Paula Blais Gorgas

July Jump Start

Paula — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:55:59 +0000

Lazy, hazy summer days…It’s so easy to get in Summer Mode: work, but not too hard; play, but not too hard; relax–I really work at this one. In fact, if I keep working this hard, summer will be over and I won’t have anything accomplished. So, I decided it’s time for a Jump Start, and what better place than my Work In Progress.

WIP is a YA fantasy novel about dragons. Why dragons? I have no idea. I’ve never had any interest in these creatures, but one day a couple of months ago, the idea just popped into my head and I started making notes and doing research. I do have a granddaughter who is a dragonology expert, which has made the research a lot easier, but my imagination is still my biggest source–as usual. I’m having a great time writing this one with three chapters already finished and a synopsis in progress. I promise to post updates in my monthly blog, but I won’t talk about the book. You’ll have to wait and read it .

Here’s a bit of dragon fun though to get you in the mood. Go to Dragon Quiz and find out a bit of your own dragon history. Don’t forget to post a comment and let us know what kind of dragons are visiting my website! Happy July!

Other Worlds Wins Big

Paula — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:48:51 +0000

OTHER WORLDS, my fantasy anthology published last year, made a big splash at the recent OWFI Conference in Oklahoma City. If you’re thinking, “That title sounds familiar,” you’re right. This is the book I was supposed to talk about in a TV interview. Instead, I didn’t even make it to the conference! A muscle spasm in my back put a big spasm in my weekend plans. (What a way to chicken out of an interview, although I place all blame on my subconscious mind, which was merely trying to protect me.) I was still bemoaning my fate yesterday when an email came through from a writer friend, telling me he had picked up my contest entries and congratulating me on my book award. “What award???” I screeched through the computer. [Ahem! Drumroll here]:

OTHER WORLDS, a collection of five very different fantasy stories by Yours Truly, won the 2008 Oklahoma Writers Federation Trophy Award for Best Book of Fiction!

I’m still in shock, still reaching over to touch my beautiful trophy every few minutes. And still mad as &*)!* that I wasn’t in Oklahoma City to receive my coveted prize in person.

I’m sure there’s a lesson to be learned somewhere in this sequence of events from the past few days, something deep and philosophical about the subconscious mind and being careful what we wish for. But I’m not thinking about that right now. And I’m sure not thinking about the upcoming interview, which was merely postponed, not canceled. I’ll think about it later…when I finally set my Trophy down in a very special, very visible place near my computer.

TV Celebrity: It’s a Mother Thing

Paula — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:45:06 +0000

OK, so I’m not a celebrity, but I am going to be on TV. I guess. If I don’t fall victim to a case of giant nerves before May 3. I have to admit I’d never heard of the Oklahoma County Metropolitan Library System’s READ ABOUT IT TV show…until I received an email yesterday from the show’s producer. Seems they are taping interviews with OWFI authors at the Fantastic Forty, Writer’s Glory, 40th Anniversary Conference in Oklahoma City May 1-3. And I’m one of the lucky authors. I’ll have a chance to talk about my fantasy anthology, OTHER WORLDS, for 8 minutes. Don’t get me wrong. I am flattered. I’m excited (in a shaky sort of way). And I’m scared to death. This is so not me. I write stories. I write books. Quietly. By myself. In my own corner of the world in Poteau, USA. I don’t even do public speaking, so why did I agree to this thing that is totally foreign to me? Because it’s a great opportunity to get out the word about a book I really love with stories that are very special to me. It sort of feels like a Mother Thing: I’m making a huge sacrifice because my children, those very special stories, need me to talk about them. As long as I keep thinking that way and not about 1:20 PM on May 3, I may survive. All prayers appreciated.

How Smart Are You?

Paula — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:20:51 +0000

Here’s a fun quiz for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Be sure and post and let us know how smart you are. And be sure and believe them when they say it’s FAST. Have fun!

