Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Guest: Stephanie Tyler

Please welcome Stephanie to the passenger seat today!  (Well, we wouldn't let her drive and chat now, would we?)  


Thanks so much to Michele for the invite to guest blog – I’m honored because wow, the amount of talent in that header is pretty amazing.  I’m in great company.


Well, let’s see, tomorrow’s Thanksgiving for me – and it’s book release week for me as well – my debut single title (and the first in a back to back trilogy) Hard to Hold released on Tuesday and I’m pretty much bouncing off the walls about it.  (You can read an excerpt and more here on my site.) So the whole, giving thanks is pretty fitting.  And it got me thinking about the past eight years that I’ve been writing and how far I’ve come…and who’s helped me along that journey.

I remember Nora Roberts once said that she has the same friends now as when she started out writing – and I’m pretty happy to report I’m going in that same direction.  Of course, I’ve met some amazing new authors, but nothing beats those authors you came up the ranks with, the ones you helped pick up when they admitted rejection and the ones you cheered on when they got their call. 

The person in my life – writing or otherwise - who I could not live without (and I tell her this all the time, except I typically say, you can never leave me) is author Larissa Ione

We met online long before either of us were published.  And then we ended up getting published within 3 days of one another.  And then we sold a series that we co-write about three weeks later (Sydney Croft.) 

She is my go-to person about everything. We’re been through hurricane stuff, kid stuff, writing meltdowns and everything in between, so she’s more than a writing friend – simply put, she’s one of my best friends.

And when my life went haywire this month (right in time for, oh, I have a book to promote too?) she stepped in and went to town talking up my book.  She’s nervous and exited as if this is her own book, and in so many ways, it is, because I never would’ve come this far without her.

She’s an awesome writer and an awesome friend.  I know she helps a lot of authors out there, aspiring or otherwise and I know she deserves every bit of success she’s gotten – and will get in the future.

So, whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow or not, who is the person in your life you’d like to thank and why?  


I’m giving away a set of Larissa’s 1st 3 Demonica books to one very lucky reader who comments!

48 comments:

Jane said...

Hi Stephanie,
Congrats on the release of your debut single title. I would thank my cousin for letting me bounce ideas about work off him. He's a few years older and I trust his judgment and advice. He's going through some personal problems and I've been trying to help him through it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Linda Henderson said...

I would have to thank both of my daughters for taking such good care of me. When I was first diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis I went downhill fast. After one treatment failure after another and being in and out of the hospital where all they could do was give me steroids and pain medicine they finally found a treatment that worked. I know they figured they would have to care for me one day, but I don't think they were counting on it when I was 57. They have been wonderful. When I was really bad they would help me dress, go to the bathroom, clean my apartment and do all my shopping. Even though they both have families they have always been there for me. I am so thankful that I raised such wonderful caring women. So I would like to give a big thank you to them.

Laurie G said...

My husband, John! He's been with me for almost 35 years! We've moved several times. weathered illnesses, raised 4 beautiful children, and supported me when work got me down and vice versa.

I'm so thankful to GOD who has so blessed my life!

Congrats on your debut book "Hard To HOld!"!!

s7anna said...

Hi Stephanie,
It's such a pleasure to read of your strong personal relationships with your fellow authors. Lovely to hear how supportive you all are for each other. I was actually over at Larissa's blog the day she was promoting your new series...She sounds like a wonderful person and a great friend to have.

I would have to thank my Mum for giving me the strength to continue wanting to live. I went through very severe bouts of depression & bulimia and had a hard time coping with life in general...school, friends etc. My Mum kept me grounded and made me want to rejoin the living. She showed me that regardless of the ups and downs, that life is worth living.

Happy Reading
Anna Shah Hoque
s7anna@yahoo.ca

Anonymous said...

Right now I'm thankful for my peaceful marriage. DH and I had to face some troubles this last year. He's had a moto accident and though his life was never threatened there have been a long period of therappy. He stayed at home, not working, for 5 long months, mostly depressed, either sulking or arguing with me. There was a time where I was wondering if we could go on together. Fortunatly we talked and opened our hearts to each other. He went back to work and things are now MUCH better. It feels good to be married to him these days, and I'm very thankful for it ;-)

Helen Brenna said...

Hi Stephanie, welcome and congrats on the new release!

In reading everyone's comments I'm just so overwhelmed by the strength of women. You guys amaze and humble me.

I'm thankful for my husband, Mark, for being so patient with my crazy writer life crap! And there is a lot of it!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

tetewa said...

I'm thankful for my mom, my dad passed away many years ago and she's always been there for me! I can count on her for anything, thanks mom!

Stephanie Tyler said...

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the congrats - and thanks for sharing your stories :) They're making me tear up, but in a good way, you know?

Michele Hauf said...

Welcome, Stephanie! I agree with Helen, it's great reading everyone's comments.

Right now, I am thankful for my hubby, who, while I slave away to get a story finished by December 1st, is currently downstairs vacuuming. Yep. I'm not going to stop him either.

Kathleen O said...

I am thankful that I always have my family and friend to be at my side in the good times and the not so good times... And I am thankful for being able to join in on blogs such as this one and meet great new authors to add to my reading list... Yours for sure will be going on my list..just the cover makes me want to read the book. Good luck with your books Stephanie..

The Scarf Princess said...

First and foremost I want to thank my family. Ever since a farming accident left me a quadraplegic at the age of 4, my family has been there encouraging me to live life to the fullest. They've never made me feel as if I was a burden. I also want to thank my friends who always make accomodations to make sure I'm always included in every activity we do. I'm very lucky to have them in my life.

Pamela Keener said...

I am thankful for all my friends and family. I am especially thankful to a dear friend who lost her husband in a terrible accident 10 days before I lost my husband to a heart attack. We boosted each other up especially during the holiday season and in the coming months. Then 5 years later I lost a fiance to suicide and even though she lived across the state she kept calling me to just talk. Now it is my time to help her as she deals with breast cancer.
Love & Hugs,
Pam Keener in Pa

Kathleen Eagle said...

I love all my writer friends, but my dear "Prairie Writers Guld" goes back with me the longest, and if I had to do without them, I would be one very sad bird. Judy Baer, Sandy Huseby and I attended our first RWA National...well, let's just say it was the first DC conference. (I'm pretty sure some of our Riders were still wearing pigtails in their hair and braces on their teeth.) We were all living in ND then. Within a few years we inducted Pamela Bauer into the fold, and Ana Seymour (Mary Bracho) a few years after that. We're all Minnesotans now, at least some part of the year, and we are true BFFs. Through the years and tears (joy and sadness both) we hold our heads high. Our battle cry is Vive PWG!

Kathleen Eagle said...

Oh, shoot. That's *Guild*. Prairie Writers Guild. I've never been the best speler in the group.

Cindy Gerard said...

Welcome to the convertible, Stephanie. Congrats on you new release.
The message in your post strikes a chord with me. Some of my best buds are my writer friends as we have absolutely been through the fire together. I've mostly found that writers form a sisterhood - lots of support and I remain thankful for that.

Debra Dixon said...

Welcome, Stephanie !

Obviously I adore my family, but I'll troll farther than that for people...

I'm pretty thankful for my business partners. They are the most supportive group. They've were my dear friends for many years before they became my partners. Deborah Smith keeps me laughing all day long.

And my assistant Pam is like the icing on the top of my holiday cake. I cannot survive without her.

Tori Lennox said...

I'd like to thank my friend Jill who always makes me feel good about my writing even when I think it's a total disaster. :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

I know you said person, but I have to say Thank you to my working dog Pickles. It was because of her I was able to embrace my deafness and a life of silence. Ironically Pickles is also a Katrina survivor. I think that's what makes her so precious to me, even after everything she's been through she still has the capacity to trust and love.

There are plenty of people I could thank, but she's the reason I'm still here and the reason I became a writer. Indigo

Anonymous said...

For some reason, Blogger isn't allowing me to log in, so doing this anonymously (but I'm really Larissa Ione.)

