Perfection by BJ Neblett

 Ever talk yourself out of something?

Perfection

by BJ Neblett

© 2009, 2022

           Oh, there she is! Man, she’s so beautiful. Just look at her. Look at the way the sun reflects off her long golden hair. Like a halo. Why not? I mean, she is an angel!

            She has such an incredible body: trim, strong, athletic, but very feminine. She’s just the right size, too. That cute, pert nose is at perfect kissing height. Especially in those sexy boots! Mmmmmm… we’d fit together like spoons!

            But it’s her eyes… those incredible, mystical eyes, so perfectly blue. I can tell even from here. And they’re so darkly mysterious. What secrets lay hidden behind those lush sapphires of yours?

            I wish those eyes would look my way… just once. But what would I say to her?

            Hello, angel.

            No, you idiot, that’s so stupid!

            But I’d think of something. It wouldn’t matter what, she’d respond. Of course, she would, she’s always talking to someone.

            Oh, what a sexy mouth! With the sweetest cherry lips, it’s so dainty and kissable… if she ever stopped talking.

            Hummm… how come I never noticed that before? She does seem to talk quite a bit. I hope she’s not one of those women who talk all of the time. But it’d be worth it.

            I just know she has the cutest, softest voice. Still, some women do talk a lot. But she’d find me a great listener. And I’d do everything right… everything women want men to do: romantic evenings; fine dining; the theatre. I’d even sit through a chick flick with her.

            As long as she didn’t yak during the whole picture.

            I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna walk right over there and say, “Hello.”

            Just as soon as she stops talking.

            No need to be rude.

            What was that?

            Was that her laughing? It sounded like a hog rooting! It must have been that dorky guy next to her. I knew a woman who laughed that way. It was embarrassing.

            It couldn’t have been her.

            I’ll just wait here a minute.

            Is that a Fendi Purse? It is… wow, that purse cost more than I make in a week! What kind of woman has a purse that expensive and rides the bus?

            Porsche in the garage there beautiful?

            He he he… then again, look at her clothes. She’s always so stylishly dressed, and made up to perfection; so cute without a hair out of place.

            I’ll bet she follows the high fashion magazines. You know the type: Gucci; Versachi; purple martinis in the trendiest clubs, one of the beautiful people. She’s definitely high maintenance. They make me sick with their perfect cars; perfect jobs; perfect clothes; perfect hair, and trendy cell phones, always texting somebody, updating their Facebook. And Tick Tock, of course! What do people see in that?

            She probably wouldn’t give me the time of day.

            But she’s oh so pretty!

            Gee… when she turned I thought I saw dark roots in her hair. It could just be the sun…

            … maybe she dyes it. She’s probably not a blonde at all.

            I hate fake people…

            … even the gorgeous ones.

            I’ll bet she’s got fifty guys on a string. She’s probably not into relationships, feels she’s too good for just one man. People like that are shallow… shallow and insincere. She probably got where she is on her looks.

            Her looks… ha! That’s a laugh: a bottle blonde with fake nails; false eyes lashes; tinted contacts, and a knock-off Fendi.

            I wonder how much that stuck-up nose of hers cost. Got a sugar daddy stashed somewhere, do ya, baby?

            And you want to date me?

            I don’t think so, honey.

            I’ll show her, I’ll just wait here for the next bus…

            … but she’s so beautiful!

New Release From A Great Author by BJ Neblett

Hello again. Today the spotlight is on a romance author friend of mine Renee Harless and her newest release Coming Alive.
For more info visit Renee on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ReneeHarlessAuthor and be sure to tell her BJ sent ya!

Quick Update by BJ Neblett

Look for a year end tally and run down of all of my stories and books and where you can find them this weekend. Right now I have a couple of quick items to share. As always, click the links!
Fellow writer and blogger Jessica Collins has posted a very nice interview she did with me on her blog site. Be sure to check it out and leave a comment. And while you are there, give a look at this wonderful writer's home page and her Facebook page. Tell her I sent you!
I mentioned here before that I will be teaching a course in short story writing, Short Stories And Shorter Stories starting in February at Seattle's Hugo House For Writers. Click here for schedule and details. We'll I am pleased to announce I have been asked to return for the Spring Semester. I'll be teaching Intro To Fiction. Check back here and at Hugo House for details as time nears.
Finally, I have said it before and I guess I will keep saying it... I am always surprised, indeed overwhelmed at how far my words sometimes travel and how they are used. I'll let the following email I received this week speak for itself. Again, check back here in the near future for more info.

