Haiku is a classical form of Japanese poetry containing a total of 17 syllables shared between three lines, arranged in a pattern of 5-7-5.
First Line – 5 syllables
Second Line – 7 syllables
Third Lines – 5 syllables
Using the theme of transformation, I’ve composed the following Haiku:
Do you have any Haiku poetry to share?
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Soul Mate author Annalisa Carr sharing her leap into a second act and her latest release: Children of Poseidon: Rann.
Here’s Annalisa!
Like most people I’ve constantly made small involuntary changes to what I do and who I am, so that the person I am today is very different from the person I was thirty, ten or, even, five years ago. The biggest change has been deliberate though; eighteen months ago I leapt sideways from my first career into what I hope will be my second one.
I never had a life plan, or a career plan, but I was lucky enough to drift into work I enjoyed and found challenging. I moved on from studying environmental chemistry in Edinburgh into doing a PhD in structural biology in London, and spent the next thirty years working as a structural biologist. After spending fifteen years in Cambridge (UK) as a scientist and a manager I decided I needed a complete change.
I’ve written in various genres throughout my life, and studied several online courses in creative writing. I’d had several short stories published, my first novel accepted by Soulmate Publishing and I found that writing was dominating my free time and intruding into my working day. In 2014 I took a deep breath, applied to study for an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster University, handed in my resignation, sold my house and moved north to the English Lake District.
I finished the MA last year, and it was one of the best years I’ve ever spent. I met other writers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, was give lots of useful feedback, and experimented in genres I’d never written in before.
My income has dwindled to almost nothing at the moment, but I’m not letting that worry me. I live in a beautiful national park and, although the area was almost washed away by floods this winter, I’m sure the summer will be glorious. I’ve never regretted my decision, and I’m determined to make the most of the time and opportunity to write and, hopefully, to publish. My friends and relatives have been very supportive (if a little jealous) and the CEO of my old company has offered me some contract work I can do from home.
I’ve given up financial security, but I’ve followed my dream and who knows where it may eventually lead me.
If you want a second act, or even a third, don’t wait. Work on getting it. As Albert Einstein said, ‘A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new’.
Blurb
Annalisa Carr’s most recent release is the second book in her ‘Sons of the Sea God’ trilogy: Children of Poseidon: Rann.
Poseidon’s son Rann has been content to rule his island paradise for centuries, but now something dangerous is stirring in his seas. A dark web of evil spreads from the horn of Africa to the covens of London.
A call for help from her old coven gives young witch Jewel a reason to leave her island home and her crush on Rann, and hurry back to London where old crimes are rising to disturb the city’s magic community.
The past is about to collide with Jewel’s present and threaten her future with something far more lethal than unrequited love.
Bio
An addiction to science fiction meant that Annalisa Carr chose to pursue a career in science, spending most of her life working as a scientist in Cambridge, UK. Unfortunately, given the reason for her career choice, she never made it into space and has never been to Alpha Centauri IV.
Two years ago she moved to the English Lake District where she shares a house with her three cats, and indulges her need to explore alien cultures by writing about them.
She writes (and reads voraciously) in several genres, her favourites being urban fantasy, paranormal romance and science fiction. She is working on her third book in her ‘Children of Poseidon’ trilogy.
Where to find Annalisa Carr…
Joanne here!
Wow!! You give new meaning to the following quote from Neale Donald Walsh: “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.” Thanks for an inspiring post and best of luck with all your future endeavors.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Wild Rose Press author Ashantay Peters chatting about her multi-act life and her latest release, Déjà Vu All Over Again.
Here’s Ashantay!
I’m one of those women who has reinvented herself over and over. For example, in high school I worked part-time in retail, after graduation I moved to office clerk and then to secretary. I didn’t begin college until I was in my early thirties, working full-time while taking a full class load. No, I wasn’t crazy, but I often felt like I was losing my mind!
