Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 21
March 23, 2015
#Reading #NancyDrew @kathyivan #MFRWorg
MY EVOLUTION OF READING – by Kathy Ivan
I've always been a reader, from a very early age. I was one of those kids in school who when they got the reading list for the year had it finished in just a few weeks. Books were my escape from life, from school, from everything. They took me away to places I'd never get to see outside of their pages. I got to meet people and make special friends, all between the covers of a book.
One of my fondest memories was when I was about seven or eight. My mom loved to visit second-hand shops and used book stores and I'd often go with her. On this one particular afternoon, she was browsing, and I wandered around the store, never too far from her sight but enough that I felt free to look at my leisure. In my explorations, I found a tattered old cardboard box. When I started digging, I found these lovely old volumes of books I'd never seen or heard of. They all starred this girl called Nancy Drew.
Opening the first book, I remember falling under the spell of the story. A girl and her friends were having adventures. Solving mysteries. They were having FUN! Oh, I wanted those books so much, but I didn't have enough to get one of them, much less all that were in that box. I was heartbroken, because I knew they'd be gone the next time we came in. After all, these were special books, so everybody would want to read them.
My mom came over to check on what I was doing and I showed her the box filled with books. I can still remember her face to this day. My mother loved to read, and she wanted me to love it too. But I also knew we couldn't afford all those books. Still, she told me I could pick out two of them. I was so careful, going through and looking at the jacket of each one, seeing Nancy and her pals running from the bad guys, or sneaking up a staircase.
I finally made my choices and handed them to her. She walked up to the cashier with our purchases and they had a long conversation while I waited. Finally, the cashier nodded and smiled at me. Then she walked back to where the magical box of books was and brought it over to the counter and put a SOLD sign on the top. You see, my mother wanted me to have those books so much, she made arrangements to come back and make payments so they'd hold the books for her.
I didn't understand how big a sacrifice that was back then, though I do today. My mother wanted me to have those books, not because they were a possession I had to have, but because she understood how reading could change my life. We went back several times until I had all the books from that box and read them all over and over.
Though my reading tastes have matured and grown since then, my love of a good story still lives on. Though to this day, whenever I see a Nancy Drew book I have to smile, because it brings back this sweet memory from my childhood.
My latest release is Relentless Pursuit, New Orleans Connection Series Book 2.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BXwSNZB&N: http://bit.ly/1EZdYsq Kobo: http://bit.ly/1bdyskz iBooks: http://apple.co/1EZeoyN Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BMGkSE
Kathy Ivan can be found at her desk every day, with a bottle of water on one side and a scent candle burning on the other. You can follow her at www.kathyivan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor or on twitter at www.twitter.com/kathyivan .
I've always been a reader, from a very early age. I was one of those kids in school who when they got the reading list for the year had it finished in just a few weeks. Books were my escape from life, from school, from everything. They took me away to places I'd never get to see outside of their pages. I got to meet people and make special friends, all between the covers of a book.
One of my fondest memories was when I was about seven or eight. My mom loved to visit second-hand shops and used book stores and I'd often go with her. On this one particular afternoon, she was browsing, and I wandered around the store, never too far from her sight but enough that I felt free to look at my leisure. In my explorations, I found a tattered old cardboard box. When I started digging, I found these lovely old volumes of books I'd never seen or heard of. They all starred this girl called Nancy Drew.
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Opening the first book, I remember falling under the spell of the story. A girl and her friends were having adventures. Solving mysteries. They were having FUN! Oh, I wanted those books so much, but I didn't have enough to get one of them, much less all that were in that box. I was heartbroken, because I knew they'd be gone the next time we came in. After all, these were special books, so everybody would want to read them.
My mom came over to check on what I was doing and I showed her the box filled with books. I can still remember her face to this day. My mother loved to read, and she wanted me to love it too. But I also knew we couldn't afford all those books. Still, she told me I could pick out two of them. I was so careful, going through and looking at the jacket of each one, seeing Nancy and her pals running from the bad guys, or sneaking up a staircase. I finally made my choices and handed them to her. She walked up to the cashier with our purchases and they had a long conversation while I waited. Finally, the cashier nodded and smiled at me. Then she walked back to where the magical box of books was and brought it over to the counter and put a SOLD sign on the top. You see, my mother wanted me to have those books so much, she made arrangements to come back and make payments so they'd hold the books for her.
