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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
