Welcome to the Campfire Do to unforeseen circumstances, today's scheduled guest is unavailable. So, I'm taking over my own blog. ?

Welcome to the Campfire.
One of my favorite things to do, is sit around the fire. Whether it’s away in a campground, or at home in front the chiminea, some of the best conversations I’ve ever had, have been with a cozy flame and sparks drifting up into the night sky joining the stars. The fire below is one of my favorites. I see a baby dragon in it. What do you see?  Also, if you would like to keep up with Around the Campfire and information, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.  If you use this link for the newsletter I'll enter you to win an E book of Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake.

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​My usual first question to a guest is regarding their choice of beverage.
I'm a coffee in the morning-two cups thank you-girl. In the afternoon it's tea. Usually Earl or Lady Grey and I'm also fond of Constant Comment. And around the campfire at night? In vino veritas. In wine lies the truth.

The second question is about camping or glamping.
And yes to both. I've rough camped in my youth with nothing but a sleeping bag. Then tent camping. One of my very best friends and I camped at Lake Wallenpaupack as teenagers. I remember several things about that trip. The water was so cold when I jumped in I came up screaming. It rained incessantly and we ended up sleeping in the car because the tent leaked. The neighbors, also confined to the tent enjoy rigorous games of Yahtzee.  They shouted Yahtzee loud and often. Over the years I've enjoyed the use of pop-up campers and then RVing with my sister in her Class C named Stella. As my DH and I get closer to retirement we talked about the future and how we want to spend it. Our home in New Jersey is a blessing and we don't want to give it up. Much of the layout includes outside. During the year, most of our time is spent outside, so buying an RV wasn't much of a stretch. We love our Jayco Eagle named 2Hoots. She's a big girl. Yes, I do drive her. Only in the forward direction. 
 
What is my latest project.
Rock House Grill is the first book in my Impact Series.  It's a contemporary romance with some suspense elements. My past includes many years as an Emergency Medical Technician and owner of a coffee shop and small restaurant. These combined experiences are the foundation of the story. One man's choices. One woman's impact. Rock House is about how the choices we make don't affect only ourselves but those around us. How even though we make mistakes and with the help of family and friends, there is hope. 
 
My most asked question is How long did it take you from conception to publication?
In 2015 I took the NaNoWriMo challenge fifty thousand words in thirty days.

After a lot of editing, re-editing, and then more editing, Wild Rose Press showed interest. Then after another round of editing, re-editing and more editing, Rock House Grill was contracted. Guess what? More editing. I do have a cover now. We are hoping for a early 2020 release. So the answer is a long time.
Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar released in 2016 after four years. 

What are my challenges? Most writers face a myriad of challenges. Time, not having enough of it, and then the length of the process are daunting. Recognition is another. I tell people I'm number three billion-two hundred million- seven thousand-sixty five on the best seller list. Marketing is another tough nut to crack.
 
The next question is about other projects. I have several at various stages of development. With Rock House simmering, Jazz House is moving along in it's first draft. The second Shield-Mates book Kisa, is in the same shape- partial draft. My heart longs to finish the first book I ever began Aimhirghin, Kingdom at a Crossroad. 
 
Is there something I would tell my beginning self? It's easier to start a book than to finish it. Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing, because it's much harder to go back and fix things, than doing it right in the first place. Comma's are my arch nemesis. Pay attention in English class.
 
Now the fun questions

Favorite type of movies? Action adventure. I'm a huge Avengers fan and my favorites are Guardians of the Galaxy. "I am Groot." Lord of the Rings my inspiration for writing Fantasy.

What was the best vacation I ever took?  Years ago, there was a commercial which talked about a “Kodak Moment.”
I went to Maine on a camping trip. Pop-up trailer. We stayed at Acadia National Park. One day we went into Bar Harbor and joined a whale watching charter boat. After a freezing hour and a half trip out into the North Atlantic the boat stopped. I couldn't believe how calm the water was. The sky a silver gray matched the ocean and you couldn't tell where one began and the other ended. Only a few minutes passed and whales breached the surface. Right off the side a mother and calf were so close I couldn't believe it. They played and rolled on the surface. I turned to the guide with a huge smile and said, "This must be what Heaven is like." She just smiled.
 
Mentors, authors, or books, I would like to give a shout-out to? So many people are involved in a writers journey. All the way in the beginning Margo Karoly and the Romance Writers critique group put me on a path of better writing. Through that, Rosalie Redd became my first critique partner extraordinaire. Then Renee Wildes from the critique group saved Rock House. I have a wonderful editor named Elf who rocks.  
 
What does literary success look like to me? The day I received my first copy of Felice. The day I signed my first publishing contract. The day I read my first review. I think if you follow your dream, no matter the outcome, you are a success. Even if you try and fail, at least you tried.

Here are some of my successes.

Don't forget to stop by next week when Cozy Mysteries writer and fellow camper ML Erdahl joins me around the fire.

This weeks movie recommendations
Lord of the Rings Trilogy. If you haven't watched them for a while it's time.
Guardian's of the Galaxy

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Recipes for the Campfire  don't need to be hard. Campbell's makes a packet you can pour over your roast and veggies. Diced carrots, peas, and potatoes in the Dutch Oven with the roast add the package cook low and slow over the fire and voila. I like adding mushrooms, too. Delicious.

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