851

(6 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Let's read the whole thing:

Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 My God, whom I praise,
    do not remain silent,
2 for people who are wicked and deceitful
    have opened their mouths against me;
    they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
3 With words of hatred they surround me;
    they attack me without cause.
4 In return for my friendship they accuse me,
    but I am a man of prayer.
5 They repay me evil for good,
    and hatred for my friendship.
6 Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
    let an accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
    and may his prayers condemn him.
8 May his days be few;
    may another take his place of leadership.
9 May his children be fatherless
    and his wife a widow.
10 May his children be wandering beggars;
    may they be driven[a] from their ruined homes.
11 May a creditor seize all he has;
    may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
12 May no one extend kindness to him
    or take pity on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off,
    their names blotted out from the next generation.
14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord;
    may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
15 May their sins always remain before the Lord,
    that he may blot out their name from the earth.
16 For he never thought of doing a kindness,
    but hounded to death the poor
    and the needy and the brokenhearted.
17 He loved to pronounce a curse—
    may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
    may it be far from him.
18 He wore cursing as his garment;
    it entered into his body like water,
    into his bones like oil.
19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
    like a belt tied forever around him.
20 May this be the Lord’s payment to my accusers,
    to those who speak evil of me.
21 But you, Sovereign Lord,
    help me for your name’s sake;
    out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy,
    and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow;
    I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give way from fasting;
    my body is thin and gaunt.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
    when they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, Lord my God;
    save me according to your unfailing love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand,
    that you, Lord, have done it.
28 While they curse, may you bless;
    may those who attack me be put to shame,
    but may your servant rejoice.
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
    and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
    in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
    to save their lives from those who would condemn them

I have to confess I could easily pray that prayer about certain media groups at this very moment. But I would rather choose to ask the Lord to open the eyes of my enemy and bring him to repentance. There are many places in the Old Testament where it appears harsh.

852

(6 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

What do verses 1-6 say?

853

(3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

And where is this post of winners?

854

(2 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

http://mycrazzycorner.blogspot.com/…/me … aquette.h…
Meet Author LaQuette
Why Romance?
Hello everyone,
My name is LaQuette and I am a romance author. First, I’d like to thank Apryl for allowing me the opportunity to visit with you all today. Usually when I tell people that I am an author and that I have published a few books they get this really excited look of astonishment and wonder in their eyes. Next, with the same level of enthusiasm, they ask me what genre I write. Whenever I’m asked this I proudly answer, “Romance,” with a huge, toothy grin. The response to this statement is almost always the same (unless I’m speaking with someone who is a reader of romance literature). Their brows crease in question and their smiles transform in to a nose-lifting scowl—as if they’ve just encountered something that smells putrid—while they ask, “Why romance?”
Romance literature is often considered the bastard child of literary work. It is the dirty little secret that many who consider themselves connoisseurs of quality literature do not wish to acknowledge. In essence, romance literature has been cloaked in the same negative connotation as pornographic film. Many critics suggest that romance/erotic literature is crass and superficial, adding no benefit to the intellectual wealth of the reader.
Authors of such literature are often considered talentless in this genre; they choose to write romance because they have no ability to write anything else. My response to this is, has, and always will be, “You can kiss me where the sun doesn’t shine.”
After working as a healthcare professional for many years, I went back to school to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in creative writing. My goal was to learn how to improve my descriptive writing skills. Why? That’s simple, because I wanted to be a better, more skilled writer. I chose romance. I chose it because it engaged my brain while reading; it sparked ideas about how I would fashion a story of my own. I chose it because it’s enjoyable to read and it often addresses the slight subtleties that rest between loving and hating someone. It is not easy to craft a story that colorfully lays bare the ups and downs of complicated human interaction while maintaining reader interest. This takes skill, this takes imagination, this takes research, and it also takes unbelievable passion. For those of you who dismiss the merits of romantic fiction, please inform me who made you the god of literature that you may deign that only canonical literature is quality writing and only its creators should be praised? If romance/erotic fiction is so horrible, then why is it one of the highest grossing forms of literature there is? In order for this to be true, someone has to be reading it.
I proudly announce my love for romantic fiction. It provides me an escape from my everyday life. It keeps my creative juices flowing, and I’m not ashamed to admit that it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when the characters I’m reading or writing about get their happily-ever-after or more likely, their happy-for-now.
Romance suffers from a bad reputation because someone decided that it is inconsequential and therefore doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of all things literature. Not all romance is saccharine fluff. Many of us who take this genre seriously work so hard to make our work believable and engaging. To do that we pepper it with pieces of real life so that our readers may connect with the characters and situations we develop inside of our stories.
For instance, My Queens of Kings series falls into the interracial erotic romantic suspense category. It is about a tough female cop, Heart MacKenzie, who spends so much time dedicating herself to the job she loves and the community she serves that she’s left no room for the brilliance of love’s light to shine in her life. Well, until she meets her match in Kenneth Searlington, then she slowly but surely recognizes what she’s been missing. If that ain’t real life, then I don’t know what is, because I know way too many people who have relegated romance and companionship into the “not necessary” category of their lives. However, the truth is as human beings we need companionship to thrive, and to live, and to not merely exist.
My final thought is this, if you can’t appreciate romance fiction or if it’s not your cup of tea, just put it down and move on. Don’t criticize it without understanding what it takes to create and comprehend this type of literary work. Don’t discount its impact on the intellectual stores of its creators and consumers. Ultimately, don’t attempt to dismiss its credibility as actual literature.
Thanks,
LaQuette J
P.S.
Take a peek at an excerpt from my latest release, Divided Heart: Queens of Kings Book 2 in order to see why I love romance fiction so much.

