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The Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found a man wrongly took a chemotherapy drug for three weeks because a pharmacy dispensed the wrong medication.
The 79-year old man was supposed to be taking an immuno-suppressant, following a kidney transplant.
He took the chemotherapy drug for about three weeks before asking the pharmacist why his tablets had changed.
The pharmacist checked the records and found a technician had filled the prescription, but that he had signed it off.
He then failed to report the error, which was only uncovered when the pharmacy owner noticed stocks of the chemotherapy drug had run out.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Theo Baker said she was more concerned about how the pharmacist managed his mistake than the actual error.
Ms Baker said the patient eventually questioned why the pills appeared different from his usual prescription and the pharmacist told him to stop taking them.
"He knew then that probably an error had been made, he then checked to see who had made the error and and realised he himself had been involved in the dispensing, but he did nothing further, he didn't complete an incident form, he didn't alert the owner of the pharmacy to it."
She said the pharmacist was also remiss for not offering any counselling to the patient.
The pharmacist has been ordered to apologise to the man in writing, and further action could follow.


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Situation went out of control at RJD chief Lalu's son Tej Pratap Yadav's wedding as unruly crowd barged in the area meant for VIPs and media and started looting food items and stealing crockery.
Yadav, who's the elder son of the RJD chief, tied the knot with RJD MLA Chandrika Rai's daughter Aishwarya today. Despite preparations being made for thousands of people, who had gathered for the wedding, hordes of people started creating a ruckus at the venue. The people, who were believed to be RJD supporters, also manhandled the camera and other equipment of media persons.
The incident took place soon after Tej Pratap and Aishwarya exchanged garlands. The entire area, where intruders were berserk, was filled with broken cutlery and upside down tables and chairs. Wielding sticks were also used to ward off the intruders but the efforts went in vain.
The organisers at the wedding revealed that food arrangement for only 7,000 people was made but it seemed that no proper attention was paid towards crowd management.
Bihar: Visuals outside RJD Chief Lalu Yadav's residence in Patna. His son Tej Pratap Yadav is tying knot with Aishwarya, daughter of RJD lawmaker Chandrika Prasad Rai, today. pic.twitter.com/6TFGdDlC9g
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018
Politicians, rivals, friends, fathers, leaders and true Biharis – all in one picture. Congratulations Tej Pratap Yadav and god bless you for a happy and successful married life..!! pic.twitter.com/KlgVtpEZrk
— Nikhil Mandal (@nikhilmandalJDU) May 12, 2018

subset: commoncrawl


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Helping You Meet Your Customers' Needs
We know that service centers and distributors are looking for the right selection, price, quality and delivery to satisfy their customers' needs. We work with you to ensure that you always have a reliable supply of quality perforated metal products at a price that maximizes your margins. We work hard to make sure you have exactly the perforated metals you need — no more ordering oversized sheets and then shearing them to size at your facility. Plus, we offer a wide range of services — from toll-processing and stocking to custom packaging and precision material flatness — to provide you the ideal solution.
Benefits of Working with Accurate Perforating
- Standard perforated sheets and coils
- Custom perforated sheets and coils beyond standard 4' x 10' sheets for one-off customer requests and unique projects
- Metal fabrication including forming, welding, laser cutting and punching, so your customers can get everything they need from you
- Multiple levelers in-house to exceed your material flatness requirements
- Finishing services, including degreasing, galvanizing, powder coating, PVDF and anodizing to increase your sales opportunities
- Blanket orders to reduce your prices and lead times — we can manufacture three to six months' worth of product at once, stock it in our warehouse, then ship upon request
- Stocking and fulfillment services to lower your carrying costs and lead times
- Short lead times and flexible delivery options, including packaging, distribution, warehousing and just-in-time delivery services
- Numerous additional services to ensure your satisfaction with our products, prices and lead times
- The market leverage of a large supplier to keep prices low and ensure availability
Putting Our Experience to Work for You
With more than 75 years of experience, manufacturing expertise, extensive service offerings, thousands of patterns, hundreds of tools and the ability to make tools in-house, Accurate Perforating is the only perforated metal source you will ever need. We even offer custom fabricating so you can meet the needs all your customers, even on the rare occasion when they require something beyond the standard product.


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Via Aspio Terme, 191, Camerano, Italy Show on the map
Excellent location
Choose your room
Rooms: 68 soundproofed rooms equipped with bathroom with shower, minibar, air conditioning, satellite TV with PPV, Wi-Fi, safe, tea/coffee, alarm clock, trouser press, telephone, radio, hairdryer and balcony. Disabled and non smoking rooms available. Instalaciones: lift, parking, business corner, 2 meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, bar, restaurant, breakfast room, shop, spa, outdoor pool, gym and jacuzzi. Adapted for disabled use and pets admitted.


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On November 1st 2019, Lancom acquired Redbrick Technology Limited merging our resources in a way that is going to take us all to the next level. We would like to welcome on board Redbrick's Directors and 12 staff, all of whom are joining us at our Auckland HQ.Read More
A brand new addition to the Lancom team, Dan Apperley joins our business as a Customer Success Manager. With a mission to further Lancom's customer-centric vision, Dan is coming on-board to work with our growing customer base in delivering pragmatic solutions to achieve their goals.Read More
Leveraging technology to create solutions that meet and exceed business needs is the stuff that drives Waruna.
He will get inside your skin, see things from your point of view, envisage the solution and make it happen!
Waruna started his career at Lancom as Graduate Systems Engineer, 16 years ago. We knew from the get go he had more to offer, and he sure didn't disappoint us!
With a fantastic trajectory Waruna rose through the ranks becoming Lancom Chief Technology Officer, General Manager, and now the Group CEO.Read More
We've had growth on the agenda for some time and now we're pleased to announce a key acquisition which has significantly increased our customers. The company we've brought on board is PowerNet Computer Consultants NZ Ltd. It's the local arm of a mid-sized Australian company and it is now part of Lancom, with the deal completed as of July 1.Read More
In his six months with Lancom Andre has shown passion for technology, problem solving and continuous learning. Andre's biggest highlight at Lancom was passing his AWS Developer Associate exam recently. We chatted to him about his journey to date, his personal passions and recommendations for others looking to build a career in software development.Read More
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Waruna Kirimetiyawa has been appointed to the position of Group CEO of the Lancom Group of companies. With growth on the company agenda, Waruna is expected to substantially accelerate new customer and partner acquisition for DeskDirector in our international markets, while plans for Lancom include the imminent opening of new offices in Melbourne, Australia.Read More
2018 has been a BIG year for Lancom. As we wind down for the holidays, we look back at the year we had and share with you some of the highlights from the past months.Read More
Growing up in Whangarei, Aaron moved to Auckland to study Digital Design at AUT focusing on Motion Capture and Game Design. After joining the design industry, Aaron found himself loving the creative side of the role however it didn't quench his thirst for problem solving.
Fast forward a few years later, Aaron is Lancom's Service Desk Manager, after shining as a Graduate Systems Engineer and Helpdesk Leader. We sat down with Aaron to understand more about him, and his recommendations for those seeking a management position in the technology sector.Read More
Computers, Technology and how systems work have always been one of Cameron's passion. Starting his career in 2014, as a graduate systems engineer, Cameron has risen through the ranks to become Lancom's Technical Team Leader, responsible for scoping, and delivering complex projects.
We interviewed Cameron to find out his highlights building a career in Technology, and his recommendations for those getting started.Read More
Joining Lancom as a Graduate Systems Engineer, Jacques quickly realised he was made for Software Development. When we had an opening for a Full Stack Junior Developer, Jacques was quick to apply. Showing an outstanding result, he moved to become one of Lancom's Software Developers.Read More


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At Halcyon, we are a thinking community, guided by a belief that an exceptional education will draw out, nourish and awaken the unique potential of each student. Halcyon's Vision is Education: from educe meaning "to draw out". As such, our learning environment is committed to innovative and holistic learning; nurturing engaged, reflective and responsible, life-ready, global citizens.
Building on the foundations of the IB, Halcyon does not formally assess its students on test scores but rather monitors student's work on academically challenging and balanced projects with students only sitting final examinations aged 18.
A recent article attests that "The more students focus on test scores, the less creative they become".
Students benefit from being inspired by their learning and their learning environments. They need to be able to incorporate 21st century life tools in their learning, along with creativity and collaboration.
"When one is building a ship, one does not begin with gathering timber and cutting planks, but rather by arousing in people the yearning for the great wide sea."
— Antoine de St. Exupery (1900-1944), Aviator & Writer
Halcyon believes that test scores form only part of the assessment and that through innovative curriculum and delivery methods students leverage their engagement. Students learning in an innovative environment are much more likely to be innovators themselves: desire to discover new ideas and engage with their learning.
We encourage you to read further evidence on the inverse relationship between test scores and innovation here.


