Writing in secret is difficult because it becomes addictive and takes up a lot of time. But I managed to keep it from everyone until I was almost finished with The Third Threat. Then one day, my youngest was home for a visit and used my computer. At dinner he asked about the story I was writing. Of course everyone wanted to know what he was talking about.
It was the same child that asked me many years ago to play instead of write. He is now one of my biggest fans and motivators.
After reading my story, several people encouraged me to get it published. I was hesitant. I love classics, and I compared my story to those books and felt it fell short. I became disillusioned and considered shelving my dream again.
When I mentioned this to someone that inquired about what I was doing to get published, they asked how many classics I had read lately. When I admitted that I hadn't read any, they asked why I read the books that I do. I told them because they're entertaining. They said that was the main reason most people read, and that my story and characters were very entertaining, and that's why I should publish the story. That advice and the prodding of my family gave me the desire to move forward and turn my story into a book.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Red River
For those of you unfamiliar with Red River, it's a country western dance place. We've gone there a few times over the years. We didn't actually start country dancing until about twelve years ago. It's an experience unlike any other that you will attempt, and you have to be in fairly good physical condition to boot scoot.
Unlike the postage size dance floors in most clubs, country western dancing requires a rather large dance floor. To country dance you have to be in constant motion as you revolve in a circle around the floor. Almost all clubs offer dance lessons, they don't teach you to dance to the beat of the music but certain steps with a lot of twirling, the pace is faster than the old style of boot scooting, especially the twirlers. The couples in which the lady is constantly spinning. They even move faster slow dancing now. Which takes away part of the reason to slow dance--to enjoy the music and closeness. We dance free style even though we've had a couple of lessons. We like to go with the flow of the music.
Generally we dance most of the time we're there, but this time we'd eaten a large meal beforehand, and unfortunately it all went to our feet. My usually fleet footed husband couldn't get the beat going, so we sat out a lot of dances and people watched. (Even with fast dances, you're pretty much connected with your partner when country western dancing. But my feet were like lead too.)
I've often told people that you shouldn't marry anyone unless you've slow danced with them. There is something about moving together to the rhythm of a romantic song that brings out things in people that nothing else can. A certain connection.
But after watching people dance the other night, I'm not so sure now. Some couples moved so smoothly around the floor, that you figured that they had been together for ages. (Ray says these people have gone liquid.) But come the next song, they were with someone else. Then there were those that bumped into practically every other couple on the floor. But they had huge smiles the entire time. One twirled and laughed so hard they danced right off the dance floor. Then bounced right back up and kept dancing, laughing that much harder. Yeah, some of it could have been the alcohol, but the look they shared and the way they held each other indicated that it was more. They honestly seemed to enjoy being with each other.
Ray and I have had people come to our table or us, and tell us how inspired they are watching us together. They never say we're terrific dancers, they usually say that the we looked like we were having a blast together, and that's it apparent how much we care about each other. Most ask how long we've been married and are usually shocked to find out we've been together since we were six. (Not really. hehe) They generally say they hope to be fortunate enough to find someone they can be as happy with as we are. I don't take this compliment lightly. It's one we've gotten quite often over the years, especially when we dance together. To be honest, we love to dance together, and we enjoy doing things together, so I guess it comes out while we're on the dance floor.
Maybe I don't need to rethink the dancing together thing before you marry. It's a great way to have fun and enjoy being in each other's arms. The song that states 'Life's like a dance--you learn as you go' is so true. Maybe this is why we like to dance to the beat of the music instead of a rigid set of steps.
You're not given a handbook at birth or marriage. You bump into a lot of things along the way, and depending on how you handle the bumps sometimes dictates how you handle life. We've learned that sometimes the bumps help us appreciate our lives more, and occasionally sends in a direction we really need to go.
So maybe you do need to dance together to see how each other reacts to life.
Unlike the postage size dance floors in most clubs, country western dancing requires a rather large dance floor. To country dance you have to be in constant motion as you revolve in a circle around the floor. Almost all clubs offer dance lessons, they don't teach you to dance to the beat of the music but certain steps with a lot of twirling, the pace is faster than the old style of boot scooting, especially the twirlers. The couples in which the lady is constantly spinning. They even move faster slow dancing now. Which takes away part of the reason to slow dance--to enjoy the music and closeness. We dance free style even though we've had a couple of lessons. We like to go with the flow of the music.
Generally we dance most of the time we're there, but this time we'd eaten a large meal beforehand, and unfortunately it all went to our feet. My usually fleet footed husband couldn't get the beat going, so we sat out a lot of dances and people watched. (Even with fast dances, you're pretty much connected with your partner when country western dancing. But my feet were like lead too.)
