Linda Verji's Blog, page 9

Yes! I Still Make Resolutions

I have a friend who recently told me that they don’t make 2016 resolutions because they end up breaking them anyway, so what’s the use of making of them.

It got me thinking.

Are resolutions useless? Should I stop making them and simply live my life the YOLO way? Which of course led me to think of my 2015 resolutions and how I performed in them.

To Quit My Job: Though the work was very good and I feel like some of the projects I started helped out people. Unfortunately or fortunately, writing is my passion plus I was kind of tired of making millions for the company but earning peanuts. You know what? I actually quit. In November. It was scary because this writing thing isn’t always steady, but I figured that if I don’t throw myself into the pool and keep just dipping my toes in, I’ll never learn how to swim. Right now my primary career is writing, though I did open up a lingerie shop for those moments when the pay here don’t cut it. So far I’ve managed to make my rent. So that’s good :-)
To Write At Least Eight Books: When I’m not being a lazy TV-binger, I can actually write pretty fast. In 2013, I wrote 10 books, so a goal of 8 seemed pretty reasonable. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it. I only wrote 4 books. I’d love to have a good excuse but the truth is that it was just laziness. The only reason I even managed those four was because of my new year resolution. I kept thinking of how horrible it would be if I couldn’t even make half of my resolution. It’s what made me push so hard to publish Wicked Temptation before the end of the year.
To Lose At Least Twenty Pounds. In college I walked a lot and was on the swim team. Unfortunately, my job involved/s a lot of sitting down and I gained some cookie dough and would have back aches whenever I walked for too long a distance. To that end I started using a standing desk, watching my diet, sleeping better and joined a gym. I documented the whole experience on Wattpad (the book is gone now), and managed to drop 30 pounds. I gained about 10 more pounds when I stopped documenting but after some soul-searching I went back to my ‘healthy’ ways. I am now within the healthy BMI range for my height.
To be Connect More with Friends and Family. Sometimes you get so caught up in work and your personal life that you forget to give the people who you love enough attention. Last year, I wanted to become more communicative with my family and to reconnect with good friends who I’d lost because of lack of communication. So, I started a Call a Relative or a Friend every-day practice. Every single day I’d call someone or meet someone. I think it worked because I’m back to speaking with two old friends, and my even members of my family have expressed that I’m much easier to find and they know what’s going on in my life.

All in all, I think I did okay. I had some bumps along the way and some resolution weren’t completely met, but having a roadmap gave me focus. At the end of the year I could say that I wasn’t the same person I was back in 2014. I think that’s what New Year Resolutions are about getting the best out of the year and making sure that you move forward.

Going into the new year without a resolution is like trying to hit a bull’s eye with a blind-fold. There’s every possibility that you will hit the bull’s eye, but your odds of hitting it significantly increase when you remove the blind fold a.k.a make a plan.

So yes. I’mma keep making my resolutions.

In 2016 my resolutions are:

Keep The Habits I Got In 2015: Avoid junk food, ditch coffee and sugar, go to the gym every week day, sleep at least 8 hours, call/meet a friend/relative every day.
Make Some New Friends: I think it’s time I started getting involved in my community. I’ve spotted a few churches, children homes where I can volunteer, events I can attend etc. Each weekend I plan to go out and check out the ‘land’. Hopefully I can make one or two new friends while I’m there.
Publish 8 Books: Yes, we’re doing this again. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.
Learn How To Use Photoshop: Seriously, how hard can it be. I’ve already gotten the contacts of a potential teacher. I’ll let you know how it goes. Who knows? A year from now I could make you your covers :-)
Fix Up My Finances: This year I plan to live each month using a budget. That’s all. I don’t even have to reduce my expenses, I just have to stick to the budget.

Those are mine. What are yours?

 

 

Filed under: healthy living, Resolutions Tagged: 2016 new years resolutions, healthy habits

And A Happy New Year To You Too

For most of us the new year is well underway. But whatever time zone you’re in, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2016 will be everything you hoped for for your family, your health, your wealth and your favorite sports teams :-)

I’ll get back to whining about my books and overreacting over every little thing in my life later in the week, but for now I just want to take the time to let you know how much I appreciate your continued support. Whether you’re a fan, a member of my reading group, a lurker, passing by, … thank you for making me a part of your life.

