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Christopher Howell Interview

What a man. Christopher is warm, sincere and an absolute pleasure to know. I had the honor of interviewing this cover model and 2007 RT Convention pageant hopeful........here's what he had to say.......

First things first........tell us about your family! Any brothers or sisters?

I have three brothers. Two older and one younger. Paul is the oldest, followed by Matthew, me, and the youngest Aaron.

How close are you to your family?

I am very close to my family. From time to time we might argue, but deep down inside, it’s family. You only have one family, so make the best of it.

How long have you wanted to be a model? Why? What pulls you to a modeling career?

I have wanted to be a model for a very long time. Since I was just a boy. Wanting to be famous is what pulls me to modeling. I enjoy being in front of people and keeping a smile on their face. Besides that, It’s always nice to get paid to stand around and look good.

On your page at MySpace, it states that you have lots of different interests and talents, including acting and performing stunts. Out of all of these talents, do you have one that is your favorite? Why?

I don’t really have just one favorite. Everything that I learn to do takes me on some type of adventure leaving me with a wonderful story to tell in the end. If you can have a never ending amount of stories to tell in your old age, than you most likely had a life that you truly lived to its fullest.

On your page you say that anyone can be beautiful nowadays with the availability of photo enhancements form computer programs. How do you think that affects men and women in today's society? Do you feel that it sets good standards or bad ones?

I think that it affects them a lot. Here’s an example :D….I once went on a blind date/met up with a girl based only on one of her pictures that she had showed me. I stopped by her work after doing a photo shoot….(yeah, I was prettied up and ready to go) and received my first glance of what she looked like. It was nothing like the photo or the photo had been enhanced BIG TIME! I think that it sets both good standards and bad ones. It sets bad ones because anyone can do it and it sets good ones because they can make you look really good!

If you had to pick one city in the USA, which would it be? Why?

I would have to visit a few more before I could make that decision. If I had to just name one off the top of my head, it would be New York.(I’m going there at the end of July, so I can give you a definite answer afterwards). I am a people person. I like to be around lots of people and I heard that there is a lot of people there and always something to do no matter what time it is…which is perfect because I have a hard time trying to sleep.

When you're not using those bulging muscles to haul boxes at UPS or posing for photo shoots, what do you do?

Haha Funny question….I actually like to just do anything and everything. From lounging around the house watching movies and doing absolutely nothing, to doing whatever pops into my head first!

Ladies.......hang on to your britches for his answer to this question.........LOL

If you could define the perfect moment, what would you describe?

Standing face to face with your lover with her soft lips about to meet yours. There are clouds out, but they are scattered…just enough to keep the sun from being too bright. It’s about seventy five degrees out with a nice breeze sweeping through the air. After the two of you finish caressing one and other, you realize that it’s morning. This brings a smile to your face, because you still have the whole day to spend with each other.

While at the RT Convention this year, did you buy any books? If so, which ones?

No, I can’t stand to spend money when I’m doing events and things such as that. I admit, I’m a little spoiled. I love free things and will take what you give me, but will always focus my time on something else once I find out that I have to spend my money on something. I think it’s because I have a brick wall built up to keep me from getting scammed in the whole industry. When your younger and don’t’ know any better, many people will try and scam you for thousands of dollars in the modeling/acting industry.

What was your favorite thing about this year's convention?

How we were treated like celebrities. I enjoyed always having someone coming up to me and wanting to talk or get their picture with me.

I heard the opinion of an editor recently that the rise of romantica and erotica books has set unattainable standards for the real men in the women's lives who read these books, making women's expectations too high. What is your opinion of that?

I think that there is no such thing as the word unattainable. I always romance my girl friend and I probably do it more than a romance novel does. Yes, it’s a never ending amount :D….I’m a bit of a hopeless….no longer hopeless…romantic.

When asked what was your favorite part of your body, you stated your eyes because "you don't have to worry about perfecting them in any way to make anybody happy"......do you feel that you have to be perfect?