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Notes on a Journey in America, from the Coast of Virginia to the Territory of Illinois: with Proposals for the Establishment of a Colony of English.
Dublin: Thomas Larkin, 1818.
The first Dublin edition, originally published in Philadelphia in 1817. Folding frontispiece map, outlined in contemporary color. 158 pp. Contemporary paper boards, paper label; rebacked with later cloth. Modern bookplate on front pastedown. Light wear and soiling to boards; right and clean internally; very good plus. Howes B468; Sabin 5569; Clark II:4; Buck 95. Item #253123
Sabin quotes the EDINBURGH REVIEW as stating: "One of the most interesting and instructive books that have appeared for many years." The author, a native Englishman who came to the United States to escape an oppressive government and a church of whose doctrines he disapproved, travelled from Norfolk via Richmond, Washington, Frederickstown, Maryland, Hagerstown, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Madison, Indiana, Vincennes, and finally to the Illinois Territory. He founded a British settlement in southeastern Illinois. "This is the first of the long list of books relating to the English settlement in Illinois. In it Birkbeck tells of a land-hunting expedition into southeastern Illinois and of a visit to Shawneetown. He was a keen observer and a good writer and the book is a valuable contribution..." - Buck. With a large and lovely folding map of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
Price: $350.00 Free Domestic Delivery


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Affordable Prosthetics For The Developing WorldJuly 26, 2009 at 1:16 am | Posted in Technology | Leave a comment
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Congratulations to our November Undergraduate of the Month, Katherine Hess! She is a senior working on a double degree in GIS and Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in biodiversity/ conservation biology and a minor in Professional Writing. Thank you for being such a great representative of our department and we can't wait to see where your future takes you!
What are your interests within your program(s)?
I am interested in exploring the applications of GIS to study the environment, and especially the impacts of climate change. The minor in professional writing is because I think it is important for people studying issues like climate change and environmental issues to be able to effectively communicate their work to the public as well as their peers.
What previous jobs, internships, and volunteer experience have you had?
I have interned with an organization in my hometown called Sustainable Morristown, coordinating initiatives to get the town certified through the Sustainable Jersey program. This summer, I spent a month studying abroad in Tanzania where I took a class on wildlife conservation and got experience gathering data in the field, which was amazing since going out in the field meant safaris and the subjects of our observations were elephants, baboons, birds, and lions.
I also interned last semester as a tutor in the writing center on campus, where I helped students with papers for classes, cover letters, and personal statements.
Where are you/have you been interning?
I am studying the role of climate change and other potential causes of the early emergence of 17 year cicadas in Dr. Fagan's spatial ecology lab. My role is creating raster layers with historical and recent climate related data such as average annual temperature and average precipitation. We will use these layers to see if there is a spatial correlation between changes in climate variables and early cicada emergences.
What are your internship responsibilities?
I use ArcGIS to analyze how the ranges of different cicada broods overlap and change overtime, by compiling and comparing GIS data from past studies.
How is the internship experience relevant to your studies in Geographical Sciences?
My favorite parts of working on this project are how it combines my interests in GIS and environmental science, and how I get to apply what I've learned in GIS classes like 373 to researching a real world question.
What are your career goals after your graduate?
I would like to continue working at the intersection of GIS and environmental science, ideally with ecology/ biodiversity like I am in Dr. Fagan's lab, although I am also interested in the intelligence and humanitarian aid applications of GIS.
What are some of your hobbies?
I am interested in politics and closely follow the news, as well as playing and refereeing volleyball. On campus I am on the executive board for the Environmental Science and Policy Student Organization (ENSPire) and I am the treasurer for the UMD Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
Where are you from?
Morristown, New Jersey
What has been your favorite class at UMD? Why?
My favorite class at UMD was an honors seminar I took my first semester freshmen year called Climate Change: Science, Economics, and Governance, because it was the first time I got to learn the detailed science behind climate change and how pressing the problem is for my generation, not just for future generations. The class also did a mock international climate treaty negotiation at the same time as the negotiation of the Paris accord, and it was fascinating to see how closely our ideas were reflected the actual agreement.
My other favorite class was GEOG130, Developing Countries with Dr. Luna, because it was a subject I had little prior knowledge about, but I found it fascinating to learn about the gender issues in developing countries as well as topics like population structures and how they can impact the functioning of a country. It also made my study abroad in Tanzania even more interesting because I saw examples of many of the issues we had talked about in class, such as observing the different roles of women and children when I did a homestay, and learning about the cultural differences between the different tribes such as the Iraqw and Maasai.


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We have written blog posts in the last year or so on the Locky ransomware that devastated many businesses. We, too, saw the devastation that this malware could cause when clients approached us to help retrieve crucial files and get systems up and running when they were infected with Locky. Fortunately, for Managed Services clients with monitoring, alerting and a disaster recovery system in place, no data was lost. Others, who came to us in crisis and who were not professionally managed, were not so lucky.
There was a lull in activity of Locky for months, but it seems to be enjoying a resurgence in the last couple of months. In August, Locky was in a massive email campaign sent to over 23 million users. As in the previous versions, this version is usually distributed through spam emails with a malicious Microsoft spam file attached or a zip attachment. The latest version, dubbed Litikus, encrypts all files, then displays a ransomware message on the desktop of the intended victim. It then demands payment via bitcoin. The ransom demand can range from $2,000 to over $4,000. The loss of time, files, use of website, etc., can be even more costly to a company or organization.
There is no decryption available for Locky. Most victims are now forced to pay the ransom. The best prevention are the steps we have outlined in previous blog posts:
- Beware of spam. Do not open ANY attachments that are not from a known and reliable source.
- Backup OFTEN.
- Update your antivirus!
Make sure you have a good tech support team that can oversee updates and vulnerability. Prevention is key.
For more information, here is a link to our previous blog post on ransomware.
The sources of information for this article are zdnet.com


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Here's the audio version as well, in case you're like me
(I love listening, besides reading).
As human beings, we're all creatures of continuous growth by nature.
That expansion can take place in the direction of improvement, or increasing the bad habits that block our highest potential, pushing us farther apart from success and happiness. This is a process that happens individually and in most cases, without even noticing it.
When we live with a life-partner, this phenomenon duplicates… and we could say that it "triplicates" because -when choosing to join both lives- an invisible third entity is instantly born as the result of the combination of both beings. This third presence requires affection, nurturing, protection and respectful appreciation.
When this doesn't take place, an invisible barrier forms between the couple; but when these considerations are observed, a stronger & unbreakable bond builds up because there's intentional co-creation step by step.
At the Coaching sessions for Couples I'm able to see the state of the relationship and each individual objectively. So as a Guide, during the entire process I'll apply a set of self-knowledge & compassionate communication techniques, which will teach you to see each other (and the events) just as they are, free from preconceived mechanisms and contaminated judgments.
In short, in these weekly meetings you'll learn to really get to know your partner under a new light: in the renewed version that will now advance in continuous intentional growth.
From this point on, you'll both be free to decide to be happy (individually and in the healthy bond that has been co-created)!
What important challenge have you been able to overcome with your couple?
Have you been able to detect that third entity among you both?
I'd love to know if these messages have been useful for you. Please write your opinions here on this blog, or send me your thoughts at:email@example.com
Have a wonderful rest of the week!


