It’s a writing November!

Good morning!

This year I did the National Novel Writing Month challenge for November! I did manage to write 50,000+ words in less than 30 Days. Before any of you jump on me about the moderator of the NaNo forum grooming children- I am aware. I joined the challenge to maybe motivate myself. I’ve participated 11 times now and won the challenge 7 times, and finished one project after the challenged ended.

The author day I attended at Pomona, KS was AMAZING!! For a tiny library, they are motivated! they are doing so many good things!

We had almost 11 inches of snow on Saturday. My life mate was home for this storm- this is not the norm. I didn’t have to struggle through it alone and he saw how I handled things. He was suitably impressed. However the weekend was not without its problems.
my dryer of 14 years decided to quit me. I have two bathrooms, three shower curtain rods, hangars, and in imagination. Thankuflly the laundry was all dried except for one load, which i hung to dry. We made split pea soup with ham hocks, carrots,and onions, creamy chicken and rice, and a potato, corn, and ham soup. I made herbed bread for him and gluten free cornbread for myself.

This morning I have been catching up on emails and such. I will take the day off from writing, and let the draft sit for a while. I will need a LOT of editing!

I have two projects where I am working with another author. If you haven’t heard of Dennis Earl Smirl or his characters Sandeen or Frank Battelle, then you are missing out. Sandeen is a writer who solves mysteries. His first appearance was in Ebony Continental, while his final book soon to be released is Blood Ties. (spring 2024). Frank Batelle is a psychic with a healthy dose of skepticism helping to solve murders in Baddington’s Tomb, (Spring 2024)

Yes, I am still working on the next book in the Kansas Vampire Series. I have a poetry book in the works as well.I appreciate each and every one of you who read my books and my blogs!

I hear my husband getting up for work. Time to go fix lunch! It will be saffron rice with beef and vegetables.
Stay warm and safe!

angel

Opportunities

Hello all!

For a week with only a couple of days of the day job, it has been a busy week. I applied to an author event in the lovely town of Pomona, Kansas at their beautiful library. And I was accepted!! On November 11, 2023 I will be there with several other amazing authors with my books. I am soooo excited! It’s just a little way down the road from where I live and it’s a sweet drive. The only traffic is the occasional farmer.

Then I was tagged in a post on social media, It’s an opportunity for me to be one of a few select authors to have their photos in the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in conjunction with the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge. Writers are invited to write 50,000 words in the month of November. I have participated in it several times and I am planning on doing it again this year. IF you go to the official NaNoWriMo website, there are resources, meetups, and more there. If I am accepted to be a featured author, I will have my picture in the hallway, with some info about me and my work. I am happy and grateful for the chance. (I will keep everyone updated as I know anything.)

I have to work in the morning, so i need to get to sleep. Thank you each and every one of you for your support.

thank you again

angel e

Book Playlist for Night Moves

Hello all!

I have heard about authors posting playlists they used when they were writing the book. I decided to try doing it. If anyone is interested, I listen to a rather eclectic range of music. With this particular book and these characters, these songs fit.

If you’ve read the book, then you will be able to put the songs in order. Simeon is a bit of a bad boy, and Elise is well… Elise. The song that defines their relationship is Hey Ho. Simeon and Cati- well it ends up being more like Use Me.

Cati and Kristos are quite another thing. From Kristos’s point of view, it’s Heaven Sent.
The full listing is (in no particular order)-
Use Me
Hey Ho
Lips of an Angel
Loaded and Alone
Heaven Sent
Up All Night
Take it to the Limit

Still Here!!

Hello my dark ones!!
I’m still here. Been a busy couple of years. I know I haven’t been updating you like I should.
Right now I’m a full-time writer and part-time Jill of all trades. But the good news is JADED MOON is PUBLISHED!!!
I managed to get it edited and published this summer while attending three different area farmer’s markets, book events, and the Kansas Book Festival!! I am working hard on Down Time- the next book in the Kansas Vampire Series, a sequel to my poetry book Light Shards and Shadow Dances, and a sequel to the short story book Paranormal Bites.

I have two stories, Back to Zero and Second Chance at Life, ready to go. However, Back to Zero is a short story with Justus, Stormy, and a new vampire. Second Chance at Life has Tessa, Nathaniel, and Niku returning!
I need to get a couple more short stories done to fill out these two short story books!!

I finally figured out how to get back into my site, and how NOT to manage to lock myself out! I promise I will be doing more posting!
Thank you for your patience and belief!

angel e

Post-Convention Letdown

Hello all!

What a weekend! I was a vendor at Crypticon Kansas City this past weekend. I had an awesome time!

My next door neighbors were a small business called Haunted Nozzle. They have 3D printed objects. One of the coolest products they have is a Kitty ‘Nip Rake. It’s a rake about the size of your hand, with a hollow handle filled with catnip. That way you can scratch kitty’s itches and groom while they enjoy the catnip, dispensed from a small hole in the handle, with just a shake! Zsuzsanna loves it and I only have one prissy kitty kid who isn’t so sure about it.

As for me, I’m tired. It was work. It rained off and on all weekend. I have three damaged books because of a downpour while I was moving my inventory into the building. Next time, I will wrap my books in plastic THEN put them into the cases. I had decent sales and ran out of business cards. By the end, people were snapping photos of the last remaining card I had. I am unpacked for the most part. I worked the day job and spent the rest of the afternoon dozing in spite of my wanting to do some work to the website. I must say I did enjoy my time and being encouraged by other vendors, may try again next year.

I did have an opportunity to speak to one of my childhood crushes in passing. I can’t say enough kind things about the soft-spoken Vinnie Appice. And NO I did NOT confess my teenage infatuation to him!