I didn't understand how big a sacrifice that was back then, though I do today. My mother wanted me to have those books, not because they were a possession I had to have, but because she understood how reading could change my life. We went back several times until I had all the books from that box and read them all over and over.
Though my reading tastes have matured and grown since then, my love of a good story still lives on. Though to this day, whenever I see a Nancy Drew book I have to smile, because it brings back this sweet memory from my childhood.
My latest release is Relentless Pursuit, New Orleans Connection Series Book 2.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BXwSNZB&N: http://bit.ly/1EZdYsq Kobo: http://bit.ly/1bdyskz iBooks: http://apple.co/1EZeoyN Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BMGkSE
Kathy Ivan can be found at her desk every day, with a bottle of water on one side and a scent candle burning on the other. You can follow her at www.kathyivan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor or on twitter at www.twitter.com/kathyivan .
#Reading #NancyDrew @kathyivan #MRFWorg
MY EVOLUTION OF READING – by Kathy Ivan
I've always been a reader, from a very early age. I was one of those kids in school who when they got the reading list for the year had it finished in just a few weeks. Books were my escape from life, from school, from everything. They took me away to places I'd never get to see outside of their pages. I got to meet people and make special friends, all between the covers of a book.
One of my fondest memories was when I was about seven or eight. My mom loved to visit second-hand shops and used book stores and I'd often go with her. On this one particular afternoon, she was browsing, and I wandered around the store, never too far from her sight but enough that I felt free to look at my leisure. In my explorations, I found a tattered old cardboard box. When I started digging, I found these lovely old volumes of books I'd never seen or heard of. They all starred this girl called Nancy Drew.
Opening the first book, I remember falling under the spell of the story. A girl and her friends were having adventures. Solving mysteries. They were having FUN! Oh, I wanted those books so much, but I didn't have enough to get one of them, much less all that were in that box. I was heartbroken, because I knew they'd be gone the next time we came in. After all, these were special books, so everybody would want to read them.
My mom came over to check on what I was doing and I showed her the box filled with books. I can still remember her face to this day. My mother loved to read, and she wanted me to love it too. But I also knew we couldn't afford all those books. Still, she told me I could pick out two of them. I was so careful, going through and looking at the jacket of each one, seeing Nancy and her pals running from the bad guys, or sneaking up a staircase.
I finally made my choices and handed them to her. She walked up to the cashier with our purchases and they had a long conversation while I waited. Finally, the cashier nodded and smiled at me. Then she walked back to where the magical box of books was and brought it over to the counter and put a SOLD sign on the top. You see, my mother wanted me to have those books so much, she made arrangements to come back and make payments so they'd hold the books for her.
I didn't understand how big a sacrifice that was back then, though I do today. My mother wanted me to have those books, not because they were a possession I had to have, but because she understood how reading could change my life. We went back several times until I had all the books from that box and read them all over and over.
Though my reading tastes have matured and grown since then, my love of a good story still lives on. Though to this day, whenever I see a Nancy Drew book I have to smile, because it brings back this sweet memory from my childhood.
My latest release is Relentless Pursuit, New Orleans Connection Series Book 2.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BXwSNZB&N: http://bit.ly/1EZdYsq Kobo: http://bit.ly/1bdyskz iBooks: http://apple.co/1EZeoyN Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BMGkSE
Kathy Ivan can be found at her desk every day, with a bottle of water on one side and a scent candle burning on the other. You can follow her at www.kathyivan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor or on twitter at www.twitter.com/kathyivan .
I've always been a reader, from a very early age. I was one of those kids in school who when they got the reading list for the year had it finished in just a few weeks. Books were my escape from life, from school, from everything. They took me away to places I'd never get to see outside of their pages. I got to meet people and make special friends, all between the covers of a book.
One of my fondest memories was when I was about seven or eight. My mom loved to visit second-hand shops and used book stores and I'd often go with her. On this one particular afternoon, she was browsing, and I wandered around the store, never too far from her sight but enough that I felt free to look at my leisure. In my explorations, I found a tattered old cardboard box. When I started digging, I found these lovely old volumes of books I'd never seen or heard of. They all starred this girl called Nancy Drew.
Opening the first book, I remember falling under the spell of the story. A girl and her friends were having adventures. Solving mysteries. They were having FUN! Oh, I wanted those books so much, but I didn't have enough to get one of them, much less all that were in that box. I was heartbroken, because I knew they'd be gone the next time we came in. After all, these were special books, so everybody would want to read them.
