Apology

I have to apologize to my friends and fans in Fresno, CA. I had planned a book signing event this week and a freak of nature mixed everything up. I started my week heading to Edmonton, Canada for work and ended up staying there for two whole days, stuck because of freezing rain.

Sometimes I really hate the weather and this is a wonderful reminder of why I chose to live and work out of Portland. Even though I grew up in the snow, I am not a fan. :(

Needless to say, I never made it to Fresno, much to my chagrin and worry. So I send out my apologies with a hope that when we reschedule you will be able to come again. Thank you to all my friends for spreading the word about the cancellation and a big thank you to Far West Books for being so gracious and willing to work with me.

The Seeress and the Stone

Three more chapters. Enjoy!!!

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 13

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 14

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 15

The Empty Wall

My mind is blank, like an empty wall.

No stories, no inspiration, no thoughts no dialogue.

And then somewhere in an obscure corner

the tiniest hint of a plot breaks out.

The scene, the words, the characters grow

like the tendrils of a vine that seeps through the cracks and reaches out

to take hold of the empty space.

Suddenly the wall is no longer empty

as leaves unfurl and the vine spreads.

New characters are born with each flower

that bursts upon the scene.

The fruit grows, the story matures,

filling the empty spaces and delighting those who partake.

Now where once was an empty wall a vineyard stands,

serving generations to come.

Where once was an empty mind,

now a whole world is experienced.

For the original post see my HubPages account.

The New Testament

I'm so excited to be studying the New Testament in Sunday School this year. After finishing the Old Testament institute manual, I'm even more eager. It's amazing to see just how completely everything in the Old Testament points to the Savior. Now we get to study Jesus Christ's life and his gospel. It makes me all happy and eager to read my scriptures.

Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

I'm so tired of editing. Aren't we done yet? When will the pain be over?

Sighing,

Author

Dear Editor,

Thank you!!! You're the best. This book is getting even better with every edit.

I can't wait to continue editing and making these awesome changes!

You Rock!

Joyfully,

Author

Dear Editor,

Haven't we done enough? How can you possibly expect me to add even more 

pain and suffering on these poor characters? Stop the madness!!!

Aggravated,

Author

Dear Editor,

You were so right, that character needed the growing experience. I can't believe

how much better this is with those changes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Elated,

Author

Dear Editor,

Grrrrrrrrr!!!

Author

Dear Editor,

:D!!!!!!!

Author

Car Shopping Stinks

So I've been out looking for a new used car and I have to say I'm sick of it. Long story short my wonderful 2002 Infinity G20 that I've driven for the last ten years said adieu. I put no blame on anyone for my car's untimely demise. The problems probably could have been fixed with the right mechanic, but they were beyond me and my pocketbook so I let the insurance company total out the car.

Since that painful day, yes I actually cried and then promptly forgot to grab my plates, I have been searching for a new mode of transportation. I've considered going the route of the train and bus users to get to work and then depending on friends to cart me everywhere else, but I can't say I'm quite ready to forge ahead on that route. I figure I'm either too entitled or too lazy, both of which are completely understandable when you have to drag all your flight bags, for a three day trip, half a mile in the rain to the train stop.

Needless to say my search hasn't gone too stupendously great. I did find a vehicle that I like a lot, in

fact I will go as far as to admit that I love it, but finding one with the right miles, in the right condition, and for the right price is nearly impossible. And why is it that every dealership out there has "the best prices" and "everything is negotiable" when it really isn't? A little honesty would be nice once in a while. (sigh)

My search continues and I hope to soon be driving in a new used car. Until then I am reliant on a wonderful best friend who is willing to take me to work or the train stop, depending on the day and I'm hoping and praying that the Lord will see it in his will to put me in the right place to find the car I need to be in.

Here's hoping and praying. :)

The Seeress and The Stone

Okay, it's been a while, so here are the next three chapters. Enjoy!!!

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 10

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 11

The Seeress and the Stone Chapter 12

The Penny Project by Betsy Love

WOW!!! There aren't too many books out there that can make me go through the whole gamut of emotions, but this one did the trick. This was a fantastic story about love, service, and what we can do to change other people's lives for the better. Well done, Betsy Love, well done.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to get into the Christmas spirit or even a spirit of love and service.

