tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80715788587875308232024-03-09T20:48:18.200-06:00One Woman's WriteWriting for women--stories of strength, love, humor, and hope. Welcome.linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-88763729374927556242024-03-03T20:19:00.005-06:002024-03-03T20:27:50.219-06:00Writing for Women? What about the guys?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74euM0Pfzh7dHmXoCBdnfpzLeOS4w2t3VAZ8prygI4W1zgrGy73HD9JZ7DbHqPri1HUuymIwW6KyWyKZ6d142p0ChPBQDUN0yYg3RX-Va1XC2YYpe8xDzq4aCBgcj-tVPCmvJeD9N6LSbo-NeN4Gjpi3rVz1BjOj5JJqY3Yl8DxbCidQXE4ew_4K8-c0/s626/Display%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="626" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74euM0Pfzh7dHmXoCBdnfpzLeOS4w2t3VAZ8prygI4W1zgrGy73HD9JZ7DbHqPri1HUuymIwW6KyWyKZ6d142p0ChPBQDUN0yYg3RX-Va1XC2YYpe8xDzq4aCBgcj-tVPCmvJeD9N6LSbo-NeN4Gjpi3rVz1BjOj5JJqY3Yl8DxbCidQXE4ew_4K8-c0/w400-h199/Display%20Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I recently invested a few dollars to purchase this banner for my upcoming book events. In designing the banner, I weighed out using the Writing for Women logo I've used for years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I first started publishing, I needed a tag line for my work, something to make it easily identifiable. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One TV network that was popular at the time was Lifetime-Television for Women.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I started out writing women's fiction, and so adopted the phrase: Writing for Women. As I broadened my writing into other genres and sub-genres, I discovered my books have one thing in common--they are stories of strength, love, humor, and/or hope. It doesn't matter if it's women's fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, or paranormal. The one thing that is always important to me is that my stories are positive and offer a happy ending.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I always enjoy stories that present engaging characters that draw me into their stories. And, so, I strive to create characters who do the same--characters that are real, that struggle, that overcome, and that embrace life with joy and hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My stories are not literary fiction so much as commercial fiction across a variety of genres. They're intended to entertain, to comfort, to encourage, and to make the reader smile. If they give you something to think about, that's a good thing too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now, I've been asked about my Writing for Women logo. Does that mean my writing rules out male readers? Not at all. I've written a few suspense novels that would appeal to most men. But I try not to sell men short. I think a man could easily identify with my heros and enjoy their stories. I was asked once at a booksigning, "You say your books are written for women, so I should just give one to my wife?" To which I replied, "Women will relate to and enjoy my books. But that doesn't mean a man can't learn something useful from them." He bought the book, promising to read it first.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This year, in a few months actually, I will produce my 50th novel. I'm proud of the books and stories I've written. I say that with all honesty and without arrogance. I know my writing is not perfect. No one's is. I admit to sometimes feeling like a well-kept secret in the literary world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I very much look forward to rolling out A Well-Imagined Life, my fiftieth novel, in early August. The date coincides with my 75th birthday. I shudder at that number and cannot wrap my head around it. But it is what it is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I hope you will help me celebrate these twenty-two years of writing and read one or two or forty of my books. And, yes guys, there will be something there for you, too.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Linda-Rettstatt/author/B003589J3S?" target="_blank">AMAZON.COM</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To all of my faithful readers, I thank you so much. You make it all worthwhile.</span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-52776775640786607092024-02-05T21:55:00.003-06:002024-02-06T08:37:45.274-06:00We're All in This Together<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So I had an idea--why not call together a group of romance authors and then offer a panel discussion and book signing event to local libraries? I don't know a lot of authors in the Pittsburgh area yet, so I put out a general call through Pennwriters to see if anyone would be interested. Bam--I had seven more authors to round out the eight-author panel.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsb88pYbOq5cMgGObirJrCVXTAjz2yH5gCPrHlDjENOWzQYlc8EtsOVLDnvKI03t9SH4MjcVrDnLq1jxaE6a_pChz_qIUScbVUFR578iHyr1j994x7ATlNOD-cbZbW3cE5r0YwCzwwkI2JXnNOmwEa0ObEGowCGWL5srB28BoXyjolEiU8LgLuGjgA7Q/s2000/2.%20event%20flyer%20as%20image%20file.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsb88pYbOq5cMgGObirJrCVXTAjz2yH5gCPrHlDjENOWzQYlc8EtsOVLDnvKI03t9SH4MjcVrDnLq1jxaE6a_pChz_qIUScbVUFR578iHyr1j994x7ATlNOD-cbZbW3cE5r0YwCzwwkI2JXnNOmwEa0ObEGowCGWL5srB28BoXyjolEiU8LgLuGjgA7Q/w309-h400/2.%20event%20flyer%20as%20image%20file.png" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now that I had eight interested authors, what might we do? I sent out queries to a half dozen local libraries. The first to respond was the Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA. It's a beautiful space with a wonderfully warm and friendly staff of people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NCyf1z2RdznkRJ7i0vVYGRyX-lPqKVqYQHBuscartWlynarBzkBugRbkD-ELQPG_9n9lBg1TrzEX9ap6lgo5cTh3vc7m-ikQDGt-DQuVu_gOX8_MHVZFKk93qsOxm8OCzfyHk5fUpyz9LxOWWZPJcwshbm9X1_iKV4Hu69is6XJwPyg2hN8qu0MPmZY/s428/IMG_2685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="428" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NCyf1z2RdznkRJ7i0vVYGRyX-lPqKVqYQHBuscartWlynarBzkBugRbkD-ELQPG_9n9lBg1TrzEX9ap6lgo5cTh3vc7m-ikQDGt-DQuVu_gOX8_MHVZFKk93qsOxm8OCzfyHk5fUpyz9LxOWWZPJcwshbm9X1_iKV4Hu69is6XJwPyg2hN8qu0MPmZY/w400-h399/IMG_2685.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I'm way down at the end, next to last.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We had a packed house of 60+ folks for the panel discussion. And these authors did not fail to entertain and enlighten. What struck me most--and I only knew two of these folks prior to the event--was the way these authors, all of us, respected and supported one another. At the end of the panel discussion, the authors went into the lobby to their tables to sell and sign books. But throughout this event, every author was generous and kind and supportive of the other authors present.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I overhead a patron tell Sydney Krawiec, Program and Outreach Coordinator, that she'd attended many author panels and that this was by far her best experience. I was stunned when Sydney said her comment meant a lot because this was the first author panel she'd moderated there. You could have fooled me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I so appreciate how the library stepped up to support us local authors. I was impressed by the way the authors were gracious and attentive to one another--supportive rather than competitive. These events are so much fun when everyone is in this together.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-57710355560829107782024-01-19T12:27:00.000-06:002024-01-19T12:27:12.679-06:00What Can You Do?<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PsOI_MJeL7Rsu-AE2a64P_AbAhYWLbyrVifU5cpz5x1MXRS5iPDi4NJgPkxo7J9FBuWZgH-DWU1_2trTVR23tmvY6FGcykLkwZbFh4sMBpzVlOsQc6U2sv-lkVhBbdNPfmX68e_-4Q7eEQpvbtohS5erdontkrALlWcQa-TfAtupVjTDJ5HH-hNNq7Q/s640/morning3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PsOI_MJeL7Rsu-AE2a64P_AbAhYWLbyrVifU5cpz5x1MXRS5iPDi4NJgPkxo7J9FBuWZgH-DWU1_2trTVR23tmvY6FGcykLkwZbFh4sMBpzVlOsQc6U2sv-lkVhBbdNPfmX68e_-4Q7eEQpvbtohS5erdontkrALlWcQa-TfAtupVjTDJ5HH-hNNq7Q/w400-h300/morning3.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I went out to shovel the walkway and driveway. That part is our responsibility. While I'm working at the top of the driveway, a man comes down the hill with a shovel, says not a word, and sets to work clearing the lower part. Finally, I say thank you and ask if he lives across the street. I don't know all of our neighbors very well. No, he lives up a few units and, I realize, is the same man--whose name I learn is Ron--who helped Sue Ann with the trash cans one day. He could only work for a few minutes because of an online meeting, but did what he could. I continue to shovel and our neighbor, Peter, comes over to help. He'd done his driveway earlier.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This got me to thinking. Often we see an issue that needs to be resolved or a person who needs help and, perhaps, we think, "No point in getting involved because I can't solve the problem." But often we can do something to alleviate the problem. I saw someone in my area on Nextdoor asking about where they might be able to get food for their family. People gave several suggestions of Food Pantries (most of which are probably closed today because of the weather.) I can't stock a family pantry, but I have enough food here for a meal or two, so I told them to contact me if they still need food. Our freezer is full, and we could manage for weeks probably, several days at least. I don't want to see a need and turn away because I can't meet the need completely. I'd like to be the person to offer to do what I can. If enough of us do what we can, the problem can be solved. </span></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-5739113566218508072024-01-01T14:33:00.001-06:002024-01-01T14:59:02.020-06:00Another Year, Another Wish for Peace<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPIdRfWH70Nxz4xbRI-ulzKkKRjBEKHxdVCb5loIQ1EfFIZpN-bo7LQVT-jmHuy6CkUL3_olgdGeY3KYgPcihHNkiqH_CDAwm1lgOp0uz8IytMKwewBp_hlH4NKaSLXZ5h-hYbgsit76R_E9mZfmXtbjN9zfUyLKn1wpjzLEmlb6R0pjrcYqLGj3cCiQ/s640/First%20snow%202022_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPIdRfWH70Nxz4xbRI-ulzKkKRjBEKHxdVCb5loIQ1EfFIZpN-bo7LQVT-jmHuy6CkUL3_olgdGeY3KYgPcihHNkiqH_CDAwm1lgOp0uz8IytMKwewBp_hlH4NKaSLXZ5h-hYbgsit76R_E9mZfmXtbjN9zfUyLKn1wpjzLEmlb6R0pjrcYqLGj3cCiQ/w400-h300/First%20snow%202022_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's the first day of a new year. Snowflakes are drifting down to whiten the grass and coat tree limbs and the top of the fence. It's almost noon, and I'm still in my pjs. No planes have zoomed over in the hour I've been here. It's quiet. Peaceful. So much so, it's hard to believe that outside the house, in other places out in the world, wars are raging and people are dying--for what? Power? Hatred? Refusal to accept one another? I think those in power all need to come and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">sit with me in this quiet space. Watch the few snowflakes falling. Listen to the sound of peace and quiet. Breathe it in. Let your soul feel what peace can be like.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Wishing you peace in the coming year.