Proposal is IN! It’s Party Time!
Just kidding! Last week, I finished my proposal for Zach and Sadie (Mill Town Millionaires Book 4) and got it sent to Awesome Editor. Next in the pipeline is Small Town Secrets Book 2, before Zach and Sadie’s full is due later this year.
But before that, I get to take a week off from writing. I try to do that between projects to “refill my well”. I still do lots of business stuff, but creatively I let myself off the hook.
What do I replace it with? Oh, exciting stuff like cleaning house (it gets really messy on deadline) and watching TV/Movies. I also go on the hunt for new music. As you know if you’ve read my blog for long, music is a powerful fuel for my creativity and each of my characters have “theme” songs.
But after a while, I get tired of what I’ve been listening to and need fresh tunes! So I fill up an iTunes card and go hunting…
While I’m refilling the coffers, I’d love for y’all to share some of your favorite music (new or old) with me! I’ll pick 1 commenter to WIN an iTunes card by Friday.
Dani
But before that, I get to take a week off from writing. I try to do that between projects to “refill my well”. I still do lots of business stuff, but creatively I let myself off the hook.
What do I replace it with? Oh, exciting stuff like cleaning house (it gets really messy on deadline) and watching TV/Movies. I also go on the hunt for new music. As you know if you’ve read my blog for long, music is a powerful fuel for my creativity and each of my characters have “theme” songs.
But after a while, I get tired of what I’ve been listening to and need fresh tunes! So I fill up an iTunes card and go hunting…
While I’m refilling the coffers, I’d love for y’all to share some of your favorite music (new or old) with me! I’ll pick 1 commenter to WIN an iTunes card by Friday.
Dani
A couple of weeks ago, I packed my bags and headed out of town. No hubby or kids. No girlfriends. No fellow authors. Just me, my computer, and my characters for 4 days. Like a writing retreat, but solo.
At first, it always feels a little weird. But I've spent so many years writing out by myself or with author Ella Sheridan than I'm used to it. To feel the complete silence of the hotel room, and know that I wouldn't be interrupted was a relief. I've been pushing pretty hard over the past year, through working with kids in the room, scribbling notes at the day job, pushing through to write in short periods of time where its hard to immerse myself in my characters. Yeah, relief was an understatement.
I took Nate and Sara's novella with me. My goal was to finish it, which I didn't. But I made really good progress. Even more important, I was able to sink into the characters and reacquaint myself with them. Spend time thinking about what they would do and say, without the pressure to finish before someone needed something.
I think this is a great way to refill our creative well. I talk often about "refilling the well" in terms of renewing our energy, etc., but this is about the creative part of our lives. It reminded me to find ways to reconnect with this part of my life also, which will improve my writing, and also my enjoyment of my writing. That was a happy thing!
[caption id="attachment_1061" align="alignleft" width="150"]
I wish this was my hotel room. Wouldn't that have been atmospheric?[/caption]
Another happy thing is going on today! I'm sharing on 2 other blogs and I hope you will join me. I'm over with the Nice Girls talking about, guess what, refilling the well. :) And my latest hero, Jacob Blackstone (The Blackstone Heir), is being featured on the USA Today Happily Ever After blog with some other chivalrous heroes.
What's your happy thing today?
Dani
I took Nate and Sara's novella with me. My goal was to finish it, which I didn't. But I made really good progress. Even more important, I was able to sink into the characters and reacquaint myself with them. Spend time thinking about what they would do and say, without the pressure to finish before someone needed something.
I think this is a great way to refill our creative well. I talk often about "refilling the well" in terms of renewing our energy, etc., but this is about the creative part of our lives. It reminded me to find ways to reconnect with this part of my life also, which will improve my writing, and also my enjoyment of my writing. That was a happy thing!
[caption id="attachment_1061" align="alignleft" width="150"]
I wish this was my hotel room. Wouldn't that have been atmospheric?[/caption]
Another happy thing is going on today! I'm sharing on 2 other blogs and I hope you will join me. I'm over with the Nice Girls talking about, guess what, refilling the well. :) And my latest hero, Jacob Blackstone (The Blackstone Heir), is being featured on the USA Today Happily Ever After blog with some other chivalrous heroes.
What's your happy thing today?
Dani
Sorry about the mix-up with the blog posts today! And of course I couldn't fix it because I can't get my phone to do the admin stuff here on Wordpress. But better late than never, right? I do hope y'all enjoy my little treat below!
I went on a little writing retreat last week near Nashville, TN (more on that in next week's post). While I was there, I took a little side trip. I'd always wanted to visit Belle Meade Plantation, which is an historic plantation that reached its peak in the horse racing industry. As I learned when I was there, all the thoroughbreds who have run (and won) major races over the last ten years or so can be directly linked to the bloodlines of this farm. How cool! I love this type of thing, especially houses, so the trip was extra fun!