My goal to be perfect leaves me on a never ending journey. Yes, I would like to be perfect or almost perfect in everyone’s eyes. I want people to be able to look at me and be able to say, “ I like something about him.”

Some people think that the life of a model is easy, that looking good just comes naturally to some people, do think that's true?

Haha that’s funny. If you only knew what I have to do to stay like this. I have to constantly work out, scan my body for any flaws, and remind myself that even though I ‘m a guy and what I want to do at this very moment (of what ever I might be doing) will possibly hurt me or even scar me, I shouldn’t do it because I have to keep looking pretty.

Can you give us a little insight into your daily routine?

Wake up at 2:50a.m. for work(UPS). Get off work around 6:30a.m. and come home, take a shower fallowed by bed. Wake up, get onto the computer and look for modeling jobs or call to see if I can get more work from a friend. Hopefully get some type of shoot or something set up or a job installing the super expensive shower doors, windows, mirrors. Go to the gym, come home and relax, then go to bed and wake up early for work again.

How hard is it to constantly keep an image?

Very, because there are so many factors that will throw you off in every day life. It’s hard to do stuff that you don’t want to do and on top of it keep fit.

What is your idea of the perfect woman?

My girl friend hahah :D A flawless personality that makes her my best friend and looks to keep me always wanting more. She is very unique and one of a kind.

Have you ever been drawn to a woman from across a room? What was it about her that drew you in?

Yes, she would have given me a look showing she’s interested in meeting me or I was bored and had nothing else to do….haha yeah, not many women want to hear the second answer coming from a guy.

Do you have any plans to attend the 2008 RT Convention? Any other events/plans where we can expect to see you?

I do indeed have plans on attending the 2008 RT convention. Hopefully someone will sponsor me like several of the other guys there were and I do intend to go to other events coming up here in the future.

Here are some places you can see more of Christopher......

MYSPACE

MODEL MAYHEM
YIPPYKYA

Christopher's got a bright future ahead of him and I'm quite certain we'll be seeing more of him!

*picture by Styx Photography

BELONGING by Nancy Henderson

BELONGING
Historical Romance
Published by Champagne Books
ISBN: 18972

Butler Cross had a business to run. He has no patience for his new camp cook. She’s too young, too inexperienced, and too beautiful to be working around two hundred women-starved lumberjacks. Yet there’s something about her, and it’s too intriguing for him to ignore. She has a secret, a big one, and he intends to find out what it is.

Paige Anderson is determined to flee her pampered life and the man who rejected her. So what if she couldn’t cook? She could handle this job…even if she was just a little bit pregnant.

~*~EXCERPT~*~

Paige was picking an apple from the highest branch when he approached her. She had hiked up the front of her dress to act as a basket for the apples she’d already picked. Her dress was thin, and it outlined the shape of her thighs and rump. Heat curled in the pit of his stomach. It shot down his legs, slamming into his groin with the force of a sledgehammer.

He pulled his coat closed around himself and cleared his throat.

She whirled around and dropped her apples. “Oh, I didn’t—Look what I did.”

They both stooped down at the same time. She was too close. He inhaled the scent of her, sweet as spring apple blossoms. Or lilacs. He didn’t care which.

He looked up. She said something. He had no idea what. He didn’t care.

It had been too long since he’d been with a woman. Too long since he’d touched—

Her eyes were so big staring up at him. He couldn’t help it.

He bent toward her.

Buy BELONGING now at CHAMPAGNE BOOKS!

Visit NANCY HENDERSON!

GHOST OF A CHANCE by Nancy Henderson

Ghost Of A Chance
Published by Linden Bay Romance
ISBN #: 978-1-60202-005-4

4 Cups By Coffee Time Romance

What happens when ghost and mortal fall in love? Nothing short of upsetting the balance between heaven and hell...

Nathan McGraw thought death was bad. It's nothing to landing back on Earth or ticking off a demon. He intends to find out why Sarah Price is the only mortal who can see him, even if he has to break the laws of the hereafter.

Sarah Price isn't going to take it anymore. Not from her ex who is trying to financially destroy her. Not from her family who is making her business a circus. And certainly not from a ghost who claims she is the key to sending him back to heaven.

