Jul 18, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
INVITATION: Harbingers, Cycle One
This week I read Book Two: The Haunted, by Frank Peretti.
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read any further unless you want to know how the story goes.
Are you sure?
You’re still reading.
I’m giving you enough screen scrolling to avoid it.
Okay, you’re still here.
All right, folks. Strap yourselves in. This one is a wild ride.
Okay, for starters, can I just say I love a book that stays with you even when you’re not reading it. I’m not talking like, “Oh, yeah. It’s on the coffee table.” or “Of course. It’s in my backpack.” No, no, no. I think you know I mean the kind of reading that stays with you mentally. Emotionally.
Frank Peretti has a style of writing that always grips me, and this is no exception.
This book is told from the Professor’s perspective. The fallen Priest-turned-pragmatist. He no longer believes in God, and will go out of his way to prove that everything has a logical explanation.
Through a myriad of, well, invitations, our heroes finding themselves together on a plane to Seattle.
Aww, Seattle . . .
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Sea-Tac Airport
They think they have separate reasons, but of course they don’t. The professor meets with his old friend, AJ Van Epps, who tells him of a strange, reappearing house. As if a house can vanish and reappear at will! But Van Epps has data to sustain his theories. Two unseemly townsfolk have died recently, and he knows the house has something to do with it. The House seems to always know all about its inhabitants. He talks the professor into joining his investigation. The professor agrees and heads into town where he inexplicably runs into Brenda, the tattoo artist, speaking with a psychic.
Brenda and the professor go in for a reading, not expecting any truth to be revealed. Earthsong, as she’s called, tells them about a boy, a prisoner set free, and other nonsense. Days pass with little adventure, until the professor is followed by what he can only describe as a specter. He’s being followed by a ghost! The professor braces himself and watches as the specter walks past him toward a house that wasn’t there before. The House.
Two-story Victorian, dull purple, richly detailed, turreted, with a covered porch and sleepy front windows.
The professor enlists the aid of the others, including Van Epps who agrees to stay outside the house with his video camera. The professor, Andi, Brenda, and Tank enter the house. It’s nearly night and there are no lights. It’s as if the house expects them. They take to individual rooms upstairs, using only their cell phones for intermittent light. But when all goes dark, three of the four have nightmarish experiences too real to be a dream. Tank is the only one spared the dark evils of their own minds, and he brings them out of it with his large laugh. Where the others had glimpses of their hells, Tank had a glimpse of heaven. Then, at the end of the hall, in the shadow of the moonlit window, is a young boy who promptly disappears.
It’s all too much, and they leave the house. Van Epps is furious; they need more data! They need to find out how the house does what it does, so they can harness its power and use it. The professor and the girls return the next day, to find Tank is already there. With a young boy. The same boy from last night. The same young boy tattooed on his arm.
His name is Daniel, and he has a friend. A big, strong, invisible friend who may or may not be imaginary. But where did Daniel come from? They’re distracted by something outside. Van Epps is mowing the lawn. His argument is if he does something nice to the house, perhaps the house won’t hurt him like it’s hurt so many others.
Okay, I’ve recounted enough. Except to say there’s some fighting. A locked door. An imprisoned child. A murder. And a tall, strong being who helps Daniel even as the winds of hell suck Van Epps and the professor toward its door. Will they be taken? Will they be safe? Who is this Daniel kid? Why does the house always know everything?
For the last week, whether watching TV or cleaning house or driving, I found myself worried about the characters. I forgot they’re not real. I needed to find out what happens next. And I needed that House to stop reappearing at every corner.
I think you need to pick up INVITATION and find out for yourself what shadows can do.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Harbingers, C1B2: The Haunted, by Frank Peretti. @RealMojo68 #harbingers #amreading
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 17, 2017 |
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
[republished with permission. And be sure to check out my post today on Edie’s blog, The Write Conversation. ~Molly Jo]
Edie Melson: Social Media Lies People Tell Themselves, Part One
I get a lot of emails and phone calls from people who really believe social media doesn’t work for them. They’ve convinced themselves that they are the exception to the rule. And because of that, they’re somehow exempt from having an online presence.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s called an exception because it rarely ever happens. Actually I’ve NEVER seen an instance where it was true. But I’m skeptical about absolutes, so I’ll grant that there might be one single person out there that social media doesn’t work for.
