January isn't for Wimps

Just felt like getting that out there. I've talked to a lot of people lately who get into a real slump after the holidays. I suppose that's only natural, but I think it's rather sad since life goes on whether we're happy about it or not. I always blame my lack of motivation and joyful living during January on the fact that I've mostly resided in the northern states where mountains, wind, rain, snow, sleet and hail abound during the winter months, and outdoor activities like skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating no longer hold any great appeal. Don't get me wrong, I love a good snowstorm, but after getting the driveway and sidewalks shoveled and watching the car exhaust turn the snowbanks a dirty brown, I'm ready for more sun. It just makes me feel good. 

So, I've spent a little time today thinking about what's actually good about the month. It's a definite change from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, which is a relief for most everyone. The nights are long so people can get extra sleep, if they're lucky. Shopping has lost most of its appeal so budgets are better maintained. There's extra time for self-reflection, if kids or grandkids aren't involved in all kinds of nighttime activities and want you there. Much of the outside work like lawn mowing and gardening has come to a halt, if one doesn't live in a warmer climate. Hot cocoa with marshmallows tastes great, especially when seated in front of a warm, inviting fire. And a leisurely bubble bath makes every trouble disappear, if only momentarily. 

Guess it's not such a bad month after all. At least I'm going to try to enjoy it more and complain less about the gloomy days and having to drive on snow-packed or ice covered roads. After all, it's my life, and I can do with it whatever I desire. 

Reawakening is here

Doing things that make a difference is what a new year is all about, but we should never let other people dictate how we feel about ourselves. Each life is unique and each journey is different. Comparisons only breed disappointment and a loss of productivity because no one else can do exactly what we can. 

To that end, I decided that the best way I could announce the publication of my latest book was to use exactly what I wrote for friends on my personal Facebook page, but add a few other thoughts of my own. These past six months have certainly been a time of hard work, learning difficult tasks and pushing myself harder and further than I've ever done before. There were days when my vision became so blurry from looking at the computer screen that I wondered if my eyes would survive, but I feel such a compulsion to finish what I started with Brylee's story. Her tale has helped me reach deep inside to where buried feelings reside and take a good look at situations I've never consciously contemplated before. 

I see parts of myself in each character, both the good and the not-so-good ones because we're all rather complex people. I hope my readers will feel safety, love, peace and a sense of real family as they read her story. We all need time away from the daily frustrations of life, and I prefer spending my downtime doing something positive and up-lifting. Writing Indecision's Flame gave me that powerful outlet. 

So here's what I wrote: Brylee’s story of love, loss, self-discovery and adventure continues in Reawakening – Indecision’s Flame – Book 5, under my pen name JS Ririe, that is now available on Amazon in both eBook and print at https://amzn.to/2BXNSdv This series has been a labor of love, and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to share what I’ve done with others. That’s why I’m holding another drawing for Valentine’s Day. Three people from my monthly newsletter

list will receive signed paperback copies of Exposed – Indecision’s Flame – Book 3. Along with that, I’m extending the offer of a free digital copy of the book that started the journey until the drawing takes place. All you have to do is join my other readers at http://eepurl.com/dCPVf to be included. I hope you will.

Welcome to 2019!

So I've been missing in action for a few weeks. The holidays seemed like the perfect time to look at something besides my computer screen, so I spent more time with family and friends, relaxing and contemplating what was most important to me. I came to the conclusion that writing New Year's Resolutions was a waste of time for me since I never follow through for more than a few weeks at time. I decided that if I focused on two areas, without writing anything down, I would make more progress and hopefully see more results. I chose connecting with my spiritual self and working on my health. I truly believe those things are interconnected, and if I make small improvements each day, I'll eventually see some positive results. What do you think? I'd like to know how you handle the beginning of each new year.

To that end, I've decided to spend some time in each post sharing with you parts of a book titled "Working Back into Life" that I started to write many years ago. Like so many other things, I never finished it, but the ideas are solid and might give you a few ideas or a moment of clarification. I began writing it during a time in my life when I was questioning just about everything. Not to belabor the issue, but I'd just had my last miscarriage - I'd had almost 20 with no live births - and had just been told that I needed a hysterectomy. Needless to say, it was a very dark time and eventually led to some life-altering decisions.

