Where I’ve Been with RTG, Where I’m Going by Lynn Lovegreen

Romancing the Genres is 14 this year! As in many things in life, it feels like “Wow, where did the time go?” I am grateful for the legacy our blog founders have built for readers and bloggers. Thanks, Judith and Sarah!





I started as a reader, like many of you. A friend (Lizbeth Selvig) told me about it, and I enjoyed reading the posts. Then I was invited to join as a Genre-ista. Over the years, I’ve written blog posts on a variety of topics, often including my perspective as an Alaskan. I had the benefit of reading most of the other posts, too, learning from my colleagues and becoming virtual friends with many of them. A shoutout to you all—I have been enriched by your participation!



As our blog winds down and people move on, it’s time to let you know my next steps. I will definitely keep writing. While I don’t have any news at this point, I am querying literary agents; having an agent would allow me to be published by bigger publishers. In the meantime, this is what I can offer you right now:

I have a website with a blog where I post about once a week on topics like life and history in Alaska, book recommendations, and supporting libraries:

www.lynnlovegreen.com



And I have a newsletter where I post quarterly. I provide updates on my author activities, Alaska history tidbits, book recs--and sometimes I give away bookmarks and other swag! You can see my first Substack post and sign up to receive the next one at:

https://lynnlovegreen.substack.com



As an avid reader, I post my book reviews on StoryGraph:

https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/lynnlovegreen



Or, if you’re into social media, I’m active on a couple platforms:

Pinterest (pins about reading and writing, history, Jane Austen, PBS shows, and inspiration for my book projects):

https://www.pinterest.com/lynnlovegreen/



BlueSky (posts about Alaska, kidlit, libraries, writing, and politics):

https://bsky.app/profile/lynnlovegreen.bsky.social













Whether I see you often in the future or this is goodbye, I hope the next chapter of your life is wonderful. Thanks for reading Romancing the Genres over the years. Take care,



Lynn

My “Go-To” Authors by Lynn Lovegreen

 

I have several authors I go to when I need to relax or escape from my usual world. (I read eclectically, and life is too short for only one!) As a retired English teacher and history buff, I enjoy reading classics. But you can find other posts that extoll the virtues of Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, and Mark Twain. Today, I’ll confine myself to contemporary authors. I’ll share a few of them today, and you can see which fit your style or favorite genre.

 

I love young adult list (YA) for its cutting-edge writing and all the heady “feels” of adolescence. Two of my favs are Stacey Lee and Eric Smith. 

Stacey Lee writes YA historical fiction with heart, and whether she’s immersing you in 1800s Atlanta (The Downstairs Girl) or 1930s Hollywood (Kill Her Twice), you’ll learn about Chinese American lives and enjoy an engaging story at the same time. Check out her website at https://www.staceyhlee.com

 

Eric Smith writes YA contemporary romance with rich settings and sweet relationships. You might find yourself in a cheesesteak truck competition in Philly (With or Without You) or deep in the world of online gaming (Don’t Read the Comments), but you’ll swoon with the romance and root for the characters. See his website at https://www.ericsmithrocks.com

 

In the adult world, I often read romance, too. Two of my favorite authors (and writing friends) are Kinsley Adams and Elva Birch.

Kinsley Adams writes sexy paranormal romance with humor. You might pick up her Dating Monsters series to see a snarky young influencer fall in love with the ancient (but sexy) Dracula, or read her Road to Hell series to see the daughter of Lucifer pair up with his second in command as she rebels against her father. Check out her website at https://shop.kinsleyadams.com

 

Elva Birch’s paranormal romances are sweeter in tone with quirky stories and medium-spicy scenes. Try her Royal Dragons of Alaska series or her cute Day Care for Shifters series. Or go for The Flamingo’s Fated Mate for a humorous but sweet novella!  See her website at  http://www.elvabirch.com

 

Surely one of these will strike your fancy. Enjoy!

 

Learn more about Lynn Lovegreen from her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com or follow her on BlueSky at @lynnlovegreen.bsky.social.

