tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8043622255329276352024-02-18T19:27:05.470-08:00Ghost GirlGhostwriter by day...
...Fun & quirky romance writer by night...
...Constant Keeper of the ELF...
...One stop shop for writing & ghosting advice...
BOO!Beth Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13494316048252190314noreply@blogger.comBlogger650125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-84857739441927926302020-10-14T21:02:00.002-07:002020-10-14T21:02:27.478-07:00Should You GO To College<p> I have a job I love but financially it's really more of a side hustle since I also homeschool a third grader. I'm a fiction ghostwriter (mostly romance novels and business parables) and an author. The bulk of my income comes from the former. I'll never be good enough at marketing to rely on the latter, and I'm okay with that. I always say I like to write. If I wanted to market, I'd have an MBA instead of a MFA.</p><p>And that brings me to my point, the kind of advice I wish an older person would have given a younger me. Should you go to college? Maybe.</p><p>But it shouldn't be a default. I entered school with the idea that without a degree people literally didn't get jobs with livable wages. There may be some truth to this, although I know people who didn't go to college and out earn me significantly. But what we don't talk enough about is that the opposite can also be true. You can go to college and come out with enough debt that while you're being paid a higher wage, your standard of life is the same. You're also delayed in starting your career four years, because a lot of people can't handle working full time and school too.</p><p>So, when should you go to college?</p><p>When you know exactly what you want to do. "I want to be a lawyer." --> Not yet. </p><p>"I want to be a corporate law attorney." --> You're not ready but keep thinking.</p><p>"I want to be a corporate law attorney who redefines X elements of Y industry. I'd really like to work for Z Company." Now, you're ready. Get your undergrad in a field related to either law or Y industry. Intern in the summer. Consume media and information about law and Y industry when you're bored. You've got this.</p><p>Where should I go to college?</p><p>Somewhere really specific. Like insanely specific. The more specific the program the better. If you want to major in English decide what you want to do. Teach? Write? Edit? Read? Once you've decided that get more specific.</p><p>"I want to write fiction." <br />Great. Literary or genre? Or your so artsy you consider literary a genre?</p><p>"I want to write literary fiction." Great. Go for an old school with a name. I hear there is a good place in Moscow Iowa.<br />"I want to write genre fiction." Great. There is a program in PA and one in KY. Although, I think KY only has an applicable in program in post grad. </p><p>The point is we have to change the conversation. You shouldn't take enough debt to buy a car to "get a piece of paper" because you think it will get you a job. You should do it because you've found what you love and you want to learn more about it. You think you've mastered what you can, and you're ready to go deeper. You can't get any further on your own. You tend to get more out of things that you put the most into. You're more likely to do this if you're on your way not floundering through life because you're not sure what else to do and getting a degree seems to be the next logical step.</p><p>If you've found your path and you're trying to fulfill it, you won't regret your degree. You'll get where you're supposed to be. If you take a degree because it's just step two, you may not be happy with it. </p><p>I realize this post has nothing to do with fiction or ghostwriting, but I love processing my thoughts in writing. And after this much work, I had to hit publish. Besides, I need to make sure it's in the archive, so I can refer back to it in a few years when my daughter is older.</p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-51952578022102652562020-08-06T18:26:00.003-07:002020-08-06T18:26:32.328-07:00Dear MomDear Mom,<div><br /></div><div><div>At your funeral, everyone talked about how you had been a social worker for twenty-five years or something like that. </div><div>A quick inventory of my life felt like I was months from 33 and had accomplished nothing. I didn't change anything. I wasn't ready.</div><div>New Year's Eve I had a huge fight with Emil. It struck me that not only was I thirty-three with no accomplishments, but if I ever got divorced, I wouldn't be able to support ELF. You told me to get a teaching license in college. I didn't listen. I generally thought if you said something I should do the opposite. So, I set out to get a teaching license. It was difficult since I'd already failed once.</div><div>On the one year anniversary of your death, I took the P.P.E. </div><div>I think I missed two questions. Emil and I agreed I would student teach, because it's the quickest path to the license, and I got laid off trying this the first time.</div><div>I finished student teaching in December, and my goal was the be in my own classroom on the second anniversary of your death.</div></div><div>I wasn't. </div><div>COVID19 happened. Schools closed for the year. I hadn't found a job yet, and Emil didn't want me to come in contact with a hundred and twenty kids a day.</div><div>I decided since I had to have some time at home I'd check out freelance writing. Someone posted for a fiction intern. I applied not expecting to get the gig. (I know how the writing world works. You never get the gig.) But a few questions on the application struck me: </div><div>How long have you been writing fiction? <i>Ten years. </i></div><div>What awards or honors have you received for writing? <i>I have a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. </i>A Missing Peace <i>was published by Harlequin Escape in 2013 and </i>His First Lady <i>was published by Limitless Publishing in 2019. I've self published a couple of novellas and two of my editing clients were USA Today Bestsellers.</i></div><div>Wow. I had accomplished things. Just not the kind of things you get paid for, and I had spent ten years of my life doing something. </div><div>A surprise came. I got the gig. I'm making about fifteen hundred dollars a month writing from home. I know it's nothing but I couldn't be working full time right now anyhow. And I think it can grow.</div><div>I remember the weekend before you died, you told me I was just writing the wrong thing. I wasn't. I still write romance. I was writing for the wrong audience? As soon as I shifted from original fiction to ghostwriting I noticed a change. (But I'm almost afraid to publish this, because the truth of the writing world is luck can change at anytime.)</div><div>But for now I think I'm okay. I may even be able to make this work. I wish you hadn't left me, and I'm sorry I fought with you for all those years. </div><div>I hope we see each other again, but I'm not sure. I've lost my faith in the struggle.</div><div>I love you, Mom.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-20755473008307248282020-04-20T10:51:00.000-07:002020-04-20T10:51:20.840-07:00The Covid-19 Diary #4: A blob of introspectionWe've agreed to homeschool the ELF, meaning I'll homeschool ELF next year.<br />