After college, I entered the HR field, and I spent most of the rest of my professional life hiring, firing, and talking benefits and payroll. Well, except for a stint in risk management. And I did shift from corporate to government then back to corporate again. And ran a retail store in the middle there, somewhere. Oh, and managed a small transit system.
I didn’t plan to jump around so much, but as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
Now that I’m retired, I wonder not how I got everything done, but why I pushed so hard. Retirement has meant a huge reduction in available income, but I find that many of the things I “needed” have fallen away. So too the activities that “had” to be done.
And, bonus – I get to use life experiences in my books. That boss no one likes? Killed him off in book four. The best friend who wasn’t – book two. And then there’s the woman who regrets that her first marriage failed – and wishes she could have a do over. Book six. We all have stories, right?
All that being said, I’d advise anyone planning to retire soon to examine your life now. If an event or activity doesn’t bring you joy, maybe it’s time to let that stuff go. Have you always wanted to travel somewhere? Don’t wait! Go now! But most important, indulge your passion. Live your dreams.
As Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Embrace change. Accept life.
Blurb
Rock star Jack Reed has secrets. He’s kept his first marriage to a girl he met at Woodstock, and their son, under wraps for decades. Now his child has tracked him down wanting answers. Former hippie Sally Ford never fully recovered from Jack’s betrayal of their family. She believes he put his career first then and will again, leading to another shattered ending. Jack and Sally’s first meeting is combustible. Can they confront their past and overcome a history of deceit and manipulation to find peace and love?
Bio
Ashantay Peters loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth.
She lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, a happy transplant from the much colder (and flatter) Midwest. She loves to hear from readers! Give her a holler via her blog and she’ll get back with you as soon as she comes in from gardening or takes a break from writing her next book. You have her solemn promise that she will not stalk you.
Where to find Ashantay…
Website | Blog | Amazon | Twitter
Joanne here!
Ashantay, thanks for sharing your varied experiences and excellent advice. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.
For over two decades, I have been collecting books that inspire and motivate my creativity. While many of my early choices were craft books, I have also gravitated toward self-help literature dealing with writing blocks.
Here are ten of my Go-To books.
Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have author Becky Lower sharing excellent advice on launching second acts and her upcoming release, The Forgotten Debutante.
Here’s Becky!
Briefly describe your first act.
My first act was a series of missteps. Although I graduated college with a degree in English and Journalism, I didn’t follow the writing path. I’d always been a storyteller, mostly spilling family secrets, but never translated that talent into a writing career. Instead, I worked in advertising, trade show management and other boring jobs, fulfilling my creative needs with a variety of hobbies. I learned to quilt, knit, refinish furniture, cross-stitch, needlepoint, you name it. But none of these outlets quite fit either. I floundered a lot during my adult life.
What triggered the need for change?
As I was approaching retirement, I thought about what to do next. Because of all my floundering, I hadn’t amassed a nice nest egg, so I needed to plan on something else for income. I found an adult education course on writing the romance novel, and thought, why not? I’d been reading romances my entire adult life. It was now time to put my storytelling and creativity together. I’d like to say the six week long class propelled me to instant fame, but I’d be lying. I spent the next few years learning my craft.
Where are you now?
Still learning. I now have 13 books published, and am still waiting for the breakthrough book. I liken my career to a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts out small and gains size and momentum as it goes.
Do you have advice for anyone planning to pursue a second act?
Start your second act the moment you think of it. Don’t wait until you have the time. If your life doesn’t feel right to you, make a change.
Any affirmations or quotations you wish to share?
My favorite quote is from one of my heroes–Jedediah Smith, an early American fur trapper and explorer. While he was trying to find a way across the mountains, he said sometimes in order to get ahead, we must be turned back. So, if what you’re doing isn’t working for you, turn back to your roots and figure out what’s missing, then forge ahead.
Blurb
Don’t miss the touching conclusion to the Cotillion Ball Saga!
In 1863, America is war-weary. Fifteen-year-old Saffron Fitzpatrick, whose teenage years have been spent mourning the dead rather than dancing at her debutante ball, just wants to visit her beloved horse after being housebound due to the draft riots. A chance meeting with soldier Ezekiel Boone changes everything.
