Tag Archives: accomplishments

Bloom

Clouds, Dreams & Fantasy, Things to ponder...., , , , , ,

As seeds lay under the soil until condition are right,
so my next work has been slowly preparing to unfurl.

My first blog post for January, I said:

with a clean slate
and a grateful heart
I have a new start

I decided to end 2022 closing a chapter I’ve referred to as my Pandemic writing. Previously, I’ve shared little about Covid or its effect on me, in my writings. Mostly due to recognizing each of us went through this time in our history, yet each dealt with the Pandemic individually. Life continued, but in uncharted ways. Births, deaths, weddings, illness, moves, loneliness, fears and uncertainties still happened. There was no correct way to process the last couple of years. Because the impact resides within each of us, we all have a story to tell. 

My story is a collection of writings, short stories, short shorts, and some poetry. Covid opened the door for me to connect with other writers from around the world. Some groups offered writing prompts, others met via Zoom or on Facebook. It was a time to draw deep into my feelings and thoughts. Sometimes I was surprised at what rose to the surface. 

The time has come to allow these writings to become part of my works. Currently, much of my time is dedicated to completing this project. 

Title to be disclosed later.

How did living through the Pandemic effect you? Please share your responses in the comments. There are no incorrect responses, only your experience.

Arriving before the end of the year…

Finding the Way Home, , , , ,

Finding the Way Home, Book 2 of the Rosethorn series by Linda L Flynn.

This is a fictional story and will be available later this year. They say “All good things come to those who wait.” For those of you who read Dream Glasses and have been waiting for the sequel, thank you for your patience.

It’s editing, layout and then final editing time. 

In Finding the Way Home, you pick up with Liz returning home from Paris with high expectations for all the future will hold. Before leaving the airport, it becomes obvious the plans she and Eric had set in motion are unravelling. Life happens. Just like to it does to me and you. The messiness of relationships and unresolved family issues threated to undo Liz. Finding the Way Home invites you to shadow Liz as she matures and refines the dreams for her future. Much of this story uses the Colorado Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. In this environment, you will discover the richness of natural beauty and friendships found there. 

Visit the Sign Me Up page to be one of the first notified when this book is available.

This time of the year…

Things to ponder...., , , , ,
What’s your shiny object?

While holiday songs fill the airwaves and pine fragrances permeate the air, I find my days filled with decorating, getting holiday letters written, gifts for children and grandchildren to be mailed. With those things going on, my personal pattern finds my mind pulled to evaluating the year’s writing goals, and developing plans for the next year. This trend has been consistent, and you’d think I would expect it instead of finding it to be an annual surprise.

Reflecting on 2021 writing was an interesting project. My major goals were accomplished. I have “first drafts” of three distinctly different writing pieces completed. It also means many hours of editing, creating cover designs and proof copies will fill 2022.

Be on the lookout for upcoming information on:

  • The sequel to Dream Glasses, which is Finding the Way Home. Liz returns from Paris excited to start the future she has planned, only to discover life doesn’t always move in the direction we expect.
  • A collection of short stories, poetry and little quips—Clouds. Most of this writing occurred during COVID, and was inspired by various writing communities I am involved with. The inspiration and camaraderie of like-minded artists is invaluable to me.
  • A children’s story, Charley’s Great Adventure. The story of Charley the Chipmunk on his first big outing without his mom. He’s excited, he’s nervous—and he’s totally unprepared for what he encounters. How does he react to a fearful situation, to knowing he failed to follow his mother’s advice?

On the less than stellar accomplishments, my commitment to write as regularly as I had in 2020 was a struggle. Between moving and connecting in a new community, there were more interruptions. My excuse “shiny objects distract me.” I’m fortunate to have another writing mentor who assures our group, even when writers are not writing, they are processing information for future writings. I take heart in her words.

As your year is winding to a close, where are your thoughts and dreams for the coming year? Did you feel stuck in 2021, or did you discover new passions and interests this year? 

Highlight of the Week

Gabriel and the Bear, , ,

This week I received notice that Gabriel and the Bear received the following award:

Award-Winning Finalist in the Juvenile Fiction category of the 2020 American Fiction Awards.

I’m excited and honored to share this information with you. Special thanks go out to my illustrator, Carol Gault whose great art contributed to the success of this book.

Story of a young boy’s first encounter with a bear

The book is available on Amazon.

If you haven’t done so already, check out this story.

Never Give Up…

Things to ponder...., , , ,

…on your dreams

Winter Lights

Recently I heard, “You’re living the dream.” Somehow the statement didn’t ring true for me. Living the dream implies a perfect life with no problems or concerns; and I don’t live a perfect life. In fact, I know no one who does, and my experience has proven that talking about the negative aspects of life doesn’t do much to improve the situation. As I pondered the statement, I realized if I changed the proclamation to “I’m living my dreams” I resonated with this view. My current reality involves seeing many of my old dreams happening. This reality didn’t happen overnight, nor did it happen on my time-schedule. In fact, much of my reality holds dreams I’ve carried for decades upon decades; some are dreams I’d previously abandoned; put on the shelf or assumed I could never accomplish.

I’m astonished when I look back and remember the birth of these dreams and realize they are now part of my life. Those thoughts cause me to smile. Then I overhear people say they have stopped dreaming, and it makes my heart sad. I’ve learned some things require more time to percolate before they come to fruition; some things require more work or effort; and then there’re the elements which come together because of a blessing or gift being bestowed upon you. Those things that are passions within your heart and mind are frequently the things that make your heart beat quicker; they put a bounce in your step; a smile on your face; and are often the things that allow you to realize your life impacts others.

