Thursday, October 29, 2015

Meet Roseanne Dowell's Character. Beatrice Lulu




Wishing you a safe and fun Halloween!!
Hello and welcome. My pal, author Roseanne Dowell, couldn't make it to the J.Q. Rose blog today, I think she's finishing up her witch costume for Halloween. However her main character graciously agreed to visit with us. (Of course Beatrice Lulu always wants to be in the middle of everything, so I understand why she's here.)

Roseanne and I are swapping blogs today, so when you finish here, please click on over to Roseanne's blog and meet my character, Lauren Staab from my new mystery, Deadly Undertaking.

Welcome Beatrice Lulu! Please introduce yourself to our readers.
* * *
Why, thank you, J.Q.

I’m Beatrice Lulu Eberhardt. Some of you know me from my niece, Callie Johnson. Callie’s the police chief of our little town, and I first appeared in her book, All in the Family.
Callie’s my favorite niece, but she doesn’t know it. I’ve annoyed her sometimes because I tried to fix her up with a nice young man, well several nice young men, over the years. I didn’t want her ending up an old maid like I almost was. I say almost, because Ed came along and saved me that fate – I shudder to think what my life would have been like without him.
All's Well That Ends Well
Cozy mystery
Callie didn’t care for any of the men I introduced her to. Picky little thing in my opinion. Praise God, she finally met a nice young man on her own.
But that’s neither here nor there. This story isn’t about Callie. It’s about me. That’s right, ME, and pretty much no one else. I consider myself a bit of a sleuth. Some call me nosy or a busy body, but honestly, I’m only trying to help. I don’t mean to interfere. I can’t help if I have a curious nature. I’ve always been that way, but got worse as I got older.
It actually all started when Ed and I bought a cabin. It’s a beautiful place with its own lake because Ed loves to fish. We thought it would be fun to have a place just for us, away from everyone. You may not remember I’m from a large, crazy family. Crazy in a fun-loving way, of course. So Ed and I wanted a place to relax away from it all, not that it’s turned out that way. We’re seldom alone. Guess it’s because we genuinely like people. So now days when we go up there, someone always comes along. Usually Ethel and her husband, Greg. Ethel’s my sister, by the way. I have two other sisters, also – Charlotte, we call her Lottie, and Lillian. Lillian is Callie’s mother, and not as much fun as the rest of us. We also have a brother, Clyde, but we don’t see him as often.
Anyway, we bought the cabin, and Ed and I went up there to clean it up. No one had been in it for years. Cobwebs filled more than the corners, I’ll tell you that. It was going to take days, if not weeks, to clean it. But Ed promised we could fix it up and Ed never breaks a promise. That’s one of the things I love about him.
So there we were looking around, figuring out what to do, and Ed decided to build a fire to take the chill and damp out of the air. The place smelled musty, the way empty houses smell after being locked up for a long time.
Well there I was, thinking about where to start when I heard a strange clattering noise. I thought Ed fell or something. I turned around and lying on the fireplace hearth was an arm – well what was left of the arm, bones and tattered flannel from a shirt, I assume. Although I’ve been told never to assume anything.
If you want to know what happens next you’ll have to read about it in All’s Well That Ends Well just released from Books We Love.

All in the Family
Romantic comedy/Mystery



If you haven’t read All in the Family – Book 1 of the Family Affair series, you can find it and all of Roseanne's books at Books We Love
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She is an avid reader. Roseanne writes various types of romance - paranormal, contemporary, and mystery. She has several books available at Amazon as well as over 40 articles and short stories published in magazines such as Good Old Days, Nostalgia, and Ohio Writer as well as several online publications. Besides teaching writing courses for Long Story School of Writingshe also taught two writing courses for the Encore Program at Cuyahoga Community College.

