Romancing the Genres: #DelsoraLoweAuthor

Showing posts with label #DelsoraLoweAuthor. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Writing Character Phobias…Or Not … by Delsora Lowe

Phobia – Oxford Dictionary – an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something, triggered by specific or general events or items.

My phobias are snakes and spiders and heights, but since they are my phobias, I don’t want to even think about them, much less write about them.

All I can say is I had traumatic encounters with the first two when I lived overseas as a child in the land of yucky things that caused me great anxiety. I don’t think of them as irrational fears, since the exposure to the first two could have been not only dangerous, but deadly. The third, a fear of heights, was a learned phobia from my mom who flipped out any time we were near heights. After many decades of life, I am slowly…almost…conquering that phobia.

Grandson conquering a Maine mountain

So, I still stay away from edges situated along great heights, but I can now slowly inch closer. And I still cover my eyes when I see photos of snakes and spiders, and avoid both, at all costs, in real life. For example, when I worked in alumni relations at an environmental college, I co-edited the alumni magazine. Part of that duty was editing the entire issue. Undoubtedly, there was always at least one photo in the issue that had a snake in it, as the guy who was the managing editor and put together the magazine loved snakes. In one issue, there was a two-page spread with such a photo. I asked my intern, now a career biologist in Africa (who is NOT afraid of snakes,) to edit that page and then flip it to the next page on my computer, so I could open my eyes. We still keep in touch via FB, and he still teases me about that. Luckily, he now studies birds and I can look at his FB page.

Jonah holding a Blue-breasted Bee-eater in Africa

As for my characters… I like to think I give them things, emotions or responses, that cause them discomfort. But I don’t believe I have ever given them an actual phobia. Their fears / issues are what many people have similar reactions to and can be considered rational or normal.

For example, falling in love can only cause hurt and heartache. These reactions may be the result from past life experiences or insecurities. So, getting to know our character’s past, off the page, before we write them in their present situation is important. One such hurt could be how our characters process and move forward after a bad break-up.

In Holiday Hitchhiker, my most recent book, my heroine, an only child, knows she has disappointed her parents by moving away to go to school to earn a degree in childhood education. They wanted her to go into the family business and run the small town mercantile. Her anxiety comes from desiring her own career dreams at the expense of disappointing her parents.

Strangely, as I write this post, I realize I gave my hero the same anxiety about wanting to carve his own path. He feels guilty that he isn’t home helping run the ranch and is instead working his life’s dream to be a conservation officer. In order to do what he wants, he felt it necessary to also move away to pursue his dream.

The two strangers, stuck together, first in a vehicle and later a log cabin, during a days-long blizzard, end up bonding over their shared experience of feeling as though they disappointed their families. Although one is an only child and feels the burden of her parent’s dream. The other is the youngest of six, and chose a career away from the ranch, in order to be his own person. His angst stems from his mom passing away when he was so young. As a result, he felt abandoned by everyone in his family. His mom doted on him. And his dad and siblings, lost in their own grieving and still trying to function in school and work, seemed to forget about him.

In another book I’m currently editing for release in 2024, Rescuing the Sheriff, the heroine’s phobia is not trusting anyone, especially law enforcement, as she is hunted by her turned rogue police officer, step-brother. She is not sure if her fears are justified, but she suspects he is responsible for her mother’s death and intends to harm her. Her fear is based on evidence, but also on the belief no one will believe her, especially the stern sheriff in the small town where she is hiding.

Fear? or Phobias?

The hero in the story fears not belonging. And has set out his entire life to prove he is good enough for the family who adopted him. He doesn’t believe he deserves their love or anyone else’s. This fear is irrational, but stems from the childhood trauma of losing both his parents. He loves his adoptive family, and most likely has this fear of not belonging because his heritage is different from the rest of the family.

Neither believe they belong, and yet each finds the other. Together, with the help of his loving adoptive family, they each teach the other that they deserve to belong.

So, I wouldn’t call any of these characteristics phobias, but deep fear and feelings of self-doubt that need to be corrected, with help from another person who truly understands, as they too have experienced similar fears.

Do you have fears or phobias? How do you deal with confronting those fears?

The Inn on Gooseneck Lane

Amazon (also in print)

Barnes & Noble (also in print)

Apple Books (also in print)

Holiday Hitchhiker

Amazon (also in print)

Books2Read

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 and 4 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024-25.

Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:

Conquering the Mountain: My grandson, photo taken by my son
Phobias: In My Head - Free phobias, Download Free phobias png images,
Free ClipArts on Clipart Library clipart-library.com)
Blizzard: Photo taken by Delsora Lowe
Bird: Blue-breasted Bee-eater in Africa, permisson to use from Jonah’s FB page

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Longer Days...? Or shorter...? by Delsora Lowe

The blog question for this month is whether I like winter or summer best? Do I look forward to the longest day of the year or the shortest day? Both have their positives. The longest day of the year can be sad, as it means the warmth wanes and the daylight dwindles earlier. And yet, I love fall weather and November nights with the stars vivid in clear, dark skies. And fall follows that longest day.

The shortest day means the following days will get longer, to give us more light each day. And flowers, dormant now, will soon blossom.

To choose one season over the other is impossible.

June is the month where my yard comes alive with color. The nights are still cool but the day’s air is warming up.

This year, our April showers bringing May flowers didn’t pan out. It seems the blooming flowers stayed on track, but the grass stayed brownish longer than usual. Who am I kidding? In the Northeast, where we used to get feet of snow with every storm, we had very little, and the grass had a bit of a green-brownish tinge all winter long.

The rain invaded June instead of March and April. Granted, we need the rain, so I can’t complain about cooler weather. Especially since my air conditioner is yet to be installed. The seasons continue to be mixed up these last few years.

But I do have to say, I love the longer days with more light. And I love the colorful landscape, compared to yellowed grass and no leaves, just stark brown trunks and limbs of late fall into early spring,

Yes, color is important to me.

Having said that, each season has its own color. In fall the leaves are bright until they are crumpled, dried up, and dull, as they decay on the ground.

But there is still beauty in those muted colors. As we move into November, the sky’s blue is more vivid, and at night, the constellations of Orion and the big and little dippers are easily identified.

In winter daylight, against the stark white snow, we see hints of color from plants now dormant. We also see magnificent sunsets and sunrises that color the sky with neon pinks, magenta, orange, or various shades of purple.

In spring, we anxiously await those first peeks of light green, as trees start to leaf out, and the first sprigs of grass shoot their way toward the sun. The tiny white blossoms of wild strawberries pop up among decaying oak leaves left from fall.

Then there is that first carpet of color as the dandelions show their bright yellow heads. I love dandelions.

My grandmother used to make wine, tea, and jelly from the flowers and sauteed the young greens for dinner. Dandelions have so many vitamins, and yet we neglect them—malign them. I welcome their sunny faces after the grays, browns, and whites of winter.

And spring and summer thunder storms, though scary and sometimes bringing hail with torrential rains, also show off vibrant double rainbows against coal black skies.

What about you? Can you pick a favorite? Do you love the seasons of longer days? Or shorter days?

June is a month we associate with wedding season, as the weather is warmer, but not hot, and the landscape is lush with green and floral colors. And the early fall months can also be big wedding months when the weather turns cool and crisp.

Check out The Love Left Behind, a smalltown wedding romance set in Rhode Island, in a fictional town near the Atlantic Ocean and Newport.

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mglVqK

Print Books by Delsora Lowe others available in e-book

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her newest novella is The Love Left Behind. Look for both a Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) later this fall.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Photos taken by the blog author.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Number Eleven - A Power Number in Numerology .... Delsora Lowe

It’s May, and we're honoring the Romancing the Genres anniversary month. In the year 2023, that means RTG is celebrating its twelfth anniversary. Twelve is the RTG Blog’s special number for 2023. So, here’s to a Happy Anniversary to all the regular and guest bloggers who have participated over the years. And to all the readers who visit us!

Since we are celebrating numbers, I chose the number 11, because it reminds me of my youngest grandson.

The number of things that include 11, including many mathematical explanations, filled a very long page. There are many sports that have eleven players (soccer, field hockey, football, etc.) on the field at a time. And the number eleven has many meanings in religion and folk lore, and as special holidays worldwide on 11/11. There’s even an eleven-sided die, that when tossed favors certain numbers because of the uneven sides. For more fun facts about the number 11, here’s one source:
11 Astonishing FactsAbout the Number 11 - 11 Points

But for me, the number eleven has meaning because it was my grandson’s number during his younger years in sports (hockey, lacrosse, and soccer.) Back when he played youth sports and his dad couched, he could choose his number. Eleven was also the number my son wore on many athletic jerseys up through high school. The last few years have been difficult because many athletic events were limited in the number of family members who could attend, due to COVID. So, I missed seeing the last of his number 11 days on the field, and that made me sad. Luckily, I have plenty of photos plastered on my refrigerator of my grandson wearing his various jerseys.

Now he’s older and on various junior high teams and local sports leagues, where he travels all over the state and at times to other states. And he gets assigned a number. I miss #11.

But what I will not miss this year, is celebrating with Romancing the Genres on their anniversary.

HAPPY 12 th ANNIVERSARY,
ROMANCING THE GENRES!!!!!

In honor of the 12th Anniversary:

Happy 12th Anniversary Generistas! Sign up for contributing RTG blogger's Newsletters so you can be eligible to win books, gift cards and

other fun stuff.

Drawing May 30th!

CLICK HERE

The Love Left Behind: Hartford Estate

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mglVqK

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, and the novella The Love Left Behind, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Recently released were two Christmas stories: The Inn on Gooseneck Lane and Holiday Hitchhiker.

Photo Credits:
Anniversary: Anniversary greetings on happy anniversary clip art 3 - Clipartix
Number Eleven: Made on Canva
Grandson: photo taken by family members

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Who Knew BOOKSIGNINGS Could be So Much Fun … Delsora Lowe

Being an author is not for the feint of heart, especially when you consider yourself an introvert. I have always considered myself an extrovert. Over the years, I worked in outward facing occupations, in food service, hospitality, event planning, and non-profits. In all those positions I had to be the friendly, outgoing person ALL THE TIME. And truthfully, I love interacting with people. But it takes energy to always be “ON” and outgoing.

But between getting older, no longer in the workforce per se, if you don’t count the desk I am glued to more hours than not, writing the next bestseller (OK – exaggeration alert,) and Covid isolation, I seemed to have moved closer to being an introvert. In other words, it seems to take a lot more energy for me to gear up to be in social, out-facing situations. But once I am in the midst – watch out.

Case in point. Recently my state romance writers’ group had a book signing at a library about forty miles away. Now another thing I don’t do much of anymore is travel. After commuting one-hundred and fifty miles daily for six years, the thought of getting on the highway is…UGH! But who can resist getting together with other authors to talk about our books, with an audience,

Of course, I signed up. And once I commit, I feel terrible if I don’t complete my obligation. Plus, now that I am bordering on introvert status, doing a book signing by myself seemed overwhelming. With this adventure, I knew I would be in good company.

So, as usual, I had everything packed days ahead of time, and trucked out to the car the day prior (a habit from my event planning days,) since I had to leave early. I set off the next morning—early. All the way up the lightly traveled highway, I wondered why I was putting myself through this. But when I arrived and finally found the right building and adjacent parking, I was joined by the three authors who would be signing with me.

The morning was frigid as we lugged boxes and bags into the library. We had a jolly time unpacking and setting up our space, and yacking with the librarians.

Then we sat and waited. Soon, people started wandering in. With a sigh of relief we knew we would have interested romance readers in the audience. A friend, who lived a few towns away showed up. YAY! A friendly face. Then her daughter, who lived in town, and her friend showed. YAY! More friendly faces. Strangers arrived and they had smiles on their faces. YAY! You know where I’m going with this. More friendly faces, and an audience that was there of their own free will because they love reading romance.

The librarian, along with our romance writers chapter program director had put together great questions. And soon we were off and running.

The audience, from their body language, laughter, and questions, were engaged. Phew! Wiping my brow. I had a blast. And I think the three authors signing with me, did as well. We ended our Q & A session, and we all waited with baited breath, hoping, praying to the goddess of romance writers, that at least one person would buy a book.

Well, lo and behold, they all bought books, not only from me, but from all the other authors. The librarian bought one of each of our books for the library—WOW! We chatted and laughed and answered more questions. And as they used to say when I was growing up (yes, in the 60s) – we were all on a high from the interaction and the adventure.

A week later, as I write this, I am still excited.

