Starting new book brings on frustration…

How many times have I spoke about the many books going on in my head? Well add a new one. Why is it being a writer messes with your head? You see something or hear a song or even just trip over something and suddenly there it is. Well that happened to me this past Saturday.

I was sitting on my couch looking at my book sites when I was suddenly drawn to my book page. My Christian romance “With All My Heart…” has done fairly well and I’ve received some good reviews. Suddenly my heart started pounding and my mind whirling. Even before I finished “With All My Heart…” I had an idea for book two. This is a series called “Lean On Him” and the whole series is based on leaning on your Faith. Finding the answers through Him.

So there I was starting a new word document and before I knew what was happening I was 2000 words into the new book. Amazing how it just poured out of my fingers. My son sat beside me on the couch laughing at me. He said I was going to tear up the keys on my laptop. I didn’t even realize I was so immersed in the writing.

Here is a very unedited excerpt. Let me know what you think. I can take it good or bad.

Randy came back to the current from his daydream. He felt her weakly try to squeeze his hand. He looked up and saw her looking over at him. Her eyes were only barely open. He stood up and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Hey baby. Do you need anything?”

“Only you here with me.” She tried to smile but failed. “You look tired. Why don’t you try to rest?”

“I’m not leaving you. I will be here for you if you need anything.” He felt his heart hammering in his chest. It was odd the feeling he had. It was as though he knew this was the last time they would talk.

“Randy, will you hold me. I just need you to hold me tight. I’ve missed your bear hugs.” She looked up at him and made another attempt to smile.

“Anything for my girl.” He leaned over and gently pulled her into his arms. She tried to put her arms around him but she was too weak. He hugged her as tight as he could without hurting her. It was heavenly to hold her in his arms. He’d missed this too. She was his heart, his soul mate. What would he do without her?

“I love you so much.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“I love you too baby.” He felt her tears dampen his shirt. “Don’t cry, it will only make you start coughing.”

“I just needed this time with you. Will you do something for me?”

“You know I will do anything thing for you.” He pulled back so he could look in her eyes. She settled back on the pillow.

“I love you and I’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve had together. We have two beautiful girls to show for the love we’ve shared. I want you to be happy. Promise me that you’ll love again. I don’t want you to lock yourself in the house. I want you to find love again and to marry a woman to help with the girls and to love you. This is my daily prayer.”

His tears came in a steady stream now. “Rachel you’re my love and my heart. How can I love anyone like I love you? I can’t even think about that right now.”

“I know, but I want you to think about it later down the road. You and the girls need a good woman to take care of you. Promise me you will open your heart to love again. Promise me.” She squeezed his hand.

“Ok Rachel. I promise that if my heart feels love again I will think about it. Nobody will ever take your place.” He reached out and stroked her cheek feeling the wetness from her tears.

“I will feel better knowing you’re happy again.” Her heart was heavy knowing they would not grow old together and do all the things they’d talked about.

“I’ve been happy enough with you to last a lifetime. I’ll have the girls to keep me busy and happy.” She’d made him quit saying things like ‘you’re going to be fine’ or ‘don’t talk like that.’

She felt her breathing get harder. It was only a matter of time now. “Baby, it’s getting close, I feel it.”

“Do you want me to get the doctor? Are you in pain?” He went to get up but she pulled at his shirt.

“Don’t leave. Let’s just be here together. I’m not in pain. I actually feel like I’m relaxing.” She looked up at him and saw her eyes were more rested than she’d looked in over a week.

“What’re you feeling?” He wanted to make sure she was comfortable.

“I’m having a little harder time breathing. I feel a little heavy in my limbs. But I’m so at peace.” She did smile that time and it was the most beautiful smile. He noticed that her heart monitor was acting weird. The beats were getting further apart. Her breathing became a little more labored.

“Baby, let me call the nurse. She can give you something for the breathing.” He reached for the nurse’s button but she shook her head.

“Don’t Randy. Let’s just have this moment together, not with nurses and doctors. Just us.” She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep shuddering breath.

“Ok, if that’s what you want. I love you so much. You’re my soul mate. I know God made us for each other. Nobody can take your place.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. His voice was breaking up with emotion.

“I feel the same way sweetheart. I will save a place for you in Heaven. I know that one day we’ll be back together. That’s what’s so wonderful about being saved. This is not goodbye. It’s just ‘see you in a little while’.” She closed her eyes again and a single tear slipped from one eye.

He got up and maneuvered himself so he was lying beside her and he pulled her into his arms. She laid her head in the crook of his arm. He savored every moment he could with her.

Quietly she spoke, almost so low he had to listen hard. “Randy, I love you and I’ll see you again my love.” She got very still and he noticed her breathing slowed. He knew it was close.

Then the heart monitor alarm went off and he knew she was gone. He leaned his head down and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you again my love.” Tears burst from his eyes as he held her.

Well, that’s just a snippet of a portion of the manuscript. As I said it’s a very rough draft. I will tell you this, I cried for most of the writing so forgive any smudged letters 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Horses and Romance Novels…

Someone asked me not too long ago why 95% of my novels have horses in them. I smiled and said well I love them. They just looked at me and laughed. I don’t know what was funny in that statement but I smiled and went on my way.

Have you ever just sat and watched a horse? Ok, so maybe that’s just a thing I do, but really have you? They are so graceful with everything they do. Even when they’re spooked they sidestep gracefully. The strength that emanates from them is extraordinary. I love to just stand beside a horse and feel the strength. I know it sounds strange, but try it sometimes.

Horses have been a part of our culture since forever. Before we had cars we depended on them to get us from point a to point b. They pulled our plows and did the hard stuff. If the horse was down, we were down. Most people owned a horse of some sort. When cars came along the horse was slowly pushed out of the way.

They’re so useful in many ways. They can be used in therapy for many ailments or disabilities. A child can be brought out of depression just by rubbing the nose or coat of a gentle horse and interacting with them. It’s really amazing, I’ve seen it.

For me I use them in my novels to help with the story. Who doesn’t like a good cowboy romance? Well maybe not everyone, but I sure do. There’s something about a rugged, weathered cowboy falling for his love. A true cowboy almost always has good character and hard work ethic. Their hands are weathered from the reins and hard work. No soft male hands with a cowboy. Not a dime store cowboy, but a real cowboy.

Ok, well I’m off my horse and cowboy rant for the day. Just a look into my warped mind. Scary I know, but it’s me, take it or leave it. I’m a country girl and just keeping it real. No put on here.

As always, good writing and May God bless you…

How do I finish this when that is in the way?

I have a problem. I’ve got a manuscript that I should have finished a month ago 🙂 That’s only part of the problem, well it’s still going, the problem is that I have 5 other stories crying out to be finished. Every time I get my head back into the current manuscript my mind goes nuts. Yes, I said it, my mind goes nuts.

To someone that’s not a writer this may sound like a great problem. You may be saying that’s great that you have so many stories waiting in line to be completed. Well, here lies the problem. These stories don’t want to wait in line, they want to break in line. They’re getting down right ornery. They’re taking up my sleep, my extra time and most detrimental my writing time.

Oh well, the life of a writer. I guess that’s just the problem with having an overactive imagination, which if you think about it, that’s the key to being a writer. Sometimes my imagination runs away with me 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless you.

Not so Shameless Post :)

Well, I haven’t made a shameless advertising post lately. Hey, I’m a author, what can I say. So here goes. Check out the 6 books that I’ve published at the following author pages:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/StephaniePayneHurt

Also available at Google Play, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Kobo, Diesel, Sony, Apple, Abe Books, and others.

It’s been such a fun experience being a published author. I’ve met so many wonderful people from all over the world. It’s amazing how a book can connect you with others. I didn’t really believe it when I received such a warm welcome to the writing world. I wouldn’t change it for nothing.

If you check out my books please send out a review. Join me on Goodreads, LibraryThing, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for more of the fun. Recently I joined Romance Writers of America which had been something I’ve wanted to do for a while.

If you get a chance, check out the magazine Fleetlife in the UK for a review of “Tender Flames” that was entered by my friend Rosie Amber. It’s located in the January 2013 issue. http://t.co/Z6GosFwq.