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Jeffrey Fashion Cares, the annual Atlanta runway swank-fest to fight AIDS and breast cancer, is $75,000 more flush a month out from the big night thanks to a matching grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
If you swoon at the mention of Gucci, Prada, Marni, Manolo Blahnik, Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Bottega Veneta, and Jason Wu, Fashion Cares is for you. The 18th annual event thrown by gay retailer Jeffrey Kalinsky takes place on August 30, 2010 at the luxurious 12th & Midtown on Peachtree Street.
Bernie Taupin has disclosed the secret of the track listing for the upcoming Elton John/Leon Russell album "The Union".
The track listing is as follows:
Deadline.com has learned that representatives for both Justin Timberlake and Elton John are denying there's anything real behind that published rumor that both musicians are in talks to replace Simon Cowell as a permanent judge onAmerican Idol.
A Justin insider says the report is "just silly" because Timberlake has no time for a gig like this. That's because his film career is really taking off after acting turns in David Fincher's Oscar-touted The Social Network as well as Bad Teacher and Friends with Benefits. And he's been offered the lead in the Andrew Niccols-directed I'm Mortal for New Regency and Fox.
Nigel Lythgoe, who left his post as executive producer of "American Idol" in 2008 to focus solely on "So You Think You Can Dance" and its various incarnations, is poised to make a return to Idol in its hour of need (for a fourth judge, that is).
While the show's focus has appeared to be on finding a so-called replacement for the irreplaceable Simon Cowell, there's also been much quieter talk about scrapping the whole crop of current judges—an idea that Lythgoe has championed in the past when asked about Idol's diminishing popularity.
Elton is teaming up with his 'Billy Elliot' co-writer Lee Hall to pen a new stage production based on George Orwell's book 'Animal Farm'.
However Lee - who won Olivier and Tony awards for his book and lyricsfor the musical 'Billy Elliot' and an Oscar for the movie - admitted that the musical will not be completed any time soon. He said: "I would think it's going to take about two years before it's all ready to go".
Elton John didn't mince words in slamming his fellow musicians for boycotting Arizona over the controversial SB 1070 immigration law.
From the stage at his sold-out Tucson Arena concert on July 22, 2010, Elton savored a few choice, not-so-family-friendly words: "We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won't come here. They are (expletive) wits! Let's face it: I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what's the (expletive) with these people?"
Elton continues to help rap pal Eminem with his battle to stay sober by calling him once a week.
The rapper reached out to Elton, who he performed with at the 2001 Grammy Awards, and asked the British rocker to unofficially counsel him as he attempted to get clean after a four year hell of painkiller abuse.
Mid July 2010 saw the launch of Face the Music, the new marketing campaign from the British Music Experience, masterminded by student Cassie Lawrence from University College Falmouth.
Cassie won the Young Creative Network Student Awards, a competition opened up to all the creative universities in the UK to produce a communication that showcased the depth of the content within the British Music Experience, The O2's interactive exhibition of rock and pop. Cassie's entry was the stand out winner of the 80 entries submitted.
Elton John is bringing his World Tennis Team Smash Hits charity event to D.C. in November 2010, so get ready for a good cause complete with a legendary pop star.
The 18th annual event will take place on November 15, 2010 at American University's Bender Arena with tennis greats such as Andre Agassi, Anna Kournikova and Stefanie Graf all making an appearance on the court. If we're lucky, Elton might just take a few serves as well seeing as he has a private tennis trainer who travels on tour with him.
A bout of food poisoning has caused the postponement of Elton John's scheduled concert at Tucson Arena.
The Arizona Daily Star reports that the show originally scheduled for July 21, 2010 was nearly sold out with about 8,800 tickets purchased. Organizers say the British rocker will perform on July 22, 2010 night instead.
Kylie Minogue plans to throw a charity concert to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her beating breast cancer. The fundraiser is expected to include performances from her famous friends Robbie Williams, Elton John and the Scissor Sisters.
As well as continuing to raise awareness, Kylie wants the February 2011 bash to be a big thank you to the French doctor who treated her. Speaking to Sunday Mirror about her plans, the pop veteran said, "Early next year it will be my five years all clear and I would like to do something to mark that – something like a benefit concert. We are going to try and arrange something with my professor in Paris."
Bernie Taupin's recent relationship with SiriusXM got into full swing on July 3, 2010 with the premier of his "American Roots Radio" show.
The 2-hour program will have new shows airing every other Saturday. Repeat performances will air on the following Thursday, 12 midnight Eastern/9pm Pacific. For full details check out Bernie's new web page.
Elton John band bass player Bob Birch is celebrating his 54th birthday on July 14, 2010.
On behalf of the Hercules team and all Elton John fans around the world we would like to wish him all the best and happy birthday!
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) applauds the release of a new National AIDS Strategy for the United States
The announcement from the White House on July 13, 2010 is the culmination of a multi-year campaign by a broad range of HIV/AIDS advocates and organizations, including EJAF, who championed the development and implementation of a single plan to accelerate effective responses to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Former PM Gordon Brown is being wooed by Elton John - to work with him to fight Aids.
Mr Brown, 59, has been in talks over taking a post with the Elton John Aids Foundation. And Elton wants the ex-Labour leader and wife Sarah, 46, to become patrons.
"It's like Crazy Heart … only without the drink and the drugs," deadpans Elton John when discussing the rise and fall of Leon Russell, his piano playing idol.
Introducing "The Union," his remarkable new album of duets with Russell, at the Electric Cinema in London's Notting Hill, Elton is in fine form, but is keen to emphasize Russell's impeccable musical credentials. "I don't know why he just fell off the radar," he says, explaining that in the Seventies Russell not only played on a huge variety of Phil Spector records but also wrote anthems such as "A Song For You". Here's what else GQ Magazine learnt from listening to Elton explain this "real labour of love"...
Elton John says his forthcoming collaboration with legendary singer, songwriter and sideman Leon Russell marks a new chapter in his recording career, saying: "I don't have to make pop records any more."
Speaking at the launch of the album at the Electric Cinema in West London on July 5, 2010, Elton said: "I thought, 'The world isn't screaming for another Elton John record and I'm not screaming for it either unless it's going to be different. In the '70s, '80s and '90s, the record companies always said we had to have a single and I think I fulfilled my brief. But at 63, the singles chart isn't one I'm going to be in very often. To me now, it's all about writing albums and trying to be mature."
A bottle brawl in a Chase Side restaurant kicked off just as an Elton John look-a-like stepped onto the stage.
The man, sporting a rubber mask of the singer, was about to join George Michael tribute act Rob Lamberti in the spotlight at Enzo's Ristorante, in Chase Side, when the audience started bottling each other.
A rousing tribute to one of the most successful artists of all time, "Rockin' Man," a single reflecting the musical journey of Elton John, has been released by Mauro Montuschi, a leading West End piano/vocalist.
Drawing inspiration from the work of the enduring singer/songwriter, "Rockin' Man," tells how the music of Elton and lyrics of Bernie Taupin have influenced Mauro's love of chords and melody, and the emerging talent of a generation of songwriters. Set to become a firm favourite with Elton's fans worldwide, "Rockin' Man" is a stirring ballad reflecting the power of Elton's music.
Following is the complete set list of the Faroe Islands show on June 29, 2010.
Ed Limato, one of the most powerful and successful Hollywood agents of a generation, died on Jul 3, 2010 of natural causes at age 74 at his home in Beverly Hills, EW.com has confirmed.
Limato, most recently a senior agent at William Morris Endeavor, helped guide the careers of such heavyweights as Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson, Steve Martin, and Claire Danes. He also became known for throwing a huge A-list bash at his home during Academy Awards weekend.
The band dedicated their hit "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" to the singer, who looked on from the balcony at the Roundhouse in London.
"We're about to play a real sweetsong for a dear friend of ours who is here tonight," frontman Jake Shears said, signalling to Sir Elton. "We love you - you are one of our greatest friends."
Sharon Osbourne can't wait to see what she won in an auction at Elton's recent party, as she was so drunk she has no recollection of what she bid for.
The TV star attended the singer's annual White Tie and Tiara ball with her daughter Kelly Osbourne. The pair had a fantastic time mixing with the other celebrities, and Sharon admits she sampled rather too much of the free alcohol on offer. Elton and David held the event at their home in Old Windsor, England. It raises money for the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF), so an auction is always held.


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Experienced Talent Network Profile
MLT's Experienced Talent Network team is looking forward to learning more about your career journey and goals. To personalize your experience, please take a few minutes to complete your Experienced Talent Network Profile, including up-to-date information about your current employment and career goals. MLT will use this information to keep you informed of the best opportunities for you. It will not be shared with any of our partner companies without your permission.
: You will need a copy of your resume to complete your profile. Please be sure to reference MLT somewhere on your resume.
Enter your email address and birthdate below to get started!
Email Address
Date of Birth
Contact Information


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General Information
Stainless Steel 4-Wire Apt. Station. Flush mounts on 2-gang electrical box. Features Plastic Push buttons. Supplied with standard oval head machine screws.
The IR207B apartment stations are designed specifically to flush (or surface) mount over a 2-gang electrical back box. IR207B\'s feature the solid professional look of satin brushed stainless steel. These versatile stations may be used in large or small buildings. A wide variety of optional accessories is available to provide additional functions such as multi-entrance operation, post office door release, and magnetic (fail safe type) door release capabilities.
Simple push button operation
Rugged Satin Stainless Steel Faceplate
Easy installation
Automatic privacy
Mounts (flush or surface) over a standard 2-gang electrical back box
Dimensions: Height: 4.50″ (115mm)
Width: 4.50″ (115mm)
Depth: 1.50″ (38mm) (When Flush Mounted)
Projects: 0.50″ (13mm) from mounting surface
Construction Rugged, brushed finish satin stainless steel faceplate.
Controls: Individually replaceable push-buttons with self-wiping plated contacts. Identified for TALK, LISTEN and DOOR functions.
Speaker/Mic: 3.50″ (89mm) x 2.25″ (57mm) oval type with voice response. Also used for electronic tone signal.
Mounting: Designed to mount (flush or surface) on a 2-gang electrical back box. Supplied with four (4) 6/32 mounting screws.
Apartment stations shall be Alpha Communications/Tektone model IR207B or approved equal. Station shall (surface or flush) mount over a 2-gang electrical back box. Momentary action push- buttons shall be provided for TALK, LISTEN, and DOOR operations. The speaker/microphone shall be a 3.5″ x 2.25″ (oval) high-sensitivity type with voice-frequency response. Screw terminal connections shall be provided for positive wiring termination.
PK543 Amplifier (1 per system)DO-001 (or equivalent) Door ReleaseSS102A or SS105B 16VAC Transformer (for PK543)Lobby Entry Panel (1 per building entry)S1 Screwdriver (if required for lobby panel)OPTIONAL COMPONENTS:
PK502B Multi-Entrance Relay Adaptor (use 1 for each additional entry panel after 1st panel–maximum of 8 entrances). No additional transformer needed.
PK407A Specialty Relay Adaptor. Used when connecting a door opener other than a 16VAC type to system. One (1) required for each building entry door opener.
Apartment riser wiring shall be 3-common #22AWG and 1 selective wire #22AWG, for each station connected to the riser cable. Add 1-#22AWG common if 2nd tone signal will be used with optional apartment pushbuttons, to signal apartments when visitor is at apartment door.


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Going west: A trip across America
I'm on the last leg of one of the most fantastic trips ever, a journey by train across America. I went from New York through New Orleans and Arizona and on to LA and then San Francisco. Along the way I've met: a cowboy, a go-go boy, and a Vietnam veteran and reformed Hell's Angel, … Continue reading


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National Bank of Canada Shanghai Representative Office
National Bank of Canada (NBC) is an integrated provider of financial services to retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. It operates in three business segments—Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Financial Markets. National Bank of Canada presently has two representative offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Its activities concentrate on trade finance with the financial institutions located in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. NBC is the only Canadian bank that provides factoring/supply chain solutions in Canada.


