MS Word I Help- Final Week -Tutor Thursday

As promised, here's the final instructions for Step I of Word. Congratulations-you finished!!

Small disclaimer here. I'm in no way employed or affiliated with Microsoft. I am not selling this information-it is completely free. While I've made a genuine effort to ensure the quality of this manual, there is no warranty provided and I disclaim any accountability and liability for any damages resulting from the utilization of the data provided in this manual or products described in it. All sample exercises and files are fictional and any similarity to real people is strictly coincidental.


Change Case

Backgrounds
Themes
Inserting a Table
Converting Text to Table
Converting Table to Text
Hiding Gridlines
Undo/Redo
Word Count
Help!

Change Case
SUPPOSE THAT YOU HAVE JUST TYPED AN ENTIRE SENTENCE AND REALIZE ONLY NOW THAT YOUR CAPS LOCK WAS ON. You can easily change this by selecting ‘Format’ from the toolbar. Then change ‘Change case.’

The following screen will appear. From here, you can then choose ‘Sentence case’ to make the above sentence appear normal again.

Backgrounds
There is an option to create a more exciting background to your layout if you plan to use your document on a web layout or browser. To add a background to your documents, click on Format>> Background to view the following screen.

You are brought to your basic color dialog box for which you may or may not be familiar. To choose a background color, just click on the color of your choice. For even more choices, (can you stand the excitement?), click on the “more colors” or “fill effects” options to enhance your choice.

Themes

To choose a theme for your document, click on Format>>Theme. On the left will be a list of the titles of the themes and on the right you will see a preview. Just click on the theme you would like and Click Ok.

Inserting a Table

This is a great tool for many reasons. Primarily, many worksheets or surveys that you see every day are either created in Excel or believe it or not, Word. The advantage to using a Word’s table is that if you already in a Word document, you can add the table, survey or worksheet right there. No need to create a whole new document. Secondly, the table in word can be a stand-alone table or an actual excel table!

To insert a table, simply click on Insert Table to add a stand-alone table. In this next screen, choose the number of columns and the number of rows you wish to appear in your column. (If you change your mind later, you can always add or delete rows and columns).

It should look a little something like this:

If you need to delete any cells, highlight the cells you wish to delete. Then go to Table>> Delete >> Cells. The following screen will appear.

You can then choose the layout of where you want the remaining cells to be positioned.
To insert additional rows or columns simply highlight your existing table, then go to Table>>Insert>>Columns to the left or right, or rows above or below or cells.

To Merge cells (combine two cells together), highlight the cells you wish to merge and then click on Table>>Merge Cells.

To Split cells (Put a “table like” cell inside of another cell). Highlight the cells you wish to split and click on Table>>Split Cells.

Converting Text to Table

Word has included a neat little feature to save you some time….and a lot of aggravation. Suppose that you have just typed a full paragraph, but realize that you want this in a table. All you need to do is highlight the text and go to Table>Convert>Text to Table.

The following screen will appear:

Choose the number of columns and/or rows you wish, along with the column width and where you want to separate text. I.e. separate text at ‘Paragraphs’.

Your paragraph will now look like this example:

Choose the number of columns and/or rows you wish, along with the column width and where you want to separate text. I.e. separate text at ‘Paragraphs’.
To make matters even easier, you can take the above table and convert it to text as I will explain in…….

Converting Table to Text

Amazingly, just as you can convert text to a table, you can also convert a table to text. Suppose you create this big, beautiful table that you are proud of (the spreadsheet kind, not the wooden kind) and your boss begins to tell you that he/she wants it to be in letter format, not a table. Well, now you can just change that back to text. No problem. All you do is highlight the forbidden table and follow these instructions.

Hiding Gridlines

Easy enough, but just in case you are wondering. If you have a table, but do not want the actual lines in the table to show…Highlight the table, go to Table>Hide Gridlines. The Gridlines will now be hidden and this option will now be dimmed. To show the gridlines, go back to Table>Hide Gridlines (it should now NOT be dimmed) and the table will have gridlines.

Undo/Redo

Sounds like a song…but its not, as far as I know. This option, you may already know if you are familiar with Microsoft products. In case you do not…

Let’s say that you have just inserted a symbol, but have decided you did not want it there. You can just go to Edit>Undo (or the counterclockwise arrow on the toolbar). But, if you now decide you want it there after all, you can click Edit>Redo (or the clockwise arrow on the toolbar, if it is there).

Word Count

Whether you are writing a report for school, or a column for your businesses’ newspaper, this feature will save you a lot of time! All you have to do to count how many words are in your document is:

1. Highlight the paragraph(s) you wish to count, or you can highlight the whole document by selecting Edit> Select All.
2. Go to Tools
3. Word Count
4. A dialog box will appear showing you the following information in a matter of seconds!

