Christy LaShea's Blog

My Trip to the Margaret Mitchell House

As most of you who know me, you know I have been a fan of Gone With the Wind since I was a pre-teen. I can’t remember my exact age and the details are slightly fuzzy, but I recall the movie, Gone With the Wind, being featured on television. My grandmother, Margaret – aka: Granny… Continue reading My Trip to the Margaret Mitchell House

Spring Literary Festival

In my world of writing, things have been going slow. The day job is rocking and rolling and I’m dancing right along with it. It’s wonderful to be employed and have a steady stream of income. However, sometimes my writing life gets pushed aside. Never mind that I seem to find myself wasting time scrolling my social media pages… I seem to be able to find plenty of time to do that! Yet, I can’t seem to find the time to get my characters established and get some words on the page!

I’ve got a short story coming out in the Fall of 2023 and I also hope to bring you a full-length contemporary romance novel this year too.

If you’re a writer, you may be interested in a blog by my good friend Kim Turner. She’s posting about writing and is a great inspiration to me and so many others. I’m sure you’ll be encouraged, too. Click here for Kim’s blog.

For you all near north Georgia, I’ll be signing and selling books at the Spring Literary Festival in Buford, next Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. I’d love for you to stop by, and meet these talented Georgia authors!

Turn the page

christylashea.com

As I attempt to write this blog post, it is near midnight and the house is quiet. I’ll finally get to write, I’m thinking. While everyone is asleep… Everyone except my English Bulldog, Bobo, who is growling at the bedroom door. I’m not in the bedroom, and she can’t figure out why.

They say images are good when you’re writing a post. This picture was taken in north Georgia at Meeks Park. I love being near bodies of water. It’s calming. Now, the photo has nothing to do with why I’m writing tonight. But isn’t it pretty? Can’t you just hear the water traveling over the rocks? I took the photo during a walk back in the spring. I love traveling to the mountains. It’s good to go where the air is fresh and all of God’s creations can show off.

Y’all know that it’s been a hard year. I won’t get into details right now. We’ll save those details for another day.

Tonight, I just wanted to write.

Write to revive my corner of the world wide web. After reading old blog posts, I smiled at myself. Some articles are ten and fifteen years old. I was a voracious writer back then. Although I put on a good show, my confidence was weak. I was busy listening to everyone else instead of putting faith in myself. Instead of putting faith in what God had planned for me. Though the years may have been beneficial, as I learned a lot about the craft of writing, I have to wonder, what if I did this…? What if I did that?

Some of you may be saying, ah, ah ah… don’t do that. Don’t look back. And maybe you’re right.

So… what if we turn the page? Start a new chapter?

Are you wanting to start something new? Revive an old projects? I do. I’ve got ideas for books that need to be written. I’ve got plants to plant, weeds to pull, things to make and stuff to do. We’re not getting any younger, folks. Our day jobs aren’t going away. (I hope mine doesn’t… I need that paycheck!)

If we don’t follow our dreams now, when are we?

We can’t wait any longer.

Who’s with me?

I’m hearing crickets in the audience, but that’s alright. I’ll try to check back in with you so that we can hold each other accountable for our progress. Maybe you’re writing a book, too? Maybe you’re working on furthering your education? Maybe you’ve been trying to finish quilting a blanket or reviving your art skills. Whatever it is, let’s start now.

I need and I want to write again. Write more books, continue books in the series I’ve started. I wrote a blog post. So, what. It’s just a blog post.

I wrote. That is what matters.

Until next time,

Christy

Author Book Signing

Come join me and some of my fabulous author friends for Georgia Romance Writers Author Book Signing, Meet and Greet which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2021 from 4-5pm. This event is open to the public!

STARS, STRIPES AND MISTLETOE!

Stars, Stripes and Mistletoe – Christmas in July. All books for July only!

Are you called to write?

Some people walk around with stories in their head. Maybe you could create a story about my duck friend, a duck I met while on a trip to Walt Disney World. Or, maybe you’ve passed a stranger on the sidewalk and all of the sudden you’ve given him or her a backstory and are working on his goal, motivation and conflict.

