Finding Something Friday: Name That (Christmas) Tune Finale

And now it's time to say goodbye to all our jolly tunes!

M-E-R (Arrrrgh, mateys! I'll miss you!)

R-R-Y (Why? Because I love you!)

C-H-R-I-STMAS!

(Yeah, today's verse is not one of my better efforts. But the pics are pretty awesome, right?)

Answers: Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Joy to the World, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Away in a Manger, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas! (And a happy new year!)

Name That (Christmas) Tune, Day 3

Yes, we're still having fun at the old Hall of Fame,

with our jolly and musical Christmas tune game!

Some of my friends have been oh-so-smart,

and deciphered the songs from my so-so art.

But today's little songs are really a doozy--

(I like that word 'cause it rhymes with jacuzzi.)

Answers: What Child Is This? and All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth

Name That (Christmas) Tune, Day Two

We're having some fun at the old Hall of Fame

with a jolly and musical Christmas word game!

Take a look at the cards I've posted today--

Can you guess the tune that each of 'em play?

So how did you do? Did you figure 'em out?

(There's more for tomorrow, so don't go and pout.)

Answers: Deck the Halls and Noel

Name that (Christmas) Tune

'Tis the week before Christmas at the old Hall of Fame,

And I found something fun, a jolly word game!

Take a look at the cards that I'm posting each day-

and see if you know the tune it will play.

The art's not so great, but y'all are great thinkers.

Now don't peek below, you bunch of old stinkers--

Until you've made a guess, or maybe a few.

And happy Christmas to all (and Hanukkah, too!)

(Answers: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow and O Christmas Tree)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday for 12 Days of Christmas Prayer

A few weeks ago, I received a letter from an Adams Media editor that one of my stories would be included in a project called 12 Days of Christmas Prayer. And today, I remembered to look for the e-book, and deck the Halls with boughs of holly! There was my story, appearing on the First Day of Christmas!

I love the story, "Advent at the Hall House." It originally appeared in a Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer. And that was swell, to have it published and sitting pretty on the shelves in big bookstores during the holidays. But that's not why I love that story so much.

I loved those days when the kids could barely read, and we gathered around the Advent wreath to share a few prayers, the kind of prayers that started out with a very holy, "Dear Jesus." But somehow ended with a discussion of dogs, or firetrucks or what Mommy shouldn't have said to that man in the grocery store. It's that kind of a story.

My, that was some Christmas praying. Anyway, I'm sure the rest of the stories are just as wonderful as "Advent at the Hall House." You can find the e-book here for just a few dollars. It seems like a reasonable price for 12 Days of Christmas Prayer.

'Tis the season, friends. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

And Heaven and Nature Sing!

Can you believe my backyard hawk let me get this close? I've seen him high in the sky, circling above the pines in the late afternoons, the screee-screee of his cry echoing around me.

But yesterday, he swooped down into my yard and I grabbed my camera and headed outside. Whoosh! He soared across the grass and landed on my fence. And there he perched, in his all his glory while I clicked away. I turned to find a spot on better footing. When I looked back to the fence, my hawk was gone. I hadn't heard so much as a flutter.

What a majestic creature! Inside again, I remembered Sigrid Undset's powerful Christmas message and wanted to share it with you.

"And when we give each other Christmas presents in His name, let us remember that he has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, the earth with all its forests and mountains and oceans--and all that lives and moves upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit--and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused--and to save us from our own foolishness, from all our sins He came down to earth and gave us Himself."

Finding Something Friday: A Christmas Play!

Wheee! I found a BIG surprise in my mailbox!



Okay, not technically big. Puppet Plays for Libraries is a slim little gem. But in spirit, it was HUGE.



You see, it's been over a year since I was paid for my play, "Oh, Dear! Oh, Deer!" I hadn't heard a word from the editor in ages. And I'd just about decided that this worthy project was a no-go.



But, wheee! I opened the envelope this month to find my swell book! And as it happens, my play has a Christmas tie-in, what with Santa Claus making an appearance. But it's mostly a funny, mix-up kind of play explaining the concept of homonyms to little kidlets.



