Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I finished the first draft of Garrett's book late yesterday afternoon. Whew! Now the hard work begins. This draft will need a lot of editing. I'm almost certain parts of it will need to be rewritten. I want to ensure I have the right amount of setting details as well as character information and emotion. I'm going to let the manuscript sit for this month so I'll have some distance from it in January and be able to see what's working and what isn't more clearly. It's a good month to let it sit because I never manage to get much writing done in December. The days are taken up with shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, and helping my mom with those same things. 

Motivational Quote:  "No matter what situation you're in, find something good about it, rather than the negative things. And in dealing with other human beings, find the good in them as well." ~ Wilma Mankiller quoting wisdom from Cherokee elders

What I'm Reading:  I'm a little more than halfway through These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean. I love her historical romances. This is her first contemporary novel. I had a really hard time getting into it. It's very slow going. Some of the characters are completely unlikable. I'm not sure if that's intentional or not. The main female character is somewhat of a doormat as well. Despite those things, I'm trying to finish reading it.

Random Things:  I can't believe it's December 1st already. It seemed like November just started a few days ago and now it's over. I'll be putting away our few fall decorations and putting out our Christmas decorations today but not the Christmas tree yet. I usually do that 2 weeks before the holiday because I have to rearrange the living room to have a place for the tree so that it's not in the way.

Random Photo: 

 Here's a old photo of Somebody checking out a Christmas ornament. If you look closely, you can see the teeth marks on the toe of the boot where he decided to see how it tasted.
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm still working on revisions and edits for Ivan's story. It's getting harder to get a decent amount done on a daily basis now that holiday responsibilities are ramping up. That must be why I usually take every December off from writing. It's really hard to get writing stuff accomplished when holiday related items take up a lot of my free and writing time.

Motivational Quote: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." ~ Maya Angelou

What I'm Reading: I started reading Bombshell by Sarah MacLean, the first in the Hells Bells series, in the middle of last week. I'm still reading it because I don't have a lot of free time. I've been trying to squeeze in fifteen or twenty minutes each night before I turn the light out and go to sleep. 

Random Things: Last week in this section I mentioned that I was going to make gingerbread. I didn't end up making it because I didn't realize I didn't have enough molasses. I'm going to make it this week. I made brown sugar cinnamon cookies instead because I had some coconut oil I wanted to use up. 

Random Photo:

                  Here's a photo of the brown sugar cinnamon cookies I mentioned above.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I only managed to write 5 pages last week. I started telecommuting for my day job this week due to the overwhelming rise in Covid-19 cases in my area. I ended up working longer hours than I do when I'm actually in the office. I'm going to start setting a timer so that I can keep better track of time so that I don't end up starting a project that can't be stopped in the middle of when it's quitting time. 

Motivational Quote: "It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can." ~ Sidney Smith   I know I'm repeating this quote for the 3rd week in a row, but after how little writing I accomplished last week, I feel like it's very apropos. 

What I'm Reading: I'm reading Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean. It's the 3rd book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. I loved the first book in the series and liked the second book as well, but I'm really struggling with this last one. I'm finding myself looking for something, anything, else to read instead of picking Daring and the Duke up. 

Random Things:  I should have started making my holiday cards at least a week or so ago, but I've been procrastinating. I couldn't decide what designs I wanted to use so that may have been part of reason while I've been putting it off. I finally decided this last weekend to make just 2 separate designs instead of multiple designs this year. Now to actually make them.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work in Progress): Revised 41 pages last week and am finally over the halfway point in the book. This week I want to get 3 new scenes or transitional scenes written that will make the story flow better and fill a couple of plot holes. 

Quote of the Week: "Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to do, when all they need is one reason why they can." ~ Willis R. Whitney (American Chemist)

What I'm Reading: I'll be starting The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay tonight.

Random Thoughts: I just finished reading "Brazen and the Beast" by Sarah MacLean. I loved this book, reading it in two days and hating that I read it so quickly because now I have to wait until sometime in 2020 for the next book in the series (The Bareknuckle Bastards) to be released. 

Random Photo of the Week:

                                      Somebody likes to cuddle with his sock.
 

Borrow vs. Buy

I read quite a bit, usually whenever I have some free time though lately free time seems to be coming at a premium. I wanted to write that I read a lot, but I set a goal of reading 52 books last year and fell short. I only read 48 books so I can't say I read "a lot." My mom read 94 books so I guess she can say she reads a lot.

I happened to mention to a friend that I was going to the library this past weekend. She looked at me like I'd just said I was going to commit murder. She asked in an astounded tone, "You don't buy the books you read? You're a writer. I can't believe you don't support your fellow authors."

