Showing posts with label My Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Books. Show all posts

Sunday 10 March 2024

Dang it!

 Seriously, I feel like I have been sick for the last month. I started out by nursing everyone else through the twenty-four-hour virus, before succumbing to it myself... I can tell you, I really hate vomiting. Then, no sooner did I get over the first illness. When low and behold, I get a freaking head cold━I just can't freaking win some days. Now my 92-year-old mum has come down with the same damn thing, and our house is sick again. Once we are both better I will have to do a top to bottom, household scrub-down.

Though I have been working━well kind of. I have been re-writing my synopsis and the opening for E.P.I.C. I'm thinking about going in a whole different direction with it. It'll be along the same lines, just different━more to it than I originally planned. I'll probably enjoy writing it more now.


Lately, I have this song on repeat in my head.
It's driving me nuts.

Sunday 11 February 2024

Almost...But Not Quite.

 

This is so true. I'm trying to do better, but it is a work in progress. Crowds still give me anxiety.

I have done a ton more on clearing out my Dropbox. I even managed to write 5K on a story I didn't even know I still had. So I guess it's back in rotation. Currently, it's called: Second Time Around, but I don't think it fits the story So I'll probably change it.

I'm still working at the hula hoop thingy... I seem to struggle with the rhythm for the first ten minutes or so, but after that I do fine. I think it is helping with the aching in my back. And I sweat like you wouldn't believe━not that you needed to hear that. Since starting I have removed two links. It's hard doing it on my own, but I'm getting there. I'm not dieting━just changing the way I eat. Anyone want to join me on this journey. Drop me a line and we can become weight-loss buddies together, better to do it with a friend or a total stranger than struggle through it on your own. We can do weigh-ins. Talk recipes. Even just talk about what's happening, ups and downs. What works━what doesn't. No money needs to be exchanged. I'm purely doing this through sheer determination, kitchen scales, and bathroom scales. With just the food I buy in my weekly groceries, and what exercises I do at home. I'm not paying for gym memberships, diet pills, or any other sort of diet-related thing. The only thing I'm doing is keeping track of my weekly weight, and monthly measurements. The best part is if you want to participate. You can live anywhere in the world, and join in from the comfort of your own home. all I ask is you be honest with your weights and measurements.

Okay, I think I've talked your ears off long enough. I will chat again on a whole other day.

Friday 9 February 2024

Dang It!

 

I feel like I'm losing my mind. I may have been out of the game for a year, but when did everything change so drastically? I just tried to send yesterday's post to Twitter, which is somehow now X. I totally missed that change of name. Sad to say I'm too scared to even open my WordPress blog to see how much that has changed on me. I think this may take me a little bit to figure out how everything all works now.

Other than that, I'm still going through and decluttering my Dropbox. I'm getting ready to add all the new stuff I've been contemplating about, and working on. I want to make it easy to touch and be accessible. So when I want it, I'll know exactly where it is.

It's been fun rereading all the bits of stories that I have there, and deciding whether to keep them or to put them aside. Some I've decided to meld into other stories. Others will go on the back burner for a little bit. I'll never discard anything fully until I have absolutely no further use for it.

I'm actually trying to figure out a writing list. One that will actually work. I think once my Dropbox is clear then I'll have a better view and be able to see what's right in front of me━so to speak. Wish me luck.

Thursday 8 February 2024

Holy Shyte!!!

 

Let me start by saying I've lived through a year of hell. That would be the best way to begin, but then, it wouldn't be quite accurate. The truth is... I've had a year of being worn the hell out. My whole body was out of sync or something. I've been going to my GP, and he has been helping me get back on track. I'm working on making 2024 the year of me. The one where I get my health up to par, and I don't feel like my body wants to shut down every other week. I know I'm not the only one out there suffering. Hell, I know I'm not even the worst off. Plenty of other people are going through much more than I am.

Although I haven't been on here for the past year, it doesn't mean I haven't been doing some writing. Not a lot, but some. Mostly, I have been outlining new stories. This time around when I start writing. I want to have all my synopsis within reach. I might not always follow said synopsis to the (T), but they are a basic guideline of where I need the story to go, and definitely where I need it to end up, especially if it is part of a series.

