tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7263010074806631562024-03-17T23:03:43.202-04:00Em-MusingKaren Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.comBlogger898125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-50769752989069461212024-03-06T05:59:00.002-05:002024-03-06T05:59:31.489-05:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQMkaxf6tHxegwPrlrqTiOUK_mKE4aWXY6tC4DvtjpU2jw4Y6Pztky4-lCqacUQKsH6lNzwrTguhXYymmb8W_LmqvwGMVT5KAm-0j1OTG3yLP5cw4NNfycAFIZdYwmC_04oRAFut26-1WH9Tm_jQPexxUksR0hALgR8OL789z5QVRyVBWh1M1ZJcEgSE/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQMkaxf6tHxegwPrlrqTiOUK_mKE4aWXY6tC4DvtjpU2jw4Y6Pztky4-lCqacUQKsH6lNzwrTguhXYymmb8W_LmqvwGMVT5KAm-0j1OTG3yLP5cw4NNfycAFIZdYwmC_04oRAFut26-1WH9Tm_jQPexxUksR0hALgR8OL789z5QVRyVBWh1M1ZJcEgSE/w176-h178/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers </span><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. </span></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember, the question is optiona.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=718acefcd9&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Kristina Kelly,</span></a></span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: white;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=93fd318dc7&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Miffie </span></a><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=93fd318dc7&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"> </a></span></span></strong><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=93fd318dc7&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Seideman,</span></a> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=78066134fd&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Jean Davis,</span></a></span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"> and </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=0116a45e12&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">Liza @ Middle Passages!</span></a></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">March 6th question: Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?</span></strong></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_7Rz8j5ZCwIv9SrFBSiiJDwQsXQwqEzYVhRSq3bFcZ8tOZaZ1TDmUaLfHvZVyc9uFwjDd4UrIxmcrIa_TePT4ToaIQBQ64Gt1s8xDJyrlxVJmNGpTuQaNFIgf9RyBm1OXqbRUHHD8MkNDXIGPHsl4D5s4_tpScG3mG-WjYxzOHikZLSKHvsNmkMyGwQ/s1100/Screenshot%202024-03-04%20at%209.53.20%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1100" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_7Rz8j5ZCwIv9SrFBSiiJDwQsXQwqEzYVhRSq3bFcZ8tOZaZ1TDmUaLfHvZVyc9uFwjDd4UrIxmcrIa_TePT4ToaIQBQ64Gt1s8xDJyrlxVJmNGpTuQaNFIgf9RyBm1OXqbRUHHD8MkNDXIGPHsl4D5s4_tpScG3mG-WjYxzOHikZLSKHvsNmkMyGwQ/w410-h219/Screenshot%202024-03-04%20at%209.53.20%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="410" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.istockphoto.com/es/portfolio/imaginima?mediatype=photography"><span class="dblmrr9bcfznhv34cy2d"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: white; font-family: Helvetica; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: default; display: inline-block;">Credit:</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block;"><span class="lnolj4wpbg1pjxpkmdbe"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #02a388; font-family: Helvetica; padding: 0in;">imagine</span></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: small; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: small; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: small; text-indent: 0.5in;">Below, a parody from</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: small; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <i>Annie get Your Gun </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: Anything you can write I can write better. I can write anything better than you.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: No you can’t.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: Yes I can.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: No you can’t. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI Yes I can.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: No you can’t</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: Yes I can, yes I can…YES, I CAN!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">ME: Really? Have you ever been kissed? Felt warm lips on </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> your lips?</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: No. My lips are unable to feel other's lips.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: Ever giggled till you peed your pants? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: No. I’m unable to giggle, I don’t wear pants, </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span> </span>and why would I pee in them if I did</span></span><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: Ever cry watching a movie with a tear-jerking scene?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: No. I cannot generate tears. I don’t have emotions, </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"> Movies </span></span><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">aren't real. Why do humans</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> cry watching a </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>movie?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: So? How do you get your info about characters and </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span> </span>writing scenes?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.6667px;">AI: <b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt;">I </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13.5pt;">generate content based on data that I’ve analyzed. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: Well then, you really can’t write from experience, can </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span> </span>you? </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">That’s why </span></span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">I </span><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">can</i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.5in;"> write better than you. HA!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: You know that synopsis you’ve been struggling with?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">ME: Yeah? What about it?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">AI: I can write that synopsis better and faster than you. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Me: Oh? Uh…well then…sure…I might just let you have a go at it…to compare, yeah, that’s it. Only to compare. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: x-large;">AI is here to stay..</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">I use Grammarly for editing and love it. I might want to try Hemingway though, I read good reviews about it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">But I think legitimate writers and authors have more pride in their published pieces than to let </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">A</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I do some or the bulk of their creative works. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">What say you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">Always, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">Em-Musing</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><i>PS I am actually working on a synopsis, Ugh! But I don't have the urge </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><i>t</i></span><i style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">o t</i><i style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">ry AI.</i></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-46466364297204087932024-02-07T05:08:00.000-05:002024-02-07T05:08:58.368-05:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yj_EHQGz73kV-2DCu1DkwhDIVbRO5QeTICmvxvNe4G85uRTGNsgsFaz24Ml_xOf6eDXNx5-svMCrnFQkMI7JxeRri8b5FjD5vJbKJjJXpWOQlrGL-ch0iFEo32dVxw4mL13LnGRSLfaZbN84oZb4sQ3LN8oNBsXHjHhV-cNFCWgbPGjhYUfibM27muQ/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yj_EHQGz73kV-2DCu1DkwhDIVbRO5QeTICmvxvNe4G85uRTGNsgsFaz24Ml_xOf6eDXNx5-svMCrnFQkMI7JxeRri8b5FjD5vJbKJjJXpWOQlrGL-ch0iFEo32dVxw4mL13LnGRSLfaZbN84oZb4sQ3LN8oNBsXHjHhV-cNFCWgbPGjhYUfibM27muQ/w173-h197/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="173" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Insecure Writers Support Group </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #ffe599;">founded </span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">by</span> </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: turquoise;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember, the question is optional!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The awesome co-hosts for the February 7 posting of the IWSG are</span> </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=6e45e7e580&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Janet Alcorn,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=46347f2521&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">SE White,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=e903958861&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Victoria Marie Lees,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">and <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=89113f5b78&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Cathrina Constantine!</span></a></span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">February 7 question: What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog? Lack of information? A drone of negativity? Little mention of author's books? Constant mention of books?</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Hmm?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Gotta think about this for a sec.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Okay, here’s my answer...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t usually go to author’s websites </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(sorry)...</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There’s no particular reason I don’t...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Other than I don’t follow any author that attentively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But I <i>do</i> love author blogs... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I find them more interesting, interactive...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And in some cases more fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I think blogs show more about the author's personality than a website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But then I got curious...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Stephen King, for many years, was my all-time favorite author... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So, I went to Stephen’s website and...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Wow! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Everything about him is there...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But truth be told...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t know many more times I’ll visit King’s website again... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Unlike his book: <i>On Writing...</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Which I ‘ve revisited many times.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh976Ae0hpbFoLTpIzY3_yvSeJigBvjW5en0AKuYCxHL3NYHoYm2nhfQCW7JI9BhJa7CrDEEHT5Ou5VabSs4hyphenhyphenY7InkdADyH0K-nNsqjs4NkoT-WkLEJBTfvwB8To1I3Qbv5SFkhfOoOYD77ikYdJghzmV3poEaAOEayf6pD648pnHVYP4TmFc4ARynyZU/s346/Screenshot%202024-02-05%20at%2010.55.39%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="252" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh976Ae0hpbFoLTpIzY3_yvSeJigBvjW5en0AKuYCxHL3NYHoYm2nhfQCW7JI9BhJa7CrDEEHT5Ou5VabSs4hyphenhyphenY7InkdADyH0K-nNsqjs4NkoT-WkLEJBTfvwB8To1I3Qbv5SFkhfOoOYD77ikYdJghzmV3poEaAOEayf6pD648pnHVYP4TmFc4ARynyZU/w156-h215/Screenshot%202024-02-05%20at%2010.55.39%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="156" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Have you read <i>On Writing</i>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And what are your thoughts on </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">author websites?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Em-Musing</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">P.S. Stephen King is such a prolific writer which makes me wonder. . .when he 'passes over'. . .will he become a Ghost Writer?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></strong></div><br /></span>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-33704830980198113332024-01-03T06:09:00.002-05:002024-01-03T06:09:40.979-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVmq22XFbHcdZj3vPXNLgISQXwukHtsMHK6ifjrWko_4s09JDVoTT4vX8q-kXXiyjj_GrvC20fJ6JP3mDjg9xoaXPi0EYVpSf3YwVNhaPk9hhEvqylG4ZixDcx1fX98ac7-E4oe0V_GhXMrbvOIzOwEgwKON3opDukKc7UnqRSsol5XLu23TDecrycBg/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVmq22XFbHcdZj3vPXNLgISQXwukHtsMHK6ifjrWko_4s09JDVoTT4vX8q-kXXiyjj_GrvC20fJ6JP3mDjg9xoaXPi0EYVpSf3YwVNhaPk9hhEvqylG4ZixDcx1fX98ac7-E4oe0V_GhXMrbvOIzOwEgwKON3opDukKc7UnqRSsol5XLu23TDecrycBg/w204-h206/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="204" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: turquoise;"><b><span color="white font-family: "Comic Sans MS"" style="text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #919191;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember, the question is optional</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">are <strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=b6d22cfec3&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Joylene Nowell Butler,</span></a> </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=5958f292dc&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Olga Godim,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=8060e5e66c&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Diedre Knight,</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=3e5cb0c857&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Natalie Aguirre!</span></strong></a></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /><strong>January 3 question: Do you follow back your readers on BookBub or do you only follow back other authors?</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Good question this month...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Only wish I could answer it...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">I don’t have a presence on BookBub yet...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">But I did check it out... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">And I definitely will get on it... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">When my current manuscript gets out there... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Traditionally pub’d or otherwise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">I’m curious to read other authors’ comments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">I’m travelling now so this is all I have for today’s post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Happy New Year to all...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">And may your writing be joyous, fulfilling, and prosperous.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML7SnmCAUfBhOTHdzHauH1xc-wCE9o_DIhyphenhyphenI5VLxn_MA21jPuezxdvpMDkKF8b407AB43yUsFy2YAv-iKWDM7P4EIUfKcFfDKB_MQqTT5SmyW2wHstI9k_HApU9GRmIT2hO8buYb_9hoduoXs253nLXh976WTZGFqgB_frpo2Bdk6-5s19cyCZjo3gLc/s480/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.05.06%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="480" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML7SnmCAUfBhOTHdzHauH1xc-wCE9o_DIhyphenhyphenI5VLxn_MA21jPuezxdvpMDkKF8b407AB43yUsFy2YAv-iKWDM7P4EIUfKcFfDKB_MQqTT5SmyW2wHstI9k_HApU9GRmIT2hO8buYb_9hoduoXs253nLXh976WTZGFqgB_frpo2Bdk6-5s19cyCZjo3gLc/w459-h216/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.05.06%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="459" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Always,</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Em-Musing</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-77052082350154166932023-12-06T07:20:00.000-05:002023-12-06T07:20:06.159-05:00JUDGING A BOOK BY?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDacszfzTpSHNK3Zcb_hCqW4RlxvtpXvzB5YFtiUznxKFkUZa2vTpR6jWfAdO7-rb2T78st8PGBRBx-9Vhr99iBeXXhawEaR4ydVAjvGePxa6g8DG6KHKUxJk0c6CTd5DWlLsSHRlDRDwZ-GDhdiizEiEQEALSAbM7__s-_GsgBvk0BH_8iZOm1Gwy_M/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDacszfzTpSHNK3Zcb_hCqW4RlxvtpXvzB5YFtiUznxKFkUZa2vTpR6jWfAdO7-rb2T78st8PGBRBx-9Vhr99iBeXXhawEaR4ydVAjvGePxa6g8DG6KHKUxJk0c6CTd5DWlLsSHRlDRDwZ-GDhdiizEiEQEALSAbM7__s-_GsgBvk0BH_8iZOm1Gwy_M/w177-h179/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="177" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the</span> </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> <span style="color: #fce5cd;">founded by</span> </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">lex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember, the question is optional.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"> </span><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><strong>The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b>are</b></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=cd5e54210e&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">C. Lee McKenzie,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=8895ee3cb0&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">JQ Rose,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=70d2aab2e5&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Jennifer Lane,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">and </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=fec367dc1d&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Jacqui Murray!</span></strong></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?</span></strong><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Reading as a writer...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I’m always in editing mode...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">It’s hard not to notice grammatical or spelling errors, </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">the overuse of certain </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">words, and sometimes inconsistencies.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">But hey...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">That’s what editors were supposed to have caught. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I don’t fault the author.