My 2015 Goals

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If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I seriously fell down on keeping up with my 2014 goals. I love participating in the goal tracking though, so thought I should set up a few new ones for 2015 (or at least modify the existing ones). So here goes....

1. Write books 3 & 4 in my Klondike Mystery series.
   I really hope to get motivated and get these written!
   
2. Write at least one novella in the new A Set of Rules Mystery Series
   This new character has been talking to me for almost four months. My thought is to have shorter stories rather than full length novels. These should be a fun, quirky read!
    
3. Continue with the monthly newsletter
   Now that I'm slowly building up my subscriber list, I need to keep this on time and interesting.
    
4. Continue my Monday Motivation posts
   Folks seem to enjoy these and I enjoy writing them, so I will continue!

We will see where #1 and #2 stand in another 30 days. Wish me luck!

Motivation Monday: The Future

Another new year approaches, an unseen future ahead. Will it be better than the previous years? In some ways. Will it be worse than previous years? Probably, at some time.

All we can do is resolve to make the most out of our time here...

Wishing all my readers....

Happy Holidays

no matter what you celebrate!

Motivation Monday: Family

I have learned over the years that family isn't always those who you are related to, they often are the people you meet through the years. Those who stand beside you no matter how deep the puddle.

New series coming next year?

I am getting excited about writing the first book in a new cozy mystery series. Born Aurelia Ruhls, orphaned at age 3, she left the foster system at age 16 and changed her name to Lia Rules.

Street smart, she has "fallen" into a career as a Private Investigator/Bounty Hunter. Her flaming red hair, black Ninja 250 motorcycle, black jeans and thigh high boots make her a highly recognizable personality in the PI world.

This series will be a bit quirkier with more humor and I hope it will be a fun write AND read. They won't be long books...well, I don't anticipate them being long. ;)

On my Facebook author page, I requested some suggestions for book titles using common phrases including the world RULES. I got some great suggestions, in fact more than I can ever use. Here are just a few:

• Changing the Rules
• Rules of Engagement
• House Rules
• Broken Rules
• Playing by the Rules
• Follow the Rules

I'm sure you can think of a lot more, feel free to drop a comment with your suggestions. I also need the name of a fictional town in Wyoming. My other books have been set in real places, sometimes with a fictional name. This time around I'm giving myself a little more leeway.

So, if you have any suggestions for fun, whimsical, quirky town names - please drop a comment! I greatly appreciate it.

Last note for the day, I've reactivated my Tumblr page and will post from time to time there. I hope you will follow me there. While I will share these blog posts from time to time, I will also share photos and personal thoughts that you won't see here (or in my newsletter).

I am also giving a new social media outlet a try, tsū. You can find me here. If you have ever used Google+ but were frustrated with the complexity then this might work better for you. Hope you'll stop by!

Motivation Monday: Attitude ~ Humor

We all face difficult situations from time to time. We're stressed, short on time, pulled in many directions and tired. Who can blame us for being short-tempered?

But realistically, that solves nothing and gains us even less. Try taking a deep breath, look around you and find the humor in the situation. Most of the time there is something to laugh about.

I realize there are situations where this won't work - family illness, death, loss of a job. Then take time to watch some funny movies or silly videos. Ask your friends to share something funny. I promise, it will help a bit. ;)

Motivation Monday: Friends

True friendship is something to be treasured. I have had many acquaintances over the years but only a few close friends. Those folks that you can not see or talk to for years, then meet up and continue as though you had just seen each other.

What about you? What are your experiences with friends and acquaintances?

#IWSG for December: Hopeful

Can you believe it's time for a new IWSG post? Here in Ecuador summer is starting, the weather is beautiful and I'm enjoying every minute.

Although I'm on an hiatus from writing, the theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is HOPEFUL.

I resigned from NaNo last month when I realized that my writing was going nowhere. If I were a full-time writer who depended on the income, I would have plowed through and hopefully gotten past the blockage.

But I'm not. I'm retired, living in a foreign country, trying to learn a new language and it all became too much. I know I will write again. I hope my readers will still be waiting when I finally tackle book three in my Klondike Mystery series. I hope I can find new readers (and keep the old ones) when I take a step on the wild side and try some novellas featuring a new character. But regardless, I will write again.

Yes, I am hopeful....

Motivation Monday: Smiles are Universal

I now live in a country where I don't know the language. I have learned a few words, I know how to greet people properly but I rarely understand what is said in a conversation. But I have learned the above truth - a smile will take you a million miles and make many friends. Try it!

2014 Goals: November 30th Update

Congratulations to the NaNoWriMo winners!! Although the official deadline is midnight tonight, many of my friends participating in the National Novel Writing Month have already written their 50k words and are now WINNERS!! Way to go to them and good luck to those hoping to hit that goal today.

Well, it's time to check on my goals for this year. Sigh...

1) Book 3 & 4 of the Klondike Mystery series
Not going to happen - definitely moved to 2015. Apologies to my readers but I was really struggling and finding it difficult to find motivation to write a blog post.

2) 7 Days of Seven: Short Story Snacks
Removing from my list. Haven't sold the first short in months.

3) Monthly Newsletter
Staying on track here, for the most part. Pretty short lately and not getting new subscribers. That will be a goal for 2015.

4) Monday Motivation Posts
This seems to be going over well and I enjoy doing them so they will continue.

