Notes of Inspiration

ByDani Pettrey
128 Comments

Hi friends, 

Happy December! I can’t believe we already into the second week and that Christmas is only thirteen days away. Yikes! I still have quite a bit to do.

Merry Christmas Giveaway

I recently shared this on my Author FB page and thought it might be fun to share here as well. Below you will find my “Have You Already” game. Leave a comment letting me know how many of these you have done. I’ll pick one random answer in the comments section below to win a small Christmas present from me. The winner will receive an autographed book (their choice of my titles), a bag of coffee to keep you reading late into the night, and a yummy chocolate treat. 

Written Notes

One of the items listed was Christmas Cards. Receiving these from friends, readers and family is so very special. It’s a time to be thankful for everyone dear in my life. 

Speaking of reader cards…I recently had a major surgery and my readers grouped together and sent me a huge bundle of cards cheering me on, sending prayers and a bunch of thoughtful goodies any writer would love—Starbucks gift cards, shopping gift cards to various stores, a fantastic pen and notebook (which comes in so handy) as I write my stories longhand. I can’t tell you how it warmed my soul. 

Musical Notes

There’s a third kind of notes that have been inspiring me lately and those are musical notes. While writing my upcoming novel, The Killing Tide, I enjoyed several songs and a good number of instrumental soundtracks through the journey of telling the story. I’m going to share a few here with you and hope you’ll enjoy them. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWlVNCuX3sI&list=RDIWlVNCuX3sI&index=1

During this Christmas season I’ve been enjoying this album from Third Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj35iZnAxCo

I create a story soundtrack for every book I write and many of these songs will be on it. I’ll make it live on my website around release time, so my newest book, The Killing Tide won’t have a soundtrack until later in 2019. In the meantime, however, you can check out the soundtracks to all my other stories by visiting my Books Page and when you click on any book and scroll down to the Extras’ section, you’ll find my story soundtracks. Hope you’ll find them inspiring. 

– Click the image above to VISIT MY BOOKS PAGE and see all of the soundtracks – 

I’d love to hear if you have any instrumental soundtracks you recommend listening to. I’m always on the lookout for new ones. 

Remember, be sure to comment below to be entered to win my Merry Christmas giveaway. 

Have a blessed week! 

Dani 

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Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.

128 Comments

  1. I have done 9 things on your Christmas list. But the worst thing is my tree is not up yet! I have never been this late, I even helped my mom put up hers. Hopefully Friday. If I can just get my shopping finished, one more. 😊 Thank you for the chance. Merry Christmas ❤️🎄❤️🎄

    2. I have bought one present and done NOTHING else this year. I have such a hard time getting the energy up to do everything these days.

    3. Merry Christmas Dani! I hope you are feeling better and on the road recovery!
      I just love your stories! Can’t wait until the next one comes out!

      ~Misty B

  2. I am sorry to hear that you had surgery and hope you are well over that. In the things listed The ones that I have done are: decorated for Christmas (put up a tree), listened to Christmas music, bought Christmas gifts, and purchased Christmas cards. I haven’t wrapped any gifts yet. I usually use bags instead. Have a blessed Christmas!

    1. Thanks so much for your well wishes. I’m still recovering but it’s definitely getting better. Just have to pace myself better. I use gift bags instead too.

  3. I scored 4.5 on your Christmas chart. (0.5 as I have only purchased one part of one Christmas gift back in October.) 😊 Hopefully next week I will have time after work to get some shopping done…and get Christmas cards addressed. 🎄
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  4. I’m taking things pretty slow this year, so far I’ve decorated, listened to Christmas music and wished someone Merry Christmas. I’m trying to savor things this year instead of rushing around like a crazy lady!

  6. I have done 9 things. We don’t do Christmas cards or formal pictures and the kids are all too big for Santa. Everything else though I’ve done and thoroughly enjoyed!

  8. I’ve done more than I thought I would have! We’ve decorated, bought and wrapped Christmas presents and listened to Christmas music. I’ve read quite a few books set during Christmas time. Yay!

  9. I’ve done the whole middle row down, and bought gifts as well. 🙂
    I love that you write longhand first. I don’t hear that very often. I’m not published yet, but I’ve been writing for several years and while I did write one novel by laptop, my favorite is always by hand. I feel so much more connected that way!

  11. I have done ten things on the list. The only things I haven’t done are Christmas pictures and a gingerbread house. I’ve attempted making them in the past but they never turn out well. 😂 Merry Christmas!!

