Hi,
How have things been in your part of the world? Over here, things have been interesting.
Yesterday we had our coldest day on record since 1989. Most of the autumn leaves have fallen from the trees (but there are still a couple of hanger-ons that aren't quite ready to let go - see pic below). We are currently back to homeschooling (because our state is in a 7 day lock-down). And, my son broke his finger.
But, despite all of that, the prize for "the most unexpected thing to happen this month", goes to yesterday afternoon when a policeman knocked on our front door and asked if we'd seen anyone take the post office box from across the street. Let's be clear, it's not a small post box in front of someone's house (in fact, ours was stolen about 10 years ago). The one the policeman was asking about was the official, post box for the postal service. It's a large red rectangular prism about as tall as my shoulders, and a bit wider than me. And most importantly (impressively?), it was bolted to a concrete slab.
I'm not sure what conclusions the policeman has come to, but personally, I'm thinking magic was involved.
Anyway, it hasn't all been about broken bones and missing post boxes this month. Some other cool things have happened too (although, there have been quite a few parcels received and sent this month and I'll chat about that more below).
So, let's catch up...
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It's all about perspective: Sunshine & sunny smiles or stormy days and scowls?
Because my daughter was sick through the school holidays again (with another cold), and things have been generally busy with various appointments, and after-school sports, I haven't been out for my daily walks. So, the other day, I went into the backyard to take some photos of "Winter around here" in response to instagram posts by two fellow authors (Elena Carter and Jennifer L. Hart).
Elena (@Elena_carter_author on instagram) shares gorgeous photos of her little son, the ocean, the parks, and general sights around the city of Varna, Bulgaria where she lives. Meanwhile, Jennifer L. Hart (@midlifemysterymaven on instagram) has been sharing pictures of the forests in the highlands of North Carolina, where she lives.
So, I headed into my back yard to try to find some things I could take photos of and I found myself thinking about different perspectives: those "is the glass half full or half empty?" posts, and whether or not the weather was clearing, or about to get worse (see photos above).
One other thing taking these photos made me think about was how much I miss walking, and so tomorrow (weather permitting), I'll be heading out again with my camera :-)
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Parcels sent and parcels received...
I mentioned it has been a month of parcels. One of the parcels I received this month, was my first batch of author copies of Wolf Mother. (Yes, there was some jumping around and squealing involved). The last time I'd received author copies of one of my print books was back in 2015 when I picked up my cookbooks (pic on the left, above). I can tell you I was just as excited about these 10 books as I was about those 500.
I bought these author copies primarily to give as gifts (mostly to people who I interviewed or who helped with my background research for Wolf Mother and I've ordered in some more to keep on hand as prizes for giveaways :-). I've sent a couple of copies of the book off now, and it's exciting to know they're zooming around the world :-).
In addition to the books, Angela (my cover designer) has been getting into digital painting lately, and she created a special version of the Wolf Mother cover image, that I could use exclusively on mugs, bags, and other bookish "swag" such as tote bags etc. (also for special gifts or giveaways). And I have to say, the mug is one of my favourite things ever and I'm absolutely going to be drinking out of it, when I dive in to writing book 2 soon :-). (Check out some of Angela's other digital paintings and artwork here).
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Another long-awaited parcel that arrived this month, was the season 1-7 DVDs from the TV series Escape to the Chateau. If you haven't watched it, it's about a British couple (Angel and Dick Strawbridge) who buy a chateau in France (for the same price as a two bedroom unit in London), and they renovate it. Angel's a designer with a vintage flair, and Dick is an engineer and chef (and general jack-of-all-trades). It's a really sweet show (and it makes me want to buy a chateau and move to France :-). The kids love watching it too (and they actually get grumpy if we watch it without them).
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Other cool things:
Summer Sorcery ...
Last newsletter I mentioned I'd been invited to join in the Summer Sorcery paranormal women's fiction showcase on instagram, with some other authors who are also writing about women in their forties, discovering their power.
Last month's books included Over the Faery Hill by Jennifer L. Hart (which I am really enjoying) and Making Midlife Magic by Heloise Hull.
This month, the Summer Sorcery books are Borrowed Time by L.A. Boruff (it's about a time-traveling assassin), and A Ghoulish Midlife (co-written by L.A. Boruff and Lia Davis) (about a necromancer who needs to solve a murder mystery) and Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde (about a woman who ditches the shapewear and embraces her shadow magic to find her missing best friend).
I haven't read L.A. Boruff's books yet, but I've read some of Jennifer's work now, and love it, and I've started reading Heloise's and Deborah's, and I'm really enjoying the vibe.
A quote in an article
.A couple of months ago, Sacha Black
(YA and non-fiction author and podcaster), asked for some author input
for an article she was writing about the importance of rest. As a
naturopath (and someone who's burned out a couple of times over the
years thanks to various health conditions), I mentioned some of the
things I do to rest and recharge and Sacha included my comment at the
end of her article, The importance of creative rest for authors.
Although it's an article for authors, I think the message about
balancing activity with rest of any kind, is important for all of us.
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In other news...
The writing/ editing update: I've been a busy bee this month and here's an update on what I've got going on book-wise at the moment:
- The "Secret Project" - for people who are new to my newsletter - basically I was invited to join a "secret project" earlier this year, and I can't say too much about it except that I've written 9K words toward it, and I've signed a contract, and I'll update you on it more, when I can say more. In the mean time, I'll add that its fun, different, and interesting (nice and vague eh?;-) and the heroine is a scientist with a psychic/mystical ability.
- The Middle Grade book I'm writing for my daughter (Glimmer Gully). I've now submitted the first half to my editor and am working on the last half. It's coming along and all going well, it'll be published before her 21st birthday (she's currently 11;-). Seriously though, it's been quite a journey, but after last month's discoveries I've scheduled my time better, and I think I should have it done within 3 weeks.
- Moonstruck Mother Book 2 The people of Lyndenwood Valley aren't just calling out now, they're starting to scream, and I feel like someone's pressed "play" on the movie without waiting for me to get in the lounge room! So, although I have work scheduled to start in 3 weeks for it, I wouldn't be surprised if I get a couple of writing sessions in before then :-)
- A Touch of Magic This novella is my contemporary fantasy with a touch of romance (and the first fiction story I published). I took it down a couple of months ago, to give it a little face lift, and also to get it into print. I'll get to work on that later in August once the middle grade book is totally finished and with my editor Lara.
What I've been reading: It's been another slow reading month, but the 2 audio books I managed to read, were thoroughly worth it!
- The Fourth Apprentice (Book 1 in the Omen of the Stars Series, in the Warriors series by Erin Hunter) I listened to this with my kids and once again, I'm surprised and impressed by the emotional complexity in these stories and the way the issues are dealt with, and shared in such an empathic way. They're deep, sweet, tense, and all about four different cat clans (5 if you count Starclan). They're definitely for older kids, but the themes, friendship, betrayal, love and loss, and even motherhood, are touched on really well.
- Book 7 in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn (When he was wicked), I really love this series (and not for the steamy scenes). What I LOVE most about this series is that it generally focuses on married couples and what happens after the "I do." I was an avid romance reader for a number of years, and this series is a breath of fresh air. Anyway, I've got one book left in the main series, and I'm looking forward to reading it soon.
What I've been watching: Although I've watched a couple movies with the kids, the 2 highlights this month were the TV shows Crazy Delicious (on Netflix) and Escape to the Chateau (we've just bought the DVD's but have been watching it on 9Now).
- Crazy Delicious after making my own YouTube cooking show years ago, I now have a depth of appreciation for the amount of work that goes into cooking shows, cooking blogs, writing recipe books and developing recipes. Crazy Delicious has an adorable set (it looks like a magical fairy garden) and the judges are the "food gods" Heston Bluemnthal, Carla Hall and Niklas Ekstedt. Just like in Nailed It, the judges are kind (I'm really not a fan of shows with snobby, nasty TV judges who humiliate participants for ratings). Anyway, the food in Crazy Delicious is interesting, and the people are pretty sweet and quirky too. We devoured season 1, and I hope they bring out a season 2.
- Escape to the Chateau this has to be one of my favourite shows. I've mentioned it above, so I won't go into it here, but if you want to watch something that's heart warming, and inspiring, I thoroughly recommend it.
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Cat Tales - Admiring the alpha
It's that time in the newsletter, where I tell you about something funny (or naughty) Ollie has been up to. This month, I snapped this cute photo of Ollie gazing adoringly at my hubby.
My hubby and I have had an ongoing joke about the way Ollie worships him. (My hubby, a very down to earth country bloke laughs it off coyly - but that's just because he knows it's true). Some days, Ollie will literally ignore the rest of us (unless he's hungry or bored). When we are hanging out in the lounge room, he'll walk in and then stare us down until we move over to make space for him to sit on the lounge (usually beside my hubby) and then he just stares up at my hubby with those slow blinking "I love you" cat eyes (I call it "admiring the alpha" and "soaking in the alpha vibes" (not to be confused with alpha waves from meditation;-). Anyway, it's pretty cute. (If not annoying for the rest of us who want cuddles too!).
Anyway, it's time to wind up this email, but, I'll be back next full moon with more musings, cat tales and updates!
Lisa
:-)
P.S. Have you seen Crazy Delicious? Or Escape to the Chateau? Do you like it?
And what are you reading or watching at the moment? Have you listened to any good audio books? Let me know. My TBR list is already out of control, but can you ever have too many books?
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