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In this week's news....actually, some of it is last week's news as well! 
Many news things are in store for my site so keep checking back! I think you'll like the changes!
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Every writer struggles with something. It can be deadlines, time to write, or the dreaded writer's block. These successful writers offer valuable lessons we all can use! Go forth and read! You'll be glad you did!  I've been on a period drama, movie-watching kick the last few nights (probably because I'm impatiently waiting for the Downton Abbey movie) and am so glad I found these!  I'll admit; I've never read the book, but there was something about the movie that made me put it on my watchlist at Netflix. It's been there for quite some time until I finally decided to just watch it. And wow. First, I adore Lily James from her time as Rose on Downton Abbey. She was just as perfect in this role, and her chemistry with all of the other characters, including Penelope Wilton (also from Downton Abbey) was spot-on. This movie is set shortly after WW II comes to an end and explores the aftermath and the devastating effects on the people left behind. It's a stunning production and good enough for a second watch!  And I thought the 1995 version with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman was my favorite. It has now been eclipsed by this 2008 version! It, too, stars a Downton Abbey veteran, Dan Stevens, as Edward Ferres, and he brought such emotion to the character in spite of his stoic presence. The overall acting in this movie captivated me. There wasn't one wrong choice of actors in this mini-series, and the settings were incredibly beautiful. I think my favorite thing about this movie was getting to see the marriage proposal between Edward and Eleanor instead of knowing about it off-screen. It was simplistic yet beautiful. This is another movie I've added to my will watch again list!  I'll admit that this movie captured my attention because of Matthew Goode, who is one of my favorite actors. He also starred on Downton Abbey (I'm sure you're seeing a trend here).
Another period drama, The Imitation Game is a 2014 movie that is set in flashbacks to WWII and in the current time of 1951. It also stars Allen Leech, Keira Knightley, and Benedict Cumberbatch who has a divine voice. I wasn't sure if I'd like it which is why I've put off watching it, but I'm happy to say I was wrong. Matthew Goode plays a charming cad who loves the ladies. Allen Leech is a man of mystery who comes across as a peacemaker. Keira Knightley is a woman trying to make it in a man's world, and Benedict Cumberbatch is an awkward man who's never really fit in anywhere until he helps England win in the fight against the Germans. If you love period dramas, I encourage you to get the popcorn ready and settle in for a couple of nights of these unforgettable movies! My latest work-in-progress is a young adult romance titled In Darkness She Shines. Here's a sneak peek from the first chapter!  “Hey, who’s that?” Amy captures my attention with a nudge.
I follow her line of sight to the house sitting on the corner, only a few steps from mine. With its sagging screen door and cracked, concrete steps, it doesn’t look much better than the one I call home. A teenage boy crosses the brown grass, a bookbag slung over one shoulder. He climbs behind the wheel of a truck that’s blue and rust. Through the cracked glass window behind his head, I see brown curls and broad shoulders. “Well?” Amy prompts me with another poke of her finger to my shoulder. I shrug. “Don’t know. Never seen him before.” “You’ve got to get your nose out of a book, Bailey. I mean, seriously, a hot guy moves in practically across the street from you, and you don’t even notice?” “He probably won’t be here long. This isn’t exactly a buy and stay type of neighborhood. I still can’t believe your parents let you walk with me.” Amy and I met in history class five years ago, just as things were starting to get especially nasty between my mom and dad. Her friendship had saved me, and now, every morning, her dad drops her off at the corner of my street so we can walk to school together. The engine on the dilapidated truck coughs and sputters, and I can see my new neighbor patting the dashboard like he’s offering encouragement. After several fits of shaking and rattling, the truck settles into an asthmatic rhythm. Then the muffler belches a plume of smoke that has me and Amy waving the air in front of our faces. “Geesh! Get that muffler fixed!” I yell before I think, which is usually how I end up getting in trouble when my mom’s sober. Back-up lights illuminate, and the truck rolls out of the driveway. The driver glances over his shoulder, sees me and Amy, and stares for a second