Milestones and Mindfulness

Yesterday, as the day wound down, I reflected on where I am with this whole… “Hey, I’m gonna write a novel.”…thing.

And for the first time since starting this journey, my heart swelled large enough to trigger unforeseen tears. I felt a sense of pride. A sense of success. And a cathartic wave of accomplishment.

This past weekend, Beyond the Masks was sent to the editor for the final edit package. The story (itself) is finally complete. What does this mean?

Well, it isn’t ready for a release just yet. But when I sent off the manuscript to my editor in January, I thought it was complete, the main parts of the story that is. But this was editing round number one. Developmental Edits. These edits pinpoint glaring changes and suggestions that will aid in telling the right story. To tell the story the way the characters want you to.

But when I hit send on that email, somewhere deep inside I knew the story was incomplete. It felt like when you leave the house and say, “Am I forgetting something?” That agitation nagged me. But I had taken Shane, Jacob and Gavin’s story as far as I could at that time.

When I received the edit package back, the notes and conversations I had with my editor opened so many locked doors. She guided me to where these characters were actually heading. She said, “I just gave you the key, you’re the one who unlocked and opened the door.” But without her key, I would not have found the path to a powerful story.

With that said, as I drove home last night a feeling of joy overwhelmed me. Never have I stopped to smell the roses in order to enjoy the process of something. You see, I’m a sprinter not a long distance runner. And in learning to pace myself I have become mindful of the small successes. Enjoying the mile markers is almost better than the end game. Remembering how you got there makes the finish line so much sweeter.

So here’s to the next “chapter” of Beyond the Masks and this “I’m gonna write a novel.”…thing.  Because it has taught me so much more about myself, where I’m headed and the impossible things I can achieve.

Coming Soon 2017…

Much Love~

NFG

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Seven Weeks in Heaven, Episode One: The Set Up (Part One)

***Disclaimer*** This is a free write story conjured up as I go (or at least as the characters tell me what's next). Therefore the story is UNEDITED by a professional, only self edited. Also this is made to enjoy over time as each episode is released.***End***

Story Synopsis/Blurb

Charlotte Kline is a high maintenance glamour girl without a penny to her name. The creditors are knocking down her door unless she finds a way to pay them. That is until an opportunity to become a reality television star falls into her lap. This could be her ticket to stardom and to financial freedom! The catch? Pretend to fall in love with whomever she is matched up with...

Harris Miller is destined to be a "life-long" bachelor at the ripe age of twenty-seven.  His mother refuses to pay his way any longer unless he finds a wife. Sparks fly when he's paired up with Charlotte on the realty television show, "Seven Weeks in Heaven". He has only a matter of weeks to convince her to marry him. For his sake of course...

Will Charlotte be able to tolerate Harris' brash, no-nonsense tendencies in order to claim her winnings? And will Harris convince Charlotte he is the man for her?


ENJOY!
XOXO ~ NFG

Seven Weeks in Heaven

Episode One

The Set Up 

Part One:

            “Come on, Jonah. I need the cash.”

            He peered over the refrigerator door. The milk carton hovering from its spot on the shelf as he held it. “Why now, Char?”

            Disappointment interwoven with skepticism colored his handsome face. The same look her parents gave when she messed up. And now her best friend wore it. She shrunk a little inside.

            “I just do,” she whined.

            “Creditors coming after you again?  The spending is out of control.” The refrigerator rattled as he slammed it shut. “I guess I won’t be seeing the rent again this month.”

            She forced a counterfeit smile to sway him. 

            “I’m gay, Charlotte. That shit doesn’t work on me.” He leaned back on the counter crossing his feet at the ankles. “This is becoming a serious addiction. And you need a job. Structure would do you good.” His hazel eyes displayed a level of concern she’d never witnessed.

            Her eyes fell to the peep-toe Louboutins adorning her manicured feet. He wasn’t wrong in his remark but she couldn’t give up the lifestyle. It was a full time job. Calling it an addiction insulted her hard work. People have said she’s fashion forward, strikingly beautiful and always ahead of the trends. She was fabulous and believed it.

            “I’m structurally unemployed.” That earned her a weak smile. “Please say you’ll help me?”

            “So you can continue doing what you’re doing?”

            “No, silly. To get you the money you need and to get the debt collectors off my back.”

            “And to make you famous?” he asked rhetorically.

            “Well, duh.” She twirled her long hair in her fingers imagining her dream coming true.

            Jonah produced the reality television show Seven Weeks in Heaven. He took the experience of reality-based programming to a new level. She thought of it as Survivor meets the Bachelorette with a healthy dose of Big Brother. Couples are matched, fall in love and America votes who stays. The winners walk away with a hefty check and sweet social media victory. Win. Win.

