I have moved!

 

Hello everyone! It's been a long time, but I'm getting a fresh start on a new site. Click on the above image to follow me to my lovely new home on Wix.

I hope you're all safe and well.

Keep reading!

NaNoWriMo win and a writer's wonderings

I did it! I did it! I completed the NaNoWriMo challenge on November 28th. With my busy, busy month, I'm happy to prove to myself that I can do it. Congratulations to all those writers who made it too.

My progress looks like it was flipping me off, but I kept ahead of the curve.

As you can see, it was a month with varied writing days. Do I wish I could be more consistent? Yes. Yet I did write every single day. (Except after I made the 50k mark! I had another project that demanded my immediate attention.) The story isn't terrific. Though rewrites might help it. What I took away from this exercise is that I can write 50k a month. No matter how busy I am with other things, I can take a little time for myself and get the words down. I think I just didn't believe in myself this year. I wanted to remind myself that I can do it.

I've been neglecting a lot of online stuff. My blog and blog visits especially. I miss reading what my blogging friends are up to. That guilt is nibbling away from me. Next year calls for better time management.

I'm also having big issues where my pen name's genre is headed. I have RH (reverse harem) author friends that are right on the trends. I didn't like this year's ones (bully romance and alien abduction romance), though, and the big one they're calling for next year already (prison romance) is just... no. I've been told that my romance is too feminist, but I'm okay with that. More than okay. I won't write that other stuff. Yet it isn't what sells. I'm learning to be okay with that as well.

It makes me wonder if I need to just write in a different genre. I thoroughly enjoy romance. I love the intricacies of relationships and how unique every single one is. I get excited to see where my characters take me on their journey together. Fantasy and paranormal are still my go-to worlds. I like that something extraordinary in a story. Lately, I've been reading a lot of cozy mysteries. They're light, funny, and fun. Some of them have that bit of paranormal and a dash of romance. Maybe... just maybe that's where I might head in the new year.

2019 has been a rough year in my life all around. Even though the next few weeks are booked up and busy, I'm trying to take it easier this month. Friday night Dungeons & Dragons still maintains my sanity. I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends to meet once a week and play with.

Enjoy your friends and family this December. Be kind, laugh a lot, and enjoy the moment.

#IWSG for May 2019

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

This month's awesome co-hosts are: Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin!

This month's optional question: What was an early experience where you learned language had power?

This is a big question. I had to think a while about it. I know I talked very young, but I was never a talkative kid (nor adult!). I also still have stories I wrote when I was five years old. I cannot ever remember not being in love with reading. It was my escape, my joy, my inspiration.

While I can't think of a particular time when I was that young, later on in my childhood, I started writing short stories about The Kingham Kids. (It was the group of children I grew up with in my neighborhood. We lived on Kingham Road!) I'd draw the title pages and write silly adventures that always ended in a terribly cheesy joke. The other kids would always gather around me, eyes wide and eager, and listened to the stories. They loved them. Later in life as adults, a few of them told me that those stories were one of the bright moments in their hard childhoods, and with the aid of my imagination, I helped them escape cruel realities for a little while. I knew they loved the stories, but I had never known just how much they meant to them.

The power of stories never ceases to astound me.

This month's insecurities: I'm doing a lot of things... just not writing. It's driving me bonkers that a story hasn't snatched me away and driven to write. So much is going on away from the computer, and then when I get online, all I seem to do is try to catch up on things.

I think I need to clear my metaphorical desk and sweep away everything so it's only the word processor's blank screen and I. I'm going to take a blogging break for the summer (end of May through August) and ease back from social media. I won't completely disappear, but I want all the stuff that seems to pile up on me out of the way. I'm a writer, and my number one responsibility is to write.

There will still be a few promos and guests are most welcome here. I'm always happy to help out other writers.

What do you do when the words aren't coming?

My 2019 Writing Goals - Making It Work

This might be a little late for a start of the year post about my goals, but that's all right. I'm taking it easier on myself. Last year was rough, and for the sake of my health, I need to be kinder to myself in 2019.

I'm not going to pretend that I will find the perfect balance this year. What I will try to do is be okay with that. Easier said than done, I know!

I've been giving a lot of thought about what I want to do this year. My first instinct is: I WANT TO DO IT ALL! My first instinct is highly ambitious and unrealistic. Someone ought to give it a talk.

