As the season changes, I believe our outlook does too. With Spring in the air and the coming of Summer, we tend to have a cheerier mood. Maybe it has something to do with all the sunshine and Vitamin D we’re getting.
By the same token, with Spring in the air and the coming of Summer I begin to remember how hectic my life gets this time of year. The days may be longer, but there still doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day to get everything done.
I’ve only blogged in late Fall and Winter so there was time to visit all the wonderful blogs I follow and explore new ones. Summer is approaching and my
I have some great authors lined up to guest blog in the coming days so please drop by to see what they have to share.
Now I have several winners to announce. First up, the winners of Gwyn Cready’s “Flirting With Forever” are karenk and Carol from Under the Tiki Hut. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who commented on Gwyn’s post.
Next, the winners of Kim Wright’s “Love in Mid Air” are Deb from POWERED by BOOKS BLOG, AmandaSue and Traveler. Congrats and thanks to everyone who commented on Kim’s post.
The winners of “I Has a Hotdog” are Janel of Janel's Jumble; Karin A. of Tenstrike, MN; and L. Ann R. of McComb, Ms. Congrats on the win and thanks to everyone who entered the contest.
Most of you know what comes next. Yep, I’ve got a new giveaway to announce. “Alex Cross's TRIAL” (ISBN: 9780446561808) by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo. This is a 416 page paperback. Here’s a brief synopsis:
Connected by blood: As a lawyer in turn-of-the-century Washington D.C., Ben Corbett represents the toughest cases. Fighting against oppression and racism, he risks his family and his life in the process. When President Roosevelt asks Ben to return to his home town to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.
United by bravery: When he arrives in Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful granddaughter, Moody. Ben enlists their help, and the two Crosses introduce him to the hidden side of the idyllic Southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace and residents of the town's black quarter live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror--but the truth of who is really behind it could break his heart. Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross's Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and, above all, bravery.
Thanks to Valerie and the folks at Hachette Book Group, I have 3 copies of “Alex Cross’s Trial” to giveaway. To enter the contest, send me an e-mail with “Win Trial” in the subject line and include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. The deadline for the giveaway ends at 6 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, April 24.
Is the changing season causing problems for your time schedule? Do you include season changes in your writing? Does your protagonist have a favorite season?
Mason - The seasons definitely affect people's outlooks, moods - and schedules! I know exactly what you mean, too, about not having enough time to visit all of the blogs one would like to visit. I feel the same way. There are so many blogs I've come to truly admire that I'm embarrassed that I don't get to all of them the way I would like to. Still, there are but 24 hours in a day, and we have to sleep and eat sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us all know who your guests will be; I'll look forward to "meeting" them.
Just today my 6-year old commented that the mornings had changed!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to meeting your guest authors.
Spring just energizes me. I write more and blog about the same. Lots of times I'll take the laptop to a wifi cafe and sit outside, enjoying the balmy breeze and acup of joe while doing my thang. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Silly
I am a much better person in warm weather. :) My time will have to be split now between my outdoors work and blogging.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I understand if you don't get to my blog on a regular basis. I would rather you enjoy spring, summer and fall.
I feel much more energetic in the spring. Of course, it's now nice enough to walk the dog every day, so I'm sure that helps. :)
ReplyDeleteSpring does energize me, but it also interferes with writing. Instead of keeping my shades closed to keep out the cold, I open them to let in the sun. And I see the trees and the birds and squirrels and I want to go outside. Right now the bluebonnets are popping up and our rose tree is full of pink and white flowers.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, showing the season or change of seasons is necessary - and often I have to go back and put it in during the edit phase.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I love the spring! It's my favorite time of year because it seems so *hopeful*.
ReplyDeleteI've not been out blog visiting as much either....just came back from being out of town. Don't worry about it, Mason! We all do what we can.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
For me it isn't the season itself so much as what the season brings--soccer for my son, parks open and the weather to take the kids outside, festivals, outdoor activities...These are all wonderful! And they take me away from the computer, which is also not a bad thing. :)
ReplyDeleteMichele
SouthernCityMysteries
I love spring. You're right. It changes my mood completely. It makes me want to write, to start a new novel.
ReplyDeleteann
We've just moved and are experiencing our first Rocky Mountain spring. In Florida, there was no such animal. I'm looking forward to more definable seasons, and will wait to see what effect they have on me.
ReplyDeleteMargot, there are so many wonderful blogs that it's impossible to visit all but you can't help wanting to anyway.
ReplyDeleteRayna, youngsters see and understand way more than we realize sometimes.
Marvin, spring is a time of recharging our batteries so to speak. Good luck on your WIP.
Teresa, I'm with you - I do so much better in warmer weather.
Janel, our dog loves the spring but he can't stand the summer. His coat is too long so he becomes an "air condition dog" in the summer.
Helen, spring does make you want to be outside. I start thinking of all the things I need to do - weed the herbs, trim the roses, etc. and get lost in time.
Elizabeth, spring is a "hopeful" time. Everything is blooming and the colors are so beautiful. Glad you're back home safe and sound.
Michele, festivals are a great place to "people watch" and get wonderful ideas of plots.
Ann, since spring brings new birth it fits to begin a new novel. Very appropriate.
Terry, you have had a drastic change. Hopefully spring will bring great things for you and much inspiration.
Spring and fall are my busiest times of the year, and sometimes it about makes me nuts.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm odd, because I really like winter...
Spring and fall are my favorite seasons, but also the busiest. I do my doctoring, as much as possible int he spring and fall to avoid bad weather and conflicts with vacations. Same with taking classes. I lay low int he winter and work on my writing. In the spring, there is gardening to do!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win Trial--sounds great.
I love the season change especially from Winter to Spring...everyone's mood improves and it's lovely to not be bundled up. And then there are the flowers beginning to pop up. Just makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteI love spring and summer, but I find it challenging to stay inside when it's gorgeous out. My productivity fell sharply during these last few days when we had a taste of summer here. I expect that as the season goes on, I'll get a little more used to the nice weather and it won't be quite as hard to stick to routine. I wish they made laptop screens that you can actually see in bright sunlight - I would be super-productive all spring and summer long!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite time of year is fall, but spring is a close second. I love the colorful flowers and new leaves on the trees in spring.
ReplyDeleteDiane, winter does have it's upside. I seem to have more time to read during the winter.
ReplyDeleteMary, gardening is one of the favorite things I look forward to in the spring. I don't have a green thumb, but I enjoy trying to grow things just the same.
Ann, it is great not to be bundled up anymore. I'm cold natured so I so look forward to spring and warmer weather. :)
Ingrid, it is hard not to be sidetracked by the beautiful weather and want to be outside. Maybe it's because winter seem to go on forever this time around.
CC, fall is a beautiful time of year. All the wonderful colors with just a hint of cool temperatures at night.
I take more risks in spring and summer. In winter, I hunker down and do the internal work. In spring and summer, it's time go get out there and DO it!
ReplyDeleteI may have a black thumb--left the tomato seedlings out int he rain and half drowned them--but they seem to be reviving!
ReplyDelete