An Author's Inspiration

Since publishing my first book, I find that I am ask one question repeatedly, "Where do you get your inspiration?" I think all authors are ask that question and it is a good question, especially since the answer is so different for everyone. Today, I am answering that question on paper. I am opening myself up and sharing a very personal part of what has carved me, influenced me and inspired me to write. When I was just a little girl, not even four years old yet, my mom died from cancer. She was only 29 years old, a baby in the grand scheme of things. Now you might think that I was so young that her death was inconsequential to me, but that is not true. I have been told many times by people who knew her well that she was an amazing woman, kind and loving, a teacher of children and most important to me, a good mother. While her meaningful life does inspire me to be a good person, it was her untimely death that has profoundly impacted me the most. You see, by her absence(and her absence is felt every day) I am keenly aware that each day our heart beats and we are with the ones we love, we are given a gift. Each day we wake up, we have another day to do good, to watch the sun set, to choose happiness. So, I guess, because of her death, I feel the precious and fleeting nature of time. So how does this relate to what inspires me to write. When you appreciate the gift of life, you savor it more. You take in life greedily, learning and chasing your dreams, because, one day, your time may be spent. I don't want to have regrets, so I savor my time and dream up stories inspired by the people around me, both those who are living and those who have already passed on. What inspires me when I write, the simple wonderment of being alive.  Now, the question I want to leave hanging out there for you, is what inspires you?  

My upcoming trip to Palm Springs

Growing up in Palm Springs California was a unique experience. In the small valley nestled in the shadows of an intimate grouping of mountains are a handful of cities that cater to a diverse group of people. There is a culture there created and cultivated by seven months of warm balmy weather, wealth and a strong influx of vistors from all over the world.. This was the backdrop for my young life. I graduated from Palm Springs High and when it came time to write Unbreakable Love I knew it woudl be the perfect setting for my story. Now on the 23rd and 24th of January, I get the privilage of going back to my Alma Mater to visiting with the kids that are currently Palm Springs High School students. To make the experience even more memorable, a reporter by the name of Tamara Sone will be there to take photos to use for an article that will be pulished in the Desert Sun(the valley's newspaper) in the next couple of weeks. I first had the privilage of meeting her when we sat down and talked about Unbreakale Love just after it was released. When the article comes out, I'll be sure to post a link. Why do I tell you all this? Partly because I want to share the experiences with you and partly because I feel so lucky to have these oppportunities and I just wanted to say thank you to those who have helped and supported me. Until next time.....

Thank You!

Unbreakable Love has been out for over a month now and I have so much I wish I could share with you.  I wasn't kidding when I said publishing a book is like having a baby(see past posts).  Most days I vacillate between elation and discouragement, wondering what was I thinking when I got into all this. Now, here's the thing I really wanted to get to....this dream couldn't happen and wouldn't happen without the support of my family, friends and of course total strangers that were willing to take a chance on my talent and purchase my book. I guess what I am trying to say is thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for your support. Thank you for you amazing reviews of my book on Amazon, Goodreads, and B&N. It makes me feel brave and grateful and lucky. It makes me want to write stirring and funny stories that make yo feel good and let you escape for just a little while. I promise I will always give it my best and I will always, forever be greatful for you. And as for the future, I can't wait to share with you Shackled, my next book. It is written and going in for editing this month, but that is a blog for another time.  Until then.. 

My First Attempt at a Youtube Video

When I published Unbreakable Love, someone suggested that I make a Youtube video to let people know about it.  Well, it wasn't a completely crazy idea and I have learned how to do a lot of new things with the publication of my first book so I thought, why not?  Six takes and lots of cat scratches later(don't ask) we threw an introductory video together.I even sang Silent Night in German.   Below is a link if you want to check it out...and since this is my last post before Christmas.....Merry Christmas to all my friends, family and anyone else who is willing to put up with me.  Have a great holiday!!!See you next year.

link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yLVgnvmIBk

10 Similarities between having a baby and publishing a book

Unbreakable Love has been out now for several weeks, not a long time, but long enough that I can say I have experienced the publishing of a book. Lately, I have been thinking about how the journey of publishing a book is so much like the creation and culmination of having a baby. Now, for those of you that think I am comparing the importance of a book over a baby, not even.  I just thought the similarities were funny in an ironic sort of way.  Here's my top ten reasons why:

1.When either the baby or the book are conceived, it is work, but the fun kind of work.

2. With both a book and a baby, the possible outcomes are endless, leaving you daydreaming about what you hope will be an amazing end product.

3. For both baby and book, it takes months, that feel like years, to finish the creative process.

4. Both a book and a baby make you apprehension, especially near the end of the project when we realize you have to live what you've created.

5. Both keep you up at night and give you strange dreams wondering if you've miss something in preparation, or made the right choice to create in the first place.

6 Both change your circle of friends as you find yourself searching out people you can relate to, that are going through the same things or maybe that you can learn from.

7.  Both disrupt the flow of the house as all the energy of the family channels into the upcoming event that will change everything.

8.  Both are painful to push out at the end and for most of us we just want drugs to make it all go away.

9.  With both the birth of a child and the publishing of a book, when that new little creation is handed to you and you see the final product, that little piece of you, you are overwhelmed and amazed and smitten.

10.  Several months after your little creation is part of your life, you wake up one day and look in mirror at your neglected hair and sleep deprived eyes and realized the care of your little creation is so much bigger than you bargained for, yet somehow you know, with enough time behind you, you'd do it all over again.

Author Boutique

Today I had the privilage of hanging out with other Arizona authors.  What a diverse and intelligent group of people. They were kind of funny too. My favorite was the guy who walked around with a mischevious smile and wore the sweatshirt that said "Be careful or you'll end up as character in my next book."  I've got to get me one of those shirts, but in pink with bling on it. You can never have enough bling.  I sat next to Chelsea Fine and was able to sneek a peak at ANEW, her first book in her Archers of Avalon series. I took a copy home and can't wait to read the rest of it. All in all, it was a good time and I learned from each person I met, authors and customers.  Just as an aside, I  am also so excited about the reviews that have come in on Amazon.  When I read them, I was smiling big time. Hope you have a good week.  Thanks for checking in.

Thanksgiving Week

Hi friends,

Here we are and it is finally the week of Thanksgiving.  I already have my Christmas tree up, yes I said my Christmas tree.  Now, I know someone out there is going to cry, what about Thanksgiving, have you forgotten it?  The answer is, any holiday with lots of starchy food and pie cannot be forgotten,no matter how many Christmas decorations I put up.  Instead, I find nibbling on turkey and stuffed potatoes beneath the soft twinkly lights of an enormous Christmas Tree only enhances the Thanksgiving experience.  After all, Thanksgiving is all about what we have been blessed with and Christmas is about getting blessed with more.  Funny how the retailers have done that to us.  Still, I love Christmas and all its sparkle and joy and I feel no shame in making it last as long as posssible.This week I am also excited because Unbreakable Love goes live.  I have had a handful of copies for the last week or so, but now anyone can get their hands on my book, although I guess that is the ideas. My publisher tells me books will be in stock in two days on Amazon.  Yea h!!! So, if you stumble across this blog and end up reading Unbreakable Love over the holidays, I hope you enjoy it.  Most of all, I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope your holiday week is filled with good things no matter how you choose to celebrate.  I know mine will be as long as I have good friends and my family around me.