Elora Canne's Blog, page 3
December 17, 2024
FREE Affirmations Booklet
Enjoy these empowering affirmations, especially over this busy holiday season.
Free Affirmations eBook: UK
Free Affirmations eBook: Australia
Free Affirmations eBook: U.S.
Available anywhere Amazon operates.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.
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Elora Canne is a relationship writer who strives to highlight stories that strengthen the bond between couples, families, friends and even one's self.Find Elora's books here:* En Route - https://bit.ly/En-Route-the-Best* Creating Sparks - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGDFGN6S... for more relationship chats and emotive book reviews: https://creatingsparksthatlast.blogsp... indie author on:Indie Book Vault - https://www.instagram.com/indiebookvault
November 30, 2024
Silly Season Antics
Here are my Top 3 Tips for escaping Silly Season Antics:
1. Deep BELLY breathing
Main takeaway: JUST BREATHE
2. Solitude
Main Takeaway: Find solitude, even if it’s in the LOO
3. Journaling - But it must be handwritten.
Here’s the correlation between handwriting and your wellbeing:
Benefits of Handwriting - Psychology Today
It can be as simple as: All is well today.If you have time for more, all the better.
Main Takeaway: Journal just a FEW WORDS
If you can’t manage all 3 tips, just one of them will help.
BONUS TIP:Something we can all do. Set a reminder on your phone to take a moment. Just a moment to reflect. Here’s mine:
I’ve set my reminder for 15.00 daily (I know, the list calls itself Morning Intention), for the ENTIRE month of December. I’ve sent myself some pink love hearts to remind me to take a moment to reflect.
And that, my friends, is how you escape Silly Season Antics. Please share these tips with your friends. We could all use a little help during the holidays.
꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜Writing News: 🤩I have so much exciting news for you!
I’ve joined the All I Want for Christmas joy ride with author Iris Carden 🤶🏻
Tap the link here: All I Want for Christmas
Author Iris CardenNew Release Books:
Robert Fear has published his anthology with my Drowned Rat to Triathlete story included. It’s available today 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Here’s the link for you: 25 Treasured Memories
Robert FearI’ve had two new book releases in the last few weeks:
My children’s series, Milky Way Adventures Book 2 is now available!SHIMMER takes us on a caving adventure with siblings Rachael and Sam.
They experience disaster, only to be rescued by Noreena and Jasper who ‘appear’ friendly on the surface.
It’s a race to escape captivity or be coerced into a dangerous mission. Suitable for boys and girls aged 7-11.
Currently No. 1 in Children’s Environment & Ecology Books.
SHIMMER eBook:
SHIMMER Paperback
꩜꩜꩜꩜
In my nonfiction genre I’ve released an accompanying booklet with affirmations from my memoir.
En Route Affirmations: Daily affirmations for your personal growth
Each affirmation offers my insight and provides space for your insight to be handwritten on the pages provided.
Perfect for short, sweet journaling to escape Silly Season Antics.
Affirmations Paperback: (Black and white interior)
Affirmations Hardcover: (Colour interior)
That’s it from me this year. Take time off to enjoy yourself and remember your self-care.
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Elora Canne is a relationship writer who strives to highlight stories that strengthen the bond between couples, families, friends and even one's self.Find Elora's books here:* En Route - https://bit.ly/En-Route-the-Best* Creating Sparks - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGDFGN6S... for more relationship chats and emotive book reviews: https://creatingsparksthatlast.blogsp... indie author on:Indie Book Vault - https://www.instagram.com/indiebookvault
November 23, 2024
News You Can Use
Hello Readers, we could all do with some good news right?
I'll get straight to it. I released a new book last week and have so far given it a 'soft' launch. The reason for this, is that I met with an obstacle in the printing process and have tried to figure out how to change things. Long story short, I can't. Change things, that is. At least not in this instance because it involves Amazon and I simply don't have that kind of power...yet!
