A Special Boy

Today is my son's 12Th birthday. Not a day goes by that I'm not amazed at how time has flown by. He's growing too fast but I'm very proud of him. Trevor loves books... reading and writing them. He hopes to publish a poetry book and/or a short story some day. I believe he will do this! (His 8 yr old brother already has!)

My little man already thinks about college... looking at Alma - Go Scots! He plans on being a scientist, a writer, and a book shop owner!

I've tried to take him to book signing events promoting children's and young adult writers. He's met Johnathan Rand at least five times. (See photo of Trev & his favorite author above.) He's even attended some of mine knowing that he's not allowed to read my work until he's 18. LOL.

It seems to me, that when a young person actually meets the author they in turn will read more work by that author and more books. This all being good!

So the message I send to writers of all genre is to be available to your fans, encourage young people you know to attend book signing events. I also send the message to those who enjoy books and reading; attend events with a friend, take a young person to an event of their favorite author.

Humpday Help

Happy Wednesday... it's the middle of the week and do you need some help getting over this hump?

Sometimes one just needs a simple little change to get that burst of energy to keep going to the weekend. As an artist, I'll do a little drawing to pick myself up. This can be anything from a doodle while on a lengthy phone conversation with my mom, to actually stepping outside with a sketchbook. Needless to say, alot of time is not needed; this is a very short exercise.

As a writer take a moment today to remember a landscape or a visual from your past, perhaps your childhood. Is it a scene at the county fair? Perhaps a day of sunbathing poolside with friends? Think back to a silly time and write a descriptive paragraph about what your mind's eye sees. You might even get carried away and write a few paragraphs or even book. Ya never know!

Altogether, this little exercise will should bring a smile to your face and joy in your heart. If it doesn't... then do something like a child. Get down on the floor and play dolls or hot wheels with a child. Put your arms up and twirl about like a ballerina. Call somebody a "Poopy head" when you're angry with them.

Have fun and feel free to post a silly today!

Cleaning Day

Mondays are "Change the Bed Day" here at my house. This is the day of the week I catch up on cleaning the house and the laundry created from the weekend. So in honor of this eventful day, I decided to blog every Monday with the theme of cleaning. Perhaps I can inspire others, dole out tips to help with the strenuous task of cleaning, or simply add a bit of humor to the day. Cleaning is certainly not my favorite thing to do, but the task can be made fun or easier. I will do my best... so here we go!


Now I have preached before on turning the task of cleaning into a spiritual experience. As you throw away useless papers, throw away bad feelings to cleanse your mind and soul. But today lets have some fun... turn on the stereo.

You don't have to put on white cotton socks, and play an air guitar... but it is encouraged. Any music will do... as long as you enjoy it. Feel the music, let yourself smile and your spirit lift.

I like to play some blues at a high volume and sing along with the black master who tells the tale about getting dressed for his date. As I'm gathering discarded sweatshirts and smelly socks, I sing about putting on freshly pressed pants of a zoot suit, polished shoes, and don't forget that silk handkerchief for the breast pocket. Not all blues tunes are sad, many are very humorous... one can sing the blues with any words, the music simpy comes from the soul. I dance with my broom and the dog cocks her head in a curious manner while watching me. I try to encourage her to dance but she prefers to "sing".

A selection of light Spring Jazz is playing on my computer speakers...for now. There is a load in the washer, one in the drier, three other sorted piles in line on the floor waiting for their bath. When I return to the mud room, I'll play some fun jazz with birds and other nature sounds. Once a wren outside the window had an intersting coversation with the bird featured on the CD. I wonder what they discussed.

Currently, the house is quiet,the toddler is still asleep, the coffee pot just turned off. Today is my last day of drinking coffee; I'm switching back to tea. Coffee upset my constitution a bit too much. Speedy, the office guinea pig is even quiet at the moment; perhaps he knows his cage will be changed today and isn't bothering to complain.

Well, I'm headed downstairs to sweep. I think I'll tune in my favorite blues station and put on some cotton socks. Have a Happy Monday!

Go Barefoot!

How many times a day do I hear, "Mom, where are my shoes?" or "Mom, Nathan's barefoot again."? I feel like I'm on an endless search for shoes or chasing after a three year old who insists on not wearing them. Even at church, within a few minutes the shoes and socks miraculously disappear!

Today, I've been on the go getting the two older boys ready for school. I entered the house to be greeted in a thrush of hugs, snuggles and two adorable bare feet. Even when they are dirty I love to tickle those toes. Like a blast of air, he was off and running to join his brothers in play.

Finding myself in a quiet moment, I sat and took off my shoes. The wood of the floor felt cool against my feet. So I decided I too would be barefoot for the day.

Have you ever noticed how good the grass feels in between your toes? Walking through the yard takes me back to my childhood when I was barefoot most of the time. As an adult, when I have naked feet I feel a child-like spirit speaking to my heart. I find myself enjoying the little things such as butterflies, worms, and flowers.

In a religious sense, I thought about when the voice from a burning bush told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on Holy ground. He realized God was speaking to him. When we take off our shoes and feel the greatness of nature, is God perhaps speaking to us?

So let's take off our shoes, wriggle our toes and take the time to enjoy the small things in nature and in life!

Clear the Clutter

Is your desk piled high with papers? Is your purse disorganized? Does your closet look like a tornado hit? Does clutter make your life feel like a constant obstacle course?

Clutter and disorganization can distract you and waste your energy.

Take a deep breath and make the decision to begin clearing the clutter in your life. Start small; organize one small area such as a shelf, a drawer, or your purse. You don't want to overwhelm yourself! Work your way to the big things.

As you clean that desk or the closet you may also be clearing the clutter of old attitudes, grudges, and negativity. This simple cleaning will also cleanse your spirit.

When you clean out a closet, attend to paperwork, organize your personal life, you'll find you have more energy to focus on the things that are important to you.

I find that after cleaning my desk, I have a burst of creativity, my writing muse is happy, and I write like crazy.

Don't get me wrong... I still wish I had a maid!

Check out this Diva Basket

The Montrose Blueberry Festival is in full swing! The museum in town is having a used book sale that has been labeled as the State's Largest due to the 30,000 books up for sale. They are nice books too!

Anyways, I made up a "Diva Basket" for the museum to raffle off. Other than a signed copy of Painted Soul and bookmark, the winner will receive a brass heart-shaped candle holder, a pink tapper candle, pink nail polish, a rose scented sachet, "romance" scented lotion, a pink notebook, and a pink feather boa.

I had fun putting it together for the folks at the museum. They loved it when I dropped it off. The raffle will run Friday - Sunday. So if you are in Michigan this weekend stop in Montrose for the Blueberry Festival for a ton of fun, food, and a chance to win this basket!

For more information about this festival www.montroseblueberryfestival.net

I'll be working the pancake breakfast Saturday morning. See you there!

Interesting Book Finds

I love collecting books as much as reading them. Recently I found a few I'd like to share the titles with other writers.

"The Right to Write" by Julia Cameron. This is a good book for those who are in a writer's block or simply afraid to put pen to paper and write the story floating around their head. A few exercises are included and I found the book to be a bit spiritual: "Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding." I saw writing in a whole new light and it was beautiful.

"On Writing Romance" by Leigh Michaels. Another eye-opening book that takes the reader from the origins of the romance novel to how to establish the framework for one's own work. Great advice on getting one's work ready for submitting. Reading this gave me the sense of doing the right stuff and gave me ideas to better myself as a writer.

"Writing for Self-Discovery" by Myra Schneider & John Killick has become my bible of writing. The simple personal exercises in this book brought me out of a major writing slump. I highly recommend this book to be on every writer's shelf as medicine for the mind when it is infected with severe writer's block.

I know there are many great books out there. But these are a few I found at a used bookstore. I'm always looking for old cookbooks and antique children's books, but can't help myself and always check out every inch of the shop. Being in summer and the time of garage sales, a writer may find books like these for $1 or less!

Congrats to contest winners!

Congrats to winners of an autographed copy of Painted Soul.

*Lura Kubitz won a copy during the Not Going To Conference Conference on RomanceDivas.com

*Rebecca Johnson won a copy from Book-A-Day Giveaway on The Romance Studio

*Paulette Wurdock won a gift basket containing a copy of Painted Soul, an original watercolor painting (by me), bath stuff, a candle, and chocolate at the booksigning.

Special thanks to all those who put their names in the pot.

Book Signing

At first I was a bit disapointed with the turn out at my first book signing until other author pals told me I did ok, then I felt better.

Around 20 ladies showed up for my talk, reading and book signing. I sold 7 books. But I made some new friends and fans! It was fun meeting people and chatting with them. I had a blast! My mom was in her glory. I think I am very lucky to have a mom who has always supported my creativity.

Just as I was leaving the show, my editor (Tricia Gingras) called my cell. She was in town from Minnesota. So she & I and our hubbys went out for drinks and food. I was introduced to an adult beverage called Frog Piss. I loved it!

Today is the day!

Today is my first book signing! Yeah! I'm so excited. The event will take place today at 2pm at Swanhaven Manor. This is the luxury retirement community where my mom lives. I dedicated the book, "Painted Soul", to Mom so I thought it would be fun to kick off my book signing there. My mom, her friends, and the manor are excited about the event. 500 invitations were sent out!

This is not a nursing home, this place is awesome and full of vibrant, active people who enjoy life to the fullest. I can't wait until I'm 55 and I can move in!

I'm going to give a little talk and a reading as well. There is even a really cool gift basket to be won by some lucky lady.

Ack... gotta go and get ready. You should see my new shoes!