Sherrie Lea Morgan Blog

A Twin Like Me...(cont'd)

9/3/2020

We're on our fourth installment of my sharing a few essays I've written for a non-fiction project. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing each one.

Talking too Much – Age 8

Coming home that fateful day from grade school, my twin sister, Jerrie and I walked with slow steps.
“Mom’s gonna be upset,” Jerrie said.
“I know.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Tell her we won’t talk in class anymore?” I suggested.
“How are we going to do that?” She asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. We have to think of something.”
Silence fell between us as we turned onto the dusty dirt alley which separated the rows of houses of our neighborhood in the small town of Albany, Georgia. The spring sun shone down, warming our faces and we stepped in unison with each other, both staring down at the dust kicking up from our matching canvas shoes.
“At least we have the whole summer to figure it out.”
I sighed. “I’m not spending my whole summer trying to come up with something. We need to know first—”
“It won’t help us now. When mom sees those red letters in our report cards, we’re in trouble, no matter what,” Jerrie interrupted.
“She won’t stay mad. She never does.” I grinned. “As long as we promise never to do it again.”
“Yeah.”
I stopped. “Wait, I got it!”
“What?”
“Remember that book we read last week? The one about Helen Keller?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Sign language. The finger alphabet that’s in it.”
Her mouth dropped open for a second before splitting into a big grin. “Yeah, we could do that!”
“Teacher won’t know because we’ll be quiet.”
“Think we can learn it fast enough?”
I blinked. “Jer.”
“Right,” she smiled. “Easy-peasy.”
“Easy-peasy,” I said and started skipping. Jerrie did the same and we giggled all the way home.

0 Comments

A Twin Like Me...cont'd.

8/11/2020

0 Comments

Continuing with my prior posts, I thought I'd share an excerpt from one of my essays titled: The Birthplace.

I don't remember that day, the day of my birth, obviously. However, my mother has often recounted the experience to me and my twin, my sister and I, whenever we ask. It would be another twenty-one years, before my sister and I would, or could, return to that hospital. At over twenty, it occurred to us, after we gained access to the building, which was now closed, we trespassed government property for this experience. But, the call, the urge, the need to stand in the room of my birth, our birth, drove us with such strength, we ignored the "no trespassing" signs, jiggled the locked doors until we found one broken and gained access.
There, on that hot summer day, my twin and I stood alongside my older brother (of thirteen months), within that now abandoned circular room filled with dust and dirt from the nearby desert. Staring up at the large windows, I contemplated the image of the then packed pandemonium platform above us. What thoughts ran around the heads of those who watched this miracle birth? Had breaths been held, or gasps released at the screaming cries of Baby B? Immediately after entering my mind, the image evaporated.
This room, this spot we stood in, marked the beginning of my life as a twin. I would never be alone in life, as long as my twin lived. Sometimes I believe even after her death, I won’t be alone. So, it began on that day, a life of not I, but us. Not me, but we. No mine, but ours. We really began together. Would the day come in which we ended together? That’s a thought I avoid contemplating.

0 Comments

A Twin Like Me...cont'd.

7/20/2020

0 Comments

As I mentioned last month, I'm sharing a few essays I've written for a non-fiction project. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing each one.

