Tags
Author, Contemporary Romance, Gloria Richard, Guest Blog, Humor, Irresistibly Sweet Blog, Kreative Blogger, Margie Lawson, Row 80 Challenge, Sherry Isaac, Writer, Writes
An Inciting Incident happened on my way to the pub. The Writer’s MEET Contract Pub. It sits on a twisted road between a blank page and a published book.
In January, 2009, I took my first of many Margie Lawson on-line classes, DEFEATING SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIOuRS (DSDB). The class loop was a cool place to post snarky NYT level assignments and receive feedback from fellow classmates. One of those classmates was Sherry Isaac.
Toward the end of that class, Sherry emailed to suggest we stay in touch. [Insert happy dance emoticon here.] Me? THE Sherry Isaac of SNARKDOM Planet Canada wanted to stay in touch with me? My short answer? Yes! My long answer? EEEEEEEE!
Since that day, we became best friends, trusted critique buddies, career coaches (She’s the coach, I’m Grasshopper), daily write-a-thon partners, and on-line chatters about all things relevant. Nine months later, we met in person at Denver International airport en route to a Margie Lawson Immersion Master Class.
I love the lyrical voice she brings to the page and her snort-green-tea-on-the-keyboard one-liners. Those two talents are likely why she beat me to the Pub with STORYTELLER, a collection of short stories released in August, 2011.
Raised by Nancy Drew and Jane Marple, Alice Munro Short Story Award winner Sherry Isaac’s novels and short stories weave the common thread of everyday life, love and forgiveness into tales that transcend all things, including the grave. Find Sherry on the web, follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and read her blog posts at Romance & Beyond.
So, without further blather, it is my pleasure to welcome Sherry Isaac to my hammock. Splat. NOTE TO SELF: Be prepared when you offer Sherry Hammock time.
From SHERRY ISAAC to You
Welcome to torture HonoUr your BFF Day at Gloria’s Hammock.
I have, so I’ve been told, been rewarded by committee (Gloria) both the prestigious Kreativ Blogger Award, and The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. How did I earn not one but two great distinctions? Simple. Word count. By making me list not 7, not 10, but 17 not so interesting facts about moi, Gloria will have a longer post on today’s blog.
Oh! Oh! SO not true. The truth. Sherry had to got to answer five questions yesterday on Hildie McQueen’s blog. With this added seventeen, I hope she digs deep and reveals something embarrassing spectacular!
According to the rules of both awards, I must thank my dungeon master the person who nominated me. Gloria, mere words cannot express what I feel in my heart at this moment. Snort.
I’m also supposed to post to my blog, but for reasons stated above (word count for Gloria) my post appears here. So, ready or not…
- I live in constant dread that I may one day emerge from a ladies room with my skirt tucked into the waistband of my pantyhose.
- I believe you can dance The Swim to any music.
- I used to twirl baton.
- I excel at folding fitted sheets. Those little cornered pockets make it so easy.
- My writing mascot, Shnorty, sits on a hallowed corner of my desk.
SHNORTY TAKING QUESTIONS TODAY
- I was once proposed to by a 90-year-old cab driver on my way to work. (Never missed my bus again.)
- My first pet was a horny male Chihuahua named Peanut. I was 7, and convinced, to my mother’s horror, that I’d taught him to dance. Little paws wrapped around my ankle. How cute.
- In my imaginary world, guacamole is its own food group. The Hokey Pokey is the national anthem.
- I have bottle-fed a baby lion and petted a cheetah.
CHOW TIME IN SOUTH AFRICA
- I do my best writing in the bathtub.
- Calls from my husband can still make my heart go pit-a-pat.
- I saved babysitting money in time to buy a wide leg pair of jeans the day straight legs came in fashion.
- Before I became a writer, I traveled the rodeo circuit. That’s how Gloria and I met, at Margie Lawson’s Rodeo Clown College. Gloria made the HonUr Roll. I passed after 3 sessions of summer school.
The Back of The Bull--er--Class? No WAY!
- I’ve been fortunate to wade in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as the Andaman Sea.
- Calculus gives me a headache.
- When I was 12, my life plan was to drop out of high school, go to L.A. and marry Sean Cassidy.
- I have flown a circle around the world.
TROUBLED WATER - SHERRY BRINGS IT HOME
Gloria gave no instruction as to how I might adjust the nomination portion of my royal duties. So, I encourage every one reading this blog to share one interesting item about your self in a comment. True or not, I leave to you.
Me again! With one of those annoying info-blathers. “But, wait! There’s more!” For the nomination portion of the hop rules, we collectively have 20 32 lots of blogs to “tag” for the Kreative Blogger and Irresistibly Sweet Awards. So, Sherry and I plan to troll the cyber-hallways (YES, #WANA112 and #ROW80, you are in the mix), to find awesome, inspiring, and/or snort-worthy posts to recommend for the blog hop.
