Socializing gives positive vibes

Went to a wine-tasting fundraiser for the women's programming of my church this evening. Met a few new people, and chatted with friends and reconnected with former colleagues I hadn't seen in a while. It was fun, not only from a socializing standpoint, but as a budding author.

I guess I should do these things more often because people are so excited to know I'm writing and that I've published books. Most people think it's soooo cool! Even though few readers know my books exist, when I talk to people they are encouraging and impressed!
I had to put this in writing so that on those days when I'm not selling books, and I'm feeling discouraged, I can remember that others want me to succeed and are supportive. Knowing that other people think I'm doing something worthy of excitement and celebration really helps me keep going.

I listened to a webinar on self-publishing all day today, and heard loud and clear how hard this is, and how much time and dedication it takes. Following that up by being around so much positive encouragement was inspiring. Okay, maybe I can get that next book done!

A Year of Big Events and New Novels!

So, 2013 comes to a close. What a year it’s been for me. It started off with a bang – I became a published author!

Last January, I published my first novel, Unexpected Legacy. How fun, after months of writing, editing, agonizing over cover options and formatting the thing, to finally hold the finished product in my hands!

The novel didn’t skyrocket to the top of the NY Times Bestseller list, but it made it through a few rounds of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition. It got some great reviews, and got some positive feedback from both adults and teens, broadening its audience base. All good things.

In March, I published book number two, a clean contemporary romance titled Meetings of Chance.

Then a couple of big events happened that had nothing to do with writing. My husband and I celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary (why, yes, I was a child bride!), and we got to see our daughter graduate with honors from Cornell University. That was a very proud mama moment!

I watched a lot of tennis, and saw my son win second place in the state doubles championship. More parental pride.

Then I switched gears a bit, and launched a new novel in a new genre. The Storm Within was my third novel published in 2013. It’s women’s fiction, which meant I had to reach out and connect with a different kind of reader.

Which brings me to Marketing – the biggest challenge of 2013, and I expect that will continue into the new year. I’ve met a lot of other authors and readers along the way, and that has been much fun. I’ve gained friends and fans and followers, and learned a lot.

So what’s on the agenda for 2014? More of the same! More marketing, of course, and more writing. Hoping to publish at least two new books, the second in the Women of Whitfield series, and at least one contemporary romance.

My son will graduate from high school and start college. My daughter will launch her career and perhaps a PhD program. I’ve no doubt it will be another busy year.

As I ponder 2014, I’m thinking about all the unfinished manuscripts I have, and the stories I want to write.

I’ve said before that writing is making me a hermit, and it’s true. Sure, I see friends, go to lunch, etc. But, as others are planning their New Year’s Eve parties, dinners and festivities, I’m wondering if I can ring in the new year by finishing a book. :-)

It's Cookie Time

I’m not a cook, but I do like cookies. Often people mistake me for a cook because I also like to make cookies. The sad fact is, it’s the one and only culinary talent I possess.

At holidays, especially Christmas, I make anywhere from eight to twelve dozen sugar cookies – the kind you chill, then roll out and cut and bake, then frost and decorate. It’s kind of a long process, three days, minimum, with many frosting sessions.

The baked cookies can be frozen, but once they’ve been frosted, freezing isn’t an option. That means I have to carefully schedule when I frost the cookies for each person or event I’m taking them to. I actually write this down, which is probably one of the reasons people can’t believe that when it comes to writing I’m a “pantser” rather than a “plotter.” (meaning I don’t outline and sketch out the entire story before writing it)

Baking holiday cookies is actually a little creative outlet for me, too. Each one (well, some, anyway) is a tiny piece of edible art. I’ve been told they’re too pretty to eat. But then, I haven’t seen too many people having trouble eating them!

Happy holidays, everyone! Wishing you fun times with family and friends, good books –and, of course, cookies!