 If you've been following me, you know I've been aiming to write my novella due to release next February. Well, I got it written! It definitely needs a polish, but it feels so good to have those 20k words down on "paper." Since you all helped me name my hamster in this story, I thought you might like a sneak peek at how it starts. See what you think.
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 What is it about a quilt that is so special?
And why did I choose to make it the center of my novella, The Missing Piece? I've talked about quilt shops already, but why quilts in particular? Why not any other part of sewing? Well, let me tell you about someone really special to me. My Grandma Reeve. She was one of the most amazing women I ever knew. And she taught me a love for quilts fairly early on. First, with a twin-sized quilt, each block appliqued with various women in different jobs. Then, when I graduated high school, with a queen-sized quilt made in the colors I requested. And she didn't only make quilts for me. No. There were thirteen of us grandchildren and every single one received two Grandma-made quilts. For almost a month now, I've been giving sneak peeks into MY story in the novella collection that released on the 27th. But today, I'm passing the torch and letting Regina Rudd Merrick post about her story and why spring is such an intrinsic part of it. Be sure to read to the end so you won't miss the next clue in our scavenger hunt!  Spring has sprung,
The grass is riz, Wonder where the flowers is? They are nowhere to be found, ‘Cause they’re underground. I’ve always had an affinity for springtime in Kentucky, being born in March, so it was no stretch for me to write a story based on the season! I could also say that, like my character Maia Pascal, I have a love/hate relationship with the season. In the LOVE category are the feelings of refreshing, new birth, plus the colorful flowers and budding trees after a somber late winter! It brings hope every year. On the flip side (I can’t use the word HATE, unlike Maia!), there are the following issues:
 The Love in Any Season Social Media Scavenger Hunt beings September 23rd! To celebrate the release of their new novella collection, Love in Any Season, the authors are hosting a fun social media scavenger hunt.
Here are the details: The Scavenger hunt opens September 23, 2022 and entries must be received by 11:59pm on October 4, 2022. One winner will be drawn from correct entries and announced on our social media pages on October 5, 2022. The winner will receive a $60 Amazon gift card. The contest is open to US only. Many of our clues are found on social media sources that aren't our own. Each author will keep a post like this one where links to new clues will be updated each day. Here are the other places where you can connect with each of the authors: So let's talk shop today. And by shop, I mean quilt shops. Why? Because my story, The Missing Piece, is set in one. One based off a few others I've been to.
I don't know if you've ever been in a quilt shop or not, but if you haven't, let me tell you. They're a lot of fun. You walk in and automatically your eyes are drawn to multiple things. Because fabric is fun. Full of colors and patterns and ideas of projects yet to happen. And as far as I can tell, women who work in quilt shops are fun, too. Because they have a passion for the art of sewing/quilting. And that's definitely something that speaks to my soul. So, my story is set in a quilt shop called The Missing Piece. It's in an old house that was redone into a store, but still has the character of different rooms and areas for fabric to be. There's a classroom in the back corner of the house (the former master bedroom), a room set up for people who need a place to sew, cutting tables here and there, and, of course, shelves of fabric. Did I model this after a real shop? Yes and no. September 27th, three other authors and I have a novella collection releasing. And we're pretty excited about it. If you somehow missed all our posts on social media and our newsletters last week, here's the cover and more information about each of our stories--four seasons, four small towns, four festivals, and four romances. Sounds good, right? Keep reading!   I have been published six times since 2017. And I've signed contracts for four more publications this year and next. Well, correction. Because now I've signed two more contracts!
And it never gets old. Seriously, there is always a little thrill when the email comes through with the attached document to print and sign. Because it means someone else believes in my story and is willing to take a chance on it, too. So, want to know what I signed?  A writer's brain never stops. At least, mine doesn't.
I'm constantly coming up with new ideas for stories and blogs. And this is a good thing, most of the time. Last year, I started out with a plan to write two stories and get at least one more contract. Instead, I wrote three novels, most of a novella, a couple proposals, and got contracts for a three-book series and two more novellas. Needless to say, I'm not upping my goals this year. That being said, want to know what I plan to work on writing-wise in 2022?  This month, I put my characters through the big D. And I do mean Dallas.
While I thought I had written my second roadtrip romance last November, my publisher didn't love the way I had gone about it. So, in order to get the contracts, I needed to rewrite it. I don't know about you, but once I get my head wrapped around something one way, it's hard for me to picture it any other. Especially after pounding out about 60,000 words about it that way. But, onward and upward. This month, I finally got to tackle it. And, I have to admit, I like this version better. Remember the Roadtrip Romances I've been talking about for almost two years now? Guess what! They're coming!!!!!  Last week, I signed a contract for all three of my Roadtrip Romances. The first, Destination: Fun (Romance) will release June 2022. Roadtrip for One (Two) will release December 2022. And Operation: Find a Job (Guy) will release June 2023. I'm so excited to share these stories of the various trips Katie, Bree, and Skye take and how they don't turn out quite like expected. Tons of fun locations, friendships, and of course, romance, is on its way.
But that's not all! I also got a contract for another novella. This will release in a collection called Love in Any Season. My story will be called The Missing Piece, about Beth and Tommy and a quilt shop their moms run. It's going to be a fun collection with authors Regina Merrick, Sarah Crouch, and Heather Greer, and I know you're going to love them all. Look for that collection to come out September 2022. In case you don't know what this all means, it means I better get busy and quit letting my muse take a vacation! Ha! I have some rewrites and first writes to do as well as polishing a few other things, but I'm thrilled to continue releasing stories to share with you. And now I want to know. Are you as excited as I am? Which story intrigues you most? |
This is a place for me to tell you about what I'm writing, talk about the process or where some of my ideas came from, or even have other authors come in and talk about their books.
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