Be Kind to Yourself

Today I welcome romance author, Rebecca J. Clark. Rebecca’s second novel, Her One-Night Prince, is available now, and her next book, Deliver the Moon, releases in June.

Because it’s the new year and because I’m a personal trainer when I’m not writing, I’ve been doing a lot of talking and reading about goal-setting lately. I’m reading a fabulous book, PUSH by Chalene Johnson. She maintains that the best goals will be waylaid by negative self talk.

I think many of us spend far too much time every day saying mean things to ourselves. “You’re too fat.” “You’re too thin.” (Okay, I’ve never said THAT to myself). “You suck as a writer.” “You’ll never be able to finish this book.” Etc, etc.

Would you ever speak that way to your best friend? I don’t think so. Would you ever tolerate anyone speaking that way to your children or to you? I don’t think so. So why do you tolerate it from yourself?

Why Do I Write?

Today my guest is author Randy Rawls. I met Randy and his trademark cowboy hat when I attended my first SleuthFest in Florida many years ago. I'm delighted to have him here at Terry's Place, sharing why he writes. Welcome, Randy.

(And it's my day at The Blood-Red Pencil, so while Randy's holding down the fort here, pop over and see what I have to say about the Rule of Three.)

Why do I write? I've had people ask me that since I began some fifteen-plus years ago. Most of them see the list of books I've had published and think I'm rolling in dough. Ha! The joke's on them. Sure, I've had good sales along the way, especially when you consider that each of them was published by an independent (small) publisher. But show a profit — no way. I've spent far more in promotion and travel than I've ever made.

So why do I write? It's a hobby, yes, but so is reading. And reading is a lot less frustrating. I used to be an avid golfer. Several times a week, I was on the course — after work and weekends — banging that little white ball around. But I gave it up. Tennis was another sport I enjoyed. Played a better game than my golf, but I let it slip away, too. Many other hobbies have come and gone: coaching, photography, bridge, small stakes poker, gardening, etc. But reading has stuck with me through each of those, and writing has hung around longer than the others.

So why do I write? Oh, like many others, I suppose there is that dream of fame and fortune, a book tour where I sit on the sets of all the big TV shows and discuss one of my books. Of picking up a newspaper or a magazine and seeing a starred review of my story. Of hosting a signing and having the room full of people, perhaps even overflowing. Of signing my name on the title page until my hand begins to cramp. Of seeing my characters converted to the big screen or the small screen. Of getting a royalty check that causes me to consider that special car I've always coveted. Yeah, all those things would be ever so wonderful, but, as we say down south, ain't gonna happen.

A Change of Place

What I'm reading: Thread of Fear, by Laura Griffin

And thanks to Elspeth for that wonderful creative post yesterday!

If you want a little more about NOWHERE TO HIDE, I'm a guest at Liana Laverentz's "Life is a Journey" today. Colleen showed up, too.

And, I notice that as of the time of writing this, I have 196 people following Terry's Place through Google. I can't believe I'm almost at 200. When I get there, we'll have to have a party! Tell your friends. Meanwhile, don't forget my contest.

Speaking of my contest—what do you think of the new blog layout? Feedback appreciated. Do you like the tabs rather than all the information on the sidebar? I'll confess to spending too much time trying to figure out how to add those tabs and pages, so my original plans to give you a 'tour' of my new office didn't pan out.

Wake Up Out There

Today I welcome aspiring mystery author Randall LaBranche, who has some good advice for all of us, whether it relates to writing or not. I met Randall at the Y, where he wouldn't let me get away with cheating on the upper body machine I hated. But he would chat while I biked, which kept my mind off the workout tedium.


Thanks to Terry for giving me the opportunity to contribute an article to Terry’s Place. As much as I have pestered her on the recumbent bike at the Y, I’m surprised she even talks to me anymore!

In November, I hopped on a plane to warm Scottsdale Arizona, not once thinking how this ONE particular voyage would be the start of a three-day wake-up call. It all started out normal enough, a team development program with a medical technology firm on Friday, grab a quick puddle jumper to connect with my wife at the San Diego airport on Friday night and hang with my twin brother until Sunday. A little work, a little play, a little life transformation.


It all started with a unique team program involving a collection of about 150 corporate sales reps, some team building and a handful of incredible kids. The design of the session was a half-day of team activities that culminated with groups constructing 15 bicycles as the final goal. One thing that the participants DIDN’T know was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) would be accepting the bikes to give to deserving children in the community.

Did I mention the participants also had no idea any kids would be there?