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  • gigigalt 4:25 pm on May 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Brick and Mortar Book Stores Hand Out Free E- Books! Petoskey, , East Jordan, , Mackinac City,   

    Brick and Mortar Bookstores Now Stock Free E-Books 

     
     
    12321212_sBrick and Mortar Book Stores Hand Out Free E-Books?

    It’s true, but first, let me give you a little background. (And for those of you who already know all about this, you’re excused. Go read something else.) For me, this was new––a year ago. But even more so, this past week. I was delighted to discover small bookstores are on the cutting edge of what is happening with ebooks. As I see it, this could ensure their survival––allow them to compete against the big boys and girls.

    A year ago, I talked to local book stores and found they weren’t crazy about Amazon.com––not that Amazon wasn’t a business to be admired––but because they were cutting off the small retailers means of staying alive. (A business is going die with no customers to support it. E-books were doing their damage. The way it was, it could only get worse.)

    But here’s the kicker. The Mom and Pop’s didn’t seem to mind Apple Books at all. When I explained how dumb I was at learning new programs, they said if I brought in my i-Pad they would fix it so I could order all my e-books from them. Whew! What a relief. Just knowing I could satisfy my voracious e-book appetite locally, took away all the guilt I had been feeling about contributing to the demise of local bookstores.

    (Now I could order my e-books from them in the comfort of my own home, and still have a book store to retreat to on rainy days when the world got to be too much for me.)

    Despite having great affection for my huge collection of print books, I have grown to love e-books.I find they are easier to adjust to my vision, and I can take them anywhere––best of all––I can be reading them within a few minutes of purchase. Escaping shipping charges, and travel expenses to pick up my books, is an added benefit. I can even loan my e-books and never have to worry about them being returned. It’s done automatically.

    With local bookstores jumping on the e-book bandwagon, the timing couldn’t be better for the release of my own books. Without going into all the details, let me skip ahead to what is happening with my illustrated trilogies on the current market as of today.

    My Love Box Trilogy is being distributed to the Apple i-Pad Bookstore (51 countries), Barnes & Noble, Kobo (which powers the bookstores of multiple other retailers such as FNAC in France and WH Smith in the U.K.), Sony, Baker & Taylor (Blio.com and the Axis360 library platform), and the Diesel eBook Store. All three books.

    (The girl next door says the more than 100 photos that illustrate Love Boxes 1 and 2, look beautiful. She enjoys them on her Apple high-definition i-Phone while she works out on her tread-mill.)

     I’m enjoying the stories on my laptop computer. I find the easiest way is to go to smashwords links provided below, and click on “Read in PDF.” You can choose other formats (such as Kindle) but I find the PDF viewing the most enjoyable of all, so far. You will also see videos attached to each story––songs that relate to passages in each book.

    Books in the Love Boxes Trilogy have reached some stores, but others they have not, however, YOU don’t have to wait. You can download them––RIGHT NOW––on to your computer  i-Pad, Nook, Kobo, or Kindle Book Shelf. Others also, depending where you live.

    And if you want to keep business local––no worry! You can get my books by patronizing your favorite “Mom and Pop Brick and Mortar” bookstores––they’ll be sure to appreciate your business. And remember, even though these books are free (for a time) they don’t care––Mom and Pop book will love you getting in the habit of ordering your e-books through them.

    Here are the links for you. Click on one and you’ll have your book within minutes. No credit card is needed for free books:

    THE LOVE BOXES TRILOGY (Three Separate Books)

    Love Boxes by G. G. Galt  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/307892

    Love Boxes 2 by G. G. Galt  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/314844

    Love Boxes 3 by G. G. Galt will be available on before June 1st.

    THE PARADISE TRILOGY (Three Separate Books)

    Paradise: A Love Story from Petoskey to Harbor Springs by G. G. Galt  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313226\

    (Book 2 and 3 of this Trilogy scheduled for release on or before June 18)

    Please Note: For those of you who’d like to give paper books to friends who don’t use computers, help is on the way. The publisher says they will be available in print for Christmas giving with free shipping.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  • gigigalt 1:44 pm on May 15, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: and the Bridge, Mackinaw City: The Fort, The Keyhole   

    Mackinaw City: The Fort, The Keyhole, and The Bridge 

    gigi2

    AN EXCERPT FROM THE LOVE BOXES TRILOGY: LOVE BOXES-TWO

    Fancy and John found Mackinaw more citified than the other towns. Maybe it was the 1-75 expressway signs. But the town was lovely and the hotels running along the shoreline guaranteed a beautiful view of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

    They stopped at Darrow’s Restaurant for coffee and chatted with one the owners. “My family never come up here without stopping at your place. My Uncle Ted said, you’ve been serving good food since the 1950’s.”

    “That’s what everyone says, but thanks. We never get tired of hearing it . . . “

    John had wanted to bypass downtown and go straight across the Mackinaw Bridge, however, the lure of Fort Michillimackinac was too strong to resist. They succumbed, and bought tickets. To their delight, they ended up playing along with the actors who portrayed Voyageurs, the French and British soldiers, and the Native Americans.

    After leaving the fort, they took a quick trip over to Mackinac Island. But only for two hours. They’d be spending a few days on the island later. Just the same, they visited the 1820s home of the American Fur Company, that later became the offices of the famous gastroenterologist, Dr. William Beaumont.

    When Fancy and John returned from Mackinac Island, they moved the jeep to one of the diagonal spaces downtown on the main drag to go shopping.

    At Harbor Wear Clothing in Mackinaw Crossings they purchased sweatshirts and khaki shorts. Finding everything in the store they wanted, they didn’t need to look any further. They then stopped into the Keyhole Bar and Grill to tell the owners how much they enjoyed the historic photos of Mackinaw City–the ones they regularly post on Facebook. While they were there, they got a bite to eat, and read brochures.

    “Fancy, this Mill Creek Camping looks really nice. It’s right on the water, has a free shuttle, and a golf range––eighteen holes for fifteen dollars, and free passes for the ferry to Mackinac Island.”

    Not believing the place could be as good as the photos, they drove over and inspected a couple of the small knotty pine cabins, plus one large one, with a kitchenette. They were a steal for the price, and ranged from thirty-five to seventy a night, depending on the size and time of the year.

    After looking everything over, they took a walk down to the beach, and liked what they saw. If they used Uncle Ted’s motor home, they could get a site on the water’s edge. But whether using the RV, pitching a tent, or renting a cabin, they knew for sure, they wanted to come back as soon as possible, and with their golf clubs.

    “Fancy, the time is late. We might as well get this over with.” Making sure their gear was secure; they took off for the entrance to the five-mile long Mackinac Bridge.

    “Hang on Fancy. There is no turning back now. We’re about to cross the Mighty Mac. Once this was the longest bridge in the world!”

    “It still is. Hang on? A lot of good that will do me.”

    “Lighten up Fancy. I’m teasing you.”

    “I know John. Anyway, here’s the deal. This bridge is now designated as the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western hemisphere––it ranks third in the world. But the Mackinac Bridge is still the longest in the world if you measure it shore to shore. The one in Japan you hear is the longest? Not true. The Akashi-Kaikyo is 2.4 miles. The Mackinac Bridge is 5 miles long.”

    “I need to concentrate Fancy. Put a lid on it.”

    He wasn’t exactly a nervous wreck, but found it difficult to focus with Fancy talking so much. What he normally found charming about her, was at the moment, driving him nuts.

    Trying to avoid a panic attack, Fancy didn’t say another word. Instead, she sang and snuck glances at John––all the breathtaking beauty that surrounded her. Looking down hundreds of feet, the boats and freighters looked like matchbox toys. It tickled his funny bone. He was a kid again in a make-believe world. “Sweetheart, this isn’t so bad.”

    He began to relax, but not for long. A semi pulling into his lane broke the spell. For the rest of the way he white knuckled it, held his breath, and bit his lip. If he hadn’t, he would have told Fancy to stop singing––to shut the heck up. But the middle of the Mackinac Bridge is not the place to have a first argument.

    Copyright 2013 G G. Galt

     

     

  • gigigalt 2:05 pm on May 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Mackinaw City:The Fort, The Keyhole. the Bridge   

    Mackinaw City: The Fort, The Keyhole, and The Bridge 

    gigi2

    AN EXCERPT FROM THE LOVE BOXES TRILOGY: LOVE BOXES-TWO

    Fancy and John found Mackinaw more citified than the other towns. Maybe it was the 1-75 expressway signs. But the town was lovely and the hotels running along the shoreline guaranteed a beautiful view of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

    They stopped at Darrow’s Restaurant for coffee and chatted with one the owners. “My family never come up here without stopping at your place. My Uncle Ted said, you’ve been serving good food since the 1950’s.”

    “That’s what everyone says, but thanks. We never get tired of hearing it . . . “

    John had wanted to bypass downtown and go straight across the Mackinaw Bridge, however, the lure of Fort Michillimackinac was too strong to resist. They succumbed, and bought tickets. To their delight, they ended up playing along with the actors who portrayed Voyageurs, the French and British soldiers, and the Native Americans.

    After leaving the fort, they took a quick trip over to Mackinac Island. But only for two hours. They’d be spending a few days on the island later. Just the same, they visited the 1820s home of the American Fur Company which later became the offices of the famous gastroenterologist, Dr. William Beaumont.

    When Fancy and John returned from Mackinac Island, they moved the jeep to one of the diagonal spaces downtown on the main drag to go shopping.

    At Harbor Wear Clothing in Mackinaw Crossings they purchased sweatshirts and khaki shorts. Finding everything in the store they wanted, they didn’t need to look any further. They then stopped into the Keyhole Bar and Grill to tell the owners how much they enjoyed the historic photos of Mackinaw City–the ones they regularly post on Facebook. While they were there, they got a bite to eat, and read brochures.

    “Fancy, this Mill Creek Camping looks really nice. It’s right on the water, has a free shuttle, and a golf range––eighteen holes for fifteen dollars, and free passes for the ferry to Mackinac Island.”

    Not believing the place could be as good as the photos, they drove over and inspected a couple of the small knotty pine cabins, plus one large one, with a kitchenette. They were a steal for the price, and ranged from thirty-five to seventy a night, depending on the size and time of the year.

    After looking everything over, they took a walk down to the beach, and liked what they saw. If they used Uncle Ted’s motor home, they could get a site on the water’s edge. But whether using the RV, pitching a tent, or renting a cabin, they knew for sure, they wanted to come back as soon as possible, and with their golf clubs.

    “Fancy, the time is late. We might as well get this over with.” Making sure their gear was secure; they took off for the entrance to the five-mile long Mackinac Bridge.

    “Hang on Fancy. There is no turning back now. We’re about to cross the Mighty Mac. Once this was the longest bridge in the world!”

    “It still is. Hang on? A lot of good that will do me.”

    “Lighten up Fancy. I’m teasing you.”

    “I know John. Anyway, here’s the deal. This bridge is now designated as the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western hemisphere––it ranks third in the world. But the Mackinac Bridge is still the longest in the world if you measure it shore to shore. The one in Japan you hear is the longest? Not true. The Akashi-Kaikyo is 2.4 miles. The Mackinac Bridge is 5 miles long.”

    “I need to concentrate Fancy. Put a lid on it.”

    He wasn’t exactly a nervous wreck, but found it difficult to focus with Fancy talking so much. What he normally found charming about her, was at the moment, driving him nuts.

    Trying to avoid a panic attack, Fancy didn’t say another word. Instead, she sang and snuck glances at John––all the breathtaking beauty that surrounded her. Looking down hundreds of feet, the boats and freighters looked like matchbox toys. It tickled his funny bone. He was a kid again in a make-believe world. “Sweetheart, this isn’t so bad.”