Nothing has lessened my drive to want to do all I can do, to make myself better, to release tons of stories into the world. So to satisfy that drive, I will make this the year of little steps. One little thing a day for my career. It might not be writing. It could be just tweeting or blogging or critiquing. They're all small things, but add up a whole year of them, that's huge!

Here are the goals I want to accomplish:

1. Finish writing and publish Of Death and Sorrow. This will be the only major project for my name. I already have 25,000 words down, and it's going to be a big book. I won't be setting a deadline. I will give the story as much time as it needs. I will give me as much time as I need.

2. Write two books for my pen name. Last year I published two. (I wrote 69,000 words in four weeks to be able to release one novel by Christmas!) Writing for my pen name is much easier than what I write for my own name. I'm following tropes, and the stories are light and fun. Two isn't unrealistic.

3. Blog twice a month. While I've been keeping up with posting, I haven't been very good at visiting blogs in the latter half of last year. I want that to change. If I only post twice a month, it will give me time to visit your blogs. That makes me happy.

I'm also happy to welcome writers to guest post on my blog. I already have two terrific guests lined up for February and March. If you'd like to take over my blog for a day, please email me ( christinerains.writer@gmail.com ).

4. Spend less time marketing. I got into the habit of using my entire mornings to work on social media, email, marketing research, etc. I put in a lot of effort and got little back. As proven through my experience with my pen name, I don't need to spend a lot of time marketing to get the same results. Less time spent doing that means more time for writing. Because as a writer, that should be my focus.

5. Get up and move more often. This old body isn't tolerating hours spent sitting in front of the computer anymore. Even if I just go fold some laundry or do the dishes, I'm away from the computer and shaking out the stiffness.

6. Read and review 100 books. I made my goal last year, and I'm excited to do so this year!

I will not say my WANT TO DO IT ALL instinct won't push me at times, but I hope to keep it more check.

Here's to a great 2019 for all of us!

Learn A Word In 100 Words & good luck to the A to Z Challenge bloggers!

Good luck to everyone participating in the A to Z Challenge!

I won't be doing it this year, but I'm cheering you on. I can't wait to read all the awesome posts!

Here's some inspiration for the month!

A cool little collection of drabbles.

A collection of flash fiction inspired by unusual words. Each tiny tale is crafted around a word that is unique or no longer in use. Read them while waiting in line or before bed. They range from sweet and lighthearted to dark and disturbing. Look out for the supernatural, but don’t turn your back on the average human. A killer might be lurking underneath. Expand your vocabulary, and get some inspiration of your own.

Buy links: B&N * Kobo * Smashwords

 
About the Author:

Patricia Josephine never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was more of an art and band geek. Some stories are meant to be told, and now she can't stop writing. She writes Young Adult under the name Patricia Lynne.

Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.

Links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/plynne_writes

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/108938106639683446081

Website: - http://www.patricialynne.com

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13460894.Patricia_Josephine

Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00UH7GAK0

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/patriciajosephine

Goals for 2016

As much as that nagging voice in my head says I should have done more, I had a productive year in 2015. I published one novel and six novellas plus a handful of short stories. I met all but two of my goals. One was a novel I put aside because I wasn't ready to write it yet. In its place, I wrote and published The Paramours and started on my biggest project yet, Totem. I read over 100 books and wrote reviews for them, but I could not find a way to coax more readers to write reviews for me. I also did not manage to find the balance between writing and blogging. I did better than 2014 with that, but I have to learn to be more strict with myself and stick with my schedule.

Here are my goals for 2016:

1. Revise and submit the Sasquatch Susies to my publisher. The first drafts are done. Not too much I have to do story-wise in the revision phase.

2. Write the rest of the Totem books and start to publish them. The first two novellas out of nine are done, but not revised. I'm trying very hard not to rush myself with these. I learned some valuable lessons in publishing the 13th Floor series. I will be much kinder to myself and my CPs/editor with this one. Tentatively, I'd like to say I'll start putting them out by early summer, but I'm not putting any definite deadline down on paper yet.

3. Read and review 100 books. I did it last year and the year before. I'd love to continue it for the rest of my life.

4. Write and submit six short stories. I managed to do this last year. I was short-listed on pro venues five times. I'm so close to my goal of being accepted by one.

5. Blogging. Once again, I'm going to attempt to find a balance between writing and blogging. The writing of my blog posts doesn't take too long, but keeping up with everyone's blogs and returning comments does sometimes. I will not give up the latter. So I will schedule a certain amount of time each weekday for returning comments, and if I have time left, I will make some visits. I must decide what is the appropriate amount of time for that, though. How much time do you spend a week returning comments and visiting blogs?

