Happy Holidays! / Introducing THE PEPPERMINT BARK PROPOSAL / Book Signing

Happy Holidays!

I’m excited for the holiday season this year. My Christmas tree is up, I’ve been baking cookies, and the classic holiday songs are playing on my speaker. My wish is that you all have a peaceful holiday season, wherever you are and whatever you celebrate.

The Peppermint Bark Proposal

I’m also very happy to announce my twelfth book, THE PEPPERMINT BARK PROPOSAL, a sweet holiday romance just in time for Christmas! This is the fastest book I’ve ever written, a novella for my Ice Cream Novellas series, written in a month. I’m especially proud of this book because it was the one that got me out of a writing rut…not to mention Christmas is my favorite holiday. I hope you enjoy it, and that it brings you all the warm holiday feels.

About THE PEPPERMINT BARK PROPOSAL

Wanted: Fake Boyfriend

Becca Barnes has just two problems: a cheating ex and a mother who’d love to see her married before age thirty. Heartsore and frustrated, Becca decides her family’s camp in Northern California is the perfect place to spend Christmas—alone.

Except she’s not.

The neighboring cabin owner, Jake Bannister, is charming. He has the cutest dog. And when Becca’s family arrives, outraged she’d spend the holidays by herself, Jake becomes the answer to her parental woes. She convinces him to pretend they’re dating so her mother won’t meddle in her love life. Jake’s even sweeter than she expected, a friend she didn’t know she needed. Everything is great.

Except it’s not.

Becca’s ex shows up, looking for another chance to ruin her life. Now, she’s torn between her ex’s threats and her growing feelings for Jake. Will this holiday house of cards topple, or can a fake romance lead to real Christmas magic?

Book Signing at Fayetteville Free Library

I’ll be at a book signing with TWENTY other others tomorrow! If you live near Fayetteville, NY, please come visit us. It’s going to be an amazing time! Click here for the details.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

New Book!

I’m excited to announce I’m writing fast and furious on a new project that may or may not be ready for this year’s holiday season. I’m cranking out words faster than I’ve done in some time. This book popped up out of nowhere, and while I’m still working on #thatdamnbook and another project or two, I’ll turn my attention to this one while the iron is hot.

I’m disbanding the Facebook page for my street team, Nicki’s Network, but you can sign up at my Nicki Greenwood Facebook Page to be notified of new release news and score freebies as they become available! Until then, Happy Reading!

Keeping It All Together

 

Juggle, Juggle, Toil and Trouble

These days, it seems everyone wants a piece of my time. Not only do I have a day job, but I have a family, a house to clean, books to write, and the inordinate time-suck that is social media. Some days, I’m amazed my head isn’t literally spinning on my shoulders. Authors, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. It’s tough enough being a work-from-home author, but when you add in chores, families, appointments, day jobs, and the vast black hole of the Internet, things sure get hairy, don’t they?

This sort of crazy can easily lead to burnout, which I’ve been dealing with off and on for some time. It definitely makes writing the next book a challenge.

One Step (or Stand) at a Time

I often have to remind myself, when things get too hectic, to breathe. Nothing beats a deep belly breath for easing tension you didn’t even know your body was building up. For that matter, your body might have been silently telling you, for the last couple hours, to move as well.

If you’re lucky enough to have a standing desk, change its height so you can stand while writing. I have one, and I adore it because I’m on my feet all day at my day job, so it’s the most comfortable for me. Standing burns more calories than sitting, and if you’re fortunate to have good knees, hips, and feet, it’s a great way to burn passive calories. (I highly recommend an anti-fatigue mat even if you’re in great shape.) This way, you don’t feel guilty for “not moving” all day, because you’re getting some exercise.

If you don’t own a standing desk, you can prop your keyboard on a lap tray to raise your working height. If none of this is doable, try setting a timer to remind you to move, stretch, grab a drink of water, or take a short walk. Any motion is good motion!

Get Out

Feeling frazzled? Get outside. The benefits of fresh air and sunshine can’t be overstated. If you have a laptop, bring it out to the deck, porch, or balcony, or head to a local park. Even a writing sprint at the coffee shop can be beneficial for the senses. A change of scenery is good stimulation, and can help relieve some of the mental fatigue that comes with those long writing marathons (my favorite is my local Starbucks).

Pet Therapy

If you’re having a day, take some time out to commiserate with your pet. My dog has gotten me through some of the worst times in my life. Pets are nonjudgmental, even if you hate the living daylights out of that scene you just wrote.

