IWSG: The Worst Advice You'll Ever Hear About Writing

Life is a tug o war.

Writing is a tug o war.

And I'm not talking about wrestling time out of the day to actually do it. How torn are you?

Recently, I found myself reading a book that got me pondering: what is it that keeps you hooked? (And feel free to apply this to life as well.) You want a great plot. You want awesome characters you  can root for. You want drama, surprises, and an ending that leaves you satisfied. What don't you want?

Confusion.

I'm not talking about plot confusion, although that's pretty bad. I'm talking about emotional confusion. My daughter recently went through the terrible twos. My husband was confused about the sudden onset of tantrums. Why was our perfect angel a wreck? According to my research, two is the age at which kids start to process multiple emotions at once, and it's overwhelming. They can't handle it.

Adults aren't much different.

Writing/life really boils down to two things: Action VS Tension.

Action is pretty obvious. Things happen. We/characters react. Based on those reactions, we are improved or lessened, pushed toward our goals or further away. Action comes from outward forces, and then our response.

Tension is quieter. It's the subtle shifting of a mood, the emotional reaction to action. It's a building sense of peace or frustration, and I hate to tell you this, but you have ALL control over this aspect in life.

When it comes to writing/life, I think we really have to ask WHAT DO I WANT TO FEEL? WHAT DO I WANT MY READERS TO FEEL? When we analyze life/writing from this perspective, we are empowered to get to the heart of the matter. When we face life on this level, we can change the helplessness of "feeling, just because." Root out the confusion. Take a solid direction.

Some of the worst writing advice out there (and life advice) is to focus on the plot: How are we getting from point A to Z. The amazing parts are in the feels along the way, the shift from joy to sorrow, sorrow to joy. The experience is what makes the ending worth it.

On a related note, how about the IWSG question for the month: When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?

I switch stories and find one that loves me for the moment. It's easy to do when you have 20+ WIP's just waiting for their day in the sun. Eventually I find the clarity to come back.

Huge thanks for hosting
Alex Cavanaugh, Olga Godim, Chemist Ken,
Renee Scattergood, and Tamara Narayan!

I have a SPECIAL privilege this month. Growing up, I knew one writer: the woman down the street with 5 kids (whom I occasionally babysat for). Today I get to introduce you to her FABULOUS daughter, Michelle R. Reid, whose debut novel has just launched! Does that rock or what?

Alice didn’t fall down a rabbit hole. She was pushed down a staircase by a white Playboy bunny. She wakes up in Oz as the newest participant of the 27th Alice Games. If Alice can survive the journey to the Emerald Castle and select Red Queen as ruler, Oz has momentary peace and Alice can go home. If Alice dies along the way, then Oz will turn into a hellish, eternal winter.

Alice suspects there’s more than that. If other Alices from Earth have already played, why is Oz still broken and frozen in time, repeating the Alice Games over and over? It’s time to unveil all the secrets and make this the last Alice Games ever played.

Then she meets the knight Ace, a charming distraction and possibly a threat. Ace’s past is as dark as Oz’s, yet Alice’s heart tells her that he’s the key to ending the Alice Games forever. Falling in love is irrational because she’s going home at the end, dead or alive. But oh, that smile. For once in her life, she doesn’t know if she should listen to reason, or trust an emotion she’s never put much credit in. With her life on the line, she can’t afford to be wrong.

Buy your copy on Amazon.

Ready to meet the author? From Michelle:

Stories have always been important in my life. From skits I made up for my friends while jumping on the trampoline (Moon Prism Power!), to my first full length novel I wrote in 8th grade choir against my teacher's wishes.

I am married to a wonder man and we have three very active kids that keep me on my toes. In college I studied Zoology, Biology, Art, and English. I drove my counselor nuts. I finally settled on wanting to be an author like my mom. (Alysia S. Knight--check her out!)

'Curiosity killed the cat' is a good saying for me. I love to figure out how all the pieces of the puzzles fit--whether it be in a book, movie, or real life situation. I like to take what I've learned and weave it into my books.

Michelle. gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. If you guess the lie, right or wrong, you will be entered to win a PRINT or eBOOK of ALICE GAMES. (Open internationally for eBook, US only for print.) DON'T HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT WITH AN EMAIL ON THE PROFILE? No problem. LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS OR EMAIL IT TO crystal@crystal-collier.com WITH YOUR SCREEN ALIAS.

You have until Tuesday, May 1st at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on May 2nd, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I'm a certified falconer.
2. I was seriously studying to be a Manga artist when I was 18 years old.
3. The first time I saw Jurassic Park, I was eight, in a dark basement, alone, at Crystal's house! 

