#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 161

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Silver James

[NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties, I’m hosting a “late” edition of my friend Siobhan Muir’s flash fiction contest. I often participate, have won a few times, gotten my share of honorable mentions, and way more scenes to incorporate into my on-going WIPs. Today, y’all get to sample some interesting writing from some very talented authors.]

TTY3smlWelcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. Today is Thursday and we’re into our fourth year flashing! This is Week 161 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook.

Need the rules? Read on.

Here’s how it works:
• The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale.
• The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
Rules to the Game:
• This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
• Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
• Post your story in the comments section of this post
• Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
• Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
• The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time
• The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up.
How it benefits you:
• You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!)
• You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
• Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, Tsu.co, and Google Plus, etc.

Our Judge for Week 161:

SJ MayleePMP, dancer, and erotic romance author, S.J. Maylee.

S.J. on Facebook
S.J. on Twitter
S.J. on Goodreads
S.J. on Google Plus

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“Let them work or starve.”

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

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Universal May I

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Silver James

universeHow many of you played “Mother, May I?” when you were growing up? That was a playground staple, along with Red Rover, Statues, and Simon Say. And Dodge Ball. Dodge Ball probably has more to do with today’s advice from the Universe, because I’m always dodging those hard decisions, skipping away from taking those final steps, and looking for permission from someone else…or from my inner critic, fraidy cat, Iffy, and the world. Oh, yeah. And quite often, the Universe.

If you keep asking “May I?” Silver, I’ll keep asking “Will you?”

It’s never been up to me.

Tallyho,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Now, if you’re nodding, winking, or chirping, “Yeah,” Silver, then just go do it and give thanks in advance for my cleverness. Oh, you so chirp.

The time comes, as the Walrus reminds us, to talk of many things. But the Universe is telling us to get off our @$$es and just do it. What are you going to do today that you’ve been putting off while waiting for permission?

And yeah, that’s one of my favorite quotes:
“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–
Of cabbages–and kings–
And why the sea is boiling hot–
And whether pigs have wings.”
~The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

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Wednesday Words – Finding the Humor

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupIt’s Wednesday again. Today’s Twitter #1lineWed is all about the funny. Words to make us laugh. Scenes that cause giggles. This is great if you write humor. Me? Not so much. I write the occasional line that elicits a chuckle–think Hannah throwing up on Mac’s combat boots. Don’t know what I’m talking about? You need to read MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS! 😆

Anyway, humor. And I guess there are ways to define humor beyond just writing funny. So, here are a few snippets from NIGHT SHIFT. This first one is in Sam’s POV and occurs shortly after she arrives at the Nightriders’ clubhouse to pick up her nephew and niece. This is her first look at Easy. The humor is in the second paragraph, but I wanted y’all to get a glimpse of what Easy looks like.

The guy in the lead looked me up and down. I returned the favor. Full tattoo sleeve on his left arm—colorful even in the dim light, brownish hair cropped short on the sides and a little longer on the top. What the hell was up with that? Tall, broad-shouldered, tapered hips, and I caught a whiff of leather and motor oil. His face looked like the boy next door’s until I caught the glint in his eyes. Blue. As blue as the Siberian husky who lived at the lodge where I worked ski patrol. But feral. Wild. He might look all aw-shucks but he was a predator, too.

Crud. He grinned and twin dimples creased his cheeks. Yeah, he was easy all right. So easy the club girls would be all over him like bar-b-que sauce on smoked ribs and I bet he tasted just as good. He had a killer grin. I needed to remind myself of that adjective. Killer. He wore the patch and everything. He’d be a killer in bed too, as my libido happily informed me. I reminded said libido of our mission. Kids. Escape. No time for sexy bikers. None. Nuh-uh. I would not let him into my happy place. That’s what batteries were for.

This next bit happens a few sentences later in this same scene.

“I’m Easy.” The guy with the cropped hair and full sleeve of tattoos gave me his name and that aw shucks grin again.

“I’m still not.”

He laughed—an honest one and those freaking dimples winked at me. A biker with a sense of humor. And dimples. Who knew?

Sam’s been on the road for about 20 hours straight and Easy is going to fix her breakfast since it’s after midnight so…

Easy tossed a big ol’ slice of ham in the frying pan and snatched a carton of eggs from the fridge. He held it up and asked, “How do you like yours?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll eat just about anything.”

His dimples came out to play and he shifted as if his pants were too tight. I knew exactly what he was thinking but he took the high road, even though those Husky eyes of his glittered with way too much cockiness. “Why don’t you check out the…” He glanced down, and he looked sly now. So much for the high road. Then he cleared his throat and continued, “…fridge for something to drink then go sit down. I’ll bring your food over when it’s done.”