    He began to relax, but not for long. A semi pulling into his lane broke the spell. For the rest of the way he white knuckled it, held his breath, and bit his lip. If he hadn’t, he would have told Fancy to stop singing––to shut the heck up. But the middle of the Mackinac Bridge is not the place to have a first argument.

    Copyright 2013  G G. Galt

      

     

  • gigigalt 2:03 am on May 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Ray Kurzweils Latest Book That helps Authors   

    Kurzweil’s Newest Helps Authors: How to Create a Mind 

    iStock_000018002107Small

    NOT JUST FOR NERDS

    Ray Kurzweil must have been interviewed a thousand times since he appeared on “What’s My Line,” in the 1960s. He’s rubbed elbows at the White House and with me. Well, that’s a slight exaggeration. I should say, he was gracious enough to invite me to lunch and let me interview him right after the release of his best seller: The Age of Spiritual Machines. It’s something he no doubt does on a regular basis, but to me it was a wonderful thing, a miraculous event.

    People like him have a way of making you feel important. Generosity come easy to them. I suspect he makes everyone feel this way––as if he or she is the only one in the room who matters.

    Ray Kurzweil is not only the best-known futurist; he is an excellent writer and  considered one of the world’s most brilliant minds. He is also an outstanding human being who’s helped many, His list of
    mind-boggling accomplishments takes up pages.

    I have not read his latest, “How to Create a Mind,” but I am downloading it today.

    In my opinion, every author, no matter what genre they write in, should consider reading his books. If for no other reason, than to be aware of world they are living in, and what is simmering on the back burners.

    I find scientific and scholastic writers everywhere are aware of his work, but those who write fiction, often are not. A cardinal rule for historical fiction and other genres is that if something has not actually happened, it must be possible that it could have. Stretching that statement a bit, I think this is generally true with any kind of writing. The only way to do this is too keep up with technology.

    Bottom line?  It’s not only science fiction authors who get a benefit from Ray’s work. And who knows? Maybe watching the following interview will jump start you. If it intrigues you be sure to read his other books for back ground. Start with the Age of Spiritual Machines, then read the Singularity is Near. They are guaranteed to get your wheels spinning. For me, it gave me hope. May this be true for you also. Hugs..

    http://youtu.be/86m6pEulafM

     

  • gigigalt 1:30 am on April 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Four Women Discuss The Humble Comma . . .Grammar Girl (Megan Fogerty, Gertude Stein, Gigi Galt, Lesslie Wainge   

    The Sweet Little Pause: The Simple Comma 

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    THE SWEET LITTLE COMMA

    Sometimes it is the most simple of things that remain elusive. I’ve always struggled with commas.

    Lesslie Wainger, Executive Editor, Harlequin Books, gives advice in her widely acclaimed “Dummies” book, “Writing a Romance Novel.” She along with a few others, have changed the way I think about them. It’s given me a new sense of freedom.

    “I’m a big believer,” Wainger says, “that it’s better to use commas inconsistently, but for effect rather than use them strictly by the book. Punctuation is a tool, which means you control it, not vice-versa.”

    Another authority on the comma is the late Gertrude Stein. In her “Lectures In America,” she explains:

    “And what does a comma do, a comma does nothing but make easy a thing that if you like it enough is easy enough without the comma . . . “

    “At most a comma is a poor period that lets you stop and take a breath but if you want to take a breath you ought to know yourself that you want to take a breath . . . And so I almost never used a comma . . . I felt the passionate need of their [sentences] taking care of themselves by themselves and not helping them, and thereby enfeebling them by putting in a comma.”

    I like the philosophy behind this. Perhaps, like me, you will find her point of view thought provoking and worthy  of consideration. If nothing else, I find it tempers my urge to pepper my stories with unnecessary commas, while provoking my desire to learn more about them.

    Megan Fogerty––best known as “Grammar Girl” makes these observations:

    “The ultimate choices you make regarding your use of commas, will be determined by the meaning and feeling you wish to convey. In time, your use of comma’s, as with other punctuation, will become part of your voice, and your style . . .  incorrectly used comma’s can make you characters appear to stutter. Correctly used, they make your story flow.” She goes on to say:

    1. A comma is to clarify and indicate a pause. You can pretty much go with your instincts on this.

    2. Commas aren’t meant to join main clauses or sentences all by themselves; to force them into that role is to perpetrate a COMMA SPLICE. The way to cure it is to create two separate sentences, or use a dash. You can also use a semi-colon to join complete sentences if the ideas are related.

    3. If you are writing a novel, save yourself a lot of work later by learning to recognize a “comma splice” so you do not have to go through hundreds of pages and correct before submitting a manuscript to a publisher.

    I ultimately depend on my Chicago Manual of Style,  but I like  Megan’s relaxed and common sense approach to grammatical issues. You can find her on line. She cuts to the chase and saves you wading through a pile of questionable advice.

    And my two cents? My advice?  Invest  in a variety of  New York Times Best Selling Paperbacks. There you will find, plenty of dialogue. Study how the author writes it. This can be your best teacher when it comes to using comma’s in fictional dialogue. It’s also much cheaper than taking an on-line course.

     

  • gigigalt 3:56 am on April 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,   

    Paradise 2: Cross Village to Mackinac Island 

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    Paradise: Cross Village to Mackinac Island

    AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

    Doug knew who he was dealing with––not so much the name, but the voice. His father had stiffed him the month before. The son who worked alongside him, had been a dead ringer for Larry The Cable Man. It made him easy to remember. Even if her got the face wrong, the rest of the guy was unforgettable––his voice, his walk, his build.

    “You’re awful quiet. Are you her a boyfriend?”

    “No, I’m here to pick her up. Her dad’s in the hospital.”

    “It’s nothing to me. Hey, what’s yer name?”

    “Doogy.” Nobody had called him that since grade school, but it gave him courage somehow.

    “Oh. I was thinking your mug’s familiar. You ever play pool at the Riverbottom?”

    “No. I’m from California. I’m spending the summer up here with my daughter. Why the gun?”

    “City guy, huh? Never trusted city-slickers hanging ’round these parts. Not since the crime in ’68.”

    “I know what you mean. My grandpa felt the same way”

    “What you mean by that remark?”

    “Nothing. We all have our fears.”

    “I ain’t scared of nothing.”

    “I can tell.”

    “But I wasn’t going to ask for trouble either. I got rid of my the latch-key door.”

    “Well Larry, if someone wants in bad enough, they’ll find a way. As you did. By the way, how did you get in.?”

    He burst out laughing. “Easy. Your friends here, still use a latch-key door. And can you believe, with a sign on the back door that says, Come on in and sit a spell.

    From his shirt pocket, he took out the old plaque. On the back it still said: Made In Occupied Japan. He plunked it down in front of Doug.

    “Read it! That’s what I tore off their back door.”

    Doug grinned. It was obvious Larry liked to have an audience––he wasn’t about to upset him.

    “It says right here, We’ve left the string on the outside for you. Come on in sit a spell. And you wonder why I call them stupid? They deserve what they’re getting––her old man didn’t get the message in 1968––that innocence up here went the way of the passenger pigeon.”

    “Larry, that’s not the kind of message these people would buy into. I suspect they only see the good in life. Besides, that was over thirty years ago.”

    Seeing Kate coming back up the stairs empty-handed, Larry spun around and aimed his gun at her.

    Doug’s eyes turned cold. Without missing a beat he stood up and placed himself between the gun and the Cable Man.

    The trembling barrel of the gun followed Doug’s every move.

    “Calm down. We’ll find your box. Kate’s dad no doubt moved it. Let me get a cup of coffee. Then I’ll go down in the cellar and look for it.”

    Picking up the coffee pot in his right hand, he began pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee.

    Knowing that the man was wrapped as tight as a piano string, he was slow and deliberate in his movements––sipped at his coffee cup in his left hand while holding the pot in his right.

    Sure that the gun was staying on him instead of Kat, Doug stepped to the right and flung the coffee pot in the intruders face. The shotgun roared in the tight confines of the cabin.

    In two steps Doug had the gun barrel in his hand; he jerked it out of the man’s hands striking him in the belly with the butt of the shotgun, doubling him over and then shoving him outside, where he fell on his back in the dirt. His hands covered his eyes as he gasped for breath.

    “You’re lucky I didn’t kill you.” Doug said in an icy calm voice. “Tell your old man if he sends you  out here again––I’ll finish the job––not only on you, but anyone. Tell him too, he’s not the only one with tough guys behind him. Now get up and get out!”

    Cowering, he scrambled to his feet and ran down the two-track road through the woods. Once he was sure he was long gone Doug came back inside.

    “Kate, Are you okay?”

    Her voice shook.”Yes, are you?”

    “Yeah, except now I have to make another pot of coffee.”

    © Gigi Galt 2013

    UNEDITED

     

    • Walston 12:50 pm on April 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Heavens. What do I say? The reply to your post was one whole slab––in one paragraph! I can’t make sense of it Gigi. It’s disjointed, not on topic and not yours. Or is this a masterful stroke by you to show us what crap looks like? Hope you catch the guy! Thank you.

  • gigigalt 3:23 pm on April 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Petoskey to Harbor Springs Travel Petoskey to Harbor Springs. (Little Traverse Bay Romantic Fiction Travel Series) What is a Fiction Travel Book? See Love Boxes. available by May 15,   

    Kathy Lee Gifford Raves About Paradise on Today Show 

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    Hello! I hope you can take time off and vacation with my characters this spring and summer. The long-awaited Paradise Trilogy along with the Love Boxes Trilogy, will be available soon at your favorite bookstore––All and all there will be six travel fiction e-books. You can read them sequentially, or individually as novelettes. Keep checking my blogs for updates during the month of April and May. I’ll try to stay on top of it.

    P.S. Kathy Lee Gifford raved about Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Petoskey on the “Today Show.” Aboard a friends yacht she toured the area in 2012  and commented: “It’s the first time in my life I’ve been swimming . . . when I’ve wanted to drink from the water . . . It’s gorgeous and I’m going back as soon as I can. It was that sensational!”

     

    • Walston 9:35 am on April 12, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      It would be good to swim in drinkable water. We swim in our river, the river that supplies us with drinking water. Fortunately it is filtered. It was robust indeed, before it was filtered. There were complaints of dead mice in tea pots before then. Such exaggerations were popular humour at the time.

  • gigigalt 7:02 pm on April 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Paradise: A Love Story from Petoskey to Harbor Springs Paradise: A Love Story from Cross Village to Mackinac Island, Paradise: A Love Story from Sausalito to Little Traverse Bay,   

    Paradise: A Love Story from Petoskey to Harbor Springs, Michigan 

    flatecover-239

    CHAPTER ONE

    THE ARRIVAL

    “Not much longer now and we’ll be there,” Grant Goodrich warned, “brace yourself.”

    At the top of the highest hill seven miles north of Boyne Falls, Kate saw Little Traverse Bay and understood what he meant. They’d reached the end of US-131—the end of the rainbow—and discovered the pot of gold. Paradise.

    Touching his arm, she sighed. “Wow, it’s beautiful. This is where you grew up?”

    “Yep, this is it. Born and raised. Left here when I was in high school. Vowed, I’d come back someday and buy the whole town.”

    “You loved it that much?”

    “No, I hated it that much…”

    Kate closed her eyes. “Are you kidding?”

    Grant winced. “It doesn’t matter. Take it any way you want. Actually, it’s a moot point. Fame & Fortune interviews take me all over––staying in one spot’s not possible. It’s bad enough having to wait in Grand Rapids between assignments.”

    “I understand,” said Kate. “Let’s talk about the interview.”

