Are you Proud?

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I sent an informative message out to several of my crit partners, because after asking for crits for a synopsis, I ended up submitting what I had sans critique. I didn't intentionally disregard the fact that I probably needed a good crit/read-thru, but I did run out of time. I'm having a baby soon, and I just had the urge to clear my desk of all works in progress.

Not wanting anyone to waste their time on something I wouldn't be using right away, I sent out the notice.

And I received a lovely note from one of my critters. One that honored me and praised me for getting through the work and subbing amidst all the Real Life stuff I have going on. It was nice and, of course, a little embarrassing. I certainly wasn't tooting my own horn or begging a compliment. [not that she thought that, either!]

She said, Don't be embarrassed.
Be PROUD!

And you know what?
I am!
I am so proud of myself for getting that submission in. :D
It might fail completely, but I worked hard to get it polished and ready to submit, so even if it gets a big R, I guess I do deserve a little pat on the back after all.

Thanks for hanging with me all these months!
Looking forward to baby in 3 DAYS!!! Hugs and have a great start to November.
With Love,
Bethanne

Anthology Madness and Novella Length Stories

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I have to admit that I LOVE the idea of an anthology. Epublishers are going gaga over novella length stories, similarly themed and sold together. Here's what I like....

1. short stories -- the possibility of sitting to read an entire story without needing a bookmark is just AWESOME! A good book to sit down with at the end of the night...

2. new authors -- I need new authors shoved down my throat. There are authors I would never have considered reading if I hadn't been coerced by that new anthology.

3. cheaper prices -- new, hardback (or even paperback) mass market books are EXPENSIVE! Give me a novella length, epublished book any day, and I might be able to afford it. :P

Lucky me, I have an awesome group of writers at Passionate Critters who have just contracted a group of stories to be sold as a Christmas Anthology from Decadent Publishing! Whoot!

Congratulations, ladies.

Music Monday

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Well, I caught this one after my youngest came home from school claiming to sing the song, Stuck Like Glue, during class. When I played this song, though, he said, "Not that one!" :D But we enjoyed this one, too. Alot. Hope you do to. I love the story in the video. It's fun. Enjoy Sugarland. I just love how the guitar player sits on the couch, watching everything the crazy broad is doing. :D




For what it's worth, I've always wanted to eat a cake that way... just straight off the creation. No pieces inihibiting my portion. :D Well, maybe some day. LOL

Simple Descriptions

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Skipping Letters for Thursday because my brain is pickled...and by pickled, I mean pregnant. I have pregnant brain, and apparently, this time around that means my creative juices are at a minimum. :)

Our newspaper featured an article this past weekend. Of course, it caught our eye--and our neighbor's eye--because it referred to the blind. Woman Reads Playboy for Blind Radio Audience

Strange topic, I know. And I'm not advocating Playboy...

But I just have to comment on the way she uses description. It's very simple, concise. Not superfluous at all. She doesn't exaggerate the obvious. For example, "She is a 'Latina, brunette with dark chocolate brown eyes. She has long curly brown hair. She is in the first photo sitting in the ocean. Behind her shoulder, down past her arm, you can see her breast peeking out. ... There are no tan lines at all. She is not wearing any nail polish or jewelry or bathing suit or anything." That almost sounds like a police write up. Maybe some young, immature thing might get a kick out of the word breast... but don't worry, he'll grow out of that...and she'll probably grow out of hers! LOL :D *cough* anyhoo. *whistle*

I think there's something to be said for keeping it simple. As a fiction reader, and particularly one who reads romance, sometimes the effort to describe something that is at its core pretty darn basic can get tedious.

Next time you're tempted to flower your manuscript with purple prose [passages, or sometimes entire literary works, written in prose so overly extravagant, ornate, or flowery as to break the flow and draw attention to itself. Purple prose is sensually evocative beyond the requirements of its context. It also refers to writing that employs certain rhetorical effects such as exaggerated sentiment or pathos in an attempt to manipulate a reader's response], remember the playboy reader, and how, even without innuendo, she could draw the attention of thousands of blind listeners with every broadcast.

Working around the bulge

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I've hit a stage where I can't lean at all.
If I'm sitting, it has to be straight up.
Even at church today, I was nauseated in the pew because of the slight reclining position of the back. Ugh! This has wreaked havoc on my writing ability. My sitting times are shorter...

...and forget relaxing on the couch with my laptop! It's not working! If I pillow up and get straight, I have NO lap to place the thing.

