It’s kind of an old one, but I thought I’d add another story to the Short Story page. I wrote this one for the Gazette Holiday Fiction Contest in 2007. I didn’t win, but I loved this story, which had to be based around a picture of two old bicycles covered in snow.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hope you enjoy. – LJ
So I just had to share that I’ve added a new blog to my blog roll. It’s the blog of signs of unnecessary quotes. It’s a collection of pictures of signs that use quotation marks all “wrong”. And it’s hilarous! (Thanks, Amy, for sending it my way!)
Being a writer myself, I find misuse of punctuation in general pretty funny. Especially when it’s mine! đ Case in point: I was recently finishing up the proofreads on Kenzie’s book, and I came across a line that had once been something like:
“Milumb grbb,” she mumbled as his hand covered her mouth …
My editor wasn’t a big fan of the mumbled words, so she suggested removing them and replacing that whole section of the sentence with the word Gasping. Worked for me! But when I got the manuscript back, it read:
“Gasping,” as his hand covered her mouth …
I got such the kick out of that! And I think you’ll get a kick out of the quotes blog too! Enjoy!
Check it out at: www.unnecessaryquotes.com
Last weekend I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic(based on the book by Sophie Kinsella, which I haven’t ready yet–but I have read some of her other books, which I definitely enjoyed) with Amy, Katie, and Stephanie. We had a lovely time, even though the movie wasn’t a knockout or anything too unique. It was cute, fun, and most of all CLEAN, which was a nice change from the ordinary. It moved pretty fast and had a very likable cast–that Hugh Dancy is one to watch! And the matter of personal/consumer debt is dealt with really smartly, I thought. I especially enjoyed the shopaholic anonymous meetings. Great fun!
If you’re looking for a cute date movie or a girl’s night out chick flick, Confessions is a great pick. Hope you enjoy!
Enjoying a good chick flick until next time. -LJ
 I’m literally jumping for joy! -LJ
I’m so sorry to anyone that’s been around me this last week! If you’ve been following my tweets, you know that I’ve been enjoying the soundtrack to the recent movie version of Phantom of the Opera. If you’ve seen me at the gym, you’ve probably been wondering who that crazy girl lip synching to her ipod is. If you’ve had the bad fortune to cross my path in person in recent days, you know that I’ve been singing (quite badly) out loud the three lines of Phantom that I can remember every minute of the day.
And so, in the hopes that I might appease those that I’ve offended with my terrible voice … I offer Gerard Butler singing The Music of the Night.
I just LOVE his voice in this role! And he’s a pretty funny guy too in all the interviews I’ve seen of his! I’m a big-time fan. He’s just a really fantastic actor–and he’s got a Scottish accent to boot. I loved him in Nim’s Island, P.S. I Love You, and, of course, Phantom. If you don’t recognize him behind the mask, here’s another pic of Gerry that might help you place his face.
Probably still singing Phantom until next time … -LJ
P.S. A little shout out to Amy, who said she likes “the song on the rooftop.”
So Amy tagged me on her blog last week, so I figured I’d join the game … Here are the instructions:
And the 4th picture in my 4th folder is … drum roll please …
I know you’re probably wondering why I have random pics of movie stars in my picture folder … but there really is a reasonable explanation. See this is Adam Baldwin, who you might know if you’re a fan of the TV show Chuck or Firefly.
When my editor asked me to find some pics of someone who looked like my hero Myles Borden, I couldn’t come up with anyone. I thought about it … I even wasted an entire Monday night writing session pondering the possibilities. I needed someone beefy and handsome, without being overly pretty. I needed a take-charge, FBI type, who could also be gentle when needed.
That’s when Jess B. suggested Adam Baldwin. BOOM! She hit the nail on the head … and now Myles will be forever thought of with the face and physique of Adam Baldwin.
Thank you, Mr. Baldwin. Appreciate you being famous and fitting the description of my hero.
As for the tagging of 3 other people. I don’t think I have 3 other regular readers at this point … so I’ll skip that step. What can I say? I’m a rebel.
