Dammit for Cynical Spirits Book Beginnings

I like to make good use of inspirational affirmations, Thus, every now and again I purchase myself one of those cute little books with words of wisdom to browse through during not-so-happy life moments.

Yes, dammit, those times do occasionally peek through like a rain cloud trying to ruin a day of sunshine. But that's ok, I vow to be happy anyway!

I discovered a gem of a book that achieves feeding the need for inspiration and tosses in a bit of much needed laughter too. And so it is that I share the book beginnings with you from the first page of How to Be Happy, Dammit: A Cynic's Guide to Spiritual Happiness.

"THE IDEA FOR THIS BOOK: To create the first and only self-help book that merges Psychology, Biology, Eastern Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Quantum Physics, and the Zen of Bazooka Joe that's guaranteed to perk up even the most cynical spirit."

Still cynical?

Allow me to help you with that! Read my full review of the Dammit book as I Recharge Negative to Positive.

Read more about why I bought the book in my article on Negative Thinking on Positive Thinking Day.

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I am linking this blog article up with the Book Beginnings on Fridays blog hop, hosted by Rose City Reader. There you will find a listing of all bloggers who are sharing the beginning sentences of books.

Book Blogger in the Spotlight

Head on over to my other blog today, as in my recent post I have a great book blogger in the spotlight. You will not be disappointed with his blog posts and articles at Squidoo, I promise you!

Meet Paul in Shares Short and Sweet for Mom.

Service With a Smile a Part of Growing Up In Boom Times

This Baby Boomer blast from the past comes to us from page 88 of Chapter Twelve, "What a Gas" of Growing Up In Boom Times:


     "I worked at the Clark station in Keego Harbor. All we sold was premium gas and oil—and service. My training for the job consisted primarily of how to give good service. Good service meant smiling, being polite, always wiping windshield (front and back), and asking if customers wanted their oil checked. It also meant putting air into tires if asked--or better, if a tire looked low, suggesting it. For all this the customer paid 34.9 cents for a gallon of gas, a price which didn't go up at all until the mid-70's.

     Good service at the Clark station did have..."

Previously shared excerpts of Growing Up In Boom Times:

100 Words from Baby Boomer and Author Chris Brockman
Wild Berries and Grampas

WoW Weekly 100 Words is a book blog hop-a-long. Share a 100-word excerpt of a book you are currently reading. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of this post.

For your Information: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

WoW Weekly 100 Words from No Greater Sacrifice

Our characters still search for the last bronze piece in No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, now sharing 100 words of Chapter LIV, page 291:
  

      "Thanks...I think. What got you thinking that it was Mary Magdalene in the first place?"
     "Don't hit me, but when you stuck your boobs out, the idea that it could be a woman popped into my head."
     She slugged him anyway.

+++

     Five hundred yards behind, a dark, green van followed. The vehicle's side panel sported several new dents where a child had repeatedly practiced penalty shots on it with a soccer ball that morning. Crouched low behind the wheel, Dehorsouci peered over the dash with bloodshot eyes, like a praying mantis waiting for the fly to land on a flower petal.

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Be sure to visit the previous WoW 100 excerpts of "No Greater Sacrifice" where author John C. Stipa shares a comment or two of his own:

Floating in Midair WoW 100 Words

Wine, Candlelight, and Hot Water

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words
Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

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What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your blog post and hop along with us this week, sharing a 100 word excerpt from the book(s) you are currently reading. Be sure to add your post TITLE and LINK to the linky list at the end of this post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

Continuing my reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, I now share with you all 101 words of Chapter XXII, page 134:

     Dehorsouei waited for the target to stop moving about.
     They were in a nearly perfect line; it would be a difficult shot.
     He moved the crosshairs into position on the man's head. Blowing air from his lungs, he gracefully slid his left arm down the shaft of the rifle, pulling the butt snugly into his cheek.
     A whisper escaped his lips. "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that he should live."
     Released by his gentle squeeze, the angel of death, encased in a jacket of lead, belched from the barrel in a horrific explosion.

***

What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week to share a bit of the book(s) occupying your time.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

I am thoroughly enjoying the reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa. It is difficult to choose an excerpt to share, as I am finding each part of the story intriguing with meat of the story in each morsel.

