tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90690125959130062972024-02-18T21:58:06.770-06:00starr wordseccentric mind, eclectic ramblingslizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-15569011469194420202015-10-20T06:42:00.000-05:002015-10-20T06:42:19.018-05:00What are *lizzie starr's Halloween Favorites?If you've made your way here past blogger's defenses, congratulations. And if you're here for a second time because the first time there was nothing here...thank you for trying again! Whether it was gremlins or ghosts, something spooky stopped my original post.<br />
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And now.... a real, renewed blog post.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome!</b></span><br />
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Click on the banner to return to the main event page for the Addictive Reads Halloween Favorites event and links to the other blogs. Don't forget to sign up for prizes with the Rafflecopter!</div>
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Okay, *lizzie's favorites. To be truthful, Halloween isn't one of my favorite times. But, that doesn't mean I don't have favorites. Like chocolate. What's a candy oriented holiday without chocolate? </div>
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But, I can do without chocolate. (Oh my goodness--did I just say that?)</div>
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What I can't do without during the Halloween season is a viewing...or two...of <b>Hocus Pocus!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY6a5TOlRLL7mB5MjjhOlm41159pRUrQzpabueyiHP-gt8VwcZgG65Nltzkhj_nmJ-fa6djI1iyOAn04cO2pnuQMWkusxYSkUx4D7jCHdGAOF3fbW0HFPt3bdY148KChY8b3N7EZwH87U/s1600/sanderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY6a5TOlRLL7mB5MjjhOlm41159pRUrQzpabueyiHP-gt8VwcZgG65Nltzkhj_nmJ-fa6djI1iyOAn04cO2pnuQMWkusxYSkUx4D7jCHdGAOF3fbW0HFPt3bdY148KChY8b3N7EZwH87U/s320/sanderson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay, I'll admit it. I don't have to wait for the crisp air and red leaves of fall to watch this movie. It's one of my all time, use the lines in everyday conversations, favorite movies. These witches can do no wrong. Oh, wait. They can. That's what makes them the Sanderson sisters.<br />
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I love this song, too. Pretty much by any artist. But Winnie, she does it best. (Hey, did you know my hero in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Keltic Flight</i>, participates in an amateur strip contest to this song?)<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Halloween!</b></span></div>
lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-73890028128689250632015-06-20T10:02:00.002-05:002015-06-20T10:02:48.503-05:00#AReBlast First day of summer discounts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All Romance eBooks is having a Summer Blast to celebrate the first day of summer. Hey, that's today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over 23,000 books--<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">including mine</span></b>--are on sale for 25% off. Well, not all my books. Not <i>By Keltic Design</i> or <i>Dead Lily Blooms</i>. It's difficult to give 25% off free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't matter where you'll be reading this summer, you'll need some good books! Stop by the sale and complete a series, find something new from a favorite author or, most fun of all, discover a tale brand new to you that will become a favorite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And if my books fit into one of those categories--<span style="color: magenta;">thank you</span>. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Happy Reading!</i></b></span></div>
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C<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Lizzie+Starr" target="_blank">lick here to go to *lizzie's author page!</a></div>
<br />lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-32084216653817710082015-04-20T07:16:00.000-05:002015-04-20T07:16:09.420-05:00Candy Guy--The Blurb<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Candy Guy is in trouble.
Winning a design contest will prove his abilities as a chocolatier, but
creativity eludes him. An enchanting intruder invades Trace’s workspace. She
may be real, or she might be a dream. It doesn’t matter. Desire consumes him at
her lingering touch and the deep chocolate flavor of her kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Deleesi hopes to end the
ancient fey curse haunting her family, but the handsome wisher defies her sleep-inducing
magic. Something in this human calls to her soul, and, unbelievably, to her
heart. The sensual distraction proves impossible to ignore, even while granting
his unspoken wish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By the end of the rainy
afternoon, Trace has his inspiration. But will he ever again see the tiny woman
who captivated his heart and became his muse?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Available soon!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(Watch this space...)</span></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-43355814001481104462015-04-14T23:00:00.000-05:002015-04-14T23:00:08.765-05:00Tax Relief--#AREBLAST<span style="font-size: large;">If you're in the United States, today's the day. For taxes.</span> (Mine have been done for quite a while--thank goodness!)<span style="font-size: large;"> Did you survive?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For romance readers it's also...</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkrHgrBbhUerhTuuX3f8UJtVQa1K9RljnrRKOVjGexA2QPorhBzq-h18WDan8_TAh-LKk4q54KcTq-2moYLq12lZtASJrU7vS13Y3_EocA6UyqSr6lFFCVXawolcRuXJbmPnf2n_tvJaw/s1600/AREBLAST.jpg" height="139" width="640" /><a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Lizzie+Starr" target="_blank">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of my books are 25% off at All Romance E Books for today only! Click on the banner to be taken to *lizzie starr's page at ARe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy book hunting and of course, happy reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">**If you're here for the Authors In Bloom blog, just click <a href="http://starrwords.blogspot.com/2015/04/authors-in-bloom-in-stars.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span>lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-1978370790209456782015-04-08T06:47:00.000-05:002015-04-08T08:56:24.271-05:00Authors in Bloom in the Stars<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Dianne Venetta_AIB Logo_2015" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-3360" src="http://diannevenetta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/DianneVenetta_AIB-Logo_2015-250x250.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to <b>starrwords</b>, the blogging home of author *lizzie starr. I'm so glad you're joining us on this blog hop. As you hop from blog to blog you'll find gardening tips, recipes, and contests. It's not any different here. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv3bNenEDUYdaOUMeWf-Z8ZAgt1yjJG4Cte5XT0-jpONagI4GCvP1B7e-mxDoJw8WHSpGwAh309xeNd1-7iX4GdK6RLIsNI-vpkHXng9HbvpCZYnjcfXGFEI8h5YtN-fPAEs_xM8IARwG/s1600/Depositphotos_19999297_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv3bNenEDUYdaOUMeWf-Z8ZAgt1yjJG4Cte5XT0-jpONagI4GCvP1B7e-mxDoJw8WHSpGwAh309xeNd1-7iX4GdK6RLIsNI-vpkHXng9HbvpCZYnjcfXGFEI8h5YtN-fPAEs_xM8IARwG/s1600/Depositphotos_19999297_m.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">My main gardening tip--let someone else do the hard work. Just enjoy the beauty. Now, I don't mind getting my hands dirty, and the results are well worth the effort. But if all I had to do was wander, look, touch, dream, and inhale, I'd be delighted. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjCeAkVEnBdVCM6I-ibUXhMNPgFHyJsUuoPCJevdykMzmk52tPNAA2SxXLm7eIckVZzd0YhEt1xOebMW0iiP4sQe2mo51qMCTRnJzqPNsRAsbW7SDMtKzV4h3y20C-3Lsm7ThFD6HyeL4/s1600/Depositphotos_34662727_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjCeAkVEnBdVCM6I-ibUXhMNPgFHyJsUuoPCJevdykMzmk52tPNAA2SxXLm7eIckVZzd0YhEt1xOebMW0iiP4sQe2mo51qMCTRnJzqPNsRAsbW7SDMtKzV4h3y20C-3Lsm7ThFD6HyeL4/s1600/Depositphotos_34662727_m.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Nature has a fascination with the star shape, just like I do. Although... most of the earthly star shapes aren't really the shape of an actual blazing, gaseous star, are they? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGTEgZBWa45NRpORTZxA77IcB3dEMMnAmyUhCf6TQndF_u2sAiVFWrQIepOsexlhptsB0vmGdwDKDJvDM4LJgeatIjo0izO4Pfq1TpUUYA2QWKFfd1jigS0F7EK8T3I-lR1ixwZj52SbD/s1600/Depositphotos_35088385_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGTEgZBWa45NRpORTZxA77IcB3dEMMnAmyUhCf6TQndF_u2sAiVFWrQIepOsexlhptsB0vmGdwDKDJvDM4LJgeatIjo0izO4Pfq1TpUUYA2QWKFfd1jigS0F7EK8T3I-lR1ixwZj52SbD/s1600/Depositphotos_35088385_m.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> From wildflowers to cultivated lilies to cacti and succulents, those marvelous star shapes are everywhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVZQ1m8giw9mRiQncL4uotV7HDtJLHno2CSjDpubm8qof85ipeWLHesPV1bCvZPiCnT5X2rnYS67TuNbDpUKzlsqedj22ia7ZeICucruPDfa44y8wzaKi6q3loaGYVUKO7Mb7h9-mkTAG/s1600/Depositphotos_58083515_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVZQ1m8giw9mRiQncL4uotV7HDtJLHno2CSjDpubm8qof85ipeWLHesPV1bCvZPiCnT5X2rnYS67TuNbDpUKzlsqedj22ia7ZeICucruPDfa44y8wzaKi6q3loaGYVUKO7Mb7h9-mkTAG/s1600/Depositphotos_58083515_m.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Even in cooking. I'm not a fan of star anise, but the star fruit--that's a different story. In fact, I'll bet some star fruit would make a tasty addition and some delightful decoration to the following simple salad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUog4nIyC3Hzg2mnDo-g81lLwgy4nB2mMI4ZpzbJHDi3ziqhFwqLm0k5s8bJYrxsrDkqsat7TDYZJHM_5mtY-jrHf46BV10OmV_FQXmMdZlSsQsOOKmHXJSdU3H5e2tENZvpRjDMVfTq_l/s1600/Depositphotos_57368147_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUog4nIyC3Hzg2mnDo-g81lLwgy4nB2mMI4ZpzbJHDi3ziqhFwqLm0k5s8bJYrxsrDkqsat7TDYZJHM_5mtY-jrHf46BV10OmV_FQXmMdZlSsQsOOKmHXJSdU3H5e2tENZvpRjDMVfTq_l/s1600/Depositphotos_57368147_m.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Awesome Apple Salad</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">4 apples cored and diced</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1/3 cup orange juice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1 1/2 cup grapes-cut in half</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">2 large cans mandarin oranges-drained</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Mix everything together gently. Chill and serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a giveaway, too. Let me know your favorite star shaped item--whether natural or man made--along with your email in the comments section below for a chance to win your choice of either a double strand, stretchy, spring flower bracelet <b>or</b> your pick of any download from the starr library. And hey, if you sign up for my newsletter and let me know that in your comment, your name will be entered not twice, but three times! Already get <i>News from the Starr</i>? Let me know and you'll get those three entries. Sounds like a deal to me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know you're excited to visit more authors in the hop and increase your odds of winning our <span style="color: red;"><b>Grand Prize</b></span>, so just click below for the list of blogs. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><b>Thanks for visiting! </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i><b>I hope to see you again, soon!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">*lizzie
always made up games and stories to keep her company. So, a cunning witch lived
in Grampa’s weather research station and was only held at bay by waving a
certain weed. An ancient road grader morphed into a boat carrying wild
adventurers to islands filled with fierce lions and dangerous cannibals, which
really looked a lot like sheep. Now, filled with fantasy, love, and romance with a sparkling twist, the
stories of her imagination swirl their way into the mundane world. When *lizzie
must return to a more routine life, she’s *the Lunch Lady* at a private school.
Author and lunch lady~~what a combination! </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-62910756776462877692015-03-13T11:47:00.001-05:002017-06-09T19:42:32.972-05:00Chocolate, Story Time and Newsletters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week a great writer friend, <a href="http://www.sherrishackelford.com/" target="_blank">Sherri Shackleford</a>, handed me a special piece of chocolate she'd saved from a box of gourmet chocolates. Now, the sharing of chocolate between authors isn't that big of a deal. Chocolate is a significant part of life's blood for many of us.</div>
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What made this particular treat special is that it reminded her of the chocolate on the cover of my next short story release.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJaTmkvrCxCSQEdPtedROM-73I1RqCfgSAbKxWY5BVneYmx7Wv2elnXZMYoO1mDOfnfovB722dcT2nmlrR0VETFY8gO8aJkBAk-7p2cxLW-yPYtN0qenghe2j8k27pf34JtWuPQPUfvy-/s1600/2015-03-10+05.39.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJaTmkvrCxCSQEdPtedROM-73I1RqCfgSAbKxWY5BVneYmx7Wv2elnXZMYoO1mDOfnfovB722dcT2nmlrR0VETFY8gO8aJkBAk-7p2cxLW-yPYtN0qenghe2j8k27pf34JtWuPQPUfvy-/s1600/2015-03-10+05.39.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Candy Guy and the Chocolate Brownie</b></span><br />
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Candy Guy is the first short story from The Keltic Multiverse, the worlds discovered and explored in The Double Keltic Triad, and Children of the Keltic Triad series. Serieses? What's the plural of series? (It's...duh, series.) Anyway, this is the tale of a man who is both a chocolate maker and a chocolatier. Distinction? Well, a chocolate maker makes chocolate from the cacao beans and a chocolatier makes confections from the chocolate.<br />
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But that's not important now.<br />
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I'd share the blurb with you, but I haven't written it yet. I find those so much more difficult than writing the story. For now I'll just tell you that this fantasy romance short story blends the human world with that of the fey as smooth as chocolate melts on your tongue.<br />
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And the cover? The first reveal will be in the premier issue of News From The Starr. So, please sign up using the contact form on the right. This newsletter will arrive in your email occasionally. I don't allow or condone spam or unauthorized sharing of information, so don't worry about that. Of course you can unsubscribe at any time. (yes, I know. Many of you have signed up for the newsletter and have seen nothing. That will change. Promise. ) I'll be sharing news, tidbits, contests...oh, who knows what!<br />
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<b><i>Candy Guy and the Chocolate Brownie </i></b>will be released mid-April. Stay tuned.<br />
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Need something to read before then? Click on the pic below (ha, click on the pic.) to visit the Starr Library. There's even a couple of free reads there for you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lizziestarr.com/?page_id=135" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEHkol_XL7X0FVLrycgROg5q9xjOVNXwuWzBKKDTX9bnZZTM5dy2CsqsgvlKTMTT4HWeAUoNq6Gtec6DfUlr7bqR1aCsR1D8WCk_o1oH2RvQgSzCE1zPkmXgaq54KWYBUnp6CiIN_bgdp/s1600/starr+library+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Candy Guy likes deep, rich, dark chocolate. I'm a milk chocolate kinda girl. What type of chocolate do you like best?</div>
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<br />lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-53218321173911655402015-02-12T23:05:00.000-06:002015-02-12T23:05:00.809-06:00Gifts of Love--An Addictive Reads Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGwVQYY-8wobzj3aTIJ5MUfuPLbiFLkfap85GkvfIsHxHELeMwqeVqtSuP5kxHjCHn6WhDAHgCIcY8L9aOCqhdPgHGEhj0j8ECSZu0C2_EQ8GSOZ-FU1H-qoqVai8ie-1aoWdRFcgcdQi/s1600/1965545_10206553512142433_6245220209012649355_o.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></div>
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Welcome to <span style="color: red;"><b><i>Gifts of Love</i></b></span>, the Addictive Reads Valentine Blog Hop.</div>
