Kindness

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I have a confession to make: I'm not a super happy, "up" person. I'm focused, driven, a little obsessive and tend to have a "glass half empty" mentality (though I always think I can figure a way out to fill that sucker up if I work hard enough). I'm not touchy-feely, which makes it hard for my daughter and I, because SHE is a clingy, huggy child who has to squeeze me fifty times a day and will shout "I love you!" from the top of the stairs for no reason. I sometimes wear blinders, and don't always see ways that people might need help.

Despite all those things, I do *try* to be a nice, thoughtful person. I'm a bit self-absorbed, so I don't always succeed. But I like people. I talk to everyone: cashiers, the lady in the same grocery aisle, the guy sitting in the doctor's office. At beginning agility class, I try to make a point of petting all the dogs, and finding their good attributes (some are in there for behavioral problems, so occasionally I have to really dig), and encouraging their owners.

I know I miss chances to help people. But I always tell DD, you never know what difference even just a smile might make to someone. She's painfully shy (hopefully going to school next year will help her learn how to overcome that), and can't always think of things to say, but her heart is HUGE, so I'm sure that will come with time.

The reason I bring all this up is because we seldom realize how much a single act might change a life. My post yesterday was there because I truly did feel sorry for that woman, and hoped sharing her meltdown might help others to see why they shouldn't react in the same way.

This morning, I randomly clicked on an author banner for Liana Laverentz and stumbled across this page on her site. Amongst all the links she shares was one about a cab driver and the night he gave an elderly woman a ride to hospice. I encourage you to read it. You might also take a look around the site a bit for other touching stories.

And remember, small acts make a big difference. Who have you smiled at today?

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For authors: Samhain Publishing is having a special call-out for short stories about people with superpowers.

From their submissions page:

It’s up, up and away we go, to a world of superheroes and supervillains, where heroes and/or heroines with special abilities and crime-fighting prowess protect the public…and fall in love.

I’m very happy to announce an open call for submissions for a new, yet-to-be-titled spring 2012 superhero romance anthology.

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You Are Productive

You like to stay busy. You believe that there's nothing worse than idle hands. You can handle multiple projects and are always ready for another one. You love to multitask. You are happy to brainstorm, innovate, and think outside the box. You are are groundbreaking in your approach. You see the big picture. Details are important to you, but you don't get bogged down in them.

The Row House Test

Yep.

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A Word on Negative Reviews

There's more to the truth than just the facts. ~Author Unknown

So yesterday, comments by an author who completely self-destructed online due to what she perceived to be a negative review (I read it ... it wasn't that negative) went viral. Be warned, if you read this, when she runs out of ways to argue, she just drops the F-Bomb...

The blog owner finally shut off comments (after 300+) but what's mind-boggling about the whole thing (and this is something we see far too often on the Internet now) is that the author simply didn't think twice before hitting send. And, as a result, she alienated thousands of potential readers.

I saw a comment elsewhere that she's now garnered hundreds of negative reviews on Amazon, and this person said that the author must be laughing up her sleeve because that many people bought her book. Sorry, commenter, you don't have to buy a book to leave a review on Amazon.

She even had a coffee mug created in her "honor".

My point in sharing all of this is simply this: authors will get negative reviews. It's the nature of the beast. From Jane Austen to Louis L'Amour to Stephen King, all authors get negative reviews. Period. It's how one deals with them that makes the difference.

The owner of the blog (above) actually has a post about negative reviews that I think is very well written.

EHow has articles on it.

I found other article about the subject here and here . I'm sure there are more.

How have I handled it in the past? I've thanked the reviewer for taking the time to review my book (when it's been possible to thank the reviewer -- as a side note, I really hate sites like Fictionwise that don't allow space for reviews ... the biggest benefit to a negative review is finding out what someone didn't like) and moved on.

I'm a super critical reader. I like only about half the books I pick up, and I love only a few. I understand how one person's opinion can differ wildly from another's.

Bad reviews are a fact of life. If you're going to be an author, get a thick skin or get out of the business.

I feel sorry for the author, above. She's going to have a rough time getting past this debacle.

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We're quiz free today ... the one today was stupid.

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Micro Management

"Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear—and doubt. - H.A. Dorfman, The Mental ABCs of Pitching

DD did much better yesterday at school... I'm finding that she's NOT a self-starter and isn't self-motivated at all (which is frustrating for me, since I'm self-motivated to the extreme). She is thriving on having me micromanage every second of her day, while it's making me a little crazy. I want to be able to say, "Here's what you need to accomplish today -- go do it." and not "For the next fifteen minutes, I want you to work on XX and then next, pick up XX and read for ten minutes." Just goes to prove that our kids aren't mini-me's.

In any case, I got very little done yesterday outside of hovering over DD...

I ran to our local Tractor Supply Company yesterday to grab a couple things. They let us bring the dog inside (they have dog cookies at checkout ... Dakota doesn't understand why we have to shop before we get cookies. I always have to drag her past the clerk because otherwise, she runs in and plops down in a sit, drooling) and currently they carry live chicks and bunnies. Dakota is mostly puzzled by the chicks -- they're being kept in big, metal horse troughs and she peers at them. She LOVES the bunnies though and oddly enough, they seem to love her back. Yesterday, she stuck her nose through the wire cage and two of the bunnies hopped over and touched noses with her. There was no drama, no barking or fussing, just a little doggie / bunny bonding. It was very cute.

I wish DH would let me have chickens. And bunnies. And maybe a goat. *sigh*

I admit to being greatly jealous of Maria Zannini.

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You Are a Bicycle

You are an extremely independent person. You have some loner tendencies - and you're totally okay with that. You are an action-oriented doer. It drives you crazy to just sit around and ruminate. You are a risk taker. You believe in seizing each moment and just getting out there to do your thing. You are focused on living in the present. No one knows what's coming tomorrow, so you're going to enjoy today.

What Form of Urban Transportation Are You?

LOL... this is pretty much right on -- except I think about the future. A lot.

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My Weekend

Adolescence is perhaps nature's way of preparing parents to welcome the empty nest. ~Karen Savage and Patricia Adams, The Good Stepmother

Loooong weekend this weekend. DD and I had a bit of a struggle last week about her schooling and I put my foot down about some things. She's facing loss of privileges due to her lack of desire to actually do the work required of her, so this weekend was full of more conflict as I required her to do some studying and work to prepare her for tests she has today. There was much drama. She's a sensitive, emotional girl and I can tell the teen years are going to be ... interesting.

The weather wasn't exactly the best, either -- it LOOKED beautiful: sunny and clear. But it was cold (in the low thirties) and VERY windy, making it unbearable to be out in it for very long. I'm getting so itchy for spring, for going outside and puttering, for walking the dog and such that it was sheer agony to be indoors. But every time I ventured out, I froze my can.

There was humor and fun, too. I got another of DD's notes one afternoon (I'd run out for a quick errand and returned to this):


She was a bit fascinated by a spider we have living in our front door area (there are a few little "cracks" in the jamb around the storm door and he's hanging out there -- but ventured into public to soak up some sun).



She also made a little jewelry and I uploaded it to her store. I especially like the turquoise-like stones (it's howlite, a substitute for turquoise) she used for these:



And even better? I managed to get a little writing done -- a couple thousand words in total. I have to finish the scene I'm one (it's nearly done) and then write the final scene (it's started) and my first draft is complete. Then I need to do a quick edit and send it to one or two people for an eyeball to see if it works.

It'll be good to submit something again.

How was your weekend? Anything exciting? I know Melissa McClone got a RITA nomination for her book, "Christmas Magic on the Mountain". Who else has something to share?

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You Are Carefree Like Summer

You are open to the world and whatever it has to offer. You are comfortable with and really appreciate freedom. You try to keep things flexible because you're always picking a new path. You have changeable moods. You don't like to stick to a routine, and you prefer a lifestyle where the rules are flexible. You have a sharp and lively intelligence. Your mind is active and often restless.

What Does Your Favorite Season Say About You?

About 60% correct.

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GOOD Reading

Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books - even without taking them from the shelves they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome. ~William Ewart Gladstone

After the post yesterday, and its comments, I need to clarify a few things. Many small press stories are quite good (Samhain Publishing, especially, has quality stories -- though they're leaning toward releasing almost all erotica anymore, which is disappointing). My complaint is that it's really hit or miss, and I'm certain that's due to two things: the age of the press (the newer they are, the more likely they are to accept things other, more established presses won't) and editor quality (since it's up to each individual editor what they contract, some may have less experience than others and aren't as well trained).

So, in the interest of being fair, here are some great small press books and stories I've read:

Ashley Drake, Zombie Hunter: A Plague on All Houses by Dana Fredsti -- from Ravenous Romance -- I haven't jumped on the zombie bandwagon, and have to admit that mostly they gross me out (as they should, really) but this book was not only well written and edited, but had a unique story and a fabulous main character. The romance was secondary to the rest of the plot, but was still sweet (and hot) and I absolutely adored the hero. I can't wait for the author to write more in this series (though, be assured that this book ended and doesn't really leave you hanging).

Verifiable Intelligence by Kaitlin Maitland -- Red Rose Publishing -- This is a romantic suspense with two anti-hero protagonists. It's a heart pounding, edge of your seat adventure with some steamy romance tossed in. I admit that the ending left me a little confused... not dissatisfied, mind you, I'm just not certain I completely understood the punishment exacted on the bad guys. Still, I love characters a little outside the norm and an exciting story, and this book had both.

The entire Sullivan Brothers series by K. M. Daughters -- The Wild Rose Press -- I've read them all and enjoyed each one, mostly for the amazing and large, realistic secondary cast of characters in the books. More romance than suspense, these are just plain good books.