All of you wonderful ladies and gentlemen make me what I am today. And I hope to continue bringing you more stories in 2016 and beyond.

God bless each and every one of you.

Here’s to 2016.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: happy new year, wishes

No Rest For The Wicked

I’m hard at work on The Bridal Candidate but I had to stop by and thank y’all for picking up Wicked Temptation ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018ZZQMVM/ ) and leaving your reviews. Anything I say will not be enough to express how grateful I am that even when I get lost, you guys are always there ready to welcome be back.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Be blessed.

Now, The Bridal Candidate………..

In two days I’ll be done with the first draft, and I’ll start sharing them teasers with you. Meanwhile, I’m already thinking of covers. This is what I had when I was thinking of posting it on Wattpad (the cover beside this paragraph).

Of course I can’t use it since it has Orlando and Condola Rashad on the cover. But it got me thinking,  what BWWM books awed you with their covers? I’d love to know. Post a link below (or via PM) so we can all sneer at your taste. :-) lol

Filed under: Books, Love & Relationships, Writing Tagged: billionaire romance, bwwm romance, marriage of convenience, relationships

Wicked Temptation (Out Now and Very, Very wicked)

‘You can try to resist, but you won’t win’

Yup. Daniel Landa-Hollis, Mr. Charming himself, finally has a story of his own. And it’s with his best friend, Misha.

Billionaire, Daniel Landa-Hollis has always loved his best friend, Misha, but his one attempt at seducing her ended in disaster. However, with one passion-filled kiss, his feelings are rekindled and this time he’s determined not to give up as easily. Misha is just as determined to resist him, but can she? Temptation, seduction, heat…….. the game is on.

A BWWM Interracial Romantic Suspense

Have you got your copy yet? Well, what are you waiting for?

I Want My Copy Now

 

Filed under: Books, Uncategorized Tagged: best-friends to lovers, billionaire romance, bwwm romance, romantic suspense, wicked temptation

Being Mary Jane: In Memory Of Lisa

I know. I know. Her suicide is so two weeks ago. Y’all have burnt your handkerchiefs, tossed her ashes into the sea and are now focused on Kara and her leech of a man. But sorry, I’m still in mourning. I’m up here looking at pictures of Lisa like she’s a real person and replaying Episode 3, even though each time I watch it my icy heart cracks another inch.

I’ll be the first to admit, I was not a fan. Lisa was as trifling as they come, a shockingly horrible friend, self-esteem issues higher than Everest, that cocky bitch who has no problems preaching to you when her own life is a godawful mess, jealous as Future whenever someone even thinks of the name Russell… Lawd, that woman!

But I didn’t want her to die.

I’m mad at you, Mara. Lisa has been to hell, and was still trying to make her way back. Yes, she was a shitty, shitty friend but MJ isn’t exactly a prize either. MJ was a pro at rubbing Lisa’s failures in her face and some of the cruel nonsense she said to her supposed friend would’ve made me burst the windows out her car. Yes, the whole Lisa/David thing should not have happened. But Mr. IT was equally, if not more, to blame for that mess. He took advantage of an emotionally compromised woman with feelings for him, probably in an effort to get back at MJ. Got some cash from aforesaid damaged woman and then when he was all good decided that he just didn’t feel the same way about her. Further damaging her.

Oh, Mara, couldn’t you let Lisa her fix her life first before you gave her the chop? Now, I understand that you’re trying to keep the story as true to real life as possible, where more often than not shit happens and happy endings are more or less temporary. But you could’ve spared her. Here are some options instead; you could’ve let her run away from home. I mean she could’ve gone to that Kenyan volunteering trip or whatever to find herself. Heck, she could have joined a nunnery… but no, she just had to give us a permanent goodbye.

