Author Archives: Deb Gorman

About Deb Gorman

Deb Gorman is an author, blogger, and speaker who escaped from a 9-5 job in the medical field to pursue what she really loves—words, words, and more words. A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, she writes fiction and non-fiction in between long walks through orchard country with her husband, Alan, and playing with their German Shepherd, Hoka. You can catch up with Deb on her website, debggorman.com, and email her at debster145@gmail.com

Reader Friday-On the Thirteenth

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There’s some weird stuff out there about Friday the Thirteenth. Consider this from our fine friend, Wikipedia:

One source mentioned for the unlucky reputation of the number 13 is a Norse myth about twelve gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. The trickster god Loki, who was not invited, arrived as the thirteenth guest, and arranged for Höðr, the god of darkness, to shoot Balder, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Balder died, triggering much suffering in the world, which caused the number 13 to be considered unlucky.

Kinda sounds like a plot for a thriller novel, yes?

Writers can be quite superstitious. I wrote a Killzone post back in February touching on how quirky some (or all?) writers are. You can read that post here.

Since today is Friday the 13th, I thought we’d share some of the weird superstitions that are out there. Cue Twilight Zone music. Or maybe X Files—

Here’s a few more I ran across:

Never stick your chopsticks straight up. In Japan, poking chopsticks down into your food is a big no-no. The utensils look like the unlucky number four, which means death, and also the incense sticks used at funerals. Another tip: Don’t point your chopsticks at anyone. That’s just plain rude.

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Don’t go home right after a funeral. In Filipino tradition, if you go straight home after a funeral, a bad spirit could tag along and wreak havoc on your life. Stop at a restaurant first to stay safe.

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Keep your new shoes off the table. (Say what?) In Britain, it’s considered bad luck because it symbolizes the death of a loved one. Back in the day, placing someone’s shoes on a table was a way to let the family know that they passed away. Nowadays, it’s also just bad etiquette.

And if you’re dying (heh, heh) to learn more about superstitions around the world, go here.

TKZers, what are some strange superstitions you’ve heard of; or maybe share some from your own family archives. And in your writing life, do any of your characters have weird superstitions?

(I’ll be in and out today, and will monitor as I can…)

 

 

Reader Friday . . . D-Day

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Today is D-Day. No, not Deb’s Return to The Killzone Day. I am glad to be back, though! Thank you to those who filled in on Fridays during my hiatus.   😊

Now, let’s talk about the real D-Day.

We often usurp the term D-Day to describe events of lesser import—such as work assignment deadlines, bills due, even personal stuff, like weddings or maybe divorces finalized.

But the real D-Day back in 1944 was (and still is) a day to remember. Because it was a day that sealed the fate of one of the real enemies of mankind.

According to my D-Day research, “Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful liberation of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Normandy landings, Operation Neptune.” (From Wikipedia)

Many books have been written, and many movies have been created about this period in history. I happen to be one of those movie-goers who would choose a war movie over a romance every day and twice on Sundays. But what’s important is in the next paragraph.

I will be forever grateful for those brave men and women who fought these battles, and for those who gave their lives on this day. Which brings to mind a 102-year-old gentleman, the father of a friend of ours. Still spry, with a sense of humor and a knack for the flirt, he is one who thankfully returned to his family.

Many Americans, along with our allied forces and their families and loved ones, however, gave their all so that I can sit here writing this post for you to read. Sometimes I just can’t wrap my head around that. I ask myself, if I’d been in that generation, would I have been willing to sacrifice myself, or a husband or child?

Think a moment. Try to imagine what our world would look like if this day had never happened, and those enemies had not been defeated.

I think, maybe, our world would be much different.

Comments welcome.

 

Reader Friday-Deep Impact

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Do you happen to remember this movie, released in 1998?

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I do . . . it had all of the requirements to get my attention (and some popcorn): Great title, favorite Hollywood stars, disaster, and political intrigue. I think we even watched it twice. Nowadays, we don’t have to go to the movies to get most of that on a daily basis, right? Ahem . . . ’nuff said.

The movie, however, isn’t the topic of conversation this Friday. Just the title.