We're also <i>attempting </i>to start an info graphics business, and I'm really hopeful/excited about it. I'll be writing scripts and if I combine that with my freelance writing, I'll FINALLY be making a living writing. Like ten years of work will have paid off!<br />
I'm starting a freelance project today I'm nervous/excited about. It's an awesome opportunity, but the writing style might be a stretch for me.<br />
Today seems to be a day of fresh starts. Probably the biggest change yet? We're planning a move to California when this is all over. I don't know if it will actually happen. I think there is at least a 50% chance it won't, but planning it is getting me through quarantine.<br />
This is almost like a bucket list item for me. When I was young, I planned to go to LA and be a movie star. I couldn't afford to move to LA, so I moved to Dallas instead. (A lot closer to home and a cheaper move.) I started college as a theater major and wrote a lot of my own scripts. I performed and people would compliment the writing not the performance.<br />
This annoyed me, so I decided to go to law school. Yeah, I don't know how I made that leap either except that I was on five cable stations for protesting tuition increases and it seemed like my political future was stronger than my theatrical future. I dropped out of law school a couple of years later and took to writing really bad literary fiction. I took a job as a paralegal and got grounded in the practicality of life. My husband approached the topic of California a couple of times and I shot him down because it's so expensive.<br />
This happened two more times.<br />
And finally I realized two people who want to live in California are hiding in Austin, because I'm afraid of the cost of real estate. But we make things work in every other scenario. There is no reason we can't make this work too.<br />
Releasing fear gave birth to the plan.<br />
<b>How are you doing with the quarantine?</b><br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-65987459110433027782020-04-17T10:57:00.000-07:002020-04-17T10:57:17.607-07:00The Covid-19 Diary #3I'm behind with everything.<br />
I signed up for a write a novel in a month class then booked a big ghost writing gig I couldn't afford to turn down. However, there has been a delay in receiving the information packet to get started. I should have been chipping away at <i>Her Chief of Staff. </i>Sadly, I've done nothing.<br />
I signed up for a class on writing articles for children's magazines and so far haven't got past the concept. One concept.<br />
I'm also behind in my happiness class with no real motivation to keep going.<br />
<br />
I have been doing yoga daily, at least for five days. LOL.<br />
I'm also considering becoming Buddhist. Did you know the word Buddha means teacher? I mean this fits right in with what the strengths inventory said and I'm a teacher. Maybe. It's kind of hard to swallow that I finished my license in December and this junk started in March. I'm not sure I should be in a classroom in the fall. I'm high risk and have the ELF to consider.<br />
<br />
I've enjoyed being home with my family but I'm really sick of all the uncertainty. I just need a calmer more straight forward path.<br />
<b>How is your quarantine going?</b>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-74075500566738301732020-04-06T12:44:00.003-07:002020-04-06T12:45:12.935-07:00Happiness Class: Gratitude Journal #1For my "The Science of Well Being" class this week I'm supposed to be keeping a gratitude journal, list five things I'm thankful for every night.<br />
It's Thursday and this is my first attempt at doing it.<br />
Since class is on Monday, I'm not off to a great start, but here goes:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Mon-Thurs</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My husband who has always supported me even when I'm wrong. </li>
<li>My daughter. She's pretty much my life.</li>
<li>I'm not able to sub, but my husband's job still seem secure at a time when a lot of people have lost jobs.</li>
<li>I'm a homeowner (or the bank lets me pretend to be), and I don't have to worry about maintenance people or landlord showings bringing germs inside my home.</li>
<li>I had time to write a story this week.</li>
</ul>
<b><u>Friday-Sunday</u></b><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I decided since I have to live regency, I might as well dress for dinner and it was fun.</li>
<li>I got paid to write Saturday! #Win</li>
<li>An editing client asked me to help her package a book.</li>
<li>I planned my nephew's virtual birthday. This is something I would not have done w/o a quarantine.</li>
<li>We had a pizza and movie night.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-70616544466462690562020-03-30T09:55:00.000-07:002020-03-30T09:55:21.613-07:00The COVID-19 Diary #2I'm having a harder time staying positive today. I'm whacked my schedule. I'm up all night and exhausted all day. The pollen is high. My allergies staged a mutiny, and I only made through 8 minutes and 37 seconds of my 24 minute work out today.<br />
But I didn't want to push it. I can't go to the doctor, because of COVID-19(have to throw that in for context in case this becomes the next Diary of Anne Frank. Yeah, right.) so no no asthma attacks today!<br />
It's the second week of my <a href="ttps://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being?utm_source=gg&utm_medium=sem&utm_content=09-ScienceofWellBeing-US&campaignid=9728548210&adgroupid=99699672436&device=c&keyword=science%20of%20well%20being&matchtype=b&network=g&devicemodel=&adpostion=&creativeid=428321686708&hide_mobile_promo&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsYb0BRCOARIsAHbLPhF5mr9kyMe35H_nhYL7pzf2DL4NjoEKCltD6XR58LO7EbGDrHfKqagaAlW0EALw_wcB">science of well being course</a>, which I'm actually looking forward to.<br />
Last week because of this course, I learned my greatest strength is my love of learning. (I'd liked my greatest strength to be something more quantifiable but whateverz.)<br />
And to be happier I needed to find 7 ways to use my strength, so I learned:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>How to design t-shirts (This was completely accidental. I signed up for an Udemy course on passive income.)</li>
<li> How to sell t-shirts on merch</li>
<li>How to sell t-shirts on teespring</li>
<li>There is a plug-in for your blog that will automatically build your newsletter.</li>
<li>How to put a class on udemy</li>
<li>Canva has free artwork and fonts for design</li>
<li>Woman's World got a new editor and now has a fb group for writers.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>I also paid attention to what I learned and how I learned it.</b></div>
<div>
I had no intention of designing t-shirts but since I'd paid for the class I stuck around for the information. It's actually kind of fun. I'm going to keep doing it until I have 100 designs. By then if I haven't sold one, I'll throw in the towel. I don't feel like a quitter since selling t-shirts was never part of my plan. But there is too much free time right now and it was a fun thing to try.</div>
<div>
I <b>learned about the plug in</b> for the blog from a friend. But last week was the first time I sent a newsletter that got a response, so I think I want to keep trying to write them myself at least for a while. If nothing else, it's good practice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since we've all been forced into this pre-industrial lifestyle, I want to wear lounge clothes and commit to leisure activities all day then don a sparkling dinner dress every evening and pretend I'm in regency England! </div>
<div>
<b>What are you doing this week?</b></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-61009910927800547332020-03-23T18:26:00.001-07:002020-03-23T18:26:26.421-07:00The COVID 19 Diary #1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuJfOgKHGflP3byRQdO3-Tv3BobHKe8XcRYeM2iFELqSmSsFsWenfQb5AoyqLu1ZY3Uwf4EBmEjc_D_gTjsUHNQ5ErYRmCBW-Bn3eZHLN-MKnijTUvYc1XrnUNzYbHX3fqTl3eatlB5s/s1600/20200323_202342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuJfOgKHGflP3byRQdO3-Tv3BobHKe8XcRYeM2iFELqSmSsFsWenfQb5AoyqLu1ZY3Uwf4EBmEjc_D_gTjsUHNQ5ErYRmCBW-Bn3eZHLN-MKnijTUvYc1XrnUNzYbHX3fqTl3eatlB5s/s320/20200323_202342.jpg" width="240" /></a>I'm taking a FREE class on the science of well being from Yale through Coursera.<br />
If you need to be happier during our bleak time, you can find it <a href="https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=happiness">here.</a><br />
And I'm actually thankful for ELF's dance school today. Because of the virtual classes, she got two hours of interaction with other kids.<br />
I managed to do a barre workout but got no writing done. My homeschool endeavors are going well today. As promised, I'll include a picture of tomorrow's checklist in case you're following along at home. I'm relying on <a href="https://www.abcmouse.com/">ABC Mouse</a> a lot right now. If you need a subscription, you can find that here and they are doing a special for $45/year which you can break into 3 installments of $15. If your child is older, their sister company <a href="https://www.adventureacademy.com/">Adventure Academy</a> is available for the same price right now. (I have a second semester 2nd grader and wish I'd gone with Adventure. I've contacted ABC Mouse to see if I can get switched over, but for now I'm using this.)<br />
<br />
<b>How is your isolation going? </b><br />
P.S. As part of my course on the science of well being, I need to come up with 7 different ways to use my "signature strength" a love of learning. LOL. Not exactly what I would think of as a strength. <b>Help me out! What are seven different ways (that I can do right now in isolation) to use a love of learning?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-53934985987334524162020-03-21T15:28:00.000-07:002020-03-21T15:28:41.612-07:00Homeschooling Tips from a Certified Teacher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNvytXs-f-J4QFawxfRc7Ura7KzwyGNFALsAEQ2eD9Z7SikjbS03t5yMeIsE7OPj68yaaaOknyyEfqgs1sP4h7q587HD7WbE1gq0o2eXHWvbUIczOOKobAZdm6gdep2ra29qoPKNKbRE/s1600/3.21.2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNvytXs-f-J4QFawxfRc7Ura7KzwyGNFALsAEQ2eD9Z7SikjbS03t5yMeIsE7OPj68yaaaOknyyEfqgs1sP4h7q587HD7WbE1gq0o2eXHWvbUIczOOKobAZdm6gdep2ra29qoPKNKbRE/s320/3.21.2020.jpg" width="240" /></a>Confession. I was forced into homeschooling this week just like everyone else.<br />
I have no idea if I'm doing it right anymore than anyone else does.<br />
But a few people have told me they enjoyed my homeschooling posts on FB, and I am a teacher, so I thought I'd share what I'm doing and invite you to follow along.<br />
<br />
Here are my tips:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Kids need structure.</b> Yes, even right now. But that can vary from family to family and even kid to kid so do what works for you. Just be consistent. I use a daily checklist. She knows where to find it. She gets started on her own and checks in with me after each task. If you feel an hour to hour or even block schedule works best for you do it. Just do the same thing every day.</li>
<li><b>Basics </b>Focus on the basics right now. Unless you're the homeroom mom, chances are you're not quite sure exactly where your kid was in their academic units. (I'm a teacher and even I can't figure out where they stopped to just pick up there.) It's always a good idea to revisit basics, and you can usually find a list of standards they should know by the end of the year on your online. (For example, search 2nd grade common core standards. Some states will use their own lingo but they're pretty much the same.)</li>
<li><b>Use your resources. </b>I think this is funny because it's what we tell the kids. People are posting a ton of things online right now, and there is a lot of free or discounted educational content at the moment so take advantage of it. I'll even post ELF's daily checklists here and you can follow along with us. If you're going to do this, you should know my checklist is designed for a 2nd grader who is WAY above average in ELA/social studies/dance/art and completely average at math. Modify this to fit your kid. </li>
</ul>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-56819458410065788842020-03-21T15:12:00.000-07:002020-03-21T15:12:35.552-07:00How is it going?I hope you're all doing okay, and staying well.<br />
It was hard to get used to such a stark change of pace, but at this point, I'm actually happy to be at home.<br />
I'm homeschooling the ELF (something A LOT of people have been forced into recently) and trying to pick up the writing career I was more or less forced out of when I had to go back to work in 2014. I get it. I know a lot of you write, take care of your kids, and work too. I've never managed to get it together enough for that.<br />
But this is my chance!<br />
I know blogging died a slow and painful death while I wasn't paying attention but I miss it. I think while we're in this retro era we might as well bring it back.<br />
So, if I remember how to find a linky would you guys be interested in an old school, 2010 style blogfest?<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-16369098630148220692020-03-19T12:01:00.000-07:002020-03-19T12:01:05.719-07:00Corona Blues, BabyReally long time no.<br />
Got it.<br />
I hope you're all doing fabulous, staying safe, and keeping your family safe.<br />
<br />
I've also got the Corona Blues. Part of me can't help but feel that society, and specifically my country is on the verge of collapse. (Although, it could be argued the collapse of the U.S. started waaay before now.)<br />
