Writer and Cat Seek Suggestions - by @MagdalenaScott

Like many of you, I'm staying home most of the time these days. Perhaps unlike you, I live in a studio apartment with a cat as my only roomie. (The graphic above includes a photo of Selina, but no, that's not my apartment. Or the sidewalk I use daily.)

I'm trying to get outdoors for a walk each day, cook and eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep (challenging as that is), indulge in plenty of cat cuddles (good for both Selina and me), and stay in touch with family and friends via email, text, and calls.

Self care always matters, and none of us should feel guilty for it. Click here to read Laura Ashwood's wonderful article on this topic.

One afternoon my self-care was a binge watch of Jane Austen's Emma. I'm also slowly revisiting some favorite old sitcoms: The Bob Newhart Show, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among others. Selina and I discovered The Durrells in Corfu. That was her favorite because of the many animals. Watching The Durrells was a bit of a challenge because she kept jumping up looking into the TV and blocking my view of the screen--fun! (Sort of.)

Before Indiana's governor told us to stay at home, I ordered several paperbacks. They arrived just in time, as our beloved library is closed for now. Although I don't usually choose historicals, that's mostly what I purchased and I'm enjoying the return to "simpler" days.

Are you binge-watching or binge-reading during these challenging times? Do you have favorites to suggest? If so, please leave a comment. And for everyone, here is my wish for you and for our world: hope, joy, and peace.

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.


Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

The To-Do or Not-To-Do List

The holidays are fast approaching. Are you ready? All done? Barely started? Is your list overloaded? Or are you the master of your calendar and your life? If so, I applaud you.

I’ve been almost overwhelmed juggling tasks like preparing for a new release, Leaving Cub Creek (the sequel to Cub Creek) along with family issues, a full time job, etc. LIFE. We all deal with this stuff, right? A list of what we’re committed to doing, aspire to doing, that which we must do despite our wishes…and that list is always longer this time of year. Except for a few presents, I’ve done no Christmas shopping and I’m feeling the pressure to catch up. On the flip side, we won’t be home for Christmas this year so I’ve scratched Christmas trees and other decorations from the to-do list. We are going to be in Hawaii for Christmas, so planning and packing must replace them on the list.

 

Have you ever felt the need to pare down and simplify your life? That thought brings Cub Creek to mind. 

In Cub Creek, Libbie Havens left the city because she couldn’t think amid the chaos. Some people love city hustle-bustle, but not Libbie because she has sensory issues that cause her to overload emotionally. A move to the country and acres of woods seemed the perfect solution. Removing the extraneous would reduce the chaos and allow her to focus on her life and live on her own terms. Unfortunately, most of her troubles were her own, inside her, not borne of the outside world. Many of her troubles went with her to Cub Creek. After many ups and downs, Libbie found love. In Leaving Cub Creek, Libbie discovers that love can be easier to find than to keep. 

Libbie thought that removing the external chaos would allow her to better manage her life. I’d like to strip away the unneeded excess in hope of finding the peace and joy hidden within it. I really do want to stop and savor the moments of life—not to be consumed by checking must-dos off the list.

 

To return to the original question: How are your preparations for the holidays progressing? For those of you who, like me, are feeling over-burdened—I have learned a lesson over my many years of preparing for the holidays. Make up your mind that, at a certain point, that whatever hasn’t been done, won’t get done. Be okay with it. The truth is that, more than likely, no one will notice but you. By the time your family and friends start gathering, get your mind out of the list and into that happy space and cast off the must-dos and what-ifs.

The most important point of all: When you’re looking to lighten your ‘life’ list, make sure you toss the truly extraneous and hold on to what’s important—the joy.

 

Here’s a brief description of Leaving Cub Creek (the sequel to Cub Creek) released on a few days ago:

In the heart of Virginia, where the forests hide secrets and the creeks run strong and deep ~ 

Libbie Havens never fit in. She bought the old Carson place on Cub Creek and moved to the Virginia countryside to prove she could live on her own terms. In the process, she learned some truths about herself and found love ~ but love, acceptance and belonging can be easier to find than to keep.

While on a trip to Sicily with Libbie, Jim Mitchell must leave suddenly because his son is injured in an accident in California. Now alone, Libbie is surprised by an old friend, Dr. Barry Raymond, but Dr. Raymond is a reminder of her troubled past and she’s glad to see the last of him when she leaves Sicily ~ until he shows up at her house on Cub Creek.

Years before, Dr. Raymond had told Libbie that if troubles weren’t dealt with, they’d keep coming back. With Jim still away helping his son, Libbie’s troubles are returning in force and wreaking havoc on her confidence and their relationship.

Libbie would rather hide than risk rejection, but she must face down the past and fight for what she wants, or the troubles that haunt her past and present will forever doom her future.

~*~

Grace Greene writes novels and novellas of Romance & Inspiration in her Emerald Isle, NC stories, and Love, Mystery & Suspense in her Virginia Country Roads novels that include Cub Creek and Leaving Cub Creek. Please visit Grace at www.GraceGreene.com and subscribe to her newsletter.

 

Thanks for visiting the Sweet Romance Reads authors. Please sign up for our Sweet Romance Reads newsletter right here on this page. We'd love for you to visit us on Facebook, too. Check out the Sweet Romance Reads Café and our Sweet Romance Facebook page, too. The authors would love to chat with you and you can participate in our contests and giveaways.

