I’m a planner—we all recognize this compulsion in me. :) This habit ramps up whenever I start planning a trip. I love to know where I’m going and what I’ll be seeing while I’m there.
In just a week I’ll be heading down south to New Orleans, Louisiana for the annual Romantic Times Readers Convention. This trip will include a lot of firsts for me:
~First time in NOLA as an adult (and with friends!)
~First time to travel by train
~First author book signing
~First visit to Mardi Gras World
I’m totally psyched! There are a lot of cool things in New Orleans that I want to see, in addition to the conference:
~famous cemetery tour
~ride the streetcars (especially down St. Charles Avenue)
~walk in the French Quarter
But there’s a lot to do between now and departure day! Create a packing list, print train tickets, get my nails done, pack...I’ve already started my packing and To Do lists...told you I was a big planner!
Takeaway: What’s your favorite way to prepare for a trip: way early or late the night before? Any suggestions from those who’ve been to NOLA?
Dani
*Train by Rais67 (WikiCommons)
*New Orleans Cemetery by Infrogmation (WikiCommons)
*Canal St Streetcar by Nicolas Larchet (WikiCommons)
~First time in NOLA as an adult (and with friends!)
~First time to travel by train
~First author book signing
~First visit to Mardi Gras World
I’m totally psyched! There are a lot of cool things in New Orleans that I want to see, in addition to the conference:
~famous cemetery tour
~ride the streetcars (especially down St. Charles Avenue)
~walk in the French Quarter
But there’s a lot to do between now and departure day! Create a packing list, print train tickets, get my nails done, pack...I’ve already started my packing and To Do lists...told you I was a big planner!
Takeaway: What’s your favorite way to prepare for a trip: way early or late the night before? Any suggestions from those who’ve been to NOLA?
Dani
*Train by Rais67 (WikiCommons)
*New Orleans Cemetery by Infrogmation (WikiCommons)
*Canal St Streetcar by Nicolas Larchet (WikiCommons)
Today, as I mourn the start of another round of deprivation (otherwise known as a diet), I give you my list of Top 10 All-Time Favorite Desserts:
1. Krispy Kreme Sour Cream/Hot Glazed donuts
(both are my favorite in their own special way—as my bio will attest)
2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
3. Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Trees
5. My Mama’s Cheesecake
6. Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins
7. Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
8. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
9. Twix Bars
10. Dark Chocolate Anything!
Takeaway: So you can enjoy what I can’t, here’s my Mama’s Cheesecake recipe. Be sure to eat a piece for me!
Dani
QUICK & EASY CHEESECAKE
2-8oz. packages cream cheese (don’t skimp by getting low fat!)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. sour cream
2 graham cracker crusts
Use a mixer to combine the cream cheese, eggs, and half of the sugar/vanilla in a bowl. Pour half into each crust and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Mix sour cream and rest of sugar/vanilla with a spoon. Pour on top of the two pies and bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Refrigerate after cooling.
* Cheesecake photo by Whym (WikiCommons)
Takeaway: So you can enjoy what I can’t, here’s my Mama’s Cheesecake recipe. Be sure to eat a piece for me!
Dani
QUICK & EASY CHEESECAKE
2-8oz. packages cream cheese (don’t skimp by getting low fat!)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. sour cream
2 graham cracker crusts
Use a mixer to combine the cream cheese, eggs, and half of the sugar/vanilla in a bowl. Pour half into each crust and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Mix sour cream and rest of sugar/vanilla with a spoon. Pour on top of the two pies and bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Refrigerate after cooling.
* Cheesecake photo by Whym (WikiCommons)
Recently, a non-writing friend asked, “Do you ever look back and think, ‘Wow, I wrote XX number of books last year?’” Hmmm... honestly, I don’t.
But I should.
Because when I did stop to think about it, it totally blew my mind! Just in my published works, I have 3 contemporary romances written and released, 1 written and scheduled for fall, and 3 in some stage of production. That doesn’t include the 6 additional stories I wrote before I published.
