I’ll organize my cancer.
That’s the first thought that came to mind when Dr. McGillivray started talking about my treatments. As she spoke, my well-developed left brain itemized all the tasks that had to be completed over the next ten months. And of course, everything had to be done perfectly and by me. That’s how I had survived during the first fifty years of my life. Or more precisely, the first forty-nine years, seven months and seven days.
Continue reading on Sandra Dawes’ blog.
While sitting in Grade 13 English class, I dreamed of writing the great Canadian novel. But when university application time approached, I gave in to my practical Italian side and obtained degrees in mathematics and education. I planned to teach during the day and spend my evenings, weekends and holidays churning out best-selling novels.
How hard could it be? Continue reading at Marilyn’s Musings.
The blonde willow was out of her comfort zone.
She sighed deeply and tossed her Farrah Fawcett curls as she removed a borrowed parka, three sizes too big for her perfectly toned body. She was not impressed by winter in March and seven less-than-enthusiastic students in Sudbury, Ontario. She spoke at length about her personal journey as a California yogini, and then demonstrated her pretzel-like ability to contort her body in a variety of poses.
Impressed and intimidated, we did not look forward to the short lesson that would follow. Continue reading at Spunky Seniors.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Kathy Bryson talking about letting go of expectations and heading off the beaten path.
Here’s Kathy!
When Joanne asked me to write about my second act, I was intrigued. I’m currently reading Between Land and Sea and laughing in recognition. I think that’s the first thing you learn if you make a change at mid-life. A lot of us realize somewhere in our forties or fifties that we really want to be doing something else and, whether through circumstances or conscious decision, head off the beaten path. You’ll be in good company.
When I left corporate America for teaching, I met bicyclists who were training for races on weekends, artists who worked craft fairs around temp jobs, and poets who taught night school. There was an amazing wealth of people and interests that had nothing to do with ad copy! My particular skill set was welcomed, however. I got to know people by working on their web promotions and learned I as I transitioned into part-time jobs and, ultimately, writing my own stories.
My background is 20+ years of advertising and marketing. I worked for Fortune 1000 companies and managed major campaigns. And like many, I bottle-necked somewhere in middle management, where positions start to disappear and everyone fights for the same budget and recognition. In my last job, my boss literally could not shut up from sheer stress. She talked non-stop from the moment she walked in the door until we finally escaped at the end of the day. It was infuriating, it was funny, and it was sad. I finally walked when she put me on notice, saying I couldn’t write headlines.
I had been working towards a change anyway. I’d gone back to school to get the credits I needed to teach and was moonlighting at my local community college. The timing wasn’t perfect. Since then, I’ve struggled with having hours cut and some of the weirdest state legislation regarding standardized testing you ever saw. And I don’t regret any of it. Instead of sitting in a cubicle waiting for retirement to enjoy my life, I’m sitting on a futon, drinking a second cup of coffee, and wondering how a toad managed to get in my front door peephole and how he’s going to get out. He’s a fat little guy.
The part that was hard was letting go of my expectations. I grew up in California during the first computer boom when everybody was going to be the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. I have no problem being an ‘entrepreneur,’ but it’s taken me awhile not to beat myself up because I wasn’t wildly successful. I don’t make big money, I don’t have guaranteed employment, I have a small house, and my car is fifteen years old. It took me a long time to realize that I was the only one making the comparison and to silly expectations. No one has a guaranteed income, there’s never enough money, and the house is just fine. I will probably replace the car since the door handles are falling off; my brother’s hunting a used one for me.
Ultimately, that was the best lesson learned out of this whole transition and my one suggestion. There’s no point in living a supposedly successful life if your reality is just miserable. Ultimately I can live without success because I am living. As my leprechaun pointed out, “It’s never just about the money!”
Blurb
Megan O’Malley pinched a cute guy and accidentally captured a leprechaun. Who’d have thought a perfectly normal guy – okay a bit short – would have such a bad attitude about giving away his money?! Megan may be millions richer, but she’s also got an angry leprechaun camped out on her sofa, trying to keep her from becoming the business mogul of her dreams!
