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The Write Way: Self-Care for Romance Authors

red roses close up photography — Photo by picjumbo.com on Pexels.com

As a romance author, I truly understand the demands and pressures that come with the craft. Writing all these captivating love stories (and sex scenes if you’re spicy!) requires immense creativity, emotional investment, dedication as well as perseverance. Lots of perseverance. However, amidst the chaos of deadlines and plot twists, it’s crucial for us romance authors to prioritize self-care. In this blog post, I’m going to talk about the importance of self-care for romance authors and look at some ways to incorporate it into our writing routines.

The Heart of Self-Care for Romance Authors

As romance authors, we pour our passion into every page and to entertain and excite our readers. But such an investment can drain our own hearts if we don’t prioritize self-care. When we do not nurture ourselves, the creative flames can dim from fatigue and burnout. I’ve seen too many posts on social media about self-published authors who have just had it. We write love, we write because we love it, but sometimes we get tired! That’s why self-care is so vital for romance writers. It allows us to recharge so our imaginations can continue creating those magical romantic tales that the readers love.

When Self-Care Takes Center Stage

Carving out true self-care time is essential, even during busy writing seasons. Make sure you consider scheduling non-negotiable blocks focused on activities that uplift and rejuvenate you as a person. Set aside authorship and whatever else you have going on in your life and just be you. Whether it’s taking nature walks, enjoying hobbies, or meditating, this time is sacred for nourishing your mind, body, and spirit. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty creative cup. Setting boundaries is also key. We have to learn when to say no and prioritize activities that bring you joy and renewal, which includes taking those social media breaks. With self-care at the center, you’ll have energy to keep your stories and characters vibrantly alive.

The journey of writing romances is a marathon, not a sprint. By caring for your own heart first, you’ll be able to infuse passion into your words. You owe it to both your readers and yourself to make self-care a priority.

Listen, I’m a mom of three, plus a dog. I am well aware that balancing writing and self-care can be a delicate dance, but with the right strategies, you can do this. The key? Managing your time properly. Create a schedule that allows for dedicated writing time as well as time for self-care activities. Mind you, that first schedule isn’t always going to work. So, what you do is experiment with different routines until you find one that works best. You might have different schedules for different days.

The point is, self-awareness is crucial in recognizing when you need a break. Pay attention to the signs of burnout or exhaustion then, give yourself permission to take time off. Taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Guilt can often accompany taking time for self-care, especially when there are deadlines looming or a never-ending to-do list. (Don’t we all know about those to-do lists.) However, it’s essential to overcome this guilt. Self-care is an investment in your long-term success as an author. Embrace the fact that by taking care of yourself, you’re nurturing your creativity and ensuring that you stay in the mindset to keep producing.

There are numerous self-care practices that can enhance creativity and productivity in romance writing. One effective practice is journaling. Set aside time each day to write freely without any expectations or judgments. This practice allows you to process emotions, explore new ideas, and tap into your creative well.

Physical exercise is another powerful self-care practice that can boost both creativity and productivity. Engaging in regular physical activity not only improves your physical health but also releases endorphins that enhance mood and cognitive function. Whether it’s going for a run, practicing yoga, or dancing, find a form of exercise that brings you joy and make it a regular part of your self-care routine.

Connecting with other romance authors can also be a valuable self-care practice. Join writing groups or online communities where you can share experiences, seek support, and engage in meaningful conversations. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges of being a romance author can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring.

Always keep in mind that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. By prioritizing ourselves, we can maintain our mental and physical well-being, enhance our creativity and productivity, and sustain long-term success in our writing journeys. It’s crucial to create a self-care routine that works for us, set boundaries, and manage our time effectively. Remember, taking care of ourselves is not selfish but an investment in our craft and overall happiness. So, let’s make self-care a regular part of our writing routines and watch our love stories flourish.

Nurturing Your Creativity as a Romance Author

Writing heart-stirring romances requires deep wells of creativity. Luckily, self-care can help replenish your imaginative spirits. Consider these self-care tips:

Journaling – Set aside time to write freely without judgment. This emotional processing unlocks creativity. There are so many journaling prompts for authors and creatives that you can find and use.

