JUNGLE CHAT

Is that a Samurai sword? I asked my neighbor. 

Yes, she replies.

It’s beautiful, I said. I only have a machete.

We should practice together.

Yes. That’d be fun!

On coconuts.

Absolutely!

We could put a coconut on a stump...

Imagining it’s the head of a robber... 

(there was a recent robbery in another neighborhood)

Or an ex…

And...

Hi- YA!!!! 

Ha, ha, ha!!!

Um, yeah...

Conversations are different here in my Mexican jungle.

Heck, life is different here...

It's a place where Mayas share tales of jungle spirits, and jaguars roam the night. 

And sometimes 2 women get silly.

Always,

Em-musing

  

P.S  machetes are a household tool here.

HANGING AROUND

 I’ve been reading old Blog Fodder and found many, for whatever reason, I didn’t post. So here's today's morsel 

 

 "You have to hang by your arms for at least 30 seconds.”

“But why?” I ask my daughter as I dangle from the door frame.

“To build strength”.

“In my armpits? That’s where it’s burning.”

“No, your upper body.”

“And who says to do this?”

“My strength trainer.”

“And when will I ever need to hang like this?”

“Mom, just do it.”

And just then I remembered a news story:

 

Brazilian woman saved by ravaging mudslides

When neighbors throw her a lifeline.

 

OMG! 

She hung from that lifeline for many, many minutes…

Before her neighbors yanked her up on their roof to safety.

Well, I don’t live in a mudslide area...

Unless we’re talking mixed drinks.

But then…

With all the crazy things happening in the world…

And if the apocalypse actually happens…

Could there…

Would there…

Ever be a reason…

That I would need to hang?

Always, 

Em-Musing

A BOOK DEAL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

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!   

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. Remember the question is optional.  The awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG are   PJ Colando,  Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre!

July 5 question - 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

Thoughts!

I get lots and lots of thoughts.

Where do they come from?

Experiences, people, and places?

Or maybe they come from the part of my brain... 

That creates my dreams?

Or maybe they come from my heart...

Where loves, hurts, losses, and joy dwell...

Perfect emotions for storytelling.

Or maybe they come the ether.

According to Joseph Nguyen in his book 

Don’t believe Everything You Think

“The source of thoughts come from something 

that is beyond our minds—the Universe, if you will.”

Which, by the way...                                                      

Is not the same as thinking. Which comes from within us.

Hmm? 

So does the Universe follow me?

So it can download thought nuggets for my writing?

And when people ask me who follows me on my blog...

Can I say, The Universe?

And can I add that to my platform?

Because the Universe is the ace of all follwers, no?

And what about you?

Where do your ideas come from?

 

Always, 

Em-Musing

This is the Statue of Cain in the

Tuileries Garden in Paris. I bet he was thinking: 

What was thinking eating that apple?

USING YOUR DEVICES

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The first Wednesday of 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. 

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!   

The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Diane Burton, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!

May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

                                            Remember, the question is optional. 

Music!

That's what inspires me.

Music alters my sensibilities...

I start writing early in the day...

Listening to my "writing" playlist on Spotify. 

Later...

Depending on what I'm writing... 

I'll put other genres of music that groove with me.

To me...

Music is one of mankind’s greatest achievements...

"It’s the oil of life" my friend, Dario once said, and I agree. 

Imagine y e a r s  ago...

The dawn of rhythms, harmonies, and melodies...  

Consisted of playing drums, flutes, and harps...

And chanting and mantras. 

But really, did anyone chant or say OM for entertainment?

When songs came along with melody and lyrics... 

People were left to their own devices to be entertained... 

And they had to have a great memory...

If they wanted to whistle, hum, or sing a song... 

They  probably only heard a handful of times. 

Music has taken a long fascinating multi-cultural journey 

throughout history...

And now we can listen to what we like on our technological devices. 

Or, we still can hum, whistle, or sing if we want.

And I love that we can take our music anywhere and anytime. 

So?

What is your inspiration when writing?

And do you listen to music when you write?

