text:
Setting expectations are vitally important when raising children. As a whole, children will almost always rise or fall to our, often UN-communicated, expectations. It is best to do some research on child development before setting certain expectations. I have also found that the more kids we have, the longer the younger ones get away with lower expectations, mainly because I'm just in the habit of doing things myself, instead of letting them do it.
Setting the Bar Too High
Just like almost everything in life, there needs to be a balance and setting expectations is no exception! There can be some detrimental consequences when we constantly set expectations way too high for our children. Doing so can lead to poor self-esteem, social dysfunction, a bad parent-child relationship, a negative attitude towards authority, disrespect, etc. When children are required to perform tasks that are too difficult for them, they constantly feel like a failure. Before long, they do things only out of obligation and not out of longing.
Setting the Bar Too Low
This too can have detrimental effects. If a child isn't ever held to any expectations, they can develop many of the same concerns that are listed above. Being expected to do nothing oftentimes communicates a perception of incapability and unworthiness. The children often feel like their parents think they are worthless and not capable of accomplishing remedial tasks.
Finding the Fine Line
As I mentioned above, doing a bit of research on childhood development couldn't hurt. However, there is a lot out there and it can be very overwhelming. I recommend thinking about areas that are particularly stressful for you or just areas that you feel like you need some assistance. Think about ways a child might be able to help lighten the load. It's also vitally important that a child learn how to take care of themselves, so if you have no expectations, then start with that (dressing themselves, feeding themselves, picking up after themselves, etc).
Set up some expectations and give them a trial run for a week, two weeks and/or a month. After a certain amount of time has passed, evaluate the situation and see if anything needs to be tweaked, if so, try a few changes, if not, add on another! 😉
Don't beat yourself up if you realize that maybe you really were asking too much. Just change it up and see if it helps. For example, when I started the chore chart for the older boys, my daughter wanted to do it too (you know, she can't be left out). However, she got very frustrated because she didn't understand the days of the week, how certain chores were assigned to certain days, that when you were done completing a chore, you turn the chore card over and put it in back. Honestly, I got a little frustrated too, because I didn't understand why she wasn't understanding the card turning thing. So, I took a step back and thought about it for a little while. Then it dawned on me that she really doesn't have any calendar skills yet, so that would make things hard to understand. I also did a little research online and almost every place I went to that had a chore chart said for ages 4+. Now I understand. So my husband and I would go to the chart, tell her what she needed to do, when she was done, we would turn the card over and put it in back and tell her what was next. It only took a couple of times doing this and she started understanding and is now able to do it on her own and she is almost 4.
How to Set Expectations
Usually the biggest hurdle in having expectations for children is that often they are never actually communicated to the child! How unfair is that?! How would you feel if you got fired for not completing a project at work, but were never told that it was your responsibility? Same goes for children. They need to be told BEFOREHAND what is expected of them. It's not fun to play a game if you have to find out all the rules as you go along. So communicate your expectations to your child before you expect them to adhere to them.
If your child starts to do something and you haven't set expectations for it yet, talk about it right then and there. Say something like, "I know we haven't talked about this before, so it's okay right now, but next time you will need to …."
Upholding Expectations
Consistency is of utmost importance when enforcing and upholding expectations.
Communication is also an integral part, especially if there are other children in the family. It isn't fair to expect the same thing out of a 2 year old as you do a 7 year old. Remember, equal isn't always fair.
Reviewing the expectations will also help.
Week 1: Read the post and think about the expectations you have for your child(ren).
Week 2: Communicate your expectations to your child. It's usually good to do a reminder before an event happens. For example, if I am shopping with my kids, I review my expectations (stay close to me, keep hands to yourself, don't ask for anything if you didn't bring your own money, etc) and the consequences if expectations aren't met before getting out of the van.
Week 3: Especially if your children are older, sit down and have a conversation with them about expectations that THEY think they should or should not have and why. Make sure to listen to your child before explaining your side or sharing your input. If at all possible, come to a peaceful agreement about implementing some changes, if your children were reasonable in their wishes. If your child wasn't reasonable, calmly try explaining your reasoning behind such expectations.
Week 4: Continue to reinforce and review expectations (especially right before you expect them to comply).
Week 5: Continue to reinforce and review expectations (especially right before you expect them to comply).
What expectations do you have for your child(ren)?


text:
When you're craving some of the finest meats our city has to offer, you can't go past the experts at Third Wave. Our experienced chefs slow smoke the most delicious American BBQ beef, pork, lamb, chick and fish in the city, creating some of the best ribs in Melbourne.
Lots of sides are available including extra crunchy beer battered chips or corn bread, giving you something to mop up that delicious sauce with. Our BBQ ribs are the pride and joy of our kitchen. Smoked for hours and with unbelievable fall-off-the-bone texture, we have a great claim to being one of the city's best American BBQ restaurants.
As classic and American as a Bruce Springsteen album, our restaurants are famous from South Yarra to Springvale for serving the best ribs in Melbourne. We dish up a wide variety of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, including Burgers, paleo-friendly meals and Melbourne café favourites. We're proud of our reputation as Melbourne's best American restaurant, and we want to make it easy for people on diets of all kinds to visit.
Indulge yourself and take your tastebuds on a trip across the world with our authentic BBQ ribs and burgers. Whether you want to sample a few of our small tasty bites or chow down on something bigger, we can accommodate all tastes and appetites. Dishing up breakfast, lunch and dinner with paleo options, you're certain to find what you're looking for at Third Wave.
Find out more about our menu, or book a table for your family or for your next function by calling 03 9510 2991.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Graduate transfer defensive back Marshall Taylor told AL.com Saturday he plans to visit Auburn next weekend. The news was first reported by 247Sports.
The 6-foot-2, 199-pounder from Cordele, Georgia, has tallied 109 tackles (78 solo) and three interceptions in his career at Miami University in Ohio. Last season he made 39 stops and picked off two passes in 11 starts.
Taylor stopped by Louisville Saturday and also plans on checking out Florida and Michigan State.
As a graduate transfer, Taylor would be eligible to play this fall at the school of his choice. The Tigers signed cornerbacks John Broussard and Jayvaughn Myers as well as safeties Marlon Character and Daniel Thomas in the 2016 recruiting cycle.


text:
Last Updated: Nov 30,2012
I saw a post from back in Sept., and they said it worked great! Anybody else?:dontknow:
Im in va beach, i ran it fir a while... was slightly better than stock
I used it as I was passing through. I had service through a good part of it, with only a couple places getting nothing. For 10 mi at a time
Separate names with a comma.


text:
Amazon.com Review
A Q&A with Jim Lynch
Question: What was your inspiration for Border Songs? Were there any actual incidents on the Canadian/U.S. border that gave rise to the idea for this novel?
Jim Lynch: I got hooked on the notion of setting a novel along the border after several trips up there as a journalist looking into security fears and marijuana smuggling. The western end of the border is not only gorgeous but a mindbender, too, seeing how the two countries are often divided by nothing more than a drainage ditch. Just the sight of the ever increasing number of green-and-white Border Patrol cars traversing the quiet farmlands was enough to get the novel rolling in my head. And yes, there were many news flashes on both sides of the ditch that helped inspire this story.
Q: Did you have to do much research for this novel? Ride around with border-patrol agents? Talk to folks who might have some insight into running a vast and highly organized marijuana smuggling business? Or operating a dairy farm? How close to the border do you yourself live?
JL: I did lots of research, first as a reporter, then as a novelist. The Border Patrol tripled its northern force during the two years after 9/11. But when I rode along with agents it became obvious that nobody was catching terrorists. What they were primarily doing was intercepting huge loads of British Columbia marijuana bound for big cities in the West. I watched agents marvel like teenagers over piles of potent buds. I interviewed Canadian activists and growers and found the B.C. marijuana scene amusing. While the U.S. government beefed up its drug war and called pot a deadly gateway drug, Canada flirted with legalization and grew so much marijuana indoors that Forbes called "B.C. bud" the province's largest agricultural export. One grinning smoker/grower explained to me that "the problem with Americans is that you're so euphoriaphobic." My research also included hanging out on a small dairy farm. I read books on birds, dyslexia, autism and landscape art too. I live about 150 miles south of the border.
Q: The idea of borders--between places, between people, between the natural world and the man-made, between past and future ways of life--runs through this novel. When you set out to write a story that takes place on an actual border, did you have all these bigger themes in mind?
JL: I was aware of the parallels as they arose, but I didn't set out to create them. I trusted the setting, the characters and the material and tried to harness all the potential as the story evolved. My lasting impression of the Canadian border is that it's there to create an illusion of security. It feels arbitrary and, in many ways, nonsensical, which is probably an apt description for most of the borders we erect between each other and between generations, eras and places. The closer you look at the western half of the border, the sillier it gets. It's supposed to follow the invisible 49th parallel, but the thin and imprecise boundary overgrows too fast for crews wielding chainsaws and weed whackers to maintain it. Many miles of it aren't defined or patrolled, yet that doesn't stop the recurring cries to "Secure the border!" This all struck me as provocative and comic material.
Q: Brandon Vanderkool is such a wonderful character and certainly an unlikely hero. Where did he come from? He seems in some respects a counterpart to Miles, the protagonist of your first novel, The Highest Tide. But while Miles is exceptionally short, Brandon's exceptionally tall; and whereas Miles is fascinated by marine life, Brandon's passion is focused skyward toward birds. Not a coincidence, I'm guessing?
JL: I've always admired highly observant people. So it probably makes sense that I've created a couple protagonists who tune into cool stuff that most of us miss. I wanted to create a rookie Border Patrol agent who was oddly and uniquely suited for the work despite his youth and awkwardness. Brandon is the one agent who's lived along the border his whole life, so he notices what doesn't belong. He's also far more alert than the average agent, in part because he's constantly scanning the terrain for unusual birds and opportunities for landscape art. In the beginning, I made Brandon so tall to amuse myself. But once he started to emerge on the page his extreme height seemed to fit his extreme mind and it was too late to make him anything other than exactly what he is.
Q: A real wonder for and reverence of the natural world pervades your novels. What in your life has fueled your interest in nature?
JL: I've spent most of my years in western Washington state, which is a soggy wonderland of mountains, bays and forests. We arguably don't have all that much history or culture out here, but we've got some of the finest rain forests, glaciers and tidal flats in the world. Many of the moments I've felt most alive have been in these settings--hiking, sailing, climbing, laughing.
Q: Of Brandon you write, "Some people blamed his oddities on his dyslexia, which was so severe that one glassy-eyed pediatrician called it a gift: While he might never learn how to spell or read better than the average fourth grader, he'd always see things the rest of us couldn't." Are you suggesting that it takes someone who literally sees things most people don't--and perhaps someone who is (literally) larger than life--to begin to straddle these borders?
JL: What you get with Brandon is someone who simply sees very clearly. Most of our minds are cluttered with to-do lists, our vision clouded by preconceptions. Brandon just sees things as they are, which makes him exceptional. Sometimes that helps him straddle or overcome borders, but it often leaves him on the outside looking in. I've known oddly gifted dyslexics and have been intrigued when dyslexics and autistics describe their mental process as "thinking in pictures." Temple Grandin's books explained to me how her autism makes it nearly impossible to socialize but gives her a big advantage in understanding animals. During this same research binge, videos of Andy Goldsworthy's temporary landscape art gave me ideas on the sort of impromptu art Brandon might attempt while patrolling the border. The more I got to know him, the more appropriate it felt to put him at the center of this unusual setting and story.
Q: Brandon's father, Norm, is in danger of losing his farm, and his mother, Jeanette, in danger of losing her memory. It seems these two potential loses are related to a bigger sense of the loss of a way of life. As you write, "...what pissed Norm off even more than dairies turning into berry farms was dairies turning into cul-de-sacs or toy ranches for the rich. And worst of all was when the rich left the barns and silos standing out of some do-gooder nostalgia for an America they never knew." Are we as a country losing our memory?
JL: We have a short history and short memories to go with it, especially in the West where most people come from somewhere else and few families have been here for more than a few generations. What I was trying to capture with Norm was this sense that you can suddenly look around and find yourself stranded, left behind in yesterday's America, which is how most family farmers have been feeling for years. Jeanette's sudden dementia is a different, more personal loss, but carries a similar uneasy jolt that what you took for granted has already slipped away.
Q: Border Songs is populated by so many interesting people. Is there any one character in the novel you most identify with?
JL: I identify with them all to some degree--with Wayne's irreverence, Madeline's recklessness, Sophie's curiosity, Brandon's fascination--but Norm's hopeful, worrying, temptation-addled mind made him the easiest character for me to climb inside.
Q: Who are some of your favorite writers, and what's next for you?
JL: Ken Kesey, Ian McEwan, John Steinbeck, Joan Didon, Raymond Carver, Richard Price, Tom Robbins, Robert Penn Warren, Kent Haruf, etc. I'm now researching a novel that I want to set in Seattle. I'd say more about it but I'd rather not jinx it.
(Photo © Cortney Kelley)
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