  12. Hi, Dani. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Praying for complete recovery and good health in 2019. I have accomplished eight things on your list. Have a blessed Christmas!

  13. I’ve only done 6. My shopping is pretty well done, but none of them are wrapped! We don’t take pictures, but probably should! Guess I’d better get busy!

  14. I’m up one more since you posted this on FB and that makes me feel somewhat more prepared… although I still feel incredibly behind this year. I’m currently at 9. I help my mom with her gift purchasing and have a tendency to make sure she is done before I get my own shopping done. I need a better plan for that going forward! ha! I like the soundtrack to Alegria by Cirque Du Soleil.

  16. I have not made a gingerbread house or pre ordered any books. I didn’t buy Christmas cards, I made them. Everything else is checked off my list. Currently working on making some gifts. Put a cool design on a jacket for the FedEx guy yesterday. He has to walk down a big hill to my house so he gets a pretty good gift every year. Also making some ” I survived a Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake shirts” from the earthquake here in Alaska on 11/30/18.

  17. I’ve done a couple of these already like read a book, listen to Christmas music, wish someone happy holidays. I just haven’t done any of the important ones yet. I’m going to try and get the main ones done this weekend.

  18. I have taken Christmas pictures, decorated for Christmas and seen Santa! The wrapping I typically leave for the last minute but I love seeing it all come together Christmas morning.

  19. I have done 6 1/2 of the items on the list. I say that because I have put out some decorations but not as many as I usually do. Christmas this year will be a little different for us.

  20. I’ve done all but three! I am visiting my mom out-of-state the entire month of December so I was forced to plan things early. Just trying to enjoy and make memories with my mom! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  21. I’ve only done 7 of these,actually six and a half so far, because my decorating is only half done. I need to get busy. We had a recent unexpected death of someone who is like family to us, so that has set us back this year.

  24. I’ve done 8! I’ve read every one of your novels and absolutely love them. You have quickly become my favorite author.

  25. I’ve only done four on the list so I’m way behind. Although, I have decorated for 3 other people and at my church. 😁 Merry Christmas, Dani!

  27. This is my brother-in-law’s Christmas instrumental piano album. He writes the music and plays…
    https://johnalbertthomas.com/free-christmas-music
    We are in the process of preparing for a move, so our house is in boxes and fix it projects. We will be out of town for Christmas so decided not to decorate. I have been listening to Christmas music, since Thanksgiving, and have been wishing Merry Christmas to everybody.
    I love listening to Emily Hearn’s Christmas music as well. I’ve passed on your books to several friends!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  28. I have done 9 of them the movies and reading I can do guilt free as I need to keep my leg up as I recover from a total knee replacement. Merry Christmas!

  29. 10.5 on the grid.

    I have an Appalachian mountain music in traditional instruments Christmas album. Really beautiful way to hear hymns.

  30. I have 6 of the 12 on the list. We love listening to Christmas music. Danny Gokey’s Christmas is a favorite.

    Merry Christmas, Dani!

  33. Morning, Dani! It was fun to see your list and I am happy to report I have 8 of the 12 checked off. I am feeling better on how I am sitting for Christmas after realizing this! Thanks for posting. Looking forward to listening to some of your soundtracks. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  34. So far this year:
    I have decorated for Christmas!
    The only Santa I’ve seen was inflatable. 😉
    I’ve watched a Hallmark movie… or a dozen.
    I’ve taken Christmas pictures.
    I’ve read a book set at Christmas time.
    I’ve wished someone Merry Christmas!
    I’m almost constantly listening to Christmas music!
    I have not wrapped a Christmas gift yet.
    I have bought a Christmas gift.
    I have not yet preordered a book set in summer.
    I haven’t made a gingerbread house this year. But I won our family contest last year!
    And I have not purchased Christmas cards. Yet. 😉

  35. Morning Dani,
    I love the grid you put together. I’ve done 7, more than I thought I had done. I mail gifts so I try and do those first so they get there in time. Mailing day is tomorrow for me. For some reason, this year I like instrumental music over words. We have two CD’s that were given to use many years ago that I love: An Angel’s Noel by Ware-Patterson Duo and Lifescapes. I also have many Mannheim Steamroller CD’s. I haven’t heard of an author writing their stories in a long time. Merry Christmas to you and your family and swift complete healing from your surgery!

