.com </a></span><br />
<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-51611116870142156062016-03-18T05:00:00.000-04:002016-03-18T05:00:02.182-04:00I need a Pedicure and You need this Book!Recently I flashed my toes in public and it wasn't pretty. You see, I decided last minute to attend a two hour Zumba class in the name of charity. When my friend asked me on a Friday whether I wanted to wake up early the next morning, as in Saturday morning, as in be there at 8am, as in get out of bed for a workout class, I told her absolutely no freaking way. Then Saturday morning rolled around and I was wide awake at six in the morning - which never, ever happens. I cursed my friend for her guilt trip, got into my too snug workout gear and went to the class. As it turned out, it wasn't just Zumba. It was also this hellish thing called High Intensity Kill-Me-Now which was followed by a lethargic Yoga Session.<br />
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Here's where my toes made an unplanned public appearance - the yoga session. Not only were my feet in full on nobody's going to see them winter-mode, but they beared remnants of the fuzzy socks I slept in the night before. Don't even try to imagine it. It wasn't my finest moment.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So where's all this heading?</span> Well, like I said, I need a pedicure and you, my friend, need this book. What book? Oh, only the much anticipated, eagerly awaited re-release of the professionally edited, now available in more places than I knew existed ...<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass!!!</a></span></div>
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Because it feels great to be barefoot! I'll tell you, fuzzy, unpainted toes or not, I was darn glad to air out my tootsies at the end of my charitable workout. Here's a weird segway, but go with me. Sometimes it's just as oddly freeing and satisfying to sit back and escape into an entertaining read! <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">GOING BAREFOOT IN GREENER GRASS</a> is perfect for when you're in the mood for a pair of jealous friends and crazy, funny scenes. Ah! Now that's better!</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So, what's it about?</span></div>
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For best friends, Olivia and Bethany, life looks a whole lot better on the other side of the picket fence. Olivia has the home, a husband and three lovely children. Bethany leads an exciting life of adventure as a travel writer. Each woman wants what the other one has and takes for granted. On a girls’ get-away to the Jersey Shore, tensions reach their breaking point (in the most hilarious manner). Kick off your shoes for a fun ride with relatable characters that'll make you say, "I know how that feels", humor filled scenes and unexpected plot twists!</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">How about a free first chapter?</span></div>
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Go to <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.audryfryer.com</span></a> and sign up for my occassional, happy newsletter. Act fast! The next newsletter is March 21st (also, the first day of Spring) and will include a free download of the first chapter!</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Wondering if other people read it and liked it?</span></div>
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They did! Here's what people are saying about Going Barefoot in Greener Grass (and these reviews are when the novel wasn't yet professionally edited):</div>
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"I found that it flowed very nicely and kept my interest (so much so that I felt like an addict and could hardly wait to get back to it); even while two kids were running around screaming, my husband watching TV and my dog barking - - I still wanted more! After reading it my immediate thought was that it reminded me of a mix between My Big Fat Greek Wedding & Moonstruck."</div>
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"I couldn't put it down once I started reading and then was sad it was over."</div>
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"It was well written and so easy to relate to the wonderful characters as they experienced the ups and downs of everyday life. Each time I read of their joys and struggles I thought "I know how that feels". I don't think that there's anyone who hasn't thought that "the grass might be greener"!"</div>
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*Click the tab above this post entitled "More about Going Barefoot in Greener Grass" for more reviews!</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Let's Get Barefoot!</span></div>
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Thanks to Draft2Digital, <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass </span></a>is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kindle</span></a>, at <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/going-barefoot-in-greener-grass-audry-fryer/1107351346" target="_blank">Barnes&Noble</a>,</span> and through <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/303181297/Going-Barefoot-in-Greener-Grass" target="_blank">Scribd.</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1091286739" target="_blank">Apple iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.inktera.com/store/title/b7daac27-dfc7-40c3-b01c-07495dd6306c" target="_blank">Inktera</a> </span>and <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/going-barefoot-in-greener-grass" target="_blank">Kobo</a>.</span> </div>
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Ok, Friends, I'm off to schedule that pedicure! Happy reading!</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Feeling social?</span></div>
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Find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and Follow me on<a href="https://twitter.com/AudryFryer" target="_blank"> Twitter</a>!</div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-26042770996292631732016-03-09T05:00:00.000-05:002016-03-09T05:00:00.212-05:00The Light Side: Adding Humor to a Dark Story, Guest Post by Pamela JaneHumor is a good friend of mine. It's definitely helped during life's more difficult times and often pops up in nearly everything I write. Today's guest author, Pamela Jane, provides three insightful tips for adding humor to your writing (not matter how dark the story is) and how to cultivate a sense of humor in life. Following her guest post, be sure to check out Pamela Jane's recent memoir, AN INCREDIBLE TALENT FOR EXISTING: A WRITER’S STORY.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_x9dKBFaH4/VthttcJXEPI/AAAAAAAAGx0/Z6ZbbEhJCS4/s1600/Pamela%2BJane%2BBook%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_x9dKBFaH4/VthttcJXEPI/AAAAAAAAGx0/Z6ZbbEhJCS4/s200/Pamela%2BJane%2BBook%2BCover.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0s-_x3rjhA/VthttLSVNuI/AAAAAAAAGxw/PSvWkrEO98U/s1600/Pamela%2BJane%2BHead%2BShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0s-_x3rjhA/VthttLSVNuI/AAAAAAAAGxw/PSvWkrEO98U/s200/Pamela%2BJane%2BHead%2BShot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Light Side: Adding Humor to a Dark Story</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tips from Three Famous Writers</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Pamela Jane</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A relentlessly dark story, especially a memoir, can be difficult to read. But what if your memoir is genuinely dark? Some things just aren’t funny (although comics, a notoriously angry bunch, might disagree). But even if you don’t add hilarity, you can “fluff up” your narrative by adding color, contrast, or contradictions.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following are three are three tips to lighten a dark story:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Jane Austen: Show Contrast</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“…the work is rather too light, and bright, and sparkling; it wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense . . .” – Jane Austen on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pride and Prejudice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether adding shade or sunlight to your narrative, the point is to show contrast. (Although </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pride and Prejudice </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is dazzling in its brilliance, it is not all bright. There are moments of sober reflection, regret, and disappointment.) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One way to add contrast is to try telling your story informally to different people. Relating the story verbally to an receptive listener is relaxing, and you might find yourself making a joke or a wry comment that allows you to glimpse a new dimension to your work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poet and novelist Andrei Codrescu wrote, “I think you can teach people how to relax. I don’t think you can teach them how to be really funny, but if you teach them how to take it easy and see that something that really entertains them is in fact quite hilarious, then you’re half there.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Giacomo Casanova: Laugh at yourself</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #131313; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am writing My Life to laugh at myself, and I am succeeding,” – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Giacomo Casanova.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Making fun of your own foibles is probably good for your health as well as your writing, and shows good literary sportsmanship. Are you ever inconsistent or contradictory? Does life ever backfire or behave in a way that is darkly funny, or that makes you mad? Renown screenwriting teacher, Bob McKee, notes that comedy is fueled by anger.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Woody Allen: Develop a Comic Perspective</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #262626; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think if you have a comic perspective, almost anything that happens you tend to put through a comic filter. It’s a way of coping in the short term, but has no long term effect and requires constant, endless renewal. Hence people talk of comics who are “always on.” It’s like constantly drugging your sensibility so you can get by with less pain.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #262626; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to amuse myself by making up funny stories about things that were distinctly unfunny when they happened. One way to do this is to step out of the scene for a moment. Have you ever noticed a weird, unrelated aspect to whatever is unfolding? For example, your cat licking herself while you’re waiting for the results of a scary medical test (so uncaring and narcissistic of her!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #262626; font-family: "libre baskerville"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pay attention to something out of the scene that contrasts or contradicts it; by being objective or merely observant, you can begin to develop a comedic perspective that contrasts with your somber tale and keeps readers turning the pages.</span></div>
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<i>Thank you Pamela Jane for these wonderful tips on using humor. Also, thank you to Crystal Otto at <a href="http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/">WOW - Women On Writing </a>for providing this stop on Pamela Jane's Blog Tour. For more info and future tour stops, please click <a href="http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/">here</a>.</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author: </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 20.7px;"> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0s-_x3rjhA/VthttLSVNuI/AAAAAAAAGx4/tROG7Ax9mjI/s1600/Pamela%2BJane%2BHead%2BShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0s-_x3rjhA/VthttLSVNuI/AAAAAAAAGx4/tROG7Ax9mjI/s200/Pamela%2BJane%2BHead%2BShot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Pamela Jane has published over twenty-five children’s books with Houghton Mifflin, Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, Penguin-Putnam, and Harper. Her books include Noelle of the Nutcracker illustrated by Jan Brett, Little Goblins Ten illustrated by NY Times best-selling illustrator, Jane Manning, and Little Elfie One (Harper 2015). Pride and Prejudice and Kitties: A Cat-Lover’s Romp Through Jane Austen’s Classic (Skyhorse) was featured in The Wall Street Journal, BBC America, The Huffington Post, The New York Times Sunday Book Review and The Daily Dot, and has just come out in paper. Pamela Jane has published short stories and essays with The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Antigonish Review, Literary Mama. Pamela Jane is a writer and editor for <a href="http://womensmemoirs.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">womensmemoirs.com</span></a></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Below are three clips of her work:</span></u></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Literary Mama</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="http://www.literarymama.com/creativenonfiction/archives/2015/10/the-ambivalent-agnostic-an-adoption-story.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;">http://www.literarymama.com/<wbr></wbr>creativenonfiction/archives/<wbr></wbr>2015/10/the-ambivalent-<wbr></wbr>agnostic-an-adoption-story.