Oh My God, I'm Tired...

Well, it's done. "The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road" is published and ready for purchase. Between the formatting, proofing, correspondence and discussion on the book cover with the designer (also in China) and the back and forth between Alan in Beijing and here, I'm pooped.

But, the book is going to be shown in Beijing, China at a book fair for book sellers. I fed-exed the book to New York on Thursday and ordered addtional copies for myself. Alan wants to order 2000 copies to sell locally and wants me to sign them before shipping off to Asia.

I've enrolled us in the Amazon "peek inside the pages" program and have been updating Barnes & Noble and other retailers with the book info.

Sheesh....I'm so behind, but it's a good tired. You know what I mean?

Oh, I would be remiss if I didn't offer you a chance to purchase here as well. Surely, you didn't think this would be a simple post!

Click HERE to purchase.

More Musings Later-

Why is ro so watchable?

Whenever I have just a few minutes and need to take a break, I head over to (you guessed it if you read my blogs with any regularity) r blog

I watch her latest video rants about Bush (and wholeheartedly agree with her) and then read the latest questions from her audience and her ee cummings style responses.

I don't know why she is so watchable, but she is. She's headed to P-Town on her "r" Cruise for gay/lesbian families. By the way, people from all walks of life welcome as long as they are gay friendly. My guess is that you will see quite a few lesbians and gay men with their families in tow.

Good for her. Say what you will, but "r" does good work. Not even the Donald could fault her for that.

More Musings Later-

The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road Book Trailer is on YouTube!

Get Ready, This is the MOTHER of ALL Rants

Ann Coulter. It's enough to make me shudder with disgust just at the mention of her name. I sincerely wonder if the woman has any responsibility or brains in her head.

Don't get me wrong, she is a master at marketing herself and the Moral Majority's agenda by submerging herself into a vitriolic diatribe against liberals. For some reason, she has a burr in her bonnet with regard to Senator John Edwards.

The very idea that an author and commentator on television and radio can feel free to attack the parents who lost their first born son in a tragic accident, laugh at a woman battling cancer that is asking her to stop the attacks and discuss the issues at hand AND for God's sakes...calling Edwards a FAGGOT.

The interesting thing is that I watched Coulter carefully when Mrs. Edwards called her while she was on Chris Mathews' Hardball program. She laughed arrogantly and was slightly caught off guard on how to handle this request. Suddenly a voice in the background shouts, "Why didn't Senator Edwards call instead?". Her response? "Yeah, why didn't Senator Edwards call?" Is this the type of intelligent debating she is capable of ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ws_bXU6Rjk

Could it be that Ann Coulter is all mouth and no substance? I am not so troubled by Coulter as I am the people that follow her. To all those who refuse to think for themselves and insist on jumping on the bandwagon of "Rush is Right, G Gordon Liddy,and Pat Robertsons".

Think about it, the intellectually lazy follows a pill popper, a convicted felon, and a radical religious zealot who is obviously not too tightly wrapped.


Unforunately, Coulter won't shut her mouth until the microphones, cameras and interviews cease. So, I believe that we are in for alot more of Ann Coulter.

Incidentally, the Moral Majority is NEITHER.
Many Many more Musings later-

The Power of "r"

Ever since Rosie O'Donnell left The View, it hasn't been the same. The banter and discussion has been boring at best (yawn). And, the smug look on Elisabeth Hasselbeck's face each morning is becoming a permanent fixture.



With each guest host, you can practically see Barbara Walters silently pray that "this is the one, Lord, let this be the one". But to no avail, another boring guest or one that screams for the sake of screaming.



All the while, O'Donnell sits quietly in the background blogging to her legion of fans and answering questions. It was only after one fan asked if she would do The Price is Right that she strayed from her normally quick responses in ee cummings style. "YES I WOULD DO IT!" she replied.



The kicker? The press is watching her blog as if it is Reuters' corporate headquarters.





I guess that's the power of "r".

More Musings Later-

I TOLD you HR Employees are Mean, I should know, I used to be one.