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Linda</span></span></i><br /></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-15544674625779682642023-11-28T14:41:00.005-06:002023-11-28T14:46:36.464-06:00Celebrate Every Day...and Every One<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My previous post was about a man named Jackie Conner who was celebrated by my (and his) hometown recently. You can read that post to get the whole story. What I learned today is that Jackie passed away yesterday</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He had been celebrated just a little over three weeks ago with a parade and a lot of fanfare. He was shown the love and gratitude of family and friends and strangers, although no one was a stranger to Jackie once he met them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We can put off telling or showing others how special they are and what they mean to us. We think there is always tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. How wonderful that people rallied to celebrate Jackie's life while he was still here to enjoy the party.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The lesson in all of this: Celebrate life every day. Celebrate others...every one...every day. You don't have to throw a big parade with miles of fire trucks and a marching band--though that was what Jackie loved the most. If you just do what Jackie did best--welcome the stranger, let family members and friends know they're appreciated, and most of all show up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Godspeed, Jackie. I can only imagine the parade that welcomed you into the next life. Fly with the angels.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX7c53rhzdfD5V9SuWjYGdafPQPYL_1WF71n4WvVQZ3bsAd-Q-tAxIL2qS7b42pzkhEgcIZrt_hvLCBOjh8fM1w2xy_lGoU1yymiPft9xiwF6LXJN6-AlOUNNUJ9NIoKFM2-ZaOuYaD2IkvZvvBiMn7aDJTfShk5-_G9xfPVFmR17nMcodfKeq5xK4rI/s4032/Fly%20witht%20he%20angels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX7c53rhzdfD5V9SuWjYGdafPQPYL_1WF71n4WvVQZ3bsAd-Q-tAxIL2qS7b42pzkhEgcIZrt_hvLCBOjh8fM1w2xy_lGoU1yymiPft9xiwF6LXJN6-AlOUNNUJ9NIoKFM2-ZaOuYaD2IkvZvvBiMn7aDJTfShk5-_G9xfPVFmR17nMcodfKeq5xK4rI/w300-h400/Fly%20witht%20he%20angels.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-56487710380474624342023-11-04T17:03:00.009-05:002023-11-05T08:37:17.100-06:00The True Meaning of Community and Hometown Heroes<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My hometown of Brownsville, PA has always been alive and well in my heart and my memories. Years and hard times, however, have brought about change and challenge and left the little river town struggling. Yet it survives. To say it's thriving would be a stretch, but where there is life there is hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The hope of any community resides in the spirit of the people. That was never more evident to me than it was today. The entire town, along with surrounding communities, turned out to celebrate Jackie Conner Day. You're no doubt wondering, "Okay, who is Jackie Conner?" Having only met Jackie once, I won't pretend to know him. I can say that one meeting made an indelible impression on me. We were introduced, and Jackie offered me the brightest, most genuine smile I've ever seen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I became aware of the town's plans to celebrate Jackie Conner Day, I asked a few residents about Jackie. What makes him special so that he deserves a day in his honor? After all, he isn't a politician or a sports celebrity. What I learned was that Jackie, who is special needs, is a man who loves. He loves his family and friends, and he loves his hometown. And he acts on that love, always showing up to be of help for projects and events to improve the town in any way. I learned that Jackie has a perpetual smile on his face when he greets anyone--friend or stranger. I learned that Jackie can always be counted on to show up. I also sadly learned that Jackie is dealing with terminal illness, and his one wish was to have a big parade through town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, what did the people of Brownsville do? Well, they declared today Jackie Conner Day. And what a parade there was. Jackie, with his ever-present smile, served as Grand Marshal. He humbly accepted the love and well-wishes of all who came out to celebrate him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jackie brings out the best in people. That is obvious from the turnout of people who came to celebrate him--a simple man who does what he does without fanfare, who lives his life out of love for people and for his hometown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Knowing more of Jackie's story has restored my hope for Brownsville. Seeing the way my hometown stepped up to celebrate Jackie in his lifetime has restored my faith in humanity. I am so proud to say that Brownsville, PA is my hometown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>Jackie is truly a special man who brought a community together by simply being himself--fully and simply and without guile or pretense. </span><span>In a world often jaded by greed and harsh judgments and hate--be a Jackie.</span><span> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">* * *</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Linda Rettstatt,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Author of these hometown novels:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR8AiTxza7OFtOpXMWlbnhXoWdMBV1W4lVpneep343nvSDpBWuc7lV38YW6UB2SJdFTcBVkByXFvX1me-gi6hLWbV6xJMZ-Tx16QEGt0kjtkj4RtrRdMSwb7thucXxY8-MdAznwG_QPFUPV6Lyr4dWcztDVp4-VUyWvi2ppL_TS4t4Dhc2w5Lz6dq4-Y/s452/Brownsville%20Trio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="452" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR8AiTxza7OFtOpXMWlbnhXoWdMBV1W4lVpneep343nvSDpBWuc7lV38YW6UB2SJdFTcBVkByXFvX1me-gi6hLWbV6xJMZ-Tx16QEGt0kjtkj4RtrRdMSwb7thucXxY8-MdAznwG_QPFUPV6Lyr4dWcztDVp4-VUyWvi2ppL_TS4t4Dhc2w5Lz6dq4-Y/w400-h198/Brownsville%20Trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-29039339899246872022023-09-18T23:38:00.005-05:002023-09-18T23:50:40.477-05:00ChatGPT, AI, and Paint by Numbers<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm so irritated tonight over the flood of advertising on Facebook for ChatGPT and numerous other Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps and platforms. I do understand that some elements of these apps can be useful tools for writers when it comes to cleaning up our text and catching grammatical and punctuation errors, as well as misspellings. What I don't understand is the writer who shouts, "Yippee, now I can write a book in an hour and publish it tomorrow."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You cannot write a book in an hour. And if you're simply inputting an idea, a few paragraphs or a chapter and instructing an AI program to turn that into a book, you're delusional to believe <i>you've </i>written a book. What you've done is plant an idea in the app that then harvests words and text from other sources and puts it all together for you. Nice and clean and neat--and heartless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I saw a ChatGPT ad tonight that said, "You can have your name on a book in one hour." Well--yes, you can. But you're lying to yourself and everyone else if you say, "I wrote that book."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What has happened to imagination? What has happened to integrity? What has happened to doing the work, investing the time and energy into creating something you can be proud of?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are those who say, "Get with the program. Step into the twenty-first century and use the technology available to you."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">No. Simply put--no. First of all, I enjoy the creative process of writing my own books. Yes, it's work, often painstaking work. But in the end, it's mine. Secondly, I can have the confidence of knowing the words on the page came from me and weren't harvested from a library of collected books and, therefore, dance into the realm of plagiarism. AI programs don't have the ability to critically think about the moral and ethical side of things. AI programs don't have a beating heart and emotions to infuse into a story. Unless, of course, they co-opt previously written work that does have all of that because some author painstakingly created it in the first place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To those who take the easy way out and allow AI to produce a book they then put their name on so they can pretend they wrote it, I say, "Shame on you. It's pitiful. I feel sorry for you because, in the end, you know in your own heart and mind you didn't really create a damned thing."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm not even sorry if this offends anyone. I work hard as a writer to create my own stories. You know what offends me? People who take the easy way out and then have the nerve to call themselves an author.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My father used to do Paint by Number kits as a way of relaxing. Not once did he hang a completed painting on the wall, tell everyone he painted that, and consider himself a Picasso.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">ChatGPT and AI prove one point: Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've heard people comment on AI as being 'dangerous.' No, it isn't. The danger isn't in the technology. The danger is in the people who are absolutely giddy at the thought of being empowered by the technology to take the easy way out to create art or literature and make money from it. The technology has no power until it's in the hands of those who choose how to use it. It's the same old battle of good versus evil. Or, in this case, integrity versus fraud.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Personally, I'd rather spend months working on a book that comes from my heart and soul and, in the end, have the satisfaction of knowing I created that book. I feel sorry for those faux writers out there taking the easy way out to end up with a hollow victory the rest of us can see through.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>© 2023, Linda Rettstatt</span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-37733140787506333452023-07-13T15:09:00.001-05:002023-07-13T15:17:22.389-05:00Some of My Best Reviews<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reviews are important to every author. I appreciate every single review a reader has taken time to leave for me. Here are the reviews I've gotten from Publishers Weekly/Booklife. I'm so very proud of these.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Protection</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0V2479OfqyRol0Khx3JWYZvhjWsaNXlhrNIO3MpIDNhENxDuFwj1WQKXi_XXyHl1WW7pDZ2sDRaJ2Yxlcx-dyV3RwI6y4ryRWUpiGpohiFiakCFeUbfJo0cnDptJbZ7CXDPRpla8QZMjzH-ujC_ZfEIlH5opgasW2fIpeNJUCOfId8C2wSC9nDjP-ZM/s491/51GgFH82SCL._SY346_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0V2479OfqyRol0Khx3JWYZvhjWsaNXlhrNIO3MpIDNhENxDuFwj1WQKXi_XXyHl1WW7pDZ2sDRaJ2Yxlcx-dyV3RwI6y4ryRWUpiGpohiFiakCFeUbfJo0cnDptJbZ7CXDPRpla8QZMjzH-ujC_ZfEIlH5opgasW2fIpeNJUCOfId8C2wSC9nDjP-ZM/s320/51GgFH82SCL._SY346_.jpg" width="212" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Publishers Weekly</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rettstatt offers a unique twist
on romantic suspense, as both the hero and heroine have secrets that endanger
them and their relationship. In rural Washington State, Shannon Chase
miscalculates a hairpin turn and drives into a tree. Jake Garbar leaves his nearby
cabin and helps Shannon and her infant to safety, letting them stay in his home
until Shannon can get back on her feet again. While the attraction between them
is unmistakable, Shannon is reluctant to get involved with another man, since
she’s fleeing a disastrous relationship. And Jake has been a paranoid recluse
ever since he experienced a drastic life-changing event. As Jake and Shannon’s
pasts are slowly and creatively revealed, they must learn to trust each other.
