"Cynde's "New-Story-Idea" Folder!"

Last night, I was thinking about a couple of the little things that I do to organize myself and keep track of all the story ideas that I have floating around in my head, so I thought: "Hmmm...why not share the ideas with my friends? They might be able to use them!"

So...here goes:

1. First of all, I never go anywhere without a notebook! You never know when a great idea is going to "pop!" into your head...and as quickly as it came, it can disappear. If you have your handy-dandy notebook with you, all you have to do is "jot" a rough draft of your idea down, and then you won't forget it.





2. Secondly, I alway carry my digital camera with me. The reasoning behind this is pretty much the same as my first idea, but with some extra zip. You never know when you might come across the most amazing photo opportunity, which in turn could lead to a great publishable "story idea".
   
   (Tip: It is at this point that you would normally edit you work, but this is when you actually have some decisions to make:
   
   Do you want to work on coming up with a story that you might be able to publish? (That is entirely feasible. If the story is very good/great and the photo to go along with it is also great, then go for it!)
   ~OR~
   Should you file the picture along with the "free-written" story, and wait for an opportunity when you can write a tailor-made story that will fit the request? (I have two folders: one on my computer & one in my desk, for just those type of stories. If they're in there too long, I pluck them out & work on them. Hopefully someday, I'll get lucky!)





3. Next, when I get ready to go to sleep at night, I always make sure I have my notebook, a pen, and my mini-cassette recorder on the shelf next to my bed. That way, if I wake up from dreaming—because everybody knows that all the "great ideas" come to you in the middle of the night—I'll have a way to "record" them before they totally escape my mind.
   
   (Tip: At times like these, I have found that using the mini-cassette recorder saves a lot of time and aggravation because it takes a while for my eyes to focus properly after I've been asleep. So, if I whisper the idea into the recorder, I don't have to worry about turning the lights on and waking up my husband.)





4. I have always loved going through photos and pictures, whether they be from magazines, the Internet, antique stores or even someone's photo albums. After selecting the ones I think are the best, I save them for "writing prompts". I study the photos and get the story pretty much worked out the way I want it in my mind, then set my trusty little timer for ten minutes. Then I "free write", which means I keep writing, non-stop, not worrying about punctuation or anything. Just words, and the story—whatever comes to mind—simply easy, free-flowing words.
   
   (Tip: The same "tips" that were used for my second idea, above, would apply here.)





5. I have several other ideas, but I think I'll close with this last one, which I think is my favorite because it's fun (for me, anyway). Go to the mall, a restaurant, the library, or wherever there are people and it won't appear too strange if you're sitting around, watching and writing. I'm sure you've probably heard of this, or even done this before— my husband calls it "people watching" or "eye-balling". Pick out some people that you think are interesting or "catch your eye", then write a story about them. Write a whole background for each person, trying to pay particular attention to detail, as if you were a reporter. (It will help you in the future when you need to write decriptions.)
   
   (Tip: If I have found someone really interesting, I have gone up to them and asked them if I could take their photo and explained why. The only thing I have not done yet is found out where I can get one of those "release forms" that people are supposed to sign for that purpose.
   Does anyone know where I can get one of those "release forms"?

I hope you enjoyed my article today. If you have some ideas that you would like to share, please
"comment". Thank you so much for stopping by & please come back & visit again soon!






Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may the Lord bless you all.

Cynde


Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Cynde's Kindle!"

I am so excited! My husband, Dion, just bought me the newest generation of the "Kindle2", plus a bunch of the accessories that go with it.







Here's a list of some of the accessories that he got for me:

• the USB cable


• the leather cover


• the two-year extended warranty


• LCD screen protectors


• AC and auto chargers


• the "Kandle" (an led book light--cool name for it, isn't it?)


• a "SkinIt" that covers it with a beautiful "Tinker Bell" design.

♥Dion♥ is so good to me. I ♥lurve♥ him! He's the best husband in the entire world.






Now I can use the "Kindle2" (at night when my husband is asleep) for doing my lessons from the Holly Lisle's "How To Think Sideways Career Survival Course For Writers" that I'm taking, instead of using my computer. I can send the pdf version of the lessons from my computer to my "Kindle2". Then I won't have to worry about going blind from eyestrain (reading from my computer), and I also won't have to be concerned about waking Dion up from a sound sleep, because the "Kindle2" is as quiet as a mouse: <<<<(Ooops! Wrong kind of mouse!)





