Have you ever seen, Funny Farm? It stars Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith and was released in 1988.
Basically, it is about a couple who moves to "the country" so that the husband can write a novel. They have a variety of strange events that occur and make them second guess their decision of moving from the city to the country. The move pushes them apart and then ultimately pulls them back together.
I said all this to say, that for some odd reason, this movie encourages me as a writer. I'm sure we all have certain music, movies, and books that encourage us to do what we do and this is my movie of encouragement.
One of my friends on Instagram proposed a question yesterday, "What songs do you listen to when you write?" To her question, I responded that I will often have, Funny Farm playing in the background, but I prefer to write in silence.
Now it is out...I'm apparently a quirky writer. But aren't we all?
You may be wondering right now... What is the purpose of this post? And to you I say... I have no idea!
Oh, if only I could find time to write. You can!
How do you find time to write books? I make time. I schedule it in.
You must have a lot of free time if you have written three books. I do not have tons of free time on my hands.
You must not be married or have children if you are an author. I am married and have two children.
How in the world can one stay on task when writing? I’ll give you a tip: Tell people what you are doing!
Tell people you trust. Share with those who will encourage you and not hold you back. Tell them that you are writing a book. Make a blog and blog about the process. Post it on Facebook. Just get the word out. By telling people what you are doing, you will be encouraged to keep going and to finish your project. You may even be able to pick up helpful tips along the way. People know people and you never know what types of doors will open for you by sharing your project.
How will telling others keep me accountable?
Eventually, after hearing about your project enough, people will begin to ask you how it is coming along. They will begin to encourage you to keep going and they will tell you how much you encourage them with your entrepreneurial spirit! The interest that others will take in your project will encourage you, keep you accountable and help you find your way to completion.
I am a member of the Raleigh, NC Bloggers group. Today was my second time attending. Three weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending for the first time. This group is amazing. It is filled with smart, kind individuals who love to share their knowledge.
Today, we had a speaker who talked about self-publishing. It was informative and helpful. I took about a page and a half of notes and came home and immediately applied a couple of things to this blog and my website. www.deannamartinezbey.com
We met at a local private school and today, I took a few pictures of the pristine campus to share. Enjoy the pictures from today's meetup...
1995 is bound to be a very exciting year for Morgan Evans. One night at a crowded party she heads outside for solitude, but she will not be alone for long. Frederick Rhoades, lead singer of a world famous New Jersey band sits beside her. A chance meeting brought on by her need to get away from people leads to her finding the one person she always wants to be with.
Morgan meets Frederick under an overgrown lilac tree. The purple lilac symbolizes the first emotions of love. Will the fate of such a random meeting turn into everlasting love, or will they become star-crossed lovers? New adventures and heartbreaking situations await Morgan as fantasy becomes reality, but will it be the reality she craves? The difficult decisions she makes trying to stay true to herself will test her in ways she never knew she could be tested.
Let me begin by saying that I, myself, am a Jersey girl...Born and raised. Lilac Sand takes place in Jersey and that in itself made me want to read this book!
Lilac Sand is a love story. For me, it was a different kind of love story than I am used to reading. But, even with its dark undertones, I was completely sucked in! I do not want to say too much and give away any secrets that this book holds, but I will say.... Buy it, buy it, buy it!
The way that Tara writes speaks to me. Her writing makes me feel as if I am going through the emotional roller coaster with Morgan. I feel her joy, her desires, her sadness and her conflict right along with her. Bravo, Tara on a well written and constructed novel!
I am not one to throw out random book reviews for the hell of it. I was not paid to read this book or write this review. I have chosen to do it on my own free will because I truly enjoyed this novel.
I heard that March was a great month to visit Colorado because they tend to get a lot of snow...This proved true for me.
For four days, I took in the most breathtaking views I have ever laid my eyes upon. Everywhere I looked I saw something beautiful. From snow covered mountains to the bright sunlight bursting through the clouds.
I could easily live in such an amazing state. The clean, crisp, cold air proved good for my health and I felt fantastic while I was there. No daily migraines, no fibromyalgia pain. Colorado was good to me.
I had two full days to write novel number 4! I was just shy of my 10,000 word goal. But, I am happy with the progress I made. I sat by a warm fireplace with a view of the snow capped mountains. Talk about inspiration!
I have included a couple pictures from my trip. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Happy Sunday to you! And the answer is....YES! I am still writing books. I have started on a new endeavor...a novella series! I am super excited about this project too.
You may remember me blogging about going to the Write Now conference last year in Raleigh, NC. I am excited to say that I have registered to go again this year!
