J.R. Pearse Nelson's Blog, page 30
February 24, 2012
Your Health is Important, J.R.!
Hello, readers. Please bear with me as I do a little "dear diary" thing. This (long) post is about my health, and my weight-loss goals in the near future. I also include some tools near the end that have helped me improve my diet in the past. Accountability is a positive force, and hey, it's my blog. :)
I need to change my mantra when it comes to my health from "tomorrow" to "today!" Note the exclamation mark. That's very important.
Maybe it's the sun streaming in my window at the moment, or the tiny yellow flowers that have just begun to bloom by the stoop outside my front door. Maybe it was finding and picking winter carrots from the garden with my four-year-old niece as I played outside with all four little girls the other day (my two and my brother's two, who spend four days a week together). Those little carrots had been growing there for months, a surprise for this moment. I told her, "Leftovers! Let's wash them up and leave the tops on so we can munch like bunnies!" Just like we had in fall, when the girls were younger and smaller. The sun is waking in my heart as it wakes the earth beneath my feet. I have such a good life, and so much to be thankful for!
The point to the whole life celebration thing is that I have everything to live long and be healthy for. And it isn't that I'm unhealthy. I have a bit of leftover baby weight, and twenty pounds I should have lost long before the babies. I don't have any medical conditions, and I'm young and strong and able. I just know life would be better without the extra weight, with stronger muscles so I can feel younger, and with more energy to appreciate all I have and accomplish all I desire. Changes I make to my habits now will pay huge dividends down the road.
In the stress of the day, I usually choose a bit of pleasure now (in the form of yummy foods, of course!) over my weight loss goal, which feels so long-term. It isn't long-term, though. I should plan to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, with a healthy combination of a better diet and much more physical activity. That's measurable.
With my weight loss goal of 28 pounds, at a rate of 1.5 pounds lost each week, it will take 19 weeks to reach that goal. I looked forward on the calendar, and that date is July 6th. This strikes me as more than coincidence: I'm the matron of honor in one of my best friend's wedding on July 7th. I may have to pay a bit more in alteration fees for my dress, but wow, to feel sexy and energetic at her wedding? What a blessing that would be!
Changes to diet, starting with the hardest (which also happens to be the most important):
Minimize processed sugars.Don't eat after nine at night. (This goes right along with sugars, above. Late evening snacking is my downfall.)Minimize high-fat dairy and meat.Maximize whole grains and high-fiber foods in an array of gorgeous colors.Don't eat bread with every meal. (This one makes me sad.)
Changes to physical activity level:
Walk the dog almost every day (20 minutes).Hit the exercise bike at least twice a week (30 minutes).Hike, run, swim, dance and/or exercise with the kids at least three times a week (30 minutes).Do toning exercises at least twice a week (20 minutes).
A couple of things I already know, and that have worked in the past, that I'll be applying to this effort:
Eat with the children. Their meals are healthy and balanced; it's when I choose something else for myself that I'm in trouble. I even told my three-year-old if she catches me with something sweet she gets to "tax" me.Drink lots of water! It keeps me more energetic, looking better, and helps flush my body of toxins to always keep a full glass or bottle of water nearby. Refilling your glass is also a great reason to get up and move for a minute, which is needed with a job and hobby that revolve around sitting on my behind.Replacement foods are a must! I've recently tried greek yogurt, which has amazing benefits in that it is low- or non-fat, but has tons of protein. In fact, it has 23g protein in a one-cup serving, compared with 8g in plain yogurt. That makes it a filling snack. I've been mixing it with granola, cereal, dried and fresh fruits and berries, nuts, and a little bit of honey to sweeten -- basically, whatever I have on hand. That's a satisfying breakfast for me. Also, I'm committing myself to salads for lunch: maybe not every day, but most days. If I cut out bread at that meal, and get greens instead, that frees me up to indulge in bread with one of my other meals. To fit in whole grains, I'll pick up another bag of wheat flour and when I bake I'll go half and half. I just don't like the flavor of biscuits, pancakes or banana bread with all whole-wheat flour, so I find the half and half mix gets me part-way there. Whole-grain pastas are definitely different than the refined-flour varieties, but they do have a place, with some adjustment of what you add to them. This is a matter of personal taste. I'll also pick up sorbet or frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.Cook at home. When time's been short, this has fallen to the wayside. I know it's great for us to cook and eat together, but juggling toddlers and work and trying to minimize child care means we often eat at different times. When I take shortcuts, I often make bad choices. The fresh food season is just around the corner, it's time to de-rustify my kitchen skills and get back with the ballgame! Cut up at least one fruit or veggie to go with each family meal. I'm a total weirdo (like you haven't noticed) and it really galls me to put a plate in front of my family with fewer than three courses on it. Since we've had little kids, we really like putting fresh stuff in front of them, and it's a way for my husband (who is less drawn to fruits & veggies than the kids and me) to make sure he's eating the fresh stuff. It also takes less time to prep something fresh, and it often adds a nice splash of color to our plates, which is great for the soul.