My mom came over to check on what I was doing and I showed her the box filled with books. I can still remember her face to this day. My mother loved to read, and she wanted me to love it too. But I also knew we couldn't afford all those books. Still, she told me I could pick out two of them. I was so careful, going through and looking at the jacket of each one, seeing Nancy and her pals running from the bad guys, or sneaking up a staircase. I finally made my choices and handed them to her. She walked up to the cashier with our purchases and they had a long conversation while I waited. Finally, the cashier nodded and smiled at me. Then she walked back to where the magical box of books was and brought it over to the counter and put a SOLD sign on the top. You see, my mother wanted me to have those books so much, she made arrangements to come back and make payments so they'd hold the books for her.
I didn't understand how big a sacrifice that was back then, though I do today. My mother wanted me to have those books, not because they were a possession I had to have, but because she understood how reading could change my life. We went back several times until I had all the books from that box and read them all over and over.
Though my reading tastes have matured and grown since then, my love of a good story still lives on. Though to this day, whenever I see a Nancy Drew book I have to smile, because it brings back this sweet memory from my childhood.
My latest release is Relentless Pursuit, New Orleans Connection Series Book 2.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BXwSNZB&N: http://bit.ly/1EZdYsq Kobo: http://bit.ly/1bdyskz iBooks: http://apple.co/1EZeoyN Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BMGkSE
Kathy Ivan can be found at her desk every day, with a bottle of water on one side and a scent candle burning on the other. You can follow her at www.kathyivan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor or on twitter at www.twitter.com/kathyivan .
March 18, 2015
@VickiBatman - The artwork of #LittleGoldenBooks , an exhibit #MFRWorg #RLFblog #childrensbooks
As the self-appointed cultural guide in my family, I’m always looking for something for us to do. An ad in my local paper’s weekend section featured an exhibit coming to town entitled: Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 years of Little Golden Books.
I had to go. I read and owned several of these books when I was little and even bought them for my sons. I had to take advantage of this enriching opportunity and take Handsome. Handsome was reluctant. But I plied him with his favorite hamburger and off we went. Disapointed? Heck, no!
The exhibition presented the most extensive public showing ever of original illustration art from the Little Golden Books which celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2007. (I apologize for glare on some photos.)
In 1942, the Little Golden Books were made available at very affordable prices—initially 25cents. Some of the artists included Garth Williams, Feodor Rojankovsky, Tibor Gergely, Gustaf Tenggren, Martin Provensen, J. P. Miller, and Mary Blair (think Disney’s It’s a Small World!). Other artists from America were Eloise Wilkin, Elizabeth Orton Jones, Richard Scarry, and Hilary Knight.
These books changed publishing forever. Not only did wehave the beloved and familiar books, we had various formats like records, tapes, videos, toys and games.
Stories covered natureand science, the Bible, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales. Christmastitles are popular every year. Many old titles, which are still available, show the strong nostalgia appeal of Little Golden Books. The first twelve books are:
Three Little Kittens Bedtime Stories Mother Goose Prayers for Children The Little Red Hen Nursery Songs The Alphabet from A to Z The Poky Little Puppy The Golden Book of Fairy Tales Baby's Book of Objects The Animals of Farmer Jones This Little Piggy and Other Counting Rhymes
For a list of the 800 Little Golden Book titles, go here: LGB list
As Handsome and I wandered through the exhibit, we found many selections we remembered from our childhood: The Pokey Little Puppy, Tootle, Home for a Bunny. The art work was truly amazing.
Did you have Little Golden Book/s when you were little?
I had to go. I read and owned several of these books when I was little and even bought them for my sons. I had to take advantage of this enriching opportunity and take Handsome. Handsome was reluctant. But I plied him with his favorite hamburger and off we went. Disapointed? Heck, no!
The exhibition presented the most extensive public showing ever of original illustration art from the Little Golden Books which celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2007. (I apologize for glare on some photos.)
In 1942, the Little Golden Books were made available at very affordable prices—initially 25cents. Some of the artists included Garth Williams, Feodor Rojankovsky, Tibor Gergely, Gustaf Tenggren, Martin Provensen, J. P. Miller, and Mary Blair (think Disney’s It’s a Small World!). Other artists from America were Eloise Wilkin, Elizabeth Orton Jones, Richard Scarry, and Hilary Knight.
These books changed publishing forever. Not only did wehave the beloved and familiar books, we had various formats like records, tapes, videos, toys and games.