For those living outside the Tennessee area, a story ran on the news last night where a woman was in tears because she wanted to donate a kidney to a family member who will die without the donation.



It appears that she is a perfect match according to her cousin's doctors and she began taking the steps to prepare. One of those steps is stepping inside that almighty Human Resources office at work to apply for short term disability. The HR executive flatly refused her request and likened her need for leave to that of "getting a breast augmentation". What the HR person failed or fails to realize is that this is not cosmetic surgery, and it is medically necessary in order to save another life. So, the company is refusing to hold her position for her once she is able to return to work.



The woman offering her kidney has 2 children and cannot risk her job coupled with the fact that she works in a rural area where the employment opportunities are limited at best. As the news reporter showed the arm of the man needing the kidney, his mangled veins in his arm caused the viewers to squirm.



The company stood behind the HR decision but my questions are the following: Does this company meet the criteria for FMLA? Does the company have written policy regarding acceptable leaves of absences?

Maybe if that company hired this writer to compose current, well thought out policy and procedures, this situation wouldn't be on the news.



But then again, HR People are Mean.



More Musings Later-

Welcome to Corporate America Office Politics, Rosie

Yep, I have seen the same scenario played out a millions times.

If you haven't been under a rock lately, I'm sure you have heard or saw the live argument between Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on ABC's "The View".

Just in case you are dusting off the moss from being under that proverbial rock, Rosie O'Donnell made a statement in the past that was misconstrued or mangled in the press. In essence, she was asking Hasselbeck to put herself in the Iraqi people's shoes for a moment and see if she didn't feel that the U.S. attacked Iraq unjustly.

Granted, this is a VERY touchy subject, but one worth exploring. The press along with Fox News and Bill O'Reilly had a field day with the comment as they smugly reported that O'Donnell thought our troops were "terrorists". Nothing could be further from the truth.

Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck

After all of the bru-ha-ha, O'Donnell wondered aloud why Hasselbeck, her co-worker and supposed friend didn't defend her statement on the show. Hasselbeck in all her Republican glory smelled the blood and went for the kill. She stated that O'Donnell should defend her own statements.

O'Donnell took a deep breath and asked one more time. "Do you think that I think the U.S. troops are terrorists?" A yes or no question to be sure.

Hasselbeck continued ranting with O'Donnell ranting back and the simple answer she was seeking became a string of shouted words which equated to YES.

In Corporate America, Barbara Walters is the Supervisor. Rosie and Elisabeth are the coworkers. Rosie doesn't fit in with the rest of the group and feels like the outcast even moreso due to her views. Elisabeth gets the sympathy and Rosie exits.

The same scenario happened to me too, Rosie. Welcome to Corporate America Office Politics.
The only difference between Rosie and me? Several million dollars.





More Musings Later-

Musings about Musings From A Writer

I've looked at alot of other writers' blogs and they are strict to form: they are chock full of writing tips, advice, job leads and 'how to's.

While these writer sites are incredibly helpful and informative, I often wonder why the writers of these sites don't post more personal opinionated pieces. Isn't that what being a writer is all about? Sure, the form and rules of writing are important, but what about the observation of every day life?

I'm a bit behind in my "musings", Lord, has anyone seen "The View" lately? Yikes. Just in that one show lies a plethora of issues and opinions and rants.

Then there is my favorite (and I am being very sarcastic) Rush Limbaugh. My nickname for him is "Hush Bimbo" but that's for another post.

C'mon writers...RANT!

More musings later-

Miss Snark, The Crap-O-Meter and Killer Yap

This morning I logged on to all my usual blogs and checked them out. Reading for any comments posted or new items of interest. One of my favorites to read is Miss Snark, The Literary Agent.

As I click to enter her site, the title screams "Miss Snark is Retiring". What??? After blogging and offering practical and yes, blunt criticism for those brave enough to have her review their work...she is hanging up her keyboard.

People have tried to expose who the blogger actually is, but to me, intrigue plus invaluable advice equals a someone that will be sorely missed.

Miss Snark, I hardly knew thee.

