Saturday, September 19, 2015

Relaxation and Temptation


Ah, sweet relaxation. Feet up, head back against the chair, and even a thin pillow behind the small of my back, with a glass of something cold waiting on the end table. Maybe a small plate with a couple of cookies within reach. All in all, this gal is kicked back, and reading or watching a movie, or even just picking daisies. A lovely dream.
 

What do you do to relax? I could use some good suggestions for when this current manuscript is finished. I'll need it. 
 
Writing novels is <fill in the blank> and sometimes I <fill in the blank> it.
 

 
There are high moments, wonderful times when the plot flows and the characters amaze me. There are the depths of despair when I know I’m writing junk and I’ve been fooling myself about this whole writing gig. Then via persistence and occasional moments of brilliance, the first draft reaches its end and I scream in joy and run around the house looking for someone to celebrate with.
 
Then the editing begins. It goes on and one until I feel like I can recite the doggone book by heart. That’s where I’m at right. I’m on the cusp of sending my beautiful/awful/brilliant/boring manuscript to the real editor. I am both sad and happy. Mostly I’m relieved. Until the editor sends it back ~ but that’s whole new post and a different dance of torture and jubilation.
 
 

So, back to relaxation. I’m entering that halcyon period where the editor finds the flawed threads of my book and works some magic. Until I get it back from her I have time to kick back, relax and recharge, but how? The irony is that even though my feet are propped up and the ice hasn’t had time to melt in my glass, I’m already thinking that this is a good time to start the next book ~ another beach book set in Emerald Isle. The story is in my head, stretching and twisting, wanting out. While I’m sitting here, I could pull that laptop over and maybe just start pecking at the keyboard. Just a few words. And there I go ~ the craziness starts again.

So please suggest some relaxation options that trump the start of that next book. Go for a walk? A bike ride? Date with hubby? Sleep? Sleep sounds very good, I admit. Especially if it's on a cruise ship.
 
But first, I think I’ll type a few words while that opening scene is playing in my head, and then I’ll get around to doing something fun and relaxing, because right now Maia is down at Emerald Isle, NC and a handsome guy has just slipped a big shiny rock of a ring onto her finger...  She needs me.
 
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You can pre-order here now: Amazon: http://indi.uno/1i9UeJv
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iTunes: http://indi.uno/1NFPAA5      Google: http://indi.uno/1Ep9cp2
 

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Grace Greene writes contemporary romance, mystery and suspense. The beach books are part of the Emerald Isle, NC Stories series ~ Beach Rental, Beach Winds and the two Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk. Beach Walk is Grace's contribution to the Sweet Christmas Kisses 2 Set of 19 Heartwarming Christmas Novellas which is available for pre-order and will be released on 9/29. Grace's Virginia Country Roads novels are Kincaid's Hope, A Stranger in Wynnedower, and Cub Creek. Coming later in 2015 is the sequel to Cub Creek, Leaving Cub Creek. Stay in touch with Grace via her website: www.GraceGreene.com and please sign up for her newsletter.

5 comments:

  1. I really like walking my dog. Sometimes I'll do it three times a day- but at least twice. It clears my head and lets knew ideas or solutions to problems come in as I relax.

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  2. I like to walk, too. I listen to books on audio while I'm walking, or just listen to nature.

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  3. I sit on my deck and look at the mountains that surround my farmhouse.

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    1. I wish I had a deck or porch on a farmhouse with a view of the mountains. It sounds heavenly.

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    2. It is heavenly. I have retired to a farm near the beautiful small town of Union, West Virginia. I don't know why I wasted so much time living in big cities. This is where I was meant to be. You know they call West Virginia "Almost Heaven", don't you?

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