Saturday, February 25, 2012

When It's Time To Change...

In an effort to improve our health, hubby and I have purchased several pieces of exercise equipment. Our latest purchase was a recumbent bike. That joined our elliptical machine and the Gazelle in our family room!

Our house is a bi-level and the family room is long and partially divided by the hallway, so it is difficult to arrange furniture around it.


Especially since we have a built-in corner fireplace and bookshelves on either side. And, I need to watch television when I exercise!

So, today I did my workout by rearranging things to put all the exercise equipment on one side of the room, preserving the tv watching area for relaxing. But, with the tv angled just a bit, we can work out and watch tv, too!


I'm very tired and doubt if I'll be using any of that equipment today! Well, maybe I'll use the treadmill which is in my office...but that's another story!

Monday, February 20, 2012

The Writer and The Muse

"I need you to inspire me to write today, Muse."

"What you need is to put your hands on the keyboard and write. The inspiration will come once you remember that writing is an action word!"

"Yeah, easy for you to say. You don't have to stare at the blank screen."

"Neither would you if you would stop procrastinating and start writing."

"How can I write when I can't get the villain's motivation worked out?"

"Interview him."

"Funny."

"See, there you go. Every time I try to help you, there's an excuse. Why is that funny?"

"He's not real."

"That's your problem right there. If you don't think he's real, how will your reader believe in his motivation?"

Score one for the muse!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Sweet Words to an Author's Ear

Words heard while attending a Valentine's Day concert for U.S. Veterans last night: "I started reading one of your books and I can't put it down!"

Shortly after finding seats, hubby and I were pleasantly surprised when his pulmonary therapist and the oxygen coordinator from the Chalmers P. Wylie VA came and sat behind us. My hubby is one of my biggest promoters. He tells everyone I'm an author and raves about my books. He has read every one of them. Word of mouth continues to be one of the best marketing tools and one that doesn't cost a penny.

While participating in a six-week therapy exercise program, he "ratted me out" as an author...bless his heart! His therapist bought two of my books for her Nook, but hadn't yet begun to read them before the program ended. Her words last night gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling and motivated me to continue writing.

"I started reading and I couldn't put it down."
"I stayed up until two in the morning because I had to find out what would happen next."
"Once I started reading, I had to keep going. It was so good!"

These are words I'm hearing from people who have read my Inspirational novels. Seems whenever I get a bit down and question the time I spend writing, God speaks to me through readers.

I may never be a New York Times Best-selling author, but that has never been my goal. My goal is to write stories that touch reader emotions and show how faith can move mountains without "preaching." I've been asked who my audience is and that makes me smile. Who? Everyone! Male, female, Christian, non-Christian...anyone who can read!

TRAPPED is my latest book and the one the Pulmonary Therapist was speaking about last night. I'm currently writing the second book in the series...one I'm enjoying writing and hope will continue to bring the same heartwarming feedback.

Saturday, February 04, 2012

I'm Like a Trained Rat...

I'm a creature of habit. For the past five weeks, I've been carrying my iPad to the VA Clinic to write while my hubby is doing his exercise program. This gives me two and a half hours to do nothing but write. No distractions. I can't get up and head to the refrigerator, fix a cup of tea, check emails, read, play with the cats, or talk on the phone. I can't even check Facebook or Twitter. Horrors!

But I'm having a very productive two and a half hours to write. The time passes quickly and the words and pages flow. I'm energized and so immersed in the process of writing that I am sad when the time is up. I used to walk on the treadmill every day and write, but since I began using my iPad at the VA, the treadmill isn't working.

Is it the laptop? Could be. I cannot write at my desk on my desktop computer. That's for blogging, checking emails, twitter, facebook, research. The laptop used to be for writing. Now it's the iPad. Problem is...it doesn't work on my treadmill desk.

I'm like a trained rat who runs through the maze for the food when the bell rings. Once trained, I'm in a rut. Sigh. I must condition myself back to the laptop and the treadmill.

Writers are such weird creatures. Or at least, I am. Sigh.

Friday, February 03, 2012

Characters Can Appear Anywhere!

Yesterday I met a woman in the veterinarian's office who had a bulky English bulldog on the bench beside her. He was so ugly he was cute. Had the typical scrunched face, was snorting and doing his best to get off the bench and get to me. So, I petted him. Adorable dog. The only problem...according to this lovely woman who was in one of my Bible Study groups, is that he's always horny! She says he humps everybody's leg consistently and she doesn't know what to do with him. Even the vet had no idea how to break him.  All I know is I'm sure glad she was able to keep that huge dog under control!

On the way home, I got a great idea to use this to my advantage and include it in one of my books. I'm thinking it would make a great novella story...maybe something for Easter. Wouldn't it be great if the dog belonged to a Pastor's family?