By Mandy Boerma, @mandyboerma
Writing isn’t easy. I’m not sure why I romanticized the process so much. Picture it with me.
A perfect morning, with just a hint of fog gathering on the ground, the sunlight playing peek-a-boo in the trees, the mountains in the distance with a deer peacefully grazing in the backyard. A steaming cup of coffee close by with soft music playing in the background. I’d feel confident and poised and I might even be dressed in a super cute outfit while I write a perfect novel that needs no editing.
But in reality, I live close to the beach where mountains are hours away, my morning is actually intensely foggy (winter in the Florida panhandle), I’m at a coffee shop surrounded by noise (which is how I prefer to work) and I just donated blood, so I feel a little on the woozy side. I might be dressed for the day, but I did mention the fog outside, so my hair’s a bit frizzy. Not to mention that imposter syndrome is a real thing. I constantly question if I have what it takes to write a book. And I have edited the one scene I’ve been working on for the entire week—and that doesn’t take into consideration the amount of time spent writing it before I started editing it this week. Can we say discouraged?
So, how do I find inspiration?
Friends. Seriously. Writing is a lonely business. Make some other friends who understand the ups and downs of the writing process. They encourage you when you want to chuck everything you’ve written into the trash receptor and take up another profession.
Take a moment to read. Look at other writers. What do you like about their books? Do you like the witty banter between their characters? The intense emotions you feel? Can you picture the location perfectly? How can you incorporate those things in your writing? Take one of your own scenes and rework it. Try to rev-up your banter, deepen the POV or add a few words of description.
But on the flip side, look at what you didn’t enjoy. Why didn’t you enjoy it? How would you change it? Then head back to your writing. Look at that scene. Do you see any of those elements in your own scene? Change them.
Also, never under-estimate the encouragement of your children. When I struggle, they know it. Even when I’m trying my best to hide it. It helps them to see you work through discouragement and to keep on plugging along. My girls are also incredible cheerleaders, celebrating every win with me.
Chin up, dear writer. It’s not an easy business. You are often the biggest hurdle to overcome. Keep plugging along, and don’t give up.
He just wants to leave the past behind him…
International hotel manager Ben Carter is not sticking around Hearts Bend. He’s just home to sell the inn he inherited from his grandparents. The place holds all his best memories—especially the ones that include regular summer guest Cami Jackson. But she’s been out of his life for years, and she’s not coming back.
She is headed for a glorious future…
Real estate developer Cami Jackson is ready to take over as VP of her father’s company, Akron Development. When the Hearts Bend Inn comes on the market, she wants to swoop it up, if only because of the sweet memories of her favorite summers. The last thing she expects to find is her first love back to sign on the dotted line.
But a first love won’t let them go…
The more time Cami and Ben spend together, the more they realize they have unfinished business. Suddenly, an impulsive decision could turn into a lost-but-found dream. But for Cami’s father, the inn holds memories of a terrible tragedy, and he wants to kill the deal.
Will their lost dreams survive another betrayal?
A heart-healing story of second chances set in the charming town of Hearts Bend!
When Mandy Boerma isn’t hanging out at her favorite coffee shop writing her next novel, she’s a busy mom. After meeting Prince Charming, they started their own version of Happily Ever in the Florida Panhandle. Nothing compares to life at the beach. While those early days included romantic sunset walks with sand between their toes, days are now filled with sand in the mom mobile, affectionately named Scottie, as she chauffeurs her daughters anywhere and everywhere their busy schedules take them. You can connect with Mandy at www.mandyboerma.com.