December 28, 2008

It's That Time Again!

That's right, it's that time again. You know, that time that we all decide to suck it up and determine we're going to do all those things we've ignored all of the last year. We're going to get healthy, get rich, get motivated, get a clue. All those things. It's tradition. Wimping out is not accepted. A new year is calling our name so we try and figure out how to make it different from the last year. Well, I've thought about how I want to do that and I've come up with a slogan. Rock the New Year with Romance. That's Romance with a capital R. I"m going to put on my rose-colored glasses, break with my cynical uber-feminist side and watch the world around me for signs of love. Of the real thing. Romance with a capital R. It's out there if we look. That old guy sitting on the bench in the mall waiting for his wife to finish shopping. Teenage girls giggling and whispering as they watch the hottest thing in high school walk by with his buddies. The young couple linked hand to hand by their children walking in between them. Romance comes in all ages, sizes and dimensions. All of us can do it. All of us need a bit of it in our lives. So don't think, hey, she's a romance writer, of course she looks for romance. Instead, take a look around you and see what's blooming right beside you. You never know when Mr. or Ms. Right will walk your way and if you're not looking, well then, you could miss all Romance has for you. Or, if your right one is already walking beside you, spark something new this year. That's what we romance writers live for. Think of us as the "idea" people. We don't think this stuff up just for you to read it. Start living Romance and see what changes for you. Pick up a romance novel to spark some new ideas for your New Year. Like, say, The Prize, by Debra Doggett (yours truly!). Take a peek at The Prize on my website, www.debradoggett.com. Or you can go ahead and order a copy in print or ebook at www.thewildrosepress.com. Just a thought.

20 comments:

Rhonda Gibson said...

Love this post! Looking forward to reading this book by Debra Doggett!!

Julie Robinson said...

As well as being 'idea' people, I think Romance writers are idealists as well, looking at the brighter side of relationships, which, of course, is what keeps the romance, the spark alive. Sometimes, too much realism can really fog up those rose-colored glasses!

I just love it when I see this elderly man waiting in Wal-Mart for his wife. or the husband shopping with his wife and their kids on a Friday night. But you're so right. It is there, if we just look.

Julie

P.S. The Prize looks like a great read!

Debra Doggett said...

I agree, Julie. Ideals are what inspire us. As are those folks we see reflecting our ideals. People watching can be a much more uplifting pastime than newspaper reading!

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Hi, Debra, so glad to have you with me today. I really like your post. I'm not much of a 'people watcher,' even though I've heard that as a writer, I should be. It's a way to learn how to write the way people walk, shrug, glare, etc. And you've hit on another thing we should be looking for - romance in the real world. Good point!

Anna Kathyrn

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

I am a people watcher and find my imagination running amuck when I see couples. My children felt guilty having me sit on a bench at Great America all day while they played. Little did they know, I was doing one of my favorite pasttimes - people watching and wondering how they met, what did they have in common, how strong was their love? Never got bored, still don't no matter where I am. Watch people standing in the check out line at the grocery store. It's amazing how much you can learn about people.

I've just celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary. I was hooked on my guy the moment I laid eyes on him. Am I a romantic - you bet! :)

Julie Robinson said...

Hey Debbie! Just stopping in again. You are right. People watching is so much more fun than reading the newspaper!! If I didn't observe live and love around me, I'd be depressed and think that there was nothing good happening in our society and that basically we were all out to kill each other. Dirty laundry makes headlines. Julie

angie said...

im not much of a people watcher i hate being out in crowds thats why i love the internet i can chat away with out banging ito anyone

Julie Robinson said...

Oops, I need to proof. That is, "observing life and love" Julie

Debra Doggett said...

I do know what you mean, Angie. The internet can allow us to sometimes say things we wouldn't be bold enough to say in person. That can be really useful cause you know whoever you're talking to isn't staring at you and you don't have to worry about a million other things, just your words.

Unknown said...

So true...that's why I live to write romance!

Blessings on a happy and prolific New Year...

Ana

Rhonda Gibson said...

Hey Deb,

I'm procrastioning and wanted to come see how you are doing over here. I agree... I watch people but I think it's just cause I'm nosey. LOL

Unknown said...

Hello and Happy New Year. I really enjoyed your post and am looking forward to your book, it sounds like an excellent read.
I love to people watch, my husband constantly tells met o stop staring lol.

Mary Ricksen said...

We always try to end our stories with happiness. Isn't that what we all want. So do our hero's and heroine's, and we live vicariously through them!
The thing that touched me most about watching my elderly parents walk ahead of me, was they held hands. For over 59 years they were together and still held hands.
Lookin' forward to 'The Prize'!

LORETTA CANTON said...

I with you I'm going to rock the New Year with Romance.

Happy Newe Year,

loretta

Claire Ashgrove said...

That's so true... I think my favorite examples are when we see the seniors hand in hand. My folks never were that way, and I always envied my best friend's parents because no matter how old they grew, they *always* held hands.

Inspiring.

Claire Ashgrove said...

Such a true to life post. I find myself often going too fast to notice things around me, or I'm caught up in my own daydreams.

Great vision and theme for the coming year!

Claire

Linda LaRoque said...

What a great post. You know some of those older people have the most awesome love stories to share. No telling what kind of ideas we'd get if we interviewed them.

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com

Nancy said...

Hi Debbie (and Anna Kathryn!),

Congratulations on THE PRIZE! I love the message and energy of your post, and have my own list of promises to self. Now I have another!

Light,
Nancy Haddock
La Vida Vampire
Last Vampire Standing

Asylumgirl said...

It's so easy to get lost in the mundaneness of life. I'll have to don my rose colored glasses as well and look for those unexpected gifts that might only be a glance away. Truly, what would the world be without romance?

Deidre

Amy said...

After being disillusioned about love in my life (today is my 30th wedding anniversary - he left me 2 1/2 years ago for another woman but can't afford to divorce me), I'm working on putting the last of the baggage behind, removing any blocks to finding love, and opening myself to finding my soul mate. Step one: I bought myself some anniversary gifts, LOL! A rhodochrosite ring, pendant and earrings! Between those and other goodies at my local gem/mineral store and metaphysical emporium, the hubster may not be able to afford to divorce me, but he bought me some mighty nice presents!

All kidding and snark aside, I'm ready for love and romance in my life again. My eyes are wide open so I don't miss it.