Nichole Giles's Blog
December 9, 2015
Nichole Giles, Young Adult Author
Nichole Giles is the author of young adult fantasy with strong romantic elements and clean to PG-13 ratings. Find her on the web!Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads |Twitter
Coming Soon! The stunning conclusion of the DESCENDANT series. Legacy
Only the strongest will survive…
Abby and Kye have lost everything but each other. They’re on the run and Abby’s wound from the Arawn Dagger is draining her power—which is also her life force—leaving her unable to access her Light or her Healing ability.
As Kye and Abby fled Mexico, her mother slipped her information that led her to believe her “dead” father might still be alive. While the hunt for him takes them back through Abby’s childhood homes, they’re forced to question everything they’ve been taught and everyone they’ve ever trusted.
Including each other.
When Abby’s best friend is kidnapped by demons, Abby and Kye launch a rescue attempt that morphs into a battle. Abby needs to prove she has what it takes to rid the world of demons, or the royal bloodline and the Gifted generation will be obliterated once and for all.
Purchase links forthcoming!
Water So DeepComing February 2, 2015
Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris is drowning on dry land.No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.
Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can't have.
When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it's only a matter of time before she's forced to surrender forever.
Pre-order your copy of Water So Deep on Amazon or Kobo. Birthright May 1, 2014
Two months ago, Abigail Johnson saved the life of the boy she believes is her destiny and defeated an army of demons that have pursued her ancestors for centuries. Now, she and Kye should be taking their place as leaders of the new generation of Gifted, but the curse they thought was broken has returned, and every minute together brings them closer to death.
When remaining shadow demons attack again, the Dragons send Abby to Mexico. But she isn’t any safer here than she was back home. The shadows have tracked her, the locals expect her to help with their own demon problems, and the more time she spends away from Kye, the more she doubts the destiny that ties them together.
When the demons destroy her safe house, Abby has no choice but to take the fight to them. The arrival of an old nemesis throws their careful plans into disarray, and Abby and her friends find themselves facing new adversaries in a battle that turns fatal. This time, not everyone will make it out alive.
Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, or Kobo.
Descendant
Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.
Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.
Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.
Watch for updated news and cover art in the coming months.
Purchase your copy here.
June 15, 2015
Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway!
Yes, I know. This is WAY, WAY, WAY overdue.
I mean, I've been talking about doing a reviewer appreciation giveaway since April. But if you've been reading this blog over the last few months, well, you know that things got a bit crazy around here, and, well. My prizes kinda-sorta disappeared into a moving box for a little while.
But fear not. They have been found! And the giveaway is here and officially starts TODAY!!!
Take a look at these fab prizes:
In honor of Water So Deep, this fabulous Bella Del Mar Mother of Pearl jewelry set is beaded with tiny white pearls, and accented with clear crystal quartz. This set comes in a beautiful display box and includes a gorgeous necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and is a $95 value. (The crystals look slightly blue in this picture, but they are really mostly clear.)
Also in honor of Water So Deep, this stylish and trendy Refuse to Sink bracelet, still attached to the manufacturer packaging.
In honor of Descendant and Birthright, this lovely crystal quartz healing crystal necklace was custom made by Zuniga's Custom Jewelry. (She makes some of my very favorite original pieces.) Also in packaging.
To enter, all you have to do is leave a review of one of my books on your favorite review site (there are tons of choices) and then come back here and leave the link in the Rafflecopter link box. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEFT A REVIEW, it's okay. This contest is MEANT for YOU! Go ahead and leave me the link to your already posted review and you do not need to do anything more.
You will see that there are lots of places where reviews can be left for each of my books. In case you're wondering, YES, it is totally okay to copy and paste one review to ALL THE PLACES if you so choose. As long as you remember to collect the link and enter it into the Rafflecopter box, it totally counts.
This contest closes on June 30, so be sure to enter before then.
*Winners will be notified by email ir FB private message (depending on the information included through Rafflecopter) and will have 72 hours to respond with a U.S. mailing address. If you are out of the United States, you are still eligible to win the bracelet or healing crystal, but not the larger set. Prizes may be adjusted as necessary for this purpose.