Stories covered natureand science, the Bible, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales. Christmastitles are popular every year. Many old titles, which are still available, show the strong nostalgia appeal of Little Golden Books. The first twelve books are:
Three Little Kittens Bedtime Stories Mother Goose Prayers for Children The Little Red Hen Nursery Songs The Alphabet from A to Z The Poky Little Puppy The Golden Book of Fairy Tales Baby's Book of Objects The Animals of Farmer Jones This Little Piggy and Other Counting Rhymes
For a list of the 800 Little Golden Book titles, go here: LGB listAs Handsome and I wandered through the exhibit, we found many selections we remembered from our childhood: The Pokey Little Puppy, Tootle, Home for a Bunny. The art work was truly amazing.
Did you have Little Golden Book/s when you were little?
March 17, 2015
@sloanebcollins *Next week I'll be older than my mother* #MFRWorg #RLFblog #birthday #bucketlist
Next week I’ll be 14 years older than my mother. Somehow, she’s perpetually 36. (Okay, who’s doing the math?) Yes, I have a big birthday coming up. One that has me going “how the heck did this happen?”
So I've been doing some musing on where I’m at in my life, things I've worked for, things I've accomplished, and what I still want to do someday. Which has led to my bucket list. It’s changed over the years, but some things have stayed the same, and I can finally check them off.
We went to Hawaii a couple of years ago, and I've been to Ireland, so check check. I still want to go to Scotland.
This past November, my first Contemporary Romance was published. That was #1 on the list. Now I’m hard at work on the next ones. The top item on my list now is to go to France. My French Kiss Connection series is set in France, so I reeeeallly want to go. (Would make a great birthday present, don’t you think? Let’s hope Monsieur Collins has picked up on all the hints. LOL)
I think most of my list now is comprised of traveling, and what I want to accomplish as an author. And I want us to move to Maine. (Still trying to convince the Monsieur on that one.)
What’s on your bucket list? What’s the biggest thing you've accomplished on your list, or what are you gearing up for?
So I've been doing some musing on where I’m at in my life, things I've worked for, things I've accomplished, and what I still want to do someday. Which has led to my bucket list. It’s changed over the years, but some things have stayed the same, and I can finally check them off.We went to Hawaii a couple of years ago, and I've been to Ireland, so check check. I still want to go to Scotland.
This past November, my first Contemporary Romance was published. That was #1 on the list. Now I’m hard at work on the next ones. The top item on my list now is to go to France. My French Kiss Connection series is set in France, so I reeeeallly want to go. (Would make a great birthday present, don’t you think? Let’s hope Monsieur Collins has picked up on all the hints. LOL)I think most of my list now is comprised of traveling, and what I want to accomplish as an author. And I want us to move to Maine. (Still trying to convince the Monsieur on that one.)
What’s on your bucket list? What’s the biggest thing you've accomplished on your list, or what are you gearing up for?
March 11, 2015
Thank you, Princesses! #MustRead #amwriting #romance
The Plotting Princesses is a group of many fantastic Texan authors of many genres. What most of our readers don't know is how wonderful it is to belong to this group of writers. I'm so thankful for the sisterhood we all have, not only in plotting out books and talking shop but in supporting one another throughout life.
I just wanted to take the time to stop and thank all of you. I feel so, so lucky and have enjoyed reading all your books and getting to know you!
If you're a writer and you aren't in a writer's group, I highly recommend you find one where you can talk about characters, plot, writing methods, marketing and share your hopes and dreams! Long live the Plotting Princesses! Now, if you have any questions about writing, ask away! We love to talk to aspiring writers! Looking forward to seeing the princesses this weekend at our fun retreat! ~ Alisha Paige
March 10, 2015
author DC Thome is pretty crazy-he has a *collection* of polar fleeces! #authorinterview #MFRWorg #RLFblog
The Plotting Princesses welcome crazy man, DC Thome. Let's get to know more:
I live in Wisconsin. I’ve been a journalist, a screenwriter and a novelist. At some point or another, my wife Favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life.Favorite book: Goodnight Moon.Last book read: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie BroshFavorite color: Grey, but people find that weird, so orange. Stilettos or flip-flops: On who?Coffee or tea: Coffee. E-book or paperback: E-book. Pencil or pen: Pencil. Favorite song: Linus and Lucy by Vince GuaraldiStreak or not: Sure. Favorite dessert: Flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce.Champagne or gin: Champagne. Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal.Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann. Favorite TV show: Gilligan’s Island. Hot or cold: Hot.POV: Third-person. I'd die if I don't have: My collection of polar fleeces.
