Christmas and Cowboys, among other things

Some days there’s just nothing to blog about, then there are days like today. Things at the Lynxwiler house have been happening so fast and furious that I have a plethora of topics. Picking one is the problem. Our oldest daughter started public school this year for the first time. She’s in ninth grade, so it’s exciting, but absolutely terrifying. I mean sick-at-your-stomach-every-morning terrifying. And that’s just me.

If I had to guess how she feels (and she's fourteen, so you know I do have to guess) I think she mostly feels like I should be worrying more about getting my book done and less about her. Which is sweet. But, first and foremost, I’m a mama. So there.

I am hard at work on a new book, but the one I just finished, FOREVER CHRISTMAS, is out this month and it’s so hard to keep my mind focused on the manuscript I’m working on. FOREVER CHRISTMAS was the easiest book I’ve ever written. The words just flowed onto the page. I laughed, I cried, I turned it into my editor. Stupidly, I thought I’d finally gotten the hang of this whole writing thing. Little did I know that occasionally God just blesses you with a project like that, so if He ever does, you should just enjoy it! But not expect it to be a recurring thing.

Words Bookstore (located in beautiful downtown Hardy, Arkansas) had a huge premiere booksigning for me Saturday and, in spite of the horrible weather, the place was packed. I actually had a line almost the whole time. Considering I’ve had signings where I sold six books, I was extremely thankful to be frantically scrawling my name. Plus I can’t wait to start hearing from readers about FOREVER CHRISTMAS.

In my spare time, I decided to conquer a lifelong fear. Why not? Obviously I had nothing else to do, so I took two riding lessons in August. It took ten minutes of my first one hour session to gather the nerve to get on the horse. Then I sat very still—tears burning my eyes under my sunglasses—for at least five minutes. Eventually though I was able to ride in a circle! YAY! And turn and go the opposite direction. Double YAY! I still have a ways to go, but now I can welcome (even if it is from a safe distance) the newest members of our family – Miss Sugar Reed and Miss Annabelle Lea. We’re the mostly-proud owners of a fifteen-year-old paint mare and a five-month-old palomino Missouri Fox Trotter filly. I’m still trying to decide if I can take the riding lessons as a tax deduction since I am working on a book called ALONG CAME A COWBOY. Oh! I just thought of something. Going out and looking at the horses every day really does motivate me to write this book. I’m wondering what the IRS would think about the horses and their upkeep showing up on my next year tax return.

Yeah, you’re right. I’m really letting my writer’s imagination get out of control now. Time for me to ride off into the sunset and get back to Rachel and her cowboys. Happy trails to you and yours!

Christine Lynxwiler lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the beautiful Ozarks of Arkansas. She writes contemporary romance with humor and has authored several novellas, as well as ARKANSAS, PROMISE ME ALWAYS, and her newest release, FOREVER CHRISTMAS. She's currently working on ALONG CAME A COWBOY, to be released in May, 2008.

Comments

[Dynamic Uno]

Wow! Good for you! You're really brave--actually getting up on the back of a horse!!!??? I still like to admire them from a (long) distance myself. Maybe someday...but not likely anytime soon. :)

Congratulations on your packed book signing! Are you coming to Florida anytime soon?

[Lisa Jordan]

As a mom whose boys have been in the public school system since kindergarten, let me tell you I have similar fears at the start of each new school year. I place my boys in the palm of their Heavenly Father and He eases my anxieties. So far, this year is off to a good start.

Congrats for conquering your fear. Horses can be intimidating. I'm not sure if I could ever conquer my deepest fear--snakes ~shudder~

[CLynxwiler]

Hey, Dynamic Uno! Thanks for the comment. I wish wish wish I was going to be in Florida sometime soon, but no such luck. I love your blog, though!

[Christine Lynxwiler]

Lisa!! Are you going to be at ACFW? I hope to see you there! Um, yeah, snakes. That's one of mine, too, that I don't plan to overcome anytime soon. At least they don't offer snake handling lessons. Or if they do, don't tell me! Thanks for your encouragement about public school. It's something new, that's for sure!

[Lynette]

Chris, I'm so proud of you!! Both for being brave while your daughter starts PS, and for riding lessons. I *LOVE*** riding. It's actually really good exercise, esp. English hunt seat. :) See you soon!!