Rettstatt provides the complete package: romance, suspense, and magnetic
characters. (BookLife)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ladies in Waiting</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFwH9RRoYh7ddEl4-EnWduP_D1BUAS53fltUnYoY7r2iCOz-VUGlacSXg1G6yPIDK9avuwHs251_BCdhVpGHKOi_pDh2O3J4wByB6JELckn9I_DebFS_LHbcjZbkvMtlY-bwEW03tM_rU-W0hQK4K65ud-uCDQbOcUcG7jTZBOehbM1Xx4orqMXOXt8E/s445/Ladies%20in%20Wiating.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="287" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFwH9RRoYh7ddEl4-EnWduP_D1BUAS53fltUnYoY7r2iCOz-VUGlacSXg1G6yPIDK9avuwHs251_BCdhVpGHKOi_pDh2O3J4wByB6JELckn9I_DebFS_LHbcjZbkvMtlY-bwEW03tM_rU-W0hQK4K65ud-uCDQbOcUcG7jTZBOehbM1Xx4orqMXOXt8E/s320/Ladies%20in%20Wiating.jpg" width="206" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Long and Short
Reviews:</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Five women, each strangers with
their life out of alignment, come together on the Jersey shore expecting eight
days of respite, which might put their lives back on track. What each woman did
not expect was to find new friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s one thing to be young and
vibrant and know your dreams are ahead, but it’s quite another when you’re 50+
and realize you’ve been so busy holding life together for others, your own
dreams have slipped away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When Julia, Markie, Andi, Liv,
and Cee Cee first meet, they find themselves stranded together on the front
porch steps of Siochain – the women’s retreat whose name means peace. It’s easy
to see these women are vastly different, and their personalities clash or
cradle each other almost immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Upon their arrival, Bree, the
director of the retreat, is nowhere to be found. With the day’s heat bearing
down, and menopausal Andi already complaining of heat flashes, Markie decides
to search for a hidden key. “It’s not breaking in if you have a key,” she
assures them. Once inside, they find out that Bree has been called away on a
family emergency, and with each women desperate to get something from the
“Reinventing Yourself After 50!” retreat, they decide to stay. During the week,
the strengths and weaknesses of each woman come into play. We learn about their
life struggle, as well as the secret each woman carries with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Romance is not a key element in
this story, although love makes its own powerful point. So much so, in fact,
that the reader may find themselves redefining their own understanding of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I found myself totally immersed
in the lives of these five women. Their journey felt personal, as if they had
shared their secrets with only me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The character development in this
book was superb! Only a masterful writer could create the individual backstory
behind each of these characters. Readers, especially those who are 50+, may
feel as though they’ve been on a women’s retreat themselves after finishing
this wonderful novel.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><u><b>Ladies in Waiting - </b> </u></span></o:p><u style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>2016 BookLife Prize Assessment:</b></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Liv, Markie, Andi, and Julia -- all over the age of 50 -- and Cee Cee (only 32) meet at a beach house in Cape May for a New Beginnings Retreat. Left on their own after their mentor, Bree Gilmore, is detoured, the women find their time together therapeutic and begin shedding the past. While a satisfying reminder to readers that issues are part of being human, the strength of this novel is the well-defined characters whose reactions to adversity make them seem true to life. Women over 50 will find solitude among the author's prose.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rescued</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6DCYT4AEBONPH4mE9gskAM40LLWyfoHt47axwlVEwkTuouZBZ0rpt5zIBYR-oQRTUiYgZ7QBNCXyv8lPRhTUfBSAhQ9YlN4Qhe5NBEOD-D0unKYo9nbR0cVNpZjAe1Yt0bGGBdSpnAEdmZSUcHfbwDbK9sEzPP48mI9nG9_wwIHxKT81wS6fsc-QieE/s445/Rescued.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6DCYT4AEBONPH4mE9gskAM40LLWyfoHt47axwlVEwkTuouZBZ0rpt5zIBYR-oQRTUiYgZ7QBNCXyv8lPRhTUfBSAhQ9YlN4Qhe5NBEOD-D0unKYo9nbR0cVNpZjAe1Yt0bGGBdSpnAEdmZSUcHfbwDbK9sEzPP48mI9nG9_wwIHxKT81wS6fsc-QieE/s320/Rescued.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Publishers Weekly</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rettstatt’s subtle contemporary
will appeal to animal lovers everywhere. Alex Ramsey, first abandoned by her
mother and then jilted by her fiancé, decides that animals are much more
trustworthy than people. She splits her time between running a no-kill animal
shelter and working for her Uncle Jack at his restaurant in Cade’s Point, Miss.
When chef Evan Whiting moves to town after the twin failures of his marriage
and his New York restaurant, he decides to start his life over. Though Alex and
Evan are initially at odds, their sparks of anger evolve into mutual
attraction. But Evan’s ex-wife unexpectedly comes to visit, and Alex doesn’t
open up easily. Sweet but not syrupy with plenty of charming side characters,
this fast-paced read will appeal to those who favor mildly sexy smalltown
romance. (BookLife)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>The Real Thing</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gvp1ERkZs4150uFzTFRuNuzpEdfbCJh7Zl8xB1G33x6v2O55CBK0w75xaxHKYnRfs5k2G-Bo6XPU6x0QXl1argFuT0-0MsjmCqHfV2i6JbFqG3J_WNCAwZbepP3UlLyf3CmmU9KsP3Spq2E4fuIrCp6eaCGyK4fxqrj9SaSlBgryUJa-LMlImLd08tI/s445/The%20Real%20Thing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gvp1ERkZs4150uFzTFRuNuzpEdfbCJh7Zl8xB1G33x6v2O55CBK0w75xaxHKYnRfs5k2G-Bo6XPU6x0QXl1argFuT0-0MsjmCqHfV2i6JbFqG3J_WNCAwZbepP3UlLyf3CmmU9KsP3Spq2E4fuIrCp6eaCGyK4fxqrj9SaSlBgryUJa-LMlImLd08tI/s320/The%20Real%20Thing.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Publishers Weekly</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZvLDQ32Tq1jFSJIBv-VYoHK_Dobuf2oyzEpMaBK5UqqnzS16uF9kAuGC6tV0_ylxS8jCoKQt8jXROUI98oxJ2q-qTgJ240WtZzvF5phW58Fh0lFLwDdzsEvW2MYxpPmgFkD8yyGKHLwPOYgdJam6mwkXox7J71LJESnb35SNIEf5vQlAkJTAMSn5GwA/s65/reviews-star2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="65" height="42" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZvLDQ32Tq1jFSJIBv-VYoHK_Dobuf2oyzEpMaBK5UqqnzS16uF9kAuGC6tV0_ylxS8jCoKQt8jXROUI98oxJ2q-qTgJ240WtZzvF5phW58Fh0lFLwDdzsEvW2MYxpPmgFkD8yyGKHLwPOYgdJam6mwkXox7J71LJESnb35SNIEf5vQlAkJTAMSn5GwA/w54-h42/reviews-star2.png" width="54" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rettstatt’s short, smart
contemporary keeps readers engaged with a candid look at what happens when
simmering anger reaches a boil. Jane and Mitch Devereaux have a perfect
marriage. He’s an advertising executive. She’s a successful romance novelist.
They’ve spent 20-odd years raising two great kids and supporting each other’s
careers. But lately sex has become a problem. It’s not that it’s gotten
rote—quite the opposite. Jane has been pushing Mitch to be more and more
sexually creative so she can turn their bedroom antics into scenes for her
novels. Finally, he gets fed up with a love life that’s devolved into a series
of literary research projects. Rather than hashing things out with Jane, Mitch
stalks out the door, gets his own apartment, and then can’t quite figure out
what comes next. Mitch’s wounded ego and Jane’s total bafflement at his actions
are completely believable, thanks to Rettstatt’s skill at crafting characters
that readers will care about and cheer for. There are no villains here, only
two well-meaning spouses trying their very best to be true to themselves and
keep their flame burning. (BookLife) </span><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-13622588989707465702023-06-18T09:08:00.004-05:002023-06-18T14:05:42.904-05:00I Like to Think....<p style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How many times do we say or hear someone else say of death and the afterlife, "I like to think..." followed by an imagining of heaven and what it will be like? I like to think those who loved me and went ahead of me will greet me. I like to think all the pets I've had will eagerly greet me. I like to think there is a place to which my spirit will go to live on in peace and joy. Sure, it's a matter of faith and choice to believe. To some it might seem like fantasy thinking. Well, so what? If it proves, in the end, to be nothing more than fantasy but gives me a sense of peace about my leaving this life, then why not embrace it? Because, let's be honest, what awaits us is not a question we can answer from this side of things.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My recently published novel, Almost Heaven, explores this question--what if heaven is for each of us what we like to think it is. This book began, as do all (I believe), with a question of 'What if?' That question was followed by, 'Why not?' I soon realized it is also a therapeutic work for myself. I've shied away from embracing the notion of death and dying and wondering if there's anyone or anything out there awaiting me. I like to think there is. And that belief has given me some measure of peace with the reality that I will stand at that threshold between this life and the next. I've never been good with the unknown. I like control. And knowing what comes next gives me a measure of control, I suppose.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Annie Crawford has had few but impactful experiences of death. She has had a sketchy education around the concept of an afterlife. She hasn't given much thought to the concept until she is hit by a garbage truck and finds herself in front of a cottage in a small town in a serene setting and finding people she has loved that she can only describe as Almost Heaven. But it's not yet time for her to stay and move beyond that threshold. Besides, she meets someone who gives her news that turns her world upside down. She has to go back to confront the lie about her life.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Her experience changes Annie and causes her to re-evaluate her life and choices. One thing is certain--she's coming back to a very different life than the fast-paced, unfulfilling one she had created. Now it's time to live the life she truly wants. And, when it's time for her to cross that threshold and stay, she can imagine with peace and joy what that next life will hold.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was a challenge for me to classify this book. I settled on Inspirational Women's Fiction/Fantasy with a romance sub-plot. (Of course there is. There has to be a romance.) Almost Heaven is not a religious look at the concept of heaven, but it is a spiritual view of life and the hereafter, very much a matter of choosing what to believe. Perhaps it's my own effort to take some control over what comes next. I'm a person of faith, but have never been one to blindly follow without a million questions. Almost Heaven could well be my own effort to answer them. I hope Almost Heaven is entertaining, thought-provoking, and comforting for you.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-Sg5dbRvWpGelL3xaI_aM2m7OvD_sabuqeDhTRKWst68rjbd-o4yxlYFq9R2e7em3Miv3-8kmHjmGFpk_d2aUgtQPQJda21n3abg_v_Uy9gWtcE1JKAFfKtOANZ0C5QAyjtueGZO-n5PrD_K5m14rfhi7nMeNFSwRF2GSJ8avGSYvVGz89hfzwCO/s3810/Paperback_FINAL%206_8_23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="3810" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-Sg5dbRvWpGelL3xaI_aM2m7OvD_sabuqeDhTRKWst68rjbd-o4yxlYFq9R2e7em3Miv3-8kmHjmGFpk_d2aUgtQPQJda21n3abg_v_Uy9gWtcE1JKAFfKtOANZ0C5QAyjtueGZO-n5PrD_K5m14rfhi7nMeNFSwRF2GSJ8avGSYvVGz89hfzwCO/w400-h291/Paperback_FINAL%206_8_23.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Heaven-Linda-Rettstatt/dp/B0C7JJ29PZ/">Amazon</a> in<br />ebook and paperback.<br />(Coming soon in Large Print edition)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-87148667874698930482023-05-26T20:20:00.002-05:002023-05-26T20:21:41.605-05:00Ever Wonder What's on the Other Side?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever wondered what's on the other side of this life? Does heaven exist? Perhaps you fear nothing exists. Annie Crawford hasn't given it all that much thought until she's hit by a garbage truck and wakes up in a strange place that's so perfectly the life she has imagined. The problem is, she can't stay there. And how does she explain--without sounding crazy--what she saw when she comes back to this life? She visits a place that's a lot like heaven--almost. Some things are bound to change, because her near-death </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">experience has changed Annie. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ COMING SOON ~</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3ELd39Tn_zpKRwXWv6vgNY9uNr1E2w4KTuSP8kaCFau02lu93pNygAuEfoJ-pDNFXOcrWuQx7W2FjiX2XkZSZum6CAGcaEuzk-i8e7L-iwQObZ5hl8cIfloi71YLWH25oo9Ab5KDFVcaJT_x5UzKYBQpI7E2D-Gaw9KAG9JwxRlYbLZxz7b-x4vm/s2700/Reversed%20sample%20text%201%20red%20text_resized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3ELd39Tn_zpKRwXWv6vgNY9uNr1E2w4KTuSP8kaCFau02lu93pNygAuEfoJ-pDNFXOcrWuQx7W2FjiX2XkZSZum6CAGcaEuzk-i8e7L-iwQObZ5hl8cIfloi71YLWH25oo9Ab5KDFVcaJT_x5UzKYBQpI7E2D-Gaw9KAG9JwxRlYbLZxz7b-x4vm/s320/Reversed%20sample%20text%201%20red%20text_resized.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-41550484524995884182023-03-07T09:57:00.001-06:002023-03-07T10:05:58.937-06:00LET'S TALK ABOUT IMPOSTER SYNDROME<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N1DOjpfDsK7XOKyfEV8QgCE9pdMzteOTMSE4B90zT5HG1Zpyx6F0d18JINOHJgxbxvyFOnu8z3Z2rJGPqSs_vySWrhLzCSeGBfFPTYURBUKRNSv2UuWItChcYyzyNlZOLVh8HtwHUSsWQrlKJ1m3mCpOBj3x2MvgKANbTx5cnmC2QJXcSwxUna0J/s1920/Imposter%20syndrome3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N1DOjpfDsK7XOKyfEV8QgCE9pdMzteOTMSE4B90zT5HG1Zpyx6F0d18JINOHJgxbxvyFOnu8z3Z2rJGPqSs_vySWrhLzCSeGBfFPTYURBUKRNSv2UuWItChcYyzyNlZOLVh8HtwHUSsWQrlKJ1m3mCpOBj3x2MvgKANbTx5cnmC2QJXcSwxUna0J/s320/Imposter%20syndrome3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s easy for
writers—in fact, someone in any profession—to fall into imposter syndrome. The
feelings of being a fraud, the self-doubt, the uncertainty can be debilitating.
And it can come out of the blue—that belief that despite evidence otherwise,
you don’t know what you’re doing. This thinking is typically followed by the
fear that you’ll be found out for the fraud you are. Shame and fear cover you
like a shroud and color your thoughts and belief about yourself and your
ability to function. One reaction is to hide, become invisible, and to quit—to
withdraw from the very thing that has, up until now, given you life and
purpose.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Somewhere along
the way, we creatives adopt the notion that we have to be perfect all the time,
that our work has to be above error and reproach. We can create a false sense
of self that sets us up for a fall. Then something happens to burst that
bubble, and we can fall hard and begin to question everything we’ve done. Once
that negative thinking worms its way into our brain, it becomes like a
flesh-eating bacteria that feeds on self-confidence and self-knowledge. It
discounts the positive feedback you receive from others. You’re sure they’re
lying just to make you feel better. Surely they see through your façade.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What can you do
to turn this around before it cripples you completely? I can only address this
as a writer and editor. I can honestly say I’ve never had writer’s block. But
I’ve danced with the devil of self-doubt many times. Most recently, I wrote and
published a book I’m quite proud of. But I rushed it through the editing and
proofing process and didn’t employ the right assistance to ensure it was ready
for human consumption. Kind of like the time my mother made nut rolls, but left
out the baking soda. They tasted okay, but something was definitely wrong. I
was horrified when I began to find errors in the published manuscript. Being
independently published, I have the control to fix and republish, and I did so
immediately. But my sense of professionalism took a hit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I spent days
wallowing in doubt in my abilities as an editor/proofreader and self-publisher.
How could I have let a manuscript go to print with errors like that? A real
professional would never have allowed that to happen. Who do I think I am
calling myself an editor or proofreader? I should repay every penny to every
author for whom I’ve edited and proofed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then I realized I
don’t handle the work of others the way I handled this manuscript of my own. So
what happened this time? It was simple. I rushed through the project, eager to
get the book into print on an unrealistic timeline. I handed it over to someone
who was well-meaning but didn’t have the skill needed to proof the work. And,
boy, have I learned from this one. I can feel reasonably certain this won’t
happen again. Of course, a typographical error can be found in almost every
published work. I need to be realistic about the degree of perfection, but
still strive for the best.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And, so, my
latest battle with ‘imposter syndrome’ brought me to this conclusion: honest
self-evaluation can move us forward toward becoming more professional, more
skilled if we step back and examine the positives and negatives. I took time to
evaluate my career as a writer and as an editor. I’m not perfect at either, but
I’m pretty darned good at both. The best part is that I can learn from my
mistakes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you’re a
writer (or an artist, a photographer, a chef—any creative) and finding yourself
doubting your identity as such, take a step back. Breathe. Stop comparing
yourself to others in the profession. Stop measuring success according to which
rung on the ladder you’re standing. We creatives can have such delicate egos
that are so easily fractured by criticism—often our own. Let yourself be human.
