Half Price Books and ...

Okay folks, check out Linda's blog for an upcoming event... 
And yes, I'll be a part of it!  

Click here to get all the nitty-gritty details.

Okay, I'm being lazy. Linda said it so well that I figured I might as well send you over to her site. She's prolific!

Merry Christmas To Me!

It’s official—my article, Island Bliss—has made it into the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas!

Needless to say, I’m excited. I belong to a critique group—we call ourselves the WWWPs—and in case you don’t know what that stands for, it is Wild Women Wielding Pens. There’s Sioux, Tammy, Linda and Beth. These ladies have been a blessing in my life. They’ve all been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, so I was feeling like the odd man out. Now I’m officially one of the chicks!

Here’s the cover. The book comes out October 20, 2015 and if anyone is interested in a copy, let me know as I plan on having some for sale. And how about it, foreward by Santa Claus himself!

Very Inspiring Blogger, uh huh, sure.

My good friend, critique/writer buddy Tammy presented me with this award, oh some weeks ago. Not sure what happened, but life gets in the way sometimes. I’ve been a very busy person lately baking… you’ll see later after this Very Inspiring Blogger Award… which I don’t think my blog is all that inspiring, but maybe the baking could be. So thank you, Tammy. I just love Tammy. Not only does she write the most awesome prose (And. I’m. Not. Just. Saying. That.), but she’s super sweet.
 

On to the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! The rules are these: 
 

• Display the award on your blog

• Link back to the person who nominated you

• State 7 things about yourself

• Nominate 3 bloggers 
 

Here are the 7 things about myself.
 

1) I must have inherited my mother’s genes for baking and cooking or it’s like anything else, practice, practice, practice. I do love to cook and bake. The weird thing is that I don’t taste anything while I’m cooking and sometimes I panic right before serving because I have no idea how it’s going to taste. Usually it needs salt.
 

2) I used to have a fear of using a public bathroom and I’m pretty sure in all the years of going to school, I never used the bathroom. I waited until I got home. Now I scope out where the bathrooms are upon entering a place and never pass up the chance to use the toilet.
 

3) If you've read Tammy’s number one thing about her, you’ll find that her mother broke her leg right before Tammy was born. My mom had appendicitis before I was born and apparently serious enough that we both could’ve died… but we didn’t. It was Friday the 13th – not so unlucky, now, is it?
 

4) I’m an introvert. I used to think something was wrong with me because when I’d meet new people, words would not come out of my mouth and if they did, it was something ridiculous and embarrassing. Once you get to know me though, and one on one, I can hardly shut up. Just ask my husband. I still say some ridiculous and embarrassing things, but I don’t freak out as much with knowing people.
 

5) I take things way too serious, even when they’re a joke. Just ask my husband (again). He keeps telling me I need to go to clown school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m able to take a joke, even if it’s played on me. I think I have a healthy attitude and can laugh about myself and I can be incredibly goofy. So wait, what?
 

6) I had a step-mother, so I was a step-child. Durp, what an observation. I have step-siblings. I am currently a step-mother and have step-children and step-grandchildren. I’m still in contact with my first step-child even though I divorced her dad some 27 years ago. “Step” always has a negative aspect to it and I only use “step” to make it clear that I didn’t birth six children, just three. But we’re all family. Once my daughter was doing a family tree for school and there were so many branches just for the immediate family that it became too complicated even for her. I have 80 first cousins… no steps in there either.
 

7) Do you know how hard it is to come up with 7 things about yourself? I love dancing and singing, but I can’t do either and usually don’t. Back in the day when I was a wild woman, I’d get on the dance floor, but it wasn’t pretty. Not being a wild woman, when I sing, it’s not pretty either and I’m usually asked to hush.
 

Now, I’m supposed to nominate three more people, but I’ve left this go for so long that I’m sure everyone I know has been nominated. If you read this blog and you are a blogger, please tell me 7 things about yourself. It’s an idea for a blog, yes? And if you’re not a blogger and want to comment about 7 things about yourself, I’d love to hear it. Really, I would.
 

