Richelle E. Goodrich's Blog, page 9
June 8, 2019
8 Truths About Change
Last month I decided to take more time from my busy schedule and devote it to working on certain things I want to improve in my personal life. How is it going, you ask? Slower than I had hoped and yet I do see real progress being made. While concentrating more intently this past month on purposeful change, I have learned a few valuable lessons. Isn't that how it usually goes? I thought I would share these truths; you may find them helpful and enlightening:
1) The worst day is always the first day. Changing a habit or instigating something new is toughest at the start. After that, a habit grows from familiarity and repetition.
2) Friends make everything easier. If you want to succeed at a challenge, involve your friends. They have an amazing capacity to lighten physical, emotional, and mental burdens by simply being there.
3) Know what your objective is. Anything that does not contribute to that objective is unnecessary―let those things go.
4) Patience is not only a virtue, it is power, it is influence, it is the richest soil for personal growth.
5) Success is the result of moving forward. Concentrate on that fact, regardless of how slow or fast, how poorly or well things seem to be going. If you are moving forward, you are succeeding.
6) Believing in yourself is enough, but it sure is nice when another's kind word of encouragement kisses your ear. There is genuine strength in verbal words of support.
7) Laughing at yourself does more to heal the heart and mind than any medicine. Discouragement and despair cower under a good dose of laughter.
8) It is okay to alter your original plans. To try means to learn. To learn means to grow. To grow means to change.
I plan to keep at it this month and the next, and the next, and so forth. Time is a critical part of the equation when it comes to change and improvement. Wish me luck on my goals. Best of luck on your own personal goals as well. Remember, never give up!
April 30, 2019
The Month of May —The Month of Me
I was thinking back over the past few months, savoring a sweet mix of relief, joy, and fulfillment at having finally published an entire young adult series. On April 26th, the last book in my
Harrowbethian Saga
was released. Not only did I write and edit this entire six-book adventure, I illustrated the covers and self-published the crazy story. It was more than I initially set out to do. Now that it's finished, I can hardly stop gazing at the completed saga sitting on my bookshelf. Who knew I had it in me to do something this big?
Honestly, if you had suggested that I attempt such a feat when I first set out to write a single book, I would have crinkled my nose and thought you were signing me up for a climbing hike where the goal was to reach the end of a rainbow. Yet here I am, basking under the colorful lights where an illusive rainbow has touched ground in my life. An enormous sense of satisfaction comes from accomplishing something so challenging. This truth got me thinking today.
There are other things I would love to accomplish. There are personal attributes I would like to improve upon, goals I long to finally reach, and certain wishes I hope to someday see come true. Most of these goals involve only me, my dreams. I have set them aside numerous times for the sake of priorities. They call this sort of patient procrastination a form of selflessness. They call it being mature and responsible. I don't regret the sacrifices I have made for the benefit of worthwhile people and causes, but I am growing older and feel my determination increasing with age. With my boys reaching adulthood, I find I have greater amounts of time to myself—as well as less time left on this planet—which makes me think that now is when I can and should invest in my own dreams.
Silly thing—I was thinking about how tomorrow is the month of May, a new month, a new beginning, another stretch of springtime where many things are born and blossoming and sprouting from seed. I had the thought that this should be my month to concentrate on improving certain attributes about myself. Things I want to improve. It should be the month of me. Yes, a month all about me. Not in a selfish, irresponsible, ignore-the-needs-of-others sort of way, but in a growing, developing, mending, and moving-closer-in-line-with-the-person-I-visualize-myself-to-be sort of way. It is possible and it is productive to concentrate on yourself unselfishly—as paradoxical as it sounds.
So this is my goal. The month of May will be the month of Me. I expect great things from myself. The way I see it, any lady who can write an entire six-book, young adult series must have some magic and muchness in her. Wish me luck. I have things to do.
Honestly, if you had suggested that I attempt such a feat when I first set out to write a single book, I would have crinkled my nose and thought you were signing me up for a climbing hike where the goal was to reach the end of a rainbow. Yet here I am, basking under the colorful lights where an illusive rainbow has touched ground in my life. An enormous sense of satisfaction comes from accomplishing something so challenging. This truth got me thinking today.
