​It's human nature to want to make everyone around you happy. I mean, who doesn't want to do their best as not to disappoint anyone. However,  how often have you been disappointed in yourself?

I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't look in the mirror and find something to critizie myself over. Usually, for me, it's the way my jeans fit or something along those lines. I begin to beat myself up quietly for what I've eaten or for not getting to the gym the day before. 

If it were someone else's happiness that depended on me feeding them the right foods or getting them to the gym, I'd do that. I'd make sure they were taken care of, and they wouldn't be disappointed in my effort. But when it comes to me, it's different.

Why do we do that, I wonder? Why would I not want myself to succeed? I want to succeed, but isn't it funny that I can't tell myself that, and it be enough.

It's not just in the area of physical appearance that we beat ourselves up. It's about our career choices, the raising of our children, our political views. 

I'm a list maker and an alarm setter. I find that keeps me focused on what I need to do at a certain time. Starting tomorrow, I'll be writing, "Don't disappoint yourself," on my list. Just a gentle reminder that I would work harder for anyone else in the world, but that I need to focus on working on number one--Me!

It's been a journey, but I find that when I start my day giving thanks for what I have, everything falls into place a little smoother. The good things become the BIG things, and the bad things remain small and insignificant. It's easy to be grateful for my family. I love them. But sometimes, again, a good moment can be ruined by a bad mood. It's then you have to step back and be grateful for that mood. It reminds you that it's not so bad. Dirty dishes remind you that you had food to eat. Dirty laundry reminds you that you had clothes to wear. Items strung around your house remind you that you have things to enjoy. A commute reminds you that you have a job. Tears remind you that you feel. Fingerprints on your wall remind you that little hands were there. 

When you think of the blessings in those "negatives," they don't seem so bad anymore. And the good things just get Bigger!

Wake with a grateful heart. Sit for a moment and give thanks for those blessings. Write them down and remember them always. Or take a quiet moment to reflect on them.

Always have a grateful heart,
 Bernadette Marie 

"Believe you can and you're half way there." T. Roosevelt

One of the easiest things in life is to dream. Dreaming takes very little effort, and it comes to us even when we're sleeping. To act on that dream, that takes a little more work. A lot of planning goes into making a dream a reality. Very often we stumble and fall. Wanting to give up is an easy feeling. Doing so, even easier. Finding the courage to continue, that takes a lot of believing in yourself. And if you believe you can do something you're half way to your goal. Keep dreaming! Keep Believing!

Have a Beautiful Day!
~Bernadette Marie~
​#WiseWords

I am passionate about writing what I love to read, about the process, and about helping others achieve their goals when it comes to getting their books published. How do you know you're right where you're supposed to be? It consumes you. Sometimes you even disappear from society because your passion is driving you.

Yesterday, I was telling a dear friend about the things I'd been working on. My voice went up in octive. My hands began to fly in the air, and my heart began to race because I was so happy to share my plans with her.

I could talk writing process for hours without tiring. The publishing industry is changing at a maddening pace right now. It's very exciting. It can be frustrating, but that too stirs passion. 

I'm very passionate about the stories I write as well. I have had readers come to me and tell me how that moment they picked up one of my books, their lives changed. Sure, reading HEA romance may not change how you live your life, but at the right moment it might get you through a tough time. What a wonderful thing to hear your work touched someone in such a way. Why wouldn't you want to keep doing it?

Not a day goes by that I don't find thankfulness in what I do. It's a wonderful feeling knowing no matter how busy you are at work it's going to be an amazing day. I'm passionate about what I do, are you?

I'm so excited to have my Keller Family Series Novella, A ROMANCE FOR CHRISTMAS, as part of the 5 Prince Publishing anthology, UNWRAP THE ROMANCE. 

If you're a fan of the Keller Family Series, you remember Tiffany, the beautiful, red-headed best friend of Spencer Benson. A ROMANCE FOR CHRISTMAS is Tiffany's love story. It combines the magic of Christmas, and of course my love of Country Music.