You may have been created to fulfill those aspirations. Hold tight to the ability to dream. Recognize you may need to refine some of your desires or think in a larger time frame. But don’t give up on having dreams.

Are you holding dreams in your heart? Do you have people in your life who encourage you to dream?

 

Now Available…

Flynn Tales, , , ,

I completed Flynn Tales, and it’s available on Amazon. The book contains stories that Tom’s Grandmother and his Uncle Jimmy wrote in 1954 and 1935/36. Additionally, it provides an inside look at travel and culture from those times. I found the differences in attitudes of travel fascinating. The stories confirmed for me things I’ve believed in relation to “culture.” To understand a culture, one must understand the history of the people. History, over time is what creates culture. Some of my impressions of these cultures matched his grandmother’s perspective although many years lapsed between when she formed her opinions and I, mine. This book provides an insight into the life of an American businessman and his family during these years in our history.

Front_FT_Cover_Marketing

If you’re a Flynn descendant, you may learn things concerning some of your relatives. If you’re a student of life like me, you’ll find interesting tidbits relative to how Americans traveled, how they made efforts to connect with other Americans while abroad, and how they viewed traveling and life.

Putting these writings together and editing them was a fun and interesting project. It gave me insight into people I didn’t know, but who impacted my husband’s parents and thus him. But I also found commonalities in how they traveled with stories of others who traveled during these same times.

Enjoy the story. After reading the book, I’d appreciate you leaving comments or reviews on Amazon or my blog site.

Review & Looking forward to 2017

Things to ponder...., , , , ,

I reviewed my 2016 writing goals and set goals for 2017. I enjoyed some victories and accomplishments last year. My first novella – Dream Glasses is available as a Kindle Book. I’m still working on the print version.

I met three other woman dedicated to their writing. Their friendship and support as we met together has blessed me. It is my hope we will continue to meet together.

This last year’s writing experiences taught me some things.

I recognize I had too many divergent goals, which caused me to loose focus and sometimes I did nothing. This translated to tasks not accomplished.

2017 goals are not so broad and open-ended. I have specific goals related to specific writing projects.

I found my ‘writing location’ within the house where I can sit and write. Later in the year, I wrote more regularly.

I analyzed what worked with writing Dream Glasses and what things slowed me down. I’ve learned much about formatting, styles, sections and images.

I transitioned my writing to Scrivener to allow me to keep all related writing, research, and character lists related to a piece in one place, while fully expecting the final work may still take place in MS WORD.

I’m excited about what 2017 brings.

I expect the print version of Dream Glasses to be available soon. (For those of you following this blog site, last year I thought the name of my book would be The Madeleine. That changed to Dream Glasses.)

I’ve started working on the sequel. No name yet.

I’ve got more research ahead of me to make the story locations as real as Paris has been to my readers.

I’m working on a collection of short stories and still working on a children’s book.

Have you set your writing goals for the new year? …and are you willing to share them?

 

FOUND…

Things to ponder...., , , , ,

I’ve been on a quest.

After moving to Colorado, Tom purchased the book, “They Came From Missouri “ for me. The book is about the people who settled the area where we live.

I never got very far in the book because the second family listed was Edward Stauffacher, whose parents were from Canton Glarus, Switzerland; originally settling in Green County, Wisconsin. Edward was born outside Monroe, married and moved west. He set up an early cheese factory and a post office here called Catherine Store. There’s a road called Catherine Store Road. They lived here for a number of years and moved to California to escape winter.

My mother was a Stauffacher and there seemed to be too many similarities.

  • From the same area of Switzerland.
  • Settling in the same area in the U.S.
  • …and now me, living in the same area here.
  • Could this have been a distant relative?

I found it interesting to think a distant relative of mine also found this area so captivating they wanted to make it home.

I’ve mused the thoughts many times.

I’ve gathered information.

This week I was able to put all the pieces together.

My grandfather was removed by six generations from the link – but it was there.

Dietrich Stauffacher
Born: 10-21-1677   Died: 3-7-1760

So if you’re thinking about visiting me, and are related through my mother’s side of the family be warned. The Swiss blood may be stronger than you think. And who knows what the effect of that is?

Novella – From beginning to now…

Books, Dream Glasses, , , , , , ,

Last weekend I pushed the PUBLISH button for Dream Glasses by Linda L Flynn. It’s now available on Amazon as an eBook as the first book in a series called “Rosethorn”. It’s been a journey that took longer than expected, but I’ve learned much along the way.

bookcoverwithyellowtext

Dream Glasses is a fictional work, which began with a fun writing prompt one day. The story evolved, and the characters took on lives of their own. While laying words on paper, I found commonality in the longing to search for a dream. My dream was different, but still a journey.

Dream Glasses invites you into Liz’s journey of finding her true self. Frustrated and feeling trapped with her job at Struthers and Sloan she takes on a Research and Development project for the “Dream Glasses.” About the same time she starts the project these delicious cookies appear on her desk. Then someone from her past reappears. Liz, not expecting the collision of these three divergent events speculates on the opportunities presented to her. No change comes without risks and challenges. Could she handle the unknown and solve the problems presented?

You’ll have to read the story to find out.

As the story was drawing to a close, I realized I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters. They have more life to live; more challenges to overcome; more to learn on how to live with disappointment when reality doesn’t match up to dreams; and on how to navigate the tricky waters of relationship issues with those you love. The Rosethorn Series has been born. With Dream Glasses you’ll get the first glimpse into Liz’s life.

After reading the story, please leave a review. You may leave comments on the Amazon review page or here.