From the Editing Trenches

For the past month I've been knee-deep in the editing trenches making revisions to my middle grade book coming out in August with MuseItUp Publishing, ANIMAL ANDY. This is the first time I've worked with an editor from a publisher, and it's been an invaluable experience.

I went into it knowing the process wasn't going to be easy, knowing I'd have to change things about the story, including things I liked, but I wanted to keep an open mind and was enthusiastic about it. I received the initial email from my editor and she was excited as well.

When the first round of comments came back, it was difficult to sort through all the red text! I took a deep breath, and approached it one page at a time. I sent back the revisions and was proud of myself. It didn't seem too bad. I asked my editor if we were going to go through a second round of edits. She said, no, we'll probably do about five rounds of edits. WHAT?!

After receiving her second set of comments, I understood why. The first round was more of a read-through, cleaning up language, etc. The second round dove much deeper, looking at specific parts of the story, character, etc. That's when the frustration set in. I happened to vent to a friend of mine who is a techincal editor, and she gave me a very good perspective on the situation. She pointed out that editors are not "your friend." They are there to make your product the best it can be. And she's right!

I took another deep breath, and the rest of my revisions for round two went much smoother. I looked at my editor's comments through her eyes and realized she is doing a great job--afterall, she's the expert! At the end of this process, I will have a  much better book and learned so much along the way that will help me as I write future books. And, I have a feeling I'll gain a friend in the end, too.

I'd love to hear about your experiences working with editors on the revisions process!

--KSR Writer

Meet Paranormal Romance Author Mike Arsuaga

If you're looking for a little spice and excitement in your reading life, then you should check out The Tenth Legion, an erotic paranormal romance written by my guest today, Mike Arsuaga. Welcome, Mike!

 

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

I spent a career in the US Navy Submarine force and with the Department of Homeland Security. I’ve been writing on and off since the fifth grade. When I retired completely in the fall of 2007 I went back to writing because the new fall TV season was so bad. I cast about for a genre. By chance I entered a contest for erotic short stories. My entry, “The Girl in the Library” was well received. After some encouragement I grew it into “Subspecies”, the first installment of my Subspecies series, now five books long.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

If you’re asking about books by other authors, I’d go with “1984”. If you’re speaking of my books, I’d choose “The Tenth Legion”, book four in the Subspecies series.

What inspired you to write this book?

I’d already written three books on the evolution of the Subspecies (vampires and lycans) and the challenges they faced over three generations. Originally I envisioned this as a spin-off from the main series. The story is set in the beginning of the 22^nd century. The main character is a tough little lycan cop named Lorna Winters, inspired by the Official Apple of my Eye, granddaughter Larrna. I wanted to see if I could write from the POV of a feisty female. My wife Cynthia thinks “The Tenth Legion” is the best of the five books.

How would you describe your writing process?

First the concept followed by broad brush strokes of general plot and character formation. After that, all seat of the pants.

How have you marketed your book?

By blogging, advertising through social networks like Facebook, and through Yahoo

Groups.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Don’t be discouraged by rejections and when submitting, follow the publisher/agent instructions to the letter.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

Setting the scene:

 Karla May and Thomas White, hybrid siblings of Vampire Ed White. CEO of Subspecies, Inc. arrive to convince the police to release personal documents of family members being held as evidence in one of Lorna’s cases. At her suggestion the party, accompanied by the Assistant Chief of Police, goes to the evidence locker to demonstrate the documents are secure.

The Scene Unfolds:

The floor above the morgue contained the evidence room. In an age of utility rationing, they were the only completely air-conditioned floors in the building. When the party approached with Lorna in the lead, a bored, sleepy little clerk raised her eyes from a crossword puzzle. She sat on a battered, wooden folding chair behind a steel Dutch door; metal bars composed the other half. Behind her stretched a vast, rambling space of loaded metal shelves. A musty odor of old paper and, to Lorna’s lycan senses, small animal droppings, seeped around the clerk from the room in the rear.

“As you can see, the door is steel, set in a reinforced concrete wall,” Lorna pointed out.

