Genevive Chamblee's Blog, page 10

Tone Deaf in 2023…Well, that didn’t age well.

Today’s post is going to be slightly different. I feel, however, I’ve been saying that a lot lately. Yet, this post truly is an area I’ve not breached and am definitely wading into new territory. So, as per usual, I’ll briefly explain what led me down this current unhinged rabbit.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a political statement or stance. It is not asserting any position as being “right” or “wrong,” “correct” or “incorrect.” Not all readers will agree with statements made, and disagreements are perfectly acceptable as everyone has a right to his/her opinion. This post contains slang terms that some may find offensive or triggering. These terms are used for identifying examples only. They do not reflect the author’s views. Additionally, this post discusses current events making headlines which also may be triggering for some readers.

Lately, there’s been so much negativity in the news, and I found myself in a social media algorithm negativity vortex hole that even prompted a coworker to question how I don’t have nightmares. It began several weeks ago with the Lori Vallow Daybell trial. I took an interest in the case because to me it screamed a case that could change how mental health issues are handled by the courts. Much of Creole Bayou deals with mental health issues. Therefore, I was intrigued. My belief stemmed from Daybell having spent ten months in a mental facility to determine her competency to stand trial. According to news reports, it was her decision not to use her mental health issues as a defense and also the reason for rushing her trial. Reportedly, (and I have no idea if there is any truth to this next statement), the prosecution pushed her trial on the docket because they did not want to risk her mental health declining to a point that would prevent her from going to trial. To me (if true), this indicates that the prosecution acknowledged that Daybell has significant mental issues. My question was that since each defendant has a given right to participate in his/her own defense, can a person who isn’t insane but with severe mental health struggles reasonably make appropriate decisions in his/her defense? For example, considered battered women syndrome. A woman who is being abused may cognitively be fully aware that the abuse is wrong, yet, unable to remove herself emotionally and physically from her abuser. Many people would label her decision to stay as being “irrational” but would not go as far as to label her insane.

Now, I’m not attempting in any way to diagnose Daybell or throw shade at the prosecution. This was just the question that piqued my interest. What if five years from now, some defense or advocacy group decides to make the argument that just because she met the legal definition of competent did not mean she could make effective decisions? Ever had a friend who could give great advice to everyone else but seemed to have little to no insight into his/her own situation? My curiosity was if the Daybell case affect how mental health cases are handled and conducted. So, like much of the nation, I followed the case. I even watched parts of the trial, and this is where the black hole opened. See, once I clicked to watch the trial, my newsfeed began filling with other cases: Letecia Stauch, Megan Imirowicz, Kouri Richins, Bryan Christopher Kohberger, Chad Doerman, etc. It was a trainwreck that I couldn’t turn away from watching because one question kept hounding me: how? How could anyone do these horrible things—brutal acts against innocent, defenseless people? My mind wanted it to make sense when clearly it never would. Then, the OceanGate accident occurred, and this was another layer of tragedy and negativity. I needed relief from all this darkness.

I resorted to watching a documentary about Cleopatra. Uh, bad idea. Wasn’t anything happy about that. However, again, I fell victim to newsfeed algorithm hell. Sure, these were historical and informative, but they were filled with stories of abuse, violence, slavery, and people being buried alive. The fact that these events took place thousands of years ago wasn’t any comfort considering all the current darkness.

Somehow, I ended up watching a docuseries on the excavation of dinosaurs. Honestly, I don’t know how I got there. But this series did little to pull me out of my funk. It was just more death and sorrowful tales of their slow and painful extinction—the theory was starvation. I needed a break, a safe space to enjoy mindless humor. Unfortunately, that is not what I found.

There’s a saying that “You can never go home.” There just may be some truth to that. When revisiting the past, it’s often not how we remember it. I remembered The Love Boat as basically a romcom with some drama sprinkled here and there. But oh, that show hasn’t aged well at all. Or it could be that I’ve matured and see it for what it always was. It certainly wasn’t a pleasant experience to rewatch. Initially, I thought it was an isolated episode that was problematic. Uh-uh. So, let’s get into it.

Season 2, Episode 1 was basically a textbook on Stockholm syndrome. The captain decides to take a few passengers and crew to a secluded island for a day tour. Unbeknownst to him (due to an inept guest captain) that a hurricane is moving their way. Additionally, there is a deranged man played by John Astin residing on this island, and he holds the captain and the rest of the party hostage at gunpoint. By the end of the episode, one of the passengers (Audra Lindley) decides she’s fallen in love and is going to remain on the island with the former kidnapper because, of course, he’s really a good guy who’s just misunderstood and everyone agrees not to press any criminal charges against. Whatever! Next.

Season 4, Episode 4. Oh boy! So, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC) are in this episode. Pat Harrington Jr. was cast to play a Middle Eastern prince. To me, he looked to be in brownface, but that’s my opinion. I get back in the day this wasn’t viewed as offensive. However, it was supposed to be funny that he gambled away one of his many wives in a poker game like she was a piece of property. He remarked a couple of times during the episode how sad it was that he’d lost his “best” wife. The premise of his storyline was aboard the ship to negotiate a business transaction. The person he’s negotiating with wants to butter him up to the deal and decides the give him a gift. He’s heard that the prince enjoys playing chess, and purchases what is at the time a state-of-the-art electronic chess game. Basically, it looks like a large calculator. This man is dating a DCC and asks her to present it to the prince. Of course, the prince is overcome by the cheerleader’s beauty and misinterprets her as being gifted as his next wife. Instead of clearing up the misunderstanding with a conversation, the two have a poker game where all the DCC and the prince’s wives are used as poker stakes.

In the same episode, one of the owners, investors, or whatever…a man in a position of power over the DCC thinks repeatedly makes advances towards one of the cheerleaders. She politely turns him down, but he won’t take no for an answer. Gopher also flirted with this cheerleader, when she’d declined, he’d went on his merry way. However, she later sends Gopher mixed signals when she publicly throws her arms around him and begins treating him like a lover. She does this to discourage any further advancements by the owner, but she neglects (at least initially) to inform Gopher this is her scheme. Gopher ultimately agrees to be a part of her scheme, but the owner isn’t really phased. Instead, he threatens Gopher’s job and eventually gets him suspended. In order to get Gopher reinstated, the DCC stage a strike not to perform which works. The problem is (and I realize this is a sitcom) that the sexual harassment that occurs in this episode is never taken seriously. It’s more like, “Oops, my bad.” Come on. This is the woman’s job, and clearly, he has made her very uncomfortable and actively taken steps to dissuade any other men from becoming involved with her.

Finally, in the same episode, there is a newlywed couple that the bride is Korean. She embraces her Korean heritage. But she’s portrayed as so meek and traditional that she doesn’t recognize the “modern” American woman going full-throttle for her husband. Naturally, the way she must rectify the situation is to cut up her handmade kimono and transform it into a one-shouldered disco dress—the tired, superficial makeover cliché that can reinforce harmful stereotypes that everyone is so over in 2023. Honestly, I’d allow the makeover to slide if everything else about it wasn’t so doggone lame. Any woman, regardless of nationality, knows when another woman is gunning for her man. And any man who plays into it is equally as responsible if not more. This was a married couple. The groom made vows to his wife. His ex-lover didn’t make any promises to anyone. So, when the groom saw his ex crapping on his marriage vows, he should have immediately stepped to the plate and hollered, “Whoa, Nellie!” Instead, this guy hands out with his ex and leaves his wife to read a book alone on the deck. And before anyone comes at me with perhaps reading is what his wife wanted to do, I would think a newlywed groom knew his wife was extremely introverted and shy, he would not plan a honeymoon that would constantly have her outside of her comfort zone. I would dare argue that 90% of the time this couple was shown, the bride was unhappy. Add to boot, a cruise director whose only advice was for the bride to update her look and behavior to compete for her husband’s attention. Get out! Shut the front, back, side, basement, balcony, and attic doors.

I won’t even touch on all the episodes where the characters were one-note racial/ethnic stereotypes.

All that being said, there are plenty of people who disagree with this outlook. They look back with fondness and nostalgia and wonder why television programs like this are upsetting or triggering to some. They use words like “libtards,” “snowflakes,” and “too woke” to describe people who take issue with these sorts of episodes. They claim that people are too “soft” or “overly sensitive” and are out to ruin people’s childhoods. As far as I know, no one is attempting to vanquish these shows from history. Rather, it is people displaying a desire for more diversity, inclusion, empathy, and progressive ideals. Was I upset by the content of The Love Boat episodes? When I put it into perspective for the time and era, no. Is it the worst that I’ve ever seen? Not at all. But is it something that currently would bring a smile to my face? No. And that is the point of today’s article. It wasn’t to badmouth The Love Boat (or shows like it). Plenty of people continue to love it, and what I watched was just a handful of episodes out of who knows how many were created. Not all of them had these types of plots.

This was an eye-opener of how time can change what we remember and how we view issues. It can show us how we’ve grown and changed even if we think we haven’t. I began streaming this program to draw my attention away from all the horrible current events that are impossible to ignore. It seems as soon as one horrendous story runs the length of its news cycle; it is replaced by something worse. The social media algorithm is relentless in this regard. What I thought and hoped would pull me out of a funk merely drew me into another kind. It’s made me realize I need to put more thought into revisiting the past before I click on a view button.

And that’s all that I have. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

Inattentive Obsessions

If you thought you read the title wrong, rest assured that you did not. It may sound bizarre (almost like an oxymoron) because an obsession is a preoccupation while inattentiveness is an inability to focus. However, this condition recently was brought to my attention by someone who nearly drove all her companions and associates nuts. Here is how it all went down.

Let’s start with a brief background. I’ll call the person being discussed Di. Di is diagnosed with ADHD and has taken medication for it since she was about 7-8 years old. Not surprisingly, as with most people who have this diagnosis, finding the correct medication and dosage for treatment is a process of trial and error. This was no different than with Di. Unfortunately, some years after finding an effective medication, big money interfered. The insurance company decided to no longer pay for her medication. She was switched to what is suspected to be a less expensive medication for the insurance company but one that had less efficiency on symptoms. With no other choice, she muddled through.

When she turned twenty-one, for some reason, insurance companies presumed that her ADHD vanished. I imagine this is for many reasons, one being that the insurance companies probably do not want to pay for it. Second, since most twenty-one-year-olds are no longer enrolled in school or are about to graduate college, complaints about classroom disruptions and poor grades are no longer issues. Also, the classification of drugs typically used to treat ADHD are controlled substances which means they can be addictive, are frequently abused, and are sold illegally for recreational use.

Adult ADHD is commonly misunderstood because it can present itself differently from childhood symptoms. Because an adult may recognize the inappropriateness of hyperactivity and seemingly are able to control it, many erroneously believe that the person outgrew it. Empirical research has demonstrated that this isn’t generally the case. As a person grows older, they learn coping skills. Therefore, symptoms are often masked but not controlled. For example, a child with a lot of motor restlessness may choose a profession that allows them to move around their environment as opposed to one that would have them sit behind a desk all day doing paperwork. Onlookers may not easily be able to detect that the person is struggling. However, untreated ADHD can be harmful not only to the person with the diagnosis but also to the general public. Consider an airplane pilot, school bus driver, dentist, bridge designer, or surgeon with attention issues.

Additionally, many physicians do not want to prescribe these types of narcotics to adults, and many pharmacies are weary to fill the prescriptions. Government regulations compound the issue further, making adults with this diagnosis have to jump through multiple hoops under the pretense it is to “protect” and help prevent abuse. Yet, persons who are abusing the drug have no problem obtaining them illegally.

Di fell into the unfortunate category of adulthood. Not only did she begin experiencing more difficulty in obtaining medication due to governmental regulations, but she also had to deal with the insurance companies reducing the number of medications they would pay for forcing her to switch to an even less effective medication and manufacturing shortages. Thus, she had difficulty obtaining the medication that was barely helping her. To compensate, Di began to cut her medication in half in order to have more days. In short, instead of taking two pills per day for thirty days, she would take one pill a day for sixty days. She reasoned that some relief from symptoms per day would be better than having months with symptoms not being addressed at all. As someone who knows Di, I can attest that she is not functioning as well as she should or could.

Approximately, a year ago, Di was invited to a wedding. The happy couple is scheduled to tie the knot in another town. As a young adult, Di was excited to be invited, not only because these were friends but because she had never been invited to a wedding. Her mother, of course, saw red flags and attempted to rationally discuss the matter with Di. However, anyone who has ever attempted to have a rational discussion with a person who has untreated (or inadequately treated) ADHD understands the complications and complexities of doing so. While the diagnosed person has the intelligence to understand, the processing speed and reasoning ability are disruptive. This is the nature of ADHD. It creates problems in processing information, but this doesn’t make the person less smart. It can, however, lead to poor decision-making.

