thankful

On this day ten years ago, an email changed my life. Late that night before I powered down my laptop, I checked my email. I’d rather get a late night query rejection than one first thing in the morning. A lesson learned from experience—although both suck.

Well, after sending out over a hundred queries, multiple first-ten pages, and a fistful of the manuscript, 48fourteen Publishing offered me a contract for Chemical Attraction. I couldn’t believe it. I had to print and reread it to be sure. My squeal woke my husband and freaked out our dog. Thank you, Juanita Samborski.

Six months later, I officially became a published author. And since then, I’ve created eleven novels (eight published), three audiobooks, four screenplays, and a stageplay. I’ve come a long way, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Cheers to 2022!

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR’S PAGE to learn more about my novels.

Gratitude box

As a writer, I work hard to focus on the positive aspects and less on the frustrations. It can be daunting. To be more aware of the great things going on in my life, I have a gratitude box on my desk. I started it two years ago. At least once a day, I write on a post-it note something I’m grateful for and then I stick it in the box.

For example, I’m thankful to my husband for surprising me with takeout after I’ve written past my cutoff time, to readers for buying my books that day, to my adult children for sending me a random text out of the blue. Some days are harder than others, and I become grateful there was enough toilet paper on the roll or there weren’t any bills in that day’s mail. These acknowledgements lift my spirit and keep me writing.

What are you grateful for today?