Author Roseanne Dowell
Roseanne lives in Northeast Ohio where she enjoys life as a wife, mother of six, grandmother of fourteen and great grandmother of two.  When she’s not writing or enjoying her family, Roseanne spends her time with embroidery and quilting, especially combining the two. She also enjoys blogging, tweeting, facebooking and posting on various writers groups. 

Visit Roseanne Dowell at 
her author website  
her blog 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Pointers on Writing a Blog by J.Q. Rose

Blogging
Courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Photo by Stuart Miles
I love blogging and enjoy penning blog posts. Besides writing, I enjoy reading blogs. 
I can see that scowl of disbelief forming on your face. But, yes. I DO love sharing information, inspiration, and fun with readers. 

Most of all, I like receiving comments. Writing is an isolating job, so when blog readers actually respond with a comment, I feel more connected to the world. Thank you to all who take time to say hi, leave a thought about the content of the blog, or ask a question. I know you have lots of other things to do, so I appreciate the time you spend here on the blog.

Reading blogs is one of my satisfying "hobbies." I don't do it and leave a comment strictly for marketing purposes. I love meeting new folks and keeping in touch with friends. Blogging is the vehicle that allows me to do that.

Pointers on Writing a Blog by J.Q. Rose

In my marketing research, my experience,  and reading blogs, I've picked up a few pointers I thought I'd share with you. I hope you find them helpful. Please add to the list so we can all learn more.

  • When I come across information or have an idea for a blog post, I go immediately to my blog page and click new post. I make a few notes, copy the URL of an article that got my attention, and type in a working title. These ideas already collected in my behind-the-scenes unpublished blog posts  give me a bit of peace when I'm struggling to think of a post. 
  • Choose a day each week that you can commit to posting up your blog. Keep it! Like a dental appointment, your kid's soccer practice, this day should be in your weekly schedule. 
  • All the blog gurus encourage us to have a photo of ourselves on the top of the page. The purpose of a blog is to connect with readers, so having a picture helps them to do that. Not an avatar but a real life photo of you.
  • Images help attract and keep readers. Take your own photos or look them up online. WARNING: Please be sure you can legally use the photos on your blog. Sites for finding images are freedigitalphotos.net (my favorite as you can probably tell,} pixabay.com, presentermedia.com, and makerbook.net. Leave a comment to let us know your favorite sites for images.
  • Video is coming to the front as a real draw to attract readers and keep them on the site. You can make your own video from your phone/camera, record it on You Tube, Hangouts, and Power Point programs. I'm getting brave enough to try it. Videos are sprinkled throughout my blog. 
  • Make attractive, eye-catching graphics with quotes or poems quickly with Quotes Cover and  QuozioCanva is another choice for making lots of kinds of graphics, but it takes a bit of experimenting and practice to get a decent product.

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Quote on Marketing made with Quotes Cover

  • When adding an image to your blog, be sure to add a caption. Phones and tablets don't always show the images, but they will display the caption to let readers know what the picture is. 
  • When offering a link to a page, don't use" click here." Instead, write out the name of the URL and highlight and link so the reader knows what page they will be jumping to. Be sure to set your blog to allow a new pop-up box for the link the reader is going to instead of leaving your blog completely.
  • At the end of your post, ask the reader to subscribe to your page. Direct her to the location on your page so she can easily find and add her email.  This Follow by Email should be above the fold so the reader sees it right away.

Jeni Elliott, the Blog Maven, suggests bloggers not include their social media links on their website because clicking on the page will direct the reader away from the blog. What do you think of that idea? You can read more about it and other tips in her FREE guide, Five Things You Can Do to Increase SubscribersShe offers lots of resources for bloggers on her site.
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Thanks for spending time at the J.Q. Rose blog. Do you enjoy reading articles like this one with helpful tips and information for writers/bloggers? Do you have some suggestions for topics for this blog?

And just as I schooled you, please enter your email address in the Follow by Email box in the sidebar so you'll be notified of new posts on the J.Q. Rose blog. I promise, NO SPAM. Thank you!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Big News: Deadly Undertaking is Available, Undertaker's Daughter Short Story, Giveaway

Hello and welcome! I have big news to share with you today. 
My mystery novel, Deadly Undertaking is now available online. 

