Barbara S. Stewart's Blog, page 5

Sunday thoughts…

Sometimes, in the quiet of morning I allow myself to wander around my life. I go back. I try to peek forward, and I try hard to live in the now.

(note this: I haven’t figured out where or how, but this statement will be in a book!)

I woke up with that thought in my head this morning. I can’t speak about how other writers come up with ideas or how they’re inspired. Words just come to me. Someone recently asked me about my writing space. Hunh?

“Do you have a special place you go to be inspired? I have a friend that can only write at the beach.”

I write at the kitchen table. How exciting is that?! ha ha! There’s a  desk in the other room, but this is my perch!

Anyway, what was I saying?  (This happens more frequently these days!)

So back to the wandering… When the thought first came to me and I sat here to write down the words, I had to go back and forth – wander or wonder – not because I wasn’t sure of the grammar, because I wanted to understand what the thought meant. I decided that it really was WANDER.

I don’t live with shoulda – coulda – woulda – I learned that from Bethy. (RRNF) ‘if I knew then what I know now…’ But I remind myself  –  I am who I am because of what I’ve experienced – we all are – no regrets – life lessons.

So today – WANDER – take a journey forward, or backward if you chose and see where your thoughts lead you. I’m working on my next pass editing Sweet Surrender and Laney is making biscuits and gravy and I find myself wandering through Mamaw’s kitchen at 969 Collins St.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WeuX7eZs3k 

Just something fun because it went with my “WANDERING” thoughts. Don’t you love these old videos?! Can you even imagine the singers of today in this setting?! ha ha ha!

If you’re reading this – I

 

What a difference…

Greetings friends!

I hope you are in the middle of the best weekend EVAH! Mine has been good so far and I am looking forward to the rest of this day!

I just kind of wanted to update you on Sweet Surrender…

What a difference three years brings…

I am not changing the story at all. I’ve loved Laney and Logan ever since they entered my mind and their story came to life. I took this story and threw it out there to see what would happen. A LOT HAPPENED!

People told me they loved the story but that I needed to learn (relearn actually!) a lot of grammar – AND PATIENCE! I did that story/book fast – I’ve learned that slow is better. I see mistakes and I think WHAT??? How did I miss THAT! And then I see things that I’ve learned as I’ve grown as a writer that I see can become SO MUCH BETTER in the story. It’s already better, and I still have a way to go.

If I can tell anyone who has a new idea and thinks they are ready to write a book anything – HAVE SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOVE YOU READ IT – a review pointing out that the writing isn’t good, but the story is was a HUGE wake-up call! That’s why I pulled it  That’s why I’ve sat on it for two years waiting for the COURAGE to jump in again… BUT I HAD TO JUMP! Laney and Logan kept telling me to do it – my friends kept telling me to do it, but mostly it was MY HEART.

YOU CAN DO BETTER!

I don’t have an estimated rerelease date – I’ll keep you posted. The people who don’t love me have already read it and told me what I need to do. When I’m finished this go round, I have a couple of people who love me – who read it before – that I will share it with for them to tell me better or not but I’ll also find some who haven’t read it to read through it and see what they think.

If you think you knew what you were doing – read your own work again – how would you rate it. Pray for honest reviews to show you where you NEED to grow…

It’s feedback – not failure. Listen. Learn. YOU CAN DO BETTER!

I learn something new with every thing I write. And YOU have told me that each book is better than the last.

Thank you for sharing my journey and steering me the right way.

Blessings and love, B

 

 

 

Love story redo

Greetings friends!

I decided to sit down for a bit and give you an update! I’m trying to give this page more attention.  If you miss me – check my author page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Stewart-Author/352239824808537?ref=bookmarks

Lots has been going on! I’m hard “exposing myself” – not what you think! I’ve taken every opportunity that I can find to promote my books and myself as an author. That’s the hardest part of being an Indie – I THINK. I’ve also been searching for upcoming events – and signing up for every one that I think I can get to!