When I saw this call out for plays to be included in a book for use by libraries, I wasn't sure I could manage an entire play. But I thought it would be fun to try. Plus, you know how I love libraries (and that goes for those puppet plays,too!). And you know what? I found that play-writing tapped into my favorite aspect in story-telling: dialogue.



You can find a sample of the book here. And you can find out more about the program and the librarians who came out with this idea (plus how to order Puppet Plays for Libraries) here.



Oh, and I also found myself in Bethlehem today. But if you want to know more about that trip, you'll have to go see Cathy-on-a-Stick for her tasteful take on the day.



Yes, tasteful. It's Bethlehem, y'all. (Okay, it's mostly tasteful.)

Finding Something...er, Saturday on All I Want for Christmas

Well, this is embarrassing. I just talked about the virtue of taking care of business in a timely manner; that is, not putting off tomorrow what you can do today. And here I am, opining on Saturday what I should have opined yesterday, on Finding Something Friday.

So pretend this is Friday and I'll feel better. I'll also feel ever so much better if Santa brings me a sparkly writer's conference for Christmas!

I had a little note yesterday from the Highlights folks about their writers workshops for 2011-you can read all about the workshops here. I've always wanted to go to Chautauqua and soak in all that writerly wisdom. Maybe I'll put one of those workshops on my wish list.

Or I could give Santa Baby a choice and add Springmingle, the SCBWI Southern Breeze conference in February. Honestly, there are so many sweet conferences out there, my list is getting longer and longer.

Maybe you'd like to give Santa a few conference choices, too. You can check out Shaw Guides for a complete listing of wonderful writer's conferences. And then you can dream of a Write Christmas, too!

Pretty Paper (And Good Reads)

You know what happens when you write a blog post while listening to holiday music? Your blog posts have titles oddly reminescent of Christmas songs. Fortunately, I'm a scathingly brilliant writer so I can tie in those songs to what I want to share.

I just wrote a post (on my other blog) about the best children's books from 2010. You can take a peek right here if you want a few good children's reads. But that started me thinking about favorite holiday reads. I can name a ton of children's books I love...How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, and A Cajun Christmas come to mind first because the Junior Halls loved those boooks. And I loved reading them. Though I still get choked up, trying to get through The Polar Express. Seriously. I can get a little ferklampt watching The Grinch, too. Probably because that silly cartoon takes me back to my childhood, sitting in front of an old black and white TV, singing along (the wrong words, of course) when all the Whos join hands to celebrate Christmas.

I love that short story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. And there's a few novels, though slender, that I'll read almost every December: Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke and Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Oh! And who doesn't smile when reading the editor's response to Virginia O'Hanlon's question: Is there a Santa Claus? You can read what newsman Francis Pharcellus Church wrote here. And one of my favorite Christmas poems is called "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti. You'll recognize the last stanza, when you see the line, "What can I give him, poor as I am?"

And now, I know just what I want from you this Christmas! What's your favorite holiday read? Children's or adult, novel, short story, or poem...it doesn't matter. And you know what else? You don't even have to wrap it in pretty paper. Just leave a pretty, little comment.

(You were starting to wonder how I'd tie that song title in, weren't you? Seriously? I was, too.)

The ONLY Time I Listen to Music While Working

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Fill the air with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and cough drops! Clutter the house with yule knick-knacks, holly, ribbons and red noses! Listen to the carols and choirs, and the neighbors complaining about the caroling choirs in the street!

Ah, December. Who can work in the midst of all that wonderfulness? But if you can, here's a holiday writing opportunity for you:

The Spinetinglers Christmas Ghost Story Competition is accepting your creepy, spooky yule tales until midnight, December 18th. You can snag a bit of Fame and Fortune from the Brits, who for reasons only they can explain, love ghost stories at Christmas! Check out the details here for this no-entry fee contest!

And here's a wonderful opportunity for you to start the season of giving with a gift that will help a fellow writer:

It's the Season of Love and Hope Auction to benefit Bridget Zinn, who's working hard to kick cancer. Tons of writers and friends have donated books, critiques, and other gifts to raise money for this young, YA author. Why not make a bid and make her day shine a little brighter? But hurry! The auction closes on December 4th!