The other thing I am in the process of doing is updating this blog and my WordPress one. so eventually you'll start to see changes... I'm also cleaning out my Dropbox. I feel like it is so cluttered. I just want the stuff on there that I'm actually working on. That way when I'm looking for something in a hurry, I don't have to search through everything.

I also have visitors at the moment, so it makes it hard to work when I feel like I need to talk to them. Actually, it's just my sister, and she really wouldn't care if I was in my room working on my computer. but, I look after my three granddaughters while their mum works 2, 3, and almost 6...  They are such a handful, only listen when they want to and I wouldn't trade them for all the quiet in the world. 

Other than that, I still have my bad back. I still have my atrocious migraines. I still have my thyroid condition. I still have horrendous ringing in my ears. I still have arthritis in my hands. I still suffer from cramps all over my body (mostly arms and legs). I still have really sore feet. I'm still overweight (but I've lost 5kg).... On a good note: I still love listening to David Bowie. I still love reading and writing. I really love my new multi-function cooker that I just bought from Aldi. 

And on that note: I will bid you all good night and I will talk to you all again next week, or even in a couple of days, and give you an update on all my decluttering is going on the computer.

Sunday 22 January 2023

Week Three> Week Off

 


Okay, I'm not going to look at it as I've wasted the week by not writing. I've had doctor appointments out of the wazoo this week. From normal our normal GP appointments, to dietician appointments with my granddaughter Grace, and Podiatry appointments with my almost 91-year-old mother. Okay, By tons I may mean four, but they were all at off times, so by the time I either left or returned home I didn't feel like getting on the computer to write... Instead, I watched Netflix: Ghost Wars, Instant Dream Home, Wednesday, & Get Organized with The Home Edit... But if the granddaughters were here, it was usually Boss Baby, The Wiggles, & We Can Be Heroes.

Above is how I keep track of my writing world. It basically tells me what I need to be working on each day. I've planned out the first six months of the year. The list, even though it is numbered; doesn't mean I'm specifically writing them in that order... this planning thing seems to be working so I've decided to do it in my real life as well. Considering I keep track of 7 people's appointments... It really gets tiring.

Here is a little snippet of what just January looks like for me and my lot... And yes, I colour code everything. Much easier for me when I'm trying to find things in a hurry. Trust me, I quite often have to go back through months looking for particular dates of events.

Updates: My foot > is still sore. The doctor doesn't think it isn't too serious. Though, I will have to buy some new shoes with better arch support. I'll have to look until I find a pair I like. As I don't like wearing shoes that velcro up. 

My headaches > well, they are still hanging around, but lately, they have been kind of mild. Though I did have one doozy this past week. The kind where it felt like my vision was swirling, and going in and out of focus.

My Back > Has been good, only a little tender down around the base of my spine. In truth, I've been having more pain with my arms than anything they are aching... not sure what from.

I think I've rambled on enough for one post I'll leave you with a song that has been rattling around inside my head for the last couple of days. Mind yu the first time I heard this guy sing... This is not what I pictured him to look like... But he did bring to life my Doyle Kerwin from my The Lines of Marsden Series.

On that note, I will away for now.
Later Gaters & Catch you all next week.

Sunday 15 January 2023

Week Two: I Have Ouchies...

 

This week I've somehow managed to hurt my damn foot. No clue how I did it, but it hurts like a bitch. I told you I would give you an update on my specialist appointment... Let's just say they must have had a temp working the day they rescheduled me. I was sent to the wrong hospital, (okay, I could manage that). They changed my appointment date when I was almost at the said hospital (now that I had a problem with - I told them they couldn't do that without informing me first. Especially when I didn't live in the same city as the hospital). Then I find out they booked me in on a day when she was only doing diabetic consultations and I was going for my thyroid. (That one I was a little confused about). Turns out the Dr. was in surgery anyway, but at least I wasn't on my lonesome. Three other patients went through the same drama I did... my new scheduled appointment is February 17th at 9:45 am. Which just happens to be my mother's 91st birthday. Let's hope next time it runs smoothly.