CONFIRMED for these in 2016 – go like these pages and if you think you’ll be there post on my author page!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1614841468744645/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1588953351376746/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Authors-In-The-Sand/382821331918376?fref=ts

I’m also going to this event with my good friend  Author Misha Elliott – look her up! I’m hoping that something opens so I can take part as an author, but I’m going as her assistant – any opportunity to learn to get myself out there is a blessing! I’ll take any blessing God sends my way

https://www.facebook.com/SASSigning?fref=ts

I’ve also been writing! I told you that I was giving Sweet Surrender some love. I’ve learned so much, and I want to give you a better story. Like instead of ‘she smiled’ I might change it to ‘her eyes sparkled with pleasure’ – if you read it before I HOPE you will see great improvement – if you have it on your TBR and haven’t read it – wait! If you’ve never seen it – I can’t wait to introduce you to Laney and Logan!

Well, I’ll git along lil’ doggies!

Be well and know that if you are reading this – I appreciate you so much for taking a chance on me and my dream!

Love, B

 

Memorial Day

We’ve had a quiet couple of days – after the last week at work, I was READY for QUIET.

Yesterday we drove to the National Cemetery in Jacksonville and paid our respects to those who have served and passed on. At times, it was a beautiful peaceful escape. At times, it was overwhelming emotional. It was quiet except for the sound of the flag hooks tapping the flag poles – and the quieter rustle of the flags as we stopped to pay our respects. We saw a large beach umbrella and a young family sitting at the gravesite of their loved one and it broke my heart. I won’t get on a soap box, but I will say that THANK YOU FOR SERVING isn’t enough – NOT NEAR ENOUGH – for the sacrifices those who serve pay for OUR freedom.

On that note…   there’s still have one more day before work!

I’ve been working on Sweet Surrender – I wrote a short story that about a childhood memory that I submitted for a contest and I have TWO stories in my head! I’ve signed up and wait listing for signing events – hoping some day to meet some more of you! So far they are all next year, but…. I’m praying for sooner events! Each interest form and application is a step toward my future!

Well, there’s a NASCAR race on so I’ll buzz off. Working hard on being better at posting – so y’all don’t forget me

Thank you for believing in me and my love for words – I just printed two lists of words to help my writing grow! (But I still won’t read 50 shades of anything from me – maybe 2 shades of pink )

Bless you and remember why we celebrate this weekend – thank a solider if you see one – I dare you!

Love, B

 

 

 

The Face in the Mirror – Free Sunday May 17th

Greetings!

Just a quick note for now – I decided TODAY that TOMORROW you can have the eBook of The Face in the Mirror free – ONE DAY ONLY.

I love this story so much and with Tate being new, I’ve been preoccupied with him – I’m not complaining, he is kind of pretty

But I didn’t want to forget about Mitchell. He’s a hottie with a heart. It was broken… find out if it mends

I hope you love Mitchell and Renie.

Love, Barbara

http://www.amazon.com/The-Face-In-Mirror/dp/1481094939

Friday goodies!

Greetings again!

I told y’all I post when I have something to say and my brain is crazy with stuff right now!

This song is going to play a part in something going forward!! Stay tuned!

And check THIS out!

Love y’all, B

http://bedknobsandbookbabes.blogspot.com/2015/05/tate-by-barbara-s-stewart.html

 

Finding my way in the world…

Good morning!

Trying to be better at all this social stuff – ha! I want to let you know about something exciting so that you can mark your calendars!

April 8&9, 2016 – Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event in Jacksonville, FL

August 26&27, 2016 – Authors in the Sand in Daytona Beach, FL

You have plenty of time, so plan your spring break and summer trips! I had so much fun at the 1st Book Obsessed Babes event that I’ve been looking for anything close that I can get to! I  have my name on about 20 interest forms and wait lists!

More info to come!

Love, B

Babblings about BOB

 

WHAT A WEEKEND! It was AMAZING!

I participated in the Book Obsessed Babes Signing Event here in Jacksonville as my alter ego – Barbara Stewart ~ Author! It was my FIRST “real” book signing event and I’m not sure where to even begin, so babblings to occur 

I FINALLY got to meet my GOOD FRIEND of two years from Facebook, who came into my life because of a rock god named Andy Stevens

I was also able to share this SPECIAL time with someone who allowed me to be part of her debut as an author with her friend – Congrats to Crista Tackett and Dennis Cabay on Letter From Dad!

Now…

I can’t make the font big enough to show you how much I mean it… Sometimes subtle works best…

THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone who participated, helped plan and execute the event. Thanks to all the people who attended. Thanks to those of you who weren’t able to attend wj sent people to see me – what a BLESSING!  THANK YOU to Gene for making my table beautiful with his handcrafted items that helped bring my story of Tate alive, but also… They brought people to my table because they noticed my display – and said so! THANK YOU SO MUCH to my family and friends who were there to SUPPORT ME AND CHEER ME ON!

