G Is For Grammar! #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

Usually once a year I decide I need to upgrade or learn something new about the craft of writing. This time it stemmed from a freak-out over punctuation. Gawd, the English language with its they’re, their, and there, proving it has the zaniest spelling system ever invented. It requires a quirky understanding of past and present tense, among many other eccentricities.

We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox should be oxen, not oxes.

Then one fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,

Yet the plural of moose should never be meese,

You may find a lone mouse or a whole nest of mice,

But the plural of house is houses, not hice.

Part of a Poem Attributed to Anonymous

It’s important to have reference resources at your fingertips to fight the good fight.

“I’m exhausted. I spent all morning putting in a comma and all afternoon taking it out” Oscar Wilde

It was time brush up on some skills.

F Is For Fire! #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The A to Z April Blogging Challenge

We’ve all got that something in us. That passion. That FIRE. To do what we have to do. What we are compelled to do. We dream about it. Fantasize about it. Read books about it. Watch others do it. We have all kinds of excuses for not getting down to it. Why it’s not possible, or not happening. But really it’s fear of failure holding us back.

One of my favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In the story, a shepherd boy named Santiago sets out on a quest inspired by his dreams. He learns many lessons along the way which lead him to understand it’s more about his actions, the risks he takes, and what he learns along the way than about the endgame.

“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” Paulo Coelho

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Paulo Coelho

It’s up to me. No one else can travel the path, take the steps, walk the walk for me. The journey is about the steps you take, literally and figuratively. And that’s what life is about – feeding the fire within you.

E is for Elflock #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Meaning: Tangled hair, as if matted by elves.

Origin: 1590s

As in: Jeez, Karyn, look at the state of those elflocks — brush STAT!

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. On account of all the food, chocolate, and wine from the Easter celebrations yesterday. And also because I love owls.

C Is For Curiosity #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Curiosity isn’t just for kids! And forget about it killing the cat. It’s imperative for writers, and many others I suspect. Curiosity fosters imagination which encourages inspiration. This helps when we’re creating plot lines, characters, and dialogue, etc.

Recently a family member commented on the fact that I notice things she never would. Probably not true. Probably we notice different things. She’s very interested in facts and amassing them and somehow manages to retain them, where as I have no interest in retaining that stuff. But what makes people tick? Oh, yeah. What makes people do the things they do? People and their choices fascinate me. Do I take note of what they do when they think no one is watching, you bet. I pay attention to the way people speak, react, or reply. In line. At the doctor’s office. At the beach. Well, you get the idea.

Being curious and exploring means we’e engaged, living in the moment, and making connections. It’s about exploring the world around us. So embrace your curiosity. Have conversations, read books, watch films, take a walk, ask questions, take a class, try a new hobby. Try a new recipe, a new look, a DIY project.

Have fun! How do you embrace your curiosity?

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. – E.E. Cumming

B Is For Bed #AtoZChallenge

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Karyn Good

Sexy Suspense

The Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is lots of fun!

We bought a new bed. Something we desperately needed. Oh my gosh, it’s ridiculous. And huge. I’m pretty sure you can see it from street-level and we’re on the second floor. I almost need a stool to get into the thing. My husband is confused by the amount of pillows needed to make it look perfect. And was even more confused when I said I needed to buy more. He’s not sure where we’re going to put them all at night. He’s got a point. There’s not a lot of room leftover in our bedroom.

I’m normally a very practical person when it comes to purchases, especially big ones. We both are. This bed is not so practical. But it is gorgeous. And I LOVE it.

A therapist my daughter once had (there have been many) said her own husband was of the belief you should be prepared to spend money on three things: beds, shoes, and tires. Makes sense, no? BTW, my daughter also got a new bed. But I’ll save that story for the G post on Guilt.

Another thing I spend money on: BOOKS! Another wonderful B word. Currently reading Deep by Kylie Scott. Will be reading The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty for book club.

Till tomorrow! What do you spend money on?

A Is For Attitude

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Karyn Good

So, this year I’ve decided to join the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. That means I’ll be blogging every day in April except Sundays. Yikes! Challenge is right.

We’ve all heard the saying attitdue is everything. What better way to focus on making sure my attitude remains as positive as possible then meeting new friends and reading blog posts sure to entertain and inspire me. And just maybe participating in this blogging challenge will help me be present, to appreciate where I am. To help me take a breath and take a look, and be encouraged by the writings and thoughts of my fellow bloggers.