There are other things I would love to accomplish. There are personal attributes I would like to improve upon, goals I long to finally reach, and certain wishes I hope to someday see come true. Most of these goals involve only me, my dreams. I have set them aside numerous times for the sake of priorities. They call this sort of patient procrastination a form of selflessness. They call it being mature and responsible. I don't regret the sacrifices I have made for the benefit of worthwhile people and causes, but I am growing older and feel my determination increasing with age. With my boys reaching adulthood, I find I have greater amounts of time to myself—as well as less time left on this planet—which makes me think that now is when I can and should invest in my own dreams.
Silly thing—I was thinking about how tomorrow is the month of May, a new month, a new beginning, another stretch of springtime where many things are born and blossoming and sprouting from seed. I had the thought that this should be my month to concentrate on improving certain attributes about myself. Things I want to improve. It should be the month of me. Yes, a month all about me. Not in a selfish, irresponsible, ignore-the-needs-of-others sort of way, but in a growing, developing, mending, and moving-closer-in-line-with-the-person-I-visualize-myself-to-be sort of way. It is possible and it is productive to concentrate on yourself unselfishly—as paradoxical as it sounds.
So this is my goal. The month of May will be the month of Me. I expect great things from myself. The way I see it, any lady who can write an entire six-book, young adult series must have some magic and muchness in her. Wish me luck. I have things to do.
April 22, 2019
I Miss Them Already
In four days, the final book in my young adult series,
The Harrowbethian Saga
, will be released as a treat for the imaginations of all avid readers. This day has been a very, very long time coming. For me as a writer, it is a momentous and emotional occasion. I have spent the past twelve years creating the most incredible adventure, which stars the young Queen Eena of Harrowbeth. I have come to know in-depth and personally a host of diverse characters—both friends and foes—who lived together in my mind, laughing, groaning, encouraging, taunting, comforting,
On many days, these wonderful characters were the motivation pushing me forward to tell their story. And though it often took stolen moments in a grocery-store checkout line or during lulls at my place of work or in the quiet, late hours of the night, I finally did what they dared me to do: I completed the last heartfelt chapter in their saga.
It is done.
So why am I overwhelmed with such joy and melancholy at the same time? I think I know why. Because I will miss my dear friends of so many years. Yes, I will miss Sha Eena’s young, determined, impetuous nature and Derian’s strict, authoritarian personality that could only be tempered by Eena. I will miss Ian, the queen’s dutiful yet jesting protector. I will miss Shanks and his crew of overgrown warriors who laughed like children when in leisure circumstances. I will certainly miss Kira, the spotted Mishmorat whose spirit could never be broken. And I will even miss the self-indulgent and annoying Edgarmetheus whose heart does indeed possess some warped sense of goodness.
I spent this past weekend reading my book again for the umpteenth time, and I loved every minute of it. Despite knowing how it ends, I laughed and I cheered and I cried a river of tears. You will too. It is a satisfying ending that will leave you contentedly lost in wonder. So after you finish reading the final pages, and you naturally continue onto further dreamed adventures with Eena and her companions—oh, be good to them. They are my dear friends.
On many days, these wonderful characters were the motivation pushing me forward to tell their story. And though it often took stolen moments in a grocery-store checkout line or during lulls at my place of work or in the quiet, late hours of the night, I finally did what they dared me to do: I completed the last heartfelt chapter in their saga.
It is done.
So why am I overwhelmed with such joy and melancholy at the same time? I think I know why. Because I will miss my dear friends of so many years. Yes, I will miss Sha Eena’s young, determined, impetuous nature and Derian’s strict, authoritarian personality that could only be tempered by Eena. I will miss Ian, the queen’s dutiful yet jesting protector. I will miss Shanks and his crew of overgrown warriors who laughed like children when in leisure circumstances. I will certainly miss Kira, the spotted Mishmorat whose spirit could never be broken. And I will even miss the self-indulgent and annoying Edgarmetheus whose heart does indeed possess some warped sense of goodness.