In San Fernando Dreams, a disillusioned movie starlet finds herself falling in love with a twin—but which one?Excerpt from San Fernando Dreams:
Douglyss checked out the menu. It was loaded with the kind of food no one in L.A. ate anymore: cheeseburgers, tuna melts, club sandwiches, beef au jus and deep-fried breaded mushrooms. Easy to see why no one comes here.
“Hello,” said a voice above her. Douglyss jumped. “Aren’t you that pretty girl from that movie about glasses?”
Douglyss looked up to see the handsomest young man she had ever seen. Haloed in light from the front window, he was slim and tall, his chiseled jaw accentuated by a rugged layer of scruff that matched his unkempt heather brown hair. He extended his hand to her. “Branagh.” said Larry.
I knew you were hot, but not this hot. Looking into Larry’s ocean-blue eyes, she didn’t notice his hand. Instead, she shimmied to the end of the bench.
“Please,” Larry said, “that’s not necessary.” He sat on the opposing bench and smiled.
Douglyss didn’t see his smile, though; she still focused on his eyes. Intense, but gentle, too. Deep and…dreamy. She shook herself out of it. “Dreamy?” WTF?
“This is an…interesting…place,” Douglyss said. Oh, my god, what a stupid-ass thing to say. Why is my brain turning into mashed potatoes and gravy?
Larry looked around. “It’s the most unpretentious place I know of.” He looked her in the eye. “So…real.”
Find San Fernando Dreams at: Amazon
Find DC Thome at: Website Email
Hey, DC, we'd like to see that collection of polar fleeces. LOL. Thank you for being with us today!
March 5, 2015
Keeping Warm When It's Cold Outside
It's been cold recently. Has anyone else noticed that or is it just me?
I like the occasional cold spell now and then. But, I don't like feeling cold for long periods of time. So I've been looking into ways to keep warm.
Exercise. Um... Pass?
Cooking. The problem with cooking warm, delicious comfort food (especially when you have the above exercise regimen) is it tends to expand the waist... thighs... etc. And while I'm a fan of a more Ruben-esque female form, one must be careful.
So, once you've stared at your exercise tapes and enjoyed some warm yumminess, what should you do?
Why READ a book of course. A really good, make-your-toes-tingle, thrill up the back of your spine, lose yourself in the world on the pages, forget to eat, sleep, and put off using the facilities until you finish the next page book.
So, who are you reading? And how warm are they keeping you? I'm looking for a new read so I'd love some suggestions.
I like the occasional cold spell now and then. But, I don't like feeling cold for long periods of time. So I've been looking into ways to keep warm.
Exercise. Um... Pass?
Cooking. The problem with cooking warm, delicious comfort food (especially when you have the above exercise regimen) is it tends to expand the waist... thighs... etc. And while I'm a fan of a more Ruben-esque female form, one must be careful.
So, once you've stared at your exercise tapes and enjoyed some warm yumminess, what should you do?Why READ a book of course. A really good, make-your-toes-tingle, thrill up the back of your spine, lose yourself in the world on the pages, forget to eat, sleep, and put off using the facilities until you finish the next page book.
So, who are you reading? And how warm are they keeping you? I'm looking for a new read so I'd love some suggestions.
March 2, 2015
Bad Women of the West
As a western writer, I spend a lot of time reading books about the time period. Much has been written about bad men, but what about outlaw or bad women of the west? From the beginning of time women, just like men have gone astray. In the current book I’m writing my heroine who is a bounty hunter, is working as a card dealer in a saloon to catch the man she’s hunting. The idea came from reading a book called
The Lady Was A Gambler: True Stories of Notorious Women of the Old West
by Chris Enss. The book tells the tales of fifteen women who either gambled or were dealers at the saloons or gambling halls. Interesting reading of how women were used to distract men and help them lose their money.
Another book I’ve found very interesting for research is
The Bedside Book of Bad Girls: Outlaw Women of the American West
by Michael Rutter. The story about Kate Bender at Benders Bloody Inn was one of the scariest tales I’ve read. It made me think twice about stopping at a hotel for the night. My latest read is a book called
Tough Towns: True Tales from the Gritty Streets of the Old West
by Robert Barr Smith. This book is about how ordinary citizens took back their towns from the bad guys who invaded. I haven’t finished this book yet, but so far it’s been interesting reading.As an author this is where I garner the information for my men and women in my stories. Where I learn about the small towns, the people who lived and worked there. Nonfiction books on the west are invaluable to create your own world.