All six novellas are Christmas romances that you're sure to love. Found exclusively on Amazon, this collection is only .99 and Free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Let's face it, professional letters on letterhead aren't always your first contact with a company or with someone in which you're trying to impress. Email has certainly taken over in that department. However, at the same time, lack of quality has taken over as well. When emailing a publishing professional, make sure to spotlight your writing skills in the initial email.

This is what you should include in a professional email.

Begin with a greeting:
If you know who you are sending the email to, it is always nice to begin the email with, "Dear Ms. Smith." Should you know personally know the recipient and are on a first name basis with them, you could use their first name. If you're not sure to whom the email should be sent to, begin with "To whom it may concern."  Just remember that if this is a professional email, you should take some time in knowing who the email is going to. Beginning an email with, "Hey! I want you to publish my book," is not keeping it professional.

Start by thanking the recipient (if they are getting back to you.)
Let's say you are returning an email to someone who has queried you. No matter what the question might have been in the original email, it is always good to begin with, "Thank you for your recent email," or "Thank you for contacting us." People who are reaching out to a company want to know that they are appreciated. This is a great way to always be courteous, even if you're writing an email that isn't full of good news.

What is your purpose:
There is a reason you're emailing the recipient. What is it?

This might be the first communication you are having with the recipient, therefore thanks might not be called for. However, let them know why you are emailing by stating your purpose. "I am writing to enquire about..." or "in reference to..." Make your purpose clear before you get into the body of your test. Use good grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Get to the point and be clear about what you're trying to say or ask.

In closing:
Make sure to thank the recipient for taking the time to read your email. This is a good time to also add a note of reply, if you're expecting one. "Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking to you." or  "Thank you for your time."


How to end your professional email:
End with an appropriate closing. "Best regards," "Sincerely," and "Thank you," are all professional. Avoid "Best wishes," "See ya!" and "Cheers." Leave those to the casual email you're sending to your friend.

Of course, before you send the email proof it. Check your spelling. Make sure your contact information and your name is attached. Did you say what you needed to say? Do they know you're awaiting a reply? Always check your work. 

One more point. If you're trying to make an impression of professionalism, check your email address. Does it say too much about you? If you're looking to be professional for the long haul, think about getting a professional email address that gives you that appearance as well.

I always say my mother gave me a great gift. She taught me professionalism even when you're writing a  "go to hell" letter. You want to get your point across so that the person on the other side looks forward to the journey.

What I don't understand is...where has that gone?

My son's English teacher is teaching them to write professional emails. In fact, it is the only way she will respond to you. I'm proud to say, he has the professionalism down, and that makes me very happy because I see this as a lost art.

I wish I could tell you how many emails and messages I get a month, as a publisher or an author, where the author of the email has no concern over the content of the email. Misspelled words. Missing punctuation. Horrible grammar. And I'm here to tell you that "text" talk isn't professional at all. 

What happened to the days of Dear Mrs. Smith, or To Whom it May Concern? Anymore, emails or messages start off with Hey! 


Don't get me wrong. If I'm emailing my BFF about having a decaf, non-fat, mocha, well then yes, I might start out the conversation with, Hey! However, if I'm inquiring about a job, or an opportunity you can GUARANTEE I'm going to do some research on whom I'm writing the email to and I'm going to address them correctly.

I have, in fact, tossed out submissions for my publishing house when I feel that the professionalism from the author isn't there. An email in all caps will not be read and if you start a query out with Hey there is a huge chance it won't be read either.

There is a wealth of information out there on writing professional emails, letters, queries, etc. With the world at your fingertips, why wouldn't you try a little harder to impress? 

With that said, join me here tomorrow when I go over the fundamentals of a professional email. (Feel free to share it with anyone who could benefit.)

How to stay motivated to write.

If you'd begun writing you'll soon realize that your mind will wander in a million directions. If you haven't given yourself permission to write you're going to be thinking of the dishes in the sink and the clothes in the washer.  Make sure your writing time is important to you and that will help motivate you.

Another key factor in writing is reading. Yep! You need to read to write. Now, I say this from experience. While writing my first book when I was much, much younger, I stopped reading. My purpose was because I didn't want to accidentally steal anything. But the truth is reading other writers only encouraged my creativity. Think about it...when you were younger and you danced until your heart was content you'd follow along at some point, right. It didn't make your dance any less yours. There are only so many story lines and so many words. It's how you string them together.

