Header Promotion
I just got back from the beach... The beach in November...In a Nor-Easter... Rain and wind and gloomy skies... 
What a great time I had!
I went there to write, away from the distractions of everyday life at
home. And write I did! I got a full third of a book done in five days.
I know there are writers who write more than that as a routine, but not
me. I'm too easily distracted by the 'stuff' around me. My kitty,
wanting me to feed her or pet her or let her lie in her favorite
position, across my arms. My husband--same thing, sort of. The dirty
dishes, clothes in the washer, junk mail piling up, leaves doing the
same thing... you know,
Life.
I love my kitty, my husband, my home and family and friends. But there
are times when I need to shut out everything except my characters and
plot.
One of the neatest things about this trip was that there were a number
of like-minded people there with me. Other writers. We all worked on
our individual projects during the day and got together in the evening
to eat, drink, talk and renew.
I have a friend who has a luxurious cabin within walking distance of
her house. She goes there to write without distractions. I'll confess
I'd always thought that was a bit outlandish, but I know now why she
does it -- and how she churns out all those wonderful books.
Now that I'm back, and ready to plunge into the holiday season and a deadline, I am so
thankful for that week. It was indulgent, but definitely worth it. I'm
doing it again next year!
Where and how do you get away when you need concentration and
renewal? What feeds you and energizes you and relaxes you? Is it a
once-a-year getaway like mine? Or a daily time you've set aside just for you?
One commenter will win an autographed copy of The Sharpshooter's Secret Son and be entered into the final Black Hills Gold Contest.
Note: the photos were borrowed from Anna DeStefano.
Mallory Kane
if you're looking for a hero...
Classified Cowboy (Silver Star of Texas: Comanche Creek) Jan 2010
Her Bodyguard, June 2010
mallorykane.com
My me time is in the morning
after I have had my shower and before I get dressed for work, I take some time and read. I may be starting a new book like this morning or re reading something or finishing a book but it is my time when the house is quiet and no one is bothering me.
Elaine
Grab it whenever I can....
I don't have a getaway time. No money. Not a priority.
I am blessed to work from home. If I can ever get both working kids and DH out of the house, then that is my time. I don't care what time of day it is: I'll have a soak in the tub (complete with epsom salts) and read most of a book before someone returns home and knocks on the door. (Oh, the blessings of having only one bathroom in our tiny home.) If I'm feeling cold, I'll go to bed and curl up with a book, perhaps having a nap when I'm done (there's nothing like sweet dreams!).
As for energizing me, a good brisk walk will do that. I try to walk right after breakfast, but that doesn't always work out. Any walk is better than no walk, though.
my renewal place...
I'm still trying to find one where I live now. When I lived in Ohio, (9 years ago) I used to go to the woods behind my house and sit on a log that was right next to another tree, and I'd sit there for hours some times. Definitely left me feeling refreshed, and renewed.
Here in Wyoming, I don't really have a place, if things get really stressful and what not, I go into my room and close the door and sit on my bed. When I do this my kids and hubby know to leave me alone for a little while.
I love the pictures you put up. The sunrise one reminds me of when I went to the Oregon coast with my parents a long time ago. It was a cloudy overcast day and you could taste the ocean in the clouds that had settled on the cliffs as you climbed down to the gray sandy beach below. There were small rivers and streams that cut thought the beach trying to get back to the ocean from the snow runoff.
It was absolutely gorgeous, and in many ways it is remembered as my perfect hour of time.
Since DH and I both work nights,
there isn't a lot that goes on when I'm off during everyone else's sleep time (I stay on a night-time schedule unless I'm on vaca or visiting my family), so it's easy to get me time. DH will flip on his days off, so we both get our me time. In the evenings when I wake up and we're both off, we have our together time. If he stayed on night-time schedule, too, I'd never be able to read! Reading keeps me sane.
Hugs,
April
November 2009 MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Time to relax
Well since I live alone I don't have to answer to anyone for my time. So if I am tired I lay down for a while. My grandkids come over quite frequently and they are at the exhausting stage, they keep me hopping. By the time I draw, color, read and play games with them I am usually pretty tired when they go home. A good tired though. I cherish this time with them while they still want to be with me. They will grow up and be independent soon enough. Usually after they leave I get something cold to drink and put my feet up and relax a while, grab a good book and read.
Linda Henderson
Getaways
Much like Laney4, I don't get them. I work part-time from home and have my DH and DD around. For the last several months, I've also had to tend to my elderly father, who is suffering from Alzheimers and advanced prostate cancer. So, I grab a minute when the house is quiet, before I have to get busy doing other things. The eHarlequin boards are really quite an escape for me, as they take me away from my everyday troubles.
When we, as a family, get the chance, we like to go to Destin, FL, to a friend's vacation home, which she lets us use periodically. However, those getaways don't come often enough!
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month
WINNING COMMENT FROM MALLORY KANE BLOG DAY
Hi. TXREADER wins an autographed copy of one of my books.
TXREADER, if you'll contact me and let me know which book you'd like an autographed copy of, and give me your address, I'll get your prize on its way.
Congatulations and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Mallory
Mallory Kane
if you're looking for a hero...
Classified Cowboy (Silver Star of Texas: Comanche Creek) Jan 2010
Her Bodyguard, June 2010
mallorykane.com
Sunsets on the beach
It's so ironic that I take living on an island where there are beaches everywhere. I must take the time to take a look at the beauty of the sunset as the sun caress the sea with its colorful rays...
wj
TXTREADER,
Congratulations! Enjoy!
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month