So sleuths, which is the lie? What's the worst advice you've ever received? What's your current life tug o war? Do you like fairy tale mashups?

Who is Telling You Lies & IWSG

Truth is truth. Am I right?

Huge thanks for hosting
Alex Cavanaugh, Tamara Narayan, Pat Hatt, Patricia Lynne,
Juneta Key, and Doreen McGettigan!

I remember attending public schools in which we were somewhat indoctrinated to love our country. (It's bound to happen when the government controls the curriculum, eh?) Still, it wouldn't have mattered. As I learned true accounts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others, I fell for their justified rebellion, and more especially, their vision while establishing a new nation.

To add to my patriotism, my Grandfather served in WWII as a pilot. He did his duty to country and world in battling genocide and socialism. My father likewise served in the Air Force as a doctor. Is it any wonder I would value my country?

Then I went to college.

The best history professor I've ever known emphasized again and again that history is entirely up to interpretation. He required us to read opposing original documentation (essays, surveys, etc) from specific eras. The goal was for us to look at the evidence remaining from another time period, and come to our own conclusions about the truth in the world.

At this point, I learned that some truth is based on personal interpretation.

We garner fundamental truths from our parents or our education, but the key is to keep an open mind and know when truth is solid, and when it is someone's interpretation.

As I've studied to write in other time periods, I've learned that people are mostly the same no matter the age (same sins, same weaknesses, same desires and hopes), but current society (social rules, cultural traditions, etc) shape a huge part of our reality. We all share aspects of our society, but our core values come from our personal truth.

For me, one MAJOR core truth is:

Personal agency, or the right to choose, is the key to happiness (or pain) in this life.

In writing, the stories we love are the ones where people make choices against overwhelming odds and conquer. (Like the Founding Fathers of America.) Why should life be any different?

If someone is telling you you deserve the easy path, that everything should be handed to you on a platter, they're lying. You deserve to fight. You deserve to choose, right or wrong, how your life will go, and the consequences that go along with each choice. You are ultimately the hero of your own story, and no one should take away your right to win your own battles.

So today (and yesterday), I celebrate America and all it stands for: its diversity, its freedom, its people. To me, it is the greatest nation on Earth.

(This has been an answer to the IWSG post question for the month: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?)

Two weeks ago, Beth Ellyn Summer shared AT FIRST BLUSH along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed which was the lie was entered to win an eBook.

The game:

1. I really hate movies! So much so that I haven't been to a movie theater in eight years. 

2. I appeared in a Saturday Night Live sketch once as an extra! It was nearly impossible not to laugh, especially around such a brilliant cast, but I kept a straight face.

3. I never learned to ride a bike.

The lie: #2.

From Beth: I interned for Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon and spent plenty of time migrating over to visit the SNL studios, but I've never been in an actual sketch. It's a dream of mine though! Imagine getting to say those magic words, "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!" ? *swoons*

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Juneta Key!

Congrats, Juneta!

And now for a lovely debut novel I can't wait to read:

Music was her driving passion and the truest expression of her faith, but three months before her wedding, twenty-year-old Kasia Bernolak can’t even pick up her guitar. Feeling like a fraud who will ruin her dad’s pastoral reputation, she can barely meet his eyes. When Kasia finds the strength to break off her engagement, she still doesn’t realize the dangerous truth: Blake Hamilton isn’t ready to say goodbye. And he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. 

Alexander “Zan” Maddox has seen what a domineering man can do to an unsuspecting woman, and Zan is sick of injustice. He gave up a college baseball scholarship so he could protect his sister from her abusive husband. When he rescues Kasia from her ex-fiancé, he instinctively appoints himself her personal bodyguard. Now, all he has to do is keep from falling for her himself.

Kasia and Zan become fast friends, but true healing and justice might cost more than either of them is willing to pay

Buy your copy on Amazon.

Ready to meet the author?

Bethany Kaczmarek loves to share her own journey of healing and redemption with anyone who needs it. Back from the Polish mission field where she and her husband worked with college students for six years, their home is often filled with twenty-somethings who come over for a listening ear (though she’s willing to admit it could also be for the board games and food). Other job titles: Wielder of Red Pens, Grammar Ninja, Wiper of Tears and Milk, Indie Music Connoisseur, and Friend. Bethany writes about places where grit meets Grace. Find out more about her at www.bethanykaczmarek.com.