From the research I’ve done, there were no female bounty hunters in the west. They are a figment of my imagination. But I’ve had so much fun writing my badass girls. I like to write what I call are kick-ass heroines who are in bad situations who find a way to rise to the top. My girls are ordinary women who must overcome a difficult situation and in the process find true love. My heroes are deserving men that fall for the love of a strong woman.
Writing is a tough profession not for the faint of heart, but it’s also fun. I get to spend many hours of the day, playing in the world I create. Below is the blurb from the latest book in my Lipstick and Lead series. The third book in the series, Dangerous will be available February 13th. Currently, I’m writing Ruby’s story, Daring and have two other books plotted. After reading The Lady Was A Gambler …I know there will be a seventh book in this series and maybe more…DangerousThe Hunt of a Lifetime Becomes a Journey of the Heart
Annabelle McKenzie stays at home and takes care of the farm and the bookkeeping for their family bounty hunting business while her two sisters take all the risks. Except that she’s grown bored and longs for adventure. The chance to show her sisters that she’s just as capable of bringing a man to justice and collecting a bounty as they are. When opportunity bumps into her at the bank, she recklessly follows her prey out of town. Only she soon realizes she’s chosen the wrong man to hunt.Beau Samuels has a dark secret that goes beyond the price on his head. And now there’s a wanted poster with his face plastered in every small Texas sheriff’s office. As if things couldn’t get worse, now he has a novice in a skirt brandishing a gun and determined to collect his reward. Could he get away from the blonde spitfire with his heart intact?When Annabelle unlocks the secrets to his heart and reveals the true man behind the wanted poster, can she lay aside her scruples and allow herself to love an outlaw?
Amazon iBooks B&N Kobo Google Lipstick and Lead SeriesDesperateDeadlyDangerous
Daring – April 2015
Determined – June 2015
Deceived—September 2015
If you would like a list of research books I recommend, send me an email at Sylvia.McDaniel@Verizon.net.
February 26, 2015
Inspiration
I want to enter a short story in my publisher’s call for submissions for a Christmas anthology, and even though that desire is there, I was struggling to find an idea, one that could develop into a ten thousand word story, and that I could write quickly.
So I went to my favorite place for inspiration, Pinterest, and looked through the board (okay, three boards) that I have for Christmas. And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a picture I didn’t remember pinning. All of a sudden I had a male character, his occupation, and why he was out in a snowy forest with his dog. A few clicks later, and I had a female character that will bring him no end of trouble and exasperation. Et voilà, a story is born!
Authors find inspiration in so many places. Just a kernel can spark an idea, which can set off firecrackers in our brains.
For me, I’ve had characters spring to life, then I have to write the perfect story for them. Well, one in which they go through all kinds of turmoil to get their happy ever after. Other story ideas have come to life with a setting, a scene idea, even a phrase or a headline. Two songs have sparked ideas for stories, so totally different they are worlds apart. This picture of a frozen lighthouse is what sparked the idea for a story yet to be written.
Back in the early 90’s, we had breakfast with my Dad and his parents, and my grandfather said something about a club my grandmother belonged to. To this day, it still makes me laugh. Anyway, he called her social club by a funny name, and now I have the idea for a Cozy Mystery series. Over the years I’ve had so many ideas for stories that my binder (and Pinterest account) are brimming with inspiration for each book. I don’t know if other authors are this way, but I get a feel for pictures and what story they belong in as I’m scrolling through pictures. Give me three pictures of Christmas trees, and I know right away if they fit in my Holiday Romance or not.
So once I have the spark of an idea, then it’s time to craft the world for characters, choose settings, GMC (goals, motivations, and conflicts) for each main character. And honestly, that’s usually the hardest part for me. That’s what makes the story interesting, and keeps readers turning the page to see what happens. And while it’s fiction, it has to be believable for the reader to stay tuned in the story. Even in Paranormal or Urban Fantasy, readers want those worlds to make sense to them. You know those cooking shows where the chefs are all given the same ingredients and they have to come up with a meal? You can give several authors the same picture/character/or setting idea, and each one will write a totally different story.
I was invited to a Facebook author party last night, and I loved the idea this publisher had: several authors have written books all based in the same town. There are recurring characters and places, but each story is unique. And they are all different genres. It reminded me of the creative writing class I took in high school. We, as a class, decided on the town, population, etc. And each of us created a character and had to keep a journal about our lives in that same town. I think the teacher gave us an idea for events in the town, and we had to come at it from our character’s viewpoints. It was great fun.