Why Young Adult and New Adult Romance? Blast from the Past by Lynn Lovegreen

(This Blast from the Past was first published in 2016.)

We’re celebrating New and Young Adult romance this month! I am honored to be asked to write an extra post for this theme. (My usual gig is the second Thursday of the month.) These age categories are my favorites, and I’ll explain why.

Young adult (YA) is usually defined as the teen years, when most kids are in secondary school and figuring out who they are. New adult (NA) is often defined as the period right after that, when young people are holding their first jobs, going to college, and learning to be on their own in the world. Both ages are full of drama and possibilities, especially in fiction. Add a little romance, and you have the perfect ingredients for a novel.

Depending on who I’m talking to, I often just say I write YA. But if my audience knows about NA, I will say YA/NA. In my Gold Rush books, there is a combination of YA and NA characters. Because of the time period, most of my teenaged characters are taking on adult roles earlier in life. Plus, there is not an obvious border between the two age groups then, so teens are spending time with what we might call new adults. In Quicksilver to Gold, for example, set back in 1900, Jeannie has never set foot in a school building, but today she’d probably be a senior in high school. The object of her affection, Clint, would have graduated high school already since he’s a little older. When they meet at their mining claims outside Nome, Alaska, they are both seen as adults. But when you see Jeannie’s emotional reactions to things, there is no doubt she is a teenager.

I write YA and NA because I remember my teen and college years vividly. I knew even then that it was a dramatic stage of life; I recall thinking that if I ever wrote a book, it would be set during that time. (No, none of my books are that close to autobiography, but you never know what I might write in the future!) For most of us, those years are an emotional roller coaster. Everything is important, and so much feels earthshaking. That’s built-in drama for a novelist.

While adults also enjoy reading YA and NA, I hope teens can use my characters as examples of what they might do with their own lives. If Jeannie can strike it rich with her mining skills or Charlotte can help create Denali National Park, why can’t our readers achieve their own dreams? I hope they will.

For more on why I write YA, see my video at https://youtu.be/rJDWwrSnXuMhttps://youtu.be/rJDWwrSnXuM.

Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com.

One thing that always cheers me up: PBS shows by Lynn Lovegreen

 

This month’s theme is things that always cheer us up. One obvious answer is books, but since all of us probably share that one, I thought of another: PBS shows. You can find me in front of the TV most evenings, watching fun shows. It’s a great way to lift my mood.

 

PBS stands for the Public Broadcasting Service, and it’s a non-commercial television network with local member stations all over the US. Everyone can watch it for free, something that doesn’t happen much in these days of streaming services. 

 

PBS airs kids’, news, educational, and entertainment programs. It’s aired a few hits you’ve probably heard of, like Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting, and Julia Child’s cooking shows. And who can forget Downton Abbey or the gorgeous Poldark?!

 

The show Masterpiece started out as Masterpiece Theatre, which started by airing only British shows based on books. (They branch out from that occasionally, but most of their programs are still literature-inspired.) I love watching Masterpiece for dramas like Nolly and Wolf Hall, and mysteries like Endeavour and Magpie Murders. I just finished watching the latest season of All Creatures Great and Small--how can you go wrong with the scenery of the Dales and heartwarming stories about people and animals? It’s so cozy.

 

Outside of drama and mysteries, I enjoy the nature and science shows like Nature and Nova, and history shows like American Experience and Secrets of the Dead. I learn more about stories in the news from in-depth shows like Frontline, and about music from shows like Austin City Limits.  There really is something for everyone there!

 

All of this is available on your local public TV station. Or, if you donate to PBS, you can also pull up shows on their PBS Passport website. It’s a great way to catch up on shows you missed or re-watch your favorites. (I might have to see that Poldark show again!)

 

To check out PBS for yourself, go to https://www.pbs.org. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect show for you!

Learn more about Lynn Lovegreen from her website www.lynnlovegreen.com or follow her on BlueSky at @lynnlovegreen.bsky.social.

