Boggy Carnival has Arrived!

Check out my fellow e-tailers/retailers and have a great time with this blog carnival all week! Here's the link!

http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=133

Bloggy Carnival Is HERE All Week Long! Over $975.00 In Prizes!

July 28, 2008

The Bloggy Carnival is here! Starting on July 28th 2008 and ending at midnight Pacific time Saturday August 2nd 2008. You will have several ways to win the AMAZING prizes listed on our blog. Winners will be announced by Wednesday August 6th. Remember to visit all of the other participating blogs at the Bloggy Carnival. We are just one stop of hundreds! Many of our contributors ship internationally, so don’t be shy, everybody whether you are in the US or not, or whether you have your own blog is welcome to participate!!

CONTEST INFO

Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do one or all of these things, and each one will give an additional entry and thus MORE chances to win.

1. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. You MUST verify your subscription via the email the site will send you. Unverified subscribers will not be entered into the contest. This option is for new subscribers only.

2. Post this blog post in it’s entirety with a link to our contest here at your blog, group or website and you will be given additional entries to win. You MUST post the links where you have shared the info in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: Don’t worry if your post doesn’t show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don’t post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

3. Visit each of the sites who have contributed to our event below and pick ONE favorite item from each store and come post the LINK to that item or the page the items is on here in this post. You can do one or all of the sites, you get an entry for each business you visit and the ONE item link you post here. Try to combine all of your items into one big post. NOTE: Don’t worry if your post doesn’t show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don’t post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

4. Make a purchase today from ANY or all of the retailers participating on our page (see list below) and send us a copy of the receipt for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for an additional entry. You get entries for every purchase you make. Be SURE to put WSIMD Contest Entry in the subject line so it doesn’t get lost in our spam filter.

5. Read through our Weird Stuff in my Desk blog and find your favorite post and come back here and post the LINK to it. One favorite post per contestant please.

6. Come back daily to see more options for winning and possibly more prizes to compete for. New companies or prizes may be added to the bottom of the list.

Be sure you leave a valid email and your name when posting here so we can contact you if you are the winner. We will contact the winners and request your first/last name and a valid email which we will give to the retailer whose prize you have one. It is up to the individual retailers to award your prizes. If we do not hear back from winners within one week of contacting you, you prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. We reserve the right to delete any inappropriate or inflammatory remarks or comments.

Be SURE to visit our sister site Bitten by Books will be offering a $50.00 Amazon.com Gift Card as well as HUNDREDS of dollars in different prizes, books and gift certificates for the Bloggy Carnival ! Go here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=738 and see what you could win! The directions for entry are set up there as well! Have fun and happy Carnival!

A BIG thank you to our fabulous contributors!!

Here is the list of AMAZING prizes you are trying to win!

KLEAN Bath & Body - $100.00 Gift Code
http://www.kleanbathandbody.com/
Klean Bath & Body provides luxurious, hand-mixed, bath and body products at an affordable price.

Flying Needle Gallery - $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://flyingneedlegallery.com
Gifts for the body & home: Offering velvet scarves, silk pillows, eco-friendly napkins & handkerchiefs and more. Includes FREE shipping if the prize winner is in the US — but will ship worldwide.

Broken Teepee Designs - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.brokenteepeedesigns.com/
Beautiful beaded jewelry. Made in Montana. Free shipping on your order, will ship internationally

Get Happy Goat Soap - $10.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.gethappygoatsoap.com/
Handcrafted soap made with the milk from my Nigerian dwarf goats Pricilla and Abigail plus other rich ingredients. Get happy! Free shipping on your order, will ship internationally

Starring…! Fragrances - $26.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.starringfragrances.com/
Organic & Natural Perfumes & Body Products that Star you in Sweet, Sensual Scents!

Little Black Boxes - 2 $20.00 Gift Certificates for Little Black Boxes
http://www.thelittleblackboxes.com
The Little Black Box is the perfect place for consumers to learn about our wonderful online retailers before purchasing. It’s a handmade revolution!

Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash - Canadian Company - 2 $25.00 Gift Certificates
http://www.bovinebubblesandhogwash.com/
Udderly the best handcrafted body care in the world.

South Main Designs - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.mysouthmaindesigns.com/155
Beautiful jewelry at affordable prices! Shipping to US and Canada.

Lillian Skincare - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lillianskincare.com/
At Lillian Skincare, we believe that caring for your whole body not only means being careful about what you eat, but also what you feed your skin from the outside.

Pampertini - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.pampertini.com/
We offer a variety of pampering items for you to enjoy, whether you are a shower person or love to indulge in a tub of bubbles, come by for some ONE STOP SHOPPING fun!

Bauble Bath - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://baublebath.com/
Thick Creamy scrubs as well as bath bombs in indulgent fragrances.

Crater Lake Company - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.craterlakecompany.com

Delightfully Wed - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.delightfullywed.com/
Delightfully Wed supplier of wedding accessories, supplies, decorations, and favors, specializing in western-themes. Shipping is free within the US - we will ship internationally if the winner wishes to pay the shipping costs.

Candles and Woodcrafts - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/
We provide a wide array of items from wooden soap molds and displays to wax tarts, finished woodcrafts, clocks, lighted holiday items….way to much to mention in one line so come on over and take a look!

Ginger’s Garden - 2 - $10.00 Gift Certificates
http://www.gingersgarden.com/
Come visit Ginger’s Garden for handmade soaps, skin and body care, gift baskets, toiletries, Zodiac Perfume blends, sculpted soap flowers and more. US Shipping Only.

Snowberry Creek - A Gift Certificate for a sampler box valued at $22.95
http://www.snowberrycreek.com/
A box full of luxurious, fragrant samples and full-sized items, such as handmade soaps, lotions, massage oil, bath teas, bath salts, shea butter, votives, tarts, bath bombs, teas, coffees, decorative soaps, potpourri, jewelry, candles, bubble bath and much more. Shipping is free within the US - we will ship internationally if the winner wishes to pay the shipping costs.

FeltLikeStitchin - $20.00 Paypal Gift Certificate - UK Company
http://feltlikestitchin.etsy.com/
DiDi Dolls are small, unique hand stitched felt dolls, each with a note in its pocket with the name and date of creation. Will ship worldwide from their store.

Things That Make Scents - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.thingsthatmakescents.com/
Things That Make Scents is a Jersey Shore-based candle manufacturer offering superior customer service and a diverse menu of all-natural soy wax candles and scented wax bears. With many scents available, you are sure to find a favorite! Carrying candle accessories, gift baskets, jewelry and great gift items, its your one stop shop for your gift giving needs! Ships to the US and Canada.

Linda’s Gifts and Decor - $25.00 Gift Certificate <---MY STORE!!
http://www.lindasgiftsanddecor.com/
Shipping to Canada and US ***Come by on Wednesday for a special offer from this retailer.

The Bath Project - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://TheBathProject.com
Handcrafted body care, inspired by nature, crafted in small batches using certified organic ingredients. Will ship internationally.

Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Co. - $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.chunkybuttcandles.com/
As a small business, Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Company, we are dedicated to making a unique candle and bath & body experience. World wide shipping

Bad Girlz Bath Co. - $50.00 Gift Code
http://badgirlzbath.com/
Do you have a Fragrance Fetish, a Lust for Lather, Massage oils make you Hot & Bothered? We’re NOT your mother’s Bath & Body shop, we’re SO much more fun!

Just Right Candles - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.justrightcandles.com/
Just Right Candles you a No Flame, No soot, SAFE alternative to traditional candles.

Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff - Canadian Company - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lindsayscandles.com/
Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff proudly handcrafts scented candles, soaps and bath & body products.

Lily Gulch Soaps - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lilygulchsoaps.com/
Handmade 100% natural cold process soaps, unique bath & body products and natural bath accessories. International Shipping Worldwide using United States Postal Service (USPS).

Bin Hog Designs $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.binhog.com/
Custom embroidered Luggage ID Handle Wraps - choose from one of our many designs or get them personalized!

Pacific Scents $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.pacificscents.com
Hand-poured Custom Candles, Bath and Body Products. Over 150 scents!

J.Lynne Cosmetics - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.jlynne.com/
Handcrafted mineral makeup. Purely beautiful, naturally you!

Manic Trout - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.manictrout.com/
Handmade jewelry that is both colorful and unique, using unusual and quite often vintage materials.

Vintage Body Spa LLC - $15 Gift Certificate
http://www.vintagebodyspa.com/
Vintage Body Spa handcrafts natural, luxurious and paraben-free spa products designed to ‘Indulge Your Body’ ™.

Flower Peddler - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.flower-peddler.com/
Naturally-sourced bath, body, and skincare - always fresh, never boring.

Wylde Ivy - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.wyldeivy.com/
Wylde Ivy is all about unique and inspired scent blends, high quality handmade products, and exquisite little luxuries!

Weird Stuff In My Desk - $20.00 Sephora Gift Certificate
http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com

Soapier - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://Soapier.com

The Blue Raven Tea Co. - 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates
http://blueraventea.com
Let us delight you with our irresistible and fragrant teas. Every cup is a journey. Shipping to US and Canada

Rachel Smith's Blog Carnival Starts Monday!

Rachel Smith's Blog Carnival starts Monday, July 28th. There are over $1000 in prizes! Here's more info:

http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=131

One of the many major prizes is from my online store, Linda's Gifts and Decor. The winner will get a $25 gift card to choose from a vast array of delightful home and garden items. There's a whole section of my online catalog with items priced at not more than $19.95. So, that $25 gift card will even cover shipping!

I'll post more about the Blog Carnival on Monday.

I almost forgot!! I've also offered up $10 gift cards to the first 25 who email me during the Blog Carnival! You'll have to attend to get one of those. There will be special instructions.

And btw, my website has been completely re-vamped. I seem to have had a lot of extra time while my Blogger blogs were down ... That could probably be called a good thing.

If for some terrible reason you can't attend the Blog Carnival, and you'd like to shop at my store, email me and put "Gift Card" in the subject line. I also have special catalogs (with below wholesale pricing) to use for fundraising for your church group, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school, booster club, etc.

Hope to see y'all at the event!

Why Freecycle?

I Freecycle. Why? Because it keeps millions of tons of durable and usable goods out of the landfills. It helps those who can't afford a bed or a sofa or a chair (and sometimes even food) to have those items for the price of fuel to go get them. It's GREEN! It's the right thing to do. (The title is a link to the main website. Just insert your city to join.) Everything must be FR*E!

I've met some fascinating folks as I've picked up items. We have received: a futon with mattress, a portable basketball backboard on wheels, a hot tub, upholstered chairs, kitchen items, an antique bed with almost new mattress, a bird cage with stand, perennial plants by the tens, and many other items.

We've given away a bunch of usable "stuff", too. Currently we have grapes for making wine listed. They aren't quite ready, but I have names and phone numbers for 14 people who want them when they are.

And, sometimes, Freecycle is just plain fun! The following was posted a couple of days ago:

WANTED: Devil Duckies. "Any and all to feed our obsession."

My emailed response:

I woke up in a devilish mood, so I'm just going to taunt your obsession. I have a devil duckie - and you can't have it. Neener, neener.

Some history: It was given to me, along with two autographed books, three chocolates in foil wrappers, a Tattered Cover Book Store bag and promo book postcards, by author Mario Acevedo. All but the books are on the wall in my office where the duckie watches over me while I write. Mario would love this taunt! You'd have to read his books to understand.

Check out what I've said about them at about mid-page at: http://www.lindajhutchinson.com/2008_linda_j_hutchinson_for_readers.htm The devil duckie is his "mascot" - of sorts.

I don't gain anything by talking about his books unless you buy them by clicking on the links provided at my website. I'm an amazon.com affiliate. You've been warned.

So that's the story behind my devil duckie. I'm just having fun this morning before going out to spend the day weeding. You provided an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Hope you receive tons of these delightful creatures ... but, you CAN'T HAVE mine! BWWWWWAAAAAAaaaaHHAAHAAAaaaaaaaa.

Linda J. Hutchinson
Freelance Writer/Copywriter

www.lindajhutchinson.com

http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Linda's Gifts and Decor
(Ask me how to get $10 off your first purchase.)
linda@lindajhutchinson.com


(You'll notice the opportunities for marketing and promotion there.)

To which she responded: Evil woman - that's what having devil duckies around will do to you. . . . My grandson is the real obsessive, but I myself am custodian of four duckies, including the prized Dead Duck with x's for eyes. . . . Either Freecycle is a pretty serious bunch, or nobody's giving up their duckies without a fight.

My thoughts: Some days are just more fun than others. You never know when an opportunity will open to market your wares or to write just for fun.

What's in a name anyway?

Yahoo’s front page had the usual blurbs today, but one caught my attention. Seems I’ve been delving into names, common and not, a lot lately.

I’ve been researching names for the characters in my current novel-in-process and Yahoo offered a comparison of the most popular baby names in 1950 to those of 2007. These were US names only.

My alter-ego, J’linn Kramer, was recently featured at Sandy Lender’s www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com. I wanted my pen name to be different from the norm and yet to also use my maiden name in honor of my greatest tormentors to “write more”, my dad and his dad. A derivative was all that was needed. I’ve since encountered a JaeLynn, but that doesn’t count. (If you’re of the persuasion, say a prayer for Sandy as she begins chemo this week. Drop by her blog and leave a message to let her know you’re sending kind thoughts her way.)

My husband was born in 1950 and he has the most popular first name and the 4^th most popular name as his middle name, which he goes by. I was born a couple of years later. My parents didn’t use much imagination either. I ended up with the most popular first name for a girl.

I once again wondered why there was so little creativity back then. Was this a generation of total conformists? No wonder there were so many uprisings in the 60’s!

