A New Business Adventure

GREETINGS! 

As I have had no new posts in ... a little over a year, I am not surprised if I have no readers left awaiting a new sampling from my blogosphere. (Yes, that's a word now) 

Where did I leave you last? 

Well, my brain is grasping at straws for what I did the past year besides read books, work three jobs, and scramble for a purpose in life like everyone else. 

Several months ago, I was given a wonderful opportunity. I was given the chance to move three states away to Kentucky. Louisville, to be precise. It was a chance to help my boss at Line By Lion Publications run a bookstore she and her husband took ownership of. The store was called the Roar-Shack Bookstore and Art Gallery. It features new and used books, Thomas Lamkin's art, Amanda Lamkin's publishing house, and an amazing selection to peruse from. 
But two months was all I could handle. 

I moved back home to Michigan. 

People have asked me if I'm okay. For the record, I am okay now. It was hard to process how it all happened. But after a brief period of time, I feel like I am finally able to accept it and take a step forward. 

Hence ... this post announcing my return. 

I am also announcing my new business. As you know, or might not know, I studied at Cornerstone University as an English major with an emphasis in Advanced Grammar and History of Linguistics. 
Editing books is passion of mine. I love taking something rough and ragged around the edges (figuratively) and turn it into something sleek and shiny (again, figurative). Turning a piece of writing into something readable and entertaining is a job I also take seriously. 

So here it is everyone. 

Love's Moonlight Editing. 

Click Here For More Info

I am available for hire anytime! For almost anything. I will edit your novel, your research paper (depends on topic); I will proofread your letters, tangle with the verbs of your short story, and move commas around like the blinking cursor on a computer screen. 
What I'm saying is ... I am here for you. 
Right now, all I have is a Facebook page, but soon enough, I will have business cards up on corkboards all around the Portage/Kalamazoo area. But whether or not you are in Portage, Michigan or Budapest, Hungary ... I am available to everyone. 

That is what I wanted everyone to know. I am okay. I am alive. I am doing well. And I am going to do even better. 
Also, I think you guys know about my OBSESSION with books. Stay tuned to the Love's Moonlight Editing page for some great deals on my collection of gently read books. I have a lot and I brought even more home from Kentucky that will need loving homes when I am through with them. If you're really lucky, you'll find a few that I might list as free. Obviously, these will be on a first come, first serve basis. 

There will be mostly sci-fi, fantasy, young adult, romance, Navy Seal fiction and non-fiction, cozy mysteries, and thrillers. I expect that there will be even more genres that I don't even know that I have. But it is time for me simplify my collection. I don't need to keep everything as the story goes. 

I have missed writing on here. I really have. I look forward to getting back into the swing of things on the blog. But this is my letter to the world that I am in business. Love's the name and Editing is the game. 

Send me your manuscripts. And keep 'em coming. 

Also, I am offering deals to any NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) winners. Normally, I will do a full book edit for .01 a word. But for those who wrote 50,000 words in one month ... I will do a full book edit for a flat rate of $100.00. That's 80% off what a normal book would cost to edit with my company. 

I also like to mention that because I am a shiny, brand new business, negotiations are also on the table. I like to help any way that I can. 

Moving on from the self-promotion part of the blog. I wanted to let everyone know as well that I will still be reporting on what I read from week to week or so. Like normal. This week's book pick is ...

Daring A Duke by Claudia Dain. 

This book ... is painfully dull. Honestly, I give this weeks' piece of prose a 1 Star rating out of 5. I love romance novels. You know I do. And perhaps, I am being overly critical of this one ... but the main character is a brat. The Duke who is pursuing her is whiny. Her friends and cousins are all obnoxious. Her brothers are overbearing. 

Full Description Here

Basically, Jane Elliot from New York travels to London with her brothers for a wedding. She wants an adventure simply for the sake of an adventure (which in itself is dumb). Her brothers have accompanied her to avoid this exact thing. 
Across the wedding reception, a man notices her. The Duke of Edenham. He falls for her on first sight and determines to make her his wife. This leads to chaos, boring conversation, and unnecessary drama. 

From the very beginning, Claudia Dain's big issue repetitive dialogue. From the very beginning (oh wait did I repeat myself), Jane constantly thinks "Oh how English of him." The others think "Oh how American of them." 
SERIOUSLY, THE READER GETS IT! JANE IS AMERICAN. THE DUKE IS FROM ENGLAND. 