Still, my family is healthy. And there are worse things than us being at home together. (I originally wrote that last sentence grammatically correct and realized I sound like an old lady. Teaching English is suffocating my voice.)<br />
Blogging always helped me stay sane. I built so many relationships here, and being home all day again reminds me of the glory years. I've wanted to restart blogging for a long time. But FB has its tendrils in me and can be a hard habit kick.<br />
Now that we're all forced to be home, I have plenty of time to blog and it's just my outlet. I'm back here, baby.<br />
And since I can't work, I'm going to try one more time to get a writing career going.<br />
Third time is the charm?<br />
Or not.<br />
Cornoa's gonna happen anyway.<br />
<br />
<b>How are you and your family doing? Is there anything I can help with?</b>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-4128447343135839152019-06-18T07:33:00.000-07:002019-06-18T07:33:55.672-07:00His First Lady is out!It's release day!! And I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with this picture of HFL in the wild!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kpv8vzvhgpx6eHgRkJvWsbnLudD1H2DbngT9L_WfDuG06Kes6nu_ZsInXefUcl2hdBgRi2dqI7RAmhT9mKeuMJJr-Ws6p7kZFERW486R-ddqHWcVJfzk4S2SNs_7wUw2wtKXbLtn368/s1600/HFL+in+the+wild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kpv8vzvhgpx6eHgRkJvWsbnLudD1H2DbngT9L_WfDuG06Kes6nu_ZsInXefUcl2hdBgRi2dqI7RAmhT9mKeuMJJr-Ws6p7kZFERW486R-ddqHWcVJfzk4S2SNs_7wUw2wtKXbLtn368/s320/HFL+in+the+wild.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My campaign manager says no one wants a bachelor in the White House and this election is drawing near. The solution? To hold a cattle call, and what’s up for auction? Me.<br />
<br />
Lucky for me I cross paths with Mandy Buchanan—a feisty blonde who isn’t afraid to call me a jerk to my face. But she’s in quite the predicament herself. Mandy needs money since her dad refuses to pay for a frivolous degree. So, we strike a bargain.<br />
<br />
I get a wife, and she gets her degree.<br />
<br />
The deal was simple. No complications. No problems.<br />
<br />
While Mandy pretends to be the perfect First Lady, I start noticing her in a way that has nothing to do with politics or practicality. Those curves. Her eyes. The way her face lights up when she talks about her work. She’s beautiful.<br />
<br />
Suddenly she’s no longer just a pawn to help me get into the White House. She’s more than that, and I no longer want to play pretend. I want her to be mine in every way.<br />
<br />
Now I just need to convince her that our sham marriage might just be the real deal.<br />
<br />
If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you can do so <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Lady-Capitol-Hill-Book-ebook/dp/B07SVF67Q3">here</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-32840194680322623582019-06-17T13:25:00.001-07:002019-06-17T13:27:18.549-07:00Circle In The Sand by Tracy Krimmer<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41SmAtyjXIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Circle in the Sand: A Romantic Comedy (Oceanic Dreams Book 3) by [Krimmer, Tracy]" border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41SmAtyjXIL.jpg" /></a> My friend Tracy Krimmer has a new book out. And if you like romantic comedy, you'll love this.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Living by these words didn’t put librarian Isla Hunter any closer to the life she imagined at thirty. With her birthday in only a few days, she can’t wait to sail away on a week in the sun with her friends Asher and Charlotte. It may be just what she needs.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When an attractive woman takes a liking to Asher, Isla’s heart feels threatened in an unfamiliar way. She’s used to Asher flipping through women like a playbook without a second thought, but this time it’s different. As she tries to sort out her emotions, she struggles with Asher’s connection with this woman. Is it time for Isla to finally break the rules or will that only lead her into hot water?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b>I can't wait to read this one! Have you picked up your copy yet? If you havne't yet, don't worry. Here's the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QW9L497">link</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-82258880032887355372019-01-06T18:17:00.000-08:002019-01-06T18:17:05.434-08:00Thoughts on Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51R44pJdXnL._SX319_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51R44pJdXnL._SX319_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /></a> OMG! This book is All The Things. Except one, but I'll get to that later. Since I know I have a lot of YA readers on my blog the mom in me has to say, "Not for younger readers."<br />
And now that we have that out of the way let's move one. Because I finished this book just before 4 am and am dying to talk about it.<br />
It could have been about me and my husband. Straight-laced Asian boy wonder and a white bread American girl who is doesn't fit the mold. Any mold.<br />
It's one of the things I love about this book. Books about interracial relationships are so rare that when I'm writing I usually can't find stock photos. We have to go with legs or shadows.<br />
Both characters have a really strong voice and I admire Hazel's voice because she's so energetic that had to be hard to keep consistent for 300 pages.<br />
And most important for any romance, JOSH IS HOT!!! REALLY HOT. And bonus points here, but it in some ways reminded me of meeting my husband in grad school all those years ago.<br />
Like I said, all the things. Except one. Interracial, intercultural relationships are very hard and that was never shown. I get it. Not every book has to be about the challenges of intercultural relationships, but because they are so rare it would be nice to catch a glimpse of that, like girl, you're not alone. And I also thought Josh's parents weren't that consistent. In some ways, they're very traditional. "Korean kids don't disobey their parents." (Umm...I know lots of second generation Asian kids who don't believe that, like at all. Kinda wish they did actually.) **Spoiler Alert** And then when Crazy Hazie is pregnant at the end of the book Josh is thinking about how happy his parents are going to be. Just doesn't seem consistent, and it's one of the places where I felt like cultural differences should have played a role.<br />
<b>What are you reading?</b>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-58001966391952469002019-01-05T15:50:00.002-08:002019-01-05T15:50:50.623-08:00Thoughts on A Diamond For a Duke<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-PRyRXL9L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A Diamond for a Duke: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 1) by [Cameron, Collette]" border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-PRyRXL9L.jpg" /></a>"Jules, Sixth Duke of Dandridge disdains Society and all its trappings, preferring the country’s solitude and peace. Already jaded after the woman he loved died years ago, he’s become even more so since unexpectedly inheriting a dukedom’s responsibilities and finding himself the target of every husband-hunting vixen in London.<br />