Then I took another look at the 2007 names. Ticking off the names of grandchildren here. Let’s see … we have two boys with the number 2 choice as a middle name, one boy with number 1 and one boy with number 8 first names. And the girls roll in with one number 8 and one number 9 first names. Only LaTosha (the one who will make us great-grandparents in January), Sydney Anna-Marie, one of our two grandsons named Nicholas, and Zachary, didn’t make either list.

I’m thinking most of us haven’t digressed so far from the conformists of 1950.

Most popular boy/girl baby names in 1950:

1. James / Linda
2. Robert / Mary
3. John / Patricia
4. Michael / Barbara
5. David / Susan
6. William / Nancy
7. Richard / Deborah
8. Thomas / Sandra
9. Charles / Carol
10. Gary / Kathleen

Here's the list from last year:

1. Jacob / Emily
2. Michael / Isabella
3. Ethan / Emma
4. Joshua / Ava
5. Daniel / Madison
6. Christopher / Sophia
7. Anthony / Olivia
8. William / Abigail
9. Matthew / Hannah
10. Andrew / Elizabeth

Speaking of the 1950’s, today I found the perfect blog for us old farts: http://www.hownottoactold.wordpress.com

Woo-Hoo! My Blog is Back!

It's been FOUR LONG MONTHS that I've been fighting the dreaded 404 Not Found error every time I tried to access my Blogger blogs.

Thanks to some help from nitecruzr at Blogger, no help from my cellular ISP techies, and breakthrough REAL help at http://www.techguy.org. They have great forums there if you're having issues with your computer!

I'm finally back in and just in time to go out of town to a family wedding. My husband's brother's children always get married on a 3-day holiday weekend so all 5 siblings can make it. They're flung across the US.

You'll have to wait to find out what I've been up to in these 4 very long months of blog deprivation. Although, my website has been updated regularly. Check it out: www.lindajhutchinson.com Lots of new links for writers and readers.

I'll be catching up on everything that's been happening as soon as we get back from the wedding. One of my first dates with my husband of 18 years was to a family wedding - his family. Only 600 of their closest friends and relatives. The band was flown in from Ireland - from whence the father of the bride came. Being Catholic, the women's names were easy to remember ... all but 11 of them were named Mary or some derivative of same.

Hopefully, this gathering will be smaller. I'm 18 years older and not sure my heart can take all the excitement. But then, I probably won't get rushed at the door since everyone knows who I am now.

Check out The Review Hutch for info on what I'm currently reading!

Hijacked Browser Hell--Again

You've probably noticed that I haven't posted since March 18th. Posts after that date were written by me but posted by Audrey Shaffer or Renee' Barnes from The Writer's Chatroom because I could not get into my blogger account.

That's because I've been in hijacked browser hell since that date. Again.

As difficult as it might seem for someone who writes for a living, I tend to be an analytical thinker--most of the time--when I'm not cussing like a sailor (and then begging forgiveness) and pulling my hair out because some arsehole has decided to attempt to steal my identity/personal information.

Lynch the bastards!

I'm finally back in. After calling on my friend and great computer guru James S. Huggins, dumping Internet Explorer and installing Mozilla, and spending countless hours and sleepness nights pouring over "help" blogs. The "help" button on Microsoft's site is no help. The "help" button on Norton's site is no help. And btw, do not even try to install Norton 360 if you are running XP! Don't get me started ...

Win! Win! Win!

· Visit each stop of the Jordan Dane Virtual Book Tour and leave a comment (with your name). Each stop enters you into the drawing to be held at the live “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th. (Up for grabs are FIVE $20 gift cards to B&N bookstores.)

· Stop by Jordan’s website: Jordan Dane says, “By going to my website contest page, you get an exclusive sneak peek inside my book-up to 20% of it. And to celebrate my first release, my publisher is giving you three different ways to WIN MY BOOK or OTHER BOOKS from HarperCollins. Click on the links below for more details.”

· The Browse Inside Link: http://tinyurl.com/28nd9x)· Visit Jordan’s contest page: http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

· Show up for the live “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th! Who knows what might be up for grabs there! After all is said and done, this is TWC.

Next up on the tour:
March 19 Cricket Sawyer at http://www.cricketshearth.blogspot.com/
March 22 Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com/
March 26 Renee’ Barnes at http://msqtpi.livejournal.com/
March 29 TWC founder Glenn Walker at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

Jordan has had plenty to say in our TWC interviews. If you haven’t already done so, visit these previous stops for some first-hand info on how to succeed as a novelist:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com/
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com/
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

We’ve certainly had some great comments during each stop of the Virtual Book Tour for Jordan Dane.

Why was she chosen to be our first vic … I mean featured author? Because she has a very professional website. Because she has a very professional blog. Because she has a presence on MySpace and other networking sites around the ‘Net. Because she attends every writer’s conference she can possibly get to to network with successful writers, editors, agents. Because she promotes herself as a professional writer.

She isn’t resting on her laurels after having sold SIX books to Avon HarperCollins before the first one hit print.

If you’re like me and wannabe like Jordan, take a look at how you’re promoting yourself. Does your website look like a novice put it together? Do you remember to blog more than once a month? Do you network with other writers?

Or do you do like too many very good should-be-published writers … and hunker down in the corner pretending that you’ve done everything you can and the publishing world and all its agents are against you?

Think about that as you visit the next stops on The Writer’s Chatroom’s “Show—Not Tell” virtual book tour featuring debut author Jordan Dane. Jordan and Avon HarperCollins are offering opportunities to win great prizes all along the tour.

Next up:
March 19 Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com
March 22 Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com

Give yourself every advantage to learn from this marketing dynamo—who just happens to also be a very good writer—and read the interviews and comments at previous stops:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

And don’t forget to come to the “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th! There are prizes galore!

Linda

Now She's Gone and Done it!

As if offering up five $20 gift cards to B&N bookstores for the drawing on March 30th (from those who leave comments on TWC’s “Show—not tell” Virtual Book Tour) wasn’t enough ...

As if giving away hot-off-the-presses copies of NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM at the live “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th wasn’t enough ...

Ohhhhhhh, nooooooooooooooooo. Not good enough for debut author Jordan Dane—who is teaching us all how to launch ourselves into the world of “published author” status.

Now she’s got her publisher, Avon HarperCollins, involved in it. And they’re giving away books, too!

This just in from Jordan under the heading of “More Fun Stuff”:

New 3-Ways to Win Contest

“HarperCollins has graciously offered a wonderful incentive to promote the debut of my suspense novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, upcoming release March 25th.”

“By going to my website contest page, you get an exclusive sneak peek inside my book-up to 20% of it. And to celebrate my first release, my publisher is giving you three different ways to WIN MY BOOK or OTHER BOOKS from HarperCollins. Click on the links below for more details.”

Well … there was a big ol’ hurkin’ link inserted, but our very first Virtual Book Tour host Billie Williams shortened it for us. Here it is, The Browse Inside Link: http://tinyurl.com/28nd9x

And here is a link for a contest on Jordan’s website to promote the Browse Inside post, listing the three ways to win: http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

Jordan adds, “No obligation of course, but feel free to forward or post. I'd appreciate it.”

