Phonetic Punctuation

Happy Monday!

This week I'm posting this classic video by Victor Borge - Phonetic Punctuation. I highly recommend it for writers and readers alike. It's old-school humor, but still very funny. 

I'm disabling the comments section this week.


Just enjoy. See you next week!

Don't forget - Author Brandi Boddie will be guest posting next week.

Between you, me and the gatepost, 

Loree




Coming in October - Look for guest posts by Author, Brandi Boddie on Monday, October 7th

and

Author, Wendy Paine Miller on Monday, October 28th. 

Writing Conferences

Happy Monday!

I wanted to talk a little about conferences for writers. Last week, I attended the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis. This is an enormous conference. I had never been to the ACFW Conference before. It was my first time. The conference was awesome and overwhelming to say the least. Being a people watcher, I sat back and studied many of the writers—their poise, their fashion, and passion. I was excited to catch glimpses of some of my favorite authors, editors, agents, and blog buddies. I got to meet many in person for the first time, and was absolutely thrilled to meet Mary Sue Seymour. I also made some new friends along the way.

I learned some great tips from the workshops—as writers, we can never stop learning about the craft. It was refreshing to hear other author/agent methods and tips. And I also learned several tremendous personal lessons—it being my first time and all. Those were meant for me only.

I have to admit that the pitching part was stressful. Once again, it was my first time. I felt like a babbling brook. My brain was working faster than my mouth could keep up - odd, I know. Fortunately, I had some real nice people on the receiving end of my pitches. They gently guided me through to the end. There was a moment when I actually forgot my next line. The certain editor was very sweet while I re-grouped. I learned a lot from that experience and will have it down next time. Number one tip before pitching - go easy on the caffeine.

All and all, I would recommend attending a writing conference—big or small—it was a joy to be with like-minded pards. That alone was worth the trip. We each walk our own writing journey. We are at different places on the road, but trekking in the same direction. It was fun to share a part in all that, and in turn, listen to others tell their tale. Everyone has ups and downs—the Snoopy dance moments and rejections. We are not alone in this book writing walk.

Ever been to a conference for writers and authors? How did you feel after? Did it renew your writing spirit?

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree




Coming in October - Look for guest posts by Author, Brandi Boddie on Monday, October 7th

and

Author, Wendy Paine Miller on Monday, October 28th. 

Re-post - Portmanteau Words

Good Monday morning!

I'm still recovering from the ACFW Conference that I attended over the weekend, so today I am re-posting an older favorite post from April 2012 - Portmanteau Words.

Enjoy! See you next week!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In doing some research, I ran across the word: portmanteau. I am familiar with the term, but did some extra reading on it.

According to Wikipedia, the definition of portmanteau (plural portmanteaux or portmanteaus) or portmanteau word is “a combination of two (or more) words or morphemes into one new word. A portmanteau word typically combines both sounds and meanings, as in smog, coined by blending smoke and fog.  More generally, it may refer to any term or phrase that combines two or more meanings. In linguistics, a portmanteau is defined as a single morph which represents two or more morphemes.”

The article went on to talk about the many brand names out there that are a portmanteau word. I guess I didn’t realize there were so many.

Amtrack is the portmanteau of America and track. Comcast is the portmanteau of communication and broadcast, and cinema and maximum is Cinemax. Here are a few more: Verizon is the portmanteau of veritas and horizon. Panera is pan, the Latin word for bread, and era, the Latin word for time. The brand of water softening solution, Calgon, is the portmanteau of the words calcium and gone. That one has been around for a long time! 

Of course, there is the name meshing – Brangelina (Brad and Angelina) Tomkat (Tom and Katie) A new fad? Nah, sixty years ago, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball created Desilu Productions. Does that mean Eric and I would be: Erilor or Loric?

There are thousands of these words! Here are a few more familiar portmanteau words:

Texarkana – The area including the Texas/Arkansas border near Louisiana.

Turducken – The dish made by inserting a chicken - into a duck - into a turkey and cooking it. I’ve seen this on one of the food channels. Sounds good! Anyone ever had turducken?

Snart - On the TV show, 30 Rock, Tina Fey coined this one. It’s the combination of two bodily functions. I’ll let you figure that one out.  

I love playing with words!

Got any favorite portmanteau words? Invent any?

Would love to hear them!

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree



Coming in October - Look for guest posts by Author, Brandi Boddie on Monday, October 7th

and

Author, Wendy Paine Miller on Monday, October 28th. 

Needing Advice and We Have A Winner...

Happy Monday Everyone!

This week, I will be heading to Indianapolis for the ACFW Conference. I'm excited and nervous all in the same turn. This is my first ACFW conference. I'm prepared - business cards, one sheets, proposals, sample chapters, etc.

I will be pitching my work to editors. Yep, my first time doing that too.

One thing that I'm really looking forward to is meeting Mary Sue Seymour. I'm thrilled to finally meet her in person after nearly two years of connecting mainly online through emails. She is a real gem, and this is one meeting I'm over the moon about.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Have you been to a big writer's conference? Care to share your experience? Have you been to the ACFW Conference? If so, do you have any advice for a first-timer? Any good pitching advice? 

I would love to hear from you!

AND NOW, DRAWN AT RANDOM, THE WINNER OF MELISSA TAGG'S DEBUT NOVEL, MADE TO LAST, IS....

JASMINE A!!!!

Congrats, Jasmine!
I will be getting a hold of you for your address, so Melissa can send you the book.

