Tommia's Tablet

Free Valley Publishing Authors, (from left to right): Jeffrey Cook, David S. Moore, Kennedy J. Quinn and Rachel Barnard

Looking for some fantastical reads?

The second book in the Dawn of Steam: Gods of the Sun is available now Enjoy book one, First Light at a discounted Kindle this week. Better still, make plans to attend the release party this Saturday and meet authors Jeffrey Cook and Sarah Symonds.

David S. Moore’s Mind Space is a grand trilogy to enjoy. Or if you wish to read something different, try “The Reverent Atheist.”

Secret Order of the Underworld by Kennedy J. Quinn is a great addition to any bookshelf.

Want a collection of whimsical stories or a new take on Beauty and the Beast? Try Rachel Barnard‘s “At One’s Beast” available for free on Kindle through today only!

The last of the summertime outings for the writers of FreeValley Publishing is this Saturday. Come join the Snoqualmie Block Party!

SnoValley Writes! resumes the regular workshop season this Saturday at the North Bend Library. Happiness was receiving the writing prompt for the week.  Actually, every weekly send is a nice gem, something added to the things to play with when not staring at/dealing with work or other things. The camaraderie of the group is an oasis, a chance to replenish the well of creativity and fun. A story’s slowly brewing between this prompt, Misifusa’s post and a line from Mari’s comment last Thursday.

National Novel Writing Month – or NaNoWriMo starts in a month and a half and for those of us who kept putting off writing a novel until “Some Day” – well, now’s the time to make the time to declare yourself a writer and create your story. The goal? 50,000 words in 30 days. Simple rule – NO EDITING! (Yes, there are some in our group who don’t necessarily follow that rule. Many of the books from FreeValley began during the November adventure. (Fun is receiving ‘the list’ to prepare now.)

On the reading front, a fun/sad discovery is the website, Bookbub.com. It’s with guilty pleasure that various books are recommended based on interests selected. The price? Either very low or free. Granted, happiness is the wealth of opportunities from the library! If you or someone you know is a librarian, there might be interest in this offer from Books on Tape if you or your patrons are audiobook fans.

Whatever stories you read, whichever words you write – enjoy the freedom of expression. Today is Constitution Day.

What words wove their way into your Wednesday?

When was the last time you really noticed the detail of the scenery on your way to work?

A friend of mine used to love collecting table settings. They would be arranged in a corner curio for all to see. I asked her how often did she use them. She said never; that she was still waiting for a very special occasion before taking them out of their case.

Is that what we do to ourselves? Put off bringing the best of ourselves forward, waiting for ‘the special occasion,’ while never defining it? Gathering different skills, talents, or letting ones we’ve been blessed with fade away?

Do we deliver our best, one time only, then sabotage what we have? What is it about art and fear? How do we take the fear out of failure?

What have you shelved away?

What words would you share with someone around you?

Music Mural in Dallas by Tommia Wright

Switching the focus a bit from classical to jazz. If you’re a fan of Duke Ellington,chances are you heard the standard, “Caravan,” composed by Juan Tizol. If you like the sound of this, try Perdido or enjoy this performance here.