5 Great Ways to Deal With Those Unwanted Christmas Presents

We've all gotten them. Neat little gifts that we know we'll have absolutely no need to use or want, but are too much trouble to try to return to the stores. So what do you do with them, other than re-gifting?

1. Have a Swap Party
You and several friends get together and bring some of those gifts to trade off, one for one. So if you bring two items, you get two items. Just be sure you don't offer anything that was given to you by one of your guests.

2. Authors, Give It as Part of a Swag Bag Prize
After a while readers tire of bookmarks, pens, and postcards. Toss a few of those little no-wants into a basket or bag, and hold a contest.

3. Donate
Take some of the more practical items to places that could use them. One year I'd gotten several dish towels and pillowcases. Those I didn't want I gave, along with a crocheted blanket and a manicure kit, to a day care. I've also taken some things to my local animal shelter.

4. Authors, Offer as a Freebie at Book Signings
I take a box of no-wants with me to book signings. I offer anything in the box as a freebie for every book purchased. I actually had a reader buy a book simply because she wanted a bracelet I had to give away.

5. Garage/Sidewalk Sale

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Don't Let Writing Endanger Your Health

One thing I quickly discovered when I retired and became a "full time" author, was that my butt was stuck in the chair for long periods of time. And that, in a nutshell, can be a dangerous thing. Why? Because...

1. I'm not getting much exercise. Sorry, but going to the bathroom and to the kitchen is not considered exercise. Not enough, anyway.

2. I tend to nibble when I write. Or imbibe. My drink of choice is coffee. I try to stay away from bad snacks and eat only when I'm actually hungry. Or chew gum, but I've discovered gum literally melts when it comes in contact with a hot brew. Who knew?

3. I find myself staring at what I've written, or haven't written, without an idea or thought in my head.

What are the results of all this? Weight gain, loss of muscle tone, and writer's block.

What to do, what to do? 

Actually, I've discovered a few things that have helped me tremendously. And you don't have to be a writer to benefit. This will also do wonders for those of you who spend a lot of time at a desk.

1. Get out of the house and walk around the block. Or take a stroll around the office. Do it briskly enough, and you get the heart rate up. Live where the weather won't oblige? Dance to a favorite tune. Get jiggy with it! Or jump some rope. You'd be surprised what 5-10 minutes with a jump rope will do for you!

2. Watch what you're snacking on. Try something with protein in it, like yogurt or almonds. Need crunchy? Hit low fat no fat like pretzels or carrots. Just stay away as much from the sugar and carbs as possible. And if you imbibe, try not to go for the soft drinks.

3. To kick start the brain, go do something else. At home I'll hit the laundry, run an errand, wash the dishes - anything that'll get me off that creative treadmill that's taking me nowhere. At an office, stop and discuss something with a colleague. Do a crossword puzzle. Make a grocery list. Or just stare out a window for a few quiet minutes. Anything to clear your mind, sort of like a soft reboot.

Oh! And don't forget to take a day off every now and then. Even those of you with full time jobs outside the home get two days off, usually a weekend. Do the same if you're a writer. Every so often, take your creativity on vacation to let it recharge.

I've taken a hard look at my habits and lifestyle, and by making a few adjustments, I've managed to keep on track with my daily quota. Hopefully, one of these suggestions will work for you, too!

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Now Available!

Ghost of the Swamp

(Subwoofers, Book 2)

A Sensuously Erotic Contemporary Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

http://lindamooney.com/Subwoofers.htm 

Coming February 15th

Qitirin

A Sensuously Erotic Contemporary Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

http://lindamooney.com/Qitirin.htm

Inspiration

"Where do you get your ideas?"

That has to be the most often asked question I get because I write fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal romances. And to be frank, I have no idea why an idea pops into my head when it does. But I can tell you I have my methods to help me gain inspiration. So I'm going to let you into my head for a moment, and share with you a few "tips and tricks" I use.

The Photo: I find a picture that inspires me. It can be a single shot of a couple, or two separate pics of a man and a woman. The photo can be one that makes me feel soft and romantic inside, or makes me think this might be the climactic part of the book. From there I begin to build a story around them. Who are these people? Why are they there? What is their conflict? I print out the picture and pin it above my computer to keep me focused. I write their names on the photo, including eye color and any other descriptive nuances (tattoos? scars?). In time, their story begins to emerge.

The Getaway: It doesn't have to take long or be expensive. It could be some place I like to visit, or a place I've never been before. It can be a local tourist site, a museum, the zoo, or even the park. But I get out of the house and go! I clear my mind and let my thoughts flow where they want. The laundry and dishes will always be there. I take just an hour of "away time" for myself to let the ambiance of the place seep into my brain and hopefully give myself a fresh perspective. And maybe an idea or two.

The Challenge:  I ask myself, What's selling right now? What's "hot"? Can I write that? If the answer is no, I don't worry about it. Writing is like any other profession. Writers are best at what they enjoy most, so I won't force myself to write something I wouldn't feel comfortable writing. But if there's a certain niche I wouldn't mind exploring, I try to come up with a different scenario. I challenge myself to create a different kind of hero or heroine, a different kind of villain, a different kind of conflict.

The Locale: There's an old phrase that goes "Location. Location. Location." The same goes for writing. They say a person writes best what they know well, and that goes for the old home town. I look for historical sites. I search for tidbits of interesting information, legends, and whatever I feel might make for a good story.

The Music: Some people love to listen to music when they work. I have heard some songs that immediately "fit" whatever story I'm writing, and I create a "soundtrack album" to keep that mood going. But when I'm writing I prefer to listen to soundtracks. The warm, flowing melodies are perfectly suited for those intimate romantic moments, and the soaring, full-throated orchestral passages epitomize the climactic "hero saves the day" chapter.
***
Linda Mooney
Sensuous Romance with a Sci-Fi or Fantasy Flair
LindaMooney.com

Latest Release: SECRET IDENTITY, Book 1 of the "Identity Series"

An Erotic Fantasy Romance Novel
http://lindamooney.com/SecretID.htm
Available at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble, and BookStrand

Word Count: 51.7K
*
Brenda McKay has no man in her life, and she really doesn’t have time for one. That’s not a problem, since Brenda’s new job responsibilities keep her too busy for any sort of social life. But the day she is saved by a strange man who calls himself The Defender is the day her heart will never be the same.

Lorne Palmer has loved Brenda since they were in grade school. Shy, introverted, and the middle brother of two over-achievers, he has never really approached her for anything other than to help her with her homework. And to be there for her when her other boyfriends deserted her.

It wasn’t until he finally acquired his super powers and became The Defender did Lorne finally decide enough was enough. If he couldn’t work up the courage to claim her as himself, perhaps The Defender could. 

Warning! Contains sabotage, weird chemical names, smiley boxes, floating root beer, corporation hanky-panky, isolated safe houses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and things that go BOOM! in the night!