Travelogue: Camping in Michigan with Author Joselyn Vaughn, Seeing You Again

Travelogue on Thursday

Hello and welcome. I'm thrilled to host my friend, crit partner, and best-selling author, Joselyn Vaughn, today! Joselyn has a brand new release (August 11), Seeing You Again. A warm, laugh outloud worthy romance. Be sure to check out her new story below.

Today Joselyn takes us on a family camping trip in scenic  Northern Michigan including views of Sleeping Bear Dunes, voted #1 in Good Morning America’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in America in 2011. Take a peek at this magnificent view of the dunes in abc's video of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Grab your roasting sticks, hot dogs, marshmallows, and sleeping bags for a fun camping escape.

Campfire ready for roasting

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Camping in Michigan by Joselyn Vaughn

We spent a weekend in Glen Arbor, Michigan in June. Despite predictions of rain that never materialized into more than a few sprinkles, we had a pretty good camping trip.

Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes

Camping is not my favorite adventure and with the new challenges of dairy- and gluten-free diets for myself and my daughter, I feared cooking over an open fire would be too much of a hassle.

Unfortunately, the availability of hotel room  that could accommodate three kids and a very large dog were in short supply. We loaded up the boat with three tents and a variety of camping supplies. (Given how  many trips my husband made to the store for must-haves, I think a resort stay would have been cheaper.)

We chose Glen Arbor as a destination because I wanted to do a half marathon there that circled Glen Lake. The course was beautiful, although my race photos show how tired and sore I was. After the race, we went back to our campsite, so I could take a shower (my main requirement if we have to camp).

Half marathon course around Glen Lake
Photo by Joselyn Vaughn

Joselyn in blue shirt in front.
Photo by Joselyn Vaughn

In the afternoon, we unloaded our supplies from the boat and took a tour of Glen Lake. From the lake, we could see the monstrous dune climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes. The water was an amazing Caribbean blue, despite the cloudy skies. One of the super tired kids and the dog got a much needed nap.

Sand and Lake Michigan
Photo from Flickr: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Later we went to the other side of Glen Arbor and saw Lake Michigan. The public beach was small and a cold wind was blowing off the lake.

We intend to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes area again this fall for the Sleeping Bear Marathon. Hopefully we will be able to explore more of Glen Arbor and Empire during that trip.

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Back of the Book:
After twenty-five years with Sam, their lives revolving in circles that barely touched let alone overlapped, was it time Margie consigned their marriage to an album of faded photographs? The Christmas ball at her mother-in-law's retirement home would either be the final straw for their failing marriage or the perfect chance to reignite the old flame. Can the happy-go-lucky shenanigans of the retirement community remind Margie and Sam that falling in love has no age limit?

Now available at amazon

  

Visit Amazon's Joselyn Vaughn Page

About Joselyn:

I am a stay at home mom who has walked on the dark side of potty training. When not traversing that valley of shadow, I write, run, and sew. Sometimes with successful results. For more, check out my website.

I love writing romance because I enjoy stories where everything works out all right in the end and the main characters have a happily ever after. My stories are set in small towns with quirky characters that take on a life of their own.

I'm Back, Travelogue Update, Internalized Thoughts in Your Writing or Reading, FREE Chapter

Hello. I'm ba-a-a-ck. 

I asked my August 6  guest blogger, Marsha R. West, if she could come at another time to share her wonderful trip to New Mexico because I had eye surgery to remove a cataract last Thursday. I don't schedule a guest blogger when I'm not around to help the guest's blog. Marsha will share her trip on September 3. The Travelogue will resume on August 13.

I'm happy to report the procedure went well. The next day I returned to the doctor for a post-op check-up. She said everything "looked" good. No pun intended. I felt a bit fatigued for a few days after, but the anesthetic will do that to ya'. Feeling good today and looking for complete healing in another month.

Finishing off the summer Travelogue series are these guest authors and their guest blog dates.

August 13	Joselyn Vaughn
20	Stan Hampton
27	Eric Price
Sept.
3	Marsha West

August 13

 Joselyn Vaughn

20

 Stan Hampton

27

 Eric Price

Sept.         

             3

Marsha West

Thank you to all my summer Travelogue authors.

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Character's Internal Thoughts by J.Q. Rose

My friend, romance author, creative writing teacher, Roseanne Dowell, gave me some tips on my manuscript for Deadly Undertaking. One of her suggestions was to eliminate internal thoughts written in italics. She believes the thoughts pull a reader from the story. What is your thinking on this? 

Instead of using the italics, Roseanne suggested paraphrasing the thought.

Here are a few examples from my ms:

Example 1

A. She glanced at her mother’s portrait on the desk and choked back the lump in her throat. Her beautiful mother was doing well in the nursing home, but every day the dementia attacked her brain, and the mom she knew was disappearing. Oh, Mom, how I wish you were here to help us through this.

B. She glanced at her mother’s portrait on the desk and choked back the lump in her throat. Her beautiful mother was doing well in the nursing home, but every day the dementia attacked her brain, and the mom she knew was disappearing. Oh how she wished her mom were here to help her through this.

