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

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!

Vacation is over

Where does the time go? School starts earlier and earlier. I have only 2 weeks left of summer break, but some states have already begun! I have a lot to prepare and plan--especially with 2 newish classes, but this year, I'm putting it off a little longer. Probably because of all the school related activities I did that took up most of June.

August IWSG

But I was very productive in July, and I am happy to report for this month's Insecure Writers Support Group that I finally uploaded DISPOSAL as an ebook (totally forgot I didn't do that!) 

AND... CONDUCTION is now in the polish/publish phase. This part of the writing journey is tough and time-consuming, so I might not get it done by the end of this year as I would like, but I'm going to give it my best shot! Anyone interested in a critique partner exchange, let me know!

Puppy Update

We are also picking up our 3rd puppy (yes, I said 3rd) in mid-September. The two we have now are growing up so fast and much better behaved and more manageable, so what's one more? haha. It's funny how having them in this way reminds me of my boys: the two oldest  are very close in age and my youngest a few years behind them. And if the personalities hold, the last one will be the most easy-going. They sure make life fun and keep us young!

Help Wanted

Back to my CONDUCTION publishing goal. I am seeking help with: a cover, editing, and Goodreads--and I'm willing to pay $$. I'm putting this out there to my writing friends first, and if you have any recommendations, I'll take those too! This writing gig is too vast to get it all done by myself when I also have a very busy full-time job. If you have any advice, feel free to share that as well.

IWSG Anthology Blog

Lastly, we have three great posts coming up at the IWSG Anthology website:

8/2 - Getting Middle Schoolers Excited About Reading by Sherry Ellis

8/9 - Wait For It... Patience Through Metaphors by Bish Denham

8/16 - TBD by Ellen Jacobson

We have a few opening left in 2023, but we'll need more in 2024. Let me know if you're up for it.

Hope you are finding time and motivation to write this sultry summer 

And as the sun sets on this hot and humid season,

We will welcome my favorite time of year... 

Fall.

via GIPHY

Tri-Holiday Haikus

Is the world more chaotic or is that just me?

It could be the full moon, and it is getting closer to the holidays...

via GIPHY

For IWSG this November 2022

I'm sending you all cheer and Haikus!

Falling leaves pile up

Enjoy raking in brisk air

Until wind sends more

Bundle up in warm

Sweaters, hats, gloves, boots, and scarves

And a cozy book

Halloween children

Go house to house in disguise

Or reveal their truth

Doors creaking, branches scrape

Raising hairs on back of neck

Nightmares come to life

After Halloween

Christmas looms - Joy is ahead

But turkeys still fear

Let's share and get stuffed

Families trek and gather

Glad it's once a year

Shoppers on your mark

For crazy priced strategy

Bargain hunters day

Finding perfect gift

Beautiful wrapping paper

Ripped to shreds, returned

House all a-glow

Scenes of holiday wonder

Don't blow a circuit

That should do for now. I could go on and on. I love Haikus. Drop one in the comments!

Hope your Fall is full of friends and family and fond memories - reminiscing and making new ones!

via GIPHY

Don't Skip Over November!

November is my month!

It pains me how some folks rush right into Christmas Season the day after Halloween. I don't fault them for it though--I look forward to Christmas, too. I just hold back until after Thanksgiving. I cherish my bday month!

So for today's IWSG post, I'm going to lay a super cute & super short November story on you...

November Wind

Scowling, gray clouds covered the crisp afternoon sky. Heather tugged her burnt-orange scarf tighter against the brisk Fall breeze, chilling her through her plaid coat. She was glad she wore her stylish high boots over her leggings as she walked down the sidewalk helping protect her from the dropping temps. Shivering, she looked forward to meeting her friends for happy hour after a long week of meetings and crunching numbers and quickened her pace.

But the wind was just getting started.

As Heather turned a corner, a gust blew up her skirt and coat, lifting them a little too high, just as a group of guys approached. Heather rolled her eyes and quickly smoothed her ruffled clothes as the wind chuckled a few more spurts of air at her, mussing her hair. The guys chuckled too as they walked  on by. But one of them stopped.

"Need a hand? Sure is windy today."

"Understatement," Heather said under her breath and blushed. "No. I'm fine thanks."

"Okay. Try to keep warm." He grinned at her and left to catch up with his friends.

How embarrassing. Heather kept her head down and arms wrapped tightly around her as she sped to the pub. She sure needed a drink.

Unfortunately, the wind taunted her one last time. It swirled ahead of her, causing a whirlwind of fallen leaves to dance around her feet and more to descend on her from a tree above. As she waved at the  cyclone of leaves, her scarf loosened, and the wind took it. It was whisked away, up into the tree and caught in its branches.

"Screw it." Shaking her head, she huffed and went inside the bar to find her friends.

After a couple of drinks and a warm pretzel and cheese appetizer, Heather warmed up and forgot all about the November Wind teasing her.

Until the door burst open. The wind stole inside, chilling everyone and blowing out candles on the tables. The patrons gasped and shouted in surprise. Heather just laughed. Now, everyone else had a taste of what she'd been through.

Before the doors were shut, in blew Mr. Helpful. As he looked around, he spotted Heather. Their eyes met, and he strode toward her. He was holding her burnt-orange scarf.

She owed a wisp of thanks to the mischievous November Wind.

Hope you enjoyed that! And now, down to business.

I have two shout outs to share. First is...

NEXUS by Tyrean Martinson

Amaya is supposed to bring peace to the galaxy. Which is tough when she’s being held for crimes against the Neutral Zone. Her imprisonment is on her own ship with her own crew. But close quarters create tension.

Honestly, her role as Rayatana is a mess.

She may never get to use her powers for anything good. Not if her teacher continues to keep secrets, and not if her powers keep harming others. Putting her mother in a coma should put her in prison, but she has a mission. She wants to bring peace to her people. She needs to become the Rayatana.

Book Links:

Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ Apple ~ Kobo ~  Goodreads ~ Bookbub 

I've read the first book, LIFTOFF and it was fantastic! Now, I'm getting into NEXUS. Great characters and a fun, unique story. Yay! I also told her I'd post my favorite sci-fi beverage -- while writing. It's usually water, which is too boring. So I'd have to make up a fun, spaced-out cocktail. Something blue and glowing!

Secondly,

SHATTERED by C. Lee McKenzie

Courage put Libby Brown into the final selection for the Olympics, but betrayal crushed her spine and her chance at the Gold. Now she has two choices, use her courage to put her life back together, or remain shattered forever.

Links:   Amazon ~ Goodreads

I love Lee's writing style. She masterfully captures teenage hardships, relationships, and how they deal with life.

And a last shout out to anyone braving the undertaking of 

NANOWRIMO! 

Good luck. And May Your Words Flow Freely!

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!

Day 15: Seasons #30DaysofGratitude

I've lived up North, I've lived down South, but in the Middle is where we get a good dose of all the Seasons (sometimes all in one day...haha) And that's how I like it. Each season has it's pros and cons, and they last long enough to give us a taste of good without complaining too much about the bad... except when they get mixed up!

I'm thankful to have the seasons to also remind us that change is part of life and we just have to roll with it!

Starting with Spring

via GIPHY

Summer

Fall

Winter

Seasons keep life interesting! Hope you are still enjoying Fall!

Join in keeping our spirits up and share what you're thankful for.

Stop by others participating... Elizabeth Seckman, Charity Bradford & Diane Burton