Own your mistakes, but then learn from them. Take your time. And take your
place alongside other creatives in your profession.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Some of you might
remember that Saturday Night Live routine with Stuart Smalley: “I’m smart
enough, I’m good enough, and doggone it, people like me.” Then there’s the line
from The Help: “You is smart. You is kind. You is important.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As an author, I’m
a small fish—a minnow really—in a very big pond. Have I had dreams of feeding
with the big fish (the NYT bestsellers list, etc.)? Sure. Do I feel like an
imposter because I haven’t achieved that level of fame? Absolutely not. Take
pride in what you do and do your best. Be open to learn. Don’t let the
negativity of self-doubt take you down. Stop comparing yourself to the bigger fish and embrace your accomplishments. Own your mistakes, make corrections as
you can, and move on. Sharpen your skills.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And for heaven’s
sake don’t forget to laugh at yourself. It’s much harder being a human than
being a writer or editor or chef or artist. Give yourself a break, then come
back stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-57849578487289489802023-02-23T18:15:00.001-06:002023-02-23T18:16:20.390-06:00Never Too Late For Love to Bloom<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtymWMGPvkkexN_eDb1F0Rr3igUOo39sUgtgk7bJbEfdWAE_DRPz6_W8r6IRydO1LdQ_urNWxPYJBWTXwKtg14Fe6_b9zWayKquZ8zQrRoxH8mEhi1R6lsJC_EVj9eV69wLZS0TbW3ddqBHOla7O_kkBGpE5MHStIbuD9CbS6iNhpyCoUuDh5cLLY7/s3878/FULL%20WRAP_6_Final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="3878" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtymWMGPvkkexN_eDb1F0Rr3igUOo39sUgtgk7bJbEfdWAE_DRPz6_W8r6IRydO1LdQ_urNWxPYJBWTXwKtg14Fe6_b9zWayKquZ8zQrRoxH8mEhi1R6lsJC_EVj9eV69wLZS0TbW3ddqBHOla7O_kkBGpE5MHStIbuD9CbS6iNhpyCoUuDh5cLLY7/w400-h286/FULL%20WRAP_6_Final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Daisy, Rose, Lily, Violet, and Iris—Five successful women with years of hard work and dedication among them. Retirement and life circumstances prompt each woman to re-evaluate her life choices once she comes face to face with the holes in her own tapestry. LATE BLOOMERS is a collection of stories of women of a certain age opening themselves to love and proving that some things are well worth the wait.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Availalble now in ebook and paperback at</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Late-Bloomers-Linda-Rettstatt-ebook/dp/B0BW81CXH8?">Amazon.com</a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">and in ebook at multiple vendors through</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1348817">Smashwords.com</a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-52488701432140233732023-02-03T10:14:00.000-06:002023-02-03T10:14:23.431-06:00Late Night Musings From One Happy Writer<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last night when I couldn't fall asleep, I thought about writing. I've been doing this writing thing for twenty-two years now. I've produced 45+ novels, several novellas, and short stories. People ask me where they come from. Hell, I don't know. I opened a door--or my mind and heart--to this passion one day, and all these people were there waiting for me to tell their stories. That's what I am--a storyteller. I haven't been on any of the big lists like USA Today or NYT Bestsellers, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">probably won't be. I did get a star review once from Publisher's Weekly. I had to email them to ask what the star meant--lol.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not a big time author with a huge following who pays the rent with royalties. But, you know what? I'm okay with that. I have this passion to create stories that entertain or make people think. I love the whole process--the writing, the rewriting and editing, finding the right cover that fits the story, even sometimes having to fight with Amazon in the publishing process, then presenting that new book to the world, or my small part of it. I couldn't not do this (and the editor in me cringes at that wording.)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you have a passion in your life that drives you and brings you joy and returns more than it costs to do it. If you feel that nudge, follow it. Do the thing. What's the worst that can happen? I'm not a huge success by some standards, but I'm happy. I love what I do, and I won't stop until I draw my last breath or the words become jumbled and I can't put them together any longer. Then I'll still tell stories that might not make sense, but will elicit a laugh, I hope.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love life, and follow your dreams.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvcUonMO2ULetgFdkqvDA8GKfrTpbhjMhH10q7qYykodEXZy_t4cQYxCWd4wZloqtv6oXAQCGuNNVOS5ZuqVF6Rhs1jhV6fcTp-mCUmcpgU8lVdKQbVQUpo2GiBoppW6CWJaOSyG-vIhLwQRA5NNlNfux-7wdhzMxTP9_LpArmPyY6xrQTHs3NSUk/s1920/silhouette-953398_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvcUonMO2ULetgFdkqvDA8GKfrTpbhjMhH10q7qYykodEXZy_t4cQYxCWd4wZloqtv6oXAQCGuNNVOS5ZuqVF6Rhs1jhV6fcTp-mCUmcpgU8lVdKQbVQUpo2GiBoppW6CWJaOSyG-vIhLwQRA5NNlNfux-7wdhzMxTP9_LpArmPyY6xrQTHs3NSUk/s320/silhouette-953398_1920.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.75px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-12934560130994971692023-01-17T11:02:00.001-06:002023-01-17T11:02:55.552-06:00Retirement? Hah. A Writer's Work is Never Done<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's been almost two years since I retired from my job in social work and moved back 'home' to Pennsylvania. I'm fortunate to be in relatively good health and able to be active, so now what do I do? I lined up a volunteer opportunity for a few days a week. I planned to pour more time into my writing, as well expanding my work as an independent editor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Those of you who write understand that just because you retire from other responsibilities, your writer's mind doesn't turn itself off. Ideas continue to flow. Characters demand their stories be told.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And here I thought I'd have more time for travel. (Well, I have time. Money is another matter, but why sweat the small stuff, right?) So I travel through my stories. Reading is a great way to see and experience the world through the imagination of the writer and the experiences of the characters. So is writing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To that end, I have three books in the works for release this year--three very different stories and with several engaging characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Late Bloomers - A seasoned romance collection of the stories of four women: Daisy, Rose, Lily, and Iris (see a theme there?) for whom love got sidelined along the way. Now in their later years, love and romance come to them. Better late than never!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsQgp3k2PwLE0GEmS5tLabqwYRUvD4p4rCBxRQ3jskSwit1uPR1U7fDrfdBhUiBSIhvQ00F8a_WrhoiUM1x-NdHKbAQKkZvx-Q0dZBKOeo_8SML42vrK2l7WB3kz64BP-JjBICI7Fg7N41bWDEqXcAs5wPA0BTQihM6OjtMZ5J8ONIDQNvYrjUjCE/s2700/lindersk-72dpi-1500x2000%20(1)_bordered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsQgp3k2PwLE0GEmS5tLabqwYRUvD4p4rCBxRQ3jskSwit1uPR1U7fDrfdBhUiBSIhvQ00F8a_WrhoiUM1x-NdHKbAQKkZvx-Q0dZBKOeo_8SML42vrK2l7WB3kz64BP-JjBICI7Fg7N41bWDEqXcAs5wPA0BTQihM6OjtMZ5J8ONIDQNvYrjUjCE/s320/lindersk-72dpi-1500x2000%20(1)_bordered.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Almost Heaven - Women's fiction that begs the question: What if heaven is exactly what our own heart and soul desire most? What if eternity is our happy place? And what if you got a glimpse, but then had to come back? How would that change your life?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkeNQDtQ5TJzg3tXeqVJIDr8_OSuqezw6rE0KPytmlnEU3JGXUo6yiTZe2WHT4dbax1Zo9ugBD2gyq9YVz_rJyHtr9GWm-npsBcQq4Xe2WzTeF7h_vjKkp89_NKc7jgUio_asBa3H0g6-sTCxEezSoq6J6Bqi9ALSOmBseKadBAwtL1zsWPlvrWII/s2700/Almost%20Heaven_mock%20up4_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkeNQDtQ5TJzg3tXeqVJIDr8_OSuqezw6rE0KPytmlnEU3JGXUo6yiTZe2WHT4dbax1Zo9ugBD2gyq9YVz_rJyHtr9GWm-npsBcQq4Xe2WzTeF7h_vjKkp89_NKc7jgUio_asBa3H0g6-sTCxEezSoq6J6Bqi9ALSOmBseKadBAwtL1zsWPlvrWII/s320/Almost%20Heaven_mock%20up4_resized.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Child's Play - Suspense with a romance sub-plot and a sequel to A Private Practice. Detective Susan Wycoff has a new partner, a secret romance, and dead bodies turning up on playgrounds around the city. She's not a fan of change and prefers to be in charge. Her newly-assigned partner isn't making it easy. Neither is the distraction of romantic attraction.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYATkv3nvsy0TKF6zQd4R_E7Y1LeIqE80qTyofFCI-AXdYrJ1X3H5ZLV7ulBA7ivBg7Tv2_vnS86nhhvuqb0h9kca5W-4hbu3B9myx5A_F6EOjiMS_Y6mnPjRK_I3BuGnldupdmVFXM5usHt0P79Ar5DamjTWC_bjFO4Aw2My9fJBIjcFYwpaBPvT/s2025/Childs%20Play_LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYATkv3nvsy0TKF6zQd4R_E7Y1LeIqE80qTyofFCI-AXdYrJ1X3H5ZLV7ulBA7ivBg7Tv2_vnS86nhhvuqb0h9kca5W-4hbu3B9myx5A_F6EOjiMS_Y6mnPjRK_I3BuGnldupdmVFXM5usHt0P79Ar5DamjTWC_bjFO4Aw2My9fJBIjcFYwpaBPvT/s320/Childs%20Play_LR.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Heaven knows what idea will pop up next and demand attention. Stay tuned!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <i>Linda</i></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-27005192443270547032023-01-02T09:59:00.000-06:002023-01-02T09:59:19.151-06:00Welcome to 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcTARtgyNRLa7fj8i57P45JBNQnKlQMg2UP84jmvT_Baal5St38voWzbm_vGZS6538VUELOJNj8Ih1tbXZq3_yKh1bY20_rb2h8kSiI1Lvkbf7k5g9NkzW-gIVLngSmPmS_8m6f8CZE0cF6RyalJ3g_HIlpWpcSBqsJVrbmkVoZ1BV-_DuOhudFqj/s4032/2023%20Year%20of%20Choices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcTARtgyNRLa7fj8i57P45JBNQnKlQMg2UP84jmvT_Baal5St38voWzbm_vGZS6538VUELOJNj8Ih1tbXZq3_yKh1bY20_rb2h8kSiI1Lvkbf7k5g9NkzW-gIVLngSmPmS_8m6f8CZE0cF6RyalJ3g_HIlpWpcSBqsJVrbmkVoZ1BV-_DuOhudFqj/w400-h300/2023%20Year%20of%20Choices.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-54795678875575725992022-12-26T19:31:00.004-06:002022-12-31T10:18:35.800-06:00TIME FOR A LOOK BACK AND THEN FACE FORWARD<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In a few days, we'll be ushering in a new year--2023. This is a good time to reflect on this past year--the wins, the losses, the blessings, the struggles, dreams dashed and dreams fulfilled. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've done my share of reflection these past few days. It hasn't been a year of big anything. I'm living the good life of retirement. I volunteer a few days a week. I edit for a few authors. I write my own books. It saddened me to learn of the death of a former co-worker I never had an opportunity to catch up with since moving back up to PA. What I learned is--don't take time for granted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My one dream come true this past year was the completion and publication of my book Union Station. I had danced around writing this book for almost two years. Each time I'd decide it was more work than I wanted to do, something would be handed to me that helped with the writing. This book was meant to be, and I was meant to write it.