Bethany is trying not to be obsessed with Drunken Goat cheese. It's as creamy and mild as gouda, and it's her "preciousssss." As someone who lived for years in Europe,  she got used to delicious cheeses--more than she could name. But she's recently developed an allergy to cow protein, so goat and sheep cheeses have become her cheesy lifelines. She moved to Wisconsin this month, and is literally surrounded by cheese, cheese curds, and Cheese Heads.

Bethany gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. If you guess the lie, right or wrong, you will be entered to win an ebook of STRAINS OF SILENCE! (Open internationally.) If the randomly selected winner guesses correctly, they will receive a print copy of the book. (Continental US only.) DON'T HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT WITH AN EMAIL ON THE PROFILE? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS OR EMAIL IT TO crystal@crystal-collier.com WITH YOUR SCREEN ALIAS.

You have until Tuesday, August 1st at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on August 2, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I've been married for 19 years, and we've moved 15 times.
2. I once lived in the country and had a cat named Taxi, because it amused us all to call for her.
3. I collect place mats from all over the world, and I love mixing them up at the table.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you met Bethany? How do you feel about personal agency? What is one major truth you have learned in life or through writing?

Does Your Family Suck?

Is that a question you've ever considered?

SOURCE

The future doctors, teachers, and politicians of this world are in school, developing and growing. I often wonder what it is they're learning and who it is that's filling their minds. Is it the system? The parents? Peers? Social media?

As a mother, I'm pretty sure I think about my little ones more than myself. I agonize over their struggles. I plan for their futures. I hope and pray what we're doing for them with our limited capacity will prepare them for the life ahead and that they will become strong, kind, successful individuals. Because they know someone loves and is 100% invested in them, they will hopefully have the confidence to reach their full potential. They have someone always available to hear what's on their mind or to ask questions. I am their first source of information.

BUT.

But, but, but...

SOURCE

We live in a world where everyone thinks both parents need to hold down a 40 hr or more work week. Why? For stuff. Stuff like daycare, sports, an extra car, evening programs and activities, music lessons, etc. Add in the HOURS OF HOMEWORK, parties, events... Who is raising these children? How much time do they actually spend with their parents? How can they have a decent conversation with the people who gave them life if they never have a quiet hour together? Who is shaping their character?

Let us ask instead, "Can I do without this?" "Is this just cluttering our lives?" Sometimes less is more. In the case of children and valuable time, less is definitely more.

Let's be wise. Let's raise the future.

This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

BUY NOW 

(Because waiting until later would just be silly.)

Last week we met the thrilling Hart Johnson and had an opportunity win her medical thriller, A SHOT IN THE LIGHT. Everyone who guessed her Truth or Lie game correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win their choice of an eBook or print copy.

The Game:

1. I began writing with Fan Fiction. In fact I wrote a Harry Potter alternative book seven prior to the release of Deathly Hallows that had such uncanny commonalities as Nagini turning into a woman, breaking into Gringotts to steal the Hufflepuff cup from a vault, and Snape's tears having magic powers that were central to the climax. I will never beat the last line of that story: “So spank me.” (Narcissa to Lucius as they finally made peace, having been estranged during the war).

2. When I was a senior in high school my best friend got a wild hair... or decided my mom was the only mom of one of her friends who could be talked into signing the permission form—one of those things—and we signed up for a skydiving lesson. We spent a full afternoon jumping off progressively higher things and rolling out of the fall so we didn't break an ankle or a leg, then we went up in a perfectly good airplane and jumped out.

3. In 2008 I had a conference in London. Through my early online interactions and writing experiences I was part of a writing group, a couple of my fellow members decided to travel at the same time so we could all meet our friend Tara who lives in Wales and we could travel a bit together after the conference, taking advantage of some of the things we had in common (mostly writing, Harry Potter, and Monty Python). The highlight of our trip was making our way to Doune Castle in Scotland and doing a few rounds of the French taunting...

The lie: #3. The conference was really in Glasgow and the Castle they did the French taunting from was Cardiff Castle in Wales.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Stephen Tremp!

Congrats, Stephen!

And now meet the author of WIN in the Parallels anthology and check out the short story she has up for grabs in the Truth or Lie game today:

Jake Martin stops to rest at Sarah's farm. Her circumstances stir up memories for Jake, and force him to consider the type of life he lives. Can he change his ways or is he permanently broken?

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Sylvia Ney is a freelance writer, editor, and speaker. She regularly contributes to newspapers, magazines, and other anthologies. Some of her recurring publications include Southeast Texas Family magazine, Houston Family magazine, Southern Writer's magazine, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Sylvia is a member of the Texas Gulf Coast Writers and the Bayou Writers Group of Louisiana. 

You will find her madly munching on any cheese that comes with Mexican food.

