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Melissa's Musings

.Brain Food with Vicki Batman~ Temporarily Employed Tour #BTS

11/3/2014

19 Comments

 
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I'm so excited to have my friend Vicki stop by today to share with you about her latest release and some thoughts on writing and your brain. Take it away Vicki....


Brain Food

Hungry? I'm always up for a good snack and regularly give myself permission to eat chocolate. But that's not what I want to speak to today. I'm talking about exercising your brain, specifically the creativity section.

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According to The Brain Explorer: Our brain is mainly divided into 2 "halves," the left and right sides. The left-hand side is seemingly responsible for number and language, likely to process information logically. However, the right-hand side of the brain takes a more holistic view of information and enjoys patterns. Not surprisingly, the right side is known as the more creative half of the brain. Generally, men tend to be left-brained and women are to be right-brained.

People who understand their creativity fully are those who can use both sides of their brain most efficiently. Our brain tends to organize things into familiar patterns and our mind seeks to make connections to things it already "knows" and then "stores" the experiences accordingly. This can be unhelpful when you are trying to be creative.

How do we nourish our brain? Well, of course, by eating and sleeping well (and the requisite chocolate). And regular exercise.

I like to try different things all the time. But two constants have been with me: reading and crafts.

Reading was and is my best friend. As a child, nothing delighted me more than going to the library and bringing home a stack of new books. I'd climb on my bed and read until dark. Then at lights out, tuck myself in and when I felt the all clear, got out my flashlight and read under the covers.

 
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And one time, I was with my amazing grandmother. I can't remember where my mom and aunts had gone, but I remember being alone with her, which is remarkable considering all the cousins in my family. She motioned for me to sit by her and handed me a pillow case stamped with a kitty stepping on a fork. She passed me a threaded needle and a hoop to hold the fabric taut. Grandmother taught me how to embroider.

Since then, I have taken up many crafts: cake decorating, wreath making, candy making, needlepoint, tatting, beaded jewelry, and crochet. I've also become a big fan of World Search no Vowels puzzle books. I play Mahjongg on my computer. And I've kept reading voraciously.

I truly believe those things have taken my brain in a new direction and all the creativity shows in my writing. Besides, it's fun.


So what kind of brain food are you eating?

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Temporarily Employed
Vicki Batman
Romantic Comedy/Cozy Mystery, 75k
Released October 17, 2014, The Wild Rose Press


Long Blurb: New Job. New Love. And Murder.
Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.
 
Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life.  He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective.  When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.
 
Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?



Buy Links:   Amazon    B&N    The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt:
“Yuck.”

Pretty much covered the whole freakin’ day. 

A blinding red-white, red-white strobe, reflected in my brand new Wrangler’s rearview mirror, seized my attention. The police. I tossed my hands skyward, ready to surrender. I shouldn’t have been too surprised. Like I'd commented this a.m. to my roommate, Jenny, “Today, anything’s possible.”

My Bad Day checklist included:

- Crappy job interview, one which might have provided desperately needed income.

- Wore gut-busting panty hose on a hot day which had now worked past my waist and strangled my diaphragm.

- A barely blowing air conditioner indicated something had malfunctioned in my new, fun car.

I stole another glance in the mirror, and with great reluctance, flipped the right turn indicator. My vehicle coasted to a stop on the shoulder of Boston Avenue in my hometown of Sommerville, a nice suburb located between two large cities. Four lanes of cars and trucks zipped by as I sat there where every single one of my family, friends, friends’ friends, and their friends—including Rat Fink Suzanne—would see a police vehicle positioned right behind mine. Gleefully, drivers would chant the “Ha-ha, got you, not me” ditty.

How embarrassing.

After killing the engine, I flopped back in the seat. Shooting the morons the finger was an idea. Nah. I'm too exhausted to care.

A litany of:  "No, not hiring." "Just filled the position." "You're over qualified." "You're under qualified…" tornadoed through my head. Coupled with the intense job search through various outlets like the internet and completing numerous online employment applications, no wonder my body had been depleted of all life force.

Not even a breeze blew to take the edge off the unbearable summertime heat. Tangled wild trees and dry scrubby bushes banked the roadside. The grass had taken on a scorched look. Rolling down the driver’s window, I surveyed my surroundings. Nothing great. Nothing new. 

