tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7621778739615412942024-02-07T18:52:44.255-08:00Theresa Snyder's AfterthoughtsThings I should have...could have...or would have...said
if I had thought of them in a timely fashionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-50922708625847368452020-09-25T08:39:00.000-07:002020-09-25T08:39:16.090-07:00Cover Evolution for A Gathering of Dragons - Update (#3)<p>Lizzy is moving right along. Here is the latest update (#3) to the cover for A GATHERING OF DRAGONS, the new Farloft Chronicle due out for pre-sale October 31st.</p><p>This is the paperback cover. You can see that the images will wrap around the volume for a full body look at Farloft and Snow off on their adventure.</p><p>The notes I gave to Lizzy on this update were:</p><p>1. Move the map under Snow's paw out further so my name would have a solid gray and brown background. </p><p>2. Make my name bigger (cause and author always wants to be known, right?).</p><p>3. Lose some of the flags in the distance. I think they are a bit distracting. Maybe leave some trailing off the mound to the right.</p><p>4. Under the title add "The Farloft Chronicles - Vol. 7"</p><p>5. I asked her to add the title to the spine to see if it would work and not interfere with the image too much.</p><p>I really think we are on our way to the completed cover.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YT93gXOVZrgsmqNok1_0A2qSq6svfTIKplx5kdSm2HJ38UA_Lg2UdEaQul7Uj5NiBEg0hQo2WPqHyc9qSpqtDx6tIyTD67jsL3PFLSfImlgVZ1qzI5nmSMS-AT5gazZdkviu7Q2RUlEL/s2048/A_Gather_Of_Dragons_COLOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YT93gXOVZrgsmqNok1_0A2qSq6svfTIKplx5kdSm2HJ38UA_Lg2UdEaQul7Uj5NiBEg0hQo2WPqHyc9qSpqtDx6tIyTD67jsL3PFLSfImlgVZ1qzI5nmSMS-AT5gazZdkviu7Q2RUlEL/s320/A_Gather_Of_Dragons_COLOR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-13207860531271476312020-09-15T13:51:00.000-07:002020-09-15T13:51:26.397-07:00Cover Evolution Update - "A Gathering of Dragons"<p>Just a quick update on the cover for Farloft's upcoming new chronicle, "A Gathering of Dragons".</p><p>I think Lizzy has the expressions resolved. Farloft and Snow both look excited and ready to be off on an adventure.</p><p>This is what is called 'flat color'. When you order a commissioned piece of art for your OC (original character), they will ask you if you want black & white, flat color or full color.</p><p>When the cover is completed this image will be in full color with shading and dimension. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GByWO26neGSM1JEi1TMSYUFYfkBxzxKq5n2obhG5Sw8p-FxIPXgorjrsg_A4Yv439mF2mFK5jcG2AkL4hds73GT8fS-7GYwwwJvBnJTzL9wdX2hOy1XO8BkdvDzfi6zyQj4Xrw0JL49N/s1153/Color_Sneak_Peek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GByWO26neGSM1JEi1TMSYUFYfkBxzxKq5n2obhG5Sw8p-FxIPXgorjrsg_A4Yv439mF2mFK5jcG2AkL4hds73GT8fS-7GYwwwJvBnJTzL9wdX2hOy1XO8BkdvDzfi6zyQj4Xrw0JL49N/s320/Color_Sneak_Peek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you haven't read the previous <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/" target="_blank">Farloft Chronicles</a><br />Now is the time!<br /><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank">James & the Dragon</a>, Farloft Chronicle #1, is FREE on all Platforms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Farloft really is a Dragon for All Ages.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-87949321124619182072020-09-03T16:04:00.001-07:002020-09-03T16:04:14.516-07:00The Evolution of a Cover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am finished with the latest <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/" target="_blank"><b>Farloft Chronicle</b></a>, <b>A Gathering of Dragons</b>. It has been beta read, proofread by numerous qualified people and is now off for formatting. The hard work is done. Not to say that I don't enjoy writing... that writing isn't my passion... but it is hard. Any author you ask will agree if they are being honest.<div>
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Now comes the fun part. I love the process of designing the cover. I don't do the work myself. I leave that to the professionals. This time around I am working with <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/fenalia123" target="_blank"><b>Elizabeth Bailey</b></a>, formerly Elizabeth Babicz. She picked up the ball on my <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">Shifting</a> </b>series when Sarah Hyndshaw was unavailable to continue. I think she did an excellent job of matching Sarah's original style and even gave it a bit of a boost.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvYyeR_lkVoUovzkYmFQ4OgNHPtdI-ZMuCaCPAYM2XvmEchcSQc33i5UF-LvpgHS36iEGYcVMBIw3WPXf6CQ8SaBf_h-sKlr5IU0SYTlc5cdeGk619fFsatNkOKfyjUE9XZx7nvZBsXgN/s1600/Shifting+Covers_Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1500" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvYyeR_lkVoUovzkYmFQ4OgNHPtdI-ZMuCaCPAYM2XvmEchcSQc33i5UF-LvpgHS36iEGYcVMBIw3WPXf6CQ8SaBf_h-sKlr5IU0SYTlc5cdeGk619fFsatNkOKfyjUE9XZx7nvZBsXgN/s320/Shifting+Covers_Sarah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shifting covers by Sarah Hyndshaw<a name='more'></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqFZe9E7fwBZWCP54OI3DJAR5p-ZuX7DorZzmVc_1NIttRrxm_vlNnIUY4nUNlhsZHRGEd0jPpoPl7Wv9msgTRAy_Z0ikwWsldTp2-ewJhHs_f4wtolwBScWY5NaRkDz8Ra3_2layFjeu/s1600/Shifting+Covers_Lizzy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1500" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqFZe9E7fwBZWCP54OI3DJAR5p-ZuX7DorZzmVc_1NIttRrxm_vlNnIUY4nUNlhsZHRGEd0jPpoPl7Wv9msgTRAy_Z0ikwWsldTp2-ewJhHs_f4wtolwBScWY5NaRkDz8Ra3_2layFjeu/s320/Shifting+Covers_Lizzy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shifting covers by Elizabeth Bailey</div>
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The way the process for creating the cover art starts is by me telling Lizzy a bit about the book and what I envision for the cover. She has already drawn Farloft. She created the original drawing of Snow, Farloft gryphon friend, for other marketing pieces. I told her they were off on an adventure. I thought a drawing of them side-by-side headed out down a road would be just the thing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7dU-IreJLrFmkTP_2UvC3IF4iEVaT7s88hZrX7gOSY4qL_XXxoP-QREhYmEaIoQNwPg8Zzx2jqbFRbfhA5j4Nx5nEVWK52vL-cYaH8JR3cKGF728hyphenhyphenSfy2dPdh2g4e0jBOiLGjwrb9Ki/s1600/Gathering_Dragons_Idea+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="792" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7dU-IreJLrFmkTP_2UvC3IF4iEVaT7s88hZrX7gOSY4qL_XXxoP-QREhYmEaIoQNwPg8Zzx2jqbFRbfhA5j4Nx5nEVWK52vL-cYaH8JR3cKGF728hyphenhyphenSfy2dPdh2g4e0jBOiLGjwrb9Ki/s320/Gathering_Dragons_Idea+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This was her first sketch.</span></div>
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I should have been a bit more specific. I liked the background, but wanted the characters larger. I also wanted them to look more realistic this time and less cartoon-like. Moving away from the design of the first six Farloft Chronicles into the next six. She asked for examples.</div>
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I sent her some off the internet of art I thought she might emulate. I won't show them here because I don't know the artist to credit them to, but suffice to say the dragons were a lot bigger and the background just a teaser. </div>
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I also sent her a picture of Tibet. I liked the stone arches in this photo. There is a chapter in the book where Farloft and Snow go to seek advice from Naza the Wise in the Mountains of Forgiveness at the Temple of the Flying Fans.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildbHIVII4WKHDFFpa92gmzVaiZ79MBZyk5kCxV5_Gk43S3z_MDNA02oonYnrStbMwQq5R2Wm3jiJm4DTqcgHTiwaRRjWX1mR0yDB2n2YEQS3CfMwCWHErADiI6JajNEwaXOsDhvva-kIa/s1600/Gather_Idea_ONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildbHIVII4WKHDFFpa92gmzVaiZ79MBZyk5kCxV5_Gk43S3z_MDNA02oonYnrStbMwQq5R2Wm3jiJm4DTqcgHTiwaRRjWX1mR0yDB2n2YEQS3CfMwCWHErADiI6JajNEwaXOsDhvva-kIa/s320/Gather_Idea_ONE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This was Lizzy's next sketch. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The characters would wrap around the paperback book, over the spine and onto the back.</span></div>
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I asked about the placement of the title and my name. After all, I do want my name on the cover. We also talked about Farloft's expression. He looked a bit grim to me... almost angry. They're supposed to be pals off on an adventure.</div>
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This was Lizzy's revision</div>
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I thought this was getting there, but we lost the stone arch, which I really liked. I thought it gave it a nice fantasy look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDGqmeR39Cc3qAW_6Cgq-gwdzgi8KOr7zHuI9Qxfnfhe3Gp2qZdhjcaSfM9yUICnWvDGPGQfBMY3vxv3u9AcIZEY-H0pt2JJTR6p4QvqZLDEn2JT84JN6Xf4QceHw1W04I5cNshpInrWJ/s1600/Gathering_Book_Layout_SecondVer_Without_Template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDGqmeR39Cc3qAW_6Cgq-gwdzgi8KOr7zHuI9Qxfnfhe3Gp2qZdhjcaSfM9yUICnWvDGPGQfBMY3vxv3u9AcIZEY-H0pt2JJTR6p4QvqZLDEn2JT84JN6Xf4QceHw1W04I5cNshpInrWJ/s320/Gathering_Book_Layout_SecondVer_Without_Template.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Lizzy's revised sketch. </span></div>
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She adjusted Farloft's mouth. I suggested on the next pass she might look at his eye to make him friendlier. She also shifted Snow's head. I liked it back the other way. We'll see who wins on that. I also thought Snow's tail was a little large. He should have a slender cat tail. Lizzy says the writing on the arch can go white or golden in the finished product.</div>
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The cover will be completed in time for uploading next month for the promised October 31, 2020 pre-sale date. I'm anxious to see how it turns out. I hope you will enjoy joining Farloft and Snow as they gather numerous diverse dragons to help Farloft defend his kingdom... his family... and his human friends from the invading force.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-7609820534843847692018-06-30T09:29:00.001-07:002018-07-15T13:30:07.772-07:00The East Garden Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Amos and I (mostly Amos) have been working on two new hardscape areas in the east garden. The idea is to minimize maintenance. I think it is working out well. I wanted to do an 'afterthought' and put it all in one place, since I have been posting here and there on different social media sites.<br />
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The highlighted links below are to some short videos of the work in progress.<br />
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We started out with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g2MTywcmBM" target="_blank">very rough overgrown area</a> early this spring. Tao's garden and the orchard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuGi4LCWbO4fp4yvpjCxVj9SOZ7JUfUFstwl5H9zRcjJdc8rLbmnuF6DnRSynQkHh9f0OgmKheasmnKrcOYRh8KIG5YSy1FlbdFXYEAWEFK2Rxd0eQ0cjElT0A0rjzz2EltBrg388mXRZ/s1600/East+Garden+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuGi4LCWbO4fp4yvpjCxVj9SOZ7JUfUFstwl5H9zRcjJdc8rLbmnuF6DnRSynQkHh9f0OgmKheasmnKrcOYRh8KIG5YSy1FlbdFXYEAWEFK2Rxd0eQ0cjElT0A0rjzz2EltBrg388mXRZ/s400/East+Garden+Before.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMwryCjAqnU" target="_blank">Amos stripped the two areas and put down ground cloth</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn-f9AbNNeCFbz3bhhv0JbVLcI-FcXCUlTG8HIEfcCZTIU20hMn89k9MFj_aEjmlXv3tF8y-M4VNnk7xIBWxnsF_M_AmIjI_wtwFU7S26TopIjl_ywCNPLoALLUDFiHsdp6k_H47GwWdB/s1600/Ground+cloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn-f9AbNNeCFbz3bhhv0JbVLcI-FcXCUlTG8HIEfcCZTIU20hMn89k9MFj_aEjmlXv3tF8y-M4VNnk7xIBWxnsF_M_AmIjI_wtwFU7S26TopIjl_ywCNPLoALLUDFiHsdp6k_H47GwWdB/s400/Ground+cloth.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can see, it is still early spring. The trees are not leafed out yet.</div>
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Next came the gravel. Not owning a truck, it took many trips with buckets in the back of the SUV and a lot of shoveling on Amos' part. I wanted the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR_4WQv0g9k" target="_blank">gravel at least two inches deep</a>, so anything (like the violet thugs in the garden) tried to take hold, we could easily pull them out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg9jTQkCXzwa9JOV2MXCRMCnoStdYtB7X1YCfrqdMcmWy43UFKN1fS25F6rpSQ4hYz8vRRCqDsXNH-jMYtU9j-qFmDex-WQ-gB7p7WpDbrOt9pm8xHhSfW7tuGGq7OBrh3DcqGguiL1PE/s1600/East+garden_Tao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg9jTQkCXzwa9JOV2MXCRMCnoStdYtB7X1YCfrqdMcmWy43UFKN1fS25F6rpSQ4hYz8vRRCqDsXNH-jMYtU9j-qFmDex-WQ-gB7p7WpDbrOt9pm8xHhSfW7tuGGq7OBrh3DcqGguiL1PE/s400/East+garden_Tao.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now comes the time for the icing on the cake, as you might say. This creates a lot of gray in the garden and I like color, so now we add detail.</div>
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The clerodendrum tree in Tao's garden has<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6cQfzktKQ0" target="_blank"> red and turquoise colored berries</a>, so I am going to put accents of blue in that area. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOytOvxkfhs" target="_blank">I intend trying some glass around each stepping stone</a>.</div>
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First I dug a 1/2 trench around the stepping stone and filled it with quickset cement. The cement has small stones in it already, so placing a minimal amount of glass around the stones and in the finer dust of the mixture seemed to be appropriate.</div>
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I had some leftover glass pieces from previous projects. You can see the cement mixture in the paper cup. It's dry at this point. And the square container is full of additional gravel to build a little edge to hold the cement in place.</div>
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I placed the glass within easy reach and started surrounding the stepping stone.</div>
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When finished, I took my hose with the sprayer set on 'mist' and wet the cement thoroughly down. Now, we will wait 24 hours for it to dry. See if I like the results and if I do, I will proceed to outline the rest of the stones.</div>
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After I complete those, then it will be on to the other area, to build a fairy village around the old apple tree stump and I think a Mandela in the larger expanse of gray using cement and Japanese river rock. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-64806784321589641552018-06-25T08:14:00.001-07:002018-06-25T08:19:58.090-07:00The Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had the most delightful experience this past Tuesday, a friend treated me to tea at the <a href="http://www.clockworkrosetea.com/" target="_blank">Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium. </a>This is a wonderfully imaginative tea shop in Beaverton, that really should not be missed by those inclined to take a cuppa with delicious savories and sweets along with a truly unusual and marvelously creative atmosphere.<br />
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The Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium is a delightful mix of steampunk and Alice in Wonderland. I was in awe at the detail and creative talent of the two owners Maggie and Harold. The establishment is a feast to the eyes; hot air balloons, delicately balanced tea cups, and steam punk hats and portraits.<br />
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The tables are set with fresh linens (no paper napkins here), and the milk is already handy on the table (no need to ask for it). Sugar is both refined and demerara (no paper packets). Can you tell I have been in some pretty poor examples of tea rooms in my time. </div>
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I am so pleased to say this is NOT one of them. This one excels on all levels.</div>
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The tea selection is extensive (Harney & Sons, as well as their own personal blends), and they just don't plop it on the table and leave you to maul over it. Harold, who has a extensive knowledge of the blends, comes to your table and goes over the list like a fine vintner discussing the bouquet of savory wines. I chose "Boston", a black tea with hints of cranberries, almonds and coconut. Dessert in a cup. My fellow table mates chose "Tower of London", a savory tea with a smoky flavor based on Earl Grey.</div>
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They do not skimp on the quantity of tea they serve either. Tea is brought to each individual in a eight cup pot, which is placed on a warmer. What a delight to have hot tea throughout the service as well as not needing to flag down a server to refill the pot with hot water half way through the tea.</div>
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The savories were a delicious selection of turkey, egg salad and cucumber sandwiches. (The cucumber was marinated.) For the hot savories, Maggie presented a lovely mini-quiche, mini-chicken pot pie and a truly savory sausage roll, all wrapped in the lightest of flaky pastries.</div>