Here's the issue. Amazon Australia cannot print internal pages in colour, and that is where my book is printed from. However, I can print a colour version in most other countries where Amazon delivers. The biggest hurdle was having to make it a hardcover book because paperback format kept replacing the black and white version already available. As you know, hardcover books are expensive. Although the book in question will make a lovely gift for someone special in your life.
What is it you ask? Well I'm glad you finally did 🤣
My new book is an affirmations booklet with carefully selected passages taken from my memoir, En Route: The Best is Yet to Be.
Hence, the booklet's title, En Route Affirmations: Daily affirmations for your personal growth.
Do you see how the two titles fit snugly together? The affirmations booklet as two blank pages after every affirmation, for you to write your thoughts and ideas down.
Here's the good news you've been waiting for, my memoir: En Route: The Best is Yet To Be is FREE for you today. I wanted to do that for you so you can highlight the affirmations in the memoir to get background and deeper understanding of them.
FREE: En Route: The Best is Yet To Be
En Route memoir paperback - reduced price
En Route Affirmations - Black and White Paperback
En Route Affirmations - Colour Hardcover
I would love nothing better (except maybe coffee - okay, my family too) than for you to highlight and write in both memoir and affirmations respectively and show me in an email, message or social media post. It would make my heart sing to know that my words have resonated with you 😍
Speaking of, my dear author friend, Leeza Baric, aka Wobbly Woman, has referenced my work in her new release book which comes out today. How amazing is that!?
Her latest book is called:
Wobbly Woman’s Guide to Self-Love - AND, more good news, it’s FREE too:
FREE: Wobbly Woman’s Guide to Self-Love
Free for 3 days: 22-24 November 2024.
Leeza speaks to our innermost fears and our desires and gives us practical tools to overcome, and achieve, both, respectively. I have found her work to be immensely helpful.
Remember to subscribe for more good news you can use:
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November 7, 2024
99 Dates to Remember
This super fun book disrupts the dating scene in that you get to measure the success of each date as you go.
Plus, there is a section to include a photograph, movie ticket, receipt or other paste-ons in the book.
What I Loved About the Book:
The author, Jennifer Ocean, offers straightforward dating ideas; no wading through reams of pages desperately searching for 'the one.'
Simple, achievable date ideas.
Not only that, the dates are divided into three segments:
at home, outdoors, places to go You get to choose.
This is subjective, I'll admit, but I felt the dating suggestions were primarily aimed at younger adults.
🏎️🏎️ For example, I wouldn't go go-karting on a date, however, in my thirties I did go on an Advanced Driving Course date, so there's that.
Each segment is guided by cost, with plenty of free, affordable, or extravagant options to choose from.
Many of the author's date suggestions include opportunities anyone can do. Some of my favourites include:
Board Game Night - A game neither of you have ever played before. My experience was 'Exit the Abandoned Cabin' which we never achieved, but had a great time trying.
Others I would recommend: Bike-ride to a new area, rooftop dining combined with stargazing, learn a language.
It is well documented that couples who invest time in each other reap the rewards for years to come.
This is true of regularly scheduled date outings.
A date does not always need to be romantic, but it should always be memorable.
>>> It should always bring a deeper appreciation for your partner and deeper insight into your awareness.
These are the valuable attributes every couple should nurture in a relationship to help it thrive.
TikTok: 99 Dates To Remember
October 8, 2024
Embracing The New
You've heard it before, but today, I'm giving you the HOW and the WHY of letting go.
September brought about massive growth for me in both my business and personal capacity.
This spilled over into the first week of October where growth became epiphany.
And that, I just had to share with you.
I'll start with the easier business achievements to record and move on to the more complex areas of personal growth after.
Every year I choose a word to embrace for the season of my CURRENT journey I'm experiencing, in order to expand on that in the best way for me, in the coming months. This year my word was COMFORTABLE and it has served my expansion so very well.
BUSINESS GROWTHAs a recovering people-pleaser, I finally had to embrace the notion that I simply could not please everyone, in other words, I had to grow into the idea of being COMFORTABLE being disliked.
