tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77187514938061220872024-03-19T02:13:05.422-07:00TO WRITE IS TO BREATHE, TO LIVE, TO DANCEC. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-89674566080510261452014-10-26T11:01:00.003-07:002014-10-26T11:03:57.966-07:00JUST THE TEA CEREMONY...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSuPAXJNYzQ9N_McqqLKszQlzTJKyRrKRilZv5_Y3JIutWVwS2vtjaLrEH_ETgWBydWaiYN7Yx_YVd_hHoBTYBBqyZoecp6HyOklUuKdsZPoY9Z6-O2U3y7woxUgBe-mGVIwax32v_yA/s1600/Typewriter+and+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSuPAXJNYzQ9N_McqqLKszQlzTJKyRrKRilZv5_Y3JIutWVwS2vtjaLrEH_ETgWBydWaiYN7Yx_YVd_hHoBTYBBqyZoecp6HyOklUuKdsZPoY9Z6-O2U3y7woxUgBe-mGVIwax32v_yA/s1600/Typewriter+and+Tea.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>I
still encourage anyone who feels at all compelled to write to do so. I just try
to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all it is
cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to
teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do---the
actual act of writing---turns out to be the best part. It's like discovering
that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you
really needed was the tea ceremony. The act of writing turns out to be its own
reward. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>---- Anne Lamott</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i> </i>So many of my posts seem to be on the same theme---the notion of writing, the beauty of writing, the pleasure of it all, the freedom of the process...compared to the business end of it. Being published. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i> </i></b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Yes, I do write about this often because my attempt to balance them both is sometimes the pin that pricks the beautiful bubble of being an author. It's the element that I've found most frustrating---and, hell, even heartbreaking---since I've become a published author. Note: I did not say<i> since I started writing</i>. I said s<i>ince I became a published writer. </i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Once that baby of yours, that book you wrote, becomes the property of a publisher, you've sort of signed an invisible contract with yourself that this talent of yours, this beautiful escape of yours, this passion of yours, has in its own way, become a job. You have become an employee. An employee whose job it is to write. And it is such because you are now being paid for this product. It's still---oh, gods, if you will let it be---a wonderful art and form of personal pleasure. But you are being paid by an employer to do it now. And it's official. It's not just you and your private passion. It is<i> out there,</i> baby. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Okay. So now you are an employee, now that this thing has become a job, things change a bit. Like it or not, whether it's still the lovely get-a-way that it's always been, it still has changed. Into your world comes an entire staff of people to produce your product. Into your life, just like in a real, physical office...there comes a bevy of co-workers. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Just like in a real office environment, because you are new to the business end of this new job, you have to learn the ropes. Sure, your new staff are behind-the-scenes----and hopefully<i> with</i> you---preparing your product for its release. As though with any product, a team preps your work to get it ready to hit the market. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>This network, this staff---as in a nine-to-five type job you drive to everyday---should be, most importantly, your support. In all working situations, the employees should be a support structure. That is the ideal. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Sometimes, though, it is not. And, in the constant comparison to the literal office job, the lack of the support, the isolation from this needed strength, is damn scary. Discouraging. Often folks just keep on working in spite of it. Maybe the money's too good to walk away from the negatives. Maybe they just don't have enough confidence to walk away. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Seems daily there are reports of authors running into nightmarish situations with publishers---publishing houses folding, publishing houses not folding but making themselves inaccessible to their employees. That, too, is just the same as in any business. There is good and there is bad. There are places where respect is potent. Places where it is not. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The point is: writing, once you have become the employee of a publishing house, is no different than the office job. Whatever guidelines you would embrace in order to navigate in the literal office should be the same in publishing. Your own guidelines, how you would treat fellow staff. Your expectations---no, your rights---of being treated fairly and without prejudice or favoritism by your employer. Your ethics in general. Your professionalism. Your employer's professionalism. Their ethics. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Your employer should be equally available to all staff, from oldest and best to newest and most inexperienced. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>There should be no exceptions.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Believe it or not, this all really does come back to Anne Lamott's quote. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Because this new job you've launched is, in reality, a...job...complete with all the positives and negatives of any other employment, you've got to go into it holding on tight to why you started this whole show in the first place.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Because you loved writing. Because you could not <i>not </i>write. Just because you decided to go that extra step to turn that passion into a job does not---cannot---mean that you should abandon the tea party beauty of it all. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Letting go of the love of it all and trying to make it into nothing but a paying prospect will be very obvious in your writing. Your voice will suffer. Sure, readers might still embrace your product and, sure, you might still make bucus of bucks. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>But will you really, really, really be happy to have walked away from the magic of it? The beautiful tea party? </b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><b> </b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-53386604360011961192014-10-03T05:46:00.001-07:002014-10-03T05:46:18.610-07:00Don't Even Get Me Started on The Da Vinci Code...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pmTG_R4aNbEYm224n6Z_SahS0AdjHNX3UANsSUkUdioF_pOMAIVGW_ZTT3Is3Abi9oBLxEQNSfjsRHyI9IYRIp7UcCbH4fI5jb051WBmzOnPyBAjzuSYPQFh2GctCOBSBh7n8tuvBqI/s1600/Expectations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pmTG_R4aNbEYm224n6Z_SahS0AdjHNX3UANsSUkUdioF_pOMAIVGW_ZTT3Is3Abi9oBLxEQNSfjsRHyI9IYRIp7UcCbH4fI5jb051WBmzOnPyBAjzuSYPQFh2GctCOBSBh7n8tuvBqI/s1600/Expectations.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You are one of the rare people who can separate
your observation from your preconception. You see what is, where most people
see what they expect.<span> </span>-- John
Steinbeck, “East of Eden”<br />
</span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I tried to carefully arranged my thoughts on what I'm about to say. The last thing I want is for my words to come across as a complaint or a tirade on an old subject. I'm just thinking. Out loud. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And those thoughts are: Opinions. How everyone is entitled to them. And how they can send a writer soaring to the heavens or they can kind of hurt. (As my ol' pal Vastine Bondurant says, they should not make us or break us, remember). </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So to the point I go.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just read a couple of reviews of a book. What got to me was not whether the reviewers liked or disliked the book. Hey, do <i>you</i> like every book you read? Oh, hell, no, you don't. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What <i>did</i> strike me was that bits of the evaluations were based on what the reviewers felt should have been. What might have been added to make them like the book more. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aha! You think I'm going to go on a rant about reviews, don't you? Well, I'm not. As Vastine and I have said, I love reviews. I love good ones. I even love bad ones. Yes, I do. Why? Because, good or bad, my work is being read. And I cannot please every reader. But I love them all. The readers, that is. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm honored when any person takes the time to give feedback on my work. Hey, I've known the sad, left-out feeling of having had my work rejected by some popular review sites. Plain and simple, I am not well-known. My work is no draw to anyone's visibility ratings should they review me. So...for those beautiful people---whether they have good to say or bad to say about my books---to host my name and my book? I am, as I said, honored.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But, when I read those reviews on this particular book, I realized something very important. I read that same book. I <i>loved</i> it. The writing was stellar, beautiful, passionate. I did not even notice---for an iota of a second---the shortcomings that the reviewers had cited. To me, the work was perfect. It was unconventional, bold, refusing to concede to popular codes just to be accepted. It was what it was and it was fabulous.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And that is my point. Can you see it? How opinion really is just that---opinion. A bad opinion of a book does not make it a bad book. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Want some examples? I found some awful reviews on some of my most beloved books. Books I adore, books I have read over and over, books I wish I'd written because they are so damn good.</span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Salman Rushdie said this of "The Da Vinci Code", </span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do not start me on <em>The Da Vinci Code</em>
... a novel so bad that it gives bad novels a bad name.</span></span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of "Wuthering Heights", George R. Graham had this to say, </span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><i><span>How a human being could have attempted such a
book [Wuthering Heights] as the present without
committing suicide before he had finished a dozen chapters, is a mystery. It is
a compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors.</span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><b><i><span> </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></span><span><span>It is no discredit to Walt Whitman that he wrote
Leaves of Grass, only that he did not burn it afterwards, </span></span></i><span><span>complained Thomas Wentworth Higginson about "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman.</span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span>And, again, on "Wuthering Heights", the North British Review made this prediction in 1847, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Here, all the faults of Jane Eyre by Charlotte
Brontë are magnified a thousand fold, and the only consolation which we have in
reflecting upon it is that it will never be generally read.</i></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mark Twain hated one of the Brontes' writing so much he claimed to want to hit her over the head with her own shinbone. Ouch. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ahem. So there. And that is only the beginning. So many citations on readers hating books that...well...went on to literary immortality in spite of those who did not quite cotton to them. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Steve Maraboli says, </span></span></span></span></b></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am self-propelled; fueled from within. I
appreciate people’s opinions, but I’m not attached to them. I learned a long
time ago that if I give them the power to feed me, I also give them the power
to starve me</span></b></i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">.</span></i></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I must emphasise that my thoughts this morning aren't only as an author but as a reader.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And my biggest point is, somewhere lost in all my rambling: books are written to the tune of an author's heart. They are not written to the expectations of those who have expectations for their words. They should not be written to meet preconceived notions at all. They should also not be evaluated on such.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I, personally, have found myself trying to streamline my thought process while writing into putting out what I think will meet the expectations of what is popular. Bad, bad, bad. For one thing, my individuality just plain won't let me do it. Epic fail for me. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I honestly don't know if the expectations upon reading a book are based on what is popular, that everyone is supposed to write within the same guidelines. All I do know is that, if that is so, it's dangerous for an author's artistic soul to try to meet those expectations. To force characters into tried-and-true molds. To sell, sell, at any cost to the integrity of the book. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Expectations. A good word, really it is. But...</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></span></b><i><b> </b></i><br />
</span></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-34309406279337847952014-06-20T18:02:00.001-07:002014-06-20T18:02:28.787-07:00Danger! Temptation! Risk! Romance! Welcome Natasha Blackthorne...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So you <i>did</i> see the heading, right?<i> Danger. Temptation. Risk. Romance</i>. Well...those are awfully intriguing words! Put them all together and you have a dear, dear friend of mine and a gloriously talented author---Natasha Blackthorne! </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love her writing, her blend of delicious sensualtiy, fascinating history and---most of all---her wonderful characters. Never just a mix of guy and girl thrown in as a vehicle for romance, but characters who are true-to-life and no-holds-barred, right down to the flaws that, coincidentally, are raw and unapologetic. Ms. Blackthorne is a master at painting folks the reader relates to. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And...and...I was so excited to get to share the cover for her novel, the featured book in this blitz, A Measured Risk, Regency Risks Book One. Hot, hot, hot. With a sexy, beautiful, heart tugging and ultimately heart warming story!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know. You want to get to the good stuff! So I'm shutting up and stepping aside for my friend, Author Natasha Blackthorne, to visit!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh!! When you've read the excerpt, be sure to follow the link to the Rafflecopter for your chance at a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card! </span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">* * * * * </span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hello Everyone,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome to my book blitz for the .99 sale on A Measured Risk, Regency Risks
Book One.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please fill out the
Rafflecopter at the end of this post.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On Sale .99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">June 20-22, 2014</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSf2VhmHUowrtUBR_FsZA50URj3CqZJGfrPwCjrztubUuIZtplp4L0sQcrTxzuOzXmatuND-TZq08zNFXAnGj6uboCvkvZ37jKonJg4j0i-fE_x72W1xCSZPXk3cwYzD3P10C2-Z5Bk0/s1600/A+Measured+Risk@+800-72+dpi+low+res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSf2VhmHUowrtUBR_FsZA50URj3CqZJGfrPwCjrztubUuIZtplp4L0sQcrTxzuOzXmatuND-TZq08zNFXAnGj6uboCvkvZ37jKonJg4j0i-fE_x72W1xCSZPXk3cwYzD3P10C2-Z5Bk0/s1600/A+Measured+Risk@+800-72+dpi+low+res.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A
MEASURED RISK</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By Natasha
Blackthorne<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Book one in the Regency Risks Series<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>He is her most dangerous temptation,
the only man she has ever trusted and now he is demanding her submission. Dare
she take the risk?</i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Emotionally scarred in the horrific
accident that took her husband’s life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her
lingering terror of horses and carriages. She longs to be closer to the
fascinating Earl of Ruel, as she senses intuitively that he might be able to
teach her how to overcome the terrors that hold her in bondage.<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And now she’s willing to risk almost
anything—her reputation, even her virtue—to find out. <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But what Lord Ruel proposes startles
her.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When the shy, studious and socially
awkward young widow approaches him, Lord Ruel instantly senses she will be the
sweetest, most submissive experience of his life—but first he must gain her
complete trust. Lord Ruel makes Lady Cranfield a non-negotiable offer: His help
in return for her submission and obedience.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But Lady Cranfield grew up neglected by
her ducal parents, raised by servantand then later ignored by her handsome,
charming husband. She’s learnt to protect her heart at all costs and she trusts
no one but herself.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How
can the jaded Earl of Ruel break through Lady Cranfield’s self-defences and
show her how to love when he himself has spent his life avoiding that tender
trap?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Erotica Romance ~ Light
BDSM ~ Rubenesque / BBW ~ Regency Historical ~ Shy Heroine ~ Novel Length
86,000 Words . Contains graphic erotic descriptions and frank sexual language.
As a work of historical romance fiction, <i>A Measured Risk</i></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">is not
intended to be an accurate portrayal of modern BDSM lifestyles.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Excerpt from <i>A
Measured Risk</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">©Copyright Natasha
Blackthorne 2012, 2013</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For Adults 18+ Only</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
backed all the way into the bookcase.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Why
did you run away?” His deep voice settled in her belly, rich and warm, like <i>crème
brûlée </i>on a cold winter’s night.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Because
I wanted you to follow.” She tried to sound sophisticated and seductive, but
her voice choked off on the last word.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ruel
placed his hand on the shelf above her head and blocked her path to the door.
His tall, solidly muscled body leaned over her, surrounding her with the
sumptuous, sinful scents of tobacco, Scotch whisky and something masculine and
undeniably dangerous. A slow, sensual smile stretched his hard mouth.<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
appeared different. Softer. More approachable.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At
the change, her insides seemed to flip over.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Well,
sweeting, getting us off alone was a very inspired idea.” He touched one of her
fallen ringlets. “I am bored to distraction with endless talk of hunting and
fencing.”</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As
he slowly wrapped the curl around two fingers, he brushed her collarbone. Fiery
sparks tingled down her spine, so intense that she shivered and her nipples
beaded, pressing against her stays. By some instinct she hadn’t even known she
possessed, she arched her back, presenting herself for his assessment.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">His
eyes shone so vividly blue against his bronzed face that they resembled
cornflowers. She swallowed tightly and wished for a long drink of claret. This
more personal side of him suddenly seemed far more hazardous than his usually
fierce exterior.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well,
no matter. There was nothing to fear. She would allow only as much contact as
need be to get to know him a little. Since being torn from her lonely yet
secure life in Ireland and thrust into Society at age sixteen, she’d spent her
time allowing people only as near as was comfortable. She was an expert at
emotional evasion.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It
should be easy to regain her control.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But
now, as rays of the late-afternoon sun played over his pale hair, turning it
the colour of winter wheat, all her carefully rehearsed words flew from her
mind.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Say something—anything—else he will think you’re a bird-wit.</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">An
intimate smile, one that invited her to play, tugged at his mouth.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“In
a situation like this, alone with a gentleman, it’s perfectly normal for a lady
to feel some apprehension.” His hushed voice, barely audible above the piano
and boisterous singing from down the corridor, accentuated their isolation. His
gaze became so piercing that she had to lower her eyes. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
brushed his fingertips over her cheek. “She will invariably ask herself if he
will try to kiss her.”</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
jerked her eyes back to his face. God, he couldn’t mean to—not yet, surely…
Peculiar, heated chills swept over her. She tried to take a step back, but
found her arse flush against the bookshelf.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
leaned closer; so close that his Scotch-scented breath tickled her face. “And
just in case you are wondering, Lady Cranfield—the answer is most assuredly
yes.”</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
should demand that he put his arm down so she could pass by and leave. She
really should. But she couldn’t stop looking at his hard mouth and wondering
what it would feel like upon hers. He was so close to her that his breath blew
on her lips. If she moved but a fraction, she’d be kissing him.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Kissing him.</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear
God. Her breaths began to come very fast and short. Her throat went tight with
a suppressed moan.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">His
eyes burnt as brightly as aquamarines. He looked so fierce. If he kissed her,
if he dared… Oh God, it would be so harsh. That cruel-looking mouth could
express itself no other way.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Excitement
rushed through her, sending tingles to every point of her body, even her toes.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But
no, he wouldn’t. Not yet.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
kept leaning closer. He didn’t close his eyes. Instead, he seemed to focus all
the harder upon her.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Her
heart pounding, unable to move away, she braced herself for his assault.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">His
lips brushed hers, barely. A gossamer caress.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
lifted his head.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It
was done.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ended.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And
it hadn’t even begun.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
held her chin, appearing so cool, so unaffected. His kiss had seemed to sear
her. An urge to put her fingers to her lips arose in her. She resisted it, for
it would give away too much of how she was affected.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Never show your feelings.</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He
traced his thumb along her lower lip, slowly, deliberately, as he studied her
with eyes that now glittered with something powerful and predatory. Heat pooled
in her pelvis, low and spreading even lower.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
went weak all over, as if she’d lain in a sunny window seat for too long. Her
knees almost buckled. She forced them to lock. To be strong.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It
should not have affected her so profoundly. It had been just a peck—not a true
kiss at all. William had poured out all of his skill upon her and hadn’t
garnered even a tenth of the reaction in her that this man’s peck had.<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ruel
traced her jaw line with his fingertips. Unthinkingly, she leaned in to his
touch.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Of
course, once he has kissed her, then it’s his turn to wonder…” His voice
sounded unnaturally loud in her ears. “How will she respond? Will she withdraw,
or can he ignite some hidden fire?”</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
sensed that he was toying with her. She didn’t understand flirtation—why had
she imagined she could carry off this ruse? Was he making advances in order to
have a laugh with Francesca and her simpering friends later? Hurt blossomed in
her chest. She resented him for that. She ought to feel indignant, superior,
uncaring—anything but hurt.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Please
don’t make sport of me.”</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She
cringed. Was that quavering, pleading voice really hers?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">An
infinitesimal pause. “Now, why on earth would I do such a thing?” His voice was
as smooth as velvet.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“To
please your vanity,” she replied, trying to regain her wits.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Here.”
