Tag Archives: updates

See ya later, Shel. (And goodbye, 2022.)

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This is going to be a bit of a long post.

TL;DR: “Don’t Feed the Trolls” is finished; Ao3 is a pain in my butt; and I’m going to try to be more active in 2023.

Now for the long version.

  1. “Don’t Feed the Trolls”
     As I said, “Don’t Feed the Trolls” is done. It ends on a cliffhanger, but writing on it now feels like dragging it out. It needs some heavy revision, and I don’t plan for the finished version to look anything like what is currently vomited all over Ao3, so I most likely will not be taking it down from where it’s posted there.

    I would explain all that in the author’s note there, but Ao3 literally won’t let me. They flagged my account for having a link to buy “Say ‘No!’ to Zombies”, and even after I removed the links, they still “hid” the work just for talking about it being in the query stage. Apparently, you’re only allowed to post stories on Ao3 if you have no plans on trying to make it as an actual published author. It’s stupid and very stifling, but whatever. It’s the rules of the site, and I have to abide by them, no matter how stupid I find them, personally, as long as I’m posting there.

    (If you came here from the latest chapter of “Don’t Feed the Trolls”, this is what I meant about not being able to keep you all updated on what’s going on with the books.)


  2. Ao3 is a pain in my butt.
    See above. I mean, I get, kinda, not allowing links to buy the books. I still think it’s stupid, because if I sell books because I have an audience through Ao3, doesn’t it make sense that I would want to fund Ao3, and donate money to keep it going? After all, their success helps fuel my success, but that’s fine.

    Instead, I get to direct you all here, where I can give you proper updates, since Ao3 won’t let me do that, either (:


  3. 2023.
    I have basically been…not even half-assing, maybe a quarter-assing? this whole “I’m a writer” thing for the past several years. 2023 needs to be a year of change for that. I’m going to be spending time writing and/or working on getting this site actually functional, instead of just something that sits there and looks somewhat pretty. A lot of what that looks like, for now, is cleaning. Getting rid of old pages and posts that serve little to no purpose, reminding myself of what little HTML and coding I remember, and learning how the WordPress site editor works. It’s been a mess so far and it’s past time I buckled down and figured it out.

Personally, I’m quite excited about the changes I have planned. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but I kept flaking. Now, I know why I flaked so much, and I’m learning how to work around it. It’s still a bit of trial and error, but that’s better than just errors.

So, here’s to 2023, and maybe finally getting my act together – at least somewhat.

New place, who dis?

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So, it’s been a hot minute, huh? Sorry about that. I meant to post regularly about the moving sitch, but…well, moving turns out to be quite a chaotic event. It’s been so long since I did it, I think I’d forgotten. I have been duly reminded, that’s for damn sure.

The past two weeks have been busy AF. Between moving, getting to the new workplace, getting used to the new workplace and co-workers, finally getting my promotion (!!!)…yeah, it’s been a ride. I’ve even already had my first taste of drama in the new place (wtf, neighbor?). It’s okay though, cause now I’m unpacked enough to feel up to writing and I’m starting to get a feel for Shelly again. I lost her for a while, which is part of why I just couldn’t write, even when I did find a second to sit down in front of the laptop. I’ve been itching to get back to her story ASAP.

I’m not setting any date for when the next chapter will be out – I don’t want to make myself a liar (again) – but I am working on setting aside time devoted solely to writing. I couldn’t do that before, so I’m excited to give it a try now. I’m especially hopeful, given that my new roommate also writes and understands the frustration of distractions getting in the way of words.

On that note, I’m writing this instead of working on chapter 17. I should probably get to that…

Shoo 2020, Shoo!

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Pretty sure we can all agree that 2020 has been an absolute shit show for most people. Even other writers, those of us who thrive on social distancing ourselves from anyone and/or everyone, are starting to feel the struggle…which is why I kinda feel bad for this next part.

This past year was amazing for me.

There have been down moments (remote learning is not fun to deal with, and some a$$hat got hold of one of my credit cards), but overall, my life has changed for the better. I’ve got a new job I love (except for the idiots who come in, refusing to wear a mask) and coworkers I enjoy working with. I graduated college, summa cum laude. I self-published my first book. I finally got my teeth taken care of, I’ve started eating a little healthier (I’ve lost 10lbs! *dances*), and I’m taking steps to keep the momentum. I’m about halfway packed for my move next month and have paid off one of my big monthly bills.

I’m trying not to jinx anything, but I can’t help but to be excited for the new year.

We have new leadership (suck it, dumpster fire!), a new vaccine (yes, it was rushed; no, I don’t exactly trust it, either, but it’s better than nothing)…in 39 days, I’ll also have a new address and a new roommate. It’s hard not to feel hopeful.

I am standing by my decision from last year; I’m not going to focus on any new year resolutions. I’m just going to keep on working on where I want to be in 2030. For 2021, that means the Indiana side of Louisville, Kentucky. Between now and the end of January, there’s going to be a LOT going on. If anything good happens, I’ll share it, but what fun stuff can come from packing? And why do I have a sudden sinking feeling that this move is going to be more eventful than anticipated? 😬😬😬

How we doing out there?

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So. I’ve had a post sitting, waiting, for the past two weeks, explaining (and apologizing for) the lack of writing logs. I had them on pause while I was back in classes, because, honestly? I just didn’t have the spoons to write with. Now…oof. 

I live in Texas. The schools in our district are shut down and we’re not sure when they’ll reopen. For now, the kiddos are doing online courses. The eldest kiddo has had their first online assignment, but most of their classes won’t start/open until Monday. They were very unhappy with the idea of online schooling until it sunk in that they could do it in their pajamas. Now, they’re like “YES!” There’s still some grumbling because they miss their friends and boyfriend, but I think the prospect of spending all day in comfy clothes is helping to soften the blow a bit. The youngest is in full denial mode. He misses his friends, and he doesn’t want to spend all day staring at a computer screen when it’s not playing games. 

One of my roommates is a distributor, so he’ll be working through this crisis. The other’s workplace has gone to “no contact” operations. She keeps the doors locked, and all business is done online or through drop-offs. She’s also the one who got herself a trip to the ER last week, leaving with a possible (probable) flu diagnosis. That was scary, in itself, because the weekend before, we went to a couple shops and then out to eat at IHOP. The doc said she didn’t have enough symptoms to warrant a COVID test though, and the symptoms she did have weren’t in line with the virus, anyway. Still a scary moment. My cousin posted on Facebook last night that he’s sick. He’s feeling better today, but he’ll be tested on Monday. He lives in Japan, and apparently tests aren’t as hard to come by there, I guess? My sister has imposed some strict quarantine rules for her house. She just turned 50, is asthmatic, and is our mom’s caretaker, as it were. Mom is 71 and diabetic. She’s otherwise fine, health concern-wise, as far as I know of, but sis isn’t taking any chances, and I don’t blame her one bit.

My university has postponed the commencement ceremony until this whole mess is over. My job hunting is at a standstill now, until businesses start opening again. I supposedly still have a job at 7Eleven, but I haven’t even been paid from the last time I worked, so…yeah. I’m not falling for that again. We’re hunkered down and not going out if we can avoid it, but other than that, not much has changed for us. I guess we’re all lucky in the fact that most of us are introverts, and the one extrovert we have is the one driving around to all these stores. He gets all his people time out there, so he’s alright.

I know a lot of people are stressed lately, and I hope for a pleasant end to this soon…for everyone’s sake.

When spring comes March(ing) in…

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Pixabay @ Pexels.com

Is it weird to have a favorite month (besides October)? I feel like maybe it is, but I don’t care. I love March. I don’t particularly care for the weather it brings, but that’s because I live in Texas. Atmospheric instability is not our friend here. When I lived in areas where tornadoes weren’t a season all of their own, March brought me quite a bit of joy. Seeing the flowers pop up everywhere reminded me that spring was on its way.

Now, I greet the new season with mixed feelings. Spring in Texas means the coming of insane amounts of pollen and severe weather. It also means we’re on our way to summer, and in Texas, that almost always ends up with day after day of temperatures just below face-melting. This knowledge competes with the childhood memories of the happiness spring brought, and honestly, it’s just a very conflicting time.

Hilary Halliwell @ Pexels.com

This particular March, however, brings about my last term/semester at college. I’m excited for the classes, but I am not excited about the homework load. I’ve been spoiled this past year, only being part time. Plus, I’ve taken this past term off, so I went from months of (comparatively speaking) very little homework, to no homework at all, and now I’m about to have double homework. 

Not to fear though, I have the chapter 12 of “Don’t Feed the Trolls” already scheduled to post on the 19th, and chapter 13 for April 16th. If all goes well, chapter 14 will be posted on May 14th, but that one is still iffy. 

In the meantime, enjoy this month’s mismatch of songs. I tried to include a little bit of everything, and I’ve even thrown in a fun one for St. Patrick’s Day.

Now, I’m off to plan the kids’ annual April Fool’s prank.

Hindsight is 20/20 (And so is next year…)

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Two posts in the same month, holy crap. You all good?? Yeah, I probably should’ve warned you all to sit down first. Oops? 

So, I’m a big of not doing the whole “New Year, New Me” crap. I see it as a bunch of hooey that people do to make themselves feel better about the new year, and it annoys me to no end, because so few people actually stick to them. By the end of March, everyone is usually right back to their usual selves. I’m not excluding myself from this, either. I’ve done it plenty of times, myself. That’s why I stopped doing New Year’s Resolutions.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The end of this year, however, is also the end of a decade. That’s a bit different, amiright? Of course, I’m right. Tiffany is always right. (Shut up, Biblio.) 

Instead of making big changes this year, I am setting goals for where I want to be when the clock strikes midnight, January 1st, 2030. None of them are significant changes, mind you, just small improvements here and there, and I’m approaching them all, one step at a time.

The first big step has to do with this blog, and all of you who have found it worthwhile to hang around, even through the dry spells. Again, nothing big, but I do have plans. If all goes well, “Don’t Feed the Trolls” will be completed by the end of the year, and “Say ‘No’ to Zombies” will be off to an editor. 

I will also be trying to be more active on Instagram (no promises, though. I hate that you can’t add proper links).

You’ll see the first of the planned changes at midnight on the first. The next should go live on January 6th. Music Monday is back, but with a new incarnation. You’ll see.

In the meantime, Happy Holidays, everyone.

August – watch out, you must.

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Yeah, I’m not even going to give you any excuses this time. I just plain forgot to post the new chapter. It’s been scheduled to post now though, so I can now make the promise that there will be a new chapter of “Don’t Feed the Trolls” on Thursday. Well, Thursday in the states, anyway. If you’re far enough overseas, it might be Friday for you, but I don’t think I have any readers that far east. 

Pixabay @ Pexels.com

Currently, the plan is to schedule the next two completed chapters for September 30th, and then October 30th, after which, there will be a break in posting because – if all goes well – I’ll be having dental surgery (*dance break*).

Now, from here on out, there’s some good and bad news, both. The bad news is that for my next two classes, I’m going to be swamped. This next class, especially. It’s bad enough that I’m already working on assignments and I’m on my summer break. Every week, it’s basically three full papers. This is the first class I’ve had that is this intensive, so I’m trying to give myself a head start. The next class is a 400 level diversity class, and I’ve already been told that it is also an intensive class. Wish me luck, ya’ll, that’s all I’m saying.

Vasily Koloda @ Unsplash

The good news is, I only have four classes left – total. My last class ends in April 2020, and I should be allowed to walk with my graduating class that May. After that, the only thing that will get in the way of my writing should be work – and believe me, work alone is not much of a deterrent for me~ 

Before you all think that I won’t be writing between now and May, that is not at all what I mean, I promise! I have a two week holiday break this winter, and I’m going to be writing between now and then as much as I can. 

So, long story short: new chapter on Thursday, new classes are a headache, surgery (hopefully) in October, and I’m a college graduate as of April/May 2020!

For those of you wondering, by the way: the title is from an old poem I learned when I was a kid about how to remember the hurricane season start and end dates:

June, too soon.
July, stand by.
August, watch out, you must.
September, remember.
October, all over.

Unknown

June’s over? Julying.

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Monthly update incoming! 

No real “news” per se, except that my new class has started, and I’ve begun a bit of a challenge for myself.

In previous years, I tried doing the “page a day” challenge, but that was too much to suddenly cram into a day. I managed it before by cheating my ever lovin’ arse off, but I don’t like winning like that. So I’m trying something a little different this month. 

Instead of trying to write 500+ words, I’m keeping it simple. 100 words a day. That’s it. It can be a blog post, it can be a short story, it can be part of Don’t Feed the Trolls. As long as it’s 100 words in the same project. The point isn’t to get a chapter done or push out as many words as I can in a day – it’s just to get into the habit of sitting down and writing. Maybe next month it’ll be 200 words. Maybe I’ll wait til after I get my teeth taken care of in September or October. It will depend on if I can get into the habit and stay in it.

I am also going to have to change my posting schedule around. Instead of a chapter a week, it’s probably going to be closer to a chapter a month. I’m not happy about this, but there’s so much more planning going into each chapter, on top of having to go back and edit “Say ‘No’ to Zombies” so I can have that ready before the end of the year. 

Yeah, I suppose I should’ve warned you all that this was gonna be a crappy update, but there you have it. At least I’m not announcing the death of another novel, right?

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