Di was so excited about attending the wedding that she could focus on nothing else. One misconception about ADHD is that the sufferer has an inability to concentrate and is flighty from topic to topic. This can be true. However, it also can be that the person cannot focus on more than one piece of information at a time. A person with ADHD often is easily distracted when a lot of activity is present—sensory overload. But what equally is possible is that he/she locks in on one topic and has difficulty transitioning to other tasks. Transitioning was an area of struggle for Di from a young age. She became easily dependent on routines because they simplified life, eliminating her need to make decisions. For a person with ADHD, decision-making can be extremely difficult and distressing. Routines can dissipate the need to make decisions—just follow the yellow brick road.

Because Di’s focus became this wedding, she failed to see the implications it would have in other areas of her life. For example, she could not grasp that the time required to travel to this event would interfere with other activities. As a result, she was dismissed/terminated from a summer job before she began. Her would-have-been supervisor wasn’t willing to give her the time off, and Di had purchased a non-refundable airline ticket. Now, at the time of the ticket purchase, Di had not applied for this summer position but knew she was interested in doing so. Di’s mother attempted to warn Di of the potential conflict and encouraged Di not to make any purchases until she had a better idea of what her future plans would entail. Of course, Di failed to listen.

All Di could talk about was this wedding, and her first boyfriend (Carl—not his real name). Everything was wedding this and Carl that. She did not possess the cognitive space to appropriately process the abundance of other information in her life. For example, she frequently made careless mistakes at work, omitting important details that ultimately would require her to redo projects, thus, doubling her workload and struggling to meet deadlines. Time management issues were continuous. For example, she would engage in online shopping for outfits (because this wedding consisted of multiple events with specific dress codes for each) instead of performing necessary household chores or completing college homework assignments. She became so focused on this wedding that almost every other area of her life went to pot, and she couldn’t see it. When she encountered problems, she was distressed (and stressed-out others closest to her) but was unable to associate these problems with her obsession with attending the wedding. If someone attempted to bring it to her attention, she would argue that they were wrong. She honestly could not see the connection. She was so obsessed that she became inattentive to all else. However, she suffered from severe attention problems for years prior to being invited to this wedding. Add in that for more than a year, her ADHD had been undermedicated. Thus, it was this perfect ADHD storm.

Sadly, Di’s mother had witnessed similar behavior in the past. When Di was younger, Di took a particular interest in three activities (i.e., music, dance, and art). Di’s mother stated the following. “It would begin with one activity and rotate. I don’t remember which came first, but the experience was all the same and equally horrible. She would become fixated. Say it was art. All she would want to do was draw, and the behavior was nearly impossible to interrupt. For example, anytime we’d leave the house, we’d be late because she’d have gathered all of her drawing materials that were scattered about to bring with her. If we went out to eat, she would draw and the table and not eat. At school, she’d not finish class assignments because she was drawing. She barely would interact with people. And if interrupted or prevented, she was the crabbiest, most disagreeable child you ever wanted to encounter. She would pout, snap, and not engage. This would go on for weeks, sometimes month, but then it would fade into another activity. Instead of art, she’d focus on dance. Every time you’d look around, she’d be practicing ballet. Eventually, she’d move on to music where all she wanted to do was play her guitar or some other instrument. Then, the cycle would repeat, not necessarily in the same order or the same length of time.

“The biggest problem with her behavior was that the activities she obsessed about weren’t negative ones. She wasn’t doing drugs or physically harming herself (except for not wanting to disengage long enough to eat). So, telling her not to do these things felt wrong. However, it was the amount of time spent on these things that was the issue. Only, she could not see the many problems her behavior was causing no matter how many negative consequences she experienced or how much it was explained to her. When she was a child, I was able to intervene and force changes in her behavior. I could take away her art supplies or manipulate the environment to one that she was forced to comply with. But as an adult, I can’t do those things. When she doesn’t listen to reason, all I can do is sadly watch her experience the negative consequences. There’s no worst feeling than being helpless to help your child. Her decisions are what is causing her difficulty; yet, she is not capable of recognizing cause and effect due to her ADHD not being appropriately treated. If she was getting the right medication, I’m confident this wouldn’t be happening.

“I know it’s medication-related because we’ve been through this previously, and it took years to get it right. But once we did, it was like a miracle. She could focus without becoming obsessed. She could transition between tasks without issue. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about ADHD—not because I wanted to but because I had to. I had teachers, superintendents, and even a pediatrician who dismissed my concerns and told me that my child was spoiled and not ADHD. It wasn’t until she started seeing a specialist that she got better. I will never forget when I first met him, and he explained to me about negative symptoms and emotional immaturity in persons diagnosed with ADHD.

“The term negative symptom isn’t what many people think. In ADHD, there are positive and negative symptoms. This doesn’t imply that one set of symptoms is good and the other is bad. Positive symptoms are those that are easily observed. For example, restlessness (e.g., running around, not remaining seated, fidgeting, etc.) is an external behavior that can be witnessed by others. Negative symptoms are ones that can’t be observed directly (i.e., boredom, frustration, etc.). Many of Di’s teachers and instructors did not believe she had ADHD because she didn’t exhibit many positive symptoms. When she didn’t respond to task demands or responded inappropriately, her behavior was labeled as spiteful and willful misconduct. In reality, she wasn’t processing the information appropriately.

“I was accused of making excuses for her, of spoiling her because she was an only child. I was blamed for having poor parenting skills. But when I met the specialist, he assured me it was the disorder and not me. He explained that what is taught in introductory psychology courses and highlighted in the media are the positive symptoms. Within a year of being treated by a special, Di went from being labeled as having one of the worse classroom behavior problems even resulting in a “reportedly” school suspension in second grade for severe disruptive behavior to being a “teacher’s pet.” By the time she entered junior high, teachers did not believe Di had ADHD for a completely different reason. She was one of the most well-behaved students in all of her classes. She made top marks, was always polite to everyone, and was well-liked. In first and second grades, her classmates found her obnoxious and didn’t want to associate with her. She was kicked out of multiple extracurricular activities. In junior high, she not only participated in social activities, she became a member of the student council and held other leadership positions. She won numerous awards and accolades. Now, all that progress is in regression.

“Actually, Di’s “obsessive” behavior has a name. It’s called “hyperfocus,” and it’s not uncommon in ADHD. Right now, it’s destroying her life. Granted, it could be much worse, but it also could be so much better. But no one is making it easy. Last year, the specialist she’d been seeing since childhood retired. She continues to be followed at the same clinic by another specialist. For the record, when she first began being seen by the specialist, the law at the time was that she had to be seen monthly. This was an issue because the specialist was in a different town, and the hours of operation meant Di had to miss school (usually not the entire day but some). I had to take off from work which didn’t always make my boss happy. Later, (when she was approximately 11 or 12) the law was changed to every three months. When she entered college, it was still every three months, but two of those visits could be virtual. My point is, her medication usage has never not been monitored (including psychological evaluations, bloodwork, teacher reports, parent reports, self-reports, and EKGs) by reputable physicians who are nationally recognized. Her need for treatment has been proven repeatedly. Yet, little by little, she’s being denied.

“I asked the pharmacist how much it would cost to pay for medication out-of-pocket since the insurance company wouldn’t and was told it would exceed more than $700.00/month. I was speechless. So, not only is my insurance which I pay monthly becoming redundant, I can’t afford to purchase it. But remember, Di will enter the workforce. What may be a personal problem now could eventually and unfortunately become one that affects others—a banker who inadvertently deposits money in the wrong account, a seamstress who incorrectly measures for wedding dress alterations, a mechanic who forgets to put back in all the screws, etc. Nothing happens in a vacuum, and sometimes it really does take a village. I feel like this is a battle that we are fighting alone, but I know there are other people who must be experiencing the same.”

So, that wraps up this post. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm,” and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How to Make an Outline Work for Pantsers

As I made the Monday morning commute to work, I decided to listen to a writing podcast to pass the time. The host, a plotter, commented that when a work is properly outlined, the author is not at risk of experiencing writer’s block. The first thought, or rather question, that entered my mind was, “What planet does this host live on?”  Obviously, it’s not one in the same universe as my pantser world. Outlining is the quickest path for me to end up stumped. I’m so focused on what comes next in the outline that my mind goes blank. Why? Because when I begin writing, I’m not thinking of plot points and beats or even characters. I start with an idea, maybe a sentence or a bit of dialogue. I play around with it a while and think about the character who would say or do what I’m writing. Soon, if all goes well, I begin flushing at the character’s personality and intellect. As the character grows so does the character’s world—where he/she resides, friends, career, dialect, and so forth. So, I write more, and soon, I’ll have the core of the story. I’ll know the key players, their world, and a vague idea of what happens. But if I stop to write down headers and plot points, the thought flow is interrupted, and I’m lost. I’m staring at a blank screen or empty piece of paper, stressing about what to write. Clueless.

Now, plotting works for some, and I admire those that it does. But that’s not my journey. However, just because a pantser doesn’t necessarily “plot” does not mean that no planning is involved. I’ve discussed a similar topic previously, but with summer arriving this month, now seemed a good time for this topic. Why? Well, nearly every writer has heard of NaNoWriMo. Sadly, I fail at it each year. The pressure to write a set number of words tosses me off my game. I suddenly feel as if I’m writing just to be writing. For me, this boils down to quantity versus quality. I’ve discussed this in previous posts as well. However, what if there existed another type of writing challenge that wasn’t focused on word count? What if the focus was on improving style and content? Summer seems an appropriate time for that kind of challenge.

Things have much changed since I was a child, but one thing that seems to have hung around is summer reading programs. Believe it or not, my parents didn’t encourage summer reading. I think maybe it was because, after a long day at work, they did not feel like making the drive to the library to check out and return books. The library also had hours not friendly to many working parents. I remember my father scowling that I wouldn’t read all the books that I checked out, and he was right. However, in my defense, one of the reasons I didn’t read as many is because I fell into the trap of being a child. See, since I would arrive at the library shortly before closing, I would grab books that were close to where I was standing or that a librarian eager to clock out for the day would suggest because they were sitting on the counter recently returned. These books didn’t interest me, but my mindset as a child was “anything is better than nothing” a.k.a., quantity over quality. It didn’t work for me then just as it fails to work for me now. When I cracked the spine, these books didn’t capture me. Unread they remained. But I truly wanted to read books and win a book prize for reading. Yet, I was going about it the wrong way.

Summer reading is so much simpler now. For one, I have a car and can drive myself. I don’t have to depend on someone to take me to and from the library. Many libraries have extended hours beyond 5:00 PM and are open on weekends. But the main reason is that libraries can be bypassed for e-books that are available 24/7/365. There are free and paid books in all genres at all reading levels. Oh, yeah, that was another thing. The school library was arranged in reading levels, and teachers approved which students could check out which books. And since there were limited copies of books, it was first come, first serve. Frequently, I missed out on obtaining the books that I really wanted. With eBooks, all of this is a nonissue.

This got me thinking about writing. See, earlier in the week, I was browsing the internet for writing challenges. Let me just say, many strange things come up when you type that into a web browser. Long story short, I didn’t get far with finding anything. As I was about to give up, a critique partner called and reminded me that I should be focused on my WIP. “But I’m stuck,” I complained because earlier in the week I’d discovered the story had a huge issue that I didn’t know how to repair. So, let me back up and explain how I go to that point and how it relates to today’s topic.

Some time ago, I wrote a short story as part of a collaboration. However, once completed the story both read and didn’t read as a short story. Everyone who read it, including myself, agreed that the story read as if it was part of a larger story. I set it aside to allow the idea to marinate for a bit. Well, it sat for a very long time, and when I got back to it, prepared to expand it into the story it threatened to be, each time I began sectioning it apart to fill it in, the inclusions didn’t work. Why? Because the story had a beginning, middle, and end with character arcs. Dissecting it interrupted the plot. Thus, I had a story that worked on one level but not another.

This was more than editing, and I’d never attempted to write a story this way. That’s when it dawned on me that I was using the existing short story as an outline, and my brain kept getting snagged on the “what’s next?” My ideas weren’t free-flowing because I had an existing structure to stay within. I wanted a diversion from that, hence, my search for a writing challenge. I could spend my summer sharpening my skill. Yet, I knew my critique partner had a valid point. I needed to focus on my WIP. The only way that would occur was if I worked my way out of my writer’s block, or rather, story block. Therefore, I began to think of this as a summer writing challenge which meant I needed a plan. I needed to learn how to make an outline work for a pantser. Away I dashed to research and ask other writer friends and associates.

