Summer Writing Blues #AuthorUpdate #amwriting

Summer is in full swing! Many of you are currently on vacation or have plans for a nice summer escape whether its traveling somewhere or staying at home to simply turn the pages of a good book. Or maybe both!

My favorite part of summer is lounging outside on a comfy porch swing and reading the day away. Honestly, though, I haven't had much opportunity for such luxuries. My kids are keeping me rather busy this summer. Busier than most other summers.

And, oh, how my writing has suffered as a result! I barely wrote a word for the entire month of June! It's been constant chaos and noise (varying from laughter to crying, depending on which of my  children are getting along and which are fighting). I have 4 children (ages 2, 6, 9, & 11). Then there's swimming lessons, kid's craft workshops, Scouting activities, trips to the library and local museums and summer camps. I'm also working with my oldest this summer to prepare him for the upcoming school year. Last year, he struggled with his grades and I don't want him to suffer the summer slide that the teachers tell me often happens to students during vacation.

Needless to say, my typical writing during the baby's nap time schedule has gone with the summer wind. I resorted to writing at night again, after the kids go to bed, but I continue to struggle with this time frame since I tend to fall asleep early. Really, I love them dearly, but my kids exhaust me! Since writing at night isn't working to my liking, my next option is negotiating with them.




Maybe this will work...

"If Mommy doesn't get any writing time, 

then kids don't get any PlayStation time."

I haven't dared implement this...yet. It's my secret weapon. I'm still trying to figure out which part of the day I'm going to squeeze in a writing hour or two before I make my demands.

Also, to encourage me to buckle down and make this work, I've joined Camp NaNo. With the summer Nano, I can choose my own word count goal to suit my needs and change it as I see fit. I can also choose my own type of writing project. I've started a new novel. Realistically, I know that I won't be able to churn out 50k so I've shaved that in half for a goal of 25k this month. I'm hoping that will give me a nice chunk to begin and I can continue on in August.

I did well enough last week. This week, I've faltered. The Summer Writing Blues hit.

No time. No quiet. No escape. 

However, I know I won't give up. I've tried to in the past, it just doesn't stick. So, I'll figure it out. It might take me all summer, but I'll find my precious writing time. Even if I have to resort taking 5 to 15 minute sprints I used to write when my two oldest boys were toddlers.

I'll make it work. 

That's what writers do. 

Happy Reading!

Tricia

The Best Research Trip Ever! #IWSG #writinglife

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?

Although, its never made it's presence significantly into any of my published works, yet, the coolest research trip I ever made was to Bamberg, Germany.

A vacation, you call it?

Not for a writer.

Every experience that occurs to a writer can be used in a story and I knew going into this trip that I would use something of my experiences there in my stories in some way or fashion.

Several years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit some friends in Germany and we jumped at the chance. I love to travel! I'd already been to many places, but never to Europe. This was also my first experience on an airplane. I can't deny that I was nervous especially since I'm nervous about heights. We took a short flight from Philadelphia to New York. This was amazing! I was scared I'd have a panic attack in mid-flight, but the view was just so incredible that it didn't bother me. And I was in a small airplane! How cool is that?

The flight from New York to Frankfurt wasn't as much fun, but still an experience to remember. Stuck in the middle isle, nowhere near any windows, I couldn't see anything outside. Incredibly, the turbulence didn't bother me. It felt like I was riding in a bus driving down a bumpy highway.

And then we arrived in Germany. We stayed in a town called Bamberg. It's a beautiful, quaint town unlike anything I'd ever before seen filled with amazing medieval and gothic architecture. We strolled along the cobblestone streets in the Altstadt (Old Town). Seated on seven hills, the town was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Heinrich II.

There's a beautiful area known as Kleine Venedig (Little Venice) that used to be the fisherman's district. The medieval-style structures create a picturesque scene that is quite popular among the tourists.