Upon recognizing the Assistant Chief from his uniform brass, the clerk’s mouth dropped. Her eyes acquired an appearance of apoplectic shock. Lorna knew in the drab, quiet world of evidence, with only the inanimate for company, Assistant Chiefs existed as mythological entities, whose appearance portended events like saints coming down from Heaven, cattle giving birth to monsters, or the sun reversing its direction in the sky.

“We need to see some evidence that was recently logged in.” Lorna attempted to break the clerk’s comatose rigidity. Then she added, “It works better if you let us in.”

Her frantic expression passed from Lorna to the Assistant Chief, returning to settle on Lorna.

“Yes. Yes. Of course.”

“Check IDs first.”

The clerk gave a quick thumbs up. In her excitement she checked both police IDs about four times. Lorna signed in the siblings under her badge number.

“We’re here to inspect the Fargo Bank evidence,” Lorna said to the clerk.

Relaxing in the face of receiving a request within her comfort zone, she brightened. “Row twelve, section six,” she said in the monotone of the safe, daily routine where ethereal entities didn’t intrude.

“Got it, thanks.” Lorna pulled a slip of paper from a purse side pocket. She studied the numbers for a second and put it back.

“There it is.” Assistant Chief Durning pointed to a large box, reaching for it. “What the hell?” he queried in confusion as he effortlessly hefted the unexpectedly light box to the floor. The small assemblage observed the empty container with various emotions, none being pleasant.

The siblings inhaled deeply in shock, turning baleful, demanding faces toward the Assistant Chief. He appeared to Lorna at the moment, as if the ground opening up and swallowing him whole held more appeal than facing the consequences of the empty container.

“Wait,” Lorna said. “What you’re seeking is actually over here.” Walking to a box on the bottom shelf of the next steel rack, she slid it out until it hit the floor with a heavy clunk. Removing the cover revealed, to everyone’s general relief, the documents stacked neatly in sealed plastic bags.

“I don’t understand,” Thomas said.

“It’s an old police trick. The officer in charge stores evidence in a secret location if he or she feels there’s a chance of tampering or theft. I had one of my most trusted detectives place documents in a location only we knew. I took this step after word began circulating about the value of this packet.” Addressing the siblings, she continued, “I’m disappointed to say you were correct to doubt the security of our evidence room. In the rifled box, my detective and I placed blank paper in opaque plastic bags of the approximate weight of your papers. The thief wouldn’t know he had the wrong items until he got to some place he believed safe, outside the police building, and opened one of them.”

Thomas nodded approvingly. “Very clever. Excellent work, Lieutenant Winters,” he said, with a quick, frosty-eyed wink.

“I’m convinced more than ever our property must be returned,” Karla added. “Your most guarded places are insecure.”

“I’m as outraged by the compromise as you are and I’ll launch a full investigation as soon as I return to my office, but in order to preserve your property as evidence, I have a solution that might work,” said the Assistant Chief. “Suppose we move your documents to a safe with a combination known only by highly trusted personnel?”

The twins drew off by themselves, not surprisingly, beyond the range even of Lorna’s lycan hearing. Lorna and the Assistant Chief waited in concerned silence while a spirited, at times contentious, conversation ensued between Karla and her brother. After a few moments, the pair apparently reached some kind of agreement. Turning briskly, they returned to earshot. “Will the safe be in a protected environment to prevent deterioration?” asked Karla.

“It can be arranged.”

“In an office where someone is present twenty-four hours a day?”

“We can do that too.”

“May we provide a representative to witness the transfer?”

“Of course.”

Karla conferred again with Thomas. Breaking their huddle, Thomas said, “We agree to your plan. There is one more thing.”

The Assistant Chief, relieved to put the problem amicably to bed, quickly answered. “Yes, anything.”

Thomas pointed at Lorna. “She’s the only one who’ll have the safe combination.”

Where can readers find you and your book?

From MuseItUp Publishing click here

To view the book trailer click here

Mike Arsuaga, author of "Subspecies, Inc." Best Erotic Book for 2011 on the Preditors & Editors Reader's Poll. The sequel "Children of Subspecies" won Best Cover. Both are continuations of award winning "Subspecies" about the deep love between two special beings as they shepherd lycans and vampires (The Subspecies) to their destiny within Creation. Coming soon, episodes four and five, "The Tenth Legion" in February and "Lagrange Point" in May.