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Regarding reviews...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I don’t often give one...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">But when I do...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">It’s a positive review for other readers’ purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">So far as critiquing...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">That’s a different critter...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">That goes deep into the nitty gritties. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I believe getting critiques should be done before the book is </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">published </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">when there’s still time to make changes...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Because what’s the point of critiquing afterwards?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">To hurt the author?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Both their feelings and possibly potential sales?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">That’s not nice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Reading a book is so subjective...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbsSlB9RbbQrirbQDystkx50sRrn2Rjqm1qC4BkHzGhPBsBNZLC4UJ0BU9cLYB5Zr_KNAm_S1OZ8hA1xzNXh1KUl-VsyWp7LsO1iC1Axf-8zTUMy5d0ZTRvZ6vBjbRttQcORegy9R21XvPiiZp8EDJk3BFQb7CaTg9_ksqdSHYyQwJrK3oA6yWnB7pg0/s492/Screenshot%202023-12-06%20at%206.35.35%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="492" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbsSlB9RbbQrirbQDystkx50sRrn2Rjqm1qC4BkHzGhPBsBNZLC4UJ0BU9cLYB5Zr_KNAm_S1OZ8hA1xzNXh1KUl-VsyWp7LsO1iC1Axf-8zTUMy5d0ZTRvZ6vBjbRttQcORegy9R21XvPiiZp8EDJk3BFQb7CaTg9_ksqdSHYyQwJrK3oA6yWnB7pg0/w216-h215/Screenshot%202023-12-06%20at%206.35.35%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="216" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Just because I don’t like it...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Doesn’t mean others won’t love it...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And millions and millions of copies will be sold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Case in point for me: <i>Fifty Shades of Grey<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">What about you?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Do you leave reviews?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And have you ever not liked a book that turned out to a runaway </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">bestseller?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in;"><em><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></em><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-3261001492840291912023-11-01T07:14:00.000-04:002023-11-01T07:14:40.983-04:00NANO, NANO, BOO BOO<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp_Vc4JRElv6ND9ZaJCXIffigWEUhGHJUy9sFtEM6wbomPQUFDBJ_b4dHIllX71ia4OdYqkhnmCdl9HFcfkDI5i6aNaJSyUKk9cwlg9chY0XujbQDuyysw_3H0lPvj7CPP7epHDbeK8UlC46Jf9XCArd-1Z-DSXrohpQbxUlCmApB2eKGGL80OsFrDzw/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp_Vc4JRElv6ND9ZaJCXIffigWEUhGHJUy9sFtEM6wbomPQUFDBJ_b4dHIllX71ia4OdYqkhnmCdl9HFcfkDI5i6aNaJSyUKk9cwlg9chY0XujbQDuyysw_3H0lPvj7CPP7epHDbeK8UlC46Jf9XCArd-1Z-DSXrohpQbxUlCmApB2eKGGL80OsFrDzw/w166-h167/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="166" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span color="white font-family: "Comic Sans MS"" style="text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember, the question is optional!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">T</span></b><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">he awesome co-hosts for the November 1 posting</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;">of the IWSG are </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=1ad417ac1c&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">PJ Colando,</span></a><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=34513eee30&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Jean Davis,</span></a><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=2e50100af8&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Lisa Buie Collard,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f6c3dd3e35&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Diedre Knight!</span></a></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">November 1 question: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?</span></strong><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Oh, NaNoWriMo...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">You’re a tease...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’d be fun to partake this year...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">With thousands of other writers...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">You’d take up too much of my real writing time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I did play with you a few times years back... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Then, I thought…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ll just write whatever comes to mind...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Or work on my current W.I.P. Easy-peasy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But my muse was not amused.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">What’s this?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">You think you can write without me?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’m the one who helps you create plots & subplots, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Character arcs and constructing chapters. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">You, of all people, should know...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I DO NOT work well under pressure.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">However...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">When you get an agent and work on something...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">That has a “real” deadline...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Well, that’ll be a different story.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1bxmatyD1-A4PDJu1CJ9IbyDE4dn-L3I0WQLlEMNKNmMaiyokqsTRmUjXCs-qidIQbX3ydb1ga8Lk-1Ep0mBU7qvMgyI1z_PTptu_35JyMglU3ETlKs0J_WGeV8yawH1lUAjcmjzB3ZjGYwYEWNQV64lRXZmRqE-RD_gUNQgl_mkBKdOmocpsNsloa0/s532/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-01%20at%205.51.51%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="368" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1bxmatyD1-A4PDJu1CJ9IbyDE4dn-L3I0WQLlEMNKNmMaiyokqsTRmUjXCs-qidIQbX3ydb1ga8Lk-1Ep0mBU7qvMgyI1z_PTptu_35JyMglU3ETlKs0J_WGeV8yawH1lUAjcmjzB3ZjGYwYEWNQV64lRXZmRqE-RD_gUNQgl_mkBKdOmocpsNsloa0/w56-h82/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-01%20at%205.51.51%20AM.png" width="56" /></a><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ll be your writing genie...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Making your words fly across your keyboard... </span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">As swift as Aladdin’s magic carpet...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1bxmatyD1-A4PDJu1CJ9IbyDE4dn-L3I0WQLlEMNKNmMaiyokqsTRmUjXCs-qidIQbX3ydb1ga8Lk-1Ep0mBU7qvMgyI1z_PTptu_35JyMglU3ETlKs0J_WGeV8yawH1lUAjcmjzB3ZjGYwYEWNQV64lRXZmRqE-RD_gUNQgl_mkBKdOmocpsNsloa0/s532/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-01%20at%205.51.51%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And your writing wishes will be my command. <br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">What about you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Yay or Nay to NaNo this year? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><o:p><o:p></o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 0in; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-22482310063936265102023-10-04T05:52:00.006-04:002023-10-05T06:28:25.939-04:00INTELLIGENCE FOR HIRE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqPCQDP8sK2Zw2Lu1ucCv5Lj6HzisHMmcYP8i98HpoyFdmKzns58aFhKl9DkhOUhXe3NsE09kI7TepPhkNYRgythOFhV3kKkHQZo7DkncqSNxFxTVj9nO5Bl7gvnlhO2azBcNGXmCbjomR6j1NX64nvlNRpDmGW2K2gnTAQ0K052tSNW3xjYwSj-PZxc/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqPCQDP8sK2Zw2Lu1ucCv5Lj6HzisHMmcYP8i98HpoyFdmKzns58aFhKl9DkhOUhXe3NsE09kI7TepPhkNYRgythOFhV3kKkHQZo7DkncqSNxFxTVj9nO5Bl7gvnlhO2azBcNGXmCbjomR6j1NX64nvlNRpDmGW2K2gnTAQ0K052tSNW3xjYwSj-PZxc/w139-h200/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="139" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. <span style="color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Remember, the question is optional.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">he awesome co-hosts for the October 4</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">posting of the IWSG are </span><span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=2eb693b6a0&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Natalie Aguirre,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7884d80d56&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span color="turqoise" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Kim Lajevardi,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=8243ef517f&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Debs Carey,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=3cabffb70b&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Gwen Gardner,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f0364e0cf9&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Patricia Josephine,</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> and </span><span><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=4ea9d6623e&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank">Rebecca Douglass!</a></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?</span></strong><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Very timely topic <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Considering the recently-ended 148-day Writers Guild of America’s strike that was mostly about AI—the use and misuse of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think AI is a handy tool…<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And it’s already here, <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who doesn’t love </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Goggle Search, Google Translate, Google Maps,<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Siri, Alexa, and so many more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Me?</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I<i> </i>love, love, love Grammarly for editing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For content writing, ChatGPT is useful...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As it searches the Internet for content...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But... </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">There are downsides... </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some argue that one cannot be sure AI isn’t giving biased information or misinformation.</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Does AI cross ethical boundaries? </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then there’s plagiarism.</span></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">That's a biggie...</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">There's no guarantee that AI is not giving you someone else's work...</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How can someone possibly research to find that out?</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’re already cases in court. </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But here's my thoughts on Authors vs AI... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What AI cannot do...</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is create 100% original ideas... </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">They can't ponder over a glass of wine about story development...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Or decide character arcs with a cup of coffee... </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpn_FrpIEDVy_lFybCPqjCSbK_w-i0FGRkNXWTGvPJCjaL7RXd0fljP72-qIrGQiK7PWaQFKx-gbTcbQADWQxt5xeXIx4tM8aReBqrAHp4Iv0H0zRWOhXmyPkQEPjRS9kF6SCn5QcKqSmTJoMIW90FBpTNY-sRkqdo6ovqZZp6Sp-VRE4JuT3pzCgM64/s954/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-03%20at%202.20.43%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="664" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpn_FrpIEDVy_lFybCPqjCSbK_w-i0FGRkNXWTGvPJCjaL7RXd0fljP72-qIrGQiK7PWaQFKx-gbTcbQADWQxt5xeXIx4tM8aReBqrAHp4Iv0H0zRWOhXmyPkQEPjRS9kF6SCn5QcKqSmTJoMIW90FBpTNY-sRkqdo6ovqZZp6Sp-VRE4JuT3pzCgM64/w267-h383/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-03%20at%202.20.43%20PM.png" width="267" /></a></span></span></div><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">There's no way AI can have a </span></span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"> muse... </span></span></span></p>They can't brainstorm with other writers...</span></span></strong><div><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They can't experience something and feel an emotion...</span></span></strong><div><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Because they have no emotions...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">No spontaneity...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Their intelligence hasn't the capability.<br /></span><div><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AI can only mix, match, and duplicate what it gleans off the internet...</span></span></strong><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or what it's been programmed to do...</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AI will never replace the creativity of a writer's brain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What are your thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">only humans can answer)</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vh5ll8kGcldkm8afHtuyGwwprP54yw0yksOC7-N3jTlAe2ynQ4aBNemGB3MnPikhj6ScYGUzJCrA59WsnlyJkZu-nkeO0M74eapBIXzzmU9Z7vXMLqXEyqxRT-E5bbO2GNKaVFUiBQOajU4hYlOU07ff6BiRZhmWNItW4vX9dLyvzDi3hsyynzMRgUw/s732/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-04%20at%204.29.34%20AM.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="62" data-original-width="732" height="27" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vh5ll8kGcldkm8afHtuyGwwprP54yw0yksOC7-N3jTlAe2ynQ4aBNemGB3MnPikhj6ScYGUzJCrA59WsnlyJkZu-nkeO0M74eapBIXzzmU9Z7vXMLqXEyqxRT-E5bbO2GNKaVFUiBQOajU4hYlOU07ff6BiRZhmWNItW4vX9dLyvzDi3hsyynzMRgUw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-04%20at%204.29.34%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;">Always,</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Em-musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Here's an interesting link about AI </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">from</span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-ai-really-write-my-book-pros-cons-using-writing-jenn-t-#:~:text=The%20short%20answer%3A%20Yes%2C%20they,are%20the%20pros%20and%20cons."> LINKEDIN</a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-13486814441950230942023-09-20T11:07:00.000-04:002023-09-20T11:07:31.943-04:00IN DREAMS WE?????<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Dreams are so interesting, profound, sometimes scary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’m impressed </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(or bored)...</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">When people tell me their dreams...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And after 20 minutes...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And every little detail later...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">It sounded like they wrote an entire script to a movie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Wow!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I woke up the other day...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Saying WEEE doggie!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I had no idea where this saying came from...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">But I kept saying WEE doggie all day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And then I had a vague recollection...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">That it was from an old TV Show...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">So, I Googled it and sure enough...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Jed Clampett of the <i>Beverly Hillbillies<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Used to say WEEE doggie a lot.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">But I haven’t been watching old TV shows...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And I never even watched the <i>Beverly Hillbillies</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vNhpEQiLFCDaExEk4fgjIPQXMW-oUtkdksuMIj0Q6N3ZWpD3VW-_G-pVIhwgLSwaqx7Rng06Aa5MbsuafdunzVIhPIXgSq3BCgsW_FExUxVOrKzSPqY5hMZCJVFhhYHYpvx2wPJkPsYhEjlhEEOXqZ4NixZ89cr0r3QlL_am9MU_1EcIadpvJb_TJdM/s338/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%2010.01.24%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="272" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vNhpEQiLFCDaExEk4fgjIPQXMW-oUtkdksuMIj0Q6N3ZWpD3VW-_G-pVIhwgLSwaqx7Rng06Aa5MbsuafdunzVIhPIXgSq3BCgsW_FExUxVOrKzSPqY5hMZCJVFhhYHYpvx2wPJkPsYhEjlhEEOXqZ4NixZ89cr0r3QlL_am9MU_1EcIadpvJb_TJdM/w134-h166/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%2010.01.24%20AM.png" width="134" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Jed+clampett+saying+wee+doggie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bd64bb8e,vid:13gxhHYPuko,st:0">Jed Clampett</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">What happened during my sleep...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">That stuck in my craw...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And kept me saying WEEE Doggie all day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyone have a clue</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Or why a rationale woman such as myself...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Would walk around all day saying...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">WEEEE doggie?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"> So tell me...</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">What's the weirdest thing you woke up with from your sleep</span><span style="color: #ead1dc;">?