SPINAL ADJUSTMENT

When book covers are designed...

I wish someone would keep in mind necks...

Specifically my neck.

Does any book cover designer...

Ever actually look at books when they’re on a shelf?

Recently...

When I was at my doctor’s office...

Waiting my turn in the waiting room...

I spotted a bookcase full of books...

Curious, I walked over to see what she, my doctor, reads...

After a few minutes though...

I felt like needed a chiropractic adjustment!
My already stiff neck was sore... 

Having to bend my head just to read the titles.             

                 
First to the left...

Then to the right...

                

Back & forth & back and forth my head wagged...

As I perused five shelves of books...
Because some titles faced left, some right.
And then, if wagging my head wasn’t annoying enough...

I had to do a deep knee bend while wagging...

In order to see the books on the lower shelves.

When I finally stood up, I felt woozy...

But through the wooziness...

One book stood out. 
 Here are the books...
Can you find the easy-to-read title?

It's the Lucifer Effect 
It's so easy to read because the title is straight up... 
And I can also easily read the author's name...
No bodily movements are necessary. Only eyes.

Hmm?

Maybe hard-to-read book spines...

Are unconsciously the reason...

When I go to Barnes & Nobel...

I am drawn to books that are on a display table...

Not just because they’re in plain sight...

But because I don’t have to do any exercises...

Except pick the book up with my hands.

So?

When your book cover was designed...

Did you ever imagine...

How it would appear on the shelf?

And do you ever get bothered looking a books in bookstores? 

Always,

Em-Musing

SHARING IS SCARING

This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and only, Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers—insecure or not—please join us. It happens the first Wednesday of each month.

It would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words will be appreciated.

The awesome co-hosts for this month are Patricia Lynne, Lisa Bule-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue

January 2 question - What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

Hmm?

Let me see...

The last time anyone asked me about my writing... 

Was a loooooooog time ago.

It’s OK, though...

Guess they’re uncomfortable still asking the same question:

“Are you published yet?”

But there is one who still inquires about my writing...

It’s my granddaughter! 

She just turned sixteen and at her tender age...

She has penned some awesome pieces herself.

Hmm? 

Maybe, just maybe...

I sparked a flame in her creativity years ago...

When I used to babysit her and my other two grandkids?

Everyday at naptime they always chirped...

“Grandma! Tell us a story!”

Mind you, these stories weren't from a book...

But rather impromptu tales...

Of Egyptian mummies that came alive... 
Lost kingdoms where strange creatures roam...  
Castles with real vampires... 
And of course ghosts, and monsters.

But while they loved these stories...

My two daughters did not.

“Mom, please stop telling the kids scary stories. It’s hard enough getting them to bed as it is, but now we have to convince them that there are no monsters or mummies lurking in the house.”

“But they ask for scary stories,” I said in defense.

“Mom, they’re kids; you should know better. 
 From now on only tell them happy stories about princes and princesses.”

“Fine,” I said, not appreciating being scolded. Or edited.

 Well, I kept my word and told only happy stories...

But those new tales did not fly with the grandkids.

“No grandma! We don’t want to hear about stupid   princesses! 

We want scary stories. Tell us more about the mummies!”

“Well, your mommies won’t let me,” I said...

As their little faces drooped with disappointment.

When they got a bit older...

I only watched them occasionally on weekends...

Yet they still persisted...

“Grandma! Tell us a story. Tell us about the mummies!”

Well, one weekend I caved.

“OK, but you have to promise me that if I tell you, you won’t be scared at bedtime, got it?”

They nodded. 

“And don’t tell your mommies.”

Giggling, we all did a “pinky swear”.

They must have kept their word 'cause I never got scolded again.

So?

Have you every told your kids or grandkids scary stories?

Ever get scolded?

Or what kind of stories do you tell?

Always,

Em-Musing