Three years ago, Ezekiel ran away with his older brothers to join the war effort, welcoming the chance for adventure. But when all four of his brothers die at Chancellorsville, he retreats home, despondent and depending on the kindness of strangers, like Saffron, who help him on the journey. They share a wild ride and a breathless kiss, parting with fond memories.
Fate reunites the couple three years later, and their former attraction rekindles as they discover unexpected common ground and begin to build a relationship. But though the war is over, a future together may still elude them . . . especially if Saffron’s older, protective brother and the U.S. Army have anything to say about it.
Where to find Becky…
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Goodreads | Google+ | Amazon
Joanne here!
Becky, I’ve been following your journey for several years and am impressed by the body of work you have produced. Best of luck in the future.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have author Charmaine Gordon chatting about her multi-act life and her latest release, Together, Again.
Here’s Charmaine!
“The time has come,” the walrus said.
And here I am so happy to be visiting with you again.
This is a wonderful day. Why you may ask? The answer is I woke up. A simple task like rising, gazing out the window, and a sniff of fresh air. YIPPEE! This woman is raring to go. I tiptoe out not to wake the sleeping honey and what do I see? Five cats waiting to be fed. They tumble and mew toward the kitchen. This is not a bad way to begin a full day. All my 85 years have been filled with the care of someone or something. As a small child, the only girl among many boys, I learned to cook and to sew. My intention was to dance,sing and act but back in the dinosaur days, girls were secondary.
As an Air Force Wife of a pilot during the Korean war, women were forever pregnant including me-count ‘em-six. The men returned from Temporary Duty in far places with the military band playing, flags flying. The joke was, “What’s the second thing you’ll do when you get home?” The answer was, “Take off my parachute.”
Moving along, we moved to NY as civilians and I gathered my dusty talents and began an acting career in daytime drama, on stage, and movies having the best time of my life because it was mine alone. Sure I came home and made dinner for the family and loved up the dear husband but those hours were mine. Picture lunch with Anthony Hopkins “Call me Tony”, dancing with Harrison Ford during a break in Working Girl, Chatting with Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction. Yes, it all was for real until twelve years passed and my voice stopped working. A catastrophe. No more acting.
How many acts have I been through? Many, I do believe. This act started with an idea and I wrote a book without knowing how. To Be Continued is the title. Vanilla Heart Publishing offered a contract and six years later, I write every day with a pile of books to my credit.
Together, Again is my latest.
Blurb
A wealthy couple, no children in sight, answer the door one day to find a replica of the woman living there, titian hair and all. Charlie is her name and so begins the story. Years later Charlie’s young twin sisters , now seventeen, are rescued by the same couple with a big heart. It’s a tale of love and hearts that keep on giving.
Excerpt
“The portly lawyer presented his case to the most important critical judge and jury. In an attempt to bribe his lovely wife, he removed the elegant strap heels from her slender feet. The massage he’d perfected over their many years of marital bliss brought a skeptical frown between her perfect eyebrows.
““Stuart, speak now or forever hold your piece. Save the tricks for the bedroom.”
“Dimples appeared in his cherubic cheeks. “Guilty as charged, Eleanor.”
“Puzzled, she unwrapped a truffle, dark chocolate with a coconut filling and let the sweetness melt in her mouth before a quick chew and swallow. She pulled her husband’s head down kissing his parted lips to share the chocolate taste.
““Don’t distract me too much. I have to cover more ground before I cover you.”
““Move on, Stuart.”
“As you know, the twins have been texting me for a while. They wanted to call but the school doesn’t allow phone calls and they didn’t know if you are, what they refer to as, ‘into texting.’ I text back right away and always say whenever they want to leave there and live with us, they are welcome. So just before I left the office, I received a text saying Help. They are so ready to leave like now. Their words, my love. We leave very soon.”