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For this hop the challenge is to list the best five gifts received--or given--for Valentine's day. I will admit to being a bit of a grinch on this day, so I've thought long and hard. And I'm still...ambivalent. So, since I write romance, and my characters are much better with romantic gestures, I thought I'd share a few of those gifts of love--even though none of these moments happen on Valentine's day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR49pdWreeOzaqiHMyUg1zH7i7ssacqIBskP0LIiN_3lL9a0mosGbqG8xXHCiphP4_O07_fHEN8fUDx5L9PTc33Mz1RG8lDxM5s9jwbN7WHMZnHSI2CEszCTyL8BW_S13OsU6vMlClHZZA/s1600/Depositphotos_1719590_xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR49pdWreeOzaqiHMyUg1zH7i7ssacqIBskP0LIiN_3lL9a0mosGbqG8xXHCiphP4_O07_fHEN8fUDx5L9PTc33Mz1RG8lDxM5s9jwbN7WHMZnHSI2CEszCTyL8BW_S13OsU6vMlClHZZA/s1600/Depositphotos_1719590_xs.jpg" height="200" width="113" /></a></div>
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A traditional gift--<span style="color: red;"><b>Chocolate</b></span>. In the second book of the <i>Double Keltic Triad</i>, <b>Fires of a Keltic Moon</b>, Lara travels through time to ancient Scotland. Like time travelers aren't supposed to do, she takes a part of the modern world back with her--a bag of chocolates. Of course, Iain discovers the treat, and his own sweet tooth. Sharing something you love is an excellent gift.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtQY4MHHMI39WdzmxuVN2MeBfHC3vzE5RXWW98SrVAi3o7MWpXYWmckHDE6FZ_uAacSh0s5Jxq4fVpGSonRMldugU98MM8L4dADRDnhv3ddqJM6P4fTG2NRBWAhBXF_zMPKhZWxPGDii/s1600/Depositphotos_8489612_xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtQY4MHHMI39WdzmxuVN2MeBfHC3vzE5RXWW98SrVAi3o7MWpXYWmckHDE6FZ_uAacSh0s5Jxq4fVpGSonRMldugU98MM8L4dADRDnhv3ddqJM6P4fTG2NRBWAhBXF_zMPKhZWxPGDii/s1600/Depositphotos_8489612_xs.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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A <b><span style="color: red;">song</span></b>. Picking the perfect song to represent your relationship, the joy of your wedding, the enduring affection through difficult times--I won't argue with that. Even though some of my relationship songs are a bit off beat. (The Pina Colada song for our honeymoon? Really?) Better than that, in one of my works in progress, <b>Toccata and Fugue</b>, Jeffrey is a cellist torn between his love of both classical music and cello rock. One thing he doesn't question is how he feels about Sapphire. So, he composes, and plays, special music just for her. Ah, now that's dreamy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UGbHdWWP7jxUKQN7bpYdFpcNHKODznZ7TRbDPimVGReNaZo8_NDbfx-l2VU5L4K5k5jgjDnOXZaIVz8ADJ1YO2ywKR_OzwK5-eNTRfExnbnfWNXU9E_9_SOAgIVRiYg4ClsXH9HkOmsw/s1600/Depositphotos_2072742_xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UGbHdWWP7jxUKQN7bpYdFpcNHKODznZ7TRbDPimVGReNaZo8_NDbfx-l2VU5L4K5k5jgjDnOXZaIVz8ADJ1YO2ywKR_OzwK5-eNTRfExnbnfWNXU9E_9_SOAgIVRiYg4ClsXH9HkOmsw/s1600/Depositphotos_2072742_xs.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Creating a special moment. </span>Those memorable moments don't have to include rose petals in a scented bath or the flicker of candlelight or the lazy drift of gauze curtains in a soft breeze. Sometimes you don't even need to step that far out of the ordinary. In <b>By Keltic Design</b>, Jaye prepares a meal for Allyn, and creates an amazing tablescape. In <b>Birds Do It!</b>, Garr and Birdie visit an antique fair and find a glass macaw to commemorate the day. Now, in <b>Blue Keltic Moon</b>, Gowthaman does create a romantic moment at a desert oasis, complete with those drifty curtains and tiny fairy musicians playing in the trees. But it's not the moment...it's the person you're with that's important.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBPPnBLpkty6d6bXrBW6vNukrVhddIIAOsG6fBhNvRTZmPhkFCJsubePypyyeQeEv1ky0zzeLiUuc-9gpxEzDcmdE7FSrwPOkQQlvbVxm-18shafegfnGq1U71c5FKIuai2y4RJoaC9vn/s1600/Depositphotos_8489621_xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBPPnBLpkty6d6bXrBW6vNukrVhddIIAOsG6fBhNvRTZmPhkFCJsubePypyyeQeEv1ky0zzeLiUuc-9gpxEzDcmdE7FSrwPOkQQlvbVxm-18shafegfnGq1U71c5FKIuai2y4RJoaC9vn/s1600/Depositphotos_8489621_xs.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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I love <b style="color: red;">dancing.</b> In my work in progress, <b>Ryder's Heart</b>, Vianna doesn't know how to dance, well, how to slow dance to a country tune. Ryder, of course, teaches her. And not in public at the bar, but at home, to music only they can hear. Aw, I'm getting all...aw. For a totally different dance moment, in <b>Keltic Flight</b>, Korin dances only for Nanceen. In the bar this time. On amateur strip night. This dance makes me grin.</div>
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<b style="color: red;">Flowers </b>should be given at any and all times. So there. This best gift of love doesn't come from one of my books, but rather from my day job. For the past couple of years there's been a fund raiser that fills the halls (and sometimes my walk-in refrigerator) with rose bouquets. Last year, one of the pre-kindergarten classes gave me a rose. I still have that rose, dried and hanging next to the calendar over my desk. Simply thinking about how proud those precious young ones were to hand me a flower makes me smile. </div>
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And isn't that good feeling what gifts of love are all about?</div>
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Find out about the Addictive Reads prizes for this blog hop by visiting our event site <a href="http://www.addictivereads.com/Events" target="_blank">here</a>. Follow the links below to visit all the blogs to increase your chances of winning. </div>
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<i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">And </i>if you leave me a comment and mention the best flowers you've ever received, I'll enter you in a drawing for a flowery stretchy bracelet. </div>
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May all your Valentine wishes come true!</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-89639889744984784062015-01-05T00:30:00.000-06:002015-01-05T00:30:01.676-06:00smar-T Goals<i>(Today we finish up reviewing SMART goals. I've added to this post because it felt undone, incomplete, not finished...you get the picture.)</i><br />
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T for <b><span style="color: blue;">Timely, Time-based, Tangible and Trackable.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJD7ke_5vum-aXl0PAKh5B1QYGagODPrAyVUFe8nuzeE3QLxbiKh6ruBbBS2BZJks8SjImh0wfJge86SGd20cZ4CjeSgKYI8-c62Pm8-SxXEVNbQ2ghurhPcHtFZ75dRjRCDARcXtkx2/s1600/t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJJD7ke_5vum-aXl0PAKh5B1QYGagODPrAyVUFe8nuzeE3QLxbiKh6ruBbBS2BZJks8SjImh0wfJge86SGd20cZ4CjeSgKYI8-c62Pm8-SxXEVNbQ2ghurhPcHtFZ75dRjRCDARcXtkx2/s1600/t.jpg" /></a></div>
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When you create a goal, there needs to be an end point to give a clear target for you to work towards. If you don't have a Target (hey, another T word), your goal is no longer SMART--it becomes vague. Why is this? Because without an ending, you can start any time. There is no built in urgency, so why start now?</div>
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When choosing a time frame, use many of the same aspects of a SMART goal. Your time must be measurable, attainable--and realistic. It would be great to start and finish a novel by the first day of spring, but how realistic is that for most of us? Is it attainable--oh, perhaps--if I don't go to my day job, interact with family and friends, or take showers. However, it is a reasonable, stretching goal for me to say I will write one chapter a week to take to critique.</div>
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One of the more difficult aspects of the T is striking a balance between having enough time to achieve and giving yourself too much time. Planning for too much time has the same result as not setting a time frame at all. Take my weekly chapter. Doable. I've done it before--just not consistently. But what if I change my goal to say I'll do one chapter a month for critique. How much you wanna bet I wouldn't even start that chapter until the last week of the month? There's no urgency until then. And, such a goal wouldn't stretch my abilities at any time--except that one week.</div>
