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Guest Blogger: Jane Beckenham
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Thanks to everyone for all the birthday love, yesterday! XOXO
Please welcome my guest, author Jane Beckenham!

PROCRASTINATION IS A WONDERFUL THING…really, believe me.

If you’re a writer, or have specific tasks to achieve by deadline, you’ll think that that comment is absolutely NUTS! Yes, it probably is, but let’s stop a moment and see what procrastination is…

The dictionary says…
Procrastination.
1. The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness.
2. The act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time

Now there are two specific things that stand out here…. PUTTING OFF, DEFERRING.

It doesn’t say you’re not going to do it, just a bit later. That’s all. And that’s not so bad, is it. Okay, so you have a deadline looming. But what about refilling the well so that you can top up those creative juices. Giving life some balance.

Several years ago I was writing up a storm. Night and day, weeks, months, without a break, then finally all the editing was done, the deadline met. The manuscript sent off. Then I stopped.

And for five minutes I just stared at the computer.

“What next?”

I had no clue. My life for soooo long had simply been writing. Words. Words and more words. Right at that moment, I was OVER words. Over thinking of them, finding them, creating wonderful pictures with them.

But the creative spirit takes a lot to kick it to the curb and I discovered scrap booking. Something pretty, creative, and with VERY FEW words – none if I chose. I was addicted.

But while the next deadline loomed, this new creative outlet gave me a chance to not just refill the well, it filled my life with beauty and color and memories as I scavenged through the shoe boxes of photos that had been waiting for years for their perfect home in an album.

Someone once asked me what I did for me. Just me. Of course I answered, that I was a writer, and I wrote. No she said, that’s your job – oooh doesn’t that sound fab! – then she asked again, what do you do – just for you. I couldn’t think of one thing, and in the scheme of our lives, that really probably is quite sad.

I’d forgotten about balance. I recently saw an Oprah Winfrey tape where she revealed that she’d put on all the weight again. And do you know what… she realised that she’d lost the balance in her life. That her life had revolved around doing, being, helping, fixing – things for others, but not for herself.

So the answer here is … find something that isn’t ‘work/passion’ related, something you can just do FOR YOU.
The thing I found was that I wanted to have a bath. Every day (yes I do shower, but I’m talking about a soaking, bubble affair). I remember how excited I was when I raced to the market to get some bubble bath, realising that this was something I was going to do JUST FOR ME. My time. Alone. Well as a romance writer I could always imagine sharing the bath with a hunk!

It was so wonderful, finding something I wanted to do. I realised I had forgotten myself. I was writing for me, but it had all become tied up with deadlines, editors, publishers, and promotion, not about the wonderful journey of creating a story, fulfilling the dreams of two characters who had come to life for me.

So at the end of today, ask yourself, what are you doing that is JUST for you. Is it a walk, time to read, a bath, or perhaps, it’s just time to sit and talk to a friend or family.

But the important thing here is to remember to do it. Because this life isn’t a game, there’s no rewind and replay, this is it. So enjoy.

The moral of this story…. Do what you love, but love what you do.

Happy reading and writing everyone,
Jane Beckenham

Bio
In books Author Jane Beckenham discovered dreams and hope, stories that inspired in her a love of romance and happy ever after. Years later, after a blind date, Jane found her own true love and married him eleven months later.
Life has been a series of ‘dreams’ for Jane. Dreaming of learning to walk again after spending years in hospital. Dreaming of raising a family and subsequently flying to Russia to bring home her two adopted daughters. And of course, dreaming of writing.

Writing has become Jane’s addiction – and it sure beats housework.
You can contact Jane via her website or email her at neiljane@ihug.co.nz.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In Love With The Sheikh
Desert Rose Anthology
Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/ Multicultural
ISBN: 978-1-60435-723-3
Cover Artist: Missy Lyons
Editor: Zena Gainer
Word Count: 49,380
Release Date: June 17, 2010

Desperate to discover her past, Lilly Duprés outbids Sheikh Kalim Raschid for an antique brooch. Her triumph is short lived. She can’t honor that bid. Accepting an offer to solve her financial embarrassment, Lilly discovers Kalim has every material thing yet spurns what she most desires. Love. Family. To belong.

After a lifetime spent watching his father hurt his mother, Kalim has vowed he would never imitate his father. But Lilly breaches his defenses leaving him vulnerable.

Faced with something he never wanted, Kalim must choose his future, and Lilly must accept her past, until life and love can come full-circle.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

leftHe’s the One
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60928-040-6
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: May 25, 2010

Debuted on Publisher’s Best Seller List

Taylor Sullivan doesn’t trust Cupid.
Cade Harper doesn’t do commitment, and marriage is a dirty word.
Taylor wants to lose her virginity.
Cade knows two things about women. They either abandon him, or use him as a walking bank.
Taylor doesn’t buy anything sight unseen and wants to test the waters with a kiss.

Virginity is definitely overrated.

Happy reading,
Jane Beckenham

22 comments to “Guest Blogger: Jane Beckenham”

  1. Valerie
    Comment
    1
    · June 29th, 2010 at 11:03 am · Link

    That’s a wonderful post. I think in our busy lives we forget that we need that ‘my’ time. I paint. Usually at the weekend, early in the morning while everyone is in bed. Then I put what I’ve painted on the dinningroom table for everyone to ooh and aah at…hehe!!

    Thanks agan for the great post.