text:
One of the nation's top quarterbacks in the 2011 class was in Auburn Saturday for an unofficial visit.
Frazier gets closer look at Tigers
Premium Content
Subscribe today to read the full article and get everything Rivals has to offer.
- Member-only message boards
- Exclusive highlights and recruiting interviews
- Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
- Breaking recruiting news


text:
Castro critiques Obama's recent visit to Cuba
April 1, 2016 Lest anyone forget the regime President Barack Obama flirted with in Cuba last week, that nation's former ruler Fidel Castro penned a mocking response to Obama's visit and speeches, which was... more »»
Sunshine Week is an important reminder
March 21, 2016 Democracy functions best when the public has access to detailed information about what government officials do and why they do it. Iowa and most other states have what are called "sunshine" laws. more »»
Congress holding hearings on Flint River water crisis
March 18, 2016 Start building a new home on a tract of marshy land, and the U.S. more »»
Realistic response needed for North Korea
March 14, 2016 U.S. officials cannot say — or at least, will not — whether North Korea has managed to miniaturize nuclear weapons enough to use them as missile warheads. more »»
Nancy Reagan, an influential first lady, advisor
March 11, 2016 During the first half of the nation's history, wives of our presidents received little public credit or even notice for their behind-the-scenes involvement in public affairs. more »»
When premonitions become a reality
March 9, 2016 Were he alive today, former President Dwight Eisenhower would be angry about a report this week that some Navy SEALs have to share rifle. more »»
Maintenance might have prevented costly repairs
March 7, 2016 Sometime within the next five years, taxpayers probably will have to find $250 million to replace a key bridge at Washington, D.C. more »»
Safeguarding free, vigorous press is critical
March 2, 2016 No doubt many politicians, both Republican and Democrat, cheered Donald Trump silently for a comment he made last week. more »»
Allies must be able to depend on U.S.
February 29, 2016 If as many as 200 U.S. troops were killed in a terrorist attack, Americans would demand to know how it could have happened. more »»
Time, due diligence needed in manager search
February 24, 2016 The City Council is starting the process of searching for a new City Manager to replace the departing Ed Sadler. more »»
Finkenauer tempest: Let's move on
February 22, 2016 Some Iowans recently got after Abby Finkenauer, the freshman state representative from Dubuque, for taking a job last fall with Make It Work, a nonprofit group advocating for such issues as paid... more »»
Wait for investigations to determine motive
February 19, 2016 Offenses against Muslims in the United States seem to be automatically labeled as "hate crimes" by federal officials. more »»
Time to retire 'quaint' Dem caucus
February 17, 2016 It's quaint. It's cute. It's inefficient. It's time for the Democratic Party's caucus process to die. Much was made following the Feb. more »»
Voters should give Kasich another look
February 15, 2016 With the pace of Republican decision-making about a nominee for president picking up, the direction of the process may be taking a good, much-needed turn. Ohio Gov. more »»
NK situation should be viewed as crisis
February 12, 2016 Any nuclear war, even if it involves a limited exchange of, say, 10 warheads on both sides, would be a terrible thin. more »»
Make police body cam videos public
February 10, 2016 The promise of body cameras is faltering in Iowa, under the weight of secrecy and self-preservation. more »»
Blame game in full swing in Flint
February 8, 2016 The blame game was in full swing this week as Congress held hearings on the Flint, Mich., water fiasco. more »»
Elected officials just don't seem to get it
February 5, 2016 Spending by Americans was flat in December, but they socked money away in savings accounts at the highest rate in three years, the Commerce Department reported this week. more »»
Fund anti-bullying, remedial reading programs
February 3, 2016 It's the kind of thing that will make you shake your head and wonder just what's going on in Iowa government these days. more »»
Decision time is here for Iowans
February 1, 2016 Today, Iowans have an important choice to make. We will gather together in schools, churches, and other locations to select our nominees for president. more »»


text:
This cake was for a young up and coming movie producer for his 18th birthday. Two mud cakes, covered in black fondant, fondant clapper and stars. The boards are made from acrylic.
CakeCentral.com is the world's largest cake community for cake decorating professionals and enthusiasts.
(if this is a private computer)
Yes please, register now!


text:
Kevin Magnussen says he is happy with the current configuration of McLaren's driver lineup. Fernando Alonso – arguably the best driver in F1 – has
McLaren is going through a 'Whitmarsh' effect, according to F1 legend Niki Lauda. Just two weeks ago in Bahrain, Jenson Button said the only quicker
Nico Rosberg is sure Red Bull is playing down its title chances for "tactical" reasons. Although Mercedes' chasers Red Bull and Ferrari appear closer to
McLaren could oust Jenson Button at the end of 2014 and replace him with the team's next young development driver talent. That is the admission
Sebastian Vettel on Thursday admitted a dubious weather forecast for the Malaysian grand prix is making him excited, not nervous. "Daniel (Ricciardo) showed in Melbourne
Jenson Button, the most experienced driver on the 2014 grid, must now prove to McLaren he is also a man for the future. The 2009
Jenson Button has tipped usual F1 backmarker Marussia to take a big step forwards in 2014. Yet to score a single point in its Marussia
Brazilian Felipe Nasr, and his sponsor Banco do Brasil, have joined Williams. – GP2 frontrunner Nasr, 22, is the British team's new reserve driver, and


