books Archives - Patti Diener / Author

Downshifting for the Holidays

Getaways and Family Time

I’ve always looked forward to the holiday season where everything changes seemingly overnight. The air turns crisp, nights are longer and cozier, and I somehow feel more hopeful. A fire in the fireplace is like a blanket that wraps around the whole house, bringing comfort not only to the body, but for the soul. And when you are sipping a cup of hot tea, or nursing a glass of red wine while getting lost in a book, there isn’t anyplace better to be.

From the end of October to the first of the year, our family finally gets to settle down. As a farming family, harvest is the last hoorah we push through before the much anticipated quiet begins. When it finally arrives, we sort of hold our breath, not fully trusting we can relax yet. I watch my worn out husband become itchy with guilt, unable to downshift from going his normal hundred miles an hour. The only way to make him take a day off is to get him to leave town.

We rented a perfect house on the Mendocino Coast with family and friends. It perched high on a cliff overlooking the magestic Pacific Ocean, complete with outrageous waves so big, they rivaled scenes from Magnum PI, or Hawaii Five-0. Each night, we were lulled to sleep with the sound of the crashing waves slamming against the shore of ancient rocks and beach below.

After the first day, I started to see the tension leaving Charlie, as he realized there was no work to be done here. Just deep breathing of the salty air. We indulged in terrific food, (thanks to Helen’s master kitchen skills), bundled up for the windy beach, and each threw back our fair share of wine or bourbon. Slowly, we all untangled ourselves from the grind of our day-to-days, and settled in for some luxurious leisure time. The art of doing nothing. It was sinfully good.

On the last day, Charlie and I went for a drive to spend some much needed time together and found our way to Point Arena. It was a laidback, meandering day – the kind we only can dream about when we are in our normal life of going mach-5 with our hair on fire. This particular day had no agenda, held no tension, and unfolded as smooth as silk. Soft, and beautiful.

I have a fascination with lighthouses and will no doubt write a book based on one someday. We both love the Point Arena Lighthouse, and since it was only miles down the street from our rental, we decided to visit. While there, I purchased a biography about one of the lightkeepers. Research? Perhaps.

Taking that trip over to the Mendocino Coast was the second one I’d recently gone on, as I’d been over there for an author event just weeks before. I have to say, it is still one of the most lovely places on the planet, and returning there is like going home. I write there at least once a year, staying alone to get inspiration. In fact, (not really a spoiler), but my next novel is based in the town of Mendocino. It oozes charm like a Hallmark movie. The food scene there is quite a treat as well.

With our return to normal life, we had begun the slow down, and it was easier for hubby to not go directly back to working himself silly. Instead, he continues to work on smaller projects that during the rest of the year he hasn’t the time for. As for me, I’m working the bookstore (Calistoga Copperfield’s Books) and limiting my author events to just online until the New Year. I did a book giveaway on social media last week, bundling both my books for three lucky winners, and other than that, have a few podcasts coming up I can share soon. I’m hoping to get a few spots on some local radio stations as well. I’ll keep you posted.

Something quite magical happened recently that we were blessed enough to be able to witness, and that was the lights of the aurora borealis. I’d seen this happen here in Northern California, only once before in all of my fifty-seven years. The first time we saw it, there were faint lights of bluish green. Special, but it didn’t last. This time, it was like someone had painted the sky with shimmering lights of pink and green, that waved mysteriously across the heavens. It was flowing like a river among the stars, dancing here and there, just north east of my house. We stood in the frigid night pointing and gasping at the spectacle. A remarkable night for sure.

This was taken with my phone but it was all I had in the moment and didn’t want to risk it going away if I’d had gone into the house and looked for my good camera. We were witnessing a miracle and I soaked up every second I could.

So now, we’ve wrapped up Thanksgiving, where our oldest daughter was able to join us all here in California. I got the gift of having both my daughters together at our wonderful aunt and uncle’s home in Marin County. We were surrounded with love, and thanks, and enough food to feed a football team, but who counts calories on Thanksgiving? Ha! Now, we are looking Christmas square in the eye and saying…I’m ready. Let’s do this.