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<i>(I can't believe I didn't say anything about Tangible or Trackable. So, here's a few additional thoughts...</i></div>
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<i>Tangible. That means your goal is concrete, touchable. Saying I'm going to write a short story and publish it is a dream. Dreams are great and can be an excellent starting point for a goal. To make your dreams tangible, follow the SMART goal letters and set a word count in a certain time period goal. </i></div>
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<i>Trackable. That's an easy one. Those who know me understand that I push the use of a calendar or planner of some sort to keep track of words/pages written, edits, submissions, oh, just about everything writing related. Tracking your progress can also be as easy as noting the word count on your document every day. An important part of tracking the progress to the completion of your goal is accountability. Hey, maybe I should add <b>accountability</b> to my 'A' words. Of course you are accountable to yourself. Writing that chapter weekly for critique makes you accountable. Find an accountability partner or two. And make a daily or weekly goal to check in with them!</i></div>
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<i>I've re-learned some important things in reposting these blogs about SMART goals. Let me know if you've found these helpful, or if they hit home on some point (that's me!) or if they were merely irritating. Hey, you never know...</i></div>
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<i>Happy writing and even happier reading!)</i></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-72263886022808933112015-01-04T00:30:00.000-06:002015-01-04T00:30:00.798-06:00sma-R-t Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>(welcome to day R, which today also stands for <b><span style="color: red;">Repeat</span></b>. Like I'm repeating this blog.)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsA9fehDd-P2-p6Lzb0087zb7WScsLH_O3yn7eydJD3XV1lqev6OYE19LXZVyBCMVU5RdaAF-L-Y-tHHrQxAwv3S4UdRZ3Epg665TAUKoxd9_vURSqExlzwSSKnwyl32TcR_BrapRKEh_/s1600/R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsA9fehDd-P2-p6Lzb0087zb7WScsLH_O3yn7eydJD3XV1lqev6OYE19LXZVyBCMVU5RdaAF-L-Y-tHHrQxAwv3S4UdRZ3Epg665TAUKoxd9_vURSqExlzwSSKnwyl32TcR_BrapRKEh_/s1600/R.jpg" n4="true" /> </a></div>
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Lots of Rs today: <b><span style="color: red;">Realistic, Relevant, Reasonable, Rewarding, Results-oriented</span></b>.</div>
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Much of what I said yesterday about Achievable goals is Relevant today. Your goals should fall within your personal resources, knowledge and time and should push you--your skills and knowledge--but not be so unReasonable that it breaks your writing spirit.</div>
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Having Realistic goals, doesn't mean you've made easy goals. If you aim too low, or don't frequently review your goal success and build upon it, you are sending the message to your subconscious that you aren't capable. It is difficult to reach a balance though, since making your goals too difficult is a simple set up for failure. Review your goals, over and over. Weekly is excellent, but take the time at least monthly for some serious goal review and consideration. <br />
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Continually set the bar high enough to give yourself the satisfaction of achievement.</div>
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<i>(As I was reading this over, I <b><span style="color: red;">Realized</span></b> that I'm particularly bad at reviewing my goals on a timely and consistent basis. So I've been missing out on celebrating the small accomplishments that lead ultimately to large accomplishments--in this case, a completed story to share with the world. Which problem do you have with your goals? Do make them too easy--or too difficult to achieve?)</i></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-64317272261490324502015-01-03T00:30:00.000-06:002015-01-03T00:30:01.064-06:00sm-A-rt Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>(Talkin' about the letter A in your smart goals today.)</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Attainable, Achievable, Action -Oriented</span></div>
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First you create goals that are important to YOU, then you figure out the ways needed to make them happen. In writing, this means you develop the attitudes, abilities and skills needed to reach those goals. One good way to do this is to make one of your goals each year a concentration on one aspect of your writing. Maybe you need to work on transitions so the reader will easily understand how much time has passed. Or you need to work on your layer of adding the five senses. Or using action verbs instead of writing passively. </div>
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Each goal should stretch you. If you've consistently written 100 words a day this past year (theme alert) then your stretching goal could be 125 or 150 words a day. Then each day when you meet that goal, you give yourself a mental pat on the back and the encouragement to do the same thing tomorrow. </div>
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But if you've been writing 100 words a day then decide your goal needs to be 1000 words a day--you may be reaching too far. If your goal seems out of reach, will you really commit to it? Your subconscious will constantly remind you that the goal is out of reach (hmm rather like our internal editors, huh) and those reminders will undermine your goal by keeping you from doing your best.</div>
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If you do want to build to 1000 words a day, make smaller goals. Perhaps you will writer 150 words a day for two weeks. Once you discover you can do that easily, reevaluate your goals and set a new goal for 250 words a day for two weeks. Success will build upon success and keep you motivated.</div>
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As with so many things we put on our goal lists-- decluttering, losing weight, reading a certain number of books--building our writing career is best taken in small, manageable steps. Once you're used to taking those steps, you'll be amazed at how much faster you find yourself moving forward!</div>
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<i>(I can't help it. I just had to add a little music for today. From one of my favorite and most inspiring movies. Enjoy.)</i></div>
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</i>lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-71851398664542193212015-01-02T00:30:00.000-06:002015-01-02T00:30:00.356-06:00s-M-art Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>(Good morning and welcome to the M of SMART goals.)</i></div>
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M stands for measurable, meaningful and motivational.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>"If you can't measure it--you can't manage it."</b></span></div>
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In order to measure a goal you need to know if what you set out to accomplish is obtainable, as well as how far away the completion is. Otherwise, how will you know when the goal has been achieved?</div>
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One of the pitfalls of goal setting is making your goal too vague. For instance, your goal states 'I want to finish the damn book'. Sounds overwhelming doesn't it? When is the book considered finished? How will you see the changes that occur, the progress you make on a FTDB challenge?</div>
