May 9, 2025
I don’t know why, but the idea of having no time to write made me think back to the Demo Tapes days. I picked this one because I love Lakota’s artwork.
So, yeah. No time to write last night. Why? I was busy booking hotels and flights as I get ready to move the youngest to her new home. Let me tell you, it’s daunting trying to find a hotel right off the highway when you’ve broken up with Wyndham properties after back-to-back stays last year each were deeply problematic. And of course, we’ll be gone over a Saturday night, and why do hotels and airlines get to rook travelers like this?
I’m almost done with this edit; I’ll finish it in the first half of next week, I think. I always read my edits twice, both to make sure I didn’t miss things and that’s where I catch the subtler continuity errors. I’ve enjoyed this manuscript more on the second read-through, and I can’t say that about every one. Just most. I’m a lucky editor in that way. My clients write really good stuff… this is why I say like attracts like.
Like I said, no time to write last night. That’s not entirely true, as I got a couple hundred words — maybe 300 — in, but it’s close enough for someone who usually averages 1200 a day. I feel like I’m running behind in all my writing projects right now, and that’s not a good feeling. I have a lot pulling on me, including writing postcards for the school board race in the district to my east. Yep! I’m helping a race that’s not mine. Why? Because the current school board president rammed through a book banning proposal and was awful to the students he’s supposed to be looking out for and those are my friends and my neighbors. So yeah. I’m writing postcards — but that doesn’t count as writing, even if I’m using three colors of fountain pen ink.
Sin and Bones, by Paige N Regan
Affiliate link, and a disclaimer: Paige is in my author group and I think she’s awesome.
So that’s it. Hopefully I’ll have all the time to write tonight; I’m planning on being inside, even, as Freya Cat is sitting here, telling me in no uncertain terms that she misses me, since she’s not allowed outside with me, and she chose to stay out of the dining room while I was working at the table, with Lucy Cat for company.
As always, help support operating costs around here by buying me a figurative bottle of fountain pen ink. Recommend your friends who need an editor. Buy my books, or recommend them to your book-buying friends.
Oh! I’ll be hanging out at 1659 Cranberry tomorrow (Saturday), heckling my friend Veronica, who owns Umber Chocolates. I’ll also be arriving with a full laptop battery so that when she’s busy selling chocolate (and you want her chocolate), I’ll be making time to write! Stop in and say hi and get some chocolate. Unless I buy it all first.
May 8, 2025
There’s something about the idea of trucking along that makes me think of Chad, who tries so hard and yet is so inept…
I’m a busy little bee over here, trucking along and trying to get it all done. (I STILL need to fill out my ballot for the PA primary, so it’s not all perfectly smooth sailing.)
I worked out on the deck last night, so late I had to turn the pergola lights on. Had to? No. Chose to, really. Shoulda kept them that cool blue, too — if you saw my Instagram picture, it didn’t do them justice. I’ll have to see if I can find that color again. I was trying to dial in orange, but failed.
And yes, I got my words in. More on that below.
Trucking along here too! I suspect this client loves me because I catch inconsistencies — it’s one of my superpowers, I swear it — and I love working for them because I get to catch inconsistencies.
Got my words in last night. Really like the retooling of the plot and the general base idea of the story. More happens faster, characters meet each other in other ways that are hopefully interesting but are definitely wild and yet not too out there. I hope.
Also, got word that one of my favorite book shows has been confirmed for 2026. It’s the Authors in the Steel City show, and I did so well there last year, so I’m super excited for next year. It’s going to be a HUGE year for me and book shows, so be sure to come out and visit me! It’s also a good thing I’ve got two releases planned for 2026! You’ll need new releases because you’ll be all caught up.
Yin Yang Love Song, by Lauren Kung Jessen
(affiliate link, as always)
Definitely a quick check-in today, but that’s what happens when the best you can say is “trucking along.” After last week and the car drama, it’s welcome. I prefer the quiet and space to work, even when real life is handing me fodder for my fiction.
Remember that I’m not paywalling this content, so I’d appreciate it if you’d help meet operational costs by donating a virtual bottle of ink via my ko-fi or buying some books. They make great gifts, and if you’d like them autographed, you can either use the store, or just email me directly.
April 11, 2025
It’s the day before I released this short story… fourteen years ago. If you know why I used to release books on April 12, 412 day here in Pittsburgh, then you know today is the day before something most people view as significant.
On to the fun.
While you can’t buy Broken, featured in the image above, as a standalone story anymore, you CAN buy it in the Broken but Undaunted collection. See how it’s right there in the collection name? (Reminder: It’s cheaper at my direct store!)
I was deep in it last night, working on the standalone, when… my youngest called with a DOOZY of a story for me. That ended my writing for the night.
Yesterday, I wrote the back cover copy for the standalone… and for Book Six in the Tales from the Sheep Farm series. I’m pretty sure you can start the series with it, but if you want the fullest experience, get on my mailing list! That’s a hint.
Populated is still on sale at Kobo! Get your copy while you can.
And Safe House is also still on sale, across all platforms. And still a tiny bit cheaper at my own store.
Oh, wow. SO busy right now y’all. Lots to do, but of course room for new clients. Come prepared to work hard! I don’t work with clients who phone it in. Why? Because I don’t phone it in.
Rainbow Islands, by Devin Harnois
Look for me to be adding an affiliate link to Bookshop.org! Just telling you now…
So that’s it. I’m headed back to doing more Day Before stuff, not that there’s a lot to do. Instead of a cake this year, I’ll probably just make a mug cookie or brownie and call it good. (Nope, no Passover observations here. Something about Passover food makes me deathly ill. Leading theory is the short time matzah is baked, leaving the flour partially uncooked.)
March 27, 2025
I don’t know why, but Thursday is the hardest day of my week. I’m always draggy and content to eat leftovers from the freezer rather than cook.
Same for you? Let me know!
Writing: Before dinner, I worked on the short piece I’ve mentioned. It’ll be for sale in my online Payhip store ONLY once it’s done and ready. After dinner, I kept working on the standalone. I’m really pleased with it and how it’s coming together. It’s a complex story, with growth for both main characters, although very very differently.
Editing: STILL between edits. I’m climbing walls. I’m an editor, and I’m waiting on at least four manuscripts. But I want my clients to send their manuscripts when they are ready, not on some artificial schedule that they’ve rushed to meet. So it’s usually overindulge or famine over here.
Book of the Day: Nainai’s Mountain by Livia Blackburne and Joey Chou
Want to say thanks for this? Show some support? Buy my books or a bottle of fountain pen ink!
March 25, 2025
Last December — because construction takes twice as long as they promise it will — I started a massive construction project on my house. New siding, new roof, new deck. No pictures for privacy’s sake.
Today’s the second scheduled day of punch list items. The end is in sight!
By the way, they’d promised me 11 weeks, and last time I worked with this contractor, they’d come in ahead of schedule, so I’m not stressed about the delays. They’ve all been justified and I’ve been very taken care of.
Writing: I developed a horrific migraine around noon, so no writing happened. That’s not common.
Editing: I’m still between edits, gosh darn it. Whenever the economy slows and book sales tank, authors stop using editors — and sometimes stop writing entirely because they need that income.
I promise you, authors, you’ll be glad you coughed up the cost for an edit, and not just because you’re helping support someone else’s small business.
And since I know this is actually what you’re here for…
Book of the Day:
We Could be So Good, by Cat Sebastian
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