My pictures aren't nearly as good as the ones on the website, but here's a bit of what I saw on this cool, windy spring day:
[caption id="attachment_1053" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani
Music provides a large amount of inspiration for me. I listen to music a lot, and often wake up with a song playing in my head. (I just hope it's one that doesn't annoy me. Nothing worse than a bad ear worm!)
Every one of my books has a theme song or playlist. I use them to zero in on a particular character’s motivation or state of mind. Music also sets the mood for certain scenes or conversations.
Recently I ran into a snag with Nate's book (Backstage Pass Book 4) and realized that the heroine, Sara, didn't have her own song. So I started going through my music. Usually, I'll run across something that will just click, and I know it's right.
But nothing came up for Sara. Then one morning, I woke up with a song running through my head – one I hadn't heard in many years, but I instantly knew it was Sara’s theme.
http://youtu.be/bhWEI6-_w9E
Love this! Not slow or sad. Even though Sara’s past has granted her the right to be those things, she chooses to focus on the present. Working hard and enjoying life – preferably with the man who has treated her like a little sister for years. Here's hoping she gets him for an eternity, not just the weekend that he's offering.
What's your favorite "old school" song?
Dani
Recently I ran into a snag with Nate's book (Backstage Pass Book 4) and realized that the heroine, Sara, didn't have her own song. So I started going through my music. Usually, I'll run across something that will just click, and I know it's right.
But nothing came up for Sara. Then one morning, I woke up with a song running through my head – one I hadn't heard in many years, but I instantly knew it was Sara’s theme.
http://youtu.be/bhWEI6-_w9E
Love this! Not slow or sad. Even though Sara’s past has granted her the right to be those things, she chooses to focus on the present. Working hard and enjoying life – preferably with the man who has treated her like a little sister for years. Here's hoping she gets him for an eternity, not just the weekend that he's offering.
What's your favorite "old school" song?
Dani
I'm about to embark on a treacherous adventure – one fraught with numerous areas of danger and opportunity for failure. Will I come out the other side triumphant – or not?
I'm instituting a Day of Rest.
I know it sounds melodramatic (well, I am a fiction author, after all), but I really am worried this might be something I can't stick to.
You see, over the past year, I've learned something about myself: I'm a workaholic. I will spend all day on the weekend in front of a computer – the sad thing is, I'm not always writing. As an author, there is always a push to do more in terms of promotion, outreach, and yes, getting more books on the shelves – yesterday, if not sooner.
Don't get me wrong. As an introvert, I'm surprised by how much I enjoy interacting with readers online. Planning special events is so much fun. Heck, even just thinking of things to make you smile, well, makes me smile. But an author’s online presence today can be time-consuming. Add in an Evil Day Job, husband, kids, and cats – not to mention all the characters clamoring for attention in my head… Exhausting.
The perfectionist in me won't let me stop. I'm afraid if I do, I'll never succeed. I'm also a little afraid that if I ever do stop, I won't be able to start again.
There's a problem, though. I'll let you in on an artistic secret: the busier an author is, the more stress and concern on an author’s mind, and those characters?
They Go Silent.
It's an author's worst nightmare. One I've experienced too often lately. Yes, I can push through and get stories to work – but why do that when I can prevent it in the first place?
Sounds easy, right? But I know myself too well. The siren call of the To Do list is loud, all encompassing sometimes. I'll have to build my resistance muscles. So if you don't hear from me on a Sunday, you'll know why.
Do you enforce a regular day of rest? What usually gets in your way? What do you do to "rest" and rejuvenate?
Dani
I know it sounds melodramatic (well, I am a fiction author, after all), but I really am worried this might be something I can't stick to.
You see, over the past year, I've learned something about myself: I'm a workaholic. I will spend all day on the weekend in front of a computer – the sad thing is, I'm not always writing. As an author, there is always a push to do more in terms of promotion, outreach, and yes, getting more books on the shelves – yesterday, if not sooner.
Don't get me wrong. As an introvert, I'm surprised by how much I enjoy interacting with readers online. Planning special events is so much fun. Heck, even just thinking of things to make you smile, well, makes me smile. But an author’s online presence today can be time-consuming. Add in an Evil Day Job, husband, kids, and cats – not to mention all the characters clamoring for attention in my head… Exhausting.
The perfectionist in me won't let me stop. I'm afraid if I do, I'll never succeed. I'm also a little afraid that if I ever do stop, I won't be able to start again.
There's a problem, though. I'll let you in on an artistic secret: the busier an author is, the more stress and concern on an author’s mind, and those characters?
They Go Silent.
It's an author's worst nightmare. One I've experienced too often lately. Yes, I can push through and get stories to work – but why do that when I can prevent it in the first place?
