A Brand New Year

Here we go on a brand new year, 2019! We're setting goals and energized! I hope you're ready to read. Here's my new Fresh Start Series:

Three city women cross country in their RVs for new lives in a western small town.

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2EjupD2

Nook: http://bit.ly/2nqvMYU

iBooks: https://apple.co/2BDqQF6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2DRumRW 

#romance #FreshStartSeries

Over the holiday, I binged on movies/TV, relaxed with family and tried to catch up from an overwhelming 2018, filled with Life Interruptus. I write about Life Interruptus, because I experience the drama frequently. But it all makes for good stuff to write, right?

Unfortunately, many of my friends also experienced drama/trauma. 2018 was just one heck of a year.

But it's behind us now, right? I was so busy last year that a friend reminded me that The Bride's Basket wasn't in print--so I hurried to get that done. The set is gorgeous.

Despite a somewhat frantic 2018, I managed to write 2 books, the first 2 of my new Fresh Start series. I also managed to get a start on a third, the intended last of the trilogy. Naturally, one of my goals is to get book 3 finished.

While my Basket Series is near/dear to me, my Fresh Start series focuses on three women starting new lives--just as many women, including myself have done. Just You is now in print and Just Love will be, but we are considering cover changes. Let me know what you think?

Christmas Sales!

HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT a 2-in-1 ebook is now just 99cents!
You'll get The Pendragon Virus and Miracles and Mistletoe, all in one big fat bargain at 99cents. 
(But if you're looking for a paperback, it's also available.)
Requested by Readers, this is a Fan Favorite re-release.

HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT Blurbs:
The Pendragon Virus: Sam's outdated view of man-woman relationships strolled along just fine until The Pendragon Virus, one female efficiency expert invaded his life and business. burned by love, Dallas Pendragon tosses a challenge he can't refuse: that Sam can't manage a household and budget... Then Sam is living in her house during Christmas season...
Miracles and Mistletoe: Life dealt Jonah Fargo, Montana rancher-hermit, low blows and he isn't in the Christmas mood for Harmony's cheery psychic self. If he's riding the Nuts Highway, he doesn't need this curvy lady splashing imaginary cupids all over him and his ranch. He grumbles, gripes and disbelieves her malarkey until IT happens....

And if you're still wanting more Cait London Christmas stories, check out Elinor's big Christmas surprise--and he is something in THE ROSE BASKET.

That's it for now! 

Meaning of Fall Season

To me, the meaning of fall season translates to color, Thank You Lord for cooler weather, and doing the things I like best.

I'll be out, driving around in the fall color, taking lots of fall season pictures. Fall in the Ozarks should be gorgeous this year, with all the rain. The oak trees turn to a bright yellow orange.

This shot is of persimmons. There is a persimmon tree in my neighborhood and the deer love them--so do skunks. :)

Inside the fleshy pulp (some people harvest these for jam or pies) is a seed. When split, this seed reveals the coming winter, mild or hard. If the image inside the seed is of a fork, the winter will be mild. If it is a spoon, the winter will be hard--I guess this signifies hard shoveling? :)

According to my neighbor who read this somewhere, this seed is 85% correct in predictions. This year, the seeds are spoons. So a hard winter.

To celebrate Fall season colors, I just designed a new personal Facebook Banner, but hope you check out my CAIT LONDON BOOKS page and LIKE it? I'm planning promo now, including giveaways and contests and hopefully--parties. My ENEWSLETTER will have MORE.

I am so looking forward to the launch of The Bride's Basket in November. All of this Basket Series contains my life's elements: children, friends, crocheting, etc.

But today, it's all about The Bride's Basket. I hope you've read the first two in the series.

>>THE BASKET MAKER'S WIFE (BOOK 1): KINDLE/UK/iBOOKS/KOBO/NOOK

>>THE EGG BASKET: AMAZON/iBOOKS/KOBO/NOOK

>>THE BRIDE'S BASKET NOVEMBER 2016

Please do join my ENEWSLETTER for more information on what I'm doing? The Alpha Readers are coming in with great reviews for The Bride's Basket, a November release.

Simple Tidings

I'M PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS NOW AND CONCENTRATING ON THE SPIRIT OF CALM AND GOODWILL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

I've never been one for the over-abundant holiday season, and this year especially, I am keeping to the Simple Modes. Our family has had its disasters this year, but all are warm and safe now, looking forward to that bit of family closeness at the end of the year. In particular, I am not one for rushing about, grabbing Black Friday sales, etc.

Typically, I bake gingerbread men, cookies, and breads, make a few things, and look forward to the week at the end of the year. That's the review time, to see what was good/bad and really didn't matter. And to plan 2016--my 2016 list is maybe a little overdone, but right now, I'm full of creative energy.

Here's what my family is getting, and they know it. :) Some caps, scarves, and a whole lot of dishcloths and mats. While crocheting is not my favorite creative mode, it is good therapy in very stressful times.

