I’ve been sort of busy lately. I could use that as an excuse for my break from updating the blog, but I wasn’t so busy I couldn’t write. It just seemed like what I was doing wasn’t very interesting. Why bore you with my mundane details?

Then I stopped to look at everything I’ve done, and everywhere I’ve been since my last post.

I’ve traveled:

In the last few months I’ve visited the great states of Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Louisiana. I’ve spent time in small towns and bigger cities. I’ve flown on airplanes, and put some long miles on my car. All that travel brought beautiful sunsets, stunning scenery and a chance to see new things. There’s nothing boring about that.

I’ve had fun:

I’ve hiked, one of my favorite things to do, and explored in towns and countryside. I walked a 5k with family. I’ve sampled some amazing nightlife. Best of all, I held my newest nephew and fell in love with his adorable tiny face. There is nothing better than that, or more exciting.

I returned to the past:

Part of my travel was to complete a training project for my former employer. It was a challenge to jump in full-speed at a job I hadn’t thought about in over a year, and alarmingly easy at the same time. Some things you don’t forget. What I learned was that, despite my lingering proficiency, leaving that career was the right move. That kind of self-discovery is  never dull.

I’m moving forward:

All those travels introduced me to my new home. I’m moving both figuratively and literally. My new abode is almost ready for me and I’ll be relocating to a place that will inspire and nurture my creativity. That might be the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.

So, upon reflection, maybe I was wrong. For a boring girl, I’ve been doing and learning some interesting things.

This path I’m traveling to “New and Different” took me to Arizona. I’ve spent most of the month of February at the world wholesale convention for gems and minerals. I knew going in it would bring me what I was looking for. This was something different—something I’d never known before, or even known existed.

My time at the show was spent working for a distributor of sea life. They sell coral, shells and other “sea things” to retail shell shops, collectors and interior decorators. If you’ve been at the beach and purchased a shell to remember the trip, it probably came from Tideline.

So, there I was, in the Arizona desert surrounded by coral. For three weeks I could smell the ocean. Of course, there wasn’t a drop of saltwater to be found, but I was ok with that. That small room was filled with beautiful and interesting things. To my delight there were new things to learn.

For instance: Did you know there are 18,000 different species of starfish?

Yeah, me either.

I knew what a starfish was, of course, but I’d never really considered how many different versions of them were out there. But, in that little hotel room—turned shell shop, I discovered all kinds of them. They come in different sizes and colors. 

Some are thick and some thin. 

We had one that looked like he was dancing. 

And another that looked like he was bowlegged. 

(I’m not certain why I considered them all to be male, but I did. I blame Sponge Bob.)

They were fascinating. And they were different. And so was my experience—which is exactly what I was looking for.

I learned about starfish while I was in the desert. How many people can say that?

So my first steps on this new venture were a success. I’ve done something I never considered doing before. I learned something. I enjoyed every minute of it. And, I’m ready for the next adventure.

This week I’m at the beach. Wonder if I’ll see any starfish?

I haven’t updated here in some time. I apologize for that. It’s not that I have nothing to share, but rather that I’ve been trying to decide what it is I have to share. I’m determined to make a change, to start something new, and I’ve been searching for exactly what that was going to be.

The universe seems to know it. This was my fortune cookie recently.

“You are given the chance to take part in an exciting adventure.”

So what have I decided? What is the big adventure?

I don’t know exactly, which, of course, is the reason it’s such a grand adventure. But, there are some things I know for sure: I’m going to spend the next year seeing what is out there. I’m going to travel to new places. I’m going to change my routine. I’m going to try new things and explore the unknown.

I’m going to follow the Moore family into their future and I’m going to write something completely different.

My first step on this new path is already taken. I’m in route to a three-week adventure at a place I’ve never been and doing something I’ve never done. I’m sure that will generate some thoughts I’ll want to share. So, expect more frequent updates as I share the adventure, whatever it is.

Artwork for the Prodigy cover is done. What do you think?

We are very close to a release. Start spreading the word. Prodigy: Book 3 of the Moore Family Series should be available at your ebook retailer very soon!

My dad drives a truck.

It wasn’t his dream job, but it was a good job. With 4 kids a good job was important. When your family is growing, you do what you need to do, and so my dad became a truck driver.

One thing about my dad, if he’s going to do something, he’s going to do it the right way. No shortcuts, no easy outs, just hard work and dedication to doing the job the way it should be done. There’s not a lot of glory in making a delivery on time, or keeping your fuel mileage as high as a big rig allows, or avoiding traffic tickets, but there is satisfaction in knowing you did your best.

But, this week there was a little recognition.

On Saturday, my dad turned over his 3 millionth mile accident free. 3,000,000. That’s a lot of driving, a lot of backing up to docks and a lot of maneuvering through parking lots. That’s 26 years of avoiding the other guys’ mistakes.

