Authentic Romantic Historical Fiction

Tag: writing (Page 1 of 2)

Last week at retreat was fun!

Last week

I went to a writers retreat last week that is sponsored by a group I started thirty-odd years ago. They have it at a huge, gorgeous cabin in the woods in eastern Arizona.

Thirty-seven other brilliant writers were there, all women, all super nice. We always bring snacks to share. The goodies covered an entire counter in the kitchen. Such a multitude of yummies! As always, we had plenty of chocolate to stoke our brains. This year, however, I noticed a trend toward healthy snacks.

One thing that could have affected us badly was a fire burning in the Tonto National Forest southwest of our location. The fire caused a lot of smoke in the air, so several of us stayed indoors to limit our exposure to polluted air. The smoke did create some spectacular sunsets, though, and a pretty odd-looking sun.

Last week's hazy sky and odd sun

The sun last week in Eastern Arizona

Work in Progress

I did a fair amount of research for my work in progress (WIP), which features Mrs. Charity Bingham from the Owen Family Saga novel Trail of Storms. I reorganized what I had previously written, and added several thousand words, as well. This so-far untitled work is a romantic story for the Shenandoah Neighbors line that I hope you’ll love.

I’m excited about continuing work on it, but I’m slightly impeded by a task I need to complete for the Payson Book Festival.

Payson Book Festival

That event is coming up on Saturday, July 20, in the ballroom of the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, on Highway 87 at the south side of Payson, Arizona.

The Book Festival is a family-friendly event that runs from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., featuring 90 authors, a bookstore, the Story Monster, lots of kids’ activities, and presentations and entertainment from featured authors in two side rooms.

Where to find me

I’ll be at Table 45 on the west side of the ballroom. Come visit me and take a look at the books at my table (also in the bookstore). They will be on sale at event prices you don’t want to miss.

See you there!

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Sleepy

I suppose I should not expect to be at my best for writing when I only get four hours of sleep. That’s a hold-over from staying up very late/early watching the pre-game shows on what would happen at the eclipse, then getting up three hours later to view the actual event. It has thrown my sleep cycle out of whack. 

I did manage just over a thousand words today when I had my eyes open. I’m thinking it would behoove me to go to bed tonight before midnight chimes on all my devices. What do you think?

In other news, it is raining for the second time today. 

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Sample Saturday

I’ve been dealing with winter storms and power outages and 18-20 inches of snow piled up around my place, so I am treating myself to a bit of diversion by bringing back Saturday Sample today.

Here’s a tidbit from a piece I’m working on that I hope to publish later this year.
~~~

Julia Helm wiped the streaming tears off her cheeks, then climbed up onto the wooden spring seat of the farm wagon weathered almost white. Jonathan’s firm hand on her elbow steadied her some, but the overwhelming sadness that had brought the tears remained. She looked at the stone house, the wooden barn with its wide doors, the early spring fields smelling of molding corn stalks. Why this sadness? I’ll see it all again in two months.

She pulled her brown wool cloak more tightly around herself and wrenched her gaze from the house. Couldn’t she just tell Jonathan she had changed her mind? Tell her brother to unhitch the team of gray horses while she ran back inside the house and into her small, cozy room to curl up in the comfort of Papa’s upholstered chair? Cousin Camilla didn’t need her help to prepare for her wedding. Virginia was so far away. The trip would take two weeks! Two weeks of travel behind the rumps of the horses, being jostled and jolted until her young bones couldn’t stand another yard, let alone another mile. And all for what? Camilla’s gratitude? The chance to see Aunt Susannah again?

The wagon groaned and creaked as Jonathan climbed into the wagon seat on the other side, pausing before he lifted the leather lines to lean over and tuck a brown woolen blanket under her far knee. “Mind you tell me if you get cold,” he said, and grinned at her like a crazy man, his breath clouding around his ruddy face underneath his knitted cap.
~~~

What do you think? Does it engage your interest? Tell me if you know who the characters are.

Until the next time, stay warm and healthy!

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