In particular, I like the Tunisian crochet. I only know a couple of stitches, but they serve me well. There is a lot to be said for repetitive work, when one's mind is stuffed full.

That stack to the right are unfinished dishcloths/washcloths (you choose which). The ends (tails) need to be woven in and that is one part I do not like.

I always thought of them as dishcloths, but so many people are using them now for washcloths as they exfoliate a bit.

One daughter and I share crochet times and it is a wonderful communication time. Recently, another daughter and her two daughters and I did a lot of crocheting, sitting, talking thru very calm times. The six-year old did a chain the length of their hallway! So proud.

Simple times, taking time, is so important this year.  I hope you are subscribed to my enewsletter, where I'll be posting photos of my latest travels?

Meanwhile:



SALE ENDING SOON!

Now .99! HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Cait London Books a boxed set of two full-length romance novels. Meet an old-fashioned businessman, a reclusive rancher, and the women who remind them what love really means in this double feature of fun Christmas romances! Regularly $2.99.
AMAZON:
AMAZON UK:
BN:
iBOOKS:
KOBO:

The response to HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT, 2 full books in one, has been tremendous. Jonah and Sam will be back up to 2.99 soon, so grab these guys when you can.

Enjoy them as you relax during the holidays? And do watch for my next post: THE YEAR IN REVIEW AND NEW PLANS.

Mix-It-Up Sale!

3-HOLIDAY MIX-IT-UP SALE!

THRU MOTHER'S DAY-MEMORIAL DAY-FATHER'S DAY

In advance of busy summer, I'm having a mixed STOCK-UP sale! See below for Kindle Unlimited/Free to .99 and "reduced". Prices change after Father's Day.

But first: Available in e-book, but if you are a pprbk reader, SEASON OF TRUTH is now available in paper. This re-release's original title was What Memories Remain. OR... in ebook Kindle US or UK.

Romantic Suspense Blurb:

--> Divorced, bitter, and down on luck, Chloe returns to her hometown of Lolo, Wy. The first person she does Not want to meet is Michael Bearclaw, her first love, now a forensic expert. He's not sweet and out for payback, but her childhood friends, Josy and Angelica welcome her back into the Wild Willows bunch. Chloe's arrival stirs the past as she tangles with Michael, who is set to have her at last. The Club has controlled the town and people's lives for years and their games aren't nice. As Lolo's dark past unravels, and Chloe and Michael’s attraction heats up, a killer will do anything to hide his secrets.

DREAMY DADS: 2 in 1, Mr. Easy and Donovan's Second Chance. Now in Kindle Select and Free Before Father's Day.

2 in 1 KINDLE Collection:
1. Donovan’s Second Chance (Fusion): Burned by love, Quinn wants to raise his daughter, then Taylor, aka “business shark”, turns up…
2. Mr. Easy: Angler Wyatt finally finds his daughter and little granddaughter, and his “keeper”, the never-marrying again Tallulah.

 US and UK

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE ROMANCES....

LADY'S DESIRE: US AND UK and other places 

LADY ON THE LINE: US and UK

GAMBLER'S LADY: US and UK

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE HISTORICAL NOVELLA:

LADY DESPERADO: US and UK

~MOVING ON TO KINDLE .99 SUE KOWALSKI DETECTIVE NOVELETTES:

DEATH BY COUPON: US and UK

DEATH BY SALSA DANCING: US and UK

~MOVING ON TO JUST REDUCED 4 U KINDLE: SILENCE THE WHISPERS

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Blurb: 
-->

Haunted by eerie whispers, heiress Cameron Somerton is driven to uncover the secrets of her past. When big, hard-looking Hayden Olson moves in next door, she senses he’s hunting her. Why? Has he been sent to harm her?

Hayden wants answers to his family’s disaster and she’s the key. When they become uneasy lovers, he isn’t expecting Cameron’s sensuality or his fascination with her.

Stirred into action, a dormant evil believes that murder is a small price to keep secrets… Can Hayden protect her and unravel the horrible secrets of Cameron’s haunting whispers?

US and UK

That's it! I hope you see something you want. I'm posting New and Upcoming on my Newsletter and hope you'll want to SUBSCRIBE.

Catch my Twitter and Facebook hangouts on the top right? AND  I always want to hear from you. Please write CaitLondonBooks? 

Enjoy!

   

A Writer's Whimsy

RETURN TO FAIRY COVE
Romantic Suspense (What Memories Remain)
ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPECIAL 2.99

With the Irish dancing around us today, I'd like a visit to Fairy Cove, Michigan where they still speak of goblins and kissing the Blarney Stone.

Which is why I feel like indulging in whimsy that I hope writers AND readers will understand:

A book is a story, and a story is living magic. It has a pulse, quickening and slowing, drawing the reader deeper into the story.

There are writers who create what my editor called "cookie cutter" stories. These lack spark, the same-old, same-old. But guess what? Sometimes these sell well. Some readers like the expected from their favorite authors.

