Books are perfect gifts for any age. They put a smile on a child’s face as they hold their first book in their little hands for the first time.
They also put a smile on your friend’s or grandma’s face s they glance at another new novel yet.
There’s still time to buy a book this week as a last minute gift. Just in the “Nick” of time.
Featured photo: Illustration of the nativity scene by Czech illustrator & writer Josef Lada.
via Book as a friend
Storyteller 2017 -part VI
I have named my book campaign Storyteller2017 because I am so excited about this epic year full of big changes.
Follow me on my journey from writer journalist to author of Shifting Sands Short Stories to be released on June 30 on Amazon.
This is the sixth part of the Storyteller 2017 series following the introduction on June 20, the Beginnings on June 21, the Impermanence of characters in the Shifting Sands Short Stories on June 22, fueling the passion of the Storyteller on June 23, and Storyteller-the passion on June 26.
The first circle of stories draws on the early years of immigration and includes: Danillo, Honey Azrael and the Temptation of Martin Duggan.
The second circle of stories from retail experience includes: Tonight on Main, Therese’s Mind, Boxcutter Amy, Orange Nights and the Death Song.
The third circle of stories is from the media business; papers, newspapers, newsletters and magazines where ink used to be bought by the barrell. Since printing is also becoming a lost art, I decided to collect these short stories and publish them, all the while remembering the words of a city official:
“If it isn’t written, it hasn’t happened.”
As I wrote this I realized this was a great fit for the June 22 Daily Post prompt: paper.
These stories include: In the Shadows, Iron Horse, Foxy, Riddleyville Clowns and Chatamal.
My writing passion is coupled by my love of history.
I started writing for Czechoslovak Newsweek based in New York City in 1990 with my own column, “Commentary Place.” That was also the only time I wrote in Czech language. It was a biweekly column about the issues pertaining to the Czech community living in the USA. I wrote essays as well.
My first official newspaper job was with the Kaechele Publications in 1997. I commuted 145 miles round trip to Plainwell. The editor Dave Trinka, who interviewed me, loved the fact that I had included the newspaper clips in Czech. Go figure.
I loved the hometown Union Enterprise newspaper based in Plainwell. Due to the distance of the commute, I found closer newspaper jobs, the Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Lowell Ledger, Advance Newspapers, Gemini Publications and the Grand Rapids Press.
Here is an excerpt from the “Iron Horse.”
“Everybody in the room was wearing yellow. The tablecloths on round tables were yellow. I bit my lips hard, so that a streak of blood appeared on them. I was hoping the blood wouldn’t drop on the blouse.
I closed my eyes and I could see the old township hall at the Shimmicon Corners.
“So, is this all you expected,” an angry farmer barked into my face.
His face was swollen and his Adam’s apple was rolling in his throat. He was wearing Carhart overalls smeared with manure. His hands were big with strong fingers.
I backed away. He smelled of hay and manure. A terrifying stench spread in the meeting room of the Shimmicon Township.
I looked around me. The township hall was packed. The latecomers were peaking in from the windows. Two policemen were standing by the door, their hands on their pistols and truncheons. I could hardly breathe because the air was so heavy with sweat. Somebody spat on the floor in front of me. There was straw on the floor.
The farmers were thumping their feet against the plank floor and shaking their fists. I sank into a chair in the first row right across from the supervisor’s seat. Everyone else was seated except for him. As minutes ticked by, the farmers got angrier. Finally, supervisor Ned walked in looking at the mob. His big eyes were protruding from its sockets. Ned was a medium built man with thick hair. He pounded the mallet to bring order to the room.
“Silence,” he yelled. “I said quiet.”
The angry farmers were shaking their heads, gesturing and talking. Pig farmer Frank was standing in the corner. Tall Frank with black mustache and hair was leaning against the wall wearing his rubber boots. He came directly from the pig pens. His hands were stuck in his pockets.
Supervisor Ned pounded the mallet again.
“I will use the police, if you do not shut up.”
This post is also about how to create in writing.
@create
Copyright © 2017. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
How different nationalities use Facebook to express themselves
By Emma Palova
I’ve always wanted to write about this. Now, I can. It took some time to analyze it. And that is how different nationalities use Facebook to express themselves.
I consider myself privileged that I am both on American and Czech public and private groups on Facebook. I am on Michigan Authors on the Grand, Learn to Blog, 30 Day Content Challenge & WordPress support group. I created my own Writers Loop and Fallasburg Today public groups.
I am on Czech groups I love Czech Republic and Czechs & Slovaks on Facebook.
I speak and write both languages fluently which is very important because a lot gets lost in translation. It doesn’t matter which translating service you’re using, it is not accurate.
You have to know the culture of that particular country to know what they are talking about on Facebook.
I grew up in former Czechoslovakia and got my university education there.
On the other hand, I went to middle school in Hawkins, Texas and mom Eliska homeschooled my brother Vas and I in Sudan, Africa. I also lived in Saskatoon and Montreal in Canada.
There is a striking difference between the usages by both nations that reflects the difference in cultures.
A Czech person uses Facebook to vent their feelings, anger and to fight. You can easily find 250 comments on one post. If they don’t agree with something they will swear at you and call you names. These threads turn into long pointless discussions.
An American person uses Facebook to show daily experiences followed by at the most 20 comments, if it is a heated subject.
A Czech person is funny and shares jokes on Facebook. We laugh out loud with my husband Ludek, as he reads the jokes to me in the evening from his IPhone.
An American person is inquisitive and functional, so he or she uses riddles or questions to find out how smart you are.
“Where was this photo taken,” posted local photographer Bruce Doll.
The photo looked like a Kiss concert all in blue and smoke, but I know Bruce.
“At the Impact church,” I posted.
“Yes.”
A Czech person turns emotional on Facebook and shares four Advent candles a thousand times.
An American person asks for prayers when needed.
A Czech person sometimes turns to sex to see how you react.
An American person uses Facebook for business to see how you react.
A Czech person doesn’t do selfies.
Americans love selfies.
Neither one in particular partakes in sharing tragedies until the recent Paris attacks.
Both cultures share the same love for photography.
I will continue to explore this interesting theme into the future. Watch for more observations.
Copyright © 2015 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Day #5, Nov. 21, Saturday
Today is a celebration
By Emma Palova
A note to my regular readers. I am participating in a Content Writing challenge by Learn to Blog. The posts show my views on today’s world including my own. I hope you enjoy all of them as part of stepping up my blogging.
Hastings, MI- Today we celebrated my girl’s second birthday. Josephine Marie Palova was born to a multi-cultural family. My son Jakub Pala is Czech and he is married to his American sweetheart Maranda Palova.
I am in awe how much they respect each other’s cultures. Maranda took on the Slavic name Palova instead of Pala. Jakub wants to keep the Czech language for his daughter Josephine. He speaks to her in Czech every evening after work.
He asked me if I could give her a book in Czech. Now, that’s a problem here. But, I am a problem solver. I got up this morning before the birthday party and started working on a simple book in Czech for Josephine.
I firmly believe that Josephine will be fully bilingual, which is my son’s dream. I used simple sentences and clip art and I will keep adding pages to the core book and growing paragraphs as she grows.
I was most definitely inspired by the blogging challenge to do this. The group pulled me out of my depression. Thank you.
We had a great time at this multi-cultural party. Maranda and Jake were awesome hosts in their new home. I am so proud of both of them. They represent the best in the millennials.
Thank you for being great hosts and great children.
Copyright (c) 2015 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
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