I will be adding photos soon of the convention. Stay safe. Until next time

Angel

 

 

Things are moving!!

Hello all!

We survived the plague, masking, and the tense living conditions and now things are opening up. I am still partially feral but am becoming more civilized every day.

This month is a big deal for me. I will be at Crypticon KC! I am so excited to be there. I will have all of my books for sale and I am hoping to sell out. This is new for me as I haven’t done anything of this size before.

I’ve ordered a new banner for the table, have new displays, and new signage for the front of the table.  I am anxious and happy at the same time.

if you get a chance, come check it out.

https://www.crypticonkansascity.com/2021/?fbclid=IwAR3XQMQuhopxBXkmRkDJdi9lhF3iqMXXcVB10HBdFnWVN27nxCXJ22v1hUk

Be safe. Stay cool.

until next time

angel

Covid and Quarantine

Hello all!

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. I know this situation with the pandemic has us all out of sorts. I have had all of my book signings cancelled, all of my trips to cons postponed, and my shopping limited to once weekly runs for supplies. I am wearing a mask when I am in public. I will confess something. I hate it. But because I am a caring person and for the welfare of others, I wear my mask.

I am hard at work on my next book. Isys the vampire is not out of trouble yet.  Spoiler alert- She’s growing emotionally and is gaining some self-esteem.

My husband and I are both considered essential workers. This has brought some unique stressors to our relationship. Thankfully, we are in it for the long haul.

I do hope all of you are doing well. I hope that the scientists develop a vaccine for this soon. I would be happy to get it as a booster every year if it means stopping this pandemic. For now, I will hang on, keep hoping, and keep writing my books.  thank you for hanging in there with me!

 

until next time,

angel

COVID-19 New Rules

Hello all-
I apologize for being absent for so long. I’ve had a busy time of it. And I’ve been in partial isolation for a while.
Due to “le day job” and Covid-19, I entered semi-isolation on about March 13, 2020. It has not been easy.
I must admit I have not been kind to myself. I also think I have been working through some stuff I haven’t made time to deal with.
I also adopted a special needs kitty. She is absolutely adorable, smart, and a bit of a handful. but so worth it. Zsuzsanna is my best friend since I lost my Pooky kitty and Mollydog at the start of the summer last year. Zsuzsanna’s gotcha day is in September. I admit she’s just a bit spoiled, but must be well-behaved.
I’ve been working on the latest book in the Kansas Vampire series. It looks like there will be another book…
Also, I know I’m a bit late on this, but I’ve been reading my book Night Moves on Facebook. I will read the sequel, the short story Night Games. Funny thing, I wrote Night Games first. And I will be reading that too.
Anyway, the love of my life is an over the road truck driver and an essential employee. Because I do home health care, I am also essential. Due to the totally messed up situation of the lack of personal protective equipment, I found out I can make hand sanitizer. A bottle of Everclear or 70% isopropyl alcohol (air line antifreeze), some aloe vera gel, and some essential oil, and I’m covered. I also made masks for my clients, my mom, myself, and the hubby. Right now, I am praying for a breakthrough in a vaccine.
I am a trauma survivor. I am also claustrophobic. Wearing a mask does trigger strong feelings in me, but because of the fact that COVID-19 is as brutal as it is, I suck it up and wear the mask. I will do this for a while, no matter how much I hate it. Unlike some of the covidiots protesting, I am smart enough to use protection.
Anyway, Please stay safe and take care of each other. Check out my “story time’ on the book of faces.
until next time-
angel

Quality of Life

Hello all-
This year our family has changed here at the ranchette. In April, we had a barn kitten born with what I believe is Spina Bifida or something of the sort. Her back legs don’t work right. I wanted to move Scooter into the house as soon as the kitten was weaned. My hubby refused.

Fast forward to September. Scooter kitty moved into the house after a visit to our vet. Scooter became Zsuzsanna. She may be tiny but has a big personality, and doesn’t hesitate to let us know what she wants or needs.

I honestly didn’t know if I could do this, but here we are. I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, it is work. A LOT of WORK. Diapers, cleaning her bottom after bathroom trips, bathing, and water therapy. And there is the good of it. Her following me around the house, chattering to me. The feel of her warm little body curled up next to me in the chair as I write, with her purring and napping. I have gained her trust, her love, and her affection and it is worth every bit of the work.

I know some people would question me. Why didn’t I have her put to sleep? I talked to my vet. Dr. M evaluated Zsuzsanna’s condition and let me know what I needed to do to care for her! Zsusanna is in no pain. She is happy and healthy. I am feeding her quality kitten food in an attempt to put some weight on her before we have her spayed. Again. UNDER DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND CARE.

Earlier, she was following me around and chattering, refusing to go sit in the chair out of the way. I sat down to write this blog post and she climbed up in my lap, snuggled up with her chin on my arm, and went to sleep.

The quality of my life has certainly improved. I spend 10 minutes daily on the elliptical. I eat better. I move more with her needing care.She encourages me to go to bed at a decent time and take breaks when needed. Right now, I’m not sure who rescued whom.
until next time
me

NaNoWriMo anyone?

Hello all!
it’s that time of year again. I am torturing myself with the challenge of the National Novel Writing Month where I try to knock out 50,000 words in 30 days. Some years I won the challenge, and some I have not. It is a great time to connect with other writers, cheer each other on, and commiserate.
I realize I am posting this late in the month. It’s because I have been so busy doing stuff for other authors that I started late.
and on that note, I am turning off my inner author, attempting to break the 10,000 word mark, and getting back to putting the words on the page!
until next time,
angel