This VBT just gets better and better! The next stops on the tour:
March 15 Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/
March 19 Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Jordan has had plenty to say in our TWC interviews. If you haven’t already done so, visit these previous stops for some first-hand info on how to succeed as a novelist:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/

Recap of the First Two Stops of Jordan Dane's Virtual Book Tour

What a wonderful time we've had interviewing and visiting with Jordan Dane on The Writer's Chatroom's virtual book tour!

Her first stop was at the blog home of Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com. Yesterday, Jordan was my guest at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com.

If you'd like first-hand information on how to write the query that gets noticed by an agent--and several publishers--visit Billie's and my blogs to read the interviews and comments. Jordan shares information freely on how to get it done!

Next stops on the tour:March 12 Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
March 15 Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

Not only are the interviews with Jordan very large nuggets of gold, but she interacts "live" with those adding comments on the blogs. AND, everyone who comments during this tour is entered to win in Jordan's contest. The winners will be announced during the live chat at The Writer's Chatroom on March 30th.

Keep writing--and learning about the publishing industry.

Linda

Debut author Jordan Dane was in top form at the first stop of The Writer's Chatroom's "SHOW--NOT TELL" virtual book tour at the blog home of Billie Williams. http://printedwords.blogspot.com

Next stop? My own blog: http://www.reviewhutch.blogspot.com on March 8th.

Please feel free to leave comments. Since Jordan has thrown a contest into the fray, your comments automatically enter you into a drawing for one of FIVE $20 gift cards to—what else?—a great bookstore. Winners will be announced at the live “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th at THE WRITER'S CHATROOM. We'll also be drawing for those valuable first copies of NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM at the party.

Here's my review:
Title: No One Heard Her Scream
by Jordan Dane
Avon Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780061252785

Dani Montgomery is but one of the missing, and presumed dead, young women from around San Antonio, TX. She is the focus, and the force, of tough homicide detective Rebecca Montgomery. When Becca is told to stay away from the investigation into Dani’s disappearance, her boss puts her on another case—that of a body found behind a brick wall in an old theater that has been torched.

As Becca investigates the crime scene she realizes she’s being watched by more than one stranger, but one is deliciously tall, dark and dangerous. When she visits the former owner of the theater, a notorious mob boss, she is loathe to find her stranger is his enforcer.

Becca trusts her gut to tie it all together, with the help of one watchful stranger and without the help of the other.

Piecing together evidence at the theater gives rise to the title. NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM by debut author Jordan Dane is a romantic thriller with all the great elements; intrigue, debauchery, retribution and redemption—with libido to match.

Reviewed by: Linda J. Hutchinson http://www.lindajhutchinson.com

Virtual Book Tour with Jordan Dane

One year ago Jordan Dane’s name popped up on my MySpace friend request list. She had already sold three novels to a major publishing house. A few months later, she sold three more to the same house.

Her FIRST novel, NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM will be available April 8th.

Jordan Dane is “one to watch” if you’d like to see how the marketing and networking part of being an author is done—and done well.

We’ll be hosting a live “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th at The Writer’s Chatroom. Plan on stopping by to meet Jordan.

In the meantime, please visit this week’s Virtual Book Tour stops as Jordan visits with Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com/ on March 5th.

The next stop will be at my review site, http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com/ on March 8th.

And … just to whet your whistle, here is the first of our reviews, by TWC founder Glenn Walker.

NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM
by Jordan Dane
Avon Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780061252785

When her teenaged sister disappears and is assumed dead, homicide detective Becca Montgomery is obsessed with finding out what happened. When given a different case to divert her attention she falls into the arms of a charming mob enforcer and soon they find both cases may be related.

Jordan Dane is a mistress of the metaphor and a sorceress of the simile. She uses words as a weapon and the pace never stops. Her characters and their personalities seem as if drawn by a modern day Chandler. Her sense of place is delightful as the flavor of San Antonio comes alive within the pages. This romantic suspenser is a must-read for the genre.

By Glenn Walker http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/ and http://www.comicwidows.com/

Plan to visit each stop of the tour! I've read some of the interviews and have been blown away by the level of professionalism on both sides.

Linda
(aka J'linn Kramer)
www.lindajhutchinson.com
www.myspace.com/lindajhutchinson

Pay to be Paid Scams

I’m having a disagreement with another writer—the owner of a newsletter for writers—
about what programs to promote to other writers, and which ones to tell them to run away from as fast as they can.

It started a little over a week ago when I received his weekly newsletter. It usually has some good information for a wide audience.

This edition, the whole content was devoted to selling his subscribers a “lifetime” membership to freelance markets for only $49.95, with a $10 discount if we “were clever”. What we would get from our $50 included the opportunity to earn $10 each for articles, and a bunch of assorted “freebies”.

I should add that the owner of the newsletter made it clear we would be buying this wonderful opportunity to work from home from someone other than himself.

I gave it a few days to fester before responding.

See, my view, and one shared by the team at The Writer’s Chatroom, is that if we are to hold ourselves “out there” as providers of “help” to writers of all genres and writing aptitudes, we have a responsibility to provide good information; to attempt to prevent our members/readers from being led down a rosy path of publishing heartbreak; and to, generally, be good guys even if we aren’t wearing white hats.

Ask Audrey, Renee’, Kim—any of us. Depending on who you ask, the wording will be different, but the message will be clear. TWC exists to help writers write.

By “help”, I certainly don’t mean to offer up another “Pay to be paid” scam. And … while it’s perfectly all right for the newbie writer to write for peanuts (at first) to gather up those all-important publishing clips, seasoned writers don’t work for $10 an article—unless it’s for a good cause—or for a friend (and sometimes they’re one and the same).

Well, I didn’t like his first response. I emailed back. I didn’t like his second response either. I emailed back.

He’s been offered the “opportunity” to quote anything I’ve said in said emails. He’s promised to do so in Friday’s newsletter. He’s also been asked to justify just why in hell what appears to be just another scam, is a good “opportunity”.

If he fails to deliver as promised: he will be named, all copies of the back and forth emails will be posted right here, and another article will be written about this “great opportunity” and the person or persons behind it.

I’ve got my gloves on. Stay tuned.

Linda
www.lindajhutchinson.com

Review of Demon: A Memoir

My review of "Demon: A Memoir" by Tosca Lee is up at The Review Hutch.

Fabulous read!

Linda
www.lindajhutchinson.com

The Art of Thankfulness

Even my daddy, always quick with a negative comment delivered with his trademark pessimistic attitude, was thankful for certain things.

He thanked "JC" often for not allowing it to rain while he was fishing ... on the rainy side of Washington state ... as the clouds gushed forth.

While in the throes of end-stage cancer, he was thankful for someone to drive him to his favorite watering hole, to have "one last" Canadian Club and water--no ice.

