The Peaceful Path

by M. L. Buchman

THE WANDERING PATH

I often think that there is little stranger in the world that a writer’s journey. We set out to write one thing but create another. We begin in a favorite genre, yet eventually discover that our voice lies somewhere else. A story begins with a clear picture of a character in the writer’s head, however the character has other ideas and takes stories in unexpected directions. A writer is often the last person to know quite what they’ve written (honestly).

Writing isn’t just a creative path, it is also often a blind one with a hundred curves that the writer can’t see around until they get there. There’s a certain faith that’s required to believe that the road (or sometimes the narrow dusty path that is barely an animal track) continues around the curve—though it always does.

THE CHOSEN PATH

I’m a very peaceful person. Had I been drafted, I’d have been a conscientious objector. I got my black belt so that I could teach my kid how to defend herself in an aggressive world. My writing motto is “To Champion the Human Spirit” which is exemplified in every story I’ve written because I believe that is the path to a more peaceful future. If we can treat each other well, with respect and openness to new ideas, we will be living in a better world.

Sure, I’m saddened by the world’s news (both the human tragedies and the political idiocies), but I choose my own battle in my own way. If people feel uplifted by what I write and try to help, then I have achieved a life’s work. (That I get to make a living doing this is just a crazy bonus.)

THE UNCHOSEN PATH

And yet I write primarily military (military romantic suspense, retired military romance, and, most recently, military/political technothriller). I never served. I don’t come from a military family. (Dad did two years in WWII, mostly to avoid flunking out of college the way his old roommate tells it. But he never spoke about those times working as an anchorman on minesweeper barge that ranged up and down the US East Coast.) Note that I didn’t say I wrote “about the military.” I don’t have the expertise to do that. But I definitely write in the military; a very curious place for a pacifist to land.

I came to it by a curious path. In my second novel, a science fiction space opera that will never again see the light of day, I wrote a “general of the opposing troops.” He was laughed out of the critique room. After far too many revisions, it was acceded that he was finally “at least male.” Knowing this was a weakness in my writing (I write mostly from the viewpoint of strong women), I began to research “men.” I decided that the best place to begin was with elite forces memoir—straight from the “man’s mouth” so to speak. I was specifically interested in those who had chosen the military as a career, not just in for a few tours but rather as a life’s path.

I began with US Navy Seal Chuck Pfarrer’s autobiography Warrior Soul and went on from there. The more I read, the more I came to understand these men (invariably) and their choices. (When female warrior memoir emerged, Shoot Like a Girl, Ashley’s War, Soldier Girls… I certainly plunged into those as well.)

Several interesting things came to light for me. Some obvious, some less so. Not one of these people had joined the military because they liked to fight. Not one of these people thought that war was in any way a good thing. “For God and Country” was not a major theme for the warriors who chose to make a career of the military. Trying to make the world a better place, however, was a major theme. To stop the horror that others were perpetrating on the innocent was also important. The true core? The team. People who stayed in for ten, twenty, thirty years, were doing it because they had made a family of their team. 

THE HIGHER CAUSE & THE TEAM

This is the theme that captured my attention as a writer, and it is a story I’ve been writing ever since. Whether it is a light contemporary romance like my Where Dreams series, an action-adventure political technothriller like my Miranda Chase series, or a military romantic suspense like my Night Stalkers, there is always the higher cause and the team.

The higher cause is invariably: a better world. A better, happier, more peaceful place to be. And whether the team is a romantic couple of two people or an entire company in the military, that “team” strives for that better world with all of their heart and passion.

So, as we celebrate Independence Day (25 countries place their Independence Day in July and, while Canada never declared independence, July includes Canada Day to celebrate the forming of the dominion, so call it 26), I look to so many militaries fighting for peace.

It may sound incongruous, but it isn’t. One only needs to read the news on any day of the year to see that it isn’t. There are so many empires based upon ego and repression and “us versus them” that it is heart-rending. And if someone doesn’t fight back against such avarice and greed, it will dominate.

THE CHOICE

So, as a writer, I curiously found my path to touting peace lies through the eyes of the military. It can be a force to help rather than hinder. I wish we could live in a world where there was no need for the military. Curiously, every warrior biography I’ve read and every service person I’ve spoken with agrees.

Until we can, I found my voice for peace in my writings of the military.

What choice do you make? What story do you try to tell with your writing, with your day job, with what books you recommend to others, with your interaction with every person you come in contact with? Every day is your opportunity to change the world for the better. It doesn’t matter how small the action. Millions of people all taking tiny actions toward a more peaceful world is the vision I hold. Please ask yourself how you do that. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

 

BIO

USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller M. L. "Matt" Buchman has 70+ contemporary and military romance novels, and action-adventure thrillers. Also 100+ short stories and lotsa audiobooks. Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 Romance of the Year” and among “The 20 Best Romantic Suspense Novels: Modern Masterpieces.” NPR and B&N say: “Best 5 Romance of the Year.” PW declares: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” A project manager with a geophysics degree, he’s designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, solo-sailed a 50’ sailboat, and bicycled solo around the world…and he quilts. 

