Category: Mirror my Mind

Hello all-

Right now, I’m reading a book for continuing education. It’s not for college credit, but it’s for a Storytelling Certificate issued by the Midcontinent Public Library, Woodneath branch. It’s an amazing free program offered by The Story Center.

For the certificate, I have to complete several tasks. One of them is to read a book from a list about the craft of writing,, and write a 500-word review of it. I asked the head of the Story Center, and I’m reading the book, Simple and Direct by Jacques Barzan.

It is helpful for me, but it’s a bit dry for me. I am going slowly, one chapter at a time. It is as it says, how to write using simple and direct language. Would I recommend it? YES!!

now back to my scheduled duties!
until next time
me

Hello all-

So often in my life people comment, “You’re always busy”. I guess I am. I don’t have a full-time job, I don’t turn down work if it’s offered, I have a small indie publishing imprint, and I’m trying to build my brand as an author. My mornings start with getting up and changing the “baby”. (She is my cat with Manx syndrome and is a perfectly normal yellow cat- except her back legs don’t work.)

Farm chores come next. Barn cats to feed, chickens to care for, and Dad’s two elderly horses he left to me need to be tended. Back inside, I feed the baby and her adopted siblings, including a wonderful fluffy Great Pyrenees, and fix my breakfast. While we are eating, I check my emails and messages. If anything needs tending to, I do it. After that, I work on editing other people’s books, editing mine, or getting in some household chores. Job hunting falls in with the computer time. During the week, I shoehorn in time for taking an online dance class, hosting a writer’s meeting, and taking online classes.

around 1 p.m., I fix lunch. My husband gets up (he works nights) and we eat together. He puts the dishes in the dishwasher and the leftovers in the fridge, while I either wash the pans or go back to work.

Right now, I am seriously behind on MY work. I have at least three blog posts, getting the large print versions of at least 7 books up at two places, getting ready for two dance performances, finishing up the stuff needed for the website, and finishing two book covers.

I feel like I don’t get much accomplished in the way of housecleaning, but there are only so many hours in a day. Most people think I work TOO hard. I think I’m not getting enough done. Until my body reminds me I do have a mild but chronic condition (or two).

This week so far, I have managed to get the book Red River Crossing Part 2 up for a young author, Ron Richardson. My kitchen is tidy. My laundry is caught up. I hosted a writer’s meeting yesterday, helped a friend repair her basement window covering, and loaded and unloaded a few chunks of stumps for firewood.

I finished my online work for my client. I think it’s time for me to open the windows, take a short walk and let the chickens out to play, gather the mail, and maybe take a few minutes for me. After all, I did get one blog post done.

until next time-
angel

Hello all!

I am participating in the 52-week blog challenge, and I am a little behind. Consistency in this sort of thing is not one of my strengths. The subject of this post is something that happened to me.

A few years ago I went to a writing group in Topeka, Kansas called The Write Stuff. It was (and is) a varied group of writers who meet on Tuesday mornings. On one particular morning, I gathered my courage and read some of my work out loud.

I received encouragement and some gentle critique, along with an invitation to lunch with a bunch of writers. The weekly lunch meeting evolved into a gab session, friendly pool game, exchange of work-in-progress pages, and sometimes dueling marginalia.

Our lunch bunch sessions were interrupted for a couple of years during the pandemic. When we were easing back into our routines, the favored lunch spot moved, remodeled, and removed the pool tables. We bounced around for a bit until we found our current place.

A few weeks ago, my writer pal had a health scare. Without any close family, he began to think about some things.

In Charlotte, North Carolina in the 1980s, a group of writer friends decided to start publishing their short stories. When asked what they wanted to name the new publishing imprint, one suggested aardvark. Why Aardvark Press? Because aa is first in the phone book and who doesn’t want to be first?

Fast forward a few books, a few years, and a move to Kansas, and Aardvarks Press became Lost Aardvarks Press. A few more years, a few more books, and a health scare brought Lost Aardvarks Press to a turning point. Should it die out or could the torch be passed on?

I received an email one day asking me if I was interested in taking over the tiny operation. When the shock of someone offering to give me a chance at such a precious enterprise lessened, I thought about it for a few days. I knew in my heart I couldn’t let this fall. I swallowed my doubts that I could do it and said yes.

I am now in the process of moving all of my books under the Lost Aardvarks Press umbrella. The first official act as editor-in-chief of Lost Aardvarks Press was to publish a paranormal mystery, Baddington’s Tomb by Dennis E Smirl. I am uploading my books under the Lost Aardvarks Press umbrella. It will take me a few weeks to get them all up, but I will get it done. I will be publishing the next book in the Sandeen mystery series, Blood Kin (also by Dennis Smirl).

Will Lost Aardvarks Press become a force in publishing in the future? I don’t know. Some people think it’s possible. I’m determined to do my best and keep writing and publishing! Currently, the website is under construction so please be patient as we get the books up with purchase links and MORE!!

Until next time

me

Hello all!

I am participating in the blogging challenge. I know I’m not consistent on my presence, and I need to do better. This (last) week’s topic was Shed the Stress.

How do I shed the stress? I fix myself a cup of dark roast coffee, sit down somewhere comfortable with my favorite sidekick Zsuzsa the mermaid cat, and gather my thoughts.

I imagine pushing the outside world away from me and inside my bubble is just me, the computer, and my kitty kid. A few deep breaths, release the tension in my shoulders (and everywhere else), and let the ideas flow. If that doesn’t work, I take my floofy dog, Lex for a walk. I let my mind wander. Enjoy the weather and nature. Or if that doesn’t work, I put on some music and dance. Sometimes, I get ideas and solutions when I’m doing the dishes or folding laundry, or even when I’m in the car listening to music and driving.

I guess my secret is there is no big secret. I put it to the back of my mind and keep trying.
until next time
angel

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

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

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