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This week in connection to my new contest, I'd like to introduce myriad topics for thought and discussion—that non-essential marginalia that sometimes can produce fascinating "asides" of life.

Topic #1

Have you ever had a moment when you felt your age? I must admit, the older I get the wider the gap becomes between the age I think I am on the inside and the age I really am. I recall the first time I felt "old" and I was probably only in my twenties. I was with my girlfriend who had two young daughters, not quite teenagers at the time. I mentioned an actor who had been popular when I was growing up, and neither one of them had ever heard of him. Now this was no small actor—I actually think the name was Jerry Lewis, a comedian who also did telethons during those years. Realizing they didn't even know who he was made me feel old for the first time in my life.

Somewhere along the way I became "ma'am" instead of "miss." That made me feel old, too. Then the aches and pains began, and just yesterday I saw one of the kids in the neighborhood zip by—running so fast only a child can know what that feels like. I may burst into jog now and then, but my running-really-fast days are behind me.

How about you? No matter what age you are, do you feel like it?

Topic #2

Over the weekend my husband I talked a little about team building. We're always telling our youngest son how important it is to be part of a team, to take ownership in something bigger than just one person. That reminded me that although writing seems to be a solitary occupation—and often feels that way—I started a long time ago to build a team around me. First readers who were friends or family members recruited to read my work, then fellow writer's workshop members, critique partners, a prayer team, all of whom molded my willing attitude when it came to working on a publishing team—everyone from the publisher who looks at the big picture to editors who hone those ideas I present, on to marketing and PR personnel, sales staff and interviewers to expand my platform. Having a team attitude is vital, even in a supposedly solitary profession like writing.

Do you consider yourself part of a team? How has such an attitude helped you? As a mom, I sometimes feel like anything from the chief cook and bottle washer to the packhorse that totes along everything I think we'll need for various outings. But I'm only part of this team that I love, and once the roles are defined life seems to go smoother. Has being part of a team made life easier for you?

Topic #3

Let's lighten things up! Recently on another blog I visited, I posed the question about peeking at the end of a book you're reading. Do you? Or do you resist, letting the story gradually unfold each and every mystery, clue, high and low?

Contest!

These are just a few topics to get some thoughts going. This week, I'm offering three copies, one copy to each of three winners, of an ARC of Look to the East. This is a re-release of one of my Great War stories (old cover pictured on the right). This is the story that starts at the beginning of the War and follows Julitte as she helps Charles hide from the Germans occupying a small French village. This story was released briefly in 2009, then pulled for a cover re-design—so if you missed it, now's your chance to claim an Advance Reader Copy with the new cover (pictured below). For those who don't win, the book will be hitting store shelves again later this year.

If your name is drawn at the end of the week and you've already read one of the original copies of Look to the East, just let me know at that time and I'll send you a different book of your choice.

Here's how it works to be included: Just leave a comment. You can talk about any of the topics presented above, or you can bring up a topic of your own. Or you can simply state you'd like to be included in the contest. This is a marginalia contest, which means the comments can be as mundane as you like. Just keep them clean, make sure your email is included (using the following format: youremail(at)carrier(dot)com) and post on my blogspot page rather than on my Facebook page. On Sunday evening, March 20th, I'll randomly draw three names from those who leave comments and will contact the winners directly through the email address associated with the comment.

On Wednesday, I'll be featuring New Fiction from a friend of mine, and comments left on that day will also be included in the random drawing.

All the best to you, and Happy Reading!