More at: www.mlbuchman.com. 

Pass That Book Along

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

These days with digital books on e-readers it’s more difficult to share a favorite read with others. But with the upswing in e-readers and digital publishing more books are available at lower prices (usually) than paperbacks. 

Although I didn’t get much writing done in April (several blog posts for a couple of thousand words), I did get Lots of reading in. Here are my recommendations for great summer reads.

Courtney Pierce’s “The Executrix” entertained me on my flight to and from Arizona. Much easier for me to read ‘paper’ than digital on the plane. Having been an executor of an estate (or two) before, I will admit my challenges were different (brothers rather than sisters) and no mobsters or manuscripts. Ms. Pierce blends mystery and humor into an entertaining read. “Indigo Lake”, Book Two in this series is available now.

Vivienne Lorret’s The Wallflower series as well as her Rakes of Fallow Hall series kept me sitting in the chair with my feet up, sipping either tea or ice water (I was in Arizona at the time). Ms. Lorret’s characters came alive and I was especially pleased to see them reappear in each book of the series. Not just in a brief sentence or two mention somewhere along the way but as integral to the current story-line.

Christy Carlyle’s first two books in her Accidental Heirs series (One Scandalous Kiss, One Tempting Proposal) with Avon were also on my Kobo. (The third book in the series is now available). Having read Ms. Carlyle’s Whitechapel series as well as several of her short stories, I was familiar with her writing style. She did not disappoint. 

Another author I read on my trip was Diana McCollum. Her first novella, The Witch With The Trident Tattoo, continues the Coastal Coven series she started in the anthology Love and Magick. Ms. McCollum’s creativity shines in the book’s concept and characters. I will admit to loving James! Shoe fetish and all.

Also on my Kobo are several anthologies. I love to read anthologies if there is an author I know because I assure myself of at least one story I’d love. However, I’ve met several new-to-me authors. Both Collette Cameron and Bronwen Evans had stories in at least one of the anthologies I’ve read or am reading. Once Upon A True Love's Kiss and Passionate Promises.

Paty Jager is another author whose books I enjoy. I particularly loved her Spirit Trilogy because of the Nez Perce spirituality. I’ve also read her Halsey Brothers series as well as her mysteries. Isabella Mumphry and Shandra Higheagle stories are well-crafted with just the right amount of suspense for me.

Looking at the list of Genre-istas whose books I’ve enjoyed in the past, I don’t want to forget Margaret Tanner who writes Australian historical romance among other genres and M.L. (Matt) Buchman who writes contemporary romance. Matt’s post on his newest release “Flash of Fire” will certainly be on my Kobo soon!

And last but not least, check out my Sacred Women’s Circle series either on my website or my author page at Windtree Press.

You’ll find the Genre-istas sharing favorite books/authors during our 5^th Blog-O-Versary this month. Hope you’ll share yours with us!

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley

It Takes a Village

By Judith Ashley

Judith Ashley

The story is that writing is a lonely business. Writers are isolated and cut off from others. While an element of that is true - only one person at a time at the computer even if there is a collaboration for example - there are aspects of writing that are anything but lonely.

I took an on-line class in May on "Book Blurbs", the copy on the back of a book or what you read when searching on-line that has picking up the book or clicking through to make that purchase. The class was taught by Laurie Schnebley Campbell, one of the founders of Writers University. There were 25 - 30 or so people in that class. Every day I read their assignments and they read mine.

One of our first assignments was to name who we'd list in Acknowledgements. Every list had more than one name and some lists were quite long.

Nancy Lytle writing as Mercer Addison, a chapter mate of mine, just published her book, Even Nectar is Poison. She posted an announcement to our chapter loop that included a Long List of people who'd helped and encouraged her specifically as well as a general acknowledgement of the benefit of attending meetings and speakers over the years.

Last week Matt Buchman's post was about "Paying It Forward". He also mentioned people who'd mentored and helped him along the way.

That it takes a village is not a new concept. I was introduced in a hands-on way to the idea of global economy at a personal growth training I attended while in my early thirties. One of the exercises had us taking a look at how 'independent' we really were. We were asked to pick an item in the room (it didn't have to be ours) and in our small group discuss what it took to bring that item into the room. I remember clearly the discussions about a blouse and a newspaper. The blouse needed someone to plant, grow, harvest, and process the cotton into thread. Someone needed to take the thread and make material. Material had to be cut and sewn into the blouse. Then there was getting it to a store, on the rack, my getting to the store and to the rack, and the clerk to ring up my purchase. And don't forget the machinery that needed to be made, transported, set up, etc. for each step of this process. The newspaper was even more mindboggling when we stopped and thought about each story in addition to the act of printing the paper.

