Post-Book Renewal and Giveaway

renewalOne of the things I learned early in my career was to make sure I left time between books for renewal. Slipping back into normal “no-deadline” life means cooking and cleaning, going out with friends, and this week, having my youngest son and his family, complete with my two young grandsons–here to enjoy our Florida sunshine and surprisingly warm pool. In a minute I’m going to join them on our community playground.

While I’m focused on renewal I also find myself plotting new books. Not in a rush, but just letting ideas flicker by. This weekend I even took the time to listen to two of my 2016 brainstorming sessions so those ideas could percolate slowly with any others that want to join them.

Jobs that delve deeply into our creative selves require a lot of thinking/dreaming and resting/drifting/renewal. So that’s my plan for the rest of the week and the next weeks, too.

What do you do to renew your energy and spirits after the completion of a long project, or even a tough time in your life? Care to share your secrets?

For fun, I’ll give one blog reader an Audio CD of When We Were Sisters, which just arrived on my doorstep. All you have to do is comment on this blog by March 17th, and tell us one thing you like to do to fill your well when it’s depleted–metaphorically, of course. What is your favorite way to recharge when you’re exhausted?

All comments that meet the criteria will be entered  in the giveaway. For this giveaway you must have either a U.S. or Canadian address. The winner will be chosen at random.

**As I wrote this, my ARCs for The Swallow’s Nest arrived on my front doorstep, too. I love seeing the first copies of a new book. Now that’s renewing.

***Today (March 18th) Random.org chose commenter Pat Wallace–see her comment below–as the Audio CD winner. Congratulations Pat, and your CD will be on the way to you next week.

17 Comments

  1. Leah Iris Andrews on March 1, 2017 at 10:55 am

    One of the reasons I believe I loved, When We Were Sisters, so much is because my children are adopted. Our first was 2 months old the day after she joined our home and our second was 6 weeks old when he joined the family. I have always felt so blessed to have these children and feel that God had our names on them when they were born.

  2. Shari on March 1, 2017 at 11:04 am

    My husband and I both work in the medical field, exhausting. We love going on weekend getaways. Just our time to ourselves!

  3. Nelda Steffen on March 1, 2017 at 11:05 am

    I enjoy reading a good book that makes me feel refreshed and renewed and makes me feel like I know the characters.

  4. Randi Shelton on March 1, 2017 at 11:32 am

    One of my favorite ways to recharge my batteries is to spend time with family. We’re scattered all over the country now, but time spent with my siblings is the best! Sometimes we’re lucky enough to be in the same place and get together at our parents home for an evening or weekend of fun. The laughter great food and conversation is a baum for the soul. Time alone with

  5. Nancy Lepri on March 1, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    Reading always renews me, especially if I’m at the beach! Ahhh… Can’t wait to see “The Swallow’s Nest.” <3

  6. Janet Scott on March 1, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    I clean! Everything is better for me in a tidy environment. I take a few bags of whatever to the Salvation Army and clean up everything else. Since I am not a collector or hoarder, this is an easy and almost pleasurable task.

  7. Faith Creech on March 1, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    I love to read my Bible and pray. That is how I recharge!

  8. Pat Wallace on March 1, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    My first thought when reading your blog was evidently too popular, for as I then read the comments, I thought that no, my method of letting go of all the worries of life is to get a good book and read. When life calls again, I am able to continue. I have always been a reader since my grandmother taught me to read at age 5. I sincerely hope I can continue to relax this way for the rest of my life.

  9. Connie Kauffman on March 1, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Get out the craft things and fabric. Be creative in a different form and create something new!

  10. Debbie casey on March 1, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    I try to spend some time quilting or maybe catching up on some reading

  11. Cathy Norton on March 1, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    I love to listen to audio books while I sew. I am now able to spend more time in my sewing room and it is so relaxing. I am able to finish some very old projects which is easing some of my guilt when I start new ones.

  12. Marisa on March 1, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    I do martial arts twice a week for a physical rather than mental challenge. I love to just sit and read though when I really need a break.

  13. Jane Dougherty on March 2, 2017 at 7:41 am

    When I am completely wiped out, I like to go onto our lanai with a book. I may only have time for one chapter, but when I have done that much, I feel my mind has cleared and I am ready to get back to the task at hand (whether it is mental or physical labor)

  14. Donalene Poduska on March 3, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Although I read on a regular basis, including choice for my book club, I do it differently when I feel the need to “binge read.” I look at at the books that I have set aside to read sometime. Then I choose one or two and start reading them so my stack goes down. When it gets low, I just add to it from other groups that I have. Even if I live to be a 100 (I’m 80), I won’t run out of books between what I have at home and can get from the library!

  15. Martha O'Quinn on March 4, 2017 at 7:44 am

    I need alone time to process the past and plan for the future. But, during that alone time I pull out “happy” relics from the past; photos, greeting cards, family/ancestry info, favorite decorating pictures from magazines – anything that doesn’t involve a lot of physical or emotional energy. Even cleaning out a closet or a group of drawers works for me.

  16. Evelyn A. Ferguson on March 4, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    I take a power nap for 10 to 15 minutes to take a break from quilting or reading.

  17. Florence on March 5, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    I knit for future babies and also for the homeless in our area, in particular the abused women. While I knit, I mull over various solutions or situations.

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