Gail's Friend Comments

I know how Hemingway felt when Hadley (his first wife) lost a suitcase filled with his manuscripts at the Gare de Lyon as she was traveling to Geneva to meet him on that day in December 1922. The suitcase contained original and carbon copies of the early Nick Adams stories about Michigan and short stories he had been working on for months.

In “A Moveable Feast,” Hemingway describes the encounter:
“I had never seen anyone hurt by a thing other than death or unbearable suffering except Hadley when she told me about the things being gone. She had cried and cried and could not tell me. I told her that no matter what the dreadful thing was that had happened nothing could be that bad, and whatever it was, it was all right and not to worry. We could work it out. Then, finally, she told me. I was sure she could not have brought the carbons too and I hired someone to cover for me on my newspaper job. I was making good money then at journalism, and took the train for Paris. It was true alright and I remember what I did in the night after I let myself into the flat and found it was true.”
The suitcase and manuscripts were never found.

Yes, I know how Ernest must have felt. This morning at 4 a.m., I lost a Word file of “Random Notes,” which I’ve kept for many years. I tried everything possible to retrieve the file, but it’s gone.

So I did what any self-respecting author would do: I had a beer and cried. Then I wrote this post.

Just what we need, another blog. I would like to invite my Goodread friends to visit my blog at www.winfree66.wordpress.com. You might enjoy it.

Thanks, Kim. It's nice to know you. I've already enjoyed some of your reviews and look forward to others. Take care. Gail

Thanks for the friendship request, Gail. I look forward to reading your reviews and chatting about books.

It's my pleasure Christine. Have a great day.

Thanks for being my friend

There is no reason to run out of story ideas. You can find a good story just about everywhere, especially in the classified section of newspapers. This ad appeared in the Personal Ads in the Indiana Evening Gazette in 1957.
“Bachelor with 40 acres of excellent land would like to make acquaintance of lady with tractor; matrimony in mind. Please send picture of tractor.”
The ad was printed in the book “Man with Farm Seeks Woman with Tractor: The Best and Worst Personal Ads of All Time” by Laura Schaefer.

It's officially January 1, 2014, in Germany. I've had my champagne, now some coffee and get in at least 500 words before bed. Happy New Year to all. Gail

FREE KINDLE BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS!

Add my books for free to your Kindle collection this holiday season. To show my appreciation for the support you’ve given me in my writing and publishing endeavors, I’m offering free Kindle downloads of all three of my books this holiday season through Dec. 14. Just follow the links below. Feel free to share this offer with your family and friends. I want to introduce my books to as many people as I can with the hope that more people will read them.

Again wishing you all a joyful, safe holiday season. Gail

Things I Remember
http://www.amazon.com/Things-Remember...

Finding What’s Lost
http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Whats-L...

The Reality of Being Lovers
http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Being-L...

FREE KINDLE BOOKS FOR CHIRSTMAS!

To show my appreciation for the support you’ve given me in my writing and publishing endeavors, I’m offering free Kindle downloads of all three of my books this holiday season. They will be available for free download from Dec. 10-14. Just follow the links below. Feel free to share this offer with your family and friends. I want to introduce my books to as many people as I can with the hope that more people will read them. And when you share this, don’t forget to send your family and friends to my author page at http://www.facebook.com/GailLWinfree and ask them to like it. I also welcome friends and fans here on Goodreads.

I wish you all a joyful, safe holiday season. Gail


Things I Remember
http://www.amazon.com/Things-Remember...

Finding What’s Lost
http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Whats-L...

The Reality of Being Lovers
http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Being-L...

I received a review of "Finding What's Lost" on Amazon yesterday. Something the reviewer said disturbed me and I had to comment on it. Below is my comment to the reviewer:

Thank you, Fred, for your honest review of my book, “Finding What’s :Lost.” I appreciate any review, even the unfavorable ones, if I can learn something from it. Though you don’t appear to like my book or writing style, I respect your opinion and even agree with you on a couple of points. But I’m not here to discuss or argue the merits of my book. I’m commenting for one reason.

I’m offended by this statement: “Now that his friends and family and free book winners (and the author himself with 5 stars) have weighed in with their 4 and 5 stars I have to rain on the parade with the 2 star award.”
First, none of my family members have ever rated or reviewed my books. I don’t have much family left and have little contact with those who are. They know I write and that’s about it.

Second, none of these reviews originated from giveaways or contests. I have given books away, but very few result in reviews. I don’t participate in these “a review for a review” activities that are common on social media sites. Again, I prefer honest reviews and never want anybody to feel obligated to give me a review.

Third, I have never met two of these reviewers. The others are friends from high school, most of whom I haven’t seen in 40 years, and folks I have worked with in the past. I have no current personal contact with these people. They have nothing to gain by giving me good ratings and reviews.

Fourth, yes, I have rated all of my books. The first time I saw an author rate and review her book, I was surprised. I thought that was not an ethical thing to do, but I asked around and learned that many authors do this to raise their rankings. I was told it’s very common. Though I felt uncomfortable doing it, I went ahead and rated my books. Besides, who can’t use a boost in ratings?

I know what you mean by your comment, “Now that his friends and family and free book winners (and the author himself with 5 stars) have weighed in with their 4 and 5 stars I have to rain on the parade with the 2 star award.” However, I can assure you that my book’s ratings and reviews were not “coerced” or “bought.” They are honest reviews by people who bought my book, read it, and liked it. Though you may think their ratings and reviews are puffery, they are just as honest and sincere as you are with your review.

Fred, I see that you are a top reviewer at Amazon. I’m not a book reviewer so please tell me: Is it common for a book reviewer to belittle other reviewers who don’t have the same opinion about a book being reviewed?

Again, Fred, thanks for taking the time to read and review my book.

I just discovered that I can post my writing on Goodreads, so look out! I just posted four short unpublished pieces and plan to post more here. I invite you all over to give them a good read. Thanks. Gail

I'm currently running an event on Facebook to promote my new book "The Reality of Being Lovers." I've added it to Goodreads events and have invited my Goodreads friends. Please visit my page and see what the event is all about. And join me in celebrating the book and Meet Miriam and Josh. The link to the event is https://www.facebook.com/events/52445.... Thanks, Gail

I just want to remind everybody that I'm having a giveaway here for three copies of "The Reality of Being Lovers." The giveaway ends Oct. 15. Go enter and good luck. Gail

I apologize if I've done something wrong. In working my way around Goodreads and trying to figure it all out, I decided to write a comment here and see what happens to it. I believe in the trial and error method of learning, especially when it comes to learning Goodreads. So let me hit post and see what happens.