Physical Activity – Exercise boosts endorphins, mood, and mental clarity. Find activities that energize your spirit. Walks in the woods (pretend you’re on the moors), walks in a mall, even just sitting outside in the fresh air doing yoga can help.

Community – Connecting with like-minded individuals is so important. Seek out other romance authors for support and inspiration. Surround yourself with creative colleagues.

Remember, self-care is not a luxury for you, romance author, but a necessity. By nourishing your mind, body and soul, you build a sustainable mindset to keep your creativity flowing. So make time for practices that spark your imagination and storytelling passion. Your stories, characters, and especially your readers will thank you for it!

Thank you for stopping by! What do you do for self-care? Leave it in the comments.

–Dahlia

5 70s TV Horror Movies

The 70s was a interesting decade to grow up in. Ted Bundy, Jonestown, Elvis’s death, Kent State, Star Wars, The Godfather, Battle of the Sexes (Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs) etc. There was also a time when there was no cable and they ran almost anything on network TV….at least that how it seemed to me as a kid.

Those in the New York area must remember the 4;30 movie, the Sunday Night Movie, the Monday Night Movie and Chiller theater. After shaking up my memory and a few calls to my sister, I’ve sussed out a few TV horror movies I remember watching as a child. Here they are, presented in no particular order.

Duel:

If you are a horror movie fan, surely you must have heard of this one. It’s Stephen Speilberg’s first movie about a killer truck with a grudge. It stars Dennis Weaver, who will appear again on the list. Duel is a thriller/horror that follows David Mann, a traveling businessman as he takes a routine road trip for sales, or something like that. He was doing fine until he runs into a rusted eighteen wheeler who doesn’t like being passed on the highway. (At least I think that’s what happened….I’ll be honest, it’s been a bit.” What started as road rage and revenge escalates into a life-or-death game that no one can help David with.

Recently, they tried a weak remake with Wrecker. It was….well, you can read my review here.

See Duel. No, it’s not full of blood and guts, but it’s a study in horror film making.

Don’t Go to Sleep:

Okay, this is acutally from the 80s, early 80s, but I had to include it. My sister and I talk about this one every time we talk about movies. It’s such a good movie: weird and terrible with a great horror ending. It was released in 1982, but such a memory from my childhood, I included it here.

Picture this: a heart-wrenching tale that starts with a family in the deepest throes of grief. Their youngest daughter, Jennifer, tragically loses her life in a car accident. Oh noes! Of course, Now, after such a tragedy, the family goes for that fresh start. But guess what? This place comes with more than just a change of scenery. Cue the eerie, spine-tingling stuff. Mysterious happenings that’ll give you goosebumps start creeping into their lives. Yeah. Don’t look under the bed, okay?

Secrets, lies, and tensions…as well as a pizza cutter. Yes. Just watch the film. It is a surprisingly good movie being ‘made for TV’. Get groovy and watch it. Hold on, it was made in 1982 so, I guess groovy isn’t the best term. Anyway, watch it. Enjoy.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

Yes, this is the film remade by Guillermo Del Toro, but this original 70s version is just choice. Let’s take a quick look at the synopsis. A young couple inherits an old mansion (OH NO!) inhabited by small demon-like creatures who are determined to make the wife one of their own.

Well. I will tell you, the whispers and the sounds the creatures make gave me the chills. I don’t know…did I say this before? There’s something about 70s horror that gets you. Yes, some films are overacted and sort of corny, but then you get a movie like this that kinda gets under your skin. Give it a try, see if you like.

Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell

If you know 70s movies/TV, you know Richard Crenna. Best known, probably, as Colonel Trautman, from First Blood, he also portrayed a cop who was assaulted (in that way) by ex convicts in The Rape of Richard Beck. (I told you, in the 70s, EVERYTHING was on TV.)

This wonderful suburban nuclear family innocenlty adopts a German Shephard, who, if I recall correctly, is either possessed by or bred by Satan. The film stars Richard Crenna Yvette Mimieux (from Lipstick). Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann are the children. Fun fact: The two child actors previously played siblings in the Witch Mountain films from Walt Disney Productions, which I’ve also seen. Of course, the dog rolls up with their own agenda, which includes tormenting the family and trying to get them to harm themselves.