He placed her hand to his chest. The contours of his muscles were hard,
powerfully developed. Even more so than she’d expected. His body heat radiated
through the satin and, beneath her hand, his heart’s beat was rapid and strong.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Is
that vanity?” He put a finger under her chin, giving her no choice but to face
him. “Is it?” He gentled his grip.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
warmth in his voice settled over her like luscious hot chocolate. Melting her
insides to quivering burgoo, rendering her speechless, unable to move.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“My
dear, lovely Lady Cranfield, I am going kiss you again.”</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">About Natasha
Blackthorne:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Escape into the past with
intensely erotic, emotionally driven love stories. Natasha Blackthorne writes
character-focused historical erotica romance featuring strong internal
conflicts. Her stories are most frequently about the intimate journey of the
characters as they learn to open their hearts to love.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Her heroines are not
perfect ladies. They are wildflowers and wallflowers who enjoy flirting with
the forbidden. Whether they are bold or shy, her heroines’ strong desires and
deep emotions drive the plot and drive their heroes to the point of no return.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Connect with Natasha Blackthorne:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/natasha.blackthorne">Please feel free to
"Friend" me on Facebook or subscribe to my public feed.</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://natashablackthorneblog.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> To Purchase A Measured Risk Now Please Click Here:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/19SorlU">Amazon US</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1eVwS66">Amazon UK</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/19fOu5J">Barnes & Noble</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Giveaway:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Enter to win a $25
Amazon Gift Card. The giveaway is open to all current USA residents
who are aged 18 or older. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below. By entering
to win, you are stating that it is legal for you to enter such contests where
you currently reside. Giveaway ends: 12 AM Eastern Time on June 30, 2014.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Link to the Rafflecopter:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8361aa84</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8361aa84/" id="rc-8361aa84" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Good luck and thank you for visiting with me today.</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* * * * </span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you, Natasha, for visiting us today and for sharing this luscious peek at A Measured Risk, and for the chance at the Amazon gift card!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-90842320141896647002014-06-15T16:37:00.002-07:002014-06-15T16:54:01.891-07:00Red Rover, Red Rover...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o8kdOrlZZRIjxZe0M82dm2BePDO0CRBYXUm1ujUd9pGU2cyDkNnXaFii4c_hwyl_T7kdFLShn3cBejzC3HWv2tTiLxWNs8TymfCqhn4ITy9h5VA1vENkHfpsaIy_TYnJshA_ak8O_90/s1600/Red+Rover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o8kdOrlZZRIjxZe0M82dm2BePDO0CRBYXUm1ujUd9pGU2cyDkNnXaFii4c_hwyl_T7kdFLShn3cBejzC3HWv2tTiLxWNs8TymfCqhn4ITy9h5VA1vENkHfpsaIy_TYnJshA_ak8O_90/s1600/Red+Rover.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>I'm sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody. </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>-- J. D. Salinger, "Franny and Zooey"</b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Red Rover, Red Rover, send that kid---any kid but Carol---right over! </i>Oh, the memories. Do you remember that game from school? Even then, as young as we were, we were being conditioned to try to fit in or be counted out, even if it was just a silly sport.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Me? I wasn't athletic type. I was a torn kid emotionally at those times---half of me praying my heart out that I wouldn't get chosen on a team because I knew I was lousy at games and the other half of me was sad because I <i>didn't</i>---and I mean never---got picked for the teams. Well, I take that back. I<i> did</i> get picked. Eventually. By whichever poor team was unlucky enough to be stuck with me. My only hope was to be outed before the game even got under way well. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, hey, let me tell you. Nothing much has changed in life since those days of trembling in fear of being picked and then hating being picked because I knew, just knew I was going to suck at whatever game was being played. </span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But...but...why, why, why did I still pitifully have that deep, unspoken yearning to have someone pick me to be on their team? Why, even when I knew I could not perform, when I knew I'd end up running off the playground feeling all this kid-like failure, did I still long to hear my name? <i>Red Rover, Red Rover, send CAROL right over. </i></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Same reason any kid did and does. They want to be acknowledged. They want to be accepted. They want to be wanted by their peers. As much as many of us---yes, even me---snort that we don't care if we fit in, we don't care if we're popular, I think many of us really do, deep down, want to fit in. We want validation of belonging in whatever sector of life we've chosen. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And acknowledging that to myself is why the Salinger quote above has become one of my most cherished. Because it takes courage to not want or need to fit in. To not want to<i> be </i>somebody is not in most natures. It's sure not in mine. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I've been seriously writing since 2009. I've been a published author since 2011. When I made up my mind to write with a goal of being published, I had big dreams. I had silly, unrealistic dreams. Dreams that my writing would be the ticket. Nothing else would really matter. My pen would be my strength. My writing would be so good it would just sell itself. </span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can hear you laughing from here. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No, no, no. I don't mean I think my writing stinks. I do at least have that much confidence to believe in my craft, to think I've some talent inside me somewhere. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But if I ever walked though the doors of this writerly universe and thought talent alone was going to be enough, I was just about as left in the cold as the old Red Rover days.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've had a hard knock comeuppance in this game. And, like those old days, I've found myself on the old playing field, realizing that fitting in just might be crucial. I once heard some writers called 'royalty', referring to their status as far as being popular. My heart sunk clean down to my feet to find myself back on the field where being 'able'----not as in just decent writing---but strong in personality was going to make a difference in anything. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've yet to put my finger on how this all works. I do the Facebook thing. I enjoy Facebook, I think, and have an intimate circle of friends. Some I don't even know personally, but I feel comfortable with them and cherish their company. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But, still, I don't even feel I'm corresponding with these folks as an author but as a friend. So as far as promoting my work through Facebook friendships, I reckon I don't much. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I finally started such things as blog tours. Yes, blog tours. I know, I know, I swore that sort of thing off. I was never going to succumb to it, was I? </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whether that angle has even helped, I'm not sure. Has it made my name a household commodity? Oh, damn, hell, no. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This social community thing. I'm...just...not...good...at...it. I love posting photos. Yes, when it comes to sharing my passions, I'm an extrovert. On my little wall, in my little world.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The thought of going to a convention? Scary, like thinking of crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope. No, I'm not really afraid of crowds. But I do not, do not, do not feel I belong, that I fit in enough to attempt mingling. I mean, if I don't fit in on forums and other social venues...well, you see. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The bottom line is that I see, with horrific clarity, that to pitch <i>me</i> is a necessary part of this writer success thing. And it is so terrifying to me that I'm tempted to just go back to the old days when I just wrote and I didn't give a hoot or a holler if I sold a book or not. I just wrote because I adored writing and because I had something to say and I wanted someone---even if it was one damn person---<i>read</i> it. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see something pitiful about myself, something that makes that urge to do a J. D. Salinger and disappear. And that is this: I'm lying if I tell you I do not want to fit in. Come on. Even in the book, Salinger only said he <i>wished</i> he didn't want to fit in. But he did. He<i> did</i> want to be somebody. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So do I. I really do. Ain't that sad? We all really kind of do. But we all are not cut out to be what we dream socially. Not as far as fitting in goes. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It does not mean, like I said, that I think my talent is not as good as the next fella. I believe in myself, my talent. I would never have submitted a story had I not believed in it. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And let me tell you. It is hard as gargling B-B's to sit here and admit to you that I wish I could be in the 'in' crowd. But I'll tell you something else. I'm sure not the only one. Many may not admit it, but more of us wish we could be royalty, too. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's our nature. It just is. And there's not a damn thing wrong with the wanting of it. As long as it doesn't water down our writing. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But I also know my limitations. Always have and always will. And, knowing them intimately and knowing I'm not the kind to elbow my way into realms I'm not comfortable in, even if it means never fitting in.</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'll just keep writing. Because I do love it, I can't live without it. No matter where it takes me. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I will know, with everything in me, that the 'not fitting in' will not have anything to do with my writing. It will not be because my writing wasn't good enough. Sometimes writing reminds me of this piano....</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKxT-4NoNZxUliaHRaQ9rGYMUhg9ofMdXmGhW692Iyv3FiCfadhBus1dbC83PzpnDLKYYdcJD2_so5AGiQJI9uCFSvJGcR3j5wW2EWYVPonjaZEQDzgfRe_NS8xnnSjR9ZwDH_x6ng7w/s1600/Melancholy+Piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKxT-4NoNZxUliaHRaQ9rGYMUhg9ofMdXmGhW692Iyv3FiCfadhBus1dbC83PzpnDLKYYdcJD2_so5AGiQJI9uCFSvJGcR3j5wW2EWYVPonjaZEQDzgfRe_NS8xnnSjR9ZwDH_x6ng7w/s1600/Melancholy+Piano.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It just sits out in this foggy field, not being played. But, just because it's alone out there and it's not seen by as many, doesn't mean it doesn't have a beautiful song inside it to play. And it doesn't mean it doesn't long for someone to hear it. It does. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-62033222820809979792013-10-29T18:17:00.001-07:002013-10-29T18:17:36.818-07:00"Saving Sonny James" Road Trip Blog Tour...Viva San Antonio!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I am SO excited! </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you know me, you know two of my favorite fictional characters are the creations of the fabulously talented author, Lou Sylvre. And those fellas are Luki Vasquez and his husband, Sonny James from the "Vasquez and James" series. </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well...giddy here, please forgive me...Lou and the boys are stopping here on their blog tour, and I---yes, me, the Zampzter---get to tag along with them to San Antonio! </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So let's begin the trip! We're all yours, Lou Sylvre! </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> * * * *</span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Hi! I’m Lou Sylvre. Let me wave to
Carol Zampa before I do anything else, and say thank you so much for letting
the guys and me visit your state and your beautiful, classy blog. </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am presently touring with Luki
Vasquez and Sonny James, a husband-husband pair that usually live in my Vasquez
and James series books. The most recent suspense adventure, Saving Sonny James,
was released a couple weeks ago—10/18. I am afraid I put them through hell in the
pages (or pixels) of that book, and once they’d survived, they decided they
needed a vacation—a road trip in Sonny’s Mustang, which was mostly Sonny’s
idea. I agreed to it, as long as I could ride along in the backseat and
chronicle the affair. Luki grumped about that quite a bit, but, because I’m the
author, he really had no choice at all. </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alas, I think fate had other
ideas.<span> </span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They started in France (where Saving
Sonny James ends), took the Chunnel train to Ashford, Kent, England, and from
there to London, where they got to meet up with friend (and future love
interest of Luki’s nephew, Jackie) Brian Harrison. So far so good, and the
flight to Providence, RI,
where they picked up the Mustang, and a brief visit to New Hampshire all went well, But, then…</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On their way to Ohio on I-90
Westbound they hit some kind of anomaly in the time-space continuum, and found
themselves deposited sans car in the future Yellow Knife of Elizabeth Noble’s
Sentries world. Fortunately, Todd and Nick Ruger (Sentries in Elizabeth’s books) helped them out, and they
made it back to I-90. But then…</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As soon as they got the car started,
another disturbance occurred and they found themselves, again without the
Mustang, wet, cold, and tired on a beach in New Zealand. They were once again
fortunate, because vampire<span> </span>(and
supernatural agent for good) Simon, and his human partner, Ben, who will greet
the world in early 2014 as characters in Anne Barwell’s Shades of Sepia,
rescued them. After a little cock-crowing by Simon and Luki, they capitulated
to the good sense of their sweeties, and everyone got in the car for a drive to
Anne’s house in Wainuimata (no, no typo). So then…</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anne contacted me on chat. We
decided that since the four men involved were all fictional characters, the
best way to get them where they needed to be was to write them there. Kind of
like magic only with keyboards and pixels instead of Wolf’s bane and stoat’s
belly. We thought about having them fly back to the States, but we were worried
that the anomalies might keep happening, so instead we utilized Luki’s
superstitious nature. Like this:</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lou: Luki, ask St. Christopher to
help you.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luki: What the hell are you talking
about now, Ms. Sylvre?</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anne: Don’t be disrespectful, Luki!
You might be a badass, but she can write you down to size!</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luki: (Somewhat sheepishly, but
rolling eyes.) I beg your pardon.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sonny: But, honey, listen! That’s a
good idea she has! He’s the travelers patron, right? And you’ve got this…
connection thing with him. Try it!</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So Luki did, holding his St.
Christopher medal in his hand, then putting the chain over Sonny’s head and
letting it fall down to lay over his heart. Then he pulled Sonny close, and
though he didn’t say anything at all, we all knew he was… hooked up somehow
with his saint. Finally, he just said, “Please, St. Chris, Sonny is dying out
here without the Mustang.”</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sonny kissed him, and Luki thought
it probably was in appreciation, but I (the author) happen to know it was
mostly to shut him up… well and also, Sonny finds Luki’s thick, rich, curvy
lips completely irresistible.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, as authors go, I sometimes am
admittedly tough on Luki and Sonny, but I’m not without mercy. They’ve been
through hell. So after a few chatted lines and scenes, Anne sent her boys back
to their (weird) home in Flint,
and I got Luki and Sonny back to the Mustang.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What about you, Ms. Sylvre?” Luki
pretends he doesn’t care, but he does. “I thought you wanted to go on this road
trip, too.”</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Tell you what, Luki,” I said. “I’ll
let you and Sonny have some time together to enjoy your trip, and I’ll meet you
in San Antonio.”</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I’ll take pictures, Ms. Lou, okay?
Then you’ll have something to blog.”</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luki rolled his eyes again, and we
parted ways. The guys made excellent time travelling South and West, stopping
only for hamburgers, a few hours of sleep, and occasional roadside
surreptitious and inappropriate touching. Then they got to San Antonio, met up with Carol Zampa’s
characters Honor C and his ultra sexy partner Jorge, and Candy G with the
more-badass-than-he-looks Carlos. They stuck together, the six of them, for
off-color jokes, drinks, and dinner at Las Canarias on the Riverwalk, and then
Luki and Sonny set out on their own to explore the Riverwalk while dusk fell
and the lights came on.</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They held hands, stopped for kisses
in a quiet spot…</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKcyJm-zVmdlR9_Nw6fsH0alOt56lCIeZwmKDfnhcQysTuj7TFWuogLpjiR6TuTd37R4-7xLEKXgY23ZmnWbbFHMNwxkbB-sfuWDLlUyeXbCbvrL-_3qZjaYfZn5zdiL8wyXBm5HnIT4/s1600/riverwalk+quiet+spot+dusk+and+lights+goog+img+FTUOS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKcyJm-zVmdlR9_Nw6fsH0alOt56lCIeZwmKDfnhcQysTuj7TFWuogLpjiR6TuTd37R4-7xLEKXgY23ZmnWbbFHMNwxkbB-sfuWDLlUyeXbCbvrL-_3qZjaYfZn5zdiL8wyXBm5HnIT4/s320/riverwalk+quiet+spot+dusk+and+lights+goog+img+FTUOS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lost themselves in the rainbows of a
million lights…</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_aSHc6vIuA7LPI2oBPL_5mVG3mhAyc5sFBRQM1IiV9Pp4YAKPnE_BuABkuO_ib691etEDZZudHGSFjbn3a-UJrTKV9yz4EDK1j7da1xTEwmxDhyphenhyphenSGHiPz1i592pZeu7YMCts3UFoZqk/s1600/riverwalk+at+night+goog+img+FTUOS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_aSHc6vIuA7LPI2oBPL_5mVG3mhAyc5sFBRQM1IiV9Pp4YAKPnE_BuABkuO_ib691etEDZZudHGSFjbn3a-UJrTKV9yz4EDK1j7da1xTEwmxDhyphenhyphenSGHiPz1i592pZeu7YMCts3UFoZqk/s320/riverwalk+at+night+goog+img+FTUOS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And finally retreated to a fabulous,
warm, not-too-soft bed in the hotel La Mansion del Rio, where there was lots of sweet
touching, none of it inappropriate or surreptitious at all.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYIyt1lg_RWvH8vJzELKI3s1-MQB67O_wF_VFUY_jAKGJ_8nuebW4AvVkhVl1UJKlNu73wrE0wlc-J13asXApGg9ExiaEn6QITagyDUDVofdEFfWK6vTHGsnKww8bXzzoexLHqVDiMvQ/s1600/riverwalk+Mansione+de+rio+hotell+guest+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYIyt1lg_RWvH8vJzELKI3s1-MQB67O_wF_VFUY_jAKGJ_8nuebW4AvVkhVl1UJKlNu73wrE0wlc-J13asXApGg9ExiaEn6QITagyDUDVofdEFfWK6vTHGsnKww8bXzzoexLHqVDiMvQ/s320/riverwalk+Mansione+de+rio+hotell+guest+room.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">* * * * * * *</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Ahhhh.....Luki. Sonny. Oh, man. Did you enjoy hanging out with them as much as I did? </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Coming down from my Cloud No. Nine, let me give a huge thank you to Ms. Sylvre for sending the boys our way and letting us spend some time with them. And...let me give point you in the direction for Luki and Sonny's latest adventure, <i>Saving Sonny James</i>. </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4269"><img alt="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4269" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq_VUx439x6tInxEsId_K-pAPvzPL361k2HPM6wQWxP7o593wlX-Y14R6hRQivXiuRVBHh09AhGpQ2I0c6AyJJIj27BcH0OjBN_-zL5yLaiXj-alJ24XvQzH59bWtBg27vAqxZYSyta8/s320/SavingSonnyJames400x600+final.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Click on Link to Purchase</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>The Blurb</u>....</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Luki Vasquez and
his still newlywed husband are back home after pulling off a harrowing desert
rescue of their teenage nephew Jackie. But the events of the last couple of
years have begun to catch up with Luki—loving Sonny James and letting Sonny
love him back has left gaps in his emotional armor. In the gunfight that
secured Jackie’s rescue, Luki’s bullet killed a young guard, an innocent boy in
Luki’s mind. In the grip of PTSD, memories, flashbacks, and nightmares consume
him, and he falls into deep, almost vegetative depression. </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sonny devotes his
days to helping Luki, putting his own career on hold, even passing up a
European tour of galleries and schools—an opportunity that might never come
again. But when Luki’s parasomnia turns his nightmares into real-world terror,
it breaks the gridlock. Sonny realizes what he’s doing isn’t working, and he
says yes to Europe. Enter Harold Breslin, a
dangerously intelligent artist’s promoter and embezzler whose obsessive desire
for Sonny is exceeded only by his narcissism. When Harold’s plan for Sonny
turns poisonous, Luki must break free of PTSD and get to France fit and
ready in time to save his husband’s life.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span> What are you waiting for? I've got my copy! Go get yours!</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-62450998096922464912013-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:002013-08-25T11:08:27.999-07:00The Valentine Queen...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD4E5NwwN5iS1kt2T-rt1rHDED9sWCvImjw2f5RfLwCy04rta_zCp3XsU1W68fG6Z9fnxd5Et1gC3MJCMCgAsJjnVqwZFaRrm8aEkaS05vKbp5KwaN8cdtd4wXBb7VMmryLfiZZ2tN34/s1600/vintage-queen-of-hearts-valentine-315x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD4E5NwwN5iS1kt2T-rt1rHDED9sWCvImjw2f5RfLwCy04rta_zCp3XsU1W68fG6Z9fnxd5Et1gC3MJCMCgAsJjnVqwZFaRrm8aEkaS05vKbp5KwaN8cdtd4wXBb7VMmryLfiZZ2tN34/s320/vintage-queen-of-hearts-valentine-315x450.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“My definition of a free society is a society where it is
safe to be unpopular.” -- Adlai E. Stevenson II </span></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A while back I accidentally noticed one of my books had been an entry in a contest. Some book-of-the-month thing. No, no, I hadn't entered it in the competition, it was just there by default of having been reviewed during that particular month. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My reaction? Nope, not the giddy glee most authors feel, not the rushing off to Facebook it, to ask for votes. My reaction was a cold chill, a sort of panic. Shaky fingers poised over the keyboard to write to the contest site, to BEG for my book to be withdrawn. A <i>please do not enter me in a contest. I don't want to BE in a contest. </i>And my panic wasn't just a fearful one, it was also an angry one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remember (if you are as old as me) the infamous Academy Awards ceremony when actor George C. Scott rejected his award for Best Actor? His very public statement on how he felt about the Oscars? THAT was what I almost did. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And don't dare for a minute think I was afraid my work wasn't good enough. I've come far enough along in my writing career to be more confident than that. My talent has a long way to go, sure, but I just try to have more faith in myself and my work. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So why <i>did </i>I panic?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Old memories. Painful memories. One distinct remembrance from childhood that was my introduction into reality. The Valentine Queen contest.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fifth grade. Mr. Harvey's class. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Valentine's Day was approaching. A truly fun memory from my kidhood. Handmade decorated boxes---complete with glitter, colored hearts, doilies, foil, romance. Painstakingly writing names of classmates on those tiny little Valentines. The big day of the party. Cookies with red and white sprinkles, red punch. Pretty crepe streamers. Beautiful.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then the announcement came. The class was going to nominate---a popular vote sort of thing---a Valentine's Queen.How cool was that? An unprecedented event! Complete with a crown (I believe it was handmade, cardboard, foil and glitter, but it was a CROWN). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For a kid who'd never, until that time, experienced any sort of popularity contest, the event turned into an awakening. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The day of the party arrived. I wore my best jumper. I remember is so clearly. A beautiful black corduroy jumper with red and white embroidery trim. A white blouse with a high ruffled collar. A Christmas gift from Grandma Vivian who lived in Seattle and always sent pretty outfits to my sister and me from the Spiegel catalog. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's the funny part. I felt so pretty, I felt so confident. I honestly, from the bottom of my heart, thought I stood a chance to be voted Valentine Queen. Oh, yes. Even up against the most lovely, outgoing, sparkling gal in the class. Rella, her name was. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes, Rella won. And rightly so. It was a vote of popularity. She was popular, she was everything one would imagine a Valentine Queen should be, even for fifth grade. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I shouldn't have been surprised. Looking back, I don't know <i>why</i> I was surprised. Why I was...yes...disappointed. Silly, for sure. But I was genuinely disappointed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you know why it never occurred to me that I stood no chance to be voted most popular in a popularity contest? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because my mother never, ever told me I was not beautiful. She never clued me in, ever gave me a hint that I wasn't pretty. Oh, no, she never pumped her children up by telling them they were the prettiest, smartest, bestest. She didn't operate like that. But we were who were were and she never once told us that it was not perfect to <i>be</i> just that. Ourselves. In her eyes----without her ever having to say it out loud---I felt that I was A-okay just like I was.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In reality, looking back, I was as close to being homely as one could be. Big nose, awful hair (you remember the 50's short, short, short bangs)? Why, even once someone joked about my baby picture, commenting that I looked like Frank Sinatra. To look like Ol' Blue Eyes is okay...for Frank Sinatra. Not for a three month old infant. I just was...not...pretty. Not as a baby, not as an elementary student, not even in high school. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I see that now, but I never, ever, ever realized it then. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So when the first popularity contest of my young life happened, I was inducted into the world of reality. That people really did rate you. By looks, by personality, by how well you dressed, by many things. Even as children, we start to rate others. We start, so very young, to make life into a contest. Competition. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For that reason, because of that very deep, very primitive, helpless feeling of <i>coming up short</i> in the popularity world, I've been skittish about contests. Of all sorts. Popularity. Talent. Beauty. Most popular this, favorite that. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When I saw my book in this contest, those embedded feelings surfaced. I mentioned to a couple of friends that I wanted to remove my name from the list. And honestly? Yes, I'll be true and admit part of it was fear of being up against much bigger, much more popular authors than myself. I'm not going to lie about that. One thing I am, and that's brutally honest. It scared me to be pitted against popular authors. Here I was, set for rejection. Fifth grade all over again. LOL. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After whining to someone about it all, I was pretty much made to feel like an attention monger, a prima donna. I was reminded that those popular authors were good people, good writers. And shame on me for bellyaching. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whoa! Wait a minute! In my heart, this is never----ever since Mr. Harvey's class---been about resentment. I don't resent the other authors. I didn't even resent Rella. But what I do resent is being thrown against the Rellas of the world to prove that I'm not...well...a Rella. Because, as petty as I may seem, it is a truth: popularity contests not only prove who is popular, they are monuments---by virtue of voting---to those who are not. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I simply don't like---for myself, and I only speak for myself and my own work---to be thrown into this whirlpool of contests, the best of this, the most popular that. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For me, it's not about the others. It's about me and my private---silly, irrational, surely---fears of coming up short. It isn't right, it isn't grown-up. But it's me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Being raw and honest again, I'll even admit that I'm just perhaps not emotionally equipped to face the disappointment that comes from competition in contests. I can talk the talk and strut and say <i>it is what it is</i>, that it doesn't bother me. But I am human. And, yes, it does affect me, even though i wished to the gods it didn't. Yes, I have an ego. And, yes, it can get crushed. And it's one thing to crush it on my own by submitting my work to a contest. But to have a proverbial boot hovering over my ego just because my work is out there---in a perpetual competition, simply because it <i>is</i> out there---is terrifying.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I'm a wimp. I don't have what it takes to not be afraid of comparison. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">J. D. Salinger said<i> There is a certain peace in not publishing </i>during his absence from writing toward the end, during his years when it was found he indeed was writing, but not for publication. His situation, his comment, reminded me of those early days when I just wrote for pleasure. For a not-so-social miss like myself, I knew that peace he spoke of. I loved that peace.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even a close friend of mine commented that she has seen the difference in my passion between my early writing-just-for-me days and my writing-for-publishing days. The days when writing wasn't a job, it was a hobby, a very private solace shared with only a handful. I miss those early days.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wonder. Could I disappear from the social vortex and just...write? And never, ever be cognizant of the industry around me? Would my work be strong enough to pull the weight for me on its own?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Could I be this recluse writer-woman, this Howard Hughes type lady, who lived happily unaware of her own or anybody else's popularity status? In a mountaintop cabin with my laptop and cat and wind chimes and fresh air and hot tea. And just quietly write beautiful works---how could I not write beautifully in that surrounding?---but nobody ever know anything about me personally? Would my work hold up under such anonymity? Would I really be happy not ever knowing if my work---or me---was popular or not? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Salinger seemed okay with it. He might have been on to something. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-69270239277983944912013-08-02T14:59:00.002-07:002013-08-02T15:01:10.537-07:00The Fear of Water...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvwfMqWE9A1pTX21k7ZD_gWW01tg-tnnBI5Jwt3EniRg8vPx330NSdT2rdap8XQ4RDPAMV6GJSRnUgOVKi1MiCv_HmBhBwIOx4j1IkhctvKVWb0PaKcKDJo2tYPFcApg1xXOO09spMqk/s1600/Drowning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvwfMqWE9A1pTX21k7ZD_gWW01tg-tnnBI5Jwt3EniRg8vPx330NSdT2rdap8XQ4RDPAMV6GJSRnUgOVKi1MiCv_HmBhBwIOx4j1IkhctvKVWb0PaKcKDJo2tYPFcApg1xXOO09spMqk/s320/Drowning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling
nothing.. --- J. K. Rowling</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077326.J_K_Rowling"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077326.J_K_Rowling"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was nineteen, my sister and I took swimming lessons at a local middle school. If she sees this, she'll remember this story.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The instructor was an athletic coach for that school. Young. Good looking. Well-built. Particularly sexy in his swim trunks. You know the kind, you remember him from high school. The gorgeous hunky coach/teacher who all the gals swooned over. I think his name was Fred.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fred, on our second day of lessons, decided it was time to leave our float boards behind and try out the waters unaided. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my fear of water, I knew I hadn't gotten to a comfortable level in my swimming. This pumped up the panic in me. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My turn came.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jump in!" Fred commanded. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I don't think I can do this." Me, cowering, about to piss my pretty little swimsuit.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jump!"</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, no. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jump in!" Fred's third and final command. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, hell, Fred must know better, I figured. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I jumped.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The moment my feet paddled against nothing but water, with nothing but water and more water under me---miles and miles of water it seemed to a aqua phobic like me---I panicked even more. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when I began to sink, head under water, nothing below, nothing above, I'd never felt such terror in all my life. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The worst part? In those fear-filled moments when I could manage to get at somewhat above the surface, I saw good ol' Fred. Laughing.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who will ever know what Fred thought was so funny. My guess? With his virile movie-star looks, he might have been used to gals feigning distress to get him to dive in and help them. Or maybe I just really looked hilarious. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But my sister, on the sidelines, had had enough of Fred's sink-or-swim tactic. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She shouted to him, "You get your goddamn ass in there and you get her out!"</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Fred finally plunged in. Unfortunately for him, my panic was at such levels that---when he placed his hands at my waist to push me up above the surface---I was frenziedly clawing at his head, pushing him down. Fred nearly expired in his rescue attempt.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did not have to swim the rest of the day. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, the vision of that frightful moment has come back to me. Strong. Because this week, I've sort of paralleled that experience with something I've wrestled with recently---depression.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've spoke of depression before. But, when I mentioned on my Facebook wall about being in depression, I was surprised---and saddened---to see how many others suffer this condition as well. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why did the Fred experience remind me of this dark world my mind has been---this depression? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because the feeling of floundering, of being in over my head in an Olympic sized swimming pool of life is like that ill-fated swimming lesson.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this big, huge nothingness where there's no bottom to touch your toes to, no shore to reach out to, it's a traumatic experience. There are people---like Fred---on the sidelines, seeing you are sinking. And, kind of like the handsome instructor, they can't fully grasp your panic because they <i>know</i> how to swim. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You wonder---sometimes you know---the bystanders, our friends, sigh, <i>There she goes again</i>. But, like with my sister's intervention at the pool, the blessing sometimes comes in the form of a friend who sees you are sinking. And they reach out. They might not be able to save you, to make it all go away, but they offer a hand to pull you up above the surface.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The saddest, most frustrating part is that others often feel your weird panicky behavior is nothing but self-importance, you're a big ol' prima donna. When, really, you are in a mode of high voltage fear, irrationality and frustration. And you're clinging to them, you're trying to make life rafts out of them. And, who wants to be a perpetual life raft to a panicking swimmer? So you lose those friends. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to know the funny part? Since that awful day, I've learned to swim. Or I guess you can call it that. I can swim confidently in a pool if I can see the concrete sides within comfortable distance. Something to reach for, a safe touch point, as the pool is just too big for a chicken like me to swim without a proverbial net. If I know my head can still be above water if I sink. Which means I can pretty much swim in the shallow end of the pool. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life has those kinds of touch points as well. Those sidelines and concrete botoms that---when we see them in sight---we feel we can do this swimming thing. And these little markers are nothing more---in daily life---than just those familiar things that have incorporated themselves into our routines. A friendly face in a store, a neighbor we say hello to every day, the mail man, anything or anybody. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even felt the added sadness to my depression when a neighbor in my apartments moved out last week. Not that I knew him well, but I had become accustomed to seeing him, chatting, seeing his cat in the window everyday when I came home from work.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my silly, daily markers. Gone. One of those little sidelines, those touch points in the big pool that made every day seem safer, more friendly. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure, maybe it sounds silly. But depression isn't silly, it's not a <i>mood</i>. It's not a tantrum. It's not being sad about a <i>thing</i>, about <i>anything</i>. Like the quote says, it's the feeling of absolutely nothing. How much easier it might be to cope with depression if one could point a finger to the reason and just deal with it. But depression is a void, a big hole of nothing with no rhyme or reason. No warning that it's coming. It is just there like a black fog and you're enveloped before you can resist. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Depression is not the glamorous fretting in the movies. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYlwDdmW2sr7LFCeOTs4PZdWjHIn66K3jjq8dlSuCdgJxM5lrPxYYz8v79ARJseVntG77mTS0yyArH2clG7wQ7Cl4yxd5B3iU0Yf2EoG5a8_TL2zRKrshs25MCq6M1MhCBRqdgCY2lg/s1600/Greta+Garbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYlwDdmW2sr7LFCeOTs4PZdWjHIn66K3jjq8dlSuCdgJxM5lrPxYYz8v79ARJseVntG77mTS0yyArH2clG7wQ7Cl4yxd5B3iU0Yf2EoG5a8_TL2zRKrshs25MCq6M1MhCBRqdgCY2lg/s320/Greta+Garbo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's no Greta Garbo to play your part in depression. No "I want to be left alone" chic-ness. Nope.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fellow author wondered, on her blog, if social forums played a part in depression. My thought was a big, resounding <i>yes</i>. Although Facebook denies it, there is actually a legitimate term,<i> Facebook Depression</i>. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking deep into myself, I think I agree with this. Instead of being a friendly, safe touch point in the pool of daily life, I wonder if it's not more of a sinkhole that swallows those---like me, who might not be emotionally strong enough to deal---into a constant whirlpool of competition. Insecurity because you're in the waters with much bigger talent than yourself. Frustration because, as it's a free-speech community, so much antagonism flows from the walls of the forum. Bad-mouthing, constant innuendos about other people who for---silly folk like me---keep one in constant fear that it's us they're talking about. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming and going of friends on forums---loss of those comfortable touchstones---happen. To them, you were just fish in the sea. To you, they were safe markers, faces you saw every day. You shouldn't have, but you did depend on them. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I can't do anything about losing these touch points in my life---life is change, after all---I can at least try to look deeper into myself to understand why I so desperately need this sideline markers to feel confident in navigating the social ocean. In navigating <i>life.</i> Period.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like I'm rambling here. But that's how my mind feels. Floundering, kicking, dog-paddling like mad, to stay above water. To make sense of this dark place, to get to the surface. And that frenzy to get there is a rambling, wild and scary feeling.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm grateful to those life rafts, those friends, who've let me panic but stood by the sidelines just in case. Oh, hell. Sure, I'm even grateful to ol' Fred.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-42126487377475294202013-07-21T09:54:00.005-07:002013-07-21T10:14:52.273-07:00500 MILES by Parker Williams...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurEyjQa7g9rw8bGEtpV9OEKEEKqnq2o1bZsZFhMMsTHEXDDbTzX15mDmwoDMF2NhPttpShZnXun3zVD61xLC9IBKuSgiXgnV-KXw8aTKJO-dLERp_9jko5UM9E9fYwWp118oWipZpsxQ/s1600/czampa-review(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurEyjQa7g9rw8bGEtpV9OEKEEKqnq2o1bZsZFhMMsTHEXDDbTzX15mDmwoDMF2NhPttpShZnXun3zVD61xLC9IBKuSgiXgnV-KXw8aTKJO-dLERp_9jko5UM9E9fYwWp118oWipZpsxQ/s320/czampa-review(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get such pleasure from discovering new authors. We all have to start somewhere and I love, love, love the experience of reading the 'starting points' of other authors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only...well, hell...this new author, Parker Williams, bounded from his starting point and just jetted right into awesomeness!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This scrumptious story, <i>500 Miles,</i> is part of an anthology, <i>Mixed Tapes</i>, from MLR Press, by the way. And, if I'm not mistaken, it's Mr. Williams' first published work. What a beautiful beginning he's made with this lovely contribution to this collection of stories.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/500-Miles-ebook/dp/B00D97NXWS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374421945&sr=1-1&keywords=500+miles+parker+williams"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRGzzVk7wLAFTnFcVUJW5mXN8qF_oAb4bMVMwbx7obetviXOLIxjkjbgH-LsuBGyflwOLqvLfU-LTvsOgfzvcuY9Limy8SVpStSHsXQQw6fvoNLEoYK6BFgaXIHhKJOWNW7rc67UOA0w/s320/500+Miles+Cover.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on Cover to Puchase</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the tale of Mark, who is fourteen at the beginning and has a huge crush on his older brother's best friend Jase. When the brother and Jase both head overseas for the army, Jase leaves Mark with a cassette tape assuring him he will never leave him. Sure, he will be miles and miles away, but his spirit will never be any further than at Mark's side. And Jase leaves a recording of the song<i> 500 Miles</i> at the end of the message. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That song carries a much deeper message that Mark will one day understand. And so will the reader by the time they've come to the end of the wonderful story. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This story immediately touched my heart because (no plot, remember, that's what the blurb is for...lol) it dragged me back to my own past, to a secret love for a soldier overseas in a war. To a youngster who loves that older sibling's friend with a yearning that's not any less true just because the dreamer is just a kid. With me, it was the Viet Nam era, a boyfriend of my older sister's. Just like Mark in the story, I wrote letters to him, clung to his every response, dreamed of him and missed him something fierce. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I daresay many folks have been in this position and will relate to this poignant telling of just that sort of young love. It's a common thing, told in a very UNcommon sweetness that was very, very deep and personal and heart wrenching. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other facet of <i>500 Miles</i> that impressed me, that was such a delight, was the prose. This is not fancy writing. And by that I mean it's natural as breathing yet powerful as a heartbeat. It IS a heartbeat, a lovely VERY personal rhythm that melts the reader right into Mark's very mind and heart. Only problem with that is that the reader's going to bawl with Mark, hate with Mark, love with Mark, smile with Mark and fly to the moon with ultimate happiness with Mark. The reader is going to BE Mark. And that, my friend, is good writing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prose was down to earth. Not like an author telling Mark's story but like Mark sitting on your porch with you, telling it to you himself. The beauty in that is that you come away from the book knowing Mark and never forgetting him. He made a friend of you. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mind-blowing perfection in a short package. Perfect characters, very real characters. Perfect, well-synchronized plot fit into that small space. And a perfect ending. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect. </span><br />
<br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-7186518233764727452013-06-25T06:40:00.002-07:002013-06-25T06:40:07.991-07:00WHISTLE PASS by KevaD...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVv-b89UvmKR8tDCkU3pciiYZla0wRWYfkZZxhGg2g3OVMvEM17iupgXo-7kcWBkrn8YOmiFR-ZB1lgGvqPiDdmZFUHRoxkqOLZsDzTRkjyfTkKCAGqH6S0QMSqSWFrbeqPkxtQPEhL8/s1600/czampa-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVv-b89UvmKR8tDCkU3pciiYZla0wRWYfkZZxhGg2g3OVMvEM17iupgXo-7kcWBkrn8YOmiFR-ZB1lgGvqPiDdmZFUHRoxkqOLZsDzTRkjyfTkKCAGqH6S0QMSqSWFrbeqPkxtQPEhL8/s320/czampa-review.jpg" width="320" xya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Blurb</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>On the battlefields of WWII Europe, Charlie Harris fell in love, and after the war, Roger marched home without a glance back. Ten years later, Charlie receives a cryptic summons and quickly departs for his former lover’s hometown of Whistle Pass. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>But Roger Black isn’t the lover of Charlie’s dreams anymore. He’s a married, hard-bitten political schemer who wants to secure his future by destroying evidence of his indiscreet past. Open homosexuality is practically a death sentence, and that photo would ruin Roger and all his wife’s nefarious plans.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Caught up in foggy, tangled events, Charlie turns to hotel manager Gabe Kasper for help, and Gabe is intrigued by the haunted soldier who so desperately desires peace. When helping his new lover places Gabe in danger, the old warrior in Charlie will have to take drastic action to protect him... or condemn them both.</em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2791"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn4YnHTfl4SJfWLbmHQwKUvjVSfo041Hy2kVTOH7-sCx13fZFqhK17L8Fy_Y1ESHw-xCm8kaizY81799SqewzOATO99O7NisPRla8HzsGk85xDbexZhI133QM8FQsHl2QTho6i2QZDfU/s320/WhistlePassLG.jpg" width="213" xya="true" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on Cover to Buy</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As always, I'll leave you to the blurb for plot details. But I will tell you the setting was a new one for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A town called Whistle Pass, not much of a place in the big scheme of things; but, in story telling, it's a luscious locale that seems all quaint and homey on the surface but underneath that diners-loaded-with-smiles-and-cherry pie veneer is a snake pit of corruption, violence and homophobia. It's a delicious setting straight out of a George Raft movie. And just as noir and tantalizing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If <em>Whistle Pass</em> was a motion picture and if I was an Oscar judge, I'd---first of all---give the book an award for its rich description of the world the reader is drawn to. KevaD is extremely gifted in transporting us to the era. The imagery, not only in visuals but all the other senses---smells, touches. With KevaD, I'm inside automobiles, sitting in a diner's booth, hiding in dark corners in the rain, looking in a hotel mirror at myself, smelling the freshly lit match, fingering the worn deck of cards, sniffing a dame's strong perfume and----ah, wonderfully last but not least---rolling around in the warm, fresh scents of masculinity and Aqua Velva and the fingers-on-bristly-beard. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whistle Pass is chock full of sights and sounds I've personally never experienced in fiction---the railroad. The town is a spot where railroaders lay over and I enjoyed the flavor this aspect contributed to the story.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd give <em>Whistle Pass</em> an award for characterization. Charlie and Gabe, Roger and his scheming wife, the waitresses in the cafe and all the townsfolk---good guys and bad guys.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Charlie and Gabe are lavishly realistic. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Charlie's no angel, plain and clear. No bones about that. He's a shell-shocked veteran with some boulders on his shoulders all wrapped up in a gorgeous man's body. Virile, steely, slick, rough, seasoned, keen to his surroundings. He's a lumberjack. Oh, yes, I loved that! Wait! What's a lumberjack doing in a noir-type story? Well, read it and find out!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gabe? Young hotel manager. Sophisticated, swank, dark hair always perfect, good looking, gentle yet strong as a lion when he needs to be. And he has a secret beneath all that sweet kid coating. Yet I adored him and I accepted him and all his frailties and life decisions. I very much loved his loyalty to his friends and to his new lover Charlie. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, oh, man, oh, man, did I ever FEEL Gabe's longing for Charlie and Charlie's attraction for Gabe. Sizzling. One of those get-together-why-don't-you-already type relationships that I love to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Roger. The former lover who wasn't so lovable anymore. But, in spite of his fall from grace (or at least the grace Charlie had fixed in his mind from the past), I still kind of liked Roger. Because he was, underneath it all, just a human, too. A human gone bad and greedy. And, to me, that's a literary accomplishment to develop the protagonist so carefully that the reader can't really hate him even though they want to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, alas, <em>Whistle Pass</em> is not a movie. It's a book. So I give it a whopping award for being a book that reads like a wonderful, well-detailed, opulent, lavish big-screen production. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Highly recommended.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /> </div>
<em></em></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-23185257027302909762013-06-15T18:01:00.002-07:002013-06-15T18:01:35.806-07:00Dear Father...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVpUihyV4H-bwb4nwAVjIUReiXnnvZmxXotoWVrlKwfUnQJtSFaeZgdJb3pD_YbWbssXYB9E0BNd7K4SG-pSURIj4u32zOkCUYZoT0cD2jJTG3WYlpbpIWrp7Q-lr7FGetN4XbB4HSeI/s1600/Dear+Father.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVpUihyV4H-bwb4nwAVjIUReiXnnvZmxXotoWVrlKwfUnQJtSFaeZgdJb3pD_YbWbssXYB9E0BNd7K4SG-pSURIj4u32zOkCUYZoT0cD2jJTG3WYlpbpIWrp7Q-lr7FGetN4XbB4HSeI/s1600/Dear+Father.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> “It never gets easier, missing you. And sometimes I wonder if it ever will.”