As the prospective valedictorian, wide receiver and favored tenor in show choir, Jake knows he’s at the top of his game. He sets his sights on Lexi, the sweetest and hottest girl at Palmdale High and can’t miss. 
However, racing to class one morning, he plows into Penelope, the overweight new girl. Books and papers fly everywhere. He helps her with her things, even holds her hand so she can stand up. 
CLICK! 
Someone snaps a picture and sends the text all over school. Egged on by his friends and desperate to squash any rumors before Lexi gets back from Mexico, he pulls a juvenile prank. NOT his brightest idea. As punishment he must tutor Penelope three days a week. Her grade is now his grade. He sees his chance at a full ride scholarship disappearing faster than a missed field goal. And to make matters worse, Lexi sides with Penelope.

Jake is like any typical teenager that you want to hug and strangle all at the same time. He gets himself into mess after mess and in the end it seems like there is no way out. Penny you want so desperately to love and by the end of the book you realize that you have loved her all along. It is a story for all ages with lessons to learn from every point of view. Great Book!!!

Dear Editor

Dear Publisher,

The Line That Divides looks amazing! Thank you.

Excitedly,
Melanie Mason

Dear Book Store,

I'm so glad you finally have my books on the shelves. They look so pretty all stacked there. I think I'll take a picture. :)

Cheese,
M Mason

Dear Storm,

Wow, I can't believe I have ignored you so completely. But don't fret, you've been on my mind and I will come and work with you some more real soon. Probably on the first, since I will be at a hotel with not much else to do. Yay!

Hopefully,
Author

Dear Laptop,

What is up with you? You have no business having any issues with typing and connecting and stuff like that. Stop it! I need to you to work. Now more than ever. (pause) Thank you. That's better.

Relieved,
Writer

Dear Romance Story in my head,

I know you've been pestering me and picking at my mind. I know you're in there and that you are just bursting at the seams to come out, but you'll just have to wait a little bit longer, I have other projects to finish and work on. Don't worry, we'll get to know each other really soon. 

Promises,
Romantic Author

Holiday Depression

So last week was really tough for me. I had to work all through Christmas for the fourth year in a row and I have to admit I was a little out of sorts for several of my flights. After some contemplation I decided why I was struggling so much with being "merry and bright." 

Usually I am fine working through the holiday because I get to see my family later, but this year was different. I did go home and visit, but instead of spending quality time with the family I was going, going, going the whole ten days I had off. Now that I stop and think about it, I don't think I really sat down and had a meal or even a conversation with all of my siblings. That thought made me sad. I love getting together with my family and seeing all my siblings, their spouses, and my 20 nieces and nephews. It is more than a party when we all converge, it is an event. I love that and this year I missed out on it completely.

Now this is enough to make anyone out of sorts, but I realized there were other things helping my slightly sour mood. My dad is finally selling his big house in Deweyville and moving. I actually helped with some of the move. This is actually a really great thing, but I discovered, as I pasted my fake smile on my face for my passengers, that I am sad that my childhood home will no longer be mine. I will always have the memories and the love that was shared in that home and I am so very grateful for that, but knowing that it will belong to someone else and that my children will never have those memories, is a little heart breaking.

Other things happened during this "time off" that also affected my mood. I said goodbye to my first bought car and now I get to look for a replacement. That never really makes someone happy, even if it is a major blessing in disguise. 

So you add all of this up and I discovered why I seemed to be less than cheerful while I worked. Now that I have recognized the problem and now that we are past the holiday I'm doing so much better. I know there will be many other Christmases with family and friends and every year I can look forward to better times. I am grateful for all the blessings I have been given and for a wonderful Christmas season that, though tough, was good.

So when it seems a little sad and you are wanting to "cry the day you take the tree down," just remember that we can keep the Christmas season with us all through the year by helping and serving others. And if you are on a

flight during the holidays and your flight attendant is less than cheerful, just remember that she might be missing out on the happiness and cheer that year. Cut her a bit of slack and she'll lighten up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!