Christina Dodd's Blog, page 4
July 26, 2016
Survey!
Family reunions:
a) Love 'em.
b) Hate 'em.
c) Love to read about 'em.
For the first time in 10 years, CLOSE TO YOU is out in paperback! (Yes, e-book too!)
Best,
Christina Dodd
a) Love 'em.
b) Hate 'em.
c) Love to read about 'em.
For the first time in 10 years, CLOSE TO YOU is out in paperback! (Yes, e-book too!)
Best,
Christina Dodd
July 15, 2016
Survey!
What social media do you use?
a) GoodReads (obviously)
b) Twitter
c) Google +
d) Bookbub (for their “Follow the author” feature)
e) Instagram
f) Facebook
e) Other — What?
Best,
Christina Dodd
a) GoodReads (obviously)
b) Twitter
c) Google +
d) Bookbub (for their “Follow the author” feature)
e) Instagram
f) Facebook
e) Other — What?
Best,
Christina Dodd
June 20, 2016
Christina Dodd's Stone Circle Rocks.
If you’re part of my newsletter friends or regularly visit my website or follow me on social media, you know that my husband built me … er, us a stone circle. Every year, we get up before dawn on the summer solstice, go out and watch the sun rise between the two key stones.
Inevitably, when readers find out about the stone circle, they ask questions, the main one being — after the solstice, what does one do with this massive monument for the remaining 364 days of the year?
In the winter months, we look at it from inside the house. We live in Northwest Washington state, we can see Canada from our front door, and it gets cold here. On the other hand, this year our family came up for New Year’s Eve, we built a roaring fire in the fire pit, and we wrapped up, looked at the stars, watched the fireworks in the valley, drank wine, made s’mores, hugged at midnight and wished each other a happy new year, and went to bed. Yes, you’re right, as a family, we’re pretty boring.
Was it cold? Oh, baby. We had just had a solid week of below freezing and ice crusted the stones.
In the summer months, our family is out there a lot. To pull weeds… No, seriously, we spend evenings around the fire, chatting, throwing woody lavender branches into the flames (we grow a lot of lavender), drinking wine and making s’mores.
Every other year my husband and I host my plot group (plot group explained) and my fellow authors and I invariably wander out to — you guessed it — the stone circle to build a fire, drink wine and make s’mores. (Don’t mess with the classics!) The photo shows Emily March and Susan Sizemore fencing with marshmallow roasting tongs while Nicole Burnham laughs. Plotting books is hard work; we enjoy our leisure time!
The other question I’m asked is — do you write in the stone circle?
Yes. I do. In the spring, as soon as it gets sunny and warm-ish (50+ degrees) I drag a chair out, sit down with my Alphasmart (old technology but it’s great for writing!), and work. No phones. No internet. The only distractions are the occasional dog showing up for a pet or bird landing close and warbling a song.
It’s times like these when I know I’m blessed. My wish for you is that you cherish your blessed moments, too, when you do those things you love — read, write, share time with your family and friends, or watch the clouds float overhead. Remember this lovely quote from Bertrand Russell, “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."
Sometimes we all need to remember that.
You can find out more about the building of the stone circle here. http://www.christinadodd.com/photo/st...
Take a video tour of my office and listen while I answer reader questions. http://www.christinadodd.com/meet-chr...
You can find my printable book list here. http://www.christinadodd.com/printabl...
Here is my “Books by Series and in Order.” http://www.christinadodd.com/books-by...
Join my mailing list. http://www.christinadodd.com/newslett...
You can find out about more about Alphasmarts in my Brief and Random Writing Tips.
http://www.christinadodd.com/christin...
Inevitably, when readers find out about the stone circle, they ask questions, the main one being — after the solstice, what does one do with this massive monument for the remaining 364 days of the year?