Okay onto my weekly writing schedule:-
  1. Cotter Girls 1: TASH 45.2K > added another 3K (DONE)
  2. Cotter Girls 2: RAINE 2K > started on this one
  3. Misty River 1: Calm to my Storm 51.2K > added 5.2K (DONE)
  4. Woden's Wolves MC 1: Rescue Me 9K > started on this one
  5. The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You 65K > added 2K
  6. Quaide's Crossing 1: Saving Grace 17K > added 3K
24.2K all up for the week. It's been a hard week for me, but I don't want to fall behind if I can help it. I'll catch you all next week and fill you in on what's been going on.

Later Gaters.

Sunday 8 January 2023

Week One> Update...

 

Well, I started off the week by writing 1K a day on each of the  4 stories I'm currently working on... Yeah, that lasted until Tuesday night. I was managing it okay, but it was a little tough jumping from one storyline to another without stuffing up. So on Wednesday, I decided to work on one story each day, and just alternate them. This is working out much better for me. I have one more read-through of Cotter Girls 1:TASH to see if I have to add to the story anywhere, but I think that one is actually done. It came in just under the wordage I had planned for it. After that, it's just writing up the synopsis and blurbs and submitting it somewhere.

You'll be happy to know I have also stuck to u budget... probably because the grocery shops have stuff all in them...  but that's okay. I'm about to start up my veggie patch again, but this time, I'm doing it all in pots... the hillside was hazardous to my health. I can't count the number of times I fell down that thing. Luckily, there was a fence to stop me at the bottom. 

The weather is stinking hot here. I hate saying it, but God, I wish it was winter already. Though, I'd probably only complain about it being too cold if it were. At least it's good clothes-drying weather. No. I don't have a drier. I depend on the sun to do it for me. Just like the only dishwasher I have is called my hands.

Before I talk to you again, I'll have gone to my thyroid specialist appointment. I'll have to let you all know next week how it panned out. Here's hoping they give me the correct medication and my health can get back on track. 

Later people, take care and see you all next week.

Sunday 1 January 2023

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 ...WELCOME 2023...

I'd like to start off by saying Happy New Year to everyone. May the year ahead be kinder than the year we just lived through.

This year I'm going to try and think more positive thoughts... and set myself realistic goals... I don't want to be causing myself stress needlessly. So for the last month while I've been out sick I have been working on this year's budget (loose) to keep me headed in the right direction. I've already been sharing some of the other things (monthly planner - to keep track of 6 people 7 pets and two houses)... Yes, I'm my daughter's backup appointment keeper.

My Goals:

1) Finish writing 6 books.
2) Read 10 books off my TBR list.
3) Stick to my budget.
4) Try and be more organized.
5) check in on my blogs more frequently.

Working on now:

1) The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You (starting at 55K/100K)
2) Misty River 1: Calm to My Storm (Starting at 35K/50K)
3) Quaide's Crossing 1: Saving Grace (Starting at 5K/50K)
4) Cotter Girls 1: TASH (40K/45K)

Thursday 8 December 2022

Aftermath...

 

The aftermath of last night's storm is it blew our TV. and messed with one of our digital clocks. there are also a ton of puddles, branches, and leaves all over our yard... The good news is we have a secondary TV so Mum can still watch her cricket. The puddles will dry up eventually and I can clean up all the branches and leaves. The bad news is, it didn't seem to cool it down any, so I'm still sweating in places I'd rather not.

The heat makes it hard to want to finish spring/summer cleaning my house. I don't understand how the crap keeps accumulating. I swear I throw it away/donate it, and it comes back tenfold... it's like a conspiracy or something. I also swear it will never happen again, but it always does and makes a liar out of me. The good thing about this decluttering all-season cleaning is that I have been finding heaps of story notes that I've had stashed around the house.

I'm trying to get myself more organised for next year where my writing is concerned. But honestly, between the heat and being ill over the last year... it's been too hard to stay focused enough to even think. so for the last month, I've been telling myself I need to pull up my big girl panties and get the job done. Set a plan in place and stick to it.

Probably something easier said than done. I have to take the advice I keep giving my own granddaughters when they struggle to do something "It just takes practice, and the more you practice the better you'll get."

So has everyone got all their Christmas shopping completed? I have one left to buy but seeing as it is part birthday━part Christmas I don't actually have to have it until the middle of January. other than that all the important ones are bought.

Tuesday 6 December 2022

Tired of being sick...

