-
Book Review: The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures, by Sarah Clegg
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez“The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures” by Sarah Clegg
c.2024, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
$22.00 208 pagesBreaking and entering.
It happens every Christmas in your neighborhood somewhere. An old guy with a long white beard busts into a few random houses, steals milk and cookies, and escapes before he can be apprehended. He’s not the only holiday mischief maker around, though. As in the new book, “The Dead of Winter” by Sarah Clegg, when it comes to Christmastime characters, you’d better watch out.
On a chilly Christmas Eve morning not long ago, Sarah Clegg left the warmth of her parents’ home and crept along the English countryside in search of witches.
Legend says that the morning before Christmas was the time when witches portended who in the village would die in the following year, but Clegg didn’t see that and she didn’t spot her prey.
No problem. She says, throughout history, “Christmas teems with monsters.”
Witches aside, she begins her search in February at Carnival in Venice, which she admits is an odd time to think about Christmas but Carnival’s masks and decadence hark back to what Christmas was in ancient times.
-
The Twist Podcast #280: Wicked Good, Khalid Comes Home, and the Twist’s Thanksgiving Leftovers
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our enthusiastic, two-brooms-up review of Wicked, a hearty welcome to fellow traveler Khalid, and some turkey talk after the pie’s all gone.
-
Triple Header: 3 Workshops in March – Fiction Writing Essentials, Character Creation, and Self-Publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing
Three workshop intensives in one package: Fiction Writing Essentials, followed by Character Creation, and concluding with Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing. Each of these is a separate workshop, being offered together for three Mondays in March – and at a savings! Join Mark and the other participants to learn the essentials of writing fiction, how to create characters who will step off your mind onto the page, and how to publish your work yourself as an independent author.
You can see workshop descriptions at YourWritePath.com, address any questions to YourWritePath AT Outlook. com.
WHEN: 3 Mondays in March (3, 10, 17)
TIME: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm eastern
VIA ZOOM
REGISTER HERE ($100) -
Savvy Senior: How to Choose a Memory Care Unit for a Loved One with Dementia
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
My dad has dementia and has gotten to the point that he can’t live at home any longer. I need to find a good memory care residential facility for him but don’t know where to turn. Any suggestions?
Only Daughter
Dear Only,
Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a loved one with dementia is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework.
Most memory care units, sometimes called special care units, are housed within assisted living or nursing home facilities. At their best, they offer staff extensively trained in caring for people with dementia, individualized care that minimizes the use of dangerous psychotropic drugs, a home-like environment and activities that improve resident’s quality of life. But at their worst, they can offer little more than a locked door. Here are some steps that can help you find a good facility and avoid a bad one.
-
Workshops Coming at Soupcon in Lambertville!
Really excited to schedule my first workshop with Soupcon, a local artists’ collective in Lambertville, NJ, for February. And it’s at my favorite venue, Bucks on Bridge, where Soupcon has sublet the art space. I’ve done book readings and workshops there prior to this, and it’s so nice to have a space and community to pursue in-person workshops with.
-
Ancestry, Family Trees, and the Road to Self-Discovery
Narration provided by Wondervox.
I finally took the plunge with Ancestry.com. Now that I’m doing workshops on autobiographical and legacy writing, I decided to explore my family tree. I was confused about this for a long time because I’m adopted, but I realized I want to know about the family I grew up with, the people I remember and who shaped me. Seeing my parents and grandparents on this is kind of emotional.
My ‘origin story’ is complicated, with a birth family I’m in contact with and have some relationships with, and my adoptive family. The people I have always referred to as Mom and Dad are the couple who raised me. I was not told about my adoption until I was 17, which erased any memories I may have had from the first two years of my life. All these decades later, as people got into charting their family trees and their ancestry, I felt ambivalent to say the least: which family is my family? I finally decided, for the purpose of a family tree, that it is the family I grew up with, the parents whose lives I shared until their deaths, the grandmothers I remember from childhood. They are my heart, spirit and blood.
So … here we go. This is going to be interesting.