The rest of you need to quit claiming it doesn’t work and get busy working it.
The Four Main Types Who Fail at Social Media
First, there’s the person who has really tried to make it work, but they’ve been trying all the wrong things. Doing it wrong won’t get you much further than not doing it at all.
Second, there’s the person who’s been paralyzed by over-thinking the process. They’ve spent so much time analyzing every possible scenario they’re confused and defeated before they ever start.
Third, there’s the person who starts and stops. They work at it consistently for a week or two then stop. Then start again . . . then stop . . . . I think you get the idea. A big part of social media is building on success. If you keep stopping, there’s nothing to build on.
Fourth, there’s the go-getter that’s spending so much time on social media they no longer have time to write. So they throw up their hands and walk away.
What You Need to Do to Have a Successful Social Media Presence
- Start a blog or become a part of a group blog.
- Have a presence on Facebook.
- Have a presence on Twitter.
- Utilize a scheduling program (like Hootsuite) to help manage your time efficiently.
- Never break Edie’s five-to-one rule. For every five social media updates on a particular platform, you may only post one additional update about yourself or your product (this includes your books, a blog post, or an announcement about a guest blog post you’re doing).
- Quit overthinking the process. Social media isn’t a science. It’s relationships, and relationships are messy. So get busy, take a chance and find what works for you by DOING, not THINKING!
I recommend you start with the following minimum goals and work up from here:
- Blog once a week, if it’s your personal blog. Blog twice a month if it’s a group blog.
- Comment on a minimum of one other blog once a day, four days a week.
- Post on Facebook a minimum of three times a day, four days a week.
- Comment on someone else’s Facebook post a minimum of three times a day, four days a week.
- Tweet a minimum of four to six times a day, four days a week. (This can include retweeting something someone else has tweeted).
But no matter what you do with social media . . .
Don’t spend more than 20-30 minutes per day on social media.
Spend more than 20-30 minutes a day on social media and you’ll run into the law of diminishing returns. You just don’t get as much bang for your buck. Beyond that, you’ll be cutting into valuable writing time.
What things are standing in your way with social media?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: Social Media Lies People Tell Themselves, Part One @RealMojo68 @EdieMelson #socialmedia
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: What things are standing in your way with social media? @RealMojo68 @EdieMelson #socialmedia
Blessings,
Edie
Edie Melson
Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Connect with her on her blog and through Twitter and Facebook.You can also connect with Edie through Twitter and Facebook.
Jul 16, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, On Faith.
Our God promises change. His entire existence is not about keeping things the same, but making things better for His Children. He will do whatever it takes to keep us safe, to bolster us, and to bring us home.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.”
~Isaiah 43:1 NLT
Sure, we don’t always see it. Sometimes, this fallen world attacks us left and right. Sometimes a change isn’t material or even tangible. It just is.
But our God promises change. And in the quiet crevasses of thought, in the loud chaos of the day, when we turn from the busyness of all this world calls us to do, and give just a few undiluted moments of attention to Him, we see He is indeed changing things for the better.
He will fulfill His promises and not be slow about it, for His timing is perfect. He will bring His Family together.
And He will change things.
Just you wait and see.
Frankly, On Faith: Isaiah 43
TWEET THIS: Frankly, on Faith: Isaiah 43- Our God promises change. @RealMojo68 #franklyonfaith #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 15, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
It’s a little known widely recognized fact that I may or may not be a fan of having all my ducks in a row. Remember the peace I mentioned yesterday with my multitude of Happy Planners? And if y’all follow me on either Facebook or Instagram, you’ll occasionally see what my cousin lovingly refers to as a “perfect” house. Boy, did I laugh when she sent that message!
Well, it’s true I’m not a fan of chaos in any form. I like a clean house, a structured schedule, a dependable paycheck . . . You get the idea.
And so I was just as surprised as you are, when I was cleaning out the game closet and found this gem still around:
Game of Perfection
I was even more surprised when I took to playing it every night for the past week.
Now don’t look at me like that, Mother! Yes, I know it’s a kid’s game. But I also know it’s good for adults.