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCMyVr-JxJbzrucYYTzy1P8NEzAtPmKUHRWGPCoP3Qx2GF1RTdUOdKl6x2hCpVwrat7mCIF8a-O7aT2uxpjPdM-eIRorJyTPmUXllzZ6qKfGewTveDuq2We2iOlOwCIWA0HeStKGzgJ4fJWQ7ovePvzXMgFUObktM5p70az_3JIgiBhGhOJJ7-oM2/s346/Union%20Station%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCMyVr-JxJbzrucYYTzy1P8NEzAtPmKUHRWGPCoP3Qx2GF1RTdUOdKl6x2hCpVwrat7mCIF8a-O7aT2uxpjPdM-eIRorJyTPmUXllzZ6qKfGewTveDuq2We2iOlOwCIWA0HeStKGzgJ4fJWQ7ovePvzXMgFUObktM5p70az_3JIgiBhGhOJJ7-oM2/s320/Union%20Station%20Cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You've no doubt heard the saying, "You can't go home again." I dispute that statement. I released Union Station at a book launch at the Brownsville Free Public Library in my hometown. I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was by the response of the people, some old friends, family, and classmates, and others I'd never met. They showed up. They bought books. They made me feel at home again. And when I had a follow-up signing for Union Station at the BARC Heritage Center, they turned out again. Some came with stories about my father--men who worked with him on the railroad and knew him well. Those stories overshadowed the sales of books, and I will carry them with me always.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">All in all, 2022 was a very good year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What might 2023 hold? I don't make New Year's resolutions because I never keep them. I have the usual thoughts about living healthy, and the best I can do is promise to try. I want to always live in a way that reflects gratitude for the ways my own life is blessed. I hope I do that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, what books will be coming in 2023? I have three in the works. But we all know how that works. There's always another one that sneaks in there. My plan now is to bring these three books to publication this year:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ0XIDE7AkJ560e4nGHtG2OrXEArHmgaHrc54e-l1u_zuEcZOwcrUWDD2FF0Z13ryRa02Edqq1e1r84OKhQg0bK7I4gSvO4pmzkJLJSXTaSjN5eurJq0-TBs4yv_ZAKYiyecgPhCh33S3Lc_5lJTqlo-sYFYu16rTUDgUWIj1EZzdhOSzAtFcKgix/s5432/Coming%20in%202023_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="5432" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ0XIDE7AkJ560e4nGHtG2OrXEArHmgaHrc54e-l1u_zuEcZOwcrUWDD2FF0Z13ryRa02Edqq1e1r84OKhQg0bK7I4gSvO4pmzkJLJSXTaSjN5eurJq0-TBs4yv_ZAKYiyecgPhCh33S3Lc_5lJTqlo-sYFYu16rTUDgUWIj1EZzdhOSzAtFcKgix/w400-h199/Coming%20in%202023_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whatever your hopes for 2023, I wish you a Happy New Year filled with blessings and graces and happiness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <i>Linda</i></span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-76526423528068005882022-12-03T18:27:00.004-06:002022-12-03T18:34:05.861-06:00Time Flies<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I don't know about you, but I'm still wondering where October and November went so fast. Seems like just last week my September vacation was coming to an end. Now we're only weeks away from Christmas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I have one more pre-Christmas book signing coming up on Saturday, December 10 in Brownsville to promote Union Station and some of my Christmas books. I love the spirit with which the people in my hometown have embraced Union Station and me. Whoever said, 'You can't go home again,' never visited my hometown. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Union Station is fiction, but is reflective of the spirit of life in Brownsville over seventy years. The spirit of ultimate goodness and neighborliness and hope. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm proud to say the book signing will take place at the Heritage Center and Frank L. Melega Art Museum at 69 Market Street in Brownsville, PA. It's a wonderful museum with a collection of both art and artifacts. If you're in the area, come by and see my hometown at its best. And while you're there, grab a signed copy of Union Station or one of my other Christmas books.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRflkxTlS7je37yKJkujNIJC917vBJtmgkL9_5q9RqAbcxb4qtvJGlZxATjulyWJWesUe_UsB622xxvPkIamCZu6K841tc6DrctrcfbsbRzHjuhgmB38PnPwnVjQnLosjVdz3tftf7binTt-PanQe_Tn66fyoPqwxoSsBdYuSUnrygryxe-d9IiSuU/s346/Union%20Station%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRflkxTlS7je37yKJkujNIJC917vBJtmgkL9_5q9RqAbcxb4qtvJGlZxATjulyWJWesUe_UsB622xxvPkIamCZu6K841tc6DrctrcfbsbRzHjuhgmB38PnPwnVjQnLosjVdz3tftf7binTt-PanQe_Tn66fyoPqwxoSsBdYuSUnrygryxe-d9IiSuU/s320/Union%20Station%20Cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jzghn-lI3wQkVgEhmerl2Zv39Gw2IaTb9yxUWG9V0CGMq280RnrVgooqySJ1mSJM-vCref4HD9Q-eSDNPbA87-UCJYwzGqQU_U3-jToSWmB56tCv5UF_qhCuV4pnHICYL7pGt3g0H1kLjsJp2uFI36DIn-46rF52wwDuFA2LBiNYehLGlZgVjF6D/s423/Christmas%20Trio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="423" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jzghn-lI3wQkVgEhmerl2Zv39Gw2IaTb9yxUWG9V0CGMq280RnrVgooqySJ1mSJM-vCref4HD9Q-eSDNPbA87-UCJYwzGqQU_U3-jToSWmB56tCv5UF_qhCuV4pnHICYL7pGt3g0H1kLjsJp2uFI36DIn-46rF52wwDuFA2LBiNYehLGlZgVjF6D/s320/Christmas%20Trio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-50539512877577417942022-08-26T19:55:00.004-05:002022-08-26T22:45:29.306-05:00UNION STATION<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My newest book, Union Station, is set in my hometown of
Brownsville, Pennsylvania. The story centers around one building–the Union
Station building. The railroad station was built in 1929 at a time when the
small river town along the Monongahela was bustling with business and growth. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The stories in Union Station span seven decades from the
opening of the building to its closing. In a conversation on a Brownsville, PA
Facebook page, I learned that people still hold fond memories of their
relationship to the Union Station–their doctors, dentists, hair salon, floral
shop, and the railroad offices all located within those walls. Until 1951,
passenger train service brought people from Pittsburgh to Brownsville for
shopping and to conduct business.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now struggling to survive and once again thrive–people of
Brownsville are resilient and hopeful–the town has undergone a descent into the
depths of despair and has begun a rise again. New businesses, residents
invested in breathing life back into town, and high school students who made it
their mission to create a park and performance stage–all continue to contribute
to life in Brownsville.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This hamlet on the river will always be home to me, no
matter where I hang my hat. I wrote Union Station to first honor my father,
Dale R. Rettstatt, Jr., a WWII veteran and long-time employee of the
Monongahela Railroad who worked in the Union Station building for years. I also
dedicate the book to the people of Brownsville who choose to believe in what is
possible and put their efforts into restoring life to our little town.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My stories in Union Station are fiction, but set in the
facts of the times in which they occur. Parts are likened to what life was
like, and some are imaginings of what could be. The characters are not unlike
the people who have lived there over the years. I gave the building its own
voice as she–yes, she–shares her observations on the life that passes through
her lobby and occurs within her walls. We often hear people say, “If only those
walls could talk.” What if they can? What if is the question that I believe
launches every work of fiction. What if? I think that, if those walls could
talk, they would tell stories such as those included in Union Station.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I hope these stories entertain, give you something to think
about, bring you to both laughter and tears, and leave you with some sense of
hope for whatever place is home for you. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijej4vX-CG7XWv-Jz8ZSdhDn7-XoIuB2N7cx9DZOkkQhbny6AzCPo4oP67opAzM7IiDCoQG_mY8j7q8UOJUIh7CbQQfSRaJaXloGfGSN2eg_6UjbpvsndbzOxVErMllL8dwKXdqgv1dkLVSiEeEe1f8q-P60ODWJnR_FIlB9yusFmYUaOxFgrBDhaW/s2676/Front%20Cover%204%20lighter%20font2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijej4vX-CG7XWv-Jz8ZSdhDn7-XoIuB2N7cx9DZOkkQhbny6AzCPo4oP67opAzM7IiDCoQG_mY8j7q8UOJUIh7CbQQfSRaJaXloGfGSN2eg_6UjbpvsndbzOxVErMllL8dwKXdqgv1dkLVSiEeEe1f8q-P60ODWJnR_FIlB9yusFmYUaOxFgrBDhaW/s320/Front%20Cover%204%20lighter%20font2.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">UNION STATION will be available in ebook and paperback on October 8 at Amazon.com</span></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-2475416549873337642022-07-20T10:14:00.004-05:002022-07-20T10:19:37.814-05:00Self-Publishing: A Respectable Way to Get Published<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">I belong to a number of writing groups on social media. I interact with a lot of writers, both published and working toward publication. Much discussion circles around the avenues one might take to becoming a published author. And one thing I repeatedly find is a negative view (often critical and caustic) of those who self-publish.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been around the block several times having had agent representation (that netted no results), working with four legitimate small presses. Each of those experiences taught me a great deal about writing and publishing as a business.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So let me clear the air on this topic up front. No, I did not get a contract via agent representation. I gave that one year, then ended the relationship. No fault on either part. It just didn't work for me. No, I've not been published by one of the "Big Five" (now Big Four) publishers that might put me on the NYT Bestsellers List or at least get me a six-figure advance. That all being said, it does not negate my talent as a writer nor my skill with writing and publishing my own work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not here to negate the experience of writers who choose the more traditional path of writing the book, finding an agent, then getting a contract with an advance. Bravo! I applaud your tenacity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm also not here to defend self-publishing as a legitimate route to getting your book published. It's time to put down the pitchforks and stop beating down the writers who choose to take the reins and manager their own work. To those of you who have self-published the 'right way', bravo!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As with anything, there is a right and wrong way to pursue self-publishing. I admit there are self-published works on sites such as Amazon that, in my opinion, should never see daylight. There are writers who spit out words and throw them up for publication when they're far from ready for human consumption. This has given self-publishing a bad name. I don't suffer those fools kindly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the biggest differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing is the gatekeeper. Another is, no doubt, financial. Unfortunately, many self-published authors go unnoticed and untried because someone has had a bad experience with one self-published book or has had the attitude drilled into them that someone who self-publishes is not really a published author.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Then there are the writers who take their responsibility as both writer and publisher seriously. We write the book ourselves. We make sure the book has proper editing and proofing (something that can be costly, but that's a business expense). We contract one or more beta readers to test our book for us. We find decent cover art (another business expense). We publish the book ourselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Then the fun begins. Because now we have to switch hats and become a marketer and promoter. We have to sell ourselves and our books to readers who most likely never heard of us. We don't have an advertising department--we ARE the advertising department.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Can a self-published author reach a modicum of success, both financially and in cultivating a readership? It's been known to happen. But it takes three things, in my opinion: Great writing, hard work, and a fair measure of good luck.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some will say that self-publishing is for those who "can't get their book published any other way," or "want to take the easy way out," or "aren't good enough." And for some people, that may be the case. But let's not color all self-publishing writers with the same crayon. Because the majority of the self-publishing writers I'm privileged to know do the work, and the work is hard. It's a matter of owning your own business and wearing all the hats and contracting help that's needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If someone opened a hamburger joint in your neighborhood--because they can--and sold food that was uncooked or overcooked, tasteless, or downright sickening--you'd not go there. You'd steer your friends away and recommend another place that gave you a quality meal for your money. You wouldn't say, "I'm never eating a hamburger again because all these places are sub-standard." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(My vegan friends will need to supply their own analogy. Sadly, I don't speak vegan, but you get my point.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, let's stop beating up on self-publishing. Let's recognize the work that authors put into their efforts. Get to know the self-published authors who produce quality and give you your money's worth, who clearly take pride in what they produce. Follow them. Buy their books. Review their books. Recommend their books to others.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To those readers who follow me and support my work, I truly thank you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Linda</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>**Please note: There are vanity presses out there who will offer to publish a book for $$$$. They are not publishers. They are scammers. There are companies that offer services to authors for a fee to help you publish. Many are legitimate and, though their services might be costly, provide what they say they'll provide. Writers--beware and do your diligence in knowing one from another and what you expect to get for your money.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-44827164947051012652022-07-04T12:32:00.000-05:002022-07-04T12:32:58.400-05:00The Salvation of Writing (and Reading) Fiction<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had no idea when I began writing fiction that it would one day become a lifesaver, a protector of my own sanity. I just thought I'd set down words to tell a story, entertain some people, and satisfy my need to be creative.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now I find that both reading and writing fiction serve to keep me sane in a world gone crazy, to pull me back into the world I can create and choose from the creations of others. I'm so grateful to authors who offer me that escape: Lisa Scottoline, Linda Castillo, Mary Kay Andrews, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Elizabeth Berg, Susan Mallery--just to name a few. What wonderful gifts you share with me and others.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've been locked into the writing world lately, feverishly working on not one but five books, each very different in plot and characters. I open my laptop, retrieve the file, read where I left off, then let myself slip into the words like one settles into a warm bubble bath. I hope my readers have that same experience with my books.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Of course some authors don't make that settling so easy. Yes, Lisa Scottoline, I'm looking at you. What Happened to the Bennetts is extraordinary--and has me on edge constantly. I'm gonna need a few xanax before it's all over. But, still, I am grateful for the distraction and immersion into such great writing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Most of my own stories are women's fiction or romance that always has a happy ending. Romance novels require this--even though it's not always true to life. After all, it's fiction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, if you're stressed by the happenings in the world and need a respite, take a step back and fall into a good book. Let it hold your attention and lead you through a story to a hopefully satisfying ending. Light a candle, pour a cup of tea (or coffee, or glass of wine), relax and let the author's words transport you. Reality will still be here waiting in the end and, until we can change that reality, we can at least dream.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sweet dreams, my friends. Grab a good beach read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <i>Linda</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Rettstatt/e/B003589J3S?ttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwT0UJt8fYBe_nNYLEHQ6qVGklRQU5rnlrl6dCImTVaqi6CmFDvytlN5t6a_aC36vvKsmiHnER1SvyPZnz5Fxt72Z5636uPWXK27y5zSKzZFebq6y_uaTN3RMU25UEgHM7gm3VC6t6BCAE9Q9Dnzkqw0fN7IvALeswuni5rdW_5qDMN_TfoKZ_a-mA/s461/Beach%20Reads%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwT0UJt8fYBe_nNYLEHQ6qVGklRQU5rnlrl6dCImTVaqi6CmFDvytlN5t6a_aC36vvKsmiHnER1SvyPZnz5Fxt72Z5636uPWXK27y5zSKzZFebq6y_uaTN3RMU25UEgHM7gm3VC6t6BCAE9Q9Dnzkqw0fN7IvALeswuni5rdW_5qDMN_TfoKZ_a-mA/s16000/Beach%20Reads%202.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-28534020101836148072022-05-08T09:20:00.046-05:002022-05-08T10:37:58.931-05:00A Mother's Day Reflection<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've spent a good measure of my adult life without my mother. Even though I was forty-one when she passed. We were just reaching that state of equality where we were both adults and might have become friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I spent much of my childhood into young adulthood trying to be different from my mother, seeing only the aspects of her that I didn't want to become. My mother had her struggles with anxiety and worry. There were times that, in my childlike observance, I thought she might not be happy. I wanted to be my own person, strong and worry-free. People would constantly remind me, "You're so much like your mother." And it would spur me to try harder to be different, something that expanded the gap between us in those years. I had to admit, when I had my senior photo taken, that I did, in fact, look just like my mother. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU5tCnOYFD_gamWi-nMguj6xZhycB_rMBpMxEqL3X_mNX3x8tcCD0C9haGN7NShZskDWG03YbWKNVjQ2rQGZjIT1RykU2gmqUlchDcM3VnZdcXvjCSx9hdfwYtr10P0PPJPhPhXtZYNk0-xA5fH_gtDp9wCoZMKFFoXtMVx75MS22Izx3LcywmL61/s1343/Mom%20and%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1343" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU5tCnOYFD_gamWi-nMguj6xZhycB_rMBpMxEqL3X_mNX3x8tcCD0C9haGN7NShZskDWG03YbWKNVjQ2rQGZjIT1RykU2gmqUlchDcM3VnZdcXvjCSx9hdfwYtr10P0PPJPhPhXtZYNk0-xA5fH_gtDp9wCoZMKFFoXtMVx75MS22Izx3LcywmL61/w400-h268/Mom%20and%20me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My mother passed away in 1991, ten years after we lost my father. She was just sixty-six. I remember the relief when I reached and then surpassed my sixty-sixth birthday. I'd outlived my mother. It's sad, in a way, to have outlived the opportunity to finally move past the differences and settle into a new, easier relationship. It's a different loss to never reach that point where the struggle and the differences fall away and two women become friends.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It took a while, even after my mother's passing, for me to own and embrace the ways I am so much like Anna Catherine (Kay) Hennessey Rettstatt. Having outlived her years, I suppose I see in my own image now how she might have aged further. When I look into the mirror, I see the same sparkle in my eyes and can hear the same laugh at a good joke. I glimpse her kindness when I find myself in a situation to be generous and kind to someone in need. It's probably no accident I became a social worker. It's probably also no accident I became a writer. My mother loved to tell stories. Though many were true accounts of her adventures as a young girl, they came with the warning: Don't let me catch you doing that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think she would have enjoyed and been proud of my work as a writer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My one regret or, perhaps, greatest loss is that I didn't have the opportunity to get to know my mother well as a person, as a woman. I think back on the things I would do differently. We all visit the 'if onlys' from time to time. We can't go back. Only forward.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's what I carry forward with me when I reflect on what I know to be the best of my mother--a woman who was the eldest of nine children growing up in small coal mining towns in the 1920's and -30's. She was a tomboy who loved baseball. She cared for her younger siblings. She was no stranger to mothering and hard work and giving care. She was daring once. She loved country music, singing and dancing, and the hula hoop. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I carry her zest for life, her sense of humor, her kindness (though I'm not always as good at that as she was). I carry her with me. I've turned that corner from wanting to be separate to wanting to embrace a relationship that never had the chance to fully develop during her lifetime. I've had only to allow her uniqueness and accept one fact: I'm so much like my mother. Thank God for small favors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How many times I've said, "Oh, no, I've become my mother." It took all these years to realize that's not such a bad thing after all.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Happy Mother's Day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwWS_2XumIBovR-xPx-sg5WquN2FrQL4NgaKNqGUr-VVl-px5ER5xIcbd7R6Dzmjpze2TLh9m-GzRLkO2XVm6AnLOvw8wX8W6UlacJSDMTDk59YnsWxRsa84719hUZGvypxlD7JnmxWDCfGL6dXtAEa5dpCESgUJG4mUyN1l8qOCg9jjG59HhucnT/s1920/wildflowers1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwWS_2XumIBovR-xPx-sg5WquN2FrQL4NgaKNqGUr-VVl-px5ER5xIcbd7R6Dzmjpze2TLh9m-GzRLkO2XVm6AnLOvw8wX8W6UlacJSDMTDk59YnsWxRsa84719hUZGvypxlD7JnmxWDCfGL6dXtAEa5dpCESgUJG4mUyN1l8qOCg9jjG59HhucnT/s320/wildflowers1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-73648645585008336132022-04-21T12:20:00.001-05:002022-04-21T12:21:18.768-05:00Get ready. New Seasoned Romance coming May 1.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VAMvQLSqKFSGIvNn-d4u0ONe0sTFTmrROWTehRY3Rsnz3H1LvqgnbkE4B7YqZ2heEjl2vDRK94eqzfos5FPt6Qy9VBSJ8SFvuQE3kPgQAq9K9IZZoXIq4L0WAFDX-d_iDmsSSNzY3lzGtvHAR-7GDDzLogSKIK01LVUWyqt42rakmSmna-W3tAs_/s1268/Mixter%20FixIt%20Release%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1268" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VAMvQLSqKFSGIvNn-d4u0ONe0sTFTmrROWTehRY3Rsnz3H1LvqgnbkE4B7YqZ2heEjl2vDRK94eqzfos5FPt6Qy9VBSJ8SFvuQE3kPgQAq9K9IZZoXIq4L0WAFDX-d_iDmsSSNzY3lzGtvHAR-7GDDzLogSKIK01LVUWyqt42rakmSmna-W3tAs_/w400-h163/Mixter%20FixIt%20Release%20Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Coming in both e-book and paperback on May 1.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Available now for e-book pre-order at Amazon:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mister-Fix-Second-Chance-Linda-Rettstatt-ebook/dp/B09XH8VW51/">https://www.amazon.com/Mister-Fix-Second-Chance-Linda-Rettstatt-ebook/dp/B09XH8VW51/</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and at Smashwords at:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1143247">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1143247</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-27007430080649423372022-03-08T11:03:00.000-06:002022-03-08T11:03:04.117-06:00International Women's Day ~ Should Be Every Day<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's International Women's Day. Not to be confused with National Women's Day which is in August. So we get two days a year to celebrate ourselves. If you're a woman--every day should be women's day. Every day should be a day to celebrate you, your womanhood, your accomplishments, your being.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Take time today to reflect on the greatness that is you, apart from accomplishments. Think about the women who have impacted your life to make you you. Sometimes those are good influences, and sometimes not so much. But those experiences all make you who you are--loving, kind, strong, boundaried, open, talented, driven by desire for something more, happy with what you have. Celebrate it all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Remember the words to the song: I am woman, hear me roar? Katy Perry echoed the sentiment as well: You're gonna hear me roar. Sometimes that roar comes through in a soft utterance. However you roar, do it. Make your voice heard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I am, like many of you, struck these days by the scenes out of Ukraine and the women taking up arms--a rifle in one arm, a child in the other. They are literally fighting for their lives. I can't imagine being in their shoes. Take a moment to offer a prayer, an acknowledgment, silence for the courage of those women.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">What demands your courage as a woman? What's your struggle to stand firm? What do you have to celebrate today?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Do it. Do it all. Stand in solidarity with other women around the world who have their own particular struggles. Stand with your women-friends who strive to become more themselves. Stand up for yourself as you continue your own journey.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Celebrate you!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCczrOoaxeHh9Gl4Npalnq0t2-wO6h6YzqiOqYoGDBMd7ehi8VwbEYVymU0Z6yE8lRwu6sdfrms7_ds5_cJtnW-yii4ENb58MpSv-0zNelsroht8EDjfD97bFj98CDUUhbJ1yz4X7r1p9hzBH8VL-CEGCIUmXmQxlTkRsEN3qmToBMyYIJ2VfkcIr5=s909" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="909" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCczrOoaxeHh9Gl4Npalnq0t2-wO6h6YzqiOqYoGDBMd7ehi8VwbEYVymU0Z6yE8lRwu6sdfrms7_ds5_cJtnW-yii4ENb58MpSv-0zNelsroht8EDjfD97bFj98CDUUhbJ1yz4X7r1p9hzBH8VL-CEGCIUmXmQxlTkRsEN3qmToBMyYIJ2VfkcIr5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-56909670079624021352022-01-21T23:30:00.007-06:002022-01-23T13:23:00.137-06:00A New Year, A New Book, and the Magic of Writing Free<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWVhr0mdi_DiEQmqGbjo_2jbv_UvfFDFGlF4glMkU9Ly_A1p833BZunr7-EfhCsZ_nNza4uhodQwpNjuDM_bKjhvDpYBQM_OHm-ifiyh3ur02DvEGMQlV4aDKv3f2UskFe79fiBZqAz9dYYjT3BROga8zJupbW7BjvszWJFHt_0ng_CUCLNIKfLzf1=s4167" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4167" data-original-width="2825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWVhr0mdi_DiEQmqGbjo_2jbv_UvfFDFGlF4glMkU9Ly_A1p833BZunr7-EfhCsZ_nNza4uhodQwpNjuDM_bKjhvDpYBQM_OHm-ifiyh3ur02DvEGMQlV4aDKv3f2UskFe79fiBZqAz9dYYjT3BROga8zJupbW7BjvszWJFHt_0ng_CUCLNIKfLzf1=s320" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I started out chasing the same golden ring most writers chase--agent representation and a contract with at least a five-figure advance from a major publishing house. That's what we've been conditioned to pursue. We've also been conditioned to think that anyone who publishes with a small press or, heaven forbid, self-publishes is less of a writer than those who land a contract with one of the 'big five.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the course of my writing career, I have written under contract with four small press publishers. I turned down a contract with one significant publisher. I had agent representation for one year, but was not satisfied with the direction my work was being taken, so ended that relationship.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I shifted to self-publishing in 2014. One of the publishers I was with at the time folded and closed their doors. I had already severed ties with two others. My earliest books remained in the hands of my first publisher. I requested and was given back the rights to all of my published work. Then I set about rewriting, updating, finding new cover art, and republishing those books on my own.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I came across an online announcement in early December that a major publishing house had opened a limited time window to accept unagented submissions directly from authors. I got caught up in the initial excitement and rush to submit in hopes the publisher would contract my book. But I didn't have a book ready for submission. The deadline was January 9. One month away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I set myself up with a challenge to write a book and have it edited, proofed, and ready to submit within that timeframe. I'd have to complete the first draft in fourteen days. I began feverishly to write a new book for this purpose.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I chased words around the page like a cat chases a mouse. I was determined, driven. Until--I sat back and revisited my reasons for switching to independent publishing in the first place. Why was I so caught up in having a book to submit to this publisher before the window closed? Did I really <i>want </i>to pursue traditional publishing with this or any publisher?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Deciding the answer to that question was a firm 'no,' I slowed down, took more time with the story, and it came to life. I was now writing from my heart, not my head. I wasn't driven to produce a product but, rather, engaged in the creative process.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had written one book, Finding Hope, in seventeen days during a NaNoWriMo challenge. I could do it again. But I didn't. I stopped and realized that I have not pursued traditional publishing again because I prefer to publish independently. I enjoy the freedom and the control. I admit to finding the marketing aspect a bit overwhelming.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I slowed down, but still finished the first draft of Reasonable Doubt on January 12. After a beta read and a quick edit and proofing, the ebook published on January 19.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are some who make assumptions about this--<i>that's too fast, the writing has to be sloppy; no one can write a decent novel and have it edited and ready to publish in that short time; if you don't follow the traditional publishing path it's because your work is sub-par or you have no confidence in your writing.</i> Well, you know what they say about assumptions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Not all books are this easily written. Not all stories tell themselves so readily. Not all characters let you inside their heads and hearts so willingly. But when that freedom happens, it is magic, though I didn't pull this book out of a hat--or anywhere else anatomical. This is the way I love to write--the way I wrote early on in my career when the passion for writing drove me, and I didn't let the 'rules' or the naysayers slow me down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, here's to 2022. We're all a little bruised by the last two years. Let's hope this one is kinder to us all. I have lofty ambitions for this year. I have four more books in cue to be written and published in 2022.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tell me I'm crazy. Tell me it can't be done. But do not tell me the book can't be any good because I didn't slave over it for five years and a hundred rewrites and then sell it for a five-figure advance. That last part is more of a dream most writers strive for but few achieve. I can put my energy into chasing that brass ring, or I can put my energy into writing what I love. And I don't have anything against my fellow authors who work that way. I applaud their efforts and successes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We each have to choose the path that works for us. If you can write a good book in a month, do it. There's no shame in self-publishing, though some would like you to think there is. It's not a failure or a settling for less. It's a legitimate path to publication if you do it the right way. You are the publisher. You have to make sure the book is edited and the cover art is eye-catching and marketing is done to promote the book. So, in whatever path you choose, be shameless. Forge ahead with all the passion you have.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Will I ever take another swing at that brass ring, consider traditional publishing again? I don't know. I'll never say never. But for now I give you my latest effort--a women's fiction/mystery novel that I had such fun writing and that was born of my passion for storytelling. I hope you enjoy the story and meeting the Mountain Mamas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's a short blurb:</span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Nurse Gemma Wallace is held suspect when opioids go missing from the neighborhood clinic where she works. She’s questioned, but never arrested or charged because the police have no solid proof and an abundance of reasonable doubt. Still the suspicion hangs over her like a sword. This is just the tip of an iceberg that sends her life sinking around her.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In a moment of utter
hopelessness, Gemma considers ending it—all of it. She’s pulled back from the
edge by a woman who’s been to that same edge more than once. Through Collie,
she meets the Mountain Mamas—four women who show Gemma the power of friendship
and the truth that no one is free from doubts—reasonable or otherwise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Gemma soon realizes the
burden of proving her innocence falls to her. While she searches for the truth
of what happened that day, other truths are revealed. Truths that erase doubts
about herself that she’s carried for years.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Available now in ebook and paperback at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reasonable-Doubt-Linda-Rettstatt-ebook/dp/B09QW1ZBKL/">Amazon.com</a> and in ebook at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1128413">Smashwords.com</a> and all Smashwords affiliates including Barnes & Noble and Apple iBooks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Happy reading,</span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Linda</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /> </div><p><br /></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071578858787530823.post-86562193863448481562021-12-24T09:16:00.003-06:002021-12-24T09:16:43.111-06:00Stormy Wishes All a Very Meowy Christmas (and so do I)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy and Healthy New Year!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP5cJRSuRU-hhG5mNjZaXGuIPuW1lBMuyVr4I7QIpNpyRZHDqQzZcpQmusMwn1e4DO5wx09Qr2HqVnOb63RMUuVKYVWXZbYyLRrc0kQh63Znygy_Lhyg21UxWJYBq0V3Gm9SBwM4A3h6Qd26rIrHIusGLsaC1YOPCpnpFlAVqQ6Nb0KGka2woXsttC=s592" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="592" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP5cJRSuRU-hhG5mNjZaXGuIPuW1lBMuyVr4I7QIpNpyRZHDqQzZcpQmusMwn1e4DO5wx09Qr2HqVnOb63RMUuVKYVWXZbYyLRrc0kQh63Znygy_Lhyg21UxWJYBq0V3Gm9SBwM4A3h6Qd26rIrHIusGLsaC1YOPCpnpFlAVqQ6Nb0KGka2woXsttC=w400-h324" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>linda_rettstatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17409729869837474776noreply@blogger.com0