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Articles by D.L. Finn
Monday Morning Blooms: What a wonderful life- wish I’d known sooner…
Hello Readers – Priorhouse blog is on a short break – and will be back in early July to share a handful of short summer interviews. In the meantime, this post is being left sticky because it has some inspiring quotes to go with the flower photos. See you in July! xxx If you have time – please check out these post for This is How We Eat 1) Sally Cronin’s review postfor This is How We Eat 2) da-Al promoted the book in this fun post here.
SNOWY SHOW
The Salt in her Voice The myth says mermaids sing to lure sailors to their death. But why? The ocean is huge. Only 5 percent has been discovered by man. Why would a creature of the sea with that much space to roam ever care about the fate of men on ships? The answer, as it turns out, is not a simple one at all. The truth about the myth is older than the tides. Long ago before the first ship ever cut across the surface, the sea made a pact with the sky. The sky would take the souls of the drowned.
February Afternoon
On the heels of grief, pain bears down hard. On the heels of death, pain awakens the quiet place between the end of our own life and now. Feeling anything is like seeing a film and in black and white, slow motion, all sound turned off. Just watching. Gritting teeth, awkward smiles and bloody red eyes move around, scanning the others who are feeling something I don't want to feel, but I do. Escapism is all I have ever known. ~
THE RIDE
I heard of the jokester in town. My staff was afraid to share the tales, for they knew the stories infuriated me and punishment was my expertise. I inflicted many types, and excelled at using sharp objects and heated “instruments.”
You're Next
Please step forward and remain silent as instructed the blue light will pleasantly engulf you Please keep your eyes open the flash will confirm your identity Please don’t fight the restraints for your protection the needle will now pierce your neck Please deeply breathe in the red mist it will relax you as it scans your body Please close your eyes & mouth when the yellow light flashes breathing this disinfectant is safe for humans Please take the star pose from the training manual Please step...
Sally Cronin’s Review of “THIS IS HOW WE WORK” & Cronin’s book, TALES FROM THE IRISH GARDEN
Hello readers, Today I am sharing a link to Sally Cronin’s review of This is How we Grow: Sally Cronin’s Book Review @Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Smorgasbord Book Reviews – #Anthology This Is How We Work: Stories, Memoirs and Poems about Social Dimensions of Work – Yvette Prior and other authors. Please check out Sally’s post because she had such a succinct review of this book.
INTRODUCING “THIS IS HOW WE WORK” (and Tribute to TRENT P. McDONALD 🕯️)
Remembering Trent McDonald There is a free download coming on November 7th & 8th, 2025 Amazon & Kindle here Goodreads here Priorhouse blog here The collection in THIS IS HOW WE WORK examines technology, values, responsibility, and problem-solving, with touches of the supernatural and sci-fi adding unexpected depth.
LOOK! Finding Writing Ideas
Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about something we did often as children, or see things most adults are too busy to notice. This wonder allows the imagination to blossom. Ever watch a child stoop studying the ground? The ant or beetle is fascinating to them. Perhaps they move a stone, viewing what rests below. To them, it’s an entire world. How about when they lie on their backs on a warm summer afternoon and study the clouds? Remember all the shapes you used to find way back when?
Have you ever wanted…
Growing up without a television fueled my love of reading. I had no electronics to occupy my downtime between homework and supper, or when I wasn’t adventuring elsewhere. Books transported me into new worlds, filled my head with dreams and my heart with longings. Books like Black Beauty, National Velvet, and My Friend Flicka, awoke a terrible yearning in me to have a horse of my own.
Where to Sell Books
Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about where indie authors can sell their books. For most authors, Amazon is the most popular platform for selling ebooks and print books. Kindle Direct Publishing is the first place I go when releasing a book. They’ve simplified the process and provide book cover support. They also offer a program, Kindle Unlimited, where readers pay a monthly fee to read books in the program. Authors are then exclusive with Amazon with their eBooks for the timeframe they agreed to.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING SPARK?
Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about that spark that started me writing. This is a rework of my third post, and one I needed to revisit. Although I can’t pinpoint the exact moment the writing bug ignited in me, I remember my exhilaration when I wrote a short story in my first year of high school. The story resulted in an A. My teacher overlooked my grammar and my very dismal spelling. Who spells tomorrow with an l at the end?