So yes, anything can spark an idea for a book.
Where do you get your inspiration? As a reader, what are your favorite books to read? Do you like fiction or true stories?
So I went to my favorite place for inspiration, Pinterest, and looked through the board (okay, three boards) that I have for Christmas. And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a picture I didn’t remember pinning. All of a sudden I had a male character, his occupation, and why he was out in a snowy forest with his dog. A few clicks later, and I had a female character that will bring him no end of trouble and exasperation. Et voilà, a story is born!
Authors find inspiration in so many places. Just a kernel can spark an idea, which can set off firecrackers in our brains.
For me, I’ve had characters spring to life, then I have to write the perfect story for them. Well, one in which they go through all kinds of turmoil to get their happy ever after. Other story ideas have come to life with a setting, a scene idea, even a phrase or a headline. Two songs have sparked ideas for stories, so totally different they are worlds apart. This picture of a frozen lighthouse is what sparked the idea for a story yet to be written. Back in the early 90’s, we had breakfast with my Dad and his parents, and my grandfather said something about a club my grandmother belonged to. To this day, it still makes me laugh. Anyway, he called her social club by a funny name, and now I have the idea for a Cozy Mystery series. Over the years I’ve had so many ideas for stories that my binder (and Pinterest account) are brimming with inspiration for each book. I don’t know if other authors are this way, but I get a feel for pictures and what story they belong in as I’m scrolling through pictures. Give me three pictures of Christmas trees, and I know right away if they fit in my Holiday Romance or not.
So once I have the spark of an idea, then it’s time to craft the world for characters, choose settings, GMC (goals, motivations, and conflicts) for each main character. And honestly, that’s usually the hardest part for me. That’s what makes the story interesting, and keeps readers turning the page to see what happens. And while it’s fiction, it has to be believable for the reader to stay tuned in the story. Even in Paranormal or Urban Fantasy, readers want those worlds to make sense to them. You know those cooking shows where the chefs are all given the same ingredients and they have to come up with a meal? You can give several authors the same picture/character/or setting idea, and each one will write a totally different story.
I was invited to a Facebook author party last night, and I loved the idea this publisher had: several authors have written books all based in the same town. There are recurring characters and places, but each story is unique. And they are all different genres. It reminded me of the creative writing class I took in high school. We, as a class, decided on the town, population, etc. And each of us created a character and had to keep a journal about our lives in that same town. I think the teacher gave us an idea for events in the town, and we had to come at it from our character’s viewpoints. It was great fun.
So yes, anything can spark an idea for a book.
Where do you get your inspiration? As a reader, what are your favorite books to read? Do you like fiction or true stories?
February 23, 2015
How to THRIVE not Just Survive!
Kat's 5 Step Plan to THRIVE - Not Just Survive
SurvivingDid you notice that this year we didn't hear much talk about New Year’s resolutions? Could it be that people are already maxed out, carrying enough burdens? It seems to me, a lot of us are barely coping with life as it is. For many people the goal for next year is simply survival.
Surviving is something I’m very familiar with.
I spent much of my life in survival mode; surviving a lifelong battle with my weak immune system, the death of my mother when I was not yet fourteen, a difficult home life after that. After I got married I had multiple miscarriages, and we have a son with severe illness. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I know how to survive.
As writers many of us face nearly impossible deadlines and a rigorous appearance and social media schedule. It’s easy to lose our balance and slip into survival mode. But I want to do more than just survive – I want to THRIVE.
THRIVEBut how do we switch from survival mode to THRIVE-AL mode (new word)? How can we thrive amidst all the stress and busyness of our high-octane lifestyle? I’ll share my thoughts with you, but I’d love your input as well. What do you do to THRIVE?
Here is my 5 step plan to THRIVE:
Spend at least part of the day disconnected. I plan to silence my smart phone, step away from the computer, turn off the TV, and focus on something human and physical for a couple hours. Perhaps it will be yoga, or working in the garden, or cleaning my kitchen. These disconnected moments are far more important than I had realized. They bring a sweetness and contentment to our lives, even if it means doing something as mundane as gardening or cleaning the kitchen. It offers us time to reflect.
Spend time communing with God and nature. I’m sure most of you realize how important this is, but too often I let my day slide by without experiencing these all-important moments. This is a case of sacrificing what is most important for something less important. I vow to correct that, so that I can THRIVE.
