Jennifer Probst's Blog, page 16

Bestselling Authors Reading Mean Reviews

As authors, we don’t expect everyone to love our books. We also have to find a way around the piercing pain a bad review can cause so we can pick ourselves up and keep going.

In the spirit of Jimmy Kimmel’s Celebrities Read Mean Tweets… we bring you Bestselling Authors Read Mean Reviews.

If you’d like to read the books featured and form your own opinions, there are links below.

Enjoy!

 

 

Featuring (In Order Of Appearance):

Carly Phillips – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 47 books with Dare to Love
Ranae Rose – Amazon bestselling author of 29 books with Sleepy Hollow
Jayne Rylon – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 40 book with Powertools
Lori Foster – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of more than 80 books with A Perfect Storm
Sidney Bristol – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 26 books with Falling For His Best Friend
Janelle Denison – USA Today bestselling author of 71 books with Born to be Wilde
Bianca Sommerland – USA Today bestselling author of 14 books with Defensive Zone
Mark Henry – author of 9 books with Road Trip of the Living Dead
Melanie Marchande – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 8 books with His Secretary: Undone
Lorelei James – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 45 books with Hillbilly Rockstar
Jennifer Probst – NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 25 books with The Marriage Merger
Rebecca Shea –USA Today bestselling author of 4 books with Unbreakable
Michelle A Valentine – NYT and USA Today Bestselling author of 8 books with Phenomenal X
Desiree Holt – award winning author of 169 books with Joy Ride
Saranna DeWylde – award winning author of 28 books with How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days
Dakota Cassidy – national bestselling author of 54 books with The Accidental Dragon
Ann Mayburn – award winning author of 46 books with Dimitri’s Forbidden Submissive

Release Day for Chasing Me & Contest!

It’s here! The story of Quinn and James continues, and I’m so excited to share their journey with everyone!

Priced at only $2.99, already rave reviews are pouring in:

“A truly great book and I think one of Jennifer’s best. It just goes to prove to me why Jennifer is one of the finest romance writers out there.” —Goodreads Reader

James and Quinn steam up the pages again in Chasing Me. Their chemistry will pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat in this deliciously sexy story of love, trust, and forgiveness. —NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Elliott

“Probst brought an unexpected edge to CHASING ME. She tests her characters’ loyalty, trust and love for each other, making readers question the outcome of the story. I held my breath with anticipation from the beginning until the very last page. Fans of Quinn and James will not be disappointed!” —Under the Covers Book Blog

Even though this is a continuation of Beyond Me — please note this is a STAND ALONE novella and can be read without reading the first!

Make sure you stay tuned to my Author Facebook Page and website for amazing giveaways and prizes as I launch a huge blog tour blitz! I have some surprise guests I’m partnering with you’ll  love.

 

BEYOND ME SALE!

For a limited time, Beyond Me is priced at only .99! Make sure you pick up the first Sex on the Beach book while it’s on sale!

Special Contest!

To celebrate release day, I’m holding a contest to receive a signed book — WINNER’S CHOICE!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here.

 

Happy March everyone!!!!

Fifty Shades in Fifty Ways: My Opinion

Ah, just beginning to write this blog post I’m a bit nervous of the fall-out.

But freedom of press and expression and all that is important. And this isn’t about judgment on what’s good and what’s bad, who hates fifty and who loves it, etc, etc.

I’m a writer of romance. When my book The Marriage Bargain hit the bestseller lists, it was around the same time Fifty Shades of Grey blew up the world. My book was listed on every What To Read After Fifty lists, along with Day’s Crossfire series. It was rated in the top five books that people left behind in hotels (number 1 was 50 Shades)– which I never knew was such a big deal but I thought it was super cool to be included. Just the other day, The Marriage Bargain was just included in the Top Books to Read After Fifty Shades in this Washington Post article: here

But this blog isn’t about comparing or touting my book. I just wanted to set the precedent I was around and involved in the industry at the time the book stormed the world, and after keeping a long, long, silence, I’d just like to speak on my own page about a few things.