    “All right, he said,  “see that appendage jutting out in the water? That’s Harbor Springs. We’re headed there. But first, I thought you might want to see the City of Petoskey.”

    Making a right off the main drag, they crept into the downtown. The tourist traffic was thick, but nobody seemed to mind.

    “This is Mitchell Street. I went to school with a lot of the kids whose parents owned these shops. See that one over there––It’s Reush’s Jewelry––done business there for over a hundred years. The store a few doors down––Meyers Hardware––been there for seventy-five years. See the Circus Shop down the street with the carousal Zebra standing in front? It’s been giving children rides for the past sixty years. And J.C. Penny’s across the street? That too, has been there over seventy years.”

    “Wow. I can see why they like it here. Everything is so beautiful and clean. I love the grassy boulevards, the park, the flowers. and all the plants and trees.”

    “Yes, it is nice. During the summer they have free concerts every noon. My grandma’s friend Charlotte started them long time ago.  If you’d like, we can walk through the park from the hardware store to the  City Park Grill on Lake Street. It used to be called the Park Garden. My grandpa drank and gambled there. Actually, it’s probably more like who didn’t drink there in the last hundred years. Ernest Hemingway referred to it by its old name, the Annex. He’d sit on the second seat from the end of that thirty-two-foot solid mahogany bar. There he’d scribble ideas for his stories.”

    “Wow! I’m beginning to understand your love of history.”

    “Yeah, I suppose it’s connected,” Grant said, “Now look across the street—from the jewelry store. There you got Leo’s Lounge and The Mitchell Street Pub. If the walls in those bars could talk, I’d take a year off and interview them.”

    “For someone who hates the town, it sounds like you’re really into it.”

    * * *

    The above is an excerpt from the Travel Fiction Trilogy, Paradise: A Love Story from Petoskey to Harbor Springs.

    The excerpt from Paradise 2: A Love Story from Cross Village to Mackinac Island will appear here on April 9, 2013.  On April 10––Paradise 3: A Love Story from Sausalito to Harbor Springs will be featured. As soon as the trilogies are available I will let you know. The publisher says no later than Mother’s Day, but we are hoping for an earlier date. You will be able to choose from six e-books in Little Traverse Bay Romantic Travel Series. May they all inspire you to vacation “Up North.” Maybe I will even meet you at a book signing!

     

    • Andy Szpuk 9:50 pm on April 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Great characters, great dialogue! Thanks Gigi.

      • gigigalt 10:09 pm on April 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Hey, Andy. Many thanks. My sympathy also to you and those in your country on the loss of Margaret Thatcher. May she R.I.P. Maybe you could write a poem about her.

    • Diane Dakins 1:08 pm on April 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Looking forward to more of the story!

      • gigigalt 3:52 pm on April 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Dear Diane,
        Thanks for the comment.I appreciate it. I will let you know how to get copies soon. Please
        tell your friends if you love the stories. Cheers!

      • gigigalt 2:15 pm on May 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thank you Diane! You can get it downtown through the local bookstores (both McClean’s and Horizon’s.) Be sure to tell them it’s an e-book. Or, you can bring it up on their site. Eventually, all nine books will be available there and at all major on-line bookstores as well. I will post links on my blog today. This will make it easy and give you the first two books of the Love Boxes Trilogy. The final book of the trilogy will be available on or before June 1. I’d love your feedback!

    • gigigalt 7:30 am on April 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Dear Burberry Bags, I know who YOU are––a generous person who has earned a gold star next to your name in my little black book. Many thanks and do come back again. Hugs.

  • gigigalt 7:54 pm on March 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Historic Fiction, Historic Foods, ,   

    History Fiction Authors: A Site You’ll Love––Party Planners, too! 

    flatecover-232

    Every so often I discover a site that is a gold mine of information. If you’re a historic fiction writer, you will want to take a look at this. It will blow you away. At least it did me. As you know, with historical fiction, the story needn’t be factual, but it should have been possible. For starters, you need to know what was used for transportation, who was in power, the fashions worn, and what foods were traditionally served––how they were presented.

    This sounds simple enough––a little research––right? It wasn’t for me. Discovering the eating habits of particular eras, is one of the most difficult. But not anymore.

    Here is an excerpt from Ivan Day’s extraordinary blog:

    “As well as details of our courses, you will find a wealth of material in this site on food history issues. There are galleries of photographs of historic table settings re-created by Ivan Day. In addition there are extensive pages of recipes and other features you will find on no other website.To enter, move your cursor over the swan pie recipe in the centre column. Please note that this site is best viewed at a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024. It is also very image-rich, so please be patient if some pages take a little time to download. It is worth waiting.”

    http://www.historicfood.com/

    http://foodhistorjottings.blogspot.com/

    P.S. And the handsome chef? That’s Doug. You will meet him in my forthcoming “Paraidse Trilogy” scheduled for release April or May 2013.
     

  • gigigalt 6:53 pm on March 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Grand Rapids, Maxine Hattem. Lumber Baron Room, MSU Hall of Fame Duffy Daugherty Singing Irish Ballads on St. Patrick’s Day, Northern Michigan. Charlevoix,   

    Duffy Daugherty’s Irish Ballads: An Unforgettable Night 

    flatecover-268

    An Excerpt from the Love Boxes Trilogy: Book 2  Copyright 2013 G. G. Galt

    Trying to figure out how to decorate her Uncle Ted’s office, Fancy recalled how much her uncle loved the decor of the Pantlind Hotel––what later became the Amway Grand Plaza, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

    Old enough to remember her uncle loved the place, but too young to remember what it looked like, she called a friend of Ted’s––Dr. Bornovich, a Sports Medicine Specialist, who made it a point to attend the highly regarded football clinics founded by his friends Duffy Daugherty and Bud Wilkinson.

    The next day a photo of the Lumber Baron Room, and the new Lumber Baron Bar, arrived by Federal Express. It was just what she needed. Dr. Bornovich included a personal note:

    My Dear Fancy, Your request for the photo’s brought back fond memories. Whenever your uncle came to Grand Rapids, he’d meet up with friends in the Lumber Baron Room. They called themselves, “Maxine’s Choir.” Over the years, the group included people from all walk’s of life, even President Gerald R. Ford and Betty, the First Lady, who went all the way back to Mr. Mose Hattem’s days at South High School.

    As many do in Grand Rapids, I still have great memories of Maxine and her singers. But my favorite one took place on the final night of a football clinic in 1985. (As I recall, you were only four years old.)

    With tongue in cheek (at your uncle’s patented products booth) flyers were handed out all day long inviting the coaches to come that night to a “St. Patrick’s Day Green Beer Bust.” They were told, they’d not only have a good time, but they’d hear what no one ever had––the legendary MSU Coach Duffy Daugherty singing Irish songs for the pleasure of his football coaches

    News of this got back to him at the last clinic of the day. Duffy held up one of the flyers and growled, “I don’t know who the blankety-blank did this, but when I find out, heads are going to roll . . .”

    Midway into the evening, to the delight of everyone, Duffy appeared and swaggered over to the group at the piano. Maxine, gracious as always, encouraged him to sing.

    “At least one,” she said.  And sing he did––one Irish ballad after another.

    That magical night, Duffy stole the show. None of the other singers minded, and the coaches standing around the piano were simply awe struck: There he was, their big burly hero, singing tender love songs. Even when he finished his last number, the group still wanted more.

    No one who was there could ever forget that night. What had started out as a typical ”end of the clinic party,” turned into what might have been Duffy’s finest moment of all time. At least it was for me. It takes heart to win all the games he did, but you have to wonder if anyone was ever aware of how big the man’s heart really was. Hearing him sing, left no doubt.

    Copyright © 2013 by G. G. Galt

    An Excerpt from “Love Boxes” Book One of the Love Boxes Trilogy

     

    • Andy Szpuk 10:14 pm on March 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I’d love to see the video!

      • gigigalt 5:31 pm on March 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        I am hoping “Uncle Ted” will locate it. If he ever does, it’s going on You-Tube! Thanks for the thought Andy, I think you’d love it, too!

      • Randall 8:14 pm on March 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        I’m a writer in Hollywood and recently took a part time job as an editor. I see a lot of horrible writing. It is refreshing to read work that is well edited and well written. Nice job.

        • gigigalt 1:14 am on March 17, 2013 Permalink

          Dear Randall,

          My first impulse was to say one of my friends is playing a joke on me, however, if that is the case, it is wonderful to be so loved. And if you are for real, I hope you read my “Love Boxes Trilogy,” and it brings you as much joy, as you have brought me.

          The first book of the trilogy will be out in April as an e-book. My goal has been to make it a beautiful experience––one that pleases not only the heart and soul, but visually. (I couldn’t figure out how to make it taste good, or I probably would have.)

          I’ve illustrated my romantic travel fiction with over fifty photos throughout. I hope you stay in touch, I will let you know how to get a free copy.

          Thank you dear heart for your generous words. I appreciate them. Hugs!

          G. G.

      • gigigalt 7:03 pm on March 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Many thanks for sharing St. Patrick’s Day online with us. I had to read your blog––it is beautiful and inspiring as well. The photos were great also. I am looking forward to your next blog. Thanks again.

  • gigigalt 4:25 pm on February 21, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , Northern Michgan Travel Fiction, ,   

    Love Boxes 2: An Excerpt 

    AN EXCERPT FROM THE NOVEL “LOVE BOXES 2” (FORTHCOMING)

    Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock and Roll blasted as Fancy beat out the rhythm on the door of her bright yellow Jeep Rubicon. With her long blonde hair whipping across her sunglasses, she almost missed the sign: “Welcome to Charlevoix the Beautiful.”

    Grabbing John’s megaphone, she stood up on the seat to announce their arrival.

    “Yahoo! We’ve arrived. Hello, Charlevoix!”

    John burst out laughing. “Behave yourself Fancy. If you don’t, I’ll turn the oldies station off, and put up the top.”

    “Do you know you just passed the Flight Deck?”

    “Was I supposed to know that?”

    “It’s just that it’s the first fun place you see, right after the city limits––a landmark of sorts. Last summer a friend and I waited there for her dad instead of the municipal airport across the street. When he called to say he’d be late, we bowled. My first time! It was fun. We stayed for pizza and schmoozed with the locals until he came. We could try it too, if you’d like.”

    “Maybe, but not in the day light. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

    “Well, let’s see. If it were after five, I’d take you to Giuseppe’s Italian Grille. Last summer I spent a few Friday’s there––they’ll give you all you want to eat of broiled or fried Whitefish, Catfish, and Cod––then let you sing or be sung to––at least on nights Connie’s Karaoke is there. Think of it. If you skip the booze, you can get the entire night for under fifteen dollars.”

    “The ‘trust fund girl’ is worried about money?”

    © G. G. Galt 2012

     

  • gigigalt 3:25 pm on February 12, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , too., ,   

    flatecover-264

    You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover––Or Can You?

    The cranes repairing the stone breakwater represent the hard-working people in the trades who keep Northern Michigan up and running––its parks and waterfronts and roads in tip-top shape––it’s hotels and restaurants standing proud among the finest in the world.

    The yachts and sailboats are symbolic of the life styles of the rich and famous––but more than that they exemplify the spirit of fun––playing in what’s been called America’s Riviera.

    The rocky shoreline depicts the tireless efforts of trusted professionals––those striving to preserve and protect the mental, physical, and fiscal health of the people they serve..

    The sky portrays the freedom of imagination of up-north photographers, gardeners, artists, actors, chefs, bakers, florists, teachers, poets, writers, and musicians­­––all those who uplift and nourish the heart and soul of residents and visitors alike.

