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Wednesday Check-in
It’s been a long week. We’ve spent nearly every day working on some aspect of getting the house ready to put on the market. Our dear brother-in-law came by to help us put down new mulch in all the gardens–fun because the dang mulch was frozen! Made for interesting raking, I’ll tell you. Husband is busy scrubbing the outside of the house and I’m inside packing up the last of the stuff that needs to disappear before we clean and stage. Painters come in next week to freshen up the bathroom and then the realtor will be here to move stuff around and make the place as appealing as possible.…
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Revisions
I’m in revisions on Sean and Megan’s story. This is pretty much me for the next couple of weeks. My editor liked the story, had lots of good things to say about it, and really, the revisions aren’t arduous, but they are my same old issues–too much backstory and a heroine who needs to be fleshed out. Liz and I talked about the heroine thing when we were on retreat last week. Here’s the thing. I know my heroines–I know Megan and I think mostly, I’ve presented her well, but the guys in the Four Irish Brothers Winery series have taken center stage in each book because the books are…
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Retreat!
It’s Sunday morning and I’m still covered up with work, but I can see the light at the top of the heap finally. I’ve been focusing on editing gigs and packing up the house, so I haven’t written a word on Aidan’s book yet. However, I’m in full discovery mode and have even written a synopsis for the story, so I’m already ahead of the game on the book. Now it’s just down to writing, which will begin tomorrow when Liz and I get to our retreat. So, here are my new characters–hold a good thought for the story, which will be a Christmas book and even includes a young…
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Writer or Author
When people ask me what I do, my answer sometimes depends on how and why they ask the question. If it’s a random, we-just-met-at-an-event kind of query, I choose my answer based on how involved I want to get in the conversation. I know how bitchy that sounds, but sometimes, you just don’t want to have a long conversation with someone you know for certain is going to immediately chortle when you tell them you’re a romance writer. So those folks get “I’m a freelance copy editor.” Then the conversation can steer toward “Oh, I bet that’s interesting,” rather than a smirking “Really? Like 50 Shades? Heh, heh.” Yeesh… Sometimes…
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Happy New Year!
I’m writing this post on December 30 because I won’t be near my computer on January 1, 2019. I’ll be celebrating the new year with dear friends and hopefully, being pretty much electronics-free. But I didn’t want to miss a chance to start the new year with my best wishes to all my followers and readers for a joyful and peaceful and successful 2019. It’s been a rough few years for all of us, especially 2018, with the chaos in the country and life feeling so out of our control. My prayer for the country, for my loved ones, and for me is that we chill out. Stop and breathe.…
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Merry Christmas
It’s a particularly blessed holiday for this writer/editor. So many wonderful things are happening right now, not the least of which is the incredibly warm reception my newest novel, A SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS, has received. I’m so grateful to all my faithful readers and excited to welcome all the new readers who’ve come on board with this new series. 2019 will bring two more Four Irish Brothers Winery stories, so stay tuned. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. And as always, mes amies, remember to hold your face to the sun, be grateful for all things, and love well. ~Nan~
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Holiday Giveaway
It’s the holidays! Time for lights and decorations and singing and great food and wine and gifts! Oh, and speaking of gifts, how about a little holiday giveaway? I’d love to give away three e-copies of my new holiday romance–A SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS. Here’s all you need to do for a chance to win an e-copy of the book–just comment below and tell me your favorite kind of holiday treat. I’ll pick 3 winners at random from the Comments section and announce the names Monday morning (December 24) here on this post and on my Facebook page, so be sure to check back!** Note: Comments are moderated, so yours may…
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Melissa McClone Has a New Christmas Romance and a Giveaway!
I’m so happy to welcome author pal, Melissa McClone today! With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa McClone worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily-ever-afters. She’s now a USA Today Bestselling author and has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. They do! Christmas romances are my very favorite romance novels. What’s yours? Tell me your favorite kind of romance to…
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Deb Salonen Has A Free Book!
I’m so pleased and excited to welcome writer pal and fellow Tule author Debra Salonen back to the blog. As a former award-winning newspaper journalist, Debra is a nationally bestselling author with 26 published novels for Harlequin’s Superromance and American lines and one single title release for Harlequin Signature. Several of her titles were nominated for “Best Superromance,” including UNTIL HE MET RACHEL, which took home that honor in 2010. Debra was named Romantic Times Reviewer’s Career Achievement “Series Storyteller of the Year” in 2006. She lives in the foothills near Yosemite National Park in California with her husband and two dogs. Luckily, her two children and three grandchildren live close…
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Playing with Promo
I’m learning to make promo pieces and man, am I having fun! I’m doing it with Canva, an online program that lets me create graphics for free. I’ve been experimenting since right before A SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS released and used some of my handiwork to promote the book. Here’s my favorite one. The top is a graphic that the amazing Lee Hyat did for me, but I added the bottom part. When I get a little better at this, I’ll go find some more great winery photos, either in my own collection or I’ll buy some and see what I can do. Here’s one I created to show what great…