Okay, so that's what I'm about in terms of my health and securing my long and healthy future over the next several months. It's really a lifestyle thing, and sometimes it can be really easy to fall back into old patterns. Now I have this blog to return to to check myself, and I think that will help. If you have any tips to offer that have worked for you to get more physical activity in during your busy days, or to turn the other cheek when it comes to the "bad" foods, I'd love to hear them.
I need to change my mantra when it comes to my health from "tomorrow" to "today!" Note the exclamation mark. That's very important.
Maybe it's the sun streaming in my window at the moment, or the tiny yellow flowers that have just begun to bloom by the stoop outside my front door. Maybe it was finding and picking winter carrots from the garden with my four-year-old niece as I played outside with all four little girls the other day (my two and my brother's two, who spend four days a week together). Those little carrots had been growing there for months, a surprise for this moment. I told her, "Leftovers! Let's wash them up and leave the tops on so we can munch like bunnies!" Just like we had in fall, when the girls were younger and smaller. The sun is waking in my heart as it wakes the earth beneath my feet. I have such a good life, and so much to be thankful for!
The point to the whole life celebration thing is that I have everything to live long and be healthy for. And it isn't that I'm unhealthy. I have a bit of leftover baby weight, and twenty pounds I should have lost long before the babies. I don't have any medical conditions, and I'm young and strong and able. I just know life would be better without the extra weight, with stronger muscles so I can feel younger, and with more energy to appreciate all I have and accomplish all I desire. Changes I make to my habits now will pay huge dividends down the road.
In the stress of the day, I usually choose a bit of pleasure now (in the form of yummy foods, of course!) over my weight loss goal, which feels so long-term. It isn't long-term, though. I should plan to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, with a healthy combination of a better diet and much more physical activity. That's measurable.
With my weight loss goal of 28 pounds, at a rate of 1.5 pounds lost each week, it will take 19 weeks to reach that goal. I looked forward on the calendar, and that date is July 6th. This strikes me as more than coincidence: I'm the matron of honor in one of my best friend's wedding on July 7th. I may have to pay a bit more in alteration fees for my dress, but wow, to feel sexy and energetic at her wedding? What a blessing that would be!
Changes to diet, starting with the hardest (which also happens to be the most important):
Minimize processed sugars.Don't eat after nine at night. (This goes right along with sugars, above. Late evening snacking is my downfall.)Minimize high-fat dairy and meat.Maximize whole grains and high-fiber foods in an array of gorgeous colors.Don't eat bread with every meal. (This one makes me sad.)
Changes to physical activity level:
Walk the dog almost every day (20 minutes).Hit the exercise bike at least twice a week (30 minutes).Hike, run, swim, dance and/or exercise with the kids at least three times a week (30 minutes).Do toning exercises at least twice a week (20 minutes).
A couple of things I already know, and that have worked in the past, that I'll be applying to this effort:
Eat with the children. Their meals are healthy and balanced; it's when I choose something else for myself that I'm in trouble. I even told my three-year-old if she catches me with something sweet she gets to "tax" me.Drink lots of water! It keeps me more energetic, looking better, and helps flush my body of toxins to always keep a full glass or bottle of water nearby. Refilling your glass is also a great reason to get up and move for a minute, which is needed with a job and hobby that revolve around sitting on my behind.Replacement foods are a must! I've recently tried greek yogurt, which has amazing benefits in that it is low- or non-fat, but has tons of protein. In fact, it has 23g protein in a one-cup serving, compared with 8g in plain yogurt. That makes it a filling snack. I've been mixing it with granola, cereal, dried and fresh fruits and berries, nuts, and a little bit of honey to sweeten -- basically, whatever I have on hand. That's a satisfying breakfast for me. Also, I'm committing myself to salads for lunch: maybe not every day, but most days. If I cut out bread at that meal, and get greens instead, that frees me up to indulge in bread with one of my other meals. To fit in whole grains, I'll pick up another bag of wheat flour and when I bake I'll go half and half. I just don't like the flavor of biscuits, pancakes or banana bread with all whole-wheat flour, so I find the half and half mix gets me part-way there. Whole-grain pastas are definitely different than the refined-flour varieties, but they do have a place, with some adjustment of what you add to them. This is a matter of personal taste. I'll also pick up sorbet or frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.Cook at home. When time's been short, this has fallen to the wayside. I know it's great for us to cook and eat together, but juggling toddlers and work and trying to minimize child care means we often eat at different times. When I take shortcuts, I often make bad choices. The fresh food season is just around the corner, it's time to de-rustify my kitchen skills and get back with the ballgame! Cut up at least one fruit or veggie to go with each family meal. I'm a total weirdo (like you haven't noticed) and it really galls me to put a plate in front of my family with fewer than three courses on it. Since we've had little kids, we really like putting fresh stuff in front of them, and it's a way for my husband (who is less drawn to fruits & veggies than the kids and me) to make sure he's eating the fresh stuff. It also takes less time to prep something fresh, and it often adds a nice splash of color to our plates, which is great for the soul.
Okay, so that's what I'm about in terms of my health and securing my long and healthy future over the next several months. It's really a lifestyle thing, and sometimes it can be really easy to fall back into old patterns. Now I have this blog to return to to check myself, and I think that will help. If you have any tips to offer that have worked for you to get more physical activity in during your busy days, or to turn the other cheek when it comes to the "bad" foods, I'd love to hear them.
February 23, 2012
My To-Read Shelf is Overflowing
Yet I still get so excited when I buy a new book! This post is inspired by an Amazon shipment of books that arrived yesterday. It contained two new books by one of my favorite authors, Carrie Vaughn -- the author of the Kitty Norville series about Kitty the werewolf. She's absolutely my favorite werewolf of all time -- not Carrie, but Kitty. LOL. The series has me so hooked that when Amazon recommends it, even before it's out, I snap it up instantly so it will arrive as soon as possible. Carrie Vaughn debuted with Kitty and the Midnight Hour, and for a long time that series was all I saw from this bright star. However, it's obvious she was working in the background on secret projects, because she's come out with several interesting books in the last couple of years.
Discord's Apple came out in 2010. It's a very compelling read, making use of many old myths (which is a style I'm quite fond of in my own writing). I read it very soon after it came out, and I was even more excited about Carrie Vaughn after reading her work outside of Kitty Norville! I love it when authors show me a new side of themselves.
So what did my box contain yesterday?
Carrie Vaughn's 2011 superhero release After the Golden Age. Superheroes! Yeah! Actually, the main character is the superpower-less daughter of superheroes, who says her code name should be Bait Girl. I love it already, and I haven't gotten past the inside cover.
Another from Carrie Vaughn: her debut young-adult novel, Voices of Dragons. I was surprised to see she's branched into young-adult...but not that surprised. I'm looking forward to reading this, although YA is not my preferred genre. Maybe she'll make me think twice about that. :)
The box contained one more book, and it's completely different! Tina Fey's Bossypants. I simply love Tina Fey. She makes me laugh out loud more often than any other comedian -- the perfect blend of wit and silliness. So I can't wait to read this book.
So that's the new stuff that's been added to my soon-to-read list...they're waiting there with two books from another of my favorite authors, Jacqueline Carey. I must prioritize reading!!
Discord's Apple came out in 2010. It's a very compelling read, making use of many old myths (which is a style I'm quite fond of in my own writing). I read it very soon after it came out, and I was even more excited about Carrie Vaughn after reading her work outside of Kitty Norville! I love it when authors show me a new side of themselves.
So what did my box contain yesterday?
Carrie Vaughn's 2011 superhero release After the Golden Age. Superheroes! Yeah! Actually, the main character is the superpower-less daughter of superheroes, who says her code name should be Bait Girl. I love it already, and I haven't gotten past the inside cover.
Another from Carrie Vaughn: her debut young-adult novel, Voices of Dragons. I was surprised to see she's branched into young-adult...but not that surprised. I'm looking forward to reading this, although YA is not my preferred genre. Maybe she'll make me think twice about that. :)
The box contained one more book, and it's completely different! Tina Fey's Bossypants. I simply love Tina Fey. She makes me laugh out loud more often than any other comedian -- the perfect blend of wit and silliness. So I can't wait to read this book.
So that's the new stuff that's been added to my soon-to-read list...they're waiting there with two books from another of my favorite authors, Jacqueline Carey. I must prioritize reading!!
February 22, 2012
Mid-Week Update: Get Out of Town!
I took my own advice, and got out of town. We spent the weekend in Central Oregon. (Over the mountains and through the woods to Grandma's house we go!) Sunday night I even got to indulge in a kids-free cabin, a crackling fire, and time with my honey.
I also got in some quality time with my WIP. :)
Here's what I've been up to since my update last Wednesday:
Friday, I wrote 1,100 words, and had some more fun with the outlines of books later in the series.
Sunday, I wrote 1,000 words.
Monday, I wrote 1,000 words first thing in the morning. That's my favorite time to write, and a time that isn't available to me normally because my kiddos get up as soon as mom does. :)
Tuesday, I wrote 1,500 words!
So, my word count total since last Wednesday's check-in is 4,600 words!
I'm past the mid-point of this novella, and as usual, the second half is coming together much more quickly than the first.
I wish I had the flexibility at work right now to take a day off and focus on Flight. But I don't. I still think it would rock to finish this book by the end of the month, but I'm going to need to be really creative to get there. It'll probably be more like a week into March when I'm finally there.
How are all my writer friends doing with your projects? Is your creativity still blooming in the dead of winter?
Good luck this week!
I also got in some quality time with my WIP. :)
Here's what I've been up to since my update last Wednesday:
Friday, I wrote 1,100 words, and had some more fun with the outlines of books later in the series.
Sunday, I wrote 1,000 words.
Monday, I wrote 1,000 words first thing in the morning. That's my favorite time to write, and a time that isn't available to me normally because my kiddos get up as soon as mom does. :)
Tuesday, I wrote 1,500 words!
So, my word count total since last Wednesday's check-in is 4,600 words!
I'm past the mid-point of this novella, and as usual, the second half is coming together much more quickly than the first.
I wish I had the flexibility at work right now to take a day off and focus on Flight. But I don't. I still think it would rock to finish this book by the end of the month, but I'm going to need to be really creative to get there. It'll probably be more like a week into March when I'm finally there.
How are all my writer friends doing with your projects? Is your creativity still blooming in the dead of winter?
Good luck this week!
February 15, 2012
What's Your Editing Quirk? Among Other Things
Today happens to be my 32nd birthday! Check out my birthday post for info on the giveaway I'm doing this week to celebrate, and my interview today on author Aine P. Massie's blog House Millar.
Once again, it's been ten days since I checked in. That's partially because I have little to update -- I've only written about 2,000 words in that time. I feel like the draft is long for where I am in the story, but we'll see how it turns out. Maybe it'll be a longer novella, but I know it won't hit 40,000 words, which is what I consider the minimum length to call a book a novel.
I also spent some time last week on the outline to the fourth story in the series, and did a tiny bit on the final two books' outlines. I think it'll be easier to think through that far ahead before I finish this current book. And it was fun! Part of the challenge I'm loving with this series is balancing the plot for the individual book with the setup and execution of the overarching conflict.
I have also been noticing my thoughts turning back to Queen Witch, the urban fantasy novel I wrote in late 2011, as I go about my daily business. Challenges that seemed insurmountable in December are beginning to work themselves out in my brain while I focus on other things. That's great, because it's almost time to have a copy of my first draft printed and go at it with my purple ink, which is how I always do my first edit and begin to hammer out revisions.
That brings up a fun question for my writer friends: Do you have a specific pen you use for editing, or any other quirky editing habits or rituals?
It's My Birthday! Giveaway & Interview
I'm 32 today!
In celebration, I'm giving away copies of my novella Tribute to any readers who comment on this post by midnight Friday, February 17th. If you've already read Tribute, but haven't read the sequel Vessel, mention that in your comment and I'll treat you to a copy of the second book instead. Fun! (Please remember to leave your email address so I can contact you with the coupon code for your free copy of Tribute from Smashwords.) When you comment, I'd love to hear about your favorite way to spend your birthday.
Since my birthday landed on a Wednesday, I'm working. Hopefully, I can scoot out of the office a little early to do some shopping. And this weekend we're going to Sunriver, in Central Oregon. My husband and I will actually have one night at a cabin by ourselves, while the kids stay at the grandparents. Wow! I can't wait for uninterrupted sleep, that's an awesome birthday present! Oh, and time alone with my husband will be wonderful, too! I'm guessing we'll both bring our hobbies along. He's as far behind on guitar practice for a show the 25th as I am on my work in progress. We'll probably crack a bottle of wine and retreat to our corners where we can gaze lovingly at each other in between our complete self-indulgence. :)
Aine P. Massie, the author of the House Millar paranormal series, is interviewing me on her blog today. She asked some really fun questions. Check it out!
In celebration, I'm giving away copies of my novella Tribute to any readers who comment on this post by midnight Friday, February 17th. If you've already read Tribute, but haven't read the sequel Vessel, mention that in your comment and I'll treat you to a copy of the second book instead. Fun! (Please remember to leave your email address so I can contact you with the coupon code for your free copy of Tribute from Smashwords.) When you comment, I'd love to hear about your favorite way to spend your birthday.
Since my birthday landed on a Wednesday, I'm working. Hopefully, I can scoot out of the office a little early to do some shopping. And this weekend we're going to Sunriver, in Central Oregon. My husband and I will actually have one night at a cabin by ourselves, while the kids stay at the grandparents. Wow! I can't wait for uninterrupted sleep, that's an awesome birthday present! Oh, and time alone with my husband will be wonderful, too! I'm guessing we'll both bring our hobbies along. He's as far behind on guitar practice for a show the 25th as I am on my work in progress. We'll probably crack a bottle of wine and retreat to our corners where we can gaze lovingly at each other in between our complete self-indulgence. :)
Aine P. Massie, the author of the House Millar paranormal series, is interviewing me on her blog today. She asked some really fun questions. Check it out!
February 7, 2012
Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday -- and Serial Fiction
Today is the two hundredth anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth. I learned something new about Dickens today -- his work was originally published as serial fiction, in a variety of magazines, then later bound into books after all of the installments were out. Check out this PBS article for more on that.
I'm intrigued by the serial format, especially in the digital age. I have a couple of ideas that may lend themselves to the format nicely, but I need to learn more about it and let those ideas develop for a while before I attempt something rash. :)
Vicki Keire's Daughter of Glass is being published by Curiosity Quills Press as a serial. I've read the first installment, and it's great. I can't wait to get back and read the next chapter. A new chapter is coming out each week; this week will be the fourth. Check it out.
I'm intrigued by the serial format, especially in the digital age. I have a couple of ideas that may lend themselves to the format nicely, but I need to learn more about it and let those ideas develop for a while before I attempt something rash. :)
Vicki Keire's Daughter of Glass is being published by Curiosity Quills Press as a serial. I've read the first installment, and it's great. I can't wait to get back and read the next chapter. A new chapter is coming out each week; this week will be the fourth. Check it out.
February 5, 2012
Sunday Update: ROWers Take Care, and Take Heart
I did a bit of a disappearing act these last couple of weeks. It's been hard to fit in anything but the essentials in life, and I've been admitting that and getting the rest I need to stay healthy instead of pushing all hours to get writing done. I got a few hundred words in here and there, but didn't blog or comment on blogs at all. Sorry!
From what I've been reading on other writers' blogs, I think many of us have been in the same boat, pushing hard on our goals after minimal post-holiday season rest. We can't expect the impossible from our bodies or our minds. And it's impossible to keep going like the Energizer bunny without refreshing with decent rest. Some nights my mind has felt like a blank slate -- a creepy feeling for a woman who's always cranking through my "lists" in my mind, not to mention hatching plots.
The only place to go is forward. So ROWers, take care of yourselves so you have those reserves needed for the imagination to thrive. And take heart -- the future holds great things if you just keep plugging away one day at a time toward your goals. Now I'm going to take my own advice. :)
I finally got back into Flight, writing 2,400 words (including the first love scene!) between two writing sessions on Friday. Saturday, I added 700 words. My total word count on this draft is now 13,300. Not terrible for a month's work.
I really have to knuckle down and commit to finishing this draft. I've given myself plenty of forgiveness due to kids being sick and backlog of work around the day job and home -- but the time for excuses is at an end. Honestly, I've felt a little scattered these past few weeks, with that "shiny and new" idea popping up and continuing to surprise me. Now is the time to hone in on my goal and really live in my characters' skins for the next few weeks. I will finish the first draft of this novella in February, in time to begin edits on my novel Queen Witch in the final weeks of ROW80.
Exercise? Yeah, right. Besides walking the dog and dance party with my daughters, I haven't exercised. Given thirty minutes and the choice between hitting the exercise bike and writing 500 words, I'll choose writing every time. And that dance party I mentioned will lift my kids moods no matter what; that's worth missing the bike for. Since my two kids weigh a total of about 50 pounds, I can get a pretty good workout with dance party. The workout has to be better when your free-weights wiggle. :)
From what I've been reading on other writers' blogs, I think many of us have been in the same boat, pushing hard on our goals after minimal post-holiday season rest. We can't expect the impossible from our bodies or our minds. And it's impossible to keep going like the Energizer bunny without refreshing with decent rest. Some nights my mind has felt like a blank slate -- a creepy feeling for a woman who's always cranking through my "lists" in my mind, not to mention hatching plots.
The only place to go is forward. So ROWers, take care of yourselves so you have those reserves needed for the imagination to thrive. And take heart -- the future holds great things if you just keep plugging away one day at a time toward your goals. Now I'm going to take my own advice. :)
I finally got back into Flight, writing 2,400 words (including the first love scene!) between two writing sessions on Friday. Saturday, I added 700 words. My total word count on this draft is now 13,300. Not terrible for a month's work.
I really have to knuckle down and commit to finishing this draft. I've given myself plenty of forgiveness due to kids being sick and backlog of work around the day job and home -- but the time for excuses is at an end. Honestly, I've felt a little scattered these past few weeks, with that "shiny and new" idea popping up and continuing to surprise me. Now is the time to hone in on my goal and really live in my characters' skins for the next few weeks. I will finish the first draft of this novella in February, in time to begin edits on my novel Queen Witch in the final weeks of ROW80.
Exercise? Yeah, right. Besides walking the dog and dance party with my daughters, I haven't exercised. Given thirty minutes and the choice between hitting the exercise bike and writing 500 words, I'll choose writing every time. And that dance party I mentioned will lift my kids moods no matter what; that's worth missing the bike for. Since my two kids weigh a total of about 50 pounds, I can get a pretty good workout with dance party. The workout has to be better when your free-weights wiggle. :)
February 3, 2012
Guest Post by Lauralynn Elliott: Why Paranormal Romance?
Today I have something new for you. My friend Lauralynn Elliott and I are trading guest posts on the topic: Why Paranormal Romance? I hope you enjoy reading Lauralynn's take on the topic, and then pop on over to her blog to find out more about her and read my post. :)
********
Iwant to thank J.R. for having me on her blog today. This is my first guestpost, so I'm not sure if I'm going to say anything remotely interesting.
Whyparanormal romance? I think it was kind of a natural progression for me. I canremember when I was younger I just devoured romances. Most of them werehistorical romances, but I also read contemporary romances. I loved theinteraction between the two main characters, and although I knew there would bea happy ending, I still felt this kind of suspense. There was always this thingin the back of my mind wondering if they really would get together in the end.I was a big fan of happily ever after.
Nowlet's talk about the paranormal part. When I was about seven years old, mygrandmother started watching this soap opera that was very different from theusual story line. There was a vampire! And, later, ghosts and werewolves! Iremember rushing home from school every day, anxious to see Dark Shadows. It'sfunny that I'm watching the old episodes on Netflix now. Dark Shadows was theshow that spawned my love for the paranormal. It was just spooky enough for meas a child without being too scary. There was romance on the show, too, but itwas kind of twisted because of the vampire's obsessions, but I didn't reallyunderstand that part back then.
Ialways wanted to be a writer. I don't know why or at what point I abandonedthat dream, but I did. Then, about three or four years ago, I met a writer whohadn't yet published anything, but she was working toward that. I told herabout my dream and she told me to go for it. She encouraged me until I finallysat down and wrote a paranormal romance. I put together my love for romance andmy love for the paranormal, and that's what came out. That was my firstpublished novel, A Rocky Path. This was a ghost story, which is my favoritething to write. Don't get me wrong, I love vampires, but ghosts are my truelove. There's just something about a spooky old house, a haunted lake, or amysterious man by a rocky shore that send chills (good ones!) down my back. Ilove the thrills from paranormal stories and also from romantic stories. Sowhat better way to get double thrills than to put the two together! So now Iwrite about ghosts, vampires, elves, and wizards. One of the great things aboutwriting paranormal romance is there aren't a lot of rules. There are no suchthings as vampires, so no one can tell you what a vampire is supposed to belike. You can take your imagination to the limit with paranormal romance. Youcan still have the hot, sizzling love story with great love scenes, but you canamp up the sizzle with a character that's full of mystery.
Whydo I write paranormal romance? It's really simple. Because it's so much fun!
LauralynnElliott is an author of paranormal and fantasy romance books publishedindependently in primarily electronic format. You will find everything fromvampires and ghosts to elves and wizards in her novels and novellas. She enjoysputting a little bit of a different twist on some of the old ideas about ourfavorite fictional characters. Lauralynn lives in the southeastern UnitedStates with her husband of "several" years. She enjoys reading,playing computer games, and spending time with friends.
J.R.says:
Here'show you can learn more about Lauralynn Elliott. Check out her blog, and her authorpage at Amazon.
Forone of those ghost stories Lauralynn mentioned, how about her book HauntedLake?
HauntedLake by Lauralynn Elliott
Afterlosing her best friend in a fire, Rachel Madison rents a cabin on Misty Lake,trying to work through her guilt and sorrow. While there, she meets two men,one good looking and friendly and the other handsome, but scarred. Soon, sherealizes that the peace she was trying to find here wasn't to be, as supernaturalevents begin to take place. The strange encounters with ghosts at the lakecause Rachel to form a strong bond of friendship with the two men. The threefriends move closer and closer to danger as the events unfold to a possibletragic result.
Excerpt:
Danielwas looking at her intently, and she nervously picked up her tea cup and took asip of the hot liquid. Daniel smiled slightly and did the same.
"Youseem a little ill at ease, Rachel. I'm not making you nervous, am I?"
"Ofcourse not. Why should I be nervous?"
"Oh,I don't know," he said, putting down his cup and taking hers out of her handand putting it down as well. "Maybe because you're afraid I might kissyou?" Her heart fluttered as he laid his palm against her face and drew hertoward him. He lightly brushed his lips against hers, making her insides quiverwith both anxiety and excitement. It had been a very long time since she hadbeen in this kind of situation and she didn't know exactly what she wanted todo. Daniel's hands dropped to her waist and her hands twined around behind hisneck as his kiss deepened and his warm lips parted. She felt his tongue seekingentrance and she opened herself to his exploration. Their embrace tightened aspassion flared between them. But then, something strange happened. She suddenlyfelt as if she wasn't quite herself. It was almost as if she was someone elseand Daniel wasn't really Daniel. It was disorienting and she pulled away fromDaniel.
"Whatin the world just happened?" he asked in startled voice.
"Whatdo you mean?" asked Rachel, wondering if he had felt the same odd sensationthat she had.
"Idon't know. It was weird. One minute I was enjoying kissing the sexiest womanI've met in a long time; the next, I felt like someone was in there with me."
"Idon't understand," she said evasively.
"Hey,you felt it, too, didn't you?" he accused.
"Feltwhat?"
"Comeon, Rachel, I know you felt something strange happening. I can tell by the lookon your face that you know what I'm talking about."
"Well,I thought I felt something. But I figured I was imagining things."
Hestood up. "This is just getting too weird. First the talk about ghosts, nowthis feeling of…I don't know…possession. I think I need to go home now. Maybewhen I wake up in the morning, the world will be back to normal."
********
Iwant to thank J.R. for having me on her blog today. This is my first guestpost, so I'm not sure if I'm going to say anything remotely interesting.
Whyparanormal romance? I think it was kind of a natural progression for me. I canremember when I was younger I just devoured romances. Most of them werehistorical romances, but I also read contemporary romances. I loved theinteraction between the two main characters, and although I knew there would bea happy ending, I still felt this kind of suspense. There was always this thingin the back of my mind wondering if they really would get together in the end.I was a big fan of happily ever after.
Nowlet's talk about the paranormal part. When I was about seven years old, mygrandmother started watching this soap opera that was very different from theusual story line. There was a vampire! And, later, ghosts and werewolves! Iremember rushing home from school every day, anxious to see Dark Shadows. It'sfunny that I'm watching the old episodes on Netflix now. Dark Shadows was theshow that spawned my love for the paranormal. It was just spooky enough for meas a child without being too scary. There was romance on the show, too, but itwas kind of twisted because of the vampire's obsessions, but I didn't reallyunderstand that part back then.
Ialways wanted to be a writer. I don't know why or at what point I abandonedthat dream, but I did. Then, about three or four years ago, I met a writer whohadn't yet published anything, but she was working toward that. I told herabout my dream and she told me to go for it. She encouraged me until I finallysat down and wrote a paranormal romance. I put together my love for romance andmy love for the paranormal, and that's what came out. That was my firstpublished novel, A Rocky Path. This was a ghost story, which is my favoritething to write. Don't get me wrong, I love vampires, but ghosts are my truelove. There's just something about a spooky old house, a haunted lake, or amysterious man by a rocky shore that send chills (good ones!) down my back. Ilove the thrills from paranormal stories and also from romantic stories. Sowhat better way to get double thrills than to put the two together! So now Iwrite about ghosts, vampires, elves, and wizards. One of the great things aboutwriting paranormal romance is there aren't a lot of rules. There are no suchthings as vampires, so no one can tell you what a vampire is supposed to belike. You can take your imagination to the limit with paranormal romance. Youcan still have the hot, sizzling love story with great love scenes, but you canamp up the sizzle with a character that's full of mystery.
Whydo I write paranormal romance? It's really simple. Because it's so much fun!
LauralynnElliott is an author of paranormal and fantasy romance books publishedindependently in primarily electronic format. You will find everything fromvampires and ghosts to elves and wizards in her novels and novellas. She enjoysputting a little bit of a different twist on some of the old ideas about ourfavorite fictional characters. Lauralynn lives in the southeastern UnitedStates with her husband of "several" years. She enjoys reading,playing computer games, and spending time with friends.
J.R.says:
Here'show you can learn more about Lauralynn Elliott. Check out her blog, and her authorpage at Amazon.
Forone of those ghost stories Lauralynn mentioned, how about her book HauntedLake?
HauntedLake by Lauralynn ElliottAfterlosing her best friend in a fire, Rachel Madison rents a cabin on Misty Lake,trying to work through her guilt and sorrow. While there, she meets two men,one good looking and friendly and the other handsome, but scarred. Soon, sherealizes that the peace she was trying to find here wasn't to be, as supernaturalevents begin to take place. The strange encounters with ghosts at the lakecause Rachel to form a strong bond of friendship with the two men. The threefriends move closer and closer to danger as the events unfold to a possibletragic result.
Excerpt:
Danielwas looking at her intently, and she nervously picked up her tea cup and took asip of the hot liquid. Daniel smiled slightly and did the same.
"Youseem a little ill at ease, Rachel. I'm not making you nervous, am I?"
"Ofcourse not. Why should I be nervous?"
"Oh,I don't know," he said, putting down his cup and taking hers out of her handand putting it down as well. "Maybe because you're afraid I might kissyou?" Her heart fluttered as he laid his palm against her face and drew hertoward him. He lightly brushed his lips against hers, making her insides quiverwith both anxiety and excitement. It had been a very long time since she hadbeen in this kind of situation and she didn't know exactly what she wanted todo. Daniel's hands dropped to her waist and her hands twined around behind hisneck as his kiss deepened and his warm lips parted. She felt his tongue seekingentrance and she opened herself to his exploration. Their embrace tightened aspassion flared between them. But then, something strange happened. She suddenlyfelt as if she wasn't quite herself. It was almost as if she was someone elseand Daniel wasn't really Daniel. It was disorienting and she pulled away fromDaniel.
"Whatin the world just happened?" he asked in startled voice.
"Whatdo you mean?" asked Rachel, wondering if he had felt the same odd sensationthat she had.
"Idon't know. It was weird. One minute I was enjoying kissing the sexiest womanI've met in a long time; the next, I felt like someone was in there with me."
"Idon't understand," she said evasively.
"Hey,you felt it, too, didn't you?" he accused.
"Feltwhat?"
"Comeon, Rachel, I know you felt something strange happening. I can tell by the lookon your face that you know what I'm talking about."
"Well,I thought I felt something. But I figured I was imagining things."
Hestood up. "This is just getting too weird. First the talk about ghosts, nowthis feeling of…I don't know…possession. I think I need to go home now. Maybewhen I wake up in the morning, the world will be back to normal."
January 22, 2012
Quick Sunday Update
Howdy, fellow ROWers. I hope you all had a more successful week than I did. Sick kids and craziness at work sapped my energy. But I won't waste your time with whining about what went wrong.