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Establish concrete criteria to measure your progress. How about something like... 'I will write X words a day (sense a theme here?) to complete a chapter each week to take to critique.' You can <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">measure</span></b> this easily by the words you write. This is a <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">meaningful</span></b> goal--you're working on your career. <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Motivational</span></b>? Of course. When you measure your progress, it's easier to stay on track to reach your target completions. And, don't you feel good when you review your goal and see you wrote that weekly chapter? That excitement and exhilaration can and will carry you forward into the next week. And the one beyond that. </div>
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<i>(To infinity and beyond!--not to put too fine a point on it! Couldn't resist making a couple of movie references. Guess which movies.)</i></div>
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Before you know it, you've reached your major goal!</div>
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How cool is that? </div>
lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-61626351228079384762015-01-01T00:30:00.000-06:002015-01-01T00:30:00.977-06:00S-mart Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>(The first post spelling out SMART. The question of the day for writer friends is this--did you have a goal to complete a book in 2011? I know that's taking us back a few years, but surely you remember. Was it a SMART goal? Did you meet that goal? Here we go... the letter S.)</i></div>
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The <span style="color: red;">S </span>of <span style="color: blue;">SMART </span>goals stands for specific, significant, stretching.<br />
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Your specific goals should be well-defined, straight forward and emphasize what you want to accomplish. It's where you want to focus your efforts.<br />
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Specific is the <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>What, Why</b></span>, and <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>How</b> </span>of your goal.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>What</b>:</span> easy--what are you going to do? Use action words. Hmm, that's rather like showing rather than telling, isn't it?<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Why</b></span>: why is this goal important to you?<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>How</b>: </span> how are you going to accomplish the goal. Here is where you really need to be specific by giving a time frame. Having a 'finish by' date helps further along in the <span style="color: blue;">SMART</span> goal process, so you might as well be ready for it.<br />
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As an example--instead of making your goal to finish a book in 2011 (which only really generally gives a hint of what you want to do and by when...) a <span style="color: blue;">SMART </span>goal might say something like : I will write X number of words a day (Hey! That sounds familiar!) to complete name of manuscript by this date.<br />
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Significant? That's pretty simple, too. If your goal wasn't significant to you, you probably wouldn't be thinking about it.<br />
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Stretching? Don't make your goal too easy. If you normally write, oh, say, 100 words a day--stretch to 150 words a day. Stretching isn't always easy (in either the mental or physical sense). Maybe you'll be a little sore, but the end results will be well worth the stretch.<br />
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So have a good stretch and start thinking seriously about your <span style="color: blue;">SMART</span> goals.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">(</span>Oh, and today---<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year 2015!)</span></b></span></i></div>
lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-70548148187448177082014-12-31T09:01:00.001-06:002014-12-31T09:01:54.946-06:00Are Your Goals SMART?<i>(Day three of goals revisited. SMART goals are what can turn a To Do list into concrete, achievable goals! How smart is that?)</i><br />
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Go to your favorite search engine.<br />
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Type in something like goals, or goal setting, or goals worksheet.<br />
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Become overwhelmed by the number of sites devoted to goals.<br />
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How do you know which is best? What works? Should I pay for that book/download/podcast? Why even bother?<br />
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I'm not going to answer any of those questions for anyone but myself. Nor should I even try. Like our goals are individual, so are our ways of decision making, creating, listing and sharing. And sometimes it takes a few trial and error moments to find what works.<br />
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There are, however, some constants in good goal setting. One of the best ways is to make your goals SMART goals. Here are some of the meanings for the acronyms.<br />
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S - specific, significant, stretching<br />
M - measurable, meaningful, motivational<br />
A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented<br />
R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented<br />
T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable<br />
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I think, perhaps I'll talk about these further in the next few days. That sounds like a good way to finish up some of these last 100 days posts.<br />
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<i>(Wow...I looked back and I really did do a post a day for 100 days. I really like 100 day challenges. I'll have to give myself -- and others -- some in 2015. What can you do in/for 100 days?)</i><br />
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-76782199074772786702014-12-30T11:15:00.000-06:002014-12-30T11:15:25.643-06:00Focusing on Goals and...Oooh, Shiny! <i>(Day two of past posts on goals. From the first sentence you can see how long ago I first wrote this. Time doesn't change the impact of these words. I am SO guilty of making long lists of goals. And even longer lists of how to achieve these goals. So, my first small goal for 2015 is to follow the advice I wrote about all those years ago. What about you? Will you join me?)</i><br />
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I was asked last night what my writing goals for 2011 are. My honest answer--I haven't really thought that much about them yet. I need to do the review work I talked about here a few days ago. <i>(Yesterday's post is <a href="http://starrwords.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-few-years-ago-i-wrote-number-of-short.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</i><br />
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One thing I do know...it's really easy to make this long list of goals, both professional and personal. But then, when you look at that list, it can be oh so daunting. Scary. Overwhelming. OMG, I can't do all this.<br />
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Take a long, serious time of consideration when you look at your goals for the coming year. It's fine to have a detailed list, but how do you focus on the whole thing!<br />
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You can't. Goal ADD doesn't work. Skipping from one to another because the new goal is so much more--interesting? Easy to accomplish?--doesn't work. Choose two or three goals--no more! Put your focus, your full attention on these objectives until you've completed them. Look at them every day. Even better, write them down every day. There is something in the act of writing something down that makes it real. Seriously considered these goals--every day. Every day!<br />
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Taking the simple action of consistently focusing on just a couple goals will inspire you to success!<br />
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So. Make your list of goals. Choose the two most important. And Focus!<br />
