Month: February 2022

I Need Your Help

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I need your help. But a little background:

In my initial draft (and sometimes outline) I’ll use “placeholder” names which are exactly what you’d think they are. Half the time I forget them, and end up using whatever I chose to call my character (or place or thing) that first day. But ARPIP will be going through its final edits soon which means I need to be a *billion percent* sure on my names. And I’m not.

I need your help to change one.

Somehow, the really annoying, office brown-noser appeared as “Patricia,” which means I must’ve watched or read something with a similar character and she manifested herself in my world. Typical Patricia. BUT I had a lovely aunt with that name—though she went by Patty—and I’m not comfortable throwing some home-made art into the world with a negative connotation on Patricia’s. It’s just not sitting right with me, so now I call on all of you for suggestions on the PERFECT OFFICE BROWN-NOSER NAME. Maybe someone you know personally? Maybe someone you actually worked with? Well, I’m here to immortalize that poor soul forever as a Karen douche-canoe in my next novel, so I’m taking all suggestions.

What have you got? Let’s hear those names. I’ll also be posting something in my FB group—because I do that now (hair flip)—so you can comment here or there and then next week, I’ll put a poll up with the best nominees, and we’ll really settle this thing.

I’m so excited. Are you? Come on, guys. Need your help. Who did you hate, or seriously dislike, that I can forever immortalize as a Karen? Let’s find that douche-canoe and prop him or her up for the world (or my small group of readers) to see.

Let’s MF go.

~ Lady Caitlin

Starting To Feel A Little Offended

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I did the stupid thing.

I waited until I was in absolute pain to make a dentist appointment. Was I aware there was a problem with my back wisdom tooth? Of course. I’ve known for a while that it was going to cause major issues down the line and I should probably get it (along with the other three) removed. So, what did I do? I went on living my life knowing it would be future-Caitlin’s problem.

And it is.

I’m her.

Present-Caitlin is now dealing with the most outrageous pain and my oral consultation has been rescheduled twice due to short staffing issues. Like, I’m dying over here. I’m popping Advils like they’re M&Ms because it’s one of the few things that keeps the pain away. So, don’t do the stupid thing and put your problems on future-you. It doesn’t work out AND it can be painful. Just my sage piece of advice for you (and your dental needs) today. (And tomorrow).

But it’ll be alright. It’s my own fault which makes the whole thing more annoying, but the really annoying thing is that the oral surgery consultation has been rescheduled twice because come on, people, let’s get this over with. Again, my own fault, but I’m already doing the adulting-thing and making the appointments to go pay the money to hear the terrible noises so someone can put tools in my mouth and take out my bad teeth. That part is taken care of by me. I just need the dentist-people to do their part and let me come visit. Honestly, I’m starting to feel a little offended.

Just look at my mouth.

Please?

That’s all I want.

For the love of everything sacred, will an oral surgeon *please* give me the A-Okay to get the surgery scheduled and the teeth pulled? That’d be fabulous. The left side of my mouth can’t carry all the chewing much longer, and I’m running out of time, so I’m really hoping this new appointment doesn’t get bumped again. I may cry if it does.

So, again, I repeat: don’t do what I did. Take care of future-you. He/She/Them/It/Whatever is really depending on you to step up today. And besides, it feels a little good to give back, doesn’t it? Even if it’s to yourself? I see you nodding.

Off to pop another Advil.

Until next week (and hopefully after my non-rescheduled appointment)…

~

Lady Caitlin

What’s Going On?

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I had this whole other post for today, but I wrote it when I was annoyed.

Nah.

Probably not the best thing to share, so I’m keeping it in my “working-blog-document” which houses all the posts that just didn’t make the cut (and a bunch of political posts I’m too afraid to share). The post, which was extremely cathartic, and mostly a long vent about stupid, selfish people, is still something I had to write. Because I’m sorry, but even though the world is crazy-tough and terrifying (can we admit that now that China and Russia are teaming up?) it does not give anyone an excuse to be a completely self-absorbed butt-munch, and solely talk about themselves over and over (and over and over again) like they’re the center of the universe.

It’s exhausting.

I’m exhausted—and all I do is listen.

