Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
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  • Tag: a walk with words

    • Don’t be L.A.T.E. for the Sunrise

      Posted at 3:55 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on July 25, 2013

      This is the background on my profile picture, but at a later stage of sunrise. Some want to know where the sunset photo was taken. I agree it looks like a beautiful sunset. But, my friends, it happens to be sunrise. Yes, and I’m about to explain.Of course, right? You know me too well.

      Some years ago I did what is called the L.A.T.E. Ride—Long After Twilight Ends. It takes place in Chicago, Illinois. That year it took place on June 29th. Oh, that was my birthday. One day I will do this bicycle ride again. The ride is twenty-five miles through downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods in the middle of the night. Freaking awesome!

      When I did it, there were 10,000 participants. Don’t plan on riding when you start. You can’t ride a bicycle amidst 10,000 people. Sit on the seat with your feet on the ground and every now and then you might get a pedal cycle in. Usually not for miles though until it starts to thin out. The first year I left in the fourth wave. Next year, I started between the second and third wave. (Broke the rules a little and took off early.)

      This is also the best way to run a traffic light in downtown Chicago! Hey, the police encourage it. For participants only and while the police still have roads blocked off. Otherwise, be prepared to stop. Oh, and hope the people behind you stop, too. Ouch, pileup. Tip: Yell out that you’re stopping or slowing down. Please do that! Another tip: Biking gloves, helmet, and a padded seat. No thongs. ← I mean, really? 0|0 Really.

      The sunrise happened on the last stretch. When we arrived, the sky had just begun to lighten and then there was a pink glow on the horizon, gradually lightening and taking on more colors. Awe-inspiring. To the right of where I’m standing you can see the downtown skyline, well, not in my photo, but if you were there with me, you’d see it.

      Visit L.A.T.E. Ride if you’d like to learn more. Their Facebook page has a photo of the sunrise. You’ll see how many people have to stop due to the beauty coming over Lake Michigan. In my state of Michigan I’ve seen many outrageous sunsets going down over Lake Michigan, so to be able to view the sun coming up over the same lake, I thought was totally cool.

      I’ve done the ride twice, and both times stopped to watch the sun rise. It’s a nice place for a break with still about five miles to go. Don’t quote me on that! It felt like another twenty by time we rode over the finish line.

      If you’re anywhere in the vicinity, I recommend the fun.The website has so much more to say about it. Go ahead. Try it next year.

      Speaking of bike rides, my son and his girlfriend did sixty miles in northern lower Michigan a few years ago along the Lake Michigan shoreline–Michigan side. That’s a little much for me. So, congratulations to them.

      UPDATE: I don’t know if this ride still takes place. I see no updates for 2019.

      Posted in #AmWriting | 2 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, Bicycle, Chicago Illinois, LATE for the Sunrise, LATE Ride, Long After Twilight Ends, mary j mccoy dressel, ride, sunrise
    • Top 10 Movies or Better Known as Top Tenner’s

      Posted at 2:36 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on July 11, 2013

      Top Tenners.

      MOVIES

      Photo Credit Below

      I never would have done this challenge on my own, but I borrowed the topic from my good friend David at http://barsetshirediaries.wordpress.com/ who actually borrowed the idea from someone he follows—and her Top Ten Favorite Movies Blog Challenge.

      I’m addicted to sappy, romantic movies but once in awhile I have to throw in Bond or some other dramatic movie to shake me back into reality and make me stop crying from all the “sappy romantic movies”.

      SKYFALL

      • James Bond with Daniel Craig. We might as well add all the Daniel Craig James Bond movies here while we’re at it. Oh, and of course, Bond, James Bond Sean Connery. My son’s middle name is Sean. No connection. 😉 Maybe.

      HIGHLANDER

      • All of them. Weighing in on the last one though. Sean Connery played in the first one, maybe others. Loved the ponytail.

      GHOST

      • Still can’t watch without crying

      SOMEWHERE in TIME

      • Sigh. Takes place in my state on Mackinac Island—a beautiful island. What can I say? I stood at the same tree and whispered to my boyfriend, “Is it you?” It wasn’t him. This movie inspired me to write a time-travel romance.

      MOONSTRUCK

      • I love it for many reasons. The Italian family, the opera, Cher, bad ass Nicolas Cage, and everything else, too.

      UNDER the TUSCAN SUN

      • Everything. Diane Lane rocks in this movie. She rocked in Unfaithful, too. Let’s add that.

      CONSENTING ADULTS

      • This was a heart stopping psychological thriller/ mind game type movie.

      THE NOTEBOOK

      • This inspired many emotions, both good and bad. True love at its finest.

      DEAR JOHN

      • Bittersweet

      LETTERS to JULIET

      • I see a pattern here and it’s called Nicholas Sparks.

      <><>

      If I could keep going, I’d add half of the Hallmark Channel movies. LOL Oh, dear me. No wonder I write romance with a dose of women’s fiction.

      This work has been released into the public domain by its author, ElinorD at the English Wikipedia project. This applies worldwide. (Cropped)

      Posted in #AmWriting | 10 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, blog challenge, consenting adults, James Bond, Letters to Juliet, mary j mccoy dressel, Moonstruck, nicholas sparks, romantic drama, Top 10, Top Ten Movies
    • An Oldie but a Goodie #MySexySaturday

      Posted at 1:32 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 29, 2013

      VisionsofEnchantment_SM.jpgGoodness! I had to dust off the cobwebs on this one. Today’s sexy seven comes from Visions of Enchantment a time-travel romance, book one in the Enchantment Series. The rights to this book have reverted back to me and I’ll be reissuing it sometime in the future. I keep getting distracted with writing about cowboys and their heroines.  I had planned on reissuing this earlier and had a cover made. This is the new one that will go up when I do get it published again.

      This excerpt is part of a dream Eryn has as she tries to put together the missing pieces of her life. Uriah…came through the confines of time to wait for her, and wait a little longer he must…until Eryn can remember him and their love. This dream gets her to thinking that maybe what he’s been telling her is true after all. I give you seven sentences. Wish it could have been more.

      ~~~

      The sun settled— glistening golden on the creek water. Uriah’s eyes were ablaze with lust when he straddled her thighs, laying her down beneath him. He tenderly placed sweet kisses against her cheek.

      Eryn gave an innocent smile and reached for him when  he peered into  her eyes—licking his lips in anticipation of what was to come. Pulling him closer, she arched her hips against him, yearning for a part of him she didn’t yet know. She pressed her lips softly against his while his fingers explored and caressed her womanly body. The sun dipped below the horizon, and in the velvet-purple twilight—a young lass became a woman and a lad became a man.

      ~~~

      For more, and to read posts from other participants, visit #MySexy Saturday Blog Hop posts For some reason Word Press won’t let me attach the Linky code.

      LynnSexySaturday_buttonHappy Birthday to me today, means

      ↓

      Don’t forget HOWDY, MA’AM #1 Kindle Edition is still on sale till the end of the month. And, you can add book two HEY, COWBOY #2 to your Goodreads shelf! 

      Posted in #AmWriting | 8 Comments | Tagged #MySexySaturday Blog Hop, a walk with words, excerpt, mary j mccoy dressel, seven sentences
    • COVER REVEAL – The Melody in my Head by Nikki Lynn Barrett

      Posted at 12:29 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 27, 2013

      Today I’m proud to do a cover reveal for ~ Nikki Lynn Barrett ~ a fellow author friend. Welcome to her world. Two of her books are already in my TBR pile. Looks like there might be one more.

      COVER REVEAL

      The Melody In My Head

      Love and Music in Texas, Book Two

      by Nikki Lynn Barrett

      ebookcoverkindle

      Blurb:   Welcome back to Harmony’s Echo, Texas…..
      Melody Roland is on the run from the one person she trusted completely. One who hid a dark past she could never have imagined. When a pregnant woman on the bus she’s fleeing on goes into labor, Melody rushes to her aide. Now she finds herself stranded in a tiny remote town just off the highway, with no way to her original destination.

      She’s alone, on edge, and unsure who to trust. Her instincts scream to get far away and fast. But how and where?