If you’ve got a story that needs to be told, consider entering the Taking Flight contest that is currently open for entries through my publisher Winged Publications.

Entries should be clean fiction or inspirational.

Deadline to enter the contest is March 31, 2021.

Take that leap and enter here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It’s the end of October, which is known for all things Autumn and is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I don’t want to be defined by a past illness, but I couldn’t let this month slip by without reminding everyone to keep up with your current medical checks. Breast Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can attack men, too. Keep up with your physician and take care of yourself.

[image error] October 2016

Here’s my story…

In May of 2018, at the age of 43, I finally gave in to a nagging urge to go to the doctor. I hadn’t been to see a primary care physician in four years. Hey, I wasn’t sick. I felt fine. I stayed busy: working, not cooking at home enough/indulging in fast food. My husband and I juggled everything –  who did what for the children, running them here and there – I didn’t have time to go to the doctor for just a general check-up.

Well, by May, I had been ignoring a lump in my left breast for quite some time. I believe a woman’s intuition is a real thing. I believe that God gives us nudges sometimes. He doesn’t stop until we take action. I made an appointment with a brand new PCP, vowing to return every year for general check-ups. I was still patting myself on the shoulder when I arrived for my mammogram appointment the following week. Since my concerns involved my breast, my doctor ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound. She assured me if the mammogram was clear, there would not be a need for the ultrasound.

This mammogram was my first. It’s awkward. It doesn’t really hurt, but it’s just something you have to do. Believe me, you should have your mammogram, as recommended by your doctor. You need to do this because you don’t have to have a history of breast cancer to have it.

For me, my mammogram was followed by an ultrasound. When the ultrasound was complete, the technician asked that I wait in the room while she went to speak with the radiologist. I waited alone, wrapped in a soft robe, studying the details of the room. There was an image of a cherry blossom tree on the ceiling and the white and red hues from the ceiling light through that image were really the only light in the room. A few minutes later, the radiologist came into the room. He sat down inches from me and told me he was very concerned by the mammogram and ultrasound and I should take action as soon as possible. He advised me he would notify my primary doctor to schedule a breast MRI right away.

The following week, on a Monday, I went for the MRI that morning. Later that afternoon, my primary care doctor called me. The diagnostic report confirmed I had breast cancer.

Please know, aside from the lumps I found in my left breast, I had no other indications there was anything wrong. My blood work was perfect. Other than being overweight, I felt fine. Sometimes, cancer does not hurt. Especially at its onset.

My first surgery was in July to insert a chemo port on my upper chest. A few days later, I went for my first chemotherapy. A couple of weeks later, my hair began to fall out and my husband ended up shaving my head. I tried wearing wigs, but those tended to itch my head and felt hot. It was summer, and I live in the south, so we normally do not get a break from the heat until late fall. I ended up investing in soft hats and wore those daily. People look at you funny when you wear those, or they try to appear that they’re not looking at you. Eventually, you get used to it.

[image error] 6 days Pre-Mastectomy, December 2018

By December of 2018, I had a left mastectomy. I’ve learned from other ladies who had one surgery and the physician did everything all at once from removal of the cancerous tissue to reconstruction. I wasn’t well enough to go through all of that at one time. I am thankful that my general surgeon recognized that. At first, I was irritated that I couldn’t have more done at once, but as my journey continued, I realized the doctor had my best interests in mind.

By January 2019 I began taking a pill form of chemo from January to June. Xeloda was a mean form of chemo. Instead of hair loss, I dealt with hand and foot syndrome where my feet and hands were super red and my feet blistered. My oncologist altered my dosage so that I could continue to live comfortably and work.

Yes, work. I was determined to continue working as a claims adjuster during my time of chemotherapy. If I had to do it all over again, I’d take more time to let my body rest.

