Dating in middle age…well, it’s different from dating when we were younger and met someone in person. IRL—in real life—is the acronym used nowadays. I’m offering up a few pointers to new daters and the date-weary. Online dating is not for the tender, but then neither is getting older. 1. Don't take online dating personally If you take online dating personally, you’ll give up before you meet your honey. Online dating can be fun, but…
It's just a freakin' meet. Don't freak out! Yes, I'm using the word freakin’ on purpose. Not being flip. I'm aware that dating for the first time in a long while can be scary. It’s just a freakin’ meet is meant to put you at ease. In your head. Where it counts. Why? Because no matter how hilarious he is in email, no matter how cute her smile in her profile photo, nothing counts until…
In Middle Ageish, my first novel, Sunny Chanel, the heroine, plunges into online dating. And emails a truckload of men. Sunny lives in New Haven, CT, so even before she meets Noah, who lives in Long Island, the emailing fun begins. It continues even after they meet. Sunny and Noah could teach us a few things about the art of the slow burn. Emailing is their passion in Middle Ageish, their way of heating up a…
What I learned about relationships from interviewing my characters Who knew two of my main characters were savvy about this dating and relationship thing? Sunny Chanel (Middle Ageish) and Dana Narvana (Eat Your Heart Out) proved, in this post, that I have a few things to learn. Besides, I have a secret. Too often, my inner voice is my characters from my novels arguing with me while I’m writing. This past week they schooled me…
Three different, guys. Each one with different issues. You’ve had dinner with all three. Would you go out again with any of them? For my opinion, scroll to the bottom. 1. The Date Who Talks About Past Relationships on the First Meet He should have been a therapist. His conversations are deep discoveries into why his last four liaisons—including two divorces—imploded. He loves being in a relationship. Ideally, the hanging out phase would begin soon…
What do you notice in the first few seconds on a first meet? His comb over? Her weight? This unscientific survey is brought to you courtesy of my friends (names changed) and acquaintances, all middle ageish and dating online. They were all asked the same question and yes, the sex card was played. Or at least mentioned. What Women Notice in the First 5 Minutes We pick up on certain things. Such as you asking…
Writing a book about ice cream for the One Scoop or Two series by The Wild Rose Press is oh, so tough, but author Darlene Fredette enjoyed the research for Cherry Red. So thrilled she's talking about her new release! What do you write and how did you choose a title? I write contemporary romances. The title was inspired by a Rolling Stones song, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." There is a part…
Dating Blooper #1 The Spinach Profile What's your dating profile? It's not just your photo. It's also your story. Consider how bland a spinach salad tastes without a little dressing. Or how bleh cooked spinach is without a little oil and garlic. Here's a plate of plain old spinach. That’s your profile if you haven’t added a little balsamic vinegar, oil…
Eat Your Heart Out Starting Over Book 2 by Shirley Goldberg Genre: Romantic Women's Fiction, Chick-Lit, RomCom When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad, starting with Dana's staunchest ally, Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire. But when the after hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why…
It's been a while since we've talked about anything datey. I have a few friends who are distance dating, and one friend who's met her honey. They just bought a house together. So, yes, distance dating is a thing. If you talked or “met” on a dating site before Covid, but didn’t get together, now could be the time. In spite of the pandemic, dating––at a distance––is a happening thing. But if your profile reads…