Isn’t anything like I thought it would be. I suppose I had this romanticized picture in my mind of curling up in front of my computer and turning out, well, stuff. That part has come true. I do write stories–and novels/novellas, too. I truly love that part. There’s nothing better than being lost in the creative process where characters are alive in my head and the other world–the real one–fades into insignificance. There are all those other parts, though. The ones I really didn’t know much about beforehand. I’ve taught myself to be a better self-editor. I’ve gotten more proficient …
My Seasonal Home Barista Bar
Writers are known for being coffee (and/or tea) drinkers. Not every writer, of course, but hundreds of us thrive on the stuff. I’ve been known as the Coffee Queen by my readers for many, many years. My characters are famous for the amount of lattes, mochas, and coffee that they drink. In fact, I’ve often been asked if they really reflect my caffeine consumption. And the answer…used to be yes, now that much caffeine is a lovely memory. For a few years my chronic illness forced me to stop drinking coffee, and I felt so bereft. I love the buzz …
Friendship
In this era where most of us have hundreds, if not thousands, of social media “friends” we’ve never met, there’s a tendency to either steer clear of our real friends, or not bother with flesh-and-blood relationships in favor of sitting in front of a screen. Virtually all of my writer friends are, well, virtual. There are only a couple I truly know. And if it weren’t for attending conventions, I wouldn’t know them. So where am I going with this? Quite a while ago someone did a study on social support. It’s been replicated a number of times, so I’m …
Finishing My 85th Book: My Love-Hate Relationship with My Brain
A few weeks ago, I wrote “The End” on my 85th book. Eighty-five books! That sounds like a number I should by shouting out with the bravado of someone who’s cracked the code of life, productivity, and maybe the Many-Worlds theory of quantum physics. Let me reassure you, that’s not the case. My first book was published in 2005, and I went indie in 2014, so you would think that after two decades as a published author each new story would be a breeze at this point, but nope–every single book I write is a struggle. It’s not a lack …
Umm… dinner is gonna be late. LOL
It simply wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey taking a bath in the tub at our house… Did this happen last year? Yes. And the year before? Umm… yes. Are we idiots? Possibly. What did we do to avoid this frozen debacle this year, you might ask? Well, we put the freaking turkey in the fridge to defrost on Saturday. ONE day earlier than last year. Did it make a difference? No. LOL Next year we will put it in the fridge on Friday. If that does’t work, we’ll switch to ham. Anyhoo, after a nice hour and a half …
It’s Storm Season Again!
I wrote the original post a week ago. Update is directly below (original post below that): Okay…we had what’s called a bomb cyclone here Tuesday. Just got our power back half an hour ago after it went off Tuesday at 3:00 pm. Over half a million were without power, there are still probably close to 100,000 without it. 2 people died from falling trees (one only a few blocks away from us). The electrical grid took heavy damage–trees were falling everywhere and if you know our area, we have MASSIVE trees. The winds came from a direction they seldom do, …
Seasons are Changing
Fall is in the air. The nights here at 8000’ are dipping below freezing. Two days ago, it snowed. For whatever reason, the fall-winter transition is when I take stock of the last year and ask myself how my life has gone. Did I like the results of my efforts? Or do I need to fine tune things a bit. I used to make lists, but that has a downside since they provide a visual reminder of what I have yet to accomplish. Rather than lists, my current strategy is overall concepts. I can make progress without feeling bad that …
My Favorite Friendsgiving Side Dish: Homemade Egg Noodles in Turkey Broth
Friendsgiving is huge at my house. It is always the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and I usually include my mother and other family members, along with many friends. Over the years it has grown to almost unmanageable proportions. LOL. This year I’ll be having twenty-three guests! I always do all the cooking because I enjoy cooking for a large crowd, and I want everything to go the way I want it to go. Is it a bit controlling? Maybe. Hah! But cooking for everyone, having them come and enjoy my food, and then going home happy with full bellies, well, that’s …
The magic and mayhem has arrived!
Hi Witches!!! Today my witches Sassy and Zelda are interviewing me. It’s a terrifying prospect. They live in my Magic and Mayhem World and are nuts. Don’t tell them I said that. Anyhoo, hold on to your pointy hats and let’s get this over with. LOL Zelda — Robyn. May I call you Robyn? Robyn— Umm… yes. What else would you call me? Zelda—Do you really want me to answer that? Robyn—No. Zelda—That’s what I thought. So what were you drinking when you made me save the day with a Troll named Fuc%ing Derrick? Robyn—Oh come on, Fuc%ing Derrick is …
I see dead people – a true ghostly experience
Ever since I was a kid, I knew there was more to this world than meets the eye. I’ve had many experiences with paranormal ‘things’ over the years, but something that always fascinates people is the question ‘What do ghosts actually look like?’. I’ll preface this post by saying that I think this is a highly individualised experience, and that I am fairly sure that the way I see ghosts is not the way everyone sees them. Having said that, I would love to share with you! When I see the spirit of someone who has passed, they actually just …