If you are interested in attending, click here: Triangle Area Freelancers: Write Now Conference (April 28, 2018)
You may also remember me blogging about author: Tara Jenkinson Cignarella and her books: Lilac Sand and Flutter. Well.... we have become close friends and she will be flying down to NC and attending the conference with me! I am SUPER excited!
Let me preface the following book trailer by stating that my publisher must live within my head! She hit the nail SQUARE on its head with this one! I LOVE the way it has turned out.
Please take a brief look at what Stephanie's story (our domestic violence survivor) has to tell...
Stephanie
had been held hostage in an abusive marriage for nearly twelve years. She was
manipulated, controlled and abused by her mentally unstable husband. The last
physical altercation drove Stephanie to begin a new life, alone, just her and
her ten-year-old son, Ray.
Stephanie
made an exit plan. She would find a new school for Ray, a full-time job and a place
to live and just when she thought that life would be calm and peaceful, her
monster of a husband, soon to be ex-husband would rear his ugly head.
Stephanie
winds up meeting a new friend through work. As time passes, they find that they
are developing feelings for one another. After the divorce is final her
ex-husband stirs up trouble yet again.
Would
Stephanie and her new friend become an item or would all the trouble from her
ex-monster have him packing his bags and running? Would Stephanie finally be
awarded full custody of her son or would her ex sabotage that from ever
happening?
Hot Cocoa, Green Tea, And the Man Who
Sweetened My Heart, is a compelling story of love, fear, hatred and
self-transformation with a touch of humor, intimacy and a hint of the
paranormal.
Deanna
has always aspired to be a writer. She started writing poetry and short stories
and the young age of seven.
Born in New
Jersey, Deanna currently lives in a suburb of
Raleigh, North
Carolina. She says. “I will always be a Jersey girl at
heart.” Which is why she came up with her own recipe for, New Jersey coffee cake, that she
shares at the end of this book. She has had several of her original recipes
published over the years. They have been featured in publications such as:
Taste of Home Magazine, Taste of Home “Best Of” cookbooks, Gooseberry Patch
cookbooks, local magazines and Women’s Day online, to name a few.
We are officially in October now and the leaves are starting to fall. Cool mornings are a welcome treat as are the pumpkin spice offerings being sold in stores.
I decided to host my photo shoot for the back cover of my new book, OUTSIDE this time. I do not regret this decision!
Check out what I have to say about the photo shoot and a few added bits about the next book in the making...
PS...the picture you see is one of the photos taken during the photo shoot! (But, not the one chosen for the back cover.)
Happy Autumn! I am excited about cool weather and changing leaves! I am also excited to share that novel number three will be released before Christmas this year.
I have created a new video with more information...
Please take a few minutes to listen to me share about the new book and domestic violence. I have decided to share a piece of my heart with the world!
I am the Queen of organization. Often times it is helpful, like when I need to find something and at work, but to those who are not organized, I look like a freak of nature. I don't care though...I can find my stuff and they can't.
I mentioned in my previous post that I started a YouTube channel about life as an author. Well, you better believe I created a post about crafting your own, specialized personal planner.
Check out my video where I show and tell about planner I have tried before and why they didn't work for me...
Check out my snazzy socks...don't you love them? I have a new fascination with Instagram. I found a company called: HAPPY SOCKS and I am head over heals for their socks. I will share my pictures after I make my purchase!
As I mentioned, you can see my welcome video by following the link I posted to Diane's website. Here, I will share my second video about creating your own writing space as my new YouTube channel is about writing and life as an author...
I hope you enjoy what I have to share! Please like and subscribe to my channel so I know you are there! Thank you for your time and support...I appreciate each and every one who supports me and what I love.
For many years I often thought that because I enjoyed many different things, that made me different and not normal. What is normal, anyway? That question is loaded and sounds like an entirely different blog post.
I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that if I am not what this world considers, "normal" then I am one step ahead of the game when it comes to being happy and reaching my goals. Let me explain...
I enjoy writing, baking, cosmetology and personal training as well as being an administrative individual. I have always said, and I quote, "I don't like putting all of my eggs into one basket". I have noticed that so many people place all of their eggs into one basket when it comes to their income. Most people have one job that they depend on to pay the bills. Not me! I have three or four different avenues that bring income to our family. Know what? I love it this way!
For so many years I thought that something was wrong with me because I was not conforming to the standard, "normal" in this area. But, I am thankful now, for who I am and what I have chosen to do with my life.
