A Midsummer Romance (& a giveaway)
I’m delighted to host author Alyssa Schwarz here on the blog today while I’m on a family vacation in the Caribbean! Be sure to comment for a chance to win the giveaway she’s offering. (More on that at the bottom of the post.) Thanks so much for contributing to InspiredByLife, Alyssa! – Becky
Teamwork makes the dream work.
I can’t count all the times I’ve heard this phrase: classroom group projects, volleyball and soccer practice, high school mission trips, professional team-building exercises…
Writing can seem like a solitary endeavor, and it often is. Which is why something truly magical happens when authors come together.
I recently had the opportunity to partner with six other amazing women to write a multi-author series together, Summer in Wild Rose Ridge. They’d already worked together in the past, and I was the young newbie who felt way in over her head but was so incredibly welcomed into their group. The weekly Zoom calls and daily prayer huddle filled my soul. We got to chat about our characters’ lives and build better stories. We designed posters for all the events in our made up small town, making it feel like a real place. And we’ve cheered each other on through seasons of difficulty and seasons of celebration.
That’s exactly the kind of community connection my characters Caleb and Jess rediscovered when they moved back to their hometown of Wild Rose Ridge for the summer. Used to living life on their own, they had no intentions of putting down roots until they realized how much better life was when shared. Even if it took some meddling mothers, a staged kiss, and some Shakespearian romance to make it happen.
It can be so tempting to want to do it all on our own, but that’s not the life God has called for us. We are called the body of Christ, family, brothers and sisters, co-heirs, called to love and minister to one another as we work toward a common goal.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6, NIV)
GIVEAWAY!!!! A Midsummer Romance is available now, and I’d love to give away a copy to one of you.
Simply leave a comment telling me about a time you were part of a team, and I’ll randomly choose a winner one week from today.
Alyssa is a Colorado native who attended the Colorado School of Mines, got her masters in Geological Engineering, and promptly became a watercolor artist and author (as one does). She loves writing heartfelt romances with happy endings, a bit of mystery, faith, humor, and second chances. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her cooking, quilting, painting, or doing any number of crafty activities. Visit her website to learn more and receive a free novella when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
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I have loved music all my life. My daddy played an electric and acoustic guitar. He taught me how to play a bass guitar. My sister played piano and my brother played the drums. Many times we had to get together and practice as a team. You could not always just play or practice by yourself because we were going to play together at church. Sometimes it takes a team effort.
That sounds like so much fun!
I’ve worked in a team atmosphere for over 30 years When you visit the pharmacy, and you will likely see one or maybe two pharmacist and probably at least 3 or 4 technicians for each pharmacist…when the team is working together, it’s a beautiful thing!
Colleen, yes! Teamwork can be beautiful when everyone is working together.
Alyssa, you obviously have a creative bent to paint watercolors and write novels even after studying to become an engineer. Amazing! God has truly gifted you!
Lol, thanks Suzanne! I think it’s more that I enjoy learning new things and often jump from one to another.
I am a part of the team that gets our order of worship each week for church. There are four of us! That pastor, music director, pianist and me! I print our bulletins each week. We all work well together!
Bev, that’s great! And so wonderful that you serve your church in such a way. 🙂
I always think I want to do something on my own, but it feels so much better when accomplishing something with a team – just the joy of sharing with others!! At work or at church, teamwork is the best!
Teamwork is amazing! You’re right, there’s so much more joy to be shared when working with others.
I am a paraprofessional at one of our local elementary schools, so I am always a part of some team. We will be starting back on August 1, so will get some team assignments. And always at our staff days, we are divided into teams for various activities.
Teachers are such a blessing! Praying you have a good upcoming school year, Linda.
I recently went on a cruise with seven other friends. It truly was a team effort to ensure we were all at the same place at the same time, but the pay off was a great vacation.
A trip with friends sounds amazing! So fun you got to do that together, Amy.
I’m a part of a team in my work as a preschool resources editor and writer. Teams are so necessary for success! Congratulations on your new book!
Thanks, Angie! That sounds like fascinating work, and definitely a very important part of your team.
Love that this has some hint of Shakespeare! This sounds lovely, so thank you for the giveaway opportunity. My main teamwork has been in the form of music- playing flute in band and piano in jazz band throughout high school & college. Such a blessing!
Thanks again for the chance to win the book.
I have such fond memories of high school band! I played the marimba 🙂
I’m experiencing what you did, Alyssa. Working with a team of authors to create a series of novels. It is a daunting experience being the newbie – as I am also. At the same time, having so many wonderful writers helping to craft characters and improve the stories is amazing! The Wild Rose Ridge series are fantastic. I’m so glad you were able to be part of that process.
It’s daunting but so rewarding at the same time. 🙂
One happy memory I have is the time a group of us (mostly non-professionals) put together a Christmas devotional, the 12 Days of Christmas, as a gift to our church body. It was interesting to read each other’s take on the theme. We shared lots of laughter and words of encouragement as our hearts were bonding together.
Lisa, that sounds like such a fun project to put together! I’m sure that was a huge blessing to your church. 🙂
I am part of a team of women who craft on Thursdays. We sell our items to fund charities. One Thursday a month we prepare and serve a lunch to the visually impaired in our community. We have volunteers for entertainment. We star out with a devotional and a prayer. We have had as many as 30 guests and their drivers. We each know what to do on that morning and just go with the flow.
Our larger ladies group collects items and clothes for babies and children and we give away free items four times a year. We all pitch in to sort, wash and bin the items. Then bring them out for the event. Most of the time it goes pretty smoothly.
That sounds like an amazing group, Paula! And such a blessing to the people you are helping.
This weekend, my whole family is getting together to camp out. It takes teamwork to plan it and get packed to go. It takes teamwork to pull it off; we each take one meal and plan and prepare it. And the rest is sheer joy! Being together, watching our children play and love each other, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Totally worth it!
Gena, family trips are amazing! It definitely takes a fair amount of coordinating, but it’s so worth it. 🙂
I work in a family business that my in-laws own. I am in the bookkeeping office with my MIL and SIL. We all have different tasks, but we definitely need to work as a team to keep that part of the ship running smoothly.
Thank you for being here today!
Heather, that sounds like such a fun opportunity to get to all work together like that!
How fun! I love mountain towns, and small town romances are so fun to write.
I have been on lots of teams for work, in theater, but the most productive/influential was when I worked for an afterschool program at a local Christian school a decade ago. I had recently had a terrible experience in the teaching credential program, but was hired afterward as an after school teacher and it was like jumping into the fire in a very good way – with really supportive, prayerful staff and a director who was so kind and understanding and valued the entire team of staff 🙂
I’m so glad that ended up being such a good experience and a supportive team, Sara! The people and relationships really do make or break a team.
Teams – an important part of my health care profession
Yes! 🙂
I’d love to win your book! I recently switched to working at a Jr. High and am part of the counseling team. It has been a big transition since I made all decisions on my own before…but it’s been a growth experience. My daughter is just starting her geological education at the U of U! Would love it if you had any advice for her…..
That’s so cool that your daughter is going to study geology! My biggest tip is this: invest in a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes and rain jacket for fieldwork. 🙂
The end of summer break quickly approaches for me where I will then head back to school to join the rest of the wonderful elementary staff I am pleased to be a part of. I am not a teacher, however, each staff member plays an integral part in the education of a child.
I can hardly believe it’s already almost August! And yes, everyone in the education field is such a HUGE blessing.
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
🙂
My hubby and I worked with a team to put a Christian conference together. There were several hundred participants so it was a pretty big deal. I enjoy working behind the scenes. Thanks for the giveaway. Would love to read your book.