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-25089819993647866432014-12-29T10:57:00.002-06:002014-12-29T10:58:09.470-06:00<i>(A few years ago I wrote a number of short posts on goals for another blog. Now that it's time to focus on goals for 2015, I thought I'd repost these blogs...as a reminder to myself! And anyone else who needs a kick in the goals pants. So...have you worked on your goals yet?)</i><br />
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The end of this year approaches, and of course, that means a new year beginning. And for those who set goals (and that should be everyone!) the new year means new goals written in the back of our desk calendars. Or on a sheet tacked to the bulletin board. Or in a document on your computer. As long as they're written down somewhere you can look at them and be reminded.<br />
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Now is a really good time to review your 2014 goals. Seriously consider those goals, the actions you took to achieve them and how they compare to what you envisioned as the result. Look at each goal separately. What did you do well? What could have been done better?<br />
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Most importantly, consider what prevented you from accomplishing an incomplete goal. Is there a price you weren't willing to pay or changes you weren't willing to consider to make the goal happen?<br />
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Are your goals still important to you? We are constantly and continually changing beings. What we want, or think we want, changes along with us. Do you continue to put a goal on your list because you think you should--or is it something you really want?<br />
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Use these last days of December to reflect on this year's goals. Then when you turn your calendar to the first of January, you'll be better able to achieve your new goals.<br />
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-21993913789255166782014-12-12T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-12T00:00:04.247-06:00It's Not a Christmas Song<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know how there are minor, insignificant things in the world that irritate the heck out of you--for no reason. Well, that's how I feel about the song "My Favorite Things" from <i>The Sound of Music</i>. No, I don't dislike the song at all (that's reserved for "Frosty the Snowman"). It's just despite the number of versions and times it's played over the holidays, the song IS NOT a Christmas song. I don't care if the lyrics mention warm woolen mittens and packages tied up with string. Not a Christmas song in my world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, enough crankiness. So, what brought on this tiny rant from a inch high soapbox? Addictive Reads is having a holiday event. And during the event some of our authors are talking about our some of our<span style="color: red;"><b> favorite holiday things. </b></span>Here are some of mine...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Holiday music</span>. Like this. Now, this is Christmas music!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">I love giving gifts</span>--getting them, not so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Hallmark movies.</span> Yep, I'll even watch them in July.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Watching the kids at school practice their Christmas program</span>. I try to catch the dress rehearsal, since there's limited room during the performance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Ooh shiny trees and decorations </span>when someone else puts them up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Fudge.</span> Enough said.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Gatherings with friends and family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's more, many more favorite things about the Holidays, but we're only supposed to list a few. Do follow the links below to discover more favorites from Addictive Reads Authors. And here's the scoop on our event and giveaways.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Happy Holidays!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From December 12-31, 2014, we’re hosting a giveaway where you have the chance to win a Kindle Fire HD 7 pre-loaded with over 30 of our novels, novellas, and short stories (an approx. retail value of $239). Click on the side banner for more information!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We’re also offering up $50, $20, and $15 gift cards as prizes. The winners will be able to choose to receive their gift cards from Amazon, iTunes, B&N, or Google Play. (Note: Winners for the gift cards will be selected from world wide entries. Unfortunately due to the cost of shipping overseas, the grand prize will be limited to U.S. entries only.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our authors have each posted about A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS on their individual blogs. We hope you’ll join us there and tell us about your favorite part of the holidays. You just might find even more prizes up for grabs at some of those sites! Follow the Links below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if you have a minute, leave a comment about some of your favorite things for this holiday season!</span><br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-21691371072573095582014-09-18T15:24:00.000-05:002014-09-18T15:24:13.412-05:00Doxies for 2015!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year I receive a dachshund calendar for my birthday from my brother. Today is that day! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLOrGkjzjANK6cHxN6mLGF1vVd9wC-bzw4pgxNy13XqBytZvJ8tzKxXdCWOIGcpX6XCRAnB5Pt3vFwOTOTmLRhOVlGuoxR3rYsTg6V8BcNGHbAlrdfcme4aC6H9rhvhVUex-irThaN0TK/s1600/20140918_060109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLOrGkjzjANK6cHxN6mLGF1vVd9wC-bzw4pgxNy13XqBytZvJ8tzKxXdCWOIGcpX6XCRAnB5Pt3vFwOTOTmLRhOVlGuoxR3rYsTg6V8BcNGHbAlrdfcme4aC6H9rhvhVUex-irThaN0TK/s1600/20140918_060109.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">calendar is from brown trout</span></td></tr>
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I use this calendar as part of my writing routine--recording words written, deadlines, events relating to books and writing, notes for current and future works, books I've read, oh, all kinds of stuff. In the past I've given myself stickers for celebrations--and I think that would be a grand thing to begin again this year. Bonus for this year--the pages aren't coated and shiny, which should make it much easier to write in without smearing. I hate smeary writing...sometimes it's difficult enough to read what I've written without any extra blurring. And...it's a 16 month calendar that I can start using right now!</div>
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Okay, so for the rest of the year I'll have two doxie calendars on my desk. I can't miss any of the great photographs. Below is one that caught my eye as I thumbed through the new planner. So cuuuute! And look--there's lots of spaces for notes for each week as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB_bTBZ1qQ6TQ5g3ef8MOGTWkF5ZU2u_9ODUc1qzJKHIs8CBxXfgDhn8054RKy7TEXMrWW92QwtWFQYBtUlChKjMHLaohLRMbKALSvEf1peUYPhKi12NKiH6Z3J7DtKYGDeR3gaJbIM2r/s1600/20140918_060138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB_bTBZ1qQ6TQ5g3ef8MOGTWkF5ZU2u_9ODUc1qzJKHIs8CBxXfgDhn8054RKy7TEXMrWW92QwtWFQYBtUlChKjMHLaohLRMbKALSvEf1peUYPhKi12NKiH6Z3J7DtKYGDeR3gaJbIM2r/s1600/20140918_060138.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, how about you? Do you use a calendar or desk planner? Do you look for something different each year, or are you like me and stick with what works for you? (I've tried other calendars that I've loved to look at, but for using consistently to keep my writing more or less on track? It's got to be the dachshunds!)</div>
<br />lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-31766154848870538352014-08-31T13:29:00.000-05:002014-08-31T13:29:10.176-05:00"Why Drag?" asks the QueenYou know those times when you wake up early, but basically refuse to get out of bed--because it's early? Then you lay there and the thoughts just meander in and out of your head? And you end up wondering, what the hell?<br />
