Hello, friends. I’m BACK!! And I have a lot to share. So, let’s dive in!
Doesn’t this look like an awesome place to meander? It makes me think of Finn’s Forest that D.L. Finn often talks about.
Where to begin? When I left you, I spoke of plans to visit my friend, Kay and attend a music festival. I did both things. Kay and I have been friends for such a long time and no matter the time or distance between us, when we see each other, we pick up right where we left off. Sadly, I didn’t take any photos of the two of us. I was too busy enjoying the moment. But I did take a few photos of the music festival. It was hot, but we were in the shade and there was a breeze, so it was tolerable. I saw music friends I haven’t seen in a year or so and it was great. Plus the music was SO good!
I should have taken more pictures, but I was too busy soaking up all the music and friendship. There were definitely some surprises throughout the day, including Nathan Colt Young singing opera. 🙂 He is a seriously talented young man. I loved all of it.
Back to the real world. I have worked a LOT over the past two weeks. I finally got a bit of a breather yesterday and took advantage of it.
I now have a book cover AND blurb for my Christmas story. Getcovers.com did the cover. I like supporting them and they really to try to get what the customer wants. They use images, not AI. Here are both the cover and blurb.
BLURB:
He came to escape a shattered life — Christmas had other ideas
Artist Jacob Hawke had everything he’d ever dreamed of until a single devastating moment brought it all crashing down.
Drowning in grief and guilt he can’t outrun, he drifts through small Kentucky towns, painting Christmas scenes on storefront windows. Each brushstroke brings a bit of beauty to strangers, while doing nothing to fill the hollow space inside him.
His wanderings bring him to Sutter’s Gap, where Darcy and Beth hire him to bring Christmas to Briscoe’s Tavern, the bar they’ve inherited from their grandfather. As Jacob’s quiet presence becomes a part of their lives, the sisters untangle pieces of themselves long neglected.
What begins as a tenuous friendship leads to uncovering buried secrets, unexpected discoveries, and choices that will change all their lives. Often that which is believed to be lost for good may simply be slow in finding its way home.
And sometimes you have to paint over the past to see the future.
At least that project can now move forward with a publication date. I don’t think I’ll do a pre-order with this book. There simply isn’t time, and that’s okay. I owe a BIG thank you to everyone who offered input on the blurb. So, thank you!
Besides working, There have been some significant Grandkid events. My middle grandson, Joshua has started marching season in the high school band, and had their first competition day. They made the finals, so all the kids were super happy! The slicked back hair is part of their show. That’s not his usual hair style.
Then I went to watch my youngest granddaughter cheer on the Lovejoy Middle School football team.
Here is a picture of me with her after the game. Do I look tired? Well, I was. This was after working all day and meeting with a writer’s critique group. But I was still standing.
Oh, and it was a full moon each night of these school events. I usually hate the pictures I get, but this time, I got some good ones!
Sydney is continuing to go to Physical Therapy and still hanging onto the ONE crutch. Maybe someday she’ll walk again. It’s like that one crutch has become an extension of her. 🙂
I know I’m leaving out a lot and I know I missed a lot of blogs over the past week or so, but I’m trying to get caught up.
I think I have a marketing plan for next year. 🙂 I didn’t say I could execute it, but at least I have a plan. When I publish the Christmas story, I will have a total of 23 published titles. I want to take two books per month and spend the entire month promoting them. That sounds doable, doesn’t it? By the end of 2027, I will have actively tried to promote every book. We shall see how that pans out, but I know marketing is essential if we want to ever find new readers, and I do. It seems to get harder and harder as the noise of the world grows louder.
I’m ready for Fall to get here and also ready to enjoy Teri Polen’s Bad Moon Rising month of posts. They are always so much fun! It’s a great way to find new authors and learn things I didn’t know about others.
I will be sharing some book reviews soon and hope you’ll join me for that.
I don’t know who to attribute this quote to, but I do love it. It’s always a choice.
Remember when I used to pull from my Unicorn Oracle Card deck? I was drawn to pull from it for this week. What a beautiful reminder! It does our hearts good to stop sometimes and remember why we ever wanted to write books. How often do we stop and think about what really makes our hearts sing?
I hope you have a great week ahead! Let’s all try to find at least one thing this week that can make our hearts sing or at least hum!
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Busy as usual, Jan – music festival, old friend, family, writers’ critique group and the rest; no wonder you feel tire. Congratulations on the cover and blurb, and all the best for getting the book out there. I love the quote about how you dance with the world; you’re certainly doing that. Best wishes for it all. 🙂
Thank you for dropping by, Laura. It has been a full and busy two weeks. I am so happy to be close to publishing my Christmas story. Glad you like the cover and blurb. I appreciate your support.
You’re welcome Jan. 🙂
Love all the pics, Jan! Love that gran-time 🙂 That is a beautiful forest shot and I’d love to be there. Love the cover and can’t wait to read your story. Glad your trip and festival went so well too. Xo
Thank you, Denise. I thought of you and your magical forest when I saw the image. I appreciate you stopping by!
Your post is packed with how much fun you had on all the fronts… from music fest to a lovely book cover and grand daughter’s event…still you had time to capture the harvest moon! Lovely pics, Jan. Stay blessed.
Thank you for visiting, Balroop! I am glad you enjoyed the post. It has been some busy days and nights for sure but loved getting a moon bath!
