The Complete Sherlock Holmes Volume 1

"It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." ~ Sherlock Holmes

Wow… I loved this book! When I read the first story in it (A Study in Scarlet) several months ago I didn’t think I would like it at all. It took me forever to get through the one story, and I thought it was boring. I finally picked it up again though and began reading the next story, I couldn’t put it down. I had planned to stop at the next story and read another book, and then come back and read another story and so on, but I just kept right on reading till the end.

"Elementary," said he. "It is one of those instances where the reasoner can produce an effect which seems remarkable to his neighbor, because the latter has missed the one little point which is the basis of the deduction." ~ Sherlock Holmes

It made me wonder what kind of person Sir Arthur Conan Doyle must have been, to come up with all those ways to murder and rob people, to find clues and hints that would solve the case, and to come up with such interesting characters.

Although I did enjoy reading about Watson and Sherlock’s adventures I must remind you that it is about murder and crime, and Sherlock does do drugs, and is not the best role model so please make sure to ask your parents before checking it out from the library.

"You are the stormy petrel of crime, Watson."

~ Sherlock Holmes

Speaking of Watson… he is one cool guy. When Sherlock Holmes needs someone to do something that could determine the life and death of someone else he can always trust Watson, and Watson is always ready to take on the task. Watson’s faith in Holmes is amazing to read about.

"’You crossed my path on the fourth of January,’ said he. ‘On the twenty-third you incommoded me; by the middle of February I was seriously inconvenienced by you; at the end of March I was absolutely hampered in my plans; and now, at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a position through your continual persecution that I am in positive danger of losing my liberty. The situation is becoming an impossible one.’" ~ Professor Moriarty

Although I did enjoy the stories to no end I think a break for a little while before picking up Volume 2 will be nice.

All in all I give The Complete Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 five stars!

"And now, my dear Watson, we have had some weeks of severe work, and for one evening, I think, we may turn our thoughts into more pleasant channels." ~ Sherlock Holmes

SmartyJones

If you would like to meet one crazy, zany, wacky, one ball of fun head on over to the blog titled Pen 2 Paper.

SmartyJones is a dear friend of mine who never stops surprising me. Literally and figuratively. She is one of those friends that I don’t have a sleep over with, we have stay-all-night-and-talk overs.

SmartyJones is always willing to listen, and she is always willing to talk. Although we may not always agree (she likes John Wayne) we are willing to put our differences aside and have fun. We respect each others thoughts, and ideas.

I love talking about movies and actors with her because we both seem to have somewhat of the same ideas and enjoy a lot of the same kinds of movies. This also could describe us and books.

Another thing I love about SmartyJones is that she loves listening to what ever I have been writing, stories, articles, anything she loves to hear it. Her thoughts and advice have been a real blessing on my writing.

Now you may be wondering why I am writing a post all about my friend SmartyJones…

The truth is I asked her what to blog about and she, in her usual manner said, "ME!" So here it is SmartyJones, a whole post about you.

Writer's Block

Writing for me is not just a hobby, it’s a passion, and a love that I can’t seem to get away from. I enjoy my writing so much, and thank God every day for giving me this awesome gift, but every now and then I get to a point where I can’t write. Everything I was working on seems to come to a stand still, and it all started with one thing.

Normally it’s the thing I’ve been working on the most. A story, article, novel, doesn’t matter, I come to a place where I don’t know where to go next and things start falling apart. I put it away and try again the next day with the same results. So I try to write something else, but I can’t keep the other thing off my mind, and I end up writing myself into a corner on what I am working on.

Before I know it I have a hundred little writers blocks made into one big one "the size of the grand cannon" as a lady at a writers meeting I go to put it.

Now is when I start going crazy, trying to write, but thinking everything sounds terrible. Not writing at all for days on end, and going insane because I can’t figure out what to do.

Then one day something happens, a phrase in a book I was reading maybe? Something a friend said? It could have been something I saw while out and about in town, it doesn't matter what it is, but it always feels like someone handing me a chisel.

Then before I know it something else has happened that makes me feel like I now have a hammer in my hand. Small things start to happen that make me start working away at that writers block, till one day I see light on the other side. The next day I can stick my hand through it. A week later the whole thing crumbles down around me and I can walk through the rubble triumphant. My computer is waiting on the other side with the document this whole thing started with on the screen. I sit down, and write the scene that I thought was so hard. Hit myself on the head because it was so easy… and start the whole thing over again.