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Yeah, it was one of those mornings. Here's only part of the internal riot.<br />
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Captain Kangaroo and Cinderelly...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOhjOWHnBTdPyA5hrKfXlzTUKUlKgZ4xbm5sC_ET-kAasVO4njVIKqg7Fz2gYFgiMeGSbIAPPDisoIDi1Cou9EgorWXoonxHpS-hHYzXMvjBSd9PY12n0wg8HhPHaiglZaiiX3eYslQ6T/s1600/cinderelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOhjOWHnBTdPyA5hrKfXlzTUKUlKgZ4xbm5sC_ET-kAasVO4njVIKqg7Fz2gYFgiMeGSbIAPPDisoIDi1Cou9EgorWXoonxHpS-hHYzXMvjBSd9PY12n0wg8HhPHaiglZaiiX3eYslQ6T/s1600/cinderelly.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sure, they go together. Back in the days of black and white Captain, he dressed as Cinderella and danced around with mops and brooms to the song from the Disney movie. Really. I remember loving it.<br />
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So this morning, I wondered if this television event colored my world view and led to my joy and adoration of drag queens.<br />
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Really? That's what the Sunday morning brain came up with?<br />
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Such is a peek into the mind of a writer. The Queen part? That has nothing to do with drag queens. A few special ladies have named me their queen, and so, queen I must be. :)<br />
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Now, I really should write a story about an Amazon. In space. With an attorney. And Ru Paul.<br />
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<br />lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-41257919643497776692014-07-14T10:10:00.001-05:002014-07-14T10:10:48.499-05:00Digital Book Day--uh oh.327 ebooks free for one day only.<br />
And...everyone wants one, or two, or 327.<br />
We broke the internet....<br />
From CJ Lyons, our organizing wonder:<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_12_1405345692895_33">We're
victims of our own success--too many folks trying to access the site at
once. The webhost assures me that folks should get through, they might
just need to check back once things calm down.</span><br />
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They gave me info on how to prevent this in the future, but there's nothing we can do now except carry on.</div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_12_1405345692895_33">Thanks for your patience!</span></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-8133482459068469592014-07-02T13:30:00.000-05:002014-07-02T13:30:30.584-05:00Pug Puppies and Training DragonsEvery once and awhile, one must post cute kittens or puppies. Isn't it a law of the interwebs?<br />
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So, for your Wednesday enjoyment--the pug puppy version of How to Train Your Dragon.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oCiUI4ixWT0" width="560"></iframe>lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-49645136033112165542014-07-01T13:51:00.000-05:002014-07-01T13:51:11.717-05:00For Cheryl St. John...Let It Go!Simply because she said, "What, no more versions of Let it Go?"<br />
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(I think Julie is my favorite.)<br />
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And yes, I've got more.lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-78306240406900197502014-06-27T00:01:00.000-05:002014-06-27T19:43:44.262-05:00Addictive Summer Reads<br />
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<a href="http://www.addictivereads.com/events/summer-2014/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXsYEJ5QnyY2FJ7DPrQitP6fiWrHoquQ_IEKVJxZmkMPJxxbgUHAmx7SUDXb1lO9DR9FdPechugd_KHS4L8auv3_0-MHJlUs8J5gtmpvKH6b44qo8PxkjXaqwQaVUruj2EIFM2ixSsjoN/s1600/AddictiveSummerReadsBanner.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the questions authors are always asked is where our ideas and inspirations come from. I know I've answered that here on starrwords before, but insights and ideas have been flowing well this summer. I have an over abundance, so I thought I'd share.</div>
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Rather than going on about new ideas (like how wonders can become lessons in a galaxies wide search for a mythical beast), how about some of the inspirations for my latest release--which just happens to be on sale during this Addictive Reads Summer Event. (See how smoothly I slipped that in?)</div>
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<b><i>Blue Keltic Moon</i></b> is the first book in a new series, picking up the family saga about 20 years after the final book of the <i>Double Keltic Triad. </i>So, some of my inspiration was built in--because I knew the characters and what they needed to do. But people (human, fey, it doesn't matter) change in 20 years, so they surprised me at times. A lot of times.</div>
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That surprise led to new ideas and connections--because I thrive on making connections between stories, and series. That's probably why the world between worlds is so important to a number of my tales. A multitude of worlds and universes find connection there. The vast and differing landscapes are the home to more creatures than I've yet discovered. Who knows how many tales may find some spark of inspiration there. I certainly don't!</div>
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Music plays a huge part in both my creative and writing processes. Different types of music, or just one line of lyrics can spark a character's dreams, desires or actions. Part of the musical inspiration for this book came from Celtic bands--because it is a Keltic book, ya know. Music from India and Egypt for the hero. Probably the biggest influence was <i>Mad World</i> (Roland Orzabal)--the cover by Adam Lambert on American Idol. Hmm, that's an interesting combination.</div>
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Now for the fun stuff. Blue Keltic Moon is one of many great books on sale during the Addictive Reads Summer event! Follow the Linky below to visit other AR authors. You might even find some fun giveaways. Head to our event page (click on the banner above) to be entered in chances to win Amazon gift cards or Paypal cash! </div>
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Click<a href="mailto:newsfromthestarr@gmail.com" target="_blank"> here</a> to sign up for my newsletter: News from the starr! New subscribers earn 2 entries in my drawing for a summer fun stretchy bracelet--your choice of colors! Current subscribers, leave a note in the comments and let me know and you'll get one entry.</div>
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A little bit about <b><i>Blue Keltic Moon </i></b></div>
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<i>Duty before love. As much as Breanna’s
heart protested, Gowthaman would have to wait until she returned with the
rescued Alfar-Sindhu prince.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Love before self. Following Breanna
into the World Between Worlds, Gowthaman faces the pains of his past, risks his
intellect, his sanity and his life. For her.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Destiny before all. In the time of the
blue Keltic moon.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s been twenty years since Morghan,
leader of the Alfar-Sindhu, became trapped in the desolate World Between Worlds
and once again blue moons are aligning in a multitude of worlds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Breanna has loved Gowthaman forever,
but as one of the Faerie race, he continually claims their age difference is
too great. Yet the soulfire shows he loves her as well. To help her family, she
must set aside her emotions to lead a rescue mission to the World Between
Worlds. She and her group will face the unknown and bring Morghan home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even devoting his life to the Fey
library hasn’t saved Gowthaman from the agonies of his past, and the long
moments he spent in the World Between Worlds. Now, the woman he loves stands
ready to lead a rescue party into that cursed place, and only he holds the
knowledge to take them there...and, with luck, safely return with the prince.