855

(34 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Supported you. Now, how do I get a campaign?

856

(12 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Jesus would eat with the sinner and tax collector. It's not a matter of prolific use of profanity or obscenity. It's an occasional use for emphasis or if the scene just seems better with it. Like I said about Ray in Lucky Thirteen. I think the F word is in there all of 4 times. When it first came out, a friend since childhood refused to buy it as a gift for her 22-year-old son graduating with a degree in criminal justice b/c it had the F word. All I could think was, "Oh, grow up!" If he has not heard (maybe even used) that word by the time he graduates college, he's living on another planet.

857

(12 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Yes, that's true, mikira. And it's not like my stories have the F word or other curse words on every page. They a few and far between. Yet, I would never submit my manuscripts to mainstream Christian publishers. I'm pretty sure they would have heart attacks.

858

(12 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

I agree, Dirk. Like when Ray finds out a thirteenth woman is missing with 12 already dead. I don't see a cop under those circumstances saying, "Phooey." The F word is quite appropriate in that case--Christian or not.

859

(12 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

My work is not "Christian" writing per se. My stories have strong Christian characters, but other characters are true to life--Which include language sometimes. I've had folks criticize that. What are your thoughts?

860

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Linda, for pointing this out before I have to renew in June. Sol, please fix that. I love this site, but I don't think I can do $80.

861

(25 replies, posted in Cop Shop)

John, just so it's not more than 7500 words for the contest.

Geraldine, read what JP said about how to enter.

862

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

That's a toughy. Why don't you try one chapter like that and see what kind of feedback you get? You could do something like, While Apollo heard, "Whatever," Joseph argued with God about, "Whatever else." I honestly haven't had a problem with you POVs.

863

(74 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

Amy, you are a miracle worker!

864

(74 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

I can get a great bottle of tequila for $50.

865

(10 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Yes, indeed, Janet, I've been there. Same feelings on 50 Shades of Shit. Sorry, but it was poorly written. And, um, you can give that same review above on Amazon if you so wish and give her 1 star.

Now, if you need some good reading, I'll email you some more manuscripts and you can wear your editor's hat all the time.

866

(342 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Okay! My message icon is missing. Help! It's in my drop down, but not on the top of the page. There is now ? in its place.