Sometimes the magic just isn't there, no matter how much editing is done. Critiques and over-editing, a wrong editor for the piece can suck the life right out of a story. The right editor, the right critique bunch can add a few little nip and tucks to keep the story's magic pulse and on the right track.

DONOVAN'S SECOND CHANCE .99 ROMANCE (Fusion)
(He's Irish, he's charming and just the match for money shark Taylor.)

A story is like a child: it is created from a spark/idea, nurtured and born onto pages. And then, somewhere in the process, the writer, like a mother, must accept that the umbilical cord should be cut. Our lovely little child, so beloved, is sent off into the cruel world to be loved or not.

And that is how I see writer's stories, as living piece with a pulse to delight, terrify, love or not loved. A writer learns a craft, but somehow I believe the stories are within the writer already; they just need special handling to be born. It's a fact that some writers are more gifted than others, but if they are writers, they will write. If life interferes, the story will wait and return to the writer.

Because it's magic.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY
FOR A LIMITED TIME: .99

DONOVAN'S SECOND CHANCE

-->

Quinn Donovan wants one thing: To raise his little daughter amid his loving family in the quiet safety of picturesque Blarney Flats, AR. But when Taylor Hart, female business shark, arrives to sell her property to developers, Quinn’s senses ignite. Enchanted by the town, Taylor has her hands full of the hunky handyman, who’s set to woo her and the race is on….

~~ 

RETURN TO FAIRY COVE, a romantic suspense filled with Irish lore in Michigan is also on sale for a limited time.

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I'm preparing a few giveaways for a Springfield MO writers group called Sleuths Ink. Based in mystery, the members enjoy program presentations such as Medical Examiner's and Coroner's reports, crime scenes, etc. Sleuths sponsors JANO which is the same as NANO, but in January. (January writing 50k words is much easier than writing through the holidays :)) 

With other prizes, here's my St. Patrick's Day dishcloths that will be offered to Sleuths. That's as close as I could come to a shamrock. :)

I hope you enjoy the Irish in Blarney Flats, AR (fictional town), and

DONOVAN'S SECOND CHANCE
Just .99 for a limited time.

 RETURN TO FAIRY COVE (What Memories Remain)
On sale for 2.99, limited time

Review:

 "Riveting romantic suspense!"

Since childhood, Cyd Callahan has been haunted by an attacker whose identity has never been discovered. Whatever happened to her when she was six years old (and was called Molly Claire) has roots so deep that she can't forget. She's unable to recall the man's face, but she remembers hearing "I'm the Night Man and I'll be back for you..."

Ewan Lochlain has returned to Fairy Cove to clear is family's name and uncover the mystery of his parents' boating accident. He must prove his father did not try to murder his mother. Yet somehow, on that fateful day, both his parents died. Ewan has to ease his pain and find some peace before the bitterness of the past eats away his future.

Just as Ewan held little Molly Claire as a child, 21 years later he's holding Cyd, comforting her with gentle words and dreams of gnomes and fairies. The key to unlocking their demons also unlocks their hearts. With passion, combined with strength and gentleness, they find the love and peace in each other they so richly deserve.

WHAT MEMORIES REMAIN is riveting. This romantic suspense thriller is embedded with so many questions, so much drama and intrigue, it makes us yearn for answers. As it captivates all our senses with an utterly sensuous love story, it weaves a story so compelling, so mysterious, it leaves one breathless. And the ending will leave you speechless. I'm reading it again just to make sure I didn't miss anything. It's a masterpiece.

Reviewed by The Best Reviews Suzanne Tucker

 

Speaking Out: Storytelling

VALENTINE'S DAY .99 SALE:

 ~Meet Sue Kowalski, a Kansas City suburb homicide detective. Recently divorced, Sue holds her own in the all-male force. As the smallest, most agile, Sue has been been hefted up, lowered down, and scrunched into places no woman should enter. She craves good bear-claw pastry, coffee, and Jose Morales, a co-worker. Her chances for the first two are good.

 ~Death by Coupon: Novelette (1): Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle:

~Death by Salsa Dancing: Novelette (2):  Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle:

Writers don't talk much about storytelling these days, so I may as well. :) Instead, writers speak more about promotion and sales, not stories. Story crafting can be taught, but a real storyteller just happens. They are born with the ability to use or not use, as life chooses or they choose.

Please don't think that I am putting down the art of story crafting. I am not. I was first purchased for the stories in me, and then taught story crafting by the purchasing editor. We went through my first book one chapter at a time. Ah, the good old days when editors didn't have as much of the business size of publishing and worked more with their writers. Editors do not have that time now.

A real storyteller cannot be manufactured. But through story-crafting, a natural storyteller can be shaped and fine-tuned and packaged into a real find. Repeat: Either that "spark" is there. Or it isn't.

Having said that, not all storytellers are equal. Some have more ability than others, like a glass half full or really full. And there are writers who are truly "full of it", talent-wise.

Miracles and Mistletoe Sale .99: Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle: 

 When a Montana rancher's dog starts mind-communicating with him, he's in trouble. But she's more trouble, a cupid-tossing female invading his life.

***

You've heard natural storytellers verbally enchant. Some storytellers can spin stories verbally or on paper. But they cannot be manufactured.

I believe that everyone has a story to tell. But it might not be the story they WANT to tell. They may want to write block busters, but they create best in short form. (BTW, short form is extremely difficult when done well and should be highly recognized/appreciated as a real art form.)

I believe it's best for the individual storyteller to test every nitche possible. Not only to go where they have sales success, but to stretch and see if there is more. And if that writer is a genuine storyteller, there will be plenty of "more" because the stories never stop churning--one story leads to another and another.

~Death by Coupon: Novelette (1): Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle:

~Death by Salsa Dancing: Novelette (2): Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle:

A real storyteller can look at anything--a windmill, a ribbon, a gun--and rummage up some story about it. The more they push, the more the stories roll, and then the trouble begins of sorting through just how many stories, or books can one writer create in one lifetime.

But a real storyteller either is, or isn't, whatever the form that emerges and wraps around the individual.

Storyteller Road Blocks: Time/Energy devoted to Promotion; Publishers wanting the same old again and keeping in a trough; Life, of course. Money can block a storyteller, going where the money is, rather than where natural storytelling takes the writer. That last one, ye olde $, can run a storyteller exhausted and dry.

Writing to please one's self, following that muse-trail, is maximum important. A real storyteller--in this case, a writer--is going to write no matter the sales or the darkness in life. In fact, writing stories can temporarily aleviate life's darkness.

Miracles and Mistletoe Sale .99: Nook: iBooks: Kobo: Kindle:

As a summation, I believe if a writer is a true storyteller writer, that indivual will continue writing, no matter what. Let's talk more about storytelling? Input, anyone?

Book Land's Early Christmas

Is it too early to think about Christmas? IMHO it is too early, prior to Thanksgiving.

But in BookLand, authors are busy getting Christmas books out there. And so am I. (Check out my updated Book List)

But the Other Side of me, that homey side is busy gift-making.

I have a whole line-up this year, and beaucoup thanks to a good friend, Carolin. She helped me get down one crochet stitch, which has served me well during lots of stress. After a full day's work, I crochet dishcloths. It's so much fun choosing the colors to suit the person I want to gift. They are great little gifts. So me and my one stitch have been busy. I have no idea how many I've made and gifted. Caro has promised to teach me a new stitch next year.

This is a big flat basket filled with my crocheting stuff. I did just crochet an eternity scarf for someone who needs to cover her nose and mouth during winter chill. And I'm headed toward those Tunisian needles someday. Maybe. :)

I usually bake cookies, and always, always, gingersnaps.

This year, I think I'll make apple butter and homemade laundry soap. Maybe.:)

But those little dishcloths have done wonders for my stress levels, topping off the night with a movie and crocheting.

My current Work in Progress features a heroine who does a lot of this homemade stuff, so I have experienced what I write. Most authors research their topics, but quite a few of us sew, paint, and have creative hobbies, aside from our profession, writing.

Meanwhile, if you're stocking up your Christmas reading, do check out the links to my Christmas "Snuggable" List on my Book List Page, which is growing.

Love Fall and Pumpkins

In the fall season, I love to get out and drive, snap some shots, and maybe visit some festivals.

When looking for pumpkins for homemade pies, I think the ugliest pumpkin--a pale brown--has the best thick orange meat. FWIW: I think pumpkins should be stored and eaten, not massacred. I'm OK with painting them, though. :)

Just now, the Ozarks are starting to turn into gorgeous fall color, which will flame across the hills. With a lot of nut trees, you can see wild turkeys along the road. They are not that pretty, but at least they are not the ugliest--turkey vultures.

The leaves in the center are sassafras. Not really sure what part of the tree is used for healing Ozark tea.

My neighbor's persimmon tree was loaded this year and the pits held the shape of a spoon. Translated: Bad Winter. Spoons equal shovels. Shovels for snow. Which is why I am ordering more wood for the fireplace insert.


During this time, I usually visit the Amish, pick up baking supplies, etc. and generally just enjoy life.

I hope you do, too. :)

That He-She Thing

Now on Sale 2.99

THE PENDRAGON VIRUS

Romance and other Writers: Let's study that He-She Thing:

In general romance, writers need to reach beyond and dig deeper than their own life experience. Here are some of my tips to consider:

We’re as different as our birth signs. John Gray’s study of Venus and Mars books are excellent studies for the general romance man/woman basic relationships.

Historical romance writers have an easier time of creating the male protagonist/hero—this because in historical times males had a designated role, just as females did. Yet he had to be appealing enough for the Heroine. Now with Equal Opportunity, etc., sex harrassment, etc., romance needs to temper the hero’s power over the heroine just that tad more. (We know that the heroine has her own power, right? :))

Excellent Story Twists: Expectations of relationship and romance can conflict, and do. For instance: A hasty marriage and shift in a heartbeat, because H/H expectations are different. Who does what in the partnership? Who pays the bills? Stay at home mom or career mom? Household management, etc. Whose Friends antagonize, etc.? Who does not look at the opposite sex too much? So when push comes to shove, and expectations are not met, are they reasonable or not, when considered by the opposite partner? Thus, a story twist.