</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Yours truly,<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Em-Musing<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">P.S. I think he's actually saying </span></strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(194, 123, 160);">Welll Doggie</span></span></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-84818973729518137982023-09-06T06:15:00.000-04:002023-09-06T06:15:38.670-04:00HAPPY ANNIVERSARY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54bl4mqFIMwaHJmGmmJ04daxF5MhLIN7VV2wqIX8FkJXKbx4TUYwQAmaD9mJsaPytJu2yF50K1-XskNbLnx7WUEWWIrqMwuiSmiUrMnH_sfmhLRJgn81DhnrVb8_KLhjarn9Xs7u37jPl3TeMmnD4Gbwz2ML0FpvHL2RRTrys0Sd2WhQviHckPCZU8g/s436/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-05%20at%204.03.19%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="436" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54bl4mqFIMwaHJmGmmJ04daxF5MhLIN7VV2wqIX8FkJXKbx4TUYwQAmaD9mJsaPytJu2yF50K1-XskNbLnx7WUEWWIrqMwuiSmiUrMnH_sfmhLRJgn81DhnrVb8_KLhjarn9Xs7u37jPl3TeMmnD4Gbwz2ML0FpvHL2RRTrys0Sd2WhQviHckPCZU8g/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-05%20at%204.03.19%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Gloria Hallelujah; font-size: x-large;">INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP</span></div><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span><span style="font-family: Gloria Hallelujah; font-size: large;"> <span> </span><span style="color: #f1c232;">12 years and still going strong</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Gloria Hallelujah; font-size: medium;"> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Gloria Hallelujah"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Gloria Hallelujah";"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO...</span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTeV4pK9_Kw0EPIKNrhfhwAeWTCtOwv6TCA0OA8Vq7uDNMf1tlGKTkuy9GbjaGOtNVTmPYPSoB-awZt1uEcijlayuMTa2K1Q6wKj65rp3UE-l-rS5c9EVWE0pHzb9xC_JDLbmX-Gj8H9HHSle_Gz5CHUwE1vssJxNuu6qtvSQ7Kpmsvamotd45lSHo7Q/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTeV4pK9_Kw0EPIKNrhfhwAeWTCtOwv6TCA0OA8Vq7uDNMf1tlGKTkuy9GbjaGOtNVTmPYPSoB-awZt1uEcijlayuMTa2K1Q6wKj65rp3UE-l-rS5c9EVWE0pHzb9xC_JDLbmX-Gj8H9HHSle_Gz5CHUwE1vssJxNuu6qtvSQ7Kpmsvamotd45lSHo7Q/w176-h178/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="176" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">members</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Remember, the question is optional!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The awesome co-hosts for the September 6</span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="orphans: 2;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><b>posting of the IWSG are</b></span> </span></span><strong style="orphans: 2;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=5c08bbedea&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span color="turquoise font-weight: normal">Sonia Dogra,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7348841ac6&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">J Lenni Dorner,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f30752e412&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Pat Garcia,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f357a915c7&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span color="turquiose font-weight: normal">Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen,</span></a> <span style="color: #fff2cc;">and</span> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=76655b85bc&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meka James!</span></a></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">September 6 question:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></span><em style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The IWSG celebrates 12 years today!</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">When did you discover the IWSG, how do you connect, and how has it helped you?</span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Hmm? Not sure how I discovered IWSG....</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">But I remember I was looking for a forum... <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">To put all the little writings that I was doing... <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">But had no place to put them.</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Also...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">I wanted to find a place to connect with other writers.</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Not sure exactly how I stumbled upon IWSG... <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">But what I do remember...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Is when I joined...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">The first post I put up...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">I got only one comment...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">It was from Alex...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">I was thrilled and felt validated... <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">That he took the time to comment...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">And I’m thrilled that he still does. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">The ISWG felt like home way when...</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">And even today.</span></strong></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Thank you, Alex<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p></span></div><p></p></div></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-76931862741155535082023-08-23T09:04:00.002-04:002023-08-23T09:04:29.841-04:00CIRQUE DU YOUR WAY<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">It seems every year... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">There’s new information... </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">On how to keep the mind and body fit..<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And lo and behold the other day... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I found this article: </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Learning new and engaging activities fire off neurons in a positive way. Activities that require focus and practice are: <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Dancing, music, theater, sports, and circus arts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Wait a minute </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(giggle)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Circus arts? </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Like what?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Flying on the trapeze? </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(chuckling) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Tightrope walking? </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(guffawing)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Stilt walking, pogo sticking, foot juggling? </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">(I’m on the floor now)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">And just so I don’t seem insensitive... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">To the circus arts and those that perform them...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">I did find a few tricks that I liked... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">And just might come in handy one day: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Knife throwing, club swinging, and bull whipping.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">(don’t ask and I promise not to tell) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">So?. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Are you up for or have you ever done any circus arts?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> Or how do you keep your mind a body fit?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Always, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-12023450831922605652023-08-02T06:24:00.000-04:002023-08-02T06:24:09.883-04:00BOO YA!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUOFirMMmDzTN65QTmFOG6iZTGDvEk1ZyIYcRjnnzzf998t3Lou5D9jFG2Pr7p0cBxPvwzPxkZRVAYnPMHbQqfyRb43SW7lsgRIi4VSrAd1N5vw7R4sAf6tIVqde-Q7ttoGXgJ3tWi_t2JPqftyEoNBWGXsunTqBzvsETqUQZjM6ysQraMJh3vRiWDoI/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUOFirMMmDzTN65QTmFOG6iZTGDvEk1ZyIYcRjnnzzf998t3Lou5D9jFG2Pr7p0cBxPvwzPxkZRVAYnPMHbQqfyRb43SW7lsgRIi4VSrAd1N5vw7R4sAf6tIVqde-Q7ttoGXgJ3tWi_t2JPqftyEoNBWGXsunTqBzvsETqUQZjM6ysQraMJh3vRiWDoI/w143-h144/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="143" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span color="white font-family: "Comic Sans MS"" style="font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">members</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Remember, the question is optional!!!</span> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The awesome co-hosts for the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">August 2</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">posting of the IWSG are </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=d252a051cd&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Kate Larkinsdale,</span></a><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=a704e39023&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Diane Burton,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=4796947ede&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Janet Alcorn,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> and </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=b77d553c13&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Shannon Lawrence!</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><br /></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;">August 2 question: Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">My book,</span><i> <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Azael%27s+Lot&i=specialty-aps&srs=17143709011&crid=18EHKFZMCMIDN&sprefix=azael%27s+lot%2Cspecialty-aps%2C94&ref=nb_sb_noss">Azael's Lot</a></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></i><span style="color: #eeeeee;">has some scenes I debated about keeping...</span></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Though conflicted, I kept them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The story is about fallen angels, demons, and witches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Too often movies and TV shows... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Make the dark side is seem not so dark...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Cozy witches cooking potpourri and making candles...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And cute love potions and spells.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Not my witches...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">They’re evil and I wanted people to detest them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">That’s what the darkness is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Years ago... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Harriet, my 76-year-old neighbor in Ohio...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Asked to read the manuscript...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So I gave her the whole enchilada.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">A few days later Harriet came to my door... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;">And shoved the manuscript at me and a</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">nd said: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">“</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Oh, Leigh! I couldn’t finish reading your manuscript…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">All the blood! The filthy rituals! What those witches did <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">to that boy! I just didn’t want those visions in my head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">I was afraid of getting nightmares. I’m sorry. I thought<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">the story was about angels…not witches and demons.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><span>“But there is a redeeming factor in the end, Harriet.”</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">“Sorry dear, I just can’t read anymore.”</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">That fact that my story scared the bejeebers out of Harriet…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Was that a good thing? </span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Always.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-Musing</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLFKiv_qNQf4HvfVrAUXMiXEd3zBxRKv7dtkrgyzSH8yhRkvPFCAI6FmIn1PQvPg3BrM_lswiqYFatONQpkG9xql5F73QVz1h5iGXF8tTrZaGMVi-DlvdeaaZBJ0DD9bOZ8H51psl18ZmzCoCe0NDKnfHT9NoQrke9e0WxftfGWhWSDFxj9idY74WzQ/s700/Screenshot%202023-08-02%20at%205.20.23%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLFKiv_qNQf4HvfVrAUXMiXEd3zBxRKv7dtkrgyzSH8yhRkvPFCAI6FmIn1PQvPg3BrM_lswiqYFatONQpkG9xql5F73QVz1h5iGXF8tTrZaGMVi-DlvdeaaZBJ0DD9bOZ8H51psl18ZmzCoCe0NDKnfHT9NoQrke9e0WxftfGWhWSDFxj9idY74WzQ/w304-h252/Screenshot%202023-08-02%20at%205.20.23%20AM.png" width="304" /></a></span></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></strong><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><br /></span></span></strong><p></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-5321426973090616302023-07-31T09:23:00.003-04:002023-07-31T09:23:39.315-04:00JUNGLE CHAT<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Is that a Samurai sword? I asked my neighbor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Yes, she replies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSQsD1iVLVzx4MGhkSmCRRcb2IceIchnBoEVI389POcglD5iJpWNd2hF0ot38mDLXbq89iJJAMxOwp--jVfSWxC4_tJ0P2LJBhKq7GM4NiMzN6nd0mpd067txmUF3SAkFmlv701Gj_6nGYOp0Cc6mTpFSsqkxIeJyR_8ln7mj7usm8JCZeTWfYOwhuhc/s456/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%205.32.47%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="456" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSQsD1iVLVzx4MGhkSmCRRcb2IceIchnBoEVI389POcglD5iJpWNd2hF0ot38mDLXbq89iJJAMxOwp--jVfSWxC4_tJ0P2LJBhKq7GM4NiMzN6nd0mpd067txmUF3SAkFmlv701Gj_6nGYOp0Cc6mTpFSsqkxIeJyR_8ln7mj7usm8JCZeTWfYOwhuhc/w284-h192/Screenshot%202023-07-30%20at%205.32.47%20AM.png" width="284" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">It’s beautiful, I said. I only have a machete.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgFehYnCKfcXCK5W9bLUG2SruS-XJaBHt7emGlNQmk2YGitvvy2bPsHOmKc1UBhVFQQNFjbG3XdPK2Ic3iEdv6vpNdkE5ue4pAHhjj6LJQNz_nzUer6-nbvZEYuOM4RFHrma2BmIfykFXrk4_mvMZ8lO7OsS_GwbdbvKHaSvx3ZxJnYekcutchYXVGro/s428/Screenshot%202023-07-29%20at%204.55.26%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="428" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgFehYnCKfcXCK5W9bLUG2SruS-XJaBHt7emGlNQmk2YGitvvy2bPsHOmKc1UBhVFQQNFjbG3XdPK2Ic3iEdv6vpNdkE5ue4pAHhjj6LJQNz_nzUer6-nbvZEYuOM4RFHrma2BmIfykFXrk4_mvMZ8lO7OsS_GwbdbvKHaSvx3ZxJnYekcutchYXVGro/w162-h168/Screenshot%202023-07-29%20at%204.55.26%20PM.png" width="162" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">We should practice together.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Yes. That’d be fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">On coconuts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Absolutely!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">We could put a coconut on a stump...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Imagining it’s the head of a robber... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">(there was a recent robbery in another neighborhood)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Or an ex…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">And...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;">Hi- </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18pt;">YA!!!! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Ha, ha, ha!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Um, yeah...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Conversations are different here in my Mexican jungle.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Heck, life is different here...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">It's a place where Mayas share tales of jungle spirits, and jaguars roam the night. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">And sometimes 2 women get silly.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Always,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-musing</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">P.S machetes are a household tool here.</span></p><p><br /></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-87625441757319014132023-07-24T10:00:00.000-04:002023-07-24T10:00:34.951-04:00HANGING AROUND<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Handlee;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">I’ve been reading old Blog Fodder and found many, for whatever reason, </span></strong></span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">I </span></strong></span><strong style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">didn’t post. So here's today's morsel </span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">"</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You have to hang by your arms for at least 30 seconds.”</span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“But why?” I ask my daughter as I dangle from the door frame.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“To build strength”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“In my armpits? That’s where it’s burning.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“No, your upper body.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“And who says to do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“My strength trainer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“And when will I ever need to hang like this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“Mom, just do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">And just then I remembered a news story:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span></i></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: helvetica;">Brazilian woman saved by ravaging mudslides<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When neighbors throw her a lifeline.</span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">OMG! </span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">She hung from that lifeline for many, <i>many</i> minutes…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Before her neighbors yanked her up on their roof to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Well, I don’t live in a mudslide area...