There was a guy in my life (and he’s still in my life) who has had the most profound impact upon me. All I need to know about how to do life on planet earth has its roots in him. Integrity, honesty, compassion, generosity, and humility were lessons I saw lived out every day of my life, and still, by this man.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Yep, you guessed it! My Dad. Navy veteran, businessman, husband, and father to two boys and two girls. He just turned 92 last month, he has memory issues, but he’s still the Dad I grew up knowing and trying to emulate. Thank you, Dad!

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TKZers, please share with us who has had the deepest impact upon your life, either personally or professionally. And has that person crept into your writing?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

(This will be my last TKZ post for a couple of months or so while I take a break and deal with some *real* life current events. My stellar teammates will be stepping in to post on Fridays until I return. But never fear, I won’t be gone…just lurking around corners, spying on you, and enjoying my time off.)

🙂

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Reader Friday-Playing With The Storymatic

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We’re going to have a bit of fun here at The Killzone today. At least, I’m pretty sure it’ll be fun…

Have you heard of The Storymatic? Check out this website. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon. There are several versions of the game also–even one especially for the kiddos in your life.

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So, here’s what I’d like to do.

I have chosen four “story prompt cards” from the box. See below.

There are two “plot” cards and two “character” cards from which to build a story.

Then, (and this is the audience participation part) you will use the prompts to write the first line or first paragraph or so of the story and share it with us right here on TKZ. Sound fun?

Here’s our assignment:

CHARACTERS: House Cleaner, Investigative Reporter

PLOT: Something Inside The Wall, Safety Deposit Box

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Now it’s your turn, TKZers. Give us the first line or paragraph of your story using the above prompts. Don’t hold back now!

Look for mine in the comments. Let’s go for it . . .

 

 

 

 

Reader Friday-Let’s Have Coffee!

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What and where is your favorite place to have a cuppa joe, either alone or with a pal?

Here’s mine: Sundance Espresso.

It’s located in Selah, Washington–a little burg about 4 miles down the road from Yakima, where I live. It’s a great little place, owned by some very special folks, and is a business staple on the main drag going through town.

They serve coffee drinks, sandwiches, muffins, and other snacks. They also feature some handcrafted gift ideas. But the most important item they sell is good old-fashioned friendly service.

Oh . . . and did I mention they stock local authors’ books, including mine?  🙂

 

If you’re ever in central Washington, you must stop in when that coffee craving comes over you.

Let me know . . . I’ll meet you there!

 

 

Reader Friday-Authors Are Weird

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Did you know that authors are certifiably weird?

How many weird things can you see in this picture?

Well, maybe not all the time, but there are some quirks and strange foibles amongst us. Maybe you have some of your own, but today is not confession time. Aren’t you glad? (I am…)

I ran across a website the other day when I was supposed to be writing. Here’s the link:

Weird.

The website reveals some strange and wonderful habits and aberrations of some of our favorite authors, from James Joyce to Victor Hugo to Truman Capote, and more.

For instance, did you know that James Joyce liked to write while lying on his stomach? He used large blue pencils and wore a white coat while writing. Why? Check out the website if you’re curious.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

 

 

Here’s another: Truman Capote was quite superstitious. He never started or finished a piece of work on a Friday. He also changed his hotel room if the numbers added up to 13. And, here’s weird . . . there were never more than two cigarette butts in Capote’s ashtray. He kept the extra ones in the pockets of his coat.

 

 

TKZers, that’s just a few. Check out the website if you’re curious enough, or are experiencing brain freeze this morning.

Also, please share with us any quirks you happen to know about authors. We have to stick together, right?

 

Reader Friday-Can You Say “Chocolate”?

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Image courtesy of Pixabay

Valentine’s Day is important to me.

Why? you ask.

Because of chocolate, of course! No, just kidding . . . sort of.

From Wikipedia:

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,[1] is celebrated annually on February 14.[2] It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world..[3][4]

(Heavy on commercial, I think.)

The question I have for you, burning in my soul this morning, is this: What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?

For me, it was and still is all of the Valentines my ankle biters made throughout their school journeys. Precious, every one. Here’s one of my favorites:

This is still on my desk in my office. Created circa 1980.

 

To be honest, I’m not certain it was a Valentine’s Day gift for me, but I think it was. She was about five.

So, over to you, TKZers!

What’s your favorite memory surrounding Valentine’s Day? Is it a story? A gift? Do tell…

And I hope you all have a sweet one today to add to your memories!

 

 

 

Reader Friday-Life Happens

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Simple question this morning, TKZers. Or maybe not so simple…

Inquiring minds want to know…

 

Life happens, right?

In your Reading/Writing life, is there a particular event from your own life that crops up over and over in what you write or choose to read? What “happening” in your own sojourn on planet earth flavors your stories? Something sad, or happy, or chaotic? Something that lifted you to new heights, or threw you down and stomped on you?

Each character is colored by my life experiences. Yours?

 

 

Not to be too gloomy or bleak, for me it was losing my younger brother and sister five years apart. Those dark years, as sad as they were while living through them, have formed my characters into people who know what’s important. And they teach me.

So, how about you? What about your life feeds into your favorite characters, either written or read?

 

 

 

 

Reader Friday-Fun With Words

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Let’s face it, words are fun. Readers and writers alike love the sound and feel of words. Words are to readers and writers as paint is to a painter, or metal is to a fabricator.

Speaking of, I ran across (not literally, of course!) a website that I’ve been playing with. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe not.

It’s called Random Ready. You’ll find lots and lots of word fun there, along with other categories of randomness for your word pleasure.

Click on “Words” at the top of the Home Page and you’ll be able to find synonyms, funny words, weird words, words to use when playing Charades, and on and on and on.

Who knew there were so many synonyms for mustache?

There’s even a tab called Fake Words! Here are the first fake words I saw:

Specons, Disatilingers, Preoriandy, Onoutpout, Outweing, Hypoplate, Memodecruit, Elocratonics, Bergeagers, Scologicts

Wild, huh? I dare you to go to Random Ready and have a bit of fun. And don’t forget to let us know what tickled your fancy!

 

Reader Friday-Goodbye To A Friend

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I hope a little indulgence is in order on The Killzone today.

6/18/2014-1/14/2025 . . . Play hard, sweet Hoka

We lost a good friend on Tuesday, January 14th. Her name was Hoka, the smartest German shepherd in the universe. It happened quickly. The vet thinks it was a stroke. She would have been eleven in June, and we’d kept company with her for nine years and one month.

We’ve had other dogs, but none as human as Hoka.

A little history: She was rescued from the local shelter by our daughter, who was able to be her mom for three months. When she moved to San Diego, she couldn’t take Hoka with her. She was named after Jessica’s favorite running/hiking shoe, and was her companion on the trails.

Jessica brought her to us to get acquainted, and it was love at first sight. When she came to live with us she was about a year and a half old, give or take. It was like a toddler moving in with gramma and grampa.

Let the games begin!

She had two speeds . . . fast and stop. She liked to chase cars along our rural dirt road—from inside our fence line, of course. Our neighbor once clocked her at 32 mph.

She had a human vocabulary of about twenty or so words and phrases, she was scared of gunfire, loved harassing our neighbors’ cats and cows from across the fence, and was always ready to jump in the Jeep and go to town with us. And, believe it or not, she could tell time. She knew when it was bedtime, and she knew–at 7am every morning–it was time to trek over to the west side of our property to chase away any of the neighbor’s cats who dared stray over our fence.

We walk the orchards around us every day and she went with us. The last few days, I’ve even taken pictures of her paw prints around our property and out in the orchards.

And my Dad. We took her three times a week to see him, and he loved her as much as we do. Many of the other residents in his facility  insisted on petting her. She was everybody’s dog, and she knew it.

There’s not a square inch of our house and five acres that her paws did not touch. She watched out for us as much as we took care of her. Every part of our daily schedule–now ten days without her–included her.

First, we learned to navigate life with Hoka; now we must learn to steer ourselves without her.

It’s going to be a long journey before we can let her lie without tears, but I know she’s getting acquainted with the other three dogs we’ve buried.

Hoka, keep running. We’ll come and play with you some day.

 

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Thank you, TKZers, for listening to me and understanding why I had to write this post. Many of you have shared your pets with us, so I know you “get it”.

 

Your comments and memories are most welcome.