Children learn from your example

Mother’s day was Sunday and I usually don’t post anything on facebook or social media except for a generic ( but heartfelt!) HAPPY MOTHER’S Day greeting to all the moms out there. This Sunday was a bit different, though. I didn’t post anything – as usual- but my daughter did. What she wrote floored me, and I’ll admit freely – had me bawling my eyes out. I copied it from her facebook post here – not because I want to brag on her or myself, but because it reminded me that no matter what you may think as a parent, your kids ARE watching what you do and LISTENING to what you say, how you say it, and to who you say it to and about.

Here’s the post:

My mom has given me many gifts, but none so powerful as the example she’s set by following her calling as an author.

About five years ago, she left a comfortable job to pursue romance writing. For some, it would’ve sounded like a whim or a pipe dream — but she had stories to tell and she wanted to share them with the world.

She sent out hundreds of queries to agents and publishing houses. The inevitable rejections came, but she never lost focus on her own North Star. She was, of course, incredibly privileged to be able to follow this dream with my dad’s support — but that doesn’t dilute the work she put in. Finally, she got an acceptance letter, and then another one. Five years later, she’s authored a whopping 11 published books and has another 5 on the way.

In charting her own course, she sent messages to me whose power continues to crystallize: that it’s never too late to pursue a dream; that external validation comes and goes, but internal motivation is what will carry you through; that magic happens when you combine a little luck with a lot of hard work; and that the joy of the journey is, itself, the destination.

We are so proud of you, Peggy Jaeger. Thank you for the example you’ve set.

And because I’m in marketing: if your mom likes romance and you need a last-minute gift, grab one of her e-books today!

https://www.amazon.com/Peggy-Jaeger/e/B00T8E5LN0

https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/…/peggy-jaeger-intervi…/

When I was a kid there was an expression: “Little pitchers have big ears.” It was meant as a reminder to people to be careful what they said around children if they didn’t want something repeated that shouldn’t be. I’d like to add my own version of that expression here: Your kids may never tell you this, but what you say and do IS making an impression on them. They’re seeing and they’re listening and they’re learning.
So, I ask you: Are you teaching them the right things? Are you sending them the right impression? Are you setting the right example for them?
Food for thought today.
And can I just tell you how much I lovelovelove my daughter!

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Imposter syndrome….

Last month at my NHRWA meeting, one of my uber-talented and wonderful writing chaptermates spoke a phrase I had never heard before:  Imposter Syndrome. She gave me a very good definition of the word, but when I got home I decided to delve a little more into the meaning. Here’s the best explanation I found of it:

“Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. ‘Imposters‘ suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence.” ~My 2008 Harvard Business Review

Hmmm.

That kinda sounds like very writer I know.

I’m plagued with doubts about my writing Every Single Day of my life. Does that mean I have I.S.? 

I worry that my next book will be trash, my editor will have me completely rewrite it, the public will hate it – and me – and I’ll have to go out and get a job cleaning floors at night in office buildings to make ends meet ( not that there’s anything wrong with that!!)  Does that mean I have I.S.?

When I read a less than flattering review of one of my books ( and by less than flattering I mean a 1 on Goodreads and Amazon!!) I think : this is it. I’m done for. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. No one will read this book now. Does that mean I have I.S.?

The moment I read something back I’ve written and think, “this sucks wind so bad, it’s a hurricane of a mess!” I start to sweat, my heart rate goes tachycardic, and I get a sick, vomit-worthy sensation swell up in my throat. Does this mean I have I.S.?

 

No. Emphatically no. I KNOW I am a decent writer. I may never win any major writing awards, or have a million seller, but that’s okay. I’ve said this before but it needs to be repeated here: Even if I’d never had any book of mine published, I still would have kept writing because I love doing it so much. I didn’t need accolades, royalties ( not that they are necessarily a bad thing!)  or good reviews to validate that I AM A WRITER.

