The Art of Reinvention

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have multi-published, award-winning author Claire Gem sharing her leap into a spectacular second act.

Here’s Claire!

The day I turned fifty years old, I had what could be described as the perfect life. I was healthy and happily married to the same man since I was twenty. My kids were all healthy, successful adults. I’d recently landed a fantastic job at Tufts University in the field I’d been working in all my life – scientific research – and was making more money than I ever dreamed. My 35-hour workweek was Monday through Friday, no weekends or holidays. I was the manager and had free reign to redesign the department any way I saw fit.

Still, something was missing.

It took me the next four years—and many thousands of dollars—to find out what that something was. I wanted to be a writer. It was an activity I’d always enjoyed, but I’d never taken the time to develop the skill. Being the scientific, logical thinker that I was, I decided I needed to go back for a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. I needed to learn “the right way” to become a writer.

Now, don’t get me wrong: The time I spent earning my degree at Lesley University was enlightening, enriching, and motivating. But honestly? I don’t think I had to spend an exorbitant amount of money to “validate” my writing talent. I’d already gotten that validation, almost forty years earlier, when I was in the seventh grade. I just hadn’t believed in that advice, or in myself, enough.

My English teacher, Nancy Prather, taught heavy on the essay skills and was equally scorned by all her students. That included me, until the day she called me up to her desk waving my latest essay like a flag, a serious expression on her face. I was terrified.

“Miss DelNegro,” she began, and none too quietly. “You have produced a rather impressive piece of writing here for a girl your age.”

I blinked. The way she said it—almost accusingly, I wondered . . . was that a good thing, or a bad one?

Miss Prather saw the confusion that was apparently written all over my face. “What I’m saying, my girl, is that you have a natural talent for writing.” She thrust the paper at me and issued a stern command. “No matter what you choose to do with your life, remember this: You are a writer. Don’t let this natural ability go to waste.”

Oh, if only I’d believed her. Turns out my writing ability was not only a talent, but also critical to my state of balance, of well-being. To be fulfilled, and completely happy, I had to be writing.

Still, at fifty years old with not a single piece of published writing to my credit, I needed additional validation: those three little letters—MFA—behind my name. And I’m sure those letters did catch the attention of the editors to whom I submitted over the next few years. But I still had enough rejection letters to paper my office before my first novel, Phantom Traces, was accepted by SoulMate Publishing in 2013. That was five novels, two short stories in anthologies, a memoir, a writer’s resource book, and numerous literary awards ago.

Today, at sixty, I still work by day in scientific research. But my dream—to be a full-time writer—is right around the corner. Yes, it’s been a hard-earned dream. Dedication and focus. Many midnight hours and long weekends at the keyboard. But I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Is fifty too old to reinvent your life? Is sixty? Hell, no. Does it seem crazy to some of my family, friends, and colleagues that I yearn to leave the security of a dream job to become a writer? Sure does. But the ones who truly know me see that I am now what I was not ten years ago. Complete.

And I will say it to the world, as well as to Nancy Prather, wherever she is now: I was born to be a writer. I am a writer.

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself into what you were born to be. Everyone has a secret passion. A gift. Figure out what yours is, and don’t let anything stand in your way. Go for it.

Bio

Strong Women, Starting Over
~Redefining Romance~

Claire is a multi-published, award winning author of five titles in the genres of contemporary romance, supernatural suspense, and women’s fiction. She also writes Author Resource guide books and presents seminars on writing craft and marketing.

Her supernatural suspense, Hearts Unloched, won the 2016 New York Book Festival, and was a finalist in the 2017 RONE Awards. Also in 2017, her women’s fiction, The Phoenix Syndrome, was a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice Awards, and her contemporary romance, A Taming Season, was a Literary Award of Merit finalist in the HOLT Medallion Awards. Her latest release, Spirits of the Heart, was a finalist in the 2017 “I Heart Indie Awards.”

Creating cross-genre fiction she calls “supernatural suspense,” Claire loves exploring the paranormal and the unexplained, and holds a certificate in Parapsychology from the Rhine Research Center of Duke University.

A New York native, Claire has lived in five of the United States and held a variety of jobs, from waitress to bridal designer to research technician—but loves being an author best. She and her happily-ever-after hero, her husband of 39 years, now live in central Massachusetts.

Claire is available for seminars & media interviews & loves to travel for book promotional events.

Where to find Claire…

Joanne here!

