Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
While January might be over we’ve got one more Authors Dish too good not to share -are you ready for a little author fun?
Today we’ve got Author Regina Kyle ready to dish!
Rae: With the new year underway, do you have a “word” of the year or do you set monthly goals?
Regina: For the last few years I have chosen a word of the year. This year, it’s “curious.” I picked it because just after Christmas I had a dream about this sleeping bag I used to own as a kid. I was made to look like denim with all these patches all over it—very late 1960s-early 1970s. One of the patches said, “I am curious, but yellow.” As kids, my siblings and I never really understood what that meant, but it always stuck out to us. Then I remembered Ted’s speech to Rupert in one of my favorite shows, Ted Lasso, where he lectures Rupert about being curious, not judgmental (as he kicks his butt at darts LOL). That’s how I want to approach life this year. My writing, my family, my friends, my day job. Curious, not judgmental.
Rae: If you’re a snow lover what is your favorite thing to do outside in the winter months?
Regina: If you prefer the sunny beaches and warm sand …. where would you rather be?—I’ve lived in the northeast all my life and I am soooooo not a winter weather gal. My idea of a winter activity is curling up in front of our gas fireplace with a cup of tea, a warm, blanket, a good book, and one of more of my cats. Or escaping down down south on a Caribbean cruise. Sadly, my next one isn’t until July.
Rae: It’s January and we’re all thinking about staying organized and setting our goals, what are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate you and keep you on task?
Regina: —Top five? Hmmm … 1. Make a daily task list. I’m a big fan of lists and crossing stuff off. This year, I’m trying to get better at making my daily tasks achievable and not biting off more than I can chew. It’s about baby steps, whether I’m writing or decluttering my house. 2. Stay off social media. I love social media and I love connecting with readers, but it can be a real time suck. I try to limit my time on there and use a social media blocker when I’m writing. 3. Use the pomodoro method. Set a timer, work on whatever task I’m working on for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. That seems to work well for me in getting stuff done.
4. Noise cancelling headphones. These are especially useful when I’m writing at home. When they’re on, hubby knows not to bother me unless the place is burning down, and I can listen to music or some mindless background TV show or movie through my phone while I’m working. 5. This isn’t really a productivity tool, but as Becca Syme says, QTP. That stands for question the premise. What it means is that when you see someone post about what they’re doing, or what things help them reach their goals, ask yourself whether that will work for you, too. Everyone is different, and just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it will do the same for you.
Rae: If you could create a winter drink what would you call it and what would be in it?
Regina: —I’d call it something like the Sleigh All Day and it would have egg nog, kalua and Fireball whiskey. Three of my favorite things!
Rae: Do you have a winter bucket list?
Regina: —not really. Like I said, I’m not really a winter weather kind of gal. My bucket list for this winter is to get through these massive edits on my second Mediterranean Millionaire book, How Not To Marry A Millionaire. At least I get to fictionally spend the cold months in Spain with Miguel and Perri LOL.
Rae: You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart?
Regina: —One store? Dang, that’s tough. I’ve already got tons of books at my fingertips thanks to all the reading apps on my phone, so that’s taken care of. We’re pretty stocked with booze, so I’m good there. So I’m going to say that I’d head to my latest obsession, Aldis. Seriously, that place is addictive. Their produce is great, that have lots of good cheeses and dips, all different kinds of trail mix (they have this one with craisins and dark chocolate that I adore), and you never know what you’ll find in the infamous aisle of shame (fleece jammies, socks, Squishmallows, kitchen gadgets, there’s always something you don’t need but really want). And the prices are great, so I know I won’t have to break the bank to stock up.
