WHERE I AM TODAY - Back in Step

When I signed in today to welcome in 2018 I was shocked (though not surprised) that I'd done nothing here since July. Posts for several weeks prior to that had be set to auto-post in an attempt to keep some life on here while I prepared for a four-month visit with our granddaughters. At the time they were 9 and 5. We'd not seen the girls in four years, and not knowing when our next visit would come, our summer was all about the girls. 

While the girls were here I put all work with Oghma Creative Media. After they left, I tried to find ground again but I just couldn't gain footing. Something was missing. I wasn't doing what I loved - writing and creating. 

Following a very visual dream on October 31st, - known as the eve of the Wiccan New Year, I knew what I needed to do. I turned in my notice to Oghma effective December 1, 2017. From that point my focus was on ENJOYING the holidays and time with my husband. 

A new year, a new start. 

I've been back to work on a manuscript that made the rounds nearly twenty years ago. While I got great comments from Harlequin editors and contest comments, I put Ozark Angel aside and moved on to MANY starts of new stories whirling in my head.

The time has come to stop being stuck in the publishing mire, pull myself out and move forward.

I like working with song titles. They are recognizable to the general public and a good marketing prong so I've changed the name to A Christmas To Remember. Trust me, this story is about just that. Full of secret child, second chance at love, and tug-of-war as Brendan and Stephanie strive to find a common thread that can bring them back together for the happy ever after.

I also still believe my stories are still Hallmark-worthy. While Hallmark have their own eBook line, I won't publish strictly eBook again. The area in which I live, the people I know and talk to on a daily basis, many are still print readers and that's a market I can't alienate. With that in mind, I search for a publisher as I make changes to things that were missed by my first editor. A Christmas To Remember has waited way too long to see print. That is the first thing I want to change in 2018.

I'm also connecting with the powers that be at The Hallmark Channel as well as writers of the stories we love and the actors who bring the characters to life.  My hope is to bring you interviews and profiles over the coming year. 

In the mean time, I'm just getting a work flow in place so this site may not be as 'busy' as I want. Great things come in small accomplishments.  I'm off to accomplish.

What is your plan for 2018?

NEW YEAR - NEW PLAN!

Happy New Year, dear readers!

I know I've been promising this remodel for almost a year. Between job changes for my husband and for myself in 2016, some things just had to take a backseat. Sadly, decisions about my writing were buckled safely in the back for the ride through this crazy time in our life. 

I began seeing road signs more clear in October when I attended the Ozark Creative Writers conference. I formally met Casey Cowan of Oghma Creative Media. While a book I pitched to Casey ultimately did not make the cut, we found another common ground we could work together on.  By late November I became Marketing Director for Oghma Creative Media AND Saddlebag Disptaches magazine. I also became a regular feature columnist for Saddlebag Dispatches. My first article on the Arizona Cowboy - Rex Allen, appeared in the Winter 2016 issue (pg 120). You can read the magazine free on-line or subscribe to the quarterly print copy. I'm turning in my first cover story and another history non-fiction piece this weekend.

I also began selling Stampin' Up! scrapbooking/ cardmaking/ paper crafting products back in May 2016. I've been a customer for almost twenty years and decided the time had come to have the discount and early preview of new products. 

With the fireworks of 2017 came new decisions for me. Some things probably won't make my publisher happy but I've come to the awakening of what is going to work for me. What is going to make me happy? What is going to propel my publication dream closer to a full-fledged reality? 

Over the coming weeks, I hope to share some of the plans to make those dreams come true. In the mean time, help yourself to chocolates and wine. 

Thank you for stopping in.

Angela

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - A New Year with a New Plan

Wow!
I've had a couple of surprises this morning. First thing I thought of as I got out of bed was that I had not been in here to update you guys. Shame on me! My music blog and my creative blog have been humming with activity this week. But sadly, not here.

The second surprise came when I noticed I had not posted so much as a Merry Christmas since Cara Bristol stopped by in November. Okay... that six weeks I can understand and once I give you a quick rundown, you will too.

I spent the remainder of November scurrying to finish the bedroom remodel and start putting the house in order for the holidays. Right after Thanksgiving I made a trip to Nashville to get my granddaughters for 10 days while my daughter and son-in-law flew to WA state to do a meet and greet for her new job. There are a lot of miles between my home in southeast MO and their new up in northeast WA state. So I had to get in all the grandma love I could. I'm use to seeing my girls whenever I want so this move for them is really hard on grandma and grandpa.

While the girls were here, we hosted a luncheon for the Polish Sinfonia of Krakow Poland and our friends Maestro Steven Byess and his fiance Sara Graef.

After the luncheon my oldest granddaughter, Adrian (6) and I went to the local nursing care facility where the chamber orchestra entertained the residents with some holiday music. This while my supportive husband cleaned up and put food away. Right after the performance, we loaded the girls up and headed to Nashville.

Back from Nashville and time to breathe before we went back to Nashville for Christmas with the girls. They left for Arlington WA on January 7th and are on the road the final 14 hour drive of their journey as I speak. 

Since the new year I've been striving to get blogs on a running schedule, focus on work (and not how far away my babies are!) AND doing JANO with the Sleuth's Ink group. I have basically started my Nano book, Heart on the Line, from scratch. I want the rough draft of this novella finished THIS month. If determination counts for anything...

I have already scheduled blog guests for the coming months beginning in February. I also plan to revamp the blog a bit to make Who I Am and What I Write more clear. (Thanks to the fabulous advice from author Mia Marlowe) Check out her link for some great tips on what to look for when setting up or reconfiguring your blog.

So hang in there. I am! and 

Keep Writing!

~Angela

New Year - New Goals... sort of

You know that saying... 'the best laid plans...' well, mine got waylaid right off the bat. With everything in place to start my week off on the right foot, I started new years eve off with a head cold. I've spent the last 2 days medicated and sleeping in hopes of knocking it out fast. Today is better. I might actually stay up all day. I need to step right into those GOALS I want to talk about.

With the new day planner all set, I know what needs to be done on specific days... items aside from the DAILY writing on my current WIP.

My Writing GOALS:

1. Write every day on the current WIP

2. Push the Freelance writing - focusing on Texas music and paper arts

3. Work actively on at least 1 non-fiction book.

4. Keep the blogs updated and Twitter more.

My Personal GOALS:

1. Make time for my art. It's not frivolous if it's important to me.

2. Spend more time outside enjoying my 25 acres

3. Spend time on the Wii Fit every day (as soon as I'm over this cold)

4. Make and Keep Artist Dates

5. Read all the books on my read/pass on bookcase so I can get my keepers out of storage!

Those should keep me out of trouble for the year.

What are your GOALS?