“She jumped to her bare feet and paced the study. “I’m excited but worried at the same time. What about Elizabeth? Maybe she won’t let them go.”
““I have my ways, sweetheart. I’ve been investigating her past for a long time and now I have enough information to send her away. But that’s not my intention. She’s evil to have instigated Charlie into doing what a young girl had to do to protect her mother. No more will Elizabeth get away with it.” He rose and gathered her in his arms. “And now please allow me one more truffle before you chase me to the bedroom to have your way with me. Ring for Edgar to hold all calls. Sean should walk Lord and Lady before going home. We are not to be disturbed.” Heading toward their private section of the expansive home on Lake Shore Drive, Stuart paused. “Our Labradoodles are aging, Eleanor. It’s time to order two more from the breeder. What color would you prefer?” He closed and locked the bedroom suite.
Eleanor Alfred eyed her husband while she dropped the silk dress to the floor. “Is that what you’ll say when I’ve no longer aged to perfection? What color should I order?” She smacked him across his shoulder.
Where to find Charmaine…
Joanne here!
Charmaine, your posts and comments inspire and motivate me. Best of luck with Together, Again.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Canadian author Katherine Prairie sharing her love of science and her recent release Thirst.
Here’s Katherine!
I read through the many marvelous stories here about authors who took chances and created second, third or even fourth acts in their lives, each focused on something different. It gave me pause, because although I too have shifted my focus, I feel as though my writing is simply an extension of my life, rather than a change. Let me explain.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a scientist. I was curious about everything, and I wanted answers! I thought about medicine, chemistry, physics, but it was geology that intrigued me, and I studied mining geology first, but ultimately went to work in the oil and gas industry. I loved computer programming and I soon found my niche as a computer modeling specialist on international projects. If you’re keeping track, you’ll see that I’ve already switched three times – mining geology, petroleum geology and geological computer specialist!
I spent almost twenty-five years in the petroleum industry, but not without a few more changes. I added a graduate degree in engineering hydrology, completed advanced training in computer programming and database design, and moved onto project management. I also created a year-long training program for a local college, taught workshops, wrote technical manuals, published a computer programming book and developed computer models for clients from too many industries to count, all while running a consulting company. To be honest, I’m not sure how many acts that covers!
When I finally decided to step away from the petroleum industry, I did so with a heavy heart. I loved the science, but I was ready to slow down a little. In the quiet that followed, I started writing mysteries instead of technical manuals and when I found a way to weave science into my storylines, I once again found my niche. And the Alex Graham mystery series featuring a mining geologist was born.
I’ve moved through many acts, but throughout it all runs a single thread – my love of science. So to me it feels more like one richly layered act that hasn’t completely played out yet.
My advice is to be fearless and follow your passion because it will take you down a most interesting path. And if you’re lucky, instead of closing each act and starting again, your career will simply evolve into a unique expression of all your experiences.
Blurb
Explosive violence rocks Canada’s Slocan Valley after the shooting deaths of three teenagers in a bombing attempt at the Brilliant dam. A joint US-Canada military force locks down the area to protect dams critical to both countries but martial law incites more violence.
Geologist Alex Graham refuses to let politics stand in her way. She evades military patrols to slip into a restricted zone in her hunt for a silver mine to claim as her own. But her plans are derailed by an intentionally set fire that almost takes her life.
Someone wants her out of the Valley.
When Alex discovers a gunshot victim in an abandoned mine, she fears she could be next. But she’s never been one to wait for trouble to come to her and she tracks a suspicious man seen once too often in the lonely mountains.
All eyes are on the dams, but the true threat lies elsewhere.
Buy Links
Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (United States)
Bio
Katherine, a geologist and IT specialist, stepped away from the international petroleum industry to follow her passion for writing. An avid traveller with an insatiable curiosity, you never know where you’ll find her next! But most days, she’s in Vancouver, Canada quietly plotting murder and mayhem under the watchful eye of a cat. She is an award-winning presenter and the author of the thriller THIRST.
Where to find Katherine…
Joanne here!