Help!

This section is designed to familiarize you with the available Help menu that is included with Word. It is a very concise tool for helping you do many of the functions available. At the very least, it will explain how the functions are utilized.

Once you click on ‘Help’ located on the toolbar, you will be brought to the following screen where you can ‘Search for’ help in the search line.

Once you enter your item in the search line, a new dialog box will appear with some choices to choose from that most closely resembles the issue or question you are having. Make your selection and then follow the instructions on the screen.

One other feature that is available in the Help menu is the word ‘About.’ All this does is let you know the version of Word that you are currently using. This is helpful if you are ever trying to ask for assistance, but do not know which version you are using. The person that is assisting you may need to know this information, as each version differs from the next, so it will help narrow down the issue at hand.


Copyright © 2010 Elizabeth Parker


Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, Bark Out Loud!, My Dog Does That! Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil's Door and Faces of Deception

MS Word Help-Tutor Thursday

Since I have been providing technical support for a while now, I've received many phone calls and emails from friends, associates and even strangers seeking help with Microsoft Office.  While I'm no longer able to provide support, I did create a technical manual to help in these situations.  I've decided to post it here, just in case you're looking for some assistance!  I realize this is more than just a preview- it's actually the entire book!   I'll post part II next Thursday. 
Small disclaimer here.  I'm in no way employed or affiliated with Microsoft.  I am not selling this information-it is completely free.  While I've made a genuine effort to ensure the quality of this manual, there is no warranty provided and I disclaim any accountability and liability for any damages resulting from the utilization of the data provided in this manual or products described in it.  All sample exercises and files are fictional and any similarity to real people is strictly coincidental.
That being said- hope this helps!

Today's part covers the following:

From the beginning…Word for the Novice
The Differences Between Save and Save As
Toolbars
Font-Style, Shape, Size
Spell Check
Find and Replace
Bullets and Numbering
Justification and Indentation
Inserting Page Breaks
Inserting Page Numbers
Inserting Date and Time
AutoText
Columns

From the beginning…Word for the Novice

Microsoft Word is a limitless word processing program that provides you with the tools to make great documents, reports, business cards, mailing letters and much more.

To open Word, double click the Word icon on your desktop, or by Selecting Start>Programs>Microsoft Word.

You will be brought to a blank screen resembling a blank piece of paper. To begin entering information, you can start typing on this blank page. If you want to go through a specialized wizard for formatting letters, resumes, memos, faxes, etc., click on File>New. You will be brought to a new screen, enabling you to switch between tabs. From here, select the document you would like the Word wizard to help you create. You may want to experiment with each choice to see which type work for you. Just double click on the icon of your choice and follow the steps the wizard provides, hitting ‘Next’ after each screen.

On the bottom right you will notice there is an option to create a new document or template. The difference between them both is that a document is specific to one occasion, i.e., a one-time letter to your friend without formatting. A template will create a document that you can use various times, providing that you choose SAVE AS after each change. For example, Fax Letterhead. This will always contain your header and footer information, along with any additional detail you add that you want to appear on all your faxes. I will explain SAVE AS later in this book.

In this example, we will just choose a blank document.

• A few important things before we begin. As a rule, I recommend that you save your work in intervals of every ten minutes. Also remember which folder you saved it in! This is not required, but you’ll find it to be imperative if you plan to work on sizable documents. There is nothing more frustrating than working for three hours on a document, only to have your computer decide it wants to take a nap, and there’s no sign of your work ANYWHERE! Believe me, I have done this and have never forgotten it. So, make a mental note before anything else, to save your work.

*There is a feature called auto save that automatically saves your work for you in a recovery file. This feature should also be checked. To do this:

1. Select Tools>Options>Save.
2. Select the Save Auto Recover check box.
3. In the minute’s box, enter the interval for how often you want Microsoft Word to save documents. More information is recovered if there is a power failure the more frequently it saves. Should be about every 5-10 minutes.

The Differences Between Save and Save As

If you are saving the document for the first time, clicking File>Save will open a dialog box, as shown, allowing you to choose which folder you wish to save in along with the file name, and type. If you have already saved the document once, clicking ‘Save’ will cause the screen to flash, and your documents updates will have been saved.

In Save in: Click the Down arrow to the right to select the folder you wish to save in. In File Name: Type the name of the document.

Choosing Save As type is for:

When you have created a template or document, typed in some additional text (or took some out) and want this document to be saved without changing the original template, choose ‘Save As.’

If you want to password protect this document, in the ‘File>Save As’ dialog box, choose Tools>Security Options.

