Thankful for Sweet Surprises

Little things matter.

Big things, life changes, astounding news, accidents. All bring immediate reactions, usually as big as the event. But little things, big or small, also matter. One or two little annoyances are no big deal. Unfortunately, annoying little things usually line up and pile onto each other making a huge mass that can turn my mood sour as sure as one big bad event. It's commonly called, "one of those days."

Luckily, good little surprises can have the opposite effect. And just one sweet little thing can turn my day from terrible to terrific just like that. Does that make me a moody person? Yes. I admit it. I struggle with it all the time. Sometimes I wonder if that part of my brain has emotional amnesia. Guess I just need to keep at it. I'm also glad I easily forget the little annoyances once I get past them--going out to dinner with friends or playing with my dogs helps me get out of any funk!

So after a long, stressful week, I have some big awesome news! My first Florida event was FANTASTIC! Much better than I anticipated. I even sold out of Pop Travel! That means I won't be giving up on writing just yet, haha. And I'm looking forward to finding a spring event to try.

And here are a couple of fun little surprises I found at my school...

yes, that's a pineapple -- I didn't know that's how they grew either!

sand hill cranes -- mates for life & not afraid of people

Hope your November is Cool & Sunny

and full of little sweet surprises!

Happy Fall from Florida

The Ripple Effect

Ever feel hopeless and helpless and there's nothing you can do about it?

Me too.

The world is so crazy right now. Lately, I've been crying more, cursing more, and praying more. I wish I could DO more for those who are suffering and help change the direction of the world somehow. But it's depressing and defeating because I feel like it's just me, and I can't change the world by myself.

Then we had our back to school "yeah-rah" professional development meeting. *Eye Roll*

But it was actually pretty great this year. The speakers really got to me. They shared moving stories and emphasized that we need to keep being a positive light, be the ripple in the pond, because our actions are seen by others and can influence them to keep the ripple going wider and wider. What might seem like a little thing can have a big, long-lasting, out-reaching effect. 

The IWSG is for sharing and caring. And unloading. I still feel very small in the universe. But thinking about the ripple effect, I am inspired to keep trying to be positive and find ways to help more people see there is goodness and light in the world. And if we ban together, the light will spread to banish the darkness.

On the writing front, I have some good news and some bad news.

First, the bad news: I had two book events last month and one of them was awful. It's disheartening to set up, sit around for hours, and only sell one book to my friend...

Now, the good news: the first book event went very well. You never know how they're going to go. So I based my second event on previous experience at the venue and on the success of my first event, so the lameness of the second event was magnified.

The better news: I got 2 glowing reviews from a reader about CONDUCTION and for my latest un-princess novella: GERTRUDE, the Nerdy Princess. This gave me the push I needed to get the ebook version of GERTRUDE out there and I finally republished DISPOSAL, Pop Travel #3!

I keep chugging. And I hope you do to. 

If you have any advice 

on how to keep a positive outlook

 when things are bleak, 

please share!

And yay for PUMPKIN SEASON!

Find the positive! Keep Writing!

September already? GOOD! That much closer to the end... of the worst year in modern times. If I make it, I'm definitely buying a t-shirt that says: "I survived 2020"

Welcome to this month's IWSG meeting.

Remember the time before? Before 2020!

Life was good. And we had no idea how good we had it until it was all taken away and turned upside-down. So much has been lost in such a short time. And it keeps coming. In just the past week: Two hurricanes at once? Chadwick Boseman, a true hero dies? Expanding riots? (If you want a glimpse into a horrible, scary future, watch Hotel Artemis) It's awful out there! I pray hard every day for comfort to those who've lost and for some relief from all the madness that's working overtime like the Energizer Bunny.

It's very hard to be optimistic in these dark times when we can't even smile at each other, but that's what I'm trying to do. In my little world, behind our masks, I'm trying to help my students stay positive. Just being together has helped a ton.

We have to keep living, keep pushing, keep trying. Can't give up. Stay strong. Do what you can. We have no idea what's in store for us. But we can't hold ourselves back by worrying about disease, distress, and destruction. We have to carry on and support one another, now more than ever.

In the writing community, we have a special bond that holds us together. We don't seek fame and fortune or compete with one another. We rejoice and commiserate with each other. We live with disappointment on a regular basis, and we develop friendships that help us overcome failure and keep striving to get better. We express ourselves in words--words that the world can relate to and may not be able to express themselves.

So in these difficult times. Keep writing. We need you!

That's all for now... There's work to be done!

Just a reminder, I'm sharing my appropriately timed apocalyptic romance through the end of the year in fun, short weekly episodes...

 

Dave didn't know he was lonely until his friends pointed it out. But when he gives in and tries an online dating site, something catastrophic happens - talk about a bad omen.

(Previous episodes)

And I'm happy to report: I sent my Book Bday Summer Giveaway winners their prizes. Here they are--six winners from six different states, one for each of my books--how awesome is that!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yay for Fall! And Pumpkins!

Get Fall festive to shake the 2020 blues!