<wbr></wbr>html</span></a></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Womensmemoirs:</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/5-tips-for-getting-your-memoir-published-in-2016/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff; font-style: normal;">http://womensmemoirs.com/<wbr></wbr>memoir-writing-prompts/5-tips-<wbr></wbr>for-getting-your-memoir-<wbr></wbr>published-in-2016/</span></a></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing/memoir-writers-take-note-help-i-cant-press-the-send-button/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;">http://womensmemoirs.com/<wbr></wbr>memoir-writing/memoir-writers-<wbr></wbr>take-note-help-i-cant-press-<wbr></wbr>the-send-button/</span></a></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.7px;">Find Pamela Jane Online:</span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Website: <a href="http://www.memoircoaching.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>memoircoaching.com</a></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="http://www.pamelajane.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.pamelajane.com</a> (<wbr></wbr>children’s books)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="http://www.prideandprejudiceandkitties.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>prideandprejudiceandkitties.<wbr></wbr>com</a> (humorous book)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamela.jane1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>facebook.com/pamela.jane1</a></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Twitter: @memoircoaching, @austencats</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">See below or click on the link for the Book Trailer for “An Incredible Talent for Existing”: </span></b><b><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA1znyLsaGY" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=PA1znyLsaGY</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 16.8pt;">Book Summary:</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_x9dKBFaH4/VthttcJXEPI/AAAAAAAAGx4/2qcBi_kUzzE/s1600/Pamela%2BJane%2BBook%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_x9dKBFaH4/VthttcJXEPI/AAAAAAAAGx4/2qcBi_kUzzE/s320/Pamela%2BJane%2BBook%2BCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“An Incredible Talent For Existing: A Writer’s Story”</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">summary: </span></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It is 1965, the era of love, light and revolution. While the romantic narrator imagines a bucolic future in an old country house with children running through the dappled sunlight, her husband plots to organize a revolution and fight a guerrilla war in the Catskills.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Their fantasies are on a collision course.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The clash of visions turns into an inner war of identities when the author embraces radical feminism; she and her husband are comrades in revolution but combatants in marriage; she is a woman warrior who spends her days sewing long silk dresses reminiscent of a Henry James novel. One half of her isn't speaking to the other half.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And then, just when it seems that things cannot possibly get more explosive, her wilderness cabin burns down and Pamela finds herself left with only the clothes on her back.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">From her vividly evoked existential childhood ("the only way I would know for sure that I existed was if others lots of others acknowledged it") to writing her first children's book on a sugar high during a glucose tolerance test, Pamela Jane takes the reader along on a highly entertaining personal, political, and psychological adventure.</span></div>
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<b>Check out the book trailer:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Audry Fryer, please visit:</i></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-58492623025852298572016-03-04T05:00:00.000-05:002016-03-04T05:00:25.131-05:00Find Your Hidden Talents 'Cause They Rock! Guest Post by B. Lynn GoodwinEver have a moment when you discover you have some unknown talent you never realized you had? Today's guest author B. Lynn Goodwin knows that feeling well. In today's guest post she'll discuss her coming of age novel, Talent, and give fascinating tips on how to discover your own hidden talents. Why? Well,<i> 'cause they rock!</i><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9dSgZ1ACh8/Vsc_IrT6D6I/AAAAAAAAGh4/EIfWnAiQFLE/s1600/Talent%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9dSgZ1ACh8/Vsc_IrT6D6I/AAAAAAAAGh4/EIfWnAiQFLE/s1600/Talent%2BCover.png" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x56p4KLKnSk/Vsc_doA1jcI/AAAAAAAAGh8/Ban-Bgx9BAE/s1600/BLynnGoodwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x56p4KLKnSk/Vsc_doA1jcI/AAAAAAAAGh8/Ban-Bgx9BAE/s1600/BLynnGoodwin.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Find Your Hidden Talents ’Cause They Rock</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by B. Lynn Goodwin</span></div>
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In my coming of age novel, TALENT, Sandee Mason tries out for her high school’s musical. She's been living in the shadow of her successful older brother, and she believes it’s time to find her talent, show it off, and maybe even earn applause. Instead of getting a role, though, she is assigned the task of assistant stage manager.<br />
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She’s already showing a talent for organization and trouble-shooting when her family gets some terrible news. When the principal asks her to speak at a school assembly, her talents for public speaking, for creating a meaningful power point, for staying composed in a crisis, and for reaching out to others are all in play. As it turns out, she has more talents than she ever imagined, including one that puts her on stage. She simply needed to see herself in a whole new way.<br />
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You might be as puzzled about your talents as Sandee. Life has a way of keeping us from seeing ourselves clearly, so here are a few steps to find talents you may not recognize…yet.<br />
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1. Make a list of your known talents. It’s always most comfortable to start in a familiar place. Maybe your known talents will help you discover your hidden ones.<br />
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2. Imagine you are your best friend. Step into that person’s head and describe yourself. Take 10 minutes and do it now. Try to sound like your best friend. Don’t have a best friend? Use a neighbor, a peer, a co-worker, your spouse or your pet instead. What? Your pet can’t talk? I grant him a special dispensation. Seriously, just go for it. Let your friend say what you can’t or won’t.<br />
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3. Read your list from #1 and your friend’s description from #2. Underline every potential hidden talent. Smart, hard working, enterprising, compassionate, good listener, good organizer, fun loving, great date, excellent lover, wonderful mom, and patient dad, are all talents. Remember, a talent is any natural aptitude of skill. Finding your talents is sometimes a matter of reframing your self-image.<br />
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4. What are your real passions (as opposed to your “should” activities)? If you love an activity, you practice it until you do it well. When your skills develop, your talent becomes obvious. Sandee takes pictures. She’d realize it is a talent if she weren’t hung up on hearing applause. Her friend Diego plays the drums, whether he has drums in front of him, or a kitchen table, or his lap. His hands won’t stop. He loves the rhythms. He cannot leave it alone. His passion became his talent.<br />
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5. Why do your friends like and respect about you? What about your kids? Make one list for friends, and another for your kids. Is anything in both lists? What traits, abilities, or skills do you see? How many of them do you recognize as talents?<br />
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I’d love to hear your answers, if you want to share. Contact me through my blog, <a href="http://blynngoodwin.com/">http://blynngoodwin.com</a>.<br />
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TALENT is available on Amazon at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin">http://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin</a>/.<br />
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<i>Thank you Jodi Webb with WOW - Women on Writing for providing this stop on B. Lynn Goodwin's blog tour. For more dates and extra info, click <a href="http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/">here</a>!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div>
B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com, and the author of both You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers (Tate Publishing), and TALENT (Eternal Press). Her blog is at <a href="http://blynngoodwin.com/">http://blynngoodwin.com</a>. Goodwin’s stories and articles have been published in Voices of Caregivers; Hip Mama; Small Press Review; Dramatics Magazine; The Sun; Good Housekeeping.com and many other venues. A former drama and English teacher, she now conducts writing workshops, writes book reviews, edits, coaches writers, and is currently working on a second book about Sandee Mason’s adventures and a memoir about getting married for the first time at age 62 to a two-time widower who she met on…gulp…Craigslist. She lives with her husband, Richard, and her dog, Eddie McPuppers, in Northern California.<br />
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B. Lynn Goodwin’s website: <a href="http://www.writeradvice.com/">http://www.writeradvice.com/</a> & <a href="http://blynngoodwin.com/">http://blynngoodwin.com</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/blynn.goodwin">https://www.facebook.com/blynn.goodwin</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Lgood67334">https://twitter.com/Lgood67334</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the book:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">TALENT by B. Lynn Goodwin</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9dSgZ1ACh8/Vsc_IrT6D6I/AAAAAAAAGiA/f6_fPNIs22I/s1600/Talent%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9dSgZ1ACh8/Vsc_IrT6D6I/AAAAAAAAGiA/f6_fPNIs22I/s1600/Talent%2BCover.png" /></a>Fifteen-and-half-year-old Sandee Mason wants to find her talent, get her driver's license, and stop living in the shadow of her big brother, Bri, who disappeared while serving in Afghanistan.<br />
She discovers that real life doesn’t have a script as she deals with loss, the manipulation of Bri’s best friend, her burning ambition to find her talent and figure out what happened to Bri, and unexpected bits of joy that pop up when she least expects them.<br />
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TALENT is available on Amazon at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin">http://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin</a>/<br />
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Author: B. Lynn Goodwin<br />
Genre: young adult<br />
Publisher: Eternal Press<br />
Publication Date: November 1 2015<br />
Paperback: 284 pages (also available in ebook format)<br />
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-59127587707515176162016-02-25T05:00:00.000-05:002016-02-25T08:14:17.708-05:00Should you read Broken Grace by E. C. Diskin? Find out in this review!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Last month I featured Broken Grace by E. C. Diskin in my post, <a href="http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/2016/01/snow-reads-almost-like-beach-reads-but.html">"Snow Reads: Almost like Beach Reads, but with way more clothing!"</a> It came highly recommended from my mom who usually has an eye for the type of story I'll enjoy ... and as it so happens quite often, she was right!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's it about?</span></div>
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Broken Grace begins with Grace driving away from a house in a mad rush like someone's chasing her. A deer jumps in front of her speeding car. She has a horrific accident. Yet, she survives with head trauma so severe she has no memory. Convenient plotline, yes. Intriguing way to begin a story, double yes. </div>
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I couldn't wait to figure out this book's secret. I figured Grace better remember something quick for her own safety. Was I ever spot on with that one!?!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sound the alarm: a few spoiler alerts ahead! </span></div>
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<i>If you want to read this book and don't want any secrets revealed, simply scroll down with your hand partially covering your eyes to my final thoughts on this read. </i></div>
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So there's Grace in the hospital after the accident. She can't remember a single thing about herself. Her sister comes to pick her up and take her to their childhood home where they both apparently live. Grace doesn't seem to like her sister despite the fact she's acting all caring and thoughtful. At the farmhouse, Grace wonders where her parents are, but yikes they died. And worse yet, the police show up and they inform Grace her boyfriend is dead, too. Get this, he was shot the same day as her accident. </div>
