#NotesFromTheRiver – When Is a Little Blue Heron NOT a Little Blue Heron?

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 8 Comments

(Photo by Doug Little)

When he’s a calico heron, of course! 🙂 This week’s #NotesFromTheRiver post is up, for those who’ve been following along on this trek into the wild places of Florida, to explore the birds, reptiles, and other critters we share our state with. Hope some of you will enjoy checking it out.

#NotesFromTheRiver – Calico Herons

Guest author: Marcia Meara – Attitude really IS everything!

March 8, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 20 Comments

I am thrilled to let you guys know that I’m a guest blogger today on Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Please stop by and check it out. Hope you’ll enjoy the post, and share far and wide. Thanks so much!

Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

No!
Yes.
You can’t!
I can.
Why?
Why not?
It’s all wrong!
It’s all right.
You shouldn’t!
I should.
You won’t!
I will.
It could be bad!
It could be good.
It’s too late!
There’s time.
You’re too old!
I’m still here.
You did it!
I did.

~Marcia Meara

Hi, Everybody! I’m Marcia, and I’d like to thank Sue for having me here today. She’s such a wonderful supporter of artists of all kinds, and I’m very pleased to be part of her guest post feature.

The little poem above is one I wrote three years ago, right after I published my first book, at age 69. As you might imagine, it was inspired by a lot of comments I received from folks who thought I was crazy to be attempting something as daunting as writing and self-publishing a novel at my age. I heard every single reason why I…

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#MondayMeme #MondayBlogs

March 6, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 8 Comments

Just in case you were wondering.
😀

whowritesnovels

Writing: Business or Hobby?

March 6, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

Mae Clair has some excellent advice concerning *shudder* tax season! New writers will want to take note, to avoid headaches down the road.

Story Empire

Hey, SE gang, Mae here with a reminder that tax time is looming. Ugh!

A battle struggling writers often face is whether or not the IRS considers their efforts a business or hobby. Very few of us make bucketfuls of money as writers. For most, expenses outweigh profits during the first few years. That sad reality aside, you need to report those expenses if you’re trying to establish a business. I’m by no means an expert, but here are a few things you can do to keep Uncle Sam from viewing your enterprise as a hobby:

Detailed Record Keeping
This may seem obvious, but the more detailed records you can produce (in the event of a dreaded audit) the more favorable the outcome is likely to be. Keep receipts and make notations on each. In addition, use a spreadsheet to track and itemize by category. I use headings such as

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10 Unusual Things I Know About Bookworms

March 3, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 5 Comments

Lovely post from Jenny Hansen’s blog. Do you recognize yourself in here? 🙂

Jenny Hansen's Blog

It’s National Reading Month, which is my favorite time of year, since I am a bookworm. We’re a club with specific characteristics and one thing is certain: bookworms find other bookworms. They simply must, so they can find out about more cool books.

Bookworms have been devouring books for as long as they can remember – for story, for new worlds and new ideas. Their To Be Read piles are taller than a small child. Their favorite authors and characters become friends.

If you are a bookworm, there are things that I know about you that I don’t know about the other readers I meet:

1. I know you read odd things in odd places.
If you are stuck somewhere without a book, you will begin reading any words available – shampoo bottles, food labels, billboard signs. Whatever. Books and magazines are preferred, but in a pinch, any words will smooth your soul.

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#ThorsDaySmile

March 2, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 16 Comments

Just under the wire, I know, but here it is.
(Go ahead. Admit you miss them!)
😀

#WhyWriteWrong – New Meme, Perhaps?

March 2, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

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Been thinking for some time about starting a new writing meme, and after searching around on Twitter for a phrase not currently in use, I think #WhyWriteWrong might work. Basically, it’s just my way of introducing the occasional post on mistakes I spot while reading. Especially the ones that really jump out at me, pulling me out of the story long enough to think (or sometimes yell) “Noooo! That’s just wrong!” I’m hoping this idea might be helpful and/or fun.

My first post is the one freshest in my memory. (Gotta grab those stray thoughts, while I can!) I recently read a very good book by an author MUCH more renowned that I’ll ever hope to be, and it was an entertaining story. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Except for the fact that the author persisted in “wrecking havoc,” not once, but several times. For those of you unfamiliar with the phrase, one does not “wreck” havoc. One “wreaks” havoc. Not spelled the same, not pronounced the same. (First one, of course, is pronounced, “reck,” and the second “reek.”)

I’m pretty sure this mistake isn’t rare, though I didn’t expect to see it made by this author. So, I figured I’d share it here, as a reminder that creating mayhem and tearing things apart, willy-nilly, is “wreaking havoc.” Of course, one can leave behind a wreck if one wreaks enough havoc. That’s a given. But “wreak” and “wreck” are not interchangeable. Honest.

And there you have today’s #WhyWriteWrong post. We all have words and expressions we misuse, so I’m thinking this could be of help. Yes? No? Maybe?

What do you think?

DISCLAIMER: I am not a grammarian or English professor, but I promise not to post something under this meme that I haven’t verified with those who are.

This Week’s #NotesFromTheRiver – Tricolored Herons – What’s In a Name?

March 1, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 6 Comments

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For those who have been following my Wednesday nature posts on the St. Johns River Eco Tour blog, here’s the link to today’s, which compares the tricolored heron to the little blue heron, and shows you an easy way to identify which one is which. (Thanks for the idea, Kass.)

#NotesFromTheRiver Tricolored Herons

#MondayMeme #MondayBlogs

February 27, 2017February 27, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 9 Comments

This one is both writerly and funny, so I had to think whether to share it today or for a #ThorsDaySmile post. Today won, because I couldn’t wait.
😀 😀 😀

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Earworm…

February 26, 2017 / Marcia Meara / 5 Comments

Wonderful poem by Sue Vincent, whose poetry is always perceptive, fun, and often quirky. Plus, this is a reminder that Sue is looking for guest bloggers. DO contact her, if you are interested. 🙂

Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

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