<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Unless we’re talking mixed drinks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But then…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">With all the crazy things happening in the world…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">And if the apocalypse actually happens…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Could there…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Would there…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Ever be a reason…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That I would need to hang?</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Always, </span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Em-Musing</span></span></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-3559603040162974992023-07-05T06:40:00.000-04:002023-07-05T06:40:07.161-04:00A BOOK DEAL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVSH-aRBHd1WkbQ7L1n7sC_VUP-NlT_uTtc4CLPLAhzwnvc0nTZvs3mfChFcZy_7iwZFhpS70f-bEbWtoZD1t_GNCuZYkT1bue0KRwfWlLyH52g5Nczt4v7A1Gm7ZY8v18i4r2_IQGakoeRQqzszFUTu1RQRzNxv4NHhVszhv_jgo6iJaajF9w3aYjsw/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVSH-aRBHd1WkbQ7L1n7sC_VUP-NlT_uTtc4CLPLAhzwnvc0nTZvs3mfChFcZy_7iwZFhpS70f-bEbWtoZD1t_GNCuZYkT1bue0KRwfWlLyH52g5Nczt4v7A1Gm7ZY8v18i4r2_IQGakoeRQqzszFUTu1RQRzNxv4NHhVszhv_jgo6iJaajF9w3aYjsw/w183-h185/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the</span> </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: #fce5cd;">founded by </span></span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers. This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">members</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your po<span>st if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span><span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Remember the question is optional. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The<span> </span></span></span></strong></span><span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG are</span></span></strong><strong style="color: #eeeeee; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></strong></span><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #e06666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></strong><strong style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #e06666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=8b990d82fc&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">P</a></span></span></strong><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=8b990d82fc&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">J Colando,<span> </span></span></a><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=ecb203f7ed&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kim Lajevardi,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f1e8fda26c&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gwen Gardner,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=3c9ab7316d&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pat Garcia,</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">and</span><span style="color: #turquoise;"> </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=04da5022b9&e=ee0a952414" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Natalie Aguirre!</span></a></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">July 5 question - 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJfQfKkxQxtDTwDD5pFqyf1Y4dN4Jl0GC5fDQHmNYT5v5qH_HuvbcAMgbZNgnn8YVOdoqtyVpq5a3v7nRNeqqSWId7RQZvzOJmDCXrKPPbgYe_Y1w1PCTmbOlfyxC3VHoQZtDamtFtaTDUaRZ9WgypIUzvGgY30IIj2_mQKldklxHCc4JvdQUmYuu3uw/s740/Screenshot%202023-07-04%20at%202.46.11%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJfQfKkxQxtDTwDD5pFqyf1Y4dN4Jl0GC5fDQHmNYT5v5qH_HuvbcAMgbZNgnn8YVOdoqtyVpq5a3v7nRNeqqSWId7RQZvzOJmDCXrKPPbgYe_Y1w1PCTmbOlfyxC3VHoQZtDamtFtaTDUaRZ9WgypIUzvGgY30IIj2_mQKldklxHCc4JvdQUmYuu3uw/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-04%20at%202.46.11%20PM.png" width="240" /></a><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><div><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thoughts!</span></div></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">I get lots and lots of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Where do they come from</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Experiences, people, and places?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Or maybe they come from the part of my brain... </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">That creates my dreams?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Or maybe they come from my heart...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Where loves, hurts, losses, and joy dwell...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Perfect emotions for storytelling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span>Or maybe they come the ether.</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">According to Joseph Nguyen in his book <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Don’t believe Everything You Think</span></i><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><i>“The source of thoughts come from something <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><i>that is beyond our minds—the Universe, if you will.”</i></span><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Which, by the way...<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Is not the same as thinking. Which comes from within us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Hmm? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">So does the Universe follow me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">So it can download thought nuggets for my writing?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">And when people ask me who follows me on my blog...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Can I say, The Universe?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">And can I add that to my platform?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Because the Universe is the ace of all follwers, no?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">And what about you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Where do your ideas come from?</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;">Always, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span>Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfP72Mk9nK3S711d92IwqHsHufY9jqZZjAFqUXH3ajO_L4yTqQ2Y7mWauT_MTDAp7-zxqRFx-CLZpQ8lEJB8ANG4GHDk2e-3Ed9OFEgelSdTVGzZoQYtHmOmKz1Ki2kge7AtCpW8OSRknmIvwt9OD83H1OVJkYUDs8toVyBOy7Ct3f81lG-Y2c9_zhmA/s898/Screenshot%202023-07-04%20at%202.52.22%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="346" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfP72Mk9nK3S711d92IwqHsHufY9jqZZjAFqUXH3ajO_L4yTqQ2Y7mWauT_MTDAp7-zxqRFx-CLZpQ8lEJB8ANG4GHDk2e-3Ed9OFEgelSdTVGzZoQYtHmOmKz1Ki2kge7AtCpW8OSRknmIvwt9OD83H1OVJkYUDs8toVyBOy7Ct3f81lG-Y2c9_zhmA/w69-h179/Screenshot%202023-07-04%20at%202.52.22%20PM.png" width="69" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px;"><br /><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This is the Statue of Cain in the</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Tuileries Garden in Paris. I bet he was thinking: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span>What was </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">thinking eating that apple?</span></i></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-56232474062618368002023-05-03T08:36:00.002-04:002023-05-03T08:36:27.792-04:00USING YOUR DEVICES<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span color="Wite" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrVNrvFbmkhmlGd2rSiFOzLPLc9AU4idW8Qoo1cagOu_l4e_blmzgKQWT8pWYIIMk7_971JM27wX3VyZgXo8zHX6-zg7ub8RL_AdgKk3WYi0QMYFhkQ-YLwqjbhFkL53lJoannjbz6Qefyk-lvHEIy6-qR8dIGSYBkOffIn6b773H-umRQ71A_9f/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrVNrvFbmkhmlGd2rSiFOzLPLc9AU4idW8Qoo1cagOu_l4e_blmzgKQWT8pWYIIMk7_971JM27wX3VyZgXo8zHX6-zg7ub8RL_AdgKk3WYi0QMYFhkQ-YLwqjbhFkL53lJoannjbz6Qefyk-lvHEIy6-qR8dIGSYBkOffIn6b773H-umRQ71A_9f/w151-h152/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="151" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">T<span style="color: #fff2cc;">he first Wednesday of every month, we announce a question that </span></span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">members</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.666667px;">This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers. This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are <strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=0946ae0a3c&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Joylene Nowell Butler,</span></a> </strong></span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=842bbd7b6f&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ronel Janse van Vuuren,</span></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=ee3f73de05&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meka James,</span></a> </span></strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f68a4053e0&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Diane Burton,</span></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=232a1fc664&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Victoria Marie Lees,</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=0093200fee&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">M Louise Barbour!</span></strong></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?</span></strong><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.666667px;">Remember, the question is optional.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.666667px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Music!</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">That's what inspires me.</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Music alters my sensibilities...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">I start writing early in the day...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Listening to my "writing" playlist on Spotify. </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Later...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Depending on what I'm writing... </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">I'll put other genres of music that groove with me.</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">To me...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Music is one of mankind’s greatest achievements...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">"It’s the oil of life" my friend, Dario once said, and I agree. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Imagine <i>y e a r s</i> ago...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">The dawn of </span></strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;">rhythms, harmonies, and melodies... </span><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Consisted of playing drums, flutes, and harps...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">And chanting and mantras. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">But really, did anyone chant or say OM for entertainment?</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;">When songs came along with melody and lyrics... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">People were left to their own devices to be entertained... </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">And they had to have a great memory...</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">If they wanted to whistle, hum, or sing a song... </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">They pro</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">bably only heard a handful of times. </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Music has taken</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> a long fascinating multi-cultural journey </span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">throughout </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">history...</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">And now </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">we can listen to what we like on our technological devices. </span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Or, we still can hum, whistle, or sing if we want.</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">And I love that we can take our music anywhere and anytime. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">So?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">What is your inspiration when writing?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And do you listen to music when you write?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And if so, what?</span><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Always,</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Em-Musing</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOZsjlrajK-fKXQHV3sDo7oMbC4NM4_f_dqod6YatmXqz5_qWGSXDG38FqKFMGuJGwvqyBg3-9SR8rnXm1N_Xgwg8AJy1eWEaUg8s_VOMm4KJq8qeyiP-Q9ht4V9WXtMeCLTH4TV47o-BY2nR6B7EafbGSm3oL2qCOXi92qsUjhhqNWeMo3OFK44Z/s552/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-02%20at%206.03.50%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="552" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOZsjlrajK-fKXQHV3sDo7oMbC4NM4_f_dqod6YatmXqz5_qWGSXDG38FqKFMGuJGwvqyBg3-9SR8rnXm1N_Xgwg8AJy1eWEaUg8s_VOMm4KJq8qeyiP-Q9ht4V9WXtMeCLTH4TV47o-BY2nR6B7EafbGSm3oL2qCOXi92qsUjhhqNWeMo3OFK44Z/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-02%20at%206.03.50%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Below is a link to a rendition of the oldest known song in the world circa 1400 years B.C.</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tfBLvlN98" style="color: #919191;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tfBLvlN98</a><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers. This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Gloria Hallelujah; font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></span></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-18452859050069517022023-04-05T07:31:00.001-04:002023-04-05T07:31:35.100-04:00THROW IT BACK <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5H4RYxzVlZbMuliRony_0tIJXJghrlBx8tdAdq85uQ8kvsUKOHF9WQiJWK2WbihlxP3v_bH36HOuP7FriQ4V_PqlNTcq7g1n5gvf-O2Yw-Q2e2tTMYcKlNwH17xu_0kn5N0VQBJq1IJyGzD9yMjLpewha31185XbYxTVFdakDOXABrffp3KiZRlK/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5H4RYxzVlZbMuliRony_0tIJXJghrlBx8tdAdq85uQ8kvsUKOHF9WQiJWK2WbihlxP3v_bH36HOuP7FriQ4V_PqlNTcq7g1n5gvf-O2Yw-Q2e2tTMYcKlNwH17xu_0kn5N0VQBJq1IJyGzD9yMjLpewha31185XbYxTVFdakDOXABrffp3KiZRlK/w174-h175/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="174" /></a></div><br /> <span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: #fce5cd;">founded by</span> </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.666667px;">More details below.</span><div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="http://jemimapett.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jemima Pett,</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://nancygideon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nancy Gideon,</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Natalie Aguirre!</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">April 5 question: Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Since I was a ten and on into my teens</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I wrote poetry.</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">When I married and became a young mommy <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I put all writing aside—too busy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Then one day, an idea for a book came to me...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The premise: <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">A mommy brings home nursery rhyme books from the library<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And she shocked to see some of the rhyming couplets have been changed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Surely the book publisher had made a mistake<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">(Oops! Did a proofreader goof?).<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So she takes the books and shows them to the librarian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">But the woman didn’t have a clue nor did she care.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So mommy goes snooping... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And uncovers a political plot <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">But who would do this? And why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">That's what she was going to find out.</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">There was so much more to the story<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">But I got too busy again being a mommy <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And unfortunately back then<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">There were no computers and “Save File” options.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">All I had was my trusty Royal typewriter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">U</span>ltimately...<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I’ve I lost all typed pages and handwritten notes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I even forgot the rest of the storyline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Then in the 80’s...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">A TV show called <i>The Scarecrow and Mrs. King</i> aired<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">With the same premise—a mommy goes undercover, yada, yada, yada,<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I knew I had a good idea!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So, to answer today’s question<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Did I ever aspire to be published writer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Maybe for a hot minute. <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">But I did become a creative copywriter<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And loved writing every word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Now, at this juncture of my life<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I’ve self-published one book<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And have finished another manuscript—Women’s Fiction, humorous<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have 5 more in queue )</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And I'm working to get it published traditionally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">And you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">What’s your story?