  36. I’ve done 12 out of the 15. Not doing Christmas cards this year. Haven’t done a gingerbread house yet. I hope to soon. My kids would love it. And haven’t preorder a book. Yours will be it when I do though! 🙂

  38. Hi! I’ve done 7/12 on your “Have You Evwr ” game! Merry Christmas/Happy holidays everyone!

  39. I have done ten. We probably aren’t going to make gingerbread house this year. I ran out of hiding places, so I quickly put those gifts in Christmas gift boxes, but I still have more to wrap.

  40. I have done nine things on the list! We will be making a gingerbread house next weekend and not sure if we will get to do Santa this year!

  41. I have done 8 things on the Christmas list. I just mailed all my Christmas cards also, but can you believe I haven’t watch a Hallmark Christmas movie yet? I need to fix that! Merry Christmas!

  42. So far I have accomplished 8 on the list. So glad you were spoiled when you were recovering! I love to have instrumental music on when I read, etc., but it absolutely cannot have any words that I might possibly be able to dredge from memory, or I will sing along…lol. Obviously I can’t read then 😉.
    Have a very blessed Christmas season.

  43. 8.5😅 (.5 because I haven’t exactly preordered a book set in summer, but I HAVE read one. I’d say that counts for something😁😉) Praying for a quick recovery for you and a blessed Christmas to everyone 🤗!

  45. I’m doing better than I was when you posted this on FB. I’ve done 7. The worst is that I haven’t finished anywhere near all my shopping!!

    I loved being a part of your big card package. Hope all is well!

  46. 8 things. Santa and Christmas pictures with our pups. I love, love, love Christmas. I love to dress for Christmas as well. I have so much Christmas Jewelry I bought a bead divider box and labeled it Christmas jewelry. 🙂 I love all of us watching Christmas movies together each year. We love Christmas Carol with Alistair Sims, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year with Henry Winkler, and Santa Suit with Kevin Sorbo along with many, many other movies but these are a few of our faves. What are some of your fave Christmas movies?

  47. I have done nine of them. Working on one other. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy healthy New Year.

  48. I’ve done 7 things on your list: decorated for Christmas, read a book set at Christmas (two of them!), bought Christmas gifts, wished someone Merry Christmas, listened to Christmas music, wrapped Christmas presents, bought Christmas cards (and just sent them out today!). I still have a bit more shopping and a whole lot more wrapping to do, as well as some baking. And I hope to get a haircut in there somewhere. 🙂

    This is a rough time of year to be recovering – but I’m glad you are. 🙂

    I love hand-written notes and cards. They’re becoming more rare, making them even more special.

  49. I have read books set at Christmas, wished someone merry Christmas, watched a hallmark christmas movie, listened to christmas music,and I guess that is all. Will be buying gifts next week. and I will be done, might put up tree but not sure yet Hope your Christmas is Blessed.

  50. I have done 8 of the things on the list. The one thing I would love to do is watch a Hallmark movie. That channel is not in my cable package. Christmas Blessings Dani!

  53. I have done eight of the things that are listed. I was so excited last week because I had finished my Christmas shopping early and was looking forward to visiting my distant grandchildren for the holidays. But on Tuesday I ended up at the ER and on Thursday I saw a surgeon who says I need major surgery as soon as possible. So, I’ve spent this week do pre-op testing. I’m bummed, but I know that God is in control. I’m thankful for technology that will allow me to see the children from home or even the hospital. I’m so happy that you’re feeling better, Dani! I love your books and look forward to the new one. Blessings and Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

  54. I’ve done only five of the things. I’m really behind and now I’m in a panic to get more done. Hahaha!
    Merry Christmas 🎄
    I guess I could get something done on the list if I’d put my phone down and stop looking at emails. HA!

  55. I have done 9 so far. This year is the first time I helped in making gingerbread. We had so much fun. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    I pray for your continued recovery.

  57. I have done everything on the list, but decorated a gingerbread house. I have wrapped a few gifts, but I am not finished with that yet. Merry Christmas Dani!

  59. I’ve done 8 things on the list. 9 if you can count the cardboard gingerbread houses I assembled with my kids. 😉

  60. I have done 8! I have bought 0 family gifts, but my husband and I decided that the money I spent on some local foster kids was our gift to each other this year so at least one of my hardest people to shop for is done!

  61. I’m a little behind, with only five items completed on the bingo card! However, I’m not stressing about it…yet! 😉 God bless you this Christmas!