Sounds easy, right? But I know myself too well. The siren call of the To Do list is loud, all encompassing sometimes. I'll have to build my resistance muscles. So if you don't hear from me on a Sunday, you'll know why.
Do you enforce a regular day of rest? What usually gets in your way? What do you do to "rest" and rejuvenate?
Dani
Sis and I were having a texting meltdown after she'd had one of THOSE days. You know the kind. When everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Yeah, THOSE days.
These conversations make me feel kind of helpless, because there's not much I can say to help – and I feel like I should help. Without thinking, I finally told her to go online, and look at pictures from the place that she was vacationing at later this year. To imagine herself being there, and how much she was going to enjoy it.
[caption id="attachment_1003" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dani in Dublin, Ireland park[/caption]
It wasn't until then that I realized I've been doing exactly the same thing for a month. I got a bee in my bonnet that I wanted to go on a little weekend writing retreat, all by my lonesome, sometime this spring. While hubby was completely agreeable, the decision will rest on the same thing it always does – finances.
So I have no idea if I will get to go, but I've been searching online for hotels, places to eat, walking trails – and with each picture, I feel calm and happy.
That may be sad to some, but I consider it to be self–medicating — without the happy pill. I can take that trip any day. :)
[caption id="attachment_1004" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Store in Dublin, Ireland[/caption]
If you could take a virtual vacation anywhere at all, where would you go?
Dani
Dani in Dublin, Ireland park[/caption]
It wasn't until then that I realized I've been doing exactly the same thing for a month. I got a bee in my bonnet that I wanted to go on a little weekend writing retreat, all by my lonesome, sometime this spring. While hubby was completely agreeable, the decision will rest on the same thing it always does – finances.
So I have no idea if I will get to go, but I've been searching online for hotels, places to eat, walking trails – and with each picture, I feel calm and happy.
That may be sad to some, but I consider it to be self–medicating — without the happy pill. I can take that trip any day. :)
[caption id="attachment_1004" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Store in Dublin, Ireland[/caption]
If you could take a virtual vacation anywhere at all, where would you go?
Dani
Signs can be some of the funniest examples of communication—I’m sure you’ve noticed. They can have hidden, unintended meaning, or they can be deliberately humorous on several levels.
Some of you may remember the sign blog I did with Ella Sheridan after our trip to Ireland last year. It was so fun to do, we’ve decided to indulge our funny bones once more with Volume 2 from Savannah, GA, earlier this month. I hope you enjoy our southern version of Here’s Your Sign.
To see the other half of the blog, go to www.ellasheridanauthor.com for more funnies!
A true southern place! After all, we know all about living through true grit! I wonder if John Wayne ever ate here...
Feeling a little peckish? When I think of cookies (especially those as yummy as the ones in this place), I don't think of eating like a bird. Far from it. I polished off a package in a few hours.
In the south, Velvet Elvis's are practically treasure.
From a hat shop on the River Walk in Savannah. Apropos, don't you think?
Love this! An open tap is the best kind of bar.
Is this really encouragement to eat here? An advertisement for high fat food and the new belly fat you'll add? I thought seafood was supposed to be healthy?
I think this is self-explanatory (and a warning all who know me should heed). Crazy author alert!
As for this restaurant, its a chain that we found all over Savannah and Tybee Island. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time ordering food from something that reminds me of spit...
What's your funniest sign of the bunch? Can you caption them?
Dani
Don't forget to check out part 2 at www.ellasheridanauthor.com .
A true southern place! After all, we know all about living through true grit! I wonder if John Wayne ever ate here...
Feeling a little peckish? When I think of cookies (especially those as yummy as the ones in this place), I don't think of eating like a bird. Far from it. I polished off a package in a few hours.
In the south, Velvet Elvis's are practically treasure.
From a hat shop on the River Walk in Savannah. Apropos, don't you think?
Love this! An open tap is the best kind of bar.
Is this really encouragement to eat here? An advertisement for high fat food and the new belly fat you'll add? I thought seafood was supposed to be healthy?
I think this is self-explanatory (and a warning all who know me should heed). Crazy author alert!
As for this restaurant, its a chain that we found all over Savannah and Tybee Island. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time ordering food from something that reminds me of spit...
What's your funniest sign of the bunch? Can you caption them?
Dani
Don't forget to check out part 2 at www.ellasheridanauthor.com .
Last week, my mother, sisters, niece, and daughter hit the road! We left the boys behind and enjoying a girls’ only trip to historic Savannah, GA.
Savannah is a city of old Southern values, quirky traditions, modern entertainment, and beautiful views. Visiting it has a similar feel to some of the cities I saw in Ireland, where forests and water happily coincide. But the sheer spirit of the city seemed peaceful and quiet to me, even with all the people (and dogs) there.
