One thing I love about autumn is walking in the fresh air and viewing colorful landscapes.
Another thing is having a camera with me. Lately, I haven’t been walking alone so conversations keep my muse from focusing. She sneaks out sometimes. I’m happy when she finds her way through the chatter. However, my muse works in mysterious ways like stopping me when leaves filled with raindrops lay in my path. I stop a moment to use my phone to snap pictures.
It’s hard for those who don’t take pictures, to be with a person who stops without warning, to take a picture. Sometimes this bothers me that others don’t get it. Other times, I don’t care. Photography is my hobby, and there are times it calls as much as writing. For the past few years, I haven’t given in to the photography nudge because writing takes precedence. My camera bag sits in my closet and the DSLR camera hasn’t been out for a couple years. However, my little point and shoot went with me on a day trip last week. So did the chilly rain. And wind. The camera remained in the car. LOL. I took one picture with my phone while walking Main Street in a quaint little town a few hours from where I live. One is better than…none? Hmm?
While walking alone, ideas for a current WIP can come into focus or new storylines pop into my head for something brand-new. I usually prefer to walk alone for this reason, but I have a friend who recently started walking. She uses a walker. Good for her! It’s encouraging having another person urging me to get out from under my laptop, literally, and move my behind. If she can get out and walk, then I damn well better get out there and do it, too. My doctor would be so proud.
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for reading. I appreciate every visit from you. Now, back to the keyboard. Enjoy the rest of your week.
What are some ways you’re inspired to use your craft?
Images are copyrighted and my own. Excluding the Inspiration of the Muse image. Graphic made by me.
Isn’t that kind of personal? Ha-ha, just kidding. Hi, I’m back after a long hiatus from Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. This is a blog hop, baby. #MFRWauthor
Since I’ve been away, I moved, got settled in, wrote a couple blog posts and a newsletter, published a new book, and I’m nearly at thirty-thousand words in the new one I’m writing that is due out in November 2019. I’m procrastinating on another one. Oh, I can’t forget… I also published a Boxed Set.
I looked at today’s topic and thought: Hmm, I can answer this one. What do I wear when I write?
Admittedly, it’s kind of creepy to know others know what I wear when I’m lost in another world. I’m lucky enough to be a full-time writer at home. I’m a romance writer and sometimes the romance is steamy, well, warm. What do you expect me to wear while I write those sexy scenes? Do you think I have candles burning? Chocolates within reach? Wine chilling? Music? A cowboy with a lasso to keep me on task? Do I wear something sexy and silky? A short little nightie?
You’d be wrong if you imagined me writing in something other than Jammies or fully dressed. Romantic scenes with candles, wine, and soft music aren’t all I write in my romance, so there is no need for a silky or a short little nightie to inspire me. Sometimes I have candles burning and soft music playing. For me, it’s all about being comfortable.
Ninety-five percent of the time, I wear jeans and some kind of top depending on weather. My computer comes on early in the morning and I’m usually in my PJs (or gown in the summer) for the first couple hours, or four, but then I get dressed. I can’t deny there have been a few days when I didn’t get out of PJs, especially if I’m staying home or still writing in bed, and when I lost my doggie.
Since I retired, I have been putting on regular clothes. I moved into an apartment and had to take my dog out on a leash, so I had to get dressed. Now, I no longer have my sweet fur-baby, but I still dress.
I walked for exercise at my old apartment, but I could bounce out the door and drive to the park seeing no one. In my new apartment, I not only get dressed, but I get myself ready with hair and makeup, and go for a morning walk. In this apartment, I have to go into a hallway where there are four apartments on this level, including mine, and four upstairs. Chances are, I will run into someone, and I want to look presentable to new neighbors. Oh, don’t I sound so vain. Don’t judge. Ha-ha.
If I was twenty I wouldn’t have to worry about looking good, because, you know—twenty!