      Jameson Grant struggles through the roughest year of his life. Suffering from the loss of his father, one grief stricken night, he made a mistake. One which cost him the only woman he’s ever loved. Each lonely day he’s faced with the constant reminders of how quick things can change. Throwing himself into the one thing he has left, his music, helps dull the pain he fights to keep hidden. His last salvation begins to crumble as things spiral out of control and he has no choice but to face the ‘music’ of his past.

      The last thing he needs or wants in his life is a woman with more trouble on her heels than the best of country music lyrics. But Melody sings a sirens call within him that can’t be ignored.

      Jameson and Melody bond in ways stronger than either could have imagined, but one dangerous person from her past may threaten it all…

      If she doesn’t flee before he can convince her to stay, and that some love songs last an eternity.

      EXCERPT

      Jameson set the bag on the table and followed the sound. Not only was she playing the guitar, but she was singing, too. She sat on the stool in the middle of the garage, wearing a white half sleeved shirt that showed enough skin to drive him crazy. She had her legs crossed and her hands gracefully strummed the strings.

      She was beautiful. She seemed at ease, her eyelids half shut as she played her heart out with the song. Jameson made sure to stay out of sight. She hadn’t caught on that he was there yet, and if he made her aware of his presence, she might stop. He wanted to hear more. Good God, her hands on his guitar, he wanted those hands back on him.

      She finished the song. Jameson had to catch his breath before popping in, clapping and grinning. She practically jumped from the stool and she put that guitar down quick. That was beautiful. I didn’t realize you played!”

      “Oh! Jameson, you startled me. I’m sorry, I had no idea you were home already. I couldn’t help but pick up the guitar..I just, I felt compelled.” She was blabbering and apologizing for nothing. Jameson crossed the room, closing the distance between them and gathered her in his arms.

      “Melody, why would you apologize? You keep doing that, and I can’t understand why.” Jameson kissed her forehead, then threaded his fingers through her hair. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “I’m not mad at you, angel. I loved what you were playing.” He dipped his head and took her lips again, nibbling on the bottom one. When he pulled away, he smiled. “ Not to mention how hot it was to watch your hands move on my guitar. It made me think of a not to distant morning when your hands were doing something else.”

      That got her to laugh as she leaned against him. “You crack me up, you know. Thank you for the beautiful flowers and the card.”

      “You’re welcome. I just wanted to let you know how much I was thinking about you. I can’t stop. You’re in my head. I’ve got Melody in my head. Hey, that’s a good song title. The Melody in My head.”

      She blushed and ducked away, but Jameson pulled her closer to him. “I love it when you blush. It’s sexy.”

      “You are determined to get me all flustered, aren’t you?”She questioned with a smile.

      Jameson shrugged, playing coy. “It’s working quite well, I’d say. My master plan to woo and seduce you is playing out just fine.”

      She raised a brow at him. “Oh, is that what it’s all about?”Melody backed out of his arms and wagged a finger at him. “I should have known. You want me for my skills. I think I’ll be taking them and going now…” She slowly backed away, watching him with a mischievous grin as her eyes lit up.

      Jameson caught her at the door, pinning her to the wall. “You didn’t get very far, did you?” He lowered his head, ready to devour her again. He teased her neck with kisses until she moaned. “Looks like I won this round.”

      “You’re evil.”

      Add The Melody in my Head to your Goodreads Shelf http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17928959-the-melody-in-my-head

      Fun Facts about The Melody in My Head, and the Love and Music in Texas Book series

      •  I used Keith Urban’s intense guitar playing for inspiration when I pictured Jameson playing the guitar. Yes, it’s no secret I have a huge celeb crush on Keith, but it’s more than that. He’s a talented guitar player and he puts his all in when he plays, and that’s why I used his image for Jameson…..Honest!
      • The song lyrics I incorporate in the story are mine. I am a lyric writer, and so I fit some of my own songs in the story as I see fit. 🙂
      • Jameson’s character wasn’t originally going to be a good guy. (I know, I know…what was I thinking?) As I wrote Baby Stetson, he surprised me and grew on me. I loved him so much, I had to give him his own story and HEA.
      • Melody’s character actually had a part in another book. I had her backstory and plot figured out a long time ago, I just had no idea I’d pair her with Jameson and send her to Harmony’s Echo, Texas. But it worked out so well! Love it when I can combine story ideas!

