AN UNBALANCED PERENNIAL GARDEN

Posted on May 18, 2014 by peggylchambers

20140518_104251 (1)    The sweet smell of decaying leaves crawl up my nose and lodge in my sinus cavities.  Nothing is blooming yet, but the odor of foliage is all around me.  Leaves have become compost to nourish all that grows there.

I’m a little late cleaning out the perennial gardens this year, but I found the front ones weren’t as bad as they might have been.   New sprouts push their way towards the sun through the neglect. But some things are always the same, like the weeds popping up without benefit of moisture or fertilizer.  Still, pulling them from the earth releases a scent near and dear to my heart – the good earth.

Like Meg in my soon to be released novel “Secrets of Sandhill Island,” I find solace in my garden.  It sustains me.  My hands ache from clutching the rake, my back cramps from bending over too long, and I smile at the promise of flowers to come.  It’s worth the pain to see God’s hand at work and the miracle of flowers coming back year after year – even when they’re neglected by the gardener.

It’s been a tough week.  I had a dentist appointment for a crown and a dermatology visit turned into a biopsy and stitches.  Nothing earthshattering just a reminder that I’m not as young as I once was and time marches on.  There have been more needles in my face in the last week than the last ten years.  My body aches.

I think I’ll clean out the back gardens next.  The dog, my ever present companion, will help me. Who knows what we may find.

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BALANCING MOTHER’S DAY THROUGH THE YEARS

Posted on May 10, 2014 by peggylchambers

fawn brandi peggy    Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers reading this blog and the people who love them.  I know how hard you work to balance your life with those you love. And I know you wouldn’t have it any other way.  Women work twice as hard as men in all that they do – because they love their work. They love their jobs (well, sometimes), they love their homes, but mostly they love their families.

In this sweet picture of my mother, daughter and me, there are three generations of mothers. It was also taken by a hard-working mother who held down a photography studio while balancing a home life.  You can see the love in the faces that obviously favor each other. This picture, taken about 14 years ago, was carefully posed while my mother was having a good day.  Her oxygen bottle was in the car – just in case.  The lung cancer had not taken her fragile body yet.  She still had about another year before the inevitable.

marie kathy peggy    While taking a trip down memory lane looking for pictures of motherhood, I found this one taken when I was just beginning my journey with the other side of my family.  Pregnant at the ripe old age of 19, I was scared to death.  But, I had a village of mothers, sisters, mothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law behind me with the wealth of knowledge they brought with them. I would make it, even though there were times when I didn’t know how.  I even went on to have another child, this one more boisterous than the first, but no less fun.    peggy chad and brandi

Then many years later came grandmother hood.  I had forgotten how much work kids could be and I had forgotten how wonderful they could make your day.  Their amazing take on life cannot help but rub off on you with the wonder in their eyes at the things you have come to think of as mundane.  This little guy was the inspiration for many children’s books in the years to come.    peggy and ethan

I wish a wonderful Mother’s Day to you as you reminisce about the good times and enjoy your family.  Happy Mother’s Day!

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BALANCING A WIN AT THE OWFI WRITERS CONFERENCE

Posted on May 4, 2014 by peggylchambers

20140504_130558    This week I’m trying to balance being a mature woman with the excitement of winning FIRST PLACE in the Science Fiction Short Story Category at OWFI!  And I think the kid in me is winning.  I had no idea my short story “The Manuscript” would even place, which makes the win that much sweeter.  There were 920 entries and 35 categories to enter. The competition was great.

The OWFI http://www.owfi.org/ Conference  is always the first weekend in May and one of the highlights of my year.  This weekend it was even better with a 5th Honorable Mention for my western Short Story “He Called her Sally,” and first place for “The Manuscript.”My hat is off to President Christine Jarmola and her board for putting together another great conference.

The Key Note Speaker, New York Times Bestselling Author Eloisa James, http://www.eloisajames.com/ was phenomenal. Not only is she a great author and speaker, she is a wonderful person.  She ended up sitting on the floor with us in a buzz session hosted by The Wildrose Press and actually bought my book!  (she bought most every book in the place to promote our work, but it made me feel special).  She was very genuine.   Eloisa and Chantell

I had a chance to talk to my publisher, Rhonda Penders, and my editor, Ally Robertson, of The Wildrose Press  http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/.   I met them last year, but since that time our correspondence has only been through email.  It is so nice to actually be able to sit and talk to the people that are trying so hard to make you look good.

