Remembering

It's been two years since the release of my first book A Promise of Possibilities.

A bit about essential oils...

As I look for healthy routines to help me focus in my writing, I'm exploring all the senses.

I'm experimenting with essential oils and carrier oils. My skin is sensitive, to put it mildly. I can't even use some of the so-called hypo-allergenic products. Scents often elicit strong reactions, not only physical but also emotional.

I've always loved roses, but the oil doesn't elicit the same reaction as the actual flowers, so I'm guessing it's a combination of scent and visual. Roses also have varying levels of scent, depending on their genetics. Lavender has been my go-to oil for years, as well as tea tree oil. A few years ago, I discovered cocoa butter for my skin.

For years, I've dabbled in scents. Candles were an easy, pretty inexpensive way to explore. Over the years, I've looked at essential oils, but they can be expensive. This year, I decided it was worth investing, a little at a time. Expanding my world is long overdue.

My most recent discoveries include jojoba and avocado oil, as carrier oils, and my own spray bottles. Vanilla oil is different from vanilla for cooking. The latter is made with alcohol so dissipates quickly. The former lasts much longer. Jasmine oil gives me a boost of energy simply by breathing it in, along with a smile I can't stop. Frankincense and myrrh help me relax and sleep at night.

There are scents that are considered popular, but they trigger negative responses in me. Some of them, I simply don't like the scent. Others actually trigger annoyance and even anger.

The dollar spices available at the store are great for putting in my garbage cans. My favorites are cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Saturday Sharing links...

Writers In The Storm blog shared writing tips from one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/08/10-bits-of-stellar-writing-advice-from-j-r-r-tolkien/

A problem Christian fiction writers face is that there are those who accuse us of creating lies and wasting our gift. Rebeca Seitz shared an inspiring post on stories:
http://rebecaseitz.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/stories-lies/

Holley Gerth is an inspirational writer. I discovered her through DaySpring, a card company. I also follow her on FB.
http://holleygerth.com/prayer-feel-broken/

Over at The Writer's Refuge, an interesting question is asked:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/talent-or-tenacity-which-is-most-important-for-a-writer/

Second part of Genesis 5020's series:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/how-mackinac-island-is-like-our-spiritual-lives-part-2/

God bless.

Remembering Arizona Dreamin' 2013...

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

The second AZ Dreamin' Conference I attended, I also participated in the Buildin' the Dream Conference as an attendee. Buildin' the Dream is authors helping authors. It was the perfect addition.

I also wisely booked an extra night at the hotel. It gave me an opportunity to unwind, write, and absorb the weekend. It also gave me a chance to see everyone off and help clean up. Working together builds camaraderie. For an introvert, it's a great structured opportunity to interact with people, to feel helpful without feeling compelled to talk. I can listen and contribute to the conversation or listen and work without saying anything. People don't expect you to talk if you're working.

This is the picture with my choice for Man of My Dreams, Lance Ramsey:

Never forgotten...

Choosing to put down my horse was easier than my dog. When I accept the responsibility of adopting both of them it included the understanding and the promise that there would be no leaving them behind if I moved, no giving them away to someone else when they were inconvenient, no shirking the responsibility of the final decision. I promised I would love and care for them to the last breath.

My horse struggled his whole life with back problems and colic. I owned him for the last five years of his life. He was 23 when I made the decision, 12 years ago. He'd suffered another severe colic in the spring, and the vet told me he only had three viable teeth left. He needed to be put on a soft mash/liquid diet. My child who loved to eat couldn't. I talked to him, asked him if he was ready to go Home, and a resounding 'yes' reverberated in my soul. It was difficult putting him down, but I knew the timing was right. I stood at his head and shared his last breath, felt the sense of freedom and relief and joy in the next moment. Even knowing I'd made the right decision, it was four years later before I was finally fully at peace.

My dog was 17 and her health failing, but I never felt like the time was right. My horse asked to go Home. My dog never did. My sister believes my dog never would. It’s been 8 years. I still miss her. I still cry. I’m not sorry. The lovely part is that my good friends understand and don’t mind at all. There was no way I could ever be prepared for her loss. In some of my prayers, I still ask God to throw a ball for her and tell her how much I love her and miss her. And yes, I’m crying as I write this, but I don’t regret it, not any of it, not the laughter or the tears.

Wordless

Of dragons...

Beth Trissel shared a delightful post full of quotes about dragons:

http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/always-speak-politely-to-an-enraged-dragon-steven-brust/

Sometimes, I'm sorry there will be no dragons in my stories. There's a special place in my heart for the magical scaly fire-breathing creatures.