By August of 2019, I began radiation. The thought of radiation was harder than it actually was. As when I was pregnant, well-meaning people tend to share horror stories. I’m not one of those who feels sharing a bad story is necessary. For me, I had 33 treatments. That breaks down to going to radiation five days a week for a little over six weeks. I used a prescribed cream to help the burning my skin eventually experienced, however the worst part came at the end. I made it. I rang the bell when I was done and I am done.

By November of 2019, along the same time as my first book released, I went in for surgery for the right mastectomy and to insert expanders which was preparing my body for an eventual surgery for implants which happened in March 2020.

It has been a long journey, one I learned a lot, and began to appreciate the care of others even more. I found out the true meaning of a “Get Well” card from people I didn’t know. I was shown grace and love by family and church family in bringing food, by their prayers and by just reaching out to ask how I was doing.

Obviously, I am not a medical professional, and every person’s case is different. I wanted to share my journey to show you what you may be able to avoid, or to share my journey which could be different than another person’s path. The bottom line is, if you have an issue, get it checked. I believe God gave us many gifts and intelligence to help one another. Physicians can’t help you unless you reach out. Don’t delay.

Book Lovers: This is Your Week!

Readers,

Happy Tuesday! Book Lover’s Day arrived on August 9th and we are celebrating you with a HUGE giveaway!
Don’t miss your chance to enter to win a $350 Amazon gift card and 45 books in our Celebrate Lit Multi-Author Giveaway. 
Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/fd40/summer-book-lover-s-day-multi-author-promo
The event and giveaway is going on now through August 15.

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Happy Release Day!

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0897VC2BX

Hi everyone! It’s my pleasure to share my newest release with you. I hope you will head over to Amazon.com and check it out. Here’s a little teaser for you…

A cowboy scarred by the past; he swore he’d never to marry.

She’s running from her mistakes, desperate for help.

His proposal is intended to protect.

But who will protect their hearts when their world breaks apart?

Pinterest: Inspiration to Creation

[image error]Pine Knoll Shores, NC

It’s no secret that I love being near water. Streams, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, oceans inspire and calm me. The photo above is from my trip to Pine Knoll Shores located in the Southern Outer Banks area in North Carolina.

It’s difficult to be inspired by just sitting at your desk, day in and day out. Or maybe you practice your hobby on that big old comfy sofa. Maybe you kick back in your recliner and type witty prose. For me, I’m inspired when I’m driving. But sometimes, it’s not always convenient to drop everything and drive. Sometimes, walking down the sidewalk isn’t possible. Maybe you’re a busy mom or dad and your baby is asleep. Baby sleep time was always my writing time! Now, I have to grab a few moments when I can between work and kid activities. If you have an infant or busy toddler, you don’t want to disturb the little sweetheart by gathering them up in the car seat or stroller if you’ve finally gotten them down for a nap!

And though I love driving, I can’t write while driving. First of all, there is a Hands Free law in my state meaning, you should not be using your phone, or other, while driving. Luckily, my memory is pretty good when it comes to creating new stories. I like to turn on the radio and head out onto the open road. Sometimes I’ll stop and take photos if the scenery is one I want to share or remember. Follow my Instagram page for photos like that.

Another tool I use for inspiration, especially when I need ideas but can’t physically go, is to go online to Pinterest. Here is a link to my Pinterest page for my new release Hope Between Us. I’ve been pinning all sorts of things here.

I also search Pinterest for recipes. I rarely use a cookbook. Pictures and videos, links to blogs or websites, are all so convenient on Pinterest. As far as writing goes, I can look up photos of my favorite actor or actress. I will many times model my character off of the actor I’ve chosen. A while back I was writing about a character who lived in a mansion. I’ve been in several large homes but I needed something to spark my memory. I pinned a couple of homes I found on real estate sites and on Pinterest.

You can also get your friends involved and collaborate on a Pinterest board. There are many opportunities to be inspired using this online tool. It’s one of my favorites. I hope you’ll find you can use it, too, and that it will help you create, even when your creative well feels dry. What inspires you? Do you use Pinterest? Happy creating and pinning!