On Writing, Books, Authors, & Animals
Travel Inspires Creativity
Jun 18, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Nature and travel can inspire creativity ... and stir the soul. Sometimes the driving (or flying) to get to our destination and back seems endless. However, we can make use of that travel time for further inspiration and reflection. What special places stay with you, even years after you've visited? I recently traveled with my father to the northern Oregon Coast, where memories and inspiration took root. Join me on my newest adventure and learn a bit of history and a bit about how this trip inspired my creativity.
The Hills Are Alive ... With Spring and Books!
Jun 04, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Late spring brings a freshness, a lushness, an uplift to the world around us. Grass grows, birds sing, baby animals are born ... and new books are released. Discover a renewed enjoyment for nature and a few new sweet romance books to relish this season, recently released by two of my delightful writer friends!
Beauty and Blessings in Small Things
May 15, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Where are the blessings in life? Where do we find beauty in life? How can we be grateful when so much around us is ugly and violent? When our lives are in turmoil? Yes, there are troubles, but there are also beauty and blessings, and truthfully, we don't have to look far to find those. Blessings and beauty are in little things, in things we often take for granted. Read on!
Celebrating Our Earth and National Parks
Apr 22, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Earth Day and National Park Week intertwine ... in more ways than one. As we commemorate and celebrate these special days, let's remember nature speaks to the human spirit. That's why landscapes are preserved and animal species conserved. From the visionaries of decades ago to this present time, we are all responsible for what happens to lands, waterways, wildlife and plants.
Animal Cruelty Awareness – Be An Animal Advocate!
Apr 09, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Cruelty and neglect come in all shapes and sizes, from lack of access to food, water, and shelter, to dog fighting. We can all do something to help stop animal cruelty, from awarness and education to reporting and advocating for animals. Learn more about the various forms of animal cruelty and what you can do to help suffering dogs, cats, horses, and other animals on this blog post.
Springtime is Growth Time
Mar 21, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Spring brings growth, particularly in nature. However, it can also be a time of growth for humans. I'm moving forward as an author, planning new projects with different tropes and possibly a new (for me) genre. Springtime is growth time, in many regards. Step into spring with me and see what's sprouting in my author brain and author life!
Weekend Writing Conference Brings Together Authors & Books
Feb 29, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Writing conferences and events provide delightful opportunities for authors to engage with one another and with readers. A recent event, the Cabin Fever Writers Conference, brought readers and authors together as well as engaged authors with one another. Such opportunities are invaluable for encourgement and learning. Read on!
Sweet Romance Book Connoisseurs: Meet Aminata (Ami) Coote!
Feb 13, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
Hosting authors on my blog is something I enjoy. I love meeting authors and learning more about their books! Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'd like you to meet sweet/clean/Christian romance author, Aminata (Ami) Coote, whom I met virtually last year when our stories shared a romance anthology book. Ami releases her new book, Falling for My Fake Wedding Date, this month. I encourage you to read the blog interview I recently held with her.
Loving What You Do
Feb 07, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
February is the Month of Love. I write books about love and about a subject I love: pet rescue and adoption. Writing has been a love for me since childhood, and now that I'm a fulltime author and freelance writer, I work on things that I love. Can you relate? Are you doing things you love? Read the full post and be inspired! (as that's one of my goals as a writer -- to inspire others).
National Parks Inspire Romance Books ... A Story Excerpt
Jan 16, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
I enjoy America's national parks, and I've set my Pet Rescue Romance series of stories in and around Yellowstone, America's first national park and an area where I once lived. My latest book, to be released in February, is part of the series and has scenes inside the park. These places are filled with inspiration and beauty, something I know from visiting and that my characters either already know or they learn. Travel with us and read an excerpt from my upcoming book, "Paws-itively Love" through this blog post.
Historical Romance Weaves Wyoming History, Christian Faith, into Collection
Jan 02, 2024 by Gayle M Irwin
True events from American history and Christian faith amid struggles are part of the four stories found in the recently-released book from Barbour Publishing titled The Legacy of the Rocking K Ranch. Filled with romance and strong female characters, this historical romantic fiction, written by four different women authors contributing their four separate, yet artfully woven, stories is a work to be added to your winter reading list. Find out more about this new sweet, Christian romance book for the New Year!
Seasonal Joy – Enough to Last Through the New Year
Dec 18, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
2023 can't end soon enough for me and many others I know. Despite the challenges and sorrows experienced this year, joyful opportunities also abounded. Whenever disappointment, discouragement, or depression begins to set in, I prompt myself to think of things for which I'm grateful ... and there's much for which to be thankful and joyful even through sorrowful and troubling times. Read on to discover how the joy of this holiday season can extend through the upcoming new year.
Winding Down a Long Road
Dec 05, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
This year seems like a long and winding road., as goes the title of a Beatles song. My family and I have traveled a path filled with stress and heartbreak, including the passing of four pets: 3 of mine and 1 belonging to my parents. Health issues, a major move, and the death of two human family members contributed to other bends in this year's journey. Yet, as our beloved springer spaniel, Sadie, taught us, there is joy in the journey and always reasons to smile. Come along with us!
Celebration Amid the Storms – Thanksgiving 2023
Nov 20, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
Thanksgiving -- a time of joy and a time of challenge. A season for gratitude and a season of survival. People experience storms, difficulties, and challenges, including during the holiday season, yet if we look close enough and long enough, we can also find blessings, big and small. In this blog post, you'll find some of the blessings and joys I've experienced in spite of the numerous storms this year has brought.
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like …. Books and Book Events!
Nov 06, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
We've turned the calendar to another month, and now that the holidays are approaching, authors are busy with new releases and book events. I'm among those authors! One event done and a new children's book released, and more stories and events on the way, including sharing booksignings with other authors and collaborating on an anthology with a group. See what's happening in my life and the lives of other authors I know. You may even find some holiday gift ideas ... for yourself and the people you love!
Author Collaboration is Cool! (and Encouraging)
Oct 24, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
I became an author more than 15 years ago, I've met and interacted with many different writers, from children's book authors to romance writers. Collaborations and encouragement are vital in the author world. Such endeavors increase confidence, provide inspiration, and are just plain fun! Ways to collaborate include creating an anthology, sharing a booksigning or other author event, and gathering in groups. I enjoy collaborating and encouraging with other writers and spending time uplifting one another.
Celebrating An Adoption, A Move, A Birthday, A Book Sale, and More!
Oct 12, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
Amid the chaos around the world and within our lives, we can find things to celebrate. Whether family, friends, pets, career, or the change of seasons, we can experience joys and blessings, large and small. For me, the past few months have brought special celebrations regarding my dog, my parents, and my writing career.
Persevering to Birth a New Book
Sep 16, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
Christian and sweet romance author Eliza Boyd weaves faith, courage, perseverance, and strength into her small-town and billionaire love stories. She has created several series, including those set in True Love, Arizona, a fictional town in her state of residence. A new book releases this month, and Eliza shares more about the story in this guest blog post.
Service Dogs Step Up in Loyalty and Love: Hallmark Highlights the Important Work of These Canines
Sep 05, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
September is National Service Dog Month, a time to recognize the various skills many canines possess to help humans. From guide dogs for blind people to task-taught canines helping people using wheelchairs or crutches, these animals service an important purpose: helping disabled humans enjoy a more independent life. Hallmark Movies and Mysteries brings a special movie, Guiding Emily, highlighting service dogs, on Friday night, September 8, 2023, adding to their wonderful collection of romance stories featuring pets.
Inspiration from People and from Nature
Aug 22, 2023 by Gayle M Irwin
People and nature can inspire writing, whether that's poetry, short stories, articles, novels, song lyrics, or non-fiction books. Nature has inspired me for decades, especially travels to national parks. I recently attended an author event, reconnecting with others I'd met before and creating new acquaintances. Afterward, I drove into Yellowstone National Park, soaking in the fresh mountain air, gazing upon the vast Yellowstone Lake, awed by wildflowers and wildlife encountered. Travel with me as I talk about the journey I experienced earlier this month.
