NO PAIN, NO GAIN

If it was easy, everyone would do it...Think working toward your goal is difficult, fraught with hurdles and distractions? Great! You will succeed at whatever you've decided to accomplish. Hats off to a few people I admire this week: Scarlett Rains, for working hard getting reviews and spreading the word about her blog, Tonya Kappes, for getting her Street Team up and running while raising a family of three busy teens, and Terry Stark (Terry Tyler) for getting back up when she felt overwhelmed wearing all the hats of an indie author. Thank you for your inspiration! Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

IT'S YOUR TIME...

Last kernel from David Hochman's article in the May 2012 issue of Spirit magazine. 
He says, "Time moves swiftly. Make the most of it." You may be 29 or you may be 69. Doesn't really matter. Young people have energy but  full plates of responsibility; older people move slower but seem to have a precious commodity that youth may not~time. Levels the playing field to the point of a simple truth: we really all have the same opportunity to realize our dreams. Mine is to publish eight books in The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series by November 2013 and a fictitious  memoir in 2014. One last tip: Working toward a dream is A BLAST! I'd like to hear about your dreams.

For more on the TED conferences: http://www.TED.com

We-Can-Be-More-Mindset

From the same article by David Hochman in Spirit magazine (May 2012), comes a mash-up quote I liked from poet Rainer Maria Rilke and philosopher Epictetus, summing up the mantra of TED (a convergence of technology, entertainment and design). And I quote: "If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself. Tell yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches. First, say to yourself what you would be. Then do what you have to do." May you be all you can be today, my friends. 
For more TED visit their website http://www.TED.com
 

THE SURPRISING SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS

Came across a gold mine of positive ideas while on a Southwest flight last week. Found the article in their May 2012 in-flight magazine Spirit, rather aptly named.Written by David Hochman, a Los Angeles-based freelance writer, the article was filled with ideas worth living, all from an annual big-brain gathering in California known as TED, or the growing convergence of technology, entertainment, and design. To name just one from Regina Dugan; "Be nice to nerds,...we all have nerd power, we just forget...We let someone more capable take the lead. but there is no one else. Just you," she says. "If we're lucky, someone steps in, takes a hand and says, 'Let me help you believe.'" I'll be sharing more in later posts, but for now, I say, "I am one person who believes in you."
If you can't wait, visit http://www.TED.com. 

"QUEEN OF AFTERNOON TEA" CELEBRITY AUTHOR INTERVIEW

"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"
 CELEBRITY AUTHOR
       LINDA KOZAR




             

Welcome! Let me pour you a nice cup of Bengal Spice tea and well get started.  Your desk teapot is so special that I just had to share it with our readers. Please help yourself to an herb biscuit with mushroom/basil/garlic pate, and for dessert, we have chocolate eclairs, filled with your favorite chocolate cream filling.

Where do you live? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live north of Houston in The Woodlands, Texas. Love it here. Love the people. And the food--barbecue, tamales, salsa, pico de gallo. . .the list is long!

I’m originally from New Orleans, but have lived here in Texas for 23 years (no-so-coincidentally how long I’ve been married).

Are you a traditionally published or Indie author?

I am traditionally published (so far).

What are your hobbies?

Besides writing, I like oil painting, crafting, beading and mixed media.

Tell us about your current book. What was your inspiration?

I have a series of three ebooks--cozy mysteries coming out in May (20^th, 27^th) and (June 3^rd) “When The Fat Lady Sings Series” Spyglass Lane Publishing.  The inspiration came from my own friends—outrageous, fun personalities—people who I considered to be perfect characters. I just had to write storylines around them!

How did you become a writer? When did you start?

It really started in second grade when I used to read everything I could get my hands on (especially the entire collection of Nancy Drew books). But I also read grown up books, everything from the classics to book club novels from our home bookshelves. And there were times I didn’t like the way a certain story ended, so I would rewrite them. I promised myself that someday I would grow up to be an author and write books with the kind of endings I wanted.

Fast forward to adulthood, I became a freelance journalist with hundreds of articles published. But in 2003 I decided I was ready to move from newspapers to writing books. Actually, I couldn’t think beyond one book. If I achieved just one, that would have felt pert near perfect.

That same year, a friend of mine approached and asked me to co-found a Christian writers group. We named it “Words for The Journey Christian Writers Guild” and it was a huge success. We eventually opened a Rocky Mountain Chapter in Colorado as well. I began to learn the craft and grow from a news reporter to novelist. I was blessed to meet some wonderful critique partners, who helped to polish my work and really make it shine.

I’m still in a critique group. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve been in over the years, but I lovelovelove being involved with critique partners who tell me the absolute truth in love.

How long did it take you to finish your first book?