Check out the full synopsis and excerpts of all stories at http://mikearsuaga.weebly.com or http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com 

Thank you, Mike! I enjoyed hosting you today!

--KSR Writer

Musings from the Mind of Author Pat Dale

Today author Pat Dale is back as a guest blogger with some interesting insights into the mind of the fiction author. Welcome back, Pat!

What do you write?

I write a variety of genres; romance, romantic suspense, sagas, psychological suspense, but there’s a hint of romance in almost everything I write.

Why do you choose the genres you do?

I’ve never figured that out. My first effort was a mainstream novel that went on and on. It involved a lonely man’s quest for a proper companion and spoke of romance, though larger themes such as life and death got in the way of the romantic side of the story. After that, I wrote a group of funny romances, a couple of romantic suspense novels, and a smattering of non-romance books. Now I’m concentrating on mysteries but they also have that hint of romance in them. Can’t get away from it! LOL

What made you first want to be a writer?

I started writing while in college, but my music got in the way and I didn’t heed my English Profs who told me I should be a fiction author. Forty years later, I slowed down a bit and smelled the coffee. I’d written the first fifty or sixty pages of half a dozen novels over the years but never finished any of them. Then fifteen years ago, I started writing seriously and haven’t stopped yet. Go figure…

What inspires you?

A beautiful sunrise or sunset. A rainy day when the water drops spatter over the sidewalk. A girl’s smile. A boy’s absentminded shuffle down the street. You name it and I get inspiration from it.

What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

Writer’s block usually occurs when I’ve written myself into a corner and it doesn’t play forward. If I stop and wait, I’ll get back on track. Sometimes I have to go to something else and get my mind totally off what I’ve been working on. Often, it’s my dips in mood that I mistake for writer’s block. I have very high highs and very low lows, and that affects my work more than anything else. I hate the lows but it’s a part of my system and allows me to have those highs where everything comes together like some kind of magic.

Who is your favorite character you have created?

My favorite female character is Molly Dennison, from that first book, yet to be published. She epitomizes my idea of an admirable heroine, brought to a sorry position by factors beyond her control, yet she lets nothing or nobody hold her down. Literally an Unsinkable Molly Brown.

My favorite male character is Daniel Quinn, a detective I’m still polishing for the mysteries in my new St. Louis Blues series, the first of which (TOCCATA) will be released in May. He’s a lovable rogue with disparate talents for jazz and detecting, along with an uncanny ability to attract women who can’t resist his charm.

Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

Just one. I’ve always wanted to write western stories, ala Zane Grey. Maybe some day, but at my age it’ll have to be soon. LOL

What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

A sense of enjoyment and satisfaction from a story well told.

What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

Good news; I’m still alive and kicking. On a more serious note, I have a suspense saga, set in the eastern Missouri Ozarks that came out in January. The Evil Within is definitely not romance and contains vicious scenes, not for the faint of heart, including violent rape. The story of a soldier back from war to recuperate from PTSD, hoping to find peace and quiet in his little home town. Instead, he finds the same evil in his town, his family, and in his own heart that he’d experienced in Iraq.

Where can we find you on the web?

My website is: www.patdale.net but it’s a bit long in the tooth, due for a makeover very soon.

I have a new website: www.pat-dale.com that will be up and running by the middle of the year. It will be dedicated to mystery and non-romance writing.

I also have an ongoing blog at: www.patdalesblog.blogspot.com where I opine on various topics on a more or less regular basis.

I invite all of you to drop by any of the sites to see where my dysfunctional brain has taken me recently.

Ah, who knows the idiosyncrasies of the human mind?

Thanks, Pat! It's great to find out what makes an author tick and pick up a few helpful hints along the way!

--KSR Writer

Meet MuseItUp Author Madeleine McLaughlin

If you're looking for a quick read and like a little dark fiction, check out Madeleine McLaughlin's short story, The Mountain City Broznes. She is my guest today and a fellow MuseItUp author. Welcome, Madeleine!

Tell us a bit about your background and how you became a writer.

I wrote a lot of poems when I was a child and I made books of them. My father kept those books long after I'd forgotten them but that was my first writing. I did creative writing all through school, sometimes because I made up 'facts' for reports!