Don’t think of it as an outline. I don’t know how much mental tripping this cause, but some words can trigger mental blocks. Perhaps, the word outline is having a placebo effect. If this is the case, a writer has psyched himself/herself out before beginning. I don’t think this is my issue, but I have to toss it out there in the pot as a possibility.Outlines don’t have to be adhered to strictly. Yes, sticking to an outline is part of the process. Otherwise, if it was just to be ignored, why bother having it? However, as writers, outlines can be altered and changed as needed to fit the need of the story. Outlines are supposed to be a directional arrow to keep the story moving forward without too many reroutes and detours. But if an outline is flawed or misdirected in its inception, the writer will not have his/her desired end result.Focus on improving each scene as if it were an independent story. Ask, does the scene have a beginning, middle, and end that pushes the story forward? Is it the same pace as other scenes or does the pacing need to be changed? Are the voices of each character in the scene distinct? What happens in the scene? What is supposed to happen in the scene? This may sound like editing, but if a writer is stuck, it could be a kink in the existing story that is causing a blockage. For example, say in chapter three a character is killed off. In chapter ten, the main character needs to be told information, but none of the existing characters are appropriate. Not killing off the character in chapter three may resolve this problem.

Now, I know what someone just said. “Well, if the writer had outlined properly, he/she would have known not to kill off the character.” Not necessarily. Some concepts sound good in the mind but not so great on paper. I write sports romance. Before completing a story I was working on, the NCAA made significant changes in the rules. Suddenly, what I’d written had become dated and portions of my story needed to be changed. Another colleague explained that he kept getting stuck writing. A quarter of the way through writing the first draft, he realized his narration was the problem, and he switched from first person to third. This was not something that he would have discovered with his outline.

Find the sore spot and debride it. The best way for me to explain it is by using the example the person who explained it to me used when discussing my situation. In my case, I knew how I wanted the story to end. What I didn’t know was how to move the story from the current point to that end. The next step was my stumbling block (a.k.a., “sore spot”). I was instructed to ask myself all the major incidents in the story that had led to that point. The next task was to explore each point for what was missing or needed to be omitted. During this process, I needed to consider how each character would behave. I considered the position of the scene. Was it going into a position where a lot of drama was happening and needed to be broken up? How would it fit in the current timeline? What pacing would be needed? Was a change in point-of-view required? Would readers need to be reminded of previous information that may have been forgotten? Was any exposition needed? Answering questions about the functionality of a scene can help a writer determine what he/she needs to write.

Some writers outline their stories from start to finish. This may be the most common way. However, other writers may choose to outline their stories as they come to the scene. A friend outlines in sentence form. Basically, when he is done outlining, his first draft is completed. There are no rules to outlining

And that’s all that I have. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm,” and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How to Avoid Accepting Subpar

This post was long in coming, yet, one that never captured my attention until now. It is something that I have lived with and have become desensitized to for many years. It has often angered me but never to the point to give it a second thought or seriously investigate it further. Like so many others, I’ve complained to friends and family but never taken much of a step to do anything more. However, recently, I realized just how deep this issue tunnels. I’m speaking of compliance. Now, not all compliance is “bad.” But there definitely is “negative compliance.” Before deep diving into the topic, allow me briefly to summarize the combination of factors that led up to the discussion.

The rest of the world jumped onto the streaming and binging trend long before I did. For too many factors to name, I didn’t fall into step until about eight months into the pandemic. That’s when I found myself with the time and boredom to do so. It has been a rabbit hole that I haven’t climbed out of, and I have noticed that it has, in fact, changed some of my behavior. For one, I find myself being a little less patient because streaming affords that I don’t have to wait a day, week, or year for the next installment of something. I can literally view years of a series in a few days. It also affords me the luxury to fast-forward through dull, gross, or what I find to be distasteful scenes.

Recently, I began viewing a canceled network series on a streaming service. Initially, I did not believe this would be a series I was interested in. It had all my “no” trigger buttons. However, I gave it a shot, watched the pilot, and was pleasantly surprised by it. Therefore, I watched the next episode and the next, and then the next. Quickly, I found myself sucked into the binging vortex. But I had time, so, I didn’t mind. Now, I started by stating that this was a canceled network cable series. When I began viewing it, I didn’t know for certain that it was canceled, but I suspected that it was as this is often the case. So, when I finished the series and didn’t notice any significant decline in the quality of episodes, in I decided to investigate why it had been canceled. And this is where it got interesting.

According to multiple credible sources, the series hadn’t been axed due to a decline in viewership or actor contract disputes. In fact, the show’s ratings had risen. The reason for the demise that all sources listed were that the network had ownership and/or executive changes and the series was deemed to be too expensive to continue to produce. So, despite making a profit and appealing to new viewers, the network’s decision was to cancel it and replace it with a cheaper and poorer-quality product. Yes, this is only a television series, but how many other examples of this can be found in other areas of everyday life—where the masses who are paying for services are being given a big middle finger by those in control? But oh dear! Doesn’t that sound political without wanting to sound political? And no, I’m not pointing the finger at any specific political party. That isn’t the point of this post. The point is that everyday people are being given the short end of the stick so frequently that it is practically unnoticed.

The series was canceled. Decisions like that happen daily, and nothing viewers did or said would have changed the decision once it was made. After all, the series had increased in profits and viewership each year it aired. It had gotten the memo and done what it was supposed to do. Yet, it wasn’t enough. The network and/or executives apparently wanted more. And that would have been fine had that been the end of the story. But no. In its place comes garbage that viewers are expected to be happy with receiving.

Years ago, I worked for a company that had seven staff on a shift. Despite the workload and responsibility increasing, each time an employee resigned or was terminated, the position wasn’t filled. Oh, they claimed it would be but, instead, would allow staff to work short. When staff did a decent job of keeping their heads above water, the powers determined the position wasn’t needed. In three years, the employees had been downsized from seven to two, and their workload tripled. While the remaining employees continued to do their jobs, the quality of work diminished greatly. They simply couldn’t keep up and had to cut corners. Eventually, the turnover rate increased. The powers that be cited the turnovers to be “normal and expected” due to pay rate. I don’t completely disagree. Newer employees were paid less than their predecessors (i.e., more work for less pay). However, when listening to employees complain, it was more often the heavy workload and not salary that was the grievance. But did the administration listen? If the answer is judged by their actions, then no, they did not. Thus, when the world broke and the pandemic hit, many employees re-evaluated their career choices and walked away. The company was left scrambling and, to date, continues to struggle to hire staff.

One doesn’t have to search far to recognize there is a lot of conflict in the world. There appear to be two polarizing groups: one who believes they have the right to do and say anything they want and others must accept this forced choice and one who believes they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and will reject any choice that goes against this. These two standards can’t exist on the same plane. If one pushes, the other will push back. Nothing is accomplished and rarely is anyone made happy. Stalemates are not productive.

Being handed scraps isn’t limited to movies and jobs. In 2017, a friend began saving for a home. She knew it would be a long process but was optimistic. When she’d finally saved enough for a downpayment, The Rona struck. Housing prices went all sorts of crazy. She thought she would be okay, but not only could she not find houses in her price range, but she also found they no longer existed. The only homes anywhere close to what she could afford were former trap houses with cracking foundations in the worst part of town. And she wasn’t looking for a mansion on acres of land. On the contrary, she was searching for something modest (700 to 1000 square feet) with not much lawn to upkeep. On her way home from work one day, she passed a house being renovated with a for sale sign. The home was more than 40 years old and was listed to be 720 square feet. It sat on a small lot of land (approximately 1150 square feet) in an okay part of town. It was two bedrooms and one bath. Other homes (most much larger with more land) were appraised at around $60,000 to $80,00. The asking price of this home was $15,000 down. Doing the math, that would have been a little less than 20% of an $80,000 home. (That would be the higher end of the specs in the area which this home wasn’t.) It was being sold by the owner with owner financing only. The monthly mortgage was $1490.00 per month for twenty-four years. A couple of punches on a calculator yields a total cost of over $444,000, excluding any insurance, property taxes, or home repairs. But that wasn’t even the biggest issue. The materials being used for the remodel were some of the cheapest and most basic on the market. Had she invested in this home, she would have been upside down from the start and never received a return. Plus, being a rent-to-own financed by the owner, she would have no equity in the home. That would belong to the owner. Plus, she would have lost all of her downpayment.

So, why not just finance through a bank? Because the owner did not offer that option. A bank would have never appraised the house at $400,000 plus. If lucky, the house maybe would have scraped by with the high-end value, but honestly, it probably ranged closer to $65,000. The renovations were sketchy at best, most being paint coverups.

Another example of being shoveled scraps is food. A different friend who wanted to save money on lunch and begin a weight reduction regime relayed his experience. His favorite peanut butter was repackaged to have an outward appearance to look the same but had a curved interior bottom. As a result, the jar contained 2.5 ounces less. Many customers didn’t realize the reduction. After several months of the rollout of less product, the company switched some of the ingredients for less expensive ones. It did affect the taste (and not for the best according to many). Then, after a few more months, the price was raised. Thus, in the end, there was less quantity with cheaper ingredients sold at a higher price that didn’t taste as good. The manufacturer would argue if the customer isn’t satisfied with it to not buy the product. And that is an exceptionally good argument. There’s just one hitch. Most competitor products had done the same, limiting the choice.

That brings me back to the beginning of this post. There are times when things are changed or taken away beyond our control. It’s easy to say if someone doesn’t like something to change the channel, not eat it, don’t buy it, or don’t live there. Those are simple responses. However, moving beyond that becomes more complicated when options aren’t given. Where are the affordable homes? Who will make quality movies? When will it become quality over money? When will people stop having to accept the scraps tossed at them and be given real options? Some will argue those things already exist. For those who disagree, here are a few things one can do.

Be aware of packaging changes and prices. Before purchasing, check all the details about a product and gather information on the company. For example, if animal rights are something important to you, you may want to ensure the company you’re doing business with does not test on animals or have practices that harm them.Comparison shop. Sometimes consumers are paying for the name of a product that has nothing to do with how well a product is made. Therefore, it is important to read unbiased reviews. The key word is unbiased because some reviewers have agendas and biases. Look for reviews that are objective. For example, if a reviewer writes that a product is trash, that sounds more like an opinion. But if a reviewer writes that the item only performed for a few days before breaking, that sounds more objective. Reviews must be taken with a grain of salt. Larger companies often have larger budgets and, therefore, likely have more reviews than smaller or independent companies. Additionally, smaller businesses are frequently more harshly judged and use different standards than larger companies.Pay higher for brands that are honest, transparent, and aren’t greedy. Yeah, I know what was listed in the previous point, but the flipside also may be true. This may hurt the pocketbook some, but it sends a message that principles still exist. This and the next point go hand-in-hand. Not all of the time but sometimes a higher cost can indicate higher quality. Additionally, smaller companies may need to charge more because they have a higher overhead. Consumers want the most bang for their buck, and a higher price tag may automatically turn some consumers off. But here’s the sly move. Many big businesses undersell smaller companies only to run them out of business. If successful, they run the smaller company out of business. Once that happens and they are rid of the competition, they raise their prices. This leaves consumers with no option but to pay the higher cost (if they want the product) for a product that may be lower in quality.Support independent filmmakers, authors, etc. Mom ‘n Pop operations help build the USA. They did so by providing quality and personalized customer services, something that is sacrificed by many big businesses. There is a local business that for nearly two decades has gone toe-to-toe with one of the largest food franchises in the world. In fact, they are so beloved in the community, that they are a true threat to their much larger competitor. How do they do it? It boils down to customer service. Customers have names and aren’t reduced to merely order numbers. Employees may not make as much money, but they are treated with tremendous respect.Do not depend on others to make a stand for you. Believe it or not, cancel culture is not real. It may sound real and a person may take some heat, but it’s not a real thing. Oh, it used to be back in the 1930s and 1940s when scandal could cost a person his/her career or social standing in the community. And it still may be a thing in small, rural communities. But reality television has pretty much kicked canceling to the side. Why reality television, you ask? Because these shows have promoted the outrageous. Bad behavior is rewarded with more air time, social media followers, and product endorsements. Each new season attempts to top the previous one with more outlandish behavior. Nothing is off-limits. And if someone does cross the line, in a month or two it is forgotten and forgiven. How many celebrities and social media influencers have been “canceled” and still have millions of followers? Bad behavior has been destigmatized. There is no need to make a big production or grand gesture to make an impact. Just consistently and continuously follow your conscious. Do your part. Change occurs when everyone does his/her part. Small parts add up.

