Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 24
January 24, 2017
Round & Ravishing, release day
As long as you aren’t an Amazon reader, you’ve already gotten your preordered copy of Round & Ravishing. If you are an Amazon reader, I promise, the book is not four pages long. It’s much longer than that, and it’s coming. I honestly don’t know what’s going on.
Here’s what I can tell you…
Policies changed and I didn’t realize it. I missed the deadline.
I uploaded the final manuscript as soon as possible.
Every retailer besides Amazon had the final manuscript sent out to their readers.
But it’s still release day. It’s coming to those of you who have been waiting and haven’t gotten it yet. I’m sorry. I truly am. I understand being frustrated when you’ve been waiting this long. I’m trying to get it to you, but I can’t do anything at this point. It’s all just a waiting game with Amazon.
If you’re still at all interested though, I have an excerpt for you…
From Round & Ravishing
Three snowballs hit me before I saw where they were coming from. I launched one in his direction but it blew apart long before it hit him. The second one stayed together, but it didn’t make it anywhere near close to him. I moved closer to him and heard him laugh as he ran toward me.
“You’ll never get me!” he teased as he ran right past me, dodging the snowballs I threw toward him. He hit me in the leg, in the arm, and on my back before I ran out of snowballs.
“This isn’t fair. I don’t even know how to make a snowball,” I whined, hoping he’d take pity on me.
“I thought you grew up here.”
“I did, but I didn’t have a brother to have a snowball fight with. You need to show me how to make good snowballs.”
He stepped out from behind a tree a few yards away. “Is this a trap?”
I shook my head, my face expressionless and innocent. He moved closer cautiously. When he was standing next to me he bent to get a handful of snow and I smashed the snowballs I had in my hands in his face.
“What the hell?” he sputtered, spitting out snow and laughing. I ran away, cackling that I’d managed to trick him.
He chased me and tackled me to the ground, pinning me beneath his large frame. The snow was cold beneath me, but when he pressed his lips to mine, I forgot all about the snow.
He kissed me deep, his tongue eagerly stroking mine. I felt him harden against my hip and slid my glove-free hand into his hair, needing to feel his skin on mine. He unzipped my jacket and palmed my breast, tugging my shirt up to expose my breast. I hesitated for about a minute, but dismissed my concerns. He lived at the end of a dead-end street and we were in the backyard. No one would see us.
Then he pushed back and flashed me a smile that was pure devil.
And shoved a handful of snow in my bra.
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January 22, 2017
Q&A Sunday: Characters IRL
You mentioned in another post that the physical description of Graham from “Puffy & Precious” reminded you of Dwayne Johnson. Do your other characters remind you of other famous people? Or do you have stock images of all your characters?
The short answer is it depends. Of course!The long answer is I have pictures of every character. Some are pictures in my head, but for almost all of them, I take the picture in my head and find a person online.
I’ve found stock photos for some people. But most stock photos don’t exactly match my vision for who my characters are.
So I turn to Pinterest!
Yes, Graham was Dwayne Johnson, in my mind. Noah is Scott Eastwood. The other Big & Beautiful guys were stock photos, but Pinterest is a lot more fun.
Tattoos.
Sexy grins.
Shirtless men.
Pinterest has it all!
Thanks so much, Aliana, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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January 20, 2017
#FiveOnFriday In Your Arms by Shannyn Schroeder
Hi Mary. Thanks so much for hosting me today and giving me a chance to chat about my books.
Mary: I’m so excited to have you with us, Shannyn! I have to know… You write about both nerds and bad boys? Which guy is your favorite?
Shannyn: I definitely have a love for bad boys. Nerds have their charm, but there’s something about a bad boy, especially a dirty talking one.
M: Ooh, I totally agree! Since you unwind with TV, I have to know, what shows fill up your DVR?
S: So many. No joke. SO. MANY. I used to say cop shows. You name it, I probably watched it. I still do, but I think there are fewer of them that I’m into now. I am really into many of the super hero shows. Personally, I’m a DC girl, so while I watch Agents of Shield, I prefer Arrow, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Gotham… yeah, I told you— too many.
M: You had me at Arrow! I’ve recently become addicted to Arrow, Flash, and Legends. Hard to say no to them! In your unheard of free time you said you bake cookies. On the rare occasion your kids let you make your favorite, what kind of cookies are you baking?
