2014 Goals: June 30th UPDATE

I recently joined a blog hop to help me work on my yearly goals, at least my writing goals. So where am I on the goals I set last month? Let's take a look...

1) Book 3 & 4 of the Klondike Mystery series
Um, gulp, no writing done, some basic notes made. Why? Well, a couple of things. While hubby was in the US I ended up working on cleaning up my PC in preparation for moving to my new MacBook Pro. That meant dealing with a 3 month backlog of emails that needed to be dealt with as well as finding, deleting duplicate files and getting rid of old client stuff that I truly didn't need.

I also made an appointment to see a doctor here and get some Rx refilled. Well, that turned into getting blood work and a cardiologist appointment.

Finally, I lucked into (via a friend living in the building) finding a new apartment and we are moving on July 1st!! Yoiks!!!!! Spent several days on this, including helping our landlord find a new tenant and PACKING.

2) 7 Days of Seven: Short Story Snacks
Um, see #1.

3) Monthly Newsletter
YEAH!!! I actually managed to get this done. First newsletter in over ten months. Phew!

So not a banner month for productivity when it comes to writing but I still did get a lot done. Our apartment is mostly packed, we get our keys on July 2nd and move on July 3rd. Once unpacked my next priority is making the transition to the MacBook Pro so writing will be minimal once again. Maybe in August? LOL!

Motivation Monday: Memories

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This happens to be one of my favorite sayings and one that I never heard until I was searching for an appropriate quote to put on memories bottles to family and friends of my late husband.

We had known each other for over twenty-two years, been married nineteen when he died. The quote hit me hard, how could I be sad that he was gone after being so fortunate to have had him in my life?

I will always have the memories, always hold him close to my heart. Tears were shed but there were also happy tears mixed with the sad, in thanks for what we had shared.

EXPECTANT - #SaturdayScenes #SSFlashFiction #VisDare

This is my post for #SaturdayScenes.
I hope you enjoy it and will come back next week for another #SSFlashFiction tale!



Prompt: VISUAL DARE - Expectant
[150 word limit]

[source]

"Ya' see that? Yeah that, over there." The crone cackled as her only friend, a yellow battle scarred tom cat, meowed in return. Her cataract obscured vision wasn't a deterrent, she'd been waiting for this day for longer than she could remember. She didn't need her eyes to confirm what her senses told her.

The cat yowled once more, jumped off her shoulder and wind himself around her legs. The crone held out her arms and he leapt into them, purring with pleasure as she scratched behind his ears. "Ya' ne'er thought this day would come, did ya'?" She threw her head back and cackled again.

In the distance, the cloud of matter swirling in the afternoon sun sparkled and moved toward them. To the untrained eye it looked like a dirt devil, kicked up by the breeze but she knew better. This was her destiny, her path to a new future.

Celebrate the Small Things: Just Miscellany

As part of my new initiative for my blog posts, I have joined VikLit's Celebrate the Small Things - something to post on Fridays.

I may post something about writing, something personal, something random or even all the above.

Or if I have a REALLY off week, I might just post a photo. ;)

• Well, the new blood pressure medication took my B/P way too low so had to stop it. On Monday my primary care doctor decided we'd watch it closely and see if adding in Crestor and getting rid of a pesky bladder infection help in any way.
   
• We've been PACKING for our new apartment. The walls and knick-knacks were the first to go and everything looks so bare. On Monday we both got to see the actual apartment. Previously I had seen the same floor plan in an occupied apartment (the building owners father's place) but hubby was in the US so all he saw was a few photos. Check out the photos of our place! Our move in date is July 2nd. Excited!
   
• Hubby loves his new bike and the seat he brought from the US fits perfectly. It's a bit more ample that the one on the bike. LOL!
   
• Got some blogs pre-written, going to be scarce on-line until the middle of July. Will try to post each Friday but may miss a few. :(
   
• Last but not least, bought our tickets for our US trip, Aug 28-Oct 29. Business class both ways and we got a $300 discount because I'm over 65. Happy!

Trish Marie Dawson New Release: NILES

The first of three Station Series novelettes has arrived at Amazon!

Sometimes the day you die, is just the first day of your new job.

Fans of reluctant heroine, Piper Willow (The Station Series) will be happy to read this brand new story about her charismatic Intake Specialist, Niles Abbott, and how he came to arrive at the Station. Told from his perspective, readers get an insight into the inner workings of Niles' mind, and his first experiences in the after-life. Who was he before he died, and who is he now? The answers are waiting for you...

Grab it HERE for only $1.99 on AMAZON

Haven't read the Station Series yet?

You can start today with a FREE copy of DYING to FORGET!

Read more about author's work HERE.

Three Must Have Books for Writers

I have the original Emotion Thesaurus and just bought the other two. These books are amazing resources for all writers, no matter your genre. I hope you will check them out!

• The Emotion Thesaurus:  Writer's Guide To Character Expression 
• The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws 
• The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes

Motivation Monday: Take the step

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This has been said in so many ways over the years but that's because it's true. You will never move forward towards you goals and dreams if you don't take that first step.

My late husband and I always talked about RVing when we retired. When my father passed and we were driving home from the funeral, I looked at all the rigs passing us on the highway. I told him that all we were doing was talking about that dream but we hadn't taken one step towards it. Within six months we bought a used motorhome.

When I first tried my hand at fiction writing in the late 1990's, I read everything I could put my hands on. Books about writing, websites about writing, groups about writing...you get the idea. When I started back in 2012, I almost took that route but I realized that I could spend forever researching about writing and NEVER ACTUALLY WRITE.

Are you just talking about your dreams and goals or are you actually DOING something to get there? Maybe it's time to take a look at your priorities.

FENCED- #SaturdayScenes #SSFlashFiction #FSF

This is my post for #SaturdayScenes.
I hope you enjoy it and will come back next week for another #SSFlashFiction tale!



Prompt: FIVE SENTENCE FICTION - Fenced

[source]

"And she's around the corner for her final lap, closing in on the checkered flag for her biggest win of the year. The youngest female competitor to ever..." The announcer paused as his listeners waited for an update, "Oh no, something on the track, she's sliding towards the fence!"

In the joy of a new spring day, she somberly reflected upon what should have been a victorious moment, now an unobtainable goal thanks to the little squirrel that had been in her path.

Smiling, she moved forward knowing today she would have a chance to triumph once again but in the wheelchair games. 

Celebrate the Small Things: Moving Along

As part of my new initiative for my blog posts, I have joined VikLit's Celebrate the Small Things - something to post on Fridays.

I may post something about writing, something personal, something random or even all the above.

Or if I have a REALLY off week, I might just post a photo. ;)

• We've found a GREAT new apartment. We hadn't planned on moving. Heck, we hadn't planned on renting an unfurnished place either. While our current apartment is very nice, in a good area at a great price, we miss having an outdoor spot plus we'd love to have a view of the gorgeous Andes Mountains surrounding us. Well, we found a 6th floor apartment, with a rooftop terrace that give us almost as much room as we have now AND amazing views!
   
• My visit to the cardiologist went very well. Nice consult with his wife &/or daughter helping with translations. Had and EKG and another test done...total cost? $150 End result? Adding a second blood pressure prescription as well as trying a different cholesterol med. All I want is for the shortness of breath to stop! ;)
   
• I managed to send out the first newsletter in almost a year! Wow!! Hoping I don't lose all the new subscribers. (Not a subscriber? Click the link in the right hand column and join the fun. Sent out monthly! You can read the latest issue by clicking this link: Newsletter Archive link.)
   
• HUBBY IS HOME!!!!!

A little late posting this but we are really busy right now with getting ready to move. PLUS we are involved in watching Ecuador at the World Cup. They won today, moving on to the next round. I promised I would buy a shirt or jacket in their colors (for sale EVERYWHERE) if they won. Such a hardship....LOL!

I've got an idea - notes galore!

I've spent a lot of time organizing my notes lately. No, not my novel notes, my TO DO list notes. You see, I love notebooks (oh, and certain pens and pencils) and I have them stashed everywhere. All sizes. So I ended up with three notebooks with stuff to do and several loose pieces of paper as well.

I know, these should all be electronic, stored in something like a task list but I have multiples of those, too. Google tasks, Thunderbird/Lightning's To Do list, Wunderlist on my PC/iPad as well as Out of Milk (all platforms). (Can you tell I love trying new apps?). I really like the versatility of Out of Milk but like the reminders of Google Calendar. Hmmm...decisions, decisions. Oh, and of course this all has to adapt to my moving to a Mac later this month.

So I'm reverting back to paper in so many ways. I have a small day planner in my purse, I have a monthly printed calendar that hubby and I refer to daily as well as using Google Calendar. Oh, almost forgot my multiple text files created and maintained in Jarte.

So now they are all in one notebook AND in Jarte (with the file kept in Dropbox so I can access it when I have WiFi and my iPad with me). Maybe now I can get something done!

Motivation Monday: Perfection

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I spent much of my life striving for perfection, not just for me, but for everyone around me. I never achieved it and I eventually learned that I needed to do things for ME not for everyone else. That doesn't mean being selfish, it does mean taking care of YOU so you can do better for others.

Now my house isn't spotless but it's comfortable. My clothes aren't the most stylish but they reflect me. My writing has errors and I can laugh when others point them out to me.

I'm happy.

Have you ever struggled with trying to be perfect? Do you still think that's important? Have you stopped being a perfectionist AND stopped expecting it in others?

GOLDEN - #SaturdayScenes #SSFlashFiction #VisDare

This is my post for #SaturdayScenes.
I hope you enjoy it and will come back next week for another #SSFlashFiction tale!



Prompt: VISUAL DARE - Golden
150 word limit

{source}

"How long we gotta stay out here?" The littlest boy sniffed and swiped his arm across his tear-streaked face.

The oldest boy sighed, glancing between the overhead window and his younger brothers. "Don't know fer sure. Want some candy?" He pulled two pieces of hard candy out of the torn pocket of his shorts then dug deeper to find a third piece. He knelt beside them with his offering.

The middle boy quickly grabbed his, stripped off the wrapper and was sucking on it contentedly. He opened the other two pieces, passed one to the youngest, then ruffled his hair. "Soon, I promise."

The three boys sat on the sidewalk enjoying the warmth of the sun peeking between the old buildings of their neighborhood. As it waned, the window overhead opened with a slam. Their father stuck his head out. "Come on in boys and meet your baby sister."

Celebrate the Small Things: Ups and Downs

As part of my new initiative for my blog posts, I have joined VikLit'sCelebrate the Small Things - something to post on Fridays.

I may post something about writing, something personal, something random or even all the above.

Or if I have a REALLY off week, I might just post a photo. ;)

• I am celebrating the fact that my hubby comes home next Wednesday! Missed him terribly...even though his being gone meant I got a lot of things done.
   
• NOT celebrating that I haven't written one line of my next mystery novel. Have been quite productive personally but not so much in writing.
   
• EXCITED that my new MacBook Pro and Laser printer will be here with hubby...along with a couple of trunks full of things we ordered.
   
• Happy to have met my new Primary Care doctor here in Ecuador. He speaks perfect English. Not so happy that my blood pressure was up, neither was he. Seeing a cardiologist for some tests on Monday, then back to my doc that afternoon. Estimated costs: PCP $20, lab work $60-85, cardiologist and tests $150.

Great Gift Coffee Mug (or for you)

I think I need one or two of these! How about you?

STICKTOITIVENESS #Indelibles June Post

Trying to stay on track with my blogging commitments, it's the second Wednesday of the month and time for an #Indelibles post to help support other authors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
STICKTOITIVENESS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miriam-Webster says it's "the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult or unpleasant".

Wiktionary puts it even more simply, "(informal) persistence; determination".

To be successful at most anything you need sticktoitiveness (wow, say that three times real fast). Writing is no exception. You can write part-time, scribbling a few words at lunch, during a school break or while the kids are napping, but you still must STICK TO IT and finish.

Do not plan for ventures before finishing what's at hand. ~ Euripides

It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish. ~ J. R. R. Tolkien

Whenever you have taken up work in hand, you must see it to the finish. That is the ultimate secret of success. Never, never, never give up! ~ Dada Vaswani

What are your secrets for sticking to something you've started? When do you decide a project isn't worth the effort? Do you think it's important to finish no matter whay?

Motivation Monday: Goals & Dreams

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I made a big career leap at age 50, moving from a professional IT management position to becoming a Fiber Optic Construction Inspector for the installation of the Internet backbone. Removed a lot of stress from my life and we simplified many things to accomplish this. I never looked back....

At age 55 I learned to ride a motorcycle, oh and got my first tattoo at age 54. At age 58 I was widowed and had to set a new normal for my life. Then when I was 64 I wrote my first novel, now I have three published.

Have you made a major change in your life, even if others told you not to do it? Did it work out? 

AWASH - #SaturdayScenes #SSFlashFiction #VisDare

This is my post for #SaturdayScenes.
I hope you enjoy it and will come back next week for another #SSFlashFiction tale!



Prompt: VISUAL DARE - Awash
150 word limit

{source}

The golden liquid sought lower ground on the nicotine stained counter-top but the old man never noticed. Never saw the grim faces staring at him with their bloodshot eyes, never heard the glass shatter on the floor. He stared in the mirror over the bar as his body stiffened in pain. His vision grew watery and dimmed as he felt himself slip to the floor.

They say your life flashes before your eyes but he had never believed it until now. Growing up, rebellious teenage years, first love, marriage, three children, decorated military career, two wonderful grandchildren, his wife's cancer...the pictures stopped at a single act. Dancing. Dancing with her in the moonlight when they dated, dancing in the living room to oldies on the radio, dancing with her in his heart as she lay dying.

Dying, awash in memories, he closed his eyes and smiled.

Celebrate the Little Things: A little of This, A Little of That

As part of my new initiative for my blog posts, I have joined VikLit'sCelebrate the Small Things - something to post on Fridays.

I may post something about writing, something personal, something random or even all the above.

Or if I have a REALLY off week, I might just post a photo. ;)

• I ordered my MacBook Pro, on sale from Amazon. $200 off so for another $300 I got double the memory and four times the disk space. WOOT! Definitely going to be an adjustment, moving to the Mac but hopefully it won't take too long.
   
• I've had a productive week, pre-writing several blog posts to help me better manage my time.
   
• I'm missing my hubby because he's in the US for the birth of his youngest daughter's first baby! He'll be gone through late June...final date TBD. Oh, the BIGGEST NEWS? Waverly Kaye Freeman, born June 5th!
   
• Was tickled to find a nice quality zip-front sweatshirt, on sale and in a size that fit me. That can be quite the trick here in Ecuador where the locals are much smaller than most expats. 

That's it until next Friday, hope you had a spectacular week and if not hope you can still find some small things to celebrate.