Dianne Bright's Blog, page 3
February 2, 2016
My Tarnished Ring
Parenting Tip: Don’t give up on your marriage, even when it’s tough.
I love my silver anniversary ring with a cross carved out of the middle of it. It is particularly special to me because of the inscription on the inside, which states my name, my husband's name, and ten years, celebrating our marriage commitment. After a past summer's idyllic retreat to Newport, I noticed my ring had taken some beatings.
Multiple jaunts to the Jacuzzi had taken their toll and my beloved ring had tarnished. Once we returned home from our vacation, I decided to store it away in a special jewelry box.
Months went by, and though I’d intended to call the company to get a replacement or a special cloth to soften the imperfections, I did not. I just wore other rings instead. But eventually I started to miss this one on my left middle finger.
So I picked up my tattered ring and decided to wear it, defects and all. It looked a little bit silly next to my platinum wedding band and my diamond. But I decided to wear it anyway.
The most amazing thing happened. From life's daily routine as a mom and wife, my ring perked up. Life's daily tasks took care of the blemishes on my tattered ring. It seems that the routine of doing dishes, washing laundry, sweeping, gardening, etc., had polished the ring right back to its previously shiny state. I was surprised to see that the black tarnished material had completely disappeared.
Marriage is like my ring. Sometimes without even knowing it, we put our marriage in danger. We distance ourselves to avoid stupid arguments or we go too many months without connecting, and before we know it, our hearts become tarnished.
We're surprised by the change, and we feel the heaviness of the black stain hanging over us. But there is hope. Marriages, just like my ring, are made of good stuff. They too can make a comeback—but you can’t give up. You have to stick with it even when it feels like a replacement would be the easiest solution.
I'm so glad I kept my old ring, in lieu of exchanging it for a newer and shinier one. It would have been easy to do, because the company backs their products with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy. But it was refreshing to see that as I have stuck with my ring, I have also pressed on in my marriage over the past eighteen years.
Sometimes, we have felt like giving up as our wills have collided and our rough edges have battled. Our differences have evidenced themselves over parenting styles, budgeting issues, and career goals. But over time, our struggles have actually strengthened us. Where I’m weak, he’s strong and vice versa. Plus, he's an amazing kisser, and he gives really good foot rubs.
*This excerpt is from MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE. Author Dianne Bright wrote for 2 years for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog before delving into fiction. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out in April, 2015.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
I love my silver anniversary ring with a cross carved out of the middle of it. It is particularly special to me because of the inscription on the inside, which states my name, my husband's name, and ten years, celebrating our marriage commitment. After a past summer's idyllic retreat to Newport, I noticed my ring had taken some beatings.
Multiple jaunts to the Jacuzzi had taken their toll and my beloved ring had tarnished. Once we returned home from our vacation, I decided to store it away in a special jewelry box.
Months went by, and though I’d intended to call the company to get a replacement or a special cloth to soften the imperfections, I did not. I just wore other rings instead. But eventually I started to miss this one on my left middle finger.
So I picked up my tattered ring and decided to wear it, defects and all. It looked a little bit silly next to my platinum wedding band and my diamond. But I decided to wear it anyway.
The most amazing thing happened. From life's daily routine as a mom and wife, my ring perked up. Life's daily tasks took care of the blemishes on my tattered ring. It seems that the routine of doing dishes, washing laundry, sweeping, gardening, etc., had polished the ring right back to its previously shiny state. I was surprised to see that the black tarnished material had completely disappeared.
Marriage is like my ring. Sometimes without even knowing it, we put our marriage in danger. We distance ourselves to avoid stupid arguments or we go too many months without connecting, and before we know it, our hearts become tarnished.
We're surprised by the change, and we feel the heaviness of the black stain hanging over us. But there is hope. Marriages, just like my ring, are made of good stuff. They too can make a comeback—but you can’t give up. You have to stick with it even when it feels like a replacement would be the easiest solution.
I'm so glad I kept my old ring, in lieu of exchanging it for a newer and shinier one. It would have been easy to do, because the company backs their products with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy. But it was refreshing to see that as I have stuck with my ring, I have also pressed on in my marriage over the past eighteen years.