S: My love of baking cookies really does come from the process not the consumption, so I don’t know that I really have a favorite. You can’t go wrong with basic chocolate chip. But if I’m looking to indulge, I’ll make Comfort Cookies, which is a recipe I created for my first book, More Than This. The recipe is on my web site – http://www.shannynschroeder.com/comfort-cookies/
M: That’s so awesome! Since we’re talking books… What scene from In Your Arms was your favorite to write?
S: My favorite scene to write is the Saturday afternoon that Sean and Emma spend together. They meet Friday night, and although Emma spends the night in Sean’s bed, it’s only because she drank too much. He convinces her to spend the day with him. They go to the beach and to a street fest.
It’s nothing really special, but I think that scene really highlights part of what I love most about Chicago in the summertime. Plus, we get to see who Emma and Sean are and experience the chemistry they have with each other.
M: Last question… I have to know, as a writer now, do you have any sympathy for the students who dubbed you ‘The Torture Master,’ and the work you made them do?
S: When my students gave me the nickname, I laughed because it was quite appropriate. Looking back now, as a parent, as a writer, as a teacher…nope—no sympathy. I say that because every time I “tortured” them it was to make them stronger, better students. I worked with gifted students who were used to skating through school. Everything was easy for them. I made things hard. They needed to know what it meant to be challenged. No real learning happens without struggle.
I’ll forever wear that name as a badge of honor ☺
M: Good for you! Thanks for sharing with us! Now let’s hear about In Your Arms!
In Your ArmsA KNIGHT IN SHINING LEATHER…
Sean O’Malley has never tried to hide who he is. He shows it in the motorcycle thrumming between the legs of his tight jeans…the shaggy hair that falls in his gorgeous eyes…the wicked gleam in his smile when he asks Emma out for a drink. Sean is a rebel, a bad boy, and a ton of fun: exactly the kind of guy she’s sworn off forever.
Emma isn’t just the prim kindergarten teacher she appears to be. And somehow Sean can tell. As soon as he pulls up to her overheated car he knows that a fast bike and a cold beer will fix her rotten day better than compliments or a bubble bath. Her straitlaced exterior and her wild heart light him up. But Emma wants to escape her past and settle down—and if her desk jockey dates don’t understand where she comes from, at least she doesn’t worry about them bringing her back.
One weekend of intense connection can’t change the paths Sean and Emma have chosen. But with a little space to be themselves together, maybe the rest of the world can wait…
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Meet Shannyn
Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series, contemporary romances centered around a large Irish-American family in Chicago and the Hot & Nerdy series about 3 nerdy friends finding love. Her new series (For Your Love) released last summer with the first title Under Your Skin. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies. Find out more at: www.ShannynSchroeder.com and make sure you follow her on Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.
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January 17, 2017
Round & Ravishing, first kiss
In only one week, Round & Ravishing will be available! I am so excited!
Tara and Noah have a steamy, sexy connection off the bat. From their first kiss, it’s clear to Tara that Noah isn’t just some guy. He’s someone different. Someone she wants to spend a little more time with. And she’s happy to do just that!
Excerpt from Round & Ravishing
“Tara,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “It suits you.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “How so?”
He shrugged. “No nonsense. Not frilly. Strong.”
“How do you know if I’m any of those things?”
“I can sense things about people.”
“What kind of things?”
He leaned closer. “Well, first, I know you’re dying to finally sit on this stool we’re both hovering around. Second, I know you’re here tonight because you’re trying to get away from something or someone. Third, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t slap me if I tried to kiss you, but you really don’t want me to in the middle of such a public place.”
I slid on the stool, inching my body closer to his. He laughed and stood so I had room to sit. I turned toward him and my hands went to the front of his Henley and he stopped laughing. His eyes darkened and held mine as my fingers worked their way up to his shoulders and around his neck. He leaned toward me as I pulled him in. He didn’t pause or wait for me to meet him halfway. He just claimed my lips.
Damn could he kiss.
His lips were warm against mine. Soft. His hands fell to my hips and tugged me against his body. He wasn’t much taller than me, but not many men were. At 5’10”, kissing could get awkward, but with Noah it was perfect. He was perfect.
Then his tongue traced the seam of my lips and I stopped thinking.
