Remember, the question is optional!
My favorite thing to do at the end of a project is to get outside and take a long walk or hike. Then I love to think about anything that’s not related to the story I’ve just completed. Like this little bit of information about Wednesday!
It seems that the name Wednesday came from two different gods, the Germanic god Woden (Odin) was one. However, if you look at the Romance languages, (French: mercredi and Spanish: miércoles) it’s the Roman god Mercury who brought the modern word to us. The Germanic story is that Woden created earth and sky from the dead body of a giant named Ymir. He also created the first man and woman from an ash tree and an alder. This guy was tireless, because after fashioning the planet and the human race, he established the laws of the universe. Impressive!
I also like to pick up someone else’s book and dive into it. I appreciate all the work that’s gone into it, but I’m so relieved that I didn’t have to do it. Here’s a new release from Dancing Lemur Press. Corners by Corina Austin that I plan to dive into.
Everyone needs their own special corner…
It’s 1969 and ten-year-old Davy is in a predicament. With two weeks remaining of the summer holidays, he’s expelled from the public pool for sneaking into the deep end and almost drowning. How will he break the news to his hard-working single mother? She’s at the diner all day, Davy has no friends, and he’s too young to stay by himself.
The answer lies in his rescuer, mysterious thirteen-year-old Ellis Wynn. Visiting her Grammy for the summer, Ellis offers to babysit Davy. She teaches him about “corners”–forgotten or neglected areas fixed up special. Together, the kids tackle several “corners” and Davy learns what it means to bring joy to others.
Davy begins to wonder, though. Why does Ellis want to be his friend? Why doesn’t she ever smile? And is Davy just one of Ellis’ “corners?”
Release date – March 6, 2018
$10.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback,
Print ISBN 9781939844392 eBook ISBN 9781939844408
$3.99 EBook available in all formats
“Austin’s message of true friendship and selflessness will resonate…strong addition to the realistic fiction genre.” – Library Journal
“This book was so engaging! Five out five stars.” – TDC Book Reviews
“This is a story about love and loss, wrapped in a blanket of friendship… reminds me of the storytelling method used in The Princess Bride.” – Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
“I hope you enjoy making a corner once you’ve read this sweet emotional read.” – Nayu’s Reading Corner
Corrina Austin grew up in the 1960’s. She became a mother of four and an elementary school teacher, but always found time between work and family for writing. From childhood to the present, if she wasn’t reading a book, she was writing one. While honing her craft as a writer, Corrina strives to infuse the ordinary with beauty, whimsy, and connection. She lives in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.
Barnes & Noble print–Kobo –iTunes
Amazon –Amazon CA –Barnes & Noble –Goodreads –You Tube
Thanks for stopping by this first Wednesday of March. Please come back. And if you’d like to read Alligators Overhead, I’ve got a Goodreads Giveaway going this month.
Jump in and enter!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Alligators Overhead
by C. Lee McKenzie
Giveaway ends April 04, 2018.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Mary Aalgaard says
Thanks for all the support you show for other authors and our anthology. It takes a lot of brain space!!
J.H. Moncrieff says
I always knew Odin as a Norse god. I didn’t realize he was Germanic as well. Interesting…
Going for a walk and clearing the mind sounds like a great way to celebrate.
Lynda Dietz says
Taking a walk is probably one of the best things a person can do to clear their head. A therapist friend of mine was telling us about an eye movement therapy she uses (EMDR), and it’s basically looking back and forth rhythmically while talking through things. For some reason, that movement triggers something in the brain that helps us to think deeper and process better. No wonder walking and looking around at woods or trails or beach is so therapeutic!
C. Lee McKenzie says
That’s interesting. I hadn’t heard of that sort of eye movement therapy. Thanks. Makes sense.
Mike@Bitaboutbritain says
Corners sounds intriguing!
HR Sinclair says
Walking is my go to for just about everything–celebrations, stress, etc. 🙂
Heather R. Holden says
A long walk sounds like an excellent way to celebrate!
And love that piece of info about Wednesday’s origins. Fun! ^_^
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks Heather.
Shannon Lawrence says
Walking is my go to. It’s great for working through story issues by not concentrating on them.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ignoring the problems seem to help me focus on them better. Wish I understood how my mind works.
Gwen Gardner says
It’s nice to switch gears and finishing a project is the perfect time. I used to hike a lot and would love to do some more. It’s the perfect celebration!
Congrats to Corrina, her book sounds great!
And of course, I’ve read Jemi’s story, which is awesome. She really managed those POVs so well!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Gwen. Hiking is a nice gear-switcher.
Liz A. says
Ah yes, someone else’s book. That’s a really great way to celebrate.
C. Lee McKenzie says
No stress!
Tonja Drecker says
Getting those eyes off of the screen and out into nature is perfect! I’d hadn’t seen the trailer yet for Corners. Love it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love book trailers even though there’s a debate about whether or not they’re effective.
Tonja Drecker says
True – I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a book because of the trailer, but I love watching them anyway.
Damyanti says
A walk in nature is my fave sort of celebration as well!
C. Lee McKenzie says
There have been studies that come up with the benefits that kind of natural interface has. We all know it without the studies, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Jemi Fraser says
Corners looks like a great read!! 🙂
Reading is always a fabulous reward!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Indeed. And if you think about it, what an amazing immediate connection between two brains reading really is.
L. Diane Wolfe says
Thanks for featuring Corners today.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Happy to do it. I like the sound of the book.
Natalie Aguirre says
I love walking in general for stress reduction and mental health, so what a great way to celebrate finishing a project.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You’ve got the right idea, Natalie.
Pat Hatt says
It is always great just to get away from things and do something not related to the story indeed.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good for the old brain to disconnect after the concentrated commitment to that story.
Cathrina says
Very Interesting!!! I learn something new everyday!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me, too! Love it.
Olga Godim says
What an interesting tidbit about Wednesday. A nice way to celebrate the end of a project.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you liked the tidbit. Love finding these and being able to share them with friends.
Christine Rains says
Makes me feel I should be more productive on Wednesdays! 🙂 Congrats to Corrina!
C. Lee McKenzie says
LOL! Yes, talk about world building. That guy had it nailed, didn’t he?
Loni Townsend says
That is very interesting about Wednesday!
Sarah Foster says
I’d probably celebrate with food, which I think is pretty much the opposite of taking a walk.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Whatever rocks your boat. Celebrating is all about giving yourself a break and getting ready to move ahead.
Beverly McClure says
A long walk in the beautiful outdoors is wonderful after completing your work. Tiger likes to go on walks with me.
Corners is a lovely story that will stay with the reader for a long time, at least it did me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You have a cat that takes walks with you! I used to. I so miss that.
Beverly says
Yes, he loves the outdoors. He sometimes stops to climb a tree along the way. I know you miss your cat. They’re family.
Elephants Child says
More booky temptation? Thank you. And drat you.
And hooray for walking.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I get the drat point. I wish someone would suddenly declare a national reading catch up day where no new books would suddenly appear like catnip.
Pat Garcia says
Hi Lee,
I love to take long walks too. They can be so refreshing especially when you have gone through a long stressful period.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
C. Lee McKenzie says
Stress Reduction 101, Pat.
Deborah Drucker says
Interesting about Woden and Corners sounds like a great book. It is probably a good idea to get one’s head wrapped around something else besides waiting for comments or reviews. Alligators Overhead sounds like a mysterious adventure.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. The waiting is another thing that is walk inducing. I’m one impatient person, so waiting for me is an existential crisis. Ergo I walk.
Deborah Drucker says
I signed up for the giveaway and pre-ordered Tic Toc. You had said that you contributed a story to the IWSG Anthology. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the support, Deborah. Yes, I subbed a story and they took it. I had no idea it would launch the same month as another of my books. Madness ensues, but it’s fun madness.
Juneta says
Congrats Corrina. It does sound like a fun read.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Juneta. Great to hear from you.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says
A walk sounds like a much healthier way to celebrate. My celebrations usually involve food of some sort 🙂
Congrats to Corrina on her release. I’ve entered your giveaway – sounds like a great read.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for entering my giveaway. This is my first eBook giveaway on Goodreads, so I’m a little nervous. I wondered if anyone would enter.
Food comes right after a walk for me. Good celebratory combination.
Cherie Reich says
A walk sounds like a nice way to celebrate. I knew our Wednesday came from Woden (Odin), but I hadn’t really thought of it in other languages. Interesting!
Congrats to Corrina!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I thought it was interesting that we chose the German way and Spain and Italy chose the other.