Sometimes, we have felt like giving up as our wills have collided and our rough edges have battled. Our differences have evidenced themselves over parenting styles, budgeting issues, and career goals. But over time, our struggles have actually strengthened us. Where I’m weak, he’s strong and vice versa. Plus, he's an amazing kisser, and he gives really good foot rubs.
*This excerpt is from MOMMY'S HIDING IN THE TREEHOUSE. Author Dianne Bright wrote for 2 years for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog before delving into fiction. Her first novel, SOUL READER, came out in April, 2015.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
January 26, 2016
A Renewed Friendship
Parenting Tip: Rediscover your own passions and talents; you’re not just a mom!
I looked at her face and couldn’t believe she was one of my closest friends from about five years ago. We used to teach Spanish at the university together. So many months had passed though since we’d even talked or texted.
I almost didn’t recognize her, which was kind of embarrassing. I didn’t want to offend her, as if I’d forgotten her name or something. Of course I knew her name. I called out, “Hey Friend, it’s been a long time!” Then she raced toward me for a hug, as her adorable high-lighted hair bounced against her tan shoulders.
We chatted about how the time had flown by like a matter of seconds– exchanging info about our families and friends. Amazingly, our kids were about the same ages and our husbands even had similar hobbies and career paths.
She just looked so good that I couldn’t believe we were both in our early thirties. Her face looked youthful and her arms and legs looked really fit. I was especially impressed by her energy and zeal for life. She was charging toward goals and felt inspired by activities and aspirations.
Within a few minutes of talking, I became envious of her radiant self-confidence and her refreshing optimism. I felt so distracted by how great my friend looked that I could hardly focus on my own responses.
So I mostly just listened to the words floating out of her beautiful red lips. By the end, we traded Facebook info and caught up on a few gossipy details about colleagues from the past. And then we said goodbye. Even though I felt initially unsettled, I was glad we had bumped into each other.
Those ten minutes in front of the mirror were really awesome. They allowed me to see that I didn’t have to be the lethargic and exhausted mom I’d become. My life was about more than just serving my husband and my three kids.
I knew that I was buried down there somewhere beneath the laundry piles and the dust bunnies. But somehow, I’d let the mounds of dirty dishes and the plethora of days I’d gone without pampering myself to define me as less valuable. My lists of tasks had become about everyone else, so much so– that I’d forgotten how to be me.
That morning, I remembered who I was– beautiful, intelligent, and full of dreams. And the truth is– that life does change dramatically once you add kids to the mix. (We haven’t actually slept, just the two of us, in our own bed for the past decade.) But my life didn’t have to end just because it had changed so much.
I decided to set up a date with my new friend, me. I cleared out some time to rediscover who I was in order to rekindle some of my own personal passions and talents, like taking photographs, gardening, brainstorming book topics in a quiet café, or going out with the gals for a movie. Maybe just one or two evenings a week, but they’re set in stone and even if a natural disaster hits, I’m still going out to Starbucks for a latte. Wanna join me?
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
This excerpt is Essay #2 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse by Dianne Bright. She wrote for Scholastic for two years before delving into fiction. Her first novel, Soul Reader, came out in the spring of 2015.
I looked at her face and couldn’t believe she was one of my closest friends from about five years ago. We used to teach Spanish at the university together. So many months had passed though since we’d even talked or texted.
I almost didn’t recognize her, which was kind of embarrassing. I didn’t want to offend her, as if I’d forgotten her name or something. Of course I knew her name. I called out, “Hey Friend, it’s been a long time!” Then she raced toward me for a hug, as her adorable high-lighted hair bounced against her tan shoulders.
We chatted about how the time had flown by like a matter of seconds– exchanging info about our families and friends. Amazingly, our kids were about the same ages and our husbands even had similar hobbies and career paths.
She just looked so good that I couldn’t believe we were both in our early thirties. Her face looked youthful and her arms and legs looked really fit. I was especially impressed by her energy and zeal for life. She was charging toward goals and felt inspired by activities and aspirations.
Within a few minutes of talking, I became envious of her radiant self-confidence and her refreshing optimism. I felt so distracted by how great my friend looked that I could hardly focus on my own responses.
So I mostly just listened to the words floating out of her beautiful red lips. By the end, we traded Facebook info and caught up on a few gossipy details about colleagues from the past. And then we said goodbye. Even though I felt initially unsettled, I was glad we had bumped into each other.