I need one of those breakfast-in-bed trays....maybe, would be really nice if it had a rounded curve on my side in order to fit around my belly. :P

Help! What did you do when you were pregnant?
~Bethanne

Music Monday

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Well, I've been on facebook a good while now, and I'm noticing a trend, especially recently--not sure why. People LOVE talking smack about their spouses on facebook. Now, some of these people I know love their hubbies or wives...some, I don't know them enough to really judge. Mostly, though, I can't stand it. I get sick reading it. I mean, we all want to pull our hair out over a spouse on occasion. We all have been so spitting mad, we're not sure we can ever talk to our spouse ever again. Isn't this part of life? Isn't this part of growing and learning to love?

The thing is, if you're angry, please don't put it out there for the world to see and hear. Sometimes, life should be private! I like my life private. I like people to know that my husband is the best thing that ever happened to me. If my husband screws up, I don't want everyone to know about it. I care too much about him, about his reputation, about his feelings, to throw it out there so that people can now think less of him.

Do you WANT me to think less of your hubby? *sigh* Don't answer that. It's possible you do, but you know what? I can't. Because if you're on facebook calling someone an A-hole, it's more likely YOU that I'm thinking less of. :( Just my rant for the day.

You're going to love this video. It's for all the Dads out there. The GREAT dads who are also husbands--good, bad and ugly. :D


Music Monday

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Not sure what made me think of this song, but I think it's tender. Just alternative enough to satisfy that edge in my repertoire of music favorites. Fall begins the season of looking back, of contemplation. Quiet days and figuring out how the year has gone. Brandi Carlile's Turpentine speaks to that urge.

Enjoy it! ...by the way, if you get this message in your inbox, you have to click on the heading in your email, either Music Monday OR Bethanne Writes and it will take you to my blog where you can actually watch the video if you have time and are interested. Love you all.