Did I enjoy the book? Yes, I did. I was swept up in the power of the characters, and for me, characterization is everything to me. I can forgive plot, I don’t need crazy sex (though it’s fun) but if there’s great characters, and chemistry, I’m in. This book, above all, is a romance.

I’d read many, many BDSM novels and even wrote a whole bunch before Fifty, so this didn’t shock me or even make me pause. What makes me sad is the huge turnover of people screaming abuse toward women, insulting the book and film, and intelligent, educated, kick ass women turning on each other. The Facebook posts are brutal, along with many intelligent, thoughtful articles about 50 Shades and the culture being dragged down by inane, mean comments going on for pages and pages. When the Washington Post article came out and I was excited about the mention, I literally had a bunch of scathing comments regarding my book, basically saying they wouldn’t read mine because they’d need to bleach their brain out, and how offended they were I thought I’d lower their social and educational statuses by even imagining they’d read such EXCREMENT.

Ouch.

If I hate something, I usually just don’t comment. If I hate something, I don’t buy it, or talk about it. Especially anyting with creative expression such as books, movies, or music. That’s why we live here. Again, our power is not to buy it or see it or listen to it. Isn’t that powerful enough without stooping to such incredible cruelty and hatred? I’m also okay with a  good, solid debate. I love a good conversation. What I don’t love is a good conversation being pulled down into the trenches of a muddy, bloody cat fight.

This book is not about women being violently abused because they have no say. We’re not talking about women who have been conditioned to want abuse. The book revolves around a sexual preference behind closed doors with two people who negotiate and know exactly what they are getting into. Or not. It is about experimentation. Safe. Sane. Consensual. The goal is toward the woman’s ultimate pleasure, one of my favorite things in writing BDSM romances. There is aftercare. There is powerful emotion.

To me, the huge draw of Fifty Shades was not the sex like the world is tittering about. Yes, the sex was a main segment of the book. But what women are crazed for is the feeling of being worshipped and loved. Adored. Sexually and non-sexually. The fantasy is the billionaire, but his focus isn’t always on the bedroom. He makes Anastasia feel completely and madly adored in every way, shape and form. This is the crux of the romance, and what makes women swoon and buy romance books and line up for the movie adaption.

Imagine a man listening to your thoughts and needs, interested in your dreams, out of bed? Imagine a man worshipping your body in bed, no matter what form that body takes?

Sheer bliss.

I saw the movie on Thursday evening. Did I like it? Yes, I did. I thought the actor and actress did an amazing job trying to deepen the characters and layer emotions from the book. I thought they exuded great chemistry. I thought the sex scenes were beautiful, and erotic, and done in a very tasteful, sense heightening way.

What I didn’t like? The huge crowd of older women in the front, ruining the movie for me by giggling like a bunch of teenagers every time something sexual was said. I mean, really people? I also was assaulted by many women who came out of the movie, loudly proclaiming it was a bunch of shit and they hated the book just as much as the movie.

Trust me—if you didn’t like the book, you will hate the movie. Just don’t go see it. It followed the book pretty closely.

Anastasia made choices of her own. Critics have said she was a young, naive girl who wanted Christian so bad she’d take a beating and abuse just to get him.

I disagree. There was a contract she didn’t have to sign. He was honest with her about his preferences. She always had the power and has the power – Not the Dominant. He can only accept or not accept what she agrees to. Am I okay with that?

Yeah. I am.

And are we really going to bring up an argument back from the eighties that romance novels cause women to think these books are reality? Really, dudes? I thought we’d’ moved on and decided women are super smart and know exactly what is reality and fiction. Men don’t really want to blow up buildings and kill people for real, right?

Just my two cents. That’s what I see as rocking the world on its axis, much more so than whips and chains. That’s it. I’m not accepting negative comments or meanness, I just wanted to share my own opinion without anyone’s judgment on my page. If I’m going to hell, so be it. Same as I won’t judge you when you post on your page, for whatever your opinion is.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.

