Guest Post by Margo Candela: "Why Writers Take Breaks" and Book Giveaway

I don’t smoke, I don’t drink coffee and I don’t have anyone to gossip with a couple cubicles over, but I still make a point getting away from my desk at regular intervals during my writing day. (These breaks mirror the longer ones I take from a manuscript between drafts and revising.) For me, a little distance is a good thing and taking breaks from what I’m writing is essential to maintaining my sanity.

I could lie and say I do fabulous things when I’m away from my desk. That I inoculate orphans, read to seniors or even arrange flowers, but what I do is vacuum. Our dog, a sweet but rather dumb creature, is so used to it, she seems rather put out when I don’t wake her up from a nap with a nudge from the Dyson. By the way, it’s all about the vacuum. I sincerely doubt I’d have a thing for vacuuming if I didn’t have such an awesome machine to push around.

Before I took up with my Dyson I used to sew. My mother-in-law presented me with a Singer sewing machine one Christmas and I can honestly say it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I used to make tote bags, one right after another, and wound up with way too many and too little things to carry in them. After a while, family and friends were less than happy to accept a present of one of my creations so I had to find a new hobby. I got a label maker and labeled anything and everything I could until my husband hid it from me.

Then the Dyson arrived into my life and I’ve been hooked on the thing ever since. I’m itching to upgrade to a DC25 Animal, but won’t do so until something really special happens. Like selling another novel or getting my screenplay optioned. I want my vacuuming to mean something more than just, you know, vacuuming.

My vacuum breaks might morph into something else, but for now nothing makes me happier than hearing my vacuum rev up…even if the dog isn’t impressed by it anymore.

One lucky commenter today will receive a copy of GOODBYE TO ALL THAT, Margo Candela's latest release. Please include your email with your comment.

Book Review: GOODBYE TO ALL THAT by Margo Candela

Before I give my book review, let me announce that Beth Trissel has won my weekly prize drawing. Beth, I'll contact you to see which of my books you choose.

Now for Margo Candela's GOODBYE TO ALL THAT.

Raquel Azorian has worked her way from temp to executive assistant and is this close to a promotion to junior marketing exec at Belmore Corporation, the midia behemoh she's devoted herself to. She's learned to play the Hollywood game--navigate office politics, schmooze the right people, avoid the wrong ones, and maintain a sense of decorum even in the craziest of times. All she needs is for her boss to sign her promotion memo. Instead of putting pen to paper, he suffers a very public meltdown that puts not only his professional future but Raquel's on the line.

Getting to the next rung on the Belmore ladder will require every ounce of focus, but that's not going to be easy. Raquel's mom has decided to leave her husband and move into Raquel's apartment, and her older brother seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into depression. Raquel has to keep her job, stop her parents from divorcing, and save her brother. In the chaos of juggling so much, she finally reaches the breaking point: there's just not enough time for everything or for everyone. She's going to have to choose--success at work or happiness at home. But then a chance encounter at a bookstore cafe leads Raquel to start planning her own Hollywood ending . . . on her own terms.
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Raquel learned early on that being a pretty girl in town of pretty girls only qualified her for a hostess job at a local restaurant. She made certain she stood out in a sea of frumpy that qualified her to corporate success at Belmore, where company politics are a blood sport. Life keeps knocking her down, but she plays like a champ. Her mom moves in and her parents and her brother depend too heavily on her to solve their problems. Her boss counts on her until the chips are down. Raquel is not perfect, but she is too good for the job she's given her life to. Only a terrible crisis shows her where her heart and her future lie. She makes the right decisions to launch herself in a more reasonable life.

Margo Candela tells a wonderful story. Her characterization is faultless, and I liked Raquel immediately. If you've ever had a job that consumed you, ever been speared by office politics. or ever had your heart broken, you'll sympathize with Raquel. Even if you've experienced none of these tragedies, you'll find this story speaks to you on some level.  I recommend it to every reader.

Please join me on the 31st for a post by Margo Candela and the chance to win a copy of her new release, GOODBYE TO ALL THAT.