What are some memorable books that you read as a child? I’m sharing a handful of my picks over on Jeri Walker-Bickett’s blog today, and the list might surprise you. Unless, of course, you also read Sophia Loren’s biography when you were 10.
Here’s the full post: The Thorn Birds as Children’s Literature. And if Jeri’s name sounds familiar to you, it’s because she shared this poignant and haunting post, When Your Mother is Crazy, on my blog just a couple of months ago.
Send to KindleEven though knowledge is power, there are some rather nasty things you just do not want to know about. Unfortunately, awareness of some of these things may, like, save the planet or prevent you from getting cancer or protect our food supply. So in that sense, it’s a really lucky thing that there exist people who are going to tell you the whole sordid story, refusing to spare your ears or eyes. Take my friend Wendee, for instance. Continue reading
Send to KindleZip-a-dee-doo-dah, I’m going to share about my work-in-progress today, having been tagged by Jeri Walker-Bickett for something called The Next Big Thing. First, a girl can only hope. I’d even be thrilled with The Next Moderately Well-Received Thing. Second, can I get in trouble for using the phrase “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah?” I’m developing copyright paranoia. Anyway, thanks to Jeri for getting me to play. This promotion idea originates from the SheWrites website, and what follows are my answers to ten interview questions. At the end, you’ll find links to other authors I’ve invited to take part.
What is the working title of your book? It’s Crazy for You, but I definitely envision a title change. I like the working title, but there are too many things out there already with the same name. If anybody has any snappy ideas, please send them my way. If your idea gets used, I’ll pay you what Nike paid the graphic designer who came up with the swoosh, which is enough to buy one-third of one pair of Nike runners. You’re welcome. (But seriously, if something comes to you in a flash, I’d love to hear it. Love to.) Continue reading
Send to KindleAre you someone who only does intermittent computer backups (like I was)? Or, worse, you’re not doing them at all?
File backup is easier than you think. It doesn’t have to hurt, even for the novice computer user.
Just like my friend, but with more piercings
Now, losing files, that’s a headache. I have one friend whose laptop crashed, his data was irretrievable, and he hadn’t backed it up anywhere. He’s since torn out whatever hair had remained on his head. I know someone else who spent several hundred dollars on data recovery. If I’m going to throw money away like that, I should at least wake up with a hangover and a Justin Bieber tattoo on my chest. Continue reading
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To all the landlocked countries in the world: I’m sorry. Lakes, rivers, ponds–sure, they’re nice, too, but can they compare with staring off into the endless horizon over the ocean? I think not.
The less crowded the beach, the better, even if it takes hours or days to get there. Hey, you don’t have to worry about somebody stealing your stuff while you swim when there’s nobody else there! Continue reading
Send to KindleLet’s see what gems I can distill from my 28 pages of notes, shall we?
But first, let me say that the conference organizers were truly amazing and their energy tireless. How do they do it? Man, the staff and volunteers of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) totally slayed it! 
Alright, here are some of the highlights from my scribbles: Continue reading
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My new wristband
My husband knows me too well. Starting Thursday, I’m off to spend four days at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) conference, and it will be the first time I’ll pitch my current book to literary agents and publishing editors. Francis thought to himself, ‘hmmm, what could I get her as a good luck present, something she could wear or keep close to her at the conference?’ And he picked the absolute most perfect thing: a 46664 wristband. Continue reading
Send to KindleApologies in advance to all of the high school kids I’m about to annoy, but I am so excited for school to start again! No, it’s not because I’ve got children of my own and I’m dying to get them out of my hair (that last phrase should be an indication of my suitability as a parent). I’ve had a mini-epiphany recently that led to an idea that led to a project, however, it requires the presence of juniors and seniors during their Social Studies class. Continue reading
Send to KindleIn the 10 years my husband Francis and I have been together, I’ve made several trips with him to the family homestead in Millers Falls, part of Montague, Massachusetts. Somehow, in the flurry of activities—lunches at Friendly’s, visits with the dear and now departed Uncle 
Al J. Zera (yep, that was his name) and trips to the Yankee Candle factory—we kept missing one of the best places in town, The Montague Bookmill. We finally went last week, and now that I’ve crossed that bridge (they actually have a little bridge from the road to the front door), it will be a standing itinerary item on all future in-law pilgrimages. Continue reading
Send to KindleTime for some traveling! I’m hanging out with a kindred spirit today, Sarah Bowdidge. She has created a new blog called Reading the World with a mission that is near and dear to my heart. In her words, “My personal goal is to get people thinking (or rethink) their beliefs and to promote a greater sense of world citizenship. Too many people are stuck in the box of nationhood and forget they are first and foremost a citizen of earth.” Hallelujah, sister!
Hubby chews the fat with Kishna
I invite you to read my post about busting past the ‘government view’ of the world to get down and dirty with real people. You know, like, talking. Also, check out Sarah’s book reviews (she even did a fabulous review of Tro-tros and Potholes that made me want to weep) and just give this great new voice in the blogging world some love in general.
First, accept hugs from me. Next step, click here: http://www.sarahreadstheworld.com/guest-post-laura-zera/
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