I had an interesting dream last night in which my name was Charity Gamble (what a GREAT character name, I thought). My boyfriend in the dream was this big, Viking-looking fellow whose fingers/hands were bound with strong wire.
I freed my dream man from his wiry bondage and he told me, “I embrace you like a whore, but I love you like a wife.” WTH?! Lol! I thought it was an awesome bit of dialogue.
I love the wacky stuff my brain conjures in my dreams every night.
Scheduled for June 10, 2017 release.
You can pre-order your copy from the publisher here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/710509
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For years, I watched as my calves legs grew larger, bruised easily, and became more painful. Even bumping against a chair or the corner of a wall would send shockwaves of pain through my calves and leave me with huge bluish-purple bruises.
I knew something was wrong, but what could it be? I thought it was a simple case of edema or general swelling, but keeping my legs elevated and taking diuretic pills had no effect. In fact, they only became worse.
In 2014, after several attempts to locate a physician who would help me figure out what was wrong, I was lucky enough to get a diagnosis. I had Lipedema, a genetic disease I’d never heard of before. It’s a mystery disease with no known cure thus far.
Not widely discussed, Lipedema is rare and only affects about 11% of women. Few doctors are able to recognize the symptoms, nor have they been exposed to information about the condition and how it relates to the all-important lymphatic system.
LIPPY LEGS & ALL is the story of my life (thus far) with Lipedema. I’ll discuss, in detail, what I’ve learned about the disease, how it’s permanently changed me both physically and mentally, and why I’m determined to bring awareness to this condition so women who may suffer from Lipedema can get the essential diagnosis and treatment they deserve.
Without a proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, a Lipedema sufferer can face a bleak future of wheelchair-bound immobility or, worse yet, amputation of their limbs. No woman deserves either of those things; if I can cast a wider spotlight on Lipedema through the publication of this book, I will.
Today I read an article about creepy (possibly) past-life stories parents recently shared on an AskReddit feed. Go over and check it out for yourself!
Now lemme add my own creepy kid story. When Britt, my daughter, was three years old, she nonchalantly told me she was a nun in her previous life and she had died in a fire. She’s always seemed like an old soul to me. I often go to her for advice and guidance because the way she reasons is way beyond her 24 1/2 years.
Now, at the time Britt told me about her memory, my kids had NEVER been to church, had never been exposed to nuns or knew what they were and what role they played in religion or any of that. Their father was Baptist, but I was firm on having the kids research and explore which path of belief (or non-belief) made sense to them. I wouldn’t allow them to be baptized into a religion that they had no idea about simply because one parent wanted it that way. Each person, when he or she is mature and ready enough, should be allowed to decide his or her own structure of belief (or lack thereof).
To this day, I still remember thinking, “Hmmm…that’s interesting.” She doesn’t remember telling me, but I sure as heck remember!
Here’s the funny part: when I was a young girl of seven or eight, I wanted to be a nun. I was raised Presbyterian but had always been drawn to the Catholic church. In fact, I had a huge crucifix that hung in my room. It was made out of plaster but painted dark brown so it looked like it was wood. I also believed that nothing should ever sit on top of the bible. And, mind you, after my dad Leo died, our family stopped going to church. My dad was Mormon but then became Presbyterian. I still have his bible from the 1920s.
Many of you know I haven’t been Christian since the age of 18 when I became pagan. Yet, to this day, I am drawn to Catholic churches, used to watch the Catholic network on cable, and love to listen to Latin or mass. In addition, I also collect rosaries. None of this makes sense given my belief system that I’ve followed for nearly 35 years.
I’ve noticed that lapsed Catholics seem to be drawn to paganism and particularly Wicca. The rituals and such probably appeal to them because of their Catholic background.
I’ve often wondered if I was Catholic or a nun in a previous life, too. Who knows? Perhaps Britt and I were in the same convent. Life is a huge mystery; so many things are possible.
While you’re sleeping soundly at 3 a.m., I’m usually up slinging words, editing documents, absorbing university course lectures, researching, wrestling with websites, scouring freelance listings, or tackling the next creative project.
As your night is ending, mine is just beginning.
It’s quieter.
People don’t interrupt you.
Your focus is sharper.
Your concentration is better.
If you pay attention, you can hear the subtle whispers of creative, inventive, unconventional souls that have gone before you – if you listen deeply enough. There is, in fact, precious illumination that is found in the darkness.
Oh yes, I do love the night and the energy it brings! As a naturally nocturnal soul, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 
Bring on the night!
Ten albums that had a profound effect on me as a teenager. One album only, per artist.
KISS – Alive II
Queen – News of the World
Prince and the Revolution – Purple Rain
DEVO – Freedom of Choice
Kansas – Point of No Return
The Fixx – Reach the Beach
The Police – Synchronicity
Yaz – Upstairs at Eric’s
Pink Floyd – The Wall
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
From Vanity Fair:
“The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature. Here is the basic Proust Questionnaire.”
http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2000/01/proust-questionnaire
Here are my answers to the Proust Questionnaire:
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What is your most marked characteristic? My eclectic, yet sometimes unpredictable, nature
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Continuing to survive despite an array of effed-up events, starting at about age 10. My psychiatrist expressed surprise that I wasn’t a raging alcoholic or drug addict after all the events I’ve lived through (which most people DO NOT know about).
What is your greatest fear? Knowing I’m going to die before it happens. I’d rather go to sleep and not wake up. I don’t want to be on an airplane, for instance, and KNOW it’s gonna crash and I’m gonna die. I’d rather NOT know when I’m getting ready to bite the big one.
What historical figure do you most identify with? Mary Shelley.
Which living person do you most admire? Stephen King.
Who are your heroes in real life? Creative people – writers, artists, musicians, etc. People who continue to pursue their artistic passions past the point of childhood when society and authoritarians urge you to abandon your ‘dreams.’
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Indecisiveness.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Cruelty.
What is your favorite journey? The one where serendipity shows up regularly.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Detachment. I want to be hands-on in life and to feel what it’s like to live in an all-encompassing way.
Which word or phrases do you most overuse? F*ck. The more people dislike the word, the more I use it.
What is your greatest regret? Getting married too early, at age 20.
What is your current state of mind? Curmudgeonly.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? That some members would accept me as I am and not how they want me to be to suit their egos and wishes.
What is your most treasured possession? My mind.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Being prevented from living a life where one can follow his or her passions and earn a livable wage by doing so.
Where would you like to live? The highlands of Scotland.
What is your favorite occupation? Writing, especially when I can spend time working on my OWN books and creative projects.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Sensitivity.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Lack of two-faced cattiness. Things that seem to afflict 90% of the females I’ve ever known.
What are your favorite names? Peter & Alexandra.
What is your motto? Smile and nod at your naysayers, then do whatever the hell you planned to do anyway.
So here we are at the end of 2016 and another new year is beckoning. As usual, I’m not sure where the time has gone. Here are 13 thoughts, ideas, and happenings that affected my life in 2016. What are yours?
Here’s wishing you and yours a fantastic 2017!
I started a new fiction novel, Write to Dead, in November for NaNoWriMo, and am nearly finished with Living a Paranormal Life: Experiences with the Other Side. In addition, I began a new manuscript last night.
I’m looking for 15 beta readers – 5 for each book manuscript. I’m only taking 15, so once those spots are taken, I’ll close it off.
For those who don’t know, beta readers are a book’s pre-readers. Beta readers give feedback so the author can make changes before the book is published. Need more info? If you’re chosen as a beta reader I’ll send you info and links so you can better understand what’s expected.
If you decide to be a beta reader for me, you must agree not to discuss or share details (either in writing or verbally) about what you’ve read until the book is published.
Please comment below if you are interested and I will choose 15 of you, randomly, as beta readers. Part of those interested will be assigned Write to Dead, others will be assigned to SSWP (Super-Secret Writing Project), and the final 5 will be selected as readers for Living a Paranormal Life.
I will decide which project I think you’ll fit best with, so just comment with “Beta reader” or e-mail me, but don’t mention which book manuscript you’d prefer. I’ll select those 
😉
Thanks in advance!
If I could have a big, blowout party and was able to invite anybody at all (and they’d accept), here is my list of must-have attendees (so far):
Snoop Dogg
Joe Biden
The Obamas
Bernie Sanders
Amy Schumer
Adrianne Curry
Russell Brand
Jay Mewes
Kevin Smith
Trae Crowder (The Liberal Redneck)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
A resurrected Heath Ledger
A resurrected Jim Morrison
A resurrected Carl Sagan
Stephen Hawking
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Bill Nye
Chelsea Handler
Jon Ronson
Stephen King
Neil Gaiman
Amanda Palmer
Anne Rice
A resurrected Christopher Lee
A resurrected Peter Cushing
A resurrected Vincent Price
Evan Peters
A resurrected Michael Crichton
Christopher Moore
Johnny Depp
John Cusack
Marilyn Manson
A resurrected Phil Burns
Haruki Murakami
Annie Lennox
Gloria Steinem
Ronnie James Dio
A resurrected Einstein
A resurrected Baruch Spinoza
The Dalai Lama
The MC would be Richard Cheese…because why not?
Now…could you IMAGINE the conversations at that party?!
Who else would be a good addition? Comment below.
The older I get, the more I feel this way:
I don’t want to hear WHY something can’t be done or WHY an idea won’t work, etc. Find a solution…somehow. If you can’t get through an obstacle, go around it, over it, beneath it, or forge a different path that might take you on a detour but will ultimately lead you to your goals.
Throughout my life, I’ve had people tell me why this, that, or the other won’t work. I was told I wouldn’t make it as a freelancer for more than a year or two, mainly because few freelancers last past that time. I just celebrated 19 years of being a full-time freelancer. It’s not been an easy road, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s FREEDOM for me. I DO NOT miss working in a cubicle, surrounded by office politics and corporate bullshit. Nope…that scene isn’t for me.
Second, I was told SUN SIGNS FOR WRITERS probably wouldn’t sell to a publisher because it was a hybrid book, and one combining subjects that hadn’t been done before. Glad I didn’t listen, because I sold it to the FIRST publisher I pitched it to—Writer’s Digest Books, an imprint of F + W Media, Inc. I got a nice advance (for a first-time author) and snagged the agent I wanted, too.
I could give numerous other examples, but you get the gist of what I’m saying. It may take me a long time — years or even decades — to reach goals that I have set for myself; however, I’m tenacious and determined to soldier on despite naysayers or critics. I simply DO NOT CARE what they think.
So I leave you with this: when you make a decision or set a goal, you’ll usually have a bunch of naysayers or critics who will tell you WHY you shouldn’t do it, HOW it cannot be done, or WHY it would be easier for you to give up and go back to being an obedient lemming. Don’t listen to that bullshit. Smile, nod, and do whatever you wanted to do in the first place (like Robert Downey, Jr. claims he does).
It’s your life. You hold the cards. Play them any way you damn well please! After all, (eventual) success is the best revenge, isn’t it?
The Intrepid Wordslinger 