--- Heather Brewer, "Ninth Grade Slays"</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></b> <i>
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a re-post of a blog I originally wrote in 2009, the year my dear father passed away. My sister asked if I would repeat it this year, in honor of Father's Day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I might add that, even after four years, I miss Daddy just as much as ever.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's the post... </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">****************************************************************</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I’m listening to
Neil Diamond’s “Dear Father” from “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” right now.<span> </span>Seems appropriate.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today is your
birthday, Daddy.<span> </span>You would have been
83.<span> </span>I lost you on February 29, this
year.<span> </span>And, oh God, this is your first
birthday away from us.<span> </span>Before you tell
me you’re in a better place, I do know that.<span> </span>I find comfort in that.<span> </span>Comfort
in the fact you’re whole, healthy.<span> </span>In
fact, I still keep seeing visions of you at 18 years old, in the army.<span> </span>Before I knew you.<span> </span>And I tell myself it’s really <i>you</i>,
not just a wishful thought.<span> </span>It’s <i>you</i>,
telling me you’re fine.<span> </span>That you don’t
need your oxygen machine anymore.<span> </span>You
can go anywhere you want now without having to lug your little portable oxygen
device.<span> </span>And you assure me that is
something I should be happy about.<span> </span>And I
am.<span> </span>Believe me, Daddy, I am.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But.<span> </span>Of course there is a ‘but’ to this.<span> </span>I went to Walmart on the way home from work
today, Daddy.<span> </span>I needed to go the card
aisle to get you a birthday card; and, damn it, I got hit with it.<span> </span>Hit like a piano falling from a five thousand
story building.<span> </span>You are gone.<span> </span><i>You are gone</i><b><i>.<span> </span></i></b>No more birthday cakes.<span> </span>No parties.<span> </span>No cards.<span> </span>Never again.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I mean,
really.<span> </span>Do you realize how hard it was
to find the perfect card for you every year?<span> </span>You hated those schmaltzy cookie cutter cards just as much as I
did.<span> </span>And they were SO not you.<span> </span>So my yearly mission was to find <i>the
</i>card --- the card that reflected <i>you</i>.<span> </span>And let me tell you.<span> </span>It was
hard.<span> </span>Because you weren’t one of those
Hallmark Daddies.<span> </span>You were good ol’
Daddy, plain ol’ Daddy.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The cards were
right about one thing, though, Daddy.<span> </span>Every single one of those pesky cards said, “I don’t tell you I love you
as often as I should.”<span> </span>How did those
card writers know that most of us kids do <i>not</i> do that?<span> </span>Well, I suppose they were all kids, too?<span> </span>Well, they were right.<span> </span>I did<i> </i><i>not </i>tell you as often as I
should.<span> </span>Heck, looking back, I don’t
suppose I told you much at all.<span> </span>I
figured you knew, anyway.<span> </span>And I’m sure
you did. <span></span>But I bet you would have loved
to have heard it more often.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, we won’t have
to be bothered by those irritating American Greetings anymore, will we?<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, Daddy, I wish
it really did make me feel better to tell myself that.<span> </span>That I’m glad to be relieved of that chore
every year --- that quest for the Ark of the Covenant of birthday cards, the
Holy Grail of greetings.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But it does
not.<span> </span>I’d gladly spend all night in
stupid Walmart to find you a stupid card if you were just still here.<span> </span>All night, I’d look for a card.<span> </span><span></span>I
wouldn’t care how sugary it was, how silly.<span> </span>If you could just be here for me to give it to you.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, I’ve whined
enough.<span> </span>Your birthday is nearly over
now.<span> </span>Good.<span> </span>So maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow and <i>not</i>
miss you so much?<span> </span>Fat chance. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Daddy, I sure do
miss you.<span> </span>I miss you so much.<span> </span>Didn’t get you a card.<span> </span>But --- wherever you may be --- Happy, happy
birthday.<span> </span>I love you.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-91811655524750011542013-06-09T17:20:00.003-07:002013-06-09T17:20:32.720-07:00"FINDING JACKIE" by Lou Sylvre...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUhMuVl6rEbHqnTuHgNyM_iofesynz_rGEXT-sbef-VmzqeYQ3m3Q8Xx4mI3cuXd5FPaqpNrwb9JlLhVR2Yypz5hY2LWVLN9BlBWWFoELz9YYWyshJG02nmm_e8onvE4qpa_R861ZGPc/s1600/czampa-review(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUhMuVl6rEbHqnTuHgNyM_iofesynz_rGEXT-sbef-VmzqeYQ3m3Q8Xx4mI3cuXd5FPaqpNrwb9JlLhVR2Yypz5hY2LWVLN9BlBWWFoELz9YYWyshJG02nmm_e8onvE4qpa_R861ZGPc/s320/czampa-review(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What. A. Book.<i> Finding Jackie</i> by Lou Sylvre. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the third installment in the Vasquez and James series by this author (the series also included a short novella titled <i>Yes)</i>, and I would advise reading the books in order to get the maximum benefit of the series. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3812"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ4ALo9_sPMuKG87LLwWPmH55Zv0nWcXi-SnfJhO1wTOqL40aoSO4VR1QyBmQY6nJjWcr8wCfVRXNQu0fa9PcEs0GBVD5ANCY9hkYItp1N_ZjQXbYZp7U13uQwA-gOdvI_wfUOKGv-Pk/s320/FindingJackieLG.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on Image to Buy</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all, let me mention Sylvre's writing style. I know, I know, I've bragged about it very often---it's magical, lyrical, there's just something about it. How can I describe it? It's not even just the prose, but the presentation. Reading these books, the Vasquez and James delicious installments, I sort of get this light, airy but can-be-very-serious tone as though I'm listening to a delightful narrator with a very simple, very blunt and almost dry humor reading it to me. An arresting delivery like in the film<i> Vickie Christina Barcelona</i>. In fact, I can almost hear Giulia y Los Tellarini singing the zippy tune <i>Barcelona</i> as I read. How Sylvre does this is pure magic. Such serious themes---in <i>Finding Jackie</i>, a kidnapping and torture of a young boy is the heart---and yet presented in a perfect balance of drama and light comedy. A <i>perfect </i>balance.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For instance, I loved this bit: </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the Monaco,
they’d been offered the Ambassador Suite, but Sonny had insisted the purple
furniture would prevent him from sleeping, so they ended up with the Monte Carlo suite. <span style="color: red;"></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">So adorable and yet somber, you just know Rod Serling is just sitting somewhere offstage, narrating. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Sylvre displayed her trademark knack for showing not telling her characters, and I was particularly touched by the humanness of one character, a drag hooker named Rita: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Well, you know, Vasquez. I know I’m not like I used to be.
I don’t draw the same clientele. You know what I mean?” Luki did know. Rita
hadn’t been a street-corner “ho.” She’d drawn her clients from the richest, the
most prestigious men in Chicago,
both the flagrantly criminal and the supposedly legit. That was the reason
she’d been useful to Luki. Small-time thieves and conmen weren’t the people
Luki needed to know about when he was working for ATF. Rita hooked the big
ones, and her trade in gossip was as lucrative as her trade in sex. Or possibly
more. When Luki didn’t say anything, Rita deflated a little. She attempted a
laugh but choked on it. </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So subtle, just a teency touch of body language, and Rita's entire persona is sewn up in vivid color. A sad wishing that someone would tell her, <i>no, you're still beautiful, you still got it going on, girl</i>. But no one contradicts her and she deflates but carries on. Body language. A gift of Sylvre's. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know I don't talk much about plots, and this is no exception except to say this particular story line was absolutely riveting. Big time. Sylvre knows her stuff. Weapons, computer technology, strategics, logistics, all the goodies that make for good action and adventure.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But...but...Ms. Sylvre also knows something ever bigger, even better. Humans. What one person has that makes another person tick. What one person has that dries another person ape shit. What one person has that makes another crazy with desire. Love, sensuality, deep-in-the-gut emotion, no holds barred. The good with the bad, the pretty with the ugly. Humans. The way we really are. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sonny James and Luki Vasquez are two of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Something about them...just something about them. Beautiful, gentle but-can-be-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with Sonny James. So loyal, so enamored of his husband Luki. A perfect character, so well drawn I feel as though I could just pick up the phone and call him. So well drawn I find myself wildly attracted to him. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there's Luki....confirmed bad-ass who is growing a heart over the course of the series and who is softening up a little because of that heart. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their dynamics---in and out of the bed---are fabulous. Oh, and speaking of the bed. One unforgettable scene---in a bath tub---ay-ay-ay! I even stopped reading to make a comment to the author. Oh, hell's bells. Can Sylvre write the intimate scenes. And they are not hump-it-baby-oh-yeah-baby fare. Her sex scenes are hot as Hades yet so damn classy. The lovemaking session by the water. On the rock. Beautiful, intense. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For you readers who are devoted Vasquez and James fans, you will not want to miss this installment. There are excellent flashbacks into Luki's past, when he was eighteen. There is a final confrontation with his childhood, when he faces the ghosts---thanks to the love and patience of Sonny---of the incident when his face was slashed. It's a wonderful insight into Luki, his growth, his triumph over his demons. And a beautiful tribute to his Sonny who has stood by him through all these fabulous books.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finding Jackie. If I gave stars, I'd have to give this read its own constellation. Yes. It is that good. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks, Ms. Sylvre, for another beautiful, satisfying read. </span></span><br />
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-20384818491147716692013-05-05T13:50:00.000-07:002013-05-05T13:50:00.941-07:00YES by Lou Sylvre...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4aLSNZ-Q62o_wVr7J6XWHKTbTLbsaKA2Tq-GlaBz2n6YDBoTzYjBMyHtMVD7pfaBNLmtGqfxR7amSBAmTCMCpXzGtBprY8b6s1MU_JinF18GwGgaj-ZJWaseMgfgXI1br588EPearrQ/s1600/czampa-review(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4aLSNZ-Q62o_wVr7J6XWHKTbTLbsaKA2Tq-GlaBz2n6YDBoTzYjBMyHtMVD7pfaBNLmtGqfxR7amSBAmTCMCpXzGtBprY8b6s1MU_JinF18GwGgaj-ZJWaseMgfgXI1br588EPearrQ/s320/czampa-review(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First thing in order is an apology from the Zampster to the author, Lou Sylvre, because I had not read this short story sooner. I had my reasons for holding off on this giant gem of a book, but---now that I braved the emotional waters to read it---I only regret I didn't do it long ago.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd been blunt when Ms. Sylvre announced the release of this book. The subject matter---cancer---sent ice through me, scared me. Just prior to the release, I'd lost my son-in-law to cancer and I quickly informed Lou I was pretty sure I wouldn't be touching this book, that I could NOT deal with this issue in fiction. To compound my stance, it just so happened I'm an ardent fan of the characters of this series by Ms. Sylvre----the Vasquez and James series---and here the author was, telling me my favorite character was going to have cancer. <i>No can do. Nuh-uh. Next book, please. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, since the author has another new Vasquez and James release coming up, I wanted to prime myself for the upcoming story (titled <i>Finding Jackie</i>), and bite the bullet by reading this short story titled simply <i><b>Yes</b></i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And my initial reaction after finishing this story? A resounding <i><b>DAMN!</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I seriously doubted----remembering the long emotional journey in watching my son-in-law battle cancer---that a story could efficiently address the complex nature of the illness. The moments from diagnosis to treatment to healing or the unthinkable---death. I was so sure I'd come away from the book with all sorts of points that had been missed. The emotions. The details. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was wrong.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Vasquez-James-Series-ebook/dp/B008MNFO62/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367784203&sr=1-1&keywords=yes%2C+lou+sylvre"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpj8JIK7vwSMj0w3LHNA8W0ZjOZsMCwlKRdvGmJjSlcqHneuQslNMQzbkpVRN_OJaj5lkHl8JYyeRljkO6OJV4HZ_JDli0LLFthThaq4hDl6VcgTdhKV1WWlO_MTQ-nR50WRtVnU0Cvs/s320/YesLG.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on Cover to Buy</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somehow, Ms. Sylvre did manage to address this issue so fully, beautifully as I should have expected of her. She's a magnificent author, a gifted wordsmith, a talent I am in awe of. And why I ever doubted her handling of this subject, I don't know. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luki Vazquez, as his fans have grown to know, is a bad ass. How was <i>he</i> going to handle the big C? How was Sonny, his lover of six years, going to handle it? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For one thing, with an odd sort of Luki-style humor which has become a beloved trademark of Lou Sylvre's writing style. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remembering the day I sat with my father in the doctor's office when he got his lung cancer diagnosis, I laughed out loud at the truth to this moment with Luki when he is delivered the same news</span>….<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and made his lung look like an almost egg-shaped hole, and
the tumor look like a yoke splatted in the middle of it. Mr. Vasquez, I’m
afraid you have a fried egg in your lung. Luki didn’t realize he’d chuckled
aloud until Sonny clamped a hand on his shoulder, and he saw a shocked look on
the doctor’s face. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I was thinking about… something….” </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">True Luki Vasquez. True human.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> So real.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> That haze between reality and disbelief.</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Chills gripped me. My Luki<i>. </i>But with Sylvre's lovely sense of humor, the scene was put on a realistic, personal level. This fictional character is a real guy, just like you and me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The most beautiful, poignant, powerful part of this story, though, is Sonny's battling with the illness of the man he loves more than his life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The confusion, the pain, the hope, the loss of hope, the denial, the helplessness, the protectiveness, the over protectiveness, the craving for sex and intimacy but making do because love is more important than sex, the thought---that awful thought---of maybe losing them forever. The anger because they got sick in the first place. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And---oh, damn---Sylvre even added humor into one of the most base aspects of it. A moment when Sonny worries that Luki has expired in the bathroom<i>...What if Luki died in some laughably compromising position? What if he, the most dignified and contained man Sonny had ever met, was held up for ridicule just for dying wrong?</i></span><br />
<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luki's illness carries into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, so very perfectly. I won't say much more, in fear of gushing too much. Although I sure could gush without end.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luki's Christmas gift to Sonny. A tribute to how very little Sonny really wants from Luk<span style="font-size: small;">i</span>---or should I say how much? Sonny's gift to Luki. Just the ending is reason alone to warrant reading this luscious masterpiece of prose. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And speaking of the ending. Lou Sylvre at it again, weaving this tapestry of words into the perfect ending <span style="font-size: small;">with </span>the end that ties the whole thing together. And the meaning behind the title,<i> Yes</i>. Ah!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I apologize, Lou Sylvre. There's a reason you're one of my most beloved authors, why I love your work. <span style="font-size: small;">You managed to incorporate a full-blown journey<span style="font-size: small;">, jam-packed with every emotion possible, into this short story.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>I should never have doubted you. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-25557772884923046262013-05-01T04:35:00.002-07:002013-05-01T04:38:21.885-07:00HONOR C...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhYJXU7Ukt1GjhQjJmjMaOoDSc46L0tcdIODvjwzbYnn2gpiMZ1pT18-E_ndsDPE_mDeEBphz3YiaDjtlLEPT7HXH26R2nnEN1_OUKaDdegPVwqBdE46hewuENHJDJ1yQ70JgdiocWLw/s1600/HonorC+Final+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhYJXU7Ukt1GjhQjJmjMaOoDSc46L0tcdIODvjwzbYnn2gpiMZ1pT18-E_ndsDPE_mDeEBphz3YiaDjtlLEPT7HXH26R2nnEN1_OUKaDdegPVwqBdE46hewuENHJDJ1yQ70JgdiocWLw/s320/HonorC+Final+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Artwork by Paul Richmond</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's here. The finalized cover art for my novella, HONOR C.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think, if I should live to see a billion books released, I'll never get tired of the thrill of seeing the cover for my book. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's at that stage---for me, anyway---that you know it's real, it's beautiful and it's about to happen. Your babies coming to life before your very eyes. Oh, sure, they always were alive from the moment you conceived them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But just something about seeing them in living color. No words to describe that excitement. Not for this gal's limited vocabulary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm lucky in this rendering because the artist, Paul Richmond, has brought my characters, Honor Castillo and Jorge Villagomez, to gorgeous life. Not only did he paint physical likenesses of them, he somehow incorporated their spirits into the cover. The intimacy, the romance, the setting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I wanted to take this moment to brag on Mr. Richmond. He took special pains to make this cover meet MY vision. He tweaked when I squeaked and assured me the image would not be considered finalized until it matched the vision in my heart and head. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And he did it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So that is the final step in the book's production. Next step. Release. My boys will soon be released from my hands and out into the public. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's the blurb: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>When Honor Castillo convinces himself he isn’t gay, he begins a new life. He ends his affair with his lover, Jorge Villagomez, and marries Rebecca to establish a life with her as a respected San Antonio businessman. They have a son and he tells himself he is happy. </em></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eleven years later, Jorge returns to San Antonio, and his path crosses with Honor’s once more. The flame of their passion never died, and neither did Jorge’s love for Honor. </span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Jorge approaches Honor to design his studio, Honor believes he can walk the line between friendship and lovers. But when a sudden crisis threatens to take Jorge from him forever, Honor must choose between his duty and his heart. Most of all, he’s forced to decide what he’s willing to lose in order to be true to who he really is.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, I thank Paul Richmond for his talent, his time and his insight. I thank the entire Dreamspinner staff for their time and talent in every step of production.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I think, from the bottom of my heart, the publisher for believing in me and making my story come to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-66323897413091573122013-04-29T09:10:00.001-07:002013-04-29T09:11:09.213-07:00C. Zampa's Not-A-Review: Let's Hear It For The Boy by T.A. Webb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwbszl70zTsi3fcS99YfXfDpT54-GJK43Sg-WoDysCirEkFs4CpBc0eMtvTkCFUENQoNlJXNAjzDUxYuL_zBMewzV3q1SJvkTJYcNHp22qOkE_vAOz7SzfH6l6of2Cl3zF_s_Gpg4fMI/s1600/czampa-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwbszl70zTsi3fcS99YfXfDpT54-GJK43Sg-WoDysCirEkFs4CpBc0eMtvTkCFUENQoNlJXNAjzDUxYuL_zBMewzV3q1SJvkTJYcNHp22qOkE_vAOz7SzfH6l6of2Cl3zF_s_Gpg4fMI/s320/czampa-review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've missed gushing about my favorite books! So many wonderful stories out there, so many fabulous authors and so many delicious, unforgettable characters!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In trying to get back into the groove of sharing and bubbling over about the stories that have touched me, made me cry, made me laugh, made me mad, made me love, I'm sharing a short story with you today. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I just finished a beautiful, poignant, sticks-with-you-long-after-you-read-it book by author T. A. (Tom) Webb, <strong><em>LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY</em></strong>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>Blurb</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Auntie Social is the biggest, baddest drag queen in Atlanta—she knows what she wants and she gets it. She’s tough, merciless, and top dog. That’s what Paul Stewart, reporter for the Journal, had heard, and all he expects when he’s assigned to interview the legend.. But nobody really knows the person behind the make-up.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>What if…what if the person behind the sarcasm and music was more than just a man in a dress? What happened in his life that, thirty years later, made him a successful CEO, a philanthropist, and a legend in the gay community? Thirty years and almost a million dollars raised for people living with HIV/AIDs, yet still no one knows the real story.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Until one night, one man breaks through the shell, and Matthew Trammell—Auntie Social—opens the door he closed many years ago and lets his secrets spill out.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pain is like rain, it covers your skin and soaks in bone-deep, but it eventually recedes and allows fresh things to grow.</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Hear-Boy-ebook/dp/B00BXVLPJA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367249200&sr=1-1&keywords=let%27s+hear+it+for+the+boy%2C+t.a.+webb"><img border="0" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqzh8s58L__h2uX7tEJm8UdSkcpyEE1OdtUZDcNRbIKnaTiaMSpJkv8DMuBvSSphA_J4sF5ONf5KA8VjuOKQWK2XbertA57R7IxcZQ_p-KIJJ-pneUpHYuBm53uHnt1yCR0X2VAZWOhk/s1600/Let's+Hear+it+for+the+Boy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Click on Cover to Buy)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where to start? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Auntie Social, that was his name. The blurb says it all. Drag Queen, but as he says, he's not your mama's drag queen. He's burly, big, sexy, virile, hairy legs and all, and I loved him. I just pure-d loved him. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The premise of the story (no plot does Zampa tell, remember) is an interview by journalist Paul Stewart of the legendary Atlanta drag queen, Matthew Trammell, aka Auntie Social. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Digging deeper, past the surface of Matthew's story, Paul presses for the heart of Auntie Social, for the soul of the man instead of the usual newsie type stories the public knows. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And Paul gets that story. And we get that story through Paul.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And if you had not already fallen for Matthew right from the start (I did), he will have owned your heart by the end of his story.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a story about AIDS. It's Matthew's story about the intrusion of AIDS into his own life, how the devastating disease touched him deeply and personally by way of infecting someone he loved dearly. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'll admit I hesitate for a long time to read this. The author knew it, too, I was honest and told him I was afraid it would hurt my heart. Hey, how could it not? It was about AIDS, after all.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And it <em>did</em> hurt my heart. In a beautiful way, though. In a tender, gentle delivery that is trademark of Tom Webb. The trademark of a man who has worked in the community in many facets and knows the disease---it's statistics, its destruction but also the powerful love it can draw from those affected and those who love them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oddly, one of the elements of the story that hit me hardest was that sick-in-the-gut moment when Matthew recounts how the man he loved told him about a mistake he'd made in a bar. How he had sex with a man without protection. How he noticed, when it was too late, a lesion on the man's skin. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That blood-draining-from-your-head flash that I felt I was actually living through Webb's telling. That scene is still so strong in my mind. I still shiver thinking about it. None of us have NOT experienced some sort of horrific dread upon realizing we've made a terrible mistake. Or that ungodly awful meeting, face-to-face, with our own mortality.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mr. Webb presented a powerful image with his prose of the fear, the regret, the resignation, the decisions. The losing of a loved one and what we as individuals do once that body---never the soul, though, and never the memory---is gone. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The beautiful, beautiful thing about this story is how Auntie Social used his inner strength, his love and his precious memories to stare AIDS down and campaign in his own special way to offer aid to those affected by the disease. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tom Webb somehow, wonderfully, turned this into a story of triumph, not defeat. A tale of love and faithfulness, not loss. I cried, I knew I would. But I cried because I loved Auntie Social. I loved his strength, his tender heart.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the urn on Matthew's dressing table. I cried about that. Again, not from sadness but just the beauty of it, the tender love. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh. And there's a nice surprise at the end. I cried about that, too. Then I smiled. And I'm still smiling. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-75937249494239382282013-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:002013-04-21T08:02:04.585-07:00A Stone's Throw...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRJah4t0pjMlPjfpmAZIkZXWChxQ0vLwTwYsZCsgThEPId39XgXmtm-WeLG7H2mZz1MZ-Llo0NGv3bB9N-J530Pq7BFiwVgnofjn5mVNran1YsbsoOOUUPkkYnULrE6pqvBfF9f9jDzs/s1600/Pond+Ripples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRJah4t0pjMlPjfpmAZIkZXWChxQ0vLwTwYsZCsgThEPId39XgXmtm-WeLG7H2mZz1MZ-Llo0NGv3bB9N-J530Pq7BFiwVgnofjn5mVNran1YsbsoOOUUPkkYnULrE6pqvBfF9f9jDzs/s320/Pond+Ripples.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Words... They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for
this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can
build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners
knocked off, they're no good any more... I don't think writers are sacred, but
words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order,
you can nudge the world a little or make a poem which children will speak for
you when you're dead.” <span> </span>--<span> </span>Tom Stoppard, “The Real Thing: A Play”</span></span></b></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whether you believe it's <span style="font-size: small;">true</span> or not, you've heard the story of David and Gol<span style="font-size: small;">iath. You'<span style="font-size: small;">re familiar<span style="font-size: small;"> with the story of the young man who<span style="font-size: small;">---in a <span style="font-size: small;">move o<span style="font-size: small;">f <span style="font-size: small;">fai<span style="font-size: small;">th<span style="font-size: small;">---managed to defeat the giant Goliath with nothing but a <span style="font-size: small;">slingshot and a rock. <span style="font-size: small;">A kid. A rock. A slingshot. A victory. One stone<span style="font-size: small;">---just a stone <span style="font-size: small;">a boy picked from a million others---<span style="font-size: small;">was the center of a story that has lasted for cent<span style="font-size: small;">uries, a tale that is legend. A stone.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That Biblica<span style="font-size: small;">l account <span style="font-size: small;">brought to my mind<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">a very important thought<span style="font-size: small;">: that everyone of us carries with us a bag of stones just like the boy David. Only our stones aren't physical ones. <span style="font-size: small;">They are are voices. <span style="font-size: small;">Our words. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">One toss of a rock onto a still pond is able to send ripples a<span style="font-size: small;">cross the water's surface---from bank to bank. That rippling effect can be beautiful, serene, playful<span style="font-size: small;"> or </span>frightening in its <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">subtle power<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span>Because---just think about it. That one tiny fragment of hardene<span style="font-size: small;">d earth has the st<span style="font-size: small;">rengt<span style="font-size: small;">h to disrupt the entire quiet of the <span style="font-size: small;">pon<span style="font-size: small;">d's sur<span style="font-size: small;">face. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same stone<span style="font-size: small;">, if tossed <span style="font-size: small;">at a mirror's glass, has the ability to <span style="font-size: small;">shatter</span> that once-pr<span style="font-size: small;">istine surface and destroy the <span style="font-size: small;">mirror<span style="font-size: small;">. One striking blow <span style="font-size: small;">can <span style="font-size: small;">turn the reflective glass into a <span style="font-size: small;">spiderweb of cracks or it can completely destroy it by rendering i<span style="font-size: small;">t into a heap of <span style="font-size: small;">glistening sh<span style="font-size: small;">ards. Either way, the mirr<span style="font-size: small;">or is destroyed. By one stone.</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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And it is so with our words. It's a little scary to think of the power <span style="font-size: small;">contained in each and every one of us---not just authors, but anybody<span style="font-size: small;">. </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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our voices<span style="font-size: small;">. These stones<span style="font-size: small;"> we carry<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>i<span style="font-size: small;">ns<span style="font-size: small;">ide us. They may not seem like much, but t<span style="font-size: small;">hey have the ability to hurt<span style="font-size: small;"> others, the power to destroy relationships<span style="font-size: small;">. They can be the impetus to ruin others if they're thrown by those with influential voices. <span style="font-size: small;">Words can soothe. They can arouse. They can make love. They can lead. They can follow. They can <span style="font-size: small;">frighten. They can bully. Damn, they are powerful little things. And so versatile<span style="font-size: small;"> in their scope of <span style="font-size: small;">uses.</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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wonder<span style="font-size: small;"> about David and Gol<span style="font-size: small;">iath. <span style="font-size: small;">Surely David had the experience with having used his slingshot to know just which size stone to use. His young mind must have, after enough use with this primi<span style="font-size: small;">tive weapon, kno<span style="font-size: small;">wn <span style="font-size: small;">to calculate<span style="font-size: small;"> the stone's size to know it's projectile capability. And just how much momentum would be needed in order to<span style="font-size: small;">---in jus<span style="font-size: small;">t one shot, since that was all he would have---hit its target and fell it. </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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And our words have to be weigh<span style="font-size: small;">ed just so<span style="font-size: small;">. Because they are <span style="font-size: small;">extremely powerful. </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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As an author, or anyone whose voice finds its way to this new technical marvel---cyberspace---I<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">feel it's<span style="font-size: small;"> a respons<span style="font-size: small;">ibility to use <span style="font-size: small;">this power with<span style="font-size: small;">in us...these stones in<span style="font-size: small;">side us call<span style="font-size: small;">ed words<span style="font-size: small;">...wisely. </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></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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I feel that people who have the fortune to be influential to others s<span style="font-size: small;">hould take advantage of that wonderful privilege to<span style="font-size: small;"> use their words to<span style="font-size: small;"> build, not brea<span style="font-size: small;">k down. To encourage, not to discourage. To make peace, not battle. To soothe, not to wound. To support, not to bully. To make changes for good. </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></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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Voices may seem like nothing but little stones. Those like me who aren't in positions to influence in big ways can<span style="font-size: small;"> still use my words <span style="font-size: small;">for good. Even if only one person hears a word of encouragement from me, hears a<span style="font-size: small;"> smile in my voice,<span style="font-size: small;"> then I've used my voice wi<span style="font-size: small;">sely. </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></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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe my voice alone can't stop hatred, bullying and bigotry. But my little s<span style="font-size: small;">tone, mixed with multitudes of other stones, <i>CAN</i>. </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></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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whether my own words will ever make wonderful changes in my universe is doubtful<span style="font-size: small;">, as I'm a tiny stone among many. </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></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></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But one thing I<i> do</i> know. <span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I might use my words to make quiet ripples<span style="font-size: small;"> on a pond's surface. <span style="font-size: small;">Because th<span style="font-size: small;">at stone <span style="font-size: small;">merely</span> makes <span style="font-size: small;">its ripples, just to <span style="font-size: small;">show it was there, then <span style="font-size: small;">drifts <span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">o the pond's bottom without having <span style="font-size: small;">done any harm. And sometimes I wil<span style="font-size: small;">l use my voice<span style="font-size: small;"> in a bigger way---for whatever it's worth---to blend with other voices <span style="font-size: small;">for equality. </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></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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope, though, never to use my pre<span style="font-size: small;">cious stones to break mirrors. </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></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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </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></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-64734807433528343992013-04-09T05:48:00.001-07:002013-04-09T05:48:34.111-07:00A Descending Spiral...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2SHH-v-s7BW9S8yskNBM1B_kPF_xghrWh41WVDUEWZ5NMwDhXKyRPaUmwcmjDg6uN8MER11nAbJsbpU2jkWDjGZY3mQ2KylKIZhmOTqLOgknKIXPedjRXqSKkW1OvVEfDAFdM74kl7I/s1600/madamedefarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2SHH-v-s7BW9S8yskNBM1B_kPF_xghrWh41WVDUEWZ5NMwDhXKyRPaUmwcmjDg6uN8MER11nAbJsbpU2jkWDjGZY3mQ2KylKIZhmOTqLOgknKIXPedjRXqSKkW1OvVEfDAFdM74kl7I/s320/madamedefarge.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Madame DeFarge, <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Something's bothered me for a while and I've kept silent about it---well, if you don't count occasional spurts of frustration on Facebook and various forums. I remained silent because I just couldn't put my finger on what actually disturbed me. I couldn't, as hard as I tried, make a connection in my mind as to why I was disturbed or tack a name to the angst growing bigger and bigger inside me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But this weekend I stumbled on photos from the Dickens classic, <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And then it became so clear. And when it <em>did</em> become clear, it became even more frustrating and...frightening.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This week, upon the death of Margaret Thatcher, I was shocked and dismayed over the giant uproar---the joyous uproar---of so many chanting all over Twitter and Facebook such things as "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead...' gleeful voices raised in celebration at the passing of a public official. By the degree of happy pandemonium, you would have thought a violent dictator had been executed. Oh, I don't know British politics but I do know hate when I see it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And those merry cheers immediately brought to mind the roaring crowds I'd read of during the French Revolution. The crowds gathering to cheer on the beheadings of the aristocrats. Barbaric pleasure they took in these executions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, no, it wasn't just the reaction to the Thatcher's death that hit home with me. It was something that had been brewing inside me for some time and this event only seemed to bring it to the surface for me, to put a name on it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Hatred</em>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The power of hatred among a group of people. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What may surprise you is that the hatred I speak of---the hatred that has upset me for a while now---is not among those bigots against who we fight for equality. Oh, they are filled to the brim with hate, that's for sure. But it's not them who have troubled me lately.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No. It's those who <em>do</em> fight for equality who are showing the hatred so blatantly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Specifically, not a day goes by that I do not see on various forums the rants against <em>Christians</em>. Everything unfair thing that happens in the name of hatred is somehow lumped in with the name <em>Christian</em>. I see the word every day and it's rarely---if at all---in conjunction with anything good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">An <em>us-against-the-Christians</em> voice it seems.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, upon seeing this so much, I was reminded of such violent events in history such as the executions in France during the revolts. The frenzied fury of those so full of revenge and hatred that they simply dragged every person who even hinted of having money and slaughtered them along with those who actually <em>did</em> deplore them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The fight for justice and equality gone berserk. The furor seeping into sensibility and discoloring even the innocent; therefore sending them to death for having done nothing but been wealthy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Unfortunately, such hatemongers as the Westboro Baptist Church have put a black spot on all religion as far as the fight for equality goes. Now it seems the very word Christian is the keyword for bigotry, along with the word Republican. Every day I read comments that---for every wrong done against the equal rights movement---it must be those Christians, those conservative religious zealots, etc., etc. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you want to know why this scares the hell out of me?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Because I am a Christian. Yes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No, I do not attend church. I don't feel whether I sit in a brick building every Sunday has any bearing on what's in my heart. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But I do follow the teaching of Christ which---if anybody studied hard enough---would prove to be just the same philosophies as all teachers of peace since the beginning of time. He taught that we were all the same. Everybody sins. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And....I might add here that <em>sin</em>---the actual Hebrew translation---meant nothing more than <em>missing the mark</em>. An arrow shooting and falling short of the bullzeye. A human thing. Not a doomed-to-hell fault but just a very human part of life. We miss the mark, we get up and go again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love. He did teach love. He didn't hang out with the sanctimonious. They, in fact, were the ones who persecuted him because <em>he</em> was different. They were scared of him and his truth. He was a threat to their old ways, their ancient beliefs and holier-than-thou arrogance. He was the equality fighter of his day. He died for it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If he walked among us today, he would be right there in the middle of the fight for equality. He would never have judged. Never. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you see what I mean? By using this coverall label of <em>Christian</em>, to lash out at anyone who does call themselves so, you're targeting me and you might accidentally be lumping me in with those who <em>do </em>hate. And I might get hit in the crossfire. Because the animosity is so strong toward the name, I fear it will only keep cooking until it boils over. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do not know a remedy for it all. I only know it's unfortunate to find myself thrown into this mix, to have to defend myself and what I believe in when I am as big a believer in equal rights as the others who fight for it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If anything, it breaks my heart for the <em>Churchians</em> (a term a minister used to define those who merely sat in a pew on Sundays but who did not practice what they preached) to call themselves Christians and then to display such bigotry and hate. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But, again, I don't know a way to fix it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The only thing I can do is live what's really in my heart, to stand strong on my beliefs of equal rights for all. To let my life be a witness, to show that a Christian loves, a Christian loves everyone equally.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just, please. When you do refer to bigotry and hatred, please be careful when using the word <em>Christian</em>. Because if you aim it at a <em>true</em> Christian---who really embraces what the man whose name it is derived taught---you've got the wrong guy.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-78234242868001261632013-04-06T15:08:00.001-07:002013-04-07T06:37:31.960-07:00When the Beating of Your Heart...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1FD81RLnUMBIfNK9We5A97QeobwVhGZX4SwmcvzkFwSUD0v_sNU6iiXIHHmyDEFk1tyUeyBWAsLsdC5KpE_zbAy0aDC8R21JZIlbcOGOdt6cqlAL6wy9L-a5HT9HpNsXPGY6Wg6c60k/s1600/les-miserables_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1FD81RLnUMBIfNK9We5A97QeobwVhGZX4SwmcvzkFwSUD0v_sNU6iiXIHHmyDEFk1tyUeyBWAsLsdC5KpE_zbAy0aDC8R21JZIlbcOGOdt6cqlAL6wy9L-a5HT9HpNsXPGY6Wg6c60k/s320/les-miserables_12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s" id="line_6">When the beating of your heart</span> <span class="line line-s" id="line_7">echoes the beating of the drums</span>, t<span class="line line-s hover" id="line_8">here is a life about to start</span> <span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9">when tomorrow comes! -- <span style="font-size: small;">Lyr<span style="font-size: small;">ics, <span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="font-size: small;">Do You <span style="font-size: small;">Hear the People Sing<span style="font-size: small;">'</span></span></span>, Les Mis<span style="font-size: small;">erable</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><br /></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"></span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">My last post was a lament<span style="font-size: small;">, a tribute to fear. <span style="font-size: small;">Fear o</span>f writing. <span style="font-size: small;">Fear o</span>f other people's writing. Of bei<span style="font-size: small;">ng afraid <span style="font-size: small;">because other<span style="font-size: small;"> a<span style="font-size: small;">uthor<span style="font-size: small;">s'</span> prose<span style="font-size: small;">, their voices, were so<span style="font-size: small;"> damn good that it scared me. I shared thoughts <span style="font-size: small;">on being bo<span style="font-size: small;">xed in by that self-imposed writ<span style="font-size: small;">ing barricade of in<span style="font-size: small;">adequacy. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I w<span style="font-size: small;">as not talki<span style="font-size: small;">ng about talent<span style="font-size: small;"> but something much bigger than talent. I was talking about passion, about being afraid to write what's in my heart<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">and about shutting off this faucet that keeps my passion from flowing free. How frustrating it was to see others write these powerful stories. How <span style="font-size: small;">it finally hit me what <span style="font-size: small;">tha<span style="font-size: small;">t magic element <span style="font-size: small;">was in their w<span style="font-size: small;">ritin<span style="font-size: small;">g was---<span style="font-size: small;">fire, fearle<span style="font-size: small;">ssness, this beautiful ki<span style="font-size: small;">nd of anger that even their greatest inhibitions can't smother.</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 />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wanted that secret in<span style="font-size: small;">gredient<span style="font-size: small;"> i<span style="font-size: small;">n my writing.</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 />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, to that post, I <span style="font-size: small;">enjoyed so many suppor<span style="font-size: small;">tive comments, so much wonderful advice. And, amon<span style="font-size: small;">g those who offered words of underst<span style="font-size: small;">anding <span style="font-size: small;">and</span> support was a long-time, dear, dear<span style="font-size: small;"> friend. A gal who was pretty much my <span style="font-size: small;">very first mentor and critique partner<span style="font-size: small;">.</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></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A beautiful author, Joylene Nowell <span style="font-size: small;">Butler.