Birthday Dreaming
June 22, 2026 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as birthday, dreaming, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Veronica Jorge
Every once in a while I daydream about what it would be like to meet some famous individual from the past. And if I did meet them, what would I say? Once we’d get past the introductions, nice to meet you; how’s the weather? and other such polite niceties, what would I ask them or talk about? Maybe I’d freeze, and my mind would go blank transforming me into a banal idiot.
Well, I got to find out when my daydream recently turned into reality. No, I’m not crazy. I’m serious. Seriously crazy, you might mutter under your breath. But look, I have the pictures to prove it. Now listen. This is how it came about.
The other day I was minding my own business when I chanced upon an event at the library. Ah, books. (Audible dreamy sigh). They were celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. That is the library was celebrating, not the books.
Or so I thought.
Because while strolling through the history section, books opened of their own accord and characters greeted me. One even invited me for a stroll and before I knew it I was whisked into the leaf of a page with…
You’ll never guess who it was.
Wait for it.
Drum roll please.
President George Washington!
I could feel the weight of his authority, but also his humility. I didn’t have to fumble for what to say because he did most of the talking. Mostly he asked me about my dreams and hopes for my century and then he took my hand and said, “Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get your there.”
Before I could say or ask anything, I found myself back in the 900 section of the library aisle face to face with Aramita Ross, whom we all know as:
Harriet Tubman!
Her presence was so powerful, but I warmed up to her right away. I asked her how she had found the strength to risk her own life to help so many people. In a steady, kind voice, she said, “I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that’s what I’ve prayed for ever since.” I hugged her and leaned into her strength. And then she was gone.
I looked around. All was silent. The books sat quietly on their shelves. I went home reflecting on the words of President Washington and Harriet Tubman, wondering within myself if I could ever be brave, strong, courageous, and dedicated like them. I smiled and wiped a tear as I thought of the last words Harriet spoke over me as I held her close. The words of her deep resonant voice will forever ring in my heart.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
That would be the best birthday present I could give them and they would, I’m sure, somehow know that their sufferings and struggles have not been in vain.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on July 22nd!
Books Reviewed by Veronica
Keeping the Writing Momentum Going
June 12, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as A Whole New Plan, book launch, Denise M. Colby, writers goals, writers lifeDeadlines definitely help keep the writing momentum going. But what do you do when you don’t have a deadline? How do you keep up with all the marketing, promoting, and other things writers need to do and still write?
It seems during a book launch I’m busy posting, writing blog posts for guest blogs, and pursuing book signing opportunities (which I have two this month – so excited!).
I’ve also been on vacation for a week where I didn’t do anything. I think that’s why I’m having this mental conversation in my head about what I need to do next. I’ve been removed from my momentum and need to get back to it.
When I don’t touch a story I’m working on for a bit, it slows down my own pacing of getting things done. I’m also in a new dilemna. With the release of my fourth book, that completes my first contract. It also means I do not have a set deadline to deliver the next book to my publisher. I’m finding my own deadlines tend to slide a bit. Does anyone else have that issue?
But with all the stories inside my heart to write still, I’m not done yet.
What exactly is Writing Momentum?
So what do I do first? Secure a contract? Write the book? Finish my newsletter magnet? Spend more time in marketing? I feel like the next step is all clamoring for attention. Which makes me realize I need to set up some new goals and tasks to stay focused. And take a deep breath.
First. I know how to complete a book. With several baby steps. Showing up daily to write, even if it’s just a little bit. Have an accountability partner (which I do – my critique group is awesome).
I think for me one of the most productive things I’ve done is be a part of a zoom writing sprint group. Three days a week I can log in at 7am with a bunch of other authors and know I will move forward on writing, editing, making graphics, or building my newsletter in that time slot. I will also be encouraged, supported, and I learn new things in every 5 minute conversation we have during the 2 breaks.
I highly recommend this to any author.
Next I need to set some priorities on what to do first. I’ve submitted my first three chapters for a book proposal and can keep working on that story, or pivot and write three chapters on the next one in order to meet my goal of launching a book one time a year. I also need to finish my newsletter magnet. So which one should be first?
Sometimes I feel like it changes based on the day, and being able to pivot amongst all of them is important. Do any of you feel the same way?
What Comes Next in my Writing?
