Monday Musings 4-5-21

Life is messy. At the moment, it is particularly messy for my family and several friends in our close circle. But, even in the midst of the messiness, there is beauty. We can find it in the perfect note of a song, or a colorful sunrise over the water, or the softest brush of a kiss. It’s there on a warm spring morning, with the purr of a kitten, during a shared meal with friends. If we are looking, even in the midst of the messiness, we will find generosity and kindness and the strength of the human spirit.

It’s all there. If we have opened our eyes in the morning, it is all still there for us.

So, in the midst of the mess, I think we have a choice. We can choose to live mired in fear or beaten down by our challenges, or we can choose to seek out the sweetness. We can actively look for it, appreciate it, embrace it. This perspective doesn’t minimize our grief or suffering. Life will bring every one of us to our knees at some point. But, if we don’t pay attention to the beauty, even when we might rather bury our heads under the covers, the suffering is all we will see.

“Struggles are a part of life but they are not the totality of what life entails so we must remember to discover all the other ingredients that make life worth living.”

Monday Musings 3-29-21

It’s another month with five Mondays. I guess it isn’t surprising that this phenomenon falls on arguably the longest month of the year - March! While spring is certainly inevitable, March in New England is rough, fluctuating between sleet, snow, fog, and glorious sunny days. It’s enough to give us whiplash. However, the addition of an extra Monday means I get to write a cross-over blog for Monday Musings and Dear Maggie!

In all my circles, professional and personal, we’ve been talking about re-entry. With vaccines rolling out, the world is slowly opening back up, but I think many of us are a bit shell shocked. The pause in our lives wasn’t just a blip on the radar, it encompassed an entire year. Now, we have to find our way back to normal, whatever that looks like.

Our difficulties with re-entry might be for different reasons. Maybe we’ve fallen into something of a rut, all too comfortable sticking close to home in our pajamas. Maybe we’re so out of practice with our routines that it seems daunting to restart them. Or maybe, we’re in the opposite position, and our work was vital during the pandemic, leaving us exhausted and wrung out.

Whatever the case, my first thought is that we should be gentle with ourselves. We’ve come through something daunting, something that our generation hasn’t ever faced in quite this way. It’s okay to feel disoriented. It’s okay to feel, well, whatever it is we’re feeling.

My formula for a gentle re-entry is to add things back slowly. I’ve already started with a few things I feel comfortable doing or that bring me joy, like attending yoga classes and going on hikes. Maybe for you it’s taking a walk or meeting a friend for coffee? Our family has also begun to plan travel, but instead of lavish vacations, we’re going to spend time visiting the family and friends we haven’t seen in person for a while.

The slower pace of lockdown wasn’t all bad, and I don’t want to forget some of the healthy lessons. As the world re-opens, I want to be purposeful with where I choose to spend my time, energy, and resources. My schedule often tipped into exhausting pre-lockdown, and there’s no need for that. Balance is my goal.

Pre-lockdown, I had some healthy habits around saying yes to new projects and activities. I’m going to dust them off and implement them again. One of those good habits was to sleep on something before committing to it. If I’m still enthusiastic after letting it sit for a while, then I know it’s a true yes and not a knee-jerk reaction to something that sounds interesting. As my schedule begins to fill again, I want to be sure I’m focused on the things that are most important.

As we’re able to gather in person again and the world begins to right itself, I’m looking forward to many things. I’m also admittedly a bit tentative, but I think that’s to be expected. We’ve had a rough go of it this last year, and it will take time to feel like we’ve fully emerge from our shells!

“Growth is measured by the gentleness and awareness with which we once again pick ourselves up. The openness with which we take the next unknown step into the remarkable mystery of being.” - Stephen Levine

Monday Musings 3-15-21

There’s only a week left of winter, officially anyway. Here in New England, it’s that in-between time when one second it’s breezy and warm, and the next it’s snowing. Today, was frigid. I think my face froze when I filled my gas tank, but the promise of spring is in the air. The world is awakening - full of promise and new growth and sunshine.

This time last year, regardless of the actual date on the calendar, we entered what felt like a winter of the soul. Fear was already in the air. Sickness crept across the globe, and we didn’t know what that meant for ourselves, our families, or for the human race.

Here we are, almost exactly a year later, and the world is slowly opening back up. In some ways it feels like a lifetime has passed, and in other ways it feels like lost time, like we are awakening from a prolonged pause. I’m more than ready to return to many of the things I missed last year. I can’t wait to be with the people we haven’t seen, including two of my kids. I’m eager to attend book events and live conferences. I’m ready for the freedom of travel. But, I also don’t want to forget some of the unintentional lessons we learned from ‘COVID season’. We took to heart the idea of living simply. We enjoyed time with our family and friends close to home. We thought carefully about how and where we wanted to use our time and resources. We found new ways to care for each other.

In my yoga class today (yes, yoga is in the studio now, not virtually in the basement) the instructor invited us to ‘be in creation.’ While she was talking about the physical poses we were creating with our bodies, on the drive home, I thought about the phrase on a larger scale. We all have an opportunity to thoughtfully and intentionally ‘be in creation’ as we re-enter the world.

“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” - John Schaar

Monday Musings 3-1-21

Today, during my morning yoga practice, the instructor invited us to “move without rushing.” Our practice is a vinyasa power flow, and I love it because its the right balance between stretching, toning, and sweating. Vinyasa indicates that, for part of the class, the poses will be strung together into flowing movements. It tends to kick my heart rate up and get a good sweat going, but it’s also easy for me to check out during this time and rush from one posture to another without fully engaging in any of them. Her words helped keep me present during class, and they also resonated after I left to start my work week.

I often find that I’m either rushing through an ambitious to-do list or trying to drag myself through the day, completely spent before I even start. Although I’ve been working at home for years now, and have a good understanding of my own rhythm and productivity, I still struggle with balance. This idea to “move without rushing” invites full engagement in the moment and balances it with forward progress. It reminds me that I can be present in my task, whatever it is, and then move on gracefully when it’s time. There is no need to hurry, and there is no reason to look to the next moment while engaged in this one. Progress is still being made, and whatever I am working on, or whoever I am with, deserves my full attention.

Sometimes, the simplest of ideas can be transformative. Today, I will move without rushing.

IN OTHER NEWS…

Our newest kitten has adjusted nicely to the family. Along with our other fluff muffins, she provides us with hours of entertainment!

Monday Musings 2-15-21

This weekend I presented at Boskone, a science fiction conference I really enjoy. Similar to its World Con cousin, Boskone brings together an eclectic group of scientists, writers, artists, musicians, and gamers. While Comic Cons are fun (you can’t beat the energy, cosplay, and merchandise!), Boskone brings an intellectual depth to the event that the big celebrity Cons lack.

I had the good fortune to moderate several panels this year. My favorite was titled Libraries and Archives in Speculative Fiction. Among other things, we talked about the evolution of information exchange and storage with the advent of the digital age, the role of libraries past and present, and how we can imagine storytelling in the future. At some point, we discussed how information, even blatantly false information, can be amplified quickly and exponentially in the modern age. How, then, do we meet this era of ‘fake news,’ and counter the idea that opinion is truth?

As a fiction writer, I am interested mainly in telling a good story. I explore topics through my characters and plot action that interest me. I hope my work is both entertaining and thought provoking. As a citizen, I feel a different responsibility, and that is to engage responsibly and authentically with the issues of the day.

My personal commitments include finding opportunities for thoughtful discussions at conferences, book clubs, and lectures, listening to experts in their fields, and taking time to fact-check sources before amplifying any particular piece of information. I will continue to stretch my own understanding, expose myself to differing perspectives, and recognize the difference between my opinion and fact.

Speaking something loudly enough doesn’t make it the truth. Our discussion at Boskone reinforced my commitment to participate responsibly in social discourse, and to remember, as someone who wields words for a living, the extraordinary power of words.

“The crisis we face about ‘truth’ and reliable facts is predicated less on the ability to get people to believe the wrong thing as it is on the ability to get people to doubt the right thing.” - Jamais Cascio

Monday Musings 2-1-21

Today is my second son’s 23rd birthday. He is across the continent celebrating with his lovely girlfriend. We haven’t seen him in person in over a year, and that’s hard, but he is where he should be, doing what he should be doing. The pandemic has set his career plans back a bit, but I have no doubt he’ll be just fine when the world opens up again.

On each of the kids’ birthdays, I like to pull out their special baby photo albums and reminisce. Ray and I marveled after the birth of each one that, while they may have the same parents, they are so very unique. It’s been a wonder to watch them grow into adulthood.

Child number two is a writer. He’s the one whose opinion I seek when I’ve finished a new manuscript. His talent at identifying the plot hole, or character deficiency, or finding a simple solution to a tangle, makes him my go-to guy when I’m stuck in my own writing. With his mellow personality, you’d never suspect that he also brings down the house with his stand-up comedy routines. I think because he is an keen observer of people as well as an amazing storyteller, he resonates well with an audience. His creativity is boundless, and even as a child, his keen intelligence was obvious. As he grew into adulthood, his good humor, steady personality, and kindness matured along with him.

As with all my kids, I am proud they are following their dreams and doing amazing things, but mostly I am so proud of the people they are - compassionate, thoughtful, responsible. As different as they are from each other, they all share these qualities. Happy birthday, Noah! We love and miss you.

In other news….

Save the date! I’ll be presenting at Boskone this year, February 12-14, 2021. Join me online for this fantastic science fiction and fantasy convention. It's going to be a great weekend filled with discussions of books, science, art, games, music, and more. Visit the Boskone website: http://www.boskone.org/ to register.

Monday Musings 1-18-21

January is underway, and I’m diving into my new projects with enthusiasm. Of course, we’re only a couple of weeks in, so the energy that surrounds something new is still at play. I’ve learned to take advantage of this feeling and capitalize on what I call ‘the shiny new object’ effect. I can get a lot accomplished at this time of year.

Of course, this is also the time I’m tempted to say yes to everything that comes my way. Then, I’m often sorry when March rolls around and I’m overcommitted. I don’t want to dull the shine of my own enthusiasm, or lose the momentum of the moment, but I also need to stay focused and committed to the projects I’ve signed on for. So, what’s the key to balancing the tension between these two gestures?

For me, one trick is to look for places to pause.

As a writer, pacing is an important part of storytelling. If I overwhelm my readers with one action scene after another, or too many intense emotional scenes without a break, they’ll be exhausted. Conversely, if I don’t create enough dramatic tension and excitement, the story sags and readers will flip the pages in boredom. Finding timely pauses in the action or emotion gives readers a much-needed breather. It gives them a moment to process what’s happened. A timely pause makes for effective storytelling. If you’re a writer, here’s more on pacing your story, including the use of pauses: Pacing Pitfalls and Tips to Tackle Them.

This idea of appreciating the pause translates well into a life practice. When I find moments to stop and breathe, I have more clarity, more energy, and better discernment going forward. I’ve made it a habit now to pause before I say yes to something new. I let the idea sit and percolate for a night or three, and then, if I still feel excited, I am confident in my yes.

A pause allows inspiration to take root. Last week, I was asked to speak at a rather large meeting with only a day’s notice. I wrote down a few ideas on how to tackle the topic, and then I paused, slept on it, and let my brain do its thing. When I woke up, I knew exactly how I wanted to approach the conversation. A pause may seem passive, but really, it is a space which allows for creativity, inspiration, and clarity to flourish.

“In many a piece of music, it's the pause or the rest that gives the piece its beauty and its shape. And I know I, as a writer, will often try to include a lot of empty space on the page so that the reader can complete my thoughts and sentences and so that her imagination has room to breathe.” - Pico Iyer

IN OTHER NEWS…

My short story, LADY IN BLUE, is live on the Tales to Terrify podcast this month! They do an amazing job with audio productions. Patience Pitman was born with the gift, like her late mother before her. As she oversees the reconstruction of her childhood home, burned to the ground in a fire years ago, she finally pieces together the mystery of the Blue Lady, a vengeful apparition who haunted her youth. 'Lady in Blue' is classic ghost story set in turn of the century New England. Have a free listen to LADY IN BLUE! The story starts at approximately 15:30.

Recently, I spent an hour with my good friend, Monica Rodgers, on The Revelation Project podcast. We talked about everything from relationships, to mountain climbing, to kids. If you want to get to know me a little better, you can have a listen. Writing Yourself Open - The Revelation Project Podcast.

Our new kitten is here! You may know that we recently lost a kitten to sepsis only a few days after he arrived. This baby is our little lost kitten’s half-sister, and she is just the sweetest! Welcome baby Cirilla!

Monday Musing 1-4-21

At around 10:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, I finally finished the first draft of my latest manuscript. I gave myself a little bit of a break because, you know, global pandemic and all, but I didn’t want to drag this draft into the new year.

Writing ‘the end’ is quite satisfying, but as soon as I finish a manuscript, I experience a moment of crippling self-doubt. What if it’s total shit? What if the plot makes no sense and the characters are shallow? What if I really don’t have any talent?

During the writing process, I experience these sorts of moments a couple of times - once, smack in the middle of the story, when I’m convinced I’ve totally lost the plot, again when I’ve just finished the first draft and have to give it a read through, and finally, in the middle of editing, when I think the whole thing will fall apart.

But this isn’t my first rodeo. Nope. It’s my seventh. Yes, this is the seventh full-length manuscript I’ve completed, so I know the drill by now. Experience helps, which is why my number one piece of advice to new writers is to finish something. Even if it needs crazy edits. Even if the whole project gets scrapped eventually because it really is shit. Even if it sits in a drawer collecting dust. Experience will give you the confidence to know you can get to the other side.

I think what made 2020 so scary is that we really didn’t know if we’d get to the other side, and, if we did make it, we didn’t know what things would look like when we got there. Finishing another project and celebrating the end of a very challenging year has left me with two seemingly opposite but possibly complementary thoughts. First, we gain strength, experience, and wisdom by seeing something through to completion. Also, this moment is the only one that is guaranteed, so we need to live fully in the moment. Striving to balance these two ideas will be part of my work for 2021.

May your New Year be filled with peace, joy, and hope!

Monday Musings 12-21-20

The end of 2020 is almost here, and most of us are really looking forward to turning the page on our calendars! The human race has collectively had a rough go of it in 2020. Every year, most of us look back and take stock, maybe reassess, and then set our intentions for the coming year. For me, the new year usually represents all kinds of potential. I like to stand in the beginning of it and imagine all I can accomplish in the coming months. But this year, it feels more like a celebration of endings.

My different mindset this year got me thinking about endings, and the fact that sometimes we aren’t aware that we’ve just experienced something for the last time, or said goodbye to someone for the last time. This has happened often in my life, especially with regards to raising children. I don’t know the exact last time we read a bedtime story, only that one day, it wasn’t part of our bedtime routine anymore. I can’t recall the last time I pushed a little body on a swing, or buckled someone into a carseat. These things just ended, quietly and without fanfare.

My third son is a senior in high school. He was an multi-season athlete and sang in the high school choir. I’ll admit, sometimes I didn’t feel like attending one more concert or one more sports award ceremony, but without realizing it, I’d already attended the last one. The pandemic didn’t allow for all the ‘last things’ we’d planned on.

Last year, Ray and I were together with all our children for the holidays. This year, we won’t be. Hopefully, we’ll have them all together again in the near future, but most of the kids are adults now, with their own lives and schedules, so we really don’t know when it will be. Last Christmas, we had no idea that it might literally be years before we’d all be together again.

Many things during this strange timeline have only taken a hiatus, they aren’t over for good. I fully expect to attend a live concert, travel for book signings, visit family, and celebrate special occasions together with my children again. But living through this pandemic has made me pause and consider how I might approach an experience differently if I knew it was the last time.

Maybe there is a gift buried amidst the angst and loss we’ve collectively endured this year. Maybe we will savor the sweetness of simple things. Maybe we will love more unreservedly. Maybe, because we’ve deeply felt how fragile life can be, we will live more fully in each moment.

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
― A.A. Milne

Wishing you all happy holidays, and a new year filled with hope, joy, and love.

Monday Musings 12-7-20

This past Saturday the local writer’s group I belong to hosted our first Virtual Author Expo. Usually, we have a fantastic in-person event where readers can buy signed books for holiday gifts or simply meet an author whose work they enjoy. Obviously, this sort of gathering was out so we opted to create an on-line event. The day was filled with Zoom author meet-and-greets, and panels and presentations on all sorts of topics. We had no idea what to expect and were pleasantly surprised by the robust attendance. Even when we’re able to have our live event again, we may add this virtual event to the year’s line-up.

One of the panels on which I participated focused on writing a series. Later, I had a chat with my mom, an avid reader, about things that turn readers off, and one of them was when an author didn’t deliver a satisfying ending to a particular book in a series. It’s one thing to purposefully leave off on a cliff-hanger and pick up the story thread immediately in the following book (this is not a favorite technique of mine, but it’s one I’m willing to tolerate as a reader as long as I’m satisfied by the end of the series). It’s another thing to leave too much unresolved, leave your readers wanting, and not provide a complete enough story for a particular book in that series.

So, if you’re considering writing a series, here are some pointers and tips to keep your readers engaged for the long haul.

When we think about a book series, a couple of different types come to mind. There’s the series featuring the same main cast of characters but with a different plot for each. Murder mysteries are a good example. I’m a fan of Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series. In each new installment, I look forward to catching up with Alex and his cop friend Milo. I also know that they’ll be working a new case, most likely unrelated to the last. It’s what I expect from this kind of series.

Then, there are series that require more than one book to complete the overall story arc. Harry Potter and the Hunger Games are favorites of mine and good examples of this kind of series. Each book is a novel in its own right, but each segment carries us toward the completion of the story. I’m going to focus these pointers on stories with arcs that take several books to complete.

1. Be sure you know the ending.

When your plot stretches across several books, it’s important to have a plan for the finale. Complications are good. Intrigue and suspense are good. Not having any idea for a resolution is not good. That’s not to say your ending can’t evolve as your story unfolds. In the course of your writing, things will change. You may find a more exiting way to bring about the demise of the villain, save the kingdom, or settle on a new planet. But, I think it’s important to have an idea of where you’re going before you get started. Without a road map, you may wander aimlessly for hundreds of thousands of words.

2. Know when it’s time to end.

After spending so much time with them, you’ve probably fallen in love with your characters and with the world you’ve created. It’s tempting to keep going, even after the story ends. Maybe there’s room to do this. You could fast-forward years into the future and create another conflict in your world. You could focus on minor characters from the first series and give them an adventure of their own. Possibilities exist, but be sure you have a fresh tale to tell. Don’t hang on and keep writing beyond the natural life of the story.

3. Don’t lose the thread of minor plot-lines.

You’ll likely have several minor plot-lines over the course of the series. It’s important to keep track so you’ve can bring them all to a satisfying conclusion. If you’ve chosen to leave something open, it should be a conscious decision that serves the story, not because you’ve forgotten something.

4. Maintain consistency with your world-building and in the details.

The rules of magic you’ve created, or the advanced technology you’ve described in your worlds, should remain consistent throughout. Important details, whether they’re about a character’s quirks, or the geography of a planet, should remain consistent. Readers notice when they aren’t.

5. Show character development.

Your characters will be faced with danger, endure loss, fall in love, overcome challenges, etc. Their adventures will have an effect on them, and it’s important to show this impact to the reader. Knowing where and how the action of the story will conclude is important. I would suggest that it is equally important to know how your characters will fare in the end. Will they be bruised but still standing, traumatized but healing, wiser or jaded? Your characters are the heart of your story. Show how they’ve changed in response to their experiences.

Starting a new series is exciting. As readers, we look forward to prolonging our time with interesting characters and spending more time on an epic adventure. Writing a series is just as much fun. If you decide to commit to a series, use the ideas above to help chart your course.

In other news…

YOU CAN ORDER SIGNED COPIES OF MY BOOKS!

Signed books make great holiday gifts. You can now order personalized copies of all books in the HORIZON series directly from my website. Click here to place your order: SIGNED BOOKS BY TABITHA LORD.

Monday Musings 11-30-20

The month of November has five Mondays. That’s right, five! What dark sorcery is this? I had a moment of panic when I realized this extra Monday would throw my carefully crafted schedule of blog posts into confusion. Generally, I alternate between my two platforms, but alas, there is so much happening in both my author worlds that I’m going to post the same information in both places today. Problem solved!

VIRTUAL RI AUTHOR EXPO - THIS SATURDAY!

On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI VIRTUAL EXPO. Click the button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Click here for more details on my events: TABITHA’S SCHEDULE

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

ORDER SIGNED COPIES OF MY BOOKS!

Signed books make great holiday gifts. You can now order personalized copies of all books in the HORIZON series directly from my website. Click here to place your order: SIGNED BOOKS BY TABITHA LORD

If you are a romance fan, or know someone who is, check out my alter ego’s books. You can order personalized copies of the Tactical Solutions International series directly from Maggie’s website. Click here to place your order: SIGNED BOOKS BY MAGGIE CLARE!

FREE BOOK FOR CYBER MONDAY!

Start binging the Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense series today!

Fiona and Jake’s fairytale romance comes crashing down around them when Jake is seriously injured overseas. But when Fiona’s life hangs in the balance, Jake must resurrect his inner warrior in time to save her.

Click here to download your FREE copy of SING FOR ME.

Monday Musings 11-16-20

The dark days of winter are quickly approaching, and this year, with more lockdowns on the horizon, I’m feeling a low grade sense of panic set in. I already struggle to keep from circling the drain mental-health wise in the winter, and with the added stress of the pandemic, I’m going to have to call on all the tricks in my book to get through the season.

So, what are those tricks? Most importantly, I pay attention to self-care. During the winter, my tendency is to let things go that I probably shouldn’t in the self-care department. I don’t feel like working out when it’s still dark in the morning. I want hot chocolate and comfort food pretty much all the time. Sweat pants and a baseball hat seems like a fine wardrobe choice. Instead of fighting these tendencies, I try to incorporate them in a healthy, balanced way. Here are a few specific things I try to do:

• Get more sleep. I need it and the longer nights promote it. I pretend I'm hibernating. 

• Make my work space more pleasant. Candles and twinkle lights. Seriously. They make the darkness, which lasts so much longer now, feel cozy.

• More yoga, less gym. I don't stress myself about getting in a hard core workout a certain number of times per week in the winter. Rather, I commit to more hot yoga. It's great exercise, it’s good for tight winter muscles, and it's hot. Did I mention it's hot? Even if the studio I attend has to close down, I have a place in my house ready to go, complete with space heaters and candles.

• Outdoor time. It takes more effort, layers, and proper footwear, but when I can take a hike in the woods, or even take a walk around the neighborhood, I'm in a better mood afterwards.

Hopefully, there is a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, with a vaccine on the horizon. But, it is still a long, daunting tunnel to traverse before we get to the other side. Before the season really takes hold, it may be a good time to think ahead about how you’ll manage it. Your self-care methods may not be mine, but you get the idea. Feel free to share what works for you!

In other news…

Save the date! The RI Author Expo is going virtual this year. On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI Virtual Expo. Click the blue button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Here’s my schedule for the day:

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 11-2-20

Last week we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Gabby. What we thought was aging joints and inflammation turned out to be bone cancer. One afternoon, she went outside, curled up on the deck, and couldn’t get back up. It was probably best for her that she went so quickly as things were only going to get much worse, but we were devastated.

Gabby was already four years old when she came to live us. When we bring an animal into our lives, we can pretty much guarantee that because of their shorter lifespan they’re going to break our hearts at some point. Yet, they give us such joy and love, we know we’d do it all over again.

Gabby came into my life just as I’d started working from home. Although it was my daughter who wanted a dog, I needed the companionship too. Our sweet girl didn’t disappoint. She slept at my feet while I worked, always one paw touching me somewhere. She hiked with me for miles, happy to be out in all weather. She attended numerous baseball and football games, excited to be part of our third son’s cheering section.

I have pictures of everyone in the family giving Gabby full-body hugs. Actually, it looks more like she is giving us a full-body hug. Ray and I would often joke that we hoped to be worthy of her unconditional love, and that no one was happier to see us when we’d walk through the door than Gabby.

I miss her when I sit out on the porch. I miss her when I’m working at the kitchen table. I miss her when I spill something on the floor. I miss her howling comically at the cookie jar, begging for a treat. She was a beautiful soul and I am eternally grateful that she shared our home for the last six years.

Rest easy, dear Gabby. We love you.

In other news…

Save the date! The RI Author Expo is going virtual this year. On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI Virtual Expo. Click the blue button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Here’s my schedule for the day:

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 10-5-20

We’ve finally gotten around to renovating our master suite. Every other part of the house has had a refresh, but of course our space was last. It was so bad in there that nails spiked up out of the ratty old carpet and snagged your socks, and my closet door fell off the hinges about a year ago and still stood propped against the wall holding my shoe rack. Ray and I would say to each other, “It’s time to get our room done." And then we’d leave and shut the door. There was always another priority. Now, though, the room is torn down to the studs, the contractor is meeting with the designer, and we’re a go for the remodel.

Those of you who know me, or have been reading my blog for a while, know that I like my space in order, and that I’m a bit over the top with my organizational systems. For example, when the kids were younger and we’d be coming up on the winter season, I’d dump all the winter clothes into a pile on the floor, boots included, and have them dress in whatever fit. Despite all the hand-me-downs, someone always needed a coat, another snow pants, someone else mittens, etc. I designed a spreadsheet which recorded who needed what and in what size, and then spent about thirty minutes online with LLBean placing our order. It beat the heck out of winter shopping with four kids in tow. See how my brain works?

What’s happening in my house right now goes against all that order. There are tarps strewn down the stairs, dust and dirt floating everywhere, and our spare bedroom upstairs is now ‘that room’ which holds everything we don’t know what to do with. I spun out in my head during the first few days of mayhem, but, thanks to years of being an obsessive-compulsive organizational freak, I’ve put things to right in my little world. We’ve moved into the cozy guest suite downstairs, the non-construction zones are clean and tidy, and my workspace is untouched.

This ability to create order from chaos has served me well over the years. It’s helped me run a large household, manage a multi-faceted career, and now keep myself (mostly) on track while working from home. The relationship between my physical space and my mental well-being is one I acknowledge. I can tune out quite a bit of stimulus and still be productive, but I can’t work amidst a mess. So, I take the extra time each morning to set things to right in my home and workspace. And, when there is more disturbance than usual, I find ways to control the chaos on a smaller scale.

In order to stay on target with my projects for the year, I have to finish the first draft of Dreamwalker this month, this same month that my house is upended and my kids are trying to navigate school during Covid. I’ll let you know how well my systems work! It’ll be a good test!

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” - Benjamin Franklin

Monday Musings 9-21-20

My youngest child is finally reading my science fiction series. Written as adult fiction, thematically it just isn’t appropriate for younger teens. But, she’s old enough now and has a pile of my books next to her bed. She’s already texted me, demanding to know WHY I KILLED THAT CHARACTER? And she wants to have a conversation regarding some of my narrative choices. It’s interesting when your kids have a creative streak themselves!

I’m working on my latest manuscript, and a few characters will be meeting an unfortunate end for sure. This got me thinking about when and how we kill off characters in our work, especially beloved ones. It’s becoming more mainstream to take out an important lead for dramatic effect - think Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. Killing off a character in a believable, meaningful way has tremendous impact, but taking someone out every season becomes predictable.

Achieving the correct balance in writing is tricky. On the one hand, we don’t want to traumatize our readers for shock value alone. On the other hand, if we are writing in genres with danger around every corner, it seems inevitable that someone will have to go. We lose believability if everyone makes it home in one piece.

If we are going to kill a character, that death should have purpose. It can be a motivating factor for other characters’ actions. It can be a necessary and believable outcome of events. It can be used to push the plot forward.

Once a character has died, showing the aftermath and effect on the other characters is imperative. We need to see their grief, anger, and maybe, ultimately their acceptance. A death can provide dramatic moments and add authenticity to the story, but killing a character should never be gratuitous.

So, when my daughter corners me and asks why I killed a character, this is what I’ll tell her!

In other news…

You may have read that I’ll be sending out Monday Musings on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, and my alter ego, Maggie Clare, will be sending out a newsletter on the 2nd and 4th Monday. If you’re interested in receiving that one (the content and tone will be a little different) you can sign up on Maggie’s website here: msmaggieclare.com.

Monday Musings 9-7-20

It’s a gorgeous September day here in New England. Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary. We had dinner out and stayed overnight in a hotel. It was perfect, and life felt almost normal.

We are currently sitting on the front porch watching our neighbors with young children pushing strollers, chasing after bikes with training wheels, and walking toddlers and puppies. We’ve both commented on how much we enjoyed that time in our lives - and it was quite a long time, raising four kids eleven years apart in total. We also very much appreciate where we are now - able to take off for the night without any prior arranging, except to make sure kid #3 feeds the dog.

This Covid summer, we were limited in what we could do and where we could go, so we spent it mostly home together, enjoying this life we’ve built. It’s a full, messy, sometimes chaotic life full of laughter, tears, and love, and neither of us would trade it.

With the approaching fall, we’ll shift into busy season with work, school activities, deadlines, and early mornings. Still, our life now is the result of conscious choices and proactive decisions. We are where we want to be, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

“Happiness is a deep sense of flourishing, not a mere pleasurable feeling or fleeting emotion but an optimal state of being.” – Matthieu Ricard

And now for some housekeeping items…

• From now on, I’ll be sending Monday Musings on the first and third Monday of the month. Turns out, managing multiple author platforms while trying to produce content is actually quite time-consuming! If you’d like to follow my Maggie Clare blog on the second and fourth Monday each month, you can sign up at www.msmaggieclare.com.

• I’m working diligently on Dreamwalker, my newest manuscript featuring a badass lady assassin, and I’ll be sharing a few sneak peeks here in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

• I’ve rebooked several Comic Cons and signings for 2021. You can find those dates here: Tabitha’s Event Schedule. Fingers crossed that the world will be safe enough for us to get together in person!

• Of particular note, the Annual RI Author Expo on December 5th is going to be virtual this year. I’m the gal in charge of planning the programs and panels. So far they’re shaping up to be interesting and varied. More info to come as we get closer to the event.

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and virtual interactions. Please do stay in touch!

Monday Musings 8-31-20

I can’t believe today is the last day of August! When I sat on the front porch this morning, I could feel the change in the air. As fall approaches, I’ve been reflecting on this COVID summer. When all my travel and book promotional events had to be cancelled, I consciously adapted my expectations and revised my goals for the season. Now, standing on the other side, I’m reviewing, assessing, and planning for the fall.

Naturally, I’ve been obsessing over the things I didn’t accomplish, like finishing my latest manuscript. I’ve never been able to produce a lot of content during the summer, but I thought this year, with no travel, I might be able to do more. Turns out, I’m still not all that productive a writer during the summer season.

Okay, so the manuscript is only half finished, but I was busy! My habit, so I don’t get too down on myself, is to review the things I did accomplish right after the list of things I did not. This summer, I worked with an amazing team of educators to prepare our school for reopening. I took on more responsibility at Inkitt, where I am the managing editor for the writer’s blog. I launched two more books in my new romantic suspense series. I read several interesting novels and interviewed a couple of fabulous authors. I started working with a team to plan RI’s Virtual Expo. I rebooked all my travel for next year.

More importantly, I also spent good quality time with my family and close friends. We barbecued, swam, laughed, and yes, drank a bit more than we should have. All in all, for a summer filled with uncertainty and challenge, I came out of it no worse for the wear, and for this, I am very grateful.

I’ll spend the rest of the week planning what I need to accomplish this fall, but for today, I am going to appreciate the crisp air, blue sky, and these last few days of summer.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie

Monday Musings 8-24-20

Many of you know that my career prior to writing full time was in education. I was the Admissions Director and Latin teacher at the independent school where my children attended from Early Childhood through Grade 8. It was an accidental career. I’d planned on eventually finishing medical school, but when I found this school for my children, my own path took a detour.

My husband and I truly believe sending our kids to Meadowbrook was one of the single best decisions we ever made as parents. In addition to their stellar education, it created a lifelong community for them, and also for us as young parents and for me as a young professional.

Two years ago, the school building burned to the ground after being struck by lightening. It was the perfect storm of events - middle of the night storm with no one to witness, and several lightening strikes which started a smoldering blaze in the roof and fried the alarm system. It was a devastating moment in our school’s history, but one which proved to me once again just how incredible our faculty, staff, and community truly is.

Today, I stood with my former colleagues in my role as Board President to ‘bless’ the new building. In the midst of a global pandemic, I am continually inspired by the commitment this group has to the children and to the mission of the school. This place, these people, and the work we do fills me with hope, and I am honored to still be part of it.

A vision without a task is a dream,
A task without a vision is drudgery,
But a task with a vision can change the world.

Monday Musings 8-17-20

Every year in the middle of August, around now actually, I start to feel as if time is galloping away at top speed. The summer is winding down. The changeover to fall is in the air. Sure, we have some scorching days, backyard BBQs, and beach time left, but September is in sight.

Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. I love the crisp days, my renewed interest in cooking, the productivity in my work life. I love apple picking, football season, and mulled cider. I love the changing leaves, pumpkins, and dressing up for Halloween. My trepidation isn’t really about the change of seasons at all, it’s about the way I can feel time passing by in such a visceral way.

This year, I am torn between wanting to draw out time, and feeling a desperate urge to speed things forward. This hasn’t been the easiest timeline for me, or for anyone else on planet Earth. A resurgence in the virus is a very real concern. My inability to travel has directly impacted my career. I haven’t seen my two oldest children since Christmas. The list goes on. But, I am acutely aware that tomorrow isn’t promised and this moment is a gift, so savoring the here and now, mindfully choosing how to spend my time, and fully embracing the present with all its challenges, is how I am striving to show up.

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” Dalai Lama

Monday Musings 8-10-20

Tomorrow my alter ego, Maggie Clare, is releasing a new book. Release day is always exciting, but also a little bittersweet and somewhat underwhelming. It would seem that all the hard work of writing, editing, and promoting will come to fruition on this one day, but that’s not how it works.

A good bit happens during the pre-release phase, and there will still plenty of work to do in the days following. That’s just the nature of the publishing beast. I’ve learned to celebrate this one moment for sure. After all, it’s a milestone. But, I’ve also learned to lower my expectations for the day itself.

Expectations are tricky. They imply that there is a satisfactory outcome or an unsatisfactory one, when we really don’t have much control over outcome.

When the kids were little, the amount of chaos around the house was pretty significant. For both Ray and I, two obsessive compulsive neat freaks, this was a challenge. But we weren’t the only people living in the house, and to expect four little ones to maintain an order that met our expectations was completely unreasonable. A friend suggested we simply lower those expectations. When we did, our lives became a lot less stressful.

I had all kinds of plans for 2020 with regard to book sales, travel, panels and signings. Despite the ground work and preparation, none of it came to fruition. No one predicted that a global pandemic would derail everything! While this year has been challenging on so many levels, I actually adapted my work plans pretty quickly. In this creative space, I’ve become adept at focusing on those things I can control, and letting go of everything else.

So, I don’t really have expectations for tomorrow, other than to appreciate I accomplished something, and I took another step forward on my chosen career path. Without expectations, I am free to enjoy whatever the results.

“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.” -Stephen Hawking

In case you are interested, click here for Maggie Clare’s Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense series. And don’t worry, if this is not your jam, I’m working on a gritty urban fantasy novel featuring a vigilante lady assassin who kills bad guys in their sleep!