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by Mary Bowling
July 2018
Most businesses have a love/hate relationship with online reviews and the sites that publish them.
They LOVE it when they garner praise and plenty of stars and HATE it when the reviews show low ratings and voice complaints about products or service. They LOVE it when bad reviews are filtered out by Google and Yelp algorithms, but scream conspiracy when the good ones are not publicly visible. Love 'em or hate 'em, online reviews are here to stay and they can make or break your business in the same way word-of-mouth recommendations or condemnations can offline.
The Importance of Reviews to Your Business
Word of mouth marketing, which has always been a prime driver of new customers to local businesses, is now magnified across the Internet to include everyone with access to a PC, tablet or smart phone. Your customers are talking to each other and those that aren't talking are still listening!
We local SEOs care about reviews because they're a prime tool customers use to make buying decisions. Google knows that so they put a lot of importance on reviews when presenting business to searchers. Some of the things Google considers when it comes to reviews are:
- Relative Volume of Reviews
- Sentiment of Reviews
- Location of the Reviewers
- Authority of Reviewers
- Content within Reviews
Even small business owners who aren't actively marketing on the Internet are impacted by online reviews and ratings whether they want to be or not because of powerful sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Avvo, etc.
It's no longer possible for businesses to stick their heads in the sand and ignore them. Every business needs to create and maintain a system of monitoring and managing its online reputation.
Google Loves Reviews
All businesses and those who market them must get used to the fact that reviews are not going away – not ever. How do we know Google loves reviews? It's because they put them everywhere they can. Here is a screenshot of a restaurant search on a PC.
What the results look like when you click into the More Results and get the condensed Google My Business listings. The results are organized by the proximity to the searcher (or their specific search query) and then by reviews.
You can see how Google prominently highlights reviews with bright orange rating stars and users are encouraged to sort the businesses they see by star ratings.
Now that Google+ has lost its authority the only place to leave reviews for a business on Google is on their Google My Business listing.
Once a searcher clicks through to the company's Google My Business page listing, its review summary is featured front and center with a large rating number – again in orange – and snippets taken from reviews. In some instances you can see that the reviews are organized by the authority of the reviewer, which results in reviews from local guides being featured first like in the example below.
The easiest way to direct your customers to leave you a review on Google is to give them a direct link. The way to do that is…
- Search for your business on your computer.
- 2Find your listing and click Write a review.
- 3Copy the link from your address bar and share it with customers.
- That link will automatically take them to a pop-up window to leave a review.
How Your Reviews Affect Rankings
According to the most recent (2017) Local Search Ranking Factors Survey, reviews may account for about 13% of Google's local pack ranking algorithms and 7% of the Localized Organic results. Read the survey and the participants' comments to learn more about specific factors (source, quantity, review velocity, review diversity, etc.) within the 13% that may affect rankings.
Volume of Reviews: Your goal should be to get at least 10 reviews on Google. However, it's important to know that different types of businesses tend to get more reviews than others and Google realizes that. For example, a restaurant or hotel can expect to get quite a few reviews on a regular basis, but an addiction counselor or DUI attorney should NOT expect his customers to be quite so enthusiastic about publicly associating themselves with those particular services.
It's safe to say that a business is probably in the best position when it has at least as many reviews on Google – and maybe a few more – as the businesses ranking in the Local Packs for the terms it would like to rank for. So you need to stand with – or above – your competition.
Diversity of Your Reviews: Google is mostly concerned with its own reviews, but does pay attention to reviews at other places across the Web. It's very likely that it trusts different directories for reviews of different types of businesses.
Review diversity is a local search ranking factor. Therefore, you should NOT try to concentrate all of your customer reviews on Google or on any other single website. Instead, encourage happy customers to review your company wherever they feel most comfortable online. This is the best way to gain a diverse review profile and a larger quantity of reviews.
You want to be sure that you have reviews on sites that are authoritative for your industry. For example, a restaurant is expected to have reviews on Yelp and a doctor is expected to have reviews on Healthgrades.
Review Sentiment: The overall sentiment of reviews also affects rankings, but perhaps not in the way you might imagine. Customer opinion affects rankings because it influences the click-through rates and bounce rates for your website and your local business listings. The Search Engines want to return the most relevant results for each query, and user behavior is a prime indicator of relevance. If a search result doesn't get clicked on very often, it must not be very relevant.
Bounce rates affect rankings in a similar way. If a searcher clicks through to a page and immediately clicks back, it must not be what she or he was seeking. Good reviews and high ratings can result in high click-through rates and low bounce rates. Bad reviews and poor ratings usually have the opposite effect. In this 'round about way, having good reviews and ratings can influence the rankings of your pages at the Search Engines.
When people choose to see the businesses with the worst ratings, it's very likely they're only interested in weeding out the ones they should avoid or looking for a laugh. For the most part, potential customers are much more likely to read reviews to find the best places to go rather than the worst places. If yours isn't one of them, shoppers may never even consider it because it won't appear in the results they see. So, those businesses with the highest ratings are much more likely to be seen on many of the review sites and because past customers have had good experiences, they are also the most likely to attract new clients.
Understand The Rules!
You'll find Google's official stance on online reviews here and we've included a screen shot below.
The important take away is this section…
Reviews are only valuable when they are honest and unbiased. (For example, business owners shouldn't offer incentives to customers in exchange for reviews.)
As you click deeper into Google's guidelines you'll see specific details on prohibited and restricted content in regards to reviews…
You can read Google's specific guidelines when it comes to text reviews here.
These guidelines are not an empty threat. There are countless examples of businesses that have lost all of their Google reviews after they were reported by competitors for and found guilty of things like creating review contests on social media with prizes or giving open incentives to customers who left reviews. Every site that customers can leave reviews on has its own rules so be sure to read each site's guidelines and stick to them. For example, Yelp's review guidelines are clear that they don't want you to ask customers for reviews at all.
One of the ways around this is to ask customers to 'check in' on Yelp when they visit your business. When they check in, Yelp will send them a note asking if they want to review the business.
The FTC sees fake reviews as false advertising and there are regular news reports of businesses fined millions of dollars because of shady review practices. A recent example is a car dealer who was fined 3.6 Million dollars. If you have a client who insists on breaking the review guidelines, we suggest that you share stories like that with them and then if that doesn't work you should consider parting ways.
It's All About Getting More Happy Customers
Despite all the effects reviews may have on your online presence, don't overlook the fact that reviews are really all about getting more buyers into your business and having good reviews is a very powerful way to do so.
Businesses must realize the tough fact that sometimes what they really need to focus on is fixing the things customers are complaining about. As Matt Siltala said several years ago:
"If your business is broken, and this is why you are worried about getting on sites like Yelp, then FIX THE PROBLEMS NOW. Even if you do get some negative feedback, take it as a learning tool, grow from it, and do everything you can to overcome and grow as a business."
The absolute best way to get good reviews is by providing truly outstanding products and customer service, so make good use of customer feedback to help you improve your business. This is how I like to approach every single review when it comes to my clients:
By making each customer complaint a priority to fix you cannot only provide better service to your customers, you'll also boost your online reputation as well. More happy customers will bring your business more positive reviews, which in turn will bring even more customers to your door!
Part of your healthy review policy is to answer each and every Google review! Google now gives you the opportunity to reply to each customer review. They even email you an alert as soon as a customer leaves you a review. That's the perfect way to say 'thank you' for good reviews and openly respond to negative reviews or feedback. The best way to stop customers from wrecking your business due to a bad Google review is seeing you respond quickly thanking them for taking the time to share their feedback and including specific details on how you're fixing the issue immediately.
Writer, Local Search Marketing Expert
July 2018


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Sweet Thing
Sweet Thing is cut from the same cloth as some of Alex's most celebrated work: intimate, creatively filmed, and fantastically personal. Alex's children Lana and Nico Rockwell return to lead roles following their critical success in Little Feet, starring alongside Will Patton and their mother (Alex's wife) Karyn Parsons. The family-heavy cast doesn't soften what is a dark but exceedingly tender look at childhood in a broken home. The story revolves around the two siblings and their struggle to find solid ground in the homes of Adam, their alcoholic father, and Eve, their negligent mother. The children ultimately run away and find a temporary life for themselves around the town of New Bedford, MA. What begins as a disturbing family drama becomes a rousing childhood adventure that, though tragic, is a deeply moving and hopeful testament to the poetry of adventure and the imagination of childhood.
- Genres : Uncategorized,
- Language : English
- Runtime : 0 min


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SoundCite makes inline audio easy and seamless
What it does
Audio is a powerful device that can add emotion or context to a story. Unfortunately audio clips force uncomfortable choices: read or listen, but not both. Until now. SoundCite is a simple-to-use tool that lets you add inline audio to your story.
In a nutshell, SoundCite makes it incredibly easy for web publishers and writers to include in-line audio in their stories.
We released an alpha version in Spring 2013 and WBEZ's Jim DeRogatis used it to give a profile of Chance the Rapper more depth by allowing readers to hear the lyrics DeRogatis cited in his piece.
Indeed, music reviews were the original inspiration for SoundCite, but we can imagine it as an effective way to give readers quick access to clips of 911 calls, speeches, or even ambient sound. The only requirement is that the audio be hosted on SoundCloud. Unfortunately, because of SoundCloud's embed technology, it doesn't yet work on iPhones and other iOS-enabled devices. But don't fret! Your text will still appear and the reader will not even be aware of the missing clip.
SoundCite is open-source and available on GitHub. We encourage you to contribute in any way you wish — fork it, send us pull requests or just let us know what you think. Of course, there's nothing wrong with just using the tool, either.
And if you find it useful, send a thank-you to SoundCite's creators: Knight Lab student fellow and Medill student Tyler Fisher and Medill assistant professor Jeremy Gilbert.
Check out the video above for a quick tutorial on how SoundCite works and be sure to send us any feedback: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Tyler Fisher, Knight Lab student fellow
Jeremy Gilbert, Medill assistant professor


