Minnette Meador Reading, Writing, Woes and Joys Group discussion

I would love to have the authors in the group add their books to the bookshelf to share with the group. Will that work for everyone? I just added mine...

Then... tell us a little about yourself. Me, I live in Portland, OR, have one slightly used husband and Milo, the dog, who pretty much runs the show. I'm getting ready to retire in December (yeah!) and am planning on writer full time... after I take about 30 days to just be lazy! What a joy that will be.

Okay... Your turn!

Oh, I envy you - retirement and full-time writing sounds like heaven :) I am a translator, author, book lover, animal and nature lover, love to experiment with food, gardening... From Belgrade but moved to a forest - spooky! I will have to write about my adventures - three years ago. Live with three dogs, Lea, Moka and Simba and a belligerent lovebird Julian (turned out it was a female, but got used to the name :) My book is coming out in the fall. Can't wait! https://books.google.rs/books/about/S...

Eli wrote: "Oh, I envy you - retirement and full-time writing sounds like heaven :) I am a translator, author, book lover, animal and nature lover, love to experiment with food, gardening... From Belgrade but ..."

Hi, Eli... Translating must be really fun... Congrats on your new book! I'll look it up. Thanks so much for sharing. Minnette

Minnette wrote: "Eli wrote: "Oh, I envy you - retirement and full-time writing sounds like heaven :) I am a translator, author, book lover, animal and nature lover, love to experiment with food, gardening... From B..."

Thanks :) It is fun, best job in the world, unless you get a book you hate! But that is really rare, thank God...

I’m a retired teacher and a published freelance writer of non-fiction, fiction and poetry. Having had the good fortune to wander extensively across the globe, I have a vast interest in virtually all people and places, and was a featured travel writer for Yahoo Voices until that program was ended. Consequently, my books are fairly eclectic in both genre and subject. I am just about to publish my first non-fiction book, and am currently working on several more historical fiction novels. I still like to teach literature and writing on a very part-time basis. I live with my beautiful wife and dog (yes, both are beautiful) in Oakland, CA, which is central to so many wonderful aspects of Nature and culture. Life is great!

I'm a teacher in Portland, OR, but I used to live in various places in the East Bay Area *waves to Don*. I've been writing my whole life, seriously pursuing publication for about 12 years, and finally had my first book published last May, with the sequel coming out in 11 days. (YIKES!) That first book (DEBRIEFING THE DEAD) has been succeeding beyond my wildest dreams, including being nominated for a RITA award, and making it to the finalist stage in three other contests to date. I'm going to have a very nerve-wracking summer, but in a great way! :)

Despite multiple side trips to CA and AK, I've lived most of my life in the Pacific Northwest. Currently, I live with my husband, two mostly adult "kids," two dogs, two cats, and lots of growing produce. While I'd love to write full-time, our finances don't support that...yet.... But I remain hopeful!!

Nice meeting you all!

I am and always have been an avid reader. It started with Summer Reading Contests at my village library and continued to packing a suitcase with books on vacation! I still love actual books but thank goodness for my 6th Kindle!! I wish I was about to retire! Instead, my husband and I actually set up personal private retirement plans for our clients ;) I live in Frisco, TX but grew up in Central Louisiana. I look forward to our discussions!

I'm disabled, I used to a Corporate Accountant and now spend a majority of my team reading and reviewing books. After a push from a few friends I started a blog and post my reviews there as well as other venues. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/ Thanks for the invite to your group.

Hi, Don... thanks so much for sharing. What an amazing job... I travel only in my mind... and google from time to time! LOL Hoping to go to Italy next year... What era are your historical? I write about ancient Roman Britannia (first century - I'm definitely a closet historian). What is your non-fiction about?

Kerry wrote: "I'm a teacher in Portland, OR, but I used to live in various places in the East Bay Area *waves to Don*. I've been writing my whole life, seriously pursuing publication for about 12 years, and fina..."

Hi, Kerry! How exciting... you must be over the moon. I taught special needs for a couple of years and absolutely love it. If you haven't already, please add your book(s) to the book shelf here... I really need reading materials and I'd like to get them from this group. I'm hoping we can share. Welcome and thanks for joining.

Eli wrote: "Minnette wrote: "Eli wrote: "Oh, I envy you - retirement and full-time writing sounds like heaven :) I am a translator, author, book lover, animal and nature lover, love to experiment with food, ga..."

PS If you haven't already, please add your book(s) to the group's bookshelf. I'd really like to make this a group where we can read and talk about our books.

Cindy wrote: "I am and always have been an avid reader. It started with Summer Reading Contests at my village library and continued to packing a suitcase with books on vacation! I still love actual books but tha..."

Hi, Cindy... me too! I LOVE the library and have been very thankful they like to carry my books. I've been working for 50 years (started when I was 13 as a singer - Awe, the 70s!) Anyway, very nice to meet you and hope you can find some book here you like. Please let me know what you enjoy... Minnette

TinaMarie wrote: "I'm disabled, I used to a Corporate Accountant and now spend a majority of my team reading and reviewing books. After a push from a few friends I started a blog and post my reviews there as well as..."

I am absolutely going to follow your blog... I've been out of the "business" for a while... I had to quit when my husband got sick, so retiring means I get to go back to writing. I've REALLY missed it. I'm encouraging any writers here to add their books to the bookshelf. If any of mine tickle your fancy, let me know and I can get something over you. Welcome... and thanks so much for joining us. Minnette

I am an author and also own a small publishing company that offers traditional publishing as well as offer a host of author services.

I love farming and planting gardens. I enjoy the rural life and found it inspires me in the same way later in life as it did when I lived in major cities.

My background is more political in nature as I served in many lower political positions and evocative for youth rights in communities and schools. I’ve written a financial literacy curriculum that has been used in several schools across the country.

My passion has always been to help and through businesses I’ve found ways to be profitable as well as help my clients. For many years I ran Hand in Hand Financial to assist businesses and individuals in attaining financial freedom through literacy. For this I received the Governor award in North Carolina.

I hope this gives a little insight on me. I am always told that I never say enough about myself. Honestly I am just down to earth and love helping and creating amazing stories. And of course reading!

Thank you!

Correction on autocorrect text. Not evocative but advocating

Simply Inspired Words wrote: "I am an author and also own a small publishing company that offers traditional publishing as well as offer a host of author services.

I love farming and planting gardens. I enjoy the rural life a..."

Your work sounds very rewarding... I taught special needs kids for a few year and literacy became one of my battle cries! Can you share a link to your publishing site? Also, do you write yourself? Welcome and thanks for joining us - Minnette

Yes I do write myself. I love writing and have several books out.

The website is

https://www.simplyinspiredwordspub.com

Minnette wrote: "Hi, Don... thanks so much for sharing. What an amazing job... I travel only in my mind... and google from time to time! LOL Hoping to go to Italy next year... What era are your historical? I write ..."

Hi Minnette, Traveling in the mind is also a wondrous thing. There is much more to see in Italy than Rome, Venice and the Amalfi Coast, if you have time. You may recall that years ago I read and gave comments on "The Centurian" in a Yahoo critique group. My own work at the time (I have posted all of the published titles so far on your page) was "Zenobia", which is 3rd century Roman Empire. My WIP is 8th century Europe. "The Savior of Europe" is the story of Charles 'Martel', but may be a series going from Clovis up to Charlemagne. Nice to visit with you again. Cheers!

Simply Inspired Words wrote: "I am an author and also own a small publishing company that offers traditional publishing as well as offer a host of author services.

I love farming and planting gardens. I enjoy the rural life a..."

Love of gardening, teaching, writing . . . a few things in common. I find that gardening is therapeutic, allowing me to sift through ideas and even create dialogue while communing with nature. Cheers.

Of course, Don... how could I forget! It's nice hearing from you again. I've been away for about 5 years. My husband became very ill and it has taken us this long just to get him back to normal, so something had to give... sadly, it was my writing since he had to be put on disability. I'm soooo looking forward to getting back on my writing feet again... I can't wait. Make sure to upload your book(s) to the bookshelf and I'll check them out... I've written 2 additional books since Centurion and a couple more besides. But I do remember you very kindly. Minnette :o)

Minnette wrote: "Of course, Don... how could I forget! It's nice hearing from you again. I've been away for about 5 years. My husband became very ill and it has taken us this long just to get him back to normal, so..."

Sorry... I see you have put your books up there. Thanks so much... I'll check them out.

I've been writing fiction since '98, on and off in collaboration with my husband. Lately, I've also been refurbishing public domain works into ebook form (which are available on my website). In the last few years, I've become a little obsessed with stage magic—the history and performance of it by other people, not becoming a magician myself!

Fun fact: Minnette edited my first novel when it was published by Stone Garden Publishing. How she put up with my compulsive use of the em dash, I'll never know. ;)

Hello, I do write! Gardening definitely is like a healing balm for me. I battle with crohns and degenerative disc disease and every moment I can’t go pull a few weeds and smell the aromas from the earth and herbs growing bring me a perfect balance in life.

I am glad to participate in the group. I will leave my website link below. Helping is what keeps me going! I think when I developed FLY (financial literacy for the young) I enjoyed helping kids in the program and makes me smile knowing so many still buy the curriculum.

Look forward to getting to know everyone!


https://www.simplyinspiredwordspub.com

Katherine wrote: "I've been writing fiction since '98, on and off in collaboration with my husband. Lately, I've also been refurbishing public domain works into ebook form (which are available on my website). In the..."

OMG you're THAT Katherine.... As I recall I loved your book! It was Lucinda, right? So wonderful that you are still writing and doing so well... does my old heart good. Nice to see you here. If you haven't already, please upload your book info into the book shelves here. I've got something planned for June that I'm hoping everyone here will like... More to come... It's so nice to hear from you again! Small world... M;o)

Minnette wrote: "OMG you're THAT Katherine...."

Haha! Yep, that Katherine! Actually, I was really glad to see you back online as well. Things didn't quite work out with Stone Garden for me, but working with you taught me a lot.

Katherine wrote: "Minnette wrote: "OMG you're THAT Katherine...."

Haha! Yep, that Katherine! Actually, I was really glad to see you back online as well. Things didn't quite work out with Stone Garden for me, but wo..."

I'm so glad... I've been off for several years taking care of my husband who was very ill and working... sadly, writing had to be shelved for a while. Now I'm retiring and will have a lot more time. I am so excited to get back into it again. It's wonderful to be back... M;o)

Minnette wrote: "Of course, Don... how could I forget! It's nice hearing from you again. I've been away for about 5 years. My husband became very ill and it has taken us this long just to get him back to normal, so..."

Yes, I recall you had to quit the group due to illness. I'm so happy for you both that he seems to be well again. Didn't you have to move due to that? Glad you're writing again; I'll check your books out. And I'm happy to trade WIPs (or is that WsIP?) if you're interested. Cheers.

Thanks Don... Yep, we had to move too, but we're settled and hubby is much better. I'll check out your books as well.. not ready to share WIPs quite yet; the few that I have are all just in the beginning phase, but I will around the first of the year. I'll keep you in mind. Minnette :o)

Congrats on the upcoming retirement! And great to be back in touch - thanks for inviting me.

Thanks, Sheila! It's so great to be back after all this time! Say, are you busy on Saturday? I'll be over at Jan's Paperback from 1-4, if you can come. I'd LOVE to see you! They've moved to downtown Beaverton: 12320 SW 1st St, Beaverton - Minnette ;o)

I've not been there since they moved. If the sons come over I'll be busy, but otherwise I shall plan to visit the new store and YOU! Thanks.

Sheila wrote: "I've not been there since they moved. If the sons come over I'll be busy, but otherwise I shall plan to visit the new store and YOU! Thanks."

That would be awesome! Then I'll really feel like I"m back... M;o)

I'm a writer of, mostly, fantasy and science fiction. I met Minnette at a group signing in, West Linn, I think. My name is Chris Kraemer but I write under C. L. Kraemer. I met my current writing friends through the RWA in Salem, Oregon. The RWA chapter closed but the friendship has continued. I have a husband, on disability, too, Minnette, and two completely independent cats. Currently working on book 4 of a dragon series. I tried retiring but the eating thing and a roof over my head were habits I just couldn't break.

I've added some of my books to the shelf. I don't want to be a shelf hog so I'll hold back the general fiction titles. Thank you for the invite!

C.L. wrote: "I've added some of my books to the shelf. I don't want to be a shelf hog so I'll hold back the general fiction titles. Thank you for the invite!"

Thanks so much for joining and for adding your books... can't wait to check them out. Looks like we need to have coffee some time and compare notes... Actually, come January I'd love to put together a critique group... let me know if you're interested... or anyone else from the group if you are close to Portland, OR. M;o)

That sounds wonderful. We are still in the Salem area but a road trip is always welcomed.