Today's featured author on Books by Banister is the lovely and talented Martha Reynolds. She and I connected on Twitter and Facebook, and we share a love of great books and cute dogs! When she told me that she wanted to write a guest post involving her adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bonnie, I, and my trio of Cocker Spaniels, thought that it was a fantastic idea! Read on to learn how Bonnie has helped Martha with her work.
What My Dog Has Taught Me About Writing
by Martha Reynolds
1) Be
Curious - Bonnie never lets an opportunity pass if she has a chance to
sniff. There might be something good there! Similarly, I am learning to explore
new possibilities in reading. Although I write what is considered contemporary
women’s fiction (romance, mystery, chick lit, it’s all there sometimes), I’m
trying paranormal, young adult, adventure. A well-written story will grab me,
no matter what genre it’s called.
2) Nap- Unlike
me, Bonnie knows when to shut down. Sleep is vital to our well-being, and
although not everyone needs eight hours, we need enough. Skimping on
sleep will never be good for productivity.
3) Get
Outside and Play - When Bonnie hears the words “ride” and “park” in the
same sentence, she races to the door, her tail wagging furiously. She knows how
wonderful it is to be outside, off-leash, running through grass. For those of
us who sit for hours in front of a computer, taking a break by going outside is
important. Fresh air, sunshine, even a walk in the drizzle can clear away some
of the junk that builds up in our heads. I always have a little notebook and
pen in my pocket, just in case an idea forms while I’m outside walking.
4) Learn
New Words - No, it’s never
too late to teach a dog new words. Bonnie is almost four, but she can still
learn something new. And so can I. One of the best ways? Read, read, read. I
read both print books and digital versions, and if I come across a word I don’t
know, I look it up!
5) More
Wag, Less Bark - Yes, the barking is annoying. She wants more food, or she
sees a squirrel out the window, or the blasted doorbell rings. Or I’m on the
phone. No one wants to hear it. And no one wants to hear me whine, either.
Instead of griping about the work involved in self-publishing, or the
slower-than-I’d-like book sales, how about I make happy noises about all the
blessings in my life?
6) Stick
to a schedule - Bonnie gets up, she goes outside, she tinkles and poops.
Every morning. Every afternoon. And another tinkle at night. She likes her
routine. And so do I. Two cups of coffee and a light breakfast in the morning,
then write for two to three hours. That’s my routine, my schedule. And
when something throws that schedule off (and something always will), I’m out of
sorts. It’s okay, life happens. I just get back on track as soon as it’s
feasible.
7) Never
give up - Bonnie has one of those toys with a hole in it for hiding a small
treat. It’s her job to figure out how to get it. And she gets it every time! Sometimes
it takes a long time, but she is persistent. Because she knows, she understands
that there is a reward. Same with writing. Feel like you want to give up
sometimes? Of course you do. But there is a reward to writing. You finish your
manuscript and all its revisions, you publish, or you find an agent and get a
publishing deal, but none of this happens overnight. We all know that some of
the world’s best and most prolific writers went years before they found
success. Some had to die first. Hopefully, that won’t be us! Never give up on
your dream.
Thanks to Martha and Bonnie for dropping by Books by Banister and sharing their wisdom with us. Be sure to check out Martha's very popular and well-reviewed CHOCOLATE series. Details below!
Author Bio:
Martha Reynolds published her debut novel, CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST,
in 2012. It follows a young woman into adulthood during a year abroad in
Switzerland. CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST was voted the 2012 Book of the
Year in the category of Women's Fiction by Turning the Pages Books.
Her
second novel, CHOCOLATE FONDUE, is the sequel to CHOCOLATE FOR
BREAKFAST. Both books are available in digital and print versions. If
you haven't read the first book, you can still enjoy the second, but
it's better to start with Breakfast!
She and her husband live in New England, never far from the ocean.
Book Blurb:
Young Bernie (Bernadette) Maguire is in for the journey of a lifetime
when her junior year abroad takes her to Fribourg, Switzerland. Ripe for
love and adventure, she is seduced by a handsome Swiss banker, but is
horrified when she discovers she's pregnant. Protected and befriended by
those who help to keep her secret for as long as possible, this moving
rite-of-passage tale will warm the heart as a young woman struggles with
an all-too-familiar dilemma. Yet after an unexpected death and the
discovery of her pregnancy by a classmate, Bernie’s life takes some
unexpected turns that will take decades to resolve.
Buy Chocolate for Breakfast:
Amazon
Since CHOCOLATE FONDUE is a sequel, I'm not going to post a blurb because it would be spoilery!
Buy Chocolate Fondue:
Connect with Martha Reynolds:
.jpg)
