Not the Blogging Paragraphs

So, for those of you keeping up with my posts, I know I hinted at blogging paragraphs, just as something fun. Well... this isn't it. HOWEVER... a wonderful writer and dear friend of mine, Karen Malena, has just had her latest collection of stories published into a paperback novel! I'm so proud of her. Please, take the time to read her stuff. It's absolutely wonderful. You can purchase the paperback through Amazon, or, if you just want to dip your toes in, see if it's your thing, you can purchase each story individually through Amazon and Barnes and Noble Nook for $0.99. Her series is entitled "My Mother's Kitchen" with the volume numbers and subtitles respectively. As I said, these stories are definitely worth the read. I encourage you read at least the first two. I promise you'll be in for a treat.

Here is the Amazon link for the paperback: http://www.amazon.com/My-Mothers-Kitchen-Karen-Malena/dp/1622084098/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_imgnr_2
The Amazon link for the complete series for Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/My-Mothers-Kitchen-Complete-ebook/dp/B00DLFPOZM/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376663332&sr=1-4&keywords=karen+malena
And the Barnes and Noble link for Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-mothers-kitchen-the-complete-series-karen-malena/1115812801?ean=2940016712536

Happy reading!


-Grace

New Gadget: Google Translate

Hello, hello, hello. How are things out in the 'verse? Just an update, I've added Google Translate to my blog, so now you can see my grammatical errors in hundreds of languages instead of just one. :-) By the by, yes, I do know that these last few posts have been pitifully short, but for the record, I find it difficult to write when you don't have anything to say. From this point, I'm just praying the Lord gives me the words to speak.
Have a good night.

-Grace

PS: Oh! And just to be on the lookout... my next post may or may not be the beginnings of a new story. Suspense!

Living With Freckles and Words

Here's another blog worth checking out.

http://www.livingwithfrecklesandwords.blogspot.com/

Here there are lots of topics for discussion, food for thought, and stimulating pictures from your favorite movie characters and more. Enjoy!

-Grace

CoffeeShopReader

Hello all.

I just discovered this blog last week, and already I'm hooked! Coffeeshopreader has some great insights into topics and stories discussed in various posts. From book reviews to discussions on characters and time, this is a great place to hear from an avid reader (and writer!). Check it out:

http://coffeeshopreader.wordpress.com/

She's also on Twitter and Facebook.

-Grace

Blogging Paragraphs

I'm having a thought here. I'm wondering if I should post stories on my blog directly. Not big stories, obviously, but maybe a paragraph or two. What do you like to read? What plotlines intrigue you? For me, I have a soft spot for the medieval period. Something about castles and knights and regal princesses speak to me. It's a wonder I prefer classics to modern literature, though admittedly I do enjoy Emily the Strange.
Anyway, I just wanted to get some opinions. Blogging stories occasionally: Yes, no, maybe so?

-Grace

A Shared Language

My sister is amazing! With one word she can brighten my day, give me a boost when I need it most. I love that we share this relationship that goes so beyond sisterhood. Sometimes I look back and gawk at what a brat I was. But my sister? She baked cookies for my brother and me when our parents went out on a date. On our way to church, the four of us would do "quote-offs". Someone would quote something from a movie -"This ain't exactly the Mississippi. I'm on one side, I'm on the other side. I'm on the east bank, I'm on the west back. This is not that critical!"- and we would all rattle off different quotes from that movie until someone changed it up. But as we grew older, those games fell out of fashion with us, at least in the car.
This past week has been... one of *those* weeks. Stuff just goes wrong, you're tired all the time, every minute feels like two. I woke up this morning just feeling... blah. I figured today would accentuate the long week with its mere tediousness. Then, as I sat in the chair, staring at a T.V. that wasn't even turned on, my phone buzzed next to me. It was from my sister. Anyone seen "The Big Bang Theory"? If you haven't, you won't get this reference. But if you have... remember that one word I mentioned in the beginning? Here was the one word:
"Kripkee!"
I swear I laughed for, like, five minutes.
While the rest of the day was not silky smooth sailing, it was great to share in this private joke with my sister. It really got me through the day.
I guess I'm just thankful to have my sister, because no matter what, she always knows how to put a smile on my face.

-Grace

Mark Venturini talks "Whispers from Forbidden Earth"

Hey everybody!

Remember that quasi-new writer I mentioned about two posts ago? Well, here he is in an online interview with Giovanni Gelati, talking about his new e-book "Whispers from Forbidden Earth," being released through Helping Hands Press. In the interview Mark talks a lot about his inspiration, the genesis of his story, where he's wanting to go with it, and entering the busy world of social media. And stay tuned for a surprise "appearance" from the always wonderful and forever-giggly Karen Anna Vogel, author of several Amish Fiction works.
Here's the link to the interview:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2013/06/24/mark-venturiniauthor-of-whispers-from-forbidden-earth
And this link is to Mark's blog, where he talks about his writing and other things he's interested in.
http://www.markventurinijourney.blogspot.com/

Mark has been writing for years now, having several short stories published through magazines, but this is his first book, and he's very proud of it. Enjoy the interview!

-Grace