This will be my last Top 3 for 2020. Effective Saturday, I am off the blog until January 4th. Bob isn't always home for Christmas. This year I get him for Christmas and New Years.
That doesn't mean I won't be working behind the scenes prepping for the new year, only that I won't be spending hours on blog posts. I'd rather be losing at DEAL cards with Bob ;-)
Here we go for our last Top 3 of this year:
I am also starting to line up some special guests for 2021. My Goal is to have one Special Guest during one of the normal Author Spotlights. If there is someone you'd love for me to interview and showcase, please let me know in the comments below or email me - AngelaDrake(at) webname (dot) com
We are down to the last two tips of 2020. I'm working on a new way of showcasing the book in 2021. I hope you've enjoyed this and will continue to visit.
I thought with being in the throes of the holiday season, this quote was particularly poignant:
"It's easy to get distracted if you're looking for distractions. What I try to do is focus on my priorities and understand what they are and commit to them. So, for me, writing is a priority and I commit to that then distractions are less tempting."
~Carla Neggers
NYT Bestselling author
We need to enjoy the holidays, just know they will be over in a couple of weeks then it's time to eliminate the distractions and follow your dream!
I don't know what 2021 has in store for us but I know that I am laying the ground work now for a successfull year ahead.
One of the things I have planned is to release not one but two books in the Planned To Perfection series.
While on my road trip I spent an evening in a hotel binge-watching Sarra Cannon's plotting series on youtube. Here's the PLAYLIST. With my Plotting Notebook and pen in hand, I went to work trying to figure out what wasn't working with Book 2.
I FOUND IT! Thank you, Sarra Cannon for a fabulous free course. You broke through the dam and helped me see what I was missing.
With the new plotting notes at hand, I'm spending some time every day/ evening actually writing again!
I'm also hard at work prepping my office, as well as the rest of the house, for Christmas decorations. I'm determined the entire village is going up in the office this year. I've not had the whole community up since we moved here over twelve years ago. I've since added pieces and it's important to me to set them up. At least in my office, I can set the village up then close the door - keeping the cats from walking through like Godzillas. ;-)
What's on your Top 3 this week? How are you preparing for this out-of-norm holiday season?
Please share in the comments below. We could all use ideas during this time.
While this is a busy time of year, I'm really glad to be back to work on a regular schedule. I loved seeing the girls and helping Kassie prepare for her daughters' arrival but I really am a homebody at heart.
This week I'm hoping to take some of these sage advice tips to heart. I had planned to write while I was traveling but they stayed up way later than I'm used to and I was just exhausted by the time I found my pillow and the house was quiet. Though on the last night of my trip, I was in a nice hotel room all by myself. I spent the time going through Sarra Cannon's Plotting series videos on YouTube and found some great things in my own plotting that was missing. I became re-energized about this story - probably more so than I've been from the beginning.
This week, I'm taking you inside a beautiful mansion a majority of us could only dream of living in.
Bob and I owned an 1883 Victorian many years ago. The house had history, and ghosts, but nothing like you'll discover in the attic of the mansion Jennifer Griffith takes us inside.
I was intriqued to read this book and my finger had clicked buy before I'd finished reading the description:
Jennifer writes what she calls 'Cotton Candy for the Soul'' romances. They are sweet and you can't stop reading them.
That sounds like those Christmas cookies we can't get enough of.
I could not put this book down and was so engrossed in the story that I caught myself trying to turn the pages on the kindle several times.
THE
CHRISTMAS COOKIE HOUSE – A Sweet Holiday Romance by Jennifer Griffith was a
fun, easy read. Perfect for busy the holiday season.
* * * *
Leela Miller
has a goal and nothing is going to stand in her way. Not even the handsome Jay
Wilson. She needs his grand Layton Mansion to see her late mother’s legacy with
the Ladies Auxiliary to continue. There’s just one little hitch. Okay, it’s a
big one but if determination is anything, Leela will get her way.
Jay Wilson
just wants free of Uncle Jingo’s Victorian Mansion. He has plans for his future
and they do not include this monstrosity in a little town. When Leela Miller
literally falls into the house, he figures there might be a way of making his
last uncle’s request a bit more bearable.