Jemmah Dament has adored Jules from afar for years—since before her family’s financial and social reversals. She dares not dream she can win a duke’s heart any more than she hopes to escape the life of servitude imposed on her by an uncaring mother. Jemmah knows full well Jules is too far above her station now. Besides, his family has already selected his perfect duchess: a poised, polished, exquisite blueblood.<br />
A chance encounter reunites Jules and Jemmah, resulting in a passionate interlude neither can forget. Jules realizes he wants more—much more—than Jemmah’s sweet kisses or her warming his bed. He must somehow convince her to gamble on a dour duke. But can Jemmah trust a man promised to another? One who’s sworn never to love again?"<br />
<br />
I have no idea how to rate this one, so I'm going to give two separate ratings. Here goes. I really loved Cameron's writing style and it was super cute and oh-so sugary sweet. All the things I look for in romance. This baby could be realistic historical <i>Twilight. </i>Yeah, that cute. So on the Jen adores scale 4/5.<br />
Now, on the craft and story structure scale 2/5. I know what you're thinking. How can a book Jen adores be so low rated. I'm about to explain. There was no conflict. Nowhere. At all. I'm at a time in my life when I'm happy to read zero conflict and laced confectioner's sugar, but it's the cardinal sin of story structure. There was also some clumsy sentence structure here and that was a much smaller problem. And if conflict doesn't matter to you, you'll find this book amazing. However, if you're into the thriller ride this might not be the book for you.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-22676282851543413352019-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:002019-01-02T15:10:27.979-08:00Balance and RebuildMy theme for 2019 is balance and rebuild. Pretty much every area of my life.<br />
My biggest problem has always been that something is being neglected which leads to a write who isn't writing, a mom whose kid is saying, "Why don't you quit working? Daddy makes enough money for us. You don't play with me anymore," a dirty house, and an unhealthy body.<br />
So my goal for 2019 is to get balance in all aspects of my life. Then when the foundation is strong start rebuilding. Rebuild an organized home, a happy child, some kid of paying day job, and an artistic soul with time to create.<br />
<br />
<b>What's your focus this year?</b>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-84675093991636262652019-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:002019-01-10T16:06:44.304-08:00<div>
I made a list of 100 goals for this year <a href="http://bethfred.blogspot.com/2018/12/2019-goals-and-dreams.html">here</a>. I knew I wouldn't accomplish all of them. I even wrote goals that seemed impossible, just because if you don't think it, you might miss it when it happens.<br />
For this month, I've pulled from the list to make a January micro-list to focus on.<br />
I also categorized them to make the goals seem less random and more doable.<br />
What was really interesting is that some goals fell in more than one category.<br />
I also realized some things I'd chosen were specific ways to accomplish other goals I'd written.<br />
<b><u>Health</u></b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Lose 9 lbs.</li>
<li>develop a healthy mindset</li>
<li>be able to cross my legs comfortably</li>
<li>learn yoga</li>
<li>minimize sugar</li>
<li>NO cokes</li>
<li>form a yoga or meditation HABIT</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><u>Community</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>build my community</li>
<li>Find friends to dance with</li>
<li>volunteer at least once</li>
<li>find a local activist group</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><u>Self-care</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>wash my face 2x/day</li>
<li>develop a healthy mindset (this one matters for everything)</li>
<li>read affirmations daily</li>
<li>quit venting</li>
<li>use a moisturizer daily</li>
<li>give myself a bedtime</li>
<li>Remember to use the "suckies" list</li>
<li>let go of worry</li>
<li>be content with what I have</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><u>Personal Development</u></b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>finish <i>Crafting a Life You Love</i></li>
<li>Make a weekly goals list</li>
<li>Reward myself for accomplishing goals</li>
<li>Finish <i>The Art of Extreme Self Care</i></li>
<li>Read <i>Traffic</i></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div>
<b><u>Writing</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>take a formatting class</li>
<li> check blog analytics</li>
<li>check blog settings</li>
<li>query woman's world shorts</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><u>Household</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>read a book or organization for ADD ppl</li>
<li>organize master bath</li>
<li>organize closet</li>
<li>organize bedroom</li>
<li>organize office</li>
<li>organize kitchen</li>
<li>organize elf's room </li>
<li>organize garage</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><u>Financial</u></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><strike>pay off phone</strike> 1/9/19</li>
<li>apply to stitch fix</li>
<li><strike>sign up to sub</strike> 1/4/19</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>What are your goals this month?</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-7933529274406397342018-12-29T11:08:00.001-08:002019-01-05T09:46:46.740-08:002019 Goals and DreamsFor the past two years, I've used this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/2019-Shining-Year-Goals-Workbook/dp/1948836106">planner</a> which was a lot of fun but doesn't change from year to year. So I've decided to do the best part of it right here. Bonus points. It creates no paper waste.<br />
<div>
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71wzKDmp4WL._SL260_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="2019 My Shining Year Life Goals Workbook" border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71wzKDmp4WL._SL260_.jpg" /></a>The goal is to write down 100 goals for the year ahead. Some of them are realistic and will easily be crossed out. Some of them aren't realistic, but I believe words are powerful.</div>
<div>
As a writer, words always seemed magical, but my brain is a large part logical and I think I always tried to talk myself out of this.</div>
<div>
The first year I used this planner I wrote that I would like to buy a piece of investment property. I didn't really think we would. Or I thought we might, but it was going to take seriously increasing my income which mean someone would either have to pay me for my writing--FINALLY--or I needed a much better job. </div>