longer than necessary before shifting the truck into whatever gear it would accept. After a few weak attempts, it finally lunges down road. “Well.” Amy stops and puts her finger underneath her nose. “He’s definitely someone we should get to know.” I stare at her like her hair’s on fire. “What? Why? Because he’s cute?” I couldn’t see that much of him except for a strong jawline and the hair. So any assumptions I made about his looks were simply speculation. Amy grins. “I was going to say because he has a truck, but whatever.” “That’s not a truck; it’s an accident waiting to happen. And your dad drives a Jaguar. Why do you care about some guy you don’t know driving a beat-up old tank?” “We do get rain here, remember? Who knows? He might be willing to give us a ride to school.” “Again, your dad drives a Jag. Wouldn’t you rather show up at school in that?” Her perfect eyebrows crease. “Ride to school with my dad? What have you been smoking?” We dissolve into giggles and continue our trek to school, arriving five minutes after the bell rings which still keeps us out of the mandatory parent-notification zone. Not that my mom would answer the phone anyway. Blogging challenges are, well, challenging. Not only do you have to write thirty days' worth of posts, but you have to schedule them on the right day at the right time without forgetting. (I almost did this time!) That said, though, I enjoy writing posts about topics chosen by others. It's a chance to spread my writing wings, so to speak. But the question isn't did I enjoy the challenge. It's when will I do another one. I'd like to do one more often than I have in the past so I'm considering a holiday blogging challenge around the 1st of December.  For now, though, I'll go back to my regular blogging schedule which is, usually, about once a week. These fingers and this brain needs a break! I hope you've enjoyed these past thirty days, though, and I hope you'll stick around for the musings yet to come!
Years ago, I'm talking over twenty years ago, I picked up a book because I really liked the cover. It was a hologram and so cool. Take a look.  The book description pulled me in as well so I thought I'd give it a try. From the first chapter, I was hooked. A Scottish ghost and a modern-day woman are trapped together in the same castle. There is destiny, romance, engaging dialogue, and humor.
I've lost count of the number of times I read this book. There was just something about it that made me keep reaching for it on my shelf. Nowadays, I don't read much adult romances as my interests have changed, but I believe I could pick this one up again and still get lost in it.  Another easy post for me. For as long as I can, I want to travel and not necessarily to exotic locations. I love to go, be it a small town an hour from my house or one of the coldest towns I know. (St. Ignace, MI)
One of my goals is to travel to all of the states. I've already been to twenty-seven of them! So as long as I have the money and the physical ability, I'll keep leaving my hometown to explore other parts of this world. I've been eating low-carb since February. At first, it was a bit of a bummer because I couldn't have ice cream. Then I discovered Halo Top. Folks, this stuff is worth the price. The cookies and cream is honestly the best. Even if I could eat regular ice cream, I'd still stay with Halo. Try it! I'll be surprised if you don't like it!  Today's post asks the question: What ten people, living or dead, would you love to have dinner with and why? This question always makes me think. I imagine it's best to choose people I can't have dinner with or maybe I've never had dinner with before, but there are many people I've known over the years that I'd love to see again, to chat with them over a meal. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to tell get the chance to tell someone I love them again or to simply talk to them.  At any rate, here are the ten people I've chosen. Some I've known; others I wish I had; and still others, I wish I could.
I don't think regrets are useful. It does no good to look back at life and wish I had done something differently. What if I had done what I thought I should have done? Would I still know the people I know? Still have the life I have now?  That said, though, everyone has tiny regrets. I might regret wearing a certain blouse, going to see a movie, or even taking the route I took home. Those are minor, inconsequential things that won't change the overall structure of my life. But, overall, I'm happy with how my life is. I hope you are as well!
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AuthorMy thoughts, experiences, challenges, and goals. Right here. At least once a week or so. Oh, and opinions, too. Those will definitely come in. Join me! Archives
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