Author Guest Post - Kathy Carmichael (and a Giveaway!)
Posted by
Rashmi, a Mommy Reviewer on 1/29/2009
Today A Book Blogger's Diary is happy to welcome guest blogger, Kathy Carmichael, author of Hot Flash, the award-winning author of Chasing Charlie, Here Comes Trouble, and My Lady Mischief.
About the Author
Award-winning comedy author Kathy Carmichael resides on Florida's west coast, along with her Scottish husband, two not-so-wee-sons, and a bevy of cantankerous felines. Two of her books have won the Reviewers International Organization's prestigious RIO Award of Excellence in two different genres.
A popular guest lecturer, she gives seminars to writers and readers. Prior to becoming an author, Kathy worked in advertising, as a paralegal and as a communications consultant. She tended bar while in college, where she served drinks mixed with advice. This gave her a unique glimpse into people's lives and motivations, which she uses in her writing.
Despite rumors to the contrary, she has never been recruited by the CIA or the other CIA (Culinary Institute of America). Kathy loves hearing from readers.
A popular guest lecturer, she gives seminars to writers and readers. Prior to becoming an author, Kathy worked in advertising, as a paralegal and as a communications consultant. She tended bar while in college, where she served drinks mixed with advice. This gave her a unique glimpse into people's lives and motivations, which she uses in her writing.
Despite rumors to the contrary, she has never been recruited by the CIA or the other CIA (Culinary Institute of America). Kathy loves hearing from readers.
About the Book
Calm, cool, and premenopausal?
In this laugh-out-loud story about self discovery and coming to terms with aging, forty-year-old Jill Morgan Storm sets out to find the man of--if not her dreams, her son's college tuition. Thanks to survey responses from couples celebrating significant anniversaries, she's discovered the secret to a successful marriage: a man who travels. When she "auditions" traveling salesmen, she's hoping for one week of marital bliss, three weeks off, and a monthly paycheck. Will she find herself and the man of her schemes?
Without further ado, here is Kathy's humorous and insightful guest post:
*********************
Empty nest
By Kathy Carmichael
When I began writing Hot Flash, my oldest son was a high school senior. Like me, Jill, the heroine of Hot Flash, has a son heading off to college (I wonder how that happened!). However, Jill's son was an only child and she had to deal with the issues relating to an impending empty nest. I am now facing empty nest as well. I knew this day would come eventually, I just didn't expect it to spring up on me so suddenly. My youngest son is now a high school senior and will be heading off to college this fall. Once he leaves, my house will certainly be very calm. Currently I have a full house and there's always something going on. I'm not sure how well I will handle the quiet of next year.
I'm approaching this new passage in my life with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I'll be able to write in a more peaceful environment.
On the other hand, I work out of the house and so does my husband. One of my fears is that he will begin looking to me for his paternal needs when there aren't any children here to practice on. Like yesterday, when he reminded me to take my empty cup to the kitchen. It's not as if I wasn't reaching for it when the words came out of his mouth!
However, he's probably worried that I'm going to start mothering him. Like when I mentioned he should remove his muddy shoes before coming in the house.
Another fear is that I will miss my children dreadfully.
I've been a mother for so long!
Back on the first hand, I'll finally be able to clean my kids' rooms and have them remain that way.
Back on the second hand, I don't think they know to clean their rooms! There are so many things I've forgotten to teach them. I'm sure they'll need me. With that in mind, I just added 1,000 monthly texts for each of us to our phone plan.
Back on the first hand, I could change one of their bedrooms into an exercise room. That would be nice. Maybe I'll lose weight and become fit and trim!
Back on the second hand, they won't be happy if there's no place to stay when they come home for holidays!
It seems I have an endless lists of thoughts and worries regarding their leaving home.
But one of my friends reminded me that I'll never have an empty nest. These days, kids keep returning home. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
If you have suggestions about how best to deal with an empty nest, I'd love to hear them :) For now, I'm planning on doing a LOT of writing -- or texting :) Or, maybe like Jill, I'll send out a survey of my own.
If you'd like to read an excerpt, click here -- KC
Wasn't that a great post, readers?! I now know what I can look forward to years from now, lol.
GIVEAWAY
Please read the Disclaimer
As a bonus - If you sign up for Kathy's mailing list, you'll be automatically entered in her drawing for 5 copies of HOT FLASH and a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of your choice! The 6 winners' names to be drawn on Valentine's Day 2009.
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Thanks so much for inviting me here today :) -- KC
This looks fantastic, funny and real, too real lol. I've subscribed via Google Reader and have also signed up for Kathy's mailing list!
Thanks!
nancyrobster@gmail.com
This looks & sounds like a great book. I am a subscriber and also signed up for Kathy's mailing list.
Thanks for a great contest.
sharon54220@gmail.com
I'm sure I'm going to love your book. My youngest just moved away to college - got her own place and when she does visit, boyfriend comes first. My oldest just got married but has been out of the house for over 5 years. The good news was she moved back to our area and close by with her new hubby so as they say - when one door closes, another opens.
catslady5@aol.com
this sounds fantastic!! I'd love to read it :)
also signed up for kathy's email list
Thanks everyone!
Catslady -- I so feel for you! Best of luck with your empty nest! -- KC
Sounds like we have alot in common, i would love to win a copy of this book!!
Lori Barnes
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I also signed up for her newsletter and i am a subscriber also of your site.
Lori Barnes
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Hi Kathy, I've been where you are and here's what worked for us. We kept one of the kids' BRs as a guest room (the furthest one from the MBR).
The other BRs we converted to suit our needs. One became a huge walk-in closet/dressing room. another became a sewing/hobby room, and one became our office and computer room. The kids are gone and now it's time to have room for our interests!
Men don't show emotion as much, but I bet your husband is going through the same feelings of ambivalence as you are. You'll both adjust and adapt to your new feelings of freedom. I can vouch for that!
I signed up for your mailing list and can't wait to read your book. Best of luck with it!
hrbeck_98 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'm a subscriber by email.
Thank you for the chance and I have also signed up for Kathy's newsletter.
stacie_vaughan@hotmail.com
Thanks, hrbeck! That sounds like a perfect solution :) -- KC
I'd love to win this fun book. Thanks for the giveaway!
beatspammer at gmail dot com
Hi Kathy,
I have read a lot of your books and loved them. I am glad you are back to writing again!
I signed up for your newsletter too!
jhoorm01at yahoodotcom
Joy
Thanks so much icefairy and Joy!
Joy, I appreciate your comments. I'm really glad you've loved my books. Thanks so much!
And thanks again to abookblogger for inviting me today :) -- KC
sounds like a terrific book thanks for the giveaway
Hi! Being in this age group, I love when books "speak" to me. Thanks for having the giveaway!
Laura K lkubitz60609@yahoo.com
Looks like such a fun and interesting book. It's hard when you are going through the empty nest phase. But sometimes I think it's even harder when you have to come up with the money to help support them after they leave home.That's what has happened to me and my husband, and our daughter has been married for five years now. Sometimes you wonder if it will ever end. I hope it turns out better for you. Anyway, I signed up for your mailing list.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Thanks so much, everyone, for posting and joining my mailing list :D
Laura: I'm glad the story idea captured your interest :)
Anita: I'm afraid we're already going through the beginning of what happened with you with your daughter. After graduating from college, our oldest has returned home to go through police academy. The good news is he graduates next week (yay!) -- KC
Oh, I forgot to mention that there's a new marriage survey on my website based on the survey in HOT FLASH! It's fun and will only take a few minutes. Maybe we'll find out the true answer to what makes for marital bliss! Here's the direct url: http://hotflashmarriagesurvey.blogspot.com
real life is the funniest. It's too bad people take life so seriously
Please enter me. I'd love to win!!
This book looks like a great read. Thanks for the contest!
Hi, I would love to win this book.I am already in the middle of this - maybe it gives me some hints
I also signed for the mailing list.
Barb
keysbmv@yahoo.com
My mom would love this book, I would love to win and give it to her for Valentines Day! Thank you so much for the opportunity :)
Thanks for the giveaway. I am starting to empty my nest but had a baby 2 years ago. It won't empty out for 16 more years.
Carrie
carrieduron@yahoo.com
looks funny - i'd love to win!
The giveaway is now closed and the winners have been notified.
Thanks you all for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Special Thanks to Kathy for not just sponsoring this giveaway, but also for her lovely post. She was also gracious enough to stop by and reply to the comments.
Wow, thanks so much, I am so excited I won. I emailed Kathy with my info too ;)
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