If you’re reading this, leave a comment so we can display our snarkling personalities in our replies know you were here. Drop an interesting tidbit about yourself in the comments section. LOVE that ammunition insight. And, if you have a recommendation for our blog troll, SHARE!
Gloria Richard 
#1 What about the toilet paper stuck to shoe nightmare? Had that one happen.
#4 I must see proof on video. NO ONE can fold fitted sheets. Teach me.
#16 Mine was Rick Springfield. Is he married still? Oh wait. I’M MARRIED.
Congrats on your awards!! Love all the facts.
#1. Thank you Brinda, for proving my fear is not irrational!
#4. Instruction video now on TO DO list.
#16. Sean’s married, I’m married. What’s the world coming to?
#1. Not saying it happened to me, but A POX ON THOSE LONG FLOWING SKIRTS IN PANTYHOSE DAYS! But, if it HAD happened to me, which I am not saying it did, the skirt would have been long enough to cover my behind quarters.
I second Brinda – MUST see proof of #4 on video. Can you upload a tutorial to youtube?
and #16 Mine was Axl Rose. HA! My mother was not amused.
Hey, Laird! Thanks for representing WANA112!
So, what you are telling me is, the most interesting thing about me is my linen closet. Sean/Axl. Hardy Boys/Heavy Metal. Man, I feel so lame.
Hi, Laird! Thanks for visiting. Sherry and I rushed to check out your blog so we could “tag” you, but (unlike me), you plan before you leap.
Also noted in your bio that you like YA. Brinda Berry (weekly guest blogger and techie guru) is pubbed YA Paranormal. She posted here yesterday.
For political humor/satire, don’t miss Piper Bayard. The Piper Bayard/Kristen Lamb 2012 presidential ticket stopped here on Monday.
HIGHLY recommend both sites.
I almost drowned in Brazil and got tear-gassed in Chile. Love this post, Susannah
Susannah! Yikes! But who better to happen to, than a writer who survived to tell the tale. Those are tidbits you must expand upon when next we meet.
Ditto Sherry’s “Susanna! Yikes!” Skip waiting until we meet. Those are tidbits you must expand upon in a short memoir for GloJo Acres IMC grads.
SO glad you popped in to visit.
Sherry,
First things first per #4: Can you come fold my sheets??? My linen closet looks like someone had a party in there and forgot to invite me. Bummer cause it was wiilld!
#16. You guys are tame! Mine was to meet Fabio.I started hiding romance novels under my bed when I was 13. And in 1992, I did meet him. I have a picture and everything! Back to the romance novels. You learn a lot about sex that way. Maybe just not the right stuff??? Hmmm. That explains a lot.
Congrats on Storyteller! Very cool. I love your sense of humor!
Snort! Again with the sheets. Not making me very relatable, is it? Instructional video bumped to top of TO DO List. Might even scratch short story structure workshop this summer to teach sheet-folding instead.
A picture of you and Fabio? What exactly did you learn in those oh-so-practical novels, Lori, and did you put what you learned in to practice with your crush? MUST see that picture. I vote you include it in your next post, ‘Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Fabio’. WOOT!
I love it! Can I just say that real life sex vs. book sex–kinda different. Anyway, you can see the picture of me and Fabio on my blog
http://www.lafreeland.com/2012/01/07/kreative-blogger-award/
Hmm. Wonder what he looks like now. Need to go check that out…
I just realized you tagged me on Kreative Blogger, so I can’t tag you back.
Dagnabbit!
Let us know how gracefully Fabio aged. Or, do men not use the term “gracefully?” Testosteronely, then
Since you and your linen closet are both in Texas, perhaps Sherry could produce her video here? On it. The nagging begins. Whining follows.
Yes! Yes! Pick my linen closet! Please! We can photo shop you and Sherry onto my Fabio picture!
WOOT! Just checked out your Fabio pic.
This is funny. Here is Fabio NOW. http://www.fabioinc.com/
I just checked out your Fabio “now” link, Lori. It’s official. Fabio didn’t age “gracefully.” He aged testosteronely. But, the gigs he’s taken?
Hmmm.
Not sure he’s our leading hero any longer.
Ahh, yes – the pantyhose nightmare. Isn’t that one of the universal dreams/nightmares? Like walking into a room naked when everyone else is dressed or being able to fly? And dragging sheets of toilet paper on the sole of your high heeled pumps. Been there. done that. (the toilet paper, not walking in a room naked or flying)
I’m a bit disappointed that Shnorty has not been present at our critique sessions. :). No doubt he’s exhausted by his mentoring duties.
Thanks for visiting, Urve!
I frequently have a dream about walking about naked. I’m in public, look down, and suddenly realize I forgot to dress.
Were I still in my twenties, my dream might suggest an exhibitionist within. But at mumble,mumble-years-old? Nah.