Don’t Look Back by M.J. Fredrick -- The Wild Rose Press -- a romantic suspense novel that's a little dark, very hot and amazingly good. Truthfully, I like everything I've read by this author and she's published by several small presses.

Out of Time by Pauline Baird Jones -- L&L Dreamspell -- a unique time travel romance that takes place in WWII (one of my favorite eras). Lots of emotion, lots of fun, lots of excitement.

There are plenty more winners, but I don't want to bore you. I just wanted to say that while there are some piles of poo from small presses, there are also the diamonds. Which is why I keep giving them a try.

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You Are Tag

You are high energy and high strung. You need to move - quickly if possible. You are into thrills, and there's something exciting about being a little scared. You are assertive and even a bit competitive. You like to give it all you've got. No matter whether you lose or win, you're always a good sport. You're just having fun playing the game!

What Childhood Game Are You?

Not so into thrills, but the rest is pretty close.

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Frustrating Reading

The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and place, is necessary. It is the only art which can be practised at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness. ~Holbrook Jackson

So lately, I've really been trying to support smaller presses and ePresses. But, I gotta tell you, I haven't been overly impressed (well, except for Carina Press -- everything I've read from them so far has been great!).

These are the things I've seen from other small presses who shall remain nameless:

* A short story that spent at least the first seven pages describing the town in which the heroine worked. I say "at least", because after seven pages I gave up and deleted the book off my Nook.

* A short, paranormal story that spent at least the first ten pages using odd, short vignettes to tell what might be going on (I say "might" because even the heroine thought she might be dreaming). They were about 300 words long, hopped around in time and were so confusing they frustrated me. And again, I say "at least" the first ten pages, because after ten I gave up and deleted it from my Nook.

* A short paranormal story wherein the heroine falls in love with the hero (who's a ghost, yet oddly corporeal in that he can do things like carry wood, cook meals and start a fire) before she even carries on a complete conversation with him. I'll be honest, when I saw the words, "She was in love." I shut the document and deleted it from my Nook. That wasn't the only issue, but I'd managed to put aside the rest to see if the story ever got better. It didn't, and the love thing was the straw that broke the camel's back.

* A short cozy mystery where the heroine sees a man -- one she proclaimed "a good friend" but who had apparently died five years earlier -- in a public venue. He sees her and runs off. She does nothing. Goes home. Goes to bed. Gets up the next morning and goes to work. The only thought pertaining to the fact that her "good friend" had come back from the dead was that it wasn't her business. Maybe it's me, but I found that so incredibly unrealistic that I ... yes... closed the document and deleted it from my Nook.

These were from four different publishers, two of whom I have good author friends published with. It makes me crazy, because I KNOW there are good stories from small presses out there, but to have to shovel through so much crap is both annoying and costly. I have one more story from a small press on my Nook to start. I found reviews on this one, though, from sites I respect including Dear Author, who gave it an A-. I have high hopes.

Who has stories from small presses they can recommend to me? I've been on a romantic suspense and parormal romance kick lately (but please no shifter stories where the H/H are "mates" and destined to be together... that trope drives me wonky).

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You Are Old Fashioned

You are a quiet and peaceful person. You always think before you talk. You are reserved about expressing your true self. You need to know someone a long time before you open up. You are highly principled in your actions. You have an ethical code that you live by. You are thought to be a perfectionist. You hold yourself to high standards.

The Funky Front Door Test

HAHAHAHA... that's SO right, except for the "peaceful" part. All that from a door?

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(Not) Spring Weather

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. ~Patrick Young

Not much to say today because we haven't done much! Yesterday was supposed to have been sunny and warm -- I had high hopes that much of the snow we'd received would melt. It was sunny for about fifteen minutes. The rest of the day was overcast and windy.

I realize that weather prediction much be difficult, but I'd sure love a job where I could be wrong more than half the time and still get paid.

Today is supposed to be cloudy and cool and tonight into tomorrow they're predicting upwards of 4" of snow again.

:::grumble grumble:::

I almost wish we hadn't been teased with such beautiful weather last week. All the walking and outdoor time is making me itch something fierce for a real spring.

I did buy flower seeds yesterday -- I couldn't help myself. I got:

Cosmos:


Straw Flowers:


Cactus Flower Zinnia:



And Bachelor Buttons:



Even though I intend on using most of my flower garden space for colorful veggies, I just couldn't resist SOME flowers ...

Now if only spring would cooperate.

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You Are Down to Earth

You are a sincere and truly nice person. When you're kind to people, you mean it. You strive to build close relationships. You can bring stability and support to the lives of others. You are predictable, stable, and consistent. You take pride in being able to be counted on. You are a team player, and you enjoy pitching in to do your part. You are a very social creature.

The Nail Polish Test

I'm not terrifically social, but otherwise this is about right.

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