Share the Journey

Novella Update: Full Steam Ahead

September 19, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Keeping today’s post sweet and simple. The novella is coming along nicely, thanks in large part to the fact that I planned most of the scenes out in advance.

Note to self: ALWAYS PLOT THE STORY OUT IN ADVANCE.

The encouragement and camaraderie of my local Romance Writers of America chapter has also been a huge part of my constant productivity this month. Incorporating yoga into my routine several times a week has also been quite helpful. I especially enjoy the energizing morning sequences. I just discovered a new one today, posted below.

Now the question is, will this story end up anywhere close to the 20,000 words I’d planned originally, or will it be closer to 40,000 words? We’ll see. But I’m betting on 30-40K at this point.

I can’t wait to reveal the cover and book title to my VIP Readers next month. 🙂

Meanwhile, I’ll keep chugging along on this story while the plot and scenes for Book #2 in the series begin to materialize. My goal is to finish writing the first draft of the novella by October 1st. So there will be lots of energizing morning yoga routines in my future.

Namaste,

Friday Check-in: Character Naming Contest

September 11, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Just peeking my head out of my writing cave to wish everyone a fantastic Friday and give you a glimpse of how my Playing with Bad Boys prequel novella is coming. After nearly two weeks of plotting the story, I began writing the story this past Saturday. I love these two characters and the heroine’s wild child cousin. I’m sure we’ll be seeing her again.

The heroine of the story has a small dog, but I haven’t quite settled on a breed and name. That’s where my awesome VIP Readers come in. I’m having a character naming contest to decide the dog’s breed and the name. The call went out in my VIP Reader Newsletter last week and I received some wonderful suggestions. It’s not too late to enter your suggestions. If you are a VIP Reader, you may do so in the comments below. The choice of breeds is as follows:

Jack Russell Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzu

In the comments, choose your suggested breed and a name for the dog. If I pick your selection, I’ll thank you in the Acknowledgements section of the novella when it’s published in February. 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Writer. Photo courtesy of Dave Morrison Photography.

You Might Be Getting Old When…

August 14, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Last week I went to the eye doctor, a visit I’d been putting off for ages. My squinty eyes were desperate for a new prescription. Yet, my fragile ego was delaying the inevitable. The moment when the eye doctor confirmed that my eyes are showing signs of age. Specifically, difficulty seeing small print. For a person who spends as much time reading as much as I do (and is, frankly, sort of vain), that’s a hard pill to swallow.

After said eye doctor gave me the requisite speech regarding the sad truth of eyeballs growing old, he kindly gave me two options to address my dilemma–being blind as a bat, both long distance and when it comes to reading small print (i.e. anything less than 32 font. Just kidding. Sort of.)

For my contact prescription, I was given the option of some optometry voodoo which involves under correcting one eye. Essentially, I get 20/20 distance vision in my dominant eye. The other eye is optimized for reading, yet gives me slightly fuzzy distance vision. Somehow my brain is supposed to work all of this out and give me the best vision in both situations. The other option is to have both eyes corrected for the best distance vision and then wear a pair of reader specs when needed.

I opted for the optometry voodoo.

One week in and so far so good. I’ll try it a few more weeks before making a final decision.

As for my eyeglass prescription, the doctor barely had the question out of his mouth before I vehemently agreed that I wanted a progressive bifocal prescription. Progressive lenses give you clear distance and reading vision without the telltale lines found in traditional bifocal lenses. I’ll admit, if it weren’t for that little advance in technology, I’d probably have nixed the bifocals, too.

Just when I settled into the idea of wearing bifocals, (okay, my chest still hurts a little every time I say it), I had a second moment of “you might be getting old when…” clarity.

For a long time I’ve been wanting to see Mint Condition, one of my absolute favorite bands, in person. I’d missed the chance to see them on their most recent visits to Raleigh. I wanted to see them so badly I was ready to do a road trip to make it happen. So when Eventful sent an email to say that the band was coming to town I was absolutely ecstatic.

Finally!

I’d never been to the venue they’re playing at in October, so I did a Google search for pictures. To my dismay, it looks like one of those mosh pit kind of deals where everyone stands on their feet for the entire duration of the concert. To quote Stewie, “Say WHAAAT?”

