Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.
In My Free Time
by Shana Galen
I often joke with my friends who are writers that I’ll work on my next project idea in my free time—between two and four a.m. It’s only a little bit of an exaggeration. Anyone who works at home knows there’s no such thing as ever being “off,” especially when one also has a small child who needs a great deal of attention.
But a year or so ago I decided I had to do something for me or else I would have nothing to give back to my family or my writing. I made a conscious effort to return to some of the hobbies I enjoyed before I was so busy with contracts and my young daughter. After all, my husband could hold down the fort a few times a month, and I could refill my creative well, so to speak.
The first thing I did was to join a fitness boot camp. I’d gotten out of shape and didn’t seem capable of motivating myself to work out, or at least work out very hard. I would go to the gym, work out for an hour, and not even break a sweat. Clearly, I was not going to push myself. That’s the beauty of boot camp. It starts at the insane hour of 5 a.m., and I’m done at 6, which is before most people even get up. There are always two personal trainers who take the group through a series of exercises. We run, do push-ups, sit-ups, hold planks, and just about every other cardio move you can think of. Every time I go, the work out is different. And when I don’t feel like working hard, the trainers yell at—I mean, motivate me. I’ve also made some great friends, and now we meet at 5 to run a few miles on the days when there is no boot camp. Crazy, right? But it’s my time, and after a year, I’ve come to look forward to those quiet, sweaty, morning hours.
The next thing I did was to join a book club. I wish I could find a book club that reads romance, but I settled for one who doesn’t only read literary fiction. It’s been fun to talk to other women about books and read several novels that I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.
Finally, I joined a band. I majored in opera in college, and I’ve always loved to sing. There’s a band that plays during the contemporary service at church, and I joined as one of the singers. I can’t sing every week, but I try to make it once a month. It’s fun to learn new songs and hear them come together with the other singers and the full band.
As an author, I’m constantly finding ways in which my real life seeps into my fiction. I definitely think my focus on leisure was part of the inspiration for my Jewels of the Ton series, a trilogy about three glamorous Regency courtesans who get mixed up with some dangerous diamonds and some equally dangerous men. Who has more leisure time than a courtesan? How exciting it must have been to go to all the balls and social events, to attend the theater, and to shop for sumptuous gowns and sparkling jewels. I had a lot of fun picturing all the beautiful clothing and hairstyles my heroine Juliette in When You Give a Duke a Diamond would wear.
But the book would have been all of about twenty pages if that was the whole story. Juliette has a few secrets, and she is unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She desperately needs the help of the sixth Duke of Pelham, and he would rather stay far, far away from her.
When You Give a Duke a Diamond was a really fun book to write. It’s no wonder I have so little time for leisure when I enjoy writing so much.
What do you like to do for fun? Anything unusual?
He had a perfectly orderly life…
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual. securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that’s the way he likes it. But he’s in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossips link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn’t begin to describe what happens next…
Until She Came Along
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance, and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It’s seriously disruptive to have the duke who’s the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William’s darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SHANA GALEN is the bestselling author of Regency historicals, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice for The Making of a Gentleman. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She is happily married, with one daughter and a spoiled cat. If You Give a Rake a Ruby, the next exciting book in the Jewels of the Ton Series, hits stores in March 2013. For more information please visit www.shanagalen.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter, @ShanaGalen.
My idea of fun is going to an amusement park and riding all the roller coasters. Most people I know think this is strange, especially at my age (60), but I’ve always loved doing this and my son loves it too, so we have fun together. I grew up in Southern California with quite a few parks to choose from and now I live in Orlando, where there are even more. 😀
I read for fun 🙂 Thank you for the chance to escape with your book!
Barbara, really? I didn’t know that about you. I do not like amusement parks, though I know they are in my future.
Wordgirl, I do too! Love to read.
i like travelling on a train, where i can either read a book or listen to 1 or e read. its fun to look out the window at the scenery while people are busy chatting away around you. and its very funny when you read a sensual bit, and my face goes red
Julie, I know how you feel. Sometimes I’m writing a steamy scene at a coffee shop and feel a little weird when people could be looking over my shoulder.
I have the best fun when my husband and I take the kids and spend the day together exploring new places, no matter where or doing what…just being together. It’s a treat.
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I lead a boring life. I read for fun.
Mina, I love days like that too. I love seeing things though my daughter’s eyes.