**United States prizewinners may be given the option to trade their jewelry prize for a paperback or ebook copy of any of my books. International prizewinners wishing to exchange their prize will be given the option for an ebook.
Also, while you're entering contests, don't forget to scroll to the post below this one and follow the link to the other fabulous contest for the Magic of Solstice Fantasy Writers' tour I'm participating in this month.
Good luck to all of you, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your fabulous support. I couldn't do what I do without all of you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I mean, I've been talking about doing a reviewer appreciation giveaway since April. But if you've been reading this blog over the last few months, well, you know that things got a bit crazy around here, and, well. My prizes kinda-sorta disappeared into a moving box for a little while.
But fear not. They have been found! And the giveaway is here and officially starts TODAY!!!
Take a look at these fab prizes:
In honor of Water So Deep, this fabulous Bella Del Mar Mother of Pearl jewelry set is beaded with tiny white pearls, and accented with clear crystal quartz. This set comes in a beautiful display box and includes a gorgeous necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and is a $95 value. (The crystals look slightly blue in this picture, but they are really mostly clear.)
Also in honor of Water So Deep, this stylish and trendy Refuse to Sink bracelet, still attached to the manufacturer packaging.
In honor of Descendant and Birthright, this lovely crystal quartz healing crystal necklace was custom made by Zuniga's Custom Jewelry. (She makes some of my very favorite original pieces.) Also in packaging.
To enter, all you have to do is leave a review of one of my books on your favorite review site (there are tons of choices) and then come back here and leave the link in the Rafflecopter link box. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEFT A REVIEW, it's okay. This contest is MEANT for YOU! Go ahead and leave me the link to your already posted review and you do not need to do anything more.
You will see that there are lots of places where reviews can be left for each of my books. In case you're wondering, YES, it is totally okay to copy and paste one review to ALL THE PLACES if you so choose. As long as you remember to collect the link and enter it into the Rafflecopter box, it totally counts.
This contest closes on June 30, so be sure to enter before then.
*Winners will be notified by email ir FB private message (depending on the information included through Rafflecopter) and will have 72 hours to respond with a U.S. mailing address. If you are out of the United States, you are still eligible to win the bracelet or healing crystal, but not the larger set. Prizes may be adjusted as necessary for this purpose.
**United States prizewinners may be given the option to trade their jewelry prize for a paperback or ebook copy of any of my books. International prizewinners wishing to exchange their prize will be given the option for an ebook.
Also, while you're entering contests, don't forget to scroll to the post below this one and follow the link to the other fabulous contest for the Magic of Solstice Fantasy Writers' tour I'm participating in this month.
Good luck to all of you, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your fabulous support. I couldn't do what I do without all of you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 31, 2015
Magic of Solstice Fantasy Writers' Tour
This month I am part of a fabulous fantasy writers' blog tour. I am so excited to be included in this fantastic and fun event! Please join me and my fellow authors here, where The Book Stalker is posting guest posts, excerpts, and links to a contest with fun giveaways from all the participating authors. Don't miss out on this super-duper fun summer event!
~ Hugs! Nichole
PS. In case you haven't clicked over yet, here is the tour schedule!
1 June – MelissaBarker-Simpson3 June – Ali Cross5 June – Renee Scattergood7 June – Allison D. Reid9 June – Lee Dunning11 June – Joshua Robertson13 June – Debbie Manber Kupfer15 June – Charlotte Henley Babb17 June – C.B. MacGillavry19 June – Jan Marie21 June – RJ Mirabal23 June – Cheri Schmidt25 June – KJ Hawkins27 June – Rebecca Jaycox29 June – Louise Findlay
May 19, 2015
Catching Up!
Um, yeah. So the thing is that blogging has fallen way down on my priority list these days. And as horrible as it sounds, I still try really hard to focus my daily interactions on social media—as I think more people stay connected there these days than on blogs. That said, I figure it’s past time for me to share with you some bits and pieces of…things.
So here you go. Things.
I promised to do a giveaway once Water So Deep passed 50 reviews on Amazon. And last month while I was on vacation, it shot past that point. And now that we have moved into our house and are getting through the boxes (slowly, but surely) I finally found the prize I got in the Caribbean.
