Welcome, Maryann Miller

First I want to thank Ginger for hosting me today. It is always fun to visit other blogs and meet new folks, and I always enjoy it here at Dishin' It Out.

I thought I would share the back-stories and excerpts from my new short story collection, The Wisdom of Ages, that was just released by Books We Love Publishing Partners (http://bwlpp.com/)

 The first story in the book, MAYBE SOMEDAY, was inspired when my husband and I were on a road trip, and I saw an old black man sitting under a tree watching the cars go by. The story was one of those rare gifts from my muse, and came to me in one great rush that needed little rewrite or editing. The story placed third in the Page Edward's Short Fiction contest in 2004. Here is an excerpt:

Samson sat in the meager shade of the small Mimosa tree that graced his front yard, watching the traffic on old highway 79.  Granted, there wasn’t much, but every now and then a shiny new car would pass, heading toward the resort Samson knew was somewhere down the road. Or a car full of teenagers would zoom by, the boys laughing and tossing their empties out the window. And as many afternoons as he’d spent out here, it never failed to surprise Samson how much things had changed. On a good day he could count up to a hundred cars going by. Times used to be when one donkey cart coming down the road was cause for celebration. 

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The second story, THE LAST SUPPER, was also inspired by real people. I don't know what it is about old men and their stories, but this one came to me one day when I was having lunch with my husband at a diner - I simply have to stop meeting these other men when I'm out with my husband. That day at the diner, I saw two older men at a nearby table, and I could tell by the way they interacted that they had a long and close friendship. I got to wondering what that friendship was like, and that wondering took me in an unexpected direction.  Here is an excerpt:

Mel stood in the doorway of the diner and glanced around until he spotted Rube at a table in the corner. Damn long way for an old man to have to walk. But then, maybe Rube had picked it on purpose. They both kept saying how much they needed to get more exercise.

So how’s it hanging?” Mel asked when he’d crossed the room. He folded his walker and leaned it against the end of the table, then eased his stiff body to the seat.

Rube made a so-so gesture, “It’s just a pisser now.”

Mel laughed at his friend’s joke, made more amusing to him by the fact that he didn’t have an enlarged prostate. The only good news he’d gotten this year from Doc Nelson. So if he was to meet the right woman and she was willing, he could possibly even get it up without the aid of a pill. Maybe Sally’d oblige an old man, he thought as she approached the table. God knows they’d joked about it often enough.

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The third story, THE ONE O'CLOCK NAP was also inspired by a real person. A friend of mine from church shared his frustrations with getting old and having health issues that limited what he could do. It made him feel helpless and worthless, which is such a common challenge to us all as we age and have limitations. The title came from his comment that he hated his daily One O'clock Nap because that was time lost forever and he didn't have that much time left.  Here is an excerpt from that story:

Tom Franklin opened his eyes and didn’t know where he was. This wasn’t his office, but that was the last place he remembered. He’d just swiveled away from his desk to try a hook shot with a paper-ball and missed. Then he’d reached down and...

Nothing.

He turned and saw the steel rails of a hospital bed. Beyond the rails, he saw his daughter, Bettianne. He wanted to touch the tear trickling down her cheek, but something prevented the movement.

“Oh, Dad,” She squeezed his shoulder. “You scared us.”

What did she mean? His mind screamed for an explanation, but his lips refused to form the question.

* * * * *

I just love it when stories present themselves the way these three did. It doesn't happen all the time, so we sure need to take advantage of when they do. My husband just wishes they wouldn't come in the middle of our dates. LOL

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Author Bio:

     As a journalist and author, Maryann Miller amassed credits for feature articles and short fiction in numerous national and regional publications.  Play It Again, Sam, a woman's novel and One Small Victory, a suspense novel, are electronic books available on Kindle, Nook, and other e-book reading devices. One Small Victory is also available in trade paperback. A mystery, Open Season, is a new release in hardback from Five Star Cengage Gale. A novel for young teens, Friends Forever, is available as an e-book and in trade paperback. She has also written several screenplays and stage plays and lives on some acreage in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her husband, one horse, two goats, two dogs, four cats and whatever wild creature wanders through the property.

  

Website: http://www.maryannwrites.com
Blog : http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/maryannwrites
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Maryannwrites
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/551516.Maryann_Miller
 

Romantic Heroes

First I want to thank Ginger for inviting me to be a guest here today. What a great idea it was to devote the whole month of February to romance, and there have been some great posts to enjoy, with more to come.

When I was writing Play It Again, Sam, I had a hard time at first coming up with the perfect hero. This was my first official romance novel, then under contract then with Kensington, and I knew I wanted a central character who was different from so many that lived in popular romances. Rogues and bad boys seemed to be more common in stories at that time, possibly so the heroine could redeem them.