To learn more, visit:  www.sylviacney.com

Sylvia 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 Sylvia's short story in eBook.

You have until Tuesday, May 17, at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on May 18, 8 a.m EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Sylvia almost died as an infant, but became one of the first survivors of a rare birth defect.

2. Sylvia has ghost written for Nora Roberts.

3. Sylvia has held and played with a baby lion.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Who do you think has the most influence on kids these days? Did you have devoted parents who spent time with you? Do you have a favorite heartwarming story? Have you met Sylvia?

Shocking Facts about Time & IWSG

Do you ever think about time?

A quick shout and thank you to Yolanda Renee who has me over today talking about 5 Reasons Not to Be a Psychopath. Check it out!


Back to time...

I write a series about time manipulation, so it's kinda par for the course, but lately I've been thinking about real time--and not just in a day, in a lifetime.

The average American spends:

26 years sleeping

11 years watching TV

10.3 years working

8 years shopping (for women)

5 years browsing online

4.3 years driving a car

4 years on the phone

3.66 years eating

2.5 years cooking

1.5 years in the bathroom

1.1 years cleaning

That's a whopping 77.36 years!

An article my brother sent got me thinking even more--one about actual time spent on relationships. It's super fascinating and you can find it HERE, but let me sum up some shocking facts:

In the first 18 years of your life, you've probably spent 90% of the time you will with your parents. For someone in their mid-30's, that leaves only about 300 more days with parents if they live to 90 years. The statistic is similar for siblings--leaving that number closer to 85% after leaving home. Trickle that down to other relatives, close friends, etc, and you begin to see how precious a few hours may be.

And that's why...

I spend an average of 10 to 12 hours a week on blogging. ("WHAT?!?" you say, "But you only post once a week!") It's true. I only post once a week. So how does that work?

• I spend between 30 minutes and 1 hour a week communicating with author's I'll feature, people who win prizes, calendaring, etc.
• about 1/2 to 1.5 hrs researching material to share and writing posts 
• 30 minutes prepping tweets to get the word out 
• and an average of 8 hours visiting blogs

That 10 to 12 hours doesn't even include time to reply to the comments on my blog!

That's 10 to 12 CONSCIOUS hours a week I don't spend playing with/teaching my children, or writing. (Both of which are my priorities right now--especially the children when considering the above stats.)

And here's what it boils down to: I'm going to drop back to blogging once a month for March and April. (Hoping that will get me through deep edits on TIMELESS.) There will still be giveaways. There will still be fun. There will still be cheese. There will also be some crazy editing happening here, around the crazy crazy of my wonderful family.

How are you spending your time?

Now how about a giveaway?

Last week Anna Soliveres shared with us CRIMSON EARTH, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win both VIOLET STORM and CRIMSON EARTH in eBook.

The Game:

1. Anna was once surprised by a friend whom she thought was coming to visit her, only to be roped to go for coffee and an awkward trip to the Museum. It later occurred to her that she was being taken on a date.
2. She saw the movie, Momma Mia, starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan; finding no luck in her dating life, she was convinced Greece might offer her the perfect romantic opportunity.

3. A date once broke up with her and then immediately offered her a donut. 

The lie: #2. Although Anna was inspired by Momma Mia, she went to Greece shucking off any ideas of romance, in favor of a grander adventure: finding her next story.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Julia!

Congrats, Julia!

And now for this week's feature...

In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.

Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.

With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Sarah Ahiers has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and lives in Minnesota with three dogs and a house full of critters. She has a collection of steampunk hats and when she’s not writing she fills her time with good games, good food, good friends and good family.

Sarah writes Young Adult and Middle Grade novels and occasionally dabbles in Picture Books. Fantasy is her favorite genre, though she sometimes can be found playing around with Horror and other things that go bump in the night.

You might find her munching on a parmesan/gouda hybrid like A Dutch Hybrid Vincent, or a great cheddar like Kerrygold’s Skellig (which is a sweet cheddar), or having a meat, cheese and cracker tray for lunch.

Find Sarah online HERE!

Sarah 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 an print edition of ASSASSINS HEART! (U.S. Only)

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

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I came in second place in my middle school’s spelling bee when I was in 6th grade
2. I played the violin for ten years.
3. I have had a myriad of pets, including: dogs, goldfish, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, squirrels, horse, anoles, tree frogs, & cockatiels.

So sleuths, which is the lie? How about it? Where do you think most of your time goes in a week? A month? Did you find any of these stats shocking? What do you wish you could spend more time doing?

What is Life & IWSG

How are you living? And I don't mean that from a scientific standpoint.