~*~EXCERPT~*~

“What’s wrong?”

Sarah jumped at the sound of the familiar voice. She turned to find Nathan standing only a few feet from her.

“How long have you been watching me?”

“Why are you crying?”

Sarah wiped her eyes. “It’s nothing.”

He closed the distance between them. “What are you running from?”

Life. Heartache. Chaos. Then it dawned on her that he was referring to her jogging. “Oh, this…this is just something I do sometimes. Used to do, anyway. It makes me feel better.”

He didn’t seem convinced.

Sarah wiped her eyes again. She spied a park bench in a secluded area next to a group of trees and sat down. Nathan followed her. He crouched on one knee in front of her.

“I don’t know why you cry, and it’s not my business to ask. I sought you out today to thank you…for helping me.”

Sarah looked at him. His eyes, now a brilliant shake of something—she still couldn’t put a name to the color—were focused on her. It was a look unlike anyone had ever given her. It made her feel…

Appreciated.

She hadn’t felt appreciated in she didn’t know how long.

“You didn’t have to go to my family’s grave,” he went on. “You didn’t have to read their epitaphs for me.”

“It wasn’t anything.”

“It was.” He touched her hand. “And I appreciate it.”

Sarah allowed his hand to remain over hers. His touch was ice cold, and any other time she would have pulled away, but today was different. Today it eased the loneliness.

Loneliness. The idea was foreign. She hadn’t even realized she was lonely, but she supposed it wasn’t out of the question, although she had no reason to be. She had her business, a bright future, good health, and now Mom and Uncle Stan.

But she still didn’t feel as though she had anyone to talk to. She’d had friends back home in Syracuse, and she’d talked to quite a few on the phone and via e-mail since she’d moved, but it wasn’t the same. Since getting divorced and moving, she had never felt more alone.

A new well of tears threatened again. For which exact reason, she wasn’t sure.

Nathan moved to sit on the bench beside her. Her never let go of her hand.

“I bought a bookstore in the middle of nowhere. I left my family, my friends, everything familiar to me.”

“Why?”

“Because it was my dream,” she answered matter-of-factly. “I’ve wanted to own a bookstore for…forever.”

“But why so far from your home? Didn’t you have family there?”

That set off a new brigade of tears. “Mom showed up yesterday.”

“Is that so terrible?”

“All she did was point out everything I’m doing wrong.”

“Likely because she cares about you.”

Sarah brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. She knew he was right, but it didn’t make her feel any better.

She squeezed his hand. For the first time since he’d come into her life, she was glad he was here. “Why is this all happening to me? You…I mean.”

“I could ask the same thing.”

Right again. In fact, more crazy things were happening in his life—or death—than hers.

Available in E-book or Print
Found in Borders, Waldenbooks, or any bookstore using ISBN #.
Buy E-book Here
Buy Print Book Here
Want an autographed copy? Contact Nancy at: nancyhenderson2004@yahoo.com

Visit NANCY HENDERSON!

Why Authors Should Look to EBooks

This was shared By Bridget (the beautiful and talented webmistress at Dark Eden Press). With her permission, I've posted it here. It's a little choppy, but hopefully, you can see the point, lol.


1) Its tough to get published these days, why? Not because of talent but because Mainstream Publishing Houses are effected by ebooks, audio books, low sales with booksellers, and bookstore closing.

From American Publishing Association: The Adult Hardcover categorywas down by 11.8 percent in April with sales of $113.0 million; however sales were up by 19.4 percent year-to-date. Adult Paperback sales also declined by 3.2 percent for the month ($114.9 million); sales were down 2.0percent for the year.

The Adult Mass Market category declined by 15.2 percent for April with sales totaling $52.2 million; sales declined by 9.3 percent year-to-date.

Audio Book sales posted an increase of 8.1 percent for April compared to last year's figures with sales totaling $12.3 million; sales for the whole year were up by 14.2 percent. E-books sales rose by 13.8 percent for the month ($2.5 million); the category also posted an increase of14.2 percent for the year. (E-book figures were compiled in cooperation with the International Digital Publishing Forum).