I ran into my friend from high school, Mary McIntyre Coley http://www.marymcintyrecoley.com  and we sat together for our book signings.  It gave us time to catch up a little and enhanced the experience by sharing it with someone from my past that has the same interests as I do.  peggy and mary

The Enid Writers’ Club http://enidwriters.com/ had 8 people in attendance at the weekend-long conference which is twice as many as usual.  Our president elect Marsha Kay Oldham won the Most Creative Costume at the Friday night costume party.  It was great fun and I think I’ll dress up next year also.

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I truly enjoyed all the sessions I attended and learned many things from different authors on the craft of writing as well as the craft of marketing once the book is written.

Once again, I can’t wait until next year!

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Balancing Edits

Posted on April 27, 2014 by peggylchambers

wildrose    This week I have been trying to find enough time to finish the edits on my upcoming suspense novel Secrets of Sandhill Island for my wonderful editor, Ally Robertson of The Wildrose Press http://www.wildrosepublishing.com.  Like most editors (the good ones at least) she is more than my editor, she is my friend and sometimes my nemeses.  She makes me look good.

We barely got started and the first thing she wanted was for me to delete four chapters.  What? Those were important scenes!  Well, okay at least two of them were, the other two could be worked in here and there.  Maybe.  But, the first two?  She said they detracted from the main character and slowed the progression of the story. Hum.  Alright, maybe I could use them later in a short story or something.  After all I gave birth to them, they are like my children.   Begrudgingly, I took them out – but I saved them under the heading “deleted scenes.”

And guess what?  She was right.  The story does move better now. How did that happen?  Oh, I know, I let someone else edit my work – someone who knew what they were doing.

I’ve let life lead me astray lately and consequently didn’t finish my edits as quickly as my self-imposed schedule thought I should.  So, I’m trying to catch up.  OMG is it almost May?  Next week is the OWFI conference and I hope to see Ally there.  In fact I was hoping to have my edits to her before then.  That will take some work, but maybe . . .

I’m working on it Ally, really. This is gonna’ be great!

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BALANCING PAIN AND ANGER IN OUR LIVES

Posted on April 19, 2014 by peggylchambers

Anger_2-300x206    Do you lose your temper when your physical pain level is increased?  An incident took place a local restaurant today that brought that question to mind.  It is so easy to lash out at perfect strangers that you will never see again because you are hurting.

Man number one was in pain and man number two was inconsiderate – it almost created a physical incident that would not have ended well for anyone.  Words were exchanged in the parking lot and once inside it continued with the over-worked waitress – someone else who was also possibly in pain.  She did not look well and consequently her professionalism was lacking. The anger escalated.

I had a tough week at work due to outside influences and sometimes found it difficult to be nice.  I came home and vented to someone who was as stressed as I was.  I quickly realized I had to check my irritation at the door because what I was feeling really had nothing to do with my co-workers and everything to do with other incidents.  I had to take a deep breath and step back.  It really wasn’t that bad when you looked at it from a distance.  Sometimes you can be too close to a subject.

It is so easy to forget you are not the only person who is hurting.  Not the only one with problems.  Anger begets anger and violence could be the end result if not held in check.  It is no wonder that we are a warring people who are quick to combat and slow to forgive when we are unable to keep our anger in check.

Is it because we are hurting that we want others to hurt as well – to make them feel as we do – or is it just because we forget how to be kind because of our own pain? Mankind has a long way to go.

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BALANCING A WRITER’S CONFERENCE AND FLASH FICTION

Posted on April 13, 2014 by peggylchambers

amazing-rocky-shore-of-kawaii--28482    The OWFI Conference (http://www.owfi.org ) is right around the corner.  If you’ve never been, you should give it a try.  The Keynote Speaker is  Eloisa James – New York Times Bestselling historical romance author. It will be a great 3 day weekend for writers and readers alike.  With that in mind, here’s a little flash fiction to get you in the mood. Enjoy.

 THE HELICOPTER

Through the thick mist on the window of the helicopter, she gazed into the extinct volcano.  It was timeless and magnificent.  The crater that once spewed so much violence, now created ferns nourished by tumbling waterfalls.  Lately, it seemed the sameness of her days ran together like those waterfalls, even as the primal landscape inspired her to accomplish something in life that would be remembered. She was mesmerized by the slow circling of the helicopter inside the crater, and began to see beauty in places she had never seen it before.

She was surprised that morning that he didn’t react to her the way she expected.  His typical anger when he didn’t get his way was not visible.  Maybe she finally got through to him this time when she said, “I want a divorce.”  His face was stoic, no emotion at all.  Maybe he felt   the same way. Could his life need more space too?