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(Photo: Death becomes us. )
3 x 5 @ (up to) 80% of 2RM
2 x 10 @ 60%
1 x 15 @ (up to) 50%
If sets require interruption, make as minor an adjustment as needed and complete the next uninterrupted. When scheme is listed as "3 x 5″, it always refers to "Sets" x "Reps". Reminder: Position and execution always govern weight. Attentive set-ups and re-sets, full range of motion, and violence of action in each lift; Soft equals sketchy, listless is dangerous.
Then, 5 rounds of:
5 Kettlebell Sumo deadlift @ (up to) BW
3L, 3R Kettlebell row @ as heavy as possible in each round
:30 sec. rest
Attentive, sensible Sumo deadlift set-up and execution, every rep. Please see attached article if position is murky or foreign; The devil is in the details- go find him. No guessing.
And then:
Brief rest in no less than 10-rep intervals; Mechanics or range do not change as we fatigue. Focus harder, address the details that we take for granted when we're fresh, and demand quality reps.
And finally, "Time under tension":
(Timed) 15-calorie Airdyne sprint + 250 jumprope
Sprint, not a jog- roll off the bike into the jumprope, and rest when you're done. 2 – 3 minutes- breathe and go.
Reminder! (Almost) all movements referenced above are linked to high-quality video demonstrations/ explanations!
Please use them to your advantage!


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Mayor Watts
Cllr David Watts was elected as Mayor in May 2019. His term of office is one year until the next Annual Town Meeting. The Mayor is supported by his deputy, Cllr Margaret Piper
The Mayor undertakes a number of duties, including the chairing of Full Council meetings and representing the Council at public, civic and ceremonial events.The Mayor's charities for this year are You Raise Me Up.
The Mayor is always pleased to attend local events, particularly those of a charitable nature. If you would like the Mayor to attend an event, please contact the Town Hall on 01323 488114 or via email to email@example.com
Invite The Mayor
If you would like to invite the mayor to an event, please fill in the form below with your details. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.


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The gray nimbus cloud BURST and the rain came.
Can a wrenching human sob be the same?
Two angry cats circling each other;
Potential cloudburst of rage, oh rather…
A thin man ran, his breathing a cloud burst.
Is a dog panting a symptom of thirst?
Cloudburst aptly describes our bad living.
Problems percolate until we're seething.
Small wrens singing, cloudburst in the bushes;
Riotous Joy [!] in my psyche, wishes…
(And so, IT continues.)


