Simple tricks and treats that will open the door to happiness are often too expensive, too far or too unrealistic.
Would a brand-new car make me happy? Yeah, maybe. Until the money came out of my hard-earned savings. Would I like to travel (anyone else had travel plans cancelled recently?!) – I am currently drooling over a trip to Calgary, Canada. But it’s too far right now. Would I like to win the lottery? Yeah, but I’ve got to play it first.
To say I am a dreamer wouldn’t be too far from the truth. That’s why I write. I create worlds for imaginary friends to run wild, to search for happiness, to try, to fail, to dream and most importantly, to fall in love.
In the real world, all these things are possible too. Here’s my 5 Happy Inducing Things to Do

1. Get enough sleep. I have always been a bit of a dormouse. Even when I was a college, I needed a solid 8 hours sleep a night. No, I’m not going to lie, there were nights when I only managed 3 or 4 hours sleep, but that’s what being at college is all about, right? Working hard and playing hard. Just not every night, in my case. We all know that feeling of contentment when we pull back the covers and climb into fresh bed linen. Sleep has all sorts of magic qualities. So that’s why it’s my first Happy Inducing Thing to Do.
2. Walk. Even a short walk each day makes me happy. I’ve got ‘house maids’ knees’, well my version of them – I can’t run or do any high impact exercise due to problems with my knees. But I can walk. There is a forest near my house, and I love trailing behind my two dogs as they dash about, sniffing and exploring. A short half hour walk does me. And if it’s raining, I get wet.
3. Live in the now. I have a corkboard in my kitchen. Pinned to it are curled, old photos of my children and husband. I can remember the moment the photographs were taken, what we were doing, where we were. Not so long ago, these made me a little sad. Time has moved on while I wasn’t looking, and now those kids are nearly grown. And those cheeky, loud, sometimes unpleasant pre-schoolers are actually quite nice! I enjoy their company, and as they keep coming back, I assume they enjoy ours. Do you think the fridge that is under that corkboard has anything to do with all that boomeranging?
4. Pick up the phone, send a text or email a rude joke. I am not the best at keeping in touch. I like quite a lot of ‘on my own time’, and then when I’m ready to re-emerge from my exile, I am surprised that no one calls me. So, I must reach out more. And you know what? It takes a little courage, but every time I’ve done it, I survived!
5. In a land of expresso, I order latte. If I have the chance to order a coffee while I’m out and about, I like to savour it. I miss my regular meet ups with an author friend of mine. We used to meet every four to five weeks or so. We’d talk about what we’d learnt about writing since we last met, discuss our current plot issues, our works in progress and just about anything else that came up. Often that latte became do you want another one? Giving yourself the luxury of time isn’t easy, that damm To Do List is always lurking, but I’ve found the best solution to that. Add the coffee break onto the to do list, and hey presto! Tick! It’s done!

Life’s been a bit hit and miss for so many people over the last 18 or so months. The word Unprecedented has been bandied about by all the news channels and I’m sick of hearing it. I’m also sick of being fed up, fearful, frightened to go out. I want to dream again. I want to see other people. I want to feel the sun on my face and be happy if it rains on my hair.
I’m choosing happy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still following the government’s advice. I’m just doing it with a smile on my face.

10 Ways to Beat Blue Monday Blues
Blue Monday Blues - No way!  I get to decide how blue I’ll be on any given Monday. Here’s 10 little ideas to beat the Blue Monday Blues:

1. Name 3 things that made you smile yesterday. Choose one and do it again.
2. Wear a bright colour – yeah, this really works for me – a scarf, a pair of snazzy socks (borrow a pair from your kid if you need to). I’ve got a red scarf on right now – in solidarity!
3. Get your ass outside – just 10 minutes will do (a great excuse for that scarf!). Fresh air works wonders.
4. Get busy! Give yourself a goal. Clear out your closet for clothes to donate. Volunteer for an hour a week (or more if you can). Have a purpose.
5. Be kind to yourself.  A sofa day is ok; a long bubble bath is ok.  It’s ok to feel the way you do. And remember: Blue Monday Blues is like a train ride – you’ve got to get off at some point.
6. Pick the phone up. Reach out to someone.  Wouldn’t you rather a friend called to say they were feeling blue, than they suffer in silence? This is the one I need to work on too.
7. Move your body! Stretch those muscles. Have you tried a Happy Walk? I love this woman! Great music and only takes 15 minutes.

