Thursday, September 4, 2014

Hello September, Nice to See You Again


Well, my friends and fellow authors, it’s finally here… SEPTEMBER!  There are so many things I love about this month… mostly because it extends its branches into one of my favorite times of the year, autumn. 
 
Before I venture into all of the wonderful things about September, I want to quickly say how sad and frustrated I am about everything that is going on in the world today.  I've been watching a lot of CNN before bed and I can't tell you how devastated my heart feels.  9/11 is approaching and as the fear of terror rises within our country, I can't help but to worry.  I saw the twin towers fall from the window of my apartment back in college and I still remember that day like it was yesterday.  I will be blogging about this next week.
But onto September and happier news... for now and hopefully, always.  Over Labor Day weekend, I attended my sister's engagement party. 
Here we are at my sister's party.  My mother and I are at the top.  On the bottom from left to right are my aunt, cousin, grandmother and two sisters.  The gal standing behind my grandmother is getting married.

There is quite a lot to celebrate this fall… from school author visits, to trips to the apple farm and harvest festivals, to hosting horror movie nights with imported cheese and scented candles, cider and pumpkin cookies, to baking tons of pumpkin and banana nut muffins, to pumpkin spiced coffee in the mornings while I write… well, you get the gist.  And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a pumpkin junkie when it comes to food, coffee and pumpkin picking during this season. 
We go apple picking each year at a local farm where I stock up on autumn scented candles and apples.  This was taken last October.

My birthday is also nestled within the last week of October.  This year, we are planning a road trip to either Maine or Pennsylvania where we will rent a cottage over the lake or by the mountains and sea.
We took this photo while hiking on a mountain off of the coast of Camden, Maine.  I'd really love to make another trip out there for my birthday.

So if you can’t tell already, I am super stoked for autumn!

BUT, with that being said, we are here today to talk about September.  There is something about this time of year which I can never grow out of.  Even though I am deeply saddened as I wave goodbye to the warmth and freedom the summer rewards us with, September always seems to welcome me with its promises of a new beginning and smells of a colorful season shortly to follow.
 
There is a certain melancholy which rumbles through the anticipation of my children’s author work as well as my early morning writing sessions before the day job begins.  I usually find myself groggily making my way over to the coffee pot at 5am so I can ensure a time slot for writing before work.  This dedication and regimen usually lasts until June, once I’ve retired my imagination blocks after my last author visit has been given.  



Even though I graduated from college exactly ten years ago, I still succumb to “school mode” once September takes me upon its promising winds.

At this time, my children’s book has been selected by an established PR company for an upcoming press release.  This week has been quite time consuming due to preparations for the release, working on my 2nd children’s book, and getting our condo ready for remodeling.  I’m really excited about the press release, though, because as an independent author, it’s tough to get word out about my work.  This strategy might open doors to author interviews, more schools, radio talk shows and other media outlets.

Plus, over the coming weeks, I am hoping to work on my blog here as well as to touch base with my contacts for my upcoming school visits, presentations and volunteer work. 
 
Besides my children’s books, some of you may already know I have written the 1st draft to my suspense novel this past winter.  I managed to almost complete my WIP, however, there are tons of edits which need to be done, and of course, the next phase in drafting.  I really miss my characters and honestly can’t wait to be able to sit down and get lost in their world again.  I’m hoping to begin working on this project once things have settled with my other genre of writing. 



I also have several books waiting for me on my TBR list including “In Need of Therapy” by Tracie Banister, “Reborn” by Cherie Reich, “The Backworlds” by M Pax, and “Double Negative” by C. Lee McKenzie. 

