Rebecca E. Neely's Blog, page 36

Spring Blog-a-Thon with Romance Author Linda O'Connor

Spring, to me is about an awakening of the senses--the sight of green grass, the rich scent of burgeoning earth, the taste of delectable strawberries and tender asparagus. Books, too, fall under that category for me. As a writer, there's no better place for me to enliven my senses than with a great romance!

It's with delight I host my fellow Soul Mate Publishing author, Linda O'Connor today during the Spring Blog-a-Thon, March 27th - March 29th. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a spotlight on another great author, and a chance to win Amazon gift cards and great books - Click here to enter the Rafflecopter!

Without further ado, let's hear some more from Linda, what she loves about Spring, and her debut novel, Perfectly Honest...

I love the fresh ‘green’ air in Spring. I can get back outside to cycle and shed the winter coat (and boots, mitts, scarf, hat, snow pants, long underwear, extra layers…think of all the time I save :) 

Perfectly Honest by Linda O’Connor You never know where your words will take you.
When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor.
Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted.
Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!
Watch the book trailer http://youtu.be/UGaav4ZLGeI
 Connect with Linda

Website:  www.lindaoconnor.netFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthorTwitter:  https://twitter.com/lindaoconnor98Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24500666-perfectly-honest                                Amazon Author Central:  https://www.amazon.com/author/lindaoconnor 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lindaoconno...
Amazon buy link http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Honest-Linda-OConnor-ebook/dp/B00S77IW9O

About the Author

I’ve been writing romance novels for three years and sincerely thank Debby Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for the ultimate encouragement to my writing  - with the leap to publishing. I have many titles including Doctor, Mom, and proud Canadian, but “Linda O’Connor – hereinafter called the Author” on the SMP contract was one of the sweetest.
Contemporary romantic comedies are my favorite novels to read and write. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). I also like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.
Laugh every day. Love every minute.

Spring for Love Blog-a-Thon March 27th - 29th!

Join me March 27th through March 29th
Spring for Love Blog-a-Thon
3 DAYS ONLYFeaturing 25+ authors of romance, fabulous prizes, including $50 & $25 Amazon gift cards, book giveaways, & more!
Enter the Rafflecopter to win!

Boosting Writing Productivity with Romance Author Kim Hotzon

It's a pleasure to welcome romance author Kim Hotzon today, as she offers her tried and true advice for boosting writing productivity. Kim's also sharing more about her book, Hands Full of Ashes, which she was inspired to write during a trip to Africa. Without further ado, let's hear some more from Kim... 

Let's face it. Writers are always writing, and when they're not, they're thinking about writing. So I have compiled some ideas for you here which will hopefully give you some inspiration the next time you sit down and write.

