Wreader Fun

Today, I've over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance with my second-last post. After almost 2 yrs, we'll cease the publication of new posts on Oct 31st, although the blog will stay open. There's just too much information there for writers to close it down for good. I won't list the reasons here because I've done it over there. But, the short answer is... writing blogposts takes time away from writing my stories. Especially when you're trying to write posts for writers when you're not sure you have a handle on the craft yourself. However, I will continue to be a regular poster on my inspirational group blog, Inkwell Inspirations . This blog is exactly what it sounds like - an inspiration. In fact, we target readers - people who want an uplifting story to give them hope while reading about someone's elses adversity. By their very nature, inspirationals have a happy ending whether it's a romance or not. I love writing for the Inkwell because I can pick almo...

 I'm blogging about Microsoft Office 10 over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today.  I'm showing how you can add automatic numbering in your header, split screens for comparing documents, and virtual Sticky Notes. Come on over and share what you know... or what you don't. LOL The photo of the day was taken last week in Kipling, SK. The strange sun may have seemed like it was sunset, but it wouldn't go down for several hours. Instead, smoke from the British Columbia (BC) forest fires were in the air. It hung over everything like a veil and at one point, I thought a grass fire was to the south of us, towards North Dakota.  Apparently, they could see and smell the smoke all the way to Ontario.

Don't forget to leave a comment on My Daily Dolphin Walk post before Sunday midnight to get in on the drawing for the autographed Victoria Dahl book. I'm blogging about all the free promotional items available in the Goody Room at RWA Orlando today at Prairie Chicks. I have lots of photos to give you ideas of how you can promote yourself and your book. While I was at the RWA conference, Nelson and JJ were touring the Disney parks. In this photo, JJ is standing on a San Francisco street at Disney Hollywood Studios. Can you guess where reality ends and fiction starts? :D

I think this is the longest I've gone between posting here, but that's because I've been playing chauffeur to my boys and trying to get everything ready for our trip to Orlando next week. I can't believe it's almost time to leave. Yikes! I'm blogging about my upcoming trip over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today. My question for discussion is if you're going to RWA Orlando this year and if you have any hints, tips or stories about other conferences to pass on. I'm also hosting a guest blogger - Love Inspired Suspense author Stephanie Newton - over at Inkwell Inspirations today. Stephanie lives in Florida and her topic is about learning French and how she managed with the language while on a trip to France. Stephanie's question for discussion is if you've ever had a problem due to miscommunication or lack of it. Steph's giving away a copy of her latest release to one person who comments before Sunday midnight, July 25th. The following pho...

Today I'm showing photos and blogging about my weekend away at a writer's retreat at St. Peter's Abbey in Muenster, Sask. That's happening over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance . And don't forget about the book giveaway and Dynamite Contest I've got going on here until the end of June. :-)

The Sears catalogue arrived this week. Considering we've had maybe 2 really warm days this year so far, I didn't need the reminder that summer would be over in a few short months. At least the front cover model isn't wearing fur this year. Gloves, yes. A parka, no. The grass is emerald green after 3 weeks of rain. There have been some bright moments. Like when we looked out our living room window and saw 2 deer in the front yard. With all the vegetation out in the bush and fields, I don't know why they decided to visit us. JJ looked out one evening and started hollerin' about a tornado. It was just a cloud but I can see his point. Our neighbour to the east has his new crop of foals out. I love the sight of the little ones but they're hard to photograph because they tend to keep on the far side of mom. This one's just a baby and hasn't learned to hide yet. In the story I'm working on, the hero, Dan, rides a sorrel gelding so the coloring is much like ...

I'm hosting Love Inspired author, Cheryl Wyatt over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today. Cheryl is talking about the importance of that little thing called a comma and how it can change the meaning of a sentence. If you don't believe me, look at this one she uses as an example: Without the comma:  Good call girls . With the comma: Good call, girls. Can you think of a sentence where the meaning changes by adding or deleting the comma? Put it in a comment at Prairie Chicks today before midnight. Cheryl will pick the one that makes her laugh the most as the winner of a copy of her current release, Steadfast Soldier .

