Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 187

Rachel Sharpe’s Fascination with Film by Stacy Hoff

Hello Passionate Readers! Today I have a guest, crime author Rachel Sharpe. Her stories unfold like movies. A PI flick that would make any film noir buff proud. Read on to learn about Rachel and her fascination with film!

FASCINATION OF FILM

Whether it’s the big screen or small one, there is something about film that draws interest, captivating an audience like nothing else. From comedies and tragedies to everything in between, people love stories and enjoy watching them performed. While this love affair can be traced back to Shakespeare, the ancient Greeks, and even further than that, all in the form of plays, with the introduction of film came a level of enjoyment few other mediums, apart from books, have ever reached.

I, too, share this passion. I have always enjoyed movies, especially the old black and white classics. My husband and I recently visited southern California and took several studio tours and it was from those tours the idea originated that Jordan James could solve a murder on the set of a television show. People love watching movies and television shows, but few have the opportunity to witness them being made.

I took what I learned on this trip to help flesh out the reality of the action that goes on behind the scenes of a television show. Add in one murder, a gorgeous location, in this case the Rocky Mountains, and an eager PI, and you have Bitter Retribution, book three of the Jordan James, PI series. Lights, camera, action!

BITTER RETRIBUTION (JORDAN JAMES, PI BOOK THREE)

“What started out as a star-studded vacation has turned into a sensational avalanche…”

When private investigator Jordan James decided to join her best friend on the set of her hit television series in the Rocky Mountains, she had no idea she would become a key player in a murder mystery more suited for the big screen than the slopes. With one actor dead and a killer on the loose, can Jordan uncover the culprit before another victim makes headlines on Hollywood Minute?

BITTER RETRIBUTION EXCERPT

“Maybe it’ll be okay?” he repeated, his green eyes widening. “Have you decided to eighty-six common sense? Jordan, you watched somebody die today! You yourself said he was murdered. What makes you think everything’s gonna be all sunshine and lollipops with a killer on the loose?”

Amazon link for “BITTER RETRIBUTION” http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94

See below for more from the Jordan James, PI Series – COLD AMBITION and LOST DISTINCTION!!!

COLD AMBITION (JORDAN JAMES, PI BOOK ONE)

“It was my life-long dream to become a private eye. Little did I know that with my very first case, that dream would become a life-threatening nightmare…”

When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof’s edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston’s finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy?

COLD AMBITION EXCERPT

Perilously perched on the edge of a high-rise that offered a spectacular view of Faneuil Hall is most certainly not how I pictured my untimely demise. Call me old-fashioned, but I was kind of hoping to go out in a more peaceful manner. Unfortunately, things don’t happen exactly how you plan them, especially when your chosen profession has the uncanny ability to thrust you into the icy hands of Death. I stood there, inching toward the edge, wondering how it came to this point. But forgive me; I have a tendency to digress. Let me start at the beginning.

Amazon link for “COLD AMBITION” http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/

LOST DISTINCTION (JORDAN JAMES, PI BOOK TWO)

“It all started with a favor…”

When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore…

LOST DISTINCTION EXCERPT

“So, when was the last time you saw Arthur?” I asked as the guys cheered when one of Stuart’s sons scored a touchdown with George’s help.

Michelle stared past the men. “I guess the last time I saw him was at Easter. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cross couldn’t make it back from London in time, we went over to Stuart’s house in Falmouth. I was surprised to see him there.”

“Why? Does he usually avoid family holidays?”

She clapped when Rick carried one of the twins over the “goal line” for a touchdown. She looked back at me and shrugged. “To be honest, I haven’t seen Arthur many times in all the years I’ve been married to Eddie. He lives and works in Middletown but just always seems too busy to come around. Eddie never gave me specifics, but I think Arthur tries to stay away from his family for some reason.”

“He didn’t say why?”

“No,” she shook her head. “Can’t say I blame him…”

I found myself more confused every time I learned more about this situation. As I sat there, I considered all the things I knew as fact. First, Arthur Cross was missing and had been missing for several days. Second, his family was concerned enough about his disappearance that they felt it necessary for his parents to fly in from London, but they did not want to involve the police as it might generate unwanted publicity. Third, they were going to a lot of trouble pretending like nothing was wrong.

I looked across the yard and saw the Crosses watching their children and grandchildren with absolute enjoyment. The last thing I knew was by far the most troubling fact of all. As I sat there, it became crystal clear that this family was hiding a secret. What I didn’t know at the time was how great the secret was and how many lives its revelation would affect, including my own.

Amazon link for “LOST DISTINCTION”  http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Sharpe is the author of Cold Ambition, Lost Distinction, and Bitter Retribution, all part of the Jordan James, PI series. Although born and raised in the South, “Yankee” relatives first led Rachel to historic New England, which she has come to consider her second home and is the setting for the series.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English, Rachel began dedicating her free time to her childhood passion, writing, and in the fall of 2013, she signed with Soul Mate Publishing. An active member of Sisters In Crime, Rachel currently resides with her husband and children in the Greater New Orleans area.