       From now until the end of July, Baby Stetson, the first in the Love and Music in Texas series, is discounted to just $.99.  You’ll meet Jameson in this book, and then you can get his story when The Melody in My Head comes out. 

      Baby Stetson Blurb:

      In small Texas towns, strangers come and go…

      babystetsoncoverLeft in a Stetson hat, on the steps of the local bed and breakfast, Avery Callimer came into the world on a wing and a prayer. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she’s never lacked for love…only the knowledge of her past.

      By day she works the Inn, but by night…Avery comes alive as lead singer in a band. Life was good…stable, until new guests blew into town.

      Some strangers come with secrets and lies

      Lucas Bennett is one such stranger. Drifting from one mess to another has left him jaded. Doesn’t matter the dramas are never his doing. Giving it one last shot to make a fresh start lands him Harmony’s Echo, Texas and smack dab in front of the tantalizing Avery.

      Despite his best efforts to ignore the burn Avery’s ignited within, he’s intent to keep his distance. Secrets have followed him. Secrets he doesn’t want Avery to know.

      Each time they’re near the other things heat up like a brushfire on a dry Texas prairie.

      But maybe, after the dust settles and the smoke clears, love can bloom with a fresh start.

      Add this book to your goodreads list! 

      http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341981-baby-stetson

       

      BUY LINKS:

      Amazon:

       http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Stetson-Music-Texas-ebook/dp/B00BWIE1GI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1363971733&sr=1-1&keywords=Baby+Stetson

      Barnes & Noble:

      http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby-stetson-nikki-lynn-barrett/1114866006?ean=2940016243566

      Kobo:

      http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Baby-Stetson/book-rP9VC1UvlEqgaOrJJXLatw/page1.html?s=91X-oMVbn0aPh2Tu_jejRw&r=1 

      Other books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

      The Secret Santa Wishing Well

      http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16159845-the-secret-santa-wishing-well

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

      Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She’s an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. 4437_1090856669700_2534921_nNikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki’s site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com 

      www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com

      Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

      https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor

      @Stormgoddess925 on Twitter

       

       

       

      Posted in Cover Reveal | 5 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, Baby Stetson, Cover Reveal, Melody in my Head, Nikki Lynn Barrett
    • Sexy 7 #MySexySaturday 6/22

      Posted at 12:47 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 22, 2013

      #MySexySaturday See more information on the My Sexy Saturday Website

      LynnSexySaturday_buttonThis week I’m bringing you seven sentences from my current release—Howdy, Ma’am Bk #1 in the Bull Rider Series—simple and short—but oh my, you should see what came before and what comes after. Howdy, Ma’am is a sensual contemporary western romance. (Book Two is completed and in revisions)

      ~~~~~~~~~~

      He began again, using his fingers to probe, tickle, and stroke until she purred like a rebuilt, classic car motor. “Is that what you wanted? You didn’t tell me…I had to guess.”

      Velia whispered low, erratic. “You guessed…right.”

      “I’m going to do it again, but this time you’re free to let go. Let loose your screams, free your wild side…. ”

      ~~~~~~~~~~

      What is it you ask? 

      ~ Post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. The choice is yours. It can be from a WIP or something you already have published. Your post should be live by 9 am US Pacific Time on Saturday. Put those lucky 7s to work for you! NOTE: This is a blog hop and you need a blog to participate. If you are unsure of how your post should look, look back on past weeks to see what others have done.

      Please check out the other bloggers participating at My Sexy Saturday.

      Posted in Bull Rider Series | 6 Comments | Tagged #MySexySaturday Blog Hop, a walk with words, Howdy Ma'am, mary j mccoy dressel, sensual contemporary western romance, western romance
    • Howdy, Ma’am Bk #1 is Six Months Old

      Posted at 8:17 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 20, 2013

      Sensual Contemporary Western Romance

      Bull-Rope-2_thumb.jpgdreamstime_s_10837833_thumb.jpgA great time to meet Caulder and Velia

      HOWDY, MA’AM (Bull Rider Series #1)
      TEMPORARY PRICE REDUCTION!!! Kindle Edition at Amazon Only.

      Six months ago, Howdy, Ma’am was published. June is also my birthday month, but I want you to get the gift.

      Enjoy the reduced price for a short time! SALE PRICE EXTENDED FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY!

      Now $1.99.

      SPECIAL UPDATE

      SMASHWORDS ADDED TO THE MIX.

      July Summer/Winter Sale going on at Smashwords. Get Howdy, Ma’am for 50% off. Coupon is right on the book page below the price.

      When Italian class meets bull rider rowdy, you’re bound to get sparks…or sizzle! 

      UPDATE

      Book Two is Available

      Book Three is Available

      Posted in Bull Rider Series | 1 Comment | Tagged a walk with words, bull rider series, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Price Reduction Howdy Ma'am, Sensual Romance and Womens Fiction, smashwords
    • If You Love A Writer…

      Posted at 11:29 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 24, 2013

      I wrote this on another blog a while ago. Worth a read–

      If You Love a Writer —

      I started writing this in 1st person then decided to change it. If I’ve offended other writers by grouping us all together, please forgive me, because I know it doesn’t pertain to all writers. This is mostly my opinion of what I’ve observed from people who don’t understand how a writer’s mind and life works.

      You need to Read This —

      This is what we do. This is who we are. We create scenarios with made up people and circumstances, and sometimes far out, unimaginable settings that can only exist in a creative mind.

      Often, our mind drifts to some scene or setting; whereas we might whip out some paper or phone or tablet and write down notes while someone is trying to talk to us, or while we’re watching TV, or even reading. We are still listening to you–we hear you and aren’t ignoring you.

      If using our laptop when you talk to us, we can still type what is on our mind while talking and listening to you. In some way our fingers have a direct connection to the part of the brain that works on story ideas. We don’t have to be looking at what we’re doing, or at you. Part of our brain is constantly at work on an idea, plot, or character, whether it be a work in progress, or something not even started yet. Sometimes we might think of books already Pencil-Paper-FUN_thumb.jpgwritten. It’s like a movie on an endless reel. Sometimes we might not know that part is always at work untill suddenly something pops up for a story or character that just wouldn’t fit before, and then it’s clear, but we’re still listening to you.

       Ideas can be floating around in our head for a book that we might not start for a year from now. Language and dialog are like a history lesson, listening to the way a person does this or that, inflections, words. It’s not something we can help. It’s the writer that lives inside. My writer living inside controls me more than I control it.

      Maybe you go outside of the house to work, which of course makes you better than us because we’re at home sitting at a desktop or laptop, writing, doing our job. NOT TRUE. Often times you might not see it that way. We’ve been called lazy for sitting on our butt all day. Is that what it is to you, they might ask? Creative minds need to be allowed to create. Do you say we should use our physical body to go out and bring home the bacon for you, before you can acknowledge what we do is real work?

       Allowing your writer to have quiet time now and again doesn’t make it right. You think giving us permission is okay? Don’t try to take our tools away, and don’t try to dictate our writing schedule. Do you think we can’t make up stories by being kept away from the computer? Back up a few sentences and reread the part about a story always floating around, and I repeat, always. You can’t stop us from being creative. Take away our quiet, take away the media we use to document those ideas, and take away our time, but you can’t take away our stories. Accept this if you love us.

      Remember at first how cool it was when you learned of our writing ability? To know a real writer was exciting to you. To see an actual book with our name on it? Did you brag to your family and friends? You can try to take away our time, but you can’t take our thoughts and ideas, because I can tell you honestly, they will be here longer than you will. This is what we do. This is who we are. Creativity is here and belongs to us. All we ask is you understand this gift, and leave us to it when it calls.

      After rereading this a gazillion times, I realize it’s not only for people who love writers. It can be carried over to photography and art in many forms that take us away and into our own minds for a few hours at a time. So, if you love us, then deal with it. And be proud, yes, please be proud because it is harder work than you know.

      This was inspired when a friend said to me, “Can’t you stop writing all the time and email me?”

      Posted in #AmWriting | 4 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, If you love a writer, mary j mccoy dressel
    • Special Events—Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Continued

      Posted at 7:55 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 23, 2012

      Throughout the next couple decades I got to do a lot while the Tigers played at Tiger Stadium and then Comerica Park. All these memories bring me pleasure and cause me to remember some other special happenings going on in my life at the time. These events aren’t in any particular order. There are two previous posts to go with this one.

      • Picnic in the Park Where I had a chance to meet the players after the game and picnic with them at the stadium. Yes, it cost extra, but it went to charity. I had my picture taken with the Head Coach at the time, Phil Garner, as well as many of the players. I don’t know if they still do this.
      • Sammy Sosa and the Cubs. The Tiger pitcher walked him his first up and got booed because everyone wanted to see Sammy hit. It was one of his best years.
      • Ernie Harwell I feel privileged to have met Ernie as he signed his book at Comerica Park. I actually sat on a picnic bench and had a chat with him, and asked if he’d pose for a picture. He obliged with a smile. Talking to him was like talking to a good friend. There’s no one like this great man. That day they were giving Ernie Harwell Bobble Heads to the first 5,000 fans. I’m proud to say I got there early. I also briefly met him at Tiger Stadium.
      • End of School The principal at the school I worked at took every student and staff member to Tiger Stadium before our school closed due to budget cuts. It’s a bittersweet memory.
      • Opening Day You know how it often snows on Opening day in Detroit? It’s true. The temperature on my one and only opening day game was 32 degrees with snowflakes. This was the year we had season tickets.
      • Tiger Den Seating Sometimes it’s fun to be bad. You have to have special tickets to sit here, because it’s not cheap. Not when your boyfriend worked as the server in that area. (Shh, don’t tell.) Yes, that section has their own wait staff.
      • Tiger Fest Another event where you can meet some of the Tigers and get autographs. This is held before the season begins. This is another event that I’m not sure they still have.
      • Picture Day You’re allowed to come early and take photos of all the players. I flirted with Alan Trammel, who was my favorite player in his day. No autographs allowed on this day, and they mean it. Alan told me he’d give me one before the game started. Didn’t happen because I couldn’t see him from my seat.

      These last three blog posts were inspired by Tiger Stadium in Detroit, turning 100. Then I posted it on my Facebook page and a comment got me to thinking about some of the special events I had attended between Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park so when I sat down to lay out a blog on the subject, it ended up being too long for one post.

      Now, how about those Detroit Red Wing memories? I have some,and a signed jersey to prove it. Not one signature, but the whole front and some of the back is covered. Ah, memories…

      Note: Since I’m only human, if you find an error, please let me know. Thanks.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, baseball, comerica park, detroit tigers, mary j mccoy dressel, memories, Tiger stadium
    • Inspiration from Long Ago

      Posted at 10:43 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on August 2, 2011


      I will never forget my seventh grade Language Arts teacher, Mr. Somers. We had to write a paper, as we usually do in Language Arts. Maybe that’s why it was my favorite class. Let’s see—seventh grade, I was probably thirteen. I remember this writing. When I received the assignment back, it had red ink on it, but the red ink said, “Great imagination. You should be a writer!” I remember smiling. Mr. Somers liked my story.

      Anyway, I remember writing the surprise ending. He liked it! I never looked at him the same anymore. No longer was he a stern teacher who demanded we work our fingers to the bone. No longer was he the tormenter who made us read those crazy books that were written by people who were born before my parents. Now, I looked at him as my mentor, and each paper I wrote was written for his approval. I began enjoying the books and noticing how authors worked their words. He was the first person who ever acknowledged my dream.

      I did go on to be an author. The best part of all this? When I grew up and became a mom I began working in the same elementary school I went to. Our principal had to take a leave of absence and they needed to bring in a replacement. Do I have to tell you who it was? Through the years I knew what Mr. Somers was doing because his name was pretty high up in the ranks by this time. He was called in as acting principal! Did he remember me? Of course not.

      We worked together for awhile before I said anything to him. One day I stopped him in the hall and told him about the paper I wrote in his class in seventh grade, and how he left the note in red ink. I told him how he inspired me, and that I was indeed a writer now. I know how he felt. I do. Teachers want to leave a lasting impression on their students. I know this to be true from experience. Yes, Mr. Somers was my first inspiration/mentor to help me realize I was a writer, even at age thirteen. If you ever come across the person who inspired you, please do let them know.