I'm in 2 places today! First... I'm hosting author Vickie McDonough over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance where she's talking about the different types of heroes and heroines in books. If you leave a comment with your email address before midnight, you might win your choice of a book from her website. But you have to go over to Prairie Chicks to do it. I'm sorry, but for this giveaway only, you need to reside in Canada or the U.S. Vickie's current book is The Anonymous Bride Book 1 in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series. If you think this post looks familiar, you're right because I posted a book review yesterday and a promo post for Inkwell Inspirations last Sat. Canadian Prairies Missed the Old West Second... Narelle, one of my Inky sisters, invited me to be a guest blogger at the International Christian Fiction Writers   (ICFW) blog. Since the ICFW blog is targeted at readers, my post is about my childhood and why I write stories with a prairie setting. I ...

I'm blogging at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today about the resources I use to make my novels come alive. This is one of the items I use in Emma's Outlaw but which I knew nothing about. So, I went looking for information and found it in spades at a yahoo group. That's just one of my many resources. So if you're into history, you might want to check out some of my favourite sites. I haven't told you what this is because I thought you might like to play along. Try to guess what it is or what it does.

I'm blogging at  Prairie Chicks Write Romance today about those memorable lines in books, TV and films. I've mentioned lines from Gone With the Wind , Star Trek , When Harry Met Sally , Always , Poltergeist , Sudden Impact ,  The Terminator and Terminator 2 . But there are so many others where you instantly remember the book or movie as soon as you hear the line. Here's one I didn't mention over there... " Hey, what's up, Doc? " (Bugs Bunny) or what about " Elementary, my dear Watson ." (Sherlock Holmes) Drop by and share your favorite lines.

Anyone who has followed this blog knows I enter writing contests. And that I have an entry out there in the Genesis and Touched by Love contests at this moment. No - I haven't heard any results yet - those won't be coming until the middle of May. I know that for a fact because I'm judging 3 entries for the Touched by Love contest myself. And no, they're not in the same category as the one I've entered. That would really be a tempting my honesty now wouldn't it? So today I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance about my thoughts on the judging process. Here, I'll share one of the pics I've used over there... it's a photo I took of my eldest daughter, Crystal, when she was home last Christmas. Isn't she adorable? And no, she doesn't remind me of Medusa in the slightest. Nope, not one little bit. Really, how could you even think that!

I haven't been on-line for a few days because I've been in my cave writing. But I've come out to help a friend promote her new e-Cookbook, Creative Cooking for Colitis . I'm blogging about over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance and one of the questions I've asked the author, Angela, is if the cookbook is only for people with digestive problems. She said, no. That it's also for celiac and weight loss. It's getting back to good healthy eating is what it is. And for those computer illiterate types, an e-Cookbook simply means her cookbook is not an actual book you can hold in your hands. Once you save it to your computer, you can view it at any time without needing an nternet connection. And I'll be here if you have any problem saving or viewing it. Oh - Angela's also let me post of the recipes from the cookbook along with her interview. It's Spanish Tortilla and it looks really good. So mosey on over to Prairie Chicks and leave a comment so you get...

I'm blogging at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today about my research trip to Wyoming last fall. Or more specifically, it's about how I identified a pine tree species using Google Earth satellite images, Google Earth camera images, and some of my own photos. Lots of images in this post. Oh, and I can't forget to thank Professor Stephen Jackson over at the University in Wyoming in Laramie who was the biggest help of all. And just to show you how educating Google Earth can be, here's a photo taken from the Google Earth vehicle looking at the 30 ft Eiffel Tower here in my hometown of Montmartre, Saskatchewan. Someone told me they spotted the Google Earth vehicle last week in Regina, an hour away, but I didn't think it'd stop here for a visit. Neat! As for my question today, it's all about Google Earth and whether you've been checking it out for either research or recreation. If you haven't, you should take a peek. It really is a fascinating way to look ...