Every damn time I think I'm finally on the mend, something else comes out to bite me on the arse and drag me down into the land of the sick. I seem to be on a constant roll. I throw my back out, then I get the flu (not Covid), then I can't kick the cough for months, then I get a double ear infection, a touch of Ross River Fever, then I get some viral infection (I should tell you I really hate spewing), then I throw my back out again from spewing... on top of all that I have a migraine from hell... I now have another inner ear infection.

Then to top off my year of what else can they throw at me. I find out that for the last 12 years they have been giving me the wrong thyroid medication and now I have to go and see a specialist... which I can't get in to see until January 6th, 2023... I'm hoping once I have the correct diagnosis and the correct medication is given, my body will start acting the way it is supposed to. I'm tired of being tired.

I shouldn't complain because no matter how bad I think I have it there are always those out there that have it worse off than me. I have it really mild compared to some and I should be grateful. 

I have been working on organizing all of my notes for next year so I can fully immerse myself back into writing again. Today I have been working on Misty River1: Calm to My Storm. This is the first book in a new MF series that I have been working on. At this stage, I plan on three, but there very well could be more. you never know with me.

Tuesday 25 October 2022

Getting There

I babysat my grandkids today, while their parents moved some more moving. only a couple of more loads to go and it will all be done... anyway, getting back to my story. They were mostly well-behaved. Let me amend that... the eldest and the youngest were. The middle child, which I have lovingly dubbed Hurricane. Well, she was a whole other story. I don't think she even knows the meaning of the word quiet. And yes, I know she is only two, but boy can she get loud. Yet, she's so darn cute when she's doing it. Sometimes I wish it was legal to duct tape her to a chair so I could get five minutes of peace and quiet, but I bet she'd figure her way out of it within the first minute. Today Hurricane nearly dislocated my freaking thumb. The pain almost put me on my arse. Now hours later it is still aching, but nowhere like it was when it first happened.

I'm still so bloody tired from helping with my daughter's move. It feels like all my bones and muscles are aching. I think I may have pulled something.

The weather is heating up around here, even if it is still raining. I'm thinking it's time to start up the aircon for summer. If we don't we are going to swelter, and I don't like to swelter at any time.

My new glasses should be arriving any day now, and I can't wait for them to arrive. Hopefully, they'll help me see a little better. Especially my new sunglasses.

I'm rewatching the X-Files I haven't watched them in years. So far, I'm enjoying them. I tried watching Sons of Anarchy, but I'm not sure whether I like it or not. So I stopped.

I've been working on E.P.I.C.1: What Hides Behind The Shadows trying to get a start on next year's body of work. Like I said, I'm not sure where I'm headed, but at the moment the storyline is flowing and that's all I can say. I'm also still working on Brothers McCrieve MC1: Justice.

Friday 21 October 2022

I've Never Felt So Tired

Okay, at the moment I'm looking after my brother and sister-in-law's chickens while they are away on holiday. It's been raining here nearly the whole time so it's been a bit crazy weather-wise.

Also, my daughter and her family have been moving house... so I have been helping pack and unpack their belongings. I thought I had a lot of possessions, but I have nothing on them. At least the new house doesn't seem to have the mold problem that the old place had━well, it hasn't shown it thus far. The new house also has enough bedrooms for them all to have one of their own, and for the kids to have a toy room.

My granddaughter's strawberries have finally started fruiting, so she is going to be happy. She loves gardening with Grandma, but we have to move our veg patch into pot plants. as the side of the hill isn't working for us. Grace and I aren't the most coordinated of people.

I've been working on The 1st book in The Brothers McCrieve series. It has the main characters of  Justice McCrieve and Josaphine "Josie" Brookes. I'm not sure where it's going just yet, but I'm thinking I like the flow so far. It's going to be one of those books where there's a crossover with other series.


This song has been stuck in my head for days. So I thought I'd share it with you all. I have no clue why other than it's an awesome song. But it's kind of been driving me nuts. I'm hoping this will at least free it from my head and make room for

Tuesday 11 October 2022

Just Checking In...

I've had the worst year so far that I've ever had. I can't even blame it on Covid 19touch wood that’s something I haven't yet had.

My migraines have been getting steadily worse. I'm going this week to see if it is a problem with my glasses. Maybe I'm due for a new prescription.

I've also been having a lot of trouble with my back and my upper arms...Yay!!! The joys of growing old. some would say 53 (almost 54) isn't old, but some days I feel 153.

Living in our rental as we have been since Christmas has been great. I even started a vegetable patch. The only problem with that is, I have to compete with the wildlife. They are so cute, I can't even be mad at them.

This year it seems like every time I turn around one of my family is ill. I went for a month at one stage where it felt like I was washing puked on things every single day. I know... I know... too much information. And yet, none of it was because of Covid 19━just the regular old flu. I swore if I started seeing an abundance of crows I was taking off because I'd seen 'The Stand' and I know how this was going to end. Luckily, everyone recovered.

Though I may not have had the chance to physically and mentally sit down and spend quality time writing. I did spend spare moments, scribbling notes for new story ideas. Trust me I have a whole passel of new ideas. some are MM some are MF. they range from sci-fi to Paranormal, to bikers, to small-town life, to dystopian. Pretty eclectic. Not sure what I'll work on first. Just know that I'll fix my writing list on here next year.

With me getting the rights back on my MLRPress books, I'm at a loss as to what I'm going to do with them just yet, and honestly, the end of this year is booked up with family (mostly doctor appointments). So I promise to think about it all next year. I do know I also want to branch out writing-wise next year and I hope I actually find the time to do just that.

My mum and both my cats (Oliver & Robson) are all doing okay. Though RobbyDobbs is as crazy as ever. His latest trick is to get as close as he can and silently fart, before running off. I swear he's laughing his arse off each and every time he does it.

I've also been trying to declutter some more of the house again. If I haven't used it since moving in, then I obviously don't need it. I'm just trying to simplify my life. better touch access. Someone (me) may or may not have been watching those let's get organized shows on Netflix... Mind you, I broke 3 of my new canisters in the first week. I so suck at this stuff.

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Done & Dusted

 

NaNoWriMo
50,352 Words
 
Wrote the last words on Misty River 1: The Calm to My Storm at 3pm today. I felt amazing. So now I can focus on my last two stories for the year... I'm actually feeling pretty good about getting this done now. I'll go back at a later date to polish it into a proper manuscript.

On an even better brighter note, I finally found the missing plot notes on Rebel Rousers MC 1: Sin With A Grin. and a partial for #2: Broken Winged Angel. Trust me when I replotted #1 & #2 they are completely different.

Monday 22 November 2021

Almost Done...

 

I have 4K to go on Misty River 1: The Calm to my Storm. So I should be finished by Wednesday at the latest. I won't say it will be a completed manuscript as it is all written in scenes. I'll have to go back and rearrange them, and link them all together so they make sense for the reader. I also need to add a few more intimate details... I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been fun writing this book. Even though in parts it has taken on a darker path than I normally write.

Today I'm off to swimming lessons with my two granddaughters> Grace and Harper. Then I'll come home and do some more writing and get a little further ahead.

It's raining here again today. so it's definitely going to be another indoors day for me. We've been doing yard work in between the showers. Everything is starting to look really nice. It should all look lovely by Christmas time. Okay, on that note I will talk to you all on a whole other day.

Sunday 21 November 2021

Time Out

 

I took the time out while writing to just sit, and this is what was happening right in front of me. These things were flying everywhere and some were mating others where I assume laying eggs in holes in wood. I just can't believe I actually managed to take a couple of pictures before this amorous couple flew away. They were actually sitting on the concrete at my feet... and when he was done with whatever round I saw, the one on top picked the other up and flew away and landed in the grass a little ways out from where I was sitting.

I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture but if you zoom in you can see the bottom one is carrying a shit-ton of eggs. It was amazing to watch, as the one on top, its wings were moving so fast. I sat there for at least 45 minutes watching them before they flew off. The whole experience was actually mesmerizing, as I've never actually seen anything like it before.

IN OTHER NEWS: I have just under 10K to go on my NaNoWriMo> Misty River 1: Calm to my Storm. I will be glad when I'm finished, so I can get back what I'm actually supposed to be writing. I still have to try and finish off. The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You, & Wardens of the Gild 4: Gilded Cages for 2021.