I love the band. I really do. And I love a concert where the music is so good that everyone is up on their feet. But at this stage in the game, I’d also like the ability to sit down every once in a while. Because the last thing these old knees, feet, hips and back want to do is stand in place on concrete for two plus hours.

Sorry, Stokley. Guess I’ll have to hook up with you and the boys on a road trip after all.

That’s when I realized, though I’ll always be the girl who loves to rock it out at concerts, listens to hip-hop and enjoys an all-night reading session, some of these pieces/parts aren’t quite as young as they used to be. And that’s okay, too.

In other news, today I’m over in Hot M.A.M.A. Land talking about getting to know new-to-me multicultural authors and why the #WeNeedDiverseRomance movement isn’t just about opening the eyes of mainstream readers, but the eyes and wallets of us POC readers, too. Grab a cup of coffee and join me. I’d love to see you over there.

Smooches!

Stokley Williams of Mint Condition. Photo courtesy of Kenya Allmond.

Woosah (or How to Dodge Rocks and Keep it Moving)

August 7, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Hope you’re having a fantastic Friday. Mine got off to an interesting start that resulted in a cracked windshield when I failed to dodge the rock that came flying at me from across the highway. An unexpected development that could have easily ruined my day. Instead, I took a cue from Bad Boys II. (Isn’t that where everyone gets their life wisdom?) I woosahed and chose to let it go. No need in allowing a random event to drag down the trajectory of my day when there were so many good things in store.

So, in the spirit of keeping it moving, I went on with my day. I used Rafflecopter random winner selection function to pick the winner in my Summer Reader #Giveaway. I honestly couldn’t be happier about the the name that popped up. Reader, Monica KL deserves this win. (See, sometimes random good things happen, too.) 🙂 I’m excited about creating a jewelry piece from my Sinfully Sweet Handmade shop, just for Monica.

Moments ago, I announced the winner and revealed the cover of Playing It Safe, the first book in the Playing with Bad Boys series, to my VIP Readers. If you’re not on my VIP Reader Mailing List, you can join by clicking the link. You’ll be among the first to hear about book and event news. Otherwise, stay tuned for the cover reveal here on my blog in the coming weeks.

Speaking of blogs, over on the Contemporary Romance Cafe my post Sex, Food and Rock N Roll takes a little walk down memory lane of the role food plays in my stories and the power of having characters share a meal. Here on the Reese Ryan Diaries, I started a series where we get to know authors of color who write in a variety of genres. Be sure to check them both out.

Now it’s time to put my head down and get back to work on Book #2 in the series.

Woosah!

Photo courtesy of Grand Velas–Yoga and Pilates.

Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

August 1, 2015 by ReeseRyan

I awoke this morning with the nagging feeling that I’d forgotten something, and alas, I had. My Friday post.

While I hate to have missed my Friday, I’m feeling pretty amazing about the reason I forgot my post yesterday. I was neck deep in revisions of Book 1 of my new series.

It felt good to not only be working on my series, but to be so excited about working on the book again. Thanks to some fabulous beta readers I received some fantastic feedback on the book. Reading their feedback again the other day got me excited to dive into the project again. While they identified several things they loved about the book, there were a couple of issues mentioned that had been nagging at the back of my head, too. One of which called for me to roll up my sleeves and make some serious changes. For a chronic procrastinator, that triggers one thing.

Procrastination.

A side-stepping meltdown in which I will work on any and everything (gardening, jewelry making, visiting with my next door neighbor, yoga, chatting on the phone with friends and helping my husband change the oil in the car) except the task at hand.

I’d like to say that all of this craziness is just part of my process. As if I’m Andy Warhol, F. Scott Fitzgerald or some other notably brilliant creative artist. However, my procrastination is simply rooted in fear and just another one of those bad habits that I need to let go of.

I’m working on it.

On letting go of that bad habit and…FINALLY…on revising my manuscript.

Yesterday morning, after yoga I took a little time to meditate and set my intentions for the day. One of which was knocking out the first fifty pages of revisions on my manuscript. The other was to submit a proposal to a traditional publisher I’ve been eyeing. (Another task I’d been procrastinating on out of fear.) I’m happy to say, I completed both projects yesterday.