The day may come when the snow falls and I don’t leave my apartment, I will stay in those Jammies all day. Though regular clothes are warmer when the temperatures outside are blustery and cold. However, I might remain in those comfy flannel pajamas and thick socks more often this winter.
Now see? As I type this, fully dressed, who shows up but the guys who are replacing the windows in the basement, and my storage unit down there has a window in it. Off I go to make sure they have enough room to work.
How about you writers? Are you ready to tell us what you wear while writing? How about while reading? Oh, that’s a whole different story!
This is a Blog Hop. Let’s see what other authors wear while writing. I’m curious myself. Click on over.
It’s mid-June, folks, and today is Friday. You know what that means. It’s time for another topic in the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop. I said early on I wouldn’t participate in each topic this year and missed the last couple weeks.
Week 24: Item I can’t live without
This is an easy topic if I think of it as a material thing I can’t live without. This, of course, would be my laptop and tablets, pens and notebooks—the paper kind, books, glasses, and a phone. I look at these tools as one group so I’m not really cheating on the topic and listing more than one. Did you buy that?
I use a laptop to make a living by researching, writing, publishing, marketing, staying in contact with readers, and so much more. These tools are also a part of my social life. A phone and laptop are used to socialize electronically with friends and family who are far away, or even those who are close, to confirm an event or gathering like breakfast or lunch…you get it.
I’ve had to live without these tools I stated above during a power outage or a weather-related incident like a lightning storm or worse. Last night my area lost power for over three hours, so yeah, it’s hard to unwind and not have these tools available at will. My phone did work, though, but it drove me nuts for the first hour not to have use of my items.
Then I turned on my Kindle to read a recent book I bought for research. I’m enjoying the story based on the real life of a famous ranching and bronc riding family. If the battery ran low, I could continue reading on my iPad, knowing I’d have to go out to charge my items tomorrow if power wasn’t restored. The laptop battery would be conserved for an Emergency-Writing-Fix. LOL.
Pixabay
If we’ve never had these items to work with on a daily basis, how could we miss them? That statement reminds me of writing my first two long books on legal pads before I owned a computer, or the time I started a new book on paper during another long power outage. I wrote about another power outage here. Wow, this was written in 2009! How things have changed.
Others may look at this topic as mentioning the basic needs we depend on as humans and maybe this would seem a better fit for this week, but I have a feeling it means a material thing since it says “item” we can’t live without. This week’s entries should be interesting, and I can’t wait to read them.
On the home front, we’re headed for a heatwave this weekend. I sure hope the power stays on. After last night, I’m hoping it wasn’t because of overload with everyone blasting their/my Air Conditioning. With the history of my heat and AC unit, I’m happy for each minute that it works.
Stay cool!
We’re doing a Blog Hop, friends. You’ll find other participating authorsHERE.
Times change. Life moves forward. Who gets a bit sentimental during the holidays? I do.
People always ask where I’m going, or they want to know what I’ll be doing for Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate their concern. Sometimes I get accused of being a recluse because I don’t have a problem to stay at home and do my job. Write.
It wasn’t always like this when I had my own family. Well, I still have a family, but one boy is across the country. My youngest son is in a serious relationship, and they do this holiday with her family. Yes, they have invited me to join them.
What do you think my advice is to others when I know they’ll be alone?
“Don’t stay home alone. Go and enjoy dinner with friends.”
It’s easy to give advice. Ask my oldest son in California how many years I’ve told him that.
Now, he says it to me.
I remember the first Thanksgiving dinner when one of my kids wasn’t there. The oldest went to a football game with his best friend (Go Lions!), so it was different with only three of us there instead of four—five if we count my single brother-in-law. That’s when I realized the days of having our family Thanksgiving dinners together were numbered as the kids grew older.
Allegheny River
Back in those days, my family sometimes went to our cottage in Pennsylvania in the Allegheny National Forest in the Allegheny Mountains. My husband’s entire family would be there at the family cottage across from us. We always had fun.
After my married brother-in-law got divorced, I was the only female so you know what my job was, but truly, I didn’t mind cooking for everyone. At least one brother-in-law would always come for dinner anyway. Luckily, my husband (now ex-husband) knew how to cook, and he’d always lend a hand.
Times change. Life moves forward.
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, are you spending time with your immediate family this year? Tons of relatives? Friends? Going out? Staying home?
Whatever it is you’ll be doing, please enjoy yourself.
For the record, I am not staying home alone this year.
A title for my ______ Monday hasn’t been determined yet. I loved Teagan’s comment on the post Monday Tunes of Inspiration with the idea for Monday Melodies, but if I want to post an image, quote, or book. I’ll need something to add to it to reflect more than melodies. I’ll use this as an addition to the new theme when I post a melody as I’ve done today. Thanks, Teagan! 🙂 So much for alliteration.
This theme is evolving as time goes by, so each post is a surprise to me. I appreciate you putting up with me as I brainstorm. Today’s title works as a theme idea because it also covers my hobby, which is photography. Example: Monday Inspiration for the Muse: Images.
Yes?
No?
It sucks?
Work on it?
Forget about blogging?
Get a life, Mary?
At times, I’ll share images from others. My hobby has gone by the wayside. 😦
A New Week
Last week, I mentioned in a reply to a comment, that sometimes I can listen to Kenny G or saxophone music without any lyrics to distract my thoughts. This video says it all.
Sometimes, for writing love scenes, I close my eyes and let the sexy sway of the saxophone guide my muse while my fingers burn up the keyboard. No pun intended. Maybe. 😉
Remember, this theme probably won’t occur weekly on a regular basis. Then again, I might just be inspired enough to do it weekly. Evolving as I breathe.
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Thirteen on Thursday. Okay, okay, it should be Thursday Thirteen. I’m not sure who runs the new Thursday 13 site nowadays, so I’m giving this post a different name. I like to be different.
Perfume:
What kind of perfume do you like? Guys, are you stumped when it comes to buying perfume for your lady? I like perfumes that aren’t too sweet or flowery, but are subtle and long-lasting. I love when someone says, “Mmm, I’ve never smelled that perfume before.” This is why I wear my signature perfume. It’s semi-popular, and once in a while I’ll come across someone else wearing it. I smile. They also make one for men that smells just as yummy and sexy.
One day I got out of my car in a parking lot, and a guy who passed me, took a minute to say how much he loved my perfume. He wore a big smile, I might add. With a pleasant thank you, I moved on. 😉 This happens often.
Do I wear all the perfumes on this list? No. In truth, I only have a couple favorites that I wear on a regular basis–#1 and #2, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like many kinds.
Some of my favorites:
My signature perfume.I never tell.
La Vie e belleLancome It drew my attention because one of my heroines is Italian and she says: La Vita e Bella – Life is Beautiful. Of course, I do own this one. I had included a sample size of this in a Bull Rider Series gift box once.
Chanel No 5Chanel (Will always be one of my favorites)
FlowerbombViktor & Rolf
CashmereMistDonna Karan
ChantillyHoubigant (For the memories it evokes)
Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme Fragrance Dolce & Gabbana
SensuousEstée Lauder
B. Balenciaga
Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal Couture (Packaging is lovely)
Live ColorfullyKate Spade
bellaVince Camuto (pretty packaging)
White DiamondsElizabeth Taylor
0_o Oh, no! I cant’ stop at thirteen…
ParisYves St. Laurent
Not that I can afford to buy all this perfume, but I like it for different reasons. Some come in unique packaging, while others have sexy TV commercials. ❤ Of course, they all smell yummy! Really, it doesn’t take much to please me, but maybe, just maybe, this could be the way to my heart. Oh, and cashmere, the real stuff not the perfume.
Have a fantabulous day.
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Anational day to celebrate a first love? Yes! September 18 is National First Love Day. I’m a bit confused on how this day started. After reading this PAGE, I’m even more confused. LOL.
Updated Post: I haven’t found the correct date for National First Love Day. I found two in 2017. One is April and one is September 18. This post receives more hits than any other on my blog. Therefore, I try to keep it updated. I’m guessing the date is probably close to the eighteenth.
I’m not the only one who doesn’t know the exact date, but they also agree with September 18. I say we go for it. Click HERE to read the article.
Let’s do it up right with a hashtag– #NationalFirstLoveDay
Speaking of National First Love Day…
I love the idea of couples coming back together and starting over, so I had to write a book about first love and second chances. Whispers of Forever is book #1 in a brand new spin off series and is available. Now there’s a book #2, and book #3 will be arriving any day now.This series spins off from the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Why mention my book? Well, why not? I’m a romance writer and I love romance. Maybe you do too? If you like small towns, first love, and second chance romances, this one is for you. 🙂
Seriously, you can rest assured, I didn’t write this post to talk about my books, but this one is about first love. ❤
On sale for a very limited time.
Maybe you didn’t know this day even existed. Heck, I didn’t. I first heard about it on Twitter. Of course, Twitter. Today, it isn’t trending.
This site says this “day” was referenced 10,486 times on Twitter in 2015. I haven’t personally checked statistics. 🙂 Now, it’s 2017 2018 in this updated post. This is what I found for search statistics via a couple search engines in 2018: About 126,000,000 on Google. Wow! Here’s Bing’s result: 123,000,000. ❤ Since I first posted this in 2015, these results have grown.
How about checking out the Urban Dictionary to see what they have to say about your first love.
Everyone who knows me, knows I stay in touch with my first love from back in the day when I was “sweet sixteen.” Literally sixteen! I know, right? It’s weird. As time went on with our relationship, I remember how hard it had been to take the plunge into the first kiss and then the first time of saying “I love you.”
Were we afraid of chasing each other away by taking those steps? What had caused the fear? Shyness? Yes, a little. After all, we were only sixteen, and back then, sixteen was a little different than being sixteen today. The yearning sure was there.
Eventually, there was the ache of good-bye. 😦
Those memories make this day extra special. I dedicated two books to him. (However, we haven’t been in contact for over a year now.)
Do you think of your first love? My dad used to call him my Heart Throb. When my dad heard his car coming from two blocks away (loud muffler), he’d say, “Here comes your heart throb.” LOL Good O’ Dad. Over the years, he grew on my dad which wasn’t an easy feat.
What song reminds me of him from way back? “Unchained Melody.” ❤ Back in the day he’d been drafted into the Army. Even today I remember the ache from longing to see him. All these years later, I still have his dress Army hat that I can’t make myself get rid of. Too sappy? LOL Sorry.
Often on my way to shop in the town over from mine, I have to drive by his place of employment, where he has been employed all his adult life–before and after the Army. (Oh, the memories of that place.) More than once, this song below has played on my CD while driving by. It’s a CD I listen to often because I love the singer. I bought this for every electronic device I own–iTunes for my iPad, MP3 for my Kindle… You get the picture.
I wanted to play this song below for you because, maybe, if you take a moment to think of your first love, your first love will be thinking about you. The song is called “Five.” When I post a video, I like to use the song from the Artist’s page, but I liked this one this time. Give the lyrics a listen if you like country music like I do.
Enjoy!
How about you? Do you have a first love you can’t forget? Or one you’d like to forget? Tell us?
Have a great week. Thanks for your visit.
By the way, here’s another book where a new love blooms into a first love. ❤ Please forgive my shameless self-promotion.
Update: Over now. Thanks to everyone who voted. Unfortunately, there was a polling issue and the votes didn’t get counted for September and October. Therefore, they were all tossed in with November and December covers which equaled 113 books. One took off from the get-go, leaving little chance for anyone else to win. It’ll be a long time before I enter another cover. I appreciate every vote you gave, though. Thanks.
I know, I know, this is was shameless self-promotion, but doggone it, if I don’t who will?
You all know I don’t ask for anything much or often of my followers here on my blog, but now and then I get one of my books out there in a Cover War. This is one of those times.
As my title says, Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord needs your vote to move on to the next round. You don’t have to sign-in or register for anything to vote. This month there are forty-five covers in the running. It will be tough to win since that’s a lot of cover war competition. It would only be fair for me to say to vote for my cover if you like it. Maybe you don’t like a ripped bare-chest on a cowboy, or maybe you do. But, you like me, right? 🙂 Sorry, a little humor never hurts, I hope. ❤
Oh, also, you can vote daily! How cool is that, right?
All you have to do is click one of the cover war images, or click HERE to go to the Masquerade Crew Cover War Page. Check out the covers and scroll down to the bottom of the page to the list of book titles. Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord is there. Click Vote. You can vote on up to forty covers if you choose.
Earlier, I had posted a blog about writing love letters. It reminded me of the greeting cards I’ve saved throughout the years. If I had love letters, trust me, they’d be saved.
As I began cleaning out ‘stuff’ to move, I came across a box with greeting cards I’ve saved over the years. I compiled them all into a box, and wrote a note on the outside to my sons who will one day have to go through that box. (*Maybe) The cards represent the many people who have loved, or cared for me, for one reason or another.
They go back as far as my early adult years—starting with wedding congratulations, high school graduation cards, and college graduation cards. (I graduated as an adult with children.)
Also included are “welcome new baby cards,” homemade/purchased birthday cards, and wedding anniversary cards. Oh, of course I have a multitude of ❤ Valentine’s Day ❤ cards. I have many from my best friend—who is still my best friend. I have funny, sad, and photo cards. Of course, you can’t live a life without sympathy cards involved, too.
This isn’t to say I’ve saved every single card I’ve ever received.
One in particular stands out. A handmade card that came straight from someone I knew in prison. The card is absolutely gorgeous, and was created by an artist who made cards for inmates—an inmate himself.
My goal has always been to make a large collage out of those cards that show me as a wife—an ex-wife once and a widow another time. Therefore, I have step-mom cards from my second marriage. Cards that show me as a mom, aunt, niece, sister, friend, teacher. Many are from people who have passed away.
I told my youngest son if I made them into a collage, he could show it at my funeral instead of making a photo board. Of course, if they do make a photo board, I’d instruct them to add all my book covers. 🙂 That’s a big part of my life so I believe it would be necessary. Do you agree?
Everyone can look at my sexy cowboys and maybe not be sad because I died. I might be off to cowboy Heaven for all I know.
This collage is a visual in my head. It might be on a big poster board, or maybe something sturdier. I’d cut out the reason for the card, be it mom, wife, etc. Then, I’d cut out who the card was from and add it beside the title of the card. I’ve loved creating photo collages for a long time, so this would be easy and fun. After the collage was finished, it could be laminated so it’d last. Depending on how it was made, it could even go into a frame. I know there are sites online where you can do Scrapbooking. Maybe I could also do a collage online instead. It isn’t like I have time to scan all those cards, though.
Why bother? The collage would be more important to me than anyone else, so after I was gone, they could trash it along with the funeral flowers if they chose.
My youngest son and his girlfriend recently helped me get my storage tubs and smaller items moved before my movers came for the heavy load. I showed my boy’s girlfriend the box of cards. Her reaction surprised me…
Her grandmother had recently passed away and she told me that she and her family had to go through every card, letter, and pieces of old, saved mail, etc., and trash it all. “No one will want to go through that stuff,” she said. In reality, she’s right because as I said, the cards are more important to me. *Hmm, on some cold winter day, I’ll create the collage for myself. No harm in letting it hang on the wall for a time. If I get sick of looking at it, the Dumpster is right down at the end of my parking lot.
What do you do with Greeting Cards?
Do you save all of your greeting cards?
Are you choosier about the ones you do save?
Do you save them at all?
For a long time?
A short time?
Is it just me?
My son says I’m weird. Does this make me “weird”?
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