Happy New Year-Winners!

 

Happy New Year!

The Kindle edition of the Winner’s Anthology is now available, and we are seeking reviews to help catapult this wonderful selection of stories into the best Amazon rankings available!

If you preordered a print copy, then you should be receiving this winning collection by the end of the month, and for those who haven’t ordered yet, the Kindle version is available right now! From what I can see, there’s only one review on Amazon, and we need more! Please?

My story is about hope. Hospice nurse, Diane Bell is on duty and she’s ready to “entertain” patient Colleen Poole. While Diane engages Colleen, she begins to learn and question her own future. After all, she doesn’t crochet, knit or even sew. And, while Colleen will be busy as a bee, the more Diane talks, the more she realizes, she needs to prepare her own way too. Read my story, Crocheting in Heaven and please leave a short review on Amazon.

Click Here for Your Copy

Thank you in advance!!

Stay warm!

Revised Post for The New Year!

 Just a reworded reminder for the New Year-- taken from my previous blog--The Desert Rocks. Happy New Year to all my friends and family members! 

The Eleventh Commandment

 

 

On the Back of the Tablet

There are many different ideas about love, and most of them require following the golden rule of give and take. If I give on this particular thing; I'll be able to get some of what I need. In other words, most relationships are not based on unconditional love, but on a series of conditions. Then, after years of problems, couples wonder why they are having issues. They didn't meet any of the conditions, or maybe they did for a while, but things sort of fizzled out.

Most often the only suggestions are forgiveness and moving on. A modern couple might say they are ready to forgive and forget----maybe with someone new. Whoops. That defeats the whole purpose of this article.

Now, I propose a different approach.

The Eleventh Commandment is an entirely new way of thinking about all  our relationships. To achieve ultimate benefits, it should begin on the very first day, at the initial meeting. The Eleventh Commandment was scrawled on the reverse side of the stone that Moses brought down from the mountain. (a-hem—stay with me here.) At first it sounds easy, but implementing it into the daily routine of our lives makes for a hard commandment to follow. Following this commandment will help you in all your daily endeavors. It will help you make more money; it will help you with your friends and family, and, conditions or no conditions, it will help you hold onto the one you love.

What is it? You want to know, don't you? 

The secret to this commandment has aided multimillionaires like Bob Hope and George Burns live over a hundred years in solid, loving relationships. It has brought fame and fortune to countless individuals who use this as a tool, rather than a way of life. You don't have to be a performer. Anyone can use this and be very successful. There are countless books available to make the transition easier, but a daily internet search can assist you in the beginning.

Practice makes perfect. This is the one commandment that only you, and your personality can individualize to suit your personal needs. You can study various techniques, act things out in front of a mirror, or in front of friends, and receive immediate feedback regarding your improvement. Once you start, you can’t turn back. Used correctly, you can improve daily, even change the world for the better. Remember the butterfly effect? 

Your use of this commandment will create smiles in people's hearts, warming your friends and loved ones like a winter fire. It may even induce tears of joy!

Without this special commandment, life is a sterile hospital room filled with cold metal and florescent lighting. Without this particular commandment, we are bitter, lonely adults, racing around with rage-filled impatience, on packed freeways, in uncomfortable cars. If you have decided that you don’t like humans or people in general, you might want to take another look at how this commandment can help your attitude. It’s amazing how a smile can change your day. If you want to make a difference; if you want to give and receive the gift of smiles, you can easily implement this into your life today! Yes, you can make others laugh, just by taking on this message of hope, polishing your talent, embellishing your patter, all while administering tidbits of joy.

Turn over a new leaf. Start using one more commandment. And, while every commandment is important, this one is sure to change your life! Turn the Tablet over, and read it out loud in a voice that thunders from the sky....

Thou shalt be funny, and have a sense of humor.

Happy Holidays!!

 

I’ve never been one for excuses, but the holidays have kept me away from blogging. Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and are planning a festive December. With everything going on, it’s a miracle I’m still saving a few minutes here and there to write.  

Did you see the Fall issue of In2uition Magazine? Subscribe to the magazine, or read my column called Apple Blossoms for free here:In2ition Magazine

How about the online article I wrote that touches on the Me too movement? Read it for free here:The Casting Couch Blues

Did you order your copy of the new anthology called Winners? Preordered books will be distributed sometime before the end of the year! Plus, the publisher is adding two extra eBooks from their catalog as gifts with each purchase. Your support means the world to me. Order here:Winners Anthology

Anyway, sorry for packing this with so much promotional hoopla, but I’m thawing something that needs to be roasted, our little dog just barked at the delivery guy, my email has too many sales notifications, there are coupons flying out of every drawer, the radio is playing Jingle Bells— (it’s still November), my poinsettia is still not blooming, but general holiday mania is taking over. Truthfully, all is good, and I’m blessed. Especially for having readers who read some of my stuff. Thank you. I am grateful, and hope your holidays are spectacular!

Author Interview with SOOP

The kind folks at Something or Other Publishing are not only preparing an anthology with my award winning, faith-based story titled, Crocheting in Heaven, but they also interviewed me for their blog. Thought I’d share it here, and if this upcoming book peaks your interest, please order it today!

August 24, 2022 By jesusb 

Author Profile: Eve Gaal

Something Or Other Publishing is proud to introduce Eve Gaal, an established writer and winner of the 1st Prize in the Religion & Spirituality Category of our 1st Annual Short Story Contest.