Example 2

A. “Hello, Ms. Staab. May I come in?” His smile revealed polished white teeth

with a front tooth tilted ever so slightly. Definitely come in to my office and maybe into my life.

B. “Hello, Ms. Staab. May I come in?” His smile revealed polished white teeth

with a front tooth tilted ever so slightly. He could definitely come into her office and into her life.

So what do you think? Do you prefer to read the sentence with the italicized thought or a paraphrase? If you're willing to share your preference, please leave a comment below. Thank you!

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Deadly Understanding, let me know in a comment below. Check out this earlier post to learn more about this mystery/romance/paranormal.

IWSG Blog Hop: My Insecurity, Making Videos, Using Videos in Your Marketing Plan

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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Using Videos as a Marketing Tool

Today I am stepping out and facing my insecurity head-on. After listening to marketing gurus expounding about using videos to engage an audience on websites, I decided to dip my toe into the video pond and create one to share here with supportive friends in the IWSG. 

I know there is so much more to learn about lighting, camera, audio, etc., but  I figure if I wait to learn everything, I will never try making a video. So I apologize for the video's weaknesses before you even view my fledgling piece.?\

Why Create a Video on YouTube?
1. Studies show that visitors to your sites will stay longer and peruse what you have to offer if videos are available.

2, YouTube is now the second largest search engine on the Internet which is another reason to share videos on YouTube. Because it is part of the Google family, you are likely to have your site show up on topics users are searching for.

3. A video is wonderful way for people to get to know you and like you. Afterall, the three things you need to build relationships and sell products (books) online are for folks to know, like, and trust you. 

4. Linking the YouTube account to your G+ page gives you more exposure, and you are more likely to rate higher on Google searches since you are part of the Google family.

5. Actually I had fun making the video and laughing at myself. Do I really look and sound like that? LOL..I guess so. 

So, grab the popcorn, settle back in your desk chair, and be ready for my debut!! 

Curtain going up--

Video:

For more information on the IWSG Blog Hop, check out the  IWSG page. 

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Thanks for viewing. 
If you have any suggestions for improvements or if you enjoyed the clip, please leave a comment. Have you used videos in your marketing plan?  If so, what tips can you share with us on creating a video? 

Thank you for stopping in!

Check out the J.Q. Rose YouTube channel and subscribe so you won't miss any of the new videos I plan on sharing! 

Please follow this blog by email to be notified of new blog posts. I promise, NO Spam!

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Connect online with J.Q. Rose:

J.Q. Rose blog http://www.JQRose.com/

Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor

Google+ google.com/+JQRose

J. Q.  Rose Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/

Camping Trip: Double Rainbows, Blurb for Mystery, Deadly Undertaking, This Week

Amazing rainbow sighted while camping this week.

Hello from J.Q. Rose. Our family just returned from a camping trip where we were blessed to see a double rainbow after two small showers. A rainbow is pretty exciting, but a double one is amazing. In all my years I don't remember seeing a double rainbow, let alone two in one afternoon! Last night my daughter told me she saw another one after a shower here after we had returned home. What can it mean? Are the leprechauns playing tricks on us? The pot(s) of gold must be somewhere!!

Update on my mystery novel, Deadly Undertaking

I thought it would be easy to get back to writing after returning from a fun break with the kids and grandkids, but it's hard to get settled in and back to work. 

I penned a blurb for the book to get me back into the story and I thought I'd share it with you today. 

A blurb is the information that will get a reader's attention. If it's catchy enough, intriguing, and well-written, the blurb can be a wonderful salesman for your writing. If not, well...you know. Hopefully this one will not make you snooze. Please feel free to offer suggestions for improvement in the comments below. Or if you like it, let me know that too!!! Thank you.

Back of the Book for Deadly Undertaking:

Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, the Staab and Bloode 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 with Alzheimer’s disease and to 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 to kill her, her dad, her brother? More complications arise when her childhood schoolmate, Gary, now the policeman investigating the murder, awakens feelings of love she never imagined she'd ever experience again. Their new relationship makes her heart thud and her insides mushy. Add to that a pesky shadow man, Henry, who interferes in her life. Could she actually take love advice from a shadow man? Her mother’s illness, a killer, a handsome policeman, and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. Welcome home, Lauren!

This Week:

IWSG Support Group Blog Hop on Wednesday

The first Wednesday of the month, August 5, means another Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. That Wednesday truly is hoppin’ every month with blog posts that light up the writing community with support, advice, and just plain fun. Check out all the posts on Wednesday. Each blogger has a link to the over 200 participants and counting. You can join in too. Here’s the skinny on IWSG. Be sure to also take a peek at the IWSG website for lots of resources for writers.

Hope to see you back on Wednesday when I share my insecurity in a video to discuss my insecurity, Making Videos!

Travel the World from Your Desk Chair

Thursday, August 6--This Thursday I asked my guest blogger, Marsha R. West if she could come at another time to share her wonderful trip to New Mexico because I am scheduled to have eye surgery to remove a cataract. I don't schedule a guest blogger when I am not around. I've never had this procedure done, so I don't know what shape I'll be in or if I'll even be allowed to read a computer screen for awhile. After talking with many folks who have had it done, I've learned it is almost as routine as having a cavity in your tooth filled at the dentist. Fingers crossed they are right!

