Tuesday as Monday

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Silver James

Yeah…about yesterday…

I slept in. I also napped. 😆 Sunday started at 4:00 a.m. Lawyer Guy and I arrived at our assigned post along the Memorial Marathon route–Medical Station 41, which is 21.6 miles into the route. Just to the north of us was a HUGE water station sponsored by Devon Energy. Those folks go ALL out! Balloon sculptures. Signs. Food for runners. Water. Sucrose gel packs. Sponges. And a DJ. Who started playing at 6 a.m. Yes, seriously!

2013 Devon Memorial Marathon
(You can click on the photo to enlarge it. It’s not very good–camera phone in a hurry as I was running betwixt and between.)

We got our “camp” set up while waiting for FedEx to deliver our canopy, table, and supplies. About 7:00, the official medical personal arrived. In the meantime, we made friends with the course marshals (volunteers there to monitor the race), our security–a Cleveland County deputy, an Oklahoma City PD officer, two EMSA (ambulance service) paramedics in their “ASAP” – a mini-ambulance, along with a variety of EMTs and fire department personnel on bicycles. Our med station was staffed by a doctor and from two to four nurses or physical therapists.

LG, his office mate, and I were there as “Communications”–handled by area Ham radio operators. It was an amazing day and the runners have my respect!

We got home about 3:00 p.m. and both of us crashed until after 8:00. LG dashed out for Jersey Mike’s subs, we ate, and went back to sleep. I didn’t even log onto the computer. And I slept until almost 10 a.m. on Monday. Will I volunteer next year? Absolutely.

What about y’all? Do you have a favorite volunteer activity?

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Friday Fun – Summer Movies

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Silver James

I get an email newsletter from Tor.com that keeps me up-to-date not only on their books but all things SciFi and Fantasy. For instance, I don’t pay attention to comics or video games so I’d never heard of the R.I.P.D. comic (Rest In Peace Department). It’s sort of “I see dead people” meets “Men In Black.” There’s a movie coming out in July. With Ryan Reynolds. And Jeff Bridges. You can get more info HERE and watch the trailer below. The trailer explains the premise far better than I could. This one is going on my watch list. Happy Friday!

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Serious Series

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Silver James

mobile phone and booksHow many of you read series? Do you wait until the series is finished before you start, or do you wait with bated breath for the next release?

It’s no surprise that my favorite series of all time is the Eve Dallas/In Death books by JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts). I discovered them and gave up trying to check them out in order from the library so I went on a mission to buy them. I now buy the new releases in hardback AND digital–books for my library shelves, digital for ease of reading. Other autobuy series books for me are Jayne Ann Krentz/Jane Castle/Amanda Quick and the books having to do with the Arcane Society and all the permutations/spin offs, of which there are enough to confuse the casual reader. New to the list is JB Lynn and her Neurotic Hitwoman series. 😀

Larissa Ione, Jeaniene Frost, Allison Brennan, Debra Webb, and others all have series I’ve read and am reading. I could go back and add Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Laurel K. Hamilton to the list though I no longer keep up with them.

Why do authors write series? And more important, to me at least, is what makes a series popular? How does an author keep a series fresh? (This is a reason I’ve stopped reading some series.) I wish I had the answers but I fear today is much more about questions. This is a topic I’ll revisit from time to time, especially since I tend to create in series.

Anyone have thoughts to share?

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Golly Gee Wow Universally

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Silver James

universeI’m feeling pretty proud of myself at the moment. I finished up the “sooper sekrit” project yesterday–TWO WHOLE DAYS before my deadline! I can offer a bit of tease about it. A well-known book blogger issued a challenge to the authors she knew. I accepted it. I was assigned a book cover and a title and my job was to create a story that is a ridiculous spoof of the romance genre. Let me tell you, it is HARD to write badly while still writing well. 😆 The “series” will be revealed in May and I’ll keep y’all posted on the location.

Today, I’m back at work on ROGUE MOON. Finally! So many ideas waiting to get written but first things first. I was feeling a bit down by not getting to “play my way”–meaning writing what I want to, when I want to (yay for commitments, right?!?) And then the Universe dropped this gem on me:

It’s not the career you choose, Silver, the friend you marry, or the path you take that determines success or happiness in life, but that each day, in some small way, you seek to amaze as much as be amazed.

You “Wow” me,
~The Universe

P.S. Oh, Silver, when we’re this good, I just want to give you the biggest hug…. ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmh!