Have a great week!

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

8 


Psalm 32: 8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.


Coming in October - Look for guest posts by Author, Brandi Boddie on Monday, October 7th

and

Author, Wendy Paine Miller on Monday, October 28th.

"All things funny and romancey" with Melissa Tagg & Giveaway!

Hi everyone! Today I’m back on the blog after a summer hiatus. This week I have a special guest, the delightful and bubbly, Melissa Tagg! Don't you just love her blue eyes? - Yeah, I'm talking to you, Tim Tebow...

Author Melissa Tagg

Melissa’s debut novel, Made to Last, releases from Bethany House this month! I’m so excited for her! I met Melissa through blogging. Make sure to stop by her blog. It's one of my favorites to visit on a regular basis. You'll find the information to her blog and other places at the bottom of this page. But for now, please extend a big welcome to Melissa Tagg!

By the way, make sure to answer Melissa’s question at the end of the interview. She’s been kind enough to giveaway a copy of Made to Last to one lucky commenter. The contest will end next Sunday night, September 8, 2013 at 9:00 pm cdt, when I will draw the winning name at random. This giveaway is open to USA and Canada residents only. I will announce the winner next on next Monday's post. If you have trouble commenting through Blogger, leave a comment on my Author Facebook Page under the link to this blog post, and that will count too.

Welcome to Gatepost, Melissa! So glad you stopped in for a visit!  

How long have you been writing? Is this your first novel?

I am your typical, "I've been writing since I was a child" author. I've always loved stories and have long dreamed of writing my own. I finally got serious about pursuing a writing career in fall 2009. This is my first published novel, but I did have another completed manuscript written before this one. And here's some encouragement to other authors: That first novel may never see the light of day BUT it's what opened the door for Made to Last to get in front of my editor. 

In your own words, tell us a bit about the book. What is the inspiration behind the novel?

Made to Last is a romantic comedy about figuring out who we are underneath the trappings of success—or lack thereof—and in the process finding a faith and love that’s made to last. It’s about a homebuilding TV show host/DIY guru who’s trying to boost her ratings and save her show, even if it means pretending to be married to a man who’s definitely not the fiancé who ran out on her. And shadowing her every move is a handsome reporter whose digging brings him a little too close to the truth—and to her.

As for what inspired it, I love classic movies, and a few years ago I discovered the 1945 movie Christmas in Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck. I could not believe I hadn’t seen it before. It’s about a magazine writer who has basically created a fake identity for herself…and ends up needing to find a stand-in husband. Only problem is she ends up falling for someone who is not said stand-in husband. I took that basic “pretend marriage” spark and ran with it.

Is there a sequel or series planned?

There is a sequel! It's called Here to Stay and comes out on May 1, 2014. It features one of my favorite characters from Made to Last. Now, both books could actually be read as stand-alones. You won't have had to read Made to Last to understand Here to Stay. 

They say that there is a bit of each of us in all of our characters. Which character in the book is most like you, and why?

I really want to say Blake/Blaze--he's the fake husband in the story and he is awesome. So I wish I was as adventurous and funny as he is. HA! But actually, I'm most like Miranda Woodruff. Thing is, she's a homebuilding/DIY guru and I'm about as un-DIYish as they come. I can't build things. At all. Dude, buying a new vacuum and putting it together was enough to completely stress me out. So, as far as talents and skills, we are not at all the same.

BUT Miranda's emotional personality very closely resembles mine. I so identify with the emotional and spiritual journey she's on in the story. Which made her both the easiest and the hardest character to write. Easy because I felt like I understood her and could naturally write her responses to situations and obstacles. But difficult because it meant I was sort of experiencing her spiritual highs and lows right alongside her, wading through my own emotions as I wrote hers. 

What do you read for enjoyment?

Everything! Okay, slight exaggeration. I love both contemporary and historical fiction. Some of my favorite authors are: Jenny B Jones, Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Jody Hedlund, Beth Vogt, Becky Wade, Laura Frantz, Lisa Jordan, Anne Mateer and oh my goodness, I could go on and on. I also love Ted Dekker's earlier stuff and re-read his Circle series about once a year. And, silly confession: I love reading biographies/autobiographies/memoirs of studio era Hollywood stars. :)

What is your favorite writing nibble or drink?

Anything caffeinated...haha! I'm weird in that when I'm sitting down to write for a good chunk of time, I need to have a can of Diet Coke with Lime, a mug of coffee and a glass of water all within reaching distance. I like having options, I guess. I'm usually munching on baby carrots, grapes and pretzels. 

Thanks for stopping in, Melissa! It's been really fun learning more about you!

Now Melissa has a question for you…

Since Made to Last is based on a classic movie, I thought I'd ask, what's your favorite classic movie? (And I'm talking golden era. If you haven't seen any from that era, we need to talk. In fact, consider this your official invite to my place for a movie marathon!)

Melissa Tagg is a former newspaper reporter and total Iowa girl. Her first novel, Made to Last, releases from Bethany House in September 2013. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, Melissa is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.

During her reporting days, Melissa interviewed presidential candidates and llama farmers, rode a hot air balloon and flew a plane, and once came face to face with a buffualo. But today she gets her kicks by letting her characters have their own fun. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings.

Links where you can find Melissa:

My website/blog: www.melissatagg.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaTagg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melissa_Tagg

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/melissatagg

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/MelissaTagg

HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree