When Brenda bought my first Blaze, that was absolutely a dream come true. I’d been a huge fan of the Temptation line, an instant fan of Blaze, and I’d been trying to work with her for a number of years before everything finally fell into place. Right book, right time, right editor. Ecstatic didn’t begin to cover it. I floated through those first few weeks after the sale. Twenty-five books on the shelf later–with many more in the pipeline (ahead of schedule, wonder of wonders)–and I have to tell you the thing that astonishes me more than the books that we’ve done together, is the influence and impact that call has had on my life. Though the economical benefit has been a huge blessing to my family, it’s the relationships that I have formed out of that sale that is the ultimate takeaway.
It goes without saying that I adore Brenda and, much to her chagrin and horror, have nicknamed her Precious. She has a knack for getting me to do things waaaayyyyy out of my comfort zone. I’ve been sea-kayaking, regular old kayaking (though I am not sure that’s what bystanders would have called it) white-water rafting (terrifying) and have taken a canopy tour. (Incidentally, all of these things have required a helmet.) But I have loved every single minute of it. I like knowing what I’m made of and if I get into trouble, I know I can count on Brenda to help me. This friendship mirrors the working relationship perfectly, because she has talked me off the ledge and out of corners with many a book as well.
Brenda also introduced me to Jennifer LaBrecque and Vicki Lewis Thompson, my Soapbox Queens pals, and they are my dearest friends and go-to girls for everything. (I know I smiled stupidly through the introduction to Vicki because I’d been such a huge fan.) Jen, Vicki and I get together a couple of times a year–usually in May and November–to plot, plan, gossip and laugh and I look forward to those retreats more than I do anything else throughout the year.
To illustrate how much they impact my life, let me tell you a little story. Last November we travelled to Vicki’s for our retreat. Vicki walks every day and, though I am not in any way a lesbian, will tell you that she has a wonderful ass. You could bounce a quarter off that sucker, seriously. She’s fit, she’s trim, she’s inspiring. Jen had borrowed Vicki’s yoga mat and was doing some sort of exercise-y things. Jen is a health food guru. Ninety-nine percent of the time she’s eating stuff that I wouldn’t want to touch with a ten-foot pole. She’d dropped some weight since the last time I’d seen her and I was sitting there, thinking about that at the breakfast table while I watched her fiddle with her iPod, then contort her body in strange and painful-looking positions. It occurred to me–while I was eating a petite four I’d hauled all the way from Alabama–that if we were being chased by a bear, I would be the one to die. I was the weakest of the herd.
That epiphany has resulted in an exercise program, which includes running, a complete change in diet–I actually eat oatmeal now and have removed all the Crisco and real butter from my kitchen–and the loss of twenty-two pounds. (So far. Still have fourteen more to go.) Isn’t it incredible how one thing can change your path? How a single phone call put my life on a whole new track? One that includes writing for Blaze (the best line) for the best editor (she’s a rock star in the publishing world) and a couple of friends whose commitment to good health have, by example, helped me become a much smaller person. (One who is no longer on diabetes medication. Woot!)
So what about you? Who or what have impacted your life lately? Have you been particularly inspired? If so, how?
These are things we need to know…
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Morning, Rhonda! It’s true. You look awesome. I’ve recently been inspired to take better care of myself as well. With you and Kira, I’ve managed to really stick with my new exercise routine. I’ve still got a way to go until I’m happy, but I’m mystified by the new muscles I keep finding. Hopefully I won’t be eaten by the bears either.(Y)
In your defense, those are awesome petit fours.
Hey Rhonda! Lovely to hear from you! I love the soapbox queens! And I thought I’d just make a little comment…
Real Butter is NOT bad for you! It’s just that people use too much. In fact, it’s MUCH better for you than margarine which your body has no clue how to process and just clogs your arteries with it. That’s a huge oversimplification, btw, but my 2 cents!
And as for little changes that have had huge impact on my life…deciding that I am not the dumping ground for all my kids crap was huge. Errands. Homework. whatever. It was a simple change and made it a lot easier to say…no, honey, you’re going to have to do that all by yourself. And btw, they’er 18 and 20, so it’s not like I’m asking a 4 year old to take out the garbage. Nope. It’s learning to say NO, SWEETIE. Get off your own… Well, you get the idea.
Maybe I’ve started to break the cycle of “abuse mommy”. After all, my Mom did everything for everyone, so I did everything for everyone, and my kids…well, it’s hard for me to believe that they’ll strive to be do-all Mom, but wait….that’s a GOOD THING!
Jade, I’m with you on the real butter. Wasn’t there some study where they put out margarine and no bugs would touch it?
Andrea, they are excellent petite fours. And you look wonderful! You’re melting away!