Jennifer
Griffith’s creative way of letting us see why these two are meant to be
together is the gem in this story. The cookie recipe she shares is a bonus
treat you’ll want to add to your holiday baking.
I’ve
purchased the other two books in this Christmas House series:
I am reposting the Author Spotlight of Jennifer Griffith because I will be sharing my review of The Christmas Cookie House on tomorrow's Wednesday Review.
Jennifer writes what she calls 'Cotton Candy for the Soul'' romances. They are sweet and you can't stop reading them. I guess she can't stop writing them either by the very prolific book list on her Amazon Page. I encourage you to check out her page and see what she ate on a dare. ;-)
Her most recent release has already been added to my Christmas Reading List on my Kindle.
I did not realize when I left on my road trip 14 days ago I'd failed to post a TOP 3. Of course, there really wasn't anything to tell you about other than I was off to IA to spend time with a young lady in my life to help her prepare for the birth of twin girls... her first babies.
Kassie had been in my daycare since she was five weeks old. She will turn 23 next month. She has always been like a second daughter to us and I wasn't missing the chance to be with her during this time just as I spent time with our daughter as she prepared for the birth of both of her girls.
First babies are always special. This time, I don't get to be a grandma. Instead, I am Mimi and Bob is Pop Pop.
I got home a week ago and have been trying to reaclimate. The girls, Neomia Marie and Malina Ray were born Saturday night between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Mom and girls are doing fine.
I'm only working a couple of weeks this month. I used to take the entire month of December off but with a commitment with Alexis Giostra, I'll be working at least part of the month. I'll be sharing a video where I talk about that project in a few days.
In the mean time, let's make the most of the time I am working:
What's on your agenda for this week? Please share in the comments below!
While this year may be different in terms of celebration, one thing doesn't change. We must find time to write or as YA Fantasy author, Sarra Cannon suggests, build in those days you know you won't be writing. If today is one of those days, did you adjust your daily word count target accordingly?
I'm home alone today so I plan to write most of the day as there are only....
FOUR MORE DAYS!
Can you believe that November, and another NanoWriMo will soon be in the books!
Today's tip:
"If I'm in a pattern of avoidance, I'll set the timer and write for twenty-minute segments."
Can you believe there are only ten days left of NanoWrimo 2020. I know a lot of write-ins have not been possible this year, yet thousands of participants have band together on-line in various ways to conquer another year of possibility
Before I share this week's tip, I want to emphasize the tips I'm sharing do not begin to scratch the surface of the information in TIME TO WRITE. Order your copy, put it on your Amazon Christmas list, reward yourself a copy for even attempting NANO... but buy a copy. The information is invaluable.
Okay, today's tip:
"I was driven to tell stories from a very young age, and I so much wanted to keep doing it, and get paid for it, that I refused to give up."
~ Tess Gerritsen
New York Times Bestselling author
I've had the pleasure of talking at length with Tess. A sweet, encouraging person. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak, do so. Your muse will thank you.
Good morning, friends! I hope your week is going well and that you've been productive on whatever you had planned to accomplished.
Yesterday was 11/11
In numerology this means that an energy gateway is opened. I could sure use that gateway as I'm way behind in where I wanted to be for NanoWriMo this year. I'm not giving up. I should have some alone time this week to keep tapping away.
"You have to become immune to the word no. I've learned that no really just means, 'try again later'."
~ Gemma Halliday
Award Winning Author of the High Heel Mysteries
In the process of NanoWriMo, when the internal editor tells you that won't work, leave him stamping his feet as you move to a different part of your story and write like the wind until he catches up! By then you will have added words worth keeping.
I enjoyed THE CHRISTMAS CHILDREN. In the beginning, the Inspiration part of this story hit hard... a bit too hard for my taste. Most inspirationals I read weave the religious aspect throughout the story where this has more of a preaching aspect. For me, this detracts from the story and I almost put the book down before I'd finished the first chapter.
We know that Carissa Whitmore comes to Yuletide to find something she'd lost along her way. I also enjoyed that the heroine is in her forties as opposed to a twenty-something.
Paul Spencer is the perfect pairing for Carissa. They support each other while trying to form a plan as to what is in the best interest of Alex, Lauren and Julia.
I do believe Irene's story-line provides the perfect balance between the internal conflict with real-life complications.