The kicker, though, is at the end, when the dog apparently evolves into its devil-form and…..wow. He looks like a back-projected low-rent Zuul with a fur collar. It’s not to be missed. Have fun with this one.

Horror at 37,000 Feet

What a great cast for this film. Paul Winfield, Buddy Ebsen, William Shatner, Chuck Connors. You horror fans know the drill: Some rich (or foolish) person takes a religious artifact from its proper place, and terrible things begin to happen. This time, it happens on a plane, where there is no escape for the innocent people. Basically, these druid demons wreak havoc on these poor passengers until they get what they want. Also, William Shatner!

If you want to find out where these films are streaming, if they are even streaming, drop “Movie Name streaming” into the search box and it’ll tell you all you need to know. I hesitate to delineate any specific streaming services, because those things change so quickly. Best bet? Get on eBay or a used DVD place and get the physical copy.

Happy Watching!

Horror Movie Review – Wrecker

Title: Wrecker
Genre: Horror
Director: Michael Bafaro
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4227282/

This movie almost WRECKED my marriage. (See what I did there?) My husband had the day off and I suggested we watch a movie.

“Hey, we’ll watch this movie. It’s terrible, but it’ll be fun! We’ll have a few laughs!”

Famous last words.

I’ve seen some horror dreck in my lifetime. I’ve watched the Friday the 13th movies and stuff that I can’t even recall I’ve seen because it’s been so terrible. But I’ve been able to laugh and point and giggle about the director and/or writer being awful. Or awful acting. Sometimes, the movie is bad, but you can see the actors are having fun, so it makes up for it.

This was not the case with this movie. This movie was just bad with no redeeming qualities. None. Wait. I did love the red Mustang and some of the shots were gorgeous. I can say that. But I don’t watch a horror for its gorgeous shots. Really, I don’t.

Let me give you a little overview. Being a woman of a certain age, I have seen a ton of movies. I know most of the tricks, the cliches and the character tropes. And I deal with them, because, let’s be honest, there is nothing new under the sun. And that’s okay.

You know what’s not okay? This movie.

So it starts out, some cross country trip. Blonde girl is nice, brunette is nasty. She’s

drinking, pretending to smoke (As an ex smoker, I can tell a true inhale. You gotta savor that smoke to get that nicotine hit), flashing her boobs, etc. Meanwhile the driver, the good girl blonde is telling her to calm down. Okay, look, blondie, you knew your girl was out of control before she got in the car, so why all the peeved admonishments?

Side note: The poster? Where it says ‘you stop, you die’. They stopped plenty of times and no matter how much I wished……well. Movie poster is a liar.

Anyway, they somehow anger some random tow truck driver and he starts messing with them. I would go on, but even thinking about the movie makes me tired. Suffice it to say many stupid things happen and then it’s over.

Another side note: This second poster? Talking about ‘a wrong turn’? This is also a lie. They took a shortcut ON PURPOSE.

I’ve seen Duel. I’ve seen Joyride. Both were way better and Duel was made in the EARLY seventies. In Wrecker, the acting is terrible. The choices the characters make are ridiculous and make no sense. And…the whole movie had my face screwed up.

My husband was not pleased. What a waste of 70 odd minutes.

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

Grade: F
Watch or not to watch?: Don’t bother. It’s not even bad enough to have fun with.

3 Scary Anthologies for Spooky Season

“Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”
–William Faulkner

I’ve recommended books in the past, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever recommended anthologies. Why not, I asked myself…..Gee, Dahlia, I don’t know, I said back. So, I decided to make a change to be a better blogger and recommend some great spooky anthologies for your autumn spooky season reading.

Why anthologies? Well, why not? Anthologies are a buffet for horror lovers, serving up an array of scary stories, each one a delectable small bite of terror. You’ll feast on everything from spooky ghost tales to those spine-tingling dates with the supernatural. And because each story is by a different author, you get a taste of a variety of writing styles.

So, here we are. I’m going to talk about three anthologies that I think you will enjoy. Yes, I have stories in all three of these anthologies, one under my horror name. However, the authors I’m surrounded with are so top-tier that I just had to share them with you.