Happy Writer

Paula — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:43:34 +0000

I did it! Three pages in one day! Now, I know this isn’t a major accomplishment for many writers, but for me, Queen of the Slowpokes, it’s BIG! What’s really great though is that my WIP is working. I’m enjoying the writing, having fun with it. After a five-year drought, no wonder I’m a happy writer.

“Between the dark and the daylight…”

Paula — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:05:42 +0000

Very early this morning–between 1 and 6 AM–I managed to get more writing done than I have in many days. For some reason, I woke up at 1 wide awake, so I started thinking about my current WIP, a middle grade fantasy novel. I’ll bet I made six trips into the next room to write down the ideas that kept pouring through. In fact, I discovered most of the major plot points for the book, including who is the real antagonist, clarifying a couple of names, and the all-important conclusion. What a gift! I’m tired today, but who cares? Now I can get some serious writing done. And…as if that wasn’t enough, in the middle of all this information flow, a completely different thought came to me. The words, “Chet’s wrist” popped into my head, and I suddenly realized that the reason my golfer husband’s wrist has been bothering him is because of a change he made in his left hand grip. Talk about tapping into the subconscious, or universal consciousness, or whatever. Something happened during those wee hours, and all I can say is, “Thank you!”

Leprechaun Time

Paula — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:08:08 +0000

March is the month of windy weather, flying kites, Easter baskets…and LEPRECHAUNS! March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing a story about leprechauns? Check out Little Lost Leprechaun, my St. Patrick’s Day picture book about a little girl who decides to direct her family’s Shamrock Pageant.

How Very Convenient!

Paula — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:06:49 +0000

Have you heard the latest about the Stephenville, TX, UFO sightings? The mystery may be solved! Here’s the story

Now, I may be gullible, but give me a break! The Air Force has suddenly found their fighters that were flying in the area on January 8? Here’s the official version:

I can hardly wait for the next installment of this USAF fairytale saga.

Those Pesky UFO’s

Paula — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:47:34 +0000

Those pesky UFO’s–you know, flying saucers, unidentified flying objects, etc., etc.–just won’t go away no matter how much the government denies them and the media laughs at them. And I’m glad! OK, now you all know one of my deepest, darkest secrets: I BELIEVE IN UFO’S! I’ve even written a book about them: Dreamtime I’m so sure they exist and they’re right here with us that my question isn’t, “Are they real?” but rather, “Why are they here?”

What got me going on this subject was last night’s Larry King Live show. Anyone familiar with Larry’s show knows that he has more than a passing interest in UFO’s and has aired a number of shows on the subject in the past few years. I, like many other UFO buffs, believe this is a positive trend because of Larry’s credibility and the worldwide audience he enjoys. So, why another UFO show now? That’s easy: People in Stephenville, Texas, have been seeing unidentified objects in their skies. Credible people are having sightings. Down-to-earth, everyday, honest folks from the heart of the Bible Belt are looking up and seeing…something, something huge, silent, and inexplicable. And the word has spread all over the world. Here’s the CNN account: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/14/ufo.sightings.ap/index.html .And here’s a link to some video clips from last night’s show:

http://dandare.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/stephenville-ufo-discussed-on-larry-king-vide

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Pretty interesting stuff, and since I live in southern Oklahoma, these things, whatever they may be, are practically in my front yard! You can be sure I’m watching the skies closely these days. Maybe, if I ever see one, I’ll figure out what those pesky UFO’s are.

The Power of Homemade Soup

Paula — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:26:35 +0000

Never underestimate the power of homemade soup when battling colds and flu. There’s definitely something restorative about dipping into a steaming hot bowl of soup made with your own fresh ingredients. I’m a vegetarian, so mine are meatless, but I really believe even a meat-lover will enjoy this hearty soup.

CANADIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP (meatless variation)
1 lb. split green peas (I use organic from Health Food Store)
1 med. onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, sliced thin
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2-1 Tbsp. sea salt (to taste)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 med. bay leaves

Wash peas & rinse well. Cover with water. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to slow boil, cover & simmer 4-6 hours, stirring often, adding water as needed to desired consistency.

ENJOY!

–Paula