So, that’s it. Not too long and painful. Now back to the regularly scheduled programming 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless You 🙂

If you feel old does that make you old?

I’ve always heard people say you’re only as old as you feel. Well that can hold true in a lot of instances. Sometimes I marvel at the energy I have and other times I’m sitting there thinking where did it all go 🙂

I sit over a computer for a good part of the day doing accounting, then I sit in a chair with a laptop in my lap at night writing. It takes a toll on your neck, shoulders, and back. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely worth it. My husband tells me constantly to put the laptop down at night and rest, but when the story is running around in your head, you’ve just got to get it out there.

I’m only 44 and to me that’s still young. To my son it’s old and I remember being the same way when I was a kid. I thought when you hit 50 that was it. You were a goner. Funny how age seems different as you near that mark. To me now 80 or 100 is getting older.

Do you think we grow better with age? Well, I definitely do. I know I’ve learned to enjoy life. When I was younger I just lived by the seat of my pants and never stopped to enjoy anything. Now I do stop and smell the proverbial rose from time to time. To me my writing is a time to stop and enjoy the moment.

My mom is always saying that I need to write less and rest more. Not happening. I enjoy writing. It’s a way to express myself. Sometimes I get my daily frustrations out in my writing. It’s crazy how calming it is to sit in front of my laptop and just pour my heart out until I’m emotionally exhausted.

Don’t give up on life. Live it and enjoy every moment. Life is too short to just go through it with blinders on. Watching life from the rear view mirror is not healthy. Live for today not yesterday. That day is done and today is here and now. You can’t take back yesterday, but you can make today and tomorrow better. Give it a try. It’s my new philosophy in life. I put the past in my writing and leave it there for everyone else to live.

As always, good writing and May God bless you.

Monday blahs!!!

Well here is America it’s Martin Luther King Day and our Presidential Inauguration. Too much to take on a Monday. My son is out of school for the holiday. I wish I could take today off, but as I’m an accountant this is busy time sooooo:(

It’s not all bad though. I did get to sleep in this morning:) That’s a plus. Of course for me sleeping in is 7:30. My body automatically wakes up with the sun. Sometimes that can be annoying. It would be nice to sleep until after 8. Oh well, life goes on.

Hope this post finds everyone well. I’ve been trying to finish my latest novel. Spend a good bit of Saturday night working on it. I’m pleased with it so far. Hopefully the edits will be completed soon. I’m not saying when because that could jinx it.

Follow me and my books at http://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hurt.330.

As always good writing and May God Bless you!

Life: You’re the Author

In life we write our own stories. We determine how our life goes. God created us, but he gave us life choices. How do we choose? Which road do we go down? Is grass and dirt starting to take over your road?

In life we make the decisions that take us to the next part. Decisions we make mark the future for us. If you decide to drink and drive you’re deciding your life book could end on the drive home. If you decide not to take the job offer and then find out there’s nothing else available, then you made that decision to stay unemployed. (Sometimes that’s the best road to take.)

As an author I’ve thought about the life I’m writing for myself. Do I want to get to the end of my life and look back only to wonder what I accomplished? No, I believe in taking the bull by the horns and stepping out on faith. It’s just like a review on a book. Do you give your life a 5 star rating or does it fall flat at 1 or less?

Think of your life as a book you’re going to sell. Would you want to read about your life? Have you done anything remotely special? We all have moments in our life that are spectacular. Those moments can include marriage, the birth of your child, and vacations. But what about the in between moments.

My challenge to you is to live life. Experience the moment. Don’t let life come to a close without enjoying what God has given you. Go ahead, write the great american novel, or try to. At least you can say I tried. Don’t come to the end and say I wish I would have…

As always good writing and May God bless you in all you decide to do in life. Remember to keep Him in your life and all will go well. 🙂

Losing a character…

I wonder sometimes why I write when I’m tired. I sit and stare at the screen and totally draw a blank. Sometimes I’m sitting in my accounting office and get the urge to write a paragraph or two but have no time. I quickly jot down the idea and go back to work.

Have you ever forgot your main characters name? Did you wonder why? While working on my latest manuscript I noticed something wrong when I started editing. I had to laugh because it was so ridiculous. Or was it? I had a child named Chance, which was to be after the father, but somewhere in the middle I started typing Chase and it stuck. Boy that was a fun edit. I could have did a find all entries for Chase and replace, but I learned a really hard lesson about hitting that replace all button. 😦

I have started putting a legal pad beside me when I write. As I introduce new characters I write down a short bio on that character and keep it beside me. That way I don’t spend half my precious writing time looking back for a characters name, hair color, or age.

My editor laughed while reading one of my manuscripts. She said ‘I thought your main character had blonde hair’. She smiled and made a note to change that entry. I just groaned and watched her grin. She knows me well.

I have a horror of missing one of these details in my final read through. What if I publish a piece with a critical character flaw? Oh well, I guess that’s why I have an editor to look after me. I definitely need it. 🙂 If you’ve encountered this problem, try the legal pad bio system. So far it’s worked for me. ◊

As always, good writing and May God Bless.

Weighing the options…

Ok, so most of you are writers and have dealt with the issue I’m going to discuss, but those that haven’t here goes. This all started back in May of last year when I decided to publish the manuscripts I’d worked on for many, many years. I thought, hey, why not, their not making money sitting in a box gathering dust and fading ink.

It all started so simple, I published on Amazon and went through the KDP Select program. Don’t know if you’ve tried that, but I was glad when my 3 month sentence was up. Amazon is great, I just didn’t care to have all my eggs in one basket so to speak. I then started publishing other books and gathering information on where I could self publish.

Then I started the fun task of putting my name out there on any and all social media mediums. Boy was that a hoot. Me, country girl, simple accountant on Twitter, LinkedIn, and finally, yes can I say it, the dreaded Facebook page. Funny how publishing a book or six can change your life. 🙂

Well, the calls started coming in about October from different publishing companies. At first I’m thinking yeah, someone noticed me. Then I realized they weren’t in it for me, but for them. Well not all of them, but you get the picture. They were praising my work and saying we need you to publish under our name. Well, being an accountant, my analytical brain kicked it, “What’s the catch?” They usually laugh and say ‘Oh there’s no catch’. Funny how 2 to 3 thousand dollars is no catch to them, but to me that’s a whopper. They usually wanted to charge thousands of dollars to do the same exact thing I’ve been doing for a lot less and most of the times free. Not happening.

I then talked to some smaller publishers that said they would just take a cut of the royalties. Now we’re talking my language. But, who do you go with. I’ve researched the ones that have called me and some of the one’s other authors I know used. It’s a hard decision. Do I give my baby to just anybody? Will they protect it and not change it to where I don’t even recognize my own work? What now?

For me the decision is to put one of my works with a publisher and see how it goes. I don’t know if it will go well or not, but we will see. I will keep you guys updated on the progress and the ups and downs of traditional publishing vs. self publishing. Wish me luck…

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Looking back, going forward…

I started a rather large project this weekend. I have a cabinet where I keep all of my photos. I have some in photo albums, but 100’s are not in albums yet. I decided Friday night to organize them and put in the remaining albums.

It’s been a long while since I’ve actually looked at the photos. Usually I only open the cabinet to put more in. Well, being the sentimental person I am, I have laughed, cried and become thankful for all I’ve seen and done. I sat with my son and we looked through his lifetime of pictures. When he was small I took pictures of everything he did. He actually looked at me a couple of times like ‘really mom’.

It’s funny what you take pictures of. I saw pictures of my dad, he’s been gone since June 2006. That brought tears to my eyes. It was nice to see him though. My son was quiet looking at his granddaddy. He was really close to him. I told him it is nice to have these memories printed for us to share. He only nodded and held the pictures closely.

Going through the emotional side of the pictures made me think about things for the future. We take so much for granted in out lives. There are so many from those photos not with us anymore. With my faith I know I will see them again some day, but at least I have their pictures to remind me of the love and happiness we shared.

As we go forward, let’s try to remember to live as though there is no tomorrow and love as though today is our last.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you.