About Family Trees
Uncovering Your Roots: The Joy of Researching Family Trees
Researching family trees can be an exciting and enriching journey that connects us to our past, provides insight into our heritage, and fosters a deeper understanding of who we are. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, the process of tracing your lineage can bring unexpected discoveries and lasting connections. For someone like me who is adopted and not able to really consider my birth family as my family tree, other then my parents and siblings, it took a long time to reconcile my feelings about this and realize that my interest in ancestry is not about blood. I am a McNease, the son of Margaret Witmer and Emmett McNease. That is my starting place. All of these suggestions are optional. I’m not a “family stories” kind of person, and there will be a lot of popular things I choose not to do.
-
Fatal Mistake: A Harry Hell Novella (Audio Edition)
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
THERE WILL BE ONE CHAPTER ADDED EACH WEEK! FIND THEM ALL AT THE HARRY HELL PAGE.
Narration provided by Wondervox.
I am so excited to bring one of my favorite stories to life for your listening pleasure… a novella, actually, that had an incredibly long gestation in the recesses of my imagination. I’d put it off as an audio option because the voice technology I use wasn’t quite good enough. Now I think it sounds terrific. Yes, it’s AI/synthetic voice. I would never pretend otherwise. So fasten your headphones, and let’s get this dark, dark party started.
About Fatal Mistake: A Harry Hell Novella
Buy the eBook Direct and Save!The year is closer than you think. The world has collapsed under the weight of its own insatiable needs, leaving shattered cities where those who still have anything fight to keep it that way, and those who don’t are a constant threat. It’s a danger that must be contained through a tightly controlled society where everyone is observed and everything is kept in its place. Harry Hellerman and his twin brother, Elliot, enter this world three minutes apart. By the time they’re teenagers, they’ve been surrendered to Control to be molded into the perfect assassins. A boy named Harry Hellerman enters, and a man named Harry Hell emerges: a killing machine of the highest order.
Harry’s life takes a drastic turn when he finds himself teamed with a man named Raul, who becomes his partner in every way. Enter the lethal, dreaded Nectar, queen of the Ruins and slayer of hopes and dreams. Even Harry had them once, but no more. His life soon revolves around one mission only: to take his revenge against Nectar, and die someday with Raul’s name still on his lips. It was all he had left to live for.
Enter Eastward, and the Ruins, and the Slopes beyond them. Make your way to the river’s edge, misted in darkness, where many have tried to escape but none have ever returned. ‘Fatal Mistake’ begins the journey of a man whose heart had not always been stone. Will it beat again, or will he use it to sink his enemy down, down, down, straight to hell?
-
All Workshops Now Available Through My Payhip Storefront
Starting today, all workshops will be registered for through my Payhip storefront. This eliminates the need for a paid third-party events application. Just click on any “REGISTER” link to view and sign up for the workshop. I’ll receive confirmation and add you to the schedule. Workshops are not public and can only be seen from the register link.
All workshops are refundable until 2 days before the workshop. Rescheduling is also available.
Mark McNease / YourWritePath AT Outlook.
-
Health Beat: Coping With Stress In a Stressful World
By Mark McNease.
Narration by Wondervox.
Another year comes slowly to a close as the holidays kick in and that mixture of pleasure and stress takes over. It’s a reminder that stress is part of living, and how we handle it can make the difference between looking back at another good year, or dreading what the next one will bring. We often anticipate bad things happening, whether they do or not, and it increases this stress exponentially. Even without the added pressure, daily living is often stressful with its demands on our time, activities, and attention. Doctor’s appointment? Stressful. Sink stopped up? Stressful. Cat to the vet? Stressful. Holidays? Prolonged stress, no matter how much we may enjoy them.
Here are some thoughts on stress and how to cope with it in our lives.
Handling Stress: Strategies for a Balanced Life
Stress is a common part of life, affecting nearly everyone at some point, and many of us in a more or less chronic way. Whether it’s due to work pressures, personal relationships, or unforeseen circumstances, managing stress is essential for maintaining mental and physical well-being. But take heart! There are a number of effective strategies for coping with and alleviating stress, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience—and maybe even sleeping all night! (This is a problem for me and millions of others, and it can be exacerbate by the aging process: we tend to sleep less as we get older.)