My “Go-To” Activity by Lynn Lovegreen

 This month’s blog topic is “My ‘go to’ activity when I want to relax and take time out of my real life.” The obvious answer is reading, but since most of the Genre-istas (and writers and readers in general) could say that, I’m going with my number two answer: physical activity.

 

I usually participate in a virtual yoga class twice a week. I discovered yoga several years ago. I started for the mental health benefits—it helps me stay centered and take a brain break now and then. But I also enjoy the physical advantage of keeping my strength and balance as I get older. Yoga is great because you can modify poses or do alternatives if your body doesn’t like to do certain things. (In my case, downward dogs bother my wrists, so I replace that part of class with other poses.) Each of us is different, and it’s good to listen to what your body is telling you. 

 

I also like to walk when I need to get out of my thoughts and be in the moment. That usually means a walk around the neighborhood, or walking at the gym if the weather doesn’t accommodate that. Taking a walk helps me notice the world around me and think about something other than my troubles or whatever writing problem I’m stuck on. Looking at the sky, trees, and birds helps me get out of my head. The best times are when I can walk someplace more exciting, like on a trail or other beautiful place in Alaska. And my husband and I walk when we travel, too—we hiked in the Lake District and on the Hadrian’s Wall trail when we went to England last year.

 

Maybe you choose a different physical activity for yourself—no problem. But I do encourage you to find something that moves your body while helping you relax and take time out of your daily life. It’s one of many forms of self-care, which is super important in today’s world. You can’t help others if you aren’t taking care of yourself, too! 

 

Hope you find the perfect “go-to activity” for you. And happy 2025!

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

My Favorite Reads of 2024 by Lynn Lovegreen

 I love to read, as most writers do. I have eclectic tastes in reading; I read mostly fiction, but some nonfiction too. My favorite genres are YA (young adult) romance, contemporary, and historical fiction. I throw in some middle grade, adult romance, mystery, and history to mix it up a bit. Here are my favorite reads of this year—some were published this year, but others have been around a while. Look through and see if there’s a book that strikes your fancy! I’ve included author website links so you can check them out.

 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (Adult fiction)

https://linktr.ee/snabooks?fbclid=IwY2xjawG8ejhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVyWwJ7QQMoUR__AqI9NK_DN4irOggrpL_bjrJg-NKxWnH1yObGerYDVfA_aem_4xw5JPG64LRUhtM5hHV04w

Anxious teen Aleisha works at the local library when she comes across a list of books that broaden her horizons. Lonely widower Mukesh comes in to see what his late wife saw in books. When Aleisha shares the list, that leads to a transformation of their lives, and the community's. (content warning: mental illness and suicide)

 

The Next Great Jane by K.L Going (Middle Grade fiction)

https://klgoing.com

Jane is a precocious sixth grader determined to become a writer. When a famous author visits her small Maine town, and a hurricane, an obstinate boy, and Jane's Hollywood mother combine, not even Jane can guess the ending. 

 

Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson (Middle Grade Fiction)

https://www.nasugraqhopson.com

An Iñupiaq (Alaska Native) boy collects obsidian when he sees a magic eagle who tells him he must go with him or die like his older brothers. He learns about drumming, singing, and dancing from the Eagle Mother, then teaches other people at a great feast, bringing a sense of community to their culture. Hopson tells the origin story of the Messenger Feast of her Iñupiaq people brilliantly, with heartfelt words and lovely illustrations. This middle grade book won a Newbery Medal nomination for good reason, and will enchant readers of all ages.

 

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee (YA Historical Mystery)

https://www.staceyhlee.com

Lulu Wong was Gemma and May Chow’s friend and neighbor before she became a movie star. When the sisters find her body in Chinatown, the police are slow to act, and business leaders use the killing as an excuse to tear down Chinatown to make way for a train station. Gemma and May must find the killer before it’s too late for their neighborhood, and before the killer catches on to their investigation. Historical fiction queen Stacey Lee brings 1930s Los Angeles to life in this great page turner.

