Coffee in the Morning

Name:

I am a romance writer trying to get noticed in the market. I write inspirational and sweet historic romance. I love Regency England and most of my stories are set during that time period, 1800 to 1820.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Christmas in The Trenches

My name is Francis Toliver, I come from Liverpool.

Two years ago the war was waitin’ for me after school.

To Belgium and to Flanders, to Germany to here.

I fought for King and Country I love dear.

Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung.

The frozen fields of France were still—no Christmas songs were sung.

Our families back in England were toasting us that day,

Their brave and glorious lads so far away.

I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground,

When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound.

Says I, “Now listen up me boys,” each soldier strained to hear,

As one young German voice sang out so clear.

“He’s singing bloody well, you know,” my partner says to me.

Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony.

The cannons rested silent—the gas cloud rolled no more,

As Christmas brought us respite from the war.

As soon as they were finished, and the reverent pause was spent,

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” struck up some lads from Kent.

Oh, the next they sang was “Stille Nacht,” tis “Silent Night” says I,

And in two tongues one song filled up that sky.

“There’s someone comin’ towards us!” the frontline sentry cried.

All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side.

His truce flag like a Christmas Star shone on that plain so bright,

As he bravely strode unarmed into the night.

Then one by one on either side walked into “no man’s land,”

With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand.

We shared some secret brandy and wished each other well,

And in a flare-lit soccer game, we gave ‘em hell.

We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home.

These sons and fathers far away from families of their own.

Young Sanders played his squeezebox and they had a violin.

This curious and unlikely band of men.

Soon daylight stole upon us, and France was France once more.

With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war.

But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night,

“Whose family have I fixed within my sights?”

Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung.

The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung.

For the walls they’d kept between us to exact the work of war,

Had been crumbled and were gone forever more.

Oh my name is Francis Toliver, in Liverpool I dwell.

Each Christmas come since World War One. I’ve learned its lessons well.

That the ones who call the shots won’t be among the dead and lame,

And on each end of the rifle we’re the same.

© 1984 John McCutcheon - All rights reserved

Olivia speaking - My husband discovered this song on the radio
years ago and plays it on piano during the Christmas season.
I find it very appropriate for the events of the past few years.
I think the last two lines are especially poignant.


Saturday, November 19, 2005

Call me Madame President

or.... (more appropriately titled)

What in the heck have I done?

My RWA chapter met today and guees who is the new president? yeah, me.

It can't be very pretigious because no one else wanted it.

Oh,wait, that's not fair. Our chapter may be small, but I bet we good percentage of published authors. A quick tabulation has me guessing about fifteen percent of the members are published. Not bad, not bad.

One reason I took the job was because it's not a lot of work. I don't have lots of time to organize speakers, or whatever. Our meetings are pretty informal gab sessions where we discuss the problems we are having with our plot, writing, agents, etc. It's actually very informative for a newbie like me.

I am going to take some advice of the outgoing president. She suggested that I create a vision of where the chapter is going: grow more members, have more outside speakers, have a contest, whatever. I've been thinking and more and more I want to take improve the website. The member doing the website is uber-busy and wouldn't mind giving it up. (I inquired about it.)

I know next to nothing about websites. I wonder if I could convince my twelve-year old son to do it for me. I bet he would take the challenge and run with it. Teenagers, they know everything. And MY son knows even more than that!

Im hoping that being president might help me with my career. It might look nice on a query letter to write"President of local chapter of RWA". And, if I go to nationals, there's a special meeting or somehting for presidents.

So, it will be an interesting year. Wish me luck!

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Meme Tag

I'm finally getting around to doing this, Rene.

Three screen names that you've had: Ladie_Olivia, ~~Olivia, oliviacharles

Three things you like about yourself: Smart, funny, great hair

Three things you don't like about yourself: Too fat, shy, somethimes I speak before I think.

Three parts of your heritage: Hungarian, Hungarian, Hungarian (yup 100% pure)

Three things that scare you: Spiders, scary movies, rats

Three of your everyday essentials: coffee, hugs, morning shower

Three things you are wearing right now: jeans, tee shirt, sweatshirt

Three of your favorite songs: Top of the World (Karen Carpenter, hokey but I love it); anything Beethoven; Woman (John Lennon)

Three things you want in a relationship: unconditional love, endless hugs, humor

Two truths and a lie: I am as fierce as a tiger when something threatens my children; I play handbells at church; we watch lots of TV

Three things you can't live without: my car, my cat, my daughter

Three places you want to go on vacation: coast of Maine, Black Hills of South Dakota, Grand Canyon

Three things you just can't do: fit into size twelve jeans, eat olives, build a fire

Three kids' names: Ann, John, Ted, Charlie (how could I not name all four?)

Three things you want to do before you die: visit my vacation spots, make money publishing a book, find the secret to my grandmother's coffee cake

Three celeb crushes: I'm really out of touch cause I don't have any

Three of your favourite musicians: Oh geez . . .

Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: chest hair, muscles on forearms, tight rear

Three of your favourite hobbies: writing, reading, cooking

Three things you really want to do badly right now: sleep late, drink a chocolate milkshake, write my story

Three careers you're considering/you've considered: lawyer, editor/proofreader, writer

Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: can't get me out of jeans, love video games, I love calculus & math!

Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: love to play with hair, awesome cook, cry at sad movies

Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Ann, Emily, Steph