1. Plan ahead
We all know there is never enough time, but if you have a clear idea of what you are going to write about each time you sit down, you will get more written than if you were to sit down and spend precious time scrolling through your document, wondering where to begin. Get organized by researching today, writing a bit tomorrow, etc. For example, you may want to spend Monday drafting the main characters, and Tuesday writing the opening chapter. Or you may be further along and you want to spend an afternoon working on a particular scene or a section of dialogue. It helps reduce the amount of time wasted writing things you may not be ready to.
2. Schedule a Time and Place
Just like a real date. Set a time and place that is preferable to getting your writing done. Not at the kitchen table at 6:00 p.m. Maybe after the kids are in bed, or perhaps you have a nice desk (de-cluttered). I have sometimes gone to a friend's house, library or even outdoors to a quiet park if it's weather conducive. I simply know that I can't write unless my environment is calm. I know many writers who only write in the middle of the night, when inspiration strikes. If that works for you, go for it! Other writers rise at the crack of dawn and are ready to go before the birds are. We all feel our best at different times of the day. If you are not a morning person, and afternoons are your thing, try to find time during your lunch break to do some writing. What matters is finding the right time for you and carving that time into your schedule.
3.Write first. Edit Second
Many writers slow down the writing process by worrying over every single typo, word repetition, or grammar construction. Just start writing that rough draft. You know you will be cleaning it up later. Sometimes thoughts flow more creatively if you are less worried about initial mistakes. The important thing is getting something written.
4. Create a character description sheet
As you become consumed with plot twists and character development, it helps to have the character's descriptions written in a handy place. That way you are not scrambling to remember if Jenny had blue eyes or green eyes or met Mike at the coffee shop or somewhere else. A brief outline is all you need.
5. Set a deadline
Do you want to write a chapter this afternoon, or this week? Keeping a deadline helps keep you focused.  It is often easier to write with a clear end-goal in mind, especially in the short term. This ties in with planning ahead. If you know what you want to write, when you are going to do that and you have allotted a time frame for completing that, you are organized and you will be more productive.
6. Take advantage of apps
Nowadays, writers are finding all kinds of clever apps that help writers stay calm, focused and organized! Some examples include:
Evernote - helps keep track of your blog notes, a good place to 'dump' all those wonderful ideas you have for your story or your blog.
Write Monkey - enables you to use keyboard shortcuts, putting the mouse aside.
WriteRoom - provides safe and reliable back-up for your files.
These are just a few of the available apps that you can find online. There are many more. The point is, some apps serve a useful purpose in organizing your files and streamlining the process. Just don't spend days searching for apps. Pick one or two, try them out and get started.
7. Focus on writing one thing at a time
Like a chapter, or an opening or end scene. Don't worry about everything at once. Things will come together, but honing in on one essential piece of your writing or section of your story helps focus the direction of your writing.
These are just some ideas to get started and become more organized. You will discover your own methods in time. The key is to be, and stay, organized. I wish you the best on your writing journey!

More About Kim...

Born in beautiful British Columbia, Kim developed a passion for writing at an early age. Her interest in people led her all over the globe, including a two year stay in Japan and a humanitarian trip to Rwanda.
She loves to write romance stories with a twist, usually involving a dangerous and dramatic backdrop. Her first novel, Hands Full of Ashes, was inspired by her trip to Africa.
Kim spent many years teaching young adults with learning disabilities at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and she currently resides in the sunny Okanagan with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found plying the local ski hills, or getting lost in her kayak in the surrounding lakes.  HANDS FULL OF ASHES
  Olivia promises to fulfill her dying husband's wish - to scatter his ashes around the world. Wading through grief and depression, she journeys to a remote orphanage in Uganda. Living amongst the children in their threadbare surroundings, she vows to fight for the children's lives as she begins to fight for her own. While Olivia develops a passion for humanitarian work, the lonely director of the orphanage develops a simmering passion for her.
 Just as time begins to heal the wounds of her heart, Olivia learns the truth of her husband's unimaginable betrayal. She flees to the tiny country of Rwanda where her soul is reawakened with a startling new love. Olivia realizes that love always comes with a price when she is faced with a decision she thought she would never have to make.
 Surrounded by the rugged beauty of Africa, Olivia is determined to find true love while learning how to survive in a region left torn apart by civil war.
 Connect with Kim...

You can get in touch with Kim by visiting her website http://www.kimhotzon.com/ or follow her on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimhotzon
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6491250.Kim_Hotzon
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/pub/kim-hotzon/61/9a8/675
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimhotzon/

Time, Time, Time See What’s Become of Me

Please welcome Sophia Kimble, author of Protect Her (The Druid's Curse Book 1), her debut paranormal romance novel. Today, she's sharing her tips on time management. 
BTW, I love the title, Sophia, for your tip--lyrics from the song "Hazy Shade of Winter"; originally done by Simon & Garfunkel, and covered by the Bangles. And, this week, anyway, in Western PA, it's the 'spring' time of my life! :)
Without further ado, let's hear from Sophia.
Time? Where did it go? Do you have enough? What can you do with it?
The irony of writing a post on time management is not lost on me. This post should have been done a week or more ago, but wasn’t. Sorry Beckie! (That's okay :) I do it myself!) I overextended myself, and somehow all my wonderful foolproof safeguards failed. So it’s with a humble heart that I try to give you some tips to help with something I’ve so poorly managed.
Time.
Being from the Volunteer State, Tennessee, I tend to love to give of my time. Be it helping with my kid’s school, hosting authors on my blog, or helping with really anything you need help with.
The downside is I tend to say yes way more than I should. Do I love it? Yes. Do I perhaps say yes a bit too much, and then find myself swamped with all my responsibilities? Definitely.
My suggestion to anyone struggling with time management is to be pragmatic. Carry a calendar with you everywhere you go. When someone asks you if you can help, you can check first and realistically let them know if you have the time.
Be sure to take into consideration all the things that need to be done on any given day before you say yes. Family, Friends, Work/Writing, doctor’s appointments, ect. Then account for things like marketing your book, social media and the like.
I’m not saying don’t help people out, just make sure you have time to give it your all before you raise your hand, or check that volunteer box, or respond to that email. In the long run it will actually help all concerned as you will have enough TIME to give it your undivided attention.

Just be sure to keep some time on that calendar daily for the really important stuff…family, friends, and writing. The rest sprinkle in when you can.


Golden Alexander is trapped in a nightmare.Trying to flee her hallucination of a demon, she runs heart first into the brooding alpha male she’s been dreaming about for years, and then her nightmare really begins.

Kris Pietka is done with women...he’s broken. But when he meets Golden, an overwhelming need to protect her tests everything he thought he knew about himself, and the paranormal.
A bond forged centuries ago thrusts them together as they search for a way to break an ancient Druid curse prophesying their demise. Racing against the clock, they travel from Vermont, to the Carpathian Mountains in Poland, and the Scottish Highlands in search of answers and a way to break the curse.
But something evil watches—it covets, and time is running out.
Will fate allow love to prevail against unbeatable odds, or will Golden wake to find it was all a delusion?

Pick up a copy today from Amazon.

About the Author
Sophia Kimble has always wanted to be an author, but for years, life got in the way. She wouldn’t change a thing about how her life turned out, though. Her family keeps her laughing and loving. Her wonderful husband and two extraordinary children stand beside her every step of the way and make this journey called life worth living.
Sophia has worked as a nurse for twenty years, but has put that career path aside to devote her time and imagination to writing down the stories that keep her up nights.
She takes her love of the paranormal, history, and genealogy, and weaves them into tales of family, fated love, and supernatural occurrences.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Author Zen DiPietro is Listening to the Voices in Her Head

Please make welcome author Zen DiPietro, who is all about 'Women of Badassery - Women who Rule, Writing that Rocks'. Now, that's an attitude I can get behind!

Today, Zen is sharing with us a little bit about her writing journey, and her debut novel, Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow (Book 1)--the first book in a modern fantasy series with sci-fi and romantic elements. Soul Mate Publishing will release Guardians of Terath March 25th, and it will be available for pre-order on Amazon March 18th, or sooner. 

Now, let's hear from Zen!

After college, I wrote two books. They weren’t good. I decided to focus on other things. More than ten years passed. I was at my kids’ swim lesson one day when I noticed a small spider on the wall. An ant was walking right across his path. I wondered if the spider felt the way I do when the Krispy Kreme truck drives by me on the road. All of that proximity euphoria. So much yummy nearby, yet just out of reach.

Little stories like this one were always writing themselves in my head. They made me think I should get back to writing, but it took me a few years post-ant/spider showdown. By that point, I’d taken a 10-year hiatus from writing books. I’d had a story fleshing out in my head for several of those years. Once I resolved to push it into text, it all poured out, and the product was Seeking Sorrow. And then Facing Fortune. And now the not-yet-named Book 3 of the series. (I like Breaking Bard but my husband told me no.)It’s never too late to get back to your passion, and you shouldn’t quit just because you need to make some bad things before you can make good things. I’m glad I had my bad ones out of the way when the idea for Seeking Sorrow came along. The story started burrowing into my head with two particular scenes. I wrote the entire book around those two scenes. Not surprisingly, they’re two of my favorite scenes of the whole book. Always listen to that little voice of whimsy in the back of your head. You never know where it might take you.Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow (Book 1)  An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society. The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same. Even success comes at a price.About the Author
Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids.

Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

What I Don't Say by Rebecca E. Neely

We, as writers, spend hours, days, months, years, searching for ways to tell stories and say things in compelling ways.
However, the longer I write, I find what I don’t say is equally, if not sometimes, more important to the story.  Silence, pregnant pauses, respites, breaks, and other taciturn timeouts add, and enhance interest and drama and flair, not only in stories, but all around us, every day.
For example, on a recent weekend getaway, while walking in the woods, only blessed silence surrounded me. Because of the absence of noise other than the trees swaying in the breeze, I enjoyed the blue sky, the sun on my face, the trees, their leaves, beneath my feet, all the more.
How about music? Scores (pun intended) of examples exist but The Chain by Fleetwood Mac comes to mind. The song begins with a haunting blend of bare bones guitar chords and drums, followed by a beat of silence, before they begin to sing. In my opinion, that beat commands more reverence, more power than every other chord in the song, but, at the same time, complements, and sets the stage for those very same notes. Several beats of silence punctuate the song, and are equally powerful at deepening the tone and texture of that song. (Yeah, I love Fleetwood Mac!)
Linda Howard, one of my favorite authors, has an inimitable way of drawing me into a story, and usually, I feel I'm given little information about who the people are, why they’re together, what's come before; I know only that there’s a problem that must be solved now. And I can't get enough of her books.It’s what she doesn't say that keeps me reading.
Furthermore, what isn’t said applies, in my opinion, to the entire story--not just the introduction, not just the back story, but every scene. As a writer, I try diligently to entice my reader from beginning to end by continually keeping pieces of information, great and small, just out of reach. And when the dénouement comes, it's all the more satisfying.
That being said, it’s back to my current work in progress, a paranormal romance, where my hero is busy not telling the heroine some key information about her background.


A MIGHTY GOOD MAN by Rebecca E. Neely  ‘Hank’ Jerry, a down and out writer, and Jack Darcy, a former gang leader, team up to write his story for mutual gain and end up falling for each other. 
Only problem is, they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces, and with time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?
Purchase from Amazon

Boosting Writing Productivity with Author of Historical Romance, Lauren Linwood

Please make welcome Lauren Linwood, author of historical romance. Today, she's sharing some tips about how she stays organized while writing - something I know I always appreciate. Thank you Lauren! 
Writers juggle a lot of balls at the same time. Just last week, I worked on proofing Ballad Beauty, my March release. I completed second round edits on my June book, Leave Yesterday Behind, and then began proofreading that, as well. I participated in a blog exchange (and wrote another, independent blog for my own site). I signed a contract on a new medieval and brainstormed titles since my editor didn’t like the one I’d chosen. I read my critique group’s chapters and made notes on suggestions to share with them at our next meeting.
And that was the author part of my life! I still had laundry to do, meals to cook, appointments to keep, and a thousand other little things that need to be accomplished on a regular basis in order to keep my life running smoothly.
So now, as I return to my work-in-progress that was so rudely interrupted by all this other stuff, my head just might explode as I try to remember what’s going on in this new book I’m trying to create.
My solution?
I keep two different lists to save me time. First, I create a character list which names each person in the book in the order they made their appearance. I include not only major characters, but I also list any name given. I don’t want to repeat the receptionist’s name from Chapter 3 by using it again as a co-worker in Chapter 14. I’ll tag each name to help me jog my memory. For A Bit of Heaven on Earth, here was the beginning of my cast list:
Fayne of Aldwyn – Elizabeth’s father, ready to be rid of his bothersome childElizabeth – heroine who is strong-willed and not interested in love or having childrenThera – Elizabeth’s mother; died giving birth when Elizabeth was two (child died soon after)Father Michael – doddering priest
Having this cast list helps me keep everyone straight. You’d be surprised how many characters occur in a novel!
Another time saver is my chapter summary sheet. I bullet point events in each chapter, which not only gives me an easy reference for what happens chronologically, but if I think of a “breadcrumb” that needs to be dropped in? I skim my chapter summary list and see where I can drop a tidbit for maximum effect. Here’s part of my summary from Written in the Cards:
Chapter 1: October 1874 – New York City
-Maggie’s aunt interrupts her boxing lesson in the drawing room the day before her wedding-Harriet says she must learn to act as a lady of wealth since she’s about to marry Richard-Maggie fights a panic attack at the thought of getting married tomorrow
I’ve found having both my cast and summary lists save me time in the long run. I’d recommend them to any writer!
A BIT OF HEAVEN ON EARTH by Lauren Linwood
When Gavin of Ashgrove and his closest friend are captured in a fierce battle during the Hundred Years’ War, their captors demand a hefty ransom from their fathers for their return. Robert is quickly set free, but Gavin’s father refuses to pay for his son’s release, leaving him to rot in a squalid French prison. Aided by a sympathetic priest, he escapes and returns home to England, only to find he has been proclaimed a bastard and disinherited.
With nowhere to turn Gavin journeys to Kentwood, where he fostered as a boy, hoping Lord Aldred will take him on as a knight in his guard. The old warrior is close to death, but he soon realizes Gavin is his son. Aldred plots to have Gavin inherit Kentwood and marry his much younger wife, Elizabeth, a famed and opinionated beauty who remains a virgin after a decade of marriage.
Will the king recognize Lord Aldred’s first request of a marriage between Elizabeth and Robert, uniting Robert’s estate with Kentwood—or will the temperamental Edward reward Aldred’s years of service and honor a dying man’s final request?
Purchase A BIT OF HEAVEN AND EARTH on Amazon 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Linwood became a teacher who wrote on the side to maintain her sanity in a sea of teenage hormones. Her romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire and yearning for one another grow into the deep, tender, treasured gift of love.

Lauren, a native Texan, lives in a Dallas suburb with her family. An avid reader, moviegoer, and sports fan, she manages stress by alternating yoga with five mile walks. She is thinking about starting a support group for Pinterest and House Hunters addicts.
Connect with Lauren - Website   Facebook   Twitter   Blog   Amazon Author Page   Goodreads Author Page  About Me

Boosting Writing Productivity with Author Darcy Flynn

Sometimes I feel like the guy in the picture, hanging on for dear life as I try to get everything done!

So, I'm thrilled to have had so many authors sharing their tips for boosting writing productivity and saving time on my blog these past few months.

Today, please welcome contemporary romance author Darcy Flynn, as she shares her tips for capturing ideas on the fly.

I always carry a notebook to jot down a scene or book idea or even dialogue notes. Ideas are fleeting and if you don’t write them down you can lose them forever. I also use the notes app in my smart phone. If I’m driving I dictate into my phone. With today’s technology, there’s never a reason to lose an idea.

Thanks Darcy! Now, let's hear a little bit more about her book, Rogue's Son. Pick up a copy today at Amazon. Rogues' Son 
by Darcy Flynn

Tough, driven Kit Kendall has replaced her frills and dresses with no nonsense haircuts and wranglers, years ago. As owner of Sage Brush, the once thriving west Texas bed and breakfast ranch, she now struggles daily to keep her business afloat. Since McCabe Resort Lodge reopened next door as a multi-million dollar hotel, her financial difficulties compound, as she suffers one cancellation after another.

Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Kit’s childhood sweetheart turned nemesis returns as the new owner of the resort that’s now putting her out of business, resurrecting memories she thought she’d buried long ago.

Cowboy, entrepreneur Sam Dawson has returned to Sugar Creek, Texas after six years of exile with a secret that could destroy Kit’s happiness. He left town because of it and for the past two years has secretly tried to make it right. Having failed, he now returns to make one last attempt to undo the tangled web created by his father.

Set in motion by his father’s Last Will and Testament and with the clock ticking, Sam has only weeks to convince Kit to sell him her ranch or reveal the truth that will break her heart.