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There were both traditional plain scones and snickerdoodle, served with her own homemade Devonshire cream, lemon curd and raspberry jam. They were light and paired well with my tea selection.</div>
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The sweets were a delectable combination of lemon bar, fruit tart, peteifores, mini-creme brulee, and macarons from France. I've never liked macarons in the past. They were always so overly sugary and hard as rocks. These were light, and the raspberry filing in mine, melted in my mouth.</div>
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However, the splendid tea and scrumptious edibles are not the end of this delightful tea experience. Everywhere you look there is a painstaking attention to detail. There is so much to visually take in... The handmade fireplace, the portrait of the steampunk captain, the player piano with an arrangement of silver tea services, and don't forget to take a moment to check out the "Water Closet" it is Maggie and Harold's tribute to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."</div>
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It is the attention to detail in all things that makes the tea at the <a href="http://www.clockworkrosetea.com/" target="_blank">Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium</a> an "Experience." </div>
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I am not only impressed with Maggie and Harold's creative side, but also the incredible time and energy this must have taken to pull together. Their efforts have, in turn, inspired me. I am already putting together my Steampunk Outfit so I can participate in some of their upcoming special events. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-1394362813960186772018-02-09T19:44:00.002-08:002018-02-12T12:31:17.227-08:00The Mt. Hood Community College - Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I took a few minutes away from work today to stroll over and view the exhibit at the Visual Arts building of the Faculty Exhibit. Like me, these folks teach to pass on their knowledge, but also have their own creative juices flowing.<br />
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<b>Let me show off their inspiring work.</b></div>
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<b>Joe Davis</b></div>
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One of my favorites. <br />
If it had been one of the items for sale, I would have considered it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZltwznLTF6-EKzg2HP0L6wou7XA54Z5jVfS0fUOiU-PtaJ1hwNZaR-VeIjk3gN1YbqYNg59u5a3OJHdDCxd19AipqInICMOLlhH34oQZgUhiRIW_tWvLG11ioTPIu6ft98CVRUbx4WAAz/s1600/Joe+Davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZltwznLTF6-EKzg2HP0L6wou7XA54Z5jVfS0fUOiU-PtaJ1hwNZaR-VeIjk3gN1YbqYNg59u5a3OJHdDCxd19AipqInICMOLlhH34oQZgUhiRIW_tWvLG11ioTPIu6ft98CVRUbx4WAAz/s400/Joe+Davis.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Matteo Neivert</b></div>
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A collection of birds which practically flew off the wall.</div>
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They were displayed individually. I placed them on the background.</div>
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<b>Sarah Chenoweth Davis</b></div>
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The detail on the pieces are stunning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyOJKauM3xMBj-_lXN_aw5GVjRt8vNVJkdsWlJlrSgF84UeNd5F0eRZB7jiPvdZi22plhFxadEJxbwQhKH8f4-k9_i8sBil_smpgS4DtDtGq-TvSQkGvcrl6FS2hG3g-1WO2jajt5v-47/s1600/Sarah+Chenoweth+Davis+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyOJKauM3xMBj-_lXN_aw5GVjRt8vNVJkdsWlJlrSgF84UeNd5F0eRZB7jiPvdZi22plhFxadEJxbwQhKH8f4-k9_i8sBil_smpgS4DtDtGq-TvSQkGvcrl6FS2hG3g-1WO2jajt5v-47/s400/Sarah+Chenoweth+Davis+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Stephen Mauldin</b></div>
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Some awesome graphics.</div>
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And up close >></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkIbIOTtUr61gJzm8PAqTzVXpRY9UTwIqMWl98J4zllVYogVGMSSScsqAlWIMYZobybFmhvXnuMpoODb1cFTuKshGfFs_xvZd7FUBe8_JMoU3UuWd7-ope9BB-p1HRuBDH0-ZOu9EpShw/s1600/Stephen+Mauldio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkIbIOTtUr61gJzm8PAqTzVXpRY9UTwIqMWl98J4zllVYogVGMSSScsqAlWIMYZobybFmhvXnuMpoODb1cFTuKshGfFs_xvZd7FUBe8_JMoU3UuWd7-ope9BB-p1HRuBDH0-ZOu9EpShw/s400/Stephen+Mauldio.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Sarah Daughton</b></div>
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I was once told the ginkgo is the oldest known flora on earth.</div>
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And another piece that sums up the show.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEso1Y3DX4xtA7xZVld5InfFUIqvDOASntVLwcIbJ-Qr0_xzBo8yLpHTEUaInsHzey4ri6It60eDoAdEdyPKC6ySaNeUkqUggQeLLlr9U8xT1oAAxys6MOdaC9aAlrMf69IN96V6oZXGeR/s1600/Shawn+Daughton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEso1Y3DX4xtA7xZVld5InfFUIqvDOASntVLwcIbJ-Qr0_xzBo8yLpHTEUaInsHzey4ri6It60eDoAdEdyPKC6ySaNeUkqUggQeLLlr9U8xT1oAAxys6MOdaC9aAlrMf69IN96V6oZXGeR/s400/Shawn+Daughton2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-20404456006281758022018-01-06T09:52:00.001-08:002018-01-07T10:42:54.065-08:00A Paranormal/Fantasy World from Multiple Author's Points of View - The Twin Cities Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over December break at the end of 2014, Drew Avera contacted me. He was an author friend I met on Twitter. We discussed an idea he had which was similar to the books put out by multiple authors in the Star Trek Series. He wanted to get four or five authors together, build a world and then we would all write in it for the remainder of our writing careers. We could introduce our own set of characters, but we would also have crossover characters, which we all could use.<br />
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I thought it sounded like a great adventure. I had no idea where it would lead us all.<br />
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Drew, J.B. Cameron, me and two other authors, set the stage. We practically melted the Gmail links between us. The volley of emails became so overwhelming to the other female author who was in the group, that she dropped out after writing just one book, which she later pulled totally out of the series. The other unnamed male author in the group never even got a book written before he pulled out.<br />
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For the remaining three of us, we had formulated a parallel world, which stood just a magical breadth away from our own, but whose residents were everything humans thought magical, mystical, paranormal, and fanciful.<br />
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In the beginning the emphases in our magical world, The Realms, was going to be on the paranormal. Drew had written the first book and put a vampire named Raven in charge. <br />
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I had experience in writing fantasy, but none in paranormal. It was not a genre I was particularly interested in. I didn’t like vampires. Blood was not my thing, and pasty prepubescent males did not appeal to me at all. Werewolves were not my favorite either. The old Lon Chaney movies of my youth, and the more modern ‘Werewolves of London’ with all that snapping and popping of bones and the resulting werewolf looking like a deformed upright monster, really did not impress me.<br />
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But then came ‘Twilight,’ with hunky outdoor men who looked like huge wolves when they transformed. ‘Game of Thrones’ was next with their massive dire-wolves. I was in love. I have always been fascinated by wolves. My father does not have a ‘man cave,’ he has a ‘wolf’s den.’ It is decorated with everything wolf; statues, paintings, pictures, bedspread, even down to the clock has wolves on it. I could work with that.<br />
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I imagined what it would be like to be a shape shifter whose favorite shape was a huge silver-tipped gray wolf. How would the world appear from his point of view whether human or wolf? I enjoy climbing into Cody/Scar’s skin to see the world through his eyes. There is adventure, humor and love in his world and all of it comes with a touch of anxiety.<br />
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Drew ended up writing three books, but was then pulled away by his scifi muse. He might come back one day, but he will find The Realms has changed. This past fall, JB just completed the book which overthrew Raven as ruler. He has one more book with Raven’s former sidekick, Tabitha and he feels he is finished for a while. Another author Kendick Rue joined us and he has written two books and has a third on the burners. I have written a full series in The Realms, which I call <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">The Shifting Books</a></b>. We four have had some incredible romps.<br />
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In addition to my shape shifter, fire demon, elves, goblins, catman, satyr, Minotaur, true werewolves, and the occasional vampire; JB and Kendrick have introduced their own shape shifters, trolls, goblins, sirens, Minotaur, and two wonderful characters who defy description.<br />
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My<b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank"> “Shifting Books,”</a></b> of The Twin Cities Series are complete, but I will be writing stories in The Realms for the rest of my life. Join me in my adventures. See the world through a wolf’s eyes.<br />
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The <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">"Shifting Books"</a></b> of the Twin Cities Series</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-16659138931954621262017-12-26T13:55:00.000-08:002017-12-26T14:02:50.133-08:00The Farloft Chronicles and the Dragon Who Tweets!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My relationship with Farloft, my dragon muse, started in 1996. My nephew, James, was nine years old and having a problem with the concept of ownership. It wasn't that he stole, it was that he made some really poor trades. Let's just say you wouldn't have wanted him on your corporate bargaining team.<br />
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He would go to school with a new winter coat and come home coat-less, with a transformer toy. His mother would have to go to school to retrieve the coat from the student he struck the trade.<br />
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James just didn't seem to get it. His parents talked to him, his grandparents, I even took a stab at it, but it was a concept he was having real issues with. I wondered, 'who would a little nine year old boy listen to?'<br />
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The answer came with the arrival of Farloft. A little boy would listen to a very wise, old dragon. <i><b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank">James & the Dragon</a></b></i> was the result of Farloft and I putting our heads together to teach some lessons without preaching. I am pleased to say, it worked!<br />
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Periodically, over the succeeding twenty years, Farloft arrived to dictate his <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/" target="_blank">Chronicles</a></b>, seven books in all. In May of 2013 I published <i>James & the Dragon</i> not really knowing where it would lead us. However, Farloft knew we were off on an adventure.<br />
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As soon as I got on social media, in particularly Twitter, the dragons started to rally around Farloft. His sweet nature and gentle outlook seemed to attract the best in folks. I had no idea there were so many dragons in the world, but Farloft did.<br />
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His Chronicles became popular and the word spread. It seemed he was a 'Dragon for All Ages.'<br />
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Soon folks were demanding he have a Facebook page, his own blog, and a Twitter account. I gave in to the first two, but he was not going to get access to my computer to tweet daily. I put him on a virtual leash, but I could not muzzle him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26gApdkaDRDLFiaxzA3ixIPwJWvzAINFh7anpeN4KbBlo-3TWOTI-icniY8SfpTQUqOBDxJ50rNJV_3uvka5CRdbEfZhgK_AAmwUKnvrWV0tmLP7_95OM4mV976as-R7X-I1Z210Har5J/s1600/Farloft_Tweeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1135" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26gApdkaDRDLFiaxzA3ixIPwJWvzAINFh7anpeN4KbBlo-3TWOTI-icniY8SfpTQUqOBDxJ50rNJV_3uvka5CRdbEfZhgK_AAmwUKnvrWV0tmLP7_95OM4mV976as-R7X-I1Z210Har5J/s400/Farloft_Tweeting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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He became the "Dragon Who Tweets!"</div>
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With his new title he continued to dictate and I continued to write. One day on a Farloft Friday he was asked how he met me. He told Charlotte it was a very long story. It was, and we wrote it in the sixth book of his Chronicles, <b><i><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#vol6" target="_blank">Dragon Memories, Dreams & Reflections</a></i></b>.</div>
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Farloft always tweets the day after Thanksgiving in the USA. In 2015, someone asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He said he would like a selfie with his friends on Twitter. They all got together and the result was the First Ever - Dragon Selfie!</div>
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Since then there has been one annually.</div>
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Kitsooki did the first - 2015</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRESfH2foWzJFB8JOXiX1ZyQtjO9PtRzCjxo-5jQnNLgPPq6OgPdAmoF3KrY1AsN68eT7YWLvrgU7EHXVZuYuAbSzjaM1MYOCLeBsTEsBkiONcVJju_r0UU1SW2xqHAOMNFX49F7hOim-R/s1600/Farloft+Selfie+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRESfH2foWzJFB8JOXiX1ZyQtjO9PtRzCjxo-5jQnNLgPPq6OgPdAmoF3KrY1AsN68eT7YWLvrgU7EHXVZuYuAbSzjaM1MYOCLeBsTEsBkiONcVJju_r0UU1SW2xqHAOMNFX49F7hOim-R/s400/Farloft+Selfie+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2016 - The group grew and Kitsooki did it again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5A9Q1cvqs0szPgske60EWLmvQc2_NRLx6gLvIuU0GgsL6lROfGeGI8p9tw1M_EgjbwWjvzXY-StEOOlmwBKq6IY3aXHTzTP8Z7ss4vcx2sOI4FNQqeo10uLffoeWpkBrGJb-5RvG76uq/s1600/Group_Illustration_Dragon_Selfie_01_6_2_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5A9Q1cvqs0szPgske60EWLmvQc2_NRLx6gLvIuU0GgsL6lROfGeGI8p9tw1M_EgjbwWjvzXY-StEOOlmwBKq6IY3aXHTzTP8Z7ss4vcx2sOI4FNQqeo10uLffoeWpkBrGJb-5RvG76uq/s400/Group_Illustration_Dragon_Selfie_01_6_2_s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2017 it became a Gathering of Dragons,</div>
when Golden Emotions captured the group having a picnic in an alpine meadow.<br />
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2015 not only brought us the first dragon selfie, but it also was the year I started doing readings at the local libraries for 'Appreciate a Dragon Day,' January 16th each year.</div>
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It was at one of these readings that I met a very unhappy little 5-6 year old. He had come with his older siblings for the reading and he wanted a Farloft book with pictures. The Chronicles were written for nine years or older - no pictures. </div>
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Well, Farloft couldn't bear to have someone unhappy with his selections, so he dictated nine short stories. Bluekite-Falls did coloring pages so preschool to six year olds, Justin's age, could read them and have pictures. <i><b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#storybook" target="_blank">Farloft's Storybook</a></b></i> was published in October of 2015. </div>
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A lot of love when into the book. </div>
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Farloft's heart smoke ring.</div>
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Flutterby, Farloft flying kitty friend.</div>
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Youngling dragon's find it is not easy to breathe fire.</div>
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Over the years, Farloft has introduced me to many wonderful folks and taken me to some really amazing places. He would like to be a movie star one day, so no doubt, that will be one of our adventures in the future. </div>
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He loves meeting new folks, so please drop by and introduce yourself.</div>
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He <b><a href="https://twitter.com/TheresaSnyder19" target="_blank">Tweets</a></b> the last Friday of each month.</div>
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He shares stories, art and contests on his <b><a href="http://farloftsrhetoric.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b>.</div>
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And, he talks about his aspirations of being a movie star on his <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarlofttheDragon/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b> page.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Join in the fun!</span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-28963176911830515012017-12-16T16:05:00.000-08:002017-12-18T09:09:35.138-08:00A Book Series is Born out of an Accident - The Star Traveler Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Most authors will tell you they have been writing all their lives. I am no exception. My mother started me writing a diary in my early teens. That progressed to 'journaling' as I grew older. This eventually grew into shortstory writing and on to blogging, which landed me a biweekly column in our local newspaper for four years.<br />
