Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I didn't make much progress on my revisions of Garrett's story. I found a major plot issue that is going to require major rewriting. I'm torn between leaving it for now and doing the other edits first or doing the edits until I get to the area that will need the complete rewrite then going on to finish the rest of the edits. I'm worried if I do the other things first, then the major rewrite, that the rewrite might cause other things to have to be changed or rewritten as well. I'll have to think about it for a bit, but honestly, it makes more sense to do the big rewrite first then fix/edit anything that comes after that.

Motivational Quote:  "Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we've got." ~ Laura Vanderkam (American speaker)

What I'm Reading:  I started reading The Summer that Changed Everything by Brenda Novak on Friday. It wasn't a book I had on my To Be Read list, but I saw it at the library and the cover caught my eye so I added it to the small stack of books I was already going to borrow.  

Random Things:  I came across the motivational quote above in mid-December. It almost seemed as though the Universe was trying to tell me something as I had been complaining to a friend how I never seem to have time to do everything I want to do or need to do without feeling like I'm always falling behind in something. As I mentioned in last week's post, I'm trying to be more intentional in how I spend my time. It's too early to tell if the changes I've made are working as it's only been about 2 weeks, but I am feeling less stressed. 

Random Photo:

I didn't get a chance to post photos of the coffee cup I bought to use in the month of December so I thought I'd post it this week before I put it in the back of the cupboard until next December.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I'll need this week to finish up the last of the revisions for Caine's book. It'll go to beta readers next week. 

Motivational Quote:  "The only menace is inertia." ~ Saint-John Perse  I'm repeating the quote from the first week of July. It seems appropriate as I'm working hard to meet my self-imposed deadline to finish this book. 

What I'm Reading:  I finished The Messy Life of Jane Tanner by Brenda Novak last night. I'll be starting a new book this evening. I just have to decide which one of the 6 books I borrowed from the library to read next. 

Random Thoughts: We have a lot of squirrels in my neighborhood. I've been fighting them off with a non-toxic spray that is supposed to keep them from eating your plants. I didn't want them to bother the sweet potato vine I'm growing. We got a lot of rain from what was left of Hurricane Beryl last week. The rain must have washed the spray off the porch area where I've been spraying it because I got up the next day and found the sweet potato vine completely dug up and out of the pot. I've replanted it and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will re-root and survive. 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: Mississippi's story, titled Finding Hope, will be released next week. I can't believe it's finally done and will be published in a few days. It took much longer than it should have to write his story. 

Motivational Quote: "Never, ever quit on yourself if it's something you believe in." ~ Uzo Aduba

What I'm Reading: I'm reading Talulah's Back In Town by Brenda Novak. This is the first book in the Coyote Canyon contemporary romance series. 

Random Things: Honor Bound, the first book in my Echo Company series, has a new cover. I've put a picture of the new cover below. I'm having the covers for Promises to Keep and Broken Trust,  books two and three in the series, redone as well. I'll post them here when I get them. 

Random Photo: 

                                            The new cover for Honor Bound.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): The revisions/edits of first 150 pages of Honor Bound are complete. 

Quote of the Week: "Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." ~ James Michener

What I'm Reading: I'll be starting No One But You by Brenda Novak this evening. My sister just finished it and pressed it on me, telling me I had to read it.

Random Thoughts: I found a new stamp company, SugarPea Designs. I ordered my first order from them and am eagerly waiting for it to be delivered. I'm hoping it will come by the Friday so I can use some of the stamp sets for a couple of birthday cards I'll be making this weekend.

Random Photo of the Week:

                                    Somebody's ready for his close up. 😉

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

 My current WIP (work in progress): I completed 25 pages of revisions last week on Spellbound. My goal is to get double that amount done this week.

 

Quote of the Week:  "You put your mind to it, you work hard, you do the best you can and good things will come out of it." ~ Beth Mandyck

 

What I'm reading:  Until You Loved Me by Brenda Novak. This is part of the Silver Springs series. Brenda Novak is one of my must read authors.

 

Random Thoughts: I feel like I've finally found my writing groove after three years of it being missing in action. I lost it after we suffered a sudden loss of a young family member. I wish I was one of those writers who write more or better during their grief. I was the exact opposite. I struggled to get even a few words on paper much less write pages and pages of new material.

 

Random Photo of the Week:

Mrs. Green trying to sleep despite our noisy neighbors.

Believe and Brenda Novak

I came across a piece of advice from New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Brenda Novak that I'd like to share. The post itself is a bit dated. It's from June 28, 2016 but is still relevant and I feel will be relevant for years to come.

The advice revolves around believing in yourself and your talent. This not only applies to writers but to anyone who has a dream of accomplishing something. I've printed out the post and put it where I'll see it every day because, like most people, I have my days when I suffer from doubts that I will ever accomplish my goal of being able to write full time.

Here's the link: So You Think You Can Write

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Getting back on track this week. I met with my critique partner Monday.

Quote of the Week: “Your goals are important. They are worthy, and worth doing well. So invest time and thought into planning for a pace that can lead you to success.” ~ Allie Pleiter

What I'm reading: I still haven't had a chance to start Brenda Novak's Her Darkest Nightmare. It's been about 3 weeks. I haven't read a book since the middle of September. Hoping my evenings come down enough to allow for some reading time soon.

Random Things:  The cooler weather has moved into Upstate NY. The leaves are finally starting to change. It usually happens much earlier. While I love the smell of autumn, the colors of the leaves as they change, the brisk weather, baking more treats than I should be, I'm always sorry to see summer end.

Random Photo of the Week: 

                 We actually got a second sunflower blossom. I really didn't think we would.

 

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Back to work on revisions. Doing pretty well. I was able to get through 6 chapters.

Quote of the Week: "Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change." ~ Unknown

What I'm reading: I haven't read a book in a couple of weeks. I've been trying to catch up on all the magazines I've let pile up. I just purchased 4 new books - The Shark by Mary Burton, Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak, A Scot in the Dark by Sarah Maclean, and Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen. Now I just have to decide which one to read first.

Random Things:  Monday I wrote about how September feels like the beginning of a new year and the changes I want to start making. I've feel like I'm doing pretty well. I'm back on track with my writing and I've eaten healthy all week so far. There's still the weekend to go which is usually my downfall. I can't exercise yet, but I hope to be able to start by mid-October.

Random Photo of the Week: 

I don't have a photo this week. I need to start taking some so I have something to post here. Here's a picture of Cookie Monster. Why? Because I like cookies as much as he does. :o)

He looks like he's thinking about cookies. Something I'm trying not to do since they don't qualify as healthy eating.
  

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress):  I've started the second round of revisions of my manuscript tentatively titled Honor Bound.

Quote of the week: “Do what feeds your soul, what you’re meant to do now. There is never an ideal time.” ~ Ana Suarez

What I'm reading: This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak. I believe this is the eighth book in the Whiskey Creek series. I am loving this book. I hate having to put it down and I'm staying up way too late at night reading it.

Random things:  I finished crocheting the blanket I've been working on since over the summer. I used it on my bed for the first time last night. I guess it was a good night for it, we woke up to snow this morning.

 Random Photo of the Week:

 Somebody enjoys playing in an empty box almost as much as he enjoys playing with toys.

What I'm reading Wednesday

This week I'm reading When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak.  It's part of the Whiskey Creek series. My sister recommended it to me. I was a little hesitant to read it because it's not the first book in the series. I hate reading a book that refers to things that happened in a previous book that aren't explained in the current story. That isn't the case here. Needless to say When Snow Falls can easily read as a stand alone, but I will definitely be looking for the other books.