THREE TIPS ON MAKING A DEADLINE by Blossom Turner

THREE TIPS ON MAKING A DEADLINE by Blossom Turner
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Katherine’s Arrangement

AUTHOR: Blossom Turner

PUBLISHER: Wild Heart Books

GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Book #1 in Shenandoah Brides series

TARGET AGE: Adult Women 25 and up

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR BLOSSOM TURNER TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. BLOSSOM SHARES TIPS ON HOW TO MEET A DREADED DEADLINE, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE DEAD TIRED.

BLOSSOM IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF KATHERINE’S ARRANGEMENT.

THREE TIPS ON MAKING A DEADLINE

I am a new author at the ripe old age of 58. I’m finally doing what I was born to do. With my first book Anna’s Secret (contemporary romance), I had the privilege of taking my time…years in fact. No one knew my name, nor was my writing in demand. Currently, I’m contracted for a five book historical romance series. The first book in the series, Katherine’s Arrangement, will be launched on August 4^th, 2020 with the following four at what I feel is warp speed—every half year thereafter.

My situation has drastically changed. I still have my mother-in-law to care for, my huge property as an avid gardener to keep up, my family and personal life, and full-time hours writing. I understand stress. So, for all you writers out there with deadlines and real life pressing in, here are three tips on making a deadline when feeling dead tired.

Number one may seem logical but is indeed the most important tip.

Start your day with a quiet time with God. Give Him your stress. Give him permission to interrupt the day in any way He deems necessary. (And trust me, He will deem people more important.) God will supernaturally give you the wisdom, balance, and strength you would not otherwise have.

Two: Ask this question. What is the best use of my time?

With only so much energy in a given day, I had decisions to make. My deadline to meet an extensive edit of book two loomed large. The outside work beckoned. As an avid gardener on a ¾ acre lot, all neatly groomed with a copious array of flowers and weeds fighting for dominion, I waffled. I had my mom-in-law who needed help and a friend who could not get her groceries because she is at high risk for Covid. I had my husband and household etc., my other writing of blogs, newsletters, emails, and social media, FB, Twitter, Instagram notifications all reaching out for a piece of me.

Answering this question put all in priority, God, people, work…and more precisely, what work? My God and people got the attention. Gardening and housework got the boot. I turned off social media, blog writing and unnecessary emails. My editing took up the rest of the focus. God helped me prioritize and finish my grueling edit. In other words, I had to let some of it go, and when you are a perfectionist like I am…let me tell you, this was good therapy. LOL

Three: Don’t forget to take care of YOU.

Get enough sleep. Eat properly…don’t binge on sweets while sitting at the computer, (it will make you more tired). Go for a walk or run at least once a day. Exercise feeds the happy endorphins in your brain. My dog schedules this like clockwork. By mid-afternoon, she lets me know it is time to go. This little break gives me energy to sit again.

Lastly, don’t forget to laugh. My husband always has something funny to share, so spending time with him adds that much needed humor. Whatever makes you smile…don’t be stingy on giving that a thumbs up in your day.

Blurb for Katherine’s Arrangement:

Marrying him is her only choice to save her family, but Josiah Richardson isn’t at all the man she expected.

Katherine William’s family was left destitute when their home was burned to the ground by Yankee soldiers, so the ready solution presented by the prominent Mr. Josiah Richardson seems almost too good to believe. He’ll provide a home, work for her pa, and a new beginning for her family...if only Katherine will accept his proposal. A marriage of convenience is the last thing she wants, but there doesn’t seem to be a better option for her family or herself. Setting aside her dreams of love, Katherine agrees to the arrangement.

The gentleman in Josiah Richardson can no more force his frightened bride into his bed than he can force her into loving him, so he sets out to gently woo her. He works hard to befriend her, to earn her trust and win her love.

Katherine is pleasantly surprised to find herself drawn to the man she thought she would never love, until an unexpected friendship tears apart all they’ve worked for. Where once the promise of love had budded between Josiah and Katherine, now they wonder what to do with their so-called marriage. Is love strong enough to weave its healing power through two broken hearts?

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF KATHERINE’S ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN NOW AND (DAY), (DATE) MST.

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

Blossom Turner is a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, avid blogger and novelist. She lives in a four-season playground in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with gardening at the top of her enjoyment list. She has a passion for women’s ministry teaching Bible studies and public speaking, but having coffee and sharing God’s hope with a hurting soul trumps all. She lives with her husband, David, of thirty-eight years. Blossom loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at https://blossomturner.com and subscribe to her quarterly newsletter. Don’t miss Blossom’s other book, a contemporary romance, Anna’s Secret. A Word Guild semi-finalist.

Connect with Blossom:

My website is good for Newsletter or Blog signup. https://blossomturner.com

Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/blossom.turner

Twitter is https://twitter.com/BlossomHoneyBee

Instragram https://www.instagram.com/blossomhoneybee/

Preorder links for Katherine’s Arrangement

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/katherines-arrangement-blossom-turner/1136959858

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1511268770

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/katherine-s-arrangement

https://www.amazon.com/Katherines-Arrangement-Shenandoah-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B087ZCJZ5J/

Amazon for Canada https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B087ZCJZ5J

SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Kassy Paris From TEXAS At 8/8/2020 8:19:37 PM

I totally understand having to prioritize! The book sounds great.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Kassy ! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment for Blossom.

Becky M Van Vleet From CO At 8/6/2020 4:25:13 PM

All of those tips are great, Blossom. I think we all struggle with deadlines and time management. I especially appreciate step one--the most important of all! I wish you the best with your upcoming books!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. It's always a pleasure to see you drop by. Thank you for contributing to the discussion.

Suzanne Bratcher From Hot Springs, Arkansa At 8/6/2020 12:25:39 PM

Deadlines have always been a source of pressure for me. Your tips are excellent. Thanks for sharing! I have no clue how you can write books fast enough to release every six months.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Suzanne. I told Blossom the same thing. It is an amazing accomplishment to write that many books in such a short amount of time. Thank you for joining the conversation.

Blossom From Kelowna, Canada At 7/30/2020 5:22:34 PM

Hi Cleo, Katherine's Arrangement was a fun write. And no, the gardening just got put on hold. A bit more work when I got back out there but the deadline was met.