And Now For Something Completely Different...

"Not much of a cheese shop ,is it?"
"Finest in the district, Sir."
"And what leads you to that conclusion?"
"Well, it's so clean!"
"Well, it's certainly uncontaminated by cheese..."

Lots of good stuff happening in our happy little world of books this week...

How to keep up with the publishing industry: Walt Shiel

More books printed POD/digital than thru traditional offset last year! Southern Review of Books

Fixing the Publishing Industry is no Mystery – at Jean Henry Mead’s site- Advice From Editors

20 Simple Ways To Get Massive Traffic To Your Web Site – article by master book promoter, Penny Sansevieri: ISnare

Hagelrat’s site features a vampire book for men – “The Strain” Unbound

And will you look at that – The Circle of Friends Book I…Lori (normally $20.95) is only $14.25… Amazon
Go figure!


*** Weekly Movie Review ***


Still hiding at home, but we watched another NetFlix!
The Transporter III
Give a good solid B! If you're into over the top action flicks, can't go wrong with this Jason Statham vehicle.


And now for a moment of total DORKNESS!


Spunky thought he could fit through the cracker box:



Not happening there, Dork!Yes, we did have to pull him free...

We have such weird pets!

The Thursday Excerpt

I confess, poetry is not my thing! However, a select few poets have garnered my respect and following.

Tricia Danby is from Germany and she’s been a dear friend on Deviant Art for several years now. I am delighted to expose her beautiful poetry to all of my Blogger friends!

On DA, her literature gallery can be found here - Deviant Art Gallery

She is also a Blogger – Angelic-Light

Enjoy her work!


The Bond of Marriage

My love for you is like an ocean,
so deep and full of life!

When I look into your shining eyes -
I see the universe with all its might!

Oh, if I should find a word to describe my love for thee ...
I would not know where to start – or what word to find,

I never felt that way before ...

Never will I be able to describe,
what word will be the perfect one for thee.

Your energy touches mine
my soul entwines with thine!

Oh my lightful love,
never shall I forget thee.
Never shall I part from thee.

Embodied in the energy what I am,
I declare now ... you are my man!

Those words shall show thee what I feel,
shall be the sign of our love.

Energy I was
Energy you were
Energy we were
Energy we are!

From that moment on we never shall be apart!

©2009 =WitchOfNature original posting


May the Light Guide My Way

May the light guide my way,
may darkness not let me go astray.

May thou be always by my side,
may thou be my shelter, my warrior, my guide.

May thou be there for me ... forever and beyond.
May thou be there for me ... a father to his son.

May thou be my strength,
when I am too weak.

May thou be my voice,
when I am too shy to speak.

May thou be my silence,
when I am too loud.

May I make thee smile,
and always being proud.

'Cause thou art my father
and I am thy son!

©2009 =WitchOfNature original posting

Author Deeanne Gist

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
A Bride In The Bargain Bethany House (June 1, 2009)
by Deeanne Gist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.
Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Wedding Is All Planned...Someone Just Needs to Tell the BrideIn 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.
Joe Denton doesn't have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride--one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.
Anna Ivey's journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook--not a bride. When she's handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE
The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764204076

Photo Tuesday

Comedy can be an author's greatest challenge!

And while comedy need not abound in every scene, we must be able to acurately convey humor to our reader in the correct places. (Unintentionally funny due to poor writing is not good!)

Some people are born with natural wit that translates well to the page, but many of us have to work on it. We need to clearly envision the scene before we commit it to paper. (Thus today's photo examples.)

And as any comedian will tell us, timing is everything.

Can it be described well with dialogue or a couple narrative sentences?

Does it need to be rapid-fire? Like any fast-paced action scene, some humor must be delivered quickly and with short bursts. (Three Stooges anyone?)

Will more readers find it funny if the humor is presented as matter-of-fact? (Think droll humor, such as comedian Steven Wright.)

And of course, the bottom line is - will our readers find it funny? Will it cause a smile or chuckle, or will it simply sound awkward? (Running it past a couple readers is a sure way to find out!)

What style of 'funny' do you use? Is it a struggle? What have you found that works? And what would you suggest writers avoid?