Changing Perspective, and a Giveaway

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By Liz, enjoying some summer vibes from my new patio!

Hi readers! So, today I was actually going to write about boats. Yachts, to be more specific. I’m still celebrating the release of Claws for Alarm, my newest Cat Cafe Mystery, and there’s a really big boat in it with a few celebrities thrown in for good measure.

There’s nothing like a good yacht and some celebrity hijinks to really mess up the harbor on an island. I had a whole thing planned about the time I spent in Newport Harbor trying to find the perfect boat after which to model my boat, studying which boats could have which cool amenities, and figuring out which best suited my needs for my particular celebrities.

But on Tuesday, I had the privilege of doing a Zoom event at One More Page Books with Sherry and Shari Randall/Meri Allen to celebrate all three of our releases (make sure you pick up A Time to Swill and The Rocky Road to Ruin if you haven’t already!) and it was so much fun I had to stop and get a little sentimental. And maybe I’ll write about boats another time.

Like many of us, I haven’t been out much this past year and a half, and the last book event I went to in person was like, two whole years ago. It’s crazy. And in times of high stress, lots of work – books and otherwise – and all kinds of other things going on, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds of all the “have-tos.” Like, I have to write that scene/edit that chapter/make that deadline/do my day job, etc. etc.

But Tuesday night, sitting down for an hour with two of my dearest friends and the lovely Eileen from One More Page and talking about books and writing and all the fun stuff that goes along with it, as well as seeing so many other lovely friends in the audience and on the chat, I took a step back that I hadn’t taken in a long time and remembered how lucky I am to be doing this.

It’s not about “having to make my deadline,” it’s about “getting to do the thing I love.” It’s not about finding the time after a long day, it’s about happily carving out more time from other, less enjoyable tasks to do the thing I’ve dreamt of since I was a little kid. It’s about getting to write books that bring people enjoyment and happiness for a little while. It’s about getting that box of books in the mail and opening it with as much glee as one would a new pair of shoes (okay, maybe a bit more than the shoes, unless they’re Jimmy Choos or something).

I think it’s been easy to forget all the good that comes with this work, with so much going on. It’s never intentional, but you just get into a rut. I used to get out of that rut by seeing my writer friends and readers more often and remembering all the joy.

Today, I’m making a promise to remember that joy more often. I’m changing my inner dialogue to remind myself that writing or editing or page proofing isn’t another task on my to-do list, it’s a privilege and one I’m so, so lucky to have.

And so I wanted to say thank you to all of you for making it possible. And I can’t wait for Thursday night’s Zoom event with Sherry, Shari/Meri, and Vicki Delaney at Bank Square Books!

Readers, is there something on which you’re working on changing perspectives? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win a copy of Claws for Alarm!

Published by Cate Conte / Liz Mugavero

Cate Conte writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in the Boston area with her rescue pals.

53 Thoughts

  2. I’m so sorry I missed the event, Liz, and will go hunt down the recording (I think Sherry posted a link). You are so right. We can’t lose sight of the joys of our job! So many congratulations, again, on the new book.

  3. All these emails are chances to connect. I still wish there were less than 9,874 of them.

  6. My state is going back to recommending masks, just when I was hoping that nightmare was fading away! So now I’m changing my perspective from seeing an end in sight to just hanging on and maybe someday actually seeing an end in sight. Still a hopeful perspective, still plenty of gratitude, though!

  7. It was such a fun event and so good to see you, Shari and Eileen. It warmed my heart too. And this is a good reminder for me as well. I don’t have to write this afternoon. I get to write. Love you, Liz!

  8. Liz, this was such a wonderful and inspiring post. Thank you so much for writing it! It is so easy to get lost in the mundane routine of life. I am working on changing my perspective on having to work for at least 5 to 8 more years until I retire, while many of my friends are able to retire now. Instead of thinking about the work aspect, I’m trying to be excited about doing what I can do now to make my retirement years more comfortable.

    1. That’s a great attitude Wendy! Hoping you can find joy in those years as well. I’m working on finding joy in my own day job…

  9. You’re so right! Yes, I have to do the laundry. Yuck! But I have a washer and dryer now instead of going to the scary laundry mat like I did long ago. Yes, my garden has scary bugs but I’m lucky to have fresh veggies. Thanks for the positivity!

  11. So true! I’m trying to change perspective on my job. It’s very stressful – but I’ve always been sure it’s going to be there. One stress I don’t have to deal with! Congratulations on the new release!

