Guest Blogger: Marilyn Baron


   
Marilyn Baron’s humorous supernatural eBook short story, A Choir of Angels, is a heartwarming tale of a family’s tragedy and a wedding promise unfulfilled. How far will a mother go to sing at her daughter’s wedding? Nothing, not even a little thing like death, is going to cheat Rhonda Paver out of celebrating the happiest day of her daughter’s life. Even if she has to cross over to the other side to do it.

A Choir of Angels is now available from:
TWB Press at www.twbpress.com/achoirofangels.html in PDF eBook format or find a Kindle, Nook or OmniLit link at the TWB Press site. You can also search Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, or Omnilit.com by author name and title.
Or find it on Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/51916.

Bio:



Marilyn is a public relations consultant in Atlanta. She's a member of Romance Writers of America and serves on the board of Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) as editor of The Galley, GRW’s online newsletter. She writes humorous women’s fiction and romantic suspense, including “The Colonoscopy Club,” which finaled in the GRW Unpublished Maggie Awards for Excellence in 2005 in the Single Title category and “The Edger,” which won first place in the Suspense Romance Category of the 2010 Ignite the Flame Contest, sponsored by Central Ohio Fiction Writers RWA Chapter. What’s unique about my writing? “I like to laugh so I try to inject humor into everything I write. I tend to feature older heroines, because let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.” 
Marilyn blogs at 

Get Distracted: Make a Wish on a Dolphin
By Marilyn Baron

I love the ocean. I was born in Miami and I have a beach condo on the east coast of Florida, so there’s nowhere I’d rather be this summer than Under the Tiki Hut, sipping an ice cold glass of lemonade and munching on some chips, working on my next romantic suspense. Sixth Sense is about a psychic who predicts the death of the young son of America’s heartthrob in a plane crash and a by-the-book police detective with a deep distrust of psychics, who fails to report her premonition, with disastrous consequences.

Watching the sunrise over the ocean and staring mindlessly at the swooping seagulls and stately cranes stepping out along the shoreline is the closest thing to heaven for me. Suddenly, my attention is diverted by a school of dolphins frolicking in the waves. I could watch them forever. I believe spotting a dolphin is a sign of good luck, so I always make a wish when I see one.

Do I find the nature around me distracting? Yes, but distractions can be a good thing for a writer. They free your mind and lift your spirit, so ideas can flow from your subconscious. I get some of my best ideas daydreaming or relaxing on my balcony looking out at the ocean. In fact, I came up with a fantastic idea for a new supernatural short story when I was watching the sunrise on my last visit.

So while the conventional wisdom for writers is “butt in chair,” “nose to the grindstone,” and “stay focused,” I temper that with this advice: “Let your mind wander.” After all, it’s summer!
 
Sunrise from my balcony.

Comments

Joanne said…
I love the writing advice to let our minds wander. Sometimes the very best writing actually happens when we're away from the keyboard, living life, and bringing those insights back to the page.
Marilyn Baron said…
Joanne,

You are so right. The other day I was trying to come up with a story title and I had been up late working on revisions and when I woke up, I had it.
Maxine Davis said…
Marilyn,
Good advice, beautiful scenery and I can't wait to read your book about the psychic!
Anonymous said…
What a great post.And you are so right. Besides, you can put your "butt in chair" while overlooking the water, right? Love the premise of your story.
Lydia Kang said…
I would make a wish on a dolphin, but sadly they are rather scarce in the midwest. ;)
Great post, Carol and Marilyn!
Marilyn Baron said…
Desiree,

Exactly. You don't have to be closed up in a windowless room to be creative. In fact, how can you be creative in a windowless room? Put your "butt" in a lounge chair! I appreciate you coming over to comment.
Marilyn Baron said…
Lydia,

It doesn't have to be a dolphin. A star, the moon, anything beautiful in nature that speaks to you.
Jan Morrison said…
sometimes distraction is just what is needed...
Dianna Love said…
Hi Marilyn -

Good advice. I'm the one who has to remember to get up from time to time and walk outside to feel the sun on my face. I've been working harder at allowing myself to take an easier pace sometimes and enjoy a break. Your mind is like every other part of your body - it's gets tired when overworked and needs a chance to refuel.

BTW - I'm gifting my MIL a copy of your ebook. It's a fun treat to get a book for her ereader. :)
The view from my deck is pretty sweet, but I think your balcony view has it beat. Pretty cool. Congrats on your release, Marilyn. It's a fun and entertaining read.

Keep daydreaming and writing!
Hey Marilyn. Great post! I'm with you, there is nothing healthier than letting your mind wander. What I need to work on is the discipline (as I sit here commenting on blog posts). :-) Happy Wednesday! - Lindy
Marilyn Baron said…
Jan,
Thanks for stopping by. I agree. Distractions are not time wasters. I think they free up your mind and allow ideas to germinate.
Marilyn Baron said…
Dianna,

Thank you so much for dropping by. You're so right about giving ourselves permission to relax and working hard to take it easy. Sometimes we just need to get off the treadmill or our ideas won't be worth anything. More and more I'm finding that relaxing is a critical part of the creative process. And thank you so much for sending out a copy of "A Choir of Angels" to your Mother-In-Law. I hope she enjoys it.
Marilyn Baron said…
Carol,

Thank you for your kind wishes and comments. Sometimes when I look at that view I tend to fall asleep but then when I wake up I'm brimming with ideas. When I go there I absolutely relax and daydreaming and writing go hand in hand.
Marilyn Baron said…
Lindy,

Thanks for commenting. Sometimes discipline has to go out the window in order to let the light in.
Unknown said…
Great post. I'm glad that letting the mind wonder is good for writing. My mind seems to wander a lot! :) LOL. A choir of Angels sounds like a great story. I'm gonna have to check it out. Thanks for guest posting. :)
leslie tentler said…
Your book sounds wonderful, and I'm going to read it! Your post really struck a chord with me, as I'm an ocean lover who hasn't been to the beach in years. It seems there's never time for a vacation these days, and if there is, that time is usually spent visiting family who live far inland. I'm craving some time at the beach, and my dream is to someday own a condo on the water. Ahhhh... - Leslie Tentler
Marilyn Baron said…
Carol,
Thank you so much for letting your mind wander over here. I hope you like the story and I appreciate you wanting to check it out. This blog is a lot of fun.
notesfromnadir said…
What an awesome view!
Marilyn Baron said…
Leslie,

What a treat that you stopped by! I love the ocean, and it is truly a dream come true to visit. I don't get there as often as I'd like. LIke you said, there is never time for vacations, so ours have to be short. But luckily, I have friends and family nearby that I can visit at the same time. Just looking at the ocean is calming and seems to spark creativity in me. You have to go to the beach!
Marilyn Baron said…
Lisa (NotesfromNadir),

Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it.
Pam Asberry said…
Great advice, Marilyn. I have many balls in the air, so to speak - not only writing, but music teaching, beading, single parenting, etc. - and I am disciplined to a fault. I tend to push myself really, really hard, and then I crash and burn. I am going to try to do a better job of pacing myself - and take a little extra time to notice the wonders that surround me. Thanks for the reminder.
Marilyn Baron said…
Pam,

I'm guilty of overdoing most of the time but as I get older, I see the value of pacing myself.
Janet, said…
I like the idea of injecting humor in everything you write. We have enough sorrow and troubles without reading about it all the time. I enjoyed the post
Marilyn Baron said…
Thank you Janet. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. You can usually find humor in any situation, even the bad ones. Sometimes it helps you cope. I enjoy reading all kinds of books but I really appreciate humor in writing.
Carol Kilgore said…
Hi Everyone - Just popping in to wave at my old friends and say hi to all the new visitors here at the Tiki Hut. Kick off your flip-flops, grab a cool drink, and make yourselves at home.
Is it all right to let it wander to a good movie? That's where most of my inspiration comes from.
Savannah said…
I get my best ideas while I'm "napping" or just relaxing and letting my mind wander, you are so right about that.

The view from your balcony is lovely, thanks for the post.
I've been letting my wander quite a bit lately. Now I can justify it! =)

Great advice here. Thanks!

-Miss GOP
www.thewritingapprentice.com
Marilyn Baron said…
Carol,

Thanks so much for having me. You have wonderful followers on this blog.

Alex, yes I love movies too. They are a great way to relax. I typically fall asleep at night in front of the TV and get some of my best sleep that way.
Marilyn Baron said…
Savannah,

I just said the same thing you did before I read your comment. Vegging out, relaxing, not thinking without a care in the world, that's the way to spark creativity.
Marilyn Baron said…
Miss Good on Paper,

I'm happy to be the one to give you permission to let your mind wander. Sometimes you have to focus to meet deadlines, but if you do that all the time you'll just burn out. Thanks for visiting the blog.
VR Barkowski said…
Outstanding post, Marilyn! As writers, it's vital we let our minds wander - that's how we connect with our creativity and are able to create something original. I only wish my mind wandered more while sitting on the beach or watching a sunset. Mine tends to meander when I'm in the shower - plays heck with my water bill. :)
Randy said…
The premise of your book resonates with me because I lost my mother when I was nine. About a year later, I found a sealed envelope addressed to me, to be opened on my wedding day. Well, I peeked. I just had to, didn't I?? And a good thing, because here I am at 57 and still haven't gotten around to that wedding day. I can't honestly remember what the letter said (only recall it being very brief) and that it contains the hankie she carried at her own wedding (brought back from WWI by my grandfather). My stepmom (now 88) told me the envelope is in her desk drawer, so at least it still exists. Anyway, didn't mean to ramble...I LOVE (and am very jealous of) your view!
Pamela Mason said…
I am a total island girl. When we get close on I65, I can sniff out the salty sea air. I spent summers at Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Biloxi, Dauphin Island... all those places in the gulf.It's so true... the waves' crashing, the gulls' screaming- those rhythmic sounds can put a writer into a hypnotic state & allow the mind to wander & create. Your post gave me a little vacay reading it-- thank you! And good luck to you in all your writing endeavors.
Marilyn Baron said…
VR,
Well, like the ocean, the shower has water, so..I think that's a great place for ideas to germinate. I think of ideas in the shower too and then I have to get out and right them down. I'm glad you liked the post.
Marilyn Baron said…
Randy,

What a beautiful story about your mother leaving you a letter. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful part of your life. I lost my father last year before this book was published and my mother printed it out and left it on his favorite chair so he could "read" it. I think for a moment she had forgotten he was gone. I'm so glad you came on to comment.
Marilyn Baron said…
Pamela,

Yes, you've described the beach exactly. I love your words. That's the way I feel when I'm out there. It does put you in a hypnotic state.
Linsey Lanier said…
You know, you are right. "Let your mind wander" IS just as important as "butt in chair." Thanks, Marilyn. I needed to hear that.

And "Sixth Sense" sounds like a terrific read. I can't wait till it's out. :)
Nicki Salcedo said…
I was recently at the beach and I was supposed to write, but I spent all of my time watching my kids play in the sand. I never once sat in a chair. I actually sat in sand, having fun. Somehow when I got home I still found the words. Thanks, MB.
Marilyn Baron said…
Linsey, thanks. I'm still working on Sixth Sense, but I did get some good news tonight. I got a contract from TWB Press for a second short story, again with an angel theme, it's twice as long as "A Choir of Angels" and should be coming out around July 15. Not sure of the date yet. But that is the story that I thought of while looking out the window at the sunrise and I wrote it at the condo. So another beach inspiration.
Marilyn Baron said…
Nicki,

Yes when the kids are there you have to watch them. You can't let your mind wander.
Kym said…
I find I do my best thinking on the beach near the water :)

Also in the shower, but I need something to write on it there ..lol

I agree that we need to relax, or stimulate or mind at times to stay creative.

Love the photo !
Marilyn Baron said…
Kym,

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I get my best ideas by the water.
AJ Kirby said…
Great blog, and I'd get inspiration from that kind of view every day!
AJ Kirby
Talli Roland said…
I'm all for wandering minds! That's how I get most of my ideas, in fact. :)

Thanks for a great post!
Marilyn Baron said…
A.J.,

Thanks for taking the time to visit the blog and for your comments.
Marilyn Baron said…
Talli,

I'm glad you liked the post.
Helen Ginger said…
Gorgeous picture! I agree about letting your mind wander. It's not only fun to conjure up new ideas, those ideas are often ones you can use.
Tara said…
Nice to meet another romantic suspense writer. Nice distraction - I grew up in Boca Raton, so I was easily distracted by the same sights. Often.
Carol Kilgore said…
Helen - I came up with one just tonight while I was chopping onions.

Tara - I've BEEN to Boca Raton. Does that count - LOL.
Tami Brothers said…
Loved it Marilyn! I could feel myself sitting there and wondered what exactly I would do. Wish I could put it to the test...grin...

Can't wait for the new one to come out!!!

Thanks for sharing this, Marilyn.

Tami
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm not Marilyn, Tami, but thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Also thanks to Marilyn Baron for being such a gracious guest blogger here at Under the Tiki Hut.
Marilyn Baron said…
Helen,

Thanks for visiting. I seem to come up with the best ideas when I let my mind wander. So I'm going to keep doing it.
Marilyn Baron said…
Tara,

That's a beautiful place to grow up. And it definitely counts. I love your photo icon. It's a really great scene.
Marilyn Baron said…
Thanks, Tami. I'm excited about my new release, too. Both of the angel books were created at the condo.
Marilyn Baron said…
Carol,

I want to thank you and your readers and everyone who commented. I loved guest blogging for you and hope I can come back again. I enjoyed "meeting" all of you. It was a wonderful experience. And Carol, that's a new one. Getting an idea while chopping onions. I love that. I'll bet the book will be a tear-jerker.
Carol Kilgore said…
I think everyone enjoyed meeting you, too, Marilyn. You're always welcome here. We'll talk :)

It's not planned as a tear-jerker, but you never know.

Thanks again for blogging with us.

.