</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></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">She told me something that hit home. She s<span style="font-size: small;">aid to <i>learn </i>from <span style="font-size: small;">others. <span style="font-size: small;">And then she said some<span style="font-size: small;">thing that rang bells in my head---<span style="font-size: small;">oh, it clanged like the huge <span style="font-size: small;">bel<span style="font-size: small;">ls of Notre Dame---<i>read the classics</i>.</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></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so I<span style="font-size: small;"> did. Read the classic<span style="font-size: small;">s. </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><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, I didn't scour through volumes and volumes of classic nov<span style="font-size: small;">els, although I would glad<span style="font-size: small;">ly have done <span style="font-size: small;">it</span>, I love them so.</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><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"> I did, however, grab up film<span style="font-size: small;">s---adaptations of classic<span style="font-size: small;">s as well as biographic movies of authors from times pa<span style="font-size: small;">st.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And...holy shitsky. My friend, my dear friend<span style="font-size: small;"> Joy<span style="font-size: small;">lene<span style="font-size: small;">! How could she have known?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fi<span style="font-size: small;">rst of all and coincidentally<span style="font-size: small;">---I'd just bought it---I watched the <span style="font-size: small;">newest musical film <span style="font-size: small;">adaptation of <i>Les Miserable</i>. Yes, <span style="font-size: small;">the one with Hugh Jackman and my idol Russ<span style="font-size: small;">ell Crowe.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9">It had been a long time since I cried so wonderfully, so broken up and emotional. And so inspired. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"></span><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;">Immediately after, I <span style="font-size: small;">read abo<span style="font-size: small;">ut the author of <i>Les Miserable</i>, Victor Hugo. Ahead of his time. Daring. Blaring <span style="font-size: small;">with a voice so bold and free that i<span style="font-size: small;">t's still shouting even today. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But<span style="font-size: small;">, during all this research, things much deeper<span style="font-size: small;"> than just beautiful prose spoke to me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9">First, it lit this fire inside me to let my own voice break free, to stop fretting about how it's going to be received. That very fear of reception was its own road block to my creativity. The story, the songs, the facts acted as mufflers t</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">o silence those internal whispers such as <i>so-and-so says there is no such thing as love at first sight, this or that reviewer says they don't like love at first sight.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Lyric"><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"></span><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </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 class="line line-s hover" id="line_9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I loved Hugo's thoughts on this issue</span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">, The power of a glanc<span style="font-size: small;">e has been so much abused in love stories<span style="font-size: small;">, th<span style="font-size: small;">at it has come to be disbelieved. Few peo<span style="font-size: small;">ple dare no<span style="font-size: small;">w to say that two beings have fallen in love bec<span style="font-size: small;">ause they have looke<span style="font-size: small;">d at each other. Yet it is in th<span style="font-size: small;">is way tha<span style="font-size: small;">t love begins, and in this way only."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wondered, after reading this, if he<span style="font-size: small;">'d seen v</span>ictims of the Goodreads of his day? <span style="font-size: small;">Had h<span style="font-size: small;">e seen autho<span style="font-size: small;">rs being intimidated <span style="font-size: small;">by reviews from using their own voices, <span style="font-size: small;">from just letting l<span style="font-size: small;">ove be whatever the<span style="font-size: small;">ir soul<span style="font-size: small;">s told them it <span style="font-size: small;">should be?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As though some<span style="font-size: small;"> invisible force knocked <span style="font-size: small;">my</span> mental barricade down, I felt this wonderful freedom<span style="font-size: small;">. I could not get some of the<span style="font-size: small;"> song's <span style="font-size: small;">lyr<span style="font-size: small;">ics</span></span></span> out of my mind, I played them over and over<span style="font-size: small;">..<i>.</i></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="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beyond the barricade<span style="font-size: small;"> i</span>s there a world you long to see?<span style="font-size: small;"> T</span>hen join in the fight<span style="font-size: small;"> t</span>hat will give you the right to be free!</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd never been so inspired. I'm s<span style="font-size: small;">till zinging. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can't explain the fury---a wonder<span style="font-size: small;">ful, wild freedom<span style="font-size: small;">---</span></span>that bro<span style="font-size: small;">ke out in my heart when I watched this film<span style="font-size: small;">, this production of th<span style="font-size: small;">e</span> classic<span style="font-size: small;"> story. But I do know that <span style="font-size: small;">the exhilaration <span style="font-size: small;">was like another of Hugo's quotes,<i> More powerful tha<span style="font-size: small;">n the mighty armies is an idea whose time has come. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">That gives me chills.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">There <i>is</i> a world <span style="font-size: small;">I long to write beyond the barricade.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, by watching a film adaptation of a classic s<span style="font-size: small;">tory<span style="font-size: small;"> and by reflecting on the other c<span style="font-size: small;">lassics <span style="font-size: small;">that have weather<span style="font-size: small;">ed time<span style="font-size: small;">, I <span style="font-size: small;">recognized all the things I <span style="font-size: small;">crave to write</span>---<span style="font-size: small;">love at f<span style="font-size: small;">irst sight, characters who were bad and one<span style="font-size: small;">s who were good but who were painfully human, seedy life, <span style="font-size: small;">the very grit of life, loneli<span style="font-size: small;">ness, despai<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">, spirit, fires in the bellies, justice, injustice, anger, fear, poverty, wealth<span style="font-size: small;">, beauty, ugliness, faith<span style="font-size: small;">, sunshine, rain---every human condition imagina<span style="font-size: small;">ble. Without holding back<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">, not giving the <span style="font-size: small;">voice<span style="font-size: small;">s in my head any slack</span>. <span style="font-size: small;"> </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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></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></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hugo also had a quote<span style="font-size: small;"> for authors lifting others up,<span style="font-size: small;"> </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><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The delight we inspire in others has this
enchanting peculiarity that, far from being diminished like every other
reflection, it returns to us more radiant than ever<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Radiant</i>. Yes. So thank y<span style="font-size: small;">ou, all of you who unde<span style="font-size: small;">rstood. And thank you, Joylene Nowell Butler, for that one word.</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Clas<span style="font-size: small;">sic<span style="font-size: small;">s.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't know the outcome of what I write. But it will be mine, it will be free of worry, it will be <span style="font-size: small;">what<span style="font-size: small;"> is in my heart.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think my time has come<span style="font-size: small;"> to really...write.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </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><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></i>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-49883967953549492572013-03-25T07:04:00.000-07:002013-03-25T07:04:16.488-07:00Only the Wind and Your Breaking Heart...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsEnw8cca1XV5B-2HXjw09tb9NO_VFf91A6F-d6lWlxczhl2Rn2hb66rqHEjPXkV97ThiVTfe82ecJ-9rC_OlLz5gRjICY1_6noJ07tvjug1ZDUT4cw37Az6MHCj9MRwxAr_3sGZcz4k/s1600/Hunter+in+the+Snowy+Woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsEnw8cca1XV5B-2HXjw09tb9NO_VFf91A6F-d6lWlxczhl2Rn2hb66rqHEjPXkV97ThiVTfe82ecJ-9rC_OlLz5gRjICY1_6noJ07tvjug1ZDUT4cw37Az6MHCj9MRwxAr_3sGZcz4k/s320/Hunter+in+the+Snowy+Woods.jpg" ssa="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Writing is like hunting. There are brutally cold afternoons with nothing in sight, only the wind and your breaking heart. Then the moment when you bag something big. The entire process is beyond intoxicating.” </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">― Kate Braverman</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This isn't going to be the first time you've heard me say this. I've talked about it many times which pretty much says it's a huge issue for me. As far as writing goes, that is. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So here goes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm...can't think of a better word...depressed. Frustrated. Heart-breakingly so. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I decided to speak of it out loud because the subject on my mind comes up in various forums and I realize I'm not the only writer who suffers this 'malady' on occasion. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And here's my ugly truth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have a dear friend, a fellow author, who happens to be one of the most eloquent yet simple, in-touch-with-the-human-heart writers I've ever met. And I've met a lot of them so that is saying a lot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I won't mention his name, and I'm not talking behind his back, as he and I have talked about this. The only reason I'm mentioning it publicly is because I saw comments from more than one author on more than one forum who cited that they shy away from reading other authors because it discourages them, and ignites doubt in their own writing abilities. While sad to hear that, I was kind of relieved. That meant I was not the only one, that others suffer this insecurity at times as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, yes, yes, I know. I talk about insecurity an awful lot. Yep. I do. It happens to be, probably, my number one weakness in my writing process. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I remember one author---who I love dearly---claimed that she had resisted reading certain authors because she was...yes...jealous. I admired her honesty, her bravery in facing her fear. Because, let me tell you, she is not alone. I knew exactly what she meant. The funny thing about it? She, as it happens, is one of the authors I resist reading for that very reason. So there. Go figure. Us writers. What characters we are. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyway, back to my gifted author friend. I told him, as humiliating as it was, that I was hesitant to read his book because I'd read such powerful reviews about it. I was scared. Books which promise to blast me with emotion----no, not just angst, killing off characters and torturing them, but deep heart stuff, human stuff. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We're all insecure to a certain extent with our talent. Even when other praise us, when we see good reviews, there's still that speck of doubt deep down. I suspect even the most successful harbor those misgivings at times. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will at least admit I write fair-to-middlin'. My prose, anyway. Oh, I've got miles to go in the plotting department, boatloads to learn about characterization, dynamics, everything.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But here's the kicker. While trying to pinpoint what I DO feel is lacking, what I DO see in my author friend's work that I feel missing in mine, I came across a quote by Eudora Welty from her book, <em>On Writing</em>, "<em>To write honestly and</em> <em>with all our powers is the least we can do, and the most</em>."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I realized. That key<em>. Honestly and with all our powers</em>. And I knew, then, that the element missing from my attempts is that seemingly small but oh-so-gigantic <em>all our powers</em>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You know that that means? <em>ALL</em> our powers? It means writing on all eight cylinders. Letting go. Giving it the gas. Letting it rip, gunning the engine, speeding right through those barriers of fear that keep you from <em>going too far</em>. It means writing fearless. Opening all the windows on that heart of yours. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Some seem to feel <em>letting it go</em> means to superficially shock. And I suppose it could. But, for me, it means losing all my inhibitions about exposing my gut to a reader. Emotion. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And that's where my depression sets in. I see these other authors who have that GIFT---and I consider it is a precious gift---of doing just that. They have this beautiful ability to express what is actually deep inside them. They are fearless in doing so. I admire that, I crave that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's not about words, either. I can come up with the words. I've got a warehouse of words, ready to be used to express my deepest soul. But, for some reason, fear of SEEING in that deep dungeon of emotion keeps that warehouse door barred to me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't know what it will take to open that door, to bust off that rusty lock. But I DO know it's going to happen because the prisoners---my innermost thoughts---in that secret place cry out all the time, begging to be set free. All it will take is me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So the depression, in a way, seems to be able to give way to satisfaction and then exhilleration. Because I DO have the key in my hand. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Who knows? Maybe, if I DO read those authors whose gift I fear, I'll feel something in their fearlnessness that will push me over the edge.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ray Bradbury said, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I did what most writers do at their beginnings: emulated my elders, imitated my peers, thus turning away from any possibility of discovering truths beneath my skin and behind my eye.</em></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That sort of thinking, those beginnings such as he mentions, might have been one of my biggest obstacles. One WILL be miserable to read other authors in order to emulate their gift. Their gift---the one I seek anyway---is not something that can be copied. Their gift is unique to them but, oddly, available to me as well. Because the truth----MY truth----is beneath MY skin and behind MY eye. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hot damn. Is that exciting or what? So rev her up, baby. I might not be able to go zero-to-seventy in one gunning of the pedal and be comfortable in sharing my innermost soul through my writing overnight. But I CAN get there. The destination IS within reach. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For me. And for you.</span></span></span><br />
<em><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-76495517980745884092013-03-14T09:30:00.002-07:002013-03-15T04:11:42.475-07:00The Adventure of Being Ordinary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtkPTZsrnV2KXnUGbxI0pTAupQjZEsINsd3mEwSmneSP6-iy9nsW_3ksCyw-ML0bqJ59hNNVYM3ol3zb30O_fhedBhcYpKCufN0_DQJ6SLVjXHrt23O6HXZTnkV0NMw4P1kajbIl7P3c/s1600/Mechanics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtkPTZsrnV2KXnUGbxI0pTAupQjZEsINsd3mEwSmneSP6-iy9nsW_3ksCyw-ML0bqJ59hNNVYM3ol3zb30O_fhedBhcYpKCufN0_DQJ6SLVjXHrt23O6HXZTnkV0NMw4P1kajbIl7P3c/s320/Mechanics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">William Gedney, Photographer</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>“What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving…” -- Marilyn Thomsen</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Negativity's been swirling in the air once more in the m/m society, and I've watched with curiosity and discouragement...but a tiny bit of relief to be only a tiny speck in the big scheme of the genre. For once, I was kind of glad to be a nobody.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just write. Simple as that. I think I like that simplicity. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Simplicity. Just working hard. Loving my uncomplicated life, loving my stories, loving my small fan-ship, loving...just loving my situation as it is.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Coincidentally, while ruminating on this 'settlement' of life, this old fashioned mental <em>publishment</em> (sorry---heard this word in an old American folk song and wanted a chance to use it) that's come over me, I stumbled on the photographs of American photographer, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gedney">William Gedney</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">While studying them, I ached with the beauty I found in the black-and-white candids of a series on rural life in Kentucky.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The subjects of the photos, their lives, tore my heart because they were so damn beautiful. Excruciatingly gorgeous because of their basic, raw painting of ordinary lives. Ordinary days. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The photo essay brought me back to my own roots. A very simple life where, as in the photo above, menfolk gathered around the cars and either worked on them or gabbed around them or both. And they were happy. So damn unwealthy yet abundantly rich. The kind of rich I long to be.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQa2uEDl-N1Js_qCojswm2SB1KzMOXIduY75glw3_tqrnheIyHPtkUtzu6KKMn0KrwzBBS9j55O56zzD84zM0rE8B97ercH9SGU1ACy7eTJrn_XpNLj31RmNq22a8TGCAE-wXHaR99Yw/s1600/Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQa2uEDl-N1Js_qCojswm2SB1KzMOXIduY75glw3_tqrnheIyHPtkUtzu6KKMn0KrwzBBS9j55O56zzD84zM0rE8B97ercH9SGU1ACy7eTJrn_XpNLj31RmNq22a8TGCAE-wXHaR99Yw/s320/Coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">I almost cried over this photo. That's my idea of a lovely moment, there on that porch. Coffee in hand. Maybe sad, maybe just tired. But somehow so serene.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40-lHptUX_L7CrFjwxQOr0ZTTlQ4zkuc9kFoFUwuUzzzjQ7sxfsd_KdhbA5vSiYJqP5KoZzEVfot5ErCk_FslZlkO8BC4WPhqua5ZOtuT3x82ccMQ20ig_VtuyQynklQUqhmKSQYNUCU/s1600/Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40-lHptUX_L7CrFjwxQOr0ZTTlQ4zkuc9kFoFUwuUzzzjQ7sxfsd_KdhbA5vSiYJqP5KoZzEVfot5ErCk_FslZlkO8BC4WPhqua5ZOtuT3x82ccMQ20ig_VtuyQynklQUqhmKSQYNUCU/s320/Man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">That hidden world where men might be as good looking or better looking than most movie stars, but no one knows them, has ever heard of them. They're just ordinary...men.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoMDq5n5bQqftzVmJ2XaUnTowJUkC02IIqcZn_Ws7yyQGLhUb3yhExx_oJhgwdWw-UpfY_Kxht1mK9nUBi0d2zY2v7fgU5V27YxCy2GAh-XdgWHlq9T0W7Q_Ss6u7hgenlhVFNOQ_C78/s1600/Young+Dads+William+Gedney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoMDq5n5bQqftzVmJ2XaUnTowJUkC02IIqcZn_Ws7yyQGLhUb3yhExx_oJhgwdWw-UpfY_Kxht1mK9nUBi0d2zY2v7fgU5V27YxCy2GAh-XdgWHlq9T0W7Q_Ss6u7hgenlhVFNOQ_C78/s320/Young+Dads+William+Gedney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Something about the porch, no shirts, babies and bottles...</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwMR71kACEOWT-TUB1EzhuMoM-0sydFLCQBLlgv15Db8cXS61MZPiPzM5VFlvFoTF2StABJzyZKJpr3Gt32fYtpawW2beb_AmIf2Qo-WWSyV0eMHN7IH7_7Qo9IzMR86Yoj_NMjdGeQo/s1600/Lounging+on+the+Front+Porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwMR71kACEOWT-TUB1EzhuMoM-0sydFLCQBLlgv15Db8cXS61MZPiPzM5VFlvFoTF2StABJzyZKJpr3Gt32fYtpawW2beb_AmIf2Qo-WWSyV0eMHN7IH7_7Qo9IzMR86Yoj_NMjdGeQo/s320/Lounging+on+the+Front+Porch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">I've visited this porch a million times in my mind. I've sat on on much like it at my sister and her husband's fishing camp. Solitude. Warm, gritty, comfortable. The bevy of brothers in the photo...well, what can I say?</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2obfBCtLNqAaA1OcTCgqEFRX57U-2iW6ZZ_tuYkp7eaeNWIFZIt0fcMJwEDbD3dld-3mqMQbcZwjgs-hv2PF7isi3HcCe8WMVzSVP0TztxYA_tpKas4V5UND9A7H9-sxogiOyAbogcq8/s1600/Sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2obfBCtLNqAaA1OcTCgqEFRX57U-2iW6ZZ_tuYkp7eaeNWIFZIt0fcMJwEDbD3dld-3mqMQbcZwjgs-hv2PF7isi3HcCe8WMVzSVP0TztxYA_tpKas4V5UND9A7H9-sxogiOyAbogcq8/s320/Sisters.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Something so ungodly happy about the nothingness of doing...nothing. Just BEING.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I long for those days when I was a child---so very much like the folks in these photos---who found so much pleasure in absolutely nothing. Pitching a tent made out of old sheets between two shrubs, the sweet smell of cotton and warm grass within that cozy shelter. The only thing that could ever draw us kids from that magic make-believe world was our parents' call or the clanging bell of the ice cream truck.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Climbing the tree in the back yard and sitting, hidden in the shelter of its leaves, for hours. Or doing nothing but sitting on the porch. Watching the world as it did nothing either. Reading. Reading and more reading. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No air conditioning, just attic fans that made the window curtains billow like silent, frail ghosts while---one some days---I lay in my bed and did nothing but daydreamed. Listening through the screen of that window to neighborhood kids who were also doing pretty much nothing, only performing their nothingness outdoors. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oddly, this reverie does sort of connect to my writing life. The beautiful, really beautiful thing about these photos is the absence of the clawing to be anything other than what the subjects are. If their lives aren't up to par with society, they seem totally and blissfully unaware of it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In reference to an upcoming author/writer convention, a reader blogged that she---quite honestly---did not want to pay money to be in the room with 'nobody' (or was it 'so-so'?) authors. Well, being one of those 'nobodies', that slammed reality in my face. That left me feeling this aching lack of something. This need to try to BE a somebody. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And you want to know something? Had it not been for a reader---for anybody--to scramble us authors around like a handful of jacks in the dirt then arrange us into neat categories, <em>wanted and unwanted</em>---I wouldn't even have been cognisant that I AM pretty much a nobody. Sure, I only have a tiny handful of books to my name, but I thought I was important anyway. I naively thought I fit in somewhere in the big scheme of authorly things. This reader kindly, very politely, informed me I am wrong. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It stung for a while. But, then---once my self-confidence washed away the stark truth---I still came back to who I am, to my heart. And my heart is an author's. I'm glad to say that the reader's proclamation of my invisible status in the writing world cannot change that. Damn it, I'm still proud and I'm still going to write. Because I'm not too bad at it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I want my career as an author to be the simple, beautiful way of these photographs. To just write and be content and enjoy the loveliness that comes with writing to create, not writing to be popular, not writing to BE something. Since I can't STOP writing, no matter how many bloggers inform me I'm not worthy to share the room with the 'must have' authors, I might as well embrace it and do the best work I can. Not to be popular. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But because it's how I do things. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-65133666917973100952013-02-27T12:12:00.001-08:002013-02-27T12:14:00.670-08:00Take That! And That!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdXsXWkev3AYI8jKrYXvmTKWRzX5uhSyb9pYsuwIrae17g0nOJqxpJ7pIDJTaW9ZiiFrFgyuZJHf1b1565-kiiRsSB6MDfU3gEecLqrLYCa2p_Rup0SWwaUyQyBgVWs5Hdl8x0d4k0j8/s1600/Perils+of+Pauline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdXsXWkev3AYI8jKrYXvmTKWRzX5uhSyb9pYsuwIrae17g0nOJqxpJ7pIDJTaW9ZiiFrFgyuZJHf1b1565-kiiRsSB6MDfU3gEecLqrLYCa2p_Rup0SWwaUyQyBgVWs5Hdl8x0d4k0j8/s320/Perils+of+Pauline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal. -- Albert Camus </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I haven't blogged in a long time. But, hey, I've been busy doing writerly stuff. And I've even finished a novella, my story <em>Honor C</em>, which is scheduled for publication at Dreamspinner Press in May/June. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now that my sneaky pitch is out of the way...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm approaching---with caution---a subject that's on my mind. It's on my mind a lot. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Angst. Angst in our writing. My writing included. <u>Remember as I progress that</u> <u>I said, emphatically: <strong><em>MY WRITING, TOO</em></strong></u>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">All who know me have heard me gripe and moan about my weariness of angst in stories. Authors just can't seem to write enough of it and readers just can't seem to read enough of it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the only reason I'm venturing to talk about it today is because I...oh, dear gods, yes, <em>me</em>, C. Zampa...has gone and done the angst thing herself. Yes, yes. I have. I didn't mean to. It just happened. And it fit the story, I swear it did! I repent of my past transgressions of griping about turmoil and drama in stories. For I have fallen into the dark pit myself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But first...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What is it about angst? Why do we like to cry so much? Why are books given a Klennex rating? The more hankies it takes to get through a book, the better. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why do we get giddy with anitcipation when an author warns us that we'll need to buy stock in the tissue company when we read this book or that book? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why do we cheer like lazy, over-fed Roman spectators at a gladiator bout when an author tells us---with a fiendish gleam in their words---that they just offed a character or maimed them in some horrific way?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNTDC2qgymHtGc6eI_cK-WJUhJnBfyYQ75pqyouMB47rLhlkb9dqBudOUjYgZVwV1aKLJaBVw6aIa0cWqOiCaSwVY75FLn1-K8hykf5lvw6EPQqIv48J38l80xpuAeOnJ9HTJr-VO0Lg/s1600/Piano+Falling+on+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNTDC2qgymHtGc6eI_cK-WJUhJnBfyYQ75pqyouMB47rLhlkb9dqBudOUjYgZVwV1aKLJaBVw6aIa0cWqOiCaSwVY75FLn1-K8hykf5lvw6EPQqIv48J38l80xpuAeOnJ9HTJr-VO0Lg/s320/Piano+Falling+on+Head.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Oh, the delicious things in my head, all a keystroke away from happening to my characters!</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why is a book that is light on angst called 'fluff'? (Which I kind of find demeaning, as it seems to imply silliness and emptiness simply because it doesn't include trauma). When---in all fairness---books in which nothing traumatic and tragic happens are usually as well written and as good as stories <em>with</em> those elements. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There's a lot of debate on the subject. Some suggest that those who don't like angst in their books are not in touch with real life and, therefore, cannot take the stuff in their reading either.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On that, I can only say. <strong><em>Whoa. Back up, baby</em></strong>. I know angst, I've known angst in my life. Angst and I are old buddies. As a mother who lost her son (son-in-law, but he was a son to me) to a long battle with cancer, I am no stranger to tragedy and trauma. So to suggest I can't handle constant Kleenex use while reading because I'm not in touch with reality? Nuh-uh. Not so. You take that back.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A confession...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My beta read for one of my latest WIP's and questioned me. Seems I'd---oh, geez, I'm blushing---thrown a handicap into the equation and she confronted me. She wanted to know why. She knew my stance on angst-for-the-sake-of angst and wondered why I, of all people, had decided to use this handicap. She cornered me. What did this condition add to the story, she wanted to know? I had to confess. Absolutely nothing. It was, I will admit, for sympathy. I, C. Zampa, confess. I wanted to make it more dramatic. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But the funny part...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My upcoming story, <em>Honor C</em>, does have an angst angle. I didn't take pleasure in incorporating the element into the story. And by that I refer to the fact that I see so much joking in the author community about how we enjoy torturing our characters. The worse, the better, I hear. I'm never sure if this pride---a sort of medal of honor---in maiming and torturing is for deep impact, to make the book so shocking you can't forget it. Who knows? And I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just the way it is. And, sugar pie, I'm not even going to say I'll never pull that myself. My earliest and dearest mentor---a lovely Sicilian gentleman---always urged me to kill, kill. <em>They will remember it,</em> he said.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxfQwnenSCzry7jcQ_1hiTzYO8Ts5DlgK22wl79eyl5ajrho50MrHElqwUdurnztjM55zJ1_a_iiIbx3zlU9knAlyCw5h-vlDeL54G_LFZwMPHxg-tLUPB_XLNHbydM3eixLEfAZ4muA/s1600/Romeo+and+Juliet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxfQwnenSCzry7jcQ_1hiTzYO8Ts5DlgK22wl79eyl5ajrho50MrHElqwUdurnztjM55zJ1_a_iiIbx3zlU9knAlyCw5h-vlDeL54G_LFZwMPHxg-tLUPB_XLNHbydM3eixLEfAZ4muA/s320/Romeo+and+Juliet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Angst and tragedy have been around for as long as writers have written. It's a tried and true, successful formula. </em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW72XKhwQw6ENWyAdB3UyGZtbZJO7f3-2tInybJa6RlmHt3ASwJv92RYJDkoa968n_Pj9ys4to2T96z6aV7QnnNmtxlRnw6zu078WDaUMsHPaNx3MIB7F7jr5_uLvF-pY_ru74mPvZ7zE/s1600/Camille+Death+Scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW72XKhwQw6ENWyAdB3UyGZtbZJO7f3-2tInybJa6RlmHt3ASwJv92RYJDkoa968n_Pj9ys4to2T96z6aV7QnnNmtxlRnw6zu078WDaUMsHPaNx3MIB7F7jr5_uLvF-pY_ru74mPvZ7zE/s320/Camille+Death+Scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And now. To the reason I've taken a hard look---a very careful audit---of my own motives when I go the angst route.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I got hit with my personal bottom line. My big internal question.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are my characters compelling enough, can they draw enough emotion on their own---just by being ordinary humans---without suffering additional handicaps?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my heart, the crucial factor... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Character depth. For me, writing a character without an external angst element---whether it be physical or mental---is almost like walking a tight rope without a net. No props to make him/her interesting. Just the naked, pure, ordinary person. Is my writing strong enough to just take an everyday Joe off the street and get to a reader's heart without wounding him? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can he just suffer plain ol', normal heart aches like any guy and still capture a readers' heart? Depends on how powerful I can paint him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But <em>can</em> I do that? Like I wondered, is my writing strong enough? Or does he need a physical ailment to grab a heart? Can he just die inside over a dame and you'll want to die with him because you love <em>him</em> so much? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can he just be so very human that you relate to him just because? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Believe it or not, to carry that off is not easy. To create a character who is that strong is difficult, not to mention scary. To write him without a crutch, a 'sure thing' to grip the mind and heart. Nothing to lean on but his soul.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying physical and mental obstacles are not as real and as huge a factor in fiction as they are in real life. They are, and I use them myself. Remember, I DID tell you I use angst in my writing, too. I truly do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I crave the challenge of trying to present an ordinary Joe who you just love to love, and cry when he cries, laugh when he laughs. And you do so because you see yourself in him, your deepest self. Not because I threw him off a cliff and injured him to tug your heart. But because I bared open his soul to you, every human bit of it. Warts and all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He's YOU when you break up with a lover. You're not in a body cast, you're not maimed, but you hurt like hell. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He's YOU when you fall in love all over again and your heart is about to bust with the goodness of it. You're not in physical pain but you cry anyway because you <em>hurt so good</em>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton hit home with me: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Nothing is poetical if plain daylight is not poetical; and no monster should amaze us if the normal man does not amaze. </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It took a while for it to sink it to me. But then I saw it. <em>Normal</em>, just plain normal, is a mighty force in itself and can run very, very deep. The character is the foundation. He's got to touch us first, he has to be strong enough to make us care (or hate sometimes) all on his own. The angst should only make us bawl our guts out because it's happening to HIM, not because it's just angst.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So I wonder about my own writing. Can I make my characters that deep? Can I create a guy who---just by being a guy, a real, nothing-wrong-with-him-except-he's-100%-human guy---can still grab a reader's heart? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm going to put as much heart as I can into every character I write. I'm going to try to make sure they have enough human element to be recognisable to everyone who reads them. Not their faces, their bodies, their circumstances. But their souls.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh, sure, I'll have angst in my books, too. I like it as much as the next person. But my biggest goal will be the characters FIRST. Make them beautiful enough inside---and by beautiful, I mean nothing but pure, simple, glorious human hearts---and anything else that falls into their lives...well...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><strong><em></em></strong></span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-61422551875045924672013-01-05T11:55:00.004-08:002013-01-05T11:56:37.590-08:00Winking in the Dark...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D7zIVS9psj70qdaxkGVy9_Po7g1rj7bH1gYuezDGfVq_YWuk84fn_9VnznDjexZB3BwIrBBJWI76LTKTd7oxj0sKOghoYzDgyjSfAy7iiI93uKswuOWgZU-_WhkirYCKuVa1lo-ZEx8/s1600/Ad+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D7zIVS9psj70qdaxkGVy9_Po7g1rj7bH1gYuezDGfVq_YWuk84fn_9VnznDjexZB3BwIrBBJWI76LTKTd7oxj0sKOghoYzDgyjSfAy7iiI93uKswuOWgZU-_WhkirYCKuVa1lo-ZEx8/s320/Ad+Man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></b></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Doing business without advertising is like winking at a
girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steuart
Henderson Britt, Marketing Management and Administrative Action</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></b></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thi<span style="font-size: small;">s is</span> phase <span style="font-size: small;">three of my <span style="font-size: small;"><i>Oh,</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Those Good Old Days</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i> of Writing Just to Be Writing phase</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In earlier posts, I spoke about guidelines set by publishers and by readers in fiction---what's acceptable, what's a hot button, etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now another aspect of being an author---a very important one, one that never, ever occurred to me in my innocent days of writing just for me and my buddies---is on my mind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Advertising. Selling myself and my product. Promo. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This, I think, is the scariest part of all. Why? Because I'm not a natural-born pitch gal. No matter what it was in my life---whether it was just daily junk in a young person's life or my published books as an adult---I was never comfortable with drawing attention to things I'd done. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why, oh, why---so long ago, as I feverishly typed my fabulous stories---did I think it was all a matter of <i>I've written my book, dear publisher, can you please publish it and make sure everyone knows about it? Thank you kindly. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lately I've seen or been involved in many discussions about promotion<i>. Just what really DOES sell a book? What's best? Facebook, Twitter, Online forums? Blogging? And, when you've decided that, then how MUCH promo? Does it really work? How can you know which promo venue IS working for you? Who sees your pitches? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So many questions, and---for me, anyway---no answers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm that man in the quote above. I'm winking in the dark. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, I do promo now and then. I throw up an occasional post on Facebook for my books. Even with that, though, I'm not comfortable. It's not easy for me to be the proverbial 'newsie', waving the latest edition of the headlines featuring...me and my books. When my works were still hot off the presses and getting reviews, I probably should have shared the reviews on social networks. No go for me. Just couldn't do it. Who knows why? Not that I wasn't proud. Okay, okay, I'll admit a tiny part of me never believes the good reviews. My internal critic kicking in there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't blog hop. I'd been reprimanded by a well-meaning friend on that regard. It would be good for me, I was told, it would be a good way to promote myself and my books. But I still just don't choose to do that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hear how others have full-time jobs, just like me---or who don't have conventional nine-to-five jobs but are still round-the-clock busy---and how they still make time to promo because it is necessary. If I care about my books and my writing career, I will make time to promo, I'm told.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>If I care</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That's where this issue, for me, is an extremely delicate, confusing one. I do care. But...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me explain about ME. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No, I am not shy, by any means. My inhibition with promoting myself isn't a social fear. But there is that little fragment of me, still left over from the early days of writing simply for pleasure and not as a career, that still lingers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I do care about my work. I do want readers to find me, to read my books. Most of all, for me anyway, it's nothing more than this very simple, very childish desire to share my characters with others. I love them, I want others to love them, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But then why not push them harder?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Again, it's just not my style. Someday, maybe. One day, when I feel confident to depend on my writing for major income, I'll be forced to navigate the promotional waters. Right now, though, writing is a passion. And that's pretty much just it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some claim they'd write for free, they love it so, and that it's not about money. And others don't buy that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But you know what? I'm somewhere in between. I like the money. Want to know something true? When I received my first contract and came to the section asking how I'd like to be paid, I actually did a mental double take. <i>Oh, my gosh. I forgot! I'm getting PAID for this! </i>So, yes, for real, I sincerely hadn't ventured into it with monetary goals. The royalties, though, were just a lovely topping to a wonderful cake for me. The writing, being taken seriously by a publisher, sharing my stories was the best part. And it really was. Still is. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I do feel I have a responsibility to a publisher to promote my work. Being accepted by a publisher becomes a commitment to sell the product that is theirs as well as mine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But it's hard. It is so very hard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd love to write in some wonderful fantasy world where it's just a matter of putting a book out there and it just finding its right homes. The right reader linking to the right book. But, yes, that's a dream. My books are just a couple in a sea filled with a bazillion others. To have those readers means doing something to bring that book to their attention. They really <i>won't</i> see it if I only wink in the dark. Right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Or...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1999, I got wind of a Paul Simon concert in the Cynthia Woods Pavilion in Houston. Excited, I immediately called the theatre to see about tickets. Imagine my shock to find the concert had already come and gone. And I'd missed it. I lamented to the ticket salesperson. She advised me that visit had done very little publicity, it had been a sell-out simply by word of mouth. Imagine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Aha. So I WAS leading somewhere. No, no, I'm no Paul Simon. But what I AM getting at is...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Could I possibly just keep writing because I love it? Could I maybe just devote my energy to writing the best stuff I can write and...and...if it's meant to be, it will be? If I can produce a good story, can it reach its target over time by word of mouth? Oh, sure, it would be slow, but...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can I be patient? The modest but beautiful readership I've developed sure hasn't evolved because I've been an aggressive promotional enigma. I'm happy with the status quo. It's come at its own natural timing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maybe, just maybe some DO see us if we just wink in the dark?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-45034009481153835812012-12-11T06:46:00.002-08:002012-12-11T06:46:32.955-08:00The Road to Flawdom...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSFDaeTBCrKswQG_2ZjJw_SgsNjezsVZGHOllKbjmgFOqqy_882SfxFgAsbEY99sPU7LdiBXzUnXgSSI2sbwhOWRW97iTBGBqRQtUCKpDLABxDlJk1f4zmXEhxEGCT4gAcrTRgno1hGE/s1600/David+and+Bathsheba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSFDaeTBCrKswQG_2ZjJw_SgsNjezsVZGHOllKbjmgFOqqy_882SfxFgAsbEY99sPU7LdiBXzUnXgSSI2sbwhOWRW97iTBGBqRQtUCKpDLABxDlJk1f4zmXEhxEGCT4gAcrTRgno1hGE/s320/David+and+Bathsheba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">David and Bathsheba</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>She broke your throne, and she cut your hair, and from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.... </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>--- Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something about Leonard Cohen's song, <em>Hallelujah</em>, breaks my heart. The lyrics are raw, pure, and nearly double me over with emotion. It's a lament of pain, disappointment, and things not so pretty in relationships.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Much of the lyrics, such as, <em>I've heard there was a secret chord, that David played, and it pleased the Lord</em>...and...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you...</em>and especially, <em>the baffled king composing Hallelujah </em>give me the impression of---because they seem to speak of King David---themes of seduction, temptation, betrayal, lust and...cheating. Infidelity.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Which strikes a chord in me, as an author, regarding my recent struggles to meld myself into the romanctic genres, the traditional guidelines of romance writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'd been advised that, when it was hinted that the hero in my novel had cheated<em>, readers don't like cheaters</em>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Readers don't like...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last week I wrote about romance guidelines. Not only in m/m fiction (which my book happens to be), but in all romance genres...m/f as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So this is, I suppose you could call it, phase two of my grappling with writing in the real world. That world beyond writing for fun like I used to do in the old days. In the days of yore, when I first began to write, my characters could do anything they pleased because nobody could see them except me. They were protected by that wonderful privacy shield of <em>writing-just-for-me</em>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, it's beyond the guideline phase and into issues with what readers do and don't like.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And it is confusing. It is intimidating.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Readers DO, overwhelmingly, like flawed characters. The demand is for flawed characters. These flaws often include bitter dispositions, substance abuse, issues of past abuse which turn them into angry individuals, selling themselves for sex, using other characters to get what they want, physical handicaps. Sometimes even just plain creeps for no good reason. And the list goes on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The one flaw, one of the most common and emotional imperfections in the world of relationships---cheating---is, I am told, often taboo to write. The never-never-land of writing, the forbidden zone. It's not always avoided, of course, but it is a touchy subject matter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Once, during a discussion on a forum, a heated debate erupted over the subject, with the majority rising up in arms over cheating main characters. The debate became vicious, names were called, cuss words flying like crazy. It was a hot, hot, hot button. The voice was clear, the people had spoken: NO CHEATING in romance fiction.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Which brings me back to Kind David. An icon in religion, a renowned man of valor and passion in history, a powerful king, a poet, a lover, a husband, a father, a...cheater. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Wait. It gets worse. Not only did David lust for a married woman, but his passion drove him to commit the hugest crime of all---he had Bathsheba's husband murdered. Talk about drama. But it was real. It was no make-believe fictional novel, it was real life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cheating. On a big scale. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And yet? David is beloved in history. His poetry, The Psalms, are revered. History adores the man. David was even called <em>a man after God's own heart</em>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As powerful as he was, this king of Israel, he was flawed. In my mind, he's very likely one of the most perfect examples of flawed human nature I can think of. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And what about fictional characters who cheat?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What about ol' Scarlett O'Hara?