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However, it was an accident, a physical accident, that prompted me to write my first book, <i>The Helavite War</i>.<br />
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I broke my foot.<br />
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The doctor said there was a direct ratio of how fast my broken heel would mend, to how much time I spent off of it. I had to work my 8-5 job, but once I got home, I sat down to take the pressure off. I wanted out of that clumsy boot.<br />
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This was in 1990 and long before I had anything like Netflix, Roku or Amazon Prime to keep me occupied. I can't remember the exact moment I decided to write the book. I do know that it had been peculating in my brain from the time I was a child.<br />
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I come from a very large family. I have two natural born brothers and twenty-three foster and adopted brothers. There were never less than ten of us in the house at any given time. But, I was the only girl. My mother and I were very close and she instilled a deep sense of imagination in me - something that has only grown over time.<br />
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I used to linger in bed on weekends or put myself to sleep on weekdays by telling myself a story. I loved, and still do love, 'buddy films.' You know what I am talking about - films where the two main male characters would do ANYTHING for each other. I have seen <i>Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid </i>over two dozen times. I love that scene at the end where they are tending to each other's wounds rather than staunching the flow of blood from their own. So, my stories always had two men in them. Usually, an older mentor and a younger novice.<br />
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When I started <i>The Helavite War</i> I had no idea where it would take me. I was a novice myself. I didn't have an outline. Journaling, blogging, even newspaper articles do not require an outline. It was like I was channeling. The words just flowed. My mind was in overdrive. The book is all about the building friendship of the two main characters. It is very episodic. Like watching a series on TV. My dad compared it to the pulp fiction novels he used to read as a boy. Fast paced, character driven and a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter, that kept you turning the pages.<br />
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When I was finished, I thought I had written my one and only novel, but the two main characters, Jake and Arr, thought otherwise. They gave me one good night's sleep and then woke me demanding they not be left stuck on the planet. I started <i>The Heirs of Henu</i> that morning. Colonization and a drug deal gone bad were the themes of this book. With it I was beginning to find my style. I started out with all the characters together, then split the book into two alternating plots, to keep the excitement building, and eventually converged back to an ending with all together again. I smiled at myself thinking of Shakespearean plotting, though I would never compare myself to such a master.<br />
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You remember that 8-5 job I told you about earlier? Well, it really got in the way. I found myself writing until midnight and getting up at 5:00 a.m. to start writing again. I begged my boss to let me start at 9:00 instead of 8:00, no explanation. I mean, who would give you time off to write a novel? But, she did, and I did, and by the time I was halfway through the second book, I knew it was going to be a trilogy.<br />
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<i>Old Friends/New Enemies</i> was the third book and the one I believe I found my writer's voice in. The story jumped ahead thirty years and I met the children of my main characters. A kidnapping and an illegitimate child surfaced in this one. By now it was 1992. A book a year was the best I could do back then. Once I finished the trilogy I went back to the first book and converted a lot of narrative to dialogue. My characters were finding their voices too.<br />
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In reworking the earlier books and with the writing of the third I was fast falling in love with one of my characters, Captain Targus of Mobile Tactical Unit 2424. I wanted to know what made him the man he was. What did his home world look like? We knew from little snippets sprinkled throughout the trilogy that he was from a world where strength and power were honored above all things. That was the reason the Galactic Forces recruited his race, the Walhmites. That, and the fact that none of their adults were under seven feet tall. I figured if you had aliens to recruit from why not have the biggest and baddest around. However, Targus had a heart, and I wanted to find out why. <i>The Malefactors</i>, book four, was born and I had a series on my hands.<br />
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During the writing of that book Oregon had one of its wettest springs. It seemed to rain endlessly. If you read book four you will see how that influenced my writing. Targus' planet is not only dark in spirit, it is wet and foreboding. Plotting is a way of life on Walh.<br />
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Book five, <i>Cataclysm</i>, explored love and its many facets. Book six, <i>A Mear Sleight of Hand</i>, took advantage of the four years missing in book one when I jumped ahead. It was a book based on insanity, revenge and the power of love and community to overcome evil. And yes, Mear is spelled correctly, it is a character's name and a play on words based on a plot twist in the book. I finished it in 1995.<br />
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I started book seven, <i>The Beast Within</i>, in 1996, but each time I wrote more than a handful of pages I would find myself back in the other books tweaking them. The series sat for years. I was found by my dragon muse and began to write fantasy, deserting The Star Traveler Series.<br />
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Finally, in 2013, I told my writing group I was going to format and print a copy of my scifi books in the printshop I ran at the local community college. I needed to have what looked like finished books, so I would stop going back to the previous volumes each time I tired to move on with book seven.<br />
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My writing friends were all younger than me. They said, 'If you are going to all that trouble, why don't you self-publish?' I said I didn't have the money or the knowledge of how to do it. They said it cost nothing and they would help me set it all up.<br />
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In May of 2013, I finally put <i>The Helavite War</i> to bed, as they say in publishing. It has still been through some incarnations since then. They all got wonderful new covers a couple of years ago. I have repaired minor errors readers have pointed out and I put books 1-3 in one volume, <i>The Adventure Begins.</i> I feel that if you read them as a group you will see my growth as an author, and you will be addicted and want to read the whole series.<br />
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I have finished book seven and it went up for sale in June of this year. I did my best to make<i> The Beast Within</i> a stand alone volume. This is something I failed to do when writing books 1-6 because I was a new author and didn't know it was not common practice to just pick-up where you left off in the previous book. I believe <i>The Beast Within</i> has enough information in it to be satisfying, but also enough teasers to make a reader want to go back and read the series from the beginning.<br />
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If you like character-driven space opera like<i> Firefly, </i>I think you might find <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/star-travelers/" target="_blank">The Star Traveler Series</a></b> your kind of read. It has been compared in reviews to the old masters like Asimov, Heinlein and Bradbury. I thank the folks who gave it those generous reviews.<br />
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Covers by <a href="http://www.sherrydramsey.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sherry D. Ramsey</b></a></div>
Gif by<a href="http://www.niarg.com/" target="_blank"> <b>Carol Marrs Phipps</b></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-2756162335451009532017-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:002017-12-12T09:20:23.185-08:00Why did I write the In2Minds Series with David Stevens?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I find life so full of pleasant surprises. One of the nicest ones in my years of being a published author was meeting and becoming friends with <a href="https://davidstevensbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">David Stevens</a>. Though we live an ocean apart, we often joke about being twins separated at birth.<br />
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I met David early in my career (2013) when I first started out on twitter. He was so kind and supportive. Even though I ran a printshop and protested the expense, he had calling cards printed up for me and sent them to me to advertise the first two books I self-published, <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank">The Helavite War and James & the Dragon.</a><br />
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David and I both had an affinity for dragons. I have Farloft, my muse, and David has a young dragon named Robert, who is constantly getting into mischief. Farloft, being an older dragon, took Robert under his wing, and except for a slight indulgence one night over a cask of sherry, the two have been well behaved. *grins*<br />
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David and I started beta reading each others manuscripts. I found David to be a great one to catch little bloopers I make when I am deep in the dialogue and forget where I am. For instance, in <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">Shifting Agony & Ecstasy</a> he challenged my use of a refrigerator in The Realms, where there is no electricity.<br />
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I, on the other hand, often put 'words' in David's mouth, or should I say, his character's mouths. He hates writing dialogue and I love it. So he will often send me the narrative and I will expand on it.<br />
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That is basically what happened in early 2015 with the first In2Minds book. David sent it to me and asked me to give him my opinion. He thought it was one of the best things he had ever written. I agreed, but wanted more dialogue to draw the characters closer together, so we decided to work together to write the <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/in2minds/" target="_blank">In2Minds trilogy</a>. We just finished the final installment and it will be up as our first book in 2018.<br />
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I'd like to show you the new cover alongside the two previous. I think they are stunning - created by <a href="http://www.sherrydramsey.com/" target="_blank">Sherry D. Ramsey</a>. The graphic is also new and put together by the talented <a href="http://www.niarg.com/" target="_blank">Carol Marrs Phipps</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-46576561198461588822017-12-02T10:11:00.000-08:002017-12-02T10:31:37.538-08:00Author Recap of 2017 and Goals for 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is about this time each year when I begin to reflect on my past year’s accomplishments as an author. I have been a self-published writer for four and a half years as of this month – originally published in May of 2013. A lot has happened in that time. As of this writing, I have twenty-six books in print, in four different genres. <br />
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As I have stated in my recaps in the past, I like to set goals for the upcoming year rather than making New Year’s resolutions. Some of these goals I achieve, some I set aside and some roll-over to become renewed goals because they were just so ‘darn good’ in the first place.<br />
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Marketing is always a challenge for an indie-author, and I tried many new things this year, which I would like to share. Some worked. Some did not. I try to keep in mind that in 2015 (the most recent year they have stats) Bowker, the folks who issue ISBN numbers, stated there were over 700,000 books self-published. It is hard to stand out in such a huge crowd. Marketing your books is like Dory’s advice in the Pixar film, ‘just keep swimming.’<br />
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<b>Let me recap 2017 first</b>. It was a year of accomplishments and great surprises. Let’s take a look at the goals I set and see how I did in reaching them.<br />
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1. I have continued to assist other authors in polishing their manuscripts through my <a href="http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC</b></a>. I helped over a dozen authors this year and some more than once. I am pleased to say I have many repeat customers. I thank them one-and-all for trusting me with their manuscripts. It is an honor to feel I helped bring them to life or at least dressed them in a classy outfit.<br />
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2. I joined the Society of Children’s Books Authors and Illustrators last year and fully intended to be an actively participating member this past year, but I am afraid I ended up buried in other projects. This was a goal I did not accomplish. I would like to say I will do better this coming year, but honestly, I am not sure. Working a full-time job, caring for my Dad who was 91 this last August, on top of editing for other authors, and writing and marketing my own work, I don’t know how I will find the time. Perhaps when I retire in five years. I did join the Authors Guild this year and registered several pieces with The Writer’s Guild of America. The reason for this is part of the accomplishment of goal #3.<br />
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3. Farloft, my dragon muse, wanted to be a movie star last year after seeing “Pete’s Dragon.” He considers himself the original Northwest Dragon and Elliot, a friend, only an import from Maine. To that end, the following took place:<br />
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a. I had a Farloft presentation box designed and filled it with lovely goodies. I sent it to John Lasseter as a gift. I knew he couldn’t make Farloft a star – Pixar is very clear about only developing from within their own team, but I thought he might enjoy meeting Farloft. He did and I received a very nice letter back, unfortunately, along with the box. His legal department did not allow him to keep it. I did appreciate the note and was sorry he didn’t get to enjoy the Farloft logoed M&Ms while drinking his coffee from a Farloft mug. It was a hoard a dragon would have been proud of.<br />
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b. However, Farloft did receive some attention from a surprising source. In August, I signed a five-year agreement with <a href="https://choirboyproductions.com/" target="_blank"><b>Choir Boy Productions</b></a> (CBP) to make <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank"><b>James & the Dragon</b></a> into a film. CBP is new to the production community, but has a very experienced president and leader. Harriet Farmer is dedicated and I am so pleased she believes in Farloft. Animation is an expense endeavor, and takes a lot of time and talent to pull off. CBP is a collaborative community of very talented folks that I think might just be able to do it, and in a way that will make us all proud and eager to buy a ticket. Working on the Farloft movie project is what led me to join Authors Guild, and register The Farloft Chronicles and the first draft script for the production with WGA. Both prudent moves when shopping around manuscripts.</div>
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c. Working with CBP led to a really exciting learning experiences. I researched and wrote a Pitch Bible, a first draft script and a draft sizzle reel. This was all new territory for me, and exciting stuff to work on and see develop.<br />
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4. The possibility of a Farloft Movie is what led to a real surprise event in 2017. I now have an agent. This was not a direction I set out to take in 2017, but it has been a delightful outcome. Marisa Corvisiero of<a href="https://www.corvisieroagency.com/" target="_blank"> <b>Corvisiero Literary Agency</b></a> and I just seemed to click. I am really looking forward to working with her. It is an honor and a pleasure to be represented by her and her team.<br />
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5. This past year was also a year of writing. <br />