Until next time. -LJ
You’re thinking … not another post about Brandon Heath! When will this girl ever stop with the BH posts?
And I’m thinking … maybe I should have dedicated this blog to all things BH. I seem to have at least a post a week about the guy.
But alas … I’m not going to stop posting about BH any time soon. And I’m also not going to dedicate the entire blog to him … although … that does have possibilities. But then I wouldn’t be able to write about my other favorite things and my writing and my book and my short stories. So all-in-all, you’re pretty much stuck with BH, while I’m stuck on BH.
So this is just a quick note to let you know he was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards this last weekend. While he didn’t win in either category, the New York Times sure thinks he’s worth watching. Click on the pic below to read the NYT article about the nominees to watch.
I can’t help myself … he’s just too adorable! đ Until next time … -LJ
(Before I begin, it occurs to me that the title of this post might also make a very fun book or short story title. Doesn’t it sound like a story about a bargain hunter with a serious chick lit problem? Hmm … I’ll have to noodle on that for a while.)
On to my real thoughts about coupons–specifically those from Family Christian Stores. I happen to be registered with them, as I really do love their stores, so I receive regular catalogs. Being a book-, movie-, and music-lover, I generally enjoy flipping through the pages to see what new media is now on sale. Is it the latest Max Lucado book? How about the new Brandon Heath cd? (Man, don’t tease me on that one!)
And then I hit the last page, and there they are, practically shrouded in angelic light.
COUPONS
25% Off here or there.
33% off for Grandparent’s Day or whatever other obscure holiday approaches.
30% off for just being me!
And I think it’s never been so good to just be me. So I tell myself that I’ll just swing by FCS and take a quick peek. I don’t have any money, and I certainly don’t need anything. I have stacks of unread books at home. But it won’t hurt to just swing by the store and browse. Maybe I’ll get a good idea for Christmas presents–even if it is still 11 months away.
Then I find myself tucked between two rows of equally sweet smelling books. I reach out to touch one. Just to feel the texture of the cover. Maybe take a little sniff. I do love the smell of new books. And suddenly the book is tucked under my arm as though I’m going to buy it.
You don’t need it, says my wise inner voice.
But then I say to myself, “Self, you do have a coupon … just for being you.”
And before I know it, I’m at the counter setting a pile of books next to the register and proudly slapping my coupon on the top. I smile, thinking to myself how much money I’m saving on all 13 of these books.
And then the kindly cashier says, “That’ll be $93.” I choke back a sob and dish out the dough. I can’t very-well part with one of these precious books now. Nope. Now I’ll take all 13 of my treasures back to my bulging bookshelves. And when I look for grocery money the next week, I’ll remember where I spent it. And I’ll know that that’s the trouble with coupons.
Still searching for grocery money between the couch cushions until next time. -LJ
Turns out that my book is now available to preorder at Booksamillion.com and CBD.com. In fact, CBD has cover art on their site. So while I can’t post it yet … CBD apparently has. đ You can find links to those on the Liz’s Books page. Enjoy! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
-LJ
So I decided to take the plunge, spend some Christmas money and make the trip back to AZ for the Third Day and Brandon Heath Revelation tour. Tickets are purchased (Mom and I are sitting in the third row!) and I’m stoked to get to hang with the family for an entire week. I should be to AZ just in time to miss having to help move Micah and Beth and Hannah and John into their new homes! Perfect timing! đ
So my mom agreed to go to the show with me not because she’s big into concerts or especially loves either Brandon or Third Day, but rather because she loves me and wants to hang out with me. Very cool. đ But being a seasoned concert veteran, I know that a show is always better when you know the songs, so I put together 2 cds for her and mailed them off this week. They are labeled:
Operation: Get Ready for the Concert – Part 1: Brandon Heath
Operation: Get Ready for the Concert – Part 2: Third Day
Here’s hoping Mom actually listens to them so she’s ready for the show!
In honor of Third Day’s new album Revelation (which I’ve been rocking out to in my car, on my ipod at work, and at the gym), a video that I think sums it up better than I ever could.Â
Until we’re rocking out live at the concert. -LJ