Friday 19 November 2021

Still Feeling Like Crap

 

Don't let the cuteness fool you. Robson was a pain in the arse all night long and kept waking me up. Really I can't totally blame my shitty night on him. The medicine I'm on for my ears is giving me wicked hot flushes and I feel like I have a heartbeat in my ear... But hopefully, all of this will be worth it and the perforation in my ear will heal fast.

I have found an editor for my work that needs redoing... her name is Leigh Walker. I think we are going to work well together. And I've had some wonderful Authors helping me with trying to figure out how to self-publish> Lynn Lorenz, Kathleen Kelly, and Bronwyn Heeley. I know I'll have more questions for them at some stage in the future. So for right now, I thank them all dearly.

I've to first figure out how to set up my author page on Amazon. Apparently, I already had one. I just needed to update it━a lot. But that's the first part done. I've to learn to become better at self-promotion. because currently I totally suck at it. I'll probably have to get tips from someone on how to do it.

I've Tracey Soxie Weston is going to hopefully work on some new covers for me. So I feel like I've everything back on track. I now can go through and change what needs changing and get them back out as fast as possible... for the most part, I know they're okay, there are just a couple I need to fix.

Saturday 13 November 2021

I Feel Like Sh!t Today

I feel like total sh!t today. My ears are out of whack. At the moment it is only in the right one, but that could all change. On top of that, all my bones seem to be aching. Especially, in the lower part of my spine.

So today, I have been taking things very slowly. I have been a little dizzy each time I move. I'm going to the doctor on Tuesday, for my bi-annual check-up. I'll figure what's the go then. Until Tuesday, I'll just take it easy.

At least I did manage to write some on NaNoWriMo to keep my daily writing in check. And I worked out what I want to try and work on for next year WIPS wise... I've chosen 4 series that will crossover throughout, the year. They should keep me busy. Plus, I'll still write my one The Connelly Chronicles 4: Just Good Friends to keep that story going.  The 4 series I'll work on will be as follows:

Brother McCrieve MC (6 books)
Mountain Made (6 books)
Quaide's Crossing (6 books)
Rebel Rousers MC (6 books)

Thursday 11 November 2021

Keeping On Track

 

I'm happy to announce I'm still on track and just over halfway through NaNoWriMo... Misty River 1: The Calm to my Storm. I didn't think I would do it, but I'm glad that I have.

This has been my launch back into the writing world. I have been busy in my real life. But, that's enough about that for the time being, because our real lives never end.

Also, I think I may have solved my problem from the last post. I'm in talks with someone on how to do what needs to be done. I won't say too much until I am 100% sure what's actually happening. I'm kind of excited about it all.

This means I'll still be on track to get The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You, and Wardens of the Guild 4: Gilded Cages (which ends the series).

Tuesday 12 October 2021

Stop Looking━ I Found It.

 

Okay, I'm still in cleaning out my Dropbox mode. Who knew I had so much crap I've stored in there. Stuff that I'll probably never used again. So, I'm painstakingly working my way through it all and discarding what I deem is useless to me, and transfer other things to my external hard drive.

You will all be happy to know I eventually found the missing NSI from yesterday, Woden's Wolves MC 1: Rescue Me (Ezra & Sophie). I'm glad I didn't lose it for good. It was still in longhand in my folder, so for that, I'm very grateful. --------------------------------------------> This guy is Ben Dahlhaus (I think) and he is the inspiration for all of the Fuller brothers in my story━for me this is my Ezra Fuller. I have four different versions of him for all of my brothers = Ezra, Ezekiel (Zeke), Elex, & Ethaniel (Thaniel).

<--------------------- This is my Sophie Thornwell... Shelley Hennig is my inspiration for her. This story is really talking to me at the moment. So I like working on it. I try and do a little bit each day. Just to get myself head for when I do come to actually getting around to typing the whole thing up... let's just say, I'll have a lot of notes down to write the story.

But if the truth be told. This isn't the only NSI I've been writing notes up on. I have a ton I need to sort through. I did something stupid and forgot to number the pages, and label which pages belong to which NSI... I can hear you all laughing at me, and I don't blame you. I wanna kick my own arse. It'll take a little bit to separate them back to where they all belong and hopefully not mix them all up again... I'll let you know how it all goes. Feel free to leave me a message to make sure I'm keeping everything where it's supposed to be.