As I think through this though, I realize my newsletter magnet is an important part of my marketing. With my deadlines, I did not have time to write one. But while editing and planning the launch of A Whole New Plan, I wrote an eight-chapter novelette that is now being edited. Finishing this will allow me to participate in newsletter swaps, book funnel promos, and other things while I’m writing the next set of books.
I believe that my newsletter magnet then is at the top of my priority list. Wouldn’t you agree?
Then, depending on if I hear back on my proposal yet or not, I might start writing the next book proposal to secure a deadline for that book. But we will see. Like I said earlier, writers need to be nimble when working on multiple things at the same time. Having other writers to bounce ideas off of can help.
If you aren’t a part of a writing group, find one! Many are on zoom now, so location to join doesn’t matter. Want some suggestions? Here are groups I’ve been a part of for years.
Denise loves to share about her writing journey (see all her posts here), including her word of the year (this year it is BALANCE), writing her Best-laid Plans Series, and all the things in between. You can visit her at her website and blog at www.denisemcolby.com or on her facebook or instagram. Please note: some links include Amazon Associate links where Denise can earn from qualifying purchases.
0 0 Read more2+ 2 = ? Do you really need to know math if you want to be a writer? and I salute ‘Call the Midwife’ by Jina Bacarr
June 11, 2026 by Jina Bacarr in category Jina’s Book Chat, Writing tagged as call the midwife, Catholic nuns, circus, math, writingI remember tossing my slide rule into my flower-papered trunk when I graduated… it was a good friend back in the day. Got me through mathematics in college and somehow it survived along with my paisley bell bottoms and Laguna Beach Indian bracelets. It wasn’t a magic wand, but it felt like one. You still had to understand math to make it work.
Fast forward to a newsstory I saw recently about how students entering university can’t do middle grade school math.
Mention a slide rule and they double blink.
Like you’re stuck in another century. Oops… I was.
But the message is clear. We need to get our students to fall in love with math again. It starts with reading. Taking the time to become so absorbed in a book or math project you can’t put it down. I talk books whenever I can, my faves from childhood, Gothic romances I adored, thrillers and mysteries that made me think.
I wasn’t a math major, but I enjoyed the dance of watching numbers build the foundation for something amazing, it’s a story of a different color from writing a novel. But learning math taught me discipline, perserverence, trying different calculations, etc. The same traits you need to write.
I learned basic coding when I worked for a video game company. Again, basic math needed back then.
Logic and reasoning. Making your brain THINK.
So thank you to Sister Jovita at St Peter’s who created magic on her blackboard when I was in the sixth grade and instilled in me a love for math. Here she is from an old family film…
(The brief shot of a pretty girl at the end is my BFF Claire at St Peter’s.)
I’m grateful to my educators as I was growing up, mostly the good sisters from different orders (I attended too many schools to list here). Which is why I became such a big fan of the nuns at Nonnatus House. As I watched the finale on ‘Call the Midwife‘, I cried. The faith, confidence, never-giving-up attitude of the nuns has been an inspiration to me (I’ve never missed an episode since it started). It’s been a loving, brilliant trip ‘back to my Catholic school days’. I so loved the sisters at all the schools and convent I attended. They laid the groundwork for my writing career. I feel so fortunate to have studied under their tutelage.
I salute you… everyone involved with ‘Call the Midwife‘, and I can’t wait for the film and prequel in the works.
I may even dig out my slide rule… but I’ll skip the bell bottoms.
================
Waiting for notes on Book 2 of Lia’s story — my Paris WW2 circus saga!!
Here is Book 1:
My latest Paris WW2 novel:
Check out: ‘The Stolen Children of War’ — Book 1 in Lia’s Story. I’m now writing Book 2 ‘Flight of the Stolen Children’.
A story told in Book 1 of this 2 book series about children hidden in plain sight in Occupied Paris 1943. In the circus.
Celebrating: 20 Years of Sweet, Funny, & Strange Tales
May 31, 2026 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Contests tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award, Book Birthday, Celebrating, new release, The BWG
Today is the day we are Celebrating!
In May, 2006, what would become the Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC, met for the first time in Bethlehem, PA, with four people in attendance. In the twenty years since, the group has grown from a fledgling critique group to a robust community of writers and publishers, offering not just a quarterly online literary journal (Bethlehem Writers Roundtable), an annual writing contest (Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award), but also several award-winning anthologies, among our many publications.
