I have been obsessed with finishing my two novels this year. Every spare minute I have is dedicated to my writing. And, God willing, both Vanished in Vallarta and Redneck Ranch will be published by the first of November.

As you all know, writing is a singular endeavor, until you have pages, chapters, a novel for someone to read, critique, edit. With these two novels, I’ve struggled with finding editors and Beta Readers.

After losing my first editor, my friend Sharon North, stepped in and took on both books. At first, I was disappointed that she didn’t like my villain in Vanished in Vallarta. After listening to her concerns and weighing them against how I’d hoped to show my villain in the story, I realized I’d been the one to let this character down. As I rewrote him, I not only showed his story better, but was also able to strengthen another character, both changes making the story stronger.

Sharon blessed me with a fabulous opinion of Redneck Ranch, which encouraged me to hand off the manuscript to my three Beta readers. These lovely women worked reading Redneck Ranch into their busy lives, while I improved Vanished in Vallarta. One of the things I find interesting is all three readers have found some of the same issues, but also problems separate from each other. Both Mary Eastman and Stacy Robinson loved Redneck Ranch, and as you’ve already guessed, their input and kudos helped me make the novel even better.

My final Beta reader, Cindy Schmid, a Montana girl through and through, made me aware of some specific story issues with regard to my descriptions of the Redneck Ranch. For instance, I decided the ranch could be five acres, but if I want to have horses and other animals, I need to picture a bigger spread. She also explained to me that Stone County, where my story unfolds, needed more history and fleshing out to make the fictional town of Stoneybrook, Oregon seem like a real place. I love creating characters and stories, but this is the first time I’ve actually created a county and town.

One of the reasons I wrote the novel, Redneck Ranch was to honor my Autistic son, Derrick, who passed away six years ago. Derrick always wanted to be a policeman or a sheriff, so I’ve created a fictional Deputy Sheriff named Derrick Austin Stone who always solves the crime in my novels and novellas. Obviously, losing Derrick was difficult and my journey to a place of zen was aided by the support of all the women I’ve named above and two friends who may not participate in the editing or reading phases of writing a novel, but their encouragement is priceless. Both Toni Hilton and Debbie Boutinen listen to my ideas about characters or my lamenting over whether the story is good, believable, or worth reading.

Cindy and Stacy are taking on the rewritten Vanished in Vallarta next and, with any luck, they will love the story as much as they did Redneck Ranch.

As I write this blog, I’m ensconced in my friend Cindy’s beautiful home in Montana on Whitefish Lake with Debbie, Sharon, and Toni. We’ve had a wonderful visit remembering how our friendships began, reminiscing about our younger days, and laughing about what old age has brough us so far.

The one thing growing old has taught me is the appreciation for the inspiration these friendships have brought me. Without their love, support, and shared interest in my writing I probably would have thrown in the towel years ago.

So out of something old, has come something new and I can’t wait to see what these few days with great friends will inspire in my next novel.

The title, Shut Up and Love! is a quote that belongs to my beloved Aunt Cindy, who died unexpectedly in her sleep three weeks ago. And though I’m writing a blog about this unimaginable loss, there truly are no words.

Cindy was only two years older then me, so not only did I lose one of my favorite aunts, but I’m also now looking over my sixty-six year old shoulder for the grim reaper.

Like me, my aunt had a strong faith, so it comforts me to know she’s traveled over the rainbow and beyond to be with family and friends who have gone before her. And though I believe what awaits me is better than my life here, I’m having a hard time accepting that the end draws near.

Do I only have two more years? I seriously hope not, because I’m not going to be ready. It’s taken me a year to write my next two books, and while I’ve loved every minute, I find myself worried about what I should write next. Do I only focus on one book, or should I try to write four?

My faith tells me it’s not my place to worry about my time on earth, nor plan for when I’m no longer here, but as a consummate planner, this logic goes against my nature. Hence, why my planning gene is on full throttle, making lists and checking them twice.

Am I in good health? Should I lose weight? Is it possible to live forever?

I know the last question might seem ridiculous, but even as a little girl, I wanted to live forever. I remember telling my mom I planned to live until my 100^th birthday, complete with an elaborate description of my party. Yes, I know living forever is a lofty goal, but I know I’m not going to be ready to leave planet earth. Leave my kids, grandkids, friends, and family.

One of my favorite quotes is:

Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty, well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming … WOW! What a ride! 

And I would add: Fifteen minutes late, with a margarita in hand, still asking for more time!

Since I don’t have a crystal ball, the answer is simple. Live for today. Write my books, short stories, blogs, birthday cards. Spend as much time with my kids, grandkids, friends, and family.

Take the love my Aunt Cindy and I shared and find a way to weave the beauty of our feelings into the characters that spring from my imagination. Maybe there’s a favorite aunt in my

Stoneybrook heroine, Harley Harper’s future. Or does the hero, Wyatt Stone, have a meddlesome aunt who needles him about his relationship with Harley.

And if you’ve been kind enough to read my previous blogs, then you know I love Mexico. What if my Aunt Cindy appears as a character in Chaos in Cabo. Or maybe she must save her nephew in Lost in Loreto from a shotgun wedding.

I know I haven’t met most of you in person, but you’re fellow writers, so I wish you good health. Long lives. And a river of words to fill the pages.

And please, Just Shut Up and Love!

I love being a writer. Everything about the process brings me joy, something I’ve struggled to find since my son, Derrick, died six years ago. Since then, writing has become my refuge from sorrow, anger, depression.

My first personal essay, fifteen years ago, was about my ex-husband walking away after Derrick was diagnosed with Autism. It’s interesting how life’s challenges, tragedies, joys, provide an outline for our imaginations.

After Derrick died, I found myself with time on my hands and decided to refocus on my writing. What a blessing creating, plotting, editing, re-writing, and reading a WIP countless times has been. And the reward of having readers tell you how much they like your story or novel is priceless.

I now have two completed novels and am working on the third book in my Mexico Mayhem series, VANISHED IN VALLARTA, which is in the super fun editing phase.

One of the hurdles I face is cost so I’ve always had a quid-pro-quo arrangement with another writer. Full disclosure, she doesn’t write or read my genre, nor I hers, but we’ve always managed to offer constructive critiques of each other’s works … until now.

My imagination tends to be a little dark and twisty, which of course bleeds into my writing. My books are full of murder and mayhem with dark villains. And I might have a touch of sex between the pages. And, yes, I know this type of story isn’t for everyone.

At first, I thought her concerns were about the story or plot or character development, so we met face to face to discuss her issues. All good? Not quite. This time my quid-pro-quo editor, who read my second book, balked when she encountered my colorful villain. She didn’t say she hated him or suggest I might expand on his emotional journey; explain she couldn’t see him as a fully developed character. No … she critiqued me as a writer.

What followed were emails telling me I’m a novice writer and that I needed to rewrite the first draft or stick it in a drawer. Next, she informed my writing is amateurish. I have thick skin and have taken my lumps along the way, but these comments were more than I could bear.

After a few sleepless nights and hair pulling days, I sat down with my WIP and re-read the piece. That’s when it hit me. This editor has not read all my work, like my first novel which has received several rave reviews. Or my first personal essays edited and published by Adams Media. And more recently, short stories accepted by NIWA and Windtree Press for publication in their anthologies.

Then this quote popped up on Facebook:

“Believe in your story. Have confidence in your story and your abilities as a writer. Don’t be discouraged by rejection or criticism.” Barbara Cartland

I know I’m not an accomplished writer like some of my favs; Barbara Cartland, John Grisham, Sue Grafton, James Patterson, but from now on I’m going to focus on trusting my gut and believing in my story!

Happy summer writing, ladies!!!

Amazon.com: Peril in Paradise (Mexico Mayhem): 9781794052451 

Amazon.com: MALICE IN MAZATLAN (Mexico Mayhem): 9781957638256