Stop multitasking quite so much. I admit I’m a workaholic. It’s not uncommon for me to have several projects running on my computer at the same time. Our culture puts a premium on multitasking. People who can multitask are perceived as more productive. In truth, studies have shown that people who multitask are generally less productive than people who focus on one task and complete it. I have interviewed a number of successful authors and discovered that those who have life in balance do not multitask. So, I plan to let go of some of my multitasking and try to do only one thing at a time.
In as much as possible, I plan to eliminate elements in my life that don’t bring joy. There is a wonderful book that explains how to organize and simplify by evaluating what brings us joy. When I use the word joy I don’t mean: happy, bouncy, perky, party. I mean; joy, contentment,
peace, balance. These emotions are the rain and sunlight that help us thrive.
Here’s a link to that book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo Link: http://amzn.com/B00KK0PICK
Lastly, I have decided my health comes before my success as a writer. It comes before all the other things I have stacked in front of it for the last twenty years. Naturally, this entails some dietary and exercise changes. The key here is deciding to make it a priority.There you have it - this is my 5 steps plan to THRIVE. Share your thrive-al plans with us. What do you do to thrive?
Kathleen Baldwin is the author of several Amazon bestselling Traditional Regency Romances. Her upcoming series for Tor Teen - A School for Unusual Girls has already won awards. Kirkus declares, "romance readers who prize both brains and valor in a heroine will be pleased to make Georgie's acquaintance."
SurvivingDid you notice that this year we didn't hear much talk about New Year’s resolutions? Could it be that people are already maxed out, carrying enough burdens? It seems to me, a lot of us are barely coping with life as it is. For many people the goal for next year is simply survival.Surviving is something I’m very familiar with.
I spent much of my life in survival mode; surviving a lifelong battle with my weak immune system, the death of my mother when I was not yet fourteen, a difficult home life after that. After I got married I had multiple miscarriages, and we have a son with severe illness. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I know how to survive.
As writers many of us face nearly impossible deadlines and a rigorous appearance and social media schedule. It’s easy to lose our balance and slip into survival mode. But I want to do more than just survive – I want to THRIVE.
THRIVEBut how do we switch from survival mode to THRIVE-AL mode (new word)? How can we thrive amidst all the stress and busyness of our high-octane lifestyle? I’ll share my thoughts with you, but I’d love your input as well. What do you do to THRIVE? Here is my 5 step plan to THRIVE:
Spend at least part of the day disconnected. I plan to silence my smart phone, step away from the computer, turn off the TV, and focus on something human and physical for a couple hours. Perhaps it will be yoga, or working in the garden, or cleaning my kitchen. These disconnected moments are far more important than I had realized. They bring a sweetness and contentment to our lives, even if it means doing something as mundane as gardening or cleaning the kitchen. It offers us time to reflect.
Spend time communing with God and nature. I’m sure most of you realize how important this is, but too often I let my day slide by without experiencing these all-important moments. This is a case of sacrificing what is most important for something less important. I vow to correct that, so that I can THRIVE.
Stop multitasking quite so much. I admit I’m a workaholic. It’s not uncommon for me to have several projects running on my computer at the same time. Our culture puts a premium on multitasking. People who can multitask are perceived as more productive. In truth, studies have shown that people who multitask are generally less productive than people who focus on one task and complete it. I have interviewed a number of successful authors and discovered that those who have life in balance do not multitask. So, I plan to let go of some of my multitasking and try to do only one thing at a time.
In as much as possible, I plan to eliminate elements in my life that don’t bring joy. There is a wonderful book that explains how to organize and simplify by evaluating what brings us joy. When I use the word joy I don’t mean: happy, bouncy, perky, party. I mean; joy, contentment,
peace, balance. These emotions are the rain and sunlight that help us thrive. Here’s a link to that book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo Link: http://amzn.com/B00KK0PICK
Lastly, I have decided my health comes before my success as a writer. It comes before all the other things I have stacked in front of it for the last twenty years. Naturally, this entails some dietary and exercise changes. The key here is deciding to make it a priority.There you have it - this is my 5 steps plan to THRIVE. Share your thrive-al plans with us. What do you do to thrive?
Kathleen Baldwin is the author of several Amazon bestselling Traditional Regency Romances. Her upcoming series for Tor Teen - A School for Unusual Girls has already won awards. Kirkus declares, "romance readers who prize both brains and valor in a heroine will be pleased to make Georgie's acquaintance."
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