The Pendragon Virus, one of my early contemporaries, is an example of man/woman expectations and therefore, the interesting battle of the sexes.

Physical Action and Body Posturing: This is an area that is critical to the creative writer, not just words, but Actions and Posturing. A flirtatious gesture by a woman, a second look by a man—much slower, more intense—a man showing off his strength, angling his head, sticking his thumb in his waistband, both hands slid into trouser pockets, tensing of his shoulders, neck cords, etc.

That flirtatious gesture by a woman: a look over her shoulder, maybe a little more sway to her walk, arranging her hair, etc. are typical.

Dressing the H/H: Tighter clothes to show off assets, looser clothing for movement or shielding self, updated or outdated clothing. Jewelry or not, expensive etc. And shoes. Is she checking herself in the mirror to see if she appeals to him? His favorite color of dress? Is he sprucing up for her? It’s all part of the mating ritual, seen in wildlife. Dressing also includes preferences, i.e. Sam in The Pendragon Virus loves his classic oil-dripping Bertha.

Back to Expectations: If one H expects certain behavior from h/her prospective mate and those expectations are not met, that’s a twist.

Romantic Touch: How each H/H touches the other: a stroke, a gentle brush of a fingertip, examining the other’s face, the various shades of hair, the tiny crinkles at the side of the eyes, examining a tiny scar and its history, the texture of skin, the comparative size of their hands when held. Any kind of nervous/excited tremor when touching, a desperate need touch/grip need to be contrasted with gentler moments.

Lots of little nuances in the He-She Thing. When they are missing, the texture of the story/romance is off.

I hope you’ll comment/input on this post?

Story Fetching

Writers have to get out from behind their desks to be fresh. Stories are out there waiting to be collected, which I did.

I've just gotten back from a 5000 mile, 18 day trip from and back to Missouri. Traveling alone, I just let the stories roll onto me. I loved every minute. My thanks to Honda for my sweet running CR-V 2002 LX, a plain good driving car and no gas hog, either.

The Trip: From SW MO, I headed north to Sioux Falls, IA and then took a left on I-90.  SD, WY, MT, ID and then North Central WA State to visit relatives. One of the highlights there was getting a tour of a relative's Boer goats. Very interesting. More stories brewing about those, and the one Nubian "weed-chewer."

Somewhere in the ID mountains, there was a fantastic elk with velvet on his rack. Huge, gorgeous beast munching beside the road. I really slowed down when passing him because of danger, and so wished I could have taken a photo. The problem with cameras and animals and that the animals move quickly. :)

June apparently is calving month and throughout the first leg, there were lots of calves. At a guess, more Angus than others.

A few days there, then I cut down WA State to Longview, WA just across the river from Oregon.

Longview has lots of logging, and the air smelled great. Across the river was even better driving with lots of greenery to the famous Hwy 101. If you haven't traveled on 101, you'll love it. Lots of gorgeous scenery, and I had a great fish and chips lunch at the Sea Hag in DePoe Bay.

I visited relatives in San Fran for a wkend or so and then drove a straight shot thru hot I-80 NV/UT/WY/NB. From Lincoln, NB, it was a jog around and then down to KC and south to SW MO. Did I say it was hot??!!

It is great to bum off relatives, which helps on motel etc. expenses. :) Thank you, everyone. Loved Panda Express in San Fran and wish we had one near.

These were waiting for me on my porch light. I tried to sell them to my neighbor and he wouldn't take the bargain. Relocated them in a tree for mama to tend.

I've driven parts of I-80 when researching Night Fire, set on the Oregon Trail. If you can, take that trip and you can almost feel the struggles of the pioneers. As a writer, one of the most difficult tasks is getting the time matrix correct, this because certain points had to be reached by certain dates. I read the diaries of Donner Pass, and when driving that area had the eerie sense of their terror.

I really wanted a good windmill photo, like the one I saw in KS. There were so many lives and stories caught in the few remaining paddles. Alas, all the windmills I saw on this trip were new and shiny, or without paddles.

A few humor points: 1.) I counted 18 road kill deer and no antelope, though they were visible. I came to the conclusion that antelope are smarter. Okay, they are probably faster and dodge better, but I like the smarter idea.
2.) On some NW pass, maybe just before swooping down into Coeur d'Alene (gorgeous walls of pines on either side of the road) there were signs directing people to call and report unsafe drivers. The numbers to call were full length, which would require the reporting driver to divert his attention. Not only that, but there was no cell phone reception for miles.
3.) Near Salt Lake City, on the miles of white flats, black stones formed graffiti along the road. And the 4-story tall metal tree with canoes was a true surprise. :)

These long drives are heaven and gifts for the storyteller. I never got that shot of the perfect aged wooden windmill, but did love WY's wind farms. The scenes were almost sci-fi, all those 3-paddled monsters lined up on the horizon. Congratulations, WY.

I'll be writing more about my trip. Loved every minute--5000 miles and no trouble.

!!Then after I was home decided to drive to the "Vegetable Lady". Picked up a spike and got a flat tire within miles from my house. :)

Writer's Jumpstart Tips for '12

When Night Falls


At the Top of '12, I'm looking back at my goals, and prioritizing. One long-term goal for some time now has been to return to painting. I've almost completed 2 paintings. Another goal was to write a mystery short story (humor), and The Coupon Killer was born. I plan more of Jemma Kowalski, named after an old wrestling favorite, Killer Kowalski. :) And I'd intended to launch the L.E. Klein name somewhere, so The Coupon Killer was a two-fer.

Due to seasonal flu stuff I missed doing a workshop on Writers Block, which will come later. So sorry, local Write-In people. But look forward to my mini sessions in '12. I love the pop-up sessions.

Like Most Writers, I'm fully charged to take off in '12 with all sorts of goals. To start off '12, I started a redo of my website, which has waited while I got my E-Pub Feet wet.



If you are fully charged to jumpstart your writing in '12, the following may help you. They are included at Writers Tips included at my website.  I am so hoping this helps someone. To start, here are my Twenty Top Tips for Writers:

The Biggest Tip of All: Do Not "Find" Time. "Make" Time. Think Positive, Be Aggressive in this goal. Mind set is everything.
1. Self Motivate; learn to use your personal carrots and triggers.
2. When Writing to Sell: Consider Your Individual Time Frames vs Your Attention Span
3. Protect Your Writing Time. Prepare in advance and avoid Vampires.
4. Edit off/away from Biological "Up" Time*
5. Work for self-reliance.
6. Block number of pages on a calendar
7. Focus on the Story's Theme/Thread Throughout; keep notes on it.
8. Finish the Piece! A completed project is truly your graduation certificate.
9. Prepare Yourself Psychologically. Be your own best friend with affirmations.
10. Get Away, Experience Life
11. Cut the Umbilical Cord. Send Your Piece into the Cruel World.
12. Keep Lists of Agents/Publishers, ref: Market Talk below *
13. Keep Databases, lists of ideas/character names/story ideas.*
14. Network in Person and Private, Talk with Other Writers *
15. Do Not Do As Others Do. You are an individual; weigh advice and choose only for your needs.
16. Write Business Letters and Mail Them on Regular Designated Day*
17. Use Ring Notebooks with Replacement Paper (if non-computer)
18. Do Not Compare Yourself to Other Writers
19. History Lessons: Know that you did the best you could, made the right choice, given the tools/knowledge at the time.
20. Learn to say "no." *Busy Work

Other topics are: Pre-Plotting and Plotting/What Do You Want to Write?/ How to Get Ideas/Dependable Story Nuggets/Understanding the Givens/You Have Your Idea/Begin Laying Plot/3 Yellow Brick Roads/Editing the Plot Line/Style, Impact Writing.

This is a massive offering, almost a mini-course itself.  I spend a lot of time on Plotting, because I "came into" writing with strengths of basic characterization and dialogue. But I worked really hard to learn Plotting.

I plan to redo the plotting flow chart, but it's still there. I think basic computer programming and flow charts helped me to understand plotting early on. What works in programming's If-Then, works in creative writing.

I hope you'll visit my Writer Tips section at my website. There are several pages, and I'm reworking/editing sections, plus adding an E-Pub tips section later.

And be sure to subscribe to my E-Newsletter for more insider stuff, including contests.

Note: Discard the Read More. There is More but at my website. :)

Spring Stuff

Signs of spring. It's a perfect time to get some sunshine, take my camera along. These are from my yard. And I thought you'd enjoy them. I love daffodils and lily of the valley, spring flowers.

I'm researching new work, which involves doing the stuff, i.e. learning how to cook some Asian. I'll write about this later, over at My Jam Jar. All I can say now, is that it is good eats, and it is research :) I have several research projects going right now.

I often try to do whatever my characters might be doing--no jokes here, please. But in this instance, YouTube has furnished lots of information. In fact, YouTube can show you how to do almost everything.

These are gorgeous, too, and there is a whole wall of these gorgeous beauties behind my home.

I use all of this in my work, but am slowing down now, due to Spring Time house/yard stuff. You understand, I know.


I've written somewhere about Novel Interruptus, and how to deal with it. That's when life throws you a bad bullet and you just have to deal with it.

A few friends are experiencing that now, and these gorgeous shots are for them.

Time Crunching: Work-Life

With spring here, or trying, I'm multi-tasking between writing, marketing, home stuff, family. So how best to spend my time.

NOTE: Check out the roses above and on A Lady's Desire. They're from my photos.