    The breakwater stands for the safe guarding of the areas traditions, values, and ethics long left to the care of ministers, churches, colleges, schools, libraries, museums, and charitable organizations; the constant diligence of townships and municipalities.

    The water represents the tides of fortune ever-present in business; the challenges faced by its owners who offer employment––drop anchors to ride out the good times and bad––provide goods and services for locals and tourists alike.

     

    © Copyright Gigi Galt 2013

    Photo Courtesy: Bobak Ha’eri

     

  • gigigalt 5:22 am on February 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: An Excerpt from the forthcoming travel fiction novel: "Love Boxes", , Earl Young, Mushroom Houses, , , Weddings   

    Charlevoix The Beautiful: A Castle and a Mushroom House 

    castle farmsAn Excerpt from the Forthcoming Travel Fiction Novel: Love Boxes

    Fancy couldn’t resist telling John another story––this time about Charlevoix’s popular architect, Earl Young.

    “He’s the one who’s designed all the Hobbit-like homes around here. They’re the ones you see made of stone with the exotic looking roofs––in fact he had his architectural offices right beneath where we’re sitting. And guess what? Mike Barton has a new book out about them. It’s called The Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix.”

    “Sounds like a book you should get for your reception area.”

    ‘That’s what I was thinking. It’s got over one hundred-thirty photograph. I hear it’s beautiful. And knowing Mike’s photography, I don’t doubt it. Also, it would be a good guide for us when we come back.”

    “You know how much I love architecture. I’d enjoy looking at the homes around here.”

    “As I recall, there’s number of Earl Young’s places in town, especially in the neighborhood he created called Boulder Park. That’s down on the water near the hospital.”

    The atmosphere at Stafford’s Weathervane was a happy one––cordial and congenial. Fancy enjoyed watching old friends meeting up, and new ones introducing themselves for the first time. Sweet sounds of a solo saxophone filled the air around them, and drew their attention toward the fireplace. The musician played his first song and was half way into a second. Fancy stopped the waiter.

    “What a treat. Please tell your sax player we’re enjoying his music.”

    “I will. He’s good, isn’t he?”

    “Absolutely. He’s making a great lunch fabulous.”

    “Usually, he’s only here on Saturday nights, but today was a special occasion.”

    * * *

    Midway through lunch, the drawbridge parted for the Beaver Island Ferry to pass; happy looking passengers waved as John and Fancy raised a toast to them.

    Reaching out for John’s hand she said, “I’m so glad you’re with me. Let’s stay overnight next time.”

    “I agree. Looks to me like there’s lots of hotel rooms on this channel.”

    The waiter showed up with a pitcher of water; Fancy put her hands over her glass and John shook his head.

    Leaving the check between them he said, “Thank you for having lunch with us. And do come back. You’ll want to visit Castle Farms, and take a day at Beaver Island. Oh, and for sure, catch the Venetian Festival. Country singer Chris Dominic is coming in from Nashville to perform. He’s good––a local guy.”

    “Thanks. We’ll try to do that. Friends of ours are getting married at Castle Farms. We’ll be back up here for that in September.”

    Copyright 2013 G.G. Galt

    Photo Courtesy: Castle Farms

    Photo Courtesy: Mike Barton Photography

     

    • Walston 3:24 am on March 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Earl Young is welcome here! There was a time when architects build with a minimalist style an produced homes that were similar to stables with straw ceilings and rooves that sloped down from one side to another. There was no joy to them after the Victorian/Edwardian times of excess in ornamentation. It is so strange how homes have so rarely been built for its inhabitants with nooks that cater for interests and outlooks that inspire. It’s sad how they are so impersonal. Earl Young seems to have built houses that welcome with huge doors and gather people behind rocks that hide people into places of personal pleasure. How delightful. Thank you.

      • Walston 3:27 am on March 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Next time you’re out taking photographs do let me know- I’m practicing my long jumps.

      • gigigalt 11:31 pm on March 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Dear Walston, I’m so glad to know you appreciate Earl Young’s work. I will be sure to share more about him he is a treasure. He’s long gone, but his work and stories about him live on. Mike Barton’s book about the the “Mushroom Houses” of Charlevoix are right up your alley. You can order it directly from him on his site, or from Amazon.com. He will autograph the book as well. I love his work. I love the way you describe Earl Youngs houses as having huge doors to welcome people, etc. Lol. Beautifully said! In the first book in my trilogy, you can see one of his houses on the edge of Round Lake with its wild looking roof.

        I think you would also enjoy the Arts and Crafts buildings on Drummond Island. Tom Monahann the founder of Domino’s Pizza, is a huge fan of Frank Llloyd Wright, and incorporates much of what you speak of, into his buildings––I believe it is referred to as “Prarie Type” architecuture. The furniture is what is called “Mission” (think Stickley.) It is all very practical, but yet beautiful and lasts forever. The pieces I am familiar with are made from oak, rather than the finer grain woods such as cherry or mahogany. If you ever get to Grand Rapids, Michigan, be sure to visit the May House on Madison Avennue. It is a delight. Steelcase keeps it open for tours. The only downside I see to these is for tall people. Low ceilings. And of course, that brings other disadvantages. As usual, your insights are refreshing and enjoyable to entertain.
        My best, Gigi (Unedited).

        P.S I will post some websites here for you in a few days for both Earl Young and the May House.

        • Walston 10:51 am on April 3, 2013 Permalink

          I think you are lucky to have such verdant areas to write about, areas that are friendly and lush. I’m looking at buying some land at the moment. It is hot and dry wedged between highway and sea. I’ve watched it for a long time, watched how the dirt turned to dust, blew out into the sea and sand blasted the cars along the way. On 200 acres it’s over stocked with 10 sheep. In summer it bakes and in winter it’s clement with about 12 inches of rain. I want that land in spite of it being impoverished and not having been sufficiently conducive to having a house built on it.

          Underneath it has an artesian basin which is good for irrigating lucerne. It’s a small basin and we need to be protective of it. Lucerne is wasteful of the water. In time I hope I can replace the artesian water with water desalinated from the sea. I want it to irrigate almonds, sandalwood, quangdongs and pomegranates. I want it for a few acres of roses to harvest their essential oil. I want it for hot houses of hydroponic strawberries. I want a place for my drawings and stories so people will stop on that highway and venture in for things to eat, drink and see. I think it could be so different to how it once was. It needs to have things tried to see if they work. It could be used to show that we don’t need to have everything on our exhausted river.

          I think about how lucky you are with your wonderful climate and the people all around who share so graciously the enjoyment of it. I’d like something similar here. It frightens me I’ll fail, but what frightens me more is not to try. .

    • gigigalt 6:59 am on April 4, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Oh, Walston. How wonderful to hear from you. I love your dream! The way you describe it, I can see it all!

      I never think of an artesian well as being wasteful. The ones in Northern Michigan run forever, or so it seems. I must study this further. I could be wrong. Would you be able to build a home on it? I hope so, it sounds beautiful, and with all you plant, even more so. It is impossible for you to fail! But more on that another time. In the meantime I’d be willing to bet the dream will provide the energy to get the job started. I am so happy for you. Be sure to keep us up to date. As far as Little Traverse Bay goes, it is beautiful! I just read tonight that the town where our summer cottage is nearest, was named “One of America’s Best Small Towns in 2013 by Smithsonian Magazine. As part of Smithsonian’s annual ranking of smaller communities, it was chosen as one of the best cities in America to visit because of its rich cultural arts community and history.” That has to be true, but they forgot to mention the “Million Dollar Sunsets,” and the beauty surrounding the visitors.

      • Walston 7:04 pm on April 4, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Such different countries, Gigi. Here we have artesian basins that are huge. The problem is that the water in them is millions of years old. Replacing any water will take a long time. Once we had water gushing from them with out stop but we have capped the wells that did and we now don’t waste it.

        It’s amazing that with so few words you so accurately portrayed your community. I think it is very difficult to honestly portray one’s own community. Thank you.

        • gigigalt 11:50 pm on April 6, 2013 Permalink

          I was just thinking about the Artesian wells today, I thought about your last message, and named a club after them . . . and now . . . here you are! It is so interesting what you say about them. I will need to find out if that is true in Northern Michigan as well. Perhaps I will post a postcard here that states a well back in the 1920’s or 1930’s at the Ramona Park Hotel near Harbor Springs poured out 10,000 barrels of water a day. It makes you wonder how they measured it. Maybe they did during a water shortage elsewhere. It makes me wonder if the same thing is true today. One well that I know of was so strong the force of the water furnished water to bathrooms the third floor (the Conway Inn, now the Inland House on Crooked Lake.) It seems you could recycle much of your water used to grow the plants. My guess is you already have a plan for this!

      • Walston 4:28 pm on April 12, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Hi Gigi,
        a small follow up for you. More about wells- we call them bores because they are drilled. Small difference- an oddity.

        In a wetter part of the state some one irrigated their lucerne (you might call it alphalpha). The watering was intense with centre pivot irrigation. There was water on the surface half a foot deep all the time I’ve been told. The farmer had a quota and exceeded it considerably.

        As a result the bores around started to get dry. The watering continued. People weren’t happy. Bores cost a lot of money, the deeper they are the more they cost. More bores dried up.

        Investigations were conducted. It was found that the guy had lowered the basin by 120 feet. It had been close to the surface before. It was found that the guys documentation was possibly incorrect with the stated usage apparently much lower than would be expected. In response the government changed his allocation to be the same as his declared usage and upgraded the meter on the bore. He wasn’t happy.

        To lift water 120 feet costs a lot of money. It was now uneconomic to irrigate. The centre pivot machinery was useless, an investment of millions on each farm lying idle. Now, no one wants them. The farmers aren’t happy. Farms that were once worth plenty have been seriously devalued.

        No one really knows how long it will take for the basin to refill. It could take millions of years.

  • gigigalt 2:36 pm on February 7, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , etc., Love Boxes: The Series, , , , ,   

    What’s this About? A Northern Michigan Travel Fiction Book? 

    flatecover-182

    Travel Fiction, I once heard, is a novel where place is as important as the main characters. I discovered how true this was after I considered giving fictitious names to real locations. I couldn’t do it. My travelers counted on the businesses and services in each town to survive; I soon realized each spot on the map was a unique stage, and what happened there, could happen nowhere else.

    The “Love Boxes” Series is faction, a portmanteau of ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’ that blends with the techniques of fictional storytelling. An example of this is Alex Haley’s novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.” Those of you who are familiar with the genre of historical fiction will recognize Love Boxes has many of its characteristics––if something did not actually happen––it could have––and that is rule of historical fiction I have tried to abide by. Time periods and historical facts, have been researched, and are assumed to be true. Apart from entertainers and public figures, no real names of living people are used without consent.

    I hope you break open Love Boxes­­––be surprised––let it take you on a pleasant trip down memory-lane and inspire you to visit Northern Michigan. May all your postcards say:

    “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

     

  • gigigalt 4:17 pm on February 6, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Carson City, Charlevoxi, Denver, Drummond Island, , Lake Tahoe, Love Boxes: A love story from beautiful Northern Michigan to points beyond: Traverse City, , , , Reno, Sault Ste. Marie, Ste. Ignace, , White Fish Bay   

    What Is A Travel Fiction? What Is Love Boxes About? 

    flatecover-264

    What Is A Travel Fiction? I once heard it defined as a story where the place is as important as the main characters. How true this came to me the day I considered giving fictitious names to real locations. I couldn’t do it. My travelers counted on the businesses and services in each town to survive. Soon it became clear, that each spot on the map was a unique stage, and what happened there, could happen nowhere else.