This week I share 100 words from chapter VI, page 55:

     "...a test."
     "I wouldn't put it that way. Maybe His plan is as simple as this: He built a place for us to be born, live, and die, to quote you. Either we choose to live a good life or we don't. And when it's all over, it is we who control whether we are worthy of His company."
     Renee sat forward and squared her body to him. "You make it sound like it's a theatre production for God. And life on Earth is the audition."
     "Yes, only we are the screenwriters, with the ability to dictate our own legacy."

And later in this dialogue, David asks Renee, "You got a better theory?"

How about you? How would you answer the question?

My response would be similar to a poetic creation of mine of January 2010, originally posted to Gather as Supporting Players...

And ... What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week! We'd love a morsel of the meat of the story you're reading.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

WoW 100 - What kind of a mother does that?

     She sadly looked at him and through her tears quietly replied, "I fell asleep and when I woke up the baby was gone. What kind of a mother does that?"
     "Amelia," Tyler leaned forward again, "I want you to listen to me very carefully. You were eighteen years old. You were sent away to a home that handled situations like yours. The likelihood that you 'fell asleep' is probably more that you were drugged into a deep enough sleep for them to take the baby away from you. Most women after giving birth have an adrenaline rush and are alert...

The 100-word excerpt above is found in chapter TWENTY-NINE, page 184 of  Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman.

This will be my last share from the book "Disrupted Lives", although I will be posting my book review for this title this coming Sunday, July 17th, as part of Brenda Youngerman's Disrupted Lives Blog Tour beginning at Fiction With A Purpose.

I have a pile of books on my TBR list and will begin next week sharing 100 word excerpts from three books I am currently reading! I also hope to begin getting back to writing and posting my book reviews, as I am way behind on that ToDo List, too.

Book bloggers are invited to hop along with us in this WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop. Just snag the hop button and link for your blog post, add your post link and title to the weekly linky list provided in my weekly WoW 100 post. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you're welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week and share from the book titles you are currently reading.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Roommate Reader Choice

Due to the loss of a family member, I've not read at all this past week. Thus, my friend and roommate, Scott, is selecting my WoW 100 Words share for you this week. Scott had shown an interest in this book when it arrived in my mailbox and has completed reading: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman.

Scott's thoughts on this Youngerman novel:

"The book is well put together, having accurate history about the old south, and customs, and how racially prejudiced people really were. I enjoyed the two brothers, how they lived apart; how they both became pro quarterbacks was fantastic.

And yes! Yes, I would buy the book! But, of course, I didn't have to because I read Ruthi's copy, before she did!"

Scott's choice words to share with you are from chapter EIGHT, page 64:

    
     The acquittal of Kelvin Farm was headline news in Atlanta. Fiona, who had not spoken to Chad in over six months, called and said, "Did you do that?"
     "Do what Mama?"
     "Get that colored out of jail?"
     "Yes, ma'am, I did!" he said jubilantly.
     "Shame on you!" she said, "I have never been as ashamed of you as I am today." She hung up the phone.
     Chad put the receiver back into the cradle and just stared at the phone. What is wrong with her, he thought.
     Chad quickly became the defender of those who were innocent and were willing...

I invite you to share the book(s) you are currently reading by hopping along in my book blog hop, WoW Weekly 100 Words. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit throughout the week so you can introduce yourself to others on the WoW lists each week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Going to Yale

     "Mama, I'm going to Yale and that's that!" Chad said, sitting across the table from her. "Now will you please stop making this a bigger deal than it has to be?"
     She stared at him, not blinking one time. "Chad, that's a Yankee school! We are Southerners!"
     "Mama, the war between the States ended almost a hundred years ago. I've been accepted with a full scholarship to Yale, and I'm not turnin' it down because you think we're still at war."
     "Don't you talk to me that way!" Fiona scolded him.
     "I apologize if you think I'm showin' you disrespect..."

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Of course, you now realize I was not making an announcement that I am going to Yale. Instead, this is a 100 word excerpt from the book I am currently reading: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. The excerpt was taken from page 49, chapter SIX.

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I invite you to share the book(s) you are currently reading by hopping along in my book blog hop, WoW Weekly 100 Words. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW lists each week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words Over the Hill

While reading the passage I'll share with you in a bit, a phrase jumped up and gave me a chuckle ... I just had to look up the definition to be sure if my thinking I'm over-the-hill is correct.