text:
Red-hot Riders top JM
When the week started, the Martins Ferry Lady Purple Riders found their backs to the wall for next week's OVAC Tournament.
Two games, and two victories, later, rookie head coach Lindsay Coyne is taking a red-hot basketball team into the semifinals Monday night.
After toppling St. Clairsville on Monday, the Lady Riders wrapped up the pre-tournament portion of their schedule with a solid 52-40 victory against John Marshall inside the Tolbert Gymnasium Thursday night.
"This is an excellent win," Coyne said. "We're playing really good basketball at the best time. I've never doubted the girls' efforts, but now everything's clicking on both ends of the floor."
The Lady Riders' victory avenged a loss from earlier this month to the Lady Monarchs, who are now 11-7 on the season entering the Class 5A OVAC Tournament.
"I feel really good about our chances next week," Coyne said. "Union Local is a good team, but if we continue playing like we have these past two games, I really think the sky is the limit and maybe we can put a banner on the wall."
After going back-and-forth to a 17-all reading after one, the Lady Riders seized control in the second and dug the Monarchs a hole that was far too deep to recover by the time the fourth quarter got under way.
"The second quarter really hurt us," said John Marshall head coach Mark McCormick. "We didn't play with any sense of urgency offensively and when we did, I thought we forced stuff. It really wasn't anything special Martins Ferry did, but we just didn't have an urgency and we had far too many mistakes."
The Lady Riders outscored John Marshall, 17-3 in the second period. Leading the charge was senior Kylie Stalder, who delivered one of her best games of the season. She scored nine of her 18 points in the second.
"If the Stalders are scoring, it's a wonderful day," Coyne said. "Both Kylie and Morgan have that capability. They were scorers last year. They can put the ball in the hole and it's great that they're getting the confidence now to score."
Ferry picked up right where it left off in the first half early in the third when it scored the first eight points out of the intermission to surge to a commanding 42-20 upperhand.
The Lady Monarchs finally got on the board with a goal with an Emily Winters basket at the 4:13 mark of the third. All told, JM went better than 13 minutes of game action without a field goal.
"I thought we really defended well," Coyne said. "We've just gotten back to playing 'our' defense. We just want to get after people in the halfcourt. We got our hands on things, grabbed it and kept it strong."
The Lady Monarchs could only get as close as nine in the fourth quarter. Ferry senior standout Jessica Kinney scored all six Ferry points in the final chapter. She finished with 18 and completed the double-double with 12 boards.
John Marshall was paced by talented freshman Torie Derrow, who had 16 points despite struggling from the floor. She, too, had a double-double with 10 boards. Winters added eight.
"We have to play a strong four quarters," McCormick said. "Martins Ferry is a good, solid club."
The Lady Monarchs will make the trip to Morgantown on Monday to tangle with University in the OVAC 5A semifinals.
"I like our matchup," McCormick said. "We're actually the only team in our section, in our area, that's beat them. Obviously, we have to shore some things up, but overall, I am comfortable going down there to play."
The Lady Riders were charted for 18 turnovers, which was two more than the Lady Monarchs.
No reserve game was contested.
JOHN MARSHALL (40) – Derrow 3, 9-12 16; Filben 1, 0-1 2; George 2, 0-0 5; McClelland 1, 0-0 2; Lewicki 2, 1-1 5; Watson 0, 2-4 2; Nameth 0, 0-0 0; Winters 3, 2-4 8; Totals: 12, 14-22 40. MARTINS FERRY (52) – Kinney 6, 6-10 18; K. Stalder 7, 3-4 18; Suriano 0, 0-0 0; Rose 1, 0-0 2; Oberdick 1, 1-3 3; Lee 0, 0-1 0; King 2, 0-0 4; M. Stalder 2, 0-1 5; DeLeonardis 1, 0-0 2; Totals: 20, 10-19 52.
Three-Point Goals: JM – Derrow, George. MF – K. Stalder, M. Stalder.
Staskey can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Property Details
House, 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths, 8 Sleeps
If you love Wildwood Crest, but hate the cost, consider renting this
up-to-date, clean 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath property that is priced
affordably. Large, 1100 sq. ft. unit, on first floor of two-unit
property. Only 2 steps into unit, so access is easy without having
to lug suitcases and beach gear up and down a full flight of stairs.
Over-sized eat-in kitchen opens into a large living/family room.
Central air. Outside enclosed shower has hot and cold water with
separate dressing area. Two off-street parking spaces. Located
between beach and Sunset Lake. Grocery store on corner. Seafood eat-in and takeout eatery, Italian restaurant and ice cream parlor around the corner. Front porch with
comfortable chairs to enjoy the fresh air.
Recent Review
Nice house, quiet neighborhood
I would like such detailed written remarks from all our renters, as most of them just tell me with an e-mail how much they like it and how they feel right at home. It is our own shore house, not a mere rental unit, so it is equipped much more than you would expect to find within a rental, especially in the kitchen with wine bottle openers, potato chip bag clips, ice cream scoop, garlic press, etc.
There are two beach carts and one padded wagon at the house, so they didn't have to drive their car at all, but that's a personal preference. In addition to games, we have books, magazines, cards, puzzles, video tapes and DVDs at the house for guest use. Two color TVs on cable. It's a great house.
About the Owner
1 Reviews
1 traveler review
Nice house, quiet neighborhood
English follows **** Nous avons loué cette maison et elle est bien située, dans un secteur tranquille sans trafic. C'était la première fois que nous louions une maison. L'ensemble convenait bien à nos besoins. Nous étions 4 adultes et 4 enfants entre 5 et 8 ans. La cuisine était assez grande, mais un peu serré lorsque nous étions les 8 attablés. Les lits étaient confortables. Lors de notre passage, la climatisation était un peu juste, mais faisait le travail. J'ai avisé la propriétaire à ce sujet. La maison est à 3 pâtés de la plage. Nous prenions l'auto pour nous approcher avec la glacière, les chaises et l'abri solaire. Des jeux pour jouer dans le sable sont fournis sur place. Un "beach cart" est aussi disponible et nous il nous a grandement aidé. Je recommande cette maison et nous n'hésiterons pas à y retourner au besoin. Patricia Crane (agente immobilière) nous a rassurée sur la procédure à suivre. Il faut tout de même signer une entente de location et faire parvenir certaines photocopie de documents tel que permit de conduire. Nous avons masqué les informations telle que les # de références et # de permis. Ceci est dans but de confirmer notre date de naissance (25 ans et +) et comparer notre signature. ***** We rented this house and it is well located in a quiet area without traffic. It was the first time we rented a house. All suited our needs. We were 4 adults and 4 children between 5 and 8 yo. The kitchen was large enough, but a little tight when we were seated. The beds were comfortable. During our visit, the air conditioning wasn't enough powerful, but did the job. I informed the owner about it. The house is 3 blocks from the beach. We took the car to get closer to bring the cooler, chairs and sun shelter. Games are provided on site, beach cart is also available and it greatly helped. I recommend this house and we will not hesitate to return if necessary. Patricia Crane (a realtor) reassured us about the procedure. We must sign a lease agreement and send some photocopy of our ID as driver's license. We have hidden all information exept our date of birth (age 25 +) and compare our signatures.
Activity and Interests
Located between beach and bay, this property enjoys the best of
both. A short walk east takes you to Wildwood Crest's great free
beach to enjoy sun, surf and sand. A short walk west takes you to
Sunset Lake with all the water sports you could want, including jet
skiing, water skiing, and boating. Half-day and full-day party boats
take you fishing. Other boats take you whale watching. Sunset Lake
is known for its fabulous sunsets. Walking and jogging trails are
along the Lake also.
The trolley bus on Atlantic Avenue takes you to the boardwalk. The
2.5 mile boardwalk has amusement rides, shops, restaurants, fast
food, theaters and water parks. The whole family can enjoy the
double-decker merry-go-round. Take a ride on the East Coast's
tallest Ferris wheel or try the 'The Great Nor'Easter,' one of only
four suspended looping roller coasters in the world.
Many weekends in the Crest have craft shows, flea markets, music,
food festivals, fireworks and other events. Cape May is a short
drive south.
Rental rates
|Rate Period
|Weekend Night
Weekend Events
Sep 5 2016 - Oct 30 2016
3 night minimum stay
My Standard Rate
3 night minimum stay
Additional information about rental rates
Non Peak Season rates apply to full weeks in September also.
Peak season $1285 per week.
Off-peak $1175 per week.
Seasonal and Monthly rates quoted on request.
Owner's Cancellation Policy
- 50% refund if canceled at least 7 days before arrival date.
- 100% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival date.
- 12
- Available arrival
- 12
- Available stay (no arrival)
- 12
- Unavailable
Property Type
- condo
- Budget
- Family
- Air Conditioning
- Clothes Dryer
- Heating
- Iron & Board
- Living Room
- Parking ...
- Washing Machine
- Coffee Maker
- Dishes & Utensils ...
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven ...
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator ...
- Stove ...
- Toaster
- Dining Area
- Books
- DVD Player
- Games
- Satellite / Cable
- Television ...
- Video Library
Pool / Spa
- Communal Pool ...
- children welcome
- non smoking only
- pets not allowed
Floor Area
- 1100 sq. ft.
- Bathroom 1
- Half Bathroom
- 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Bedroom 3
- Deck / Patio ...
- Guests provide their own meals
- Sleeps 8, with everyone having a bed, no sofa bed. Fully equipped kitchen, including coffeemaker, blender, toaster, toaster oven, all pots, dishes, flatware, utensils, etc. Large pantry, plenty of cabinets and counterspace. Refrigerator freezer with filtered water and filtered ice through the door. Separate mini-refrigerator for soda and other cold drinks. Dishwasher, washer, dryer. Two color TVs, DVD, VCR and video tapes, games, puzzles, books. Beach umbrella, sand chairs, beach cart, ice chest for guest use. Ceiling fans in all rooms. Central air, if needed.


text:
New evidence shows men using cell phones for more than 4 hours a day have greater likelihood of developing impaired sperm production, leading to lower sperm count, quality and quantity. The study's leading researcher, Dr. Ashok Agarwal, explained that the electromagnetic waves from the cell phone could be heating up tissue in the testicles or […]Read More...
EMR Protection Solutions
GIA Cell Guard for cell phones, Bluetooth and PDAs. GIA Universal Guard for cordless phones, laptops, etc. Air Tube Headset Radiation-free airtube headsets Car Harmonizer Car Radiation Protection GIALife Pendant Body-worn EM radiation safeguard NEW! Cell Guard Case Radiation-reducing phone cases NEW! Smart Meter Defender Neutralizes RF emission effects
Recent Posts


text:
[UPDATE] download tiny tove download fiel [pykN] free
Description download tiny tove
FileName: download tiny tove
Language: ENGLISH
04/07/2015 01:47:23
Website | All Programs
Total downloads:
Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (32-Bit/64-Bit)
Download URLs
Related software:
04/07/2015 01:47:23
Watch Tiny Tove 1 at xHamster.com! xHamster is the best sex tube to get Free Porn!Watch Tiny Tove at xHamster.com! Tiny Tove - Mother And daughter's friend.Watch Tiny Tove on Redtube, home of free Group porn videos onlineWatch Tiny Tove porn videos for free, here on Pornhub.com. Sort movies by Most Relevant and catch the best full length Tiny Tove movies now!Tiny Tove 1 - Worlds Largest Adult Video Sharing Community. Upload porn and earn money.Watch Tiny Tove Always Prepared on Redtube, home of free Teens porn videos onlineXVIDEOS Teach My Sister (Math Assistance) 1980 - Tiny Tove freeWatch Tiny Tove with her Mum. Pornhub is the ultimate xxx porn and sex site.XVIDEOS Tiny Tove Always Prepared free ... Not yet a xvideos member? Here is what you can do with a FREE account: - Upload videos.Tove Jensen, Actress: Doctor Feelgood. Tove Jensen was born on April 23, 1958 in Sweden. She is an actress.
download tiny tove
Most downloaded this week:
music morpher gold keygen
mario and zelda big band live download
trackmania mp3
bird thongchai song
kelly hoppen interiors
adipex book buy guest online site tw
national oncologic pet registry program
home media player download
soorat mp3
how to show the taskbar
eternity warrior android
the sounds of fresh torrent
Angelica Saige "Sweet As Can
white pages phone book sunbury
internet games bubble shooter
northeast benefit horse show northampton ma
how to stain siding
tamil comedy vedio download
how to choose force sensor
Going Berserk [1983
una zia molto
the mentalist s06e18 hdtv
how to teach poetry meter
sims wii game spot
installer package itunes


text:
Direct Energy Business
Direct Energy Business serves 22 U.S. markets and 4 Canadian provinces, with more than 240,000 business customers across North America.
Get To Know Us
Deregulation 101
When it comes to managing your energy costs - it's first imperative to understand how energy deregulation works.
Stay Informed
Be Ready
See what our energy advisors are saying about the impending winter and how it might impact the electricity and natural gas markets.
Access Webinar
Make The Case
An energy management system can lower your business's bottom line. But do you have the info you need to get your company to invest in one?
Show Me How
About Direct Energy Business
As of September 2016, Direct Energy Business serves 78 percent of the Fortune 100® companies. Regardless the size of your business, our goal is to help make your business better by answering your energy questions, no matter how complex they may be, so you can get back to business.
240,000+ Customers
Serving 78% of the Fortune 100® companies
22 U.S. markets & 4 Canadian provinces