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Rent Apartment in Platja d'Aro - Gran Terrassa Vistes Mar President - Baix Empordŕ
Apartment with sea view on the large terrace one bedroom with double bed and one with two single beds international television and parking included
- Elevator
- Free car park
- Car not needed
- Terrace
- Furnished terrace
- Baby cot
- Bed linen
- Bathroom
- Shower
- Bathtub
- Hairdryer
- Towels
- Clothesline
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Clothes hangers
- Kitchen
- Oven
- Microwave
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Coffee maker
- Toaster
- Squeezer
- Dishes
- Satellite TV
- Internet
- Tennis
- Horse riding
- Paddle
- Golf
- Mini-golf
- Pitch and putt
- Bowling
- Paintball
- Beach
- Water skiing
- Scuba diving
- Sailing
- Surf
- Windsurf
- Hiking
- Via ferrata
- Fishing
- Skydiving
- Ultra light flight
- Mountain walk
- Bycicle routes
- Wine tourism
- Cinemas
- Water park
- Church
- Sea views
- On the beachfront
- Adults only
- Pets not allowed
- Parties not allowed
- Hooligans not allowed
- Bachelor parties not allowed
- Youth groups not allowed
Availability Calendar:
Platja d'Aro - Apartment with sea views ideal for 6 people
Apartment registered in the Register of Tourism of Catalonia (RTC) HUTG-007046-12
In order to improve your stay and also facilitate the rest of the neighbors, we ask you to comply with a series of rules: when you make the entry, we will make an inventory record, when leaving, you must leave the apartment under the same conditions as You are at the moment of entry, please, please communicate any damage that you may have caused.
You must also follow the following rules:
- prohibited carrying pet animals
- prohibited the celebration of parties or bachelor parties
- We do not allow reservations for groups of hooligans
- smoking is not allowed in the facilities of the site or in the apartment.
- It is necessary to respect the noise schedules of the city
- If you make use of the trash, you will have to dispose of the trash to the nearest containers, ask the team for their location.
Rent Apartment in Platja d'Aro - Gran Terrassa Vistes Mar President
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This has been an extraordinary experience – being interviewed by a person I admire. Jean Gill drilled me about my book The Forest of Trees, but more importantly, about some life issues I consider very important.
This has been an extraordinary experience – being interviewed by a person I admire. Jean Gill drilled me about my book The Forest of Trees, but more importantly, about some life issues I consider very important.
Isn't it an amazing feeling when you discover a new author whose books you eagerly await every time they are announced?
Elizabeth H. Newton is one of my favourite authors, with her panache for political and psychological thrillers (View from the Sixth Floor and Riddle) and eerie horrors (check out her tales in Ghostly Writes Anthologies, Dark Awethologies, Electric Eclectic novelettes, Twisted Tales, Crooked Tales, an array of stories for the Gems collection, etc.), with a touch of sensual erotica (Carved Wooden Heart), and so on.
This prolific author has just released a spectacularly intense thriller Stolen Gypsy, which follows the unimaginably turbulent change which occurs in her life after her parents' accident. It kept me up all night, because her characters lured me into their world and had me rooting for them all the way, my head dizzy from the plots and emotions. Movie-like action scenes and intricate relationships, with past mysteries and future hopes all resting on the cliffhanger of resolving the true identity of the main character. Nail-biting, I'm telling you.
So, naughty me, I came begging for an interview even before I'd written a so-well deserved review for this phenomenal book, and the lady agreed! So today – feast your eyes on this interview, and then run to get your copy of Stolen Gypsy (or any other book by Elizabeth Horton Newton) and make your weekend an adventure.
1.Your latest novel Stolen Gypsy is out. Has it been inspired by a real event? Can you remember which section, scene or character first came to your mind?
Stolen Gypsy was actually inspired by a dream I had about gypsies. The first scene that came to me actually turned out to be the first scene in the book. I saw the kids looking out the window of the classroom and smoke in the distance. How often do people see something like that or see an accident and not realize it's someone they know.
I was thinking about the exact same thing – you see something like that and have no idea it's about someone you know. Nobody ever thinks it's about them.
2. Terza is such an unusual name, but perfect for such an unusual heroine. What gave you the idea for the name?
Terza is an entirely made up name. I researched gypsy female names and couldn't find one that lit up for me. So I made one up. Do you like it?
Yes, I love the name Terza. What do you most love about Terza as a character?
What I love most about Terza is both her adaptability and her passion. She is one tough kid. I worried I was making her too strong. Although she cries easily she doesn't give up.
Yes, Terza cries, and yet shows strength and stubborness. She must have been tricky to write, just on the verge of switching from teenager to woman.
3. Your novels often deal with a social issue such as domestic abuse, poverty, prejudice. This one seems to encompass so many issues on a huge number of levels. Did you have any idea the plot would develop so intricately and grow to such large scale when you started writing it?
I had no clue at all where this was going. I was fascinated with the gypsy aspect and the Witness protection program but initially wasn't certain how they would gel. The drug cartel and the unwed mothers were only a couple of surprises for me.
4. By now, having reading your books and short stories, I have to say your collection of characters is quite something. Could you tell us what you love about some of your previous characters, and especially the ones from Stolen Gypsy?
My favorite character in Stolen Gypsy is Peter McCray. He has great instincts about people, can be tough but gentle when needed, and he has a sense of humor.
My favorite character from all of my books and stories is Gaunt Thibideaux from Old Habits. He is complex and dark but on the surface everyone loves him.
My favorite female character is Olivia Roberts from View From the Sixth Floor. She starts out as a sweet southern senior and as the story progresses she gets tougher and stronger. I think all my female characters do in a way. I believe that's true of many women. We are ready and able to step up and do whatever is necessary to care for ourselves and those we love.
5. Has your writing changed with each novel, or better yet – what has changed and what has stayed at the core of your writing?
Hmm that's a tough one. I think my desire to tackle serious issues while building a story that is compelling has stayed the same. I still write most of a story in my head and sort of see it before sitting down to write. I am still surprised by some of the twists my stories take. I often have those ah ha moments where I think "oh I didn't see that coming".
6. Stolen Gypsy has quite a few legal subplots and the criminal scene is quite tricky to write. How did you do the research?
I am a huge fan of court shows and cases. As part of my volunteer work with a local domestic violence group I've been to court many times. Besides I love research.
7. While researching the Gypsy and Rom differences, what details surprised you?
I had no idea there was such diversity within the gypsy cultures. It was fascinating to learn the various customs. I had to pretty much pick and choose what to add to the story without overwhelming the reader.
8. Your action scenes are movie-like. How difficult is it to write them?
The action scenes are easy. I studied film and tv production in college and I love action films. I "see" the action in my head. They are fun to write, especially if I've had a bad day. Lol
9. The relationship between Terza and Devlin develops from a chance meeting to an epic scale. Did you enjoy slipping in the little details which pointed them in the way they should go? (Trying to avoid spoilers in my questions;).
I had a difficult time writing those parts. I kept wanting to rush them along, take them farther. But it isn't that kind of a story. It was one of the few times I pulled out graphic parts and rewrote them. I guess I'm too lusty for teen relationships.
10. Have you met a Nora in your life? She only seems like a side character, and then turns out to be a person deserving her own novel.
Nora could have her own book. She's extremely complex. Like Tristan she has a big heart. But I feel she was overshadowed by her prettier younger sister. It gave her a darker side that can erupt. I don't think everything she does is done out of kindness.
That's what I liked about her, in my own twisted way;) – she makes stupid decisions out of pride and vanity, but deep down she is not a bad person so she spends her life trying to make up for them before she admits to them. It makes her real, human.
11. By now this may seem like a typical question, but if this book became a movie, who would you like to work with on it? From the cast to the crew, even the musical score?
Tristan is easy. It's a toss up between Cillian Murphy or Jonathan Rhys-Myers. Music by James Newton Howard hands down. Elizabeth Moss as Nora. Peter would be either Cillian or JRM and Dakota Fanning as Terza. Andreas is the biggest challenge. I'd love Sir Anthony Hopkins but I think it's simply because I love him.
I'd like Ron Howard to direct I think. But I'm fairly flexible there.
12. How does this novel compare to the things your previously wrote? How do you feel about it and what do initial reviews say? Would you say you have risked more?
I think Stolen is like View in some ways, the younger version of Olivia & Bill. It has action like View. And of course obnoxious FBI agents. The initial reviews are very positive. I was pleased that a male reviewer commented on the action sequence with the cartel. If I can get a man to appreciate the gun fight I've done something right. My biggest risk with Stolen was injecting Rom dialogue. I tried it in English but it didn't feel right.
13. When you are a reader, how do you pick a book?
I love horror and historical stories. I also enjoy true crime. Big surprise, huh? Usually I read the blurb and decide from there. Sometimes I am attracted to a cover. Of course I have favorite authors. If I see a book by Stephen King or Joe Hill, I grab it.
14. Would you say people read less nowadays and why?
I don't know if they read less or simply prefer short stories, magazines, and newspapers. People seem to be hurried these days. However if you give readers a good story they will read it. If they really like it, they will talk about it and others will read it too.
15. Any new surprises planned for us fans in the future from you or the Crazy Writer Couple, you and Neil (Douglas Newton)?
I'm finishing up the first draft of my next book. Blood on Murder Highway is loosely based on a highway in British Columbia where a large number of First Nations women have gone missing or been found murdered. It's an exceptionally graphic serial killer story. As far as the Crazy Writer Couple, we're still working on the first book in our series, Fungi Fandango. Since we have individual projects it's difficult to find time for our joint work.
16. Thank you very much for your time, Elizabeth. I'd better go write that review for your book, or else I might become a victim in your next book.* Just kidding. Any messages for the readers?
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. If I may, I'd like to let readers know I have some more novelettes coming out through Electric Eclectic Books and a short story in a Stab in the Dark anthology. Also I'm planning a contest where the winner get a Kindle loaded with my books. I'm not certain when, maybe when my next book is released.
*review posted yesterday;)
Links for Elizabeth H. Newton :
Between the Beats (Author Blog)
Lieve Snellings is an author and photographer I first became acquainted with through her nature books for children via Readers Review Room. It is a pleasure to have her over as a guest.
Lieve Snellings is a retired freelance photographer who lives in Leuven (Belgium).
Her series of picture books 'Nature in Quebec, Pictures of Astonishing Wildlife' count now 2 books, available in Dutch, English and French. Her children's books are featured with whimsical photo- illustrations of wildlife, she took herself in Quebec.
Lieve Snellings became 'BookGoSocial Top Voted Children's Author 2017' and 'Readers Review Room's Author of the Month October 2017'.
Her images illustrated many books, magazines and were published online. Her photos were shown in exhibitions all over the world.
Since 2008, after meeting up with her partner who lives in Quebec, you can find her for about 5 months a year in Canada. There she became a passionate nature photographer. She spent hours, weeks… Observing wildlife and searched every info she could find. This and her imagination made her publish two children's books in which photos are as important as words.
Her stories take the traditional picture book experience and transform it by replacing illustrations by her own nature photography. The books are written in her mother tongue Dutch and translated in English and French.
Name: Lieve Snellings
Book(s): Margot gets an unexpected visit; Groundhog Secrets, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Woodchucks
Genre(s): Picture Books featured with whimsical photo illustrations of wildlife
Day-job: Retired social worker/dispatcher at the Emerency Room Department. Passionale photographer.
Likes: Life and ice cream
Dislikes: beetroot and violence
Favourite virtue: passion and persistence
Favourite sin or fault: ice cream
Favourite quote: It's better to lose yourself in your passion, than to lose your passion.
Favourite movie: Hidden Figures
Favourite song: Gracias a la vida by Mercedes Sosa and Joan Baez
When I was a child, I didn't dream to become a writer. I wanted to become a world champion in bicycle and then I would buy a big apartment in South Africa, in which half of the habitants would be black and the other half white. And so in my dream they had to learn to live together.
As many teenagers, I wrote poems as a way to express myself. But I didn't think of me as a poet nor an author.
Later I became a social worker and photographer. And in the solidarity world, I heard so many times that white people talked about others, what they went through etc. I was interested in what these people wanted to tell themselves. So in photoreports and presentations, f.i. about Nicaragua, Bosnia, India… I wanted to let them do the talking themselves…
Maybe that's the reason, that in my books, Margot the groundhog became the narrator of her own life.
