Did you know I’m on Pinterest?

If you’re curious about the inspirations for my novels, check it out here. I use the site to visually bookmark the settings, research, and sights. When I get a release day for my books, I make the boards public on my page.

For Holidays, Inc., I’ve included the website for a musical theater I enjoy in the northern suburbs of Chicago. At this theater two Christmases ago, I watched the stage production of Holiday Inn. I’ve mentioned before being inspired by the movie’s premise of turning a farm into a theater in an out of the way location. The movie is problematic and includes representation that is so wrong and unnecessary that the film is not often available. In my writing, I wanted to update and fix the issues. I was editing the book when I bought tickets to see the stage production. The changes made from movie to theater really warmed my heart.

Also included is a link to a newspaper article. In a twist of life imitating art (sort of), a two-screen cinema in one of the small-towns turned Chicago suburb, is up for sale. I might have an idea for interested buyers in how to transform the property.

Only a little over a month until release day!

Former child actress, Danielle “Dani” Winter, left Hollywood to transform an old cinema into a dinner theater, seeing the project as her chance to take control of her future. The middle-of-nowhere location in Wisconsin is a perfect escape from backstabbing celebrity friends. The small town welcomes her help with open arms, but one man questions her plan.

After unsuccessful writing stints on both coasts, Paul Howell returns home to New Hope. He’s shocked to discover that his sister has sold the family business to a beautiful woman. With the encouragement of his neighbors, he reluctantly agrees to write Dani’s next musical.

Working together, they discover more similarities than differences and grow close. When Dani’s former best friend and America’s sweetheart, Kara Kensington arrives, their blossoming relationship is threatened in more ways than one.

I’ve mentioned before that I struggled with getting into a creative groove during the start of staying at home and e-learning. Luckily, I had several projects under contract. When I couldn’t find *new* words, I could shine and polish others.

But I needed more. I love writing. Creating stories is part of who I am. I’ve always believed in making time for what’s important. Because the “perfect moment” for anything is never going to arrive. Waiting around to make your dreams come true wastes time.

I started taking notes and dreaming and thinking (because…writers write. Doesn’t have to be some epic great piece of prose, even journaling can jumpstart my creativity). And thus launched the summer of sequels.

While writing my upcoming projects from both The Wild Rose Press and Anaiah Press, I knew the stories weren’t done with the first books. I’m excited to return to these fictional small-towns and continue the stories of other characters.

In May–as we finished home schooling for the year–I started the first-draft for the sequel to Her Hometown Dream. As often happens, writing begets more writing. While thinking about the characters, I had a spark of an idea that might be incorporated into a third book. I’m writing a journal from a character with ties to the series over a century earlier.  I’m excited to expand my craft and stretch my storytelling in a new way.

For a while, I’ve been circling ideas for a third book in the Finding New Hope series. I’m a big fan of the Hallmark Channel original series When Calls the Heart. (It’s set in the pioneer days in Canada–stay with me in how this ties to a contemporary romance series). One of the storylines I most enjoyed was how they took a character who began as a love rival and really redeemed her.

I love a good story of redemption. I have two characters vying for that spot, but who would get top billing? After I brainstormed a title, a very unusual jumping off point for me, I outlined and plotted a romance novel that completes the series (so far–never say never!).

So far I’ve written a lot of words in three projects. I’m heading back into edit mode, but this has been such a good use of these months. I’m grateful for my blessings every day. Living through a time of struggle, I focus on how much we do have. Projects help me establish deadlines and goals (something I need).