Good morning & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, December 25, 2023
Monday, December 18, 2023
Monday, December 11, 2023
Monday, December 4, 2023
Thursday, November 30, 2023
CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Hi everyone!
A quick catch-up.
I planned to be in here before this but between trying to get my studio in order before the holidays, spending time with my MSP (Most Supportive Person), work on my Nano project, and not feeling up to my usual Go Go Go energy, it's been a bit... tiring.
Things are getting back on course.
One of my blogging problems this past year was that I didn't have the social media planner I normally work with. I thought I could muddle through with a different planner - as in keeping everything in one. As you can see, that hasn't worked. I'll be doing a video and blog post soon on my 2024 planner line-up and how I've found planner peace. Planner Peace, like the Santa and M & Ms commercial touts, really does exist.
I hoped to be back several weeks ago with the Author Spotlight and book reviews. Those will officially be returning next week when I kick off the Christmas season with a new book from Kit Morgan and a surprise for you on Wednesday. I hope you'll join me.
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, November 27, 2023
Monday, November 20, 2023
Monday, November 13, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
NANOWRIMO - Week 1 Wrap -Up
Thought I'd pop in and give you a Week 1 progress.
Last year, I couldn't have done this. I just couldn't get into Nano or into the story I needed to be writing.
This year is different. I finally have the desire to actually write this story.
NOTE: As I type this, it's Day 6 and I've not written yet today or on Day 7 But I wanted to get this up.
I talked about Double Down Day and the amazing word count I had for that day. 3445. Seriously?!
The important thing is that I've written EVERY SINGLE DAY. Word count has been better some days better than others. I'm going to show you what I've done and I'll try my best to come in to update the daily word counts here.
DAY 1 - 1842
DAY 2- 915
DAY 3- 150
DAY 4- 3448
DAY 5- 322
DAY 6-
DAY 7 -
Week 1 Total:
Aside from setting up the Preptober Planner, I also got another tip from Sarra. Like her, I like to get out of the house one day a week for a ME day. I go to my favorite coffee shop and work on my planners... or in the case of NANOWRIMO, I work on my story.
She uses one of those 4x6 pocket brag books to tuck her index cards in to... making her story board more portable than on the key ring she also uses.
So I pulled out my story board and slid my index Chapter/ Scene cards into a brag book I had here at home. Keep in mind, you can pick them up for $1.25 at $Tree or sometimes $.99 at WM.
I can use the story board here at home or if I'm going on a retreat weekend and want the larger showcase of the chapters but for short trips, this brag book style is a game changer for keeping my index cards/ chapter prompts at my finger tips.
Are you participating in Nano? How are you doing? Need some encouragement? Just buddy up with me - RainLyte on the Nano forum.
All my best!
~Angela
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH - Week 1
National Novel Writing Month is here again! I almost look as forward to Nano as I do any holiday of the year - except for maybe Halloween.
I really put my best foot forward this year. As crazy as September and October was for me, I was determined that November would be about writing.
I started by taking days in October to really go through the Preptober Planner by Sarra Cannon. I printed out all 95 pages, made notes on the book, decorated the tracking pages and got in the mind set that I would be writing in November.
While the planner is primarily for NanoWriMo, there is a lot of 'plan of attack' tips in the booklet as well. You can get your free download by subscribing to her mailing list. With that you have access to all of her other great writing tools. She will update the Camp Nano Planner in March of 2024.
Here is the video for her Preptober Planner 2023. Links to her website so you can get yours is in her description box.
Book 2 of the Planned to Perfection series is coming along, finally. I figured out my problem.
I was putting all of my attention into the crafting for the etsy shop and not immersing myself in things writing.
So, while I'm still crafting, I'm also back to watching the writing videos and sprinting with folks on YouTube again.... every day! Even if I only get 200-300 words, it's more than I've written in a long time. I took part in Double Down Day on Saturday and wrote over 3400 words!!! My goal was 3400.
If you aren't familiar, Double Down Day is the first Saturday of each month where you try to double your best word count for the week in a single day. I was tired by 8 p.m. but proud for having done what I sat out to do. I didn't give up. That's why I thought yesterday's Thoughtful Monday was so appropriate.
Are you doing, Nano? If so, share your goal/ progress below. And if you'd like to buddy up - you'll find me as Rainlyte on the nano boards.
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, November 6, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning.
Coming in late this morning. September and October were just NUTS! November with National Novel Writing month isn't looking any less busy.
We'll talk about Nano, tomorrow for a Week 1 wrap up.
~All my best
Angela
Monday, October 30, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning!
Another month comes to a close. Was October everything you hoped? What are you dreams for November?
All my best
~Angela
Monday, October 23, 2023
Monday, October 16, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Monday, October 2, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Monday, September 18, 2023
Monday, September 11, 2023
Monday, September 4, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning, friends!
First off, I don't know why most of the August posts didn't run. Let's see if September runs more smoothly.
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, August 7, 2023
Monday, July 31, 2023
Monday, July 24, 2023
Monday, July 17, 2023
Monday, July 10, 2023
Monday, July 3, 2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning!
Our history, with all the trial and tribulations, is part of our make-up. Learn from the past and make your own history!
All my best!
~Angela
Monday, June 19, 2023
Monday, June 12, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning!
Bit late to the show. Beautiful cool morning in the Ozarks. I did not want to crawl out of bed. LOL Felt more like fall! Weather could stay like this until Thanksgiving and I'd be okay. LOL
Our thought for this week:
All my best!
~Angela
Monday, June 5, 2023
Monday, May 29, 2023
Monday, May 22, 2023
Monday, May 15, 2023
Monday, May 8, 2023
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Mother For A Month
Good morning, everyone!
I have to confess something. I love to read books but once I pick one up, putting the story down until I've reached the end is really hard. That means nothing else gets done. LOL Especially, if the book is really good.
Today's Wednesday Review falls into that category. I got up from the table long enough to fix lunch then I kept reading until I'd read the final line.
This book is a follow-up to The Adoption Surprise (which I'm going to be reading soon)
BLURB:
Adorable baby Micah melts Sienna king's heart instantly. Too bad he's related to the most insufferable man Sienna knows. Joel Armstrong has temporary custody of his sweet nephew - and no clue what he's doing. Sienna has free time... and a yearning to be a mother. It could be a perfect match. But what happens when they both start wanting a long-term ever after?
So y'all know about 'fate', right? Or 'serendipity'? That moment when things just happen for a reason. Sienna and Joel have known each other for years... and kept their distance. Sienna is as prickly as they come and I think Joel delighted in taunting her at every opportunity while they were growing up. So what's the chance they'd show up in the airport at the same time? The exact moment when Joel has his hands full?
I'm like Sienna when it comes to children. Zoey pulled me immediately and I hung on to that baby till the very last moment, just as Sienna and Joel did. I knew heartbreak would come for them. That's the dark moment we all love to hate in our books but we also had the Happy Ever After we hope for.
I'm giving Mother For A Month:
You can pick up your copy at Walmart, local book stores or on Amazon
If you missed my Spotlight post yesterday about Zoey, check it out for an added tidbit about the author.
Click on the links below to follow Zoey Marie Jackson:
All my best!
~ Angela
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Zoey Marie Jackson
Good morning!
Wow. I haven't done a true Author Spotlight since early last year. I realized last week that I've missed reading books.
Today, I want to introduce you to Zoey Marie Jackson.
BIO:
Zoey Marie
Jackson loves writing sweet romances. She is almost never without a book and
reads across genres. Zoey is currently working on her first book for the
Harlequin Love Inspired Line. She loves interacting with readers.
Check out her Sensual & Sassy author website as Michelle Lindo-Rice
The book I'm reviewing tomorrow, Mother For A Month, is the first one I've read by Zoey but there will be others, including going back and picking up the first one to this one.. The Adoption Surprise.
You can learn more about Zoey and here books by clicking on the following links:
WEBSITE FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM TWITTER AMAZON
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, May 1, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning, friends!
I've been working furiously getting on track this morning. I'm almost there! Surprises coming tomorrow so I hope you'll check back.
Our thought for today:
All my best
~ Angela
Monday, April 24, 2023
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
CAMP NANO PROGRESS & HEARTIES RETREAT!
Hi everyone!
We are just past the half way mark through Camp Nano. How are you doing?
I'm off to a very slow start. I knew I would be. I'm just too much of a housewife. I can't let things go.
I have made strides in the story just not where I wanted to be.
The first month of each quarter, Sarra Cannon and her Admin Team in our Hearties Facebook group put together a Virtual Writing Retreat. Each retreat is set in a virtual locale. The location for this month's retreat hasn't been announced yet and we are set to start on Friday. I have no clue what to 'pack' beyond my writing supplies.
There are a lot of scheduled sprints over the course of the three-day weekend, allowing ample time to get some writing in. You can join us either by being a part of the Heartbreathings Writing Community on Facebook or just following the sprints. You'll find a list of sprints on this month's Google Calendar on Sarra's website. Go HERE then scroll down to see the Google Calendar. You can add this to your own Google calendar.
Of course, this is Bob's last weekend home. I try not to work any more than necessary his first and last week home. Thankfully, he understands I need to write if I'm going to publish books and supplement his retirement.
At least I have a writing space again.
While my space isn't perfect, I do have a table - if you count my sewing machine cabinet with the leaf open LOL. The important thing is I'm NOT at the dining room table anymore. Hopefully, by time for retreat I'll have my big work table cleared off and my comfy cushioned Captain's chair bar stool. Stay tuned for a picture of where my 'retreat' location will be.
I'm hoping by next month to have this blog back on track adding back Spotlight Author. I just haven't had time to read. I do have a couple of things to share this week, though, so visit again.
All my best!
~Angela
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT- Matthew McConaughey & The Art of Livin'
Good morning, everyone!
I have been a fan of Matthew McConaughey for years. Phenomenal actor. He is also a best selling author with his book GREENLIGHTS. Did you know he is an awesome motivational speaker?
I'll share a video with you in a moment, but first I want to tell you about a unique opportunity to hear him speak as well as other motivational speakers such as Tony Robbins. There's another guy I stand behind. I have his cassette series (yes, I've been following him THAT long LOL) PERSONAL POWER and still listen to it every couple of years or when I need to find direction.
His book, GREENLIGHTS, has sold over three million copies! The book is amazing. Knowing his voice from movies and YouTube, I could 'hear' him as I read.
On April 24th, Matthew McConaughey and special guests will be speaking LIVE on-line. If you'd like a seat for this amazing (FREE) virtual conference, Click the hyperlink to save your seat ----> The Art of Livin' (though there is a BONUS buy-in option)
Remember that video I promised? Here's a a tiny taste of what you can expect from The Art of Livin'.
I hope you'll join me for this incredibly motivating opportunity!
All my best!
~Angela
Monday, April 17, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning, friends!
Apologies for last week. Bob's first weekend home is always crazy so no prepping posts.
Here is this week's quote:
~Angela
Monday, April 3, 2023
THOUGHTFUL MONDAY
Good morning, friends!
Is there something in your life you would like to try? What is holding you back?
Here's some great advice:
All my best!
~Angela
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
CAMP NANO PREP #3 - And An Apology
Good morning, friends
First off, I got so caught up in prepping for the weekend Write-A-Thon I failed to post the information here. However, if you watched my Camp Nano Prep #2, you got the information anyway. I will try to do better about my postings.
This was the Camp Nano Prep #3 from last week where I talked about TOOLS. What are the things we need to have for camp. While I address the normal things you'd think about when sitting down to write, also consider things that are more personal to you. We are three days away from Camp Nano Kick-off! I will be doing a premiere on Friday, March 31st. Time yet to be determined but I'll let you know tomorrow when I post Camp Nano Prep #4.
Here's #3 in the video series:
All my best!
~Angela
Monday, March 27, 2023
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)