Why do you write?
This is a good question why do I write books? And it will be so different than for other writers, because I do it, in the first place, because I'm a photographer. Photographing nature was so good for my soul. And when I realized I had so many amazing photos of all those Quebecois animals and birds, I started thinking that these images could help reveal the beauty of nature to all kids, small and big ones. Making a children's picture book seemed to me the best way to do so. Only my picture books would be different from others, because I would work with my own photos.
And it is that aspect that is the most challenging, I didn't find much other picture books based on real photos. My work is a sort of special, something very different, in the big children's book genre of picture books.
I don't like horror. Writing about something is going deeper into the story. I can not do that with horror.
When I write and do the graphics, featuring my books with whimsical photo- illustrations of wildlife, I took myself, in Quebec, I feel so exciting, I really can hear and see Margot talking, at that moment I live in another world…
I start with a general, vague idea. Then making a first selection of photos, see what these images tell me, what is the story that comes up… write the words down… After that, I start to create the illustrations in photoshop, add text and stuff, which can be different than my original words on paper. And so go step by step…
The photos play a very important role in the creation.
After spending some days with my godchild's daughters in Belgium, I flew back to Quebec and suddenly it became clear to me. I can make a children's book with these girls as main character together with Eufrazie the squirrel. But sitting again in our backyard, I saw Margot the groundhog waking up after her hibernation. At some or another way she made it all clear and told me 'No, it's not about Eufrazie, it is about me, Margot, that you have to write your book and and you have to show my pictures.'
I don't know how she did it. But Margot the groundhog made me change my plans and give her the main role in the books, and that is the reason I more and more started to love her, she is such a strong character, she knows what she wants and goes after it.
I do have some beta-readers who go with me through the process. At the end, I asked an author-editor to read it. This is how I ended up with two books instead of one (My very first edition both books were worked out in one big picture book).
In the beginning, it was tough and I didn't quite understand. But then a 10 year old girl made it all clear to me after I asked her to read. She said 'one part in the book is more a story for kids a bit younger than me, but then this part with all the tidbits on groundhogs, I'm sure even my sister, who is 12, will enjoy that. And exactly this was it my first editor wanted to point out for me. And so I ended up with 2 books instead of one. After that process, they were both edited by a friend writer-publisher.
Another big job was the translation. I had a translator into French and into English. And after the translators had done their job, an editor came in and changes were made in agreement between translator, editor and me.
Positive reviews give me, of course a boost, it's like the fire of passion in myself gets some extra air and grow. Of course I also got critics. The first moments are a bit difficult, but then I let it lay down on me and after a while I can see what I can learn from it. And that pleases me then too.
I am a photographer, so that's my big passion. I am also a women's peace activist and member of Women in Black (WiB), an international network of feminists against violence and war and for peace. In Leuven we have a silent vigil every week.
I like reading, watching TV, films and hanging out with friends and family.
I like Pipi Langkous because she is so funny and full of energy and every problem is for her a challenge.
I didn't get a reaction that was funny nor weird that I still remember 🙂
There are different famous persons in human history I would like to meet, but if just one person, I would choose Maya Angelou.
I would thank her for her poem 'I rise'.
If you want to get astonished by the beauty of nature and a slight of humor…
Then the Margot books are really something for you!
Have fun reading and looking at the pictures.
Dogs or cats – CATS cats know very well what they want and they go for it
Ice-cream or fruit – ICE-CREAM I could do a death-sin for ice cream
Meat or salad – SALAD I love salad, but I love meat too
Fact or fiction – FICTION Once I read in one of Alice Walker's books that in fiction the facts are never finished, everyone can fill in what s/he see in the story or continue themselves. In non-fiction the story is sort of finished. Because I like facts, but also dreaming, maybe that's why my stories have a mingling of facts and fiction :).
Music or silence – SILENCE I like music, but I need silence too. I think I would miss silence more than I would miss music.
Indoor or outdoor – INDOOR when I was young, my choice definitely would be 'outdoor', now I think I love indoor more 🙂
Ocean view or mountains – OCEAN VIEW Watching the movements of the sea is like rocking your soul. Though I like mountains too
Books or movies MOVIES
E-book or print – Print for picture books, for other books I prefer now e-books
Teach or learn – LEARN I love them both. But when I first learn, teaching follow
Romance or crime – CRIME I love romance, but for reading it is so destressing to read a crime story
Margot Gets an Unexpected Visit
Hook: A children's tale where nature photography, friendship, diversity, fun, education and ice hockey come together.
Blurb: As all groundhogs, Margot doesn't like to have others around her. Certainly not humans. But is this also the case when she meets up with two little girls? You'll find out in this book.
You will also enjoy the unique and touching photo-images of nature in Quebec, and an unpredictable anecdote on the special haircut for ice hockey fans.
Asin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E0FL2HK
Amazon smartly: http://smarturl.it/e7uowx
Universal booklink: https://books2read.com/u/mZ58yJ
Groundhog Secrets – Everything You Always wanted to Know about Woodchucks
Hook: Discover the secret world of the groundhog through the eyes of Margo the woodchuck while gaining a close-up view of wildlife in whimsical photo illustrations.
Blurb: Do you want to know more about the woodchuck? Then this book packed with information about groundhogs (who are also called woodchucks) is for you! Margot the woodchuck reveals all her secrets. She describes how groundhogs are born, what they look like and who is in their family. She talks about how they fill their tummies in summer and autumn, to store fat for the long winter months. Even medical doctors and scientists study the groundhog hibernation. Find out why in this fascinating illustrated book.
Asin: B071Z35TDB
Amazon smartly: http://smarturl.it/0psllg
Universal booklink: https://www.books2read.com/u/m2oJNG
Website: https://lievesnellings.wordpress.com
Readers Review Room Author of the month October 2017: http://readersreviewroom.com/author-of-the-month/lieve-snellings/
BookGoSocial Top Voted Children's Author 2017
It is wonderful to be able to interview author A. L. Mengel as he begins his 2018 book tour. I first met the incredibly talented creative genius of A. L. Mengel in the Awethors writers' group and have since witnessed his fantastic progress in the world of fiction.
I've been a published author for five years now. It's really hard to believe. I remember sitting and tweaking my first novel Ashes repeatedly, readying it for publication. I had started writing that novel in 2002. Back then, I had dreams of being an author. But I was still so caught up with my young life. With the material world. And the quest for love. And experiencing human emotion. And relationships. Little did I know then, all of my experiences would come out in my written work in the future years. So I would write the story, originally titled The Last Nail in the Coffin, which was destined to become Ashes, bit by bit, over several years, on and off.
Fast forward to 2007, I finished the story. I can still remember the day, almost 11 years ago, like it was yesterday. I could feel the tickle of a cold in my throat, and was elated to type the words 'THE END'. The next day, I came down with the worst flu of my life. It kept me bed ridden for several days. Looking back on that, and after talking with others about The Tales of Tartarus series of books, there have been some that have thought the sickness could have been some sort of demonic influence. Ashes tells a very dark story, but it leads to the light and forgiveness. Demons don't like that. They don't want to lose their grip on you.
And that's really the goal of the entire series of The Tales of Tartarus books…in The Quest for Immortality, a character is racing against a certain death to achieve the gift of eternal life; in The Blood Decanter,those who have achieved the gift are under attack by an imposter – The Hooded Man – who is destined for their destruction by promising them salvation but giving them death. The book is a cleansing of the soul – as the blood "washes their sins away". And then there is War Angel. Where redemption is found. Where protection is a right of the living and the dead. We all need to dispel our demons to elevate ourselves to a higher level of existence. The Tales of Tartarus did that for me. It may do that for others, as well.
But my favorite moment? Memory? I would have to say the creation of #Writestorm. It was so sudden, so intense, and also so life-changing. Once I introduced the writing methodology to the Literary Community, it was quickly embraced. It's become easily searchable on Google. The book was released and received stellar reviews. There have been others that have copied #Writestorm on Social Media. I've seen multiple groups pop-up since #Writestorm that discuss a similar philosophy – tweaked "just a bit". But there's only one true #Writestorm. And people know that, it seems. But the book wasn't written for notoriety, money, or fame. It was simply written to help other authors get their books written and follow their dreams. And for that, I hope I will have created something that will endure.
A lot has changed in the last five years. And a lot has also remained the same. I think, what has changed the most, is my approach to publishing. When I first released Ashes, I was so excited to release the book, I released it in parts, like the serial novels of yesteryear. It worked well initially, I could call myself a published author, people were reading the story and enjoying it according to reviews. I was happy. I was able to relive the natural high of a book release three more times until the paperback released in October of 2013. I still have copies of that paperback, which are now out of print. Amazon is offering it as a Mass Market Paperback, and some copies are going for up to $150 as that version has become rare. And Ashes was my best effort at the time. When I look back on that novel, I see a good self-publishing effort. But when I compare it to my novels of today, there really is no comparison. Ashes is a good story, and it got the high-end treatment it deserved in 2015 with the Special Edition, which is now the signature version.
My approach to writing really remains the same. I follow a very specific…and rather archaic…process. When I start a novel, I start with a spiral notebook and a pen. I have to get my thoughts out on paper, and I have found it best to be away from the distractions of a computer to get that done. When writing the prose, I use regular old Microsoft Word. No fancy book writing programs for me. I write notes during the writing process on a rather large whiteboard that hangs in The Writing Studio, and I do something I call "scene mapping" on the wall on a space mural I have hanging. Usually, I divide a book up into four to eight parts, which each have their own subtitle. I've been doing this since Ashes. I don't work with chapters. Each part of my novels has its own story that relates to the overall story arc. I print the part subtitles out on paper and hang them on the wall. I tend to use sticky notes, on which I will write the scene in one sentence, and move it around on the wall underneath the part where I think it best fits.
But marketing is another animal. There's a lot of authors and authors' service providers that claim they have the answer, but for me, I am following in my predecessors footsteps who are now Best-Selling Authors. The Indie Author has to get out from behind the computer. At least if they want some sort of a level of selling success. Persistent and repetitive social media marketing really just turns into spam, which people tune out. That online marketing needs to be specific and targeted, and linked to something that page followers connect with. The goal is to get followers and convert them into readers. Getting page followers is the easy part. Just market your page on Facebook and they will come if you have a strong brand/product mix. But connecting with them is the hard part. I always check what's trending, and also what is going on in the world to see how it could be linked to my brand. There's a marketing opportunity in everything. I was recently out to lunch at a sports bar. When I was being questioned about my recently released novel The Mortician, it was decided on the spot to record a video, which was shared on my Facebook page. One needs to be adept at identifying marketing opportunities which are everywhere, and in places where you least expect them. And I have found, that page followers have been connecting with me more, increasing my engagement, as I get outside with the people and make videos and go-live with people-to-people interaction.
My readers are a wide and varied bunch. In addition to The Tales of Tartarus, I also have The Vega Chronicles, my Science Fiction series. In addition, there is a series called The Astral Files with the release of The Mortician. The Astral Files is a spin-off from The Tales of Tartarus, and I expect it to be a long running series. Then there's also #Writestorm. And there are thousands who are Beloved Friends of The Writing Studio on my Facebook page who have never read a word I have written outside of Facebook. My target market doesn't really focus on an age group but rather a level of intellect. My novels are typically for a more sophisticated, thinking reader. My books usually have steady builds, and tend to get philosophical in the later acts. Some have told me they've read one of my books the first time to take it all in, and then a second time to figure it all out. Some readers can get frustrated with that. My books are not simple reads. Books of today spoon feed everything to the reader. My books don't do that. The reader needs to think. To discover. And I am also getting known for ambiguous endings in some of my novels, which I write intentionally to encourage discussion and personal theories about the story.