I'm giving THE CHRISTMAS CHILDREN
You will find Irene Brand books at the following links:
I thought since I'll be reviewing Irene Brand's story in the Christmas Collection I started last week, we'd get to know her a bit more.
Irene Brand is a very personal woman, from what I can tell. She doesn't have a website when you google her. She holds a domain name but the page is completely blank.
That said, Mrs. Brand is an extremely prolific writer and world traveler. According to GoogleBooks, Irene is a lifelong resident of West Virginia, where she lives with her husband, Rod. Her first inspirational romance was published in 1984, and since that time she has had multipel books published. She is the author of four non-fiction, various devotional materials, and her writing have appeard in numerous historical, religious and general magazines. Before retiring in 1989 to devote full time to freelance writing, Irene taught for 23 years in secondary public schools. Many of her books have been inspired while traveling to 49 of the United States and 24 foreign countries.
Talk about a well from with to draw inspiration1 Not to mention all of her life experiences.
The story in this collection The Christmas Children, was a stand-alone Love Inspired eBook.in 2011.
To find out more about Irene Brand, visit the following links:
Wow, what a difference between yesterday and today. Woke up to twenty degrees cooler than yesterday morning. I guess it's November, after all, but geez! Good thing I'll have the oven on this morning so I can dry can grains and pasta for the pantry.
Is it just me or does everything start moving faster once November hits?
Since I have been busy trying to get stuff caught up around here before Bob comes home on Wednesday, I've not taken the time to sit down and fill in the Preptober Workbook - a freebie from author Sarra Cannon. I'm posting her video walk -through below.
There is a relatively new bakery about an hour from me. She opened last fall or early spring. Small but beautiful shop. I hope to talk to her about what she went through in opening her bakery so I know my heroine's journey as getting her bakery open is her make or break in the story.
Lastly, 2,000 words per day. That may adjust once I fill in the Preptober book, which I hope to work on today. One other thing to add to the list is to add a word count bar to the blog side-bar.
Speaking of being busy, there will be blank spots as we go through the next two months. I want to enjoy the holidays. There won't be a Writer's Nest post again this month or possibly next. I do have someone scheduled for December but she's in the middle of a major move and not sure she'll be settled in by December.
I do have a new series coming in December, though so stay tuned!
I'm finally getting in here with the review of the Love Inspired Christmas Collection headlined by Margaret Daley.
With everything going on here, I've only had the opportunity to read His Holiday Family. Next week, I'll bring my review of the second story in this book, The Christmas Children - by Irene Brand.
HIS HOLIDAY FAMILY is a well-constructed, emotion-packed driven story. The internal conflict drives the events in this story and pairs well with the hurricane aiming for the small town of Hope. The town is aptly named for the hope Gideon and Kathleen are both searching for.
I enjoyed this story immensly and am giving:
You can purchase your copy where ever books are sold or on AMAZON
In the mean time, you'll find Margaret on the following social media locations:
After a very productive week last week, I'm hoping to build on that momentum and really prep for NanoWrimo this week.
When National Novel Writing Month changed their format last year I was totally lost. For me, the site just is not user-friendly any longer. I ran The Cauldron Cave thread over there for eleven years. Last year, I just could not get into it. So this year, I've decided to do things a bit different. The biggest change is I will no longer be running the cafe there. Someone else is welcome to do so.
NOTE: That thread on the NanoWrimo sight is NOT connected to this blog in anyway.
I'm launching my AuthorTube Channel on YouTube as well as putting my own word count bar of some type on the blog. I'm looking at one of these from Tracy Lucas.
That's it for me this week. I'm off to do a serious house clean!
Here's a post never seem to be able to write but I want to get better at following through with my TOP 3 post - so here we are.
Refresher:
Once I got started this week, I did really well.
As we know, Monday was a slow-to-start day but by about 5 p.m. I was ready to rock the world. I wrote Monday and Tuesday's blog posts then set myself up to write the rest of the week on Wednesday. The plan worked well.
I spent all day Tuesday watching the Plannathon videos. The series began the first week Bob was home and we took a three-day belated/ early anniversary trip. If you're a follower of this blog than you know that when Bob is home, my time belongs to him. The only exception is Nano.
