I know, I know. I am deviating from my normal pattern. It’s Thursday. This is my “other” day to post something with the heading “Contemporary Romance Writer.” (The other-other day being Tuesday. What? You never noticed? Tsk. Now you know: MWF: quotes. T/Th: contemporary romance writer thoughts.) Back to today, which should be contemporary romance day but isn’t. I’m not …
In Others’ Words: Anticipation
“I can’t help flying on the wings of anticipation. It’s as glorious as soaring through a sunset … almost pays for the thud.” ~Lucy Maude Montgomery, author Oh, how I love Lucy Maude Montgomery’s quote! I laughed out loud when I read it the first time; and I laughed out loud again when I read it to my husband. …
Contemporary Romance Writer: What is the appeal of Christmas Romances?
A blog post or two ago, we chatted about how romance sells. Side note: I love when the conversation flows on this blog. I read every comment and am determined to respond to every one. After all, if you take time to read and comment on my post, I want to respond in kind. Back to today’s topic: ‘Tis …
In Others’ Words: Gifts
“Everyone is gifted — but some people never open their package.” ~Unknown In my family, I’m known for one particular gift-giving tradition: Each Christmas I misplace at least one gift. When I realize that, yet again, a gift has gone a-missing, I promise to give it to the ever-patient recipient when I finally come across it–usually months later. I’m still …
In Others’ Words: Books
“TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book.” ~Author uknown I have always loved to read books. Always. One of my favorite childhood memories? Entering the library carrying nothing but my library card — and leaving a short while later carrying a leaning tower of books. …
Contemporary Romance Writer: What’s Your Inspiration?
Over at my author page on the Simon & Schuster website, someone in the editorial department wrote a blurb (great word, that!) about my debut novel, Wish You Were Here.* Within the blurb is this phrase: “WYWH … is sure to be a pleasure to inspirational romance readers.” Ah. Yes, it’s true: WYWH is categorized as an inspirational contemporary romance …
In Others’ Words: Hope
“I always entertain great hopes.” ~Robert Frost, poet Are you entertaining hope? Indulge me for a minute while I play with that word “entertain.” Have you invited “great hopes” (plural) into your life? Anticipated the arrival of great hopes? Thrown the door wide open and embraced great hopes telling them, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been waiting for you!” …
Contemporary Romance Writer: Romance Always Sells — But Why?
Reader alert: The publishing industry has experienced nonstop upheavals for the past five years or so. Some people would say the industry is convulsing. Others would say it is dying a slow, painful death. (I’m mentioning this for those of you who’ve been walking around in some sort of daze. Or who never read the news–not even just the headlines.) No …
In Others’ Words: Decisions, Decisions
“I make a decision, and if it’s wrong, I make another one.” ~ Dave Ramsey, American financial author, radio host, motivational speaker Every time I read that quote by Dave Ramsey, I have to take a deep breath. I mentally step back and think, “Dave, you are one gutsy guy.” The guy makes a wrong decision and just … …
A Grateful Attitude
“Gratitude … goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to …