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Along the Road

Sometimes when I am going through alot of "stuff" personally, this song comes to mind. Every word is a pearl of truth. To all of you that may be going through some rough times as well-

Joy at the start
Fear in the journey
Joy in the coming home
A part of the heart
Gets lost in the learning
Somewhere along the road.
Along the road
Your path may wander
A pilgrim's faith may fail
Absence makes the heart grow stronger
Darkness obscures the trail.
Cursing the quest
Courting disaster
Measureless nights forebode
Moments of rest
Glimpses of laughter
Are treasured along the road.
Along the road
Your steps may tumble
Your thoughts may start to stray
But through it all a heart held humble
Levels and lights your way.
Joy at the start
Fear in the journey
Joy in the coming home
A part of the heart
Gets lost in the learning
Somewhere along the road
Somewhere along the road
Somewhere along the road.

Lyrics and Music: Dan Fogelberg

Cash, Money, Bahts, Bongos, Bread, Dollars

I have found out without a doubt what I dislike about freelancing.....there isn't much to hate, mind you, but I have to say that trying to collect money for services rendered really sucks.

Most of my clients are very prompt with payment and I just love'em for that. But there are some that are either very slow on paying or just don't pay at all. One fellow I coached recently just flat out stiffed me. That infuriates me. If he were to call me and say, "Hey, going through a rough financial time, but I can pay you in a month." Then, I can accept that. Hey, life happens sometimes, right?

But to ignore me and cause me to look at the next client with doubt? I really hate that. My advice to these slackers?

PAY UP AND THEN SHUT UP.

More Musings Later-

Quips from other Writers - Enjoy!

I am here to advise you that I have survived a laptop virus, idiotic computer techs and the overall helpless feeling one has when their computer is unavailable to them.

So, I thought instead of bitching about my computer problems of last week, I would instead offer some ditties from other writers about the art of writing. Enjoy!

There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.
~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.
~Ray Bradbury

So often is the virgin sheet of paper more real than what one has to say, and so often one regrets having marred it.
~Harold Acton, Memoirs of an Aesthete, 1948

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.
~Anaïs Nin

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.
~E.L. Doctorow

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket.
~Charles Peguy

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.
~Sylvia Plath

I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of hunger for life that gnaws in us all.
~Richard Wright, American Hunger, 1977

I try to leave out the parts that people skip.
~Elmore Leonard

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison

What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers.
~Logan Pearsall Smith, "All Trivia," Afterthoughts, 1931

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.
~Norbet Platt

It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop.
~Vita Sackville-

WestWriting became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say.
~Sharon O'Brien

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
~Mark Twain

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.
~James Michener

The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is you really want to say.
~Mark Twain

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.
~Isaac Bashevis Singer

Don't be too harsh to these poems until they're typed. I always think typescript lends some sort of certainty: at least, if the things are bad then, they appear to be bad with conviction.
~Dylan Thomas, letter to Vernon Watkins, March 1938

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.
~William Wordsworth

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.
~Mark Twain

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.
~James Michener

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make. ~Truman Capote, McCall's, November 1967

It seems to me that those songs that have been any good, I have nothing much to do with the writing of them. The words have just crawled down my sleeve and come out on the page.
~Joan Baez

Have you Noticed?

that writers are making the news?

Remember when a young teenager suffering with ADD/ADHD lost his way from his group on a camping trip? They were camping in the mountains where the evenings and nights got pretty cold. Well, the teenager remembered a book he had read recently where the fictional character also lost his way in the woods and followed the same survival techniques as the book's character. Amazingly, the teenager was found a few days cold and hungry, but very much alive.

Then unfortunately, the mentally ill killer from VA Tech was plastered all over the news as his former professors revealed that he took creative writing classes. His writing was so violent and angry that his teachers had geniune concerns for not only their safety, but his own. Sadly, we all know the results.

There is power in the written word. I hope one day, we can all write with care and responsibility.

More Musings Later-

Great Writing Allows You To See

I've had quite a few people ask me "What does it take to be a great writer?" There are all types of answers depending on the style of writing and so forth.



