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I never know how I’ll find inspiration for my beachy rom com. Cue visits to the near-to-me North Carolina coast. Its gazillion bridges set off creative light bulbs.
Read on to see how bridges helped me highlight my fictional Gull Island setting AND play up differences between my two main characters, City Gal Kate and Island Guy Luke. 
Photo by Cat Michaels: Bridge to Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks
Bridges and Main Guy, Islander Luke
Imagine a balmy, sub-tropical May morning on my fictional Gull Island, North Carolina. Now ride along with my rom com's Main Guy Luke as he crosses the Intracoastal Waterway on his way to work. 
Bridge-spiration Photo Check out the photo below I snapped last summer. It's a real bridge we often travel over North Carolina's Intracoastal Waterway. You might say it's my bridge-spiration -:D. 
Inspiration photo by Cat Michaels: Bridge over ICW to Ocean Isle Beach
Bridges and Main Gal, City Gal Kate Island newcomer Kate is up next. She just arrived from her Connecticut home town for a summer contract gig on Gull Island. She's crossing the same bridge Luke and having her own bridge experience. 
Want more beach-y, bridge-y love?
Meet me at my YouTube channel for more coastal inspirations that are bringing my rom com to life.
Ready to dive deeper into a writerly life
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Your Turn
Writerly inspiration comes from anywhere....even bridges! I hope you enjoyed this peek into my rom com, and it has you wanting more.
* What summertime vibes did you pick up in these excerpts? * What did you discover about Luke? Kate? * Are you on team Kate or team Luke when it comes to bridges? Love ‘em or hate ‘em? I’m ok with small bridges but long, tall ones? Not a fan. * Luke blasts Jimmy Buffet to get in a summertime mood. What's YOUR favorite summertime/beachy tune? Please share your thoughts in the comments. 
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Everything about this past April felt stormy and difficult.
Sure, my life was good compared to many, but something wasn’t right. Finally swallowing my pride, I admitted I was burned out and decided to do something about it. Read on to see how I learned to rebound from burn out. 
Storm clouds over the hood
Stuff happens
On top of a pandemic and the world’s general craziness, there was a lot going on for me this spring.
Writing-wise …
Personally …
Rebounding from Burn Out
With Hub’s encouragement, I signed off from authoring and socials to re-energize. At first, I felt guilty. How could I leave the work I labored for nine years to establish? But I had been running on empty too long. Stepping away was the best thing I could’ve done.
I didn't accomplish anything earth-shattering with my two months away, Instead, I filled my soul with little moments that added up to happy ...
See more of how I learned to rebound from burn out by connecting with people, creativity and nature in my 60-second video diary below. Back to it After 8 weeks, I'm slowly returning to writing refreshed and enthusiastic. I'm moving at a steady pace. No more toiling 7 days a week, posting all over socials.  Cat is back -:D
I even dropped 6 of those miserable pandemic pounds and cannot wait to lose 6 more! Life feels lighter. Easier. And I aim to keep it that way by remembering how to care for myself and avoid burn out. Your Turn Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted is the pits. What tips can you offer to avoid burn out? I’d love to hear your ideas (I may need them some day!). Please share in the comments below.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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