A Creative Addiction: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Dear Editor

Dear Publisher,

The Line That Divides looks amazing! Thank you.

Excitedly,
Melanie Mason

Dear Book Store,

I'm so glad you finally have my books on the shelves. They look so pretty all stacked there. I think I'll take a picture. :)

Cheese,
M Mason

Dear Storm,

Wow, I can't believe I have ignored you so completely. But don't fret, you've been on my mind and I will come and work with you some more real soon. Probably on the first, since I will be at a hotel with not much else to do. Yay!

Hopefully,
Author

Dear Laptop,

What is up with you? You have no business having any issues with typing and connecting and stuff like that. Stop it! I need to you to work. Now more than ever. (pause) Thank you. That's better.

Relieved,
Writer

Dear Romance Story in my head,

I know you've been pestering me and picking at my mind. I know you're in there and that you are just bursting at the seams to come out, but you'll just have to wait a little bit longer, I have other projects to finish and work on. Don't worry, we'll get to know each other really soon.

Promises,
Romantic Author

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Holiday Depression

So last week was really tough for me. I had to work all through Christmas for the fourth year in a row and I have to admit I was a little out of sorts for several of my flights. After some contemplation I decided why I was struggling so much with being "merry and bright."

Usually I am fine working through the holiday because I get to see my family later, but this year was different. I did go home and visit, but instead of spending quality time with the family I was going, going, going the whole ten days I had off. Now that I stop and think about it, I don't think I really sat down and had a meal or even a conversation with all of my siblings. That thought made me sad. I love getting together with my family and seeing all my siblings, their spouses, and my 20 nieces and nephews. It is more than a party when we all converge, it is an event. I love that and this year I missed out on it completely.

Now this is enough to make anyone out of sorts, but I realized there were other things helping my slightly sour mood. My dad is finally selling his big house in Deweyville and moving. I actually helped with some of the move. This is actually a really great thing, but I discovered, as I pasted my fake smile on my face for my passengers, that I am sad that my childhood home will no longer be mine. I will always have the memories and the love that was shared in that home and I am so very grateful for that, but knowing that it will belong to someone else and that my children will never have those memories, is a little heart breaking.

Other things happened during this "time off" that also affected my mood. I said goodbye to my first bought car and now I get to look for a replacement. That never really makes someone happy, even if it is a major blessing in disguise.

So you add all of this up and I discovered why I seemed to be less than cheerful while I worked. Now that I have recognized the problem and now that we are past the holiday I'm doing so much better. I know there will be many other Christmases with family and friends and every year I can look forward to better times. I am grateful for all the blessings I have been given and for a wonderful Christmas season that, though tough, was good.

So when it seems a little sad and you are wanting to "cry the day you take the tree down," just remember that we can keep the Christmas season with us all through the year by helping and serving others. And if you are on a

flight during the holidays and your flight attendant is less than cheerful, just remember that she might be missing out on the happiness and cheer that year. Cut her a bit of slack and she'll lighten up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

My book is in Portland!

I'm so excited! My book has arrived at the Portland Deseret Book in Lake Oswego. It is so cool to see it on the shelf. I get so excited that I have to take a picture, and then I start talking with the people who are shopping in that area and then someone decides to buy it and I get even more excited. Then I get to sign the book and I get even more excited.

I'm not sure I can top this feeling...at least at the moment. Thanks everyone who has bought my book. I truly hope you enjoy it!!!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

A Book On A Shelf

The feeling I got when I saw the book on the shelf is nothing like I've experienced before. I can hardly believe my book is actually published. It is surreal.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Book Review: Pierced By Love by Laura L. Walker

So I had the opportunity to read Pierced By Love by Laura L. Walker. What a fun book!

Noelle Jensen doesn’t want to like Pierce Logan. After her boyfriend breaks up with her for her sister, Noelle is done with love. Plus Pierce Logan has commitment issues because of his parents’ divorce and a strained relationship with his dad. But as Pierce and Noelle inadvertently help each other to open up their hearts, they also rediscover the importance of family and love.

I have to admit that there were times that Noelle was much more saint like than I would have been in a similar situation, but it was enlightening to watch as she heroically worked through her struggles with her sister and her own feelings. If my sister had stolen my boyfriend, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to speak to her ever again. Noelle showed me that family relationships were more important that harboring hurt feelings.

Laura crafted a wonderful, realistic relationship between Pierce and Noelle. I was drawn into Pierce's trials and the strain between him and his father. Seeing him work on his own and with Noelle to overcome those struggles made me cheer even harder for his success. The way Pierce treated Noelle is the way any woman would want to be treated and though I ached for Noelle's pain in how her mother and sister treated her feelings, I warmed to how kindly Pierce soothed that pain.

The story carried me away from beginning to end. It is a must read for anyone who has struggled with family and personal relationships and who wants to find ways to strengthen their own ability to deal with difficult and seemingly unbearable trials.

A great read!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Book Signing Successful

I had a wonderful book signing event on Wednesday, December 10th, at The Book Table in Logan, UT. So many amazing friends and family came to support me. It was wonderful to see everyone and to even talk to people in the store about The Line That Divides.

I'm so excited that this book is out there now for people to read. Thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this place in my life. I'm so grateful!!!