To start this rollercoaster off, I enthusiastically sent many of my manuscripts previously hidden from the public eye, for submission with traditional publishers. I had to feel COMFORTABLE with rejection.Next, I submitted short stories for anthologies and had to lean into becoming COMFORTABLE with the vulnerability of shedding my former self and revealing the real me with stories that were close to my heart.Lastly, I braved the world of digital magazines and had three stories published with three highly esteemed presses. This required a huge amount of growth into feeling COMFORTABLE establishing myself in the world of professional storytellers.PERSONAL GROWTH
Gosh, where to begin?
I have had a life-long fear of driving on motorways since I got my driver's license at the age of 17. I'm talking panic attack level of fear. Jelly legs, constricted throat, sweaty palms, crying tears, stomach in knots, dry mouth kind of fear.
I decided to tackle this fear with forced exposure to driving on motorways more frequently this year. I drove with my husband who embraced his learning curve of becoming a more relaxed passenger in order to help me feel more COMFORTABLE. I drove with a self-confessed nervous passenger friend who confidently sat next to me as I drove us along the motorway.
All of this was in anticipation of my mom's visit from overseas, so that I could confidently drive us around to see new places. I succeeded! I felt COMFORTABLE in the driver's seat on the motorway.
In fact, I felt so COMFORTABLE that I was ready to tackle the motorways by myself. I've only done this once before in my entire 58 years of life, and I cried the whole way from start to finish.
This time, though I was nervous, I wasn't struck with anxiety. I ordered myself an iced coffee to sip away any dry mouth moments - it worked a treat. You know how much I love my coffee. I managed to get Siri to play my 'Favourites' playlist on Spotify. I was so COMFORTABLE on the motorway that I belted out my best songs with gusto. Huge moment for me. I got home without any of my previous fear-based symptoms.
Disclaimer: Overcoming a crippling fear does NOT happen overnight.
This ties in with my business growth of becoming COMFORTABLE being disliked. I simply had to establish boundaries after finally becoming saturated with emotional manipulation that I couldn't physically take on anymore for the sake of my relationship with this acquaintance. I had to be COMFORTABLE being cold shouldered and shunned, and it feels so freeing!
A separate area of growth I undertook this year was to explore new fitness experiences. I took on my first sprint triathlon and came stone last. And I am so very proud of myself for being COMFORTABLE with the cringe-worthy feeling of coming last while trying something new. Once again, HUGE growth.
NOW FOR THE 'HOW' AND 'WHY' OF LETTING GOThe 'why:'
Where there is freedom, there is growth.
And where there is growth, there are new exciting experiences that you never could have foretold!
As for the 'how,' simply embrace the feelings of fear, rejection and being disliked, without absorbing them into your body. Embrace but don't absorb them, feel them, label them because that's where the healing starts, but for the love of all things holy, don't allow them into your psyche. When we embrace something, it is external, keep these feelings external, do not allow them into your body. Just ride them out until they pass, again, and again, and again. Until they no longer have power over your feelings.
This is heavy stuff, and if you need to see a counsellor to help you navigate this letting go journey, please pick up the phone and make the call today.
Remember to share this article with anyone you feel might need it, or in fact, with anyone you feel you can't talk too about these issues but who you need to hear this message.
I'd love to hear how you are tracking with your word of the year or goals, as we countdown the last 3 months of 2024. Drop me a comment, or an email: elora.canne@gmail.com - Subject heading: 2024 GOALS
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September 2, 2024
Author Reveals All in Her Autobiography
Last month we introduced author, A.R. Grosjean, a fiction writer who has turned her hand to nonfiction in her reveal-all autobiography, Broken.
🎉 Today is release day for her enigmatic story 🎉
Let’s hear from Amber as she answers our questions below:
BROKEN: An Autobiography by A.R. Grosjean
Tap the link for buy options
I have posed four questions for A.R. Grosjean which she has answered in her signature refreshingly honest style of writing.
1. How did you manage your mental health while writing this emotive story?
I was told that telling my story would help me heal. I’ve been in therapy off and on my entire life and it did help sometimes to talk through things.