Those ten minutes in front of the mirror were really awesome. They allowed me to see that I didn’t have to be the lethargic and exhausted mom I’d become. My life was about more than just serving my husband and my three kids.
I knew that I was buried down there somewhere beneath the laundry piles and the dust bunnies. But somehow, I’d let the mounds of dirty dishes and the plethora of days I’d gone without pampering myself to define me as less valuable. My lists of tasks had become about everyone else, so much so– that I’d forgotten how to be me.
That morning, I remembered who I was– beautiful, intelligent, and full of dreams. And the truth is– that life does change dramatically once you add kids to the mix. (We haven’t actually slept, just the two of us, in our own bed for the past decade.) But my life didn’t have to end just because it had changed so much.
I decided to set up a date with my new friend, me. I cleared out some time to rediscover who I was in order to rekindle some of my own personal passions and talents, like taking photographs, gardening, brainstorming book topics in a quiet café, or going out with the gals for a movie. Maybe just one or two evenings a week, but they’re set in stone and even if a natural disaster hits, I’m still going out to Starbucks for a latte. Wanna join me?
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
This excerpt is Essay #2 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse by Dianne Bright. She wrote for Scholastic for two years before delving into fiction. Her first novel, Soul Reader, came out in the spring of 2015.
January 14, 2016
Take Off Your "Super-Mom" Cape
Parenting Tip: Be real with other moms so they’re not fake with you.
As moms, we try way too hard to do it all. We wear an imaginary cape that says “Super-Mom.” Then when other people see us, they think, "Wow, she's amazing. I wish I could do it all like she does." The super-mom cape makes us feel invincible, so we put up our guard and don't let others into our home to see the dirty tile and the spills on the table from breakfast.
The problem with wearing the cape is that it limits the depth of our relationships. When one mom sees a super-mom, she thinks, "Well, I can't let her know what I'm really like because then she won't think much of me." But this actually hinders certain kinds of friendships– the deeper ones.
Another sad truth about super-moms is that they feel they have to be tough all the time, carrying the world on their shoulders like the Titan named Atlas, from Greek mythology. But the truth is that no one can carry the world besides God, and even He rested on the seventh day.
So try this. When you feel tired or sad, just let yourself feel tired or sad. When you struggle repeatedly with your spouse, just be honest about it. You might just need to meet with a counselor for a few months or simply get started with a book about good communication. On days when you feel like you ordered your kids from the wrong catalog, call a close friend and talk about it. She’ll probably exchange a monster-alien story about her kids too.
If your debts are overwhelming you and you just can't keep up with the Jones family next door, just stop trying so hard. Let the feeling that you have to do it all just melt away so you can get back to living your own life. You can't hold it all together by spending what you don’t have or by going a hundred miles a second trying to change that reality. You will eventually burn out.
When we wear our super-mom capes, we forget to be vulnerable with other moms. This makes us appear invincible but really makes us the exact opposite. A true friendship means you are there for each other during celebratory times and through the trials as well.
Recently a neighbor and I were chatting while the kids played out front. I hugged her as she cried over the loss of her mom and a dear friend. And just a few weeks before that, I shed tears of exhaustion and frustration about how I felt like a failure as a parent. She listened and reminded me that no parent is perfect. The result was a stronger friendship for both of us because we had taken off our super-mom capes.
Of course, the price of being fake is that we will be lonely women. We may have a list of acquaintances, such as our work-out buddies at the gym or our digital acquaintances on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
But try not to miss out on the more significant ones that will help you to get through life’s questions and challenges. Good friends know you from the inside out and value you just for being you. You don’t need to look different for them or act a certain way to impress them.
It makes me think of the Winnie the Pooh friends. Rabbit is a grump, but his friends still value him. Eeyore is pessimistic and pensive, but his friends accept him for who he is. Tigger is the bounciest of all, but even Rabbit learns to love him with his bounces even more than without them.
Piglet is timid and scared, but with his friends' help, he too can be brave like the rest of the clan. Owl is ostentatious and prideful, but his friends take him as wise. Roo is brave and adventurous even though he’s so little. Kanga is strong and trustworthy– holding them all together under Christopher Robin's great leadership.
These are traits we need to have with our own friends: acceptance, trust, and forgiveness. We need to make sure we stick together and that we truly get to know one another. If you're friends with a super-mom, you can start by taking off your own cape first. When she sees that you're being real with her, hopefully she'll do the same with you in return.
Dianne Bright wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine for two years before delving into fiction. This excerpt is essay #5 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse (2013). Her first novel, Soul Reader, came out in 2015. Follow her on social media: @dibright and Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
As moms, we try way too hard to do it all. We wear an imaginary cape that says “Super-Mom.” Then when other people see us, they think, "Wow, she's amazing. I wish I could do it all like she does." The super-mom cape makes us feel invincible, so we put up our guard and don't let others into our home to see the dirty tile and the spills on the table from breakfast.
The problem with wearing the cape is that it limits the depth of our relationships. When one mom sees a super-mom, she thinks, "Well, I can't let her know what I'm really like because then she won't think much of me." But this actually hinders certain kinds of friendships– the deeper ones.
Another sad truth about super-moms is that they feel they have to be tough all the time, carrying the world on their shoulders like the Titan named Atlas, from Greek mythology. But the truth is that no one can carry the world besides God, and even He rested on the seventh day.
So try this. When you feel tired or sad, just let yourself feel tired or sad. When you struggle repeatedly with your spouse, just be honest about it. You might just need to meet with a counselor for a few months or simply get started with a book about good communication. On days when you feel like you ordered your kids from the wrong catalog, call a close friend and talk about it. She’ll probably exchange a monster-alien story about her kids too.
If your debts are overwhelming you and you just can't keep up with the Jones family next door, just stop trying so hard. Let the feeling that you have to do it all just melt away so you can get back to living your own life. You can't hold it all together by spending what you don’t have or by going a hundred miles a second trying to change that reality. You will eventually burn out.
When we wear our super-mom capes, we forget to be vulnerable with other moms. This makes us appear invincible but really makes us the exact opposite. A true friendship means you are there for each other during celebratory times and through the trials as well.
Recently a neighbor and I were chatting while the kids played out front. I hugged her as she cried over the loss of her mom and a dear friend. And just a few weeks before that, I shed tears of exhaustion and frustration about how I felt like a failure as a parent. She listened and reminded me that no parent is perfect. The result was a stronger friendship for both of us because we had taken off our super-mom capes.
Of course, the price of being fake is that we will be lonely women. We may have a list of acquaintances, such as our work-out buddies at the gym or our digital acquaintances on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
But try not to miss out on the more significant ones that will help you to get through life’s questions and challenges. Good friends know you from the inside out and value you just for being you. You don’t need to look different for them or act a certain way to impress them.
It makes me think of the Winnie the Pooh friends. Rabbit is a grump, but his friends still value him. Eeyore is pessimistic and pensive, but his friends accept him for who he is. Tigger is the bounciest of all, but even Rabbit learns to love him with his bounces even more than without them.
Piglet is timid and scared, but with his friends' help, he too can be brave like the rest of the clan. Owl is ostentatious and prideful, but his friends take him as wise. Roo is brave and adventurous even though he’s so little. Kanga is strong and trustworthy– holding them all together under Christopher Robin's great leadership.
These are traits we need to have with our own friends: acceptance, trust, and forgiveness. We need to make sure we stick together and that we truly get to know one another. If you're friends with a super-mom, you can start by taking off your own cape first. When she sees that you're being real with her, hopefully she'll do the same with you in return.
Dianne Bright wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine for two years before delving into fiction. This excerpt is essay #5 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse (2013). Her first novel, Soul Reader, came out in 2015. Follow her on social media: @dibright and Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright.
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
January 11, 2016
Control Z
Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse--- With a Glass of Merlot
Parenting Tip: Be willing to laugh at yourself and your kids when things are totally crazy.
You know those days when you wish you could type "Control Z" and start all over? It would be nice if you could forget the mean words you’ve shouted or make more time for precious moments that fade so quickly.
How great to “Control Z” a big spill right after we’ve mopped the kitchen floor. But life isn't like that; we have to deal with the tricky moments as they come—and to do it gracefully when possible.
Yesterday was a chaotic downward spiral of parenting failures and defeats. No one would blame me for feeling insane. In fact, many of my impatient and frustrated responses were fully merited, as all three kids had temporarily turned into psychotic little green aliens.