No, I won't pull an April Fool's Day post on you this year. I've been too busy writing to make one up. I'll get you next year, though. : ) I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today. We're discussing the use of 'who' and 'whom' and whether we really need 'whom'. Please join us. I've changed my photo up top to a current one. It was taken yesterday - March 31st. It's not as pretty as the all white winter scene but it shows you what it's like up here right now. As for my writing - in the last couple days I've submitted Emma's Outlaw in both the ACFW's Genesis contest and also in the RWA FHL's Touched by Love contest. The waiting game is on now as I won't know if I final until May. With the warmer temperatures, I've been writing in my garage office whenever the family is watching TV or playing the electronic games in the living room. It quiet out there. I have room for my 4'x4' pegboa...

I'd like to introduce Diane Burke to you. I've known her a couple years now and we've seen each other's writing before it was ready for anyone else to see - at least mine was in that category. Diane on the other hand won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense under the working title Whispers in the Dark . And now with a name change, Diane's first book - Midnight Caller - has been released as a Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Please join me in congratulating Diane on her achievement. I have an interview with Diane over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance . If you go over and leave a comment before 6 pm Sunday night, you might win a signed copy of Midnight Caller . Midnight Caller: Three deaths, one connection—the anonymous calls all three women reported in the weeks before they died. Detective Tony Marino wants to close this case before another woman disappears. Especially when he meets a fatherless little boy whose mother i...

Victoria Bylin is visiting  Prairie Chicks Write Romance  and will give away a copy of Kansas Courtship to one person who comments before midnight CST today. Kansas Courtship is Book 3 in the Love Inspired Historical Series, After the Storm: The Founding Years. To see what this book is about, scroll down for my take on it. Now head over to Prairie Chicks and get your comment in for the draw.

I'm hosting MaryLu Tyndall over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today. MaryLu is one of the new edgy Christian authors who are pushing the limits. Back in 2006 when I first saw the cover for MaryLu's pirate book The Redemption, I thought there was no way I would be entertained by an inspirational swashbuckler book. I mean a pirate hero isn’t your average Christian literature. Wow! Was I wrong. When I'm reading her books, I keep flipping to the spine to check the publisher's insignia. Even if you've never wanted to read an inspirational book, if you like excitement, passion and history, you'll be fully entertained with MaryLu's books. You can read my book review of MaryLu's Legacy of the King's Pirates series here . MaryLu's new release is The Raven Saint. It's the third book in her current CharlesTowne Belles series. I'm reading this one now and it's every bit as entertaining as her other books. M.L. Tyndall, a Christy Award Finalist...

I'm hosting inspirational author Lisa Wingate over at the Prairie Chicks today. If you want a chance at winning a basket of Texas goodies which include books, snacks and a throw with a total value of $150, head on over to Prairie Chicks Write Romance and leave a comment with your email address anytime until midnight on Feb 18th on Lisa's post. I'll draw one name from all the comments on Lisa's post and that one name will be sent in for the grand prize basket. You must leave your email address to have your name in the draw. Well, what are you waiting for... go ... :)

I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today about phrases I've misunderstood and said wrong or get perturbed when others say it wrong. I'm using these phrases as examples: - uh huh, uh uh, huh uh, nuh uh - 'shaking your head, yes' - ‘If that’s what you think, then you have another thing coming.’ - card shark - spitting image What about you? See anything you'd like to discuss on this list? Then head over to the Prairie Chicks and join our discussion. I'd love to read your take on it.

I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today about going for the big scenes with huge emotional content. And yes, I'm talking about Emma's story again because that's the project I'm working on. I haven't seen the sun since Tues and if the weather forecast is right, I won't see it until this coming Tues. It was drizzling in the city and surrounding areas yesterday which shows how warm it is and today it's foggy. But I took these photos at 11 am about 2 hrs before the sun disappeared on Tues. I really like the last one but it's so bare. I'm trying to figure out which one is more pleasing to the eye. If you have a minute, can you post a comment as to which one you like best? It kinda looks like a big ole' eye ball, doesn't it? LOL And just to make it interesting, everyone who leaves a comment until Jan 31st will be entered to win a copy of Midnight Marriage by Victoria Bylin . It's a Harlequin Historical so it's not an i...