Wanted to say that Steph's post made my cry, and then reading the comments made me cry harder.

I'm thankful for so much, but especially thankful to have a friend like Stephanie. Without her, I KNOW I wouldn't be published. She was right there to pick up the pieces after Katrina, and she's the one who got me writing again.

*sobs* Am big, mushy mess...

Armenia said...

Hi Stephanie,
Congratulations on your release, HARD TO HOLD. It sounds like its been a labor of love writing Jake's story finally.

I've read everyone's comments and its great that we have so much to be thankful for. For me, its family, our health, and I can't forget the many authors that bring me joy through their stories. I can't imagine not reading everyday and transporting myself in a world of imagination and love.

Cindy Gerard said...

Indigo - I'm so glad you and Pickles found each other. What a lovely, lovely bond you have.

Trblcmn said...

Congrat's on your release Ms. Tyler. I cannot wait to get mine!

Besides my family oof course. I would like to thank my dear sister friend, who came into my life when things were at their worst and has been there for me ever since.

She is not a sister by blood but by choice and she is the kindest sweetest person I know and I am so thankful that she's in my life.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

Anonymous said...

I want to say how thankful I am to my oh so sexy partner of 11 1/2 years,Brett. Incredibly thankful to have two of the most beautiful,intelligent and exasperating children-Ethan & Avery. And the best parents a girl could ask for.Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Almost forgot, so very thankful to all my wonderful author friends who allow me into their worlds. :)

Unknown said...

Stephanie,

Congrats on the release! (LOVE the Acro books).

This year I'm thankful for my whole family. My grandfather passed a couple weeks ago so this year we are all making a big effort to be together for eachother and my grandmother.

Stephanie G

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say my husband. In true HEA fashion, he manages to make me feel like I am the best that I can be and then actually feel like I live up to that! I always know that he's got my back and stands by my side no matter what.

jeanette8042 said...

I would love to thank my parents who have cared and supported me all my life! I also want to thank my family and friends who've been awesome supporters and make me laugh all the time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, Stephanie - and huge congrats!!!
I'm always thankful for my bestie and hubby of 22 years, life wouldn't be the same without him. He supports me in everything I do, even my crazy schemes LOL
And right now I'm particularly thankful for my dad who survived a catastrophic stroke - and for the incredible surgeon who saved his life.

Mary G said...

Hi Stephanie
I have good life: a job, hubby, son, family, tennis, & great friends. The icing on the cake this year was meeting on-line & in person, other readers. I always felt like a freak becAuse I always had to be in the middle of a book, have one in my purse, have them all over my house in TBR piles.
That's what I'm thankful for - a bunch of people who make me feel normal LOL. Don't enter me as I have the books. Just wanted to say congrats on Hard to Hold (still not in stock at my Chapters stores.)

mariska said...

Congrats for the debut release !

I'm not celebrating Thanksgiving :) Then still I'm So thankful for A great family that i have. My DH that loves me no matter i am. And my 3 yos little boy that being mummy's bestfriend.

Lani said...

right now I am thankful for my husband, who is supporting me through issues with my mother and my brother, and the death of my beloved grandmother, right before thanksgiving - as well as my aunts, who believe that I am taking the right steps to help myself in making a better future for myself.

LeLe31 said...

First of all congrats on your release! I ran out and bought it yesterday and can't wait to start it!

I am grateful for my DH. He has been so supportive since I have changed my eating habits (which means he has too) and lost 82 pds (so far). It all started last year when my brother passed away and something just changed. I felt like life was just too short, you know? He helped me through it all and is always there for me. Anyway, he is an awesome husband and a wonderful father and I love him more than anything in the world!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Lady_Graeye said...

I am thankful for my family, friends and good health. For the fact my husband still has a job though his hours and pay has been cut. My parent are both healthy and each reached the age of 70 this year. My five children all are happy, healthy and home for the holidays. Today, we just take one day at a time and hope for the best and the future will look bright soon. We'll gonna need shades!

