Tag: writing updates

Brief Humor & Check-Ins

Poison Ivy: Election thoughts & writing updates

Peregrine Arc: An Author's Scratchwork

Like many Americans who didn’t vote for Trump, I have felt in a bit of a daze since Tuesday evening. I’ve been fluctuating between feelings of sadness, disbelief, disgust and anger. When did our country become so bigoted, so full of hatred, with such little disregard for others–particularly women, minorities, immigrants and other vulnerable humans? When did logic and truth become things we could twist and barter with ease, rape and felony convictions things we could ignore? I feel like I just watched over 74 million people pour gasoline on the country and light matches in unison. They’re gleeful, enraptured, and ready to watch it all burn. As long as their stomachs are fed, their gas is cheaper, and they’re comfortable and at ease, that’s all they seem to care about. They want to be just like their false god, the one they all but profess to worship, Trump-branded Bibles in hand. A book that is full of stories about loving your enemies, sacrificial love, humility and the dangers of idolatry. The hypocrisy is blinding.

I’m puttering around our house this weekend, reflecting on these things, while doing some cleaning and organizing . I am trying to process everything and think of ways forward. “Not enough data” my brain keeps telling me. “Nobody knows what to expect.” “Perhaps some tea would help?” I like the last one.

We are also finishing up yardwork in preparation for the Winter–I am dealing with a bad case of poison ivy currently from that endeavor. I’ve declared war on the plant and its roots system and will be donning my full camo suit and face paint soon.

I also finished my first draft of my YA Fantasy novel. I like it a lot, but need to go in and clean up a few areas and tighten a few loose screws. The motor of the story gives way a little over halfway through and sputters out erratically. Reader safety and all. I’m hoping to start sending that out en masse to agents and publishers this holiday season.

Until then, if you see a woman wandering around her backyard spraying Roundup in a biohazard suit, muttering to herself about hypocrites and Jasmine tea blends–don’t worry it’s just me. I’m talking with the guy in dusty sandals. He’s seen this all before, and He knew long ago that this was coming. He’ll refill my teacups and listen to me. He will guide me in this season and the next to come. Take care and happy writing.

Brief Humor & Check-Ins

The Holiday Season, December’s Perspective & Writing

Peregrine Arc: An Author's Scratchwork

December came up to my doorstep without invitation, just the other week. I wasn’t quite finished speaking to November yet, but she had left before I knew it. She walked down my driveway and around the corner, not to be seen for another twelve months. November is quite nice–have you met her? She likes to come over towards the end of every year, in her green corduroy suspenders and maroon turtleneck, her hair tied up in a velvet scrunchie, and share a cup of tea. We like talking about deeper subjects, such as gratitude, the qualities of the best french fry, and the finer details of Autumn’s leaves and dying foliage. Beauty in a time capsule, set soon to break. November’s often overshadowed by her other, more well known siblings–October and December. The one month is all about candy, costumes and ghosts, and the other–well, that depends, I’ve found.

December can be a profound month. It’s the ending of another year, and depending on your faith, a time for celebrating deep mysteries with awe and humility. This year I am using it more intentionally, as a month for reflection, dreaming, and finishing projects at a slower and more focused pace. I am doing my best to ignore the constant marketing ads–ones telling me to buy more, want more, and to chase after false promises of peace or joy. I am not perfect at this, but I’ve learned over the years that when December comes up to my doorstep, I take away all his bright flashy lights and neon signs, say no to the unrealistic expectations, and take all the junk mail out of his hands filled with stock footage of happy, perfect families that are actually paid models in coordinated outfits. December and I instead decorate together, do a few slower-paced traditions my husband and I have created over the years, and try to finish up any shopping early. I’ve found this approach much more peaceful and feasible. Resting is an art I am trying to relearn. Refocusing without distractions, another.

Writing wise, I have a story idea bubbling around in my mind, something I am beginning to write ideas down for. I am dreaming of creatures while on walks with my dog and husband, thinking of funny jokes and characters, chapter plots, and also those serious moments of life that makes us all-too human and connected with one another, even with our differences. I hope to start getting this all into coherent writing soon–with God’s grace, and many cups of hot cocoa. Yum.

How are you spending your December? Are you hoping for twenty feet of snow, like I am, or maybe just a few minutes of peace, stretched to hours with a good book and some cocoa?

I hope your December is filled with good meals, and simpler moments of lasting joy and treasured peace. And if you’re at the family dinner table, and Uncle Bernie brings up politics, or Aunt Sally gives you her unsolicited advice yet again–remember that dinner rolls can also be used as projectile weapons. Especially when filled with mashed potatoes and gravy. Merry Christmas and happy writing adventures.

Brief Humor & Check-Ins

“Don’t believe the hype”: Writing Updates, Story Releases, Podcasts and some Music

Peregrine Arc: An Author's Scratchwork

One of my favorite bands is 21 Pilots. They write a lot of deep, authentic music and advocate strongly for mental health. Sometimes the phrase “Don’t believe the hype” (from one of their songs, The Hype) will come into my mind when I find myself distracted by something in the world. “Buy this product” American society says, or “Join this group; network with this person; this is what success looks like–don’t you want to be like them?” Or “worry about this catastrophic event now”, says the 24/7 news cycle. Sifting through this information overload, trying to sort the gold from the fool’s gold is sometimes an impossible task. “Don’t believe the hype,” I will sometimes tell myself. “Just keep walking. Don’t be distracted.”

I have been walking through a difficult season in my life. It’s involved exhaustion, being extremely overworked and other personal challenges. It’s devoured my time and energy and, a long story very short, enough has been enough. I have been stumbling along with the guy in dusty sandals through the ordeal, learning to lean on him and not myself. He is leading the saint and I to calmer waters, but it’s taking some time to get there. These past few weeks have felt like the last miles in a very long bike ride. Pedaling, pedaling, pedaling. Eyes on the finish line, eyes focused forward, trying not to be distracted by any sideline games and foolery.

Writing wise, I have a few updates I’ve been posting. As a recap, I will be publishing a short horror story, “The Letter” this Fall in an anthology with other authors (preorder link here). My first short children’s story, “The Mermaid and the Yellow Jellyfish” is coming out this December as part of Fae Corp’s Kid’s Week (preorder link will be up later). I hope you’ll check out both and leave reviews. I have another short story I’m waiting to hear back for another anthology, and have been continuing to submit my novel to agents.

A more personal achievement–I donated blood for the 25th time recently. This was a goal I had been working towards for the past few years. If you ever thought about donating blood, I encourage you to check it out. It’s a constant need, as blood has a limited shelf life. Each donation can save up to three lives.

I also wanted to share a podcast I came across recently, for those interested in Christian and Jewish history in context of the Bible. It’s called the BibleProject. Currently, I’m listening to a talk on the 10 Plagues and Exodus. The history, the original Hebrew text and words–all so fascinating. So far, I have really enjoyed their balanced, loving approach to presenting and understanding the Bible and Christianity. I’ve also been on an Egyptian history kick, so all boxes crossed there. Good to listen to while bee-bopping on the rider, or doing some gardening. They’re funny, too.

I’ll end it here with a another song that’s been my jam lately. Stay well and happy writing.