Check Out Rachel’s Sites to Keep Up with Jordan James!!!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorrachelsharpe

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RachelCSharpe

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AMUVJKW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B01AMUVJKW&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

Filed under: films, meet the author, romance, Romance suspense, Stacy Hoff, Suspense

Combating the I HATE EVERYTHING stage by Heather Novak

You know when you lose that “OH MY GOSH I AM GENIUS” high and crash hard into the “I HATE EVERYTHING! WHY AM I A WRITER” stage? That’s where I was all week. Here’s something to know: This is completely normal. If I don’t have the I HATE EVERYTHING stage, there’s something wrong.

So how to do you combat it? 

Only you know where the problems are. However, I took a step back and looked at my manuscript not as a labor of love, but as a business plan. What was wrong? I’m currently working on a YA Crossover and I didn’t have the class schedule right. I didn’t have the mannerisms for teens right, and I was trying to make high school more like college. 

I made note on how I think my story should go and closed my manuscript, then hit the internet. I needed information on co-ed boarding schools. My personal experience was at an all-girl day school, so this was definitely not in the “write what you know” category. The research helped write scenes for me. The pictures in the brochure gave me ideas of how to have student interact on campus. Research helped me through a block.

Another type of research was genre research. I reached out to some of my favorite book readers and asked them for their favorite books in the genre I was writing from the top five publishers. I spent my lunch periods all week reading or listening to a new book, highlighting things I loved and going back to review them later. This really got the juices flowing.

I went on Spotify and searched their recommend for me section and fell in love with a new artist. New music always gives me a new flow of ideas!

I decided Friday night was a good day to take a break. I’m fighting a sinus infection and my heard hurt, but I had energy. I did constructive projects – replacing light bulbs, fixing lamps, mending drapes, hanging pictures, and then I settled into updating my address book. I put on my favorite audiobook of all time and let my mind wander. 

I realized my biggest issue was the pressure I was putting on myself to make this book the best book I’ve ever written ever! However, that’s what editing is for. I can’t edit a chapter that isn’t there. So I better suck it up and write!

Today, I’m feeling better. I’m going to read my story from the beginning straight through to my trouble spot. I’m going to reconnect with my characters and make notes of anything I missed. Then I’m going to shut off my mind by putting a familiar song on repeat (on headphones!) and go into that place where I don’t edit my writing as I type. I craft the chapter, then go back and nitpick it. 

You’ve got this! You’ll get through the I HATE EVERYTHING stage with a little kindness. Here are a few famous authors in the same boat.

On This Day in 2004 – Google Inc. announced that it would be introducing a free e-mail service called Gmail.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Spring 2016

Threat of Raine: Spring 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: Spring 2016

Filed under: romance

Love or….Maybe Not

Today I’m going to talk love. Not in how to write about it or why we feel so much but more to revel in how incredibly different we all are in how we interpret and feel love.

Today, a friend of mine had his girlfriend break up with him via text. I know this happens a ton these days because we rely so much on electronic gadgets as a means of communication, but call me a traditionalist or old-fashioned, I think this is an absolutely cowardly thing to do.

So now? Well. He’s heartbroken. The crazy thing is that it has only been a few weeks. My logical mind is asking, “How in love could he be?” And the romantic side of me is reminiscing in the early period with my now husband. We we so crazy in love or so we thought. Only in time did it grow to a deeper feeling that I now believe is a truer version of love. But perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps it is all love–just at differing degrees.

I wouldn’t ever call myself logical, but as I listen to all these stories of my co-workers and friends I can’t help but wonder where they meet the people they date. They sound desperate and confused, needy and selfish–and I’m sure I’m not even scratching the surface. It honestly all sounds very scary and admittedly I don’t blame them for being afraid to date let alone open up enough to fall in love. Being on the other side, I have to say it is completely worth it if you can find love.

Happy writing this week and good luck in all ventures of love.

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly

Ordered 40 Copies of Alpha for Romancing the Capitol by Mandy Rosko

Okay, so this is take two of this post since for some magical reason the last post didn’t upload and my computer restarted so….yeah.

Anyway! I ordered about 40 print copies of Alpha for RTC in May. I’ll be giving them away as free gifts to readers who sign up for me Reader List I still have to order more books, but at this point I think it would be better to wait until pay day to get the rest :S Lol, I keep spending a ton of money on this thing.

So far for the event, I’m going to have buttons, stickers, water bottles and now print books. I’d like to get at least a hundred of them, but we’ll see how that turns out. Copies of As Cold As Ice also seem kind of important. I had the first two books in the series at last year’s convention, so I kind of want to bring this book for this year

The third book I’ll bring will likely be Arrangement with a Billionaire, since that will be the newest one. Still have to get the spine and back cover ready for it.

