The 4 Commandments of Celebrating

What are you celebrating this week? 

Come swim along for the Four Commandments of Celebrating, but first, I've got two celebrations.

First, Beverly Stowe McClure totally made my day. That's right, she reviewed MOONLESS. Want to make an author's day? It's just that simple. SEE WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY. 

Second, Monday is the 4th of July! (Independence Day) So if you're outside of America, that holds less meaning, but think of it this way: The nation that is a world super power and supports the majority of the world's economy came into existence the day it declared independence. Now that's pretty monumental in my book. And although my country has had its ups and downs, I still love it--land of the free (ish) and home of the brave. So I'll be out celebrating on Monday.

BUT how to do it right?

I give you, THE FOUR COMMANDMENTS OF CELEBRATING:

1. Reflect: What is it about any event, day, or circumstance that makes it worth celebrating? Looking back on life and reviewing the reasons helps us identify their meaning and evaluate their weight.
2. Let Go: Sometimes we just need to let go of the restrains on normal life--and no, I don't mean do anything illegal. I mean, forget the day job, financial stresses, school & home work, etc. Free your mind to enjoy the moment.
3. Make noise! I'm not kidding. Yelling and screaming releases pent up energy and emotions. Singing, likewise. Laughing has all kinds of benefits. Freeing the mind enough to let loose a "whoop" of joy can be difficult sometimes, but it's healthy and NECESSARY.
4. EAT CHEESE: You knew that was coming. But seriously, no celebration is complete without a little splurging--be it food, money, or time.

So what are you going to celebrate this week?

And speaking of celebrating, time for some giveaway love, eh?

This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

BUY NOW 

(And if you already have, go buy another and gift it to someone!)

Last week Yolanda Renee ( author of EVER-TON) shared MURDER & OBSESSION, along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed the lie was entered to win a SIGNED copy of either MURDER & OBSESSION or the PARALLELS anthology.

The game:

1. My Sunday school teacher was dismissed for taking our class to see the movie the Bible.

2. One of my favorite past times was drag racing. On the way to work one morning I raced a fellow driver on the highway. He asked me out and we are now married.

3. I've been married three times.

The lie: #2. While Yolanda didn't marry the man she was drag racing, but he did ask her out.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

L. Diane Wolfe!

Congrats, Diane!

And now meet a story from the author of HAUNTED in the Parallels anthology: 

Alphabet Soup is a collection of flash fiction from the darker side—all done Ubook style. What’s a Ubook, you might ask? It’s a brand-new, patent-pending book format that combines the story with music. And the best thing? It’s completely free.

Experience it HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Melanie Schulz is planted in upstate New York with her husband and three kids on a smallish plot of land she likes to believe is a farm. She plays at being a writer, same as she plays at being a farmer, and nurse, and overall enjoyer of this thing called life. One of the things she enjoys most are people who delight in discussing all things listed above.

Join in the conversation at:

Website
Blog
Facebook

You might run across Melanie at her computer with a glass of wine munching on room-temperature camambert topped with an ooey,  gooey carmel/dried apple/peacan mixture.

Melanie gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win their choice of eBook THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT, ERRON, 2084, or BLACKBIRD. (Open internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, July 5 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on July 6, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I am a concert pianist.

2. My husband used to drive a race car.

3. I have three dairy sheep: Daisy-May, Lucy-Lu, and Sunshine that I plan to milk and make homemade cheese with.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you met Melanie? What are you celebrating now/shortly?