And here is my latest baking dishes. The first four were for my daughter’s 30th birthday, which was on the 3rd of April. In addition to what you see here, I also baked her a gooey butter and a cherry pie. Well, aren’t I just the bragger baker?
 

Sleepy time cupcakes. Everything is edible. Those blankets are Starbursts, softened and then rolled out.
 

 

Boston Creme Pie Cupcakes - since Jessica lived in Boston for a while, they wanted these.

Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes. Spaghetti is one of Jessica's favorite dishes, but this doesn't taste anything like the real deal.

 

Oreo Cake. This looks rather dull, but inside is a surprise... it looks like a big oreo and on the top and bottom is a layer of oreos.
 

And this is what I made for Easter… my two daughters and I were pretending to have bunny mouths… see, told you I can be goofy.  

PS... Blogger doesn't put spaces in my text (after paragraphs as you will see above) and makes some text REALLY big, when I have it all the same, except for under the pictures. I have even added the correct HTML in the html code and it still doesn't work.... AAARRRRHHHH. I tried again and now it seems to work...

Well Versed 2014

Looking for something to do on Sunday, June 1st, then come to Columbia, MO where you will see my four writing critique friends, Beth, Linda, Sioux, and Tammy and yours truly, me. See the flyer below for all the details.

Chained

My dear friend, Tammy at Message in a Bloggle tagged me in this blog chain, and then I found out that Val at Unbagging the Cats did too! It started with Margo Dill and this thing has been going around like wild fire. So much so, I think everyone has been tagged. Oh wait, there might be a few peeps I know...

But first let me tell you that Tammy, who is part of the critique group that I'm in (who was tagged by Sioux who is another member of our critique group). Tammy has jaw-dropping prose that on some occasions makes me want to quit writing. At least quit writing the way I do and make it better. And Val is so funny with her writing, that I will have to give up on humor writing. Period. Each style is different, but oh, so good.

I’m to answer the following four questions:

1) What am I working on?  I will keep this simple. Nothing at the moment. I’ve been on a little hiatus from writing... other than the 'occasional' letter.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? I have no idea how to answer that other than, my work is epistolary and most epistolary types are a back and forth type. Mine is just one-sided, like a diary, but it’s not a diary.

3) Why do I write what I do? Because I love epistolary. What’s more fun than writing letters? And then using that form to create stories. I can thank my niece for that idea. (Maybe it was just a way to stop me from writing her so many letters.)

4) How does my writing process work? It’s different each time. Depends on my mood. Sometimes I’m structured and have a routine. Other times, I jump in when I’m feeling the flow. And when I'm not feeling the flow... I write a letter.

Now to drag this chain to the next authors… Claudia at Claudia's Page was the brains behind Storm Country, and how I became to know Claudia. Not only does she write wonderful prose, but she's a poet too. She's always reading some interesting books (that I have to add to my long list of reads). Claudia has a big heart.   

Estrella at Life's a Stage is a creative gal and a writer. She just recently posted Five Great Reasons to be a Writer, and what's not to love about being a writer? I find out about all kinds of cool things from Estrella in the way of creativity. When I was participating in the Month of Letters, she asked if I'd be willing to write to someone and told me about More Love Letters. Estrella has a big heart too!

And very soon I will share a way cool art/journal workshop I had the pleasure of being in... stay tuned!

Christmas Meets Disco and Chicken Soup and Crafts

Dear Friends and Family,

First let me say that the book signing with Cathi LaMarche, Alice Muschany, Linda O'Connell and myself (we four St. Louis writers) who are honored to be in Gloria Gaynor's new release, We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song was a complete success. Thank you everyone!!! We sold out the store's copies in the first hour and had to run to our cars and grab our own personal stash. A good signing I'm told is selling 7-10 copies. We sold 32! Plus the four I was going to pick up for a friend, that makes 36! You can also check us out in St. Louis Today (Post-Dispatch).

I was completely overwhelmed and at one point forgot how to write my name. After the event, I received an email from a grade school friend, Eddie who said, "Lynn, you looked so happy." I felt more nervous than happy, but after I thought about it, I was happy. So many friends and relatives came to support me, it made my heart sing... which is why my head can't stop singing, "I Will Survive"- it's been playing non-stop since.