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Throughout most of the story, Grace is out of it. We assume it's from the medications her sister is really adamant about her taking - like really, really adamant. Fortunately, we follow the police officers covering the case. One is a veteran and one is a hunky rookie with seemingly a thing for Grace. He keeps getting all hot and bothered about her like he has some secret he isn't telling the veteran cop. Cough, he does. </div>
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As I neared the end, I became consumed with figuring out what happened and who did it. There's the weird sister, her recently shot boyfriend's secret life of gambling, Grace's nasty boss from the restaurant where she had worked and a clueless best friend. As it turns out, everyone has a complicated past. Not to mention, Grace's childhood was super messed up. Eventually, the sister goes psycho - who didn't see that coming? Grace starts remembering little by little and doesn't recall all of it until the end when you say, "No way!" </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Final Thoughts: I liked it. I liked it alot.</span></div>
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If you like to get totally immersed in a page-turner with a psychological edge, this one's for you. The writing seems to lift off the page and creates a movie in your mind. The characters and the setting are vividly described. Now, that said, the ending does leave your head spinning as if you've hit it on something hard. There's so many plot twists and secrets, I almost needed a flow chart. It did, however, make for a gripping read. I'll tell you, that last reveal at the very end, you'll kick yourself for not seeing it coming.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s320/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" width="201" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If you like this read, might I recommend ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">Secrets, Lies and Apple Pies</a></span> has all the same feels as Broken Grace (think sisters, car accident, plot twists) but with extra added humor.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oh0JaWCgEI/VrIyWQP6JZI/AAAAAAAAGUg/SBKly7xwPmg/s1600/zzCoverGBGG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oh0JaWCgEI/VrIyWQP6JZI/AAAAAAAAGUg/SBKly7xwPmg/s320/zzCoverGBGG.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="201" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">And if you don't like this read, might I recommend ...</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</a> is nothing like Broken Grace. This is for all you readers who hate to be scared, but love to LOL.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Check them out and more at www.audryfryer.com <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHnmE-RHk-U/UzMfoibcJmI/AAAAAAAACWM/z12XcUvddc0/s1600/S%252CL%2B%2526%2BAP%2BCover%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-17760701113589833662016-02-18T05:00:00.000-05:002016-02-18T05:00:21.429-05:00Becoming a Famous Author, Guest Post by Cara Sue Achterberg<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to an author who's not too famous ... well, not yet, anyway. If had to guess, today's guest poster, Cara Sue Achterberg, author of two intriguing reads, I'm Not Her and Girls Weekend may soon get her wish to become famous.<br />
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I'm so excited to host Cara Sue Achterberg here on All Things Audry! Not only is she a fellow writer-mom of PA, I am also truly inspired by Cara's writing career this far. Her first book, I'm Not Her, reached a ranking of #2 on Barnes and Noble's Nook Bestseller List, was chosen as a best new fiction pick by ibooks in addition to making the top 100 ibooks bestseller list for fiction and literature and was named to Kobo's Page Turners list! See, like I said, maybe not so famous now, but ...<br />
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Enjoy her guest post and then, swing by Cara's website <a href="http://www.carawrites.com/">www.carawrites.com</a> to learn more!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Becoming a Famous Author</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Cara Sue Achterberg</b></span></div>
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<br />When I first set out to write a book, I naively thought that all I had to do was write a really long story. I figured the sheer fact that I’d been able to string together 100,000+ words was such a feat that it would only be a matter of time and I would become famous. I tidied it up and send it out to an agent, waiting for her to call me up and say, “Oh my gosh, what a phenomenal talent – this will be the next best seller!” But that didn’t happen. In fact, that didn’t happen nearly 100 times.<br /><br />That first story was cliché and verbose and trying much too hard. After I slunk back to my computer with my tail between my legs, I began looking for help. Help came in the form of books, websites, bloggers, writing classes, workshops, and conferences. I kept plugging away. Writing every day. I stopped thinking about becoming a famous author and began to focus on telling a good story. And then it finally happened! (the author part, maybe not the famous part.) My novel, I’m Not Her, was published this past August by The Story Plant.<br /><br />I’m Not Her is told in first person by the two main characters- Carin and Leann. They are vastly different. Carin is a gorgeous, entitled young adult who has cruised through life on her looks and her parents’ money. Leann is a morbidly obese check-out clerk who had a baby at 16 and wound up living on the edge of desperation. They end up living each other’s lives, learning what it is truly like to walk in another person’s shoes- someone they had up until that moment judged rather cruelly.<br /><br />The original manuscript told only Carin’s point of view. When I was writing it, I could clearly hear Carin’s horrified voice as she discovered she was marooned in a 350 pound body. I worked on the story faithfully for months. I couldn’t wait to sit down each afternoon and see what would happen. When it was finished, I reworked it for even longer until I thought it was pretty decent. What it needed at that point was a structural edit, but I didn’t have that kind of money, so I entered it in a few contests that offered feedback. One judge liked the character, loved the story idea, even liked my writing, but she said that without Leann’s side of the story it didn’t work.<br /><br />So I sat back down and wrote the story again from Leann’s viewpoint. What was it like to go from a 350 pound outcast to a body as beautiful as the soap opera stars she binged watched?<br /><br />And then I weaved the two stories together, giving them each a chance to chime in. I knew the book would only work if I could nail those voices. They were polar opposite women so they would have drastically different voices and experiences. I’m not sure Leann and Carin’s voices would have been so drastically different if I hadn’t had the time and space between their telling. That’s not to say that every writer utilizing the idea of alternate voices has to wait a year between the writing, but she might want to leave a little room.<br /><br />A few other tools I used were to always write Leann in one font and Carin in another. For some reason that helped me find their individual voices. Carin’s came in a neat Garamond font and Leann was in a childlike scrawl. I also read each passage out loud, listening for voice. The biggest problem I encountered was cutting the manuscript down to a manageable size. I had to figure out which scenes were most important for each of the women.<br /><br />But that’s something every writer has to do. Cut the fat. Kill your darlings, as Stephen King says in his book On Writing was a great resource for figuring out how to trim the size of my story.<br /><br />After the book was published, it touched my soul when I heard from an inner city public school teacher who said she knew Leann and her little boy. She said she’d never considered what her students went through on a daily basis. A vlogger who has always struggled with her weight reviewed my book and talked about how painful it was for her to read, but how important it was that we talk about it. I heard from plenty of readers who told me that the characters made them think about how they judged others unfairly on a daily basis. I was humbled time and again by readers who found wisdom I certainly don’t possess in the story.<br /><br />I guess what this meandering post is trying to say is – be faithful to your story and give it the time it deserves so that its truth can speak. Don’t worry about becoming a famous author. Tell your story – because it’s not about you, it’s about the story.<br />
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<i>Thank you, Cara, for your honest and inspiring guest post! I absolutely love its message!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About Cara Sue Achterberg:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cara Sue Achterberg is a writer and blogger who lives in New Freedom, PA with her family and an embarrassing number of animals. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Her-Cara-Sue-Achterberg/dp/161188215X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436272359&sr=8-2&keywords=I%27m+Not+her">I’m Not Her</a> is her first novel. Her second, Girls Weekend, will be released May 2016 by The Story Plant. Cara’s nonfiction book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Live-Intentionally-Challenges-Healthier-Happier/dp/1503089029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429903909&sr=8-1&keywords=live+intentionally">Live Intentionally</a> is a guide to the organic life filled with ideas, recipes, and inspiration for living a more intentional life. Cara is a prolific blogger, occasional cowgirl, and busy mom whose essays and articles have been published in numerous anthologies, magazines, and websites. You can find links to her blogs, news about upcoming publications, and plenty of pictures of her foster dogs at <a href="http://www.carawrites.com/">CaraWrites.com.</a></span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
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<a href="http://www.carawrites.com/im-not-her.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m Not Her</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m Not Her is a work of womens fiction with crossover into YA and New Adult and even a little mystical realism. When a Valentine's Display topples on Carin's pretty head and lands her in Leann's difficult life, both women must face lives they never imagined. Carin, a gorgeous, self-absorbed, entitled young adult, unintentionally swaps lives with Leann, an uneducated, perennially poor, morbidly obese check-out clerk. When Carin’s boyfriend and mother don’t recognize her in her Shop n Save apron and no-name sneakers, she has no choice but to assume Leann’s sad life. Meanwhile, Leann wakes up in a body and life much like the soap opera stars she loves. More than a case of trading places, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm Not Her</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> explores the question of whether appearances or circumstances make us who we are. It's a surprising tale about the way the world sees us and the courses we are on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dani, Meg, and Charlotte have bonded over babies, barbeques, and backyards, but when they escape for a girls weekend away, they can’t bring themselves to return to lives that don’t seem to fit anymore. We all think we will be different. We won’t be facing down forty and still wonder when life starts. Girls Weekend is a fun, yet poignant romp through the universal search of who we are, why we love, and what makes us happy. Look for Girls Weekend this May! </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Weekend-Cara-Sue-Achterberg/dp/1611882281/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453907788&sr=1-4&keywords=cara+sue+achterberg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(or preorder it now!)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-45283509131152819572016-02-12T05:00:00.000-05:002016-02-16T10:15:38.588-05:005 Reads to Share with a Friend!Got a gal pal? Or just love reading about feisty friendships? Check out these five reads!<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kThPXpkgL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kThPXpkgL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">The Friends We Keep </span>by <span style="font-size: large;">Susan Mallery</span><br />
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Three friends spend a little "me" time at a seaside town. One friend is a frazzled stay-at-home mom, the second friend is on fertility treatments and the third friend is recently divorced.<br />
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Author Susan Mallery has a reputation for writing with compassion and humor. She seems like she knows how to spin an entertaining read, especially since she's topped a few bestseller lists with her other books. Ahem, NY Times.<br />
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This read promises juicy conversations, wine and all the feels of a beachy escape. A winter getaway for your mind! Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friends-We-Keep-Mischief-Bay-ebook/dp/B0166ASGOE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455032895&sr=1-4&keywords=Fiction+friend">here</a> on Amazon.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IVJXJvD4L._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IVJXJvD4L._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Firefly Lane </span>by <span style="font-size: large;">Kristin Hannah</span><br />
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Two complete opposite women become friends. One friend is socially awkward while the other seemingly has it all. What could wrong? Right?<br />
