Nahanni River Watershed Needs Protection

If you've read my novel The River, you'll know a bit about the history of the Nahanni River area. It is home to many First Nations people, including the Dene, who are mentioned in my novel. The area has often been referred to as the "Bermuda Triangle of Canada". There have been reports of people who've gone missing, and the McLeod brothers who went there in search of gold were found decapitated--hence, Headless Valley.

This entire area is rich with history and stories. It is a vast wilderness in Canada's Northwest Territories, bordering close to the Yukon. It is beautiful, natural, free from major polution and one of Canada's 'national treasures', and it needs protection from mining and more.

The following is printed here with permission from Neil Hartling at Canadian River Expeditions & Nahanni River Adventures:

NAHANNI RIVER WATERSHED PROTECTION – THE JOB IS
NOT FINISHED!

For years we have been campaigning for the expansion of Nahanni National Park to include the entire watershed. Research has shown that this is critical if the Park is to fulfill its mandate of protecting the species that move across its’ borders. The local First Nations want this protection to secure their traditional subsistence resources.

Last August we reported that Prime Minister Harper had announced the withdrawal pf the Nahanni watershed from mineral claim staking. This was an important step in expanding the boundary to protect the entire watershed. Unfortunately the final step of deciding on new boundaries and expanding the park has not been completed.

Now with a federal election, we have a chance to get our candidates to commit to getting this done!

Please take a moment and ask the Party Leaders and all your candidates if they will complete the process by expanding the boundary to that agreed upon by the Deh Cho First Nations.

You will find a draft letter and easy to use Email addresses at Nahanni.com and click on "What's New" on the top tool bar.

Photo above:
Camp in Deadmen Valley, Nahanni National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Credit: Steven Denure

Thank you, Neil for allowing me to spread the word about this. The Nahanni River is not just the setting for my novel The River; it is part of our Canadian heritage. Let's keep it so.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,

Canadian author

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Remote Control, a serialized novelette, has another installment

If you've already read my novels--Whale Song (Kunati), The River and Divine Intervention--and are looking for something new, please know that my latest novel Children of the Fog is being read by publishers now. I hope to make an announcement in a few months (or less).

For now, while you wait, I invite you to check out Remote Control. This is a novelette (about 10,000 words) based on a short story I wrote back in 1987. It has always been one of my favorites.

First, meet Harold Fielding--plumber by part of the day, slacker/tv addict the rest of the day and night. Harry believes that fame and fortune will come to him if he wishes hard enough. God forbid if he should actually work for it.

Beatrice Fielding is Harry's hardworking wife. She holds down multiple jobs so her husband can laze about on his recliner, eating popcorn and drinking cola while watching his favorite shows. She has many wishes--some aren't so nice.

In this dark, suspenseful and somewhat comical look at one man's desires, Remote Control delivers a strong message:

Be careful what you wish for!

I am serializing this novelette, adding one scene each week. I hope you enjoy. If so, please leave me a comment.

Read Remote Control.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Sunday Salon: Bring on the Diamonds!

Yesterday on my blog I wrote about how my novel Whale Song will be gifted to 125 celebrities and special guests attending a huge event in November called Dallas Rocks 2008, which benefits Russel Simmons' Diamond Empowerment Fund and helps bring education and reform to those working in or affected by the diamond industry in Africa.

Being involved in this event made me think of films and books with diamond themes. Movies like Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio and novels like African Ice by Jeff Buick and Heart of Diamonds by Dave Donelson all paint brutal pictures of life for the African diamond miner and others involved.

Dave Donelson and I share the same publisher (Kunati Books), and I'll admit I haven't read his novel yet. My stack of to-be-read books is overflowing and I have a couple of ARCs coming in soon that I'll need to read to provide cover blurbs/reviews, plus I'm finishing my next novel and editing a non-fiction work for Hope Mission.

From everything I've seen and read about Heart of Diamonds, this novel looks like a thrilling, tense read, with methodical research on the African diamond industry and the endless civil war in the Congo.

Here's a blurb about Heart of Diamonds:

Covering the endless civil war in the Congo seems like the perfect way for television journalist Valerie Grey to escape the tangles of her personal life. But complications arise—most of them red-hot dangerous—when she stumbles onto a diamond smuggling scheme that begins in the Congo and leads to the White House.