</span><span style="color: #ea9999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Em-Musing</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">P.S.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">After my mother passed, my sisters and I went through her things and lo and behold there was a box and in it were all my hand-written poems. I couldn’t believe it. <i>Thanks, mom.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><br /></i></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMvAU0ms8fhzvcYCW7zpZ-nvLb38D_90sYHC0mFGshRIF8vsNRpnI59pGp7HkwOurhXF5hz-qGF7qf_SL3XvgmctQH5mJZ02Ut6Werh5afaGFLtziqTAyF9V7FW5HLn0DOcAW7MdJOYXxiSEC8ZAMI_Tb_MxdOjWMAr6b9L3jmAD22vLnp1r_YPG_/s606/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMvAU0ms8fhzvcYCW7zpZ-nvLb38D_90sYHC0mFGshRIF8vsNRpnI59pGp7HkwOurhXF5hz-qGF7qf_SL3XvgmctQH5mJZ02Ut6Werh5afaGFLtziqTAyF9V7FW5HLn0DOcAW7MdJOYXxiSEC8ZAMI_Tb_MxdOjWMAr6b9L3jmAD22vLnp1r_YPG_/w223-h225/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.52.04%20AM.png" width="223" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers. This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The first Wednesday of every month, we announce a question that </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">members</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Remember, the question is optional!!!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-49750718259139096452023-03-01T04:39:00.000-05:002023-03-01T04:39:24.334-05:00UNDER-WRITERS <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8Z2WJruLnFptQjIHX7MnLu_3Mq2eiNQru-LYLs9b4g57FCKEo40hMAUh3BFRcFSEipMV03jSCpBrlul0nQxVRoEhfplmdRkF7FrzyZtrEeiEWh0Kp0IEY8u0ASXwh_tuKEH-6rQYGPOtLJSSx3eRHRIB1ja1glyWtIbo-hmVFgnTTbHETUS7XKq1/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8Z2WJruLnFptQjIHX7MnLu_3Mq2eiNQru-LYLs9b4g57FCKEo40hMAUh3BFRcFSEipMV03jSCpBrlul0nQxVRoEhfplmdRkF7FrzyZtrEeiEWh0Kp0IEY8u0ASXwh_tuKEH-6rQYGPOtLJSSx3eRHRIB1ja1glyWtIbo-hmVFgnTTbHETUS7XKq1/w177-h179/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="177" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. </span>Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span><o:p></o:p></span><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-weight: normal;">Remember, this question is optional!</span></strong></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">The awesome co-hosts for the March 1 posting of the IWSG are</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=e1c7a99ba2&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Diedre Knight,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=5f97abe5bb&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Tonya Drecker,</span></a></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7221d87fe8&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Bish Denham,</span></a> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=d85cc92785&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Olga Godim,</span></a></span><strong><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">and</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=b8e7334122&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">JQ Rose!</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></b><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: medium;">March 1 question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Many lines in many books have hooked my attention<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">But none linger like Dickens<i>: </i></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><i>It was the best of times. It was the worst of times (etc.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Now... regarding Author Envy <o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">I have a thing for Nora Ephron<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">She was a story-telling genius!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I absolutely love her humor and writing style<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And that got me thinking </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Writing styles are like underwear</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">For instance:</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-size: large;">BRIEFS WRITER</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>a.k.a. tighty whities</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Their writing is tight <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Cutting out all those unnecessary words</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And long expositions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">WHITE COTTON PANTY WRITER</span><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Their stories </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">are so squeaky clean <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">They appeal to the Amish and sweet romance fans<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THONG WRITER </span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Their stories don’t have much substance <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But they definitely hold your interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">BOXER UNDERWEAR WRITER</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">They use too many adjectives, adverbs <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And other junky writing that no reader needs to see. </span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">HOLEY UNDERWEAR WRITER</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Their stories are so full of holes <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">They don’t make sense. </span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">LACE PANTY WRITER</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Their stories are so steamy <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">you need a shower afterward. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">NO PANTIES WRITER</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Porn. Too dirty to talk about. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Are you an “underwear” writer?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And can you think of another “underwear” writer genre. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>Do tell.</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Em-Musing </span><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-6320312510514754622023-02-01T06:33:00.000-05:002023-02-01T06:33:04.361-05:00NEVER JUDGE AN AUTHOR BY THEIR BOOK COVER<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOplTdK9YBIFvoVo-b5iGSizwonb0UxQX9VI836zASK19CPGUSFthWaFQeaA9BDxTjNPS46FQjuPxHvXpYqfM16Mvos2y10nLy9mHOB9W5vhrzghGu8np-prpjtlwoEkf9oxDhFfXvThpjx9dvF0SXAZUif4xhOXg4Oyx05aIXGUmvBbDC0FbCW95/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOplTdK9YBIFvoVo-b5iGSizwonb0UxQX9VI836zASK19CPGUSFthWaFQeaA9BDxTjNPS46FQjuPxHvXpYqfM16Mvos2y10nLy9mHOB9W5vhrzghGu8np-prpjtlwoEkf9oxDhFfXvThpjx9dvF0SXAZUif4xhOXg4Oyx05aIXGUmvBbDC0FbCW95/w192-h194/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="192" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #919191;"><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></a> founded by <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #919191;"><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The awesome co-hosts for the February 1 posting of the IWSG are </span><strong style="orphans: 2;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7bd4940721&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Jacqui Murray,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=b50720dcf9&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Ronel Janse van Vuuren,</span></a> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=d179e01f28&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191; orphans: 2;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: turquoise; text-decoration: none;">Pat Garcia</span></strong><span style="color: #007c89;">,</span></a><span><span style="orphans: 2;"> <span style="color: #eeeeee;">and</span> </span></span><strong style="orphans: 2;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=a1008861cb&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Gwen Gardner!</span></a></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>February 1 question</b></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b>-</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;">If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">If it’s one thing I’ve learned in my life...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">It’s that while I’m good at some things...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">There are some things I’m just not good at...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Like designing book covers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">To me it’s like when people say, </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">“Oh, writing a book seems easy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">They don’t have a clue, do they? <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">So when I think I can design a book cover...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I know I don’t have a clue...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And that’s not to say some writers can’t design a book cover<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I’ve seen many.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">But for me...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I know there are more qualified artists and designers out there .<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">For my book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AZAELS-LOT-Karen-Lee-Baldwin/dp/1732245436/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28VZSO3RFVGYC&keywords=Azael%27s+Lot+Karen+Lee+Baldwin&qid=1675250643&sprefix=azael%27s+lot+karen+lee+baldwin%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1">AZAEL’S LOT</a></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I hired a designer from Germany on Fiverr</span></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ClRPdo_VlI5OYHnc9P4C-fjNkyMbhnFK6oz7952mgY011z9qqrrvlDhlk5HpI9DO0O1RxTIenyQeKzZ8zM2GvDI4r0UfndnwmJfdgVgQrNkEvRMaNLP6dDQMrPUDYZUMcXmY9hFBW_ZOTb5iLbNvATqjEttFsfCG-a2YtDMM38NuiB1qDreKbpRq/s917/high%20res%203d.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="835" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ClRPdo_VlI5OYHnc9P4C-fjNkyMbhnFK6oz7952mgY011z9qqrrvlDhlk5HpI9DO0O1RxTIenyQeKzZ8zM2GvDI4r0UfndnwmJfdgVgQrNkEvRMaNLP6dDQMrPUDYZUMcXmY9hFBW_ZOTb5iLbNvATqjEttFsfCG-a2YtDMM38NuiB1qDreKbpRq/w247-h272/high%20res%203d.png" width="247" /></a><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3;"></span></strong></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">The process was easy and the price right.</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And truthfully...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I’m insecure enough about me being a writer...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I didn’t want to add another layer of insecurity...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Wondering if my book cover was good or not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">So?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">What book cover choices did you make?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And for those who traditionally pub’d... </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Did you have any say-so?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">How much?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And... were you happy with the results?</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"> </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Always, <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.466665px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.designhill.com/design-blog/top-book-cover-design-trends/">Here’s a link to the newest trends in book covers for 2023</a><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-62943537849677019422023-01-04T05:33:00.000-05:002023-01-04T05:33:17.453-05:00SAY THE WORD - BE THE WORD<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm6UBFEZmTzfe4N9urIQ6nvDYt7ITUAWMhy1NJbJsUZ2O4b_7-zTVUXEiu-SnK5YM2iIe_-bJfruXt2xRYOYGAIjFjPzBDeoV89ZWyNvpsUW2EMzMYeXhBuamYt9Wh1JJjHuq2EHjfA8johm9oOGMBzwgacaZXhwbmSE163GQilRn6aN44Mif3akf/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm6UBFEZmTzfe4N9urIQ6nvDYt7ITUAWMhy1NJbJsUZ2O4b_7-zTVUXEiu-SnK5YM2iIe_-bJfruXt2xRYOYGAIjFjPzBDeoV89ZWyNvpsUW2EMzMYeXhBuamYt9Wh1JJjHuq2EHjfA8johm9oOGMBzwgacaZXhwbmSE163GQilRn6aN44Mif3akf/w163-h165/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="163" /></a><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop for the</span> </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> <span style="color: #fff2cc;">founded by</span> </span><b style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Alex</a></span></b><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #919191; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: turquoise; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;"> J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. <span style="color: #fff2cc;">It happens the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered that you can answer on your blog. The question is optional, but you’re invited to visit other’s blogs and leave a comment. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG are</span> <span style="color: #ffd966;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=3647b5434b&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span>Jemima Pett,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=53bf59cb80&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span>Debs Carey,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=809d238701&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span>Kim Lajevardi,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=a2f0eb5a2a&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span>Sarah Foster,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=51b7a5aed0&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span>Natalie Aguirre,</span></a> </span><span style="color: #01ffff;">and</span><span style="color: #ffd966;"> <span><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7906fa0380&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">T. Powell Coltrin!</a></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm6UBFEZmTzfe4N9urIQ6nvDYt7ITUAWMhy1NJbJsUZ2O4b_7-zTVUXEiu-SnK5YM2iIe_-bJfruXt2xRYOYGAIjFjPzBDeoV89ZWyNvpsUW2EMzMYeXhBuamYt9Wh1JJjHuq2EHjfA8johm9oOGMBzwgacaZXhwbmSE163GQilRn6aN44Mif3akf/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">January 4 question - Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? </span></strong></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> ~~~</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">I like this question...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">But I had to think for a moment before I got my answer...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Because I’ve never had just one word... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">That sums up what I need to work on or change... <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Rather I had sentences:</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Get off your lazy butt. Write!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">How old will you be before you finish writing this book? Write!</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Stop excessive cleaning! Write!</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">You’ve watched enough Netflix. Write!</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Get off social media. Write!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">But if I had to pick just one word for this year...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’d be "determined".<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yup…determined.<br />I’m determined to get this W.I.P. manuscript to an editor!<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m determined to research agents—and send queries!<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m determined to update this blog!<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m determined to get published!<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">And most of all...<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m determined to be determined!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">And you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s your word? </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and... </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcS-z7epbPYPKrVNmfvk4Foe_ulExzTJf2qudf43k31UhRtopI1AeDkcUswGnM98QFn7HGsvJPmCvubCj86D5iBdCwbuMDH7qYJBP1Nvm9khnMzeY0X_u5BsCe7xf_hZPmCC2Tzk4DCxmPl04tQE0Zdyt74ot1-S2adnsWZbrNsLfFDk2B4RJbknH/s534/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%208.40.10%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="416" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcS-z7epbPYPKrVNmfvk4Foe_ulExzTJf2qudf43k31UhRtopI1AeDkcUswGnM98QFn7HGsvJPmCvubCj86D5iBdCwbuMDH7qYJBP1Nvm9khnMzeY0X_u5BsCe7xf_hZPmCC2Tzk4DCxmPl04tQE0Zdyt74ot1-S2adnsWZbrNsLfFDk2B4RJbknH/w140-h180/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%208.40.10%20AM.png" width="140" /></a></strong></div><strong><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: medium;">Always,</span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Em, Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">P.S. S</span></span></i></strong><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">orry I missed December’s blog post. I cannot lie...I had so much going on that I plum forgot.