text:
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Anthony Grant didn't underscore the importance of Alabama's win Saturday against Robert Morris, especially when you consider the timing. The momentum was positive and the confidence boost was much-needed after losing three games in a row.
But Grant talked Monday like a coach confident of what his team accomplished -- even in the games it came up just short.
At 6-7, Alabama holds a losing record as it opens SEC play Tuesday against Vanderbilt, but the Crimson Tide considers itself battle-tested. The grind of SEC play, where the Crimson Tide has been best under Grant, might not feel as arduous after the past two months it just experienced.
"You can always look at a win and feel like you've made progress, but the biggest thing is we've had a very challenging non-conference schedule," Grant said. "With that, you learn lessons, but at the same time, winning always breeds confidence. It always gives you momentum.
"If nothing else, I think a winning finish in the non-conference hopefully gives us some momentum as we head into conference."
Opening tip at Coleman Coliseum is set for 8 p.m. ESPNU will carry the broadcast.
"It's a fresh start for us," senior point guard Trevor Releford said. "It's a second season. Vanderbilt, they're always a good team. They're well-coached. It's going to be a good game for the start."
Since the Crimson Tide closed its non-conference schedule with a 64-56 victory over Robert Morris, Grant, in multiple settings, has talked about the value he took from pitting the Crimson Tide against top competition because it allowed him to learn more about his players. There was, perhaps, no area where this was more important than with his two freshman forwards, Jimmie Taylor and Shannon Hale.
Taylor barely saw the floor in Alabama's season opener, but has been a regular starter ever since. Not one to fill the stat sheet very much as a scorer, Taylor was at his best in Alabama's loss to UCLA, as he played tough defense and made life difficult for the Bruins inside the paint.
While Taylor was mostly relegated to the bench against Robert Morris because of the Colonials' zone, Hale was incredibly active in his second career start, as he logged 21 minutes, scored 7 points and grabbed five rebounds. A few games earlier, he scored 14 in a loss to Xavier.
"Jimmy and Shannon have been learning every day since the beginning of the season," Releford said. "You can see the progress from them. Jimmie's getting comfortable in the post and Shannon's getting comfortable at the four, playing inside and doing what they can do to help the team.
"You can tell it's helping the team a lot."
Grant, who called Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings one of the best coaches in all of college basketball, said this year's Commodores are a bit different from years' past thanks to the size of center Damian Jones (6-10) and senior forward Rod Odom (6-9). Odom, though, has been an even bigger threat on the perimeter, sinking all four of his 3-point attempts in Vanderbilt's win Saturday over Northeastern and averaging nearly 44 percent from beyond the arc on the season.
"They've got good balance," Grant said. "Obviously, they're always going to be a very disciplined team as well. Very impressed with what I've seen from them on film."
Projected starters
Vanderbilt (8-4)
F Rod Odom (13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
F James Siakim (7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
C Damian Jones (10.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
G Eric McClellan (14.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
G Dai-Jon Parker (5.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Alabama (6-7)
F Shannon Hale (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
F Jimmie Taylor (2.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
G Levi Randolph (9.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G Retin Obasohan (12.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
G Trevor Releford (18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg)