Here's a few pictures from the event:

Cathi LaMarche, Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller, Alice Muschany

 Kim Coleman (an amazing survivor herself), Lynn Obermoeller

Here we are again with Donna Volkenannt in the background

I know some of you wanted to attend and had other commitments, so here's another chance only this will be a little different, hence the title of the blog post Christmas Meets Disco. On Monday, December 23 at 7:00 PM head on over to The Gelateria where Linda and I will read our stories and you can also get your signed copies of We Will Survive or bring in your copy to have it signed. And not only that, we're giving away a copy for the best dressed Christmas Meets Disco outfit. Add to the fun, you'll receive a free ornament especially designed by yours truly if you come to the event. The Gelateria has food and drink so come straight from work and relax, treat yourself and have a good time. I heard there will be chocolate too. But remember, if the weather is bad we'll be cancelling, so check back here for updates.


I'm in a critique group with four lovely ladies--Linda O'Connell, Sioux Roslawski, Tammy Goodsell and Beth Wood. They, along with some other local writers, will be signing books from various (new) Chicken Soup titles this Saturday, December 14 at Main Street Books in St. Charles. From 11-1 you can see Cathi LaMarche and Nina Miller. From 1-3 you'll spot Linda O'Connell, Tammy Goodsell and Theresa Sanders. From 3-5 get a look at Sioux Roslawski and Beth Wood. Bring a canned good and you will get a discount on your purchase. A win-win, you're helping feed someone in need and saving a few bucks.

And if you're still itching for some unique holiday gifts to buy, you can also head over to the St. Charles Community College where my daughter will be displaying her hand-made goodies. Lots of other crafters too. That's from 9-4. Make a day of it, that's what I plan to do. And if you can't make the craft fair, but still want some home-made goodies, check out Rita's egabragcrafts.com!

Christmas Meets Disco

The Gelateria

3197 S. Grand

St. Louis, MO

Monday, December 23

7:00 PM

Chicken Soup

Main Street Books

307 South Main

St. Charles, MO

Saturday, December 14

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Handmade Marketplace Craft Fair

St.Charles Community College Gymnasium

4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.

Cottleville, MO 63376

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tag I'm It!

I’ve been tagged by two fellow blog writer friends, Sioux and Lisa. I’m to answer a few questions about my writing… then tag someone else.

What are you currently working on?

How long do you have? Too many. I flip-flop back and forth. Currently it’s my fictional epistolary novel, Dear Soldier (until a better name comes up). It’s Young Adult, even though that’s not what I had in mind when I first wrote it. My niece gave me the idea to write epistolary since I’m a handwriting letter freak. “Aunt Lynn, have you considered writing a book in that style?” And an epistolary monster was created. So this story… a teenage girl writes a soldier during the Vietnam war. It’s a one-sided epistolary. She doesn’t realize that her hopes for him are the same for her… to feel loved, accepted and worthy.

The other epistolary fictional novel is The Locked Heart with universal themes of letting go of the past, forgiveness, acceptance, dreams/possibilities and ultimately love.

Then there’s Hidden Treasures, my first NaNoWriMo. I wanted to know more about a great aunt who was institutionalized and came to a dead-end. I decided to tell her story… fiction, of course. Turns out later I discovered some info about her and what I wrote had a hint of truth.

I also work on my memoir that I’m writing for my three children. I would love to have my mother’s memoir and figured my children might like it some day. It’s what drove me to start my blog—Present Letters. Initially the posts started with, Dear Mom…

I also write short pieces because of my critique group—WWWPs (Wild Women Wielding Pens) Beth, Linda, Sioux and Tammy—they put the pressure on. In a good way. They inspire me. One of them shared the call out for Gloria Gaynor’s book, We Will Survive. They encouraged me to send something in due to my... surviving. Thanks to them, I’m in the book. You can pre-order here.

Oh, and then there’s a children’s picture book (Dream Come True) that I wrote many moons ago... err dare I say? 25 years ago! It gets filed away, then pulled out, filed, pulled out. It’s pulled out right now… not for any revision, but for illustration. I originally had visions my son would illustrate this book, but he wasn't interested way back. In its pulled out phases, several other artists attempted... now it's back in my son's hands. It really is a Dream Come True!

