My Favorite Author Inspirations

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

One of the songs I find myself singing or humming is from The Sound of Music “These Are A Few of My Favorite Things.” Since my February theme was about things I love, I am taking a bit of license to change this out to “These are a few of my Favorite People.”

As an author, I seek inspiration and support from many sources. My complete list goes on and on and on. However, like most of us, I have a few who are and remain at the top. Here is my short list along with a brief statement. (Yes, I could write pages about each one but I won’t.)

First, I want you to know that the people you read about last week and the ones you'll see in subsequent posts this month are all on this list. Even though they are on a different list they all support my writing and inspire me. I will encourage you to read my other posts about them.

Second, it's important to note that the romance community is overall open, generous and supportive. In over ten years, I’ve had but one less than positive experience.

At the top of my list are two women: Sarah Raplee and Maggie Lynch.

Sarah and I co-founded Romancing The Genres, an InternationalGroup blog. We are Celebrating our 7^th Year! 

Sarah held my hand when we first started out and took on the majority of the techie tasks. We brained stormed ideas, who we wanted to invite to join us, created suggested blog topics and who we’d love to invite as guests.

Over the last seven years, Sarah has become a personal friend on top of being a writing buddy. She has graciously read some things I’ve written and given me input. Most recently she did the first round of edits on my newest romance Visions of Happiness (due to be released later in 2018). I always know that the purpose behind any of her suggestions is to make my story stronger so it is easy for me to read her comments.

Sarah is a talented author in her own right. Check out Blindsight a well-crafted paranormal romantic suspense. She also has short stories in the anthologies Love & Magick and Gifts From The Heart.

Maggie Lynch has been the publishing guru I’ve turned to over and over again since early 2014. Her book DIY Publishing was my first publishing Bible and still is next to my computer. Her more recent Author Secrets series remains a “must read” and is referenced as I wend my way through the publishing scene.

I publish through Windtree Press, an author cooperative that Maggie co-founded. She is the one who invited me to join in 2014. That invitation was instrumental in my believing in my ability to become multi-published. Maggie has been and continues to be inspiring and supportive.

While Maggie writes in several genres, I’ve read her Sweetwater Canyon series and highly recommend it. Healing music and healing relationships are common themes in this series.

Third isn’t a person. It’s a group. Several years ago, when I was in a leadership position within my RWA chapter, I started #ftb (finish the book) a forum for chapter members hosted through the national organization Romance Writers of America.

Every Day a core group of us show up to share our hopes, dreams and progress. We’ve become friends although several of us have never met each other in person. We span the country with one of our members in Maine. Most of us are in Oregon although we are on both sides of the Cascades. Nevada is home to yet another of us.

No matter what is going on personally or professionally, I know I can “talk” about it on #ftb and get support and more. We share health tips, recipes, vacation ideas and more. We sometimes ask others in the group for suggestions, ideas and to read a bio, blurb, etc. A more supportive, giving group of writers doesn’t exist (although maybe in Maine).

Who do you have in your life that is unflaggingly supportive of your efforts to manifest a dream?

My first non-fiction book, Staying Sane in a Crazy World is available at your favorite e-retailer. By following the simple process outlined in this book, you can create your own personal staying sane plan when the world around you goes crazy.

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Commitment

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Matt Buchman had an interesting post up at Romancing The Genres on 02/28/2018  But I Had A Plan.

Matt references Napoleon Hill’s work specifically

+ Have a clear and specific goal

+ Have a passion to reach that goal

+ Have an unshakable belief in being able to reach the goal

As I read Matt’s post I was reminded of Garrett Gunderson’s point about 100% commitment. What I see Matt and other successful authors have is that 100% commitment. And that is a part of the “unshakable belief” they can reach that clear and specific goal for which they have a passion. These authors put 30 - 40 – 60 hours a week into their writing (research, writing, publishing, promotion).

Others of us (and I include myself in this category), have a clear and specific goal, we have the passion to reach that goal and we have a belief we will reach the goal – in time. We have commitment but it’s not the same 100% commitment Napoleon Hill talked about or these successful authors display. Our commitment isn’t 100%. Our lives do not revolve around our goal.

I’m pointing this out not to say One way is Right and the Other way Wrong. 

They are both valid.

I’m pointing this out to say don’t expect the same results unless you are putting forth the same level of commitment. My 75% commitment is not going to give me the same results as someone who puts in 100%. It will, more than likely, give me better results than someone at the 50% level.

The following is what I shared with some writer friends:

I’m not in the 100% commitment place either. It’s helpful to me to see commitment as a continuum of sorts and look at those things that I work on – as altogether they are a 100% commitment of my time and energy.