What an exciting time and what perfect timing to have a story that takes place in a funeral home available in time for Halloween. It isn't a scary story with monsters, zombies, and werewolves, but it does have a shadow man, Henry, who plays an important part in the novel.
Deadly Undertaking
A handsome detective, a shadow man, 
and a murder victim kill Lauren’s plan for a simple life.
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Deadly Undertaking grew from the short essay I am sharing with you on this post. The novel's setting is a funeral home because I'm the daughter of an undertaker. And I have two brothers who are funeral directors. When I wrote this story for a fun blog post four years ago, I had no idea I would have a published mystery from the idea. Find out more about Deadly Undertaking after the short essay.

It's Halloween time, so you'll have to decide if  the tale I'm spinning is a trick or a treat. Take a break and have fun with this. You'll get to know me better after learning about my "growing up" years.
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Undertaker’s Daughter
By
J Q Rose

I always thought of horror writers as eccentric, peculiar people. But my perception changed when a horror story sprang from my own mind. You can imagine my surprise when my mystery/horror tale Sunshine Boulevard was accepted and published in 2011. That made ME a published author of horror stories.

Right away, I must tell you I am not an eccentric, peculiar person. I’m just a regular woman who is a wife, mother, grandmother. I like eating a burger at McDonalds, shopping at Walmart, and reading mystery novels. But, perhaps some would think my childhood was different. You see, my father was an embalmer and funeral director. I was reared in a funeral home.

It was not unusual to have a dead body laid out in a casket several days in a row in our living room which converted to the funeral chapel. In fact, sometimes we’d have more than one body in our home. The embalming room was in the back of the house, and yes, I wore lots of perfume and soap to cover the pungent odor of formaldehyde on my clothes and hair.

We had knee caps for ashtrays in the private area of our home…not in the public area because that may upset some folks. But Dad was a heavy smoker, so he appreciated having the convenience of an ashtray nearby at all times.

In our kitchen, boxes of ashes of the departed sat in the pantry shelves next to the canned green beans and corn. Some families squabbled over who was going to pay the funeral expenses for their dearly departed, so they never showed up to claim the ashes for fear of being left with the debt.  In one case the family of Ida Mayberry never claimed their sweet aunt. So Aunt Ida took up residence in the cupboard next to the pork and beans.

Life as an undertaker’s daughter did not seem to be any big deal. My friends, well, most of them, were happy to come over and play hide and seek in the casket room or to swipe flowers out of the funeral arrangements to put in our hair for dress up.

My girlfriends did get upset when one of the spirits who regularly hung out in the funeral home flew by. The whoosh of air was the only indicator of their presence. Yes, I lost a couple of friends that way because they were scared to death…well, not literally. They just were creeped out especially when one of the spirits would knock over the Barbie doll house or send the collection of Barbies swirling around the room.

Needless to say, I enjoyed going to my friend’s house. It was a treat to open their pantry door to get a can of pineapple and not see the boxed ashes of poor Aunt Ida. I could never shake the sadness I felt for her because noone cared enough to bury her ashes or at least sprinkle them on their garden.

So, yes, some may believe it was an unusual childhood compared to the experiences of others. But I felt loved, secure, and safe at all times. And that’s what counts for a kid.

The growing up years certainly shape the adult one becomes. I don’t know if this is the reason I can write a horror story or not, but I can assure you I am a normal, well-rounded person, not eccentric or peculiar at all. In fact I got rid of the knee cap ash trays just last week. I do have Aunt Ida in the cupboard. Her family never claimed her and I have grown attached to her company.
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BOO! So do you believe what you read? I must confess most of it is made up. And of course, Deadly Undertaking is fiction, but I did have my funeral director brothers help me with the story. So, it's loosely based on the real funeral business. Keyword here is loosely.!