If a password is required to open the document, enter a password in the ‘Password to Open’ text box. You will be prompted to enter it once more.

If a password is only required to modify the document, enter a password in the ‘Password to modify’ text box. You will be prompted to enter it once more.

You can have a password for both, if necessary.

When you have made all of your choices, select ‘Save.’

Toolbars

Toolbars are a nice, easy way to make changes on your document in a single click. If you want some items to appear on the toolbar, click on View>Toolbars. From there you can select many different options so that they appear at all times. Click on each of them to see the options they give you and choose the ones that you want.

Font-Style, Shape, Size


You may already have in mind a particular font that you use. For this example, we will use Californian FB. If you wanted to change the text to Californian FB on a document that is already completed with an Arial Text:

1. Highlight all the text by clicking Edit>Select All. This will highlight all text in the document.
2. Click on Format>Font. The following dialog box appears:

3. Choose the desired text from the down arrow in the font field. You can also change the font style, size, color, underline style and special effects if you click the down arrow in the Font Style field Size field, Font Color, Underline Style fields. Experiment also with the Effects field by checking each option off and viewing its appearance in the Preview field at the bottom of the dialog box. (If you want to ALWAYS have this font style, size, color, etc., click the Default button on the bottom left of the dialog box).
4. When you have chosen your desired Font formatting, click Ok and you will be brought back to your document.

You can also select your font before you type anything on the document by using steps 2-4.

Please Note: When you change text on a document you have already formatted, this font change may ALSO affect the spacing and formatting of your document. You will want to look over your document to make sure the spacing and formatting is correct.

Spell Check

Whether you have completed your document or you are still creating it, you can have Word perform a spell check for you to locate any errors and suggest replacements. To do so, simply click on Tools>Spelling and Grammar. One of the two screens below will appear depending upon whether a grammatical or spelling error exists. The upper box will contain the actual text from your document. The bottom box – (labeled Suggestions) will contain either grammatical suggestions or possible words that may fit what you may have meant to spell, (or it will simply say No suggestions). You then have four options. They are:


1. Ignore-Ignore Word’s advice as you may have typed it exactly as you want it after all, for example an acronym or name of a company.
2. Ignore Rule -Ignore the rule that Word suggests.
3. Next Sentence-Skip to the Next Sentence
4. Change-If you agree with Word’s suggestions. This will automatically change the grammar in its location.

You may also see the following (as shown in the above box).

1. Ignore All-if that last name is listed many times.
2. Add-Add the unaccepted text into Word’s dictionary so that it will not appear in spell check as an error.
3. Change-Use this if you made a mistake and accept Word’s suggestions. Since there may be more than one suggestion, make sure you highlight the one you want to accept before clicking ‘Change.’
4. Change All-If you realize that you have incorrectly spelled a certain piece of text incorrectly, click ‘Change All’ to correct any duplicates of that text.

Find and Replace

There may be times when you have written or are reading a document and want to find a specific word or phrase, perhaps a distinct word that you wanted to revisit. To find it easily, select ‘Edit’ from the toolbar. Then select ‘Find.’ From the dialog box that appears, type in the word you are seeking. If there are multiple instances of this word, you can keep clicking ‘Find Next’ until you find the correct instance.

Along those same lines is the ‘Replace’ function. Suppose you were typing a letter to Mr. Smith and you just realized his name is spelled ‘Smyth.’ You can look for all instances of ‘Smith,’ whether there is one or one thousand and replace it with the name ‘Smyth’ with just a click of a button. It makes life a lot easier! To do so, select ‘Edit’ from the toolbar. Then select ‘Replace.’ In the find box, you would enter ‘Smith’ to search for all instances and then in the ‘Replace with’ box, you would enter ‘Smyth.’ For this particular situation, you would select ‘Replace All’ but for other situations, you may only want to replace it one time, so you would just select ‘Replace.’

                              

Once you select ‘Replace All,’ you will see a message that says:

Just click on the ‘OK’ button and you are finished!

Bullets and Numbering

To begin adding or numbers to a document for a formatted list as shown in these instructions:

1. Click on Format>Bullets and Numbering. The following dialog box will appear.

2. There are three tabs. Just select the format you would like, under any of the tabs and click okay.

You can also format the appearance of bullets you choose. To do this,

•  From the above screen, click on any bullet format, except ‘None,’ and click customize.
• The following screen will appear:

• Click on ‘Bullet button’ to view the screen below.

• Move your cursor around the screen to choose a bullet you like. For even more options, click on the down arrow in the Font screen.
• Once you have found the bullet you want, click ‘OK.’ Then Click ‘OK’ again to return to your document.
• This same method can be used for numbering; however, the screen will appear a little differently. 
• Click on the Numbers tab and then click on customize to view the following screen.

