I’m doing a lot of thinking about what in the world makes a person write a book.
It really is difficult to explain…even understand.
It’s such a common question “How do you do it?” And, it’s sub-question, “I want to do it.”
The thing is, I’m not sure why I write books, or how, it’s honestly a very strange way to behave. Just sittin’ by yourself makin’ stuff up.
Making up imaginary friends, then causing them trouble…in my case shooting at them, or tossing them over cliffs, or…well, you know. The sort of disasters that just so often never happen to real people. I mean, did Pa Ingalls ever have to shoot anyone? Or was he ever shot at? So even back then it didn’t happen that often.
But I love it. I feel like I’m a friendly person. I can sit and talk and enjoy myself. But for some reason, being by myself just suits me.
I do things like find out a sailor came up the coast of California…a Conquistador so probably not THAT nice of a guy…and he mapped it and wrote about it but he MISSED San Francisco Bay because it was foggy.
And it was over a hundred years before another person, of course, outside of the indigenous people who lived there, found San Francisco Bay…and that was a group who walked overland. I can read that and BAM book.
I once picked up a mastodon tooth,in a children’s museum exhibit so it was allowed, and BAM a book. A whole book came to me through that tooth. I suppose that means my brain works funny, so it’s more than just an inclination to sit by myself makin’ stuff up.
But it’s odd behavior and I always enjoyed writing but I never really knew that about myself, that I’d get whole ideas unfolding in my head inspired by strange things. I started writing when I was about 40…maybe 38-ish. My baby went to kindergarten. I just decided to try it and I loved it. It’s been a consuming activity ever since.
What about you? Do you have strange things that just inspire you? Draw you in? Someone said they loved kneading bread. I know people who are such talented embroiderers or some needlework thing. I used to love crocheting and I haven’t picked up a crochet hook in years. I’d kinda like to try it again, but my sitting around time is booked.
Tell me about your special gifts or loves or work that just suits you down to the ground.
Every commenter gets their name in a drawing for a signed copy of Whispers of Fortune.
In bookstores NOW. Whispers of Fortune made the Parables Bestseller List. I’m excited.
In a land of gold and grit, can two hearts uncover the true treasure?
In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he discovers them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of ranch doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who’s kept a steady eye on Brody’s two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.
With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of those at the ranch.
Author of Romantic Comedy...with Cowboys including the bestselling Kincaid Brides Series
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules
Thanks for running the giveaway, Mary; the new book should be fun to read.
My husband and I were diagnosed with allergies and sensitivies back in the 80’s. Ever since, I’ve cooked mostly from scratch using honey and organic, whole grain ingredients. I’ve come to really enjoy the baking (which I’d enjoyed previously with sugar and commercial ingredients). It feels good to know that the foods I cook and bake improve our health as well as being tasty.
Besides feeding my reading addiction, I love to crochet! My favorite is crocheting blankets!
I have a rather odd collection. When I was 10, my Grandma took me to visit her brother; my great uncle. He introduced me to his daughter’s collection of “soap.” Her soap was in a curio he built. He told me to select a piece. I saw a huge red strawberry in a yellow basket with fake green straw. It was BEAUTIFUL! It even smelled like a strawberry. He let me have it to start my own collection. I’m now 62 and still have that strawberry, as well as hundreds of pieces of odd soap. One of my favorites is a huge Bayer Aspirin!
Ever sense learning to read, books have been a passion and sewing: creating fashion, quilts, etc.
I love any creative endeavor. I write (not yet published), paint, sew, crochet, cross-stitch, etc. And yes, I get writing ideas from everywhere including just random thoughts that cross my mind.
I love to cook and bake!
I love to figure out what old buildings use to be. We have a few in this city and one I’m still trying to figure out what is was before it was converted into condo’s and a house in front of them.
Good morning Mary! I admire those that write! I have thought of writing as many of us here might have thought to do. I’m not sure what stops us from doing so. Time? Money? The will to try? Or doubts we may not be good enough? See? It can go the other way Mary! LOL
Oh, my problem is I want to try everything, make everything, try it once! I have crocheted, knit, needlepoint, quilted, and my love of artwork. I grew up in a craftsy family on my mother’s side. She had 5 sisters and 3 brothers. 4 of those sisters were very talented. So, is my Mom. But, I wouldn’t say I was a master of anything. Except maybe my art. And it inspires me all the time. I just wished I had the time to devote to it again. Maybe one day!
Best wishes!
g
Thank you for the book giveaway!
Mary, I guess I’m like you. Random objects spark story ideas. I just hope I live long enough to write some of them. Writers look at things differently, don’t we?
Your old friend Kaybee
I love to cook and bake for family and friends. I love to read and can’t wait to read this book.
Congratulations. This does sound like another edge of the seat romance, etc. My brain works like yours, but it is more of with making cards and quilting/sewing. Now that my daughter is pregnant for the first time. my mind has been swirling. LOL And I could be looking at anything and boom an idea pops up.
I have really been enjoying word games now along with my reading. The book sounds so exciting.
What a wonderful gift you have to be able to touch or hear something and get an inspiration for a book. I don’t have the gift of writing, lol, never did even in high school. I love to crochet, used to knit, used to make clothing for myself, children and grandchildren and now I am into quilting. I made each of our grandchildren a king sized quilt when they graduated from high school. As I get older, it is harder to accomplish what I once could. My husband even told me, “I have noticed you aren’t as efficient as you once were”. lol Nothing like a little “pep talk”. Thanks for all your wonderful books. I hope you keep getting inspirations.
