Yep, that's me. Yakking away my days on the phone.
When MySpace first started and everyone jumped on--so did I. Then everyone jumped over to Facebook. (which I'll add I detest because I got hacked! I deleted my account) Anyways, so much time has been spent emailing, or facebooking, or myspacing, that the art of hearing a voice, the intonations, the soft sigh is being overlooked. I stopped getting on the social sites and went back to good ol' fashioned telephone calling. I'm glad I did. I love hearing speech (not just the ones in my head). I love hearing the softness, the sincerity in my family and friends' inflections. Lots can be "read" in listening to another person. And sometimes, it needs to be either done on a phone or in person.
What I'm saying here is--after awhile, I started to feel the same bland coldness on the social networks that they display. Most everyone is only guessing as to what their friends are really feeling. I needed to go back and find that closeness with human touch. Not just from a keyboard.
Recently, I uploaded a little Christmas short story, "Halo and Holly"
about Great Pyrenees dogs. In the story, pies are baked and the scent of those Christmas goodies fill the protagonist's kitchen.
I have a friend I've know since I was 19. She can bake anything and loves doing it. Just before the Christmas Holidays we used to get together and spend a day in her kitchen. I usually cut cherries, pecans, and helped stir in ingrediants, because me in the kitchen -- we'll we're not a good combination. I don't cook, bake, fry, or whatever else people do in them. Except heat food in the microwave. My husband is the main chef in our home. (And I'm grateful and spoiled) I'm missing my friend terribly. We've grown somewhat apart and I need to do something to rectify it.
I'll be out of the cyber-loop for a couple of days and will re-surface back on the flat-tone of the keys, once I've heard all the giggles, laughter, and tears...either on the phone or in person.
As I grow older, the importance of those dear to me...I want to keep that way.
Happy Trails,
Cherri
I live in a world where sugar, or rather carbohydrates are my enemy. Last night, I splurged on a simple chocolate-topped sundae. And pancakes with real syrup. Although I'm a diabetic and know better, sometimes throwing caution to the wind is what I do and today I've paid the price. It'll take several days for my blood sugar to level out again. Heavy carbs and straight sugar to me is like alcohol to an alcoholic...the body doesn't handle it well. Matter of fact, the symptoms are quite similar to a hangover. (No, I'm not skirting over the life-threatening issues with diabetes, I just am not going into detail on this post...maybe another day)
Next time, for celebration of a new release, I'm going to splurge with a good old-fashioned salad. lol.
I've learned my lesson--
Cherri
D. Nathan Hilliard has just released another novelette titled, Shades: A Memory of Me. 
This too, is a winner. One more of his ghostly stories that'll scare the pants off of you!
Be sure to have the lights on and make darn sure that the doors are locked. (yeah, it really is that scary!)
And we shared another great writers' night out at Denny's. Met an interesting young man tonight who has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. Hi Matt. And for our pleasure this evening, our waitress, Lauren, kept us adequately filled with our liquids of choice. Thank you, little lady!
I had way too much sugar and became more silly by the minute. For a diabetic, I try to do all the right things, but sometimes you just have to cave a little and splurge. (the 'hot shot' didn't kick in soon enough! haha) Besides, Nate and I were celebrating both our releases coming out in the same week! It was worth it! (and now everybody at Denny's knows what I'm like drunk on sugar--at least I had a good time! lol)
Otherwise, all is good. Tomorrow, it's back to work!
Keeping my fingers crossed for rain this weekend--
Cherri
From this writer's viewpoint, I'm watching an enormous treasure chest flung wide open. Gold, silver, and precious gems spilling out all across the oceans for readers.
To me, this is like offering children free reign to the world's largest candy jar filled with every sweet imaginable. And I'm one of those kids.
I have more books on my Kindle and Sony ereaders filled with independent writers than I do with traditionally published authors. Why? I've discovered those fine jewels and are gobbling them up.
I've become a follower of writers like D. Nathan Hilliard, Joe Konrath, Zoe Winters, R.J. Keller, Christy Pinheiro, Amanda Hocking, April L. Hamilton, Rex Kusler, and Moses Siregar III...just to name a few. My taste for books cross almost every genre. I enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing.
Know how I found these tasty morsels? Two ways--one, by word of mouth; and the other (which is my favorite), was perusing Amazon Kindle Books...for hours. I go to a genre, and when I see a title I like, I look closer at the cover. Then I read the synopsis. If I like the synopsis, then I buy it (if the price is right).
If you look at the box about mid-way down on the page, there's an area marked "customers who bought this book, also bought..." Now, that's word of mouth! And the suggestions genre-hops. I like Amazon's idea of openness. Yeah, I like Amazon, too.
Reviews mean nothing to me. You see, I'm quite capable of forming my own opinions. And NO, I will not ever write a bad review. No matter what. If I truly didn't enjoy the book, I move on. Why waste time voicing my opinion on something I didn't particularly care for? Besides, one wo/man's trash is another wo/man's treasure.
If you made it this far through my happy diatribe--good. I strive for compromise and harmony whenever I can. Can't help it, it's in my nature.
What I don't tolerate is the constant disgruntle-ness, disrespect, disturbing and other dis's out there--slamming the choice a writer chooses to publish.
A couple years ago, publishing choices were limited because of stigma placed on self-published or Indie Writers. Now, this stigma is quickly fading. It's nothing for an author to have multiple publishers. Quite a few writers have been doing just that for ages. Some use pseudonyms to keep their publishers straight, and some use pseudonyms to write in different genres. Most publishing houses want their writers to be loyal only to them as exclusives. Sheesh, who really thinks they can "own" a writer?
Thank goodness publishing today offers a much wider spectrum for authors. Indie writers today have become more savvy than ever before and are taking full advantage of their options.
So what brought me to write this novel of a blog? The stigma I keep hearing towards Indie Writers. I have noticed in the past month more and more traditionally published writers popping up, talking about going to Kindle boards and forums, picking up on what the Indies are doing to market and promote their work! What??? Yeah, it seems the trends have certainly changed? So why are the traditionally published backstabbing the Indie Writer? Because they are floundering.
Publishers should be worried. The Indie writers' works are turning out to be the cream...rising to the top. They are no longer the exception, but are turning into the norm.
Yes, I am published by a small press and I'm an Indie Writer! My whole goal as a writer is to be read.
It's a brave new world out there folks!
Cherri
I'm unable to stop the giggles!
HALO and HOLLY is now available on Kindle!
Now for all you who don't understand about the little pic with the buy button on Amazon--let me explain. Clicking on it won't make you buy it. It will take you to my Halo and Holly page, where you have a choice. AND, for those who don't own a Kindle? You can download the "Kindle for PC" to your desktop (it's free!) :)
This little short story, although is fiction, is based on our Great Pyrenees, Cheyenne. She wanted me to tell HER story, since I always write about German shepherds. She wanted me to tell the world that her breed of dogs are truly Gentle Giants.
It's a wonderful day in the Galbiati house and I can't help but share my enthusiasm with the world.
Keep the (Winter) Christmas lights shining,
Cherri
