Focus

Good morning! I do hope all of you had a great 3 day weekend. As for me, we did. I was able to get some cabinets cleaned out, tossed some old stuff and organized. Ummmm, that’s not what I had planned, yeah, well…

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As writers, we often lose focus of what we need to do. For instance, this morning I had planned on getting in my word count, then working on promotions and social media. But, as it is the Monday for the week, my brain wouldn’t function. I lost focus.

So, my plan is this, to regain my focus. I need to finish my manuscripts that are hanging there, waiting for the words ‘The End’, and move forward with the planned releases coming up. But, how do I do that?

For me, the problem is social media addiction. Yes, I said it, addiction. The first thing I do when I grab my coffee is scan through, planning to just make a quick glimpse. Yeah, right! I end up reading posts, looking at more posts, commenting, etc. Then an hour later, I’m sitting here trying to power through my word count before I head to the office.

Today I plan to focus on the task at hand, well after my morning loss of focus. So, how many of you lose focus on priorities?

As always, good writing and May God bless you…

P.S. Don’t forget to focus!!!

Saturday Procrastination!

Good Saturday morning! So, I’m sitting here, scanning social media, liking posts, commenting, sipping my second cup of coffee, writing this post… But what’s wrong with that? It’s Saturday morning right? I should just sit here, relax and be, right? Wrong! I have a deadline!!! Yep, I need to be finishing the story before posting the final preorder copy, but why am I procrastinating?

It’s simple… I don’t want the story to end. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, once characters get in your head, they’re like part of the family. When I type the end this time, it will be the end of the Magnolia Hill story. So, I’m procrastinating. I need to just get up now and do my housework, go pick up my groceries, then write, unhindered.

Why are so many writers plagued with procrastination tendencies? It’s just part of the thing we love, writing. Not to mention the little plot bunnies that seemed to bounce around in our head, usually in five different directions…

So, what are you up to this morning? Anything good, or are you doing like me, procrastinating?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

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Saturday laziness…More Coffee!

It’s Saturday and time to take a moment to just sip my coffee, check my stats and just be… Of course I have plenty to do, but it might take another cup of coffee to get me up and going. So what’s up with you this beautiful morning?

So, as I amble through my social media, it reminds me that I need to set up my automatic ads for the week, write a couple thousand words today, clean house and do laundry. But, well… Yep, I think another cup of coffee is waiting for me. Then maybe I’ll get started on my list.

So, great writing and May God Bless You…

Be lazy for a moment and just be… It’s good for the soul. Don’t forget the coffee or tea, whichever is your go to! HAPPY SATURDAY!

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Women of Magnolia Hill is coming to a close…

Good morning! It’s Wednesday and we’re halfway there.

As I work on the final book of the Women of Magnolia Hill Saga, I feel drained. Why is it so hard to end a series? Characters and places that fill our head also fill our heart. But saying goodbye, well, that isn’t easy.

This series began a long time ago with the first book, Victoria. It was filled with a spirit that engulfed me. As the series progressed, so did the years and the times. It went from Emma Rose to Lily and now in the final chapter, Georgia. But, what will be the fate of the loved Magnolia Hill? Will it still stand or will it fall from time?

Here’s a short, short snippet from Georgia:

Georgia whirled around, anger filling her eyes. “I’m not leaving my home. He wants a fight, well he’s got one. There’s one thing you don’t know about the women of Magnolia Hill. We don’t give up at any cost.”

Coming Soon Ad1

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Release day is coming!

Beyond One Moment Front cover

Good morning! It’s Thursday, which means it’s only a couple of days until the big release of Beyond One Moment. I enjoyed every moment of writing this one and can’t wait for all of you to fall in love with the Whispering Oaks Vineyard.

Here’s a little tidbit:

“This is amazing.” Vanessa couldn’t keep the awe out of her voice as she gazed at the natural wonder. The ground was covered in green moss where the sun didn’t come through the thick canopy of oak trees that covered the sky above.

“Listen for a moment.” Jason said, closing his eyes as he took in the peace of this place.

Vanessa leaned forward, “What am I listening for? All I hear is the water.”

“Such a city girl,” Jason laughed, “Listen as the wind rushes through the oaks above us.”

Vanessa sat quietly, straining to hear something, but what? Then the wind picked up, ruffling the leaves around them, then she heard something. It was a low murmuring like sound, but what was it. “It sounds like the trees are talking.” Vanessa said with a curious look on her face as she craned her head to hear it again.

“It’s what the Indians used to call, the whispering oaks. The wind comes down the mountainside, rushing through by the river. As it does, the sound of it going through the leaves and limbs sounds like whispering amongst the trees.”

I hope you enjoyed that small little tidbit. If you’d like to give a review for Beyond One Moment, please let me know and I’ll get you set up.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Throwback Thursday – Ghost Lover

Ghost Lover 2 full cover

Good Thursday morning! I hope all of you are well and happily writing. As for me, I’m waiting for the final edits of “Beyond One Moment” to come back.

Today’s Throwback Thursday is dedicated to ‘Ghost Lover’. This was the first book I published and still my baby. It’s had 3 covers and hit the bestseller’s list in its first year of release. My writing style has changed so much in six years.

Find Ghost Lover at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, AUX, iTunes, and others.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Writing from your heart…

Good morning! It’s been a while since my last post, but I’ve been super busy getting my latest manuscript finished and sent to my editor. I want to share with you what I’ve learned over the last couple of months while working on my newest project.

1: Write what’s in your heart. Don’t let others tell you what you can and can’t write, all that does is tamp down your inner voice. So, fill your pages with what your heart gives you and trust it.

2. Give your writing all that you have. When you get done writing each day, you should feel drained because you’ve put everything into it, but also feel accomplished because you’ve given your muse free reign.

3. Never write something that doesn’t feel right. If it doesn’t feel right, then it shouldn’t be put on paper. Go with your instinct.

SO, do you write from your heart? That’s what I did with the manuscript I just finished. I’m satisfied with the results, which is surprising because I always have that little doubt with each piece of work. But not this time.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

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Who’s my worst critic? Me!

Good morning! It’s a rainy Sunday here in Georgia.

So, who’s my worst critic? As I write, I edit. I know, that’s not supposed to be the way it works. I should write, then edit, but guess what? There’s something inside of me that as soon as a line is written if a word comes up as wrong, my brain says go back and correct.

But the worst thing is, I’ll write almost a full chapter, then turn around and erase it. Then a little way down the road into the manuscript, I wish I hadn’t done that. Even though it doesn’t work in that spot doesn’t mean it won’t in another. Of course by the time I figure that out, well, it’s gone.

The moment I type ‘The End’ is when the worst critic in me starts. Even a couple of my bestsellers still haunt me. I think of a line I used and how I could make it better. My editor constantly tells me to stop overthinking. But it’s like a bad habit that I can’t break. One of my books pulled at me so hard that I almost took it completely down, but since it gets a great response, I held back. (That didn’t stop me from printing the manuscript and going back over it.)

If a line bothers me, I’ll write it over and over, which takes valuable time out of my writing. Then I’ll break down and just go with it, which is what I need to start doing. Since my brain stays in autocorrect mode, this is hard to do. But, I’m learning to push that mode off.

So, are you the worst critic you have?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Setting music to your work…

Good morning! It’s been a while, but I have a great reason… Tax Season. But, I’m on the last leg of the first part.

So, as I was working last night, my Pandora was playing movie love songs. I tried to name the movie for each score that played. Then I thought about how powerful each song was to the movie. Actually, in my opinion, some of the music made the movies seem better. The music gave the parts so much power, more inspiring or just more emotionally charged.

Maybe you’re wondering why I’m talking about this, well, wouldn’t it be cool if we could input music into our manuscripts? Of course, like most of you, I have music playing in the background as I write, but if we could put music into our audio books, wouldn’t that be something?

And yes, we put music into our book trailers, which adds that pull. Think about how it would be added to our ebooks in certain spots? It would be amazing…

Ok, so that’s my crazy rambling for this cool, southern Monday. Since I only have two more days left in tax season, I’ll be back to regular posting soon.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

What inspires me…

Good morning all! I know, I’ve been MIA lately, but I have a great reason, sort of… For one, it’s tax season, so I’ve been snowed under with returns, then two, I’m on a mission to get ‘Beyond One Moment’ ready for publication. Oh and then, of course, my life has been busy with Easter preparations and my handsome son’s 19th birthday.

But, I was thinking this morning about inspiration. As an author, this is important. If you’re not inspired to write, then can you really put words on a page? Well, you can, but will they inspire others? So, with that in mind, I thought about the top 5 things that inspire me when it comes to writing.

Music – This is one of my favorite inspirational outlets. If I’m working on a dreamy, romantic scene, then I want romantic love songs or soft classical music, but of course, if it’s a scene of dramatic proportions, then I want some classic rock or dark, chamber music. But even the craziest of songs can inspire you, that’s if you take the time to listen…
Movies/Television – There’s nothing to inspire a romance author than a good love story. I love Hallmark for this part of my inspiration. They go from all the aspects including drama, love and even a little mystery.
Reading – A great way to get inspired is to read in the genre you write. I’ve been inspired many times by some of my favorite authors. But, make sure if you’re inspired by other authors work that you don’t copy it… Just saying…
Outdoors – A nice long walk in nature can inspire me. Especially if I’m stuck on a part and can’t quite get it to work out. I can walk, listening to the birds or watch the clouds roll by, then it clears my head and makes the inspiration seep in.
Last on the list, but not least is People Watching – This is a sometimes funny way to get inspired. Maybe it’s just sitting on a bench outside a busy mall or sitting at an event and watching a group of people. But, watching the people around you and listening to what they have to say can inspire you in more ways than you can imagine. I love to people watch.

So, what inspires you? I’d love to hear your many ways of inspiration. What makes your words flow or even brings them to a halt?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…