[caption id="attachment_731" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Titles by author Kira Sinclair[/caption]
It’s pretty astounding to realize I’ve completed that many stories. Most aspiring authors finish 1 book, maybe 2. I have a lot of accomplishments under my belt for a new author. :)
Why don’t I savor these milestones more? I think, when you are a published author working on a publishing deadline, your focus is always ahead to the next book, the next deadline, the tasks on the list left to be done. There’s little time for looking back.
But we should.
[caption id="attachment_732" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Titles by Kimberly Lang & Andrea Laurence[/caption]
This reminds me of when my kids were babies. There was so much that needed to be done in any given day, that savoring the wonder of having these children in my life was virtually impossible—unless I reminded myself to STOP and look for it. But when I did then...and I do now...what incredible beauty I see!
[caption id="attachment_733" align="aligncenter" width="212"]
Title by Marilyn Baxter[/caption]
I have a group of friends who have been tight knit since long before we published. Now we are ALL published authors. Between us we have numerous novels and novellas. It’s incredible to think about what we’ve accomplished in the 10 years we’ve known each other. Throughout this post are pictures of our books. Looking at them makes me smile. For the record, that’s a good thing when you’re on deadline!
Dani
Takeaway: What accomplishments should you stop and savor? What memories make you smile in the midst of your current hard work?
Titles by author Kira Sinclair[/caption]
It’s pretty astounding to realize I’ve completed that many stories. Most aspiring authors finish 1 book, maybe 2. I have a lot of accomplishments under my belt for a new author. :)
Why don’t I savor these milestones more? I think, when you are a published author working on a publishing deadline, your focus is always ahead to the next book, the next deadline, the tasks on the list left to be done. There’s little time for looking back.
But we should.
[caption id="attachment_732" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Titles by Kimberly Lang & Andrea Laurence[/caption]
This reminds me of when my kids were babies. There was so much that needed to be done in any given day, that savoring the wonder of having these children in my life was virtually impossible—unless I reminded myself to STOP and look for it. But when I did then...and I do now...what incredible beauty I see!
[caption id="attachment_733" align="aligncenter" width="212"]
Title by Marilyn Baxter[/caption]
I have a group of friends who have been tight knit since long before we published. Now we are ALL published authors. Between us we have numerous novels and novellas. It’s incredible to think about what we’ve accomplished in the 10 years we’ve known each other. Throughout this post are pictures of our books. Looking at them makes me smile. For the record, that’s a good thing when you’re on deadline!
Dani
Takeaway: What accomplishments should you stop and savor? What memories make you smile in the midst of your current hard work?
I’ve gotten in a big rush lately.
It makes sense. My life is chaotic and my To Do List never ends. Sometimes you get in that mode of pushing through to the next task, desperate to simply have something completed. Checking things off a To Do List can be oddly addictive when the tasks seem neverending.
But I recently realized quantity doesn’t equal quality. Or rather, I was reminded. :) I’d forgotten in the mad rush to “complete” things.
That frustrates me. As much as I want Daniel’s book on the virtual shelves, rushing to complete his book won’t result in a good book—a book I can be proud of. My most recent Harlequin, Book 2 in the Mill Town Millionaires series, took longer than I anticipated to finish. To do it (and Daniel's book) justice, I have to put off releasing the next Backstage Pass book, Settling the Score, until later this Spring.
I’m trying to remember that my current chaotic state won’t last forever. I’d rather please my readers with a good story, rather than a quick read. (Hopefully my readers will agree.)
These are all decisions that have to be made as an Indie writer. Harlequin sets my deadlines for their books. And I know Awesome Editor would put me through another round of revisions if he wasn’t happy with the story. I can do no less for books of which I alone serve as author, publisher, and promoter.
But to make up for the wait, I want to give you a peek at the cover! My newsletter subscribers have already seen it, but they’re the only ones. I’m so thrilled with it! My cover artist, Elizabeth Wallace, has done a fantastic job. The cover echoes the opening scene of the book, when Daniel finally let’s go of years of control and shows Becca exactly what she’s been missing.
Pretty sexy, huh? I’ll be releasing an excerpt in a few weeks, again first in my newsletter, so be sure to sign up to catch the first sneak peek! And watch here and my FB/Twitter pages for first news on the rescheduled release date.