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a. I published the final two novellas in the <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank"><b>Shifting Books of The Twin Cities Series</b></a>, <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/#shifting-darkness" target="_blank"><b>Shifting from Darkness into Light</b></a> and<b> <a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/#shifting-better" target="_blank">Shifting for Better or Worse</a></b>. This will not be the end of my adventures in The Realms. These just wraps up the original set of characters in the first five books. I will be delving into this paranormal/fantasy world again soon with another group.</div>
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b. I published the seventh in <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/star-travelers/" target="_blank">The Star Traveler Series</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/star-travelers/#beastwithin" target="_blank">The Beast Within</a></b>. This book was a long time coming, but I think the readers are finding it well worth the wait. </div>
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c. I still have not finished ‘Farloft – the Youngling Years.' I keep adding stories to it and I am sure it will come to fruition in the future, but for now, it is still a work in progress.<br />
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d. David Stevens and I just finished the last in our <b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/in2minds/" target="_blank">In2Minds trilogy</a></b>. It is out for proofreading. If it doesn’t make it for Christmas sales, it will be up as my first book for 2018. I really enjoyed the way this adventure ended and I hope to write with David again. He is an amazing collaborative partner.<br />
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e. I had the fun of playing in another author’s sandbox this year, too. Cheryl Matthynssens and I wrote “<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Tiers-Blue-Dragons-Geas-ebook/dp/B01N3A0Y16/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512236215&sr=1-1&keywords=Fallen+tiers" target="_blank">Fallen Tiers</a></b>” together, the fifth in her Blue Dragon’s Geas series. I love this epic fantasy series and was honored she asked me to assist with it. And I would like to point out too, that the first draft of this book was initially 'inadvertently' released by Amazon instead of the final book. The finished product is up now and I hope you will give it a try.<br />
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f. I didn’t get to the second ‘We 3’ book and I really need to. “<b><a href="https://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/we-3/" target="_blank">We 3</a></b>” is a #1 Bestseller on Amazon in its category. I believe as my generation grows older the book will find more and more readers who will take it to heart.<br />
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6. Once again, turning the books into audio versions fell by the wayside. The expense is more than I can afford. I have thought about doing a Kickstarter program, but honestly, I don’t have the time. I don’t like to do things halfway, so it has not been done. Another one to hold over for 2018 and hope I can get to it.<br />
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7. I started sending out a <b><a href="http://eepurl.com/HGVIf" target="_blank">Monthly Newsletter</a></b> in June. The reception has been very gratifying. It is fun meeting some of my readers. I look forward to chatting with more of them and hearing what they would like to see happen in my writing worlds. If you are interested in my updates, contests and giveaways, click on the link above and sign-up. <br />
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8. Social media continues to climb in numbers. Twitter has become active again since the introduction of more characters - lots of chatty folks on the line, which is nice and the whole reason for social media. I have seen a spike in followers on <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tsnydert/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/tsauthor/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></b>, as well as my <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lorjim3su/feed" target="_blank">YouTube</a></b> channel. I completed a gardening video each month this past spring through fall. The garden is sleeping now, just waiting for its debut this coming spring. Visuals are always so much more fun than just the plain written word. I would like to take up podcasting, but unlike the guys who look handsome right out of bed and in their T-shirts, I have to make sure I am visually prepared. I wouldn’t want to give some unsuspecting viewer a heart attack. That is the reason I stay behind the camera and post on <b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/theresasnyder19/" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a></b> instead.<br />
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<b>Now for the 2018 Goals:</b><br />
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1. The priority this year is production. I have several works in progress and a few more just in my head rattling around, which I would like to let escape onto the page. <br />
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a. The final volume in the ‘In2Minds’ series will be first out the door in 2018.</div>
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b. Next will be a collection of all five Shifting books in The Twin Cities Series. It is formatted and the cover is ready.</div>
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c. ‘Farloft – The Youngling Years’ and the ‘Star Trader Updates’ books are in rough draft and hopefully will be completed.<br />
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d. The next book set in The Realms is finished. It only needs proofing and a cover made. It is the story of another shape-shifter. He is kidnapped and forced to work for our world’s government in the future. I envision this turning into at least a trilogy and with a flavor resulting in something similar to “Suicide Squad.” I am really looking forward to working on this project.<br />
<br />
e. There will be a new Farloft adventure. I intend to start it in January. Farloft is off on an adventure of his own. He will team up with the descendant of an old friend, a gryphon named Snow. They are going to gather dragons from far-and-wide to help the humans of the Kingdom of Kerth in defeating an old enemy, the Baldars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cFZnB3WpKEqILxOZmMLnq_caF7For1cwteCmCkz5rV2QWYNxUW3fXNDfOT-9ORscqn2YCCxdMsHs3PpF0WBZLkrmujHFCMSPZwaW9pSLRC4XG4AOxwVf8Wjaz0gtMJv7TEm8goqrHmiv/s1600/Snow_Recolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1050" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cFZnB3WpKEqILxOZmMLnq_caF7For1cwteCmCkz5rV2QWYNxUW3fXNDfOT-9ORscqn2YCCxdMsHs3PpF0WBZLkrmujHFCMSPZwaW9pSLRC4XG4AOxwVf8Wjaz0gtMJv7TEm8goqrHmiv/s400/Snow_Recolor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Snow by Elizabeth Babicz - WIP</div>
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<br />
f. And I have readers clambering for a book on Cleairair, Farloft’s mate. How did she get that curse cast upon her, and who would do such a thing? It’s a long story and one that needs to be told. Perhaps over a nicely roasted elk and a barrel of mead.<br />
<br />
2. Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC will continue to assist authors in polishing their manuscripts, because each of us shines with the success of our fellow indie-authors.<br />
<br />
3. I will continue to work with CBP. I look forward to seeing the Farloft movie project develop. <br />
<br />
4. I hope to work with my new agent to whatever degree she needs my participation. I have my fingers crossed for success in the traditionally published market, as I have had in the self-publishing field. Other authors do it… Why not me?<br />
<br />
It all might seem a bit daunting, but even if I don’t accomplish the full list, I need the goals to keep me focused and my dreams on track. <br />
<br />
If you are a reader of mine… Thank you.<br />
<br />
If you gave me an opportunity for an interview, or a guest blog post, this past year… Thank you.<br />
<br />
It takes a community to promote an indie-author and I belong to one of the best communities on Social Media. Hugs all round, and Best Wishes to all of you for a Healthy and Successful 2018.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-55496812888696317782017-06-23T23:10:00.003-07:002017-07-31T19:21:30.013-07:00Shifting Book 4 and 5 - NOW AVAILABLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I am so pleased to announce that the final <i>Shifting Books</i> in <br />The Twin Cities Series </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Are Now Available for Presale</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 for the Price of 1 through the Presale</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Book 4, <b>Shifting from Darkness into Light</b> will wrap up the story of Cody/Scar and Simone.<br />
<br />
Cody has moved into Simone’s apartment now that she is gone. There is a problem, the place is haunted by a pooka, poltergeist or house elf… or is it? <br />
<br />
Simone has found herself trapped in another dimension of The Realms.<br />
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Cody must risk everything to rescue her. When he becomes a prisoner in his own personal hell, will Simone be able to find him and bring him back from the darkness into the light? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj-htQQjjm_GpnlYqQQBoOM36OSlgZr8C__WdcWKJM9a96JztAh2oM73xcHTgbgoxoACFsClc9VnDCGHs9pC0pfMYRWJMWt8Z8an1O1EHduSCreNy0wZM96PfCcbf0b4wYcYO1UBRhz41/s1600/ShiftingFDIL_Kindle_Cover_72DPI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1004" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj-htQQjjm_GpnlYqQQBoOM36OSlgZr8C__WdcWKJM9a96JztAh2oM73xcHTgbgoxoACFsClc9VnDCGHs9pC0pfMYRWJMWt8Z8an1O1EHduSCreNy0wZM96PfCcbf0b4wYcYO1UBRhz41/s400/ShiftingFDIL_Kindle_Cover_72DPI.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<br />
Book 5, <b>Shifting for Better or Worse</b> is a prequel and will give you a glimpse into The Realms... 20 years ago.<br />
<br />
Meet Charles, Simone’s father and the last of the Light-Bearers. An elf/man who balances the good in The Realms against the evil of the vampire ruler, Raven. <br />
<br />
Find out how Charles and Azur, the fire demon, met and fell in love.<br />
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Across the many worlds of The Realms, and for better or worse, these two must find a way to live among the vampires in the wake of death and destruction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkfB698UONd6eKzkCEOzM5Ajt_-RsveQzXNDXfYj6X-r-yksVcgqNIElXU9rXZ_5TIZBNO3rM42hTfMIs1FE4qJ8l9Jcl-QXlrUw8AoWL5ljYMMww36T9UOBoSICFuRn8zWRn0aBQcUX5/s1600/ShiftingFBOW_Kindle_Cover_72DPI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkfB698UONd6eKzkCEOzM5Ajt_-RsveQzXNDXfYj6X-r-yksVcgqNIElXU9rXZ_5TIZBNO3rM42hTfMIs1FE4qJ8l9Jcl-QXlrUw8AoWL5ljYMMww36T9UOBoSICFuRn8zWRn0aBQcUX5/s400/ShiftingFBOW_Kindle_Cover_72DPI.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Covers by Elizabeth Babicz</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you will enjoy this dual release.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theresa-Snyder/e/B00DLS7BOG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1455412770&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TheresaSnyder19" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Theresa+Snyder?_requestid=615523" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/theresa-snyder/id867362590?mt=11" target="_blank">iBook</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Theresa%20Snyder&fcsearchfield=Author" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></b></div>
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<b>But, don't think this is the end of the adventures in The Realms... </b></div>
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Oh no... </div>
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We have only just scratched the surface of the mysteries and wonders awaiting the </div>
brave,<span style="text-align: left;">who venture into this hidden world of myth, magic and marvels...</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND... If you haven't read the series, Start NOW with a<b> <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank">FREE</a></b> copy of<br />
<b><a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/free-books/" target="_blank">Shifting in The Realms</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK7K97b27bdI4RNThzxRIXrkNTFrFhIWzqukLzseVnrS6_cbJv0yS6HKC1cymxgHLsVAdZ1rw8hyOBnqJuBUgTvEtAitOMS5UVoLi1p-_KP6Yx_N_sRQZnT_2xgZcvVkJfIp0flIJLmsW/s1600/Twin+Cities_Vol+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1049" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK7K97b27bdI4RNThzxRIXrkNTFrFhIWzqukLzseVnrS6_cbJv0yS6HKC1cymxgHLsVAdZ1rw8hyOBnqJuBUgTvEtAitOMS5UVoLi1p-_KP6Yx_N_sRQZnT_2xgZcvVkJfIp0flIJLmsW/s400/Twin+Cities_Vol+1.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-38320533002062129992017-06-03T17:36:00.004-07:002017-06-03T17:44:15.111-07:00A Challenge from a Fellow Writer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Theresa Jacobs tagged me on a blog post challenge. </b></div>
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<b>Why did I chose an animal as my main character?</b></div>
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<b>Here are her questions and my answers.</b></div>
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<b>Why did you choose to use animals as your main character? Is your animal real or mythical?</b><br />
<br />
<i>I actually have three animal characters:</i><br />
<br />
<b>Farloft</b> is my dragon in <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/" target="_blank">The Farloft Chronicles</a>. I chose him because I was wracking my brain trying to think of who, or what, my nine-year-old nephew would listen to. Whose advice would he take when he wasn’t listening to his parents, grandparents or aunt? I thought it might just be a very wise old dragon.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b>Cody a.k.a. Scar</b> is my young protagonist in the <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">Shifting Books of The Twin Cities Series</a>. He is a shape shifter who turns into a wolf. I have always loved wolves and I wanted to write in first person for a change. I thought it would be interesting for both me and my readers to see the world through a wolf’s eyes with a teenager’s point of view. <br />
<br />
<b>Kay-o</b> was my first animal character. He is in my <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/star-travelers/" target="_blank">Star Traveler Series</a>. He is a creature called a Dar-dolf. Kay-o was written as the comic relief in the books. He is fond of eating the main character’s new gloves on a regular basis, but his favorite treat is Red Raspberry Goo-chews (a sticky sweet candy). Jake, the protagonist in the scifi books says it is good the bad guys don’t know about Kay-o’s love for the sweet treat or the beast would change sides in battle at a heartbeat.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you give them human-like appendages? Or try to keep the characters close to their true form.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Farloft</b> is a western dragon, four appendages, plus his wings. He has opposable thumbs and can grab objects with his paws. He uses his wings a lot to hug, bump and caress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBwuu6xD8GcHCO3aouCSB4kOj5lTQLJ6RKCcxDeyjgQcf3l9W-WZrudchf9kPLaRfXyN06TONhPpXidUNPGVs-0xSvFT6WHKQEgk_AW8PclU-gQ2XHUEPGaFA-Xvv-neg8NVd2JjO4oaP/s1600/happy_dance_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d80gj33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBwuu6xD8GcHCO3aouCSB4kOj5lTQLJ6RKCcxDeyjgQcf3l9W-WZrudchf9kPLaRfXyN06TONhPpXidUNPGVs-0xSvFT6WHKQEgk_AW8PclU-gQ2XHUEPGaFA-Xvv-neg8NVd2JjO4oaP/s320/happy_dance_farloft_by_bluekite_falls-d80gj33.png" width="295" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>Cody/Scar</b> is either a teenage boy or a full-fledged wolf. As a wolf he thinks like a boy, but is limited to his wolf body. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEAudRxVVtFyYBKjoZuRNc3MBAt8vFUerSS7AUqoFCSt1-_9cZyfqijHT2uEMGvydvNkq1dmDbQMZ_C32PE_0ocpyrLb8q0D1OPj59OiPTYTPKn9Qk2_MjRfv7i3Mn4ywNq2AmmLY87bO/s1600/fullbody_Rejected_Sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEAudRxVVtFyYBKjoZuRNc3MBAt8vFUerSS7AUqoFCSt1-_9cZyfqijHT2uEMGvydvNkq1dmDbQMZ_C32PE_0ocpyrLb8q0D1OPj59OiPTYTPKn9Qk2_MjRfv7i3Mn4ywNq2AmmLY87bO/s320/fullbody_Rejected_Sad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Kay-o</b> looks like a cross between a wolf and a bear. He can grab with his front paws like a bear and he will pull at you with both his front paws and his teeth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4HFrMFmG2AJxoYlDvDvXXAiczZAob_E59CFdfdTG8JhQy_gG1HdSRF23L5O1XolWo1lYMt-esQKEOssQHThbqA7UFw2gpxvB3ynGmPQ8EHICKQYTgIOiuTu5ETJN504GZF47pAdS1vxC/s1600/kay+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4HFrMFmG2AJxoYlDvDvXXAiczZAob_E59CFdfdTG8JhQy_gG1HdSRF23L5O1XolWo1lYMt-esQKEOssQHThbqA7UFw2gpxvB3ynGmPQ8EHICKQYTgIOiuTu5ETJN504GZF47pAdS1vxC/s320/kay+o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Obviously, for writing, they must use English, but in character do they have a language that humans would not understand. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Farloft</b> speaks and converses with humans in their language.<br />