Recalibrate and Return

After trying a few of these tips to destress, I hope you’re feeling more relaxed and ready to get back to writing (or any of the other tasks on your list). Just remember to take it one task at a time. Hang in there, Writer!

Extroversion for Introverts

Come Out From Hiding, Writer

The season’s first book signing is in the bag, and it was awesome. I met so many cool people in Waterloo, NY for the annual Celebrate Commemorate festival in honor of Memorial Day (which was founded in Waterloo!).

Part of the fun of book signings is meeting people from all over and (often) spending the day with fellow writers. Don’t get me wrong. Book signings used to terrify me. I started out as introverted as you could possibly get, much more content to be part of the wallpaper than to seek out any attention whatsoever. I’d hide behind my table, and would never think of talking to passersby.

Then, somehow, a few years into doing them, I realized something: book signings are not about me. They’re about my books (as crazy as that may seem). I know my books inside and out, so it wasn’t hard to distill them down into a line or two of, “What’s it about?” if someone asked. (“Well, I write paranormal lite romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. Think of my paranormal lite books as small-town romance with a dash of paranormal in it. My urban fantasy would be good for fans of X or Y.”)

More importantly, book signings are about your visitors. What do they like reading? What books have they picked up lately? Do they like ebooks, print books, audiobooks? You love books. People who come to your table love books. That’s already something in common to talk about, and you might find a new author to love.

Fake It ‘Til You Make It

Confidence is a skill, and you can develop it with practice. The more signings you do, the more you’ll sharpen that talent for looking at ease in a chatty crowd even if you aren’t. Let’s face it: you had the moxie to finish writing and publish your book. That’s a game changer all by itself. If you can do that, you can certainly get out there and sell. Here are a few things you can do.

Up and Out

Psst. Sales aren’t the only point of book signings. Pressure’s off, so you can come out from behind your table.

Many authors make the mistake of staying behind their table for the entire signing. This passive body posture actually alerts people in a nonverbal way that you are less open to engagement.

I know it’s hard, believe me, introverted writer. But you, too, can overcome the squirmy sensation of being noticed. Shift the focus from yourself to the person at your table. Ask them about their favorite books. What do they love about that crazy character in the novel they just read? If you do need to sit down for a few minutes and “recharge” the energy you spend on chatting with people, do so … but get back up and out there. The more you engage people in a topic you both love, the more likely they will be curious to see what you write. You might make a new fan, or even a friend.

Be Giving

Asking someone to part with their money without establishing a relationship is something like that guy who always wants to “borrow” money from you but never pays it back. Eventually, you start avoiding that guy when you spot him, don’t you?

It helps a lot if you have something to offer them before asking someone to make a purchase. Do you have bookmarks? Great! Grab a handful and give them out to people walking by. In a bookstore, you’re bound to have people accept one. I did this just this weekend for someone walking past with an armload of used books, and she seemed quite grateful to accept it.

Pens are also a welcome gift. I’ve never had someone refuse my offer to take one. Wait until your supplier runs a sale and stock up.

If you’re creative in other ways, you could offer people a simple handmade bracelet or other inexpensive craft. (Some authors make watercolor bookmarks using their talent in visual art.)

Since you’re a writer, you could also give a short story on a printed flyer. This not only provides your visitor a gift, but showcases your writing talent.

Try it Out

You don’t have to know everything all at once. Try different things. Get out into the aisle with your handful of bookmarks and offer them to people. Ask open-ended questions that get people to chat with you about books, writing, or a subject you know something about (if they’re in the pet section and you write books with dogs, you might ask about their pet). If something doesn’t work, you can always change up what you do. Nothing is written in stone. Just be genuine when you do strike up a conversation!

Networking

As I mentioned above, the most important part of book signings is not the sale. If the money was the biggest point, we’d all be on the road full-time.

The best part of a book signing is networking. You’re there to be memorable (hopefully, in a positive way). You’re getting your name out there and providing people a face behind the books, an opportunity for a personal connection you just can’t get when buying a book from an online store. From that personal connection, people will develop a stronger relationship with and memory of you that helps to drive awareness of your books. You needn’t overshare, and certainly should keep your personal life separate, but there’s a wealth of things you can talk to people about, especially when they’re book fans.

When your book signing is over, you’ll come back to your computer with new inspiration and a few fun memories and experiences. Gathering experiences is what fuels our writing, isn’t it?

Had a recent book signing experience you’d like to share? Drop me a line! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Narcissistic Villains: It’s All About Me, and the Crazy Must Be You

We all know that a good villain thinks he’s the hero of his own story.  But a narcissistic villain is convinced of it.

