I finished my third West Virginia Heartsong Presents book, Portrait of Love, a couple of weeks ago. Then I took a week off before starting my Abingdon Press book, Sweet Baklava, which is set in the picturesque Greek town of Tarpon Springs.
Since I love baklava and all other things Greek, this book is a joy to write. My heroine, an Alabama transplant, establishes roots in a place where she sort of fits in—but not quite. The hero is a very hunky Greek guy who avoids following in his father’s and uncles’ footsteps in the sponging business, and he joins the Air Force. The conflict is obvious—she wants to settle down, and he wants to take off.
More on Sweet Baklava later.
I’ve also been working on some articles for Livestrong.com. After writing dozens of nutrition and fitness pieces, I’m thinking I might need to step up my own health regime. It’ll be hard while writing about baklava, avgolemono soup, and spanakopita. Maybe I’ll wait until after I finish the first draft of this book.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Good kind of busy!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I have plenty of good excuses. I’ll try to improve, but sometimes life jumps in the way of blog posts.
I’ve been working hard, finishing and polishing my book Portrait of Love to send JoAnne at Heartsong Presents before the November 1 deadline. I still had Long Ridge assignments to read and edit, the ACFW conference to attend, and a granddaughter to play with.
My copy editor for Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, Connie Troyer, and her husband Tom are taking a Florida vacation. Last week, I took them to Tarpon Springs, where we walked around the Sponge Docks and absorbed some of the magnificent Greek culture. I was extra observant, since my next book, Sweet Baklava, is set there. They’re at Disney World this weekend, but they’re coming back to this area on Monday. Connie and I (and Tom if we can drag him off the beach) plan an excursion to Treasure Island so I can show her the real setting for the book she edited.
On top of all that, I’m writing articles for a couple of online publishers. I love having a variety of things to write because I think it keeps my mind sharp. The nonfiction feeds the fiction and vice versa.
I’ve been working hard, finishing and polishing my book Portrait of Love to send JoAnne at Heartsong Presents before the November 1 deadline. I still had Long Ridge assignments to read and edit, the ACFW conference to attend, and a granddaughter to play with.
My copy editor for Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, Connie Troyer, and her husband Tom are taking a Florida vacation. Last week, I took them to Tarpon Springs, where we walked around the Sponge Docks and absorbed some of the magnificent Greek culture. I was extra observant, since my next book, Sweet Baklava, is set there. They’re at Disney World this weekend, but they’re coming back to this area on Monday. Connie and I (and Tom if we can drag him off the beach) plan an excursion to Treasure Island so I can show her the real setting for the book she edited.
On top of all that, I’m writing articles for a couple of online publishers. I love having a variety of things to write because I think it keeps my mind sharp. The nonfiction feeds the fiction and vice versa.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Busy, busy, busy!
Ever since I came back from the ACFW conference, I’ve been busy, busy, busy! I got 2 weeks of Long Ridge lessons, and fortunately, they were 2 very low volume weeks. I always want to make sure my students get everything they need from this course, so I’m making that one of my priorities at the moment.
I was also asked to write a couple of proposals for my agent to send in. What’s really cool about these is the fact that they are both books of my heart. I'm praying that the editor will love both of them!
I’m delighted that I finally met my former student, Debra Collins, who graduated from the Long Ridge course a few weeks ago. She brought her beautiful, sweet daughters, and I absolutely adored both of them.
I’ll be posting pictures soon—after I catch up on some of my work. I brought my camera, but unfortunately, I kept forgetting I had it, so I had to rely on other people sending me their pictures.
I was also asked to write a couple of proposals for my agent to send in. What’s really cool about these is the fact that they are both books of my heart. I'm praying that the editor will love both of them!
I’m delighted that I finally met my former student, Debra Collins, who graduated from the Long Ridge course a few weeks ago. She brought her beautiful, sweet daughters, and I absolutely adored both of them.
I’ll be posting pictures soon—after I catch up on some of my work. I brought my camera, but unfortunately, I kept forgetting I had it, so I had to rely on other people sending me their pictures.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ACFW Conference!
I’m super excited about the ACFW conference this year. It’s always uplifting, fun, and educational, but this one will be the best ever.