  12. I’m a full time caregiver for my mom who’s in her 90s. I try and look at it from a positive viewpoint but it’s not always easy

  13. Happy Book Birthday Liz! I am trying to work more on living without worry. It is easy to say and hard to do.

  14. Think we all lose sight of what’s important and/or how many blessing we really do have in our every day lives until something hits us up side the head and says lookie here. That is what the last couple years have been – that slap up side the head. It’s made me aware more of the here and now and not to take for granted the little things that turned out to be daily blessings. I’ve stopped worrying about next year, but rather concentrate on the now to make it the best I can, learn a little every day, enjoy myself doing the things I love more often, telling those that are dear to me exactly how much they mean to me by giving that extra bit of myself (be it making their favorite cookie or just telling them thank you for something they did for me). The Covid situation is like the ups and downs of a roller coaster that we are all riding whether we like it or not, but I’m determined to see the bright light in each day and to be thankful that I’m in it – for as long as my maker allows be it a day, to the light at the end of the tunnel when Covid is whipped or 20 years from now and along the way I only wish to shine some light, hope and love to others along the way.

    Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win a copy of “Claws for Alarm”! On my TBR list and can’t wait to read it.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

  15. We’ve been having a family dinner with my brother-in-law, our nephews and their families every Sunday since shortly after my sister-in-law passed away August 26, 2019. There have been times my husband and I have said , I wish we didn’t have to go down there. We are so lucky to have extended family that wants to spend time with us. We are lucky that we are here to do it. Instead of we have to go we should be saying we get to go. I’m going to work on that.
    Congratulations on the new book. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to win it.

  16. I think my biggest change in perspective came when I went to a new job early this year. I had been feeling in need of a change for various reasons. Being somewhere else has gotten me realizing what I value in a job, things I already had somewhat of an opinion on but are really front and center right now. I’m hoping a position opens up soon at my previous job, because I really feel it’s the best fit right now, maybe not in all ways but in the ways that are most important to me.

  17. As a reader, I miss in person book events, too. Although it is fun to get to attend book events all over the country, like I did Tuesday. Heck, I did two book events back to back. And I’m planning to attend tonight as well.

    I’ll be diving into Claws for Alarm today. Looking forward to it!

  18. Congratulations on your new release, looking forward to reading the book. I guess I have to get back into pandemic mode and think twice about where I’m going and if I really need to go out. On good thing is I spend more time with my cats and reading.

  20. Congratulations on your new book, and so sorry I missed this event, hopefully I can see it. Yes, this COVID is doing a number on everybody, but it has made me realize to Not take anyone or anything for granted! I take one day at a time and I am very grateful for everyday of my Life and my families and friends. I loved reading your Beautiful post, Thank you for sharing it. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.

  21. OK, so I saw this on the Good Witch, pause 10 seconds before you leap, but for me, it’s before I speak. I REALLY need to do that.

  22. Your post is very timely. It’s just what I needed right now. Two weeks ago I had double total knee replacement surgery. I’m recovering very well, but the pain and stiffness are frustrating. I keep telling myself that a) I am so lucky to live in a time when such procedures are available, and b) my recovery is really remarkably fast. I just have to remember what it was like two weeks ago and how wonderful it will be in the future.

  24. I try to be thankful for friends and family, food, books, and garden. Looking forward to reading the new book.

  25. Congratulations on the new release! I am thankful that I get to write and in the process, save my sanity during this nutso time. I had forgotten that for a few weeks, so thanks for the reminder!

  26. Liz,
    What a great blog! Congratulations on your latest book! It’s not what we have to do, but what we get to do~love this and so true!
    As far as changing perspective for me-I always loved to exercise (I know-strange right…) and strived to be thinner. Now, I exercise simply to be healthier.

  27. My husband and I have lived with my Mom in my childhood home for 8-10 years. She has been in and out of a nursing home for the last year. She will not be able to come back home. I am working on the perspective of trying to make the house our home. We moved in with my Mom having a full house of furniture and household items. We are now working on trying to decide what we want to keep and what to give away. This is challenging for me since my Mom is still alive. I am working on looking at everything in the house now belongs to us instead of my Mom. It is a work in process. Thank you. God bless you.

  28. This year I am very thankful for the health of my family and my upcoming grandbaby in September! I need to remember to be thankful every day!

  30. Congratulations in your book! Great book cover! I’m grateful for my family!!!! ❤

    Thanks for the chance!

  31. How inspiring! I need to apply that to homeschooling my daughter. I have been dreading the start of the school year since it means more work for me but now I realize I have the wrong perspective and that I need to change my way of thinking. Thanks for that!

  32. Congratulations on your newest cozy! I have to change my mindset that it is okay to start going out again after all this time. Or at least someplace other than medical appointments. I’ve become far too comfortable staying in. Thanks for the chance to win this!

  33. This really hits home for me. Congratulations on the new book in a great series.

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