In grade twelve I wrote a science fiction story about a computer who gets 'sick' and the teacher said it was the best short story she'd seen from a student. I was pumped and tried to get it published professionally, but they didn't take it.

After that, I didn't write much until I was in my thirties although I always kept journal notes. I took a correspondence course, which is where I began The Mountain City Bronzes and after that kept writing with an eye to publishing 'some day'.

My personal bio starts in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where I was born, but I grew up in White Rock, BC. I loved going to the beach and loved animals. I wanted to have a monkey, but also did a lot of watching TV. I am a college graduate in Travel and Tourism.

What is one of your favorite books?

A few years ago, I would have said Wuthering Heights (it's where I got my quirky punctuation) but since then I've read This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson. This book blows me away! It's my new favorite.

What inspired you to write the book?

I used to be a sculptor and I thought I would like one as a character--it's that easy.

How would you describe your writing process?

When I first began I was diligent in doing it every day. I still try to but I have to admit that personal troubles, death, cancer etc. have impacted me. It's not pretty but it is what it is. When I do write it's like a loop, I write the start then continue as I get the start critiqued. After I think about the crits and what to do I improve the whole of the first part and then keep the suggestions for the second part and the third part and so on--like a loop always going to the start and making sure the middle agrees.

How have you marketed your book?

I put up the link from MuseItUp Publishing website so they could go right there and buy. I’m also on Twitter and Linkedin. I printed bookmarks and gave them out at the Muse Retreat in Montreal last November. I've left some in my local library and I sent some to my step-mom to give out in BC. I printed up some posters and put them up on poster collars. And since I've an interest in genealogy, I am on a social media website called KILTR. They have groups called Bookworms and Literature where I put links up and then of course my blog and anyone who wants to do an interview, I'm interested.

What advice would you give to other writers?

Simple. Never give up your dreams. If you find you can't apply yourself right now, keep the dream until you can and when you can, keep honing your skills. Find out who you are (your voice, outlook) and be true to it.

Please provide an excerpt from your book.

The jail was a great refuge in June, but even in the winter, I found it pleasant to play in. There was so much fun imagining the structure when it was full, back in the gold rush. I could almost hear the walls and floors resounding to the voices of the thousands of lawless men that lived back then. In the large, empty vastness of our jail, I loved pretending I needed to find escape routes.

One day after tromping through the halls for an hour, I found a locked door.

Why is it shut tight?  What is behind that door?

Where can readers find your book?

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=249&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

I love the excerpt! This book has received some great reviews, too. Thanks for being here today, Madeleine!

--KSR Writer

Meet "Pages from the Past" Author JoAnn Arnold

I think it's fascinating when authors reveal where their story ideas come from, and my guest today was inspired by a piece of American history. JoAnn Arnold is the author of "Pages from the Past." Welcome, JoAnn!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

When I was a little girl I loved to pretend. I think that pretending feeds the imagination allowing you to take the next step. It’s then you find what you want to be.

My first attempt at writing was Roadshow scripts. Then I moved on to writing children’s musicals for the elementary school in Orangeville, where we lived. My first experience in writing a book was as a ghost writer. That made me want to write my own novels.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

I have to say that all my books are my favorites. They each tell their own story. The book I want to talk about today is, “Pages From the Past” It is a story of Patriotic bravery in the high tech world. Two of the main characters in this book are a Golden Retriever named Dorado, 80-year-old Elmira Redding, and her daughter, Betsy, whose husband passed away suddenly. Thus begins the mystery and the adventure that takes them on a path they hadn’t imagined.

What inspired you to write this book?

I read a book on the constitution and I learned that when the signers of the Declaration of Independence had everything in place to introduce their work to the people, they called patriotic men to watch over the constitution, calling them ‘the Watchers of the Constitution.’ The Watchers responsibility was to prevent the constitution from being misinterpreted in any way or to be stepped on.  I thought to myself; if there were watchers back then, maybe there are watchers still today. This was my inspiration.

How would you describe your writing process?

I get an idea then let it grow until I can see a story forming. I don’t outline too often, mostly I let the characters tell the story and I do my best to keep up with them.

How have you marketed your book?