If thinking of yourself as being in a 'lonely business' is useful or helpful, then keep on doing it. In no way do I want to suggest that people make changes that will not move them forward.

What I am suggesting is when you're thinking "writing is hard" "writing is lonely" "writing takes me away from (fill in the blank)" you stop and ask yourself how this thought serves you. How does it make your writing better? How does it help you persevere?

If you find those thoughts aren't helpful, perhaps these self-reflective questions will be.

What does serve me in my writing? What does support me on 'those days'? Who do I have in my writing life that 'gets' why I'm doing what, when, why, where, and how I'm are doing it?

Would love to have you share what does work for you...who knows, I might find something else that will also work for me.

© 2013 Judith Ashley

Wow!!!

Judith Ashley

The latest issue of RT Book Reviews arrived in my mailbox on Friday. Saturday I took a few minutes to look over the Historical and Contemporary list of reviewed books because that is what I most enjoy reading. However, as I was leafing through the pages I caught sight of Delilah Marvelle’s picture and a few pages later, an ad featuring Opal Carew. My curiosity piqued I started at the beginning and read every article and looked at every ad as well as skimmed down the list of names being reviewed. What was I looking for?

If you are reading this post, you know about Romancing The Genres. If you are new to RTG, you may not know that two years ago in February, Sarah Raplee and I conceived the idea of a group blog featuring romance authors from a variety of genres. We’d each blog on a particular day of the month (I’m the first Friday). Having guests would be an added value to our readers and we thought Saturday would be a good day to schedule them.

Even in the beginning we thought of having a time and place where the Genre-istas could post short stories. We launched Free ReadsFrom The Genre-istas in February, 2011.

You can click on the links above and scroll down to see who our guests have been and what our Genre-istas are writing about.

Back to RT…

Delilah Marvelle, who has been our guest in August and September 2010 and December 2012, is featured in an article on clothing from the early 1800’s which is where her stories are set. She’s also listed as a Top Pick with 4.5 Stars for Forever a Lord, book three in her latest series.

If you look on page 21, you’ll see an ad placed by St. Martin’s press touting six books coming from Genre-ista, Opal Carew. Because her career is shooting into the stratosphere with demands for more works, deadlines, etc., Opal’s January post will be her last with us.
Madelle Morgan will be joining us in February on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month.

Matt Buchman (M.L. Buchman) our 12/08/2012 guest is listed in the Series Rap Sheet. Matt was also featured in Eloisa James’ NPR column. Matt’s book Wait Until Dark was given a 4 Star rating. Reviewer writes “…this book has it all. The only thing you’ll ask yourself is “When does the next one come out?” the full review is on Page 70.

Genre-ista, Paty Jager’s The Secret of an Aztec Temple is included in the All Romance e-book advertisement on Page 28. Paty writes our 1st Monday post.

Genre-ista, Bronwen Evans’ To Challenge The Earl of Cravenswood which is self-published, was given a 4 Star rating. Bron, who has been a Genre-ista from the beginning, also won the 2012 RomCon Reader's Crown for her Invitation to Ruin. Bron's regular post time is the 1st Thursday of the month.

But that’s not all! The 2013 Romantic Times Convention also has familiar names.

Genre-ista Kris Tualla is a presenter in two workshops on Self-Publishing. Kris’s regular RTG post time is the 1^st Tuesday of the month. She also was a December guest because of her knowledge about Self and Indie Publishing. If you are interested in a great book on the subject, check out her Becoming an Authorpreneur: Navigating A Career in 21st Century Publishing.

Other RTG Guests are presenters at the Self-Publishing Program during the Convention. You can attend workshops with Theresa Ragan and Bob Mayer. Bob, who we see as a generous supporter of RTG, has shared his insights on self-publishing. He and Jen Talty co-authored The Shelfless Book and she is also co-presenting the workshops with him.

Check out Theresa's inspiring self-publishing story.

While we certainly had hopes and dreams about the success of Romancing The Genres, neither of us would have predicted how much we’ve grown.

This month we will pass 50,000 page views!

December 31, 2012 marked our 560^th post.

December 30, 2012 we had 41,112 comments on those 560 posts.

Free Reads From The Genre-istas should pass 3,000 page views late in January or early in February. Each post is a short, short story. Romance Genres included are Western, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Steampunk, Paranormal, Fantasy and Historical.

December 31, 2012 marks 31 posted stories.

And we’ve had 107 comments on those 31 short stories.

All I can say is “Wow!” We did it and then some. Thanks to each and every one of the Genre-istas and to each and every one of you for making an idea flourish into a growing, living labor of love (well, most days it’s a labor of love).

And, if you ‘follow’ us, you don’t have to click around or remember to check us out. We’ll show up most days on our own.

www.JudithAshleyRomance.com