Living the Dream

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Summer is coming to a close, but things are heating up for Mara and Rudy. Have you ever felt that instantaneous attraction, a pull greater than any other? I’m continuing with Naughty Rudolf, my Christmas Romance Comedy. Now that Mara has accepted her fate, the possibilities are endless.

“I guess I just inherited Mom’s dislike for the cold.” I shrugged. “Monkey see, monkey do, right?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. That’s always been one of Callie’s games, too.”

What was wrong with me? Overshare much? His question had been simple enough, but I’d answered it with not only a significant portion of my life’s history but my mother’s medical condition.

“But your mother’s illness must’ve been tough on you. My wife Becca disliked the cold,” he continued, his eyes fixed on the road ahead of us. “Thankfully, Callie loves the outdoors, no matter the temperature. The key to staying warm is to dress properly in layers. Nell’s family comes from the North, and they are experts at this. Wool is best against the skin, but there are a lot of good thermal garments out there for people who don’t like wool. I’m not saying that clothes can change your mind about the cold, but technology has come a long way. I’ve got a few ideas that may help. I want you to enjoy every single moment that you’re here. For example, tight gloves like yours, even if they are lined, may not be the best when it’s really cold.”

His words, and the glance he tossed my way, made heat pool in my stomach. Here he was discussing my gloves, and my lady parts were twitching. How weird was that? I’d heard of people being attracted to one another this way, but I’d never believed it could happen to me. How had Rachel put it? Magnetic attraction?

Did he feel the same way? He seemed to be flirting with me, but if he was, it had to be the whole damsel in distress thing—or maybe the blonde wig that was making my scalp itch.

I swallowed the sudden knowledge that soured my stomach. I was a fraud. A dark almost black-haired brunette masquerading as a golden blonde. I didn’t even know how to wash and dry the damn thing, and it was bound to need some kind of sprucing up before my fourteen days here were over. I would have to look for one of those hats that completely covered my head, so that I could leave “Blondie” at home now and then. Another thought surfaced. What if someone realized it was a wig? How would they react to that? How would Rudy? Would they feel cheated? It was bad enough that I wasn’t the sweet old lady they’d expected.

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Wow! September already! Where has the year gone? This month’s question is one that is in every author’s mind.

September 3 question – What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

It is my intention, at least at this point in time, never to use any form of AI in my actual writing. My cover artists uses it for my covers, and I have used it to create images that I have posted with my Tuesday Tales excerpts of my work in progress, but not for the actual writing itself. Occasionally, when I am researching, the AI generated post will present itself first, but as a rule, I search out more reliable sources of information. I’ve discovered that AI is often wrong, or lacking in some necessary points required for my stories. If the day comes when my imagination fails me, and I have to rely on a robot to write my and then claim that as my work, I will quit writing.

I do know authors who use AI in the work, and I don’t condemn them. Everyone has to do what is best for them, but it just isn’t for me. AI has its uses, and I do use the AI voices to put out the audio versions of some of my books since I could never afford to do it any other way, but I write the book myself. That’s it for this month. See you in October.

To see how others feel, click on the link. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week, the other members of the group and I are writing to the word prompt BLAND. I’m continuing with Naughty Rudolph, my Christmas Romance Comedy; however, I’ve added a new twist to this book. While it to is written in the first person, it will have two points of view, identified at the top of the chapter or scene break with the character’s name. Today’s entry is from Rudy. It’s from slightly earlier in the story, but it seemed like a good time to let you all in on the fine print and what gave me the idea for the book in the first place. Since this book is part of the Cocktails for You series, its cover is similar to the others. Enjoy.

I nodded and smiled.

At my daughter’s pleading, I’d agreed to allow her to have her hair cut, but I’d refused to let her cut it as short as she’d wanted. I’d given in and permitted the hairdresser to add a few blond streaks to the front of it, enough to frame her face, and she’d seemed satisfied with that. Now that she was back in school, it appeared that she’d decided to draw everyone’s attention away from her hair with outrageous clothing choices. I suppose it could be worse. That was the problem with being a single dad and spending so much time away from home. Nell did the best she could, but she wasn’t getting any younger, and while I’d dated while I’d been in various states and countries, I hadn’t met anyone I would consider wife or mother material.

“I’ll clean up and meet you in the kitchen,” I finished, my voice bland. I didn’t want her to know how much was riding on this.

Nell nodded and headed up the stairs.

I had a meeting with the Miami Business Association this afternoon at one, and I wanted to work out all the kinks in my plans before I presented the idea to them. I just hoped that Molly Richards would stand by me; after all, she was the one who’d planted the idea in my head.