I think we've all had times like that when we're either going to give up or give in or start fighting a very difficult battle. It hasn't been smooth-sailing, and I've had more relapses into despair, loneliness and sorrow than I care to admit, but I'm still standing. I hope you are too. I love being there for others and trying to help in my own small way. Today, I gave away 4 proof copies of Indecision's Flame to people on my mailing list: Verdon, Glenna, Emily and Sarah. I hope they'll enjoy them. I learned a great deal writing the series. If you'd like to be included in more that I'm doing, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf  

Christmas and Giving

I am awed by people’s ability to reach out and touch hearts, especially this time of year when unique challenges often seem overwhelming. Inspired works of art, music, poetry and personal insight that lift the spirit, bring hope and help others experience the true joy of this marvelous Christmas season are created and shared by so many of you. I see examples of personal talents being used to bless the lives of others each time I open my Facebook page. I read stories of faith, courage, loyalty, empathy, kindness and cheer that let me know heaven is not so far away from here. I thank all of you for being so willing to share both the good and the bad that life has to offer. It makes us feel less alone. I’d really like to do my part by sharing more of me. I can’t sing, dance or create beautiful works of art, but I believe the stories I write will bring hope and peace. I’d love for you to have a free digital copy of the first book I wrote, Indecision’s Flame, simply by signing up for my monthly newsletter at  http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf   It’s my way of saying “thank you for being you”.

Newsletters and Mailing Lists

Here’s my spiel about newsletters and mailing lists. People are downright afraid of them. We’re a society inundated by salespersons in every form trying to sell us something we most likely don’t need or even want. Saying ‘no’ is often irksome since it breeds hostility and avoided or lost friends. So why am I asking anyone to join my newsletter mailing list at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf and receive a free book in the process? It’s not to guilt anyone into buying books, though that would be nice since they're available on Amazon at https//amzn.to/2BXNSdv. It’s simply a marketing tool to help identify people who want to know more about a whole lot of different things and give away a few books that are a very real part of me since I wrote them. They are my children, and like the children we raise I want others to see how great I think they are. 

My newsletter is a companion to this site where I share ideas, thoughts and poems, and past experiences with others that have impacted my life. It will include recipes, clean reads by other authors, my own new releases, information I’ve gleaned from a variety of sources and anything else I feel is uplifting and positive. It’s a place to express how I’m feeling inside and maybe help someone else in the process. The Internet is a powerful tool for good when used in the right way. I’m learning that I have a responsibility to help make the world a better place. I’m pretty much confined to my own little area of influence without it, but by using it I can keep in touch with the people in my life who really matter, especially those I haven’t seen for a while. So take a chance and sign up. I’d love for you to be a bigger part of my life. 

First snow and Betrayal is finally out

So it's a cold and blistery morning here in Utah, but I'm not complaining because we need the moisture desperately. This is high desert country, after all! What has your morning been like? I've been trying to write another draft of a press release. My first few attempts were horrid failures, but I'm not going to give up on anything. I seem to have that inborn drive that keeps me moving forward, even when I should most likely call it quits. Anyone else feel that way? There's always so much to learn, and it's overwhelming at times, but I've found that I can avoid only so long and then it's rushing in with both guns blazing as I try to accomplish something I've never tackled before. 

I also want to thank everyone who has been so supportive in my new endeavor as an Indie author. It hasn't been easy, but I'm enjoying the challenges. I'd love for everyone who reads this to sign up for my newsletter mailing list by December 31 to receive a free digital copy of Indecision's Flame at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf 

I promise not to send a ton of them because I spend most of my free time working on my books. It's just a way to share a little more of myself. Hope you have a blessed day, and don't rush too hard for Christmas. You still have three weeks left.

Three beautiful winners

So I'm really setting a record - three blogs in less than two days - but I couldn't let this go. Some things are just too exciting. One of the winners from my first contest as a writer, Amber Homer from Boise, Idaho, sent me a picture this morning of two of her beautiful daughters holding the books she won last month. They ended up on the cover of a literary magazine - Books 'N Pieces - that everyone should check it because it's amazing with author interviews, short stories and deals galore each month.  http://booksnpieces.com/A/2018/11/another-happy-js-ririe-books-winner/

I love doing things for others, but time and distance often prevent me from getting as involved as I would like. Sponsoring contests and sharing my work is one way I've found for keeping in touch. My hope is that my books will be entertaining, uplifting and thought-provoking. Much thought is given to each character in my stories. Even the more villainous ones have redeeming qualities. Hope your day has been great. I know mine has. You could be one of the next winners by signing up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf before December 31.  Each person who does s will receive a digital copy of Indecision's Flame book. There are also 4 print proof copies of the same book to be given away at the end of month. I'd love to be giving them to you.