Ultimately, my goal is to be a full time author. I will get there, but in the meantime I am having fun doing ALL of the things that I love.
Follow your heart and do you...no matter what the world may have to say about it.
I absolutely love Janine's thoughts and what she wrote about my book. What a humbling experience it has proven to be to be a published author. My readers make me successful and honest, professional bloggers like this help get the word out about my work.
Not only has Janine written a lovely review about my book, she also gave me a great rating on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads!
I am going to share a piece of my heart with you through this post. This is one area that has for many years been a struggle for me. I often find myself trusting people and then being deeply hurt by them within several years of forming the friendship...or what I thought was a friendship.
This past Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This man knew so much about creating peace in the world. He knew about love and strength, oh, and so much more. This quote gives me a chill every time I read it:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Imagine that. Light and Love can conquer all. Then, why don't we live that way? Why do these so called, "friends" leave us? Aren't friends supposed to be there for us and support us through the difficult times?
I am far from perfect. I make relational mistakes too. But, I can tell you this, if I have an issue with someone I consider a friend, I go to them. We talk about things and move forward. I do not ditch friends when I make new friends.
I understand that sometimes friendships are for a season, I am not speaking about those. I am referring to those solid friends, who stick with you through some storms of life...then, simply forget you. That. Hurts.
Am I going to hate those people who turned on me when life got tough? No.
Am I going to speak badly about those who forgot me? No.
Am I going to avoid "organizational" friendships in the future? No.
Am I going to harbor unforgiveness towards those who used me as a friend because it was convenient? No.
I will choose carefully.
Dr. King instructs us to love those who hate. To be the light in a place of darkness. And that is what I choose to do.
My goal is to figure out which friendships are true and nourish and grow them. My goal is to weed out and cut off hurtful, fake friendships. My goal is to continue to trust (although difficult) and make new, lifelong friendships that will stand the test of time in 2017.
Are you dreaming about writing a book or maybe two? Let me help you make that dream a reality! I have written several articles about writing that I would like to share with you.
As you read these articles, keep in mind that I would not suggest you do something that I do not do myself. These are tips and tricks I have learned along the way. Let's take a look:
2017 Is a great year to move forward with what you love!
Leave the old, stinky past behind and move forward into a bright, shiny new
year.
At the beginning of each new year, I enjoy writing about the
difference between resolutions and goals. Check out the difference. It may not
look like a big deal, but read on…
Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to
others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.
Goals: A plan we make to move forward towards a better life.
Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a
goal is a plan. A promise versus a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this
year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially,
physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps
towards your new future, your new life.
Focus on your dreams, write them down and then write a list
of doable steps so that you can bring them to life. Let’s not allow our dreams
to remain dreams. Let’s make them our reality for 2017!
Think on your goals. Meditate on them, see yourself living
the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will
build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day,
little by little, taking baby steps.
You can do this! 2017 is your year, it’s your book to write…so
write a best seller!
Last week, I posted a picture of my new writing space...in our new house, from my Instagram account (as you can see in the picture). I have been posting so many interviews, book reviews and other posts having to do with the release of, "When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!", that I haven't shared very much about me. Well, that is ALL this post is going to include...what is happening with ME!
Things are going well. We did move into a beautiful new home. I absolutely love it! We all do...even the dog. He is a 90 pound lab and having a considerably large amount of space to roam, stretch out and sleep has made him a happier pup.
I am working at a local gym as the manager as well as a personal trainer. I absolutely love where I work and who I am working for. In addition to my job responsibilities, my boss encourages me to work on my writing. How many people can say that? "Oh, yes, my boss encourages me to work on my personal business while I am at work", probably not very many.
Take a look at the writing within the frame in the picture above. Here, let me tell you what it says, "The writer is only free when he can tell the reader to go jump in the lake. You want of course to get what you have to say across to him, but whether he likes it or not is no concern of the writer. ~Flannery O'Connor
This is absolutely my favorite writing quote of all time. This lady knew something about being an author. She also knew something about living life. I have come to learn and accept that not everyone is going to like me. Not everyone is going to understand me. And you know what? That is OK. I am me. I like who I am and ultimately that is all that matters. It has taken me years to realize this and come to the point of, "not caring what other people think". People will continue to judge us and talk about us (good and bad). It's life. How we deal with it (or don't deal with it) is what will give us or take away our peace in life. Not sure why I shared all that, but I hope it helps someone!!!
Happy Thursday all!
Be who YOU want to be! Don't live a life that is pleasing to those around you and lose yourself in the process. Take it from me...been there, done that, not doing it again.