Lip Sync

One afternoon in the middle of October, many years ago, I sat on the front porch of my home with my twin sister and daughter. That day, like the other days before, that year, brought in a crisp winter wind. My twin and I huddled at one end of the wicker bench where the sun shone directly onto our faces. The mild warmth my skin received did not eliminate the nipping of the cold on my face. My thick hoodie, sweatpants and wool gloves completed the job on the rest of my body. However, my face, bare and alone suffered silently. My daughter sat across from us, covered in a small quilt my twin made and smiling as I related a story from that morning. Every so often, her gaze switched from my face to my twins.
As my story progressed, the transferring of her gaze increased until it nearly bounced. I paused and slid a glance toward my twin. Her mouth is frozen partially opened, while her gaze swept from my own mouth to my eyes. Her eyebrows lifted once her gaze met mine as thought to question my pause. I blinked, then continued telling my story to my daughter. Slipping a peek at my twin as I spoke. Her mouth moved as I spoke. In fact, her lips formed my words as I spoke them. No sound emitted from her, yet she followed my speech. My daughter's grin widened and after raising her for twenty-eight years, a bubble of laughter hung on the precipice. Her wide eyes and exposed teeth from her large smile, duplicated the same behavior she'd started when she was just a child. I stopped, faced my sister and tipped my head to the side.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Her eyes widened, her mouth dropped open farther and she responded. "What?"
"You're mimicking my words."
"I am?" She asked.
My daughter laughter split the otherwise quiet morning and my gaze jerked toward her. "Is that what you were watching?" My daughter nodded, still laughing. "How long?" I ask her. She paused in her giggles and said, "Ever since you started, she's been mouthing your words."
I stared at my twin. "Why?"
"I didn't even realize I was doing it," she said.
"It's okay," my daughter interrupted. "You two do this all the time. It's cute."
I leaned back and frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Both of you lip sync each other’s words. You've been doing it for a long time now."
My twin and I face each other. "I didn't know that." We say simultaneously.
I point to my sister. "Stop." She nods. There is no reason to tell her what to stop. She knows. I turn toward my daughter, continue talking and she continues smiling as she glances between my sister and I. She's doing it again. I slide another glance at my twin. Yep. She's doing it again. "Stop," I say. "You're doing it again." She presses her hand to her mouth and nods.
"I don't know why you bother, mom. You do it to her."
Hmm. I cross my arms, staring down at the small peeling gray paint chips of my porch near my feet. We lip sync. How odd. Or is it odd? How is it possible for her know what words I'm about to say in time to form the letters at the exact same time as I say them? We cannot read each other’s minds. Not really. I mean, after all these years, I can read her face easily enough. I do the same with my family members I'm close to. But, no one ever synchronizes their lip movements with my words.
Only she does. Only my sister. My twin.

0 Comments

Expanding Horizons

6/6/2020

0 Comments

Last July I decided to go back to school. I’ve always wanted to get my masters and finally made the move to apply. I got accepted into the Master of Arts in Professional Writing. This wasn’t an easy choice having not been to school in too many years to count. Add into that, I became a hermit in my writing life. Now, not only did I need to face socializing, I mixed in an education. I specifically looked for classes outside my comfort zone to increase my knowledge base. Creative Non-Fiction didn’t sound too difficult for a back to college class. It did challenge me in my writing skill at first, because this class focused on memoirs, biographies, travel writing, food writing, etc.
My first thought was that I did not have anything to write about. However, in one of my other classes (an introductory to genres class), I had to write a poem. My poem was based on my birth as a twin. This got me thinking of how to incorporate my life as a twin into a writing project. So, it began. Through this class, I’ve completed many essays in my book titled A Twin Like Me. I’d like to share some of it with you and see what you think. Here is the introduction and one essay entry:

INTRODUCTION

From the moment I took my first breath, I earned the designation of “twin.” This label is one I can never remove; a label I am proud to have and will have beyond my time on earth. I consider myself lucky in having a close, positive relationship with my twin. This relationship is special to me. Not every twin is happy with their label. I am and I wrote this book to celebrate being a twin like me.

Twin Enlightenment – Age 15

Jerrie and I exited the car dressed exactly alike from our matching shirts to matching shoes.
Our excitement barely contained between us and marked only by small gasps.
Today, the Twin Cities Twin Club gathered at the convention center.
Invitation to twins only…
Encouraged to dress alike…
Our first meeting with another set of twins whose outfits didn’t match made us pause.
Why?
They despised being twins. Only here because their parents made them come.
Why? We’re confused.
“I want to be me, not her. Not her twin. Just me,” one says.
“Yeah,” the other agrees.
“But…but you can’t,” I sputter.
“We can and will,” they say in unison.
We walk away and I lean slightly to the side and bump my arm against Jerrie’s arm.
Comforting in the contact.
She nods.
“How sad,” I whisper.
“I don’t understand,” Jerrie whispers.
“I don’t think we ever will.”
“Good.”

0 Comments

Online Cocktail Party Romance Giveaway

6/11/2019

0 Comments

June 11-30
13 Ebook & Gift Card Prize Packs Up for Grabs!

https://bookwrapt.com/cocktail-party-giveaway/

Who wants to win bestselling romance books and Amazon gift cards, while schmoozing with authors and the characters they’ve created? You do! Join us for a rockin’ party featuring 13 giveaway rooms loaded with prizes and fun conversation.

No matter your favorite romance sub-genre…whether you like it sweet, sexy, or steamy, we have the prize pack for you. Enter now for your chance to win!

0 Comments

SUMMER OF 99 CENTS BOOK FAIR NEW GIVEAWAYS DAILY June 5-8, 2019

6/5/2019

0 Comments

bookwrapt.com/summer-of-99/

What would summer be without a ton of must-read books loaded onto your reading device of choice to enjoy on a lazy June afternoon? Our fair is filled with 99 cents bargains on sale for a limited time in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and more.
Plus, each day of the fair we’re giving away a $15 Amazon gift card and 12 books from the fair via Amazon instant giveaways!

Look for Books from Your Favorite Authors!
Alexa Aston • Alicia Dean • Amanda Uhl • Anne McClane • Brenda Whiteside • Cara Marsi • Catherine Kean • CB Samet • Debbie White • Elizabeth Rose • Emerald Dodge • Honey Phillips • Jacqueline Diamond • Jennifer Allis Provost • Jessie Kwak • Jim Stein • JL Lora • Jordan Hallak • Karen Michelle Nutt • Katherine Gilbert • Kristine Smith • LC Owen • Leslie Scott • Linda Mooney • LJ Swallow • Loralee Evans • M.D. Dalrymple • Margaret Tanner • Maria Geraci • Morgan Kay • Morgan Kay Wyatt • Rayna Noire • Rhondi Ann • Rose Pearson • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Stephanie Queen • Tara Gallina • Taylor Marsh

0 Comments

Inspiration? What?

5/14/2019

0 Comments

Where do you get your inspiration? Where do you get your ideas for your books? I hear these questions often and, to be honest, when I first began writing, asked them as well. Oftentimes, I’d get frustrated when the author would answer with something vague such as: “Anywhere.” Or “Sometimes the idea pops in my head.” I want to demand specifics. I want to know how “anywhere” inspired them.

As I prepare for Book Five of my novella series THE LOST TRINKETS SERIES, I thought I’d aim to answer the question with a more details. The idea for the series itself originated from my playing MMORPG’s with my son. In many of these games, the created character can, either via combat or craft, obtain trinkets to wear which increase that character’s abilities either in combat, treasure finding, luck, skill, etc. Why not have a trinket in real life that would affect someone’s life in a positive way? THAT is the seed that began my series. From there, I wrote down various items/trinkets and what I thought their value should be.

For example, in A GUARDED DECREE, I wanted a special pipe which would help reveal valuable documents. My heroine, Shannon Pryce, also need a way to discover the value of said trinkets and attempt to return them in a non-traditional manner. I needed her to have challenges to face with each item I could draw out for a series. I gave her the gift of psychometry, which allowed her to discover secrets of each item she returned in private. I plopped her down in a small town full of nosy people which would challenge her quest to return the trinkets without revealing her gift.

I love the details of how I created this series and, I must provide full disclosure, sometimes, these ideas do pop in my head along with a million other ideas. But, in the end, it all works out. I’m so very excited to announce the release of the A GUARDED DECREE, book five in THE LOST TRINKETS SERIES.

I’d love for you to join Shannon on her quest to return the trinkets she inherited in Petrie’s Crossing. Preorders start today!

PRE-ORDER NOW

0 Comments

CHOCOLATE & BOOK BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN

10/13/2018

0 Comments

All-Genres Romance Giveaway
October 11-31
Kindle Fire 7 • Chocolate • Ebook Prize Packs • Amazon Gift Cards
https://bookwrapt.com/halloween-romance-giveaway/
Who doesn’t love Halloween? Scares from ghosts and winds rattling branches, and urban legends abound, the perfect excuse to cuddle with a significant other, even a boyfriend of the book variety. Oh, and let’s not forget the candy! Which is why we’re celebrating with a CHOCOLATE & BOOK BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY!
https://bookwrapt.com/halloween-romance-book-fair/
Plus, it doesn't matter what flavor of romance "candy" you'd like this Halloween, our book fair has something for everyone, contemporary, paranormal, historical, suspense, fantasy, and science fiction. All books 2.99 or less, with several free!
(This giveaway is sponsored by the 61 authors listed below)
Allison Temple • Amanda Uhl • Bethany Strobel • C.A. King • Cailin Briste • Cara Marsi • Carrie Pulkinen • Cherie Claire • Christine Myers • Crystal Dawn • Debbie White • Donna Schlachter • E.B. Black • Eli Lang • Elizabeth Rose • Erzabet Bishop • Genevieve St-Yves • Holly Cortelyou • Jackie Weger • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jan O'Hara • JC Andrijeski • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Jordyn White • Karina Kantas • Katherine Gilbert • Kerry Blaisdell • Keta Diablo • Kharma Kelley • L.D. Rose • Laurel O'Donnell • Lia Davis • Lucy Lakestone • Maria Elena Alonso Sierra • Marilyn Peake • Mary Abshire • Mary Morgan • Maureen Bonatch • Megyn Ward • Melissa McClone • Mona Sedrak • PG Forte • Sarina Rose • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Simone Leigh • Stacy Gold • Tena Stetler • Tricia Tyler • Veronica Blake • Victoria Saccenti • Whitley Cox • Aileen Harkwood

0 Comments

SUMMER NIGHTS

7/24/2018

0 Comments

SUMMER NIGHTS
All Romance Giveaway
July 24 – August 13

Enter for Your Chance to Win!
https://bookwrapt.com/summer-nights-giveaway/
Imagine lazing in a hammock under the stars this summer with your favorite new book boyfriend. That could be you if you’re the lucky winner of a Kindle Fire 7 or one of 3 ebook prize packs! Perhaps you’ll nab an Amazon gift card or a big ole box of chocolate. Enter for your chance to win. The possibilities are delicious.
(Sponsored by the 54 authors listed below)
Allyson R. Abbott • Amy Sumida • Ann Everett • Anne Stone • April Fire • Ashlee Price • Avery Rae • Bethany-Kris • Brenda Whiteside • Caia Daniels • Carrie Pulkinen • Cate Tayler • CB Samet • Chiquita Dennie • Christa Bedwin • Delphine Dryden • Donna R. Mercer • Elizabeth Rose • Gayle Parness • Holly Cortelyou • J. L. Lora • Ja'Nese Dixon • Jacquie Biggar • Jami Denise • Jennifer Vester • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kat Drennan • Kathryn Knight • Kim Petersen • Lilith Darville • Lisa Chalmers • Lisa Swallow • Liz Durano • M.R. Leahy • Mari Carr • Melissa Belle • Mia McKimmy • Michelle Jo Quinn • Nancy C. Weeks • Nina Crespo • Priscilla Oliveras • Quinn • Renee Ann Miller • S. R. Mallery • S.L. Sterling • Selena Kitt • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Suzanne Jenkins • Sydney Aaliyah Michelle • Tara Sheets • Tara Wyatt • Tena Stetler • Traci Hall

Plus, you’ll find the latest book bargains from our sponsoring authors when you shop our book fair, including some FREE exclusive downloads. Be sure to play the bonus scavenger hunt for a chance at a $32 gold ballotin of Godiva chocolate!
bookwrapt.com/summer-nights-fair/

0 Comments

Tales from the M.O.B.

4/11/2018

1 Comment

Yes, I know that title could be misleading if you didn’t catch the last word as initials and not a word. However, for the sake of being completely honest, I will admit through my dad’s ancestry research, I have an uncle who worked with the mafia. His name is mentioned in a famous mob boss book. That’s another tale to tell.

For this, I am talking about having the honor of being a mother of the bride this year! My daughter’s fiancé proposed to her last fall during comic convention. A very shy man who took several dinners before he held an entire conversation with me, secretly arranged with a photographer for the whole thing. Not any photographer, mind you, the main photographer taking photo-ops for the entire event.

Right there in front of hundreds of folks signing in, entering the convention and lining up for photo-ops watched as this sweetheart got done on one knee and proposed. Now, that is so romantic, don’t you agree?

My future son-in-law (who I’ll refer to as Mario) made my daughter’s (who I’ll refer to as Angel) dream come true. Deep in the hearts of all romantics is the idea of having their one true love go on bent knee and propose…or something similarly romantic.

Ergo, I earn the title of M.O.B. for the next eight months. Their wedding is set for the first of November. I’d like you to join me on this journey while I prepare for the wedding, as it is my first time. I love first time experiences. First and foremost, Angel informed me her wedding will have a theme. I think, after seeing many social media posts of weddings this is not as rare of an idea as I initially believed.

Several folks utilize a theme for their weddings from Star Wars to Disney. What is the theme for Angel’s wedding you ask? Day of the Dead celebration since their wedding will immediately follow the actual celebration period October 31-November 4 in the U.S.). Imagine a wedding with bright sugar skull colors. I’m excited. (See picture below of the colors we'll be using.)

If you have ever participated, attended or heard of a unique wedding theme, I’d love to hear about it!

1 Comment

<<Previous

A Twin Like Me...(cont'd)

A Twin Like Me...cont'd.

A Twin Like Me...cont'd.

As I mentioned last month, I'm sharing a few essays I've written for a non-fiction project. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing each one.

Lip Sync

Expanding Horizons

Online Cocktail Party Romance Giveaway

SUMMER OF 99 CENTS BOOK FAIR NEW GIVEAWAYS DAILY June 5-8, 2019

Inspiration? What?

CHOCOLATE & BOOK BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN

SUMMER NIGHTS

Tales from the M.O.B.

Sherrie's Discoveries

Archives

Categories