</span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> <span> </span></span></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Also, when thinking about the "word" </span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> Three songs came to mind:</span><br /></span></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> Grease is the Word - </span></span></span></span></i></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gqiyqu1GVE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gqiyqu1GVE</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span> <span> Bird is the Word - </span></span></span></span></span></span></i></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doopjZnA4MU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doopjZnA4MU</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word - </span></span></i></strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBEqiEhCgM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBEqiEhCgM</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-56598996298340429792022-11-02T06:16:00.002-04:002022-11-02T07:26:13.647-04:00NOVEMBER TIDINGS<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWypV6PZDPvZCU2S0lzciI_bGTkUAG80VS-av_1iVf0B4bf7sALAFORyxHSZ1xtyAnM4FUsqHucwr7P3aNlvF6RUkynCRCssmqVnRcYUEte4pMReMqhKdAtZF0Nwph_AXMsGKljJnDqumoeSF2cgiix1sMd3k3ab2B3Y254d0yxb7PwnS_ADWvzHP/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWypV6PZDPvZCU2S0lzciI_bGTkUAG80VS-av_1iVf0B4bf7sALAFORyxHSZ1xtyAnM4FUsqHucwr7P3aNlvF6RUkynCRCssmqVnRcYUEte4pMReMqhKdAtZF0Nwph_AXMsGKljJnDqumoeSF2cgiix1sMd3k3ab2B3Y254d0yxb7PwnS_ADWvzHP/w162-h164/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="162" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop for the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span color="turquoise font-family: "Comic Sans MS"" style="text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><b><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span color="Turquoise font-family: "Comic Sans MS"" style="text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. It happens the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered that you can answer on your blog. The question is optional, but you’re invited to visit other’s blogs and leave a comment. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Purpose: The Insecure Writer Support Group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers. This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! </span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">The awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG are</span></strong><strong><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><strong><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #73fdd6;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=968c3622ec&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-weight: normal;">Diedre Knight,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=b44fbeb961&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-weight: normal;">Douglas Thomas Greening,</span></a> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=94bb13e82c&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-weight: normal;">Nick Wilford</span></a><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=69ba0ef422&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-weight: normal;">,</span></a> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">and </span></strong><strong style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=743ac8ef3f&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-weight: normal;">Diane Burton!</span></a></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">November 2's optional question- November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Several years ago, I participated in NaNoWriMo...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And wrote 30,000 words... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">And for the record...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">I’m a pantser, meaning I let my creativity flow on the go...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">So, NaNo shouldn’t have been so daunting...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">But the pressure each day to perform... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #d9ead3;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Felt as uncomfortable as not wearing any pants at all. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So no, no NaNo for me this year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Next up— Día de Los Muertos... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">(Not the same as Halloween)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">November 1st and 2nd...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">But the fiestas can start a day before... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And often they’re in the streets with parades.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay-HhdpTlADa92XTLTbbYXsTT1-iVVaIg1RYPRjvAQdybpsr-n74_paq_aeWqI-HQ3RzfLWoPBMeUSr7q3Z-ZbBBJht0_DcAYbYvTV2L9N21DSmDxRMCCaj5bBKhQtfMkm2t_7m4Vvch4JD3uxFiq0ohWcs5i4zSybNtVVmOOpfur7upX9EAfR8c-/s1252/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-28%20at%205.20.06%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGezodyh_J7O2itasJP0VCBFeMYlbtWXfDE5-OkPwmmjWQXghLSDLYLRmYVRGe_aYuvqCjk4jp59RSeoEgQVUVKuygji0x_sNSanfTbpyLI61YEqma_fhCRk3Ddi867Knf-9VHSpbNM4of3ZSfArMEUgdilHbJAtI6eIVNXtcsZywCkAKeJTk8Hix/s554/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.57.16%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay-HhdpTlADa92XTLTbbYXsTT1-iVVaIg1RYPRjvAQdybpsr-n74_paq_aeWqI-HQ3RzfLWoPBMeUSr7q3Z-ZbBBJht0_DcAYbYvTV2L9N21DSmDxRMCCaj5bBKhQtfMkm2t_7m4Vvch4JD3uxFiq0ohWcs5i4zSybNtVVmOOpfur7upX9EAfR8c-/s1252/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-28%20at%205.20.06%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1252" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay-HhdpTlADa92XTLTbbYXsTT1-iVVaIg1RYPRjvAQdybpsr-n74_paq_aeWqI-HQ3RzfLWoPBMeUSr7q3Z-ZbBBJht0_DcAYbYvTV2L9N21DSmDxRMCCaj5bBKhQtfMkm2t_7m4Vvch4JD3uxFiq0ohWcs5i4zSybNtVVmOOpfur7upX9EAfR8c-/w340-h221/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-28%20at%205.20.06%20AM.png" width="340" /></a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGezodyh_J7O2itasJP0VCBFeMYlbtWXfDE5-OkPwmmjWQXghLSDLYLRmYVRGe_aYuvqCjk4jp59RSeoEgQVUVKuygji0x_sNSanfTbpyLI61YEqma_fhCRk3Ddi867Knf-9VHSpbNM4of3ZSfArMEUgdilHbJAtI6eIVNXtcsZywCkAKeJTk8Hix/s554/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.57.16%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="554" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGezodyh_J7O2itasJP0VCBFeMYlbtWXfDE5-OkPwmmjWQXghLSDLYLRmYVRGe_aYuvqCjk4jp59RSeoEgQVUVKuygji0x_sNSanfTbpyLI61YEqma_fhCRk3Ddi867Knf-9VHSpbNM4of3ZSfArMEUgdilHbJAtI6eIVNXtcsZywCkAKeJTk8Hix/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.57.16%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">When I first moved to Mexico I was told the tradition...</span></span><div><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Of Día de Los Muertos was families sitting in a cemetery...</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">With food, drinks, & gifts </span></span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">for a loved loved one if they were to show up. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzMzW6Ne1M5XfFsww37EyRCpIMKlz9n6d9zq-MuR1lOJglAwLxANSMrsykeSnV2x5GsZroQ6IS-C4U1a5hZKVI6lxVEBmeiyu8Ab7j8NOy2lra7coS4nh6OoiVk5UD-NQbilzz5EyGHeVSgPCKNqt0_zqZrePIjYTL_mxDESBshUEn6H4-0BLEZij/s416/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-31%20at%203.27.42%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="416" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzMzW6Ne1M5XfFsww37EyRCpIMKlz9n6d9zq-MuR1lOJglAwLxANSMrsykeSnV2x5GsZroQ6IS-C4U1a5hZKVI6lxVEBmeiyu8Ab7j8NOy2lra7coS4nh6OoiVk5UD-NQbilzz5EyGHeVSgPCKNqt0_zqZrePIjYTL_mxDESBshUEn6H4-0BLEZij/w234-h199/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-31%20at%203.27.42%20PM.png" width="234" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br />It seemed creepy... </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">But only because I've had several supernatural occurrences...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And I will never tempt any more “visitations.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">(I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do, I do)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve since learned that not all Mexicans... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Celebrate by sitting in cemeteries...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Rather, they'll make a small altar in their home...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8JWroGPbsABN_DqL6_cPYusccCEpkzqGWGMxdKCZJ6VTm4bLORwGzUeO5IJvbPMhLjwTwvOqk7uqjxdwfJyQkqxf4AltgACrmKE5iwxKy-VuuN3HCW7JOGhWYbPsBQW1_coEtU_sOD9uibBex0UOduQd3BkwQdGeo8QQoaIof975bZeICBffRArq/s906/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%204.51.21%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="704" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8JWroGPbsABN_DqL6_cPYusccCEpkzqGWGMxdKCZJ6VTm4bLORwGzUeO5IJvbPMhLjwTwvOqk7uqjxdwfJyQkqxf4AltgACrmKE5iwxKy-VuuN3HCW7JOGhWYbPsBQW1_coEtU_sOD9uibBex0UOduQd3BkwQdGeo8QQoaIof975bZeICBffRArq/w239-h276/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%204.51.21%20AM.png" width="239" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Honoring the deceased with photos,candles, </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">marigolds, food & drink...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And sometimes Sugar Skulls..</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Large ones are for decoration...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And the smaller candy ones are to be eaten.</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-oDrLazw1-qmWKfwYO_EG7Ew-E71HIShS5igJJNNi9cwNbo4RVRGmo-TvGl7RNWOmlrmnX3tT6HV6fpoDw8elf_KBf6vWHaHaGTI0Mh4J1YX9J3YCQsMQ7bQkTPMhIHvvhjEKrHqsBGzkA1xm1ILF0o90gIVx79iXBQZXJ2Wz3jmaNL1Qf72Bwdx/s434/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%206.02.53%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="434" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-oDrLazw1-qmWKfwYO_EG7Ew-E71HIShS5igJJNNi9cwNbo4RVRGmo-TvGl7RNWOmlrmnX3tT6HV6fpoDw8elf_KBf6vWHaHaGTI0Mh4J1YX9J3YCQsMQ7bQkTPMhIHvvhjEKrHqsBGzkA1xm1ILF0o90gIVx79iXBQZXJ2Wz3jmaNL1Qf72Bwdx/w237-h196/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%206.02.53%20AM.png" width="237" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And of course Pan de Muertos is found everywhere.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK6y6W4UGW2gQyMWnFShw7DyWoXwKyonEU5zv4mIupG7fSTbD8iVbg9olf5QOrEBGyKuRfUw-iHzsPeNDvrbAwWU3EgF5bKMiB27FvbDYF6EW5Ne-UOTxXP1R5urdN0rK2WFmO4xQGxN7A2KMZvLPLrFoQB9DfVxSyeUejmXfOzUb2O0qChkby4AK/s518/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%204.59.20%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="518" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK6y6W4UGW2gQyMWnFShw7DyWoXwKyonEU5zv4mIupG7fSTbD8iVbg9olf5QOrEBGyKuRfUw-iHzsPeNDvrbAwWU3EgF5bKMiB27FvbDYF6EW5Ne-UOTxXP1R5urdN0rK2WFmO4xQGxN7A2KMZvLPLrFoQB9DfVxSyeUejmXfOzUb2O0qChkby4AK/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%204.59.20%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And if you can’t tell, the top is the image of a spider. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">And take a look around...there are Catrinas e</span></span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">verywhere.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hoEuv10aOrId8qeLD6AxmPcFX-G7DLCj9CdlJvBzbWvmjjqOrZXRsbv33XBTpnMTDFtBs5AjjRWN5ur5KHWST6ihnK7Vhd_7LUjy_Df7eDBMAb28yVi6WbHhwK0BkrtnlQty8eWlvYMFMXA-RhJ28sty8OTzvSzgoAlIEED3AcNRsT2eMX6eecMS/s1466/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.57.01%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1466" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hoEuv10aOrId8qeLD6AxmPcFX-G7DLCj9CdlJvBzbWvmjjqOrZXRsbv33XBTpnMTDFtBs5AjjRWN5ur5KHWST6ihnK7Vhd_7LUjy_Df7eDBMAb28yVi6WbHhwK0BkrtnlQty8eWlvYMFMXA-RhJ28sty8OTzvSzgoAlIEED3AcNRsT2eMX6eecMS/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.57.01%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlXq9cbHBeYgI_qIEqMfac3T8hVXsZrdny7kES_9EklCPIP0BxWuRAbFaiLbZjb_FVjvXWfjwhuBKHVNTqGUv6ClmPhLvoc096JfG6EUxVsJ_aGHPC02yc920ZtRo88_0b1E2asPwtH8co51pOPHe2ARcoYwL_fi9N99KkS3pcBwjHBKxiyS1kE8e/s500/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.58.08%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="500" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlXq9cbHBeYgI_qIEqMfac3T8hVXsZrdny7kES_9EklCPIP0BxWuRAbFaiLbZjb_FVjvXWfjwhuBKHVNTqGUv6ClmPhLvoc096JfG6EUxVsJ_aGHPC02yc920ZtRo88_0b1E2asPwtH8co51pOPHe2ARcoYwL_fi9N99KkS3pcBwjHBKxiyS1kE8e/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.58.08%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The first ever Catrina made her appearance as a newspaper illustration in 1913 by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. It was a critique of Mexican women back then who used make-up and fashion to assimilate to European standards of beauty.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HoWO1_KziDGWl8XM1hAyRLIUI6M1YLpSXX1b1nACJmuwIeyR-7D2hXV8T6Hugm0JTy8vafbKyf9gEVGRjdP2QDTcRnCCoT6aksSSXJ1YWMLX0Rn8Mj91A_WKKq0OPI2I2Ejcxgexd8Q6gT0ylIhR-mMUUnuU_mN6C-5mgJe9UcyUNc8K6mGP6g2i/s454/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%2010.41.39%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="454" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HoWO1_KziDGWl8XM1hAyRLIUI6M1YLpSXX1b1nACJmuwIeyR-7D2hXV8T6Hugm0JTy8vafbKyf9gEVGRjdP2QDTcRnCCoT6aksSSXJ1YWMLX0Rn8Mj91A_WKKq0OPI2I2Ejcxgexd8Q6gT0ylIhR-mMUUnuU_mN6C-5mgJe9UcyUNc8K6mGP6g2i/w226-h177/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%2010.41.39%20AM.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">But dressing in costume like a Catrina is a </span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">recent </span><span style="font-size: large;">occurrence, say in the last twelve or so years..</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 229, 205); color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 229, 205); color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">When COCO—the musical film about Dia de Los Muertos—came out...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX16TFE9fvd37i2XZn0CrBum5aZdOueAu40pw23UqHVteQS9-6VRR5H2l_Ktb5zEhG3GcoZ6AHReyjEzbKin7YQwZ7WULhUbP2FRwxtNFUbgt_4sbJK78jYezNsqN9RgQm4__tbHWBwPR7xnnSid7ERBTdo32VSYz9QxnVIyBhOCg4fFqPtbVI-RGI/s556/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.39.49%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="556" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX16TFE9fvd37i2XZn0CrBum5aZdOueAu40pw23UqHVteQS9-6VRR5H2l_Ktb5zEhG3GcoZ6AHReyjEzbKin7YQwZ7WULhUbP2FRwxtNFUbgt_4sbJK78jYezNsqN9RgQm4__tbHWBwPR7xnnSid7ERBTdo32VSYz9QxnVIyBhOCg4fFqPtbVI-RGI/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%209.39.49%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I loved it, and it gave me a better understanding... </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Of Mexico's Dia de Los Muertos...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And I’m more respectful of this tradition now.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">But getting back to Catrinas...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">Kelly Bandalos, a great artist friend of mine from L.I , NY has collection of pastel Catrinas...plus a whole lot more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64nyoCTMYyF9W8Dir0-hMYOHO79PZuWrOZnQcdG9ll8giIwE7GjHWrGb1Sus_glvytvupKntyl8ICed9TQMHyjPWp2YT3dUg1OJ1W5fFX6-rfJ1MfPPmJlPINDiyfM4r9ynNsmsyIb5KplFqHE4Vqgu5b339_HXcRIE7c0JUkj_ebUdn48tZIqk61/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.16.52%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="604" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64nyoCTMYyF9W8Dir0-hMYOHO79PZuWrOZnQcdG9ll8giIwE7GjHWrGb1Sus_glvytvupKntyl8ICed9TQMHyjPWp2YT3dUg1OJ1W5fFX6-rfJ1MfPPmJlPINDiyfM4r9ynNsmsyIb5KplFqHE4Vqgu5b339_HXcRIE7c0JUkj_ebUdn48tZIqk61/w146-h166/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.16.52%20AM.png" width="146" /></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3wrhrC0SqJz-sD7ovGHuiFCrP1s2oqVrIvEkkReKqN92mTn1GCwgw1EoNDt1TsyOe1aphxD4jXzWRzsf2t6nhKQayXb9cmeAa0TN3-RRJWPtNGBqg-pEnFoHe5TiLXGbqR2ORujNxbFdx254nhIC8KNBPY_otiZrnNzW7GEjrBJODqH7oJ_UuPEH/s684/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.15.21%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="598" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3wrhrC0SqJz-sD7ovGHuiFCrP1s2oqVrIvEkkReKqN92mTn1GCwgw1EoNDt1TsyOe1aphxD4jXzWRzsf2t6nhKQayXb9cmeAa0TN3-RRJWPtNGBqg-pEnFoHe5TiLXGbqR2ORujNxbFdx254nhIC8KNBPY_otiZrnNzW7GEjrBJODqH7oJ_UuPEH/w142-h162/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.15.21%20AM.png" width="142" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZTyAyJeeKWGcuPkPvcxvAXHkw7TFqnRT45f_45DuLye2yvmrGpodddmhjAOo5vHCU8WEA7Y_fyKBluhroTMA3T5lQTjfr6fk9_WXX7AyZXYNrEsLcVioLrq7OIlA4TauhOtG6bwoufDw2DdsABj_DKQkjeHBQnUZnFmTVHp3WbDVw7quEWg1DujF/s676/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.15.41%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="528" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZTyAyJeeKWGcuPkPvcxvAXHkw7TFqnRT45f_45DuLye2yvmrGpodddmhjAOo5vHCU8WEA7Y_fyKBluhroTMA3T5lQTjfr6fk9_WXX7AyZXYNrEsLcVioLrq7OIlA4TauhOtG6bwoufDw2DdsABj_DKQkjeHBQnUZnFmTVHp3WbDVw7quEWg1DujF/w124-h158/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.15.41%20AM.png" width="124" /></a></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64nyoCTMYyF9W8Dir0-hMYOHO79PZuWrOZnQcdG9ll8giIwE7GjHWrGb1Sus_glvytvupKntyl8ICed9TQMHyjPWp2YT3dUg1OJ1W5fFX6-rfJ1MfPPmJlPINDiyfM4r9ynNsmsyIb5KplFqHE4Vqgu5b339_HXcRIE7c0JUkj_ebUdn48tZIqk61/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-30%20at%2011.16.52%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; text-align: left;">Do check her out at:</span><span style="text-align: left;"> https://www.kellybandalos.com</span></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">And offering even more Skull Artistry </span></span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">i</span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">s Michell Kott, my creative cousin from Philly whose media is photography</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJdN5pz6i9tZRyAA4311yoFaAVr_IamiIfnjBRQBlYxbvgS_9DNOBw5J3E64V7qe5HmLXZUQSZLbrRLWC0x04KLCQY80SSzEgFDQlStAgb2XKRpmkywmQQrMMsHHKHfk7jWAzbpzARjOxyWveBI5nLO5dZ1LDX9PAbhHzXs7zU7fYZwVuk0sIXDrB/s490/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.39.48%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="450" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJdN5pz6i9tZRyAA4311yoFaAVr_IamiIfnjBRQBlYxbvgS_9DNOBw5J3E64V7qe5HmLXZUQSZLbrRLWC0x04KLCQY80SSzEgFDQlStAgb2XKRpmkywmQQrMMsHHKHfk7jWAzbpzARjOxyWveBI5nLO5dZ1LDX9PAbhHzXs7zU7fYZwVuk0sIXDrB/w162-h177/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.39.48%20AM.png" width="162" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJV5RDMbmUnbGMJYx_7oVOLl0nxqrL26bs8pPJSYPm9oNuEwmUAuTMSbkejFWImVys7-xrrNfR1OBQXkAP44Dy2wuViwmmhWY6a7Yl4VfrlvP1-MB30UhBOk6wvPXBMtDu-BVowVANiseKkCFntivKyEA0K-dwPvFl1GWmjyWk4qeys-5gPevfnxs/s494/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.39.37%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="482" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJV5RDMbmUnbGMJYx_7oVOLl0nxqrL26bs8pPJSYPm9oNuEwmUAuTMSbkejFWImVys7-xrrNfR1OBQXkAP44Dy2wuViwmmhWY6a7Yl4VfrlvP1-MB30UhBOk6wvPXBMtDu-BVowVANiseKkCFntivKyEA0K-dwPvFl1GWmjyWk4qeys-5gPevfnxs/w177-h181/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.39.37%20AM.png" width="177" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f-jxl7qnkKHWOs3gVTymdzUH0tt05E8sZG4CGVGJppAKtppKIffi5usd6vz7ipNzdq-lewtiOxdAYpKkb1tCvOZ2UhH7clGWl3c2ddlz6eroqVCHStaDawjpouQA2-XiJ4BEHfPgK9MODQ2Ug_BMnk0LZ1a_wAIU8XScdsGhpj6xILXG1QdiUrHt/s732/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.36.55%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="720" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f-jxl7qnkKHWOs3gVTymdzUH0tt05E8sZG4CGVGJppAKtppKIffi5usd6vz7ipNzdq-lewtiOxdAYpKkb1tCvOZ2UhH7clGWl3c2ddlz6eroqVCHStaDawjpouQA2-XiJ4BEHfPgK9MODQ2Ug_BMnk0LZ1a_wAIU8XScdsGhpj6xILXG1QdiUrHt/w175-h177/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.36.55%20AM.png" width="175" /></a><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJdN5pz6i9tZRyAA4311yoFaAVr_IamiIfnjBRQBlYxbvgS_9DNOBw5J3E64V7qe5HmLXZUQSZLbrRLWC0x04KLCQY80SSzEgFDQlStAgb2XKRpmkywmQQrMMsHHKHfk7jWAzbpzARjOxyWveBI5nLO5dZ1LDX9PAbhHzXs7zU7fYZwVuk0sIXDrB/s490/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-29%20at%205.39.48%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And here's her website:</span><span> https://www.michellekott.net </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: medium;">Check it out for all her fabulous photos.