Dear Friend,
If you’re reading this, the congratulations and celebrations are for all of us, because we, together, have made Louisa’s Passion a #1 bestseller on Amazon! Thank you for being part of this wonderful achievement! I really appreciate all of you for being part of my community.
As I began writing this, I took a few minutes to research “celebrate,” being a word nerd. …which led me to look up other words that my busy brain took me to. . .
“Celebrate” comes from the Latin verb “celeber,” which means to “observe a day or event with ceremonies of respect, festivity, and rejoicing.” (Webster’s II dictionary)
I’m certainly rejoicing and engaging in festivities, but still working toward the completion of my next book.
As I pondered my celebration, the similar word “celibate” popped into my head, so I looked it up.
“Celibate” originates from the Latin “caelebs,” meaning “unmarried” or “one who abstains from sexual intercourse.” Quite a jump from celebrating, but some of my adult characters, at least initially, are celibate. I’ll leave you to make any further speculation about the connection between the two words and their reasons for celebrating.
I let myself indulge in zipping down the rabbit hole as I let myself investigate the word “work.”
Years ago, I remember getting caught up in the word “work.” It seemed such an odd word. And then I remembered an old TV show with a character named Maynard G. Krebs, who was the sidekick of the title character of “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” Maynard G Krebs was an off-beat character, a free spirit, who when he heard the word “work,” would exclaim “Work!” loudly, as if in shock or he found the concept shocking.
Maynard G. was hilarious. The actor who portrayed him, Bob Denver, later starred as Gilligan of “Gilligan’s Island.” Denver led a hilarious ensemble cast who were wildly different characters stranded on a tropical island. “Gilligan’s Island” still shows up in reruns.
I finally climbed out of my rabbit hole and returned to celebrate. (By the way, I couldn’t resist: “down the rabbit hole” came from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, where Alice falls down the rabbit hole, referring “to getting deep into something, or ending up somewhere strange.”)
Not that I think it strange to go off on tangents, as many people, especially authors, might do.
But an author who wants to succeed must continue to write, promote, and prolifically produce new “work” (Maynard G. where are you?) to remain in readers’ minds.
Meanwhile, I enjoy the possibilities that being an author allows. Creativity is the first pleasure of being an author. Creating characters from your imagination, testing them as they survive and thrive through challenges, and providing a happy ending is a fantastic experience for any author. One they want to share with readers.
I look forward to sharing more with you, my readers, and learning your reactions and suggestions. (Really!)
In the future, I have a concept where Louisa’s brother is the central character. If you have a strong background or knowledge of college baseball, I’d be delighted to speak with you and learn about your experiences. I’ll credit you in “Acknowledgements” and in other ways.
Once I told someone that I considered life an adventure. Their face reflected disbelief, eyes startled and mouth smirking.
After thinking about it on and off for years, I realize I stand by my statement. Life is an adventure. You don’t know what might happen next; you usually have chances to consider; and you never know when some fortuitous incident might change your choices and direction along the way.
Years ago, I didn’t consider it fortuitous that I wound up moving to another state because I was unemployed. But I met my husband there, and life became immeasurably better. I’m not done yet, but I’m living my happy ending.
PROGRESS
Completing The Greatest Thing is still within hailing distance. I even had to get terminology correct for one situation and needed to consult a lawyer.
Please consider purchasing Louisa’s Passion and the other books in the Louisa’s Vineyard Series.
Interesting note: Because I apparently changed one word in my subtitle when submitting Will’s Secret to Amazon, Amazon has relegated poor Will, of Will’s Secret, to being in his own series by himself! (Although I listed it as Book 2, and as a result, Book 3, A Vision of Home, is grouped with Louisa’s Passion as a two-book series!)
NEXT UP!
Thanksgiving – Consider the things you’re thankful for. I’ll be back with new concepts to ponder next time.
Hugs,