And that’s all that I have. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that makes one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How to Mentally Prepare for Summer

This may sound strange to some, but I admit, initially it sounded strange to me. Most people have heard of winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (which is associated with autumn/winter), but rarely does anyone associate mood issues (especially depression) with summer months. However, it’s not unheard of, and recently, I began paying attention to what many people around me were saying and how they were behaving. I thought to myself, “Well, it’s just them,” and blew it off. But it wasn’t just them. And as I began investigating, there seems to be a lengthy list of reasons why. So, let’s dive in.

Graduation. This is the season of graduation, and graduation is a time of celebration for most. However, it can bring about sadness and anxiety. While many people look at it as the beginning of a new chapter, many may view it as a stressful end. They ask what is next. For recent graduates, they may not have yet mapped a plan for their future. Maybe they can’t find or job or have a career chosen. Perhaps they were planning on college but they didn’t get accepted, applied too late, or didn’t have the financial means to attend. All of this can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Or maybe things did work out, but now there is the reality of moving away from the comforts of home. For some, anxiety and depression may be securing a place to live. Or the realization that he/she will be moving to a place where he/she doesn’t know anyone. There could be anxiety about fitting in or feelings of loneliness about separating from family and lifelong friends. Shy people may have difficulty making new friends and feel isolated.

For parents, it may be the awareness that their “baby” is now an adult and will be flying the coop. Empty-nesters may have difficulty occupying their free time. Sure, the dream of not having to be responsible for children anymore may seem appealing, and for some, that freedom is welcomed. However, for others, the grass is always greener on the other side is appropriate. What they actually end up getting may not be what they anticipated.

Summer Bods. I know; I know. This sounds crazy, but for many people, this is a source of anxiety and depression. Last year, an associate went on vacation at the beach. In October she had given birth, and in January, she fell. The fall left her with a serious back injury. Not only could she not lose the baby weight, but she also added a few pounds due to being laid up. Everyone assured her that she looked amazing, and she did. But on her first day at the beach, she overheard a group of messy chatty making disparaging remarks about her, including calling her disgusting. She became so self-conscious about her appearance that she didn’t enjoy her vacation. She spent the entire time agonizing over each calorie she put in her mouth and avoided swimming. In fact, she refused to put on a bathing suit and went to the beach in baggy t-shirts and capri pants.

Hurricane Season. This is a big one where I reside because there’s no way of avoiding it other than to move to a different region. It’s hard to explain, but once a person has experienced a major hurricane and seen the massive destruction, the start of the season is never welcomed. Some people are so traumatized that the slightest mention of a disturbance puts them on edge. And many news outlets begin reporting about “disturbances” so far in advance and with so many “projective paths” that viewers can’t plan appropriately.

Lack of funds. This is a bummer regardless of the season, but summer can be one of the more challenging times. Christmas and birthdays (and other times of gift giving) when low on funds may dampen one’s spirits. A person may feel embarrassed or sad not to be able to give or reciprocate gifts. But lack of funds during the summer cause increased sadness because it’s a time when many people go on vacation and post all those fun and spirited photos on social media. It’s easy for one to feel left out.

Being stuck inside. This could go either way. For persons who work outside, they may rather have an inside job where it’s nice and cool. But for many workers, being stuck inside working instead of being outside enjoying the sunshine may really drag their moods into the toilets.

These are just a few of the causes that may spark summer depression or anxiety. So, what can be done to prevent or reduce them (and others)?

Make a schedule of things that you know will bring you joy, fit into your schedule, and fit into your budget. This may include day trips (e.g., an outdoor concert or a visit to the zoo). Perhaps it includes having lunch with a friend outside instead of in the cafeteria or going for a walk in the park after work. One friend who couldn’t afford a vacation got together with neighbors and had a block party. Another friend attended as many local community events as she could. For example, every Thursday during the summer, her town held a farmer’s market. Afterward, once the sun began to set, there was an outdoor screening of a movie with free popcorn. All that was required was a lawn chair.Avoid viewing media outlets that will cause unnecessary anxiety and/or stress. When I was growing up, my father watched CNN continuously. The only time he switched the channel was for the local news, a football or baseball game, or a John Wayne movie. He would sometimes chastise me for not wanting to be informed of what was happening in the world. What he failed to realize is that I wasn’t choosing to be ignorant. Rather, I was choosing to preserve my mental health. I would dare to say that 98% (don’t quote me on that as I don’t have an actual percentage and this is just my opinionated guess) of news shown was negative in nature—shootings, war, cultural tensions, natural disasters, manmade disasters, murders, burglaries, rapes, kidnapping, deaths, etc. Happy or positive stories seemed to be viewed as feel-good stories that didn’t sell papers or get views. But constant doom and gloom can wear on one’s mental health. It was hard to view anything good in the world when all being heard and seen was evil.Opinions are like _____, everyone has one. I’m sure most people can fill in the blank. Don’t allow people’s opinions to kill your joy. You have a right to enjoy life just like everyone else. It’s not what others say about you that counts. It’s how you feel about yourself that matters most. However, if ignoring others seem too difficult pick an alternative that will bring as much joy. With my friend and her beach experience, instead of spending time on a public beach, an alternative could be going to a private beach or boating. Earbuds are also another great option.Being prepared. With the weather, there’s no changing or preventing it. What makes it scary is the fact that it can’t be controlled. However, one can choose how he/she will respond. Being prepared with a disaster plan and emergency kit gives a person about as much control as one could have in that situation. During the first weeks of the pandemic when many supplies were in shortage, the people who were a little less stressed were those who had adequate (and I don’t mean hoarded) supplies. I remember being in Dollar General when I bumped into a sister-in-law who told me there was about to be a shutdown. I thought no way that would ever happen. That was just a bunch of crazy talk. But then, I began to question what would happen if she was correct and my thought instantly turned to my elderly mother and the effects it would have on her. I began preparing as if I would for a hurricane—purchasing essentials, enough for two weeks. (I know most sites suggest three days’ worth, but I lived through Katrina. Three days’ worth wasn’t nearly enough.) That instinct paid off, and the only supply that we ran short of during that time was disinfectant wipes which weren’t all that big of a deal. Among all else that was happening, the one peace of mind I had was that my mother was taken care of. I couldn’t control much else.Spend time with family and friends. Make lots of memories. If moving off or preparing to have an empty nest, begin looking for activities or clubs that can begin to fill the void a little. One friend signed up to begin taking an online class in the fall when her youngest child graduated.Don’t overlook the little things and the small joys in life. An associate stated that she always felt down after looking at the social media (especially Instagram) of others and she didn’t have any content to post. Her friends were having fabulous vacations and getting married while she didn’t have anything “exciting” happening in her life. Then, she began posting photos of things that made her smile throughout the day (e.g., a double rainbow after a thunderstorm, flowers in her garden, a pair of new sandals, a remodeled craft room, etc. Truthfully, she didn’t remodel. She just rearranged it.).

Well, those are just a few thoughts on how to mentally prepare for the summer. I have more researched suggestions; so, if you’d like a part two of this topic, let me know in the comment section.

That concludes this post. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How Body-shaming Is Harmful

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye.”  ~Matthew 7: 1-3 (King James)

OR

“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye.” ~Matthew 7: 1-3 (New American Standard Bible)

I generally do not begin a post with a quote, and especially not a Bible quote. Now, let me go ahead and get this out of the way before continuing. Likely, some people have already tuned out from this blog because anything “religious” or “spiritual” is a turnoff. And usually what comes next is often seen as “preachy.” This post is not intended to be either of those things. It was a good that was appropriate for today’s topic. So, if you’ve hung around this far, thank you. Please give this post a chance and read it with an open mind.

Generally, I prefer to begin posts with the rationale or motivation from a post. Many times, that inspiration comes from something that I’ve recently heard, seen, experienced, or have been told. This post is not much of an exception and has spun out of something several friends and coworkers have expressed over several months. It also is a topic that has been creeping into the news headlines in various forms. I’m speaking of Body Dysmorphia. I used the word various because Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is the preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. There are several terms to note in this definition.

Perceived. Perceived has several meanings: to regard something in a particular way, to become conscious or aware of something, or to look at or interpret something. Within these definitions is an implication of subjectivity. The way a person perceives something may not be accurate or truthful because the person has subjectively interpreted it.Deficits. A deficit means an impairment or failure in ability in a functional capacity.Flaws. A flaw is something that is defective, imperfect, and/or weak and that lessens or undermines effectiveness.Not observable or appear slight. This is self-explanatory. Either something isn’t there because it doesn’t exist or it is so minor or trivial that most people do not notice.

Putting this all together, the Body Dysmorphic definition comes to mean a subjective self-impression or awareness of impairment, defect, and/or weakness that decreases a person’s effectiveness but does not exist in reality or is barely noticeable to others. that’s some heavy-duty negativity and self-hate right there. But what if what a person is focusing on is factual and observable by many? What if a person was diagnosed by his/her physician as morbidly obese? Would a person in this instance who is dissatisfied with his/her appearance be diagnosed with BDD if all other criteria are met? My answer is no because in this scenario the full criteria (i.e., not observable or slight in appearance) have not been met. So, where does it leave people who are experiencing this?

Some psychologists use the term Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID) to describe this. However, this is not a term found in DSM-5-TR (at least, I did not find it there. Don’t take my word for it. Check for yourself.) According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), BID consists of a person’s negative subjective evaluation of himself/herself that concerns his/her weight or body shape.

This is how today’s post played out. About four years ago, a mutual associate began experiencing some health issues. She did not share the specifics of those health issues with the other individuals who inspired this topic. However, knowing the specifics weren’t anything necessary. She began many diets and failed. Then, approximately two years ago, she met someone who educated her on a controversial way to lose weight. Her weight loss was successful, and she shed close to eighty pounds in approximately six months. Although she advocates for the method she used, many medical studies have shown it to be dangerous, especially for individuals who have certain medical conditions. It is for this reason that I will not share in this post the method that she used. Additionally, she has come to believe that this method will work for anyone and everyone when scientific data has shown otherwise.

After her weight loss, she received many compliments, and her self-esteem increased. These were positives until they tipped her over into fanaticism. Everything for her is about weight. She does not go fifteen minutes without mentioning her weight or someone else’s. And here’s how she does it. Even with her weight loss (at this point nearly ninety pounds), she is not a thin woman is remains over her ideal body weight. When she speaks of her weight loss, it is with pride and a boast of how much she has lost. Don’t get it twisted. She has accomplished a lot and should be proud of her accomplishment. She should be able to say without criticism, “Hey, look at me and what I’ve done.” The issue is when she speaks of herself, she speaks as if she’s a wispy woman as if she’s light as air. “These clothes are just huge on me.” She makes it a production and front and center that everyone in her presence be made to know that she’s lost weight. Okay, so be it. However, she takes it a step further. Not only does she comment on her weight, but she also does so about other people, frequently using degrading language.

Professionals in the fields of medicine and physical fitness use BMI as a measure of fitness. Anyone who knows about body shapes and bone structure understands that two people can weigh the same on a scale but physically present vastly differently. Some of the people she singles out as being “heavy,” “fat,” “disgusting,” and “gross” weigh far less than she does. When other people are on a weight loss journey and fail, she criticizes them to no end. Yet, it took her many years and multiple attempts before she was successful. But she does not give others the same tolerance, compassion, or empathy. No, for them, she has harsh words and name-calling.

Things came to a head recently because this person is in a position of influence and has several minions who believe she can do no wrong. For this reason, others have not approached her about her behavior which, to many, appears to grow worse daily. However, that has not stopped these people from discussing the matter amongst themselves. During one of those conversations, a person admitted that this person’s harsh words and attitude had affected her more than she initially realized. She stated that she has become more self-conscious and critical about herself and her appearance. “I’m around her several days during the week. She can be witty at times and really brighten a day. That is why I willingly go around her—for a laugh when I’m having a bad day. But I didn’t realize how I’d allowed her negativism to seep into my subconscious. She’s never directed her harsh words toward me, but it is because I haven’t given her a reason to. I’m sure she would turn it on me if I said the wrong thing or brought attention to myself.”