I opened for him, reaching for his tongue with my own. He tasted like beer but smelled like heaven. His masculine scent filled me as his erection filled the space between us. His tongue swept through my mouth, tasting me, exploring. He wasn’t in a hurry to slow things down and I was more than happy to let him take his time. When he started to ease back, he kissed me again once, then dove right back in for another toe-curling kiss that left me panting, completely oblivious to the scene we were making on a bar stool.
“I might have to take you home with me tonight,” he whispered against my lips when we finally came up for air. “If you kiss like that, I don’t think I can pass up a chance to find out how we would be in bed.”
I grinned. “I thought you were going to buy me a drink.”
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January 15, 2017
QA Sunday: Criticism in Reviews
How do you evaluate the criticism after a book is released and reviews are written. For example, you are writing a series and you get some criticism that might effect how you write the next book or has that ever happened? I’m sure you have spoke with other authors when you embarked on this career. What did they tell you about evaluating reviews and/or harsh criticism?
Well, this first piece of advice almost every author will get in regard to reviews is not to read them. The second piece of advice is not to engage.
I know not everyone will love my books. There are some people who don’t read romance, some who don’t like contemporary, some who don’t like steamy, and countless others who won’t like something else. That’s okay.
The hard part is when someone who dislikes a fundamental part of my book leaves a review saying the book was horrible because they don’t read that type. Has it happened to me? I honestly don’t know. I try hard not to read reviews.
I’ve read some of my reviews. I’ve read good reviews that made me smile, good reviews that still bothered me, and bad reviews that have made it hard for me to write for days.
I don’t read my reviews.
Chubby & Charming has over 200 reviews on Goodreads. I have read about three of them.
What I do is listen to my fans who take the time to email me. This email is from Leonora…
I absolutely LOVED Chubby and Charming. I couldn’t put it down. I started reading it on a plane and my phone died 30 minutes before we landed. It was the longest 30 minutes ever! Plugged in as soon as I could to start reading again. I’m normally a graphic novel reader so this was my first ‘book book’ in years and it’s got me back into reading ‘proper’ books again so, thank you!
I have no idea if she left a review anywhere. The email she sent me matters a whole lot more to me than a review!
Reviews are for other readers, in my opinion. They are intended to help other readers decide if a book is something that will interest them. If someone wants to tell me something, they’ll email me. Those I will listen to. I’ve had readers ask why I did something. I had readers tell me they didn’t like a certain book. I had readers tell me they loved a certain book (in some cases, the same one).
Does it mold how I write?
That’s a lot harder to answer.
I want readers to love my books. Especially readers that have read all my books. But I can’t make everyone happy. Some books will push one person in a way they don’t push someone else. Some books will make one person look deeper inside themselves and be pure entertainment to others. Some books will reveal something a reader doesn’t want to see.
I can’t make everyone happy. No matter how hard I try. If I did try, I’d never write another word! It would be paralyzing.
I guess what I’d say is yes, I do think about what my readers want. I do think about what people have said to me about my books. I do ask for reader input on certain things. But I also tell the story that has to be told.
Thanks so much, Jeannie, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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January 13, 2017
#FiveOnFriday Unimaginable Lover by Rosalie Redd
Want to meet Tanen, the hero of Unimaginable Lover, book 3 in the Warriors of Lemuria series? I sat down with him for a brief interview…
Rosalie: Did you turn out the way your parents predicted?
Tanen adjusts himself in the chair and straightens the collar on his shirt. His brow furrows. “Much to my chagrin, no. My father was a warrior. I was a disappointment to him.”
I squirm in my seat. I am uncomfortable in the presence of this large male. “Why is that?”
He crosses his arms, his biceps bulging tight against his shirt sleeves. “Because I didn’t follow in his footsteps. Instead, I chose to pursue knowledge and my love of the ancient scriptures.”
R: What is your most treasured possession?
Tanen traces his finger along the pin that graces his collar. The silver metal, in the shape of the letter M, reflects the overhead lights with an unearthly glint. “My pin. It signifies my status as council leader and represents Lemuria and life ever after.”
I stroke my fingers over the keyboard as I record his comments. The sound echoes around the large chamber, and a cool breeze runs over my shoulder. Goosebumps form.
He leans back in his chair and touches one of the sunstones lining the cave walls. The gem flares, brightening the room and the air warms. “Is that better? The crystals will take away the chill.”
“Thank you, Tanen.”
R: What do you value most?