Situated on an artificial island in the Regnitz river, Bamberg's Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) was first mentioned in 1387 and redesigned between 1461-1467. There are two arched bridges connecting it to the mainland which separates the mountain town and the island town. This is a great area to people watch (for a writer that's wonderful research for creating characters!). I also spotted some guys kayaking in the river just below the bridge.






My husband and I stayed there for two weeks. We visited the cathedral, the monastery, and a brewery museum. We toured palaces and trekked a mountain forest to reach castle ruins. We visited caves and a racing track. We partied in a tavern that only played 80s music and drank a lot of beer! We strolled along the streets and wandered palace grounds. We also did some shopping (I loved the bookstores!) Also, we talked with a lot of people, learning about the area, the town, the history and the culture. 

Such as one day, my husband and I sat along one of the fountains in the center of the square to relax. While sitting there eating our ice cream cones, an elderly gentleman approached us. Somehow, the locals can immediately identify American visitors. He spoke perfect English and chatted with us. During our conversation, we learned that the man had served as a German soldier in WWII. He flew in the planes that attacked London during the Blitz and was shot down. He survived with injuries and was sent to one of the English hospitals where he recovered and formed an attachment with one of the nurses. Years later, after the war, he married the nurse and they moved back to Germany where they raised their family. I thought it was a charming love story. To this day, I'm so pleased that the gentleman decided to take some time out of his day to talk with us.

The German people are probably one of the most friendly people I've ever encountered. I never felt like a foreigner there. They accepted us with gracious courtesy and kindness. I had taken five years of German in school and had a fair grasp of the language, but as soon as I spoke they recognized my American accent. All but once the person I spoke with switched to English for my convenience without my even asking them to. Such as the day we took a tour through Schloss Seehof which I wrote about in one of my previous blog posts. The tour guide who showed us around the palace spoke in German until the other couple who were on the tour with us realized we were Americans. They asked the tour guide to give the tour in English so that we could better understand. The tour guide happily switched to English and the couple even added a few details for us on the tour. It was such a pleasant experience and I will never forget their kindness.

It was really an amazing trip and one day I will definitely use it in a story. As it is, I've set the beginning of my Regency paranormal romance, The Witch's Thief, in an area I recall from my trip there. Even the palace where the hero, Basil Merriweather, breaks into is heavily influenced on the combinations of the palaces that I visited in Germany.

So, I guess, I've used some of that research material already!







 

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Happy Reading!

Tricia

Summer Palace #TWRP Summer Treats & Reads #BlogHop

The Wild Rose Press Authors have joined together to bring you the Summer Treats & Reads Blog Hop! From July 22-30, check out a variety of blogs for summer-themed posts and great prizes! And don't forget to enter the Grand Prize - 
a Kindle Fire donated by The Wild Rose Press! 

For many people, summer is a time for travel! Exotic locations, historical destinations, a relaxing getaway... Summer vacations can be taken anywhere. As for vacation destinations, I highly recommend Europe! Years ago, my husband and I visited friends living in Germany where we spent two wonderful weeks touring the town and countryside. My favorites places were, of course, the castles and palaces!

For this Summer Treat post, let me show you the Summer Home of the Bamberg Prince-Bishops...

Located in Memmelsdorf, the Schloss Seehof was built in 1687 as a hunting lodge and summer residence for Prince-Bishop Marquard Sebastian Schenk von Stauffenberg.

The palace gate.

Beside the Seehof Palace gate is the area which housed the guard's men and stables. It's now converted into a restaurant. My husband and I ate breakfast here. I was grateful for all those German language lessons I took in high school assisting me with ordering our Fruhstuck! 

The Seehof Palace is an enclosed four-wing structure with corner towers giving the impression of a fortress. It's also known as "Marquandsburg" or Marquand's Fortress. 

Perhaps what's best known about this palace is the fountains. 

It's an interesting feature that attracts many visitors.

The baroque-styled water garden fountains are a splendid sight!

The first day we arrived at Seehof Palace, the place was closed to tourists, so we spent some time simply wandering about the area, absorbing the atmosphere and history. We sat on a bench in the inner garden, wondering what life was like living here in a palace that served as a Summer Home.

The next day when we returned, we had the opportunity to take a tour. The guide began the tour speaking German (as expected!) and we were quite happy to listen to as much as we could understand. At the time, I knew more German than my husband, so I tried to translate as much as I could, but back then I was still just a beginner. Just viewing the magnificent beauty of the rooms was enough to leave us in awe. We would've been content with just that much.

However, there was an elderly German couple on the tour along with us and when they heard me whispering my horribly rough translations, they were so generous to ask the tour guide if she could speak English for the rest of the tour. We were so surprised and incredibly grateful, thanking them numerous times for their kindness. The couple explained that they've been on this same tour around five times and it would be nice to brush up on their English. So, the tour was given by both the tour guide and the elderly couple who added exceptional knowledge of the palace's history.

They told us that Schloss Seehof served as the childhood summer vacation home for Marie Antoinette and her family. There's a family portrait of her and her siblings in one of the ornately decorated rooms. As well as portraits of her mother, Marie Theresa of Habsburg, and her father, the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis I. 

  
Along with the tour of the palace and a view of the fountains, we also walked along the walking trails and shrubbery mazes. There were dozens of stone figures to admire and benches placed strategically to relax. 

The extensive grounds are incredibly beautiful. We met many people taking their daily strolls along the paths. And there was much wildlife in the fish ponds along the walking trails.

No flash photography was allowed inside the palace when we visited, so I couldn't take any photos of the inside, but I did find a site where you can go on a virtual tour of the palace so you can experience the incredible beauty of the artwork and architecture. I do remember in the "White Hall" we had to wear slippers so as not to damage the floor with our shoes. The ceiling was breathtakingly gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed learning about a unique Summer Vacation Home! Now, it's time for the prizes! :)

For this blog hop, I'm giving away a copy of The Witch's Thief. Although the majority of the book takes place in England, the first chapter is set in Bavaria, Germany, so I thought it was an appropriate choice for a prize! :)
 

To save her sister's life, Julia Grey seeks a spell hidden somewhere within Merriweather Manor. Her position as a lady's companion affords her the freedom to search the house. But time is running out. The necromancer she's bargained with is growing impatient. And an unexpected appearance of a man from her past makes matters worse in an already complicated situation.

Basil Merriweather returns to England after ten years abroad to discover his childhood sweetheart living in his home. But, he's no longer the carefree man of his youth and she's hiding something--deadly secrets Basil vows to uncover even as he hides a dark secret of his own.

While neither Basil nor Julia will trust in the other, their hearts speak a truer language. In a grand attempt to save Julia's sister and Basil's life, the two must finally confess sinister truths. Will their admissions help or hinder any future they may have together? Or will the necromancer destroy all in a vile attempt at revenge?

Read more about my paranormal books. 

Read about my upcoming historical romance, The Pirate's Lady.

For all of my Wild Rose Press books 

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Be sure to check out the other blogs on this hop 

for chances to win more prizes!

Hot Summer Romance Give@way Hop ~ Beach Reads

One thing I love about summer is picking my list of Beach Reads.

I always look forward to stocking up on my summertime books. Whether I go to the beach or not, there's always summer vacation!

Reading is an all year activity for me, but I also read seasonally. I like to read summery books (involving stories with beach or island settings or those that take place at sea) during the summer and wintry books (settings that take place during blizzards or with Christmas themes) during winter. Makes sense, yes?  Well, I guess it makes sense to some. My husband doesn't agree. He thinks I'm...eccentric. Not quite the word he used, but that's what I'm going with. And I know I'm not the only one who reads this way. I worked 12 years in a bookstore; I've met other readers who do the same. I'm not alone!