Seriously, I flip back and forth on all of these… I have writing ADD.

How does it different from other works in this genre?

I’d have to say because of writing in epistolary style. I mean, epistolary is out there, but...

Why do you write what you do?

Because I love handwriting letters. And if you read the answer to the next question, it explains it even more.

What is the hardest part about writing?

There are two things… both are equally hard for me. One and it’s probably the biggest, is my Inner Critic (IC) who tells me I’m not good enough. To stop writing. To stick with letters… which is why all my stories are epistolary. Can’t beat the IC, so I had to find a way to sort-of join it. Two—revision and sticking with one novel until it’s completed. I tend to fizzle because after a while, I’m tired of it—then the Inner Critic jumps in and assures me, see you can’t do it. So again, rather than let IC beat me, I’ll pick up a different one. Because of being tagged, I realized the other thing that's hard is telling what your story is about in one sentence... I'll be working on that one!

 

I’m not tagging anyone as I think everyone I know has been tagged. But if you’re a writer and want to play, consider yourself tagged! Then let me know so I can read what you're working on.

You Can Win a Book!

Of course anyone who reads this blog knows that I have a story published in Well Versed 2013 and this past weekend was the book launch and reading. My story had references of my old grade school and what a surprise when a grade school friend came to the event. It helped that she lives in Columbia! Thanks Debbie - it was nice to see you and it was fun catching up.

For those of you unable to make it, who may live out-of-state or had something else going on, you have a chance to win a copy of Well Versed 2013.

How do you win?  You leave a comment after this blog and read every single blog I ever wrote.  HA. Just kidding. All you have to do is leave a comment or sign up to follow me. If you sign up to get my blog via email, you'll need to let me know as I'll count that too - and I'll add your name to the drawing. In a week, I'll announce who won by randomly drawing a name.

Two of my WWWP buddies, Sioux and Tammy came to the event. Sioux snapped this picture of the four of us from St. Louis who have stories in the book. I snagged it from her site.

From left to right: Donna Volkenannt, Marcia Gaye, me, Sheree Nielsen

Would like to also thank the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild for hosting the event... especially Linda Fisher, managing editor of Well Versed 2013. Everyone did nice job and everything was lovely!

Yes, Yes, Yes! I'm Pretty Sure... Success!

Dear Mom,

Yes, socializing is exhausting. Do you feel that way? As an introvert, it wipes me out. I had three days in a row of it… Saturday and Sunday, I helped my daughter Rita with her two craft fairs. Yesterday (Monday) was the event Rita created for me to do a reading of my story, Mistletoe, published in Fifty Shades of Santa, by Welkin Press. Fifty Shades of Santa is 12 (Nice, Not Naughty) Humorous Holiday Romances.

I worked through my nerves all day long… researched mistletoe, bagged the prizes for the drawing, tried on what I was going to wear. Had I filled my mouth with any more of Sioux’s fudge, my pants may have split… I practiced reading. I made numbers for the drawing, and a sign-in sheet. I piddled around all day getting prepared for the event.

Then the time arrived for me to leave. I couldn’t find my phone before I went down to hubby’s work to get the sign he made for me. He had been waiting… what can I say? However, I did give up looking or he might still be waiting. I stopped for gas and when I got back in my car, I could hear my phone vibrating. It was in my purse. Nerves will do that, right? Hubby was calling to see if he could hear it in the house some where.

Rita and Terry (her beau) met me a The Gelateria to set up for the event.

All set and ready to go

Ho Ho Ho!

We’re a pair, aren’t we?

 

Rita and Lynn

Then people started trickling in… Kristine and her mom, Karen. My sister, Sue. My WWWP gals, Sioux and Tammy. Sioux drove some other writing friends, who are also published in Fifty Shades of Santa… Donna Volkennannt and Marcia Gaye. Marcia’s husband, Jim came along too! Other friends of Rita’s, John and Krista joined us. The gelato maker, Carrie stepped on in. My other sister, Ruth and her hubby, Bud and son, Josh arrived. It was past the starting time, and I wasn’t sure if anyone else was going to make it. My BFF, Susan said she was coming, but you never know about these things, so I got the show on the road… err… the stool and began to read.