And if so, what?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

Below is a link to a rendition of the oldest known song in the world circa 1400 years B.C. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tfBLvlN98

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!   

 

THROW IT BACK

 Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.   More details below.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre! 

 

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?

Since I was a ten  and on into my teensI wrote poetry.

When I married and became a young mommy 

I put all writing aside—too busy.

Then one day, an idea for a book came to me...

The premise: 

A mommy brings home nursery rhyme books from the library

And she shocked to see some of the rhyming couplets have been changed.

Surely the book publisher had made a mistake

(Oops! Did a proofreader goof?).

So she takes the books and shows them to the librarian.

But the woman didn’t have a clue nor did she care.

So mommy goes snooping... 

And uncovers a political plot 

But who would do this? And why?

That's what she was going to find out.

There was so much more to the story

But I got too busy again being a mommy 

And unfortunately back then

There were no computers and “Save File” options.

All I had was my trusty Royal typewriter.

Ultimately... 

I’ve I lost all typed pages and handwritten notes.

I even forgot the rest of the storyline.

Then in the 80’s...

A TV show called The Scarecrow and Mrs. King aired

With the same premise—a mommy goes undercover, yada, yada, yada,

I knew I had a good idea!

So, to answer today’s question

Did I ever aspire to be published writer?

Maybe for a hot minute. 

But I did become a creative copywriter

And loved writing every word.

Now, at this juncture of my life

I’ve self-published one book

And have finished another manuscript—Women’s Fiction, humorous

(I have 5 more in queue )

And I'm working to get it published traditionally.

And you?

What’s your story?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

P.S.

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. Thanks, mom.

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!   

The first Wednesday of 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. Remember, the question is optional!!!

 

UNDER-WRITERS

 

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

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.  Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  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. Remember, this question is optional!

The awesome co-hosts for the March 1 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim, and JQ Rose!


March 1 question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

Many lines in many books have hooked my attention

But none linger like Dickens:  

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times  (etc.)

Now... regarding Author Envy 

I have a thing for Nora Ephron

She was a story-telling genius!

I absolutely love her humor and writing style

And that got me thinking 

Writing styles are like underwear

For instance:

 

BRIEFS WRITER  a.k.a. tighty whities

Their writing is tight 

Cutting out all those unnecessary words

And long expositions

WHITE COTTON PANTY WRITER

Their stories are so squeaky clean 

They appeal to the Amish and sweet romance fans

 

THONG  WRITER 

Their stories don’t have much substance 

But they definitely hold your interest.

 

BOXER UNDERWEAR WRITER

They use too many adjectives, adverbs 

And other junky writing that no reader needs to see. 

 

HOLEY UNDERWEAR WRITER

Their stories are so full of holes 

They don’t make sense.  

 

LACE PANTY WRITER

Their stories are so steamy 

you need a shower afterward. 

NO PANTIES WRITER

Porn. Too dirty to talk about. 

 

So?

Are you an “underwear” writer?

And can you think of another “underwear” writer genre. 

Do tell.

 

Always,

Em-Musing                           

 

 

 

NEVER JUDGE AN AUTHOR BY THEIR BOOK COVER

 Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

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. 

The awesome co-hosts for the February 1 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner!

February 1 question - 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?

If it’s one thing I’ve learned in my life...

It’s that while I’m good at some things...

There are some things I’m just not good at...

Like designing book covers. 

To me it’s like when people say, 

“Oh, writing a book seems easy.”

They don’t have a clue, do they? 

So when I think I can design a book cover...

I know I don’t have a clue...

And that’s not to say some writers can’t design a book cover

I’ve seen many.

But for me...

I know there are more qualified artists and designers out there .

For my book, AZAEL’S LOT

I hired a designer from Germany on Fiverr

The process was easy and the price right.

And truthfully...

I’m insecure enough about me being a writer...

I didn’t want to add another layer of insecurity...

Wondering if my book cover was good or not.

So?

What book cover choices did you make?

And for those who traditionally pub’d... 

Did you have any say-so?

How much?

And... were you happy with the results?

 

Always, 

Em-Musing

Here’s a link to the newest trends in book covers for 2023