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  • About Weekend Reads
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    • Free Puzzle

A Bit of the Essence 

3/30/2016

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One of the ideas readers suggested was posting parts of my writing.  I found this section in my first book  that illustrates  a bit of Sophia's character.    Hope you enjoy reading this!
 
The stoplight turned green and the steel blue BMW darted down the ramp onto the toll way.  Sophia hummed as she picked her spot in the far left lane and slid into it with precision.   As she neared the tollbooth lane, she zeroed in on a black Camaro.

 She held her breath as she passed through the tollbooth, then grinned. I won, she thought while accelerating back into the center lane. Tollbooth match ups had been more fun when people had to throw change into the bin, but the game still worked with the E‑ZPass lanes.  Exiting off the tollway, she sped down a wide boulevard and then turned into the office parking deck.      

Zipping into the first open parking space, she popped out, reaching in the back for her laptop bag.  She dashed over and pushed the elevator button.
 
Sophia took a deep breath as she waited. It was Tuesday -- assignment day at Personna Magazine.  Normally, she looked forward to starting out on, as she called it, “a new journalistic adventure”.   But her last couple of assignments had been disappointing, mostly “fluff” stories on friendly people who coveted publicity and made it very easy for her -- sometimes too easy -- almost interviewing themselves, even prompting her with questions.  Sometimes it seemed that all she had to do is smile, which didn’t give her much opportunity for her to prove her intellectual or research skills.

She weighted the merits of asking Ellie, her editor, about a more challenging assignment.  As she entered the elevator, she remembered her editor’s stern look when discussing her last article, a piece on an aspiring movie director.  

“Your subjects love to talk with you because you exude a natural curiosity about people.  You seem to capture the image they are trying to create.  But the readers also want to see the dark side of these people. Be more dimensional.”
​
Relatively new at the journalism business, Sophia had used her natural skills to first network into the job itself, then to work up from a research assistant to a writing position.  She still was regarded as a rookie, but when she compared articles, she thought her writing was every bit as good as some of the senior staff who worked on the more controversial and high profile assignments. How could she prove herself if she didn’t have a tough assignment? Yes, she had convinced herself.  She needed to speak up today.
​


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What readers want to read (on a writer's blog)

3/20/2016

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Thank you to all the  Facebook and Twitter followers who answered my survey!  

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!  

I wondered what type of visual stories readers liked, which was why I  asked about favorite movies.  Results so far revealed a  wide variety of favorite movies, ranging from The Imitation Game (which I watched this weekend) to the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (which I've seen numerous times).  

As for topics readers would like to see on the blog, there was more of a trend.  Most suggestions were grouped around: 
  • Book recommendations -- news and thoughts on  authors and new books and series
  • Backstory  on books -- topic selection, research 
  • Stories of growth and inspiration 

The short survey is only 4 questions.  So if you haven't had a chance but would like to add your opinion, please use this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/blogpost01 (it will take you to survey monkey).

Have a great week!  



Nancy 

​



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Plain, Honest Men

3/13/2016

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 It's election year -- political ads and news crowd the airways.  As in any election year, you'll hear numerous references to the Constitution, the backbone of United States' government. 

The Constitution is a remarkable document -- and so is the story about the personalities and circumstances that shaped its creation.

So, if you're interested in history, politics or characters, I'd recommend reading  Plain, Honest Men - The Making of The American Constitution by Richard Beeman.  

Beeman is a distinguished historian and his account of behind the scenes actions and compromises that shaped the Constitution is engrossing and engaging.  In some places, it almost felt like reading fiction.  It's excellent, unbiased and helps to understand the many complex issues that were faced by the founding fathers.  


Add this one to your list of books to read!


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Things that make book lovers say "argh"!

3/13/2016

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Have you ever wanted to just throw your hands in the air and say the following when:

1. Someone asks you what your favorite book is and expects you to pick just one.  Really? One?  How could I just pick one...

2. Someone interrupts your reading.  Didn't you see the  "Do Not Disturb" sign?  I'm  holding a book...

3.
An author stops writing mid-series.  How could they? Didn't they know I was wanting that next book?

4. When the movie version of a book gets everything wrong.  Did anyone really read the book or did they use Cliff notes? Why didn't they consult some loyal readers?

Do you have a pet reading peeve?  Add it in the comments.

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A True Hero isn't Measured by the Size of his Strength but by the Strength of his Heart

3/5/2016

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Thanks   ‏@LifeHacks  for tweeting this graphic!
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    Nancy MacCreery

    Insights on writing, characters,  humor and other tidbits from the author of the "Scoops and Schemes" series of novels.

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