Dani
Takeaway: What’s one thing where you prefer to have quality over quickness?
Pretty sexy, huh? I’ll be releasing an excerpt in a few weeks, again first in my newsletter, so be sure to sign up to catch the first sneak peek! And watch here and my FB/Twitter pages for first news on the rescheduled release date.
Dani
Takeaway: What’s one thing where you prefer to have quality over quickness?
We've all been there: dishes are piled up, kids are calling, laundry is growing, and the writing isn't done... Life can get out of control in the blink of an eye. The question is, what can we learn from it?
Author Kristen Lamb addresses this topic with a cool perspective in Is Your Life Out of Control?
Dani
In this day and age, there’s a lot of talk about ‘going after your dreams’ and ‘achieving your dreams’. I highly recommend it. After all, I spent 10 years trying to sell my first novel-length story. I fought hard for my dream, and pushed through the barriers of fear, pride, and uncertainty in order to achieve it.
But there are a few things “they” don’t tell you about achieving your dreams:
1. The work doesn’t stop. Either another goal appears, or you have to continue working just to maintain your dreams. Mostly likely, its both. Dreams don’t lead to easy street.
2. Not everyone will support you. Some will see you as selfish for focusing on something you want. Some will want a piece of your pie without working for it. Some will want to tear you down because of jealousy or just plain meanness. And some people will simply be indifferent, because it isn’t their dream.
3. Some people will more than support you. They’ll actually put their belief in you into action, going out of their way to help you live your dreams. This selflessness on the part of others is an extremely humbling experience, which means...
4. Support from others doesn’t always feel good. Knowing that someone is giving of their time and energy to help you can lead to guilt, guilt, and more guilt, even though you are more than grateful. Especially for women.
5. Your other responsibilities don’t end. Most authors don’t sit around eating bonbons all day. The day I sold my first novel, I still had to finish out the day at my day job, pick the kids up from school, and cook dinner.
6. Achieving a momentous moment that’s part of your dream is as incredible as they say it is!
7. That incredible high doesn’t last forever. Because dreams aren’t really this finite thing we achieve, they are more like a journey. There are high ridges, and low valleys. Be prepared for both.
8. Did I mention the work doesn’t end?
9. Everything in life doesn’t fall into place, just because you’ve reached this tremendous milestone. Its not like winning the lottery. Most likely, you can’t just quit your day job and land in the lap of luxury.
10. “Living the dream” may not match your expectations, but trust me, you’ll still want it just as much as you did the day you started.
Living the Dream is not for sissies. :)
Dani
Takeaway: What's the most important dream you've worked to achieve in your life?
Don't miss my next newsletter! Every edition has a winner of a very special prize pack. Click here to join my newsletter email list.
Hello. My name is Dani Wade, and I’m a coke addict – Diet Coke, that is.
There, I admit it. I have friends with more refined tastes, drinkers of hot tea or coffee. But my desires run closer to a burger compared to their prime rib.
I’ve tried to limit it, tried to go without...
But the minute I’m tired or down (or in the middle of a writing push), this is what I want.
I know its bad for me. Full of chemicals. And causes all kinds of havoc on the sugar centers in my brain. But its what I want.
Maybe 1 day, Diet Coke and I will part ways. I’ll develop a new love that’s good for me and still gives me that rush of cold energy and delicious taste! But today is not that day...
Until then, Diet Coke lovers unite! Be productive! Be coherent! Be proud!
Takeaway: We all have our little vices, don’t we? What’s your (legal) addiction?
Dani
Have you signed up for my newsletter? There's another one coming soon, and each month there will be a winner of a Reader's Prize Pack filled with goodies! Sign up now for your chance to win each month!
There, I admit it. I have friends with more refined tastes, drinkers of hot tea or coffee. But my desires run closer to a burger compared to their prime rib.
I’ve tried to limit it, tried to go without...
But the minute I’m tired or down (or in the middle of a writing push), this is what I want.
I know its bad for me. Full of chemicals. And causes all kinds of havoc on the sugar centers in my brain. But its what I want.