With every trip I take, I find myself facing a dichotomy within myself. You see, I’m a full blown introvert. I enjoy people in small doses, because prolonged exposure seriously wipes out my energy levels. At the same time, I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people.
As a creative soul, I enjoy absorbing the atmosphere, the colors and traditions of different places. Its one of the things that “refills my well”. I think I also love it, because it also breaks me out of my daily grind. I forget all the bathrooms I have to clean, all the mindless typing for my day job, and ‘extras’ that come along with a job as an author. New places and sights clear my mind and spark my imagination. So, though I can’t indulge as often as I’d like, travel is definitely one of my favorite pastimes.
Where is your favorite place to visit? I’d love to have new cities to explore!
Dani
FYI: Tune in next week for a special edition of 'Funny Signs of Savannah', a co-blog with author Ella Sheridan!
Savannah is a city of old Southern values, quirky traditions, modern entertainment, and beautiful views. Visiting it has a similar feel to some of the cities I saw in Ireland, where forests and water happily coincide. But the sheer spirit of the city seemed peaceful and quiet to me, even with all the people (and dogs) there.
With every trip I take, I find myself facing a dichotomy within myself. You see, I’m a full blown introvert. I enjoy people in small doses, because prolonged exposure seriously wipes out my energy levels. At the same time, I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people.
As a creative soul, I enjoy absorbing the atmosphere, the colors and traditions of different places. Its one of the things that “refills my well”. I think I also love it, because it also breaks me out of my daily grind. I forget all the bathrooms I have to clean, all the mindless typing for my day job, and ‘extras’ that come along with a job as an author. New places and sights clear my mind and spark my imagination. So, though I can’t indulge as often as I’d like, travel is definitely one of my favorite pastimes.
Where is your favorite place to visit? I’d love to have new cities to explore!
Dani
FYI: Tune in next week for a special edition of 'Funny Signs of Savannah', a co-blog with author Ella Sheridan!
I’m currently digging deep into Book 3 of my Mill Town Millionaires series, and am totally into my new hero Luke ‘Renegade’ Blackstone.
This bad boy escaped his oppressive childhood in Blackstone Manor with his own getaway car—and turned it into a profession as a stock car racer. In Book 2, The Blackstone Heir, something happens to completely sideline his career. Now he’s back in Black Hills, SC, once more, counting the days until he can escape again. But first he must be cleared for takeoff by the town’s only physical therapist—a woman he cruelly spurned when she was a high school senior.
I think this bad boy might have his hands full! Here’s his theme song: Renegade by Daughtry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfypxzUF1y4?rel=0]
Enjoy!
Dani
Every day, I work on stories of couples that forge over mountains and crawl out of valleys to find their Happily Ever Afters. Yes, there’s some fun and sex along the way, but these men and women end up working hard to stay together…forever.
And every day, I live my own Happily Ever After. Its just as messy, hard, fun, and sexy as my books (at least I think so). I’m one of the lucky ones. My husband and I both have our faults, but this week we will celebrate 19 years of forever together, and the commitment we spoke to each other when we were barely more than kids still stands strong. For both of us.
My husband was a romantic young man, and he’s still as romantic, just in a different way. Then he brought me flowers, set up special dates, and said things to me that made me feel wonderful. Now he puts the kids to bed so I can have a few minutes to myself, learns all the ways he can help support me in my career as an author, and still says sweet, sexy things that make me feel wonderful. He spends his vacations keeping the kids so I can go to conferences. Does our laundry, and even occasionally washes dishes (even though he hates dishes).
So my hero may be killing dust bunnies rather than stalkers, but he’s still a hero! The hero for me!
Nineteen years ago, I wasn’t thinking about what our lives would look like in 20 years, but he has certainly stood the test of time!
Dani
*Photo used courtesy of WikiCommons
And every day, I live my own Happily Ever After. Its just as messy, hard, fun, and sexy as my books (at least I think so). I’m one of the lucky ones. My husband and I both have our faults, but this week we will celebrate 19 years of forever together, and the commitment we spoke to each other when we were barely more than kids still stands strong. For both of us.
My husband was a romantic young man, and he’s still as romantic, just in a different way. Then he brought me flowers, set up special dates, and said things to me that made me feel wonderful. Now he puts the kids to bed so I can have a few minutes to myself, learns all the ways he can help support me in my career as an author, and still says sweet, sexy things that make me feel wonderful. He spends his vacations keeping the kids so I can go to conferences. Does our laundry, and even occasionally washes dishes (even though he hates dishes).
So my hero may be killing dust bunnies rather than stalkers, but he’s still a hero! The hero for me!
Nineteen years ago, I wasn’t thinking about what our lives would look like in 20 years, but he has certainly stood the test of time!
Dani
*Photo used courtesy of WikiCommons