My first book, a nonfiction I wrote in 2005, was never published. However, it went to committee at three different publishing houses. The problem did not rest so much with the book as with the fact that I had no platform or brand or name for myself. The publishing houses were unwilling to take a risk on the book. But the good part about that is that I can now dust that book off, self-publish it in digital form and find out who was rightJ

My second book, a fiction was written piecemeal. I wrote the first three chapters, not really knowing what kind of book I was writing. I was just going where the characters took me—a real seat of the pants experience. Then I skipped ahead and wrote two more chapters at what I figured would be the middle of the book. Finally, I sat down and wrote every day for two weeks straight and finished the book. That one sold a couple days after I finished it, through a miraculous and bold decision to query and editor by email.

Where do you like to write?

I struggle with that. Proper ergonomic form is important, but to date, I haven’t found one particular comfort zone. So, I write in different places and positions all over my house. And yes, I write primarily in my home where I’m not distracted. Some people like to write in public places—restaurants, hotel lobbies or malls, but not me. I can’t concentrate with all the activity around. Even on a plane. And there’s nothing more annoying than having the person next to you reading your work while you’re writing. That’s happened to me on planes and in restaurants. I do take notes when I travel, notice something interesting or hear an intriguing conversation. But I write at home where it’s quiet and comfortable.

I have a chaise lounge in my study I like to start off in. when I get tired of that, I move to a leather Barco lounger in the living room. Then I move from my laptop to my PC upstairs where I sit on a large exercise ball in front of the computer desk. It’s supposed to ease tension on your lower back, and it does help.

Bottom line, I think it’s important to move around a lot when you’re writing for long periods of time.

Favorite author(s)?

Gosh, there are so many! Usually my favorites are the ones I’m currently reading. I really enjoyed reading “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” And I have to say, one of my all time favorite books is the novel, Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier.

I’m a big fan of Victoria Holt. Those books were my favorite rainy day reads. Though gothic stories fell in popular appeal years ago, I believe they are poised for a comeback. II particularly love southern gothic romance. I have one written and ready to go. It is by far, my favorite out of all the books I’ve written.

How many books have you written, so far? Do you plan to write more?

I’m right at six now, and my agent is shopping around a few as well. And yes, I plan to write more. I’m in this writing thing for the long haul. I feel called by God to continue.

Would you like to share a link where we can purchase your books?

They are available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, etc. My nonfiction book of devotions Babes With A Beatitude—Devotions For Smart, Savvy Women of Faith is available in bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, etc.

Check my Amazon Author Page. The latest books—the cozy mysteries release on Misfortune Cookies May 20^th, A Tisket, A Casket  May27^th and Dead As A Doornail June 3^rd. A hardcover mystery, Strands of Fate (Annie’s Attic Mysteries) will release in October, 2012.

http://www.amazon.com/Linda-P-Kozar/e/B002BMEY8Y/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1336972268

What about a link to your website?

www.lindakozar.com

 It's been such a pleasure meeting you, Linda. It sounds like readers are in for some fun books coming our way! Thank you again for joining me for tea.

 

Linda Kozar is the co-author of Babes With A Beatitude—Devotions For Smart, Savvy Women of Faith (Howard/Simon & Schuster) and author of Misfortune Cookies (2008), (Barbour Publishing). Misfortune Cookies, A Tisket, A Casket, and Dead As A Doornail will release as ebooks in “When The Fat Ladies Sing Series” in May of 2012 (Spyglass Lane Mysteries). She received the ACFW Mentor of the Year Award in 2007, founded and served as president of Writers On The Storm, a local ACFW chapter for three years. In 2003, she co-founded, co-directed and later served as Southwest Texas Director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband Michael, married 23 years, have two lovely daughters, Katie and Lauren and a Rat Terrier princess named Patches.

Represented by: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary Agency

Member of: CAN (Christian Authors Network), RWA (Romance Writers of American), WHRWA (West Houston Romance Writers of America), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), Writers On The Storm, The Woodlands, Texas Chapter of ACFW, Toastmasters (Area 56) The Woodlands, Texas. WoodsEdge Community Church, The Woodlands, TX.

                               

SUNDAY IS MY DAY OF REST AND WORSHIP

SENDING BLESSINGS YOUR WAY!

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND, MY FRIENDS!

CELEBRATE! IT'S FRIDAY!

ENJOY THE END OF ANOTHER GREAT WEEK! 

SEE YOU MONDAY!

MORE ESCAPADES FOR JILLIAN COMING UP!

Wow! You might want to start reading The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series starting with Book 1.  Jillian  is about to move on with her life in WAITING FOR SANTA (Book 6). You'll have just enough time to catch up when PACIFIC BEACH (Book 5) comes out in the next couple of weeks, so click the link below or Book 1 in the slideshow to your right and get it now. 

Do not miss out...

 Paperback $9.89                                                                                                      Kindle $3.99

http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Half-Jillian-Bradley-Mysteries/dp/1452882088

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