Characters in Your Stories--Back Story and other Secrets By Connie Vines #Round Robin, #HEA, #Romance, #Writing Tips, #Character Motivation

 Round Robin topic, July 2022:

What aspects of your characters were cut from the story? 

 Thank you, Connie (me), for this month's topic 📓

💭👩

While the others in our RR group may respond to all six topics, I am choosing one or two (depending on how wordy this post becomes 😉).

 

• Aspects of your characters that were cut from the story. (part of the backstory/ character motivation).
• Characters not in your book(s.). 

"Lynx" Book 1 of my Rodeo Romance Series, takes place in a small Montana town. The locals: Rachel, Charlene, and Wes (the owner of the coffee shop) are the core group of characters.  The locals of course appear in scenes, but in cameo roles. Rachel speaks of her father (late), mother (not in the picture), and the grandmother who raised her.

Lynx and Dan are related and travel the rodeo circuit together. Lynx is from Texas and often mentions his family. Lynx is close to his sister, Amberlynn, and his parents.

What did I cut from the story?

Charlene was toned down.  Charlene was wild-- AKA: a 'Buckle Bunny".  I realized this would not mesh with my heroine's hang-ups.  So, I toned her down to a sassy, brassy, side-kick.

By mentioning Lynx's sister and his family, I had the perfect tie-in to the second book in the series, "Brede".

Whereas 'Lynx' was a romance novel; 'Brede' is a romantic suspense novel.

What did I cut from the story? Since it is romantic suspense, I did have my core characters: Brede, Kate/Amberlynn, Caldwell, Dwayne (supply the comic relief), and, of course, the mysterious and elusive bad guy.

What did I cut from the storyline? 

 My original draft had a more violent tone.  Since I'm prone to nightmares after watching "MeerKat Manor" I kept most of the violence 'off set', so to speak.  I also amped up the humor with my secondary characters.  I even gave cranky old Caldwell a love interest. 

• Topic 2, Characters not in your book(s.). 

I never have Rachel's mother appear in the book. Nor do I attempt to resolve the rift between them. Why? Because this is a romance between two people. Unfortunately, some relationships cannot be mended. (Perhaps at some later point in time). 

Nor, do I have ex-husbands or ex-wives appear in my stories.  I suppose it would work in a Rom-Com romance. Still, even though it's not true to life--I don't find jealousy,  undermining, or third-person interference appropriate in a romance novel.  (Yes, I know Cinderella had an evil stepmother and two stepsisters in her story.)  👠🕛🐴🧚

I'm not making a judgment call. 

Each writer has a personal interpretation of what defines HEA (Happily Ever After).  This is what defines 'the writer's voice".

Please visit these fabulous authors. I'm certain they have delightful stories to share! 

Happy Reading, 

Connie

XOXO

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2Gt

Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Do Current Events/ Hot-Button Topics Find a Way into Your Writing? By Connie Vines #RR, #RoundRobin, #Writing Tips, #Round Robin

 Round Robin topic:

Have you ever included current social, political, or environmental problems in your stories or thought about doing so? Why or why not?

Thank you, Diane Bator, for this month's topic 📓

💭👩

While the others in our RR group may respond to all eight questions, I'll reply to those topics I have covered in my fiction and nonfiction articles and novels.

 

• Do you ever include politics in your stories (why and how?)
• Do you ever address topics like discrimination or race relations?

My involvement in Native American education, Title IX programs, and volunteer work prompted me to interview and write about current events and tribal culture (current and past). I interviewed those educated in the boarding school system and families who had participated in the 'forced marches.' 

Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water is a YA historical novel. The topics include forced relocation, boarding school, the tensions between the races, discrimination, and the changing society of the 1800s.

*Larry Sellers (Cloud Dancing) of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." shared his experiences as a five-year-old being sent to a boarding school. He encouraged me to complete this novel.

I am more inclined to address hot-button topics in historical or vintage stories than in a contemporary novel.

Why?

Opinions change. World-events change.  

I read fiction for pleasure. My genre fiction may touch on contemporary topics (alcoholism, emotional abandonment); those topics provide character motivation/character development in my story. However, it is not the focus of the story.

I'm not making a judgment call. 

My writing style is lighter, character-driven, and usually humorous.

Please visit these fabulous authors and see what each one has to share with you today.

Happy Reading, everyone,

Connie

XOXO

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Ng

Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

We All Have Problems--What Irks Me About Editing by Connie Vines #RoundRobin RR#84

 All books go through multiple edits. What have you learned are your problems, and what irks you about editing?

While writing my first two novels (yes, I write 2 or 3 novels at the same time), I belonged to a critique group. Fortunately, the members caught the usual problems:  Leaving out key items after several revisions:  either the heroine has new contact lenses, or I forgot I changed her eye color. I removed too many details, leaving my scene too lean; I added some many details, and reader is going to say, "get the point, already!"  

What I discovered on my own (I should keep this to myself because everyone will watch for my personal 'quirk'.), is that I bless my characters will my habits, repeatedly.

I like coffee.   

My hero and heroine like coffee.I realized several chapter openings had my hero and heroine; heroine and her best friend; or shoot, two strangers (I'm exaggerating here) are drinking coffee.  

When I brought this up to another published author friend, she grinned and said, "Oh, I never..."

I grinned.  She gasped, "What? What did you notice?"

"I doubt anyone else has ever noticed--I'm hyper vigilant because of the 'coffee thing'.  
Ah, you like to open chapters with the a weather reports. Not, like a televised weather report, but you know--."

"Yeah. Weather reports."

So, we all have our personal little repeats.  The trick is to catch them before they make it into print.  

What irks me about editing?  I'll break this down into two categories: my personal editing, and a publisher's editing.

I don't mind the first or send go-round of edits.  I know when a scene is too long/too short.  I can have another author read a chapter and tell me 'why it doesn't work'.  I fact check, run a grammar-punctuation program, I highlight areas I believe need more detail, I blue-line what I think needs to be removed. I make my changes.

Then I read the entire novel, again, before sending it to the publisher.

I receive an edited draft from the publisher.  I will make revisions (If I agree) and leave as is, if I don't.  I will usually explain why I'm not changing the word/ sentence etc.in the comment area.

The book comes back as a ARC/PDF copy.  I read this and notate errors (spacing/typos, etc.).

So, when this goes back to the publisher, there are no errors (though I admit I'm not perfect).

Now, I've worked as a acquisitions editor. I know how difficult it is to copy-edit hour after hour; day-after-day.

However, (this hasn't occurred with every publisher, or with every book) but. . .the book goes to print and I receive my copies for a scheduled signing.  I thumb through a book, skim the pages, mostly looking for page breaks etc.  They I see it: a typo, or a missing word, or a missing paragraph.  

Heart palpitations increase and my ears ring like church bells, as I grope for the arm of a chair and sit down.

In one book it wasn't too bad.  Only two problems: a missing sentence, and the intro to the hero.  My heroine said: "Hell", instead of, "Hello."

With a former (now defunct) publisher, I wanted to sit down and cry.  The final 1/3 of the novel was one problem after another-- typos, missing words, extra spaces. Missing paragraphs! 



Once a book goes to print, or is uploaded to an e-book retailer, it's too late to correct a problem.

You can complain to the publisher, you can state you won't work with the editor again, you can demand to know what exactly happened.  However, you are still the one dealing with the problem. 

Readers blame the author.  Reviewers, if they are kind (or know this 'quirk' is the publisher's major fault), will make a reference to address the' typos', but will still give you 4 out of five star review..

Reader Reviews will state it was a wonderful story.  Too bad the book had so many typos, missing words (whatever) making the story difficult to follow.

The only consolation, if there is a consolation in this--every author I know has a similar story to tell.

Is there a solution?

Yes.

Yes, you can prepare for battle.  It's not practical, nor am I leading the charge!

I'm going sit down to begin my next novel.

When my contract is up for renewal, I'll negotiation the corrections/changes. Or, if the gods have smiled upon me, the publisher will mention in passing, "Since you are submitting the 2nd, 5th, or 80th book in this series, we should go back and polish-up that first book to prepare for the expected uptick in sales."

After all, it's all about the story.  The HEA (Happily Every After). 

That's what the readers want and it's the hook into the next book in your series.  Still, everyone (reader and writer) would appreciate a HEA without any typos!

Happy Reading and Happy Writing,

My cohorts have editing 'Irks' they'd love to share with you, too.

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Tb
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com



https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vinesbwl  My Books are 60% off  a discount for Stay-at-Home Readers.

https://books2read.com/ap/n720JR/Connie-Vines  Purchase via this site all vendors!


https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brede-connie-vines/1115934010  Barnes and Noble

Where So My Stories Come From? by Connie Vines #Round Robin

Where do my ideas for stories come from? 

I first have a sense of time and place.  My family and I were attending a rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska when I had a hint of a story.  It was a few days later I began hearing dialog when were where having breakfast in a country cafe.

This is where the story, "Lynx" about a rodeo cowboy and small town waitress/college student began.

My current release, "Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water," book 1, began when I was a board member for the Title IX Indian Education Program.

I was helping one of the students as she prepared  to dance in a local powwow.  It was I fingered the bead-work on her jingle-dress, that I knew I was going to write a historical novel from a young girl's pov.  

Are these stories a apart of me?  To a degree.  

  

Native American culture teaches that a Story finds the Story Teller.  It is the Story Teller's duty to give the story life.

I believe this is true.

Because I am the filter, then many of my personal beliefs, emotions filter through.  However, the story I tell is the character's story--not mine alone.

I believe my stories find me because of my I have a strong sense of duty, honor, of kindness, and the humor and joy I find in life.

My stories seem to always have a core social issue and a happy ending.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Amazon.paperback

Amazon Kindle

Amazon. Book Blurbs

apple itunes

Please stop by all of the members of our Round Robin Blog participants to see what tales they each have to share.

Happy Reading,

Connie

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Anne de Gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1dm
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com

-- 

What is Your Preferred Way of Exposing Your Characters? By Connie Vines

Topic: Point of View

Since I write in multiple genres, my point of view seems to remain the same within a specific genre.
My YA/Teen/Tween stories and novels are told in the first person.

 For me this is the most personal for the reader--meaning a reader is intimately involved in the story and steps into the main character’s mind.  The reader experiences emotions intensely, because he/she becomes the character.  And since few YA/Teens/Tweens are familiar with a ‘none-tech’ world, this is the best way to expose them to history/a new setting, etc.

 The single POV helps the story unfold in a way to allow the reader to understands life from an 1890 character.  No reaching for a cell phone, or grabbing a pizza for dinner!

When I write in first person, I do not change point of view of view.  I rely on dialogue or the main character’s observations to keep the reader aware of changes in plot etc.

The opening from my current release, Tanayia: Whisper upon the Water, Native American Series, Book 1

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where the sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak.  A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reached out into silence.

A world of hunger and hardship.  This is my world.  I am Tanayia.  I was born thirteen years ago.  My people and call ourselves “Nde” this means “The People”. The white man calls us Apache. 

Second person point of view is far more challenging for me. I find if an author uses second person in literature, he/she does so to engage the audience more and to make them part of the story and action or possibly make a thematic point about the characters. Second person is much more common in nonfiction, especially self-help books and business writing.

Examples

• "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go." (Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Random House, 1990).
• Think back to when you were a kid and read Choose Your Own Adventure books. Weren’t those fun? You got to be the main character and decide where the story went. Well, those were all in 2nd person.

Third person point of view. Third person is most often used in novels. Many readers prefer third person because it is so popular. It can work from the omniscient viewpoint of the author telling the story even to informing the reader what the character or different characters are thinking.

I write my Contemporary/ Romantic Suspense/ Paranormal in third person in a character’s limited viewpoint. Here a character tells their story through their own viewpoint and senses. It tells what they say, see, hear, feel or taste, and even what they think. Different characters’ viewpoints can be used, but a clear demarcation is used to show when the narrative switches from one character to another. I like this method because it remains very intimate to the reader, but allows easy change between characters, too, unlike first or second voice.

Opening scene: Lynx, Rodeo Romance, Book 1

Charlene hadn’t told Rachel that she’d fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynx Maddox, the “Wild Cat” of the rodeo circuit.  Rachel signed.  She should have known.  After all, Charlene only dated men who wore booth and Stetsons.

Rachel Scott cringed at the very thought even as her gaze took in the breadth of Lynx Maddox’s chest, his broad shoulders, and dark green eyes that scanned her with blatant masculine approval.

A snippet from: Brede, Rodeo Romance, Book 2

Brede couldn’t seem to stop watching and worrying about Kate.  Even though she was trying to hide behind the menu, he sensed her tension.  He had to grip the edge of the table to keep from taking the menu out of her hands and looking into those wide green eyes again, just to catch a glimpse of whatever it was he saw when she looked at him.  But he wasn’t going to do anything rash.  Not now, not ever.  He wasn’t going to take her back to the ranch—not even if Caldwell retired and it meant eating peanut butter sandwiches from here to eternity.

He might gnaw his tongue off trying to keep silent, but he wasn’t going to ask her to stay.

For a change of pace: Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, A Sassy & Fun Fantasy

Since her sister was contemplating the contents of a tin filled with Danish cookies, Meredith found herself cataloging the events that led up to her ‘accident’.

A charter member of the SoCal Arts Association, she’d been participating in the annual Zombie Walk Festival in Long Beach when it ‘happened’. . .

I hope you enjoyed my post and the snippets from my stories.

amazon.comamazon.com    barnes and noble          BWL Publishing

Please visit stop by and see what all of our Round Rhobin participants have to say on this month’s topic!

Happy Reading,

Connie

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1ag
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Anne de Gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/ 
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

What Do I Read?

What do I read?  This is the topic for this month's Round Robin discussion.

In my case, the questions should be, "What don't I read?

I read anything and everything within my line of sight.  If you show be a book, magazine article, odds are, I will ask if I can 'see' (meaning hold it so I can see the print).  If it is interesting, I will probably walk away absorbed.  Later, I will return the item.  I will apologize and offer you something  (pen, pencil, bookmark, perhaps a cookie).

However, this is not what Robin had in mind, I assume, when this topic was posted :-).

I never read a novel in the genre I'm currently writing.  This is because I read for enjoyment.  When I am working on a historical novel, I'm researching--therefore working.  This is way I do not read historical fiction during that time frame.

Right now I'm working on a contemporary novel and a fantasy novella.  So, I'll probably re-read Jane Eyre, or some historical time period via the Internet.  Victorian era, is likely or my personal fave, Ancient Egypt.

I enjoy print books and ebooks.  I can't quite get into the audio books.  I do have an old Kindle that does text-to-voice.  It is a robotic sound, but I do not find it distracting.  If I wish for sound effects, I'll turn in a movie or television show.  I do enjoy Podcasts--though this probably doesn't fall under the topic of reading :-).

I did peek at Dr. Bob's post and amended mine.  Dr. Bob doesn't write romance because of the 'romantic myth'.

I plot by the rules of "The Hero's Journey". (Dr. Joseph Campbell).  I can't say I believe in the Cinderella and the happily ever after, in a true sense, either.  What I do like is the 'magical' emotional world of a romance.  The need for emotional fulfillment is what a romance novel offers (though mine often deal with social issues).  When a woman works full-time while raising her family, married or unmarried, she is often emotionally worn-out.  Reading a romance or gentle fantasy novel (unlike an action/suspense/horror novel) will refill her emotional cup (fill and emotional void).  Providing her with the emotional re-charge to face the world the next day/ after a 30-lunch, etc.

Positive thoughts.

Sometimes we need to believe the world is/will be a kinder place, a simpler place, or a place with beautiful book covers (had to toss in my personal pet-peeve), to get us through a rough-spot, or give us a moment of inner piece.

I believe reading fiction provides a recharge.  Life can be so draining, physically and emotionally.

What harm is there in enjoying a happily-ever-after?  After all, you have spent several hours with your new-found friends, and you wish them well.

Happy Reading,

Connie

Please Blog Hop down the list and read what these wonderful authors have to say!

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Anne de Gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog 
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Fiona Mcgier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Dr. Bob http://wp.me/p3Xihq-11v
Kay Sisk http://www.kaysisk.com/blog
Skay Taylor http://www.askyetaylor.com/blogging_by_the_sea/view/542
Rachel Kosinki http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Anne de gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/

Developing Characters in Your Stories by Connie Vines

How do you go about developing your characters for a story?  

How much time do you spend or does it just happen in the writing process ?  What inspires you?

Thank you Rhobin, once again, for a great writing topic.

I believe development of my characters has a great deal to do with the type of novel/story that I am writing at the time.  Obviously, my novellas, for lack of work count, are not superficial by any means, but my information is given via dialogue or internal thoughts with visual clues.  My romantic suspense will have a lesser degree of character development, unless it relates to  the 'suspense element' that say, my traditional romance novels.

However, I do write character sketches for all of my 'people'.  I may sprinkle the info in the story, or simply keep in in the back of my mind for character motivation.

• I often use astrological signs to help develop my characters and create conflict.  Rodeo Romance, Book 1, (LYNX).  Lynx Maddox is a Leo and Rachel Scott is an Aquarius.  Opposites attract but they also create great romantic conflict.
• Birth Order is another way to develop your character(s) actions and outlook on life. Pairing a 1st born woman with the 'baby' of the family or vise-a-versa, will create writing inspiration.  
• Ethnic background is also to be considered.  If one character is from a large immigrate family is dating a person who is an only child (4th generation) with have all types of expected things popping into picture.
• If I am writing a historical novel, I often make a composite of historical people/clues in diaries and letters (WHISPER UPON THE WATER)
• At other times, with all of my careful planning, the writing process flips my character into a secondary character or he/she evolves and I go back and edit/change several scenes.
• Also physical attributes/challenges.  We all have them.  Did those dimples work in her favor?  

What inspires me?  Life.  People's hopes and dream.  Honor. Justice.  And sometimes, just the need for a good laugh.

Happy Reading!

Connie Vines

Stop by and see what the rest of this months' Round Robin writers have to say.

 Skye Taylor

Margaret Fieland

AJ Maguire

Victoria Chatham

Marci Baun

Judith copek

Rachael Kosinski

Diane Bator

Dr. Bob Rich

Beverly Bateman

Anne Stenhouse

Helena Fairfax

Marie Laval

Rhobin Courtright

Fiona McGier

Everyone Wants to Write a Book by Connie Vines #Round Robin

Topic for January: Everybody wants to write a book, but most do not. 
Writing is hard work. What got you started, and what helps you get through a complete story?

How many times have you heard someone say, “Someday I’m going to write a book?”  Many a time, I’m certain.  However, most do not.

Why? Because writing is hard work.

What got me started?  Like most children, I loved reading, drawing, and listening to the oral family history spoken by my grandparents.  I also like to write stories (not particularly good stories) but for a second grader I did have a handle on the concept of plotting.  Thinking back, I unnerved adults with my pointed interview questions, and thoughts about the meaning of life and life-after-death vs death-after-death.  Picture:  Tuesday Addams wearing glasses and constantly grumbling about receiving yet, another stupid doll instead of a filling cabinet for her birthday.

When, exactly, did I start and complete my first novel?

While I wrote short-stories, nonfiction articles for publication during my twenties, I didn’t get serious about completing a novel until thirties. My children were in school and I worked part-time.  That gave me a block of free time to write (vs the scribbling on 3 x 5 index cards when I was cooking dinner or a note pad during a child’s 1 hour nap).  I was serving on my church board when the choir soloist told me her sister was a co-president of the Orange County Chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America).  At the time, I hadn’t every thought of writing a romance.  I wrote for the YA and middle school market and dabbled in historical fiction, but Shirlee convinced me that the networking and workshops would be beneficial to me.  She was correct.

Attending monthly meetings/workshops, exchanging rough drafts with my critique members during lunch, and input from the multi-published members gave me the confidence to persevere.  It also made me crawl out of bed after my husband left for work (at 3:00 in the morning) and write before getting my children off to school.
I also discovered that I couldn’t give up my YA stories while I found my footing in a new market.

“So, what did Connie do?”  you ask.

I work two novels at once—which I still do to this very day.

Crazing making?  Yes!

Writing romance isn’t easy.  Strong, well-developed characters, good plot (and multiple sub plots), sharp dialogue, and emotion—lots of emotion.

Writing is addictive.  The story unfolds, the characters present themselves, and away the writer goes—into a new Universe.

What makes me complete my novel/story?

The best way for me to describe the feel is I am driven to finish the story.  Native Americans say the story chooses the Storyteller.  It the Storyteller’s responsibly to bring the story to life.

Happy Reading!

My Rodeo Romances (Lynx and Brede) are on sale this month (click on my Amazon Author Page link).
Everyone needs a little Zombie Valentine Romance, don’t they?  Free Read: “Here today, Zombie Tomorrow” on Amazon.com


Stop by each Round Robin participants’ blog.  Everyone has a tale to tell.

Connie

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Dr. Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-SK
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com