“Work smarter, not harder.” ~Ron Carswell, writer Sometimes I get to the end of the day and I think, “Where did the day go? And what did I do all day?” I know I did something. But it feels like, despite a lot of hard work, I’ve accomplished nothing. It’s Friday, the time when I throttle back (a bit) and …
Contemporary Romance Writer: My (least) Favorite Word
I’ve informed my family they won’t be seeing much of me for the next few months. Why, you ask? I’m diving into my second novel. Which is due to my publisher, Howard Books, in May. Yep. Four months from now. No. I am not panicking. Much. My editor approved the synopsis for my next inspirational contemporary romance — but …
In Others’ Words: Laughter
“Reclaiming the belly-laugh can cure a world of woes.” ~ Jamie Sams, Native American writer & artist Laughter is my all-time favorite sound. (I know I’ve said this before. No apologies for repeating myself.) Laughter is healing. Laughter is hope-filled. Laughter broadens my shoulders, helps me (wo)man up and carry the demands and troubles of the day. Laughter reminds …
In Others’ Words: Time
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” ~Carl Sandberg, American poet I have this oversize plastic container that I keep in my bedroom. I’m slowly refilling it with change — an …
In Others’ Words: Success
“A successful person is a dreamer whom someone believed in.” ~Unknown Who believes in you? As the saying goes, who remembers the words to the song of your heart when you forget them … and sings them back to you? You’re not meant to tend the fire of your dreams alone. There are days when the dream seems … …
In Others’ Words: Impossible
“Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.” ~John Heywood, English writer So many days ahead in 2012 … so many plans. We distill our “want tos” down to resolutions. Or a word. Our dos and don’ts for the next 12 months. And yet, for all the planning, we can only see so far along the road stretching before us. …
In Others’ Words: Tired
“The test of people is what they can do when they’re tired.” ~Winston Churchill, British politician & statesman I was a runner-girl for a certain season of my life. After years of hating the thought of running — and absolutely detesting the few times I attempted running for fun/exercise/because someone told me I should — I read an article that …
In Others’ Words: Aim
“If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet & educator A few years ago, my two oldest daughters and I experienced a different kind of “girls’ night out.” Instead of heading to our favorite restaurant for dinner, conversation and laughter, we spent four hours at Whistling Pines, the local gun …
In Others’ Words: Remember
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou, author & poet There was a boy in my class in elementary school. John. John M. Everyone teased John M. I don’t know why John M. was selected to be the boy to …
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. …