#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter by Karen Rock

#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter by Karen Rock

Yesterday, while on Twitter, I came across the hashtag, #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter and clicked on it. The stream of tweets using this hashtag had me laughing, groaning and nodding in agreement so often, I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you. I hope you agree and laugh, groan and nod along with me, too J

#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter :

  

1.       “Three dollars is a lot to pay for just an ebook.” - @FebruaryGrace

2.       “Now you just need to get it turned into a movie.” -@LaurenDeStefano

3.       “I would never have guessed that you were a writer. You’re so normal.” @HRuthMiller

4.       “I have a great idea for a book you should write. You write it and we'll split the profits 50-50.” - @tiffanyreisz

5.       “Oh. It’s one of THOSE books.” @ColleenHouck

6.       “I don’t read fiction. I only read important things.” -@shirleymccann

7.       “Oh, you’re a writer? Me too! I mean, I haven’t typed it out, but it’s all, y’know, there in my head.”- @EvilMarguerite

8.       “You write romance? Have you ever thought of writing a real book?” - @McCarthySusanne

9.       “Will you send me a free copy?” - @AuthorAngelaS

10.   “So, I want to write a book, too. Will you help me?” - @emeraldbarnes

11.   “Have I read anything of yours?”- I’ve never met you before. How would I know?! @JLArmentrout

12.   “I should try and get published in England. It’s obviously easier there.”- @HolSmale

13.   “So when do you think you are going to finish your book?” x 10 - @BookCountry

14.   “Writing romance is easy, right? I think I should try it. I need some money.” @ashposton

15.   “Self-published, so you’re not really published yet then?”- @chadh1234

16.   “People can buy it? Seriously? In a real book store?” - @KathyReinhart

17.   “It must be lovely working from home. You can combine writing with housework and childcare.” -@Joannechocolat

18.   “I better be careful or you’ll put me in your book!” No. You’re not that interesting. - @OfficiallyAlly

19.   “I had to give it one star because it had way too many five stars.” - @emberian

20.   “I know you’ve sold a ton of books but I found a misspelling in chapter 3.” - @kennbivins

And here’s the one I tweeted:

“So? Are you still writing or working now?” hehe. Would you believe it was retweeted 216 times and favorited over 300 times at the time I’m writing this?

The hashtag “TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter has been a top trending topic today (hitting number 2 worldwide as I write this!) for good reason. Although writing is solitary work, it’s a universal experience and one we should share more often! It’s been a treat to read these tweets from other authors as it helps me feel less alone- (although technically I do have my puppy, Zoey, here for company, which counts, right?)

As writers, it’s important to take advantage and join in on experiences like this, whether it’s online or in person with conferences, chapter meetings or just phone chats with other writers. There can be a lot of negative in our profession, whether it’s sales numbers, snarky reviews, publisher rejections or eight page revision letters. (okay- maybe that’s just my experience J) However, interacting with one another is the positive food we need to keep going and embrace, rightfully so, our profession with joy.

As Steven King said in “On Writing” – “Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”

Hugs to all my fellow authors and readers out there! You make the world’s heart beat. Let's make our own list of #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter! Please share any interesting comments people have made to you about writing :) Thanks!

Merry Christmas from Sweet Romance Reads

The authors of Sweet Romance Reads want to extend their hopes for your holiday season:

Magdalena Scott: I wish everyone a merry Christmas, and a new year filled with gratitude and possibilities!

Melinda Curtis: Peace on earth (and no mean-spirited hacking).

Lyn Cote: I wish everyone a Merry Christmas filled with love and laughter and the same for the new year.

Denise Devine Meinsted: Dear readers, my wish for you in 2015 is health, prosperity and many, many good books added to your "To Be Read" list.

Margaret Daley: I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I pray you have a safe and joyful day.

Karen Rock: Wishing everyone a peaceful, joyous Holiday Season filled with family and love.

Ginny Baird: My wish for Christmas is that everyone can spend at least a part of the holiday with someone they love: whether with family, a significant other, a special friend or a beloved pet. May the season bestow many blessings on you and yours. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers!

Shaleen Kapil:This holiday, I wish you a few moments to sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment for peace, love, and laughter.

Shanna Hatfield: To all our readers - May the magic of the holiday season bring you sweet memories, delicious moments of wonder, and a heart overflowing with warmth and joy. Merry Christmas!

Alicia Street My wish for our readers is a joyful Christmas filled with the warmth of family and friends and a healthy, happy new year filled with lots of good reading!

Patricia ForsytheMerry Christmas to all and may 2015 be the year that fulfills all your dreams.

Helen Scott TaylorMerry Christmas and a happy New Year to all the members of Sweet Romance Reads and all our readers. May all your dreams come true in 2015!

Aileen Fish: I hope you all enjoy the best of the season, peace, joy and love. And may 2015 be the best year yet!

Donna Fasano I wish readers a warm and wonderful holiday filled with peace, joy, hope, and love.

Happy Springtime! by Roxanne Rustand

After a long, hard winter here in the Midwest, the arrival of spring has been eagerly anticipated.    The sense of new beginnings is upon us!
The snow and ice are finally gone, the grass is starting to turn green, the crocuses and tulips add a cheery, colorful note.  And Easter  is just a few days away.

In thinking about the glorious re-awakening in nature every spring, I found myself thinking about the elements of romance that draw me back, again and again.

I love to read about characters who must struggle through hard times, great challenges--and also overcome emotional damage from the  past that has kept them from enjoying a full and abundant life of love.

New beginnings--a re-awakening to the joy of life, when finding that one perfect person--is a story that never grows old for me.

What about you--what are the elements that you love most?

Do you have an all-time favorite novel on your keeper shelf, that you go back to re-read?

Roxanne Rustand is the author of thirty traditionally published novels with Harlequin, for the Superromance, Everlasting, Heartwarming, Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines, and now has two indie-published sweet romances available--Comeback Cowboy and Summer at Briar Lake.   www.roxannerustand.com