1.0 Mile Happy Walk | Walk at Home | Walking Workout - YouTube

1. Not every day will be a good day, but there will be good in every day.  Start a journal of those little bits of good you have each day.  Today a fat little robin danced on my lawn, demanding food.  And ya know what?  He got some!
2. Put some music on. Turn it up. Now dance it out! This is my Go-To when I’m feeling a little low Gabrielle - Rise With Lyrics - YouTube
3. Remember, the clue is in the name – Blue MONDAY Blues – tomorrow is Terrific Tuesday. You choose!

How are you feeling today? I’d love to hear how you beat the Blues.

Did you know it’s #NationalTriviaDay today?  No, it very nearly slipped by me too.  Just think of what a missed opportunity that would’ve been.

We would never know that teeth are the only part of the body that can’t heal themselves?  Yeah, I know, so that means that the rest of the body can heal itself.  So why do we need doctors? 

And, according to mentalfloss.com, Calvin Klein’s Obsession for Men is used by researchers to attract animals to cameras in the wild.  Now I find this more than a little concerning as, in years past, I was known to go camping with a guy who wore Obsession.  I could have been eaten by a wolf!

And if you’ve ever thought of adding up all the numbers on a roulette wheel (I can’t quite believe I have never thought to do this)  you’ll know the answer is 666.  Hmmm.  OK, gonna leave that one alone...

We might’ve put 2020 firmly behind us, and jumped feet first into 2021, but the BIG stuff is still out there.  I am trying to focus on the positives, which, you must admit, have been a little thin on the ground.  You know the saying “seek and you shall find”, well, one of my positive take-aways from 2020 is virtual Connect Four – you know the game where you have to get four tokens in a line.  It’s a trivial thing to many, but it helped me stay connected to a good friend during our 4 month stay-at-home order.  OK.  So maybe not so trivial. 

Happy #TriviaDay!

Hi There! Welcome to my first Writers Newsletter. As you know, I write a version of raunchy romance, but don’t worry, I won’t put any steamy stuff here – you can find all that sexy stuff, sassy women and seriously fit men in my books and, now and again, on the website.   

Well, 2020.  What can we say? For me, it’s been a year of Firsts, Lasts, Maybes and Nevers.
First time I’ve spent so much time with my family.  And guess what?  Confinement wasn’t that bad!  We survived and found out that we like each other – well, most of the time!  I became a Great Aunt for the first time in January and can’t wait to meet her.  I published my first ever story!  I officially became a Writer in 2020 – like so many others – and it felt great.  Liberating to be honest.
Bars, restaurants, independent stores – some closing their doors for the last time.  None of us know what lies ahead, what the world will look like, but I know that if we value something, we must support it. So, last year was the last time I favoured large, multi-national companies over smaller, family-run businesses. I’m going to actively try to spend some of my money locally.
Maybe, after all this is over, I will be more spontaneous.  Normally I have my year planned out before the New Year’s Eve fizz is even in the fridge.  Well, for one thing I’ve drunk a couple of bottles already, have yet to print the calendar, and won’t be booking any flights until we’re looking Easter in the face.  A natural planner, I was a bit surprised I enjoyed the instant gratification of booking a hotel and going 3 days later.
Never will I run out of candles.  I’ve discovered it is the little pleasures in life that make all the difference, so if I want to have 45 tealights lit because I like them, then I will.  There are also people I will never give a second thought to.  Most of us care way too much about what other people think of us, and by doing so, we hold ourselves back. 

One thing I do know about 2020, it has given and taken chances and opportunities.   If I can, I want to take the chances and opportunities in front of me and Go Big with my writing. A natural romantic, I’ve got a whole crew of hot, sexy people to introduce you to. 

I’d love to hear from you, so either drop a comment here Contact - Writer of Romance (lyndyhughes.com) or connect with me on Twitter or IG.

I’d like to introduce you to a couple of people who have been dominating my life for a couple of months now. Harley and Emma Jane arrive in Longheim with enough personal baggage for a year-long vacation. Can they make this small town their home, and build a new life here? Watch out for the release in Spring next year.  Want to read a few lines of their story?

“What?  No.”  Excitement that had become stronger the nearer she had come to town, suddenly evaporated.  “My appointment is between 4 and 4.30, it’s only just 4.20, so I’ve still got 10 minutes to decide”.  Casey had stepped back through the door and now stood in front of Emma-Jane.  ‘No. No; No’ she couldn’t lose this house!  Turning on her heal, she marched up to a set of double doors, flung them open, strode in, glanced around with un-seeing eyes, ignored the tight knot that had formed in her stomach, and continued around to the open kitchen.  Taking in the glass doors out to the garden, and the outdated kitchen, she came full circle and marched out of the kitchen door, back into the hall.  “I’ll take it!”

“I’m sorry, dear, but as I said, Jonathan was here, and he’s already said he’d have it”.  Casey, professional realtor, simply looked back at Emma-Jane, shrugging her slim shoulders.  “And, like I said, there is the apartment right across the street”.

“No, the Mayor said I had first refusal, and as a member of the Town payroll, I will be taking this house”.  Emma-Jane was proud of herself for sticking to her guns, but mostly for not giving in to the tears that wanted to form. 

A warm, melted chocolate-like laugh broke the silence. “Well, that makes two of us Miss”.  A whisper of recognition fluttered through Emma Jane’s mind and was gone. The laughter in his voice was barely hidden by the polite words “I’m also on the Town’s payroll, and I was here at the allotted time.”  Turning towards ‘Jonathan’, Emma Jane’s mouth flew open, her eyes went as round as saucers, and she took a step back, out of reach of the man she had pulled a gun on earlier that day.

Sign up to find out what’s next for Harley and Emma Jane - Contact - Writer of Romance (lyndyhughes.com) They may be joined by a few friends along the way… 
​
Stay safe, look after you and yours, and let’s rock 2021!  Bring It On!
 
Best wishes
 
Lyndy

 
My current manuscript is a modern romance, set in small-town America, and tells the story of Emma Jane’s decision to stop running from her past, and have the courage to build a future she deserves.  This story has taken roughly 18 months to get to the so very nearly finished state and is part of a series of, probably 6, books set in and around Longheim, with a renewal, reinventing vibe going on.
 
Three events moved me from ‘I’m writing’ to being a ‘Writer’.  The first was an entry in a Facebook Literacy Group competition.  Not sure why, but I decided to enter, and I came 7th!  Out of 9!!!  But it got my work out there for the first time and proved to me that finding MY readers is so important.
 
The second event had, arguably, the most impact, I had a coffee with a published writer I knew. Previously we had sort of agreed to support each other, but nothing much had come of it.  This time it was different.  We both needed accountability, had firm projects in mind and agreed to be each other’s sounding board.  A quick text each evening, detailing how many words we had written soon became a series of messages, detailing our daily goals, passing on marketing tips, sharing information, being supportive (which means nagging each other!) as well as that progress report.
 
The third event was as a result of Event 2.  I was advised to start building an audience, a list, a readership, and that Twitter was a good place to start.  So, off I went, created an account, and began.  I kept seeing #NaNoWriMo all over the place.  Checked it out, and BOOM!  I was hooked!  The challenge is to write a book or 50K words in the month of November.  I’d missed the first two days, so had a bit of catching up to do.  And I did it!  It gave me the additional accountability I so obviously needed, and I got stuck in.  I’m a Winner!  I got my 50K words down in November, and even though the story wasn’t finished, I carried on, and finished that first manuscript! 
 
Incredibly happy, and very smiley for 3 days.  Still rather chuffed with myself, I now know I will get this book out and published.  And I have even jotted down a further 4 story ideas which may form part of the series.  In fact, keep it to yourself, but I’m already halfway through a shortie which kind of relates to the series, here’s a sneaky peak:
 
The last vestiges of night gently pulled away, giving the world a new day.  The once black as black sky had a blue tinge, whispering in from the East, the stars, once diamond bright, now gently fading.  Pulling the cover closer around her shoulders against the predawn chill, her numb bare feet touched the slippery wooden boards, she was now ready to stand up to this day.
 
I’d love to hear what you think about Towards The West (working title), and if you’d like to hear more, please sign up for my newsletter.
 
Who knew writing could be so addictive?! She said in a very squeeky, annoying voice.

Name you Write Under : Nisha Mohan

What Genre(s) do you write : Contemporary Romance and Suspense Fiction

Tell us a little about what and/or who inspired you to write : Authors like Erich Segal, John Grisham, Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Dan Brown, Paulo Coelho, Nicholas Sparks are authors who I look up to and have been my inspiration. Closer to home I have read a few books by Chetan Bhagat, RK Narayan and AmishTripathi.

I have always been interested in books ever since I can remember. I initially started off with writing articles and short stories and finally began working on my first novel about 4 years ago.

And what was the first book you wrote ?  An Unforgettable Holiday

Do you write full time ?  I am a human Resource Professional by the day and a novelist by night.So I don’t really write full time. But yeah that is certainly something that I would lean towards in time to come.

What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?  Well to be honest, as a writer there are always a million thoughts running through my head and even when I was working on my first book, I’d have four of five ways of how I would want a situation to be played out. The challenge lies in knowing what’s best for your book and the current story line and editing it accordingly. Trimming hurts coz for every author, his or her book is almost like their little baby and we may hesitate to trim our stories, but that is a critical step in ensuring your book is a good read.

How do you overcome this ?  Read Read Read. I take a break and then read some more. The break helps me revisit the manuscript with a fresh start and I also feel a little more comfortable to edit the book when I look at it through a practical lens. Getting trusted reviews also helps big time.

What are you currently reading ? The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Describe your current release or work in progress  My first book, An Unforgettable Holiday, is a Contemporary Romance and Suspense Fiction Novel.

The book is a seat gripping thriller that revolves around a young woman, Tania’s search for timeless love and the perils she encounters during this journey. What starts off as a fun-filled holiday with friends ends up in, Tania, finding herself locked in a cabin on a lonely island. It is here when the readers begin to start questioning who are the men in her life ? Are they really whom she thinks they are ?Or is there more to them than what meets the eye ? What are those secrets that are being harbored ? Will Tania escape ? Will she find true love ?  Only time will tell.

So, what's next for you?  I am yet to get started on my second book. But as of now looking at having something out by July 2021, and then another seat gripping novel for sure.

Where can readers find you?  Connect with me at -
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nisha.mohan.39/
Instagram Author Page https://www.instagram.com/nishamohan_author
Instagram Book Page https://www.instagram.coman_unforgettable_holiday/
Subscribe to Nisha’s mailing list at https://www.nishamohan.com/

And finally, what would you like your readers to know about you ?  Am a tea connoisseur. I live in Bangalore, India, a land of opportunities and rich cultural heritage. I like to believe that I have some capabilities of a Mentalist where in I can read people’s mind. I enjoy predicting things before they can happen and almost all occasions I have been able to hit the nail on the head when it comes to deciphering an individuals thought process or next move. When I am not cooking or spending time with my little tyke , that is my 6 year old son, you can catch me writing into
wee hours from the comfort of my porch.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me, Nisha, and best of luck with your writing.

​It had taken just 3 minutes after the security check for that warm, familiar excitement of travelling to evaporate.  You didn’t do it on purpose, just your being you, was enough to make any of my days a little less bright.  It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what it is about you that sets my back teeth grinding gently.  I’ve thought about this a number of times, and so far, have come up with a few ideas : you don’t like me (fair enough, I’m happy to own this one), you think you are better than me (nah, you’ve got to own this one), and my current favourite – that you are just a sanctimonious bastard (now this one, this one has legs).
These pleasant musing were brought to an abrupt end as I watched, in something like slow motion, as you joined the queue to board the same aeroplane as me.  I have to admit, the little smirk that touched my lips was unnecessary, especially as you had tried so hard with your ‘I’m avoiding looking at you’ expression.  Good effort ! 
The excited, hurried,  electrical atmosphere of the transfer terminal brought back my good humour.  People rushing with over-large hand luggage bags ; older couples walking slowly, looking everywhere at once; groups of students with impossibly heaving looking back-packs, shouting directions to each other ; all getting in the way of harried, suit-clad business travellers.   I love air travel !
 
And there was me, with plenty of time to catch my connecting flight, strolling steadily towards the zig-zag that preceded passport control.  And there you were.  Following me.  There was nowhere else to go ; we would be zigging and zagging at the same time.  No escape.  Did I give a dam ?  Hell no !  I had practiced my ‘I’m avoiding looking at you face’ too.  Here, have it !
I think back to yesterday’s, non, meeting at the airport.  Yes, you still think you’re a higher being.  And, to be far, you may well be.  And you may well be wrong, either way, I know your secrets.

Whispers from the East

​The last vestiges of night gently pulled away, giving the world a new day.  The once black as black sky had a blue tinge, whispering in from the East, the stars, once diamond bright, now gently fading.  Pulling the cover closer around her shoulders against the predawn chill, her numb bare feet touched the slippery wooden boards, she was now ready to stand up to this day.