This, I think, is the difference between thinking you might have I.S. and actually having it. My sense of self worth, my idea of success, my feelings of value, are not tied up in whether or not the book reading world knows my name, buys my books, or clamors to retweet anything I’ve put on Social Media. What it adds up to is that – in my very humble opinion – I have a strong, well defined, and productive EGO. And I’m not talking about the posturing, self important, look-at-me-and-no-one-else part of an Ego. I mean, simply, I know my worth, am okay with it, and can hold my head up high.

Okay, peeps, here’s my writing PSA for the day: STOP THINKING YOU ARE AN IMPOSTER AT THIS WHOLE WRITING THING. You write, ergo ( and don’t I just love being able to use that word!!) YOU ARE A WRITER!!!

‘Nuff said.

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#Weekend Wrapup

Just in case you missed any of my blog posts this week ( and yes, I realize how conceited and self aggrandizing that sounds!!), but Goodreads does so it, so figure, why not? Here’s a list of this week’s musings:

Saturday, May 5, 2018 Long and Short Reviews Saturday Seven

Monday, May 7, 2018  A little surprise for me

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 A visit with WRP and NRWA sistah Gina Leuci

Friday, May 11, 2018 MFRWauthor 52 week blog challenge entry

Saturday, May 12, 2018  The last Saturday Seven from Long and Short Reviews

and if you’re looking for me you can find me here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me

 

 

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Filed under #Mfrwauthors, Author, Contemporary Romance, Long and SHort Reviews, Romance, Romance Books

#SaturdaySeven Love Quotes #LASReviews

As a romance writer, I’m always looking for the most romantic way to state a declaration of love. In my opinion, these 7 authors have done it just right.

Jane Austen

Ernest Hemingway

Leo Tolstoy

A.A. Milne

Miss Austen, again

William Goldman

Jodi Picoult

I wonder what the other authors in this blog hop are talking about today. Find out HERE

Looking for me? Here I am: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me

and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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Jetting off….

This week’s blog prompt is A.) wicked easy for me to write, and B.) a happy chapter in my life.

Backstory: In 1983 I met a man. Kinda cute, kinda funny, wicked smart. We worked together.

Plot: He asked me if I’d like to go out on a date sometime.

Conflict: I’d just gotten out of  a VERY toxic relationship and wasn’t looking to start another one anytime soon. But…I said yes, because, you know…he was kinda cute!

Act 1: it was a saturday and we were both off from work. He drove me to an airport. I said, “What kind of date is this?” He said, “Trust me. It’s a goodie.”  We boarded LAKER AIR ( long now defunct airline) where you paid for your seats once you got on the plane. The seats were $50.00 a piece. Already he’d spent more on this date than the toxic relationship guy had for a year on me. We flew to BOSTON, a town I’d never been before.

Act 2: Beautiful day in Beantown. Cool weather, sunny day. We played tourist. Went to the  USS Constitution and the naval museum. We toured Liberty Hall and walked some of the Freedom trail. We walked around Faneuil Hall. We ended up in the North End and had a delicious dinner at a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served the best food ever!  We talked for hours, non-stop. We flew home on the midnight flight.

Act 3:  Married for 31 years.

Most romantic memory ever! Best date ever! Best boyfriend/husband!

Click here to see what some of the other authors in the blog hop consider their most romantic memory.

And remember, you can always find me here:

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and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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#NewBookRelease from #author Gina Leuci #WildRosePress #RomSuspense

Its always a pleasure when one of my my Wild Rose Press sistahs drops by with their new book. It’s a double pleasure for me when one of those authors is also a NHRWA chaptermate and friend! Today, I’ve got acclaimed writer GINA LEUCI with me, giving you a little insight into her newest  release, CAGED SOULS. 

Gina’s got a little sumthin’ sumthin’ for y’all, too, so stick around. Here’s my friend, Gina:

Thank you, Peggy, for hosting me today to celebrate the release of Caged Souls, book one of my Well of Lies novel.

