Bonne Année!

In France we greet with "Happy New Year" all through January. I learned that lesson very quickly with a shopkeeper quick to sternly let me know that the correct response on January 13 was "Bonne Année." The best part about living in any French city or town is that the people will gladly and swiftly let you know when you're doing something culturally wrong.

I have so many stories from my time living in France that I decided to put some pen to paper, as we might say. I'm finishing up one I hope to send off to a few magazines to see if they will pick it up. It'll be the first time in over a decade that I attempt to get something published by others. I'm very happy with self-publishing my books, but short stories seem to fair better in publications like magazine or anthologies. So, that's my goal for this month with that.

Many of the stories I have are funny, which makes them fun to remember, but is challenging me on how to stretch them from anecdote, or funny story to tell at a party, and into a short story. It doesn't seem like it would be a challenge, but the problem is that a story in written form needs a high point and a low point, or a lesson the main character learns, or a climax (even if not huge), and an ending that satisfies the reader and makes sense.

In other words, there is no laugh track to signal that the story has ended, which differs from telling the story at a party where facial gestures and high spirits already cue the listener into laughing or responding and abrupt endings are forgiven. But the challenge is what makes it fun!

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Do you make a list of books to read for the year? Do you challenge yourself with a number of books on Goodreads or another site?

It isn't necessary, of course. I like setting a goal and seeing if I can accomplish it. I also like seeing what books I've read over the year, so I typically put everything in Goodreads.

If you're looking for more books, I have joined up with a few authors this week! Ready to read?

A gentle clergyman. A broken prostitute. A blossoming love that will endanger both their lives…

Ruby's Redemption is a clean Regency Romance written by Edwina Kieran. If you liked Stepping Across the Desert, I think you'll really like Ruby's Redemption!

Buy Ruby's Redemption

Ignore powerful dukes who sabotage your plans. But when he catches her spying, she may not have a choice.

Find Escaping the Duke on Amazon here

Faye Taylor grew up in the world of Thoroughbred horse racing, though she’s afraid of the animals

Find All the Little Things on Amazon here

Happy reading, everyone!

Kat