Is it possible that Thanksgiving is actually next week??? How did this happen? I don’t want to go Christmas shopping, someone save me!

Okay so I’m going to talk about the randomness of my week:

1. At dinner last night I mentioned to Wizard that I had a chocolate craving…and that was as far as I got. The rest of that sentence was supposed to be, “…and I might bake something to take to a Thanksgiving celebration we’re going to this weekend.” But I never got that far before Wizard stated unequivocally that he’d go to the store after dinner and buy me chocolate. Which he did. So…YAY WIZARD! Once I’m finished writing this blog, I’m eating some chocolate
2. I sent off the synopsis for the next two books to my editor yesterday morning. I’m excited and can’t wait to hear her feedback. And she’ll most definitely have feedback–her job is to find any plot holes or potential problem. Her feedback will only make this series stronger.
3. I’m working on a marketing plan for the Savaged Trilogy right now. The first book is finished and in copy editing so it’s the perfect time to plan.  Right now, the probable release dates are June, July and August in 2017.
4. And while we’re talking about this, I wanted to touch on something. Book sales are down. The e-book bubble has burst, something that isn’t a surprise to a lot of us who understand how economics works. Basically the market is saturated, and unfortunately, some of the product out there isn’t the best quality creating an unreliable reading experience for a lot of readers. I know I DNF (Did Not Finish) WAY more books than I ever used to. So what do I do as a professional author who knows I won’t make the same ROI (Return On Investment) that I did just a few years ago? Do I cut production costs? NO! NO! and NO! Absolutely not, particularly when it comes to creating a quality product. QUALITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER. I honestly care about and respect my readers, and want them to be able to trust me. That means I am adding even more editing costs into my budget with an additional rounds of development and copy editing. I do that to make sure that when I put a book out, it’s the absolute best I can do. This won’t take me back to sales in 2013, but it will create (I believe) a trust with my readers that matters more than ever.
5. I hope you all have a Happy Friday and a Great Weekend!

Hi everyone! You all know what day it is–hump day! So here’s the our candidate for Wednesday Worthy. What *I* like is the mood cast by the picture, it makes me think of a troubled hero who needs his story told

But what *I* like isn’t what counts here. It’s what *YOU* think that matters! So is he worthy?

P.S. I’m going to include here today, and occasionally over the next couple weeks, a link to something I’m very proud of. My son, daughter-in-law and her friend work so hard to make a positive difference in the world, and one of the ways they do is make Christmas Gifts for the Homeless bags, which is a gift bag of essentials for people who have so little in the way of possessions or kindness. If you would like to donate, here is the link. My family is passionate about making a difference in whatever small ways we can.

Wowzers, what a weekend! Which of these things actually happened to me?

1. My credit card was used for a shopping spree by someone other than me or Wizard.
2. One of my kids called to tell me he was rear ended on the freeway and was waiting for auto club roadside service to show up.
3. One of my girls (Youngest Son’s fiance) texted a picture of a two-week-old French bulldog with a cleft palate that they are trying to save and I volunteered to help if they need it.

So which do you think happened?

In other news, I managed to go to my meeting Saturday. It was great to see friends, and I had the chance to answer a few question from newer authors on things like contracts. I love helping when I can because so many people have–and continue to–help me in my career. I’m passionate about educating writers, the more we know, the less likely we’ll make mistakes that will resonate throughout our careers. I also got to see about half of Lisa Kessler’s talk. She was charming, sincere and more than willing to answer any questions.

Saturday night, both Wizard and I were exhausted so we went out to dinner and I made a poor choice (tamale.) Sunday I paid for that with stomach problems, but I worked as much as I could on the final synopsis in the Savaged Trilogy, I’m close but not quite there yet. It has to be right or I’m not sending it to my editor

Okay so did you all figure out which of the things above happened? If you answered ALL OF THEM, you’re right! Crazy weekend! As frustrating as all this was, we likely have the credit card thing under control, my son is okay (although I’ll double-check today to make sure–sometimes adrenaline masks pain for a awhile and it was a pretty hard hit from what I understand), and I’m truly hoping that little French bulldog makes it. I will be happy to pitch in if they need it with the little guy. It’ll make me feel great to do something positive and useful, even if I get my heart a little broken because he won’t my dog. The important thing is just doing something good out there.

How was your weekend?

**Sorry for the late past, apparently my internet was down when this was scheduled to post.

So it’s been a week, huh? But we made it, and I wish you all a Happy Friday, my friends!

Yesterday I had the chance to see an old high school friend whom I hadn’t seen in decades. And I wondered–will I recognize her when she walks through the door?

The answer? INSTANTLY. For some reason, that made me feel good. The connections that we form in life matter. We were both so young then and in very different place. My years before Wizard came into my life were hard, and this friend was a tremendous solace as only a true friend can be. I’m glad that my heart remembered her. We spent hours catching up and I’m sure we’ll see each other again.

Saturday I’m going to my local RWA chapter meeting. Bestselling author Lisa Kessler is speaking, I’m looking forward to that and seeing friends.

I’m working hard plotting out the rest of the Savaged Series (the first book is in copy editing). Writing his trilogy is exhilarating and scary. But that’s exactly how it should be! To writers, fear means two things, we are challenging ourselves to grow and stretch in our craft, and we are telling a story we are passionate about. Hopefully readers will feel that passion too.

What are your plans this weekend? Whatever they are, I hope you have a great weekend!

Because we can all use a break from Real Life this, we have two candidates to choose from today.

Candidate number 1 apparently really likes to pose. I think he’s going for sensual and smoldering rock star. (Should I admit he’d be my pick?)

Candidate #2 is all about brute strength, although that biceps challenges my perception of reality. I’ve seen some intensely ripped guys from my more hardcore gym days and growing up around a karate studio, but I’ve never seen this outside of bodybuilding competitions on TV. (This guy had me at his forearm and lost me at his biceps. However I’d totally buy this in a paranormal romance.)

Which one do YOU think is more worthy?

So how did you do with the time change? A few of you are in states that have the good sense to NOT MESS WITH TIME (I’m looking you, Arizona). So Saturday afternoon, I reset all my clocks, and dang, I was proud. I was ahead of schedule!

Then Wizard ruined it. “Witch,” he called out from upstairs, “Did you reset your clocks?”

Ha! Usually Wizard is the one who does all this, so I happily shouted out, “Yes I did! Even my watches!”

He came down the stairs and says, “You set them all ahead an hour. It’s Fall Back, not Spring Ahead.”

And sure enough, he was right. I’m rolling my eyes so hard as I type this, I’m giving myself a headache. How is it I can keep an entire Wing Slayer Hunter world in my brain, but I can’t figure out how to set the clocks back an hour for the time change???

I’m writing this before we go to dinner for our anniversary, but I’m assuming it’ll be really good and we’ll have a great time.

How was your weekend?

P.S. I may not be able to answer comments until later in the day.

Ugh, the heat! Here in Southern CA it’s hot and dry, and both Wizard and I are cranky. Plus, I hate writing a synopsis, and I’m trying to write two of them for the next two books in the Savaged Series; Savaged Vows and Savaged Devotion. You all know how I love these books, but getting all the story beats and emotion into a synopsis for my editor is a massive challenge. I’ll get there–I always do, but I seem to like to take the long way I think a lot of it is just the weather, sinuses and Wizard’s back issues getting to me. Today will be better!

I have something to look forward to this weekend–it’s our anniversary and we’re going to one of our favorite restaurants on the beach. Being married to the love of my life for a few decades is something to celebrate and I’m really looking forward to it!

Do you realize the holidays are here? My calendar is already filling up with Thanksgiving and Christmas plans! Wasn’t it just summer? And how can it be the holidays when it was over 90 here yesterday? I’m confused, LOL!

What are your plans this weekend? Whatever it is, let’s all have a great weekend!