The place will be packed with people I can’t wait to hug. I’ll be able to hang out with my Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry devo sisters Andrea Boeshaar, Sandra Bricker, and Loree Lough. I get to finally meet Debra Collins who writes such romantic stories I can’t help but smile when I see her name. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll be a published author some day, and I’ll have to stand in a very long line to buy her books.
My agent Tamela Hancock Murray will be there. She’s extremely popular with her authors and people who are interested in having her represent them, but I hope to get a hug and have a few minutes of her time.
Editors from three of my publishers, Barbour Publishing, Summerside Press, and Abingdon Press will be there. It’ll be fun to see old friends from Barbour and finally get to meet my Summerside and Abingdon editors face to face. After a ton of e-mails with them, I feel like I know them already.
I’ll also enjoy just hanging out with one of my local writing friends, Tara Spicer (writes as Tara Randel). We’ve been through a lot together over the years, and now we’re experiencing the joys of sticking it out.
The place will be packed with people I can’t wait to hug. I’ll be able to hang out with my Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry devo sisters Andrea Boeshaar, Sandra Bricker, and Loree Lough. I get to finally meet Debra Collins who writes such romantic stories I can’t help but smile when I see her name. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll be a published author some day, and I’ll have to stand in a very long line to buy her books.
My agent Tamela Hancock Murray will be there. She’s extremely popular with her authors and people who are interested in having her represent them, but I hope to get a hug and have a few minutes of her time.
Editors from three of my publishers, Barbour Publishing, Summerside Press, and Abingdon Press will be there. It’ll be fun to see old friends from Barbour and finally get to meet my Summerside and Abingdon editors face to face. After a ton of e-mails with them, I feel like I know them already.
I’ll also enjoy just hanging out with one of my local writing friends, Tara Spicer (writes as Tara Randel). We’ve been through a lot together over the years, and now we’re experiencing the joys of sticking it out.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Beauty Tips from Your Favorite Authors
My friend Sandie Bricker was interviewed by Kate Van Druff for LifeLoveBeauty.com, and she included some beauty secrets from other writers. If you'd like to know our "secrets," go take a peek: Writers' Beauty Secrets.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Ahh...It's Monday!
I love Monday mornings. I start out with a plan for the week, then I break it down by how much I can do each day. Being the organized person I am this is fun for me.
Today I’m excited to work on Portrait of Love, my third West Virginia Heartsong Presents. I’m at the point in the book where the heroine’s world is starting to spin out of control. This gives me the opportunity to remind her that she was never in control to begin with, and she needs to rely more heavily on her faith. What a blessing to be writing stories from a Christian worldview!
One of my Long Ridge students sent me a list of questions that I plan to research and answer. I want to make sure I give him accurate information, so I’ll need to go to a variety of sources. I love research because I always learn so much that helps me with my own writing—especially since my students bring up topics that I never thought about before.
With a couple of books coming out during the holidays, I need to book some signings. Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry will be out by November, and Christmas Homecoming should still be available.
After I finish all of the above, I’m grabbing my Borders coupon and treating myself to a new book. My to-be-read pile is still growing, but I can’t resist a good deal on my favorite pastime.
Today I’m excited to work on Portrait of Love, my third West Virginia Heartsong Presents. I’m at the point in the book where the heroine’s world is starting to spin out of control. This gives me the opportunity to remind her that she was never in control to begin with, and she needs to rely more heavily on her faith. What a blessing to be writing stories from a Christian worldview!
One of my Long Ridge students sent me a list of questions that I plan to research and answer. I want to make sure I give him accurate information, so I’ll need to go to a variety of sources. I love research because I always learn so much that helps me with my own writing—especially since my students bring up topics that I never thought about before.
With a couple of books coming out during the holidays, I need to book some signings. Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry will be out by November, and Christmas Homecoming should still be available.
After I finish all of the above, I’m grabbing my Borders coupon and treating myself to a new book. My to-be-read pile is still growing, but I can’t resist a good deal on my favorite pastime.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Pollyanna on Be Still...blog!
This is my week to post on the Be Still...and Let Your Nail Polish Dry blog. Please stop by and leave a message: Be Still...blog.
As the time gets closer to our Fall 2009 release date, I get more excited! Our wonderful editor Connie Troyer has been working diligently to make sure it's as good as it can be.
As the time gets closer to our Fall 2009 release date, I get more excited! Our wonderful editor Connie Troyer has been working diligently to make sure it's as good as it can be.
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