Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The Writer’s Almanac says it’s “the feast day of Patrick, a Christian missionary and one of the patron saints of Ireland. Patrick was born in Roman Britain around the year 387; he was captured by raiders and taken to Ireland when he was 16. Patrick worked as a herdsman for six years before escaping and making his way back to his family. He followed his father and grandfather into the church and at some point returned to Ireland as a missionary. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, but it is celebrated around the world. In the United States, countless cities have their own parades and festivities. Chicagoans dye their river green every March 17th, and New York City’s parade attracts more than 2 million spectators. St. Patrick’s Day is a Christian festival celebrated by the Catholic Church, and it always occurs during Lent. When St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday, certain bishops grant a release from the traditional Lent Friday no-meat observance. This release is called the “corned-beef indult.”

I’ll be donning green and cooking up a big pot of corned-beef and cabbage. How do you celebrate St. Patty’s Day?

A while back  I watched the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, starting Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. It’s about a couple who dates for two years, breaks up and ultimately employs a firm to erase all memories of their relationship.

It was fascinating to consider the concept and it got me thinking about past relationships with friends, family members and exes. Oh, and certain times in my life when I wasn’t at my most stellar.

After considering the good, the bad and the butt ugly, I don’t think I’d ever  completely wipe out memories of anyone I’ve encountered in my life. Maybe I’d forget some of the getups I wore in the ‘80s or some of the what-was-I-thinking hairstyles or some of life’s moore embarrassing moments. Although, I seem to be good at expelling those from my memory on my own since I know they happened, but I can’t quite remember… Anyway, if you can’t remember, did it really happen?

So, embarrassing moments, YES! But memories of people? Nope. I wouldn’t do away with a single memory of anyone I’ve ever met.

How about you? If given the opportunity, would you erase any memories from your past? I have a special prize for someone who posts.

Since we’ve been talking about New Year’s resolutions, I’ll continue with that theme. I made my list as I do each year. One of the things I’m focusing on this year is gratitude.

I’ve found that when I stop and count my blessings amazing things happen.  I read something recently that suggested when you’re feeling blue, stressed or otherwise out of sorts, if you’ll take a moment and write down five things for which you are grateful you’ll feel better. It’s an instant attitude makeover.  

Here’s a peek at some of the things in my gratitude journal:

I’m grateful for my family and for the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make each of us individuals.

I’m grateful that I’m a writer. It’s not always easy (especially at times like now when I’m working toward a February 1 deadline, and I’m having to say no to a lot of things I’d like to do… but that’s okay…there’s nothing like the feeling of typing THE END at the end of a writing marathon.)

I’m grateful for my critique partners and the people who read and contribute to the Quills blog. As a writer, sometimes it feels as if I’m creating in a vacuum. It’s so wonderful to connect with other writers and readers.

I’m grateful for my animals – my old cat and my hyperactive dog who torments the old cat… they hiss and growl at each other all the time and several times a day I find myself yelling at them like a parent yelling at fighting children… but they make me smile and their unconditional love is balm for the soul.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience each new day. Lately, I keep running across quotes that reinforce this thought: “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” ~ Rose Tremain; and “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” ~ John Lennon.  It’s made me very aware that each new day is a gift. I’m trying my hardest to live accordingly.

I hope you’ll take a minute and take inventory of what you’re grateful for.  If you do, would you please share it with us here?

Congratulations to Kris and Karyn! You are the winners of Christyne Butler’s give away! Please e-mail her at christynebutler@hotmail.com and she will give you instructions on how to claim your prize.

Hello Jaunties and thanks so much for inviting me to blog with you!

I’ve been scratching my head trying to think of something inspiring for my first blog with the Sisterhood. Thankfully, a lovely email from a fan arrived in my inbox and provided the answer.

Arriving back in Colorado late last night after 20 hours sitting on planes, waiting around airports and standing in interminable security lines with people coughing on me, it would be fair to say I was feel like complete… er… well I’m sure you can supply your own word there, so I won’t say it.

I switched on my laptop to send the kids a quick email to let them know we’d arrived safely and there, sitting in my inbox was something that lifted my spirits and sent me to bed with a big smile on my face.

 During the long 20 years it took to achieve publication, I imagined all sorts of things happening, but not once did I think about fan mail. These cheering missives seem to arrive just when I need a boost, whether because I’ve just had a lousy day, or worse still, have been staring at my screen, reading my latest ms and wondering why on Earth I imagined I could write.

A dreadful guilt grips my chest thinking about how much I’ve let down my editor and anyone else who’s believed in me because I’ve lost my mojo forever and basically wasted 20 years of my life working towards a career that crashes and burns before I’ve even completed my first series for Harlequin American about the magnificent O’Malley Men.