The truth is, when I did sit down to write the next part of Flight, I found an issue in my outline that needed working out, and focused some energy there. My word count on my work in progress is just 1,100 for the week, including what I've done so far this morning. Dismal! But on the bright side, plenty of room for improvement in the coming week!
I did fit in a couple thousand more words brainstorming on my "something new." I'm betting my writer friends have strong feelings about letting the muse speak when you're in the middle of writing a book...I just can't help myself. When I set a deadline on one project, my muse tends to wake up and say, "I've been meaning to introduce an idea..." I think it goes back to school, and how I tend to perform well under pressure. So I add to that pressure cooker until I can really feel it, and then somehow the work is more satisfying...? I'm such a kook. Ha!
So writers -- what do you think? Do you torture yourself in a similar fashion? LOL.
Also, I wanted to let you know the ladies at Talk Supe book blog interviewed me about my work, and the interview will post tomorrow. Fun!
The truth is, when I did sit down to write the next part of Flight, I found an issue in my outline that needed working out, and focused some energy there. My word count on my work in progress is just 1,100 for the week, including what I've done so far this morning. Dismal! But on the bright side, plenty of room for improvement in the coming week!
I did fit in a couple thousand more words brainstorming on my "something new." I'm betting my writer friends have strong feelings about letting the muse speak when you're in the middle of writing a book...I just can't help myself. When I set a deadline on one project, my muse tends to wake up and say, "I've been meaning to introduce an idea..." I think it goes back to school, and how I tend to perform well under pressure. So I add to that pressure cooker until I can really feel it, and then somehow the work is more satisfying...? I'm such a kook. Ha!
So writers -- what do you think? Do you torture yourself in a similar fashion? LOL.
Also, I wanted to let you know the ladies at Talk Supe book blog interviewed me about my work, and the interview will post tomorrow. Fun!
January 19, 2012
Reina Stowe's New Story Twenty Questions and Giveaway
A couple of months ago, I interviewed erotic romance author Reina Stowe about her work in this post. Reina has just released her second story, titled Twenty Questions.
Reina's stories really catch you. Her characters feel real from the first scene, and by the time they get what they need, you're really pulling for them. It's a nice blend of romance and humor, and Reina isn't afraid to tackle characters with baggage -- like the characters in Twenty Questions. I hope you like this short story as much as I did. So, here's Reina's offer!
Twenty Questions by Reina Stowe, author of Open Me, will be free on Amazon January 20th and 21st. Don't miss the opportunity to download this sweet and sexy story for free! Trudy and Adrian have sat next to each other at their grief support group for over a year, working through their feelings of loss and trying to heal. But they don't really know each other, even though they'd like to.
After a couple of drinks at Adrian's place, they decide to play a game of Twenty "Ask Me Anything" Questions.
It turns out to be the most satisfying game either of them has ever played.
*This is a short story - 10 standard pages.
*WARNING: Twenty Questions is for ADULTS ONLY due to sexually explicit M/F scenes involving fires in some serious need of stoking.
In addition to the free copy of Twenty Questions from Amazon January 20th and 21st, Reina is also giving away a copy of Open Me here on my blog! Comment on this post before midnight (Pacific time) on the 21st, and you'll be entered to win a free copy of Reina's first story, Open Me! Make sure to leave your email address in your comment so Reina can get you your book after the giveaway.
Reina Stowe crafts Happily Ever After's with a little extra oomph! She lives and goes to grad school in Seattle, WA.
Connect with her online:
http://reinastowe.blogspot.com
Twitter: @ReinaStowe
Reina's stories really catch you. Her characters feel real from the first scene, and by the time they get what they need, you're really pulling for them. It's a nice blend of romance and humor, and Reina isn't afraid to tackle characters with baggage -- like the characters in Twenty Questions. I hope you like this short story as much as I did. So, here's Reina's offer!
Twenty Questions by Reina Stowe, author of Open Me, will be free on Amazon January 20th and 21st. Don't miss the opportunity to download this sweet and sexy story for free! Trudy and Adrian have sat next to each other at their grief support group for over a year, working through their feelings of loss and trying to heal. But they don't really know each other, even though they'd like to.After a couple of drinks at Adrian's place, they decide to play a game of Twenty "Ask Me Anything" Questions.
It turns out to be the most satisfying game either of them has ever played.
*This is a short story - 10 standard pages.
*WARNING: Twenty Questions is for ADULTS ONLY due to sexually explicit M/F scenes involving fires in some serious need of stoking.
In addition to the free copy of Twenty Questions from Amazon January 20th and 21st, Reina is also giving away a copy of Open Me here on my blog! Comment on this post before midnight (Pacific time) on the 21st, and you'll be entered to win a free copy of Reina's first story, Open Me! Make sure to leave your email address in your comment so Reina can get you your book after the giveaway.
Reina Stowe crafts Happily Ever After's with a little extra oomph! She lives and goes to grad school in Seattle, WA.
Connect with her online:
http://reinastowe.blogspot.com
Twitter: @ReinaStowe
