Storyteller's Journey

Thanksgiving Weekend

It's always fulfilling to take some time to blog about what I'm grateful for; Thanksgiving Weekend is always a good time to reflect on my blessings.

In the past few years, I've mentioned the big blessings of recovering from cancer, as well as the arrival of our first grandchild, Adeline Joy. Those events continue to bring me deep gratitude. Family and friends are always the biggest source of gratitude for me.

However, since our lives have settled into a new normal, I've had time to reflect on other things I'm grateful for...little things. Many years ago, I learned about the concept of hygge. A speaker at a writers' conference shared how it had impacted her life. I was intrigued. Then, a few years ago, my son Kevin gave me a little book about the Danish concept. If you're not familiar with the word, here is the definition:

Hygge: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.

Since we moved out to our rural home four years ago, I've found that our lives have slowed down. It's been wonderful. We now watch less television, enjoy nature more, and have additional time to create our art. Then too, little things like enjoying a warm fire, wearing cozy socks, watching a candle burning, sipping a special coffee drink, or reading a good book, are activities that I appreciate much more than I once did. These are all things that for me bring a sense of hygge to my life. 

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Enjoy your blessings, both big and small.

Storyteller's Journey

Author Spotlight...on me!

Last week I mentioned that our local newspaper, The Columbian, was featuring me and my husband in articles entitled Local Author and Local Artist. Here is the article focusing on me. I so appreciate my friend, Kevin Weaver, for connecting me with this opportunity!

Click here to read a digital copy of the article in the insert the Clark County Compass of The Columbian. (I'm on page #24.)

Storyteller's Journey

My Author Marketing

To be honest, marketing my books is my least favorite thing about being an author. I've said multiple times, "I'd rather write my stories than push them!" Consequently, the scope of reaching my intended reader audience has been quite limited.

So, when our local newspaper, The Columbian, contacted me I was elated! They were interested in writing an article about me, and another one about my artist husband, Michael Lindstrom. They also mentioned that including an advertisement near the article might help readers find my books. Since I've done so little marketing in the last few years, I agreed. The above ad. is one that the newspaper created for me. It will be included in The Columbian this weekend, as well as the article. 

My plan is to include the article here on Writ of Whimsy next week!

Storyteller's Journey

NaNoWriMo Memories

The National Novel Writing Month is not for the faint of heart. Each November writers attempt to pen 50,000 words in thirty days. My first attempt was in 2011, thankfully I was successful!

After 2011, I didn't participate in NaNowriMo again until 2019.  Again, I was successful; having an actual outline for a novel was key for me. It took all of my focus once again; I skipped most of my normal activities until Thanksgiving that year.

By 2020, I had a system that worked well for me. I not only worked off of an outline, but each day I wrote 2,000 words - which worked out to about 25 days to reach my goal. That year I'd written 50,000 words by Thanksgiving and could really enjoy the holiday.

I've not participated in NaNoWriMo since 2020. I haven't needed to; the writing muscles it took to complete the challenge have now become part of me. I've continued a similar system of writing each day, with the exception that I take weekends off.

I'll always be grateful for the lessons I learned during those challenging days. For anyone participating in NaNoWriMo this year, hats off to you! Keep going, even if you miss a day or don't reach your intended word count. You're building your writer's muscle. Like forming any habit, it takes discipline and perseverance. In the last fourteen years I've had six children's books published. I know I couldn't have accomplished that without the discipline I developed during NaNoWriMo!

Storyteller's Journey

Happy Halloween!

While Halloween can conjure images of scary movies, creepy costumes, and trick or treating, for me, it's all about the magic of the season.

When I say magic, I mean mysterious forests, mystical creatures, and unexplained paranormal phenomena. Just the sort of things that an author of fantasy stories finds so rewarding, and enjoyable, to write!

So, whatever Halloween means to you, make it spooktacular! 👻

Storyteller's Journey

Update on Livvi Biddle!

Since returning from a September road trip, I've made great progress on The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, specifically, Book 3: A Vigil in Venice. My goal is to complete the first draft of my manuscript before Thanksgiving. 

If all goes well, I'll read the manuscript over the holidays and spend January and February revising and editing. 

I'm also currently brainstorming with my artist husband, Michael Lindstrom, as to the subject manner for the cover image. Stay tuned for more information and an early sneak peek of the cover artwork!

Storyteller's Journey

Autumn is in the Air!

Earlier this week, we were lucky enough to have incredibly sunny weather. Since rain was in the forecast for the foreseeable future, I made the time to get out and enjoy it. As I've mentioned many times before, spending time out in Nature is one of the main ways I receive inspiration for my writing. It was wonderful to savor the lovely autumn weather!

The Common Area we share with our neighbors is just a short walk away from our property. The thirty-acre wood (as I call it), boasts two ponds. This one is my favorite of the two.

A short distance past the pond, is a tributary of Salmon Creek. I was expecting the water level to be higher; it's a reflection of how little rain we've received this year.

This is one of our neighbor's horses. Technically, our community is an equine neighborhood. When we moved in, a few folks asked us if we own horses. My husband said, "no, but I paint them." 😅

Spending time in Nature was the perfect way to get my juices going. When I returned home, I had a highly productive afternoon of writing. If you get the chance, take a walk outside this autumn!