The person who made the previous statement has an opportunity to expand her career but refuses to take the necessary steps due to cacophobia. Cacophobia is an intense fear of ugliness. She perceives herself as ugly because of BID. She stated that she was teased in junior high about her weight but had gotten over it once she began college and witness diverse body shapes and sizes. For many years, she was accepting (if not completely satisfied) with her physical appearance. This continued until she was transferred to a department comprised of 98% women and interacting with the woman in question. Be clear, in no way, does the person attribute or blame her cacophobia on the woman who was successful in losing weight. But it is hard to declare that she has not been a contributing factor.

This is where my journey began. I started searching for information about body-shaming and loathing oneself for his/her appearance. I learned a few interesting facts.

Currently, there are no laws that protect people who are obese from discrimination. There are also no anti-discrimination laws to protect persons who are underweight. However, persons who are obese (especially those who are what is termed morbidly obese are more likely to be discriminated against based on appearance. One reason for this is stereotyping.Many negative stereotypes are associated with being overweight (e.g., being unclean, smelling bad, greedy, lazy, etc.) One of the persons I spoke with stated that she had been relatively thin her entire life. When she got married in her mid-thirties, she decided to take the Depo shot as a form of birth control. Soon after, she began gaining weight and eventually gained more than forty pounds. Despite diet and exercise, she has been unable to lose most of that weight. Due to her short stature, the weight gain is extremely noticeable. Her coworkers began referring to her as “Butterball” and informing her that she used to be cute. She expressed that some people were turned off by her experience including her husband and that it affected her self-esteem. He told her that she wasn’t doing enough to lose weight and would chastise her for her weight. He signed her up for Weight Watchers and began monitoring all of the meals they shared. When she continued to fail to lose weight, he accused her of snacking at work. She would go for days without eating. His words towards her became crueler and more frequent until he was belittling her almost constantly. He informed her that he was not attracted to her and eventually began engaging in extramarital affairs. Additionally, he blamed her for his cheating, stating he would have never done it if she hadn’t gotten fat. The irony is that it was he who had pushed for her to take the Depo shot. He did not want children (she did) but also did not want to use condoms and felt the Depo shot would be “error-proof” protection.Eating disorders. There exists a high correlation between persons who are overweight and eating disorders. Many people would assume that persons who are overweight overeat or make poor eating choices. Sometimes this is the case. Other times, excessive weight gain may be due to medical conditions or medications. One person I spoke with expressed that she had two medical conditions (along with her age) that make losing weight difficult. However, she stated a bigger problem is that the more weight that she gains, the more difficult it is for her to exercise. Her stamina has decreased and she has joint pain. “It’s a cycle. One reason I began gaining (weight) is that I was in a lot of physical pain from a back injury. It hurt to move. I could barely walk or roll over in the bed. I did everything slowly. Vigorous exercising wasn’t something I could do. The more sedentary I became, the more the pounds packed on.”Ridicule. One person I interviewed summed it up nicely. “People want you to lose weight and make fun of you when you do. They make hateful and rude comments that they don’t think you can hear. Or sometimes they don’t care that you do. When you go to a gym, they mock you for sweating too much, how you look in exercise clothes, or breathing hard from the workout. They don’t look at you as a person who is trying to work on herself. They look at you as a joke, and that hurts. But they don’t care that it hurts because they don’t see you as a person or their equal. They think you deserve harsh words and should be allowed to take up space on Earth.”Debilitating Trauma. Another interviewee said the following. “I was teased horribly during junior high and high school. However, it started when I was in fourth grade, only I did not recognize it for what it was. I had what I thought was a group of close friends. One day, I went to school, and they all had turned against me. I didn’t know what I had done to or how I had offended any of them. One of them finally said that her grandmother told her not to play with me because I was “too fat.” I began staying away from them—these people who had been to my home and stayed the night too many times to count. Now, I was an enemy because I wasn’t skinny like they were. I kept my distance for a long time. After a few months, some of them began to reconsider and wanted to associate with me again. They acted like it had never happened. But it shook me that people could and would suddenly walk out of my life so swiftly. I know we were children, but it hurt a lot. I lost contact with them as we ended up at different schools a few years later. When I joined social media, I received friend requests from most of them. I asked myself why would they think I would want to be their friend. I accepted just to see where it would lead. None of them has ever acknowledged what they did. And the same went for my bullies in junior high and high school. They reached out to be friends on social media. They don’t have cruel words. In fact, they are nice now, wishing me merry on my birthday or when I post a positive event that has occurred in my life. They act as if their past actions had no effect on me, and none of them has ever said sorry. But their actions have affected me. There are certain places I will not go to or events that I will not participate in. I understand that as an adult it is my choice not to do these things. However, I’m triggered, and I’m mortally afraid. It’s not as simple as moving on. The thought of putting on a bathing suit spins me into a panic attack.”Social Isolation. Persons who suffer from BID frequently are ostracized by others or self-isolated due to fear of being shamed, degraded, or teased. Rather than taking the risk, they choose avoidance.Decreased Opportunity for Work Promotions. Many case studies have shown that persons who are obese tend to be offered opportunities for advancement in the workplace less than their thinner counterparts. Again, part of this can be linked to biases and stereotypes that persons who are overweight are lazy and unclean, and many employers do not want them to be the “face” of their businesses. Even in circumstances when the thinner employee is underqualified, employers will opt for appearance over skill. Again, this type of discrimination is not against the law. In fact, this behavior is so ingrained in some people that they do not realize they have a bias or prejudice. And this lack of opportunity for advancement can extend further. If it causes one to remain in a lower-paying job, one may not eat healthily because he/she cannot afford it. Healthy food alternatives often cost much more than processed food.Mental Health Issues. This post already discussed trauma, but to expand on that, having BID can create feelings of anxiety and depression. Anxiety, of course, can trigger panic attacks, and depression and lead to isolating oneself, loneliness, feelings of low self-esteem, poor self-image, and low self-worth. Bullying can lead to feelings of fear and nervousness. In severe cases, this may lead to thoughts of self-harm and suicide. If you or someone you know are having feelings of this nature, struggling emotionally, or having a difficult time, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Life Line or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

That concludes this post. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search for me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

Contemporary Show Don’t Tell in Writing

Recently, I participated in an author’s workshop. By participated, I mean observed. I wasn’t a presenter or anything like that. The presenters were a panel of well-established romance authors and a keynote speaker. What’s always interesting about writing workshops is that often shifts in attitudes toward writing can be seen. I’ve always viewed writing as a continuously evolving craft. This workshop was no different in that regard. However, the shifts that I heard most came from the comments of attendees, especially during breaks.

This blog is not written as a popular opinion, one that offers definitive answers, or that speaks for all authors and writers. However, it is sometimes the small voices and unasked questions that need to be heard and explored. During this conference/workshop, I spoke with many writers who had too many good opinions and points of view.

Before I continue, I want to add that I know that there will be those who disagree with this post and point of view here. As always, that is perfectly okay. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. No one is instructed to follow any opinions offered or interpret them as gospel. Creole Bayou is a safe haven and comments are welcomed. All that is asked is to remain respectful.

Is show don’t tell dead? I found this to be one of the most interesting side topics. I say side topics because the lecturer encouraged the show don’t tell guidelines that writers are used to hearing. But many attendees had other concerns that they mumbled among themselves. I have to admit, many of them brought up valid points. One such point is as follows. It depends on the targeted reader This is what one attending author (who agreed to meet with me for an interview) had to say. For many reasons, it was agreed that I would not give this author’s name at this time.

“If you describe too much, you’re accused of using purple prose that no one wants to read. As a writer, you’re told to edit it out because no one wants to read it. So, your story may lose a bit of color. You’re also told not to use too much detail and to allow the reader to fill in the gaps. A writer’s job is to create the framework and structure of the room but to allow readers to decorate it. That’s the magic—or so they say. But when a writer does this, he often is met with the criticism that the story lacks something or is left incomplete.

“Several years ago, I received feedback that a story I’d written had too many loose ends. This disturbed me not because it was negative feedback but because I was clueless about what they meant. I returned to my notes and outline. I had a check by every plot point and subplot point. I referred back to the notes of beta readers and editors. All issues regarding closure had been addressed during the editing process. So, what was this? I reread the criticisms and noticed that some of the fallout was making issues of ‘mentions’ and not plot points or even subplot points. If I had written something such as a room having a red carpet, I was accused of not explaining why the carpet was red. Well, it hadn’t been my intention to make the color any sort of meaningful issue. Yet, somehow it had become one. My writer friends said to ignore it; so, I did.

“The next book I took special care in addressing conclusions of plot points. Again, I received the ‘loose ends’ criticism. ‘What’s loose?’ I asked myself. ‘How do I fix it?’ Once again, I had a list of my plot and subplots. I worked down the list at where in the story each was first introduced, had been heightened, and had been concluded. I showed it all. My betas and editors had agreed. Yet, it wasn’t enough.

“I know sound defensive when I say, I know for certain that I closed all ends of the last story I wrote, but it’s fact. In the next book, I took a different approach. I intentionally ‘told.’ I put the words in my protagonist’s mouth—plain as day—on two separate occasions the resolution to his problem. I literally wrote the dialogue of the character saying ‘I choose to handle the matter this way.’ Furthermore, I had another major character reiterate this resolution. Guess what happened. I still got ‘loose ends’ comments. So, I had to take an even harder deep dive into why this kept criticism kept rearing its head. I came to the conclusion that anytime anything was shown, no matter how irrelevant, it needed to be explained by a blunt telling resolution. It seems that no description can enter into a story without an explicit explanation.

“Something else that I noticed was that any conclusion to be accepted as a ‘resolved resolution’ must either end in death or one that serves justice to the satisfaction of the reader. In my story, one of the things the protagonist thinks will happen doesn’t. He is surprised but happy. Because this thing doesn’t happen, the character does not need to take further action. Therefore, this plot point is concluded. Another plot point, the main character reveals a secret, and the reason why he has kept this secret. He then explains his decision to continue to keep this secret and his reasons. Continuing to keep the secret and not exposing it, it concludes the character’s arc. Thus, the plot point, in my opinion, is resolved. However, it seems readers interpret the character’s decision as unresolved because by not exposing the secret justice does not get served.

“But that’s the thing in life, isn’t it? Sometimes, good does not conquer evil. Sometimes, crime does pay. Unless writing an antihero where the audience is rooting for the main character to be successful with a bad action (e.g., rooting for Ocean’s Eleven to be successful in robbing the casino) often if it is not written in concrete that the ‘bad’ has been defeated, a criticism of ‘loose ends’ is lurking around the corner.

“Many popular and bestselling authors have novels written with scene after scene is telling. They do not leave anything open to interpretation by readers which is often what writing advice suggests. There is no ambiguity. Writing is curt and to the point. They are almost like reading a fictional critical essay—only a summary of the facts and nothing but the facts. I wonder if this is a product of society being so fast-paced now. It used to be that audiences would have to wait days or weeks to get their fix of the series, books, or movies. However, with streaming services, that’s no longer necessary. A person can watch two years’ worth of content in a weekend. There are all kinds of spoilers out there with review channels. Videos can be fast-forwarded past sections if the watcher is uninterested. Books series often are released only when the series has been completed. Waiting and patience are no longer required.

“Authors are not expected to respond to feedback. Yet, feedback is how we learn. If we aren’t allowed to ask the questions directly, we are left to wonder until we stumble upon something that we think is the answer. If we get it wrong, then we’re bound to miss the mark again. Perhaps, I have missed the mark with the entire show versus tell at this point. Heaven knows I have asked as many people as I could and have been criticized for doing so. I have ripped my writing to shreds in search of answers. I’ve researched and read what others have written. And I’m left to ponder if the entire ‘show don’t tell’ is more of a ‘do as I say and not as I do.’ I understand that many will bitterly argue that I’m wrong. I do not claim to be right. But taking a look at many of the great books out there (and it’s no shade to them), they are telling and not showing. That does not make them any less great. It is getting the job done and what works well for them. I think over time some writers have perhaps changed the definition of what showing is, and readers have an expectation of having the facts, only the facts, and nothing but the facts. It especially seems that way for lesser established writers who seem to—at least, at times—be judged and held accountable to a different writing standard than well-established authors. This is neither a criticism nor condemnation but, rather, a consideration of how to avoid ‘loose ends’ situations.”

Other authors posed slightly different takes but also questioned the validity of showing versus telling advice. Ultimately, it is up to each writer how he/she wants to tell his/her story. While some may debate it, other than grammar (and only in some instances because it may be intentional misuse), there is no right or wrong way to tell a story. Happy reading and happy writing.