Then because y’all are just cruel, you had to squeeze the life out of her whole death scene, got us crying for forty damn minutes. As if that’s enough you knock us over the head with the info that she was abused since she was nine by her trifling ass no-shame step father. And her mama is still with that ‘thing’ after all these years (that’s that bullsh*t right there). This is information you should’ve dropped in season 1 so we would understand where Lisa’s coming from and not hate her so much. Now I’m up here feeling guilty for all the names I called Lisa.

*sigh

I’m going to stop there. Because in the famous words of Snooky, ‘I can’t. I just can’t’.

Filed under: Love & Relationships Tagged: being mary jane, relationships, review

Behind The Scenes: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About His Secret Desire

Arguably my least read book, His Secret Desire still remains one of my favorite stories (Daddy’s Home still has my soul). But writing HSD was an interesting experience to say the least. For one it was an unplanned pregnancy. I didn’t intent for this baby to be born. But after I started writing it, I just couldn’t stop. I wrote it in a month which even for me is a record. I always plan my books and this one had a plan too, but plans change. Here are a few fascinating things that changed while the book was being written.

 1. TAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE HERO.

Tay was supposed to end up with Olivia. Originally the story’s theme was to show that sometimes love can happen even when the circumstances seem wrong to people looking in on the outside. But after a few chapters with Tay I was ready to crack his head. His ego. My God. He needed to be brought down two pegs, or three, or hundred

2. AND NIKKI THE VILLAIN (VILLAINESS?)

Yup! She was going to be the villainous wife ready to slit Olivia’s throat but after realizing what kind of man she was dealing with, I felt her cold fish ways were completely justified. Some people deal with pain by screaming it out, others hold it in. But damn, that lady was cold. Why would you go to the gym where your man’s mistress works. smh

3. YES. MARCEL WAS INSPIRED BY MARCEL

You know Marcel, from The Originals? Otherwise known as Charles Michael Davis. He inspired our sexy hero. I have a super crash on that man. I mean come on, his smile is just everything. And that voice, and the abs… let me stop because it’s still light outside. Charles just come marry me. I’ve already planned it all, You just need to turn up in church :-)

4. OLIVIA’S FATHER WAS GOING TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME DAD

Uh-huh. I’d originally planned to give Olivia a tasking career-oriented mother and to make E-Hawk a stay-at home Dad who was very close to Olivia. But things happened, and E-Hawk decided he wanted to be a rapper… Eh! What can you do. These things happen.

5. OLIVIA WAS GOING TO HAVE DARKER SKIN

This was my original idea of who Olivia looked like :

Her name is Brittany Clybourne, and she makes the word agile look stiff. Anyway that was going to be Olivia but I realized that I always write about dark skin ladies yet POC are made up of so many other colors of the rainbow.

I love Olivia because in society’s eyes she’s the kind of girl men don’t marry. Tatted up to the t, boisterous, red hair, inappropriate dressing… Yet underneath it all, she was just human, damaged yet still trying to make the best of her situation.

If you haven’t read about her, you should. You can buy His Secret Desire here

Filed under: Behind The Scenes, Writing Tagged: behind the scenes, his secret desire

I’m Alive, I Promise

Yikes! It’s been more than a month since I’ve been active on here. My apologies Ladies and Gents.

Let’s see…. what did you miss while I was away? Well, I was so stupid sick I’d started scaring my siblings with the ‘When I die don’t you dare touch my blue sweater and get to my bedside drawer before mom does’ speech. It also meant my productivity was way way down. Don’t worry, I’m in good shape now….. considering.

Also I’m still writing Wicked Temptation (Danny’s Story) while mulling over Tony’s story (which PS is already halfway written). I plan to be finished with Danny by the end of October come rain or hellfire. Pray for me.

If you were with me when I first started this writing gig then you probably remember the twin sisters, Ari and Gabi. Gabi’s been bugging me lately asking for her story to be told. That said, I have to finish all the Hollis Brothers’ stories first. Hopefully that will be soon.