Joanne, I lead a boring life too! I write for fun.
Thanks for a fun post and congrats to Shana on the newest release!
I like to read for fun and take my dogs for long walks 🙂
Reading, and watching College Football are my go to forms of entertainment since our finances don’t allow us to get out much. Love my College Football though! GO B1G RED!!!!
I love to read and be taken away to another world; especially if I can do this by the water somewhere. This sounds like a book I’d love.
Would love to join a bookclub but have never found one for romance books Reading is my favorite thing to do.
I like to read, walk, garden, bake and cook.
Erin, long walks are great. I used to live across the street from a pretty walking path, and I miss it.
Lady Red, I think you and my husband, who I call Ultimate Sportsfan, would get along well.
Janet, there’s something soothing about water, isn’t there? I love lakes and beaches.
Leanna, that’s my one complaint about the bookclub–not enough romance! There’s a bookstore in my area (but pretty far away) that has a romance bookclub.
Maureen, I wish I liked to garden and cook. I think my husband wishes that too!
I guess I have two hobbies that I use to relax – though I don’t tend to think of them as hobbies much..lol…I like to do cross stitch needlepoint and I also like to bead things – I just need to remind myself to do those things –
I already have a copy of When You Give A Duke A Diamond so I’m not entering the contest. Good post!
I like to read and watch TV
I read a lot! Plus I do tons of outdoor activities like fishing and hiking.
Besides reading, I love to poke around at thrift & resale stores, garage sales & flea markets to find things that would really fit in my house.
Read a good book while listening to music.
Reading and scrapbooking!!
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Traemac, I wished I lived somewhere that I could do more outdoors. I love being outside when the weather is nice.
Audra, I have sooooo many shows DVRed. One day I may even get to watch them.
Di, that sounds like such a fun hobby. I bet you’ve found some really great stuff.
Divavixenqueen, you can read and listen to music? I can’t really concentrate with music on, but I can see how it would add to the ambiance.
Martha, I have a friend who loooves scrapbooking. She is trying to convert me. Looks like there are really some fun kits now.
hmmm it depends on the day but my idea of fun might be hangin out with friends and family o reading a good book or listening to my radio and singing along as loudly as I can 😉
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Being with family and friends at the beach or a party. If I’m alone I like to read.DebP
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My idea of fun? I love hanging out with my daughter and shopping, shopping, shopping!
Yvette
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My idea of fun is reading. Other than that, I love to crochet and do crafts, beading, etc. While I could definitely benifet from a fitness boot camp, I just don’t see that happening. For one thing, I have a very bad back/hip and problems with my feet & legs & joints. I do like doing some yoga moves, they help to keep my back from getting so stiff and help to work the stiffness out after sleeping.
Really for me the only thing I get to do for fun is read or play on the computer.
I need to get motivated to start working out again too. I just haven’t.
My hobbies aren’t too controversial LOL…
I love to read and do needlework. I love to cook and spend time with my children. I love movies and concerts and hiking and camping.
Reading is about as unusual as it gets for me:)
Powerse, it definitely sounds like you know how to have fun! Thanks for stopping by.
Renald, I need to talk my friends into going to the beach more. I live in Texas, and we have lots of beach and lots of sun. Thanks!
Yvette, I like shopping too!
June, I talked my sister into going to boot camp with me this morning. She had fun.
AJenkins, it is so hard. That’s why I joined the boot camp. I needed a push.
Yadkny, and we writers appreciate all of you who love to read!
I read, review books, and blog. Thanks for the giveaway, I’ve been waiting to read When you Give!
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For fun I like reading and watching movies. I really like going to the theater with a friend to see something new.
Thanks for stopping by, Emily!
Bboo04, sounds like fun. Thanks for stopping by!
Umm going to book sales & buying BAGS of books … Never knowing what is inside, its like Christmas Morning discovering what is inside 🙂
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Beckey, that sounds like lots of fun to me, too! I love it when libraries have sales. Lots of books for little money.
Reading – or course. But I also enjoy “playing” with my books, CDs and DVDs. Every couple of months they get re-organized with a different theme or style.
I like to read and watch movies
Jasmyn, I need a good organization strategy. I also need more room–that might help!
Marlene, those sound like the perfect pursuits to me!
I love to poke around resale thrift stores, estate & garage sales – so much fun to find things that are special & unusual.
Di, that’s so true! I used to go to thrift stores a lot and found such cute things!