The Savage Bs

Like B-movies? In the world of horror, even the worst B-movie can be a treat to watch. But there are no bad stories here. Go with the authors on a blood-soaked journey with 13 talented authors as they guide you through a horrifying nostalgic stroll down Memory Lane in our B-Horror-inspired anthology.

Relive the thrill of browsing the shelves at your neighborhood video store, where hidden gems and cult classics awaited. Inside this most excellent anthology, you’ll meet menacing dolls, killer sludge, murderous firemen, and deadly amphibious creatures. It’s a collection so delightfully over-the-top, it deserves the southern-twang narration of Joe Bob Briggs himself, but unfortunately, they didn’t have the budget for that. Get your copy now; this is a book you’ll want to hit rewind on, savoring its gruesome delights time and time again! Click the picture to purchase.

Forever Vacancy

Ooooo! Step into the realm of Colors in Darkness, an online platform dedicated to showcasing the voices of dark fiction from diverse authors. Forever Vacancy is their first anthology.

Here’s the set up: Amid the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s, a mysterious beacon of malevolence emerged in the heart of a poverty-stricken and forsaken corner of Atlanta. Known as the Kretcher Motel, this mysterious establishment has maintained its sinister purpose throughout the years, beckoning lost souls, the troubled, and even the malevolent. Brace yourself as you check in, for what lies within these pages are thirteen harrowing tales, each dripping with the essence of horror, betrayal, fear, and wickedness.

In the world of the Kretcher, you’ll witness journeys through the uncharted territories of terror contain within its walls. In the Kretcher Motel, the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur. From the eerie corridors to the foreboding rooms, every facet of this ominous locale serves as a backdrop for tales that will leave you mesmerized and changed forever. Or at least the excellent authors in this awesome anthology hope so. Click the picture to purchase.

Black Girl Magic Lit Mag – The Horror Issue

If you’re like me, you’re tired of that old trope where the Black character dies first in a horror movie. Of course you are. So, get ready for a change with the Black Girl Magic Lit Mag Horror Issue.

In a world where horror narratives have often sidelined or stereotyped Black characters, the Black Girl Magic Lit Mag Horror Issue takes a bold and empowering stance. These stories challege the status quo, break free from clichés, and give the readers a fresh perspective on horror storytelling. The pages are filled with thrilling, chilling, and spine-tingling tales that celebrate the strength, resilience, and unique experiences of Black characters in the horror genre. You won’t find them relegated to secondary roles or serving as mere plot devices or the best friend here.

Instead, these stories showcase the brilliance, courage, and complexity of Black protagonists as they confront (or perpetrate) the darkest of nightmares. Prepare to be captivated, frightened, and inspired by this great Black Girl Magic Lit Mag Horror Issue, where they kick out those tired stereotypes to embrace a new era of horror storytelling. Click the picture to purchase.

It’s Spooky Season! Blogtoberfest 2023

I honestly don’t remember the last time I did this, but here goes……Welcome to BlogtoberFest 2023, a (sort-of) annual event that I enjoy pulling off each year. Most of you already know that I am primarily a romance writer. In the last year or so, I’ve been writing shorts as Zame Hill, so look that name up if you’re in for some horror!

So happy to be back on my blog and well, it’s Blogtoberfest, right? Let me tell you a little about this event. For those who may not be familiar with this tradition, BlogtoberFest is my way of immersing myself and you in the spirit of Halloween. It’s a time when we delve into all things eerie, unsettling, and those mysterious occurrences that make your heart skip a beat. Who doesn’t relish a good scare, right? Well, prepare yourselves because you’re about to get precisely what you came here for.

Over the course of the next month, brace yourselves for a blend of horror movies, both old and new, spine-chilling stories, urban legends, and folklore. Expect insightful (LOL) horror movie reviews, music recommendations to set the eerie mood, along with tantalizing recipes, and décor ideas to kick up your spooky season experience. Yes, I endeavor to cover it all. If one post doesn’t quite hit the mark for you, fret not, for I assure you, there will be something that resonates with your taste. Stay tuned, and I promise you won’t be disappointed! And if you are, well, sorry, I guess!