Miami’s Christmas traditions were well worth celebrating, and if the right people saw the documentary … this could be the best thing to happen to this town since 1995 when Scruff Connors and Larry Updike, radio DJs from Winnipeg, pulled a prank and offered listeners a trip to Miami to watch the Superbowl. I was too young to see the prank play out, but Jerry Richards, owner of Dick’s Bar and Grill remembers it fondly. Fifteen people showed up at the airport, and were they pissed! They’d expected a flight to Miami, Florida, not a bus ride to Miami, Manitoba. While they seemed to have a good time with free food and drinks, a few complained to the papers about the stunt. Sadly, the DJs lost their jobs, but tourism went up–until the pandemic.

I would have to make sure that the contest rules were crystal clear and remind everyone who entered to read the fine print. I wanted to draw attention to the town, not get the pants sued off of us.

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Midway through August! Time is going by far too quickly! This week, the Authors of Tuesday Tales are basing our scenes on the word EASY. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romance Comedy, Naughty Rudolph.

“Doug didn’t call, did he?”

“No,” I swallowed the disappointment I’d felt. “That made following through with this easy. I thought he might send an invitation—I mean I would’ve paid my own flight, but he didn’t even send a handwritten card or an online message. I was copied on an e-card he send to at least fifty people, although the addresses were suppressed. I sent him a beautiful Christmas card. I even mentioned how much I missed him … I guess it was all in my head. I won’t make the same mistake again. I won’t give him a second chance even if he comes crawling on his belly with a ring the size of the Hope Diamond.” The loud speaker crackled and my flight was called. We stood, gathered our purses and my backpack, and headed to the door.

Once outside the lounge, Rachel hugged me before stepping back, her eyes bright with tears. She straightened her coat and pulled her purse up onto her shoulder.

“You go on this magical, mystery tour vacation and have the time of your life. Bask in the sun, sip sugary drinks, dance the night away, and forget all about Doug the slug. Call me as soon as you know what’s waiting for you in Winnipeg. Take lots of pictures and be prepared to give me all the details in January.”

I promised once more to stay in touch, waved at her, and turned toward the domestic gates. Winnipeg was just the first step. Miami, here I come.

Never having flown first class, I wasn’t prepared for the luxury that entailed. When I arrived at the gate, there were at least a hundred people waiting, and I groaned at the thought of jostling my way onto the plane. No such problem. Class 1 passengers boarded the plane before the other passengers. There were twelve seats in Business Class. Each seat had plenty of leg room. I had a window seat, and so far, no one was seated next to me, although I expected that to change. This part of the plane had a flight attendant to itself and a bathroom of its own. I was contemplating the luxury when the flight attendant came around with a tray of champagne and orange juice. There was enough room in the champagne glass—no plastic in here—to add the orange juice, which I did, making it simple version of a mimosa.

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Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. It’s hard to believe that summer’s half over, but this is the end of July. Our word this week is NOW. I’m continuing with my Christmas Romantic Comedy, Naughty Rudolph. Enjoy!

In addition to the steak knives, Doug had included a few other kitchen utensils he’d thought I might like, and the print of the new winery I’d given him for his birthday. When he called to say goodbye, I thought I was fine, but seeing that print, one I loved since it embodied Osoyoos perfectly, was the last straw. I threw myself on the bed and cried over all of my best laid plans in ruin.

The next morning, since I had a few unexpected days off, I got online. I was going to make plans for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, something that didn’t involve me cooking a meal. Then, come January, I would go on a manhunt. Hell, I might even join the Legion’s Euchre Club. Doug knew damn well that I could play. I’d beaten him more than once.

I was scrolling through my favorite social media site when I came across a contest that seemed tailor-made for me. Now, this was more like it.

Win a two-week all-expenses paid Christmas vacation in Miami. Be the Christmas Parade Marshal with a seat in Santa’s sleigh. Pull the lever to activate the lights on Miami’s Christmas tree. Participate in all of the traditional activities including building a gingerbread house, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Miami, the annual Christmas fair, and so much more. Your vacation culminates with the New Year’s Eve Ball.

Accommodations will be at Miami’s premiere inn. A personal companion will whisk you from one event to another. Lunches and dinner locations will vary. Flights and other travel expenses included. Click here to learn more about Miami.

I grinned. I didn’t need to click. I knew everything there was to know about Miami; after all, it was where I’d expected Doug to take me for our honeymoon.

“I may not be getting married, but what’s wrong with going on the honeymoon?”

Of course, I had to win the contest, but since my luck had been so bad lately, it was bound to change. I filled out the contest application, laughed at the two dogs frolicking in the sand at the bottom of the entry form and clicked send. With that out of the way, I headed into the bedroom to survey my holiday wear.

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