​​Summer.
A popular time to escape whether it's a staycation or weekend getaway. It’s no wonder summer is pegged as the perfect time to read. Beach read, anyone?
New places to visit, familiar hideaways or a favourite escape, whichever it is, I use my surroundings as an inspiration for future books. There’s truth in writing about something you know. 

When my kids were young, flying was undesirable, so my hubby and I would drive to the Okanagan and spend time in Osoyoos and Oliver. Located in British Columbia, close to the US border, it’s a desert in the summer months, offering beautiful lakes, mountain terrain, award-winning wineries, distilleries, breweries and fruit orchards is more than expected in a small-town. The quaint towns became our go-to, a familiar and homey place to visit.  
 
With all the fun rolled up into one exciting place, these towns have mastered big dreams for all it produces. It’s a place I love for its memories and setting. It’s what inspired me to write my Moonlight Valley series. 
 
One summer, while exploring Oliver, known as ‘Canada’s Wine Capital,’ I toured and did wine tasting along the main road. The stunning views of rolling hills, the acres of grape vines, peach and apple orchards, mountains, and Osoyoos Lake… is paradise. It has all the qualities of a small-town dream. My mind wandered about how these wineries came into existence, and as I learned, some had been in families for generations. What a great place to be inspired!

Emily Hill, my heroine in, Playing For Love, is a proud winemaker wanting to carry out her passion and commitment of her family’s business, Cottage Hill’s Winery. However, when hit with financial troubles, she fears somebody might remove her family’s name if she can’t find the money to save it. She can’t fathom a future without her business, and when her old crush brings home the Stanley Cup to celebrate his win, she’s not just fighting for her career; she’s fighting the feelings that surface again when she sees Mason again. Keeping her financial troubles private, Emily resists help from the only man who has always had her heart. 
 
I hope you enjoy Moonlight Valley.  
What’s your favourite small town to visit?
Let me know in the comments.
 
Cheers!
 
Charlene 

Some might think of celiac disease is eating gluten-free because their body can’t handle gluten, yes, but they may not realize the harmful consequences behind the disease. 
When undiagnosed, it’s a battle to figure out what is causing a multitude of problems, but once they discover the issue, it comes as a relief, as there’s a reason for the recurring symptoms. 
 
I have three children with celiac disease, and I, being gluten-sensitive ( although one doctor says it’s very likely I’m celiac), he warns me to follow a celiac diet or I could be faced with health issues down the road. According to celiac.org, those left untreated, the disease can lead to serious health problems such as cancer. 
https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/
 
 
So, what is celiac disease?
It’s an autoimmune disease where the symptoms are triggered by gluten resulting in inflammation and damage to the small intestine. The result is a reduced absorption of iron, calcium, Vitamins A, D, E, K and folate. In my son’s case, he also was low on zinc resulting in extreme cracked lips that weren’t cured by prescriptions, lip balms or Vaseline. 
 
Did you know 1 in 100-200 people in North America have celiac disease, but many are undiagnosed? – https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/reports-publications/food-safety/celiac-disease-gluten-connection.html
 
Celiac disease symptoms can be different for some people. While I have one child who experiences severe stomach pains, another gets skin rashes and headaches. Of course there are other symptoms that present themselves from the disease, there are many!
 
https://www.celiac.ca/gluten-related-disorders/celiac-disease/
 
Living with Celiac Disease can be stressful when socializing because one is always worried if their food will be contaminated by gluten. it’s a constant concern of cross contamination when dining out. A kitchen needs to be clean without gluten particles getting into gluten-free food which means, no sharing ovens with gluten and nothing can touch for fear of one gluten particle can inflame the small intestine. It might sound crazy to some that just a particle of wheat, barley, rye, spelt or Kamut can cause damage to a celiac person’s small intestine, but according to nationalceliac.org, it takes just a crumb, or 10 mg. 
 
https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/can-a-small-amount-of-gluten-make-somebody-sick/?srsltid=AfmBOopf50unZwzkedgkZlYtJWFC19megjkPajBCXsw6mSWxKBuJlAAK
 
Celiac disease isn’t just about being gluten-free, it’s a major health concern and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If Health Canada reports that over 400,000 people are living with celiac in Canada, it’s something to spread awareness about. 
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/05/message-from-the-minister-of-health--food-allergy-and-celiac-awareness-months.html  

**This post is my opinion and have gathered additional information from the links provided.

I can’t believe it’s April already. The year is flying by. 
We are getting rain and sunny breaks here on the West Coast, which I know will produce gardens and more smiles. In February I couldn’t wait for spring break to arrive and now that it came and went, I’m still dazed by the warmth of Mexico and the vacation mindset. It’s hard to get back into the swing of things when my brain is stuck on sandy beaches and eating for pleasure. It seems to take me a few days to get back into routine. Before my vacation, I was finishing up on some writing but as the vacation days approached I found myself less interested in writing because my to-do list weighed on my creativity. 

I left my writing at home and brought a journal with me, and some colourful pens in case I had the urgency to write or on the ready when inspiration struck I was ready to ink up the pages. I’m sad to say, that only one day I managed to tap into my creativity and even that produced just thoughts, not real ‘writing.’ It wasn’t until the five-hour plane ride home was I inspired to draft a new story. 

We all have stories to share, but for those who take it one step further and write for publication, it can be a bit of a struggle at times. It can be stressful, even, trying to master a good story, and sometimes, we try really hard, and the words don’t flow as well as we want them to, or our brains are crowded with other stuff that takes away from creativity. 
It can be aggravating, to say the least. Wanting to write but without having inspiration is a challenge. You want the good energy back so you can finish your work in progress.  
As a writer, you get excited and long for the satisfaction of creating. It fills the gap in your heart. Then why is it that when you get those days, you can’t get started?
It happens to all of us at some point. 
Depending on how your week is going can play a big part in the creative process. When life is overwhelming there’s an increase of anxiety knowing there needs to be goals met and words written. 
One way to achieve this is to devote one day a week to your craft. 

​Butt in chair. The first step to getting any writing done is to sit down and write. You can’t write unless you’re devoted. Whatever writing you want to do, tell yourself you’ve got thirty minutes to write and see how it goes. If you don’t know what to write, set a timer for ten minutes and journal. Free-flow writing boosts creativity. There’s no spell check or correcting grammar; it’s just you and your thoughts. 
As hard as it is sometimes, stepping away from your desk and going for a walk helps clear your mind. You may find that while you want to figure out a scene, your mind might wander and think about other things like the weather or think about someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or what you’re making for dinner. It’s fine. Your brain needs the break and when you come back you may feel refreshed and ready to write. 
Change the POV. If you’re writing fiction, try switching from first person to third. Or write from another character’s point of view. You never know, it can be used for a spinoff story or help you learn more about your character. 
Enter a contest. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write poetry or a children’s story. Make it fun and without pressure. Giving yourself another form of writing can lift you up and give you the break you need to get back to writing your manuscript. 
Add a scene. Put your character in a funny, or unpredictable situation. Giving your mind something else to work on for your character will entertain you and might spark the energy you need to keep writing. 

Write a prologue or epilogue. Not everyone is a fan of a introduction before the story, but it’s a great way to dive into your characters and learn about how the story came to be. It doesn’t mean a prologue has to be used for publication, but it can be used for your own personal benefit of getting to know where your story begins and why your characters have a story to tell. 
If you are a plotter, you know where your story is headed, and you could write an epilogue ahead of time. It doesn’t have to be perfect or the one you will use, but it can help figure out the end of the story. You might even learn something about your character that you can use in a chapter you were stumped on.
 
Being creative in other ways will boost your mood and trigger something to write about. Wherever you are on your writing journey, you’re not alone. 
Remember why you are writing. 
Amuse yourself and write. 
 
***opinions are my own
 
 

Are you struggling to finish a manuscript or stumped on writing the last few lines of a scene? If you’re distracted or unmotivated, there are ways to get back on your writing journey. 
Life gets busy, and sometimes, it feels impossible to write two hundred words, let alone a thousand or five thousand words. To ease your mind, it’s best to make realistic goals, ones you can control. Give yourself time to work toward them. 
Don’t give up. You may need to take a break or rethink your writing goals. 
If you make the time to write but struggle to get words down, be gentle with yourself and permit yourself to write without barriers and expectations. Write for the fun of it. No pressure.
Find your space—at a coffee shop, an office, the kitchen table, wherever. Set up your space for comfort. Coffee or tea in hand, listen to music, or sit in silence—find your happy place. 
Be committed and stick to a schedule. Make achievable weekly goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. By breaking up the week, it makes it easier to see an end goal. 
Use tools to get your writing done. An egg timer or your phone's stopwatch app are great ways to learn not to overthink what you’re writing. Set the time and write without judgment. Journaling can warm up your brain. It’s not only a great self-care initiative because it releases thought, but it’s a good way to engage your feelings and create. 
Enter a contest or a pitch party that can give you a goal and force you to finish a project.
Want to feel motivated? Talk to another writer who is on the same journey. There’s nothing like conversing over the challenges and triumphs of the publishing world than with someone who knows. The burst of ideas and energy from another creator is inspiring. 

​Breaking down your to-do list is helpful. If you’re a committed writer to publish your work and have a deadline, you may be overwhelmed with tasks. Not only for finishing a story but there’s marketing and promotion to do as well. For example, if publishing a book is on the horizon and you’re writing another book while you need to promote your upcoming one, dividing your day into time spent writing and marketing will help you manage. Tell yourself you’ll spend an hour writing and the next hour will be updating your website and making promotional images for social media. 
Writing can come as waves of attaining your goal to struggling to make a word count. Try penciling in between ‘chores,’ which is to write 100 or 500 words. You may feel like you’re on an obstacle course, going from one place to another, but it’s one way to keep moving and exercising your brain. 
Working under pressure. Deadlines can be stressful, but it can also be a great motivator. Working toward your goal and rewarding yourself for accomplishing a word count or writing the back cover, should be celebrated. Maybe you reward yourself with a treat or meet up with a friend.
The best way to complete a project is to sit down and write. There is no other way to accomplish what you set out to do than by doing it. If you want to write, write.
 
Do you have a writing tip you want to share? I’d love to hear it. Post it in the comments. 

Writing.
​It's a muse which can feel blissful or frustrating, depending on your circumstance.
Writing is difficult when you’re writing for an audience that expects you to entertain, inform, or share your creativity. 
You're putting yourself out there to be explored. This allows you to be an open door for rejection and criticism because writing is subjective, but it’s not the reason to give up on what you love. 
When you sit down to write, sometimes the words flow easily, and sometimes they don't, and you're looking for inspiration. 
There are good days and there are challenging days, but either way, you are doing what you love or you wouldn’t be doing it. Right?
Like anything, it’s easier to say, I give up, instead of powering through the difficulties. When you are willing to show up, you are on your journey. Whatever your writing focus is, it’s important to acknowledge why you need to write. 
If you’re struggling to get words down or feeling like you’re not getting anywhere with your story or pose, you’re not alone, all writers feel it at some point and when you do, taking a break helps. Only you can decide for how long.
Maybe you’ve gone weeks or you’re faced with self-doubt and imposture syndrome has set in. It’s okay, it happens, and if it does, ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish? What do I want?
The best thing to do is change the type of writing you’re doing. If you write fiction, write in a journal. If you write novels, try writing a short story or novella. If you write poetry, maybe try writing a piece for children. 
If you switch to writing something else, you might enjoy focusing on a different project. If you have a website, write a note to your visitors. Be creative. It’s how we fuel our tanks. When we’re filled with the satisfaction of creativity, our attitude changes and subconsciously we create. 

The point is, that the focus is on what makes your heart happy. 

Seven ways to keep going.
Take breaks- Finished your first draft? Set it aside and work on something else. In the middle of writing and stuck on a scene? Go for a walk, bake, do something else, and come back to it. Maybe you’ve been stuck for a while, weeks, even, then it’s time to set it aside and work on something else.

Surround yourself with other writers. Writing is a lonely profession, however, if you surround yourself with other writers and connect through email, social media, or a meet-up from time to time, it gives you hope and a reminder you’re not alone. When writing gets tough, know someone else is struggling or feeling down, too, or, maybe they're on the same path as you. With success comes struggles and vice versa. Every writer who’s on the same journey understands your struggles and triumphs. 

Lift someone else with encouragement. Checking in and telling another writer you loved their book or if you have something in common is great for human connection. Knowing someone is cheering you on is a benefit to you and the other person.

Change the type of writing you’re doing. A repeat here, but writing novels is a big undertaking and sometimes we lose focus or our ability to tell a story even if it’s the tenth, or twentieth book written. When stuck for a longer period, writing a blog or short story might produce ideas you need for the bigger project you’re working on. 

Make your goals reasonable. There are some things out of your control. Getting an agent, getting a contract, or traditionally publishing is all about timing and luck, besides writing a marketable book of course. What you can control is writing what’s in your heart and telling a story you want to share. 
Try something new. Writing aside, what else do you enjoy doing? Even if you don’t have hobbies, read a new-to-you author and write a review. Do other creative things. When you learn something new, it gives you something to write about.

Read. What authors do you love to read? Get inspired by their words and how the book makes you feel. Craft books about writing are helpful, too. There are a lot of good books out there to help develop and shape your story. 

Happiness. Does writing make you happy? Is it something you have to do? The bottom line is, that giving up means you’re giving up a part of you. 

Every writer has a unique journey. Our paths to publication are different because we have personal goals and experiences. What is your reason to share your story? 
The answer is why you’re not giving up.
Keep writing. 
Keep creating.
Keep smiling. 


*opinions are my own.

Thank you Erin, for taking the time to chat with me. Your book, The Dating Debacle looks like the perfect Valentine’s Day story. It’s so cute and I love the cover! 
What inspired you to write this story?

Erin:
Thank you! The Dating Debacle follows Sofia through the adventures of online dating, something I am familiar with. I wanted to create a story with characters that readers could relate to regarding the good, the bad, and the funny moments of online dating. 

The back cover grabbed me right away: Can she really pull off having a career, writing a novel, and landing her dream guy? How much of the story is true to your life?

Erin:
The story relates in some ways to my life, for example, trying to juggle all of life’s demands on top of following my dreams and having relationships. I struggle with finding balance, often with working full time, taking creative writing classes, and with releasing and marketing my debut novel. But I landed my dream guy, who I met online, at the same time. You can have it all, with effort. 

You recently did a book signing at Chapters/Indigo. What was it like? Have you done book signings before?

Erin:
My recent book signing was so much fun! I’ve had a few signings now, and I love them so much. It’s so great meeting individuals who enjoy reading as much as I do, and are excited at discovering a new story.

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day? If so, how? 

Erin: 
I have always celebrated Valentine’s Day, whether I was single or attached. I used to have pizza and fondue on Valentine's with my daughter when she was little, which was special to us. This year I am celebrating my one-year anniversary and Valentine’s Day by spending some time in Mont Tremblant with my boyfriend.  

My blog, Wellness for Writers focuses on healthy lifestyle for writers. It can be self-care, self-love, exercise and healthy choices. 
How do you incorporate wellness into your lifestyle?

Erin:
I love how you focus on healthy lifestyles. It’s so important. I always have a self-improvement book on the go. I’m currently listening to You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz. I love practicing meditation and yoga, and trying new things to move my body gently, as I have chronic fatigue. I practice mirror work by telling myself, I love you, into my reflection. And I try really hard to eat well, but that’s what I struggle with most. I love chips and snacking. And therapy! 

Fun Facts:
Name your favourite candy or chocolate:

My favourite chocolate bar right now is the salted caramel Caramilk bar. Yum! 

What are you reading? 

Finlay Donovan knocks ‘em dead by Elle Cosimano 

Favourite snack while writing? 

Anything really, but peanuts lately. 

Besides writing, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

I love going on day trips, road trips, and I love the beach. I enjoy reading and game nights, and spending time with close ones. 

Thank you, Erin! It's great getting to know you.
Wishing you all the best in your writing!

You can follow Erin on Instagram. www.instagram.com/erinlisbeth_/

You don't need an excuse to celebrate with friends.

It’s hard to believe a TV show invented a national event. Good on the writer who wrote the script and believed the day before Valentine’s Day should be a day to honour friendships and acknowledge those who are dear to our hearts. 
We may know friendships are important. As humans we are naturally fuelled by human connection, but did you know healthy relationships have an overall effect on our happiness?

If you’re wondering why this day is geared toward women, hang tight. Even though it’s been coined Galentine’s Day, males can join too, as Melentine’s Day. Call it what you want, the value here is to embrace friends and we should because it’s important to celebrate love and friendship. It's good for your health, from belonging and purpose to lowering stress and improving your self-worth. It can also contribute to longevity, according to Mayoclinic.org https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
And that’s not all.
Quality versus quantity of friends counts. You don’t need a dozen friends to get all the benefits, having a few close people you bond with is much more important.
​According to scienceandpeople.com www.scienceofpeople.com/friends-important/

One of the longest-running human studies on happiness has shown that relationships are the number one key indicator of joy and happiness.
Facts aside, spending time with the people we love and care about, contributes to our overall health and it's something to cheer about. 
Whether you like being alone or not, everyone needs affection, appreciation, and a little fun in their lives. 
If you're wondering what to do with your friend, a simple meet-up for coffee is a great way to celebrate. If you're looking for other ideas to spread the love of friendship, here are some ways to spend time with friends.

​Red hearts, pink roses, and chocolate advertisements are a sure sign Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but it doesn’t have to be expensive nor does it have to be romantic to speak from your heart.  

February fourteenth is the perfect day to reach out and show love for the person you care about. If you want gifts to show your thoughtfulness, try one of these ideas to get into the Valentine’s Day feels.

Good quality chocolate, a bouquet, and a calm candle are easy go-tos, but if you’re looking for creative gifts, these ideas might spark your interest. 

5. Taylor Swift might have made friendship bracelets cool again, but sending your beta reader, writerly friend or companion is a fun way to remind them you are grateful for their friendship and love. 

6. Writing gloves are great for cold hands. If you want to splurge, Stori Arts is a fun, inspirational store with the most beautiful writing gifts. 
  https://storiarts.com/collections/fingerless-gloves 

7. Printing a photo of a memory the two of you share and place it in a frame. You can paint a wooden frame and add a heart or two in the corners to give the Valentine's Day feel.