To celebrate our twentieth anniversary, we bring you highlights from each of our eight “Sweet, Funny, and Strange®” anthologies of short stories from our varied, award-winning authors. Starting with holiday stories from our debut anthology, A Christmas Sampler (2009), we are happy to present touching, hilarious, and thought-provoking tales. From a second anthology, Once Around the Sun (2013), are tales for all seasons, followed by, food-related stories from A Readable Feast (2015). You will find children’s stories from Once Upon a Time (2017), then tales of the paranormal from Untethered (2018), animal tales from Fur, Feathers, and Scales (2020), mysteries from An Element of Mystery (2022), and more holiday stories from Season’s Readings (2024).
So, come celebrate with us as you peruse these pages that are sure to bring you a smile, perhaps a tear or two, and a whole lot of fun, with best wishes to you from the authors of the Bethlehem Writers Group.
About Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
The Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC (BWG), is a community of mutually supportive fiction and nonfiction authors based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The members are as different from each other as their stories. BWG also publishes quality fiction through their online literary journal, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, and their award-winning A Sweet, Funny, and Strange Anthology series.
Books from Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
Photo Finish
May 30, 2026 by Dianna Sinovic in category Quill and Moss by Dianna Sinovic, Writing tagged as short fiction, spec fiction, writing
Three long weeks. Marla checked her calendar for the fifth time that morning and stared at the next cubicle, vacant, as it had been for twenty-one days. Where was Chet? Her work queue glared at her, each extra file on her screen a reminder that her coworker was shirking his duties.
He wasn’t on vacation. (He’d have bragged.) He’d said nothing about taking a leave. (He had bills to pay.) Was he ill? At death’s door? At near age forty (her best guess), Chet wasn’t old enough to have anything terminal. Although Marla’s knees reminded her daily that she was a solid fifty-two.
In the breakroom, word was Chet had won the lottery and quit the company, leaving the photos of his dog and his latest girlfriend pinned to the divider panel, the small plastic figure of Yoda next to his keyboard, and his spare jacket draped over this chair. But Marla didn’t believe it.
Her supervisor was mum about Chet, deflecting questions with a cryptic “I can’t say.”
And so Marla doubled down on her work queue, cursing Chet with each completed file.
“Freeloader.”
“Lazy ass.”
“Coward.”
Guilt crept over her. He might be odd, but her coworker wasn’t any of those other things, really. She was just angry at having to shoulder the full load of their work. With no explanation from him.
Her cell phone pinged.
I need that photo of Brandy.
Who was this?
Then it registered. He had her number.
Chet? she texted back. Where are you? What’s going on?
Bring Brandy’s photo and meet me outside the Starbucks on Main.
It was near break time; she could slip out for a quick errand.
OK, she responded. 10 minutes?
A thumbs-up appeared on her text. She would grill the man when they met. Find out why he went AWOL. Was he now a fugitive?
Not knowing whether Brandy was the dog or the girlfriend, Marla took both photos, tucked them into her purse and left the office at once. It was three blocks to Starbucks, and she strode purposefully, eager to hear Chet’s story.
He wore a ballcap with the brim pulled down, as though in disguise. That was the first detail she noticed. The second was the shimmer that surrounded him, almost like a hologram. What the …?
As she approached, he held up his hands. “Don’t come too near.” His face held both worry and excitement.
“I’ll stand right here, but you’ve got to tell me what’s happening.” She pulled out the photos from her purse and held them out. “I didn’t know which one you wanted.”
Chet’s form shimmered more intensely as he took them from her. “Thanks,” he said. “I can’t say a lot, because I don’t have much time, but I’m leaving.”
“Leaving Doylestown? Bucks County?” Marla would miss him, even if he was weird.
Chet’s laugh was more of a cough. “Leaving Earth. I insisted that they bring Brandy along, too.” He waved the photos. “They needed an image to locate her.”
Leaving … Earth? “Are you okay, Chet? Can I call someone for you?”
“No need,” he said. “I’ve got to go now.”
“And your dog?” Marla hoped he’d arranged for someone to adopt it. If he was having a mental health crisis, he wouldn’t be able to care for the critter until he was well.
He waved the photos at her again, this time singling out the canine. “Brandy’s coming. They promised me.”
The shimmering became blinding, and Chet was gone, leaving Marla alone on the sidewalk, the roar of traffic on the busy street muffling her gasp. She glanced around her, but no one else seemed to have noticed the flash of light that consumed her coworker.
Well, she was at a Starbucks. Might as well grab a latte before heading back to the office—and that endless queue of files.
More of Dianna’s Stories
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