    Love Boxes is faction, a portmanteau of ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’ that blends with the techniques of fictional storytelling. An example of this is Alex Haley’s novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.”

    Those of you who are familiar with the genre of historical fiction will recognize Love Boxes contain many of its characteristics––if something did not actually happen––it could have. And that is rule I have tried to abide by. Time periods and historical facts, run true. Apart from entertainers and public figures, no real names of living people are used without prior consent.

    I hope you’ll break open my pile of Love Boxes­­ and be surprised––let it take you on a pleasant trip down memory-lane––inspire you to visit Northern Michigan. May all your postcards read:

    “Having a great time, wish you were here!”

     

    © Copyright Gigi Galt 2013

    Cover Photo Courtesy: Bobak Ha’eri

     

  • gigigalt 3:38 am on January 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Northern Michigan Travel   

    Love Boxes: A Love Story from Beautiful Northern Michigan  

    A NOTE TO THE READERS FROM THE AUTHOR

    What is a Fiction Travel Book? I once heard it defined as a novel where the place is as important as the main characters. I realized how true this was after I considered giving fictitious names to authentic towns and businesses. I couldn’t do it. My hero, heroine, and supporting cast, fit nowhere else but in actual places.

    Love Boxes is “faction,” a portmanteau of ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’ that blends with the techniques of fictional storytelling. Those of you who are familiar with Historical Fiction for adults and children will recognize it.

    For those who live or vacation in Northern Michigan, I hope my story takes you on an enjoyable trip down memory lane. And if you’ve yet to visit, I hope you’ll be inspired to do so. I look forward to your postcards––your messages saying, “Having a great time, wish you were here.”

    Note: Throughout the writing, I found myself inspired by the beautiful photographs on my storyboard. I hope by including them, they will not only honor the photographers and models, but also add to your enjoyment, as they did mine. I’ve modified my story so it does not match any real events, and outside of known public figures, my primary characters are composites of people I’ve known or would like to know. Love Boxes is a portmanteau of  fact and  fiction–commonly refered to as “faction.” I prefer to think of it as “contemporary historical fiction. The time periods are authentic, the geographical locations are actual, and the historical data is factual––the story––although fiction, is one that could have happened, even though it didn’t.

    © Gigi Galt 2012

     

    • Andy Szpuk 4:47 pm on January 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Sounds like a story line well woven together, and constructed with love.

      • gigigalt 6:06 am on January 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks Andy! Exciting time, but scary too. Somedays I swear I could end up writing it for another year. Christmas my family got a printed copy. They love it, so how can I lose? Cheers, G. G.

        • Andy Szpuk 6:30 am on January 17, 2013 Permalink

          I know what you mean, Gigi, but it’s come together very well, I hope it does well too.

        • gigigalt 5:04 am on January 18, 2013 Permalink

          Thanks Andy for the vote of confidence from a pro!

    • dignifyde 12:50 am on January 23, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Hey Gigi. Where’ve you been hiding yourself? Looks like you’ve gone into semi retirement.

      • gigigalt 1:15 am on January 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Hey Dignifyde! It’s so good to hear from you! Not retired––working my fanny off to get my novel out by Valentine’s Day. Everytime I think I’m done, the publisher and I find something new. I hope you will agree it’s been worth the wait. I almost named a new character “Ham” (his real name is Hamilin) but decided not to. He was the almost victim in a notorious crime. Decided I needed to stay far away from that––though it was long ago––it could always hurt the feelings of a great-grandchild or such. Hang in there! I hope all is going well in your world. And again, thanks for writing. I appreciate it. Cheers!

    • Andrew A. Sailer 12:14 pm on February 6, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I just want to tell you that I am just newbie to blogs and truly loved your blog site. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog . You definitely come with fantastic stories. Many thanks for revealing your blog.

  • gigigalt 6:57 am on October 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: and Ethinicity: It’s All How You Write It . . .Writers Helper, Color, Home Schooling, Race   

    Color, Race, and Ethnicity: It’s All How You Write It . . . 

    Color and Race

    (In The U.S.A.)

    Only two of the five enumerated races are  labeled by a color: white and black

    1. The white race, refers to a “person having origins in any of the original people’s of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

    2. The black race, also called “African American” on the US Census,  refers to a “person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.

    The other three races are not labeled by color:

    3. Asian

    4. American Indian and Alaska Native

    5. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

    Note: Chicago Manual of Style 16th. Edition Requires No Hyphens

    *****************************

    To Sum Up: There are only five recognized races in USA:

    1. White

    2. American Indian and Alaska Native

    3. Black

    4. Asian

    5. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

    ****************************

    “ETHNICITY” HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE.

    THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ASKS THIS QUESTION OF  ALL AMERICANS:

    Pick one:

    a. I am Hispanic or Latino

    b.  I am  not Hispanic or Latino.

    ******************

    HOW TO WRITE ABOUT ETHNIC GROUPS: UPPER CASE? LOWER CASE?

    According to Chicago Manual Of Style: 16 th. Edition: The common designations of ethnic groups by color are usually lowercased unless a particular publisher or author prefers otherwise.

    CAUTION:  NOT ALL BLACKS IN THE USA ARE AFRICAN AMERICANS:

    The Black population has been bolstered by a growing West Indian American sub-group with origins in Jamaica, Hati, Trinidad, and Tobago, and Barbados. In 2008 they were estimated to be 2.5 million strong.

    *******************************

     National Groups and Associated Adjectives

    SOURCE: CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE

    Names of ethnic and national groups are capitalized. Adjectives associated with these names are also capitalized.

    Aborigines; an Aborigine; Aboriginal art

    African Americans; African American culture

    American Indians; an American Indian

    Arabs; Arabian

    Asians; Asian influence in the West; an Asian American

    the British; a British person or, colloquially, a Britisher, a Brit

    Caucasians; a Caucasian

    Chicanos; a Chicano; a Chicana

    European Americans

    the French; a Frenchman; a Frenchwoman

    French Canadians

    Hispanics; a Hispanic

    Hopis; a Hopi; Hopi customs

    Inuit; Inuit sculpture

    Italian Americans; an Italian American neighborhood

    Jews; a Jew; Jewish ethnicity

    Latinos; a Latino; a Latina; Latino immigration

    Native Americans; Native American poetry (see text below)

    New Zealanders; New Zealand immigration

    Pygmies; a Pygmy; Pygmy peoples

    Romanies; a Romany; the Romany people

    Many among those who trace their roots to the aboriginal people’s of the Americas prefer American Indians to Native Americans, and in certain historical works Indians may be more appropriate. Canadians often speak of First Peoples (and of First Nations). 

    ************************

    Note: There are  Native Americans who prefer to be called even more specifically by their tribe name. There are also other designations such as: Woodland Indians. More about this another time. I have other sources I’d like to check.

    ************************

    Plural form for Native American group names

    According to current preference, names of Native American groups usually form their plural by adding s. In earlier writings the s was often omitted (indeed, Webster’s has continued to present both forms as equal variants).

    the Hopis of northeastern Arizona (not Hopi)

    the language spoken by Cherokees

    but

    the languages of the Iroquois

    *************

    I STAND CORRECTED:

    I received this message this morning. from J.R. It sheds new light. This is what it said:

    The word “Asian” has different meanings in the US and in the UK. Here we describe people from areas such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc as “Asians” but Americans use the word to mean people of Far Eastern origins – those who used to be called Orientals until the term became pejorative. I’ve often wondered what word is used in the US to describe what we call Asians? (BTW, it’s ethnicity – you’ve added an extra ‘i’)

    Thank you, J.R.!  Here’s what I found in Wiki:

    Various attempts have been made, under the British Raj and since, to classify the population of India according to a racial typology. After the independence, in pursuance of the Government’s policy to discourage distinctions between communities based on race, the 1951 Census of India did away with racial classifications. The national Census of independent India does not recognize any racial groups in India.[1]

    ***************

    This is fascinating. I need to discuss this with J.R.. In the meantime, anybody who can offer further insight, please write me.

     

  • gigigalt 1:29 am on October 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Are Foods and Drinks Capitalized? Excerpt from: How Do I Write Thee (forthcoming) Writers Helper   

    Are Food and Drink Capitalized? 

    Photo By Permission: Vin_Jaune.jpj Wiki Commons

    ARE FOODS AND DRINKS CAPITALIZED?

    Is it Swiss Cheese or swiss cheese? Is it French fries or french fries? Is it Irish coffee or irish coffee? A Manhattan or manhattan?

    Seeing all the above written both ways, I finally gave up and checked it out in the Chicago Manual of Style. Being a person who’s always liked my food and drink capitalized, I find now, there are other ways.

    The easiest foolproof route for you to take is: DON’T CAPITALIZE the names of food and drink.

    EVEN, if the given name of a nationality, city, region, or person is part of the name of the food or drink. Example: French, Swiss, Manhattan, Daiquiri, Champagne, Margarita, or Bloody Mary.

    However, if you are required to write according to the dictates of another style guide, adhere to it’s guidelines which may vary somewhat.

    Note: If you are like I am, and cringe when you see the name of fine wine and food in lower case letters, you can instead use registered trademark names or the name of a particular dish such as “Julie Child’s Baked Alaska.” You can also write your own recipe and name it, such as “Sadie’s Seduction Sorbet.”

    Give your imagination free rein, and have fun with it, just make sure not to write anything derogatory about a trademark product or established business.

    P.S. I wrote this article sometime ago. To be on the safe side I looked up the subject to see what  Megan Fogerty, had to say. After going over it again, I feel fairly comfortable with it. But check it out for yourself and let me know what you think––especially any of you out there who are wine and food experts––you would know better than I would.

    http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/when-should-you-capitalize-cocktail-and-food-names.aspx

    EXAMPLES:

    brie
    brussels sprouts
    cheddar</div

    epicure
    frankfurter
    french dressing
    french fries
    pasteurize
    scotch whisky; scotch
    stilton
    swiss cheese (not made in Switzerland)&lt
     

    • scotland golf course 12:07 pm on October 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

    • Myron Woodson 1:33 pm on October 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I simply want to mention I am just newbie to blogging and certainly loved this web blog. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You surely come with incredible stories. Many thanks for sharing your web-site.

      • gigigalt 9:16 am on November 1, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hey Myron. Many thanks. I appreciated you fine comment. : )

    • cs965 3:40 am on November 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Your articles and your choice of wines.
      Ce vin est la plus noble expression du cépage savagnin.

  • gigigalt 5:36 am on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: First Resorters, Fishing Rights, Grand Traverse Bay, , Native Americans, Northern Michigan, Poetic Justice, Reservations, Romantic Fiction, , Trading,   

    Sand Castles 

    PROLOGUE EXCERPT: BEFORE THE STORY BEGINS

    A wise elder stood at a council meeting around a fire on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay. He’d long been dedicated to the proposition that all people were created equal and deserved the chance to be free and and pursue happiness. But because of his belief in peace and acceptance––the mysterious ways in which the Great Spirit worked––he’d hid his concerns, lest he interfere with God’s way and disrupt his people. But after much consideration and prayer, he determined the time had come, that he must speak of the ignorance and poverty long associated with his reservation.

    “It wasn’t always like this,” he said to those gathered around the council fire. Before the white man came, we lived well. We are the first resorters in Northern Michigan. Each springtime, we made our way along the tranquil paths lined with maples, cedar and birch trees to Little Traverse Bay, to what was left of our wigwams from the year before. Not unlike resorters today, we would busy ourselves, and repair our “cottages.” We’d plant our gardens, eat fresh fish, suck on honey, and snack on berries. At the end of the day, we’d watch million dollar sunsets, and give thanks. When cold weather told us it was time to leave, our families meandered south.”

    Young braves moved in closer, anxious now to hear more of the good life they’d never known.

    “By comparison, our earlier days were good. We learned to add and subtract, read and write. There were those among us who became accountants, teachers, artists, and business owners. But the majority, slipped through the cracks. As a people, we had to keep running to stay in place––overall we lost, as much as we’d gained. Many moons have passed. We still struggle to survive. We’ve become captives, with no hope for release––continually  forced to merge with the white man. Today, we debate whether our poor reservation can long endure the onslaught of a modern civilization upon our people. The pale face did not only steal our land with their fire water and a few worthless trinkets, they stole our spirit, and our children. For those who have no recollections of the past, know this: too many became actors in rodeos, and circuses––took off for Hollywood to play savages in war paint. World War II took our men to war, and our women to factories. After the war, they seldom returned. At home, our dwindling numbers eked out a living fishing, making baskets, birchbark souvenirs, and quill boxes to sell to tourists. Talk to your fathers and grandfathers who know about this––talk to the mothers and fathers who still weep for babies snatched from their arms, and put away in the do-gooder’s Crooked Tree Indian Orphanage. We didn’t have plumbing they told us.”

    “They are evil men,” shouted a young man in the shadows.

    “No my son. Much of what I speak, has been done by well-meaning people, those who donated their old money to the orphanage to help, not hurt. Many had no idea, we were not orphans.Therefore, we should hold no anger towards them, they thought they were doing God’s work. And in truth they often did.”

    “What can we do?” the same brave asked coming closer to the fire. “Our treaties with the United States Government are a joke. They insult us. We are not children to be patronized when we visit Washington––wined and dinned––sent home with a pat on the head, with no hope of restitution.”

    Another member spoke. The young people called him Chief Eagle. He was younger than the rest of the elders, but still respected for his wisdom.

    “We were unwilling participants in what has become a great tug of war. It tests the will of all our people, those conceived and dedicated to what they learned from the tribe as innocent youths. Can we long endure? Listen. Our tribe is on a great battlefield, and  being met by those who have not only more resources than we, but more money than has ever been in our entire village. If we are to survive, we must rise above all that concerns us––and like my namesake––once more soar with the eagles.”

    More meetings were held, and after many weeks, they prepared a declaration:

    “We can no longer stick our heads in the sand because we find the matter distasteful––to fight for what is rightfully ours––to recover what they stole from us. That is what they want, what they are counting on. No, we need to take stock––leverage the assets we have left. Our treaty agreements, our right to work as a separate nation. No man or government will save us by design, nor will the breadcrumbs from his table. We have always been known as proud traders, not beggars. And it is by trade, we can survive and triumph. Those who now oppress us, will someday work for us; we will buy back our beaches; our children will walk with dignity; they will laugh and sing and build sand castles.”

    © Gigi Galt 2012

     

    • Network Support Sydney 6:09 pm on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      A family member referred me to your site. Thank you for the details.

    • zclassicman 12:46 am on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I received your invitation and now I see that you have indeed been busy. This is an interesting intro — where does an intrepid reader rush further in? Zc

      • gigigalt 1:22 am on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hello ZC. So nice to hear from you! Where do you go from here? Are you on Facebook? There are a number of writing groups you may find interesting. I found them through Alan Jankowski, the Poet, telling me about them. I think he should be fairly easy to find. Ask his help in connecting to to some of them. In the meantime, I hope your read the rest of the blog. Maybe when you logged on you only picked up “Sand Castles,” try again and you should find many more recent ones. Thanks again for writing! And do return my friend. : )

  • gigigalt 3:37 am on September 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Travel Cross Village to Mackinac Island. (Little Traverse Bay Romantic Fiction Travel Series) What is a Fiction Travel Book? Forthcoming Short; Spring 2013,   

    Paradise: Cross Village to Mackinac Island 

     

    Paradise: Cross Village to Mackinac Island

    AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

    Doug knew who he was dealing with––not so much the name, but the voice. His father had stiffed him the month before. The son who worked alongside him, had been a dead ringer for Larry The Cable Man. It made him easy to remember. Even if her got the face wrong, the rest of the guy was unforgettable––his voice, his walk, his build.

    “You’re awful quiet. Are you her a boyfriend?”

    “No, I’m here to pick her up. Her dad’s in the hospital.”

    “It’s nothing to me. Hey, what’s yer name?”

    “Doogy.” Nobody had called him that since grade school, but it gave him courage somehow.

    “Oh. I was thinking your mug’s familiar. You ever play pool at the Riverbottom?”

    “No. I’m from Houston. I’m spending the summer up here with my daughter. Why the gun?”

    “City guy, huh? Never trusted city-slickers hanging ’round these parts. Not since those murders in ’68.”

    “I know what you mean. My grandpa felt the same way”

    “What you mean by that remark?”

    “Nothing. We all have our fears.”

    “I ain’t scared of nothing.”

    “I can tell.”

    “But I wasn’t going to ask for trouble either. I got rid of my the latch-key door.”

    “Well Larry, if someone wants in bad enough, they’ll find a way. As you did. By the way, how did you get in.?”

    He burst out laughing. “Easy. Your friends here, still use a latch-key door. And can you believe, with a sign on the back door that says, Come on in and sit a spell.

    From his shirt pocket, he took out the old plaque. On the back it still said: Made In Occupied Japan. He plunked it down in front of Doug.

    “Read it! That’s what I tore off their back door.”

    Doug grinned. It was obvious Larry liked to have an audience––he wasn’t about to upset him.

    “It says right here, We’ve left the string on the outside for you. Come on in sit a spell. And you wonder why I call them stupid? They deserve what they’re getting––her old man didn’t get the message in ’68––that innocence up here went the way of the passenger pigeon.”

    “Larry, that’s not the kind of message these people would buy into. I suspect they only see the good in life.”

    Seeing Kat coming back up the stairs empty-handed, Larry spun around and aimed his gun at her.

    Doug’s eyes turned cold. Without missing a beat he stood up and placed himself between the gun and the Cable Man.

    The trembling barrel of the gun followed Doug’s every move.

    “Calm down. We’ll find your box. Kat’s dad no doubt moved it. Let me get a cup of coffee. Then I’ll go down in the cellar and look for it.”

    Picking up the coffee pot in his right hand, he began pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee.

    Knowing that the man was wrapped as tight as a piano string, he was slow and deliberate in his movements––sipped at his coffee cup in his left hand while holding the pot in his right.

    Sure that the gun was staying on him instead of Kat, Doug stepped to the right and flung the coffee pot in the intruders face. The shotgun roared in the tight confines of the cabin.

    In two steps Doug had the gun barrel in his hand; he jerked it out of the man’s hands striking him in the belly with the butt of the shotgun, doubling him over and then shoving him outside, where he fell on his back in the dirt. His hands covered his eyes as he gasped for breath.

    “You’re lucky I didn’t kill you.” Doug said in an icy calm voice. “Tell your old man if he sends you  out here again––I’ll finish the job––not only on you, but anyone. Tell him too, he’s not the only one with tough guys behind him. Now get up and get out!”

    Cowering, he scrambled to his feet and ran down the two-track road through the woods. Once he was sure he was long gone Doug came back inside.

    “Kat, Are you okay?”

    Her voice shook.”Yes, are you?”

    “Yeah, except now I have to make another pot of coffee.”

    © Gigi Galt 2013

    UNEDITED

     

    • testo fideiussione 12:12 am on September 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

      • gigigalt 10:13 pm on September 13, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Hey Testo. Thank you, I will get a donate button soon.

    • Fae Harrison 12:48 pm on October 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Life’s smallest pleasures are the biggest.

    • Walston 1:42 pm on March 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      When I was a boy I had to go to church. I lived in a big town of about 20 people- perhaps a few less. Of course , being by far the biggest town in the area it was the regional centre and we had a church. Once a month a preacher came, every one dressed up and attended. Of course, the church had been built before the town grew so large and not every one could fit inside. The ladies sat inside- unless they had children, such as my Mother and she joined the men and listened through the open door while she watched me. The volume in the church must have been enormous. He salivated as he thundered about trust, while some one handed round the cotton wool for ears.

      As I remember, the thrust of the sermon was about trust. Apparently he turned up at his usual hosts place the day before and they were at the football. Unfortunately he couldn’t get in to the house. It had apparently provoked a fury that inspired the sermon. He recommended that security was in deed important and for that reason people should use their keys. How ever, it was also important that if some one were thirsty they should be able to get into the house. There fore, he advocated, the key should be left in the door all the time so that fellow man would be looked after and security was ensured.

      What I, in my tender years didn’t understand was that everyone used tank water and the tanks were all outside. Every tank had a tap. We had to bring water into our house from the tank.

      We used a bent piece of wire that hung on a nail and when we locked up we swung the wire so it rested on a nail No one understood the sermon because every thing he said had no application in our town. No one had keys.

      I wonder, was our technology as advanced as your latch key?

      • gigigalt 7:26 pm on March 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Dear Walston, What a great joy and pleasure to see you back here today and read your words. I have missed your commentaries so much. I hope where ever you have been in that huge country of yours, that it has been somewhere worthwhile and enjoyable. This is a precious and throught provoking story. I love it and appreciate the fact you shared it here with me and my readers. Do come back here as often as possible. Cheers, Gigi

        P.S. The very fact the preacher was provoked––had anger should have been enough to tell the parishioners the preacher needed their help, not the other way around. It sounds like the people in your town were lovely and had their act together––not at all surprising knowing you! The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.

      • gigigalt 11:41 pm on March 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        I think so. They can be bought at a hardward store today and operate on the same principle. A string is attached and pulled through to a drilled hole to the other side of the door, or gate. It remains locked until someone pulls the string. That releases the lock, and allows the stranger to come inside. There was an expression in the eighteen hundreds that was said to friends, “The string to my door will always be on the outside (for you).” (Something like that . . . ) If one did not want visitors, he or she would simply keep the string on the inside of the door. It is a great device for many reasons. The one you had as boy sounds like it works the same.

  • gigigalt 4:39 pm on March 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Don't steal from photographers! E-books Photos: To Pay Or Not to Pay?   

    Picking E-Book Covers 

    There can be quite a difference among the photo companies who sell photos. I recently learned that at least one popular company, only allows their photos to be used for blogs. It does not allow their photos to be used for e-books–unless you pay them a big fee in addition to what you have already paid them. I was shocked to learn, it could as much a $100. per photo if I wanted to use the photo for an e-book and a print book. This same company advertises their photo’s are free. Be sure to read the fine print, and the various contracts within each photo company. The fee of $100.00 is understandable if I sold 500,000 books, but to pay it ahead of time, on a book that may or may not sell, seems unreasonable. Again, read the fine print!

    Another company I checked with, allows you to use any photo you purchase from them, up to 500,000 copies. Books you give away, are not counted in the 500,000 number. However, once you reach 500,000, their photos are twice the price of the company mentioned above. I also learned from them, by rights (you don’t have to) you should give photography credit in your acknowledgements. There is a proper way to do this, so check with the company from whom you purchase your photos. Or, write to me.

    E-book covers are so much fun!  I love them and suspect you do also, or will shortly.

    First off, be sure to pay for any photos you use.  Don’t assume they are free and you can take them from the internet. These photo’s belong to a photographer who deserves to be paid–the same as you do–for the stories you write. So, if you plan to design your own covers using photos you find on the internet, do the right thing, and make sure you pay for the right to use them.

    The photo companies ads will often say: “Free” but that doesn’t mean you get them for free. It only means you do not have to enter a long-term royalty agreement.

    Caution: There is a code embedded into the corner each photo that will lead companies to your doorstep. You can’t see it. Sometimes you can click on it. Other photos will have various marks you and everyone else can see. (Think of it as you would hanging your laundry on a clothes line with the name “Holiday Inn” stamped all over your towels.) Some photographers (trying to protect the product of their hard work) have been known to corrupt author’s computer files.

    So if any of you out there are unknowingly taking photos and not paying for them–reform. : )

    Note: With some photos, until you put the photo in your computers trash basket, your system will continue to do strange things. If it blows up, then it’s evident you have confiscated far too many photos. (Just kidding.)

    PHOTOGRAPHS ON LINE ARE AFFORDABLE: AVERAGE $6. EACH

    The photos on-line from reputable companies are affordable. Small ones (for a blog) in the 851 x 564 pixel range. For covers, Amazon now recommends:

    • TIFF (.tif/.tiff) or JPEG (.jpeg/.jpg) format
    • At least 1000 pixels on the longest side, with an ideal height/width ratio of 1.6. 
2500 pixels on the longest side is preferred

    Some photos are very expensive, but most of them this size will average $6.00. to $12.00 each.

    LINKS FOR YOU!

    COMPANIES WHO SELL E-BOOK COVER SOFTWARE 

    http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=Adobd+Photoshop+and+ebook+covers&qpvt=Adobd+Photos

    Something To Consider:

    If you take your own photographs with a newer camera, chances are your photos are embedded with personal information that bring you unwanted attention. As I understand it, (from a professional internet person who works for a nationally known author of #1 computer books) “Snaps” is a program that will remove identifying information from your photographs.

    http://www.lemkesoft.com/content/187/key-features.html

    A GOOD COMPANY WHO CAN GET AN E-BOOK COVER TO YOUR COMPUTER WITHIN 24 HOURS. THIS IS FOR REAL!

    Pre-made/Custom Book Covers

    http://bookgraphics.wordpress.com/pre-made-ebook-covers-2/

    Note: This company was brought to my attention by a satisfied customer. (I consider him a reliable source.) Covers created by this designer will cost you about $25.00. Turn around time is excellent. You can usually have your cover within a few days.

    Copyright 2012 Gigi Galt

     

    • Alan Jankowski 8:16 am on March 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Hey Miss Galt…you must have just seen my video pick of the day over on Facebook…:)

      And yes, the cover is the first thing people see…so, it’s worth making it look good…if you are not good with Photoshop or similar program, consider hiring someone who is…or pay for professional cover design…
      As far as photos…here’s a site where you can find public images for covers and other uses…it was recommended by someone recently…
      http://www.morguefile.com/

      Cheers,
      Alan.

      • gigigalt 9:22 am on March 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Haven’t seen your video pick of the day, but they are always good. My guess is that you would have picked a Monkey’s video because of the death of Davey Jones. R.I.P.

        And yes, what you say here underlines everything i said in my blog today. I will check out your “free” site. Most that say they are free, are not, but if this is, it could very well be a good site for those not willing to pay for their photographs. It would be wise however, to verify the pixels and quality of the photos. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. : )

    • gigigalt 8:38 am on March 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks Alan. I will check it out.

    • Joel Friedlander 8:25 pm on March 5, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I removed the link. Sorry for the legal problems you are having with the man who has infringed upon your copyright. I have removed all traces of both of you. Sorry for your problems. It is fine. The article here is my own work, covered by my own copyright. I did not need the link.

      Note: Mr. Friedlander objected to the second link which was credited to another man. He did not (understandably) want a link to his website being credited to the person who had infringed upon his copyright.

    • Walston 7:12 am on March 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I always think that a photo on the front of a book should bear some relationship with the contents inside. I feel cheated if it isn’t so. I guess we all have been cheated. I make sure that I’m not cheated twice. I don’t read any more of their books. A photograph should be chosen carefully. It should use every one of its thousand words to reflect the story. It is the story that is most important and if an author allows a picture to trump it, the author has betrayed their own work. I often find that the best book covers have geometric designs on the cover. These are what attract my attention. They are often simple and avoid grandiosity. On the cover are words that summarise the story. These are helpful. They help one to choose. So long as they are honest.

    • gigigalt 9:02 am on March 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Yes, Walston. Well said, and a great addition to this discussion. Thank you!

  • gigigalt 7:27 am on February 12, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Book Publishing Contracts: "Take it or Leave it?"   

    Book Publishing Contracts: Take it or Leave it? 

    TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT? I DON’T THINK SO!

    Don’t throw your hands up in the air and assume you can’t understand what is in the contract before you.
    And for your sake and that of your family, don’t cave into a cigar puffing publisher that shrugs his shoulders and pronounces, “Take it or leave it.” You always have options, and one of your options may be to refuse to do business with pricks. Let’s face it, you had the brains to write a book, you can learn to understand contracts. It’s not rocket science. And to be sure you haven’t missed anything, you’ll get the final okay from an attorney who doesn’t charge you an arm and leg. Remember they work by the hour, so you do your homework first. Make sure you aren’t dealing with a shyster that is learning at your expense.

    Attorney Lloyd J. Jassin tells what not to miss when drafting and negotiating your book publish contract. He says, “For authors, it is helpful to keep in mind that most contracts are not take-it-or-leave-it propositions. Be courteous. Be tactful. Knowing what to ask for is critical. Use an agent or attorney who understands the parameters of the typical publishing deal to negotiate your contract. Working through an agent or attorney allows the author to preserve his creative relationship with the editor or publishing house.”

    I highly recommend the following article to all authors and publishers. Even if, you have been in the business a long time, there have been many changes in the industry, and more to come in 2012.

    http://copylaw.com/new_articles/final.three.html

    Copyright 2012 Gigi Galt

     

  • gigigalt 6:37 pm on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Straight Talk From Cowgirls Who Write   

    Cowgirls Write Rein Free 

    Straight Talk From Cowgirls Who Write

     

    I don’t know if Maria Langer would like to be called a cowgirl or not. But when a friend put me on to Maria’s blog a few weeks ago, as I read it, that’s the image that popped into in my head. I could even hear her voice. I’ve known a few who talked like her. They’re the kind who got you as a kid to go horse back riding and talked you into a 2,500 mile trip on a whim. They’ll always be stuck in my head as cowgirls–amazing straight talking women–the kind that come out shooting from the hip and telling the world how it is with them. They were oblivious to public opinion. Today, they still are.

    My instincts tell me that women like that always tell the truth and that listeners, are free to take it or leave it. My heart wishes I had the grit to ride the range with them–at least for a day or two–strong, free and fearless. But, no doubt, I’d get saddle sore quick–want to go back to a soft chair and my laptop. There are people who live their adventures and ones like me who write about them. Maria Langer’s does both.

    As near as I can figure, when she isn’t flying around the skies taking pictures, she writes. To date, she’s published 79 book. Her fascinating blog is called, “An Ecletic Mind.” Being a freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer, must leave little time for faults. The only thing wrong with her? Her blogs are so good–you can’t stop reading them.

    http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2012/02/07/more-self-publishing-insight/

    http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2007/01/14/5-ways-to-make-your-blog-posts-more-readable/

    Copyright 2012 by Gigi Galt

     

    • Maria 8:19 pm on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Whoa, fellow cowgirl! Thanks for the kind words. You’re making me blush right down to my boot tips.

      You certainly see right through me. I’m definitely a straight talker who says what’s on my mind. Gets me into plenty of trouble, too. (Apparently, many people don’t want the truth — or what I think might be the truth. Who knew?)

      I appreciate the plug and will try to keep on writing — especially if it means getting nice surprises like this blog post.

      Cowgirl up!

      Maria

    • gigigalt 7:06 pm on February 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Howdy Maria! I am honored. The hired man will park your horse out back. Come on in and make yourself at home. You’ll be guest of honor at the hoedown. We’ll even have a Box Social. The cowboys all love that. Lol. Seriously, thanks for showing up to say hello–for giving thanks for the mention and not being mad. What a wonderful surprise! You made my day. : ) Gigi

    • Noussa 7:00 am on May 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Very cute Danielle! I’m sure the cute little piotsl will love it! Now she just needs some cute little cowgirl pants with FRINGE on them! =-) My oldest daughter had one pair of red cowgirl pants with fringe when she was little, and she started cutting paper into fringe pants and drawing fringe pants on her pictures and everything. She LOVED em!!! Maybe i should buy or make a pair for her now that she’s almost 21! Whatdya think?!=-)

    • gigigalt 2:43 am on August 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for your comment Noussa. I somehow missed this. Sorry for the delay. I appreciate your

      Excerpt deleted from 3/16/13 Duffy

      P.S. Joe from Country Time Schools, Pauline Black from the YMCA, Richie Feurgason, Jerry Zilinsky, Nancy Sanders, and Troy Faunceten, were near me by the piano. I told Pauline, “Somebody should be video taping this!” She said, “Someone is!” Later, Don Lessner asked Maxine’s friends Gladys, Bea and Paul, if they knew, who the video man was. They didn’t. Later, Barb Nesbitt, Lorie Kunkle, Diane Bartz, and Coach McCahill all tried to find him, but to no avail.. He’d vanished. Or so it seems, however, if it ever shows up, I will be sure to send you and your uncle a copy.

  • gigigalt 7:45 am on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Where In The World? A Real Location Or Fake?   

    Where In The World? A Real Location or Fictional? 

    721px-Three-masted_schooner_Linden_of_Mariehamn,_Åland

    Advantages of the Real Location

    1. The allure of real location increases your stories marketability.

    2. Readers of historical fiction enjoy learning facts about time periods–enjoyment is enhanced.

    3. Getting the support of the community about which you are writing.

    Disadvantages of Real Location:

    1. Although it’s true you don’t have to invent street names and other details about the location, the opposite side of that argument is that you need to know all those details.
    2. Readers will catch small errors. While they might forgive a few discrepancies, chances are that if you make serious errors, they’ll tell you and–even worse–the world. No liberties or assumptions permitted.

    Extra Work Involved:

    1. Reading everything you can about your location.

    2. Looking for old pictures.

    3. Visiting the site at the appropriate time of year.

    4.Time spent enlisting the help of local experts.

    http://archive.feedblitz.com/373880/~4122144

    http://seekerville.blogspot.com/search/label/Amanda%20Cabot

    The Seekers (Seekerville) with Audra Harders

    Title: “Author Beware – It’s Not as Easy as it Seems: Using Real Locations for Your Book’s Setting

    This great article by Amanda Cabot appeared in  Seekerville. She was the guest blogger of  Audra Harders‬

    “Amanda is the former director of Information Technology. She  has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She is now a full time writer of Christian historical romances. Amanda is delighted that her Texas Dreams trilogy received critical acclaim, in part because of their historical authenticity, and that the staff at Fort Laramie found her research so accurate that they’re carrying Summer of Promise, the first book in the Westward Winds series, in their gift shop.”  Seekerville.

     

     

    Three-masted schooner Linden of Mariehamn, Åland.

    Photo: Wiki Commons/Kevin Murray

     

    • Alan Jankowski 12:43 pm on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      It’s a lot easier to use a real local these days thanks to Wiki and Mapquest and the like…a few clicks and you can usually get all the details you need…
      Cheers,
      Alan.

    • gigigalt 1:54 am on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Yes, absolutely. One New York Times best selling author who writes five books at a time, recently revealed in an interview she does most research–by internet, map quest, email and telephone. But for authentic historical novels, such as Amanda’s Texas Dreams Trilogy, although the research may include internet searches, it goes far beyond it. (The link to the Seekerville post explains the difference between gathering first hand information and internet based research.) Next, I will be posting the story of another author who describes in great detail, how he exclusively uses the internet to write his romantic fantasy’s.)