I won't be logging progress in December, instead I will try to set 2015 goals. The good news is I have a great idea for some fun novellas with a kick-ass female lead!

Motivation Monday: Change

I know I'm a day late AND I missed last week but I've been a bit under the weather. Hopefully I'm back on track and with the news from Ferguson, MO I felt this quote was apropos.

Hiatus from Writing....

After a lot of internal discussion, I have decided to take what I hope is a temporary hiatus from writing. Writing should be fun and lately it has seemed to be a chore.

I need to find the balance again, but right now there are so many things to do and experience here in Ecuador. Things that I have been passing up to keep writing.

I have dropped out of NaNoWriMo. I will still blog from time to time, I especially like doing the Monday Motivation posts for others to enjoy. I may dabble in some flash fiction again.

But for now...novel writing is on hold. I hope my readers understand. I appreciate you all.

Veteran's Day 2014 - USA

THANK YOU to ALL who served, serve or will serve!

Motivation Monday: Experiences

[BrainyQuote.com]

Part of the secret to this quote is finding true friendships, those that will go the distance with you. Some you may find early in life. Others come along the way. For me the joy has been in finding some late in my life, when I least expected it. I suspect that is due to knowing what is and isn't important in my life.

#IWSG for November: Writing, writing, writing

Where did the summer go? I'm astounded that another month has passed and it's time for a new IWSG post.

My calendar for November is locked in so the theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is WRITING, WRITING, WRITING. [snerk]

I've signed up for NaNoWriMo again! For those that don't know, that is National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.

I participated twice in 2012 - during August for Camp NaNoWriMo and again in November. My first two novels had most of their first drafts during those months.

So in an attempt to FINALLY get book three in my Klondike Mystery Series, "Almost a Touch", I've signed up this year. My goal is to write a minimum of 2500 words on twenty of the thirty days. You can watch my progress bar in the blog sidebar to see how well I am doing.

In addition, my plan is to walk to a local cafe/restaurant that has wifi to do my writing. I find I have too many distractions when at home, plus this will help me get some exercise into each day.

So, email replies may be delayed; Twitter and Facebook will fall to the background; NaNo and my hubby will be my first priorities while I WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

National Novel Writing Month - 2014 #NaNo

I'm afraid my blogging will be light this month because I am doing NaNoWriMo again. My first year was 2012 and I did both Camp NaNo and regular NaNo (August & November). The result? Two books eventually published. I missed doing 2013 because of travel and moving to Ecuador.

It's time to get book three in my Klondike Mystery series written and this will give me the push I need to get started. "Almost a Touch" starts at the same time as the events in book two, "Barely a Spark", and then continues. Several of the characters from Klondike, PA are included but the main setting is in Kalispell, MT.

NaNo starts on November first and to be a winner you have to have written 50k words by the end of the month. I finally got started yesterday and have a whole 1250 words written, won't get much done this week due to seeing friends but by this weekend, I should be BIC HOK TAM (Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard, Typing Away Madly).

So, please continue to drop in from time to time to see my Monday Motivation posts (here is the latest) as well as check on my progress using the sidebar widget for NaNo.

Oh, and if you haven't read any of my Klondike Mysteries, maybe it's time to try book one, "Not a Whisper" - currently the price is reduced to just $2.99!

Motivation Monday: Freedom of Attitude

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Freedom is a powerful word and freedom is something not everyone around the world can enjoy. But we do have freedom of choosing how we face our situations, even those we can't control. Remember that the next time you feel out of control - there are still some things you can control!

Motivation Monday: Alive

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Having been widowed years before I expected, I know there are no promises about tomorrow. It is truly a privilege to wake up and face the day, both good and bad days.

Motivation Monday: Reality

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One thing we love about living in Ecuador is the simplicity, it allows us to enjoy the things around us. As baby boomers, it reminds us of growing up in the 50's in the US.

Technology is a wonderful thing in many ways but it also has complicated life - we are constantly surrounded with a barrage of news and information, both good and bad.

Stop and remember to savor the now...

My name is Donna and I'm an Introvert

Even though authors need to be "ON" a lot of the time, I've found that many of us are actually introverts. We need our alone time to recoup from dealing with too many people around us.

It sounds strange, I can write in a busy cafe/restaurant, but after any gathering of more then 6-8 people at a time, I need my downtime. I call it people overload.

Growing up I was painfully shy and I didn't grow out of that until my early 30's. Then a corporate career taught me how to smile and mingle, although I still hate small talk and don't think I'm very good at it. Although I admit, living in Ecuador helps - perfect conversation starter.

A writing friend recently posted a funny t-shirt on Facebook and when I went to the company's website, I found several more. Know anyone who might enjoy these? The first one is the one I want!! PS. They have the sayings on tote bags, pillows and more, not just shirts.

Buy It

Buy It

Of course ALL writers should have this one!

Buy It

Motivation Monday: Hypocrisy

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So many times the words don't match the deeds...hypocrisy. This is something that irks me to no end. If our good deeds matched our "good" words, the world would be a much better place.

What are your thoughts on those who say one thing but act the opposite?

New books and Free books!

It's time for me to pimp some friends' books, so here goes!

NEW RELEASE:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Apple

FREE BOOKS (limited time):

Amazon

Amazon

Be sure to tell your family and friends - you can even share my blog! ;)