A Better World

 

Since my last post was about a rat, I know you are wondering, "How can her world get better than that?"

Well, my world did improve a bit when the mailman arrived this afternoon.  He carried with him my advance copy of Cup of Comfort for a Better World, due in bookstores March 25th.  My story, "Angels Afoot," is in this volume and I hope you will have the opportunity to take a look when it hits the shelves.

"Angels Afoot" is the story of a good deed performed by my Mama and Daddy. The irony is that when they worked their angel magic they did so in anonymity, preferring to take no credit.  Now I've gone and had the details published for all to see--so much for keeping things quiet and humble.  The truth is, my pride in them won out over my ability to keep my mouth shut. Also, my sister didn't nickname me Mouth Almighty for nothing.

Cup of Comfort for a Better World shares stories of "paying it forward" which is a good sentiment to embrace in these crazy times.  I am proud to have this story included in the book, and believe that somewhere in heaven my parents are finding more ways to sprinkle their angel magic.

God bless -

Lisa

Toot-Toot!

WARNING:  Self-Horn Tooting ahead!

Sounds a little kinky, but I promise y’all I’m not doing anything hedonistic with horns or anything else that toots. 

Here’s the real deal.  I have a piece appearing in the Muffin, that blog extraordinaire written by women for women writers at the WOW! Women on Writing website—just click this link and you’ll get right to it:  www.wow-womenonwriting.com/blog.html .

Blogging is a terrific avenue to rid oneself of the dragon known as writer’s block, something about which I became aware last year when my very own Writing Yoda, the inimitable Cathy C. Hall, provided these pearls of wisdom:  “Grasshopper,” she said.  “Blog you must.”

Actually, it was more along the lines of, “Quit whining like a little girl and start writing.” 

Either way, as usual, she was right. (As it happens, in addition to being wise, Cathy is also funny, talented, and pretty darn cute…check her out at: www.cathychall.blogspot.com). 

As I’m horn tooting, now is also a great time to mention that my story, "Angels Afoot," will be appearing in the anthology Cup of Comfort for a Better World, due in stores this spring.  I’ll toot-toot again when it hits the shelves.  Also, I just learned today that my short story, "Dusk", earned an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Journal Romance contest.  Toot-toot! (Please forgive all the tooting...and without beans, too!)

For a writer there is no better way to begin the New Year than having work published, so 2010 is off to a great start.  Running a close second would be learning that all the calories in Peanut M&Ms grow wings and fly into the atmosphere as soon as the bag is opened.  I’m not so hopeful about that one.

For my writer friends I wish you a glorious 2010 filled with publishing contracts, ooh-gobs of readers, and permanent banishment of the writer’s block dragon.  For my non-writer friends I wish you a year filled with whatever will please you most.  If that turns out to be calorie free M&Ms, please share.

Til next time –

Lisa