Author: mirikalblog

“Envelopes of Hope” is the first book that I published. A novelette, it is the story of inspiration, family support, and love.

When a family member of mine decided to get her life together after many years of having a drug problem, she wrote a letter thanking me for not giving up on her. That was the inspiration for this book. With the support of a family and determination, the character in the story is able to leave the dark world of drug use and make a new life for herself.

From July 24th through July 26th, the kindle version of the book will be free on Amazon. Please read it and tell your friends. If you do, and would like a complementary bookmark, please contact me and I will send it to you.

I need your help. I’m trying to increase my following on my website/blog and Instagram. Even though I try to be a friendly, sociable person, I’m just not doing well enough with the social media aspect. So, I have an idea. If you will be kind enough to re-post this on your facebook page, Instagram, etc., I will reward you with one of my three books (you get to choose) for five new followers. Just tell your friends to let me know who shared. That will be my thank you gift to you.

So, thank you in advance for helping me. I know I can count on you. After all, I’m not friends with people who don’t like to “share.”

When I wrote “My Name is Rebecca: A Novelette,” my goal was to pay tribute to my mother’s family who came from Russia in the early 1900s. But then, as I wrote it, I realized that it was a tribute to all who came to the U.S. for a better life.

As I’ve posted, there are stories included that are real–I either heard them as a child or experienced them myself. If you would like to know what they are, leave a comment and I’ll respond. But right now I will tell you–the little girl with the doll is my mother, taken in 1931 when she was 4 years old.

I’ll be sure to respond quickly.   Phyllis

Summer is not my favorite time of year. I know that sounds strange, since I live in Florida (a different topic for a different post). But when I get in the car and see that it’s a brutal 116 degrees, it’s not fun. But then, there are all kinds of warmth that I welcome.  For example, when I look at the older guy sitting across the room, I wonder where the years went. In November we will celebrate our 48th anniversary. Our children are grown and some have children of their own. So, we have been through a lot of good times, and bad; happy and sad. And still–well, we will be married for 48 years. Does that say a lot? I think so.  Seeing my children doing well and happy in their lives is a warm feeling. My affectionate Yorkie makes me smile.

But a letter that arrived in the mail on Monday made me happier than anything else could have. It was from a lady who won a copy of “My Name is Rebecca: A Novelette” on my goodreads giveaway. Aside from her compliments on my writing and on the story itself, which of course made me feel good, was the fact that she took the time to write that note to me. With the world in the turmoil that it’s in and with so much negativity around us, this lady took the time to write a personal note to me about my  book. I can’t even begin to describe how that makes me feel and how inspirational it is to continue with my writing. I will always treasure that note and keep it with me.

So, there is proof that a kind act can be accomplished with just a few minutes of our time. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Since tomorrow is July 4th, I’d like to share my thoughts as to what the holiday means to me. My grandfather came to America in 1907 to seek a better life. Being an American was important to him. He worked during the day and learned English at night. One of the ways that he showed his patriotism was to choose July 4th as his birthday–since he was able to choose the English day that he wanted. So, growing up July 4th was a big thing in the family. I remember celebrating with a family picnic on Lake Michigan–thinking it was great that Grandpa’s birthday warranted fireworks. All of our families came to America from somewhere for the same reason–to have a better life. With what’s going on in our country today regarding immigration, I think it’s something that we all need to think about, regardless of our roots.

I want to thank those of you who take the time to write a review on my books. I know that, with our busy schedules and full days, it’s often difficult to find a few minutes to spare. And don’t forget–let me know if you’d like a bookmark to complement the cover of any of my books you read, or have read. I will be more than happy to send it to you–even if you have the e-book version. Just drop me an email at:
mirikal1210@gmail.com

Take care–and thanks again.
Phyllis

As they say in the movie business when the scene is as good as it’s going to get, “It’s a wrap.” That’s how I feel when I finally finish writing, proofreading, editing, editing, editing, etc. a story. After it’s as perfect and polished as I can possibly make it and it has been submitted–I know that I have done the best job that I can possibly do.

Isn’t that a great feeling? Last night I finished, and submitted for publishing, a short story. Like other writers, I start a story and  put it aside while I work on my novel for a while. And then I go back to my short story and approach it with a fresh outlook, working  on it until it’s finished. As much as I love to work on a novelette or the sequel to my first novel, I love writing short stories even more. I love the notion that I have a finished product sooner and can submit it for publishing. And then I get back to work on my novel while waiting eagerly to hear if my story will be published.

These are some of the steps that work for me. Being somewhat OCD and having never been a patient individual, waiting for acceptance/rejection has taught me the virtue of patience. And the OCD has helped with the writing and re-writing process.

So, wish me luck and I’ll keep you posted on whether or not it will be published. And good luck with your projects. Let me know what works for you.

Phyllis

https://www.instagram.com/phylbab/

It might not be official, but it doesn’t have to be for summer to have arrived in Florida. It’s true. It was 108 degrees in my car the other day; it has been raining for the past I don’t know how many days in a row; and it’s humid. But I’m not going to complain for several reasons: 1) nobody listens to me; 2) I can’t do anything about it; and 3) we did have several nice days during the winter and spring this year. So, as the young people say, it is what it is.

In a recent post I wrote about my granddaughter attending her senior prom. Last Saturday was graduation day and it was probably the nicest  one I have ever attended, including my own. Unlike many other people, I actually enjoy graduations. It’s fun to hear about the accomplishments of the young people and to be surrounded by their excitement. With their whole lives in front of them, they are full of hope and dreams. Her dream is to be a firefighter paramedic like her dad. (At least that’s what she put on her graduation cap!) I don’t want to forget to mention the families–parents who shed tears because their “baby” is no longer a baby. Their faces are etched with a combination of happiness and worry.

On Tuesday, we attended another graduation. The youngest sister graduated from fifth grade, another milestone. Next year will be middle school. As she got up in front of an auditorium filled with families and graduates, and read an essay that she wrote, I was not only proud of her accomplishments, but I also admired the fact that she got up in front of so many people.

So, although the summer brings rain, heat, and humidity, it also brings the end of the school year, and new beginnings and dreams for the future.

Some days it’s hard to force myself to sit down and write. So, I work on my blog or now that I’ve figured out how to do Instagram, I work on that; and the Facebook page I manage for Edify Fiction has to be kept up. Here is another strategy that I use–I take out whatever I’m working on and put it on my lap or next to me. Right now, at 10:30 PM, it’s actually on my lap. Before I go to bed I’m going to write at least one page, so that I’ll know I worked on my next novel today. I’m also trying to think of a short story to write. Short stories always make me write more and on a daily basis.

How about you? How do you stay motivated and do some writing everyday? I hope you’ll share your thoughts with us.