Change by Paty Jager

photo by Paty Jager

There are so many quotes and sayings about change. Ones that help with peace of mind, health, how you behave. But I've discovered that change, whether of my own accord or influences out of my control can be a good thing if I have an open mind.

This is what the dictionary says for change as a verb.

Change:
1 a: to make different in some particular- alter
   b: to make radically different: transform
   c: to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a: to replace with another
   b: to make a shift from one to another- switch
   c: to exchange for an equivalent sum or comparable item
   d: to undergo a modification of
   e: to put  fresh clothes or covering on

As I wrote these, I realized that everyone of them- other than fresh clothes ;) - has happened to me since January of this year. And the amazing thing is I can sit here and even though I am 3 months behind in getting a new book out, I'm calm and not sweating it.

Alter- I have altered my way of thinking about having to get a "product", be it a book, box set, or audio book, out every month. I have a life with more grandchildren living closer and new adventures that keep turning up. I want a life outside of writing. This is something I altered this year.

Transform - It isn't radically different, but I've transformed my process of writing in the last two years and it has helped me to produce books even when, at times, my life feels chaotic.

Different course or direction - I made the conscious decision this year to only write mystery books. It was a relief to be able to focus on one genre, the one I love the most.

To replace with another - that would be the above. I have replaced romance with mystery.

Switch - I switched my way of thinking that I had to be everywhere all the time to be seen. I'm now part of fewer group blogs and I am only doing Facebook for social media and keeping my focus on FB groups who read what I write rather than trying to be involved in everything halfway related to what I write.

To exchange - I have exchanged my FB schmoozing time to doing ads for my books.

Modification - I have modified how I view social media and how I push myself to get books written.

Fresh clothes - Yes I still change my clothes every day! LOL

These changes I've made in my writing life this year have made me a happier, less frantic person and I've been able to relax and enjoy the opportunities that have come my way.

Look at your life and see if you need to make a change or two to make you happier or more fulfilled.

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 40 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

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Rainy Days in May

                                              by Judy Ann Davis

Living in Pennsylvania is always a treat when spring rolls around. This year was exceptional because we had a late spring with endless days of rain. As glossy raindrops drum against my dining room window again, I think of the farmers’ axiom, “Rain in May, a barn full of hay.”

Our flowering crab tree in bloom

In such a busy world, I’m thinking the Almighty sends down the rain to allow us time to slow down and take a breath. Rainy days are for dawdling. This is the time when we can enjoy our second cup of coffee, or we can peruse that tall stack of magazines or paperwork we’ve labeled, to be read.  We can listen to a favorite song, read a good book, and finish an art project or indoor chore that’s been bugging us for months. It’s also a great time to write without the guilt that outside tasks are awaiting us.

I often say I’m glad that humans can’t control the weather, because it reminds me who’s really in charge. It also teaches us to embrace the unpredictable, to be flexible, and to welcome change in our lives. For those who like to plan or follow a daily routine, inclement days remind us that deviations from our conventional days can be enjoyable… and maybe, just maybe, there might be a rainbow as an added bonus.

What do you like to do on a rainy day? 

A GENTLE REMINDER:

"Four White Roses" in digital is on sale for $0.99 only until May 31sr. It's a romance and mystery with a touch of paranormal. "Can a wily old ghost help two fractured hearts find love again?" https://www.amazon.com/Four-White-Roses-Judy-Davis-ebook/dp/B06XPBKY7F/

Amazon: https://www.amzn.com/B06XPBKY7F 
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyAnnDavis4 
Twitter ID:  JudyAnnDavis4 
Blog Link: “A Writer’s Revelations” ~  http://judyanndavis.blogspot.com/ 
Website: http://www.judyanndavis.com/ 
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353662.Judy_Ann_Davis 
Yahoo Groups:  wrppromo@yahoogroups.com and ahachat@yahoogroups.com and pennwriters@yahoogroups.com 
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/four-white-roses/id1222189126/ 
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/four-white-roses-1
 

  

Reluctant to Let Go of Summer

My headline says it all. I don't want to let go of summer.
Mainly because this past summer has been one of the most productive ones I've had in a long time...in terms of writing.

Beach view on vacation

I edited two of my own manuscripts over the summer, plotted out a third novel, and edited three other manuscripts from other authors. Not to mention made about twenty different teasers for my existing series using Photoshop. (I am by no means a graphic design professional, but my skills are improving). And, I just finished a writers retreat last weekend were I wrote almost 14,000 words.
Extremely productive for me. After a months and months of stagnancy.
I am hoping to keep up this momentum for the start of school and into fall.

But to be honest, I can't quite pinpoint what made this summer different than others. Writer's block

My boys, brief escape from the heat

didn't hold my brain hostage like it had for a while, and things just started falling into place. I'm super excited for a new manuscript I've started, and can already feel the words flowing. Maybe our family vacation we took in July helped release some long-built tension. I always find the beach peaceful. A refuge. Every book I've written contains water as an important setting or even a character all its own. I wish I could go back to that beach. That was a fabulous escape. I highly recommend Panama City Beach, even though it was crowded.

Unfortunately, this past summer I've also had to say good-bye to a few close friends, who had helped me along the way in my writing career. Life just gets in the way, and they had to close up shop. I know that when life closes a door or two, it finds a way of opening others in their place. But in their wake, I feel as though I'm standing here wondering where to go next. Which direction do I walk?
The good news is I will have new content ready to share with the world, which is always the first and most important step. I just want to give them the best presentation I can.

Me & my better half

But with every changing season, there is one thing that never changes: change. Things will always change. Just as much as they will always stay the same.

Now, enough poetic drivel. Go enjoy your last remnants of summer.

Susan Sheehey writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance. She's a strong advocate for autism awareness and acceptance, and includes the element of water in all of her novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, BookBub, and join her monthly newsletter on her website for updated information and prizes!

My Busy Life!

Hi all,


My, time passes so quickly I can't believe it's my turn to blog again. Where does the time go? But, I'll be glad to see old man winter ride off into the sunset. I want flip flops and beaches. Of course, there isn't a beach close to me, but I'll settle for warmer weather.


Just a heads up on what's going on in my corner of the world. The most important thing is I've been writing up a storm and reading every thing I can get my hands on. No matter how hectic life gets, stop and read a book.


I sometimes just need to recharge my batteries and a good page-turner does that for me. I love melting into a story as the real world fades away. I've been so busy reading Romantic Suspense that often I have to change the genre and pick up something completely new and exciting.


Recently I read a Young Adult and a Sci-fi. I usually don't go to those places, but I thought I needed something different and I was delightfully surprised. I loved both books and will again go to the far side of the reading spectrum and tip my toes into something completely different than what I normally read. I think it spruces up the brain and gets the creative juices going.


If you feel a little stale, take my advice and wonder over to something you'd never thought of reading before and see if you don't walk away with a new perspective on that genre. Also, don't be afraid to live a little dangerously and read that different 'kind' of book.


Happy Endings,
Geri Foster