Jade, I’ve had to make my kids start doing things for themselves as well. (They’re 16 and 13.) It just makes life a lot less grueling if everyone pitches in around here and I’m not the only person picking up/doing laundry/cooking, etc. We have lots of “fend for yourself” nights for supper now. We all sit down at the same time, but everyone makes they’re own dinner. I’m dieting and on deadline and the last thing I give a rip about it making a big dinner, you know?
I’d have to say that my own phone call from Brenda had a big impact in my life too.
However, what struck me out of your post was the ripple effect. Because I watched you in your efforts to get healthy I decided I needed to make some changes too. And because I’m training for a 5K race I dragged my sister along for the ride. And I think we can both claim a small influence on the Playfriend’s increased exercise routine. Because Vicky and Jen made you think about bears a handful of people are healthier and better. It’s amazing how some things are so connected.
Kira
Rhonda, I remember that white-water rafting trip! Good times (she says now).
I will go back to using butter in moderation once the weight is off, but right now it’s just too many precious Weight Watcher points.
Kira, there is no way in hell I could have stuck with this without you and Andrea. But you’re right about how it’s all connected. Even my husband has gotten into the get healthy kick. The bast– Er, the *sweetheart* has lost 27 pounds and is now trying to put a little weight back on. (He didn’t need to lose 27 pounds. More like 10.) But I have to admit it’s been easier having him on-board.
And it all originated with Brenda.
Rhonda, Firstly, I’d like to weigh in on the butter issue. For lowering my daughter’s cholesterol, I use Earth Balance Soy Garden, which is not butter, nor margerine. It’s 100% vegan, has no trans fats, is non-dairy, has no preservatives & is gluten-free. By the taste, you’d swear it’s butter (I could never tolerate margerines). Just a suggestion.
My inspiration, is my adult Down’s daughter. She has ulcerative colitis, Fibromyalgia, high cholesterol & thyroid problems, but, in spite of her medical challenges, she has a great day, every day. She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met: sensitive, considerate, loving, giving & caring. I like to say, “she’s always positive, has no negatives”. 45 years ago, when my lst child was diagnosed, I thought my life was over, but, she has only added to it. She has taught me lessons that I would never have learned, & has enriched my life.
Patricia
Thanks for the tip, Patricia! And I’m so touched by your description of your daughter! She sounds like a truly, lovely *good* person. Who wouldn’t get a blessing from sharing a life like that?
I was going to say that all of my boys inspire me, but particularly my oldest with autism. I push him hard to do things WAY out of his comfort zone and he rises to the occasion. He’s also a constant source of “if he can do this and defy the odds, what can I do” (very much like Patricia!).
What a great post! As for inspiration, I have way too many. There in the beginning though, Jodi Thomas, Gena Showalter, Jennifer Archer and Britta Coleman were incredible women/authors who helped me believe I could do this. My best buds, Rosemary Clement Moore and Shannon Canard, who are amazing writers, help me get through the good times and the bad. I’m a lucky girl when it comes to friends.
Hold on a second…I’m still laughing over your not being a lesbian and Vicki’s ass (and while I’m not either I have SERIOUS ass-envy).
Rhonda, I know I keep saying it but I’m going to say it again — I am so stinkin’ proud of you, girl!! The very best part of it is you getting off of the diabetes meds — and I love the committment to your lifestyle change I hear in your voice when you talk about it. Woo!!
I’ll have to say that phone call from Brenda was one of those life-altering moments. Writing has changed my life in so many fantastic ways but Brenda also had a huge impact in a non-writing way. I went on a week-long kayaking trip with Brenda and Vicki. I came back a changed person. I made serious lifestyle changes.
And you and Vicki inspire me often in so many ways.
One of these days I’m going to remember NOT to drink coffee while reading your post. Ass-envy…ya’ll crack me up! Now when I meet Vicki for the first time I’ll have to be all tacky and check out her behind!
Twenty two pounds! That’s great! You go girl!
Katie, your oldest definitely counts as an inspiration!
Candace, I’ve got friends who aren’t writers, but have to admit that it’s my writer friends who ultimately “get” me.
Thanks, Jen! You’ve been an inspiration as well. Your frittata has featured prominently in my new diet.
Sherry, seriously! Vicki has got the best butt!
Hey Rhonda, I can take those petit fors off your hands… ;). LOL
We eat really well, try to make good choices, but I love food and cooking. There is just no way around that. I enjoy food more than I imagine I would enjoy having loose change bounced from my butt (though hats off — this sounds like it could find it’s way into a Blaze… ;), so you know… it is what it is.
I think it’s always great to be inspired and get healthier. I’ve lost 20lbs in two years that have stayed off, not a diet, but a side benefit of making some really small changes, mostly just to eat a little smarter. Maybe I’ll try another small change this year and see what happens.
I’ve been inspired by runners from time to time, and tried it, but it never works for me. So, I walk with my dogs instead. The inspire me with sad dog looks that make me go those couple of miles every day.
I have been inspired by lots of sewing projects lately…I walk into the fabric shop and could buy everything. All the bright colors and fabrics… The warmer spring weather, when we have it, is also really inspiring…I always write more in the warmer months…
Sam
PS: So I tell dh about your blog and the whole butts and quarters thing while we’re having lunch. He says, “What would be really cool is if someone could flex either cheek and kick the quarter back and forth.”
I just about spit soup. I guess there are goals, and there are goals…
Sam
Sam, congrats on the weight loss and being healthier! As for the running, I never would have thought I would like it, but I actually do. Probably because the walking didn’t take the weight off as fast as I wanted.
Too funny about your dh! I’ll ask Vicki if she can pull that off.
WTG Rhonda! 22 pounds and getting off meds is so awesome! I think you might have just been the inspiration I needed to get back on track. I was doing really well last year before my foot surgery, but once I had the surgery I ate lots of fast food and didn’t exercise for over 5 months. Now I’m trying to eat better, but still not doing great with my exercise. I think I’ll print out this post to keep me on track. Thanks!
OMG, I show up on Rhonda’s blog day and discover that one of the chief topics of conversation is the state of my butt!
I can see it all now. Nobody’s gonna remember a word I’ve ever written, but I’ll go down in the annals of romance history as the chick with the best ass. 
Rhonda, I love you, girl, and if my ass inspired you to go on this new program, then my life purpose has been fulfilled. Just so everybody knows, there will be no quarter-bouncing going on at future conferences.
Rhonda, your ditching the meds has truly inspired me. I may feel like I’m spinning my wheels, but I’ve been assured I’ll get there as soon as I find the right combination.
My daily inspiration? My Writing Playground friends. We have a saying that’s been going around lately, “We’ll believe in you when you can’t believe in yourself.” And trust me, that has helped me stay on the path when I really wanted to jump ship.
My life wouldn’t be the same without them.
Hilarious post, Rhonda! Who’d have ever guessed that the topic on the very sexy Blaze blog would be about another woman’s backside???
I’m really happy you’re getting so much healthier. And I’m looking forward to your visit next month. The helmets are waiting…:-)
OMG ROFL – Rhonda I love this post! First, I’m so happy for you finding –and sticking with– healthier eating and exercise. And for the awesome results!!! And GO Vicki’s butt for being such a fab inspiration (although I’m disappointed about the lack of quarter bouncing in the conference futures)
As for your question, I’ve been inspired to do the same – make healthier eating choices and get my non-quarter bouncing tushie exercising. It was a comment one brilliant lady said to me– “If you can write a book, you can lose that weight.”
Liza, the exercise is what finally started working for me. I’d lost a little before I added running to mix, but not fast enough to keep me motivated. And some of the stuff I’d been eating… Egads, I had NO clue.
Vicki, you will go down in the annals of romance history for writing a fabulous hero AND having a phenomenal ass. That’s a legacy, babe.
Danniele, the Playfriends are fabulous and ya’ll are so lucky to have each other! And to live so close! My peeps are all in different time zones.
LMAO, Brenda! Remember Jen and her poor butt cramp?
And I am looing forward to wearing my helmet. (Note to self–make sure Kira doesn’t let me wear the helmet crooked. SOME friends, ahem, didn’t tell me the last time.)
Awww, Tawny, thanks! (But you don’t need to lose any weight! You look fabulous!)
OMG Rhonda, if anybody is crazy enough not to have read your books yet, they should after getting this brief sample of your writing voice. Hilarious post!
And please send some of that willpower my way!
Rhonda, I haven’t read your books yet, but I’m adding you to my ever-expanding list! I’m one of those actively trying to break into Blaze and find myself inspired by all the positive energy around here. Though I’m not ready to whip out any helmets – or quarters – just yet…
LMAO! I love this post Rhonda!
Thanks for the laugh, I needed it today as kids are screaming right now.
I want some of that willpower as well. I’m so happy for you!!
Thanks, Les! (And the will-power has additional motivation–my 20th class reunion is in May.
)
Cari, Blaze is a *wonderful* place to be! You’ll love it here.
Wow – what a great topic, Rhonda! I’m going to give a shout-out to Blaze’s own Julie Miller. She’s in my local RWA chapter and has been so incredibly helpful and supportive and encouraging of my own efforts to become a published author and specifically to sell to Blaze. But what really inspires me is how she’s a complete class act, start to finish. She’s so unassuming, and a really excellent example to the newcomers to our chapter. I’ve probably embarrassed the heck out of her even by mentioning her, but there you have it!
Anne, I love Julie! You’re right. She is completely a class act!
Have I been inspired lately? Yep. By this blog post.
Big thanks and huge congrats on your weight loss!
love it here
grerat to see u here
love your books
Hi Rhonda, Congratulations on the healthy life changes! I loved hearing how Jennifer and Vicki have inspired you.
As for who or what has inspired me lately, I’ve had a long stretch of feeling pretty uninspired, but reading your post has certainly helped.
Other writers saying positive things always helps me.