My New Hero

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Okay, so he’s not really my hero, but he is definitely an inspiration and I can’t wait to research him to learn more about him and read his writings. “Who?” You ask — Sir Walter Scott!

You see, my sister-in-law and her husband and son recently went on vacation to Europe and when they came back, she sent me copies of the following photos because she had taken them because they made her think of me. Aww!

Why did they make her think of me? Because Sir Walter Scott, as the photo of the plaque below explains, created the genre of the historical novel, which is what I write! And, they built a monument to honor him in Edinburgh, Scotland (pictured below). It is the largest monument to a writer in the world! (I jokingly said, “Some day they’ll build one in my honor.” To which my middle son groaned.)    😀

Sir Walter Scott wrote one of my favorite stories, Ivanhoe, which I haven’t read in years, but now I’ll have to revisit.

What do you know about Sir Walter Scott? What did he write that you like?

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The Tastes of Summer: A Poem

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The Tastes of Summer
by Kelly F. Barr

Summer weather may not be my thing;
I much prefer Autumn and Spring.
However, when it comes to summer fare
To strawberries and peaches nothing compares.

Shortcake, cobblers, ice cream and pies
Make my mouth water, my taste buds fly.
Winter fruit quickly grows boring
So many apples and apple pastries leave me snoring.

Freezing and canning is the way to go
To enjoy summer tastes even in snow.
Lancaster county is the place to be
To experience all of these so joyfully.

Close to You by Kara Isaac

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Allison Shire, a former academic, is now a tour guide for all things Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. She has sworn off love. Then Jackson Gregory steps into her life. He’s on the three week tour with his great-uncle, though he knows next to nothing about Lord of the Rings. He, too, has no interest in love and romance.

So, what happens when the sparks ignite between these two? Lots of mishaps and misadventures.

I really enjoyed this quick, easy read. it’s a really sweet, cute romance story that made me laugh and brought a tear or two to my eye. It was tons of fun with all of the references to Lord of the Rings.

Kara Isaac does an excellent job of writing witty dialogue and original descriptions. I will remember Jackson and Allison for a long time, and I may have to give this another read when I need something light and fun to read.

If you enjoy sweet romance stories or are a Lord of the Rings fan, you may find yourself as drawn into the story as I was. One night, I just couldn’t put this book down and I read past my bedtime. I finished the book the very next night, completed in just one week (I only have time to read for about three hours six nights a week).

This is Kara Isaac’s debut novel and I enjoyed it so much that I can’t wait to read her newer novel, Can’t Help Falling, released just six months after this one. Can’t Help Falling includes references to The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, which are near and dear to my heart.

Our Fascinating Visitors: A Poem

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Our Fascinating Visitors
by Kelly F. Barr

Squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, opossums, and skunks
Are just the regular critters that have visited our yard.
Snakes, groundhogs, a pheasant and wild turkeys
Are visitors — a little more rare and bizarre.

Lots of bugs, spiders and birds also crawl
On our deck, in our garden, on our ground.
With all of these wonderful sounds and sights;
Right at home, adventures abound.

A Few Writing Updates

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Two weeks ago I shared a post about a new literary journal that would be published soon, encouraging you to submit writing to it or subscribe to read it. I am sad to now announce that the Editor in Chief emailed my submission back to me and informed me that she was shutting “Echo Literary Journal” down before it has even begun due to lack of subscriptions and publishable quality submissions. This is very sad because so few magazines of this type, looking for actual short stories in almost every genre and poetry, still exist and accept submissions now. It’s also sad because the Editor in Chief’s dream ended before it began. I do hope she will try again sometime in the future and find success.

As for my writing, I am doing well, though this past week was very busy and I didn’t get to write as often as I would like, but we did get our oldest son settled back at college. However, I have finally found the writing schedule that works for me. I homeschool our youngest son first thing after breakfast until we are finished. Also, during that time, I strive to get the laundry completed on Mondays, sometimes having to finish it on Tuesdays. After homeschool, if we have time, now that the weather is my favorite kind of weather–no heat and humidity and comfortable temperatures (65-82 degrees), we take a walk, then I have time for critiquing/editing before dinner. I cook simple meals that don’t require a ton of time but are tasty and healthy. Then after dinner, I have two to four hours to write and still allow myself at least 1/2 to one hour to read or listen to relaxing music so that I can then go to bed and sleep. This schedule works great for me because I am not a morning person, so my brain struggles to write if I try to do so in the morning. However, I am a night owl. Therefore, on this schedule, my brain kicks in and I’ve been writing between 600 — 1,200 words every evening that I am able to sit down at the computer, which is most evenings. So, I am making great progress with my novel that needs to get finished, and I am writing some short stories as well.

How’s your writing schedule working for you?

Shattered Trust by J. Chris Richards

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Shattered Trust by [Richards, J. Chris]

In today’s society, sometimes it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad. That’s what Shattered Trust by J. Chris Richards is all about. Officer Logan Taul has become one of the bad guys, but one night he sees the monster he has become reflected in a storefront window as he brings his nightstick crashing down toward a teen’s arm.

This revelation causes him to rethink the man he has become, not just in his job, but in his life. He decides he doesn’t want to be that monster–but the road to redemption isn’t easy. Facing physical attacks on both himself and those he loves, as well as attempts to frame him, weaken his resolve.

In addition to trying to set things straight, he also tries to reunite with the family he deserted, but they don’t trust him. How can they? He left them, without a trace, years ago. How do they know he won’t leave again?

J. Chris Richards wrote an exciting, intense novel about how a police officer can let his authority turn into a temptation for power and control. She does an excellent job of presenting what can happen when an officer falls to that temptation, as well as how hard and long the road back is (or should be). She creates a character with depth that we all can relate to in one way or another, as we’ve all made mistakes/committed sins we regret and long to be forgiven of; actions we no longer want to commit. She also shows how long and hard the road to forgiveness, redemption and the restoration of trust can be, and how worth it, it is.

Shattered Trust kept me turning pages and cheering for Officer Logan Taul, as well as some unlikely characters who stand behind him, encouraging him along this path. I encourage you to read Shattered Trust by J. Chris Richards. It’s a great debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from her.

Defeat the Blank Screen: A Poem

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Defeat the Blank Screen
by Kelly F. Barr

Facing a blank screen
Can unnerve the most creative mind.
Good keyboard skills can defeat the blank — sight unseen.
Closed eyes; moving fingers, then open eyes find
Letters, words, sentences, paragraphs–a created scene
Which can grow into pages to print and bind.