While that works for a lot of romance readers and writers, that isn’t what I wanted for this story.

In casting about to figure out what I wanted, I wondered; why not make him a romantic superhero? I thought about one of the things that is so endearing about my husband – he loves to plan elaborate surprises for me for my Birthday or any other gift-giving occasion – and decided to give that quality to Frank, but make it bigger than life.

Just for the record, my husband is terrific, but he has yet to match some of the things Frank does to win Sam over.

The other thing I wanted to do in creating Frank was illustrate that romance and relationships are not always just about sex, especially when two people are tentatively stepping into a new relationship. Although the attraction is there, Sam and Frank each have reasons for wanting to take it slow. When they finally do take that step into physical intimacy, I think the moment has more drama because they held back for so long. Here is an excerpt of that moment:

She slid into a chair and watched Frank amble over to the counter. Momentarily he blocked the sunlight, and in the dimness his presence loomed larger than reality. She was very aware of the soft rustle of fabric against his legs as he walked, and he trailed a faint scent of something heady and masculine behind him.

Feeling a sharp stir of arousal, she tried not to look as he returned with the coffee, but her eyes had a will of their own. They noticed the broad expanse of chest where the front of the robe fell open when he bent to pour the coffee. Instinctively, her hand reached out to touch. His skin was smooth, and warm, and...

Frank took a deep breath and put the coffeepot on the table. "Is there something else you'd like?"

She pulled her hand back and glanced quickly at him, then away. "Yes. No... I..."

He took her hand and put it back, holding it lightly against his chest. "It's okay, Sam. It really is."

She felt the faint throb of his heart, and as her fingers splayed across his chest, the tempo increased, matching the rhythm of her own heartbeat. The flicker of arousal burst into full flame, making her tingle with anticipation. She looked into the crystal depths of his eyes and saw his need reflecting back to her.

Without thinking, she rose from her chair, a silent offering to satisfy that need. A silent question formed on his face. Are you sure?

"Yes. I'm sure," she said, lifting her face to his. The touch of his lips was soft, gentle as a feather, lightly touching and moving on, leaving a blush of heat in its wake. It was the most erotic kiss Sam had ever felt.

There is more to this scene, but it was too long to include in a blog. If you are intrigued, the book is available as an e-book from a number of sites, including my publisher

Now that I have told you a little about Frank and about my husband, you tell me. What are the characteristics you look for in a romance hero and a real-life hero?

Play It Again, Sam

Maryann Miller

Published by Uncial Press

ISBN- 13: 978-1-60174-058-8

Maryann’s Web site

A Pause for A Chuckle with MaryAnn Miller

As we talk about the serious business of promoting -- and honest to God I have no idea what works and what doesn't - I thought it would be nice to inject a little levity.

I've done lots of signing events and spoken for civic groups, writer's groups, and at conferences, but the toughest audience was at a senior center connected to a nursing home. The activities director had assured me that there were lots of avid readers among the residents and they would love to meet an author. I was scheduled to follow the late-afternoon Bingo game when folks would already be assembled and willing to stay since dinner would immediately follow the talk.

I knew I was starting to lose them when a gentleman sitting up front asked if I was ever going to get the glass of water he’d asked for an hour ago. Then three women got up and left, muttering loudly that they must be in the wrong place since dinner wasn’t coming yet and it was past time.

In an effort to salvage something – anything – I abandoned my prepared speech and tried to engage the rest of the audience on a more personal level. I asked if they liked to read. One woman said she couldn’t read but she liked to sing. I told her that was nice, and she asked if I’d like to hear something. Before I could respond, she launched into a lusty version of You Are My Sunshine.

The other residents cheered when she was finished, so I took the hint. We spent the rest of the hour in a sing-along.

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Maryann Miller is an author, editor, and part-time farmer living in East Texas. Her latest books are One Small Victory and Play It Again, Sam. Visit her at her Website and her blog.

Ancient Perils of Writing

Thanks for hosting me, Ginger. It's great to be here today. Wondered what to write about, then I came across some old columns I’d written for a suburban newspaper. Most of them were humorous columns about family life, but some were about writing.

Here is one that any writer over fifty may be able to relate to. Younger folks will have to do a Google search to find a picture of a typewriter and know what I wrote about oh those many years ago…..

What is it that a writer dreads more than rejection slips or writer's block? The death of a typewriter.

Without his typewriter, a writer is like a salesman without his pitch, or Tolstoy without his inkwell. Handwritten manuscripts were acceptable in his day, but modern editors frown on them. Especially such handwriting as mine that falls somewhere between chicken scratchings and hieroglyphics.

So you will imagine my dismay as my trusty old Smith Corona started her demise. (Or should that be his demise?)

It began with one or two minor problems. The key that would occasionally stick. I could live with that minor inconvenience. After all, how many times do you use the x key?