Here is the front view of the Kindle:










And here is the back view:




I don't know about you, but I think my "Kindle2" is absolutely adorable!







So far, I've only been able to read a few books that I bought from the Kindle Store, but it was great. In addition to that, I have some books that I was sent in pdf form that I need to review, so I'm going to transfer them to my "Kindle2", as well. I find it very difficult to read pdf books on my computer (as I mentioned earlier)--it strains my eyes--and the "Kindle2" is the perfect solution!

After I have had/used the "Kindle2" for around 30 days, I'll review it here on my blog so you'll know what I thought of it. By then I'll know a little bit more about it and maybe I'll have some tips I can share. (Maybe I'll even be able to add some video footage, too--wouldn't that be cool?)



Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may the Lord bless you all.

Cynde


Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Cynde's "Terrific-Tuesday" Book Review!"

"Cynthia's Attic: The Magic Medallion" is the second in a four book "Cynthia's Attic Series", written by Mary Cunningham, that I am going to review for you here on my blog today.

The first book in the series, entitled "Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket"was already reviewed for you on my blog here.
Before I go any further, let me say that you could read each of the books without reading the others, and still get a lot of enjoyment out of them. However, I highly recommend that you read all four of the books in this series! If you don't, you would be missing out on loads of fun and adventure, plus I think you would really regret it.



The Synopsis:

"Sinister clowns, stalkers on horseback, mystical forests, and the creepy, crawling curse.

A magic trunk sweeps Cynthia, and best friend, Augusta Lee (Gus), back to 1914 where an ill-fated trip to the circus leads to Blackie, a sinister hobo clown. Before they can be forced by Blackie to become permanent clown troupe performers, the girls are rescued by Gabriella, a Gypsy fortune-teller, and are entangled in the theft of her family's treasure. Much to their dismay, Cynthia and Gus appear to be the family's only hope of recovering a precious magic medallion.

Traveling unexpectedly forward to 1934, they meet a 'very familiar-looking' cave guide, and are stalked by a stranger on a black horse. Dangers escalate, as they're swept into an underground river, and later, barely avoid becoming 'campfire marshmallows' in a raging forest fire.

Friendship, loyalty, and an undeniable sense of adventure keep this twosome on a never-ending path of danger, suspense, and merriment."



My Review:

This is the second book in a series of four (so far) exciting books in the "Cynthia's Attic Series". Needless to say, Gus (Augusta Lee), the tomboyish half of the dual 12-year-old lead protagonists, and her best friend and sidekick, a girlie-girl character named Cynthia (the series' namesake), are reunited in this adventure and they are whisked back in time to 1914 where they end up in the circus at the mercy of a mean, hobo-type clown named Blackie who is forcing them to perform as clowns.

When they are rescued by the Gypsy fortune-teller, Gabriella, there is a catch: they need to travel in time to find a lost medallion or they may never be able to return to the present time where they belong. Of course they have to accept, and when they do, they meet some really interesting people along the way.

With each new adventure, Ms. Cunningham packs loads more excitement and action into each one of the episodes! The adventures that arise from the trunk that was found in Cynthia's attic are centered around Cynthia's ancestors and it's fun to meet them and see how everything ties so neatly into the present. Ms. Cunningham has done a masterful job of spinning these tales and I think I like this one even better than the first!



My Rating: (poor, fair, good, great, or excellent)



This book was fast-paced, the action was non-stop, the characters were engaging and interesting, plus the story was intriguing. I would recommend this book for anyone between the ages of 9 to 13, plus anyone older who wants to read a fun book that is full of joy and adventure. I'm 50+ and I enjoyed it immensely! Excellent job, Mary!

I can't wait to read book three in the series, which is entitled "Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou".

Anyone wishing to learn more about the author, Mary Cunningham, please visit her website by clicking here.

Also, don't forget: as soon as I have completed reviewing the entire "Cynthia's Attic Series" here on my blog, Mary Cunningham will be coming here for a "Guest Author Interview!" So...keep watching!




Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may the Lord bless you all.

Cynde


Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Cynde's "What's-Up-Wednesday" Book Review!"

In case you haven't already heard, I have decided that as a special treat for you, my readers, I will be reviewing the entire, amazing "Cynthia's Attic Series", books one through four, followed by an exciting interview with the author, the awe-inspiring Mary Cunningham.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

First, I'll begin by reviewing the number one book in the series, which is entitled, "Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket":







The Synopsis:

"Magical costumes, disappearing stairs and a spooky attic filled with dusty antiques–what more could two, adventurous, young girls ask for?

Best friends, Cynthia and Gus as she prefers to be called, are as “different as bubble gum and broccoli.” They are, however, equal in their ability to get into trouble without much effort.

In trying to escape the “boring summer” of 1964, the adventurous twelve-year-old girls stumble upon a trunk in Cynthia’s attic that has been in her family for three generations.

They discover its mystical qualities when they are swept into the trunk and whisked back to 1914, literally into the lives of their twelve-year-old grandmothers, Clara and Bess. The mystery of a missing family locket is revealed. Their quest takes numerous twists and turns, including a life-and-death struggle on a large steamship traveling from England to America.

Along with perilous escapades, they make important, sometimes humorous discoveries about their ancestors, and even manage to change history–for the better–along the way."





My Review:

This is the first book in a series of four (so far) exciting stories that are told through the voice of the tomboyish character of Gus (Augusta Lee). Gus and her "girlie-girl" best friend, Cynthia, are exact opposites, but they are also as close as sisters. They have made the discovery that they can travel through time via an old trunk that they found in Cynthia's attic and by doing so, they are having the most delightful adventures with some of Cynthia's ancestors.

In this particular story, these two 12-year-old girls must solve a mystery involving a locket that was lost fifty years earlier when their grandmothers were also 12-year-old best friends. Furthermore, they must also solve the mystery of the disappearance of Cynthia's great-great Aunt Isabelle, who was the original owner of the locket in the first place. They are exciting and sometimes hair-raising adventures as Gus and Cynthia use their wits and humor to solve these mysteries and fix things in their own special ways.

Even though this is supposed to be a children's book series, trust me when I tell you that anyone of any age would enjoy this book (above infants, of course). I'm a little over fifty myself, and I couldn't put this book down, it was so exciting! I loved the characters--they were well-rounded, believable and I actually cared about what happened to them. The story was thrilling and playful, plus you can tell that every step was carefully planned out in advance. I can't wait to read the next book! Ms. Cunningham is a brilliant and thoughtful writer.



My Rating: (poor, fair, good, great, or excellent)



I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend it to both children and adults alike, and I assure you that neither age group would be disappointed in the least. I'm so glad that I have all four of these books; that way I can read one right after the other. Don't miss out on reading this fabulous story--you should go out and buy it today!

I give this book an absolute rating of: EXCELLENT! Well done, Mary!

To learn more about Mary Cunningham, visit her at her website here.





Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may the Lord bless you all.

Cynde


Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Black History Month!"

In 1926, a historian by the name of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was a Harvard Ph.D., initiated
"Negro History Week" for the purpose of celebrating Black History. Dr. Woodson specifically chose the second week of February because the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were both included within that week. In the 1976 Bicentennial (200th birthday) of the U.S.A., the week-long observance was extended so that there would be enough time for all the celebratory programs and activities.




Another very important day in Black History is Juneteenth Day (also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day) and it is celebrated on the 19th of June, each year. That day is in recognition of the June 19, 1865 anniversary of the emancipation of the last remaining slaves in Texas; the Civil War had already ended two months prior to that, and Gen. Gordon Granger took 2,000 Union troops with him to Galveston, Texas to enforce the freeing of the slaves. On Jan. 1, 1980, Juneteenth was declared an official holiday in Texas and this uplifting celebration of freedom is continuing to gain in popularity around the U.S.A.





In celebration of Black History Month, Lee Verday, owner of the blog, By Pen or by Sword is having a contest and the winner will be awarded two nice prizes. The find out the details, visit his blog by clicking here.




Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may the Lord bless you all.

Cynde



Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!