I am also working on a business plan for my creative business. I did contact Alexis Giostra about a collab with her using her CEO Planner. Once I fine-tune being able to use that for the creative side of my busines, I want to show authors how the same plan can work for them.
So that's my week. I'm taking the weekend off to do some serious house cleaning then I'll be back on Monday with another Top 3.
"I make a deal with myself. If I work for such and such a time or I do so many pages, I'm allowed to play a video game, or shop, or go to the casino or take a nap or whatever else I think it is I want to do."
If you were here earlier, I apologize. I had the post set up weeks ago just didn't get in here early enough to post the actual review.
This book was worth the wait! Of course, Jodi Thomas headlines this great Christmas read so everything else is just icing on the sugar cookie.
The three authors in this book, Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace and Scarlett Dunn, take us back to what we now think of as 'simpler' times. The romantic West when cowboys were the real heroes.
FATHER GOOSE (Jodi Thomas) - I love a good romance where the characters had a rough life yet still find their way to a Happy Ever After. This is the case with Trapper and Emery. Each awaken something in the other, with the help of five little girls. I love children in romance novels and Jodi Thomas brought us five, each with their own personality that plays into bringing Trapper and Emery to find what's been missin in their independent lives.
THE MISTLETOE PROMISE (Sharla Lovelace) - I've read Sharla Lovelace for several years. She never fails to turn challenges into an award-winning story. HEre, she brings us a true Christmas miracle in this story with Josie and Benjamin. Women can be so hard-headed, but then so can men. These two have to learn to get beyong their shattered past to build a future together.
CHRISTMAS ROAD (Scarlett Dunn) - Even more so than spring, I have always felt Christmas was the time for new beginnings - for miracles. Scarlett turns a family tragedy into a blessing for Clint as he fulfills his mother's promise to help Amelia. He has a long road to travel before finding what he never knew he needed. Sometimes, mother does know best.
THE COWBOY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS releases October 27th but you can PRE-ORDER your copy now!
In the mean time, you can catch up with any of these talented ladies via their social media:
As I said yesterday, I first met Shea through a Savvy Authors class I took on Write Novels Fast through Art Journaling. I loved the class and have the printed class materials as well as one completed journal for Book 2 in the Planned To Perfection series. I'm hoping my journal work will help walk me through completing the first draft during NanoWrimo. (Stay tuned to this blog for that journey!)
Whad I've learned since about Shea MacCleod is she writes fabulous Urban Fantasies, Cozy Mysteries and just about anything containing witches and dragons - because as she says in her bio - everything is better with dragons!
On October 6th, she released:
COLD CASES and HAUNTED PLACES is ranked #1 on Amazon for Short Story Anthologies & Collections! If you like quick reads, cozy mysteries and all things with past lives, you will love this book!
Don't let the small price of .99 fool you. Cold Cases and Haunted Places features fourteen fabulous authors coming together for the perfect 'snuggle up with a cup of mulled wine' collection of stories.
I woke up at 4:30 this morning to loud rounds of thunder, buckets of rain and a lovely lightning show. I rolled over and went back to sleep until 8 a.m
I had almost 2" of water in the rain gauge and still coming down.
Cold, wet, overcast and just not very inspiring.
The weather also meant I was without internet for the morning. By the time internet was back, I had a long meeting.
Apparently, we're moving into the wet season about three weeks ahead of the norm so I'll be batching blog posts this week so I won't have any coming up late. I especially want to get ahead of the game before Nano hits.
Tomorrow I'm shining the Author Spotlight on Shea MacLeod
I first met Shea through a Savvy Authors class on journaling your novel. As my husband said, that class was made for me. I took the class, have journals Book 2 in the Planned to Perfection series and since bought the book of the class - Write Novels Fast She also writes great cozy books. I'll introduce you to her latest one tomorrow. I hope you'll join us!
Lots of stuff going on the past couple of weeks. As a result I failed to post in this new series from Time To Write.
I will continue to showcae author quotes from Kelly L. Stone's book TIME TO WRITE. Clicking on the title will take you to the book on amazon. I'm also checking in with Kelly about guesting here to provide her insite behind the book.
Here is this week's tip:
"Time to write was made by stealing it from other things,