Why Write Short Stories
Hi SEers! Denise here to reshare an updated post from 2-21 or my second post here. I love writing short stories, and thought bringing the subject up again would be good. Short stories offer me a place to explore and expand my writing. Like a poem, you can pack a lot into just a few words. There have been times when I thought I had a book, but it turned out to be a short story or a short story that grew into a book.
What Writers Should Know! Part Twelve: Support Your Fellow Writers
Hi SEers! Denise here with the final edition of What Writers Should Know! Part twelve covers how to support your fellow writers. Have you ever wished people would be more supportive of your writing? Or wonder how to help other writers? I know I have. An author’s body of work can vary, including novels, short stories, nonfiction, poetry, articles, or blogs. One thing they all have in common is they are all looking for readers. Does that make it a competition? No. Each audience is unique.
#GuestDayTuesday #JanSikes #ANobleBargain
(Ooops. Sorry … hit the wrong key, but that just means you get to enjoy Jan’s post a day earlier than expected! Happy reading! A NOBLE BARGAIN Today’s very special guest is fellow author Jan Sikes, who is celebrating Release Day for her newest book, A Noble Bargain. I know you’ll enjoy reading all about this one, and will gladly help Jan get the word out by sharing where you can.
Images from Hurricane Helene
Saw these images earlier and thought I would share, for those who have no idea just how horrifying a hurricane can be. Some of them astonished ME, and I’ve lived in “Hurricane Country” all my life. I hope we don’t see another like Helene for a long, long time! Chimney Rock & Asheville North Carolina were hit exceptionally hard. See for yourself: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/01/weather/hurricane-helene-path-of-destruction-climate-dg/index.html
Still Feeling Poetic … another one from Summer Magic
Moccasins Sneakers on, Laces tight, Crunching noisily Along the path, And wishing… Wishing for The silent tread Of the Cherokee Who walked these hills Before him. Sighing, He flings himself Down on the rock, And stares at the Campfire. I could sneak up on deer, He tells his dad, If I had moccasins. I could walk Quiet, quiet, Down each trail. Now I clomp, Clomp, clomp! They know I’m coming. I’ll never see them Before they See me. Dad smiles. Here, son. Your mom said To give you this.
Feeling Poetic Today … Hope You Enjoy This One from “Summer Magic”
He sees her standing Below the falls, Carefully balanced On the slippery rocks, And laughing In the hazy October sun. Only yesterday The ice-rimmed pool Mirrored angry gray clouds, And a wind out of the north Chilled his bones. Today, a warm yellow sun Has eaten the frost, And resurrected the ghost Of a summer already laid to rest. She’s wearing shorts, As if she knew There would be a reprieve And dressed accordingly.
Now THIS Looks Much Better!
Happily, the rain and wind have disappeared from this area, the sun is out again, and if I had the energy to get in my canoe, I could head out on the river just like this gal. (If you look close, you can see the manatee she’s watching.) Even if I stay home, though, it’s nice to have the storms gone, at least for the time being. My thoughts are with those who are still dealing with “Debby,” and I hope their weather will soon clear up, too!
#Happy4thOfJuly - #HappyIndependenceDay!
A Writer's Path Sharing writing tips, information, and advice.
What Writers Should Know! Part Six: Genres
Hi SEers! Denise here to continue our discussion of What Writers Should Know. Last month we dove into themes. Today we’ll discuss what type of story you are writing while sticking to Literary Fiction and the major categories. Each genre will include a plot, setting, themes, characters, structure, and settings. Twelve Common Genres Romance: The focus of romance is the relationship or intimate love between two people. Stories often have satisfying or positive endings, but not always.
#GuestDayTuesday - #YvonneBlackwood - #CollegeLifeOfARetiredSenior
It’s #GuestDayTuesday once again, and I’m sure you all know what that means: another wonderful guest here on TWS! Today’s visitor is Yvonne Blackwood, and I know you’ll enjoy learning more about her. With that in mind, let’s get this show on the road! Welcome to The Write Stuff, Yvonne! Thanks, Marcia! GETTING VALUABLE BOOK REVIEWS. I have read many articles on promoting books. The list goes on and on about what authors need to do to make readers aware of their books.
#GuestDayTuesday - #JackieLambert
Today is #GuestDayTuesday, once again, and I’m very happy to say that Jackie Lambert is visiting us again, with a great “Five More Things” post. I know you’ll enjoy this one, so let’s get going! Thanks, Marcia! I have published six books in my bestselling Adventure Caravanning With Dogs series of memoirs, which follows the story of how hubs and I gave up work, rented out the house, and became perpetual caravan (trailer) nomads with four dogs in tow.
#GuestDayTuesday - #ChristineSkarbek - #ConfrontingPower&Chaos
Today’s guest is author Christine Skarbek, and I think you are going to really enjoy her post, so let’s get going! Christine, take it away! 1) Though I’m not particularly intelligent, I outsmarted both professionals regarding my daughter’s OCD which threatened her life for years and “spooks” who had invaded my home and harassed me and my 16-year-old son for about six months.
What Writers should know! Part five: themes
Hi SEers! Denise here to continue our discussion on What Writers Should Know. This is part five and today we’ll be covering themes in stories. What is a theme and how does it differ from the genre of a book? A theme is the message, idea, or meaning, while the genre is the category of a book like romance, drama, or mystery. Themes in a story will fall into one of two categories, major and minor.
#GuestDayTuesday - #BillEngleson - #TheLifeOfGronsky - #Mystery - #Thriller&Suspense, #LiteraryFiction
Hi, Everyone! Here it is, #GuestDayTuesday again, and I know you’re going to enjoy today’s featured author, Bill Engleson. Bill’s here to share his book, The Life of Gronsky, so let’s get started. Bill, take it away! Thanks, Marcia! BLURB: Gilbert Gronsky has taken up writing late in life and decides in 2021 to spread his writerly wings and enter a three-day novel contest over the Labour Day Weekend.
#GuestDayTuesday - #DarleneFoster - #AmandaInScotland - #TheStandingStones
It’s #GuestDayTuesday, folks, and today our special guest is Darlene Foster. I know you’ll enjoy Darlene’s post, so please welcome her to TWS. Darlene … take it away! Thanks, Marcia! Interview with Amanda Jane Ross by Darlene Foster ~~~ I would like to welcome intrepid traveller, Amanda Jane Ross, to Marcia Meara’s radio show. DF: Hello Amanda. Welcome to the show. I understand you have just returned from a visit to Scotland.How did you enjoy It?
#SixPack - #BlueAngels - #AirDotShow
Air Dot Air Show Sanford, Florida April 20 & 21 Spent half of the day today standing in my front yard, looking up, where we were treated to the Blue Angels and their cohorts, flying directly over our house. And they couldn’t have had a more beautiful sky as a backdrop! Again and again, they performed maneuvers that were a treat to see. How lucky are we that we can walk outside and watch the entire show? I got goosebumps with every pass they made! Fantastic! ð â¤
#GuestDayTuesday - #GwenPlano - #SoulWhisperer’sDecision
Today, we’re welcoming my good friend Gwen Plano as our Guest. I know you’re going to enjoy this, as Gwen will be sharing a bit about her newest book, Soul Whisperer’s Decision, so let’s get right to it. Happy Reading, Everyone, and … Welcome to The Write Stuff, Gwen! Thanks so much for having me here today, Marcia. BACKSTORY: I have a special interest in the Near-Death Experience phenomenon. Since the 1980s, I’ve read original research of accounts, and I’ve also read numerous books by survivors.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Epilogue
Epilogue “Rockin’ Down the Highway” The Doobie Brothers ~~~ The Sorrow of Parting Is Not Sweet, No Matter What Shakespeare Said. It Hurts Like Hell, and That’s the Truth. “YES, JAKE. I have the magic credit card in my wallet, and the wallet in my zippered pocket. I know how to get to all the places we’ve stayed and the right way to register. I promise I will eat more than apple pie and ice cream for dinner every night.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter12
Chapter 12 “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” Eric Clapton ~~~ Lying in a Dank, Black Atlanta Alley, Oblivious to Scurrying Roaches and Rats, Wanting Nothing More Than to be Claimed by Death. SOMEWHERE, A MAN quietly wept, his low, heartbroken moans and sobs threading their way through Jake’s mind. Maybe he ought to do something about it. Find out what was wrong. Offer to help, if he could. Wasn’t that part of his job?
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter11
Chapter 11 “Summer in the City” The Lovin’ Spoonful ~~~ A Whole New Park in a Different Part of Town, Just as Steamingly Miserable in July, As the First Had Been Frigidly Miserable in February. “THAT’S IT, THEN. Two more for the week.” As he walked alongside Jake, Dodger busied himself writing something down in the little spiral notebook he referred to as his journal.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter10
Chapter 10 “Monday, Monday” The Mamas & the Papas ~~~ On the Coldest Monday in the History of Atlanta, Butt Gone Numb on an Icy Metal Park Bench, Wondering Where His Brand-New Partner Could Be. FIRST DAY JITTERS. That’s what Jake figured. He was nervous. Dodger was nervous. Their team effort was new to both of them. That had to be the only reason he’d been sitting here more than an hour with no sign of the boy at all, while his fingers ached from the cold and his butt slowly went numb.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter9
Chapter 9 “New Kid in Town” The Eagles ~~~ A Very Clean, Very Cheap, No-Frills Motel Room, On a Well-Lit, Quiet Street in the Safer Part of Town, Showered, Dressed, and Ravenously Hungry. JAKE SAT IN the room’s only chair, looking over a handout featuring local eateries and movie theaters. His stomach rumbled loud enough to have embarrassed him, had there been anyone in the room to hear. As it was, Dodger was in the small bathroom, showering and dressing. “Hey,” Jake called out.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter8
Chapter 8 “Takin’ Care of Business” Bachman-Turner Overdrive ~~~ Under a Dreary Mid-February Sky, In an Equally Dreary Mid-Atlanta Diner, Having a Surprisingly Undreary Mid-Day Meal. “MORE COFFEE?” THE waitress smiled as she held the steaming pot over his empty cup. “Yes, thank you.” Jake hoped the weariness in her eyes reflected fatigue and nothing more. Tired himself, he wanted to concentrate on his hamburger and not on whether her soul needed saving. As she refilled his cup, he studied her face.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter7
Chapter 7 “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” Charlie Daniels Band ~~~ Four Event-Filled Weeks Later, On a Park Bench in Mid-Town Atlanta, One Way-Too-Cold January Afternoon. JAKE KNEW ONE true thing—if the devil really was looking for a few souls he could steal, Atlanta made a mighty fine hunting ground. In the two weeks since his arrival, he’d seen miseries and meanness of every kind written on the faces of rich and poor, black and white, male and female.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter6
Chapter 6 “Don’t Stop Believing” Journey ~~~ On an Empty Stretch of Unnamed Beach, With Stars Wheeling Across the Ink-Black Sky, And the Scent of Warm Salt and Cooling Blood in the Air. A GUNSHOT IS a shockingly loud thing. A gunshot six inches from your ear is even louder. And a gunshot accompanied by hot blood spraying across your face and a body tumbling into you, bleeding out against your chest—well, that’s absolutely horrifying.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter4
Chapter 4 “On the Road Again” Willie Nelson ~~~ Another Lonely Stretch of Highway, Closer to Here but Not Far from There, And Fast Approaching Dawn. WILLIE NELSON’S NASAL warbling filled the cabin of the big semi. More of a classic rock fan, Jake still found himself singing along. Maybe it was the catchy, easy to remember refrain, or the downhome sound of the tune. Or maybe it just fit his circumstances to a T. Whatever it was, it was irresistible.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter3
Chapter 3 “Soul Man” Sam and Dave ~~~ A Still-Dark, Still-Deserted Truck Stop, Halfway Between Here and There, Much Later and Much Calmer. “THE RULES SEEM pretty straightforward, now that you’ve gone over them in detail. I wish I’d understood all of this before I headed out on the highway the first time.” “As do I, Jake. You would have been better prepared to do the job, and you would have been safer, too.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter2
Chapter 2 “Don’t Fear the Reaper” Blue Oyster Cult ~~~ A Still-Dark, Still-Deserted Truck Stop, Halfway Between Here and There, But Nearly an Hour Later. “SO, WHAT YOU’RE saying then,” Jake said, “is this is a whole new concept?” The angel nodded. “Exactly.” “And that makes me, what? A guinea pig for your experimental pleasure?” “A potential emissary.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary1 - #Chapter1
Chapter 1 “Angel Eyes” The Jeff Healey Band ~~~ A Dark, Deserted Truck Stop, Halfway Between Here and There, Wondering What Just Happened. AZRAEL’S EYES FLAMED a furious blue. In one blink, he disappeared from the cab’s passenger seat. In a split second, he reappeared by the driver’s door, ripped it right off the truck, and flung it to the pavement.
#Sharing - #Serial - #TheEmissary 1 - #Prologue
Decided it might be fun to share some of my work as a “serial” here on TWS. I’m going to start with The Emissary 1, and I plan to post a chapter a day for your reading pleasure. Here’s the Prologue. (There are twelve chapters to follow, plus the Epilogue.) Hope you’ll enjoy it! December 12, 2013 “Take This Job and Shove It” Johnny Paycheck ~~~ Midnight, December 12, 2013, Tooling Down a Lonely Highway, Somewhere Between Here and There.
#GuestDayTuesday - Featuring #MaeClair - #NewRelease - #TheKeepingPlace
I’m SO happy to have Mae Clair, one of my best online friends, visiting us today, and I know you’re going to enjoy learning all about her latest book, so without further ado, here she is: Take it away, Mae! Hi, Marcia! Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today.
What Writers Should Know! Part Three: Setting
Hi SEers! Denise here with the third part in the What Writers Should Know Series to talk about the setting. Why is the setting so important? What if Jimmy is riding his bicycle as the sun sets? If it’s set in the inner city, it can be a dangerous time to be outside with the criminals taking over the streets at night. In the country, it’s dark, and he may have to contend with wild animals or may have forgotten to do his chores and have to deal with angry parents.
#Garden - #Roses - #Pinata - #KeepSmiling!
Just a quick post to share something beautiful that greeted me today when I walked into our backyard. We have been very, very slow in recreating the garden we had before Hurricane Irma smashed everything (including the roof of our house).
#NotSoClassicPoetry - #Promises
… NOT SO CLASSIC … I thought it might be fun to share some “Not So Classic” poetry with you now and then, namely … MINE. So now and then, I’ll be sharing verses from my book of poetry, Summer Magic, and a few others that I’ve never shared anywhere before. Hope you’ll enjoy seeing what I came up with. Happy reading! Up we climb again, My Love On yet another autumn day, Our trail meandering, higher, higher, Amidst October’s blazing glory.
New Release! “The Keeping Place” By Mae Clair @MaeClair1 #newrelease #writingcommunity #mustread
I’m excited to have Mae Clair here today to share the news of an upcoming release. I ordered my copy and look forward to what I know will be a great read. Hi, Denise. Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. I’m delighted to be here, sharing my upcoming release The Keeping Place, a dual timeline mystery which is now available for pre-order! Most readers know me as someone who loves weaving urban legends and threads of the supernatural into my stories.
#ClassicPoetry - #RobertFrost - #TheRoadNotTaken
Time for another quick jaunt through the world of Classic Poetry. Robert Frost has always been another of my favorites, since being introduced to his work more than 68 years ago, when I was twelve. I love him just as much today as I did then, though I’m not sure whether that simply means I had excellent taste at age twelve, or my taste has never developed any farther. Hmmm.
What Writer’s Should Know! Part Two: Editing
Hi SEers! Denise here with the second part of What Writers Should Know. Last month, we explored common grammar errors and today we examine editing. There are two parts to editing, the writer’s edits and a professional edits. The first part is what we begin once that first draft is done. Here is what to look for when editing your story. Start with fresh eyes. Take a minor break before your edits if you can. Story holes. I approach this as a reader. Does the story flow and make sense?
February Book Reviews! @JoyYorkAuthor @gmplano @SueColetta1 @Sandra_Cox #bookreviews #mustreads #writingcommunity #whattoread
Here are the books I read and reviewed in January that got four stars and up: Tracking Mayhem (The Mayhem Series #7) By Sue Coletta Although I have read the Mayhem Series out of order and enjoyed the journey, I’m glad to be caught up and fully understand Shawnee’s growth and change. Throughout the journey, I have gained an education about not just Native American culture and history, but also about wildlife and our connection to it.
#ClassicPoetry - #JamesWhitcombRiley - “Granny”
Thought it was time for me to start getting back to some of my regular features from days gone by. Figured Monday was a good day to start, and Classic Poetry has always run on a Monday, so … here we go. Another classic poem by one of my all-time favorites, James Whitcomb Riley. I know some folks aren’t fond of the dialect, but for me, it’s perfect, and really makes the poem. Hope you like this one.
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