2) Bookstores are closing across America. Borders has closed nearly half of its Waldenbooks stores thats 350 stores and is effecting our bottom line as authors,and Borders sold most of its 73 superstores overseas.Why? My humble opinion, who can afford $ 22-$ 29.00 for a book anymore. Even the trade and mass paperbacks are $ 14-$15.00. Also, with Sony E-Book Reader, Palm, Franklin, Mobi and on their home or laptop computers. Why because of the price, convience (most ebook readers hold 100-1000 books, ebook average around $ 5-$ 6.00).

They are reading books on computers. Its easier to travel with a light weightebook reader than several pounds of books. The small independent bookstores are closing around us. Will we se the end of print books in our lifetime, absolutely not!!!!!!!! I haveprint books and enjoy turning the pages but these are numbers do effect the bottom line.Bookstores closings effect agents, publishers, everyone.

Again, getting that first book accepted or published has nothingto do with talent, it all has to do with the bottom line. It costs a lot of money to launch a first time author and thats why the major houses are asking their current authors with a following to produce more. So where are the mainstream publishing houses looking to find new authors. From the ebook world-where they have a following and have demonstrated they can write financially successful books.

Here some more facts:

3) From Dan Poytner at www.parapublishing.com/sites/para/resources/statistics.cfm 6 large publishers (in New York) 3-400 medium-sized publishers 86,000 small/self-publishers

The six U.S. conglomerate publishers are
1.. Random House, Inc.
2.. Penguin Putnam Inc.
3.. HarperCollins
4.. Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings
5.. Time Warner
6.. Simon & Schuster, Inc.

78% of the titles published come from the small/self-publishers. eBook sales increased 1,442% in January 2003 over January 2002. --Publishers weekly, March 24, 2003. http://www.publishe/ <http://www.publishe/<http://www.publishersweekly.com/ rsWeekly.com rsWeekly.com 70% of book fair visitors are ready to buy electronic books ifthey can run them on any computer. 67% are ready to read the, 62% would borrow them from a library. --Open E-Book Forum as reported in Booktech the Magazine, January/February 2003

FREE READ from LK Campbell

Beginning Friday, June 1

Growing up on a farm in the 1960s before home computers, cell phones, satellite T.V., DVDs or any of those other things that we can't live without today is the subject of The Life & Times Of A Boomer Baby.
Boomer Baby is a series of FREE stories that will be available for download on the first day of each month from LKCampbell.com.


While I played under Mama's ironing board, I learned all about deceit, adultery and manipulation. So begins the first story, In the Beginning, There Was Mama, chronicling the ups and downs of life with my mother from her secret passion to how strict she was and adventures in sex education. It will be available for download Friday, June 1 at LKCampbell.com and best of all, IT'S FREE!.

St. Louis Lore

So, I've started research for my non-fiction regional ghost book. I've tentatively title it "St. Louis Lore" and I think I might stick with that one. The book will be a compilation of supernatural experiences in and around the St. Louis area. The curve to my book is that it won't all be famous stories, stories that have been included over and over again in every St. Louis Haunting book ever written. Take the Lemp Mansion, for instance, that one is so popular that it's mentioned in every regional ghost book of the St. Louis area that I've ever read. The publisher is giving me full freedom to pretty much use whatever information and stories I want. So, what I'm doing is this.......I'm asking around, interviewing real people and getting their take on what experiences they've had.

So, far I have interviews set up with Doug and Scott, the hosts of GHOSTLY TALK PARANORMAL RADIO, Tracy, founding investigator and videographer and Tanya "Ice Queen" Strief, paranormal photographer and investigator with MO PARANORMAL RESEARCH. I'm very excited about these interviews! I am possibly meeting with Tanya this coming Monday to conduct her interview.

When I was researching yesterday, I found this list : THE SHADOWLANDS. I was amazed at all the "paranormality" that isn't too far from me. The one that intrigued me the most is under St. Louis and is labeled Rose Hill. Apparently the ghost of a young girl who was murdered on the road while stranded helps strangers get over the hill. Very interesting stuff.....that will definitely go into the book.

