Book or Movie, which do you prefer #writingcommunity #inspiration #mgtab

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I came up with this post after watching an excellent short series on Amazon Prime last night- Daisy Jones & the Six.

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, Daisy Jones & the Six follows the story of a 1970s band fronted by two feuding yet charismatic lead singers, Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne. Set to the soundtrack of original music, this is the story of how this iconic band imploded at the height of its powers.

Starring Riley KeoughSam ClaflinCamila Morrone

I’ve seen many reviews on the novel created by Taylor Jenkins Reid and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the interview format the story is done in, though all the bloggers raved about the story.

Then I saw the series on Prime and decided to give it a shot, Wow! This is a stark portrayal of seventies rock & roll where sex, drugs, and music is the name of the game. But more than that, it’s a deep dive into two damaged (or broken, as Billy tells Daisy) souls and a desperate attempt to outpace the demons of their past.

Watching the movie made me want to read the book, but I worry now that I have a firm vision of the characters, will the novel live up to the series?

NATIONAL AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE 2019 GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE

Another series I’ve gotten into is Will Trent. It’s on Tuesday evenings on a variety of channels and is must-watch TV.

From Rotten Tomatoes

Based on Karin Slaughter’s bestselling books, the series follows Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. As a child, Trent was abandoned and was forced to endure a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Now that he is in a position to make a difference, Trent is determined to use his unique point of view to make sure no one is abandoned like he was. His personal motivation and background contribute to Will Trent having the highest clearance rate in the GBI.

Starring: Ramón RodríguezErika ChristensenIantha RichardsonJake McLaughlinSonja Sohn

Once again, I’ve watched the series before reading the books and now question whether I want to take a chance on changing/ruining my experience by picking up the novels.

Have you had the same issue with stories you’ve watched or read?

To finish this post, I have to mention a couple of examples where the novel definitely won out over the movies.

First is Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. While the story left me questioning everything I thought I knew about religion, the movie lacked the depth and breadth to accomplish the brilliance of that plotline, though the character portrayal is excellent. Maybe if it had been longer?

A murder in Paris’ Louvre Museum and cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery. For 2,000 years a secret society closely guards information that — should it come to light — could rock the very foundations of Christianity.

Top cast ; Tom Hanks · Robert Langdon ; Audrey Tautou · Sophie Neveu ; Jean Reno · Captain Bezu Fache ; Ian McKellen · Sir Leigh Teabing ; Paul Bettany · Silas.

#1 Worldwide Bestseller—More Than 81 Million Copies Sold

And finally, a childhood favorite that still makes me cry: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

From Wikipedia

It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she was bedridden and seriously ill.[1] The novel became an immediate best-seller, with Sewell dying just five months after its publication, but having lived long enough to see her only novel become a success. With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time.

As a young horse, Black Beauty is well-loved and happy. But when his owner is forced to sell him, his life changes drastically. He has many new owners–some of them cruel and some of them kind. All he needs is someone to love him again…
Whether pulling an elegant carriage or a ramshackle cab, Black Beauty tries to live as best he can. This is his amazing story, told as only he could tell it.

“If they strain me up tight, why, let ’em look out! I can’t bear it, and I won’t.”
― Anna Sewell , Black Beauty

What do you think, movies or novels? As long as we are inspired by what we see and read, I don’t think there is a right or wrong to this question.

What inspired you to do that?

In November, I had the honor of attending the Readers’ Favorite Award Ceremony in Miami for awards that I had won in 2020, 2021, and 2022. My husband and I had a wonderful time, and you can read more about it on my blog.

The awards were for the first three books in the Rise Again Warrior Series in Military Fiction. Mission: Believe won a Bronze (2020), Mission: Accept won a Gold (2021), and Mission: Repair won a Gold (2022). While talking to other authors during the event, I was asked the same two questions repeatedly: You write military fiction? What inspired you to do that?

That’s what this post is about today. Yes, I write military fiction, and it is very realistic, heartwrenching, intense, and hopeful. Most of you know I retired from law enforcement a few years ago, but I was never in the military. I was, however, married to a man in the US Navy, and my son currently serves in the US Navy.

I have a lot of friends who served in the military, and I have seen them go through highs and lows after their service. I also belong to many groups that support military veterans and current service members.

I am dismayed at the statistics of suicide among our veterans. I am equally appalled at the number of men and women who live on the streets and don’t get the treatment they need—but I am beyond horrified at the number of veterans who do not get the RESPECT they deserve after serving our country.

