My “Science” Behind the Art of Producing ... by Delsora Lowe

Right up front I will admit I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of writer. I have a pie-in-the-sky outlook on what I want to accomplish, but until I set goals, not much happens. Because I am also a non-competitive, procrastinator, who needs to plan out life. So how do I reconcile those two different “personalities”?

In all my years of gathering wisdom, some about myself and my habits, I’ve figured out that I am not competitive with others, but I am very competitive with me. And in order to manifest that, I have to have spread sheets and charts and written goals broken down from annual to quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily. I’m not one of those types, you say with the back of your hand plastered against your forehead. I HATE Spreadsheets, you say. No worries. I am the least mathematical, spread-sheet type queen to ever grace this earth. Excel is my enemy. But I do know how to set up a horizontal topic line and a vertical date line. That’s it, folks. Nothing else to see. Oh, except to find the little SUM icon that looks like a weird E.

The one thing I do know how to do is schmooze and learn from other writers. One of those things that has come up in group after group, not only in writing, but any profession I’ve been in, is the importance of setting goals and having ways to measure them.

So, over the years, I developed ways that work for me. I report in daily to one group. That is where I set up my daily goals, such as I want to finish chapter three, or today I’m going to update my website. By saying them “out loud,” it helps me to actually do them. Well, most of them. There are days when something on one list gets transferred to the next day’s list. But the fact I’ve told someone makes the self-competitive gene kick in, and it’s enough to make me try to stay on track.
 

Every Sunday, I report my weekly word count goal to another group. We have all set up our annual word count goal and project goals. For example, I want to send in between 4 and 6 short romances to Woman’s World magazine. To date, I have submitted 5 and I have one in draft form, so I am well in to making the high-end of my goal and possibly exceeding it. Each week our administrator, who does know ALL about spreadsheets, sends back our spreadsheet with weekly totals that show where we are, percentage-wise, in meeting our annual goals. At the bottom of the page is each of our annual task goals, so I can easily check that and highlight what I’ve done to check off the annual list. It’s a painless way (because someone else figured out the spreadsheet 😊 ) of keeping me on track.

As we near the end of 2019 and stroll into 2020, I will assess my achievements and set up goals for 2020. This system has kept me on track for several years now. Each of you can come up with your own system. Whatever works for you. But writing it down and telling others, does make you more accountable to yourself.

 What do you do to set goals for the year? Month? Day?

We’d love to hear more ways authors and readers stay organized.

Now on to more fun things. The thing I do AFTER I’ve accomplished my daily goals. READING! So, here is a list of more Christmas reads. I’ve made it through a few more books since my November holiday read blog. The rest, I will wallow through this month, now that I finished first round of edits on my own Vermont Inn Christmas book, due out in late 2020.


Holiday Reads: Already Read

·         Wedding at Mistletoe Chalet by Dani Collins

·         Once Upon a Christmas by Sarah Morgan (an anthology of 3 medical-based novellas)

·         Waiting for a Miracle by Jennifer Wilck (a Hanukkah novella)

·         Winter Wishes: A Regency Holiday Romance Novella by 11 authors

·         Merry Wild West Christmas by Wanda Ann Thomas (a member of my MaineRW group)

·         The Heart of Christmas by Jill Monroe (a holiday romance from Hallmark publishers)

·         Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne

·         Merry Christmas, Darling by Donna Alward

·         Holly Pointe & Candy Canes by Cindy Kirk

·         A Cowboy’s Homecoming by Vicki Lewis Thompson

·         The Ring Series by Marcia King-Gamble

Holiday Reads in the TBR Pile:

·         A Coldwater Christmas by Delores Fossen

·         Cowboy Christmas Redemption by Maisey Yates

·         The Christmas Town by Donna VanLiere (Hallmark movie based on this book)

·         Mutts & Mistletoe by Natalie Cox (Recommended on RTG in November)

·         The Christmas Club by Barbara Hinske (Hallmark movie based on this book)

·         Spirit of the Season by Heather Graham

·         A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

·         Unforgettable Christmas Dreams by 11 authors

·         Spirit of the Season by Heather Graham

·         A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

·         Unforgettable Christmas Dreams by 11 authors

And...My Holiday Book:

·         Come Dance with Me by Delsora Lowe

Come Dance with Me (Oct 2017) – my own holiday story
Improvisational jazz musician meets buttoned up English teacher—will the Christmas lights sparkle or shatter before the dance ends?
Amazon
http://amzn.to/2Ev2rHc
D2D
https://www.books2read.com/u/bMrQva

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet 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.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Author FaceBook page: fb.me/delsoraloweauthor
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

Photo Credit - Clip Art

https://making-the-web.com/sites/default/files/clipart/135005/goals-cliparts-135005-7644519.png

2019 Dream a big Dream!

By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

It's the beginning of a new year and  a time when hope and  optimism abounds.  Many of us couldn’t wait to put the year behind us, because 2018 was a challenging year and a true test of faith.

