tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36628909653005524652024-03-12T21:30:50.062-04:00JLB CreativesJLB Creatives is an eclectic team of creative geniuses who possess fantastical imaginations. Publisher ~ Authors ~ Educators ~ ArtistsYour Blog Host - Janet Beasleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10059613375866342561noreply@blogger.comBlogger652125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-28377595099956064032016-11-23T11:13:00.004-05:002017-01-07T10:08:08.565-05:00We Are Taking a Break...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To our faithful fans of the JLB Creatives Blog and to all of you who are stopping in for the first time... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>BLOG UPDATE: </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What is the blog looking like for 2017? Here's the scoop...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Due to our recent success and wildly full schedule, the JLB Creatives Blog will be taking a break and will be posting their updates and news on other social media sites. To keep up with us on a current pace we encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and/or our websites. Below is the list of places you can find us and our creative divisions around the web. Click on any of the links to visit us on Social Media. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugChjim2DsE/WHD-dU4A_aI/AAAAAAAAVZ8/Wrn-jV4eG0MeXSVB7FnYP7gf1kjVSGDLwCLcB/s1600/PineconecropNOblackedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugChjim2DsE/WHD-dU4A_aI/AAAAAAAAVZ8/Wrn-jV4eG0MeXSVB7FnYP7gf1kjVSGDLwCLcB/s200/PineconecropNOblackedge.jpg" width="134" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>JLB Creatives Publishing: </b><i>book publishing </i></span><br />
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">URL:</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/">www.JLBCreatives.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Facebook: </b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/JLBCreatives">www.Facebook.com/JLBCreatives</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBCreatives" target="_blank">@JLBCreatives</a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(encompasses all JLB Creatives Divisions)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Instagram: </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jlbcreatives" target="_blank">JLBCreatives</a> (encompasses all JLB Creatives Divisions)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Pinterest:</b> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jlbcreatives/" target="_blank">JLBCreatives</a> (encompasses all JLB Creatives Divisions)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9X7JR0aAFkE/WHD_EXj05bI/AAAAAAAAVaQ/8V-8wgsX_zMskTGVcPMw6F84fEwKRMtQQCEw/s1600/JTP%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9X7JR0aAFkE/WHD_EXj05bI/AAAAAAAAVaQ/8V-8wgsX_zMskTGVcPMw6F84fEwKRMtQQCEw/s200/JTP%2Blogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Journey to Publication: </b><i>writing curriculum</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>URL: </b><a href="http://www.journeytopublication.com/">www.JourneyToPublication.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JourneyToPublication">www.Facebook.com/JourneyToPublication</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IF3q6e_G0Fk/WHD_NX8JdQI/AAAAAAAAVaE/Bs4_ksTJxsEgCaUfoGJ84bLvOWKFuqWYQCEw/s1600/NewCardsJan2017Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IF3q6e_G0Fk/WHD_NX8JdQI/AAAAAAAAVaE/Bs4_ksTJxsEgCaUfoGJ84bLvOWKFuqWYQCEw/s320/NewCardsJan2017Back.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>BeaslePunk: </b><i>steampunk, fantasy, science fiction - art, cosplay props, jewelry, and more</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>URL:</b> <a href="http://www.beaslepunk.com/">www.BeaslePunk.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeaslePunk">www.Facebook.com/BeaslePunk</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zngDo7o7T9I/WHD_7DqX4LI/AAAAAAAAVaU/huaaqQruHoU4WkKk-reQgpekGyWPSh3MACLcB/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zngDo7o7T9I/WHD_7DqX4LI/AAAAAAAAVaU/huaaqQruHoU4WkKk-reQgpekGyWPSh3MACLcB/s200/IMG_0389.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Multi-Tech Productions, Inc.: </b><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">audio visual system consulting, design, training</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>URL:</b> <a href="http://www.multitechproductionsinc.com/">www.MultiTechProductionsInc.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MultiTechProductions">www.Facebook.com/MultiTechProductions</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAtiAstCGhA/WHEAK2qWMOI/AAAAAAAAVac/mbebioY6TgQHDkwDZORkWvWzF0PpC6S5gCLcB/s1600/DSCN4581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAtiAstCGhA/WHEAK2qWMOI/AAAAAAAAVac/mbebioY6TgQHDkwDZORkWvWzF0PpC6S5gCLcB/s320/DSCN4581.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Scenic Nature Photography:</b> <i>nature photographer Janet Beasley</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>URL:</b> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/JanetBeasley">www.Flickr.com/JanetBeasley</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We want to thank all of you who share our enthusiasm and continue to support this art-filled business and its artists. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sincerely, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Your JLB Creatives Team </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-34810031506920578732016-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-18T00:00:07.148-05:00The Importance of a GREAT Book Cover<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<img alt="HES Vol 3 Planet Water: Janet Beasley: YA Fantasy" height="320" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0abe11_4812d4fd04fe4ab08f70514eccb0742c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_375,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0abe11_4812d4fd04fe4ab08f70514eccb0742c~mv2.jpg" width="212" /></div>
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What draws your attention to a book on a shelf? Is it the colors? The font? The cover illustration? The blurb? The author bio? Awards the author/story have won? Reviews? Or a combination of any or all of these?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If your front cover (or the spine) catches a potential buyer's eye, you have about 3 seconds--yeah, that's all--before he/she turns the book over and looks at the back cover. If you lose him/her in that first 3 seconds, your chances of making a sale are pretty slim. But don't give up all hope yet; you still have a chance if the material on the back cover is intriguing enough to pique the person's interest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sure you've heard the expressions, "Different strokes for different folks," and "You can't please all of the people all of the time." Truer words were never spoken. That's why it's so important to make sure your book cover is attractive to a wide variety of people--if you want to attract their attention to it so you can make sales.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier this year we covered the art of writing an author bio. If your potential reader can identify with you, you have a much better chance to make the sale. Your blurb (which we'll cover in a couple of weeks) is of utmost importance in snagging a buyer. At any rate, you have to make sure a person cannot possibly leave the bookstore without your book. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/777025528515747840/l1COBsdm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img alt="Image result for images of bad book covers" border="0" height="200" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/777025528515747840/l1COBsdm.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Each printing company has a list of requirements which they call "Guidelines" for setting up your cover. They are not usually in a common vernacular, so it's much easier if you hire a graphic artist to do the setup/layout for you. I have seen far too many really good authors place their books on the market with covers that appear amateurish. And quite frankly, people avoid those books. After all, if the cover doesn't appear professional, how can the interior of the book be any better? </div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-22439282925493330812016-11-16T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-16T00:00:13.712-05:00From the Nose of Our Kayak Chapter 20<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s1600/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s320/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Janet & Don Beasley</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome back! We've returned and are ready to bring you more awesome chapters to our FREE blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." So let's get started and pick back up where we left off....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives.</i></span></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We began the series on June 1, 2016</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----------------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>From the Nose of Our Kayak</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Don & Janet Beasley</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 20: A Beautiful Day...What Can We Say</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6eAeD644yQ/WCTjfwMbO_I/AAAAAAAATy8/NIn3_howoL003B3SjyjyeS74DsNw6cjrACLcB/s1600/DSCN7605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6eAeD644yQ/WCTjfwMbO_I/AAAAAAAATy8/NIn3_howoL003B3SjyjyeS74DsNw6cjrACLcB/s320/DSCN7605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The reason you either live or travel to Michigan's U.P. is to experience days such as these. The sky was bluer than any we'd ever seen, the cloud formations were unique, and the wildlife was plenty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We launched our kayak into the Tahquamenon River once again. We took our time flowing downriver, paddling only when we wanted to as we wanted the day to last forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our first glance from the nose of our kayak on the river was awesome. The water had no ripples...it was actually a mirror.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1ONPx-6gA/WCTlUak2jyI/AAAAAAAATzM/966NusHlO5oG95A4_CjbVBEWSTdAxFCuACLcB/s1600/DSCN7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1ONPx-6gA/WCTlUak2jyI/AAAAAAAATzM/966NusHlO5oG95A4_CjbVBEWSTdAxFCuACLcB/s320/DSCN7677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The brackish water was clear, and the sights beneath its crystal top were as beautiful as the sky. The vegetation laid in the direction of the water's flow. Lilly pads came into view and we stopped to gaze upon their serenity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we coasted a bit farther down river we began to see flocks of one of our favorite birds, cedar waxwings. Something about their striking appearance, perched among the red berries of the ash trees, against the blue sky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The cedar waxwings were flying in and out of the trees above. The air was thick with these amazing winged creatures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZd1irfCSBs/WCTlgOZ13OI/AAAAAAAATzY/hR9ImhDUx4QgDtZlxZ3zGI8naF71fNKrwCLcB/s1600/DSCN7755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZd1irfCSBs/WCTlgOZ13OI/AAAAAAAATzY/hR9ImhDUx4QgDtZlxZ3zGI8naF71fNKrwCLcB/s320/DSCN7755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cedar waxwings are plentiful year around in Michigan's U.P. Their diet consists of berries that the either perch, pick and swallow whole, or snag as they hover, fluttering in flight. Their coloring is distinct, and a treat for any birder when they spot them through their binoculars. The are a tannish color with vibrant outlines in black, yellow, and red. Their tufted crests are similar to that of a cardinal's. The black "mask" across their eyes gives them away at a closer glance. They normally flock, and will nest in woodland areas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8usaWnBmrQ8/WCTlFiEFGpI/AAAAAAAATzE/SwMNlCwh9NwuQj2Rz_aerGsB_ZhNk3UGQCLcB/s1600/DSCN7659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8usaWnBmrQ8/WCTlFiEFGpI/AAAAAAAATzE/SwMNlCwh9NwuQj2Rz_aerGsB_ZhNk3UGQCLcB/s200/DSCN7659.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaaYgst-t8E/WCTlgK9Mb6I/AAAAAAAATzc/i2GpDgZ7isofZSI-LDVEtMyW4ZiZtr4ZACLcB/s1600/DSCN7901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaaYgst-t8E/WCTlgK9Mb6I/AAAAAAAATzc/i2GpDgZ7isofZSI-LDVEtMyW4ZiZtr4ZACLcB/s200/DSCN7901.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next up we came across teal wing ducks. Floating quietly down a river has its advantages as we came upon a flock of ducks swimming their way across the river. One, most likely papa duck, brought up the rear and we were able to snap a shot of him and his brilliant coloring on his wing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wl-ZlSWpwJU/WCTptNt0qRI/AAAAAAAATz0/Hb2kON9l1mQGtNs5kdutkguOfSHD9Go4QCLcB/s1600/DSCN7695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wl-ZlSWpwJU/WCTptNt0qRI/AAAAAAAATz0/Hb2kON9l1mQGtNs5kdutkguOfSHD9Go4QCLcB/s320/DSCN7695.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once the ducks had made their way across we looked up, only to find a sky filled with clouds that change shapes in a hurry. We kept snapping the camera to capture all of the wondrous shapes and patterns that continued to change with every bend in the river. HINT: We've added all of our cloud photos below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the clouds came a turtle...resting like none we'd ever seen! As we zoomed in with the camera we soon realized he was balancing on his under-shell atop a piece of wood protruding from the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxFTuopaBqo/WCTlncOMMxI/AAAAAAAATzw/3dcm2J_uMBQQfRswOCvtvIjjOOyWEniYACEw/s1600/DSCN7927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxFTuopaBqo/WCTlncOMMxI/AAAAAAAATzw/3dcm2J_uMBQQfRswOCvtvIjjOOyWEniYACEw/s200/DSCN7927.