Resolve 2013: Who, Me?

"Continuing the Resolve tour..."

I'll never forget my ride from a meeting to lunch with this wonderful, funny lady. We found we were kindred spirits in more than just the writing world. She grew up on a farm just like me and had the same rural values. 

Please welcome:

Cathryn Cade

Hawaiian Heroes III; Blooming in the Wild  

Volunteering is good. We should all do it. Groan ….

When I first saw Paty’s request for a blog on this topic I nearly panicked. I mean, I’m not serving as an usher on Sunday, or shelving books at the public library or any of the other acts of kindness I could be doing these days. Were I a better person.

Just like every parent, I’ve put in countless hours of volunteer work in my time. Teaching vacation Bible school, and helping with other church activities. Cub Scout den leader, even one memorable year as the Pack Leader (I was the one who didn’t duck). Chairman of the all-city Halloween Safe Kids Carnival. Weekend and evening events for the elementary schools my kids went to, and the one where I taught.

But, since I quit teaching to write full time I’ve hunkered down and pulled in the latch-string after myself.

Online is where I volunteer these days. I judge writing contests, critique manuscripts when asked, write a column for my favorite review site, gratis. I moderate a national loop. I Tweet for romance writing colleagues, and promote their work whenever I can.  When I go to a conference, I find some task to help with. When I read a good book or a helpful blog post, I recommend it.

Could I be doing more for my communities, both online and at home? Yup. So thanks to Paty for the friendly nudge. No matter what stage of life, there are tasks to be done, and I’m the woman for many of those jobs.  We all are.

Because now that I think about it, there is such a glow of pride and pleasure to be had from doing for others, why aren’t I availing myself of that more often? And we meet cool people, too.

How about you, reader? What’s your favorite volunteer place or task? Leave a comment!

Cathryn Cade

... red hot romance!

Goodreads, My Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Samhain Author Page,

And sign up for My Newsletter for a chance to win goodies! 

I'm also including a list of all 9 bloggers and their resolution:

THE RESOLUTION TOUR - January 1 - 9, 2013

Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation

Jessa Slade - Get Organized

Paty Jager - Volunteerism

Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life

Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier

Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination

Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions

Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss

Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet 

The best way to support authors you like is to friend and fan them on social media sites. If you enjoy the posts from this tour please show your appreciation by liking or becoming a friend or fan. Thank you for stopping in and visiting.  

Wednesday Guest- Cathryn Cade

Blogging with me today is fellow Rose City Romance Author Cathryn Cade!

Horse Opera to Space Opera

If you're reading Paty Jager's blog, chances are you're a western romance fan.

Well, so am I! I grew up in Montana, in a ranching family that included great-granddads who helped settle the west. One of them even lived with Sitting Bull's tribe for a few years, and remained friends with him until his death. When I was a little girl, I progressed from a stick horse to a Shetland pony, and then to bigger horses.

That life ended when my parents divorced, and my sister and I moved to town with Mom. But I stayed grounded in western lore. I still love Western stories, especially romance, and there is nothing like a good country western song, or a handsome man dressed in tight jeans and a cowboy hat.

So how did an ex-cowgirl from Montana end up writing sci fi paranormal? Well, any good rancher will tell you, when you live miles from the nearest hardware store, you've got to improvise. Trailer hitches to boots, things fall apart right when you need them, and livestock won't wait for you to go get the right part. Baling twine or wire and duct tape are essentials of any ranch tool kit.

Gadgets, in other words. Creativity. I've always wanted to write westerns, which used to be called 'horse opera'. This was because the first cowboy heroes would break into song as they rode across the silver screen. But then, exploring the possibilities of how to break into print, I came across a publisher called Samhain, who wanted stories with a shape-shifting hero. My brain lit up like a yard light—I had an idea for a shape-shifter hero. A kind of half big cat, half man. A true alpha male. He was originally going to be an Indian.

But, in plotting the difficulties of bringing him to life, I realized that if he were from another world entirely, all the rules were busted. I could make up my own rules. And if I used a little inter-stellar baling twine here and there, no one would know. 'Cause, hey! I wrote it. So that's how I went from horse opera to space opera. Along the way, I discovered I love inventing beings from other planets, and all kinds of space gadgets.

And while my heroes don't sing, they do round up the bad guys, using their paranormal powers. And the heroines admire the way they look in their snug space suits!

So, if you love a romance no matter where it takes place, stop by my website for excerpts from my stories. I'll leave the yard light on for you.
Best, Cathryn
... red hot romance!
'Deep Indigo' Book 4,The Orion Series available now from Samhain
http://www.cathryncade.com
http://cathryncadesblog.blogspot.com/
http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/cathryn-cade