Our nation saw a record of unprecedented natural disasters, ranging from the deadliest wildfire in California's history to the worst hurricane hitting the East Coast since 1969. In September, Hurricane Florence flooded the Carolinas and the amount of rain surpassed statewide records.

In October, Hurricane Michael became the strongest storm, (based on pressure,) to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Camille in 1969. It left behind a trail of destruction and brought with it the strongest winds since Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992.

2018 brought with it unexpected deaths of celebrities like designer, Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain. These tragedies shocked the world. In Parkland, a neighborhood, close to me, the Stoneman Douglas tragic shooting of seventeen students, and faculty, turned the world on its ear, making us realize how vulnerable we are.

 Less publicized were the personal struggles many people faced, and the fear that any moment we could be engaged in a nuclear war. But there were feel good moments too. 

The economy did extremely well. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, gving young girls hope they too could have a Cinderella moment.  More women than ever entered the political arena, and the twelve Thai boys, and their coach, trapped in a cave, all made it to safety. The world let out a collective breath.   

In terms of best 2018 Romance novels (and I am a romance writer,) the usual notables made the list.  Authors like Eloisa James, Brenda Jackson, Amanda Quick a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz, Beverly Jenkins, and newcomer, Nalini Singh. Then there was that book that everyone put on their  holiday list - Becoming Michelle Obama; an instant bestseller.

   

On a personal note, I was fortunate to have two releases in December of 2018. Magnolia Moments, the fifth in the Eighty-Eight Mississippi series was released right before Christmas https://amzn.to/2D7y5ci, and Ring in the Holidays, a novella,  followed in time for New Years Eve.  https://amzn.to/2TNKA1Y

Here’s an excerpt from Magnolia Moments:

 “Morgan’s waiting. Won’t want to keep her, now,” Dani said, sniffing.

“She can wait. Let’s get one thing straight. I have absolutely no interest in that woman beyond getting the information I need. Now give me a kiss.”

Dani initially seemed reluctant to even get close. Eventually she relaxed in his arms. And as usual, what was meant to be a meeting of the lips, segued into a heart-shattering kiss of mega proportions. Bryce felt as if he’d been zapped by lightening. He was actually shaking. His inclination was to take Dani to bed right there and then, but the teacher was waiting downstairs, and he would have to put passion on hold. 

"We’re not done,” he said, putting Dani away from him. 

Wiping her smeared lipstick with one hand, she headed downstairs, Bryce on her heels. He followed, admiring her curves in the form-fitting dress that seemed custom-made and hugged all the right places. 

Spotting him, Morgan got to her feet. Her eyes flashed with annoyance when she realized he was not alone. 

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” Morgan said, her voice way too chirpy for his liking. She held out her hand. “I came because it’s such a nice day and I thought we could ride together. And while I l show you the town, I could answer your questions.”

Bryce had no choice but to take the hand Morgan proffered. Her offer was just too good to turn down. “I’d like that.”

“Well, I’ve got to get back to work,” Dani said, giving him the side eye. “You two have fun.” 

Bryce watched her walk away, thinking he would much prefer spending the time with her than Morgan, but he needed vital information. He could finish up what he’d started later.

An excerpt from Ring in the Holidays below:

The sparkle in Stefan’s eyes when he spotted her made her regret not putting up with the cold and wearing that hot, gold dress. Stefan gave her a tight hug, almost lifting her off her feet. He smelled of pine. 

“Just, look at you. Very chic,” Stefan added, tweaking her beret when he set her down. “Shall we?” He offered an arm.

The restaurant, another popular Manhattan eatery, was only blocks away. It was decorated in a blue, silver, gold and white theme. Huge baskets of white poinsettia were strategically placed on gold-plated pedestal tables as they entered. The interior smelled of cinnamon, pine and food. They followed the hostess to the rear. Stefan had to have requested special seating, because a sparkly, white netting was swept aside so they could slide into the private booth.
 
“How did you find this place?” Rianna asked, gazing through the gauze netting at what looked to be several well-heeled clientele. She’d spotted the politically incorrect fur jackets draped over the backs of chairs, and the ladies’ necks draped in expensive pearls and diamonds. 

“A friend recommended it,” Stefan said. “I told him I needed a special place with lots of holiday spirit to take a very special lady.”

Rianna felt her cheeks heat up. She managed a mumbled, “Thank you,” and swept off her tam, shaking out her curls. Stefan swept a wisp of escaping hair out of her eyes.

Things were moving way faster than she was comfortable with. She was just starting to process her feelings for her best friend’s brother and trying to figure out whether the growing attraction could be attributed to a holiday season when no one wanted to be alone. Were these genuine feelings or brought on by nostalgia? For so much of her young life she had resented him. How could she want him so badly now that he’d become an adult?

Wishing you all many adventures in 2019. May you have reading choices that will make your toes curl. Remember you can choose to be happy or unhappy. I choose happiness, and I'm always grateful for what I have.  

 Make it a happy, healthy, and fun New Year.

About Marcia King-Gamble:

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family.