The idea of this story started back when I was in college (many years ago). While watching a TV show with my son recently, one of the characters struck a chord with me and I knew he was my antagonist that I’d written oh so long ago. A lot has changed in the world since college, one of which is cell phones, and the started story, as written then, really didn’t have merit in today’s society. I brought the idea to my critique group and they steered me in the direction of writing in first person and pointing out that Caleb had to be the hero, not the villain. The story took on a life of its own and bloomed into a novel that needed to be told in two books. Caged Souls is part one of Grace’s story as she travels to and enters into the town of Wellington: A town where secrets run deep, and lies even deeper.

CAGED SOULS

Spending her summer break from college in the small town of Wellington is not Grace Adams’ first choice for excitement. But when her friend falls for the program’s recruiter she decides to tag along. The moment Wellington’s gates lock behind them, she realizes things are not what they seem.  She knows she is in trouble when the sexy chief of police is put in charge of preventing her escape.

Caleb Wellington is charged with keeping Grace in line after she runs afoul of the town council and local bullies.  He finds himself drawn to her, despite her tendency to challenge the rules, her constant questions, and demands for answers. After all the town needs her…doesn’t it?

With time running out and her future at risk, Caleb must make a choice between his town and saving Grace.

Excerpt:

“I’ve changed my mind. When is the next bus out of here?”

Caleb nodded to the other man who turned and walked away. “And what is the problem now, Grace?”

I stared at him, my hands on my hips, only just not tapping my foot. “No coffee? That’s obscene.”

“Ah, yes. There is always one who has difficulty with that rule.”

“It’s a stupid rule.”

He smirked. Sure, no emotion on anything else, but he thinks this is funny? I was not amused.

“Coffee, along with alcohol and drugs, contain ingredients limiting our abilities to choose or think clearly. Living a healthier lifestyle allows us to have a better connection with each other and with God.”

My jaw dropped. He was serious. “I get cranky without my coffee.”

“So I see.” The hint of sarcasm was my undoing.

“Shut up,” I yelled, then I pushed him. Okay, maybe pushed is the wrong word. I attempted to shove him, but he didn’t budge an inch. The entire room went quiet and I had a momentary sense of clarity as my eyes connected with his dark steel gaze.

“Okay, I should not have done that. Because you are…” I gulped and instantly became contrite. I slowly moved my hands from his rock-hard chest, “…really big and you could probably snap me like a twig. So don’t. Okay?”

Peggy here: sounds great, doesn’t it?! Thanks so much, Gina, for stopping by and giving us a little taste of Caged Souls.

Thank you all for coming to visit me today. I will be having a couple giveaways including a signed copy of Caged Souls, as well as some mug rugs and snap bags, so leave a comment and I will be drawing a name later today. I hope you enjoy Caged Souls and visit me at www.ginaleuci.com or on facebook at: http://www./facebook.com/GinaLeuciAuthor for updates for book two, Captive Hearts.

A little about Gina: 

Gina Leuci started reading romance at the age of thirteen and never stopped. She met her soul mate on a blind date and married him—not once, but twice (eloped and church wedding). They live in Southern New Hampshire with their son, who makes them laugh every day.

You can find Gina here:

Amazon  // Goodreads  // Twitter  // Wild Rose Press // 

Website

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A little #Surprise this weekend…

I was laid up in bed all day yesterday because I pulled my left flank and hip muscles on Saturday at the gym. Adulting and life should come with a disclaimer that doing squats after the age of 55 is not a wise choice.

Anyhoo.

As I was working in bed 

I got an email that just about shot me off the mattress. Apparently, I am a FINALIST in the 2018 HOLT MEDALLION CONTEST in the Long Contemporary category for my book COOKING WITH KANDY.

YOWZA!

If you scroll down to the Long Contemporary category you’ll see my name. My real name. Apparently, I entered under my real one, not my pen one. Le Sigh….

Anyway – YAY!!! Cooking with Kandy won a bunch of awards before it was published and this is the first time I’ve entered it in anything since it’s been published, so this is uber-thrilling.

I’ll keep you updated once the winners are announced. All body parts are crossed for this one, peeps!

