A tremendous amount of work is involved to bring the story to the reader. In the case of self-published work, the writer must take on a lot of extra work. With a traditional publishing arrangement, that work might be handled by others.
The weather has been great this week. The temperature is just about perfect, between 60 and 70 degrees. The grass turns green more and more each day. Daffodils are emerging from their winter slumber. The weeping cherry tree in my front yard is in bloom. After a cold, dreary winter, it feels great.
The season has also sparked creativity.
I read a lot about history when I research topics for books in the Through the Mist series.
I don’t really like to make the dreaded “New Year’s Resolutions.” Who ever sticks to them? By the middle of the month or even the end of the month if we are lucky, they are abandoned. It is just easier to stick to the same old, same old, isn’t it?
I prefer to think of things I want to accomplish. More of a goal than a resolution.
With that in mind, I have some goals for 2024.
I devoted a lot of energy to getting side businesses off the ground in 2023. The Gift Over Yourself shop on Etsy was a complete disaster. I took it offline on 12/31/23. I am not going to waste any more time or money on that venture.
After my mom passed away, we had a tremendous amount of stuff to sort through. Anyone who has been through the process knows what that’s like. Seeing how she accumulated so much made me think about all the stuff I had. I intend to spend 2024 culling my collectibles and listing them on eBay.
My stuff isn’t worth millions of dollars (unfortunately). For example, I have about a million dalmatian dog figurines - not because I collected them. I had a dalmatian once, and my parents thought I would LOVE dalmatian stuff. Why not make a little money, which I need, and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy something? I bet someone out there does collect dalmatian stuff - you never know!
I started a second blog, 52 Things. This year, I will offer tips and tricks gleaned from my years at a wealth management firm and, well, my life. We old dogs learn a lot. Time to share the knowledge. You can find the blog on this website.
Speaking of knowledge, wow, I have learned SO MUCH. I look forward to learning even more about marketing in the digital age, graphic design, and similar creative topics in the coming year.
It’s also time to look for a job. I work extremely hard now on the website, blogs, eBay, books, et cetera. Unfortunately, these endeavors do not provide the income I need. It is time to see what’s out there. Don’t worry; even if I am lucky enough to find a job, I still intend to pursue all of these projects.
Last but certainly not least – I will return to the world of the Through the Mist series. I have dabbled a bit in recent weeks on a collection of short stories, based upon three characters from that world. The stories might turn into a book for next Christmas. The characters are also whispering to me about the sixth book in the series, so I have some good ideas there. (No, hearing voices in this case is not a sign of mental health issues. It’s part of my process.)
Here's to accomplishing our goals in 2024. Slainté!
It is the time of year when we are flooded with messages about gratitude. I admit that, after a while, it is a bit taxing on the nerves.
Still, I firmly believe that we must be appreciative of what we have. As we all know too well, good fortune is fleeting.
I would like to end my year with a few expressions of gratitude:
I am grateful to every person who reads my books. It never ceases to amaze me that someone actually finds the darn things and then decides to read them. Thank you so much for taking the time. It truly means the world to me.
I am grateful that, somehow, I find a way. Call it luck, divine intervention, whatever you like. Financially, things have been very tight for a bit. Yes, it is a disaster of my own making. My mental health has dramatically improved, though. It takes a lot of work, but I manage.
I am grateful for Gracie and Chewie. Gracie is 17 now which is old for a dog. I would love to have 17 more years with her. Realistically, that’s not possible. I am glad she continues to endure and seems to be in relatively good health.
Chewie’s presence pushes her to walk farther and keeps her calm in anxious situations. In turn, he enjoys seeing the variety of wildlife on our daily walkies, eating homemade goodies, and snuggling on the sofa.
What are your three things?
Someone recently asked me the question. My answer today is completely different than it was when I began writing novels. It’s probably different from how it was even two years ago!
I have learned so much over the years. For starters, I am what some people call “a pantser.” Never heard the term? Think “fly by the seat of your pants.”
While I am a meticulous planner in other aspects of my life, I don’t have fixed plans for the novels. Some writers have precise outlines about what will happen in each chapter. Good for them! It’s just not my thing.
So, what is? Well, here’s how I am currently approaching the sixth book in the Through the Mist series.
Stage One – Deep Thoughts, Snacks, and Tea.
I read a lot. I mean, A LOT.
In Through the Mist: Restoration, I referenced the Act of Proscription. IN JUST ONE SENTENCE. I read it as well as numerous texts about its consequences. I read the law that repealed it. I read about the political environment at the time of its repeal. All for just one sentence.
In this stage, I read tons of articles and books. I study old documents and prowl around lots of websites about Scottish history.
I have a general idea about the story, so I am looking for specific details. If you have read my books, you know I want to immerse you in the story.
For example, in the next book, certain characters will be at the Battle of Trafalgar. Who should be? As I read more about the chaos of the battle, it makes sense that two particular characters should be there.
Originally, I thought it might be one of them. Now, I see an opportunity to add intrigue and drama by having both of them there.
Stage Two – Go Away! I’m Writing!
I produce one version. I read it. Then, I embellish the original version. Repeat the steps until I am ready to pass it off to the beta readers.
My beta readers read the drafts and tell me what works, what does not. I make tweaks. I add more stuff if I get new ideas.
By the end of the stage, the book is basically done. Additional tweaks may be needed to correct mistakes, adjust for formatting, et cetera.
Stage Three – Ugh!!!!!
This is my least favorite part of the process. Because I self publish the books, it is all on me to thoroughly proofread each page. I format the text for e-book and paperback versions. I design the cover art. I figure out all the business stuff for pricing and promotion. It’s all on my shoulders – and I HATE IT.
Stage Four – Please Read My Book!
The book has been released into the world. At this point, I want someone to actually see the book and read it. I plead for reviews. I post endlessly on social media. I consider ads. I tell everyone who will listen. I tuck copies in free reading libraries and anywhere else I can sneak in a book.
The process never truly ends, because I am always thinking, always working. I want to engage new readers. After all, Through the Mist is a series. They can start it whenever they want.
And, with Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop, I have a completely different book for folks to read. BTW – I have an idea for another book based in the same world, so it too could turn into a series. TBD
Hopefully, this glimpse into my writing habits answers the question. I invite you to follow me on Facebook for even more insights. Now, back to researching Trafalgar….
Back in my day….
Not the best way to start a blog post…
Well, it’s true. “Side hustle” is a fancy way of saying what we old-timers used to call “a second job.” I suppose it is a clever way of repackaging the experience, isn’t it?
Endless articles online or adverts on TV or social media make it seem as if side hustles yield boat loads of money for very little work. It is so easy – why isn’t everyone doing it??
Yeah, if you believe that, I have prime real estate in the Florida Everglades that I would love to sell.
It is best to have realistic expectations when approaching side hustles. Otherwise, you may question why you aren’t earning buckets of money as promised, or worse, losing money in the process.
I have tried a few side hustles to bring in cash. Here are three top things to consider.
Don’t quit your day job. Yeah, it is hypocritical for me to say it. For most people, side hustles provide a little bit of extra cash. We’re talking, at best, a few hundred dollars each month, not the THOUSANDS of dollars purveyors of side hustle ventures would have you believe.
Side hustles are a great way to use your existing skills or test ideas for future endeavors. They can provide an outlet for something you love. News flash – most people aren’t working at dream jobs.
Algorithms can be a blessing…and a curse. If you use the services of an online seller, keep in mind that this vendor also wants to make money. They make tweaks to algorithms so that a particular product appears immediately when the customer opens the site or searches for similar items. They are constantly looking for the best way to reach customers, so those customers will always return to that site.
Do they warn you? No. One month, money rains from the sky, and the birds sing. The next month, sales dry up, and your offerings are buried on the last page of the site. What did you do wrong?!
Nothing! You are at the mercy of the vendor. Just keep telling yourself that your product is awesome, because what happened has absolutely nothing to do with quality.
Shipping costs take a deep cut into your profit. If you sell anything that requires shipping, thoughts and prayers. Shipping costs are brutal when you do not have the power to negotiate with the USPS, Federal Express, et cetera, for favorable rates. That power resides with large corporations, not you.
Side hustles are usually one person or small family operations. You won’t have the bargaining power to get an advantageous shipping contract. Some sites like Etsy and eBay offer discounted shipping labels which helps. Still, the costs remain high and will drive up the price of your product. As a result, it is hard to competitively price your product. You cannot compete with someone who can ship for insanely low amounts.
Side hustles are a good way to pick up a few dollars here and there. However, don’t believe the hype, and don’t expect the windfall to continue indefinitely. Odds are high that you will not make enough money to replace income from a traditional job. You also might find that any income you do make is not sustainable without constant care (i.e. new products and services).
It is not a reflection of your work. You are awesome.
Repeat that to yourself when you get discouraged (because you will, frequently). You are awesome.
If you want to take a deep dive into data, two recent articles provided interesting insight about side hustles. Here are the links:
From Bankrate.com: https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/side-hustle-survey/
From NPR: https://www.npr.org/2023/10/11/1204264632/amazon-sellers-prices-monopoly-lawsuit
If you have been following the website and/or Facebook, you know that I have two dogs: a terrier named Gracie and a Shih-Tzu named Chewie. Gracie has been a part of my life for almost 14 years. Yeah, I may have flubbed the time in previous posts; like most people, I lost a couple of years during the pandemic.
Anyway – I digress.
Gracie is a rescue dog. The good folks at the Avery County Humane Society estimated her age to be 3. That makes her 17.
The last couple of years have been rough for her. For the first time, she shows her age. She doesn’t walk as fast or as far as she once did. Her stubbornness is at an all-time high. She wants what she wants, when she wants it. You cannot convince her otherwise. She cannot hear very well, so you must take care how you approach her. She doesn’t always sleep through the night and sometimes paces.
Still, she bounces around the house if she thinks it is time to go outside or take a car ride. She runs to the door for these exciting events. (Sure, she stares at the hinges of the door, but she wants to go.) She eats enthusiastically and enjoys smelling everything on the walkies. It ain’t over yet.
Living with an elderly dog is a challenge. If you are going through it too, I have a few tips:
Consider adopting another dog, BUT it must be the right dog for your dog. I searched for years – literally, years – for a companion for Gracie. I wanted another terrier. BIG MISTAKE. Gracie does not particularly like other dogs. She does not want someone to play with, because she doesn’t play. However, she does like having someone around the house when I am away.
Chewie was everything we needed – a male Shih-tzu who is totally chill. It wasn’t about what I wanted. It was about what Gracie wanted and needed.
Almost immediately, his presence soothed her anxiety. She may not wrestle and play with him, but she secretly likes having someone around in the middle of the night when I am sleeping or when I leave the house. She has even grabbed his toys for a few seconds and slung them across the room.
The temptation here is to get a puppy. Match the new dog’s energy level to your old dog’s level, or you might have problems. It turns out that Chewie does not need a power walk; he is content to saunter along at Gracie’s pace. He enjoys relaxing and does not want constant play. Exactly what Gracie needs! And, equally important, what Chewie likes. You don’t want the new dog to be miserable.
Use nightlights throughout your house. Your old dog may not see very well at night. I placed nightlights in strategic spots around the house. It really helped Gracie navigate the darkened rooms.
Break out the yoga mat…for your dog. I have hardwood and tile throughout my house, slippery surfaces for an elderly dog. I already had a few rugs scattered here and there. I added more.
I also found that yoga mats make great “rugs.” Sure, they may not match the chic aesthetic of your house. If you have dogs (or any other pet or human children), you probably abandoned those efforts at fashionable décor a long time ago anyway.
Keep moving. Like humans, elderly dogs must keep moving. Yes, the walkies may be slower and shorter. Just reconcile yourself to the new way of walking, but don’t stop!
Talk with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you navigate the journey by offering tips for care and preparing you for each stage. The vet also approaches the situation with a little more objectivity than you may have. After all, in Gracie’s case, 14 years is a really long time. It is extraordinarily difficult for me to be objective sometimes.
Gracie takes a low dose of Prozac and a couple of supplements to help with anxiety and mobility issues. I recently switched her food to a formula that allegedly assists dogs with cognitive issues. It seems to be helping, though she is not the spry 3-year old she once was. No food can do that!
Hang in there. Our dogs give us wonderful years of friendship and love. It is our duty to help them in their final days, weeks, months, or years and give them the life they earned. After all, isn’t that was we all want toward the end of our lives? Yes, it is hard, but you can do it!
Recently, I have faced a battle with technology. I am not referring to the emergent threat of artificial intelligence (AI). Much has been said about AI’s threat to all professions, particularly creative endeavors. No, I refer to the battle with algorithms.
Algorithms determine one’s placement on websites, in searches, et cetera. They are the engine that drives people to a product. People devote entire careers to optimizing descriptions and other items so that a mysterious algorithm gives choice placement to the product.
Don’t have a lot of sales (like, millions)? Don’t have millions of followers? Don’t use the right keywords? Don’t have a big corporation backing you? Well, good luck to you! Getting noticed by the algorithm becomes less about the quality of your product and more of a popularity contest. Geez, it’s high school all over again!
Of course, I speak from experience. I have noticed random issues with my books on Amazon’s site. Sometimes, you must click “books” as the category in the search bar . Sometimes, you can type the title in the search bar and find the book right away. Or, on a particular day, you must be ultra precise. I have heard that you cannot type “Wooly.” You need the second “L” in the title Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop. There is no standard pattern. It varies from day to day.
Small businesses deserve notice. What can you do when you hear about a great product and cannot find it? Be patient. Keep looking. Contact the business owner. Don’t give up! Until the business owner generates enough “likes” or sales, they will remain buried in the algorithm. They need your support.
As we move into the busy holiday shopping season, it is important to highlight the issue. Sure, I would love more sales. This post is really for all small business owners. It is hard enough to do business with rising costs from materials to vendor fees. They produce a quality product. They don’t need a phantom algorithm hiding it. Help us all by supporting your favorite small business.
I am having a sale in my Etsy shop. From July 5 to July 9, 2023, enjoy 20% off all bookmarks. Shipping is free, so it’s a great deal. You can follow my shop at GiftOverYourself.etsy.com.
In fact, you should follow it all the time. I have another sale planned for next week, during Prime Days. I have other ideas for sales further down the road. And, you’ll be the first to know when I add new products. I have already made several Christmas ornaments that I will offer soon.
It’s also not a bad idea to follow my Facebook page. I have started researching the next book in the “Through the Mist” series. You’ll find updates there as I continue the process. I will post info about other projects I am working on as well. I have several ideas – we will see what makes it.
Stay tuned – exciting things to come!
I have been working for months now on a special project, setting up my Etsy shop. The name - Gift Over Yourself.
Now - some tips for searching on Etsy. First, they don’t put spaces in between the words. You’ll have to search for a shop called “GiftOverYourself.” Second, make sure you tell it to look for the shop. Otherwise, you will see a bunch of listings for other shops and items.
You can find unique gifts that I created as well as curated collections for both the "Through the Mist" and "Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop" books. I also have a special box for a favorite book of mine, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”
You can find the shop here: https://giftoveryourself.etsy.com/
I hope everyone will take a moment to visit the site and, even better, place an order! Right now, I am only accepting orders in the US as I learn more about the ins and outs of having a shop.
Keep an eye on the site. I intend to add more listings in the coming months.
The fifth book in the Through the Mist saga is now available on Amazon! I finally finished formatting it!
Through the Mist: Redemption traces Tilly’s adjustment to life in 1800s Scotland. We learn more about how she is trying to build a new life for herself. It also picks up where Through the Mist: Reflection left off. No spoilers here! Read it to find out what happens next.
Enjoy!
On Facebook, I informed you that I was in the middle of formatting the fifth book in the “Through the Mist” series. The task, in a word, sucks. If I would focus, I could be done in a couple of days. Instead, it takes much longer because I allow myself to be distracted. By pretty much anything. Oh, well, I am trying!
While you wait, I thought you might like a little taste of what’s to come. Enjoy!
Gleann A’bunadh, Scotland
February 1803
BENJAMIN CAMPBELL TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND IMMEDIATELY REGRETTED IT. Icy air scorched the back of his throat and set his lungs ablaze. He ducked his head in the bitter wind, trudging forward through the snow and gripping the reins of his horse. With the slap of each snowflake against his face, it felt as if a thousand needles pierced every inch of skin.
The horse snorted in disgust. Taken from a warm stable and rudely coaxed into the winter night, the beast was as upset as Benjamin to be outside.
When Benjamin awoke to an empty bed, he sprang into action. His wife Tilly acted strangely all evening, repeatedly staring at the full moon in the sky or pacing the floors in their bedroom. Since her friend Beth left, she was lonely and depressed. He feared the worst. He raced to his late father’s study where they kept the shield. It was gone. He ran to the stable, hurriedly saddled the horse, and headed for the valley.
He longed to spend a few moments sitting beside a cozy fire and sipping a glass of whisky that any of his tenants would have offered him, if he were to visit their croft on such a bleak night. Unfortunately, he ventured to a place where no cottages stood, save the one at the end of his journey. Stands of snow-laden trees surrounded him. The verdant forest floor was blanketed in white instead of the usual carpet of grass and leaves. The crunch of snow under the beast’s feet and their heavy breathing mixed with the howling wind that chilled them both to the bone.
Thick drifts of snow nearly obliterated the path leading to the valley. Someone unfamiliar with the area would have been lost in minutes. The wind whipped snow into the tracks almost as quickly as they formed. Thankfully, he could have navigated the land with his eyes closed. Of course, at that particular moment, he wished they were closed. He should have been at home, sleeping soundly in a comfortable bed.
He guided the horse along the trail for fear of the beast stumbling on the uneven and slippery terrain. He had dismounted when it became obvious that they were in more peril with him on the animal’s back than off.
Looking down, Benjamin saw the fresh traces of a horse’s hoof prints and a person’s footsteps, side by side. He suspected the steps belonged to his wife and her favorite horse. A small trace of their steps remained, confirming his belief about where they were headed.
The slowness of the journey did nothing to allay his fears. It was too dangerous to be travelling tonight, yet here they were. The storm descended with a swiftness and ferocity that surprised him. Anyone who ventured out would have been taken unawares. It was unsafe for his wife. What could have possessed her to leave the security of the castle and travel to the cottage? The possible answer unsettled his soul.
He feared the greatest of heartaches awaited him. Would he discover Tilly’s horse at Gleann A’bunadh and a set of footprints that mysteriously disappeared halfway across the pasture? She could have decided life with him was unbearable. He tried his best to give her all of the love and friendship she bestowed upon him. The mere sight of her filled his heart with joy and left him thankful on a daily basis for her presence in his life. It broke his heart to think she might not share those feelings and wanted to run back to the 21st century.
Or, perhaps she was assaulted while traveling alone at night. Images of blood-stained snow and her crumpled, lifeless body flooded his brain. If someone harmed her, he would track the foul fiend to the ends of the earth. No place would offer safe harbor. He tightly clutched the leather reins and coaxed the horse forward.
When he finally arrived at the valley and saw her standing behind a tree, he felt enormous relief and rage, a peculiar mix of emotions. He resisted the urge to scream at her. Why the hell was she there? Did she have any idea how dangerous it was to travel in the terrible weather and at night, no less? Did she understand the terror gripping his heart?
Instead, Benjamin focused on the burning sensation in his nostrils and chest as the air filled his lungs. He secured his horse beside hers. The task gave him time to compose himself.
As soon as I have an official release date, I will let you know. I have some exciting things planned, so stay tuned!
If you follow my Facebook page, you know I am hard at work on the fifth installment in the Through the Mist series. I am in what I call the “Beta Reader” phase right now, where I make adjustments based on feedback from early readers and correct grammar, spelling, and other mistakes.
At some point with every book, I become so obsessed with the story that it dominates my thoughts. Here is an example. As I drifted off to sleep last night, I said to myself, “No, the color of that dress is all wrong.” What??? Seriously???
Just this morning, I was online reading about the fuel the average Scottish person would have used for their fires in the 1800s. (Peat and wood, by the way) That led me down another rabbit hole. What does a peat fire smell like, since we typically don’t have peat fires here in the States? I already knew how peat was gathered, thanks to watching too many documentaries, reading too many articles, and actually paying attention when I saw someone gathering and drying peat on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. Too bad I cannot put “exhaustive knowledge of peat” on my resume. I doubt it comes up much in the workplace, unless maybe I am a peat harvester.
Why do I bother? It is in my DNA. I cannot help it! I must be accurate when I discuss certain elements in the book. While it is a work of fiction, it is not a work of pure fantasy. It goes against every fiber of my being to just make up little details that you probably breeze right by. Do you really care what fuel was used for the fire? No! You are more concerned with what Benjamin and Tilly are doing in front of the fire!
The next phase will be what I call the “Ah, Screw It; I Am Done” phase. I can feel myself inching closer and closer, because, frankly, I am tired of reading about peat. Until then, please hang in there with me. I am really excited about the next book, peat fires and all. Dare I say it – it may be the best one in the series. Stay tuned!
If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I am editing the next book in the Through the Mist series. Editing can be a brutal process. In the initial stages of writing, I put everything on the proverbial page. Then, during the editing process, I savagely cut parts that I believe get in the way of the story. Do they serve any other purpose than proving I know a lot about a particular subject? After all, you came to the story with the expectation of a light-hearted romance, not a history essay.
The Clearances sit in the background of all books in the series, even more so with this one. Naturally, I have read a lot of material about the event. So far, I have cut a lot of paragraphs from the book or trimmed sections to a single sentence. You don’t need all the detail. You want to know what is happening with a particular character.
Well, it seems a shame to waste all of that information. Here are three key things to know:
The Clearances weren’t confined to the Scottish Highlands. If money is involved, terrible things happen. Countless books and articles have been written about the clearances that happened in the Scottish Highlands. Did you know similar things happened in the Scottish Lowlands? Two points for Gryffindor if you did. I did not.
Sheep were more profitable than people. A booming wool trade made it much more advantageous for greedy landlords to displace communities and raise sheep in their place. Folks who lived on the land for centuries suddenly found themselves without a home. Some were forced off the land, with their homes burned to the ground before their eyes. Others immigrated to Canada, America, and beyond. A few stayed in Scotland and tried to scratch out an existence by the sea.
The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland did horrible things. Read about it. It is unbelievable what their factor and these aristocrats did. I could go on and on – trust me. You want to read it for yourself.
History is more interesting than the romantic tales we read in books or see in movies and TV shows. If you are willing to do a little research on your own, you will be amazed by what you find. Happy digging!
Chewie is the sweetest dog who has ever lived with me. He just wants to make everyone happy. What a concept!
On Saturday, I was at a low point. Gracie is 16 years old. Whenever she has medical issues, I am rather emotional. I lost four pets in a row, about every 1.5 years, before I adopted her. All of them had cancer, so there were multiple vet visits. I know “that day” is coming for Gracie.
She experienced some issues last week, with the whole thing coming to a head on Saturday. I called the vet; fortunately, they had an available appointment. When I left the house with her, I am sure Chewie picked up on my energy.
Fortunately, all was well with Gracie. Long story short, she is a diva. Her issues seem to be more behavioral than physical. The vet could not find anything physically wrong with her. Good to hear, but it didn’t help with the problems. Oh, well. It is always best to rule out medical issues in these situations.
As I unlocked the door upon our return, I heard a strange squeak on the other side of the door. I opened the door to discover Chewie standing there with a toy. He was so excited to see us.
Later, I went to the basement to put some laundry in the washer. I came back upstairs to find Gracie asleep on the floor. What was beside her? A toy. She no longer plays with toys, so I can guess what happened.
Unhappy? Have a toy. Had a bad day? Bet a nice squeaky toy would help!
Chewie thinks everyone should be happy. Since toys make him happy, well, he gives you a toy.
We are surrounded by negativity on social media, the news, everywhere. Chewie might have the right idea. Is it really difficult to take two seconds and hold the door for someone? Could we smile and say “thank you” whenever someone hands us our fast food order? These small acts might be the very thing that brightens someone’s day. Sure, it is not a squeaky toy, but it is a start.
You may have missed my announcement if you don’t follow my Facebook page. Now through tomorrow, grab a free ebook version of my first book, Through the Mist: Restoration. Go to Amazon.com to snag your copy.
Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! You can download the Kindle reading app to any device. Then, you can download my ebook (and many others).
Stay tuned. On Wednesday, I will announce another deal, for Through the Mist: Reunion.
I hope you enjoy the free book and want to keep reading. There are three more books in the series, all very affordably priced.
Remember - reviews are greatly appreciated! Good or bad, I want to hear what you think about the books. I do read the reviews. Your feedback on the first book helped me make some much-needed changes for the second edition and (hopefully) improve my overall writing style.
Thank you!!
Some people describe good stories as onions. Layer by layer, you discover new insights.
If you follow my Facebook page, you’ll know that I have returned to the fifth book in the Through the Mist series. (And, if you don’t follow it, you totally should. You’re missing some adorable pics of my dogs.)
I had about 75 percent of the story completed before I got stuck. To clear my mind, I produced Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop. As expected, focusing on something completely different unblocked my brain and allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do with the remaining 25 percent of the fifth book.
If you haven’t had an opportunity to check out Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop, you should. You can find the book on Amazon in both paperback and ebook form. It is a contemporary romance about a second chance at finding love. Set in a rural town based on my own hometown, Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop follows Peg Alexander. Is she too old to find her happily-ever-after? Absolutely not!
Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop will give you something to chew on while I focus on the fifth book in the TTMR series. I am currently adding those aforementioned layers to the existing material. For example, saying that a character walked through snow doesn’t really do anything for you, does it? Was the wind blowing? Was the character cold? Was it day? Was it night? I want you to be able to insert yourself into the scene and feel what the character is feeling. That takes some work.
Oh, I should probably write the ending too. LOL
The year certainly didn’t turn out as I anticipated. While quitting the job was always on my mind, I never expected that I would actually take the big leap. I miss the income. I don’t miss the job.
Like quitting my job, adopting another dog is something I have wanted to do for years. I could never find the right match, though. Gracie does not like most dogs. Then, Chewie came into our lives. His former owner wanted to find a place where the pet parent would be home most of the time. Well, an unemployed writer fits that requirement!
Though I never wanted a male Shih-Tzu dog, he turned out to be exactly what we needed. Gracie tolerates him most of the time and might even like him on rare occasions. He calms her whenever I am away from the house. He chills beside me whenever I watch TV. He is a great dog.
None of these things would have been possible, though, without work. I spent almost 30 years at an investment firm. Naturally, I picked up some tips along the way that could be used by the average person. Be sure to follow me, because I will drop little tidbits in future posts.
I have spent the last few months doing something I always wanted to do - write full time. I produced Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop and took several classes and watched several webinars. I read loads of things about self-publishing, writing, marketing, et cetera. It has been great.
Unfortunately, I haven’t received huge windfalls of cash. Hell, I haven’t received any windfalls! How have I survived? You may find yourself in a situation someday where you don’t have an income either. Here are three tips to prepare for that day:
Save, save, save. Most people could not cover an unexpected expense of $500. I was one of those people for a long time. I set up an automatic deduction from my checking account into my savings account. The amount wasn’t much. Still, the balance increased over time, and that’s the whole point. I will talk more about this topic in future posts, because it is a topic that is dear to my heart.
Look for “free” money - part one. My credit cards have “reward” points that I can apply to my balance, use for purchases at Amazon and other places, et cetera. Inflation is out of control. I charge everything to my credit cards and use the points to buy needed essentials. Note - this only works if you are diligent about paying off your credit card(s) every month.
Look for “free” money - part two. Pay attention when you make purchases, particularly on Amazon. Sometimes, vendors will offer incentives if you delay delivery.
Let’s use Amazon as an example. If I defer delivery by several days, they sometimes offer promotional credits. I then use those credits for “free” e-books, movie rentals, or other digital content. Do I really need something the next day or the day after? Usually, the answer is no. Why not take advantage of the credits then? I can use them to get something I want later.
Again, I will talk more in the future about tips to survive the “no income” time of your life. I have discovered a lot.
As I look ahead to 2023, I have a newfound hope. Sure, I have no income, the books aren’t selling, and I will have to get a job. I don’t view those things as negatives as I once would have. I survived 2022. I survived a global pandemic. I can survive - and so can you!
You need to know a few things before I tell this story. First, my sister has five kids. With that many kids in a household, it is inevitable that someone will be sick. I cannot tell you how many family gatherings have been cancelled because one (or more) of the kids happened to be sick. In fact, Covid has visited the household at least three times.
Second, I am a bit of a germaphobe. If anyone even sneezes, I am outta there.
Third, I don’t typically eat large meals anymore, and I certainly don’t eat the rich dishes typically served at Thanksgiving.
Fourth, if you have read Love at the Woolly Bookworm Shop, you know that blueberry lemon icebox cake is served for dessert at one of the meals.
Fifth - and most important - the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Okay - finally - the story. For Thanksgiving this year, I made blueberry lemon icebox cake as one of our desserts. (Yes, one of our desserts - we tend to go overboard.) In my grand plan, I would cut a slice on the big day, take some pictures, and post them either here or my Facebook page.
The big day arrived. I removed the cake from the freezer. It was frozen solid. If I had a chainsaw, I might have been able to cut it. So, I guess I would just take pics at my sister’s house - on to Plan B.
The meal was a feast. I ate way, way too much. When it came time for dessert, we cut into the blueberry lemon icebox cake. It was still frozen in about 75 percent of the dish, but at least we could cut it. Wow - it was delicious. I looked forward to snapping some pics later. The bright lemon and blueberry flavors were refreshing after such a heavy meal. I imagined it truly would have been the perfect dessert on a hot summer day, as it was written in my book.
Well, it wasn’t long after eating the dessert that my stomach was very unsettled. Within minutes, I “expelled” the dessert. It wasn’t how I wanted to end the meal, with my head in the toilet.
So, yeah, I see the irony that the germaphobe is the only person who got sick that day. Everyone else who ate the dessert felt fine.
P.S.
Sorry, no pics of the dessert - I never wanted to see it again!