 

Sway with Me by Syed M. Massod (YA Romance)

https://www.syed-masood.com

Arsalan’s 100-year-old great-grandfather taught him everything he knows. Not wanting to be totally alone one day, he asks feisty Beenish, stepdaughter of a prominent matchmaker, for help. She agrees if he’ll help her ruin her sister’s wedding by performing a forbidden dance. They end up growing closer than either would imagine.
This hilarious and heartwarming coming-of-age story is a gem! Love the romance, found family, and multi-generational love! (content warning: physical abuse)

 

Murder on the Last Frontier by Cathy Pegau (Adult Mystery)

https://cathypegau.com

Romance, mystery, and Alaska history--this hit so many of my interests! Cathy Pegau's Murder on the Last Frontier is a great feminist historical mystery set in Cordova, Alaska during the suffragist days. I will look for more from this Alaskan author.⁠

 

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert (YA Romance)

https://www.taliahibbert.com

Bradley manages his OCD, his classes, and his friendship with the popular guys pretty well, but trading insults and barbs with Celine isn’t as fun as it looks. Celine has one goal: to become the next Golden Explorer and protégé of the famous lawyer Katharine Breakspeare, but when Brad decides to compete for the title, she’ll need to beat him to get there. A survival course in the woods might lead to a winner, or an emotional adventure neither of them expects. This second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance kept me up late turning pages--funny, witty, and heartfelt in all the right ways. (content warning: mental illness)

 

If you’d like to look at other books I’ve read, you can follow me on The StoryGraph at https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/lynnlovegreen.

 

 

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

Grateful for Writing Groups by Lynn Lovegreen

November is a great month because of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it focuses on family, food, and gratitude. What can be better than that?  I am thankful for many things in my life, including my family, my friends, and my home. Today, I’m going to write about something else I am grateful for: my writing groups.

 

I belong to several writing groups, including 49 Writers, the Alaska Writers Guild, RWA (Romance Writers of America), SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), and local chapters AKRWA and SCBWI-AK. (Full disclosure: I’ve been active in RWA’s reformation toward a more inclusive writing community, and I am the President of AKRWA.) While my participation varies now and then, all of these groups have helped me grow as a writer.

 

Writing groups give many benefits to writers. They provide information about the craft and business of writing through programs such as classes, webinars, and conferences. Many host critique groups, which in my experience is one of the best ways writers can enhance their writing process and improve their writing. And I am thankful for the camaraderie—I love to hang out with other people who have characters running around in their heads and understand the highs and lows of the writing life.

 

If you don’t have one now, I encourage you to look into writing groups to find one that suits your interests. Here are a couple links for ideas:

https://www.rwa.org

https://www.scbwi.org

 

Whether you’re just starting out on your writing journey, or you’ve been on the path for years, I encourage you to create your own writing community. Find a writing group that supports you, and you’ll have much to be grateful for.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

Pumpkin Spice and Mental Health Day by Lynn Lovegreen

 Thanks to Starbucks and other enterprising people, fall is pumpkin spice time. It started with pumpkin spice drinks, and now you can get almost everything in pumpkin spice flavor or scent. Personally, I don’t mind a taste (or whiff) of pumpkin spice, but I prefer it in pies. Lattes just aren’t my thing. But no judgement—we all have our passions.

 

It’s also Mental Health Day. Why am I bringing it up? Because for some, the two are connected.

 

We often give ourselves treats or rewards we do for ourselves. Nowadays, we call that self-care. It’s good to do something nice now and then, to remind us of our worth and give ourselves a break when needed. In my case, it’s usually chocolate. If drinking a pumpkin spice drink does that for you, go for it! You’re worth it!

 

Happy pumpkin spice season. And happy Mental Health Day! Do something good for yourself today.

 

P. S. It’s okay to get professional help with your mental health, just like going to a doctor when you have a physical illness. Don’t be afraid to reach out. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Or try the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787. In other countries, check out your local resources. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

What I Look Forward to As I Age by Lynn Lovegreen

 I am “a woman of a certain age,” as my grandmother used to say. I’ve been happily married for more than thirty years, have a wonderful adult daughter and son-in-law, and an adorable grandchild. I consider myself truly fortunate to have all of those and other wonderful people in my life. And I am lucky enough to have a decent retirement so I can spend my time on writing, volunteering, and whatever else I choose. At this point, there isn’t much I look forward to that I don’t have at present.

