March 2023 - Responsive
March is a changeable month. One day it's spring; the next it's back to winter.
This has certainly been the case lately in California! After a decade-long drought, we have record rainfall, and the Sierra snowpack is at 175 hundred percent of normal (whatever normal is now!). The hillsides in the Central Coast received enough snow that friends in Paso Robles made a group of snowmen in their yard, and in Cambria snow dusted the hills. Even the rooftops of Los Angeles turned white.
Don't ask me why, but I predicted this clearly enough that my upcoming book, With the Dreams in Milford-Haven---which is set in 2025 and will launch in 2024---begins with a local snowstorm. There is precedent . . . but not at this extreme.
On the other hand, it won't take long for the jacaranda and dogwood, cherry and acacia trees to start blooming, filling the air with their sweet fragrances and reminding us of the beauties of spring.
How can this be? One way to think about this is how highly responsive nature is at this time of year. So this is "R" word number three for month number three.
Responsive:
-
giving response; answering
-
quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically; sensitive
As the popular saying goes, we are not responsible for what happens to us; we are responsible for how we respond.
How do we respond to criticism? To praise? To challenges? To ease? Are we grateful for what we already have? Do we cherish our friendships, respect even those who don't respect us?
Responding without guile might sometimes appear weak, and setting boundaries is important. But seeing things from the other person's point of view is worth the effort, too. Perhaps we could learn from the trees how to respond to weather challenges, holding ourselves close during winter blasts, and using the moisture and sunshine to bloom when it's warm.
Whatever challenges might confront you, I hope your responsiveness will keep you safe, happy, and marching forward toward your own fulfillment. Happy March!
Next in Milford-Haven
My upcoming book Why Hearts Keep Secrets is currently in what's known as "Pre Pub." What that means is that you can order it soon!
It will launch on April 13th, "No More Secrets Day" and there will be a campaign with fun posters and some special goodies. Here are the excerpts from the Trade reviewers:
-
“In Why Hearts Keep Secrets Purl has expertly interwoven her characters’ lives into a colorful, fascinating tapestry of mystery, romance, and suspense. The writing flows easily and the characters are compelling. . . . – ForeWord Reviews
-
"Why Hearts Keep Secrets by Mara Purl is a compelling romance that draws readers into a world of mystery, suspense and intrigue. . . . an electrifying plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats . . . Readers will fall in love with Purl’s masterful plotline and stunning use of descriptive imagery. . . .” – Maincrest Media Reviews
-
“I found this continuation of Mara Purl’s Milford-Haven series to be every bit as captivating and revealing as all the others . . . Another wonderful read.” – Linda Thompson, Host of The Authors Show.
Next Next in Milford-Haven
Yes, I'm working on Novel #4, Whose Hearts Align. There will be so much still left to find out! What happens with Meredith, Zack, Samantha, Jack, Sally and Tony?? It's about half written and in the chronology, follows immediately after Why Hearts Keep Secrets.
Remember Miranda's sister Meredith? Whip-smart and stunningly gorgeous, she's otherwise quite an opposite to Miranda: confrontive where her sister is shy, abrasive where her sibling is gentle, and fiercely determined to succeed at work and at love. And, of course, there's quite a bit more to the continuing story.
We're aiming for a launch date of September 29, 2023 -- World Heart Day. Excuse me, I better get back to writing!
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven will be a "flash forward" that introduces the next-gen Milford-Haventies. My team and I are planning for this to be released on March 11, 2024 -- "World Dreams Day."
Since it's set in the near future, it has required some of my favorite and most engaging research, mostly centered on global warming and recycling issues. But while my characters, many of whom work in the sciences, wrangle with these to find solutions, they also wrestle with their own deepest desires. You'll meet Morgan Jones-Smith who . . . well, I better stop there. Spoiler alert! I promise to keep you posted! One huge clue, though, is the cover, featuring another beautiful watercolor by Mary Helsaple. The view is from inside artist Miranda Jones' studio, looking toward a rainbow arcing across the property that . . . well, you'll hear about that in Novel #3 next month!
Update from Wales
Ta-da! Here's the front cover of our upcoming book! The result of our year-long literacy project in Wales, the book is currently being printed in Wales. This first run will be for the student-contributors, their families, the local community, and the Museum in Milford Haven, Wales, with whom I co-created the project. The text is being printed in two languages.
The cover, co-designed by Rebecca Finkel and me, features the title in both English and Welsh. Written entirely by our students from four local schools, the cover images were also student-created. The images and written segments represent distinct periods of local history, from the Iron Age to the Victorians, and into modern times.
Our students completed their segments about specific eras of local history. As I've worked through the editing process I've been SO impressed with their creativity, research, and depth of insight into human nature, no matter the era.
I am thrilled and humbled to be able to work with our outstanding team, with school administrators and teachers, and with these promising students. I will keep you posted!
Upcoming Events
This promises to be a busy year! My 2023 Calendar at a glance:
-
March - my segment of the Aspiring Authors Scholarship Mentoring program launches
-
April 11th - SLO Nightwriters Presentation, San Luis Obispo, California
-
April 13th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets launch on "No More Secrets Day"
-
April 16th - Coalesce Bookstore, Morro Bay, California, Joint Book Performance & Signing with Anne R. Allen, Tony Piazza, Lida Sidaris
-
May 5 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets "Secrets Book Tea" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Colorado Springs
-
May 7 - Why Hearts Keep Secrets - "Secrets Book Brunch" joint event, Mara Purl & Judith Briles in Denver
-
July 25th - Christmas in July launch of Whose Angel Key Ring
-
September 16th - Colorado Authors Hall of Fame induction gala, Denver
-
September 29th - Theatrical reading of "Becoming Julia Morgan", Cambria
-
September 29th - Whose Hearts Align launch on "World Heart Day"
-
October 8th- Milford-Haven Lighthouse Party celebration, Central Coast
-
October 29th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets & With the Dreams in Milford-Haven - "Secrets & Dreams Book Tea", Los Angeles
-
December - Where Xmas Marks the Spot book launch
-
February 2024 - Publishing at Sea Cruise, Los Angeles to Mexico
-
March 11th 2024 - With the Dreams in Milford-Haven book launch
Book Performance & Signing!
It's a book! It's a play! It's a signing! It's all three, actually, and it'll be featuring four Central Coast authors, and special guest performers.
The iconic Coalesce Bookstore is a long-established favorite among authors and readers in the Central Coast, and they've kindly invited us. Three fellow authors and I will be featuring scenes from our latest books, to be performed in dramatic readings. We also have two wonderful actors who'll be performing with us. Fun!
Amongst us we have humor, romance, and plenty of mystery!
-
What - Book Performance & Signing
-
When - Sunday, April 16th at 1:00 PM
-
Where - Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA. 93442
-
Food - Delightful light refreshments shall be served
CO Authors Hall of Fame Gala
Here's a special date to put on your September calendar: September 16th, the next Induction Ceremony at the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame.
We induct new members every other year, and this sparkling, inspiring evening is not to be missed!
-
What - Induction Ceremony & Gala, Colorado Authors Hall of Fame
-
When - Saturday, September 16th
-
Where - Hilton Doubletree at Denver Tech Center
-
Tickets (Link) - Registration coming soon
Publishing at Sea
Oh, what a fantastic program this is! The Publishing at Sea 2023 Cruise concluded its adventure last month in the Caribbean. Sound great? How about planning for next year?
The 2024 Cruise will be a different story. Quite different, actually, because it will be our first West Coast cruise! We will depart from my home city of Los Angeles, and cruise to the iconically beautiful ports of Mexico!
Aside from the fun, beauty and relaxation of cruising, what is Publishing at Sea all about? Your breakthrough. For authors, publishers, illustrators, editors, and anyone involved in the creation and marketing of books, this is your opportunity to attend dynamic sessions, work one-on-one with experts, and create the book you've been dreaming of away from distractions. Ask anyone who has been on a previous cruise with us. It works!
-
What: Publishing at Sea Cruise
-
When February 2 - 9, 2024
-
Where: Port of Los Angeles
-
Ports of Call: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlaan, & Puerto Vallarta
-
Reserve now: Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207
My Heart is Grateful . . .
. . . for a busy and productive February! Two books are nearing publication---my new novel, and our student book in Wales. Lots of progress has been made on two new holiday novellas, one for Milford-Haven, and one for Mount Haven, the Colorado-based series with crossover. Progress too on the next YA mystery book. It's been a good time to hunker down and write, write, write!
I'm grateful for the Aspiring Authors Scholars and as the Mentoring Program director have tremendously enjoyed creating our syllabus. This month our founder Judith conducted her Business of Publishing segment, which I got to attend. So powerful! So practical. Our scholars are coming into the business with their eyes open. Exciting!
And I'm grateful to you, my readers and followers, who encourage and inspire me with your comments and with some of your new reviews, which I so greatly appreciate. I can hardly wait to see many of you in person---with April events in California and Colorado events in May. Wherever you are, may this March bring you a fresh sense of being responsive, no matter what comes your way.
As always, love and gratitude, from my heart to yours!
|