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The day lingered, but not nearly long enough for us. But the good news is, we made it back to the dock before dark, and were able to load up with ease. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the way home we were even graced with a beautiful sunset that showed-off some rain clouds we couldn't believe even existed on that awesome day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JxWyNDiIK0/WCTlmMsp0II/AAAAAAAATzw/r6fEYFJa-icsJFtIvrlE_3NLYN-eTGBpQCEw/s1600/DSCN7928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JxWyNDiIK0/WCTlmMsp0II/AAAAAAAATzw/r6fEYFJa-icsJFtIvrlE_3NLYN-eTGBpQCEw/s640/DSCN7928.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">--------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Kayak Tip of the Week:</b> Always keep a pair of binoculars in your dry bag. You never know what you may find in the distance that deserves a closer look. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">--------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pVklt_eX6c/WCTlFvzi8hI/AAAAAAAATzw/jRZv2JD6Iwgu1Pvrp0O-wuUF0vtRWlCUQCEw/s1600/DSCN7636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pVklt_eX6c/WCTlFvzi8hI/AAAAAAAATzw/jRZv2JD6Iwgu1Pvrp0O-wuUF0vtRWlCUQCEw/s400/DSCN7636.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AF9fcAJ-SP0/WCTlF3Di8tI/AAAAAAAATzw/17nsi-NsqVoCVNvNJFcaUCcWeziJ2p2WwCEw/s1600/DSCN7674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AF9fcAJ-SP0/WCTlF3Di8tI/AAAAAAAATzw/17nsi-NsqVoCVNvNJFcaUCcWeziJ2p2WwCEw/s400/DSCN7674.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4_k8nMz-Mw/WCTlUZaU3dI/AAAAAAAATzw/9qLkoKr190k-D-JChZ4lnhc7JFhG5zDiACEw/s1600/DSCN7706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4_k8nMz-Mw/WCTlUZaU3dI/AAAAAAAATzw/9qLkoKr190k-D-JChZ4lnhc7JFhG5zDiACEw/s400/DSCN7706.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwnM0joLvgo/WCTlU-QLaNI/AAAAAAAATzw/ERS4HcAAt78j6evkM7Be8c7JU_sJp45FQCEw/s1600/DSCN7726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwnM0joLvgo/WCTlU-QLaNI/AAAAAAAATzw/ERS4HcAAt78j6evkM7Be8c7JU_sJp45FQCEw/s400/DSCN7726.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-62026569134515847342016-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-14T00:00:01.052-05:00Excerpt Extravaganza! and...BeaslePunk and the World of Steampunk <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2g3DJvk-MIs/VK6yiH8ubGI/AAAAAAAAIas/kD2uMmuWv6gvJH3dypsUX1AY4uPkmOrcACPcB/s1600/steampunk_fantasy_art_2-320x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2g3DJvk-MIs/VK6yiH8ubGI/AAAAAAAAIas/kD2uMmuWv6gvJH3dypsUX1AY4uPkmOrcACPcB/s320/steampunk_fantasy_art_2-320x480.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello blog fans! So glad you stopped by today. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We will soon be changing up the Monday posts to bring you news that has to do with our BeaslePunk division. For a few weeks we'll be sharing all kinds of cool news from a sub-culture that is sweeping the globe with its stunning fashion, weaponry, and stories.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So get ready...starting next Monday we will begin to share the splendid-ness of this creative world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Your steampunk blog hosts for this segment will be BeaslePunk's foudners/owners and award-winning steampunk artists, Don and Janet Beasley. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We look forward to seeing you here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the meantime...here's this week's excerpt. It comes from the Hidden Earth Series. Janet Beasley's third volume released on November 4th, 2016. So here it is...straight from <i><b><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/print-book-shoppe" target="_blank">Volume 3 Planet Water ~ Draugar of the Abyss</a></b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuwRtGmvE7o/WCTeMvzNWEI/AAAAAAAATyk/IzZAbyZtF6chEOTjRagPSs8We4aRZmWoQCLcB/s1600/0_0_0_0_295_449_csupload_66748529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuwRtGmvE7o/WCTeMvzNWEI/AAAAAAAATyk/IzZAbyZtF6chEOTjRagPSs8We4aRZmWoQCLcB/s320/0_0_0_0_295_449_csupload_66748529.jpg" width="210" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Here
it comes!” shouted Meilí. Arrowanna looked up as he and Torleik threw a large
empty basket over the edge; it was tied to a heavy rope. Arrowanna felt her
hair swish from the breeze of the dropping basket. It came to an abrupt halt
just below Sidra. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Arrowanna
shouted, “You need to raise it a bit. I can’t get her into it down there.” The
basket swung and banged into the side of the ship as her twin brothers pulled
it upward. The wind blew the cold waters of the deep even worse as the tall
ship rose and fell through the massive swells. Arrowanna feared the basket
would hit Sidra and knock her from the rope ladder. Arrowanna shouted to her
brothers, “Hold it there. That’s a good height.” She turned her focus to Sidra
and lowered her voice to a soothing volume. “Now, we’re going to play the game
we used to play back home with Poppie’s seaweed baskets. You’re going to step
into this magic basket and make a wish, and see if it comes true.” Arrowanna
held Sidra’s hand so tight it was turning white. She hated seeing the rope
burns around Sidra’s wrists and ankles where she had been tangled up and thought,
That must sting something awful. Arrowanna watched Sidra put one leg
over the basket’s edge. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Sidra
said, “Sis, it’s too big, I can’t get my leg in it. I can’t touch the bottom!
Can I just make my wish now?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Oh,
Sidra, sweetheart. You have to climb into the basket, or your wish won’t
come true.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“But
we don't have any flower petals either.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Arrowanna
thought quickly and answered, “We can sacrifice a couple of things and your
wish will still come true. I’ll come and lift you in, and we’ll use imaginary
flower petals. I’m not going to let you miss a chance to make a wish.”
Arrowanna struggled against the violent movements of the rope ladder while
still holding Sidra’s tiny outstretched hand in her clutches. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Sidra
screamed. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Arrowanna
felt Sidra lose her footing; she now dangled by one arm. Arrowanna’s adrenaline surged. She yanked
Sidra closer to her, relieved that she had not let her baby sister fall into
the depths. In one more swift move Arrowanna lifted Sidra into the basket.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“You
did it Sis! I’m in the magic basket. Can I make a wish now?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Crying
through a hint of laughter, Arrowanna said, “Wait, we need to sprinkle you with
the imaginary petals!” Arrowanna made quick movements and said, “Já, now you
can make your wish.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“I
wish...” Sidra did not finish her wish, but rather screamed at the top of her
lungs along with Meilí and Torleik as a wave caught the rope ladder just so,
sending Arrowanna plummeting into the icy water. Arrowanna heard Sidra’s
screams, and between the fifteen-foot swells, she saw her baby sister in the
basket being raised to safety by her twin brothers. Now all they have to do
is save me, she thought. She felt herself rise again and be pushed forward
from the force of a wave, and the wave behind it came crashing over her. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Arrowanna
disappeared.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>--------------------------</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>To discover more about this author and the Hidden Earth Series <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/janet-beasley" target="_blank">click here</a>.</b></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-7867441860166616692016-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-11T00:00:01.284-05:00Author Quotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for images of reading books" height="277" src="https://www.motivationalmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/read-books.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
Sometimes it's nice just to sit back and reminisce. A photo album of past experiences and acquaintances can somehow put things into perspective. That is also true for books; it's good to learn what other authors have said about writing and literature in general. So today we're going to take a look at literary quotes, some from long ago, some from more recent times. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― Boris Pasternak</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“One glance at (a book) and you hear the voice of another person - perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― Carl Sagan,<i>Cosmos</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his war hammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much...” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― George R.R. Martin, <i>A Game of Thrones</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“A great book is a homing device </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For navigating paradise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A good book somehow makes you care </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About the comfort of a chair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bad book owes to many trees </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A forest of apologies.” </span></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"> ― J. Patrick Lewis</span><i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Weren’t all books ultimately related? After all, the same letters filled them, just arranged in a different order. Which meant that, in a certain way, every book was contained in every other!” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― Cornelia Funke, <i>Inkdeath</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines--it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― Robin Sloan, <i>Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I don't know where people got the idea that characters in books are supposed to be likable. Books are not in the business of creating merely likeable characters with whom you can have some simple identification. Books are in the business of creating great stories that make your brain go ahhbdgbdmerhbergurhbudgerbudbaaarr.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
― John Green</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-7836284309868143842016-11-09T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-09T00:00:13.948-05:00"From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return November 16, 2016...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0pQbG6Xfb8/V_qaw792hNI/AAAAAAAAS6c/kB9mRn4KK_88Lklrjsnht-yoKTSt6BREACLcB/s1600/19116883701_c1a76cd549_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0pQbG6Xfb8/V_qaw792hNI/AAAAAAAAS6c/kB9mRn4KK_88Lklrjsnht-yoKTSt6BREACLcB/s400/19116883701_c1a76cd549_k.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hello fans of our free blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Just a friendly reminder...JLB Creatives and its divisions are entering a busy fall season and will be taking a break from their Wednesday blog posts.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But not to worry...<span style="color: red;"><b>"From the Nose of Our Kayak" will return NEXT WEDNESDAY </b></span></i></span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>November 16, 2016</b>.</span></i><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b> with Chapter 20.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>If you're new to the blog and are interested in reading our #FREE blog book, "From the Nose of a Kayak," Chapter 1 can be found in our archives starting in June 2016. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Monday and Friday posts will continue</span></b> on the blog so be sure and stop back to catch our latest excerpts and writing tips! </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-9462255804864385542016-11-07T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-07T00:00:09.149-05:00Excerpt Extravaganza! This week's author is J.D. Karns<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL9QL--Q9aQ/V9lXFhiS-aI/AAAAAAAASGg/TIMkUXqr7Soivmr9ZfO2d7PjMewoVQHWACPcB/s1600/5starcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL9QL--Q9aQ/V9lXFhiS-aI/AAAAAAAASGg/TIMkUXqr7Soivmr9ZfO2d7PjMewoVQHWACPcB/s400/5starcover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Today's excerpt is from author <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/blank-sxkaq" target="_blank">J. D. Karns. His historical fiction novel, "28 Months of Heaven and Hell"</a> has peeked the interest of veterans nationwide.</b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the fifteen days Chester was home Sue spent most of her
time at our house. I couldn’t always tell whether she was there or
not when I got home from school, because her sweet perfume lingered
pleasantly in the air regardless. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chester treated Mike and me to a very special evening on
Saturday. He took Sue and us to see a picture show, “Two Girls and