Well, we made it to the end. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search for me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How to Remain Moral While Having Quiet Quit

Quite quitting is affecting today’s workforce and has become a public concern. Whether one agrees with this practice or not, it is a topic worthy of discussion. While quite quitting can have negative connotations and may not be viewed as “acceptable” by employers, not everything about this practice is negative.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the events cited herein occurred many years ago. Examples and instances and persons reporting alleged situations may be multiple sources but as written may be read as one and the same. The location and the names of those involved are intentionally omitted. While an attempt to remain unbiased in the presentation of this information has been made, not all points of view have been represented. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, these are opinions and alleged allegations and not facts. Any inaccuracies or omissions are unintentional and accidental. Thus, any assumptions of persons, situations, businesses, locations, etc. discussed herein should not be made.

The views expressed do not represent any organization, affiliates, or employees other than the informants. Furthermore, this post is a scheduled post that may appear during traditional working hours but has been composed, edited, and completed during non-traditional working hours. Finally, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; the right of people peaceably to assemble (in 2023 that would include social media), and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Free speech refers to the free and public expression of opinions without censorship, interference, or restraint by the government.

Now, if you’re curious about the lengthy disclaimer, here is full transparency. Recently, an old biddy—in my opinion—was eavesdropping on a conversation between myself and other employees. In all honesty, I was doing more listening than talking because I was being filled in on a situation. Mind you, this conversation occurred outside during a scheduled break. This employee having overheard part of the conversation made a conclusion about who was being discussed. She then misquoted the overheard conversation to a supervisor who demanded to be told the full conversation which was none of her business. The conversation in question had been regarding former employees who had been separated from the business many years prior. She was being discussed because she recently had made the news for other reasons. One of the other participants in the conversation also has a public media platform that the eavesdropper trolls. Being salty because her tattling did not work out the way she taught, she began reporting to supervisors information located on coworkers’ social media platforms, twisting it in a way to cause trouble.

Creole Bayou is a safe space where my goal is to provide informative and sometimes obscure information in one place. When I decided to tackle this topic, it was with the understanding that some opinions would be unpopular and controversial. I also knew I would be giving examples of past experiences to help illustrate discussion points.

It wasn’t until approximately last year that I learned the term “quiet quitting.” However, it was a practice I had actively engaged in years before then. I thought I was suffering from a case of mere burnout, but after reading articles and listening to TED talks a few years ago, came to understand it was much more.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, quiet quitting can be summed up in the slogan, “Work smarter, not harder.” Quiet quitting is an act of performing the bare minimum work duties to be acceptable and not get terminated. It is filling a slot to get paid but not emotionally invested. It’s no longer going the extra mile or far and beyond to reach a completion point. It is checking out in mind while remaining in body. For some employees, quiet quitting is a way to maintain their mental stability.

Some people intentionally quiet quit, especially now that many people have become aware of what it is and that many employees are doing it. However, I feel—and this is just my opinion—that many workers who quiet quit do so without knowing. They reach a point where the job just doesn’t seem worth it, but they feel stuck. I know that is how I reached that point at one point in my employment history.

Many years ago when I was first hired at a previous job, I was lied to by my supervisor. Yes, lied. Now, I’m not attempting to toot my own horn, but I was actually something by then. I had a passion for the field, and I knew my stuff. Plus, I came with the right credentials from a school that is not easily snubbed. I checked a lot of boxes. And one box I checked was being ignorant of the workforce. See, it was my first “real” job, so I didn’t consider that an employer would stare me in the eye and point-blank lie. Yet, that is what he did. I was willing to accept the entry position salary with the promise of a raise after two years of commitment. He said it was policy since salaries were based on years of service. He even showed me the paper with the noted salary range. What he failed to say was that even though that salary range was what was written in the job description, it was not honored. Raises were not automatically awarded when milestones were reached. There was always a reason not to give it. “No, it’s not two years of work experience, it’s two years of specific work experience.” “No, you have to wait until someone leaves so that I can give you their PIN.” (Salaries are also associated with employee PINs.) “I would love to, but it isn’t in the budget this year.” “No, it isn’t in the budget this year, either.” “You will have weekends and holidays off. It’s only occasionally that you would have to work, maybe a few times a year.” (Translate that to mean monthly, then weekly.) And there were so many more.

Now, this may sound like an exaggeration. I would think so too if I hadn’t lived it, but he had a good reason—not good in the sense of morally or okay but in the sense of a real purpose—to lie. See, not many people wanted to work at the place. The business had a terrible time hiring and maintaining employees (demonstrated by the list of job vacancies each month and the length of time positions remained unfilled despite advertising). There were two levels to this.

Due to the low salaries, most skilled labor employees shied away. When they did accept the position, it was to gain experience to bolster their resumes before moving on. They weren’t seeking to make careers there. Additionally, there existed other opportunities in the area that offered higher salaries and more relaxed working conditions. Thus, the business in question had competition for white-collar employees.

Second, unskilled labor was easier to hire but had a high turnover rate. People needed jobs, and for blue-collared workers, these jobs were some of the bests paying at the time. They were offered benefits plus the option to work paid overtime. But once these workers saw what the job was really all about, they got the hell out of dodge. I once heard a human resources supervisor of the business say that this was “normal” for blue-collar workers in any work sector. I found that hard to believe because I knew of plenty of people in other companies who could have found higher-paying jobs but remained put because they were treated well and loved what they did. It had never been about the money.

One thing this business was notorious for doing was working the qualified employees to the bone while allowing the no-good ones to skate. For example, hardworking employees wouldn’t be given time off because they were needed to do the job. However, employees who half came to work anyway and barely worked when they were there would be granted requested leave. It didn’t go unnoticed to me that my workload was double that of my officemates. Why? Because once the uppers noticed I was getting it done, then they felt comfortable shoving more my way. My supervisor said it was because they had “confidence” in me. At first, I didn’t mind this because I thought eventually it would lead to a promotion. But that is where I was wrong. That was an error on my part. Once employees are recognized as being good at something, they are pigeonholed into that position. After all, it is a business, and what is more profitable for businesses than having your best employees doing key work at the lowest possible salary? That’s excellent for the bottom line. For a business model, no one can argue that it doesn’t make sense. I get it.

I had gotten myself into what appeared to be a dead-end job. But here’s the kicker. Each time I would contemplate leaving and begin searching for new employment, the lies would come again. Coworkers and friends close to me would get in my ear and convince me that I was being too impulsive and holding unrealistic expectations. They would encourage for me to give it more time and that it would “get better.” And they would whisper fear, “You won’t find anything better. The grass always looks greener on the other side.” Stupidly, I listened for longer than I should have because I didn’t realize that misery truly does love company. The tragic part is that I had seen others leave for other positions that allowed them to live their best lives. It’s no one’s fault but my own because I lacked the self-confidence back then to follow my gut and trust myself and my abilities. The longer I stayed, the more I bought into the cult-like mentality. Yet, each day, I awoke more miserable than the previous.

There’s a saying. “Every cloud has a silver lining.” For many, the pandemic shutdown was the worse. I know it’s something that I never hope to experience again. I rank it right up there with Hurricane Katrina. But I can’t honestly say lessons weren’t learned and that my eyes weren’t opened. I did come to see what could be and what things were truly important. I recognized many things that I had overlooked and saw the lies and deception for exactly what they were. And I realized that my bright had slowly faded over the years. I wasn’t giving everything my all. I spent more time being frustrated by attempting the right thing instead of the easiest. I had begun taking steps back and being more compliant than a leader. In other words, I had quietly quit. However, I always thought that I would catch a second wind, that after a break I would once again return to the worker I once was. I just needed a break. That’s when another reality hit. Wow! I’d invested a lot of years, but I didn’t have much of a return to show for it. But whose fault was that? I could only blame myself. I allowed this situation to have stockpiled—too many years in and not enough to get out. It’s a horrible place to be.

The solution, my motto, is to finish what is started. Ride it out. But because a person decides to ride something out does not mean they must ride the same horse they arrived on. My power was that I could control that which I could control. So instead of stepping back up to meet the same results, how about taking a step further back? I was surrounded by employees—had been for years—who neglected to pull their weight, yet, nothing ever happened to them. In fact, some of them were promoted.

Oh, now, doesn’t that sound bitter? But it’s true. It was explained to me. When certain employees mess up but either there’s not quite enough for termination or they know somebody (nepotism is rampant), they are often given positions that they can do “less harm.” For example, an employee who has to work with a lot of people may be moved to an office position to only shuffle unimportant papers. While it may seem like a demotion, it’s actually the opposite. The new job would often pay more and have better hours. One supervisor who was coming under scrutiny for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate was swiftly given a director’s position in order to remove him from said employee’s direct line of supervision. It was made even more obvious that this move was to save his skin because the directorship he was given was a job created specifically for him. It hadn’t existed previously, and this can be proven by looking at the records. But yeah, that happened. And hey, no hating on the man. If he’s got it like that, so be it. He had friends in positions who could and did help him.

A more recent event that occurred that caused me to reflect on why people quiet quit was when the uppers made the decision that a person with a known (not suspected but having self-confessed of allegedly receiving from her physician) diagnosis of Covid was allowed to enter the building. Now, I’m not going to get into the validity of whether or not Covid is a genuine illness or the severity of it. That’s a different discussion that I’m not trying to have. I’m about to speak about hypocrisy. The business continues to have mask mandates in place for employees. There are signs that restrict access to buildings to only persons who have scheduled appointments. The temperatures of every person entering any building are taken daily. Employee social gatherings in common areas continue to be disallowed. Yet, a consumer informs an employee that she allegedly has recently been diagnosed with Covid (or at the very least exposed to it). The employee reported it to her immediate supervisor who reported it to the uppers. The uppers instruct that a telephone or virtual meeting with this person will not be allowed and that the meeting must take place face-to-face. Furthermore, the meeting cannot be postponed because there is a “deadline.” Thus, this alleged walking incubator was approved to come onto campus and enter a building, potentially exposing a dozen employees in a place supposedly so concerned with health and safety that it continued to mandate Covid safety precautions long after the governmental lifting of such restrictions. Make it make sense. I can’t. A solution was found to conduct the meeting outside in an effort to limit direct exposure.

This got me to thinking. Okay, if employees are quiet quitting and some with legitimate reasons for doing so, then is there a correct or moral way to do it? I would assume yes.

The first would be a Hippocratic Oath derivative—a declaration to uphold ethical standards (and this would require a definition of ethical) and to do no harm to those who are being given service. What I did not realize (and there are lots that I never knew that I didn’t know) is that most modern medical schools no longer require the Hippocratic Oath or any oath. The language of the Hippocratic Oath has become dated and rejected by many new physicians. For that reason, medical schools began writing their own, meaning that there’s not an across-the-board oath that physicians swear to. In this regard, a person who quiet quits would need to conduct an examination of conscience that he/she is behaving morally in spite of doing less. For example, a teacher may decide not to tutor after hours or develop new assignments outside of the designated lesson plan. The teacher isn’t denying students a proper education. The teacher simply isn’t taking any extra steps to teach beyond contracted hours. This by no means harms students.Being effective in the work that is submitted. If one elects to do the bare minimum, that minimum should be well conducted. For example, if an employee’s job mainly consists of report writing, the employee may cut back on working on the evaluation during his/her spare time or working extended hours to complete it. However, the employee would ensure that the evaluation is turned in on time, and the work submitted is well-written (e.g., absent of grammatical errors). If a report is condensed, it would still need to contain all the pertinent information required.Maintaining a pleasant attitude. Many employees who quiet quit may be bitter. They may not identify bitterness in themselves, and they may not be intended to be hostile. However, sometimes, if a person has been beaten down so much over an extended period of time, they begin to internalize everything and become hypersensitive to every situation. For a time, I had a pack of supervisors whose relationships with each other created an imbalance in the checks and balances system. For example, there was an incident where a supervisor derogatorily referred to a group of employees. The employees failed to report this (although it was much discussed among employees) to that supervisor’s supervisor because that supervisor in the past had been known to cover for the other one. In fact, she would inform the other supervisor of complaints against her despite the policy that all complaints were to be confidential. The offending supervisor would then harass the employee who had made the complaint. In short, the first, second-, and third-line supervisors were all in cahoots with each other. Their friendship caused them to be ineffective in supervising each other. Therefore, employees did not report wrongdoings because they felt nothing would be done, their situation would worsen, and the line of supervision was corrupt.

