I Just Read …

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Herbert presents How to Be the Family CFO by Kim Snider (Photo by M.A.D.)

This book was not on my to-read list. I came across the title while reading another book, and the author highly recommended it, so I decided to read it. It is a very good book, especially for those who are starting to seriously care about their financial house; however, besides the basics, it goes beyond, and the author approaches certain topics from her point of view which might differ from the traditional views and also, from her experience. Besides building wealth, the author talks about important points and areas that one should have in order and in place in case “life happens.” She also lets the reader know that personally, she has taken care of those areas and offers a few examples. Sadly, the author died young from natural causes (complications caused by dementia), but thankfully, she had her financial house in order. Her business still operates today. I found it a good read, whether you are just starting to get serious about your finances or need a different point of view.

Should I Give My Chapters a Title?

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Should I give my chapters a title? I’ve asked myself that question, and while there is no right or wrong answer, I prefer numbering the chapters. However, in a few of my novels, I opted to give chapters a title. I think there are pros and cons to that approach, and it depends on what I am writing. Titles can be grounding to me, as the writer; it gives me a parameter to adhere to as I write. For a reader, it might enhance anticipation, or arouse curiosity and the need to continue reading, however, it might also set expectation. The reader might expect something different.

Is the title a giveaway of the entire chapter? Not necessarily, a hint maybe, but I don’t think chapter titles should be written like a blog/article title, hence letting the reader know what the content is about. I think of it more like an invitation to continue reading, a mystery that unravels in the next few pages. In Moonlit Valley, I used chapter titles such as: Exile (for chapter 1), Boundaries, A New Truth … These titles don’t say much, however, they set the stage for what’s coming in the next few pages. In Ramblings of the Spirit (book 1 of The Dinorah Chronicles) I used a combination of chapter number followed by title. For example, Chapter 4 Dark Waters. I used the same format for the entire trilogy. However, when I wrote The Five-dollar Miracle, I numbered the chapters, only. For my current novel, The Girl Who Could Not Love, I prefer to use chapter numbers, although I could have used titles instead. For that particular novel, both formats seemed to fit well.

For me, the flow of the story dictates what I will do, but I find that the traditional numbered chapters work well always.

Autumn’s Meadow

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Photo by M.A.D.

Autumn’s Meadow

Reds, oranges, yellows …

announcing death in the meadows.

Sweet breeze of Autumn

musty scent of decay,

to glorious rebirth gives way.

Welcoming the Season

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There is a crisp in the air, the birds are leaving, squirrels are starting to look busier, and leaves are changing. All of this speaks, Welcome Autumn! Inspired by all of this, I decided to welcome the season in a simple way.

A favorite cup of coffee (photo by M.A.D.)
Hydrangeas from the garden (photo by M.A.D.)
A tradition (photo by M.A.D.)
Indulging scents (photo by M.A.D.)
The porch (photo by M.A.D.)
Oranges, reds, and yellows (photo by M.A.D.)
The warmth of Home Sweet Home (photo by M.A.D.)

The pine trees are starting to give their presents, and I collected a wheelbarrow of these. I decided to spread the pinecones all over the front garden. Another bunch fell after that, possibly one or two more wheelbarrows full. We will put them to good use. Unfortunately, this year deer ate many plants, but I love to see them around, especially, the baby deer jumping and chasing crows. The crows are not afraid, they seem to play as well. A lovely sight.

A wheelbarrow full of presents (photo by M.A.D.)
Pinecones made a lovely mulch (photo by M.A.D.)

Hope you enjoyed the photos, and that it inspired you to welcome the season as well.

“Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.” Deuteronomy 11:14

Love and Light

On Writing – When Dialogue is Long

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In part, a purpose for this blog is to write about my journey as a writer, as well as to share what has worked for me, and my approach to writing a novel. There are so many books and information online on this topic, which will always be of some benefit; however, I find that much of that information is very technical and sometimes, even discouraging to someone who is just starting the journey, hence why I try to simplify when I am writing about a subject. In this case, dialogue, specifically, when it needs to be long.

When I am writing a novel, I strive to have a balance between dialogue, description, and narration. My novels tend to be rich in dialogue, sometimes long (if needed). If not careful, the reader might be lost in the conversation. Although sometimes a long conversation is required between two or more characters, I try my best to include other elements, whether having a character make a gesture, change positions, observe something, or anything that might give the reader a small break from the dialogue. I have a tendency to write in long sentences, as you might have noticed if you have been following this blog, and that is reason enough for me to be aware when I am writing dialogue, or even description in my novels (there you go, that was a long sentence.)

When dialogue is long, such as in the case of a character recounting a story, or a past event, I interject with something in the third person. As an example, Joe is recounting an event. He has been talking for a while, so in order to break it up a bit, as the writer, I can interject with having Emily react to what Joe is saying. Emily’s eyes grew wider with anticipation… or depending on the scene, Emily grabbed Victor’s hand tightly while Joey …. or a character might break the dialog with a question. These are all actions but should never feel forced on the characters. Those small breaks in dialogue give a break to the reader, but also make the other characters present in the conversation while they are silent. When I write dialogue, I want to make it as natural as when I am in conversation with another person or group of people. Characters have different personalities and when they are active in dialogue, their personalities are reflected through their words. It goes a step beyond she said/he said. A reader should never be confused about who said what. Just as chapters are a continuous clean break, so should interjections in dialogue. One follows the next naturally, without leaving the reader behind.