My niece has read several of Kelly Hashway’s “Touch of Death” books and she loves them.  I’ve been a fan of Kelly’s ever since I first stumbled upon the blogosphere.  She happily accepted my writing and musings into her heart and I find her to be an incredible author and friend.  You can find her and her books here http://www.kellyhashway.blogspot.com/

I’m currently reading “Silverhills” by Sandra Cox and I love it so far.  Sandra always puts a smile on my face whenever I visit her blog.  She is also one of the kindest people I know and I truly found a sweet soul in her.  She can be found here http://sandracox.blogspot.com/

If you haven’t read “It Ain’t Easy Being Jazzy” by Quanie Miller, then get your butts over to Amazon and get a copy!  I laughed so hard throughout this novel.  Her writing is warm, soulful and funny, just like Quanie.  You can find her and her books here http://www.quanietalkswriting.com/

While on vacation, I read "Soul Cutter" by Lexa Cain.  I liked her book so much that I told our cab driver about her and her work while in Manhattan last weekend.  He was from Egypt and since I only know ONE person who lives in Egypt, I couldn’t help but to throw Lexa’s name out there.  Hopefully, he will buy her book and pass her information along.  Lexa is such a sweet and talented author and you can find her work and website here http://lexacain.blogspot.com/

I’m also hosting two blog tours on Dawning on a New Day for authors Chrys Fey and Crystal Collier.  I am really looking forward to them because I love Crystal’s writing (it’s absolutely stunning) and I admire Chrys’s instinct for exhilarating suspense, crime and romance.   I’ve also followed their blogs for quite some time now and am a huge fan of both amazing women. 

Chrys and her impeccable author advice can be found at http://www.writewithfey.blogspot.com/

Crystal and her heartwarming passion for writing and cheese can be found at http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com/  

I’ve read tons of books by so many of you wonderful authors and I’m sorry if I haven’t mentioned you!  Keep on persevering, keep on persisting, keep on failing, and most importantly, when you fail, don’t give up.  It’s bound to happen… over and over and over again.  But each time we fall, we learn something about ourselves and our writing.  And as a result, we become better and closer to mastering our art.

Shelfie Time!

AND last but not least, I'm sharing a "Shelfie" of my desk.  Sometimes, I write here but I also do a lot of my writing on the dining room table overlooking the trees and mountains out front of our home.  The atmosphere of my desk also has a nice tone and it's actually clean today!!  For more on Shelfies, visit Tara Tyler Talks where you can post your own and enter to win her current giveaway!! 
 




Happy September!!
What is on your mind this month?  Have you set goals for September?  Does autumn have a certain appeal on your writing?  How many genres of writing do you have?
 
 
P.S. I'm also participating in the Liver Life Walk in dedication to my mother and the 30 million Americans who suffer from liver disease.  You can sponsor me by donating and helping to raise awareness to an epidemic that is growing every single day.  No dollar amount is too small, especially when it comes to saving Lady of Lourdes Liver Center in Camden, New Jersey.  It is in danger of shutting down due to lack of funding.  This incredible facility is where my mother and many other adults and children have received new livers.  If you click on the link below, you will find my participation profile under my real name... Shhh, don't tell.  I know, I have a really famous last name which is why I chose to conceal it for my author work.  Please, donate here:
 
 
 

38 comments:

  1. Aw, thank you so much for the kind words, Gina. I'm so glad we stumbled upon each other's blogs. I've really enjoyed getting to know you. You're such an inspiration. Your strength amazes me.

    Happy September! Fall is my favorite season too.

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    1. Of course, Kelly! You are truly one of the best.
      How awesome is fall? I have an autumn orchard candle lit as we speak. I might be jumping the gun since it's almost 90 degrees here, lol.

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  2. It sounds like you've read a lot of good books lately with more to come. :)

    September does feel like a new start. Autumn is my favorite season. Good luck with all your projects, Gina!

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    1. Thank you, Cherie. You have so much going on over on your side as well. I'm excited for all of us to really get a lot more accomplished this year!

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  3. Ok, you have a LOT going on right now! I understand your comment on my post even better after reading this. Good luck with the PR stuff - and congrats!!

    I love autumn, too. It's my favorite season, and yet I'm having trouble letting summer go! Your post and pictures of the foliage, pumpkins, apples, and all of the other things I love so much about fall helped :) Thank you!

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    1. Thanks, Liz! My fingers are crossed for a good outcome!
      I love the summer but there is something about the fall that makes us authors feel anew. It was hard for me to say goodbye to these last few months of summer so I couldn't help but post beautiful images of the months to look forward to:)

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  4. Gina, It's so nice to see u back in the swing of things & all ready for your very busy time of the year. I have so many autumn memories & I am sure that u will share many of them vividly during this most colorful season. Let me know if u are in need of any old family ghost stories, to set the mood for October! Looking forward to you giving your all, with your magical imagery, this season of fall! Love, Mom

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  5. Awe, thanks mom:) I would love to share our old ghost stories in October!! What a fantastic idea:)
    I have a couple involving Daddy Carmen...
    I can't wait to make new memories with you this fall... Especially the Liver Life Walk. It's going to be such an epic time!

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  6. Wow, all kinds of stuff going on. What a great idea for celebrating your birthday. I'm going to have to try some of the above mentioned books.Thanks for all the honorable mention:) Appreciate ya:)

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  7. Of course, Sandra=)
    I'm really hoping to make it up to Maine but it's a bit of a drive and we would be pretty much losing out on most of a day. PA is closer and has some really stunning lakes and lodges.

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  8. I am so happy that Autumn is on it's way. Just like you, I find so much magic in this season. And I can't wait to get into all the fall full from pumpkin bread to Halloween decoration.

    Congratulations to your sister!

    And all of the books you mentioned are on your TBR list are on mine, too. Including the book you're reading now and the ones you have read. Ugh, I have to get reading!

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  9. Autumn definitely has a hold on our spirits, Chrys. And we do love everything magical, ghostly and having the word pumpkin in it!
    I took the summer to read more which was much different than my past summers. Although I enjoyed reading those books, I do have to buckle down now and really get some work done!

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  10. Your September will be a grand harvest, Gina! All the apple-picking, and pumpkin-cooking, and the birthday vacation in a cottage by a river and your work-to-come. I'm really excited for you on your 2nd children's book release. I'll be looking most forward to it (and to celebrating it over on my blog). I hope to get a reading tablet by the end of this month so I can keep up with our friends' book releases, especially Chrys's.

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  11. Thank you, Claudine! I am so grateful to have your support and kindness. One of these days, I have to celebrate your book on my blog. It is such a heartwarming tale.
    I don't know what I would do without my kindle. Although I still enjoy the feel and smell of a good book, my tablet enables me to stay better connected with a lot more authors:)

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  12. Gina! You are too sweet! Thanks so much for the shout-out! I am SO looking forward to the release of your suspense novel so I hope you get plenty of time to get those edits done. I'm happy that it's September as well. As you know, I have something very huge coming up in the next couple of weeks, lol. So this will likely be my favorite month! And by the way, all of that talk about muffins has made me hungry. Congrats on the press release and good luck on all of your upcoming projects. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks, Quanie! I'm so excited for September! And I can't wait for you to welcome your new addition=) I feel like it was just yesterday when you told me but it's seriously been months. Time sure has been flying by.
      I'm making chocolate chip banana nut muffins today.. so not healthy but it's Sunday so it's okay=)

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  13. I need to check out some of the books and authors you mentioned, although I'm familiar with most of them. You have a lot going on. I find this time of year to be very busy. I love the fall and the cool down. If I travel, I love seeing the leaves turn.

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    1. I love seeing the leaves turn when we take longer trips toward western NJ. With the mountains and leaves combined, it's very picturesque.
      Reading has been quite enjoyable this summer but now it's time for me to buckle down and get to my own work. I'm hoping to start my next TBR list later this fall=)

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  14. Wow, a lot going on!!! I love September, too. It's my birthday month, but mostly it's just that I LOVE fall. October is my absolute favorite month. It always goes too quickly! I'd love to hear more about your author visits! That's one area of marketing my work that terrifies me.

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    1. Other than the summer, October is one of my favorite times of year. There is something so mystical and surreal about the autumn and early mornings. It really makes for great writing.
      Stephanie, you would be great at giving school presentations! Your books have such positive messages and teachers love this. I remember how nervous I was at first but kids tend to gravitate toward nice people. And a lot of them are really interested in reading, writing and drawing. You would do just fine=)

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  15. Thank you, Sandra=) Happy Monday to you!

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  16. Thanks for this inspiring tribute to September, a month I also love for many of the same reasons. This is the first September in ages that hasn't meant back-to-school for our family, as my youngest graduated from HS in June and both sons are taking a gap semester. Strange feeling, but also more time for writing!

    Wow - I did not realize you were an eye witness to the Twin Towers collapse. That day was a life changer for so many of us who watched from from a distance so I can only imagine what it must be like to have the actual experience in your memory.

    Thank you also for the links to the books by our some of our fellow writers. I intend to purchase and read as many of these as I can fit in.

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  17. I'm happy to hear you will have more time for writing! The fall and winter usually provide me with a greater amount of time for my work. I think it's mostly because I am more inclined to wake up several hours before the day job and write when it's still dark outside. I tend to sleep in during the summer which is strange because you would think the bitter cold of the winter months would be cozier under the blankets=)
    9/11 was such a chaotic day at my college and I'm hoping to blog about it on Thursday. That memory will always feel like it was yesterday to me. I guess this is why my college years somewhat linger and trail not so far behind me. It's been 13 years and yet I can still taste the fear and sadness which stems from my heart.

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  18. Gorgeous photos! I love going apple picking in the fall. I'll be going with my son's preschool this year. And terrific Shelfie! Thank you for participating. :)

    P.S. Reborn is an awesome book!

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    1. My pleasure, Christine! I never heard of a Shelfie before until I visited Tara's blog. I love the whole concept! It's nice to see where our fellow authors do some of their most incredible work=)
      Good to know Reborn is a great book! I am totally stoked about reading it.

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  19. Look at all these wonderful pictures and advice! You are an inspiration! Thanks for entering our Shelfie raffle - your desk is neater than mine by far!

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    1. LOL, Tara, that photo of my desk caught her on a GOOD day. Normally, there is a mess of papers, especially when I'm preparing for my school visits.
      I also used to have post-its EVERYWHERE... even on my walls! The dear kindly asked me to take them down because they were literally growing toward the window=) I do try to keep her neater now.

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  20. Hi Gina, it's so nice to catch up with you. I'm sure I subscribed to your blog but I didn't receive any email blog notices so I haven't been around :( That picture of you and your family is so beautiful! Your autumn sounds super busy. Yes, I love autumn too and still revert to that back to school mode. New pencils, notebooks and paint supplies just feel right.

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  21. Hi Lisa, it's so nice to catch up with you, too. I'm glad you stopped by and are enjoying September as much as I am. Although we have had some tragic events over the last few weeks, at least we can find comfort in our work and writing this fall.
    Yes! Notebooks, journals and good pens are some of my favorites. If I could paint, those supplies would be awesome too:)

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  22. I really like your Shelfie!

    I have slight desk envy as I don't really have a proper desk at home yet. I plan on rearranging my bedroom (renovating a bit) to change that, but gotta save up some funds first. ;)

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    1. Awe, thanks Trisha!
      Don't rush and make sure you get the right desk for you! I wanted something small and simple but nice. My desk is in my bedroom next to our window but I hang pristine photos of the ocean around it for inspiration. I should have taken some pictures of them too!

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  23. Hi Gina.
    My first time here at your place.
    I LOVE your shelfie...cosy and also atmospheric...in a good way, of course!
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Thank you, Michelle! I'm heading over to check out your blog now. Glad you made your way over to my happy space=)

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  24. Hi, Gina. I like your shelfie!

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