Darien Gee

Beginner’s Mind – This Writing Stuff is Hard Work

December 20, 2016 //

This writing stuff is hard work.

I’m looking back at 2016 and wondering what happened. I’m still writing. I thought it would have gone faster——I had hoped it would have gone faster. My new books are slow coming, and I will have the task of finding new homes for them once they are ready. I’m reminded of Natalie Goldberg’s book, Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life, and in particular the short chapter on Beginner’s Mind, Pen and Paper.

That’s where I am.

I’m back to the basics–the tools, the space. Asking essential questions only, like Why am I writing? What is the story? Who’s showing up?

I came across a quote by Steven James, a novelist who wrote a great book on writing called Story Trumps Structure. I recommend it to anyone looking to write, especially those who find all the “supposed to’s” about writing really challenging. In it there’s a great line about asking the right questions about the story you’re working on. Instead of manhandling it, figure out what wants to be revealed.

A story is not something I create as much as it is something I uncover by asking the right questions.

I have 11 days left until the end of the month, days in which the kids will be home for winter break, presents need to be wrapped, dinner needs to be made and dust bunnies swept up. I’m hoping to make time to take a closer look at the past year and find a few things to celebrate. And, like many of you, I’ll look ahead and see what I’d like to do in 2017.

Here are a few (free) goal planning worksheets to help you figure out the year ahead:

This Cherished Life Worksheets — From This Cherished Life

This Cherished Life: Goal Setting
XOSarah (this one is for anyone with a website or blog): Blog Planning Guide
The Golden Letter: Make Your Dreams Happen
Sage Grayson: Editors Toolkit

See you in the new year. ♥

An Avalon Valentine is Available for Pre-Order

October 10, 2016 // 2 Comments

I know it’s been ages, and I know you’ve been waiting, and I’m so happy to tell you that I finally have some GREAT news.

An Avalon Valentine, another holiday novel about our favorite town, is up for pre-order on Amazon and publishes in the Kindle world on January 2, 2017. And it’s only $4.99!

I’m excited for you to meet a few new characters plus catch up with Hannah and Connie as they grapple with some unexpected challenges in their relationships. For Hannah, there’s Jamie of course … except Philippe is making an unexpected (and unwelcome) appearance. For Connie, she’s not sure if she’s cut out for this relationship stuff no matter how sweet and kind her veterinarian boyfriend, Eli Ballard, is. Love isn’t always easy, and the women in this book, including little Gracie Everts, are finding this out the hard way.

(Which, of course, begs the question: is there an easy way?) 😉

But despite the challenges that falling — and staying — in love, I believe it’s worth it when you find the right person. This book is dedicated to the loves of my life, my husband and three kids. Despite the occasional frustration and annoyances (and yes, I am often part of the problem, too), they are worth every single moment. My life would truly be colorless without them.

Read more about An Avalon Valentine here, or pre-order your copy pronto from Amazon here.

Darien’s Moleskine Writing Prompts – Show Some Sparkle

July 3, 2016 // Leave a Comment

If you’re just joining me, start with this post.

If you live in the U.S., the Fourth of July is synonymous with barbecue, picnics, watermelon and fireworks. My youngest son still doesn’t like them while my oldest son can’t stay away from them. Many of us are mesmerized when fireworks light up a dark sky. Atop a cake, sparklers add a delightful wow factor.

Darien’s Moleskine Writing Prompt – Show Some Sparkle

Look at the image and start writing. Don’t stop and don’t worry if it doesn’t make sense or if you veer off in another direction. Just keep your pen moving or your fingers tapping until 10 minutes are up.

Having problems getting started? Start with this: Where were you the last time you watched fireworks, live or on TV? Try a twist: What’s inside of you, ready to explode?

Darien’s Moleskine Writing Prompts – Horsing Around

May 20, 2016 // Leave a Comment

If you’re just joining me, start with this post.

Horse lover? Derby goer? Trail rider?

For lots of kids, school is almost out. Structure and rigidity give way to carefree messing around that wasn’t tolerated in the classroom. When you think of horsing around, what does that mean to you? Was there a kid in your class who couldn’t sit still, who was always the cut up or the troublemaker? Was it you?

Darien’s Moleskine Writing Prompt – Horsing Around

Having problems getting started? Try this: Write about someone in your class in elementary or high school who was the class cut up or disruptor. Or saddle up: When was the last time you were on a horse? What happened (or didn’t)?

A Spring Cleaning Giveaway

April 6, 2016 // 41 Comments

I’m dusting off the dust bunnies with a spring cleaning. Every year I go through a process of simplifying my life, and then somehow I end up accumulating THINGS and have to go through it all over again. I’m sure there’s some kind of beauty in the process, but at the same time I’m like, “Really? Again?!”

But in cleaning up, I found my 3″ research binder for an Avalon novel-in-progress, The Green Girls Garden Club. I had put the binder together a couple of years ago, right after I finished writing The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. I’d had a garden then, a nice-sized one actually, and one day while I was digging weeds out of my vegetable beds I wondered, “What would happen if a woman whose husband mysteriously disappeared several years earlier found something buried in her back yard?” No, not a body. Buried treasure. The hope, of course, is that it will lead to clues of her husband’s whereabouts. But like with all things in Avalon, things are not always as they seem.

I started assembling images and phrases that inspired me. Gardening, growth, regrowth. Those are themes I love and keep coming back to for this book. Also unexpected friendships, good food, and a lovable but not too bright stray Labrador named Achilles. Click on any of the images if you’d to see a bit of what’s being planted for the book…

Here’s my tip for new and experienced gardeners: KEEP A GARDEN JOURNAL. I kept a digital garden journal that let me snap pictures at different stages of a plant’s growth. It was fun to see a plant progress (or not), and helped me figure out issues like stunted growth due to lack of sufficient sun, pest control challenges, and so on. You think you’ll remember but if you’re like me, you won’t! Choose an app that will let you print out your entries. If you keep a notebook or written journal, be sure to update and embellish with photos.

Now onto the giveaway. Actually, make that giveaways, plural. If you love to read, and if you love freebies and giveaways, you’ll want to be in on this. It’s the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop, which runs from Thursday, April 7, 2016 to Saturday, April 16, 2016. That’s 10 days of giveaways, gardening tips, recipes and a grand prize: a Kindle Fire or Nook, winner’s choice.

How to Enter: Participating authors will post their giveaway, gardening tip or recipe on their respective websites. You will have 10 days to enter each individual author contest (over 50 in all) and then submit an entry for the grand prize.

To win the grand prize, you must visit each and every author on the hop. Grand prize entrants will be entered via Rafflecopter, available on the first and final landing page of this hop, located on BloominThyme. All winning entries will be verified.

What will be given away? Everything from books to swag, promotional products and more. The grand prize is an e-reader of your choice (up to $200 value). A second prize of $25 gift card for an e-book retailer gift card.

I’m giving away my latest favorite kitchen gadget: a veggie spiralizer from Paderno World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer. I love mine. I’m sure you’ve seen them around but if not, this will help you get more veggies on your plate. Plus it’s crazy fun! The winner will receive this plus a copy of any of my books (print, ebook or audiobook), winner’s choice.

What do I do when it’s all over? On April 18th, the grand prize winners will be posted on BloominThyme. Individual authors will announce and contact the winners of their author-specific giveaways on their own websites. You will be required to claim your prize according to each giveaway’s terms and conditions.

Speaking of, I will be on the road when the contest ends and won’t be able to choose a winner until the beginning of next month. During the week of May 1, 2016, I’ll choose a winner at random from all the qualified entries and send out the spiralizer, pronto! So don’t fret and sit tight for a couple of weeks. Breathe. Garden. Read. All good options.

To enter my giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me (1) who you are and where you’re from, and (2) who is your favorite character from any of my books and (3) why you like them. Haven’t read my books yet? No worries, choose a book from any author you love! U.S. and Canada residents only (sorry!).

Have fun hopping around, and good luck!

The winner of the 2016 Spring Hop is Taylor Zamora! Congratulations, Taylor!

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