 

Eventually, my life will slow down as my body ages, and I’ll be less willing or able to travel or leave the house as much. Then my world will be more restricted to family, friends, and books. I can’t say I’m looking forward to that restriction. But I am confident that there will be rewards in my elderly life. I’ve seen my parents look around the room at family gatherings, proud that they helped my generation and the next ones flourish. Someday, it might be my turn.

 

If I’m lucky, I’ll see my family grow and change over time. I’ll watch my grandchild grow up, and have fun introducing them to some of the things I loved over the years. I’ll see my daughter age and possibly become a grandmother herself. I hope to lend support to her and other relatives for many years down the road. There might be more additions to the family, too. I might have the privilege of being a matriarch of a large clan, who knows?

 

I look forward to experiencing life as an elder. If love is all you need, then inter-generational love is as precious as it gets. That’s something to cherish.

 

May your life be as rich and rewarding as your greatest hopes and dreams. Best wishes!

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

My Favorite Commercial by Lynn Lovegreen

There are a lot of great commercials out there. In my opinion, the best are really creative, humorous, and/or heartwarming. Most of my faves are in the last two categories.

 

One of my favorite commercials is a well-known one, “The Force” by Volkswagen, 2012. A Star Wars reference, cute kid, and a caring dad are the main ingredients. Here’s a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zwMWLE9fBU&t=1s

 

What isn’t as well-known are the Rainier Beer ads from the 1970s and 1980s. They were a big thing when I was in high school, and many Alaskans drank Rainier, so it was a local favorite. Their brand of quirky humor made them fun, and we always looked forward to the next commercial. Here’s a link to my favorite from 1974:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daZdK1fRZYk

 

I’m curious to see what others have to share on this topic. If you know a great commercial, drop a link in the comments!

 

P.S. I give credit to YouTube for the videos.

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

Summer Festivals in Alaska by Lynn Lovegreen

 Note: This first appeared in Lynn Lovegreen's blog, www.lynnlovegreen.com

Summer is a special time in Alaska. Not only is it a great time to enjoy the outdoors, it's also a season when Alaskans gather in their communities. Here are a few examples of festivals in the summer. I can't list them all in one blog post, but I'll try to give you a good cross-section of events.

Summer Solstice is a highlight of the year. I've written about it before (https://www.lynnlovegreen.com/post/summer-solstice) but I have to mention here that towns from Anchorage to Fairbanks to Seldovia to Moose Pass all have Solstice festivals. The Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival just sent me a link: https://www.seldoviaartscouncil.org/festival

 

Pride Month is celebrated in Alaska as well. Anchorage hosts a Pride Bar Crawl, the Rainbow Run, Pride Parade, and Pride Festival. There's also Underground Pride at the Palmer State Fairgrounds, and Fairbanks hosts the Pride Hike, Pride Prom, and Pridefest, to name a few.

Other June festivals include Juneau's Celebration, Sitka Music Festival, the 3 Barons Renaissance Fair in Anchorage, the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, and Juneteenth in Anchorage and Fairbanks. 

I'll talk about July 4th in another blog post. Other July festivals are the Homer Peony Celebration, Girdwood's Forest Fair, the Eagle River Bear Paw Festival, Fairbanks' Golden Days, the Gold Rush days in Valdez and Wrangell's Bearfest. (The photo below is of downtown Wrangell.)

August includes Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Ketchikan's Blueberry Arts Festival, Ester Fest near Fairbanks, and Anchorage's Galway Days and Alaska Greek Festival. 

If you're traveling to Alaska in the summer, look up the towns you'll be visiting and see if you can drop in on a local festival. It's the best way to meet the locals and see what we do for fun. 

Lynn Lovegreen is a longtime Alaskan. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

Starting Anew—Spending Time with Children by Lynn Lovegreen

 

I recently ended an after-school childcare job for the 2023-4 school year. Hanging out with children several hours a week gave me a new appreciation for certain things. In that way, being with kids is like starting anew.

