Everybody's Talking At Me

I'm listening to my myspace playlist. It's the one I compiled last November while selling off my worldly goods and packing what was left for Georgia. My new leading lady is facing a move so I'm getting in to the mood. I need to remember what that franticity felt like.

And if the music doesn't get this scene kick started? I'm screwed. I feel like Harry when whoozit put a spell on his broomstick and it was hopping and leaping all over the place while he was barely hanging on. Or like a reluctant toddler with my mouth glued shut refusing that bite of peas.

But back to my story. Myspace. I apparently hadn't been over there in months because there was a message in my inbox from April that read:

I think I knew you in the 5th grade (no... really!). I use myspace as ******* so I'm sure you wouldn't want to add me, so I'll just say hello and I enjoyed reading your blog page. I always wonder how people I knew as a child turned out. I went to Villa Rica Elem. as a wee lad. And if you are who I think you are, I also know you from _______ _______s' birthday party (I was on the other end of the bottle..lol)

Thank you for your time and I really enjoyed seeing your Picture.

Okay. First off, this was really sweet. Second. I don't remember being in to guys when I was eleven (euuww) but I do remember this party and I vaguely recall something or another. But my last social media re-hookup didn't work out so well. So call me leery.

Then, whilest reading Fifth Grade's letter, I got flashed by Texas Boy:

 "ur sexy babe"

Really? Ur sexy babe? While I am flattered that you think I'm sexy, your approach is somewhat crass. And you can't spell. So no thanks.

Gardner West, in case you're still taking notes, I'm insulted. On the other hand, if I was interested in this dude, hot damn. It's all in the context.

Here's some Nilsson for you, Gardner. Straight from '69. Your stomping grounds. I hope you enjoy.

Are You An HSP?

In March, while researching my character, Sammy, I discovered that I am a Highly Sensitive Person. I share this with you because chances are, if you're a writer or an artist, you may be an HSP, too.

This is an excerpt from my post that was taken from the website HighlySensitivePeople.com:

Pearl S. Buck, (1892-1973), recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, once said about highly sensitive people:

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.

To him...

a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.

Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create —— so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating."
—Pearl S. Buck

Do you relate? I do. It helped me to know that I really am different from 80% of the people. And that 20% of you are just like me. I am sensitive. I don't just think so. I am so. There is a biological difference in my nervous system. It's how I'm wired.

If you want to know more about this incredible gift that can often feel like a burden, read on. Find out if you, too, are a Highly Sensitive Person.

And, if you are? Yana. You are not alone.

~Olivia J. Herrell

The Transworld Summer Reading Challenge!

Do you love to review books? Do you post reviews on Amazon? Are you an avid blogger? If you answered yes to any of these questions then the Transworld Summer Reading Challenge is for you!

Hello Angels,

Just in case you hadn't already heard, there's a Summer Reading Challenge going on over at Between the Lines and they're looking for readers/reviewers. Click on over if you're interested!

Since I've recently decided to delve back in to the male psyche via books, I've chosen some doozies that sound fascinating!

1. Exit Wound by Andy McNabb
2. Bryant & May on the Loose by Christopher Fowler
3. Amberville by Tim Davys
4. 61 Hours by Lee Child

Each of these novels has a delightful twist. Stand by for reviews here at That Rebel with a Blog and at Amazon.com.

In the meantime, I am reading novels by three other male types. Two I have met personally (by blog or in person), the other I haven't had the pleasure, though I do follow his blog.

1. "America's Galactic Foreign Legion Book I, Feeling Lucky" by Walter Knight. I met Wally late one night on someone else's blog. I have no idea whose. When I clicked over I found out he wrote this 13-book series and it sounded like fun so I ordered #1. I'll tell you more when I get to THE END, but so far it is as advertised: fun, fast and fantastical.
2. "Sandman Slim" by Richard Kadrey. I started following Richard's blog a while back after Colleen Lindsey (lord if it wasn't Colleen, I'm sorry to the person who did) mentioned him. After standing in the book aisle at Walmart reading bits and snatches of his writing, I had to buy this book. So far I've met Sandman and I am sorry to report that I fell in love before finishing the first chapter. I'll let you know if I'm still in love when I'm done.
3. "Just Passin' Thru" by Winton Porter. I picked this up at Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi from the author/owner. Winton was charming and personalized the already-signed copy for me - "Welcome to Mountain Time!" His memoir is about the cast of unforgettable characters than show up and leave his little mountain store on the Appalachian Trail.
4. "Ghost of a Chance" by Roland D. Yeomans. Many of you are probably following Roland and reading this, too. If not, click on over to Chapter One to catch up on the story and to follow along. Roland is sharing this work with us, a chapter at a time, as he writes himself in to a mystery filled with the incredible characters from his novels.

I'm looking forward to finishing these and getting my first new 'male' in the mail from Transworld Publishers.

Why am I on this all-male reading blitz frenzy thing? Seems one of my new main characters is an alpha male sort and I need to rub shoulders with some powerful dudes. I could think of much worse things to do.

~Olivia J Herrell