The risk to his mind...doesn’t matter as long as he keeps Breanna from harm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The World Between Worlds. Can a place
filled with despair and loss also be a discovery of love and redemption?
Perhaps... only under the blue Keltic moon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLqyafAL1FUnnLOleZFuh_GesqA4w5CTmAPeMG0u4IFhxD-jDbg2j2qO9Uh_qRnAdFdhyqE0HZqOnRrlme5WSAyBvZVcg0qIHb2OkluZLyqApwu61PlYUZLNIQyo2Cui0uyy4BqGkh5iv/s1600/BlueKelticMoon_tiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLqyafAL1FUnnLOleZFuh_GesqA4w5CTmAPeMG0u4IFhxD-jDbg2j2qO9Uh_qRnAdFdhyqE0HZqOnRrlme5WSAyBvZVcg0qIHb2OkluZLyqApwu61PlYUZLNIQyo2Cui0uyy4BqGkh5iv/s1600/BlueKelticMoon_tiny.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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And of course, the buy links for the sale! </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L79AJ1S" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blue-keltic-moon-lizzie-starr/1018129549?ean=2940149722310" style="line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/blue-keltic-moon" style="line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450973" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bluekelticmoon-1556193-143.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" style="line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">All Romance Ebooks</a> </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lizzie_Starr_Blue_Keltic_Moon?id=UTTfAwAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google Books</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id892242809" target="_blank">iTunes</a></div>
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Visit these Addictive Reads authors!</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script --> lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-67997328942039671392014-06-21T00:00:00.000-05:002014-06-21T00:00:02.340-05:00Celebrate Summer with #AREBLAST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvNFpf8HtYKsSc5vRedtYBy-v8QrWXmcgfEQSVevGvwb1KD9VfcKhycvBy3o6QwM4qCwxorXairRCXi36FQz6A2UfaIlU6Dac7YBVJP7buLhQWx_14Rm21AgOJ0HuUomHr-XCT7O5GLzP/s1600/DSCF0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvNFpf8HtYKsSc5vRedtYBy-v8QrWXmcgfEQSVevGvwb1KD9VfcKhycvBy3o6QwM4qCwxorXairRCXi36FQz6A2UfaIlU6Dac7YBVJP7buLhQWx_14Rm21AgOJ0HuUomHr-XCT7O5GLzP/s1600/DSCF0744.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
My little friend Dale (who is, yes, sitting on a <i>chip</i> of the buffalo variety) is here to announce the first special event of the summer.<br />
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Since it's the first official day of summer, All Romance Ebooks is having a BLAST! Tons of summer reading is on sale. Ah! Books...<br />
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Sorry, fell into that wonderful place where there are new worlds and lots of love to discover.<br />
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As my part of this great way to add more and more to our TBR stacks, all six of the <i>Double Keltic Triad</i><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>are 50% off. (Yeah, this is one of those 'selling' posts. They have to happen occasionally. Shame of it all.)<br />
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Follow the links below to pick up any of the Double Triad you may have missed. Or just head on over to All Romance Ebooks and put #AREBLAST in the search box. Be prepared for an onslaught of great reading options! The Authors thank you!<br />
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<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bykelticdesign-918052-143.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">By Keltic Design</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-firesofakelticmoon-1148166-143.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">Fires of a Keltic Moon</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kelticflight-1148170-149.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">Keltic Flight</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-wildkelticcarouselle-1149925-149.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">Wild Keltic Carouselle</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kelticdreams-1216515-149.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">Keltic Dreams</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-afairekelticrenaissance-1273173-143.html?referrer=53a47262ead64" target="_blank">A Faire Keltic Renaissance</a></i></b><br />
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Watch for the first book from <i>The Children of the Keltic Triad </i>releasing later this month. <b><i></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have fun and happy reading!</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Joyous Solstice!</b></span></div>
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Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know about releases, events and news from the starr! New subscribers in June will be entered in a drawing for either a free download or a fun summer bracelet! <a href="mailto:newsfromthestarr@gmail.com" target="_blank">Click to subscribe.</a></div>
lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-37779589751036416382014-04-28T07:24:00.001-05:002014-04-28T07:24:24.703-05:00I can't let it go...And neither can Arthur Darvill--who played one of my favorites on Doctor Who. Oh wait, maybe he can!<br />
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The Ballad of Arthur Darvill for your enjoyment.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TNDyBBAjRHg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<br />lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069012595913006297.post-55270550245503440242014-04-15T09:28:00.000-05:002014-04-15T09:28:12.572-05:00What does it mean to be free?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1vQ9bD1r9FzZuxUxA3qQWci8fY8OAiGCAWVed8cJusuxSYLI7ER4_WKAlBsolWVACQlcuKD2FcqcDzK_5T8isoHy8mJF-1YelHd7Kbtt7VHvBOAUT6ocus_9T2Sfpq_7HwBo28wsWatA/s1600/deadlily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1vQ9bD1r9FzZuxUxA3qQWci8fY8OAiGCAWVed8cJusuxSYLI7ER4_WKAlBsolWVACQlcuKD2FcqcDzK_5T8isoHy8mJF-1YelHd7Kbtt7VHvBOAUT6ocus_9T2Sfpq_7HwBo28wsWatA/s1600/deadlily.jpg" /></a></div>
No, I'm not having philosophical or political thoughts. I'm talking about FREE books and reading. Okay, my free short story to be precise.<br />
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Free reads and short stories in general are an excellent way to try out new authors and genres. Often shorter tales give an author the chance to tell a supporting character's story or add background and dimension to characters and worlds. Sometimes there's just a tale to be told and it doesn't take so many words.<br />
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<b>Dead Lily Blooms</b> (originally appearing in the anthology <i>Tales From The Mist</i>) now makes an solitary appearance as a free ebook. Part of an upcoming series of stories <i>At Death's Gates</i>, Dead Lily is a paranormal romance. Perhaps a bit different from my fantasy romances, but...not so much.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Someone wants vampyre Lily dead, and a bargain with Death has been struck. Death sends servant Agaar to bring Lily to him, but the task becomes more complicated than either Death or Agaar anticipated.</b></span><br />
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So, got a free hour? Want to discover *lizzie starr? And all for free? Download <b>Dead Lily Blooms</b> from these retailers:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Lily-Blooms-Deaths-Gates-ebook/dp/B00JBKJOP2" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dead-lily-blooms" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id849728835" target="_blank">iTunes </a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423061" target="_blank">Smashwords </a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-deadlilyblooms-1462485-143.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">All Romance eBooks</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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lizzie starrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08375713739033553407noreply@blogger.com0