Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links

/ Staci Troilo

Ciao, amici! My holiday break officially ended last week, and for the past five days, I’ve been busy working and collecting links for you. I’ve also been spending every last second I could with my daughter, who leaves this morning to return to school. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about that. On one hand, I miss her terribly when she isn’t here. On the other, she needs to be free to pursue her hopes and dreams. She’s an amazing person― smart, talented, hard-working, funny, and (not that it matters) beautiful. I know she’s going to accomplish great things, and I can’t wait to see what they are. So I have to let her go.

I’m blessed that I have two extraordinary children (my son is every bit as exceptional as my daughter). Doubly blessed that my son goes to college locally, so I don’t have to say goodbye to him.

Sorry. The shameless effusive praise of my kids portion of this post is over now. Moving on…

This week’s quote by Edith Lovejoy Pierce is inspired by what I hope for my kids, what I hope for myself, and what I hope for you―opportunity.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called OPPORTUNITY and its first chapter is
New Year’s Day.

I found this quote perfect for today. And I hope it inspires you throughout this year to seize all the opportunities that come your way.

And now, this week’s writing links:

Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:

Me

Story Empire

Posts by others in the industry:

And when you’re done with these links, don’t forget to check out the sidebar, where you’ll find more links to some of my favorite sites.

Have a great week! Arrivederci!

55 thoughts on “Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links”

  1. I’m so far behind I’ve only just found this! The links look amazing and I’m truly grateful to you for putting them up for the rest of us.
    Like so many of the others, I recognise that ‘sweet sorrow’ of a visit that never seems to last quite long enough. Hug your lovely relationship to your heart and know she’ll be back.

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    • I’m behind, too. I can’t believe this month is almost over. That’s 1/12 of the year! And so much to do…

      Ah, that sweet sorrow. That’s a perfect description. Those visits never do last long enough, do they?

      Glad you’ve found the links useful. 🙂

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  2. Ah, yes, the return of routine, because that helps to keep up with things (unless one procrastinates, then nothing seems to help 😀 ) My kids are both back off to college as well, but college is within an hour’s drive. At least you have the chance to spend some quality time with her; my kids ended up working afternoons and evenings, when I’m home from work.

    Still can’t bring myself to put the lights away. I love Christmas lights! 🙂

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    • We (and by we, I mean I) undecorated this past weekend. My son did disassemble one tree and he schlepped everything to the garage for me. I blame my daughter. She insisted on putting up all four trees (which I was adamantly opposed to) then she left without taking down a single ornament. It would have gone a lot faster if I had had help. But I had such a good time with her doing other things, and I wouldn’t trade that time for an easier time un-decorating.

      She’s now 6 hours away, and I already miss her terribly. My son lives here still, which is wonderful. But he’s a full time student and works about 30 hours a week, so I don’t see him much, either. Pretty much just dinner a couple of nights a week. But I’ll take it.

      Enjoy the Christmas lights as long as you can stand it. My house looks dreary without the decorations.

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  3. Ah good! I found a round about, “back door” way to reach your blog, Staci. I’m sorry I haven’t been around much. I haven’t been able to access your blog. All I get is a blank page. I looked you up on Facebook, and clicked a link you had posted there — and was finally able to get to the blog.
    I hope you have a sunny week. We’re still reeling from the combined effects of the prolonged shutdown, and now a huge snow storm.
    Hugs on the wing.

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    • I did enjoy my time with her. But my house is a disaster because I put time with her ahead of chores and I’m so behind on everything. It was worth it, though. I’ll never get that time back, so it was good to use it wisely.

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  5. Pingback: Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links | Ann Writes Inspiration

  8. Once again, your weekly post will help me catch up on things I missed while spending five full, back-breaking days packing up Christmas for its return to the attic. Hopefully, the upcoming week will be fairly normal and I’ll get lots of writing done. Sharing these great links, and that wonderfully inspiring quote! Great post, Staci! 🙂 ❤

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    • I did a lot of Christmas tear-down, too. I’m looking forward to settling back into a routine, but I fear I have too much on my plate for that to happen soon. I’m glad I was able to get you back on track, though.

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    • I appreciate that. Your girls are getting to that age where they really start stretching their wings. It’s so hard to give them their freedom when you’re trying to snatch every last second you can. Enjoy them, Bryan.

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  21. I understand you wanting your kids to be successful and have lots of opportunities–to do this sometimes that means going away to college. My son is doing that too and is a 9 hour drive away. Always hard to say goodbye after a visit. I spend every moment I can with him when he visits. Luckily both of my girls live locally. Thanks for the links and hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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    • That is hard. I wish (for both of us) that their respective colleges were only an hour drive. But we don’t really have a say. All we can do is enjoy them when we can. I’m glad your girls are local. That eases the pain. Happy weekend.

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  22. Not being a mum I can’t imagine what it’s like having to ‘let your kids go’ at some point to make their own lives, but I do remember the look on my mums face when it came time for me to leave… and the rib-crushing hug I got from her when I left 🤗
    You go on ahead and be proud of your kids; it’s a refreshing change to hear a proud parent, not a parent grumbling about their kid’s this or that. 👍

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    • I gave my daughter that same rib-crushing hug. At least three of them, maybe more. I think I hugged her at the bedroom door, in the hallway, and at the garage door. And a few times last night before bed. I am feeling battered and hollow today. Spent most of the morning in bed with a migraine that was probably brought on by a night of stress. I just heard from her; she arrived safely. At least I can stop worrying about the drive. In the rain. Which is turning to snow. But I digress… she’s there, safe and sound.

      I am very proud of my kids. That doesn’t mean there isn’t an occasional grumble. No one’s perfect (me, them, or anyone else). But I never understand the people who want to publicly share the bad stuff. I’d rather build someone up than tear someone down.

      Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Denise.

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    • Sorry, Jess. In my befuddled state, I combined my answer to you and Denise. See? I’ve lost the ability to concentrate on this stuff because my head and heart are with my daughter. I’ll get sorted out, though. Eventually.

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