a Sailor.” There was something about that big screen that made Ava
Gardner, June Allyson, Van Johnson, and Jimmy Durante look
amazing. And to top it off, we had a detailed presentation of the
newsreel before the main feature; Chester told us bits and pieces
about the war as the pictures appeared. I remember that trip to the
box office being a real eye-opener. I wondered how many other
guys were home on leave and telling their families about the war as
the images jittered on the silver screen. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fifteen days seemed like fifteen minutes. But those few days
created memories that would last forever. When Chester finally had
to go back, it didn’t seem as hard for me to say goodbye. But Sue
clung to him like a bee on honey. I can’t say as though I blamed her,
and Chester certainly wasn’t telling her to let go! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He dished out the remaining hugs and made certain to muss up
my hair. I laughed at that. He walked out the door and waved. We
watched him until he once again disappeared out of sight as he went
to the corner where the bus would pick him up. Mom shut the door,
and we all looked at each other. I saw Mom holding back tears. I
noticed Mike was maintaining his composure with a bit more
strength this time.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-----------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To discover more about J.D. Karns or to purchase his historical fiction novel visit his <b><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/blank-sxkaq" target="_blank">author page on JLB Creatives.</a></b><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-74172996400680061342016-11-04T00:00:00.000-04:002016-11-04T00:00:05.135-04:00Novelette and Novella<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61MHtp2vtsL._SX395_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61MHtp2vtsL._SX395_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="159" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes I have a story in me that is not long enough to be a novel, but it is too long to be short story. That is when I write a novelette or a novella. The word novella is Italian, the feminine form of <i>novello</i>, meaning "new." Not only is it longer than a short story, but it is also more complex. It is usually comprised of approximately 20,000 to 50,000 words. In <i>The New Yorker </i>on October 29, 2012, in a article titled "Some Notes on the Novella," Ian McEwen made the following comment: "To sit with a novella is analogous to watching a play or a longish movie."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b>novella</b>'s origin dates back to the early Renaissance in Italy and France, and it became legitimate literature in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth centuries. It was originally governed by precepts and rules and was limited to a single event, situation, or conflict. It was usually based on realism and presented a logical ending. In today's literary world, it lacks the subplots found in novels. Its main objective is to center around personal and emotional development of the characters. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some examples of novellas are: <i>Animal Farm</i>, George Orwell, <i>The Call of the Wild</i>, Jack London, <i>A Christmas Carol</i>, Charles Dickens, <i>The Old Man and the Sea</i>, Ernest Hemingway, and <i>The Time Machine</i>, H.G. Wells.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b>novelette</b> is a work of prose fiction, longer than a short story but shorter than a novella. It generally consists of 7500 to 20,000 words. Its origin stems from the novella. At first it was considered to be sentimental and trivial, often regarded as something only women who were unsatisfied with their private lives would care to read. It was expected to present a love triangle and was quite predictable. It ALWAYS had a happy ending so as to restore people's faith in love and to leave readers with a feeling of security in an otherwise rebellious world. Critics used to label the novelette "vulgar" and "primitive." In short, the novelette badly influenced literary style, and in its day, those critiques may have been well founded. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the novelette has undergone an evolution. It has evolved into a story that contains all of the things found in a novel, only shorter, and its reputation has improved. Today we find it in nearly every genre with exceptional popularity in fantasy (especially dark fantasy), sci-fi, romance, and horror. In fact, it is sometimes referred to a "mini novel." It is perfect for both writers and readers who do not have the luxury of spending the time necessary to complete an entire novel. Society has become more sophisticated, so the old requirements for writing a novelette have gone by the wayside. A happy ending is no longer necessary, and a writer can now decide how to end it, even leading to everyone's deaths! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Writing these "between" stories (referring to the length being between that of short stories and novels) means they no longer contain poor language and no style. They now contain solid construction with valid stories and plots, they now follow the rules of good writing, and they contain a less complex plot that fits the smaller length without forfeiting quality. The main focus is on writing a well-put-together story that readers will love. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-44250537524505462012016-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-31T00:00:03.087-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt from "Maycly the Trilogy Book 2"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw5mvDFQZvA/V8iC_yC0gbI/AAAAAAAARxE/HaSCd-KNAQ8c3zVGqDxeI3YtIysYy4alQCLcB/s1600/Maycly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw5mvDFQZvA/V8iC_yC0gbI/AAAAAAAARxE/HaSCd-KNAQ8c3zVGqDxeI3YtIysYy4alQCLcB/s320/Maycly2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Today's excerpt is from author Janet Beasley's <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/janet-beasley" target="_blank">"The Hidden Earth Series: Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy - Book 2 The Battle of Trust and Treachery." </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Swinging the stick over his shoulder Charleo returned to
the foyer. He flipped to the last page of the tablet and pulled
from it the note he had written to Marlen. He laid it on the
small table next to the door and placed a dancing-daffodil
from her garden atop the note. He opened the front door and
turned to take one last look at his home in its current state.
Through the tiny window in the kitchen he could still see
Marlen in the back yard. The boys skipped and jumped like
boys do. He knew it would be a long time before he would
ever see his home and family again...and he knew it would
be different in the days to come on Maycly. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The door squeaked and latched behind Charleo as it
always had. Rascally stood near the gate attached to the
wagon. The horse pawed at the ground and whinnied low.
Charleo approached him and gave him a quick pat on the
nose. “Not this time big fella. I be a-goin’ on foot. I'll be aseein'
ye again, but not fer a long time. Ye watch o’er Marlen
and the boys fer me. Take ‘em ta town by way of the scenic
8
HIDDEN EARTH Volume 1 MAYCLY The Trilogy
route, eh?” Rascally nickered softly and shook his mane so
that it brushed Charleo’s face. Charleo could not help but cry.
Rascally rubbed his cheek on Charleo's and dried the tears. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-------------------</span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To discover more about this author, read 5 star reviews, view book trailers, and/or purchase a print or ebook copy please visit Janet's author page on the JLB Creatives website by <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/janet-beasley" target="_blank"><b>clicking here</b>.</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-18786927530658627762016-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-24T00:00:35.507-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt from PCL Anthology<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAW1ypLsoV0/V5AC8Wp4FmI/AAAAAAAAQ7M/N6Dp5byu3SQKIXWwCRd9bUyCLvxN19yxgCLcB/s1600/2013YoungWritersWorskhopAnthologyCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAW1ypLsoV0/V5AC8Wp4FmI/AAAAAAAAQ7M/N6Dp5byu3SQKIXWwCRd9bUyCLvxN19yxgCLcB/s1600/2013YoungWritersWorskhopAnthologyCover.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Today's excerpt is taken from the Pickford Community Library's Young Writers Workshop 2012-2013 Anthology. The author of the excerpt is Taylor Green.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Change. We all go through it, the good and the bad. It seems things never stop...well...changing.
My first memory of a big change happened at age five when I got a new baby sister. At age ten I had to
take care of her and my younger brother every day while Mom sucked down a few packs of smokes
and a fifth of whiskey. And while Dad was at work, I had to look for food in our small mountain-ofdirty-clothes-and-trash
house. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I tried my best to act like a mom for those two kids, but I was too young to know how. My efforts
always ended in fights with them, and eventually I'd give up, especially after being told, “You're not
my mom!” I tried to reason with them. “I know, but I'm the oldest, and Mom's passed out.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> This is my story. I'm Darcy, now 15 years old. Some people say my life has already had more ups
and downs than my share, and I've been hiding a lot of them. I'm ready to come out with the truth now
and share a story I've always been a bit ashamed of, but it's time for change. I can remember nearly
every event during the time things started to turn for the worst, as if it were yesterday. I was in the fifth
grade.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">--------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">To download this free anthology visit the <b><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/journey-to-publication-authors-ebooks" target="_blank">JLB Creatives JTP Ebook Shoppe.</a></b> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-26314691481953310932016-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-21T00:00:00.651-04:00Tools of Language and Expression - 3<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some tools of language and expression are not considered "good" writing but can be excellent tools if used properly and not overused, for grabbing a reader's attention, developing a particular type of character, expressing exasperation, etc. Let's take a look at <b>alliteration</b>, for instance. This is the practice of repeating a consonant sound in close proximity to others...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAR4pOjs3sg/V_AXtqdMboI/AAAAAAAAASo/Ft5zVmA7XQsdyySc9UGoSrsH9HbVdVkXQCEw/s1600/alliteration2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAR4pOjs3sg/V_AXtqdMboI/AAAAAAAAASo/Ft5zVmA7XQsdyySc9UGoSrsH9HbVdVkXQCEw/s320/alliteration2.jpeg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...or beginning several words with the same vowel sound. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k55Lzm03-FM/V_AXrR0NSYI/AAAAAAAAASo/EtL5Qxy-7ZMheYkG2xKq5qcSLAXHXy18ACEw/s1600/alliteration.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k55Lzm03-FM/V_AXrR0NSYI/AAAAAAAAASo/EtL5Qxy-7ZMheYkG2xKq5qcSLAXHXy18ACEw/s400/alliteration.jpeg" width="392" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's truly a fun thing to write alliteration, but if overdone it can be a real annoyance to a reader, and it can also appear comical in certain situations, possibly where you DON'T want it to do that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>Cacophony</b> is the harsh grouping of words wherein the writer makes a phrase intentionally unpleasant to the ear when the spoken aloud. This practice is used to jar the dialogue or make a phrase particularly difficult to speak aloud. </div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Another tool that is considered generally "bad" in writing is an <b>anachronism</b>, which is placing a person, event, item, or verbal expression in the wrong historical period. Example: one would be hard-pressed to hear an Irishman in 1920 saying, <i>"That's like totally awesome, dude!"</i> Likewise, it seems pretty impossible that the ship in the photo below could actually be sailing on such a tiny trickle of water.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ITgrRo6RY/V_AfIXypRRI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AGhKAsdCQtERo4msdwMEkKQ2W0jJBAUZQCLcB/s1600/anachronasm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ITgrRo6RY/V_AfIXypRRI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AGhKAsdCQtERo4msdwMEkKQ2W0jJBAUZQCLcB/s400/anachronasm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
You can probably see how these tools could either hinder your story if used incorrectly or overused, or embellish your story if used properly. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-20706797722232525272016-10-17T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-17T00:00:08.549-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt Is From "Parallel Infinities"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htsycYiyh8I/V3kk8_MksgI/AAAAAAAAQJg/ltRgycJeKK8YvnlBC_C2fY7n7KC5CHMlQCPcB/s1600/89af1ce6567a698f3a9e763197b33592c6020309%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htsycYiyh8I/V3kk8_MksgI/AAAAAAAAQJg/ltRgycJeKK8YvnlBC_C2fY7n7KC5CHMlQCPcB/s320/89af1ce6567a698f3a9e763197b33592c6020309%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Today's excerpt is from author Honnah Patnode<i>.</i> Her novella is titled, <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/honnah-patnode" target="_blank">"Parallel Infinities."</a> Honnah is an accomplished writing enthusiast from the Advanced Journey to Publication Writing Program Curriculum.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The knocking sound rattled sharply within her skull again, faster and more insistent this time. The silver cord
