My Own Holiday Tradition

I listen to this at midnight every year on this day.

A Little Holiday Music

It's hard not to dance to this song

The Missing Writer

Hello, my loyal readers!

I know I haven't made an appearance in a while. Peri-menopause has been doing a number on my sleep cycle. To the point, I was going to bed when DH was waking up. In turn, the sleep issues have screwed up my blood sugars. So, I've pushed back bedtime over the last week until I slept for the last eighteen hours straight and woke up at a normal morning time today.

It doesn't mean I haven't been writing. I've been typing at a furious pace during my waking hours. I've been setting up things for my January Kickstarter to launch the Soccer Moms of the Apocalypse series. And finally, I've been working on the last edits to get the last few novels' paperbacks out.

However, I'm taking today off and watching the Doctor Who marathon on BBCAmerica. Later this evening, I'll make chicken phyllo, and we'll curl up and watch It's a Wonderful Life. That's our Christmas tradition. However, it's the first Christmas Eve where it's just me, DH, and the pet(s) we've had in twenty-two years.

Take care everyone! I hope you have a peaceful weekend.

A Little Holiday Music

I remember this special because my mother was a huge Bing Crosby fan.

Hunkering Down Again

I'm getting the last of the presents wrapped in order to send them to friends and family out of state. Later tonight, I'll work on Christmas cards while watching Annie or The Witcher. Though, it will probably be both.

This December has been a bizarre mix of emotions from the people around me. One friend is getting married tomorrow to the love of his life. Another friend texted in fury over politics and irresponsibility.

One friend has multiple exciting career opportunities after a dry spell. Someone else would rather lose multiple jobs rather than getting vaxxed.

All-in-all, it's a crazy holiday season compared to even last year when we had a quiet dinner at home with Genius Kid on leave. This year, everyone we would hang out with is vaxxed, but the Omicron variant is giving everybody some hesitation. Especially, after FIL's girlfriend was recently diagnosed with the variant. Thank goodness, she's had her two vaccines and her booster and is, so far *knock on wood*, asymptomatic.

So, DH and I are at a conundrum. Should we even try to get together with the family?

It's funny in an ironic way that I had no problem taking GK and GC (aka Genius Cousin who's the same age as GK) out to dinner a couple of weeks ago.

I need to take some of my books to the library, so Monday may be the last time I venture out this year.

For the rest of you, take care and stay safe. We're not out of the woods yet.

Coronavirus Pandemic Day 643 - Trying Not to Live in Fear

Known COVID-19 cases in the U.S. - 49,881,563
Known COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. - 796,764

Someone I know was diagnosed over the weekend with COVID-19. They've had their two vaccines and a booster, so right now, we're all keeping our fingers crossed because they're an octogenarian and have some preexisting health issues.

On the other hand, I made a second public appearance at an author event since the pandemic started.

DH and I attended the Writer's Block Author Fair on Saturday at Franklin Park Mall in Toledo. On one hand, it was nice to get out of the house and talk to people. It was also a lesson on how far from "normal" we still are.

The mall was not as packed as it would have been pre-COVID, and I say this as someone who worked holiday retail during some major dips in the economy. For the second to last full weekend of the Christmas shopping season, it was a very light crowd. That's not to say people weren't shopping. But the majority seemed to be focused on getting into the mall, getting what they needed, and getting out.

The number of people wearing masks was roughly fifty percent. There were only two men who avoided those authors who were masked, and they both were wearing their attitude chips on their shoulder. I was rather glad DH came with me because these are the type of idiots who like punching down.

My books got quite a few looks, but I only sold one. Yep, that's right. One. I'm just not a salesperson when it comes to my own products. There's a part of me that still avoids attention for my own accomplishments because I was often punished for it when I was a child. You'd think after five decades I'd learn to toot my own horn.

But I didn't feel so bad in the post-event discussion with other authors. Only the children's book writers were making any traction because most of the adults were focusing on purchases for the kids in their lives.

I don't blame people. Everyone's not spending much for Christmas, DH and I included. We're all waiting to see which way the economy jumps next year.

But in the meantime, I'll continue writing because it's a lot better than staring out the window and fretting about the future.

A Little Holiday Music

A bittersweet start.

Signed Books

For those of you who want a signed book, but you can't make it to Toledo tomorrow, drop me a line through the Contact Me! tab.

If you're in the U.S., let me know which book you want, and I'll contact you about availability and payment through PayPal.

If you life outside of the U.S., the costs for mailing you books from the U.S. has become absolutely f**king ridiculous, so I'm looking into getting signed bookplates to you.

Either way, shipping is taking a little longer than normal. (I'm still waiting on Kickstarters I supported that were supposed to be fulfilled LAST year.) So a little patience will be necessary on all our parts.

On my list of plans for next year is to set up an online shop, so you can order ebooks and print books.

I just need to remember to take a Wonder Woman mask with me tomorrow!

Time for a Break

In addition to prepping for the the Writer's Block Author Fair this Saturday, I'm typing away on stories to be released next year.

But most of all, I'm trying to finish my holiday shopping. Usually, I would have finished months ago. But between family stuff and supply issues, I'm a little behind.

Decorations-wise, I hung our Christmas wreath, and I dug out a gingerbread candle to burn. Otherwise, we left up the Halloween lights because the non-drowned Christmas lights are still buried somewhere in the storage unit. The tiny tree we've been using for the last several years and its lights had to be thrown out after the indoor swimming pool incident.

I'm not sure why, but I'm feeling rather nostalgic this year. But I'm chalking it up to the general blues caused by SAD.

I think it's time to snuggle up with tea, a crackling fireplace, and a book.

Christmas Paperback Sale in Person!

The Writer's Block Author Fair will take place this Saturday, December 11th from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Food Court at Franklin Park Mall, Toledo, Ohio.

38 writers from Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan will be there to sign and sell their paperbacks. (Yeah, I know the original sign says 30, but we got more!)

Drop by and say hi!

Now, Here's Something You'll Really Like

With all due respect to Rocky the Flying Squirrel.

The performance of the Diva Plavalaguna was one of the many excellent parts of The Fifth Element.

Novel Writing Craft

Do you want to write a novel, but you don't know where to start? Need some tips to finish that novel that's been plaguing you? Have a question about the writing process?

Join me on Zoom for a talk about some of the elements that go into writing a novel. The event is free, but you do need to register ahead of time in order to receive the link.

Click here to pre-register for this talk.

 Hope to see you there!

New Release and 24 Days until Christmas!

We got an early present. Genius Kid and Puppy Anubis are in town for the week. Princess Bella was slightly disturbed at having two oversized visitors.

Or she was until she discovered how delicious Puppy Anubis's food and snacks are.

Also, A Very Hero New Year dropped today. It's available right now at Amazon. I'll update links on the 888-555-HERO page as they go live.

Have a great December 1st!