<div>
Neither of those things happened, but we received a small amount of money (larger than a couple of hundred but not a enough to even make a dent in my student loan). And my husband stumbled across a piece of rural land priced very low. </div>
<div>
This piece of land didn't work out and wasn't ideal. But it did make us realize that there had to be similar pieces of land. On Halloween day 2017, we signed the title for our (hopefully) first piece of investment property.</div>
<div>
So, 2018 came around and I wrote taking my daughter to Disney as a goal. I didn't expect it to happen. I'm trying to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Total-Money-Makeover-Classic-Financial-ebook/dp/B00DNBE8P6">Dave Ramsay</a> my budget like hell right now, and have been for a while. But I thought why not? You never know. For basically the first time ever we got a nice tax refund and went to Disney World. It's my favorite family trip ever.<br />
With that being said, some of these will easily be crossed off. Some of these won't and some will be gifts from God and the universe.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Lose 25 lbs.</li>
<li>Lose 50 lbs.</li>
<li>Develop a healthy mindset</li>
<li>Lose 75 lbs.</li>
<li>Lose 100 lbs.</li>
<li>Have no sagging skisI know dream big, right? </li>
<li>Learn yoga</li>
<li>Find friends to dance with</li>
<li>minimize sugar</li>
<li>eliminate coke-cola</li>
<li>wash my face 2x/day. Okay, so it's a little embarrassing to admit this on a blog, but my self care is like non-existent</li>
<li>Take a word formatting class</li>
<li>finish another book (can be novella)</li>
<li>sell a book</li>
<li>Make $500 writing</li>
<li>Find a career I love that contributes to society</li>
<li>Create a passive income stream</li>
<li>pay off van</li>
<li>pay off husband's truck</li>
<li>Go back to Disney</li>
<li>Go to Dublin</li>
<li>Go to Edinburg</li>
<li>Go to Cancun</li>
<li>Go to London</li>
<li>Go to Rome</li>
<li>Go to Madrid</li>
<li>See the Rockettes on New Year's Eve</li>
<li>Volunteer at least once a month</li>
<li>Find a local activist group</li>
<li>Build my community</li>
<li>organize the master bath</li>
<li>organize my closet</li>
<li>organize my bedroom</li>
<li>organize office</li>
<li>Organize kitchen</li>
<li>organize elf's room</li>
<li>organize garage</li>
<li>Lose no loved ones--I realize I have no control over this, but words have power so...</li>
<li>Go to Hawaii</li>
<li>Read affirmations daily</li>
<li>End 2019 with a thriving family</li>
<li>Pay off student loans</li>
<li>Pay off house</li>
<li>Donate $1000</li>
<li>take ballroom dance lessons</li>
<li>take a trip just me and the ELF--good luck talking Emil into this one. LOL</li>
<li>Take the Emils to AR</li>
<li>Pay cash for a couch</li>
<li>Pay off phone</li>
<li>Top Secret</li>
<li>Top Secret .2</li>
<li> Outline a self help book or workbook</li>
<li>Write a financial planning book aimed at youngish women</li>
<li>start an initiative to minimize traffic accidents in the US</li>
<li>Give a TED talk</li>
<li>Finish reading The Extreme Art of Self Care</li>
<li>Read Get Rich Lucky Bitch</li>
<li>Find another book by Denise Thomas</li>
<li>Use eating zones</li>
<li>Take a mindful eating course</li>
<li>Get a door for the master bathroom</li>
<li>Go to Australia</li>
<li>Become a USAT bestseller</li>
<li>Become a NYT bestseller</li>
<li>Keep ELF in an IB school</li>
<li>Read a parenting book on discipline</li>
<li>spend more time with my Emils</li>
<li><strike>I honestly can't believe there are 31 things left to do in the world.</strike></li>
<li>Make $4000 w/ gigs this year</li>
<li>Read Traffic</li>
<li>Take an HTML class</li>
<li><strike>Sign up to sub </strike></li>
<li>form a morning yoga/meditation habit</li>
<li>take a technical writing class</li>
<li>apply to stitch fix</li>
<li>Check my blog analytics</li>
<li>Check my blog settings</li>
<li>read an add organization book</li>
<li>investigate the benefits of creating an online guide</li>
<li>Research inbox $$</li>
<li>Research Swag bucks</li>
<li>Create a dream board</li>
<li>Quit venting!</li>
<li>Use a moisturizer</li>
<li>Give myself a bedtime</li>
<li>Go to a belly dance class</li>
<li>Remember to use the "suckies" list</li>
<li>Have lunch with a friend I don't often see once a month.</li>
<li>start a journaling project with the ELF</li>
<li>Take an Irish dance class</li>
<li>Let go of worry</li>
<li>Finish craft a life you love</li>
<li>Be content with what I have.</li>
<li>Make a weekly goal list </li>
<li>Reward myself for accomplishing goals</li>
<li>Get Kavitha, Katie, and Ruth together for a girl's night</li>
<li>Send ELF to dance camp</li>
<li>Send ELF to art camp</li>
<li>Query or package "All I Want For Christmas"</li>
<li>revise and query women's world shorts from 2017.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-3724094033882495502018-12-29T09:31:00.001-08:002018-12-29T09:31:57.170-08:00Wrecking the RoadsIt was 1990 something. 90? 91? 92? I can't remember, so we'll call it 91 since it's in the middle.<br />
One warm and sunny February day--dude, it's TX. What did you expect?--my life changed.<br />
My mom came and picked me up from day care early. When the teacher called my name I jumped up excited. I hated day care. I loved my mom, and I rarely went home early.<br />
But mom stood in the hallway crying. I don't mean just a few tears running down her face either, although even that would have been disturbing. Mom was standing in the hallway all out sobbing. She wouldn't tell me what was wrong. She kept saying she would tell me and Josh together.<br />
But the day care center couldn't find my brother, so mom's crying and refusing to tell me what was wrong went on for a while. But probably not as long as it seemed in my head.<br />
After the little kid class had been located, Josh popped up saw Mom crying and asked "What's wrong?"<br />
She said she'd tell us later.<br />
She put us in the car and drove to McDonald's. We had no clue what was going on but weren't turning down happy meals. She bought two extras.<br />
And then she told us. Her 24 year old little brother was in ICU in a coma and would likely die. The Tracks van he drove had flipped a few times and he'd been found in the curb behind my house. My uncle was driving poor and old people to doctor's appointments when he died.<br />
Saying my life changed this day might seem overdramatic. It was my uncle, not my dad. But I'm not wrong, although that story is a different post.<br />
Because this post is to say 2 years later, a friend of my parent's died in a car wreck. The whole car load died.<br />
And 5 or 6 years after that, two my cousins--both high school aged--died in an automobile accident that left the other driver paralyzed.<br />
The years proceeded, and I watched friends lost parents and siblings in car wrecks.<br />
Time went on.<br />
