Magic and Mayhem

Some days being a writer is nothing but frustration, disappointment, and the desire to chuck your writing life and go do something easier with your time. But then your heart reminds your head that if it was TOO easy, there'd be no satisfaction in doing it. It's the hard things we do that define our lives, as well as show us that words strung together in a specific manner, can have a far-reaching impact on the person reading those words.  So, on those frustrating, disappointing days, I let my head and heart each have a say in what I'm writing (or editing), and before I know it, I'm in the writing "zone" again, feeling refreshed and renewed.

And then there are those days when you get  an E-Mail from your publisher which reveals that your book is now part of a wonderful box set of other paranormal romance novels. They send you the cover of the box (which is awesome), and you feel that same euphoric high you felt when the book was first published on its own. Why? I think it's because your work is now part of a much bigger family. You are in tune with other writers who had frustrating, disappointing days, and rather than chucking it all, they let their whole being spur them on.

Having said that, take a peek at the cover of the box set that "The Kindred" is now a part of. Magic and Mayhem--uh, yes, an apt title for the novels bundled together. I am so proud to be part of this set of novels, and I'm so proud that seven other writers have become members of my "writing world".

Maine Vs. Florida

You may have noticed I've been away for a few weeks (you lucky devils). My sister and I visited friends in Maine where the leaves are turning the most beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. The climate was also beautiful and it made me realize that my life constantly centers around the theme of this blog--between two worlds. 

Maine is delightful, with the air pungent with the smell of pine, and the sun is less warm, or so it seems. Florida is delightful too, only not so much this summer as the humidity has been off the charts. Still, it was fun to hop a plane, and in less than six hours, be in a different environment entirely. 

I think that must be what it is like to move from the human world to the astral one, when our life here on earth is through. Our souls literally "fly" to another environment and enjoy the "scenery". I think that's what my novels always try to express to the reader--that the connection between the two worlds is not as far as it appears--or as frightening. After all, if I can hop a plane and be in Maine in six hours, surely my soul can be in the astral world in the blink of an eye.  It's something to think about, isn't it? 

I'm glad to be back home though. It's always great to visit other places, but when it gets down to the nitty-gritty, Dorothy from Kansas was right. "There's no place like home", "There's no place like home". Now, click your heels and make a wish. Voila! You're home.