    Valerie
    valb0302qyahoo.com
    in Germany



  2. Julie Kiesow
    Comment
    2
    · June 29th, 2010 at 1:28 pm · Link

    Thanks for the great post! Opened my eyes to a different outlook! I also look forward to reading your books!

    ~Julie



  3. JaneB
    Comment
    3
    · June 29th, 2010 at 1:41 pm · Link

    Julie and Valerie, thanks for stopping by. Glad you ‘got it’ LOL. We, as woman are so critical of ourselves and think we have to be the best, and do everything…well, hey guess what, we really can’t. At least not all the time he he he!
    Anyway… don’t forget to do something nice for yourselves today!
    Jane



  4. Shiela Stewart
    Comment
    4
    · June 29th, 2010 at 3:42 pm · Link

    Wow, lovely post, Jane! And I know just how you feel. It has been the way I’ve been feeling for a long time now. And until I read your post, I had no idea I wasn’t doing anythining for me, just me. I’ve been so busy writing, taking care of the family, my mom and so forth that I don’t do things for myself.

    Thank you for making me see that.

    Enjoy your bubble baths. 🙂



  5. JaneB
    Comment
    5
    · June 29th, 2010 at 4:28 pm · Link

    So Shiela, what are you going to do just for YOU. and like Nike say… just do it.

    Jane



  6. Janni Nell
    Comment
    6
    · June 29th, 2010 at 4:32 pm · Link

    Wise words, Jane.
    I had 2 hours of me time yesterday at line dancing. Yee-haw!



  7. Brandy W
    Comment
    7
    · June 29th, 2010 at 4:39 pm · Link

    I’m not sure what I do just for me right now. I feel like I’m still trying to find my way in my life. I’m a wife and mother but what else?

    I’ll get there at some point. I seem to be breaking out of my shell more and discovering more about me lately.

    I really like the cover and blurb for In Love With a Sheikh.



  8. Delilah Devlin
    Comment
    8
    · June 29th, 2010 at 4:42 pm · Link

    Brandy! You’re also an aspiring writer and good friend! 😉



  9. Shiela Stewart
    Comment
    9
    · June 29th, 2010 at 4:45 pm · Link

    I don’t know, jane. I really need to think of something to do for just me. Hmmm…any ideas? LOL



  10. JaneB
    Comment
    10
    · June 29th, 2010 at 7:27 pm · Link

    Janni
    Dancing – cool, and just think it’s exercise at the same time!

    Jane



  11. JaneB
    Comment
    11
    · June 29th, 2010 at 7:28 pm · Link

    Brandy
    ..you said…I’m a wife and mother but what else?
    That is it, we are so many things at once, but we need to find even just 30 minutes a day where we can do whatever we like. For me… i also had to learn to love reading again – weird to say that given i’m a writer. But i’d forgotten about reading and losing myself in the act of reading. It’s been a slow process, but joyful

    Jane



  12. JaneB
    Comment
    12
    · June 29th, 2010 at 7:30 pm · Link

    Shiela…. try to rediscover something you liked to do a long time ago. I was an avid reader, and so rediscovering that has been joyful.
    I’m also an avid nut on interior design, so i’ve recently discovered interior design blogs (DIY sort of stuff) and i could spend all day surfing these blogs. But i don’t. But what it has given me is permission to indulge myslef, and allowed me to switch off. My brain is being recharged!
    Jane



  13. Shiela Stewart
    Comment
    13
    · June 29th, 2010 at 8:06 pm · Link

    I used to love to dance. Just turn the music on and move to the beat. But unfortunately, i haven’t done that in years. Maybe I shlould start doing that again. 🙂

    Thanks for the boost, jane. 🙂



  14. JaneB
    Comment
    14
    · June 29th, 2010 at 8:09 pm · Link

    Boogie down, Baby! Shake your bootie, Shiela.

    Jane



  15. Shiela Stewart
    Comment
    15
    · June 29th, 2010 at 8:12 pm · Link

    LMAO! Will do, Jane.



  16. Fedora
    Comment
    16
    · June 29th, 2010 at 9:31 pm · Link

    Hi, Jane! Great post–it’s true that we don’t get a re-do on life, so much as we want to complete our to-do lists, we also need to take some time enjoy life a little, too! Your latest sounds like a yummy read, btw!



  17. JaneB
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    17
    · June 29th, 2010 at 9:49 pm · Link

    Thanks Fedora.
    So what are u doing to ‘be nice to you’ each day?

    Jane



  18. Fedora
    Comment
    18
    · June 30th, 2010 at 3:09 am · Link

    I try to do a little “fun” reading, and I take a dance class during the week 🙂 And sometimes, I have ice cream 🙂 Stay dry, Jane!



  19. JaneB
    Comment
    19
    · June 30th, 2010 at 3:18 am · Link

    Sounds like you’re well on the way to ‘funsville”. Good on you! (Lordy! i’ve just seen the time of your post and its 3.09 a.m.!!! Go to bed!

    Jane



  20. Delilah
    Comment
    20
    · June 30th, 2010 at 8:43 am · Link

    Thanks, Jane, for being such a wonderful guest!



  21. JaneB
    Comment
    21
    · June 30th, 2010 at 3:14 pm · Link

    Delilah, many thanks for having me here, and for everyone stopping by.

    Kind regards
    Jane Beckenham



  22. Brandy W
    Comment
    22
    · June 30th, 2010 at 11:01 pm · Link

    You are correct Delilah. I am an aspiring author and good friend.

    I’m thinking about taking up belly dancing now too. There’s that show Shimmy in FitTV. Love to watch it so I might as well do it too.



Comments are closed.