‘Tis The Season

First, I am so grateful to readers who have continued to follow me through a very long and fortunate career. I am absolutely thrilled for you to share your enjoyment of my stories. How lovely to know that readers are not only enjoying newer books, but my earlier stories, now easily available to reread and enjoy again. I remain blessed that readers remember…. A lot of my Christmas holiday focuses on quietly remembering those who have touched my life in so many ways.

I hope you are able to have quiet and thought during these very busy days. The graphic above includes some of what our family does during the holidays. Liebkucken and gingerbread men are favorites to share, and sometimes that French Market basket has bread and rolls for gifts. I find peace and calm in Tunisian crocheting, just simple pieces for gifting, like colorful dishcloths.

This last year has been anything but peaceful, and I’m still unpacking after my move cross country. Where is What seems to be the theme of the day. I am so happy to complete the last book of my Fresh Start trilogy, (in the town of Fresh Start, Where New Lives Begin, according to the town’s sign). But the process of publication and ad work was pretty demanding, especially near the end of the year. However, I am glad people are enjoying JUST YOU, JUST LOVE, and JUST US, women’s fiction with romance. Everyone needs a fresh start, of some kind, at some time, don’t they?

Writers are usually advised to stay within their brand to build readership. However, as a writer who follows her muse, and who crosses romance, suspense, cozy etc. subgenres lanes, I had 2 unique experiences with this trilogy: Book 2, JUST LOVE is humor amid two more contemporary women’s fiction books, which is unusual enough to cause one reviewer to laugh. (Yes, I write humor, too.) Book 3, JUST US fits into a fairly new romance subgenre: Age Gap, a younger man/older woman–or it can be reversed. It’s been going on for years, so naturally we need to create a special classification for it.

Gifting: From the heart and hands is always best IMHO. I’m also an artist and a cook/baker, and am so happy to have a very good friend with which to share. She’s painted her Christmas cards and matched the individual envelopes. Her large mountain/lake canvas for a family member is gorgeous. She also decorated dishtowels and painted canvas panels in holiday themes for gifts. I may try to get ahead and paint the panels for next year’s gifts. I plan to share her chicken and dumplings recipe here, good old-fashioned, delicious comfort food.

As we deal with the year’s end, writers are also planning for the new year. Yes, this year hasn’t ended, and we’re deep into planning 2024. Please check back for my Writer’s Tips that may help beginners or the experienced?

Here’s a Basic Tip for Writers: Always save your informational posts/handouts, preferably in categories, this for re-use and possibly a collection for ad work, speaking, or a how-to write book. Through my career, I have quite a large amount saved, but did not organize them. I am doing some of that now when I can. Please add more in comments, if you wish?

Again, please know how thankful I am for my readers, the new and the ones who wish to reread my earlier stories. So appreciative for good friends now, in the past, and in the future. I’d love to hear from you–just WRITE? That’s it for now.