But for me? Great writing allows you to see. My favorite type of writing and reading for that matter, is storytelling or fictional writing. I've read some books and by some well-known authors (or their prospective ghostwriters I suppose) that were...well...not so memorable. Do you ever find yourself reading a chapter and then suddenly realizing, "What is going on in this chapter? Who is this character again? Why are they acting a certain way?".


When that happens to me, 2 words inevitably come to me. Famous author or not. BAD WRITING.


If I'm reading about a character, I want to know what they look like, what they are thinking, if they have crooked teeth, bad skin, a stutter or any other distintive trait. I want to SEE them in my mind. I want to know this person like the back of my hand.


If this character is so largely forgettable in a book, then why introduce them? My favorite example of this is John Grisham's "The Firm". When I was reading about Mitch (the main character). I instantly got a picture of a clean-cut version of Tom Cruise. And, when I read about his adventures, I could SEE Tom Cruise in my mind's eye.

By the same token, the reason I am such an OPPONENT of Laura Ingalls Wilder's TV version of her wonderful books is mostly because of the "Pa Ingalls" character. When I read her books, I SAW Pa. I knew that his hair was straight, course and thick. He had a matching beard. His hands were calloused as a result of his hard work. He was well-liked in the town and provided for his family. He was not necessarily handsome, but he was like any other homesteader in early American times.


He was NOT the curly headed, handsome, clean shaven actor in the series. And, Laura Ingalls' character wasn't the actress I saw either. I knew that when Hollywood tired of the actual events that happened in the book they would embellish. And, boy did they. The Ingalls adopted a boy so they could have that all-important son, Mary married a blind teacher, Pa never aged but Ma did and so on.

From L - R Standing: Carrie, Laura, Grace
From L - R Seated: Mary, Pa, Ma Ingalls

None of that ever happened in the book. Mary never married, Pa and Ma aged at the same rate, Laura's 2 sisters (Carrie and Grace) died fairly young, and the only boy the Ingalls had was stillborn. Those are the facts.


I know these things because Great Writing Allows You To See.


More Musings Later-

B.B. King, Drumsticks and Coyote Ugly!

Yes kids, I made it through another wild birthday! This one was number 45. And, I had the best time and managed to set downtown Nashville on it's proverbial ear.

We decided to do the "safe and responsible" thing by taking a bus downtown and then cab it back afterwards, cause you KNOW I'm drinking. So, we are sitting shoulder to shoulder on the bus and finally step out when we get to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. I, of course had to go in, tip the band and request a Roger Miller tune. (My favorite). "Which one?" he asks me....I don't care, "Dang Me, King of the Road, whatever floats your boat!

Then we go to Coyote Ugly - We make our way to the bar where the bartendresses and patrons are dancing on the bar, and I politely bow out (my balance ain't the best...I have P Diddy, you know). But we are enjoying the view from the ground just the same!

Then we toodle down to B.B. King's club and we're having a conversation with the bartender about the opening of the club in Nashville. He tells us, "Yeah, we even have the drumsticks from his drummer when B.B.'s band was playing." He shows us the splintered worn sticks and being a former percussionist, I light up like a Christmas tree. My partner mentions it's my birthday and the bartender takes them out of the case and hands them to me.

"Enjoy!"

I look at the sticks in my hands and feel the old familiar feelings again. They feel good and they feel "right" in my hands. The sticks were pretty banged up and almost broken in two, which tells me the drummer had a great time playing and that the music was hot.

They're sitting on my fireplace mantle, because I sit near there when I write. And, if my laptop was to be compared to the sticks....my laptop would be smoking and almost broken in half.

Because I am having a great time and the books I'm working on are GREAT.

More Musings Later-

I No Lady, I Taryn!

Aaahhh, out of the mouth of babes. Actually, I was about 3 years old when I made that declaration. I remember I was at the store with my father when we bumped into a friend of his. He cooed to me, "And who is this little lady?"

Hence, my response.

After all these years, I still chuckle over that statement because it is SO me. Not that I behave less desireable than a lady....I'm just a feminist lady and apparantly, since the age of 3!