Understanding the Causes of Stress
Before delving into coping mechanisms, it’s important to understand the sources of stress. Common triggers include high-pressure jobs, family responsibilities, health issues, financial worries, and major life changes. Identifying these stressors is the first step in managing stress effectively. For some people, keeping a stress journal can prove beneficial; by detailing when stressors occur and how they affect you, you can develop a clearer picture of patterns and triggers in your life. I don’t personally keep this kind of record, but I do journal on a regular basis. It’s as much a diary as a journal for me, and it’s augmented by thematic journaling (SEE HERE FOR MORE ON THAT).
-
The Bookworm’s Holiday Book Giving Guide: General Non-Fiction (2 of 3)
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm SezGeneral Non-Fiction
Someone on your gift list will love reading “Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic” by Tabitha Stanmore (Bloomsbury, $29.99). Not only is this a history of magic and the magical arts, but it’s a bit of a mini-biography about people who practice the arts.
If you know your giftee well and this year is going to mean big changes, then carefully give “Divorce Matters” by Kathy Criscuolo Boufford (Square One Publishers, $18.95). Wrap it up with “I Do (I Think) by Allison Raskin (Hanover Square Press, $28.99), a book about marriage in the modern world. Together, they’re perfect for the person you know needs them, now or in the near future.
-
The Guided Autobiography Online Summit December 11 – 13, Registration Now Open
From the Guided Autobiography Summit Page.
I will be presenting on December 13 on Professional Growth.
Transformative Storytelling: How GAB Empowers Personal & Professional Growth
From Wednesday, December 11th, at 11.00 AM to Friday, December 13th, at 6.00 PMEastern Time (US and Canada)Whether you’re eager to begin writing your life story or a Guided Autobiography (GAB) instructor seeking fresh insights and professional growth, the GAB Summit 2024 offers something for everyone. This three-day event brings together life writers and GAB instructors from around the world to explore, share, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling.
For Life Writers: Uncover the Power of Your Story
If you’ve ever wanted to write about your life but didn’t know where to start, GAB is a proven method that will guide you through the process. At the summit, you’ll hear from experienced GAB instructors as they share their unique approaches to helping students like you discover the meaning and lessons within your personal history.
WHAT IS GAB?
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a unique method for writing about your life, two-pages at a time, created by gerontologist Dr. Birren and now carried on by Dr. Cheryl Svensson at the Birren Center. There are now over 600 instructors worldwide and when you take a class with any one of them, you’ll:
- Explore Your Life Journey: Guided Autobiography helps you dive deep into your personal story, acknowledging not only the challenges you’ve faced but also the strength, resilience, and positive experiences that have shaped you. Through thoughtful prompts and structured writing, GAB empowers you to find clarity, meaning, and even healing as you reflect on your past.
- Thrive in a Supportive Community: The GAB Summit offers a safe, non-judgmental space where your story is valued and celebrated. There’s no critiquing—just the joy of sharing, being seen, and connecting with others who are also reflecting on their lives. Whether you’ve been writing for years or are just beginning, you’ll leave feeling more confident and inspired.
- Connect with a Like-Minded Community:
One of the most powerful aspects of GAB is the sense of connection it fosters. At the summit, you’ll join a community of fellow life writers who share your passion for storytelling and personal reflection. As you listen to others’ stories and share your own, you’ll forge meaningful connections with individuals who understand the value of reflecting on life’s journey. These connections can lead to lasting friendships, support, and inspiration long after the summit ends
-
MWA-NY Panel On Series Writing a Hit At Hoboken Library
Our panel at the Hoboken Library was a hit with the audience. Panelists included Annamaria Alfieri, Tom Coffey, Peggy Ehrhart, Gerri Lewis, and moderator Mark McNease. The topic was Writing A Series: Getting It Started and Keeping It Going. Among the subjects discussed were continuity, outlining (or not), and where to begin.
MEET THE PANEL
Annamaria Alfieri writes the Vera and Tolliver stories, which are set in British East Africa and explore the evils of colonialism. It began with Strange Gods, 1911, The Idol of Mombasa , 1912, The Blasphemers 1913. The fourth book in the series, A Death on the Lord’s Day, was released in 2024. The Richmond Times-Dispatch praised the series as having “the flair of Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham, the cunning of Agatha Christie and Elspeth Huxley.”