It’s Time To Go al Fresco! #MondayMotivation

Photo by James Barnett on Unsplash

Be like this squirrel and take your meals outside-for today at least.

It’s Eat Outside Day, a fun holiday that happens to fall on #MotivationMonday.

For me, living in the desert, I won’t be sitting in the heat today, but eat outside a lot when the weather cools down. If you live in a more temperate place, and the weather allows it, I encourage you to take your plate and go outside.

Also, I urge you to take your writing outside. I like to take my laptop or my electronic reader outside onto the porch swing-again, when it becomes more temperate here. My godfather liked to eat soup outside when it was cold. He would come inside with a runny nose, an empty bowl, and a huge smile on his face.

“It’s the only way to eat soup!”

I don’t know if he still eats his soup outside. I live across the country from him now, and he requires 24-hour care due to cognitive issues. I hope so.

Go ahead, eat outside! Sonja

Big News!

I am arranging for special pricing in the month of September. I will announce these deals on my website and on Instagram.

Probably Facebook, too.

Some of the deals may last only a day (FLASH SALE!) and some may last SEVERAL DAYS.

I encourage you to keep a close eye on this site, my Instagram profile (@author_sonja_danielson and @real_Guinness_the_therapy_dog) to catch these deals.

Not all my books will be available for the SALE PRICES, but I’m doing my darndest to organize the best prices for you.

Of course, all my books are available at their regular prices every day. I don’t have plans to take any down and bring them out of circulation. At least, not in the near future.

Pleae let me know how you like them-and leave a review on Good Reads and Amazon. You can find direct links to every book in my catalog that is available on Amazon in the left margin of this website.

Happy reading! Sonja

My Favorite Mug

(c) 2019

I have several favorite mugs. This one reminds me to be optimistic-such as now when I get daily rejections as I search for an agent.

It’s difficult sometimes.

My other favorite statement mugs remind me about my goals for writing (draw out emotions and help the reader live the plot)–and lists insults penned by Shakepeare (or whoever wrote those plays).

Of course, I much prefer to use my pretty teacups.

(2019)

I have several teacups-all dainty. They help me get into an historical mood. Right now my evil twin is writing books based in the Regency and Medieval eras. These aren’t meant for kids, but for their moms.

What do you use to remind yourself to see the happier side of life?

Let me know. Sonja

P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Guinness Become a Therapy Dog at special prices- if you’re in the UK!

My Favorite Things-

(c) 2020 Available on Amazon.com

Today I’m combining two of my favorite things: Guinness the Therapy Dog and giving away stuff.

This is only for my UK readers.

Starting today, you can downlooad the ebook version of this book at SALE PRICES!

Use the direct link in the left margin of this website, or go to amazon.com and search for my name (Sonja Danielson) in the search bar to see my entire book catalog.

This countdown deal goes for several days, but the price goes up incrementally.

To get the best price, BUY IT NOW!

Enjoy this fabulous pricing JUST FOR YOU! Sonja

National Dog Day!

The mission of National Dog Day (from nationaldogday.com) is to encourage adoption and to celebrate all dogs.

The website recommends giving your dog a hug, adopting a rescue, and generally celebrating all things canine.

This isn’t just a holiday for purebreds (like Guinness the Therapy Dog) or for mixed breeds (like Lucy the Wonder Dog). It’s for all breeds, of all sizes and parentage.

Both Guinness the Therapy Dog and Lucy the Wonder Dog are rescues. Guinness was an owner release; and Lucy was adopted from a rescue organization. They’re both family dogs, with Guinness working as a therapy dog.

Guinness came to us when he was almost two years old and has worked his way into our family seamlessly. We went to dog school together and learned how to behave around people, how to walk on a leash, and how to be a good dog-human team.

Lucy was a stray. That’s why she’s so broken: she was on her own during her formative puppy months. I think she was abused because she was a stray. Judging from her fears, Lucy was hungry a lot and was likely chased from places where she felt safe. She also has a fear of boots, so it’s likely she was chased off by someone who wore them.

It’s also why she’s able to catch birds as they fly through our backyard.

Both of these dogs deserve to be honored for all they bring to our family. So, happy Dog Day, Guinness and Lucy.

You are loved. Sonja

Have You Met Guinness?

(c) 2020 Available on Amazon.com

Guinness the Therapy Dog is 95 pounds of love. He has a heart as big as outer space and wants to give everyone as much love as possible.

Also, he doesn’t know where his feet land.

Which is why he steps on my feet a lot.

A lot.

Have you ever had 95 pounds land on your toes? It’s not pleasant. But aren’t a dog’s feet soft? Parts of them are. Sure. But those toenails click on the floor for a reason. They’re hard…and pointy.

Bernese Mountain Dogs have rounded feet–great for snow but lousy traction on wood floors. Especially laminate wood floors. This means he needs to find purchase on something when he flies out the door to chase a lizard. That’s usually my foot.

But I love that weirdo.

He gives back so much more that it’s hard to be mad at him. Like now, when he lays quietly on the floor at my feet while I type this. There’s all that love I mentioned before.

Do you have a pet that gives you unconditional love? Sonja

Overcoming –

Photo by Vicky Sim on Unsplash

What do you do when you’re facing an obstacle that seems insurmountable?

Overcome!

It may seem impossible, but tenacity is your best friend in these situations.

Tenacity!

When I was trying to break into broadcasting or, more recently, physical therapy, it took a lot of perseverence (another word for it) to do it.

What is tenacity?

Determination

Persistence

Doggedness

Great character traits when you want something – like a job, a contract, a grade. It’s not such a great thing when you want a friend. Some people may find you creepy. So, you need to be aware of your actions and use good judgment.

Be tenacious! Sonja

Have You Seen This Site?

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash.com

When writing, sometimes there’s a word you can’t think of, or a word that may not fit in with the time period. Or you think of a word and know you need it’s antonym.

I use several sites to help.

The first is an etymology dictionary. This is the link (a click on the word ‘link’ should get you to the site. I set it to open in a new tab, so you don’t lose your place while reading my riveting prose!

The second site is an online thesaurus. This is the link to that site. Again, I made it so it should open on a new page.

So I don’t lose my plot thread, I put ‘???’ where I want to search for a different word, the word, or the antonym. Then, when my creative well has been wrung dry, I go back and search for the word I want.

I’ve tried stopping and searching for the word when I need it, but I’ve found that I lose my thread, the dialogue, or my intention for the plot. It was frustrating.

I’m a linear thinker, organized, and constantly thinking of characters and plots. It’s sometimes difficult because when I’m out and about (remember that?!) I see others and make up stories about their lives. It’s fun, but I tend to lose myself to my imagination.

My husband and sons are used to it, but others are confused by it. I think it’s difficult for someone who doesn’t have an imagination that constantly makes up stories to be around someone who does. Kind of like being an Oscar when someone else is a Felix (you need to know The Odd Couple to know what I mean).

Just be yourself. That’s all that should be expected. Sonja