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I went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have a sinus infection and bronchitis (for sure), pneumonia (possibly).
I don’t have a creative thought in my stuffed, fever-ridden head.
So, I thought I’d give YOU the opportunity to write a blog (on anything).
My favorite blog will win some free books. I have a lot of new books hanging around that I’d be happy to share. So….blog away. And much thanks!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Feb 6th
2010
9:10 am
Tonya Kappes Said:
Vook or Book…that’s the question!
I am going to bring up a very touchy subject. Vooks vs books…dum dum dum….*eeck*
Amazon Kindle
Am I really going to go there?
ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!
YOU BET I AM!!!!!!!!
This has become a really sensitive subject with writers. There are so many electronic publishers out there with a lot of great authors. (Some of which have gotten their publishing careers started)
As a parent, I want to see my kids sitting with a good book in hand. I want them to touch it, smell it and turn the pages. I want them to keep asking me “Can we got to the bookstore? Can I get a hot chocolate from the cafe?” It is a bonding experience for me with my boys. We sit in the comfy chairs, sip our drinks, turn the pages-most the time I sit and watch them. I don’t want them huddled over a little screen, heck, they already do that with hand held video games.
As a writer, I am torn! E publishing is a way to get your name out there and for readers to start enjoying my stories. It’s quicker than print publishing. It’s all about reader experience for me. I want them to experience every emotion I had writing it. I never set out to become an e pubbed author. I wanted to write a book as my craft, then taking it to a business and become published in book form. Now I’m not so sure. I have a ton with friends that have had a ton of success with their ebooks.
Is publishing being transformed and am I-the writer- in the middle? Are literary agents worried about what their role might be in five years? I am sure five years ago many newspapers didn’t think digital newspapers where going to change the way we get our news or even put them out of business.
We’ve all said it, “There’s nothing like sitting down with a good book.” That’s what I have to do. I have to sit, touch, smell, turn the pages, mark on the pages. There is nothing better than holding a book, especially one with my name on it. As for me the consumer: I like to read in the tub…with a hard book!
Question of the day:
This is why I want to hear from you, the reader and the writer. Tell me why you prefer a vook over a cold hard book.
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Feb 6th
2010
11:47 am
Emily McKay Said:
Excellent blog, Tonya!
I certainly see where you’re coming from. As a reader and *long* time reader, I resisted getting a Kindle for a long, long time. In the end, it was a matter of shelf space. I never have to get rid up kindle editions because I fear the subflooring of our second story can’t support the weight of another paperback.
In the end, I love my Kindle because I get to read great books on it. it’s not the device I love, it’s the books!
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Feb 6th
2010
10:10 am
Shana Said:
Aww! Hope you feel better, Cindy! I’m writing a blog for Tuesday, so I’ll wait to post it then.
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Feb 6th
2010
11:27 am
Michelle Rattigan Said:
My first time.
I always ask people who love romance novels as much as I do, when they discovered they’re love of the genre. When I was 14 Years old in 1988 I went to England with my father for a weekend. My father’s aunt had passed away and for one reason or another I had been allocated the task of accompany him to her flat in London to get her affairs in order. I can’t remember why I was chosen probabley to give my mother a break because I was the epitome of a difficult teen. I remeber bitching and moaning the whole way on the plane. I remeber my fathers patient silence.He talked of his aunt,Josie who hand been like a mother to him in his youth.She had moved from Ireland to England to follow her dream of being an actress, but instead had worked as a civil servant for fifty years. He decribed her as a solitary woman, never married, no kids,never asked for anything from anybody, sounded like a bit of bore to fourteen year old me. When arrived at the retirment village the super let us into her flat. My da open the door and we looked at each other in shock. Floor to ceiling in all her three rooms (bathroom included), were mills and boons and what seemed like every romance novel known to mankind. I remember my dad with tears in his eyes looking around this flat. I remebered feeling embarassed for my dad who is not the most emotive of men and sad for Josie that this was her life. Not much human contact, just books.My father made the arrangments for the disposal Josie’s things (goodwill must have had a field day moving and selling all those juicy reads), and we headed home to Ireland. When we got home and my mother asked about Josie’s thing’s my dad said ‘Oh the usual old lady things’,even I in my usual teenage angst mode knew when to keep my mouth shut. Dad came into my room that night and took a book out of a brown paper bag.He had kept a book from Josie’s flat as something to remember her by. He said he couldn’t throw everyone of those books away, it made her life seem pointless. It was a Mills and Boon ‘Don’t Call It Love’ by Lindsay Armstron (1984). I read it cover to cover that night. It had such a profound effect on me. I loved the characters of Anna and Richard.The way they met, the love, the passion. The story made me feel good.I fell in love for the first time. I have my own collection of Mills and Boon now passed 1,500 last count.I remember how I had thought Josie’s life was sad, that really makes me smile. She lived through those characters like I do now. She must have fallen in love thousands of times, visited so many exotic places.She must have lived the most exciting and explosive life of anyone I’ve ever met!! Sometimes when I’m feeling like crap and life seem hard, I take down ‘Don’t Call it love’ from the shelf and it conjures up memories of love, loss and precious time spent with my father alone in London. Mostly I think of Josie. I think I would have liked her very much.