It got to the point where I almost considered giving up on reading the rest of the book. But .. you know me. I can't stop a book once I've started it. It makes me cranky and wonder how it should have ended. 

So sorry to Claudia Dain if she ever reads this. I just did not care for Jane's story. 

There you have it, my friends. Another book review from myself. Keep in touch and keep reading! 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn

Humorous Writing

I decided to return to poetry. I try to be funny. I don't know if I am actually as humorous as I believe I am. Since my Advanced Creative Writing Workshop with Sara Rivara, I haven't written as much as I should. Naturally, when I actually take the time to write something down, I have to make sure that it is eternally trapped on the internet.

So goes forth my endless fate.

I raise my pen.

I sign my name.

Down and down and down I fall.

Down the rabbit hole.

I’m in hell.

I lie in poverty on my bed.

My head is throbbing.

My fingers ache.

Down and down and down I fall.

Into deep slumber.

I’m in a nightmare.

There can be no reprieve.

Every month.

Every year.

Down and down and down I fall.

Into the mire.

I’m trapped by bills. 

There you have it, folks! My poem. The only thing that's on my mind these past few months have been bills and how much I do NOT have any money. 

Maybe that's WHY I read so much. Reading is much more fun than having to write another check or call in another payment. 

Student loans are no fun. 

This is obviously a very short entry to my blog. Oh well. 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself

Taryn

Almost There...

Greetings Loyal Readers,

It is June 23rd, 2016 and in just two short days, I will be running the Binder Park Zoo's Cheetah Chase 5K for the third time. 
The first year I ran it, I felt like a rock star. I finished in 48 minutes and was feeling pumped. 
The second year, I was FREEZING. It was raining the entire race and it was so cold that I basically walked and shivered the whole way. My bestie, Ashleigh, who has run it with me every time was with me on that race. 
This year ... well, I am going to be completely honest and admit that I had gained a lot of weight, so I am not feeling ultimately very confident about this race. Still, I think I am going to have a ton of fun. As long as I don't look at my finish time as a failure and as a success to have just FINISHED the race, I think that will help too. 
It really reminded me though that I do have to be better at watching my weight and taking better care of myself. 
I joined WeightWatchers again and I am going to try extra hard to make this stick. You never know... maybe by the fourth time running the 5K, I will beat my time for sure. 

All I am asking for are your prayers and good wishes as I attempt this feat again. It may be only 3.1 miles for some, but it feels like a lifetime when you are actually doing it. 

Do you want to know my secret to getting through the race without even realizing it? 

Here it is ...

Instead of listening to a psyched up musical playlist, I listen to multiple Adventures in Odyssey episodes. No joke. While I run, I listen to Connie and Eugene bicker, Mr. Whitaker solving moral dilemmas, and encouraging Bible verses at the end of each episode. 
Trust me, I know it sounds odd, but a radio drama is kind of like reading a book, but better because I kind of forget what I'm doing. I'm drawn into the story and forget that I am running at an odd pace outdoors on a gravel path. 
The only thing I KNOW I am going to get distracted by are the animals we catch glimpses of. For example, I always try to get a blurry picture of a cheetah. Yes, it is blurry on purpose. 

I usually add a tagline to the bottom that says 'Caught the Cheetah' or 'Chasing the Cheetah'. 

It's fun. Go with it. 



Oh I just can't wait to see these fuzzy kitties. 

So I bet that you are also DYING to know what I am reading right now. As of last week, I told you that I was reading Dreamtime: A True Story That Hasn't Happened Yet by Alan J Martin. It's still true now. The book is kind of long and really deep. Ayin and his friends Jiles, Talus, and Dove wake up on this mountain in a different world. They are summoned to fix the problems that have arisen. Ayin is a reluctant hero. A nomad. He is guilt-ridden after the death of his friend Sawm and now, with the burden of this whole world on his shoulders, he has to save the mysterious Tree of Dreams before it destroys all of creation ... even his own world. 

Ayin also has a bit of a temper. If he feels like he is caged up for too long, he immediately charges out regardless of the danger to his own self. It makes him very headstrong and along those same lines, makes me want to yell at him to get back to where it's safe. Needless to say, he never listens. 
I highly recommend this book if you want a high fantasy adventure. 

The other book that I just started is Soundless by Richelle Mead. I had read her entire Vampire Academy series and loved it. This book is way different than her vampire lore. 

