Photo Credit: Sara Beasley https://opensourcetext.org/

As an English teacher and author, I truly believe in the value of literature. Books can teach us lessons we don't always learn on our own. Below, some of the top life lessons I've learned from reading.

I can still hear my AMAZING AP Lit teacher asking:  "Is love the answer to happiness?" during our discussion of this book. We learn from Janie Crawford that although love certainly adds depth and meaning to life, you can't base your entire self-worth on a relationship. This book taught me that love is a beautiful thing, but as a woman, I must find my own identity outside of the confines of a relationship.

Sonia and Raskolnikov: a prostitute and a criminal. Quite a pair. However, their undying love for each other goes to show you can't always choose whom you fall in love with. Obviously, falling for the murderous Raskolnikov is less-than-desirable. Nonetheless, beneath the violence and criminality of the book, we see how love can be redemptive...and against our own rational thoughts.

Beah's non-fiction memoir shows us how quickly life can change, and how frail life truly is. He reminds us to enjoy every breath, every encounter with a loved one because we never know when things will change.

I adore how Vianne and Isabelle both show bravery and courage but in very different ways. This book shows the strength of a woman and how the right choice isn't always obvious. 

This book is about the impossible lengths one will go to for a child. Even with the bitterly tragic ending, there is hope because the bond will live on through Absalom's son. This book shows that no mattter what, a true parent's love is limitless.

Life isn't fair, and Tess certainly shows us this. Her story reminds us that fairness isn't guaranteed in life and helps us deal with this reality.

McCarthy's gorgeous prose about the apocalyptic, dark world show us that even in sheer ugliness, beauty can shine through. The tender moment over the Coca Cola is a pure example. Even in horrible times, we can find gleaming moments of beauty to appreciate. 

1984 taught me to never take information for granted. You must ask questions and constantly assess: "How do I know this is true?" Certainly, the book does induce a sense of paranoia to an extent. However, I think it makes us better citizens by helping us always question truth and motives of those in power.

When I think of Randy Pausch, I think of the brick walls. I love his metaphor about the walls and how they are there to see how badly we want something. Everytime I hit a roadblock with my goals, I remind myself that they are just a test. 

Victor thought the monster would be his shining achievement. He feverishly devotes himself ot this one moment of glory but realizes all is not well once he achieves it. Frankenstein reminds us that not every goal is worth pursuing endlessly. We must seek to achieve our desires, certainly, but we must also recognize reasonable limitations and not spend our life consumed by lofty dreams. 

What literary lessons have you learned? Share below!

I held you in my arms last night as you struggled to breath, your body weakening as you prepared to let go. Tears were falling, but I tried not to spend our last few hours sobbing. Instead, we put in a movie and cuddled on the couch in your favorite throw, laughing at our favorite scenes. I held you like I’ve done so many evenings, just cuddled in on the couch for a quiet night.

I thought about all of our moments, good and bad. I remembered the first time I saw you at that animal rescue. I had spent hours looking for a new friend to replace my sweet black cat who had died too young. I pet cat after cat, my husband trying to selling me on a kitten. Then, you crawled out, all seventeen pounds of you, and I knew you were it.
My husband tried to convince me you were too old to adopt at thirteen, that you wouldn’t live long. He was looking out for my heart, knew I shouldn’t have to go through a loss again potentially soon. It was sealed, though. One look at you, and I knew you were meant to be mine. You’d recently lost your home because your elderly owner had been sent to a nursing home. We brought you home and settled you in.

It took you a while to trust us. You were scared and hid for weeks. I thought maybe I’d made a mistake, that you wouldn’t be the cat to soothe my already cracked heart. But slowly, the weeks passed by and you started coming around. Before too long, you were cuddling with me on the couch, watching Netflix. You were claiming a favorite spot in the kitchen on our coffee cup mat by the fridge. You were meowing every day I came home and trudging up the steps at bedtime to cuddle. You were through happy days and sad days, for holidays and parties. You were there waiting for cupcakes, your favorite snack—just like Henry. You were cuddling with our other kittens even though you preferred to sleep on the couch alone. You were sweet and loving, an innocent, unconditional love always in your eyes.