Going forward, I’ll try to keep you updated on my writing progress every week but if you want instant news about available books, discounts, promotions and free books then you should join my mailing list. Just click on the button below and it will lead you to the sign-up sheet. It’s real quick and easy.

Filed under: Love & Relationships, Writing

No Coffee + Gym! Am I Suicidal?

On my last post I talked about my intention to quit coffee, which I did. The first few days were okay. Trembling, headaches, moaning, gnashing of teeth, threatening to escape the asylum…. you know, normal stuff. But I survived. I’ve replaced it with a tea made of one teaspoon honey, extract of one lemon and green/cinnamon tea. And it was working great. Until I decided to join our local gym on Monday.

Now you’ve got to understand, our neighborhood gym is not some namby pamby namaste place. They work you like you’re donkey with no owner. The first day I practically had to crawl back home and was so tired I slept for nine straight hours without stirring. Which should be good because I used to sleep 4-5 hours. The problem is I write best in the wee hours of the morning i.e. 3 a.m, 4 a.m. ish. But now that I’m so tired every evening, I can’t wake up to the alarm and when I do, my tea concoction is not strong enough to keep me awake.

Sigh*

I’m hoping that this is just a temporary side-effect and that once my body gets used to the torture my body clock will return to its insomniac ways. If not, well I’ll have to come up with a new writing method because by God I’m not giving up my tea or my gym.

Side Note: You need to see my skin. I’ve never seen it glowing so much.

Filed under: healthy living Tagged: exercise, healthy habits, linda verji

I’m Giving Up Coffee

Anyone who follows me knows I love my daily cuppa. For Pete’s sake in my profile I have my definition of writer as ‘a peculiar organism capable of transforming caffeine into books’. It is that bad!

Anyway, I’m always looking for new ways to get healthier. So far I’ve managed to make exercise a regular part of my life, regulated my sleep into seven hours daily and I’m constantly working towards making my eating habits better. One way to do this is to get rid of the sugar and the coffee.

Coffee may be awesome for keeping me awake during my writing sessions but I’ve noticed that my teeth aren’t as bright as they used to be, I crash the moment I stop chugging it and I don’t feel like my skin is as clear as it should be. I haven’t even started on how taking coffee gives me these weird heart palpitation and I feel all jittery. No wonder the medics say it increases blood pressure and risk of heart attack.

To make matters worse I take about three cups of coffee every day when I’m writing. Each cup has one tablespoon of sugar. I know. I know. Lady, put down the sugar!!! But I just cannot take coffee black.

So I figure I might as well just chuck it from my diet. However, I won’t be going cold-turkey. I’m substituting it for green tea. Over the last couple of nights I’ve been trying different blends of tea to see which one I like. There’s this ginger and cinnamon blend that isn’t too bad. Add a teaspoon of honey and the juice of 1/2 a lemon and I think it could be a good replacement for coffee. Sure I’m still taking sugar but at least it’s the natural kind and I’m using less of if. Plus I’m adding citrus, lemon, ginger and cinnamon into my system so it can’t be that bad, can it?

I’ll let you know how it goes

Filed under: beauty, health, healthy living Tagged: beauty, coffee, health, healthy habits

Is It Infatuation? Is It Love?

It happened instantly – infatuation

It developed over time – love

I can’t even stand to be near him because I get all giddy and dumb-founded – infatuation

I’m most comfortable around him and could spend the whole day just talking to him – love

The longer I stay with him, the weaker my feelings for him – infatuation

The longer I stay with him, the stronger my feelings for him – love

When we have a disagreement I’m scared of hashing it out because it might lead to a break up – infatuation

When we have a disagreement I’m willing to talk it out because I know our relationship will survive – love

I seem to be the one who does everything in the relationship (call him, organize for dates) and go out of my way to please him – infatuation

We have a give and take relationship and when I feel he’s not doing his part I can talk to him without fear of our relationship disintegrating – love

We have more sex than we talk – infatuation

Our relationship is much more than a physical relationship. We could spend a whole night just talking about our hopes and dreams and still feel fulfilled – love

What’s your criteria for love?

Filed under: Uncategorized