I wish you all love and romance and happiness.

 

The Best Valentine’s Day Gift Ever…

My second son was born on February 13th and was an early Valentine’s Day gift.

He came amidst one of the biggest blizzards and ice storms of the year. He came amidst some of the worst labor pains I can still remember—don’t listen to women who say they don’t remember the pain! From 2 to 4am, my husband slept soundly while I writhed and tried not to freak out completely while I watched the movie, Akeelah and the Bee.

I swear, till this day just seeing the title makes me cringe.

I yelled at the nurses to give me DRUGS NOW DAMMIT just like in the movies. My husband could not believe I turned into a raging bitch maniac, but then again, he’d had a great night’s sleep with no agony.

My son was born in hushed silence instead of the noisy crowd of nurses there when my first son was born.

I cried and got to hold him briefly before they brought him away. After that, I didn’t see him again for a while. His jaundice levels went off the charts, and he was brought to the NIC unit. The next day, the levels kept increasing and he had to undergo a complete blood transfusion.

There was no one around except for my mother, because the entire city was shut down due to the weather. It struck me again that there are no guarantees in life, and it was a lesson I’ve never forgotten. I was lucky. My son was okay, and came back to me after a full week at the hospital.

I noticed certain things that were different with my youngest. Besides being completely co-dependent on each other, he had this habit of getting frustrated and butting his head against my stomach. As if he was trying to get back inside me. As if the time he spent away from me during that first bonding week had formed a constant need for security.

His blonde hair and blue eyes were completely different from my first son. My husband raised his brow when he was born, and gave me the look. I told him I was too exhausted to have an affair and confirmed the baby was his.

My youngest is brilliant. He is shy. He is sensitive, and when he cries, you feel like your heart has just cracked open in your chest. He is so well-behaved in public I receive consistent compliments on my skills of being a mother (and then I go home where he is bratty and laugh my ass off). His heart and soul is so kind and good, I don’t think he knows how to be mean to anyone, including his big brother.

Watching my boys is like a mini miracle – their differences and uniqueness. Their birth stories are proof of this, and on each of their birthdays, I tell them about the day they were born and how they have changed the world, one person at a time.

Starting with me.

Happy Birthday, my sweet, sweet boy.

 

Cover Reveal Time!

I’m so excited to release my new cover reveal for Chasing Me, the 2nd in the Sex on the Beach series starring Quinn and James!

What do you think?

Once again, I’m joined by authors Jen McLaughlin and Jenna Bennett who also continue their stories. Each are complete stand a lone novellas, but are always more fun to read together!

Chasing Me will be ON SALE March 3rd so mark your calendars!

Drumroll please!

Here is the official blurb that continues James and Quinn’s story:

Quinn and James’ Story Continues in Chasing Me…

It was supposed to be a love story….

I knew she was out of my league but I didn’t care. Looking back, I wonder if I hadn’t pursued her, would things have turned out differently? Is it Fate that determines our choices in life? God? Free will? Or just plain old innate selfishness?

I got her, of course. There hadn’t been a girl I wasn’t able to seduce. Problem was she seduced me right back, body, mind, and soul. She possessed me, tormented me, and showed me a world that was so bright and pure I was almost blinded.

Didn’t she know after such a drug I could never settle for less? Didn’t she realize no matter how many times I screwed up, or broke her heart, or bent her to my will, I’d never be able to let her go?

If I hadn’t known such intensity existed, would it have been better for both of us?

True love, the real kind, isn’t nice and sweet and pure. No, it’s dirty, and sinful, and messy. It’s like ripping a chunk of flesh from your body and watching yourself bleed out in slow, helpless intervals until you thankfully pass out.

This isn’t a love story. But it’s the only story I got.

You DO NOT need to have read Beyond Me to enjoy Chasing Me, but it does give the story of how they first met and fell in love. Don’t forget Beyond Me will be on sale for only .99 starting 2/21. It’s also available for audio now!