He was thankful for all of the mistakes he'd made in his life and made every attempt to repeat some as often as possible.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to have had our home full of family and friends for the last four days. We celebrated: Thanksgiving on our schedule--on Saturday--and son's birthday on Sunday.

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband, children, grandchildren, and our ten-year-old one-eyed cat who seems to be slipping into senility. If only there could be some sensibility in senility.

I'm thankful to have been given the ability to form letters of the alphabet into words worth reading. Writing has opened a new world for me to explore with new friends and acquaintences.

I've learned to take the opportunity--OFTEN--to list what I'm thankful for. Reading these lists sometimes makes the more harsh times easier to withstand. A positive attitude may be just what we need to make those times happen less often. I happen to believe that we draw to us what we believe we deserve.Attitude is a state of mind.

Only I can change my attitude. Being thankful keeps me grounded.

Linda

Letter to the Editor that Couldn't Get Published

This was sent to me by my cousin, Agnes Nein. We share the same German, English, Welsh, Irish heritage. All of our in-common descendants came through Ellis Island. I thought it worthy of publication here.

To what Rosemary LaBonte has written, I could only add "Amen".

Linda


Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which they either deem politically incorrect (read below) or which does not agree with the philosophy they're pushing on the public. This woman wrote a great letter to the editor that should have been published; but, with your help it will get published via cyberspace!

New Immigrants

From: "David LaBonte"

My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to "print" it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so inclined.
Dave LaBonte (signed)

Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register:

Dear Editor:

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany, Italy,France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defe nding the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France, no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life . I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.
(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

KEEP THIS LETTER MOVING. FOR THE WRONG THINGS TO PREVAIL THE RIGHTFUL MAJORITY NEEDS TO REMAIN COMPLACENT AND QUIET!! LET THIS NEVER HAPPEN!!
I hope this letter gets read by millions of people all across the nation!!
Lisa Rubin

Emergency Room Procedures

A friend recently sent this to me. It sums up my feelings pretty well:


The other day, I needed to go to the emergency room.
Not wanting to sit there for 4 hours, I put on my old Army fatigues and stuck a patch that I had downloaded off the internet onto the front of my shirt. When I went into the E.R., I noticed that 3/4 of the people got up and left. I guess they decided that they weren't that sick after all.Here's the patch. Feel free to use it the next time you're in need of quicker emergency service. ** * It also works well if you ever have to use a Laundromat

*

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXrXAGHKh8tV7nhw3mpgPrYAVxZA9wvGG1YlpUdBuIQabkUh-vl2RcQlE4D9OIMeRJ824jAkWsbSXQ0pXdu6Re26L5NrGZ2dujNkm5zOilu0QjzG_Lx8obKJgjHY1DH1N1GQCwg/s1600-h/Border+Patrol+patch.bmp

Buster (the Boxer) and the baby goat

Some of my friends at The Writer's Chatroom are waiting to hear the story of how I came to have a bucket of broken blackboard chunks to write all of their names on for the door prize drawing last Sunday. (They've requested the story for tonight's Open Wednesday chat.) Up for grabs was Dr. Gregory Spencer's Guardian of the Veil. I usually don't read fantasy, but this one is very good.

So ... since I've been driving most of the day, I've decided to borrow from a letter sent to my friend from fifth grade who now lives in Anchorage, AK. This is, of course, only part one. I'll still need to explain how the 3 year-old boy was involved.

An excerpt:

Hi Dave,

It's been awhile. I spent most of April in Louisville helping Raylene and Jeff get moved (with 5 kids--2 of them requiring birthday parties), and then taking care of Jeffrey after he had bone spurs removed from his neck/spine. He's had a rough time of it.

Had an X-ray done before the last trip to L'ville. My doc called just as Jeff and I were leaving the mini-animal farm with a baby pygmy goat, to tell me I now have arthritis in my neck and she was setting up an MRI. The goat and mini-horses were so much fun--until my phone rang.

So we got the goat home and put her in the laundry room, blocking the door with a child gate. We'd stopped to pick up some groceries on the way home. Just as I was balanced with a gallon of milk in each hand and had gotten the storm door opened on the front door, their boxer, named "Buster", lunged at the goat, who cleared the child gate and flew through the open storm door.

Here we were, me with arthritis in my back, hips, and now-neck, and Jeffrey recovering from neck surgery--trying to chase this baby goat through the ravine, across the creek, and over the neighbor's field. We must have been some sight because the neighbor who owns the property we were on came over with his two kids to help us corral the goat in their barn. The dad closed the door and we cornered "Lil Bit" so that Jeff could get hold of her.

It was after we got her back in the house that I remembered I had my cat's harness and leash (I know, this is not normal, but then neither am I--or my cat) in the trunk of my car. It fit the goat perfectly and she was not allowed out of her pen without it from then on. We figured if she got loose again, we'd at least have something to grab at! She is quicker than a bullet.

Daughter--who didn't want the goat--brought her in from the kennel during a thunderstorm a few days later thinking the little goat was lonely and frightened. They now have 2 baby pygmy goats--and I am so happy to be back home!

Don't yet know what's in store for me health-wise. Jeff and I have often laughed and said they should just put both of us on gurneys in the same O.R., open us both up and remove everything that is non-essential to life.

So, I'm back home and have been a lawn-mowing fool. Love the new John Deere! When I'm cutting that grass on my big green machine, I'm on top of the world. Funny, hubby got a big red diesel F-250--and I got a John Deere LA-120 ... Wonder what the shrink assigned to help me with pain issues will think of that ...

Linda

Publicity Firms and Guest Authors at TWC

I’ve had the privilege the past few months to interact with four representatives of three public relations firms while booking guests for The Writer’s Chatroom. They’ve graciously given of their time on behalf of their clients to get all the details right, set up appointments, and to donate books for the half-time door prize drawings.

Rebeca Seitz is the president of Glass Road Public Relations, LLC in Nashville, TN. She is the publicist for debut author and former Mrs. Nebraska Tosca Lee. Tosca will be our first Celebrity Sunday guest in 2008. Her book has quickly moved to the top of my TBR pile. Their motto at Glass Road is “A Novel Approach to Reflecting Your Light”. http://www.glassroadpr.com/

Also with Glass Road is Danielle Douglas, whom I’ve been working with to book Dr. Gregory Spencer for September 23rd. Greg writes “of Welken”. I’m currently reading Guardian of the Veil, the second book in the series. Very interesting fantasy. The word-play is entertaining in and of itself.

PJ Nunn of BreakThrough Promotions represents our November 18th guest, Dr. Bruce Cook. I read Philippine Fever several months ago to review for FMAM, and wanted to book this author before I’d finished reading it. PJ has been wonderful to work with. http://www.breakthroughpromotions.com/, http://www.criminalpursuits.com/, http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Rebelssong (and you gotta love this one!) There's a Dead Guy blog http://heydeadguy.typepad.com/heydeadguy/

We’re planning a “first” for the chatroom in late March 2008. Debut author Jordan Dane will have three books hitting the stores in three consequtive months. More details to follow. I’m currently working out those details with Sherry Rowland of Two Sisters Promotions, LLP. I don’t have a website addy for them, but the phone number is (918) 625-6526.

I have no idea how much these firms charge their author clients, what their contracts include, or how each one operates. I do know that each of them has been exceptionally professional in representing their clients to me.

We have many other guests coming up, who have been booked without the benefit of a publicity firm. Anyone who knows us here at TWC knows we’re not the least bit snobbish about that kind of thing. We’re much more interested in bringing in guests who are entertaining, write well, and are willing to share information with our members.

I just like to give credit where credit is due. These ladies have been terrific to work with.

And, btw, I finally got my own website updated today. I’m ashamed to say how long it’s been neglected. Please don’t do as I have done. It isn't good publicity. http://www.lindajhutchinson.com/

Excuses, Promises, and Random Thoughts

Blogs 08/18/07 Word count: 528

I’m ashamed to say this: I haven’t written much since springtime hit.

This was our first planting season in the new house. (It’s new to us, but not a “new” dwelling.) Husband Michael and I have taken the exterior on a wild ride from ugly-dirty-yellow-with-brown-everything-else to vibrant barn red with avocado and cream shutters and doors.

We’ve painted, papered, built shelves, and decorated until we only have three rooms to go on the interior transformation. We’ve moved cabinets around in the kitchen, turned a tiny, dismal, master bathroom into a little piece of paradise, and even run the water line for the refrigerator twice because we changed our minds on its location.

As we’ve gotten to know our neighbors on either side we’ve learned more and more of the history of our home. We now understand why the flowerbeds have recurrent ten-foot-long weed tubers that never seem to get completely dug out. We know why the lawn is more like a thistle feeding frenzy than a grassy bare foot-friendly stroll.

I’ve been taking full advantage of all those allergy shots. I’m actually spending time outdoors and enjoying it! And, I’m learning the names of all the perennial flowers as we’ve planted them in the new beds. Today, we actually “planted” a big white metal headboard in our new shade garden under the twisted, artistically and symmetrically-challenged tree next to the little creek that meanders through our property. (We’re going to tell the grandkids that that’s where our flowers take naps.)

Yep, I’ve managed to make all of my deadlines as a freelance writer because no matter how much my muse has dawdled and dinked around, the thought of disappointing my editors is not something I’m willing to do.

I’ve written epistles to my children and a few friends. I’ve congratulated my friend Ronii on the birth of her eighth child. Yes, eighth! I’ve forwarded funny emails with my comments added.

I’ve written many emails to potential guests for The Writer’s Chatroom, and I’m proud to say we’re booked through the end of 2007! And, former beauty queen and debut author Tosca Lee has agreed to be our first guest of 2008.

We’ll also be heavily involved in the “launch” of debut author Jordan Dane. She’s got three books coming out back-to-back next spring. For a writer, that’s the equivalent of launching a 40-foot sailboat you’ve just spent every available moment building in the back yard for five years.

I’ve honored my commitments. However, my fiction writing seems to have gotten buried in the “back 40” right along with my resolve to write every day.

I’m also ashamed to say that my website hasn’t been updated in so many months I’m embarrassed to give out the address. My blogs have become strangers.

So … Renee Barnes (Trailer Park Gazette and The Writer’s Chatroom fame) and I have committed to writing every day—to get ourselves back on track. And just to keep us honest, we’ve also committed to sending each other what we’ve written every day!

So, here it is Renee! And this was after spending 7 hours outside with dear husband—planting and digging. I promise to do better tomorrow!

Oh … and today would have been my Daddy’s 76th birthday. Happy birthday Dad! I sure do miss you.

In God We Still Trust by Diamond Rio

A friend sent this to me recently. I'm not a bible-thumper, but if you ask I'll tell you that God lives in my home and in my heart. I prefer to let my actions speak louder than my words most of the time--a tough comment to dig out of a writer.

My friend's email: "In March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it!

Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song was never released to the public.

If this song speaks to your heart, share it with friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and join together as Americans!"

Turn up your speakers!

Click here -----------> http://gunbarrelcityradio.com/InGodWeStillTrust.wmv

The Sun Shines at TWC

I sure wish Spring would get here! We had another dose of snow this week—as always seems to happen in April here in Ohio.

The potted plants, peat pots, and seeds are beginning to take up much space in the house and garage while we await warmer planting weather. I’ve even found myself researching bamboo, which I’m sure is some unconscious blathering deep within my soul which has reached near-screaming pitch from the need for sunshine and warmth.

I WANT to take the storm windows off and give the windows a good scrub both inside and out. The front door is in need of fresh paint—I’m thinking geranium red—but haven’t quite sold hubby on that one. The previous owners painted everything that wasn’t beige—brown. Brown just isn’t my color! Give me ruby, emerald, sapphire, garnet, even peridot or aquamarine, but don’t expect me to live with brown and like it. The only two things I like to be devoid of color are water and diamonds. Biggie-size both, please!

Since the weather hasn’t cooperated, I’ve spent my time searching out the best guests I could find for The Writer’s Chatroom’s Celebrity Sunday chats. The lineup Audrey, Renee, and I have come up with is impressive! This Sunday will feature Jonathan Maberry, followed by Vicki M Taylor, Tim Bete, Mari Atherton, Karen Syed, Vicki Delaney, Sandra Tooley (Lee Driver), Cyndy Salzmann, Hailey Lind, Robert Walker, and Bob Avey. Hope Clark of FundsForWriters and The Shy Writer fame is a friend of the chatroom and bi-monthly guest.

I’ve also found renewed inspiration for the newbie writer’s ebook in process. Now if I could come up with a suitable title. That pesky title issue is beginning to poke holes in my dream time. If you have any ideas, let me know.

Hope your writing time and “duties” have been as productive as mine. May we all not lose that momentum when the sunshine doth finally find us.

New Reviews Are Up at The Review Hutch!

Reviews have been posted at the Review Hutch

"The Grail Conspiracy" by Lynn Sholes & Joe Moore

"T: An Auto-Biography" by Feather Schwartz Foster

"A Red Dark Night" by A.P. Fuchs

"Phil and The French Country Inn" by Cree Forman

Happy reading!

Linda
www.lindajhutchinson.com
http://writerschatroom.com

Dr. Seuss Writing Romance? Now?

Writer-buddy Lisa Logan sent this to me recently. Computer issues prevented me from posting it earlier. Linda

Author Mix-up Has Dr. Seuss Writing Romance

Redlands, CA February 4, 2007--Fans of Theodore Seuss Geisel, i.e. Dr. Seuss, may be in for a surprise when they learn that the renowned children's writer has changed genres... more than a decade after his death.

Author Lisa Logan had just celebrated the release of her debut novel, Visions, on January 30 when she received a complaint from a Borders in Illinois. They could not find the romantic mystery to order it into their store. In checking other bookseller listings, she discovered an error on Barnes & Noble's web site.