    • Clark C. Gable 4:20 am on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Breaking away from familiar surroundings to find love. Traveling to an untamed wilderness filled with strong independent and daring men. The life of a young woman exposed to the perils of the land and the uncertainty of her future. A very powerful setting for romance.

    • gigigalt 2:16 pm on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Yes, Mr. Gable. Powerful indeed. If you are not writing romantic stories, it’s a pity. This sounds like a story i’d like to read. You DO have a way with words. Nice to hear from you again. : )

    • cwc6161 6:50 pm on February 13, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thank goodness for research! In my current WIP, I knew that I wanted to set one (possibly more, it’s still a WIP) scene at an off-campus hamburger joint that’s been at the same Tallahassee, FL, locale for more than fifty years. I’d visited the location just two years ago, but just to make sure, before I wrote the scene I decided to Google it. Lo and behold, the building still stands, but one year ago the restaurant’s ownership changed hands, it has a new name, and it’s no longer a burger joint. Just goes to show that one quick search can save a writer from egg on his or her face!

      Candice

    • gigigalt 6:01 am on February 20, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Hey Candice. Thanks for sharing this! Btw, when you say “WIP” are you referring to The Women’s International Perspective–the global source for women’s perspectives.? Would you be willing to share a little about this? : )

      • Walston 7:54 pm on February 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        I guess I’m lucky but I don’t use any special locations- I only use generic ones. I think that a lot of people use real locations unnecessarily. Mostly, it’s the people who make a story- not the location. I think it would be best to i rename one that I know. When one thinks about it, most places are generic- one can often work out what a place has by the number of people in it- pubs and post offices, banks and halls, Churches and news agents etc. In fiction it is fine and I wouldn’t dream of writing any thing else. Setting fiction in a real place seems problematic to me.

    • gigigalt 11:28 am on February 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      My Dear Mr. Walston. You make an excellent case for NOT using real locations. I thank you, and I am sure others will also. But when writing long stories, I put my characters, not only where I can
      imagine, but where my readers can also.

      This works better for me, but all that really matters, is the end result. Is it a good story?

      I appreciate your addition to this discussion!

      (unedited)

    • gigigalt 2:48 am on August 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      P.S. Hello Walston! Read today’s blog––8-26-12–– entitled: Love Boxes: What Is A Fiction Travel Book? I think you may find it interesting. I have much stronger feelings about this now after working with it for sometime. ; )

  • gigigalt 11:41 am on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: How To Build A Great Title: Title Tricks!   

    How To Build A Great Title: Title Tricks! 

    flatecover-41

    Darlene Quinn, the best-selling author of “The Web” series, writes an outstanding blog to help other writers. Her interviews are always exceptional, but this one’s a must read! Her guest blogger is Sylvia Ney.

    GUEST BLOG BY SYLVIA NEY – TITLE TRICKS

    “Some writers can’t seem to create a title until their story is complete. Others often start stories based on a title. Below is an exercise I recommend to help spark the imagination.”

    http://www.darlenequinn.net/guest-blog-by-sylvia-ney-title-tricks/

     

  • gigigalt 4:54 pm on February 7, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Do It!, If You Can Put It Into Dialogue   

    If You Can Put It Into Dialogue, Do It! 

    “As a general rule, if you can put something in dialogue, you probably should.”

    Leslie Wainger

    Executive Editor, Harlequin Books

     

    • Alan Jankowski 12:47 pm on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Lol…I think that’s a bit extreme, but I know you shouldn’t go too long without dialogue…you don’t want pages to go by without anyone speaking…it would be like “Where did the people go?” Did they leave?
      Cheers,
      Alan.

      • gigigalt 1:08 pm on February 16, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Not really Alan, however, you do have a point. Because the quote is out of context, it could be taken that way. But in case you didn’t notice whose quote this is, let me assure you, that Leslie Wainger knows what she is talking about. I will come back and write a complete explanation if you promise to humble yourself and read it. Seriously, it was good of you to comment. (Had to kid you a bit!)

        • Walston 5:28 pm on February 26, 2012 Permalink

          I’m not sure about dialogue. (Does “di” refer to there being two and if so can we have two alogues?)

          Some times dialogue is wonderful but not always. It can become ponderous trying to attribute the dialogue. Like with all writing, some times it can be very destructive to the sense and flow of a story.

          I like to use dialogue in a limited way. To say the things I don’t want to say it’s wonderful to be able to attribute it to some one else, Also, I like to use it for emphasis. It’s also good to use it to break up a story a little but really, if that’s why it’s being used perhaps the plot should be looked at. I think it has a place in humour too.

          I think that dialogue can be a trap. It tends to cause a lot more writing and often it is unnecessary. I like to look at dialogue and if I think it could be removed without any detriment to the story some thing ought to be cut.

          Often I see stories written where they use ordinary prose only to repeat it in dialogue.

          Just because an author uses dialogue doesn’t mean the author is good. Indeed, I think it can be a problem, particularly if it isn’t handled properly. Another trap is that in the prose the character is described and then suddenly they are talking and the dialogue doesn’t match the character as described at all.. Another problem I have noted all too frequently is that the dialogue can be much too simplistic and grammatically correct. Most people don’t speak like that.

          I suspect that one of the great advantages of dialogue is that it breaks up the pages of print, which reinforces that it is essential to have small paragraphs.

        • gigigalt 12:15 pm on February 28, 2012 Permalink

          All well said! You have made some very good points. Thanks so much! P.S. I will get back to this a.s.a.p.

  • gigigalt 2:14 pm on February 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Don't MissThis!. How to "Hook, Logline   

    "Hook, Logline, and Pitch?" Don't MissThis!" 

    Don’t Miss This! It’s Great. 

    The following are excerpts by Anne R. Allen, a guest on Ruth Harris’s blog. In January, Ruth’s Blog was nominated for the Top Writing Blogs Award by ECollegeFinder.org.

    Read this article in its entirety. It’s practical and easy to digest–a great guideline for any writer. (Don’t you just love a “cheat sheet” that gets the job done without all the detours?) Not saying you still won’t have some work to do, but at least you aren’t sidetracked. It saves so much time.

    For starters Ms. Allen says:

    1. “A PITCH can contain either or both of the above. You can make a pitch in writing or in person. It tells you–in the shortest amount of time—what your book is about and why somebody should buy it.”

    2.” LOGLINE is a term that once applied only to screenplays, but has crept into the literary world. It consists of one or two sentences describing the story’s premise, like a film description in TV Guide.”

    3. “A HOOK is longer—a paragraph or two giving the characters, premise, and conflict, like a book jacket cover blurb. The hook should be the main component of a query letter to an agent, editor, or reviewer and is essential for your back copy or Amazon blurb”

    The article breaks it all down, step by step and shows you how to do it by examples she provides.

    http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2012/01/hooks-loglines-and-pitches-what-every.html


     

    • Alan Jankowski 5:55 pm on February 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I noticed Anne is on MWiDP…I’ll be with that publisher soon, this month as matter of fact…I guess I’m in good company…and where did you go Gigi?

    • gigigalt 2:31 am on February 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      http://markwilliamsinternational.com/2012/01/20/play-it-forward-where-next-for-mwidp-2/
      Yes. An independent e-book publisher (MWiDP). It does sound like good company!

    • Anne R. Allen 6:17 pm on February 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks much for the shout-out. Actually, it’s my blog, and Ruth is my once-a-month blog partner. It’s called Anne R. Allen’s Blog…with Ruth Harris. We were thrilled to get the nomination. Unfortunately the voting got a little messed up when a couple of nominees used bots to rack up points and crashed the site. But they’ve finally got it up and running for a few hours before the deadline tonight.

      I’m so glad you found my post on hooks, etc so useful. Really appreciate the kudos.

      And yes, Mark, Saffi and co at MWiDP are fantastic people to work with!

    • gigigalt 4:07 pm on February 5, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Many thanks for writing Anne! Sorry for the confusion. I came across something on Ruth Harris first, and that in turn led me to your blog. (Your book shelf was what first drew my attention–one of my favorite books is “Women Who Run with the Wolves,” By Clarissa Pinkola Estés) Thanks again for writing about the “hooks.” As fantasy minded as I am, I love the down to earth and practical. I plan to refer to it often. Best wishes and congratulations to you and Ruth and your associates.

  • gigigalt 8:17 am on February 1, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: "Said" words you can use instead   

    Grammatical Parking Spaces: Your Favorite Said Words? 

    flatecover-58
    There’s nothing wrong with simply using “said” in your dialogues. It is about as unoticablle as the word “the.” The main thing to remember is that often the word “said,” or any word used in place of it, is not even necessary. If you can eliminate the “he said,” and the “she said,” and the reader still knows who is speaking, all the better. Another thing, is that when we proof a story, is to watch if we have unnecessarily, repeated the names of the hero and heroine. Again, if the reader knows who is speaking, repeating names will only make his or her dialogue sound stiff and artificial. All this said, here is a list I started recently of what I call “said words,” ones that can substitute for the word, “said.”

    Whimpered

    Pronounced

    Recited

    Repeated

    Indicated

    Proclaimed

    Publicized

    Affirmed

    Asserted

    Drawled

    Gasped

    Murmured 

    Whispered

    Commented

    Remarked

    Mused

    Muttered

    Whined

    Whispered

    Commented

    Mused

    Exclaimed

    Cried

    Called out

    Hollered

    Screamed

    Yelled

    Howled 

    Conceded

    Photo Courtesy: Bobby Jones (WC-PD)

     

    • Clark C. Gable 3:16 am on February 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I enjoy the image produced by: She whispered in a breathy voice ” . . .”

    • gigigalt 5:20 am on February 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Yes, amazing, isn’t it, how so few words can conjure up such a vivid picture. Thanks for sharing this Mr. Gable. (Forgive my being so formal by calling you Mr. Gable, but it feels right. I used to watch an old movie, where Marilyn Monre kept calling Clark Gable, “Mr. Gable.” The way she said it was indeed a cross between a whisper and breathless sigh. Exciting. Lol.

      • Walston 2:05 am on February 28, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Doesn’t this reinforce the need to be careful with dialogue? Isn’t it saying that dialogue too often has an element of “falseness” to it.

        While the list is useful in that one needs to introduce it with a feeling of authenticity ( which is so often lacking,) it is also saying that dialogue can very rapidly trap a writer.

        I think that dialogue is subservient to the sense of driving the story. If the story doesn’t move in terms of its plot its not going to be improved with dialogue. If it’s moving, then, I suspect the reader won’t really mind if it’s delivered with or without dialogue.

        I have formed the belief that if the paragraphs are short it is as useful as dialogue. Basically, readers want to be able to read in bite sized chunks and not be swamped with a maze of verbiage which is a long paragraph. Dialogue or small paragraphs can deliver this.

        If dialogue is to be used it should be done very carefully and authentically. It shouldn’t be used as a tool to lift a story out of having been bogged down. I think readers can sense it when this is done.

        I listen to people when they tell stories. In oral story telling, dialogue is used sparingly. The story isn’t normally framed by dialogue. It’s invariably used for emphasis, I think that is very instructive.

        What am I saying? I am the one who has written a whole story, pages long, which consisted of a single quote! I’m only saying that rules can be broken, that often they should be and that in writing, one should be authentic in driving the story. Using dialogue can be the most rapid way to lose authenticity and drive. The writer should be very careful in using dialogue, Used well it can be brilliant, but this is unfortunately uncommon.

        • gigigalt 12:22 pm on February 28, 2012 Permalink

          Whiston. Once again, you have contributed valuable and thought provoking insight. Love it! Thank you so much. I will get back to this a.s.a.p. Gigi

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