What about y’all? Care to share the funny from your own WIP?

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Tuesday Treats: Cinnamon Nachos

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Silver James

ConAgra Cinn Desert NachosThis tasty treat showed up in an email from Pinterest and I thought YUMMMMMM! So I pinned it. Then I copied it to share here. All rights belong to the kitchens of ConAgra for the recipe and the photo. All I can say is, when I’m ready to cheat on the diet, this is the first thing I’m making to indulge in. (And actually, at 281 calories a serving, it isn’t that bad plus there are probably ways to cut down calorie count further by using sugar-free or low fat ice cream and sugar free chocolate syrup.)

INGREDIENTS

From the kitchens of ConAgra

Cinnamon Dessert Nachos

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 flour tortillas (6 inch)
2 tablespoons Parkay® Original Spread-tub, melted
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup chocolate syrup, warmed

NUTRITION INFORMATION*

Serving Size 4 servings (8 chips with 1/4 cup ice cream each)
Calories 281
View complete nutrition information

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl; set aside.
Brush both sides of tortillas with Parkay; cut each tortilla into 8 wedges. Place on foil-lined baking sheet; sprinkle both sides of wedges with cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 5 minutes on each side or until crisp.
Divide chips between 4 plates; top with ice cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.
– See more at: ReadySetEat.com

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Plain Jane Monday

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Silver James

Coffee MondayEh. I don’t have much to say today but here’s my weekend rundown. Saturday was OKRWA. The program was on synesthesia. Don’t ask me to explain the syndrome but basically, when writing, authors want to incorporate it. It has to do with the five senses and them “bleeding” over. Here’s the paragraph I wrote for the “hands on” part of the program:

A frisson of awareness teased my bare skin. My whiskey-soaked brain attempted to process that whispered feeling, to make sense of what was happening. My nostrils flared at the scent tiptoeing in on the breeze. Honeysuckle and gunpowder–sweet and deadly. Sam. She was back.

Yes, it will be incorporated into NIGHT SHIFT. Sam and Easy are giving me fits right now. I’m into Chapter 8 and they haven’t even kissed yet. Yeah, yeah. This is an MC book and there’s supposed to be lots of the down and dirty, but this is the way they’re telling their story so…

The Sprout turned one yesterday. My how time flies, right? The house was packed with kids and friends, family, and presents. They ended up with a new “puppy” on Friday. He’s a fuzzy German Shepherd named Dozer. At 17 months old, I hope he’s already grown into his paws. They. Are. Massive! His family is active duty military who got reassigned overseas and couldn’t take him. The mom’s mom works with Only and put a notice up because she couldn’t take him. She lives with her sister who hates dogs–especially big ones. Sprout and Dozer get along great and he was very gentle with the mass of screaming kids in the back yard yesterday afternoon. And yes, I did buy Sprout his first baseball tee, bat, and balls–Little Tykes version. 😀 Hey, his momma played Gold level softball and his daddy played college baseball so y’all hush! 😉

Reading…Still doing the Jayne Castle reread of the Harmony/Dreamlight/Rainshadow books. A couple of new books hit my Kindle, including A CURSE UNBROKEN, the latest in Cecy Robson’s Weird Girls series. I made the mistake of reading a review and I’m worried that the author has gone back to unrelieved bad shit happening to the main character and her mate. I almost quit reading the series a book or two ago for that reason. I’ll definitely have to be in the right mood.

Writing…I’m close to 20K on NIGHT SHIFT. The plot is gelling and moving along. Now, as I mentioned above, if I could just get Sam and Easy to get in gear. Jeez. You’d think two horny people would pounce. Sam has sister issues and Easy is trying to be honorable–he needs to tell her that he’s a Wolf before he claims her. I promise there will be lots of that coming soon. I have…four sexy scenes semi-written. And there will be more once they figure out the logistics. As the UPS commercial says, I LOVE LOGISTICS! *bwahahahaha*

THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC and MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS should be available in paperback this coming week. I’ll post here and on FB once I know they’re live. I’ve ordered copies because I’m doing a book signing at the Anadarko Library on April 4th. If I don’t sell all the copies, there will be a contest. 🙂 Speaking of, who wants a signed copy of THE COWGIRL’S LITTLE SECRET? It comes out in digital on April 1st and should be available the following Tuesday in paperback in most bookstores. But I have copies. So I’m going to give one away to my faithful readers here. Leave a comment! I’ll pick one of you randomly because that’s how I roll. And wow. I had more to say than I thought. 😆

In the meantime, what did y’all do this weekend? And who has big plans for this week? Me? I’m headed for another cup of coffee!

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Friday Sinema – Oklahoma Style

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Silver James

I caught this commercial the other night and two things happened. I fell in love with the narrator’s voice and I want a download of the background music! Y’all want to see where I live?

Bet you thought Oklahoma was all flat and full of dust, huh? 😉

Who’s got fun planned for this weekend? TGIF and enjoy! I have OKRWA tomorrow and Sprout’s first b-day on Sunday. Life is good!

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Thursday’s Thoughts – People Trouble

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Silver James

universePeople. Yeah, you know the ones I’m talking about. The ones you can’t live with but can’t live without…at least for the moment. According to the Universe, there’s a reason for that. Not sure I buy into it because dealing with those people make me grind my teeth. And bite my tongue. And my blood pressure has been known to spike. But I guess there’s a reason for everything, right?

Silver, the trouble with troublesome people is that they often have much to teach to those they trouble.

Love ’em all,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Fortunately, Silver, they’re no trouble at all, some even go away, once your lessons are learned.

So, I spent some time thinking about this and I came to the conclusion that the Universe knows It’s shit. Because I have to figure that the people who cross my path do so for a reason, good or bad. If I believe in Karma, then I have to buy into the idea of lessons learned, right? Of course, when it’s 3:00 a.m. and I’m staring at the ceiling because I woke up and can’t back to sleep, I think about all sorts of crazy stuff. There’s a lesson in this when it comes to characters, too. Those of you who write will understand. If you’ve ever had a character cause trouble when you’re writing, raise your hand. *counts* See? That’s pretty much what I thought. I quit fighting with my characters. Whenever the argue, I figure it’s time to shut up and listen to them. I might not agree with their reasoning, but sometimes–and I’ll deny I ever said this if you tell any of them–they’re right. Sometimes I have a preconceived notion they know is all wrong and they want me to fix it. I’ve had them stop cooperating at all, going sullen and silent. There’s nothing much more pitiful than a writer who’s lost her character’s voice. And the Universe knows we all whine about it! 😆

That’s the lesson for today. Troublesome characters have much to teach us and once we learn the lesson they’re trying to knock into our thick heads, the better our books will be. Listen to those small, still voices in your head. They have something to say worth listening to. No go forth and be troubled no more! 😉

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Wednesday Words – A Kiss Is Just A Kiss

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Silver James

wurkn-on-mai-plan-for-word-domination-caleb-pupYes, exactly! I’m working on my plan for WORD domination one snippet at a time. 😀 Guess what day it is? Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike! Guess. What. Day. It. Is! It’s time for #1lineWed on Twitter and the longer snippets here. Today’s theme? Kiss of Death is getting romantic because it’s all about the kissing! ❤ Here's some snippets from Nightriders NIGHT SHIFT, my current WIP.

Due to circumstances, Easy and Sam are stuck out on the side of a mountain. He has ideas. I mean, come on! The guy's a Wolf, right? 😉

“Do you know what you’re doing?” He saw the stars glistening in Sam’s eyes as she stared up at him.

Easy brushed his fingers across her lips. “I do.” Lowering his head, his lips touched hers. Her mouth softened for him and he sank into her. The taste of her mouth, her skin, and the texture of both, aroused, soothed, seduced. The shape of her—the athletic legs, the curvy torso, the firm breasts that just fit the palms of his hands—made him want to howl.

And a bit later, when things are getting serious…

She tugged at the shirts, the one he still wore, the one she’d borrowed from him. Easy helped by simply ripping the one she wore down the middle then jerking his over his head. Flesh met flesh. She arched against him, a throaty moan teasing his senses. He burrowed deeper against her.

The night air chilled their skin, but blood heated inside them both. She breathed as their mouths met again, a soft sigh against his lips and their tongues danced in a long wet kiss that slipped from gentle to urgent.

Being a MC book, we all know bad things happen. Without giving away plot bunnies, just know that Sam has been rescued and she and Easy are alone.

The hands that had pounded the wall with rage until they bled were gentle when they touched her. He was terrified he would hurt her even more but she was the one who drew him down, held him. She was the one who sighed when he sighed. They would comfort each other for now. He could do that. The need for revenge burned like acid through his blood but he would hold on. He would remain gentle for this remarkable woman.

It was she who drew him down, held him close. Who sighed when he sighed. They would comfort each other now.
Her lips met his, parted in the softest, sweetest of matings. Her hands stroked his back, along the hard planes of muscle as he fit his body to hers.

She loved the weight of him, the shape and hardness of him, the scent and the taste of him. When his lips roamed to her throat, she angled her head to give them both more.