 

 

Besides giving away some FREE copies of Chasing Me, if we get to 500 ADDS on Goodreads, I’ll release the first five pages of Chasing Me! If we get to 1000, I’ll release 10! So help me spread the word, and click add to Goodreads now!

BOOK SIGNING:

I’m thrilled to be participating in the Hudson Valley RWA Chapter Pre-Valentine Book signing tomorrow, 2/7, at Barnes and Noble. The address is 4416 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack NY. I’ll be signing from 1 ‐ 3:00pm so please come out and get goodies and a signed book!

 

A True Romance Story….

I never wanted children, but when my son was born, I was a goner.

He will be, always, my true love which has no competition for my husband because it so different. My oldest son turns 10 today. Needless to say, I am an emotional wreck.

Double digits? The first five years of his life my writing consisted mostly of my 4 bad mommies site, dozens of essays, and blogs on motherhood and parenting. I lived in that world and loved it hard. Looking back at the last decade, seeing how he grew to be a boy that humbles me from his kindness and joy–I am at a loss for great words.

There will be plenty of fun stuff coming this week – including my new cover reveal on 2/6 of Chasing Me. But today, on my son’s birthday, I want to remember. The below blog was written five years ago while I was struggling to accept him growing up. And as usual, I found a correlation to writing because that is the way of my True North.

Throwback Tuesday, my dear readers. This is for you, Jake. I see your faults and strengths and as a mom, I love you anyway. But I have to say, your soul is special and you bring a kindness I don’t see as much – something this world needs desperately. Simply put, you humble me and remind me how beautiful the world can really be.

Thanks for letting me be your mom. Happy Birthday.

Time…

Cliché after cliché has been written about time. Time heals all wounds. Time passes so quickly. Time after time…and the list goes on.

The other day, I took my oldest son to get a haircut. He was starting to look like a rockstar, and he likes getting haircuts, so we headed out and the stylist gave him a buzz cut for the hot summer months. As the hair fell off to the side and his face was revealed, I felt my heart literally jump out of my chest.

He was getting older.

His normal apple cheeks had thinned. His best asset was always his eyes, huge, chocolate brown with eyelashes any woman would be jealous of. Now those eyes dominated his older face and took on a different quality. The mischievous glint that always gleamed there danced in the light of the salon. I noticed he was much taller than the last time he sat on the chair, and he conversed with the stylist in a grown up manner.

He was changing. Right before my eyes, on a daily basis, my first born baby was growing up. Five years had passed like lightning – a blink of the eye – a moment in time. I remember thinking to myself: I hope I didn’t miss out on too much while he grew. I hope I didn’t wish away his age under the physical and mental exhaustion that is part of a being a mother in 2010. And then I calmed because I knew, deep in my heart, that I had truly been there.

Each moment of parenthood and life makes up the whole journey. And I had long way to go to witness many more moments. But I do remember…laughing at each disaster that occurred, and loving him in the best way I could day by day. I remember reminding myself that one day my son won’t be wanting to spend every moment with me, or kiss me openly, or hold my hand or snuggle and say “I love you.” A different time will be unearthed, and I will be truly there for that also.

A little of my heart broke at that moment in the salon. It was a life changing revelation, and I was a little sad along with being proud. This reminds me so much of my writing journey. In the beginning, my manuscripts were pure raw passion – unformed pieces that flew off the page and made me feel alive. As time passed, my thoughts and writing evolved and changed based on my age, experience, and journey. They deepened in a way and I could only go onward, not back. I could never write like I once did because I was a different person. But I could accept the changes and make them the best they could – use the experience to forge something new. I thought once I was published it would be so much easier to get published again, yet here I am five years later, still struggling to break back into the market, and write something for me and something that fits – the perfect blend that every writer struggles for. I love my writing now, but it’s harder. Sometimes, I think I know too much, and it’s easier to get waylaid on the details rather than just hit the seat and fly. Sort of like parenthood; and growing up.