That situation rectified itself when the chain supervision was broken. The top supervisor in this trio wanted a promotion but was denied. (That is a long story in and of itself.) As a result, she resigned, thinking she would force the uppers hand. It didn’t work this time because the person to who the position was given had equally as much influence plus the experience, education, and years of service. It would have gotten truly messy had the other person been denied the position in favor of this sketchy chic who had openly slept her way to the top. (This is common knowledge and not idle gossip. Her married lover’s wife confirmed it.) Unfortunately, her lover had resigned, and his influence in the workplace had diminished. She overplayed her cards. Oopsie. With ol’ girl out of the picture, her temporary replacement did not share any love with her two cohorts. So, when one of them decided to pull one of her shenanigans and step a toe out of line, employees felt comfortable reporting her to the fill-in supervisor. Two down. With the downfall of her partner in crime, the remaining supervisor saw the writing on the wall. Employees felt vindicated and rejuvenated with the transfer and ultimate termination of the second supervisor. The remaining supervisor knew she had a target on her back and that fed-up employees were coming for her. She got out while the getting was good and turned in her resignation. In less than eighteen months, all the bad apples had been purged. An improvement in employee morale could be felt after each one left. It wasn’t until they had all vacated that employees gained a real understanding of how miserable they had been. It would have been easy for them to display bad attitudes. Yet, they put on the necessary smiles to get the job done during those tough times (which was years)

Remaining competent. Just because a person “slacks” does not give license to not maintain competence. The work still has to be quality. For example, if a project manager decides to cut back on his hours, he still has to put in enough hours to ensure that the job is being done sufficiently. He is still responsible for doing the necessary research or steps to ensure that industry standards are being upheld and met. If he decides to delegate certain duties, it is his responsibility to delegate them to persons who are competent to complete them. For example, I once had to take an extended period of leave due to illness. In this instance, it was the responsibility of my supervisor to delegate my duties. At the time, my equal position in the department was vacant. The other equal position was a long-term part-time worker who because of her part-time status had limited duties. This meant my supervisor was responsible for ensuring that my workload was covered. Well, he was a bit of a schemer and a slag.

Because egos were so fragile, “chain-of-command” was something harped on. In this instant, the chain of command was muddled. His direct supervisor was not qualified to be his supervisor. This was not only evident in the written job description but also had been demonstrated as problematic in cases that had found their way in front of an ethics board, or, heaven forbid, a judge. The person who was qualified to be his supervisor (and at one point had been) had had her position restricted so that she was the supervisor over his department but not over him. Yes, when spoken, it makes no sense. She knew his job and what he was supposed to be doing, and she created the departmental policies he was supposed to follow. But this loophole in structure allowed him not to have to answer to her. Therefore, he would brown-nose to his immediate supervisor who was clueless (or just didn’t care about what policy said), and be allowed to not do his job. Well, he had a nasty habit of pushing his work off on others (which was why there was an open position in the department). He had been pushing his work off on me. With me out of the picture, it meant he had to assume the workload which he did not. He consistently missed deadlines and submitted old reports as current. The immediate supervisor looked the other way. However, this oversight eventually became too glaring to ignore, and he made a blunder larger enough that the uppers raised an eyebrow.

When I eventually left for good, his actions could not be ignored, and it wasn’t long after that he was out the door. I received a text message one morning that he had been escorted off the campus. Some months later, I received a second email that is professional license had been revoked. For the record, I never formally reported him. Did I complain to my coworkers at times? Yes. Who doesn’t vent from time to time? But did I ask for his head on a platter? No. I had removed myself from the situation and all his toxicity. By that time, I had sunk inward and was focused on a way out. I wanted nothing to do with him or any of the other supervisors. Whether I transferred to another department or left the company all together didn’t matter to me. I wasn’t about toting any baggage. My sentiments were, “You can have this place and everything in it.”

Although my supervisor should have been competent to perform my job, he wasn’t. The reason he wasn’t was not because he lacked the intellectual ability to do so. On the contrary, he would have been better suited for the position than I was. The issue was he refused to invest the time to learn the position. He didn’t know how to properly complete the paperwork because he never bothered completing it. He would push the duty onto someone else. Over time, especially when procedures changed, it became apparent to uppers that not only was he willfully neglecting to do his job, he no longer knew how to do it. But the uppers had been okay with his neglect as long as there was some other dumdum to carry the load. When they realize that he could not pinch hit in a crunch, that’s when the uppers decided his time was up. It was no absence and not my mouth that exposed him. His true colors shining had nothing to do with me. I said it then and I stand by it now, my hands are clean when it comes to what came down the pike with him. I believe it was the timing.

After his massive screw-up but before his termination, the uppers requested I return and correct the problem. See, someone had to do the job. Someone must be competent. The uppers had known for years the stunts he’d been pulling and had selectively ignored them. It was embarrassing for them to admit that his subordinate (i.e., me) was carrying the department. What was common knowledge was highlighted. His blunder and absence (he would leave the building for hours while on the clock to work at a private practice) had been so great that staff was whispering and side-eyeing administration. My returned presence solidified their thoughts. Later, rumors of dementia began floating around. I do not know if the rumors are true, but I did read (because it’s public record) that one of the reasons his license was revoked was on the grounds of incompetency.

Quiet quitting is far better than having a meltdown on the job. If a person feels that he/she is at a breaking point and it is due to his/her working conditions, it likely is time to find other employment. It also would be beneficial to seek professional help. However, if a person feels trapped and unable to leave the job, then quiet quitting (even if only temporarily) may be an option. I don’t want to be the one to bring it up, but I can’t ignore the huge elephant in the room. We have all been hearing and watching the news lately. Horrible things have happened (and continue to happen) in our communities, cities, and towns because some people are not addressing their mental health issues. Either they do not recognize that they need help, feel that there is too much stigma surrounding mental health, or lack the financial or other resources to seek services. No matter the cause, persons who are struggling with mental health issues without treatment can have actions that affect many others. Sharing experiences and opening lines of discussion is not a backdoor to ruthlessly badmouth any institution or business. It is just one more means to spread awareness.

And in the words of Carly Simon (kinda): I bet you think this post is about you. You’re so vain.

Whew! That was a lot, but now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that makes one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How to Become “Woke” and Why It Is Becoming a Four-Letter Word

Is there a wrong way to be “woke?”

Woke is the new term for “politically correct.” It can be considered a movement to become politically correct and sensitive to others. Many people are opposed to the “woke” movement as they feel that it is people being flakey and overly sensitive. Likely, people are against it because they are in a position where they are not affected by harsh words and cruel daily realities of oppression. However, the matter is more complicated than that. There are people who within the woke movement take matters to the extreme where saying just about anything is offensive and having alternative views are disapproved and scorned. It can make a person who is attempting to be sensitive feel dejected and chastised.

DISCLAIMER: This post is not to be biased or provoke hate. It is not to point fingers or make accusations. It is not intended to identify any person or group of people as being or not being “woke.” The purpose of this post is to highlight how a concept that seemingly should be for the betterment of humanity is getting a horrific reputation and is being rejected by some. The information herein is to offer considerations for a “moderate middle,” for the lack of a better term.

The subject matter is sensitive, and some of the statements herein may be controversial, upsetting, or triggering. However, please keep in mind that Creole Bayou was created to be a safe haven for all, and hate and bigotry have no place here. The material is being offered as informative and will be presented in the most objective manner possible. However, some may find that I miss the mark in that presentation. I apologize in advance if that’s the case. I don’t mind disagreements or differences of opinion, but I do ask that all comments be respectful.

As always, I like to begin with the circumstances that inspired me to generate this post. Generally, I can point to something one of my close friends or colleagues has said or done. However, this time, I must point the finger at myself. Shame on me.

So, at the beginning of 2020, I like to think the world broke. I mean, how else can anyone explain what happened? Like many people, my world tilted upside down. There was so much confusion and anger and doom and gloom. After a few weeks, I had to find a safe space. I checked out from much of traditional and social media and purchased my first streaming service subscription where I could control the amount of negativity seeping into space. I didn’t have to worry with ads or news trailers or radio sound bites of death tolls or conspiracy theories on my social media feed. My attitude—as irresponsible as some people may have considered it—was let the world go crazy without me. I needed to preserve my mental health stability. Well, obviously, while in my own little space, I missed out on a lot.

As the world slowly began returning to normal, I decided to cocoon myself in my isolation a bit longer. While I did begin venturing back into the world of social media, I did so on a limited basis. I avoided much of the news, shied away from certain social media platforms, and limited my time surfing the internet. I thought that I would gradually reintroduce myself into the world. But the world had other ideas.

So, one day, I was speaking with a group of people I didn’t know very well. Someone used a term that I had used my entire life and was told that term was offensive. Now, the term that was used was not one that referred to a person, group of people, country, religion, or anything like that. It referred to a common room in most homes. And this wasn’t some room used for nefarious purposes. The room in question was “master bedroom” and extends to “master bathroom.” The issue, apparently, was the use of the word “master” to describe these rooms. The word “master” has its roots in slavery, and there has been a push to replace it with “primary.” Okay. Fine. I can do that. I have no complaints if that’s where things are going. However, I did have a problem with the person who had used the term being put on blast the way she was. How is someone supposed to know this? So, I said, “Hold up, one cotton-picking minute.” Oh, and why did I say that? I then was put on blast for the term cotton-picking—a term that I’d never given a second thought to its origins. A term that I never meant as demeaning or harmful. Again, I wasn’t upset with being corrected. My issue was, how was I supposed to know? Where was the rulebook?

Some months ago, I touched on the topic of “wokeness” and posed the question: Are we too woke to be woke? I find that in the month since then, I’m still asking the same questions. Who are the teachers, and how can one learn if he/she isn’t allowed to ask?

The issue I discussed several months ago stemmed from a person featured on a reality television show. The person brought up their sexuality and pronouns. Their storyline was developed around their gender identification and sexuality. Every time the person was on screen, one of these two issues was mentioned, and mostly mentioned by the person. As the storyline went, this person’s sexual orientation and gender identity were the main issues that affected all else happening in the person’s life whether it be getting a drink from a water fountain, shopping for a pair of genes, or picking out paint. These were the only issues shown by the producers. This isn’t to minimize or trivialize how serious these issues can be. However, a person is more than only gender identity and sexual orientation. Yet, this was the focus, and every conversation this person had was on this.

So, there came a time in the show when the person was to confront a loved one about not accepting/respecting their gender identity. The person confronted was very obviously confused. He did not understand the terminology or what was appropriate to say and not to say. And instead of the person making the complaint and putting his loved one on blast and using the conversation as a teaching moment, the person said that it was not their responsibility to explain their gender identity or sexuality to anyone. Yet, they were the person who brought it up…not their loved ones. The complainer was willing to proclaim there was a problem that needed to be resolved but, in the same breath, refused to disclose or discuss what the problem was. This person had the audacity to say his loved one needed to figure it out on his own. Well, that’s one way to never get anything resolved or make progress.

Back to the present. Later in the week, I was viewing a video profiling an author. The person making the video was dragging, and I do mean dragging, the author for filth. I turned in because I was curious as to what faux pas or misstep the author had taken, especially since the title of the video was extremely misleading. Turned out, the author had used a term that apparently had become dated. I was unaware that the term was no longer being used. Furthermore, I had never heard of the replacement. If someone had walked up on the street and said it to me, I would have stared at them with a stupid expression on my face and clueless. I thought, “Am I the only person this ignorant?” So, the next day at work, I began to ask coworkers if had they ever heard the term. Over the course of a week, I asked 56 people, and not a single person I asked had ever heard of this. Now, I recognize my sample population wasn’t random and considered indicative of the general population, but it does speak volumes about small pockets. I understand the trickle-down effect of starting with heavily populated areas and having them gradually move to smaller areas. Maybe that is how it should or used to work, but it does not seem to be a guarantee. Let me explain.

With the internet, much of the world has access to the same information at approximately the same time. However, this would mean the information would need to be placed on large or multiple platforms to reach the masses. What appears, and I could be wrong so don’t quote me, to be happening is this information is occurring on less than mainstream sites. So, yes, the information is there, but many people are unaware of where to locate it. Furthermore, how do the masses always know what is acceptable?

In a live stream, a content creator used the term “dwarfs,” and was called out by someone watching. The content creator who always attempts to be sensitive interrupted the stream to apologize but expressed that she thought she had used acceptable terminology. The content creator then reached out to persons in this community who informed her that using the term “dwarf” is preferred. Here is an example of how and why confusion exists. The content creator was told two different things—one by someone within the community who informed her that she is correct, and someone who may or may not (likely not) within the community who called her out for being wrong.

Here are the takeaways.