• Click on Number Style to change it what type of number style appears.
• Start at- You can determine what letter or number you want to start at. On this screen, you can also change the Font, number position and alignment by just clicking on the corresponding down arrows.
• Click ‘Ok’ and then click ‘Ok’ again to return to your document.

Justification and Indentation

If you look at the text in this manual, you will find that it is justified. The picture of above shows how an item looks centered (see the word “Centered”) and how the rest of the paragraph is justified so that all of the words end in the same spot on each line.

1. Select Format>Paragraph
2. On the screen that appears click on the down arrow labeled Alignment and choose how you would like to align your text.
3. On this screen you will also be able to modify indentation position and spacing.

Inserting Page Breaks

To insert breaks in your document:

1. Position your cursor where you want to make the page break.
2. Select Insert>Break.
3. The following screen will appear:
4. Choose the option that best describes how you want your page break to appear.
5. Then Click Ok.

Inserting Page Numbers

To insert a page number into your document:

1. Click on Insert>Page Number to display the following screen.
2. Choose where you want to position the page number and choose the alignment as well.
3. If your first page is a cover page, you may not want to start numbering on the first page. If this is the case, uncheck “Show number on first page."
4. Then click ‘OK.’

Inserting Date and Time

1. To Insert Date Stamp; Time, click on Insert>Date and Time.
2. Select the format of the date or time you wish to insert.
3. Click ‘OK.’
4. If you do not want this date to change every time you open the document, uncheck ‘Update automatically.’ For example, if you have inserted the date on a contract as “Contract Date,” you wouldn’t want that to change to the current date if you open the document to view it two years from the actual “Contract Date.”

AutoText

To automatically insert normal greetings or closing lines to your document:

1. Click on Insert >AutoText.
2. Click on the type of AutoText you wish to insert and that is all. It is that simple!

For those of you who are thinking, “This is all too easy,” that is because Word is very user friendly. Once you obtain knowledge of what is available to you, there should be no problems working in Word. It may even be fun, can you imagine?

Now that you have mastered the basics, we can move on to some more interesting stuff, such as dressing up your document… in a tux. Just kidding, wanted to make sure you were paying attention!

Columns

If you are seeking a career in a printing company, this next topic may be of interest to you. As you can see, I am writing this in two columns worth of space, just like newspapers and magazines, which is what I will show you.

To have your document print in two columns, follow these easy instructions.

1. Type your document
2. Highlight the text you want to convert into columns.
3. Select Format>Columns. A dialog box appears, as shown below.

4. Choose how many columns you want under Presets. Or select the number of columns under Number of Columns.
5. If you want separate width and spacing for each column, you can specify this under Width and spacing.
6. On the right you will be shown a preview of how your document will look.
7. You also have the option to ‘Apply to: “This section,” meaning the text that you highlighted, “This point forward, “or the “Whole document.”
8. Voila, you have just created your first Newspaper article, and you learned how to spell “voila.” Things are getting better by the minute!

Okay- that's part I.  Stay tuned for next Thursday, part II.  I will go over:
Change Case

Backgrounds
Themes
Inserting a Table
Converting Text to Table
Converting Table to Text
Hiding Gridlines
Undo/Redo
Word Count
Help!

Copyright 2010 Elizabeth Parker
Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, Bark Out Loud!, My Dog Does That! Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil's Door and Faces of Deception

Faces of Deception

Free Preview! Now available on Amazon.com on Kindle!

Chapter 1: False Accusations?

“I know it was you, Montgomery. So help me if I find out that I’m right.” Carmine slammed his fist on the counter hard enough to cause the dusty cash register to bounce.

The shop had that musty odor that signified a professional cleaning crew had never stepped foot on premises.

“Boss, I’m telling you. It wasn’t me. Why would I steal from you? Huh? Tell me that. I’ve been working here too long for me to take anything from you and Donovan. I swear! You have my word.”

“Who else would've done it? The mice?” He raised his voice, causing his face to turn lobster-red and his eyes to transform into tiny slits. “Oh, I know. Maybe a mouse gently opened the front door without any signs of forced entry—perhaps they had an imaginary key—and stole money right out of the cash register and then quietly walked out.  Sure! That makes tons of sense. Why didn’t I think of that earlier? Then, that same rodent came back again and again, and not only stole money, but almost every expensive tool that we own. Is that what happened, Montgomery? You lanky lowlife!”

“No, I—I don’t know what happened. But, I’ll find out for you. I promise, I would never do anything like that. It wasn’t me.”

“Oh, well thank goodness we cleared that up. That’s great!” Carmine was infamous for being facetious. “You have a week to find out who is responsible. I’ll break your legs if I find out it was you. Don’t test me. You know I will.”

Ordinarily, Montgomery was an arrogant one. He looked like he belonged in a ’50s street gang, with his black hair slicked back and his smokes rolled up in his T-shirt. But he had the skills of a good plumber when he wasn’t high on cocaine, and that was the only reason he kept his job.

He was a little intimidated as Carmine’s veins pulsed on his forehead. They resembled bulging egg sacks that might hatch little aliens from them any minute. “If it was you, you better run and run far. I’ve taken enough of your horseshit throughout the years, but this is my breaking point. Do you hear me?” He threw a coffee can filled with nails at Montgomery’s head, purposely missing him by a quarter of an inch. “Next time, I’ll aim directly for your head and I won’t miss. That, I can assure you. Donovan is going through the videotapes and if I see your sorry ass on there, you’re dead.”

“You’re wrong, boss. It wasn’t me. I don’t know what I can do to prove it to ya, but I’m telling you, you’re wrong!”

“Fantastic. Then I’ll hire you back on Monday and maybe even apologize, but something tells me I won’t be doing any of that! If it was you, you won’t need a job where you’re going. Take my advice and watch your back, son. You’d better learn how to grow eyes in the back of your head. Now get the hell out of here.”

Carmine, the co-owner of South Side Plumbing for which Montgomery worked, always came across as though he'd been served vinegar with a side of lemons as his morning’s breakfast, even when not accusing his employees of stealing. It was rare to see a smile on his face, and if you did, it was most likely because he had a piece of food lodged between his yellowing teeth.

And though functional and sometimes even profitable, the plumbing business was just a facade.

Once, Carmine had actually made a modest living as a rookie plumber, who only dabbled in the drug scene every once in a while. But as with many drug users, his priorities in life shifted, turning his life of dabbling into a dependency.

Unable to handle the day-to-day responsibility of reporting to a higher authority, he partnered with Donovan, another drug user, though not yet an addict, to start their own company, though it was really a front. He needed to report his income somehow, even though a fraction of it came from dealing drugs. While the front of the shop looked normal, the backroom would be heaven to any drug addict lucky enough to stumble upon it. Upon first glance, it resembled a disorganized office. A wooden table covered with invoices stood in the middle of the room, the wood chipping off of both sides. Two metal chairs sat on either side of it, the kind that hurt to sit in after only a few minutes. To the left were a few shelves that held supplies—paper towels, pens, invoices, clipboards, and a few stray tools. What couldn’t be seen without closer inspection were fireproof safes that were carefully hidden underneath the floorboards or neatly tucked in the walls behind secret wooden panels. These safes housed scrupulously-measured bags of cocaine separated by grams, along with marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, oxycodone, and a myriad of other drugs.

As Montgomery walked out of the shop, Carmine shouted something behind him, no doubt some type of threat. But the door slammed before he could hear it. Montgomery knew Carmine would stop at nothing to get revenge—he’d done it before.

In the beginning of their joint venture, Donovan kept Carmine on his toes. Carmine and Donovan both worked full-time, but once Carmine’s social use became more of an everyday necessity, his work ethic became only a vague memory. Donovan knew Carmine had a problem when he started using drugs more than he sold them. His violent temper was often piqued when he couldn’t get his hands on a quick fix.

Though Donovan dabbled as well, he was at least able to exercise some self-control. He didn't depend upon drugs to get through his daily routine. Carmine, on the other hand, seemed to be losing his common sense with each passing day, so it was no wonder that he'd flown off the handle when his money disappeared, and then later that week when his tools vanished as well.

 A rumor had it that Carmine had injured people for less than theft, though it was a rumor Montgomery believed with all of his heart.

Montgomery knew that if Donovan caught anything suspicious on the security tapes, Carmine would make good on his promise. He only hoped Donovan, known for his levelheadedness, would step in and talk some sense into his uncontrollable partner.

Chapter 2:’Til Death Do Us Part

Tonight was going to be a superb evening for Montgomery. He and his friends had scored a deal on some cocaine and were having a party at Shelby’s house. He and Shelby had started dating—if you could call it that—a few months prior.  Their dates consisted of getting high on whatever drugs fell into their possession.

All of the cool people were going to be there. Artie, their main source, hinted that he was bringing along some ecstasy as well, and there was no way that Montgomery was missing it.

Just like Carmine and Donovan, Montgomery also frequented the drug scene.  It hadn't gotten to the point where his incessant need for drugs surpassed his ability to hold down a job, but he was definitely traveling steadily on the path toward addiction, similar to his parents. He used his upbringing as an excuse to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

His father, Brian Allen Vendora, was a raging alcoholic who had never encountered a bottle he didn’t like. There was no way in hell he could ever hold down a job, and he frequently took out his frustrations on his wife, as well as Montgomery, and his older brother, Lewis.

His parents fought day in and day out. It wasn’t just tiny squabbles—their fights made televised boxing look like a sophisticated night at the ballet. Even as his mother’s face met the end of his father’s fist again and again, she clung to the old-fashioned theory that she should never leave, no matter how unbearable her life became.

Perhaps she couldn’t leave. Her suitcases were occasionally packed and lined up by the doorway, but somehow, some way, Mr. Vendora always discovered that his wife was planning on going on a permanent vacation—without him. And when he did, Mrs. Vendora wouldn’t be seen for days on end.

He saw his actions as punishment for her indecent behavior, and after a while, she succumbed to the old cliché—if you can’t beat him, join him. She started to indulge in more and more liquid meals herself. The two of them found solace in sharing a bottle of bourbon whiskey. From a distance, one might assume that Cupid had arranged the perfect match.

But Montgomery knew his mother drank to expedite her inevitable death, having decided it was impossible to make a clean getaway during in life. He questioned her poor choices and wondered why she never sought help.

Plus, the more inebriated that she became, the less she cared when her husband beat their kids to a pulp. During her sober days, she’d step in and take the brunt to protect her children, but that came to a halt when the tipped bottle became more important.

By the time Montgomery was fourteen, he had begun to scout out places where he could sleep overnight, especially during his parents’ drinking binges. They were usually too far gone to notice him leave, and by the time morning rolled around, he always returned with his parents none the wiser.

The next year, his father’s abuse landed his brother Lewis in the hospital, with bruises covering a good portion of his face and body. Once Lewis recovered, both boys left home to stay with friends. Lewis found a job first and then helped Montgomery get hired.

As bad as their childhoods were, once they were on their own, they were both surprisingly responsible. They found a small one-bedroom apartment on the south side of town, which they shared and split the rent. Lewis gave the bedroom to Montgomery, while he slept in the center of the tiny living room.

Lewis worked hard to pick up the pieces of his life, consciously refraining from alcohol and drugs. But Montgomery eventually gave in to his own self-pity and spent his free time drinking and partying like there was no tomorrow. He told Lewis that he had “earned that right.” It was only a matter of time before he began to experiment with marijuana, and then graduated to a few lines of cocaine here and there. After two years on his own, Montgomery was experimenting with heroin and any other street drugs he could get his hands on. It was a wonder that he was still able to keep a job, but he knew that in order to get his hands on drugs, he needed to work.

One night, after a full day of partying, Montgomery stumbled into the apartment that he shared with Lewis, breaking a lamp and waking his brother in the process. When Lewis told him that he had had enough and demanded that Montgomery get his life together, Montgomery began screaming in a petulant rage. He took a swing at Lewis, missed, and fell face down on the floor.

That was the end of the proverbial rope for Lewis. While he didn’t want to be responsible for tying the noose, he didn’t want to be an enabler, either. He had lived his entire childhood witnessing alcoholism and abuse. He didn't want to stand by to see his brother spiral out of control.

Left with no other choice, he packed his brother’s bags and gave him until the end of the week to get out, hoping it would be the motivation that his brother needed to get his life in order.

Unfortunately, it had the adverse effect, because Montgomery, then age seventeen, left the next morning without saying a word. From that point on, he rented rooms from people, lived with strangers that he met on the street, and sometimes, his home was nothing more than a cardboard box or a rusty, cold bench in the middle of a vacant park. He hadn’t seen his brother since. 

He never regretted his choice to cut ties —or at least he never let on if he did—and never tried to contact Lewis again.  When he acquired employment with Carmine three years later, he admitted that he considered his brother dead.

To order, click here!  

Elizabeth Parker- Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil's Door and Faces of Deception

Motivational Quotes: Bark Out Loud!

There's a new book on the market; this one's a little different than my usual. Not quite a thriller and not entirely a dog-lovers book. Come to think of it, it's not even a combination of the two. It is a very quaint book of quotes. If you are in the mood for some uplifting words of encouragement, look no further. There's some quotes on dogs, inspiration, motivation and even some on frustration! If words aren't what you are looking for, there are some pretty pictures to catch your eye.
As with all of my books, I donate a portion of the proceeds to animal rescue, however, with "Bark Out Loud!" I am donating 100% of the profits to animal rescue organizations. This book is for them.

A smiling dog can mean the difference between an ordinary moment and one to treasure.

There's no greater feeling than rescuing an animal. You know what they say "The best things in life are free."

Happiness is hearing your dog's greeting as you walk in the door.


Have you hugged your pet today?

Somebody thinks you are incredible...they probably just haven't told you yet.

Tolerance and patience are acquired traits. They need to be practiced and perfected and definitely won’t happen overnight.

Often, the reason that you make mistakes is to learn from them and teach someone else.

Available on Amazon.com,Kindle and Nook!

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Parker

Imagination

Whenever I’m reading a story, especially one that grabs my attention, I always have to wonder where the author conjured up the spooky ideas that send chills crawling up your spine.


Usually the type of genre that interests me has to have a storyline where at least eighty-five percent of the events that take place can actually happen in real life in order for me to relate. I’m not much into science-fiction, although I don’t mind a little touch of that or supernatural thrown into the mix. Some of my favorite books have had a force out of this world mixed in with reality.


I suppose that is why when I am writing a novel, it always is about events that actually can occur—even if the ideas are far-fetched. There have been moments in each of my thrillers when I’ve actually scared myself quite a bit.


In Unwanted Dreams, I was more bothered by the fact that in reality, there have been too many cases to count where a body was found lying in a ditch or hidden in the desert. Bringing that aspect to life in my book got me thinking about just how twisted these scenarios really can be! Zach was put into a lifestyle that some may call survival, while others just call him a murderer. Either way, he’s a character you can love to hate.


With Phobia, though I had a lot of fun writing this book, it did make me think twice about putting your trust in total strangers. I have to imagine that not everyone is as goodhearted as we would like them to be. You never know who you are going to run into or what their motive is. Sociopaths are likable on the outside until you get to know them intimately. I got the chills when I realized just how possible it was to be in Matt Brewer’s shoes!


Evil’s Door was sick in its own right, as I wondered if it were feasible for two malicious-minded individuals to find each other. Of course, most of my books have at least one dog in them (with the exception of Phobia), so this one wasn’t any different. I enjoyed playing on the stereotype that most big dogs are vicious. Those of us who have owned them or have loved them know differently! Though Ryan was terrified of dogs, his real horrors only began when he got hired at his first job. Some old buildings have a history for which some doors should never be opened. If walls could speak, I’d have to imagine they’d sound similar to the voice in Evil’s Door.


Which type of books interest you? Do you need to relate to your characters in order to enjoy the book, or can you throw yourself into the plot of the story and follow it wherever it takes you?

Elizabeth Parker
Author of:
Finally Home: Lessons on Life from a Free-Spirited Dog
Final Journey: Buddys' Book
My Dog Does That!
Unwanted Dreams
Phobia
Evil's Door
...stay tuned for new thriller!!
Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Parker

My Dog Does That!

Description:

A humorous, cheery, feel-good book about what all dog-lovers have in common: dogs and the reasons that we love them. Some days they make us laugh, some days they make us crazy, but one thing is for certain; they do some interesting things that non dog-lovers wouldn't understand.

Do you ever feel a bit awkward due to the stunts that your dog has pulled? Do you ever feel as if you are the only one whose dog embarrasses them at not-so-convenient times? How about those wonderfully sweet and tender moments that you so badly want to brag about, but are afraid others may not understand? If so, you're not alone!
We dog-lovers can all relate to the everyday occurrences when it comes to our furry friends because our dogs do that too!

FREE PREVIEW!

Introduction: My Dog Does That!

Dogs have a way of being completely unique in some aspects, yet ironically similar in others. Their expressions and mannerisms can be so irresistible, it’s no wonder we want to share their “tails” with others!

As dog owners, we’ve all experienced the occasional embarrassing oh-my-dog, I can’t believe he/she just did that type moments. The type of moments that occur during the most inopportune of times, or while trying to impress a certain guest, or my personal favorite, right after you boast the words, “Oh, my dog would never do that,” only to have them prove you wrong right then and there.

There are also the types of moments that grab a hold of your heart and make you realize exactly why you are a dog-lover. There are stories you could tell and coincidences that no one would believe. No one but a fellow dog-lover, that is.

The nature of this book is about all of those moments, for when you look around the room and say, “Now, how am I going to explain this one without people thinking I have completely lost my mind?”

Now you don’t have to. You’ll see. You’re not alone. We dog-lovers know where you are coming from and we know you’re telling the truth. Do you want to know why?

Because My Dog Does That!

Chapter 1 Why Dogs?

Is there anything greater than the consistent love that we get from a dog? Is there anything more honest? What’s not to love?

I’ve had various discussions at one time or another during my life and the same type of question has come up quite a few times. Perhaps you have been asked a similar variety of questions under the same premise:

“Why do you love dogs so much? I just don’t understand the concept. What’s so great about them?”

In the beginning, I might have exhausted myself trying to explain it once or twice and then after a while, I realized it is just something that you cannot fully explain. There are no words that could accurately describe the love of a dog. For it to be fully understood, it has to be experienced.

As I sit here typing on my laptop, I look around and see the three personalities that I speak of the most: my dogs.

There’s no doubt. I am one hundred percent a dog person. For those of you who share my enthusiasm, you are more than likely familiar with that phrase. For those of you who are not, you are probably saying “a what?”

Let me explain.

For me, it’s all about the dogs and always has been ever since I can remember. It is a quiet, or maybe not so quiet, obsession that stems from, oh, I don’t know, the beauty of their innocence. Or, perhaps it is the sheer innocence of their beauty.

See, they don’t realize that they are beautiful and adorable. A mirror means nothing to them. They have no idea how breathtaking they are. Yet, they are gorgeous in so many ways, both inside and out. All this without ever having to fix their hair!

Which circles me back to canine innocence.

Even the most mischievous of dogs are innocent in their own specific way. There are those that may misbehave more than others and then there are some that do not get the proper medical treatment or training that is required, but that is not their fault.

More often than not, the owner is the one to blame.

So, when people ask me, why dogs? It is so many things and it is nothing at all. To explain each one’s individual personality is worth a book in itself, but once you fall in love with your first pup…it all becomes crystal clear. No explanation is necessary.

It doesn’t matter that you have to vacuum up dog hair every day, or wake up according to their breakfast schedule or try to speak their language to decipher why they are whining for no apparent reason.

Does any of this sound familiar to you? We do it simply because we love them. For any and all of the work involved in owning a dog, their reciprocation of love and companionship makes it all worthwhile.

Their unconditional love outweighs any of the tribulations you may go through. They admire you no matter what you look like, act like or feel like. They find excitement in anything you say and look to you as though what you said was the most logical and the most incredible sound they have ever heard.

So my answer has since been shortened to this and I think it sums it up perfectly; “What’s not to love?"

Available on Kindle and Nook


Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Parker



Excerpt from "Unwanted Dreams"

As you may or may not know, "Unwanted Dreams" was written with bits and pieces from actual dreams (or nightmares) that I have had.  This particular dream I found to be interesting, chilling and spooky, all in one.  It is taken from a part of the book where Amber is telling Tiffany about it.

"For many years, my mom has had this beautiful figurine placed in close proximity to the kitchen telephone. It is as odd as it is beautiful. To describe it is somewhat difficult, but I will certainly give it a try.
The figurine is about the size of one’s hand. In the center is an Asian type fabric made of pinkish silk. The silk is embroidered with flowers in the center, taking the shape of a delicate bow. From the center, stretching outward on both sides, are four dark black silhouettes. They are velvety to the touch. No one has ever really asked what the figurine was, nor has anyone ever cared. Not until now.
You and I were in the woods outside of the house. As you know, there has never been anything outside that was considered dangerous or poisonous, which is why I was so shocked upon first glance. It was approaching toward us quicker and appeared more frightening than I could have imagined.
There, in the woods was my own nemesis; a HUGE, black, hairy, creepy tarantula. It must have easily been the size of my hand, though even in my dream I didn’t stick around to find out. Its eyes, as they were fixated upon us, displayed a vengeance, as it seemed to have some private aspiration to capture us in one of its vicious webs. You know how I am genuinely afraid of a tiny house spider, I felt the adrenalin and fear run through my veins right after seeing this creature. I ran like my life depended upon it. I ran into the house to tell my mom what we had seen in her yard. You were following closely behind."
So, my mom was at the neighbor’s house and our only two choices were the obvious; wait to warn her or just call her. I decided just to call her and tell her. As I reached for the telephone, as I had done a thousand times, I only then noticed that the well-known peculiar figurine was not there…well, not entirely there.
All that was left in its place was the stand on which to hold it. I stood in awe studying this vacancy, as it had never to my knowledge been empty before. As I stood studying it, I was distracted by something that caused me to freeze in horror.
There on the wall was something I closely recognized, but did not want to believe was in front of me. It was just as I had remembered it. It was just as huge, just as scary, but somehow more confident and at ease. This in itself is what caused me to feel even less at ease and with zero confidence whatsoever.
There, on the wall, climbed the notoriously feared tarantula. Into its stand it crawled and stretched its legs outward on both sides; four dark black silhouettes. It enclosed its body within its own web; an intricate pink, delicate, beautiful bow handcrafted by none other than the creepy crawler itself.
At the precise moment, my mom walked into the house."

Unwanted Dreams is now on sale on Kindle, Nook or on Amazon.com in paperback.
It is also on sale as part of a collection with "Phobia" for only $4.49!
Copyrighted Material 2010 Elizabeth Parker