Today is a day for the history books…If history cares about the day I did something crazy. And by crazy, I mean completely normal to everyone but myself. Yes, today I did something special. Something amazing. Something unheard of! Today…I signed up for my first writer’s conference!
 
Are you disappointed? Sorry. This is a big deal for me, though! I never do anything like this. For years, I chose to go about my writing business alone. I was a little row boat tied to the harbor, trying not to sink as the tall ships around me sailed on to the high seas, experiencing adventures, finding treasures, making friends with the other…ships…(That metaphor got away from me a little bit.)
 
But today, I decided to stop cowering and finally sign up. I am looking forward to learn more, to meet new people, and to improve my writing. But I still get a little queasy every time I think about this new adventure. So I'm making myself feel better by staring at my pictures of the ocean (taken just last week on my trip to California). Because, let’s be honest “The cure for anything is salt water. Sweat, tears, or the sea.” (Isak Dinesen)

Last year, I saw an advertisement for The Man Who Invented Christmas, and I really wanted to watch it. It is the story of Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol. However, time got away from me, and I eventually forgot about the film. Fast forward eleven months to when a couple clean romance authors (Shaela Kay and Arlem Hawks) brought it back to my attention with high recommendations.  

The next evening, I sat down with my husband to watch it together. I probably should have watched it alone with how much I cried throughout the dang thing. Fortunately, my husband chalked my sniffing up to a cold I didn't have.

I absolutely loved this movie, and I'm so sad I didn't watch it until this year! It spoke to me on so many levels, as an author, a reader, and as a person in general. It captures the exact feelings of a writer, from being interrupted in the middle of inspiration to being frustrated when characters don't cooperate and refuse to leave you alone. It is so well done.

I love the message of the book, and the movie just adds to it. It's inspiring, heartwarming, entertaining, funny, and just delightful. This movie will definitely be watched by me every year during Christmas, as well as every time I need a little inspiration to continue with my writing.

If you haven't seen it yet, watch it now! You won't regret it. 

A few other mentions: "Christmas Crush" was cute, but was a little too good at reminding me of high school, so pass on that. "The Spirit of Christmas" was fine, too, but it was too spooky for my taste. (I'm a coward, you see.) "How Sarah Got Her Wings" was ridiculous. I did NOT like that one. "Christmas in the Smokies" was really great until the end...it was kinda lackluster. 

I have a few others on my watch list this year, including "Christmas Wedding Planner," "Christmas with a View," and "Angels in the Snow."

So there you have it! What are some of your favorite cheesy, Christmas romances?? Did I miss any of your favorites?