      Before I retired, when I’d see a student who wanted to be a writer, I’d smile and tell them I was a published author, and how I used to write when I was a kid. I’d tell them to follow their dream and never give up. I know there are some of my former students who have moved on to high school and are pursuing their dream of being a writer. Maybe one day when I’m older and grayer, one of them will walk up to me and tell me their story. I look forward to that day.

      NOTE: It wasn’t long ago that a former student looked me up on Facebook. I met her when she was in the eighth grade. When she found out I had a couple books published, she had a million questions. Stars danced in her eyes, which reminded me of my own dancing stars at her age. She had already been writing for a long time, and I’ve read some of her stories. She’s talented.  🙂  Now, she’s in college, or out by now, and recently told me about a blog she writes and still has the dream of becoming a published author. I’m really proud of her. Cheers to you, Maddie.

      glitter-graphics.com

      This blog post was inspired from the Remember Red section of the Red Dress Club Blog Site. Please visit and find a prompt that inspires you. UPDATE: This website is called “WRITE ON EDGE” now.

      Do you have a mentor, or someone who inspired you to pursue the dream of being who you are today? Please leave a comment and tell us about it.

      Posted in #AmWriting | 4 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, inspiration, language arts, mary j mccoy, mary j mccoy dressel, mentor, red dress club, Remember Red, teacher, writing
    • “Can’t Broke the Wagon Down,” said my dad.

      Posted at 12:45 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 19, 2011

      When I was a child, my dad never allowed me to say “can’t” or to believe I couldn’t do something. If I said, “I can’t do it” he would remind me I can do anything I choose to do. I guess he was right, but it made me angry. I’m not even sure what it means. Maybe it means “can’t” is a burden and carries a heavy load.

      My first book was dedicated to him. He never got to see it published, but he knew I had written a complete novel. As a kid, every summer when I was out of school, he made me write daily. It didn’t matter what it was, but I had to sit down and write something. (My brother too.) It didn’t stop at writing though, for he also made me do math problems. Yuck. I don’t like math to this day. Could it be my dad had a small glimpse into the future, knowing one day I’d be a writer? Did he somehow know that I’d always write through the summer, and now when I’m out of work, I write novels instead of short little writings?

      My dad didn’t like when I thought I couldn’t do something and he spent a lot of time trying to make me realize I could. In fact, he must have said it so much that I caught myself saying it to a student when I worked. I sure got a strange look from him. I explained to the student that he could do anything he chose to do. Dad would be proud!

      Little things through life bring back different memories of Dad. Some weren’t good. Of course, we butted heads in my teen years. I know dad wanted me to do more, and had expected more from me instead of running out with my boyfriend, or getting behind the wheel of my first car and drive, drive, drive.  One day he took a part out of my car before he went to work so it wouldn’t start. It was a punishment. When he came home from work I asked him to put the rotor back in my car. He was surprised I knew what part he had removed. He hid a smile. But again, he’s the one who had taught me to figure things out and believe I could do whatever I chose to do. Well, that day I chose to find out what part he had removed. He put it back . . . a week later.

      Maybe it was his teaching that gave me the attitude that I can be strong when I have to be, and I can do what I think I can’t do. My strength has been proven over and over. When dad got sick I never thought I could take care of him the way I did. My brother helped, I’m not trying to cut him out of this. He was strong through it too. I never thought I could load a syringe with medicine and inject it into him per Hospice directions. I never thought I could sit on the floor beside his bed as his breathing came to an end. And in the very end, I never thought I could lay my head on his chest and listen to his last heart beat. Thanks to him and his preaching to me when I was a child, I’ve been able to do a lot more than I ever thought I would. I’ve learned not to give up on things I believe in, and not to say can’t, because “can’t” breaks wagons down.

      Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I miss you.

      Posted in #AmWriting | 0 Comments | Tagged a walk with words, can't, car, dad, fathers day, Hospice, mary j mccoy dressel, memories, writer
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