            She touched his muscular bicep and leaned into him. “Okay. Look. Help me get a clean slate and I promise to look into my–“ She waved her hands at him.

            “Addiction,” he said dryly.

            “Yeah. That.” She paused, guilt plaguing her insides.

            With her pouty face in full force she said, “You know I’d make a perfect addition to the show. Besides, you’re the one that gets to pair me up with the lucky guy. A guaranteed win for all.”

            “Are you sure you can make it believable?” His messy curls flopped over his forehead as a hand ran through them.

            She crossed her arms. “Feigning love for a juicy payout? Do you know how I work?” She didn’t have a designer wardrobe all on credit.

            He scratched the tight beard on his face. “You are the perfect concoction of crazy and high maintenance.” He exhaled. “I feel bad for the poor sucker.”

            She bounced up and down as excitement surged through her. “You won’t regret it!”

TO BE CONTINUED....

2017 Goals, Beyond the Masks Update and a Little Fun...

**Yawns while stretching muscles**

What a day!  What a year!  So much planning over the last two days as we embark on a fresh start.  Feels great right?

I have been in the writing cave (which is totally and somewhat redone, or at least organized), slaving over a hot keyboard to plan for this amazing year to come.  I feel like I was in training during 2016, just to come over the mountain and run toward my destination(s).

Fun agenda this year:

1. Half Marathon!
1. You betcha.  I am one crazy son of a be-otch to even consider doing this. But alas, my friend twisted my arm and here I go!  My new running shoes are sleek and are breaking in nicely.  This Boss Babe will be training from now till May!
2. HAWAII!
1. What?  This is the year of the bucket list!  My mother (love her so much....muah) and I are traveling to the beautiful islands of Maui and Kauai for a total of 10 days in paradise.  2016 made me realize I needed to get off my ass and get sh$t done. And while I am doing that I am going to relax as well ;) Can you say - BIKINI BODY?
3. New Years Eve 2017 - In NEW YORK CITY
1. Ahem....too soon to think about next new years? I don't think so. This has been a life long dream to see the ball drop. But no worries, I refuse to wear Depends and struggle to breathe amongst the people in the 'cage'. I will simply stroll by to catch a glimpse then scurry back to the hotel suite to par-tay down.

Business Agenda:

Well, not all business when there is so much joy that revolves around the writing part. The major part of this being "Business" is catching you up on the comings and goings of this little gal. ;)

• Beyond the Masks
• The debut Novel (by yours truly) will be releasing this year. When? Unclear at this point.  My editor will be receiving it this week (EEK) **Side note...she is marvelous and wicked smart and knows the Erotic romance genre like the back of her hand. I am THRILLED to be working with her. **
• After we reconvene later in the month, I may have a clearer picture on timeline. I'm trying to refrain from putting out an arbitrary month until I know more. Trust me its hard...The bull in me wants it done, but good art takes time, so I will live this mantra daily. -----> "PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE" Whispers: And I don't have it.. :)
• Next Book?
• Here's a little peek into the Beyond the Masks: It is a LOVE TRIANGLE. It's messy and oh so beautiful!  Therefore our heroine, Shane Vaughn, will be hard-pressed to choose an alpha hero at the end of this book...What does that mean? The other hero will be without a love. And therefore the will receive his own story. **dances in chair** 
• No sneeky-cliffhangers in the first book---> all will be revealed. *Shifty eyes*
• The second book will be a continuation, if you will. In total, this will be one steamy duet about betrayal, music, and love.
• Writing fun?
• As a new writer I am on a quest to practice, practice, practice.  Just like the muscles in your body, your brain needs exercise too!  I want to keep pushing my mental limits and honing my craft as you follow me along this new found passion.
• What does that mean, you ask?
• I am kicking around an idea on releasing UNEDITED scenes on a novella that's stewing in my brain. The first "Episode" of Seven Weeks in Heaven (we'll call it that) - will be out tomorrow. Right here. On this little blog thingy. See bad ass picture below to tantalize your eyeballs.
• What else for 2017 and into 2018?
• In my "BOOKS to write" file sits THREE series, all in skeleton plots, in addition to this duet with Beyond the Masks. In total I have about 10 total books (singular) to write over the next 2+ years. Too soon to even consider timeline for it all. After all I am a loving wife and mother to a particularly needy pup, Griswold. In addition to working full time. **Exhales** Alas, it will come in time. There is the PATIENCE thing again. Ugh...

To wrap up, one thing (if not MANY) I have learned is planning is the key my lovelies! As much as I loathe planning and running life on a schedule...my mind craves structure. It is hard to be a "Creative" and still desire structure. Either that or I spin my wheels shaking in a corner mumbling obscenities. *Just Kidding* 

In the end I hope to stick to the outline of my plan for this year. And as the good man Gideon Cross says, "Revisit and Revise" if need be. 

Much love!

NFG

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