Let’s face it: no one wants to read about a hero who easily overcomes all opposition.  That’s bo-o-o-oring.  We like watching a little hobbit take three films (or books) to arrive at Mount Doom in spite of incredible odds to get that ring into the fire, so we can yell, “Hooray!”

We read books and watch films to share in the adventure, so that when the hero wins, we win, no matter what challenges are thrown our way.  It’s so much more satisfying when those challenges are … well, really challenging.

But what about that narcissist?

Kristen Lamb wrote a great blog on narcissists and gaslighting, a common control technique.  These are particularly scary villains, because they’re very hard to fight.  All the more satisfying, then, when we see one overcome by our persistent hero.

Gaslighting, a term borrowed from an old film aptly titled “Gaslight,” is a technique used by narcissists to make a victim believe their concerns are all in their head.  Imaginary.  Overblown.  That the victim is out of touch with reality in their beliefs.  It’s more common than you think.  But what great villains they make.

And, as I’ve always said, your hero is only as good as his opposition.  The stronger your villain, the better your hero’s going to look when he wins the day.  Since most villains believe they’re the hero—in fact, believe it so strongly that they’ll risk anything to beat your hero—you have the perfect push-pull to drive a villain-driven story.

How do you beat a gaslighter, then?

It takes immense strength and conviction, as well as calm.  Gaslighters thrive on emotional outburst.  If your hero lets his or her temper or emotion get the better of them, they’re going to fail, because the villain will then say, “They’re crazy!  Look how ridiculous they sound!”  And your hero will lose.  Matter of fact, let your hero lose a couple of times.  Show your readers what’s at stake if they do lose.  When the hero later wins, it will be that much more of a victory.

Every good battle arc should have a moment when it seems all is lost for your hero.  Here, it would be when the gaslighter seems to have triumphed and put the victim “in their place.”  But the hero that sticks to his convictions will eventually exhaust the gaslighter’s patience.  After all, a “victim” who doesn’t respond to the bait is no victim at all.

Have you written a narcissist or gaslighter?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Writing (and Reading)!

Writing and Podcasts and Workshops, Oh My!

It’s going to be a busy next few months here at Greenwood house.  I’m wrapping up Freak Frat, Book Two, and as slow going as that is, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  In between writing, I’m pleased to announce I have a (tentative) book signing in May, as well as a workshop and a podcast appearance with the Raging Romantics in June!

Keep an eye on my website for all the lastest news, and where you can find me online or in person.  I’m looking forward to sharing my work with you and hearing all about what you like to read.  In the meantime, I’m going to head outside and soak up some of that spring warmth while I get my garden ready for the growing season.

Happy Reading, and Happy Spring!

The Drip

This year, my mission is to clean out our house of things we don’t or won’t use, then sell them in a summer garage sale or donate to goodwill. I’m a big believer that if you keep “clutter” that you’re not using and/or don’t love, it’s only going to weigh you down. I sometimes get militant about the need to bulldoze these unused items out of our family’s lives.

I’ve been through our kitchen and bedroom, collecting things that need a new home. Among them were some pieces of jewelry, not particularly valuable, that would get better use from someone other than me. That meant going through the vanity dresser handed down to me from my grandmother, a piece that’s sentimental to me, as it connects three generations of the women in my family.

There’s a value to antique furniture, but it isn’t always monetary. Over the course of a piece’s lifetime, it collects stories. Even a scuffed old table can tell tales of family dinners, game nights, and school projects.

Sometimes when I open a little-used drawer of this vanity, a whiff of my grandmother’s perfume still drifts up from the decades it sat there. The vanity’s been mine for many years now, and I hardly use that one drawer, so weeks may go by without me actively thinking of my grandmother.

Then there’s the drip. I had seen it before, but it spent a while hiding under collected clutter in the top drawer. Once I cleaned out unused items, it peeked out again.

I thought about cleaning it up, then I remembered what it was: Grandma’s nail polish, the exact color she used to wear, tipped over in some accident prior to going out for an evening. Mental images of my grandmother, neatly dressed, hair done, makeup on, and the scent of her perfume all came rushing back, now completed with that nail color. What a treat to add that to my stash of family memories.

Because, even while you’re cleaning out the clutter, there are some things you need to keep.

Buy It, It Likes You

 Get Up and Go

It’s been a long, looooong winter. By the time February rolls around, most of us in upstate New York are going a little stir crazy even if it’s been a pleasant holiday season. Between the worries of Covid and the contention with snow, cold, and gray skies, my family and I were feeling the need to get out, walk around, and maybe get in a little retail therapy. (It’s good for guys, too!)

Our location of choice today was Ithaca Commons in Ithaca, NY. This town has a special place in my heart, as my husband and I have made many fond memories there. I couldn’t have picked a weirder day. The weather, quiet but gray the entire drive down, turned whiteout in the time it took us to have breakfast at Collegetown Bagels (our favorite stop for a hearty breakfast sandwich. Take your time; there are a ton of delicious options!).

 

Individuality and Creativity

Ithaca is what a college town ought to be: diverse, active, and full of the creative energy that happens when class is in session. Even on a snowy day, the Commons was full of people walking, shopping, or enjoying a meal. Everywhere you look, you’ll find evidence of creative thinkers and people who make their mark, which is what I love best about this town. There’s art on the buildings (keep an eye out for the sunflowers!), and sometimes, you’ll find a humorous bit of personal artwork.

...But the Shops!

The best part of Ithaca Commons is the shops. Among those we checked out was Sunshine’s Creative Designs inside the Dewitt Mall. This shop had every gemstone and fossil you could possibly imagine, including a mammoth tooth, geodes, and several pieces of bismuth (yes, it really does crystallize that way naturally, and the rainbow color is the result of oxidation):

We visited Ithaca Guitar Works next, where my husband fell in love with a Gibson Les Paul Classic. (He played it the minute we got home.) The staff there are knowledgeable, helpful, and more than willing to let you test the merchandise. While Hubby tried out the guitar, I chatted with the guitar technician and learned a few things that may make it into a future book.

Next up, we stopped at Mockingbird Paperie, home of the most gorgeous stationery and wrapping papers ever. I consider it a mark of good parenting that when our 15-year-old son saw the calligraphy pens, he got all excited. The shop assistant was very helpful in explaining the care and feeding of these beautiful pens. My son and I walked out of Mockingbird Paperie with a pen and pewter stand each: a snake stand and clear pen for him, and a Buddha stand and iridescent pen for me. If we were indulging in such awesome pens, we needed stands that were equally awesome to show them off, after all, and the stands were perfectly suited to us. (He loves snakes, and I have a small collection of tiny Buddha figurines.)

While my son already has a leatherbound book in which to write, I needed one of my own, so the last stop of the day was the one where we started: 15 Steps. This store specializes in merch created by local and national artisans. The leatherbound journal in the tall white case had whispered at me when I first visited the shop, but at the time, I wanted to see what else the day’s travels had to show me. In kismet-like fashion, the pen and pen stand agreed that I needed to go back and get that journal.

It was still waiting for me by the time I got there, so I scooped it up, thanked the lovely staff for their help, and we came home to end the day with our prizes. Now, here I sit with the snow blowing outside, ready to write in the brand-new book that was totally meant for me.

Moral of the story? Every once in a while, it’s good for the soul to spend a little “mad money” on yourself. (Might want to wait until it’s not a blizzard out there, though.) Happy hunting!

Adventures in Computing (or, Apple vs. Windows)

It’s no secret that I have a contentious relationship with Windows. I’ve been a Windows user since the dawn of computers, so I know my way around better than the average user. In recent years, however, I’ve lost days of writing productivity to Windows’s whim to update just as soon as I get inspired to sit down and get words in. No writer likes being denied the ability to write, especially when the impulse is hot.

I finally decided that (thanks to my wonderful husband buying me an iPad Pro for Christmas) it’s time to give up the ghost (at least mostly) on Windows. I have long been wanting a slimmer, more streamlined writing device, but the price of an iPad had been a major sticking point. Since Hubby made the decision for me, I’ve been tinkering with the iPad and tailoring it to do those tasks I have always reserved for my laptop. So far, so good. I have cloud storage, an external hard drive to solve some pesky storage issues, a mouse, and a few other apps that help me do things I can’t otherwise accomplish without a laptop. Oh, yeah, and Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Pencil, which are two must-haves if you’re interested in an iPad of your own (and don’t forget Procreate if you’re artsy)!

In short, the iPad isn’t a perfect solution, but it definitely does those lightweight word processing and task functions I need in the course of a day. I may still dust off my laptop if I need certain things (and iPad has yet to allow us access to iTunes), but for now, I’m a fairly happy camper with my Apple experience.

Bonus? Even with the peripherals, I’m not lugging several pounds of equipment around on my shoulder each day. I can live with that!

Happy writing, and Happy New Year!