If any of you here are going to RTC, let me know! I love meeting readers!

 

BTW, you can get my Starter Library of Paranormal romances for Free by signing up for my Reader List at this location:   http://mandyrosko.com/contact.php

Happy Reading!

~Mandy

Filed under: romance

Spring has Sprung Paranormal-Scope

Crocuses are bursting from the ground. Tulips are appearing too. It’s time to begin anew again and clear out old thought patterns.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Werewolves frolic in the new grass. New opportunities are coming your way. Do your research and make good decisions.

Taurus:

Elves are dancing. Spring fever has hit. This is the time to make new friends.

Gemini:

Pixies are confused. Too many things are happening at once. Take a breather and don’t get overwhelmed. Make a priority list and do one thing at a time.

Cancer:

A vampire will reveal interesting news. It will surprise you.

Leo:

Goblins spend too much time counting money. You don’t spend enough. Be careful of your finances.

Virgo:

Faeries love little animals. Watching the baby bunnies play puts them in a good mood. Do your favorite things and cherish these things in your life.

Libra:

Dragons have fled to their caves due to a secret fear of bunnies. Don’t let any fear stand in your way to your dream.

Scorpio:

Leprechauns are enjoying the clover. Luck is coming your way.

Sagittarius:

Mermaids love the warmth of the spring sunshine on the water. Make time to enjoy nature.

Capricorn:

Griffons take wing for a new adventure. Will you do the same?

Aquarius:

Faeries find you worthy. A gift is there for you to find.

Pisces:

Hobbits embrace spring cleaning. Follow their lead. Relieve yourself of clutter.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook and Print, and Kobo.

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

 

 

 

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Happy Easter 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Happy Easter to everyone!

For a little Easter entertainment I thought you might like  this clip from Easter Parade.  I’ll be back next week with another post about heroes.

 

Filed under: Holidays, Jenna Jaxon

You Are Invited!

You are invited to book readings by myself and also Caroline Davis on Thursday,

March 31st from 3-4 p.m. in the Smith Library at Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT.  The two readings will be followed by a Q&A on vampires, romance, and publishing.

If you are in the area, I’d love to see you. I won’t be selling books at this event. I will, however, sign books that people bring from home.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook and Print, and Kobo.

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

 

 

 

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Writer’s World Building & How it Effects POV by Stacy Hoff

I’ve traveled a lot in 2015 for business. No, not for my “day job” as an attorney. (That would be impossible anyway, since I am chained to my desk like a Doberman to its doghouse.) My travels have been for my business as a romance novelist, wedged into already busy weekends. Why? Because accuracy in scene-setting is a mandatory part of a writer’s “world building.”

Hence, my travels. I packed up my toothbrush, my family, and plugged in “I’ve been Everywhere,” by Johnny Cash.

For one recent story I’ve published, “Art and Seduction,” (released in the anthology HOT SEDUCTION—SIX SIZZLING TALES) I visited New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, because the Met plays an important role in the story.

Photo of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Mind you, I actually grew up  in Manhattan, and only a few blocks away from the Met. I walked there hundreds of times during my youth. So why go back and visit a place I know so well? Because it’s important to me to be as accurate as possible. I don’t want to write what I remember, I want to write what I see.

There is a scene in “Art and Seduction” where my heroine travels to the Met, a place she has always yearned to go to. So I wanted to write this scene from the point-of-view of someone who had never been there.  What would it be like to see the grand edifice for the first time? I wanted to try to see this majestic place as it it were my very first time.

A few months ago, I also focused on writing other manuscripts. One of them (set in the world of horse racing) takes place in Belmont Park (New York City) and Saratoga Springs (in New York State). Visiting these places was quite different from my visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art because I had never been to either Belmont or Saratoga. This was the exact opposite from my experience writing “Art and Seduction,” because in my horse racing story my heroine knew these areas well, although I did not. Hence, I explored Belmont and Saratoga with the mindset of someone who was so familiar with these places it was a fundamental part of who they were.

Photo of Saratoga Springs

As a writer, the difference in writing these two novels is in the point-of-view. What a character will notice when they visit someplace new is quite different from what the character will notice in a place they know well.

What do you notice when you go someplace new?

Above photographs: Copyright Stacy Hoff 2015. All rights reserved.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AMUVJKW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B01AMUVJKW&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set contributors: Jamie K. Schmidt, Stacy Hoff, Holly Roberts, Theresa Hissong, Susan Griscom & Leia Shaw):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

Filed under: romance, Settings, Stacy Hoff, Writing, Writing Craft, writing research

Life Happens: How to Prioritize by Heather Novak

Life happens. 