Children and writing are the two cornerstones in my world right now. My passion and devotion to them will make a mark on this world in my own way. Natalie Goldberg said it best, in her fantastic book, Writing Down the Bones:

“Our lives are at once ordinary and mythical. We live and die, age beautifully or full of wrinkles. We wake in the morning, buy yellow cheese, and hope we have enough money to pay for it. At the same instant we have these magnificent hearts that pump through all sorrow and all winters we are alive on the earth. We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand. We were here; we are human beings; this is how we lived. Let it be known, the earth passed before us. Our details are important. Otherwise, if they are not, we can drop a bomb and it doesn’t matter “

We all buy yellow cheese, don’t we? And we all want to mark our place. Words on the page scream:: I WAS HERE. I lived and mattered and loved. Children do the same. Mistakes get made in both writing and parenthood, but as long as passion and good intentions are present, all of it will matter in the end.

Pay attention. If you pay attention to your writing – wherever you are and whatever you write – you will not be wasting precious time. Same thing for the kids – be in every crazy wonderful moment and you will never have any regrets as time marches on.

The Best of 2014, A New Website, and a Huge Giveaway!

Happy New Year everyone!

I know…I know… you’ve heard all the best and the worst, gorged on shows about songs, celebrities, movies, books, etc regarding 2014, but I’ve been on hiatus having a blast with my family and I’m behind.

So I’m making my list like I do every year!

The rules? I never list the worst, only the best. Nothing is in order. This is all my personal preferences and I’m no paid critic. There are no links to buy but everything is available in Amazon, Itunes, B&N or Kobo. Why did these make my amazing list?

I liked them. I really, really liked them. The stories or songs or movies stuck with me for a long time, and many of them pushed me to grow. Be better. Dare. Live a bigger life. Cry. Mourn. Grieve. Begin again.

To me, that’s a slice of brilliance, and I thank each and every artist for giving me such a great moment.

That being said, I read a TON of stuff this year, and I loved so many books, but there’s no way to list all of them. I just picked a small number of my personal best so please know this is not my full list.

Ready?

Drumroll!!

SONGS:

Umm, yeah, no surprise here if you ever follow me anywhere online. Fave song is Lost Stars by Adam Levine. Sheer brilliance.

Best CDs?

V by Maroon Five. 1989 by Taylor Swift. Baptized by Daughtry (came out Nov 2013 but I’m sneaking it in).

Best Movies?

Begin Again with Kiera Knightley and Adam Levine and Mark Ruffalo. So. Good.

The Theory of Everything – I cried and cried and cried some more.

Wild – probably because I read the book and was wild about it. Okay – sorry for the bad joke.

Best Books?

These are not strictly 2014 releases. I read many popular books long after the buzz has faded so I’m sometimes behind the crowd.

1. Wild – Cheryl Strayed.

This book changed me. Made me think about life and all its raw, honest forms. I learned about hiking, and pilgrim journeys and was amazed at how much the author shared of her personal life, digging deep, in order to give us a brilliant story.

2. Unsaid – Neal Abramson

A book for animal lovers, and anyone who ever wonders about what they’ve left behind, and what is waiting for them afterward. I was so moved and shaken by this book I wrote the author a fan letter and I rarely do that. Beautifully written. In my mind – a masterpiece.

3. Black Lies – Alessandra Torre

Oh, my Ms. Torre, where have you been all my life? Full of twists and turns and the dark, sexual content I adore so much. It’s tricky to make this work and she’s the master. I devoured every single one of her backlist books and am begging for more.

4. Heroes Are My Weakness – Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Well, if anyone knows me at all, you know she is the BOMB for me. Brilliant contemporary romance author – this story works on so many intelligent levels bringing in the gothic setting, brooding hero, a bit of suspense, and her trademark humor. Loved it. The audio was great, too.

5. Mr. Mercedes – Stephen King

Every time I think there’s no way this man can write another amazing book he proves me wrong. Gobbled it up, love the hero, the villain, the plot, and finished it in a few days. Afterward I had a King hangover and it was so worth it.