May you know how very special you are. I wish you each the gift of family, (blood family, found family, or both), and the time to be together. May you walk a little lighter, smile a little easier, and love a little more. The holidays are meant for reflection, for gratitude, and for giving. Not necessarily tangible things, (although those are nice), but giving of yourself. I hope you find happiness and joy throughout the season and into the New Year.

With love, Xoxo ~ Patti

Bookshops, Band Gigs, and Bone Density Tests

Things keeping me busier than a bartender on payday!

Much has happened in my world since I last posted here. Mostly good things, but I have to say, that sometimes I feel like I’m on a high speed rail. It’s like the old song, “Hot Rod Lincoln,” says, “My speedometer has hit top end, my foot glued to the floor, that’s all there is, and their ain’t no more!”

Not that I’m complaining though. I love what I’ve put on my plate, and the people I get to interact with make me smile just thinking about them. And there have been quite a lot of folks I’ve seen since August, when I last posted. Lots of events and activities that have filled up, seemingly, every square space on my calendar. When I bring up my phone’s calendar lately, it looks like I’m about to achieve blackout in Bingo!

The biggest event was our daughter Emma’s wedding. She was married on September 20th, and the lead up to it, and the weekend itself, were as most big weddings are; full of chaos, rushing, and lots of laughter with friends and family. The photographer is still working on some of the edits, but I’ll share a pic of our original four. Charlie, Emma, me, and our oldest, Fallon.

I’ve had several book tour dates as well. All of my events have been in Northern California thus far. I did have to cancel my SoCal date for Culver City, because there was just far too much going on. However, I may revisit that idea of going south again this spring. But the most interesting place where I had the most sales so far, was at a local winery. Fults Family Vineyards has a monthly event called Thirsty Thursday, that goes all summer and into fall. Because the band I’m in was the evening’s entertainment, I had double duty, of singing and during our set breaks, I signed copies of my books. My face hurt from smiling and laughing, it was so much fun.

Speaking of the band…we played an epic evening recently that was a 1970s costume party / fundraiser. We were all decked out in 70s garb, complete with platform shoes, wigs, and bell-bottoms. I had so many sequins that if I’d been lost, you could have just followed the trail of tiny, sparkling discs left in my wake to find me. Yes, I chose the disco era.

From left to right that is Dan Janakes, Mike Harris, myself, Dave Evans, Bill Diener, and Tim Gill. We are The Classic Set, and man, do we have fun! Of course, this isn’t our normal attire…well mostly not. Wink-wink.

So of course I’ve had many book events at bookstores. Some readings, some meet and greets, and one author panel. At each place, I’ve been welcomed and supported so well, that I have to say that the independent bookstores are the best!

Basically, I have had nothing but encouraging and loving support from both the writing community, as well as the independent bookstores across the board. My experience as an indie author has been nothing short of amazing. And a dream opportunity has been offered to me as well. Author Brenda Novak, who has more than eighty books in print, has offered to have me on her Facebook group live this coming Thursday, October 30th. She hosts a monthly book group online and I am simply over the moon excited about it. Join her group to watch.

Now, I know you must be wondering what I was talking about in the title of this post when I said, bone density test. Well, I am fifty-seven years old, I’ve only broken a few small bones in my entire life, but this year, my doctor said that since I’m getting “older,” I should consider getting one. The reason being is that in February of this year, I broke a toe. Yep, that’s it. But I also know that I am a klutz, and basically hurt myself because of the velocity of which I go-go-go! I believe anyone who runs around like a chicken with it’s head cut off like I do, is bound to have a little mishap now and again, (let’s not talk about the time I knocked myself out on a fence trying to duck under it while walking too fast with a ball cap on). So next week, I’ll get a bone density test done, like a good aging girl should.

Other than that, I’m planning to take some much needed down time with my hubby the first part of November, but after that, who knows? I am planning a trip over to the Sacramento area to put some of my books on consignment in another indie bookshop, (more on that to come). Other than that, I think the majority of my book marketing for Wildflower, and book talks will be online or on podcasts. I promise to keep you apprised.