I also reminded them about a friend who, this past year, had my 100% commitment for periods of time. This year not so much. I may commit a morning or part of a day to him and his affairs but I am not 100% committed to him. On a three hour round trip drive to visit him, I listened to Dr. Joe Vitale’s “The Missing Secret” CDs. Listening to that CDs was all about me. And as it turned out, listening to the CDs ended up being about my writing.

So instead of saying “I didn’t get any writing done yesterday” the reality is I got a couple of hours (more like 4 - 5 when I add in other things I did) on my writing.

Judith and Sarah Raplee with poster of
first published book

Each of us are living our own lives in accordance to our core values and priorities. Acknowledging what our commitment is to various aspects of our lives is important. Not just our commitment level but also our priorities.

All of the authors I know that I see at the 100% commitment level to their writing, do stop and focus on other priorities in their lives. The ones I know have done this because of people in their lives needing them. Writing goes on the back burner for the time needed to resolve, solve whatever was going on.

Looking at your life as 100%, what are your priorities? Where is writing? Or if not an author, your career/job? What about re-creation? Family? It might be helpful to look at this as a pie chart with the various aspects of your life having varying size slices.

However, look at your life another way – prioritize your life.

Relationships (family, friends, etc.); 

Recreation (what you do for fun/relaxation); 

Career/Hobby (activity that you have fun doing and get lost in the process so time just slips by); 

Survival (Health and things like bill paying activity – you’d put your job here if the purpose for working that job was only to pay the bills).

You can share your thoughts about commitment in the comment section below.

Your free copy of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl is waiting for you. Just click here and sign up for my mailing list (I will not spam you and you can always unsubscribe).

I’ve also ventured into non-fiction and Staying Sane in a Crazy World release is planned for March 26, 2018! Click this link to be added to my mailing list and you’ll receive a free advanced copy of Staying Sane. This offer ends at midnight March 25, 2018. FYI: You are actually only added once to my mailing list but this way you get both books free!

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Dark Moon Intentions

On Tuesday, January 16, 2018, we will experience the darkest night of the month. I celebrate the Dark Moon each month either by myself or with a small group of friends. Because the Dark Moon signals a shift in the Moon’s energy, it is a perfect time to align focus, goals, and intentions with the night’s light. And that's what we do, share our focus, goals, intentions, what we want to achieve between the Dark Moon in January until the Dark Moon in February (which happens to be February 15).

In my home I’ve small windows on either side of the fireplace. When sitting on my couch I can see out the windows and watch the moon traverse the night sky. This is especially spectacular when the moon is full. But when it is close to as well as on the Dark Moon, the sky remains dark.

It was on one of those evenings when I was sitting on my couch watching the light from the Full Moon first appear and then grow brighter until I could see Grandmother Moon framed within  my living room windows that the inspiration for a story came to me. In fact when you read “Grandmother Moon,”you will see what I see from my very own couch. I doubt you’ll be surprises to learn that writing the setting in that story came fairly easy.

Where do you find inspiration?

FYI: You can find “Grandmother Moon” in the anthology Love & Magick. Included in the anthology are short stories by Sarah Raplee and Diana McCollum.

Learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Self-Acceptance is First

Judith is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

For this next post we’ll take a look at our own self-acceptance rating. I come from the belief that we can best help others by taking care of ourselves. This has not always been how I’ve viewed the world. But then thoughts such as this one popped up.

When you are sick with some bug, how well can you take care of someone else? If you are me, not as good as I am when I’m well.

Extrapolate that thinking and you come up with the concept that in order to be at your best in helping others, you must be your best.

I’ve made progress in this past several years. And here is a classic example:

In February 2011 when Sarah Raplee and I came up with the idea for a group blog—Romancing The Genres (Check us out!) I was a fast typist on the computer. I could write reports, emails and I had completed the first three books in the Sacred Women’s Circle series. Of the two of us, Sarah was the techie. She fearlessly clicked the “Help” button on Blogger for help. I hesitated to search on the internet for anything much less click into the vast unknown.

It's a bit blurry but this is Sarah and me at our first book signing!

Saturday night Sarah and I were on the phone talking about, if I purchase a used Mac so I can learn and put my books on Vellum, oh and there was a discussion about using the ‘macincloud’. I’d actually searched for the Vellum site and then read several responses on a site dedicated on how best to use Vellum.

Am I fearless when it comes to clicking around the world-wide web? No, I still have my moments. But, I am cautious, not terrified I’ll do something wrong and my computer will blow up. (I see some of you laughing!)

How did I shift from fear to caution and from ‘knowing’ I can’t to believing I can learn new techie things?

I changed how I saw myself.

I went from ‘conditional acceptance’ to unconditional acceptance that I am an intelligent woman and have the capacity (mental, emotional and physical) to learn new things.

Did it happen overnight? Absolutely not.