In the winter months, we look at it from inside the house. We live in Northwest Washington state, we can see Canada from our front door, and it gets cold here. On the other hand, this year our family came up for New Year’s Eve, we built a roaring fire in the fire pit, and we wrapped up, looked at the stars, watched the fireworks in the valley, drank wine, made s’mores, hugged at midnight and wished each other a happy new year, and went to bed. Yes, you’re right, as a family, we’re pretty boring.
Was it cold? Oh, baby. We had just had a solid week of below freezing and ice crusted the stones.
In the summer months, our family is out there a lot. To pull weeds… No, seriously, we spend evenings around the fire, chatting, throwing woody lavender branches into the flames (we grow a lot of lavender), drinking wine and making s’mores.
Every other year my husband and I host my plot group (plot group explained) and my fellow authors and I invariably wander out to — you guessed it — the stone circle to build a fire, drink wine and make s’mores. (Don’t mess with the classics!) The photo shows Emily March and Susan Sizemore fencing with marshmallow roasting tongs while Nicole Burnham laughs. Plotting books is hard work; we enjoy our leisure time!
The other question I’m asked is — do you write in the stone circle?
Yes. I do. In the spring, as soon as it gets sunny and warm-ish (50+ degrees) I drag a chair out, sit down with my Alphasmart (old technology but it’s great for writing!), and work. No phones. No internet. The only distractions are the occasional dog showing up for a pet or bird landing close and warbling a song.
It’s times like these when I know I’m blessed. My wish for you is that you cherish your blessed moments, too, when you do those things you love — read, write, share time with your family and friends, or watch the clouds float overhead. Remember this lovely quote from Bertrand Russell, “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."
Sometimes we all need to remember that.
You can find out more about the building of the stone circle here. http://www.christinadodd.com/photo/st...
Take a video tour of my office and listen while I answer reader questions. http://www.christinadodd.com/meet-chr...
You can find my printable book list here. http://www.christinadodd.com/printabl...
Here is my “Books by Series and in Order.” http://www.christinadodd.com/books-by...
Join my mailing list. http://www.christinadodd.com/newslett...
You can find out about more about Alphasmarts in my Brief and Random Writing Tips.
http://www.christinadodd.com/christin...
June 19, 2016
The Father I Never Met
On the VIRTUE FALLS Readers' Guide, one question is: "Like her father, Elizabeth is dedicated to the study of geology & the changes in the earth *despite* being raised by her aunt & uncle. How much of our personalities/ interests are formed by our DNA/ parents/ ancestors? Do you find family members comparing you to a relative you’ve never known?"
The reason I asked that question was based on the fact I never met my father (he died before I was born.) I knew he was a printer who worked on newspapers but, until a relative sent me the clipping (thank you, Emily!), I didn't know he also occasionally wrote articles as a reporter. So I got the desire & the writing talent from the father I never met. How cool is that?
Happy Father's Day, and—do *you* find family members comparing you to a relative you've never known?
The reason I asked that question was based on the fact I never met my father (he died before I was born.) I knew he was a printer who worked on newspapers but, until a relative sent me the clipping (thank you, Emily!), I didn't know he also occasionally wrote articles as a reporter. So I got the desire & the writing talent from the father I never met. How cool is that?
Happy Father's Day, and—do *you* find family members comparing you to a relative you've never known?
June 17, 2016
By: Google
Usually posts some really intriguing stuff like this. If youre new to this site.
June 11, 2016
Author Needs To Know
To me as an author, a lot of the Goodreads culture is still a mystery. But I'd like to interact more with my readers here, so I've got a couple of questions. Please do give me your opinion. The feedback I get from you will change (or not!) the way I use Goodreads.
Would you like me to use the blog for brief updates, book news and quotes, insights into my writing and life, surveys as well as for longer, more detailed blogs and articles?
a) Yes, that would be great.
b) No, that would be annoying.
c) I dunno. Try it and I'll let you know.
If I did use the blog for briefer tidbits, how often would you prefer?
a) Once a day.
b) Once a week.
c) Whenever you have something to say. (Please be careful with this answer. Anyone who knows me knows I always have something to say.)
Please vote and comment. Thank you!
