Eva Pasco's Blog, page 4
February 12, 2025
Eva’s Byte #511 – Preliminary Chirps
During a recent February walk before ten o’clock in the morning when it was 24 degrees, with several hours of heavy snow forecasted late Saturday night into early Sunday—I heard birds chirping.
According to flights of fancy in Rhode Island the early birds of Northern Cardinals, Sparrows and Finches are common sights in February.
This unexpected cacophony of vocals infused my heart with optimism that Spring is indeed around the corner despite winter’s last harsh hurrahs.
In the capacity of a writer, my fancy has taken flight along the draft of chapter 10 (407 words) in my Contemporary work in progress. In keeping with the seaside town of Warren, RI, I named my fictitious eatery Shipwreck Grill.
*May the subtleties of nature boost our mood and instill calm.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
According to flights of fancy in Rhode Island the early birds of Northern Cardinals, Sparrows and Finches are common sights in February.
This unexpected cacophony of vocals infused my heart with optimism that Spring is indeed around the corner despite winter’s last harsh hurrahs.
In the capacity of a writer, my fancy has taken flight along the draft of chapter 10 (407 words) in my Contemporary work in progress. In keeping with the seaside town of Warren, RI, I named my fictitious eatery Shipwreck Grill.
*May the subtleties of nature boost our mood and instill calm.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
February 5, 2025
Eva’s Byte #510 – Boundaries
Before I basked in the luxury of retirement, my boundaries were set for me—self-imposed by my devotion to a teaching career. Focusing on tasks and managing time prevailed both inside and outside the classroom.
It’s about time:
In the capacity of a writer whose non-writing tasks take precedence during the day, I set boundaries for social media usage. As me-time breaks are also important, I make sure to exercise first thing each morning. I set aside at least an hour per day in late afternoon to read a book written by a fellow Indie.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Richard Steele
Evening is my prime time for writing.
In that regard, I strive to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction in my chosen genre of Contemporary, bordering on Literary and Psychological Fiction. Having completed the draft of chapter 9 (1629 words), I’m forging ahead with chapter 10 (158 words thus far).
*May each of us set aside time to safeguard our inner peace and to foster our creativity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
It’s about time:
In the capacity of a writer whose non-writing tasks take precedence during the day, I set boundaries for social media usage. As me-time breaks are also important, I make sure to exercise first thing each morning. I set aside at least an hour per day in late afternoon to read a book written by a fellow Indie.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Richard Steele
Evening is my prime time for writing.
In that regard, I strive to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction in my chosen genre of Contemporary, bordering on Literary and Psychological Fiction. Having completed the draft of chapter 9 (1629 words), I’m forging ahead with chapter 10 (158 words thus far).
*May each of us set aside time to safeguard our inner peace and to foster our creativity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 29, 2025
Eva’s Byte #509 – Distractions
Setting aside noble obligations which tend to pack a punch with stress and anxiety, distractions also interfere with a writer’s daily output. Generically speaking, housework and grocery shopping.
Despite being away from my computer for the aforementioned, or any other distraction, my writer’s mind is still at work turning phrases and channeling ideas.
From my perspective, distractions are beneficial for recharging and for gaining new insights. Recalling the typewriter scene in The Shining: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
In the capacity of a writer plotting along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m drafting chapter 9 (1160 words thus far).
*May each of us embrace life’s mundane and pleasant distractions as food for thought.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Despite being away from my computer for the aforementioned, or any other distraction, my writer’s mind is still at work turning phrases and channeling ideas.
From my perspective, distractions are beneficial for recharging and for gaining new insights. Recalling the typewriter scene in The Shining: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
In the capacity of a writer plotting along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m drafting chapter 9 (1160 words thus far).
*May each of us embrace life’s mundane and pleasant distractions as food for thought.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 22, 2025
Eva’s Byte #508 – My Might Song
As of late, whenever I need an assertive pick-me-up, “You Gotta Be” by Des’Ree (released 1994) is my might song for summoning positive thinking and a can-do attitude.
I tend to assimilate the song’s pulsating, adrenaline-pumping lyrics during my morning workout session to get a handle on the day ahead. Paraphrasing its bites of might: you gotta be bad, bold, wiser, tough, stronger, cool, calm, and hold it together.
The motivational mindset works wonders.
In the capacity of a writer fabricating with might along my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve tweaked chapter 8 from 1215 to 1254 words. Chapter 9 is progressing from 667 words thus far.
*May each of us summon our might to meet challenges head-on.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
I tend to assimilate the song’s pulsating, adrenaline-pumping lyrics during my morning workout session to get a handle on the day ahead. Paraphrasing its bites of might: you gotta be bad, bold, wiser, tough, stronger, cool, calm, and hold it together.
The motivational mindset works wonders.
In the capacity of a writer fabricating with might along my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve tweaked chapter 8 from 1215 to 1254 words. Chapter 9 is progressing from 667 words thus far.
*May each of us summon our might to meet challenges head-on.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 15, 2025
Eva’s Byte #507 – Over the Moon!
A purely subjective conjecture, in the capacity of a writer, a glowing book review brings on the metaphor of flying high.
Excerpts from the latest 5-Star review by talented author Susan Sage for Aileen’s
Guesthouse: A Heartfelt Contemporary:
“This is one of those rare novels that I truly didn’t want to finish! I’ve always thought highly of Pasco’s fiction, but this one is truly my favorite. It wasn’t only a ‘Heartfelt Contemporary’ as subtitled, but a keen psychological study of the connections between love and guilt. Through third-person personal voice, Pasco deftly and distinctly breathes life into her portrayals of Aileen, her mother Gert, retired schoolmarm Lillian Wright, the birdman Drake Lynch, Aileen’s boyfriend Ox, as well as one of the later guests—the deeply troubled Perla Moreno.
Pasco perfectly creates a rise and fall of tension as she weaves the common thread of connections made from guilty consciences. There’s a poetry in her word choices and an architectural complexity in the book’s development that turns this work into a most powerful read.”
In the here and now, I’ve completed drafting chapter 8 (1215 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun turning phrases in chapter 9 (152 words thus far).
*May encouraging words foster a belief in the merit of our creative endeavors.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Excerpts from the latest 5-Star review by talented author Susan Sage for Aileen’s
Guesthouse: A Heartfelt Contemporary:
“This is one of those rare novels that I truly didn’t want to finish! I’ve always thought highly of Pasco’s fiction, but this one is truly my favorite. It wasn’t only a ‘Heartfelt Contemporary’ as subtitled, but a keen psychological study of the connections between love and guilt. Through third-person personal voice, Pasco deftly and distinctly breathes life into her portrayals of Aileen, her mother Gert, retired schoolmarm Lillian Wright, the birdman Drake Lynch, Aileen’s boyfriend Ox, as well as one of the later guests—the deeply troubled Perla Moreno.
Pasco perfectly creates a rise and fall of tension as she weaves the common thread of connections made from guilty consciences. There’s a poetry in her word choices and an architectural complexity in the book’s development that turns this work into a most powerful read.”
In the here and now, I’ve completed drafting chapter 8 (1215 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun turning phrases in chapter 9 (152 words thus far).
*May encouraging words foster a belief in the merit of our creative endeavors.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 8, 2025
Eva’s Byte #506 – Hunkering Down
As regions in the United States experience the extreme effects of a polar vortex, my neck of the woods in New England faces several days of bitter cold with gusty breezes, keeping wind chills in the twenties and teens.
One way of staving off the cold is that of hunkering down with a good book to read.
Getting into the literary swing of things, I’ve undertaken the 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge, having pledged to read 25 books. A conservative goal, I tend to double the amount pledged by the time the end of the year rolls around. As always, I prefer to read books written by fellow Indies.
Since the onset of January, I’ve read and reviewed Mancer Hollow by P.S. Winn. I’m currently reading Lost in the Fog by Terry Kerr.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hunkering down drafting chapter 8 (1066 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us stave off the elements by hunkering down with a good book.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
One way of staving off the cold is that of hunkering down with a good book to read.
Getting into the literary swing of things, I’ve undertaken the 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge, having pledged to read 25 books. A conservative goal, I tend to double the amount pledged by the time the end of the year rolls around. As always, I prefer to read books written by fellow Indies.
Since the onset of January, I’ve read and reviewed Mancer Hollow by P.S. Winn. I’m currently reading Lost in the Fog by Terry Kerr.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hunkering down drafting chapter 8 (1066 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us stave off the elements by hunkering down with a good book.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 1, 2025
Eva’s Byte #505 – Adjustments
Another year over
And a new one just begun (From John Lennon’s “So this is Christmas” – released 1971)
So, what will I do now that the New Year has begun?
As memories and reactions to unforeseen developments in 2024 carry over into 2025, I’ll make the necessary adjustments to carry on with fortitude.
Also carrying over into the New Year, my daily regimen of exercising and walking.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m carrying on with drafting my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve completed chapter 7 (1409 words), and I’ve begun writing chapter 8 (550 words thus far).
*May each of us make the necessary adjustments for forging ahead in the New Year.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:
http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
And a new one just begun (From John Lennon’s “So this is Christmas” – released 1971)
So, what will I do now that the New Year has begun?
As memories and reactions to unforeseen developments in 2024 carry over into 2025, I’ll make the necessary adjustments to carry on with fortitude.
Also carrying over into the New Year, my daily regimen of exercising and walking.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m carrying on with drafting my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve completed chapter 7 (1409 words), and I’ve begun writing chapter 8 (550 words thus far).
*May each of us make the necessary adjustments for forging ahead in the New Year.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:
http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 26, 2024
Eva’s Byte #504 – My Literary Year in Review
2024
For starters, I published a novel in July:
“Aileen’s Guesthouse is a heartfelt contemporary novel with beautiful prose. The author transports readers back to Rhode Island in the 1970s, and we are quickly immersed in the goings-on of the residents. All dealing with various stages of grief and unrelenting guilt, the main characters—Aileen, Gert, and Lillian, along with the supporting character, Ox—must come to terms with the hand fate has dealt them and face the consequences of their choices. Themes of coming-of-age, love, grief, and family pepper the pages of the all-encompassing story…I easily felt like I was part of the clan. This was a delightful read that left me profoundly affected. The guesthouse residents will be impossible to forget, and I am grateful to have made their acquaintance.” (Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views)
On Goodreads:
Having pledged to read 25 books in 2024, I actually read and reviewed 53 as of December 26th. All of them are written by independently published authors.
I was recognized as a “top 10% reviewer”.
As this year comes to a close, I’m currently drafting chapter 7 (1275 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*As we move on to the next chapter of 2025, may each of us persevere to achieve our creative goals.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
For starters, I published a novel in July:
“Aileen’s Guesthouse is a heartfelt contemporary novel with beautiful prose. The author transports readers back to Rhode Island in the 1970s, and we are quickly immersed in the goings-on of the residents. All dealing with various stages of grief and unrelenting guilt, the main characters—Aileen, Gert, and Lillian, along with the supporting character, Ox—must come to terms with the hand fate has dealt them and face the consequences of their choices. Themes of coming-of-age, love, grief, and family pepper the pages of the all-encompassing story…I easily felt like I was part of the clan. This was a delightful read that left me profoundly affected. The guesthouse residents will be impossible to forget, and I am grateful to have made their acquaintance.” (Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views)
On Goodreads:
Having pledged to read 25 books in 2024, I actually read and reviewed 53 as of December 26th. All of them are written by independently published authors.
I was recognized as a “top 10% reviewer”.
As this year comes to a close, I’m currently drafting chapter 7 (1275 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*As we move on to the next chapter of 2025, may each of us persevere to achieve our creative goals.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 18, 2024
Eva’s Byte #503 – Hauling out the Holly
Partial to “We Need a Little Christmas,” this popular song originated from Jerry Herman’s Broadway musical, Mame, and was first performed on stage by Angela Lansbury who played the title role.
Needing a little Christmas all year round in my home, the motif abounds beyond hauling out the holly for the holiday season:
A four-foot pine with gnome ornaments
A three-foot pine cone tree with sprigs of pine and berries
A two-foot pine with bird ornamentation
A one-foot pine decorated with colorful, miniature felt mice
A one-foot pine embellished with red berries.
I also have an assortment of plush lumberjack moose and one woodsman Santa decked out in my rustic office for all four seasons.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hauling words along the draft of chapter 7 (702 thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us keep a little Christmas in our hearts all year round.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Needing a little Christmas all year round in my home, the motif abounds beyond hauling out the holly for the holiday season:
A four-foot pine with gnome ornaments
A three-foot pine cone tree with sprigs of pine and berries
A two-foot pine with bird ornamentation
A one-foot pine decorated with colorful, miniature felt mice
A one-foot pine embellished with red berries.
I also have an assortment of plush lumberjack moose and one woodsman Santa decked out in my rustic office for all four seasons.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hauling words along the draft of chapter 7 (702 thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us keep a little Christmas in our hearts all year round.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 11, 2024
Eva’s Byte #502 – On the Outside, Looking In
In the aftermath of light snow, on a gloomy morning with a biting chill of 34 degrees, I set out for my last trip in the capacity of a caregiver. Essentially, heading to the end of the road.
In the midst of braking during heavy commuter traffic, I was serenaded by Andy Williams’ “Happy Holidays” on the local twenty-four-hour Christmas station. Diverting my attention to the houses nearby, their illuminated windows indicated creatures were stirring. Perhaps, some sipped a hot cup of coffee while basking inside the warmth of their home.
Hoop-de-do and dickory dock!
I look forward to reclaiming the warmth of hearth and home without the encumbrance of anxiety.
In the capacity of a writer, it's been a slow crawl, but I hope to pick up the pace along the journey of my Contemporary work in progress. Currently, the draft of chapter 7 has progressed to 602 words.
*May each of us find time to enjoy our favorite seasonal activities.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
In the midst of braking during heavy commuter traffic, I was serenaded by Andy Williams’ “Happy Holidays” on the local twenty-four-hour Christmas station. Diverting my attention to the houses nearby, their illuminated windows indicated creatures were stirring. Perhaps, some sipped a hot cup of coffee while basking inside the warmth of their home.
Hoop-de-do and dickory dock!
I look forward to reclaiming the warmth of hearth and home without the encumbrance of anxiety.
In the capacity of a writer, it's been a slow crawl, but I hope to pick up the pace along the journey of my Contemporary work in progress. Currently, the draft of chapter 7 has progressed to 602 words.
*May each of us find time to enjoy our favorite seasonal activities.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
