Romance Springs to the Forefront, by Carolyn Greene

 It’s that time of year again.  The time when love blooms, anticipation grows, and hopes and dreams swell to massive proportions. 

Today  romance will be on the minds of many.  Hearts will pound, and there will be noises of delight all around the world.

No, I’m not talking about the birds and bees and their spring-time rituals.  I’m referring to the mega-talented romance authors who’ll receive the call today, notifying them that their book is a RITA finalist.

For those of you who aren’t already familiar with the RITA, it’s a peer-judged award presented by the Romance Writers of America.  It’s to romance writers what the Edgar is to mystery writers … what the Grammy is to musicians and the Oscar is to professionals in the film industry.

In other words, the RITA Award is a big honkin’ deal.  And the books that are nominated are the pinnacle of their genres.

Anyone who loves romance novels loves finding out which books will be shortlisted.  Not only is this an opportunity to cheer on our favorite authors, but it’s also an opportunity to discover new books written by new-to-us authors.

Although books can be read in hours or days, it takes the authors months or even years to write them.  (Anyone who has spent hours preparing a delicious meal, only to have their family devour it in minutes knows what I’m talking about.<G>)  A lot of heart and dedication goes into writing the novels, and it’s nice to see the authors recognized for their talent and hard work.

The official RITA finalist list will be posted at www.rwa.org today by 2pm Central Time.  Won’t you join the Craftie Ladies today in cheering for the finalists and praying for all whose books are entered?

In the meantime, follow the comments that accompany this blog.  As word gets around, I’m sure people will be posting the exciting news even before the official announcement.

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Carolyn Greene is the author of Unexpected Reunion, first in the Southern Blessings series published by Love Inspired.

Carolyn Greene’s Favorite Organizing- and Time-Saving Apps and Programs

It’s the beginning of a new year, and thoughts turn to becoming more productive in many areas of our lives: Work, time management, household tasks, cooking, and even pleasure reading.  So what’s a busy tech-toy-loving person to do?

Why, try out new apps, of course!  Here are my favorites, in no particular order:

Calendar / Planner:  Franklin Planner, Day-Timer, Dayrunner, At-A-Glance, Mead … I’ve tried them all and loved something about each.  But what I didn’t love was having to handwrite all my to-do’s and erase and rewrite every time something changed, which was every day.  So I started shopping for iPad and iPhone apps that would keep track of my tasks by due date and automatically carry over each undone item to the next day.  The closest I’ve found to the paper planners I enjoyed is Opus Domini:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opus-domini-mobile/id492262685?mt=8

There’s a section for daily tasks and events, another for your master task lists which include multi-step projects, goals, mission statement, and contacts.  The link connects to a free app that you can sample before buying.  I use the iPad version and keep it open all day to keep me focused and on task.

If you’re one who likes the latest and greatest of everything, you may want to check into the soon-to-be-released, updated version called Opus One.  See it at www.piso13.com

Cookbooks:   For those trying to eat healthier, it takes a bit more preparation and planning than just tossing a TV dinner in the microwave or opening a can.  So why not let these cookbook apps help you out?

Paprika:  Find a recipe that’s easy, tasty, and blessedly quick to prepare?  Snap a photo and save the picture and instructions here.   Or you can comb the web and save recipes onto the app.  Also, let it help you organize your grocery list.  http://paprikaapp.com

Forks Over Knives:  Healthy recipes that’ll get you thinking outside of the box … outside of the fast food box and pre-packaged food box,that is.  http://www.forksoverknives.com/fok-recipe-app-now-available-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch

McDougall’s Mobile Cookbook:  More healthy recipes.  These are a little heavier on the starches to help you feel full but, like the Forks Over Knives recipes, are also plant based.  https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/shopping/apps/mobile-cookbook-app

AllRecipes Dinner Spinner:  If you prefer a little meat with your meals (or not), this one’s handy.  Type in which ingredients you have on hand, and up pop several possible recipes.  Or specify that you want gluten free or vegetarian options, and only those will be shown. And the free price tag is quite nice.  http://allrecipes.com/features/mobile