Back of the Book: Deadly Undertaking by J.Q. Rose
Deadly Undertaking
Cover art by Michelle Lee

Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, Staab and Blood Funeral Home. Still, finding an extra body on the floor of the garage between the hearse and the flower car shocked her. Lauren’s plan to return to her hometown to help care for her mother and keep the books for the funeral home suddenly turns upside down in a struggle to prove she and her family are not guilty of murdering the man. But will the real killer return for her, her dad, her brother? Her mother’s secrets, a killer, a handsome policeman, and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. 

Welcome home, Lauren!

Buy Links for Deadly Undertaking

Books We Love Bookstore 
BWL is having a BOGO Sale. Buy one book and get the second free. Check it out!
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But wait, there's more! (I know you're thinking will this blog post never end?)
'Tis the Halloween season, and for those who enjoy being scared out of their wits, I will be giving away an e-copy of Sunshine Boulevard. Easy entry--leave a comment and you're in! Deadline to enter is Sunday, October 25 at 9:00 pm EDT.
Sunshine Boulevard
Mysterious deaths upset the Florida retirement community 
interfering with their seasonal activities and turning up more than dead bodies

Back of the Book: Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose
Who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard?  Follow Jim and Gloria Hart, snowbirds who annually migrate to Florida for warm sunshine, fun, and games in snow-free winters. However this season, Jim Hart, a volunteer First Responder in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge, is drawn into the investigation of the mysterious deaths. Even in the midst of the unfortunate demise of the residents on Sunshine Boulevard, the Harts try to enjoy the winter with friends. They don't realize that their friends are getting together for their own kinds of affairs with each other. The neighbors are in a dither over the deaths, but perhaps more intrigued by the gossip about the affairs and why the naked lady was found lying in the geranium bed.

Please enter to win this funny, but scary, e-book! I'm not tricking you. It's a treat for me to gift this e-book to a lucky reader.

Please enter your email address to follow this blog. You don't want to miss out on the new blog posts. We're going to have fun with guests,  prizes, and new reads this winter! 

Thank you.



Monday, October 19, 2015

Really Easy Banana Bread Recipe, Tiny Tidbits, Scary Story Giveaway

Banana bread
Photo courtesy of freeditalphotos.net
Photo by Mister GC
Hi! Glad you're here because I want to share this delicious recipe for banana bread.  Something about it makes me happy every time I bake, eat, or give away a loaf. With the weather turning cooler--shout out to those who experienced a really really early snow fall this weekend--cooks turn on their ovens.

Banana bread is comforting when baking in the oven. The delicious smell drifts through the house magnifying the anticipation of taking that first bite of a warm buttered slice. Creating something special for those I love is probably why the "joy of cooking" is such a familiar phrase. Okay, I'll come down from my writerly perch and say why banana bread really makes me happy--cause, dang it, banana bread tastes so good! YUM!

My daughter, Sara, gave me this easy banana bread recipe. Grab it and make you and everyone you love very happy!

QUICK BANANA BREAD
1 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed (you can get away with just 2 for less banana flavor)
2 eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 scant tsp baking soda

Blend all ingredients BY HAND in the order listed and pour into a greased 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.
Bake at 325 degrees until done in the center, about one hour.
Tips: Add walnuts to the batter and sprinkle a few on top before baking.
Fill pan 1/2 full to avoid overflow. A double batch makes 6 small aluminum tins. Bake 30 to 32 minutes.

Enjoy!
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Tiny Tidbits on Writing and Life
Yellow Bananas
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com
Photo by foto76

  • You can prevent bananas from gettng too ripe by placing them in the refrigerator. Oh yes, the skins will get black, but the banana stays good.
  • Very ripe bananas make the banana bread sweeter and easier to smash up for making bread.
  • Use the Overdrive app to download e-books and audiobooks from your library/ Get it at overdrive.com.
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'Tis the Halloween season, and for those who enjoy being scared out of their wits, I will be giving away an e-copy of Sunshine Boulevard. Easy entry--leave a comment and you're in! Deadline to enter is Sunday, October 25 at 9:00 pm EDT.
Sunshine Boulevard
Mysterious deaths upset the Florida retirement community 
interfering with their seasonal activities and turning up more than dead bodies

Back of the Book: Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose
Who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard?  Follow Jim and Gloria Hart, snowbirds who annually migrate to Florida for warm sunshine, fun, and games in snow-free winters. However this season, Jim Hart, a volunteer First Responder in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge, is drawn into the investigation of the mysterious deaths. Even in the midst of the unfortunate demise of the residents on Sunshine Boulevard, the Harts try to enjoy the winter with friends. They don't realize that their friends are getting together for their own kinds of affairs with each other. The neighbors are in a dither over the deaths, but perhaps more intrigued by the gossip about the affairs and why the naked lady was found lying in the geranium bed.

For those of you who can't wait to see if you win the book, here are the buy links.

The e-book is available at all major online booksellers.

Buy Links:


 Amazon 



Or click below to read Sunshine Boulevard now on your Kindle or Kindle app. Thank you!


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Friday, October 16, 2015

Need Suggestions for a Really Scary Book or Movie?, Horror eBook Giveaway

Do these ghosts scare you??? hee hee
Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog.

This week my friend, Emaginette, asked "Where has all the horror gone?" She loves being scared and recalls some of her favorite scary movies and books. Emaginette shares on her blog her disappointment with the new batch of "monsters" e.g. the "alpha wolves and pretty, even sexy, vampires". Can you recommend some great scary books or movies for her?

I can't suggest any for her since I stay away from the horror genre. I was scared out of my wits when I was about six years old. My mother didn't do her homework when my older brothers asked if they could go to the movie starring the Three Stooges. Anybody remember those crazy guys and their slap-stick comedy? 
The Three Stooges
Photo from Monster Kid Online Magazine #5

To Monster Kids it was always a special treat when the creatures they loved occasionally crossed paths with their favorite funnymen. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN with Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Glenn Strange in their famous monster roles was the ultimate crossover of horror and comedy and will probably never be topped.  from Monster Kid Online Magazine #5   

Mom told the boys they could go, and since I whined and stomped my foot, she allowed me to go with them. I know they didn't appreciate me tagging along, but they really, really wanted to see the movie, so we took off. 

I had no idea Frankenstein would show up in a movie which included that zany, wise-cracking trio. Needless to say, I spent the entire movie under the theater seat on the sticky floor, along with the gum wads on the underside of the seat. No, my brothers wouldn't take me home. They didn't want to miss out on a great movie!

That was the end of my horror movie experience until...

In the eighth grade, Donald asked me to see a movie at the local theater, the Palace, exactly where I had suffered through the three stooges catastrophe. Of course, I wanted to go with Donald. All my friends and their boyfriends went every Friday night. Each couple lined up behind the other along the wall of the theater. I don't remember asking what the movie was, but I was in for a shock again when I discovered it was a horror movie about a huge monster taking over the city. Well, the monster wasn't too real looking, mostly like a big stiff puppet put together with screws and rubber bands. Computer enhancement of monsters was a long way off in the '60's.

I wasn't frightened by the monster, but scared to death when Donald leaned across the arm of the theater seat to give me a kiss on the lips. I turned toward him, ready to experience my first real kiss, just as the monster disappeared into the ocean. The credits began to roll and the lights were coming up in the theater. All I could think of was everyone was going to see us kissing and the word would spread in my small town and my parents would find out. Oh, noooooooo. 

I don't remember what happened after that, if my mom found out I'd been kissed, or not. I do know my first kiss was a memorable one, but for the wrong reason. Instead of the thrill of a first kiss, I was scared to death the whole world would know. 