Right from the start, my middle child didn't get something she wanted and dramatically announced how she wanted to die and then responded by hiding inside of a pillow to punish me. Next, we were off to return a video and to drive through the car wash.
My toddler became terrified of the car wash so I tried to reverse out of the tunnel but couldn’t. So after five long minutes of my daughter's terrified howls, our mossy green minivan was clean.
Five minutes later, we arrived at the park to get some fresh air. The kids played nicely on the red and blue play set and there was a moment of peace. But then, my two older kids decided to sprint through the sprinklers while fully clothed, which was less than ideal because I hadn't packed swimsuits or towels.
It was time to head back to the van, but on the way, my youngest child covered herself in mud from several falls in the wet grass. After dealing with her, I realized the other two were sprinting toward a busy road near the parking lot, so I yelled like a wild hyena, hoping they wouldn’t get hit by a car.
With my luck, there were only extra sweaters and socks in the car, so we decided to head home. The library had to be postponed, as did any remnants of my sanity. Later in the day, the unending saga of chaos continued, as my middle daughter figured out how to turn the stove on by herself. Thankfully, I noticed the mischievous act quickly and avoided methane gas poisoning.
In the early evening, we decided to go on a walk, where my sweet Labrador flattened my poor middle child and barely avoided a fight with an unruly bulldog. That was really minor though compared to my dog pooping on the only lawn that had its owners standing out front and the embarrassment of my youngest daughter then playing in the poop while I apologized to the neighbors.
When my middle child started peeling bird poop off of a green city post up ahead, I wondered why I'd thought a walk was such a brilliant idea in the first place. You know those days when you think locking yourselves in the closet for the day would have been preferable? This was one of those days. If only I'd had the vampire, Jasper, from the Twilight books there to calm me down with his uncanny ability to comfort.
After seemingly endless hours of my kids' whining and bickering, along with a series of disastrous messes, as if a desert sandstorm had attacked my house, we were ready for some dinner. To say the least, I was not about to add to the mountain of dishes in the sink, so I made an SOS call to Little Caesar's.
I was longing for some peace, though it didn't arrive until later that night. After a two hour attempt to get my wild children to bed, I finally collapsed onto the couch next to my loving husband, where I unloaded the horrors of the day.
"Sometimes you're the lemon and sometimes you're the lemonade. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield." We've heard these adages before and they occasionally carry a weight of humor to them, but not when you're the lemon making the lemonade or the bug disgracefully decorating the windshield with your own guts.
Yesterday, I was the lemon and the bug. But, today is a new day. We must press on as parents realizing that our best is all that we can give. And each day, we have a choice, to let the stress get us down or to laugh so hard that we cry. I choose to laugh and cry!
--------------------------------------------
Excerpt is essay #17 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse, an e-book of 31 humorous parenting essays and tips. This digital title is available on Amazon for $1 and is free for Prime members.
Dianne Bright wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog for two years before delving into fiction. Soul Reader is her first fantasy/sci-fi novel, which is currently being offered in a #free goodreads' giveaway under #fantasy.
Parenting Tip: Be willing to laugh at yourself and your kids when things are totally crazy.
You know those days when you wish you could type "Control Z" and start all over? It would be nice if you could forget the mean words you’ve shouted or make more time for precious moments that fade so quickly.
How great to “Control Z” a big spill right after we’ve mopped the kitchen floor. But life isn't like that; we have to deal with the tricky moments as they come—and to do it gracefully when possible.
Yesterday was a chaotic downward spiral of parenting failures and defeats. No one would blame me for feeling insane. In fact, many of my impatient and frustrated responses were fully merited, as all three kids had temporarily turned into psychotic little green aliens.
Right from the start, my middle child didn't get something she wanted and dramatically announced how she wanted to die and then responded by hiding inside of a pillow to punish me. Next, we were off to return a video and to drive through the car wash.
My toddler became terrified of the car wash so I tried to reverse out of the tunnel but couldn’t. So after five long minutes of my daughter's terrified howls, our mossy green minivan was clean.
Five minutes later, we arrived at the park to get some fresh air. The kids played nicely on the red and blue play set and there was a moment of peace. But then, my two older kids decided to sprint through the sprinklers while fully clothed, which was less than ideal because I hadn't packed swimsuits or towels.
It was time to head back to the van, but on the way, my youngest child covered herself in mud from several falls in the wet grass. After dealing with her, I realized the other two were sprinting toward a busy road near the parking lot, so I yelled like a wild hyena, hoping they wouldn’t get hit by a car.
With my luck, there were only extra sweaters and socks in the car, so we decided to head home. The library had to be postponed, as did any remnants of my sanity. Later in the day, the unending saga of chaos continued, as my middle daughter figured out how to turn the stove on by herself. Thankfully, I noticed the mischievous act quickly and avoided methane gas poisoning.
In the early evening, we decided to go on a walk, where my sweet Labrador flattened my poor middle child and barely avoided a fight with an unruly bulldog. That was really minor though compared to my dog pooping on the only lawn that had its owners standing out front and the embarrassment of my youngest daughter then playing in the poop while I apologized to the neighbors.
When my middle child started peeling bird poop off of a green city post up ahead, I wondered why I'd thought a walk was such a brilliant idea in the first place. You know those days when you think locking yourselves in the closet for the day would have been preferable? This was one of those days. If only I'd had the vampire, Jasper, from the Twilight books there to calm me down with his uncanny ability to comfort.
After seemingly endless hours of my kids' whining and bickering, along with a series of disastrous messes, as if a desert sandstorm had attacked my house, we were ready for some dinner. To say the least, I was not about to add to the mountain of dishes in the sink, so I made an SOS call to Little Caesar's.
I was longing for some peace, though it didn't arrive until later that night. After a two hour attempt to get my wild children to bed, I finally collapsed onto the couch next to my loving husband, where I unloaded the horrors of the day.
"Sometimes you're the lemon and sometimes you're the lemonade. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield." We've heard these adages before and they occasionally carry a weight of humor to them, but not when you're the lemon making the lemonade or the bug disgracefully decorating the windshield with your own guts.
Yesterday, I was the lemon and the bug. But, today is a new day. We must press on as parents realizing that our best is all that we can give. And each day, we have a choice, to let the stress get us down or to laugh so hard that we cry. I choose to laugh and cry!
--------------------------------------------
Excerpt is essay #17 from Mommy's Hiding in the Treehouse, an e-book of 31 humorous parenting essays and tips. This digital title is available on Amazon for $1 and is free for Prime members.
Dianne Bright wrote for Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog for two years before delving into fiction. Soul Reader is her first fantasy/sci-fi novel, which is currently being offered in a #free goodreads' giveaway under #fantasy.
November 4, 2015
Soul Reader, book #2-- two new mystical gems
So, it's taking me a bit longer to finish book #2 of my fantasy/sci-fi trilogy. I'll blame it on the fabulous So Cal weather that calls me to go cycling or jogging most days before "sitting down to write." It could be my recent Cassandra Clare addiction (she's such an amazing writer) or Andy Weir's The Martian that I could barely put down. Kiera Cass could be culpable as well. It's just that there are so many books to read and not enough time; however, I strongly support reading good literature to improve my own writing style in a number of ways.
That said, book #2 is actually coming along pretty well. I'm just a little behind schedule from where I wanted to be by the beginning of November. I'm currently around page 200/300 pages.
Book #2 offers a variety of new mystical gems. Jadan gives two gems in particular to Jennifer while they are on Catalina Island, looking for some weapons stored in an underground cellar of the casino on Avalon. Here are some details about the two gems and a few passages from book #2.
The first passage is about the light pink gem:
“All right, the pink one first. This one allows you to lock in to a past memory. You can hear from a person or read their thoughts. So if you had a conversation with someone and got interrupted, or you never got to share that one last thought—you get to lock in to that moment from the past. You can hear the rest of the story,” Jadan said smiling.
The second passage is about the over-sized white diamond gem:
“This one creates a huge bubble-like cloud over you. It’s an emotional diffuser which simply means that when one emotion feels too strong for you, you can enter the cloud to get better control of your feelings. It works on any emotion: anger, fear, anxiety, and even strong romantic feelings that you might be trying to avoid,” he said shyly. “After a short while, the strong emotion dissipates. You come out feeling more self-controlled.”
“So am I safe inside the bubble? I mean, what if Zander or Zophar came around?” I asked nervously. “Will you go inside the bubble with me? That might feel safer the first time.”
There are a plethora of flying scenes in book #2, along with an abduction by a demon, and a crazy-insane dark blue gem that I'm not going to explain just yet. It's not safe to share about it here or anywhere for that matter. So forget that I mentioned the gelatinous blue gem that Jennifer finds in her bedroom.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog and please pass Soul Reader along to your friends. Feel free to share on social media and if you get the chance, I'd love a review.
If you haven't read Soul Reader, book #1 yet, please "ADD IT TO YOUR SHELVES."
Blessings,
Dianne :)
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
Soul Reader
That said, book #2 is actually coming along pretty well. I'm just a little behind schedule from where I wanted to be by the beginning of November. I'm currently around page 200/300 pages.
Book #2 offers a variety of new mystical gems. Jadan gives two gems in particular to Jennifer while they are on Catalina Island, looking for some weapons stored in an underground cellar of the casino on Avalon. Here are some details about the two gems and a few passages from book #2.
The first passage is about the light pink gem:
“All right, the pink one first. This one allows you to lock in to a past memory. You can hear from a person or read their thoughts. So if you had a conversation with someone and got interrupted, or you never got to share that one last thought—you get to lock in to that moment from the past. You can hear the rest of the story,” Jadan said smiling.
The second passage is about the over-sized white diamond gem:
“This one creates a huge bubble-like cloud over you. It’s an emotional diffuser which simply means that when one emotion feels too strong for you, you can enter the cloud to get better control of your feelings. It works on any emotion: anger, fear, anxiety, and even strong romantic feelings that you might be trying to avoid,” he said shyly. “After a short while, the strong emotion dissipates. You come out feeling more self-controlled.”
“So am I safe inside the bubble? I mean, what if Zander or Zophar came around?” I asked nervously. “Will you go inside the bubble with me? That might feel safer the first time.”
There are a plethora of flying scenes in book #2, along with an abduction by a demon, and a crazy-insane dark blue gem that I'm not going to explain just yet. It's not safe to share about it here or anywhere for that matter. So forget that I mentioned the gelatinous blue gem that Jennifer finds in her bedroom.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog and please pass Soul Reader along to your friends. Feel free to share on social media and if you get the chance, I'd love a review.
If you haven't read Soul Reader, book #1 yet, please "ADD IT TO YOUR SHELVES."
Blessings,
Dianne :)
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
Soul Reader
October 13, 2015
Soul Reader, Excerpt and Response on Character Development
"Can you explain the mind-melding thing to me please?" I whispered to avoid an audience. "It's convenient and cool, but it's also freaking me out, probably because it's still new for me." (Jennifer)
"It's just mind-melding. What's the big deal? When we choose to, I can hear your thoughts and you can hear mine." (Jadan)
page 79, Soul Reader Book #1
When developing Jadan's character, I tried to create a figure with noticeable weaknesses juxtaposed against obvious strengths. Most readers question his mysterious nature and his unexplained edge of confidence. Jadan has a timeless way of drawing Jennifer inside his mind, heart, and soul-- and she wants to know more.
Jadan's physical weakness is evidenced only by his wheels. As a San Diego day trader, he's got an unlimited supply of money to enjoy his thirst for adrenaline through extreme sports. His brown hair and blue eyes attract plenty of looks from the ladies, but his super-model health-nut girlfriend, Brooke, has kept his attention steady.
Then again, the longer Jadan studies Jennifer from afar, he realizes she offers something that simple words can't explain. Jadan connects with Jennifer differently; but it's not physical. For them, it's spiritual because their souls long for the same thing-- to be fully known and understood. Their connection allows Jadan to lower his guard emotionally; around Jennifer, he can just be himself.
Jennifer's weaknesses come from her vulnerability and worrisome nature. She's genuinely good and puts others first; but she undermines her own needs and abilities. She begins to long for more than her 9-5 routine and is drawn to Jadan's certainty about how the world works. Her strengths become more obvious as she embraces her new identity.
The more Jennifer learns about her past, she realizes life will never again be normal. But deep down, that excites her, and she can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
"It's just mind-melding. What's the big deal? When we choose to, I can hear your thoughts and you can hear mine." (Jadan)
page 79, Soul Reader Book #1
When developing Jadan's character, I tried to create a figure with noticeable weaknesses juxtaposed against obvious strengths. Most readers question his mysterious nature and his unexplained edge of confidence. Jadan has a timeless way of drawing Jennifer inside his mind, heart, and soul-- and she wants to know more.
Jadan's physical weakness is evidenced only by his wheels. As a San Diego day trader, he's got an unlimited supply of money to enjoy his thirst for adrenaline through extreme sports. His brown hair and blue eyes attract plenty of looks from the ladies, but his super-model health-nut girlfriend, Brooke, has kept his attention steady.
Then again, the longer Jadan studies Jennifer from afar, he realizes she offers something that simple words can't explain. Jadan connects with Jennifer differently; but it's not physical. For them, it's spiritual because their souls long for the same thing-- to be fully known and understood. Their connection allows Jadan to lower his guard emotionally; around Jennifer, he can just be himself.
Jennifer's weaknesses come from her vulnerability and worrisome nature. She's genuinely good and puts others first; but she undermines her own needs and abilities. She begins to long for more than her 9-5 routine and is drawn to Jadan's certainty about how the world works. Her strengths become more obvious as she embraces her new identity.
The more Jennifer learns about her past, she realizes life will never again be normal. But deep down, that excites her, and she can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
August 27, 2015
Soul Reader Description and Points of Interest
A brief description of Soul Reader along with a few points of interest for readers:
1) Soul Reader: description
This adult fiction fantasy/sci-fi novel takes readers into a world of over-sized butterflies, supernatural gems, and attractive angels disguised as every day beach-goers.
Set in San Diego County, there's a good bit of sun, skin, and adventure. The female protagonist, Jennifer Mills, discovers she's a half-angel, the daughter of Zyon-- who is the head military guard of the Realm Beyond.
Jennifer is commissioned to call up the King's golden medallion trapped below the Caribbean Sea, while trying to balance her life as a wife, writer, and mom of three.
When Jadan enters the picture as an attractive paraplegic day trader, Jennifer's life is never the same. Over time, she discovers his secret angelic identity and battles an identity crisis of her own-- including red-trimmed wings and the ability to read people's souls.
Magic realism floods the pages along with literary references throughout. What if your destiny was decided for you? What if you were meant for more?
2) Soul Reader: points of interest for readers
Turning to fiction has helped me to overcome an ongoing battle with depression. Writing about angels and demons has provided a way for me to deal with a few of my own internal struggles. Fiction in particular is fun and provides a world of escapism.
A portion of proceeds from each copy of Soul Reader will go to Challenged Athletes Foundation (ChallengedAthletes.org), a San Diego based charity that helps challenged athletes to keep enjoying the sports they love.
Thanks for reading this post. Please feel free to share it on goodreads and other social media sites.Soul Reader
Blessings,
Dianne
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
DianneBright.com
1) Soul Reader: description
This adult fiction fantasy/sci-fi novel takes readers into a world of over-sized butterflies, supernatural gems, and attractive angels disguised as every day beach-goers.
Set in San Diego County, there's a good bit of sun, skin, and adventure. The female protagonist, Jennifer Mills, discovers she's a half-angel, the daughter of Zyon-- who is the head military guard of the Realm Beyond.
Jennifer is commissioned to call up the King's golden medallion trapped below the Caribbean Sea, while trying to balance her life as a wife, writer, and mom of three.
When Jadan enters the picture as an attractive paraplegic day trader, Jennifer's life is never the same. Over time, she discovers his secret angelic identity and battles an identity crisis of her own-- including red-trimmed wings and the ability to read people's souls.
Magic realism floods the pages along with literary references throughout. What if your destiny was decided for you? What if you were meant for more?
2) Soul Reader: points of interest for readers
Turning to fiction has helped me to overcome an ongoing battle with depression. Writing about angels and demons has provided a way for me to deal with a few of my own internal struggles. Fiction in particular is fun and provides a world of escapism.
A portion of proceeds from each copy of Soul Reader will go to Challenged Athletes Foundation (ChallengedAthletes.org), a San Diego based charity that helps challenged athletes to keep enjoying the sports they love.
Thanks for reading this post. Please feel free to share it on goodreads and other social media sites.Soul Reader
Blessings,
Dianne
@dibright
Facebook.com/AuthorDianneBright
DianneBright.com
