Thank you for stopping by! My blog has moved to my new online home, jillkemerer.com/blog! I continue to post on Wednesdays and Fridays, so stop by and subscribe either via email, or type jillkemerer.com/feed into your preferred reader (I use Feedly)!
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Thank you for all your support! What are you waiting for? Come on over to my new blog!
Kariss Lynch is sharing what love means to her and offering a chance to win a signed copy of her new book, Shadowed! Stop by my new blog and join the conversation! Click HERE to be redirected to her guest post!
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Just a reminder: After this week, I will no longer be posting to this URL. My blog has moved to http://jillkemerer.com/blog/. I would love it if you'd stop by and subscribe! Thank you!!
I'm interviewing the fabulous Courtney Walsh today! She has a new book out called Paper Hearts. She's chatting about what makes her heart sing and what she's working on next!!
For the full interview, go to my new blog, "Writer's Life: Courtney Walsh" (http://jillkemerer.com/writers-life-courtney-walsh/).
Starting March 1, I will no longer post new articles to this blog, so be sure to stop by my new blog, scroll up the sidebar and subscribe either via email or in a reader like Feedly by typing in http://jillkemerer.com/feed/. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Hey everyone, Jessica Snell is sharing the history of Valentine's Day at my new blog home! She wrote a fascinating book called, Let Us Keep the Feast: Living the Church Year at Home, so pop on over and join the conversation!
Don't forget, the big Valentine's Giveaway, including goodies from the fabulous Jennifer Major, books from Jen Turano, Lisa Jordan, Jill Lynn, and the short story collection I contributed to are all prizes! It's easy to enter!
I have a new blog home, http://jillkemerer.com/blog/. Please take a minute to hop over and subscribe (click to the new site and either enter your email address in the subscription form at the top of the sidebar or go to your preferred reader (like Feedly) and type http://jillkemerer.com/feed so you won't miss any new posts! After March 1, I will no longer add new articles to this blog. Thank you!
All month, I'm phasing out my Blogger blog and transitioning to my new blog home, but in the meantime, here is an excerpt of my latest post. Click on the link below for the full article!
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Nothing throws me into a tizzy faster than a big project gone wrong. Who has time for that? No one!
Most of January was like that for me. A big project consumed all my time and frustrated me in the process. Then the project ended (it turned out terrific!), but the backlog of items on my to-do list overwhelmed me.
I was terribly embarrassed to realize I missed my scheduled day on the group blog I contribute to. And I'd dropped the ball on a few emails I'd promised. Enough was enough. I had to get my workday under control. I promptly ordered a time management book I'd seen reviewed in a magazine...
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Please click on Are You in a Time Management Rut? for the rest of the post at my new blog home, http://jillkemerer.com/blog/. Once there, be sure to subscribe in the sidebar (either via email or in a reader) so you won't miss any of my new posts. Thank you for your patience!
After March 1, I will no longer post new content on this blog. Come join me at http://jillkemerer.com/blog/!!
I'm SO excited to have Jill Lynn on the blog today! I met Jill at an ACFW conference two years ago. Someone referred to us as "the Jills," and I loved it! Jill Lynn is hilarious, super cute, nice AND a fantastic writer. Her debut novel, Falling for Texas, is available now!! It's delightful! Jill is giving away a copy to one blessed reader, so be sure to enter the contest below!
Instead of a guest post or interview, Jill and
I are imagining what it would be like if we were the stars in the International
Coffee commercials from the eighties. If you haven’t had the pleasure of viewing
these masterpieces, I’ve embedded a few below. You’re welcome!
Jill
K: Thanks for coming over and chatting with me today, Jill. Let’s go out to my
jungle of a backyard. Go ahead and have a seat on my wicker loveseat. I just
love these oversize shirts! My orange sweatshirt is approximately four sizes
too large for me, but it still looks good. My husband said so.
Jill
L: (Insert fake laughter) Oh, Jill, I do love the feel of wicker. They just
don’t make a more comfortable seat, do they? And your orange sweatshirt is
stunning, though I’m partial to my… (Am I wearing a one piece outfit under this
blue monstrosity? I think I am.) It doesn’t compare to my flowered full-body ensemble
and blue tent sweater. I really prefer my clothing in one large piece so that
it doesn’t complement my body whatsoever.
Jill
K: Good tip! Whew, it’s muggy out here. Why am I wearing so many layers?
*fanning myself* What does the coffee remind you of?
Jill
L: Gas station cappuccino. You?
Jill
K: Watered down instant coffee. Hey, scooch over! I always
sit two inches away from my friends. Hope you don’t mind me leaning in and
giggling. Do you ever wonder what Jean Luc is doing now?
Jill
L: I don’t mind you leaning in and giggling! Let’s sit as close as possible!
And as for Jean Luc… we still keep in touch. What? You don’t?
Jill
K: *bites lower lip” No. He got mad when I called sixty-three times in one day.
There was no need for him to threaten me with a restraining order. But I’m sure he’s over his tiff by now. Men! Hey, Jill, since we’re
reminiscing and I’m having a midlife crisis, why don’t we go to your house and
find your old prom dresses?
Jill
L: *Squeal* Yes, let’s! Maybe we’ll get lucky and it will smell like it’s been
stuffed in a trunk all of these years!
Jill
K: Like my new wig? I Googled “Mrs. Garrett’s hairstyle on The Facts of Life.”
She’s my style icon! Anyhow, I found your hot pink prom dress! Pour me a cup of
that Suisse Mocha and try that bad boy on!
Jill
L: I’m sorry my voice sounds so much like a man. Before I try to squeeze into
that old dress, let’s consume some fake sugar together that our body has no
idea how to process!
Jill
K: Yes! Although the last time I drank fake sugar, let’s just say I was in the
bathroom A LOT. Remember Steve? Didn’t he wear a white tuxedo with matching hot
pink vest and tie? And the hair…how did he
wear his hair?
Jill
L: I think it was similar to mine. In fact, we might have the same haircut!
Maybe I can get some pointers from him on handling these curls.
Jill
K: Just spray a can of Aqua Net on it. It’s like glue. Look, your dress still
fits! I’m calling Steve! I’m sure he still has that sky blue Chevette he picked
you up in!
Jill
L: Call him! I can’t right now because I’m too busy twirling in circles while
you smile, laugh, and break into dance with me. Oops! Sorry about that invasion
of your personal space! I’ve seriously got to learn to keep my distance from
people!
Jill
K: I love twirling and dancing and twirling…
***
Thanks, Jill, for being such a good sport and for making me laugh until I cried!! I'm SO happy for you and thrilled to be sharing your release today!!
Raising
his orphaned teenage sister isn't easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl
tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher
Olivia Grayson for help with his sister's grades and attitude, Cash realizes
he's facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn't date
and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia's
quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day.
Could it be time to make a new vow…one that'll last a lifetime?
***
About Jill ~
Jill Lynn lives near the
beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children who make her laugh
on a daily basis. She writes the kind of stories she likes to read—ones filled
with humor, grace, and happily ever after. Jill does far more dancing in the
kitchen with her family than she does cooking, and she has a thing for coffee,
books, boots, and thrift stores. Connect with her at Jill-Lynn.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
***
My Review
~ 5 Stars!!
Falling
for Texas had me falling for Texas. Cash's morals, work ethic and the
dedication he shows to his sister had me swooning, and did I mention he's a
cowboy? And Olivia was so relatable. She truly cared about her students and
friends, and I found her inner dilemma to be compelling. This is such a fun
read, but it will have you reaching for the tissues too. A wonderful debut! I'm
adding Jill Lynn to my must-read list!
**I
received an advanced reader's copy with no obligation to review it. All
opinions are my own.**
Guess what? I have a new website!! I'm also MOVING my blog over to it. All month you'll find my posts here AND on my new blog jillkemerer.com/blog/. Please hop over and subscribe to my new blog so you won't miss a post. As of March 1, I will no longer be active on this blog but ONLY on my new feed. Thanks!!
I recently received a 1099 from my literary agency. I practically skipped back to the house! For years tax time has been something I dread, and not for the usual reasons.
My husband and I pay to have our taxes done. We sit down and get all our paperwork laid out. Find the receipts. We answer the questions. And I get sad because I don't contribute financially to our household. Yes, I contribute in countless other ways, but on tax day, I feel like a failure.
Three years ago I asked the professional about deducting my writing expenses. She didn't recommend it. With no income from my writing, it would increase our chances of being audited. I was okay with that.
Two years ago, I didn't even ask. I still earned nothing, and I sat there with a sadness in my heart that I'd been working so hard for years with no money to show for it.
Last year, I earned a small amount for a short story. Finally, I could deduct my business expenses!
Yeah...well...
The man helping us raised his eyebrows at my tiny check. He barely looked at my tidy list of expenses, shook his head and said, "Writing is your hobby, right? I mean, you have a full time job."
I clenched my jaw, my chest burning. "No, writing is my job. I write full time."
And I could see it--the pity or wow-you-must-not-be-very-good flash in his eyes before he dismissed me. "If you don't make more income than your expenses, the IRS will consider it a hobby."
I cried all the way home.
I wasn't crying because he was rude (well, partly so), but because I'd poured years and years of work into something that held no value to anyone but me. In fact, itcost our family for me to spend all that time trying to get published.
Not everyone incurs the same costs, but every writer pays something.
Here is what I paid:
- Time. I could have gotten a full-time job and earned a second income, which would have helped our family tremendously.
- Money. I've paid thousands of dollars in equipment, membership dues, office supplies, conference costs, postage, website hosting and other expenses.
- Hobbies. I gave up most of my free time to pursue this dream. I have busy kids, I manage our household, and I write full time. For me to have time-consuming hobbies, I would have to write less, make my kids give up extracurricular activities they enjoy, or let our house slide.
So this year, ripping open that tax form was validating beyond words. I don't have to sit through another tax session feeling inferior. I don't have to hear the word "hobby" again. Because finally, finally I get to pay taxes for doing what I love!
What have you given up for a dream?
**My website is down. I'm unable to access any email coming to jill@jillkemerer.com this week. My new site will be up again soon. Thanks for your patience!!**
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