The Story is Yours in 2024!

Calling all writers! Time to celebrate your story!

Though it's cliché to make resolutions as we ring in the new year...

And usually those resolutions are the same as the year before...

Then those promises are soon cast aside by the return of every day drudgeries...

But I won't give up... I say: Try, try again!

And what better time to start than on the first IWSG post for 2024. To be successful, we need daily reminders of our Resolutions. I want to think about health improvements, writing goals, and being a better person in general every day. And this year, I plan to do that by using positive daily reminders. I'm also happy that my puppies need less attention, getting me back to a more normal schedule. Here are my goals:

• I've been sharing inspirations with my homeroom students for years, encouraging them to have more self-confidence, kindness for others, and a broader perspective. This is a positive boost for me too!
• For a healthier lifestyle, I've used a Food Diary App which I really like, until it becomes tiresome and time consuming to enter all the foods and activities... But I'm going to try, try again!
• 
  What I always need help with is carving out time to write--plus all the other fun and not-so-fun parts of publishing. Making a list helps me get started:
• I want to re-start the Writer's Chat.
• I need to publish the e-book of CONDUCTION--not to mention the million things that along with it (but that's another list -- check off book trailer, still perfecting, but here's the prelim)
• and I have a bunch more stories waiting to be written!
• So, I need a plan to find time to dedicate to writing, et al, and stick to it! I'm sure I'll figure something out like leave myself sticky notes, annoying phone reminders, or reward myself for getting things done.

What's your story? Are you writing? Got any advice for making time to get things done? I hope you accomplished everything you wanted to in 2023, and will accomplish more in 2024!

PS - Don't forget to stop by Alex J. Cavanaugh  &  Christine Rains my helpful cohorts promoting CONDUCTION! All you folks in the IWSG keep me going!

Happy New Year!

via GIPHY

CONDUCTION Release Party!

After a long road of trials, tribulations, and personal re-evaluation, I finally published it...

CONDUCTION is here!

CONDUCTION by Tara Tyler

Sci Fi Detective Thriller/Techno Thriller

Book 4 in Pop Travel series

Preview of MAGNETRON, Book 5 included

Amazon Link

In 2085, cutting edge technology is the most valuable currency, and the black tech market offers high pay-offs for diamond-level code. Jared Nertz is an easy-going ex-juicer gone legit working for Pop Travel Technologies, and just when he finishes his long-awaited Conduction project--the process of storing data in the brain--someone immediately steals it and kills his mentor, framing him for the murder. Now it's up to his lawyer/wife Miki and their resourceful friends, Geri and Cooper to prove Jared's innocence by recovering the stolen tech before the criminal killer sells it. But that's only the beginning, as they discover a darker threat when they dig deeper into the case.

Cover Art by my long time writer/artist friend, Carrie Butler

And I've mentioned this before, but I love that I talked my son into posing for it.

I have a couple of reviews lined up, but there's always room for more -- let me know!

Here are a few fun quotes from the book...

Chaos, sweet chaos. -- Cooper

Watching Hasan argue with his droid, Geri wanted to shoot them both. Or herself. -- Geri

“What’s ASAHP?” -- Cooper

“As soon as humanly possible, of course!” -- Hasan

He was secretly very proud of himself. Weren’t all inventions potentially dangerous in the wrong hands? -- Jared

I am also excited to have some special guest hosts helping with my Release Party

 -- Everyone is invited!

L. Diane Wolfe  ~~~  Tyrean Martinson  ~~~  MJ Fifield  ~~   Sherry Ellis

And the party continues in January when I plan to release the ebook...

Alex J. Cavanaugh  ~~~  Christine Rains 

I'm so thankful for this writing community where we can share our ups and downs of the business. The IWSG keeps us connected as a Writerly Family. I don't know what I'd do without you all!

Stay warm, Have a great Christmas, and See you next year!

Keep writing!

via GIPHY

Fall inspires me

Happy IWSG Day. Hope you are writing or thinking about writing or about to be writing. However you are doing, maybe this little Fall poem will help inspire you, or gives you a chuckle. Plus a couple of surprises at the end...

Fickle Fall

Tis the season of dry hands

For turning off and on the fans

When we make then cancel plans

            if it rains.

Cozy colors everywhere

Xmas music in the air

And arthritis starts to flair

            oh, what pains.

Tis the season for achoos

And a few souls sing the blues

Don't forget the "I love you's"

            let them know.

Favorite flavor: pumpkin spice

Inside fire, outside ice

Fuzzy sweaters warm up nice

            on the go.

Tis the season for dry lips

Watching vids for all the tips

'Specially when cold weather nips

            like a pup.

Shorter days and longer eves

Crunchy, crinkly, colored leaves

Perfect time for story weaves

            looking up!

Surprise #1

I wanted to share my new cover with you all! I'm working very hard to get this one out there. Goal is December. And the awesome cover by Carrie Butler is motivating me to push myself even harder!

CONDUCTION by Tara Tyler

Pop Travel #4

In 2085, cutting edge technology is the most valuable currency, and the black tech market offers high pay-offs for diamond-level code. 

Jared Nertz is an easy-going ex-juicer gone legit working for Pop Travel Technologies, and just when he finishes his long-awaited Conduction project--the process of storing data in the brain--someone immediately steals it and kills his mentor, framing him for the murder. Now it's up to his lawyer/wife Miki and their resourceful friends, Geri and Cooper to prove Jared's innocence by recovering the stolen tech before the criminal killer sells it. But that's only the beginning, as they discover a darker threat when they dig deeper into the case.

I'm extra excited about the cover because I talked my oldest son into modeling for it. I love it!

Surprise #2

And lastly, a shout out to my writer friend, Christine Rains whose latest installment in her dark fantasy LitRPG trilogy, Khthonia was just released... BLIGHT OF THE NECROMANCER

When offered a choice between tedious research or fighting a dragon, the players always choose the dragon.

Even when they’re dangerously outmatched.

No one rational ever wants to play a bard, but Nora Quinn believed she could use her class’ skills of perception to her advantage as an investigator. As Essaerae the elven bard, she regrets picking the role now that the players are trapped in the dark realm of Khthonia. She desperately desires to go home, but her friends want to stay in the fantasy world, causing a rift in the party. To lift the Specter Plague curse from the land and win the game, the heroes must defeat the conniving necromancer. Yet he’s shadowing them with death the entire way.

Seeking the tools they need, Nora and her friends must survive perilous side quests and hordes of undead. The answer to how to slay the villain lies in the western ruins, but Nora is certain he is the only one who can get her home. And for that, he needs to stay alive.

Nora must choose between killing the necromancer and lifting the curse or siding with him and going home. Neither choice feels like a victory.

A fantasy LitRPG/GameLit for fans of tabletop role-playing games.

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

Happy November!

Cuddle up, buttercup!