Christina Dodd
Please send me a friend request!
Quick addition to the blog: Facebook shows my posts to a tiny portion of my reading audience (I have almost 75,000 fans on Facebook and they frequently show my posts to less than 250…and it's dropping.) In addition, a lot of Goodreads people don't bother with Facebook. So I'm trying to get in contact with my readers here. Do you have other ideas? I'm listening!
April 8, 2016
By: Christina Dodd On HOW I WRITE BOOKS FOR FUN AND PROFIT! | Christina Dodd
[…] manuscript, realize it’s acceptable except for the first three chapters which need tweaking. Finish manuscript at last possible moment. Send file to editor via […]
March 28, 2016
My Husband's Inspiration for LOVE NEVER DIES
Dear Ones,
How did the idea for LOVE NEVER DIES come about? My husband's background is in structural engineering and he loves architectural history, so when he read a book about Seattle, he was fascinated by the fact that Denny Park, the oldest in the city, was originally a cemetery. They moved the graves to make it a park and my husband asked, "What if they missed a grave and one ghost was trapped?"
Makes a shiver run up your spine, doesn't it? It did for me! Together we plotted LOVE NEVER DIES:
A murder committed. A love lost. A ghost haunted by the past.
Only one woman can right all the wrongs…
If she can survive the night…
I hope you enjoy LOVE NEVER DIES and all of the Virtue Falls series!
#1 THE LISTENER: A Virtue Falls short story
#2 VIRTUE FALLS: The First Virtue Falls Full-Length Suspense
#3 THE RELATIVES: A Virtue Falls short story
#4 OBSESSION FALLS: The Second Virtue Falls Full-Length Suspense
#5 LOVE NEVER DIES
#6 BECAUSE I'M WATCHING: The third Virtue Falls Full-length Suspense, coming Sept. 6, 2016 to your shelf and your Reader!
Warmly, Christina Dodd
How did the idea for LOVE NEVER DIES come about? My husband's background is in structural engineering and he loves architectural history, so when he read a book about Seattle, he was fascinated by the fact that Denny Park, the oldest in the city, was originally a cemetery. They moved the graves to make it a park and my husband asked, "What if they missed a grave and one ghost was trapped?"
Makes a shiver run up your spine, doesn't it? It did for me! Together we plotted LOVE NEVER DIES:
A murder committed. A love lost. A ghost haunted by the past.
Only one woman can right all the wrongs…
If she can survive the night…
I hope you enjoy LOVE NEVER DIES and all of the Virtue Falls series!
#1 THE LISTENER: A Virtue Falls short story
#2 VIRTUE FALLS: The First Virtue Falls Full-Length Suspense
#3 THE RELATIVES: A Virtue Falls short story
#4 OBSESSION FALLS: The Second Virtue Falls Full-Length Suspense
#5 LOVE NEVER DIES
#6 BECAUSE I'M WATCHING: The third Virtue Falls Full-length Suspense, coming Sept. 6, 2016 to your shelf and your Reader!
Warmly, Christina Dodd
February 14, 2016
Christina Dodd Confesses I’M NOT ROMANTIC!
Shock Waves Ripple Through the Publishing Industry!
Dr. Phil Appalled and Pompous!
Oprah Gleeful!
This year, my husband and I celebrated a BIG wedding anniversary (we were married the same year as the great dinosaur extinction) and if he can’t figure out what to buy me, I won’t care. Because the fact is, lots of times I can’t figure out what to get him. One year on our anniversary, he followed a theme — he bought me green pajamas, a green shirt, green panties, and a set of emerald earrings and a glorious emerald ring. The next year, it was pretty much nothing. Most years, we will go out to dinner for our anniversary, but very possibly not on our anniversary. It depends on what’s convenient.
Worse, we never were romantic. We didn’t pick out a china pattern. I almost broke my mother-in-law’s heart by declaring I didn’t want silver-plated anything. We didn’t go on a honeymoon until a year after our wedding. Then we went to Yellowstone Park (there was an earthquake while we were there—we’re almost sure we didn’t cause it.)
On the other hand, when we married we were in college and so poor our rings were simple gold bands. I’ve never wanted another ring. I don’t lust after a big diamond to symbolize our love. Our kids symbolize our love. My husband and I hold hands when we walk. I listen to his stories even though I’ve heard them all four hundred times (at least.) He lets me sing in the car even though, according to everyone who’s ever heard me, it’s a painful ordeal. Sometimes he buys me a present just because. And vice versa (nothing says true love like a combination flashlight/tire air pressure/key ring.) When we go out and he has a great dinner, he likes to feed me from his plate. Once I asked him why, and he said, “I don’t get to see that look of ecstasy on your face often enough.”
Yes, he makes me laugh.
He supported me for ten years while I wrote and wrote and wrote (unsuccessfully and without making a dime). He believed in me, which is the greatest gift an author can have. He's my best friend, and the reason I believe in (and write about) true love.
Which is not to say we haven't had our rough patches. There have been times when we would have gladly divorced each other. But something always held us back — usually a lack of money — and as Jack Benny once said, "My wife Mary and I have been married for forty-seven years and not once have we had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never.” We have taken that as our mantra. Quite frankly, we’re still stupid in love with each other.
So—what signs do you look for that prove a couple is in love? Is true love the same as romance? Do you think the kind of love we write about and read about in our books is possible in real life?
Dr. Phil Appalled and Pompous!
Oprah Gleeful!
This year, my husband and I celebrated a BIG wedding anniversary (we were married the same year as the great dinosaur extinction) and if he can’t figure out what to buy me, I won’t care. Because the fact is, lots of times I can’t figure out what to get him. One year on our anniversary, he followed a theme — he bought me green pajamas, a green shirt, green panties, and a set of emerald earrings and a glorious emerald ring. The next year, it was pretty much nothing. Most years, we will go out to dinner for our anniversary, but very possibly not on our anniversary. It depends on what’s convenient.
Worse, we never were romantic. We didn’t pick out a china pattern. I almost broke my mother-in-law’s heart by declaring I didn’t want silver-plated anything. We didn’t go on a honeymoon until a year after our wedding. Then we went to Yellowstone Park (there was an earthquake while we were there—we’re almost sure we didn’t cause it.)
On the other hand, when we married we were in college and so poor our rings were simple gold bands. I’ve never wanted another ring. I don’t lust after a big diamond to symbolize our love. Our kids symbolize our love. My husband and I hold hands when we walk. I listen to his stories even though I’ve heard them all four hundred times (at least.) He lets me sing in the car even though, according to everyone who’s ever heard me, it’s a painful ordeal. Sometimes he buys me a present just because. And vice versa (nothing says true love like a combination flashlight/tire air pressure/key ring.) When we go out and he has a great dinner, he likes to feed me from his plate. Once I asked him why, and he said, “I don’t get to see that look of ecstasy on your face often enough.”
Yes, he makes me laugh.
He supported me for ten years while I wrote and wrote and wrote (unsuccessfully and without making a dime). He believed in me, which is the greatest gift an author can have. He's my best friend, and the reason I believe in (and write about) true love.
Which is not to say we haven't had our rough patches. There have been times when we would have gladly divorced each other. But something always held us back — usually a lack of money — and as Jack Benny once said, "My wife Mary and I have been married for forty-seven years and not once have we had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never.” We have taken that as our mantra. Quite frankly, we’re still stupid in love with each other.
So—what signs do you look for that prove a couple is in love? Is true love the same as romance? Do you think the kind of love we write about and read about in our books is possible in real life?
January 22, 2016
By: Christina Dodd Puts On Her Oldest Brown Sweat Suit, Goes Shopping, And Runs Into Every Person She’s Ever Met « Christina Dodd
[…] to read my articles about writing? The Best Way to Write a Book (it’s the only way.) Brief and Random Writing Tips Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Friends, Enemies […]