Last night, I thought about the not so great moments, too. The moments when I was so busy with the ins and outs of life that I didn’t stop to pet you, to give you a treat, or to spend time with you. I think about all the rushing around and the making plans when I should’ve been on the couch with you. I think about how in the last week I took so much for granted, thought you’d be here forever. Even in that regret, though, I see the beauty of you. I see how you reminded me how fragile life is, how we can never take a moment for granted. I will carry that lesson with me.

I put you in your cat bed last night and with tears streaming down my cheeks, I said good-bye. This morning, you were wheezing, barely breathing, so we had to make the worst decision ever. We had to help you along to the other side, had to take you to the vet for one final car ride. The whole way there, you just laid in my arms, breathing your final breaths. I thought about everything I’m going to miss about you. I thought about the huge hole in my heart from the seventeen-pounds of black fur that won’t be here to greet me anymore. I thought about all the memories we won’t make.

But I also thought about all the memories we did make. I thought about how for the past two and a half years, you helped us make our house a home, our group of random animals a family. I thought about how now, you’ll get to the other side, how maybe your previous owner is waiting for you. I thought about how lucky I was to get you for a small piece of your life and a small piece of mine.

I thought about how now you’re running free, eating cupcake after cupcake and chasing birds and sleeping on a kitchen rug just like ours. I thought about how hopefully, years and years from now, you’ll save a cupcake for me and we’ll get to do our favorite thing—just be together.
​
I will miss you forever, Bob. Thank you for reminding me that life isn’t about money or crazy social lives or fame. It’s about being content with what you have, about being grateful for those in your life, and for never taking for granted a simple night on a sofa with the ones who matter most.

Writer's block.

Two simple words that conjure horror-like images and feelings in any writer. The thought of the ideas ceasing to flow, the words not sitting right on the page--it's terrifying. The worst part about it is it can come at any time...and sometimes it feels like it will last forever.

Writer's block is something you can choose to overcome, however. Whether you're a blogger, a novelist, or an aspiring author, there are simple ways I've found to beat the block.

I heard many authors talk about this and thought it was rubbish...until I tried it.

There's something about fresh air and quiet that stirs the creativity. I've had some of my best ideas developed while walking, and I've solved many plot holes during a stroll with Henry. Get out of the house and take in the peace and quiet. You'll be surprised--sometimes the ideas you need are there already. You just need a space to listen to them.

When I feel myself losing steam on a novel, I'll briefly switch to an article, a blog post, or even a short story. Sometimes mixing the genre up can help, too. Just make sure you don't take too long of a break and you do go back to it. Sometimes setting it aside for a short period of time, though, can jog your creativity. 

Sometimes writer's block happens just because you have a difficult plot situation or issue to deal with. Writer's block is our way of putting the problem aside because we don't know how to fix it. I've found talking through the plot can sometimes lead to an idea. 

My husband is not a writer or even a reader. However, I've solved many plot issues and got "unstuck" on a story just by talking about it with him. Sometimes a person who isn't deeply involved in the writing can help you see a solution you couldn't. It is hard to be objective as a writer--we are our own worst critics. A fresh eye might or listening ear may be able to help you overcome doubt and confusion, which can ultimately help you beat writer's block. 

If you can't write, do the next best thing--do some reading. I think of each book I read, no matter what genre, as research and skill building for my writing. Every book teaches me new techniques, new styles, and new ideas. It's nice to step into the reader's perspective now and then. So take a break from your writing and do some reading. You might just find it inspires you to get back to it.

When I get frustrated and want to succumb to writer's block, I think about my writing goals. I think about all of the successes I've had so far, and I usually get inspired to push through.

Writer's block can be crippling. It can make you question your dedication, your skill, and even your reasons for writing. However, keeping a bulletin board with your goals, dreams, and writing aspirations can help you remain focused. Writer's block happens to all of us. It is the truly dedicated author, however, who can push through to get to the other side.

If you still need inspiration, check out this guide from NYT bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins. It will help you get past writer's block for sure!



