I'm Going to be Published!

I know I've been absent for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm going to try and get better about that.

So, something cool happened recently...

Just over a week ago (on Friday, 25 July), I received an email from the sponsors of a romance short story contest I entered earlier in the month. My story is one of twenty that will be published in the upcoming anthology, Romancing the Story.

I’ve been telling everyone I know for the past week! It would be an understatement to say I am merely excited – I’m ecstatic! I’m actually going to have a story published! (Also, I like exclamation marks. And smileys, though I’ll try and keep both to a minimum.)

My story, “Soul Call”, is a fantasy romance with a paranormal twist. My specialty. ;)

I've also created a professional blog, so if I'm not here, look for me there.

Sunday Sunday IV

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns. Below are the original lyrics from 1779.

Amazing Grace

John Newton

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Source: Wikipedia article "Amazing Grace"

Posting Schedule (such as it is or was)

My original daily posting schedule:

• Sunday - "Sunday Sunday" - lyrics to public-domain hymns
• Monday - "Monday Raves" - stuff I like a lot
• Tuesday - "Tuesday Quotes" - random humerous quotes from me and people I know, posted with permission
• Wednesday - "Waiting on Wednesday" - Book(s) I am eagerly awaiting the release of - moved to TuraLura's Picks
• Thursday - "Thursday Rants" - pet peeves and other things that annoy me or make me angry
• Friday - "The Friday 56" - book quotes
• Saturday - "Saturday Snippets" - small snippets from one of my WIPs (works in progress)

I don't expect to post something for each of these every week, but I would like to continue with this schedule. Two exceptions: as mentioned above, my "Waiting on Wednesday" posts will now be on my book review blog, so I would like to find a replacement for those (suggestions welcome). And I'm putting "Saturday Snippets" on hold for a while. I don't have anything ready for sharing as of right now. That may change at any time.

I am trying to ease myself back into blogging, so posts may be sporadic for a while. Especially as I have so many reviews backlogged for TLP. Like, a dozen or so. o.O That may take a while...

Thanks for your understanding.

The Friday 56, Part the Seventeenth

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I found this via Shiloh Walker's blog. She found it at The Bookaholic Zone, who found it at Storytime With Tonya & Friends, which - as far as I can tell - is the originator.

Unemployed. Turned Cyborg after a debilitating work-related accident three years ago, no doubt spent most of his savings on the surgery.

From Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I just started this yesterday. I've only read one chapter, so I'm not this far along yet. I've no idea what the above sentences are about. Guess I'll find out soon. ^_^

My apologies for my extended absence. I am trying to get back into blogging on a more regular basis. I doubt I'll post every day, but I shall try to post more often then once every two years. o.O

No promises, but I will try.

The Friday 56, Part the Sixteenth

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I found this via Shiloh Walker's blog. She found it at The Bookaholic Zone, who found it at Storytime With Tonya & Friends, which - as far as I can tell - is the originator.

“Her family is not only in charge of the Pop Cops, but work closely with the Controllers, as well.”

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

I was going to go sit out on the back porch and read for a bit, like I did yesterday, but then I found out the temperature: 80! Too hot for me. So I haven't actually started the above book yet, but I have it here beside me because it's the book I was going to take outside.