It seems to me life is so short, shorter the older you get. So are we living to our full potential? I mean, really living? Today I have a free story for you that may get you thinking in that vein.

Read the rest HERE.

So here's the question: How are you living? In such a way where you perpetuate good feelings and the most important things in life? Or is there something you'd like to change?

As we enter the holiday season, I hope we take time to evaluate. My goal today is to make you insecure--enough to look around and decide if you're fulfilling your potential--whether through writing or everyday living. Can we do more?

 

And now for the FUN stuff.

Mark Koopmans shared with us a REVIVAL, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a signed paperback.

Mark's Game:

1. Growing up in Dublin, Mark (13) was often bored. One day he saw an old mattress that someone had dumped over the side of the bridge. (The old “canal” below was now a filled-in grassy trail.) Mark thought about it for a few minutes, then he climbed over the edge of the cement bridge, and jumped about twenty feet onto what was (soon discovered to be) a very thin mattress. (No bones were broken in the making of this paragraph, but someone had to drive Mark home!)

2. Mark once worked as a manager for Planet Hollywood and would control the video clips shown on the many screens dotted around the restaurant. On this very busy day, (we’re talking 1998) he decided to show an (unedited) scene from Braveheart. Walking around the floor, he enjoyed watching people watching the clip—until he realized the scene included a series of swear words that sounded like “truck”… and they were about to go out live on the expensive, loud speaker system. (Luckily, Mark made it back to the A/V room and hit delete… just in time!)

3. Mark once kind of, er, bumped into (and woke up) Mohammad Ali, who was taking a nap while on a visit to a Cheesecake Factory Express in Chicago (now closed). Mark only hoped The Champ would forgive him and agree to take a picture with him—and he did!)

The lie: #2… the scene is correct, but Mark completely FAILED to get back in time, and all he could hear for a few moments was “F*ck this and F*ck that” ringing around the restaurant! (Luckily… none of the guests ever complained. He would have been in deep doo doo :).

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

The blogger at
ELEPHANTS CHILD

Congrats! 

And now for this week's feature... 

Sophie needs to find a way to balance the chaotic route she has been forced to walk down... a son she cannot control - diagnosed with Aspergers and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), coinciding with the onset of raging hormones; a daughter she has to ensure gets attention so she doesn't feel left out; and an ex-husband who comes and goes as he pleases. 

At the same time, Sophie struggles to hold down her job as an interiors writer for a magazine. Her rambling house is in desperate need of upkeep - her garden is full of overgrowing plants; there's no end of laundry, cleaning and cooking and there's not nearly enough money. 

Only wine, chocolate and good friends keep Sophie from tipping over the edge. That, and the mysterious voice of her cyber love. Could he be the saviour she's been waiting for? Or has he been in front of her the whole time? 

Told from the perspective of a mother who has to battle through life on a daily basis - fighting hard to keep her son in school, dealing with her marriage breaking up, giving her daughter her attention, maintaining her job and exploring her future love life. 

Sophie's Throughway is a heartwarming read, written to inspire empathy and compassion within the reader, as well as increasing understanding for a condition that does not have enough public recognition.

Get your copy HERE.

I've read and reviewed this one, and it was a ride. See what I had to say on Goodreads.

Ready to meet the author?

Jules Smith - Local author - Nottingham

Whilst I have had many freelance roles in this field writing for tabloids, magazines and businesses, my preferred style is of a whimsical nature. I like to observe people, life and situations and find the humour within. I enjoy reaching into the deeper emotions of readers and making them feel. I write in a storytelling fashion that enables me to engage with the reader and paint a visual picture that they can relate to, or empathise with.

My personality test described me as a spontaneous idealist and I have to agree.  I am at my best and liveliest when playing with new, creative ideas.  I'm a great believer in freedom to express without restraints and being passionate about your work. If what you do doesn't bring you joy then you shouldn't be doing it; you'll never do it well.

As a pure bred English gal, my favourite cheese is Cheddar. It is delicious on digestive biscuits, toast and melted into soup. It is the most versatile cheese on the planet.  However, I visit France a lot and have a penchant for an array of fine cheeses (just not so much the smell of some of them).

Jules 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 a signed paperback of SOPHIE'S THROUGHWAY. (Open Internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, December  at 8 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on December 9.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I have broken my nose 5 times.
2. I once shaved my head for charity.
3. I once met Duane Eddy (famous American guitarist) and asked him who he was. He said, “Duane Eddy,” and I said, “And what do you do?”

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have anything about life you want to change? Have you met Jules? Read any of her fabulous works?