<br />
<b>Cody/Scar’s</b> inner thoughts are human, but he can only express himself as a wolf when in wolf form.<br />
<br />
<b>Kay-o</b> is limited to about the mentality of a smart watch dog, or a 4-5 year old child. He does not speak, but growls and uses his booming call to attract attention.<br />
<br />
<b>Tell us a bit about your animal characters world.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Farloft</b> lives in Kerth, a mediaeval type world, where he lives companionably with the humans of the kingdom.<br />
<br />
<b>Cody/Scar</b> lives in The Realms, a parallel world to ours where things humans think are magical, mythical or paranormal actually live.<br />
<br />
<b>Kay-o</b> lives in a scifi world where humans roam through space on a regular basis. His owner, Jake, is a mercenary for hire who always tried to support the good guys in a fight.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Thanks for tagging me Theresa J.</div>
<div>
If you would like to read her responses, you can<a href="http://theresajcbs.blogspot.ca/2017/06/the-sunshine-blogger-award-me.html" target="_blank"> HERE!</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
And she can be found on Google+ <a href="https://plus.google.com/110753361442066177796" target="_blank">HERE!</a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-85519118438655342112017-05-13T09:51:00.001-07:002017-05-13T09:51:15.305-07:00How Art and the Written Word Come Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I find it interesting to follow a piece of work from concept to completion. I thought I would give you a glimpse of how something recently came together.<br />
<br />
Darris, a twitter friend and dragon persona, and I, were tweeting with another friend who lives in Australia. He was praising my <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/" target="_blank">Farloft Chronicles</a> and telling us he was reading them to his niece Nakita. He even sent us a photo on the DM side of twitter. She looked about five years old. Travis said Farloft was her favorite dragon.<br />
<br />
I think it was Darris who suggested that we have a piece of art done to show "Darris the dragon, and Farloft, with Nakita." He found the artist and it came together.<br />
<br />
We wanted something that placed the drawing in Australia, and what better to do that then the Sydney Opera House.<br />
<br />
First came a sketch of the dragons. We thought it would be fun to have Nakita sliding from Darris to Farloft on their wings as they flew.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELJbLEfYIFYYn3gd3MGTkiiiszyEzUqZXw2RO5LRYn5pBads8BOvm3sTfVvRBcqjqxduUiey2IQGJ_9KTZjTr5zJRZD3VCePxWeZ99jswW6hvRPSEMkKz7DEGHDFuBZarDwhSX_Gb-fvs/s1600/%25E2%2580%258F1_First+Draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELJbLEfYIFYYn3gd3MGTkiiiszyEzUqZXw2RO5LRYn5pBads8BOvm3sTfVvRBcqjqxduUiey2IQGJ_9KTZjTr5zJRZD3VCePxWeZ99jswW6hvRPSEMkKz7DEGHDFuBZarDwhSX_Gb-fvs/s400/%25E2%2580%258F1_First+Draft.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next came the line art.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8Cg8joJWbUJYMmNEvU_2WBi4FvnbTOTVL6xl4bRK9fsB9NL6xjFlxHUUCQDOHsl-2J_AfWjv5qYVLLMxb2816-8c5ecv8gwxLIO1s3tFqDlcFrg5vO5g0qS2AvCRe9bI0uwCmtONSzsb/s1600/3_Lineart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8Cg8joJWbUJYMmNEvU_2WBi4FvnbTOTVL6xl4bRK9fsB9NL6xjFlxHUUCQDOHsl-2J_AfWjv5qYVLLMxb2816-8c5ecv8gwxLIO1s3tFqDlcFrg5vO5g0qS2AvCRe9bI0uwCmtONSzsb/s400/3_Lineart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then the opera house took shape.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5yTgW7C5QO7zDtMRnTLUtev-9Xa5JoL0PK3LlJ2SFXjv1RI6VdBagE4HTEv1ePZ70bU7CJy90CVJZ5VEIwH4ElrzTP3yXGE6HbXbmNdKoaYn6WvQdLiWcnwPQDK-fwDxtEl5hKN6fTmH/s1600/4_Background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5yTgW7C5QO7zDtMRnTLUtev-9Xa5JoL0PK3LlJ2SFXjv1RI6VdBagE4HTEv1ePZ70bU7CJy90CVJZ5VEIwH4ElrzTP3yXGE6HbXbmNdKoaYn6WvQdLiWcnwPQDK-fwDxtEl5hKN6fTmH/s400/4_Background.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next the flat color of the dragons and here is where we made suggestions about changes, to Lady-Darkstreak of DA, who was doing the piece for us.</div>
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Darris thought his character was fine, but I had some changes to Farloft. <br />His horns curl back, not forward and he was missing the spikes on the side of his face. <br />With an Original Character, or OC, it is important to get it right. <br />If you don't then the folks who do fanart, just keep morphing the mistakes until your OC is lost. <br />I also didn't care for the line across his butt that looked like his wings were connected.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RpPtZGZkmdJib5_i4u4EFqtNyKzivyfqcBAt0_13JD5Jtl1By-to8KEzmkEmtV72EtLL5JvG4GQEVXmPkCZV_ImwpdZIIOlOo2D36F0BMB6I_t7vBEnfPQS3koP1txiINkHmdcxrk3Ug/s1600/6_Flat+color+changes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RpPtZGZkmdJib5_i4u4EFqtNyKzivyfqcBAt0_13JD5Jtl1By-to8KEzmkEmtV72EtLL5JvG4GQEVXmPkCZV_ImwpdZIIOlOo2D36F0BMB6I_t7vBEnfPQS3koP1txiINkHmdcxrk3Ug/s400/6_Flat+color+changes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A arrow explaining the line to the artist. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrONV2MzPkJ0MxIX82ZLe3AGzZxG0_qYuvYrEFeo8RydOAF1gzEVwqapsRNJtGZoeIwgwpoVPMe0rKua-4sENFUDhXDnyReyB8V7qqBln59TrtdWBA1IFEJ6jdzb65dNnn1oRYaXGmoiU/s1600/1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrONV2MzPkJ0MxIX82ZLe3AGzZxG0_qYuvYrEFeo8RydOAF1gzEVwqapsRNJtGZoeIwgwpoVPMe0rKua-4sENFUDhXDnyReyB8V7qqBln59TrtdWBA1IFEJ6jdzb65dNnn1oRYaXGmoiU/s400/1086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The final 3-D with the changes.<br />Truly a wonderful work of art.</div>
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While the art was coming together, I suggested doing a story to go with the piece. I discussed details with Travis. I wanted something Nakita would enjoy and could pass on to have her friends read. So, it had to be simple vocabulary and not too long.</div>
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I did a draft and Darris wanted to contribute too. So he took a stab and then we finalized it.</div>
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Here is <b>"To the Rescue"</b> by Theresa Snyder and DarrisWhompa</div>
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<br /> Nakita sat on one side of the fence and the puppy romped around on the other side. The puppy was so cute it made the child’s heart sing. It was fluffy and white, with a patch of brown over one eye and ear. Nakita wanted to pick him up and cuddle him so very much. She had wanted a puppy of her very own, ever since the day she saw one in the window of the pet store in town. This puppy looked so much like that one.<br /><br /> She stuck her hand through the webbing of the chain-link fence and the little bundle of fur ran over to her and rubbed its head on her hand; just like it was her very own. This brought such a big smile to Nakita's face. When she giggled it licked her and whined with excitement. Its tale wagged so fast, it made its rump wiggle excitedly. Nakita could see it wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with it.<br /><br /> She tickled its soft ears. “Where did you come from?” <br /><br /> She looked up and down the long street she lived on while scratching under the puppy's chin. She looked at the little bundle of fur, her brow furrowing thoughtfully. Mommy and Daddy always told her not to go out of the yard, but they also told her the dangers of being hit by a car. The puppy was out on the sidewalk, very close to the street. Mommy always kept her cat inside to keep it safe. Nakita did not think she would want the puppy to get hurt. She decided she would just open the gate to their yard a little and coax the puppy in where it was safe.<br /><br /> She ran down to the other end of the fence and the puppy loped after her, its ears flapping in the wind. It stopped once to smell something, but when she bent down on the other side of the fence and slapped her hands on her legs, to get its attention, and called, “Come on!” It stopped sniffing and ran after her.<br /><br /> When she got to the gate, she lifted the latch and swung it open. The puppy ran in and did loops around her in the yard. When she clapped at him, he came to her and jumped up on her trying to lick her face. She laughed and hugged him. He was such a sweet little doggie.<br /><br /> The pup struggled out of her grip and yapping at the top of its voice it ran back out the gate and headed up the street. Nakita did not remember her mother’s warning about staying in the yard. Instead, she ran after it, passing through the open gate without the slightest bit of hesitation, running down the street after the energetic ball of fluff.<br /><br /> As they played together, the puppy led Nakita further and further away from home. Nakita kept trying to coax the puppy away from the street and before long, they found themselves wandering up on lawns and taking shortcuts through hedges. Eventually, they came to a park and the puppy ran in circles as Nakita played on the swings. She loved to swing. She went from the swings to the slide. She even managed to catch the puppy long enough to pick it up and cuddle the ball of fluff for a time. She loved the warm feel of its soft fur and thought she might take it on the slide, but he wiggled free again and ran under the roundabout to hide. Nakita went on the slide several times by herself. It was so much fun.<br /><br /> When she finally got tired and went to look for the puppy, it was not there. It was gone. She spent a long, long time searching for the puppy, but could not find it. It was gone. It had left her. <br /><br /> She sat down on the roundabout and cried. She cried because the puppy left her, but most of all, she cried because she realized for the first time, that she did not know where home was. She followed the puppy and did not pay attention where he was leading her. She was lost!<br /><br />*****<br /><br /> Farloft and Darris, two very good dragon friends, were playing hide and seek in the clouds above Australia when Farloft heard Nakita crying. It was Farloft's turn to find Darris and while darting in and out of the clouds something caught his ear, so he stopped and hovered in the air, listening. <br /><br /> “Listen…” he called to Darris. “I hear someone crying.”<br /><br /> Darris, who had been hiding in a cloud nearby, poked his head out and turned an ear to listen. “I hear it too,” he exclaimed. "It sounds like a human child."<br /><br /> “We should go see if we can help,” Farloft suggested. He tipped his wing and sailed down in big lazy loops trying to locate the sound of the crying as he descended. <br /><br /> Darris rumbled in agreement and followed after Farloft, spiraling down from the opposite direction so that their paths crisscrossed as they descended. <br /><br /> Both dragons had exceptional eyesight and they scanned the city below doing their best to spot the child who was in distress. <br /><br /> “There!” Darris said and pointed a paw at a playground below them. “On the swing.”<br /><br /> Darris was much younger and had better eyesight than Farloft. He spotted a little girl with blond hair sitting and crying in the park.<br /><br /> The two dragons landed right in front of Nakita. She was not scared, because her Uncle had read books about dragons to her. But, she was very surprised. <br /><br /> “Hi,” Farloft said softly. “I am Farloft and this is my friend, Darris.” He pointed to Darris with a large green paw. “We heard you crying. Is there anything we can do to help?”<br /><br /> Farloft was very big, but he seemed very sweet and helpful. Darris had a nice grin on his face, which made Nakita decide to trust them a little. At least enough to tell them her story.<br /><br /> “I was playing with a puppy,” she said, as she dried her tears on her sleeve. “He led me here, but then he left and,” she sniffed, “I don’t know where ‘here’ is.” <br /><br />She started to puddle up again because she knew her mother and father would be worried about her and it was never her intention to get herself lost!<br /><br />“Don’t cry,” Farloft said soothingly and wrapped a wing around her. “Do you know where you live?”<br /><br />“Do you have the address memorized?” Darris asked. “We dragons always memorize important numbers. We always know how many treasures we have in our hoards.”<br /><br />Nakita’s mother did have her memorize her address and she rattled it off to the dragons. They both gave her a toothy grin. <br /><br />“We know where that is,” Farloft said. “Come on, we’ll take you home.”<br /><br />Nakita hopped out of the swing and Farloft scooped her up in his large green paws and placed her on Darris’ back.<br /><br />“Hold on tight,” he told her, “and don’t worry. We won’t let you fall.”<br /><br />Darris was very careful not to launch into the air quite as fast as he normally did. Farloft made sure he was right behind him and ready to catch Nakita if she fell. Nakita held tight to Darris’ mane of blue fur. It was long and wavy, and softer to the touch than it looked; but not as soft as the puppy's fur.<br /><br />Nakita was fearless. She laughed and squealed in glee. Flying with the dragons was even more fun than playing with the puppy. <br /><br />Once the dragons saw Nakita was not scared, they decided it would not hurt to take a few extra minutes to give the little girl a ride she would remember. They spread their wings and made a big loop over the Sydney Opera House. <br /><br />“Faster! Higher!” Nakita begged the dragons.<br /><br />“You like to slide?” Darris asked.<br /><br />“Oh yes…” Nakita cried with delight.<br /><br />“Okay…” Darris looked over his shoulder at her with one big sapphire eye. “Let go and I’ll slide you down my wing to Farloft and he will catch you.”<br /><br />“That will be the highest slide you will ever be on,” Farloft said as he tucked his wing under Darris’.<br /><br />They glided along with their wings locked in place. Darris tipped and Farloft tipped with him. Nakita slid laughing all the way down Darris’ long dark wing to Farloft’s deep green one, and on to his back. She grabbed his neck spikes and pulled herself up on his shoulders.<br /><br />“That was the best slide ever!” she hollered against the wind.<br /><br />“The BEST!” both the dragons agreed.<br /><br />It was only a moment longer and a short few flaps of their mighty wings and they arrived in the street before Nakita’s home. Darris sat down on his haunches and lifted the child from Farloft’s back. Farloft scooted her through the gate and into the yard. He threw the latch and the two dragons sat on the other side of the fence just like the puppy had earlier in the day.<br /><br />Nakita reached her arms through the fence and hugged each one of them. <br /><br />“Thank you for bringing me home,” she said softly.<br /><br />“You are welcome,” Darris said.<br /><br />“Remember not to leave the yard next time, no matter how cute the puppy is,” Farloft told her. “You don’t want to get lost again. We might not be around to bring you home.”<br /><br />“I’ll remember,” Nakita said, smiling. Then her smile faded into a sad little pout. She looked down. Darris rumbled in confusion and shot a questioning glance at Farloft before he arched his head over the fence and gently nudged Nakita's head with his snout.<br /><br />"What is wrong, my dear?"<br /><br />Nakita looked up into his caring blue eyes, tears welling in her own. <br /><br />"The puppy is still out there, probably all alone. I miss him already. I wish he was here."<br /><br />Nakita looked down again as Darris drew his head back to rest on his haunches, scratching his chin.<br /><br />"Ohhhhh. I see. You really like that puppy, eh?"<br /><br />Nakita nodded, but did not look up. Darris looked at her thoughtfully while continuing to scratch his chin. After a few moments, he smiled, rose to all fours and nudged Farflot's shoulder with his snout. Farloft smiled and nodded in silent dragon understanding. His golden eyes whirled with delight.<br /><br />"Farloft will keep you company,” Darris said. “Wait here, I'll be right back."<br /><br />Darris grinned a big toothy smile at Farloft. The dragons had a plan. Then the big blue dragon leapt into the air and flew off. <br /><br />When Darris was out of sight, Farloft looked back at Nakita, who was studying him. He shrugged playfully and entertained her by blowing smoke rings in the air. It put a smile on her face. Some were heart shaped, and when Nakita stuck her hand through the fence, Farloft blew her an armful of smoke ring bracelets. The dragon had just blown the child a smoky crown when a flush of a sudden breeze came, followed by the sound of flapping wings. Darris landed on the ground gently, a small ball of fluff hugged close to his blue-scaled chest.<br /><br />"Puppy!" Nakita smiled, trying to reach over the top of the fence for the bundle of fur. <br /><br />Darris rumbled and smiled a toothy grin back as he reached over the fence with his paw and placed the wiggling ball of fur into the eagerly waiting hands of the little human. Farloft smiled his approval and Nakita instantly hugged the puppy to her chest, cooing to it. Then she looked up between Farloft and Darris, the biggest smile ever on her face. <br /><br />"Thank you ever so much!" The puppy licked her chin and she went back to hugging and petting it.<br /><br />Darris and Farloft looked at each other, each wearing the most satisfied grin a little girl might ever see on a dragon. They both extended their wings and bowed to her, before they turned and sprang into the air. They looked back and waved a wing at Nakita safely tucked behind the fence in her yard. Natika threw kisses at them as they flew off for their home in the mountains.<div>