Claire, I’m in awe of your achievements. Thanks for sharing your inspiring reinvention story.

Absorbing the World Through Stimulation of the Senses

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Gary Guinn. Today, Gary shares the highlights of his ongoing road trip and his two novels, A Late Flooding Thaw and Sacrificial Lam.

Here’s Gary!

Mary Ann and I are about half-way through a two-month road trip, and we might decide to make it three. We bought an old Safari Trek RV (Safari Treks are a whole story in themselves) and decided to head for warmer weather and places where cedar allergies are not an issue. And we wanted to see some of the country we’d never seen before. We’ve traveled about 2,500 miles. We’ve refueled our love for New Mexico, fallen in love with parts of Arizona, and finally arrived in our idea of heaven—Padre Island National Seashore, where we have no phone service, no wi-fi, and no worries.

I was concerned, before we set off, about driving an RV all day and then trying to write in the evening. But the problem solved itself in an unexpected way. For several reasons, I’ve never been an early morning writer. Didn’t think I ever would be. On this trip, I wake up at six o’clock, and Mary Ann sleeps till eight. I spend the two hours of silence sitting between our two dogs on the sofa writing, getting more done than I would in two hours at home in my study. If good writing comes, at least in part, from absorbing the world through stimulation of the senses, I may be a better writer when I get home.

Here are just three things about this trip we will remember.

The sky at Aguirre Spring Campground. I thought I knew the night sky before Aguirre Spring, but I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t have a clue. The overwhelming breadth and depth of black backdrop. The startling number and the brilliance of the constellations. On a good night in my small-town home, I can identify several constellations. When I stepped out of the RV the first night at Aguirre Spring, I couldn’t restrain a groan of pure wonder. Constellation after constellation, distinct and bright, sometimes overlapping, more than I could have imagined. The experience redefined the word awe for me.

The Cactus RV Park in Tucumcari. Nothing fancy. Right on the main road. No good places to eat nearby. But it was like stepping back into the 1950’s. Surrounded by what must have been one of those early highway motels, now defunct and shuttered, we almost had the feeling we were intruding on the lives of those people who stopped there fifty or sixty years ago in their Ford or Chevy or Plymouth or Chrysler. There would have been a central, tree-lined courtyard, where the people sat to cool off in the evening and watch the kids play, having casual conversation with strangers. It’s all now just sandy slots for self-contained RV’s, and not many of those. A bit of a haunted place.

And finally, this little slice of Heaven, the Padre Island National Seashore. Mary Ann and I love the ocean, and we try to get to its shore as often as we can. It has a magical effect on us. When we first smell the brine in the air as we approach the coast, the stress begins to melt from our shoulders down our backs. When we catch our first glimpse of the water, it’s like an electromagnet with the drawing power growing as the current increases. And finally, when we walk on the sand—well, when we walk on the sand, a kind of joy rises in us and we can’t help laughing. This time, when our aging lab-mix, Seamus, ran out onto the beach, he was like a puppy again. A puppy who didn’t know which way to turn first, who couldn’t contain all the sensual stimulation hitting him.

We understood. We felt the same way.

Blurb – Sacrificial Lam

When English professor Lam Corso receives a death threat at work, he laughs it off. A liberal activist teaching at a small Southern conservative college, he’s used to stirring up controversy on campus. It’s just part of the give and take of life. Even when violently attacked, Lam is convinced it has to be a mistake. He can’t imagine anyone who would want to kill him for his beliefs.

When his home is broken into and his wife’s business vandalized, Lam is forced to face facts. The police can’t find a single lead. Lam’s wife—a passionate anti-gun crusader—is outraged when Lam brings a gun into the house for protection. Left to their own devices, Lam and Susan must examine their marriage, faith, and values in the face of a carefully targeted attack from an assailant spurred into action by a different set of beliefs.

What will it cost to survive?

Blurb – A Late Flooding Thaw

Henry and Walter Bass struggle to escape the shadows of their alcoholic father, their reclusive mother, and the prejudice of the small town of Delaney. When Walter marries Emma Sinclair, the only child of one of Delaney’s oldest families, tragic events are set in motion that change the lives of everyone involved. Each character in the drama that follows must struggle with the shadows of the living and the dead. In the violent world of Pentecostal religion, grace offers hope, but the failure of love brings destruction and the sins of the fathers curse the lives of the sons and daughters.