Perhaps it is because the civilians of our country do not understand what they went through, what they deal with every single day inside their minds. Or, it’s because the wars our veterans have fought are so away that you don’t even know what or who we were fighting. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Maybe for us, but not for them. Many of them are still stuck in a place far from home and fighting to find a way to live ordinary lives again. Although to them, ordinary just doesn’t make sense.

That is why I write these books. Perhaps they are to entertain people, but I try to educate people about what our men and women have gone through, what they continue to go through, and how hard they fight every single day to service the demons that constantly live on their backs and in the shadows of their minds.

That is why I write them and will continue to write them while I work with veterans to support them any way that I can.

Appreciating the Little Things

I’m big on quotes and usually share some encouraging words on my personal Facebook page each day. Overnight, I heard of the death of someone from my church, who had recently been ill. The news served to remind me of how tenuous life is and the fact that we should appreciate each moment for the joys and potential pain they bring. I like to say, every day above ground is a good day.

As much as we may not all believe it, it’s the little things that make life worth living. For me, all of the following help me appreciate life as I know it, as well as the people around me.

  1. A good morning greeting from a stranger.
  2. A baby’s smile and delight at learning something new.
  3. The rustle of the wind and its caress against my skin.
  4. Sharing a joke with friends.
  5. Being with relatives for a family get-together.
  6. Enjoying a good story.
  7. Hitting my stride while writing a story.
  8. Listening to my son as he shares his dreams and vision.
  9. Spending time praying and meditating.
  10. Being a part of ministry activities.

What are some of the things that bring you pleasure?

The story I’m sharing with you, Sacrifice, is about a couple who have had their lives upended by the loss of their daughter, but their faith eventually brings them back to center. It’s on special at 0.99, so if you like inspirational stories, be sure to grab your copy here.

Resolution or Word- Whatever it takes to Inspire Your Life #amwriting #inspiration

Did you choose a New Year’s Resolution or Word for 2022?

Resolution:

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary

1: the act or process of resolving: such as

a: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones

b: the act of answering SOLVING

c: the act of determining

Word of the Year

From Elizabeth Rider

INSTEAD OF A RIGID RESOLUTION, A WORD OF THE YEAR IS YOUR CONSTANT (YET GENTLE) REMINDER TO FOCUS ON CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE.

Your Word of the Year Sets an Intention, A Theme Per Se, For How You Want Your Year to Flow.

It depends on the person, of course. Some are dedicated and work hard to make their resolutions a reality.

For me, not so much. Resolutions tend to be set aside after the first month or two and I end up navigating the year with no real guidance.

So, when I heard fellow authors choosing a Word for the year, I became intrigued. The one you choose is meant to be a guideline for the goal you want to achieve, whether personal or professional. It can make your life more rewarding and help you to make choices that count rather than impulses you regret.

Some words I’ve come across so far, curiosity, reflection, calm, centered, successful, healthy, generosity.

So many choices!

I thought it over for a couple of weeks and came up with…

Stretch

I plan to extend my creativity and have started a new-to-me genre- YA (young adult) duet written simultaneously in first person. It’s challenging, but maybe that’s what I need in order to grow and find my voice.

Stretch myself physically with more walking and I’d like to try biking again. A couple of years ago, I wanted to join DH (darling hubby) and kiddo for a ride but found my leg wouldn’t make the swing over the seat. Kiddo tried to help by lifting my leg and I almost went over like a felled oak! lol

I want to stretch by expanding my horizons. Travel this beautiful island we live on and make a trip back home to see family and friends. Try new things such as whale watching, hiking, zip-lining (maybe :))

I’m going to work on expanding my readership by writing more meaningful blog posts, as well as communicating regularly with newsletter followers. If you’d like to chat with me there, sign up below:


The characters in these books know how to stretch their boundaries and strengthen bonds. Both are on SALE for just 0.99 pennies!

Click the covers to learn more. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase using a link.

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Take two humans who pretend they can’t stand each other and one matchmaking canine and the fun is nonstop!

Val Hodgins is on the road to success. His architect firm handles some of the biggest contracts along the western seaboard. He doesn’t have time to babysit his aunt’s aging house or her pain in the butt dog, but when she falls ill with pneumonia he drops everything to go to her aid.

Sierra Johnson’s dreams of owning a catering company go up in smoke thanks to a bad choice in boyfriends. Now, she’s stuck working for a tyrannical boss, care-taking an aging townhouse, and being tormented by the owner’s aggravating, caustic, way-too-attractive nephew.

Will these two get over their prejudices in time to realize love comes without a price tag?


Have I inspired you to STRETCH your limits?