Letters for Thursday

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August 12, 2027
Dear Mrs. Thursday Matthews,
This memo is to remind you of your committment to volunteer with the PTA this coming Saturday at the Annual County Steer Roast. Thank you so much for offering your services in the dunking tank again this year. My husband, Mitch, asks that you please not wear anything that could be too revealing when wet, for example a white t-shirt. Though your enthusiasm last year was unrivaled, we don't want to give the wrong impression to the townsfolk. After all, this is a family event.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Kemp
PTA president

~~~~~~~~~~~
August 22, 2026
Hey Babe,
The kids loved seeing you get dunked! Especially Timmy. He couldn't stop laughing, and I almost dropped him he was so wiggly in my arms, jumping up and down like a monkey. I think everyone was surprised when it was Mitch who finally made the winning toss. He must be ninety and not a day younger. Don't let that Marge woman's sniping get to you. You looked beautiful, even soaking wet...okay, maybe especially soaking wet, but I'm allowed to notice.
With you, there has never been a dull moment (THANK GOD!).
I love you,
Dirk

...and the kids love you, too.
John, Parker, Rose and Timmy

Excerpt Monday

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Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.


This is another one from the archives. It's the third book in a series I started when I was pregnant with number 3. He's six now. :D Right off the bat, you'll catch the POV switch, other than that... great couple whose story is told in the only completed book of the series, book one, Certain Suspicions.

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Francine O' Malley rolled over and draped her arm across her husband's sleeping body. Her hand found his curled up close to his chest and she entwined their fingers. Her cheek rested on his smooth bare shoulder. As the sun stretched across the foot of the bed, she disengaged her hand from his and ran her fingers across his abdomen. At her touch he turned onto his back and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
He slept lightly knowing that she would eventually speak to him. It was a habit that at first had driven him crazy. Still did occasionally...
"Samantha Anderson is back in town."
"Hm."
"Her daughter is five. They're living with Bob."
"Hmm." He lifted one eyelid.
"What the heck is she doing over there? Doesn't she remember being a kid in that house? How could she possibly want to relive that time?"
Jim rolled into her and rested his head on his arm when she spoke again.
"I'm worried about Morgan... "
"He's a big boy now."
"I know that! I just... I can't stand what seeing her again might do to him. He's been so off lately.
Have you noticed how moody he's been?
"When he came to the house the other day, it was the first time in over two weeks. Two weeks, Jim! That's not like him."
"I think that you're going to have to let Morgan figure things out for himself." He silenced her protest with a kiss. "Here's an idea. Why don't you give Sam a call? Find out how she's doing? No matter what her reason is for moving back in with her Dad, she could probably use a friend."
"Do you think he is still violent with her?" Her question tugged a spot in his heart.
"I don't know, Frankie. He's worn out now and doesn't look well."
As was her routine, she changed topics without warning. "I heard from Kevin last night."
"Hmm."
"He wouldn't say where he was."
"...couldn't."
"Right." She shrugged. "He couldn't say where he was located. He sounds well, though. I just wish the Navy would let him tell us what he was doing. He must be overseas." Jim listened to her speculate on her brother's career as a Navy Seal.
"Do you think he stills carries a torch for her?"
"Huh? Kevin? Who... he hasn't carried a torch for anyone. He's still playing the field as far as I know. Not that he has all that much time to do even that."
"Not Kevin! Morgan. I was talking about his thing for Samantha Anderson when we were in high school."
"Oh." Jim wrapped his arms around Frankie. "You lost me there. I think I fell back asleep." He pulled her to himself. "That's enough talk, woman."
Frankie laughed as Jim rolled her under him. "What makes you go a mile a minute one morning and slow as molasses the next?" She was unpredictable and he loved that about her.
She shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "Will you talk to him and make sure he's okay?"
"If I agree to do this will you stop talking?" He nuzzled her neck, a particularly soft, sensitive spot just behind her ear.
"Mmm. I think I could be persuaded."
She rubbed her lips over his and turned his caress into a long, slow, easy kiss.
"I'll do it than."


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Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

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Bethanne-ology

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I picked this up from a fellow blogger and I'm not sure where she got it... but I thought it would be fun filler for this week.

Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name followed by “ology”.

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice? – Ranch <--BORING! I know! Raspberry vinaigrette is tied for first, depending on my mood.
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? – Olive Garden
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? – Ice Cream
What are your pizza toppings of choice? – Bacon, mushroom and Chicken
What do you put on your toast? – Butter and strawberry simply fruit

***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house? – One.
How many computers? – Two, now. A desk top and laptop.
What kind of cell phone do you have? – Samsung with Net10 pre-bought minutes.
Do you have an iPod? – No.

***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed? – Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? – a cyst on my lip and one on my shoulder.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? – laundry basket
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? – KNOCKED? No.

************BULLOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? NO!
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? – I already got lucky enough to change my name... I made it STRASSER.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? – Hmm, everything in me wants to say yes, but I probably couldn't do it.

************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Two.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? – We had an issue once while living in Denver. That was 2000, maybe '01?
Last person you talked to? – Daughter
Last person you hugged? – Matt
Last person you kissed? – Matt

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season? – FALL!!!!
Holiday? – Christmas
Day of the week? – Sunday
Month? – September

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone? – It's hard to miss people when they are only a click away.
Mood? – Raring to go
What are you listening to? – The kids chat
Watching? – My computer screen
Worrying about? – Nothing

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning? – Church
What’s the last movie you saw? – The Sandlot
Do you smile often? – Yes
Sleeping alone tonight? – No

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone? – No.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? – More Blue, LOL
Do you own a digital camera? – Yes.
Have you ever had a pet fish? – No.
Favorite Christmas song(s)? – Golly! Um, White Christmas. O Holy Night.
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? – A haircut... or an e-reader.
Can you do push ups? – Yes
Can you do a chin up? – Maybe ONE or TWO.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? – EXCITED!
Do you have any saved texts? – No
Ever been in a car wreck? – No. A fender-bender, yes.
Do you have an accent? – No, everyone else has an accent.
What is the last song to make you cry? – Lots of songs make me cry when I'm pregnant.
Plans tonight? – WRITE and watch That 70s Show
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? – Yes.
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? – Calculator, phone card, diet cola
Have you ever been given roses? – Yes
Current worry? – None, duh. See above.
Current hate right now? – I can't think of anything, except the fact that they're building a mosque at ground zero. I DON'T GET THAT!!!
Met someone who changed your life? – Yes. My son.
How will you bring in the New Year? – Even I don’t plan that far away
What song represents you? – I don't do thoughtful and philosophical. I have no idea.
Name three people who might complete this? – I can't.
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? – Definitely! there is so much cool stuff in history!!
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year solid? – Yes
Do you have any tattoos/piercings? – Pierced ears
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? – Most definitely.
Does anyone love you? – Yes.
Would you be a pirate? – Yes!
What songs do you sing in the shower? – Not very often.
Ever had someone sing to you? – Yes.
When did you last cry? – Recently, just not sure when, exactly.
Do you like to cuddle? – Yes
Have you held hands with anyone today? – Yes. Church is good for that.
Who was the last person you took a picture of? – Family
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? – I have no idea!
Do you believe in staying close with your ex’s? – No.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? – Both.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? – Yes.
What is something your friends make fun of you for? – Hmmm... my friends make fun of me???? :D