You have everything planned out then BAM! Your plan goes to pieces and you’re standing there wondering how to make it all fit back together again. 

For instance, back in October when I planned for my Lynch Brothers Trilogy to be out by early Spring, I had a plan. Every week had a goal until publication. My schedule was set.

But everyone who works on a book is human. We all have killer workloads, emergencies, and health scares. Once the books got delayed at one station, they had to be rescheduled later in other stations. It was one hit after the other, and unfortunately it’s three books, not just one. That means three times the work. Suddenly, it’s March and the books are at least two months from being ready to go.  

Then my landlord hits us with the possibility of selling our place, so we may need to move in June.

Then I got an amazing opportunity to submit another manuscript to an agent I adore.

Then I got engaged and picked a wedding date THIS YEAR, because I want my grandparents to be there while they’re able.

But wait, I have book signings coming up! I don’t have books for them yet!

WHOA!

Sound familiar? Maybe not the exact situations, but the overload of all crazy-important things?

How the heck do I (or you or anyone) prioritize what’s most important? By breaking it down in small, bite-sized chunks.

Start by taking a look at each big-ticket item on your to-do list and asking yourself where is there more to lose?

1) Moving.

Holy crap, moving is awful, am I right? I have come to terms that if we need to move, we will be paying extra for help – packing and unpacking included. I have started saving extra for the added cost and been in contact with a realtor we like. I can’t make the decision for my landlord, so I will have to hang tight and just keep things as organized as I can for easy packing. (HA!) This moves lower on the list until the decision is made.

2) What’s this amazing opportunity with the agent?

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting one of my all time favorite agents last week at my local RWA meeting. (FANGIRLING TO THE MAX!) I was invited to submit a partial of my Young Adult book to her within a certain time frame. For me to be comfortable sending a manuscript to an agent, it must be edited, beta read, and proofread. I know this will take most of the time frame allotted to turn in the manuscript.

This is an opportunity I cannot pass up. There is a lot to lose here, moving it to the top of the list.

3) Wedding.

Yes, this is important, so we budgeted for a solution. We shelled out the money for a brilliant planner and cut our guest list to pay for it. Truly, the best idea. She’s already paid for herself twice over and we both wanted a smaller wedding. While some things are important right now, like finalizing the guest list, the planner is doing most of the heavy lifting. Not a lot to lose, so it goes down on the list.

4) The Trilogy.

I have fans (hi, fans!!) asking when the books will be out nearly every week. One of the books needs some major edits (per my beta feedback). So how do I decide which deadline is more important? The trilogy or the YA?

Again, where is there more to lose?

My Answer: I did research on NA vs YA sales in ebook/print/indie/traditional, trends in self-publishing, talked to people about what’s popular and what’s coming up in the genre market, and did actual math (ew) calculating the chances of me acquiring a dream agent (0.02% , if you want to get real about it). At the end of the day, I would lose the most if I let the opportunity with the agent fall through my fingers. So, I’m spending the next few weeks perfecting my YA.

What’s that mean for the rest of my list?

It means learning not to panic. It means accepting that we’re all human and it’s okay to figure it out as we go along. It’s okay to hand off the jobs where possible (wedding planner, movers) and tackle the biggest tasks with the most to lose first.

As my friend’s grandson says, “You worry about you.”

Good luck with all your hard decisions! And remember, you don’t need to have all the answers today. Just trust your gut.

On this day in 1883 – The first telephone call between New York and Chicago took place.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Spring 2016

Threat of Raine: Spring 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: Spring 2016

Filed under: romance

Glass Half Full or… Empty

By now, any one of you who reads my blog often enough, probably has guessed that I’m an optimist. I try to see the positive of any situation and admittedly, I believe this approach makes me approachable and able to relate with the majority of people. That being said, I also believe I’m a realist in that I don’t necessarily see the world as sunshine and rainbows. I try to see it for what it is, but I realize enough to know that we can only do what we can do and for each of us, that potential may differ.

So why choose to be this way (as it is a choice that takes considerable effort sometimes). Well, life is short and the truth is I’d rather spend it doing something I prefer and trying to make any difference I can make versus complaining about all the things I’m missing out on in life or complaining about everything I believe is wrong. In a way, this attitude also helps me be productive. I don’t dwell on what I can’t do but instead start with what I can and that usually makes even the most difficult of situations more feasible.

I’d like to say that looking at the world with this optimistic viewpoint is easy, but it isn’t at first or even all the time. I have definitely had my down moments and those are easy to let spiral, but what always keeps me coming back to this positive mentality is the realization that dwelling on the negative really doesn’t get me anywhere and motion is what keeps me motivated.

Life isn’t fair. It’s hard work and we have a gazillion battles to fight. What are you going to do about it?

Happy writing this week!

 

 

Filed under: romance, writing life