The Beatles were in the news today as the death of George Martin was announced. Martin, sometimes called, the fifth Beatle, was the producer who helped shape the Beatles and their songs and in the process changed rock music forever. Everyone talking about his death today made me remember when I was young and first hearing the Beatles. Before the …
Jocie’s Very 1st Report from Hollyhill
Jocie Brooke here. Things are crazy busy at school right now. Teachers love giving tests, so I decided to do a rerun report here. It might give you a peek into that book about us here in Hollyhill, Scent of Lilacs. Somebody says you can read our story for a super low price right now. 99 cents or less for …
On a Story Cliff Edge
“Beginnings” Click on the link above to see this word cloud at WordItOut. You may also view it on this website if you enable JavaScript (see your web browser settings). Word cloud made with WordItOut First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in …
The Story Behind Scent of Lilacs
What Can you Get for 99 Cents? What will a dollar buy these days? A candy bar. A soft drink – maybe. A pack of bubblegum. More gasoline at the pump than a year ago. A zillion or so different things at a Dollar Tree Store. Right now for less than that dollars, only 99 cents, you can download first …
February Winners and a Story or Two
I picked the three winners a while ago. I wish I could send you all a box of candy and a book, but if I had to mail out that many packages, I wouldn’t have time to write a new book. I know all of you want me to write that new book, don’t you? At least, I want to …
February Love and Smiles
February is drawing to a close and so is heart month. But I’ve still got some Valentine’s stories to share. Some romantic. Some sweet. Some to make you smile. First the Romance Several of you shared about Valentine’s Day proposals. Here’s Leslie’s. My husband, then boyfriend, took me to a fancy restaurant. He said he had to go to the …
A Valentine’s Day Challenge
On Valentine’s Day I sent out a newsletter with a Happy Valentine’s wish and a giveaway contest. To enter readers sent me an e-mail. (The contest is still open and if you haven’t entered, you still can by sending that e-mail or leaving a comment here saying you’d like to throw your name in my giveaway drawing hat. Deadline for …
Where Did all this Valentine Stuff Begin
February 15, 1966 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill, Kentucky. Do you like candy hearts? I do. They always say something even if it’s mostly silly stuff. Be Mine or Yes or Love U or Let’s Go. But you have to read them before you can eat them. I like Valentine’s Day too. I have ever since I started school …
Clean Desks, Newsletters and Valentines
Cleanliness is next to godliness. I’ve heard that all my life, and the Shakers certainly believed it. That had various sizes and shapes of brooms to get back in every corner and crevase where dirt might hide. As one of my characters said in my last Shaker book, The Innocent, those people warred against dirt. They had a place for everything and expected …
Odd Dog Oscar
I’m going to be a guest on a blog, Quid Pro Quills this Wednesday for their regular feature Animals and Authors. Oscar is the star in that post. So since I’ve been meaning to do a post about my dog, Oscar, here on One Writer’s Journal forever, I decided now was a good time. This post will be different from …