Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'm not really doing too much writing related. I'm waiting for feedback from my beta readers and editor. It will probably be another week before I hear from any of them.

Motivational Quote:  "Don't stress out thinking about what's the next step? What's the plan? What am I doing next?...I feel like sometimes I don't enjoy the present moment and what's happening in my life right now because I'm always thinking, where am I going to be? What am I going to do?" ~ Nailea Devora (American comedian)

What I'm Reading:  I just finished The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins. This is a stand alone women's fiction novel. I really enjoyed this book. The end made me a bit teary which is always a sign of a good book for me. If I can identify with the character(s) so much that I get teary over what they're going through then the author has done a great job writing the story. 

Random Things:  I can't believe we're starting the first full week of October already. It seems like it was just May. While I'm looking forward to autumn and the cooler weather and changing of the leaves, I'm feeling a bit anxious that there are only about 3 months left in the year. I still have a lot of things I'd like to get accomplished by the end of 2026 and less than 90 days to get them done. 

Random Photo:

My first attempt at making sourdough chocolate chip cookies. They came out pretty well. I'd definitely make them again.. 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'm a touch behind schedule. I wanted to send the revised draft of Garrett's story to my editor over the weekend. I'll be doing that today instead. I'm also sending it to a few of my beta readers to get their thoughts and feedback as well. 

Motivational Quote:  "Be true to who you are. Being somebody you are not is exhausting." ~ Hope Solo (American soccer player)

What I'm Reading:  I'm currently reading The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander but should finish it this evening. It's the 22nd  book in Ms. Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series. If you like cozy mysteries that include recipes, this is a great series. 

Random Things:  It's finally getting cool enough to bake. The weather is supposed to be in the mid to low 60's for the majority of this week. I've pulled out all my bread and cookie recipes. Now the problem is trying to decide what to make first. One of my nieces gave me some of her sourdough starter a few months ago that I've been feeding every couple of weeks to keep it viable so I definitely want to try making sourdough bread for the first time. I also want to make chocolate Babka. Maybe some oatmeal cranberry cookies. I'm not a fan of raisins so I use dried cranberries instead. Of course, I'll be making focaccia. That goes without saying. So many things to bake and so little time. 

Random Photo:

Chocolate white chocolate  chip cookies I made last weekend despite it being in the 70's. I made them as a thank you for one of my nephews who did a huge favor for me but wouldn't let me pay him for his time and trouble. 
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Revisions and edits are finally humming along. I'm hoping to be done by the end of this week so I can send the second draft off to my editor and beta readers by September 19th, the 21st at the latest.

Motivational Quote:  "I aim to do my best, give my best, and know in my heart that I gave everything I could." ~ Francis Ngannou (Cameroonian and French mixed martial artist)

What I'm Reading: I'm currently reading Look For Me by Lisa Gardner. I didn't realize this is part of a series but despite not reading any of the prior books in the series, I'm not feeling lost at all. 

Random Things:  My oldest sister and I went shopping together Friday. She comes to my house usually once a week to have coffee and catch up. Deciding to change things up, we made plans to go shopping together. Nothing fancy, just a few stops at Bath and Body Works, a local pet store (we both have cats), and Dollar Tree to check out the fall and Halloween decorations. We had such a good time, we're going to try to do something similar every few months or so. 

Random Photo:

My great-nephew and I had an arts and crafts session when he and his grandmother came to visit on Monday. He made this Jack-O-Lantern for me. 
 

Happy Labor Day

 

Happy Labor Day. The unofficial end of summer (No, say it isn't so!) as school starts on Wednesday.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'm still working on the edits and rewrite for Garrett's story but I do feel like I'm finally making progress. I have a busy week this week so I'm not sure how much I'll get accomplished but I'm determined to squeeze in a much time working on this book as I can.

Motivational Quote:  "You may be born without any gift at all, but that doesn't mean you can't work very, very hard and get to the top." ~ John Caudwell 

What I'm Reading:   I'm currently reading The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter. It's the 2nd book in her North Falls series. I am a fan of Ms. Slaughter's writing and particularly of her Will Trent series.

Random Things:  While I don't have anyone I need to buy school supplies for, I always look forward to this time of year when school supplies are on sale. I stock up on composition notebooks, index cards, single subject notebooks, and a folder here and there. I use all of these things in my writing. I will sometimes pick up one of the plastic pencil boxes because they work really well as craft containers. I have one that holds my many pairs of deckle edge scissors. 

Random Photo:

                                      I saw this t-shirt and couldn't resist buying it. 
 

 

Monday Check in

Last week...

Writing Related:  Last week wasn't as productive as I'd hoped but figuring out my dangling plot thread problem has made the edits and rewrites easier. I just didn't get as many chapters edited as I expected to. I'm sure it's because I'm doing a lot of rewriting to fix the plot thread issue. 

Motivational Quote:  "Keep dreaming no matter who says you can't do it. The only one who can decide that is you and only you." ~ Yusra Mardini (Syrian swimmer and activist)

What I'm Reading:  I'm currently reading Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison. It's the 3rd book in the Lovelight Farms series. I'm not lost at all considering I didn't realize this book was part of a series and haven't read the previous two books in it. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm really enjoying it.

Random Things:  I love, love, love summer. There's very little I don't love about it but I'm ready for fall. I have a bunch of new recipes I want to bake. (I refuse to bake anything when it's 85 degrees or higher even if we do have central air.) I'm looking forward to the crisp smell of autumn air, going apple picking, and cozy nights at home with candles burning while I'm cuddled up with a blanket, a cat, and a good book.  

Random Photo:

I purchased some hand soap from Bath and Body Works during a sale last week and didn't even realize until I arrived home that they were all fall themed. I guess I really am ready for a change of season.