As defined by TheFreeDictionary: over-the-hill:

adj. Informal

1. Past the peak of one's youthful vigor and freshness.

2. Far along in life; old.

Adj. 1. over-the-hill - too old to be useful

Okay, so I can pretty much agree with 1 and 2 Informal. However, I most certainly do not agree with Adj. 1 definition. I am most certainly quite useful, still, no matter my age; in fact, maybe moreso because of my age.

So, am I over-the-hill? Absolutely not and will never think so again! How about you? Do you consider yourself over-the-hill?

Sharing a 100 word excerpt from Chapter Four, page 45, of The Book of Ruth by author Jane Hamilton:

"May was thirty-eight years old when I was born. She probably thought I was going to be retarded since she was over the hill. I wonder if she enjoyed carrying me. I wonder if she ate liver and spinach and drank a quart of milk a day, like they tell you you must. Sometimes, the way I get so tired, I suspect May never ate the right food. I feel like I don't have all the ingredients a person is supposed to have.

I've already described most of the main events that happened to me when we were a family..."

I hope you've enjoyed the WoW Weekly 100 Words I've just shared with you. I also hope you'll blog hop along by sharing your current read, too.

WoW 100 Words from The Book of Ruth

Have you ever run across a book you feel you should have read years ago but you've never even heard of the book until now? That's exactly how I felt when I first read the book title and a 100 Word excerpt on a blog post of The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton.

Of course, the title, which bears my name but has no connection to me at all, intrigued me and I felt as though I must have this title in my collection on my bookshelf. I jotted it down on my To Be Read list, but didn't think about it again until a couple of months later as I was creating my online wish list. Before putting the book on the list, I decided to investigate it further. I discovered it's quite a controversial book, in that it has received mixed reviews. Some think it a literary piece; others, they think its pages filled with nonsensical word jumbles.

In the end, intrigued by the controversy, I took The Book of Ruth off my wish list as quickly as I added it, by purchasing it before the list was even complete. It arrived this past week and although I've read only the first chapter, I am glad I made the decision to Buy Now as opposed to later.

I hope you'll enjoy the WoW Weekly 100 Words I share with you as I read this book title. I also hope you'll blog hop along by sharing your current read, too.





Reading from Chapter One, page 10, of The Book of Ruth (Oprah's Book Club):

"I wished then, while it was happening, that we could have stayed there at the kitchen table for about five centuries. I could have stood it that long. I wanted to preserve the scene, just as fossils do, keeping rare animals so still in stone. It took me several years to figure out that on that July night we were actually experiencing the gladness some people feel every day, not just once in a summer. I saw how it was with other people, because I watched the children in church, running to their mothers after Sunday school. I saw it..."

WoW Weekly 100 Words - Trust

I'm a day late with this WoW 100 Words blog hop post, as I was locked out of Blogger for the past few days, mostly due to a cookie handling issue, caused by me and my new computer and its settings. Anyway, this will be the last excerpt I'll share from this book title, since I will be finishing it this week. A book review share to follow soon.

Sharing from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey.

The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 49, "Eagle's Nest", page 322:

Hitler spoke hoarsely, "Don't move, my dog Blondie just came out the door. She doesn't usually like strangers. If you remain still she will not hurt you." The dog came slowly over to Karl. "Don't make a sudden move," Hitler said. The dog came over and sniffed Karl's hand. She opened her mouth, Hitler made a move to grab the collar. Then the dog licked Karl's hand.

"Auch du lieber Gott!" Hitler exclaimed. "You are one of the few people she had ever trusted." This cemented his trust in Karl. Hitler leaned back and relaxed. He seemed completely at ease...

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

 

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words Putzfrau Lives Among Thousands Dead

To Stephanie -- The Putzfrau lived! -- And she berated the German officers for their behavior, in grand motherly fashion.

Now, I continue to share from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 45, "Berlin, Fourth Day", page 287:

"...Aren't you going to ask me?"

     "Ask you what?" Karl asked stupidly.
     "Dummy! To go to my room," Irina answered.
     "Why?" asked Karl.
     "Don't you realize this is how I make my living?" she said.    
     Karl gave her that look.
     "You think that is terrible, don't you? Well, how many people have you killed?" she asked.
     Karl gave an honest reply, "Thousands." and he described the battle at Pripet Marsh. It made him sick to think about it.    
     "Am I worse for sleeping with a man at night than you, killing so many people?" Irina asked.
     This really cut through..."