She recently felt the need for a hobby that would fill her soul with a useful purpose.  And finally she had found it.  But, since she couldn’t pilot a helicopter like Steve, she would need to be happy to write about it.  And if accomplished well, the hobby would give her back strength ten-fold.  The helicopter seemed to be trying to tell her that with the whop, whop, whop of its blades.

They had argued many times before.  The story was always the same.  He wanted her home when he arrived, not off on some journey of her own.  That attitude was acceptable to her when they were young.  The children always needed her.  However, as she grew older the same thoughts came back. Was this how she wanted to waste her life, tethered to an empty house?

As a young couple, he would take her and the children for rides in the helicopter.  He was an accomplished pilot.  He became one with the machine.  The beauty of the island was intensified when viewed from the air, he would say.  And he was right.  She could almost smell the orchids that hung from the trees as they passed and headed for the north end.  The geography was rougher there, more craggy rocks and less sandy beaches.

He swooped down and brushed the waves with the runners; her heart in her throat.  But she was never frightened when she was with him.  He always brought her back safe and sound after a thrilling ride.  She was almost as addicted to his flying as he was.  The adrenaline coursed through her veins as her chestnut hair swung from side to side with his maneuvers.  She glanced sideways and he was smiling as he always did when he flew.

Rounding the corner of the island close to the cliffs she gasped again at its rugged beauty, with an open smile – eyes wide.  She still wore the same smile as the chopper dove for the water, crashing onto the rocks below.

 

Can’t wait to see you at the conference!

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Balancing my Life at Full Circle Bookstore

Posted on April 7, 2014 by peggylchambers

Booksigning at Fullcircle    I love Full Circle Bookstore!  http://fullcirclebooks.com/  I had a great book signing there today and Julie and Mary were wonderful to help me get setup and ready to go.  The ladders that roll around from one tall built-in bookshelf to the next remind me of a library in a European castle.  Patrons played chess while others read books curled up by the fireplaces that have been extinguished for the spring.  The store is quaint and eclectic with small rooms dedicated to each type of book and the shelves are labeled with works of local Oklahoma authors.  The entire shop reminds me of happy childhood days spent in the local library.  A place to go and spend time in faraway places away from the hub bub of modern day life.  A place of relaxation.

Outside in the entrance to the mall at 50 Penn Place stands Pearl the matriarch of the store.  She is an albino American Bison covered in pearls. She stands stoic at her place of honor to guard her home and the art within.  She was created by three Oklahoma artists, Mishi Susan, Jenny Woodruff, and Claudia Wylie and symbolizes Full Circle’s collection of books about Oklahoma and by Oklahomans.  Their commitment to Oklahoma art gives them a special place in my heart.  GetAttachment

Spending time at Full Circle made me feel in balance again.

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BOOK SIGNING APRIL 5, 2014 AT FULL CIRCLE BOOKS IN OKC

Posted on March 30, 2014 by peggylchambers

Pearl-Out-Front-650     

I’m at it again, trying to balance my life between being a writer, office worker, wife, and mother/grandmother.  A few weeks ago I had a book signing at my local Hastings attended mostly by people from my hometown.  Now I’m going out into the world to see if anyone else is interested in The Apocalypse Sucks.  I am aware that after your friends and family have purchased your book and supported you in your endeavor, no one else might ever be interested.  You might be the proud owner of a bunch of books with no owners.  Am I up for the challenge?  Maybe.

I set up another book signing this time at Full Circle Books in Oklahoma City located at 50 Penn Place.  In case you are interested, that is across the Northwest Expressway from Penn Square Mall, Saturday April 5, 2014 from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m.  You are cordially invited.  Come join me and the stars of the book, Sandra and Molly to find out what adventures they are up to now.

The Apocalypse Sucks is a dark comedy about life after a virus takes most everything and everyone you ever loved.  But it takes a twist and shows how resilient the human spirit can be especially if you are young and in need of a good bra and lip gloss.  Some women never get over the urge to shop.

The original short story, Bra Wars, took on a life of its own when five more stories were written to go with it.  Then published and marketed as pulp fiction by Airship 27 Production it was enhanced by the art of Andy Fish and Zach Brunner.

Try it; I think you will like it!  http://fullcirclebooks.com/

 

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 9

Posted on March 22, 2014 by peggylchambers

birthday cake    Today was my husband’s birthday.  We are like and old married couple (oh, maybe that’s because we are an old married couple) that have been together so long they don’t know how to live without each other.  We balance each other out.  We support each other and help each other through the good times and bad.  We look after each other during medical crises (and there have been a few lately) and sometimes we finish each other’s sentences.  However, he calls that interrupting – I don’t know why.

We married young (way too young), had our children while we were young, and then quit having children at a young age.  You can have enough of a good thing.  We’ve struggled financially together and worked hard all our lives until we are worn out and ready to retire.  But, no matter how mad we get at each other, and we do, we still want to be together.  I ran into an old friend today that said he and his wife will be married 20 years this summer.  Amateurs.  I said try 41 without killing each other.  I know we won’t kill each other though, because the one left standing would have to plan and pay for a funeral.

My husband came in the other day with a wonderful idea about going to Scotland to hunt red stag.  If you know my husband you know is he is a huge hunter.  He hunted Zimbabwe in 2000 and took me with him.  I would love to go to Scotland and see the sights while he hunts, but at the moment he is preparing for a hip replacement.  He was worn out quickly walking through Wal-Mart today, so I wonder about hunting Scotland. We’ll see how the new hip does.   He’s a tough old bird and would do it no matter how much it hurt.  He doesn’t quit easily. Maybe that is why he has stuck by me all these years.

Happy birthday to the balance in my life, and may there be many more!    Don and dogs

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Interview with Artist Andy Fish

Posted on March 16, 2014 by peggylchambers

Andy Fish    From the blog “Fish Wrap” by Andy Fish http://andyfishwrap.blogspot.com/:

“Andy Fish is a comic book artist, writer, painter, pop culture archaeologist and film historian.  He has written and drawn numerous How to Art Books, Graphic Novels, Screenplays and Comic Books.

He lectures on art related subjects and even has a painting in the collection of the National Gallery in Washington DC.

This blog will attempt to focus on all manner of art film and pop culture, but don’t hold much hope that it will stay focused.

He lives 40 miles outside of Boston, MA with his artist wife Veronica Lane Fish.”

I’m once again interviewing an artist that has made my book look wonderful. Andy Fish illustrated the cover of The Apocalypse Sucks and I had a few questions for him. He was kind enough to take the time from his busy schedule to answer.

Have you always been an artist and have you had any other jobs?

I worked for a lot of years in the grocery business where I worked my way up to a high level and well paid position and realized I needed to do something with art. As it was I was working ten hour days and doing art at night, I wanted to do art all the time.

What is the most exciting project you have ever worked on?

I’m always excited by the latest project I’m working on and looking forward to the next. The nice thing about this job is you never know what’s around the corner. I’m currently working on some really exciting things that I can’t talk about right now, confidentiality and all.

How long have you been affiliated with Airship 27 Productions?

I’ve been with the fine folks at Airship 27 since last Fall, I really love working with Ron and Rob and I think they’ve got some great titles in their bullpen. I’m a big fan of pulps so the idea of modern pulps is really right up my alley. I’m thrilled to be in the running for a Pulp Factory Award for my QUEEN OF ESCAPES cover.

Approximately how many book covers have you done?

Including comic book covers I’ve done hundreds. I’m primarily a graphic novelist so the idea of doing just a cover is very rewarding as opposed to a fully illustrated 120 page book. A cover is a breeze compared to that.

You illustrated the color cover for the outside of the book.  Zachary Brunner drew the black and white illustrations on the inside. Tell me the big difference in the two types of art.

Zachs illustrations were the visual inspirations and the first thing I saw before I even read the manuscript. I like his style a great deal, but I still approached this with my own take on what he had established. I thought it was important that my bat creatures at least were similar to what he had done. Working in full color vs black and white is an entirely different animal and one that creates a different approach.

Unlike the other covers I’ve done for Airship 27 I wanted this one to look more like a movie poster circa 1960s or 70s vs a vintage pulp cover from the 30s.


I love the way you drew Sandra and Molly for the cover of The Apocalypse Sucks.  If they were real, which would you choose for a relationship?

Ha! My wife is a stunning woman so the girls can’t hold a candle to her, although every brunette I draw owes something to Veronica so there’s that.

What’s next for Andy Fish and where do you want to go with your art?

I’m doing the interiors and cover for a new major Airship 27 book and as mentioned some amazing projects with some well-known people that should be out in 2014. 

Well, whatever he does I know he will do it well.  Many thanks go out to Andy and Airship 27 for their help in making The Apocalypse Sucks a great book.  Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Sucks-Peggy-Chambers-ebook/dp/B00IGMRH4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394939860&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Apocalypse+Sucks.

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