I recently was quoted on Facebook discussing Social Media: "Social Media is a smiling demon. It gains us readers, sells our books, and also robs us of our time." It's really true. Facebook, and all of Social Media, is a necessary evil. But the successful author will be resistant to its many temptations. It's easy to get drawn into chats that have nothing to do with you or your brand, and even easier for time to get swallowed into lazy marketing of just blasting a book link around writer's groups that will be ignored and prove to be a waste of time – even if it only took a minute or two.
Because for the Indie Author, that minute or two blasting a book link to other authors who are busy trying to market their own work could have been spent seeking out true readers away from social media. People that will connect with you, face to face, and read your work because they know you in person. Getting away from the computer and away from Social Media, to connect with the people, is where the true success lies, and honestly, what the brick and mortars look for when arranging events and stocking titles. I've been vetted for Barnes and Noble recently, and was approved not only because of my well-established online presence, but also because of the in-person marketing efforts I have made. For the Indie Author, it all really depends on their own personal goals, but I know for mine, I look forward to my titles being stocked in brick and mortars. And that requires a lot of hard work beyond writing the stories.
Oh yes! The tour is actually about to start at the time of this interview. It's called "Take A Journey" with the hashtag #TakeAJourney2018. It's a little different from the typical Author Book Tour. For one, it's long running. It starts in February of 2018 and runs all the way to the end of October. That gives us the freedom to schedule event dates throughout the year without the tour seeming overwhelming. I've studied musicians for years, and how they tour, and have tried to emulate that touring formula. I think it can work for Authors as well. I think long-term touring…to represent our entire branding…could be the future for Authors getting their work out to the public. Brick and Mortars are still fading. But the best way to connect with potential readers still remains face-to-face. But arranging events at venues that may not be a book shop "official selling stop" can still build one's market presence. Every tour stop should be embraced, because it's an avenue to reach readers. So an author has to think outside the box. And that's were Jeremy and I developed the "Author Discussion Series", which will be a series of informal tour stops on our Book Tour that are at restaurants that have a topic of discussion that's pertinent to creatives. That series won't be selling stops, and they are being scheduled in-between the more formal, book shop selling stops throughout the tour. The "Author Discussion Series" stops are for creatives to get together and discuss the craft.
Jeremy Croston and I happen to live near one another, and after he had read several of my novels, we agreed on a meet and greet in early 2017. Shortly after, we discussed touring together throughout 2018. I had learned about his Malice of the Cross release which seemed to pair well with my own branding, so we decided to do it. We met monthly for tour planning meetings since July of 2017, and have held almost daily conference calls in the early morning discussing the progress of venue selection and other creative things. We've held pretty strong to the monthly meetings and the conference calls. Planning a tour – a real tour – is an extraordinary amount of work. Getting venues will not come easily. A lot of doors will be slammed in your face. And you just pick up and move on to the next venue. What's great is that we currently have 21 dates on the books between February and October through multiple cities. Hard work, and persistence, truly does pay off.
The most pleasant surprise surrounding the Take A Journey Book Tour was the Go-Lives that we did promoting the tour, and the tour planning appointments. Our first go-live video was of me reading from Jeremy Croston's Malice of the Cross and introducing it to the readers on my page, which has followers of over 6.7k. In just three days, over 1.4k people viewed the go-live. We were both elated. But it wouldn't prepare us for what happened just two weeks later at our "Gods and Monsters" book tour planning stop. We went live again with over 6.1k views in four days and knew then that we were creating a buzz about the book tour.
Honestly, my goal is to make a decent living with my writing. Usually, with fame comes fortune, but that's not my goal. If it happens, so be it, but I just want to do what I love, which is writing books, meeting with the people and touring, and starting the process all over again. One thing I would like is for my writing to endure for generations. I recently received, as a gift, a box of very old, quite rare books. I mean, they are from the 1800's or older. Many of the copyright pages are written by hand. And that is what I am referring to. These are 150 year old books. I want to make sure that three generations from now, my books are still out there. That's one of the reasons why I am gradually releasing each of my titles in hardcover. Most of my market is paperback readers. Not Kindle. But when I told my business advisor that I was releasing hardbacks, he didn't understand why. But I'm trying to create a market for the hardback. And even if I don't, each hardback that's printed will most likely be around for a century or more.
I've been taking a several month much-needed break from writing after The Mortician. That was the most personal book that I've written to date. Few know that I have several personal memories inserted into the story in various scenes. As a result, it was an exhausting write. I needed a break. I have a hard time moving from one book right to the next. I know quite a few authors do that, but I believe in a creative refueling period. We all have to go out and experience life again, once the book is written. Or else, how can we accurately depict characters in our future books? I've had discussions several times with other authors who don't follow my philosophy of a creative resting period between books. Unfortunately, it seems many Indie authors are turning themselves into "Book Factories" by releasing book after book after book in a single year. In my opinion, anything over two releases in a year is too much. Readers get overwhelmed, haven't had time to digest the previous release and the next one comes out, and the stories risk being underthought and underdeveloped.
Currently, I am working on a Science Fiction epic which is planned to be released in two novel-length volumes: Part One and Part Two will released on the same day together, and they both will be novel-length books. I'm not mentioning the titles right now as they are "working titles" and could change during the creative process. I never would have been open to that wave of inspiration had I not been on a creative break and experiencing life. My aunt passed during that time, and her love of my science fiction inspired the new epic novel. Taking a break from the writing is necessary. It opens the mind, and the outside the box thinking really begins.
I would say do exactly what you are doing, and keep learning from those who have gone before you, because it's going to lead to something greater. In half a decade, you're going to be touring kid. Keep at it.
The most favorite thing about my recently release novel The Mortician has to be the transitions in the story. I really loved how they came out. The Mortician takes place in two separate time periods with two protagonists and two separate and complete casts. I was challenged as a writer to link the storylines together without confusing the reader, and as I write in parts rather than chapters, I had to find a way to move back and forth smoothly. The two separate storylines and two casts of characters were running concurrently. The reader needed a smooth transition from one time period and cast to the next. And I love how it was done. I used art, photos, music and photography to transition the story from one setting to the other. For example, a piece of music might be playing that one character experiences, and then the story transitions to another character in a different time period listening to the exact same piece of music, separated in time by decades.
I also really loved the cover. Shoutlines Design did the cover, and they sent me early renderings in April of 2017. We tweaked it over the next several months, and the final version was released on Halloween 2017. As I drafted the manuscripts, I incorporated elements of the cover so the cover represented scenes from the story. I love creative collaborations like that.
I'd really love to get both Stephen King's and Anne Rice's opinions on my novels. I'd like to think that I am embracing my own branding, characters and storytelling style, but following in their footsteps in some way. I read novels from both of them in my younger years, and I believe their work has influenced my own in some ways.
Oh, wow. That's a tough one. Because writing can be a very challenging experience for me. But so rewarding. I'd say the most challenging part of my process comes towards the middle. When I have quite a bit written, and I have to make sense of it all, and smooth it out to form a story. It's a period during my creative process that I can "Story Structure". It comes after the main scenes have been written, the story, at least for the most part, is there, but usually it's akin to an unfinished puzzle. Pieces are spread all over the place, and each piece (scene or passage) needs to be closely examined to see where it best fits into the overall puzzle, the story in this case. It's a point in my process where my word count will expand rapidly. During this period, as the scenes are spliced and placed where I believe they best fit in the story, I then will fill holes, bridge gaps, and write smoothing sequences to build flow in the story. While the most tedious and challenging period of my process, it's also one of the most rewarding. For this the stage where the story really comes to life for me, where it starts to flow, and I can see a true beginning, middle, and end.
But the most excruciating? I can still remember the most painful scene I have ever written, and it was a death scene in War Angel. I was pantsing my way through a passage, and the death really caught me off guard. It was violent, sudden and intense. And it was a major character that I'd only been writing about for a short while. When I saw the visual of gigantic, blood-stained angel wings, reaching up towards the Heavens in a mark of desperation, I could feel tears start to stream down my cheeks. It was just so tragic. So unexpected. It pained me to reread what I had just written. I had to stop writing that day and called my editor. She suggested to take a break, and I didn't sit back down with the manuscript for several more days. I had to mourn the sudden passing of that character, whom I had loved so much throughout the story up to that point.
Now the most exhilarating experience for me, and I think most authors would agree, is holding a book in my hands for the first time. That amazing feeling just doesn't go away, even with my seventh novel recently in print. Every time I open the box of the first printed copies, I can feel the excitement build. With my science fiction novel The Europa Effect, I opened the box and examined the first proofs on video, and shared it on my Author page. I got some great comments where the viewers said they could see how my face lit up when I opened the box. I think that's a feeling that will never go away. It's one of the most exhilarating points in my process, also one of the most rewarding. It's where I have created something physical, something that I can hold and touch. I can look at it , as something that I've created that will most likely spend more days on this planet than I will. And by holding the books in my hands, by feeling the pages, and the binding, smelling the paper, and running my hands over the covers, I know that I'm creating books that will endure.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoralmengel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoralmengel
(all photos provided by Andy Mengel)
To end this challenging year, there is nothing like having a guest over. A romance author with a kind heart, Phoenix Rainez will make this transition from 2017 into 2018 smooth and gentle! Here she is, sharing with you some of her latest poetry:).
AUTHOR : Phoenix Rainez
GENRES : Romance, Erotica, Poetry
BOOKSITE LINKS : http://www.amazon.com/dp/1501022539
SOCIAL NETWORK LINKS : http://www.facebook.com/phoenixrainez2
1. Do you have a favourite winter holiday story?
No favourite winter holiday story, but my favourite holiday film would have to be LOVE ACTUALLY. I have so many books in my collection still to read, I honestly don't have time to re-read any of the books I've already read.
2. Which character from a holiday story would you like to be?
I think I'd love to be Elsa from Frozen.
3. What is your ideal way to spend Christmas Eve this year?
Curling up with a good book all day in my pj's and a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
4. If you could travel anywhere this winter, where would it be and why?
I'd love to visit Lapland during a winter holiday season.
5. What would you like to ask your readers?
I'd like to ask my readers if they think a companion novella is a good way to introduce other characters in the story.
Do share a sneak peek into your current work in progress.
My present work in progress is my poetry book.
Give us a riddle to your wip.
When you need to share a secret quietly you ….
Where can we follow your progress?
What's the blurb for your work in progress?
No one asks to fall in love, but sometimes it happens, and the timing is all wrong. So, they wish upon stars for a love they can't hold, and whisper their love on the wind, across oceans that keep them apart.
Sneak peek, please?
1st poem from my new poetry book:
You're the whisper on my mind
Wrapped around my heart
I see you in my dreams
And touch you when I sleep
Your love is like a whisper
From a time so far away
Caught in a moment of silence
On the tail of a shooting star
We dare in dreams to share
A whisper of love so soft
Like the feathers on a breeze
Of a lover's dream in thoughts
Sailing those intimate waves
Of a secret love lost in thought
We touch only in dreams
Our love just a breath
A whispered I love you
MY HOLIDAY WISH for my readers is that they find the time to read all the books they want to, not only over the holidays, but all year through.
Thank you, dear Phoenix. May your 2018 be a happy beginning to a new adventure!