Check out my latest article in The Showcase Magazine (Spring 2015) – Spotlight on Millington.  I love doing these stories because I find out so much about the towns around me, and I get to plug a lot of small businesses.  I hope you enjoy it!

You can find it under Published Works in the top menu.

Check out my latest website addition.  It’s called Reading Pane, and lists books that I’ve recently read, am currently reading, as well as books that I recommend. I’ve also included links to all the books so you can see if it’s something that would interest you as well.  With so many choices out there, it’s often hard to narrow it down.  Happy reading!

I love to read, and I read a lot. By a lot, I mean an average of three books a week. Mostly fiction, and including everything from crime novels, mysteries, thrillers, to tearjerkers. I also read some romance, but only if it is well-written and not over the top mush.
If any of you would like some recommendations, please let me know what types of stories you are interested in, and I will be happy to provide a list of some of my favorite authors and books. Also, if you have some books to recommend to me, that would be great too.

So I’ve finished my book, and now comes the hard part – finding a literary agent. This in itself is a like having another full-time job. Each agency, and agent, has their own requirements of what they want to see. And you better make sure you follow their requests exactly, or they won’t even look at your email – into the deleted box it will go. Usually you are limited to one page to talk about your book and yourself. Imagine, trying to sell yourself in one page! These agents are bombarded by aspiring writers all day long, so you better grab their attention right from the first sentence.
On my first attempt, I contacted (or queried as it’s called) thirteen agents. I heard back from five– all “thanks, but no thanks.” But a friend of mine, who is an inspiring writer herself, told me that this percentage was fantastic. What? But I repeated that they were all rejections. However, unbeknownst to me, even getting a response is something to be excited about. For if your query really stinks, they won’t even take the time to read it in order to reject you. This is a first, and something hard for me to wrap my head around. Rejection can be good. Hmm, I will have to mull that one over a little longer…

It’s time to reflect on the past and look towards the future. Don’t focus on the mistakes and disappointments of the past year, but instead vow not to repeat them. If someone has hurt or disappointed you, forgive them and move on. Help others, and in doing so you will help yourself. There is no better feeling than hearing, “Thank you. You’ve made a difference in my life.”
Focus on being healthy; a sound mind and body will take you far. Spend time outside; nature will bring you peace. Put down the phone, iPod, tablet, etc. and really listen and interact with the people and the world around you. Don’t let this time pass you by; you will never get it back.
Be kind to yourself. Be grateful for what you have right now, and if you want more, set goals and work towards them. Most of all, be thankful that you’re here to enjoy another year. Make it a great one!

Christmas in our house is always hectic; lots of family and friends gathered around the Christmas tree exchanging presents, eating cookies, and drinking hot cider. It’s happy chaos, and although I don’t have a big house, it seems to expand to fit those that I love.
However, after everyone leaves, my boyfriend and I have our own tradition that not many people know about. Although we exchange presents with everyone else during the day, no one seems to notice that we’re not exchanging any with each other. So, as we sit down to relax and reminisce about the wonderful day, we gather each others presents around us.
When we are ready, we give each other a Christmas card, and I have to say, my boyfriend does a good job of finding the perfect one. Not too mushy, but with just the right amount of sweetness and love. He tells me it takes him forever because he reads every card on the rack before making his final decision. Once we are done reading and thanking each other for the heartfelt words, we begin to open our presents, one by one. It’s quiet, Christmas music is playing, and a candle is burning on the coffee table. We take our time and admire the gifts that we have carefully picked out for each other. This is our rendition of Silent night, Holy night, and we look forward to it every year. Merry Christmas!

The name of this holiday says it all. Let us be thankful for what we have, and not despair about the things we don’t. Let us be thankful for a loving family and good friends, instead of being angry at those who have let us down. Let us be thankful we live in a country where we can succeed, whether male, female, black, white or brown, and where we can practice our religion in peace, regardless of what that may be. Finally, let us be thankful to be here another day to celebrate with one another. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Boo! Halloween is almost here. Ghosts, goblins, vampires and werewolves will be roaming the streets after dark. Jack-o’-lanterns will flicker on porches, as leaves are rustled and the scent of firewood wafts through the air. Doorbells will ring, and shouts of “Trick or Treat” will resound throughout neighborhoods.
A good friend of mine loves Halloween (can you guess who?) She was married on October 31, and holds a huge Halloween party every year. This gives her and her friends a chance to be kids again, and dress up in whatever costumes their imaginations can conjure up. And who doesn’t want to be a kid again, even for just a few hours? To laugh, play, and have fun; these are things we should always make time for in our busy lives. So have a Happy Halloween, and don’t eat too much candy!

Hi All,

My name is Sue Baldani, and I am busy publishing articles, writing short stories, and working on my first novel.  I am happy to share some of the things I have done so far, and hope you enjoy them too.  I also look forward to hearing feedback, positive comments, and constructive (please be nice) criticism.  🙂  Happy reading!