6. The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty

Her books are hitting the charts and I couldn’t resist this one. I’m glad I didn’t. Love the way each story intertwined, twisted, and kept me guessing to the very end. Simply put, a great read.

7. Indebted 1 & 3 – Pepper Winters

Dude, what a dark, erotic world I was dragged into! Can’t say much about it to spoil it, but if you love a good dark romance that makes you fidget, pick this series up.

8. Bound – Melody Anne

Love this author and her new series is deliciously yummy with an alpha hero I loved to hate but seduced me anyway!

9. Club Sin series – Stacy Kennedy

Everyone knows I love a good BDSM story and these are so damn good, the author can’t write them fast enough for me!

10. Animal Magnetism series – Jill Shalvis

I know. She’s a contemporary master. I read Lucky Harbor religiously but somehow never got around to this amazing series with sweet animals and heroes that make me sigh. Love them.

11. Seducing Lauren – Under the Big Sky series – Kristen Proby

I love me some Proby. There was something about the hunky hero Tyler in this book that just got me. The whole series is fab but this particular book stayed with me a long time.

12. Bad Romeo – Leisa Rayven

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book. I’ve always been obsessed with Romeo and Juliet, and this angsty romance really did it for me.

13. The Plan by Qwen Salsbury

The boss/assistant trope done so well I couldn’t put it down. And the writing is spectacular and clever. Check this one out.

That’s it my peeps! As I said there’s SO many more to list that I adored but I’d need to make a blog a day for them. Would love to hear your faves for the past year!

Now, onto my big announcement. My shiny new, updated website is complete!

I wanted to keep the design simple but was ready for a new look, a bit more streamlined and sophisticated. I am also hoping to give my readers all the goodies they look for, from joining my street team, audio samples, newsletter sign ups, and tons of extras amidst the book pages. Please let me know what you think, or if have any further suggestions for something you’re not seeing.

To celebrate, I’m having a huge contest. Please enter the Rafflecopter listed here for the opportunity to win some SIGNED books!

Please share my newsletter with your friends. I pick two winners each month from my newsletter lists to receive a gift card or a special surprise.

I wish everyone a blessed and happy new year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Giveaway Galore!

It’s finally here!

Well, I finally was able to post this blog! The holidays always kill me – time slips by and my brain seems to go into hibernation lol!

Back to business and celebrations, my peeps.

I hope everyone has downloaded their FREE copy of Sneak Peeks and enjoyed the first preview chapter of Searching for Beautiful!

I also hope readers have been snatching up Baby, Its Cold Outside, which contains FIVE novellas for one price, and I’m joined by some big brand name authors I personally read and highly recommend.

During this season, I seriously get choked up by love for the readers who buy my books and love my stories. I’m giving away TEN gift baskets full of goodies. You’ll get a signed paperback copy of BICO, a t-shirt, customized jewelry, pens, postcards, hot cocoa, candy canes, and whatever else I can find to throw in!

Just enter the Rafflecopter here and please share:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m also holding a Sneak Peeks bonanza – blog stops every day and I’m giving away a SIGNED book with each spotlight! You can enter on my Author Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage?ref=bookmarks

Good luck and Happy Holidays!!!

FREE New Release and Giveaways Galore!

Happy December everyone!

 I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed friends and family and great food.

 I’m looking forward to revving up the month of December by giving away some special prizes to show my gratitude for all my readers. First up? I’ve released a great FREE book Sneak Peeks which is a sampler of all my books, including author comments and notes you will only find here. I’ve also included the first chapter of Searching for Beautiful for you to enjoy! To celebrate, I’ll be giving away a SIGNED book at all of my blog stops so stay tuned to my Author Facebook page for details on where you can win these prizes.

 

 

I’ll also be setting up a special rafflecopter to win an amazing prize pack filled with goodies, including signed books, customized jewelry, t-shirts, calendars, signed totes, and a variety of other surprises. There will be a total of TEN to win, and the contest starts this week so check back for official postings on my Author Facebook page and website!