The Life Which I Now Live …

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For me, moving from Jersey to rural Virginia was a significant change; everything was different. Close to nine years have gone by, and I have learned to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding me. I miss many things about Jersey, and I think these will always be in my heart; however, home is what you make of it, and how you receive the blessing of another day. This Summer has been particularly very hot, with the exception of last week, which offered autumnal temperatures. I have never been a fan of weather that is too hot or humid, or of the sun; I prefer cooler temperatures, and I don’t like to spend too much time in the sun. I have never been a sun-bathing person; even as a kid growing up in Puerto Rico, I avoided the sun. My husband loves the sun and prefers Summer to any other season. With only a few more weeks of Summer, I find myself thinking of all the lovely things that I will not see around once this season gives way to another. Such things as Mama Deer with her babies, Mama Crows raising families together, and crows playing in the rain, all kinds of unexpected critters, giant mushrooms popping up everywhere, tending the garden and enjoying its offerings, unique butterflies, the first leaf that turns red, and so much more.

It all speaks of Home Sweet Home. Home is in the details.

Blue Moon

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Blue moon

of dreams that will come,

of silvery fate,

of heavenly dust.

***

The blue moon that we have been enjoying over the past couple of days has been magnificent. Of course, I had to write her a poem. Here are a few pictures from my little corner of the world.

Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.

Hope you enjoy looking at Lady Moon.

Love and Light.

A Magical Morning

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Morning Glory (photo by M.A.D.)

I like to walk very early in the morning. The temperature is cool and there is certainly a calmness around. I do my walking in town. The country road I live in might not be the ideal place to take a walk that early. Cars fly by and on many occasions my hair has been blown back by the wind left by a fast-passing car, too close for comfort. Main Street is quiet early in the morning. Businesses are still closed, and people are just about ready to start the day. I encounter a few runners or people walking their dogs. There are few cars heading to the daily destination. I mostly hear birds singing and the noise of a few other summer critters. By the time I am done with my exercise, something magical happens, as if taken from a final scene of “The Langoliers (Stephen King).” The town starts waking up. Soon there are more cars on the road, and the noise level starts rising slowly. Businesses start opening their doors, and employees arrive. People chat briefly on the street. Slowly, the town awakens to another day. As if by magic, the town is alive. There is something sweet and beautiful about that moment, the blessing of another day.

The Influence of People in Your Life

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Influence – to affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks. (Cambridge Dictionary)

We are in the information era; however, I think we are a bit further along than that. We are in the influence era. Although we have always been influenced by others, whether family, friends, education, marketing, politics, religion … it is now when “influencers” are found everywhere, at every level of society, and even recognized as an occupation, that is, thanks to the development of the internet, and with it, social media venues. However, artificial intelligence is adding another layer to this era of influence, and this is only the beginning. I think that all markets will be changed by this in a significant way. In my opinion, we are entering a new era.

Aside from this, we have always been influenced by something or someone, directly or indirectly. The adage, “Birds of a feather flock (fly) together”, speaks of this influence. Who we allow in our close circle, whether we realize it or not, will influence us in a positive or negative way. Even when we think that we are strong enough to remain neutral in our relationships, there is always a part that is influenced by the other person(s). Sometimes, by the time we realize the type, depth, and degree of such influential forces, some damage has been done. Whom we have listened to, walk with, and entertained in life, those influences, have molded some of our responses/decisions, and views in life. Sometimes, an influential relationship will be beneficial, other times, the opposite, and years of such relationship(s) will affect, change, our development. It is usually after a long period of time that we begin to realize how a particular relationship influenced our outlook and behavior as well, and down the road, many of the results we observe in life due to choices we have made. This is not to blame others for our own choices, but to recognize the power of influences in our daily living. I have heard many times that “you become who you befriend.” You can develop a positive outlook or a “poor and doom” mentality. The other day, I was listening to someone talk, and every other word was can’t, never … words along those lines. I understood what was being said behind the scenes.

We are social beings, we tend to form groups, and we have a basic need for belonging. How that need is filled is up to us, as adults, that is. When I watch the news, and I see so much turmoil, hate, irrational behavior, verbal and physical attacks, and other less than civilized behavior, I see “influence” at play. When there is extreme polarity, taking sides becomes harder for the observer. The least of two evils might not be enough. Values are there for a reason, a sort of compass, but those values are subject to influences throughout our life. White or black might not be enough, and gray seems a forced compromise sometimes.

Blaming others (influencers) for our choices is denying personal responsibility and eventually, hindering our growth as human beings; it diminishes our humanity, and in a way, our ability to recognize influential forces in our lives, including our own. We reject our free-will, our most precious gift and essence.

What Am I Reading Now?

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Herbert presents, The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene (Photo by M.A.D.)

This was a lovely surprise, a gift from my nephew on my birthday. The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene is about the understanding of human behavior but from a historical perspective, with examples throughout history. The bestselling author explains basic human nature behavior through historical examples in order to teach you how to apply decoding the same behavior today, in others and in yourself, and how to better understand and get a hold of your emotions once you understand this behavior, as well as become more understanding of others, thus improving your relationships.

So far, I am enjoying this book immensely; so far, a good read for sure.