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This is a story that spans three decades as both women have a long history of knowing each other. There's secret pains in which they lean on each other and a little something which throws their newfound friendship into turmoil.<br />
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Sounds like an entertaining read! Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Firefly-Lane-Kristin-Hannah-ebook/dp/B000V77082/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455122930&sr=1-1&keywords=firefly+lane+by+kristin+hannah">here</a> on Amazon.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S0FT4R40L._SX314_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S0FT4R40L._SX314_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons</span><br />
by <span style="font-size: large;">Lorna Landvik</span><br />
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From the title and the decsription, it's apparent this is the type of story where you'll laugh, you'll cry and you won't soon forget!<br />
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Five friends create their own club. You guessed it - Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. I'm guessing they do more than eat bon bons as the story spans over four decades and includes five fascinating characters. Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Housewives-Eating-Ballantine-Readers-Circle-ebook/dp/B000FC1CRI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455123556&sr=1-1&keywords=angry+housewives+eating+bon+bons">here</a> on Amazon.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IE9j88NUL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IE9j88NUL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Friendship </span>by <span style="font-size: large;">Emily Gould</span><br />
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Nothing says "friendship" than a book named, well, Friendship!<br />
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Two life long friends face the possibility of growing apart as their lives have them literally and figuratively moving away from each other. A portrait of friendship, this story examines the highs and the lows of such a bond.<br />
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I'm guessing you might need a box of tissues for this one - maybe, I don't know for a fact, but just maybe. Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Novel-Emily-Gould-ebook/dp/B00HFU5RVK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455124644&sr=1-1&keywords=friendship">here</a> on Amazon. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass </span>by <span style="font-size: large;">Audry Fryer</span><br />
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Oh, uh, how did this get here? (wink, wink) Well, since it's here, I might as well describe it.<br />
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Two best friends since high school grow to lead opposite lives. Think, one has the family while the other has the career. It isn't long before each friend resents what each other has and takes for granted.<br />
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Filled with feel-good scenes - trust me - you won't want it to end. Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Barefoot-Greener-Grass-Audry-ebook/dp/B004O6MR2A/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455125659&sr=1-1&keywords=going+barefoot+in+greener+grass">here</a> and <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">here</a>! Oh, and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/going-barefoot-in-greener-grass-audry-fryer/1107351346?ean=2940013595170#reviews-header">here</a>.<br />
<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-3718787210690651302016-02-10T17:07:00.000-05:002016-02-10T17:07:02.836-05:00Dear Lucky Agent Contest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talk about last minute and maybe a little luck. This contest actually ended yesterday. I found out about today and was bummed. Then I learned they extended the deadline to midnight tonight. So, here I am entering my next novel, How Lucy Got Lucky! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wish me luck!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check out these PRIZES!</span><span style="font-size: 14px;">
Top 3 winners all get a critique of the first 10 double-spaced pages by the agent judge, a free one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com ($50 value) and 3 writing/promoting tips books ... and maybe if you're really, super lucky the agent judging the contest will sign you! Boom! That's the sound of my head exploding.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fingers Crossed, People. Fingers Crossed.</span></span><br />
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Winners will be notified in three weeks. Like I said, fingers crossed.<br />
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-16242147769219626772016-02-05T05:00:00.000-05:002016-02-05T11:45:57.267-05:00 "You are enough." If I say it enough times I might believe it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">First, the big news: </span>The re-release of the professionally edited version of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass will go on sale March 21st! In honor of it's re-release, here's the first in series of "Going Barefoot" blog posts.<span style="color: #bf9000;"> *</span>Plus go to <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a> & sign up for my next newsletter which will include a free first chapter and when you'll be able to download Going Barefoot in Greener Grass for free!*<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></div>
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As I prep for the grand re-release of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass I'm reminded of one of its themes. Yes one of them definitely is envy, but there's another equally important theme: not being enough. Oh how I myself have felt like I'm not enough, not doing enough, not creating enough! On and on it goes. <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Just in the case of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass</span></span>, I decided to hire an editor so I would stop rereading it and making changes. (More on my fabulous editor in an upcoming post.) Not to mention, I still need to build my email list, create a platform and get out there and hustle. But hold everything, because while I'm at it, I need to figure out what's for dinner, fold the laundry and help my son who just told me his project is due - sigh - tomorrow. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Being enough is tough</span></div>
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As most women would agree, it's not enough to just to be in a relatively happy marriage or to raise well-adjusted, healthy children. We also need to be providers, have a career, be awesome on the inside and beautiful on the outside. It's insanely impossible like a ridiculous hamster wheel of falling short. In Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, Olivia has the big wedding, the family and the home. She doesn't have a career, enough money to pay the bills or an ideal weight. On the opposite side, Bethany has the career, money to live comfortably and is physically attractive. Yet, she feels the sting of being single each night. Put these two characters together and they make the perfect woman. That's the insane part. It takes two of them to do and to be it all.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I can relate. Can you?</span><br />
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For those of you who don't know my story, I left my teaching career to focus on raising my newborn twins and toddler son. Nine years later, my first priority is being a stay-at-home mom followed by growing my writing career. Full disclosure, while writing this blog and my novels have been infinitely rewarding, they are not nearly enough in the financial arena. I'm always wishing I had more time and more resources toward getting my novels to the top of a bestseller list all the while making sure I don't sacrifice being here and present for my family.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">That's what she said ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." </span>This original quote comes from the wise sage of a woman, Maya Angelou. Without giving away the ending of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, Olivia and Bethany discover this sentiment. Throughout the novel, they fight to become bigger and better only to nearly lose everything precious to them. The only peace these two characters (and any of us for that matter) find are in believing they are enough. And, I'll admit, it's a daily practice. </div>
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This Elizabeth Gilbert quote seems to make the most sense when I'm in need of a boost. "Embrace the glorious mess that you are." Perfectionism is overrated. All that matters is we strive for excellence within ourselves. And the only way to grow is by allowing ourselves to make mistakes, fall short, learn from it, get up, brush ourselves off and try again and again. (Now that I wrote that, I better darn well follow my own advice! That's the hard part!)</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">What about you? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;">Do you ever feel "not enough"? How do you deal with it? What practices do you do to feel enough?</span></div>
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I'd love to hear from you. Comment here or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor">Facebook Page</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/AudryFryer">Tweet it @AudryFryer</a>! </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Embrace the "Free": Free First Chapter! Free Giveaway!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sign up at <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a>! My next newsletter includes the newly revised entire first chapter of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass and insider info of when I'll be giving away Going Barefoot in Greener Grass for free! Go, go, go to <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">>>> Going Barefoot in Greener Grass </span><span style="font-size: large;">is your next feel-good read! But don't take my word for it. Click the "More About Going Barefoot in Greener Grass" tab above this post to hear what other readers had to say! <<< </span></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-83838096433920903922016-01-28T10:28:00.000-05:002016-02-04T12:58:30.667-05:00Flaking Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello from my backyard tundra. Behind me, my twins brave the storm despite my pleas to get back inside. Read on to learn about my hot chocolate discovery, my random deep thought and to see my snowman crafting skills at their finest. </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Some called it a blizzard. Some called it Jonas. I called it cold.</span></div>
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Nothing like a good old fashioned blizzard to put things into perspective. For example, while milk, bread and eggs make great french toast, you can only eat it so many times before you wished you'd instead bought ingredients for chile on that final mad rush to the store. In retrospect, I regret sending my husband on that last ditch shopping trip. He brought home the world's largest box of frozen mozzarella sticks. Pass the marinara sauce.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Flaking on the outside. Baking on the inside. </span></div>
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There are several things I did manage to accomplish during our blast of 27 inches of snow. None of them involved writing, editing or - sigh - reading (I read two pages of my latest book before promptly falling into hibernation). All of them involved wishing I could go back in time and buy a snowblower, complaining I was tired from shoveling, wondering how melted snow clumps found their way into every room of the house, baking banana bread which I ate in great quantities to offset any weight loss from the constant shoveling and discovering how hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's makes everything better. </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">When life gives you snowflakes by the ba-zillions ...</span></div>
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... make a snowman. I had a deep thought while trudging through the deep snow to help my daughter build a snowman. This onslaught of snow was actually made up of individual flakes. It reminded me of the story I was working on prior to the storm. Each word was like a snowflake. When consistently piled one after another, it becomes a blizzard of words, a complete novel. Thinking further, I figured the editing process was then like building this snowman. Then, my stomach grumbled for more banana bread, my daughter complained her fingers had turned into little popsicles and my fleeting thought melted in the forty degree sun. </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A snowman named Jonas </span></div>