Do you remember your first time?
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Feb 6th
2010
11:53 am
Emily McKay Said:
Oh, Michelle, that was just beautiful! What a fantastic testament to the beauty of the genre and it’s ability to move people.
I don’t know if it’s ever occurred to you, but you should try to track down Lindsey Armstron and send her this blog. A lot of those old Mills and Boon authors are still writing, you know! And if not you could send her a letter via the editorial office.
If I were her, and I received a letter like that, I would weep and cherish it forever. I’m sure she would love knowing that her book has played such a profound role in your life.
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Feb 6th
2010
2:26 pm
Michelle Rattigan Said:
Thanks Emily,
You know what that is exactly what I’m going to do.cheer for that.
Michelle.
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Feb 6th
2010
11:34 am
catslady Said:
To answer your question. I don’t do ebooks – sorry. I too have a love of books. Always have. Starting from a very young child. I am too hooked on them and I love having them around me. I sit at this computer and look at screens more than I like. Nothing will replace the feel of a book for me. I am surrounded by them – their gorgeous covers. (I do know it’s tree friendly for ebooks – the only thing that bothers me).
My blog is about weather. I live in the east and we have over 2 feet of snow so far. I was born in the snowstorm of 1950 (3 to 5 ft.). It started snowing on November 26. My mom went into labor on the 28th. They lived in a little town where everyone knew everyone. The only vehicle that had any hopes of traveling to a hospital was the local funeral director’s herse. It even had chains lol. All I can say is that I’m so thankful that they made it in time and I wasn’t born in a herse!!
The govenor called a state of emergency. My daughter is a cage supervisor at a casino. They actually expect her to get into work today to relieve the workers that have to work two shifts (that’s because they are stuck there along with maybe 40 people). When they opened they said they would never close again. Sorry but getting doctors and nurses to hospitals seems more important. Looks like we will miss going to our superbowl party. People may have their electricity back by then (and cable tv) but both our cars are totally lost in the snow so who knows when we can dig ourselves out. I imagine there are going to be a lot of horror stories told over the next few days. Thanks Mother Nature. I’d love to hear others snow stories.
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Feb 6th
2010
11:40 am
catslady Said:
How touching. I could very easily become Josie – thank heavens for my husband and two daughters – they keep me somewhat under control. I probably have 2,000 books and absolutely no room for more (but somehow I manage). I told my family that I would come back and haunt them if they don’t find good homes for my books when I’m gone lol. I don’t know my first book since I started reading at a very early age but Kathleen Woodiwiss was a big influence (along with the gothic writers).
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Feb 6th
2010
12:41 pm
Kirsten Said:
What if Cinderella HATES the ball?
I never written a blog but I love writing in my diary so I share something that happened to me.
When I was three years old I asked my mother to teach me how to read. I had a lot of books, but Cinderella was my favorite. I loved her story and imagined all sorts of adventures involving her and the prince. I longed to be able to read her book myself. Mom taught me and it was possible the greatest gift she gave me. I enjoy it daily ever since. I own a ton of books, all of them romances. I love the woman meets man, they have a ball, fall in love and HEA. I haven’t met my man yet and so I often dream about my own fairytale.
