What to do…

Usually, I’m a voracious reader. I normally go through several books a month, take a trip to the bookstore and load up again, only to read them and hunt for more. Generally, I post reviews on the books I read…especially if I find them to be exceptional reads or terribly boring!

Lately, this has not been the case. Friends have given me books to read for the past several months, and I’ve bought numerous ones that have piqued my interest. They sit on my To Be Read shelf in my personal library. In fact, that shelf has grown to two and has spilled out onto the floor. I cannot get motivated to read!

Now, I have been top heavy with releases this year, which has taken my time away from many other things. However, if I pick up a book to read, I set it back down.

Has this ever happened to you? What do you do about it? Is it a sit and wait kind of thing? I need to snap out of it soon or else stop buying books!

In other news, Eternal Press had a launch day party yesterday. I was unable to attend due to business commitments, but I read all about it and must confess I feel left out! By all accounts, it was an excellent launch!

That Taste of Orange launches November 7th and with it being a Saturday, I will most definitely clear the calendar so I can attend as long as possible and tell folks about my new release. I hope you’ll join me and the other marvelous EP writers!

Bookstrand releases books weekly, and some of them sound like superb reads! Honor Thy Neighbor was released September 15th, and I’m anxiously awaiting reviews! Hope they come flying in soon.

A writer friend of mine is planning on submitting his first manuscript. I’m so excited! He’s primarily a writer of non-fiction–and he’s a cancer survivor. Why am I telling you the last part? Because the book he’s getting ready to submit is a personal journal about his experience from start to surviving!

I always get so excited when a writer friend tells me s/he has reached the point of submitting their work. Don’t you remember your first submission…and the ensuing crushing weight of that first rejection letter? Regardless, embarking on a new beginning is always a great time in your life. I wish my friend much success, and have offered to help in any way I can. I look forward to announcing his acceptance right here on The Write Time & Place and even featuring his book on the Cover Corner!

Welp, leave me a comment or drop me a line and tell me how you kick the reading doldrums! I’m counting on you!

Until next time…happy writing!

Valerie

On Changes…

Being from southwestern Pennsylvania has its advantages.  We have four–count ‘em FOUR–very distinct seasons.  As an author, my creativity is stimulated by each changing season.  I love the beauty of nature no matter the time of year.  Here, my surroundings are preparing for that fabulous burst of color known as Autumn.

We have a screened in living space in which I spend a lot of time from late spring to early fall.  I have a fabulous swing that I usually put a writing table in front of, load up my laptop and a beverage of choice, and sit there and write.  Many times, I just sit and look around me.  A range of large hills–slightly too small to be called mountains–is directly across from me in a distance, but close enough to see the foliage changing color.  It’s spectacular in the Autumn, incredible in the winter during and directly after a snow fall, and breathtaking in the spring.  During the summer it’s…well…green.  A set of train tracks runs through it.  The whole setting is far enough away that when the train chugs by, it always looks like a miniature train set.

Currently, I notice that our cool evenings and hot, humid days are beginning to cause that chemical change in the trees and leaves are starting to show signs of color change.  I’m excited about that because I’ve been needing a creative charge.  I have the next book in the Myerson Mystery series written, but I need to get motivated to edit it and submit.  Thankfully, my friend Jay–also a writer–has graciously offered to help me with that.  But in order to begin sending him chapters, I need to go through them, make one more pass through and revise where necessary.  Then he’ll go through, add his comments and edit suggestions, and pass it back.

I was very fortunate to have his help with Honor Thy Neighbor.  And I greatly appreciate that.  Thanks, Jay!

I’m looking forward to Autumn so that I can get creatively recharged and get cracking on this manuscript.  Otherwise, readers might cool on the series and I can’t allow that to happen!

What’s your favorite time of the year?

Have a great Thursday!

The Reviews are in!

Her Last was reviewed by SeriouslyReviewed! and it scored excellently!  9 of 10 for presentation and 8 of 10 for story.  Check out the review and leave a comment!

Her Last Review

In other news, I’m a new aunt today!  Brendan Charles was born at 11:12 PM 7/8/09.  He was 7 lbs 12.8 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches long.  All reports are that he’s absolutely gorgeous!  Since I live 130 miles away, I have not had the joy and pleasure of seeing his beautiful little face yet!  Mommy and baby are great and sure to come home soon!

In still other news, a fellow author disclosed her newly diagnosed cancer.  She has such a strong, positive attitude.  I admire that.  My thoughts and prayers are with her as she mounts a battle against the cancer in her body.

Lives are short.  Our time here is never guaranteed.  I hope you all live it accordingly!

Here I am…now what?

So, I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a blog or not…I decided to jump in with both, uhm, hands! I’m not sure I’m set yet on the appearance, but I figured it was a place to start.

I’m Valerie J. Patterson and I’m an author. Currently, I have three novels on the market. If you click on the Already on the shelf page, you’ll be transported to a page showcasing those books and where they can be purchased. Hopefully–if I can pull it all together–I’ll add an excerpt and a review or two for each book.

Click on New Releases to see what’s coming up, take a gander at new cover art, and read an excerpt.

I figure the more I get the hang of this, the better at the whole designing thing I’ll be and I can add pages as I need them.

So, if you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ll stick around and come back. Maybe lead a few others here with you!

Don’t forget to leave a comment when the mood strikes you. I’d love to hear from you!