It's beginning to look a lot like...

 ...The Big Christmas Expo in El Reno!

I'll be spending my Saturday and Sunday from 10-6 here this weekend. I'm incredibly excited. Last year, I had ALL my Christmas shopping done early. First time ever. I've not replicated that this year. But this year has been a bit different and definitely busier.

I will probably do a LOT of Amazon shopping because my days are busy with family, events, and writing.

I'm a bit twitchy because I always get this way before an event. The unknown tends to rattle me. But I'm prepared with books, swag, and I'll be bringing some suckers. Woot!

I think the atmosphere is going to be absolutely amazing. I'm ready for it.

August took approximately three years. Then September and October was an inhale and exhale. November looks to be another quick one.

More good news!

I have my Canary: Dark Descent ebook for pre-order. I have it on sale the day it releases, Black Friday 11-24, through Cyber Monday, 11-27. It'll be discounted at $2.99. The price will go up to $4.99 on Tuesday the 28th.

Look for me bundling Canary and Canary: Dark Descent paperbacks around the beginning of December.

Have a great week!

Always writing*

...and doing a jig with my anxiety...

Perfect example

 Gave myself a week break between stories. Longer than I usually do. 😄

Prepared to write today on a Contemporary Romance I'd already started. But no...I'm working on another Contemporary Romance that came to me last night with the first scene absolutely perfect. As in, it sets the tone for the whole book.

This is another example of why I don't plan everything tightly. I know how I like to surprise myself. 😆

But also, it has no title. *clutches my imaginary pearls*

What the hell?

The title is my road map. I always have one before I even start typing a word down. 

What's happening here? In my OneNote, I only have it saved under the name of the town. 

I am unknown territory.

Meh.

Let's see where it takes us.

Always writing*

...without a title...ooooooooooo

Finished Dark Descent

 Lazy Sunday here. Simba's curled up on the floor. I have the fans fanning. 86? In the fall? Thanks, Oklahoma. 😑

Finished Canary:  Dark Descent Friday, and I'm so excited! 

Then there's...?

Take a small break. How small? Really small? I mean I have half a dozen books to work on INCLUDING Out of the Shadows, the third book in the Canary trilogy. My brain is full of Canary right now. I will probably work on my new Contemporary Romance. Unless I want to write another Fantasy? Maybe a standalone?

I become twitchy if I haven't written in five-seven days.

Bigger break? Deep clean the house? Completely scrub my cranial palate? At least during the day. Scenes and dialogue still come to me at night.

Jump right the hell back in immediately and calm the restless beast inside me. She's purring right now, but she'll be snarling soon enough. Bored and edgy. Tapping her long nails impatiently. Waiting for me to make a move, or she'll make hers.

Aren't writers fun?

Always writing*

...well, not right now. but maybe soon. but maybe not. but I can't decide...give me a week... 

Dreams come true

It happened. 

I now have an 8 year-old grandson, and 5,4,3, and 2 year-old granddaughters. Wasn't I just 25? With a 1,2, and 3 year-old of my own???

In my early fifties now. I've lived over half a century. It's not off-putting. It's fucking marvelous.

Sure, my body is in a bit of disarray, but I'm still here. And I'm living my dream.

How many people can actually say that?

Started publishing in 2005 and hit it HARD. Several books published from then until 2009, I believe. Then, you know, several life traumas killed the creative life, and my family came first. Large hiatus from then until I began writing again.

I ramped back up in 2016. Still hard to truly immerse when I'm working forty hours a week and commuting ten more. But weekends were purely writing.

Able to retire early in July 2021.

THAT began my real journey.

I'm what I will term a "floodgate" author. Once I open my mind to writing and let ideas flow, I'm inundated with them. Stop and start writing was nearly painful for me. I didn't know what I was shutting out, and it was awful.

Now? I write six out of seven days, full-time. I'm going to at least four or five author/book festivals a year. I am WRITING. Jotting any and all notes for current and future books.

THIS is my dream. I want to continue to grow and develop my skill. Write books that make people think, feel, love, and dream. Because that's what writing them does for me.

Dreams come true.

Always writing*

...finishing up Dark Descent... 

Author events and book signings!

Author events I will be attending with my merch:

October 15, 2023   Books & Brew Author Festival  Lawton, Oklahoma

November 11-12, 2023  The Big Christmas Expo-El Reno El Reno, Oklahoma

November 18, 2023  Oklahoma Author Showcase  Sapulpa, Oklahoma

May 25, 2024  Authors on the Riverwalk  Des Moines, Iowa

August 17, 2024  Book Me Romance  Ft. Smith, Arkansas

*******

There are other venues I've contacted for information and haven't received anything back yet. Some won't post until spring 2024. I hope to add dates in February, March, another August, and October 2024. Those sites include Kansas City, MO, Arlington, TX, Cedar Falls, IA, and Waco, TX.

I'm also looking into 2025 because it's so much better to have your year lined out at the beginning. There's a more than good possibility I'll be in Minneapolis in late June. 😄 

If you'd like me to attend your showcase/festival/signing...please go to my website:  Inman Books and contact me through there.

Have a wonderful week!

Always writing*

...I'm looking at YOU, Canary:  Dark Descent...

 

Romancing the Reader

Every fiction story written is contrived, as in occurring deliberately instead of spontaneously or naturally.

The nuance between good fiction and bad is if you can see the contrivance. 

The ebb and flow of a novel is key to keeping a reader interested. Always best to end a chapter on a cliff so the reader will want to continue to read the next chapter. Clever. 

A writer must also be a magician. A bit of sleight of hand, and the reader doesn't realize they've been directed to see or hear something germane to the story. It's only when the reader is putting together the pieces at the end do they realize they were given the important piece earlier in such a smooth way. There's an art to the craft.

I've read books that feel like all knees and elbows. I feel constantly bumped and pushed in odd directions because the author doesn't know how to direct traffic yet. And so it's a bumpy ride. I've read books that feel as though are neon signs above the places the reader should be allowed to pick up, themselves. I don't like obvious in books. 

I'm still reading Fairy Tale by the most-talented Mr. King. Normally, I would have gobbled it up in about three days, but we were out of town last Thursday through this past Monday. I'm not sure if this is considered a spoiler...but if it is..*SPOILER*

Hardback page 186:  "In a fantasy story, the author would invent some way the young hero or heroine could explore that world I was starting to think of as the Other. The author, might, for instance, invent a retreat his parent, or parents had to attend for several days, thus clearing the way for the young hero to visit the other world without provoking a bunch of questions he couldn't answer."

Our Mr. King is cheeky as hell. This is exactly what he's done in this book. He takes our hero's father and sends him on a retreat so Charlie is able to visit the Other without all those pesky questions. It's smooth and sly. A wink wink nudge nudge, if you will. 

Being able to connect with readers subtly without knocking them about is finesse. It's an author's love letter to the reader. This is my offering to you, with all my love. 

It's a beautiful thing.

Always writing*

Clear your calendar! OCTOBER 15TH 12-4

 

Come and see me October 15th at the Lawton Farmers Market. Coffee, pastries, and books!

Going to be a great time. 

I'll bring swag and my sparkling personality. They'll supply sugar and coffee.

It's a win-win!

Hope to see you there!

Always writing*

...or going to these awesome events