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The resemblance is uncanny. Don't you think?</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How's the weather where you are?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Comments make me feel warm and toasty!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Saying "Hi" on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor">my Facebook Page</a> is like a mug of hot chocolate!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AudryFryer">Tweet</a> this post like warm banana bread!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a> may cure Cabin Fever!</span></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-3916982391827904582016-01-20T05:00:00.000-05:002016-01-20T05:00:13.987-05:00Finding Joy While Writing an Inherently Evil Protagonist, Guest Post by Jennifer-Lynn KenistonWelcome Jennifer-Lynn Keniston author of Afta-U with a guest post on the emotional rollercoaster the writer rides when writing an evil protagonist. Surprisingly, there's many rewards for taking on such a challenge, both for the writer and the reader alike.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Finding Joy While Writing an Inherently Evil Protagonist</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Jennifer-Lynn Keniston</span></div>
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I’m here to tell you that as an author, there is joy found in writing an inherently evil protagonist. I will even go as far as to proclaim that, perhaps, there is more joy gained from writing an evil major protagonist than in writing the leading sympathetic protagonist everyone will cheer for. I know, I am just as shocked! I will tell you that the first taste of joy comes from the success in doing something you feared you might not, or could not do, such as struggling to connect with the coldness and chipped pieces inside an evil character. After all, it is someone you create and who is formed from within yourself, from outside experiences with people and your imagination, that is often fueled from media outlets, books, and, yes, from living life itself. Emotional triggers ignite and you work to put flesh on this character, and then eventually once you finish the book, you obtain a pure sense of joy: “a feeling of great happiness.” Throughout the process, you are aware that a reader doesn’t want to have the leading character(s) smoothly make his or her way through a story without conflict. You are, after all, a reader yourself. I was stunned to discover that with the completion of Afta-U, my favorite characters are my two inherently evil supporting protagonists: Damian and Michael.<br />
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Let’s jump back to those emotional triggers. Personally, I embody the cliché of emotional triggered eating. Looking back on the day I initially went to write my first inherently evil protagonist in Afta-U, I was conflicted and commiserated with a tub of rocky road ice cream. I confess, it is a fleshly sin of mine.<br />
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Speaking of flesh: for this blog, I looked up the definition of flesh. “It is the soft substance consisting of muscle and fat… found between the skin and bones...” and then I looked up the Biblical definition: defining “flesh” as “sinful nature.”<br />
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When writing, the bones for the character are assembled first. Then, as already acknowledged, you need to put the flesh on this character. My approach you ask? Well, I feed it Rocky Road ice cream. I embrace the freezing coldness, the slippery feel, the chipped dark pieces that crumble, and the fluff that helps to build a 3-D profile. And I think of all the other fleshly sins out there in the world, while I take a spoonful at a time enjoying the guilty pleasure I’m finding along the path of my figurative rocky road that I’m surprisingly enjoying my walk along. The joy only ends when the bowl, tub, or final spoonful is empty and the final page is written.<br />
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But perhaps my greatest joy since finishing the novel, came from being told by a reader, that the day after finishing the novel, she is still very angry at Michael as if he were a real person. Now it is time to jump on that treadmill before opening that freezer door again.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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<i>Thank you Renee Roberson, </i><i>Blog Tour Manager, at <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/">WOW -Women on Writing</a> for providing this stop of Jennifer-Lynn Keniston's tour. For more dates and stops along this blog tour, click<a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/"> here!</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About Jennifer-Lynn Keniston :</b></span><br />
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Raised in Hanson, Massachusetts, the author earned a Master of Arts degree in English, from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a concentration in writing and a minor in philosophy, from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. Jennifer-Lynn currently works as a project manager for a company that provides cloud software products for call centers at small, medium, and enterprise companies. In April 2014, she started her own business, Ansel Resume Resolution Services LLC, writing resumes and cover letters. She now lives and writes in Concord, New Hampshire, and enjoys teaching Spinning classes in her free time.<br />
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Website: <a href="http://www.jenniferkeniston.com/">http://www.jenniferkeniston.com/</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorjenniferkeniston/">https://www.facebook.com/authorjenniferkeniston/</a><br />
Twitter: @jenkeniston<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About: Afta-U</b></span><br />
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Sometimes decisions made in an instant can echo throughout a lifetime.<br />
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In the pages of her new novel, Afta-U, Author Jennifer-Lynn Keniston, takes us into the heart of Jean Cartwright Rhodes, a woman who is struggling to come to grips with the heartbreaking and senseless death of her childhood best friend, Hope. Twenty-nine years after the fact, Jean fights for her very sanity as she confronts the dark web of relationships and intrigue that appear to have been set in motion by a split-second decision she made in the aftermath of the tragedy.<br />
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Afta-U is an adult mystery/suspense novel for ages 17 and older. The book is complex and sometimes dark, and filled with Christian messages.<br />
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Purchase Link:</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Afta-U-Jennifer-Lynn-Keniston/dp/1680284274/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Afta-U-<wbr></wbr>Jennifer-Lynn-Keniston/dp/<wbr></wbr>1680284274/</a></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-11063981306482036242016-01-15T12:01:00.000-05:002016-01-15T12:01:01.332-05:00Snow Reads: Almost like Beach Reads, but with way more clothing!<br />
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Since it's at least five to six months before I do a Beach Read list, I put together a Snow Read accumulation (see what I did there?) of books for a cold winter's eve. Grab a blanket and a steaming beverage. Here's five selections to cuddle up with:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Broken Grace by E C Diskin</span></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WRifoQhiL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WRifoQhiL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="133" /></a>This one comes highly recommended from my mom who usually has an eye for what will keep my attention. As much as I hate to admit it, I have a habit of starting a book only to lose interest because I disagree with the plot or choice of characters and leave it unfinished. After reading the first couple of pages, I'm thinking I'll stick with this one.<br />
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Broken Grace begins with Grace driving away from a house in a mad rush like someone's chasing her. A deer jumps in front of her speeding car. She has a horrific accident. Yet, she survives. Only she awakens with head trauma so severe she has no memory. Convenient plotline, yes. Intriguing way to begin a story, double yes. I can't wait to figure out this book's secret. I'm figuring Grace better remember something quick for her own safety.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey</span></div>
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Alaska, 1920: A couple living at remote homestead decide to fend off their loneliness by building a snow child. (No, they don't name it Olaf. Don't be silly!) Here's the magical or creepy part depending on your point of view - the snow child isn't there the next morning, but a real blonde-haired girl is running amongst the trees.<br />
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Of course, the couple adopts the little girl who seems to have no one caring for her other than a red fox. I'm sure everyone doesn't live happily ever after which makes for a real page turner.<br />
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Does anyone else have a strong urge to bake gingerbread man cookies?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah</span></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lXz99NoaL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lXz99NoaL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="133" /></a>Two sisters as opposite as they can get return home to care for their ailing mother. They think they're in for a not-so-fun, awkward family time. What they get is their mother telling them a Russian fairy tale.<br />
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Just when the sisters think their visit can't get any worse, the fairy tale turns out to be the volatile history of their mother's life growing up in war-torn Leningrad. Plus, there's a secret. Something dark and life altering. (Then, the mother tucks them into bed and whispers sweet dreams.)<br />
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Also, noteworthy to read is Kristin Hannah's Nightingale.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley</span></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BXOOsm4cL._SX321_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BXOOsm4cL._SX321_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="129" /></a>A writer sets up camp at a castle in Scotland in order to write a historical novel she plans to make a bestseller. The story has ties to the writer's own background. I bet she paid for a subscription to Ancestry.com. Turns out the writer starts having some unexplained past life memories. And those memories aren't all rainbows and leprechauns (especially since she's in Scotland not Ireland).<br />
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This book promises suspense, historical storytelling, romance and a dose of the supernatural.<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson</span></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FZHwSxOyL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FZHwSxOyL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="132" /></a>Set in the Pacific Northwest on a remote island in Puget Sound, this story has all the facets to be a "thinker".<br />
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A Japanese-American man who spent time in an internment camp during WW II now finds himself on trial for murder. Did he do it or is he a victim of prejudice? An investigative reporter for a local newspaper seeks to uncover the truth but finds himself falling in love with the accused man's wife. Oops!<br />
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Brew up another mug of hot chocolate. This one just got interesting.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How about you? Have you read any of these Snow Reads? Or, do you have one to add to the list? Warm up this post with a comment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking for more fascinating, page-turner reads?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here you go: <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a></span><br />
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-61023785138526836702016-01-08T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-08T07:00:20.002-05:00We'll Make It I Swear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You bump into someone you haven't seen in a while and they inevitably ask, "What's new?" Then, if you're like me, you shrug and mumble, "Same old. Same old. I guess." Ugh.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Gotta be somethin' new. Right?!?</span></div>
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It's a new year. My inbox is buzzing with newsletters and webinars pleading me to have my best year ever. Yes they promised me last year would be my best year, but it was apparently all a lie. This is supposed to be my best year ever. And it's already several days old. I'm losing time. Next year will be here before I know it and what will I say I accomplished? </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Best Year Ever (or is it?)</span></div>
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Oh the dilemma of where to start. Healthier body? Meditate daily for spiritual clarity? Get those finances on track? Make those dreams a reality? Yes, yes, yes just as soon as I eat every last bit of sugary, fattening food leftover from the holidays, meditate on how I spent so much money in a single month and remember what my best life dreams were in the first place.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Small Steps. Big Goals. (I already need a nap.)</span></div>