I've often told people that you shouldn't marry anyone unless you've slow danced with them. There is something about moving together to the rhythm of a romantic song that brings out things in people that nothing else can. A certain connection.
But after watching people dance the other night, I'm not so sure now. Some couples moved so smoothly around the floor, that you figured that they had been together for ages. (Ray says these people have gone liquid.) But come the next song, they were with someone else. Then there were those that bumped into practically every other couple on the floor. But they had huge smiles the entire time. One twirled and laughed so hard they danced right off the dance floor. Then bounced right back up and kept dancing, laughing that much harder. Yeah, some of it could have been the alcohol, but the look they shared and the way they held each other indicated that it was more. They honestly seemed to enjoy being with each other.
Ray and I have had people come to our table or us, and tell us how inspired they are watching us together. They never say we're terrific dancers, they usually say that the we looked like we were having a blast together, and that's it apparent how much we care about each other. Most ask how long we've been married and are usually shocked to find out we've been together since we were six. (Not really. hehe) They generally say they hope to be fortunate enough to find someone they can be as happy with as we are. I don't take this compliment lightly. It's one we've gotten quite often over the years, especially when we dance together. To be honest, we love to dance together, and we enjoy doing things together, so I guess it comes out while we're on the dance floor.
Maybe I don't need to rethink the dancing together thing before you marry. It's a great way to have fun and enjoy being in each other's arms. The song that states 'Life's like a dance--you learn as you go' is so true. Maybe this is why we like to dance to the beat of the music instead of a rigid set of steps.
You're not given a handbook at birth or marriage. You bump into a lot of things along the way, and depending on how you handle the bumps sometimes dictates how you handle life. We've learned that sometimes the bumps help us appreciate our lives more, and occasionally sends in a direction we really need to go.
So maybe you do need to dance together to see how each other reacts to life.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Freedom to Dream
One of the great things about doing signings is meeting new people. It's always interesting to hear their views. Another is having friends that are so gracious in arranging events. There isn't anyway to adequately let them know how much that means to me. I need to send special thanks to Kristy, Gina, Martha, Carolyn, Brian and all the others that have given me suggestions and helped with events.
And I wouldn't be able to do any of this without the help and encouragement of my side kick, my dear sweet husband, Ray. He loads and unloads event stuff. He helps set it up and take it down and he never grumbles. Thanks sweetheart for giving me the best gift ever---the freedom to dream.
And I wouldn't be able to do any of this without the help and encouragement of my side kick, my dear sweet husband, Ray. He loads and unloads event stuff. He helps set it up and take it down and he never grumbles. Thanks sweetheart for giving me the best gift ever---the freedom to dream.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Signing at Delta Airlines
Really enjoyed doing a signing at Delta Airlines office at DFW. Delta has a great group of people working for them and they made the day interesting and fun. The day was made even better because I got to spend time with Martha, a long time friend that I don't see often. Martha was the one that arranged the signing. She worked for Delta for many years, and just retired this past spring. She was nice enough to spend the day with me. In between visits with her many friends at Delta, we got a chance to catch up on each other's life. I know she's busy planning her daughter, Renee's wedding in September so I truly appreciate her taking time to help with this event.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Encouraged to Pursue Passion
A few years ago, I told my husband about a dream in which an ordinary citizen overhears what she believes to be a threat to America. She was unsure of all that had been said because most of the conversation was in Arabic. The tone of the conversation, and the fact they argued about jihad, convinced her that she should contact authorities. After she reported the incident, she was informed the FBI had a serum that would enable her to recall the entire overheard conversation even in a language she didn't speak. Soon the terrorists discover her identity and threaten to kill her. When the FBI request her assistance, she steps up and risks everything to help stop the attack.
My husband encouraged me, as always, to write down my dream. This time he was a little more insistent. At this point, a lot had changed in our lives and I actually had time to write. His encouargement reignited my desire to write. So I secretly began to write The Third Threat. (It actually went through several titles before I settled on Threat.)
Before revealing to anyone that I started to write Threat, I wanted to see if I had the discipline to write a novel. I decided if I was ever going to pursue my passion I needed to take that first step now. I had no plans to tell anyone of this endeavor until I was finished.
But life seldom happens like you plan.
My husband encouraged me, as always, to write down my dream. This time he was a little more insistent. At this point, a lot had changed in our lives and I actually had time to write. His encouargement reignited my desire to write. So I secretly began to write The Third Threat. (It actually went through several titles before I settled on Threat.)
Before revealing to anyone that I started to write Threat, I wanted to see if I had the discipline to write a novel. I decided if I was ever going to pursue my passion I needed to take that first step now. I had no plans to tell anyone of this endeavor until I was finished.
But life seldom happens like you plan.
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