It's amazing that we can have a true sense of self at such a young age. That simple statement taught me alot about myself. I've learned that I am individualistic, hard headed, and full of piss and vinegar with a tad of sarcastic humor.

That strength in my statement has carried me down a life journey that has been enthralling, devastating, exciting and difficult. But, it carried me nonetheless.

Happy Birthday Kiddo-

More Musings Later

A River Runs Through It...

I had forgotten just how much I loved the movie, "A River Runs Through It," until I saw it on a movie channel recently. As I listened to the narration and dialogue, it occurred to me that this film was written with the heart of a poet.

Each word and phrase was carefully crafted to evoke emotions and imagery of a wistful childhood that most of us can relate to.

Especially those of us who have siblings who we feel are more special than we are.

You can only ache for Norman as he wants to help his younger brother, but in the end, realizes he can't force his help.

He sees the same scenario replayed in his girlfriend's family when her problematic older brother is still able to keep the family wrapped around his unlikeable finger.

Somehow, as imperfect as they are, they are perfect to their families.

Throughout the movie, Norman recounts his life in Montana and the one true love that he and his brother and father share: fly fishing in the river. To him, his life evolves while his brother's life stagnates...And A River Runs Through It.

To this day, waters haunt me.

What exceptional writing.

More Musings Later-

Love this Life- Ode to Crowded House

For those of you that are fans of the band Crowded House, you will recall that tune on one of their CD's entitled "Love this Life". It's one of those songs that you listen to and the more you listen, the more you "get it".

The gist of the meaning is this: There may be "junk" in your life or past (isn't there always?) but regardless...there are blessings in each person's life. Love your life, because it's what YOU created and it's a gift.

Too philosophical? Okay, revised meaning: Get over yourself and appreciate what you have!


Thanks Neil Finn, you're one helluva writer.
More Musings Later-

Pacman is a PUNK

I'll be the first to tell you, I am a HUGE Tennessee Titan fan. I was in heaven last year when we benched our putrid QB and let Vince Young play.

Man, all was right with my football world...Henry Travis was playing great, week in and week out. Vince was well, FREAKLISHLY great. And, Pacman was finally starting to make big plays. That is, when he wasn't in jail or spitting in women's faces at nightclubs.

This guy has so much talent and he chooses, yes CHOOSES to throw it away. He makes too much money and is too priviledged.

Now, he has gone too far. He caused a bouncer in Las Vegas to be paralyzed below the waist. Now the NFL is saying to suspend him for a year.

SUSPEND HIM? Why in the hell would they suspend him? I say FIRE HIM AND FORBID HIM TO RE-ENTER THE NFL PERIOD!

Oh, and Pacman? I think they should take your $54 Million dollar package and give it to your victim in Vegas so that it will pay for his rehab and put his wife through school. That's the reason why he took that job in the first place, after all.

Albert Haynesworth gave the Titans their first black eye, and now you have blackened the other. Not to mention how the top brass treated McNair during his contract talks. I've learned one important thing in all of this: The NFL is a business. Just as calculating and nasty as Corporate America. God Help us All.

More Musings later-

The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road

Every once in a blue moon, an absolute gift presents itself. Such is mine in the form of a book entitled, "The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road".

As a ghostwriter, I have enjoyed the process of writing and rewriting various books for clients all over the country. But (you knew it was coming, didn't you?) I have to say that I was not prepared for the pleasant surprise I received recently.

A colleague of mine asked if I would be interested in helping a client with his book. I read the first chapter and was amazed. It was written with the same type eloquent prose reminiscent of"And a River Runs Through It," but needed just a bit of polish.

Lovely surprise #2: The client asked if I would be interested in co-writing this book with him. My response was a lightening speed YES! The challenge? Although he is a native New Zealander, he is located in Beijing, China while I am located in Nashville, TN, USA.

The Internet is an amazing piece of technology to be sure. So readers, please follow 2 authors' located worlds apart on the progress on this fascinating book. You can read more about "The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road" and how it reduced me to tears at the end.

It is a poignant, beautifully written book. And, one that you will never forget.

That's a promise. Spread the word.