Real life

So, in my real life, I've changed jobs again. Sometimes it takes some jumping around to find the right fit that doesn't leave you drained or stressed out, and with enough energy to slip into the creative world when you want to.

 I try to look at the real world as a place to stimulate my imagination and help me gather fodder for my stories and traits for my characters. The real world offers some cool things... family, friends, travel, sharing... so guess I won't complain when I have to spend time taking care of life and not at the keyboard shaping a new character:)

Waiting....

I've heard multi-published writers say it never gets easy when you're waiting for an editor to comment on a new manuscript, and now I know what they meant! I've submitting my entire new manuscript to a new editor, and the waiting begins! All the old insecurities are there, yet in another sense, selling a book does make one feel like they've crossed over some line that before the sale was a blurry line only certain people got to cross. In one sense...in another, you still wait with baited breath for the email to pop up with either suggestions for the manuscript or the standard, "Your book doesn't fit what we're currently looking for."
In the meantime, work on your next book! That's what I'm doing...hammering out the plot for a continuing character story and loving it. It feels so good to create again after basically two years of editing and revising the two completed books! Hang in there!

Travel/Northwest United States

Summer's gone for now, fall is moving along and winter will be here before we know it. If your budget's been hit too hard for that Hawaiian Island winter getaway...consider a northwest ski trip!

My suggestion? Schweitzer Mountain Resort!

Located a short 11 mile drive from Sandpoint, Idaho, Schweitzer boasts views that will take your breath away and the charm of an alpine town, from cozy lodging to delicious eateries. Schweitzer is one of the few privately owned resorts in the country and the staff is intent on making your experience one you'll never forget and will want to repeat as often as possible!

Dangerous Disguise update

The final galleys are done, and Dangerous Disguise is in line for a release date! I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands, and I can't wait to show it to all of you!

In deciding what to work on next, Ruth, Will's nanny in DD jumped out at me. I'm in the process of plotting Ruth's story, and her engagement to Horace...will a romance survive 7 years of separation???

From Dangerous Disguise, Janet Malone's Winter Preparations; Elderberries

Janet created many things out of the resources available to her. She preserved from the garden she planted, but she also made use of the wild garden surrounding her. Elderberries were one of the abundant foods for the taking.

From the dark purple tiny berries, Janet made jelly, syrup for pancakes and juice to drink through the coming winter. Janet may have know the medicinal quality of elderberry juice, and its benefit to the resistance to illness. In days gone by, settlers were much closer to natures pharmacy.

A tall, deciduous bush, elderberries are best picked after a frost. Harvesting can be tedious, but the results are well worth it! Check it out! Put 'elderberries' in your favorite search engine, and discover all the uses! Enjoy!

Galley's: one step closer....

I've been working on my 1st galley this past week. A galley is your book in book form, but not ready for publication until you, the writer, read over it with a critical eye to remove or change, any errors in spacing, punctuation, spelling, point of view, you name it. It's your last chance to make it as perfect as it can be. Of course, your editor and the copy editor have gone over it, so it's pretty darn accurate.