According to B&N, the romantic mystery was authored and illustrated by Seuss in November of 2005. The author/illustrator of forty-eight children's books, including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs & Ham, died of cancer in 1991. Logan's cover and title were featured in the listing, which had appeared correctly the day before.

Logan took the mix up in stride. She quipped, "I'm as big a fan of Dr. Seuss as any, but I can't sit by and let the guy take credit for my work. That is, unless they want to send me his royalty checks."

The Redlands, CA author sought help from the publisher of her novel, Draumr Publishing, who is currently working with the distributor to correct the listing. No comment from Barnes & Noble on the error.

For more information, contact Lisa Logan at writerlisalogan@verizon.net. or via her website at http://lisalogan.net .

My editor is happy--and that makes me happy!

I’ve been writing monthly articles for a national construction publication for almost a year and a half. I write about concrete and asphalt, heavy equipment, roads, turnpikes, bridges, and mud. Occasionally I’ll showcase a major player in the constuction industry.

I also preach to new writers about how important it is to proofread their work from the pulpit of The Writer’s Chatroom. (http://writerschatroom.com)

This came in an email about fifteen minutes after turning in this month’s story:

Linda,

I just finished reading your Brent Spence story. It was an easy with no errors. Really nice work...just wanted to say that. I look forward to the photos.

Thanks.

The story wasn’t difficult to write. I like writing about bridges, especially old bridges. They just seem to have character, something most freeways lack.

Here’s proof that it’s important to proofread! And a happy editor usually equates to more assignments-and more income.

Linda
www.lindajhutchinson.com

Fibromyalgia and Me

Today I’m writing about my health, something I don’t often do. You see, I have a host of auto-immune issues I’d love to forget about. Unfortunately the pain that keeps me company around the clock won’t allow that.

I have advanced osteoarthritis in my spine (degenerative disc disease), complete with spondylolisthesis and stenosis. What all that means is that my spine is deteriorating.

Visits to the spine institute here in central Ohio proved that surgery would help neither my spine nor my knees.

I endured not one set, but two, of epidural steroid injections—a most unpleasant experience—hoping to stop the pain radiating from my lower back to my knees. Each time, I had two and one half days of relief. Certainly not enough to make another round worth the effort. My specialist agreed.

Back to my primary care physician. She, like the two doctors I’d seen when we lived on the west side of the state, diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. Damn.

There is nothing quite like having all over flu-like muscle pains and cramps for three years straight. I had to accept that I must have this disease, disorder, or syndrome—what it’s called depends on which report you read. Many doctors believe Fibro is all in your head. May they be blessed to receive it. I’m sure the other three million Americans who have this would agree.

I’ve set out on a self-directed study to find something that will help me—other than the brain-numbing, bone-killing, cancer-causing drugs touted as the end-all by the big drug companies.

Depression is a big part of Fibro. At the urging of my insurance company’s “chronic care” nurse I joined an online self-help group. After two weeks of the pity party, I unsubscribed.

I don’t want pity. Even on the bad days. I want to know how to deal with this frustrating disease to improve the quality of my life. It IS a quality of life issue because the disease, while not fatal, is life-long.

I’m not a doctor, I’m a patient. What works for me may or may not work for you. Fibro has no set-in-concrete symptoms or treatment. Fibro “flares” are caused by any number of things, but stress is highly regarded as a main trigger.

A multi-vitamin, good for most people, isn’t good for me. They are loaded with vitamin C and bee pollen. Vitamin C gives me hives and bee pollen gives me the headache from hell.

After much research, this is what I’m currently doing and taking to deal with MY fibromyalgia:

Yeast Fighters, Inflamation/Immune system
Zinc, Immune system
Vitamin E, Immune system
Echinacea, Immune system
Beta Carotene, Immune system/anti-oxidant
Calcium w/vitamin D, Bone health
Magnesium, Joint health
Glucosamine sulfate, Joint health
Mucinex (guaifenesin), Pain relief
Cayenne Fruit, Pain relief
Alpha Lipoic Acid, Anti-oxidant/free radicals
Fish Oil, Heart health
Folic Acid, Heart and nervous system
Vitamin B-12, Cardiovascular and nerve health
DGL (licorice extract), Enzymatic therapy
Cinnamon, Regulate blood sugars
Odorless garlic, Cholesterol

I take naps when I need to. I work from home so that I can take care of my health. My husband gives wonderful massages—and NO, I won’t rent him out.

Please check with your doctor before adding any of the above to your health regimen! This combination works for me, but it may not work for you.

Other than the vitamins, I’ve added one supplement at a time. Over time, some that had been added have been dropped because they simply didn’t help.

I also take Neuronton (Rx) for the nerve damage and stenosis in my spine, and have muscle relaxers and pain remedies to be used as needed. I avoid NSAIDs like the plague—I do not suffer from an Aleve deficiency.

So there it is. I haven’t had a Fibromyalgia flare since two days before Christmas. My arthritis also seems to be under control. I’m sleeping better. I’m writing every day and meeting my goals.

I urge you, if you have Fibromyalgia, to do your homework. The disease is NOT in your head. You do NOT have to suffer.

Recommended:

http://www.fmaware.org/index.html The National Fibromyalgia Association
“Get a Grip on Arthritis, and Other Inflammatory Disorders” by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe

That’s it. I’m done writing about my health. I have four articles to get out this week. Deadlines don’t wait.

Fishy Tales

My family’s ‘lack of fresh fish’ problem while living in central Ohio has been solved! No more whining for me … at least about the lack of edible delicacies from the sea. (No promises are being made regarding other subjects.)

Recently I reconnected with an old friend from elementary school through a names database. We graduated from high school together and then lost touch. We’ve exchanged information about our classmates, and I made sure to give him contact info for the committee that puts on the reunions, the ones he’s never made it to.

Anyway, it seems that my long-lost friend Dave resides in Anchorage, AK, and is an avid fisherman. In the course of getting to know one another again, I mentioned (heartily berated, is more like it) the fact that edible (read “fresh”) fish is/was non-existent here. And life as a fish-eater wasn’t any better during the ten years we lived in TN.

Dave offered to send me all of the Alaskan halibut and King salmon he had in his freezer!

Last Saturday our UPS delivery driver didn’t understand why I was so happy to see him, nor why I was nearly dancing while waiting for him to hand me the white box marked “Fresh Seafood—Keep Refrigerated” that had been overnighted by Dave. He just didn’t understand why I was so excited about getting fish.

I hauled the box into the kitchen, announcing from the garage door that the “fish man” had arrived, and began opening the box with the first sharp object that landed in my hand. Hubby and son were a little surprised at the size of the box and began to help me get it and the interior styrofoam open. WooHoo!

I began shoveling package after package of naturally red (no dyes added) King salmon from the box. Then came the thick white slabs of halibut filets! We had no way of weighing it all but there was at least twenty pounds of beautiful, natural, naturally caught, vacuum-packaged, and flash frozen fish! This is as good as it gets in a land-locked state, folks.