 

Seeing things through a child’s eyes changes your perspective, sometimes literally. One day a kindergartener walked into the room with her head tilted to one side, just to see how things looked sideways. I tried it—pretty cool!

 

Another day, a kid taught me how to play soccer. (I didn’t ruin his moment by telling him I knew the game.) Listening to how he explained the rules gave me a different outlook on which parts of soccer were the most important. 

 

When a child first learns how to do something, like playing chess or using a yo-yo or getting all the steps in cat’s cradle, it doesn’t matter that people have been doing it for decades or even centuries. It’s new all over again. It gave me joy to see those moments. 

 

The next time you can spend time with children, sit down at their level and try to see things with their eyes. You’ll be starting anew.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

Blog-O-Versary: The Year 2011 by Lynn Lovegreen

 

Happy Blog-O-Versary!

 

Romancing the Genres is 13 years old this year! Congrats to our Blog Queens Judith and Sarah, and thank you to everyone who has made this blog a special place for so long.

 

This anniversary got me thinking about what things were like back in 2011. While there were some serious events that year, we also had some happy or fun ones. Here’s a list for you to consider, in no particular order.

 

The popular show Game of Thrones premiered on HBO.

 

Prince William and Kate Middleton got married.

 

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” was at the top of the Billboard hot 100.

 

The movie The King’s Speech swept the Academy Awards.

 

The first full (not alpha or beta) version of Minecraft was released.

 

Lady Gaga’s performance of her song “Born This Way” and Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Florence Welch’s tribute to Aretha Franklin were highlights of the 2011 Grammy Awards.

 

The world’s largest Legoland theme park opened its gates in White Haven Florida.

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth was the Goodreads Favorite Book of 2011.

 

And, of course, Romancing the Genres was born!

 

I probably missed something. What do you remember from 2011?

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

Three Things I Do Well by Lynn Lovegreen

 It’s tough for me to come up with things I do well, because it sounds like bragging. That’s something women often have trouble with. But since it’s this month’s topic for RTG, I have permission, right? 😉

 

One thing I do well is yoga. I’ve practiced yoga for over ten years, the last four totally online. It’s kind of nice to “go” to class without having to leave the house, and the virtual class gives me the feel of practicing with others. While I’m not the type to do pretzel-ly moves, yoga helps me de-stress and I’m pretty good at stretching and balance poses.

Another thing I do well is read. Yeah, most of us can read, but I can read faster than most people. It started with tons of reading in college, then in my career as an English teacher. Now, I can easily buzz through a novel in a couple evenings—but if it’s a really good one, I’ll slow down to savor it. Just because I can, it doesn’t mean I have to speed read. 

 

The last thing I do well is probably what I’m most proud of: I’m a good listener. I have a calm demeanor and the kind of face that people trust. That leads to all kinds of folks sharing things with me on airplanes, at bus stops, and in brief encounters here and there. I like connecting with people and hearing their stories. To me, it’s an honor for them to confide in me. (And before you ask, yes, sometimes small bits lead to writing ideas, but I’d never steal a whole story from someone. It’s not mine to tell.)

 

What do you do well? Want to share with us?

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

What I Always Look Out For by Lynn Lovegreen

 According to the Oxford Learners Dictionary, “to look out for” means to avoid something bad, or to take care of someone and make sure nothing bad happens to them. 

 

In the first meaning, I look out for:

 

Moose and other wildlife

Living in Alaska means looking out for critters. Hitting a moose with your car usually leads to the car being totaled. Aggravating bears while hiking is dangerous. While I love seeing them from a respectful distance, I need to look out for wildlife.

 

Bad weather or conditions

As they say, there’s no bad weather, just bad gear. Living in Alaska means nasty weather and rough water. It’s important to dress for the weather and be prepared for what Mother Nature throws at you. I look out for these things when I leave the house.

 

 

In the second meaning, I look out for:

 

Young people

As adults, it’s up to us to take care of kids. That can mean taking care of their welfare. Part of our responsibility in life is to help our next generations. I look out for young people as I work toward the future. 

