I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. To me, they are only rules you make for yourself that you end up breaking, then feel bad because you weren’t able to stick with it.
Instead, I choose a word at the beginning of each year that is my theme or go-to for the year. For instance, last year, my word was “Believe.” Looking back over the year, it was amazing how many times that word got tested and/or validated. Here’s a synchronicity that pretty much blew my mind. Shortly after the beginning of 2017, I was at my daughter’s house and she said, “Mom, I got a Young Living order in and they sent me a free bottle of oil. Do you want it?”
She handed it to me and I had to smile. The name of the oil blend was – yep, you guessed it – “Believe.”
So, for the entire year of 2017, I put a drop of “Believe” on the bottom of my feet every morning.
I said all of that to say my word for 2018 is “Courage.”
I am attempting to find a publisher for a new series I am writing. I need Courage to pursue that and not give up. I need Courage to spread my writing wings, to write in a genre I’ve never attempted, Courage to try new things I’ve never before tried, Courage to step into my own personal power.
My power animal is the Puma or Cougar and they are the symbol of Courage or Bravery.
I have a feeling I will be calling on my power animal a lot through 2018.
I’d like to share with you the blurb I wrote for my new book, which is Book 1 of the White Rune Series – When Two Worlds Collide.
Caught between a strong mind and fragile heart, Rena Jett vows never to let anyone in. The horrific abuse she suffered as a child has left permanent scars. Jag Peters doesn’t realize anything is missing from his near perfect life until he almost collides with Rena on her candy apple red Harley.
Rena’s brother, protector and only friend, Sam Jett, died in Afghanistan. A final letter from Sam delivers a mysterious White Rune to her. Jag is able to see and communicate with Sam’s ghost creating a triangle of souls. And when life-threatening danger comes to call, the two join forces to save Rena.
Could it be possible for two worlds so completely opposite to find a common ground and perhaps even love or a happily-ever-after?
What do you think? Does this pique your interest and make you want to know more? Give me only honest opinions, please. 🙂
Of course, I hope to attract a publisher who is willing to take a gamble on me. In the meantime, I am working on the second book in the series where the White Rune gets passed to a soldier desperately in need of his own happily-ever-after.
One of my all-time faves! Especially the two of them together!
Kudos Jan! I love the concept. Sorry I missed this post.
What you described about “believe” was inspiring. I know you’ll do as well with “courage”. To quote John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway.” I think I need to follow that lead as well. But maybe my “word” should simply be “Go.” Hugs.
Oh, I love that quote from John Wayne and it says it perfectly! I will print that off and put it beside my computer. Thanks for stopping by and, “Go, Teagan, Go!!” Hugs!
Go! I’m ready to run for my life to get away from here. Need to somehow pin down a cheap house. Then it’s “the key to the high way.” (See BB King with Eric Clapton. Great blues song.)
Intriguing story line, Jan. You’ve certainly piqued my interest! Runes are ancient forms of divining, so you have limitless plot and subplot possibilities. A suggestion for the last paragraph of your blurb: “Is it possible for inhabitants of completely opposite worlds to find common ground, and perhaps even love or a happily-ever-after?” Your first 2 paragraphs focus on people, so it follows that the final paragraph would as well. I love your idea of choosing a word for the year and calling on your power animal to help you focus your intention. I really need to spend more time writing. Thanks for the inspiration, my friend! 🙂 ❤
Awww, Tina, thank you so much for your response. I will work on my blurb. I am thrilled that you find the story intriguing. Now, if I can only get a publisher interested. 🙂 I set the intention and do the work. The rest is not up to me. I am reading Vampyrie. Review coming soon!! I am loving Phoebe. Hugs, sweet friend.
Always a pleasure, Jan. I hope a publisher is sent your way. But regardless of how your book is published, it will still reach and delight your readers. So glad you’re enjoying Vampyrie. Thank you, my lovely friend ❤
I love your idea of picking an inspirational word each year. Believe was a great word and I loved how it came to you. Courage is a perfect idea for this year and a cougar the perfect animal to help you with that and making your dreams come true. Thank you for sharing that. I have to say you had me hooked when she had a red harley:) I am very interested and look forward to reading more. I love the idea of the rune and the communication with her brother and her lack of trust and history make for and intriguing story!
Thank you, D.L. for the wonderful comment. I truly enjoyed writing the story and ready to move on to the second book in the series. Hopefully, a publisher will take an interest in them. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
Keep us posted, Jan. I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time until you land a publisher!
I love your idea of a word for the year. I’m going to have to dwell on that and see what I can come up with.
I had goosebumps when your daughter gave you the bottle of “Believe.”
Jan, my fingers are crossed for you finding a publisher. Having read your work, you’ve got what it takes.Sometimes it’s just a matter of landing in the right place at the right time. I really like the idea behind your series, and I am already intrigued. As for your blurb, I do have a suggestion for you….
I like the first two paragraphs, but the closing question/tease is off. In the paragraphs you focus on the characters (as it should be). The close focuses on the “worlds.” But it isn’t the worlds that need a happily ever after, its the people who populate them. Readers will connect to the characters (emotional bond) not the world. I’m also not a big fan of questions in blurbs, and have often heard you should avoid them (though I’ve guilty of doing the same in an indie novella…live and learn). Perhaps a rephrase on that ending? I think you’d do better with a stronger character-centric hook.