As we piled our plates high with the baked wonder and added my home-made tartar sauce, we marveled at the beauty of the solid white flesh of the halibut and the moistness of the salmon.

I’ll bet I could write a pretty good erotic story about this experience and you’d never guess I was talking about Alaskan fish! Sorry to let you down—because I’m not going to do that—at least not here.

An Update and Merry Christmas

It’s been a busy time! I’ve been writing in between taking care of sick kids and grandkids—and myself—after mothering them back to health.

While in Louisville to help out with the kidlets I was able to attend the holiday party for the Jefferson County foster kids. What a great time! Lots of food, lots of gifts, and lots of smiles! There were about 350 smiling and laughing folks packed into the venue and a multitude of volunteers—some of them dressed as elves.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know I’ve been doing some copywriting for the Jefferson County Foster Care/Adoption Association. There are many, many groups, companies, and individuals to thank for making the holiday party happen. We’ll be getting those “Thank Yous” out ASAP.

I moderated the annual “Get Organized/Set Those Goals!” chat and a delightful interview with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett (www.penonfire.com) at The Writer’s Chatroom (http://writerschatroom.com) this month. An article about setting goals, written by me, will appear in the first-ever newsletter sent out by TWC next week.

On January 7th at 2:00 PM EST I will be interviewing Oscar-winning screenwriter Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain) at TWC. Diana will be starting us off in the New Year with our new format and time. I can’t wait to “meet” her. Check out the schedule page for a complete bio and more information about the chat. Y’all are welcome to attend.

May you and yours have a most Merry Christmas and may all your dreams come to fruition in the New Year!

Linda
www.lindajhutchinson.com

Foster Kids, Love, and the Holiday Season

Last year--twenty-five years after first meeting my own beautiful foster child--I got a note from her: "I love you. You have been a huge role model for me and I feel that I would not be where I am today without you. Happy Mother's Day."

I do a lot of writing. Some of it helps pay the bills and some of it comes from the heart. Following is an example of writing from the heart and this is a program I believe in.

Please share this letter, and let this committee know you believe in what they're doing. This is but a small part of what they do, but will have a huge impact on young lives this Holiday Season.

(And, yes, the president of JCFCAA is my daughter. This is one family tradition I'm quite proud of.)

Linda

JEFFERSON COUNTY FOSTER CARE / ADOPTION ASSOCIATION
908 W. Broadway 8W
Louisville, KY 40203



Dear Supporter,

The Holiday Season—a time of merriment and joy for most—will soon be upon us. With your help, approximately 350 local children—children who can’t be with their biological families through no fault of their own—will be able to experience just a little bit of that Holiday Season splendor that most of us take for granted.

With your help, the Jefferson County Foster Care/Adoption Association will host a holiday celebration for the babies, pre-schoolers, adolescents, and teenagers in the foster care system right here in Louisville/Jefferson County.

Some of our children have been abused. Some, merely neglected. Some have been used as ashtrays, punching bags, and worse, often by their own family members. The innocent children in the foster care system come to us in daylight or the middle of the night, scared, alone in the world, sometimes torn from those they love and sometimes abandoned, and most often—terrified that this new place they’ve been taken to by total strangers will be worse than where they just came from. Their scars may or may not be visible.

As foster parents, we open our homes and hearts to these precious children who need us, who need love and nourishment and security. But our individual foster family budgets are already stretched to the limits just taking care of everyday needs. That’s why we’re asking you for your help.

Our special needs at this time are:
• Funds to purchase gifts
• Toys and games for approximately 350 gifts
• Holiday decorations / table center pieces
• Gift bags, bows, ribbon, tape, etc.
• Companies to support “$1 Jean Day” events
• Companies to organize gift collection sites
• Gift certificates and Door Prizes for Parents (on the childrens’ behalf)
• Volunteers

You have the power to bring the magic of the holiday season into these children’s lives. Thank you for letting them know they are special and for giving them something to believe in.

YOUR DONATION IS OUR BUDGET. We are a small organization—one made up of foster and adoptive parents. You can make an impact in a child’s life today!

Please make checks payable to Jefferson County Foster / Adoption Association and send to the attention of Chela Miller at the address listed above. We will need to receive your gift of love prior to November 25th.

Please call and let us know how you can help. Our contact information is below:

Chela Miller, VP and Co-chair chela@insightbb.com 502.333.0450
Wanda Holt, Co-chair wandah@pcclouisville.com 502.584.0201 ext 125
Raylene Browne, President raylenebrowne@yahoo.com 502.295.5026

All donations are greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to touch a child’s life today.


Sincerely,

Raylene Browne
President, JCFCAA

I'm Not Usually Envious ...

I’m not usually prone to envy or jealousy. However, my friend Lee (Alys Leann—pronounced A-leece’—which is why she doesn’t use that name because people then call her Alice) sent me an email last week …

She told me all about her new digs and that she was getting settled in, and then happened to mention she’d be out of town for about four days because she and her daughter were headed to Lincoln City, OR. She lives in Tacoma, WA. It’s a nice drive.

For those lucky enough to live in God’s country—which is the rainy side of Washington (where I’m from) and Oregon—I don’t need to explain anything.

Okay, I was a little envious at that point, knowing she’d be doing some very neat stuff in a very neat place for four days, in the company of her very entertaining, highly intelligent, and enlightened daughter.

Yesterday, as I sat at my computer, here in land-locked Columbus, OH—Ohio has NO natural lakes within it (or any hope of the smell of saltwater)—while pounding out a re-write/update for one of my editors with a 1:00 drop-dead deadline, and while eating a canned salmon/cream cheese spread on snack crackers, I glanced at my email and saw that I’d received another email from Lee:

“We’re back. Did some whale watching at Depoe Bay. Slept late, ate, did some shopping in neat places, bought some interesting items. Lincoln City hasn’t spread out as much as I thought it would. Had a good time.”

Thankfully she didn’t give me details about the quaint little shops they'd visited; the ones with all the “beachy” stuff and magnificent artwork. She didn't describe how the pod of whales played as the waves splashed and crashed upon the rocks, spraying a fine mist upon them as they stood in the sunshine watching. And she didn’t mention WHAT they ate!

Did I mention what I was eating at the time—me, someone who grew up on fresh salmon, halibut and trout, sturgeon, ling cod, crab, clams, and shrimp? ("No, thank you" on the haddock, pollock, whiting, or ((UGH!)) muddy catfish available here!)

I looked sadly upon my little bowl of canned salmon spread. Even with the fake liquid smoke added, it suddenly wasn’t very appealing.

I yearn for fresh fish and seafood! I’m green with envy that Lee and Kristen ate at those “on the dock” restaurants! I just know they had Pacific Northwest-style fish and chips (probably halibut), with tartar sauce made with dill pickles—and NO anchovy paste as filler. I just know they did.

Okay, it’s a good thing my favorite color is green.