There was tenderness in long, lush kisses, in slow, sliding caresses, a tenderness they both needed in this brief moment. There was warmth, too, heat shimmering over flesh, then deeper inside until muscles and bones melted.

What do you think? One more? Yeah…I’m thinking I’m on a roll. 😉 This scene is a little different take on kissing. 😀

A cookie appeared on my bare chest. A Vanilla Wafer. Shit. I hadn’t eaten one of those since I was a kid about her age.

“For me?”

She nodded but didn’t say anything. I picked it up and put it in my mouth. She reached out again but this time she poked my cheek with one finger. I stopped chewing and held my breath. She stuck her finger in her mouth, almost like she was tasting me. It was weird as hell. Then she puckered, kissed her fingertips and laid them on my cheek. My eyes burned for no reason I could figure out and damn if they didn’t go all wet when she smiled at me.

When I blinked, Noni turned and slipped out the door. I don’t know what the hell just happened but it felt like I’d passed some sort of little kid test. It was fuckin’ strange but kinda cool at the same time.

Who else has words to share from a WIP or a book you’re reading? C’mon, now. It’s Hump Day! What better way to celebrate mid-week than with words!

[*note: I did mention this is a WIP. When finalized, the book will be in 1st POV, with Easy and Samantha trading views. When I wrote these scenes, all but the last one, I automatically went with 3rd POV because that’s what I normally write. Ah well. LOL]

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Tuesday Treats – Happy St. Patrick’s Brownies

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Silver James

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and everyone is a little bit Irish. Whenever we have Guinness in the house, I always steal just a bit to make these brownies. Yes. They are made of the YUM!

Guinness BrowniesGuinness Brownies
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped into pieces
1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup Guinness Beer
4 eggs
1 1/3 cups flour
6 tablespoons dark cocoa powder (I use Ghirardelli, just sayin’…)
10 ounces dark chocolate chips

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Line a 12×16″ sheet pan with parchment paper. I also spray the top of the parchment and the sides of the pan with non-stick baking spray to make it easier to remove brownies.
3) Microwave semi-sweet chocolate pieces for 90 seconds.
4) Whisk the chocolate until very smooth. Set aside to cool.
5) In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Add the beer and beat until well combined.
6) Add eggs and beat one at a time, until they are completely mixed in, then slowly add cooled melted chocolate while beating.
7) Sift the flour and coco together. Slowly add to the batter, mixing in until it is just combined.
8) Add chocolate chips, and mix until just combined.
9) Pour batter into pan and spread evenly to the edges.
10) Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not over bake. You want them moist.
11) When the brownies are done, cool completely in pan before cutting. Or if you can’t wait and don’t care if they’re messy, cut and eat while warm! 🙂

I’ll be lifting a pint today to toast all my wonderful friends here! How are you celebrating the day?
Irish toast

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It’s Monday? RUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Silver James

T-Rex MondayThis is definitely me today! I spent the weekend working on formatting. In my brilliant (and highly caffeinated) state of being, I decided I could format MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS for print. Yeah…I know. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?!?!

At 9:39 last night, I sat back at my desk and realized that yes, I was capable of formatting the darn thing. It wasn’t too hard, once I figured out the pitfalls. eye sigh Of course, today, when I look at it, I may be running down the street screaming. If I’m not, I’ll start on THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC to get it ready for POD. I’m probably too late to get any copies printed in time for my next personal appearance, but oh, well. I’ll be at the Anadarko Public Library for a book sale and signing on April 4th. This being sick crap has put me way behind schedule on stuff, when my brain is working through the medications well enough to actually…you know…THINK!!!! Ah well.

Whenever I’d get frustrated with formatting, I’d read. I’m working my way through Jayne Castle’s (aka Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick) Harmony series. It’s sort of SciFi/Fantasy and there are actually several series under the loose umbrella of her Arcane Society series. I haven’t read the early books since my Caribbean cruise in 2011 so it’s fun to reread them. She has a new one coming out set in the Harmony world this summer. No, I won’t be doing a reread for it. LOL I do have a beta read to get to, as well. I’m looking forward to it. S’always more fun to edit someone else. *bwahahaha*

I really didn’t do much else. Lawyer Guy and I went shopping Saturday for Sprout’s birthday. He’ll be ONE in a week or so. The kid is a little monkey. 😆 He has teeth. And he’s walking. And we all swear that he actually says words and sentences in the midst of the jabber. We watched some baseball. We ate BBQ and hamburgers. I watched blue skies and sunshine out my window. OH! And I finally have two daffodil blossoms. Better late than never, right? I think so!

So what about y’all? What did you do this weekend? Good weather or bad? Books read? Movies watched? Yard worked? Inquiring minds (MINE!) want to know. ❤

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