Bio

Gary Guinn taught literature and creative writing at a small private college for more than thirty years. His short fiction and poetry have been published in literary magazines and anthologies. His first novel, A Late Flooding Thaw, was published in 2005, and his second novel, Sacrificial Lam, was released March 3, 2017. He loves traveling, dogs, and brewing beer.

Where to find Gary…

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

A Writer’s Life

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Yesterday evening, I returned to the Guelph Public Library (Westminster Square Branch) to lead a discussion on the creative life with a lively group of writers and wannabe writers, who braved the cold, blustery temperatures. I shared my experiences and advice on finding inspiration, establishing daily rituals, dealing with writer’s block, and getting published.

I was impressed by the depth and breadth of questions and comments. The group was a diverse one with interests in writing poetry, fiction, memoirs, and self-help books.

Thanks to librarians Karen Cafarella and Deb Quaile for organizing and facilitating this event.

L-R: Erin El Masry, Joanne Guidoccio, Deb Quaile, Karen Cafarella

The Optimist Creed

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.

While February is the shortest month of the year, it can be the most challenging, especially if winter persists. I turn to “The Optimist Creed” by Christian D. Larson whenever I need an extra dose of positive energy.

Spotlight on Marian Lanouette

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Amazon best-selling author Marian Lanouette. Today, Marian shares her inspiring journey and upcoming release, All the Deadly Lies.

Here’s Marian!

I’d like to thank Joanne for hosting me today. She gave me an interesting assignment to post briefly about my writing journey.

When I first started writing, I, like every other author, wanted the New York publisher, and the New York agent. Did I get them after many letters, inquiries, or form letter rejections? I did, but it took me nine years to get there.

I was offered a contract from a small press immediately after completing my second book. Naturally, I was thrilled that someone wanted me and my stories. The publisher and I worked together to put out the Jake Carrington series. But Jake didn’t splash into the large pool like I wanted him to. That was no fault of mine or the publisher’s. I had expected more than they offered and as with any book, it’s up to the author to promote it, and themselves. And more important, to have your next book ready to keep your readers captivated.

After the contracted time period I took my rights back and decided to journey into the ocean of self-pub authors. I met with some success. Jake Carrington and his crew were well received and I was now making a living at something I loved with a passion–Writing.

Along the way I’ve met some great authors like Joanne, and readers alike. I’ve been out and about at readings, libraries, and conferences all while learning the business. It’s been a thrilling expedition and even today I still continue to learn.

So nine years later…I met my NY publisher/editor Michaela Hamilton at Kensington, and agent Doug Grad from the Doug Grad Literary Agency, in the same night. Needless to say I was off the wall when I was offered a four book deal from Michaela for Jake’s series. I think and hope (fingers crossed) that readers of the series will be as excited for Jake and his new journey as I am for him and myself as well as welcoming new readers to the series. We look forward to many years of working together with this team and can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.

Blurb

Homicide detective Jake Carrington takes murder personally…

The victim was bludgeoned, stripped, and left for dead. Shanna Wagner deserves justice—and there’s no better cop than Lieutenant Jake Carrington to find her killer. The brutality of the crime reminds Jake of his sister’s murder seventeen years ago, and the remorseless man responsible, now up for parole.

Then another woman is killed—and Jake goes dangerously close to the edge. He’ll have to face his personal demons and focus his formidable skills if he hopes to stop a vicious murderer from striking again—and hold on to his career, and his life . . .

Buy links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Where to find Marian…

In Praise of Homemade Soup

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Today is National Homemade Soup Day, a day devoted to celebrating those warm bowls of comfort that nourish our bodies and souls. Take some time to make your favorite soup or experiment with a new recipe.

Here’s my go-to recipe for vegetable quinoa soup. I like making a large batch and then dividing up the soup into one-cup portions that I freeze for the week.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 small zucchini, chopped
8 cups of vegetable broth
2 cups cooked quinoa
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, 2 cups water, and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook until tender (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, and zucchini. Continue cooking for another 4 or 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the vegetable broth. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the vegetables are fork-tender (about 25-30 minutes).

4. Stir in the cooked quinoa and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Yield: Serves 6 – 8

Buon appetito!

Sometimes It Just Takes Courage

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have author D.R. Grady sharing her writing journey and latest release, The Nerd Who Spied Me.

Here’s D.R. Grady!

I knew I wanted to be a writer from the first moment I learned that by combining words you got a sentence and sentences a paragraph and then – wow, a story! The story teller within me awoke—a magical moment in my young life.

However, I’m a practical person, and I knew becoming an author who could support herself with her art probably wasn’t in my immediate future. So I opted to study Biology at college and graduated with a B.S. in Biology. This led to a series of jobs after college, and I did manage to support myself with my lab skills.

I did not, however, write. The stories were there, piling on top of each other, but I didn’t have a computer at the time, and buying one wasn’t cheap then, so I worked and saved and ignored my muse.

Over the course of a few years, and after making rent, student loans, and a car payment, I finally had saved enough money to buy a computer. A massive desktop that I couldn’t believe I finally owned!

For the first year or so I used it to keep in touch with friends via email, and I started a file for all those books in my brain. Then I changed jobs and moved a couple of times and life got busy. I kept up with email, but no writing.

One day I mentioned to my boss at the time how I had this idea in my head that kept niggling. He encouraged me to start writing the story. And he and a work colleague both urged me to attend my first Romance Writers of America local chapter meeting.

That took more courage than I thought I had, because I had convinced myself all the writers there were multi-published senator’s wives who lived in their dream homes with dream careers and… I was daunted. After much support from my fabulous boss and colleague, I finally mustered the courage and attended my first meeting.

And found people just like me!

Not a senator’s wife in sight (who are probably lovely people, by the way). I instead met plenty of other authors who were just trying to build a career writing books they loved and that they hoped others would love too. I finished that first book and many more since.

Since then, I’ve just seen my twentieth book published, The Nerd Who Spied Me! I continue that idea file and have replaced that first computer several times. (: All it took was courage to take that first step!

Blurb

Cian Hunter is tasked with the impossible: find Verity Wellington and bring her home safely. His survival is not guaranteed.

Everyone in their business knows Verity is perfectly capable of getting herself home, since she’s the gut-them-first-and-ask-questions-later type of operative. She also has the advantage of knowing where she is, which would be helpful.

He accepts the assignment, aware two operatives are better than one when dealing with the nebulous factions who lurk in the shadows. Plus, the chance to get close to Verity to see if his attraction to her is more than a fleeting interest is too good to pass up. Provided she doesn’t gut him first.

Cian is confident in his secret operative abilities, despite wishing to leave them behind. However, his relationship goals leave something to be desired. If he can figure those out… he might stand a chance of getting them both home alive.

Pitch line: They’re confident in their secret operative abilities, but maybe not so much in their relationship goals.

Excerpt

“Thanks for playing nice with my family.” He whispered this to Verity as Chrissy flitted into the kitchen to get them both a beverage. Jay followed, to “help” her. Cian guessed.

Jay tagged along to steal a smooch or two.

“I have no reason not to.”

Her logic was faultless.

“I’m still thankful for the effort.”

She didn’t snort but did eye him as though sorting through the various means she had of offing someone—as though deciding which to use proved challenging.

It sent all of his blood fleeing from his brain. His eyes dipped to her lips.

“Don’t even think about it.” Her warning came a second too late.

“Sorry, already did.”

“You’re not sorry,” she scoffed. “I will eviscerate you in your sister’s living room.”

“That’s not nice.” More blood pumped from his brain. This was not going as well as could be expected. He couldn’t seem to drag his gaze from those pouty lips.

One side of those delectable treats rose in a snarl. “Don’t even think about kissing me, Hunter.”

He, in usual form, ignored her warning. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he yanked her against him. Then he melded their lips because he had to know.

“You are in such big trou—” Her words halted because his mouth blocked them and he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips. She gasped, and he pressed the advantage, using any and all available.

A groan escaped his throat and meshed with hers.

Buy Links

Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Smashwords |
Createspace – Coming Soon!

Bio

D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.

Where to find D. R. Grady…

Joanne here!

Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey. Best of luck with all your creative endeavors.

Let Go and Let God

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Australian singer Olivia Newton John released Let Go and Let God on her twenty-second studio album, Grace and Gratitude, in 2006. The song has been described as “meditative mood music”…an apt description for a song that has benefited several cancer charities. The hauntingly beautiful music and lyrics resonate with me at the soul level. It’s my go-to song whenever I need to uplift my spirits.

Movie Review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Disturbing. Thought-provoking. Unsettling.