Message : I am writing a memoir which will include an account of my treatment for cancer, when I was helped and moved by a nurse quoting "We are the sum total of our experiences...." from "George". I wonder if I might have your permission to reproduce that paragraph (up to "..nor  will be tomorrow") in my book. With many thanks in anticipation. Kind regards.

Wow...
Thanks and peace.
BJ 

OryCon, Updates And Such by BJ Neblett

Wow, November already! Crazy. Then again I have been swarmed over with writing a new novel... actually my second this year: Princess Haylee book two of The Lost Princess Series. I finished book one, Planet Alt-Sete-Nine in July and want to have book two completed before committing to my publisher. Of course he is already talking about a spring/summer release date, which in publisher speak means maybe fall. We'll see. If you'd like to preview a taste of Princess Haylee, I will be posting a chapter or two perhaps in January.
NanoWriMo is here which I foolishly was talked into signing up for by my author KJ McPike. She is working on her own sequel, Emulous, a follow up to her excellent award winning and very popular Young Adult novel Xodus. If you are not familiar with NanoWriMo, it is for crazy people who challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in 30 days, the month of November... fun. Anyway, click the highlighted link words to check it out along with KJ's book site.
The weekend of November 18-20 I'll be joining my friend and author/publisher Matt Buscemi and some other writers in Portland, Oregon for OryCon, a sci-fi/fantasy convention. I'll be meeting and greeting and selling & signing copies of my books including Elysian Dreams, my contemporary fantasy adventure novel, and Matt's books including his anthology, Beyond The Hedge, The Light And The Dark. I have a well received short story included in this volume. Please do come by and say hello. It promises to be a lot of fun.
My historical memoir, Ice Cream Camelot is out in paperback through Amazon.com and on your local book seller's shelf. The eBook was very well reviewed and received and now you can add it to you book shelf!
I have created, finally, a new Facebook page. I don't think my publisher at Brighton Publishing has any hair left to pull out so I thought this was a good time to setup and update on Facebook. The link is to the right or just click the highlight. As they say, be sure to 'like' me and ask for a 'friending' if that's the right terminology. And check back often as I promise I will be updating and looking for your comments and such on a regular bases. As time permits. In between writing and teaching. Ok, when I can... I promise.
And speaking of teaching (see how writers do that? Cool, huh?) My first class teaching fiction writing at Seattle's Hugo House just concluded. On Saturday, December 3, I'll be joining a group of teachers for Write-O-Rama, one hours classes on everything from writing to publishing to poetry. I'll be teaching a class on the art of the short story and it is open to all. Then, my classes resume on February 5, Sunday (think that's the right date). This time around I'll be teaching Writing Short Stories And The Art Of Flash Fiction. Contact Hugo House for registration info which should be starting soon. Again, click the highlighted text for a link to Hugo House.
Finally, since we are nearing the end of another year, I'll be posting an updated 2016 Bibliography of all of my books, stories, poetry, etc and where you can find them. Check back for more.
Ok, enough said, and thanks for being there!
Peace,
BJ

The Truth About Fruitcakes: An Expose by BJ Neblett

Hello again, and thanks to all who have made my blog so popular! When you are through here scoot over to short-story.me to read a couple of my stories published there. And please, be sure to click on the 'Share' link and share those pages on Facebook and elsewhere. Every little bit helps!
As we get closer to the season, enjoy this little expose on everyone's favorite: the fruitcake! And be sure to comment; 'like' and pass it on. Thanks!
BJ

The Truth About Fruitcakes: An Expose

by BJ Neblett

© 2013

This story appears in Short Story Me. For a free read please follow the link below:
http://www.short-story.me/featured-stories/602-the-truth-about-fruitcakes.html

Perfection by BJ Neblett

Perfection

BJ Neblett
Copyright 2009, 2014

This story appears in Short Story Me. For a free read please follow the link below:
http://www.short-story.me/featured-stories/608-perfection.html

           

Ballard Tribune Interview With BJ Neblett

Ballard author publishes debut novel (updated)

By Anne-Marije Rook

2011-12-12

Ballard author B.J. Neblett can finally hold on to the physical pages of his debut novel after releasing the electronic version months ago. On December 12, Brighton Publishing released Neblett's novel, Elysian Dreams, in paperback format, just in time for the holidays.
Neblett decribed his book as a real page turner with all the drama and excitement of the Prohibition era – gangsters, romance, adventure, and the key to it all... time travel.
Elysian Dreams weaves its journey through time from the 1920's through the 1980's, binding history professor Collin Crowly, college student Angelina and the slightly nerdy high school student Marsha together in a profound way.
Main character Crowly's mysterious family mansion Casa di Tempo becomes their magical portal to the past, eclipsing space and time as the trio desperately seek their rightful place in the world.
Elysian Dream is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon.com

Original article from June, 2011:
Ballard resident B.J. Neblett has written his debut novel, which was published as an e-book last week and will be released in print later this month.
"I have written many, many short stories and poems but this is my first book," said Neblett, a retired radio deejay.
Neblett said the book started off as a writing exercise and took him three and a half years to write.
"I wanted to see if I could write from a female point of view," he explained.
Taking place in Philadelphia from the prohibition era until the 1980s, Neblett's novel "Elysian Dreams" surrounds three main characters: a well-off popular college history teacher, Professor Collin Crowley; a restless and beautiful college student, Angelina; and a highly intelligent and slightly nerdy high school student, Marsha, who struggles with her own feelings of being a misplaced soul.
As the trio desperately seeks answers, their lives unexpectedly and repeatedly cross. It is Collin Crowly’s family legacy and his mysterious mansion, Casa di Tempo containing a hidden portal to the past, that sets the stage for a romantic adventure across both space and time.
"It's a romantic mystery with quite a bit of action," Neblett said. "I think it appeals to most everybody. Women won't find it excessively violent or chauvinistic and men won't find it too fluffy."
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Neblett said he takes inspiration from personal experiences.
"My mom's people were Italian and the gangster era always intrigued me," he said.
And while the book is fiction, Neblett said all the places, events and buildings are real.
"A lot of research went into this book. I'm a big history buff so I made sure all the dates and places were accurate," he said.
The e-book available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble has been received well so far with reader reviews giving the book five out of five stars and calling it a page turner.
"Great bedtime reading. Lots of interesting local historical detail," writes on reviewer.
"If you read any book this year, make it this one. I highly recommend this book, it captures your attention and keeps it page after page. Loved it!!" raves another.
Neblett said he hopes his book will serve as a springboard to more publishing opportunities and dedicated the book to his mother who inspired him to do what he wanted to do.
Neblett credits her for his career as popular radio DJ Billy James, which will be the topic of a book sometime in the future.
Additionally, Neblett revealed that he's writing a sequel to Elysian Dreams and he's currently working on a memoir about growing up in Philadelphia during the Kennedy era.
"My goal is just to get it out there and be read," Neblett said.
"[Elysian Dreams] is different from anything that's out there right now and if given half a chance, the public might actually like it."

Why I Write

            Since Elysian Dreams was released in E book form on May 28 it’s been an exciting and frustrating four months. Last quarter sales, the first quarter (actually only one month) the book was available, sales were fairly good. My publisher Brighton Publishing was extremely pleased with the numbers. I guess I was expecting (hoping?) for more. But then again there was really no promotion as such, just some internet chatter and the launching of Elysian Dreams Facebook page. In any event I do want to thank everyone who has purchased the E book. We have gotten nothing but positive comments and response. And speaking of which, if you do (or have) purchased the E book, your response is essential to both myself and the publisher. You can post your personal review at Amazon or Barnes and Nobel or wherever you downloaded your copy.

            And so now, even as I sit and write this blog, I am awaiting the sales figures for July, August and September. Judging from the hits on Facebook and the E mail I have received I am sure the numbers won’t disappoint. Again, thanks. The print version should be here very soon.

            Enough sales pitch. Writing isn’t and shouldn’t be about $$$. There is a wise old saying: How do you become a writer? You write, plain and simple. A painter paints, a sculptor sculpts, a writer writes. Too often the lines between writer and author become a bit blurred. If you love to write, and you do write, then guess what? You’re a writer! It doesn’t matter if you are published or have an agent or if anybody besides yourself ever reads your words. Don’t ever let anyone tell you any differently, you are a writer.

            I think it might have been Steven King who, when asked why he writes replied, “Because not to is suicide.” Those words speak volumes. Did you ever get an idea into your head and it just kept nagging and nagging at you? That’s the same idea. Most writers (note: writers) as well as authors report that writing is as natural an act as breathing or eating. And we all know what happens when one stops breathing or eating.

            As I mentioned last time, I began writing at a very early age. It helped me to order my thoughts and sort things out. I too, got ideas and thoughts stuck into my head that just wouldn’t let go. That is until I put them down on paper, released them so to speak. And only when I had, could I then relax and sleep and function normally; until the next thought or idea came along. Of course I now recognize these ideas and thoughts for what they were and are: inspiration.

            So, how about it? Is there a thought or idea or something rattling around somewhere inside you that just won’t let go? Who knows, maybe there’s a writer inside of you trying to get out.

                                                                                                                        Peace

                                                                                                                        BJ