MONDAY MOTIVATION - A Final Push

 Good morning, everyone!

Well, first off, I apologize for no review of Something Blue last week. For some reason I can't get it to open on either of my Kindles and I just have not had time to sit and call customer service about the issue. 

I hope to have a review post for Wednesday on a totally different book. For now... 

The date has changed for Dean and Rhonda's visit. They will be here on the 9th! Yikers! That really cuts my time but I'm on a mission.

First off, I need spending money for Wednesday. So I'm paying myself an hourly wage (mind you - below the minimum wage but still...) so I can hit the Hobby Lobby clearance sale. 75% off paper crafting supplies is something I can't afford to miss since I use them in my 'day job'. I spoke with a manager at the store this morning and she told me they are behind but that everything should be in place later this week. When you're on a budget, you can't afford to miss big-ticket items like dies when there's a price reduction that large!

There's still time to Register!

https://www.ozarkcreativewriters.com/

I did not get any entries for OCW. I really had something in the back of my mind, but like Book 2, if I can't produce a quality product, I'm not going to just put something out there.

I did make progress on Publish & Thrive. I'm really enjoying the course though I know I'm still a couple weeks behind. I've been making time almost daily to sit and watch while taking lots of notes. I found out I may not need the LLC so postponed that appointment with Chrys. 

For this week, I fixating on three things:

1 - The studio. Since I lost a week with the visit date being moved up, I don't have a choice. 

2 - The Graphic 45 project is due on Friday. I'd love to post no later than Thursday

3 - Continue with Publish & Thrive

Hopefully, I'll see you back here on Wednesday.

All my best

~Angela

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Deadlines!!

 Good morning, everyone!

The last couple weeks were completely crazy! I'm still trying to get the studio/ office redo done and now I have a deadline of September 14th. My brother-in-law and his wife will be here for a long weekend visit, arriving on the 16th. Of course, Bob comes home the week prior so I really only have two weeks to get the studio finished. Progress is being made but not as fast I'd like as I'm also working with creative deadlines.

Bee Journals

I'm on the final push to finish these three bee-themed journals. The prototype is for me but the other two are for two very special 'bee' friends. My plan is to finish these up by the weekend and get them mailed. That will let me put the remaining bee-themed items in my Etsy shop then clear the deck for the next creative project.

Graphic 45 Papers

I LOVE  working with Graphic 45 papers. The quality is amazing and the vintage images fit my style. Of course, throw in anything Halloween in the mix and I'm all over it like whipped cream on pumpkin pie!  They currently have a challenge going on to create something using their product. Winner will receive $150 credit to their store. Yes please!  Deadline is September 2nd but I'm shooting for the end of this month.

OZARK CREATIVE WRITERS

I've been attending the Ozark Creative Writers conference for the past twenty-six years. I've missed two conferences. one - when my youngest granddaughter was born then the one that was canceled due to Covid.  Each year they offer a long list of contests (with prize money) 'free' to enter for the cost of your conference registration. Unless I get something done and submitted by August 25th, this will be the first year I've not entered. I could really use the prize money to pad the author bank account for covers, business expenses, and funding research trips.  I can usually write short stories pretty quickly so I'll be really pushing on a couple of those this week. Technically, the deadline to enter is August 28th, but while I do work better in a time crunch, I hate the thought of actually entering last minute. 

I heard something from Sarra Cannon yesterday that I'd been thinking all along. An Ozarks Homecoming story isn't ready to be written. All I'm doing by forcing the story to come out, is burying everything deeper. Trust me, I really did not mean for this book to take me three years - and I have no intention of letting the other stories I have rattling around in my head (or starts in the file drawer) to take as long either - if I can help it. 

For those who don't understand, writing is a process and I'm a stickler for getting things right the first time. That was drummed into me in second grade. If you're going to do something, do it right the first time. Don't waste your time having to go back and do something over.

In the case of An Ozarks Homecoming it's imperative I get things right the first time. There is no 'do-overs' or opportunity to correct mistakes you will catch. I fear you'll call me on something then never pick up another one of my books. I can't risk that!