Marsha will be share her trip on September 3. The Travelogue will resume on August 13.

Finishing off the summer Travelogue series are guest authors and their guest blog dates.

August 13	Joselyn Vaughn
20	Stan Hampton
27	Eric Price
Sept.
3	Marsha West

August 13

 Joselyn Vaughn

20

 Stan Hampton

27

 Eric Price

Sept.         

             3

Marsha West

Thank you to all my summer Travelogue authors.

Travelogue Video: Nova Scotia Adventure Part Two with J.Q. Rose

Travelogue Time

Hello and welcome to the Travelogue. I am thrilled to be your host for the second part of our Nova Scotia Adventure. Part One covered the south shore of Nova Scotia. In Part Two we continue driving through the Pudnico area to visit a turn-of-the-century Acadian Village, up into Prince Edward Island to see the *actual house with green gables made famous world-wide by Lucy Montgomery's series, Anne of Green Gables, and a drive along the PEI National Park shoreline. Gardener Ted and I are anxious to get  the tour started. Let's go! 
Video:

* To see more photos we took at Green Gables, please visit my earlier travelogue on the Green Gables Park on the J.Q. Rose blog. 

Thank you for stopping in. Please leave a comment below about a road trip you've taken. Sign up to follow this blog so you don't miss out on more travelogues coming up in August!

If you're interested in getting the Anne of Green Gables series, I downloaded this eBook and I'm happy with the formatting. All but two of the series are in the book, plus many other books by L.M. Montgomery, and also the classics, Pride and Prejudice and Call of the Wild.


Connect online with J. Q. Rose

J.Q. Rose blog http://www.JQRose.com/

Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor

Google+ google.com/+JQRose

J. Q.  Rose Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/

Smartphone Era, Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Smartphone
Image from freedigitalphotos.net
Photo by adamr

Hope you had a wonderful, but warm, weekend! Mine was good except for the frustration learning how to use my new Smartphone. Yes, I finally gave in to joining the Smartphone era. We moved our pre-paid account from my simple little phone that showed how many minutes and the date I needed to renew the service to this monster. That info is no longer on the screen. I had to download an APP to have it available to me. Now the screen shows how many minutes I have, the texting, and data usage. Say what? The other phone took off minutes when I talked and texted.

I don't want to become one of those folks who pay more attention to their phone than to their friends who are sitting at the table eating dinner with me.

I don't want to fall over a street curb because I was texting instead of looking where I was going.

I don't want to become so addicted I can't go without looking at the screen twenty or more times in a few minutes.

But then again, I don't want to lose out on the perks that people find so wonderful with a Smartphone. I know authors who write their blogs/books while sitting in traffic on their cell phone.  Crossing my fingers that I can find some advantages to having one.

Do you have a Smartphone? What do you like about it? Don't like about it? Please tell me in a comment below.

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Muffins and goodies at the LaHave Bakery, LaHave, Nova Scotia
Watch my Nova Scotia Adventure Part One to see more.

Blueberry Muffin Recipe

It's blueberry pickin' time in Michigan. Oh so good blueberries on bushes taller than Gardener Ted. No he doesn't grow them, but there are a LOT of blueberry fields near us. Picking blueberries is such a peaceful, pleasant venture. I'm afraid my DH and grandkids come home with just as many berries in their tummies as in the buckets!

My daughter called and wanted my friend Carol's recipe for Blueberry Muffins, so I thought you may be looking for one too. Carol's recipe is below. Enjoy!

Blueberry Muffins
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. blueberries
1 c. sour cream

Mix together. Put in baking cups.
Bale 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Please let me know if you try these and how you like them. I'm always looking for blueberry recipes. Do you have one?

Travelogue--Travel the World from Your Desk Chair

This Week:

Thursday, July 30-- Join me for Part Two of the Nova Scotia Adventure. If you missed Part One, here's the link to the post.


Thanks for stopping in today. Please follow the blog by email so you won't miss a new post. I promise, NO Spam!

Travelogue Video: Nova Scotia Adventure Part One with J.Q. Rose

Travelogue Time

Hello and welcome to the Travelogue. I am thrilled to take my turn this week on the Travelogue. You're invited to join my husband, Gardener Ted, and me on our tour of Nova Scotia, Canada. Because we stayed only one night in an area, we drove 1700 miles (not counting the ferry boat ride back from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia), You can bet I have a LOT of photos, so today I present Part One of the trip. 

We truly enjoyed the people and places in Nova Scotia, Canada. Now that we've had an overview, we might make another visit in the future to the spots we want to explore more thoroughly. 

Enjoy the video! 

Nova Scotia Adventure Part One

Thank you for stopping in. Please leave a comment below about a road trip you've taken. Sign up to follow this blog so you don't miss out on more travelogues coming up in August!

Connect online with J. Q. Rose

J.Q. Rose blog http://www.JQRose.com/

Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor

Google+ google.com/+JQRose

J. Q.  Rose Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/