Urve, Shnorty made it to IMC in Dallas and to Moonlight & Magnolias in Atlanta, so I guess he’s up to the trip to Oakville.
Gloria and Sherry —
I remember the picosecond when you first met at the Denver airport, smile-to-smile, hug-to-hug. Suh-weet!
You two personify gestalt. The creative constellation of GloSher is greater than the sum of your parts.
Three interesting recurring dream tidbits:
1. I fly like Superman. Sometimes I fly next to our little plane, open a hatch in the ceiling, and pop in to chat with Tom, work on laptop, grab a snack. Then I’m out the hatch again, zipping around in the fluffy clouds.
2. I dream that Tom and I live in a house where every room is a swimming pool. I have the coolest floating desk. So comfy to work on my laptop in my swimming pool office.
3. Thalia and Calypso (our dogs) talk to me in my dreams. We have the most amazing conversations! Calypso told me she’s proud of me for going vegan and taking care of my heart.
What a lovey dog. 🙂
Timer just went off. Back to teaching online!
All smiles……….Margie
MARGIE! Why does it not surprise me that your secrets involve imaginary worlds with fluffy clouds, swimming pools, doggies, and of course, Tom?
I MISS YOU! I know Sherry does, too, because we chat about you in our timed chat sessions. Yup. Timed. All of them.
We’re trying to finagle a way to join Joan and Jessica for another Immersion Master Class in May. Or, at the VERY least join FAB30 in April.
You are THE BEST for taking time from your busy schedule to visit. Cyberhugs and all smiles back atcha…Gloria
OOOH! And, I like that GLOSHER. I only came first b/c Margie put them in alpha order, Sherry.
Don’t get in a snit about me being her favorite. Even though I DO have all of the rhetorical devices memorized. Just saying…
Great. Next you’ll be spinning into orbit. Focus, Gloria. Focus. Time for another write-a-thon.
Margie, thank you for opening the hatch on the hammock and popping in to chat with us!
Must be the whole hubby in the aircraft industry thing, but I’ve had recurring dreams of flying as well, dating back to childhood.
I’m proud of you for taking care of your heart, too. ‘Tis a big, warm heart, full of love and giving and wisdom and all things that make others smile.
Sherry, I needed a smile and you delivered. I love this post. It was great to learn a few more things about you. Your writing mascot is so cute. I think everyone needs a writing mascot.
Haley, how did I miss your comment? I love my Shnorty. He’s the pot-belly pig I never had.
Writing in the bathtub is a great idea, but how do you keep your laptop from getting wet?
Interesting facts about me….hmmn…I have a birthmark in the shape of a turtle on my knee and I one day plan to own a condo on the moon.
Writing in bathtub… more like plotting, or coming up with ideas. Condo on the moon? Great! You can host a retreat for Sharon!
Thanks for visiting, Jen!
Good grief you two. Okay Gloria and Sherry … I have been tagged for a “Versatile Blogger” Award by one of my good buddies, Christi Corbett. If you want seven interesting facts you have to find me tomorrow. For some really boring facts you can read on …
1. I fall up steps; 2. Talk out loud to my characters; 3. My daugher calls me the “baggie” Queen because I am so anal I have to put everything in sealed baggies, and I mean everything.
Okay, my heart-throbe was Paul Newman, met him with his wife (darn) and they were both better looking in person, if you can stand it. I was so crazy about Neil Diamond music, I got a job at Columbia records and followed him on an elevator to the 35th floor in the CBS building; the floor with armed guards.
You’ll have to see seven more “useless” facts about me tomorrow. By the way Sherry, you’ve done some really great stuff 🙂
Boring??? Florence, I will forever have an image in my mind of you on that 35th floor, a guard hooked under each arm, dragging you away while you holler, ‘I love you Neil!’
Don’t we all talk out loud to our characters? When I was young, I called it playing with my Barbies.
As for the great stuff, I have been really blessed.
Will stop by to learn more interesting facts about you tomorrow.
Ditto what Sherry said about your factoids, Florence.
I assume you went to the 35th floor with no purpose other than standing close to your idol. Did you exit the elevator with him? Grin sheepishly as you frantically punched buttons for another floor–any floor?
This one interesting bit about you elicits so many possible scenarios.
DEFINITELY, I’m with Sherry. I’ll visit tomorrow.
And, Sherry? I knew she had a fun, diverse past and present. Can’t wait to share some of the future ones!
I share your #4, I am the queen of folding fitted sheets. Bugs the hell out of me that I’m the only one in the house who can do it.
What else can I share… my secret dream is to reserve aging… Ah, to be 25 again, but with my current wisdom!
Reverse aging… not reserve. I reversed reserve…
Some of my favorite tyops are reversed reserves, Carole.
Tyop, Possibly the world’s shortest show-versus-tell.