People do not and will not become educated unless others are willing to teach. It is impractical and unrealistic to expect people to learn the “rules” or what is “acceptable” on their own. People may not know what they are saying is unacceptable. If they do not know, they will not know to seek what is acceptable.“Wokeness” may be a grassroots movement, something that will take time and will need to be spread by word of mouth. It won’t happen overnight and not all people will receive the information at the same time.There needs to be consistency in what is “correct” and “incorrect.” Not having a designated go-to place for information, opens the door for confusion and misinformation being spread.What may seem “apparent” to one group of people may not be for another. When I was growing up, I thought a grilled cheese sandwich was a slice of cheese melted on a piece of bread in an oven or a microwave. I had been taught this and did not know it was incorrect. Therefore, I was not aware that it needed correcting. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I was made aware that it was two pieces of bread with cheese in between and fried on both sides in butter. Likely, I would have continued with this erroneous belief had I not accidentally happen across the correct information. When I stopped to think about a “grilled cheese sandwich” it made sense that it would involve the browning of the bread in a sandwich form as opposed to a “melted cheese.” But I had never stopped to think about it. I had no reason to. No one ever said anything. In fact, everyone around me had the same understanding. When I corrected my definition, I passed the information along. Others agreed that this new definition made more sense. The point is, something that seems to be apparent may not be until someone draws attention to the apparency. Yes, it sounds strange. Yet, how often do we accept something at face value without thinking about it because it has been communicated to us by someone we trust?Nitpicking is not going to work and will do more harm in moving the woke movement forward. People must feel free to speak without worrying about stepping on someone’s toes or feelings. Corrections are okay. However, putting someone on public blast without affording them the opportunity to learn is wrong. In the instance of the person who used the term master bedroom, she was speaking of designing an area in her home. The term “master” in the historical sense refers to a man who has servants or slaves working for him. However, the term also means main or principal. Additionally, it means having or demonstrating proficiency and/or great skills. So, are we to strike the word “master” from our language? Is it no longer appropriate to earn a master’s degree? Is it now a “primary” degree? Or does this rule only apply to areas of the home? The person who was speaking felt uncomfortable talking for the rest of the conversation. She didn’t even finish what she had been saying. A lighthearted conversation about interior decorating was derailed by the seriousness of a horrible period in history. This isn’t to minimize or trivialize the horrors of slavery. But let me just say that everyone involved in that conversation works very stressful jobs. The conversation was taking place during a break when people were taking a moment to relax and take their minds off work stresses. How horrible would it have been for the person who objected to the term being used to wait until the end of the conversation to say, “Hey, you know, people are moving away from using the term master to refer to rooms because it brings with it a historically negative connotation? The more generally accepted term currently is primary.” As opposed to saying, “Have you been living under a rock? No one calls it master anymore.”Coming off as self-righteous can shut down conversations and open dialogue quickly. Even if the person who is doing the calling out is justified and correct, being harsh right off the bat may make the offender defensive. Once a person goes into defense mode, they are no longer receptive to hearing or understanding alternative points of view. The saying “winning more bees with honey than vinegar” has merit.Not every “unwoke” person is bad. People can be in varying stages. For those who are at the beginning, they may often misstep or backslide. It takes a long time to unlearn what has been learned. Language is a habit. When someone asks, “How are you?” A common response is, “Fine. How are you?” We say this even when our worlds are crashing down around us. Why? Because it is a response we’ve learned to automatically give. When changing the language, a person must consciously reflect on the words. But often, when speaking, we are on automatic pilot and use default language. For example, have you ever told someone or been asked to “roll down the window” in a car with automatic windows? Dated terms can sneak into our vocabulary when we’re not paying attention. It doesn’t mean that the person does not care or isn’t trying. It can indicate that they are a work in progress and not always perfect.People can change. People want to change. However, they must be given the opportunity to change. It may take time.Freud said it best. “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Not everything can or needs to be redefined. Mental health professionals are encouraged/required to use “person-centered” or “people-first” language. The term “patient” was changed to “client.” At some point, it was determined that using the term “client” was demeaning. It was later changed to “consumer” which also was labeled as demeaning. Then, it was changed to “individual” which became confusing when writing reports, not to mention that also sounded odd. That was later changed to “the person being served” which is cumbersome to both say and write repeatedly. All of this was in an effort to avoid labeling. Yet, doctors have patients. Attorneys have clients. Teachers have students. Department stores have customers and consumers. Labels are sometimes used not to reduce the dignity of a person but, rather, for clarification. Here’s another example. A healthcare provider was informed that she could not use the term “non-ambulatory.” Thus, she could not say “non-ambulatory person” or “a person who is non-ambulatory.” Instead, she had to use the statement, “The person moves through his environment using a wheelchair.” Not only are these excessive words, but they also can give a false impression. It reads as if the person can operate (either manually or electronically) the wheelchair. However, more times than not, this isn’t the case. The person is not capable of operating the wheelchair and requires another person to push them. Thus, accuracy was sacrificed for what sounded good on paper. In addition to being sensitive, language must also be functional and communicative.Piggybacking off the previous point, a common complaint about being politically correct is that it makes communication more difficult. In the field of mental health, the term “mental retardation” was replaced by “intellectual disability.” The problem was that this was told to mental health professionals and teachers but not necessarily to the rest of the world. So, when mental health professionals would ask families if their loved one had been diagnosed or if there was a family history of intellectual disability, many families had no idea what the professional was talking about. It then put that professional in a position to use the term “mental retardation” to explain. Then, the family would say something like, “He [the professional] asked if there’s mental retardation in my family” to the professional’s supervisor. This would lead to the professional being reprimanded for using inappropriate language.

That’s all I got. This post turned out to be longer than I intended and, went in a slightly different direction than planned. Since this week was supposed to be a “cultural” post, I wanted to focus more specifically on political correctness as it specifically related to culture. However, the woke movement applies across the board to all cultures.

Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is live.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search for me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in the bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

How Beneficial Is Multitasking in Writing?

There are some that would argue that no one should ever multitask because the person is not as “good” at doing it as he/she thinks he/she is. As someone who multitasks—or rather, use to—I would argue the contrary. However, I certainly do agree that multitasking can be challenging. However, let me throw this all in reverse and frame the reason for this topic and where it is going.

As mentioned, I’m a multitasker in just about all that I do. For years, it was the only way that I could function because there were not enough hours in the day. I would have a load of laundry going, dinner in the oven, dishes soaking in the sink, the television playing in the background, and a facial mask deep-cleaning my face while painting my fingernails. The key to my multitasking was finding tasks that did not interfere with each other. Having dishes soaking and laundry in the wash were low-investment tasks. Once I got them started, I didn’t need to pay much attention to them, which freed me to do other things. Likewise, the facial mask needed to stay on for thirty minutes. I could slap it on and move on to something else. And I have to say, I performed all of these tasks well.

Lately, though, I’ve been struggling to multitask at nearly anything. There are many reasons for this that I won’t get into, but not being able to find my groove multitasking has severely slowed my productivity. However, I’m determined to rediscover that balance. As I pondered this thought, I realized there were some tasks that I never or rarely attempted to multitask. You guessed it. Writing, I discovered, was one of those tasks that on one level I was a queen of multitasking, and on another level, I didn’t dare. This is what led me down the rabbit hole to today’s topic. Let me explain.

Writing as a profession is multilayered. It isn’t just sitting at a laptop and typing a story. An author who has intentions to have his/her story published also need to research, edit, publish, select cover art, create blurbs and taglines, reply to email and messages, and develop a marketing strategy. Marketing is a beast in and of itself. As many writers will attest, many of these tasks must also occur while the novel/story is being written. Why? Because these tasks can be extremely time-consuming. Developing an efficient marketing strategy may take months. If an author waited to begin creating a marketing plan after the novel is completed, this could lead to a poor release or to delaying the release for months. Additionally, a writer who is self-publish will need to work out the cover art details while the project is still in the writing stage not only to find the design and artist that he/she wishes to use but also to ensure the artist has enough time to make the artwork into a cover. The point is, writing has many moving parts, and most of those moving parts overlap. Therefore, authors must work on multiple writing-related tasks while the manuscript is being written.

Some writers may handle all of these tasks as they present themselves. For example, an author may stop editing if he/she notices that she has emails to answer. Some writers have livestreams for writing sprints which is a way to interact with readers and other writers while also writing.

Many other authors compartmentalize the writing process either by days or time slots. For example, one author may focus on answering mail and social media on Mondays and Wednesdays, write the main story on Tuesdays and Thursdays, research on Saturdays, and edit on Sundays. Using the same example, an author may focus on answering emails from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, write from 9:15 AM to 2:15 PM, and conduct research from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. There is no right and wrong in how an author sets up his writing day other than finding a schedule/routine/method that works well for that author.

However, that wasn’t the multitasking writing that snagged my interest. It is when an author is able to work on multiple projects simultaneously that always amazes me. Generally, authors who have this type of routine are authors who are proficient at publishing. And it only makes sense that they would be because they are producing a lot of material. But wouldn’t this be confusing?

So, for the naysayers that argue that the quality of work will suffer, let it be known that many well-established, award-winning authors use this process. Is this something for everyone? No. Can it work? Yes. Has it worked? Yes. Is it difficult? Depends on who is asked. Now, I may have started multiple stories at the same time, but enviably, one takes the lead and gains my focus. I think of my having multiple stories going as more of brainstorming—how I feel my way around the meat and bones of what to develop. Not all will get equal love. Honestly, I find attempting to write more than one complete story at the same time difficult. This led me to ask: how do some authors do it?

Surprisingly, the answer is not much different than how I multitask in other areas of my life. The key is to find balance in writing projects. One author expressed it well by saying that anytime she has multiple writing projects (which is all the time), each is in a different phase. She explained that one WIP (work in progress) will be the one that she is currently writing, one will be in the outline/research phase, and the other in the editing phase. She divides designated portions of her day to dedicate to each WIP. This creates a smooth flow in her production and prevents her from getting stuck or blocked.

The flow: edit, current, and research/outline. By the time she completes editing and is ready to publish, the WIP she currently working on is ready to move to the editing phase. Likewise, the WIP that she has been outlining and researching is ready to advance to the writing phase. Then, she can begin researching/outlining a new WIP. She uses a block schedule as would be seen in many school systems and follows the schedule as if she had any other nine-to-five jobs. As she explained, writing is her profession and not a hobby. If she expects to make a living from it, she must treat it as she would traditional employment. She can’t just show up and write when she wants to, and she can’t afford to make her effort be unproductive. This is how she makes her living. If she had a traditional job and was unproductive each day, she would be fired and not get paid. While being an author she isn’t at risk of being fired, she is vulnerable to not receiving any funds if she doesn’t produce new novels and market herself.

In the morning, she begins with writing because she says that is when her mind is freshest. She begins around 8:00 AM and works until close to noon. She takes a break for lunch and picks up again around 1:00 PM when she does research. She elects to do research second because it “cleanses her writing palate.” The shift from writing the current story to researching and outlining is huge and prevents her from confusing the two projects. It also affords her an opportunity to get out of her house/office, as her research may afford her to visit a specific place (e.g., library, museum, play, zoo, etc.) to gather data and information.

Around 4:00 PM she works on self-editing and formatting a WIP that is close to being submitted to her publisher or professional editor. Here, she is not having to create any ideas. Rather, she is looking for grammatical, continuity, clarity, and structural issues to help strengthen and perfect her story.

At the end of the work day, she always documents her progress. This helps her keep on track and make any necessary adjustments. For example, if she finds herself much farther behind in her research than she is in editing or writing, she may need to add another research session at the end of the day or research what would be her regular day off in a traditional job. The end of the day is also the time she responds to emails and messages and handles marketing.

It also should be noted that she does not work alone. She does have an assistant to help, and since she is traditionally published, her publisher helps with editing and marketing which is why she leaves those matters to the end of the day. This allows her to see what her assistant and publisher have done so that she can fill in any gaps.

I used this author as one example, but she is in no way alone in using this method of writing. The order and times may vary, but many authors have segmented work schedules that allow them to work on multiple writing projects simultaneously. But again, this process doesn’t work for everyone. Moreso, not every writer has the time to write all day every day. Writing is hard, and for many authors, what they earn from their writing isn’t enough to support themselves. Therefore, they have full-time employment in other areas and write when they can. It may be more beneficial to writers with limited time to focus on a single project. In the end, it is up to the writer to determine what is their best writing process.

That’s all I got. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available for download!

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search for me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Author Bio

Genevive Chamblee resides in Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.