#SundayBlogShare

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare – And Now for Something Completely Different!

/ Marcia Meara / 11 Comments

silywalk

Instead of a set of inspirational photos today, what do you say we find our inspiration in each other? I know seeing a bit of what each of you have done, or checking out your latest WIP, is always inspirational to me, so . . . given the power vested in me by, ahem, myself . . . I hereby declare today the start of a new #ExcerptWeek!  Yippee!!

Starting today, you are invited to share an excerpt from one of your books or stories, published, unpublished, or a work in progress, and we, in turn, will send it out into the world to be shared among our various social media groups. Here’s how you do it:

  1. If you are already set up to post on TWS, go right ahead and post your excerpt(s) throughout the week, whenever you like.
  2. If you aren’t set up to do so, email me at: mmeara@cfl. rr.com, and I’ll tell you how to proceed, or will post your excerpt for you.
  3. Be sure to include your Buy Links, Cover Photos, Author Photo, and  Author Bio at the end of your excerpt.
  4. Please, no politics, religion, or blatant erotica. (And yes, I’ll be the judge of what constitutes blatant. Sexy is fine. Very sexy is probably fine, too. Graphic descriptions should be saved for those who decide to read your book.)  *wink-wink, nudge-nudge*

And that’s pretty much it. I can help you post, if you need it. Again, just email me with questions. But most of all, SHARE! This is a great way for you to let others see a sample of your work, and learn how and where to buy your books.  (Even if you’ve never posted here before. We’d love to meet you, and help you share your work.)

So, come on! Show us what ya got!

 

 

 

#InspirationBoardSunday – #SundayBlogShare – Real Men DO Read Romantic Suspense!

/ Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

CAM002991

Something a bit different this Sunday. A bit late, too, but who’s counting, right? Any of you who follow this feature regularly know that I find inspiration in a lot of different places, and today is no different. My good friend and cover designer, Nicki Forde, sent me a picture of her fiancé taken on their recent vacation to Rhode Island. Tired from a wonderful day of exploring New England sights and sounds, she caught Mark reading a book she’d brought along on the trip. MY book, to be precise. My Romantic Suspense book, Finding Hunter, which is Book 2 of my Riverbend series.

I was delighted to see the  photo. I must say, Mark looks pretty involved, and it made me stop and think. I tend to consider my target audience women, and mostly over 30. Maybe even over 40. Which is fine by me, because they are a wonderful audience to write for. However, I have noticed more men showing up at local events, and asking questions about my books. Seeing this photo brought it home that there are men out there who read a broader spectrum of books than I might have expected.

Obviously, there are books that draw more male readers than others will, but I’m now much more aware that my writing should also appeal to those guys who enjoy some romance with their action books. I don’t intend to forget that going forward. Write as if the whole world is reading your words. They just might be!

Color me INSPIRED!

 

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare #StJohnsRiverEcoTour

/ Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

eco1small
All Aboard the Naiad

I added a new photo to my Inspiration Board today. Nope, not a picture of anyone who inspires a particular character of mine, nor a scene that might lead to another story. Probably.  🙂 

Instead, I added a photo of the wonderful group who joined me aboard the Naiad for a fantastic eco-tour of the St. John’s River, yesterday. This particular group was almost completely comprised of book lovers I’ve met at various events over the last six months, most of whom have read some, if not all, of my books. I asked myself today,  what could be more inspiring than these lovely people, who are already invested in my stories and characters ? Who else am I writing for if not these wonderful folks,  and others just like them?

So, voila! Here they are. Eighteen terrific folks–friends, now–who got to experience a St. Johns River Eco-Tour with Captain Jeanne Bell and Doug Little, and see some central Florida birds and wildlife. They were very attentive when I read the prologue from Harbinger, and I think at least some of them will be eagerly awaiting the latest book in the Wake-Robin Ridge series. Fingers crossed. I am blessed to call each of them a friend, now! And I am INSPIRED!

eco2small
Captain Jeanne Bell
St. Johns  River Eco Tours

 

 

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare Sunrise, Sunset

/ Marcia Meara / 8 Comments

tropical-sunrise-wallpaper-wallpaper-2

Why is it that we revere the beginning and end of each day so much? Is it only because of the flaming colors that spread across the sky? Or is there something deeper inside us that recognizes each one marks the arrival and then the passing of another day in our lives? I’m not sure, but I find one filled with the hope of new things to come, and the other filled with the knowledge that it’s time to put down my work and gather strength for what the future brings next.

I’ll be leaving in a bit to speak at an afternoon tea, but I wanted to leave you with some lovely images to inspire you. Hope they make your heart soar. Enjoy! Continue reading →

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare

/ Marcia Meara / 8 Comments

For many of us, nothing is quite so full of inspiration as an animal. (Witness the ten kajillion online photos and videos on YouTube). They touch us in our daily lives, teach us how to enjoy the world, and surprise us with their beauty, strength, and grace. Why not let more of them inspire us in our writing?

I enjoy including animals in all of my books. My characters have pets that immediately say something about who they are. From the enigmatic MacKenzie Cole’s sole companion, an Irish wolfhound named Rosheen . . .

8378f7160a81ac22ed0dfc458dfd5b62 Continue reading →

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare

/ Marcia Meara / 44 Comments

Inspiration! Where does it come from? In a word, everywhere! Open your eyes and unstop your ears, and you’ll find it. I keep a file on my computer called, surprise, Inspiration, and I save lots and lots of pictures there. Of SO many things. Sometimes, I just sit browsing through them, thinking about what stories are hidden within them. Today, I’m going to share some randomly selected images for your viewing pleasure. Which ones speak to you?

Maybe you are most often inspired by scenic vistas and faraway places.

9996c0d040f86079aa13d9c4ee045654

Continue reading →

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare #Florida

/ Marcia Meara / 7 Comments

To make up for being gone so long, I’m taking you on a short photo tour today. Enjoy!!
****

Inspiration can come from anywhere or anyone.
I’m inspired by lush habitat and scenery. 

Wekiwa_IMG_6363-EditWekiva River – Dark and Mysterious

I’m equally inspired by wildlife and birds.

800px-Prothonotary_Warbler_Prothonotary Warbler

IMG_3001Little Blue Heron and White Ibis

0003-72-800-750-80-wm-right_bottom-20-DougLittle-255-255-255-20Purple Gallinule

03Jul2013_011-149-800-750-80-wm-right_bottom-20-DougLittle-255-255-255-20
Baby alligators, last year’s and newer hatchlings.

0013-82-800-750-80-wm-right_bottom-20-DougLittle-255-255-255-20Not such a baby, this time.

Sometimes I’m inspired by things I’ll probably never see in the wild.

claude_nancy_van_house2
Albino alligator. Wanna dance?

new-orleans-22-e1345389323223Blue-eyed Leucistic Alligator (My inspiration for Big Blue, in Swamp Ghosts)

Inspiration! It’s all around us!
All we have to do is open our eyes and unstop our ears.
😀

"Kelly Park, Apopka, Florida"

#InspirationBoardSunday #SundayBlogShare @marciameara

/ Marcia Meara / 10 Comments

Another week gone by, another chance to share photos from my Inspiration Board. In addition to Florida rivers and wildlife, my Inspiration Board is filled with  photos of the mountains of North Carolina, not only because my Wake-Robin Ridge series is set there, but because it is truly my favorite place on earth. Who could not be inspired by scenery like this? Rhododendrons in bloom, rolling hills in the distance, and light streaming down from the heavens above. *Happy Sigh* Hope it inspires you, as well.

bald