Think about how music moves you to work out, or dance, or sing at the top of your lungs. That creative spark sparks another. Reading is much the same.

A less popular method of keeping motivated (this is usually by newer writers) is share your work. Find someone who is so enthusiastic about reading what you've wrote and share it with them. Their enthusiasm will spark yours. I'm not talking a critique partner either. I'm talking someone who just loves what you do. It might take some guts to find that person, but I tell you it's worth it.

Again, journal everyday. I'm not saying you need to even journal your trip to the store. However, there is something in everyday. Look up writing prompts on Google. There are tons of them and they will spark your creativity a little bit. We can all use that.

Create a blog. Everyone is an expert in something. Yes, even you can write a blog about something. Heck, Sienfield had an entire show about nothing--and that was the tag line! Create a blog calendar and search how to create blog content. It may not be a book, but it is keeping you writing.

The best way to keep motivated is to have a goal. Do you want to publish in magazines or write books? Are you going to submit to a big house, small house, or self-publish? If you're working with publishing houses you're going to be under contract to do certain things with your writing. A contract certainly motivates you!

Motivating yourself to write will NEVER come easily. After 22 books published I still have to convince myself that I have to sit and write and not just mess around with it. Those dishes aren't going anywhere. They'll be there when I'm done. Writing is important to me. Luckily it pays my bills. So that is one motivating factor. The other is that I crave it and love it. Be true to yourself. That might be all the motivation you need.

Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011, along with her other series and single title books. The married mother of five sons promises Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it, because she lives it. 

When not writing, Bernadette Marie is shuffling her sons to their many events—mostly hockey—and enjoying the beautiful views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains from her front step. She is also an accomplished martial artist with a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.

A chronic entrepreneur, Bernadette Marie opened her own publishing house in 2011, 5 Prince Publishing, so that she could publish the books she liked to write and help make the dreams of other aspiring authors come true too.

If you're in the industry you hear it all the time. "I've always wanted to write a book." With a smile on my face I usually tell the person that all you have to do is start. Of course the very unserious "writer" will give me a list of their excuses as to why they can't. A writer who will consider it says, "How do I start." To me that is the key phrase that says, I'm ready.

You have to be motivated to write. Simply put, it takes time out of your day just as it does to go to the gym. Now you can't just sit down and usually write an entire book in one day. You have to start a little at a time. The key is to start.

Motivate your writing by sitting down with a notebook and writing whatever comes to mind. Perhaps you don't want to write a book, you want to write a blog. Google blog topics and you'll be amazed at what comes up. If nothing else you'll have some writing queues to get you started. Let your brain flow for a little bit.

Set out a few minutes in your day, every day to write. You don't need eight hours a day unless you intend on this being your whole career and you can financially afford that now. Ten minutes will be a great start. As your craft grows so will your motivation to continue writing regularly.

Once you start the process of writing with the intent to publish or just to get started it will be like going to the gym. One day you lift  five pounds. After a few weeks you lift twenty. Like I said, you're not going to become a writer in one day, okay you will, perhaps just not a published one. But on day one you wrote something. What usually happens is his motivates you to write something else the next day.

If the desire is really in you it will begin to self motivate you.

If you've loved writing in the past and lost sight of it this process can help you get back on track again. Continuing to carve out a little time each day will help to keep you motivated.

Journal writing is equally as motivating for the creative process. Seriously, jotting down what you did, saw, felt in a day will keep that daily task minder in the back of your head. Every little bit counts. Just like running. Every step gets you to your goal.

 Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011, along with her other series and single title books. The married mother of five sons promises Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it, because she lives it. 

When not writing, Bernadette Marie is shuffling her sons to their many events—mostly hockey—and enjoying the beautiful views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains from her front step. She is also an accomplished martial artist with a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.

A chronic entrepreneur, Bernadette Marie opened her own publishing house in 2011, 5 Prince Publishing, so that she could publish the books she liked to write and help make the dreams of other aspiring authors come true too.