While I do borrow the majority of the books I read from the library or friends and family, I also buy about a third of them. It would be next to impossible for me to buy all the books I want to read. I do occasionally buy a new to me author especially if the author and/or book has been recommended to me by a friend or family member. For example a friend raved over the Brooklyn Bruisers Series by Sarina Bowen. I borrowed the first book from the friend, purchased both the first and second books, and when the third book came out, I purchased that as well. I do plan on looking into other books written by Ms. Bowen, but unless they grab me like the Brooklyn Bruisers series did, I most likely will borrow them from the library.

Most of the books I do purchase are automatic buys by certain authors. Whenever these authors release a new book, I don't even have to know what the book is about. I make a trip to Barnes & Noble or hop online to Amazon to buy that latest book.

Some of my auto buy authors are Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, Laura Trentham, Jill Shalvis, Sarah MacLean, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Guhrke, Laura Griffin, the Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones, and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Do you utilize your local library or do you purchase the majority of the books you read? What are some of your automatic buy authors?

What's Up Wednesday

This week...
   
My Current WIP (Work In Progress): Writing is on hiatus during the holidays.

Quote of the Week: "You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." ~ James 1:3

What I'm Reading: I'm still trying to finish Never Judge A Lady By Her Cover by Sarah MacLean. It's a great book, but I'm finding very little free time to read right now. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish it this week now that Christmas is over.

Random Thoughts:  I'm looking forward to this weekend. While it's still a holiday weekend, it will be much less chaotic. I will do my usual Saturday errands and housework, but Sunday and Monday will be quiet days spent relaxing and recharging for the coming year ahead.

Random Photo of the Week:

                   Somebody has taken over Mrs. Green's new favorite sleeping area.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): Writing is on hiatus during the holidays.

Quote of the Week: “Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.” ~ Unknown
 
What I'm Reading: I'm still reading Never Judge A Lady By Her Cover by Sarah MacLean. With all the shopping and wrapping and such, I'm finding very little free time to read right now.

Random Thoughts:  I will be finishing up my holiday shopping today. I have a couple of things left to buy and then I'll be done. I ended up doing more shopping in brick and mortar stores than I planned on.

Random Photo of the Week:

                                      Somebody checking out the Christmas tree.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): Writing is on hiatus during the holidays.
Quote of the Week: "Loyalty doesn't happen with you in the room. Loyalty is what happens behind people's backs when there's every opportunity to be disloyal." ~ Unknown

What I'm Reading: Never Judge A Lady By Her Cover by Sarah MacLean. I started this book a while ago then set it aside because I had library books I had to read before they were due to be returned. I picked this book back up even though I set it aside for a few weeks. I was enjoying the story and want to finish it.

Random Thoughts:  While I've lived in upstate NY my entire life, I am not a fan of the winter weather. The only time I like snow is when I can stay home and watch it fall outside my window. We're expected to get approximately 10 inches by the end of today. If you live in a sunny climate, soak up a little warmth and sun for me.

Random Photo of the Month:

                           Mrs. Green greeting me when I come home from the day job.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress):  No writing this week and all of next week. I was told last Friday that I am being sent to classes for these two weeks so I can get my state license in my field. The state exam is the Wednesday following the end of the classes. Classes are from 8:00am to 5:00pm and will require nightly reading of at least 50 to 75 pages a night so that we'll get through the entire book within the two week time period. The nice thing about getting licensed is that I'll get a raise. I'm hoping it will be a significant one. 

Quote of the Week: "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." ~ Earl Nightingale 

What I'm Reading: The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean. Ms. MacLean is one of my favorite writers and is one of my auto-buy authors.

Random Thoughts: It's hard to believe fall officially started last Friday. In my area, it's been in the high 80's all last week and has been in the 90's so far this week. It's not expected to cool down until the weekend. 

Random Photo of the Week:

     Mrs. Green is getting so big. It's hard to believe she was half this size just 3 months ago.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress):  I didn't get much done last week. I worked extra hours at the day job two days and had appointments after work two days. Hope to have a better week this week.

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: I was actually able to start A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean late last week. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but am already enjoying it. 

Random Things:  My nephew and his fiancee have asked me for a list of things I might like to receive for Christmas gifts. I realize it's November, but I really don't want to think about Christmas yet. :o)

Random Photo of the Week: 

                                 It was cold last weekend so Petey took advantage of
                                           the extra material from my lap throw blanket.

   

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Managed to get through 28 pages of edits/revisions. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's more than I did the week before.

Quote of the Week: “You are the guardian of your joy. Don’t let anyone take it from you." ~ Unknown

What I'm reading: I'll be starting A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean at the end of this week. I'm really looking forward to reading it. I'm a huge fan of Ms. MacLean.

Random Things: We went apple picking this last weekend. It was a little cold, about 45 degrees, but it was fun and well worth getting out and enjoying the fall weather. 

Random Photo of the Week: 

This is Somebody hiding from the vacuum cleaner. He's afraid of it. He thinks if he can't see you, then you can't see him, so he must have thought he was safe from the vacuum that was being used in the next room.