It. Was. AWESOME.

I met NEW FRIENDS that I KNOW will be part of my future! Some are close enough that I hope we can see each other soon. Some are further away, but I know that our paths will cross again – you can feel those kind of bonds! I learned so much and have notes for my next event – because I AM GOING TO FIND ANOTHER ONE!

One of the other authors that I confessed my nervousness to came to me at the end of the event and said “Barbara, what was the hardest thing about this experience?” I thought for only a second – “Nothing!” Ashley asked me at breakfast this morning if it met my expectations – I seriously didn’t have any – I’ve never even been to a book signing so I walked in the door with guidance from good people in my life who told me what I NEEDED, the rest I ran with my gut and you know what?????

IT WAS AMAZING, and I can’t wait to do it again!!

If you’re reading this – I

Barbara

Here are a few pics – I have LOTS MORE – these were  available right now, so I’ll get some more ready later.

 

Crista Tackett – Author!

 Loved these shirts!

 I loved this! These gals had posters with a cover from every participating author and they came and had us sign our cover!  

Jillian Dodd

Y’all know my love of this beautiful bridge! I

Misha Elliott

With our event Hostess – Taira Wilds

My brother Charlie won my door prize!Two of my favorite fans! And a signed copy for another…Our photog for the event – Doug WildsMy Family  Couple of my besties!

A hug from Amanda and Evelyn!BOB authors!

   

I loved this! Some ladies had taken a book cover from each attending author and made a poster and had the author sign it!

The ASSistants!

More with the besties!

My new friend Robin Soprano

Someone’s haul!

 Cayce Poponea

Alissa Rose

A.J. Harmon

Sue Frederick 

Another year has passed…

 

Happy New Year Friends!

I know I don’t stop by here as often as I should. I come when I have something to say

I did a BLESSING JAR for 2014 and am beginning the ritual again this year – with more CONVICTION! I didn’t get as many blessings in the jar as I should have – I believe we’re blessed every day and I plan to work harder to remind myself of that.

I dumped the jar and spent my morning reading over the blessings while I had my coffee. WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS! 2014 was a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, but the jar had messages that reminded me that each trial, every low that I experienced last year had a good outcome. Things could have been worse. Those blessings reminded me of that. they reminded me who was there when I needed them to be. Sometimes it was a phone call, a visit, an ear to listen while I ranted or cried. Some of the messages were praises for something great that happened – a new book – a new job. Some of the messages just said the name of someone who blessed me in a special way. I took pictures of the messages and sent them to those people whose names were in my jar. I got messages back, and one of them said “I hope I make the jar in 2015!” (you already did!) My favorite blessing was a surprise message that I unfolded that told me how much my husband loves me and that he misses me when I’m at work.

Little pieces of paper… big blessings…

I hope you’ll think about doing your own jar. I’ll let you know next year how my jar goes.  

Have a blessed 2015

I’ll be back

Love, Barbara

 

Thanks and Giving

Excerpt from The Face in the Mirror – because it’s on my mind.

Thanksgiving morning was busy as we finished preparing the meal. After one last check before we put dinner on the table, I looked around the room at the people there waiting to share our Thanksgiving meal – Midge, Alecia, Dave and Ashley, as well as Cassie, and my sweet, wonderful husband – and I felt deliriously happy. We’d be sharing our meal of thanks and giving at Granny’s table.

I’ve thought about that a lot lately, and I think we sometimes get lost in the commercialism of the holidays. ‘Thanks and giving’ felt good to me and everyone gathered at the table warmed my heart. I thought about how blessed I felt, and how thankful I was for new friends and old; thankful that Midge’s presence kept my mom closer to my heart. And my heart filled every time I looked at Mitchell – the love of my life.

I miss my family – the ones I remember gathered around the table sharing everyone’s favorite thing – mine is, and always will be, mac & cheese. I hope I do my Mamaw proud.

Tomorrow my family who love here will be heading south for the holiday, so we are having  brunch instead, and I am continuing something we started last year – maybe a new tradition… Stuffing and sausage gravy – don’t judge!

Don’t gobble ’til you wobble – remember it’s about what we’re thankful for.

Happy Thanks and Giving,