And then in pops an email from someone saying they’re delighted to have discovered me, or professing to love my stories, my quirky characters, thanking me for tackling a topic that’s dear to their hearts, or having them sitting on their seats at the climax and wanting to know when my next story is coming out.

Wow! Heady stuff and so welcome, so appreciated that I can’t help but write back straight away to thank them. These emails are lifesavers that I treasure. I should frame them and mount them on the wall to look at when I’m feeling down or doubting myself.

 I wonder if other authors get the same buzz from receiving fan mail? I’ll bet the senders have no idea what a difference they make in our daily lives.

 So thank you every last wonderful person who has taken the time to write or email an author and tell us you love our stories. You may love what we write, but we love what you write just as much!

 I’m giving away three copies of my latest in the O’Malley Men series, “Colorado Cowboy” to three commenters who tell me what makes their day.

 Oh and before I sign off, I wanted to s hare a late Christmas greeting to all that’s sure to put a smile on your face. The Nativity in the Digital Age – hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk

The other night my daughter and I were out for dinner and I was talking about my current work in progress, describing my hero and heroine with all their imperfections and successes (otherwise known as back story) which lead to talk of their friends, families, careers, homes, the town they live in. 

Yes, I’m sure I was babbling, waving my fork like a seasoned orchestral conductor when my daughter raised a hand to stop my endless chatter and said, “You do realize none of this is real, right mom?”

To which I replied, “Of course, dear, but one of the fun things about being a writer is creating my own little world and controlling everything in it.”

She smiled.  “Sort of like being a mother?”

“Yes, honey…or a dictator.”

“Same thing,” she shot back.

My kid is so smart.

And since I only had the privilege of naming another human being once in my life, one of the coolest things about creating new characters for my books is bestowing on them a moniker that reflects their personality, maybe gives a hint of their view on the world or simply, as it’s allowed by me as the author, to honor someone important to me.

In my books you’ll find names from my family. For example, Maggie Stevens, the heroine in my first book, THE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE, shares her full name, Margaret, with my eldest sister.  Sandy Steele, the mother the hero in my second book, THE SHERIFF’S SECRET WIFE is named as my mother, and my step granddaughter, Kali, shares her name with my fictional town’s veterinarian.

I’m also a big Hollywood fan and the hero in THE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE, Landon Cartwright, got his name by combining the last names  the actor Michael Landon and his cowboy character, Little Joe Cartwright.  Something members of the Bonanza Fan Club picked up on right away!  And then there are characters that needed a title that reflected their personalities, like my heroine and hero in THE SHERIFF’S SECRET WIFE, Racy Dillon (she certainly lives up to her first name!) and Gage Steele, (I was looking for a name with strength to it!)

In my latest release, A DADDY FOR JACOBY, there is seven-year-old boy who, at the opening of the story, hasn’t had the happiest life. Of course, that’s all going to change for him once he meets the hero, who happens to be his daddy.  Still, I wanted him to have a very special name as having such a young person play such an important part in a story was a first for me.  So I went back to list of favorites and pulled out a name that just makes my heart flutter.

Jacoby.

As in Jacoby Ellsbury, outfielder for my beloved Boston Red Sox.

Now, I’ve been a fan of this baseball team since my family moved to New England back when I was in elementary school and while I adore the entire team for their skill and grace in playing American’s favorite pastime, I do tend to latch onto one favorite player. 

First there was all-star catcher, Carlton Fisk back in my junior high days (love this image of him waving a ball to stay in fair territory for a home run that won the game!) and much later Nomar Garciaparra, whose antics while standing at the plate can never be duplicated.  And after a drought of three years (I refused to pick another favorite after Nomar was traded!) until Jacoby arrived on the scene and it’s been a love affair ever since!

So I named my little boy in A DADDY FOR JACOBY after my favorite baseball player (here’s hoping it’s a good omen for a great 2011 season!) and I was thrilled when I got to keep my title as it has his name in it too!

So, how about you all? Any special stories connected to the important names in your life — be it your own or a child’s? Share with us and I’ll pick two names to receive goodies including a copy of A DADDY FOR JACOBY!

Oh, and a side note about that one human I was allowed to name?

I called my little bundle ‘Alex’ during the entire pregnancy because “Family Ties” was a popular television show at the time and “Alex P. Keaton” was my favorite character. I figured if I had a boy we were all set and if it was a girl, her full name would be Alexandria but we’d still call her Alex. But of course on the day she was born I changed my mind and named my daughter Cagney, after my all time favorite movie star, James Cagney. A name that fits her quite well…although I do see a bit of ‘Alex’ in her from time to time!

This song has been stuck in my head for days. Not just because it was featured on Glee’s holiday extravaganza, but because… it’s COLD outside! As I write this, it’s 35 degrees. It’s supposed to slide down into the 20s before dawn. The paper said it hasn’t been this cold in Central Florida in 21 years.