Katherine, I’m impressed by the rich tapestry of experiences you have seamlessly woven together. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.
Today, we have Dr. Ellen Albertson sharing her inspiring journey to wellness.
Here’s Dr. Ellen!
Today I love my body. I’ve stopped worrying about it and started enjoying it. My body is a marvelous temple, a vehicle that transports me through life and facilitates emotion and pleasure.
But it wasn’t always like this. At first, I believed the path to wellbeing was weight loss. I thought that obtaining the “perfect” body would solve all my problems. But focusing on weight WAS the problem—blocking joy, personal growth and connecting with my genius and passion.
I was a weight loss warrior/worrier focusing ridiculous amounts of time and energy on weight and helping my clients do the same thing. Counting calories, restricting food, following rigid meal plans, beating myself up for eating a cookie, exercising excessively and weighing and judging people, FOR WHAT?
Trying to control my body was destroying my life. I was addicted to exercise. If I didn’t work out I freaked out! I ran away from problems and uncomfortable emotions and punished my body for not being “perfect”. No one knew because I looked “great.” Besides, as a personal fitness trainer I worked in the insane fitness industry where grueling workouts are glorified.
My daughter, Aly hit puberty. Distraught by her changing body, she started mirroring my dysfunctional, body hating behavior. Going clothing shopping was worse than root canal. She’d emerge from the dressing room in tears because nothing fit. Her behavior was a powerful wake-up call that roused me from my self-centered, self-loathing trance. To help her, I had to make peace with my body and food.
I started therapy and learned to safely connect with feelings and emotions. I confronted fears and questioned many long held beliefs, including my ridiculous fear of fat and view that everyone could and should strive to have a perfect, thin body. When thoughts like, “I feel fat” crossed my mind I crossed examined them. For example, I was out on a winter walk when I started feeling heavy. I realized I felt fat not because of body weight, but because I was wearing a bulky coat to stay warm.
Gradually my body stopped being a dumping ground for all that was wrong with my life. Movement and eating became joyful again. When I looked in the mirror instead of flaws and imperfections I saw beauty and glimpsed my soul. I realized my body was not my masterpiece, my life was.
That’s when I discovered Self-compassion, learning to treat yourself the way you would a good friend. I was working on my doctoral dissertation and wanted to provide women with something more than flat abs and a sexy bum. My dissertation chair suggested I offer meditation. Initially, I was uncomfortable with the idea because I didn’t meditate. Years ago I had meditated and been passionate about spirituality, but life and my quest for the perfect body had crowded out space to expand my soul.
The minute I said yes to meditation doors started opening. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) agreed to be on my dissertation committee. I studied extensively with Kristin and eventually become a Mindful Self-compassion teacher. MSC changed my life. As I meditated and practiced self-compassion I started to fall in love with my Self. The drive for perfection was replaced by self-acceptance, and the nagging, critical voice that had haunted me disappeared.
When things were difficult in my life I used to automatically say, “I feel fat”, restrict my eating and go for a run. Now when things are difficult I give myself what I need to feel better. I’ve stopped struggling and started flowing. Each day is an opportunity to see what there is to see, feel what there is to feel and know what there is to know. And difficulties are just doorways to grow and glow.
Today, My life is filled with passion, purpose and meaning. Sometimes it’s a hot mess, but now I can accept and handle it. I love and care for myself deeply, and I’m able to use my gifts of healing, insight and intuition to help others heal and live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Here’s what I want to leave you with:
Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are. When life feels heavy, harmonize the dance of your life with the song in your heart and flow with grace, beauty and ease.
Bio
Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Wellcoach® and Reiki Master. The Glow & Grow Coach, Dr. Ellen teaches women how to harmonize the dance of their lives with the song in their hearts and flow with grace, beauty and ease. She’s passionate about helping others let go of who they think they’re supposed to be & embrace who they are.