Lastly, in case you didn’t know this, Wildflower is available on audiobook too! You can listen wherever you get your audiobooks. Some examples are Spotify, Libro.fm, Audiobooks.com, Audible, and so many more platforms.

Thank you for your support. If you have read either of my books, After the Fire, or Wildflower, I’d like to ask a favor. Please consider leaving a rating, a review, or post about it online. Letting others know about my books, from someone that isn’t me, is extremely helpful. I appreciate it more than you know.

Happy reading friends. Xoxo ~ Patti

Spreading the Joy

Bookstores, Podcasts, and Wineries too!

Lucky for me, I’m not a shy person. I love talking with folks, learning about them and having deep conversations. Because I am good at this you’d think that marketing a book and doing all the PR that is involved would come easy to me, right?

WRONG!

I have a helluva time knowing what to say about my work. I’m great at promoting other people’s work. But for some reason, when I’m asked about my latest release, I find it hard to wrap it up succinctly. It is always the toughest job for me, writing the summary. Making the pitch. But I’m getting better.

As a little girl, I dreamed of writing books for a living. As an adult, I found it hard to etch out time to get any writing done. I dove into adulthood as the responsible person I always was. I had the job, and soon after the husband, and the kids. I then took to marriage and parenting in the same manner. Everything else was first, and my writing was a “pipe-dream.” I would get to it one day.

Then I finally wrote my first book, After the Fire. It was a well received first novel, and I am still very proud of it, mostly because it was honoring my community after the devastating Valley Fire of 2015. But years later, and with many writing classes and workshops under my belt, I’ve found I’ve grown and improved my writing chops. It was high time I wrote something new.

Since my new book’s release this past July, Wildflower, has done really well. I’ve had, and continue to get, many opportunities to promote the book. Many bookstores have been very welcoming in putting my book on hand, and I’ve been invited to speak on both podcasts as well as Instagram, and Facebook live events. These are huge promoting opportunities. I’m very grateful.

The thing that continues to excite me is the upcoming events. I’m fortunate in that I’ve been welcomed to do book signings at store tables, and do readings at some stores as well. I’ve been invited to author panels, where multiple authors speak, and this is a great opportunity for me to meet other authors, which is one of my favorite things about the writing industry. The relationships you build in the writing world.

But in order to get these things to happen, I have to reach out. As an indie author, all the footwork and PR is up to me. And sometimes, it’s still hard to ask, but I do it anyway. Like I’ve said before, the worst people can do is say no. And we never get what we don’t ask for.

I think some of you know, but in case you don’t, I joined a classic rock band last year. It’s fun, and something I think lots of people dream of doing at some point in their lives. I’m fifty-seven. If not now, when? It’s a blast! One of our gigs coming up is at the Fults Family Vineyards Winery, in Lower Lake, California. They are so kind there, and because I know the owners, they are encouraging me to also sign my books on the night of our gig. A two-fer! I’m stoked about that. If you read this on or before September 4th, come on over for Thirsty Thursday, and see us there. Again…it’s the connections. I love people.

The main reason for me making the post today is to let you know that my new book it out there, but also that I’d love to talk with you. The best part of being a writer is talking about books, about writing, and the writing process. The WHY we write, and what drives us. If you love stories, if you love to read, or have ever thought you might want to write a book…PLEASE… come to one of the events on the schedule, or look me up! Email me at pdienerauthor@gmail.com and in the subject line write: Let’s Connect.

In the meantime, I hope your summer wraps up lovely. Can you believe it’s September now? I hope you enjoy your friends, the good weather, and the little things that add up to big things. Like, a great cup of coffee in the morning. A quiet moment, or a walk in nature. A belly laugh with friends over wine or your favorite cocktail, or the beauty of a spectacular sunset. I hope you know how very much you do matter, and that your contribution to the world only asks that you show up. In any way that you can. Some days it’s in bigger ways, and some days it’s just that you got out of bed. Just do your best, and know you are enough.