I hope this helps and I’m cheering you on! 🙂
Oh, thank you, Mae! This is exactly what I was looking for. I truly appreciate you taking time to respond in such detail. Yes, I can see that the focus needs to stay on the characters and not on their different worlds. That can be discovered between the pages of the book. 🙂 I will work on it some more. I’m waiting for two more publishers to respond. If they are rejections, then I’m back to the drawing board. Thank you for your vote of confidence and for cheering me on! Hugs!
I love your word, Jan and I believe it will carry you far this year. The concept sounds great and looks like it could be a long-running and successful series.
Thank you, John. I appreciate your comment.
😀
Hello Jan and I like you don’t make resolutions but I made a pact with myself to be more positive and stop having such a bad attitude toward my life. I hope and pray I do. I guess you can say my word for the year is POSITIVE. Yes your book has got my attention so far and would love to read. It’s a very different genre from what I usually read but it sounds very intriguing. So you get it published and I will definitely read it!!! and will tell others. You are an awesome writer you go Jan take the publishing world by storm!!!
Oh, thank you, Glenda. The word POSITIVE is a great word to lean on and refer back to. Print it off and put around the house as a reminder. You can do it!! I look forward to the book release and you will definitely know when that happens. You are a jewel!
Awesome!
Thanks, Annette!
Inspiring! ♥
Thanks, Billy Ray.
Good morning! This book sounds awesome to me! I’d love this opportunity to read this book! Very intriguing plot!
We have a problem here folks. You all want to read When Two Worlds Collide – I’ve been privileged to do so, and it is a great story. Nobody has yet helped Jan with her blurb. Like her, I’m useless at writing them, but I’m sure some of you are good at it. Do you need more information from her to make suggestions as to what she should include or leave out? It isn’t her friends who know her writing she needs to impress; it’s a publisher. and am I correct in thinking they require a synopsis not a book description suitable for Amazon?
Yes, Sarah, the publishers I’ve submitted the manuscript to required a one-page Synopsis and either the full manuscript or the first three chapters. So far, none have asked for the blurb, but it is something that needs to be in the works because this book will be published one way or another! Thank you for your awesome support!
Thank you! I hope to have it published so you can read it.
It’s an intriguing concept. I like the idea of the rune being passed and starting a new story somehow. I think my spirit animal must be a wolverine. Not particularly nice, but they get things done.
Thanks for weighing in, Craig. The Wolverine could be a most helpful power animal, and I have to also wonder if Eagle isn’t one of your animals since you see them often. Glad you like the concept.
Yeah, haven’t seen an eagle for a while. I could use one about now.
Good morning Jan- what a grand word to have with you this year. Courage. You’ve already proven you have that and more. Yes your book sounds fabulous, you know I’ll be getting it and reading it, plus spreading the word to all my friends to go get it, read it, & review it. I can’t wait. I’m reading a book right now called Infamous by Suzanne Brockman, in this book a ghost from the past comes back to right a wrong that was done to him in 1898, but this book is set in the time around 2012, but as this ghost visits with his great grandson, the woman this grandson loves is in danger & the ghost ends up relaying the danger to his grandson and trying to save her before the killers strike. So your book definitely has my interest, just as the current book I’m reading does, I’ve never read a book like this before, but it’s really a fun one.
Love you dearly and I’m so glad you, Linda, and your brother were able to celebrate Irene’s 80th birthday with her.
I felt that it was such a gift yesterday to get to see Irene and celebrate her milestone. With the health problems she has, it was truly a miracle. We were all there except our oldest sister. I always love getting to see Linda, even if it’s brief. Thank you for your input, Tonya. As an avid reader, I value your opinion. I hope to interest a publisher in the series and roll on forward with it. You’ll be the first to know!! Have a great day and thank you for your awesome support.
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I love your reflection and your 2018 theme. If I chose one word as my theme for this year, it would be courage as well. Thank you for the inspiration and the sisterhood of shared hope. ♥
We will take “Courage” and run with it this year. If you ever need a helping hand or need to bend an ear, I am here. I know you are facing hard things but your Angels and Guides will accompany you through. Hugs, sweet Gwen, and I treasure you.
I didn’t know your word for last year was “believe”. You believed in me, and I owe the existence of Sweet Temptation, and with it my sanity, to you.
“Courage” is a marvellous word to use this year, and I wish you luck with your search for a publisher. My husband was asking what had happened to When Two Worlds Collide only yesterday,
Blurbs are not my forte, and I’m sure your next guests will have ideas about this one, especially those who haven’t read the book. My own feeling is that the end question, phrased as it is, gives away too much when it’s intended to tease potential readers.
Oh, Sarah, you caused my eyes to mist. I am so honored that I could inspire you to carry on after such a traumatic illness. And I am proud that you found the courage to move forward and bring “Sweet Temptation” to life. I am horrible at writing blurbs. I’d much prefer to write an entire novel than one blurb or synopsis. 🙂 Thank you for your honesty. I can always count on you for that. I love you, my sister across the sea. Thanks again for visiting and supporting my blog.