And I do consider that if I believed it could change overnight, it would or it would change more rapidly? Yes I do. I’m an unconditional-acceptance- work-in-progress.

If you believe, you can succeed

Your assignment if you wish to continue on this journey to unconditional acceptance with me is this:

Pick one aspect of yourself you’d like to see in a positive light. 

Write out in present tense what this aspect is as if it already exists. Now look at specific thoughts and actions you can take to stay on this path.

Notice mine is “I easily and effortlessly learn (present tense) new software. I could be more specific and say ‘Vellum’. I could leave it there. I can also add why. The added value to me in this project. "I easily and effortlessly learn Vellum so I am more efficient and effective in publishing my books."

You can decide if adding the value of the project is important to your moving forward on the path to unconditional acceptance. 

My action steps or plan include: seeking input from others about where to purchase a used Mac; use my Microsoft One Drive more consistently to improve my experience in using The Cloud so I can better determine which option is better for me; remind myself when (notice I’m not using ‘if’) I feel frustrated that I’m intelligent and can learn this; regroup/resume and go forth again.

Check back in next Monday for another post on Unconditional Acceptance.

Your free copy of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl is waiting for you.

Go to JudithAshleyRomance.com and sign up for my occasional newsletter “Connections.” Follow the prompts to download your own digital copy of the first book in The Sacred Women’s Circle series.

Learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB!

My New Life - Publishing Stories

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

I’ve been writing about my birthday month and my new life and about changing my image. Below you will find a third photo of me in a different pose.

You may notice that my 11/14 post did not show up on 11/14 but not until 11/18. It was on my ‘to do’ list last Sunday to decide which of the head shots I’d add to that post before publishing—

And then I remembered that I’d submitted both Gabriella and Sophia to Windtree Press and my RWA chapter's Newsletters as New Releases! And they weren’t yet released!!!

Sunday through Wednesday I worked hard to get them finished and published. Gabriella was really ready to go except for uploading to Jutoh and compiling for the versions for Amazon and everyone else. Oops! Jutoh had been upgraded since I last used it to publish Hunter last year. I remember reading the notice when I first logged in but then something happened. My frantic brain didn’t register the information. Thirty minutes later as I struggled to do what had always been simple before, it did register. Duh!

As soon as I processed that there was a new version, and took the time to see what was new, everything went smoothly. I can attest to the reality that the new version is even easier to use than the previous one.

Now on to Sophia. I had feedback from my editor, Kelly Lynne Schaub, on one scene. I even emailed her for clarification. Another sigh (actually several of them). I really liked that scene! So, I called and talked to Sarah Raplee and emailed my #ftb group (FinishTheBook). More sighs…they all agreed with Kelly. So, back to the drawing board. I wrote a new scene, Sarah made it better and Kelly said it was what she was talking about.

On to Jutoh with Sophia.

Oops! Links!!! Yep, newsletters like to put links to your books in the announcements. Another scramble because I’m using Universal Book links now. When you go to my website and then click on books as you scroll down the list you’ll see “Buy Links”. When you click on one, it will give you a list of e-retailers where my books are available. Pick one. Click and you are at the e-retailer and can purchase the book. The Universal Link program keeps track and when you click on another book, it will take you immediately to that e-retailer. Pretty cool!

My new life this week has been consumed with publishing tasks. I’m grateful they got done!!!

Here’s my latest professional headshot. What do you think?

Check back next week and vote for your favorite.

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

Raffle Baskets and Book Signings

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Last Monday’s post was about Time (and water); Wednesday I shared my thoughts about the Chaparral Suites and meeting J.A. Jance.

Today I’m showing you the results of creating a raffle basket for Desert Dreams and the creation of my display for the book signing.

Let me start by saying neither a fantastic basket nor a dazzling display would have happened without the guidance (actually a bit more than that word implies) of my friend and first reader, Lois. She is an artist and graphic designer among other things. And if you are into mid-century modern things and live in the Phoenix, AZ area, look her up at Modern on Melrose.

ALL THINGS OREGON:

All Things Oregon was the theme. A two dollar basket from Goodwill was a start. A trip to Michael’s and we had the stuffing and cellophane for the basket as well as ribbon for the basket and ‘bundling’ books. I also purchased a small glass heart shaped bottle for the beach agates. I’d brought books, chocolate, beach agates, green jasper, a polished thunder egg, book mark, business cards and an amethyst pendant and matching earrings.

Our Very Happy Winner!

Sarah Raplee, Diana McCollum and I donated the books. Sarah and I donated the Moonstruck Chocolate. Sarah and I donated the rocks (green jasper and beach agates from me, personally polished thunder egg from Sarah’s rock hounding adventures). Diana made beaded book marks and one was included in the basket with the Love and Magick anthology. And last but not least, the necklace and earrings were from Mary McGar.

