Does your writing affect you?

It’s a real question. Does your writing affect you? What I mean is does your writing give you food for thought? Saturday was a very rainy day in Georgia, so I spent a good bit of time working on one of my latest books in progress. As I was writing I realized that I actually had tears streaming down my face.

It was then that I realized that my writing affects me. I have to admit it was a very emotional part of the manuscript. Some people would say, ‘why do you get affected so by your work?’ Well, as you know if you’ve followed my blog, I’m an emotional person. I have a soft heart and when I work on a sad part I cry, a happy part I smile and a infuriating part I scowl.

My son sits and watches me sometimes. He always laughs when he sees the tears. It’s a constant addition to his daily entertainment for him to see his mama get emotional over a book or movie or song for that matter. He always says, ‘Mama, you’re not really crying over that are you?’

Oh, well. I feel like if it affects me so much, maybe it will affect the reader as well. In some of the reviews of my books, fans have said as much. They’ve even talked about getting a box of tissues ready. I guess being an emotional person brings about a lot of emotional parts to my books.

One more thought on this is that romance brings about emotion in a lot of people. Maybe it’s bringing up a memory that’s been hidden in your heart, or maybe it’s just touching. Whatever the reason, just let the tears flow. Bring out the heart of the work you do. That’s what makes it your own.

God made us all different and some of us were made with a soft heart. If we cry as we work, then we’re giving it all we have.

As always good writing, and may God Bless You…

A Blank Page

Have you ever been on a role with your writing and then all of a sudden you felt like your brain turned to a blank page? There are times when I want a blank page. Times when you have a trouble, through grief and through times you just want to forget. But when it comes to writing you don’t want that blank page or maybe you do.

What I’m talking about is when you’re working on a manuscript that you want to get out soon and another work is plaguing you constantly. Sometimes I just want to flip a switch on and record the other thought, then have it go away until the current work is done. I’ve had that kind of weekend.

I’m currently working on book 2 of my “Lean On Him” Christian Romance series. Friday I took my son fishing at a local pond. While there I sat with my laptop and tapped put well over a chapter. It’s like my mind just was flowing with renewed vigor. I think it was the fact that I just let go and enjoyed myself. I know my son did because he laughed and smiled as he caught one fish after another.

My plan for Saturday afternoon was to forge out several more chapters, but another idea for something kept creeping in. So, I didn’t write anything at all. I refused to give in to the other story, but it put such a strain on my brain that the one I need to finish kept getting crowded out.

Sometimes a blank page is welcome 🙂

I had a great day yesterday even though rain threatened. We had “Friend Day” at Church, which means games for the kids. I always try to have them outside so we can spread out, but the rain kept us inside. It worked out great. The kids had a blast and I have to admit so did I. They’re always more resilient than I give them credit for. It’s amazing how well they adjust to needed changes. Of course they grumbled some because they love outdoors, but in the end they went home smiling with sacks of prizes and tummies full of sweet goodies. So as for the rain, it didn’t dampen the party, I think it enhanced it and brought us closer as a whole. Sometimes life does that. When we want to spread our wings, God says, “Not now, the time for that is later. For today be together as one and smile for tomorrow will be here too soon. Enjoy one another.” At least that’s my thoughts on it 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless YOU…

Promoting your work and News…

Good Friday morning 🙂 It’s been a crazy week for me. I’m still playing catch up from three months of long hours and bad tax programs. My son was on Spring Break this week so I’ve tried to get in some Mama/Son time in.

The one thing I had to get done this week was promoting my books. I’ve been kind of slack on that lately. Well for obvious reasons. But I had a really good prompt this week to get back into the grind. A couple of months ago I sent a promotional letter to several local book stores and a Barnes & Noble store sent me an interesting response. They said that I needed to send a printed copy of each of my books to the New York main office for submission to their brick & mortar stores. They are interested in my books which totally excites me. I’m already on their online store, but they are interested in them for stores.

Well, if any of you have gone through their process then you know it’s a time consuming deal. I got it all ready and boxed up yesterday. I’ve set up a mail pick up this morning. I can’t tell you how excited I am. It’s been such a crazy road since last May when I published my first book. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year. Time flies when you’re having fun…

I’ve been on a wild ride of Tweets, Blogs, Press Releases and making wonderful new friends from all over this wonderful place we call Earth. Well, I have a bit of news. A month or so ago I hinted at some news that a big change was coming for me. Well after much prayer and some real big talks with the hubby I’ve finally almost made a decision. Some of you have been asking what that decision was, well here goes. I’ve been contemplating expanding my Accounting business and backing off the tax preparation side of it. For me that’s a huge step and I’m not sure how it’s going to go but it’s a real possibility. I was shooting for this being my last official tax season, but a couple of factors that are still in the works have to come to life before I can make that official decision. I need a lot of prayers for this to be a done deal.