Priorities come first: paying bills, car/house upkeep, etc. Checking on how my daffodils are blooming...

But as a writer, it's bang for buck, or spending minutes where they count best. There's writing new stories, but also a whole realm of other necessaries included in this profession.

Promotion is definitely a part of any professional writer's life. Getting the "word" out there, generating those sales. On the marketing campus, networking is essential.

Twitter is my first choice for networking, learning interesting things I might not have found in my day's routine. Facebook is currently overwhelming me, in addition to e-publishing my early "classic" novels. You can refer to my other posts and an upcoming one at Sleuth's March 17th about the steep learning curve in self-publishing, e-format.

With a packed day, have to say that I'm enjoying every minute of my career with all its little necessary segments, i.e. creating and maintaining my website and blogs.

I'm entering several new communities, and making new friends there, such as The Romance Reviews. If you're an author, that is a great new place to promote, and offers free and paid advertising. Daily Cheap Reads is doing an excellent job for writers. Beautiful, hard-working people.

Then, as a mother and grandmother, I have a full plate. Did I say, "plate"? You can find more over at My Jam Jar, one of my blogs, but I love to cook and getting into Asian now with a bamboo steamer, dim sum, etc. (My daughter promised to teach me about chopsticks on her next visit. I have enough of them for everyone, so we'll all try.) At this writing, I'm cooking slow-cooker stew, because today was cold and rainy. (A slow-cooker is a writer's best friend, no more burning when absorbed by the story we're writing. But just watching the people of Japan deal with weather, on top of their country's damage, chilled me.)

On that full plate, are my hopes and prayers for the people of Japan. In the last few days, that was a priority, and I hope you've donated whatever possible, too. I am inspired by the number of countries involved in various phases of rescue/support, etc. We are now a global community, feeling this tragedy deeply. CNN and others are doing a terrific reporting job. If one ever digs into feel self-absorbed with their individual problems, one look at today's news and everything may be put into a different perspective.

On another note, apart from the tragedy, I can't wait for Sarah Addison Allen's next, The Peach Keeper. I've loved her work since Garden Spells (Bantam Discovery)


What's uppermost in a Writer's Day?

Exercise? Should be some of that in there, too. I try to walk 2.5 miles a day, but am a slacker when the weather is pitiful.

I'm focused on getting my reverted rights back out there, so that has been a priority with me in the last months.

Of all, one thing that I have just placed to the bottom of my list is too much free-wheeling on Internet and Social Media. Social Media has been an excellent resource in this world tragedy.

As a professional, Social Media is a must, but addiction to it is damaging, at least when in a time-crunch. And people, there is never enough time for everything.

But take time to smell the roses and appreciate them.

How are managing time and life today? Do you think you're doing your best? What can you do better?

Making Writing Time

I'm just about ready to lift THE LOVING SEASON up to Kindle, Nook and Smashwords. This cover is about done, or I may wiggle it a little.

In formatting it for epublishing, I was struck by Mac's sensitivity and fear of falling in love again--with a woman on her own journey. Without giving too much of the story away, I found that it was true--what an editor had said of some of my work--that my characters redeem each other.

So Redemption may fit into the title of an upcoming release. :)

Then, about the time that it takes to redo one of these early books (still love them, love the stories), and this may be for the writers out there:


TIME. There's just not enough of it for a producing writer.

But this morning, I received an e-mail that pinpoints what some writers think about others. The phrase ran something like this and is certain to set any producing writer's hair on end:

"I just don't have the time you do."

Hmm.

Double Hmm. Okay, I've written through a schedule of a day job, a single mother with 3 daughters, and 2 publishers. I've painted the whole house twice--on the outside, and now on the inside. I run a house and a yard, and I'm still a mother and now a grandmother, very active in all things. I keep up active networking with writers, in some cases mentoring.

Yet. I have always been regimented about writing time, even prior to publishing.

Networking and promotion suck up a tremendous about of professional time, say maybe 50-60% or more. Bookkeeping, technical stuff, machine maintenance, software, all that backside stuff of just putting your fingers on a keyboard, take time.

And energy. I find that my "Smartest Time" is in the early a.m., before the dawn and through the morning. After that, it's pretty well editing, networking, whatever.

So there just isn't TIME.

I think that we envision other's lives as if they are outside our own little boxes. That outside our lives, THEIR lives are different.

And they are, but not when it comes to writing. You have to Make Time and keep at it.

So we're all alike in how much Time WE DO NOT HAVE. But we're writers and generally, we make it work. Like every other writer, I keep it moving, with a full locker of story ideas and proposals, and now one completed book, all set to market.

I'm putting pressure on my reverted books now, something I've wanted to do for years. So we shift priorities around, but we're always making time and writing. Any writer usually has a fertile mind, stories brewing constantly, so some are stashed, and waiting. Others are developed for submission.

One writer said he writes around the corners of his life. I think most of us do, but then we slice a big chunk of regular time (like my early a.m.s) for stepping into our stories.

Uh-huh. It all takes time.