While I do these other things, the story is percolating in my brain. I've not turned loose of the story, I promise.

So my goals for this week:

* Catch up on Publish & Thrive course (meeting with attorney on Wednesday about LLC)

* Entries for Ozark Creative Writers aka OCW

* Finish bee journals

* At least 1 entry for G45

* Finish the cube storage unit organization.

Those should keep me out of trouble. 

I'll be back tomorrow for the wrap-up of Something Blue with my review of the anthology.

All my best

~Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, everyone. 

I thought we'd find our own hide away to work on our novels.

courtesy of pixabay - Felix Mittermeier

All my best

~Angela

WRITER TIP THURSDAY - Read!

 Good morning, everyone!

My writing tip today is to READ in your genre. I'm typing this post on Monday so I apologize if the following books are not free at the time of this posting. 

I scrolled Amazon and found the following FREE reads. These are NOT Kindle unlimited reads but actual free for Kindle.  That may have changed by the time you see this but the important thing to remember is ...

READ IN YOUR GENRE

Here are a few of the books I've pulled for your consideration:

SUMMER IN SWEET BRIAR COVE

A SUMMER OF SURPRISES

NEWPORT HARBOR HOUSE

If you like a little mystery with your romance, then check out:

THE SEA BREEZE COTTAGE

All My Best

~ Angela

MONDAY MOTIVATIONS - Where Did July Go?!

 Good morning, everyone!

Wow! We are headed into fall. I am so ready. We've finally gotten some rain, hopefully enough to get tomatoes ripening. I know we're finally going to mow the lawn for the first time since May.

After being gone an entire month, Bob came home last week. He was home for a couple of days before heading out last Saturday to spend some time with his youngest brother. He'll be home Wednesday evening. From there I only have him home for six days so we're going to be doing lots of things together.

I have been taking part in the PowerhouseAuthorSummit and finally broke down last night and bought the life-time access. I'll be talking more about that on Wednesday.

In the mean time, here is my Top 3 for this week:

* Register for Ozark Creative Writers

* Look over potential contest entries

* Finalize 3rd quarter project plans

I've registered for the conference first thing this morning before I forgot - again. There's plenty of time to still register. I've been attending the conference for 28 years - only missing one the year my youngest granddaughter was born (not counting the one canceled due to the you know what). Click on the Ozark Creative Writers logo in the side bar. 

I'll spend some time today looking over the contest entries. Mostly seeing if there's anything in my file I can breathe life in to or that I could come up with quick. I only have about two weeks left. We shall see. 

With Bob gone two more days, I'm off to see what I can accomplish.

All my best

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 To follow up on those cozy beach cottage stories yesterday, 

Photo courtesy of pixabay - PrebenGammelmark

All my best

~Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - SOMETHING BLUE - Shirley Jump

 Good morning, everyone!

We come to the last author spotlight in this anthology. Shirley Jump may be the last on our list but she is one of the best. She has written great stories as well as been published in magazines and continues to share her writing experiences and knowledge with the rest of us. 

Having known Shirley for almost fifteen years, I was thrilled to see her name on the list for the SOMETHING BLUE anthology.

AMAZON   B & N   KOBO

Let me introduce you to Shirley Jump:

When she isn't writing books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump competes in triathlons, mostly because all that training lets her justify mid-day naps and a second slice of chocolate cake. She's published more than 75 books in 24 languages, although she's too geographically challenged to find any of those countries on a map. 

SECOND CHANCE SWEETHEART – Shirley Jump  

When Harlan Winslow sorta-definitely kidnaps Jessie Midler before she can say I do to a senator’s son, he sets off a media frenzy. Harlan is desperate to save his former best friend from making a major mistake. He convinces the spitfire bride-to-be to hide out at Canyon Creek, a place that holds all their best and worst memories. Jessie has always been a little in love with Harlan, even if she won’t admit it. Could a couple weeks of togetherness turn two friends into…forever?

Who hasn't had a brief vision of being kidnapped by someone from their past... or at the very least get a do-over? 

Speaking of 'do-over', Shirley is a new bride (May 7th). Congratulations and Blessings on this new page in your love story.

You'll find Shirley Jump by following any of the following links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best

~Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - SOMETHING BLUE - Roe Valentine

Good morning, everyone!

First off, I have to apologize for not getting promos out last week (or the week before). I just get busy with other stuff around the house and hardly ever pick up my phone during the day.

I began yesterday, posting the ones I've missed to my social media accounts and working my way forward to this week's talented ladies.

AMAZON   B & N   KOBO

Today's author is Roe Valentine. 

Here's a bit about her:

Roe Valentine was born into the right family. Not only does the name Valentine suit her, but her grandmother, unknowingly, introduced the young Ms. Valentine to her first romance novel. She calls herself a romantic at heart and believes that love conquers all.

The Texas native attempted to write her first contemporary romance novel when she was nineteen years old. That attempt didn't take, but her story has a happy ending. She kept pursuing the dream until she landed her first publishing contract in 2013.

When not busy writing love stories Roe can often be found reading in a variety of genres, streaming all the true crime documentaries, popping a bottle of champagne, and pretending to work out. Enjoying margaritas with some girl-talk isn't unusual either. Also, she is obsessed with her hairless sphinx cat, Meow! For a night in, she and her partner are known to grill in the backyard or veg with days worth of snacks. 

She writes spicy Contemporary, Historical and Erotic romance novels. 

THE PERFECT FIT – Roe Valentine

When seamstress Gitana Solis goes back home to make groomsmen suits for her big brother’s wedding, she is forced to share a room with best man Kaleo Miller, the Hawaiian stud who unknowingly broke her heart in high school.

'forced to share' Now there's a teaser if ever there was one! I won't how that comes about. If you've not read the SOMETHING BLUE anthology for yourself, what are you waiting for?!

You will find all of Roe Valentine's releases by visiting her Amazon Author Page. The link is listed below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   TWITTER   GOODREADS   

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best

~Angela

 

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Slip and Slide

Good morning, everyone!

I've had a busy week. Still laying out the studio re-do. I spent most of last week painting two ladder shelf units and the new foot stool crate. I like to sit on the sofa in my office, away from the loving animal assistants, but I need my feet up. On the up-side, the sofa is cleared, cleaned and put back into place so I can use it. 

Another big project was rearranging my Little Golden Book collection (all 272) to make room for my Doctor Dan Medical Kit. I'm still researching that item but as you'll see from one of the pictures below, the toy doesn't appear to have ever been played with. all the components are still within the rubber bands holding them in place. The only deterioration is in the plastic wrapping.

However, once I had the LGB shelf in order and put the sofa back in place, I wound up laying components for another project I need finished by the end of the week on the sofa.  LOL It's a process, I tell you.

The meeting with the retired Combat Training Officer was an amazing experience. Listening to him talk was an emotional experience. He answered all of my probability questions and I finally feel as if I have everything I need to finish An Ozarks Homecoming.  Now to just make the time. 

My problem is I can not work in chaos - I think I've mentioned this a time or two. With the studio remodel in progress and needing my 'office' off the dining room table by this Wednesday, my real focus has been on the studio project and things I can move out of my way once the one creative project is finished. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to locate a couple of organization items tomorrow and the rest should be here Wednesday. I'm so ready for this to be done and be able to write with a clear head.

I will only get three work days this week. Bob will be home on Wednesday after being gone a full month! The weekend belongs to him. 

*  Make the house presentable

*  Get blog posts for the next two weeks set up

*  Continue to get studio/ office in order. 

Keep in mind, while the studio and office are in the same room I do have specific areas for each. Right now I'm focusing on the studio part. With that, the 'office' work station will be on the large island in the middle of the room. Phase 2 - the 'office' is going to take a bit longer - probably during my holiday break. 

I have been using my HB90 planner. Right now my kanban plan is in the planner. I don't have space to put the physical board up in the office just yet.  Part of my board tickets are for the blog posts for the month of August as well as continuing progress on the studio. 

We have the final two Something Blue authors this week then we'll be moving on to new books and authors. Holiday stories should be coming out beginning this month. I'm ready for holiday reads! Who's with me?

All my best

~Angela