2018 struck with a vengeance. My mom's SUV was T-boned. My grandmother and nephew were in the car with her. My grandma broke 5 ribs and fractured her back in two places. My 7 year old nephew came out of it with a broken arm and a broken hip. Mom didn't come out of it. At all.<br />
I didn't get in a car for a week. I'd known too many people who had died in car wrecks.<br />
Three days before Christmas another family member died in a car wreck.<br />
"You're being ridiculous..."<br />
"It just seems like it right now..."<br />
"Jeni, you're overreacting..."<br />
But I'm not wrong. More than <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2018/02/15/national-safety-council-traffic-deaths/340012002/">40,000 people died</a> in car wrecks in 2017. Accidental injury--thanks largely to car wrecks--is back up to the 3rd cause of death in the US.<br />
I want to do something to fix this. Change it. It's too late for my family. But it's not too late for someone else's.<br />
<b>So, I'm crowd sourcing ideas. What's the best way to prevent these tragedies? Lower speed limits? More stringent traffic laws? Demanding our municipalities enforce current laws? Where is the best place to focus time and resources to save lives? </b>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-89902344446767462862018-12-27T20:28:00.001-08:002018-12-27T20:28:31.410-08:00Fiction in 2019Dear Jeni,<br />
<strike>You must b</strike>Be gentle with yourself.<br />
<strike>I must</strike> Remember this is a work of art and love to feed your soul and make your mark.<br />
This is not a job. Marketplace vitality doesn't matter.<br />
No one else's opinion matters.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
In 2019, <strike>I would like to</strike> finish <i>The Capital Hill </i>series and query <i>Silver Lining.</i><br />
And if you can't, there will be another year.<br />
The ELF will still <strike>eat dance </strike> thrive.<br />
Your husband will still fight with you.<br />
Your house will be clean some days and not as clean others.<br />
You will survive, because you've survived so much more.<br />
What matters is that you keep the joy. You don't stress out yourself or your family with a <strike>lack of success </strike>a perverted culture's definition of success.<br />
All you need to be, all the ELF needs you to be, is happy.<br />
<br />
Peace, hope, and love.<br />
The Real ~J~Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-53848171954773433542018-12-27T20:18:00.000-08:002018-12-27T20:18:14.249-08:00From Jen to ZenSome of you know me as a quirky, compelling, and sometimes controversial fiction writer Beth Fred. Or you may know me as the over-stressed dance mom, Jeni, who barely makes it through the day.<br />
If you know me from the writing world, you're probably wondering why you're reading this since I announced a year ago I wasn't writing any longer. I committed to a year, but no one really expected me to pick it up again, least of all me.<br />
And yet here I am.<br />
That commitment to a sabbatical turned out to be a safety boat that I couldn't have planned for but have to be thankful for. God and the universe cleared my plate for the chaos that would become my 2018. I'm not saying it's over yet, or that I feel better...<br />
But I'm still standing.<br />
I survived.<br />
And now I'm back.<br />
And the nature of this blog has changed. It started as a book blog in 2010. I reviewed 52 books, found a genre I loved, converted my book blog to a writer's blog, went back to a book blog, scored an agent, published a book with an imprint of the big red H, found myself back in the slush pile and started over. LOL.<br />
If you've been with me since the good ole days, thank you. And you might find 2019 boring. My project for this year is self-improvement. I can't commit to writing fiction this year, because I'm still working on keeping my crap together, but journaling has always been how I survived a storm from a very young age. Online journals don't pollute the world by ending up in a landfill, and the occassional support is much appreciated.<br />
I'm here to find peace this year.<br />
Romance World becomes from Jen--the previously mentioned angsty, over-stressed dance mom--to zen.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-80896428924820498672018-11-28T07:52:00.002-08:002018-11-28T07:52:47.114-08:00Dear Mom #5Mom,<br />
<br />
Since I didn't get out of bed a few days last week, my wellness coach wants me to journal ten minutes a day. I think she's hoping this will 1) inspire me to stay awake (it's not working I'm exhausted and my head is killing me.) and 2) make me quit eating non-stop. Yeah, so far that hasn't happened either.<br />
Food is the only thing good in the world. What's her problem anyway?<br />
We decided journaling would help me on Friday. This is Wednesday and it's the first time I'm doing it. #Whatever.<br />
I wish I could talk to you about my real problems, but I can't. Because this is the internet and people would see it and that would only cause more problems.<br />
I applied for a job planning birthday parties for foster kids. I'm going to get it, because it's perfect for me. It's 9:30-2:30 with two days of working from home. I will still drop ELF off at school everyday and pick her up on Mondays and Fridays. Tues-Thurs she will ride home with a friend. The friend's mom will transport both kids to her daughter's Tai-Kwan-Do class, and I will pick ELF up from Tai-Kwan-Do and take her to dance. *Shrugs* It works. I'm not paying for child care, she's never in day care, and both girls are excited about it.<br />
I love planning parties and buying gifts, and this seems like a fun way to spend the day and be off after school is out. I need this right now.<br />
I wish you were here and I could talk to you.<br />
Everyone keeps telling me you're in a better place, but I'm not even sure I believe in heaven anymore. Or maybe I do, I still pray. Who knows?<br />
Love,<br />
JeniBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-24600586267411123522018-11-22T19:26:00.000-08:002018-11-22T19:26:13.167-08:00Dear Mom # 4Hi Mom,<br />
<br />
It's been a long day. I blame you for at least part of this. Everyone is upset because you're not here, and grandma basically refused to leave her house today.<br />
I slept half the day and ate the half the day.<br />
I had a long talk with Step Psycho this morning. He's not that psycho. The moniker doesn't really fit anymore.<br />
Turns out SG is just a trouble making internet troll and I think everyone is going to be okay. I think.<br />
Step psycho feels it's time for him to move on. It's really soon, but he also doesn't really want to move on. He just doesn't want to be sad anymore.<br />
But if we're being honest, that's why SG evoked such strong emotions from everyone. Half of us were ready to move on, and the other half were still waiting for you to come back. Stripper Girl was a clear indication that isn't happening.<br />
I'm not ready to move on.<br />
