Spring is in the air here, we just wish it would settle down and stay that way.  Ball practice for the little ones has started, and wildflowers are trying to peek their heads above the brown tinge winter left behind.  I’m looking forward to cooking on the grill, and going barefoot on the back deck.  Hubby and I bought a gas grill last year, having worn the previous one out.  I love having potted plants on the deck, and look forward to planting colorful flowers in my small garden.  I’ll be buying a new umbrella for our small table.  Working back there whenever the weather cooperates sounds like heaven! And I look forward to that first boat ride on the lake, with our heads tipped back and the wind in our hair.

I love sunshine, and always feel energized from the rays.  I have a small window in my office, but it doesn’t show much…just treetops.  My daughter gave me a lovely beach scene that lights up, and I have that across from my desk.  The open cottage doors in the scene, and the cool, blue ocean and white sand totally take me there.  I love wind chimes too, and have them across my front porch, under the eaves, and one in my office.

All of these things inspire me, and I’m looking forward to the heightened senses that spring and summer bring.  What’s the weather like where you are, and what are some of your favorite things? 

On a note, happy birthday to my big brother, Marv! You’re the best, and I love ya.

It’s a very special day for me.  My debut novel, BUTTERFLY WISHES, will be released today, March 30th! I can’t tell you how special this day is for me.  For many years, I’ve dreamed this dream.  I plan on standing in the moment, and breathing it all in.  I’ll be spending the day with my grandchildren, and hubby.  And tomorrow, we’re all going out for a celebration dinner.

Thanks to all my family and friends, for supporting me and cheering me on.  And a special thank you to Tiger Publications, for believing in me and my stories.  I appreciate you all!!!!!

I’ll be the debut author at Magical Musings this month.  One of my Magical partners, Edie, will be posting my interview this Tuesday the 25th.  I’d love for you to stop by, and share in the fun!  Being a part of Magical has been a wonderful adventure for me, and I can’t tell you how much I’ve grown as a writer and a person.  I’m proud to be a part of this fabulous website with Michelle Diener, Liz Kreger, Edie Ramer, and our newest addition Janette Kenny! 

I hope all of you enjoy the holiday weekend, and that the Easter bunny brings you lots of goodies!  When I was small, I remember getting a basket of colored baby chicks, real chicks, from an aunt.  Let me tell you, I loved those yellow, pink, and blue fluffy things.  My mom and her other sisters weren’t so tickled, but I thought they were adorable.  This is the same aunt who bought everyone doggies one year for Christmas!   Life was always exciting.  There were four aunts and one uncle,  nine cousins, and an amazing Papaw and Mamaw.  Every Easter, Papaw would hide eggs for the grandchildren and we’d race around the yard like ants. 

I smile, because my hubby is Papaw now, and I’m Mimi.  We have five gandchildren, and Ran hides eggs for the little ones, and they race around the yard like ants.  Sometimes I just stand in the middle of it all and smile.  Life has  a way of weaving a beautiful story.  It’s those memories we carry, and leave behind for others to capture… and it continues.

I hope your hearts are full, and that you enjoy the newness of spring.

I read an interesting interview on Charlize Theron, and found a little jewel about mid-way down.  She made this statement when asked about the roles she chose.  The question was, “You seem to be drawn to dark subject matter. Why?”  The line that jumped out at me in her answer was this, “I’ve never been genre-drive.”  That grabbed my attention.

Charlize then said, “To me, it’s really about the storytelling, whatever form that comes in….”  I’m drawn into this interview in our local newspaper further.  The more I read, I realized actors delve into roles, much the same way we as writers ease into a new story.  It attracts us, this idea that come to us.  We follow to see where it leads.  If we’re drawn deeper, it becomes a magical carpet ride for our imagination.

I’ve always admired actors because they bring characters to life, and scripts are magically translated through talented people. Creation lives everywhere, it’s vibrant and alive.  And I’m very fortunate to be writing for a publisher that doesn’t pigeonhole authors. I can follow my muse, and not be genre directed.  They’re all about stories, and good storytelling.  And that to me is refreshing.  I noticed magical elements appeared while writing my first women’s fiction novel.  They’ve been a part of my work ever since, and it’s nice knowing if other elements seep into my work it’ll still be all about the story.   And I love that.  I’ll probably always stay in women’s fiction, but without any fences I can spread my wings too.

Any thoughts on genre?

My firstborn had insomnia last night and went over and tweaked My Space page for me.  Let me say here, what I’d come up with was pretty drab and basic.  I joined last year so I could comment on Liz’s my space page, and answered the basics when I generically signed up.  Randi called me this morning, and mentioned she’d done a few things over there…  Well, I was blown away and and it reflects everything I love!    

So if you have an inclination, mosey over and check it out.  I know many authors who utilize My Space for promo, and networking.  This is a fascinating time we’re living in folks!  And to think, when I wrote my first novel in a sprial notebook…the net was just a twinkle in some genius’s eye!  And having daughters who can surf the net like Gidget is a godsend!  Here’s a big hug your way, baby girl!