I’ve only done one other book signing. And again, I did it with another author in a local bookstore. We had fun then too. And when our designated hour and a half was finished, as we packed up, the bookstore clerks commented on how much fun it was to have a double author signing. With two of us, we were able to banter with people walking into the store, without making any customer feel as though they had to stop. The clerk said the vibe was fun for the entire shopping and working experience.

When I lived in Washington, D.C. where they had so many bookstores, both big box and indie, I went to tons of book signings. Many of them for my position as the school alumni director, so I could pick up signed books written by alumni for our alumni lounge bookcase.

Will I be nervous for the next book signing? You bet! Will I have a blast? I am sure I will. Especially when my extrovert personality decides to break free. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to do it again. Plus…I sold books! What fun!

Do you enjoy going to book signings?
Do you enjoy hearing authors talk about their books, writing process, and how they got their book topic ideas?

The Love Left Behind: Hartford Estate

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mglVqK

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, and the novella The Love Left Behind, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Recently released were two Christmas stories: The Inn on Gooseneck Lane and Holiday Hitchhiker.

Photo Credits:
Outgoing Person: clip art - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com) 437049
Party: Free Free Party Cliparts, Download Free Free Party Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Pile of Books with Kid: animated image of books - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com) BiaKxL7rT.png (566×800) (clipart-library.com)
Shermans: and Gardiner Library: Photos taken by Deb Noone and Danielle Bannister

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

February is Known for Relationships … by Delsora Lowe

One of the first things that comes to mind when February rolls around, besides it being one of our coldest months in the northeast, is Valentine’s Day. This is a celebration of that special love relationship between partners.

But there are other relationships, and other ways to build those relationships.

Since the start of the pandemic a few years ago, and the rise in usage of social media and meeting apps, we now build new or rekindle old relationships virtually.

For example, my second cousins who I usually hear from around the holidays via a card, all got together on ZOOM to chat after my mom passed away. Mom was the conduit between all of us. Their mothers and my mom were best friends growing up in a small town. And later the three cousins married and moved to big cities. My mom to Washington, D.C. and my mother’s two cousins to New York City.

Us kids all saw each other in the summer when the “girls” (mom and her cousins) all met back in their tiny hometown west of NYC. They grew up a block away from each other. But we, the second cousins once removed, grew up, moved to various parts of the country and only stayed in touch through holiday cards or letters written to my mom. The ZOOM chat was the first time we’d seen each other face-to-face (electronically) in many years. In a way it was a bit unusual, as we were by now virtually strangers. But in another way, the ZOOM gathering was wonderful to catch-up and talk about our parents and the times we spent together as children. And then to find out all we were doing now as adults with our own families.

All of us have dear friends, as well as relationships / friends in the workplace. In my professional life, as an author, I saw the state members of my local writing chapter, monthly for meetings.

But my state is large and many who live farther north or south, rarely attend monthly meetings. I joined my home chapter in 2004, so many are now close, close friends, as well as colleagues. And now, my local chapter also has many “long-distance” members from other states. Many are friends I have made over the internet and through personal meetings at conferences.

Some of those farther away are able to attend our state’s annual writing retreat, where we all spend the night in a hotel and attend workshops, writing sprints, and enjoying meals together. What a treat to see each other in person. Lots of hugging and chatting and sharing about writing—a truly inspiring weekend.

I belong, as a long-distance member to several out-of-state writing groups. The highlight each year, was traveling to other states to the writing conferences and seeing those I only saw once a year. But those conferences have gone by the wayside.

Enter ZOOM and other virtual media sites, and we are now able to see each other again. Granted, we are chatting to a bunch of small boxes with faces. But we are chatting real-time. And that has helped keep relationships going. And allowed us to build new relationships with people we haven’t met in person. It might not be the same as sitting down to a meal together, or chatting it up in the cocktail lounge, or at the conference table. But it is the next best thing to keeping our friendships and working relationships strong.

What tips do you have for building and maintaining relationships?

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mZ5eop

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Photo Credits:
Writers: Free Writing Book Cliparts, Download Free Writing Book Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on
lipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Heart: free hearts images - Google Search
Family: Free Clip Art Family, Download Free Clip Art Family png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
ZOOM: Zoom meeting free clip art - Google Search
Map: Free Map Cliparts, Download Free Map Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Laughing Friends: ladies laughing clipart - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com)