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So, what's new? Here's three to start:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. This post is new. </span>Woot! High Five! First post of 2016. Totally nailed it. My resolution is post weekly and keep it fresh. Or, uh, at least interesting. There's going to be Guest Posts - got one coming up on the 20th (Didn't see that coming. Did ya?), a new feature about Writer-Moms and how they do it (because, frankly, I need to know), book recommendations, a couple book reviews and much, much more. (Oh, the suspense!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Something old will be new again.</span> No, I'm not talking about the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls reuniting for a 2016 tour. My very first novel, <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, </span>got some TLC from a professional editor and - bam - it's all gussied up and ready to find a world of new readers. Stay tuned for more details!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. If there was Tinder for finding a literary agent, I'd be on it. </span>Also, on the 2016 To Do list for my best year ever is searching for an agent for my next new novel, How Lucy Got Lucky. A few more edits and a fancy query letter sits between me and finding that one special person. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bonus - </span>As if all this wasn't enough, I'm trying a new method for writing my next novel and it's super low tech: a pencil and a notebook. Good news. So far, I have a few scribbled pages of what's sure to be an intriguing, entertaining novel. One hint - someone say "beach read"?</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">So what's new with you?</span></div>
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Why not do something new like leave a comment on a blog? Hey, I know. What about right now, right here?</div>
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Or, make a new friend? Ooo, me! Me! Yes. Let's be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor">Facebook</a> pals! Or <a href="https://twitter.com/AudryFryer">Twitter</a> buds!</div>
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And, what about checking out a website that's new to you. Here's one<span style="font-size: large;">: <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a></span></div>
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Best year ever! (Well, until, next year anyway.)</div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-81686929534320406652015-12-18T12:06:00.000-05:002015-12-18T12:06:19.236-05:00Merry, Happy, Joyful ... All that!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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"It seemed so simple ... and then it wasn't." Can you relate? Especially around this time of year?</div>
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Like the cookies I attempted last weekend. It seemed so easy, just four ingredients. Mix it up. Roll it out. Punch a few cookie cutters into it. Sugar it and shove it in the oven. Again. It seemed so effortless. Four hours later, I'm sweating like Rocky like at the end of well, every Rocky film. Except I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy based on the flour all over me. My kids, who were so enthusiastic to help, promptly abandoned me hours ago on the first tray. From there forward, it was me and my fancy gold-rimmed glass of Stella. Again, the recipe seemed so damn simple. I'm sure there's a metaphor for life here, but who has time for that?</div>
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Anyway, yes, this is my one and only blog post for December. And I'm damn proud I made time for it. Well, it's hang out here on the blog or get back to wrapping. True confession, I hate wrapping. I mean hate, loathe, despise, treat it as my evil nemesis. It's like when my kids bring home an origami book from school and ask me to make the things for them. Why is it so difficult to fold paper? </div>
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So, here's my holiday card to you. You guessed it - another example of "it seemed so simple ... and then it wasn't." Since it seemed so simple to assemble everyone dressed nicely down by the pond across the street, choose the best photo to upload and figure out a card design, it only took me ten days to create it. Please enjoy the fact that every single one of us is facing the camera and that not one person is making a silly face (ahem, not even the little boy on the left). </div>
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I'll be back in January with lots of book recommendations, a few reviews and several new posts about the life of a Writer-Mom. Until then ...<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Have a Merry, Happy, Joyful Holiday Season!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Love,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>:) Audry</i></span></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-86240134521753117352015-11-27T05:00:00.000-05:002015-11-27T05:00:05.731-05:005 Reads to Get You in the Holiday Mood<br />
Grab a mug of hot chocolate. Get cozy under a soft blanket. And escape all that holiday stress with these 5 picks to get you in a festive mood.<br />
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1. Looking for some unexpected romance mixed with humor and a little adventure? Bestselling author, Debbie Macomber weaves a tale of two strangers forced to share a rental car after all the pre-Christmas flights become booked. I'm taking a guess and venturing these two fall in love. Or at least, hit up a sprig of mistletoe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dashing-Through-Snow-Christmas-Novel-ebook/dp/B00S3RD3EW/ref=zg_bs_6361437011_4">Find it here on Amazon.</a></td></tr>
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2. Looking for a getaway this holiday season but can't afford one? Here's the next best thing. Take a literary vacation on Nantucket Island. Your accommodations include a cozy inn with owners who know a thing or two about family drama. And author Elin Hilderbrand knows a thing or two about creating memorable characters!</div>
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3. Think you have baking troubles? Not like these two friends. Toss those burnt cookies in the trash and prop your feet up with this tasty read. Plus, it's low in calories for your wallet, as in 99 cents.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bellas-Christmas-Bake-Off-fabulously-ebook/dp/B015FNZFBK/ref=zg_bs_6361437011_9">Find it here on Amazon.</a></td></tr>
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4. Traveling this holiday season? Probably not like these ladies! When 85 year old Joy and her younger neighbor Miranda set out on Route 66 in a decked out camper, there's bound to be some interesting plot twists.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Ride-Melody-Carlson-ebook/dp/B00XNPCHUA/ref=zg_bs_6361437011_67">Find it here on Amazon.</a></td></tr>
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5. Finally, if you're short on time this holiday season, a collection of short stories may fit your schedule nicely. Christmas, Actually has six short stories with one same theme, the holiday season with all its joys and dramas. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Actually-A-Holiday-Collection-ebook/dp/B011I0DA5W/ref=zg_bs_6361437011_25">Find it here on Amazon</a></td></tr>
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Happy reading this holiday season! Have you read any of these choices? Leave a comment. I'd love to know!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more great reads, check out <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/">www.audryfryer.com</a></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-60916316258754694492015-11-16T05:00:00.000-05:002015-11-16T05:00:01.598-05:00Self Doubt is a Double Edged Sword, Guest Post by Destiny Allison<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're woman living on this planet, you need to read this post! </span></div>
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And, men, you can certainly benefit from the truths told here by today's guest writer, <span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Destiny Allison, author of the soon to be released book The Romance Diet: Body Image and the Wars We Wage on Ourselves.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45cGu_r98t0/Vjt9YNBzwzI/AAAAAAAAFgU/srk5sMgoBMQ/s1600/Destiny%2BSepia%2BTone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45cGu_r98t0/Vjt9YNBzwzI/AAAAAAAAFgU/srk5sMgoBMQ/s320/Destiny%2BSepia%2BTone.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnf7lAdQT1M/Vjt9ZcrAvMI/AAAAAAAAFgc/YovYbHdQPnE/s1600/The%2BRomance%2BDiet%2Bcover%2Bdraft%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnf7lAdQT1M/Vjt9ZcrAvMI/AAAAAAAAFgc/YovYbHdQPnE/s320/The%2BRomance%2BDiet%2Bcover%2Bdraft%25281%2529.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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I'm so excited to launch Destiny Allison's pre-release tour! For more stops along the tour, click <a href="http://shapingdestinythebook.com/2015/11/12/pre-release-blog-tour-for-the-romance-diet/" target="_blank">here</a> for a complete list.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Self Doubt is a Double Edged Sword</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Destiny Allison</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One morning, a couple of years ago, I came out of the bedroom wearing an old terrycloth bathrobe. Hair snaked Medusa-like across my head. My husband rose from the couch, pulled me into his arms, and whispered, “God, you’re beautiful.”</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0395d6f4-d851-dcf8-508e-62cb020b6357" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ha!” I replied. “You’re lucky I didn’t turn you to stone.” He kissed me gently and released me, turning back to his television show.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later, as we headed out the door, he stopped me again. “You look wonderful.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, I don’t. I’m having a bad hair day. Maybe it’s the new shampoo, but I just can’t make it work right.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shrugged, opened the door, and followed me out without another word. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night we got into a terrible fight, another in a long string that threatened the demise of our marriage. I don’t remember how the fight started – I think I was upset he was flirting with someone -- but I clearly remember how it ended. He screamed, “You call me a liar all the time. You obviously don’t trust me. Why are you even married to me?” </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gasped in shock. “What do you mean?”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Destiny, I told you, you are beautiful. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are who I want. I don’t care what you’re wearing, how messy your hair is, whether or not you’ve brushed your teeth. The beauty I see is in your eyes, the way you move in the world. It’s who you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">are</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but you obviously don’t believe me. That means you think I’m lying. And if you believe I’m lying about this, you probably believe I’m lying about lots of other stuff. How do I combat that? How do I make you trust me?”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, truth resonates like a church bell. I fell silent, listening to the reverberation. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like most women, I look in the mirror a lot. I compare myself to others and know my looks could never stop a crowd. Thin, brown hair hangs limp on my shoulders. Wrinkles worry lips and eyes. No matter what I do, or how slim I get, my pregnancy-scarred belly sags and wiggles like jelly on a Popsicle stick. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband was right. I did believe his compliments were lies.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self-doubt and self-criticism are vicious swords. They rip and tear with each invisible thrust. Double-edged and swung wide, they are relationship death. And yet, every day women succumb to them. In spite of our savvy awareness and the progress we’ve made toward equality, we just can’t seem to shake the conviction that we’re flawed.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my upcoming book, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Romance Diet: Body Image and the Wars We Wage on Ourselves</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I talk about how women suffer a thousand tiny cuts each day. Media influence, our mothers, even our best friends confirm our belief that we’re not good enough. That doubt is destructive to us </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the people we love. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learning to say thank you when paid a compliment wasn’t easy, but I had to do it because anything less invalidated someone I loved. Vowing to never again compare myself to other women helped me find something beautiful in every woman I met. If the mirror hasn’t exactly become a friend, it is no longer an enemy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Equality and confidence are rooted in self-love, but as long as external voices control the conversations in our heads we’ll be relegated to the back of the proverbial bus. If we are to build healthy, loving relationships we must start complimenting ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>About the Author:</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45cGu_r98t0/Vjt9YNBzwzI/AAAAAAAAFgY/g6CZ2JawIDQ/s1600/Destiny%2BSepia%2BTone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45cGu_r98t0/Vjt9YNBzwzI/AAAAAAAAFgY/g6CZ2JawIDQ/s1600/Destiny%2BSepia%2BTone.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Destiny Allison is an award winning sculptor and author. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Romance Diet: Body Image and the Wars We Wage On Ourselves</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is her fourth book and due for release in January 2016. Other books include </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaping Destiny: A quest for meaning in art and life, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">two novels</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Pipe Dreams </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bitterroot</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. She currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her loving husband and rambunctious dogs. Find out more about Destiny Allison on her blog </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://shapingdestinythebook.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">http://shapingdestinythebook.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter: @SFSculptor</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FaceBook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shapingdestiny" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/shapingdestiny</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.333333333333332px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5769138.Destiny_Allison" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5769138.Destiny_Allison</a></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Book:</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnf7lAdQT1M/Vjt9ZcrAvMI/AAAAAAAAFgg/7VLKdiLd4Qo/s1600/The%2BRomance%2BDiet%2Bcover%2Bdraft%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnf7lAdQT1M/Vjt9ZcrAvMI/AAAAAAAAFgg/7VLKdiLd4Qo/s320/The%2BRomance%2BDiet%2Bcover%2Bdraft%25281%2529.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Romance Diet: Body Image and the Wars We Wage On Ourselves </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Destiny Allison</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunstone Press (January 18, 2016) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Order at Amazon: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Diet-Body-Image-Ourselves/dp/1632930900/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Diet-Body-Image-Ourselves/dp/1632930900/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read a Sample</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></div>
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<a href="https://shapingdestinybook.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/the-romance-diet_first-3-chapters.pdf" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://shapingdestinybook.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/the-romance-diet_first-3-chapters.pdf</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brave, raw, and unflinchingly honest, this book is a weight loss journey, a love story, a heart beating loudly on the page. Every day we battle against something–injustice, our spouses, our weight. Seldom do we acknowledge the real wars we wage. Repressing feelings and silencing our voices, we suffer under the surface, attributing emotional distress and unwanted pounds to the inescapable effects of hormones or age.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But weight gain, anxiety, and marital difficulties aren’t always so easy to explain.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In her poignant and touching memoir, Allison doesn’t offer recipes, exercise tips, or advice. Instead, she shows us how to stand up, express what we want, and develop empathy for ourselves and the people we love. In doing so, she provides invaluable insight for those seeking to lose weight, save a marriage, or make a significant life change.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">hank you, </span>Destiny Allison for stopping by All Things Audry with your thought-provoking and uplifting post! For a list of more stops along the pre-release tour, click <a href="http://shapingdestinythebook.com/2015/11/12/pre-release-blog-tour-for-the-romance-diet/">here.</a></i><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><i>For more information about blog hostess, Audry Fryer,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><i>please visit <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">www.audryfryer.com</a> </i></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-14434445654634919362015-11-06T07:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T07:00:02.657-05:00Ignite Your Right to Write: 12 Quotes for Inspiration<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/eb/d8/9d/ebd89d9018397f7afd170bbb9aecb56a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="gosh, this actually sounds quite like how I became a writer. insert my mother for the doctor, and voila.: " border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/eb/d8/9d/ebd89d9018397f7afd170bbb9aecb56a.jpg" width="284" /></a><br />
<i>Need some motivation to write? Here you go! These quotes from well-known, successful authors will get those fingers typing, or if your prefer, your pencil scratching!</i><br />
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For those who refer to themselves as writers, this month means so much more than too early holiday commercials and making travel plans for awkward (or quality) family time. For writers, November is associated with an odd sounding acronym, NaNoWriMo. No, I didn't just tell you to live long and prosper in a made-up alien language. You see, NANoWriMo is actually National Novel Writing Month, an event when mere humans wish they were aliens as they attempt to write an entire, full length novel in 30 days.<br />
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For all of you out there participating or attempting this feat, I commend you. Plus, I'll do you one better and attempt to give you some inspiration mixed with humor with these quotables:<br />
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Speaking of having a book in you, just waiting to come out:<br />
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<img alt="<br /></div> These 33 One-Sentence Quotes Will Blow Your Mind Every Time. Especially The 8th One.: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d0/f8/2d/d0f82dd0668d5093b9b51334e4be445f.jpg" width="283" /></div>
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Can you relate?</div>
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<img alt="Excerpt from Why We Write. Quoted in Huffington Post article: http://huff.to/YukcrD: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/12/8f/63/128f631beb7c7a55b667ffc1e38ccab3.jpg" width="289" /></div>
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This is how to get the book out of you:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4d/18/5d/4d185db1945c43056fad534fa0b5c3a9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="264" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/doree/quotes-about-writing?sub=2712237_1883499#.kbAb3Wgkb" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">24 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Write More</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">&</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/69/7b/91697b1b63f66d4c4357959180570d92.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="274" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/doree/quotes-about-writing?sub=2712237_1883499#.kbAb3Wgkb" target="_blank">24 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Write More</a></td></tr>
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But what about finding the time to write?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=""Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have 'essential' and 'long overdue' meetings on those days." --J.K. Rowling: " height="327" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4a/8b/50/4a8b505cd84f1d0bcd7db17f17b2a584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/doree/quotes-about-writing?sub=2712237_1883499#.kbAb3Wgkb" target="_blank">24 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Write More</a></td></tr>
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Book ready to pop out - check. Time to get it done - check. Wait, wait, wait.</div>
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Cold feet? It happens. Warm them up with these quotes:</div>
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<img alt="25 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Be A Fearless Writer: " height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7f/6a/69/7f6a6946ff2c80ce08a4cc55296cd871.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<img alt="25 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Be A Fearless Writer... I'm not really a writer, but I would like to be.: " height="292" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a7/37/8a/a7378a50be8c8bf608f4c7aa54be66eb.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Remember this about your first draft:</div>
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<img alt="@Kristen - Storefront Life Dunskey we need to keep this in mind when we feel like "stinklings" instead of inklings.: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9c/33/95/9c3395688b6f40632e8c82dbf6f6f1bf.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Now, here's some advice that could make that first draft super interesting:</div>
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<img alt="Ernest Hemingway Art Prints, Posters - Illustration Poster Print - Art Posters - English Literature - Literary Art - Writer - Writing Quote: " height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/71/18/66/711866ae1eb90be889c91596ef2d497c.jpg" width="436" /></div>
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Or perhaps, write an entire chapter while sleeping with your eyes open:</div>
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<img alt="Wow. How could I even describe my love for writing? Whenever I need to express myself, I always find that I write it down. Ever since I was little, I have kept journals that hold all of my thoughts. Along with writing down my feelings, I have always loved to write stories and create characters. I find it so incredible how authors can come up with amazing story lines and write them down. This may sound crazy but I actually do not mind writing essays, I love being able to share all of my thoug...: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/14/8c/93148cb6c37b887ca1353f33dbc1a157.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Keep going! Remember ...</div>
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<img alt="“You fail only if you stop writing.” Ray Bradbury – Dissolve writer's block! Explore empowering quotations for creative inspiration at http://www.examiner.com/article/forty-quotations-for-writing-inspiration: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/45/95/b7/4595b7b9553cb1abbe16bfd6b8af01d6.jpg" width="265" /></div>
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And if that wasn't enough inspiration, consider this:</div>
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<img alt=".: " height="273" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d5/81/a2/d581a2eddf6cea6bd6f43dfc57b00831.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Inspired yet? I hope so! Now get back to that novel! </div>
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<img alt=""I don't always write fiction...but when I do, I write 50,000 words in November." November is National Novel Writing Month! http://www.nanowrimo.org/: " height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/f2/69/aaf269e9e1c9817be9817a1d3b971621.jpg" width="318" /></div>
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Well, I don't always write a novel in a month, </div>
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but when I do write and publish a story, </div>
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you can find it here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">www.audryfryer.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Did you like this post? Share it with friends!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Share your work in progress </i></span><i style="font-size: x-large;">here</i></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"> or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>!</i></div>
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-57656951079086575072015-10-30T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-30T10:46:19.468-04:00Why I'm Going as Wonder Woman this Halloween<br />
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b5/ca/0e/b5ca0e106e11d3bc08d37f6c5b9e2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b5/ca/0e/b5ca0e106e11d3bc08d37f6c5b9e2031.jpg" width="191" /></a>When my kids asked me what my favorite Halloween costume was when I was their age, I knew the answer right away - Wonder Woman. I can still recall the white box containing the costume, a plastic mask that affixed to my head with a single piece of rubber band-like elastic and a plastic tunic-like bodice. Sure the condensation from inside the mask was partially suffocating, but it didn't hamper my enthusiasm. I felt epic ... or well, really "cool" or "rad" since "epic" wasn't part of early 80's terminology. Regardless, that Wonder Woman costume went down as a win in my personal history of trick-or-treating.<br />
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Now that I have a daughter about the same age I was back on that particular 1980-something Halloween, it's time to bring it once again as we're both going as the famed superhero - kid sized version for my daughter and a modest t-shirt style for me. (Much to the disappointment of my husband who was rooting for me to buy the sexy get-up to which I said, "Um, no.")<br />