I spent this past weekend reading my book again for the umpteenth time, and I loved every minute of it. Despite knowing how it ends, I laughed and I cheered and I cried a river of tears. You will too. It is a satisfying ending that will leave you contentedly lost in wonder. So after you finish reading the final pages, and you naturally continue onto further dreamed adventures with Eena and her companions—oh, be good to them. They are my dear friends.
March 15, 2019
10 Things You Want to Know About Book VI
The sixth and final book in the Harrowbethian Saga is available for pre-order. Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul is the big finish to Eena's adventures. Here are ten things you want to know about the book:
1. Eena sets out on a daring rescue mission.
2. She is joined by an unusual companionship made up of Harrowbethian militiamen, a few Viidun warriors, and her spunky Mishmorat sisters.
3. There is a very competitive gotchit game that pits heated rivals against each other.
4. There are ghosts involved.
5. And indomitable immortals.
6. Dragons too.
7. Eena learns the secret to safely peering into a Mishmorat mirror.
8. King Wennergren makes a surprise appearance.
9. Eena meets the infamous mother of Edgarmetheus.
10. There is more than one baby secret.
What are you waiting for?
Read the first five books in the Harrowbethian Saga before book 6 is released!
February 23, 2019
Pre-Order The Final Book in the Harrowbethian Saga
I did it!
With an ample amount of sweat and tears and precious muse-moments, I created an entire epic saga, taking it from those first few written words typed out during the days before a Christmas long past to a six-book adventure that was only twelve years in the making. That is a LOT of invested time and energy. But oh, how I have fallen in love with the completed work! I am well-pleased with the solid ending. One perk of writing your own stories is getting to create the endings of your choice.
Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul is book number six in the Harrowbethian Saga. It is the culminating chapters of Queen Eena's fantastical, heroic, and romantic adventure. It might surprise you how things wrap up. I won't give away too much of what happens, though A LOT happens. It will make you smile and cry and roll your eyes and hopefully laugh in the right spots. I dare you not to daydream about the story when responsibilities force you to put the book down.
Where can you get a copy? Right now it is available for pre-order on Amazon or Smashwords. The ebook and paperback versions will be released on April 26th, 2019--a fitting date because the very first book in the Harrowbethian Saga was published on April 26th, 2012. And, to make it more special, that is my sister's birthday.
This adventure has been a joy for me to write. It is a tremendous accomplishment to finally, after twelve years, bring the Harrowbethian Saga to an end. I hope you will love this crazy story as much as I have loved writing my daydream to life. As always, happy reading!
The sixth and last book in the Harrowbethian Saga. The grand finale of Sha Eena's story.
The young queen of Harrowbeth is determined to set things right, but doing so means breaking a few big rules. Joined by a select group of Harrowbethian militiamen, as well as a handful of Viidun warriors and a few spunky Mishmorat sisters, Queen Eena sets off for Laradine—the home world of the immortals.
There in the land of Tribanees, with the support of her traveling companionship, she intends to confront the immortal governing body and convince them to undo a terrible wrong. But persuading immortals to concern themselves with the troubles of temporary beings may prove to be a futile waste of time. Things get carried away, plans are drastically altered, and before long Eena starts to wonder how many wrongs it will take to finally set things right.
February 5, 2019
Author Podcast Interview
I'm excited to announce I was interviewed by the lovely Vikki J. Carter on her author podcast. It was a pleasure to visit with her and talk about the different aspects of writing, editing, and publishing. Listen to Authors of the Pacific Northwest this month and catch the interviews of many interesting authors. Listen for mine on February 25th! I'll be reading from my written works at the end of the interview. Hopefully, I don't sound as nervous on the air as I felt.
https://www.facebook.com/Squishpen/vi...
https://www.facebook.com/Squishpen/vi...
January 9, 2019
Over Halfway There
Yes, I am still working on editing book VI―the big finale―of the Harrowbethian Saga, but the good news is I'm over halfway done. So far, I'm loving this last big adventure that awaits Queen Eena. Here's a little excerpt from the book. It's hard to share some of the exciting parts because they would be spoilers to the story. This excerpt, however, needs no spoiler alert, so enjoy!!!
