.@VickiBatman - Seven weeks plus a few days #holidays #newbook #MFRWorg #anthology

Seven weeks plus a few days...

What does this mean? Seven weeks plus a few days until Christmas. Kinda scary. Did you get a panic rush about needing to do this and that?

I'm not so worried about Christmas. I'm worried about Thanksgiving.

For the first time, I am hostessing 25 (plus Handsome and myself) at my house.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Princesses!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Plotting Princesses are taking the day off to spend with our family and friends, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to share some of the things that we are thankful for from this past year. We wish you all the blessings of the holiday and that you get to spend time gathering together with family and friends, sharing good food, good conversation and making memories to last a lifetime!

What am I thankful for this week? @sloanebcollins #PlottingPrincesses #Happythanksgiving #amwriting #MFRWorg

As I was deciding what to write about for today, I realized it’s Thanksgiving this week, and I have so much to be thankful for. (But honestly, where has the year gone?) 

This past year has been my first as a published author. It’s a dream I’ve had pretty much my whole life, since my parents gave me my first book.

I’m thankful to Soul Mate Publishing for taking a chance on me and my book, Love Redesigned.  There’s nothing in the world quite like holding your book baby in your hands for the first time, seeing your words brought to life.

The journey to publication isn’t always easy, and I’m very thankful to my critique partners.  They are there to bounce ideas around, brainstorm, tell me if I’m on track, or make suggestions if something isn’t working, and celebrate joys and commiserate over challenges.  Love you, Ladies!

Michelle Miles: From Halloween to Christmas in 2.3 Seconds

It’s hard to believe it’s November already.

You know what else is hard to believe? That Christmas decorations were in the stores in September. At Hobby Lobby, they started putting them up in JUNE. Really, Hobby Lobby? School hadn’t even started, for gosh sakes.

Hubby, kid and I were in the mall this past weekend – ON Halloween, mind you – and we noticed they were starting to put up Santa’s workshop. You know, where all the kids can sit on his lap and tell him what they dream of for Christmas.

You know what I dream of? No Christmas before Halloween.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

FROM ALL OF US AT THE PLOTTING PRINCESSES, WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING.  

Spend this time with those you love, sharing stories, laughter and love.  And remember those who cannot be with their families and friends on this day of thanks, and keep them close to your hearts and in your prayers.  

Michelle Miles on Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday

I love Halloween. But not for the gore and gross stuff. I love it because it’s FUN. Because the decorations are fun and it’s officially FALL in my book.

What I don’t love is that Christmas decorations start to creep into the stores before Halloween is even over. I’m sure you’ve noticed this disturbing reoccurrence. It seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year. For Christmas and then for Valentine’s. There will be chocolate hearts on display by January 2 – you watch.

But I digress. It seems like we jump from Halloween to Christmas. We start the Christmas shopping madness earlier and earlier every year. This year, we get the added bonus of having stores open ON Thanksgiving morning. Before we know it, stores just won’t CLOSE for Thanksgiving.

Is Black Friday Out of Control?

It’s November, and already the black Friday buildup has begun.  Amazon is advertising Countdown to Black Friday deals. I signed up for an ad from Book Blast for their Holiday advertising. Put your tennis shoes on and be prepared for the holiday races to begin. 

Our family is small, and we have to travel to San Angelo to spend Thanksgiving with my parents who live about thirty miles out of town. There are main roads into town, but at night or early in the morning you have to watch for deer. In the past, on two separate occasions, my parents have hit deer crossing the road at night, which does considerable damage to your car. When we drive out to their place, my husband, and I are always watching for those rascally deer who run right in front of you. Once we’re there for Thanksgiving, we usually don’t go anywhere in town until it’s daylight.

Plus, I find it very hard to get up at three in the morning and go shopping just so that I can get some great deals. I’m snuggled up under the covers, dreaming of Ryan Gosling and how I can persuade him to appear on my next book cover. But a lot of people enjoy this early morning shopping spree. I know women who pour over the sales ads and plan their shopping excursion.

IT'S TIME FOR PRESENTS!!!

GIFT TIME IS HERE!!!

We at the Plotting Princesses would like to thank all the wonderful readers and writers who stopped by our blog and read the interviews/articles and left comments. We had a fabulous turnout for our first Christmastime celebration, and the generosity of all of the Plotting Princesses warms my heart with love and gratitude that I can call all of these lovely writers my friends.

Below is a list of all of the winners whose names were drawn at random. Since most people didn't leave their e-mail addresses, if your name appears below, please e-mail me at Kathy@KathyIvan.com with your information—e-mail address and snail mail address so we can get your gifts to you right away.

IT'S MORE THAN GOBBLE, GOBBLE by Kathy Ivan

Thanksgiving's a rather special day for me. It's more than just stuffing my stomach full of delicious foods, watching too much TV, and napping away the afternoon. Thanksgiving is that time of year when I try to take a moment and reflect on what has happened to me; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I'm always grateful when the good outweighs the bad and/or the ugly. I have so much to be thankful for this year. In the last two years, so much has happened to me as a writer. I had my first book accepted by Carina Press and published—a feat I was beginning to believe would never happen. I was asked to participate in a group of writers, meeting at a fellow writer's home (big thanks Vicki), to help be an encouragement to other writers as well as work on our craft, provide moral support and just generally be there for each other through all the ups and downs.

This group soon became known as the Plotting Princesses. We meet twice a year, have some terrific food, fun, do workshops, writing exercises, brainstorm works for each other—in other words we're there for every member of the PP's.