Yes, It Was A Good Weekend

September 26, 20182 Comments

So, we made it back from Orlando alive 😊

SeaWorld on Friday and Universal Studios on Saturday was a pretty snazzy way to spend the weekend and celebrate the ol’ birthday. Even though Batman guilted me into riding the coasters with him, I had an awesome time hanging out with the penguins and visiting my *alma mater. I took a bunch of pictures and seriously thought about posting ALL OF THEM (and only them), but I’m a chatty-Kathy and like to talk. Plus, I’ve got to walk you through the days.

Let’s begin with Friday: SEAWORLD

Okay, I have to admit that this park is a little small and probably not the *top* attraction on your list of places to visit, but it does boast the tallest AND fastest rollercoaster in Orlando—something I found out after riding—and has cool shows and aquariums and—most importantly—a PENGUIN EXHIBIT!

How can this be beat, right? It cannot. But a closer runner-up to seeing the penguins was when we discovered the sealions! And then the amazingness continued once we learned we could FEED THEM TOO 😊

Seriously, SeaWorld isn’t that bad, but don’t come to Orlando just for it, k?

Onto Saturday: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

I was too excited to take a picture of the Universal ball because Batman and I pretty much ran to Diagon Alley. Sorry. Two Potter fans over here 😊 Most of my camera was filled up of this one section of the park, because, obviously. We’ve both been before, but it’s still fun to get swept away in all the magic!

Batman posed with many of Universal’s finest characters:

And how could I let the day end without 1) a great souvenir and 2) a great picture of us?

Are you dying? I was dying. The second I looked at it, I said, “sold!” And of course, with Batman’s love of Starwars, we had to get something that included Mark Hamil.

Yes, it was a good weekend.

How was yours? 😊

*Hufflepuff. Ten points to your house if you guessed that (100 if you KNEW that)

Is It Worth It?

September 19, 20182 Comments

You know, sometimes I think: is it worth it?

After a full day in a cubicle, feeding Appa, feeding Batman and me, and completing my nightly chore, I sit down and work. Sometimes, it’s only for an hour—sometimes, much longer. I work on my current WIP, posting to Patreon, posting here, and any other miscellaneous project I fell into (spur of the moment short story, ect.) Usually, I’m exhausted by the end of the day, and on the hard ones when I can’t solve a scene/nail a piece of dialogue/have complete writers block, I think: is it worth it? Is all this work and time and energy I’m putting in really worth it?

Yes.

Hell motherfucking YES.

I forget until a reader/fan reaches out to 1) ask when the next book will be out, 2) tell me they love what they’re reading and 3) ask me what’s going to happen next. These moments remind me that I’m not just wasting my time typing away some imaginary story because I wanted to read it. There are yous out there that want to read it too. 🙂

So, to all you FANS—if something moves you/excites you/affects you in some positive way, let the writer, musician, actor, singer, comedian, (fill in blank) know. Send a message. An email. Something social-media wise. Artists are a tender bunch; we need that extra push, that extra reason to remember why we do it.

(it’s for you 😊 as much as us)

P.S. Tomorrow’s my birthday and I’m heading to Sea World and Universal Studios! Woop! Going to go hang with some penguins and Hufflepuffs 🙂 I’ll be sure to snag a bunch of pics so you can experience the amazingness vicariously. You’re welcome 😉

I’m Happy With It

September 12, 20184 Comments

It took me almost a whole week to get through a scene. ☹

Not normally a big deal, but I went ahead and tortured myself with a looming deadline (and it is looming), so that’s only mildly terrifying. I’m pretty good about getting through my WIPs quickly, but I got *so* stuck on this scene. The kicker? It was the bow-chick-a-wow-wow scene which are usually kind of easy. In fact, they’re pretty fricking fun! But this one wasn’t coming to me, and I think it’s because I was putting too much pressure on the moment. On getting it perfect and making sure I checked every box to make it the perfect reunion. In other words: I cockblocked myself ☹

Glad to say I got past it. I’m only *slightly* behind but I’m sure I’ll catch back up because I doubt I’d write this post without FULL CONFIDENCE I’ll have BTY done in time to make the November 16^th release date. There are a few other scenes that I know I’ll have to rework heavily, but other than that, I’m happy with it. Of course, I say that today, having just gotten passed a huge hurdle, but I hope to keep the good vibes/news flowing.

Non-writing wise, life isn’t too bad. Batman and I are going to Sea World and Universal Studios for my birthday in two weeks. It was supposed to be a trip to Colorado Springs…but someone got herself unemployed for three months and has very little money. So… FL vacation hot-spots it is!

Also, we had a garage sale Saturday and made fifty bucks which is AWESOME because people took crap I didn’t want and gave me money that I’m putting towards a new wand in Diagon Alley. Happy birthday to me 😊

Pretty morning for a garage sale!

Chilling and taking pictures.

The couch that no one bought…along with things no one wanted

so bored I’m taking a selfie

How did you spend your weekend? Something fun I hope 🙂 Ever been to SeaWorld? Or Universal Studios? How about FL? TELL ME YOU’VE AT LEAST BEEN TO FLORIDA.

Because It’s A Possibility, IWSG

September 5, 201811 Comments

I saved writing this post for the night before (again) when my brain is dead, so I’m going to jump right in on the optional question:

What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

Think I’ve answered this one before, but self-publishing. I’ve seen *so* many friends embark on entrepreneurial dreams and they can because it’s a possibility. That’s what self-publishing is: the possibility for authors to put our art out there. I would still love to be traditionally published, but gaining an audience is crucial, and self-publishing is slowly—but surely—helping me do that.

Okay, my brain is officially dead now.

I’m going to go fall asleep on the couch with Appa 😊

Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.