This, without being quite so eloquent about it, is one of the reasons I took up the challenge. I hoped to amaze myself, and just maybe, I’ll amaze some others along the way. And I think this is why writers try their hardest to tell their best story, using the best lessons they’ve learned about their craft. It’s also why I look for the little things along the way–what I call the “OH MY” moments.

Today, take a moment to amaze and be amazed. You’ll feel better. Trust me. *nods*

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Moar Koffee!

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Silver James

lolpics-coffee owlThis was me yesterday afternoon. We announced the National Readers Choice Award finalists on Friday and I had to update the OKRWA website. Yeah. For as easy as WordPress is, sometimes I can’t see the forest for the trees. After spending way more time than I’d allotted, and discovering I’d drained the pot of coffee, Lawyer Guy was glad he’d gone into his office to work. I’d mellowed out by the time he got home.

I also had OKRWA chapter meeting on Saturday. It was fun. The morning was spent in a brainstorming session and after lunch, Professor Nathan Brown, a writing teacher and poet from OU, presented a program on what the reader needs to know. It was enlightening!

I’m STILL reading contest entries, though I took a break to read a book that finaled in the NRCA Historical category–Moriah Densley’s debut novel, SONG FOR SOPHIA. Her hero is an autistic savant and I was very curious about how she handled this. I really, REALLY enjoyed the book. Don’t let the book description throw you. It doesn’t do the book justice.

I’m also under a hard deadline for a project. I have to have it finished and turned in by April 25. Luckily, it’s not a very long piece, but I’m behind. No blog hopping or Facebooking until I’m done.

How about y’all? Did you have a good weekend? Read anything worth mentioning or seen a good movie or TV show? Feel free to talk among yourselves while I’m dragging along through the project. Oh! I almost forgot! I’m visiting Kat Henry Doran today. Claire Vitale, my heroine from BEST LAID PLANS is being interviewed on the WILD WILD WOMEN blog. 😉 Stop by and say hi!

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Friday NEWF!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Silver James

Today is April 19th. Instead of focusing on the anniversary, I am going to share something that makes me smile. A lot. 😀

As most of you know, I have Newfoundlands. Cooper is a registered Newf Landseer (black and white). Boone is a shelter rescue, half Newf/half Golden retriever. Before them was Kodi, another rescue Newf mix, and before Kodi was Kaiser, our first registered Newf. Kaiser raised The Only. And while Coop is black and white, he looks like Benny, as did Kaiser. And man, does this commercial pin the whole experience down.

Well, but for the slug slime. That eats the paint off walls, finish off cars, and can be used as glue.

Happy Friday. Remember to tell people and critters you love them. Every day. Yeah. I do. Y’all. 😉

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Thursday Travels – St. Louis Cathedral

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Silver James

I’m hoping The Only will get her photos downloaded and forwarded to me soon. Then I can share lots of great pics of New Orleans with you. I have a whole “photo story” I want to share. Until then, here. Have a picture of the front spires of St. Louis Cathedral on the north side of Jackson Square. It’s a beautiful church and will play a prominent part of Roman’s story when I start working on the Penumbra Papers. Roman is a gargoyle, for those who don’t know.

(c)Silver James 2013

(c)Silver James 2013

The walkway in front of the cathedral, the Cabildo and the Presbytere (the two museum buildings flanking St. Louis) sports benches and is sometimes called Psychic Row, because the psychics, palm readers, tarot card readers, and fortune tellers of all ilk congregate there to earn a dollar or three. That’s something that also appears in Roman’s book, HEART OF STONE.

First things first, though. Two projects to finish and then I can go there.

Writers, do you go somewhere on a trip and then incorporate what you’ve seen into a story? Readers, do you ever visit someplace and wish your favorite author would set a book there?

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Helping Out, Universally Speaking

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Silver James

The Universe works in mysterious ways, but we already know this. This message from the ‘verse showed up a few days ago and I saved it to blog about because I was thinking about how we, as writers, should give back, and how we, as readers can give back.

It’s part of nature’s built-in checks and balances, Silver, that while there may be times when you think you can’t even help yourself, precisely in such moments there will always be someone else nearby that you can help, instead.

Which, I think you know, is actually one of the fastest ways to help yourself.

I hope that helps,
~~The Universe

P.S. I sure feel better, Silver.

There are times when I hit bottom–in life or with my writing–and I’m convinced there’s nothing that will help, that no matter what well-meaning people say, it (whatever *it* is) will not get better. And more often than not I’ll cross paths with someone who needs my help. In the process of reaching out to them, I discover that I’m no longer down for the count.