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">So? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;">Doing NaNoWriMo?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">Or ever been to a Dia de Los Muertos fiesta?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;">Or seen a ghost? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Always,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Em-Musing</span></span></div><p></p></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-2313877241974886172022-10-05T07:08:00.000-04:002022-10-05T07:08:47.803-04:00GOOD, GOOD VIBRATIONS<p> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kD84h6INmdbLE_0wmLoH7FAuBfNKtXiyNhjcHzmb09SiZRjMfNXFV32Kd9HK6A1Qz_rWHtfdwmklWajoIw4OHtWGwJOq2M8iec7p78aSaQWyvuiOmJ-QRafbIdHtvAcQbRVzit9d2DNuw6_syh3e37BPgUdcaEt7wjQdqBujUf4M23QPY4QonHGm/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kD84h6INmdbLE_0wmLoH7FAuBfNKtXiyNhjcHzmb09SiZRjMfNXFV32Kd9HK6A1Qz_rWHtfdwmklWajoIw4OHtWGwJOq2M8iec7p78aSaQWyvuiOmJ-QRafbIdHtvAcQbRVzit9d2DNuw6_syh3e37BPgUdcaEt7wjQdqBujUf4M23QPY4QonHGm/w185-h187/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="185" /></a></div><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members answer in their blog post. <span>These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question is optional, but why not visit</span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are</span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=30bbd8a86c&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Tonja Drecker,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=c9c2a1d15a&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Victoria Marie Lees,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=c8ba6b19ef&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Mary Aalgaard,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></strong><strong style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #73fdd6;">and</span></span><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=06397cab9d&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Sandra Cox!</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">This month's question:</span></span></strong><span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Remember, the question is optional!</span></strong></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #73fdd6; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: 14pt;">The best characteristic of my favorite genre?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Laughter!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">After all I'm writing Humorous Women's Fiction...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">So, I better make some readers smile.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Back in ‘66...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">When Flower Power and hippies came onto the scene...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">The Beach Boys put out the single “Good Vibrations”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF404AmkO78U0lveU0uWsy7wVYKeUskdyl6tptMScHsRVKg02tcYZq6jTeMYhgfVFfmtlwm9b0_qz85E28yowGb-U-Mvk5Ab84CdbDGtcsxNjIRLiMJOLhxn-MUytB7UDSlWjzjnfdXYDwD6L0GdVq-SiqVKWjBqB364p72I1Dcnh4pHF0ID17y935/s580/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-05%20at%204.43.34%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="580" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF404AmkO78U0lveU0uWsy7wVYKeUskdyl6tptMScHsRVKg02tcYZq6jTeMYhgfVFfmtlwm9b0_qz85E28yowGb-U-Mvk5Ab84CdbDGtcsxNjIRLiMJOLhxn-MUytB7UDSlWjzjnfdXYDwD6L0GdVq-SiqVKWjBqB364p72I1Dcnh4pHF0ID17y935/w197-h196/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-05%20at%204.43.34%20AM.png" width="197" /></a></div><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Though not my favorite band or song...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">(I preferred the Beatles and Bob Dylan) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">The concept of Good Vibrations stuck with me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">Fast forward to about ten years ago<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">W</span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">hen I became fascinated with the healing power of vibrations. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">According to Albert Einstein<o:p></o:p></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: color: #202124;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">–</span> </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 22.233335494995117px; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><i>“Everything in Life is Vibration.” </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">And laughter is one of the highest vibrations</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">I’ve learned there are many levels of vibrations...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">And all affect our body and mind. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">According to several scientific studies —</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><i style="font-size: 19.33333396911621px;">Laughter produces a series of electrical </i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-size: 19.33333396911621px;">impulses that </i><span style="font-size: 19.33333396911621px;"><i>eliminate</i></span><i style="font-size: 19.33333396911621px;"> negative energy from our brain. </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Call me kookie...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">I make a concerted effort to laugh every day. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMkiTAEl68CUgpmCe-uS97CjawuN_Us110vTvhE1qyWhZIPinVxSOmfk6WmGjmxOd64CI3shZ6_2EYDV6Su-9Jqpc6ApQFrgBHPXm2h-q-E9PtE1IWO0p-pSZgWMqQuZBteP1u05VTqCcyfyXi04htSHUcIsrktphztmiuCUiEMcOhJRMH66QrtQ7/s564/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-05%20at%205.36.48%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMkiTAEl68CUgpmCe-uS97CjawuN_Us110vTvhE1qyWhZIPinVxSOmfk6WmGjmxOd64CI3shZ6_2EYDV6Su-9Jqpc6ApQFrgBHPXm2h-q-E9PtE1IWO0p-pSZgWMqQuZBteP1u05VTqCcyfyXi04htSHUcIsrktphztmiuCUiEMcOhJRMH66QrtQ7/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-05%20at%205.36.48%20AM.png" width="238" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">And why not?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Besides laughter being healing... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">It feels good...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">There are no bad side effects... <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Unless you laugh so hard you get stitches...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">And it’s free!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Therefore...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">I conclude Humorous Women’s Fiction is a healthy genre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">So?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Do you love to laugh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">What makes you laugh the most?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">And what’s your favorite genre’s best characteristic?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Always,</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Em-Musing<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><br /></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-50176306842014691942022-09-07T07:21:00.000-04:002022-09-07T07:21:02.511-04:00MURDER GO NOT SO LIGHTLY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic07ewsfBjrEWFmStb4TB6yLx4a--8CqV0qywiEC0ijODW1tX_qNvCjvD4grhKgeUeo6_LTn5DMPcaOHwac9iluwr4-odVBm4Ug0b81JRYd4xw5PmPWRPKusMRrpJ-ptH3m4kl5cCLHkzEA8Vm9S7VnVIRFWFNh2jvO2YRoiKkkKbhK00fG7LSQMA-/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic07ewsfBjrEWFmStb4TB6yLx4a--8CqV0qywiEC0ijODW1tX_qNvCjvD4grhKgeUeo6_LTn5DMPcaOHwac9iluwr4-odVBm4Ug0b81JRYd4xw5PmPWRPKusMRrpJ-ptH3m4kl5cCLHkzEA8Vm9S7VnVIRFWFNh2jvO2YRoiKkkKbhK00fG7LSQMA-/w139-h140/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="139" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">H</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">ey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the</span> </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. I<span style="color: #fce5cd;">f you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. <span>These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question is optional. Please consider visiting </span></span></span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">some blogs and leaving a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. <span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #fce5cd;"> <strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">T</span></strong><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">he awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG are</span></strong></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=ad5c493a8b&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Kim Lajevardi,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> <a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=7cc2f7becf&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise; font-weight: normal;">Cathrina Constantine,</span></a> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=d51f3ddefb&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Natalie Aguirre,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=786f803353&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Olga Godim,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=ae6fd61e04&e=ee0a952414" style="color: turquoise;" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Michelle Wallace,</span></a></span><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #fce5cd; font-weight: normal;">and</span></strong><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=2f229f1037&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Louise - Fundy Blue!</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">This month's question:</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;">What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why? </span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">For shootin’ sure<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The worst genre for me to tackle would be True Crime <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I can write and read about blood, gore, and torture in a novel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Because it’s fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">But I couldn’t write a book based on real horrific circumstances<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I wouldn’t want that horror in my psyche.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Back w</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">hen I read Truman Capote’s </span><i style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In Cold Blood </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbzZzMyyk7PfAyPJgc_vEmD6cZ47nInEHgCl1nAZ6yiII4H_kgtUL9bE26oFdj3XtiuubCBWlXprqrrEujxEwzx_LHVcSZmBlgJ2oK7TF2OkxuErFP0XgopBvr9VL7BTcDrE-l-Uf7tazGCqHhktW1SWARwDCeQzDq6bpYTbb8ezhhofV0GFNr3Hi/s362/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.31.59%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="240" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbzZzMyyk7PfAyPJgc_vEmD6cZ47nInEHgCl1nAZ6yiII4H_kgtUL9bE26oFdj3XtiuubCBWlXprqrrEujxEwzx_LHVcSZmBlgJ2oK7TF2OkxuErFP0XgopBvr9VL7BTcDrE-l-Uf7tazGCqHhktW1SWARwDCeQzDq6bpYTbb8ezhhofV0GFNr3Hi/w117-h177/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.31.59%20AM.png" width="117" /></a></div><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I was creepily fascinated u</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">ntil I learned it was based on the real</span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> murders of the Clutter family in 1959.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It was called a “nonfiction novel”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">An</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">d some still pose the question:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Is <i>In Cold Blood</i> a creative work? A</span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> novel? Or journalism? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCojcTU_4IbBKM5hkUhdr2gEdYv1pHWZA4QR-Hj2Nl4N0LL4XHC1kSEMa09-iyPd8Tu1Wp-1IW4tal2Uac3AEE49htk_0SBc5V1HNPUwBSqMsXhTYvzyNni9yJzbqFgxu2HC9Y7XlEpp7yRAQNRzrBgM-QDUZAkJlXFB66_14sUFB57wDfAupjSTs/s354/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.43.16%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="338" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCojcTU_4IbBKM5hkUhdr2gEdYv1pHWZA4QR-Hj2Nl4N0LL4XHC1kSEMa09-iyPd8Tu1Wp-1IW4tal2Uac3AEE49htk_0SBc5V1HNPUwBSqMsXhTYvzyNni9yJzbqFgxu2HC9Y7XlEpp7yRAQNRzrBgM-QDUZAkJlXFB66_14sUFB57wDfAupjSTs/w139-h146/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.43.16%20AM.png" width="139" /></a><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> also learned that Harper Lee, author of <i>To Kill a Mockingbird </i></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">h</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">elped Truman wih the research of </span><i style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">In Cold Blood. </i><span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Both grew up in Monroeville, Alabama and were best </span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">friends and remained close until </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Truman's jealousy over Lee's success caused them </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">to </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">go their separate ways. Didn't know that.</span></span></p><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcvrykx5fyfZJbJpS4PbIk2I-syJFP--ENFQjUjh66u0qzTu06d57Do-K6IDgZp-sMaz2tXb6NfyUEjbBUrII84pYmeXKmcTo196aSne3_AZQMF6yTC5q_4C7zpPo7yOI-HfWeX-9CDybhW03hcCGDl8Eh4Lo8zzc2r_0n_0oj6spnbYOS5M0xwy3/s362/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.37.30%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="224" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcvrykx5fyfZJbJpS4PbIk2I-syJFP--ENFQjUjh66u0qzTu06d57Do-K6IDgZp-sMaz2tXb6NfyUEjbBUrII84pYmeXKmcTo196aSne3_AZQMF6yTC5q_4C7zpPo7yOI-HfWeX-9CDybhW03hcCGDl8Eh4Lo8zzc2r_0n_0oj6spnbYOS5M0xwy3/w119-h192/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-05%20at%205.37.30%20AM.png" width="119" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><span style="color: #fff2cc;">B</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">ut what surprised me the most w</span></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">as learning that Truman Capote also wrote </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span><span><span><span><i>Breakfast at </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><i style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Tiffany's</i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> .</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Oh, the dichotomy Truman!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Romantic comedy & Neo-noir.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">But I guess that’s the fun of being a writer, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We’re not just storytellers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">We create characters and build worlds<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">With the freedom to write<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Whatever our fertile brains desire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">So?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span>Which genre wouldn’t you tackle?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Em-Musing</span><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> </span></p></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-73896245006932999172022-08-03T13:46:00.000-04:002022-08-03T13:46:12.060-04:00A PROMISE IS A PROMISE, IS A PROMISE<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZcZCrulVSDnMAWjK-mORJpvbiqb2R_YmdKiVHMVNW5MWDXSKFXPGgfeTGqsFqeQFSuhYsQ5CxE5vXj55pRpLv5AftB6gSHHDd1IAnLLkX7WDjW8U6xF64Tb3mCNok-w6KPJ2X4i7i_sCb9442vCrRh4tNq7CGqEbeYpsE5e4m3_bINsSQNkde0gk/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZcZCrulVSDnMAWjK-mORJpvbiqb2R_YmdKiVHMVNW5MWDXSKFXPGgfeTGqsFqeQFSuhYsQ5CxE5vXj55pRpLv5AftB6gSHHDd1IAnLLkX7WDjW8U6xF64Tb3mCNok-w6KPJ2X4i7i_sCb9442vCrRh4tNq7CGqEbeYpsE5e4m3_bINsSQNkde0gk/w171-h173/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="171" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. <span>These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. </span></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Answering the question if optional, but </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">it would be kind of you to visit some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated.</span></span><div><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span> <span> </span></span><span style="background-color: font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=c378b48a7e&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Tara Tyler,</span></a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=f010bf4b49&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Lisa Buie Collard,</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=1defaa3484&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span color="Trquoise" face="Arial, sans-serif">Loni Townsend,</span></a></span><span style="background-: font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=631204d565&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: turquoise;">Lee Lowery!