I'm off to the auction myself, just as soon as I finish belting out "Love on Layaway." I don't want to brag, but it's kinda hard to tell the difference. Is it me or Gloria Estefan singing?

One for Me, One for You

So I was out there in shopping land, buying stocking stuffers for the Junior Halls (translation: really cheap but kinda fun) when what to my wandering eye should appear but a little mouse pad, with a doggie so dear!

Not just any mouse pad, mind you. A mouse pad with a calendar! And puppies! How brilliant is that? I can jot a writing reminder or two on the calendar and get a little "Awww" pick-me-up at the same time. That's why I picked one up for me. And then I thought Hey! I'll add one of these totally awesome mouse pads to the Hall Holiday Giveaway! Because, you know, it was in the clearance stocking stuffer bin (translation: really, really cheap but kinda fun).

My mouse is still getting used to the pad. And I may end up not being able to use it for its intended function (my mouse is circa 1999 and a tad persnickety). But that's beside the point. The idea is brilliant!

P.S. Perhaps I should ask Santa for a new mouse? I mean, that mouse is filthy, smeared and spotted with the sweat and tears of Cathy C. Hall's labors. Or I could just clean it (translation: get up off my chair, get the spray stuff, and wipe the mouse down. Yeah. Like that's gonna happen).

Fame, Fortune, and the Annual Dad Dilemma

Folks often ask (and by often, I mean once, possibly twice), "Say, Cathy C. Hall, what do you do with all that Fame and Fortune?"

Well, Fame is fleet. Or is it fleeting? The point is, it's not that easy to hold onto. But Fortune you can actually grab and throw around the dance floor! Fortune comes in pretty handy around the holidays, when I attempt to show the Beneficent Mr. Hall just how much he is appreciated . Nothing says "Please don't make me get a job where I'd have to wear actual clothes/ Merry Christmas!" than a swell gift under the tree. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to find a swell gift for Mr. Hall. You can find out why if you read "The Annual Dad Dilemma" from this month's Modern Senior Living.

So, that leaves a bit of Fortune left for me to share with friends like you in the Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway! Today I'm adding a record coaster just like the one I use for my cuppa. Um, when I can find my coaster. Anyway, if you look closely, you can see that this coaster is, in fact, an actual record (Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" to be exact). I love that song. And I'm kinda fond of Kenny, too. But I'm giving away "The Gambler" 'cause it's such a great story song. And I'm all about writing here at the Hall of Fame.

So, don't forget to comment to get your name thrown in Santa's hat for the Giveaway at the end of the month! Remember, any comment on any post in December will get your name included. And more than one comment will get your name included more than once. Why, you could be as famous as Cathy C. Hall around here. And win a merry fortune, too!

Finding Something Friday: Christmas Blog Bling and Oh, Yeah! The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

So, I was chatting away with a buddy the other day who said, "People who read your blog have no clue how you get at Christmas." I think he meant it in a nice way.

The thing is, I get a little Christmas crazy, throwing lights around anything that doesn't move. But Sally the Crazy Dog has been festively bedecked on several occasions, so that's probably not one hundred percent true. Anyway, I thought my friend made an excellent point. It was time to haul out the blog holly. But how? Ah, where there's a Cathy C. Kringle will, there's a way. Specifically, a gel clingy way! I splattered those thingies all around my monitor and wheee! Christmas at the Hall of Fame!

And here's the really scathingly brilliant part of this decoration idea: It's not only transparent but also trans-web! So, it's also Christmas at Cathy-on-a-Stick! And Finders and Keepers! And even that lousy email in my Inbox! I felt downright jolly about that rejection.

And here's something for you to feel jolly about, especially if you wrote a novel last month. The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award has been announced for next year and they'll be awarding two prizes! So, if you wrote a general fiction OR a Young Adult novel, you have a chance to win big bucks and a publishing contract! Read the detailed rules here and start polishing up that scathingly brilliant manuscript!

AND, I found another writing goodie for the Christmas Hall of Fame Giveaway! Check out this one-of-a-kind, promotional tote from Pennypress and Dell Magazines. You'll be the only writer, walking around, stylin' with your crossword tote. If you win. So add a comment and it'll go in Santa's hat.

