Is Reading Past Your Bedtime Associated with Other Traits?
Answer this question quickly, without thinking: do you ever stay up too late reading a book you just can’t put down?
I would not hesitate to do that! Even though I would pay for my choices the next day by feeling tired, awful, groggy, etc.
Actually, I just did this! It was one of the books I judged for the Rita contest. The best thing was, it was a book in a genre I never would have picked to read on my own. That was the beauty of it. I discovered something outstanding where I least expected it. And it was awesome!
I was thinking about this, and I came to the conclusion that this trait (of saying, the hell with tomorrow, I’m finishing this book!) might possibly be linked to other traits. People who stay up too late reading love and value the experience of a good read so much that they are willing to suffer a little the next day for it. It speaks to a sort of impulsiveness. A “life is too short!” philosophy. A romanticism. A “what the heck, let’s do it!” mentality. A joie de vivre. More on the romantic than the practical side of life. An ability to get excited about things that maybe everyone does not have. A live life to the fullest and pack all you can into it kind of thing.
So are people who stay up too late reading more willing to jump impulsively into a car and make a long trip to visit someone even though it’s not the most practical thing to do? Are they more willing to reach out to other experiences that are not always practical because of the life is too short not to attitude?
You will have to let me know what you think. All I know is, my husband, a
practical man, would absolutely not stay up all night reading. It simply isn’t what he would do. He would value his sleep and his functioning the next day more than the complete pleasure of reading that book. (But then, this is also a man who went to bed with a half hour left of the world series when the game was tied and went into overtime.) I mean, the man loves his sleep, what can I say. Maybe this goes along with the calm, even, steadfastness of his personality, traits which I love. But recklessly impulsive…no, I definitely would not label him as that.
I will leave you to ponder this (or not) as I return to finish that amazing book I mentioned above. Although later I just might need a nap 🙂
Happy week!
Weekend Away
I thought I would share with you some fun pics from my weekend away. Last Wednesday afternoon, I turned in a manuscript (yay!), threw a bunch of (mostly mismatched) clothes into my suitcase, then took off in the car with my husband for a long weekend. We weren’t really sure where we were headed. But somehow we eventually committed to driving the 12 hours from Ohio to South Carolina, (where it is spring), to visit family (so joyous)), and enjoy being outside. Now, you have to understand, even though it’s been a mild winter here in northeastern Ohio, “outside” is still a shocking rarity. I still can’t believe I spent most of the weekend outside in the mild temps (mid-60’s), biking, walking, and even reading!
Here are some things that caught my eye…
The pic on the left below is a sea bird standing on a strip of mud and sand. Still a very wintery photo, all silvers and grays.
Next to that is a bronze sculpture called “Out to Lunch.” This young man is eating a sandwich and reading his book outside, which sounds like the perfect way to eat lunch to me!
On the right is a pretty pic of someone’s garden they planted in a shell pot. There was a lavender plant in there as well as some other things I didn’t recognize. But it was pretty! And again, to see growing things in February…amazing!
Lastly, the thing that is so beautiful about the South Carolina Lowcountry is the marshlands, which change color throughout the seasons. Here is my favorite pic from last summer, when the marsh grass is a bright, beautiful green, compared to a pic I took this weekend, when it was a much different color. Different, huh?!
Anyway, getting away is good for the soul. The trip was a bit arduous but since I spent a total of 24 hrs in the car. But since my husband are still on speaking terms, I consider it…a great success :)!
Happy week, everybody!
Shell garden.
“Out to Lunch,” a bronze sculpture in a plaza on Hilton Head Island.
Maybe a heron?
CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING is Up for Preorder!
CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING releases March 7th and is up for preorder here. Today I’m excited to share with you the beautiful cover and blurb!
SHE WANTS TO MOVE ON…WITH SOMEONE BLAND AND BORING…
Widowed psychologist Maggie McShae is ready to find someone who won’t make her heart beat fast, her knees grow weak, or make her feel hot and cold at the same time. No one she can really love, because love brings too much pain.
Drew Poulos, son of a billionaire, is hiding out in Mirror Lake, working at his brothers’ brandy company. He inspires those very feelings Maggie’s determined to avoid. The hunky businessman, who left his high society bride at the altar, is the last person she’d ever seriously date…but he might just be perfect for a fling…
HE NEEDS A DATE FOR HIS BROTHER’S WEDDING…WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN CALM HIS QUIRKY FAMILY…
Drew’s too heartbroken to ever trust any woman again, but the sexy psychologist is the perfect person to deflect his family’s attention as his brother marries the woman Drew once thought was his.
As sparks fly, two injured hearts might just find that true love can be even better the second time around…
CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU is a Woman’s World Book Club Pick!
Two happy bits of news this week. I was excited to learn that my book CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU was chosen as a book club selection for the January 23rd issue of Woman’s World Magazine. This was a thrill because for years I’ve read and enjoyed the weekly short romance stories in this periodical and it was a real honor to have my book picked as one of their small town romance reads!
Secondly, this upcoming week, the Heroes and Heartbreakers blog is doing a cover reveal for my March release, CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING. The cover is really pretty, stop by and have a first peek!
CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING is Book 2 in the Spikonos brothers series and features another hot, gorgeous, and wonderful brother of Greek heritage, Drew, who we first met when he was AWOL from his own celebrity wedding in Book 1, Can’t Stop Loving You. Stop by heroesandheartbreakers.com on Tuesday, January 31st or visit my Facebook Author page for more details!
Now’s a great time to sign up for my newsletter here if you haven’t already, for the latest news about what’s coming. I’m on some pretty tight deadlines now so it’s back to work for me! Happy week 🙂
xo
Miranda
Cuppa Inspiration
I’ve always been one to believe in the power of suggestion. And I’ve always loved motivational quotes, whether they’re sarcastic 
and snarky or very serious. That’s why, over the years, family and friends have made certain to supply me with slogan coffee cups to sit on my desk and motivate me while I write. Today, I’d like to share with you my favorites.
Last spring, my daughter and I went to an antique mall and I saw a smiley mug that reminded me very fondly of my youth. I didn’t buy it but I did take a photo of it and talked a lot about the smiley craze to her. Well, for Christmas she got me my own. I love this mug because there is a broad smile on one side, always inspiring. But it’s the other side I really like because it is subversive. The sly, secretive, winking side tells me in no uncertain terms, You’ve got this, you gorgeous, talented, amazing hunk of writer! Now get to it!” Hard to ignore that message for sure, right? 🙂
Best Day Ever! fills me with optimism as I sit down and write, even if the day
soon deteriorates into so much dog poo. Yes, yes I can! is the mantra it inspires. The Star Wars mug is a gift from my son–notice that the light sabers light up when filled with a hot beverage. Which is just very cool. 
Then, on the last day of edits, I pull out the cup that reminds me I’ve tried my hardest and now it’s time to let go, something I very much need because if it were possible, I’d still be clinging on to the manuscript with my very last breath. I love this mug because when the due date of a manuscript arrives, time’s up and you have to hit that send button.
Plus when you finish your coffee, you get a little surprise in the bottom. I think of this as my little heart attack in the bottom of the cup. It’s a simple exclamation point, which you can take in many ways. Usually, hurry up and get this done and turn it in! or You did it! You finished a book! or just maybe, I wish I could work on this another year. Or two!
Okay, so you may be thinking that maybe writers spend too much time alone. But writing a book is a marathon and as you sit or stand and pluck at the keyboard, you’ve gotta do everything possible to keep yourself going. Might as well get some use out of that container of all that coffee you’re consuming.
May your upcoming week be filled with great coffee (or tea)!