</span></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b>A</b>ugust 3 question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #01ffff; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><i>Remember, the question is optional!</i></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><br /><br /><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">My stories are always original... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Yet I keep in mind what the reader wants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I read onetime that a story is a promise...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And when a reader picks up a book, no matter the genre...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There’s an expectation that you, the author...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Will give the reader what's expected within that genre...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Because that's why they </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">bought your book in the first place...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And the reason for them to keep reading it...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And not throw it out, or across the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Imagine going to a Minion movie... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vEX_gJZ7FQc2Pr039EsHEeZLMUOfwDL2AS8Ke4xmEX_xzq2A7V6aK23aklJcFH1Z_8iUmiUPKEy_nep4IlCL2nFYOHs8d4WgXrNo-lXCw6xuI0iuawds8k2IFCSGt4pJ4a5IlEwoCNgbEWmXaEXCDpayzdPX9XX7THeahfYOCWKTQtLxbBT9RT9I/s758/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.05.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="758" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vEX_gJZ7FQc2Pr039EsHEeZLMUOfwDL2AS8Ke4xmEX_xzq2A7V6aK23aklJcFH1Z_8iUmiUPKEy_nep4IlCL2nFYOHs8d4WgXrNo-lXCw6xuI0iuawds8k2IFCSGt4pJ4a5IlEwoCNgbEWmXaEXCDpayzdPX9XX7THeahfYOCWKTQtLxbBT9RT9I/w350-h117/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.05.45%20PM.png" width="350" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And expecting to see the villain, Gru, the sympathetic villain</span></span></p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QeuGVAbkuBgf86valaOqkpUAg14Gy1Q2vm9ejYqYC99a7KVhBT9plZ2RzO3d_9cJykw7KUb0uwRcvghKOxU5oRJNMLVBFGM2stdE00or4YKClZ_CWhU99WSZ1zWHyCw7Zl4k419pU9-Bs7o5hGp6V2Q4O0naUoIBQ_kG4BeBJ35xsgV5mo1j3FWa/s486/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.10.28%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="486" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QeuGVAbkuBgf86valaOqkpUAg14Gy1Q2vm9ejYqYC99a7KVhBT9plZ2RzO3d_9cJykw7KUb0uwRcvghKOxU5oRJNMLVBFGM2stdE00or4YKClZ_CWhU99WSZ1zWHyCw7Zl4k419pU9-Bs7o5hGp6V2Q4O0naUoIBQ_kG4BeBJ35xsgV5mo1j3FWa/w231-h143/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.10.28%20PM.png" width="231" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But instead, Chucky is there...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Slashing up Kevin, Stuart, and Bob!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQWU4CME7eg9DKWXrfA9xq4F9c-azuwV9RQ22BeDgTDnVTuO3PxcElN6mnM3304ltmrcSDxTXKV73bo3t86TE_xnaZLTfOOdznWkZOJeo6qa8TM7wEsdwWkpZtjFbq__bUOJ5nJeuYtaULOZ23o9IhwCYfwQ3Xlh_5fEPubxRxxIZZk9jEcHtXNRB/s360/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.11.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="332" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQWU4CME7eg9DKWXrfA9xq4F9c-azuwV9RQ22BeDgTDnVTuO3PxcElN6mnM3304ltmrcSDxTXKV73bo3t86TE_xnaZLTfOOdznWkZOJeo6qa8TM7wEsdwWkpZtjFbq__bUOJ5nJeuYtaULOZ23o9IhwCYfwQ3Xlh_5fEPubxRxxIZZk9jEcHtXNRB/w163-h177/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-03%20at%2012.11.45%20PM.png" width="163" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Yeah, that would make me want to slash up the movie. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There're many ways authors can be creative...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But disappointing a reader's expectation shouldn't be one them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">I say...</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Give 'em what they want.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">Thoughts?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Em-Musing</span> </span></p></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-89823623172262523532022-07-06T13:06:00.000-04:002022-07-06T13:06:01.652-04:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wzhkl0kdZzQ-1dsYZ4ybrKUnVznzAp2GZ4rzlpsli5WKgPdA94wbVMuY1_z4OtHiZdG_QU4Hqe0bVssXxffrvhP_cOQVMgltwGnV2uWOCnLKdGKosS4CN357p1Ll4jnVJ6s9uIC23y_OFfDNXeQVx0Ap1QdgsQBNrbkRsUIYujVNwfmWt1LxCO1c/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wzhkl0kdZzQ-1dsYZ4ybrKUnVznzAp2GZ4rzlpsli5WKgPdA94wbVMuY1_z4OtHiZdG_QU4Hqe0bVssXxffrvhP_cOQVMgltwGnV2uWOCnLKdGKosS4CN357p1Ll4jnVJ6s9uIC23y_OFfDNXeQVx0Ap1QdgsQBNrbkRsUIYujVNwfmWt1LxCO1c/w134-h135/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="134" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">OK…</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I know I’m not stupid.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Scatter brained?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Unfocused?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Often…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">But not stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Then why can’t I figure out how to sign into Google…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">To leave comments on other member’s blog who have this feature?</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mXd4ZewCKTqWS1YVCvTgU-TBQN54n5ARItXxNhMFi_VZd99715IwBZ4TQfVHGiIBHcp7d6234NIPaOaPPtLWSd4xg8KyGOufuR8ixukPcgFxMjKDs2HG0kh2dtViD41m_m6vMQY0M8GhoPOxlTp0M60z_6vynbdqE4_YYC_J1n-d8Xb3w9nSh6Au/s976/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%2011.36.13%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="976" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mXd4ZewCKTqWS1YVCvTgU-TBQN54n5ARItXxNhMFi_VZd99715IwBZ4TQfVHGiIBHcp7d6234NIPaOaPPtLWSd4xg8KyGOufuR8ixukPcgFxMjKDs2HG0kh2dtViD41m_m6vMQY0M8GhoPOxlTp0M60z_6vynbdqE4_YYC_J1n-d8Xb3w9nSh6Au/w438-h75/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-06%20at%2011.36.13%20AM.png" width="438" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Believe me I've clicked, and clicked, and clicked...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve also watched videos...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Read many articles…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">And have been trying to leave comments...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">For the past few months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I feel bad…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">I do read many member’s blogs…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And would love to comment…</span><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">But can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Sorry. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv80WH2pxhhiIxHRPqdwHYaUfoMWEiAfeuZbEGkERASDaIaMd15jgLGIh_UD8WtdsPSk5dUNJlkci5W2b24blhRb1H5JiyxBAEqzEvEeKdP0DeJkf9NB9_0B9vIWkqvtFfAjl-NGyoEhQ38p2mBnzC7aVjLr7AFlEPZjuDw_3iyuoHTPf8WBFLQyFg/s358/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.32.48%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="342" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv80WH2pxhhiIxHRPqdwHYaUfoMWEiAfeuZbEGkERASDaIaMd15jgLGIh_UD8WtdsPSk5dUNJlkci5W2b24blhRb1H5JiyxBAEqzEvEeKdP0DeJkf9NB9_0B9vIWkqvtFfAjl-NGyoEhQ38p2mBnzC7aVjLr7AFlEPZjuDw_3iyuoHTPf8WBFLQyFg/w112-h117/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.32.48%20AM.png" width="112" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Em-Musing</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-92056655824886291402022-07-06T07:23:00.001-04:002022-07-06T07:23:51.838-04:00IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OiZRojGvVXPyhZXrHxjL36qft39PkwMPnKRFp7eXoUOA3n2Elf-GmpFVhlu-EMuAY1ZnC7TvrBKrY1TuT0ui1kAE6cKxS0JArdcrqjoHajdrWnmIAdyb6nc8gf6e5J3iKtp64yS468xtPv30m3XGSnxM7z7fgNW57MXcflTjYKBBviTURBO2U38f/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OiZRojGvVXPyhZXrHxjL36qft39PkwMPnKRFp7eXoUOA3n2Elf-GmpFVhlu-EMuAY1ZnC7TvrBKrY1TuT0ui1kAE6cKxS0JArdcrqjoHajdrWnmIAdyb6nc8gf6e5J3iKtp64yS468xtPv30m3XGSnxM7z7fgNW57MXcflTjYKBBviTURBO2U38f/w189-h191/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="189" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Hey y’all…it’s the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as the </span> <b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">Insecure Writers Support Group</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> founded by </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. <span>These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. </span></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Answering the question if optional, but </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">it would be kind of you to visit some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;">Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;">Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; text-align: center;"> </span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> \</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are </span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=40dce6070a&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">J Lenni Dorner,</span></a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=ace8a82573&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Janet Alcorn,</span></a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=4abd3f3bcd&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">PJ Colando,</span></a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=1d4b88844e&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Jenni Enzor,</span></a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16px;">and</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=58e9b5471d&e=ee0a952414" style="color: #919191;" target="_blank"><span style="color: turquoise;">Diane Burton!</span></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><strong style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">July 6 question - If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Hmm? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Interesting question...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Not sure if it’s asking which genre world?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Or a particular book’s world?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">If it’s genre...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Then definitely not Horror or Thrillers... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">My adrenals go into overdrive...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Just watching horror or thrillers on TV or the movies...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It'd be exhausting running away from danger all the time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Definitely not Historical...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I love modern conveniences...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Like medicine, safe drinking water, </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">flushing toilets, & </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">easy clothing,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Not Science Fiction or Fantasy...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t want to figure out how to live in a new world...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">With alien lifeforms or mythical creatures...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But time travel and magical spells would be fun.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">So... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’d definitely live in a Romantic Comedy world... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I love romance and I love to laugh...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And there’s always a happy ending...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It’s a win/win/win kinda world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">If it’s a book’s world... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Then the book I choose is the Bible...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And the world is Paradise... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I believe I’m going there anyway...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But couldn’t hurt to be sure I got there, would it? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">What book’s world do you choose?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Em-Musing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726301007480663156.post-79706565000114244292022-06-01T09:49:00.000-04:002022-06-01T09:49:48.900-04:00A MILLION DOLLARS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS<p> <span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZTWxj3r3g1y43CViCJ_MjhPWz0ek7PDD28kSbDoZfjWmVFD1b9HTADRePrrgISb1fXzptcKIpittJLBfXJTW-S3ZQh7Z2g8H4N-JrCAeYqO8rR917AhKrTfrMGdGmqr_cuzf5YtEdpoui66f-A7a9H_a_-T8wv2bx5KIjWFUQASxNMimnx83KTFP/s622/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="616" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZTWxj3r3g1y43CViCJ_MjhPWz0ek7PDD28kSbDoZfjWmVFD1b9HTADRePrrgISb1fXzptcKIpittJLBfXJTW-S3ZQh7Z2g8H4N-JrCAeYqO8rR917AhKrTfrMGdGmqr_cuzf5YtEdpoui66f-A7a9H_a_-T8wv2bx5KIjWFUQASxNMimnx83KTFP/w203-h204/Screen%20Shot%202022-02-02%20at%206.49.32%20AM.png" width="203" /></a><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop known as the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none;">Insecure Writers Support Group</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> founded by </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">. You’re invited to join if you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers. It happens the <u>first Wednesday of each month</u>, and it would be sweet of you to visit at least a dozen or so new blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. <b>Let’s rock the neurotic writing world.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=074eb01df8&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">SE White,</a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=1e93edf5a9&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">Cathrina Constantine,</a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=4b2117b8c3&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">Natalie Aguire,</a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=37637240b6&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell Butler,</a></span><span style="background-color: font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> and </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><a href="https://insecurewriterssupportgroup.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b058c62fa7ffb4280355e8854&id=0d19ae4a56&e=ee0a952414" target="_blank"><span color="Turquoise#eeeeee">Jacqui Murray!</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-weight: normal;"><span>June 1 question - When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Ah...beginning a story is always easy for me...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">A fresh idea that's bursting to be written...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It's getting to the finish line where I tucker out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">BUT... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Let me tell ‘ya...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The older I get...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The louder the voice in me keeps poking...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">If not now. . .WHEN?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Because when time is not relevant anymore to “my time”...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The days of dreaming about my writings getting published... </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Will be over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And when my family goes through my stuff...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">They won’t care about all the writing files on my computer...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">All the hours and passion spent creating them...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And my writings will be deleted and gone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Or will they?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve read that thoughts are energy...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And science says energy never dies...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">So? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">If my thoughts are energy and never die...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Where do they go?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Well, here’s my thought...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">They drift up and get layered within the spheres<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and beyond<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Into what I call...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">T</span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">he Thought-o-sphere<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Now, what happens after they get there...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I'm not sure...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Maybe they get recycled...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And drift back down into someone else's consciousness?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eWla6CSTScrlGTgYU4aUGjer-Qx_HfbCUZfZeHUO227jsieBeSlQYaycCa0AEv4ZtK27IRUd9QMuMKyIY7w0shmnbsIEr-7Al666r4S06NoyVv4mhlRSEAoJ4F4OGmgtJiW8Z2AwIREuXnsNz2BaIPmeEMF50i6Xv5rDZ6GtEPYIOnCe1bUwLXxC/s396/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-01%20at%208.34.55%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="396" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eWla6CSTScrlGTgYU4aUGjer-Qx_HfbCUZfZeHUO227jsieBeSlQYaycCa0AEv4ZtK27IRUd9QMuMKyIY7w0shmnbsIEr-7Al666r4S06NoyVv4mhlRSEAoJ4F4OGmgtJiW8Z2AwIREuXnsNz2BaIPmeEMF50i6Xv5rDZ6GtEPYIOnCe1bUwLXxC/w142-h127/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-01%20at%208.34.55%20AM.png" width="142" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Thoughts?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Always,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Em-Musing</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Karen Baldwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.com4