Cedar Fort is my Publisher. They help to get it out in the stores. Many online stores carry my books and I do giveaways on Goodreads. I have done several book signings at Seagull Book and Tape. The SG&T and St. George has been very pleasant to work with. Readers can also buy directly from cedar Fort or they can buy directly from me.

What advice would you give to other authors?

I would tell them if they want to be an author, go for it and never give up. Pres. Monson put it this way, “Fear not, the future is as bright as your faith.” I might add that we learn the greatest lessons from ourselves. We teach ourselves courage or fear. We decide how badly we want to become what is in our heart.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

Betsy catches her mother with a deep-cleaning facial peel on her face and the conversation covers the reason why she has it on her face.

“I’m doing it as a favor for my beautician. Before she recommends it to any of her other customers, she wants me to test it.” Betsy explains after a full discussion.

“And why you?”

“Because I have the perfect face to try it on: old and wrinkled.”

“Oh, Mother, really. I thought you said that wrinkles are a sign of great wisdom.”

“They are, dear. But we don’t need to strut them in public. It’s best to keep a low profile.”

Even though Betsy is deeply involved in the mystery, she adds humor and wisdom throughout the book. When she wants everyone to pay close attention to what she has to say, she says, “I can’t quote scripture or verse, but what I’m about to tell you goes something like this.”

Where can readers find you and your book?

They can go on-line to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other on-line book stores. They can buy them through Cedar Fort.com. Or, they can buy them directly from me at www.joannarnold.com.

My blog is www.authorjoann.blogspot.com

Thank you, Kathy for reviewing “Pages from the Past.” I truly appreciate it.

Thanks, JoAnn! It's been a joy learning more about you and your book. I look forward to reading it!

--KSR Writer

Author School Visit: Why Writing a Book is Like Cooking

Last week I had the privilege of conducting my first school visit as an author! My son's second grade class read "Tall Tales with Mr. K" and the teacher asked me to come speak to the students. Of course, I was delighted! But I wasn't sure how to structure the visit. What do I talk about other than the book? I did a quick Google search and didn't come up with much. So, I just had to figure out my own plan.

The teacher said I'd have 30 minutes during the class writing time. I decided to divide it up into 10 minutes segments: have a discussion the first 10 minutes; answer questions the next 10 minutes then have the students do a short writing assignment the last 10 minutes. That way, I really only had to plan the first 10 minutes. I didn't want to just talk about the book; I wanted to give the kids something they could relate to. After some thought, I chose the theme "Why Writing a Book is Like Cooking."

1. The first thing you need to do when cooking is decide what to make. The kids had fun sharing their favorite foods to cook and eat. I explained that authors do the same thing when writing a book; They decide what to write about. I shared with them how I came up with the idea for "Tall Tales with Mr. K."

2. The second thing you need when cooking is ingredients. Some recipes are simple, like cereal, which requires only cereal and milk. Other recipes require more ingredients, like baking a cake. I explained the ingredients in a book are the settings and characters. Some books have a few characters and others have many. I went on by explaining that often you have to mix ingredients together. In a fiction novel, "mixing" ingredients is like combining things that can happen in real life with things that are made up. I also told the kids that when I invent characters for my books, I take the names of people I know and change them around, or mix them up to invent new names. (The kids thought that was pretty funny and offered their own ideas for character names.)

3.  The last thing you need to do when cooking is actually bake the food. For a book, the last thing you do is write it. This involves creating a beginning, middle and ending. (This tied in nicely because the class had practiced writing beginnings, middles and endings earlier in the year). I also included that books can be as short or as long as you like. The important thing is that they include all the ingredients and to make sure it's completely done baking.

At the end of the 10 minute discussion I did a quick review and asked the kids what the three things were you need to write a book. They easily remembered all of them! The next 10 minutes I let them ask questions. Twenty hands went up in the air at once and bombarded me for the entire 10 minutes! Surprisingly, most of their questions had to do with the publishing process. "How do you make a cover?" "How do you get a book printed?" "Where do you sell your books?" Their enthusiasm was overwhelming!

For the last 10 minutes I had the kids return to their desks and gave them a writing assignment. In each chapter of "Tall Tales with Mr. K" a different student has an adventure in the teacher's lounge. I asked the kids to write one or two sentences describing an adventure they'd like to have in the teacher's lounge. Answers ranged from having the teacher's lounge turn into Disneyland to having it turn into a castle with a dragon where you could take dragon riding lessons. These were some creative kids!

The visit went great and I had a blast! I was really impressed with these second-graders. But the best part was hearing 20 students tell me how much they enjoyed reading my book and asking when the sequel was going to be available! Now that I have 20 suggestions for new adventures in the teacher's lounge, I think my next book just might have to be titled, "Taller Tales with Mr. K!"

If you have experiences with school visits you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them!

--KSR Writer

Meet Barbara Bockman Author of WOUNDS

Today I welcome Barbara Bockman, author of WOUNDS available from Muse It Up Publishing. Barbara is giving away a free pdf copy of WOUNDS to one lucky person who leaves a comment! Welcome, Barbara!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

 Hi Kathy. Thanks for inviting me to be on your blog. I think I have considered myself an author since about age 13. But I was too shy to do much about it for many years. Finally, after seeing the ad for the Institute of Children’s Literature in magazines, I took the plunge and signed up for the basic course. I felt it was a good company to go with because the Dean of Faculty, Alvin Tresselt, was the author of a Caldecott Honor book, Hide and Seek Fog, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin. After having several stories and poems published in children’s magazines, I decided to go for a novel.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

One of my favorite books is The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. I am drawn to historical fiction, and this is one of the best stories about life in Puritan New England in the late 1600s. The romance and mystery blend perfectly with the everyday life and religious and social mores of the time.

What inspired you to write this book?

 I was inspired to write Wounds by an incident that happened near my home. Someone attacked a 500 year old oak tree with a chain saw. I was appalled by the maliciousness of the action. At first, I started to write a short story about the tree, but as I learned more about middle grade fiction, I realized I needed to write about a youngster and just have the tree as an element in the story. It’s not a piece of cake being a teenager, and I had no trouble working out a motive for the vandal’s actions. The boy in my story becomes an outcast because of his bad behavior. I did a lot of research, such as visiting the Division of Family and Children office. I  hope my book will show young readers that they can overcome their worst impulses, even if they have done something socially unacceptable.

How would you describe your writing process?

I love it when I have large blocks of time in which to really get into whatever I’m working on. I read some of what I’ve previously written to get back into the frame of mind I was in when I cut off. And then I’m totally involved; nothing around distracts me when I’m deep inside the world of the story. I see what the characters see and feel what they feel. My only hope is that I can convey all that to the reader.

How have you marketed your book?

 I belong to several online sites, such as, The Blogging Mastermind Comment Tribe and LinkedIn, and  of course, Facebook and Twitter. I’ve met with the school district curriculum coordinator to set up book talks in the local middle schools. My daughter is helping me create posters and visuals. I have a blog and I’ve been a guest on several blogs.

What advice would you give to other authors?

I would advise other authors along the same lines as the advice I’ve received from established authors: write the kind of books you love to read; write about what moves you; continue to learn about writing and the publishing business; believe in yourself; never give up.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

(In this excerpt, “Siegfried” is the dog and Craig, the protagonist).

The next Saturday, K’BeTs gathered in the Ark kitchen to brainstorm about their fund raiser. The officers acted as team leaders and formed groups with three other club members and started pitching out ideas. Each team hoped to come up with the best proposal.

            Craig was sitting in front of the TV in the living room. He couldn’t concentrate for straining to hear the voices in the kitchen. Siegfried stationed himself beside Craig.

            Craig felt left-out and it hurt. That was his tree! He sat fuming. When Mrs. Ark came into the living room with a feather duster, she said, in a fake French accent, “Mees-sure, do you mind eff I dust zeez objects d’art?”

            He could tell she wanted to distract him. He made an attempt to accept her friendship. “Go right ahead, Ma-dame.”

            The “objects d’art” in question were the Noah’s arks. Craig admired each item of the colorful and varied collection. I wish my mom had had something pretty, he thought.

            He could think about his mom a little now without much pain. Her curly brown hair that she had a hard time controlling in the Florida humidity. Her big green eyes. Sometimes Julia pushed Charlie into this job or that scheme, but he never held a job for long. Craig remembered how his dad liked to go out with “the boys” and carouse a little. He liked to drink a little. The drinking made it even harder to get a good job.        

            Finally, Julia persuaded Charlie to try his hand at roofing, a job he had irregular experience with. The bank wouldn’t give him a loan, but Bentley Ark did. It went well for a while. Charlie stayed sober. They were about to make it. There was no health insurance because Julia was saving money to buy . . . . Craig’s thoughts were treading into a forbidden area. This was more painful than thoughts about the tree. He forced himself to smile at Mrs. Ark and make  pleasant comments about her collection.

            Before Craig had time to delve into self-pity again, Carson brought her group into the living room. “The teams are scattering because it got too noisy in the kitchen,” she said. “Is it all right if we come in here?”

            “Why, certainly,” Mrs. Ark said and left with her duster.

            Craig clicked off the television and got up to leave with Siegfried following.

            “Why don’t you stay and help us, Craig?” said Carson. “We could use some more brain power.” She looked at Mark and Norma Faith and Chan as if to dare them to dispute her.

            They didn’t. They nodded and mumbled, “Yeah, stay, Craig.”

            He hesitated then decided to stay. He wanted to be a part of the group and Carson was reaching out a hand in friendship. “Okay,” he said. Since Craig returned to his seat, Siegfried returned also, with his front half sitting beside Craig and his back half standing up. “You’re ridiculous, Siegfried,” said Carson. Everyone laughed and the atmosphere in the room seemed friendly.

            “Whatever we come up with,” said Carson, slipping smoothly into the role of team leader, “had better be big. We can ask other people for help. I know for certain that my mother’s business will pitch in.”

            “My dad’s Sunday School class will help, I bet,” said Mark. Mark was a muscular boy with a shock of red hair who was never without a basketball ball. He twirled one on his finger during the meeting.

            Norma Faith was the first with a suggestion. Twisting her hair around a scrunchy, she said, “Okay. I was thinking about a dog show. We take our poodle to dog shows, and it’s expensive to enter. We could charge a lot. Everybody has a dog.”

            “Not everybody,” said Chan. “But lots of people have pets. It doesn’t have to be just dogs. James has rabbits and Nelson has Siegfried. I have a guinea pig. Her name is Tundra.”

            “A pet show is not big enough,” said Carson. “But it’s a good suggestion,” she added, when Norma Faith’s face turned red. “I’ll write that down. It’s a good start.”

            “The weather’s too cold for a dog wash or a car wash,” said Mark. “They’re always fun.”

            Craig cleared his throat, “Huh.” He was going to jump in. “How about a bake sale?” he

ventured. He had seen bake sales in front of the Food Lion.

            Carson smiled at him across the coffee table and across the gulf of exclusion. Then she gently nixed his idea. “The Girl Scouts are selling cookies and the School Patrols are selling candy for their trip to Washington. I don’t think a bake sale would go over right now. We need something totally different.”

            “I know,” said Mark. “How about a chili cook-off?”

            “Just chili?” asked Carson, wrinkling her nose.

            “I wish we could do them all,” whined Norma Faith, and pulled the scrunchy out of her hair.

            Craig thought the way Carson tilted her head was cute. Then she surprised him by shouting,

“Well, why don’t we!”

            She raised her arms into the air as if to embrace all the good ideas. “We could have a carnival in the school gym.”

            “And we could include whatever the other teams have come up with, too,” Mark said. 

            “Let’s go and see what they think about it.” Carson jumped up and lead the way to the kitchen. “I think it should be a winter carnival. We can rent a snow machine and everything.”

            Craig lagged back. It was nice while it lasted, but he didn’t think the rest of the group would want him to butt in. And besides, Craig was expecting Mrs. Dayton. Every week, she advised him to be patient; his life would return to normal, eventually. Eventually. At the time he had not believed her. But after today--with Carson--maybe she was right.

Where can readers find you and your book?

I would love for your readers to visit my blog, Stories a la Mode at http://barbarabockman.wordpress.com

My book is available through my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, at http://bit.ly/pjSEdC

I would like to offer a PDF copy of Wounds to one of your readers who leaves a comment.

Thanks again, Kathy, for having me on your blog. I’m looking forward to having you visit mine, too.

Thank you, Barbara! And don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free pdf copy of WOUNDS!

--KSR Writer