tugged at her, insistent to stitch soul and body together once more. Rosetta shook her head. Nothing made sense. No one
could see her when she traveled like this, not ever. Not even those who joined her in an ethereal state of being could see
her as more than a shadow, a footprint of her true self and no creature in a physical form was capable of peeking
through the veil set between the skeletons and the souls. Who was this man? What was he? And why on earth had she
felt so drawn to him when his voice had wrapped itself around her lungs and stolen her breath away? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"How is this possible?" The inquiry came out a whisper, and the unfamiliar man squinted at her with a mix of
confusion, fascination, and curiosity swirling in his eyes. He should not be able to see her. She should not be able to
interact with him. She wanted to believe that something was wrong, but it did not feel wrong. In a strange way, there
was a certain gladness she felt at the thought of a soul that she could see. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The persistent knock tore through her mind again, loud enough to be a scream as it tumbled around inside her skull
like boulders crashing down a mountainside. Rosetta tried to cling to the fabric of the fantasy, tried to snatch a piece of
a world she could not touch and hold onto it until all waking moments left her to the blissful nothing in peace forever,
but it was like trying to keep a dream in one's head after being forced to abandon it for the drudgery of morning. The
waking world did not permit such things.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>-----------------------------</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">To read more about Honnah and download her novella for FREE visit <b><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/honnah-patnode" target="_blank">Honnah's Author Page on JLB Creatives.</a></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div data-canvas-width="336.11833795764716" style="background-color: white; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19.0588px; left: 361.515px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.5; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: start; top: 513.165px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scaleX(0.91902); white-space: pre;">
<span style="color: transparent;">.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-81285434894316915252016-10-14T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-14T00:00:11.382-04:00Tools of Language and Expression - 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxyHI4QGuKY/V_ABDeKh0PI/AAAAAAAAASE/ABo5pHeV9AIYgHM79KcehpuDYxoARo2GgCLcB/s1600/simile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxyHI4QGuKY/V_ABDeKh0PI/AAAAAAAAASE/ABo5pHeV9AIYgHM79KcehpuDYxoARo2GgCLcB/s200/simile.jpeg" width="146" /></a>This week's two tools are <b>simile</b> and<b> metaphor</b>. They are a super way to compare items in literature. The first, simile, makes the comparison by using the adverbs "like" or "as." For instance, "That wide receiver can jump <u>like</u> a gazelle." Or "Andy's knee swelled up until it was <u>as</u> big <u>as</u> a watermelon." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-89hGPXyLmlY/V_AA-JmJOKI/AAAAAAAAASM/dOIVkchI7W0T2sMBQRVDGFQ_dXgMhk_2gCEw/s1600/metaphor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-89hGPXyLmlY/V_AA-JmJOKI/AAAAAAAAASM/dOIVkchI7W0T2sMBQRVDGFQ_dXgMhk_2gCEw/s200/metaphor.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A metaphor makes the comparison without the use of those words. Instead, a writer compares the items through the use of implication. In other words, he/she uses one object as another. As an example, we can indicate that a child often repeats the actions of his/her parents by saying, <u>The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree</u>. An old metaphor that comes to mind is the one that describes a person who ridicules someone else's physical fault when, in fact, the person speaking suffers the same physical anomaly. As an example: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>In Greta's opinion, Wendi was an obese slob, but Greta was at least 50 pounds overweight herself. So when she said, "Wendi should take some advice from the diet ads on TV and lose that extra flab," I thought, </i><u>Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black</u>! That's a really good metaphor because it compares the two overweight girls to two cooking utensils that both hang over the open coals and are covered with black soot. But the pot remarks that the kettle is black, as if the pot refuses to recognize its own soot-covered blackness. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the current book you're reading, or in the next one you pick up, see if you can identify the similes and metaphors used by the author. Then try to come up with a couple of similes and metaphors on your own. For some reason, people have a tendency to confuse similes and metaphors. I have my own way of helping me remember which is which. If a sentence says one thing is the <u><span style="color: red;">s</span></u>ame as (or if I can substitute the word "like" for "<u><span style="color: red;">s</span></u>ame as") I know it's a <u><span style="color: red;">s</span></u>imile. If one object is used to <u><span style="color: red;">m</span></u>ean another, I know it's a <u><span style="color: red;">m</span></u>etaphor.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-67899985249426385152016-10-10T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-10T00:00:08.514-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt Is From "Protective Measures"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSLzWNmIteU/V3kkbk8bwVI/AAAAAAAAQJQ/jRVjWcB7ihchUU98Wbs0ZydhFzhUOR5rACLcB/s1600/2ab42d2293fb462a6b7090ff02dccbeef2df0787-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSLzWNmIteU/V3kkbk8bwVI/AAAAAAAAQJQ/jRVjWcB7ihchUU98Wbs0ZydhFzhUOR5rACLcB/s320/2ab42d2293fb462a6b7090ff02dccbeef2df0787-thumb.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's excerpt is from author Jessica Arman's <i>Protective Measures.</i> Jessica is an accomplished writing enthusiast from the Advanced Journey to Publication Writing Program Curriculum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">he bell sounded to mark
the beginning of afternoon sector work. The morning was all classes, and after
lunch everyone had to go to work in the jobs they chose. Taryn, Laiken, and
Ryker were all in building, which is where they had met.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“I guess I’ll see you
guys when I’m done with Garn and her boys,” Taryn said as they split up at the
doors. She watched them leave, pushing each other and laughing. She loved
seeing them together, just like brothers. When the boys rounded the corner, she
made her way back to the classroom.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Before she even reached
the classroom she knew something was wrong. The hallway was too empty and too
quiet. She walked into the room to find most of the teachers present, and at
the very back stood the master, Alloy. He was short and heavyset. His black
suit fit like a second skin. He had bleached blond, slicked-back hair, and his
face was always tight and emotionless. Taryn knew this could not end well. She
put on her best “I don’t care” face and stood in front of the assembly.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Do you know why you’re
here, Ms. Bicks?” Alloy asked.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“I left class without
being dismissed. Since when is that something you get involved in?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“That is one reason you
are here, but there are many more. I have been keeping my eye on you and have
found that you are a leader for some of these students—too much of a leader.
They seem to think that when you are around they can get away with more. Not to
mention your constant misbehavior anyway. We are going to put a stop to that.” </i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Alloy said. He grabbed the intercom mic and made the announcement, “All
students must now report to the auditorium. Please sit in your rank order, with
the highest in the front.” He clicked off the intercom and faced Taryn again.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Now, Taryn if you would
follow me to the auditorium, we can get this over with and put you back in your
place.” Alloy's face sported a devilish grin.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">------------------------</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>If you would like to discover more about this author and/or download her novella for FREE visit <a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/jessica-arman" target="_blank">Jessica Arman's author page at JLB Creatives Publishing online</a>.</b></span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-1949456129503184842016-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-07T00:00:20.933-04:00Tools of Language and Expression - 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
We're going to spend the month of October discussing the devices writers use to express ideas, develop characters, introduce conflicts, entertain the reader, etc. We refer to these devices as <b>tools of language and expression</b>. You will need to learn to recognize them in others' writing as well as be able to use some of them in your own writing. Some of the tools are so common that you may not even realize you're already using them. We'll start with some of the most familiar ones. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>American English</b> is a tool of literature and expression. Those of you who live in North America are probably using American English. This is the language that developed from <b>British English</b> (used in the British Isles), especially in terms of diction, spelling, and differences in the use of grammar. No matter where you live, you are undoubtedly using <b>collocation</b>--the natural tendency to put certain words together. For instance, it sounds strange to a person who speaks American English to hear someone say, "A <i>high</i> gentleman is scaling the <i>tall </i>mountain," instead of, "A <i>tall</i> gentleman is scaling the <i>high</i> mountain." <b>Diction</b> is the art of choosing a particular word from a variety of words so you can create a specific effect. Word choice determines the reader's reaction and contributes to the author's style and tone. But don't confuse diction with <b>dialect</b>, which is the type of speech of a particular group or class of people. It usually distinguishes people who are geographically or socially recognized. Dialect often employs the use of words that create a special effect. For instance, a character who resides in the west may, upon meeting a woman, say, "Howdy, ma'am." But an eastern character would probably say, "Hello, madam." </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See.....we've already covered five tools in just one paragraph, and you have probably used them in your writing without even thinking about the fact that they're <i>tools</i> of language and expression. Along the same lines, you are most likely using <b>idioms</b>--expressions in one language that cannot be directly translated word-for-word into another language--without realizing it. For instance, if you say, "She was green with envy," someone who speaks another language would not understand, in his/her own language, the inference it makes to those of us who speak American English. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What about <b>onomatopoeia</b>? Gulp, murmur, and splash are examples of this tool; they are words that mimic the sound they represent. And how about a great <b>oxymoron</b>, a contradiction in terms that actually makes sense in an odd sort of way. For example: jumbo shrimp, <i>Little Big Man</i>, military intelligence (my favorite), or the ones in the cartoon below: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-von7A3HWL1Y/V-_7d9r64PI/AAAAAAAAARo/w2NnGelFbdwI55wUdVEm_ThFZqT4z6UpwCLcB/s1600/oxymoron.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-von7A3HWL1Y/V-_7d9r64PI/AAAAAAAAARo/w2NnGelFbdwI55wUdVEm_ThFZqT4z6UpwCLcB/s400/oxymoron.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do you think you would enjoy reading nearly so much if writers ignored the use of tools of language and expression?</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-9659990140546001282016-10-05T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-05T00:00:08.600-04:00From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 19 "The Vast and Shallow"<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s1600/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s320/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Janet & Don Beasley</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives.</i></span></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We began the series on June 1, 2016</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----------------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>From the Nose of Our Kayak</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Don & Janet Beasley</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 19: "The Vast and Shallow"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4iJVdgpVIE/V_PV24yRzbI/AAAAAAAASmA/v6PR2PBlQuMFjaLmbMhPmZtE19qh5NeygCEw/s1600/DSCN9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4iJVdgpVIE/V_PV24yRzbI/AAAAAAAASmA/v6PR2PBlQuMFjaLmbMhPmZtE19qh5NeygCEw/s400/DSCN9432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Don prepares for an outing</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our next adventure took place in an area of Michigan's UP known as The Shallows. The Shallows are near Naomikong River. It made for a wonderful day of hiking alongside and kayaking in the grand Lake Superior. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The Shallows' shoreline actually graces the rim of Whitefish Bay which is part of Lake Superior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">We awoke to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying. After breakfast we were eager to get busy so we loaded up the #WildernessSystems T140 and the Sealoution and headed around the bay to our beach of choice...The Shallows. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">We parked the kayaks and began our hike into the Naomikong forest. We soon found the area to be as beautiful as any "water and woods" area of the UP. We strolled along wild blueberry bushes, and found some interesting shaped trees. For me (Janet) it was a good thing we didn't see any bears...I'm not real fond of those fury man-eaters! But we did see some birds and butterflies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3nPFDUt1PE/V_PVFwR4BfI/AAAAAAAASl4/73glQFFwXKUXhOXJMcnnfUWNYHeqGCcDQCEw/s1600/DSCN7193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3nPFDUt1PE/V_PVFwR4BfI/AAAAAAAASl4/73glQFFwXKUXhOXJMcnnfUWNYHeqGCcDQCEw/s400/DSCN7193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>View from trail</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The shoreline peeked through the trees at points along the hike, and Lake Superior, once again, did not disappoint. The scenery uplifted your inner soul and the smell of the north woods played its part as calming aroma therapy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">We hiked to the Naomikong Bridge. What a cool piece of woodwork tucked away in the soft pines. It allows you to walk over the Naomikong River plus catch a glimpse of the grandest of the Great Lakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">When we returned to The Shallows we readied the kayaks. It didn't take long to get out onto the calm, shallow water. The water remained still for the day (a rarity on any water off of Lake Superior), and the view divine!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDnQQ8vBSqo/V_PUNVwwV3I/AAAAAAAASk4/QpJC5Ub5UbsV8gTS4DraTWpvEayDzrzSQCEw/s1600/DSCN6996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDnQQ8vBSqo/V_PUNVwwV3I/AAAAAAAASk4/QpJC5Ub5UbsV8gTS4DraTWpvEayDzrzSQCEw/s400/DSCN6996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Criss-crossing waves</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">At times waves come from different directions. It could be caused by wind change and the original direction of the waves has not dissolved, or it could be, in the case of The Shallow, rollers from the lake freighters that finally make it to shore crisscross with the direction of the breeze. In any form, as long as they are small (and not dangerous), crisscrossing waves can be a real treat to watch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The Shallows is just that, shallow. We had some fun watching our friends "walk on water." Kayaking in the shallow, and thankfully clear, water became tricky at times as large boulders were barely beneath the water's top. Keeping an eye on the "buried treasures" became a routine task, but not a hassle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bof_N-LBFNc/V_PUY8ePPjI/AAAAAAAASk4/GHFo02X7JN8GS6mqQbyy04AoHF8xkD6ogCEw/s1600/DSCN7010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bof_N-LBFNc/V_PUY8ePPjI/AAAAAAAASk4/GHFo02X7JN8GS6mqQbyy04AoHF8xkD6ogCEw/s400/DSCN7010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Gull on a boulder in The Shallows</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">If you love to Geo Cache there's at least one really cool find in the The Shallows/Naomikong area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">It was a wonderful day spent on the trails and on the water. We are counting the days until we can return to the area and enjoy nature at its best once again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">--------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b>Kayak Tip of the Week:</b> If you're kayaking in shallow, open water be sure to remain alert to your surroundings, any unstable weather that may be fast approaching, and remain at a safe distance from the shoreline in case you need to make a fast exit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">---------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>More photos from our day's adventure at The Shallows...</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27HpzvT6pbg/V_PUmpOPbsI/AAAAAAAASlg/RLNmSR3NPzI4k43J4J2pnA9VkIE6RQregCEw/s1600/DSCN7120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27HpzvT6pbg/V_PUmpOPbsI/AAAAAAAASlg/RLNmSR3NPzI4k43J4J2pnA9VkIE6RQregCEw/s640/DSCN7120.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>On the trail</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rDbI7CnC_I/V_PUpDOPvQI/AAAAAAAASlg/zLy7uuVao7M3RN4E0Sd0MZXJDh5pWFchACEw/s1600/DSCN7126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rDbI7CnC_I/V_PUpDOPvQI/AAAAAAAASlg/zLy7uuVao7M3RN4E0Sd0MZXJDh5pWFchACEw/s640/DSCN7126.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Janet in an oddly shaped tree</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8jiQK01iu8/V_PUpUNVTpI/AAAAAAAASlg/W3nab6Idr2YAgcx-jY2f8k3JjBtmLNXjACEw/s1600/DSCN7135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8jiQK01iu8/V_PUpUNVTpI/AAAAAAAASlg/W3nab6Idr2YAgcx-jY2f8k3JjBtmLNXjACEw/s640/DSCN7135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Approaching the Naomikong Bridge</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eza3csteKv0/V_PU0J8tOiI/AAAAAAAASlg/2lxYfK5274sp3qFvHnt1Dqv7VKCyAZAGgCEw/s1600/DSCN7138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eza3csteKv0/V_PU0J8tOiI/AAAAAAAASlg/2lxYfK5274sp3qFvHnt1Dqv7VKCyAZAGgCEw/s640/DSCN7138.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>On the Naomikong Bridge</i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H94-GzR-GMI/V_PU4fHARFI/AAAAAAAASlg/WTZ-soLPZng0l3l8RXjuXdF7VN96RxWKwCEw/s1600/DSCN7152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H94-GzR-GMI/V_PU4fHARFI/AAAAAAAASlg/WTZ-soLPZng0l3l8RXjuXdF7VN96RxWKwCEw/s640/DSCN7152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Naomikong Bridge</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x4FJCTN1a8/V_PU3qqc-UI/AAAAAAAASlg/a7aZeA_oYEgcWb0zr1ow1S0xDpk35J4JwCEw/s1600/DSCN7140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x4FJCTN1a8/V_PU3qqc-UI/AAAAAAAASlg/a7aZeA_oYEgcWb0zr1ow1S0xDpk35J4JwCEw/s640/DSCN7140.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>View from Naomikong Bridge</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5DY784Xkns/V_PVBmvWAVI/AAAAAAAASlg/wB5_QtBI65oZT7u25GjIj1dsCwYwIqTRQCEw/s1600/DSCN7178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5DY784Xkns/V_PVBmvWAVI/AAAAAAAASlg/wB5_QtBI65oZT7u25GjIj1dsCwYwIqTRQCEw/s640/DSCN7178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>On the trail</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0T2YDniCI0/V_PVHVUoVSI/AAAAAAAASl4/xe_O-pJt2XcwfYi6pWZoXJWhp1_Nr7oLgCEw/s1600/DSCN9220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0T2YDniCI0/V_PVHVUoVSI/AAAAAAAASl4/xe_O-pJt2XcwfYi6pWZoXJWhp1_Nr7oLgCEw/s640/DSCN9220.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The forest by Lake Superior</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyGOYkx5xoA/V_PVqqjv3RI/AAAAAAAASmA/NHklUGt1L_IWKdksJy5THqhEeLFAkgzhwCEw/s1600/DSCN9381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyGOYkx5xoA/V_PVqqjv3RI/AAAAAAAASmA/NHklUGt1L_IWKdksJy5THqhEeLFAkgzhwCEw/s640/DSCN9381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don ready to "shove off"</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MQWLUJFFqE/V_PVunxBSfI/AAAAAAAASmA/VC_3fQazu1A1DgMRaMctPge5YRMXejIkwCEw/s1600/DSCN9384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MQWLUJFFqE/V_PVunxBSfI/AAAAAAAASmA/VC_3fQazu1A1DgMRaMctPge5YRMXejIkwCEw/s640/DSCN9384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don paddling in The Shallows</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnl5Inq7V2A/V_PVfqKr2MI/AAAAAAAASl4/B5wS4D74YLE71ULIKCYVg09H7NCgmM8SQCEw/s1600/DSCN9368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnl5Inq7V2A/V_PVfqKr2MI/AAAAAAAASl4/B5wS4D74YLE71ULIKCYVg09H7NCgmM8SQCEw/s640/DSCN9368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Our beach spot for the day</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xgTRD_143I/V_PVUCQAckI/AAAAAAAASl4/O7TIugsKy0Yy-1JDtECo2PNFvAozQytZgCEw/s1600/DSCN9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xgTRD_143I/V_PVUCQAckI/AAAAAAAASl4/O7TIugsKy0Yy-1JDtECo2PNFvAozQytZgCEw/s640/DSCN9346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Our Wilderness T140 tandem kayak on the shoreline of<br />The Shallows</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xbi9r7f8VQ/V_PVdDB6o4I/AAAAAAAASl4/aABE0t8KCvg0hzbijpxDi6ytapeyeRQhgCEw/s1600/DSCN9351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xbi9r7f8VQ/V_PVdDB6o4I/AAAAAAAASl4/aABE0t8KCvg0hzbijpxDi6ytapeyeRQhgCEw/s640/DSCN9351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Our beach spot from the water</i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3Q7fk6z5e0/V_PVUg_EHvI/AAAAAAAASl4/QDZU0XnG4xEZXn35rwqia_fdYUv4WxeAgCEw/s1600/DSCN9347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3Q7fk6z5e0/V_PVUg_EHvI/AAAAAAAASl4/QDZU0XnG4xEZXn35rwqia_fdYUv4WxeAgCEw/s640/DSCN9347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Friends preparing with Don to kayak</i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQign5iQFdY/V_PV07haZ2I/AAAAAAAASmA/egnbFrK3SGgD9J8gDWBSWrBk75DTk_BBQCEw/s1600/DSCN9431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQign5iQFdY/V_PV07haZ2I/AAAAAAAASmA/egnbFrK3SGgD9J8gDWBSWrBk75DTk_BBQCEw/s640/DSCN9431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Shallows sandbar </i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzooXW8wFd0/V_PVwN1JZPI/AAAAAAAASmA/CgZT2zw1B24IKwaA1afo0lCaJt3QR_aGwCEw/s1600/DSCN9412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzooXW8wFd0/V_PVwN1JZPI/AAAAAAAASmA/CgZT2zw1B24IKwaA1afo0lCaJt3QR_aGwCEw/s640/DSCN9412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gulls on the sandbar</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCCO6zfUlK0/V_PUaRaYncI/AAAAAAAASk4/Zhb0T2o3WDgAl_KgZHInAzL2E5WGc3oHACEw/s1600/DSCN7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCCO6zfUlK0/V_PUaRaYncI/AAAAAAAASk4/Zhb0T2o3WDgAl_KgZHInAzL2E5WGc3oHACEw/s640/DSCN7004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Lake Superior driftwood</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xRPpzn3O34/V_PUau4y1LI/AAAAAAAASk4/RvGtwgnKKosYm1GorL9Il9IVlD5LpL4tQCEw/s1600/DSCN7013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xRPpzn3O34/V_PUau4y1LI/AAAAAAAASk4/RvGtwgnKKosYm1GorL9Il9IVlD5LpL4tQCEw/s640/DSCN7013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gull in the early evening's sun at The Shallows</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlVP-ffOmEg/V_PVhO1x9xI/AAAAAAAASl4/IJDkiAmSGJYDHA9x-Lpp_KwUTvCfZUBkQCEw/s1600/DSCN9379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlVP-ffOmEg/V_PVhO1x9xI/AAAAAAAASl4/IJDkiAmSGJYDHA9x-Lpp_KwUTvCfZUBkQCEw/s640/DSCN9379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gull in flight at The Shallows</i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-40191046766279007382016-10-03T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-03T00:00:00.971-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt Is From "A Life Renewed"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiMsuLIPpkQ/V3kh9lGwjtI/AAAAAAAAQJA/uF2dQejDH5Qv1ICV6-LlGm4Vqf701a3VwCLcB/s1600/CoverLisaAndrews.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiMsuLIPpkQ/V3kh9lGwjtI/AAAAAAAAQJA/uF2dQejDH5Qv1ICV6-LlGm4Vqf701a3VwCLcB/s1600/CoverLisaAndrews.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's excerpt is from 5 star author Lisa Andrew's <i>A Life Renewed, </i>a child's true to life story of being a cancer survivor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><i>One of the biggest shocks of that first week was the bone marrow test, which I had to get on the first day that I was in the hospital. I didn’t know much about the pro</i></span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">cedure, but my mom warned me that it was probably going to be really painful. The nurse took me into a small treatment room and told me to lie on my side on the examination table. My mom was standing next to me saying, “Everything is going to be okay. Just relax. It will only hurt for a few seconds.” </i><br />
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Suddenly, I began to feel very heavy and all of my nerves seemed to disappear. The nurse said, “I’m just putting a little morphine into your IV to relax you.” The morphine made me feel very distant to what was happening. However, I was still very aware of what was going on! </i><br />
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The doctor came in and started rubbing some alcohol and Betadine on my lower back. Then he started pushing his thumb into my bone. “You are going to feel a little pressure. I am just trying to find your hip bone.” The doctor was really pushing his thumb into me pretty hard. Finally he found his desired spot, and then he said, “Now you are going to feel some stinging. I am going to start numbing the area.” </i><br />
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The stinging went really deep. “Ow! Mom, it hurts!” Tears started rolling down my cheeks as she tried to comfort me. </i><br />
<br />
---------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To discover more about our author Lisa Andrews or purchase her book we invite you to visit her author page on the JLB Creatives website by <b><i><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/lisa-andrews" target="_blank">clicking here.</a></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-46573047496677480882016-09-30T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-30T00:00:14.491-04:00Author Bio (Long) and CV<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwt7R1egKes/V9nbhQRQWSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/AAve6LqXrZYv363owFrWfU_Q79lJmjgKACEw/s1600/Headshot%2B%2528and%2Bcover%2529.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last week we discussed writing a short bio; this week we will talk about writing a long bio and creating a CV. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>What's the need for more than one bio? </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Some places that might require a long descriptive author bio are: 1) your “About” page on your author website or blog, 2) an invitation from someone to do a guest post on a blog, 3) your local paper wants to give you some press coverage, 4) select venues and organizations considering you for a speaking engagement at their establishment, convention, or conference, 5 ) book signings (long descriptive bios make great detailed hand-outs to connect with fans).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>How long should my author bio be?</b> Bio lengths vary according to need. Short bios hover around 100-150 words, while a long descriptive bio has the liberty of taking up an entire page using a 12 font size (standard for the industry). You don’t want to write a novel, but you do have the liberty of taking up one full page. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What is a CV?</b> A CV (abbreviation for Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed, visually stunning account of a person’s experience, skills, and background. It includes photos, pictures, and a creative layout. Styles vary from formal to contemporary and from whimsical to humorous. The sky’s the limit on the creativity one can use to put together a vitae. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Here are a couple of examples of CVs, the first one being a classic CV, and the second being one that is specific to the type of job he is applying for, in this case, a job at a theme park:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>CV #1</u> (Classic)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="format_text" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.538em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 1.6em;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.538em;">NAME...</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.538em;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.538em; text-align: justify;">is the founder of NAME Innovation LLC, a positioning and branding firm that helps consultants and other thought leaders increase their fees by up to 2,000%.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">His clients include:</span></div>
<ul style="list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 1.538em 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a former department head in the White House</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a speaker to the United Nations</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">CEOs of major organizations</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a former head of the Strategy Unit of the Harvard Business School</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">performers on network TV and from the New York and Las Vegas stages</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling authors</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">TED and TEDx speakers</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before devoting his work fulltime to NAME Innovation, NAME served as Chief Marketing Officer at an <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Inc. 5,000</em> experiential branding organization whose clients include XXXX XX XXXXXXX, XXX, XXXXXXX, XXXX XXXXXX, XXXX and XXXXXXXX & XXXXX Universities.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">NAME has written for the New York Times, and has written or co-created five books. His last book, “XXXXX XX XXXX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXX XXXXXXXX” has been published in ten languages.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">NAME has also taught research writing at XXXXXXXXXX XXXXX University.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.538em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.538em;">In addition to being a positioning consultant, NAME creates magic tricks and shows. His work has been performed in XXXXX Hall and Las Vegas, and on all the major TV networks. He also co-created the show, “XXXXXX XX XXXXX,” which has played for 16 years, and is the longest-running one-person show in XXXXXXXXXX City.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.538em; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>CV #2</u> (Job Specific)</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MWupcYAoRU/V9nsqqUnjDI/AAAAAAAAARA/7ug6BS9tT9cOMSx26buzwInKv0F2COvpgCLcB/s1600/DonVitaeJuly2016DPAPlanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MWupcYAoRU/V9nsqqUnjDI/AAAAAAAAARA/7ug6BS9tT9cOMSx26buzwInKv0F2COvpgCLcB/s640/DonVitaeJuly2016DPAPlanner.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Should a bio/vitae be written in first person?</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> There is no right or wrong answer to this question--either first person (using “I”) or third person (using “he” or “she”) is acceptable--the choice is yours. If you write your bio/vitae in first person it may appear that you are gloating or bragging; however, some people prefer to read the first person bios, as they perceive it as a portrayal of self-confidence and possibly a hint of self-stability, or even a strong feeling of achievement. If you write your bio/vitae in third person it will present an objective viewpoint for your fans. They may be the fans that like to read what others have said about you, possibly giving you more credibility in their eyes. Using third person does not mean you need to have someone write your bio for you. You can write your own bio using third person, and most won’t even know you did the writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What font style and font size should I use?</b> For your written bio use a standard font, such as Times New Roman, size 12 (considered the industry standard. FYI: Times New Roman is the most widely accepted font around the globe.) For your vitae, be creative! But be careful not to use fonts and sizes that make things difficult to read. There are some awesome fonts out there, though when used in smaller sizes, on websites, blogs, or presentations they are not the easiest ones to read. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What should come first in my bio?</b> Just like the “hook” line in the first chapter of your book, you’ll want an opening line that not only <i>grabs</i> attention but also <i>holds</i> it. You’ll want to include your biggest accomplishment(s), a hint of experience, and possibly a skill, all in one power-packed sentence. For example: <i>#1 best-selling, award-winning author Joe Brown’s unmatched style of fantasy writing paid off when he was accepted into the Author Hall of Fame ten years ago.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b>How do I close the bio?</b> Leave your fans on a personal note, as it adds “oomph” to the connection fans may be building with you. They may admire your accomplishments, but if they have something in common with you, the “bond” can become even stronger, creating more dedicated fans. For example: <i>When Tylisha is not writing she enjoys hiking, kayaking, photographing nature, and baking cupcakes. </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-10232585346159752922016-09-28T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-28T00:00:17.803-04:00From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 18 "Wide Open Spaces...and a Little Stinker!"<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s1600/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s320/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Janet & Don Beasley</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016</i></span></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----------------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eo3XrrCUWY/V9m4BvyOxHI/AAAAAAAASHc/7X66GKPrhX81NK9K8DhN6NIp1NDkv2KtQCEw/s1600/DSCN6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eo3XrrCUWY/V9m4BvyOxHI/AAAAAAAASHc/7X66GKPrhX81NK9K8DhN6NIp1NDkv2KtQCEw/s320/DSCN6470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don prepares for the day</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>From the Nose of Our Kayak</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Don & Janet Beasley</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 18: "Wide Open Spaces...and a Little Stinker!"</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>--------------------------------</b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While in Michigan we decided to try a new outing...Munuscong River. So we loaded up the new #WildernessSystems tandem kayak and headed out for the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99hzQcWz9RQ/V9NHLqM9qaI/AAAAAAAAR_Y/-hGZwilRs3U0liI6qtgddmIr5j3EXv5agCEw/s1600/munuscongmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99hzQcWz9RQ/V9NHLqM9qaI/AAAAAAAAR_Y/-hGZwilRs3U0liI6qtgddmIr5j3EXv5agCEw/s640/munuscongmap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Map of Munuscong Area</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Munuscong juts off to the west from Munuscong Lake, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">a flat prairie-style body of water with an amazing view.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> The St. Mary's River, southwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, splits around Neebish Island and empties into Munuscong Lake northeast of Munuscong River.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFGRHj8foI/V9m7Qcy0wVI/AAAAAAAASH0/6ZyGzIqqRxIBqUGwvZ-ssOc6kzCWU6WagCEw/s1600/IMG_9001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFGRHj8foI/V9m7Qcy0wVI/AAAAAAAASH0/6ZyGzIqqRxIBqUGwvZ-ssOc6kzCWU6WagCEw/s400/IMG_9001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Objibway<br />heading south (down bound) into the rock cut</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The lake freighters that are traveling up river take the channel of the St. Mary's River that lies to the east of Neebish Island, and those traveling down river use the west side of the island, which locals refer to as "the rock cut," a very narrow man-made pass between the mainland of Michigan's U.P. and Neebish Island.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Neebish Island is only accessible by ferry if you're driving a vehicle. The ferry has a schedule and is closed for the winter as of mid January and reopens April 1.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqOCIj4lOys/V9m7QgIGkVI/AAAAAAAASH0/5YjU2S7RnroCeUMDCoKsdWuqcD3WLOfOwCEw/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqOCIj4lOys/V9m7QgIGkVI/AAAAAAAASH0/5YjU2S7RnroCeUMDCoKsdWuqcD3WLOfOwCEw/s400/IMG_9014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Neebish Island Ferry<br />Objibway heading on down river</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We found the launch site on the Munuscong River and readied ourselves for the new adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we paddled the river we spotted some beautiful wildlife including a blue heron and a king fisher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we reached the open water of the lake we stopped paddling and to take in the the beautiful sight of Munuscong Lake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDfxhHH8pro/V9m4RBbGWoI/AAAAAAAASHc/YqI5JkNWinsbhSEqldVKi3U1Sp9YD1_RACEw/s1600/DSCN6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDfxhHH8pro/V9m4RBbGWoI/AAAAAAAASHc/YqI5JkNWinsbhSEqldVKi3U1Sp9YD1_RACEw/s400/DSCN6553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Munuscong Lake<br />from the mouth of the Munuscong River</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made for a very different style paddle than we were </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">used to, but impressive nonetheless. When we returned from our outing we loaded up the kayak and headed "out of the wilderness," back to the main road...but not without stopping for one more surprise. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we rounded the bend of the gravel road we saw something wiggling and "playing" in the middle of the road. We cautiously approached the critter only to find it was A SKUNK! YIKES!!! STOP THE TRUCK and wait for that little stinker to remove himself from the road and back into the woods.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae6scFfGINc/V9m4Zojoh8I/AAAAAAAASHc/Hjc9V9VmfPsVKMDzcf1B6Fk1rQ--R-QJwCEw/s1600/DSCN6620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae6scFfGINc/V9m4Zojoh8I/AAAAAAAASHc/Hjc9V9VmfPsVKMDzcf1B6Fk1rQ--R-QJwCEw/s640/DSCN6620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Le skunk! Le Pu!</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally he decided he'd had enough of whatever it was that was so interesting in the middle of the road and scurried off into the brush. As we passed over his play area we found ourselves gagging from the stink as if rolled into the truck through the vents! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We laughed for quite a few miles, each time inhaling the stench and coughing over and over again. In about 15 miles the truck had finally aired out and it was homeward bound. We showered off then dashed off to enjoy a campfire with friends and family. We don't know if we ended up being two little stinkers ourselves, either we weren't, or everyone was just nice enough to let it go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Kayak Tip of the Week: </b>Currents can be tricky to maneuver when going from a river mouth into an open body of water. Always stay alert to assure a safe exit and/or re-entry into a river or lake that are connected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>A few of the nature shots we captured on our Munuscong outing...enjoy!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFs2BbmnwHQ/V9m4CveNh1I/AAAAAAAASHc/32oN6ML2m6YKYG1fRz1cmXzuKFXxW8JawCEw/s1600/DSCN6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFs2BbmnwHQ/V9m4CveNh1I/AAAAAAAASHc/32oN6ML2m6YKYG1fRz1cmXzuKFXxW8JawCEw/s640/DSCN6484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNe-WcTZrFk/V9m4CkpMocI/AAAAAAAASHc/XJoLImDgGy8Rx0GPUwSIvxv3N270SjI6QCEw/s1600/DSCN6497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNe-WcTZrFk/V9m4CkpMocI/AAAAAAAASHc/XJoLImDgGy8Rx0GPUwSIvxv3N270SjI6QCEw/s640/DSCN6497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--60o2Gn1hjg/V9m4QEus1_I/AAAAAAAASHc/pyX5uvU6Z28KkJGb2lFw-8MOO_iSkg5XQCEw/s1600/DSCN6498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--60o2Gn1hjg/V9m4QEus1_I/AAAAAAAASHc/pyX5uvU6Z28KkJGb2lFw-8MOO_iSkg5XQCEw/s640/DSCN6498.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7Gs4kT8J6I/V9m4RKKubUI/AAAAAAAASHc/Ymg-ezgwi102abJVUav38tQwFTod-SGrACEw/s1600/DSCN6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7Gs4kT8J6I/V9m4RKKubUI/AAAAAAAASHc/Ymg-ezgwi102abJVUav38tQwFTod-SGrACEw/s640/DSCN6522.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UO_3A-3jkes/V9m4ZxPQVGI/AAAAAAAASHc/AzalVQdIAGME0enxGJPKhg_ycpdc5Y7uwCEw/s1600/DSCN6562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UO_3A-3jkes/V9m4ZxPQVGI/AAAAAAAASHc/AzalVQdIAGME0enxGJPKhg_ycpdc5Y7uwCEw/s640/DSCN6562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-58731605484804696362016-09-26T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-26T00:00:22.189-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt Is From "Wesley Out West"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faKM9srPqDU/V3kf1KMO1EI/AAAAAAAAQIw/jurO80CBRbwzlTaUxWj-QeQHB91jE2TEACLcB/s1600/Wesleyfrontcover100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faKM9srPqDU/V3kf1KMO1EI/AAAAAAAAQIw/jurO80CBRbwzlTaUxWj-QeQHB91jE2TEACLcB/s200/Wesleyfrontcover100.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's excerpt is from 5 star Rhonda Walker's children's book <i>Wesley Out West.</i> Not only is it an entertaining story, it's a wonderful educational tool for children, and the illustrations are nothing shy of amazing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Hello, Wesley,” said Octopus, holding out two of his arms. “I heard you say you never get to do anything exciting. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>I am from Big West, and we need someone to save our town. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Old Walter the Whale has taken over. We need a brave sheriff. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Will you help us?”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To discover more about our author Rhonda Walker, watch Wesley's book trailer, or purchase you copies of Wesley Out West we invite you to visit Rhonda's author page by </span><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/rhonda-walker" target="_blank">clicking here</a></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-27052335812122961622016-09-24T15:15:00.001-04:002016-09-24T15:15:20.402-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOjLoGNBjQo/V-bPkSWZnWI/AAAAAAAASeY/6yfTj7NV4I8we08AM1gOVphohCDs3FM4gCLcB/s1600/cropped-mfo_header_2016_v3_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOjLoGNBjQo/V-bPkSWZnWI/AAAAAAAASeY/6yfTj7NV4I8we08AM1gOVphohCDs3FM4gCLcB/s640/cropped-mfo_header_2016_v3_1000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HPOCxs0Yss/V-bPvWNP4aI/AAAAAAAASec/niKZzRDaakQcYSjfYYXtPjjYhL2ssGPNwCLcB/s1600/BeaslePunkBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HPOCxs0Yss/V-bPvWNP4aI/AAAAAAAASec/niKZzRDaakQcYSjfYYXtPjjYhL2ssGPNwCLcB/s400/BeaslePunkBanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THIS JUST IN!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BeaslePunk has updated their Maker Faire Orlando page to include their scheduled Presentation Times. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.makerfaireorlando.com/exhibit/2016/beaslepunk/" target="_blank">http://www.makerfaireorlando.com/exhibit/2016/beaslepunk/ </a>to see the new schedule, and get an idea of just how much this artful division of JLB Creatives has to offer. We want to see YOU there! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ClMt48ae9gA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ClMt48ae9gA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Watch the BeaslePunk Video via YouTube</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-24249768201662985442016-09-23T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-23T00:00:41.605-04:00Author Bio (Short)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNB1Fgshddo/V9m4qdD5kxI/AAAAAAAAAQI/WpzRYfEifpgcVg0VixiU13nK3fTiLQzmgCLcB/s1600/biography2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4rbmR2HVAMc/V9m5TOTRLjI/AAAAAAAAAQM/P1688eVhu0sw9z5Hv1IDdypKpM-lPUReQCLcB/s1600/biography2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4rbmR2HVAMc/V9m5TOTRLjI/AAAAAAAAAQM/P1688eVhu0sw9z5Hv1IDdypKpM-lPUReQCLcB/s320/biography2.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What is an author bio?</b> An author bio (biography) is a valuable tool that an author creates to entice buyers to read his/her story. It can make or break an author’s reputation, sales, and acceptance within the literary community. A well developed, creative bio leads to more fans which, in turn, leads to more sales and acceptance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How long should my author bio be? </b> For a short bio you should try to keep it under 150 words.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What is in a short author bio? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
• a brief description of your writing (genre, detail of your title ratings—G, PG-13, R, etc.—what inspires you, who is your target audience, etc.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
• positive things about you (e.g., outgoing, great smile, additional talents, etc.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
• fun facts about you <b>other than</b> those associated with writing (e.g., favorite food, favorite vacation place, where you grew up, etc.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I hate pictures that are taken of me. Do I have to have a head shot along with my bio? </b> Head shots and author bios go hand-in-hand. If you plan to succeed as an author, you will want to have a head shot to accompany your bio. Always use a true picture of you. Using your book cover, a flower, a cat, or something else that is not you is a BIG NO-NO. It is important for your fans to know you for who you are. Don’t keep changing your photo every time you’re asked to send one. Instead, be sure to use the same head shot each time you present your bio; this allows you to become “branded,” and people will get to know you by your photo first (though you will want to keep it current by updating it every 10 years or so). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What other changes should be made in an author bio? </b> As time goes by, authors often branch out into different genres or interesting personal life changes (e.g., a new pet, moving to a new city, becoming a grandma, etc.). These are great attention-getters. Becoming a well known speaker in the literary world is another fine example of what can change in your bio. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How many author bios should an author have?</b> An author should have both a short and a long bio that are ever-changing. (Long descriptive bios and vitaes will be covered in next week's blog.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02321535160705513334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-2357643061438148422016-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-21T00:00:01.948-04:00From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 17 "Goosed in a Kayak!"<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s1600/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7H9qRRdINY/V8h8FLlICCI/AAAAAAAARws/NBebuzCvkWgOXnNuL1NBircZTPolxMvxQCEw/s320/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Janet & Don Beasley</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016</i></span></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----------------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>From the Nose of Our Kayak</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Don & Janet Beasley</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 17: "Goosed in a Kayak!"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md-0w5biW3E/V9MSZ4kbGmI/AAAAAAAAR-k/iWvGe_aOtDg0GHiAexx00pbul3qSo4_PgCEw/s1600/DSCN6399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md-0w5biW3E/V9MSZ4kbGmI/AAAAAAAAR-k/iWvGe_aOtDg0GHiAexx00pbul3qSo4_PgCEw/s400/DSCN6399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ready to launch onto Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You know those rare, awesome moments when you happen to be in the right place at the right time to experience nature at its best? That's what this chapter is all about. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While vacationing in Michigan's U.P. we "set sail" on Waiskai Bay in Brimley, Michigan one evening and found ourselves in the midst of an evening roost! Only this wasn't a roost we paddled into but rather a roost that flew into us!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let's start with some educational goodies first. Waiskai Bay is a small back bay that is nestled off of Lake Superior. It reaches from Bay Mills Point to the Waiskai River. Canada is in plain sight from the southern half of Waiskai Bay, and the ginormous lake freighters sail the channel between Canada and Bay Mills either heading toward the open water of Lake Superior, or toward the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, that lead to the St. Mary's River and on into Lake Huron.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The name of "Waiskai" has been spelled differently throughout the years. You'll find Waiskai, Waiska, and currently it appears on road signs, designating the river, as Waishkey River. No matter how it's spelled the pronunciations are about the same, way-shkee, or wish-kee for the most part. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Waiskai Bay is home to much wildlife including bear, fox, raccoon, and several bird species. From gulls to bald eagles, and from great blue herons to Canada (not Canadian) geese birds are the wildlife most commonly seen on and around the water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We're going to focus on the Canada Geese for this chapter.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H25tSE5u37Y/V9MXaOMkPpI/AAAAAAAAR-4/URFv2s_wS_IbwONX0seQH8OIXJxylxd6ACEw/s1600/1GeeseTakeOff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H25tSE5u37Y/V9MXaOMkPpI/AAAAAAAAR-4/URFv2s_wS_IbwONX0seQH8OIXJxylxd6ACEw/s640/1GeeseTakeOff.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Canada Geese Using the Water Top as Their Runway<br />photo by Janet Beasley</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Canada geese are among some of the best known birds in North America. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These particular type geese are marvelous creatures to observe both in-flight and on the ground. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When they fly in flocks, such as during migration times, they will travel across the sky in the well-known "V" formation, and if the winds are cooperating they can cover up to 1500 miles in 24 hours. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Their markings are stunning, and their honking sounds are just this side of haunting.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> They prefer to feed on grains, berries, and/or grasses, and are able to adapt to a wide range of habitats. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13LLzjGt38U/V9MSh2FY6ZI/AAAAAAAAR-s/cfS3b_W3cscXMvI583AiqYGLAA49tXT8QCEw/s1600/DSCN6724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13LLzjGt38U/V9MSh2FY6ZI/AAAAAAAAR-s/cfS3b_W3cscXMvI583AiqYGLAA49tXT8QCEw/s400/DSCN6724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don on Waiskai Bay at Sunset<br />photo by Janet Beasley</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was in August of 2011 that we headed down to the water's edge of Waiskai Bay. For the first part of the day our friends joined us for a sunny afternoon paddle. We enjoyed seeing the bald eagles and a couple of passing freighters just off Bay Mills point. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That evening Don and I took turns kayaking out to view the gorgeous sunset. Don took his turn and paddled out about 100 yards off shore. I grabbed the camera to begin photographing his silhouette in the evening's pinks and velvety blacks...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...I quickly changed to video when I heard the haunting sounds of the Canada geese, but had no idea what they were up to until...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IVML98MSHdI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a cool opportunity to be able to capture, on video, the sight and sounds of the geese coming in for a landing on the water. We are looking very forward to the day we can return to the north woods of Michigan's U.P. and kayak Waiskai Bay once again...this time with hopes of seeing a moose!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've compiled a few more photos below for you to enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Kayak Tip of the Week:</b> Be camera ready while kayaking. When you hear the sounds of non-threatening wildlife in the distance, remain still and you may just catch a rare glimpse of something absolutely stunning to photograph! But if you aren't sure if the sound is threatening treat it as though it probably is. Be cautious and know basic wildlife rules of how to remove yourself from danger should it arise. No photograph is worth your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>More photos from that day for you to enjoy. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quQ2sT25Leg/V9MSxQaaEqI/AAAAAAAAR-s/hQfBYECPSD8KQ5VVhv8dyb7i3J6loBqHQCEw/s1600/DSCN9260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quQ2sT25Leg/V9MSxQaaEqI/AAAAAAAAR-s/hQfBYECPSD8KQ5VVhv8dyb7i3J6loBqHQCEw/s640/DSCN9260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Kayaking with Friends on Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-dH_TilnK4/V9MSzoZ-8lI/AAAAAAAAR-s/SaJqv_9EJm4PmUh7CdvOdNeYip4vId3JACEw/s1600/DSCN9285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-dH_TilnK4/V9MSzoZ-8lI/AAAAAAAAR-s/SaJqv_9EJm4PmUh7CdvOdNeYip4vId3JACEw/s640/DSCN9285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A Friend Kayaking Waiskai Bay with Bay Mills Point, Freighters, and Canada in the Background<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_pbAjzbRGo/V9MS9Wg4peI/AAAAAAAAR-s/N7vRqgkFaUgi5g0SkgpNUhcsxmRPMbbTgCEw/s1600/DSCN9340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_pbAjzbRGo/V9MS9Wg4peI/AAAAAAAAR-s/N7vRqgkFaUgi5g0SkgpNUhcsxmRPMbbTgCEw/s640/DSCN9340.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Janet Returning from Her Afternoon Jaunt on Waiskai Bay<br />photo by a friend</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RHgJIpetxc/V9MS0gDNEeI/AAAAAAAAR-s/9DIR2g9DQZ4XpSPtVzwvx9xLoJ-hef6qACEw/s1600/DSCN9297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RHgJIpetxc/V9MS0gDNEeI/AAAAAAAAR-s/9DIR2g9DQZ4XpSPtVzwvx9xLoJ-hef6qACEw/s640/DSCN9297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Bald Eagle Spotted Over Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ITLFFXfmM/V9MWyO9PEoI/AAAAAAAAR_A/2EaAKAXM0HsOZrKI-bBxz7GzN__8fLPxgCEw/s1600/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ITLFFXfmM/V9MWyO9PEoI/AAAAAAAAR_A/2EaAKAXM0HsOZrKI-bBxz7GzN__8fLPxgCEw/s640/IMG_9582.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Great Blue Heron on Pilings in Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q5QIOrDyBlQ/V9MXVV8Ks7I/AAAAAAAAR-0/5A_awtYvW20SnFxKGtKrQrfIha9dIkJ1wCEw/s1600/WaiskaiBay%2B2010%2B%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q5QIOrDyBlQ/V9MXVV8Ks7I/AAAAAAAAR-0/5A_awtYvW20SnFxKGtKrQrfIha9dIkJ1wCEw/s640/WaiskaiBay%2B2010%2B%252822%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Canada Goose on Waiskai Bay in the Evening's Sunset<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O8vJoWMdy3k/V9MSa3y-lqI/AAAAAAAAR-s/Im3dkfx8kiYFwaWlt83L4gGBSGLnRcc2wCEw/s1600/DSCN6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O8vJoWMdy3k/V9MSa3y-lqI/AAAAAAAAR-s/Im3dkfx8kiYFwaWlt83L4gGBSGLnRcc2wCEw/s640/DSCN6393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don Preparing to Kayak Off Into the Sunset on Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZBnTLGV2mc/V9MSaP9yFGI/AAAAAAAAR-k/0AT4KUB3K58UR8MBqKdgEAv7BsxjZ-bkwCEw/s1600/DSCN6709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZBnTLGV2mc/V9MSaP9yFGI/AAAAAAAAR-k/0AT4KUB3K58UR8MBqKdgEAv7BsxjZ-bkwCEw/s640/DSCN6709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don Sets Out into the Pink Sunset on Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pN6h_SaQZIM/V9MSm1lP6hI/AAAAAAAAR-s/IGn03fBLvb8CpIxqScgYR9nr1aZEH8IdACEw/s1600/DSCN6737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pN6h_SaQZIM/V9MSm1lP6hI/AAAAAAAAR-s/IGn03fBLvb8CpIxqScgYR9nr1aZEH8IdACEw/s640/DSCN6737.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don Paddling Into the Sunset on Waiskai Bay<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lEZQcn-O98/V9MSn8s01ZI/AAAAAAAAR-s/nYczzwz9lEstSzWPz8sep4HAQswa-o4tgCEw/s1600/DSCN6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lEZQcn-O98/V9MSn8s01ZI/AAAAAAAAR-s/nYczzwz9lEstSzWPz8sep4HAQswa-o4tgCEw/s640/DSCN6772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Don on Waiskai Bay with Canada Geese in Background<br />photo by Janet Beasley</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-9841323560564116812016-09-20T09:54:00.000-04:002016-09-20T09:54:01.659-04:00THIS JUST IN!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow3Q2y-F890/V-E-MyL-AVI/AAAAAAAASRM/UNje0XXmYqsapzuCCJLd49GqO-20tXmtQCLcB/s1600/FBProfilePicforJTP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow3Q2y-F890/V-E-MyL-AVI/AAAAAAAASRM/UNje0XXmYqsapzuCCJLd49GqO-20tXmtQCLcB/s320/FBProfilePicforJTP.jpg" width="172" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>IT'S ALMOST TIME! </b></i><i><b>MARK YOUR CALENDARS...OCTOBER 6!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>GET SIGNED UP TODAY...</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>As proud supporters of the Pickford Community Library and teachers of their Young Writers Workshop we are excited to announce the fifth year is gearing up for young writers in Michigan.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>This group of aspiring young writers is where our Journey to Publication Writing Curriculum was birthed and developed. This group holds charter members who we have watched come up through the ranks of writing to become successful authors. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Straight from Pickford Community Library in Pickford, Michigan...</i></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span class="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">PICKFORD COMMUNITY LIBRARY YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP BEGINS ITS FIFTH YEAR ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 7 PM<o:p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pickford Community Library’s Young Writers Workshop is ready to kick off another fabulous year. Starting on October 6, 2016, young aspiring authors will begin their journey to become published. New writing enthusiasts will write short stories, poetry, essays, micro-fiction, and flash-fiction; returning enthusiasts can choose to expand their writing abilities by composing longer works (novellas or novelettes) in most genres.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sngiX8ltNJk/V-E8ydhREmI/AAAAAAAASRE/Xp-xv0fZRmYA1561Coux6M23QGW_gpiAwCLcB/s1600/1556218_1003143129727629_6698403204759086286_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sngiX8ltNJk/V-E8ydhREmI/AAAAAAAASRE/Xp-xv0fZRmYA1561Coux6M23QGW_gpiAwCLcB/s400/1556218_1003143129727629_6698403204759086286_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pickford Community Library<br />Young Writers Workshop<br />Writing Enthusiasts: 2015- 2016 Season</i></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The workshop meets every other Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Pickford Community Library. It concludes in mid-May with a “Book-Release Soirée” for the authors, their parents and friends, and other special guests who support the literary arts for young adults. Young aspiring authors from grade 6 through college who are interested in learning the ins and outs of becoming a published author are welcome—and encouraged—to attend the free workshop sessions. This program is open to all students in the Eastern U.P. and currently has enrollees from Pickford, Rudyard, Cedarville, Kinross, and Sault Ste. Marie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Janet Beasley of Florida (author and CEO of JLB Creatives Publishing) and Dar Bagby of Brimley (author, illustrator, and Senior Editor at JLBCP) are the co-instructors of the course; Janet participates at each adventure session via Skype. All participants’ works will be published in eBook form free of charge by JLB Creatives Publishing, and no one (author or publisher) collects royalties. At the end of the workshop, each story/eBook will be made available to the public, free of charge, through SmashWords and the “Book Shoppes” at JLBCreatives.com. The works will also be available for digital checkout via Overdrive at most U.P. public libraries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Young Writers Workshop was founded by Pickford Community Library Manager Ann Marie Smith in 2012 and is free and open to the public. If you would like to enroll, please contact Ann Marie at the library before October 6 at 906-647-1288 or at <a href="mailto:amsmith@uproc.lib.mi.us">amsmith@uproc.lib.mi.us</a> The Pickford Community Library is located at 230 East Main Street in downtown Pickford. We look forward to hearing from you!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3662890965300552465.post-64106081524015847412016-09-19T00:00:00.000-04:002016-09-19T00:00:24.351-04:00Excerpt Extravaganza! Today's Excerpt Is From "Triforce Warriors"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where an eclectic team of creative geniuses share their fantastical imaginations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Mondays we are featuring an excerpt from one of our creative authors. And what makes this feature so fun is that we publish a wide range of genres. You'll never know what to expect for the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To read all of our excerpts thus far, we invite you to visit our blog archives and look for our first Excerpt Extravaganza! that began on August 1, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All previous excerpts are available in our archives. We began this series on August 1, 2016. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxtm7dNGwds/V3kdHOhKNiI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/sti_J7F5Ha4gRcIzCaHcC01qofvR0yg9QCLcB/s1600/8117ab65a5696313fb2bc6277d3b19785219b192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxtm7dNGwds/V3kdHOhKNiI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/sti_J7F5Ha4gRcIzCaHcC01qofvR0yg9QCLcB/s320/8117ab65a5696313fb2bc6277d3b19785219b192.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's excerpt is from author Noah Kamper's fantasy novella <i>Triforce Warriors. </i>Noah is an accomplished writing enthusiast from the Advanced Journey to Publication Writing Program Curriculum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Link woke on the battle field the next morning. His head thumped, his leg was twisted, and his wrists were burning with pain. He turned his head and gazed at the carnage. He heard groans from monsters that were lying on the battlefield. Arrows, gunpowder, monster remains, and blood littered the field. He attempted to roll over, but the one finger that would move willingly with limited pain did him no good. He tried lifting his head up, but to no avail. His neck was twisted slightly, probably not broken, but majorly cracked. He was lucky the fall hadn't killed him, but the pain and his slight paralysis made him wish the fall would have killed him. He tried moaning, but his throat burned with pain, and it was drier than the Lanayru sands. He closed his eyes and tried to remember where his sword was. It was gone…the dragon had caused him to fling it away. He opened his eyes and looked at the sky. It was light blue, similar to Lana's hair…<br /><br />Lana. She had run away from their home. His eyes managed to draw enough liquid to drop a single tear down his cheek. He prayed silently to the goddesses that morning that Lana was safe and that the monsters hadn't invaded the city. <br /><br />He flicked his eyes toward the wall and found that the gate was intact and the wall un-breached. He smiled meekly and let loose a sigh of relief. He furrowed his brow and looked closer at the gate. It was opening! Two figures sprinted from the gate toward Link. As they neared he could see that one of them was Impa, but the other he didn't know. She had a tight white, blue, and black tunic that covered her whole body. She had a pair of the hidden blades on her hands, and her face was covered in a white linen cloth. She had braided her hair with white cloth, but what he could see of it was blue. The front of her tunic was covered in ornate designs. There was a silver eye with a Triforce above it, as if it were looking up at it. She had a kunai strapped to her belt and a short sword hooked to her back.<br /><br />They arrived next to him, and the mysterious figure knelt down while Impa checked his breathing. The mysterious figure placed her hand on Link's chest and pushed it down, sending a shock of life throughout his body. His leg untwisted, his wrists no longer hurt, his head wasn't thumping, and all other injuries felt completely better.<br /><br />Link sat up. "Who are you?" he asked the mysterious figure and turned to Impa. "And what happened after the battle with the dragon?"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>--------------------------</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>To discover more about author Noah Kamper and/or download Triforce Warriors for free visit his author page on JLB Creatives by <u><a href="http://www.jlbcreatives.com/noah-kamper">clicking here.</a></u></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482814124549204820noreply@blogger.com0