“What secrets?” Eena blurted out.
Kira answered by defensively listing them on her fingers. “How about the fact that Derian was coming for you in a few short days, or the fact that Gemdorin was forcing you to search for some magic gem we were all unaware existed. How about the knowledge of your unusual powers that you stupidly used to infect the Ghengats, which was also a secret you kept to yourself until it was discovered by Gemdorin, making it too late for us to do anything about preventing you from being beaten half to death! You hide things as if you think your abilities are so superior to what the rest of us can possibly contribute!”
Eena shook her head adamantly. “That’s not what I think…”
“It’s how you behave. It’s how you come across to everyone. Your selfish actions speak a helluva lot louder than your hollow words or your foolish intentions.”
The young queen could feel tears burn her eyes. “My intentions are not foolish. All I ever meant to do was protect those around me.”
“By keeping us in the dark? That’s not protection, girl. That’s neglect.”
Eena sniffled as tears ran down her cheeks. Her face twisted up, confused. “People get hurt when they’re involved in my problems!”
“In our problems.”
“No! My problems!” she insisted.
Kira threw up her arms. “There you go being all selfish again!”
Eena sucked in a ragged breath, almost crying out the next question. “How do you figure that’s being selfish? I’m trying to keep everyone safe!”
“And what did I just get through telling you about that idiotic notion?”
Eena looked up at the ceiling. She raised her palms in frustration as she bawled. “I don’t know what else to do! What do you want from me?”
Kira stepped forward and knelt in front of her tortured sister. Her hand rested gently on Eena’s knee as the Mishmorat’s gruff countenance melted. A softer, kinder voice answered the desperate question.
“We want you to understand that the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. You’re only responsible for a small portion of what happens daily on Moccobatra. Life isn’t dependent upon you alone, Sha Eena. It’s dependent upon all of us. We’re a team. We work together doing our own part. We need you to be part of our team, not a single entity existing on your own.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul
“What secrets?” Eena blurted out.
Kira answered by defensively listing them on her fingers. “How about the fact that Derian was coming for you in a few short days, or the fact that Gemdorin was forcing you to search for some magic gem we were all unaware existed. How about the knowledge of your unusual powers that you stupidly used to infect the Ghengats, which was also a secret you kept to yourself until it was discovered by Gemdorin, making it too late for us to do anything about preventing you from being beaten half to death! You hide things as if you think your abilities are so superior to what the rest of us can possibly contribute!”
Eena shook her head adamantly. “That’s not what I think…”
“It’s how you behave. It’s how you come across to everyone. Your selfish actions speak a helluva lot louder than your hollow words or your foolish intentions.”
The young queen could feel tears burn her eyes. “My intentions are not foolish. All I ever meant to do was protect those around me.”
“By keeping us in the dark? That’s not protection, girl. That’s neglect.”
Eena sniffled as tears ran down her cheeks. Her face twisted up, confused. “People get hurt when they’re involved in my problems!”
“In our problems.”
“No! My problems!” she insisted.
Kira threw up her arms. “There you go being all selfish again!”
Eena sucked in a ragged breath, almost crying out the next question. “How do you figure that’s being selfish? I’m trying to keep everyone safe!”
“And what did I just get through telling you about that idiotic notion?”
Eena looked up at the ceiling. She raised her palms in frustration as she bawled. “I don’t know what else to do! What do you want from me?”
Kira stepped forward and knelt in front of her tortured sister. Her hand rested gently on Eena’s knee as the Mishmorat’s gruff countenance melted. A softer, kinder voice answered the desperate question.
“We want you to understand that the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. You’re only responsible for a small portion of what happens daily on Moccobatra. Life isn’t dependent upon you alone, Sha Eena. It’s dependent upon all of us. We’re a team. We work together doing our own part. We need you to be part of our team, not a single entity existing on your own.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul
December 31, 2018
Looking Back
Six years ago, I published my first book. I'll admit, holding that smooth paperback copy in my hands, thumbing through the printed pages, was a thrilling experience. I could hardly keep from smiling knowing that every word comprised my own original story.