I don't know about you, but that's enough to intrigue me!

You can read the first 2 chapters of Heart of Diamonds here.

And check out this exciting book trailer:




Diamonds might be a girl's best friend...but sometimes you have to ask: at what expense?


Visit Dave's website and blog:
http://www.heartofdiamonds.com/

http://www.heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/

Happy reading to you all! :)

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Whale Song to be gifted to 125 celebrities at 'Dallas Rocks 2008'

I am very honored to be gifting Whale Song to 125 celebrities who will be enjoying a 'Diamond Dinner' at an event called Dallas Rocks 2008, which benefits Russell Simmons' Diamond Empowerment Fund.

In 2007, USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years.”

The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization that raises money to support education initiatives for disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

Thank you to my publisher Kunati Books for helping to make Whale Song a small part of this wonderful and inspiring event. I truly appreciate it and I am positive that all who receive Whale Song will enjoy it.

A special thanks goes to Rhonda Bunton, President of Lush & Luxe PR, the company in charge of creating spectacular VIP gift bags for the celebrities attending this event and many others. I really appreciate your patience and all your hard work, Rhonda.

Dallas Rocks 2008 takes place on November 7th, 2008. More at a later date.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Canadian suspense author
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Sob-Fest - books that make you cry

I noticed a forum on Whale Song's page on Amazon.com. It's on books that made you cry.

There are a few awesome, sob-provoking books that come to mind for me:

Mothering Mother by Carol D. O'Dell is probably number one on my Sob-Fest list. It's a true story of a woman who was adopted as a young girl by very religious parents. Her adoptive mother ends up with Alzheimers and Parkinsons and the author must care for her, plus she's on her own search for her biological parents and sister.

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult is another one that I found made me emotional. Anything to do with mothers and daughters tend to do that for me, and this one was made more poignant when the daughter needs a new heart and the mother has to make a choice that many might not consider.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See took me to an ancient China, where the old custom of torturous footbinding was in practice and when girls were matched with another to be their soulmate. This story of friendship shows the deep bonds that best friends have and the effect that's caused when a friendship is torn apart.

These are a few books that have made me cry, and like many people I take that to mean they are wonderfully written, provoking and heart felt.

The book that REALLY made me cry is my own novel Whale Song. I never expected that. While writing it, I always knew the ending, which is sweetly sad and hopeful.

I held off writing the final 2 chapters and did all the editing of the previous chapters first. Then I had 2 editors edit up to that point, so the book was 'tight'.

Finally I sat down to write the last chapters. I poured everything into them and I'll admit, I cried through the whole process. It started as that burn in the throat, then the tears. I was actually forced to take a break between the last 2 chapters. By the time I was finished, I was sobbing.

My husband came home and found me in front of the computer, red-rimmed eyes, tears down my face. He asked me what was wrong. I looked up at him and said, "I finished Whale Song." Waaaa....

It's a bit embarrassing to admit that, but it's true. I cried like a baby. At first it was because the ending that I'd always seen so clearly was so poignant and I loved my characters and their struggles. After a while I realized I was also crying because Whale Song was finished--complete other than a bit more editing. My journey with Sarah and the whales had come to an end, and the novel that had haunted me for 2 years was going to be published.

I wonder if more authors have cried over their own work. Or am I the only big baby author out there. I hope not.

Join in the conversation on books that make you cry.

Or leave your Sob-Fest list here by leaving a comment. :)

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,

Canadian suspense author

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Remote Control, a suspenseful serialized work-in-progress, is updated

If you've been following Remote Control, my suspenseful novelette that is based on a short story I wrote back in 1987, it has been updated and a new scene has been added.

Harry Fielding has just discovered that he has a strange power. And he's ready and willing to use it. No matter the consequences.

“Be careful what you wish for,” they say, but for forty-four-year-old Harold Fielding, who unfortunately isn’t one to listen to such good advice, those words will come back to haunt him...

Read Remote Control now.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

Balancing work, life and self as an author

Yesterday I wrote about the warning signs and prevention of author burn-out. I mentioned that balance is the key.

Ironically, last night I received a motivational message from my friends John and Patrice at Higher Awareness, a site that I just love.

In their Inner Journey message, it talks about being open to change.

The following is printed here with their permission:

Be open to change

“Balance is a dynamic process; it changes with the days, the seasons, the years.” -- Sherrill Sellman

How rigid are your routines? Do you exercise for 30 minutes, three times each week no matter how you feel?

Routines and structure can provide a valuable framework to bring discipline to our lives. At the same time, we are always changing and it’s wise to be sensitive to our physical, emotional and mental states so we can ensure that our activities truly meet our needs. We need to be willing to change our patterns when our practices no longer serve us.

“Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found.” -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“The smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What tiny attitude adjustment might turn your world around?” -- Oprah

The physical, emotional and mental realms are all effects! Shift into working with cause by developing your higher mind, heart and spirituality and then your lfe will significantly change for the better. Get in touch with your spiritual nature.

I agree that we should be sensitive to what our bodies need. If it is screaming for a break, take one. Not doing so will result in a longer recovery of energy. Life is always changing around us, so we must adapt and change with it.

Thank you to my friends John and Patrice Robson at Higher Awareness for allowing me to pass along this message.

I invite you to make one small change today. Sign up for these inspiring messages at: http://www.higherawareness.com/. John and Patrice have personal development plans that are encouraging, empowering and life changing, whether you're an author or not.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,

author of Whale Song

Warning signs and prevention of author burn-out

Writing can indeed become an obsession, as can promoting one's book. I always suggest to authors (and often remind myself) that we must find a balance between writing, promoting, other jobs/chores, family, friends and fun. Each needs to be a slice of the pie for authors to feel completely successful and not burnt out.

Over the years I've witnessed author burn-out many times. I've come very close myself a few times. I've known authors who have given up writing; some have continued to write but no longer do book signings. I've seen some who barely promote their books at all.

Why do they burn out? Usually because they put so much time, energy and money into writing and promoting their most recent book and have experienced little money, reward or feeling of success. Sometimes they burn out because they had no idea what they were getting into, that writing and promoting is a fulltime career. Being an author doesn't mean instant success; we have to work very hard for it.

All authors must be very wary of burn-out, and there are some warning signs:

1. Do you dread turning on your computer to write or even answer emails?
2. Do you make excuses not to write?
3. Do you make excuses not to blog, hold book signings, write articles etc that promotes your book?
4. When I say "book signing" do you immediately go into whine mode and say "aw, not again"?
5. Do you feel your days are spent on the computer, nights too?
6. Have you turned down an evening or afternoon out or even a few hours this week with a friend, husband, wife, child because you're "too busy"?
7. Have you watched the sun come up from your office window in the past month?
8. Does your agent, publisher, editor, husband, wife, friend, child irritate you?

If you've answered yes to 4 or less, you are doing well, right on track and coping with your obligations.

If you've answered yes to 5 or 6 of these questions, be on guard for burn-out. It is looming around the corner. Take a break now to prevent it.

If you've said yes to 7, you're at the verge of a burn-out melt-down. Time for a break. Take a day or two or 7 off now. Don't wait. Take a break now, or break down later.

If you've said yes to all 8, you are seriously burnt out and this makes you useless to everybody, so go take a 1 week holiday in Mexico or Bermuda and start fresh afterward! :)

Here are some tips to preventing burn-out:

1. Pace yourself! Set limits per day and goals. Prioritize and take each deadline one project at a time. Don't overbook or overcommit yourself.
2. Learn to say no. Learn to pick your projects; say no to ones with urgent deadlines if possible. Just say No.
3. Schedule your day each morning, allowing time to have a break. Have lunch while watching Days of Our Lives.
4. If feeling exhausted, take two days off and do nothing but watch soap operas or On Demand movies all day long.
5. When you have a good, well-balanced day of work and play, reward yourself that evening. Chocolate works well...or margaritas...or mohitos...

Read my post follow-up on balancing life and more.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of WHALE SONG

Sunday Salon: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (and Oprah Pick)

This week, I'm submitting a book review to Sunday Salon:

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski is the most recent pick for Oprah's Book Club and it is a thoughtful literary masterpiece worthy of 5 stars. This is not your fast-paced thriller beach read; this is a novel you want to read carefully and allow to steep and absorb.

The characters are complexly drawn, three-dimensional and the story itself is highly emotional and inspiring. Edgar, the main protagonist is mute, yet his communication with his dog shows the astounding depths of the relationship between man and animal, and that language is much more than spoken words we hear.

The story had a strong emotional impact on me. Having recently lost my faithful dog of 13 years and later adding a new puppy to our household, it sure made me look at dogs differently. Although the story is fiction and the breed is fictional...well, who knows? Anything is possible, right?

I will admit the story is slow in parts, mainly because I think the author is striving to really paint a picture of the world he's created and the people who live in it. To me, the book's overall plot is a success and the reward for sticking through it all is satisfying. It's the kind of novel I personally prefer. One that makes me think while I'm reading it, and one that I think of long after I've put it down.

I don't expect it will be long before we see this novel made into a movie.

This novel was an honor to read.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song

Does it make a difference if a writer researches for a novel?

I pride myself on my research. If a writer wants a story to ring true and be believable, it’s vital to check facts and sources. For my novel Whale Song, I researched killer whales and myths for close to 2 months. There is so much material out there that I could have read about both subjects for years!

I found the information on killer whales to be very enlightening, especially about echolocation and adoption. Since writing Whale Song, I have found some awesome sites, such as: http://www.orcagirl.com/. There is just something about killer whales that intrigues and mesmerizes me.

And even though the main Indian or native myth was one I knew, I still believe in researching everything. As I began to delve into native folklore, I discovered so many stories that I had grown up with, and so many more that I had never heard. They all entranced me.

Strangely enough, when I needed a story to fulfill a particular ‘duty’ or parallel a certain aspect of Sarah’s life, I always found one that was perfect. The Bridge of the Gods, for instance, was a legend I found fascinating. Of course, I won’t tell you…you’ll have to read Whale Song.

So, what about you? Do you like novels that have obviously been well researched? How much research is too much?

Do you prefer novels that are purely fiction? What irks you about research or lack thereof in some books?

Please leave comments by joining in the discussion on Facebook.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
bestselling author
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Is the end of the world coming for the book industry?

New York Magazine published an article that looks at the downward spiral of the book business. As writer Boris Kachka says, "The book business as we know it will not be living happily ever after." He goes on to describe the "horror" that is now the book world--slow sales, staff cuts, empty offices and more. Indeed, he paints a sad picture of the industry in which I lay my future and my dreams.

But I'm still hopeful, still clinging to the thought that people are still reading books. What else could they be using my novels for? As I like to say: "There's always light at the end of even the darkest tunnel." Those in the book industry need to step into that light--all of us, from authors to agents to publishers to distributors to booksellers. There's always hope.

However, I can't get the image of shredded books out of my mind. No author wants to think of their publisher having to shred books. But it happens. 25% of books published are fated to die a slow death by shredder.

Kachka talks about the huge advances that the elite writers receive--those debut novelists that publishers risk everything for. I'm thinking it's time to level the playing field. Publishers are slowly coming around to that line of thinking.

As an author I can take a huge advance and not see anything more for years, or I can take a smaller advance and receive royalties every quarter. The way I spend money, the latter is probably best. Of course that doesn't mean I'd turn down a $1,000,000 advance. But I'm a suspense author who has a vested interest in seeing bookstores and publishers succeed. I believe we'll see a more cautious approach to advances to authors in the future. We'll probably see smaller print runs, maybe using print-on-demand (the technology, not subsidy).

I believe that publishing companies AND authors will have to think outside the typical bookstore box. Many authors I know would prefer to market online as opposed to doing cross-country book tours. Even Margaret Atwood prefers not to do a barrage of signings. I coach new authors to stick close to home, do signings in their city or town first, then branch out, keeping costs down.

The internet opens a lot of doors for authors and publishers--especially if they're creative in their marketing. I held a 30-day virtual book tour after the release of my last novel, Whale Song, guest blogging on a variety of sites and blogs. It was quite successful. However, it could have been more successful if it had been advertised more to the media, bookstores and online. This is where I see publishers saving money and creating more buzz. The internet opens up the book market to the world. Why not use it?

Don't get me wrong; I love doing book signings. Apparently, I'm an anomaly because I truly enjoy meeting people and selling my books in a bookstore. But online promotion is the future.

There will always be people reading something. Most of my friends (non-authors) love reading and have book collections they add to regularly. Books are comforting, easy to take on holidays--nothing says "relaxation" like reading a good book on a Mexican beach.

Personally, I'll take a lesser book advance than the 2.5 million a fellow countryman was paid (for multiple translations). I'd even take less than the 1 mill. another fellow Canadian received for advance. I realize it's a marketing ploy; it ups the interest in the book, but let's get real.

Heck, I'll take a signed contract with Berkley or Bantam or any one of the BIG GUYS, an advance between $100K-500K, plus royalties, and I'll work my @$$ off to promote my "baby". Where do I sign? My agent is Jack Scovil at Scovil Galen Ghosh (formerly Scovil Chichak Galen) Literary Agency.

So where will the book industry be in 5 years? I have no idea, but I can tell you one thing: The suspense is killing me!

Read the New York Magazine article.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Canadian suspense author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Sunday Salon: Honour Among Men

I apologize for being a day late in writing my post for the Sunday Salon. I'm fighting a bout of tendonitis in my right arm, and was ordered to take it easy. (Sure...) My doctor said, "Don't do anything for a few days. (Yeah, right.)

I might not have blogged, but there are some things that just have to be done--like steam cleaning the carpet after our new puppy decided to do her bizness there.

So what else have I been doing? Reading, for the most part. Yay!

I recently finished Barbara Fradkin's Honour Among Men. Like me, Barbara is a member of Crime Writers of Canada. I've seen her name and read her email posts to our group, but we've never met.

Here's my review:

Honour Among Men is a smorgasbord of mystery, appealing characters and twists and turns!

4 stars

ISBN 13: 978-1894917360

Publish date: Spetember 2006

Trade paperback; 347 pages; $13.95 US

Fiction; Mystery; Crime

Recommended for: Those who like a traditional 'whodunnit mystery' set in contemporary times.

Honour Among Men brings back Fradkin's interesting protagonist, Inspector Green. This time he's called to a case involving the death of a mysterious woman whose body was dumped on the shore of the Ottawa River. The first order of business? To uncover the woman's identity. The second? To find out why she had a military medal for bravery in her hand.

This fascinating novel takes you from Ontario, Canada, to Croatia via a soldier's missing diary, and it gives you a look into the hearts and souls of soldiers and the atrocities they face every day when they're at war. It also exposes the raw inhumanity of war and how people are forced to make choices 'over there', ones they have to live with afterwards...if they can.

Honour Among Men shows us that politics are often cloaked by past misdeads. Everyone has a past. Some don't want theirs in the limelight, and they'll do anything to keep their secrets. If you enjoy a great mystery novel with vivid scenes, realistic dialogue and a well researched plot, check out Honor Among Men.

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of three novels set in Canada, including the “compelling “ and “beautiful” Whale Song, the high-octane thriller The River and the sizzling psychic suspense Divine Intervention.

Cheryl awarded "Most Popular" by Chapters Indigo Online Community

Gotta love awards. :) They make you feel special, like you've accomplished something. And the last few weeks, I've seen more awards than ever.

From The Best Blog of the Day Award that was awarded to me and 7 other authors for our multi-author blog Criminal Minds at Work, to a Gold Star for Excellence for my novel Whale Song. And now another one..."Most Popular" participant in the new Chapters Indigo Online Community.

This community is a place for booklovers and authors to come together. We can post reviews, post notes and message each other. I've met a lot of wonderful people through this community, including the wonderful CEO Heather Reisman, who is now reading Whale Song.

I started promoting this new social network as soon as it launched. In fact, when I ran out of my own bookmarks one time at a book signing in a Chapters store, I grabbed some of the ones advertising this online community.

I love to connect with people. I am always interested in hearing what they liked about my work--and even what they didn't like. Feedback like this allows me to grow as a writer. In fact, hearing from fans that they've enjoyed one of my novels is the only award I really need.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my books and to everyone involved with any award I have received. I appreciate you all.

Now for any of you who have not yet joined, please come see me at the Chapters Indigo Online Community. It's free! Add me as a friend. Read some of my posts. Tell me about your favorite books.

Join now:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/Community-Home/community_home-promonb.html

Visit my profile page:
http://community.indigo.ca/profile/Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif/29765.html

Booklovers unite!
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com

5 things you didn't know about Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Today I tried to challenge myself to come up with 5 things that most of my readers wouldn't know about me.