When I was a “pre-published” writer, I was lucky enough to find published mentors who offered me the hand of friendship and experience. Now that I’m a published writer, I try to do the same. I judge contests. I offer critiques and encouragement to those who have a dream of becoming published. As a reader, I leave ratings and reviews for authors whose work I enjoy.

This is true, too, for my “other” life–the one in which I’m just a person living day by day, attempting to figure out this old world and how to get along in it. In the aftermath of the Murrah, my fire station was inundated with cards and letters from people and school kids from around the world. Part of my job was to read each one and hand them out to the guys I worked with. In that process, I was reminded that no matter how horrible one person could be, there were a hundred good people who would step up to help erase the bad. As I watched the footage yesterday, I was reminded of that. I saw people running toward the carnage, wanting to help. I saw a city come together, much as Oklahoma City did when we were handed one of our worst days.

That’s the message I would leave with each of you and all the people of Boston: Don’t let the bad win. Live your lives to the fullest, defiant in the face of evil, willing to face down those who want to shackle us in fear by their acts of terror. Live large, people. Love. Laugh. Take back the part of you they tried to kill.

Writers, write. Readers, read. Artists, make art. Stand tall, breathe deeply, and celebrate the joy in life. Reach out your hand to someone in need. Help them to their feet and walk with them until they can walk on their own. Help them learn to smile again. That’s how we help ourselves. That’s how we win.

Mr. Roger's Helpers

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Aftermath

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Silver James

I had an entirely different post planned for today but yesterday’s events overrode all else. My heart and prayers go out to the people of Boston. I can honestly say, “Been there, done that.”

On April 19, 1995, I’d just sat down with a fresh cup of coffee. My dogs acted oddly, rushing to the glass door in the family room and staring in the direction of downtown. Moments later, the “sonic boom” hit, rattling windows and setting my feet on a path that still haunts me all these years later.

I was a forensic fire photographer attached to the airport fire department. One of the few forensic photographers in this state. I was in uniform and headed toward the scene at the Murrah Federal Building before my pager went off. I spent a lifetime down there documenting things. The PTSD fades until the media starts making a big deal of it right before the anniversary.

On 9-11, I was a crime analyst/technical investigator (CSI) with an area police department. From my desk in the detective bay, I watched the towers come down and I realized I’d lost friends from FEMA SAR New York Task Force 1 made during the Murrah. My first thought was to load up my SUV with equipment and supplies and go to New York. Yeah. And yesterday, despite a roiling stomach and bile rising in my throat, despite shaking hands and my chest constricted by what feels like steel bands so that I could barely breathe, I wanted to grab my gear, load up my SUV and head to Boston.

I’m a writer. I capture pictures in words. It’s my “job” to peek into the dark crevices within the human psyche to add depth to my characters. But no matter how long I live, no matter how long I study human nature, I will never understand how people can be so inhumane and cruel.

Dear Boston, get well soon.

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Wakin’ Up Monday

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Silver James

Making coffeeAs I was writing this last night, I had the Folger’s jingle as an earworm. You remember it? “The best part of waking up is Folger’s in your cup…” But like the graphic, you have to be awake enough to make the coffee before you can wake up. I set up our “pot” the night before and all we have to do is add water. I have a home version of a Bunn so it brews quick and hot. Thank goodness!

This is a crazy-busy week. Today, I’m with The Only for a regularly scheduled follow-up with her glaucoma surgeon. It’s early. I’ll need that to-go cup! Tomorrow, Baseball Boy defends his masters thesis. We’ll be there to offer moral support. I have a couple of deadlines. Yay. (Where’s that sarcasm font when I need it?)

I spent the weekend being lazy–meds made sure I slept late and other than dinner with Lawyer Guy, I stayed in bed reading and catching up on Season Two of LOST GIRL. I love that series, but seriously, Bo, you need to drop Lauren and get back with Dyson. Hello, wolf! D’uh. If you don’t watch it, it’s a Canadian-made SyFy channel series about the Fae in the modern world. It’s dark and sexy and I’ve really enjoyed it. Next up, Season Three.

Reading. I finished off the last two books in Kathryne Kennedy’s Relics of Merlin “series.” As there were only three books–sadly–it’s more of a trilogy, but I hope she might publish more. They’re about magic in the Victorian era. Fun stuff! Well written and entertaining. I’m also reading contest entries of the suspense variety but I can’t mention titles until finalists announced.

What about y’all? Runners? Did you run well? Readers, what did you read? What other fun things did you see or do?

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