The former online Nutrition Expert for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and The Abs Diet, Dr. Ellen has helped thousands of women overcome negative body image and weight issues and enlighten body, mind, heart & spirit. After working for two decades in the diet industry and struggling with food and weight issues, she broke free from the body perfection trap. She discovered self-compassion, and transformed her life and coaching practice.
An expert on women’s wellbeing, Dr. Ellen has appeared on Extra, The Maury Povitch Show, the Food Network and NBC World News and has been quoted in Psychology Today, Family Circle, Eating Well and USA Today. Dr. Ellen’s articles on health and nutrition have appeared in Self, Better Homes & Gardens and Good Housekeeping. She is the author of 4 books including: Hawking God, Food as Foreplay: Recipes for Romance, Love & Lust and the soon to be released The Dietitian & The Diabetic: How to Help Your Husband Defeat Diabetes without Losing Your Mind or Your Marriage.
Where to find Dr. Ellen…
Click to get your free gift from Dr. Ellen ~ The Catapult Your Confidence Kit. It contains a workbook, guide and MP3 designed to help people shift their mood and build self-love and self-worth.
Joanne here!
Dr. Ellen, thanks for an inspirational post! Best of luck with your upcoming release, The Dietitian and the Diabetic.
In July 2013, I started the Second Acts series on my blog. My original intention was to feature the reinvention stories of twelve women as part of the launch to my debut novel, Between Land and Sea, Book 1 of the Mediterranean Trilogy.
I was pleased with the response and decided to extend the timeline. Almost three years have passed, and the Second Acts keep on coming.
Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.
Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Sister of Suspense author Marsha West sharing her multi-act life and her latest release, Act of Trust.
Here’s Marsha!
Apparently quite a few. Since I write about Second Chances, I especially appreciate being here at Joanne’s blog about Second Acts. Inspiring stories are told here!
If college was Act 1 where I studied theatre, speech, and English preparing to be an English teacher, then Act 2 was the three years I taught before getting married.
Following marriage, Mommyhood began Act 3. When you’re a mom, whether you work outside the home or not, life is structured by where your kids are in school and their activities. These were the years of serving on PTA boards, attending gymnastics meets, dance recitals, football games, traveling to cheerleading competitions, and musical performances. They continued into the girls’ college years.
Act 3, Scene 1 is when I ran and got defeated, ran again and was elected for two 4-year terms to the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education. That was 12 years of my life from when I was 40 to 52. Including the four years before I first ran when I’d observed school board meetings as a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), I attended school board meetings twice a month for 16 years.
Ultimately, that Act closed. I reluctantly did not to run for reelection after the second term for financial reasons. Our kids were approaching college age and instead of spending my hours volunteering, (School Board members in Texas aren’t paid) I needed to go back to teaching. (I have people tell me they wish I still sat on the board—nice for my ego—but then I’d have missed so many other experiences.)
Act 4. I was fortunate to get a job teaching theatre in a neighboring school district, setting up a drama program where there had only been a music program. For the next 4 years I immersed myself in that life, teaching & producing one-act plays, musicals, and the UIL One-Act competition. It was wonderful to see the growth of my students from their freshman year through their senior year. Several went on to work in theatre and teaching.
My Acts get a bit blurry now. I was still on the school board and teaching theatre when I began to work on a mid-management degree leading toward becoming a school administrator. I’d seen a poster in the lounge about the program and thought, “hmmm.”
Act 5 began when I got a job with the FWISD as an elementary assistant principal. I spent three wonderful years working with an awesome principal. We were in a good school of about 500 students (mixed ethnically and economically) with an active PTA—even an active Dad’s Club. I learned a ton. I made mistakes, but that’s how we learn.
Act 6 began when I was “promoted” and became principal of Riverside Applied Learning Center, a great little special interest elementary school. I won’t take time to explain what an awesome opportunity it is for kids to be in this kind of school. Here’s a link to school’s website for a brief explanation of what Applied Learning is. http://www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/Departments_Programs/Departments__A-K_/Choices/Elementary_School_Programs___S/Riverside_Applied_Learning_Cen
Act 6 Scene 2 After five years at Riverside, I was assigned to a much larger school, almost 800 students. A school that ran through principals about every 2 years. It was a school in transition from being an almost all white middle class to being predominantly African American with a smattering of Hispanics with a high percentage of low-income kids and families. What had been working wasn’t working any longer. It was stressful for everyone. The pressure to perform well on all the tests was enormous.
