A consequence of relaxation

An unintended consequence of taking a bit of time away from my writing has been that I'm wondering if I want to continue writing.

Let me hasten to say I suspect I *will* continue to pursue publication. I just may do it on a different timeline and in a different manner. I'm finding that the goals I once had are no longer valid for me. I don't have interest in those things: finding an agent or a bigger venue for my books. They just don't interest me. I don't want to promote hither-and-yon about new releases. I want to do some quiet blogging, chatting, and talking about them.

So I'm setting about creating a new set of goals. I'm hoping to have a new idea in mind of where I want to go within a week or two. I'll give myself 2 years to reach the milestones on the list. At the end of 2 years, I'll check again where I am and see if I'm close, if I care, etc.

It's all so very interesting, this publishing ride of mine....

Ignore this space ... it's a test

I'm trying to set up a feed to my Amazon page. Since I've never done this before, I anticipate some trial and error. So you may see a test post here and there.

Ignore me until I say otherwise.  8)

A place overlooked by the world

I'm in Iowa right now, visiting family.

This town is like a microcosm of what America used to be like. People don't lock their cars (or their houses). People know who you are and why you're in town (to visit family). Guys bag your groceries at the grocery store and carry it out for you -- and they wear neckties and white shirts! Everyone is polite, the streets are clean, and it's amazingly low key.

I love this place. I wish I could bottle the essence of this place and keep it with me forever. Seriously. It's a balm to my soul. Which is why I visit as often as I do.

A bullet dodged

I woke up today and my cell phone appeared to be dead.

Puzzling, since it worked last night but this morning...nada. I plugged it in and charged it fully but still no phone. Wouldn't turn on.

So I pried apart the decorative covering I had purchased for it, removed the battery, reinserted, and voila: phone.

Sometimes the simple 'wins' are the best, aren't they? What was going to be a gloomy day spent at the Verizon store, arguing with clerks, has turned into: what should I do with my Sunday now?

Life is sometimes Very Good.

The best laid plans ...

I'm working on a new book and this one was giving me fits -- I just couldn't get the groove on the book.

When that happens, I've found that all I need to do is unconnect from the world for a bit and FOCUS like crazy. If I do that, then I can usually find my way through the morass that's holding me back.

It happened again. I let my mind wander (the best way to focus) and I came up with what I think is an excellent way to tie my secondary character in this book to a previous book. By doing that, I open up a new world of possibilities in how I can have the plot move.

Lack of focus is a good thing sometimes!