I made a list of summer books I'd like to read this year. I know I won't get to all of them (I have writing deadlines!). That's okay! I can bend the rules now and then to read them whenever I want! :)

• Secrets of a Summer Wallflower by Lisa Kleypas
• Summer Secrets by Barbara Freethy 
• Midsummer Moon by Laura Kinsale
• Swept Away by Marsha Canham
• Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
• The Shipwreck by Glynnis Campbell

****Are you a seasonal reader? Do you have any Beach Reads or Summer Vacation Books you plan to read this summer? Share with us! I'm always looking to add to my TBR! Comment for a chance to WIN a KINDLE or PDF version of THE WITCH AND THE WOLF.

Now, I give you fair warning. The Witch and the Wolf is not a beach read (for me). It's a winter time book. But,  maybe you aren't a seasonal reader. Maybe you like to read summer books in the winter and winter books in the summer. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy my historical paranormal romance. Even I can't wait to read some books! :)

If you can't wait to read my books (I adore you!) then you can purchase them from The Wild Rose Press or Kindle. There are two currently available in The Merriweather Witches series with the third to be released hopefully by the end of the year. More to come on that another day!

Here's a little about the The Witch and the Wolf:

Lord Jeremy North's curse is to become a werewolf during every full moon, turning into a bloodthirsty monster that kills with no remorse. When he finds a woman nearly frozen upon his doorstep, his sense of honor compels him to help her, even at the risk he might kill her himself.

Lillian Merriweather hadn't planned to get caught in a blizzard while traveling the English countryside. Nor had she planned on finding refuge in a house full of secrets. But Lillian has secrets of her own. And what she's running from is not far behind...

Excerpt:

There were several moments Jeremy North suspected he suffered hallucinations. Most of those times had been when he had first begun to change into the beast during the full moon. And now, as he answered the knocking he had at first imagined to be the pounding in his skull, he wondered if the brandy he had been drinking this evening was perhaps tainted. He could not quite believe his eyes.

A woman stood on his doorstep, covered in a layer of snow, her bright blue eyes silently pleading to him just before her eyelids fluttered closed, and she crumpled at his feet. He managed to set the candle down safely on a table in time to catch her before she cracked her head on the stone beneath her. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, brought her into the house, slamming the door closed with his foot. He hurried into the library with his unexpected guest. North had returned earlier seeking the warm oblivion of yet another glass of brandy. He grimaced at the memory of countless other sleep-deprived nights spent in much the same way. Sans an unconscious woman, however.

He placed the bundled woman onto the sofa, ignoring the fact that the snow was bound to create a water stain on the fabric once it melted. He leaned over her, pushing the curly brown strands of wet hair off her face and checked to see if she still breathed. Satisfied when he felt her breath on his hand, he went back to the corridor.

“Amery!” He roared.

Turning back to the woman on his sofa, he again felt the necessity to blink his eyes, wondering if they played a trick with his senses. He lit more candles to brighten the room and added more wood to the fire. Then he walked back to the woman and knelt at her side. He found her hand dangling over the edge of the sofa and took it gently in his, the digits frozen stiff. He inhaled a gasp. He cupped both of his hands instinctively around hers, hoping to lend her his warmth.

He heard the shuffle from the hallway and Amery’s muttering, then a noisy yawn.

“Bloody hell! What is this?” Amery bellowed from the doorway.

North ignored the query. “We need blankets,” he said, instead. “She’s frozen through.”

Amery nodded and left.

A muffled groan from behind drew his attention, and he turned to see the woman’s eyelids flutter open. He inhaled sharply as her bright blue gaze fell upon him.

She studied him for a moment.

And then, she smiled.

Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this hop! Lots and lots of cool prizes!  

This blog hop has two Grand Prizes! 

#1 is a Kindle Fire

#2 is a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate

Everyone who comments on this blog will be entered for a chance to win the Grand Prize as well as a chance to win a copy of  

The Witch and the Wolf!

Good luck!