We’re taking a break for the month of April. We’re all under the wire with deadlines and trying to recover from health issues and just…the winter blahs. So we’re taking a break. Have a lovely April!
Choices, Choices, Choices…
I have always done my best, and most creative, thinking (and writing) when I spend time outside. It doesn’t matter if I’m hiking, walking, shoveling snow, or just hanging out. There’s something about the out-of-doors that feeds my soul. Many people, including my kids and close friends, have been offering not-so-gentle hints for years about moving. “But it won’t be safe to live there as you get older.” “What if you need medical attention? There’s not much there.” “How can you manage with so little shopping in what passes for a town?” The list is long. I could fill a …
Research: The Fiction Writer’s Best Friend (and Worst Time Thief)
Writing fiction is basically enrolling yourself in the University of Life, majoring in researching every topic under the sun. One moment, you’re looking at architecture to describe a house in your story, the next, you’re deep-diving into fast-acting poisons, maritime law, and what happens when someone mysteriously dies on a cruise ship. Maybe you’re learning how to read tarot cards for the fortune teller character you added to the mix or your figuring out which bull god the ancient Gauls worshipped while Caesar came knocking (hint: it’s the not-so-friendly Cernunnos — part god, part nightmare fuel). Whether you’re writing a …
Are you a procrastinator? Sometimes? All the time? Never?
If the answer is never, we probably could not be friends. LOL Things I like to procrastinate on… Dishes. I hate washing dishes. I do it, but I can always find soooo many things to do to avoid it. Bills. Nuff said. Drying my hair. I have been known to wear a towel on my head until I go to bed. My hair looks like Medusa, but whatever. LOL My job. Writing. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s like pulling teeth. Suffice it to say, I’m an excellent procrastinator. Although, I’ve realized sometimes it’s not a bad thing. For …
The Never Ending To-Do List
I’m so tired tonight I can barely think. I’m in a super busy space. My to-do list is never ending and always growing. It’s not always this way, but for this month and next? Yes. It’s going to be just mind-numbing, but I am starting a new project on my Patreon and between the writing and the project and admin…even with my assistants, I’m just tired. So tell me happy things, peeps. Make me smile, please. 🙂
What Makes Long Term Partnerships Special?
Today (although by the time you read this, a couple of weeks will have elapsed), my husband was out walking the dog. He slipped and fell on some ice and ended up with a 2” laceration in his forehead and a hairline fracture in his scapula. While I am grateful the damage wasn’t worse, still he will be out of commission for at least the next month. Means more on my plate. For example, I just got back from the transfer station. There is very little home trash pick up in Mammoth Lakes, so the municipal district charges us for …
Procrastibaking: Vegan Blueberry Crumble Bars Edition
So, I should be writing, diving deep into my manuscript, crafting brilliant dialogue, untangling plot knots…but instead, I’m here, dreaming of summer, sunshine, and fresh berries. Naturally, that led me to what I like to call…procrastibaking (i.e., the art of putting off today what can be done tomorrow and baking instead!). This time, I whipped up some Vegan Blueberry Crumble Bars, and let me tell you, they were absolutely smashingly delicious. And by “smashingly,” I mean I smashed them into my mouth, one after another, like I was training for a competitive eating contest. I have no regrets. The best …
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, my friends!
What do you think of when you think about St. Patrick’s Day? Green Beer? Of course. Wearing green even though it’s not you best color? Absolutely. Pinching your buddies who are not wearing green? Yep. And…. Leprechauns! Yasssssssss! I love Leprechauns and I’m pretty sure it’s time for me to put one into a story. LOL So in the spirit of the holiday, let’s learn a Leprechaun little history — Our tiny little friends are associated with St. Patrick’s Day due to the fact that the little dudes are prominent figures in Irish folklore and this holiday celebrates Irish culture. …
Spring Fever!
Oh, it’s nearly spring. Ostara (the Vernal Equinox) is coming up and I’ve got spring fever. I never get ‘summer fever’ but oh, around this time I’m ready for cool days with a little bit of sun, and flowers and fresh breezes and I’m really ready to air out the house. Our days are still in the 50s, and nights in the upper thirties-low forties, but I can sense spring in the air. So my lawn care person got a surprise this week. Last week I was suddenly in a flower frenzy and I found myself on the Home Depot …
8 signs you’re secretly a witch
Ever had that sneaking suspicion that you might be just a little bit magical? Maybe you don’t cackle over a bubbling cauldron (or maybe you do—I’m not judging), but there are certain signs that suggest you might be a witch… or at least witch-adjacent. Here’s how to tell if you’ve got a little extra magic in your life! 1. Your house smells like a potion shop Candles, essential oils, incense—if someone walks into your home and immediately asks, “What’s that smell?” and you have no fewer than six possible answers (lavender, sage, vanilla, “I don’t know, but it was on …