Zombie Week ~ Zombie’s like to eat Mountain Dew and read

I’m Reading ~ All “Write”?

Well my blogs have been short and full of pictures. There is a reason for it…A “method to my madness”. I am reading. The book is by Stephen King and it is his input on the writing process. Why Stephen King? Because I like his personality, style and straightforwardness. Not everyone follows in his footsteps, but I do. To be as great a writer as Stephen King would be awesome, no doubt, but that would be a miracle. No, I am not trying to “be” Stephen King. I am merely following the path that fits for me. His book on writing is helpful, informative and to the point. I respect how he got to where he is now and understand the sacrifices involved in becoming a great writer. I am over 3/4 through the book and he presented a challenge for me. He even tells me to send my 6 or 7 page scribble to his website and promises to read through some of them. Not all of course, that would be madness!

I love how he is honest and himself in what he writes. The stories about his life are put in such a way that I laugh every time I think about one or two, and admire a couple of others. One that sticks with me the most is about Eulah Beaulah. He explains how she was one of the many babysitters his mother went through. The reason she stands out is because she was cruel to him. I realize that is not funny but he sure makes it funny when he mentions how a rather large woman puts her behind in his face and yells “POW!” while releasing a fart. As the stories continue, he reuses the word “POW” and I crack up each time. Brilliant…I think. He does that with other words too. Fugetaboutit is another one.

So my blogger friends, I have grown in my writing, not neglected it. I have to read and learn and write. I can no longer spend too much of my time blogging. I must begin the process of submissions and accept the fact that many will be rejected……it is that one. The one that comes back with a letter attached saying “POW! We want to see more!”

Have a great evening and good luck on your writing adventures as well! “POW!”~ TLH

Zombie Week ~ Silly Zombies

Zombie Week ~ Male Zombie Faces

Zombie Week ~ Female Zombie Faces

Zombie Week ~ Holloway Halloween Zombie’s

If the Zombie Apocalypse would have happened last night, my husband and I would be dead. However, it did not and we had a blast scaring the kids;-) I wasn’t so scary with my Bubba teeth though so the kids laughed at me more than anything. Nathan’s eye turned out gross which is cool and creepy. There are way too many pictures to share so I will spread them out through the week. What did you do for Halloween?

 

Interview By AmyBeth Inverness was Down “Write” Awesome!

I recently had the honor of being interviewed about my life and my novel, The Deep Freeze. The opportunity to share some of my goals and accomplishments was very exciting. My humor also manages to sneak its way in there so feel free to read and laugh!

http://amybethinverness.com/2011/10/28/interview-with-tammy-holloway/

Have a sci-fi day! ~ TLH

Iron Bars ~ By: Tammy Holloway

Iron Bars

By: Tammy Holloway

 

                Day 1 -     Innocent bystanders started screaming as I pulled the gun out. “Get on the floor!” I yell as I pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money from the register. I was scared and pumped full of adrenaline. This made for a dangerous combination. My mind is clear…Get as far away from this place as possible, and fast. I needed a car, but where to start? Ah, there’s a good place. My image was that of innocence. Women described me as tall, dark and handsome. I don’t know about all that but I am pretty average. Clean-cut and nicely dressed, I fit the stereotype image of someone people can trust. 

                I entered the lot and parked right by a 1999 cherry red Firebird. She sure is purdy. That car is mine. A slimy salesman came running out the door with a $2 grin on his face, ready to make a sale. I smiled and used my charm to win his trust. The conversation was short but effective. In minutes he handed me a set of keys and a temporary tag to give her a test drive. 

                I took back roads and headed out of town. I wasn’t sure where I was goin’ but it was far from here. I felt alive and free. The road belongs to me and I’m gonna take it as long as she’ll have me. A long stretch lies ahead and I revved the ol’ cherry red bird. It was time to see what she could do. No cars and a whole lot o’ pavement. Just what the doctor ordered! 75……85….”WOOOOOO! This feels great!” 95…..110! She was smooth as a baby’s bottom. The motor hummed a sweet love song in my ears as I pushed her to the limit. 140….150! …..Winding down I felt an emptiness in my stomach. The stretch was over and I was back to reality. ”Maybe we can do this again sometime ol’ girl….Just maybe.”

                The sun set behind the mountain. The boost of adrenaline wore off and I was gettin’ kind o’ tired. This gas station had to be 100 years old. Perfect for someone like me just passin’ through. It was unlikely any story circled around about me yet. Things were slow in these parts. I wasn’t really worried about all that. I think I’ll sleep in the car for the night though…..

 to be continued

Have a sci-fi day everyone! ~ TLH

Hurricane Aftermath – Are the Animals All “Write”?

As I was serving in the Navy, I happened upon some volunteer work. I was always trying to get involved with some organization wherever I went. I was a Seabee stationed in Gulfport, MS and found out about a place called the Marine Life Oceanarium. I do love animals so it was a no brainer. I was privileged enough to be able to help in sorting fish for the sea animals, play ball with the dolphins, observe a marine biologist and scuba dive with the rays, sawfish, turtles and sand sharks. Okay I only got the chance to dive a couple of times but it was really cool! The fish sorting was quite a stinky job too but it was necessary and I was happy to help out.

This picture is not me but it gives you an idea of what I did.

As I was filling in answers to interview questions, I found this site to share some of my volunteer experiences. It was sad to find out what happened during Hurricane Katrina but nice to see that the Seabees from my old base took part in the rescue/relocation plan for some of the dolphins!

Dolphins are really incredible animals. They leave a magical finprint on your heart if you ever get the chance to come in contact with one. One of my most memorable events was at Discovery Cove. I worked a Summer internship with Sea World and one of the benefits was a couple of free tickets to Discovery Cove. The upgrade to a dolphin swim was a no-brainer.

After further research, it looks like the Oceanarium was rebuilt and now go by the name of The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies or IMMS.  Here is what they have to offer: “The new facility houses an educational museum, a 200 seat auditorium for media presentations and lectures, classrooms, a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, and additional facilities necessary to provide exemplary care for dolphins in every stage of rehabilitation.” Find out more here: http://www.imms.org/aboutimms.php

This is a very happy discovery for me today:-)

 

Have a wonderful, sci-fi day everyone! ~ TLH

The “Writer’s” Job is Not to Judge, But to Seek to Understand – Earnest Hemingway

The contest I just entered taught me a few things. The statement: The “Writer’s” Job is Not to Judge, But to Seek to Understand by Earnest Hemingway, was on one of the blogs that commented on my work. It caused me to research a little about Hemingway. It is very motivational when you find out how much of a “normal” person someone like Hemingway was. He did not have some elaborate degree in writing, nor did he have a flawless personal life. Throughout his life he was married 4 times, sustained an injury by pulling what he thought was a toilet chain and committed suicide because of his mental status. However, he did do great things as well. He seemed to enjoy writing since high school and also served in WWI and received a medal after saving the life of another soldier. One of the lessons he learned about writing was to always be positive. This is something I also do as a result of my father.

The comments I received from the contest were all taken into consideration and I sought to understand each one. However, I will continue to follow Hemingway’s other statement as well:

My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way. – Ernest Hemingway

Learning the process of writing is coming to me the more I write and research successful authors, not necessarily the comments made on my work. I appreciate any and all comments since people were nice enough to take the time to look at my material, but I will only try to understand the reason for each and use it as a guide for further research. I find that the hard part for most is finding what to write about. I am quite the opposite. In the meantime, I will write all of my crazy stories in the best and simplest way I can.

Have a sci-fi day everyone! ~ TLH