But, most of all, riveting.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen as I watched Frances McDormand embrace the role of Mildred Hayes. It is not surprising that she has already captured several Best Actress awards and is a strong contender for an Oscar.

Angry and frustrated after seven months of waiting for the local police to apprehend the man who raped, murdered, and burned her daughter, Mildred rents a trio of billboards with the following provocative messages:

RAPED WHILE DYING
STILL NO ARRESTS?
HOW COME, CHIEF WILLOUGHBY?

But calling out Chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) for his incompetence does not endear Mildred to the residents of Ebbing, a fictitious, small town in Missouri. For starters, the Chief is a devoted father and husband in the final stages of pancreatic cancer. When he reminds Mildred of his illness, she responds: “They (billboards) won’t be as effective when you croak.” In spite of her callousness, Mildred does have a grudging respect for the Chief.

Mildred’s relationship with Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), a racist and violent Mama’s boy, is fraught with tension. Easily provoked and goaded by his mother, Dixon doesn’t hesitate to take the law into his own hands. Rockwell’s outstanding performance has already earned him two supporting actor awards.

Mildred’s quest for justice takes several startling twists and turns as the narrative progresses. Significant facts are revealed during arguments with her son and ex-husband, leading us to question Mildred’s motives. Fighting back and fighting harder—regardless of how violent or crazed—dominates the second half of the movie.

In short, there are no true heroes or true villains or clear-cut lessons in this dark comic drama that has garnered seven Oscar nominations.

All About Japanese Robots

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Linda Nightingale. Today, Linda introduces Japanese robots and shares her latest audiobook releases, Love for Sale and Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody.

Here’s Linda!

This may seem to fly off the pages of science fiction, but it’s a hot new research field and making rapid progress.

At the Toshiba booth at the Consumer Electronics show, Chihira Aico, a life-sized robot in a pink party dress with pearls, stood like a mannequin, perfectly still—at first. Suddenly, the android began to gesture wildly.

“I can be a news reader, consultant or cheerleader!” She threw her arms up and squealed, “I can get excited!”

Chihira is a new concept for a life-like android. Her creators intend to make her seem even more expressive when interacting with humans. By adding additional motors to her joints, engineers are refining her movements to make them appear fluid while programmers work on her language processing, improving her communications skills and responsiveness. The ultimate goal is for the robot to read human behaviors and emotions, then mimic them, thereby appearing human herself.

This complicated piece of hardware has over 40 motors in her joints to coordinate her body’s movements. Fifteen tiny air pumps on her fact control the blinking of her eyes and the opening of her mouth as she speaks. Toshiba developed Chihira under the direction of Hitoshi Tokuda, the project leader. Osaka University performed the muscle research, building on previous work on prosthetic limbs.

On-lookers thought Chihira was creepy. What do you think?

A hi-tech hotel in Japan, Nagasaki prefecture’s Henn-na Hotel, opening in July will employ ten robots at the check-in counter as receptionists. If you think these humanoid androids are creepy, you might think twice about visiting this hotel. They can establish eye contact and respond to body language.

When I wrote Love For Sale, my sci-fi romance from The Wild Rose Press, I didn’t know about the Japanese life-like robots. In fact, Love for Sale was inspired by Tanith Lee’s immortal Silver Metal Lover. I don’t find robots creepy but extremely interesting. I’d love to interact with a human-like android.

A recent Pew report entitled, “A.I., Robotics, and the Future of Jobs,” suggests that while it might be some time before we see a robot takeover of our workforce, we’ll be having sex with them sooner than we think. Hum. Interesting. Would you find a sentient being programmed to love you disturbing?

Love For Sale is about Christian and March. March is a disenchanted dreamer. Christian is her dream man, but…inside he’s all circuits and wires while outside he is perfectly human and programmed to love her unconditionally.

Love for Sale and Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody have been released as audio books. Both are read by a woman with a lovely British accent and are enchanting to listen to.

Audible Samples/Buy Links

Love for Sale | Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody

Bio

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She retired from a career as a retired legal assistant, just joined the Houston BMW Club, and the stars in her crown—two wonderful sons. In a former life, she must have had to walk everywhere because today she is into transportation with fine taste in expensive horses and hot cars! She likes to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Where to find Linda…

Note: Visit and look around Linda’s website. There’s a free continuing vampire story. On her blog, you’ll find interesting guests and prizes.

Giveaway

Leave a comment below – You could win a sterling silver Texas charm.