Blogging Meanie-ness

Ok......I had planned on coming back after I had cooled off from the event that I wrote about in my previous post, but apparently, the powers that be just want to provoke me today. As mentioned in the post before this one, I have been browsing lots of sites and blogs. I want to do exactly what everyone has been telling me to do; research, make friends, network, get yourself out there, be aware of the industry.

Well, I've done just that and am appalled at what I've seen. I may be a newbie in the publishing world and I don't have much of a head for business either, but it seems to me that there are way too many meanies out there. I have seen on several (particularly one) blogs (writer's blogs) that people who can't write need to stop going around and having the nerve to say they're writers.

Now, who is to judge something like that? Are you a good writer? In my opinion it could be yes, in another opinion, maybe no. But what flippin right does one writer have to call everyone who doesn't spell "mischievous" right a no-good lump of wasted space? It's their blog, I know, so they can say whatever they want, but so can I, lol.

I understand that there are some out there who call themselves writers and really can't write a sentence to save their lives, but I certainly wouldn't publicly humiliate and group all "non-spelling" authors into a useless mass of goo. After all, isn't that what editors are for? Before you react to that......

I love and respect editors and if it wasn't for mine, my books wouldn't be to the level they are at now, but that's what they are there for. They have a tough and frustrating job, but they do it. If every author/writer were a serious stickler on grammar and punctuation, would there be enough "gusto" or imagination to back all that fancy grammar up? Nope, didn't think so.

So, here's to all of you editors (*waving* to Billi) who keep us authors from being a big stinking mass of goo....oh...and poo on those who use other's weaknesses to make them seem more than what they really are.

Simply Peeved....

Okay, I first must mention that I've had one hell of a horrible day.....so....on with my rant.

Today while perusing through various romance sites and links, I came across one I found really interesting. It's a critique and networking group from it's description. I was a little put off that the last blog entry hadn't been since March.....but I thought...what the hey?....this seems like a nice bunch of writers. My bad.

I "applied" with an email and a sample of writing per their request and was promptly gotten back to with a snide email that said something like this: ".....you seem like a nice enough person, however we are not turning your request down based upon that, rather your apparent lack of writing ability."

A tad too brass, if ya ask me.....a simple "...thank you, but we're all full..." or "thank you but we're declining your request" would've worked for me...instead they insult my writing while they're at it?? Talk about kicking a dog when it's down.

Naturally, this email upset me. It was rude and very unprofessional, so I had a look see around some of the "writers" sites that are listed under their members area. Low and Behold ~~~only two of their almost 20 writer members are actually published.

Please, someone tell me how I can have three....count 'em three (and I'm not bragging here, just trying to prove a point) contracts for my romances and another contract for a non-fiction if I can't write worth shit??? I know I'm not the best and I certainly know that I am bound to make mistakes....but here I am letting these know-it-alls make me feel like poo on their shoe. I seriously considered replying to the email and apologizing for wasting such a wonderful and well known author's time. But, I won't do that....I'm bigger than that and besides, who has the contracts instead of a stinky critique group?

The Messengers

This was a pretty good idea, though it wasn't nearly scary as I thought. And it contained my favorite element in movies such as these, but I can't share that because that would be spoiling it and I don't want to do that! If you like ghost stories and edgy stories with unexpected twists, this is one to see!

The Painted Veil

There's something about Edward Norton that has always captivated me. So, yesterday when I needed a big break form the computer and work, I took a trip to the video store and was in the mood for two types of movies.....vamp and romance, lol. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm weird.

When The Painted Veil initially came out, I wasn't very interested, it looked like one of those old fashioned "squishy" types of romances. I was half right, half wrong. It was squishy at the end, but other than that, it was eerily real and reminded me of how massively the human race screws up when it comes to love. I recognized all the emotions in the film, from both the man and woman and it made me ache to think that sometimes, before we know it, the very thing we keep ourselves from is the one thing that can save us, be our balm when all the rest of the world only lets us down.