To the left where that door opening is, 

there's a little cubby hole, Bud and Josh were in there!

That's my favorite spot to sit and write at The Gelateria.

Nearly half way, three more of Rita’s friends popped in, Bryan, Kristin, and another young lady, but I didn’t get her name. If you read this, tell me who you are!

I finished reading without my tongue getting too twisted. Yes, a success. And I’m so grateful to all who ventured out as I know it’s a pretty good trek for some. Let me say, I really appreciated it from the bottom of my heart. You made me feel comfortable and I hope you all had a jolly good time… that was my intent… fun and silliness... and let's not forget the love... or the chocolate. Rita made the container holding the chocolate that looks like Santa’s sack.

Terry and the Santa Sack

I had to get some pics with the other authors from Fifty Shades of Santa.

Donna Volkenannt (left), me, Marcia Gaye (right)

 

Here we are, just the three of us (pretend you're singing that one song),

but here we are with the sign.

If it weren't for my WWWP peeps, chances are my story might not have made it... those gals are wonderful. 

 Tammy (left), me, Sioux (right)

Missing in action are Linda and Beth.

After it was over, I hung out with Rita, Terry, John and Krista to settle myself down. Gelato will do that, don’t you know? 

 

 John, Krista, Terry chilling

Rita chilling

When I was in my car on my way home, I checked my phone and had a voice mail from my BFF. "Hey Lynn, it's Susan. Give me a call." It was late and I didn’t want to wake her. By the sound of her voice, I didn't think anything was wrong, so I chalked it up that she’s like me and just plum forgot.

I called her this morning and found out that she was on her way to the reading with her mom Elsie, her aunt Audi and her other BFF Cindy when they were rear-ended. Smacked hard! Eye glasses, soda, hair barrettes flew through the air. Elsie felt the worst of the impact. Paramedics were called and they checked her over. Having a pace-maker raised concern. She refused to go to the hospital. Susan took her home and called her sister, Katie who’s a nurse and she came over and took care of everything.

Nothing serious, thank God. The paramedics made Elsie promise she’d see a doctor today and she plans on going. I sure hope everything is fine.

And Yes again, I’m incredibly grateful the accident wasn’t any more serious. They were all sad they missed it, so I promised them a private reading of their own!

P.S. A special thank you to Chris, the owner of The Gelateria! And those who worked that evening… a big thank you.

And now for some more pictures…

 Santa's little helper, Rita

They look like they're having fun. 

In the hand of Kristin is a little hand-made by me ornament,

something all attendees received. Purchase a copy of Fifty Shades of Santa

and I'll send you one... while they last.

Don't Forget...

Dear Mom,

Tomorrow I have a packed day. I'll start off helping my daughter, Rita and little sister, Ruth set up for a craft fair at the Hazelwood Community Center.

Check out Rita's blog for details, if interested.

After setting up, I'll shop around and see if I can snag a few more presents. Then I'll hop in my car and head to the first of three Chicken Soup for the Soul book signings and canned food drive. YAY for all my fabulous friends!

Check out Tammy's blog for the first book signing in Creve Coeur. I've never been to this book store before, so I'm looking forward to this new adventure. What writer doesn't love a book store? Then I'll zoom over to old St. Charles.

Check out Linda's blog or Pat's blog for the second book signing. I'll be in that area tonight celebrating my best friend's birthday. It's her birthday today... HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN! I've been to this book store and it's charming. The owner is as sweet as she can be.

Next I'll travel closer to home to one of my other favorite book stores to see more friends.

Check out Beth's blog, or Sioux's blog, or Donna's blog. They'll all be there. This book store is an old house and I just learned it's haunted. I can't wait!

When I get home with my pile of signed books, I hope to get a nap in before hubby and I venture out to a Christmas party. I'll be recouping Sunday, don't ya know?

Stay tuned, there's more fun to come... ho, ho, ho.