He studies me for a moment before answering, his gaze flicking over my features. “King Noeh’s respect. I will do whatever he asks to help win this war against our enemy, the Gossum, and for our goddess, Alora.”
I can’t help but smile at his sincerity.
R: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
The muscles in his arms visibly tense. His gaze tracks to my necklace, and he cracks his knuckles. “I’d rather not say.”
My unease is once again forefront in my mind. The chair is suddenly rock-hard beneath my bottom and no amount of heat in the room will take away the chill running down my back.
R: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The smile returns to his face. His blue eyes swirl with gold flecks, mixing together in a beautiful dance.
Despite my nervousness, I’m mesmerized.
He winks. “Ignorance.”
When he didn’t elaborate further, I clear my throat. “Time to move on.”
R: What scares you?
He places his arms on his thighs and leans forward. “Failing my king.”
I wouldn’t want to face this warrior in a dark alley.
R: What happens after you die?
A slow smile curls his lips, twinkling the blue in his eyes once again. “When a warrior dies his soul returns to Lemuria, back to the character board to fight again in another war on another planet.”
“Thank you, Tanen, for the interview.”
He places his hand over mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. “You’re welcome, Rosalie.”
Unimaginable LoverRosalie Redd
A shifter and a human together? Unimaginable…
One careless decision. The colony betrayed. Tanen’s only course is a desperate hunt for justice, but his solo mission is cut short when he’s mortally wounded during a fight. Rescued by a sweet, innocent female who nurses him back to health, he can’t deny the passion that burns between them. Now he must choose between his duty and honor or his desire for the precious, but forbidden, human female.
Broken promises and ruined love hardened Sheri’s heart. When she finds an injured and extraordinarily sexy man on her property, she’s pulled into a world she never imagined. As she nurses him back to health and they bond over their love of books, she’s torn between the lessons she learned from her rough past and the need to seek solace in Tanen’s arms, but she must learn to trust him, and herself, in order to survive.
Excerpt from Unimaginable Lover
Sheri’s pulse raced as a strange mixture of shock and desire coursed through her veins. The tall, muscular stranger pinned her against the wall. One second she’d pressed 9-1—on her phone and the next, she was here, in his arms.
His biceps bulged, and she had a sudden urge to run her fingers over them, feel the steel that was below the surface, but her hands were trapped at his hips. She gripped his taut waist, and his heat bore into her, warming her fingers, tingling the sensitive nerves. Although caged in his embrace, he was gentle with her, holding back the strength that ebbed from him in waves. As he leaned in, his breath cascaded over her shoulder, warm and enticing.
“No infirmary.” His gravelly, rough command came out on a whisper.
She should’ve feared him, this stranger in her home trapping her in his arms, but instead, her insides melted, warmed by his touch, his voice, his scent. Something about him made her long for more.
So focused on the man who held her so close, she hadn’t noticed Coop. His insistent barks echoed through the house.
The man tensed, and in the process his lean body pressed tighter against hers. Her skin prickled at the contact.
With a quick glance over his shoulder, she caught sight of her pet. He growled, his lips curled over his fangs.
“No, Coop. Stop!”
His back legs bunched in preparation for his attack.
The man didn’t release her, but turned to face her dog. He held out one hand, palm open. “Halt.”
Coop’s growl faded.
He took a tentative step forward.
His nose quivered, and a small whimper eased from his chest. Her pet, an ex-police dog trained to track and defend, placed his muzzle under the stranger’s palm.
She gasped. If she hadn’t seen this for herself, she wouldn’t have believed it. He patted Coop on the head, and the dog’s tail beat against the floor.
The man’s eyes were red-rimmed, and sweat coated his forehead. “I have to leave…”
His eyes glazed over, and his grip around her waist loosened.
As her hands traveled along the space between them, her fingers trailed over the firm muscles of his abdomen and chest. The strength and power under his skin lit up her nerves. She moved a stray hair away from his brow and focused on his eyes. Bottomless pools of blue, they reflected the pain hidden behind his features.
Her chest constricted. “Please, let me help you.”
His gaze fell to her mouth, and he reached up to stroke her bottom lip with his thumb, teasing her. “How? Like this?”
