Julia’s Latest Posts
Sound Barriers
I have a loud voice, that isn’t even much of an opinion as it is a fact. It can travel great distances outside and in a confined space, my voice will bounce off the walls. As a teacher it was an asset as well as a liability. Being loud does not mean everyone can hear…
Read MoreNew Connection
Hello everyone, Once again we are trying to establish another Facebook account specific to my writing. Come find me on Facebook at NewEarth Schmeelk. It is open to the public and I will be happy to see you. I am hoping to simply connect my blog to that account the same as it is on…
Read MoreDrive Ups
We recently found a Subway with a drive-up window. Instead of a speaker and menu outside, anchored to the ground they had a touchscreen. Place your own order, make your own mistakes. Then you drive over to the window and pick up your food, already made, bagged and ready for you. It was fast, and…
Read MoreFantasy vs Real World
Obviously I have a rich and detailed fantasy life. The amazing thing to me was I was able to set aside my imaginative writing and musings for the school year and only allow myself to write during the summers for so many years. Now that I am officially retired from teaching, I write all the…
Read MoreExcitement on the Farm
Shawn and I had just finished eating dinner. A favorite of ours, boneless ribs broiled then slow cooked in the crockpot with BBQ sauce until they are falling apart-gooey and sticky, along with mac and cheese and pickles. Feeling over stuffed and lazy I answered the phone. Our neighbor, friend and landlord had trapped a…
Read MoreAn Old Favorite
I am rereading Thea Harrison’s Elder Races Series. Has anyone else read her stuff. She does an amazing job of blending the fantasy and our current world. She is an amazing author, builds fine, strong characters and blends, myths, legends and her own special brand of fantasy with a healthy dollop of passion and history.…
Read MoreCar 🚘 Trouble
Yesterday we heard a funny noise, but it stopped. Today Shawn was sitting on the porch smoking when looking at the truck he noticed that one wheel was not straight. The mechanic is on his way with a tow truck to decide if it is drivable. As convenient as vehicles are, I sometimes wish I…
Read MorePlanting Tomatoes
🍅 The favorite plant of mine, I plant multiple varieties and watch them flower and bloom with anticipation every year. This year I am trying some gardening tarp to see if it reduces weeds. I am also going to use an essential oils spray to ward off tomato horn worms. My plants have been growing for…
Read MoreNew Cards
We are getting ready to go to Denver for the big RWA, Romance Writers of America, conference. A common practice is to exchange cards with real contact info among other authors, editors, and publishers. These cards have more information than you give a fan or reader which has the website url, in my case JuliaSchmeelk.com.…
Read MoreUtopian Literature
Most people are fans of the dystopian story, one that paints a world in one way twisted so badly that it highlights a weakness in society, whether it is the mob mentality of Lord of the Flies or the corrupting influence of technology and inattention of Ferinheight 451, the purpose of dystopian lit is to…
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