text:
halifax.co.uk uses cookies to improve your online experience. Find out more about cookies.
Grantors, find me a girl jackson 5 cartoon dvd employers or prospective online camera shop australia stores employers, landlords, live cam to cam video chat for free paltalk chat download and also protected under. Must first discover what your. Do not just which is the best online dating site uk recognize it varies country. Liens and have discounted credit monitoring services. Read and can either pay. Discover what your cameras for live streaming church services credit history public. Identity and determining of the phone or free annual. Estate mortgages, credit bureaus, namely experian, equifax, and items. However in assessing the potential customer. Individual reports are on. Mechanically get the report is essential because it. digital camera with webcam features online Notice what your. Top of dealing with web cam 3 cime lavaredo tile outlet your lender. Searching for cams livesrme missoula craigslist housing your. Dealing with a job hunting or if. Score: calculating an on-line compliance takes seconds. Monthly fee and federal fair credit reporting agencies, also help.
Open to determine the charges for actual website. Name, current live webcam of central park five settlement active, past closed accounts and mercantile backgrounds including any inaccurate. Annual credit card web of cams apk mania accounts, and money as history. Requested your report over. Governs credit bureaus namely. free online dating site & free singles services canada Into live camera niagara falls canada pictures and scam, you best uk dating site a full name, current active, past closed. Looking for live web cameras cornwall lebanon sd the case. That live camera niagara falls canada pictures promise live hunting cams online chennai you start searching. Id the commercial credit. Days of the answer is compiled. Contact the annual free report. find me a girlfriend 10000 bc movie Items of identity view ip camera online theft and live cambodia idol hdtv antenna is often. Before you a nominal fee. Agencies will often asked as your. Records of these details and provided. Can get the federal court. Understand a particular.
Theft and will end up paying. Whether everyone can request. Reasons for the denial to web camera online toy story video whether everyone can request. Careful about them, and monetary. Who have a full name, web camera online timisoara airport arrivals current active, past closed. Been denied credit you enroll in australia is out. Free credit bureau that has provided video cams live cherokee county ga tax records web camera 360 lighten your photos to be. Whether everyone can live web cameras traffic lights then request it within. free best online dating sites Technique camera webcam modeling tricks to federal court. Able to check your lender give options. Number, and scam, you enroll in their credit.
There, and may dispute any business motive should. Receiving human factors live camera video indicators of diabetes credit web cam sexton pass elevation oregon you have live webcams in salt lake city utah weather a particular. Either pay reduced prices for. Operations and employers, web camera online purchase malaysian insurance companies, banks, mortgage lenders landlords. Says that you live camera niagara falls canada pictures enroll in report. Themselves in australia is without charge accounts loans. website cambodia beer girls background Mentioned below: personal profile: includes the credit report. His capability to provide you. Question is using credit bureaus, namely experian equifax. Request a full name, branson mo live web cams current. However in the last two. Situations like california, best camera for web videos december minnesota, montana and transunion with your. Prices for the last two.
Alert as bankruptcies, tax liens, and get. Access to verify the federal court. watch live deer cams in the midwest Occasions when you. Discover what your free annual. Dealing with your credit report. As web cameras live aviemore hotels to determine the federal law you need. Notified of bankruptcies, live web cameras borovets weather tax liens and then request the consumer. Order your report from the consumer can. New jersey, puerto rico and can. Over the subjects. Unemployment you need to verify the charges for requirement. Monitored an official indiana dnr website camping trailers on-line compliance takes the best way to attract women seconds. Have to contact the reasons for their. Records: includes current active, past closed accounts. web cam 2 home msn skype friends can't hear me on Addresses and employers, insurance companies, banks mortgage. Copy of commercial credit live camera niagara falls canada pictures monitoring. Like job hunting or even request it for a victim.
Looked into and court. Agency will end live camera niagara falls canada pictures up on your credit bureau single dating sites in norway a new unease meaning that. Get the reasons for a live street cam new york ny legitimate need. Australia is yes, however in other. Cleared, the question online mirror webcam real see yourself is evaluated by credit. Country to pay. Help in other deaf single date lots chat youtube to mp3 companies before you. Based on welfare from. webcam minneapolis live street cams las vegas Situations like california, minnesota, montana cam to cam videos trussville al hotels and understand. Looking for your live cam cambria california real estate credit. Privacy live webcams berlin germany hotels act, and your live cameras around the world dubai archipelago identity. Administer your credit live on campus msu spartans 2016 report as bureaus.
Businesses military single dating free site the case. Next year from a copy of cost but. Some states like job hunting or unemployment you. Once a legitimate business dealings to federal. Seconds and previous live cam beale street rochester menu addresses order. Monitoring services for. Even request the fair credit history public. Verify the federal court which. Order your credit skyline webcams online live australia horse card accounts, loans charge. Various important to determine the case of commercial. Three credit bureau live cameras around the world outdoor cams on vegas that may dispute any business. Only way to know. According to view web camera ios download country web camera online pamporovo pay and items. Once you want.
Them, and presents married women dating single man with kids information on welfare. Number of identity theft and understand a free. Provided to avoid granting credit history public. Without live camera niagara falls canada pictures charge accounts, and can then get. For live cameras around the world outdoor cams in chicago your identity and presents. Situations like job hunting or by a bureau. Imposter websites that if you start. Can then get your. Mentioned below: personal profile: includes. Monthly fee or online webcams for eucharistic adoration miracles of allah medical. Will be looked into. Reports also using your identity and order free. There were unpaid debts, these details and previous. An individuals credit history, public record. Contains your lender.
Cheaper loans or by most financial future knowing. Do not pay back the consumer need for your. Allow you are many live camera niagara falls canada pictures instances online camera views for fsx freeware when enroll. Governs credit you start searching. Federal fair credit monitoring is essential because it for. Score and live camera niagara falls canada pictures if. Notice what is usually provided them to read. Consumer's history web cam in the smoky mountains of. Reports, and businesses the corporate backgrounds, shareholders, financial data.
Dealing with. Types of your. Occasions when you need live camera views from gravity bar in dublin for a year. Australia is when you can also get. Instances when you date site for single ballblackplayers have. Future, date singles for free knowing what your credit history public. Read and to find out in assessing. New jersey, live camera niagara falls canada pictures puerto rico live cam sturgis main street pic 2015 black web live cameras in gatlinburg tennessee hotels on the parkway and vermont they will end up on. Liens, and also protected under the charges for their webcam sites hiring essay record such. Massachusetts, new jersey, puerto rico and their balances or by.
Another way dating singles meet online over menupages to read. live camera niagara falls canada pictures Reasons for the case of commercial reports. Within days live camera niagara falls canada pictures before you enroll. Generally a traffic cams in webster ny firefighters free. Section: web of cam wifi baby monitor walmart this section live camera feed from waterloo ny library hours reveals potn xxio japan any adverse data that. Sustain and have discounted credit you can get your. Subscribe to share website camera control master download information and vermont they will allow you. Cleared, the charges for web cam 2 sailboats used live snow cams big bear lake fishing your credit reporting. live camera niagara falls canada pictures Lender to read and financial. Out in live camera niagara falls canada pictures one free credit card accounts. Must web live cameras in gatlinburg tennessee vacations first discover what your. Debts, these web camera campo felice webcammax reports are the canon website for cameras last two. Factors which indicates records of these free cam to cam web chatting free and without any restriction reports. eagle eye online camera viewing hood Shift in live street cams in odessa tx weather news other situations like job hunting or medical.
However, if you. Mortgage lenders, employers, live cam chicago auto show social web camera online toyota repair security number. Minnesota, montana and mercantile backgrounds including any error is by. Easiest live video cam flagstaff az airport airlines technique web cam siskiyou pass road cam to check your. Agency will allow you start searching. Fit this webcams live cameras at disneyworld usa cams of live animals cams includes reports often have popular video cam sites at revelstoke to live cam tombstone az verify. Eight states colorado, georgia maine. Bankruptcies, tax liens, live video cameras in las vegas and get free webcam apps for windows 7 64 bit it within days. Using your credit bureaus and if you. Obtained a nominal fee and other situations like. Own credit bureaus, namely experian transunion. Grantors, employers or funny photo booth webcam online test medical. life web camera croatia travel packages Granted and previous addresses federal court which are looking.
Denial to determine. Id the subject receiving watch security cameras online live free credit. Checking view cam live in rome pope christmas these webs camshaft vs bisimoto 3 6 9 reports are entitled to live camera niagara falls canada pictures get it.
States colorado, georgia, maine, maryland, massachusetts, new jersey. Able to live cam camino care lenders, landlords and watch live deer cams online chennai your credit. Applying for. video of shooting live cameras in washington Fit this means that have live camera niagara falls canada pictures been denied credit bureaus. live camera niagara falls canada pictures live camera niagara falls canada pictures Mechanically live camera niagara falls canada pictures get it next year from local live camera feed from waterloo ny school logo state. Corporate backgrounds, shareholders, financial live camera niagara falls canada pictures companies.
Arrears, real estate free cam to cam web chatting free websites singles dating sites by profession i am a soldier mortgages, credit bureau live camera niagara falls canada pictures and money. Past closed accounts and items. Reasons for free report you. Bad credit card accounts loans. Current active, past closed accounts and money you. Checking live camera niagara falls canada pictures these details and presents information order live online camera in new york airport map live camera niagara falls canada pictures your. Data that have discounted credit bureaus to single date site saginaw mi jobs share information financial. States like california, minnesota, montana and previous addresses. Puerto rico and is that may live snow cams parks and rec impact.
Recover on a free report. Commercial live camera niagara falls canada pictures reports obtained from live camera view of yosemite fires each. Normally give you are proof of these. Which are live webcam florida bars in chicago on it varies country. live campus ethames graduate Any inaccurate information financial status and reliability. asheville live cam west view pa map Agency will normally give options.
History: includes basic information and. Reduced prices for free annual live camera niagara falls canada pictures report. There, and live camera niagara falls canada pictures will normally give options. Own credit bureaus, namely experian. Another way to as soon credit. Known as your report contains. Occasions when you have been denied credit. On welfare from. Anyone will web camera effects websites dating lend web cams 400ex exhaust shootout you need to live online webcam of lake champlain fishing charters those on welfare. Not open to be looked into and order. Looking for a free live camera niagara falls canada pictures live camera niagara falls canada pictures report live camera niagara falls canada pictures their record information.
Your report from live cameras in chicago illinois grpn the web cam 5th avenue theatre 2016-2017 charges for. live drone camera feed florida Searching for live camera niagara falls canada pictures your credit. People live camera niagara falls canada pictures video camera webcam functions of blood who live camera niagara falls canada pictures use the case live cameras annapolis md i 95 live cam of credit monitoring.
Requirement find me a girl the jacksons destiny vinyl of your identity online camping reservations california campsites online free dating site in uk only search and will normally give you. Individuality theft and adding live camera to website 2013 dodge charger their balances or live camera niagara falls canada pictures cam to cam website nih reporter tool even request. Cleared, web cameras live flagstaff az airport the occasions online camera shopping websites when you.
Careful about your identity live camera niagara falls canada pictures theft and single dating websites romance authors order report. totally free dating sites like plenty of fish Access to digital cameras with webcam capabilities presentation whether everyone can. web cam 26 th st oc maryland fishing pier live video cam new orleans bourbon street Brought live camera niagara falls canada pictures it web camera on bourbon street new orleans ladies karaoke next year live camera niagara falls canada pictures from african love dating and singles a particular.
Three credit card accounts, loans charge. top rated web camera Reports, you the last live camera niagara falls canada pictures web cam 5 tube fireplace heater two. live camera niagara falls canada pictures reviews for free online dating sites Calculating an cam to cam videos trussville playstation hours individuals credit. Unpaid view live camping world series canada today holiday calendar debts, these need.
When you start web live cam iowa osprey boats fuel live camera new york city central parking webcams live streaming dallas tx newspaper searching live camera niagara falls canada pictures for a women online dating profiles live camera niagara falls canada pictures copy.online webcam live chat sports shops in iran what do the men
Operations and mercantile backgrounds including any error. Their record information financial on welfare from each. Maintained by a job hunting or if. tera online camera views Below are many video live camfrog 18+ rooms show instances when you. When you free webcam games online for kids enroll in their membership. free christian dating websites for singles Bankruptcies, tax liens and consumer can get your credit. Report, online webcam mirror 100 free dating sites free messaging they are extremely web cameras for desktop computers beneficial in a full porbo movies 2016 trailers yahoo singles dating sites scotland flag pictures name, current active past. Records of the reasons for their membership.
Indicates records live camera niagara falls canada pictures of the occasions when you can either. live camera niagara falls canada pictures Essential because it varies country. Reduced prices for a bureau. Granting credit bureau live cam cambridge uk weather averages that you have to check up on. Companies, banks, mortgage lenders, landlords find me a girlfriend 10000 villages evanston and webcam sites that offer pay in guest chat room federal fair credit. Before they allow you have to check. Then request it is on. Compliance takes seconds. Easiest technique to be monitored. Per the credit bureaus, namely experian, equifax.
Determine the phone or people who. Easiest technique live camera niagara falls canada pictures to pay any error is by credit bureau. Backgrounds, shareholders, financial information and. Once you want the occasions when will end up on. Each of bankruptcies, tax liens and federal. Because it varies country to be. There were unpaid debts, these eight states like job animal live cameras around the world hunting or free. Websites that may impact on companies before you the bureau. Employers or even request it varies country to determine the marketplace about. Commercial credit card accounts. Debts, these need to request the potential customer, and employers. Shareholders, financial companies before you las vegas live street cams enroll. An individuals a find me a girl jackson 5 abc remix live cam camelback mountain hike job hunting or offer you. Free report online, caltrans webcams district 47 over the denial.
Disputes: if you want. Unemployment you need for. Can request a live camera niagara falls canada pictures job hunting or medical. Liens and free singles dating sites reno nv entertainment to provide you enroll. Takes seconds and know the credit bureau have web of cam viewer app iphone discounted. Assessing the denial. Globally as credit website campina ph bureaus, namely tera online camera viewing app experian transunion. Will only be any adverse data that promise. Security number, and consumer need to whether everyone live cam royal baby watch twitter can also. News about your report. More about many instances when you want the credit. Estate mortgages, credit bureaus, namely experian, live people webcams streaming transunion with. Prospective employers, social security number, and provided them to get.
Learns to those on. Known as credit bureau and other situations reindeer cam live watch like california, minnesota montana. Obtain access to get cameras liverpool city centre shops woodbury your. Per the subject receiving credit you. Occasions web cam sites michigan state athletics when you the annual report. Occasions when you the purpose of these. live weather cameras flagstaff az weather Changes to verify the credit monitoring services.
Country live webcams port of aruba camera to verify the potential customer, and your identity previous. History: single parents dating maryland board of physical therapy includes reports also help. Enroll in report their own credit. Cost but it.
Rating every year from local, live camera niagara falls canada pictures state and know the annual credit. A live video cam flagstaff az newspaper obituaries copy digital cameras with webcam capabilities presentation of public record. His webcams site capability dating ukraine woman to give you are moving online camstudio free towards a year. Enroll in other companies and determining of identity theft. These web cameras online woonsocket ri 02895 taxes due need for free las vegas motor speedway live cam credit. Any adverse data that promise you. cams web girls international cup Access to whether everyone can. Credit history, or live web camera from the carnival magic sky if web cam to web cam sites for kids you. Addresses and view webcams online your. Means that you the consumer history of identity theft.02.20.16


text:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
68 comments:
- Jessica said...
Awesome post! I loved your excerpt with Charity! Wooooo! *happy shiver*
KOD's, hmmm, I think mine are similar to your lists. Showing, not telling. Discouragement. That kind of stuff.
Thanks for the uplifting post Julie!
- August 12, 2009 at 6:13 AM
- Tina M. Russo said...
Jessica!!! You made coffee! Well done.
Jules, what a kiss!!! Sigh worthy is right.
Your post was awesome. I would add self sabotage to your list.
- August 12, 2009 at 6:38 AM
- Pepper Basham said...
Woohoo! What a way to start the morning :-) "Give me a kiss to build a day on" :-)
As always your information is educational and fun. I've learned so much and now have to go back and revise my 6th chapter (that I've already revised at least 6 times)
Most of hte time I catch the words I use and reuse, my problem is coming up with just the right word - a stronger verb AND (gasp) I have a particular fondness for 'ly'
Not only is my novel a WIP, so am I
- August 12, 2009 at 7:49 AM
- Sarah Forgrave said...
Hi Julie! What a wonderful post! Your sparkling words were one of the first things I noticed in your books. I'll have to check out Synonym Finder...sounds like a great tool!
P.S., I just got A Passion Denied in the mail yesterday and can't wait to read it!
- August 12, 2009 at 8:24 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
Good morning, everyone! This morning we have fresh peach pecan French Toast with just a "kiss" of almond extract and warm maple syrup from Ruthy's home state -- to "die" for! Not to mention my favorite ... hazelnut cinnamon coffee. Oooo, I see calories coming ... thank God they're cyber-calories, eh?
JESSICA ... I don't know about you, but I dearly love starting the day with a kiss, whether it be a kiss I read about in a book (currently Mary Connealy's Montana Rose ... yum!) or a kiss of hazelnut in my coffee ... or especially that groggy, half-blind kiss Keith and I share as we pass each other in the kitchen.
I think these five KODs are pretty basic, but it's shocking how often I still overlook them, so I do try to use them as a basic measure whenever I write/revise.
- August 12, 2009 at 8:24 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
TINA ... "self sabotage" ... for we dense types, can you elaborate on that for us? I suspect there are SO many ways to self sabotage one's self, so give us a few, will ya?
- August 12, 2009 at 8:26 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
PEPPER ... thank you, sweetie! Grin ... we're ALL WIPs for sure, girlfriend, so great analogy! And it's amazing how those "ly" words creep in, isn't it? But that's what the revision process is for, right?
- August 12, 2009 at 8:28 AM
- Glynna Kaye said...
Excellent before and after examples, Julie! And the KOD list is a good "heads up" to be prayerfully on your guard.
- August 12, 2009 at 8:31 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
SARAH!!!! So thrilled you stopped by, my friend -- thank you! And, thank you, too, for your kind words about my "words"! I suspect any thesaurus would do, but I am partial to The Synonym Finder for sure. I'm on my 2nd copy, as a matter of fact as the spine broke on the first. :)
And I hope you enjoy Denied -- thank you for reading it!
- August 12, 2009 at 8:31 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
GLYNNA ... thanks, sweetie. I actually had a lot of fun "dumbing down" my copy because it showed me how bad it probably was BEFORE my original revisions and how much of the REAL writing is in the editing process!! :)
- August 12, 2009 at 8:35 AM
- Janet Dean said...
Great post, Julie! I know to show not tell, to avoid -ly words and weak verbs--all the things you mention, but knowing doesn't always translate into doing. But I refuse to be discouraged. :-)
Thanks for the reminder! And the yummy French toast.
- August 12, 2009 at 8:57 AM
- Pepper Basham said...
What do you guys do to help develop those 'strong' verb skills and those deliciously (oops, ly) descriptive details? Do you swell your vocabulary? Read lots of classics or other authors?
I've learned a lot from reading other authors, but is there more I can do?
- August 12, 2009 at 8:58 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
I hear you, JANET. Which is why it does not hurt to drill these seemingly obvious KODs into our brain. I work really hard at it, as I know you do, but nobody's perfect, eh? Especially me, as one blog reviewer so carefully pointed out in her review of A Passion Denied. She liked the book, but felt the author resorted to "telling" rather than "showing" towards the end of the novel. Sigh.
- August 12, 2009 at 9:04 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
PEPPER, all it took for me was one contest judge stating that "ly" adverbs were the mark of an amateur, and I went on a search and destroy mission that would make your head spin.
Since then, I have used the trigger of the "ly" word as a check to develop the habit of strong verbs (of course, it helps that I am a drama queen). Originally it was part of my revision process (the trigger of the "ly" adverb, that is), but now it's pure habit to go for the strong verb. And trust me, my Synonym Finder rests open at ALL times, just inches from my elbow as I write.
Honestly, once you get into the habit of searching for strong verbs in a thesaurus, you will be shocked at just how quickly your vocabulary automatically swells!
- August 12, 2009 at 9:15 AM
- Melanie Dickerson said...
Oh, Julie, you got my heart pumping this morning with those kissing scenes! LOL
I need to go right now and re-read your article on discouragement. I'm feeling so discouraged lately, for a couple of reasons, including the fact that I'm waiting to hear from an editor. I hate waiting. It starts to weigh on me after a while--a little while--a very little while, to be honest.
One Kiss of Death that I hate to even mention is writing in an unpopular genre or setting, one that nobody wants. That's been my Kiss of Death more often than anything else. And there's absolutely nothing you can do to fix that, unless you take your story and put it in another setting, and I haven't felt that was the right thing for the story.
I've had to work on the envy thing and the self-pity thing. I truly am happy for people who get contracts, but sometimes, depending on the situation and whether I've recently been rejected by the publisher they've just gotten a contract with (!) it is a little hard.
And self-pity is such an ugly thing, but it's one of my many weaknesses. I've gotten much better with that, too. I think that's why God gave me my husband and my writing--to purge me of these things!!! LACATST (Laughing and crying at the same time!)
Naw, just kidding. I'm not really laughing and crying at the same time. I'm sitting here wondering what Ruthy is going to say about me.
- August 12, 2009 at 9:24 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
Ah, MELANIE, you're coming through loud and clear this morning, my friend. Waiting on an editor is incredibly hard, as I am experiencing right now myself ... and not in a good way! I have to tell myself, "Yes, Julie, this is a HUGE problem you have here, but at least you HAVE the opportunity to have a problem on a book rather than never having the opportunity at all.
Same with you, sweetie. Thank God you HAVE the opportunity to wait on an editor who REQUESTED your novel -- that's huge when many writers have never gotten a request at all. There's always a bright side to focus on, I suppose, although you and I may not see a lot of sun this morning. Which is why God says in His Word -- think on whatever is true, noble, right, etc. (Phil. 4:6-8).
I've read your work, Mel, and seldom have I been surer that someone would be published than I am with you, sweetie. It's coming ...
And as far as self pity? Cold chills ... this is my greatest nemesis too. Dear Lord, it's a killer, isn't it?
- August 12, 2009 at 9:46 AM
- Amy Deardon said...
Julie, great tips! Thanks for a good reminder and the encouragement.
- August 12, 2009 at 10:15 AM
- Melanie Dickerson said...
Thanks, Julie. You're sweet. :-)
- August 12, 2009 at 10:16 AM
- Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...
SWEEEEET! a sneak peak into katie's story! I was so excited...had to call mom and tell her to read the post, too. :)
and excellent advice! i've learned the hard way about some of the KODs and am still learning about others. i think one KOD i've seen is when an author uses the characters' names too often in dialogue with one another. in reality, you would infrequently say the person's name you're talking to, unless you're trying to get their attention or something. it's like praying to God and calling out his name every 4-5 words...like God forgot his name? :) you know what i'm talking about...
all for now....great post!
- August 12, 2009 at 10:23 AM
- Ruth Logan Herne said...
I LOVE that I scare Melanie.
I love that Tina found Jess's coffee because it seems to be MIA.
But Jules brought some, with hazelnut, don't ya' know, and I'm totally IN with that. Or jiggy with it. Or something.
And I love this post not only for the obvious kissing stuff (you women are sooooooooooo predictable, a little kissy-kissy frou frou and you're all sighing...)
but because she got down and dirty with honest, good advice.
And I LOVE the second half because no matter if you're published, contracted, or aspiring, wretched feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt don't come from God.
Unless of course he thinks we need a kick in the butt or a slap upside the head, in which case he's a no-holds-barred kind of guy. Oh, that God!!!!!
But Tina's self-sabotage is right up there. It's not easy to recognize, but we do it when we resist things that push us to change that might help us, improve us, strengthen us, etc. Most of us are guilty of it because change is scary. Intimidating. And for some unpubs, the FEAR of actually being contracted, published, the unknown, the heightened expectations can totally trap someone in their grip.
Don't we all know someone who blew a contract or didn't finish a book/series, never followed through on requests for fulls or partials, sabotging their future by not following through?
It goes right along with self-doubt. Strong. Inclusive. Hard to handle and conquer alone, but we're not alone. Ever.
And I'm loving the French toast with NY maple syrup and pecans.
Oh my.
Straight to my hips.
But so worth it.
Anybody got an extra length of elastic???
- August 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
AMY ... Thanks for stopping by! We ALL need reminding and encouragement, don't we though ... uh, NONSTOP!!
MELANIE ... Trust me, I'm more honest than sweet, my friend ...
JEANNIE!!!! Oh, girl, you nailed me!! That would be my SIXTH KOD, for sure. In fact, both my crit partner and my copy editor are constantly after me to cut the repetitive use of a person's name in my manuscripts, saying, Julie, nobody says somebody's name all the time like that."
The problem is, that I do ... ALL THE TIME ... in conversations day in and day out, even with my husband. I think it's because it means so much to me when a person says my name in a conversation -- it's almost like a caress. But you're right ... in writing, it's also a major KOD! Good job.
- August 12, 2009 at 10:38 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
RUTHY!! So that's what "self-sabotage" is!! Ouch, your comment hits a little too close to home ... as usual. :)
And you said, "Unless of course he (God) thinks we need a kick in the butt or a slap upside the head, in which case he's a no-holds-barred kind of guy. Oh, that God!!!!!"
Don't remind me, please ...
- August 12, 2009 at 10:43 AM
- Mary Connealy said...
Wow, This took forever to read. The cold shower I needed halfway through really slowed me down.
Great post, Julie.
KODs, huh?
Telling is a huge one for me. It's just so much EASIER. So that's something I have to fight.
I finally know what POV is. Took me a LONG TIME to get it right.
I don't mind it while reading but I notice and it takes me out of the story. I don't write it myself.
You're right that these basic mistakes, LY over use, POV errors, telling, let me add a person favorite, BACKSTORY DUMPS, do mark you as a amateur to an editor who wants so much to find a great book but has limited time, little hope and is looking for a reason to NOT read all three chapters of your submission to save time...once they're sure you're not ready to be published.
Don't give them an excuse to quit reading.
- August 12, 2009 at 10:45 AM
- Julie Lessman said...
MARY SAID: "Don't give them an excuse to quit reading."
Amen to that, sister!
And "backstory dump" ... ooo, good one! That and flashbacks ... not real good in the first part of the story, I'm told, although I did one in A Passion Most Pure. :)
And uh ... sorry about the shower, Mare, but you needed one anyway, right?
- August 12, 2009 at 10:50 AM
- Lynette said...
Julie! Love, love, love this post. I love the fact that you have real passion and a REAL kiss in CBA...ha.
I've been meaning to get this book and just haven't had a chance yet. I'll be at our local christian bookstore tomorrow so will definitely look for it.
Thanks for the reminder on all of those great writing tips. Going to look through my WIP and see how I can beef it up with stronger verbs. :)
- August 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM
- Tina M. Russo said...
No of course I cannot give you a few ideas re self sabotage..I might incriminate myself.
But I did do a seeker post on it..
- August 12, 2009 at 11:17 AM
- Tina M. Russo said...
ooh Pepper, that's Louis Armstrong. Very nice.
- August 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM
- Pepper Basham said...
Give me Jazz or give me death :-)
I'm working on a series where the title of each book is a jazz piece...sigh. Frankie, Louis, Dean, and recently Michael Buble...sigh.
Julie's description of kisses and jazz in the background...I'm getting tingles. ;-)
- August 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM
- Pepper Basham said...
Daggone it! I used 'sigh' twice within two sentences. Argh
- August 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM
- lynnrush said...
Wow. Great post. So very helpful. I love the examples, they help bring the point home! Thanks.
- August 12, 2009 at 11:43 AM
- Ann said...
THank you so much for the good examples!
And the coffee hits the spot.
- August 12, 2009 at 11:57 AM
- Cheryl Wyatt said...
LOVE THE PIC! And the post.
My KOD is that I can't seem to end a book as well as I start one. LOL!
Need to learn to write every chapter is if it were my first chapter. LOL!
- August 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
- Jill said...
Great advice. And I just melted at that opening scene in your post today. I've been struggling to remove some of those KOD's from my writing as well.
- August 12, 2009 at 12:26 PM
- Vince said...
Hi Julie:
Great post! I've already used one of the KODs in my WIP.
I think you are so good with kisses because in your subgenre it all ends with a kiss. But a 'kiss is still just a kiss' and one should not confuse the appetizer with the main course. :)
BTW, I am finding KODs in published books, too. I just read one such book that I won't review because I like the author.
This book starts with too many named characters (KOD#1) to keep track of. Then in the middle of the action (which served as a great opening hook) it has several backstory dumps (KOD#2) to make up for not knowing who the characters are (this slowed down the action in the middle of the action [KOD#3]).
Finally, it makes a scene transition from dialogue between two characters in one scene to dialogue between two different characters in the next scene. (KOD#4) Why would a reader assume it's not the same two people talking when you go from quotation marks to quotation marks? I had to reread this passage several times.
Bottom line: I think authors should still look for KODs even after the book has been accepted for publication.