Martha Eskuchen said...

Congratulations on your release! Sounds pretty awesome! I have to say I am thankful for my hubby - 24 years next Monday! From the very get go he accepted me for who I was/am and he has allowed me to grow, to be a wife, a mother, a business owner, a partner. He is my BEST Friend! mesreadsATgmailDOTcom

donnas said...

Congrats on your release!

I would thank my mom and sister. They have always been there no matter what.

Martha Lawson said...

Hi Stephanie!

Can't wait to read Hard to Hold; been waiting all summer seems like!
I love the Acro books and your blazes!

I'm thankful for my husband for putting up with my craziness for 28 years!!!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Barbara E. said...

Congrats on your new release, I wish you much continued success!

I actually have two very important people in my life that I'd like to thank. My sister, who is my best friend, for always being there for me. My son Erik - he's always been a joy and I just love him to pieces.

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Stephanie Tyler said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!! I'm reading over what you're all thankful for again this morning and really, it just makes me smile and tear up. Part of the reason I love the romance community so much is the sheer strength I find here among its members...thank you for sharing and for the reminders to be grateful for family and friends and pets who are family...

And thanks to everyone who said they were looking forward to Hard to Hold - YAY! Love hearing that.

And to Miss Larissa - Love ya :)

cissikat said...

Hi Stephanie, Congrats on you new book, looking forward to it very much!
I am so thankful for living in the US and the blessings that abound here, the soldiers who keep us safe and spend so much time away from their homes. I am thankful for my family, my husband and kids, and all the rest of them as well. I am thankful for authors who write books for me to read, laugh and enjoy! I hope your Thanksgiving is full of blessings!

Victoria said...

Congratulations Stephanie! Hard to Hold is next up on my reading. Had to re-arrange my pile, hee hee. Love your work.

Jackie said...

Hello Stephanie, Happy Thanksgiving today....
Congratulations on the book release...

I have to say the one person in my life that am most Thankful for and to is my wonderful Mother. She has always held my hand when I am sad, cheered me on when I am happy and never ever has she let me down in my entire life. My Mom lost her wonderful husband of 52 years this last June on Father's Day and she is moved in permanently with myself and my husband. We both miss my Father lots but am so glad that still have my Mom because she is now and always will be my most and best friend......

I am also thankful for all the wonderful authors who write the reading material that I love to pass time with as my favorite hobb.
I also am thankful for all the men and women in the armed services who are spending today away from their families and loved ones so we can enjoy our Thanksgiving Holiday in peace and allow us our freedom in this US of A....

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, be safe....

Anonymous said...

I'm very thankful for my friend, Nancy, who has always been by my side.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

buddyt said...

My husband for putting up with all my bitgh moods, always being calm and understandingthroughout 29years of marriage and helping me raise two beautifull children.

Carol

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

P.S. Hope this is open worldwide ?

susan said...

Congrats on your new book..it sure sounds good. I just decided to get in here and catch up since the day is behind me now. Hope your day was wonderful. susan L.

susan said...

Who do I want to thank for all I got. First I must say GOD as HE has put me in the right places and the right time so I could meet many of my friends and HE gave me the personality to relate to others and be able to be a friend to everyone. My Mother showed me kindness is much easier to give than it is to be hateful and try to hurt others..She showed me to be a friend, to be honest and to try and walk in other people's shoes instead of finding faults with everyone. I lived these all my life and have so many rewards to show for being kind. These are what life is all about. susan L.

snulfers said...

I would like to thank Leah Brunk for being a friend to me whether I wanted one or not at a time I needed one the most.

Anonymous said...

I would like to thank, and have thanked today, my step-mother :) Thanksgiving was spent with just her, my little sister, and myself... but I told her how much I loved her, how I appreciated everything she's ever done for me, her patience, and that there was no where else I'd rather be.

victoriasdreams said...

I would love to thank my parents. They have been a great help now that im a single parent. they love my kids so much and instil the same values as they did for me. When i need a lil time for myself and go watch a movie or read a book they are always there for me. I thank God for a great family

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