It’s meant to be similar to Emma’s necklace in Water So Deep, except more fancy. And obviously, the shell is bigger than Emma’s. What do you think? It’s a $95 value, and I will be putting together the giveaway details this next week.
Speaking of visiting the Caribbean…
I did a bit of research there. (And yet, no pics of me underwater. Boo!)
And then, we moved. This is intended as the last move ever, or at least for a VERY long time, so that’s the good news. I am now ready to burn all our boxes. After I unpack them.
And then, as if those two things weren’t enough to make my month huge and awesome, last weekend was my very favoritest-conference-of-all-time-ever. The LDStorymakers conference, 2015. Guys. As always, this year was epic. Sadly, I didn’t take a ton of pictures, but I did take a few.
And here’s one little silly.
We even had a dance party. It rocked the hotel. Literally. Or maybe that was thunder—I’m not sure which.
During all this, I was supposed to help reveal this cover for Rachelle J. Christensen. (Sorry for the belated post, Rachelle!)
Next month, I am also participating in a few big promotional activities, so keep your eyes out for those as well.
And now that I can take a breath, back to finishing Legacy. Oh, and speaking of that series… I have a secret! A big one, which I will reveal as soon as I can confirm that it is really for real how things are going to go. Sorry to be all vague and stuff, but I promise that if you’re a fan of the Descendant series—this news will make you happy.
Stay tuned! If all goes well, I plan to reveal this news soon.
Okay, back to writing. Let’s talk again soon!
So here you go. Things.
I promised to do a giveaway once Water So Deep passed 50 reviews on Amazon. And last month while I was on vacation, it shot past that point. And now that we have moved into our house and are getting through the boxes (slowly, but surely) I finally found the prize I got in the Caribbean.
It’s meant to be similar to Emma’s necklace in Water So Deep, except more fancy. And obviously, the shell is bigger than Emma’s. What do you think? It’s a $95 value, and I will be putting together the giveaway details this next week.
Speaking of visiting the Caribbean…
I did a bit of research there. (And yet, no pics of me underwater. Boo!)
And then, we moved. This is intended as the last move ever, or at least for a VERY long time, so that’s the good news. I am now ready to burn all our boxes. After I unpack them.
And then, as if those two things weren’t enough to make my month huge and awesome, last weekend was my very favoritest-conference-of-all-time-ever. The LDStorymakers conference, 2015. Guys. As always, this year was epic. Sadly, I didn’t take a ton of pictures, but I did take a few.
And here’s one little silly.
We even had a dance party. It rocked the hotel. Literally. Or maybe that was thunder—I’m not sure which.
During all this, I was supposed to help reveal this cover for Rachelle J. Christensen. (Sorry for the belated post, Rachelle!)
Next month, I am also participating in a few big promotional activities, so keep your eyes out for those as well.
And now that I can take a breath, back to finishing Legacy. Oh, and speaking of that series… I have a secret! A big one, which I will reveal as soon as I can confirm that it is really for real how things are going to go. Sorry to be all vague and stuff, but I promise that if you’re a fan of the Descendant series—this news will make you happy.
Stay tuned! If all goes well, I plan to reveal this news soon.
Okay, back to writing. Let’s talk again soon!
May 5, 2015
Up and Running Again!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased, relieved, and excited to announce that the Giles family move, 2015 version, has officially come to an end. I mean, okay technically, there are still about 100 boxes left to unpack, but I finally found the box with all my pants—which was truly missing for like 4 days. Also, the box with my kitchen knives and spatulas, which are also sort of important.
Pants = I can now go out in public. Hooray!
Spatulas = I can make things like grilled cheese without burning my fingers off.
The other boxes—well, I’ll get to them as I can. The goal is a box a day for now. And to be fair, I have organized every room in the house as I have unpacked, so that also takes time. I sort of feel like Super-Woman when I consider how much I have accomplished in the last month.
Me = muscling furniture into place and scrubbing hard water spots off the shower in the rental. (Who needs the gym?)
The downside is I have truly had to set aside my writing projects, which I fully expected and had planned for, but still hurt, since I am right in the thick of about four massive ones. However, I am now getting back into the saddle, and hope to crank out LEGACY and get to work on the sequel for Water So Deep.
Me = dusts off computer and jumps into the waiting arms of my characters.
So. What have you been up to lately?
Pants = I can now go out in public. Hooray!
Spatulas = I can make things like grilled cheese without burning my fingers off.
The other boxes—well, I’ll get to them as I can. The goal is a box a day for now. And to be fair, I have organized every room in the house as I have unpacked, so that also takes time. I sort of feel like Super-Woman when I consider how much I have accomplished in the last month.
Me = muscling furniture into place and scrubbing hard water spots off the shower in the rental. (Who needs the gym?)
The downside is I have truly had to set aside my writing projects, which I fully expected and had planned for, but still hurt, since I am right in the thick of about four massive ones. However, I am now getting back into the saddle, and hope to crank out LEGACY and get to work on the sequel for Water So Deep.
Me = dusts off computer and jumps into the waiting arms of my characters.
So. What have you been up to lately?
April 21, 2015
Moving, Vacation, Signings, and Prizes for a Giveaway
Just popping in to let you all that I returned from vacation alive, rested, and happy. However, it is now officially moving week for my family.
The Caribbean Sea as seen from my own eyes.
Why yes, yes we did just move. In August. BUT that was from Texas to Utah, and I'll spare you the longer explanation by saying that we found and bought a house (we are not fans of renting), and we are now moving into that house to make this the last move EVER. Or, you know, until I'm a little old lady who can no longer get up and down stairs or whatever.
I am very excited about the house and the office in which I plan to finish a plethora of projects that are chilling on my computer waiting to be completed.
While I was gone, Water So Deep surpassed a milestone review goal, and because of that, I think a giveaway will be necessary. I picked up a beautiful jewelry set in the Caribbean, except, um, well... my husband sort of packed it away in a box yesterday, and we have about half of what we own at our new house, and half at the old house. So it might be a couple of days before I find it. So please be patient. I haven't forgotten the giveaway, just postponed it until I can actually find the prize!
But here's a hint. The more of my books you've reviewed (and the more places you've reviewed them) the more opportunities you'll have to win.
What else? The LDStorymakers writer's conference is coming up in May, and I am working hard to help that come together. Really excited to see all my writing friends. And also there will be a massive signing that includes a whole lot of fabulous authors--including yours truly. This will be my first signing since the release of Water So Deep, so if you want a chance to get a signed hard copy of it, plan to attend that on May 16 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. (No ticket required.) Time to be determined, but I'll let you know.
Okay, now that I've caught you all up on what I'm doing, what fun things are you doing this spring?
The Caribbean Sea as seen from my own eyes.Why yes, yes we did just move. In August. BUT that was from Texas to Utah, and I'll spare you the longer explanation by saying that we found and bought a house (we are not fans of renting), and we are now moving into that house to make this the last move EVER. Or, you know, until I'm a little old lady who can no longer get up and down stairs or whatever.
I am very excited about the house and the office in which I plan to finish a plethora of projects that are chilling on my computer waiting to be completed.
While I was gone, Water So Deep surpassed a milestone review goal, and because of that, I think a giveaway will be necessary. I picked up a beautiful jewelry set in the Caribbean, except, um, well... my husband sort of packed it away in a box yesterday, and we have about half of what we own at our new house, and half at the old house. So it might be a couple of days before I find it. So please be patient. I haven't forgotten the giveaway, just postponed it until I can actually find the prize!
But here's a hint. The more of my books you've reviewed (and the more places you've reviewed them) the more opportunities you'll have to win.
What else? The LDStorymakers writer's conference is coming up in May, and I am working hard to help that come together. Really excited to see all my writing friends. And also there will be a massive signing that includes a whole lot of fabulous authors--including yours truly. This will be my first signing since the release of Water So Deep, so if you want a chance to get a signed hard copy of it, plan to attend that on May 16 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. (No ticket required.) Time to be determined, but I'll let you know.
Okay, now that I've caught you all up on what I'm doing, what fun things are you doing this spring?
April 13, 2015
Safe Haven: Homecoming by Heather Justesen Blog Tour (and Contest)
I have long been a fan of Author Heather Justesen's style of writing romance. Her stories are clean, with just the right amount of steam, and full, rich characters that keep you begging them to just get together already.
So when her publicist contacted me to ask if I wanted to be part of her blog tour, of course I had to say yes. Of course! I would be reading this one anyway, and the awesome thing is that now you all get a chance to enter to win an Amazon gift card!
So here are the details:
About the book:
When the US Marshall sends the newly-married Bo and Tosca into hiding in a little Montana town, they settle in for a safe, quiet life while they prepare for the court case against Tosca's former boyfriend. Charles has other plans, though—he wants her dead before she can testify. And he's found their safe haven.
You can purchase your copy of Safe Haven: Homecoming on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and follow the author on her Facebook page.
About the author:
Heather Justesen was getting lost in books before she learned to read, and her love for them has never waned. She started writing in the year 2000 and has dabbled in several genres though her main interest is romance with some culinary mysteries thrown in. Her current book count is 14 with several books being released each year.
When she's not glued to her laptop, Heather loves to decorate cakes, work in the garden and play with her many pets. You can check out the first chapter for any of her books, see the book trailers, or learn more about Heather on her website at www.HeatherJustesen.com, or check out her blog at HeatherJustesen.blogspot.com
Enter to win here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can also enter to win on all of these participating blogs:
Schedule:
April 13th
Ilana - www.eager-reader.com
Nichole Giles - www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com
April 14th
Lori Twining - http://www.lvtwriter.com/
Jared Quan
Mary Ann - http://www.thestubbypencilreviews.com
April 15th
Danyelle Ferguson - www.queenoftheclan.com
Lisa Swinton - www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com
April 16th
C.S. Janey - https://agirlinacorner.wordpress.com/
Julie Casey - http://www.julielcasey.com
RaShelle Workman - http://www.rashelleworkman.com
April 17th
Donna Weaver
Maria Hoagland - http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/
So when her publicist contacted me to ask if I wanted to be part of her blog tour, of course I had to say yes. Of course! I would be reading this one anyway, and the awesome thing is that now you all get a chance to enter to win an Amazon gift card!
So here are the details:
About the book:
When the US Marshall sends the newly-married Bo and Tosca into hiding in a little Montana town, they settle in for a safe, quiet life while they prepare for the court case against Tosca's former boyfriend. Charles has other plans, though—he wants her dead before she can testify. And he's found their safe haven.
You can purchase your copy of Safe Haven: Homecoming on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and follow the author on her Facebook page.
About the author:
Heather Justesen was getting lost in books before she learned to read, and her love for them has never waned. She started writing in the year 2000 and has dabbled in several genres though her main interest is romance with some culinary mysteries thrown in. Her current book count is 14 with several books being released each year.
When she's not glued to her laptop, Heather loves to decorate cakes, work in the garden and play with her many pets. You can check out the first chapter for any of her books, see the book trailers, or learn more about Heather on her website at www.HeatherJustesen.com, or check out her blog at HeatherJustesen.blogspot.com
Enter to win here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can also enter to win on all of these participating blogs:
Schedule:
April 13th
Ilana - www.eager-reader.com
Nichole Giles - www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com
April 14th
Lori Twining - http://www.lvtwriter.com/
Jared Quan
Mary Ann - http://www.thestubbypencilreviews.com
April 15th
Danyelle Ferguson - www.queenoftheclan.com
Lisa Swinton - www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com
April 16th
C.S. Janey - https://agirlinacorner.wordpress.com/
Julie Casey - http://www.julielcasey.com
RaShelle Workman - http://www.rashelleworkman.com
April 17th
Donna Weaver
Maria Hoagland - http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/
April 7, 2015
Interesting and Thought Provoking? Not today.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is spring break for our school district here in Utah, so I'm taking this week off from blogging, and writing, and, well, from every day life, actually.
You'll probably notice that I do this every few months for a few days. I think it's because being creative (aka writing novels) while also running a household can be exhausting, and when my brain is too full and overwhelmed, the creativity just stops flowing. It severely hiders my ability to produce quality work--or any work at all sometimes.
So when I vacation, I leave my computer behind. (Or, more accurately, I leave it in my suitcase where I can get to it if I absolutely need it--let's be real, here.)
In lieu of an interesting / thought provoking post to read, please accept this as my contribution to livening your spirits.
Happy spring!
*PS I'm participating in a blog tour on Monday where readers will have an opportunity to enter to win an Amazon gift card. Be sure to stop by!
You'll probably notice that I do this every few months for a few days. I think it's because being creative (aka writing novels) while also running a household can be exhausting, and when my brain is too full and overwhelmed, the creativity just stops flowing. It severely hiders my ability to produce quality work--or any work at all sometimes.
So when I vacation, I leave my computer behind. (Or, more accurately, I leave it in my suitcase where I can get to it if I absolutely need it--let's be real, here.)
In lieu of an interesting / thought provoking post to read, please accept this as my contribution to livening your spirits.
Happy spring!
*PS I'm participating in a blog tour on Monday where readers will have an opportunity to enter to win an Amazon gift card. Be sure to stop by!
March 30, 2015
The Things We Do For Research
If you follow me on social media, you might have seen comments about me surviving scuba diving lessons or something to that degree. I use the word surviving for a lot of reasons, but I'll get back to that.
I have now written two books in which scuba has played an important role, and I am about to dive headfirst (see what I did there?) into a third. So I figured it's about time I stopped researching how to do it and actually learned in person.
For the record, I might not have gathered the courage to do this if my husband hadn't signed us up for this class as my Christmas gift. We have been talking about getting certified for years, and have been putting it off for various reasons (read: excuses). And we both knew that it's time. I mean really. I'm writing about mermaids now! Come on.
Just so you know, I am slightly claustrophobic, so wearing the scuba goggles freaks me out because they cut off my peripheral vision. And wearing the BCDs (see that? I'm using scuba terms and everything!) freaks me out because the vest has lots of gadgets attached, including a super heavy tank filled with air, and I am not that heavy, but I am also filled with air, so together my tank and I don't sink so well. Not being able to stay underwater when I'm supposed to freaks me out too. And then there's the whole thing of it being unnatural for humans to be able to breathe underwater. (Like, really, are you kidding me? I'm not Emma.)
Yesterday was our first "open water" dive. (Not necessarily open, because it was in a crater, which is not all that huge, but it's like 90 feet deep.) So there are all these reasons why I sat on the edge of the platform trying not to have a panic attack. But I pushed through it, and I put on my goggles, and the ridiculously long fins that make me feel like a fish, and I stuck the regulator in my mouth and I jumped in.
Guys, I didn't die!
And after we figured out that I need a whole lot of weight added to my vest, I managed to sink below the surface and I kept breathing. And I swam around a bit. I practiced losing my regulator and getting water in my goggles and managed to get it out without rising to the surface. I ended up diving to 40 feet below the surface.
And it was fun.
I'm not going to lie. It was expensive, and difficult, and ridiculously scary at first, but I pushed past all that and I am so proud of myself for being brave. Later this week, I'm going to do it again. And then I'll have a shiny pretty card with my picture on it, and it will tell the world that I know how to use all that equipment to breathe underwater. And then I will know how my characters feel as I write this next book.
This is the kind of thing writers sometimes do to bring stories to life. But more than that, this is the kind of thing people do to overcome our fears.
Okay, now it's your turn. What hard thing / scary fear are you facing right now? How are you facing it?
I have now written two books in which scuba has played an important role, and I am about to dive headfirst (see what I did there?) into a third. So I figured it's about time I stopped researching how to do it and actually learned in person.
For the record, I might not have gathered the courage to do this if my husband hadn't signed us up for this class as my Christmas gift. We have been talking about getting certified for years, and have been putting it off for various reasons (read: excuses). And we both knew that it's time. I mean really. I'm writing about mermaids now! Come on.
Just so you know, I am slightly claustrophobic, so wearing the scuba goggles freaks me out because they cut off my peripheral vision. And wearing the BCDs (see that? I'm using scuba terms and everything!) freaks me out because the vest has lots of gadgets attached, including a super heavy tank filled with air, and I am not that heavy, but I am also filled with air, so together my tank and I don't sink so well. Not being able to stay underwater when I'm supposed to freaks me out too. And then there's the whole thing of it being unnatural for humans to be able to breathe underwater. (Like, really, are you kidding me? I'm not Emma.)
Yesterday was our first "open water" dive. (Not necessarily open, because it was in a crater, which is not all that huge, but it's like 90 feet deep.) So there are all these reasons why I sat on the edge of the platform trying not to have a panic attack. But I pushed through it, and I put on my goggles, and the ridiculously long fins that make me feel like a fish, and I stuck the regulator in my mouth and I jumped in.
Guys, I didn't die!
And after we figured out that I need a whole lot of weight added to my vest, I managed to sink below the surface and I kept breathing. And I swam around a bit. I practiced losing my regulator and getting water in my goggles and managed to get it out without rising to the surface. I ended up diving to 40 feet below the surface.
And it was fun.
I'm not going to lie. It was expensive, and difficult, and ridiculously scary at first, but I pushed past all that and I am so proud of myself for being brave. Later this week, I'm going to do it again. And then I'll have a shiny pretty card with my picture on it, and it will tell the world that I know how to use all that equipment to breathe underwater. And then I will know how my characters feel as I write this next book.
This is the kind of thing writers sometimes do to bring stories to life. But more than that, this is the kind of thing people do to overcome our fears.
Okay, now it's your turn. What hard thing / scary fear are you facing right now? How are you facing it?
March 24, 2015
Healing and Growth are a Choice
I follow some amazing people on social media. Some inspiring and note-worthy ones. Some who are just fabulous friends. Some who stay mostly quiet except to show support for those they care about when it's needed.
The other day I came across this, and it really spoke to me.
It reminded me of our recent moves, which will total four in 29 months by the time we move for the last time in April. None of those moves has been easy on any of our family members. But every one of them has been worth it for a whole slew of reasons.
My husband changed jobs, and there was a while in the beginning when we wondered if we had done the right thing, because we have truly tried hard to follow our instincts in all areas of decision making for our family.
In the end though, it was the right thing. We came to love and appreciate each stage of our growing process, and by the time we got through them, we had been drastically changed as human beings. Indeed, my children, my husband, and I have all learned to view people through a different lens.
Ever since, I've been thinking about how this can apply to other parts of life. As a writer, I do better, write stuff that is more raw and real when I shake things up. As a mother, wife, and woman, I am always better when I break out of the grind of daily routine and do something different.
The next day, another friend posted this, and it just happened to fall in line with the very thoughts that had been on my mind since the first post.
Once again, it spoke to me. Whenever I have been unhappy with my own circumstances, I have worked hard to do whatever I can to change them. When my family has been unhappy, we have worked together, as a family, to change things--including ourselves. It's never easy, but every change we have made has made us infinitely better as people.
As human beings, we all have choices. And we can choose to change and grow. Or not.
What about you? What are you doing to grow lately?
The other day I came across this, and it really spoke to me.
It reminded me of our recent moves, which will total four in 29 months by the time we move for the last time in April. None of those moves has been easy on any of our family members. But every one of them has been worth it for a whole slew of reasons.
My husband changed jobs, and there was a while in the beginning when we wondered if we had done the right thing, because we have truly tried hard to follow our instincts in all areas of decision making for our family.
In the end though, it was the right thing. We came to love and appreciate each stage of our growing process, and by the time we got through them, we had been drastically changed as human beings. Indeed, my children, my husband, and I have all learned to view people through a different lens.
Ever since, I've been thinking about how this can apply to other parts of life. As a writer, I do better, write stuff that is more raw and real when I shake things up. As a mother, wife, and woman, I am always better when I break out of the grind of daily routine and do something different.
The next day, another friend posted this, and it just happened to fall in line with the very thoughts that had been on my mind since the first post.
Once again, it spoke to me. Whenever I have been unhappy with my own circumstances, I have worked hard to do whatever I can to change them. When my family has been unhappy, we have worked together, as a family, to change things--including ourselves. It's never easy, but every change we have made has made us infinitely better as people.
As human beings, we all have choices. And we can choose to change and grow. Or not.
What about you? What are you doing to grow lately?
