The Thing That Turned Me - An Anthology

I'm so grateful to be part of this group of talented authors. Thank you to Randi Lee at Stay Classy Publications, for all that you've done to make this anthology possible. Thanks to all the contributors who have shared their stories, and many thanks to the folks who participated in compiling the promotion materials for this book.


“The Thing That Turned Me” will be available for paperback and ebook purchase on June 30, 2016.

We make decisions every day that will affect us for the rest of our lives: to stay or to go; to rise to the challenge or to crumble under its weight; to take the chance or let opportunity pass us by, without knowing what might have been. An open door. A chance encounter. A moment of truth. All such small things that can decide the rest of our lives without our even realizing it.


This variegated collection of authors of varying genres bring you pictures of these chances…these things that turn us—for better or for worse—and change our lives forever.


Will you recognize your moment when it comes?

Contributor	Contribution
Imani Allen	“Rehema”
Michelle Athy	“The Disappearance of Miss Mary Dawkins”
Madalyn Beck	“Hard to Love”
Diane Carlisle	“The Window”
Alex J. Cavanaugh	“CassaDawn”
Crystal Collier	“The Shadow King’s Pet”
Cathrina Constantine	“Rising Star~Falling Heart”
Michael Di Gesu	“Through Shades of Gray”
Tonja Drecker	“A Glowworm”
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne	“The Journey”
Sherry Ellis	“Finding My Voice”
Elise Fallson	“Deadly Encounters”
Heather M. Gardner	“Before We Break”
Samantha Redstreake Geary	“Don’t be Koi”
Misha Gerrick	“Ryan”
Krystal Hillsman	“To the Last Love of My Life”
Celeste Holloway	“Shadows Falling on Rainbows”
Harper L. Jameson	“The Blanket”
Randi Lee	“Off the Horse”
Terrance Dwayne Mack	“When I Went Crazy”
K.D. Martin	“Invariant”
Tyrean Martinson	“Letting Go: A Siren Song”
Melissa Maygrove	“Malice”
Nana Prah	“Finding the Light”
Christine Rains	“George and the Dragon”
Melanie Schulz	“The Reader”
Elizabeth Seckman	“Shifting Sands”
Tara Tyler	“The Day Dave Broke the Internet”
Jenny Vyas	Artwork for “Don’t be Koi”
Michelle Wallace	“Shades of Deception”
L. Diane Wolfe	“Revelation”
Roland Yeomans	“Wednesday’s Child”

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Blast From The Past - The Anti-Social Teenager

I knew one day my baby girl would turn into an intelligent and demure young lady. I had no doubt. So, when she found some old photos, documents, and other such treasures a few days ago, I felt it would be great to share them on my blog.

The first little gold nugget is a weekly progress worksheet from middle school. Little doubt here that Chelsey got her sense of worthiness from her mama. She and I have certainly outgrown our anti-social perspectives, but just so you know, our intentions have always been good ones.

I love this girl's bold sense of humor. I can say this now, but I think I was horrified back then.  :)

All great advice. From the teacher, too!

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Son's Graduation Associate's of Science

I couldn't think of a better blog entry today than this one, being my blog theme really is about making progress with journeys of all kinds, and not just my own journey.

Today, I would like to dedicate a blog entry to my son, Cameron Carlisle. He received his Associate of Science Degree in Information Technology from Keiser University. I can't tell you how proud we are of him.

Congratulations, Cameron!  :D

February Blog Chain - Second Chances

by Diane Carlisle

The February prompt for the AbsoluteWrite.com blog chain is about second chances. My story is a true one and I thank God every day that I’m here to tell it because in the beginning, before I was even born, I was given a second chance. I hope this doesn’t offend anyone, and the fact that I write this with a light heart is proof enough that I hold no ill feelings toward anyone, including my mom. I love you, mom!

What's a girl to do when told she was almost aborted? I think it was mom’s way of telling me that