 

 

Each other

In general, life is better when we take care of people. Whether that’s our neighbors, our community, or humans in general, we are at our best when we touch the “better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln said. We should make the world a better place for everyone. That means looking out for each other.

 

What do you look out for? Or what guidelines do you live by?

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

My Least Favorite Goal by Lynn Lovegreen

 

I don’t write traditional resolutions anymore, but I do give myself a personal watchword for the year. Last year’s was Time, as in think carefully about how I spend my time. This year, I’m thinking of Grace, as in a disposition to show kindness or compassion.

And I make writing/career goals. This year, my least favorite goal is updating my website.

 

I like my website (www.lynnlovegreen.com), and Wix makes it fairly easy to work with. I know authors are “supposed to” update or refresh their websites on a regular basis, and I agree it’s an excellent idea. Good so far. But the choices are overwhelming to me. Should I create a new theme, or does the old one still fit my author brand? Are the pages or sections in the best order? Should I drop one, or add another page? Or tweak my social media links? Where do I even start? 

 

I confess this is one of my 2023 goals that I dragged over to 2024. One of these days, I need to stop procrastinating and just dig into it. Right now, it’s on the to-do list. Maybe I’ll get around to it before the snow melts? 😉

 

Do you have any goals you keep putting off? Or do you have any website advice for me? Please drop a line in the comments.

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

 

 

My Favorite Quote by Lynn Lovegreen

 Note: This month, many of us are re-posting our favorite blog posts. This originally ran in Romancing the Genres in 2022.

There are so many great quotes out there. You can find inspiring quotes about love, life, books, writing, you name it! It was hard to pick my all-time favorite, but one kept coming up for me:

 

 

I saw it first in a “cryptoquote” puzzle in the newspaper years ago, and it hit a nerve with me. I cut it out and stuck it on a window frame where I could see it often. A couple moves later, it’s on a shelf in my current guest room/study.

 

It’s one of those quotes that has different interpretations depending how you look at it. At first, I was thinking of sweet, simple things like wildflowers and sunsets. Later, I included acts like reading a good book and sipping a cup of tea. As I get older, those sweet, simple things also include time with loved ones.

 

Especially after the last few years, I value everyday moments with my husband. A cup of tea with a friend is special. Sharing a meal with my daughter and her family are precious. No huge expense or effort is needed. Laura was right. It really is the “sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones….”

 

What are the real things in your life?

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

 

Holiday Romances with Whimsy by Lynn Lovegreen

 I haven’t written any holiday romances but one of my favorite authors has—Elva Birch. She writes shifter romances with whimsy. Want a flamingo shifter hero who must put his foot down to win his mate? (The Flamingo’s Fated Mate) Or a dragon shifter with a fire-breathing squirrel shifter toddler daughter? (Dragon’s Instinct) Elva’s the author for you! https://www.elvabirch.com

 

Elva Birch’s holiday books are written under her name and the pen name Zoe Chant: 

A Green Valley Christmoose Disaster (small town shifter rom com) 

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Valley-Christmoose-Disaster-Shifters-ebook/dp/B09NGH8GS1

Dragon of Glass (portal fantasy shifter romance with humor and pets)

 https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Glass-Shifter-Knights-Book-ebook/dp/B081H6XT2M/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3RGZMBIS2WFL9&keywords=dragon+of+glass&qid=1699331093&s=digital-text&sprefix=Dragon+of+Glass%2Cdigital-text%2C130&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

and Tropical Holiday Tails (novellas set at Shifting Sands Resort - includes an ace romance)

https://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Holiday-Shifting-Resort-Collections-ebook/dp/B08NXK5NFB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JAC1KK0LGNHL&keywords=Tropical+holiday+tails&qid=1699331186&s=digital-text&sprefix=tropical+holiday+tails%2Cdigital-text%2C124&sr=1-1

 

Enjoy the holidays and find a new author to read! You’ll find lots of great choices on the Romancing the Genres blog this month.

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com.