Then the shift button came loose. Again, just a minor problem. The only time it would actually come off is at the speed of 90 wpm, and at my best I can barely break 60.

Then the line spacer started going wacky. Sometimes, toward the end of a page it wouldn't give me a new line. Okay, it wants to be difficult, I can white-over the spaces I typed on twice and start a new page. But then the line spacer decided to play more tricks on me by stopping in the middle of a page, or by giving me random spacing.

This has all been going on over a period of a few months, and I've been nursing the poor thing along, hoping to eek out a few more pages before I have to mortgage one of my kids for a word processor.

But one day recently, my machine had a major attack. It whined. It groaned. It fizzled and fumed. And then 10 keys all jumped' up at once, paused, and then started slowly sliding down the page.

Obviously, the machine was in its death throes and I immediately started administering emergency treatment. A little oil here and a little oil there. Tape this wire back together, and it wouldn't hurt to clean it out a little. All I need is one more spark of life to get me through this page.

I've always believed if you treat a machine right it will come through for you in the stretch, and mine gave me one more gasping breath. But I think it may be very temporary.

When I finished my page, the machine kept going with this final plea: PROMISE ME YOU'LL GET ME A NICE PLOT IN FOREST LAWN…

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Maryann Miller is an author and freelance editor. Her latest books are One Small Victory, a romantic suspense, and Play It Again, Sam, a romance. She also has a short story in the One Touch, One Glance Sweet Romance Anthology.

Maryann Miller
http://www.maryannwrites.com
http://twitter.com/maryannwrites
http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/

Tourists & Winners and Bears, Oh My!

Pretend you hear the drumroll!

I realized I didn't post the answers to last Tuesday's Trivia, so for those who didn't know the correct responses...here they are:

1. George Washington - One dollar bill
2. Abe Lincoln - five dollar bill
3. Alexander Hamilton - ten dollar bill
4. Andrew Jackson - twenty dollar bill
5. Ulysses S. Grant - fifty dollar bill
6. Benjamin Franklin - one hundred dollar bill
7. William McKinley - five hundred dollar bill
8. Grover Cleveland - one thousand dollar bill
9. Salmon P. Chase - ten thousand dollar bill?
10. Woodrow Wilson - one hundred thousand dollar bill
Bonus question. Is there a million dollar bill? No
The winner of this contest was Shirley Dale Jones.

This week's Trivia winner is Molly Daniels who gave the most correct answers to the quiz. She'll be receiving a free PDF copy of Sparta Rose.

1. Charles Hamilton was Melanie Wilkes brother
2. Scarlett (in the book) had three children.
3. Wade was the child Scarlett had with Charles Hamilton
4. Melanie comforted Rhett after the death of his daughter.
5. Melanie donated her wedding ring.
6. Rhett got the donation back for Melanie.
7. Carreen is Scarlett's youngest sister.
8. A fall down the stairs caused Scarlett to lose her and Rhett's second child.
9. Carlett bought and ran a lumberyard.
10. Scarlett's first name was Katie.

And...the winner of my most left-handed compliment goes to... you'll have to wait. I'm still figuring this one out. *lol*

While you wait for me to announce the winner of my cute little bear and chocolates, please help me welcome my Thursday Tourist, Maryann Miller. I'm excited to host her today, and I know you'll make her feel right at home.

On the Road Again

I promised Helen I would help keep the blog going while she was busy packing and unable to write posts, but I have been remiss. However, it looks like she has had plenty of folks stepping up to pick up the slack.

Thank goodness, because I have been busier than a one-armed paper hanger.

My mother always says that, and I still don't get it. How busy can a one-armed paper hanger be? Anyway, I digress.

I'm getting ready to go to Austin for a couple of events, and as usual the preparing is making me nuts. What to wear? What not to forget? Did I put enough feed out for the big animals? Water all the plants? Did I leave plenty of food for my hubby?

And don't forget the books!!!!

I am going to be doing a signing at the Border's Books on South Lamar Blvd. in Austin on Sunday, October 12, starting at 2:00pm. The book I will be signing, One Small Victory, is a woman's novel inspired by a true story of a woman who infiltrated a drug ring and helped bring down the main distributor in a rural town in Texas She did this after losing her son in a car accident and drugs were found at the scene.

On October 13, I will be at the Austin History Center at 6:30pm. I will do a presentation about writing and read excerpts from the book. That day, 20% of sales will be donated to the Austin Public Library.

Both events are open to the public and everyone is invited to come. By the time the event is over on Monday, I'll be ready to party.

The Final FIVE

Queen of Hearts by Phyllis Campbell







Play It Again Sam by Maryann Miller









Sparks Fly by Clare London










Dragon Lord of the Kells by Brenda Weaver







Change by Rhobin Lee Courtright