Today I’ll continue revisions and focus on two other tasks:

My local RWA Chapter’s Book-in-a-Week Challenge. No, I won’t actually be producing a book in a week. During BiaW we focus on making our work in progress our priority and write as much as we can each day during the challenge. Since my focus is revisions right now, I won’t be writing a lot, but I will be writing.
Writing daily. This is something I’ve been avoiding for a long time, but for a stop-and-start person like me, I think it’s time I try adding writing every single day to my routine. Since today is August 1st, what better time to start than today?

But before I go back to work, I want to let you know that my journal/handmade jewelry giveaway ended. I’ll announce the winner in this month’s newsletter on Friday, August 7th. So stay tuned to find out if you’re the winner. If you’re not on the mailing list, be sure to join for the latest book and event news and your chance to get in on the next contest in the fall.

Celebrating New Flames and Saying Goodbye to Old Habits

July 17, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Happy Friday!

Authors Reese Ryan and Cheris Hodges — Me and fellow Hot M.A.M.A. Cheris Hodges.

Hope the week has been good to you. Mine has been busy, with lots of unexpected monkey wrenches thrown into the works (like leaking radiators). But we’re making it work and finding a way to keep on smiling, despite what’s going on around me. Learning to stay positive even when the walls seem to be falling down around me is a trick I learned a few years ago. So much better than the woe-is-me approach, don’t you think?

I’m also feeling pretty good because today was the 28th day of my 30-day Yoga Challenge. I’m still on board and going strong. Loving it more each day. I’m feeling pretty good about making #YogaEveryDamnDay a habit and saying sayonara to the stop-and-start workout routine I normally follow. Healthy living here I come!

And I’m still on a high from my official initiation into the Hot M.A.M.A.s as a New Flame along with author Di Topaz. The ceremony happened during the Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet at the Greensboro Central Library this past Saturday. (Check out a few of the pictures below.) It was fantastic meeting new readers and the Hot M.A.M.A.s, the majority of whom I hadn’t met in person. The event was barely over before I was already excited for our next event in 2016. Stay tuned for news on where that will be and how you can be part of it by joining my VIP Reader mailing list here.

Speaking of my VIP Readers, it was great to welcome new readers onto the list who signed up at the Hot M.A.M.A event. I held a drawing for a cool journal and a bracelet and earring set. Reader Kay E. was the winner, pictured below in her absolutely fabulous fly hat.

If you weren’t able to join us at the live event, no worries. You can still enter to win a similar journal and a different handcrafted bracelet and earring set. Just join the list and complete the form below. For additional daily entries, be sure to share the love by spreading the news of the contest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

L-R: Denise Jeffries, Bridget Midway, Yvette Hines, Loretta R. Walls, Iris Bolling, Di Topaz

Hot MAMA Certificate of Welcome — My official certificate of welcome to the Hot MAMAs as a new flame.

Reese Ryan VIP Reader Contest Winner Kay E.

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet on July 11, 2015 in Greensboro, NC

Stepping Outside the Lines (or in Pursuit of a Bigger Hat and a Smaller Butt)

July 10, 2015 by ReeseRyan

It’s been a busy week, my friends. ~~All week~~ (Okay, the last two days) I’ve been on the countdown getting ready for the Hot M.A.M.A.s Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet tomorrow in Greensboro, North Carolina.

I’ve been picking out an outfit, handcrafting jewelry and picking up a few other goodies for tomorrow’s giveaways. Most importantly, I was forced to buy a hat. Not just any hat, my friends. A big ass hat. The kind of hat that, under normal circumstances, this girl usually would never buy.

Not because I don’t like them. I admire the lovely hats worn by ladies attending the Kentucky Derby. And I acknowledge that women like the fantabulous Jeffe Kennedy and J-Lo (yep, still calling her that) look damned good in a big hat. But, to me, a big hat says, ‘Hey look at me. Aren’t I fabulous?’ Which works well when you are. (See Jeffe Kennedy and J-Lo.) I, on the other hand, typically prefer to go the you-didn’t-see-me-in-my-yoga-pants-and-I-didn’t-see-you route. So tomorrow’s occasion calls for me to step outside of my norm and go for it.

And I will. Really.