Don’t believe me? Let’s run down the benefits of game playing:
- eye-hand coordination
- tactile recognition
- memory and cognition
And the most important:
Yes, this is where I admit that I still jump every time the board pops up and the little pieces fly. I’m happy to announce yesterday I beat the clock!
Sure, I like the phone games of Candy Crush, Paradise Bay, and Disney Emoji. But there’s something about playing childhood games that continue to bring me back to a place of happiness.
The laughter of young friends, the taste of Mom’s cookies, the scent of summer.
What games do you still like to play?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . The Game of Perfection. @RealMojo68 #game #perfection
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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Jul 14, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
Okay. So, I guess we knew this post had to happen sooner or later, right? Y’all know my love for Happy Planning. I mean, from the day I brought my first one home I started telling you about it. Remember 2017 Prep: My Happy Planner? And Hobbes’ Mexican Chicken Meatloaf?
I laughed at the groups on Facebook. I saw ridiculous posts of women with four and five planners and entire shelves devoted to the art of the plan.
“No,” I told myself. “I will not be one of those. I will not be a ‘Planner Babe’ who can’t function without a big book at my side. No.”
And then the Universe laughed.
Because the more I used my first planner, the more I fell in love with it. That’s right. Two key words in that sentence: “first” and “more.” Mm-hmm. You already know where this is going, am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Happy Planners
I suppose I should explain myself . . .
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s First Planner
- This is my first planner. I purchased it to help keep track of all my social media work. Then I bought some expansion packs like the menu planner and home planner sets. Little did I know how it would change my life. Creativity brings peace, so whether I’m planning a meal or working out the budget, using my Planner makes me, well, Happy. I think that’s the whole point.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Second Planner: Blessings Abound.
2. Realizing what a blessing my Happy Planner is, I picked up a second one. I don’t remember to write every day, but when I do, I’m astounded by the little “pennies” I keep track of. From a friendly client to a free Starbucks to a bill that was paid, all the little “Thank You’s” the Universe blesses me with go into this book. The year’s only half over, and already I’m overwhelmed with seeing how it’s a wonderful life.
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Recipe Planner
3. Of course, after I used a few of the menu pages, I realized I had to get a separate book for all my recipes. I can plan party menus, holiday delights, and keep tracking of my grocery lists all in one great location. It’s complete with great foodie quotes, and kitchen measurements. How sweet is that?!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blue Ridge Planner
4. Ah, Blue Ridge. That wonderful writers conference that beckons me each May. Of course this year I put together my own binder. Class list? Check. Appointments list? Check. To Do With Friends list? Check. Plenty of blank paper for note taking and idea making. A calendar I could fill, or not, as I chose. And that ever-inspiring dashboard. [Click here to read about my Blue Ridge Happy Planner.]
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blogging Planner
5. My Blogging Planner. I just picked this one up this month. With my new website and the forthcoming redesign for Frankly, My Dear . . . and all the blog traffic coming and going, I wanted one special place to note my online presence and to track contributors for Frankly, My Dear. And let’s be real. That awesome Peacock Pen from Paige needed a home.
What’s that? You saw more Planner covers in the top photo? Aww, I can’t get nothin’ by you, can I?
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Extra Planners
Additional Planner covers come in sets of three. So when I created-from-scratch started my Blue Ridge Conference Planner, I had two cover sets left over. The one on the left above is now used as a “memory” planner. As each month passes, I take the pages from my main planner and transfer to this one. It serves as a great record keeper, and I don’t have to search far to find notes. On the right is an as yet unpurposed cover set. I’m thinking I may turn it into my Holiday Planner. I can picture it now: recipes, gift guides, short stories, shopping lists. Yes. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for helping me figure that out.
Soon I’ll have Planner Lucky Number 8: I’m going to start a novel bible for CENTRAL. I didn’t do so with NOLA and I wish I had. [Read: #AmWriting: Using a Calendar to Storyboard Your Novel.] As soon as I start CENTRAL, I’ll track character notes, backstory, magazine clippings, thoughts, and of course, the dreaded rough draft.
Yikes. I mean, yea.
Happy Planning with BEE the Zebra
Tell me, how do you stay organized? And, can you overdo it?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear: Five Things Friday: My Happy Planners @RealMojo68 #happyplanner #franklymydear #FiveThingsFriday
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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