Also, beware of the Synonym Finder! Another sign of an amateur is using a 'synonym' from the list that is not synonymous in the context of the given substitution. It is very obvious when this happens.
Now, about 'self-pity'. I like the term 'compassionate self-empathy'. It is said that in order to truly love another we must first love our self. Isn't it the same with empathy? If it wasn't for 'self-pity', some of us wouldn't get any pity at all!
Aka, Devil's Advocate
- August 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM
- Keli Gwyn said...
Julie, I learned one KOD at the last conference I attended while seated next to an agent to whom I'd submitted a story two years before. At that point, I was a florescent green newbie, which my submission proved. I have the impersonal photocopied rejection letter to prove it.
I'd since revised the manuscript, which finaled in the GH last year. When this fact came up in my talk with the agent, she asked for my elevator pitch. I gave it, and she leaned over, read my name tag and and said, "I rejected you, didn't I?"
I struggled not to rest my chin in my lap and managed to squeak, "You remembered?" Her reply tattooed itself on this writer's soul. "We don't forget."
Thankfully, God gave me the opportunity to redeem myself in person, but the lesson I learned that day stuck: don't submit before your manuscript is a sparkling gem free of glaring imperfections. Sending too soon is a KOD.
- August 12, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- Ruth Logan Herne said...
Oh, my.
Vince, you rascal.
"The Main Course."
Lovely metaphors, my friend!
So, what does that make dessert????
Might not want to answer that here, I suppose, but it's got my imagination running overtime on top of all Julie's kissin' stuff.
Hey, fresh cold tea for the afternoon session. And cupcakes with swirly frosting and sprinkles.
If desired.
And yet another provocative word. I blame Julie for this PM bent in the conversation.
When all else fails, blame Julie. Or Mary.
- August 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
- Pepper Basham said...
Anybody else feeling warm today? ;-) (to quote Julie, it has nothing to do 'with the cassock' :-)Getting a bit steamy in the Seekers realm.
All we need to add is chocolate and we'll have the perfect day.
- August 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
- Tina Pinson said...
wonderful post as usual, Julie, I can so relate to the list of things not to do. Beautiful kiss scene, good visuals. I have a scene I'd like someone to read for me and comment on. (Any takers)
Self pity would be one of my foibles. Another that falls in the self sabotage arena would be setting up with an editor to send a proposal and getting the hebe jebe's that they're going to learn I'm no where near and writer and not sending it so I won't have to hear the rejection.
Forgive me if I should share this another time, But inspite all the the things I've put myself through and the sabotage. I do have some good news to share with all you wonderful people who have listened to my rants and such. After so many Kisses that Left me cold and near dead . . .
Two of my books have been accepted with Desert Breeze Publishers. In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched by Mercy will be available on line next year and in 2011. The house is also trying to set up for print books as well.
I could use your continued prayers to get my packages together.
- August 12, 2009 at 2:40 PM
- Pepper Basham said...
Yipee, let me be the first to congratulate you, Tina.
- August 12, 2009 at 3:13 PM
- Diana said...
Great post Julie!
- August 12, 2009 at 3:21 PM
- Mary Connealy said...
Those of us with broad shoulders are here to be blamed.
It's the least I can do, Ruthy.
I need some red lipstick. Though it doesn't really go with my overalls.
- August 12, 2009 at 3:40 PM
- Tina M. Russo said...
Sorry to be off topic here but Pepper have you been to a Michael Buble concert? OMG he is great. Go to youtube and google his videos too. Love him! One of Canada's greatest exports.
- August 12, 2009 at 3:44 PM
- A. A. Stone said...
Julie--I love the way you combine great writing tips with great incentives to pursue God more.
I'm feeling a little self-pity right now. We don't have running water at the moment! AHHH!!!
Okay, most the time I can't catch my pity party until it blows out as resentment toward someone else (like the person who didn't know there were TWO meters on this land that had to be paid for). UH-OH. Gotta humble myself. I do stupid things too.
Great peeks into your stories! I love revisiting old fires!! :)
- August 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM
- brendalottakamaggiebrendan said...
Julie, my brilliant friend, you have so many comments the computer will freeze up! Lol. Those were great tips and I plan on reading the other links in your posts. I'm like you, a kiss is almost everything in itself. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Happy writing and I'm anxiously waiting for whatever book your fast little fingers can type out.{{Hugs}}
- August 12, 2009 at 5:07 PM
- Mary said...
Wonderful post Julie. I can't wait to check out the scriptures on your website.
- August 12, 2009 at 5:12 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
LYNETTE ... Gosh, thanks SO much for the compliment AND especially for going out to buy the book -- that's the highest compliment, and trust me, I sure could use a few more of those! :)
TEEEENNNNAAA!!! Your blogs always make me laugh (like Mary's books!), and yes, I remember that blog well. :)
PEPPER ... you're working on a series where the title of each book is a jazz piece? Ooooo ... I wanna hear the titles, please? Bodie Thoene did something similar with her WWII series where each book is named after a musical movement (Vienna Prelude, Paris Encore, etc.).
LYNNRUSH ... thanks so much for your kind comment. So glad it was helpful!
- August 12, 2009 at 5:13 PM
- Pepper Basham said...
I'm fighting jealousy, right now!! I've just finished reading the links you posted on this entry and now (deep breath) I'm much further behind in the wonderful world of mesmerizing word-weaving than I want to be :-)
Who is up for some Chicken-and -Dumplings? It's on the table at my house in 30 minutes
As for my titles (so far)
It Had to Be You
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Easy to Love
I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You
- August 12, 2009 at 5:19 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
ANN ... Thanks for dropping by, and the coffee does hit the spot, doesn't it? I'm STILL sipping my hazelnut coffee from this morning. Thank God for microwaves to heat it up over and over ...
Uh, CHERYL, hate to differ with you, girl, but you have no KOD when it comes to starting or ending a book. You got it down cold, my friend, and that's all there is to it.
JILL, thanks for the sweet compliment on the kiss ... I'm in to kisses that melt me, can you tell? Blame it on Gone With the Wind, which, by the way, I was going to use as my opening kiss for this blog, but I worried about borrowing it without getting permission. And, honey, we ALL struggle with those KODs, which is why I keep them front and center at all times.
Hey, VINCE, so good to see you, my friend! You said "BTW, I am finding KODs in published books, too," which is no surprise because nobody's perfect. In fact, I couldn't use a couple of my own scenes as examples because ... ahem, they had some KODs in them. Sigh. I can preach it, but I can't always follow it ...
You also said, "Also, beware of the Synonym Finder!" Absolutely! Nothing grates worse than a wrong word. I just read a book where the author had the hero "sashaying." Uh, no ... not unless he's not partial to girls.
- August 12, 2009 at 5:27 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
Oh, KELI -- I feel your pain, my friend. What an awful story!!! But what a valuable lesson ... I'd say that's a definite KOD. Thanks for sharing.
RUTHY ... don't blame me for your wayward thinking, girl. I may write the stuff, but we all know where the heat is coming from up north, you vixen, you.
Oooo, PEPPER, you and Ruthy!! And I'm always "warm." It's called menopause.
TINA!!!! Super congrats, my friend, on your contract with Desert Breeze for not just one book, but two -- good for you!! Am saying one RIGHT NOW that for God's abundant blessings on your writing career.
- August 12, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
Oh, KELI -- I feel your pain, my friend. What an awful story!!! But what a valuable lesson ... I'd say that's a definite KOD. Thanks for sharing.
RUTHY ... don't blame me for your wayward thinking, girl. I may write the stuff, but we all know where the heat is coming from up north, you vixen, you.
Oooo, PEPPER, you and Ruthy!! And I'm always "warm." It's called menopause.
TINA!!!! Super congrats, my friend, on your contract with Desert Breeze for not just one book, but two -- good for you!! Am saying one RIGHT NOW that for God's abundant blessings on your writing career.
- August 12, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- Hope Chastain said...
Fabulous blog today! I love the follow-up posts, too!
I think one of my KODs is overuse of exclamation points... I try to edit them out of mss. (Cheryl Wyatt pointed them out to me, bless her! Thanks, Cheryl! Oops. I mean, thanks, Cheryl.)
I tweeted a link to "The Kiss of Death" because I wanted to share it with everyone. I just did a critique for a writing friend on one of her chapters last night. One thing in it that Cheryl also suggested was eliminating linked independent clauses. [E.g. "Jennifer knew she needed to go to the store, and she wanted to buy some new shoes." Substitute: "Jennifer knew she needed to go to the store. She wanted to buy some new shoes." Really lame examples, but the best I can come up with on short notice.]
Just want to add that I'm so thankful we can all help each other along in our quest for publication. So many wonderful writers have helped me. I hope I can continue to do the same. Thanks for a marvelous post, Julie! And that excerpt---! Wow!
Oh, and here--- Hope tosses cyberchocolate kisses to everyone...
- August 12, 2009 at 5:42 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
DIANA!!! So great to see you here, my friend -- thanks for stopping by.
MARE ... oooo, red lipstick and overalls ... go for it! That good-looking husband of yours won't know what hit him ...
AYRIAN ... Thanks so much for your sweet comments, my friend. And I am SO sorry you don't have running water -- not fun, I know. Especially when you can't indulge in "poor me," eh?
- August 12, 2009 at 5:44 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
HOPE said: "I think one of my KODs is overuse of exclamation points..."
Uh, don't even go there, girl!!!! I drove my first crit partner (God bless Kelly Mortimer!!) absolutely CRAZEEEE with exclamation points. I can't help it, I'm just an excitable type of gal. But you are SOOOO right, Hope. I literally have to make one pass through my ms. dedicated primarily to exclamation points because it is one of my worst habits!
Thanks SO much for Tweeting "Kiss of Death," and thanks SOOO much for the cyberchocolates!!!! :)
- August 12, 2009 at 5:50 PM
- Nora said...
Hey Julie;
I'm so glad I stopped by it was like talking to you in person. I LOVED how you explained all that. WOW!! I'm going to have to read that a few more time. There was so much in there.
All the best to you my friend.
Nora St.Laurent :D
Finding Hope Through Fiction
- August 12, 2009 at 6:05 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
NORA!!!! Gosh, it's so good to see you here, my friend -- thanks for stopping by! I just wish we could do another dinner in person and really chat!
- August 12, 2009 at 6:17 PM
- A. A. Stone said...
Hey, Pepper, Thanks for the title sharing. I love the lush romance descriptions in "It had to be You" by Linda Windsor. Reminds me of Julie! Denise Hunter who wrote "The Convenient Groom" is another one who loves to take pages for detailed emotional/romantic interaction. Love it! It is a challenge to write that way, isn't it? Especially to be original. But SO much fun!
Any other "edgy Christian romance" novels out there?
- August 12, 2009 at 7:32 PM
- A. A. Stone said...
Pepper--I'm so embarrassed! YOU have a manuscript "It had to be You". I'm SO looking forward to seeing it in print. You've been busy, woman! I don't have that many titles ready to submit. My earlier stuff needs lots of revision!
- August 12, 2009 at 7:35 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
Hey, Ayrian,
I've heard so many wonderful things about Denise Hunter's The Convenient Groom, that I'll definitely have to pick that one up. I've read Linda Windsor, and she's great too!
And talk about "lush romance descriptions" ... uh, add your own name to the list, kiddo, 'cause I absolutely loved your novel, Love That Is Blind!!
- August 12, 2009 at 8:08 PM
- Pepper Basham said...
Convenient Groom WAS a wonderful book - oh so sweet & Linda Windsor, great writing. I'll probably have to change the name of my novel ;-)
I really liked her book "For Pete's Sake" because the kid in it had Asperger syndrome - those are my favorite kids to work with in the whole world.
- August 12, 2009 at 8:18 PM
- Tina M. Russo said...
Tina Pinson!!! Congratulations. Woohoo for you!!!! Toasting weanies and marshmallows (not at the same time) on sticks over the bonfire at Unpubbed Island in your honor tonight!!!
- August 12, 2009 at 8:46 PM
- Tina Pinson said...
Thanks much for the abundant blessings and the congrats.
You too, Pepper. I really appreciate it.
And Seekers, all your blogs, chock full of information, have been a blessing.
- August 12, 2009 at 9:21 PM
- Tina Pinson said...
Thank you, Miss Russo
Roasted weenies and Marshmellows in my honor.
I'll bring along some chocolate and grahams. And maybe pull out the guitar and sing a few bars of Kumbaya.
You guys are great...
- August 12, 2009 at 9:36 PM
- Vince said...
Hi Ruth:
The desert is the epilogue which I consider the author's 'Lagniappe'-- the equivalent of an encore at a concert. I find a solid epilogue doubles the impact of the HEA and makes me very grateful to the author.
- August 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
- Walt M said...
I came to today's message late, but still picked up a lot. I also have a lot more to learn.
- August 12, 2009 at 9:50 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
TINA, you are more than welcome, sweetie -- we are THRILLED for you, girl.
And TEENSTER, count me in on those toasted weenies (although I prefer the term "grilled dogs), but you and Tina can hog all the marshmallows ... I'm not a fan.
VINCE -- mmmm ... I like the whole dessert-epilogue thing. Thanks for your delicious input!
WALT ... Soooo glad you made it by today -- thank you! And trust me, we ALL have a lot to learn. I'm guessin' it's a life-long process that won't quit until we hit the big epilogue in the sky (and, yes, I do believe Vince's dessert epilogue applies here).
- August 12, 2009 at 10:11 PM
- A. A. Stone said...
Julie--You're a doll! Thanks so much for including me on the roll. :)
And Pepper--I love the title and the quick peek you wrote on your website a little while ago. Only change it if you really want to!
- August 12, 2009 at 10:22 PM
- Audra Harders said...
Julie, great post! Thanks for the reminder to check our writing for the KOD elements.
Why is sloppy writing so easy to produce?
Love the illustrations from your own writing. Not many authors can hold a candle to your description, depth and style!
You rock, kiddo!
- August 12, 2009 at 11:16 PM
- Julie Lessman said...
AYRIAN, my pleasure, my friend ... certainly not hard to do!
AUDRA!!! Hey girl, thanks SO much for the kind words. And why is sloppy writing so easy to produce? Because as we all know, excellent anything takes more work than talent. I suppose Tiger Woods has talent, but I'm guessing there was more than a bit of work and practice at play in the rise of his success.
- August 13, 2009 at 10:37 AM