  62. I’ve done 8 things…sort of halfway…does that count? Still have many things to buy, wrap and do. Merry Christmas.

  66. I’ve done seven of them so far! And I’ll be singing more Christmas songs tonight when a group of us from my church go caroling!

  67. I’ve done 10 so far. Kind of feel like the kid in the back seat saying, “are we there yet?” 😃

  71. Merry Christmas, and I hope that you’re feeling better soon! I have only done 4 things (oh dear), but tonight I am finally getting around to addressing my Christmas cards!

  75. I’ve done all except two things on your list… I haven’t made a gingerbread house (I made one years ago and it was a disaster!) and I haven’t preordered a summer themed book. Yet. 😉

  76. I have done eight of the twelve bingo blocks “jobs”! Thanks for the give-away! Love your books!!

  77. I’ve done 7 of them. I’m a little slow this Christmas–I’m in denial that it’s already December! I do have all my Christmas gifts purchased, although I haven’t wrapped them all yet.

  78. Hello Dani, I hope you are recovering well. I’ve watched several Hallmark Christmas movies, wished someone Merry Christmas, purchased a few gifts.

    Have a blessed Christmas!

  80. I’ve done all but two things on your list. Have not bought summer books, nor made a Gingerbread house. I hope you are well on the way to recovery. Merry Christmas.

  81. I’ve done 8 of the things on the chart, 9 if I can count helping 2nd graders make their gingerbread houses from graham crackers. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery. Merry Christmas!

  85. Praying for a speedy recovery. I’ve done 10 of the things on the list. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

  86. I have done eight things on the Christmas list. I love th Christmas season. Have a wonderful Christmas!

  87. I have done 4 things so far. Hope you and your family has a wonderful Christmas. I love your books.

  89. I have already bought Christmas gifts and also have already decorated for Christmas, we do have our tree.. but it has NOT been put up or decorated yet. Merry Christmas. I wished you a Merry Christmas, so that is another thing I did.
    I did the following, wished someone(you) A merry Christmas, decorated for Christmas and bought Christmas presents.

  90. I’ve done 8 things on your Bingo card. We don’t take Christmas pictures. In fact, we’re supposed to have taken a new Family Portrait as part of my Birthday Gift (so I was told back in early October) so maybe we’ll get one soon. We haven’t shopped yet. Our 2 children are young adults & one just got married in July so now we have a Daughter-in-Love. We already have her stocking hanging with the others. Thank you for this opportunity! I’ve enjoyed listening to Lauren Daigle’s “Behold” Deluxe Edition 2018. I think it might be a remake or something of her earlier version. Her voice leads me to worship!I love that you make a soundtrack for every book you write! That was something that drew me to your wonderful writing in the first place! Merry Christmas!

  91. Bought gifts,listened to music,decorated for Christmas,wished someone merry Christmas,bought and sent Christmas cards.

  93. I hope you are feeling much better! Love the chart. I’ve done them all except see Santa (other than on TV or ads) and preorder a summer book. Everything else is complete or in progress! I don’t have any new ideas for instrumental music, but I’ve enjoyed The Nutcracker for a seasonal theme. Merry Christmas!

  94. Thanks so very much for everyone’s comments. I’ve had blast reading them all! The winner will be announced on my next Inspired By Blog Post on 12/26. Best of luck to you all.

  96. It has been a non-traditional Christmas for me so far! I have only read 2 Christmas books, have not watched a Christmas movie, am not finished with Christmas shopping, have not wrapped one gift or sent one card! And I’m going out of town in 5 days and won’t return until after Christmas!

  98. Glad you said on purchased Christmas Cards. The way this season is flying by i may get them mailed in March. Looking forward to many more wonderful books.

    Prayers for a continued recovery and a blessed new year for you and your family.

  99. Merry Christmas Dani! I have completed 8 of the activities in your ‘Have you Already ‘ game. I especially loved listening to Christmas music and watching a Hallmark movie on Netflix which showed the spirit of Christmas set in a winter wonderland – very different to a hot Australian Christmas!

  101. I’ve done 9 things. I have never decorated a gingerbread house before or pre-ordered a book. I would usually have wrapped presents by now, but with the new puppy in the house, I think we’ll wait! 🙂

  102. I’ve done 7 things! I listen to Christ,mas music all year and read books about Christmas all year.We don’t get the Hallmark channel. Besides that I never watch TV!

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