Like most thin-blooded Floridians, I freeze when the mercury dips below 60. Since the warmest jacket I own is a hip-length pea coat, to keep my teeth from chattering, I’ll pile on as many layers of clothing as I can – despite looking like the Michelin Man’s bag lady cousin. 

Even if my fashion sense goes out the window at the first hint of an arctic blast, I love little snaps of winter. So does my hair, which usually makes obscene gestures, protesting the Sunshine State’s heat and humidity. When it’s cold, my hair relaxes and behaves itself for a welcomed change. The cold even inspired me to finish my Christmas shopping early.  I could easily change my tune to Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! Believe it or not, Florida had flurries back in 1989. My car doors froze shut that December.  It was a novelty that my family still talks about…21 years later.

Keeping with the spirit of our record lows, here’s a link to a list of the coldest cities in the USA:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2423/1/?redirectURL=http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries

That slide show presents some serious c-c-c-c-c-c-cold and makes me realize what a baby I am when it comes to Jack Frost’s kiss!  It’s dropped two more degrees since I started writing this post.  I’m about ready to go turn up the heat (I can’t fathom what below zero temps feel like).  How about you? Do you like hot weather or cold?  How do you make the best of the winter weather? What do you do to warm yourself up from the inside out?

My friends  and husband  know that I’ve had a long-time crush on Rob Thomas, lead singer of Matchbox Twenty. He and his band got their start in my home town, and I’ve always been fascinated by him ( The guy’s a poet… and not at all hard on the eyes.)  I’ve had the opportunity to meet him twice – well, the first time was iffy, but it was a chance nonetheless: our very own Katherine Garbera had a Rob sighting in the mall – in my favorite store, Anthropologie, to be exact. She called me and told me to hightail it down there.  It was tempting, but when it came right down to it, I couldn’t do it.  Although, occasionally, I do ask: “Kathy, tell me the story about that one time when you saw Rob Thomas …” and Anthro is now forever known as “The Rob Thomas Store.”  

My husband presented the second opportunity (what a sweetheart, right??). He manages a concert venue in our area. The last time Rob Thomas played at the arena, he did a fan meet and greet. All I had to do was arrive a little early and I’d be standing face-to-face with the celebrity of my dreams.

Call me crazy, but again, I passed.

Before you start questioning the depth of my Rob-fanatude, let me explain. The reason for my reticence is twofold: first, the mall sighting had me pondering what I’d say to Rob if I rushed out and actually caught him. Umm… It conjured images of a dog chasing and catching a car. Holy cow, now what? What would I say to him as I cornered him in the food court? I’d probably laugh like Bevis and Butthead and utter something really stupid like, “Huhuhuhuh. I like you. Huhuhuhuh.”

It makes me cringe just thinking about it.

This brings me to part two of my meet-a-hero-aversion. Rob is human. He may or may not live up to the fantasy I’ve built in my romance writer’s imagination. My husband, in his job, sees stars at their best and worst (for the record, he is completely UNstar-struck, which makes him perfect for his job). I’ve heard the good the bad and the downright ugly about how stars and athletes act on occasion. I’ve heard too many heroes-gone-bad horror stories that it makes me protective of my Rob fantasy.

Stars are people. They’re human. They have their good days and their bad days and sometimes (according to my husband) some very weird quirks.  For example, one well-known star actually had it in his contract with the venue that all people going backstage were to avert their eyes as he passed (for the record, it wasn’t Rob). Avert eyes? Really?  

A female recording artist ripped a stagehand (who also happened to be a huge fan) up one side and down the other for having the audacity to sit in on her sound check. Apparently it was a closed rehearsal and he didn’t get the memo. Was she just having a bad day? Or was she a diva? It doesn’t matter because Mr. Stagehand has changed his name to Mr. Former Fan and swears he will never buy another one of her CDs. Fantasy crushed.

According to my hubby, a very famous rock and roll band will not even speak to each other backstage. That kind of ruined the magic for me because when they took the stage. I was more focused on whether they were interacting or not. Was the funny look on the bass player’s face a sneer at the guitarist or just indigestion?

Now, giving equal time to “the good,” I will forever be a fan of Tim McGraw because he was nice to my daughter when we met him by chance. The same goes for Garth Brooks; I heard a heartwarming story about how before a show he called all the ushers together and personally thanked them for their service. He said, without them his shows would not run as smoothly. Aww, shucks! Score two for the country boys. Did we happen to catch them on good days? I’m sure they have their moods, too, but they will forever live in my mind as the cowboys in the white hats.

 So, good days vs. bad days;  or good people vs. nasty people… Whatever the case, I don’t care to put Rob to the test.  Of course the Rob in my mind would rise above his pedestal, but still… Maybe someday.

