Reader Friday-Those Olden Golden Days

“Back in the olden days . . .”

I have a relic of the past in my possession. It was given to me by my mother on the occasion of my wedding day in 1974. I don’t even know if they are made anymore, and if they are, does anyone buy them?

The funny thing is this: I’ve always hated anything to do with sewing, but I hang on to this. It still contains needles and thread lurking in its depths. And I still use it . . . but only if I absolutely have to, because I still hate everything sewing.

But when I do (have to) lift the lid, I see my mother’s beaming smile as I opened her special gift to me fifty years ago. I think that’s the real reason I keep it.   🙂

What do you have in your possession that reminds you of the Olden Golden Days? Has it ever popped up in your   writing? Tell us about it.

 

Reader Friday-Book ’em Danno!

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!

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

 

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-The Daily Grind

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

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?

 

 

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

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: More Cowbell

 

“I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell!” –  Christopher Walken (as Bruce Dickinson on SNL)

 

 

“The act of writing is, for me, like a fever — something I must do. And it seems I always have some new fever developing, some new love to follow and bring to life.” — Ray Bradbury.

 

 

Is writing for you a fever, a pastime, a hobby, a vocation, an obsession … or something else?

What are you doing to add more cowbell to your writing?