With all my love, I’m sending you wishes of happiness. Happy reading my friends.

Xoxo ~ Patti

Living for These Moments

Being Brave Enough to Risk Rejection

You never get what you don’t ask for in this life. That has been my motto before it was even a thing. It is the truth though, and sometimes it takes enormous strength and courage to ask for not only what you need, but for the things you truly want. Right now, I want for my book to be successful, and that takes a village.

I remember back when I had my day spa in the small town where I live in Lower Lake, California. I was a young mother with small daughters, but wanted to work outside of the home again. It had been a decade of staying at home and I was thirsting for human connection with adults who ate things other than PB & J sandwiches, and wore clothes other than sweatpants.

So I started a business in a little 1940’s bungalow that sat on Main Street. I got the landlord to lower the rent, tear out the carpeting to refinish the hardwood floors, and install a more efficient heating/cooling system. When the previous tenants came into my shop and saw the improvements, they were surprised to find out the landlord paid for it all. A bit pissed off, they asked, “How did you get him to do that?” I simply said, “I just asked.”

If you have a compelling enough argument, or kind enough request, you’d be surprised at how people truly want to help you. With the launching of my book, Wildflower, I’ve asked people to not only buy the book, but recommend it to their friends, leave a review or rating, and share pictures of it online. As an indie author, (this means I’m not traditionally published or represented by an agent), I’m the whole show on my own. So I literally need to ask for help wherever possible, and this means I have to get over myself, when it comes to feeling awkward and vulnerable.

My current event schedule at the time of this post.

Going into independent bookstores, or any retailer, to ask the management if they would be interested in carrying my book is still very intimidating to me. I get nervous and worry of the sting of rejection, should they turn me down. It could happen. Luckily for me, so far it hasn’t. Still, I know that day will come when I’m met with a, we just aren’t interested, comment. But it won’t stop me. Because a NO, only means it’s not a good fit. And afterall, who wants to be partnered with someone that’s not a good fit?

The other thing that is scary is putting yourself out there for interviews on podcasts, book groups, and social media events. It’s crucial though in this day and age, to be open to all kinds of platforms that could possibly get your book circulated. I mean, let’s face it… we don’t want to just sell a dozen copies to our closest family and friends as authors. And readers are literally everywhere, but you gotta know where to look. There has to be some kind of risk involved in order to get a return. That means, you have to get uncomfortable, and I’ve been willing to do that for quite some time now.

I love that people are kind enough and excited enough about my books that they share their pictures with me on social media. The love they share just makes my heart grow. I would write no matter what, because I cannot keep myself from writing. But knowing people are out there anticipating my words, brings me a kind of joy that cannot be properly expressed. There isn’t vocabulary that describes that kind of feeling, but it lights me up, and fuels my spirit.

If you haven’t read Wildflower, it is about a young woman finding her worth in the world. It’s about mothers and daughters, about addiction and redemption, and forbidden love and romance. It’s about stopping at nothing to build a better life, even when it feels like the world is trying to tear you down. I love Charlie Kane and Jack Connors, my two main protagonists. But there is a whole cast of characters that I am in love with, and some I love to hate. I hope you will grab a copy from either Amazon (in both paperback or ebook), or from one of the retailers I’m holding an event with. Look at the above list. Soon there will be an audiobook out, and I’m always making new contacts with stores, so follow me on Instagram or Facebook for current details on where else Wildflower will be sold.

Thank you so much for all your support. And if you have already read either of my books, please leave a review on Amazon, or Goodreads, because that helps the algorithms put my book higher in the lists online, making them easier for others to find.

Here’s hoping I see you out there at one of my events. Cheers to the last part of summer.

Xoxo ~ Patti

* Feature photo is mine, along with schedule pic. Photo credits of shared book shots are from Yvette Sawle Guillory, and Darcie Jordan.

Deadlines and Distractions

Keeping My Eye on the Prize for Book Launch Day

As I look at my over-filled calendar that’s chock-full of obligations, fun events and outings, to even doctor appointments, I realize I’m just a little over ten weeks away from book launch day. Time surely flies.