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

Add Author Charles Joseph Fickey as a Facebook Friend. If you like, you can tell him you've been reading excerpts of his book posted here at Ruthi Reads!

 WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words with Pistol in Hand

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

This is a Wednesday book blog hop, although you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from the book(s) you are currently reading and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

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Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 38, "Skat with SS General", page 225:

"...a figure burst through the door. Karl glanced over his shoulder, and thought he saw a partisan with a machine gun. He rolled off of his chair onto the floor, and came up on his knees with his pistol in hand pointed at the figure. The General apparently had the same feeling, because he stood and grabbed his pistol from the side table. Both he and Karl held their fire for the moment. Suddenly, the lights came back on full power, and there in the door stood a tiny gray haired old lady with a dust mop in her hand."

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

Questions for you: Did the brave German officers shoot the poor little old putzfrau (cleaning woman) when she interrupted their game of Skat? Have you ever played the card game Skat?

WoW 100 Words -- Ready! Aim! Fire!

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

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Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 32, "Karl Sleeps", page 190:

He heard the Russian officer giving the commands, "Ready! Aim! Fire!" Eight rifles fired sumultaneously, and he felt all eight shots hit. The officer gave the commands, "Right Shoulder Arms! Right Face! Forward March! Second Rank, one step forward! Ready! Aim! Fire!" The second rank fired, hitting him, and then right faced and marched away.

This went on through five ranks, with Karl slumped at the post. He looked up, and hollered at the Russian Officer, "How many times are you going to kill me?"

The officer answered, "Fifteen thousand." Then the sixth rank fired.

"Why don't I die?" Karl cried.

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW 100 Words Welcome to the Castle

Good morning WoW 100 bloggers and readers! First, to let you know why there was no WoW 100 post last week -- I lost my computer in foul weather, tornado weather, to be exact. I've now a new computer and working at getting used to the newfangled contraption! And, I'm doing my best to get caught up in all my online forums and activities.

Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 24, "Castle Training Group", page 123:

"Where is the shower?" asked Karl sleepily.

"The what?" Gerd laughed. "This is a twelfth century castle, and it has had next to no modernization. There is one bathtub at the end of the hall. There is a single water line piped up the back of the castle for that and for the kitchen downstairs. You still have to heat water for it. You will not have time for that in the morning. We only use the bathtub once a week. This is the Army, you know. See that door over there?" He pointed to a dark-looking opening across the...

Puchase via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/30/11

Good afternoon WoW Weekly 100 Words readers!

I've been to the dentist this morning and go back tomorrow for extraction and/or oral surgery. I'm not happy about missing a few days of work over this, but will be happy when the pain has pulled away.

I must tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying reading Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. I like the author's writing style and the almost step-by-step way Fickey walks the reader through each experience of his novel, leaving me to feel as if I, myself, were the young American spy in training.

Today, I share with you from Chapter 14, titled, "Introduction to the president by Gruber":

     "Come on in and sit down with us, Captain Franklin," the president said, motioning toward a chair near the right corner of his desk. Cliff walked to the chair, gave a salute, and sat down. It was evident that the president was impressed with this.
     The president spoke, "Franklin, I like that name," and he gave a chuckle he usually did when he thought he had said something funny. Of course, Gruber and Cliff also chuckled. "Where are you from, Captain Franklin? You don't mind if I call you Cliff?"
     Cliff answered, "Morgantown, West Virginia, Sir."
     "Oh, that's coal country..."

Puchase this book via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:
Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words 3/23/11

WoW! It's Wednesday already! My Monday, though I was so busy the last two days I don't feel like I had a day off at all; seemingly worked harder at home than I do at work, but it is much more self-satisfying!

Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 7, "Physical Exam and Basic Training":

One day, in the third week, he was called to the company commander's office. He wondered, "What did I do wrong?" He couldn't think of anything. He reported, "Private Franklin, Sir," as he saluted the commanding officer. The captain, sitting behind his desk, returned his salute, handed him a written message from the camp commander, General Hamilton's office, and said resignedly, "Private Franklin, will you write to your mother." His mother had called the commanding general to find out why he had not written a letter. Cliff answered, "Yes, Sir," and turned and left. As he walked out he read..."

Puchase via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.