I'm happy to welcome author Susan Dayley to my blog today. Her post made me chuckle, since her day sounds much like many of mine, except mine begin even earlier.When you've read the post, check out the trailer below for Susan's new book, Redemption
. I really enjoyed watching and listening.
. I really enjoyed watching and listening.A Day in the Life of a Middle-aged, First-time Author
Now that my children are grown and I no longer teach school, I sometimes get asked that question, “So, what do you do all day?” I used to answer, “I’ve been writing.” But then they’d ask, “Yeah, but besides that. . .” I guess my first book didn’t make much of an impression. Now I just say, “Oh, well, I spend time on Facebook.” That gets me a superior over-the-glasses look.
Then I decided to track my day and now when I get that question I can just hand out a business card with a link to this post.
6:15 am: I’m awake. Ever since my dad used to wake us with the volume on the stereo cranked up while playing John Phillip Sousa at 5:30am and his voice booming from the top of the stairs, “scriptures and prayers in five minutes,” I rarely sleep in. A few minutes later I am at my computer, two pairs of glasses balanced on my nose, (reading and regular) and still in my pajamas, trying to finish up the chapter I started the rewrite on last night.
7:30 am: My husband is up and I can now get a work out in without disturbing him. Wahoo. I drag myself off to put on some baggy green sweats and an ugly T-shirt. Sherlock, my black cat keeps attacking while I do hand weights. He wants me on the treadmill so he can lay on the hot surface afterwards. Sherlock thinks I’m his personal slave.
9 am: Showered, make-up, and contacts in place I am back at my computer with a bowl of watermelon. I check my blog stats. The 0 seems to suggest something. Is it that nobody knows about my blog, or am I over-promoting and everyone has hid me on FB? or is it the content (gasp)? How many blogs out there are writing about writing anyway? Oh, that many huh? Back to the rewrite.
1 pm: My husband comes in and starts opening the fridge and the pantry. I look at the clock and realize it’s time to pull out the makings for tacos complete with veggie “ground” and almond cheese. In our family our grown new age children are the junk food carnivores and the parents are 80-90% whole grain vegan. Go figure.
“I hope he doesn’t get hair all over,” my husband says. I become aware that Sherlock is on my lap. He looks up at me like, “What?”
3 pm: Lunch is done, dishwasher unloaded and reloaded, laundry shifted, floors mopped, half the house dusted. Time to check emails: Daily chapters, storytellers, copyblogger, and FB posts where I ‘like’ the new pics of my granddaughter. Also plan tomorrow’s blog post. Maybe I can get some views in the double digits!
4 pm: Back to writing.
6 pm: Husband is back at the fridge. “How about some granola?” I offer. “Or a frozen waffle with blueberries?” He’s good with that. But it’s time to give him some attention and fold some laundry. Sherlock is also complaining that it’s his dinner time. Ok, but then he’s going outside.
8 pm: Check other people’s blogs and plan Sharing Time. I really need to get back to writing. I call to Sherlock, but he doesn’t want to come in.
9:32 pm: Sherlock finally comes in but insists that I walk him down to bed. I have chosen to ignore him as payback for not coming when I called earlier. I still have another chapter to rewrite and the thunderstorms have left the house muggy.
10:26 pm: I was working on a scene in which a room of men ridicule a messenger from the king of Judah when an email arrives from my husband. He’s found an alternative way to get my attention. The subject says “Lighten Up!!!!!” Can he read what I’m writing? I take a moment to laugh at the pictures. Sometime in the last hour he must have gone by me to put Sherlock to bed and is now shutting down his computer. Maybe I’ll just finish this one chapter.
10:59 pm: My husband has come to retrieve me. Oops, when did I start a new chapter? Time to shut down and call it a night. I mention that the lightning is magnificent. He replies it has been for some time now.
6:21 am: I am back at the computer in my pajamas with two pairs of glasses on my nose.
Redemption is the story of Jonah as it has never been told before. With historically accurate details, it describes the settings of ancient times from the humble home of Jonah's mother, to the belly of a fish, to the vast city of Nineveh with its parks and palaces.
is the story of Jonah as it has never been told before. With historically accurate details, it describes the settings of ancient times from the humble home of Jonah's mother, to the belly of a fish, to the vast city of Nineveh with its parks and palaces. Jonah lived during the time of the vast and wickedly brutal Assyrian Empire. It was a time of Kings and prophets, of pagan worship and pilgrimages of the righteous to Jerusalem. This story tells of Elijah, Elisha, and other key historic characters.
There are also endearing, though fictional characters such as Shariff, the seller of milk and cheese in the marketplace and Darius, a young lad that serves as Jonah's protector in a caravan. The story explains why Jonah fled to Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction from Nineveh, where the Lord had commanded him to go. It also clarifies the significance of the gourd and the booth at the end of the story.
Redemption is a story about obedience, trust in God, second chances, and always, God's mercy.
For more information about Susan Dayley and her work, please visit her website at susandayley.com.
is a story about obedience, trust in God, second chances, and always, God's mercy.For more information about Susan Dayley and her work, please visit her website at susandayley.com.