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5RY8suW7Su_EhJ9_cYN80vW16iJy3rQFLPhHlbe0HK6QXyNviW3TTI2JBwbo_TrlgSsn4Fw9cYoFGv9LaIi0LeQuoL4IybCND0WzitmMMfHDHP1Q1basA1PL1kbQShr_xheAlEnUeig/s1600/Scarlet's+Red+Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5RY8suW7Su_EhJ9_cYN80vW16iJy3rQFLPhHlbe0HK6QXyNviW3TTI2JBwbo_TrlgSsn4Fw9cYoFGv9LaIi0LeQuoL4IybCND0WzitmMMfHDHP1Q1basA1PL1kbQShr_xheAlEnUeig/s320/Scarlet's+Red+Dress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Gone with the Wind</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Poor Scarlett. She never got her chance to cheat, but she sure wanted to. I say <em>poor Scarlett</em> because, when she and Ashley were spotted in an embrace, Ms. O'Hara was forced to wear that deliciously devilish red dress as a sign of the harlot the town felt she was. And, yet, Mr. Wilkes---who was just as guilty as she was---got <em>For He's A Jolly Good Fellow</em> sung to him. Double standard, but that's another story.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What about <em>Fatal Attraction?</em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTpFhvrwlstpB6jYXNFFnti8zLVSA1TgnMW7cAuBRE3FYo9-kz9hLR7RsM3R4WEDhJiEEH_DtINyvXGHVeFhCGZtqM_ZvyNx8WvcipPG-hBAZqT2XU8hfNdtrU7-tbz44Ue4yZvR9GYI/s1600/Fatal+Attraction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTpFhvrwlstpB6jYXNFFnti8zLVSA1TgnMW7cAuBRE3FYo9-kz9hLR7RsM3R4WEDhJiEEH_DtINyvXGHVeFhCGZtqM_ZvyNx8WvcipPG-hBAZqT2XU8hfNdtrU7-tbz44Ue4yZvR9GYI/s1600/Fatal+Attraction.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fatal Attraction</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, so that was a case of cheating gone way wrong. But...but...the hero, who blatantly cheated on his lovely, always-smiling wife still managed to be the hero in the end. He fell from his heroic throne for a minute, but regained his noblity before all was said and done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of my very, very favorite films, <em>How to Make An American Quilt</em>, deals with another aspect of cheating. A young fiance having a last-minute fling, therefore cheating on her fiance, with a steamy Latino.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjl4LaifkWqeaxUjQyAjYgeEhESFs-7SlWg6nXnoJonUztEyMb3sbGyFtB4imZQrltPAv_VHz50ELIse67PXHmcb9gEKKCAKRNxyK_19LarlcJfWX0DjVR2fu8zgMiB2SAy6w6nktbTQ/s1600/Finn+and+Leon+Boyfriend,+Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjl4LaifkWqeaxUjQyAjYgeEhESFs-7SlWg6nXnoJonUztEyMb3sbGyFtB4imZQrltPAv_VHz50ELIse67PXHmcb9gEKKCAKRNxyK_19LarlcJfWX0DjVR2fu8zgMiB2SAy6w6nktbTQ/s320/Finn+and+Leon+Boyfriend,+Sam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">How to Make An American Quilt</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And one of the most loved infidelity films/novels of all, <em>The Bridges of Madison County. </em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vAPSZi0I3jX76SX5tcLXyR9nypxP2TfdserXbWzZfDVRlC4-BLvGcvlkoT5tQfOCM1GL1VtijA78H6WPiW7QK_LM7fvSt1l4_GgrBVyxg08Mnxg6WpexW1B-YBd43SFsVKf79MXw1ok/s1600/Bridges+of+Madison+County.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vAPSZi0I3jX76SX5tcLXyR9nypxP2TfdserXbWzZfDVRlC4-BLvGcvlkoT5tQfOCM1GL1VtijA78H6WPiW7QK_LM7fvSt1l4_GgrBVyxg08Mnxg6WpexW1B-YBd43SFsVKf79MXw1ok/s320/Bridges+of+Madison+County.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">The Bridges of Madison County</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And don't forget lovable cheatster, Don Draper, from the television series, <em>Mad Men</em>. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, my. Mr. Draper has had more extra-marital affairs and rolls in the hay than the modern calculator can compute. And get this. He's not even remorseful. Oh, wait, he might have been apologetic for a minute when he got caught. And yet? The audience loves the man. Somehow, he wriggles out from under his girlfriends' beds the unscathed, beloved hero we just can't stay mad at. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, oddly, Don Draper is one of my favorite characters. The writers have produced a realistic, extremely unapologetic image of a human complete with every flaw imagineable. Everybody knows a Don Draper. Every office has one. Why pretend the Drapers of the world do not exist, and why pretend they can't actually be just...people. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkv9-X2q9DkhAi8TnozqRKhtsmZlAi7x-sQ3nOA47K0YxqtyxgCPScKP9OPWAU16XKnTjW_m9HPvyrVwsGJ9QvQsAMUuXC_ZDbARfYAC3JDuoicxSGNGSoOdvH9iXZ20s3Wjbh8FUXxI/s1600/Don+Draper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkv9-X2q9DkhAi8TnozqRKhtsmZlAi7x-sQ3nOA47K0YxqtyxgCPScKP9OPWAU16XKnTjW_m9HPvyrVwsGJ9QvQsAMUuXC_ZDbARfYAC3JDuoicxSGNGSoOdvH9iXZ20s3Wjbh8FUXxI/s320/Don+Draper.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Don Draper and one of his many affairs, <em>Mad Men</em></span><em></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is it the fact these films/novels are mainstream that lets them slide under the Cheating Hero/Heroine radar? Is it just romance fiction where infidelity is not accepted as a human error? Embraced as a flaw?</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm not arguing. I'm just confused. I'm not condoning cheating. I'm just frustrated at tiptoeing through the land mines of do's and don'ts in the romantic fiction genre, at the codes used to make the decisions as to which human failures and flaws are forgivable by the reader. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As for David, the King? Even after committing adultery, he was forgiven by God. Oh, the powerful Israelite suffered hugely for his mistake. But he was forgiven. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Although he's no fictional character, he still remains one of the most potent examples of a human to commit such crimes against humanity---which included murder---and still somehow, because we were endeared to him, emerge from the rubble as the hero.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To me, flaws aren't limited to guidelines dictated by a genre. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So my question? Can a hero or heroine commit the act of adultery and still manage to redeem themselves? </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I believe they can. It is a challenge, I'll admit, to bring them around full circle. And, if an author can convincingly meet that challenge---to deliver this situation with the delicacy necessary to handle the highly charged emotional explosive it is---then I see it as a human flaw that has its place in romantic fiction.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How do you feel? Have you read books that contain cheating characters? What did you think of them? Were you able to forgive them? </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-67398791198379459842012-09-23T07:18:00.002-07:002012-10-02T04:23:22.213-07:00I Never Met One, But...<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m excited today to have author Dorien Grey visiting in my ‘house’. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love Dorien’s writing—whether it’s on his blog, his website or in his books. Mr. Grey has a wonderful gift of putting his heart into his thoughts in such a way that bring such tender yet vivid color to what seems to be ordinary life. I’m always amazed that he says exactly the complex feelings that touch most of us, things we long to say—only he says it in a way that makes one quietly just think, “Ah. Yes. That’s it.”</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some ways to link with this wonderful man:</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dorien’s Blog: <a href="http://www.doriengreyandme.com/">http://www.doriengreyandme.com/</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His Amazon Author Page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dorien-Grey/e/B001JOWDGU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1348409285&sr=1-2-ent">http://www.amazon.com/Dorien-Grey/e/B001JOWDGU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1348409285&sr=1-2-ent</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And you can Facebook with him at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/dorien.grey?ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/dorien.grey?ref=ts</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, here is he is. Dorien Grey….</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“I Never Met One, But....”</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For Carol Zampa</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was thinking for some totally unknown reason of an episode of a TV show called <i>The White Shadow,</i> which ran from 1978 to 1981<i>. </i>It was about a high school basketball coach (Ken Howard) mentoring a group of all-American jocks. I watched it only when there was nothing else on that I particularly wanted to watch. But I'll never forget the episode in question, in that it got all sorts of buzz for being boldly daring. It seems that a new player on the team is suspected of being...well, you know...one of <i>those. (</i>It turns out he isn't, of course, thank God, but...) The harassment of the poor kid becomes merciless until the coach bravely calls the team together for a lecture on tolerance. When the word “homosexual” or “gay”—I forget which one was used—pretty daring right there, comes up, the coach says, and I quote: “Well, I've never met one myself, but...” I switched channels and never watched the show again.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My immediate reaction to the coach's incomprehensible response was, <i>You never met one yourself? Look around you, you idiot!</i></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> </i> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That one sentence fragment held the key to the repeal of D.O.D.T., the gradually-being-won battle over marriage equality, and the slow crumbling of intolerance over one's sexual orientation. Our society had been locked in a vicious circle: I'm sure many if not most straights honestly believed they'd never met a homosexual simply because they were unaware they did! And gays were so justifiably fearful of harassment or far worse, that they could not or would not correct this misconception. It was only when gays began coming out of the closet that the tide began to turn. The more straights were made aware that they actually did know gay people—that one of their acquaintances, or friends, or co-workers, or relatives was gay and did not fit the stereotypes society had cast them in, the less fearful, hostile, and judgmental they became.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'd heard gays say we all hid behind those who did fit the stereotypes—they were our protective coloration: if you didn't fit the stereotype, you were okay. It was, and I'm sure even today is, not unheard of for gays to enter straight marriages for the egregious protection of “But he's married. He couldn't possibly be gay!”</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I grew up at a time when homosexuality was a crime in many states, and where gays had no legal rights or protection anywhere in the country; where you could be fired, or be evicted from your apartment for being gay; where gay bars were routinely raided...the arrests providing a steady stream of income for city coffers in the form of heavy fines just for having a drink in the wrong place. I myself was the victim of entrapment in Los Angeles in 1966, when good looking policemen were routinely sent out to lure gays into approaching them, then arresting them for “lewd and lascivious conduct.” (In my case, I was approached by a very handsome young man who then arrested me when I talked to him. I had not propositioned him or said one single word that I could not have said in front of my grandmother. Yet the police report he filed on the incident sounded like the script for a porn movie. I of course protested my innocence, but who would believe the word of a faggot over a solid defender of public morals?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have been gay since I was a child, but I was never <i>bravely</i> gay like those who fought the police at the Stonewall Inn, or in front of Los Angeles' Black Cat, where a patron had been beaten to death during a police raid. I have marched in gay pride parades, but I have never helped organize a protest march or physically manned the barricades and literally risked my life. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I don't fault myself too strongly. I have done what I could to show straights that gays are just as human and decent and worthy of respect as they, and that who one chooses to love does not matter so much as that one does love. I would like to think that John Milton was right when he said that “they also serve who merely stand and wait.”</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would also like to think that were <i>The White Shadow</i> to be on the air today, the coach would know far better than to say “I never met one, but....”</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-89014957872294342452012-08-23T05:52:00.002-07:002012-08-23T05:55:24.773-07:00Bonsoir, Petit Garcon...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhVZfTa0G0i42rrBQYj2SQXsT-ehr5ZAJlJXtK22D5IWInZHKFqU4_jYrpnFCz2YZuif2ICcS6Er3bnXHnNsCSGoRG6RRRF5ivbS5ZpLodD85BGRB-TtRRj4OUwewoIPnGj0kHm3q7Yc/s1600/Patric+Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhVZfTa0G0i42rrBQYj2SQXsT-ehr5ZAJlJXtK22D5IWInZHKFqU4_jYrpnFCz2YZuif2ICcS6Er3bnXHnNsCSGoRG6RRRF5ivbS5ZpLodD85BGRB-TtRRj4OUwewoIPnGj0kHm3q7Yc/s320/Patric+Michael.jpg" width="180" yda="true" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Patric Michael</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” </em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><em>― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">No long posts today. No points to be made. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I just want to take a moment to say goodnight---no, not goodbye, as this person was just too vital to ever admit he's really just...gone---to a precious friend who lost his long battle with cancer on Tuesday.</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Patric Michael.</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Petit Garcon? Somewhere, in the course of conversations, I addressed him as Petit Garcon (little boy) and it became my name for him. And, good friend that he was, he let me call him that.</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Patric was a beautiful man. An author, an artist. One of the most brilliant minds I've ever known. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">He was a mentor to so many authors, this gal included. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">What touched me most about Patric was the journey through his illness. Watching a man reconcile himself to the inevitable, witnessing his growth as he faced the challenge, and admiring his peace about what he knew was going to come. If Patric was afraid, he never let on. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">There will be many tributes to him, so I'll not elaborate on my own.</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">What I want to do, though, is leave you with a glimpse of HIM. Something to share, something that paints a better portrait of him that my words ever could.</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Once, he and I discussed fireflies. Yes, fireflies. He'd authored a story in an anthology in which fireflies were a horrific entity (it was a horror anthology, after all..lol). </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">But, on the subject of fireflies---to show the tender, sensitive side of himself---he sent me this little snippet once. And I don't figure he'd mind my sharing it. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">So...in my bidding goodnight to my Petit Garcon, my dear friend, let me share this beautiful insight into his mind....</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI-DYMz-qVfZGjf_gYJJWO2CKqYCCL-qeqaJIjoLMDinvX1hjJQF7Zda24EV6NlZL25MOJePCuTuMKE7DtTVVJKmD0rRF25pE9PsI5yBDaZZ_toSXzUoXhVfXk9ZN2ICMvNGDia7uipI/s1600/Fireflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI-DYMz-qVfZGjf_gYJJWO2CKqYCCL-qeqaJIjoLMDinvX1hjJQF7Zda24EV6NlZL25MOJePCuTuMKE7DtTVVJKmD0rRF25pE9PsI5yBDaZZ_toSXzUoXhVfXk9ZN2ICMvNGDia7uipI/s320/Fireflies.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When he was a kid, he and his friends spend endless summer nights lurking beneath these same trees playing tag and munching fruit, spitting seeds at each other and laughing. His real father had been alive then. Alive long enough to teach him how to catch and hold the fireflies that even now glittered amidst the tall grass and dark red leaves.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He snatched one out of the air, almost without thought and stared at it cupped between his shaking hands. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Don’t squeeze too hard, Danny. Cup your hands, like this.” Raymond Ellison demonstrated, allowing his son to peer at the softly glowing insect trapped within the cage of his hands. Faint green light spilled between his fingers. “You try it.” </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Danny swept his hands through the tall grass and giggled as his efforts produced not one but two ‘lightning bugs’. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“I got two!” He crowed, holding up his prize. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“You sure did.” His father said, approving. “Look at them for a while, then let them go, Ok?” </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Why?” Danny asked, his small round face clouding with confusion. “Why can’t I keep them?” </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Because they will die if you do.” Raymond said, opening his own hands. The firefly flexed its wings experimentally. “They can’t live in captivity.” He said as the inset flew away, stitching indignant green fire into the warm summer night. He pulled his son onto his lap. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“There are some things in this world that cannot be caged.” Raymond said as he looked at the green light flickering in Danny’s hands. “See how they flash on and off like that? It means they are afraid.” </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Danny studied his lightning bugs for a moment, then looked up into the trees. Lazy green light flickered in long, sweeping strokes. He looked at his bugs again, watching the stuttered, abortive light and thought he understood. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“If they are afraid for too long, their own fear will kill them, son. You don’t want that, do you?” </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Danny hesitated. He opened his hands doubtfully and watched as the flickers lengthened and brightened. He tossed his bugs into the air and turned to his father. His doubt vanished in the bright gleam of his father’s smile. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Good boy!” Raymond said and Danny grinned, glowing like a firefly himself in the light of his father’s pride. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em></em></span>C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-88256487205001534712012-08-02T11:47:00.000-07:002012-08-02T11:50:15.434-07:00The Gospel According To...<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20)</strong></em></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Remember these guys?</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAl-gVf893zYdXv376PyJOJ3IBKznmjUjmNwx_PZ77OR1ocj-ka92Tyz0OSHxtucKD5VlmzgV_imqPCnWn9DHytWhlvQFT6gtBMIyT3vpq5oFLM1mFK6J-qTeRsBRe0HR-haEDiNz-vI/s1600/Ku+Klux+Klan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAl-gVf893zYdXv376PyJOJ3IBKznmjUjmNwx_PZ77OR1ocj-ka92Tyz0OSHxtucKD5VlmzgV_imqPCnWn9DHytWhlvQFT6gtBMIyT3vpq5oFLM1mFK6J-qTeRsBRe0HR-haEDiNz-vI/s320/Ku+Klux+Klan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I remember, as a young girl in Pasadena, Texas, an incident that didn't didn't make sense to me at the time. I was too young for it to have any mental impact one me. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A neighbor, just a couple of doors down, employed a Negro housekeeper. The friendly local order of the Klan----whose regional headquarters was only a few miles away on Red Bluff Road---paid a visit to our neighbor and gifted her with a burning cross in her front yard. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So young, this meant nothing to me outside the sensationalism of the FBI questioning the neighborhood and the community buzz of the incident. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But I did sense enough to be haunted by it. I'd never been raised to see anyone as anything but human. I'm grateful to my parents for that. Yet only when I grew into adulthood did I actually grasp the meaning of those events---HATE.</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had intended to post a vintage photograph of a Negro lynching from days gone by. But do you know what? They were too violent, they were so heart breaking I couldn't use them. It caused great pain to even glance at them. Bodies---young, old---hanging from trees, charred to cinders from stakes. The horrible denominator most of them had was crowds of gleeful spectators. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One photograph even showed a man, handcuffed and hanging from a tree branch, with a young girl staring up at his body as though she was in front row seats at Ringling Brothers. The photo was taken around 1914, and I wonder---hauntingly wonder---if that child ever, EVER had trouble sleeping at night. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Damn, as a kid, I could hardly sleep after an episode of Twilight Zone. And THAT was fiction, make-believe. This child watched a man hang by his neck until he was dead---and God only knows how horrific that must have been---in real life. And she smiled.</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Most of us today are abhorred by this hatred. Churches preach against it. No hate, no hate, love thy brother, love thy brother. Love one another. Love thy brother as thyself.</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And yet...and yet...communities band together to do just the opposite. To hate their brothers and sisters. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you think crimes such as took place with the lynchings were a thing of the past, think again. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you're like me, your mind quickly makes a path to young Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in a vicious hate crime on October 12, 1998. Tied up, beaten, and left to die.</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_SmErlI6McXa4Oos8_AdSXTO7slBVw_HuZvAcq8ntEvoLS5xQQIdERmDLQofndlR6aUqRy9buZ9cy0mn39TyAHW1KvasgnfCfd9v_IpVUn3SZjVV_JOvwNScfyhkyDpzhTfLocz6EtI/s1600/Matthew_Shepard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_SmErlI6McXa4Oos8_AdSXTO7slBVw_HuZvAcq8ntEvoLS5xQQIdERmDLQofndlR6aUqRy9buZ9cy0mn39TyAHW1KvasgnfCfd9v_IpVUn3SZjVV_JOvwNScfyhkyDpzhTfLocz6EtI/s320/Matthew_Shepard.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He was only one of so very many.</span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The thing that torments me about this hate? So much of is, just like the KKK, based ridiculously on scripture. Multitudes of people have taken something, some out-of-context reference, to justify their HATRED. And it is just that...HATRED. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The sad thing? The person who they so erroneously use as their champion for this hatred---Jesus Christ---was himself a victim of intolerance. He died at the hands of arrogance and hatred. The 'church', the elite religious ones, scorned him, hated him from the moment they heard his voice and his far-fetched, crazy ramblings against arrogance and self-righteousness. His adult life was a constant run from those who willed him dead. For what? For being different. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">What the sanctimonious voices who promote hatred do not realize is that, if Jesus walked among them today, they would be protesting him just as their kind did during his lifetime. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For every religious pharisee who condemns the gay community is one who would have barred Jesus from the very church he founded. He would not, today, probably have been welcome in many religious establishments. He would have been just too damn radical for them. He would have suggested they allow gay men and women into their sanctuaries. For that, he would have not been welcome. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Don't kid yourselves, oh pious ones. Jesus never said a lot of things you give him credit for---things you've taken out of context in order to support your bigotry and hatred---but he DID say that to shun those among you was to shun HIM. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So you, the chicken place who pays millions to promote discrimination? Trust me. Jesus, whose name you commit your hateful acts under, is surely not smiling upon you. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And, in closing. I believe in angels. And I believe those lovely stories about how they walk among us. And I believe, with everything in me, that----by shunning those whose gender you cannot tolerate---you are very surely shutting the door on many of those angels who tread among us. </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<br />
<br />C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.com14