And here they are:

1. I was a teacher (informally) - When I was an older teen, I substituted for Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers in a small BC school. Years later, I taught my daughter to read and by 3 and a half, she was reading sentences. I then went on to homeschool her for 4 years, after which she decided to try public school. She just graduated from high school.

2. I sold Pampered Chef kitchen items for about 2 years and loved going to people's homes and showing them new tools and recipes. I quit Pampered Chef about 6 months after the original Whale Song came out because I wanted to dedicate myself to my passion--writing.

3. I hate bugs, especially spiders. I can't stand the idea of bugs on me. I was once bitten by an unknown type of black bulbous arachnid. Its venom bleached out an area below my neck, removing all my freckles. It didn't hurt, but it took years for the white patch to go away.

4. I've survived flying over the Bermuda Triangle 4 times. At least, I think I have. Perhaps I'm in an alternate universe...

5. I've had a number of premonitory dreams since I was a teenager. In one dream I saw my mother with a baby in a green pink and white blanket. Later, my mother told me she was pregnant. My baby brother Jason was brought home in a green, pink and white blanket knitted by my grandmother. The most horrific dream happened one night when I dreamt of a massive explosion that gutted a huge government building and killed many people, including children. I saw scorched remains, smoke and ash...and skulls. The following day brought with it the Oklahoma bombing. One could say that it's because of my own paranormal experiences that I am drawn to the characters in my Divine series.

So now you know a bit more about me, that I am more than just an author who hopes to entertain you. If you haven't read all of my novels, I hope you'll check them out now--Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

http://www.cherylktardif.com

Sunday Salon: a place for avid readers

An author friend of mine, Karen Harrington, invited me to join Sunday Salon, a place where people read books and chronicle their journeys. It's not necessarily just for writing book reviews, but for commenting on what you like about the book, the author, the writing itself--basically anything book related.

As the site says, "Imagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them, and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake...."

So now my biggest challenge: remembering to post something every Sunday.

If you are an avid reader, then the Sunday Salon is perfect for you. Check it out!

Join me at the Sunday Salon.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Best Blog of the Day Award goes to Criminal Minds at Work

Today, Criminal Minds at Work, a multi-author blog featuring 8 "criminal masterminds" (including 3 Kunati authors) was awarded the Best Blog of the Day Award.

From the Criminal Minds at Work blog:

"Step into the minds of this group of talented, twisted, slightly psychotic crime novelists with a penchant for mystery, mayhem and murder. We write crime fiction or true crime that gets the heart pumping and the blood boiling."

Authors on this blog include: Karen Harrington, Linda Merlino, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Arnold Wolf, Austin S. Camacho, Juanita Rose Violini, Terry Carroll, and WG Eggleton.

Check out Criminal Minds at Work, an award-winning blog.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

A Story With No Ease

Note: Before I begin this story exercise, I must explain that an author friend joked about writing a book that had no S’s. It got me thinking…is it possible to write a story with no E’s? This is my attempt. And it wasn't easy. Of course, this doesn’t count the title, the tags or this note. :)

Shall I start?

Want to know my story? This is it. Many moons ago, I was born into a military family. I saw various towns and many islands. I had a solid upbringing. “Strict” was my dad’s motto.

My mind is full of words. Always. My goal as a child was always to turn my writing into books. As an author, I want to shock my fans with horrific plots, scary things that could actually subsist in our world.

I’m waiting for a book contract for my fourth book. It’ll occur soon. I know it. This book is most thrilling, I think. I’m working on my fifth book, which is kind of my sixth book. My first and fourth―similar books? Almost matching. Do you grasp what I’m saying? Probably not.

Anyway, I’m living my vision. And I’m awfully happy.

My wish is that you find your vision. Accomplish it by doing anything you can to obtain it. Having a vision is autonomy. It allows you to crush what panics you and attain what you want from this world. Wanting is natural. Accomplish it by motion.

Stay in motion, always moving, always striving, always hoping. Action and visualization draws good things toward you. Soon all your visions will grow into actuality.

Okay. That’s it. That’s all I can possibly post on this topic.

P.S. Did you find any? You know what I’m talking about. Good luck!

© C.K. Tardif,
author of...books