Good morning! I need to get on my soapbox for just a teeny second. And no, it’s not political!

Ok, so I want to know how many know the meaning of the word, Fiction? If you don’t, then let me enlighten you. Fiction means literature in the form of short stories and novels, that describes events from the imagination and people that don’t exist. And in case that isn’t good enough, it means not true or make believe.

The reason for my rant is this, romance novels are fiction unless they are noted as Non Fiction. Let me repeat that, ROMANCE NOVELS ARE FICTION. I was reading a post the other day about someone raking a romance writer over the coals for letting the characters fall in love within days of meeting one another. As I read it, I looked back to make sure this was about a romance novel, not a true story. Why would someone question something that happens in a fictional world? Some romance readers actually love the characters to experience love at first sight, but why is it considered unreal? It’s a work of fiction people! In this little world that came from the writers mind these two met, fell in love immediately and that’s it. It’s a book of FICTION!

Even in real life, there is such thing as love at first sight. And thank goodness for that. I know so many people that fell in love on the first date and that’s amazing. So, why would you downgrade a work of fiction for the couple falling in love so quick. Fiction stories often go into things that don’t happen everyday in the real world. Ok, I’m off my soapbox. Now, back to our day

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Do you get joy from writing? Some will say they write because they have to and that doesn’t bring joy. But for the majority of writers, you write because you love the art of putting words on paper. Keep that joy and your writing will fill you with such pleasure that you’ll always find inspiration in the small things.

Inspiration can come from many sources, so go out into the world and explore. Go for a nature walk. People watch. Listen to music that inspires you. But always strive to find joy in what you do.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

Good Thursday morning… Romance, some believe in it, some don’t. It’s up to you. As a writer of romance, I believe in the possibility of romance for everyone. You just have to seek it out. Romance can be found in the simplest of gestures.

For some, romance is candles, wine, dancing … you know, the stuff you see when you look up romance, But to me, it’s in the slight touch of ones hand. It’s the look across the table that says I love you unconditionally. Sometimes romance can be found in a mere word, not just the three words in I love you.

When writing romance, authors have to spread romance through normal channels. In a historical romance, it could be the knight saving the damsel in distress. In a paranormal romance, it could be a ghost finding his or her lost love in the afterlife. In a contemporary romance, it could be as simple as buying a set of books for your love. It’s the simple things in life that bring the best romance. And to me, that’s the true romance, when it’s on a whim, not set up like a movie set.

Romance in it’s truest form can be intoxicating and passionate. Some never seek romance, they only seek love. How is that different? To this romance author, it’s worlds apart. You can love someone without romance. Love comes in many forms. You can love your partner and want to be there for every moment, but there may be no romance there. But when you combine love and romance, the possibilities are endless.

Yes, I’m what some call a true romantic. I strive to add romance in my marriage by the simplest things. Every night I make my hubby a sandwich for him to take to work the next day, and sometimes I add heart on the bag just to remind him of the romance we share. Sometimes we share just the touch of our fingertips as we pass in the hallway and just that mere wisp of a touch brings a warm fuzzy romantic feeling. You may think that’s all sappy, but to us, it’s the small things.

Tomorrow my hubby and I will celebrate 27 years of wedded bliss. I can tell you this, the romance hasn’t died and if I have anything to do with it, the romance never will.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

We finally have a sunny, beautiful Sunday morning. The rain has been looming around for weeks, messing up the weekend. I’m thankful for the blessing of a nice weekend. It may be cold, but the sun is bright.

Here’s a little word for you on this beautiful Sunday morning. Live each day as though it was your last. Love with all of your heart. And Laugh until your sides hurt. Make it count people because you only get one chance at this thing we call life.

I write to release everything. All of the pent up stress just flows away when I begin to type the words that fill my head. And with that release, I can live, love, and laugh a little stronger. Try it!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

This week is flying by. So much to do with so little time.

Lately I’ve been focusing more and more on being descriptive. I want my readers to take the journey with me, not just read it. It means more if they see the vision that I do when I’m writing. As I wrote earlier, show, don’t tell. It’s important to keep the readers interest and if they’re just reading words, it won’t. They’ll lose their train of thought. But, if you open up the world to them, then you’ll have fans for life.

For instance, in my current WIP, when Hadley is walking up the sidewalk, I get into the weather, the scenery around her and the neighbor that always stops her, keeping her from the tasks at hand. Also her little cottage on the sleepy street in the small town. I go into detail so that the reader has a sense of where she lives and during certain parts of the story, how close she is to possible danger.

So see, you have to be descriptive. Let your reader into your head. It can only make it better for them.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

We’re into the third month of 2021, but have you done anything to make yourself better? Have you changed something that needs changing? Have you renewed your faith?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Good morning! I’ve been swamped with taxes and office work, so I’ve been a little absent lately. But don’t worry, there is still writing going on in the background. Safe is almost complete and I’m so excited to bring it to you soon. Now, on to the post.

There are so many trends out there right now that it makes my head spin. So many authors fall into the trend hole and can’t seem to climb back out. Yes, it’s alright to write following those trends, but not if it puts your writing style in a cramp. Sometimes current trends are not what you excel at and that’s alright. Be yourself, not what others expect.

Every writer has their own voice. And we have a passion for different things. Me, I love writing clean romance that inspires others. And now I’ve added mystery and suspense to that love. But for so long I wouldn’t add that element for fear that it wouldn’t be accepted in my genre. I was mistaken and now that I’m almost done with the first novel in that genre, I know that I made the right choice. It’s unexpected, but wonderful. I’ve never felt more excitement over writing as I do at this moment. I feel that this is a huge step for my career.

Now, you need to sit back and figure it out. What do you love to write about? If it’s a couple falling in love over a lost puppy, then write about it. What’s important is writing about what you’re passionate about. Just focus on that.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Take a little time for yourself everyday. It only takes a few minutes of sipping coffee or tea and a little relaxation to get yourself back up to speed. During tax season I try to take a moment to just sip my afternoon coffee and breathe.

ENJOY YOUR DAY… LIVE LIFE… AND LAUGH…

So, before I rush in and tell you everything about Broken, here’s the cover!

This book was more than I expected. I fell into the spell of the story that unfolded under my fingertips. Even when things seemed to fall apart for the characters, I somehow kept it together. This story will pull you in and break your heart one moment, then give you hope the next. But until the end, you won’t know how it will end. Don’t you love a suspenseful read that keeps you on your toes until the last couple of words.

Now, as I work on the outline for the next book in the series, I need to give you a small peek at the cover…

Storm will take your breath away and leave you hanging on every word. I’m so excited about this book. It’s been in my mind for a long time, but now it will be in yours. So, there will be more to come soon on it. As I said, it would just be a peek…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You….

Good Monday morning! I hope your coffee is flowing freely. Now, as for my coffee enhanced thoughts, let’s talk about characters…

There are many different aspects of a character that you write. So, let’s get right into the conversation. Now, when you start a new story, you have to introduce your characters. But you can’t properly introduce them without knowing them. That’s where a good character write-up comes in.

With a character write-up, you need to get into as much detail as possible. Here are the different elements I put into mine.

1. Description – Eye color, hair color, flaws such as scars. Age of character is important.
2. Attitude – Is the character a gentle soul, or a sharp tongued character.
3. Occupation – Cowboy, secretary, businessman, or whatever they do.

This is only a couple of items, but you get the idea. I always leave plenty of room to add new things that come about as I write. It’s important to keep things the same. Readers notice if your main character has blond hair at the start, then dark hair in the middle.

Make sure that you keep a notebook for each work so that you can keep up with everything.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Don’t forget, Broken is coming this month!!!