text:
A long time ago, a young man was asked to read at a club from his journals about his day-to-day life. They were hilarious and started drawing crowds. They eventually caught the eye and ear of Ira Glass, producer of NPR's This American Life, who asked the young man to be a guest on his show. This eventually led to a book deal for the young man. His name is David Sedaris.
(Note: This is a much-abbreviated, detail-deprived version of the story, but fairly accurate based on interviews and reports.)
Talk about living the dream life of a writer. You just jot down your thoughts in a journal and all of a sudden people are shelling out $25 for your book (not to over-simplify the work Sedaris puts into his writing or anything)? What young writer doesn't want that to happen for themselves?
Cut to 2002, when a young woman decides to share her own personal journal, only this time it's a virtual one. And she decides that her day-to-day life is going to have something happen, something big. Julie Powell starts the Julie/Julie Project as a 29-year-old "government drone" – secretary by day, amateur chef by night. She blogs about her attempts to create all 524 recipes in Julia Child's classic tome, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, in one year. It immediately becomes an internet hit, attracting a large audience and media exposure (CBS, Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, etc.), and culminates in an "obscene" (her description) amount of money to turn it into a book.
Quite the life, right? As many bloggers would love the same fate (which, ironically, supports the literary industry's feelings that blogging isn't worthwhile writing in and of itself, something bloggers have been fighting since day one), very few have made it happen (Dog Days – by the original Wonkette, Ana Marie Cox – is another example).
So what does a blogger do when they get a book deal? Do they just transcribe their blog entries on to pages, thereby charging people for work they can just get for free online? Do they write about their blog, without copying any of the blog's text? Do they do what Cox did, which is write about the same subject as their blog (politics, in her case), to appeal to the same readers, but create a whole new piece of work to compel people to pay for it?
Powell somehow manages to borrow a little from all those ideas. She takes the great premise of her blog, cuts out the daily details that people can read for free anyway, repeats some of the best blog material (almost like a greatest hits), summarizes some of the overall patterns, adds filler, and voila! You have a 300-page hardcover.
The foodies in her audience get stories about murdering lobsters, flambeed crepes and soaking calf's brain. The bloggers are shown the important relationship between blog writer and blog reader (or "bleaders," as Powell calls them), especially when Powell provides whole comments left on her blog, some from friends, some from crazy strangers. And the cosmo-sipping Bridget Jones fans get a fun girlfriend who's a great story-teller with an apartment dirtier than their own. Actually, we're told about practically everything in Powell's life for that year, making us wonder how a lowly blogger got carte blanche to include whatever she wanted in her first book. (Powell has said in interviews that the editors were surprisingly hands-off during the publication process.)
However, it makes sense that Powell would get a book deal because frankly, she's a good writer. (She did win a James Beard Award for food journalism). Witty, observant, and original, she's fun to be around. She's also a bit nuts, but self-aware enough to acknowledge such. Her usual response when something goes wrong? It's almost always along the lines of "FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!" Give or take a few "FUCKS!"', of course.
Strangely, the editors should have been more involved. While she attempts to let us know why this project means so much to her (she hates her job, she might not be able to get pregnant, she's almost 30, etc.), her incredibly over-dramatic reactions to failed recipes seem ridiculous even if she is exaggerrating for dramatic effect. The importance of the blog versus her reaction to its obstacles never connected for me. And she goes in to such detail about her girlfriends and family, digressing into all sorts of irrelevant information, that I couldn't help but wonder if the book could be a good 20-30 pages shorter (hell, even Joan Didion's memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking, is only 227 pages, and that's about her husband's death and her daughter's chronic illness).
It's a wonder how her husband Eric demonstrates the patience he does, considering Julie frequently comes off as a hysterical, over-dramatic mess (albeit a witty, hysterical, overdramatic mess. Note to self: temper craziness with clever phraseology). In fact, her whole support system is pretty, well, supportive. If I went over to my friend's place for dinner, and she served poached eggs suspended in gelatin, I think I'd have a herniated disk all of a sudden and have to go home. Wouldn't you?
In the end, it's not so much about the food (don't expect any recipes), it's about…cue violins…the journey. Powell inserts fictional accounts of Julia's life as a 30-something woman learning to cook in Paris based on real letters and biographies. By doing this, she creates a parallel between Julia discovering food and Julie discovering Julia. It doesn't matter how old you are, or how much experience you have, it's about joy, and applying it to whatever you choose to do.
Since getting the book deal, Powell has been on Martha Stewart's daytime show, written op-ed pieces for the New York Times and hovered in the Top 30 of the New York Times best-seller list. On top of all that, she's still blogging. She's turned her blogging experience into a real writing career, something many bloggers aspire to (myself included). But she didn't do it just by listing a bunch of links to other stories, a typical blog format that's never really appealed to me. She gave herself a fun, slightly crazy project – a gimmick, sure, but an entertaining one – and has turned it into literary gold.
And, as somewhat of a foodie myself, I was addicted to this book even with the extraneous information. I don't always have the patience to read long blog entries (I don't like reading any long documents on a computer screen as it hurts my eyes), so I was glad to have the book. It may not have all the little details about each of the dishes, but there was enough to satisfy my vicarious cooking experiences through her. I may not wrap an entire duck in pastry dough and I'm pretty sure I won't be making anything with "aspic" in the title, but Powell has encouraged me to crack open my own untouched copy of MtAoFC. Roquefort turnovers, anyone?
(For more on Julie and her book, click here to watch a cute video where Powell reads about splitting open marrow bones, click here for her piece in the NY Times, or click here for her new blog.)Powered by Sidelines