Last week I had high hopes that my story would begin. I was invited to my cousins birthday party. She promised me plenty of nice and interesting men that would surely notice me. So I put on my dress, a little black one, and a blue cardigan. No glass slippers but simple black heels. I left my pearls at home and thank goodness for that. The venue was turned half into a dance club and have a little buffet and when I was there I felt like a fish out of water surrounded by the young and fashionable. I didn’t really know anyone and as I’m a bit shy around strangers had not much chance connecting. I congratulated my cousin and she smiled: you’ll meet someone I’m sure. I promised her to stay all night and be open minded. The music was from the 80’s or was it 90’s and very loud. So it took me a while to realize that a guy was talking to me. He poked me in my shoulder and said: Great party or what. He bobbed his head in tune of the music and I thought to myself, Gosh how original. I’m not sure what I was expecting but he did not dazzle me with his conversation. We tried to talk but it was awkward and it ended is abrupt as it had started. I slowly but surely moved towards the dance floor. This was a mistake for Prince candidate nr 2 spotted me and gave me a slightly creepy smile. He asked if I was the birthday girl’s cousin and when I confirmed he asked me to dance. He wasn’t necessarily a bad dancer but when he threw his arms in the air and shakes rather strangely I was concerned he became unwell. This was not the case for that smile came back on. I could not help it and stared disgustedly at his armpits. Huge wet pancakes had formed and I tried to smile and excused myself. I sat down on a table and spoke a bit with some of the girls on it. They left and there I observed the party more than I participated in it. My cousin is a dear dear soul but the princes she had lined up for me were not really to my taste or (perhaps wrong) high standards. I had some drinks and snacks and waited some more. I decided to break my promise and leave when a nice looking man sat down beside me. He said hi, and ate some crisps. Thankfully with his mouth closed and good manners. His eyes a nice brown his hair a soft curl. Candidate nr 3 looked promising. When someone who pretended to sing but was actually shouting screamed: everybody dance now. I asked prince 3 shall we obey? He gave me a sorry look (or did I just want to see it) and said he was taken. I guess it was just the frogs my cousin had instructed to seek me out. I got up intending to leave the party just as candidate nr 2 came back into view. His yellow shirt was now also soaking round the collar. Yep there was that smile again and he said: another go? I refused as respectfully as I could and hoped the REAL prince would pick up my shoe. The one I was going to throw at my matchmaking cousin!
Would I be such a hopeless romantic had my mother (and her mother) given me different books I ask myself. Stories about woman fending for themselves or not needing the reassurance of loving and being loved in return. I don’t think it would have made a difference. For all the movies I love to watch and all the books I choose myself are all about Cinderella being the ultimate fairytale. They tell us, women, that the recognition of romance or the celebration of mutual affection is the best to hope for in life?! I don’t always agree with that although I must confess I do love a good love story. It is imprinted in me that she who finds her prince is to be desired most. For it is of great importance to be loved by a man and have him say this out loud. I like to think that there is a whole other world out there and the choices endless. And on a good day when I feel comfortable with myself I realize this is so. It was just now that I felt a bit sad and sorry for myself being stuck with a guy in need of deodorant. I remain however the hopeful romantic and are looking forward to another, more successful, ball.
