I thought I knew everything there was to know about nouns but just this weekend I was introduced to the concept of zombie nouns. Nouns that are zombies! Nouns that suck the life out of real words! You know you want to know more about this. Take the five minutes to watch this TED talk. You will thank me later. Just promise me you won’t conceptualize your reaction in the comments section. Just speak it plain. Agree or disagree? Dead or not dead?
Hey there, reading friends!
I’ve teamed up with nine writing pals to offer a ten-book giveaway won’t have you scrambling to find self space. We’re giving away e-versions of these amazing books you see listed in the graphic above to one lucky winner. Well, make that nine e-versions and one print copy of Amy Sue Nathan’s brand-spanking new THE GOOD NEIGHBOR. It’s super easy to put your name in the hat. Just click ON THIS LINK, which will take you to Steena Holmes’ website, where we have our Rafflecopter form.
You only have to answer one simple question to prove you’re not a cyborg. And it has to do with reading, so easy-peasy. Since it’s fall, I’m giving away a digital copy of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS. There are lots of good reads in the mix, so don’t miss out on your chance to snag them all:
The Short & Sincere Life of Ellory James (ebook) – by Wendy Paine Miller
Before I Go (ebook) – by Colleen Oakley
A Peach of a Pair (ebook) – by Kim Boykin
Those Secrets We Keep (ebook) – by Emily Liebert
The Good Neighbor (print) – by Amy Sue Nathan
Finding Emma (ebook) –by Steena Holmes
A Fall of Marigolds (ebook) – by Susan Meissner
Rose House (ebook) – by Tina Ann Forkner
The Virtues of Oxygen (ebook) – by Susan Schoenberger
A Flying Affair (ebook) – by Carla Stewart
Here’s the link again to the Rafflecopter form!
I’ve long been a fan of the Wedding Dress, not just my own (which I wore almost 35 years ago) but the whole concept. I made the Wedding Dress the star of Blue Heart Blessed, a book I wrote back in 2008, and it crept back into the pages of story in Secrets of A Charmed Life (whose working title was The Bride’s Box when I first turned it in to my editor). There is something magical and dream-like about a beautiful gown that is only meant to be worn once by the person to whom it belongs. I most assuredly believe a wedding gown can be worn several times (the premise of Blue Heart Blessed confirms that opinion) but not many brides wear their wedding gown again after the Big Day; not if it’s white and princess-like and obviously a wedding dress. The Wedding Dress is uniquely a part of a day that is like no other in a woman’s life. She wears it once. The photo above is of my daughter Stephanie and my husband at Steph’s wedding in May. I absolutely love her dress. So does she. But she won’t wear it again except maybe in future years just for fun and just for a few minutes, and then back in the garment bag it will go.
I found this video on a friend’s Facebook page and thought I’d post it today for our collective enjoyment. You can definitely see how fashion trends influenced the icon that is the Wedding Dress, but even with all the hem length adjustments, sleeve proportions, and neckline treatments, the dress is still at just a glance, unmistakably a gown for a wedding. It is like no other dress. A story unto itself.
If you’ve a favorite in the line-up, I’d love to hear which one it is and why!