I’ve been driving (about) 26 years and I can’t make that claim. And I’m only driving a 4-door sedan.

My dad’s been providing this lesson my whole life, but with this kind of milestone it seems important to stop and acknowledge it. Do the job the right way. Keep doing it. Eventually, something will happen to make others say wow, look at that.

Wow 3,000,000.

Moments ago I took a deep breath and clicked SEND.

Prodigy: Book 3 of the Moore Family Series is now in the hands of my editor.

It’s still a frightening prospect to click that button. I’ve worked and reworked the story for months. I reread it today just for one more check. I know it’s a good story. I am comfortable with my editor. I trust her to catch the mechanics that I often ignore. I have confidence that she will make suggestions that will improve my words while keeping my intent and voice. I have no doubt that together we will turn out a great story.

And still, clicking that button makes my heart race.

There are a lot of ups and downs in the writing process, the spark of a new idea, the pain of a harsh review, the high of watching your sales numbers climb. Actually pushing the story out of the nest and flying it off to the editor is an important one—thrilling and terrifying all at the same time.

I’m eager to see what my editor makes of the story. How about you?

Nancy Roberts has posted a new review of LOVE & GENIUS on her blog, When In Doubt Read!

It’s a generally positive review, and I’m happy about that. It’s also an honest review, and she doesn’t hesitate to point out the few things that didn’t work for her. That constructive criticism is appreciated too.

Being a writer means having thick skin. You must be able to take the good and the bad. Not all readers will like your work. Rejection and criticism go hand in hand with praise and if you can’t accept both the wins and the losses, you might as well get out of the game. But, like any athlete, if you can take those losses and learn from them, you will be a better performer.

The problems Nancy found with LOVE & GENIUS weren’t major issues. She caught a few typos or word choices the editor and I missed. And she might have done a few things differently. But, overall she liked it, she plans to read the rest of the series, and she’s recommending it to her friends and readers.

And that is what I appreciate the most. She enjoyed it and she’s going to tell a friend.

Read Nancy’s review here.

My thanks to Susan Leigh Noble for interviewing me today She gave I’m Ready a feature spot and let me talk about the upcoming release of Prodigy.

We also talked about my writing habits, what motivates me, and a few other fun tidbits.

Such interviews are a great way to publicize my books and give me an opportunity to connect with new readers. Follow the link to read my interview.Then take a moment to look around on Susan’s blog. She has some great posts on publishing, recipes, parenting, and more.

If you like it tell a friend. And don’t forget to tell everyone about The Moore Family Series.

I’ve been watching the results of the reader survey and I’m fascinated! Getting a real look at who my readers are is wonderful. I was already so very grateful for your readership, and now I feel like I know who to thank.

Before I share a few observations about what a fantastic group you are, I want to thank each of you who took the time to respond. You didn’t have to do so, but you responded to my request and I am truly thankful.

So who are you awesome people?

So far it’s a diverse crowd. Responses show you on 3 continents, in 4 different countries and in cities all over the US.

You are younger than I thought! By far the most common age range is 19-25. The second most popular answer is over 50, but there are responses in every range, so again we are a diverse group.

Turns out my readers are mostly females. That answer didn’t surprise me. But, I am happy to report that there are some male readers among you. Thanks guys!

I’m learning so much about you. Learning how you spend your free time, what interests you and what you like means I know for whom I’m writing. When I know that, I have a better shot at finding others like you who might enjoy these stories of mine. With each new reader, I gain not only sales, but a chance to connect and share. And that’s really what I want to do.

So one more time, thank you for responding.

And if you HAVEN’T yet taken my reader survey…what are you waiting for? Join your fellow readers and tell me all about yourself. It would mean the world to me.

Here’s the link again. Come on…click it. Reader Survey

I’m Ready (A Moore Family Moment#1) is now available at Amazon and for the next 5 days it is free.

Here’s the official description:

Joe and Kathryn found their happily ending. But, two years into their relationship there is still one final hurdle to overcome. Can there be a fairytale ending when two people are so different? For Joe the answer has always been yes. Kathryn’s scarred heart needs more time before she can say she truly believes in happily ever after.

Join them as they take the final steps toward becoming everything they are meant to be.

Readers of The Moore Family Series will enjoy this epilogue to LOVE & GENIUS. It’s a chance to drop in on old friends and share another adventure.

New readers are in for a wonderful introduction to the sweet and tender love this couple shares and the amazing family it has helped them build.

Don’t have a Kindle? Download the FREE Kindle for PC or Kindle for Mac app and read it on your computer.

This short story is my way of thanking you. Thanks for buying the first two books. Thanks for clamoring to know when the third will be released (just a few months more). Thanks for loving these characters as much as I do.

And if you want to thank me… go back to Amazon and leave a review.

I hope you enjoy your gift. Here’s a link to take you right to it: I’m Ready