Every day this week has been hell in a way I didn't anticipate since I haven't gone home for Thanksgiving in so long.<br />
But he's right.<br />
I started looking for travel packages to Ireland. I'm taking your hair. I'm torn between burying it somewhere in Dublin and finding a drunk college boy at a bar to wear it, so you can have a guy young enough to be your son too. I'll figure it out, and Sheila may come. I'm not sure because my family will come and I know you and Sheila usually traveled alone. I kind of wish I could go alone with her, and maybe Tasha but I can't see Emil letting me leave the country without him.<br />
When I started this letter, I expected to apologize for not coming home for Thanksgiving. I'm not sorry. My life is here, and so are my commitments. Coming for a weekend between Christmas and Thanksgiving was the best option.<br />
I am sorry I didn't manage things and my own emotions well enough for the whole family to be together on those weekends though. And I'm sorry you're not here.<br />
Love,<br />
JeniBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-35184050103215658372018-07-08T16:11:00.001-07:002018-07-08T16:11:47.257-07:00Dear Mom #1Dear Mom,<br />
<br />
I'm sorry for anything I've ever said about you on this blog before today. Not because they weren't true. I don't lie. But because I didn't know how hard it was to be a parent when I started blogging. Because when I held the ELF, I didn't know it only gets harder. And mostly because I lashed out in anger. Some things I had a right to be mad about. Some things I probably didn't, but either way acting out of anger cost us ten years.<br />
I was so happy when you came for ELF's dance recital. I had so much fun with you. I thought things were going to be better...<br />
You were gone the next day.<br />
People tell me things <i>were </i>better, because we had that time. But it feels worse.<br />
I want to shake you for driving across four lanes of traffic instead of spending two minutes at a red light. I want t tell you it's ridiculous to go to Longview to go to a jewelry store and the Olive Garden when Garland is the same distance with like paved roads and less trees. But you've probably figured this out.<br />
But you left us. You left us all. I probably deserve it, but Tracy? ELF thought you were Payton's mom until you died and she found out Payton actually has a mom.<br />
I probably should have written you more when you were alive. LOL. But somehow you managed to bring out the annoyed, rebellious teenager in me well past the teen years.<br />
This is probably the first of many letters, because writing is still the only thing that makes me feel better, and I think I buried my patience for fiction with you.<br />
<br />
Hurt and angry,<br />
~J~<br />
PS--You've caused me to overuse words. #ThanksMomBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-88894091744842025312017-08-26T19:08:00.001-07:002017-08-26T19:08:07.052-07:00His First Lady- Falling for the Billionaire Boxed Set<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloj9hNbW0RnutR1uJW8UWxwxwOBPp62yW3nKD_FmDnM3kxWTApfbZWbweVp2-rUwBhhIGKrYnMQQCyS1X__-ApgZmlwwIlLvRtWjSShNfGlFPJweuoOUojUNGa-Qd89qygQPnd-P6RMg/s1600/hfl+ebook+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="408" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloj9hNbW0RnutR1uJW8UWxwxwOBPp62yW3nKD_FmDnM3kxWTApfbZWbweVp2-rUwBhhIGKrYnMQQCyS1X__-ApgZmlwwIlLvRtWjSShNfGlFPJweuoOUojUNGa-Qd89qygQPnd-P6RMg/s200/hfl+ebook+cover.jpg" width="133" /></a>My romantic comedy <i>His First Lady </i>is available only in the <i>Falling for the Billionaire Boxed Set.</i> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When hearts get involved, this marriage of convenience
becomes anything but…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The only letters Mandy Buchanan wants added to her name are
MFA but with her dad refusing to pay for a frivolous degree, she may have to
add the letters MRS first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eric Hernandez wants to be the U.S. President but he’s got
two strikes against him: his bachelor status and a popular reality TV star for
an opponent. The only thing that can save him? An endorsement from popular
Senator Jack Buchanan. If only the Senator didn’t hate Eric’s guts…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eric has a proposal: A fake wedding that gets them both what
they want. Mandy gets her degree, Eric gets a shot at the White House, and one
overbearing father gets hot under the collar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Eric’s an annoying stuffed shirt like her dad, so Mandy
isn’t ready to strike a deal. There is just one problem. His campaign knows
Mandy’s secret pen name was the blogger who broke the story about her father’s
scandalous affair a year ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s marriage to a hot billionaire, or be disowned.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling" height="133" src="https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21077313_1615673015119182_7717941109543174047_n.jpg?oh=ee457ca9e19380a1aae839088c6e3013&oe=5A26AC9C" width="200" /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Billionaire-Contemporary-Romance-Boxed-ebook/dp/B074P9KQMB">amazon</a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804362225532927635.post-22051633185407589742017-06-09T13:53:00.001-07:002017-06-09T13:53:14.616-07:00BrandingI've spent years not really knowing what to call what I write. Because one book was fun, cute, and light and the next was the violent progress of ripping myself out of postpartum depression. And then the next also high concept but in a completely different way, a slower way.<br />
And after spending time in indie book groups, I realized what no one at a conference has ever been able to tell me. Every book I wrote wasn't different.<br />
I write two kinds of books.<br />
High-concept YA (often controversially so--but high concept)<br />
Light, funny adult romances.<br />
<br />
So you may have noticed you can't buy <i>Decree of Hope</i> anymore.<br />
It's gone.<br />
I can't undo <i>A Missing Peace,</i> because I don't own it.<br />
But the rights will revert back to me in two years and it will disappear too.<br />
Don't worry. They'll both be available under a pen name. As I hope the books I've written under these past few years, while I haven't been publishing will. I know one of them will be released as Beth Fred, the pragmatic mom who bites the crust off her kid's bread and hands it back to her and gives directions in reference to the nearest candy shop.<br />
<br />
And the high-concept often gritty YA and NA will be released under my ultra-ego who still has a rebellious streak and doubts the system.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that I haven't blogged much these past few years.<br />
That may or may not change now that I'm a full-time writer/editor. But I had something to say today, so I felt like saying it.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09962862566388212238noreply@blogger.com3