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 Kimber, their German Shepherd/Malinois mix. You can catch up with Deb on her website, debggorman.com, and email her at debster145@gmail.com

Reader Friday-Welcome to the Pun Zone!

Posted on by

To pun, or not to pun . . .

Oh, what the hay, let’s do it! We love words, don’t we? Especially those words that make us laugh . . . an activity we most definitely need more of these days, right?

I ran across (not literally) a fun pun list on Steve Laube’s website the other day. Some were real coffee snorters.

I thought it’d be fun to mess around today and share a few.

Here’s a few from his list (used with permission):

I’m reading a book about antigravity. I can’t put it down.

Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery.

I changed my iPhone name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

 

Okay, it’s your turn. Regale us with your favorite pun(s). But wait, first let me put my coffee down!

***

A story of three broken families who are stranded together in a fierce snowstorm, finding healing in crisis.

By the time today is over, Annie Lee is convinced she has no tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Friday-Book ’em Danno!

Posted on by

There have been thousands upon thousands of memorable lines in novels, movies, TV shows, even well-known comedy routines. To wit, sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made. (George Burns)

Your assignment for today is to share with us, IYHO, the most memorable line(s) in your memory banks. (See how I did that?)  🙂

Here’s a few to get you started.

I’ll be back…

You’re gonna need a bigger boat…

Book ’em Danno!

***

“Death doesn’t end life-never has.” ~Mike

 

Reader Friday-Revisions

Posted on by

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?

Posted on by

 

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.     🙂

***

 

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!

Posted on by

By Deb Gorman

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…

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

Looks like a responsible dude, right? (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

By Deb Gorman

 

 

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

Posted on by

By Deb Gorman

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?

 

 

***

 

 

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ThriftBooks, bookstores and libraries.

Reader Friday-What’s Your AKA?

Posted on by

By Deb Gorman

A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a person, place or thing. It is commonly used to express affection, amusement, a character trait or defamation of character. It is distinct from a pseudonym, stage name or title, although the concepts can overlap. Nicknames are typically informal. Wikipedia

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.

***

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  . . .