Reading

To say that I enjoy reading is an understatement. Below are the eight physical books that I am currently reading. I have a NKJV study Bible ordered as well to add to my NIV, NLT, KJV and Amplified Bible studies. There are a few other companion books to the Great Prayers of the Bible that I will eventually read as well.  I am also reading a fiction book called Wake in Winter on my Kindle. Three or four other digital fiction books are in my carousel waiting to be read.

Reading prompts questions that inspire my writing. But reading also takes a lot of my time so that writing is delayed. I like to make sure things like datelines are correct and that I'm writing something different than what others have written before me. This, of course, involves more reading and research. Even while I'm enjoying a fiction book, I make mental notes of what made it fun to read and what made it similar to all other books or what seemed totally unnecessary. I want to try to avoid those last two!

Thanks for dropping by to read my latest updates today! May and June will be very busy, so please excuse my absence during the next couple of months.

Thanks for visiting,
Patricia

Researching and Prepping

Well, I have decided to continue writing the non-fiction book in which I had hoped to actually slyly work the information into a fiction piece I'm also writing. As you may remember, I had wanted to cheat by combining the two. But I would have to omit much of the useful information from the fiction book. So, as a writer, I have changed my mind once again. Some of the information may still go into the fiction book. With further research, I can also have a separate non-fiction book for the topic. I will just have to make the time now to write both books. That's my update this week. I hope you're making better decisions than I am. Ü

Thanks for visiting,

Patricia

Springing Forward!

The cleaning and organizing I started at the first of the year are finally almost finished. I haven't had time to write anything but blog posts since I started, but I have had a lot of time to think during the process. Time spent on cleaning and organizing is never wasted especially if you use it to also organize your thoughts. I have actually decided to combine ideas for two of my books into one book. I was at a complete stand-still on one of those books, but I really want to get the idea out there. After weeks and weeks of cleaning, I have come up with some great ways to incorporate those ideas into another book that I started working on before Thanksgiving last year.

So, if you have a couple of great ideas for books but one isn't coming together the way you want it to, can you think of a way to use both ideas in one book? If not, maybe you need to spend a few weeks cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing around the house.

Thanks for visiting,
Patricia

Happy New Year!

Wow! I know I'm only 18 days late with my wishes. But it has been an exhausting year so far. I've been finding it difficult to stick to my bi-weekly posting schedule since Thanksgiving. And my New Year resolution to get six books written this year is going to make it more difficult to adhere to my bi-weekly schedule. But I wanted to let you know that I am still here and I will be posting as frequently as I can with news of some sort - either book updates, publishing or tips that I think of as I go along that may help you stay on track with your writing or any other writing tip that I find  helps me. So far, I'm struggling with the first book. I started it almost two years ago. It's the oldest one, so it has to be the first one finished. Anyway, as something comes up I will briefly drop by and post updates. I hope all of you have a wonderful year and that your writing will flourish as much as I hope mine will.

Thanks for visiting,

Patricia

Last Day for Souls not Sales Book Promotion

Hi Ladies! Tell your friends that today is the final day to download Women Making Time for God https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O99UC3S  FREE during my Souls not Sales Christmas Promotion. Download it while it's free and read at your convenience on your Kindle tablet, Fire tablet or on any other device with the kindle app. After reading it, I would greatly appreciate your reviews when you have a spare couple of minutes.

Thanks for visiting,

Patricia

Finding Beauty on a Dark Winter Day

Winter officially begins December 21 on the calendar, but the thermometer is telling a different story. A dark winter day, at first glance, looks a little bland. Many people avoid looking outside and outdoor activities altogether during the winter, because they think there is no beauty in this sleeping season. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But not me. On the contrary, I think winter is breathtaking when you take time to pay attention.

I love a dark winter day, especially in December. The Christmas lights twinkle a little brighter and remind me of that glorious day over 2000 years ago when a child was born that would become our savior.

Many birds don't migrate. So, set out a birdfeeder to feed them and bring some color and life to your backyard throughout the entire winter.

Watch for snow. Who doesn't love a fresh blanket of snow? It doesn't take but a thin layer to make us smile. And watching the snowflakes dance around as they fall to the ground is mesmerizing.

Have you ever seen a frozen fog? Oh! That is something to behold. Watch for that on mornings that are below freezing.

The cool air is quite refreshing. Be sure to step outside or open a window for just a few minutes to breathe in the winter air. It's like peppermint for the brain.

If you're bored or depressed, find ways to bring life or positivity to your dark winter days. If nothing else, dark winter days are a great way to catch up on cleaning, WRITING, reading, structured thinking and research as well as to have more family time. Bring out the board games or rent some movies and enjoy your family. Relax! God has given us this awesome season to unwind and be less stressful. And who knows? A great novel idea may come out of all this before spring arrives. And spring will arrive shortly, so don't waste a precious moment.

Thanks for visiting,
Patricia

Ready for Inspiration at all Times

Whether you're getting ready for bed, cleaning house or buying groceries, keep pencil and paper or voice recorder (think phone app) handy for any writing ideas that may come to you. Perhaps it's a brand new story idea or an idea for the next chapter in your current book. Ideas come at the strangest times - when you wake at 2:00 a.m., while you're reaching for the milk at the grocery store or dusting the furniture. By keeping your writing tools readily available, you can record your idea and go back to sleep or finish the chore. Nothing is more irritating that losing a great idea - or a good night's sleep - because you don't have your preferred recording material(s) with you.

Thanks for visiting,
Patricia