Maybe 1 day, Diet Coke and I will part ways. I’ll develop a new love that’s good for me and still gives me that rush of cold energy and delicious taste! But today is not that day...
Until then, Diet Coke lovers unite! Be productive! Be coherent! Be proud!
Takeaway: We all have our little vices, don’t we? What’s your (legal) addiction?
Dani
Have you signed up for my newsletter? There's another one coming soon, and each month there will be a winner of a Reader's Prize Pack filled with goodies! Sign up now for your chance to win each month!
Before I started writing, I thought characters were like puppets. The author pulled them out of a box, tugged on strings to make them do what she wanted, then put them away again.
Boy, was I deluded!
I wrote my first draft while living in that fantasy world. Then I heard Linda Howard speak at our chapter meeting about hearing characters ‘speak to you’. That’s a little weird, I thought. After all, I’m in charge of the story, right? But I tried, because after all, this was Linda Howard talking.
I still remember those first few times I tried to “listen” to my characters. And my utter shock when words—their words—started to float through my head. Over the years, that trickle has become a stream until now its unnatural for all of my characters to be quiet at once. :)
Makes for a pretty busy mind landscape, but that’s the nature of being a fiction author. Keeps life interesting (especially for my poor hubby who has to tolerate my constant daydreaming). But my hope is that it makes my characters more alive for readers, just like they are for me now.
Today, share with us the characters that you’ve become most attached to because they have become real to you. You know, the ones you just can’t stop thinking about!
Dani
I wrote my first draft while living in that fantasy world. Then I heard Linda Howard speak at our chapter meeting about hearing characters ‘speak to you’. That’s a little weird, I thought. After all, I’m in charge of the story, right? But I tried, because after all, this was Linda Howard talking.
I still remember those first few times I tried to “listen” to my characters. And my utter shock when words—their words—started to float through my head. Over the years, that trickle has become a stream until now its unnatural for all of my characters to be quiet at once. :)
Makes for a pretty busy mind landscape, but that’s the nature of being a fiction author. Keeps life interesting (especially for my poor hubby who has to tolerate my constant daydreaming). But my hope is that it makes my characters more alive for readers, just like they are for me now.
Today, share with us the characters that you’ve become most attached to because they have become real to you. You know, the ones you just can’t stop thinking about!
Dani
I think, no matter whether your dream is writing a book, being a photographer, being the best mom and wife you can be, or going back to college, every woman has a dream. We all struggle to balance our dreams with the demands of every day life. That's why I enjoyed this post on The Romance Troupe about one author's inspirational struggle. She has a tremendous load to carry, but still doesn't give up on her dreams.
I hope you find it as inspirational as I did!
Dani
I hope you find it as inspirational as I did!
Dani
Well, it really started in the Dublin airport on my recent trip to Ireland. As I, my sister, and our traveling companions exited the plane and trekked the long hallways in search of customs, I kept noticing signs that looked like this:
My sleepy, jet-lagged brain thought, Boy, these people sure like to run. Is there a track downstairs? Or is it in case of zombies...if the apocalypse hits, flee--this way! These Irish sure are prepared...
Then we get on the road, and I saw one of these:
Then another, and another. Honestly, I thought they were to warn people not to picnic on the road when I first saw them in Scotland. Though strangely they are usually located near an overpass. Who wants to picnic near an overpass? Voicing my strange thoughts to my sis, Ella Sheridan, led to a love affair with the oddly humorous signs we encountered throughout Ireland, Wales, and London.
Her interpretation of the picnic on the road sign was even funnier than mine, but I won't spoil the joke. You can check out her version of this story from the link at the bottom of the page. First, let's take a look at some of the very interesting signage that had us laughing, pointing, and scratching our heads in confusion:
Is this supposed to be an invitation to come on inside? Depending on how "kranky" the barber is today, you could end up with just a close trim...or completely skinned!
From Ella: Uh, no. Never trust anyone who is both 'kranky' and holding scissors.
My, what big teeth you have! What that poor little fish doesn't know, won't hurt him. Oh yeah it will--he's what's for dinner!
Um, just why? Was the Far Out Ferret already taken? I mean, this does not entice me to shop. I can't even imagine what those clothes must smell like.
