Taking A Break by Tara Randel





I can’t tell you the last time I went to the beach and I live only twenty minutes away! It’s a shame to be so close to such a beautiful place and only visit when I have visitors from up north. I guess my excuse is that life gets in the way. I love writing, I actually love deadlines, but I can be very focused and forget to fill my creative well from time to time. Instead of walking along the shoreline to gain inspiration or work through a sticky plot point, I usually go to the gym. Not as pretty a view, but it gets the job done.

So why do we let our everyday schedules rule us? Why don’t we get out more and enjoy the incredibly stunning world we live in?

Here are some shots of the beach I should hang out at more often. 













If you’ve let your work become your main focus lately, I recommend taking a day, or if that’s too much, a few hours and visit an area near you that speaks to your soul. Like I said, the beach is close to me, so I plan on making the trek there more often. And since the setting for a few of my next books are in the mountains, I can’t wait to go hiking in the fall. No matter how busy I am, I vow to get out more often. How about you?




Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author of fifteen novels. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her newest Heartwarming release, The Wedding March, available now. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books

Comments

  1. Listening to the sounds of the ocean is one of the best ways for me to relax, Tara. It's definitely my go to place when I need to clear my mind. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. By the way, I loved THE WEDDING MARCH! It was a great story.

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    1. Thanks, Jill. I love the waves too, the only problem is that I fall asleep! Not good if I'm thinking about a plot, but great for catching on my rest.

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  2. Lovely pics and lovely cover, Tara! I agree with Jill (again)--the sounds of the ocean are one of nature's greatest gifts.

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    1. Yes they are. Nature's way of making us slow down. Thanks, Liz.

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  3. My first thought was that if I lived that close to such a beautiful beach, I'd spend a lot of time there. The truth is, I would get caught up in everyday life, too, and I wouldn't get there any more than you do. As you suggest, we should take the time to enjoy the beauty around us . . . and maybe take a good book to the beach with us!

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    1. My dream day...a good book to read at the beach. No work worries, just the solitude. Have a great day, Kate.

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  4. Great advice, Tara! Love the pictures. When I need to get away for a little while, I love to get in my car and drive some country back roads. I do this a lot when I'm stuck in my writing, and I always take a small notebook with me in case I get a dose of inspiration.

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    1. I always carry a notebook with me. Inspiration can strike anywhere, and usually does when I'm driving! Thank goodness for the voice recorder app on my phone! Enjoy your weekend, Stephanie.

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  5. I'd love to be at the beach, and LOL, my creative well is empty. I think maybe there's an old sock in it.
    The beach would be perfect!

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    1. Oh,no! Need to get that sock out! I've realized how important it is to fill the well, so I hope you find a way to get re-energized creatively.

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  6. Tara, you are so right about getting out there and enjoying what's around us! I love the beach and your photos make me want to be there right now. We're about an hour away from the ocean and I go as often as I can (which isn't very). Of course, our Pacific coast looks a bit different, and colder, but it's still gorgeous. And always good for the soul.

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    1. There's something about water, it's so soothing. No wonder most everyone loves the beach. Thanks, Carol.

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  7. I'm very envious of your beach and proximity to mountains, too, Tara. And you're so right about filling the creative well - I'm looking forward to our cottage and the chance to empty my mind of urban distractions. Lovely cover for The Wedding March!

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    1. Enjoy your trip to the cottage. Hope you come up with lots of ideas without the usual distractions.

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  8. Hi Tara! Great advice. I'm not a beach bum myself. Well, how can I be? I live in Arizona, lol, but I do love the mountains. A trip up there always clears my mind and invigorates me. It never fails to give me an idea for a new story as well.

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    1. I'm with you, LeAnne. I love hiking in the mountains. I love the fresh air and exercise, along with great story ideas.

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  9. I love your photos. I'm usually guilty of the same, but as it happens we just got back from a long weekend in the mountains, so I need to buckle down and write.

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    1. Awesome. I love getting away for long weekends. Hope you had a good time. Now back to work!

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  10. The beach is my happy place! Such great pictures, Tara. Thank you for sharing. And yes...I think we could all use a reboot!

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    1. Couldn't we all, Anna! My pleasure sharing today.

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  11. Beaches are my happy places, too, or on the water in general--rocky shores or walking paths. I used to live in the ocean, so to speak, on a sailboat, and while it had its disadvantages, I loved seeing water all the time. I hope you get yourself off to that beach more often. It's stunningly beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Virginia. Living on a sailboat sounds intriguing! I get seasick so that wouldn't work for me, but I bet it was fun. The sand and shore i=s enough for me.

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  12. Life gets so busy that we can find ourselves so consumed with obligations that we don't take time out to stop and smell the roses. I don't usually have large chunks of time in which to do what I prefer, but when I do get a couple of hours, and I'm out and about, I'll stop at this outdoor diner like spot where cars park individually, order food from the outside menu display, and it's brought out by a person on skates. I sit and eat in the car, in that shaded spot and read. I did that just yesterday and started Anna Stewart's Recipe for Redemption. When the waitress brought my food out she saw me reading it and said "it's a good day to read a book." I agreed. It was sheer bliss

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    1. Any day is a good day to read a book! Thanks, Laurie.

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  13. Mea Culpa! I'm so guilty of this. Even my agent said, "All you've done for over a year is write." Duh. You'd think I'd know better. I envy that beach. I would be there often, frankly. Take the laptop and sit under an umbrella or tree this summer!

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    1. Taking the laptop to sit outside. Sounds like good advice for everyone, Catherine!

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  14. I love the beach! And my daughters live in Florida, but do you think I get down there much? Of course not. Maybe in September!

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    1. Visiting your daughters and the beach! Sounds wonderful!

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  15. One way to make yourself get out on that gorgeous beach is to set your next story on it. chuckle. That's what I do to get myself out there. Just went on a hike in the gorgeous Sedona area. I'm ready to write. Your release looks interesting. Love the cover.

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