Looking for me? Here I am: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// Book Me

and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, Cooking, Family Saga, Foodie, Kensington Publishers, Lyrical Author, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women, The Laine Women

#SaturdaySeven #LASreviews 7 Love Songs for the Ages ( or aged!)


Since I write romantic fiction, I like exploring all things romance-related and that includes music. I’m a woman of a certain age ( read old!!!) and have heard a great many love songs during my listening time on this earth. In no particular order, these are my favorite 7 love songs. And a little trivia: #7 is my wedding song.

  1. Can’t help falling in love with you. ~Elvis Presley   
  2. I will Always love you. ~ Whitney Huston   
  3. Because you loved me. ~Celine Dion     
  4. I just called to say I love you. ~Stevie Wonder      
  5. She Loves you. ~The Beatles     
  6. I think I love you. ~The Partridge Family ( David Cassidy) 
  7. I’m a Believer. ~The Monkees And because this is a weekly challenge, click HERE to read about the other authors and their 7 favorite things.

Looking for me? here I am:

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and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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#MFRWauthor Blog Challenge. Character profiles

I’ve talked a great deal about how much of a people watcher and relationship voyeur I am in previous blogs on my website.  I have to admit, people watching is the best way for me to develop characters. Watching how strangers  act, listening to how they talk and treat others, how they speak, the gestures they make, all go toward making a character more life-like on the page.

But what happens once I see and know the character I want to write about? Well, then I do an indepth profile of them using a worksheet developed by ONE STOP FOR WRITERS and authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. One Stop is a paid membership service to their on-line support system which lists thousands of characteristics inherent in the human personality. Many of you may have heard of their breakout book THE EMOTION THESAURUS.

I own this book in print and believe me when I say it’s dog-eared, yellow markered up, and used almost daily. I also own an ecopy of it so I can always have it with me when I’m working and not home. To go along with this book I also have copies of the others in the series:

      

Each of these books is an excellent, must have reference book when writing anything emotion-worthy and characteristic-driven about your characters.

I also have a Book Bible for each book I write that lists all the characters, their physical characteristics, their relationship to one another, and their GMC’s. Because I write so many book in series, this is a fabulous way for me to ensure I never give a character green eyes in chapter one and brown eyes in chapter 8. Plus, if I’ve killed off their beloved cat in backstory, I can’t show them petting the cat in chapter 2. My mind is so chockfull of “stuff” that trying to remember each detail is just a wee bit of  a hardship for me. Having it readily available at a few taps of my fingers is paramount in keeping everything flowing smoothly.

Character profiles have come a long way since the times when just listing the physical details was the only thing important. Readers are invested in their fav characters and series and have looooooooooooong accurate memories when it comes to the minutia. If you have any doubt of that just ask anyone who is a long time soap opera watcher about the backstories of any of the main characters. They will give you chapter, book, and verse in major detail. Why do you think it’s called a “show Bible?” ( see what I did there? Bible…chapter, book, verse?)

Heehee.

Since this is blog hop, stroll on over to the other authors participating and find out how they deal with character profiles. Each author does it differently.

AuthorBlogHop

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and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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Thoughts from the Dentist’s chair

Had to get my teeth cleaned today. So NOT my favorite thing to do. But while I was sitting their, reclined and held captive while my tech did her thing, my mind started strolling through all the crap that I usually filter out every day just so I can work.

Things like:

~did I take something out of the freezer to defrost in time for diiner

~ can I put off doing the laundry for one more day or will we wind up without clean underwear tomorrow

~ how can I get more readers

~ will I fit into my clothes by the time RWA rolls around

~should I get my hair cut? Get botox? Get a face lift?

~ who really shot the deputy ( if you get this one KUDOS to you!!!)

~ where do I want my life to be in 5 years? ten? Will I even make it to 10?

~why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways

~ does menopause ever end

Believe me, there’s a whole lot more than just these examples that shunt through my head and annoy me everyday if I let them.

Le sigh…a writer’s life.

Looking for me? here I am:

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and one last shameless plug: Check out my new AUDIOBOOK version of 3 WISHES, available now at Audible // Itunes // and Amazon.

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