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<b>Why Wonder Woman? You ask.</b><br />
<b><br />1. She's a badass woman, not girl - WOMAN.</b> That's right. Supergirl and Batgirl, grow up. Ha! This Halloween I could use a badass attitude, especially with it landing on a Saturday. There'll be no rest for this Wonder Wo-mom: 10 a.m. soccer game - Bam! Three sets of Halloween costumes on three kiddos - Wham! Halloween party - Pow! Trick-or-treating - Kablam! Everyone on a sugar high and not ever going to bed - Wa-zoom! (For further proof of her badass-ness, Wonder Woman ranked #42 on this bizarre list created by Mtv News - check it out <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/2284683/42-badass-feminist-halloween-costumes-2015/" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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<b>2. She spins and her outfit, hair and make-up are done. </b>Those of you a bit younger than me may not be familiar with the Wonder Woman tv show of the late 70's starring Lynda Carter, so here's a clip below of the iconic spin<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmh79ACBRLU" target="_blank"> </a> Amaze-balls, right?!? Of all the super powers out there, this one ranks first on my super ability wish list. Think of the time I'd save. I may actually get somewhere early and look presentable when I get there.<br />
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<b>3. She has a Lasso of Truth. </b>How could I use such a powerful tool? Hmm. Let me imagine: "Who tracked mud all over the house?" or better, "Who ate all the Halloween candy and left the wrappers in a pile on the couch?" Cue my family members either ignoring me or running away. I reach for my lasso. "You can't get away from me." I encircle a potential offender of household cleanliness. Confession time. Wonder Wo-mom lays down the law. Cue the background soundbite:<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Wonder Wo-mom!</span><br />
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<b>How about you? Have a favorite Halloween costume? Share it!</b><br />
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Plus, lasso the internet and spin on over to <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">www.audryfryer.com</a> for more page-turning stories!<br />
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<br />Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-65725803624194172012015-10-15T11:49:00.001-04:002015-10-15T11:49:52.930-04:00It's My Birthday and I Want to ...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<b>Not what you were expecting me to say? </b><br />
Well, that's not the only thing I want to do today (picture me eating lots of cake, drinking lots of wine, spinning with my arms open in the fall foliage, ripping wrapping paper and tossing it over my shoulder ... you know typical birthday behavior). Ahem. Anyway, you have to admit a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Lies-Apple-Audry-Fryer-ebook/dp/B00D45KZDA" target="_blank">free </a>book is a marvelous place to start the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of my birth!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4628336098992735318.post-3123719864205612162015-10-07T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-07T05:00:02.768-04:00Naming a Heroine, Guest Post by Jadie Jones<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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What's in a name? For most authors, naming a character goes far beyond what sounds nice. Today, author Jadie Jones, author of the Moonlit Trilogy, shares her thoughts on the process she used to discover the perfect name for her main character. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Naming a Heroine: How Tanzy Hightower came to be</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Jadie Jones</span></div>
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In the first draft of “Moonlit,” my main character’s name was Erin Whitaker. It didn’t feel right, but I convinced myself it felt right enough because later in the story, Erin would learn she was once Erinnere, a soul marked with purpose to return a thousand years in the future. <br />
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Erinnere came from the German phrase: Ich erinnere mich, which translates to: I remember. “Erin” regaining her memory of her first life will change the future of two worlds, so it seemed very fitting. But I couldn’t picture “Erin.” The name sat on her like a khaki colored t-shirt. For a name pointing to “memory,” it was completely forgettable. <br />
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As I studied the first draft, trying to figure out what to call my heroine, I realized it wasn’t just her name that was falling flat. I had way more holes in Erin than I did substance. Who was not-Erin? I turned my mind away from the manuscript – a fantasy/time-traveling/adventure/romance hot mess, and focused on the character who was to carry the story across two worlds.<br />
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To get to know not-Erin better, I mentally put my would-be heroine into everyday situations and imagined what should would do. What would she do if someone was rude at the grocery store? If someone tried to steal her purse? Did she even carry a purse? What kind of driver was she? What is her favorite color? What kind of music does she listen to? Does she play an instrument? Where would she shop for clothes? Would she give money to a beggar? What is her worst memory? Her best? Would she help an old woman cross the street? Where does she feel safest? Where does she feel most stressed? <br />
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As not-Erin became more 3D, I knew more of who she was, but I still needed a name. Something unusual, edgy, feminine, and with a touch of culture. Instead of searching for sounds, however, I searched for meaning. I searched for names with “eternal” in their origins, and landed on Tansy, a Greek name meaning “eternal life.” I loved the sound of it, but the spelling seemed too soft, so I switched the “s” for a “z” and had “Tanzy.” And it fit like a pair of perfectly broken-in jeans.<br />
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For her last name, I knew I wanted a hint of alliteration, and I wanted it to be at least three syllables for flow. Also, since Tanzy is unusual, I wanted her last name to point to her simple side, something straightforward, but also with nobility in the meaning, as Tanzy would become the most important human in history, and would be presented with an opportunity to sit on an eternal throne. Thus, Tanzy Hightower was born.<br />
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Once I knew what to call her, she became fully alive on the page. Her parents’ names quickly followed – Hope and Travis Hightower, and once they gained permanent names, their characters became easier to identify as well. As these three became more defined, the plot development finally took off.<br />
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As for Tanzy, she feels as real and solid as you and me. She’s been a voice in my head for six years now. I am sad to part ways with her, as she has seen me through the beginning of my career and taught me so much. I will take these lessons with me as I meet new not-Erins. <br />
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I will always remember her.<br />
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<i>Thank you to <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">WOW - WOMEN ON WRITING</a> for providing this stop on Jadie Jones blog tour. For more information on this tour, click <a href="http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About Moonlit Triology by Jadie Jones:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moonlit </span>is the story of eighteen-year-old Tanzy Hightower knows horses, has grown up with them on Wildwood Farm. She also knows not to venture beyond the trees that line the pasture. Things happen out there that can't be explained. Or undone. Worse, no one but she and the horses can see what lurks in the shadows of the woods.<br />
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When a moonlit ride turns into a terrifying chase, Tanzy is left to question everything, from the freak accident that killed her father to the very blood in her veins. Broken and confused, she turns to Lucas, a scarred, beautiful stranger, and to Vanessa, a charming new friend who has everything Tanzy doesn't. But why do they seem to know more about her than she knows herself?<br />
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Tanzy's journey continues in <span style="font-size: large;">Windswept, the second installment of the Moonlit Trilogy </span>when Tanzy is the key in an ancient prophecy pivotal to the existence of all beings, both Seen and Unseen. Unseen who have waited a millennium for her birth are relentless in their efforts to see the prophecy fulfilled--whether for good or evil, depending on which side of the conflict one stands. Others have sworn an oath to end Tanzy's existence, permanently.<br />
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Already, Tanzy's body has been compromised by her enemies, her veins now home to the blood of a wild horse whose instincts are becoming impossible to control. While Tanzy's Unseen enemies work to draw her out of a remote safe house, her friends beg her to stay in hiding. Tanzy is torn, wanting to reunite with Lucas, who has loved her since her first incarnation, yet unsure whether fulfilling the ancient prophecy will protect those she loves or destroy them.<br />
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In <span style="font-size: large;">Wildwood, the third book of the Moonlit Trilogy,</span> Tanzy's journey races toward a final battle within the Unseen.<br />
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Tanzy Hightower has crossed the veil and entered the Unseen world to fulfill the destiny she has at last embraced, to either seal or destroy the veil between the Seen and Unseen worlds. She is the only mortal in a land teeming with creatures who want her dead. To stay alive long enough to stop Asher, the most powerful of the Unseen, Tanzy accepts his marriage proposal and seeks refuge inside his palace.<br />
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On the Seen side of the veil, Tanzy's allies are fragmented and lost, without leadership. They must gather forces and train an army of candidates to defend their world against unfathomable predators poised to strike should the veil holding them at bay dissolve.<br />
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While Tanzy has accepted her own inevitable death in fulfilling her destiny, her closest friends refuse to stop searching for the impossible: a way to save Tanzy's life.<br />
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Genre: YA fantasy<br />
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Publisher: WiDo Publishing<br />
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Publication Date: April 16, 2013/July 8, 2014/September 22, 2015<br />
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Paperback: 310 pages/289 pages/312 Pages (also available as ebook)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span>:<br />
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Jadie Jones wrote her first book in seventh grade, filling one hundred and four pages of a black and white Mead notebook. Back then she lived for two things: horses and R.L. Stine books. Fast forward nearly twenty years, and she still work with horses. Its amazing how much changes... and how much stays the same.<br />
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The dream of publishing a novel has hitch-hiked with Jadie down every other path she‘s taken (and there have been many). Waitress, farm manager, road manager, bank teller, speech writer, retail, and more. But that need to bring pen to paper refused to quiet. Finally, in 2009, she sat down, pulled out a brand new notebook, and once again let the pictures in my head become words on paper.<br />
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Confession time: Jadie Jones is a pen name created to honor two fantastic women who didn't get the chance to live out their professional dreams. First, Jadie’s grandmother - a mother of four during post World War II America, who wanted to be a journalist so bad that even now when she talks about it, her blue eyes mist and she lifts her chin in silent speculation. And second, a dear friend's mother who left this world entirely too soon. To Judy Dawn and Shirley Jones, Jadie Jones is for you. It's been a pleasure getting to know her.<br />
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Author's Websites: <br />
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Jadie Jones’s website: <br />
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<a href="http://www.jadiejones.com/">www.jadiejones.com</a><br />
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Jadie Jones blog: <br />
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<a href="http://www.jadiejones.blogspot.com/">www.jadiejones.blogspot.com</a><br />
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Facebook:<br />
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www.facebook.com/jadiejones1<br />
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Twitter: jadiejones1<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>For more information about blog hostess, Audry Fryer, please visit <a href="http://www.audryfryer.com/" target="_blank">www.audryfryer.com </a></i></span></div>
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Audry Fryerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.com1