Celebrate Every Day...and Every One

 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

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.

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.

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.

Godspeed, Jackie. I can only imagine the parade that welcomed you into the next life. Fly with the angels.

The True Meaning of Community and Hometown Heroes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jackie is truly a special man who brought a community together by simply being himself--fully and simply and without guile or pretense. In a world often jaded by greed and harsh judgments and hate--be a Jackie. 

* * *

Linda Rettstatt,

Author of these hometown novels:

ChatGPT, AI, and Paint by Numbers

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."

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 you've 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.

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."

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?

There are those who say, "Get with the program. Step into the twenty-first century and use the technology available to you."

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.

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."

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.

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.

ChatGPT and AI prove one point: Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

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.

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.

                                                               © 2023, Linda Rettstatt

Some of My Best Reviews

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.

Protection   

 

Publishers Weekly

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)

Ladies in Waiting  

Long and Short Reviews:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ladies in Waiting -  2016 BookLife Prize Assessment:

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.

Rescued  

Publishers Weekly

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)

The Real Thing

Publishers Weekly

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)

I Like to Think....

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Now available at Amazon in
ebook and paperback.
(Coming soon in Large Print edition)

Ever Wonder What's on the Other Side?

 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 experience has changed Annie.

~ COMING SOON ~

LET'S TALK ABOUT IMPOSTER SYNDROME

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Never Too Late For Love to Bloom

 

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.

Availalble now in ebook and paperback at

Amazon.com

and in ebook at multiple vendors through

Smashwords.com

 

Late Night Musings From One Happy Writer

 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 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.

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.)

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.

Love life, and follow your dreams.

Retirement? Hah. A Writer's Work is Never Done

 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.

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.

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.

To that end, I have three books in the works for release this year--three very different stories and with several engaging characters.

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!

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?

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.

Heaven knows what idea will pop up next and demand attention. Stay tuned!

                                           Linda

Welcome to 2023