Not a writer, but a crafter. I see ribbons, silk flowers, signs, and immediately see them as wreaths or garlands.
I make them, give them as gifts or sell them to clients.
I was always a person who wondered about things…..
Once, when we were visiting a ghost town in Arizona, I saw a building that had a glass door knob on it. It had turned lavender from the constant sun shining on it. I wondered who had opened the door with it-a sheriff, a thief, an upstanding citizen of the town.
That lead me to a collection of old doorknobs. I have a crystal one, one that has turned lavender, a brass one, a porcelain one, a wooden one, and many others,
One I found in Missouri in the area of Jesse James home-Wonder if he touched that one?
Note: most doorknobs today are brass since germs do not cling to that metal.
Your book sounds really interesting
I love dragons, crystals, and crocheting.
Besides reading, I love to make my own cards and do embroidery. I used to crochet, but can’t do that anymore. I’m actually coloring cards today, as one has to go in the mail today.
I use to love piecing quilts and my sister would quilt them on her quilting machine but once she pasted away I haven’t wanted to piece a quilt again also having problems with arthritis so that doesn’t help either.
My sister and I refinish furniture together, we mostly get discarded furniture that nobody wants anymore because it’s usually broken. However we can see the potential of what it’ll look like once repaired and refinished.
I used to love knitting, but haven’t done it much in a few years.
I seem to be the memory for my family reminding people of birthdays deadlines, etc. I hope a lot of people register to vote and/or request absentee ballots Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
I have always enjoyed doing some type of detailed work or hobby. Genealogy has been such a fun and rewarding hobby as I head down various rabbit trails, some quite unproductive, and others a fun, positive surprise. It was very interesting to learn more of your writing history and experiences!
I love writing. Characters just come out of my head.
cooking
I used to do cross stitch and other needlework until my eyesight decreased.
all these comments are so interesting. The art of all the needlework, the baking, the collecting. I love reading them.
I make fudge at Christmas time and everyone in my family and friends look forward to “Pastor Elaine’s fudge”. It is time consuming, but it is something I really enjoy.
I love all your books and I think the Trouble in Texas series is my favorite.
I love to read and pick out material for quilting. I’ve always been good with preschoolers (retired from teaching preschoolers).
I thought about writing children’s books once upon a time but found out I wasn’t “creative” enough. Year and years later, I was walking through a Michael’s Craft Store and wandered into the silk flowers area. I just started picking up stem after stem that “looked’ good together. I have 2 beautiful arrangements in the house. A floor and a large side area table top one and a smaller table top one. I tried to make some money doing these but alas nope. I ended up giving a collection of them to a church for selling for their missionary work. I’d sharre photos if I could!
My husband’s a writer of spy novels & spends long periods of time outside outlining & writing his books. So, I totally understand.
Mary,
I am so glad you have a gift for story telling. I really enjoy your books. I would have to say I am a really good baker and I enjoy sharing what I bake with others.
Besides reading I love to sew and am currently enrolled in a quilting class. I recently donated two of my handmade quilts for my daughter to give to two friends of hers who lost their homes in the Altadena fires. I am hoping they will cherish them as I did.
Writing for fun and reading
I love to bake. There is just something about mixing ingredients together and creating something delicious that is so satisfying. Especially when I see the enjoyment on my family’s faces.
Cooking. When the pandemic started is when I got more into that.
I am an encourager. I always work to see the glass as half full. The Lord seems to lay on my heart what words to share with others. I work to be open to give those words to others. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I don’t know about talent, but volunteering and travel have always been things that I love, participate in, and am inspired by. I have always helped where needed and enjoy it. I was raised that no matter how little you had, there were people you could help. If nothing else, I could give them my time. I enjoy helping out. I spent 3 years in the Peace Corps, belonged to several community service agencies, help out at conventions & meetings I attend, have been a Red Cross volunteer in several service areas for almost 30 years.
I have always loved to travel. I enjoy history, science, archeology, and cultural studies. Those can all be explored and savored when traveling. There is just so much in the world to explore, study, learn, and enjoy.
Much of what I have done and seen would make for good stories, but they will have to be the ones that stay in my head and don’t get put to paper. I did start writing a book when I was in high school. I was several chapters in when my family found it. They spent an entire mealtime reading parts of it out loud, criticizing it, telling me how stupid it was and how stupid I was to think I could ever write a story. So I will continue to keep my stories created based on my adventures and imagination to myself. I have enjoyed them and that will be enough.
I love reading from non fiction including medical articles & professional books to historical fiction and mysteries… but I have to admit I’ve never picked something up, a tooth, and had a story even start to form in my mind! I am grateful that someone can do that because reading has been my recreation since I was a young child. Keep writing & I’ll keep reading.
I love to scrapbook my memories. I don’t know if my work will ever be appreciated by anyone but me, but that is not why I do it. I find that doing it is therapeutic for me. It is time for me to reminisce and distress. I love my books and enjoy looking through them.
I have a pretty big TBR pile. In my free time I read as much as possible, thanks for the chance!
Besides reading, I love to bake.