Win a Kindle!

A Lady's Choice

I'm one of 22 authors participating in Access Romance's Holiday Track-Down. You'll have to get the specs at Access Romance.

Not only is a Kindle offered, but several Prize Packs!

I'll give you a really strong hint: Check out my new web page for my backlist books. These are my early books, brought back to life in epublishing. This is quite the task and the list is growing. I'm doing and redoing the covers as I discover more about this format. Most are available on Kindle, Nookbooks, Smashwords, and A Writers Work. The links are on my new page.

I'm in full holiday mode now and enjoying the return to these early stories. I have quite a list, so watch for more.

And sign up for my email newsletter? I'm also on Twitter and Facebook.




Here's a Holiday Anthology, done with other authors. It started out as a collection of holiday mysteries and ended up as romance :)



This is a 3-in-1 and the cover was absolutely gorgeous.




I hope you're all relaxing a bit this holiday season. We're having a low-key season and I'm alternately writing and baking. Gingerbread men coming up!

Why Do Writers Write?

I sit here, picking away gobs of spray insulation foam on my arm (my first attempt), and seriously contemplating my writer's day.

Who knew this stuff would come back at you, scrolling in puffy strings everywhere?

Okay, I digress. What can I say? I'm a virgin-insulation sprayer. That was yesterday. Messy, but finished. Yesterday, I also edited gobs. So yesterday was Gobs Day.

Today, I'm preparing for the first of September, ready to launch my babies out into the world. These last two weeks before September and/or to Labor Day are busy for everyone. Students are back to school, homeowners are planning fall fix-up, and writers are really working hard.

With Missouri's extreme heat this summer, I've hit the keyboard during the afternoon, modifying my usual early a.m.s to the heat.

Summer is really busy as you can see on my blog My Jam Jar. But with a pretty busy family, there's always lots to do. I've dropped off from the track a little as writers do when they're intensely into projects. But I'm creeping back into gear, now that my rough draft is finished.

In touching base with other authors, the discussion came up about Writing For $ vs. The Love of Writing. Everyone has different takes, and I've get read an article on Guide to Literary Agents blog (really good blog) BTW, about writers income, and living off it.

I've been doing that for a number of years, after leaving a day job, but also writing for 2 publishers. Writing is my only income, and according to this article, the percentage of those writers may be as low as 1%. I'd heard 2% earlier.

I've seen Writing listed in the Hobby Sections of online communities. Really? Say it isn't so.

Most writers usually have some other source of income, either through spouse, retirement, investments, day-jobs, etc. I have a big problem with that label as we work darn hard out here. In fact, most writers I know are working at multiple tasks, day-jobs, various writing projects, and their own specialties.

Tip: Writing for sucess has specific personality elements. One is regimentation and ability to prioritize. The multiple-taskers above do know how to handle a calendar with life and writing deadlines, and they know how to prioritize. One writer, a teacher, spoke of writing around the corners of his life. I think that says it well for those with so-called day-jobs.

Prioritizing your writing projects isn't easy. Writers who complete their mss, edits, whatever, usually step back to catch up with life for a time. Then, they're back at the keyboard, brainstorming new proposals, working on platforms/PR, whatever. Because? It's necessary to be brewing new stories all the time, keeping the creative flow moving along. I keep a Toy Box of story ideas, when one drops in on me and just dipping into that plasters me with ideas. I think most writers have more stories in them, then they can actually write in their lifetimes.

Sometimes that's a sluggish situation, such as one writer I recently spoke with, has different family situations that are absorbing her physical and mental energy. Don't we all? There are just times when the Big Bird of Paradise drops one on you and you have to mop up the best you can.

We are different, my writer-friend and I, because when I'm deeply troubled, I can take a mini-vacation by dropping into my stories--taking a little mental health break. She cannot, and there's nothing wrong with that. But it is important, if not dealing with a money/career-making deadline, that we are human, flesh and blood and we need what we need to survive. Every writer is different in that aspect.

Recently, I've just stepped off the writing Boardwalk (didn't meet Snooki, thank goodness) and worked on different projects. I needed to try new fields, and old. "Mining" we call it. I write because I need to, because it's a part of me, my daily routine, my feel-good time. I miss it, when life (and home fix-up) pops in, eating up my creative time.

But then, I'm a scheduled writer, with regular hours. Make the coffee, check the e-mail and settle in with my characters. (Incidentally, they only come to my PC and don't like travel.) Another writer may write in bursts, when "they feel the muse", but that's not for me. I'm behind on updating my blogs now, and my website. But I'll get there, because I'm really into my stories now and don't want to leave my mental creative nest.

But as I've said, all writers are different in their goals, needs and financial situation. My first goal was just to get my name on one book. That was almost 70 books ago and a really gratifying career that I'm still enjoying.

So, if you are a writer, ask yourself, why you write and how dedicated you are, and what you are willing to sacrifice. I need to do this on a poll, I guess, but I'd rather get back to my stories.