867

(26 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Congrats

868

(27 replies, posted in Old forums)

Look what Joss Landry gave me for my birthday!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars AND THEN THERE WERE MANY ... April 14, 2015
By Joss Landry
Verified Kindle Purchase
Mystery, thrills and chills, and romance in a story where you will even find blessed family unity. Yet, what I enjoyed most within the pages of Janet Taylor Perry’s new book, BROKEN, third in the Raiford Chronicle series is the study of people. As a matter of fact, there shines between the sheets of paper: my favorite genre for a novel—a character driven adventure. Nothing more delicious than one well written saga of people and how their lives mesh … or don’t.24929659
Now, to be honest, I did have to reread some of Lucky 13 and some of Heartless to remember all the people. In fact, it might be worthwhile for the author to place family trees in the beginning of her book with the names of the characters and all their varied roles as they grow and change. A little like Stieg Larsson did in his Millennium Series. Helps keep everyone straight so we can devote more time to reading.61i7Sk6ycTL__UY200_
Well the twins have not changed. Ray Reynolds and Raif Gauthier are still wonderful, sensitive men worth spending time with. I love the challenges Perry gives them.
The reader encounters everything from loss of spouse to many, many grandchildren, and a crazy-ass killer who happens to be the son of a former adversary, and out for revenge. I also love the way we find out about the facts of life regarding certain friends and how forgiveness reigns as the only way to go. This book has many positive messages that I believe the world can use: Importance of family, by forgiving you grow bigger than who you are, and love can overcome any challenge. Must read!
5.0 out of 5 stars Broken March 27, 2015
By Dawn R
Kindle
I enjoyed all the books in this series but not the ending. I hate to be left hanging. I can't wait for the next one.
5.0 out of 5 stars Broken
Why can't Raif be real?
By lottie boggan on April 9, 2015
Format: Paperback
I have read all three installments of The Raiford Chronicles, and this is my favorite so far. I cannot wait for the promised fourth book, though then I'll miss the Raifords dreadfully.
This installment tears at the heartstrings even more than the first two, but out of tragedy, new love blossoms even stronger. There is not an emotion that this one does not touch. The characters become real people in this saga, and you will weep and scream and laugh. Strange to say, you will even have a modicum of affection for the villain. How Ms. Taylor-Perry manages to make you care about the bad guy is beyond me, but more power to her. And get busy with the next story!
5.0 out of 5 stars Broken
A must read, check out the third book of "The Raiford Chronicles".
By DragonParadox on February 22, 2015
Format: Paperback
Wow! This series gets better with each installment. I highly recommend the "Broken" and the rest of the "Raiford Chronicles". Ms. Taylor-Perry's writing is excellent. Looking forward to the next book. Now for the spoiler; out of tragedy, love blooms stronger than ever. Be prepared for heartbreak combined with suspense and subtle humor. It's amazing how the characters in the story become so real to the reader. Kudos to the author.

869

(8 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)

Connect with nynative1 and ask her. She works with trademark law. But I'm certain you have to obtain permission to use a logo. It's not like you just say your character drives a VW Beetle or that they drank a Coke.

I know I took out naming a fast food chain when I made my characters contract a new flu while visiting the establishment. It could be viewed as a negative impact.

870

(25 replies, posted in Cop Shop)

Can't wait to read some of these.

871

(3 replies, posted in Cop Shop)

Doubt there is any real Holy Spirit residing with any of them.

872

(260 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Welcome, Lisa & Ingrid.

873

(1 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

will check it out

874

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Basically this is what we do here and I do in my writers' groups. That is one reason I don't read other reviews of a piece until I finish mine. I don't want to be influenced. But when 12 people do point out something (IF they haven't read each other's comments beforehand) then it is a point to look at closely. The hard ones are when 6 say YEA and 6 say NAY.

875

(27 replies, posted in Old forums)

Well, it was nice to see my stuff at #9 & #70, given the huge amount of material on Amazon.