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 
 
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
 
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Ever since I read that, I was entranced by the prospect of this book. At first, I was wondering how Richelle wrote a book that has no speaking. Was it all description from one girl's point of view? Was it all the girl's thoughts? Nothing could have prepared me for what actually is happening in her village. And no, I am not giving away any spoilers.

That is all I am giving you right now. You'll have to wait in suspense for the next edition of Books, Tea, and Overactive Imagination. As always, I remain your faithful writer...

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn

An Hourly Reminder

Me, Porcina, and Lamplighter by D.M. Cornish

Hello Everyone,

I promised you a slightly longer post, so here it is... 
Prepare to be amazed! 

This week has been chock full of activity all things considered. I have gotten to work at all three jobs already and it has been keeping me busy. 

Granted, if it was really up to me, I'd be tucked under the covers all day reading a book. Kinda like this .... ------>


And what's wrong with that? You know .. besides the whole lack of productivity thing. UNFORTUNATELY, that's not really a possibility. For two reasons; 1.) Because it's not the responsible thing to do and 2.) I have a FitBit Alta.

It's kinda nice having this new little gadget on me all the time. I like that when I am seated for a while, it vibrates and sends out this little encouraging message to get up and move around. When I am editing at the library, I can only have an hour on the computer before it automatically shuts down to let other patrons have a turn. So around that same time, I am getting a reminder from my FitBit to get up and move. It is also an awesome way to get away from the computer screen for a while, so I don't drive myself crazy simply staring at a blinking cursor all day. 
I think that's actually why I haven't replaced my laptop yet. It's better to go to the library. Forces myself to work, get up and move around, and then work a little more. 

Trust me, this routine is amazing when you are editing and you suddenly wish that you could throw stuff across the room. Then the timer starts to blink that you only have a minute left and you take a deep breath, save, shut everything down and are able to get up and run away from the manuscript for a while. 
Sometimes, I get that way because I'll be correcting one sentence over and over again, unsure over what I originally wanted it to say. 

Perhaps, it's only me. I should really meet more editors and find out what their processes look like. 

I know what other writers do, but not editors. 

Any editors out there who read my blog? Got any helpful advice or hints to make yourself stop the overthinking? (<----Is that a word?) 

Anyways, I should tell you right now that I finished up School For Good And Evil: A World Without Princes and wow, it was good. I love this series because it teaches young readers that friendship is two-way street. You and your friends have to be up front and HONEST with each other. 

So no I really can't wait until book three comes out in paperback, because I really need to know what happens to Sophie and Agatha. 

Meanwhile, I have returned to my own publishing company's stomping grounds, so to speak. I am reading one of our best author's books, 'Dreamtime: A True Story That Hasn't Happened Yet' by Alan J. Martin. 
I will give you an update as soon as I get past chapter three. 

I have to go now. But see? I fulfilled my promise and gave you a longer post. I wish you all well. 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn

Fantastic Sunday (June 12th)

I work at the happiest place on earth.

No, it's not Disney World. It's Barnes and Noble. 

Yesterday, we had the last day of our B-Fest, the National Teen Book Festival. There were games and prizes and lots of activities. I participated in some of the games, because my inner child was screaming at me to take part in the Spelling Bee. 
But yesterday was the day of our Author Panel. We had four authors set next to each other with a small stack of their books in front of them.
All of them were local authors. One was published in the Major Market with HarperTeen. She was Lindsey Klingele with her book The Marked Girl.
Then we had A.C Troyer with her book Terrapin. Wil Radcliffe brought his series The Whisper King and last but not least, Lindsay Mead and her book The Beast. 

Now ... as I am sure that you are aware, I get very starstruck around authors. All authors. If you've written a book, I am your biggest fan. (But not like Kathy Bates in Misery, I promise) 
Naturally, when my bosses told me that I was going to be the one leading the discussion panel, I was squeaking (in a good way) about it. I was absolutely psyched to be a part of the Writer's portion of it, but this just vastly made it better. I stood next to the table and began reading off as many questions as I could come up with on the spot. It was so much fun and very informative. I got a lot of compliments on my leading of it too. So I hope that that made me look good to my bosses.

I even got two of the books signed for myself. 

Yes, mother, I know I have a problem. 

But sadly, I don't have any desire to correct said problem. Oh well. Maybe that means I am growing in my own independence. It's about time. I am almost 30. 

