New tricks!

It’s been a long two years, hasn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but lately, I’ve really been feeling the need to shake off some huge cobwebs. As much as I appreciated my streaming services during the pandemic, I feel as if I’ve hit a wall. I’m ready to do something new (within reason, of course. The pandemic ain’t over!)

A while back, I started thinking about all the things I’ve wanted to try, but that I put off for some reason. The bucket list items, for lack of a better phrase. And it occurred to me…what’s stopping me from doing them now? Life is short. That has become painfully clear.

So, I took the plunge this week! Some of you may know that I was a classical singer when I was younger, In fact, music has always been a part of my life. But even while I was singing arias and taking part in choral ensembles, I had a secret desire.

I wanted to be a rock drummer. That’s right. Charlie Watts style. John Bonham style. Nandi Bushell style.

Yesterday, I had my first drum lesson! I think my teacher was surprised to see a 51-year-old sitting across from him, but he was really encouraging and we did some great work. It’s going to be hard. I’m under no illusion about that. But, despite how challenging it was, it felt so good to use a different part of my brain. It was exhilarating to be completely out of my element. When the lesson ended, my husband Doug told me I had a big smile on my face, one he hadn’t seen in over two years. Friends, it was so much fun. I even got to use a set of John Bonham brand drumsticks that my son bought me.

Will it go anywhere? Nah. I’m not looking to get any gigs. This is literally just for me. 

This morning, I had a spring in my step again. I had another big smile on my face as I drove to work. And when one of my favourite songs came on the radio (“Twilight Zone” by Golden Earring, in case you’re interested,) you can bet I was doing some very excited air drumming.

After a rough two years, I felt hope again. And all it took was trying something new. I understand new hobbies don’t fix all the world’s problems, but my new hobby certainly lifted me out of myself for a while. 

Have you picked up any fun, new interests? Have you discovered a passion? Feel free to drop a comment here. I’d love to know!

XOXO

Rosanna

Where have I been? Where am I going?

For those who follow my blog, you may notice it’s been a while since I shared anything. The fact is I haven’t written anything substantial for a few weeks. Mostly, it’s because my day job has been hectic and I’ve taken on extra hours, which I’ve really enjoyed. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in my writing head, and it’s nice to sometimes get wrapped up in something else every so often. And hey, as a result of those extra hours, I was one of a team of people who catalogued over 13,000 new items for a new library in our system! How cool is that?

However, my writing hiatus began before that. I had to deal with some changes on the publishing front and those changes threw me for a loop. I usually roll with the punches but this time I got overwhelmed. It was hard to write through my disappointment. Luckily, there were some wonderful people who talked me off my ledge.

When I did write during that time, I didn’t like what I wrote. I started about four new books in the space of a few weeks, and abandoned them all. I’m not being dramatic when I say this has probably been the darkest moment of my writing career, thus far anyway. It was hard, and my creativity was zapped.

I’ve always believed things happen for a reason, and I won’t stop believing it. So, I stopped writing and threw myself into my other work. There’s been a lot happening on the family front, as well. But now, I can see some time opening up in the near future, and I know it’s time to start writing again.

I’m a little scared, I won’t lie. There’s a part of me that worries I’ve forgotten everything I learned along the way, even though I know that isn’t true. However, maybe that fear is good. Maybe it’ll push me in new directions.

If I am quiet going forward, rest assured, I am still here and am still dreaming up new characters and stories. My hope is to finish the book in front of me, and then move onto a brand new series. It might take a while, but I’ve decided it’ll take as much time as it requires.

Thanks to all who have read my work. Your support gets me through those days when I lose sight of what I’ve accomplished.

If you are new to my blog, welcome! Please check out my work here.

Have a wonderful summer!

xoxo Rosanna

My thoughts on #Cockygate.

If you’ve followed the #Cockygate hashtag on Twitter or other social media platforms, you will know the romance community has been in an uproar recently. Actually, the entire writing community is up in arms and rightly so.

Why?

Because one author got greedy. By the way, I will not name her here as I do not in any way wish to give her free publicity on my blog. Chances are, you’ll already know her name. If not, the hashtag will provide those details.

This author, whose romance series features the word “cocky” in its titles, claims to have trademarked the word. She proceeded to send cease and desist letters to other authors whose books happen to have “cocky” in their titles.

Really? Cocky? That’s like trying to trademark the words “Love” or “Baby” or “Cowboy.” It’s a word commonly found in romance titles.

In sending these letters, threatening other authors financially, she has not only alienated them but the entire community. Romancelandia hasn’t taken kindly to it. In fact, neither have writers in other genres.

I am not a legal expert. I have never studied law. However, plenty of people in our genre have and they all seem to agree this author has made a mockery of the laws that have been set in place to protect us. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see a fellow author attacking her peers in this way. It sickens me.

She still has her supporters and they are welcome to her. I, for one, have never read her books and never will. She will never be welcome here on my blog. I will never seek her out for cross-promotion. And I am not the only one who has been saying these things. However, the author in question is now condemning those who are opposed to her antics, saying she is being bullied.

Lady, you have no idea what it is to be bullied. Come sit with me for a while. I’ll talk to you about being bullied.

Attacking others in your peer group is no way to get ahead. What she has done is most likely irreversible. In my opinion, her career is ruined. Of course, someone like this will probably just reinvent herself and reappear somewhere else.

What can you do? Put your money where your mouth is. Buy books from the authors she has attacked. Leave reviews for them. Support authors who need it most. There are plenty out there who are pouring their souls onto paper every day, people who would be only too happy to have your support. Be their champions. Tell your friends. Tell this author the buck stops here.

Thank you for reading.