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<b>Hope you enjoyed the tour of a creative piece coming together.</b></div>
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<b>Huggles from Farloft and Darris</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-52043242922590480672017-05-07T08:40:00.000-07:002018-01-09T09:18:03.091-08:00Baring the Bones of Proofreading and Editing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October of 2015 I opened up shop as <a href="http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC</strong></a>. Why did I do this? I was already a published author in my own right. I certainly did not have a wealth of time on my hands. I hold down an 8-5 job and am caregiver to my elderly father - and still must find time to write. What was my motivation to give up what little free time I did have?<br />
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I’ll tell you what… The need to see polished work in the self-publishing field. Manuscripts that are of a better quality assist all of us in sales, not just the author of the particular book.<br />
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Thinks about this…<br />
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A reader sees an ad on social media, be it Facebook, Google+, Twitter, wherever… They are intrigued by the cover and click on the link… The blurb for the book sounds interesting and the price is reasonable… (Anything 99 cents to $3.99 is reasonable.) They think, ‘heck, that’s only the cost of a fancy coffee.’ <br />
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They click the download button, and you, the person who wrote this masterpiece, and birthed it one rainy day, after frustrating multiple tries to upload to Amazon or Smashwords with limited success, have sold a book! <br />
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But, my friends, this is only the beginning. Now it is going to be read.<br />
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Whether this is a good experience or a bad one for the reader, now lies entirely in your hands. <br />
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If you have so many errors in the first fifteen pages of the book that your reader feels like they have been repeatedly smacked in the head, you are toast and so is your book. If you are lucky, they stick with you and finish the read. Maybe even post a review, with the proviso that the book needs another good proofing to make it truly deserve that 4 Star rating. If you are unlucky, they delete the book from their device and it sits forever in their cloud like a cold coffee on a busy desk. If you are really unlucky, they post a nasty review or even worse… tell their friends about this book they wasted money on when they could have had a nice caramel macchiato.<br />
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Now, take a seat in this reader’s recliner and think about this.<br />
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The following day, that same person has nothing to read and they see another eye-catching ad and download that book. They have a similar experience. This book is reasonably well proofread, but the story line is jumbled. They send this one to e-book hell too. It’s stuck in the cloud for eternity.<br />
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Fast forward… Several more of these experiences later the reader finally says, ‘been there… done that… not going to go there again.” Your reader is no longer a ‘self-published author’ reader, they have moved back to the traditional publishers. Why? Because they know the books there will be proofed, edited and a decent read, since someone (the publisher) took the time to see it done right.<br />
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This reader is most likely gone for good. The self-published author readership is down by one. This affects the whole self-publishing field. <br />
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According to the latest Bowker Report (September 7, 2016), more than 700,000 books were self-published in the U.S. in 2015. Unfortunately, the marketplace is not able to absorb all these books and is hugely oversaturated.<br />
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Because of this, we all need to make sure our manuscripts are as close to spotless as possible. We are the ‘publishers’ of our books. We are the ‘quality checkers.’<br />
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As a part-time proofreader and editor, I can tell you there are errors in books I worked on that were totally unacceptable to a reader. A book with the same character name spelled two ways. If you can’t keep your character names straight then what else are you missing? Tense changes in the middle of sentences from present to past run rampant. Spelling errors that could have been caught by a simple spell check on the computer. Run-on sentences that would take your breath away and repetition of adjectives in the same paragraph or even sentence. <br />
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This is why I founded <a href="http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC</strong></a>. I hope to improve the self-publishing world overall. I want us each to succeed, so we all can succeed.<br />
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Let’s not allow the readers to escape. Why not build a strong self-publishing industry where they know they are in safe hands with quality reads?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-2039784149554326852017-04-16T10:00:00.000-07:002017-04-16T10:00:09.766-07:00Wencon... or - Success at a Pop Culture Convention<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I attended <a href="http://wen-con.com/" target="_blank">Wencon</a> last weekend as a vendor. <br />It was a Pop Culture Convention and very well attended.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Check it out! (read on)</span></b></div>
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You wouldn't think Wenatchee, Washington would be much of a place for such a convention, <br />but the city has a very progressive atmosphere.</div>
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I was told of the convention by <a href="https://dragonsgeas.blogspot.com/2017/04/where-to-find-me.html" target="_blank">Cheri Matthynssens</a>, a fellow author. <br />She and I went together on a corner table. </div>
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My table and Cheri's with her behind it.</div>
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Wenatchee is about a five and a half hour car drive from my home outside of Portland, Oregon, but I am not a driver. A toddle around town or an hour to a close location is okay with me, but after an hour I get sleepy and for everyone's safety on the road, I should pull over and nap. Since I usually nap for at least an hour, this would make a trip to Wenatchee about a ten hour drive. LOL So, I took the train!</div>
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I love the train. You can get up and walk around. You get to see the scenery and you meet new friends. I packed my bags and made sure I had plenty of munchies and lunch since there was not a dinning car on the trip. I had my music, which is a must. You have to have traveling tunes and a book to read, of course.</div>
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I smoozed with the conductors and people I met. Handed out promotional pens and gave them my elevator pitch for my <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/" target="_blank">books</a>.</div>
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We encountered two mudslides, two downed trees and several waiting hours on a side track for delayed freight trains to make it past us in order to keep their schedules, so the trip on the train took just a hair's breadth short of twelve hours. Long trip even for an experienced train traveler such as myself.</div>
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But I got to see the restored Seattle train station. It is a beauty and such a vast improvement over the last time I was there, when they were trying to raise funds for the renovation, and half the station was barricaded with temporary plywood walls.</div>
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But on to Wencon...</div>
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I judge a good show, or convention, by three things...</div>
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How many folks I talk to... <br />Readers who actually stop and ask about a book, or let me give them my short spiel. </div>
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The general interest in my books and...</div>
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If I manage to recoup my funds for the table in book sales.</div>
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I went all out on this show since I have had a few that were disappointing <br />in the past due to weather issues. <br />This show was in the Toyota Center - totally indoors. </div>
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I paid to take out an ad in the program for the<a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/" target="_blank"> Books</a> I brought.</div>
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I took two of my Amazon #1 Bestsellers -<a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/#shifting-realms" target="_blank"> Shifting in The Realms</a> and <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#storybook" target="_blank">Farloft's Storybook</a>.</div>
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The ad looked really nice. <br />I placed it on the table with the rest of my Free handouts, <br />bookmarks, coloring pages and Farloft stickers.</div>
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GREAT NEWS is... <br />I not only made the cost of my table, but I also paid for the ad! </div>
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AND, I got to smooze with some really fun character too!</div>
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A Good Time was had by All.</div>
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After Wencon there was a day of fun, talking books with Cheri <br />and taking a stroll along the Columbia.</div>
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I even met a friend *grins*</div>
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Best Selfie Ever!</div>
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Later when Cheri's hubby got home we visiting Pybus for a bite to eat in the afternoon. </div>
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Kind of like a mini Pike Street Market for those of you familiar with Seattle.</div>
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My hostess and host. He was our 'go-for', transport and cooks one mean breakfast!</div>
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Cheri had to go to Seattle on Monday, so I rode with her from Wentachee to the big city to catch the train home from there. I am an Excellent Rider. LOL We gabbed all the way and saw some really beautiful scenery through the Cascade range and over Blewett Pass.</div>
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I look forward to making the trip again next year!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-12544462687388808172017-03-12T22:20:00.002-07:002017-03-12T22:20:51.540-07:00"The Beast Within" - Presale NOW!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbKP4AeVU-wuhmHd0Wqu2vbcxlqHhMJHzMTA1LfaIXNNrIYCCvrwrqjiIBqI_EPQp7rnMeJe16_Rwcsfsa0aKrsssGR4npk6MZbljomQCnLccXLmXtLg0ldPAWFlQDERPfb81VVn7ZhS8/s1600/star1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbKP4AeVU-wuhmHd0Wqu2vbcxlqHhMJHzMTA1LfaIXNNrIYCCvrwrqjiIBqI_EPQp7rnMeJe16_Rwcsfsa0aKrsssGR4npk6MZbljomQCnLccXLmXtLg0ldPAWFlQDERPfb81VVn7ZhS8/s400/star1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Within-Star-Traveler-ebook/dp/B06XFD6W9X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/708497" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-beast-within-theresa-snyder/1125902769?ean=2940154043349" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-beast-within/id1212665597?mt=11" target="_blank">iBook</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-beast-within-34" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<b>Volume #7 of the Star Traveler Series is on Presale - Release Date June 2nd.</b></div>
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<b>Line up your Summer Reading now...</b></div>
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If you have been reading the series, you will find this new book an adventure you will never forget.</div>
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If you are just hearing of the Star Traveler Series for the first time, this is a great book to start with. You will be able to enjoy the two intertwining plots as well as being tempted by the little tidbits from past books to go back and read the whole series from the beginning.</div>
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<b>Here is a short synopsis of "The Beast Within"</b></div>
<br />Captain Targus of M.T. #2424 has found a way to assist his Henu friends in rebuilding the cliff dwellings at Ijul. But, has his innocent actions inadvertently placed a member of the community in danger? Plotting, chaos and murder touch Targus’ life in this adventure. How will he deal with these life-altering events and who will show him comfort during his time of need?<br /><br />Not his second in command, Sergeant Coal…<br /><br />Coal is off on his own adventure. He has been summons home to Realda by his lost love, Raceen. There is a hidden mystery on this planet, where everyone looks the same except for their diversity of brightly colored, ornate tattoos. Coal may reveal a secret so closely kept by the government of Realda that it might mean the death of his species.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-19457739167579277632017-03-02T20:04:00.000-08:002017-03-02T20:14:12.480-08:00Read an E-Book Week - March 5 through March 11th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZnXo3b1BGpWK9PNzZg2HAngySNLnAQnflpK0lA7VLynCBvdI1e3sBO5FcRhFRIytlov2ldtmEsu2EX2imhFJ8fbvpE0PZ7QBf4DjoqsNMjOdAmcUGudNN9e5TtZmA1JCJyzLS4p2Kbr7/s1600/ebookweekbanner2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZnXo3b1BGpWK9PNzZg2HAngySNLnAQnflpK0lA7VLynCBvdI1e3sBO5FcRhFRIytlov2ldtmEsu2EX2imhFJ8fbvpE0PZ7QBf4DjoqsNMjOdAmcUGudNN9e5TtZmA1JCJyzLS4p2Kbr7/s400/ebookweekbanner2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><b>The first week in March is always "Read an E-Book Week" on Smashwords.<br /><br />I have three books in the selection for FREE!</b><br /><br />Shifting in The Realms - a #1 Amazon Best Seller in Paranormal<br />James & the Dragon - a Delightful Fantasy for Any Age Dragon Lover<br />The Helavite War - Character Driven Scifi SoapOpera<br /><br /><b>Find them here:</b> <a href="http://theresasnyderauthor.com/">TheresaSnyderAuthor.com</a><br /><br /><b>Here is a little more detail about the week's activities and where to find the full catalog.</b><div>
<b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Readers: Where to Find Books</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1">Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Catalog</a> - This is the hub of the action, where you find over 70,000 multi-format books regularly priced at free every day, and thousands more that are free or deep-discounted exclusively at Smashwords during Read an Ebook Week only. Browse the catalog by discount categories of FREE, 75%-off, 50%-off and 25% off.<br /><br />Apple iBooks - For iPhone, iPad, iTunes and Mac users. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMultiRoom?cc=us&fcId=596607009&mt=11">CLICK HERE</a> to bring up a selection of FREE ebooks organized by categories such as Featured Titles, Fiction & Literature, Non-Fiction, Children & Teens, Romance, Mysteries & Thrillers, Sci-fi & Fantasy, Biographies & Memoirs, Arts & Entertainment and more. iBooks features thousands of free and low-cost books every day in their iBooks app.<br /><br />Barnes & Noble - <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/nook-books/free-ebooks/_/N-8qaZry0">CLICK HERE</a> for access to hundreds of free ebook for the Barnes & Noble Nook.<br /><br />Kobo - Smashwords supplies tens of thousands of free ebooks to Kobo. <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/list/this-week-s-top-50-free-ebooks/1xb0GxZdfsAiZgjS3wKLaQ">Click here for a collection of 50</a> of the most popular free ebooks at Kobo drawn from multiple publishers and distributors.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.getfreeebooks.com/">GetFreeEbooks.com</a> - This popular site offers readers access to hundreds of free ebooks.<div>
<br /><a href="http://manybooks.net/">Manybooks.net</a> - Over 33,000 free ebooks from one of the early pioneers in free ebook sites.<br /><br /><a href="http://free-online-novels.com/">Free-online-novels.com</a> - This popular site offers regularly updated links to many free ebooks organized by category. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.wattpad.com/">WattPad</a> - Whatever you love, you'll find it at WattPad. At WattPad, authors serialize their books, often while they're still writing. Many of Smashwords' bestselling authors first got their start at WattPad.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-47898394306106526862017-02-02T18:19:00.000-08:002017-02-02T18:19:25.593-08:00Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Are you thinking about publishing your first book in 2017?</div>
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Have you had less than stellar reviews on your indie or traditionally published book?</div>
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Let me be your second set of eyes.</div>
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I love assisting in making an author's work shine.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC</a></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-11672674892227563872017-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:002017-01-22T18:16:30.710-08:0012th Annual Chocolate Fest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhywVixj8tH1fW7Rw2m-CniyreHKq3WBn73ocmhEkw4HECR3Etg9ekR6rRLmE8NPEKcv0955nRIxmEWozM8FSiTS73CUF6rPNnXsrKZyzZFLdaTjhWhGa23jEnlP63BpGM2w7Yn18_CAwi/s1600/12th+Annual+Chocolate+Fest+Signage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhywVixj8tH1fW7Rw2m-CniyreHKq3WBn73ocmhEkw4HECR3Etg9ekR6rRLmE8NPEKcv0955nRIxmEWozM8FSiTS73CUF6rPNnXsrKZyzZFLdaTjhWhGa23jEnlP63BpGM2w7Yn18_CAwi/s320/12th+Annual+Chocolate+Fest+Signage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>It's time to review the 12th Annual Chocolate Fest!</b></div>
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Yesterday it happened again, I ate enough chocolate to choke a dragon and carried away enough from the fest to keep me in fancy tea treats for the year.</div>
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But first, let's give you a lesson in chocolate from Bean to Bar by the Portland Chocolate Mob.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCFRgWegm22VCKpZ8wrZ2uGIXxkL7LWhBGSKFOgOh9_AQjN_SH4Op_Uyhfqj8O0ixzI1vB_F2vR87YJy97mgJXCPKQIgW_mh2vvtJHhBo0g9NFD9JvCIhYmu90b0lQZd-bm4Io9p2DH9f/s1600/Portland+Chocolate+Mob_Plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCFRgWegm22VCKpZ8wrZ2uGIXxkL7LWhBGSKFOgOh9_AQjN_SH4Op_Uyhfqj8O0ixzI1vB_F2vR87YJy97mgJXCPKQIgW_mh2vvtJHhBo0g9NFD9JvCIhYmu90b0lQZd-bm4Io9p2DH9f/s400/Portland+Chocolate+Mob_Plate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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That first thing in the upper left hand corner is the 'placenta.' With a name like that and the ooey, gooey texture, there was no way I was going to take a taste.</div>
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The bean comes from there and is usually a burgundy color until dried properly (middle picture on left)</div>
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Then the beans are ground (bottom left)</div>
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And ground further (top right) Butter and then the bar follow (middle and lower right)</div>
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In short, it comes from something you would <b>never</b> think of as your favorite sweet treat. <br />How did those Maya's figure out it was even edible, much less the food of Gods?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx0BvgfGCHcMrZezYGmw0oYeBWVyakGRYnQHxYnhLgxJqR3W3aL8aXOGlE1BtdQGXTeG-EE98M3m8mD5IzEi8hCP3foNwWUmYqV66eYAEdfdnyiNJis0Tboa0bueXs5YumSapy-jGUc0D/s1600/Bella+Donna+Confections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx0BvgfGCHcMrZezYGmw0oYeBWVyakGRYnQHxYnhLgxJqR3W3aL8aXOGlE1BtdQGXTeG-EE98M3m8mD5IzEi8hCP3foNwWUmYqV66eYAEdfdnyiNJis0Tboa0bueXs5YumSapy-jGUc0D/s400/Bella+Donna+Confections.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We met some fun people, like this guy from Bella Donna Confections...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bt1QrArRLEnl92Z_ABz6LV4eTptaFo_pW1VYFSSdJ8Q8Z0Zopea7-j4G6brY6fRtBSuXB5O5-rMUvhbeyQlJvu5XYNe69Qz2xpGBeJ7SnhLFCQqQPxQNWQ9EtmTiIFZmYhqX3cp0Fdty/s1600/Creo+Chocolates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bt1QrArRLEnl92Z_ABz6LV4eTptaFo_pW1VYFSSdJ8Q8Z0Zopea7-j4G6brY6fRtBSuXB5O5-rMUvhbeyQlJvu5XYNe69Qz2xpGBeJ7SnhLFCQqQPxQNWQ9EtmTiIFZmYhqX3cp0Fdty/s400/Creo+Chocolates.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And this lady from Creo Chocolates who tired to convince us that a 'mushroom' chocolate was "Ooooo" delicious. She succeeded with my two friends, but not with me. I opted for the Vietnamese Iced Coffee chocolate instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyq0oqKWvHoADSvIY4td_1Late0AtMD23lFMI58bl5AXmpBtG0lAhs80j_0vocyw0TaGbqsp7lhzmmMtCG2Vh5Aj9a8l2pl5ZDnPtgiRZaRCXujBwUtwfH7RPdCakVbeQ8V0NehgtZCV-/s1600/JaCiva%2527s+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyq0oqKWvHoADSvIY4td_1Late0AtMD23lFMI58bl5AXmpBtG0lAhs80j_0vocyw0TaGbqsp7lhzmmMtCG2Vh5Aj9a8l2pl5ZDnPtgiRZaRCXujBwUtwfH7RPdCakVbeQ8V0NehgtZCV-/s320/JaCiva%2527s+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ja Civa's always had exceptional creations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaVLZWruqVPJ0527VmZhBffZpOpk1QPmHRDbF3ZIvh_vbleH6makr8eXwOnnbEwUSOEiCJFZxmLlvxp6rF4TPfTeZHGwEQog6ZLqWPlxOTQ_Jg_kdEddXqQB-aY75AHSs5H3GNekrm5E3/s1600/JaCiva%2527s+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaVLZWruqVPJ0527VmZhBffZpOpk1QPmHRDbF3ZIvh_vbleH6makr8eXwOnnbEwUSOEiCJFZxmLlvxp6rF4TPfTeZHGwEQog6ZLqWPlxOTQ_Jg_kdEddXqQB-aY75AHSs5H3GNekrm5E3/s320/JaCiva%2527s+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You almost hate to eat them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5Qu3tOHpgE0IzcHvliBcWnUteT-RSF7flS2bvGBW4mOp9mzEl4VEKcXeXJgQ7Gg_RyE5SedzVTAisSo4IK4Y73xnOL0vs6SLqICTk44U4xwgZLkKB0rvv4FT9mjOsDA_QlN-Mu29HM0I/s1600/JaCiva%2527s+Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5Qu3tOHpgE0IzcHvliBcWnUteT-RSF7flS2bvGBW4mOp9mzEl4VEKcXeXJgQ7Gg_RyE5SedzVTAisSo4IK4Y73xnOL0vs6SLqICTk44U4xwgZLkKB0rvv4FT9mjOsDA_QlN-Mu29HM0I/s320/JaCiva%2527s+Pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even Chocolate Pizza.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThS_TH61UgA69GLC-SqVa6tQ6O2ihhQU0tLoNIS1-Czy9EB3l4UB1Cyou2tambqqBYRHCvslnHFrDKr-9od5g5196JUtAQBBVBpDpf0objJIVMyMo4nizN6ISdMTkIbwacIbBzBL64EyT/s1600/JaCiva%2527s+Squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThS_TH61UgA69GLC-SqVa6tQ6O2ihhQU0tLoNIS1-Czy9EB3l4UB1Cyou2tambqqBYRHCvslnHFrDKr-9od5g5196JUtAQBBVBpDpf0objJIVMyMo4nizN6ISdMTkIbwacIbBzBL64EyT/s320/JaCiva%2527s+Squirrel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And cute critters.</div>
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And Chocolates for Wise Twitter Fans!</div>
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I must confess my tastes run to Milk Chocolate, so my selections for tasting, and take home, were based on that. However, my two companions love dark and found plenty to choose from at the fest.</div>
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<b>My Hoard!</b></div>
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<b>Let's Break it Down</b></div>
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1. Jonboy - Molasses Ginger Caramels (so smooth and that hint of ginger is surprising)</div>
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2. Sage & Sea Farms - Raspberry sipping vinegar (yep, if you haven't tried it then you should)</div>
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3. Ladybug Chocolates - Balsamic Truffles - Cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry, & Blackberry (smooth chocolate with local flavorful berries)</div>
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4. dolcetta Artisan Sweets - Salted Caramel Bonbons (I picked these to go with my Bavarian China when I serve a tea. The china is white with gold edging. Who else picks chocolate to go with their china Lol)</div>
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5. fera'wyn's - Turtles (These were just too cute to pass up. They are going to be great as a treat for one of my fancy teas)</div>
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6. Straus Gourmet Nuts - Chocolate Sea Salt Cashews (had a hard time deciding between these and the plain Sea Salt Cashews - chocolate always wins out.)</div>
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7. Peggy's Homemade Chocolates - Milk Sea Salt Caramels (you notice a trend here 'sea salt' and 'caramels')</div>
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8. Creo Chocolates - Salted Caramels on each end, Hazelnut Crunch, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and Raspberry Milk (the Vietnamese Iced Coffee was a real treat)</div>
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9. Lillie belle Farms Homemade Chocolates - (I won't list all the varieties in the box. Suffice to say they are the 'prettiest' chocolates in the show and some of the best tastings. I buy a box each year. They are one of my 'must haves' from the fest)</div>
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10. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Makers -Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Port-style Wine (I usually buy chocolate from this maker in tiny bars to give away. The texture is very smooth. They didn't have any this year, so I bought the small wine selection. Anxious to try them.) </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-78446283170635326862017-01-02T12:54:00.002-08:002017-01-02T12:56:32.932-08:002016 Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The two high points of 2016 for the Snyder Family!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-39949452940381067502017-01-02T09:23:00.000-08:002017-01-02T09:23:58.737-08:00Reflections on 2016 and Goals for 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here I am with another year under my belt. I was first published in May of 2013 so, this marks the end of three and a half years of self-publishing and marketing. It just seems easier to reflect on past achievements around this time of year when most people are making New Year’s resolutions. I prefer to set goals. Some I manage to meet, some I set aside, and some roll-over to become renewed goals because they were just so ‘darn good’ in the first place.<br /><br />I would like to state one large, general observation I made this past year – almost an epiphany.<b> ‘I am only in competition with myself.’</b> I need not make comparisons of my goals to others goals or achievements made by other authors. If I don’t get something published on my timeline, it doesn’t matter. It is ‘my’ timeline. Life raises its ugly head sometimes and it demands that deadlines and goals be set aside. With that said, I feel very accomplished at the close of this year. I have twenty-two books in print and four more written, waiting to be polished and published.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />In 2016, I chose to focus on social media platforms that worked best for me and let others drop. I was spreading myself too thin and feeling stressed and pressured. I decided to stay with <a href="https://twitter.com/TheresaSnyder19" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TheresaSnyderAuthor" target="_blank">Google+</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/booksbytheresasnyder" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. I post to <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/tsauthor/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tsnydert/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> when the mood strikes me. <br /><br />I established a routine of an hour in the morning and two hours at night for interacting with my friends and followers. This leaves me time to write and still keep up with work and family duties. I can’t be on all the platforms, as I thought I could at one time. I am not Wonder Woman, as much as I would like to be. I have seen too many authors burn themselves out this past year - some totally deserting social media. I want to be read therefore, I will persevere even if I need to cut back at times, or say I will be off for a few days writing or editing.<br /><br />I reached, what I consider, awesome figures this year on social media. I have over 50,000 friends and followers on Twitter, over 400,000 views on my four blogs - with almost 5,000 views each month, and almost 7,000 on Facebook. I know numbers are not everything, but they do help to spread the word if you stay active and social. I really appreciate all my friends who share my posts and help me promote my work. I love to chat and Farloft enjoys his once a month appearance on Twitter. <br /><br />Years ago, I signed up for one of my Twitter friends email newsletters. He is a full-time indie author and I admired his story of how he did it and how long it took before he could quit his 8-5 grind. We even exchanged email addresses and corresponded lightly. He was very helpful to me in the beginning with much needed advice.<br /><br />This year he said in one of his newsletters that he was going to experiment with something, he was going to post his next novel chapter-by-chapter on Wattpad. He wanted input and had come up with this unique way of sharing. I did have to smile. I have been posting my novels on <a href="http://theresasnyder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my blog</a> as series stories for over twenty years. I post a new chapter each Saturday and if you are reading, you are most likely seeing the first draft of a future book. I love the comments I receive. It is also a place where I can introduce my writing to new readers with links to published works with the same characters, in case they get involved and want to read more.<br /><br />Once again, the year proved that marketing your indie published books is a bit like gardening, everyone has an opinion on how to do it correctly, but you must find your own path. I guess I am okay with that because my other passion is gardening. I will find a way to make my books bloom.<br /><br /><b>Now let’s recap the 2016 Goals and see how I did:</b><br /><br />1. I would still like to quit my 8-5 job in another year, but I am not sure the writing will allow me the luxury just yet. The book sales are doing better. I have three now that made the Amazon #1 Bestseller list, “<a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/#shifting-realms" target="_blank">Shifting in The Realms</a>,” “<a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/farloft/#storybook" target="_blank">Farloft’s Storybook</a>,” and “<a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/we-3/" target="_blank">We 3</a>.” It was a big surprise and one worth talking about. I will continue to strive toward quitting the 8-5, but the reality is, this ‘business’ of being an author is very much like a small business ownership and will most likely take 5-8 years to come to fruition.<br /><br />2. I had <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/" target="_blank">my website</a> done by a professional. I think he did an outstanding job. I would give him credit here except that he is no longer doing web design, so I don’t want folks knocking on his door when he is trying to keep his own head down and do a bit of writing. I have seen an increase in sales and I attribute most of that to the slick new site. <br /><br />3. I did work hard on promoting my new <a href="http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC</a>. I assisted seventeen authors to improve their work. I look forward to helping even more shine this coming year.<br /><br />4. I didn’t add counseling to the site as I intended. Between proofreading, writing and publishing my own work, I just wouldn’t have had time. Adjustments were made.<br /><br />5. I published two books, but wrote three more. I was so busy proofing other author’s work that I must admit I let mine slide a bit. That was okay with me. It was something I planned for as I worked on establishing my proofreading service. <br /><br />6. I did not produce any more of my books in audio. Instead, I ended up experimenting with ‘paid’ advertising. I wanted to see what sort of advertising worked for me. I think I have that figured out and will pursue it further in 2017.<br /><br /><b>Now for the 2017 Goals:</b><br /><br />1. I will continue to assist other authors in polishing their own work. I enjoy proofreading and editing. All my customers have been pleased with my work. I think this is a great service and it gives me additional money I can use to advertise my own work.<br /><br />2. I joined the Society for Children’s Books Authors and Illustrators. I hope to become active in the local chapter, attend some meetings and perhaps find a new writing group. I have missed my group since it broke up due to moves and family demands.<br /><br />3. Farloft, my dragon muse, decided he wants to be a movie star this past year. He was very hurt that Elliot, from Pete’s Dragon, did not contact him for a part in his movie or at least to do some stand-in work. After all, he pointed out to me, he is the original Pacific NW dragon. Elliot is an import from a Maine fishing village. Farloft asked me to create a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarlofttheDragon/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page for him. He is receiving a lot of attention over the idea. I can only hope he manages to pull off some ‘dragonly’ awesome deal with some well-known studio.<br /><br />4. I have several books in first draft and intend to polish them and release them over the coming year. <br /><br /> a. The final two novellas are completed in the ‘Shifting’ books of the <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/twin-cities-series/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Series</a>. These will finish up this cast of characters and I will move on to another group and setting in The Realms in 2018. I intend to do a dual release of these. I haven’t seen that done before and wonder how it might work for sales. I will find out.<br /><br /> b. I intend to publish ‘Farloft – the Younger Years.’ This was a goal for last year, but I just finished the book in November. I just didn’t have time to polish, format and publish properly before the holidays. <br /><br /> c. I put the first three <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/star-travelers/#adventure" target="_blank">Star Traveler books in a collection</a> this past fall and that book is doing very well. I always felt this needed to be done. ‘The Helavite War’ was my first novel and I really never thought I would write another, so it has a definitive end to it. However, putting them in a collection shows the reader it is a series and shows how my writing style solidified by Book 3. This move accomplishing just what I thought it would – once the reader finishes the first three they are hooked on the series. I see sales ‘dominoing’ on down through the series of six books. It has brought sales to a platform I previously did not sell on…iBook. I fully intend to release book #7 of that series this year. It has been a long time in coming, but I am finally ready to let it go. It is a bit more adult than the previous volumes, but still mature YA. <br /><br /> d. David Stevens and I produced the second in the <a href="http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/in2minds/" target="_blank">‘In2Minds’ series</a> this past fall. We will complete the trilogy in the coming year. I had new covers designed for this series. I never liked the dark/pixelated look of the previous Book 1 cover. Now they are bright & eye catching.<br /><br /> e. And in the back of my mind there are two more books I would like to finish up, another edition of ‘We 3’ and a collection of ‘longish’ scifi short stories with a kick-ass gal as the main character. <br /><br />That is a lot to produce in one year, so most likely I won’t get it all finished, but it is good for me to have things lined up and waiting in the wings. It’s a bit like exercising, it keeps me stretching further then I might otherwise.<br /><br />5. Audio, Audio, Audio. I need to get the rest of the Farloft Chronicles in audio. For that I need a woman to commit to doing the last four volumes. I want the same voice for all since they are from the same character’s point of view. I will work on trying to find that special voice. I would still like to read ‘We 3’ myself and have already starting putting samples on my <a href="https://soundcloud.com/theresasnyder19/" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> channel.<br /><br />6. I made a video for my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lorjim3su/feed" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel each month this past summer. The garden gives me a little something different to talk about other than books.<br /><br />7. I was pleased and thankful for all the offers I received this year to do interviews, guest blog posts and short story postings. These are always welcome and something that is invaluable for spreading the word about my work as an author, and also a proofreader. Thanks to all who helped me do that.<br /><br />Last, but not least, I want to thank all the wonderful people who sent me fanart this past year. The wall at work grows. I have started moving art to the two side walls now. I am always thrilled to think that someone would draw, or have a piece commissioned for me. Big hugs to you all.<br /><br />Here’s too great things in 2017! I have a feeling it is going to be a ‘banner’ year.<div>
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Dragon wall at work - Fall 2016</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-5656098603414832052016-11-03T06:55:00.000-07:002016-11-03T06:56:36.753-07:00The Difference a Cover Can Make!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A New Chapter of "In2MInds" will be available soon, but I just couldn't wait to show you the cover of "In2Minds2" and the NEW cover for the previous chapter "In2Minds." These were done by the talented <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sdramsey" target="_blank">Sherry D. Ramsey</a>. I can hardly wait for the release later this month! Compare it to the old cover. You will see why I am so excited *jumping for joy*<br />
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Old Cover</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-46620607008713776712016-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:002019-03-22T10:35:53.181-07:00You Know Nothing...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been watching a lot of <i>Game of Thrones</i> over the past couple of month. In fact, I am now caught up having watched all five seasons available on DVD. So, when a couple of friends and I were chatting on Twitter yesterday, that line, “You know nothing, Jon Snow,” came to mind with regard to a possible title for one of the fellow author’s new books. He said no, but the other author suggested it would make a great title for a self-help book. I totally agreed – catchy and short – a perfect title. <br />
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Being an indie author, I thought, ‘what better subject then the marketing of indie books?’ However, also, like most indie authors, I work an eight to five job and do my writing and marketing during the early morning hours before work, lunchtime, evenings, weekends…you get the picture. I squeeze it in. So there will be no forthcoming book from me on marketing, but as you know, if you have been in the indie community, there are tons of books already written on the subject.<br />
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There are books that are honest and tell you that they don’t know the secret to becoming a ‘Bestselling’ indie author, but they will tell you how they did it. There are also the ones that tell you their strategy will put you in the ‘Top 100’ on Amazon and have you selling thousands-of-dollars-worth of books in just one month. If I had bothered to do the math, at .68 to $1.50 per book, I would have quickly realized that was not possible, but hey, I have never been good with numbers. I am far better with words. Nothing lost…the author sold a copy of their book to a newbie indie author as predicted. So their marketing strategy worked. <br />
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In addition to books, there are blog posts on the subject every day, and authors talking about it on social media endlessly, assuming ‘You know nothing.’ <br />
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So, let me add my voice to the masses. These types of books and blogs love stats, so let’s look at some from “Author Earnings” publication of February 2016: <br />
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As of mid-January 2016, Amazon’s US e-book sales were running at a rate of 1,064,000 paid downloads a day. <br />
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155,000 of these paid daily downloads — or 14% of them — took the form of Kindle Unlimited “full-KENPC” pages-read equivalents for self-published indie authors, while the remaining 909,000 were regular retail e-book purchases. The full breakdown: <br />
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<b>Amazon’s daily e-book unit sales (January 2016): </b><br />
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TOTAL 1,064,000 <br />
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Indie Self-Published e-book KU full-read equivalents - 155,000 <br />
Indie Self-Published regular retail e-book sales - 293,000 <br />
Small/Medium Publisher e-book sales - 204,000 <br />
Amazon-Publishing Imprint e-book sales - 115,000 <br />
Big Five Publisher e-book sales - 244,000 <br />
Uncategorized Single-Author Publisher e-book sales - 53,000 <br />
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So, there you have it…Indie authors do sell, but what is the secret to the marketing? What do you need to know? <br />
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I must admit, when I indie published my first book in May of 2013 ‘I knew nothing.’ Here it is three years later and I still search for the elusive magic bullet. <br />
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The advice given by all is multi-layered and often the same: <br />
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1. Write a good book <br />
2. Make sure it is as error free as possible <br />
3. Have a great ‘eye-catching’ cover made professionally <br />
4. Write an incredible ‘suck-you-in blurb’ for the prospective reader <br />
5. Price your book as though you are proud of it, but not overly proud (maybe give a ‘1st week sale’ price for the kickoff) <br />
6. Offer your book in e-book, paperback and audio form (you never know what format a reader might like) <br />
7. Do a cool ‘cover reveal’ on social media <br />
8. Set up a ‘pre-sale’ and blog-post tour to launch the book <br />
9. Offer on multiple platforms to reach the full extent of your reading, international audience <br />
10. Acquire loads of 4-5 star reviews (put a notice in the back of your book politely begging for these gems) <br />
11. Get on Social Media and pitch your book, but not overly aggressively <br />
a. Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, SoundCloud, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, Flickr, Periscope, Blab and on and on and on (Don’t forget Goodreads, iAuthor, Wattpad, and any other suggested site you want to buy into) <br />
12. However, even in light of the above #11, push to your site exclusively <br />
13. Have folks interview you and do guest blog-posts to promote your book <br />
14. Create an online presence – a ‘Hook’ for interviewers to talk to you about in addition to your books <br />
15. Buy advertising, if you can afford it, but be careful who you choose <br />
16. Make personal appearances, book signings, readings etc.<br />
17. In your spare time, create a logo and set-up an online shop for autographed copies of your books and collateral character merchandise <br />
18. Consider launching a ‘Kickstarter” campaign <br />
19. Write more books <br />
20. Do it all again, and again, and again <br />
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I am sure I missed something, but you get the idea. You go through hours, months, years of work and you sell a handful of books. I consider myself lucky. I consistently sell. I just don’t sell enough to quit my day job. And, I have done all of the above nineteen items and more, except for the Kickstarter program, which I would seriously consider if I had the time. <br />
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Writing twenty books in four genre, I have actually executed the list multiple times. For instance, I have four blogs, and actually post my book drafts a chapter at a time on my 'Story' blog for first time readers, then clear them off, clean them up, and publish them based on suggestions my early readers have made. I have this blog for 'Afterthoughts,' Farloft, my dragon, has a blog, and the Star Trader, 3su has a blog. I have three Facebook sites, one for the general public, an author site, and Farloft, insisted on having his own recently. Remember what I said about #14 above? He is my hook, or at least a big part of it. <br />
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So, what is the secret? Where do so many of us go wrong? <br />
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We don’t! And that’s the truth. That is where ‘You Know Nothing.’ I have come to the conclusion that success is based on quality, persistence and numbers. The trick is in all those pesky numbers that I can’t seem to wrap my head around. <br />
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Unless you have a book on a run-away topic, you are extremely lucky to be noticed, or you are in just that magical ‘right-place-right-time,’ it isn’t going to happen for you until you put in the product work, the time, and get the numbers up. <br />
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Folks following you on all social media sites you participate in is an essential part of marketing indie books. Folks talking about you and passing on your message by word of mouth is the second piece to the puzzle you need to know beyond the product work. <br />
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The third part is persistence. I have met authors over the three years I have been dredging away that have thrown up their hands and said, ‘Screw it! I am getting off this treadmill.” They closed up shop on Twitter. They let their Facebook and Google+ accounts go dormant. They said they were going to just write for fun. <br />
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I write for fun, but I want to be read. I want to share. I long to hear the reviews. I guess it is the exhibitionist in me, so I persist, persevere, and continue to spend the long hours. I just wish I had started sooner. <br />
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Like any small business you need to spend five to seven years building a clientele, a reader base that will chat about your books and you. Nothing helps an indie author more than word-of-mouth. We live and beg for lip-service. <br />
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But I digress. Back to the point, if there ever was one. You have to sharpen your pencil, as the accountants say, and put in the time like anyone else starting a new business, because as much as you would like to think the sales will magically appear, ‘You Know Nothing.’ But, hopefully, after reading this, ‘You Know Something.’<br />
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Kit Harington as Jon Snow from Game of Thrones</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762177873961541294.post-23109450938760296722016-09-03T15:19:00.000-07:002016-09-03T15:20:05.035-07:00Life is Good!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It doesn't take a lot to entertain Dad and me. We don't do a lot. He is 90 and his days of camping, picnics and even strolling, are over. He'll walk around the grocery store and then go sit on a bench while I check out.<br />
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For entertainment we go to the movies on the weekend and out to lunch or dinner. We are both light eaters, so if we order regular, rather than senior meals, we have leftovers for the next meal and I only have to cook one day of the weekend.<br />
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We have 'staycations.' We putter in the garden with little projects or change something in the house that we can see will work better a different way. We don't go on cruises, or fly to exotic places... our budget doesn't allow for such things. We treat ourselves to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, so we always have something to watch. A couple of years back we saved up and bought a big screen TV. So life is good.<br />
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However, life got a bit better this past week. Dad turn 90 and we celebrated with a good sized party on Saturday. People came from five different states and Canada. We had barbecue and carrot cake. Folks were spread out all through the house and garden. A good time was had by all.<br />
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In addition to the birthday party I figured Dad and I could do with a good rest. I really can't turn off unless I get away from home, its chores and social media. Being an indie author, when I am not at my 8-5:00 job I am on the computer being social and talking about my books when appropriate.<br />
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Dad had shingles 7-8 years ago. He still has the pain from it. It sensitized his nerve endings in his back, under his arm, and on his chest. I heard that the 'mineral waters' at <a href="http://bonnevilleresort.com/" target="_blank">Bonneville Hot Springs Resort and Spa</a> had healing qualities and I thought, 'what better place to relax.' They warn against their wifi being 'spotty.' My chance to get away too.<br />
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It is only about 35-45 minutes from our house, so for my gift to Dad on his 90th, I took him to the hot springs for two nights. For two nights and three days we 'played' with the rich kids.<br />
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We ate out for every meal. I had a massage. We sat in the waters and rented movies off 'pay-per-view.' We sat by the fireplace and read. We relaxed. I didn't touch Twitter. When I came back I was 4,032 behind. No hope of catching up, but frankly, I didn't care.<br />
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Life was good, and work, housework and marketing were far from my mind.<br />
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Dad and I on the balcony - Selfies are not our forte </div>
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Relaxing with a good read from the selection on hand</div>
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Me, my Chai tea and the fireplace. It was raining outside & very cozy in.</div>
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The lobby from the 3rd floor balcony where our room was located</div>
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Headed down to the spa in the elevator</div>
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The courtyard</div>
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The essential food shots</div>
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Last morning by the fire</div>
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The service was excellent and friendly. The place inviting and relaxing. We are thinking seriously of going back up for Thanksgiving dinner this year. We heard they have an excellent buffet.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5