What are your goals for 2016?

Friday Five for August 7, 2015

1. I had a pleasant surprise when I found a new review for my most recent Dice & Debauchery book from a reviewer I hadn't submitted to myself! It's not a five star review, but sometimes that doesn't matter when the reviewer says she wants to read more from you. Check it out on Exquisite Reviews.

2. With my son in school full time, I've had a productive week. My house is clean, the lawn is mowed, and all the laundry folded. Oh yes, I did some writing too. I finished the first draft of a novelette. Another one of those stories that suddenly came to me with a rush of vivid persistence. There are two more stories to go with it, and I have them already done in my head.

3. I'm going to be starting my regular blogging schedule again next week. Monday will be promo day: guest posts from other authors, cover reveals, and reviews. Wednesday: the first Wednesday of each month will be IWSG, and the remaining ones will be Wicked Wednesday. I talk about all aspects of being a writer, give tips, and ask questions. Fridays will continue to be my Friday Five. Just a quick update of what's going on in my life.

4. I received one short story rejection this week. I'm working on a flash piece today for my local critique group. That will complete my 2015 short story goal of writing six pieces this year. If I can, I want to keep pushing on and do one a month.

5. My little guy has been loving kindergarten. I watch him get on the bus in the mornings and get the warm fuzzies. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

IWSG for October 2014

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

The co-hosts for this month's group are: Kristin Smith, Elsie, Suzanne Furness, and Fundy Blue.

Congratulations to the IWSG website on its one year anniversary! It's an awesome site with a great bunch of writers. It has a lot of advice, tips, and encouragement. Cheers to all of you!

In celebration of the anniversary, IWSG is putting together an anthology - The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond. Everyone can contribute. Entries must be between 200 and 1000 words. If it's less than 300, post it on your blog or FB, and then submit your link to the site HERE. If it's over 300 words, email it directly to the team at TheIWSG@gmail.com. 

The topics can include writing, publishing, and marketing. Give them your best and fresh tips. No recycled posts. The ebook will be out in December.

Here's my contribution about marketing. (250 words)

* * *

 

3 Marketing Tips For Those Who Would Rather Be Writing

I am a writer. I never wanted to be anything else. But as a self-published author, I also have to be my own agent, accountant, and promoter.

Marketing savvy is not something I possess. What's even worse is what works for one author doesn't necessarily work for another. So how do you foster interest in your books and boost sales when you have no clue what you're doing?

Here are three tips that have worked for me and can be done from your writing cave.

1) Know your genre and find your audience. Be honest with yourself and get the opinions of your critique group. Once you have it, you'll be able to brand yourself and promote your books on sites to readers that will love you.

2) Start a blog. This has been one of my most effective tools in reaching fans. Match it to your genre and don't be afraid to show a little of your personal life.

3) Giveaways. People love free stuff. Use big sites like Goodreads to get a lot of exposure. If you create your own giveaway, add something a little different along with your books. Silly trinkets or a cool item from your story. Giving away gift cards also attracts a lot of attention.

Marketing may never get easier, but once you become adept in a few key things, you can spend your time doing what you really want to do: writing.

(IWSG has my permission to use this post in the anthology.)

Wicked Wednesday - more about blogging

Last week I talked about blogging and set up my schedule. Thank you to everyone who commented. There is no question most folks are tired of cover reveals, blitzes, and the same old interviews.

On my blog, many of my most popular posts are guest spots. Any time I'm hosting another author, I see a jump in visits and comments. The highest rated ones are those posts that are different too.

Giveaways also attract attention. Yet many people seem bored with Rafflecopter and prizes of ebooks. Giftcards are the most sought after prize. My Goodreads giveaway last year had a huge response.

A lot of people stated they enjoy posts that are personal. Nothing long and rambling. A peek into that blogger's life. Maybe something funny, a goal reached, or an issue that means a lot to them.

Writers like reading about writing, of course. But there are so many articles about the craft out there. Posts about the author's personal writing journey are more interesting. This is one of the reasons the IWSG is so popular.

After all the talk about blogging in the community, have you or do you plan on changing your blog content?

Wicked Wednesday - blogging about blogging

There has been a lot of talk lately about blogging. Is it losing popularity? Will blogs disappear while everyone tweets? Will Twitter give way to something faster and shorter?

Not everything I have to say can be said with 140 characters. I've been blogging for a long time. Not here on this blog, but over the course of ten years, I've had three of them. I'm nearing 1000 posts on this blog.

My blog is my number one tool for marketing and connecting with people. I'd give up Facebook and Twitter before blogging. Not only do I like writing posts, I love reading other people's blogs. I feel I really get to know people when they share little slices of their lives.

I do understand that people are getting tired of too many cover reveals, blitzes, and bloghops. Readers want either more personal posts or helpful ones with advice and tips. Shorter is also better.

Yet I want to support my fellow writers by promoting their works. I don't want to chase off readers, though.

The best way to do this is to set up a blogging schedule. This way, readers know what to expect and when. If they're not interested in certain things, they can skip that day and visit another.

My blogging schedule:

Mondays - Promoting other authors with cover reveals, blitzes, reviews, and guest posts.

Wednesdays - The first Wednesday of every month is IWSG, and the others will be my Wicked Wednesdays where I talk about writing, marketing, and publishing.

Fridays - This is my weekly update. Friday Five catches my followers up on where I am with my writing and gives you a peek into my everyday life.

There will be exceptions for special events, but I'm sticking with this schedule. It'll save my followers valuable time and me as well.

Do you have a blogging schedule?

Friday Five for January 3, 2014

1. Hello, and in case you didn't hear my cheer, Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Now it's back into the groove. I'm setting a schedule for myself for blogging and networking. I need a better balance between writing and everything else I need to do as a writer. I'm sticking to the blogging schedule I created last year which worked very well.

   Mondays - Reviews, guest posts, and other author promotions. (If any of my writer friends would like to do a guest post on my blog, please email me.)

   Tuesdays - Teaser Tuesday

   Wednesdays - IWSG and Wicked Wednesday

   Fridays - Friday Five

2. I managed to get myself on Feedly earlier last week. Yes, that's how long it's taken me to get a new reader since Google Reader went away. I'm slowly adding everyone on to my feeds. It's taking a while since I can't figure out how to import my Blogger list to it. My hope is this will make visiting blogs much easier for me. I do return comment when someone comments on my blog, but I need something to help me keep all my blogs organized.

3. I've also been organizing the people I follow on Twitter into lists. I've started this about four weeks ago, and it's helped greatly with keeping up with people that get lost in the main feed. I like it, too, because I can retweet more efficiently. Tip: retweeting helps those authors and you too. Sometimes they'll retweet you in turn. I've gained more followers in December than I have since the beginning of 2013.

4. I've been making excellent progress revising my current WIP. I'm excited about how it's starting to really shine. I'll be querying the manuscript this year to publishers. I already have a few in mind. I'm reminding myself to take a deep breath and not rush it. Sometimes it's difficult to do so when I really want to share it with the world.

5. I had a lovely and relaxing holiday. My husband stayed home for a week, and we made no plans whatsoever. Family visits were done in November. We went on family hikes, lazed around some days in our pajamas, and ate way too much junk food. My son was spoiled. He got the rocket he wanted from Santa. It was awesome! A great way to end a terrific year.

Lurking about

Marking our Christmas tree with a flag!

Good morning, friends. Yes, I'm still lurking about the blogosphere. I've been taking it easy, though. I haven't been online that much. I'm trying to relax this month when it comes to net stuff since October and November were so incredibly busy. So don't think I've forgotten about you if I haven't visited your blog in a little while. I want to set up a regular schedule for myself starting in the new year for blog posts and blog visiting.

I finished a supernatural western Christmas short story for my local critique group meeting this Saturday. Now I'm working on my first round of revisions for one of my WIPs. I hope to get it out to my CPs at the latest by the end of January.

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection! You can also find more freebies and raffles this month with 'Tis More Blessed. Treat yourself.

Friday Five for November 1st, 2013 & Ribbon of Darkness cover reveal

1. First, another thank you to everyone who helped and followed along with my blog tour last month. It was a long haul, but so much fun. Don't forget to enter the final giveaway on Clare Dugmore's blog. There's still one chance left to win a signed copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection.

2. Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo 2013. I'm excited. I'm participating even though I don't have much time to write this month. And today I assist at my son's preschool, so I won't have any time to write the morning or afternoon. Our trick-or-treating was postponed to tonight since we had a huge storm pass through the state yesterday. If I'm lucky, I might get an hour or two to write after he goes to bed tonight.

3. I'll be taking a step back from blogging during November and December. I have a lot of pre-scheduled posts. (It actually doesn't look like I'm taking a break at all with how many there are!) I'll pop in now and then, but two weeks this month will be taken up by family visiting. We're getting in all the family visits this month so we can have a relaxing Christmas without any traveling. We did that last year, and it was fantastic. Our Christmas gift to ourselves to have a stress-free holiday week.

4. I'll be focusing on writing for NaNo this month and revising another novel in December. Then in January, I can fall back into my regular blogging schedule. You know, I still haven't settled into anything new after we lost Google Reader. That will be something I need to do too. A productive chore to do when I'm procrastinating about revising.

5. I will certainly be around in a few weeks for Realms Faire 2013. It's going to be tremendous! There are several events and giveaways planned. I'll be hosting the Drench-a-Wench / Soak-a-Bloke event. It's fast, easy, and tons of fun. I'm also participating in the Joust this year. Please come cheer my champion, Sir Xanthus Ehrensvard, and defeat last year's victor. Click on the badge below for all the details.

 

Now on to Decadent Kane's gorgeous cover reveal!

An old family secret draws Ribbon into an Elven world while Draven is forced to find a way to drag her back home to save Christmas magic.

Release date: December 13th, 2013

Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of publications: http://eepurl.com/FDtsL

Elf legends: Legends generally portray elves harmful to humans and their name comes from ancient Germanic word meaning nightmare. ( http://tinyurl.com/kcsbjtd )

Find out more about the author, Decadent Kane: 

Facebook * Twitter * Blog * Goodreads

Working on a blogging schedule

That's my boy lost in thought. He's a deep thinker just like his mama. Actually, he was wondering why the boys playing basketball didn't pull their pants up all the way, but hey, that's still a deep thought.

I need to stop thinking about organizing my free time and get organized. What little I have left, that is. This means I need to get myself on a regular blogging schedule.

Mondays: this will be my give back day. I'll post reviews, promotions, giveaways, and guest posts. The third Monday of every month is the W4WS event. I believe it's important to give back to our community, and I'm so glad to see so much support and generosity this year.

Tuesdays: Teaser Tuesdays. This is a quick post to write and read. I'm always curious as to what everyone is reading. It's my way of peeking over shoulders and seeing what books you're interested in.

Wednesdays: First Wednesday of every month is the IWSG. The other ones will be my Wicked Wednesdays. Paranormal romance is my genre, and I love to talk about it.

Fridays: Friday Five. An update on my writing and other interesting things in my life.

Of course, for any special news, blogfests, and tours, I'll be changing the schedule. Don't forget my blog tour for THE ORACLE & THE VAMPIRE starts on Monday. I'll be having a huge giveaway!

Four days a week. That's very reasonable. I'm telling myself to be okay with setting a schedule. It'll be very good for me, and readers like to know what to expect on blogs.

Do you have a blogging schedule? Does it help your time management?

Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest

This fantastically fun blogfest is in honor of a talented and generous ninja by the name of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's hosted by by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David King, and Stephen Tremp. This is a way the blogging community can say thank you to Alex.

Here's what you need to do. Answer these four questions:

• In +/- 20 words, what does Alex look like?

• In +/- 20 words,who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)

• In +/- 20 words, who does Alex remind you of?

• In +/- 100 words,(excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:

• Cavanaugh

• Ninja

• IWSG

• Cosbolt

• Guitar For

Bonus Points:

• In+/- 40 words, leave a comment for Mrs. Cavanaugh - thanking her for sharing

Rules:

• Join the Linky List

• Be a follower.

• Post your 200 (total) word contribution Monday, Dec. 10.

• Have Fun!

Two winners – chosen by Alex – will each win one prize:

FIRST PLACE: A signed copy of CassaStar.

GRAND PRIZE: A picture of Alex and a download of him playing the guitar. (*One caveat: Alex asks the picture or download NOT be shared online.)

  

Here we go!

What does Alex look like? A little bit rock but with tame hair. Sage eyes. Understated. A sneakers and jeans guy.

Who would play Alex? I'm seeing Jason Bateman for some reason.

Who does Alex remind you of? My fifth grade teacher, Mr. V. (He didn't look a thing like Jason Bateman.) Supportive, encouraging, and fun. Every kid flocked to him and adored him.

Flash fiction: He dove across the stage as quick as a Cosbolt. The energy bolt blackened the spot Cavanaugh had stood. Acrid smoke teased his nose, making his stomach roil. The creature with the bad eighties rocker hair chortled. The building shook with it, but the ninja didn't flinch. He grabbed the Guitar for Victory and strummed a note. This time, it was the monster that trembled. With a snarl, it attacked and shot another beam from its one eye. Cavanaugh strummed again. The energy frizzled before it could hit him. A few more chords launched him into a rocking solo, and his enemy stood not a chance. No one made this ninja late for an IWSG meeting.

Bonus: Thank you to Mrs. Cavanaugh. You're as generous as your husband for giving him the time to share with us.  He's a lucky man to have a supportive partner such as yourself.

Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest

This fantastic blogfest is hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's for the bloggers we really miss. Someone not posting as often or gone absent from the blogging world? Or even someone you would really miss if they left their blog? This is your opportunity to show you how much you appreciate them.

This was an easy choice. Years ago, in a faraway blogging network, I was quietly writing about my life and desire to be an author. I didn't network, still too internet shy to do so, and I only had a few friends that followed me. One friend that stuck with me, offered up encouragement and words of advice, was a young man named Dave.

Every morning, his blog was the first thing I read. He'd have something funny from the news, a joke, or a hilarious tale of something that happened to him. He's a talented comedian, and he was just starting to get on the scene. Those years were rough for me, but I managed to smile in the mornings because of him.

His blog became hugely popular. No matter the drama and debates with all those new followers, I still stayed with him, and he still took the time to visit me. Dave's a fantastic guy, loyal to friends and family. One of the true and honest people on the internet.

I eventually left that blogging network to polish my internet self and push ahead to become a writer. I started this blog, and not long after, Dave's life became hectic. His blogging slowed, and we didn't see much of each other any more. We're friends on Facebook, but we only share a few comments now and then.

I miss my morning laughs. I miss his amazing stories, his edgy humor, and his great big heart. Oh, how I miss you, Dave!

Please visit the other participants in this blogfest, and thank you to Andrew, Matthew, and Alex for hosting. You guys are awesome!

Friday Five for September 7th

1. It's been a productive writing week. I finished a sci-fi short story for this month. I had another short story rejected and submitted it to another press. I'm over halfway done with my new novella. If I can keep up the pace, I might be able to finish the first draft on Sunday.

2. My productivity has been largely related to the fact I haven't been writing blog posts and making my rounds. I miss you guys, but I know you all understand we need breaks now and then. I'm going to continue to be around only for a little this month. If I can keep up my great writing pace, I'll be able to start putting out my new series by November or December.

3. I'll be visiting M. Pax on Spacedock 19 next Wednesday. We'll be talking about the paranormal. Make sure to stop by and have a drink with us.

4. My son is loving preschool. Yet he still has some problems being separated from me. And yeah, maybe I have a little anxiety about letting him go on his own too. Tuesday was a rough day. He refused to let go of me for over an hour. I stayed the whole morning with him. Yesterday was much better. I researched techniques to deal with separation anxiety and put them to good use. He made it through the whole morning without me. I'm so proud of him.

(That's my boy having thoroughly enjoyed a chocolate turn-over!)

5. I'm researching mini laptops. I want to get something small and light to carry around for writing. I don't need anything fancy, but I want something durable and with great battery life. Any advice and recommendations are welcome.

Chocolate for the rejected, please

I queried my latest WIP and I was rejected. Rejected fast and hard.

Right now I'm eating chocolate and ice cream, feeling like it isn't worth it in the end. The rejection depression is not good right when NaNoWriMo is due to start. I lost the desire for it. I ask myself why I bother when I'm never going to be good enough.

I know when Tuesday rolls around, I'll force myself to start up on NaNoWriMo even if I'm still feeling depressed. I have no doubt I'll get caught up in it and let that creative rush bring me back my love of writing. Even if it isn't NaNoWriMo, it will be another story. My compulsion to write, the ecstasy of it, always comes back.

It's just at moments like this that I feel the lowest of the low.

I aimed high. I queried the number one epublisher of romance. I'll go over my cover letter, synopsis and manuscript again. I'll query the number two press next.

I also wanted to let everyone know that my posts will be shorter and less frequent in November. Some posts might just be my NaNo word count for the day. I won't be able to read and comment on blogs as often either. Most of you know how NaNoWriMo consumes you. Please don't think I've forgotten about you. Come December, I'll be making the rounds routinely again.

Good luck to everyone doing NaNoWriMo! The buddy tool still isn't working. I hope they get it fixed soon.

Update: A big thank you to Josh Hoyt and Krista for giving me The Versatile Blogger Award. You made me smile today.