As I told my story, I kept telling myself that it was going to help me get through the pain from my past. I do feel a little more relieved getting things off my chest. I can say the name the kids called me without crying, which kind of did surprise me, but my husband already helped me cross that bridge when we first met. This helped my mind process it in a different way that I didn’t know was possible for me.
I was always afraid of anger since I’d seen my father have it so easily. I still don’t like being that angry but I think it helped me move past it. I also put myself in other people’s shoes quite easily. I felt like it was someone else telling me my story at times. I think that may have helped. Being able to walk away after giving a piece of my story also helped.
I wrote this story in small pieces over the year so as I read it to myself, I was able to go deeper into the memory without as much pain. It is still there but with the help of my husband it’s not as bad.
2. Doyou feel that you benefitted in any way from the route your life took?
Being able to look back into my past, with mature eyes, I am able to see why things happened and why I reacted in the way I did. Knowing what I know now, I can tell it was needed.
It has made me a little more sympathetic toward others, understanding, forgiving, open minded, forgiving, less judgemental, etc. It gave me all the qualities a writer needs to tell a good story.
I believe it also strengthened my imagination.
So, did I benefit? I think so, yes. I’m just glad the suicide didn’t work when I was 10 because I would have missed out on all of the good things that happened in my life—my husband, my children, my grandchildren, and all the books I’ve written and will write.
3. Are you continuing your memoirs?Yes. I will be writing my journey about homelessness.
I learned a lot and witnessed a lot. I couldn’t believe how many people reacted in negative ways towards the homeless. It made me feel disgusted about people.
But then someone would surprise me and give me a little goodness back into my heart. When someone told me to write about my experiences with homelessness, I began keeping records and took pictures when I could. Of course, I’ve lost all of that, but it isn’t going to stop me from telling my story. I may have to find other areas in my life to share lol.
4. Towhat do you contribute your strength through the trials you underwent?My husband is the biggest contributor. I was really lucky to find him. It is true laughter is the best medicine. Though I still suffer from depression, he made it a little more tolerable and manageable. Some of him even rubbed off on to me lol.
Writing also helps because I’ve been able to escape into my worlds. Sometimes I get a little carried away and get a little too focused on them. But I love all of my characters. They are an extension of who I am. Instead of bottling things up, I can put my fears and angers in them and release some of my emotions through them.
I am also a work-in-progress. I will never be perfect, so sometimes I do break down.
Sometimes, I still run away from things. I’m learning not to do that.
I don’t work because of that. I don’t consider cleaning rooms a real job lol. It’s just something to do and I do enjoy it because I am told I am needed—something everyone needs to hear now and then.
Other contributors include my grandchildren. I can be silly and they don’t judge me. They love me and don’t care about my past. I can start fresh with them. And they make me laugh just as my husband does, in a cuter way.
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A.R. GrosjeanThank you A.R. Grosjean for these revealing insights into your work and yourself. I feel your readers have a special window into your world which forms the backstory to your autobiography, Broken.
Congratulations on release day!
For more information and where to buy A.R. Grosjean's autobiography, Broken, follow the links below:
Instagram: A.R. Grosjean (Amber)Website: A.R. Grosjean Author
Elora Canne is a relationship writer who strives to highlight stories that strengthen the bond between couples, families, friends and even one's self.Find Elora's books here:* En Route - https://bit.ly/En-Route-the-Best* Creating Sparks - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGDFGN6S... for more relationship chats and emotive book reviews: https://creatingsparksthatlast.blogsp... indie author on:Indie Book Vault - https://www.instagram.com/indiebookvault
August 4, 2024
New Autobiography by A.R. Grosjean
Broken: An Autobiographyby A.R. Grosjean
Join author, A.R.Grosjean on her journey as a survivor of bullying and emotional struggles.
With herunderlying message of not giving up, you will find a woman of strength andresilience surrounding her inner turmoil of vulnerability and fragility.
Trigger Warning:
This story contains themesof mental abuse. However, it is told in a gently unfolding, manageable manner.
My 5 Star Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Despite the topicbeing deep and heavy, A.R. Grosjean writes with refreshing honesty. As such,her book, Broken, embraces the genre of autobiography perfectly.
The author takesus on a visual voyage as we see inside her life as an often-overlooked childand, later through the window of her school days, a bullied teenager, into adulthood.
Her childhoodquestions are never answered and as such she grapples to understand thistreatment from people she felt rejected by. Here in lies the author’s innerstrength. Recognizing the need to distance herself from the negativity andensuing hurt, A.R. Grosjean makes a courageous decision to move away from hertraitorous past and those who betrayed her.
Why I would recommend thisbook:
As autobiographiesgo, you will be hard pressed to find a more apt story told through the eyes ofthe child becoming the adult. Frightened, brave, questioning, and finally theresolve to never give up. It has everything a reader wants in a personal story.
What I didn’t love aboutthis book:
I was so investedin the author’s story that I didn’t want to wait for the sequel! However, I do understand thatit was necessary for the length of Broken and it, in no way, impactedthe flow of the story.
Favourite Quotes:
My favourite quote that depicts the author’ssincerity brilliantly:
‘Words are just wordsuntil they are backed up by actions.’
A relationship quote that defines young love:
‘I was in love withthe idea of being in love.’
Quote that defines mature relationships:
‘It takes two to makea relationship work – any relationship.’
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Congratulations to A.R. Grosjean for her autobiography, Broken. I feel that it is an important piece of work to get out into the world. It highlights the dangers of bullying and the impact on one's mental health, which is a topic of utmost importance in our society. I was fortunate to read an early copy of Broken, however, you can place your preorders now, with release date being 2 September 2024.
Find more details and preorder options at these links:Preorder: Broken, An Autobiography by A.R. GrosjeanInstagram: A.R. Grosjean (Amber)
Website: A.R. Grosjean Author
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July 14, 2024
Couldn't Wait to Share
And for good reason I might add.
My most exciting news is that my novella manuscript is nearing publication stage and I am seeking a street team to help with its visibility. Love & Laughter (And other disasters) is a 31000 word friends-to-lovers contemporary fiction story.
If you enjoy clean romance, empowering midlife protagonists and schmoozy cats, reach out for your chance to read it first! But, reading the novella is not essential if you'd just like to be on the street team. We're simply sharing promotional posts for it, now and again. No review required.
Comment your interest below, or email me if you'd prefer: elora.canne@gmail.com - Subject heading: LAL Novella
My second exciting piece of news is that my memoir, EN ROUTE, is available FREE to members of the group We Love Memoirs on Facebook. It's easy to join and is well-known as the friendliest group on Facebook.
Here's the link for you: We Love Memoirs Facebook Group An admin will approve your request and then you can begin your binge of memoirs as soon as you see a 'giveaway' post.
That's it for today, short and sweet, just like me - ahah I crack myself up.
Remember to subscribe for more relationship ideas that leave you happy and fulfilled.July 7, 2024
Romance and Icing
July’s edition has a few surprises.
Let’s start with the icing on the cake! ALL my family joined me for my birthday weekend, which was tons of fun and a rare get together with everyone present. There was cake, of course, homemade Victoria sponge which was the second time I’d made that recipe, and store-bought chocolate mud cake, YUM. We played giant lawn games which I think the neighbours enjoyed as much as we did, given the shrieks of hilarity that accompanied our games; we built a wood fire for s’mores; gazed at our sparkling starry sky, and now my heart is filled with so much love.
☺
Next up, I unexpectedly started writing a new story I’m jumping up and down about. I couldn’t sleep one night last week and a story idea came to me so I started making notes. Soon enough it started flowing into a story and I kept going until 2am!
Here’s the premise: Veda is a 30-something data analyst not looking for love. She receives a gift from a random stranger that changes the trajectory of her life dramatically. She confides in a colleague, and her best friend, who both give her polar opposite advice; should she reciprocate with a gift, or call the police?
I’m keen to keep the momentum going and finish the story this year - despite my other manuscripts begging for my attention.
I still have my two nonfiction stories to finish - Uluru and England, plus my epic Moonflower Maiden YA fantasy, and several children’s stories, but this mystery romance just has to be written.
☺
Through beta feedback of my novella, Love & Laughter (And other disasters), I’ve implemented changes that I’m really excited about. I had incorporated a neighbourhood of midlife friends-to-lovers but am now focusing on the central couple, Louis and Meryl, with their friends and neighbours as an offshoot from the main love story. I think this fresh look will make a great story!
☺
And now for our brand new Relationship Reinvention segment. Here’s my groundbreaking tip:
Romance is a DIY thing!
Buy the bubbles, the flowers, the candles and own it!
Short, sharp and to the point. Make romance your way.
Do you agree? Do you think we should wait to ‘be romanced’ or take the opportunity to create our own little romantic rendevouz ourselves?
I look forward to reading your opinion on this topic, join the conversation in a comment below.
Till next month, bye for now.
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Elora Canne is a relationship writer who strives to highlight stories that strengthen the bond between couples, families, friends and even one's self.
Her memoir, En Route, is available on Amazon in paperback and ebook format at the following links:
Paperback: EN ROUTE Paperback
eBook: EN ROUTE eBook
Remember to subscribe for more relationship ideas that leave you happy and fulfilled.June 5, 2024
Bachelor Bungalows
I went on a deep dive recently to find the perfect bachelor pad for my fictional bachelors in two of my manuscripts. I wanted realistic bungalows for them and felt that these three suited their stories.
(All images sourced from Canva and Unsplash)
Bungalow 1
Bungalow 2
Of my two manuscripts, one has a shy, isolated yet genuine bachelor, Nel in Forest of Sun and Shadows.The other, from Love & Laughter (And other disasters), has a bold, charming mid-life bachelor, Louis.
Bungalow 3
Both are perfect gentleman with only honourable intent regarding their lady friends, but will they be lucky in love? You’ll have to find out when both books release in early 2025.
I would love your input regarding suitable bungalows for both bachelors, from the choices above.
Leave a comment below this post to let me know.
News from my holiday in England:I had a fantastic time climbing Glastonbury Tor in whipping wind, exploring the delights of Wells Cathedral, walking amongst wildflowers on the moors and headlands of the South Coast Path.
Quaint villages, literary places of interest, unique beaches and the South Devon Chili Farm all added up to a memorable holiday.
But more than that, I felt like I had finally arrived; in life, in London, in love. This was more than just a holiday, it formed the bones of a fairytale life come true and I can’t wait to write it up in a new book.
It’ll be a spin-off (as opposed to a sequel), of my memoir En Route, both of which, outline mid-life love and how to make a success of it.
I left complimentary copies of my memoir dotted around Southwest England because so much of it speaks of my deep connection with my past, and my ancestors, from the area. Their stories of resilience, love and longevity inspire me.
If you’re in England, specifically Dunster in Somerset and Torquay in Devon, visit the guest library shelves and you might find yourself a signed copy of En Route.
Millstream Cottage B&B, Dunster, Somerset UK
The Grand Hotel, Torquay, Devon, UK
Alternatively, you can find a copy at this buy link:
EN ROUTE:
And now to end off with some highlights from my stay in the land of my dreams, England.
Wells Cathedral and the Astronomical Clock
Glastonbury Tor from atop and below
Cheddar Gorge with King Arthur’s Sword in Stone
Camelot Castle Hotel, Cornwall
Wildflowers (and me) on Bodmin Moor
South Coast Path at Berry Head, Brixham
Sea view from The Grand Hotel, TorquayI hope you’ve enjoyed this little vignette of my glorious time in England. (There is plenty more of my holiday on my social media at the links below). Remember to drop a comment below with your feedback on appropriate bungalows for our eligible bachelors.
What I’m Currently Reading: Murder at Monterey - find it here on GoodreadsMurder at Monterey by Ellen Read is a cosy mystery set in Queensland, Australia. The book releases on 14 June 2024 and is open for pre-order now.
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Bonus pic of Maisie Moonlight happily ensconced on my reading bench, happy to be back home after her holiday at the cattery.
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