Do you like reading horror stories or watching horror movies? Can you help out my friend, Emaginette, and share some recent horror books or movies you have enjoyed? 
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You can imagine my consternation when my first published book was published in the horror genre! MuseItUp Publishing accepted what I thought was a quirky mystery with a few suspenseful moments. I do remember writing the story during the day because if I wrote before bedtime, I was too afraid to go to sleep. 

The reviews for the book confirmed readers thought it was scary too.
~~"The novella contains a good amount of snarky but good-natured humor in addition to the mystery and body horror. It was a fast, fun, easy read. It reminded me of one other book I read before in the same horror subgenre, but alas, to name what that subgenre is would spoil the mystery. Best to just read it for yourself, if you're any kind of a comedy/mystery/horror fan." ~~ by reviewer Erin O'Riordan

Since it'is the Halloween season, and for those who enjoy being scared out of their wits, I will be giving away an e-copy of Sunshine Boulevard. Easy entry--leave a comment and you're in! Deadline to enter is Sunday, October 25 at 9:00 pm EDT.
Sunshine Boulevard
Mysterious deaths upset the Florida retirement community 
interfering with their seasonal activities and turning up more than dead bodies

Back of the Book: Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose
Who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard?  Follow Jim and Gloria Hart, snowbirds who annually migrate to Florida for warm sunshine, fun, and games in snow-free winters. However this season, Jim Hart, a volunteer First Responder in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge, is drawn into the investigation of the mysterious deaths. Even in the midst of the unfortunate demise of the residents on Sunshine Boulevard, the Harts try to enjoy the winter with friends. They don't realize that their friends are getting together for their own kinds of affairs with each other. The neighbors are in a dither over the deaths, but perhaps more intrigued by the gossip about the affairs and why the naked lady was found lying in the geranium bed.

For those of you who can't wait to see if you win the book, here are the buy links.

The e-book is available at all major online booksellers.

Buy Links:


 Amazon 



Or click below to read Sunshine Boulevard now on your Kindle or Kindle app. Thank you!



 4

Monday, October 12, 2015

Columbus Day Holiday, Tiny Tidbits on Writing and Life

Christopher Columbus Day” by Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee 

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net


Happy Monday and Happy Columbus Day Holiday if you celebrate it in your corner of the world. Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in October 1492. You know those Americans....any opportunity to party, even on a Monday, eh?

Girls Succeed!
Inspiring and empowering girls.
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Congratulations to Casie who won the Rafflecopter drawing at the 5 Girls Book Review site for the e-book for inspiritng and empowering girls, Girls Succeed! Thanks to all who entered. You're all winners to me.
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The blog hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group was fantastic last Wednesday. I enjoy this once a month tradition for writers to get together and share their insecurities. Writers insecure? You bet! Find out more about joining the group by clicking here for my IWSG post.

Having a good time meeting authors at Books We Love. Here's my official author page at BWL. If you have a chance, pop over and check out the books. Something for everybody there.

Tiny Tidbits for Writing and Life
  • When a kitty/cat snags her claws into your sweater or fabric, do not pull the cat away from you or pull the cat down. Always pull the cat up to avoid causing a huge snag. 
  • New word in the writing world for me--prolixity. According to my Kindle dictionary, the word means using "too many words, tediously lengthy". I found this word in Bill Roorbach's excellent book on memoir writing, Writing Life Stories.
  • Do you know you can easily find the definition of a word when reading on a Kindle? Place your finger on the word in the sentence and the definition pops up. So easy and helpful. I usualy highlight the word and make a note so I can find it again. I enjoy learning new words. I guess 'cause wordsmithing is my job.
In case you're thinking about writing a memoir, click on the book cover below for more information about Bill Roorbach's book.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Insecure Writers Support Group--When is the Manuscript the Final Manuscript?

Hello and welcome to  the IWSG blog hop. 

