A Beautiful People

Last Friday I came home from San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico.  I spent a wonderful six days at my mom's home there and I have to say, I love the people!  They are the most passionate bunch I have ever met, they always have a smile for you and an "Ola" and the way the media has tainted the whole country is horrible.  Yes, certain areas you must stay away from, but that's true for any vacation you may take abroad, common sense is a must and Mexico is no exception.  The sad thing out of all of it is these wonderfully loving people are the one's getting caught in the crossfire.

My first day there we met a young man named Ernesto on the beach.  He sells silver jewellery from his knapsack and black display case he had tucked under his arm.  He was incredibly sweet and instead of continuing on to sell his wares, he hunkered down on the sand and told us how he had just moved from Mazatlan to live with his brother in Cabo, because Mazatlan was a deserted tourist spot, no one's going there anymore and he couldn't make a living.  We continued to talk for an hour or more, him giving us a Spanish lesson and we returned the favour by helping him with his English and even though he could have been bitter about how things were, he remained thankful, citing the fact that there were people far worse off than he was.

 
On my first day in a new country that could very well be facing financial ruin, a young man with enormous passion and love of family, reminded me what was truly important – thank you Ernesto, we truly could learn a lesson from you and your people.

Have a great day.

It's Okay. Really!

When someone finds out that I'm a writer, the very next question, 100% of the time, is "what do you write about?" or "what type of novel is it?" and no matter how the question is posed, it's always the same answer, "it's a romance".  Not once have I turned red with embarrassment when I've uttered those words, nor have I quickly glanced down, while sweeping my toe across the ground, as if I have been caught doing something wrong -- I WRITE ROMANCE! (Sorry didn't mean to yell.)

Even though over 60% of book sales are within the romance genre, readers still feel the need to hide the fact that they love them.  Why is that?  Why is there such a stigma attached to words that can take the reader on a journey that will have them believing in true love again, that chivalry hasn't died, that life can hold happiness, that dreams can come true?  Why is such a wonderful experience for each reader such a horrible admittance when they're asked "hey, watcha reading?"?

I don't want any readers to feel like they have to hide when they read my book or any romance novel for that matter, there really isn’t anything to be ashamed of and honestly, I hope one day while I’m standing in a line or on a plane or sitting in a waiting room, that I spot someone reading Absolute Obsession – that would make my year and beyond.
 
Have a great day.

Why the Easter Bunny?

There are two holidays every year that we throw the rules out the window.  Christmas and Easter.  They are the days that we allow ourselves and our kids to eat chocolate and candy for breakfast. 

Nothing is as wonderful to see the kids' little faces when they find all the treats the Easter Bunny left them, how excited they get when their baskets are filled to the brim with jelly beans, chocolate Easter eggs and the like.  Easter is a day for families to gather and have a great feast, visit, and yes, of course, laugh -- what fun!

However, let's not forget the real reason why the Easter Bunny graces our homes every year.  It is the day that draws attention to one of the most important things that we should all practice everyday -- forgiveness.  Let's not fail Him.

Have a great day and great Easter!

Life Summed Up

We've all experienced receiving flowers at some point in our lives, along with that little 3 x 5 card that has something inspiring, apologetic and/or nice written on it.

Those written words recall a personal story between the giver and the receiver's life, perhaps to bring a new beginning, or maybe it's an apology because words were too hard to come by, maybe it's congratulatory, or maybe it's an ending.  There are a million reasons for that little card to be cradled within the leaves of a bouquet and if, in your life time, you were to collect an array of those card from all different walks of life and people, oh what a story that would tell -- to catch a peak into a moment of someone's life -- a moment that has been summed up with a few words written on a 3 x 5 card.

Have a great day.

Writer's Block or Not?

Every novel starts with a premise/idea/fantasy and however it starts, it evolves with each letter and word written.  However, what happens when the evolution stumbles and you can't quite find the path your characters are talking about?  Is that considered writer's block?

A new world has been playing in my head for over a month now and I have written quite a bit of it, but have been struggling with vast parts and it was this past weekend when I realized why -- I was trying to write someone else's story at my convenience, not when they needed me to listen.  In essence, I was forcing them on stage and all that got me was storytelling at it's worse, there was no passion in the words, no emotion in the tone -- it was blah!

Was it writer's block?  I don't think so, I simply stopped listening -- that has since been corrected.  I'm armed with a pen and have ensured that paper, big and small, surround me, all at the ready for when Jolecia and Gavri speak.

Have a great day

The Zone and Finding Balance

We've all had moments where we didn't want to socialize with anyone and honestly, there is nothing wrong with wanting a little time alone, but what if that time alone isn't really being alone?

I'm referring to the zone.  The zone is the place that takes me into a completely different world and has me surrounded by a  new bunch of people, ones that set about telling me their stories.  Why am I bringing this up?  Well, the fact of the matter is, it has actually taken me this long to find balance when new characters make themselves known.

When Michael and Rose first entered the stage (and we all know at that time I wasn't sure if I was losing my mind or, well...that was pretty much what I thought) they and their cohorts  completely consumed me, taking over my psyche and throwing the balance in my own life off kilter.  However, in time, I was able to find the balance.  I can now decide which world I want to or need to be in, which "zone" requires my attention the most and even sometimes be in two places at once... figure that one out. Ha ha.

Have a great day.

Inspiration

As a writer I am often asked what inspires me and as you all know it is my characters that help move me along.  Now another question popped up a couple weeks ago "where or how could someone find inspiration?".  When that question was posed to me I stumbled on my answer and it was only after it was too late that the answer came to me.

Inspiration isn't something you can look for, as a matter of fact, I can almost guarantee that looking for it will produce the exact opposite result.  It isn't something that can be found in one certain place and I believe that if you're looking for it, you will never find it, it will evade you like the plague.  That's not to say it'll never find you.  Inspiration can be a billboard that you see along the highway, it can be a comment in passing, it can even be a look someone gives you.  Inspiration is as individual as the person itself.  The trick is, you have to be able to recognize it when it does hit.  Remember this: inspiration is but a fleeting moment in time and it's up to you to capture it.

Have a great day.