I dialed back the SUPER big hat. (Seriously, I couldn’t see in front of my face to walk. I may have stepped on a curious toddler.) I picked something that embodies the big hat spirit, but will allow me to see my feet when I walk. If not, I’ll have bruised shins, but damn I’ll look good.

Speaking of looking good and venturing outside my norm…I’ve been known to hop onto a workout craze (complete with the expensive DVDs) only to fall off the wagon a few weeks later. So when I came across a 30 Day Yoga Challenge I was determined to take on the challenge and ride it out to the very end. Today makes 21 days of yoga officially in the books. Just nine more days to go.

I feel fitter and stronger in body and mind. So I have no plans to give up my daily practice once the challenge ends. That means I have nine days to create a plan to keep going with the #YogaEveryDamnDay movement.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that staying with the challenge prompted me to commit to blogging here each Friday. The yoga challenge prompted me to add another good habit. Sending out a regular newsletter to readers. Ideally, the first Friday of each month. So far I’m on track with all three challenges.

Let’s hope I add a few more good habits before it’s over, like writing every damn day.

In the meantime, here’s to bigger hats and smaller butts. Or whatever it is that your heart desires.

PS: If you can’t make the #FlyHatEvent, you can still win prizes. Enter below to win a cool journal and a bracelet and earring set handcrafted by moi.

Smooches!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why I’m the Poster Child for #WeNeedDiverseBooks / #WeNeedDiverseRomance

July 7, 2015 by ReeseRyan

I know what you’re thinking. I’m an author of color. Of course I’m pushing the #WeNeedDiverseBooks and #WeNeedDiverseRomance campaigns.

I admit that, like every other author of every color, I would love for my books to be widely read. But that’s not what makes me the poster child for either movement. It’s my #EpicFail as a POC (person of color) reader that illustrates why these movements are needed.

Today I’m over at the Contemporary Romance Cafe making my shamefaced confession about when it finally struck me that by not actively seeking out diverse literature, I’d effectively tuned out great books by POC authors. I’d love to hear your experience. Pop over to the Cafe and let’s discuss Celebrating Diversity in Romance (or Why #WeNeedDiverseRomance).

Look forward to seeing you there!

Diversify Your Shelves courtesy of Kelly Garbato.

Happy Fourth of July

July 3, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today’s weather has been especially crazy, even for North Carolina. It was hot. Then raining. Then even hotter. Then raining again. But it turned out to be a great day, just the same.

First, I fell down the rabbit hole in a craft store. I bought way too many goodies in preparation for some giveaways I’ll be making for one of the lucky attendees at our upcoming Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Luncheon on Saturday, July 11th in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Later, my husband and I attended a get-together my community hosted for members of our development. It was fun getting to know some of my neighbors better and finally meeting some of the people I’d only waved at in passing during the year we’ve lived here.

We ended the night with fireworks, courtesy of our town. Luckily, we live within a stones throw of the park where the fireworks were happening. So we got to watch the fireworks inside from a bedroom window while staying nice and dry.

Here’s hoping your Fourth of July weekend is off to a lovely start, regardless of the weather. 😉

Fireworks courtesy of Eustaquio Santimano.

JuNoWriMo and Dreams of Beachside Living in Costa Rica

June 2, 2015 by ReeseRyan

Today things have been a little crazy pants. I’m struggling with a physical ailment, working toward writing a 50,000 word novel in a month, trying to tame my garden gone wild and planning the untimely demise of an underground colony of yellow jackets.

Amidst the craziness, it’s also my turn on both of the group blogs of which I’m a member.

Over on Hot M.A.M.A. Land, I’m talking about June Novel Writing Month (JuNoWriMo) and some of the other write-a-novel-in-a-month challenges and why these challenges can be beneficial, even when you don’t hit the goal of 50,000 words. Come on over and tell me about any experience you’ve had with either reading or writing challenges, and why you would, or wouldn’t, recommend them.

On the Contemporary Romance Cafe, this month’s theme is inspiring places. There I’m kicking off the topic with a discussion about why I need a 12-step program for my HGTV addiction and how House Hunters International made me fall in love with the idea of moving overseas and living in a tropical, Central American paradise. Pop in and tell me what places inspire you and if you need your own HGTV intervention.

I look forward to seeing you!