 More to come – hope you have a great week!

 

Begin Again…

 

I’ve always been a bit obsessed with this term. Always wanted to write a book with that title, but it seemed overdone, from the famous Taylor Swift song, to the new movie, and a million books in between. Still, the simplicity of those two words contain a massive amount of meaning. And endless hope. Heartache, too. But buckets of hope.

Since 2012 when The Marriage Bargain exploded, I’ve been on a pathway to success that humbles me. After all, how often does a twenty year dream in the making finally happen? I’m also a bit of a workaholic – my past is full of reasons why—so it didn’t take much to push myself to write as many books at the highest quality possible. It’s also the damn voices that never stop in my head.

But after my last novel was written, I decided to take an actual week off for everything else. Besides the never ending list of emails, family things I’ve put off, and actual cooking in my kitchen, I took a self imposed break for a change. This is quite different from the breaks I usually take, in the middle of a book where things are falling apart and I’m freaking out and forgot again how I do this and end up in my living room watching endless series of reality television on BRAVO and eating nonstop. No, this time, my vacay was planned. I’d troll the internet without guilt, watch movies, READ for pleasure, go shopping, buy shoes, and play Scrabble with my parents.

Besides the amazing books I read and loved, I watched some great movies. But one of them wrecked me. I mean, this movie, reached inside my soul and tore it out and made me examine everything about life, and love, and who I was, and the type of stories I wanted to write. The emotion I wanted to give to my readers. Yeah, sure, I had PMS but I’ve also learned in my fab middle age years that PMS is TRUTH time. In other words, if something keeps popping up during that time, it’s because emotions need to be dealt with. They’ll keep bugging you on a monthly basis until you do deal with them. So, I was pretty much ripe to go a bit deeper, and within the mess, is always the GOLD.

Anyway, I digress. The movie stars my boyfriend Adam Levine (MY boyfriend Kristen Proby, not yours) and Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo. Simple, brilliant, painful. It’s about passion. For music. For beauty. For meaning. For love.

The soundtrack is full of rich tones and words that haunt me. Stripped down, I cried while I watched the movie and listened to the songs on the soundtrack, and remembered those early years where emotions I felt were so raw and real, they spilled out of me. They’re still there. Just a bit more civilized and contained.

But that’s the treasure I need to tap to write a GREAT book. Not a middle of the road book, or a safe book that may have commercial success. I want to write great books. Readers deserve it. I’ll fail a lot. But if I can get a few of them that don’t fail, I’ve done my job.

By getting away from the computer, I re-tapped all those exciting things in life that make writers want to write. Talking with others rather than texting via phone. Playing board games and reading with my kids instead of the endless cycle of homework, dinner, putting them to bed, and the mechanics of life. Watching a movie for pure pleasure, open to the experience. Reading great books with no target of critiquing, blurbing, or learning. Driving in the car and listening to Taylor Swift or Rob Thomas or Maroon Five and singing loud and off key. Having lunch with my mother.

Re-stocking, and re-filling the well.

Because honestly, if we just keep writing book after book without taking that breath in between to enjoy where we are, we’re missing the good parts. The right now good parts.

It’s Nanowrimo month. I plan to write a lot and dive into the sequel of Beyond Me, called Chasing Me. I’m leading a write in at the Wallkill Library on Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30pm if anyone wants to join me for inspiration and some writing.

But today, I’m taking one more breath. I’m full of new ideas, and plans, and goals to write amazing books. I’ll get there.

With each new book we write, or challenge we face, or heartbreak we deal with, we have a chance to Begin Again. The best part? If we fail spectacularly, so what? We get to do it again. That’s a gift not to be missed.

Here’s the song that I’m obsessed with and plan to write a book that I hope to equal the lyrics.

Has there been a book or a movie or song that affected you deeply and changed the way you thought of life? Share with me!

I wish everyone a happy and fruitful November.