In the meantime, however, I might have an opportunity to meet another semi-famous person I admire. Do you remember that post I did back in September about the Fly Lady, Marla Cilley? The one with the system that makes your life less chaotic and your house constantly clean? Come to find out, Marla lives near my parents. When my dad learned I’m a fan, he became determined to introduce me to her when we visit for Christmas.

Thinking about talking to the Fly Lady doesn’t render me nearly as dumb as contemplating talking to Rob, but still, my gut reaction is, “No, I don’t want to bother her….” If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll probably go through with it. If I do, I’ll have her sign my dog-eared copy of her book, Sink Reflections. I would certainly be flattered if someone wanted me to sign a well-loved copy of one of my books… I’ll let you know what happens after the holidays are over.

In the meantime, how do you feel about meeting your idols? If you were given the chance to meet your celebrity crush, would you grab the chance or run the other direction as so not to spoil the illusion? 

 And Kathy… tell me the story about that one time when you saw Rob Thomas … 

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ACCIDENTAL HEIRESS – by Nancy Robards Thompson

November 2010 – Silhouette Special Edition

RT Book Club Magazine gives it 4 1/2 stars and says:

“A poignant story about two people who are destined for each other…”

Hey, Karyn Gerrard,  Chey, and Mary M !!  Thanks so much for taking the time to play “Firsts” today. I loved all your answers. So… you’re ALL winners. Please drop me a line at NRobardsThompson@yahoo.com – and include your full name and snail mail address. I’ll send each of you a book and another surprise.

Recently, a friend sent me one of those “participation e-mails” that makes the rounds. It was kind of fun, and I’d love to know about some of your “Firsts”… Please play along by answering the questions and posting them below. I’ll have a special prize for one of today’s lucky posters!  

1. What was your FIRST job?

Robinson’s Department Store. I was a ‘flyer,’ who filled in where they needed me.

2. What was your FIRST car?

 A ‘70s yellow VW Bug. It had no AC and a faulty clutch that I had to keep reconnecting, but I loved it because my friends called it the “Yellow Submarine” and I finally had wheels!

3. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?

Sadly, no. I haven’t seen him in ages.

4. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?

My Dad loves to tell the story of when I was two and I upended my mother’s champagne glass when they were doing a tasting at G.H. Mumm Champagne in France. I suppose that would account for my love of bubbly!

5. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?

Mrs. Jung at Stapelton School in Joplin, Mo.

6. Where did you go on your FIRST ride in an airplane?

I can’t remember, but it was probably to France. We moved there when I was a baby. Moved to the UK and then returned to the states when I was about five or so.

7. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?

Rodney Simpkins – we lived next door to each other. I’m sad to say I haven’t seen him in years.

8. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?

Got up, fell out of bed, I dragged a comb across my head… Oh, wait, that’s a Beatles tune. I showered, brushed my teeth, made a cup of tea and then turned on the computer.

9. FIRST tattoo?

From a crackerjack box

10. FIRST piercing?

Ears – I was probably in 6th grade or so…

11. FIRST foreign country you went to?

France

12.  When was your FIRST school detention?

I only had detention once. I’m the type who gets caught when I’m simply contemplating wrong-doing… I was a junior in high school and I skipped a class. A friend and I decided to go to the library rather than to American History. The next day when the office called me down to account for my whereabouts, stupidly, I said I’d forgotten something important and had to run home. I got double detention for “leaving campus.”  See I always get caught and the lie just made it worse!! Can you say, ‘Karma’? I never skipped again.

13. If you had one wish, what would your FIRST wish be?

To have more wishes, of course!

14. Did you marry the FIRST person who asked for your hand in marriage?

Nope.

15. What was the FIRST sport that you were involved in?

Basketball! Played it very badly when I was 14! I got elbowed in the eye and decided I was more the writerly type rather than the sporty girl.

16. What were the FIRST lessons you ever took?

Ballet… my unrequited love. I’ve always been a ballerina at heart. <sigh>

17. What is your FIRST memory?

I remember playing in the sandbox in the back yard of our house in England. Though, truthfully, I’m not sure if I actually remember it or if I’m conjuring it from old photos and stories my parents told me.

18. What is the FIRST thing you do when you get home?

Take off my jewelry! For some reason, I have to undecorate myself when I get home.

19. FIRST published book?

REINVENTING OLIVIA – 2003

20. FIRST published book to be nominated for an award?

ACCIDENTAL FATHER (July 2010) has been nominated for a Reviewers Choice for Best Special Edition by RT Book Club Magazine!! I’m pretty excited!  

Now it’s your turn! I’ll post today’s winner early tomorrow morning.

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ACCIDENTAL HEIRESS – by Nancy Robards Thompson

November 2010 – Silhouetter Special Edition

RT Book Club Magazine gives it 4 1/2 stars and says:

“A poignant story about two people who are destined for each other…”