Christmas at the House of 1,000 Santas

Since it’s slow this week, due to Christmas being right upon us, I thought I’d share a picture or two, just for fun. The Meara household is famed far and wide–okay, here on our block–for having the biggest collection of Santa’s in the world neighborhood. When this life-sized guy comes out from his regular hiding spot (under our bed), and takes his place beside the Comfy Chair, I know it’s time for the festivities to begin.

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Big Santa was given to me several years ago by my daughter, who batted her baby blues at the manager of our local Publix, and persuaded him that having spent all her money on an airplane ticket home for Christmas, she had none left to buy her poor mother a gift. Voila! Instant addition to my collection. (Erin said it was so easy, she thought maybe she’d do all her Christmas shopping that way from then on, but I convinced her that some store managers might expect more than a hearty thank you & a wish for a Merry Christmas.)

Off to visit my son & his family for the afternoon. Will share some more photos tonight, perhaps. (BTW, Santa is obviously letting me know that a string of lights has gone out on the tree. Good thing I have him around.) 🙂

Check Out the 12 Days of Christmas Posts!

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If you haven’t checked out the vids Jenny Melzer has been sharing with us, you really should. So many free gifts, each available for free download, for three days! Did I mention FREE? No risk reading, folks! And you might discover a new author you really love.

Even if you decide not to download the FREE…yes, FREE…gifts offered, please remember to share these great Christmas presents! I’ve downloaded them ALL so far, and I’m looking forward to some free time in my schedule to read, read, read. Jenny…thank you SO much for all you share with us, and for passing this event along, as well. I’ll be watching each day, for sure! Merry Christmas to Starla for putting this together, and to you for alerting us, and to all the authors who took part! You ALL rock!

Looking for Guest Bloggers

If any of you would like to do a Guest Blog on Bookin’ It, please give me a holler. I’ve got some openings (starting tomorrow, if you hurry) that I’d like to fill, and I enjoyed Jenny Melzer’s Guest Blog post last week so much, I’m looking for more. Let me know! (It can be about whatever book-related stuff you wish, in character, or in your own voice. I’m flexible.)

Hugs & Smooches to You ALL!

I’ve been away a few days with company, so I’m playing catch up today. It’s GREAT to see you guys have been posting away, here. PERFECT! I promise to get caught up this afternoon. Can’t wait to read everything you’ve shared, and I will also be tweeting it ALL. What good little writers you’ve been! Santa is keeping track, for sure. 😀

Are You Guys Sharing?

Just a reminder that sharing the wonderful posts here is what will help this site grow, providing us with…even MORE wonderful posts! Please reblog, Tweet, or FB…or all three…when you can. It’s what Writers Helping Writers is all about, and all the buttons you need are directly below each post, on both the main page, and on the comments page. Tell the world about us by sharing our fabulous content!

Here’s a sample tweet I just sent out:

#TheWriteStuff – Aimee Easterling: Preparing for the post-Christmas rush: http://wp.me/p55nCI-b9 via @#marciameara

As you can see, I added a “hashtag The Write Stuff” mention, plus the poster’s name. But even without any alterations, your tweets and reblogs and Facebook posts will help us build the site. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

What Would YOU Like to Share?

 

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It’s that time of year when hours for writing and posting become more and more scarce, as holiday preparations, shopping, and company expand to fill all available time. Seems like a good opportunity for sharing things already written, to me. Caitlin just shared two of her beautiful color poems, and I’d like to invite the rest of you to share some things with us, as well.

Do you have a poem, short essay, older post, or even an excerpt from a current work that you’d like to share? We’d love to see it. This is your chance to whet our appetites for even more of your writing. A few enticing paragraphs from one of your novels, maybe? A poem you’ve written, but haven’t done much else with? Or one from an anthology, perhaps? Something to celebrate the season? Or just something you think would be a good introduction to your style of writing? Here’s your chance.

If you have not already been set up as an author here (and thus, able to start a new post on your own), email me, and I’ll add you. That way, you won’t have to run it through me, in order to share your work with us. Click on the ABOUT section of the Menu above for my contact information, and join the fun! We want to get to know you and your work better. And, btw,  I know a couple of you are fine poets, so don’t be shy. (This goes for you, young man in Scotland! 😀 )

Wednesday’s Author Interview – Jen Rasmussen

Interview with one of our own, today, the fabulous and funny Jen Rasmussen. Enjoy!

Marcia Meara's avatarBookin' It

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Ghost in the Canteen
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Today, Bookin’ It is happy to welcome Suspense/Horror writer, Jen Rasmussen. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got to say this morning, Jen. And folks, if you enjoy this interview as much as I think you will, please consider sharingit via reblogging, Twitter, or Facebook. Jen and I will both thank you. 

BI: Jen, can you tell us a bit about how you became a writer? When did you decide that’s what you wanted to be, and what steps did you take to prepare for a writing career? 

JR: Before I became a stay-at-home mom I was doing technical and instructional writing, which is less fun than fiction, but easier to pay the bills with. And although you might not think it, it was fantastic preparation for writing novels. First of all, nothing will teach you…

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Bookmarks & Other Freebies

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Front Side of my New Bookmark

Do you have “swag” for handouts at book signings, or for other promotional purposes? I’m very interested in this, especially after reading Jenny Melzer’s post mentioning her custom blend teas in beautiful, themed tins. The only thing I have so far are my brand new, gorgeous, double-sided bookmarks. How about you guys? Would love to know if you have keychains, magnets, postcards, or other promotional material. Feel free to share your photos, too. So interesting to see what others have done, and to find out if they feel these things are worth the investment.

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Reverse Side of New Bookmark

Black Friday & Other Sado-Masochistic Endeavors

 

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Are They Having Fun Yet?

Do you participate in the madness? Me, I’d rather have spiky bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails! They’d have to be giving away cars and jewelry for free, and throwing in a dinner date with Chris Hemsworth, as well, before I’d fight the Mall Mobs and Sale Seekers today.  I guess I just don’t want anything that much. I’m going to put up one of my Christmas trees, instead. (Yeah, there are several to be done, and while I hate shopping, I LOVE Christmas!) And Mark will get started on the outside lights. And oh, yeah…I have a BOOK to be finished, if I want it out in January, which I do, so there will be writing going on, also.

What are YOUR plans for Black Friday? Inquiring minds wanna know.