I grew up with Custard the Dragon, my earliest recollection of a dragon in a delightful book by Ogden Nash.

Puff the Magic Dragon, the song (a poem first), written by Lenny Lipton, was actually based on the above story. Really. The belief it was related to drugs was attached after it was written. In fact, the relationship was implied by a magazine article.

This reminded me of another song with supposed "hidden" meanings. "Horse with No Name" was also supposed to be filled with hidden symbolism. However, when the writer was interviewed (something I watched), he was baffled by the claim. He stated the reason he wrote it the way he did was because "the words went well together." Yep, as simple as that.

I also remember the uproar about the music group AC/DC, another interview I watched. One of the group members admitted he'd seen it on the back of his sister's sewing machine. Yes, the power symbol.

This reminds me how important it is to go to the source as often as possible. Scriptures and prayer are great ways to check in with the Creator.

Preparing for Arizona Dreamin' 2015...

I'm one of those who needs to plan ahead, way ahead. Thursdays are for the Dreamin' event. For the next few weeks, I'll share the pictures take of me with a few of the male models. They're fun.

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

I attended my first Arizona Dreamin' Event in 2012. It wasn't my first conference. I've attended several Lord of the Rings events. I enjoyed every single one. I met wonderful people in person I'd known online, sometimes for years.

In 2012, I met several women I still interact with online and some of them I look forward to seeing every year at the Arizona Dreamin' Event. Simply thinking about them makes me smile. I can't remember ever laughing so much in my life.

*squirrel*

I met Jimmy Thomas, businessman and cover model, for the second time. He hosts a romance novel conference in Las Vegas every summer. Unfortunately, I can't afford both, and I prefer the smaller group at Arizona Dreamin'. Several of my friends attend both.

The official photos:

 My favorite, at the pre-conferance party:

Deena Remiel (author), Shannon, Jimmy, Sonya, April London (author), and me:

RhondaPlumhoff (author), Kristina (Kristina's Books and More book reviewer), Sonya, Jimmy, Shannon, Jamallah Bergman (author), me, and April.

Attempting something different...

I'm not married, have no children, and no pets. I've held to a strict schedule and berated myself when I failed to meet eating, sleeping, exercising, and writing goals.

Over the years, I've learned that a routine is helpful in handling C-PTSD (Complex though the psychological experts are changing it to Developmental PTSD). Changing names doesn't change what I deal with every day.

I decided to try something new. I sleep when I'm tired. Interestingly enough, this keeps me from eating when I'm tired. My schedule isn't what I expected. I sleep for a few hours and then I'm awake for several hours. My favorite writing time is actually in the middle of the night. Now, I don't feel guilty about not sleeping when I "should." I sleep for a couple of hours in the late morning, a time I always had trouble using effectively anyway. Waking up and not being able to go back to sleep is no longer something to be lamented but used to accomplish my goals.

I'm working on two novels and one novella. I've accomplished more in the last week than I have in the last month. This has only been going on for a little over a week. We'll see what happens this month.

Sometimes, a little change is able to make a huge difference, but you have to be willing to make the change.

Saturday sharing links...

Speaking of research, this week, Beth Trissel shares what she does, too:
http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/07/27/the-things-i-do-for-research/

I've often wondered about Ruth's romance, as in Ruth and Naomi. Genesis 5020 has a review and giveaway. If you want to enter you only have until the 3rd. Tomorrow.
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/review-and-giveaway-in-the-field-of-grace-by-tessa-afshar/

Another review of a book that intrigued me and added to my Wish List:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/captured-by-love-by-jody-hedlund/

Over at Forward Walking, Daniel Adam Freeman shared an interesting post on Spring Cleaning, but not your typical Spring Cleaning:
http://forwardwalking.com/2014/07/31/spring-cleaning/

God bless.

Wordless

A new favorite author...

Not long ago, I posted about discovering Hallee Bridgeman at this year's Arizona Dreamin', a Readers' Event.

I'm a planner in many things, though writing isn't one of them. In writing, I'm a pantster. Sorry, sidetracked. Yes, I'm also easily sidetracked. Where was I?

Conference. I knew I'd have the opportunity to choose to meet several authors, so I looked over the names. Many of the authors I already knew or they wrote romance novels I wasn't particularly interested in reading. I'm not a huge fan of first person, except in the case of an autobiography. I know, not typical, but I've never claimed to be typical.

The authors I didn't know I investigated. I checked their websites and looked up their books on Amazon. If they had a free download of a short story, I accepted the opportunity.

I read Hallee's novella Greater than Rubies, a follow up to her novel Sapphire Ice. I loved it. I wrote about the wonderful experience in a previous post.

http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2014/06/hallee-bridgeman.html

I bought her paperback book The Jewel Anthology in the bookstore provided at the conference. It includes all three of her Jewel novels and the novella. It also includes the study guides and recipes accompanying each book. It made to the top of my To-Be-Read pile this past month. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. It was a delight to have all the stories together. The heroes and heroines are unique and yet share common threads of faith, either well developed faith or stepping onto the path.

They're Christian romances with real characters. People who have made mistakes. Horrible things have happened in their lives. They question their faith and struggle. In each story, I searched my own heart, my own faith, my own journey. I finished feeling uplifted and inspired.

These stories are the kind of romances I like to read. I've added her suspense books to my wish list.

Bits and bobs about writing...

I spend a lot of time researching. It doesn't matter which series I'm working on. There's always something I need to know. Here are a few of things I've looked up lately:

Draft breeds. I needed a pair of dray horses. I looked at several and decided on the Clydesdale. They were bred in Scotland, not long before my story takes place.

Moon phases, in 1817. Yes, timeanddate.com provide the date of the new moon, first quarter, full, and third quarter.

Sunrise and sunset times, comparing winter to summer. I've learned about astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, and civil twilight. Also available at the same site, though I figured this year would be close enough.

I search maps for towns for my stories, and then look up the towns.

In the upcoming Tarnished Knight, Jack sails into Berwick-upon-Tweed. It's a walled port town in northern England, almost to the Scottish border. After visiting their webpage, I want to visit.

The problem with research: It's distracting. The next thing I know hours have passed. However, I've a much clearer picture in my head of the places my characters live.

Sharing Links...

New site with information on PTSD:
http://ptsd-acceptingcopingthriving.com/

A blog devoted to sharing the stories of soldiers:
http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/

From Writers In The Storm blog, I needed this right now:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/five-plus-tips-to-keep-you-writing/

And this one!
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/time-management-for-writers-yes-makes-less/

God bless.

I have an announcement...

I'm going to be 1 of 27 authors featured at Arizona Dreamin', a Romance Readers Event, at the end of May 2015. I'm nervous and excited.

I'll also be attending the Buidlin' the Dream event.

http://thedreamsconvention.com/

I'm going to make Thursdays my information day here.

Take a moment to breathe...

It's been a busy last few months, preparing two books for release. Two more or coming, so I actually can't breath yet. However, I am taking a moment to thank the Good Lord for all the many blessings He has granted.

Friends.

Nature.

Warm fuzzies.

 Laughter.

Prayer.

Original Release Day

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman. 

Finding Home, Book Four in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, is here!
 
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American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest for him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feel when the right person is near, and sometimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

 

Links to Share...

Patricia Johns shared a post on body image:
http://patriciajohnsromance.com/2014/07/13/dressing-up-the-paintbrush/

The Bookaholic Bookworm shares reviews. After reading this particular review, I added the book to my wish list. It's my kind of cookbook. It isn't available until 2015.
http://bookaholicbookworm.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/hugh-said-you-can-come-into-my-kitchen/

Writers In The Storm shared a great blog on the importance of small edits, including examples:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/07/small-edits-can-make-a-big-difference/

Jude Urbanski, a Desert Breeze Publishing author, was interviewed over at Genesis 5020:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/write-to-the-point-with-jude-urbanski/

Melissa Finnegan, from Genesis 5020, shares her writing journey over at Kristena Tunstall's blog:
http://kristenatunstall.com/the-journey-with-melissa-finnegan-acfw/

Lynette Endicott shares a short bit of good writing advice:
http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/when-does-the-characters-know-more-than-the-author

So many amazing people willing to share a bit of their world.

God bless.

Finding Home...

Book Four of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series will be available on Monday the 21st, in eformat. It will be available in paperback, next month.

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman.

American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest to him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feeling when the right person is near, and somtimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

Saving Lisa...

Book Three in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series is available now in eformat and will be available in paperback in August.

Everything Eric Hudson owned burned to the ground. Over a year later, in the late spring of 1985, it's time to gather what few threads remain and see what he can salvage. A job in Thailand offers a fresh start. A relationship is one complication he does not need especially with a woman who believes God solves everything...

A new job is the answer to Lisa Montgomery's prayer. Relationships are out. Travel is the only adventure she wants. The main impediment to her hopes and dreams is fear. In her efforts to conquer it, she embarks on a dangerous journey and discovers a world she didn't know existed, human trafficking. Nothing stands between her and slavery. Faith isn't only about trusting God but trusting self...

The difference between running away and running to is the difference between fear and faith.