OurGroceries:  While we’re talking about food, let’s not forget the app that will eliminate your refrigerator notes forever.  Yes, those sloppily written lists on beat up scraps of paper that you never have with you when unexpectedly pop in at the grocery store to pick up a few things, and you have to call home to have someone read the list to you.  Or maybe no one’s home, and you have to rely on memory.  This app lets you and your household members add to and delete grocery items, no matter where you are.  No forgotten foods, and no more duplications.  There’s also room for errand lists and whatever other reminders or list items you need to share frequently with your family.  https://www.ourgroceries.com/overview

Evernote:  This powerhouse program keeps track of everything!  It’s so wonderful that I haven’t even begun to learn all of its features.  So far, I’m using it to keep track of my packing lists for when I travel and another file for jotting down Christmas and birthday gift recipient lists and potential gift ideas.  The subject of sock puppets came up recently, and it occurred to me that a special little girl in my life might enjoy one, so I wrote it in my Evernote file.  However, the little sweetie is still too young to play with an item that might have small parts she could swallow, so I’ve put it on the gift list for a year or two down the road.  No more last-minute scrambling for ideas.  https://evernote.com

FaceTime:  Stay in touch with your loved ones even though they may live states away, as my grown children do.  This is especially handy if, like me, you need their fashion advice on something you’re wearing that.  Having a bad hair day and don’t want to be seen?  Use FaceTime’s voice-only option for a free long-distance call.  https://www.apple.com/ios/facetime .  For non-Apple users, Skype is the way to go:  http://www.skype.com/en

Yoga Studio:  When I’m on a manic deadline, there’s no way I can devote large chunks of time to exercising.  What I like about Yoga Studio is that I can select an exercise by fitness level, a certain body focus, or length of time.  If it’s been a while since I’ve exercised, I’m not up to a fast-paced cardio session, and I only have a small amount of time, I can choose beginner, strength, and 15 minutes.  No special equipment necessary.  http://yogastudioapp.com

Writing Tools:  Okay, I almost wrote Writing Toys.  Even though these next suggestions are helpful work-related tools, I admit that using them still feels like I’m playing with toys.

Index Card Board:  What a great way to plan and sort scenes for your Great American Novel.  You can color code them, stack them, sort them, and write on the backs of these virtual cards.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/index-card-board-for-ipad/id508074636?mt=8

Pomodoro:  Two words … deadline and A.D.D.  Okay, the second was technically three words (Attention Deficit Disorder), but I can personally attest that when you put the two together, stress ensues.  Sometimes a writer needs a little extra help staying focused and on task.  Enter the Pomodoro timer, named for the cute little tomato-shaped kitchen timers of the past.  This app allows you to set a series of working stretches, followed by short rest breaks and interspersed with occasional longer breaks.  Now, instead of wandering off whenever a distracting thought occurs to me, I know to keep working until the timer sounds.  If it can help this ping-brain creative person, it can help anyone.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pomodoro-timer-focus-on-your/id703145045?mt=8

Scrivener:  This one has received many recommendations across many writing communities, so I won’t detail all it can do.  However, this writing program is handy for keeping my early-concept notes, synopsis, character charts, scene descriptions, timelines, research links, chapter files (of course), and much more all in one place … right beside my open document.  No more scrounging through endless Microsoft Word files, wondering what bizarre filing method I might have used for something I absolutely need Right Now!  Just open it up to the project name, and everything is all there, safe and sound.  http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

Whew!  That’s a lot of favorite apps, but there’sstill one writing app that’s uninvented yet (or perhaps just undiscovered by me) that I would really love to have and use.  It’s an app that lets writers black out specific dates as non-writing days, enter the total number of words to be written, and the deadline date.  Then the app would figure out for you how many words you need to write per day to finish in time, all while keeping track of your daily progress.  If any app developers are reading this and looking to turn this into an actuality, please consider turning into a game wherein points are earned and levels achieved.  Oh, yeah … I could totally get into that.  Consider me your first customer.

Okay, readers (and writers) … what are your favorite organizing- and time-saving apps / programs?
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When Carolyn Greene is not writing or playing with her tech toys, she treasures time spent with her retired-fire-chief husband, son who’s studying for his Ph.D., schoolteacher daughter, sweet son-in-law, and new granddaughter.  And let’s not forget the two hyperactive miniature pinschers who crowd into her chair while she writes.  Carolyn writes romance novels for Love Inspired and mysteries for Guideposts Books.  Her latest Love Inspired release is Unexpected Reunion, the first in the Southern Blessings series.