Ella: At least they're right out there with it. The people with the next sign are just plain confused.
One thought: how fresh can poison possibly be?
Only 36 books? Are there more downstairs? Otherwise, this is the smallest bookstore I've ever seen.
Ella: And what if you've read them all?
Should the zombie apocalypse truly arise, Wales will be the country to beat. They have already brewed the perfect survival weapon: Brains beer.
Ella: Braaaiiins! Braaaiiins! (I bet they have fun at Halloween!)
This one is just for us 'girl's of plenty'. All you skinny thangs have to find another loo to use!
Ella: Do I look bloated? I feel a little bloated. Look at me from this side. Whatdya think? Bloated, right?
Do we really need to encourage this kind of behavior?
Ella: For the late-night snacker in you, apparently.
I have to wonder what kind of pharmacy these chemists are really running?!?!
We're not the only ones, obviously the Irish think their signs are totally cool too. After all, even the banks are in on it!
I mean, over the top, y'all!
Ella: Not just out, but way out!
So there you have it! Our trip throughout Ireland and the UK, told through signs. We'd love if you'd share the favorite/funniest/weirdest sign you've ever seen. Or tell us your unique interpretation of these signs. Help us know we aren't the only ones to view the world in a weird way...
Dani
For more kooky signs (and the other half of the story) visit my sister Ella Sheridan's blog today, where she tells in her own words How it all started...
My sleepy, jet-lagged brain thought, Boy, these people sure like to run. Is there a track downstairs? Or is it in case of zombies...if the apocalypse hits, flee--this way! These Irish sure are prepared...
Then we get on the road, and I saw one of these:
Then another, and another. Honestly, I thought they were to warn people not to picnic on the road when I first saw them in Scotland. Though strangely they are usually located near an overpass. Who wants to picnic near an overpass? Voicing my strange thoughts to my sis, Ella Sheridan, led to a love affair with the oddly humorous signs we encountered throughout Ireland, Wales, and London.
Her interpretation of the picnic on the road sign was even funnier than mine, but I won't spoil the joke. You can check out her version of this story from the link at the bottom of the page. First, let's take a look at some of the very interesting signage that had us laughing, pointing, and scratching our heads in confusion:
Is this supposed to be an invitation to come on inside? Depending on how "kranky" the barber is today, you could end up with just a close trim...or completely skinned!
From Ella: Uh, no. Never trust anyone who is both 'kranky' and holding scissors.
My, what big teeth you have! What that poor little fish doesn't know, won't hurt him. Oh yeah it will--he's what's for dinner!
Um, just why? Was the Far Out Ferret already taken? I mean, this does not entice me to shop. I can't even imagine what those clothes must smell like.
Ella: At least they're right out there with it. The people with the next sign are just plain confused.
One thought: how fresh can poison possibly be?
Only 36 books? Are there more downstairs? Otherwise, this is the smallest bookstore I've ever seen.
Ella: And what if you've read them all?
Should the zombie apocalypse truly arise, Wales will be the country to beat. They have already brewed the perfect survival weapon: Brains beer.
Ella: Braaaiiins! Braaaiiins! (I bet they have fun at Halloween!)
This one is just for us 'girl's of plenty'. All you skinny thangs have to find another loo to use!
Ella: Do I look bloated? I feel a little bloated. Look at me from this side. Whatdya think? Bloated, right?
Do we really need to encourage this kind of behavior?
Ella: For the late-night snacker in you, apparently.
I have to wonder what kind of pharmacy these chemists are really running?!?!
We're not the only ones, obviously the Irish think their signs are totally cool too. After all, even the banks are in on it!
I mean, over the top, y'all!
Ella: Not just out, but way out!
So there you have it! Our trip throughout Ireland and the UK, told through signs. We'd love if you'd share the favorite/funniest/weirdest sign you've ever seen. Or tell us your unique interpretation of these signs. Help us know we aren't the only ones to view the world in a weird way...
Dani
For more kooky signs (and the other half of the story) visit my sister Ella Sheridan's blog today, where she tells in her own words How it all started...