What a beautiful cover, Jan! I totally agree with the “world spins” quote. Every morning, I start off by feeling out my body and mind then proceed with what I can and leave what I can’t. Who knows, maybe tomorrow the can’ts might turn into cans—and not the tinned kind 😉
It’s great to see your music festival and family photos. Keeping Sydney in my thoughts and prayers. Years ago, I made a journey from wheelchair to struggling between parallel bars, then finally onto two crutches and then one. It’s a long road for sure, and one that can bring joy from even the tiniest of progress. Sending love and hugs xx💖
How wonderful to see you here, Harmony! I’m glad you like the book cover. I like your method for starting off the morning, and the quote spoke to me. You are so right about the can’ts of today being possible can’s tomorrow! Love that. Thank you so much for thinking of Sydney. I’m taking her to Physical Therapy today and hoping soon she can leave that one crutch behind. You are truly an inspiration! Have a wonderful day.
I love that cover, Jan! You must be so proud of your granddaughter
Thanks so much, Toni. I am so proud of all the grandkids. They all work so hard at what they do.
Finn’s forest. I like that picture. It sounds like a great music festival and the grand kids events sound great. Congratulations on your book cover and blurb for your Christmas story.
I liked that picture too, Thomas. Looks like a great place to meander. Thank you so much for stopping by and for all the good wishes!
Love the great energy of this post AND that cover is fabulous, just as I am certain the book is!!!
Thank you SO much, Annette. I appreciate the positive words!
Hi Jan, it sounds like you had a great time at the music festival. Do you know I’ve never attended a music festival in my whole life. I hope Sydney will be off the crutch soon. It’s been a long time. I fractured my pelvic bone when I was 29 and I only used crutches for six weeks. I got myself walking again asap. Even so, I am weaker on that side the left and a bone density scan show it was osteopenic so I have to take a bunch of supplements and do exercises. Great about the book. I look forward to reading it as well as Denise’s forthcoming book. My Christmas vacation reads 🌞🤗
Wow, Robbie! Well, this music festival was very small, only around 150 people, so it was intimate and just really nice. I’ve been to large ones and prefer the smaller crowds. I can see with your personality that you wouldn’t settle for being on crutches for long. Honestly, I think a big part of it with Sydney is mental. She has convinced herself she cannot walk without that one crutch. Hopefully, she will get past it soon! I’m so glad you are looking forward to this Christmas read along with Denise’s!! Thanks so much.
I would agree that the physical crutch has become a mental crutch. I did not like being slowed down by crutches.
What an amazing full moon, wasn’t it? Your past week was filled with so many wonderful things and I am happy for you that you progressed well with your book. I know, I couldn’t be here every Monday, so I might have missed the information why Sidney has problems with walking. Is she one of your grandkids or kids? Sorry, again for not knowing.
Thank you for the beautiful, inspiring, and encouraging oracel card. What a joy!
Have a wonderful week, Jan!
Hi, Erika. Yes! The full moon was beautiful and I got to see it two nights in a row. I took moon baths. 🙂 Sydney is my oldest granddaughter (15) and she severely injured her right foot back in July. She’s still trying to walk again, but making some progress. It’s been a very slow recovery. I’m glad you enjoyed the Unicorn card. I have so many beautiful decks and forget from time to time to switch it up and post something different. I appreciate you taking the time to visit today!
Oh, the poor kid. I hope she will fully recover, eventually💖
It’s nice that you got together with Kay and enjoyed the music festival, Jan. 😍 The cover to Painting Christmas looks good and the blurb is fascinating.
Thanks so much, Tim! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and leave a comment!
My pleasure, Jan. 😍
Sounds like a fun time at the festival with great music and congratulations on your upcoming book!
Yes, it was, Pooja. Thank you so much for stopping by and for the support!
You’re most welcome!
Jan, you’re such a workaholic and put me to shame. As our brother says all the time, “My get up and go done got up and left.” I really love how your cover turned out. I think it’s great and so is the blurb. Rarely do we get the right words for a blurb without days of worrying and rewriting. It’s excellent. You’ll be amazed that when I gave myself permission to quit, I plunged forward. Interesting how that works. Love you, Sister.
Sister, if anyone has earned a rest, it’s you. Just look back at the year you put out SO many books and nearly killed yourself. 🙂 Isn’t it interesting how when we give ourselves permission to let go, the story can take control instead of us trying to control it. Glad you’re plunging forward! Only took you a day. 🙂 Love you!
I’m glad you had a good time at the music festival! And good to know the grandkids are doing well. I LOVE how the new book cover turned out, particularly the transform for the title!
Thank you, Liz. I appreciate you stopping by and so glad you like the book cover!
You’re welcome, Jan!
The cover and the blurb turned out great! I think it’s wonderful that you were so engrossed with the music festival and time with your friend that you didn’t have many thoughts of taking pictures.
I have to agree, Priscilla. I just enjoyed the moments! Thank you for visiting and glad you like the cover and blurb.
I love how involved you are with your grands. And the music festival–what a fun time!
Sounds like an ambitious next year. I hope it all works out for you, Jan. I always enjoy the pictures of you with your grandchildren. We’re with our grandson right now in South Dakota.
I’m with Darlene on the cover and description, Jan – very nice! Sounds like a good idea with the marketing plan. Breaking it up like that is more manageable. Thanks for the BMR shoutout!
You are most welcome, Teri. I always look forward to BMR. Fun stuff. So glad you like the cover and blurb. I’m getting excited about releasing it.
Wow!
Hi,, Joy! Thank you for visiting!
Sounds like a hectic week and a plan for a busy 2027, but the pictures tell the story. You had a good time and that’s as it should be (even if you need a long rest). I like the cover and the blurb.
You are so right, Dan. I wouldn’t miss these moments with the kids for anything. It’s the stuff life is made of. Glad you like the cover and blurb.
I love the cover and the blurb for your Christmas book. Well done! A busy but productive week for you. xo
Thank you so much, Darlene! I deeply appreciate your support!