This is a great story of "seize the day". A movie that will make you want to go make love to your husband and thank goodness for his existence in your world. I'm not sure if I would give it a glowing review, but I can say it moved me on several levels.

TAWNY TAYLOR

Tawny Taylor is pleased to announce the release of two new paperback books!

Master of Secret Desires is a multi-author anthology with Scott Carpenter and Elizabeth Jewell. Tawny's story in the anthology is Dragons and Dungeons, an erotic dragon shapeshifter story.

Review Quotes:

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys tales of sexy alpha men and the women who love them. 5 cups! (Susan, Coffeetime Romance)

I want more, more, more! More bondage, more hot dragon sex, I want more!
(Annabelle Andrews, Joyfully Reviewed)

And the second book is all Tawny. Animal Urges is a two-in-one containing two shapeshifter stories. Both are set in Alaska, and the two are tied tightly together with a plot that continues from one story into the other. The individual titles of the ebooks are Mark of the Beast and Touch of the Beast.

Review Quotes:

"Tawny Taylor has done a marvelous job of penning a tale of excitement and passion that readers won’t soon forget." (Angel, Romance Junkies)

"I hope this is only the beginning of a concept that has so many possibilities it would be almost criminal not to explore them further." 5 Angels! (Rachelle, FAR)

The Mark of the Beast is a HOT romance filled with lots of sizzling sex and witty repertoire. The action is fast-paced; I couldn't put it down! Thumbs up to Ms. Taylor. I loved this book. 5 Kisses (Nonny, Romance Divas)

SPINNING WILDLY by Elle Fredrix

Spinning Wildly
by Elle Fredrix

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Purchase Here





Although Megan Dempsey hates amusement parks, she hates disappointing her 12-year old son even more. So when his plans with a friend fall through, he ropes her into going along. Things go downhill from there. First, an incident with a mustard-oozing hotdog paints her breast golden. Then running into-literally-Mitchell Carter, a man who has stirred her emotions for more than year, mortifies her even more. When their paths repeatedly cross, she recognizes interest in Mitch's gaze. Megan's day is about to get a whole lot better!

The Monday Melee

This was really interesting....I thought it would be great to try!

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something (about humanity) you absolutely hate.

Mean-ness or bullying. I hate that people feel it necessary to pick on others. I was suspended from high school for two weeks for fighting half the football team after happening upon them teasing a mentally retarded boy that attended my art class.

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.

My best friend of 12 or more years. She met someone over the internet and now has changed her email addy's and won't return my phone calls.

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.

oh, boy, lol. Just one??...J/K. At this very moment I'm unhappy with my inability to stand up for myself. I have "sucker" written across my forehead and I just let anyone take advantage.

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.

I give my son credit....it's name is laughter.

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it.

My eyes. They're weird, lol. They're very green but I have flecks of a gold color in one eye and not the other.

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.

I wish for an intuitive sense when it comes to my son. To be able to detect what is wrong, what I can do to help.

If you'd like to check it out.......http://fracas.wordpress.com/

Funny Blog.....

So, I've been spending alot of time over at THE ROMANCE DIVAS....and I've loved the site and everything it has to offer, not to mention the forum.

Well, while at the forum today, i ran across Seely Deborn's blog.....DELUSIONS OF ELOQUENCE. It was the funniest shit I've read in weeks. Check it out if you have time!

My Scholarship Image

I will be starting web design classes here in about a week and was introduced for the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship to The Art Institute. I'm excited about htis becasue the program I'm going for is $16,000.

The entries will be posted at The Art Insitute on May 14 and all the contestants are supposed to invite their friends and families to vote for their image. I will be making the rounds for that, let me tell you! I used my Bayou Summons image and added some stuff. I thought it turned out fairly nice.

Dagian Designs

Last week I visited REBECCA GOINGSsite and was very impressed, so I followed the link at the bottom to her designer's website, DAGIAN DESIGNS. For those who aren't new to author websites, you might already know of them. DAGIAN DESIGNS does flash video trailers, websites and book covers. I have been in an exhausting search to find a flash website designer, so imagine my thrill when I happened upon them!

I jumped the gun a little bit with my new site, thinking that the flash idea I had just wasn't working, and now, I'm talking to DAGIAN DESIGNS about the possiblity of designing a site for me. She says that dark romance is her specialty, so I'm thrilled to have found them. What I'll do is eliminate my original site, keep the new site for my art and use the site the site that DAGIAN DESIGNS creates for me as my official site.

Confusing, huh? rofl.....if you have time, check this awesome designer out. Supremely talented and so cool, the trailers left me breathless!

RIDING THE STORM by Sydney Croft

I was lucky enough to catch a sneak peek at this upcoming release. Thanks, Larissa! (wink) I haven't read it all the way through yet, but it's one of those where you can't wait to get to the end. My fingers have been itching with wanting to finish it.

I'm almost thinking about shirking my revision duties for my latest MS so that I can dive into it again. I got lost when I began reading and when I came up for air, a half hour had gone by. It drowned out the noise of the kids yelling and sucked me right in!

If you have a chance, check it out! RIDING THE STORM will be available soon from Bantam Dell. You can also Preorder from Amazon at Sydney's site!

Visit SYDNEY CROFT

A Really Scary Ghost Story by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke

Recently Llewellyn published a book with the intriguing title, Don’t Call Them Ghosts. That made me remember some of the various “ghosts” I have encountered in my life. And the many stories I’ve heard over the years.Perhaps we shouldn’t call true “spiritual survivors” ghosts – but it is still a good enough term for many paranormal encounters until the nature of the experience is better understood.

Many years ago I had a really scary experience that taught me a few lessons about the personal nature of paranormal encounters and the problem of pre-judgement. I knew a lady and knew that she “played around” even though she was married to a nice and successful guy, had two fine children and a good professional career. In those days, I drove a convertible and on a warm autumn evening I had the top down. I had been working late and as a I drove through downtown on the way home I heard a newsboy shout (that’s how long ago this happened) “St. Paul woman shot in motel room.”

To read the rest of this article visit LLEWELLYN JOURNAL.

Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. grants permission to use a portion of this article as originally posted at:
The Llewellyn Journal -- www.llewellynjournal.com
2143 Wooddale Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125-2989

Thirteen Things I have to do while Writing 1.)I buy airheads (ya know, those taffy-like things?) and suck on them. 2.)I cannot write while music is playing, if it has lyrics. Cause I'm the idiot who has to sing along, and before you know it, the lyrics have somehow ended up on my page. 3.)I have a tendency to stop the flow and try to analyze. I forget that I can always come back and fix it, that to have the skeleton of the story will allow me to go back and perform literary surgery. 4.)Faith in myself....this is a hard one, took me a while to get there. 5.)I have to have my slipper shoes on. 6.)Then I have to take them off, leaving them lay below the chair. 7.)I have to sit indian-style in the chair. I'm very short, although my legs touch the ground, it's still very uncomfortable for the backs of my legs. 8.)I have to have Hershey's for when my airhead supply runs out. 9.)Something to drink, used to be Pepsi, but lately I've been getting sick whenever I drink it, so now it's Sprite or Kool-aid or those Capri-Sun's that I buy (supposedly) for my son...hehehehehe 10.)Everyone is going to hate this one, but I have to take a smoke break....hey, let's not discriminate here, ok?? LOL, I only smoke a few a day and it's always when I'm writing. (excuses, excuses, is what you're thinking, huh??) I take a pen and notebook outside with me when I've hit a dead end and I fuel back up. 11.)I have to have comfy pants on, I just simply can't write in jeans. Tried it, hated it. 12.)Inspiration in my head. A particular image or picture there of what I'm trying to write about. 13.)Lastly, I have to pinch myself. There's no way I have the chance to actually pursue writing...is there?? I know I'm dreaming. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. YOLANDA SFETSOS 2.) LARISSA IONE 3.) MIDNIGHT MOON CAFE 4.) LD FERRIS

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