Ours was a very popular basket!!!

DESERT DREAMS BOOK SIGNING:

First we tried out several options in our room. Lois had a chrome and glass stand she donated to the cause. (I’d love to find something similar to use when I’m able to drive to the signing. It made everything so much easier because I only had thirty-two (32) inches to display books and bundles!)

Note the design in the center

I took a picture of what we liked best so we could easily recreate it at the signing. I’d been told that ‘the way to go’ was by bundling. With that in mind we bundled three anthologies that Sarah, Diana and I were a part of. And I also bundled the first three and the last two of the five books in The Sacred Women’s Circle series that are currently available.

Why that way? My reasoning was that the first two books had a hotter heat level that the 4th and 5th books in the series.

What I learned was bundling works better with a trilogy. Although even though I bundled the three anthologies together, people couldn’t see the names of all the authors. And, not having thought that was something I needed to know, I hadn’t made a note of that so I could tell people interested in those books about the authors and stories within (even though I’d read them all)!

Lois and her creation

While I’d still do a couple of bundles for the display because they look gorgeous, I'd make sure people knew they could create their own bundle. Having the ribbon on hand along with a bit of bling will be important. See the picture to the left. Aren't those bundles beautiful? That means I’ll have the ribbon on hand along with a bit of bling.

Lois added five rhinestone hearts the the ribbon on each of the bundles for a bit of bling. We also found out that the adhesive on the rhinestone hearts was not reliable so there was a bit—actually quite a bit—of re-gluing if not realigning of the bling.

In the end, while I did not sell as many books as I’d have liked, I did sell some. I got a hands on lesson (how I learn best) on how to create a beautiful basket and a gorgeous display. And, Lois wrote it the tips and tricks we learned along the way.

Was it worth it?

You tell me.

Would you put your raffle ticket in a basket that looked fantastic And had gifts you were interested in? 

Would you be more likely to put your raffle ticket in a fantastic looking basket? 

A proud author and her display

Would you only put your raffle ticket in a basket that had something you wanted regardless of how it looked?

If you see a gorgeous, creative display (like mine), would you be more likely to stop by and look more closely, engage with the author or does something like that not matter at all because you only go to book signings to see authors you know and like?

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley

Being "Out there"

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Judith and Sarah Raplee and Love & Magick poster - Desert Dreams

This Wednesday I'm talking about being "out there" as in public venues.

While I'm not as introverted as some writers, I'm not someone who loves being in larger groups.

If you check out my headline and sidebar you'll see that I've several public events coming up.

This first one is this Saturday. eRomance is sponsored by my home chapter, Rose City Romance Writers. Saturday during the day are workshops for writers and authors. Morning has to do with forensics and afternoon branding. (No not cattle).

February 25 - 28, 2016 is the Home and Garden Show at the Portland Expo Center. I'll be there Thursday from 3 - 7, Friday from 12 - 5 and Sunday from 10 to at least 3 p.m. I'll have four of my five books available and I'm selling my books at 10% off the direct from me to you price. I'd love to have you stop by!!!

Oh, and I'm guest blogging with Brenda Whiteside on Fearless Friday, February 26! Brenda is a member of the Desert Rose Romance Writer's of America chapter as am I.

It may look like there is a big gap between my time with Brenda and the Home and Garden Show and the next event - Desert Dreams Writers Conference.

My home chapter, RCRW has a chapter meeting March 12, I'm flying to Phoenix early so I can attend the Desert Rose chapter meeting the end of March. I'll also visit with family and friends in the area between my arrival and the start of the conference.

Judith and Sarah Raplee at book signing in 2014

Book signing is Saturday, April 9th from 5 -7 at the Embassy/Chaparrel Suites in Scottsdale. Desert Rose has great romance authors as members (think Jennifer Ashley, Erin Quinn, Vijaya Schartz, Kris Tualla to name a few). Check out the chapter website to see who else might be at the book signing.

So why am I sharing anything about this? Because being 'out there' is something most writers believe they need to do in order to gain name recognition. If people think they know you because they've heard your name several times, they are more likely to try one of your books.

And, while I write because I love to tell these stories, my feelings are not hurt when readers buy my books.

By the time you read this, I'll have finished my read through of Gabriella and will have or will be printing the manuscript off to send to my first reader. A few days to get my taxes done and I'll start Sophia. What's special about Sophia is that is the last book in the original series.

I'm so excited to see the end of this part of my writing journey. Of course there are many more stories to tell. There are children who grow up and get their own stories and children yet to be born. A few of the secondary characters are also clamoring for space.

But for now, I'm making an effort to be "out there" to meet readers who are or may become fans.

As a reader, do you ever buy a book from an unknown-to-you author because you met her or him at an author event?

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley