November 18, 2013

I'm proud to announce that I finally have something published!

Back in the Spring 2013, my critique partners and I started a project; we'd each craft a short story and planned to self publish an anthology, and we also decided to started a publishing company - Timeless Scribes Publishing, LLC!  

Talk about a venture.  The idea was exciting and scary at the same time.  But we pulled it off and our first book was recently released!

Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, and Emma Kaye make up the company.   We, together with Julie Rowe - a wonderful Carina Press author who contributed to the anthology, released: Timeless Keepsakes, a collection of Christmas stories.  I am immensely proud of us!

So, today is my folks 52nd wedding anniversary! I adore them.  Sure they argue, and sure they bicker about the little things like who burnt the toast or overcooked the eggs, but they would be lost without each other.

In this day and age 52 years of anything steady and continuous is unheard of.  Because let's face it—marriage, at least a long marriage is a career in it of itself right?  It's a labor of love—literally. As my mom says it's more labor than love sometimes.

So their staying power and commitment to their marriage got me thinking about things in terms of my own commitment to this career I've dreamed about—as a writer.

I'm just at the beginning stage of what I'd deem my new career goal: pushing forward to have my own book find a home at a publisher.  The Timeless anthology projects will continue on the self-pubbed front, but my ultimate goal is to be a contracted author...someday...soon...I hope.   However, Timeless helped me to kick start that goal and got me committed to writing again...every day.  

As in I'm getting up, getting dressed—in some type clothing, shoes optional, and going to work...a career.  One like I used to have before I stayed home to raise the rug rats.

How can I keep the staying power of my ambition in the forefront of my writing career?

Do I do it by working on my craft and learning the fundamentals and fine tuning them?  Do I live by the seat and enjoy it, not thinking of the future?

Or, like my parent's 52-year marriage, do I take one day at a time, with the ups and down and go with the flow?

I'd like to think I'm going do a little of each.

Congrats Mom and Dad, I wish you many more years together.

~Nicole

Sit down....have a cup...and let's chat..

Happy Summer...

It's been a while since I even thought to sit down..have a cup...and chat.   Great going on keeping this blog alive and kicking huh?

A lot has gone on in my life the past few months.  The challenges - some heavier than others  - have been thrown my way in droves.   I wonder who I pissed off in the big house in the sky to deserve it all.  But what does not kill you makes you stronger...isn't that what they (whoever "they" are) say?
I was down and out recently and put the brakes on a bunch of things going on...one was my unrelenting support of our troops overseas.  

For over three years, every month, I've sent a box of goodies to a different unit - through the Soldier's Angels organization www.SoldiersAngels.org

I took a month off..and thought you know, maybe it's time to stop.  Then, I received a thank you letter from a solider.  He was so grateful for the "cookies and things" which his unit was able to share and feel like someone cared.  He also was excited, because he was going home on June 25th after almost a year overseas.  Boy, if that wasn't an equalizer - nothing was.  Just because some unknown forces were playing havoc with my everyday life, why should I not give back to those who sacrifice more than I ever could?  Suffice to say - I'm sending a package next month!!



Another outlet is my writing and being a part of a great and super supportive group of fellow romance writers..New Jersey Romance Writers.    I'm the 2013 Conference Chairperson - and the planning is in full throttle mode.  Registration opened, and quite successfully thus far, on June 1st.   If you are interested in being a part of this great conference (in it's 29th year) visit www.njromancewriters.org
for more information.   

We have over 40 workshops planned, and a great opportunity to network with fellow writers who "get it".   The attendees and Speakers actually understand that characters are floating around in our heads, making us get our butts in the chair and do what we must...write.

No matter what real life brings me...I can still sit down...have a cup...or six...and write.  Whether the words are good, bad, or horrible, they are still my own.  

Here's to a productive and easier summer season for all!

~Nicole

SIT DOWN...HAVE A CUP...LET's TALK...

Welcome!

To my brand new blog and also my brand spanking new website: www.nicolespatrick.com.  My wonderful web designer, Rae Monet (www.raemonet.com) and her team did a phenomenal job taking my layman's ideas and making the concepts into a website "vision".  

As I sat down to create this first blog of my existence I thought...what in the world would I write about, let alone what am I going to title this baby?  Sure I can write scenes where my hero and heroine argue, or action scenes where the bad guys are shooting and chasing them, but ordinary everyday talk...scary stuff.

Anyone who knows me also knows that I have a serious addiction to coffee.  Morning, noon, night, no matter the time of day, if someone asks me "want a cup" -  I never say no.

It all started during college when I'd pull all-nighters.  I'd sit at my kitchen table (well it was my parent's kitchen table), brew a pot on the old Mr. Coffee filter automatic drip coffee maker and study.  I made sure I kept my shoes on and didn't wear comfortable clothes...or else the fear of falling asleep with my face in the text book would indeed become a reality.    Hence, my relationship with coffee began.   To touch back on my point, when blog topics and titles were swimming around in my head, and the coffee cup was nearby (shocker)...the title was created.

I hope you will sit...have a cup...and talk..from time to time.  Comments are entirely welcomed..just try to be nice. (wink)

Let me start by saying that my world is fully engrossed most recently with the honorable task of being the Conference Chair of New Jersey Romance Writer's 2013 Put Your Heart in a Book.  This well-known and renowned event is one of the biggest romance writer's conferences on the East Coast.  NJRW is in its 28th year and the task is mine to deliver a great conference - on the heels of last year's stunningly successful event.  Daunting to say the least..but I'm enjoying it.  My OCD is in full swing.  Plus, the coffee helps to fuel the energy I need to multi-task.

This year our lineup is fantastic!  Diana Cosby for Keynote, Connie Brockway for the Luncheon Address, Eloisa James for the Special Presentation, and Margaret Mallory will be giving the three-hour kickoff Pre-Con workshop on Friday.  The dates are Friday and Saturday October 18th and 19th 2013.   The weekend is loads of fun, a wealth of knowledge for writers to enhance their toolkits and a great way to network.

Check back here for more details and how to join the fun.  For now..I'm off.  First blog done - check.

Thanks!
~Nicole