Bet you can guess the 14 letter expression I'm thinking of here at the festive Hall of Fame!

Writing Snacks For Everyone!

You're a hungry writer, right? So grab your favorite treat and a cuppa tea and give Writing Snacks a look-see. It's a new site created by a couple of children's writers, and it's packed with tasty writing stuff.

But just because Dana Konop and Melissa Thomas-Dubois write for children doesn't mean that the information is just for children's writers. Oh, no, my hungry-for-writing-tips friends. You'll find delicious treats about grammar, writing craft, and even blogging.

Those blogging tips and such might come from a guest writer. A guest writer you might recognize. Okay, it's me. I've never been very good with subtlety. But I do have a few good thoughts about blogging. So gobble up those tips and tidbits right here.

Yummy stuff, right? (But save room for all the rest at Writing Snacks!)

Wait a sec! Don't forget to leave a comment! All month long, every comment for any post puts your name in Santa's hat for the Hall of Fame Holiday Giveaway! Now, don't go putting 18 comments on one post or I shall have to hogtie you with a string of broken Christmas lights. Don't think I won't go outside and grab one off the bushes.

Happy Holiday Giveaway from the Cathy C. Hall of Fame

Christmas may come but once a year, but all you folks who visit the Hall of Fame come around all year long. And I truly appreciate your comments and good wishes. What, I said to myself, can I do for all these fine friends of mine during this wondrous holiday season?

"Writing goodies for everyone!" I shrieked. But then I stepped away from the chocolate-covered coffee beans and thought, um. Maybe not everyone.

"Writing goodies for one lucky someone!" I (still) shrieked.

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." ---C.S. Lewis

That's one of my very favorite quotes. I almost always have a cup of tea nearby when I'm writing these lovely blog posts. So, I've fetched the special teas I purchased at a "Taste of Britain" store. I'll include these four teas in the writing goodies holiday giveaway. Even though I've never had China White Mint Tea.

That's how much y'all mean to me. But you can't get the goodies if you don't leave a comment sometime during the month. Maybe some of you blogflowers will step up and say hello, hmmm?
Any comment, anytime during the month, on any post here at the Hall of Fame, and your name goes into the Holiday Giveaway hat for each comment.

Who knows what else I'll add? No, seriously. Anybody know what else I should add? (And I shall disregard any of those responses along the lines of elephants, surf boards, or wine cellars...though to be sure, those are all things every writer needs!)

Oh, and Happy Holidays from me to you!

Finding Something Friday: An Advent Story in my Inbox (Courtesy of Cup of Comfort)

One of my Facebook buddies sent me a message today about my story, "Advent in the Hall House" being in the Cup of Comfort Newsletter, which just happened to be in my Inbox today!

Technically, "Advent in the Hall House" can be found in A Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer, which you can find in your local bookstore or at the Cup of Comfort website. It's not just me who thinks this book might make a swell Christmas gift.

The Beneficent Mr. Hall said, "I'd buy it, even if I didn't have to!" And Sally the Crazy dog said, "Marf, too!" Now, you can't get a better endorsement that that, can you?

Go ahead and read my story by zipping over here. But don't be surprised if you're hankering to read the rest of the stories in a Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer. And have yourself some merry little Christmas Spirit.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday for The Holidays!

I know what you're thinking. I haven't even carved the dang pumpkin and she's going on about the holidays!

Here's a thought. Just skip the dang pumpkin (Whee! No mushy pulp! No whining about how your pumpkin's not as good as the neighbor's pumpkin! No trips to the hospital to stitch up your finger!). Now, let's share a moment of peace and move on...

Because before you know it, the holidays will be coming around the corner. And I know the perfect way to get that peaceful feeling and keep it throughout the month. A Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer has just been released, and it's full of prayers and stories that will bring you closer to God during the holiday.

The first story in the book deals with Advent; in fact, it's called "Advent at Hall House."So you can start your holiday with a festive, fun rollick through my own humble abode, so to speak. All the folks you know and love will be there...Junior Halls, the Beneficent Mr. Hall, and even Sally the Crazy Dog.

You can read more here, and even purchase a book, if you like. You're going to want to start reading A Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer before the frost is off the ...well, let's not get started on that again. (Happy Holidays!)