The surprising thing is, I’m not very nervous. I think I’ve given myself plenty of lee-way in the off chance that something holds up the project. Publishing can be tricky when there are so many wheels in motion. So many people to rely on to do their part. I’ve been fairly lucky thus far that all of my team, that I’ve had to assemble in order to get this book out, has been on the ball and quick to address their role.

In case you missed what book I’m speaking of, I’ve written a new novel called, Wildflower. It is set to release on July 8th, and I feel that excitement of a new mother all over again, giving birth to a precious gem that’s been twenty-two months in gestation.

The cover design came out better than I could have dreamed! And with the interior being formatted now for both the print version as well as ebook, I’m just waiting for the final product so I can review it.

But I tend to get distracted and unsure of what to do next. With all the deadlines I have for each step to be completed, sometimes I can get overwhelmed with the checklist. The marketing is the most cumbersome. From social media posts, to making videos, creating cards, and bookmarks, to lining up interviews with influencers, book groups, bookstores, and podcasters…it seems endless. Do I hire a PR person? Do I continue to do it myself? For now, I’m doing ok, but self-publishing is a lot.

My most recent endeavor has been to pull together pictures to create a book trailer. Yes, that’s a thing. Like watching a movie trailer, seeing a book trailer can give people a better idea as to what the book is about. A visual aid to pique their interest. Something that eats up a lot of my time but will last forever, and I can use it again and again. Still, it gets exhausting, and once you are on the internet merry-go-round, looking for usable photos, time slips through your fingers faster than a slippery bar of soap. Time management hasn’t always been my greatest strength either.

So the good news is, I am on track, I’m feeling great, and spring is here! This is my favorite time of year and I am the most energized during spring. It’s glorious to get up early at sunrise, breathe deeply in that dewy grass outside with a steamy cup of coffee, and listen to the music of the birds showing off for one another.

I hope you are getting just as excited for my new book as I am. Wildflower is the story of Charlie Kane, a girl living in Sebastopol, California, and her evolution to becoming a woman, struggling to find her worth in a world of turmoil and chronic dissappointment. It’s about mothers and daughters, about addiction and redemption, and forbidden love and romance. It’s about stopping at nothing to build a life when it seems everything wants to tear you down. A heroes journey of sorts. Heroine, actually. And the book will take you from Northern California, to the busy cities around Los Angeles, New York, and other travel destinations as well. I’m thrilled to share it.

Wishing you all a lovely spring full of joy and adventure. Don’t forget to tell your friends about Wildflower, (and maybe this blog), so more people will be enticed to grab my book once it is available. I’m also working on getting it ready for pre-orders. More on that to come.

All the best ~ Patti

*Photos belong to Patti Diener except bird picture is provided by pexels.com.

Something Interesting Is Happening

It Took Me A While To Get Here

When I retired at the age of 53, most people thought I’d lost my mind. What the hell do you think you are doing? That was the reaction most people had until they realized I was serious, that I was done with public education and being a K-7 librarian just wasn’t what it used to be. Then they changed their tune. At least to my face they did, and there were well-wishers all around, encouraging me to go do my thing.

The first thing I did was dive head first into everything that I enjoyed, wearing all the hats. Truly, I tried to learn everything I could shove into my brain in the alotted amount of time my ass would allow me to sit in a chair each day. Writing my next novel was first priority, or so I told myself it would be. But the guilt of not bringing in as much money as I once did sort of made me feel like I had to build an at home business that might be more promising than banking on the concept of selling my next novel, since I’d only ever self-published. I had lofty ideas.

I started a podcast,…as one does in midlife when they are trying to figure themselves out. It was incredibly hard, super time consuming, and I loved ever single minute of it. I interviewed people from all over the world, we chatted about the incredible changes life throws at us and how valuable, wise, and vital we all still are even though we are past the age of fifty and gravity has long since become a real bitch. Despite the fact that we’ve hit menopause, need therapy, and are struggling to decide whether to color the gray or not, we’ve also discovered the powerful feeling of freedom that aging brings. I for one, have never been happier than I am now in my mid-fifties, (I’m fifty-five).

Along the way, I wrote a book that I queried agents about and proposed as the first in a trilogy. I started the second one, then tabled it for a wildly better idea. In between times though, I’d started a paid monthly membership to go along with the podcast, and Facebook group. I also started a book club, because obviously I didn’t have enough going on already. Did I mention I’m married too? And for some weird reason, my husband actually wanted to see my face once in a while and liked a home cooked meal periodically. This required that I get out of my cave and away from my computer now and then.

I was cruising along, nearing the two-year mark for this community I’d built, when I decided to host a live, in-person event. This went well, if not fairly small, but it was well received. I, along with my co-host who works for The Blue Zones, gave away swag, we each held a talk, and refreshments were served. It was fun. It was exhausting. I never did it again. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I realized I hate organizing shit and would much rather just show up, speak, and drink wine.

Then the most unthinkable thing happened. The person I’d leaned on my entire life and who always seemed to have the best guidance and advice for me, died. My father, my rock, the center pole to our circus in life, left this earth and I was not only shattered, I was in shock. I shouldn’t have been, as he’d been ill for a while, but you never really believe you will have to go on without your father.

But go on I did, because five days after he passed, I was scheduled to go to England, on my first ever trip abroad. I’d never even had a passport until just before this trip and although I told the family I thought there was no way I could go, they all insisted I do just that. “Dad would have wanted you to go!” they all said. Of course I knew they were right.

The trip was magical and surreal all at the same time. The majestic structures that held secrets of ancient times cast a spell on me that made it impossible to feel badly that I was actually enjoying myself, when only days before my father took his last breath. An adventurer himself, I knew Dad was smiling down at me and proud I’d been brave enough to go.

But something shifted over the next few months. Something that slowly, layer by layer started to shift inside of me again, causing me to take notice that my spirit was trying to tell me something. I had to listen.

Part of it was my deeper inner-knowing, and the other part was Dad telling me to stop wasting time doing what I thought I ought to be doing and get going doing that thing I’ve always known I was born to do. Write!

The membership long gone, the book club a thing of the past, I realized that as much as I loved the podcast, it was eating away precious time that I needed in order to be a successful traditionally published author. That has always been my dream. Self-publishing gave me the first taste of success as a writer, as my novel After the Fire, sold really well (before Covid), and the first few months I was an Amazon Best Seller. But I had to pick a lane. All the multi-tasking was not allowing me to be fully successful in either the podcast or with my books.

So I’ve announced to the Beautiful Second Act Community, that it was fun while it lasted, but those doors are closing and I’m stepping into a different place where writing will be the main event. It’s all I’ve ever truly wanted since I was ten years old and started writing stories.

The interesting thing is, after all my mentoring people to live their best life in the second half of life, I’m just now going all in for myself. Maybe the gods or spirits wanted me to create Beautiful Second Act, for the people I needed to reach. To send the message out there to whoever needed to hear it, that it’s never too late to do that thing your heart desires. To take a chance and be brave enough to challenge yourself by getting out of your comfort zone. To not only eat the cake and drink the wine, but grow as a spiritual being and allow yourself to reach higher, dig deeper, and live fully.

But most importantly, to stop disappointing yourself for fear that doing what you really want will disappoint others. We must stop betraying our own needs and desires because we are too afraid it will upset someone else. That’s the worst kind of betrayal. Depriving yourself your own longing and not being true to who you are because it suits others. No one wins if we do that.

So jump in the deep end with me my friend. Do what lights you up inside and gives you enthusiasm. When 2024 hit, I promised myself that my word for the year was INTENTION, and I’m focusing all my energy on the intention to be traditionally published. So I’ll be blogging more on this, staying focused on the writing community, author life, and honing my craft to be the best I can be. I appreciate your support.

Xoxo ~ Patti

*All photos are mine / Patti Diener

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