Before she could stop him, he slipped his hand around the base of her neck and pulled her close. His mouth hovered over hers for the briefest moment. She closed her eyes, aware that doing so was an invitation all its own. Warm and welcoming, his lips tasted of musk and pepper. With unexpected tenderness, he teased her with his tongue, caressing the crease between her lips. The sensitive nerves tingled at the contact and she inhaled, parting her mouth.
Moaning softly, he deepened the kiss, and explored her. His tongue brushed the sore spot in her mouth, but instead of pain, his smooth caress eased some of the ache. The passionate need in his kiss bore into her, sending a wave of desire to her core. Beneath the thin material of her shirt, her nipples peaked, and she couldn’t hide her reaction to him. A slow groan rumbled in his chest.
Buy it now from Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, B&N, Kobo, or iBooks!
Meet Rosalie
After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for award-winning author Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She pens paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy romance in her office cave located in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing.
Website: http://www.rosalieredd.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosaliereddauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosalieRedd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34148783-rosalie-redd
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rosalieredd/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/rosalieredd
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January 10, 2017
Round & Ravishing, pick me up
In just two weeks, the tenth book in the Big & Beautiful series will be available! I’m really excited to finally share some of Round & Ravishing with you today! Tara and Noah are a lot of fun, even from the first moment, and the cheesiest pick-up line… maybe ever.
Excerpt from Round & Ravishing
“Cosmo,” I told the bartender with a wink.
He smiled back and his eyes dipped to my cleavage. I was already feeling better. Thankfully, someone vacated a seat just after the bartender handed over my drink. I slid onto it the same time someone else went for it.
“Excuse me,” I said, flashing him my best movie star grin.
He returned my smile. “I apologize. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s okay. The place is pretty crowded. I guess seats are tough to come by.”
His brown eyes scanned my body and paused on my breasts. He licked his lips slowly then met my eyes again. I held his gaze for a second then let my eyes roam over him. Broad shoulders. Tightly stretched Henley. Long fingers. Narrow waist. Long legs. I took my time going over him in reverse and let him see a smirk when our eyes collided again. That scruff on his chin was just long enough to leave a burn on my skin that would remind me of him for days.
He was yummy.
“I’m Noah.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you have an ark?”
He laughed, the deep timbre splitting the noise of the bar around us. He leaned in closer, the stool still between us, and said, “I’d build one for you.”
I snorted. “Does that line ever work?”
He shrugged. “Never used it before. You tell me.”
I considered him for a long moment. He was hot, definitely. And clever. Maybe a bit cheesy, but I was okay with that.
“I think I’d let you buy me a drink.”
He grinned, a full smile that made the shitty week I’d had more of a memory. “I can do that,” he said. “What do I have to do to get your name?”
I tapped my lip with my index finger and considered his question. If he was another reporter, which was definitely possible, he knew my name. Of course, if he was playing me, he was doing a hell of a job.
“How about tell me what you do for a living and I’ll tell you my name.”
His eyebrows pulled together, but he shrugged. “I’m an oncology nurse. I work at Winterville Memorial in the pediatric chemo wing.”
Damn. If I was looking for a relationship, Noah would be it. I was content being single. And besides, I wasn’t planning to make Winterville home for much longer. My dad was feeling better and I needed to get back to the real world, and a real life.
“Impressive. A deal’s a deal. My name is Tara.”
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January 8, 2017
Q&A Sunday: Criticism
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
This is a challenge for me. I take criticism very hard. Every review that points out something a reader didn’t like hurts. Every person who tells me they don’t read my type of stories or my heat level or anything like that is tough to hear.
I was at a reader event a few months ago. A person walking past my table picked up a copy of Puffy & Precious. She asked what I write and started reading the cover as I told her about my books. She got about two sentences in and walked away, telling me she doesn’t like books like mine. About a woman rebuilding her life after a divorce. Catching her husband cheating.
I get that it wasn’t for her. My books aren’t going to be for everyone. I get that, believe me. But it was still tough to know she wouldn’t even give it a shot.
Thank you, every one of you, for giving my books a shot. For reading my emails or my blog posts or my books. For following me and friending me. It means a lot that you are willing to read past a few sentences to see the story beneath, and to love my characters as much as I do!
Thanks so much, Aliana, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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January 3, 2017
Better In Bed, the end
It’s always hard to say goodbye to a character or a series. Better In Bed was one of the first series I started writing. It took me almost three years to finish all the books, but I’m both happy and sad to say it’s finally complete.
The seventh and final book released a week ago. Drink For It is about Luke, a brewery owner, who thinks he’s not cut out for love, until love herself walks back into his life, and his bar, with a chip on her shoulder and a mission.
Heather has no idea why Luke ran off the first time they were together, but she doesn’t really care. Are you buying that? Heather decides to take advantage of their situation and get something out of it, because well… Luke gives really good orgasms.
They both got a little more than they bargained for when those fun orgasms come with messy feelings.
Excerpt from Drink For It
Luke couldn’t get rid of the goofy smile on his face if he tried. He didn’t really try, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
After Heather left the day before, he went out to see Al. Thankfully, the man hadn’t asked for details, but he made it clear he knew exactly what happened with Heather. Luke told him everything was good. He’d play her little game until the wedding and if he still wanted her, which he was sure he would, he’d tell her. And ask her to give him another chance.
The phone in the office rang while he was daydreaming about a future with Heather. Luke yanked the phone off the cradle and said, “Luke’s Brew Pub. How can I help you today?”
“Hi, I’d like to leave a message. Is that possible?”
Luke grabbed his message pad and said, “Sure. Who’s the message for?”
“Luke. The owner. Could you tell him Heather can’t make the meeting today and I’ll see him Saturday with Allison and Cole?”
Anger kicked him in the gut. “Why can’t you make it?”
“Something came up,” she said after a pause. “Please tell him I’m sorry.”
“Heather, this is Luke. What’s going on?”
“Oh, um, sorry. I didn’t recognize your voice. I have another appointment today that I can’t miss. I’ll just see you Saturday when Allison and Cole are back in town.”
“Why?”
She sighed. “I just told you, Luke.”
“No,” he said, knowing he was being an ass. “You’re avoiding telling me anything. What’s going on Heather? Talk to me.”
“Talk to you? No, Luke. You’re not my boyfriend. You’re not even my friend. You’re the guy I’m sleeping with for now.”
“And the guy who owns the place where your best friend is having her wedding,” he growled, knowing she’d do anything for Allison.
She gasped. “You wouldn’t dare back out on them, Luke. Even you aren’t that cold.”
Even him? What the fuck did that mean? “What’s going on, Heather?”
“Nothing,” she huffed, letting him know it was definitely not nothing.
“Are you afraid to see me again?”
“Of course not,” she protested, her voice rising.
“Why don’t you want to see me?” he pressed. Was it that she was getting too attached or not attached enough?
“I told you, Luke. Something came up. I’ll see you this weekend. Okay? Bye.”
She hung up. Frankly, he was surprised it took her as long as it did to hang up on him, but it still irritated him. She was avoiding him. He could tell. He knew it.
What got to him was why.
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January 1, 2017
Q&A Sunday: Happy New Year!
It sounds like you have to have great organizational skills to consider being a writer what with planning, research and getting in actual writing time. What’s your secret to success!
Well, I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an organization junkie. I used to wander the office supply aisle of CVS when I was little. I still have a minor addiction to sticky notes. And planners. And lists.
I might have a problem.
I’m also a very visual person. I like to see my calendar on the wall, not just on my phone or computer. I have a yearly calendar on the wall, a monthly list of my to-do items, and a weekly planner that I keep with me. Yes, it’s overkill, but it’s all necessary for me!
One of the most important things for me is figuring out what I want. I set goals every year. I limit myself to ten goals for the year and then I break them up by quarter. Some goals I won’t accomplish until the end of the year, but some I’ll complete in the first few months. I have a blend of personal goals, production goals, and business goals. Sometimes I don’t meet them all, but I try.
A big thing for me is saying no. I’m very bad at it, like horrible, but I’m learning to say no. Saying no to tasks that make it harder for me to accomplish the things most important to me is the right move. If I forget to say no, I end up taking time away from my family so I can get all my work done, and that goes against something very important to me.
The last key, for me, to my success is taking a break. I need that chance to recharge. I watch TV, build Legos with my kids, and go on dates with my hubby. We get together with family and friends. And I read. A lot. I love reading. It doesn’t really matter what it is though, I need a break from work every week. I don’t check email on weekends very often. I try to work during the day when everyone is at work and school. I even take a lunch break every day. And it all helps. When I go back to work, I’m ready, anxious even, to focus again.
What’s your favorite organization trick?
Thanks so much, Jeannie, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!
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