I worked longer and longer hours, and it became clear to me that my health was suffering. No one should work 14-hour days plus 8 and 6 hour days every Saturday and Sunday, and that’s what I was doing my last year in that school. After two years there, I retired the end of June in 2007.
Act 7 I didn’t realize it at the time, but I’d already begun this act—The Writer.
My mother had some health problems and to deal with the stress I went back to reading romance novels. Something I hadn’t done in over twenty years. My goodness those books had changed! Sex was no longer behind the closed door. The suspense was off the charts, too.
I had an idea for a book, which at 145 K words, was a tad long. LOL Besides which I knew nothing about the craft of writing genre fiction. I just told the story. When contest judges said I had a good story, but needed to take classes on POV and GMC, I didn’t know what they meant. 🙂 But I took their suggestions to heart and took classes, attended conferences, wrote, submitted, got rejected, wrote, sent to contests, got dreadful scores, took more classes, wrote, submitted, finalled in some contests, but got rejected. Continued to write. By the time I’d written my fourth book I was looking for small e-presses, and had decided if none of them wanted it, I’d self-publish.
Well, I got two offers and went with a small Canadian e-press. They published my first two books VERMONT ESCAPE and TRUTH BE TOLD. I learned about the publication business from them and now have self-published two books part of The Second Chances Series: SECOND ACT and ACT OF TRUST with plans for two more in the series.
(Not a separate act, but an extension of Act 3 is grandparenthood, a lovely time for sure.)
Act 7, Scene 1 My husband and I are in the process of downsizing from our large house to a smaller one, but this cottage is on a lake 15 minutes from our daughters and grandkids. The views are inspiring and blood pressure lowering. We never anticipated this, but are incredibly grateful. (Lake Picture)
I’m not sure I planned a second or third act, much less a third or fourth. I just followed my husband’s advice: “Go through the open door.” When an opportunity presents itself, take it. When I decided to run for school board that first time, it was because the incumbent had decided not to run. I’d been talking about it for a couple of years, and it was put up or shut up time. I saw the sign on the teacher’s lounge bulletin board about the mid-management program and that propelled me in a new direction and through another door. I didn’t set out to have a career as an author. I just wrote that first book.
My personal motto is: “Keep on Keeping on.” If you want something, don’t give up, no matter how hard it is. There were so many times I nearly gave up on my writing, but I hung in there, and now I’m the proud author of 4 published books. I’m grateful to all the authors who helped me on this journey.
I discovered this next quote at the time I was leaving the school board. “In life, what sometimes appears to be an ending is really a new beginning.” After all these year, I still keep a copy of this one on my desk. The way I see it as long as you’re alive, you have new Acts ahead of you. Be a life-long learner and go through that open door.
Blurb for ACT OF TRUST, Book 2 The Second Chances Series
A widow since 9/11 and a mother of grown daughter, Kate Thompson wants to keep her and her daughter safe, but the inheritance of land in Maine pushes her out of her comfort zone in Texas and into the arms of a Maine lawyer.
Maine lawyer and environmentalist, Jim Donovan wants to protect Aunt Liddy’s land and keep it from falling into the hands of the developers, but first he has to convince Kate Thompson she should hold on to the family land when she doesn’t even want to go look at it. However, he’s unprepared for the attraction each feels for the other, but denies exists.
Will they be able to settle the land deal before anyone else is killed or they break each other’s hearts?
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | KOBO | Apple iTunes
Where to find Marsha…
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Newsletter Sign-up
Joanne here!
Marsha, I’m in awe of your accomplishments and wish you well with all your literary endeavors.
Joanne Guidoccio 