Well, I am going to leave this here for now. I know ... this was short. I promise you'll get a longer blog post later. I PROMISE!! 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself,
Taryn

The Last Word

Ready ... Set ... Go! 

Okay, here's where I begin. Supernatural. Not the genre. The show. 

My besties Ashleigh and Emily sucked me into it. I was told for YEARS (literally) to watch this show.
My reasoning for not watching it was always a very simple phrase .. "Heck no! I'll have nightmares for months" 

I caved. 

I started on season 1 with my head buried underneath my blankets and one eye fixed tentatively to the screen. There was so much screaming and lots of fake blood spraying all over the place that I thought that my friends really were completely insane for liking this. 

By season 2, I was still having to hide momentarily, but I was vastly getting more and more involved in the lives of Sam and Dean Winchester and their fight against the forces of evil.

Season 3 ... I was hooked and couldn't look away. The entire series can be summed up as kind of like a creepier version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

And incidentally ... I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Anyway, my point is that the show has 100% captured my attention and I'm now on the last season available on Netflix. Season 10. 

Between Castiel getting his grace back and Dean being all rampage-y, I have so many questions as to what's going to happen next and want to talk to my friends about it. 

This show reminds me of my reading habits as well.
Have you ever been so stuck on a book that you just want to shout to everyone around you about it? 

That's what is happening to me with Nettle King by Katherine Harbour.

This is the third (possibly final) book in the Night and Nothing series and every time I read, I wind up with a hundred more questions. 

Like ... what is happening to Lily Rose since she returned from the Ghostlands? Why is she so affected by iron and hallowed ground? Did Seth Lot do something to her? 

Who really IS Moth? What did Absalom do to him? Is he actually on Finn's side? Why is the shade of Jack killing everyone of the blessed ones? Will Finn and Jack wind up being okay together? Or will Finn wind up being turned into a Fata herself? 

All I have ever wanted is to find a loyal fanbase of this series and talk about this book at length with them. I even wrote a nice letter to the author herself, complimenting her on creating something that has had me so enthralled. It doesn't take much to hook me on a series, but it DOES take quite a talent to HOLD my attention to one series even after I'm finished. 

Needless to say, I will be very sad when I am turning the final page of this book. 

Sometimes, I have this vision of being able to turn around and grab the first person I see by the shoulders, give them a shake, and demand to know what they think about the books I'm reading. It's a funny image to say the least. I can even imagine the look on their faces because they have no idea what I'm talking about.

My friend, Faith, was almost always the one who would suggest a book for me to read. We'd both read it at our own pace and then would have these lengthy discussions about them. Arguing over who the best characters were seems to be our favorite topic. I still maintain to this day that Irial was the best in the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr.

(stolen from google btw) 

See, Faith? Irial had it all! The punk look. The dark eyes. The enormous wings. *sighs* You're missing out. 

I do believe that books can maintain that grab on a person. If you let it. I actually had a customer come in and ask me if I was being honest about being able to like anything that I read. I told him yes. I may tend to lean towards my Teen Fantasy stories, romances, and Sci-Fi books, but yes, I can and will read anything that is suggested to me. The customer proceeded to tell me that he thought that I was fibbing about that because there was no way that I would be interested in just any subject. I gave him my example. 
I was an English Major. I hate math. I am not strong in science. I am not all that fascinated by Biology. But when I saw a book called 'Naming Jack The Ripper' by Russell Edwards, I still picked it up because something about it caught my attention. I told him that even though the book was filled with mathematical formuli, chemistry equations, and Biological factors involving testing DNA strands, I still couldn't put the book down. 
I believe that we can be fascinated by any book. Not just what's in our comfort zones. When you walk past a book on the shelf that catches your eye, you never know, it could be something that you'll enjoy as long as you keep an open mind about it. 

Needless to say, the customer was speechless. I don't think he expected me to actually have an answer to his question. He still comes in and asks me questions about other books and whether I've read them. He doesn't even question my taste anymore. He just comes in and asks what I've been reading lately. 

Truthfully, I say that you can love any book. You can ask questions about any book. I think you've earned your right to say that you're a true bibliophile when you are able to look beyond your favorite genre and say that yes, you'll read ANYTHING that's set in front of you. School will even be improved in your mind so long as you take a moment to clear your mind and enjoy your textbooks. 

All right, I think I've stood on my soap box long enough. 


Farewell everyone! Until NEXT time!

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn