Cherished by Belinda Boring - - guest post!

Welcome back to The Wormhole!

I am pleased to feature a guest post from Belinda Boring!

How Has My Life Changed Since Publishing?

Since releasing Without Mercy a few months ago, it’s interesting and exciting to see just how much my

life has changed. It was already in a state of movement but the results of publishing have definitely had

a lasting effect.

First and foremost, I’m happy. Simple enough but there’s great pleasure that comes when you follow a

dream through to its completion. I was always so adamant I wouldn’t write and share with others but

once I made the decision, it was goal I worked towards. You’re always inching towards it as a writer.

You’re constantly plotting and thinking about your characters, waiting for that moment when you can

finally say “Here it is. It’s ready.” There’s a lot that goes into publishing a book – whether it’s a short

story or full length but the satisfaction is the same. I’m glad I took the risk because it’s brought so many

experiences into my life I would’ve missed out on.

I asked my husband what he thought and the first thing he said was my confidence. It’s scary creating

something, investing pieces of yourself and then sending it out into the world to be judged. Publishing

makes a writer vulnerable and you definitely need to have a thick skin sometimes. But again, there’s the

satisfaction you’ve contributed something to the world and you’ve entertained someone. Not everyone

will love your work but knowing you’ve done your best is enough. I’m so grateful for the positive

response I’ve received for the Mystic Wolves series. It’s built my confidence as an author and helps

move me forward.

With publishing, another major change is I’ve had to reevaluate my time because I love writing. I have

so many story ideas and plans but not enough time in the day. It’s taught me to prioritize and realize

that I can’t be Super Woman anymore. There’s a time and season for everything, what worked before

might not be best for me and my career now. It’s helped me look at myself and realize what’s important.

At this point in my life, I enjoy writing and it’s where I want my focus so I’ve learned to be flexible and

adapt. Definitely some great life lessons and all while I’m following my passion.

And of course, I’m constantly thinking now. Plotting and planning my next move, my next character,

my next book. Writing forces you to become disciplined, something I still struggle with. It helps though

when I read reviews from readers who have loved Without Mercy and Cherished. Or I get messages

begging for the next installment. It feels good and you can never have too many of those moments.

So, to answer your question? Everything changed. I changed but I’m so glad I did it. Never be afraid to

reach for your dreams and follow your passion. Don’t ever let fear or naysayers hold you back. Surround

yourself with the best of people, those who love and support you and go for it. Because even though

change is hard, the results make it all worth it!

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!

Be sure to go get this one!

Blog Tour: The Hunter by Theresa Meyers

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

You can see the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

I am pleased to feature:

Theresa Meyers and The Hunter!

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

That’s really a loaded question, because I was a writer before I realized I wanted to be one. Let me correct that. I was a story-teller before I could write. I’m dyslexic so it took me until third grade to be able to read, and it wasn’t until sixth grade that I could express myself in writing. I realized after working on the school newspaper in 8^th grade that I wanted to write for a living. I just didn’t know if it was going to be in journalism or fiction or public relations, I just knew I loved writing.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

None. I started writing my first novel at 17 when I was still a senior in high school. Three friends and I got our English teacher to let us have writing time as an elective. As long as we produced pages, we got an A. Now if you count the jobs I had before I got published in fiction, then we’re talking something else, since it took me nearly 20 years to become published. I was a florist, worked as a hotel props and décor specialist, a journalist at a daily newspaper, a public relations executive, a gift basket specialist, a freelance magazine writer, and owned a public relations agency prior to having my first book published.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on the deadline. I’ve written a full length book in as little as a month, but normally it takes closer to three months.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I like to have a specific scent of candle lit when I write on a particular book. Scent is a powerful memory trigger, so by using a scent only when working on that particular book, it helps me get into the story faster.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I need my cup of hot tea with milk and splenda, my soundtrack for that book and my candle, then I’m pretty good to go.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

All over the place! Sometimes I’ll hear snippets of conversation in the grocery line or see a picture of someone and start spinning a story. Some of my best ideas for who a character is comes from “running the numbers” on his or her name. From that I can get a quick snapshot of exactly what their internal motivations are, how they see themselves and how others treat them.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

A lot of it has to do with which publisher I’m writing for. Nearly all my books feature some sort of paranormal element, but they all have slightly different flavors to them depending on whether they are steampunk, urban fantasy or paranormal romance. Most of my stories start with a premise and then I start asking What If?

? What books have most influenced your life?

Probably the books I read when I was young. My mother used to read out loud to us using different voices for each character, something I’ve continued as a tradition with my own children. I remember her reading different character voices for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as A Wrinkle in Time. That captured my imagination.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to goof around in the garden and have a lot of different flowering plants and herbs in my yard. I like to sew and bake. I can my own fruits and veggies out of the garden and jams. When I can get my husband to help, we’ll make homemade blackberry wine too. Once a week I try to get together with my other non-writing mommy friends for tea. It’s cheap therapy and usually we all chip in by bringing something for lunch so it’s always yummy.

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate. Anything chocolate.

? What do you think makes a good story?

Conflict, tension, interesting characters and a happy ending. Real life has so much difficulty and sadness to it, that I really feel fiction and film are best when there’s a positive ending where the good guys win, or get the girl in the end of the story.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

Huh. Hard to pick. I like to read so I enjoy James Rollins, Yasmine Galenorn, Cherry Adair, Julia Quinn, J.K. Rowling, Kim Harrison, Arnette Lamb and many, many others.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

The dictionary! Seriously, it’s the most worn out book in my office because I truly can’t spell. As a writer if I didn’t have the dictionary I’d have a really difficult time doing my job.

Fun random questions: 

• dogs or cats? Cats. I have four. One all black, one black and white “cow” cat, one black and white tuxedo cat who’s HUGE, and one fluffy calico who thinks my tea cup is always warm just for her.
• Coffee or tea? Tea! I don’t even like the taste of coffee, not even coffee ice cream.
• Dark or milk chocolate? Oooo. Tough. I love ALL chocolate. Um, let’s go with dark just for the health benefits. Heh.
• Rocks or flowers? Oooo. Another tough one. I used to be a florist so I adore flowers, but I love moonstones and tanzanite too.
• Night or day? Day. I’m too tired by the time night rolls around!
• Favorite color? Tanzanite blue (aka periwinkle)
• Crayons or markers? Crayons. They are much more fun to melt.
• Pens or pencils? Pens. Pencils get to messy when I’m doodling.

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!

Happy reading.