Another thing is I’m starting a monthly writers newsletter. If any of you would be interested in being interviewed or add a note or two please contact me. I’m really excited about this as I hope you will be too. I hope to get a big response from this and for it to help other writers showcase their work and ideas.

Hope everyone has a blessed Friday and remember that God is with you in everything you do so make sure you do it the best way possible 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Excitement and Tears…

I know I’ve already posted my normal daily post, but just had to do this one. It’s a separate post because this one is on my life.

Yesterday was an awesome day at Church. Well, any day at Church can be awesome, you just have to be open to it. But yesterday was above the normal bar. We had a Easter Cantata. For those of you who don’t know what that is, well it’s a music driven play. The Church Praise Band performed several songs and we had video’s to go with them and a speaker in the background. It went really well, and yes I cried. I know you’re not surprised. I’ve always been open to the fact that I cry easily. I’m emotional what can I say and especially when it comes to my Faith.

The second most important thing was two of my wonderful children from the Children’s Ministry were saved last week and they went down front yesterday to make their choice public. Yep, I cried again 🙂 It’s so awesome when children make that most important decision. It makes my job so rewarding. I’m always in awe of how the Lord works in such young lives.

Then since we had rain yesterday, the annual easter egg hunt was held inside in the sanctuary. I was worried about how it would go, but I shouldn’t have been. It went off without a hitch and the children had a blast.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Getting to the heart of a writer…

I’ve been asked several times lately why I love to write. Well, that’s an interesting question. I write for a lot of reasons. I enjoy it for one. It’s very satisfying to put my thoughts and whims on paper and then have people buy them. I love to sit down with an idea and watch it take shape under my fingertips.

You know it’s the writer’s bug you have when the simplest thing inspires you to write. Watching a sunset can inspire you, but when you have the writer’s bug even a lady bug crawling on leaf can send you into a writing frenzy. Maybe that’s a little over the top but it’s not far off the mark. As a writer everything inspires me.

Sometimes I get an idea in the middle of the night and I have to get up and write it down. It will take over your thoughts until you get it down on paper. The heart of a writer is often open and raw. The only way to heal it is to write.

I know that if you have a true writer’s heart, then it’s a gift from God and you need to just open a notebook or turn on your computer and start writing. You only live once and if you’re meant to be a writer you need to at least give it a try. I’ve enjoyed every moment of being a writer. I’m so glad that my assistant gave me a nudge to publish the dusty manuscripts in my files.

As always good writing and May God bless you…

Life…Such an awesome opportunity

I was feeling a little let’s just say down to earth this morning. If you know me then you know I’m always floating around on a cloud of thought and wonder. I’m blonde, what can I say 🙂

Well in this frame of mind I got to thinking of the wonderful opportunities we are given each and every day to make a difference in someone’s life. Maybe not a big difference but at least a little bit of a difference.

As writers we are given the chance to inspire with our words, to educate, or simply to take someone’s mind off the real world if only for a little while. That’s what I think of when I’m writing. What if someone reading my work is needing a reprieve from something? Maybe they’ve suffered a loss and just need to get away for a moment to another world. Maybe they have a bad marriage and just need hope.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we don’t stop to think of others. I see so many different kinds of people from different cultures, different backgrounds and different financial situations in my business. Sometimes I just sit and listen as they tell me their problems. Not real sure why people assume an Accountant is like a bartender, but maybe it’s just I’m a good listener.

I get down on life sometimes, yes even me. Then I think of the horror that a friend may be going through or maybe I think of someone who is terminally ill and I look up and say Thank You and I’m sorry for having self pitying thoughts. I’m sure He looks down and smiles. That’s life. We have our up days and our down days.

I try to give advice when I can, but I’m always careful how I do it. One thing that’s helped me is my Faith. I give it to Him and He helps me through it. Some people don’t know to do this or don’t believe in Faith. I don’t push mine on anyone but I try to be a good example and I do let them know what gets me through the day or rather Who.

When I’m having a difficult day I try to remember it could be worse, a lot worse.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

When life gives you lemons…

As you can tell from the title it’s been a tough week. I’ve been battling a cold or sinus or crud, whatever you want to call it. Since it’s tax season I’ve been working a lot of hours through the fog.

Of course as it usually goes, life goes on even when you’re sick. My son started football training for tryouts in May. My husband and I have always supported him in whatever he wanted to do. He played baseball for about five years and always wanted to play football. He’s on the 4-H Shotgun team and does really good with that. He loves anything outdoors. Football scares me due to the injuries that can occur, but I know I have to let him do things.

Well as you know I’m a Children’s Minister. Last night I’d prepared for the kids to watch a Bible DVD cartoon since I wasn’t feeling well. Since the teacher of the preschoolers didn’t show up I had all the children. Well as I tried to turn the projector on I soon realized something was wrong. I spent a few frustrating minutes trying to get the projector to connect to the laptop, but to no avail. I then moved the children to one of the rooms that has a large screen television and dvd player.

As I watched the children sit and watch the film I realized how lucky I am. I’m given such a wonderful chance to make a difference in the lives of these children. I smiled to myself and thanked God for the opportunity I’ve been given.

That’s the attitude I decided to adopt with my son on the football thing. He was so excited and I don’t want to dampen his fun by being overprotective. I’ll just be watchful 🙂

So when life gives you lemons, smile and enjoy every sour bite.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

“I Love You” How do you say it?

As a romance author I’ve studied a lot about romance. I’ve read different view points from very different types of people and cultures. It’s amazing how people say three simple words.

Do you just throw “I Love You” out there constantly?

Do you tell your loved ones when you see them coming or going or both?

Do you say ‘Ditto’ when they say they love you?

Do you put conditions on your love?

Do you feel like you have to buy love?

Does love feel your heart or just roll off your tongue without your heart being involved?

Does you love show in your actions or your eyes?

These are just a few questions to ponder on this day of love, which in my opinion should not be designated for one day but everyday. Love is such a wonderful feeling. Maybe you don’t have someone special in your life, but you still have the capacity to love.

True Love can be found in what Jesus did when He died on the cross for us. Some of you may not get into religion, but for those of us that have faith and believe it’s a love that fills your whole being. It gets you through the hard stuff and gives you pause when things are going great.

When you love, love with your whole heart, your mind and your soul. Give it your all and be ready to apologize when you let it slip. Let people know you love them. Sometimes simple actions mean more than three simple words. Show your love today and everyday.

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Happy Valentine’s Day…

Taking time for ourselves…

Some might say, what does it mean to take time for myself. It’s funny when my accounting clients come into the office and see my books on the table beside my desk. At first they glance at them and then they do a double take. The look that comes over their face is priceless. What’s unsettling is they look at me seriously and say when do you have time for this? Will this affect what you do for me?

I actually laugh when they say that. I look at them and say ‘I don’t live in this office 24/7. I do have a family, a home and need time for myself. I shake my head and think don’t you take time for yourself. Why is it that people expect you to live for them? Just because I take care of your accounting does not mean that I live to do only that.

I realized last year during tax season that I was spending too much time catering to everyone but myself. I would spend 12 to 15 hours in my office working. What hit home was when one night I was pulling a late night and my hubby and son came to the office to visit me. That’s what they called it. I felt horrible. Then my doctor (A good friend) told me I needed to start taking more time for myself. He reminded me I was middle aged. I do not consider 44 middle aged, but evidently he does.

So I started right then and there staying in the office less, taking on less responsibilities and living life. God gave me this wonderful life and He didn’t promise me tomorrow. So why was I spending my life behind a desk. The next night I was in the house and cooking dinner when my family got home from work and school. My husband walked back out the door and came back in. He said he thought he went to the wrong house. My son was excited to have me home for a change. It took five years off my life.

Then I started publishing my books. That made me start looking at my future. I know I can’t do taxes and accounting forever. I love my job don’t get me wrong, but tax preparation can be down right frustrating with the changing laws and constant issue drama. So I decided to start making little changes like turning over more stuff to my assistant. Some work days we spend the whole day just searching ideas for new book covers or research of the next book. That’s something I would never have done this time last year. It has helped my health, my home life, my work life, and especially my sanity. Well, maybe not my sanity, I’m not a sane person, but who is if you really get down to it 🙂

So start today, this minute thinking of yourself. Give yourself some time. Start spending some time each week just for yourself. Take a bubble bath, read a good book, take a leisurely walk, play a game with your family, watch a sappy movie or just sit and watch the clouds go by. But live like today is it. Live like you have no tomorrow. Love more intensely, take romance to another level and hug your child more than just when they are leaving for school. (Hint, if you have a teenager it might be met with a ‘really mom’ but do it anyway.)

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!!!

Monday, Monday, Monday.

Well it’s Monday again. Wasn’t it just Monday yesterday? Time really flies when you’re busy as little bee. Well that’s me, busy little bee. It’s tax time again and my desk is piling up with returns just staring at me waiting to be sent, but since the IRS has decided to put us off the returns just sit and wait.

As for my writing, I’m doing as much as I can at night. My manuscript that I’ve been trying to finish is almost ready. The editing has been fun. I love reading over my work. It gives me a chance to change and expand on different areas. Amazing how one change can turn into an extra paragraph.

Hope everyone is well. My son is home sick today with an ulcer on his throat so I’m back and forth from the office to the house. Good thing my office is beside my house. Have a great Monday and remember Monday is just another day in this to love one another, read another book and enjoy what God has given us.

As always good writing and May God Bless you…