ChemistKen says
I named one of my characters Mercer to link them with Mercury. Not sure if anyone will pick up on it, but we’ll see.
Don’t know what I’ll do to celebrate when I finally finish my book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I always wonder if people “get” the significance of the names for characters. Good question to ask.
Raimey Gallant says
Ah! I’m totally emailing this to my sister, because my brand new niece is named Wednesday. 🙂 Thanks and happy IWSG day!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your niece has a power name, then! Thanks for the visit.
Suzanne Furness says
Interesting words about Wednesday, always good to learn something new.
A nice long walk is always a good idea and it usually helps to clear my mind. Congrats to Corrina.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love the history of words. I get lost in researching them. That’s one way I have of dodging the writing bullet. 🙂
Hilary says
Hi Lee – I wonder if it was blue wednesday too … a Woad covered Wodenesday?! Well done to Corrina … and a decent day away … a walk, a wander in the fresh air and away from the screen – cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m sure the words are connected. Wode=blue as in blue dye. Then there’s always that old saying, “Wednesday’s child full of woe.” Am I remembering that right? Fascinating how our language weaves together to create ideas. I’m reading Bryson’s The Mother Tongue and, of course, laughing my head off.
Hilary says
Probably … but my reference books are in Eastbourne!! Wednesday’s child is quite right … and I quite agree how our language ties together … and I have one for my A-Z posts … round about R … !! For some reason I’ve never been able to get into Bill Bryson – not sure why … but I know some love his books … I see that the Mother Tongue one is from 1990 … long time ago. I’ll check it out a bit more later on – cheers Hilary
Jacqui Murray says
I do like the long walk. That is one of my non-writing events–walking the dog. Of course, now my husband does it too and I’m not sure my 10-year-old dog can keep up with the two of us!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I need a dog. After we lost our last one, I never went in search of another. I loved walking with old Jake–a pound puppy if there ever was one. Such a heart-grabber.
Yvonne V says
It’s great that you hike like that! Congrats to Corina and thanks for the Wednesday tidbit.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi YV,
Great to see you here. Know how busy you are.
Rachna Chhabria says
I like going for long walks too. It’s what give me inspiration for my stories.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m so pleased to read that. I love people who walk for inspiration.
Diane Burton says
Congrats to Corinna. That book sounds great. Walking is such a simple thing…unless you have chronic back pain (like me). I do need to get outside (as soon as the snow leaves) and just enjoy the sunshine.
C. Lee McKenzie says
All I need is a good pair of shoes and on a trail. No equipment other than my legs. Sorry about the back issues. That can’t be fun.
Jennifer Hawes says
I love hiking with my family. This town is full of cool places to hike whether in caves, near waterfalls, or right along the Mississippi!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You live in a place that invites being outside. I visited Hannibal and really enjoyed its beauty.
Tyrean A Martinson says
Taking a long walk or hike sounds like a good way to celebrate. I think we need those quiet moments for reflection and celebration.
Congrats to Corrina!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can’t understand people hooked to earphones or iphones when they’re out walking. For me that defeats the purpose of exactly what you mentioned: reflection and celebration–peace and quiet.
Tyrean A Martinson says
I agree. I like just looking around at the world and listening to the wind in the trees, or the birds, or the angry squirrels. 🙂
M.L. Keller says
I like the idea of taking a hike. Giving my eyes a chance to look at something other than a screen. Thanks for sharing
Tamara Narayan says
I just finished An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard and it was excellent. I can’t wait to dive into another.
C. Lee McKenzie says
What an interesting title. I haven’t heard of it.
Bish Denham says
Woden was a busy guy! And Mercury, the messenger god… Two great sources for making the middle of the week wonderful.
I’d like to go on one of your walks with you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Let’s hope we can walk together one of these days! I’d love that.
Julie Flanders says
Can’t go wrong with a long walk or hike. That’s a great way to celebrate anything.
I love reading about the origins of words, so cool. I wish I had Woden’s energy!
C. Lee McKenzie says
There’s something about stretching out your legs that also open the mind. I’ve often wondered what Woden was on, but I guess gods don’t need performance enhancers.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I like the German’s version better.
Congratulations to Corrina!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It has some interesting twists. That’s for sure. Hope Corrina has a great launch.