What is IWSG? Founder of the  Insecure Writer’s Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!" You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month.  The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page
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Dear Readers, 

I'm insecure, really insecure this month. My romantic suspense novel, Deadly Undertaking, will be released by Books We Love this fall. I'm making the final edits on it at this moment. But is Final ever FINAL? Can I tweak it just a bit more to make it better?

This situation reminds me of new floral designers. (Yes, I was in the floral business awhile ago.) They have to develop an "eye" for the design and decide when there are enough daisies, alstromeria, tulips, greens and babies breath to make a pleasing arrangement. Sometimes they cram too many flowers in and cover up the beauty of the individual bloom. They need to discover if adding a spark with purple statice will may make the whole piece pop. But it takes a lot of experience to know when the arrangement is done. No more playing with it. Go ahead and set it on the delivery table. It's ready to go to the consumer. Time to move on to the next order.

It's time to move on to the next writing project for me. I need to let the manuscript be delivered to the reader. (Now that brings up another whole set of insecurities. Will she like it? Hate it? Want to read more of my work?) 

Each manuscript adds to my writing experience, but I wonder if any author knows when the writing is Final!

Please leave a comment to let me know when you can say your ms is the final one. Thanks for stopping in today!
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Deadly Undertaking
Mystery, romance, paranormal coming this fall.
Back of the Book: Deadly Undertaking 
by J.Q. Rose
Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, Staab and Blood Funeral Home. Still, finding an extra body on the floor of the garage between the hearse and the flower car shocked her. Lauren’s plan to return to her hometown to help care for her mother and keep the books for the funeral home suddenly turns upside down in a struggle to prove she and her family are not guilty of murdering the man. But will the real killer return for her, her dad, her brother? Her mother’s secrets, a killer, a handsome policeman, and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. Welcome home, Lauren!



Monday, October 5, 2015

Artprize 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Yes, I had to get "in" on the fun at Artprize with this interactive piece on butterflies.
Artprize 2015
Grand Rapids, Michigan
My daughter and I enjoyed our visit to Artprize 2015 last week. This is such an amazing art competition, I'll let the Artprize site explain it to you-
"For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, 
and it’s all free and open to the public.
It’s unorthodox, highly disruptive, and undeniably intriguing to the art world and the public alike." ARTPRIZE
The actual ARTPRIZE is worth the artist's traveling to this destination. One Grand Prize piece is voted on by the public and one Grand Prize winner is chosen by a committee of distinguished judges. Each winner receives $200,000. A total of $500,000 is awarded to winning artists.
I have posted some of the artwork we saw in our short four hours of viewing. It would take the entire two weeks to see every one of the 1550 entries at the 162 venues. Get on your walking shoes. Oh, no, you get to sit back in your easy chair, put on some soothing music, and just imagine yourself on the tour with us. Enjoy!
One of my favorite installations. So powerful.


Suspension. The figures seem to be floating in this ball.

"Ascension directly refers to the supernatural passage into Heaven that Jesus made on the 40th day after Resurrection." 

The Happy Garden with many colored flowers like these really did make me happy when viewing it.


This black and white painting captured the essence of peace and tranquility.
These are birches in a forest near Ludington, Michigan.


The artist painted these tigers so well I wanted to pet the soft, fuzzy fur of their coats.

Bold colors in this wall sized mural. I wish I could've photographed the entire piece.

This mural of lighthouse and beach is made from small squares of leather.

The painting captures the frustration of so many parents dealing with kids and video games! Made me giggle, but there is so much truth here.

Each painted square was a work of art on its own, but when added together, it was mind blowing.

"Movement" Another one of my favorites. It's hard to see, but these are white gloves inflated and free floating on this pond. They all travel together as the wind blows them. I especially liked the artist's explanation of the piece. Read it below.

I'd award him a prize simply for this lovely, inspiring desire he has to bring a community together.
These ceramic green frogs on the log were filled with humor and delight.

Check out our tour last year at Artprize here.
Have you attended an art competition anything like this one? Come to Michigan in October and we'll take you along with us!

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