Hope everyone had a great week! A quick Wizard update: We saw his doctor, and Wizard is doing well. He’s “on track” healing wise, and well enough for the doctor to remove the stitches in his back. Wizard is having some nerve pain that comes and goes, that’s also normal. All signs are positive right now. Wizard will probably start physical therapy in the next week or two.
And sorry I didn’t answer all the comments on Wednesday. I read them on my phone, but it’s too hard to answer them there. For two days now, I’ve been playing Real Life Catch-up, and haven’t been at my computer much. Today I’m planning to be home and writing. Wizard only needs minimal help now, and my book needs a LOT of my attention.
Now let’s do Random Friday Five 
Okay it’s true, I’m getting attached to a little dog that is half poodle. Apologies to all the poodle lovers out there, but I grew up next door to an unpleasant poodle so they just weren’t my favorite dogs. Then Max–a Maltipoo came into our lives and I can’t help but love him. He’s just a sweetheart. The moral of this story is never say never because then a Max comes along and proves us wrong. I mean I never thought I’d love small dogs and Bailey changed my mind. (Wizard’s in the background yelling, “Jen will fall in love with any dog in the universe!!!” He’s not wrong )- Wizard’s neurosurgeon’s office is 55 miles away. It should take us an hour to get there, including parking. With traffic–an hour and a half tops. The day of Wizard’s appointment took us two freaking hours through nightmare traffic! Fortunately we left super early knowing that parking would be a problem, and it would take Wizard a while to walk into the complex so we got there in time. But it was a miserable drive. #SoCalTrafficSucks!
- I made oatmeal chocolate chips cookies because I felt like it. I don’t care about weight right now. I will care when I can get back to the gym and a more normal routine.
- I love this book so much and yet it’s soooo hard to write. No sympathy friends, I do this crazyass shit to myself. Write, delete, second guess, worry, don’t sleep and somehow finally write a scene and I can live with–then do it all over again with the next scene.
- I’m reading some books for a contest. Two of them look so promising, I bought the Kindle versions so I can read them at night when I can’t sleep. Sometimes, I have to really struggle with contest books, but I always learn something even when I don’t love the books. It’s so much easier to spot the problems with someone else writing, story or structure than with my own. I’m always glad I made the time to volunteer for this. One thing I know for sure–make me love and worry for the characters, make me FEEL for them, and I’ll forgive a lot of other problems in the book!
Okay your turn! Share your random Friday Five.
February 3rd, 2017 at 6:53 am · Link
Yay for Wizard! He can do this! As for you, do what you can when you can. We’ll still be here.
I am also not a fan of little poodles. One of them bit me in the face when I was like 4 and I still have the scars. Rotten little bugger. Ugh on the traffic. You’ll get this book. You always do. Kick its butt.
1) Natural Causes is with my editor. I hope she doesn’t think it sucks.
2) I can’t decide what book to work on next. I’m stalled on the two I need to work on and can’t see the path ahead. So, I’m back to the notebook and free-writing (basically talking to myself on paper). That should jiggle something loose.
3) Right now, I’m reading an Agatha Christie – Ordeal by Innocence – to kind of blow air through the system.
4) The weather has turned cold again, which is kind of the pits, but as mild as this winter has been, I can’t really complain too much.
5) My two year self-publishing anniversary is coming up and I’m scrambling to try and make it special with sales and marketing. (Stuff I probably should’ve set up weeks/months ago. I suck at thinking ahead.)
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:17 am · Link
That nerve pain is a sign of healing. That’s good. Yayayay for being on track! *shakes pompoms* You go, Wiz! We had a black standard poodle when I was a kid. He used to chase me to the top of the refrigerator, or the top bunk in my brother’s room. ‘Til the dang thing learned to climb the ladder. He went for my dad one night when Dad came home late. The dog was gone by morning. Not sorry. Still, LG’s family had a teacup that was sweet, so no telling. Max is cute.
Okay, my five:
1. I’m reading contest books too. Four have been pretty darn good. Two to go. We’ll see. I’m hopeful. Then on to the unpubbed section.
2. I have two projects–concurrent deadlines. Both seem to be writing themselves. I should be nervous.
3. Marketing. Ugh. I spent yesterday designing and ordering marketing stuffs. At some point today, I have to put together some marketing stuff for HQ. Fun times. Not!
4. I’m still loving my new computer. It’s fun to occasionally reach out and use the touchscreen. REALLY useful when scrolling through sites and my carpal tunnel is kicking in because of mouse use.
5. Pinterest is evil. Just sayin’…
February 3rd, 2017 at 3:38 pm · Link
Wonderful news on Wizard. I am so glad his healing to the docs approval. Does he have to suffer through the nerve pain or does he take a blocker? It’s amazing how fast he’s coming along.
Happy to hear that you can focus on writing again since Wizard is doing so well. I bet it makes him happy to see you getting back into your routine.
I love oatmeal cookies and now I want one. Must wait until tomorrow and buy one since no one else will eat them.
1. It’s snowing very lightly and is very pretty
2. Finally assembled and put my white salt lamp in my computer room. Love it.
3. Hubs is driving me crazy thinking he can paint. He really is bad at it but won’t pay someone to do it. I’ll just ignore the runners
4. Having coffee tomorrow with girl friend. Need to get out of the house ;).
5. All power shut off in youngest car while driving. Not a good thing. Car is now at the shop. Right now estimate $1.6K.
Have a great weekend :)!
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February 3rd, 2017 at 8:00 pm · Link
B.E., I’m so sorry you had such a bad experience as a kid! Wizard was bitten as a kid too (by a big dog). That experience really sticks.
1) Congrats on getting Natural Causes to the editor! I sympathise with your hoping the editor loves it. I feel that way every time, but she’s going to love it AND help you make it even better. It’s all good!
2) I love free writing. I use it all the time. Hope it jarred something loose today for you.
3) Agatha Christie is always a good way to clear the palette.
4) The cold sucks if you want to go fishing, sorry
5) 2 years of self publishing is something to celebrate! I’m terrible at thinking ahead too so I get it. I come up with ideas in bed, then forget them by the time I get to my computer in the morning.
Hope you have a great weekend!
February 3rd, 2017 at 8:11 pm · Link
Silver, the nerve pain isn’t a surprise at all, it’s just hard to Wizard to be patient. But he’s really improving and we’re all so happy about that.
Wow, just WOW on your standard poodle! That does sounds a bit demented. I’m pretty sure I’d be traumatized for life from something like that. I had a boxer who was gentle with me, and rough (playing only) with my older brothers. I can’t even imagine being attacked in your own home.
1) I got a late start on my contest books, but I’ll be able to catch up now. You sound like you got a great batch! Don’t you love finding awesome books???
2) Shhh…don’t jinx it if the projects are writing themselves! Just go with it!
3) Ugh on the publisher marketing stuff. I know what that’s like. That’s usually the worst for me. I’d rather design and order, although still not my favorite task. But you’re getting it done!
4) Yay on your new computer but carpal tunnel sucks big time. I’m sure you know about the braces that help. Otherwise…yeah, glad the touch screen helps. I also get tennis elbow at times. Cortisone shots help that a lot.
5) Amen on Pinterest. I joined but don’t use it for business much, I get sucked into recipes and puppies and just have to click out.
Keep going on your projects and have a great weekend!
February 3rd, 2017 at 8:25 pm · Link
Viki, this nerve pain is still only a fraction of what Wizard was having before the surgery. He can deal with it. He’s on pain meds for the surgery itself although we’ve been lowering that.
Thanks! Wizard was worried I’d get hurt moving him, but I did fine. However he’s happy being able to do most things for himself, and I’m happy to be back to semi-normal. It’s never fun seeing those we love in pain and frustrated.
1) I’d love to have light snow again. Enjoy!
2) Your salt lamp sounds so serene
3) You have my sympathy on the painting situation. I’d rather hire someone for inside painting too.
4) Hope you have a great time with your girlfiend having coffee tomorrow!
5) Oh no on youngest’s car. It’s all computerized now and so danged expensive–but 1.6 is crazy! I’m so sorry.
Have a great time with your girlfriend and a great weekend!