Fergus O’Reilly cannot figure out what he did to upset the Queen of the Fairies. He was playing a wedding when a drunken lady pinched his ass and the Queen declared him caught. Now he’s broke, homeless, and hustling to stop the lovely lady with the wandering fingers from spending his money! This would be so much easier if she wasn’t cute, caring, and determined to help with his so-called money addiction!
Where to find Kathy…
Website: kathybryson.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/kathybryson2
Facebook: facebook.com/kathybryson22
Google+: plus.google.com/118438646025517720984
Joanne here!
Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey, Kathy. Feeling Lucky sounds simply delightful. I’ve just picked up the e-book and look forward to reading it.
I am probably one of the few people on this planet who couldn’t read past Chapter 1 of the first Harry Potter book. As for vampires, werewolves, witches, zombies and other such creatures, well, let’s just say I prefer to keep my distance. Instead, I like to curl up with historical and contemporary women’s fiction, psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries and memoirs.
Continue reading at Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Anna Markland talking about lifelong dreams and constant reinvention.
Here’s Anna!
I spent most of my professional life as an educator. It was a rewarding career, both financially and emotionally, but after 25 years I burned out.
About 20 years ago, my cousin wrote a historical romance and became an overnight success—NY times bestseller among her accomplishments. She has since authored many wonderful books.
The thought always niggled at the back of my mind—I could write a book, too. Many people have that ambition and do nothing about it, put off in part, I believe, by the prospect of trying to sell their idea to a large publisher.
Anyway, keyboard in hand, I embarked upon writing a romance, essentially for my own satisfaction. I chose the medieval period because, as an amateur genealogist, I cherished a dream of tracing my own English roots back to the Norman Conquest—an impossibility since I am not descended from nobility! So I made up a family.
I based the plot on an incident that actually happened to a Norman noblewoman, and before I knew it I had written over 200,000 words.
In the meanwhile I gradually became aware of the revolution taking place in the publishing world, thanks to the Amazon kindle device.
I decided my novel was too long, had too many heroes and heroines, and too much you know what. (Did I mention it was a romance?) I reworked it into four books, and published them as a series in quick succession on Amazon. What was there to lose?
My dream was to sell 100 books in a year. As of today I have written 15 novels, all revolving around or branching off from the original family in the first series. I’ve sold over 33,000 copies. It’s a thrill to receive emails from readers telling me how much they enjoy following my families.
It used to be that people had one lifelong career, retiring with a gold watch, or something similar. I think those days are long gone. Technology has made it possible for people to reinvent themselves over and over if they wish.
By taking a chance, I discovered a talent I did not really know I had! I can tell a good story! Sometimes when I re-read my own work I am wonder-struck at where the ideas came from!
If you’re thinking of writing and publishing a book—go for it. Just make sure you get it edited and critiqued by a few people whose opinion you trust before you take the plunge.
I often joke that if only my heroes and heroines had revealed their stories to me in chronological order, it would have made life easier for my readers.
Here’s a handy list…
Conquering Passion
If Love Dares Enough
Defiant Passion
A Man of Value
Dark Irish Knight
Haunted Knights
Passion in the Blood
Dark and Bright
The Winds of the Heavens
Dance of Love
Carried Away
Sweet Taste of Love
Wild Viking Princess
Hearts and Crowns
Blurb for Hearts and Crown
(Kindle Version is ON SALE until September 23rd for 99 cents)
Hearts and Crowns is the story of Gallien, grandson of the hero of the original Montbryce Legacy series. Gallien is a widower who has sworn never to wed again after a catastrophic marriage to a shrew who betrayed him with another man. You know the old saying, Once bitten…twice shy.
Peridotte de Pontrouge, an Angevin, has long dreamed of marrying Geoffrey of Anjou, the son of her Count, but her hopes are dashed when he is betrothed to the daughter of King Henry of England. This diplomatic revolution forces Gallien and Peri to marry against their will, despite the long standing hatred between Normans and Angevins.
Can love overcome bitterness and hatred?
Where to find Anna…
Website: http://annamarkland.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnaMarkland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Markland-Novels/343342275682430
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/anna-markland/33/761/b41
Joanne here!
Over 33,000 books–An amazing accomplishment! Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and excellent advice, Anna.
Joanne Guidoccio 