Lindsay Detwiler is the author of five contemporary romance novels, a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post, and a high school English teacher. Visit her on Facebook or email her at lindsayanndetwiler@gmail.com. 

It’s no secret that the past week has been filled with shock, rage, fear, and anger from all sides. With the election aftermath, it’s easy to fall prey to the idea that America is falling apart and that there is no goodness left in the world. After watching all of the angry speeches, riots, and divisions, it’s easy to believe there’s no sense in even trying anymore—goodness is gone.


Fear and hate seem to have become our rhetoric, and so many have given up on the belief they can make the world a better place.


I’m not a political person, and I don’t claim to take a side in the election debates, debacles, and debauchery. I’m simply here to say that no matter who is running the country or what side of the political spectrum you land on, goodness can still prevail.
In the past week, despite the media frenzy about how things are falling apart, I’ve still seen goodness.


I see goodness in my high school classroom when my students help each other, offer a kind word of encouragement, or put their best foot forward in their academic careers. I see their hearts when we talked about a charity in Kenya and they wanted to help. I see goodness when they discuss the future and their role in shaping the world. I see goodness when I think about their compassionate, accepting hearts pursuing their dreams and finding ways to impact the world.


I see goodness in strangers as they put money into the red kettles that have already appeared across our town. I see goodness in the food drive at my church when people gather to help our neighbors in need. I see goodness in the neighbor who rakes our leaves just to be kind. I see goodness in the driver who lets me go first because she isn’t in a hurry or in the man in the grocery store who lets the busy mother of three go ahead of him. I see kindness in every person who holds a door for another, in the waitress who smiles as my grandfather asks “what” for the tenth time. I see kindness in the hospital nurse reassuring a patient or in the stranger in the Emergency Room looking out for the ill woman beside her. I see goodness in the selfless empathy of people.


I see goodness in my friends mothering their children, teaching them to be kind, giving, compassionate individuals. I see goodness in their teaching of principles such as acceptance, love, and respect.


I see goodness in the news. I see goodness in the story of a ten-year-old girl who chooses to do random acts of kindness, reminding us all that we have the power to change the world. She takes away our excuses, our fear, our tendency to say “it’s not possible” by showing us just how much power we have to make a difference.


Despite all the negativity surrounding our country, I still see the possibility to achieve, to dream, and to make a difference.


Some may call it naïve. Some may say because I am not a part of specific groups I cannot claim fear shouldn’t exist or that dreams are still alive. I get that, and I appreciate that.


Still, I think we can choose to overcome if we’re willing to work together and as individuals. I may not control the country. I may not control our governmental decisions or policies. I do, however, control my own actions. I control how I view other people. I control how I spend my time—wallowing in pity and despair, or getting off the couch and trying to help others. I can choose to believe in goodness, and I can choose to advocate for that goodness through meaningful actions.


We cannot use the election, the government, or the media’s focus on negativity as an excuse to give up on a better world. We cannot give up on goodness, and we cannot succumb to the pessimistic bubble that says evil prevails.


We must make a personal choice, each and every one of us, to believe in possibility, to be optimistic, and to get up and devote ourselves to making the world better.
​

We cannot let go of the great American vision to better our tomorrows by dedicating our lives to protecting our values at all costs. We cannot let go of the dream of goodness, of selfless giving, and of peace, no matter how hopeless things can sometimes seem.

Lindsay Detwiler is the author of five novels and a high school English teacher.

My husband is amazing. Seriously.

For our five-year anniversary, he got me tickets to go see Keith Urban in Hershey, PA...and he got us great seats. What's more...the concert was on his own birthday. And he's not a fan of country, concerts, or sexy Australian rockers :)

Keith Urban was truly amazing! I love how he interacts with his fans, pulling up a local girl to sing with him and giving a signed guitar to a young boy in the audience. I love that he goes all in for his concert, obviously exhausted by the end because he pours so much into his performance. I love his songs. Plus, I love his accent and tattoos. 

I definitely have some writing inspiration now for the sexy men in my romance novels :)

Thanks to my husband for willingly paying to take me to ogle my country man crush. <3

You've achieved that goal--you have your first published work! And now, a second dream is coming true--your first book signing or author event.

It's thrilling to see your hard work pay off and your dreams come true. Seeing the sign on the door of your venue or bookstore is surreal. However, once the shock and excitement wears off, you might have one big, daunting question: What the hell do you do now?

I can remember seeing my picture on my local Barnes & Noble for my first book signing. In some ways, I couldn't rationalize that it was actually my picture. It felt like a dream because it had been a goal for so long. Once I got over the initial shock, though, panic set in. I didn't feel like a "real" author. I had no idea what I was supposed to do at a book signing. What if people showed up expecting a "real" author smoothly talking about plot arcs and characterization?

Or even worse, what if no one showed up at all?

Luckily, I had an amazing team of support to quell my fears, to offer me a Pepto Bismol when I felt like I was going to vomit from nerves, and to make sure I wasn't sitting all alone at a lonely, empty table. My first event went so well, and over the past few years, I've found myself getting less nervous for author events.

I'm still no expert. I still have my socially awkward "What do I do?" moments. I still shy away from the spotlight and lack confidence I should have in my salesmanship. Nonetheless, over quite a few author events, I've learned some tips I wish I had known when I first started. 

Especially if you're on the introverted side, pitching your work to strangers can be intimidating. There are so many sales' techniques that go into a book writing career. You do have to be able to sell your work to strangers. I found this intimidating. Having friends or family members who know your book and can objectively tell others about it will help you out if you freeze up. 

My husband is naturally extroverted and has an easier time talking to people. He's always right by my side during events because he helps make up for my shyness. He gets people talking and feeling comfortable; I've found sometimes customers are shy and nervous to approach. 

Also, having a team with you is a confidence boost. It helps you to have fun, to realize it's all okay, and to not have to awkwardly look busy if there aren't any people approaching your table.

Your goal at book events is always to gain new fans. If you can sell to one new reader, you've been successful.

Strangers who approach you at signings typically have a few questions in common

1. Where are you from?
2. How many books do you have out?
3. What is your book about?

It seems crazy, but sometimes as an author, it is so hard for us to boil our stories down to a quick description. We spend so much time elaborating on characters and settings that when we're asked to take it back to the basics, we stumble.

Prepare a few sentences that describe your book. That way, you can give potential customers an idea. Typically, people feel awkward reading the back of the book when you're right there. Having a quick pitch to pique their interest will help you seem more confident. I've also found as a new author it helps to have comparison authors. "Readers compare my work or writing to___insert familiar author name____" can give readers a point of reference. Just make sure you're being honest. I always say my stories are similar to stories in the Nicholas Sparks' genre. I don't claim to be Nicholas Sparks, however. 

People like free stuff. Period.

Attract new readers to your table with giveaways and freebies. I use Vistaprint to make paper products like postcards with all my covers and business cards. Bookmarks with your book cover are useful; I like Overnight Prints or Print Runner.

Try to have a few unique items to giveaway, too. Make a few grocery totes on a photo website to give to the first few customers. I have had pins made on Etsy shops. I also have made my own bottlecap magnets by printing out pictures of my books and using Mod Podge to create magnets. These were really popular. Get creative. Think about what you would like to use. Don't limit yourself to book covers, either; you can use quotes from your book to adorn totes, bags, shirts, etc.

​The goal is to make people remember you.

Tell everyone about your event weeks in advance, and send reminders a few days before. Don't be shy! The best way to ensure a good turnout is to take the initiative to invite people. Treat it almost like a party! Create a Facebook event page, send out flyers, and email relatives. Spread the word. 

When strangers see your author table crowded, it helps reassure them that you're a good writer and worth their time. The more people at your event, the more likely you are to sell to strangers.

When personalizing books you sign, don't be afraid to ask for spellings. I have everyone spell their name just because you never know if someone has a unique spelling. People aren't offended by this; they like that you want to get it right.

Don't know what to write in a book? Come up with a few common sayings you can tweak. I like to write something like "It was great to meet you!" People like the idea that if you get big, they will have a personalized book saying they met you. Also, date every book. 

If you are super stumped, ask the purchaser what they would like you to write. If nothing else, just put their name and sign your name with the date.

You will be standing a lot. Wear comfortable shoes. Trust me.

I usually get a new outfit for each event because I want to feel confident. Find something that makes you feel good so self-consciousness isn't added to your nervousness. I always wear a dress to show readers I'm taking things seriously. I like to dress professionally to show my professional attitude toward my writing.

Even J.K. Rowling had a few empty book events when she first started. Don't panic if you have an event where you only sell one or two copies. I've had quite a few events where I was lucky to sell two books. I've also had events where I sold over fifty copies in a few hours. All sorts of things like schedules, weather, time, and advertising can affect your turnout. Don't take it to heart if you have a sparse event. 

Also, if you are a new writer, realize people are hesitant to spend hard-earned cash on a newbie. With each book you publish, it gets easier. People trust someone with a backlist. I've seen many more strangers willing to invest in my work now that I've released five books versus when I had only written one. Give yourself time to grow a fan base.

At the end of the day, you've done something few can say they've accomplished. Celebrate that. My husband always tells me even if only one person buys my book, that's one person who is reading words I made up. That's pretty exciting.

Celebrate each small victory and appreciate the journey. I know that's easier said than done, but be patient. Your time will come if you just keep at it.

You don't have to know what you're doing. Seriously. Tell people it's your first event. Tell people you're still getting used to the author title. People like genuine. People like personality. It's okay to not be perfect.

Just be friendly, be yourself, and the rest will fall into place.


Have a question about books, writing, or the author journey? Let it in the comments and I will address it in a future blog post! Thanks for reading, and let me know how your signings go!

Linking verbs weaken the power of your words and the movement of your piece. Look back at your writing. Eliminate "is," "was," and any other being verbs from your work when possible. 

The key is to create description that your readers can relate to and say "Oh yes, I get what the writer's saying here" while also writing a memorable, unique idea. Metaphors and similes can allow you to create standout connections that are memorable. Push yourself past the first simile and metaphor your create in order to avoid common ideas. So many people might write that something is as "cold as ice." How can you be different? What else comes to mind when you think of the meaning you are trying to get across?

Use comparisons others will connect with but maybe haven't connected to your subject matter.

We often rely solely on sight and sound when trying to describe something. Go beyond. Can you capture the smell of the scene? Taste? Touch? Try to make the scene a full-body experience for the reader to the point it would be fitting. 

Novice writers try to jam adjectives into their piece to add description. Adjectives, however, typically fall flat, especially when you string them in a line. Verbs are the most powerful way to kick up your description. Instead of walking, does your character saunter, trod, parade, march, skip, or dash? Think about verbs that can convey the emotion you are trying to capture. Verbs keep your writing moving and exciting. Next time you write a piece, go back through and circle your verbs. Then, try to challenge yourself to up your word choice.

Check out Pinterest for great posts about word replacements. I have several word pins on my Creative Writing Board for you to check out.

PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENT
Lindsay Detwiler's fun chick-lit romance will be hitting the shelves February 2017. 
TBR: www.goodreads.com/book/show/32879696
“I guess that’s the thing about high school reunions, though. They make you snap a little.”
In the ten years since high school graduation, Maylee’s career, living arrangements, family, and especially her love life are at a standstill. When her twin brother, Mitch, falls for her high school enemy at their ten-year reunion, Maylee’s life is catapulted into chaos.
Maylee’s hatred for the redheaded Josephine isn’t the only thing she discovers at her reunion. Benson Drake, the introvert from high school, has matured into a sexy intellect. Now a writer and bartender, Benson’s grown into a man with a perfect balance of quirky wit and sex appeal. After a wardrobe malfunction, a spy mission gone wrong, and a dangerous cup of coffee, Maylee and Benson explore something they never even thought about during senior year. Along the way, they find out that reconnecting with the past can change you… or maybe just help you find your true self.