At that same time, I introduced myself on social media. I felt a burst of excitement with every new follower, and I learned to appreciate the slow and steady increase in book sales and internet posts and interviews and every other small event that helped me as a poet and novelist.
Sometimes it is fun to look back and see how far you've come. Today, on the brink of a new year, it seems like the perfect time for such personal reflection. So here goes.
Six years ago, 40 people "liked" my most popular book quote on Goodreads. Two years ago that number reached 237 "likes." Today, my most popular book quote on Goodreads has 310 "likes."
Six years ago, 8 people considered my writing good enough to call themselves a fan or follower on Goodreads. Two years ago, the number reached 149 . Today, 206 people follow me on Goodreads.
Six years ago, I started out with 3 followers on Twitter. Two years ago, that number increased to 887 . Today, 1849 people follow me on Twitter.
Other accomplishments include 13,552 visits people have made to my author website, 441 followers on my Facebook author page, 397 followers on my Instagram page, and 122 followers on my Tumblr page.
From that first book published in April of 2012, nine others have followed.
I am grateful to all who have supported me as a poet and author. Thank you for purchasing my books. Thank you for leaving kind comments and reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and other sites where books are sold. Thank you for telling your friends and acquaintences about my works.
2019 promises to be a good year for writing. Slowly but steadily, I am moving closer to my goal of finding real success as a poet and novelist. Sometimes it is consoling to look back and clearly see that.
Happy New Year, all!
You can follow me on the following social sites:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RichelleEGoodrich/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/REGoodrich
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richellegoodrich/
Author Website – https://www.richellegoodrich.com
Author Blog - https://regoodrichnews.blogspot.com/
LibraryThing - https://www.librarything.com/profile/REGoodrich
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/regoodrich/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/regoodrich/
Tumblr - http://regoodrich.tumblr.com/
Goodreads Profile - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5082833.Richelle_E_Goodrich
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Richelle-E.-Goodrich/e/B008A6A5W4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i9
December 8, 2018
Book Giveaway!
It's the season of giving , so what better way to celebrate than by giving someone a special gift? That's why I am doing a book giveaway! These books are very special to me. They certainly took a great deal of time and effort to write.
So how do you enter to win a signed copy of one of my books? Glad you asked. Just visit my author Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RichelleEGoodrich/
Then scroll down to the ENTER TO WIN post. "Like" the post and comment which of the six pictured books you're interested in. You can read summaries of my books either on Amazon (just search my name) or on my official author website: https://www.richellegoodrich.com
A winner will be drawn on December 20th, 2018. I will post the winner on my author Facebook page that day.
Good luck!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Update: 12/20/2018
And the winner of my book giveaway is DeAnn Smith! Congratulations, DeAnn, you win a signed copy of Smile Anyway!
How about a second winner since it is the season of giving? Okay! And the second winner is... Colm Boyle! Congratulations, Colm, you win a signed copy of Eena, The Dawn and Rescue!
And thanks to my amazing son with the Christmas llama for drawing the names out of a hat!
October 29, 2018
NEW Chapters Posted Today for The Tarishe Curse!
Hold onto your magic charms,
The Tarishe Curse continues TODAY!
I have posted the next chapter in my ongoing Hallows Eve tale on my author blog for your reading pleasure. This new chapter is entitled The Indigo Jewel. I hope you enjoy it!
And oh, watch out for trolls ― they are hideous creatures.
This is a developing online book with new chapters added by the author every Halloween. Visit The Tarishe Curse website to read this story in the making.
Catherine fights every Hallows Eve to protect her village from creatures of the night. She has sworn to avenge the deaths of loved ones, but a witch's curse may prove a stumbling block impossible to overcome.
A thrilling piece of fantasy fiction from the Queen of Werefolk's point of view. It is challenging enough for Duvalla and Kresh to protect their young family in a world of Hallows Eve creatures, but such a feat proves near impossible when a witch bent on vengeance against the werewolves casts a Tarishe curse that manipulates both heart and mind. The fight is not only with the sword but an internal struggle to love the ones Duvalla has sworn under a spell to hate, and hate the one who through evil enchantment manipulates her heart.