Anyone else feeling this? I realize I’m waving my author flag like “like at me! I write books! Please read them and support me!” but that’s different. It’s a hurdle I have to jump because I’m still suuuuper not comfortable with tooting my own horn, even though I’m not tooting it/I’m marketing myself. (Big difference, though still weird to me …) But this general sense of “look at me” that I’ve been feeling from everyone who isn’t a close personal friend or family member—what’s going on?

Is it social media? Is it the generation who grew up on it? Why are people so friggin obsessed with themselves and being right and bashing everyone who disagrees? I’m about to lose it. What happened to the we-all-can-get-along mentality, and two-sided conversations? Because ahem, one person talking only about themselves isn’t a conversation. It’s a monologue that I certainly did not sign up for.

Did they stop teaching these things in kindergarten? I think they’re right up there with the alphabet, learning to share, and keeping your hands to yourself. Give a shit about other people and—might I stress—the world does not revolve you. Sorry, but it doesn’t.

At all.

Whew…I feel better. Thanks for letting me vent. This is kind of like the other post, but not as nasty, and waaaay less emotional. Sometimes, you just need a day.

How about you? How is life? Have you noticed any of these trends? What do you do to deal with them so you don’t lose your shit? People want to know.

(Me. I want to know.)

~ Lady Caitlin

P.S. ALSO LOOK AT THE EMAIL I JUST GOT FROM RADISH:

Well this is a lovely end to the day. If you’re at all interested (and why wouldn’t you be?) you can check out Better Than This on Radish. (Or find it on Webnovel, Dreame, and iReader too?)

Better Than This Series:

An embarrassing middle-school incident keeps Alex Wolf and Autumn Sommers apart until they’re paired on a high school project in which they must pretend to be in a relationship for their Family Planning & Development class. Both just want to get through it until they begin working together, quickly discovering there might be some truth to the facade. But when Alex reveals a few secrets about his life, Autumn isn’t sure they’re able to get past them, leading to a decision that affects the next eight years, and a band fanbase of millions.

I Re-Joined Instagram

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I joined Instagram. Or, I re-joined Instagram with an author account even though I already did that a few years ago, but I couldn’t access it, because you know, technology. So, when I went to “add” a new username, the one that I wanted authorcgcoppola (which makes the most sense) was already taken…by me…from a few years ago. Just can’t get to it on my phone. So, I created authorcgcoppolawrites as my NEW author Instagram, except, when I accessed it on my PC to change the profile picture, it logs me into authorcgcoppola.

*throws arms up in tantrum*

*drinks boxed wine*

Sooooooo now I have my personal account, which I rarely use, and TWO author accounts depending on which device I log into. I’m not even kidding, guys. I have no clue what I did or how to fix it, and when I tried to report a problem, it told me my “reporting a problem” button wasn’t working. So, I gave up, drank more boxed wine, and watched tiktock.

I mean…I guess two accounts is better than none? Right? Any Instagram wizards out there want to take me under their wing and help e’splain me, Lucy? Otherwise, this author is going to be the cool kid with two accounts and there’s nothing you (or I, apparently) can do about it.

How was your January? Did you get a lot accomplished? A little? Anything? Are you aware January is now over, and we’re doomed to live this day over and over again? (Thanks, Mr. Murray). Hopefully it’s doesn’t get to that because I don’t think I could repeat a Wednesday for the rest of my life without losing my mind. Plus, it would definitely slow the progress I’m making on redoing my home office.

Since we moved in, the “office” has been the junk room in the house, where all the “not sure where to put it” things end up living. It’s basically been a clutter box of randomness, with a little corner for my desk and chair to write. NO MORE. It’s nowhere near being finished but we’re getting closer:

Before, that corner held a table filled with wedding items, old cell phones and tablets, cords that went to something, mail, donation clothes (donation everything), coasters, recycled Christmas gifts, and so, so much more. It was literally a place to put the household misfits, and definitely not a space to encourage creativity. I’ve only been glaring at it for around five years but NO MORE. I’m still in the process of fully revamping the office, but we’re off to a good start. What do you think?

What about you? Any new projects? Any issues with technology and somehow (unknowingly) creating two accounts for one service because you’re that stellar with technology? No judgement here.

I’ve got some other stuff to share, but we’ll get to it next week. I have to have something for that post too, right?

Until our next date…

~ Lady Caitlin