Eve Gaal

Over 25 years in advertising led Eve Gaal to write stories, poems, and novels. Her work has appeared in anthologies, magazines, and online. Born in Boston but a longtime Californian, Gaal currently lives in the Inland Empire with her husband and her dog named Baba, where she enjoys her time with hobbies including swimming, cooking, crocheting, and reading.

Her writing journey began as a freelance writer after several decades in the newspaper industry, frequenting The Los Angeles Times and The Daily Pilot, where she had an ongoing column. Today, you can appreciate her trademark humor and poetry among various journals such as “Writing for Peace” and books like her first romantic novel, Penniless Hearts.

1st Place in the Religion Category of SOOP’s 1st Annual Short Story Contest. (SOOP)

Her winning story, Crocheting in Heaven, is part of an upcoming anthology from SOOP currently titled SOOP’s Finest: a collection of award-winning short stories, and it follows the tale of Colleen Poole, an elderly hospital patient, and Diane, a hospice nurse. Diane wants to give the frail, dying woman hope by sharing her understanding of heaven. However, time is of the essence here, and she must convince Mrs. Poole there’s a beautiful place waiting on the other side before it’s too late. But how will she be able to make the older woman believe?

Jesus E. Bracho, SOOP’s Director of Marketing, sat down with Eve to engage in a fun Q&A session to learn more about her:

JB: What inspired you to write “Crocheting in Heaven”?

EG: While visiting friends or relatives in hospice, I was inspired by kind nurses.

JB: What was the most challenging part of writing the story?

EG: While I love writing faith-based fiction, I never want to sound “preachy”. 

JB: What genres do you personally like to read?

EG: Fables, fiction, humorous who-done-its, and romance, in that order. 

JB: Do you have any other writing projects in the works?

EG: I have a column at In2uition Magazine titled Apple Blossoms and I’m working on my fourth novel.

JB: Who is your target audience?

EG: I write fairy tales for grown-ups and faith-based fantasy with a twist of adventure. When truth becomes stranger than fiction, it’s time to indulge in a romantic comedy taking place on an island, Vegas or Panama. In this case, I’m taking readers to Heaven. 

JB: What do you hope readers take away from your story?

EG: If I can give one person hope, my story has made a difference. 

JB: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

EG: Yes! Read all the books you can get your hands on. Then, after you’ve read all the books your teachers and instructors gave you, read the ones you’ve heard about and always wanted to read. Read everything and don’t stop. Read the cereal box, the junk mail, and the newspaper. Read poems and read something wild on the internet. Go back and catch up on stuff you missed as a child. Read the classics, but if they bore you, that’s all right; read bestsellers. Rather than having an excuse, pick any book that looks good to you, and then do it again! Write reviews of every book, and post them on Goodreads. Share your reading journey. It’s your life, and your writing will benefit. No writer’s conference or book on writing can replace reading.

Readers can pre-order “Crocheting in Heaven” through her customized pre-order page right here. Learn more about Eve Gaal through the links below:

Website: evegaal.com

Twitter: @EveGaal

Facebook: Penniless Hearts

LinkedIn: Eve Gaal

Blog: Eve Gaal Blog 

 I think if you have an eye for art, or appreciate crafts like painting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, woodworking, basketmaking, mosaic tiles, stained glass, sculpting or drawing, you'll enjoy my story. I look forward to seeing your comments! 

Summer Issue

 I'm a bit late in posting the latest issue of In2uition Magazine, but here it is, in case you missed it. (The lady on the cover reminds me of  a fancier version of Penny, one of my characters.)

Read my column--Apple Blossoms by Eve

In2ition Magazine

Twenty Second Affirmation

 

This morning,

as the grogginess unfolds from your mind,

Before your feet touch the ground;

Prepare the prologue.

Give it twenty seconds.

Patiently.

Like those last few kernels of popcorn--

Think about the coming day, and all the letters, words and sentences you will use in a positive manner.

Plan your day like a story with a happy ending.

Remember there’s a beginning, a middle and an end to this unique day, and you are the main character.

Don’t even look toward the window, in case the weather influences your outlook.

Be it cloudy, rainy or windy, let your mind float into a place where your voice is heard, your smile appreciated, and your touch treasured, as if it were a blessing.

This is your day.

A short delightful chapter in the eloquent, exciting book of your life.

Focus on the Fun!

 

There’s not much to say when you’re having fun, and enjoying summer. Some folks sit around complaining about the heat, while others decide to jump in and forget all about complaining. This month we’ve dashed into air-conditioned buildings as if it were hailing golf balls. As if our flip-flops would melt and take a piece of our souls down into some fired up inferno.

And, still we laughed, splashed and forgot about those slick news anchors and their horrid predictions. We took each hour at a time, and dressed accordingly. We brought hats and sunscreen on our daily adventures. We sang and watched the sunset while enjoying cool drinks. We listened to a band, danced, and ate magnificent food. We froze at the movie theater while watching the Elvis movie. We ordered ice cream and everyone looked happy. No complaints. (Even our dog Baba, likes the heat.)

Of course, there’s more hot weather ahead.

So, I guess my point is, we need to focus on the good times. 

I’ll remember the laughter caused by messed up lyrics, twisted jokes, and crazy selfies. There was that ice-cube that slipped from my hand and traveled across the floor, soft breezes that tousled my hair, and colorful flowers that seemed to enjoy blasting sunshine mixed with giant dollops of  humidity. 

Here’s hoping incredible memories and awesome escapades outweigh any future discomfort.