I stole a glance in the side mirror at the policeman who strode purposefully along the shoulder. The gravel crunched under his boots. He looked huge, probably because his uniform, which appeared to be bulked with a bullet-proof vest, made him resemble a buffed-up superhero in size. Exceedingly intimidating.

Sigh. When things went wrong, they were really wrong. 


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Author bio:
Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm--the list is endless.

Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE, TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS, MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"

Find Vicki at:
Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman  
Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
Google+: bit.ly/1zUggDF
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vickibatman
Plotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/o1515093723
Email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com


Giveaway:   Kate Spade Handbag

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a Rafflecopter giveaway
19 Comments
vicki batman
11/4/2014 01:37:04 am

Good morning, Melissa and thank you for hostessing me today. I hope lots of readers are thinking about their brain food! And for pleasure, trying for that cool handbag. Hugs.

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Judy Baker link
11/4/2014 02:47:42 am

Great post. I'm thankful I had wonderful memories about my grandmother too.

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 02:52:57 am

Hi, Judy! My grandmother lived to be 100. She was so amazingly talented in handwork. I miss her today. She gave everyone a gift who came to visit with her.

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Phyllis Mddleton link
11/4/2014 04:40:27 am

Your crafts are so beautiful, Vicki. I often find that when I do my own crafty things, my mind wonders to writing scenes or trouble spots in a scene.

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 05:00:08 am

Ah, Phyllis! I see the imperfections, but maybe others do not. I have some I'll be showing off soon on Handbag Monday. Stay tuned.

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Jacquie Biggar link
11/4/2014 04:41:27 am

Hi Melissa and Vicki, an interesting post. I also used to climb into bed at night with a flashlight and a prayer that my mom wouldn't see it and tell me to get to sleep :)
For feeding my brain and my senses I love flower gardening. There's just something about playing in the dirt that works for me, lol.

Reply
Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 05:01:38 am

Hi, Jacquie! I remember my red and chrome flashlight I received for Christmas one year and how I'd light up under the covers. Heaven. Wonderful that gardening feeds your brain and senses and something love-rly happens too.

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Susan Macatee link
11/4/2014 05:24:54 am

Hi, Vicki!

For me it's also reading, although I don't have time to do as much as I used to. I'm trying to make more time, because reading was what inspired me to write in the first place. I also work out, take walks with the dog and I enjoy baking. When I was young, my grandmother tried to teach me how to knit and crochet, but I never could get the hang of it. lol

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 06:24:25 am

Hi, Susan! I've fallen away from reading for a bit and don't like it. Like you, reading is what inspired me to write. I think baking is wonderful. I tend to bake goodies and then get to eat them all which isn't good for my hips. Sigh. and Thanksgiving is coming? Lordy.

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Darlene Deluca
11/4/2014 06:11:55 am

Yay! Considering my chocolate intake and how much time I spend reading, I'm feel very well-exercised. Fun post, Vicki!

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 06:25:20 am

Hi, Darlene! I wish I could eat bonbons and read the day away. I probably would have to do 3 classes of Jazzercise if I did. Thank you for stopping by today.

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Beverley Bateman link
11/4/2014 07:42:10 am

Great post and I completely agree about feeding the brain and keeping it active. Loved the excerpt ,too.

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 07:52:38 am

Hi, Beverley! Last week in the NYT, I read an article on how important activity is in keeping the brain alive. I hope nothing slows me down!

Thank you for the compliment. :)

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Angela Adams
11/4/2014 08:01:49 am

The library has always been my favorite place to go!

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 09:28:36 am

Hi, Angela! I agree with you. Lots of brain food there.

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Red L. Jameson link
11/4/2014 09:45:24 am

This is where I'll probably sound like a stalker, but, oh, Vicki, how I wish we lived closer! I love wreath decorating, but would love to do that with someone. I don't think I'm that great at it and would like pointers.
Great post

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Vicki Batman
11/4/2014 10:23:48 am

I wish we did too so I could help you. I have a few up on Pinterest. I'll send you on how to do it. And I think the link I did for tying bows. lol

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Ilona Fridl link
11/5/2014 02:10:41 am

You got me thinking here. I do card games on the computer when I'm trying to work out a scene. I guess the focus helps, I don't know.

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Black Wisconsin link
2/24/2021 12:19:13 am

Loved readinng this thank you

Reply



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