How Do You Define “Family”? with Carolyn Greene

By Carolyn Greene

We were the Brady Bunch.  But different.  Whereas the popular TV family featured a mom, a dad, three girls, three boys, and a housekeeper (RIP, Ann B. Davis, a.k.a. “Alice”), ours consisted of a mom, a dad, one girl (moi!), five boys, and unfortunately no housekeeper.

Although we weren’t as syrupy sweet as those sitcom kids, in the yours-mine-and-ours family of my youth none of us ever used the words “step-” or “half-” when referring to our siblings.  To our way of thinking, we were all just sister and brothers.  Perhaps that’s why I like to explore the concept of family in my novels, whether the members are joined by birth, adoption, marriage, or choice.  Family is love, regardless of its origin.

In Unexpected Reunion (Book 1 of Love Inspired’s Southern Blessings series, release date June 2014) Ruthie Chandler was taken under the nurturing wings of Gray Bristow’s grandparents while she was still in her teens.  They called her their “honorary granddaughter,” and the best part of being accepted into their loving unit was meeting and falling in love with their handsome grandson.  Later she became engaged to Gray, which would have solidified her place among the Bristows, but when a crisis of faith while serving in Afghanistan caused him to break their engagement, the family dynamics changed for the worse.  However, after he returns from his military duty, it’s ultimately a family problem that brings the couple back together, and they end up adding to their extended clan in a way none of them ever anticipated.

What is the most unique family situation you’ve either known or been a part of?

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Carolyn Greene’s family consists of a retired-fire-chief husband, a son who’s studying for his Ph.D., a schoolteacher daughter, a son-in-law, and a brand new granddaughter.  And let’s not forget the two hyperactive miniature pinschers who crowd into her chair while she writes.  Carolyn writes romance novels for Love Inspired and mysteries for Guideposts Books.

The Girl in the Photo

 By Carolyn Greene

The little girl in the photo smiled back at me, her face familiar but very different than the way I remembered her from my childhood.

I was hard on her back then.  Told her she was skinny and ugly and blind as a bat.  Criticized her for daydreaming when she should have been paying attention.  And curled a lip at the ever-present patches of excema between her fingers and behind her ears.   “That’s disgusting,” I said.  She quietly agreed and hid her hands behind her back.  Sometimes I caught her praying to God to fix her.  Make her better than the horribly flawed person I told her she was.

She should have been more like her older brother, I decided.  Confident, funny, and always ready with a quick reply.  Sure, she had a sense of humor, but her one-liners always came long after the window of comic opportunity had closed.  As for confidence, the only thing she was sure about was which book she wanted to read next.  She would lose herself in stories for hours at a time, imagining herself to be as clever, attractive, and brave as the characters she read about.  I rolled my eyes at her fantasies of taming wild stallions, solving mysteries, and attracting the attention of the cutest guy in class.

I don’t know why I was so mean to her.  If my mother had heard the terrible things I said to her, she most certainly would have set me straight.  “God doesn’t make junk,” Mom would have insisted.  But I was careful not to let anyone hear, so I never got the correction I needed.

Now, several decades later, I stared at the photo and saw for the first time what a cute, sweet kid she was.  And I felt horrible for leading her to believe otherwise.  She’s not as skinny as she once was, her skin has finally cleared up, and glasses have given her sharper focus.  She still daydreams and is sometimes slow to think of clever comebacks, but she’s finally turned those former handicaps to her advantage:   Her daydreams now produce plenty of fodder for the stories she writes, and the second draft is when she adds those late-but-clever comebacks.

She and I get along quite well these days.  That young girl – my former self – shaped who I am today, for which I am grateful.  And I’ve learned to be kinder to myself, which is a good thing, because God doesn’t make junk.

Carolyn Greene is the mother of two and grandmother of one.  She lives in Virginia with her husband and two miniature pinschers.  Carolyn writes romances for Harlequin Love Inspired and inspirational mysteries for Guideposts Books.  Her next Love Inspired novel, UNEXPECTED REUNION, is the first in the Southern Blessings series and is set for release in June 2014.