Based on the comments thread, you and Sherry may be the only people in my CyberVerse who know how to fold fitted sheets into a tidy bundle, Carole.
Carole! 25? I don’t know. 25-year-old body, (but without the stretch marks). Wisdom and confidence of forty.
Can’t get over fitted sheets being most comment-worthy. Who da thunk it?
Here’s my two cents on fitted sheets – I can’t fold those suckers to save my life. It doesn’t matter how many articles I’ve read on the topic or shows I have watched. We are moving and I needed to make my linen closet look tidy so I actually packed all my fitted sheets and put them in temporary storage. We are all sleeping on top of regular sheets until the house sells.
MY kind of problem solver, Holly. Creative problem solving 101. Correction. Advanced problem solving.
As an alternative, you COULD have placed multiple layers of fitted sheets on the beds, then just tugged off the soiled ones for washing.
ACK! I’m selling my house, too. Do you suppose they’ve looked in the linen closet? I don’t look in it. It’s too painful. NOTE TO SELF: Remake beds with extra layers of fitted sheets.
Now, if you want to talk towels! THOSE look like Martha S herself folded and stacked them.
Holly, to pack, you must fold. See? You did it!
Hi Sherry / Gloria
Seventeen questions about yourself? I think I’d start repeating myself around number 14. I certainly don’t fold fitted sheets, I kind of stuff them in the cupboard and hope they don’t fall out the next time I open the door.
I’ve never really thought about it before, but now you’ve mentioned it I’m going to “live in constant dread that I may one day emerge from a ladies room with my skirt tucked into the waistband of my pantyhose.”
On the plus side it would have to have been one $%#@! of a party 🙂
Cheers!
SNORT!
Thanks for popping by for a visit, Nigel! LOVE your comments on Piper Bayard and Holmes’ site. No clue why it took me so long to find your blog.
You may regret the greater-than-fourteen repetition challenge. You never know what lurks in my
devilishgleeful noggin.Since I plan to face you across the Warrior Writers table in 2012, should we direct the tag to your site, it will be Sherry Isaac who did it. Just so you know…
Face me across the table? Now you’ve got me worried. I may have to change seats next time!
Cheers
What a great interview! Seriously, that rocked! Sherry, thank you for doing this so we got to know you a little bit more. Writing in the bathtub…that’s a new one for me! I read in the bathtub, but write? Interesting… 🙂
And, Sherry wonders why Appleton (her laptop) gets “testy” sometimes. Duh!
Thanks for visiting, April. You’ll see #WANA112 changes soon. And more of Sherry.
April, the party girl on the loop! (I mean that in the bestest of ways!) Thanks for stopping by.
I should clarify: by writing I mean plotting and dialoging. No soggy papers or ink-stained bubbles.
Love your list! Love Shnorty, especially. But as for #1, the best cure there is: don’t wear pantyhose!!
YES! A pox on pantyhose. Let’s sic congress on that one–redirect their attention from my salt-shaker and censoring innocent bloggers.
As for pantyhose, way back-in-the-day I wrote off the expense of pantyhose as a “uniform” expense on my tax returns. I only wore them for work.
Then, I married my heat-packing hubby who chokes if his alphabet soup strings the letters I, R and S together. Hunh. Snakes and I.R.S. drive him ’round the bend.
When he was in SWAT, he once talked a guy into putting down his sawed-off shotgun. After twenty-eight years of marriage, I understand why the guy acquiesced.
That’s it! I’m doing an instructional video! You know, in case that writing thing doesn’t work out…
I enjoyed reading about you. Margie Lawson rocks!
Thanks for stopping by, Diana. Loved your post today. And yes, Margie does rock! WOOT!
Woot! A fellow Margie fan. Did you now she now has a hashtag? #LawsonWritersAcademy. Thanks for visiting, Diana.
Oh, that lion cub pic is just too dang cute!
As for your number one fear, that happened to me. To make it worse I was in a building filled with soldiers. Thank goodness there was another female in the vicinity who ran up to me and yanked my skirt out of the hose before too many people witnessed it.
Jeanne, I knew that fear was not irrational!
You guys are too funny. Thanks for sharing! It’s great getting to know all the WANA112 pack. Factoid about me? I keep about ten cases of wine in my wardrobe…
Thanks for the visit, Ellen! LOVE your factoid. So long as you don’t keep bottles uncorked with straws in them, your ten cases of wine in the wardrobe
is perfectly normalwould make a great song title.And, yet, inquiring minds want to know…
Why? Why do you have a drinking-song-waiting-to-happen in your closet?
Ellen, hey!
Wine in the wardrobe? I’ll be right over…
hehe – you ask why, Gloria? So I can drink them of course! Duh. (It’s a dynamic stash of drinking-song-waiting-to happen… or writer’s-aid, as I tend to refer to them.)