Welp …

So after two small strokes, I got back to work both physically, writing and reading. AKA “rehab.” The strokes were ‘small’ since my husband was fast on the phone. In fact, everything happened in the order truly ordained. What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. If I had the stroke in the middle of the night, the damage would have been devasating. If my husband hadn’t noticed it immediately and called 911, if the EMTs weren’t here in less than five minutes, further damage would have ensued.

Even though the CT scan was ‘clear,’ the ER doctors opted to offer the clot busting medication (I was alert, just couldn’t talk), and if I hadn’t as best as could say, PUSH IT, I wouldn’t be typing much less talking. The possibility of being with Lord did not escape me, but apparently he isn’t through with me yet.

Within one half hour, I was almost back to normal. If I hadn’t been transferred to the ICU, I wouldn’t have been watched so closely, and I may have been released early. Within 2 days on the neuro floor, I had either another stroke or the continuation of the first one. If I didn’t know it would be likely, if they didn’t repeat testing, one can only wonder. Of course I read all of the information, and a second stroke within two days is rather standard. All the MRIs showed these proved to be right on.

I might add, on the way to the 2nd hospital, I texted my editor. Bahahahahaha!

I might add her reaction was a bit different.

Now I am basically back to ‘baseline,’ pre-stroke. But I’ve done a lot of rewiring exercises by forcing my affected areas to rewire neurons around the damage (the damage is done, it will never work again, but ya only have billions of neurons. Rewire!) Neuroplasticity exercises work even with old strokes and CP.

Okay so that is more than enough of the total blessing God allowed, a wake up call (seriously, sharing the Gospel as much as possible), and I finished my editing of novel three, title and cover unknown (I had thought of Glass Slipper and the addition of and Body Snatchers but my publisher frowned on the body snatchers – a term of endearment by police for those who pick up the corpse at the crime scene). I figured well … perhaps her team would come up with the best title and cover since they are the professionals.

I would say this WIP, the second in the series after “Romance Under Wraps,” is more geared towards Christians with issues. Like we don’t all have issues. For those who are not churchgoers, it is proof positive we as Christians, have difficulties, trials, and only with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must (and can) work out our issues (even if it’s grief for our own lives or those close to us), draw closer to God with intention no matter the situation.

NKJV; Philippians 2:12-13 “12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [called ‘justification’] with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

It doesn’t stop with salvation. Justification is living the life, asking God for help in whatever you’re dealing with, good or bad. Walking the talk, if you will … Okay, then. Got it?

Onward!

I am nearing the end of “The Summer of the Waxman,” the ARC given to me by Brent Brantley. Wow. I cannot wait to endorse this moving book. Write in your “notes” on your phone to look for it!

Also, reading the ARC, “Warped,” by Maureen Myers Koeppel. Coming out the 14th of this month. An epic science fiction/fantasy with the dogged investigation into a murder, a girl in a coma, and a long voyage. Can’t wait to see it on the shelf and review it! In One Week!

And last, the audiobook of my thriller/intrigue/romance, “Rules of Engagement,” should be coming soon!

The problem with bingeing

Do you have the discipline to write, read, and get down time in your day?

Hmm
got it! got it! yay!! it’s three a.m.! oh.
ahhhhhhhhhh

I DO NOT.

Pfft.

Because I have a contract for “Glass Slipper,” I have been binge-writing. I need time to do some more reading.

Have you a cloning machine? Do you need to have a cloning machine? Me too … and the writing one needs to type faster and rewrite as consciously as possible.

AND NOW WE HAVE CHICKENS.

Twelve.

I think they are mostly roosters but I can’t tell. Yet. So we handle these chicks a lot.

Barred Rock Chickens (these are pullets- very young hens. I think they are pullets)

6 weeks old pullets (wee hens) what we have

Hopefully they’ll be at this point SOON. (Hens, right here) 6-8 pound hens.

the most pampered chickens ever
Roosters and 10 pounds – why they are meat chickens …

I know you have projects (like gardens, knitting, baking, cooking for huge families, cows, chickens, goats, sheep, etc), and I want to know what takes up your time – eating into reading and writing!

Writers, tell me please your process. I love hearing from other authors what their process is, do you write by the seat of your pants? Do you plan? Do you do both? How do you build your characters? Before, during, or after the inciting incident? Do you interview them beforehand like you’re the journalist, or use a program?

And last, do you know the beginning, middle, and end before you start? Truth be told I flailed through my first manuscript. I found for my next novel, a software to help develop plot, characters, plot arc, and character arc. So I guess I’m a planster. A bit of both, seat of the pants and planning.

AND my corkboard. So old school, but nothing gets LOST in the midst of a downed internet.

OKAY. Your turn.

  1. Your favorite genre (to write/read)
  2. Planner, pantster, or planster?
  3. Old school?
  4. Programs?
  5. Major distractions?
  6. Binge reader? Binger writer? Or both?

Now it is YOUR turn. Like, subscribe, comment, share (if you so want).

Reading vacation

I’ve been binge reading for about 5 days. Jane Daly is coming out with a sequel to “Broken,” so I – yes – reread it, and LG Westlake has a sequel to “Calculated Risk,” so did I read it? Why, of course.

I finished Westlake’s “Calculated Encounters” yesterday. Excellent writing. Her amateur sleuth gets into trouble constantly. Her characters are well-written. Her main character never follows the orders of the ex-FBI agent, now bounty hunter, and her attempts to let her love interest (writing a ‘happily ever after, for now) know she is indeed in Spain, now gets him in deep kimchi while she’s in a horrible situation on her own. Because she didn’t follow the bounty hunter’s instructions (“go home!”).

I’m a serial binge reader, usually three at a time. I have Terri Gillespie’s novel, “Cut it Out!” (another sequel in the Hair Maven’s series) in one room, Linda Rodante’s “Scars,” on my ‘puter, her beta, and Lisa Black’s police procedural, “That Darkness,” on my Kindle.

I can keep up with the plots and characters of each, perhaps because they are all in different formats.

My favorite genres wander from romantic comedy, romantic suspense, police procedural, romantic forensics, thrillers, intrigue, and do you note the pattern there? Usually romance within the second genre, no matter how little.

I do have favorite authors but so many it’s hard to name them. Every time I turn around, I have another new favorite. SMH.

Tell me, what are you reading these days? Who are your favorite authors, and your favorite genres?

What are you writing?

First, Terri Gillespie has mad skills. Her first book was replete with four plots, one main character with three subplots and three more characters. A Christian/romantic/coming of age book with some suspense, the first in the Hair Maven’s series follows the four lives of beauticians at odds with the new owner, Shira. I’m jealous, I mean, amazed that the first book was so incredibly complex and weaves together so eloquently.

Second, I’ve been following/reading Linda Rodante’s Christian romantic/suspense novels forever. I love her spiritial warfare series. She always creates complex characters with complex issues to overcome. She addresses modern men and women who have to overcome their physical/emotional issues to reconcile ‘at odds’ characters’, bringing them together to defeat (or convert) a bad guy or gal. A lot of peril and prayer – these books address issues that Christians and non-Christians face, from trafficking to gangs. All her characters are super complex.

Lisa Black is new to me and writing a police procedural. Chapter one sounds like a behavioral analyst/detective talking to a hardened criminal. The last lines are 1000% SHOCKING. The next chapter involves two detectives following the evidence. The group of detectives assigned to the murder of said hardened criminal is 10,000% SHOCKING.

Because I see this is part of a sequel, I can’t wait to read her next installment after I finish this one, though I have 240 books left on my kindle. I should have stuck with paperbacks. Apparently that ‘buy with one click’ button on Amazon is an addictive issue for me.

Sue Coletta is a favorite when I need to read a serial killer novel. Lisa Gardner is another serial killer novelist with police procedural. Teri Blackstock for romantic suspense. Sara Blackard for romantic suspense. Dale Amidei for insanely complex thrillers. Christy Barritt for her romantic suspense. Those are just a few.

Okay. Now, like I said, it’s your turn. Comment and like!

Whew! “Rules of Engagement” and then some

Been busy, busy. Rewrites on Rules of Engagement and juggling ARC and TBR books, reviews, promoting Romance Under Wraps, have been a challenge.

(promote, promote right here): Find Romance Under Wraps on Amazon. Free on KU and Audible. Also available on Kindle and paperback. Click:

Two people (editor and my husband) have started cracking the whip on me to finish the rewrites ASAP. UH.

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ouch!

Truth be told those last chapters will be the hardest.

Truth

Anyone else stuck in that?

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I like keeping posts short. My attention falters with long posts. So, off to rewrites or whatever my calendar tells me to do. Maybe I should get a calandar. Hmm.

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