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Feb 6th
2010
2:06 pm
Solveig Said:
Great blogs girls
Hope you feel better soon Cindy. I just wanted to tell you about a trip to the doctors. My son has just turned 18 months old. Last monday he went for his shots and afterwards he got a rash and a fever of 39,5°C (normal fever being 37°C if you don´t know 
). On the third day of this high fever I had gotten really nervous (he is my first child) so I took him to the children´s hospital here in Reykjavik. Before we went there I gave him paracetamol to lower the fever. When we got there we were met by a lovely kind nurse who asked us some questions about his condition in the past few days and then told us we would have to wait a while for a doctor to come to see us. We waited for about 2 hours before the doc showed up. In that time the paracetamol had started to work and my son was pepping up so considerably I was starting to feel ashamed of myself for panicking. And in walks the doc…. I just could not believe it. He was like… CUT OUT of a romance novel! A pediatritian, tall, dark hair, dark well trimmed beard, big clean hands, slim bod, white labcoat and breathtakingly beautiful face, and his name…. August (Lora Leigh immediately popped into my head) 
For the remaining time I had to work very hard to not start laughing histerically but boy was my face red. Never in my life have I wanted to believe that such a person existed except in novels 
Boy was I wrong! I´m sure my hubby was very ashamed of my behavour that day but I just could not help myself. My son could not have cared less about his looks for as soon as he pulled the stethoscope out he started screaming at the top of his lungs which cut short any “impure thoughts” I “might” have been having. But for the rest of my life, if ever I read about a handsome pediatritian again, this is the guy who´ll pop into my head. Thankfully my son got gradually better after that day and is now as active and happy as ever and I hope I´ll never see that doc again… why ruin a perfect innocent fantasy 
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Feb 6th
2010
2:25 pm
Michelle Rattigan Said:
Solveig, you have put a smile on my face today thanks a bunch!!I too have H.D.S or hot doc syndrome. Nice. The downside of being a romantic novel nut job is seeing potential hero types in every aspect of my life:)
I really enjoy this chance to blog..great fun.really enjoyed reading them too.
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Feb 6th
2010
6:43 pm
Solveig Said:
Your welcome
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Feb 7th
2010
8:04 am
kristan higgins Said:
Cindy, in your fever-ridden, befuddled state, you hit genius! Thanks for inviting our visitors to blog! Such great stories and opinions…a pleasure to read! Feel better!
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Feb 7th
2010
9:41 am
Shana Said:
So, Cindy, who wins?????
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Feb 7th
2010
11:16 am
Cindy Kirk Said:
Remember–for those of you who haven’t posted yet–the contest goes through 6pm this evening. At that time I’ll pick the winner…or maybe winners…
Great posts so far.
Thanks so much to all of you for stepping up. I’m “finally” starting to feel better today.
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Feb 7th
2010
11:28 am
Emmanuelle Said:
Poor you.. I hope you’ll get better soon !!
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Feb 7th
2010
1:12 pm
Quilt Lady Said:
So sorry to here you are sick Cindy. I know bronchitis is some rough stuff. You are up about half the night coughing. I have been there myself and its not easy to get rid of! I feel for you.
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Feb 7th
2010
3:28 pm
Tonya Kappes Said:
Hope you feel better soon. Sinus infections are the worst! Head ache, neck aches, stuffy nose is definitely not fun!
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Feb 7th
2010
4:38 pm
Jane Said:
Feel better soon, Cindy. I’ve never written a blog before and wouldn’t know where to begin, but it would be interesting to see what everyone’s Ocscar predictions are.
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Feb 7th
2010
5:18 pm
Tonya Kappes Said:
Jane I am soooooooo rooting for Sandra Bullock. I love her because she is down to earth (or seems to be). She doesn’t live in Hollywood, she lives in a small town and runs a bakery with her sister. I think she breaks the mold from the typical movie star.
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Feb 7th
2010
8:00 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
We have four winners!
Tonya, Michelle, Kirsten and Solveig…
Thank you so much for helping me out with your wonderful blogs. And thank you to everyone for your kind remarks. This is the worst I’ve felt in a long, long time.
Winners, please email me your reading preferences (historical, romantic suspense etc.) and I’ll send you two books in that genre!!!
My email address is cindy kirk @ aol . com without the spaces.
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Feb 8th
2010
12:05 am
Mary M Said:
Cindy, I wish you a speedy recovery. And congratulations to the winners! What a talented group.
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Feb 8th
2010
2:39 am
Michelle Rattigan Said:
Oh, Cindy,Thank you,Thank you.I’m delighted…yipeee.Well done Kirsten, Tonya, Solveig. I am accepting this award on behalf of… myself, and would like to thank the following heroes for their support.Irish warrior, Greek billionaire, Italian millioaire etc without you I would not be where I am today.
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Feb 8th
2010
2:40 am
Michelle Rattigan Said:
Hopr you are feeling better Cindy. Thanks for the opportunity to blog. It was swell
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Feb 8th
2010
8:51 am
Solveig Said:
Thank you so much :Ö) I hope you are feeling better!
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Sep 23rd
2010
7:55 am
fiedgepet Said:
The Dresden Files as read by James Marsters.
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2010
2:13 pm
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