About the Author Joy Dent writes sweet contemporary romances as Darcy Flynn. Her life is a gumbo world. Take a little New Orleans heritage, some art, music, dance and add a lot of love and time to simmer and all you have is spice, flavor, and a memory of something so fine you can’t wait for another helping. Her fiction is a few B&Bs, a bit of moon magic and a lot of problems mixed with a healthy portion of sweet romance. Add a dash of sizzle and a lot of sass and all that’s left is magic.

A native of New Orleans, Darcy swapped her city roots for garden boots when she and her husband moved to their farm in Franklin, Tennessee, where Darcy is surrounded by her beautiful gardens and a menagerie of living creatures–English setters and Millie Fleur chickens, being her favorite.

Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, is set in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay. Her short story, Sealed With a Kiss: Prequel to Keeper of My Heart, is available on Amazon and Smashwords.
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+

Author Alice Abel Kemp's No Nonsense Approach to Writing Productivity

Today, please make welcome Alice Abel Kemp, author of gripping romantic suspense novels, including The Taste of Her, The Red Halter Top and The Jury Scandal. Today, she offers us her tips writing productivity. Thanks Alice!

All us writers' ears perk up at the mention of increasing productivity. We hope, I bet, that the article or blog posting will help us increase our daily word count or maybe ease the pain of editing. And there are hundreds of articles on this topic. But do they make a difference? When Beckie offered this spot, my first thought was that's easy: to increase productivity give up housework. And if you saw my house, you'd think I was the most productive writer ever.  But, seriously, I can't imagine let's say a two or three books a year writer with any kind of life or family also has a clean, orderly home --that is, without using a maid or some other paid person to do the work.

Nevertheless, a clean,orderly home might be overrated. If we claim to be serious about our writing, we have to prioritize and put writing ahead of other activities. There are and will always be distractions that can pull us away from our commitment to WRITE. So to paraphrase Nora Roberts, put your butt in the chair, fingers on the keyboard, and get to work writing. That's it. No excuses! Buy it on Amazon THE JURY SCANDAL

A finalist in the Daphne in 2013, the story begins with a divorced professor, Marilise, who struggles with an unintended pregnancy from a foolish one-night stand. When her high school sweetheart, Tommy, shows up as a student in her class, she’s scared to get involved. He’s a short-tempered homicide detective working on a case where a sportscaster is accused of shooting his ex-wife. Tommy is attracted to the new Marilise.

She attends the sportscaster’s trial to see Tommy testify. In the bathroom on a break, she overhears a thug threaten a woman juror to vote not guilty. She tells the judge and becomes a target and a risk to a local politician’s plans. Tommy and Marilise rekindle their relationship while he attempts to protect her. Can their new relationship survive the threats and will he accept her pregnancy?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Abel Kemp retired from the University of New Orleans as a professor of sociology and women’s studies. Devoting herself to fiction writing, she’s published a novella, The Red Halter Top, and two romantic suspense novels, The Jury Scandal and The Taste of Her. 

A long-time resident of New Orleans, she lives with her partner, Wayne Moore, two sons, one daughter-in-law, and her grandson. Also they keep a menagerie of three dogs, five cats, and two birds. Her hobbies include quilting, machine embroidery, and crochet.

Connect with Alice: Facebook | Goodreads

Improving Your Productivity without Sacrificing Your Sanity, by Bestselling Author Jessica Jefferson

Today, please make welcome historical romance author Jessica Jefferson. She's sharing her tips for improving your writing productivity without losing your sanity - something we can all appreciate, I'm sure!


When I wrote my first book, I was working full time in a pretty demanding job in healthcare, had gone back to college for another degree, and had two kids—one and five year old girls. Somehow I managed to finish that novel, the first in my Regency Blooms series, which went on to be on the Amazon historical romance best-sellers’ list for several weeks. The question was – how could I ever do it again?  The first time almost killed me.  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept more than five hours, and that was on a good day. I was tired and cranky. My kids missed me and I missed them. My job was suffering and I didn’t have time to fulfill the promotional requirements of a new release.

My career in healthcare is based on looking at different areas throughout a health system and helping them to improve their productivity and efficiency, while lowering costs and maintaining high levels of quality. For the longest time, I couldn’t see how my day job could possibly help me in my writing career.  Short of writing a seedy romance involving a bubbly blonde consultant and a sexy physician, I just couldn’t see how the two connected.

Then it hit me – I needed to take all that information that I taught everyone else and apply it to myself. I needed to become more efficient and improve my own productivity without spending a fortune and hiring an assistant and/or nanny. All the while creating a decent book that could sell.

The first thing I did was look at everything that happened throughout the day. I wrote down what I was doing every half hour and flowed it out on post-it notes on the wall. Just like I would any healthcare process, I needed to capture what I was doing that added value in order to figure out what I could lose. And then I went one step forward and brought in someone with a fresh perspective to question when why I was doing what I did. It’s easy to justify something as necessary to myself, it gets a lot harder when you’re trying to justify it to someone else.
It sounds tedious, and it is. But the results were startling. How much time do you spend looking at emails? I’m not even going to tell you how much time I spent sorting, deleting, replying…it was ridiculous. There were other things, too. When I thought I was doing research on the internet, it turned out I was checking Yahoo news more times than I’d like to admit. Don’t even get me started on Facebook.

It wasn’t just the computer sucking the time from my day. It was extra trips upstairs because I forgot something or wasted time at the grocery store because I forgot my list. Repeatedly cleaning up throughout the day instead of just waiting until the kids were in bed (exercise in futility). I thought I never talked to people, yet when I recorded how often I spent texting, it was enough that I should have just met the friend for dinner once a week.  Little things add up and unless you’re recording them, you never know how much time you’re spending here and there.

I started to eliminate those things that didn’t add value. I opted out of my favorite stores’ emails since I didn’t have time to shop anyways. This saved the constant sorting. I created a routine with the older child so we didn’t waste time arguing in the morning and at bedtime. Before I’d always just told her what the routine would be—not a good idea if you want buy in. This way we were both on the same page. Little things added up and eventually I lost a lot of those “wasteful” post-its. This made me more efficient so I could focus more on my writing.

Now I’m done with college and working part time in the same position. I took the same approach and removed the wasted part of my day job so that I could go from full time to part time and keep doing what I loved. This makes it possible for me to devote more time to writing, without sacrificing time with my kids and husband. I went from one book a year to four coming out this year. 

CHASING THE OTHER TISDALE

She’s the other sister…

  Overshadowed by the beauty of her older sister, Lillian is better known as the other Tisdale; unremarkable and unsure how she will ever deliver on the promise of her family's name.

  He’s a rake in need of reforming…     
   
    Will Colton leads a frivolous existence, embracing notoriety instead of managing his family’s fortune.
Determined to forget his financial burden and his father’s growing resentment, he maintains a lifestyle dedicated to pleasure and
self-indulgence.

  When Will is invited to the Tisdale estate for an extended holiday, he never expects to become friends with the forgettable Lillian. But when a family secret comes to light, he must choose between leaving London and protecting the honor of one woman or staying and risking the reputation of another.
 
  Upon his return, Will finds the girl he left behind has come out of the shadows and into her own. Lillian’s finally the center of attention, and not all of it good. With his own reputation in tatters, can a reformed rake lure her out of the hands of London's bachelors and back into his own arms? Can he escape his past and reclaim her heart, or has he lost her forever? Chasing the Other Tisdale, Compromising Miss Tisdale and Taming Miss Tisdale from Soul Mate Publishing, available now on Amazon! ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it – almost Chicago. Jessica originally attended college in hopes of achieving an English degree and writing the next great American novel. Ten years later she was working as a registered nurse and reading historical romance when she decided to give writing another go-round.

Jessica writes likes she speaks - which has a tendency to be fast paced and humorous. She is heavily inspired by sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads