Is that you, Deb?
If you could magically transform yourself into any character you’ve read, written, or watched, who would you become?
Oh, me first?
Galadriel, of course!
Your turn . . .
Author Archives: Deb Gorman
Reader Friday-Revisions
Ah, revisions, revisions . . . music to our ears, yes?
Maybe, but today we’re going to talk about a different kind of revision. Not the kind that produces blood, sweat, and tears. Not the kind that makes us want to throw our notebooks and laptops against the nearest tree and go for a long walk.
What, then?
Which path do I follow now?
All of life on earth is just one big revision. And for some of us, there came a time when we read something that changed us forever, sent us down a new path, or brought the next step we needed to take into clear focus.
Here’s the question for us to ponder, and hopefully share today:
Tell us about a book or story that changed your life, revised your thinking, maybe sent you down a new path you hadn’t considered before, or thought you could never negotiate.
(Mine will be in the comments.)
Reader Friday-Isn’t It Romantic?
Romance is a staple of human existence. It’s been that way since the beginning of life on planet earth. It looks different in every era and culture, but it’s there.
My husband and I met at a 7-11 store, where I worked, and he stopped in to get a cold drink on his way to a service call. We met on November 11, 1987, and married on January 23, 1988. And I have not used a 7-11 or that date in my stories–yet.
So, TKZ friends and lovers, here’s your question for this Reader Friday episode: How did you and your significant other meet?And, have you used that time and place in your own writing?
We have company from Atlanta today, so I’ll be in and out. I have a fancy-schmancy phone, though, so I’ll be lurking around the TKZ halls spying on y’all. 🙂
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Two novels which explore the uncertainty of life on earth, and how our relationships with each other provide joy in the midst of that uncertainty. Available on Amazon, B&N, and ThriftBooks.
Reader Friday: It’s Intermission Time!
Can you see yourself here?
Summer’s here!
For some folks, life just continues to drift along on the same road, stretching off into the distance.
No change.
Or here?
But for others, it’s intermission time. What do I mean? If you look up the word vacation in your thesaurus (you have one of those, right?), one of its synonyms is intermission. You know, that break you get to take at the local arts theater, where you’re stuck in a slow-moving river of people heading for the restrooms or the snack bar? Oy!
Here looks good!
But for today, we’re going on vacation.
So, inquiring minds want to know–where are you going?
What is your perfect vacation spot? Will you write while you’re there? (You know I had to ask!)
Reader Friday-Speaking of Words…
Since we all love to play with words . . . let’s dazzle each other, okay?
Remember writing on your hands in school? Oh, you still do . . . (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Think of words and phrases from the past which have a totally new/different meaning in the present.
For instance, the word stream. Something we used to fish from–now we watch or listen to.
Or, text. Or, post. Get it?
Now it’s your turn . . . and, Go!
Reader Friday-The Daily Grind
Looks like a responsible dude, right? (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
TKZ Casting Call!
What was your first *real* job? Tell us how old you were and how you snagged it . . .
She looks committed, I guess! (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Looks like me on my first job–totally determined to get it done, and get it done right. Never mind the scare factor.
Now, think back a bit:
How did your first job experience play into your life now as an author? Inquiring minds want to know.
Reader Friday-Let’s Work Out the Bugs
Today we discuss . . . yep, you got it . . . bugs!
Some of my favorites: Here we have a box elder bug, an earwig, a grasshopper, a four-eyed spidery guy, and a praying mantis.
By far, my absolute favorite is the praying mantis–known sometimes as the most fearsome killer in the insect world. A black widow spider is scary, but it has to sit on its prey to kill it. A mantis can reach out and grab its lunch. And sometimes mantids even work together to bring down, say, a hummingbird! Each season we have lots of the little green guys in our yard, and they will even let me hand feed them.
Another favorite of mine is the Monarch butterfly. In my novel, No Tomorrows, one of the thematic elements is a Monarch. The main character, Annie, has a collection of Monarch pictures and nick-knacks because . . . oh, can’t tell you. You’ll have to read it!
Now, we’d like to hear about your favorite buggos. And why in the wide world are they your favorites? Do you ever include bugs in your writing?
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Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ThriftBooks, bookstores and libraries.
Reader Friday-What’s Your AKA?
Doing just a cursory search on the internet of the word nickname yielded some doozies–especially those from the middle ages. It might be worth a laugh or two for you to take a look.
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
I came across Benjamin Siegel, AKA Bugsy. I tried to discover why he acquired that moniker, but couldn’t find the origin. I did find out that his killer was never brought to justice.
I guess a cool nickname doesn’t mean much when you’re a bad guy.
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I had a couple when I was a wee lass. My siblings called me Debo (pronounced Dee-bo), and my dad called me Housemouse–because I preferred being in the house reading instead of out of the house playing. My dad and brother still call me those names on occasion.
Or, just these . . .
And this one from a way long time ago!
How about you, TKZers? Did you ever have a nickname growing up, cool or otherwise? Does anyone still call you by that name? And, do you give your characters nicknames?
Do tell . . .
Reader Friday-What’s In Your Pet Pantry?
It almost escaped me, but May is National Pet Month!
This is Hoka, keeping company with me in my office. The head tilt says it all . . .
We’ve had cats and dogs over the years, but dogs are our favorites. Oreo, the black lab. Dok-dogi, the malamute. His name means “Smart Dog” in Korean. Bear, the Chow & Samoyed mix. And Hoka, the Smartest Dog in the Universe. So smart, she should go get a job and support us . . .
My blog post publishing June 11 on my website features all of these canine pals who’ve graciously shared our cave over the years. Go there on the 11th to see more pictures and read about their antics.
So, the questions for TKZ pet parents today are:
1) Do you presently have a pet; 2) Do you give your characters pets; and 3) Reaching back into your pet memory banks–what is or was your favorite pet of all time?
Reader Friday-Memorial Day
Image courtesy of Pixabay
First observed as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, Memorial Day is observed in every state on the last Monday in May.
There is a plethora of information available regarding its origins and which state(s) claim to have celebrated it first.
Barbecues, first camping trips of the year, parades, and flags are locked into my memories about past Memorial Day celebrations. I have many service vets in my family who lost comrades and buddies in various wars through the decades. For me, that’s who it’s about.
TKZers, what does Memorial Day mean to you, and how does your family celebrate it?